Head-Mounted Eye Prescription Measurement Through Retinal Image Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining ophthalmic prescriptions are cumbersome, expensive, and often inaccessible to low-skilled optometrists in developing countries, necessitating a simpler and more affordable solution.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive method using a head-mounted device that displays multiple sharp images on the retina through focused light beams to determine optical parameters such as dioptric power, astigmatism, and axis, utilizing haptic or vocal feedback for adaptation, allowing customization of the image display based on the user's prescription.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If accurate prescription measurement devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprescription measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process is segmented into multiple discrete steps: displaying sharp images at different retinal locations, collecting user feedback on image clarity, and iteratively adjusting optical parameters. This breaks down the complex measurement into manageable components that can be processed sequentially

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where user responses about image sharpness are continuously collected and used to adjust the displayed images and determine the optimal prescription. This feedback mechanism enables accurate measurement without requiring complex automated detection systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If complex measurement procedures are used, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprescription measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement uses periodic presentation of sharp images at different retinal locations with systematic variation of optical parameters. This structured periodic approach allows efficient data collection while maintaining measurement accuracy through repeated measurements at different conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If expensive measurement devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but accessibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprescription measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice affordability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the user to actively participate in the measurement process by providing feedback on image sharpness. This self-service approach eliminates the need for highly trained optometrists to perform measurements, making the system accessible in areas with limited medical expertise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement devices with a digital imaging system that uses software-based image processing and display. This substitution dramatically reduces hardware costs while maintaining measurement capability through computational methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 quick, cost-effective, and accurate determination of ophthalmic prescriptions, facilitating the use of a single head-mounted device for users with varying prescriptions by pre-compensating images based on individual eye parameters.

Implementation Method 1

at least three sharp images are displayed on the retina of the eye of the person, the at least three images comprising a target and being carried by three light beams focused substantially in the plane of the pupil of the eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight focusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP3861923B1Method for determining at least one parameter of an eye of a person
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3861923B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3861923B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3861923B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining at least one optical parameter of an eye of a person comprising: - displaying at least two sharp images on a retina of the eye of the person, the at least two images comprising a target and being carried by two light beams focused substantially in the plane of a pupil of the eye at at least two different positions; - adapting a parameter of the target in each image based on feedback of the person relative to the change of the parameter of the target in the image; and - determining the at least one optical parameter of the person's eye based on the adaption of the parameter of the target in each image.