Glare Assembly for Vision Testing with Equi-Spaced LEDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vision testing systems fail to accurately assess vision under glare conditions, which can mask ocular problems like cataracts, as they typically test vision in controlled environments without simulating real-world glare scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A computer vision testing system with multiple equi-spaced LED glare light sources around a monitor/display to simulate real-world glare conditions, allowing for vision testing under controlled glare conditions by adjusting light intensity and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vision testing is conducted in controlled environments without glare simulation, then testing conditions are simple and easy to maintain, but the accuracy of vision assessment under real-world conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is divided into separate functional modules: the standard vision testing components and the glare simulation subsystem. The glare assembly includes multiple independent light sources (headlight simulator, sunlight simulator) that can be added to the existing testing setup without replacing the entire system. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity for basic testing while adding complexity only when glare assessment is required.
Solution Approach 2:
A glare assembly acts as an intermediary component between the patient's eye and the vision test display. This assembly includes transparent or translucent glare sources positioned in the visual path, which simulate real-world glare conditions without blocking the vision test content. The intermediary glare assembly allows simultaneous presentation of vision test stimuli and glare simulation, enabling accurate vision assessment under glare conditions while maintaining system simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple glare light sources are added around the monitor, then real-world glare conditions are simulated accurately, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The glare assembly is designed as a universal add-on that can be integrated with various types of vision testing systems and monitor configurations. The assembly includes adjustable mounting mechanisms that accommodate different monitor sizes and positions. The same glare assembly design can simulate multiple glare conditions (headlights, sunlight) by adjusting the intensity and positioning of the light sources, making it versatile across different testing scenarios without requiring custom designs for each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The glare light sources are designed with adjustable intensity controls and positioning mechanisms, allowing dynamic adjustment of glare conditions during testing. The system can transition between different glare scenarios (e.g., from dim headlights to bright sunlight simulation) by adjusting light source intensity and position. This dynamic capability enables comprehensive glare assessment while maintaining ease of integration, as the same physical assembly can adapt to various testing requirements without requiring multiple fixed installations.
3Measurement precision
If glare light intensity is increased to simulate real-world conditions, then the ability to detect ocular problems improves, but the comfort and safety of the patient may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs adjustable light intensity parameters for different glare simulation scenarios. Rather than using fixed high-intensity lights, the glare sources can be calibrated to specific intensity levels that simulate real-world conditions (e.g., typical headlight brightness at various distances, sunlight intensity at different times of day). This parameter adjustment allows the system to achieve accurate ocular problem detection while maintaining patient comfort by matching clinically relevant glare intensities rather than using maximum possible intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor patient response during glare testing. The system can adjust glare intensity based on patient comfort feedback while maintaining detection accuracy. This feedback loop allows the system to optimize the balance between detection sensitivity and patient comfort, ensuring that glare intensity remains within safe and comfortable limits while still being sufficient to detect ocular problems like cataracts.
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 assessment of vision under glare conditions, indicating potential ocular issues such as cataracts by simulating real-world light scenarios, and can be easily integrated with existing vision testing systems without altering their original installation.
Implementation Method 1
Individual, multiple light sources are equi-spaced about a center point of the monitor/display and directed toward an associated patient
Data Source
AI summary
A monitor/display is used to display a vision test. A patient is spaced a predetermined distance from the monitor/display during the testing procedure, and individual, multiple LED housings are equally spaced about a center point of the monitor/display to direct light toward the patient during at least a portion of the test procedure. The light emanating from the individual housings is a diffuse, unfocused light to simulate glare, and the intensity of the light may be selectively altered. Conducting vision testing under glare conditions determines if there is any reduction or fall off in the patient's vision under such circumstances and provides an indication of whether the patient may require cataract surgery or has another ocular problem. An assembly allows an existing vision testing system to be easily modified to provide glare light testing capabilities.