Adaptor-less Smartphone Eye Imaging Projector
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smartphone eye imaging technologies require adaptors to position and align the eye relative to the camera, which are costly and degrade image quality by introducing elements like beam-splitters that reduce light intensity.
Innovation Solution
An adaptor-less system using a projector with line generators to project patterns onto the subject's face, facilitating optimal alignment of the smartphone camera with the eye without additional elements between the eye and the camera, allowing for high-quality image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an adaptor is used to position and align the eye relative to the smartphone camera, then alignment and positioning are facilitated, but image quality is degraded due to intermediate elements like beam-splitters reducing light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adaptor entirely from the system, extracting the problematic intermediate elements (beam-splitters, lenses, illuminators) that degraded image quality. Instead of using an adaptor for alignment, the system relies on the smartphone camera's inherent capabilities and software-based alignment guidance to achieve proper positioning without any physical intermediary between the eye and camera sensor.
2Ease of operation
If an adaptor is used for eye imaging, then positioning is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor is completely removed from the system, eliminating all its components (beam-splitters, lenses, illuminators, housing). The patent achieves positioning capability through software-based alignment guidance and the smartphone camera's inherent optical axis, reducing the system to just the smartphone itself without any additional hardware attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone camera serves multiple functions: it acts as both the imaging device and the alignment reference. The camera's optical axis is used for alignment guidance, and the same camera captures the final eye image, eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms and imaging components that would be required in an adaptor-based system.
3Ease of operation
If an adaptor is used to enable eye imaging, then alignment is achieved, but the solution becomes less accessible due to increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive adaptor hardware is removed entirely, leaving only the smartphone itself as the required device. By eliminating the need for manufactured adaptor components (precision optics, mechanical housing, alignment mechanisms), the solution becomes as accessible as any smartphone with a camera, dramatically reducing the cost barrier to eye imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone uses its own camera and processing capabilities to perform both alignment guidance and image capture without requiring external alignment hardware. The system leverages the smartphone's inherent resources (camera optical axis, display screen for guidance, processor for image analysis) to provide complete eye imaging functionality, making the solution self-sufficient and eliminating costly external components.
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
This solution reduces costs, enhances image quality by eliminating intermediate elements, and makes smartphone eye imaging widely available, enabling effective monitoring of eye-related and systemic diseases.
Implementation Method 1
at least two line generators for projecting a light pattern onto a face of a subject
Data Source
AI summary
A projector and associated method allows adaptor-less smartphone eye imaging. The projector includes at least two line generators for projecting a pattern onto a face of a subject, and a structure for positioning the line generators relative to a camera of the smartphone. The pattern facilitates positioning of the smartphone relative to the subject's eye such that an image of the eye captured by the camera is optimal for evaluation.