Vision Center Kiosk

• US 20080189173A1
• Filed: 09/02/2005
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eyefinity, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Panaseca, Inc.
• Inventors: Bakar, Sherwyne R., Moon, Jorlin E.
• Application Number:
  US11/661,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20080189173A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/005 Constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/18 Arrangement of plural eye-testing or -examining apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds

Abstract

A system comprising a kiosk is provided where the kiosk is for assessment of a user'"'"'s needs including, for example, vision needs. A method of assessing a user'"'"'s needs and a method of advertising products and services such as vision related products and services are further provided.

Claims

1-85. -85. (canceled)

86. A system comprising a kiosk that comprises:

(a) an optical chamber;

(b) at least one display screen;

(c) an input device;

(d) one or more sensors;

(e) a means for adjusting an optimal viewing angle between the user and the device;

(f) a microprocessor for processing input and output; and

(g) a memory for storage of input or output, wherein the system is configured to accept input from one or more of the input devices, the sensor and the servo mechanism, and to provide output to one or more of the optical chamber and the screen.

87. The system of 86 wherein the means for adjusting the optimal viewing angle comprises a servo mechanism.

88. The system of 86, wherein the means for adjusting the optimal viewing angle comprises a manual means such as a knob or an adjustable display screen.

89. The system of 86, wherein the kiosk further comprises a means for determining a user'"'"'s location relative to the one or more display screens.

90. The system of 89, wherein the means for determining user'"'"'s location is a distance sensor or an image sensor.

91. The system of 86, wherein the kiosk further comprises a means for determining a user'"'"'s height or location of a user'"'"'s eyes.

92. The system of 86, wherein the kiosk further comprises a means for automatically adjusting vision assessment to a user'"'"'s height.

93. The system of 92, wherein the means for automatically adjusting the vision assessment is a servo mechanism, including both hardware and software.

94. The system of 86, wherein the kiosk further comprises a means for automatically adjusting size of displayed characters to a specified accuracy (such as 20/20 or 20/40) based on a user'"'"'s location or position.

95. The system of 94, wherein the means for automatically adjusting size of displayed characters comprises a software program.

96. The system of 86, wherein the kiosk further comprises a means for providing a variable intermediate or distance vision assessment.

97. The system of 96, wherein the means for providing a variable intermediate or distance vision assessment comprises a combination of mechanical and software means.

98. The system of 97, wherein the mechanical means comprises mechanically moving the display screen.

99. The system of 97, wherein the software is configured to display a plurality of “

C'"'"'s”

of size corresponding to a particular vision measurement, and assessments, after determining the distance between the display and wherein a user positioned in front of the display.

100. The system of 86, wherein the kiosk further comprises a means for retrieving or analyzing information.

101. The system of 86, further comprising a printer.

102. The system of 86, wherein the input device comprises physical or voice recognition.

103. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to assess a user'"'"'s vision or ocular health.

104. The system of 103, wherein the assessment is based on a user'"'"'s input.

105. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to provide information about vision problems or eye health issues.

106. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to provide one or more suggestions regarding one or more products or services, such as vision related products or services.

107. The system of 86, wherein the system is adapted to provide one or more coupons for one or more vision related products or services.

108. The system of 103, wherein the assessment of a user'"'"'s vision or ocular health is selected from the group consisting of assessment of distant vision, assessment of near vision, assessment of intermediate vision, assessment of computer vision, assessment of central vision, assessment of field of clear view, assessment of accommodation, assessment of accommodative facility, assessment of contrast acuity, assessment of ocular allergies, assessment of dryness of eyes (mild, moderate, sever), assessment of blink rate (in number of blinks per minute), assessment of tear film breakup and assessments of combinations thereof.

109. The system of 103, wherein the system is configured to provide a recommendation based upon the assessment.

110. The system of 109, wherein the recommendation relates to potential remedies or referral to an eye specialist or to a product or to a service.

111. The system of 86, wherein the system is designed to allow a user to stand or sit in front of the screen.

112. The system of 111, wherein the system is a stand-alone unit or a wall-mounted system or a desk top unit.

113. The system of 111, wherein the system is incorporated into a retail shelving system.

114. The system of 113, wherein the retail shelving system displays vision care products.

115. The system of 86, wherein the at least one display screen is a touch screen or LCD.

116. The system of 86, wherein the system comprises two or more display screens.

117. The system of 86, wherein the display screen is configured to display one or more of:

a menu, a means for navigation, results of assessment, recommended products or services, and operating instructions, for example, as displayed on a Main Display.

