Visual function improvement system using virtual reality-based digital devices

Abstract

To provide a visual function improvement system using a digital device based on virtual reality.SOLUTION: An image headset 1 having a wearing means to be worn on a head of a user, a separated display 2 configured to display visual stimulus images separated for left and right eyes of the user, respectively, on the image headset, and an image providing means configured to provide the visual stimulus images or images to the separated display, wherein the image providing means includes a binocular vision stimulus image providing unit configured to separately provide a transformed image and a normal image to the separated display so as to provide an uncertain image to a normal-vision side eyeball of both eyes and activate a weak-vision side eyeball to improve visual function imbalance of both eyes, A system for improving visual function, comprising: a three dimensional gaze line display unit configured to analyze a gaze of a user, to monitor eye movement and visual function treatment in real time by tracking a gaze of both eyes, and to additionally display a virtual focus three dimensional gaze line toward a target object in a virtual image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for improving visual function, and more particularly, to a system for improving visual function using a virtual reality-based digital device, the system comprising: a visual headset having a wearing means for a user to wear on the head; a separate display for displaying separate visual stimulus images for each of the user's left and right eyes on the video headset; and an image providing means for providing visual stimulus images or images to the separate display, wherein the image providing means comprises a binocular visual stimulus image providing unit for separately providing a converted image and a normal image to the separate display so as to provide an unclear image that has been processed to be unclear to the healthy eye of both eyes to improve visual function imbalance between the two eyes and to activate the amblyopic eye, thereby performing "binocular visual stimulus amblyopia treatment" using virtual images. [Background technology]

[0002] Visual function refers to the functions of the eye, including visual acuity, color vision, and binocular vision, such as stereopsis. Vision is a complex function that is only achieved through the precise and balanced cooperation of various structures, from the eyes to the cerebral cortex. Because each structure matures almost simultaneously, the development of each structure influences the development of the entire visual system. While some of this developmental process proceeds as planned even before birth, others are controlled by neurons activated by visual stimuli experienced after birth. At birth, 70% of the visual cortex contains binocular cortical neurons and the remaining monocular cortical neurons. However, only after birth, with appropriate binocular visual stimulation, binocular cortical neurons continue to differentiate and develop, ultimately achieving normal visual acuity and stereopsis. Therefore, if an infant does not receive appropriate visual stimulation after birth, their visual development will be limited and they will develop into a condition known as low vision.

[0003] Amblyopia refers to the failure of visual functions, such as visual acuity, to develop normally during the critical period when vision develops. It can involve poor vision in only one eye or in both eyes, but it refers to an abnormal visual function in which corrected vision does not reach 20 / 20 even with glasses to correct refractive errors. Amblyopia is the most common cause of vision loss in children and accounts for approximately the fifth-highest cause of low vision in adults. According to recent reports, approximately 10% of children worldwide have been diagnosed with amblyopia, and the number is continuing to increase.

[0004] To solve this problem of amblyopia, eyeglasses are prescribed for refractive errors, and if there is any accompanying eye disease that is impeding visual development, the underlying disease must be treated. If the visual function does not improve even with eyeglasses, occlusion therapy or eye drops can be tried to improve the vision of the weaker eye.

[0005] However, the current occlusion treatment, which involves applying an occlusion patch to one eye, is very similar to a method used about 80 years ago. It has drawbacks, such as low pediatric patient compliance with the patch on the good eye, long-term treatment required, and unpredictable results. Furthermore, occlusion is virtually ineffective in adult amblyopic patients. Furthermore, while amblyopia can improve vision if detected and treated early, before the age of 8-10, if this opportunity is missed, the condition will remain untreated and the child will remain with lifelong visual impairment, resulting in not only personal inconvenience but also an economic burden on the family, society, and nation.

[0006] Furthermore, existing occlusion treatments are based on the principle of restoring monocular visual deprivation, one of the mechanisms of amblyopia, and are unable to improve binocular signal imbalance, another important mechanism behind amblyopia. Because amblyopia can become a lifelong disability if treatment is not initiated at the right time, there is currently no treatment method available for the 20-30% of pediatric patients whose condition does not improve with occlusion treatment and eye drops, or for adolescent or adult amblyopic patients who missed the right time to receive amblyopia treatment. Therefore, a new treatment concept must be developed, and currently, binocular visual stimulation treatment is emerging as the only available treatment.

[0007] The principle of "binocular visual stimulation therapy" is as follows.

[0008] Generally, due to the difference in visual acuity between the two eyes, a blurred image is input to the visual cortex in the occipital lobe of the brain, while a clear image is input to the normal eye.The normal eye then sends an inhibitory signal to the amblyopic eye, which further inhibits the amblyopic eye and limits its visual development.

