Tunable Lens VR Headset for Home Eye Prescription Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring eyeglass prescriptions are inconvenient and require visits to opticians, using traditional equipment like phoropters and trial lenses, lacking ease and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a VR/AR headset with tunable lenses that adjusts optical properties to determine eyeglass prescriptions, allowing precise and cost-effective measurement of optical properties at home, including sphere power, cylinder power, prism power, and prism angle, using sensors and actuators to optimize visual perception of test patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional measurement methods using phoropters and trial lenses are employed, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring professional equipment and optician visits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical optical measurement systems (phoropters, trial lenses) with a VR/AR headset containing electronic displays, processors, and software algorithms. The refractive error determination is achieved through computational methods and digital image processing rather than mechanical lens manipulation, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The VR/AR headset serves multiple functions: it provides virtual/augmented reality experiences, conducts comprehensive eye examinations including refractive error measurement, and performs visual field testing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment, reducing device complexity while improving ease of operation
2Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used, then measurement precision can be maintained, but loss of time increases due to requiring visits to opticians
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to perform comprehensive eye examinations at home without requiring optician visits. The VR/AR headset autonomously guides users through test patterns and automatically processes results, allowing self-service eye examinations that maintain measurement precision while eliminating travel time and scheduling delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary eye examinations and refractive error measurements that can identify conditions requiring professional follow-up. By conducting initial assessments at home, the system reduces the need for routine optician visits, saving time while maintaining measurement accuracy through automated algorithms
3Ease of operation
If VR/AR headset with tunable lens is used, then ease of operation improves by enabling home-based measurement, but device complexity increases due to incorporating tunable lens and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tunable lens, sensors, display system, and processing algorithms into a single integrated VR/AR headset. This merging of previously separate components (optical elements, sensors, computing) into one unified device improves ease of operation by providing all measurement capabilities in a single portable unit, while the integration actually reduces overall system complexity compared to multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The tunable lens dynamically adjusts its optical power during the examination process, allowing the system to adapt to different measurement requirements without requiring physical lens changes. This dynamic adjustment capability, controlled by software, simplifies operation while the electronic control mechanism is less complex than mechanical lens replacement systems
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 convenient, precise, and cost-effective measurement of optical properties for eyeglass prescriptions and optometric parameters, facilitating home-based assessments, eye training, and monitoring, while also detecting eye injuries and conditions like astigmatism and cataracts.
Implementation Method 1
the tunable lens comprises a shaping element for changing a shape of a surface of the tunable lens and to thereby change the at least one optical property
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one optical property of a visual aid (e.g. eyeglasses) for a person, the method comprising the steps of: Observation of a test pattern (T) by the person through an tunable lens (20, 21) of a virtual reality (VR) and/or augmented reality (AR) headset (2) worn by the person, the tunable lens (20, 21) being positioned in front of an eye of the person, and adjusting at least one optical property of the tunable lens (20, 21) so that the person perceives the test pattern (T) as being sharp, or adjusting at least one optical property of the tunable lens (20, 21) until a sensor device (30, 31) detects accommodation of the eye of the person to the test pattern (T).