118. The system of 86, wherein the system or display screen is configured to display vision assessment information at near vision, distance vision, and intermediate vision scale.

119. The system of 86, wherein system is configured to display assessment information through a mirror assembly.

120. The system of 119, wherein the mirror assembly is so placed such that a path of sight varies from several inches to one or more meters.

121. The system of 119, wherein the mirror assembly is automatically adjustable to account for users of varying heights.

122. The system of 119, wherein the mirror assembly is manually adjustable.

123. The system of 86, wherein the at least 1 display screen is movable.

124. The system of 123, wherein the display screen is movable to create a desired path length related to a specific visual acuity relative to position of a user.

125. The system of 123, wherein the display screen is movable to create a target letter size relative to position of a user.

126. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to automatically adjust a letter size for display.

127. The system of 126, wherein the system is configured to adjust the letter size to maintain a correct acuity assessment for a user upon user'"'"'s movement, if any, during assessment.

128. The system of 86, wherein the display screen is manually adjustable to accommodate a user'"'"'s height or distance from the screen.

129. The system of 86, wherein the display screen is automatically adjustable.

130. The system of 86, wherein the system comprises a means to detect a user position.

131. The system of 86, wherein the system comprises a means to detect a user'"'"'s distance from the one or more displays.

132. The system of 86, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a distance sensor.

133. The system of 132, wherein the distance sensor is an infrared, optical (camera) or an acoustic sensor.

134. The system of 86, wherein at least one sensor is a camera.

135. The system of 86, further comprising an infrared source.

136. The system of 86, further comprising one or more means to identify the eye region of a user, determine blink rate (blinks per minute), determine completeness of blink, determine vertical size of eye aperture (opening of the eye), and pupil size.

137. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to record response time for a user to respond to a query.

138. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to record a level of blur.

139. The system of 86, wherein the system comprises an eye-tracking means.

140. The system of 86, further comprising at least one speaker for sound projection.

141. The system of 140, wherein the sound level of the kiosk, particularly the advertisements thereon, can be automatically turned on or off or adjusted when an approaching person is sensed.

142. The system of 141, wherein audio is minimal until a person is sensed and is increased in volume as the person comes in close proximity to the kiosk. This prevents needless sound that may be annoying to persons in retail or other settings where the kiosk may be placed.

143. The system of 86, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a light sensor.

144. The system of 143, wherein the light sensor detects intensity of ambient light.

145. The system of 143, wherein the light sensor detects light directed to surface of the display.

146. The system of 86, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a humidity sensor.

147. The system of 86, wherein the system is operationally Internet enabled to download and upload information such as, but not limited to, the import of new software, advertising, coupons, and educational material, and to retrieve user information, kiosk use statistics, maintenance, and operating status.

148. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to send email.

149. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to accept information regarding the user.

150. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to issue one or more coupons.

151. The system of 150, wherein the coupon is for a recommended product.

152. The system of 86, further comprising a means to dispense a sample.

153. The system of 86, further comprising an ear or head phone.

154. The system of 86, further comprising a means to assess a user'"'"'s hearing.

155. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to assess a user'"'"'s personal care needs.

156. The system of 155, wherein the system is configured to assess a user'"'"'s over-the-counter medical or health care needs.

157. The system of 86, wherein the system is configured to provide name and/or location of a service provider or a retailer or manufacturer.

158. A method of advertising to a user comprising the steps of:

a. providing a kiosk in a private, semi-private or public location;

b. accepting input from a user regarding user'"'"'s personal product or service need; and

c. providing information regarding recommended product or service.

159. The method of 158, wherein the product or service need is vision-related.

160. A method of assessing a user'"'"'s personal, medical or health care needs comprising:

d. providing the system of 86;

e. allowing the system to display information or one or more questions relating to the user'"'"'s personal, medical or health care needs;

f. allowing the system to accept the user'"'"'s response to one or more questions or user'"'"'s input into the system;

g. allowing the system to analyze user'"'"'s response; and

h. allowing the system to provide user with one or more result of analysis.

161. The method of 160, further comprising the step of allowing the system to provide a suggestion or recommendation for a product or service.