Fixtureless Lensmeter Using Mobile Camera and Pattern Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lensmeters for determining corrective lens prescriptions are cumbersome, requiring specific spacing and arrangements, making them unsuitable for home or field use and prone to transcription errors when conveying prescription information.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device-based lensmeter system that captures images of patterns through corrective lenses, processes distortions to determine spherical power, cylinder power, and astigmatism angle using camera images and reference landmarks, eliminating the need for fixed fixtures and enabling convenient prescription measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional lensmeter with fixture is used to determine corrective lens prescription, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pattern and eyepiece from the traditional fixture structure, allowing the corrective lens to be positioned freely in space. The mobile device captures images of the pattern through the lens without requiring mechanical fixtures to hold components in specific arrangements, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fixture system with a computational image processing system. Instead of using mechanical means to ensure proper spacing and alignment, the system uses digital image analysis to determine lens characteristics, eliminating complex mechanical structures
2Reliability
If a traditional lensmeter with fixed spacing arrangement is used, then measurement reliability is ensured, but ease of operation and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the measurement system dynamic by allowing the corrective lens to be positioned at any location in space rather than requiring fixed spacing. The mobile device can capture images from various positions, and the image processing algorithm adapts to determine accurate measurements regardless of the specific geometric arrangement, enabling portability while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from fixed physical distances to flexible image-based measurements. By capturing images and analyzing distortion patterns computationally, the system can determine lens characteristics without relying on specific physical spacing parameters, thereby improving ease of operation and portability
3Loss of information
If prescription information is conveyed by telephone, then communication is achieved, but transcription errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the prescription information that can be directly transmitted electronically. The mobile device captures an image of the prescription label or lens characteristics and converts it to digital data, eliminating the need for manual transcription and reducing errors while maintaining efficient communication
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and convenient determination of corrective lens characteristics, such as sphere, cylinder, and axis values, without the need for precise spacing, reducing errors and increasing accessibility for users.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a captured image of a pattern through a corrective lens; a first region containing the pattern and created by light passing through the corrective lens
Data Source
AI summary
A lensmeter system may include a mobile device having a camera. The camera may capture a first image of a pattern through a lens that is separate from the camera, while the lens is in contact with a pattern. The mobile device may determine the size of the lens based on the first image and known features of the pattern. The camera may capture a second image of the pattern, while the lens is at an intermediate location between the camera and the pattern. The second image may be transformed to an ideal coordinate system, and processed determine a distortion of the pattern attributable to the lens. The mobile device may measure characteristics of the lens based on the distortion. Characteristics of the lens may include a spherical power, a cylinder power, and/or an astigmatism angle.