ophthalmic devices

Abstract

To provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of more efficiently acquiring information of an eye to be examined, by simplified operation.SOLUTION: An ophthalmologic apparatus 100 comprises: a measuring head 16 which has a measurement optical system 21 being an information acquisition part for acquiring information of an eye to be examined; a display part 30 which has a touch panel type display screen 30a on which an operation screen is displayed; and a control part 26 which controls the measuring head 16 on the basis of input information including touch operation to the display screen 30a. The control part 26 has: a normal input mode for controlling the measurement optical system 21 on the basis of input information with respect to the operation screen; and a gesture input mode for controlling the measurement optical system 21 on the basis of input information by gesture input with respect to a gesture input region 30c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ophthalmologic apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an ophthalmologic apparatus that includes a touch panel having a detection surface capable of detecting a touch operation, and acquires information of an eye to be examined in accordance with an operation performed on the touch panel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the ophthalmologic apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a band-shaped first operation area extending from the upper end to the lower end of the detection surface along the right edge of the detection surface of the touch panel, and a band-shaped second operation area extending from the upper end to the lower end along the left edge of the detection surface are provided, and the value of an optometry parameter can be changed in accordance with a drag operation performed on the first operation area and the second operation area.

[0003] With this configuration, the ophthalmologic apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has improved operability, and an examiner can operate the touch panel while checking the facial expression of the subject and the state of the eye to be examined without visually recognizing the screen of the touch panel. As such, development of a technology that can acquire information of an eye to be examined more efficiently with simpler operations is desired.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an ophthalmologic apparatus that can acquire information of an eye to be examined more efficiently with simpler operations.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the ophthalmic apparatus of this disclosure comprises: an information acquisition unit used for acquiring information on the eye under examination; a display unit having a touch panel display screen that displays an operation screen for operating the information acquisition unit; and a control unit that controls the information acquisition unit based on input information including touch operations on the display screen. The control unit has a normal input mode in which it controls the information acquisition unit based on the input information to the operation screen; and a gesture input mode in which it controls the information acquisition unit based on input information obtained by gesture input to a gesture input area provided on the display screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] With an ophthalmic device configured in this way, it becomes possible to acquire information about the eye being examined more efficiently and with simpler operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3A] This figure shows the detailed configuration of the measuring optical system for the right eye of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3B] This figure schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the field lens shown in Figure 3A. [Figure 3C] This figure schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the conical prism shown in Figure 3A. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the display unit of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example and a modified example of gesture input to the gesture input area of ​​the display unit. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of gesture input to the gesture input area of ​​the display unit. [Figure 7]This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of gesture input to the gesture input area of ​​the display unit. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of gesture input for the gesture input area of ​​the display unit. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of gesture input for the gesture input area of ​​the display unit. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of gesture input for the gesture input area of ​​the display unit. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of gesture input to the gesture input area of ​​the display unit. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating gesture input using an examiner's controller in an ophthalmic device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the ophthalmic device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for subjective examinations displayed on the display unit of an ophthalmic device according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (First Embodiment) The following describes an ophthalmic device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. First, the overall configuration of the ophthalmic device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The ophthalmic device 100 of the first embodiment is a binocular open-type ophthalmic device that can simultaneously measure the characteristics of both eyes E while the subject has both eyes open. The ophthalmic device 100 of this embodiment can also be used to examine one eye at a time by occluding one eye or turning off the fixation target. Furthermore, the ophthalmic device is not limited to the binocular open type, and this disclosure can also be applied to ophthalmic devices that measure the characteristics of one eye at a time.

[0010] The ophthalmologic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is an apparatus that performs any subjective examination, and can also perform objective examinations. In a subjective examination, the ophthalmologic apparatus 100 presents a visual target or the like to a subject at a predetermined presentation position, and acquires an examination result based on the subject's response to the visual target or the like. Such subjective examinations include subjective refraction measurements such as distance vision examination, intermediate vision examination, near vision examination, contrast examination, night vision examination, glare examination, pinhole examination, and stereoscopic vision examination, as well as visual field examination. In an objective examination, the ophthalmologic apparatus 100 irradiates the eye E to be examined with light, and measures information (ocular characteristics) related to the eye E to be examined based on the detection result of the returned light. Such objective examination includes measurement for acquiring characteristics of the eye E to be examined and imaging for acquiring an image of the eye E to be examined. Furthermore, objective examinations include objective refraction measurement (refraction measurement), corneal topography measurement (keratometry), intraocular pressure measurement, fundus photography, tomographic imaging using optical coherence tomography (hereinafter referred to as "OCT") (OCT imaging), measurement using OCT, and the like.

[0011] [Overall Configuration of Ophthalmologic Apparatus] As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the ophthalmologic apparatus 100 of the present embodiment mainly includes a main body 10, an examiner controller 27, and a subject controller 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 10 includes a base 11, an optometry table 12, a support column 13, an arm 14, a drive mechanism (drive unit) 15, a pair of measurement heads 16, a forehead rest 17, and a control unit 26. The ophthalmologic apparatus 100 acquires information of the subject's eye E to be examined in a state where the subject facing the optometry table 12 rests their forehead on the forehead rest 17 provided between the two measurement heads 16. Throughout the present specification, as shown in FIG. 1, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined: from the subject's perspective, the left-right direction is defined as the X direction, the vertical direction is defined as the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction (the depth direction of the measurement heads 16) is defined as the Z direction.

[0012] The optometry table 12 is a table for placing an examiner controller 27, a subject controller 28, and articles used for optometry, and is supported by the base 11. The optometry table 12 may be supported by the base 11 such that its position (height position) in the Y direction is adjustable.

[0013] The support column 13 is supported by the base 11 so as to extend in the Y direction at the rear end of the optometry table 12, and an arm 14 is provided at the front end thereof. The arm 14 suspends both measurement heads 16 via a drive mechanism 15 above the optometry table 12, and extends from the support column 13 toward the near side in the Z direction. The arm 14 is configured to be movable in the Y direction relative to the support column 13. Note that the arm 14 may also be configured to be movable in the X direction and the Z direction relative to the support column 13. A pair of measurement heads 16 suspended by a pair of drive mechanisms 15 are supported at the front end of the arm 14.

[0014] The measurement heads 16 are provided as a pair to individually correspond to the left and right subject's eyes E of the subject, and are referred to as a left-eye measurement head 16L and a right-eye measurement head 16R when described individually hereinafter. The left-eye measurement head 16L acquires information of the left subject eye E of the subject, and the right-eye measurement head 16R acquires information of the right subject eye E of the subject. The left-eye measurement head 16L and the right-eye measurement head 16R are configured to be plane-symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane located midway therebetween in the X direction.

[0015] Each measurement head 16 is provided with a mirror 18 (18L, 18R) that serves as a deflecting member, and information of the corresponding subject eye E is acquired through the mirror 18 by a measurement optical system 21 described below.

[0016] Each measurement head 16 is provided with a measurement optical system 21 (referred to as a right-eye measurement optical system 21R and a left-eye measurement optical system 21L when described individually) that acquires eye information of the subject eye E. The detailed configuration of the measurement optical system 21 will be described later.

[0017] Both measuring heads 16 are movably suspended by a drive mechanism 15 provided on a base suspended from the tip of an arm 14. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 15 includes a left-eye drive mechanism 15L corresponding to the left-eye measuring head 16L, and a right-eye drive mechanism 15R corresponding to the right-eye measuring head 16R. As shown in Figure 2, the left-eye drive mechanism 15L includes a left-eye vertical drive unit 22L, a left-eye horizontal drive unit 23L, a left-eye X-direction rotation drive unit (left-eye horizontal rotation drive unit) 24L, and a left-eye Y-direction rotation drive unit (left-eye vertical rotation drive unit) 25L. The right eye drive mechanism 15R includes a right eye vertical drive unit 22R, a right eye horizontal drive unit 23R, a right eye X-direction rotation drive unit (right eye horizontal rotation drive unit) 24R, and a right eye Y-direction rotation drive unit (right eye vertical rotation drive unit) 25R.

[0018] The configuration of each drive unit corresponding to the left eye measuring head 16L and the configuration of each drive unit corresponding to the right eye measuring head 16R are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane located midway between them in the X direction. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, these will simply be referred to as the vertical drive unit 22, the horizontal drive unit 23, the X-direction rotation drive unit 24, and the Y-direction rotation drive unit 25. The same applies to other components that are provided symmetrically on the left and right sides.

