Subjective Optometry Calibration With Real-Time Eye Diagram Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing subjective optometry methods struggle to accurately determine the optical characteristics of a subject eye due to changes in calibration state, making it difficult to assess whether the calibration is appropriate and leading to potential inaccuracies or prolonged measurement times.

Innovation Solution

A subjective optometry apparatus and program that combines subjective and objective measurement portions, utilizing a calibration optical system to adjust optical characteristics of a target light flux and an objective measurement portion to objectively measure eye refractive power, with a control portion synchronizing these measurements to ensure high accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If subjective measurement is performed by changing calibration state according to examinee's answers, then the measurement process can proceed, but it becomes difficult to know objective optical characteristics and determine appropriate calibration state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubjective measurement processVSAvoidobjective optical characteristics determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines subjective measurement and objective measurement into a single integrated system. The objective measurement portion uses wavefront sensing to measure optical characteristics objectively, while the subjective measurement portion uses traditional refraction methods. By merging these two approaches, the system obtains both subjective response data and objective optical data, allowing the examiner to determine appropriate calibration states with high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by displaying the relationship between calibration power and objective optical characteristics (such as wavefront aberration amounts) to the examiner in real-time during subjective measurement. This feedback loop allows the examiner to adjust calibration power based on objective measurements, ensuring the calibration state is appropriate while maintaining measurement efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If only subjective measurement is used, then the measurement process is simple, but measurement accuracy cannot be ensured due to unknown calibration state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement systemVSAvoidoptical characteristics measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges subjective measurement and objective measurement into a unified system that operates together. The subjective measurement portion provides traditional refraction data while the objective measurement portion provides wavefront sensing data. This combination ensures measurement accuracy without requiring a completely complex separate system, as both measurements share common optical paths and control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system is designed with multi-functionality, where the optical system can perform both subjective measurement (presenting visual targets and detecting examinee responses) and objective measurement (wavefront sensing) using shared components. This universality allows the system to ensure measurement accuracy through objective calibration assessment without duplicating entire measurement subsystems.

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

3Productivity

If calibration state cannot be objectively assessed, then measurement can proceed quickly, but measurement accuracy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidcalibration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary objective measurement to assess wavefront aberration and determine appropriate calibration power before conducting the full subjective measurement process. This preliminary action provides advance information about the calibration state, allowing the examiner to start subjective measurement with an optimized calibration power, thereby ensuring both speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback during subjective measurement by displaying the relationship between current calibration power and objective optical characteristics. This feedback allows the examiner to quickly adjust calibration power if needed, maintaining measurement accuracy while minimizing the time required for calibration adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3461395B1Subjective optometry apparatus and subjective optometry program
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NIDEK CO LTD
  • EP3461395B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3461395B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3461395B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A subjective optometry apparatus includes a subjective measurement portion which subjectively measures optical characteristics of an subject eye, an objective measurement portion which objectively measures optical characteristics of the subject eye, a control portion which causes the objective measurement portion to objectively measure the optical characteristics during the measurement by the subjective measurement portion, and a display control portion which performs a control to display an eye diagram representing the subject eye and an imaging position of a target light flux incident on the subject eye. The display control portion performs a control to display the imaging position based on the objectively measured optical characteristics.