SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF VIEWING CONDITIONS

• US 20150332576A1
• Filed: 05/13/2014
• Published: 11/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher H. Son
• Original Assignee: Christopher H. Son
• Inventors: Son, Christopher H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,280,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/003 Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092

Abstract

Implementations relate to systems and methods for detection and management of viewing conditions. One or more sensor devices can be provided for a user to monitor, manage, and adjust viewing conditions to promote the health and the user'"'"'s health and vision. The sensor device(s) can include a distance detection device, and others. The sensor device(s) can be or include one or more detachable devices which can be attached or affixed to eyeglasses or other wearable articles. Viewing conditions such as viewing an object or source for too long and/or at too close a distance can trigger various responses, such as a vibrating or other signal to break the concentration of focus to refresh the eyes. The sensor device(s) can also or instead be configured with user profiles to regulate the type or nature of content the user is viewing, for example to restrict television viewing by children using parental controls.

Claims

1. A sensor device, comprising:

an attachment to attach the sensor device to a wearable or portable article;

at least one sensor configured to detect viewing conditions for a user viewing an object or display, the viewing conditions comprising at least a distance to the object or display; and

a controller, communicating with the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to at least one of—

generate a notification to the user, or

perform a control operation to manage the viewing conditions,

based on the detected viewing conditions.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of—

an acoustic sensor,

a radio frequency sensor,

a motion sensor,

a light sensor,

a camera, or

a position sensor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors.

4. The device claim 1, wherein the wearable or portable article comprises eyeglasses.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the wearable or portable article comprises at least one of—

an earpiece,

a lanyard,

a watch,

an armband,

a hat,

a shoe,

an article of clothing,

a personal carry bag, or

an identification card,

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the object or display comprise at least one of—

a book,

a newspaper,

a magazine, or

a clipboard.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the object or display comprises an electronic display.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the electronic display comprises at least one of—

a computer display,

a tablet display,

a television display,

a smart phone display,

a media player display,

a vehicle display, or

a Global Positioning System (GPS) display.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein performing a control operation comprises applying a set of rules to the detected viewing conditions.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the set of rules comprises at least one of—

a set of acceptable distance ranges between the device and the object or display, or

a set of viewing times for which the user has been viewing the object or display.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the performing a control operation comprises accessing a set of user profile settings for the user.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the set of user profile settings comprises a set of settings related to viewing conditions.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the set of user profile settings comprises a set of access controls governing access to content viewed by the user.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the generating a notification to the user comprises at least one of—

generating a vibrating alert,

generating an audible alert,

generating a visible alert, or

generating a textual alert.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises a permanent attachment.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises a detachable attachment element.

17. A method of detecting viewing conditions, comprising:

detecting viewing conditions for a user viewing an object or display using at least one sensor attached to a wearable or portable article, the viewing conditions comprising at least a distance to the object or display; and

at least one of—

generating a notification to the user, or

performing a control operation to manage the viewing conditions,

based on the detected viewing conditions

18. The method of claim 17, wherein—

performing a control operation comprises applying a set of rules to the detected viewing conditions; and

the set of rules comprises at least one of—

a set of acceptable distance ranges between the device and the object or display, or

a set of viewing times for which the user has been viewing the object or display.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the performing a control operation comprises accessing a set of user profile settings for the user.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the set of user profile settings comprises at least one of—

a set of settings related to viewing conditions, or

a set of access controls governing access to content viewed by the user.