Automated Visual Acuity Testing via Gaze Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional visual acuity tests are labor-intensive and prone to incorrect results due to manual operation, requiring specialized testers and relying on proper lighting conditions, which can be cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
An automated visual acuity test method and system that displays optotypes on a screen, determines an active optotype based on preset rules, and adjusts the test picture size according to the subject's distance, allowing for automatic determination of visual acuity level without the need for manual pointing or specialized testers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pointing is used on the test chart, then the tester can indicate the orientation of letters, but the operation becomes troublesome and labor cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pointing operation with an automated electronic system. The display screen shows optotypes, and a camera automatically captures the subject's gaze direction. The system then automatically determines visual acuity based on the captured images, eliminating the need for manual pointing operations and reducing labor requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If a light box is used to improve lighting conditions, then the visual acuity test chart can be properly illuminated, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a digital display screen to present optotypes instead of traditional printed charts on light boxes. The display screen itself provides the necessary illumination for the optotypes, eliminating the need for separate light box equipment. The camera captures images of the displayed optotypes and the subject's gaze, providing all necessary visual information without additional lighting equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple test pictures with different visual acuity levels are used, then the testing coverage is improved, but the testing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent presents multiple test pictures with different visual acuity levels in a systematic sequence. The system displays optotypes at various acuity levels, captures the subject's gaze direction for each, and automatically processes the results. This periodic presentation of different difficulty levels allows comprehensive testing while maintaining efficiency through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the testing process based on real-time results. The system can adaptively select which visual acuity levels to test next based on previous responses, optimizing the testing sequence to minimize time while maintaining comprehensive coverage. The automated processing dynamically determines the final visual acuity level without requiring manual intervention.
4Measurement precision
If the test picture size is fixed, then the display is simple, but the test accuracy for different distances is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the size of optotypes displayed on the screen based on the measured distance between the subject and the display. The system uses the camera to detect the subject's position and automatically scales the optotype size to maintain appropriate visual angles at different distances, ensuring measurement accuracy without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A visual acuity test method, apparatus and system that may be utilized as an automatic test of the visual acuity level of a test object, to reduce the problem of complex operation of the existing visual acuity test solution. The method is applied by an apparatus with a display screen, and comprises: displaying a test picture including at least one optotypes on a display screen, and determining an active optotype for visual acuity test from the optotypes of the test picture according to a preset rule. The method includes the steps of obtaining indicating information of the test object for the active optotype of the test picture; and determining the visual acuity level of the test object according to orientations represented by active optotypes of at least one test pictures and the indicating information of the visual acuity test object for the active optotypes of at least one test picture.