Optotype Display Pilot Lamp Control for Vision Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optotype presenting apparatuses with small-size and low-profile designs face issues where the pilot lamp, used to indicate the energized state, distracts the examinee during vision tests, especially in binocular vision tests, leading to decreased accuracy and increased test time, particularly in dark rooms.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus positions the pilot lamp in a way that it remains unlit during the test, using a control unit to ensure the pilot lamp is off while the display is on, and incorporates a power-saving mode that turns off the display but keeps the device powered, allowing the pilot lamp to indicate the energized state without interfering with the test.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the housing is made smaller and lower-profile, then the device size is reduced, but the pilot lamp is placed closer to the display causing distraction to the examinee
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pilot lamp's illumination state changeable based on operational conditions. The control unit dynamically adjusts the pilot lamp between illuminated and non-illuminated states depending on whether the device is in standby or active testing mode, allowing the same physical space to serve both compact design and distraction-free testing requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the pilot lamp is illuminated to indicate energized state, then the indication function is improved, but the examinee's attention is distracted from the optotype
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using different illumination states for the pilot lamp corresponding to different operational phases. The lamp is illuminated during standby/ready states to indicate energized condition, and turned off during active testing to eliminate distraction, creating a rhythmic pattern of visibility that matches the operational cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary action by preemptively turning off the pilot lamp before the testing phase begins. This ensures that the distraction-free condition is already in place when the examinee views the optotype, preventing any potential attention diversion during the critical measurement period.
3Shape
If the pilot lamp is placed close to the display for compact design, then the device profile is improved, but the pilot lamp acts as a fusion stimulus during binocular vision test
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by dynamically controlling the pilot lamp's illumination rather than changing its physical position. The lamp remains in its compact proximity to the display for aesthetic and space reasons, but its illumination state is dynamically adjusted to be off during binocular vision testing, eliminating the fusion stimulus effect while maintaining the compact design.
4Illumination intensity
If the pilot lamp is illuminated in a dark room, then the energized state is clearly indicated, but the light is conspicuous and distracts the examinee
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing the pilot lamp's illumination with the operational state. In dark room conditions during testing, the lamp is turned off to eliminate conspicuous light and distraction. The same lamp provides clear illumination indication during non-testing phases when visibility of energized state is needed, creating a periodic pattern that adapts to environmental conditions and operational phase.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optotype presenting apparatus (1) for presenting an optotype (10) to be used for testing a visual function of an eye of an examinee, the apparatus comprises: a display unit including a memory (20) in which a plurality of optotypes is stored and a display (3) on which at least one of the stored optotypes is displayed; an operation unit (4) by which at least one of the stored optotypes to be displayed on the display is selected; a pilot lamp (7) placed to be visible by the examinee who is in front of the display; and a control unit (20) which turns on the pilot lamp when the display unit is powered on and the display is in an off-state, and turns off the pilot lamp when the display unit is powered on and the display is in an on-state.