Computerized optometer and medical office management system

• US 6,108,634 A
• Filed: 04/12/1996
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gregg W. Podnar, Paul J. Podnar
• Original Assignee: Gregg W. Podnar, Paul J. Podnar
• Inventors: Podnar, Gregg W., Podnar, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kemper, Melanie A.
• Application Number:
  US08/631,562
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 364/525, 364/550, 351/200, 351/201, 351/223, 351/239, 351/243, 351/246, 348/55, 348/59, 348/51, 348/52, 348/42, 705/1, 705/2, 705/3
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/02 Subjective types, i.e. testing apparatus requiring the active assistance of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/18 Arrangement of plural eye-testing or -examining apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A computer-based system supports testing and analysis of vision patients. The system employs a multi-media interface, high-resolution, flickerless color video displays for both a patient and a clinician. These displays work in concert with a computer-based system which includes software adapted to support a clinician testing a patient'"'"'s visual capabilities. The system forms a component of a full medical office management facility which is extended to allow archiving of patient data, account information, office environment control, and patient education.

Claims

1. A computerized vision patient examination and medical office management system comprising:

at least one examination station, each examination station including;

(A) a processor system including,

a central processor unit,

random access memory disposed in the address space of the central processor unit for holding instructions and data,

an input/output unit adapted to send and receive digital signals to and from the central processor unit,

a display generator for selectively generating visual stimuli images based on preselected criteria, and

a stereo signal controller selectively outputting a digital, binocular control signal;

(B) a clinician unit in data communication with the processor system including,

a first color video display unit adapted to display digital images based on preselected criteria, set by the processor system,

a first data input unit adapted to receive practitioner input, and

means for controlling the processor system in accordance with data received into the first data input unit;

(C) a patient unit in data communication with the processor system including,

a second color video display unit adapted to display digital images, including visual stimuli images, set by the processor system which is adapted to accommodate a scan rate of over 120 Hertz,

a graphical generator for generating graphical images on the second color video display unit,

a second data input unit adapted to receive patient data,

means for communicating data representative of patient input to the processor system, and

stereo signal output means adapted for selectively outputting the digital, binocular control signal received from the processor system to an associated binocular flickerless viewing system; and

(D) an audio output unit adapted to output digital audio sounds set by the processor system.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an audio input unit adapted for selectively communicating digital audio signals, set by an associated audio receiver, to the processor system.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller interface adapted to selectively control room lighting in accordance with an output of the processor system.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising a patient information database unit accessible by the at least one examination station.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the patient information database includes means for storing digitized patient records inclusive of images and sounds.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the second data input unit is comprised of a touch-screen interface integrated with at least one of the first and second video display units.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the stereo signal controller includes means for selectively outputting the digital, binocular control signal to a flickerless binocular viewing system.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein said system includes a plurality of examination stations linked to each other via a communication network to allow data communication therebetween.

8. A method of computer-assisted visual testing comprising the steps of:

generating, under the direction of an associated processor unit, image data representative of a series of visual stimuli, inclusive of graphical images, text, and moving images;

communicating the image data to a patient color video display unit;

displaying, on the patient color video display unit, images corresponding to the image data;

selectively generating a digital, binocular control signal as data representative of a multiplexing of left and right images;

communicating the binocular control signal to a flickerless, binocular viewing system;

acquiring patient feedback data from a patient after a display of each of a plurality of images generated on the patient color video display unit and the flickerless binocular viewing system;

selectively controlling the associated processor unit so as to generate the image data and the binocular control signal in accordance with a clinician data input received from a clinician;

generating, under the direction of the associated processor unit, audio data representative of a series of audio stimuli based on preselected criteria;

communicating the audio data to a patient audio transducer;

generating, on the patient audio transducer, sounds corresponding to the audio data;

receiving, into a microphone, audio input from at least one of the patient and the clinician;

selectively communicating digitized audio input to the associated processor unit;

selectively archiving the digitized audio input;

selectively controlling the associated processor unit in accordance with the digitized audio input;

selectively generating, in the associated processor unit, an environmental control signal; and

communicating the environmental control signal to a control interface for controlling at least one of an external associated indicator and lighting.

9. The method of computer-assisted visual testing of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

monitoring an environmental condition associated with a patient; and

selectively modifying the environmental control signal in accordance with a monitored environmental condition.

10. The method of computer-assisted visual testing of claim 9 further comprising the step of selecting, in accordance with the patient feedback data, at least one of 1) a text interface on the patient color video display, and 2) audio data, representative of a particular language selected by the patient.

11. The method of computer-assisted visual testing of claim 10 wherein the step of selectively controlling the associated processor unit in accordance with the clinician data input received from a clinician includes the step of controlling generation of images on the patient color video display unit and the binocular viewing system inclusive of stimuli data representative of at least one of a controlled size, optotype, image quantity, speed, animation, orientation, isolation, frequency, duration, position, contrast, brightness, color, fog/blur, binocular, stereoscopic pair, and specialized individual images for each eye.