[0019] The drive mechanism 15 is configured with the following components arranged from top to bottom: a vertical drive unit 22, a horizontal drive unit 23, an X-direction rotation drive unit 24, and a Y-direction rotation drive unit 25.

[0020] The vertical drive unit 22 is fixed to the base at the tip of the arm 14 and, based on a control signal from the control unit 26, moves the horizontal drive unit 23, the X-direction rotation drive unit 24, and the Y-direction rotation drive unit 25 relative to the arm 14 in the Y direction (vertical direction). The horizontal drive unit 23 is fixed to the vertical drive unit 22 and, based on a control signal from the control unit 26, moves the X-direction rotation drive unit 24 and the Y-direction rotation drive unit 25 relative to the vertical drive unit 22 in the X direction and the Z direction (horizontal direction).

[0021] The vertical drive unit 22 and the horizontal drive unit 23 are configured with an actuator that generates driving force, such as a pulse motor, and a transmission mechanism that transmits driving force, such as a combination of gears or a rack and pinion. The horizontal drive unit 23 can be easily configured and horizontal movement can be easily controlled by providing separate combinations of actuators and transmission mechanisms for the X and Z directions, for example.

[0022] The X-direction rotation drive unit 24 is connected to the horizontal drive unit 23. Based on a control signal from the control unit 26, the X-direction rotation drive unit 24 rotates the corresponding measuring head 16 and Y-direction rotation drive unit 25 in the X direction (horizontal direction) relative to the horizontal drive unit 23, around a pair of left and right vertical eye rotation axes that extend vertically (Y direction) through the eye rotation point O (see Figure 3) of the eye being examined E as the center (rotation axis).

[0023] The Y-direction rotation drive unit 25 is connected to the X-direction rotation drive unit 24. A measuring head 16 is suspended from this Y-direction rotation drive unit 25. Based on a control signal from the control unit 26, the Y-direction rotation drive unit 25 rotates the measuring head 16 corresponding to the X-direction rotation drive unit 24 in the Y-direction (vertical direction, up and down direction) around a pair of left and right horizontal eye rotation axes that extend horizontally (X-direction) through the eye rotation point O of the corresponding eye E under examination as the center (rotation axis).

[0024] The X-direction rotation drive unit 24 and the Y-direction rotation drive unit 25 can be configured such that, for example, a transmission mechanism that receives driving force from an actuator moves along an arc-shaped guide groove. By aligning the center position of each guide groove with a pair of horizontal eye rotation axes and a pair of vertical eye rotation axes, the X-direction rotation drive unit 24 and the Y-direction rotation drive unit 25 can rotate the measuring head 16 around the pair of horizontal eye rotation axes and the pair of vertical eye rotation axes of the eye under examination E.

[0025] Furthermore, the X-direction rotation drive unit 24 can be configured to support the Y-direction rotation drive unit 25 and the measuring head 16 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis provided on itself, and to rotate while changing the position in which the measuring head 16 is supported in cooperation with the horizontal drive unit 23. Also, the Y-direction rotation drive unit 25 can be configured to support the measuring head 16 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis provided on itself, and to rotate while changing the position in which the measuring head 16 is supported in cooperation with the vertical drive unit 22.

[0026] With the above configuration, the drive mechanism 15 can move each measuring head 16 individually or in conjunction with each other in the X, Y, and Z directions, and can also rotate each measuring head E in the X and Y directions around the vertical and horizontal rotation axes of the eye under examination. In the ophthalmic device 100 of this embodiment, each drive unit 22 to 25 of the drive mechanism 15 is driven in response to a control signal from the control unit 26 to move and rotate each measuring head 16. Furthermore, the examiner can manually drive each drive unit 22 to 25 to move and rotate each measuring head 16.

[0027] Furthermore, the left eye X-direction rotation drive unit 24L and the right eye X-direction rotation drive unit 24R can rotate the left eye measuring head 16L and the right eye measuring head 16R in the X direction (left-right direction), thereby causing the eye under examination E to diverge (divergence movement) or converge (convergence movement). In addition, the left eye Y-direction rotation drive unit 25L and the right eye Y-direction rotation drive unit 25R can rotate the left eye measuring head 16L and the right eye measuring head 16R in the Y direction (up-down direction), thereby directing the gaze of the eye under examination E downwards or returning it to its original position. As a result, with the ophthalmic device 100, the subject can perform divergence and convergence movement tests, and conduct tests at various test distances, from distance vision tests at far points to near vision tests at near points, while maintaining binocular vision, to measure various characteristics of both eyes under examination E.

[0028] The examiner controller 27 is a device used by the examiner, who is the operator, to operate the ophthalmic device 100. The examiner controller 27 is an information processing device equipped with a computer having a CPU and a memory device. The examiner controller 27 of the first embodiment consists of a tablet terminal. However, the examiner controller 27 is not limited to a tablet terminal and can be a smartphone, other portable information terminal, a notebook personal computer, a desktop personal computer, etc., or it can be a controller dedicated to the ophthalmic device 100.

[0029] In the ophthalmic apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the examiner controller 27 is configured to be portable. The examiner may operate the examiner controller 27 while it is placed on the eye examination table 12, or they may operate it while holding it in their hand.

[0030] The examiner controller 27 is equipped with a display unit (display panel) 30 consisting of a touch panel display. This display unit 30 comprises a display screen 30a on which images, etc., are displayed, and a touch panel type input unit 30b superimposed on the display screen 30a. The display unit 30 itself is an input unit, and the display screen 30a of the display unit 30 functions as an input unit 30b that accepts input operations, including touch operations by the examiner. The input unit 30b also functions as a detection surface that detects touch operations by the examiner's finger or stylus.

[0031] The examiner controller 27 is capable of short-range communication with the control unit 26 via short-range wireless or other communication means. Based on the display control signals sent from the control unit 26, the examiner controller 27 displays predetermined screens and images on the display screen 30a, such as the examiner's operation screen (for example, the subjective examination operation screen 40 in Figure 4), and the anterior segment image E' acquired by the image sensor 159 of the measurement optical system 21, which will be described later. The examiner controller 27 also accepts operation inputs such as touch operations by the examiner on the display screen 30a (input unit 30b) and sends input information (control signals) corresponding to these operation inputs to the control unit 26.

[0032] The following describes touch operations performed on the display screen 30a (input unit 30b). In the following description, touch operations are described as operations performed by touching the display screen 30a (input unit 30b), but operations performed in the vicinity of the display screen 30a (at a predetermined distance from the display screen 30a) without touching the display screen 30a may also be included.

[0033] Touch operations include, for example, pinch-in, pinch-out, flick, tap, drag, and swipe operations on the display screen 30a (input unit 30b). A pinch-in operation is when the examiner brings two fingers close together while touching the display screen 30a. A pinch-out operation is when the examiner moves two fingers far apart while touching the display screen 30a. A flick operation is when the examiner touches the display screen 30a in a sweeping motion. A tap operation is when the examiner touches the display screen 30a in a tapping motion. A drag operation is when the examiner touches the display screen 30a while keeping their hand on the operating surface and dragging from one point to another. A swipe operation is when the examiner touches the display screen 30a in a sweeping motion. For example, the input unit 30b (detection unit) detects touch operations using detection methods such as capacitive touch, resistive touch, and surface acoustic wave touch. Furthermore, the touch operations described above include touch operations performed with one finger (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "single-touch operations") and touch operations performed with two to ten fingers (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "multi-touch operations").

[0034] Furthermore, the display screen 30a (input section 30b) has a gesture input area 30c. This gesture input area 30c only needs to be at least a part of the display screen 30a (input section 30b). For example, the gesture input area 30c may be the upper half, lower half, right half, or left half of the display screen 30a, or it may be a wider area than half, but it is more preferable to make it the entire display screen 30a. The entire display screen 30a may be substantially the entire screen, but it is sufficient if it is almost the entire screen.

[0035] Furthermore, an icon area may be provided near the edge of the display screen 30a (at least one of the left, right, top, or bottom edges) to display predetermined icons for visual operation, and the gesture input area 30c may be an area other than this icon area. The examiner can then operate the icons in the icon area visually and perform gesture input by touch in the gesture input area 30c. In addition, the display screen 30a may be divided vertically or horizontally to provide two gesture input areas 30c. This allows the examiner to perform gesture input related to the left eye examination in one gesture input area 30c and gesture input related to the right eye examination in the other gesture input area 30c.

