System and method for perceptual learning
The method and device enhance cortical processing and visual acuity by dynamically adjusting task features based on user feedback to improve perceptual learning and neuroplasticity in individuals with compromised visual systems.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-12
AI Technical Summary
There is a need to enhance cortical processing in individuals with compromised visual systems due to conditions like amblyopia, myopia, or presbyopia, by improving neuroplasticity through perceptual learning to adapt to altered optical input post-refractive surgery.
A method and device that dynamically adjust presentation features of visual tasks, such as size, contrast, and duration, based on user feedback to optimize perceptual learning, enhancing brain processing capabilities.
Improves visual performance and neuroplasticity by adapting task difficulty to user performance, thereby enhancing cortical processing and visual acuity.
Smart Images
Figure US2025045269_12032026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERCEPTUAE LEARNINGBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Until recent years, there was low awareness that the brain’s ability to adapt to changes in sensory input through the modification of neural pathways and processing functions, i.e., neuroplasticity, remains after late adolescent development. Over the past few decades, an extensive body of evidence has established that neuroplasticity not only endures in the adult neuronal processing system but can also be augmented using advanced perceptual learning and / or training, resulting in improved vision and image processing speed. Perceptual learning is experience-dependent enhancement of one’ s ability to make sense of what we see, hear, feel, taste or smell. These changes are permanent or semipermanent, as distinct from shorter-term mechanisms like sensory adaptation or habituation. It is well-established that during the early period of life, termed as critical period, the sensory system displays high sensitivity to environmental stimuli and develops in a particular way owing to adapt to the visual input that is received from the eye. Recent studies have shown that compromised cortical processing, either due to abnormal development, e.g., amblyopia, or due to uncorrected and blurred visual input from the eye, e.g., myopia or presbyopia, can be remarkably strengthened resulting in improved visual performance functions independent of emmetropization. Therefore, advanced perceptual training can be of significant benefit to patients who undergo refractive surgery. In these patients, the correction of the optical input is suddenly altered changing the coherence between the input delivered from the eye and the steady state cortical processing. This abrupt effect may pose the need for the image processing functions of the visual cortex to readapt to the modified visual input. Accordingly, boosting cortical processing using perceptual learning may provide enhanced vision benefits for these patients and increase their satisfaction.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] According to some embodiments of the invention, a new method for presenting tasks to a user is provided, the method comprising processor implemented method-steps of:• displaying (130) to the user, at each time-step (K, 1<K<KE) of a block (B, 1<B<BE) of time-steps, a task comprising a sequence of consecutive images (310,320); wherein onlyone of the consecutive images comprises a target (314), to be identified and / or manipulated by the user; wherein:- at least one modified presentation-feature of the images is modified between the different time-steps of a block (B),- while at least one fixed presentation-feature of the images is fixed at all time-steps of the block (B);• receiving and / or collecting, at each given time-step (K), feedback indicating whether the user has correctly identified and / or correctly manipulated the target;• analyzing of the user’s feedback, received at time-step (K) of the block (B) and accordingly determining and / or updating a score for the user’ s performance per block (B);• adjusting at least one of the fixed presentation-features of the images, for at least one following block (BfOiiowing>B+l) of time-steps, with selected and / or determined value; wherein in a case where the score of a block (B) is lower than a score of a former block (Bformer < B- 1), due to a recent adjustment of one of the fixed presentation-feature / s, determined at a former block (Bformer < B-1), the adjusted fixed presentation-feature is adjusted to its former associated value, for at least one following block (Bfoiiowing).
[0003] According to some embodiments, the modified- and the fixed- presentation-features are different, and are each selected from a group comprising:• size of the target structure;• size of the non-target structures;• duration of each image presentation;• time interval between the images presentation;• orientation of the target structure;• orientation of non-target structure / s;• the distance between structures in the images;• contrast of the target structure;• contrast of the non-target structure / s;• blurriness of the target structure;blurriness of the non-target structure / s; background to the structure / s in the image / s.
[0004] According to some embodiments, the adjusting is further configured for improving performance of a visual system in said user.
[0005] According to some embodiments, wherein the number of steps KE of a block (B) is a predetermined number selected to for limiting number of time- steps per each block of timesteps.
[0006] According to some embodiments, the adjusting further comprises selecting a different modified presentation-feature.
