Vision testing system for testing the sight function of a patient

• US 5,331,358 A
• Filed: 05/08/1992
• Issued: 07/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
• Original Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
• Inventors: Mennicke, Hartmut, Schurle, Hermann, Grimm, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAPALAS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US07/879,995
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 351/201, 351/203, 351/232, 351/239, 351/240, 351/243, 351/233, 351/246, 359/464, 359/465, 358/3, 358/88, 358/91, 358/92
• US Class Current: 351/232
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/032 Devices for presenting test symbols or characters, e.g. test chart projectors A61B3/036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13471 in which all the liquid crystal cells or layers remain transparent, e.g. FLC, ECB, DAP, HAN, TN, STN, SBE-LC cells G02F1/13475 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/324 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/337 using polarisation multiplexing

Abstract

A vision testing system includes polarization spectacles having different polarization axes with or without λ/4 filters for the two polarization lenses forward of the eye of the patient to be tested. This system also includes a vision testing apparatus for generating light having a specific polarization direction. The vision testing apparatus includes essentially two polarization filters and two LCD-displays which are mounted alternately one behind the other. This arrangement can so influence the light coming from the light source that test figures or portions of the test figures can be seen by one eye or by both eyes. If a test figure is to be changed, then a corresponding command is issued via a key pad to a switching unit which drives two drive circuits of the two LCD-displays in a desired manner. By making appropriate modifications of the vision testing apparatus, a patient can be tested as to color-vision acuity.

Claims

1. A vision testing system for testing the sight functions of a patient, the system comprising:

polarization spectacles having first and second polarization lenses for placement in front of the first and second eyes of the patient, respectively;

said first polarization lens defining a first polarization axis and said second polarization lens defining a second polarization axis perpendicularly to said first polarization axis; and

,

a vision testing apparatus including;

a light source for radiating light defining a light axis;

a first LCD-display mounted on said light axis downstream of said light source and including a plurality of first individually drivable liquid-crystal cells;

a second LCD-display mounted on said light axis downstream of said first LCD-display and including a plurality of second individually drivable liquid-crystal cells;

the cells of each of said displays being aligned with respect to each other and being adapted to each other with respect to their size;

a color-neutral transparent first polarizer mounted on said light axis between said light source and said first LCD-display;

a color-neutral transparent second polarizer mounted on said light axis between said first and second LCD-displays;

said first polarizer defining a third polarization axis and said second polarizer defining a fourth polarization axis;

said third and fourth polarization axes having different directions relative to each other;

a first drive circuit for individually driving said cells of said first LCD-display;

a second drive circuit for individually driving said cells of said second LCD-display;

switching means connected to said first and second drive circuits for controlling both of said first and second drive circuits; and

,

key pad means for issuing commands to said switching means for driving said first and second drive circuits to, in turn, individually drive the cells of said LCD-displays.

2. The vision testing system of claim 1, said vision testing apparatus further comprising an additional drive circuit connected to said switching means for changing the intensity of the light of said light source.

3. The vision testing system of claim 2, said first and second polarization axes, and said third polarization axis being arranged in two mutually parallel planes;

and, said first and second polarization axes, and said fourth polarization axis likewise being arranged in two mutually parallel planes.

4. The vision testing system of claim 2, said third and fourth polarization axes being perpendicular to each other;

said first and second polarization axes, and said third polarization axis being arranged in two mutually parallel planes; and

, said first and second polarization axes, and said fourth polarization axis likewise being arranged in two mutually parallel planes.

5. The vision testing system of claim 1, said vision testing apparatus further comprising:

a first λ

/4 filter mounted forward of said second LCD-display and a second λ

/4 filter mounted forward of said first and second polarization lenses.

6. The vision testing system of claim 1, said vision testing apparatus further comprising:

color means for changing the color of the light emitted by said light source; and

drive means connected to said switching means for driving said color means for changing said color.

7. The vision testing system of claim 1, said vision testing apparatus further comprising:

a color liquid-crystal image generating device mounted forward of said first LCD-display.

8. The vision testing system of claim 1, wherein said switching means and said key pad means are adapted to produce selectable movable test figures on said LCD-displays.

9. The vision testing system of claim 1, wherein said first LCD-display is configured as a color liquid-crystal image generating device.