Optometry Apparatus Dynamic Fogging Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optometry apparatuses face challenges in easily setting a suitable fogging state for open-field monocular examinations, as the required adjustments for the non-measured eye's refractive power can vary significantly among examinees, leading to inefficiencies in visual acuity assessments.

Innovation Solution

An optometry apparatus with a control system that includes a pair of lens units, a drive mechanism, and an acquisition means to determine the appropriate amount of fog for the examinee's eye based on targeted and measured visual acuity values, ensuring accurate fogging for open-field examinations by aligning the optical characteristics and rotation angles of auto cross cylinder lenses between the right and left optical paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fogging is applied to the non-measured eye using fixed plus spherical power, then the open-field examination can be performed, but the view in corrected state varies from one examinee to another requiring adjustments to the added power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of setting fogging stateVSAvoidaccuracy of visual acuity assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the fogging power parameter based on the examinee's targeted visual acuity value. The control unit calculates and adjusts the amount of fog (plus spherical power) according to the specific visual acuity requirements of each examinee, transforming the fixed parameter approach into a variable parameter approach that adapts to individual differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the examiner to input the targeted visual acuity value, and the control unit automatically calculates and applies the appropriate fogging power without requiring manual adjustment. The system serves itself by autonomously determining the optimal fogging state based on the examinee's characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If blocking plate is disposed on the non-measured eye side, then the non-measured eye is not presented with the examination target, but the view in corrected state varies from one examinee to another

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of performing monocular examinationVSAvoidadaptability to different examinee characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a fixed blocking plate approach, the system changes the optical parameter (fogging power) to adapt to different examinee characteristics. The control unit adjusts the plus spherical power based on the examinee's targeted visual acuity, allowing the same apparatus to serve different examinee types effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static blocking plate configuration to a dynamic fogging system where the optical characteristics are continuously adjusted based on real-time measurements and examinee-specific parameters, enabling flexible adaptation to individual differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 precise and efficient fogging of the non-measured eye, allowing for accurate open-field monocular examinations by automatically determining the necessary refractive power adjustments, thereby improving the consistency and accuracy of visual acuity assessments.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of right and left lens units disposed in an optical path of a target light flux projected onto an examinee's eye, for changing an optical characteristic of the target light flux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3175776B1Optometry apparatus and optometry program
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 NIDEK CO LTD
  • EP3175776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3175776B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3175776B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention addresses the problem of providing an optometry apparatus and optometry program with which, when an open-field monocular examination is performed, a fogging state suitable to the examinee can be easily set. The optometry apparatus includes: a pair of right and left lens units disposed in an optical path of a target light flux projected onto an examinee's eye, for changing an optical characteristic of the target light flux; a drive means for driving the lens units; a control means for controlling driving of the drive means; and an acquisition means for acquiring a targeted visual acuity value at the time of fogging. The control means determines an amount of fog for fogging the examinee's eye on the basis of the targeted visual acuity value acquired by the acquisition means.