[0007] According to some embodiments, the adjusting further comprises selecting a different target, to be identified and / or manipulated by said user.
[0008] According to some embodiments, the method further comprising instructing the user how to identify and / or manipulate the target.
[0009] According to some embodiments, the method further comprising selecting:• initial values and / or modifying pattern for the at least one modified presentation-feature per each block of time-steps (B,1<B<BE), and• initial values for the at least one fixed presentation-feature for the first block (B= 1 ) .
[0010] According to some embodiments of the invention, a new method for presenting images to a user is provided, the method comprising processor implemented method-steps of:• for a session (S, 1<S<SE) of blocks, each block (B, 1<B<BE) having a set of time-steps (K, 1<K<KE), selecting at least one modified presentation-feature for a session (S), to be modified between the different time-steps of block (B), and selecting its range of values; and for each block (B, 1<B<BE) of a session (S) selecting:- a different task for the user to perform, each task comprising a sequence of consecutive images; wherein one of the consecutive images comprises a target to be identified and / or manipulated by the user; and- at least one fixed-value for at least one fixed presentation-feature, to be fixed at all time-steps of block (B);• displaying the task to the user, at each time-step (K), according to the block’ s (B) selected task; wherein the images are displayed via:- the modified presentation-feature, modified between the different time-steps (1<K<KE) of block (B), according to their selected range of values;- the fixed presentation-feature fixed values for all time-steps of the block (B);• receiving and / or collecting, at each time-step (K), feedback from the user, indicating whether the user has correctly identified and / or correctly manipulated the target; i.e., correctly performed the task for the target.• analyzing correctness of the user's feedback, received at current (K) and past time-steps (<K) of the block (B) of session (S) and accordingly determining and / or updating a score for the user’ s performance per block (B) of session (S);• adjusting at least one of the fixed presentation-features of the consecutive images for at least one following Session (SfOiiowing>S+l), with selected and / or determined value; and• comparing the scores of all the blocks (B, 1<B<BE ) of session (S), and accordingly determining a new or best performing value for at least one of the fixed presentation- feature / s to be adjusted for at least one following session (SfOiiowing> S) of blocks.
[0011] According to some embodiments, after the method-step of analyzing,• in case the score of the block (B) has reached a threshold for its value, or• once the number of time-steps has reached a threshold (KE), the method proceeds to a next block (B=B+1) of timesteps, starting from time-step (K=l), via the method-step of adjusting.
[0012] According to some embodiments, once the number of blocks has reached a threshold (BE), the method proceeds to a next session (S=S+ 1 ) of blocks, starting from time-step (B= 1 ), via the method-steps of comparing and adjusting.
[0013] According to some embodiments, the method ends once the number of sessions (S) has reached a threshold (SE).
[0014] According to some embodiments, the modified- and the fixed- presentation-features are different one from the other, and are each selected from a group comprising:• size of the target structure;• size of the non-target structures;• duration of each image presentation;• time interval between the images presentation;• orientation of the target structure;• orientation of non-target structure / s;• the distance between structures in the images;• contrast of the target structure;• contrast of the non-target structure / s;• blurriness of the target structure;• blurriness of the non-target structure / s;• background to the structure / s in the image / s.
[0015] According to some embodiments, wherein said adjusting is further configured for improving performance of a visual system in said user.
[0016] According to some embodiments, any one of the above mentioned embodiments is configured to be employed for improving the user’ s perceptual learning.
[0017] According to some embodiments, any one of the above mentioned embodiments is configured to be employed for improving the user’ s brain perceptual learning.
[0018] According to some embodiments of the invention, a new device is provided, configured to present tasks to a user, comprising:• at least one processor configured to execute the method-steps according to any one of the above mentioned embodiments;• at least one display-device, configured to display the tasks and / or images, according to one any of the above mentioned embodiments.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0020] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates devices and some of the method steps for presenting tasks, according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0021] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates devices and some of the method steps for presenting tasks, according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0022] Figs. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate two different tasks for the user, each of the different block of time-steps, according to some embodiments of the invasion;
[0023] Fig. 4 demonstrates training results; and
[0024] Figs. 5 and 6 demonstrate training results vs. training period.
[0025] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0026] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
[0027] According to some embodiments about refers to ± 10%, ± 5%, ± 1%, and any combination thereof.