[0036] The ophthalmic device 100 (control unit 26) has two input modes for the display screen 30a (input unit 30b): a "normal input mode" and a "gesture input mode." In the "normal input mode," the control unit 26 controls each part of the ophthalmic device 100 based on input information obtained by touch operations on the operation screen (for example, the subjective examination operation screen 40 in Figure 4) displayed on the display screen 30a of the display unit 30. In the "gesture input mode," the control unit 26 controls each part of the ophthalmic device 100 based on input information obtained by gesture input to the gesture input area 30c. When in gesture input mode, the display screen 30a (input unit 30b) functions as a gesture input area 30c. The procedure for switching to each input mode and the operation of the ophthalmic device 100 under the control of the control unit 26 in each input mode will be described later.

[0037] In "normal input mode," the examiner controller 27 displays the examiner's operation screen on the display screen 30a. The display screen 30a may also display the visual targets presented to the eye E under examination by the visual target chart 143, facing the examiner. The examiner controller 27 also accepts input operations such as touch operations on icons or pop-up screens displayed on the operation screen by the examiner, and sends input information (control signals) corresponding to the input operations to the control unit 26.

[0038] In "gesture input mode," the examiner controller 27 accepts input operations via gesture input to the gesture input area 30c and sends input information (control signals) corresponding to the input operations to the control unit 26. In this embodiment, "gesture input" means, but is not limited to, the following operations on the gesture input area 30c (1) and (2), and may be either (1) or (2).

[0039] (1) Directional touch operation (2) Non-directional multi-touch operation

[0040] (1) "Directional touch operation" refers to an operation in which the examiner moves their finger while touching the display screen 30a, such as pinch-in, pinch-out, flick, drag, or swipe. This "directional touch operation" may be a single touch operation with one finger or a multi-touch operation with multiple fingers.

[0041] In contrast, "non-directional touch operations" are operations in which the examiner briefly touches the display screen 30a without moving their finger, such as tapping the display screen 30a. Therefore, "non-directional multi-touch operations" in (2) include tap operations performed using multiple fingers. Touch operations other than (1) and (2), i.e., "non-directional single-touch operations," are recognized by the control unit 26 as normal input operations in normal input mode.

[0042] The subject controller 28 is a device used by the subject to respond when acquiring various types of eye information from the subject eye E. The subject controller 28 includes, for example, a keyboard, mouse, joystick, touchpad, touch panel, etc. The subject controller 28 is connected to the control unit 26 via a wired or wireless communication path and sends input information (control signals) to the control unit 26 in response to operations performed on the subject controller 28.

[0043] [Measurement optical system] The left eye measuring optical system 21L and the right eye measuring optical system 21R are each composed of a visual acuity testing device that performs visual acuity testing while switching the presented visual target, a phoropter that acquires the appropriate corrective refractive power of the eye E while switching and arranging corrective lenses, a refractometer or wavefront sensor for measuring refractive power, a fundus camera for capturing images of the fundus, a tomography device for capturing cross-sectional images of the retina, a specular microscope for capturing corneal endothelial images, a keratometer for measuring corneal shape, a tonometer for measuring intraocular pressure, etc., either individually or in combination.

[0044] Figure 3A shows the detailed configuration of the right eye measuring optical system 21R in the ophthalmic device 100 of this embodiment. The mirror 18R is omitted in Figure 3A. Note that the configuration of the left eye measuring optical system 21L is the same as that of the right eye measuring optical system 21R, so its explanation will be omitted, and only the right eye measuring optical system 21R will be described below.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3A, the ophthalmic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes, as an optical system (measurement optical system 21) for examining the eye E under examination, a Z-alignment system 110, an XY-alignment system 120, a keratometry system 130, a target projection system 140, an anterior segment observation system 150, a refractometer projection system 160, and a refractometer light receiving system 170.

[0046] <Anterior segment observation system 150> The anterior ocular segment observation system 150 captures a moving image of the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be examined E. In the optical system passing through the anterior ocular segment observation system 150, the imaging surface of the image sensor 159 is arranged at the pupil conjugate position Q. The anterior ocular segment illumination light source 151 irradiates illumination light (for example, infrared light) to the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be examined E. The light reflected by the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be examined E passes through the objective lens 152, transmits through the dichroic mirror 153, transmits through the half mirror 154, passes through the relay lenses 155 and 156, and transmits through the dichroic mirror 157. The light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 157 is imaged onto the imaging surface of the image sensor 159 (area sensor) by the imaging lens 158. The image sensor 159 performs imaging and signal output at a predetermined rate. The output (video signal) of the image sensor 159 is input to the control unit 26. The control unit 26 causes the anterior ocular segment image E' based on the video signal to be displayed on the display screen 30a of the display unit 30. The anterior ocular segment image E' is, for example, an infrared moving image.

[0047] <Z alignment system 110> The Z alignment system 110 projects light (infrared light) for performing alignment in the optical axis direction (front-back direction, Z direction) of the anterior ocular segment observation system 150 onto the eye to be examined E. The light output from the Z alignment light source 111 is projected onto the cornea of the eye to be examined E, reflected by the cornea, and imaged onto the sensor surface of the line sensor 113 by the imaging lens 112. When the position of the corneal vertex changes in the optical axis direction of the anterior ocular segment observation system 150, the projection position of the light on the sensor surface of the line sensor 113 changes. The control unit 26 obtains the position of the corneal vertex of the eye to be examined E based on the projection position of the light on the sensor surface of the line sensor 113, and controls the driving mechanism 15 that moves the measurement optical system 21 based thereon to perform Z alignment.

[0048] <XY alignment system 120> The XY alignment system 120 illuminates the eye E under examination with light (infrared light) for alignment in directions perpendicular to the optical axis of the anterior segment observation system 150 (left-right direction (X direction), up-down direction (Y direction)). The XY alignment system 120 includes an XY alignment light source 121 located in an optical path branched from the anterior segment observation system 150 by a half mirror 154. The light output from the XY alignment light source 121 is reflected by the half mirror 154 and projected onto the eye under examination E through the anterior segment observation system 150. The reflected light from the cornea of ​​the eye under examination E is guided to the image sensor 159 through the anterior segment observation system 150.

[0049] The image based on this reflected light (bright spot image) is included in the anterior segment image E'. The control unit 26 displays the anterior segment image E' including the bright spot image and the alignment marks on the display screen 30a of the display unit 30. When XY alignment is performed manually, the examiner moves the measuring optical system to guide the bright spot image into the alignment marks. When alignment is performed automatically, the control unit 26 controls the drive mechanism 15 that moves the measuring optical system 21 so that the displacement of the bright spot image relative to the alignment marks is canceled.

[0050] <Keratometry System 130> The keratometry system 130 projects a ring-shaped beam of light (infrared light) onto the cornea of ​​the eye E under examination to measure its corneal shape. The keratometry plate 131 is positioned between the objective lens 152 and the eye E under examination. A keratometry light source (not shown) is provided on the back side (objective lens 152 side) of the keratometry plate 131. By illuminating the keratometry plate 131 with light from the keratometry light source, a ring-shaped beam of light is projected onto the cornea of ​​the eye E under examination. The reflected light from the cornea of ​​the eye E under examination (keratometry image) is detected by the image sensor 159 along with the anterior segment image E'. The control unit 26 calculates corneal shape parameters representing the shape of the cornea by performing known calculations based on this keratometry image.

[0051] <Optotype projection system 140> The target projection system 140 presents various targets, such as fixation targets and subjective examination targets, to the eye E under examination. Light (visible light) output from the light source 141 is made into a parallel beam by the collimating lens 142 and irradiated onto the target chart 143. The target chart 143 includes, for example, a transmissive liquid crystal panel and displays a pattern representing the target. The light that has passed through the target chart 143 passes through relay lenses 144 and 145, is reflected by the reflective mirror 146, passes through the dichroic mirror 168, and is reflected by the dichroic mirror 153. The light reflected by the dichroic mirror 153 passes through the objective lens 152 and is projected onto the fundus Ef. The light source 141, collimating lens 142, and target chart 143 are movable together in the optical axis direction.

[0052] When performing a subjective examination, the control unit 26 moves the light source 141, collimating lens 142, and target chart 143 in the optical axis direction based on the results of objective measurements, and controls the target chart 143. The control unit 26 displays the target selected by the examiner or the control unit 26 on the target chart 143. The target is then presented to the subject. The subject responds to the target. Upon receiving the response, the control unit 26 performs further control and calculates subjective examination values. For example, in visual acuity measurement, the control unit 26 selects and presents the next target based on the response to a Landolt ring, etc., and determines the visual acuity value by repeating this process.