12. A system for computer-assisted visual testing comprising:

at least one examination station, each examination station including;

a processor unit for generating image data representative of a series of visual stimuli based on preselected criteria, inclusive of graphical images, text, and moving images;

means for communicating the image data to a patient color video display unit;

a video display unit for displaying images corresponding to the image data;

means for generating a digital, binocular control signal as data representative of a multiplexing of left and right images;

means for communicating the binocular control signal to a binocular viewing system;

data input means for acquiring patient feedback data from a patient after a display of each of a plurality of images generated on at least one of the video display unit and the binocular viewing system;

means for controlling the processor unit so as to generate the image data and the binocular control signal in accordance with a clinician data input received from a clinician;

means for generating, under the direction of the processor unit, audio data representative of a series of audio stimuli based upon preselected criteria;

means for communicating the audio data to a patient audio transducer;

means for generating, on the patient audio transducer, sounds corresponding to the audio data;

a microphone for receiving audio input from at least one of the patient and the clinician;

means for communicating digitized audio input to the processor unit;

archiving means for electively archiving the digitized audio input;

means for controlling the processor unit in accordance with the digitized audio input;

means for selectively generating, in the processor unit, an environmental control signal; and

means for communicating the environmental control signal to a control interface to control at least one of an external associated indicator and lighting.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein said system includes a plurality of examination stations linked to each other via a communication network to allow data communication therebetween.

15. A computerized vision patient examination and medical office management system comprising:

(A) at least one examination station, each examination station including;

(i) a processor system including,

a central processor unit,

random access memory disposed in the address space of the central processor unit for holding instructions and data,

an input/output unit adapted to send and receive digital signals to and from the central processor unit,

a display generator for selectively generating visual stimuli images based on preselected criteria, and

a stereo signal controller selectively outputting a digital, binocular control signal;

(ii) a clinician unit in data communication with the processor system including,

a first color video display unit adapted to display digital images based on preselected criteria, set by the processor system,

a first data input unit adapted to receive practitioner input, and

means for controlling the processor system in accordance with data received into the first data input unit;

(iii) a patient unit in data communication with the processor system including,

a second color video display unit adapted to display digital images, including visual stimuli images, set by the processor system which is adapted to accommodate a scan rate of over 120 Hertz,

a graphical generator for generating graphical images on the second color video display unit,

a second data input unit adapted to receive patient data,

means for communicating data representative of patient input to the processor system, and

stereo signal output means adapted for selectively outputting the digital, binocular control signal received from the processor system to an associated binocular flickerless viewing system; and

(iv) an audio output unit adapted to output digital audio sounds set by the processor system;

(B) at least one office management station for carrying out office management functions, including;

a processor system for processing and storing data,

input means for inputting data, and

output means for outputting data; and

(C) a communication network for linking the at least one examination station and the at least one office management station for data communication therebetween.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a patient information database unit connected to the communication network, wherein said patient information database unit is accessible by the at least one examination station and the at least one office management station via the communication network.

17. A method of computer-assisted visual testing comprising the steps of:

receiving data from an associated office management station via a communication network;

generating in accordance with the received data, under the direction of an associated processor unit, image data representative of a series of visual stimuli, inclusive of graphical images, text, and moving images;

communicating the image data to a patient color video display unit;

displaying, on the patient color video display unit, images corresponding to the image data;

selectively generating a digital, binocular control signal as data representative of a multiplexing of left and right images;

communicating the binocular control signal to a flickerless, binocular viewing system;

acquiring patient feedback data from a patient after a display of each of a plurality of images generated on at least one of the patient color video display unit and the flickerless binocular viewing system;

selectively controlling the associated processor unit so as to generate the image data and the binocular control signal in accordance with a clinician data input received from a clinician;

generating, under the direction of the associated processor unit, audio data representative of a series of audio stimuli based on preselected criteria;

communicating the audio data to a patient audio transducer;

generating, on the patient audio transducer, sounds corresponding to the audio data;

receiving, into a microphone, audio input from at least one of the patient and the clinician;

selectively communicating digitized audio input to the associated processor unit;

selectively archiving the digitized audio input;

selectively controlling the associated processor unit in accordance with the digitized audio input;

selectively generating, in the associated processor unit, an environmental control signal; and

communicating the environmental control signal to a control interface for controlling at least one of an external associated indicator and lighting.

18. A system for computer-assisted visual testing comprising:

(A) at least one examination station, each examination station including;

a processor unit for generating image data representative of a series of visual stimuli based on preselected criteria, inclusive of graphical images, text, and moving images;

means for communicating the image data to a patient color video display unit;

a video display unit for displaying images corresponding to the image data;

means for generating a digital, binocular control signal as data representative of a multiplexing of left and right images;

means for communicating the binocular control signal to a binocular viewing system;

data input means for acquiring patient feedback data from a patient after a display of each of a plurality of images generated on at least one of the video display unit and the binocular viewing system; and

means for controlling the associated processor unit so as to generate the image data and the binocular control signal in accordance with a clinician data input received from a clinician;

(B) at least one office management station for carrying out office management functions, including;

a processor system for processing and storing data,

input means for inputting data, and

output means for outputting data; and

(C) a communication network for linking the at least one examination station and the at least one office management station for data communication therebetween.

19. The system for computer-assisted visual testing of claim 18 further comprising:

means for selectively generating, in the processor system, an environmental control signal; and

means for communicating the environmental control signal via the communication network to a controller interface to control at least one of an external associated indicator and lighting.