[0028] According to some embodiments, at least some implementations of the methods, apparatus, and / or code instructions described herein are improvements over prior approaches, for example, as described with reference to US Patent US 7,866,817B2, by the same applicant / inventor as the present disclosure, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0029] According to some embodiments of the invention, and as demonstrated in Fig. 1 for a non-limiting example, a new method (100) is disclosed. The method comprises presenting tasks to a user, via the following processor (190) implemented method-steps:• displaying (130) to the user, at each time-step (K, 1<K<KE) of a block (B) of timesteps, a task comprising a sequence of consecutive images; non-limited examples in Fig. 3A (310,320), and in Fig. 3B (350,360); wherein one of the consecutive images comprises a target to be identified and / or manipulated by the user; non-limited examples (314) and (364); wherein:- at least one modified presentation-feature of the images is modified between the different time- steps (1<K<KE) of a block (B),- while at least one fixed presentation-feature of the images is fixed at all time-steps (1<K<KE) of the same block (B);• receiving and / or collecting (150), at each given time-step (K), feedback indicating whether the user has correctly identified and / or correctly manipulated the target; i.e., correctly performed the task for the target.• analyzing (160) correctness of the user's feedback, received at current (K) and past time- steps (<K) of the block (B) and accordingly determining and / or updating a score for the user’s performance per block (B);• adjusting (120) at least one of the fixed presentation-features of the images, for at least one following block (Bfoiiowing > B+l) of time-steps, with selected and / or determined value.
[0030] Clarification:• K is a time-step counting integer (170,175), for each block (B); K values are between 1<K<KE;• B is a block counting integer (180,185); each block includes less or equal to KE timesteps; B values are between 1<B<BE i.e., up to BE blocks of time-steps.
[0031] According to some embodiments, the method-step of adjusting (120) is based on the user’s performance per block (B), adjusted for at least one following block (Bfoiiowing > B+l) of time-steps. According to some embodiments, the method-step of adjusting further comprises determining a value for at least one of the fixed presentation-feature, based on the user’s score per block (B).
[0032] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises comparing (195) the score of block (B) with the score / s of former block / s (BfOnner<B-l); and in a case where the score of block (B) is lower than the score of a former block (BfOnner<B-l), due to a recent adjustment of one of the fixed presentation-feature / s (adjusted per block (B), determined at former block (B-l)), the adjusted fixed presentation- feature is determined to be re-adjusted (185,120) to its former associated value (i.e., to the value that allowed a higher score for its associated block of time- steps), or a new value, for at least one following block (BfOiiowing> B). According to some embodiments, in such a case the adjustment (185,120) to the former or new associated value, is configured to avoid deteriorating to the process of improving the brain’s perceptual learning skills. In a case of deterioration, the decision can be made upon past and present blocks to optimize the difficulty.
[0033] According to some embodiments, after the method-step of analyzing (160), in case the score of the block (B) has reached a threshold for its value (170), the method proceeds to a next block (B=B+1) of time-steps (180), starting from time-step (K=l), via the methodsteps of comparing (185) and adjusting (120). According to some embodiments, once the number of time-steps has reached a threshold (KE) (170), the method proceeds to a next block (B=B+1) of timesteps (185), starting from time-step (K=l), via the method-steps of comparing (185) and adjusting (220).
[0034] According to some embodiments, the method ends (186) once the number of blocks (B) has reached a threshold (BE).
[0035] According to some embodiments, the modified- and the fixed- presentation-features are naturally different one from the other, and are each selected from a group comprising:• size of the target structure;• size of the non-target structures;• duration of each image presentation;• time interval between the images presentation;• orientation of the target structure;• orientation of non-target structure / s;• the distance between structures in the images;• contrast of the target structure;• contrast of the non-target structure / s;• blurriness of the target structure;• blurriness of the non-target structure / s;• background to the structure / s in the image / s.
[0036] According to some embodiments, the adjusting (120) is configured for improving performance of a visual system in the user. According to some embodiments the adjusting (120) is configured for improving the user’s perceptual learning skills. According to some embodiments the adjusting (120) is configured for improving the user’s brain’s perceptual learning skills.
[0037] According to some embodiments, KE is predetermined number selected to for limiting number of time- steps per each block of time- steps.