[0053] <Ref measurement projection system 160, Ref measurement light receiving system 170> The refractometer projection system 160 and the refractometer light receiving system 170 are used for objective refraction measurement (refractometer measurement). The refractometer projection system 160 projects a ring-shaped beam of light (infrared light) for objective measurement onto the fundus Ef. The refractometer light receiving system 170 receives the reflected light from the eye E of the eye being examined.

[0054] The refractometer light source 161 may be a Superluminescent Diode (SLD) light source, which is a high-brightness light source with an emission diameter of a predetermined size or less. The refractometer light source 161 is movable in the optical axis direction and is positioned at the fundus conjugate position P. The ring aperture 165 (specifically, the light-transmitting part) is positioned at the pupil conjugate position Q. The focusing lens 174 is movable in the optical axis direction. The focusing lens 174 may be a known variable-focus lens that can change its focal position under control from the control unit 26. In the optical system via the refractometer light-receiving system 170, the imaging surface of the image sensor 159 is positioned at the fundus conjugate position P.

[0055] Light emitted from the reflector light source 161 passes through the relay lens 162 and enters the conical surface of the conical prism 163. The light entering the conical surface is deflected and exits from the bottom surface of the conical prism 163. The light exiting from the bottom surface of the conical prism 163 passes through the field lens 164 and through the ring-shaped light-transmitting section of the ring diaphragm 165. The light that has passed through the light-transmitting section of the ring diaphragm 165 (ring-shaped light beam) is reflected by the reflective surface of the perforated prism 166, passes through the rotary prism 167, and is reflected by the dichroic mirror 168. The light reflected by the dichroic mirror 168 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 153, passes through the objective lens 152, and is projected onto the eye under examination E. The rotary prism 167 is used to average the light intensity distribution of the ring-shaped light beam on blood vessels and diseased areas in the fundus Ef, and to reduce speckle noise caused by the light source.

[0056] The conical prism 163 should ideally be positioned as close as possible to the pupillary conjugate position Q.

[0057] Figure 3B schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the field lens 164. For example, as shown in Figure 3B, a ring aperture 165 may be attached to the lens surface of the field lens 164 on the side of the eye E being examined. In this case, for example, a light-shielding film is deposited on the lens surface of the field lens 164 so as to form a ring-shaped light-transmitting portion.

[0058] Furthermore, the reflector measurement projection system 160 may have a configuration in which the field lens 164 is omitted.

[0059] Figure 3C schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the conical prism 163. For example, as shown in Figure 3C, a ring aperture 165 may be attached to the bottom surface 163b of the conical prism 163 where light that has passed through the relay lens 162 enters the conical surface 163a. ​​In this case, for example, a light-shielding film is deposited on the bottom surface 163b of the conical prism 163 so as to form a ring-shaped light-transmitting portion. Alternatively, the ring aperture may be located on the side of the conical surface 163a of the conical prism 163.

[0060] The ring aperture 165 may be an aperture formed with a light-transmitting portion having a shape corresponding to a predetermined measurement pattern. The light-transmitting portion of this aperture may be formed at an eccentric position with respect to the optical axis of the reflector measurement projection system 160. Furthermore, the aperture may have two or more light-transmitting portions.

[0061] The reflected light from the ring-shaped beam projected onto the fundus Ef passes through the objective lens 152 and is reflected by the dichroic mirror 153 and the dichroic mirror 168. The reflected light from the dichroic mirror 168 passes through the rotary prism 167, through the perforation of the perforated prism 166, through the relay lens 171, is reflected by the reflective mirror 172, and passes through the relay lens 173 and the focusing lens 174. The light that has passed through the focusing lens 174 is reflected by the reflective mirror 175, reflected by the dichroic mirror 157, and is imaged onto the imaging surface of the image sensor 159 by the imaging lens 158. The control unit 26 calculates the refractive power value of the eye under examination E by performing known calculations based on the output from the image sensor 159. For example, the refractive power value includes spherical power, astigmatism power, and astigmatism axis angle.

[0062] An aperture that limits the diameter of the light beam over the pupil is positioned between the perforated prism 166 and the relay lens 171. The light-transmitting portion of this aperture is positioned at the pupil conjugate position Q.

[0063] Based on the calculated refractive power value, the control unit 26 moves the refractometer light source 161 and the focusing lens 174 in the optical axis direction so that the fundus Ef, the refractometer light source 161, and the imaging plane of the image sensor 159 are optically conjugate. Furthermore, the control unit 26 moves the target unit in its optical axis direction in conjunction with the movement of the refractometer light source 161 and the focusing lens 174. The target unit, which includes the light source 141, the collimating lens 142, and the target chart 143, the refractometer light source 161, and the focusing lens 174 may be able to move in conjunction with each other in their respective optical axes.

[0064] The visual targets displayed on the visual target chart 143 during subjective examinations are not particularly limited as long as they are used in optometry, and suitable examples include Landolt rings, Snellen visual targets, and E charts. Furthermore, a variety of visual targets can be used, such as visual targets consisting of characters like hiragana and katakana, pictures of animals or fingers, specific figures for binocular vision function tests such as cross visual targets, or visual targets consisting of landscape paintings or landscape photographs. The visual targets may also be still images or moving images. In this embodiment, since the visual target chart 143 includes a liquid crystal panel, visual targets of desired shapes, forms, and contrasts can be displayed at a predetermined examination distance, enabling multifaceted and thorough optometry. In addition, since the ophthalmic device 100 is equipped with two visual target charts 143 corresponding to the left and right eyes E under examination, visual targets that provide parallax can be displayed corresponding to a predetermined examination distance (visual target presentation position), and stereoscopic vision testing can be performed easily and precisely with a natural orientation of the visual axis.

[0065] [Control system for ophthalmic equipment] Referring to Figure 2, the functional configuration of the control unit 26 of the ophthalmic device 100 in this embodiment will be described. The control unit 26 is provided on the base 11 of the main body 10 and comprehensively controls each part of the ophthalmic device 100. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 26 is connected to the left eye measuring optical system 21L, the right eye measuring optical system 21R, the left eye vertical drive unit 22L, left eye horizontal drive unit 23L, left eye X-direction rotation drive unit 24L, and left eye Y-direction rotation drive unit 25L of the left eye drive mechanism 15L, and the right eye vertical drive unit 22R, right eye horizontal drive unit 23R, right eye X-direction rotation drive unit 24R, and right eye Y-direction rotation drive unit 25R of the right eye drive mechanism 15R, as well as the examiner controller 27, the patient controller 28, and the storage unit 29.

[0066] The control unit 26 is equipped with internal memory 26a and is capable of short-range communication with the examiner controller 27 and the patient controller 28 via short-range wireless or other communication means. Furthermore, the control unit 26 comprehensively controls the operation of the ophthalmic device 100 in response to operations on the examiner controller 27 and the patient controller 28 as appropriate by loading programs stored in the connected storage unit 29 or the built-in internal memory 26a onto, for example, RAM. In this embodiment, the internal memory 26a is composed of RAM or the like, and the storage unit 29 is composed of ROM or EEPROM or the like.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit 26 controls each part of the ophthalmic device 100 based on the operation input made to the display screen 30a of the display unit 30. As mentioned above, the control unit 26 has a "normal input mode" and a "gesture input mode".

[0068] In the ophthalmic device 100 of this embodiment, when the control unit 26 recognizes that the input information received from the examiner controller 27 is a "non-directional single-touch operation", it switches the input mode to "normal input mode". The control unit 26 then assumes that the input information is a touch operation on the operation screen displayed on the display screen 30a of the display unit 30, and controls each part of the ophthalmic device 100 based on this input information (control signal). Figure 4 shows an example of the operation screen 40 for subjective examination. This operation screen 40 for subjective examination has a correction value setting area 41 where correction values ​​such as the sphericity (S), astigmatism (C), astigmatism axis (A), and add power (ADD) of the eye under examination E are set, an examination distance setting area 42 where the examination distance is set, a target icon 43 for selecting a target, a target display area 44 where the selected target is displayed, an anterior segment image display area (ophthalmography window) 45 where the anterior segment image E' captured by the image sensor 159 is displayed, and various operation buttons 46, etc.

[0069] The correction value setting area 41 is initially set to a value measured by an objective examination, for example. When the examiner taps the desired correction value in the correction value setting area 41 (single-touch operation), a list of correction values ​​is displayed as a pop-up screen. The examiner can change the correction value by selecting the desired correction value from the pop-up screen and tapping it. The control unit 26 displays the changed correction value in the correction value setting area 41 and controls the measurement optical system 21 based on the changed correction value. This subjective examination operation screen 40 also has display areas for PD value (pupillary distance), VD value (corneal vertex distance), etc., and a screen for red / green examination.

