Interactive Refraction Measurement Using Clear Vision Borders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for measuring ocular refractive errors do not account for interactive, subjective measurements of distance and object size changes, failing to provide comprehensive refractive error measurements that are distance-independent and user-preference based.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented system using interactive, subjective measurements of distance between a user's head and an electronic device, employing distance measurement circuitry, user interface, control circuitry, processing circuitry, and storage to calculate spherical and cylindrical errors, and power of reading glasses, allowing users to interactively choose borders of clear vision based on visual quality criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional objective refraction methods are used, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement precision and user preference accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidrefractive error measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements interactive feedback by continuously monitoring user responses (blur detection, focus quality assessment) and adjusting the refraction measurement process in real-time. The computer presents test stimuli and receives user feedback through input devices, allowing the system to iteratively refine the refractive error measurement until optimal accuracy is achieved, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts the refraction procedure based on user responses. Rather than following a fixed static protocol, the measurement process adjusts parameters such as stimulus presentation, question sequencing, and correction amounts based on real-time user performance, enabling both rapid convergence to accurate results and accommodation of individual user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If standard refraction procedures are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to individual user preferences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiduser preference accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by integrating multiple functions into a single platform: it can perform various types of refraction measurements (distance, near, intermediate), accommodate different user preferences (reading habits, working distances), and adapt to different age groups. This multi-functional design allows the system to be highly adaptable without requiring separate specialized devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of measurement parameters such as working distance, target size, and test conditions based on user preferences and requirements. Users can specify their preferred reading distances and the system adjusts the refraction protocol accordingly, enabling personalized measurements while maintaining a unified system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If distance-dependent refraction measurements are used, then measurement simplicity is improved, but measurement precision across different distances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement simplicityVSAvoiddistance-independent refraction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The refraction measurement process is segmented into distinct components: distance refraction measurement, near refraction measurement, and intermediate refraction measurement. Each segment is measured separately with appropriate protocols and stimuli, allowing the system to capture the full range of refractive errors across different viewing distances without compromising the simplicity of individual measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system extends refraction measurement from a single distance dimension to multiple distance dimensions (distance, intermediate, and near). By adding this temporal and spatial dimension to the measurement process, the system captures refractive errors across the entire accommodation range, providing comprehensive precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated multi-distance protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4275587B1A computer-implemented method and system for interactively measuring ocular refractive errors, addition and power of reading glasses
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 VISIONAPP SOLUTIONS SL
  • EP4275587B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4275587B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4275587B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for interactively measuring ocular refractive errors, addition and power of reading glasses without the need of an optical component that would change optical vergence of a target. The system can measure the distance from a user's eyes to either or both border of interval of clear vision, for one orientation or two perpendicular orientations. The measurements together with the user's age can be used to estimate sphero-cylindrical refraction, addition and power of reading glasses. The system can use different sizes, directions and colors of targets which can change with said distance or user interaction.