[0038] According to some embodiments, the values for the modified presentation-feature (Vm) are selected to be gradual between the first time step to the next time step and all the following time steps, with an increasing difficulty level.
[0039] According to some embodiments, the values for the fixed presentation-feature (Vf) are selected to be gradual between the first block of time steps to the next block of time steps and all the following blocks with an increasing difficulty level.
[0040] According to some embodiments, the correctness score is determined per each block of time steps (B), namely per each value of a fixed presentation-feature (Vf). According to some embodiments, per each value of a fixed presentation-feature (Vf), the value of the modified presentation-feature at which the user has failed (Vm_test), is recorded, and compared with the modified presentation-feature at which a plurality of users have failed (Vm_avg) ( “expected failure”), per same value of the fixed presentation-feature (Vf). According to some embodiments, score is determined according to the proximity between Vm_test and Vm_avg. According to some embodiments, score is determined according to a ratio between Vm_test and Vm_avg. According to some embodiments, score is determined according to both the proximity and ration between Vm_test and Vm_avg.
[0041] According to some embodiments, the transition from one block of time steps to another block of time steps (not necessarily the next in line block) is determined based on a score determined for the current block. According to some embodiments transition from oneblock of time steps to another block of time steps is determined based on the determined score for the current block and at least one of: the duration of the task presentation and the number of former blocks already presented to the user. According to such embodiment / s, the transition from one block to another may skip forward one or more block / s of the next blocks; or move backward one or more former blocks, or repeat the current block.
[0042] According to some embodiments, the method-step of adjusting (120) further comprises selecting a different modified presentation-feature.
[0043] According to some embodiments, the method-step of adjusting (120) further comprises selecting a different target, to be identified and / or manipulated by the user.
[0044] According to some embodiments, the method further comprising instructing the user how to identify and / or manipulate the target (140).
[0045] According to some embodiments, the method further comprising selecting (110):• initial values and / or modifying pattern for the at least one modified presentationfeature per each block of time-steps (B,1<B<BE ), and• initial values for the at least one fixed presentation-feature for the first block (B= 1 ) .
[0046] According to some embodiments of the invention, and as demonstrated in Fig. 2 for a non-limiting example, a new method (200) is disclosed. The method comprises presenting tasks to a user, via the following processor (190) implemented method-steps:• for a session (S, 1<S<SE) of blocks, each block (B, 1<B<BE) having a set of timesteps (K, 1<K<KE), selecting (210) at least one modified presentation-feature for a session (S) , to be modified between the different time-steps of a block (B), and its range of values; and for each block (B, 1<B<BE) of the session (S) selecting: a different task (non-limiting examples (300A or 300B)) for the user to perform, each task comprising a sequence of consecutive images (non-limiting examples (310,320 or 350,360)); wherein one of the consecutive images comprises a target to be identified and / or manipulated by the user (nonlimiting examples (314 or 364)); and at least one fixed-value for at least one fixed presentation-feature, to be fixed at all time- steps of block (B);• displaying (230) the task to the user, at each time-step (K), according to the block’s (B) selected task; wherein the images are displayed via:- the modified presentation-feature, modified between the different time-steps ( 1<K<KE) of block (B), according to their selected range of values;- the fixed presentation-feature fixed values for all time-steps of the block (B);• receiving and / or collecting (250), at each time-step (K), feedback from the user, indicating whether the user has correctly identified and / or correctly manipulated the target; i.e., correctly performed the task for the target.• analyzing (260) correctness of the user's feedback, received at current (K) and past time-steps (<K) of the block (B) of session (S) and accordingly determining and / or updating a score for the user’s performance per block (B) of session (S);• adjusting (295) at least one of the fixed presentation-features of the consecutive images for at least one following Session (SfOiiowing> S+l), with selected and / or determined value;
[0047] Clarification:• K is a time-step counting integer (270,275), for each block (B); K values are between 1<K<KE;• B is a block counting integer (280,285); each block includes less or equal to KE timesteps; B values are between 1<B<BE i.e., up to BE blocks of time-steps.• S is a session counting integer (290,295); each session includes BE blocks; S values are between 1<S<SE i.e., up to SE sessions of blocks.