[0070] On the other hand, when the control unit 26 recognizes that the input information received from the examiner controller 27 is either a "directional touch operation" or a "non-directional multi-touch operation," it switches the input mode to "gesture input mode." The control unit 26 then controls each part of the ophthalmic device 100 based on the input information from the gesture input to the gesture input area 30c provided on the display screen 30a.

[0071] Examples of gesture input will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 11. The left side of Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of gesture input for switching between the right and left eyes E being examined. As shown in the left side of Figure 5, the examiner performs a gesture input (for example, a swipe operation to draw a semicircle) on the gesture input area 30c of the display screen 30a. This allows the examiner to perform operations such as switching between the eyes E being examined or changing the setting values ​​set on the measurement head 16. Such gesture input can be suitably used, for example, when examining the left and right eyes in sequence. The examiner can perform gesture input using the entire gesture input area 30c, improving operability.

[0072] The right-hand diagram in Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example in which the gesture input area 30c is divided into left and right halves. The examiner can change the setting value of the right-eye measurement head 16R by performing gesture input on the left-hand area, and change the setting value of the left-eye measurement head 16L by performing gesture input on the right-hand area. The reason for this configuration is that, with the examiner's left and right as a reference, the anterior segment image E' of the left eye captured by the image sensor 156 of the left-eye measurement head 16L is displayed in the right-hand anterior segment image display area 45 of the subjective examination operation screen 40, for example, and the anterior segment image E' of the right eye captured by the image sensor 156 of the right-eye measurement head 16R is displayed in the left-hand anterior segment image display area 45 of the subjective examination operation screen 40, for example. As a modified example of the two-part division, the examiner may perform gesture input for the left eye in the left-hand area of ​​the gesture input area 30c and gesture input for the right eye in the right-hand area.

[0073] As described above, by dividing the gesture input area 30c into left and right sections corresponding to the left and right eyes, it can be suitably used to control an ophthalmic device 100 equipped with a pair of measuring heads 16L and 16R, as in this embodiment, which is capable of examining one or both eyes simultaneously. Therefore, the examiner can perform the operation input for examination of one or both eyes more appropriately.

[0074] The left and center diagrams of Figure 6 illustrate an example of gesture input for instructing the opening and closing of the eye E being examined. As shown in the center diagram of Figure 6, the examiner can input an instruction to cover one eye E and perform a monocular examination by swiping a circle with two fingers (multitouch) on the gesture input area 30c. Conversely, as shown in the left diagram of Figure 6, the examiner can input an instruction to open the eye E being examined by swiping a circle with one finger (single touch) on the gesture input area 30c. Such gesture input can be suitably used when performing monocular and binocular examinations consecutively, allowing the examiner to efficiently switch between the eyes being examined.

[0075] The right-hand diagram in Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of gesture input for initial setting instructions. As shown in the right-hand diagram of Figure 6, the examiner can input an instruction for initial setting (reset) by performing a swipe operation drawing a Z on the gesture input area 30c. The initial setting (reset) process may include, but is not limited to, returning the correction value changed on the subjective examination operation screen 40 to the correction value used during the objective examination, returning to the correction value of the glasses currently being used, returning to a previously determined correction value, returning to a default value such as the factory default, or returning the measuring head 16, which has been moved or rotated in the XYZ directions by the drive mechanism 15, to its initial position.

[0076] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of gesture input for changing spherical power (S), astigmatism power (V), and astigmatism axis (A). As shown in the left diagram of Figure 7, the examiner can input an instruction to increase (Up) or decrease (Down) the spherical power by swiping upwards or downwards with a single touch on the gesture input area 30c, respectively. As shown in the center diagram of Figure 7, the examiner can input an instruction to increase or decrease the astigmatism power by swiping to the right or left with a single touch on the gesture input area 30c, respectively. As shown in the right diagram of Figure 7, the examiner can input an instruction to increase or decrease the angle of the astigmatism axis by swiping upwards or downwards with two fingers using a multi-touch operation on the gesture input area 30c, respectively.

[0077] The examiner can easily change the spherical power, astigmatism power, and astigmatism axis of the eye E being examined by swiping in a predetermined direction, thereby enabling more efficient examination of the eye E being examined. The control unit may raise or lower the correction value by one unit each time it recognizes an operation input by swiping for each correction value, or it may raise or lower the correction value according to the length of the swipe operation (the length of time the device touches the display screen 30a) (for example, 0.25 for a short swipe, and 0.50 or 1.00 for a long swipe). The same applies to the following modified examples.

[0078] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified version of gesture input for changing spherical power, astigmatism power, and astigmatism axis. In this modified version, the gesture input area 30c is divided into left and right halves. The examiner can input instructions to change the spherical power, astigmatism power, and astigmatism axis of one eye E (e.g., the right eye) in the left area, and input instructions to change the spherical power, astigmatism power, and astigmatism axis of the other eye E (e.g., the left eye) in the right area.

[0079] Figures 9 to 11 are explanatory diagrams illustrating modified gesture inputs for changing spherical power, astigmatism power, and astigmatism axis. Below, we will describe gesture inputs that differ from the example in Figure 7. In the modified example shown in Figure 9, the operation input for changing spherical power and astigmatism power is the same as in the example in Figure 7. On the other hand, as shown in the right-hand diagram of Figure 9, the examiner can input an instruction to change the astigmatism axis by swiping with two fingers in a multi-touch manner, drawing semicircles upwards and downwards on the gesture input area 30c.

[0080] In the modified example shown in Figure 10, the input for changing the spherical power is the same as in the example in Figure 7. On the other hand, as shown in the center and right diagrams of Figure 10, the examiner can input an instruction to change the astigmatism power by swiping upwards or downwards with two fingers on the gesture input area 30c. The examiner can also input an instruction to change the astigmatism axis by swiping leftwards or rightwards with two fingers on a multitouch motion.

[0081] In the modified example shown in Figure 11, as shown in the left diagram of Figure 11, the examiner can input an instruction to change the spherical power by swiping with one finger in a single touch, drawing a semicircle upwards or downwards, on the gesture input area 30c. Also, as shown in the center diagram of Figure 11, the examiner can input an instruction to change the astigmatism power by swiping with two fingers in a multi-touch, drawing a semicircle upwards or downwards, on the gesture input area 30c. Furthermore, as shown in the right diagram of Figure 11, the examiner can input an instruction to change the astigmatism axis by swiping with three fingers in a multi-touch, drawing a semicircle upwards or downwards.

[0082] When performing gesture input as shown in Figures 5 to 11, the examiner may use the entire gesture input area 30c (or each area if it is divided into left and right sections) to perform large gesture inputs, or use only a portion of it to perform small gesture inputs. Since gesture input is either a directional touch operation or a non-directional multi-touch operation, the control unit 26 can appropriately recognize whether it is a gesture input or a normal input and operate each part accordingly, regardless of which area of ​​the gesture input area 30c is used for the operation. Furthermore, by enabling operation input using gestures as shown in Figures 5 to 11, the examiner can operate the ophthalmic device 100 using so-called blind touch without having to look at the display screen 30a.

[0083] (Example of ophthalmic device operation) An example of the operation of the ophthalmic device 100 of the first embodiment, configured as described above, will be explained according to the flowchart in Figure 12. The flowchart in Figure 12 describes the process when an objective examination is performed using binocular vision followed by a subjective examination, but the operation of the ophthalmic device 100 is not limited to the following process. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the ophthalmic device 100 is powered on and started up, and that the control unit 26 is able to communicate with the examiner controller 27 and the patient controller 28.

[0084] During the examination, the examiner has the subject sit in a chair or similar, face the ophthalmic device 100, and place their forehead against the forehead rest 17. When a sensor or similar device detects that the subject has placed their forehead against the forehead rest 17, or when the examiner gives a shooting instruction from the operation screen, the operation shown in the flowchart of Figure 7 begins.

[0085] First, in step S1, the control unit 26 controls the anterior segment observation system 150 provided in the left and right measurement optical systems 21 to start imaging the anterior segments of the left and right eyes E under examination. The control unit 26 controls the display unit 30 of the examiner controller 27 to display the left and right anterior segment images (frontal images) E' based on the image signals output from the image sensor 159 of the anterior segment observation system 150 on the display screen 30a.