[0009] However, in the case of "binocular visual stimulation therapy," by separating the visual stimuli for both eyes and making the normal eye appear blurred, the visual input to the normal eye (normal vision) is reduced to the level of the amblyopic eye (weak vision), thereby reducing the inhibitory signal sent to the amblyopic eye and improving the vision of the amblyopic eye.

[0010] In other words, "binocular vision stimulation therapy" is a treatment for amblyopia that effectively removes the inhibitory signals transmitted from the normal eye to the amblyopic eye, allowing both eyes to develop simultaneously.

[0011] However, although binocular visual stimulation therapy is being researched and medical equipment developed both domestically and internationally, it is still only being used as a primary treatment, and there is a lack of research into methods using medical equipment that utilize virtual reality, and there is no research into providing diverse visual stimuli to help patients concentrate.In particular, a visual stimulation method to create a visual function state such as amblyopia has not yet been clarified, and a method for tracking and monitoring gaze using 3D images has not yet been clarified. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2024-0008500 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] Therefore, the inventor has comprehensively considered the above-mentioned matters and, with the idea of ​​solving the technical limitations and problems of existing technologies for treating amblyopia, has made tireless efforts and research to develop a visual function improvement system with a new structure, and as a result, has invented the present invention.

[0014] Therefore, the technical problem and objective of the present invention is to overcome the problems and limitations of the existing amblyopia treatment, which involves applying an occlusion patch to occlude one eye, and to provide recently researched binocular vision stimulation treatment to patients more effectively and increase the convenience of the patients.

[0015] Here, the technical problems and objectives that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems and objectives not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] Specific means according to the present invention for effectively achieving a specific technical object while embodying a novel idea for solving the technical problems of the present invention as described above include a video headset having a wearing means for a user to wear on his / her head, a separate display for displaying separate visual stimulus images for each of the user's left and right eyes on the video headset, and an image providing means for providing a visual stimulus image or image to the separate display, wherein the image providing means includes a binocular visual stimulus image providing unit for separately providing a converted image and a normal image to the separate display, by providing an unclear image that has been processed to be less clear to the healthy eye of both eyes so as to improve visual function imbalance between the eyes, thereby activating the amblyopic eye. The image providing means also includes a responsive content image providing unit for tracking the user's gaze and separately providing a content image that operates in response to the user's gaze, by providing the converted image and the normal image. The present invention also includes a 3D virtual image providing unit that provides a 3D virtual image to the user, and a 3D line of sight display port that analyzes the user's line of sight and, when the user looks at a target object on the virtual image, tracks the line of sight of both eyes and further displays a virtual focal 3D line of sight toward the target object on the virtual image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the technology of the present invention, which is based on a unique solution to solve the above technical problems, a conversion image and a normal image are provided on a separate display to activate the amblyopic eye and improve the user's visual function using a virtual image. Furthermore, a responsive content image providing unit increases the user's concentration and participation, making visual function treatment more efficient. Furthermore, by tracking the gaze of both eyes, eye movement and visual function treatment can be monitored in real time, and a 3D gaze line is provided to the user, allowing the user to check 3D information including the depth of the user's gaze in real time, thereby improving the concentration of visual function treatment.

[0018] Here, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an embodiment of a video headset to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] 10 is an exemplary view showing an example of a shape in which a normal image and a brightness-changed image are displayed on a separate display by a brightness-changed image providing unit according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is an exemplary view showing an example of a normal image and a saturation-changed image displayed on a separate display by a saturation-changed image providing unit according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is an exemplary view showing an example of a normal image and a focus-varying image displayed on a separate display by a focus-varying image providing unit according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is an exemplary view showing an example of a shape in which a content image is displayed on a separate display by a reaction content image providing unit according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an exemplary view showing a shape of a 3D line of sight display port displayed in 3D according to a user's line of sight when an image is displayed on a separate display by a 3D virtual image providing unit according to the present invention; [Figure 7] 10 is an exemplary view showing a shape of a 3D line of sight display port displayed in 3D according to a user's line of sight when an image is displayed on a separate display by a 3D virtual image providing unit according to the present invention; [Figure 8] 10 is an exemplary diagram showing that when a 3D virtual image providing unit displays an image on a separate display according to the present invention, the target acceptable area processing unit stably displays the gaze line display port when the user's gaze remains within the target acceptable area. [Figure 9] 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a shape representing an imbalance confirmation image providing unit according to the present invention; [Figure 10]1 is an exemplary diagram showing a shape of a real-time video conversion providing unit having a real-time video shooting unit according to the present invention; [Figure 11] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the components of a binocular vision stimulating image providing unit according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between components of a reaction content video providing unit according to the present invention; [Figure 13] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the configurations of a 3D virtual image providing unit according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 14] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the components of an imbalance confirmation image providing unit according to the present invention; [Figure 15] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration relationship of a real-time video conversion providing unit according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to describing the present invention, it is made clear that the terms used below are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention and should be interpreted as concepts consistent with the technical ideas of the present invention and as meanings commonly or commonly recognized in the art. Furthermore, if it is determined that a detailed description of well-known functions or configurations related to the present invention may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0021] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are for the purpose of explaining the structure and operation of the technology and for the sake of clarity and convenience of understanding, and that some of the components are exaggerated or simplified, and that the size and shape of each component do not exactly correspond to the actual size and shape.