[0048] According to some embodiments, the method- step of adjusting (220) is based on the user’s performance per all blocks (B, 1<B<BE ) of session (S), adjusted for at least one following session (Sfoiiowing > S+l). According to some embodiments, the method-step of adjusting further comprises determining a value for at least one of the fixed presentationfeature, based on the user’s score per all blocks (B, 1<B<BE ) of session (S).
[0049] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises comparing (295) the scores of all the blocks (B, 1<B<BE ) of session (S), and accordingly determining a new or best performing value for at least one of the fixed presentation-feature to be adjusted(295,220) for at least one following session (Sfoiiowing > S) of blocks. According to some embodiments, in such a case the adjustment (295,220) is configured to avoid deteriorating and accordingly optimize the process of improving the brain’s perceptual learning skills.
[0050] According to some embodiments, after the method-step of analyzing (260), in case the score of the block (B) has reached a threshold for its value (270), the method proceeds to a next block (B=B+1) of time-steps (280), starting from time-step (K=l), via the methodstep of adjusting (220). According to some embodiments, once the number of time-steps has reached a threshold (KE) (270), the method proceeds to a next block (B=B+1) of timesteps (285), starting from time-step (K=l), via the method-step of adjusting (220).
[0051] According to some embodiments, once the number of blocks has reached a threshold (BE) (286), the method proceeds to a next session (S=S+1) of blocks (290), starting from time-step (B=l), via the method-steps of comparing (295) and adjusting (220).
[0052] According to some embodiments, the method ends (296) once the number of sessions (S) has reached a threshold (SE).
[0053] According to some embodiments, the modified- and the fixed- presentation-features are naturally different one from the other, and are each selected from a group comprising:• size of the target structure;• size of the non-target structures;• duration of each image presentation;• duration of the task presentation;• time interval between the images presentation;• orientation of the target structure;• orientation of non-target structure / s;• the distance between structures in the images;• contrast of the target structure;• contrast of the non-target structure / s;• blurriness of the target structure;• blurriness of the non-target structure / s;• background to the structure / s in the image / s.
[0054] According to some embodiments, the adjusting (220) is configured for improving performance of a visual system in the user. According to some embodiments the adjusting (120) is configured for improving the brain’s perceptual learning skills.
[0055] According to some embodiments, KE is predetermined number selected to for limiting number of time- steps per each block of time- steps. According to some embodiments, BE is predetermined number selected to for limiting number of blocks per each session of blocks.
[0056] According to some embodiments, the correctness score is determined according to the above mentioned embodiments; According to some embodiments, the transition from one block of time steps to another block of time steps is according to the above mentioned embodiments.
[0057] According to some embodiments, the method further comprising instructing the user how to identify and / or manipulate the target (240).
[0058] The method according to any one of the above embodiments configured to be employed for training a user for improving one’s perceptual learning. The method according to any one of the above embodiments configured to be employed for training a user for improving one’s brain processing.
[0059] According to some embodiments, any one of the above mentioned method embodiments, is configured for the selection and / or determination of optimum values for the presentation features, not optimum per each different presentation feature, but optimum as a combination of presentation feature, since the selection and / or determination of a value per a single presentation feature may impact the effect of another presentation feature.
[0060] According to some embodiments, a device (190) is provided configured to present images to a user, comprising:• at least one processor (191) configured to execute the method-steps according to any one of the above mentioned method- steps;• at least one display-device (192), configured to display the tasks to the user, according to one any of the above-mentioned embodiments.
[0061] According to some embodiments, the device further comprises at least one inputdevice (193), configured to collect and interpret, at any given time-step (K), the user's response to the displayed images.
[0062] According to some embodiments, the device comprises an apparatus selected from: a computer, a smart phone, a tablet and any combination thereof.
[0063] According to some embodiments, the device further comprises at least one of: data storage (194) for the user's inputs and provided analyses, an input device, a speaker device, a microphone device, a computer mouse.
[0064] EXAMPLES
[0065] A non-limiting example for the determination of the correctness score and the blocks transitions is provided. In this specific example the selected fixed presentation features are “Font size” with a value Vf changing between 8 blocks selected for example: 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7; and a fixed “duration of the task presentation”; and selected modified presentation features is “Contrast” with a value Vm changing between 10 steps selected for example: 0.90, 0.85, 0.80, 0.75, 0.70, 0.65, 0.60, 0.55, 0.50, 0.45.