[0086] Next, the examiner inputs an operation to start alignment from the input unit 30b of the examiner controller 27. The control unit 26, which receives input information (control signal) corresponding to this operation input, controls the target projection system 140 in step S2 to display a fixation target (for example, a point light source target) at the center of the target chart 143 and presents it to the eye E being examined. In this state, the examiner instructs the subject to fixate on the fixation target.

[0087] In the next step S3, with the subject fixating on the fixation target, the Z-alignment system 110 performs the Z-direction alignment of the measurement head 16 and the XY-alignment system 120 performs the X-direction and Y-direction alignment of the measurement head 16 under the control of the control unit 26.

[0088] In the next step S4, based on (or automatically) the operator's input of objective examination instructions from the input unit 30b, the control unit 26 controls the left and right measurement optical systems 21 to perform objective examinations. Examples of objective examinations include corneal shape (kerat) measurement using the keratometry system 130, and refractive power (refractive index) measurement using the refrometry projection system 160 and the refrometry light receiving system 170.

[0089] In the next step S5, based on (or automatically) the examiner's input of subjective examination instructions from the input unit 30b, the control unit 26 controls the display unit 30 to display the subjective examination operation screen 40 shown in Figure 4 on the display screen 30a. At this time, the display unit 30 displays the corrected value measured in the objective examination in the corrected value setting area 41 of the subjective examination operation screen 40, as well as the examination distance, PD value, left and right anterior segment images E', etc. The examiner can change the examination distance by tapping the examination distance setting area 42 of the subjective examination operation screen 40, or select a visual target to present to the eye under examination E by tapping the visual target icon 43. Furthermore, when performing a subjective examination with one eye, the examiner can occlude one of the eyes under examination E by tapping one of the anterior segment images E' displayed in the anterior segment image display area 45 of the subjective examination operation screen 40, or by performing a gesture input as shown in the center diagram of Figure 6.

[0090] In the next step S6, based on the examiner's selection input of a visual target from the input unit 30b, the control unit 26 controls the visual target projection system 140 to display the visual target on the visual target chart 143 and present it to the eye under examination E, and displays the same visual target on the visual target display area 44 of the subjective examination operation screen 40 of the display screen 30a. At this time, in order to orient the visual axis of the eye under examination E according to the examination distance, the control unit 26 may drive the left and right X-direction rotation drive units 24 according to the examination distance to rotate the left and right measuring heads 16 in the X direction.

[0091] With the target presented to the eye E under examination, the examiner conducts a subjective examination by having the subject respond to how they perceive the target. Depending on the accuracy of the presented target and the subject's response, the examiner appropriately changes the correction values ​​such as spherical power, astigmatism power, and astigmatism axis angle by touching the input unit 30b. At this time, the examiner can change each correction value by single-touching the corresponding area in the correction value setting area 41 of the subjective examination operation screen 40, or by using gesture input as shown in Figures 7 to 11.

[0092] Then, in the next step S7, the control unit 26 determines whether a touch operation to change the correction value has been performed on the display screen 30a (input unit 30b). If a touch operation to change the value has been performed (YES), the program proceeds to step S8; if no touch operation to change the value has been performed (NO), the program proceeds to end and terminates the process.

[0093] In the next step S8, the control unit 26 determines whether the input to the display screen 30a (input unit 30b) is a gesture input. If the control unit 26 recognizes that the operation input is a directional touch operation as described above (1) or a non-directional multi-touch operation as described above (2), it determines that it is a gesture input to the gesture input area 30c. On the other hand, if the control unit 26 recognizes an input other than (1) and (2), i.e., a non-directional single-touch operation, it determines that it is a normal input to the self-awareness test operation screen 40.

[0094] If step S8 determines that it is a gesture input (YES), the program proceeds to step S9, and the control unit 26 switches the input mode to gesture input mode. On the other hand, if step S8 determines that it is a normal input (NO), the program proceeds to step S10, and the control unit 26 switches the input mode to normal input mode. After that, the program proceeds to step S11.

[0095] In the next step S11, the control unit 26 analyzes the control signal (input information) from the display unit 30 according to the input mode and obtains the instruction content. In the next step S12, the control unit 26 changes the correction value according to the analysis result and controls the display unit 30 to display the changed correction value on the display screen 30a. This display is usually done by changing the correction value displayed in the setting area 41 of the subjective examination operation screen 40, but in gesture input mode, it may be done by displaying the changed correction value in an area that does not interfere with the gesture input on the display screen 30a (for example, a corner of the display screen 30a). Note that the items to be changed are not limited to correction values ​​such as spherical power, astigmatism power, and astigmatism axis, but may also include the visual target to be presented, the examination distance, etc.

[0096] In the next step, S13, the control unit 26 controls the measurement optical system 21 based on the changed correction value. As a result, the correction value of the eye E being examined by the measurement optical system 21 is changed, and the subject can perform a subjective examination with the changed correction value.

[0097] The examiner can then determine the corrected value (prescription) based on the correctness of the subject's answers, or change the corrected value and repeat the subjective examination by touching or using gesture input on the subjective examination operation screen 40 again. The examiner can also change the visual target presented or the examination distance and have the subject perform the subjective examination. When the control unit 26 receives a control signal for an operation input to change the corrected value again, it repeats the process in steps S7 to S12, and when it receives a control signal for an operation input to change the visual target or the examination distance, it repeats the process in steps S6 to S12.

[0098] After repeated subjective examinations, if the prescription is determined and there are no touch operations to change the correction value, etc. (the judgment in step S7 is NO), the program proceeds to the end, and the operation for acquiring information (examination) of the eye E by the ophthalmic device 100 is completed.

[0099] As described above, the ophthalmic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment comprises a measuring optical system 21 (information acquisition unit), a display unit 30 having a touch panel type display screen 30a, and a control unit 26. The control unit 26 has a normal input mode that controls the measuring optical system 21 based on input information to the operation screen, and a gesture input mode that controls the measuring optical system 21 based on input information from gesture input to the gesture input area 30c.

[0100] Therefore, the examiner can operate the ophthalmic device 100 using both normal operation screen input and gesture input. In particular, the examiner can appropriately and quickly input instructions to the ophthalmic device 100 using gesture input, and can do so by touch without looking at the display screen 30a. As a result, the examiner does not need to alternately look at the subject and the display screen 30a to perform the examination, and can perform the examination while observing the subject's condition, such as whether the subject's eye E is fixed on the target and whether the subject is in an appropriate posture. Furthermore, since the examiner controller 27 can be placed on the eye examination table 51 and operated by touch, the examiner can perform the examination while assisting the subject by correcting the position of the subject's head or opening their eyelids. Therefore, according to the ophthalmic device 100 of the first embodiment, the examiner can acquire information on the subject's eye E more efficiently with simpler operation.

[0101] (Second Embodiment) The ophthalmic apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 13. The ophthalmic apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the ophthalmic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, except that a smartphone is used instead of a tablet terminal as the examiner controller 27. For this reason, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and detailed explanations are omitted. The same applies to subsequent embodiments.

[0102] The ophthalmic apparatus according to the second embodiment mainly comprises a main unit 10 shown in Figure 1, a control unit 26 provided on the main unit 10, an examiner controller 27A shown in Figure 13, and a patient controller 28 shown in Figure 2. The examiner controller 27A of the second embodiment includes a display unit (display panel) 30 consisting of a touch panel display, similar to the examiner controller 27 of the first embodiment. The display unit 30 includes a display screen 30a and a touch panel type input unit 30b, with the entire surface of the input unit 30b being a gesture input area 30c.

[0103] The ophthalmic device 100 of the second embodiment has a "normal input mode" and a "gesture input mode," similar to the first embodiment. The examiner can perform normal input by a non-directional single-touch operation on the display screen 30a (input section 30b) of the examiner controller 27A. The examiner can also perform gesture input by a directional touch operation and / or a non-directional multi-touch operation on the gesture input area 30c. In the ophthalmic device 100 of the second embodiment, the examiner can operate the ophthalmic device 100 by gesture input similar to that of the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 5 to 11.

[0104] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, specific gesture input is possible when performing red-green tests, add power tests using near crosshairs, cross cylinder tests, etc. Since these tests are repeated multiple times while the examiner holds the examiner controller 27 and changes the correction value, the subject and examiner may experience fatigue, which can reduce the efficiency and accuracy of the test. To prevent this, it is desirable that the examiner can operate the device quickly by touch without looking at the operation screen, thereby further shortening the test time.