[0022] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "and / or" means a combination of multiple related listed items or any of multiple related listed items, and when a part includes a certain element, this does not mean excluding other elements, but may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified to the contrary.

[0023] That is, terms such as "including," "comprising," "comprising," and "having" should be understood to mean the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, element, component, or combination thereof set forth herein, but not to exclude the possible presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0024] Terms such as upper end, lower end, upper surface, lower surface, upper part, lower part, upper side, lower side, front / rear, left / right, etc., are used for convenience to distinguish the relative positions of each component. For example, the upper side in a drawing is referred to as the upper side, the lower side as the lower side, the longitudinal direction as the front / rear direction, and the width direction as the left / right direction. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various components. That is, terms such as "first" and "second" are used simply to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component can be referred to as a second component, and a second component can also be referred to as a first component, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] The present invention aims to provide "binocular visual stimulation amblyopia treatment" using virtual images to treat amblyopia in a visual function improvement system, and the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to explain his / her invention in the best possible way.

[0026] That is, the present invention provides a visual function improvement system comprising a video headset 1 having a wearing means for a user to wear on the head, a separate display 2 that displays separate visual stimulus images on the video headset for each of the user's left and right eyes, and a video providing means 3 that provides visual stimulus images or images to the separate display.

[0027] Here, the image providing means 3 includes a binocular vision stimulating image providing unit 100 that provides an uncertain image to the eyeball on the normal vision side (normal visual acuity) of both eyes to improve the visual function imbalance between the two eyes, and separately provides a converted image and a normal image on a separate display to activate the eyeball on the amblyopic side (relatively weak visual acuity).

[0028] In this case, the binocular vision stimulation image providing unit 100 includes a brightness change image providing unit 110, a saturation change image providing unit 120, or a focus change image providing unit .

[0029] Here, the brightness-changing image providing unit 110 provides a normal image to the display on the weak-vision side and an image with brightness changed in stages to the display on the normal-vision side, the saturation-changing image providing unit 120 provides a normal image to the display on the weak-vision side and an image with saturation changed in stages to the display on the normal-vision side, and the focus-changing image providing unit 130 provides a normal image to the display on the weak-vision side and an image with focus changed in stages to the display on the normal-vision side.

[0030] Also, one side of the video headset is provided with pupil detection means 4 for detecting the pupils so as to recognize the line of sight of the user.

[0031] In addition, the image providing means 3 includes a reaction content image providing unit 200 that tracks the user's gaze through the pupil detection means and provides content images that react and operate according to the user's gaze by separating them into converted images and normal images.

[0032] The image providing means 3 also includes a 3D virtual image providing unit 300 that provides the user with a 3D virtual image in the form of left-right parallax images on a separate display.

[0033] Furthermore, the device is provided with a 3D line of sight display port 310 that analyzes the user's line of sight through the information value of the pupil detection means 4, and further displays a virtual focal 3D line of sight toward the target object on the virtual image when the user looks at the target object on the virtual image provided by the 3D virtual image providing unit 300.

[0034] In this case, even if the user's line of sight is not fixed exactly on the target object so that the three-dimensional line of sight is stably displayed on the target object, a target allowable area processing port 320 is provided which adjusts and displays the three-dimensional line of sight toward the target object if the user's line of sight enters the allowable peripheral area of ​​the target object.

[0035] The device also includes a visual function imbalance checking means for checking the visual function imbalance of the user, distinguishing between relatively sighted and amblyopic eyes, checking the visual function imbalance between both eyes, and measuring the imbalance value.

[0036] Here, the visual function imbalance confirmation means comprises an imbalance confirmation image providing unit 410 that provides an imbalance confirmation image on a separate display, an eyeball measuring unit 420 that measures the two eyes (refractive index, pupil change value, pupil movement value) of the user viewing the imbalance confirmation image displayed on the separate display, and an imbalance calculation unit 430 that calculates the degree of imbalance between the two eyes based on the values ​​of the eyeball measuring unit.

