Smartphone Selfie Eye Comparison for Early Disease Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diagnosing eye diseases often fail to detect subtle changes that are not observable by an untrained eye, leading to missed opportunities for early detection.
Innovation Solution
A method using a smartphone or portable device with a front-facing camera to capture a selfie image, analyze it for threshold changes compared to a pre-stored image, and display alerts for potential eye conditions based on pixel differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual inspection of the eye is performed by an untrained eye, then the examination process is simple and accessible, but subtle changes in the eye cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copies (selfie images) of the eye to enable systematic comparison and analysis. By capturing digital images and storing them for comparison, the system allows untrained individuals to perform examinations while maintaining the ability to detect subtle changes through computational analysis of the digital copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical act of visual inspection with a digital imaging and computational analysis system. Instead of relying on human visual perception, the system uses cameras to capture images and algorithms to detect changes, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving detection precision.
2Measurement precision
If machine assisted tests are used to detect subtle eye changes, then detection precision improves, but the complexity of the examination process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the smartphone camera serve multiple functions: capturing selfie images, storing them for comparison, and enabling the user to perform eye examinations. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by using a universal device (smartphone) that people already own, rather than requiring specialized medical equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables individuals to perform eye examinations themselves using their own smartphones. The self-service approach eliminates the need for complex professional equipment while maintaining detection precision through automated image comparison algorithms that run on the user's device.
3Measurement precision
If specialized diagnostic equipment is used for eye examination, then detection precision of eye diseases improves, but accessibility and routine visit frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary self-examination using smartphone cameras before visiting healthcare professionals. By capturing and analyzing eye images at home, individuals can detect subtle changes early and schedule appointments only when necessary, reducing unnecessary routine visits and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of eye images that can be stored, compared, and analyzed over time. These digital copies enable continuous monitoring without requiring repeated in-person visits to specialized equipment, thereby maintaining detection precision while reducing time loss from routine appointments.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for the selfie image sourced diagnosis of prospective eye disease. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for diagnosing prospective eye disease includes acquiring a selfie image with a computer device having a front facing user display and front facing camera, such as a smart phone or other portable communications device, recognizing a portion of the selfie image as an eye and comparing the portion of the selfie image to a pre-stored image of the eye in order to detect a threshold change from the pre-stored image to the selfie image. Thereafter, in response to detecting the threshold change, an alert is displayed in the display. In this regard, optionally, the threshold change can be classified, and the classification correlated to a prospective ophthalmological diagnosis through the use of a classification table. Then, the prospective ophthalmological diagnosis can be included in the alert.