[0105] Incidentally, as shown in Figure 13, the user holds the smartphone with one hand and touches the display screen 30a with the other hand. Utilizing this form of smartphone use, in the second embodiment, the control unit 26 can recognize that the examiner has placed three fingers, such as the middle, ring, and little fingers, on the edge of the display screen 30a (input unit 30b) of the display unit 30 of the examiner controller 27 (multiple long press operation) while a predetermined operation screen for testing is displayed. Upon recognizing this operation input, the control unit 26 assumes that gesture input has been selected and switches the input mode to "gesture input mode".

[0106] The red-green test operation screen 40A shown in Figure 13 has a target display area 44 where the target is displayed, an anterior segment image display area 45, and various operation buttons 46. In "normal input mode," the examiner can touch the "red" button 46 to decrease the spherical power by -0.25D (down), and touch the "green" button to increase the spherical power by +0.25D (up). The examiner can also touch the "same" button to proceed to the next test without changing the spherical power.

[0107] In response to this, the examiner can switch the input mode to "gesture input mode" by placing three fingers on the display screen 30a. The detection position of these fingers may be the right edge, the left edge, or either end of the display screen 30a, depending on the subject's dominant hand. This action causes the display screen 30a (input section 30b) to function as a gesture input area 30c. With three fingers on the display screen 30a, for example, if the examiner swipes upward with the fingers of their other hand, the control unit 26, recognizing this operation, sets the spherical frequency to -0.25D. If the examiner swipes downward, the control unit 26, recognizing this operation, sets the spherical frequency to +0.25D. When the examiner removes the three fingers from the display screen 30a, or when a predetermined gesture input is performed, the control unit 26 terminates the red-green test without changing the spherical frequency.

[0108] Furthermore, the add power test is a test in which a near vision crosshair is presented to the eye E being examined, and the subject is asked to compare the vertical and horizontal lines and indicate which one is clearer. In "normal input mode," the examiner operates the operation buttons on the operation screen in accordance with the line that the subject identifies as clearer. The control unit 26, which receives the control signal based on this operation input, adjusts the add power. The examiner then repeats the operation until the subject can see the vertical and horizontal lines with equal clarity, or until the horizontal line is slightly clearer, and the control unit 26 adjusts the add power accordingly.

[0109] In contrast, in "gesture input mode," if the subject's response is "I can clearly see the horizontal lines," the examiner performs a swipe operation on the gesture input area 30c, for example, in the horizontal direction (left and right). If the subject's response is "I can clearly see the vertical lines," the examiner performs a swipe operation on the gesture input area 30c in the vertical direction (up and down). The control unit 26, which receives control signals based on these gesture inputs, can be configured to adjust the add frequency according to the direction of the swipe operation.

[0110] Furthermore, the cross-cylinder test is a test used to adjust the astigmatism axis using a target consisting of a point cloud or multiple lines. In "normal input mode," the examiner touches the operation buttons according to how the subject sees the target. The control unit 26, upon receiving the control signal based on this operation input, controls the measurement optical system 21 to change the astigmatism axis counterclockwise or set the astigmatism power to +0.25D. Alternatively, the control unit 26 controls the measurement optical system 21 to change the astigmatism axis clockwise or set the astigmatism power to -0.25D.

[0111] In contrast, in "gesture input mode," the examiner can, for example, place two fingers on the gesture input area 30c (representing the astigmatism axis with the two fingers and the angle between the two fingers representing the angle of the astigmatism axis) and swipe counterclockwise or clockwise. When the control unit 26 receives the control signals based on these gesture inputs and recognizes a counterclockwise swipe operation, it can control the measurement optical system 21 to change the astigmatism axis counterclockwise or set the astigmatism power to +0.25D. Also, when the control unit 26 recognizes a clockwise swipe operation, it can control the measurement optical system 21 to change the astigmatism axis clockwise or set the astigmatism power to -0.25D.

[0112] As described above, with the ophthalmic device 100 of the second embodiment, the examiner can perform not only normal visual acuity tests but also tests such as red-green tests, add power tests, and cross-cylinder tests more quickly and efficiently by touch. This shortens the examination time, reduces fatigue for both the examiner and the subject, and allows for more appropriate examinations.

[0113] Furthermore, the gesture input described above for the ophthalmic device 100 of the second embodiment can also be applied to the ophthalmic device 100 of the first embodiment. Since the ophthalmic device 100 of the first embodiment uses a tablet terminal as the examiner controller 27, the way examiners hold it may differ slightly. For this reason, the ophthalmic device 100 of the first embodiment can be configured to switch to "gesture input mode" when it recognizes a three-finger long press operation on the display screen 30a, or when it recognizes a long press operation with the thumb.

[0114] Furthermore, the ophthalmic device 100 of the first and second embodiments may be configured to recognize, for example, pinch-in and pinch-out operations on the gesture input area 30c as operation inputs for raising or lowering predetermined correction values, etc. Also, the ophthalmic device 100 of the first and second embodiments may be configured to recognize pinch-in and pinch-out operations in the horizontal direction as operation inputs for raising or lowering the spherical power, for example, and pinch-in and pinch-out operations in the vertical direction as operation inputs for raising or lowering the astigmatism power, for example, but is not limited to this configuration. In addition, the ophthalmic device 100 of the first and second embodiments may be configured to accept touch operations on the gesture input area 30c where numbers, symbols, letters, etc. are drawn, and to change correction values, visual targets, examination distances, PD values, VD values, etc. according to numerical values ​​obtained by analyzing the trajectory.

[0115] (Third embodiment) The ophthalmic apparatus 100B according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 14 and 15. The ophthalmic apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment comprises a main unit 50 and an examiner controller 27, as shown in Figure 14. The main unit 50 comprises an eye examination table 51, a refractor head 52 which is an eye examination optical system, and a target presentation device 53.

[0116] The optometry table 51 is a table on which a refractor head 52 is attached, on which various devices such as a target presentation device 53 and an examiner's controller 27 are placed, and on which the subject rests their elbows and arms to maintain an appropriate posture during the examination. Furthermore, the optometry table 51 can be moved vertically (Y direction) by manual or appropriate drive mechanism, allowing the height of the refractor head 52 and the target presentation device 53 to be adjusted to match the height of the subject's eye E from the floor.

[0117] The refractor head 52 is a device used to select a lens suitable for the eye E being examined. This refractor head 52 has multiple examination lenses (corrective lenses) and selectively positions an examination lens (corrective lens) in front of the eye E being examined. The examiner can perform refraction tests and other tests while appropriately changing these examination lenses. The refractor head 52 comprises a support mechanism 54 and a pair of eye examination units 55L and 55R.

[0118] The pair of optometry units 55L and 55R each have a left eye optometry optical system (not shown) and a right eye optometry optical system, respectively, corresponding to the left and right eyes E under examination. The pair of optometry units 55L and 55R are supported by a support mechanism 54 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Y direction). The pair of optometry units 55L and 55R are also rotatable in the circumferential direction (around the Y axis) by the support mechanism 54, and this rotation allows them to be inserted into and removed from between the eye under examination E and the target presentation device 53.

[0119] Furthermore, the pair of eye examination units 55L and 55R are slidable in the left-right direction (X direction) by a known sliding mechanism, allowing them to move closer to and further away from each other. Eye examination windows 56L and 56R are provided in front of and behind the pair of eye examination units 55L and 55R, respectively. Multiple optical components such as examination lenses, polarizing filters, and shielding plates for the left and right eyes are arranged inside the pair of eye examination units 55L and 55R, respectively. The multiple optical components such as examination lenses are selectively positioned opposite each eye examination window 56L and 56R by a known drive mechanism (not shown).

[0120] The target presentation device 53 is a device for presenting a target to the eye E under examination. The target presentation device 53 comprises a rectangular prism-shaped housing 53a and a target projection system 53b built into the housing 53a. A window (opening) 53c is provided on the front (subject side) of the housing 53a for the subject to visually view the target image.

[0121] The target projection system 53b is an optical system that generates a target image for testing the visual function of the eye E under examination. The target projection system 53b includes, for example, a target display unit consisting of a display for displaying the target, a convex lens system that generates a virtual image of the target using a light beam from the target, and an optical path bending mirror (not shown) that reflects the optical path of the light beam that has passed through the convex lens system to form a virtual image of the target at the image point position in front of the eye E under examination. The subject can view this target image through the window 53c of the housing 53a.

