Amblyopia Training Glasses with Gaze Tracking and Audio Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring amblyopia, or 'lazy eye,' often require covering the stronger eye, which can be distressing and weaken it, and lack real-time performance measurement capabilities, especially for children and infants, and existing technologies do not effectively track the visual acuity improvement of the weaker eye without professional intervention.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a pair of glasses with a selectively closable lens for the stronger eye, a projector for displaying images on the weaker eye, a sensor to track gaze direction, and audio output devices to guide the weaker eye to the image, allowing for real-time tracking and improvement training of the weaker eye's visual acuity without constant professional supervision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the stronger eye is covered to train the weaker eye, then the visual acuity of the weaker eye improves, but the stronger eye becomes weakened and the child experiences psychological distress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the training process into segments by displaying different images at different locations on the lens, allowing the weaker eye to be trained to focus on specific target objects while the stronger eye remains unoccluded. This segmented approach enables selective training without complete eye coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates real-time feedback through gaze tracking sensors that monitor where the child is looking. The system uses this feedback to adjust image display locations and provide auditory guidance, ensuring the weaker eye focuses on target objects while the stronger eye remains unoccluded, thus preventing its weakening.
2Measurement precision
If the stronger eye is covered to train the weaker eye, then the visual acuity of the weaker eye improves, but the child experiences psychological distress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the occlusion function from complete eye coverage and applies it selectively only to the stronger eye during specific training periods, rather than continuously covering it. This allows the weaker eye to be trained while the stronger eye remains mostly unoccluded, improving child comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary auditory guidance system that guides the child's attention to target objects without requiring eye coverage. The auditory feedback acts as a mediator, directing the child's gaze to the correct location while the stronger eye remains unoccluded, thus eliminating psychological distress.
3Measurement precision
If traditional amblyopia monitoring techniques are used, then visual acuity can be assessed, but professional eye doctor expertise is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service amblyopia monitoring by incorporating automated gaze tracking and image display capabilities directly in the glasses. The system automatically measures visual acuity by tracking where the child looks and comparing it to target object locations, eliminating the need for professional eye doctor expertise while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual assessment method requiring eye doctor expertise with an automated electronic gaze tracking system. The sensor-based system objectively measures eye gaze direction and visual acuity, substituting professional human expertise with automated technological measurement.
4Ease of operation
If images are displayed at fixed locations on the lens, then the training process is simple, but the child cannot be guided to specific target objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static fixed image locations to dynamic image display positions that change based on real-time gaze tracking data. The system dynamically adjusts where images are displayed on the lens to guide the child's eye to specific target objects, improving gaze direction accuracy while maintaining training simplicity through automated control.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An apparatus for checking the eyesight of a user (201) has a first lens (102) that can be selectively closed to prevent light from reaching a first eye of the user (202) and a second lens (103) for displaying an image for viewing by a second eye (204) of the user (201). A sensor (105) tracks a gaze direction of the user's second eye (204) when an image is being displayed at the second lens (103). A processor receives an input from the sensor (105) and determines whether the user's second eye (204) is directed at the displayed image. If the processor determines that the user's second eye (204) is not directed at the displayed image, at least one of the audio output devices (106) outputs audio such that the output audio is located in space at a location that corresponds with the location at which the image is displayed so as to draw the user's second eye to the displayed image.