Optometry Apparatus Instant Chart Presentation for Retinal Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optometry apparatuses face challenges in conducting accurate subjective measurements as patients respond to corrected images rather than the exact images formed on the retina, leading to inaccurate measurement results.

Innovation Solution

An optometry apparatus with an eye chart presentation optical system and a control unit that presents an optometric chart for an instant duration, allowing the patient to recognize the image formed on the retina without brain correction, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the optometric chart is presented continuously for subjective measurement, then the patient can respond to the chart, but the brain corrects the image forming on the retina leading to inaccurate measurement results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of ocular refractive power measurementVSAvoidreliability of patient response to corrected image
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by presenting the optometric chart in intermittent flashes rather than continuous display. The control unit controls the eye chart presentation optical system to flash-present the chart at specific time intervals, creating a temporal pattern that prevents the brain from correcting the retinal image while still allowing patient response. This periodic presentation mode resolves the contradiction by making the measurement process time-dependent rather than continuous.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by presenting the optometric chart before the patient's brain has time to correct the image. The control unit is configured to present the chart for a predetermined time period that is sufficiently short to prevent neural correction processes from occurring. This timing-based preliminary presentation ensures that the patient responds to the actual retinal image formation rather than the brain's corrected perception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the optometric chart is presented for a short instant, then brain correction is prevented and measurement accuracy improves, but the patient may have difficulty recognizing the chart

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of retinal image recognitionVSAvoidease of chart recognition by patient
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action to present the optometric chart in repeated flashes over multiple cycles. While each individual flash is brief enough to prevent brain correction, the repetitive nature of the flashing provides sufficient temporal integration for the patient to recognize and respond to the chart content. This resolves the contradiction between brief presentation duration and recognition ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by presenting the optometric chart repeatedly over an extended measurement period. Although each presentation instance is brief, the continuous repetition ensures that the patient accumulates sufficient visual information to recognize the chart while each individual presentation remains short enough to prevent brain correction. The useful action of chart presentation continues throughout the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2949265B1Optometry apparatus and method for subjective measurement using optometric chart
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP2949265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2949265B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2949265B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optometry apparatus (10, 60) includes an eye chart presentation optical system (31, 61, 75) that presents an optometric chart (31v, 31w) to an eye to be examined E as a subjective eye chart for subjective measurement and a control unit (21) that controls the eye chart presentation optical system (31, 61, 75) to present the optometric chart. The control unit (21) executes instant presentation of the optometric chart by controlling the eye chart presentation optical system (31, 61, 75) to finish presenting the optometric chart when an instant presentation time has elapsed after starting presenting the optometric chart (Steps S8 to S10).