Subjective Optometry Device Alignment and Magnification Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing subjective optometry devices face challenges in accurately measuring optical characteristics of the subject eye due to movement-related issues, such as changes in optical magnification and aberrations, as the measurement unit moves relative to fixed optical members.

Innovation Solution

A subjective optometry device with a projection optical system, calibration optical system, and moving means to align the measurement unit with the subject eye, maintaining positional relationships and optical magnification, and a control system to correct optical aberrations based on position information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the measurement unit moves with respect to the fixed optical member, then the measurement unit can be positioned for different measurements, but the optical characteristics of the subject eye cannot be measured accurately due to changes in optical magnification and aberrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement unit positioning flexibilityVSAvoidoptical characteristic measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the optical member movable instead of fixed, allowing it to move with the measurement unit while maintaining a constant positional relationship. This dynamic configuration ensures that optical magnification and aberrations remain consistent even as the measurement unit is repositioned for different measurements, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while providing positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a positional information acquiring portion that continuously monitors the position of the measurement unit, and a correction amount setting portion that calculates the necessary correction based on this positional information. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain accurate optical characteristic measurements by compensating for any changes in optical magnification or aberrations that occur during movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the measurement unit moves significantly, then different measurement positions can be accessed, but the relationship between distance from subject eye to optical member and distance from measurement unit to optical member changes, causing optical magnification to change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement position rangeVSAvoidoptical magnification consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical member is configured to move dynamically with the measurement unit, maintaining a constant relative position. This ensures that optical magnification remains consistent across different measurement positions, allowing the system to access various measurement positions while preserving optical precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable optical member acts as an intermediary between the measurement unit and the subject eye, maintaining a constant optical relationship. By moving in coordination with the measurement unit, it mediates the optical path to ensure consistent magnification regardless of the measurement unit's position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the measurement unit moves significantly, then different measurement configurations can be achieved, but optical aberrations are likely to occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement configuration flexibilityVSAvoidoptical aberrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical member moves dynamically with the measurement unit, maintaining a constant positional relationship that prevents the development of optical aberrations. This dynamic coordination allows the system to achieve different measurement configurations while avoiding the harmful effects of aberrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positional information acquiring portion and correction amount setting portion work together to detect and correct for any conditions that might lead to optical aberrations. This feedback mechanism ensures that even when the measurement unit moves to different configurations, optical quality is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 measurement of optical characteristics by maintaining alignment and optical magnification, reducing aberrations and ensuring precise targeting of the subject eye.

Implementation Method 1

a fixed optical member that is fixedly arranged in an optical path of the projection optical system and optically presents an image of the target light flux to the subject eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reflection/refraction: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a calibration optical system that changes an optical characteristic of the target light flux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical calibration: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP4091535B1Subjective optometry device
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 NIDEK CO LTD
  • EP4091535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4091535B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4091535B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A subjective optometry device subjectively measures an optical characteristic of a subject eye. The subjective optometry device includes a projection optical system that projects a target light flux toward the subject eye, a calibration optical system that changes an optical characteristic of the target light flux, a fixed optical member that is fixedly arranged in an optical path of the projection optical system and optically presents an image of the target light flux to the subject eye at a predetermined examination distance, a first moving means for moving a measurement unit with respect to the fixed optical member to perform first alignment of an optical axis of the projection optical system with respect to the subject eye, a second moving means for moving the measurement unit and the fixed optical member with respect to the subject eye to perform second alignment such that the image of the target light flux is irradiated onto the subject eye at a predetermined optical magnification, and a movement control means for controlling the first moving means and the second moving means to perform alignment of the measurement unit with respect to the subject eye.