[0037] The headset also includes a real-time image capturing unit 510 that captures an external image in real time on one side of the image headset so as to convert the real-time external image and provide it as a visual stimulus image, and a real-time image conversion providing unit 520 that converts the external image captured by the real-time image capturing unit in real time and provides the converted external image and the normal external image separately on a separate display.

[0038] Meanwhile, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and applications not exemplified herein can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention, and that the present invention can be widely applied by replacing each component and modifying it into other equivalent embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the content related to the modification and application of the technical features of the present invention is included within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Video headset 2 Separate display 2a Display for the amblyopic side 2b Display on normal side 3. Video provision methods 4. Pupil detection means 10 Target Objects 20 Acceptable Area 30 3D line of sight 30a User's actual gaze 100 Binocular Visual Stimulus Video Provider 110 Brightness Change Video Provider 120 Saturation Change Video Provider 130 Focus Change Video Provider 200 Reaction Content Video Provider 300 3D Virtual Image Provider 310 3D line of sight display port 320 Target Allowable Area Processing Port 410 Imbalance confirmation video provision department 420 Eye measurement section 430 Imbalance calculation section 510 Real-time video conversion provider 520 Real-time video conversion unit

Claims

1. In the visual enhancement system, A video headset (1) having a wearing means for a user to wear on their head; a separate display (2) that displays separate visual stimulus images to the left and right eyes of the user in the video headset; The headset comprises an image providing means (3) for providing a visual stimulus image or picture to the separate display, and an pupil detecting means (4) for detecting the pupil of a user so as to recognize the user's gaze on one side of the headset; The video providing means comprises: a binocular vision stimulation image providing unit (100) that provides an uncertainly converted image and a normal image separately to a normal-vision side display and an amblyopic side display of a separate display, respectively, so as to provide an uncertain image to the normal-vision side eyeball of both eyes to improve the visual function imbalance between the two eyes and activate the amblyopic (relatively weak visual acuity) eyeball; a reaction content image providing unit (200) for tracking a user's gaze through an pupil detection means, and providing a content image that reacts and operates according to the user's gaze by separating the converted image and the normal image; a three-dimensional virtual image providing unit (300) that provides a three-dimensional virtual image to a user as a left-right parallax image on a separate display; The three-dimensional virtual image providing unit (300) a 3D line of sight display unit (310) that analyzes the user's line of sight through the information value of the pupil detection unit, and further displays a virtual 3D line of sight, which is the user's line of sight toward the target object, on the virtual image provided by the 3D virtual image providing unit when the user looks at the target object on the virtual image; A visual function improvement system using a virtual reality-based digital device, characterized by comprising: a target tolerance area processing unit (320) that adjusts and displays a three-dimensional line of sight toward the target object when the user's line of sight enters a peripheral tolerance area of ​​the target object, even if the user's line of sight is not accurately fixed on the target object so that the three-dimensional line of sight is stably displayed on the target object.

2. The binocular vision stimulus image providing unit (100) includes a brightness change image providing unit (110), a saturation change image providing unit (120), or a focus change image providing unit (130), the brightness-changed image providing unit (110) provides a normal image to the weak-vision-side display and an image in which brightness is changed with respect to the normal image to the normal-vision-side display; the saturation-changed image providing unit (120) provides a normal image to the weak-vision-side display and an image in which saturation is changed with respect to the normal image to the normal-vision-side display; 2. The system for improving visual function using a virtual reality-based digital device according to claim 1, wherein the focus-changed image providing unit (130) provides a normal image to the display on the weak-vision side and provides an image with a focus change relative to the normal image to the display on the normal-vision side.

3. a visual function imbalance checking means for checking the visual function imbalance of the user, distinguishing between a relatively sighted eyeball and an amblyopic eyeball, checking the visual function imbalance between the two eyes, and measuring an imbalance value; The visual function imbalance confirmation means an imbalance confirmation image providing unit (410) for providing an imbalance confirmation image on a separate display; an eyeball measuring unit (420) for measuring at least one of a refractive index, a pupil change value, and a pupil movement value from the two eyes of the user viewing the imbalance confirmation image displayed on the separate display; and an imbalance calculation unit (430) that calculates the degree of imbalance between the eyes based on the value measured by the eyeball measurement unit, a real-time image capturing unit (510) for capturing an external image in real time on one side of the image headset so as to convert the real-time external image and provide a visual stimulus image; and a real-time image conversion providing unit (520) that converts the external image captured from the real-time image capturing unit into a converted external image and a normal external image in real time on a separate display and provides the converted external image and the normal external image separately.

Images