[0066] According to this specific example, for a score determination based on proximity between Vm_test and Vm_ avg, for a specific block (e.g. Vf=9), the score can be determined, for example:• Score = - 2, if Vm_avg + xl > Vm_test;• Score = - 1, if Vm_avg + x2 > Vm_test > Vm_avg + xl;• Score = 0, if Vm_avg + x3 > Vm_test > Vm_avg + x2;• Score = + l, if Vm_avg + x4 > Vm_test > Vm_avg + x3;• Score = + 2, if Vm_test > Vm_avg + x4; where the values xl,x, x3 are predetermined and xl < x2 < x3 < x4. other ranges and / or formulas can be selected.
[0067] According to this specific example, for a score determination based on a ratio between Vm_test and Vm_ avg, for a specific block (e.g. Vf=9), the score can be determined, for example:• Score = - 1, if Vm_test / Vm_avg > 1.2;• Score = - 1, if 1.2 > Vm_test / Vm_avg > 1.0;• Score = 0, if Vm_test / Vm_avg = 1.0;• Score = + l, if 1.0 > Vm_test / Vm_avg > 0.8;• Score = +2 , if 0.8 > Vm_test / Vm_avg; other rations and / or formulasbe selected.
[0068] According to this specific example, for determining the transition from one block of time steps to another block of time steps (not necessarily the next in line block) is determined based on the determined score for the current block and at least one of: the duration of task presentation (DTP) and the number of former blocks (NFB) already presented to the user.
[0069] Continuing with the above example (of a block with a current font size Vf =9), the decision for the transition from one block to another (may skip forward one or more block / s of the next blocks; or move backward one or more former blocks, or repeat the current block) can be determined for example:• move backward 3 blocks, if DTP > dl, and score < si and NFB < nl•• repeat block, if DTP < y 1 and score = s 1 and NFB < nl•• move forward 3 blocks, if DTP < y2, and score > s2 and NFB > n2 where the values dl, d2, si, s2, nl,n2 are predetermined; other ranges and / or formulas can be selected.
[0070] RESULTS
[0071] Table 1 presents the relationships between expected need for eye correction for near, in diopters, to convention visual acuity in Snellen notation and their equivalent value in log Mar units.
[0072] Table 1Diopter Snellen logMAR -3.00 1.1+2.75 20 / 200. 1.0+2.50 0.9+2.25 0.8+2.00 20 / 100 0.7+1.75 0.6+1.50 0.5+1.25 0.4 +0.75 / +1.00 20 / 40 - 0.30.2 0.1 20 / 20 0.0
[0073] Fig. 4 demonstrates the contrast sensitivity of presbyopes before and after training demonstrating improvement of contrast sensitivity. The contrast sensitivity of presbyopes after training reached a level slightly better that of young participants.
[0074] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 demonstrate: X axis represents time, Y axis represents the minimal font size the subject / s can correctly identify, when examining near vision; the font size is not in-scale, only the relation between the font sizes is demonstrated.
[0075] Different embodiments are disclosed herein. Features of certain embodiments may be combined with features of other embodiments; thus certain embodiments may be combinations of features of multiple embodiments.
[0076] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
Claims
CLAIMS[0077] What is claimed is:
1. A method (100) for presenting tasks to a user, the method comprising processor implemented method- steps of:• displaying (130) to the user, at each time-step (K, 1<K<KE) of a block (B, 1<B<BE) of time-steps, a task comprising a sequence of consecutive images (310,320); wherein only one of the consecutive images comprises a target (314), to be identified and / or manipulated by the user; wherein:- at least one modified presentation-feature of the images is modified between the different time- steps of a block (B),- while at least one fixed presentation-feature of the images is fixed at all timesteps of the block (B);• receiving and / or collecting (150), at each time-step (K), feedback indicating whether the user has correctly identified and / or correctly manipulated the target (314);• analyzing (160) the user’s feedback, received at time-step (K) of the block (B) and accordingly determining and / or updating a score for the user’s performance per block (B);• adjusting (120) at least one of the fixed presentation-features of the images, for at least one following block of time-steps (Bfoiiowing > B+l), with selected and / or determined value; wherein in a case where the score of a block (B) is lower than a score of a former block (Bformer < B-l), due to a recent adjustment of one of the fixed presentation- feature / s, determined at a former block (Bformer < B- l ), the adjusted fixed presentation-feature is adjusted to its former associated value, for at least one following block (Bfoiiowing).