[0122] The examiner controller 27, like in the first embodiment, is composed of a tablet terminal and includes a display unit 30 consisting of a touch panel display. This display unit 30 includes a display screen 30a and a touch panel input unit 30b, and the display screen 30a (input unit 30b) has a gesture input area 30c. In addition, in the ophthalmic device 100B of the third embodiment, the CPU of the examiner controller 27, which is a tablet terminal, is used as the control unit 26, but the ophthalmic device 100B may also be provided with a separate control unit 26. The control unit 26 controls each part of the ophthalmic device 100B based on the operation input made on the display screen 30a (input unit 30b).

[0123] Figure 15 shows an example of the subjective examination operation screen 40B displayed on the display unit 30 of the ophthalmic device 100B of the third embodiment. This subjective examination operation screen 40B includes a correction value setting area 41 for setting correction values ​​such as sphericity (S), astigmatism (C), astigmatism axis (A), and add power (ADD) of the eye E under examination, a target icon 43 for selecting a target, a target display area 44 for displaying the selected target, an anterior segment image display area 45 for displaying the anterior segment image E' captured by the image sensor 159, various operation buttons 46, and a gesture input mode switching icon 47 as a switching unit.

[0124] The gesture input mode switching icon 47 is used to switch the input mode from "normal input mode" to "gesture input mode". The examiner clicks this gesture input mode switching icon 47. Upon receiving the control signal based on this operation input, the control unit 26 switches the input mode to "gesture input mode", and the display screen 30a (input unit 30b) functions as a gesture input area 30c. The examiner can input various instructions to the ophthalmic device 100B by performing gesture inputs to the gesture input area 30c as shown in Figures 5 to 11. In the third embodiment, the ophthalmic device 100B is configured not to accept gesture input when in "normal input mode" and not to accept normal input when in "gesture input mode", thereby suppressing false detections and erroneous operations and improving examination accuracy.

[0125] Furthermore, in "gesture input mode," the control unit 26 may control the display unit 30 to keep the operation screen, such as the self-awareness test operation screen 40B, displayed on the display screen 30a, or it may clear the operation screen. Moreover, if the control unit 26 controls the display unit 30 to clear the operation screen while displaying the trajectory of the gesture input on the display screen 30a, the examiner can confirm whether their gesture input actions are appropriate.

[0126] In the third embodiment of the ophthalmic device 100B with the configuration described above, although the number of click operations performed by the examiner on the gesture input area 30c increases, the control unit 26 can more clearly recognize the examiner's instruction to switch input modes and switch input modes more reliably. As a result, the ophthalmic device 100B can further improve the accuracy of gesture input detection. The examiner can then appropriately perform gesture input using the gesture input area 30c provided across the entire surface of the display screen 30a.

[0127] Furthermore, because the input mode switches reliably, examiners can use non-directional single-touch operations for inputting commands in "gesture input mode." They can also use directional or non-directional multi-touch operations for inputting commands in "normal input mode," thus expanding the variety of touch operations.

[0128] In the third embodiment, the ophthalmic device 100B is configured not to accept gesture input in "normal input mode" and not to accept normal input in "gesture input mode." However, as a modification, the device may be configured to allow normal input through a specific operation during gesture input. For example, the control unit 26 controls the display unit 30 to lower the brightness of the operation screen on the display screen 30a (making it fainter), thereby basically enabling gesture input. When, for example, a long-press touch operation is performed on the correction value setting area 41, the control unit 26 may be configured to treat this as normal input and display a correction value selection screen as a pop-up.

[0129] Although the ophthalmic apparatus of this disclosure has been described above based on embodiments and modifications, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and modifications, and changes or additions to the design are permitted as long as they do not depart from the gist of the invention as described in each claim of the patent.

[0130] For example, the ophthalmic devices 100 to 100B of the first to third embodiments described above may have a "gesture input practice mode" as an input mode. This "gesture input practice mode" is an input mode for the examiner to practice gesture input, or for the ophthalmic device 100 itself to learn gesture input. Switching to this "gesture input practice mode" may be done by a "practice mode switching icon" or switch provided on the operation screen, or by a predetermined gesture input.

[0131] When an examiner practices gesture input, they perform a predetermined gesture input to the gesture input area 30c. The control unit 26 then analyzes this gesture input and controls the display unit 30 to display the name of the item to be changed (e.g., spherical power, astigmatism power, astigmatism axis, test distance, etc.), the changed value (preferably a value corresponding to the amount of operation during gesture input), and the trajectory of the operation on the display screen 30a. Therefore, the examiner can appropriately know which item the gesture instructs to change, the amount of change in the value in relation to the amount of operation, and whether their gesture input is appropriate.

[0132] Furthermore, when teaching gesture input to the ophthalmic device 100, the examiner performs gesture input to the gesture input area 30c according to the item to be changed (correction value, visual target, examination distance, etc.). The control unit 26 analyzes this gesture input and acquires gesture information such as the type of operation (pinch-in operation, pinch-out operation, flick operation, drag operation, swipe operation, etc.), direction of operation, and amount of operation. The control unit 26 ranks the acquired gesture information, displays it on the display screen 30a in association with the item to be changed, and stores it in the memory unit 29 (or the memory device of the examiner controller 27). The ophthalmic device 100 may be equipped with AI (artificial intelligence) and learn the state of the examiner's gesture input using the AI. This allows the ophthalmic device 100 to understand and learn the variability in gesture input among examiners and the examiner's gesture input habits, enabling it to detect gesture input with greater accuracy and acquire information about the eye E under examination more appropriately and efficiently.

[0133] Furthermore, the examiner controllers 27 and 27A of the ophthalmic devices 100 to 100B in the first to third embodiments described above may be equipped with notification units such as a vibrator, a light source, and a sound output unit. These may be those provided in a tablet terminal, smartphone terminal, etc., or they may be provided separately. The control unit 26 is configured to notify the examiner that the gesture input has been accepted by vibrating the vibrator, changing the light intensity (luminescence state) of the display screen 30a, or outputting voice or buzzer sound from the sound output unit when it recognizes a gesture input. The control unit 26 may also be configured to provide notification by the notification unit when the gesture input is not appropriate (error), or when the upper or lower limit of the numerical value change has been reached and it cannot be changed any further. The control unit 26 may also be configured to change the vibration frequency, luminescence state, voice, or buzzer sound depending on the situation to notify the examiner. This allows the examiner to clearly understand whether the gesture input was performed appropriately and to perform gesture input more appropriately.

[0134] Furthermore, the ophthalmic devices 100 to 100B of the first to third embodiments described above can also be configured to output (record) the log of input information entered in gesture input mode to the storage unit 29, which acts as an output unit, or to output (print) it to a printer. In addition, examiners can appropriately understand whether the examination was performed appropriately, and if so, the cause, by looking at the display unit 30 which displays the input information stored in the storage unit 29, or by looking at the printed material. Furthermore, by referring to this, examiners can perform the next examination more appropriately. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 21: Measurement optical system (information acquisition section) 26: Control Unit 30:Display section 30a:Display screen 30c: Gesture input area 47: Gesture input mode switching icon (switching section) 100,100B: Ophthalmology equipment E: Eye being examined

Claims

1. An information acquisition unit used to obtain information about the eye being examined, A display unit having a touch panel type display screen that shows an operation screen for operating the information acquisition unit, The system includes a control unit that analyzes input information, including touch operations on the display screen, and controls the information acquisition unit based on the analysis results to acquire information about the eye being examined, The control unit has a normal input mode in which it controls the information acquisition unit based on the input information obtained by a single-touch input operation that does not have directionality relative to the operation screen, and a gesture input mode in which it controls the information acquisition unit based on the input information obtained by gesture input consisting of either a touch input operation with directionality or a multi-touch input operation that does not have directionality relative to the gesture input area provided on the display screen. An ophthalmic device characterized by the following features.

2. The control unit switches the input mode to the gesture input mode when there is a directional input operation on the display screen, or when there is a non-directional multi-touch input operation. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

3. The operation screen has a switching unit for switching to the gesture input mode, and the control unit switches the input mode to the gesture input mode when it recognizes an operation on the switching unit. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

4. The control unit further includes a gesture input practice mode, in which the display unit displays the trajectory of the gesture input on the display screen. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

5. The system includes a notification unit that, in conjunction with the gesture input, notifies the examiner that the gesture input has been performed. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

6. The control unit outputs the input information received in the gesture input mode to a predetermined output unit. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

7. The control unit changes at least one of the set values ​​of the sphericality, astigmatism power, and astigmatism axis angle of the eye being examined for control of the information acquisition unit, based on a predetermined gesture input. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

8. The gesture input area is provided across the entire surface of the display screen. The ophthalmic device according to feature 1.

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