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified- and the fixed- presentation-features are different, and are each selected from a group comprising:• size of the target structure;• size of the non-target structures;• duration of each image presentation;• time interval between the images presentation;• orientation of the target structure;• orientation of non-target structure / s;• the distance between structures in the images;• contrast of the target structure;• contrast of the non-target structure / s;• blurriness of the target structure;• blurriness of the non-target structure / s;• background to the structure / s in the image / s.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting is further configured for improving performance of a visual system in said user.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of steps KE of a block (B) is a predetermined number selected to for limiting number of time- steps per each block of time- steps.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting further comprises selecting a different modified presentation-feature.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting further comprises selecting a different target, to be identified and / or manipulated by said user.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising instructing the user how to identify and / or manipulate the target.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting (110):• initial values and / or modifying pattern for the at least one modified presentationfeature per each block of time-steps (B,1<B<BE ), and• initial values for the at least one fixed presentation-feature for the first block (B= 1 ) .
9. A method (200) for presenting images to a user, the method comprising processor implemented method- steps of:• for a session (S, 1<S<SE) of blocks, each block (B, 1<B<BE) having a set of time-steps (K, 1<K<KE), selecting (210) at least one modified presentationfeature for a session (S), to be modified between the different time-steps of block (B), and selecting its range of values; and for each block (B, 1<B<BE) of a session (S) selecting:- a different task (300A or 300B) for the user to perform, each task comprising a sequence of consecutive images (310,320 or 350,360); wherein one of the consecutive images comprises a target to be identified and / or manipulated by the user (314 or 364); and- at least one fixed-value for at least one fixed presentation-feature, to be fixed at all time- steps of block (B);• displaying (230) the task to the user, at each time- step (K), according to the block’s (B) selected task; wherein the images are displayed via:- the modified presentation-feature, modified between the different timesteps (1<K<KE) of block (B), according to their selected range of values;- the fixed presentation-feature fixed values for all time-steps of the block (B);• receiving and / or collecting (250), at each time-step (K), feedback from the user, indicating whether the user has correctly identified and / or correctly manipulated the target; i.e., correctly performed the task for the target.• analyzing (260) correctness of the user's feedback, received at current (K) and past time-steps (<K) of the block (B) of session (S) and accordingly determining and / or updating a score for the user’s performance per block (B) of session (S);• adjusting (295) at least one of the fixed presentation-features of the consecutive images for at least one following Session (SfOiiowing> S+l), with selected and / or determined value; and comparing (295) the scores of all the blocks (B, 1<B<BE ) of session (S), and accordingly determining a new or best performing value for at least one of thefixed presentation-feature / s to be adjusted (295,220) for at least one following session (SfOiiowing> S) of blocks.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein after the method- step of analyzing (260),• in case the score of the block (B) has reached a threshold for its value (270), or• once the number of time-steps has reached a threshold (KE) (270), the method proceeds to a next block (B=B+1) of timesteps (285), starting from timestep (K=l), via the method-step of adjusting (220).
11. The method of claim 9, wherein once the number of blocks has reached a threshold (BE) (286), the method proceeds to a next session (S=S+ 1 ) of blocks (290), starting from time-step (B= 1 ), via the method-steps of comparing (295) and adjusting (220).
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the method ends (296) once the number of sessions (S) has reached a threshold (SE).
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the modified- and the fixed- presentation-features are different one from the other, and are each selected from a group comprising:• size of the target structure;• size of the non-target structures;• duration of each image presentation;• time interval between the images presentation;• orientation of the target structure;• orientation of non-target structure / s;• the distance between structures in the images;• contrast of the target structure;• contrast of the non-target structure / s;• blurriness of the target structure;• blurriness of the non-target structure / s;• background to the structure / s in the image / s.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein said adjusting is further configured for improving performance of a visual system in said user.
15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the method is configured to be employed for improving the user’s perceptual learning.
16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the method is configured to be employed for improving the user’s brain perceptual learning.
17. A device (190) configured to present tasks to a user, comprising:• at least one processor (191) configured to execute the method-steps according to any one of claims 1 to 16;• at least one display-device (192), configured to display the tasks and / or images, according to any one of claims 1 to 16.