Vision modification with reflected image

• US 7,656,569 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Hillis, W. Daniel, Jung, Edward K. Y., Hyde, Roderick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack; Ricky L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomas; Brandi N
• Application Number:
  US11/495,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20070019272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 351/200, 351/204, 351/205, 351/208, 351/216, 351/222, 351/233
• US Class Current: 359/200.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/10 Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/00 Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements control of light by modification of the optical properties of the media of the elements involved therein G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/00 Optical parts characterised by the material G02B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/08 Auxiliary lenses; Arrangements for varying focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/081 Ophthalmic lenses with variable focal length

Abstract

Various embodiments of methods and systems for improving and enhancing vision are disclosed. Adjustable lenses or optical systems may be used to provide adaptive vision modification. In some embodiments, vision modification may be responsive to the current state of the user'"'"'s visual system. Certain embodiments provide correction of the subject'"'"'s near and far vision. Other embodiments provide enhancement of vision beyond the physiological ranges of focal length or magnification.

Claims

1. A system for modifying the vision of a subject comprising:

a first optical subsystem having a first spherical focal length, a first cylindrical focal power, and a first axis of cylindrical lens orientation;

a second optical subsystem having a second spherical focal length, a second cylindrical focal power, and a second axis of cylindrical lens orientation;

a switching mechanism configured to selectively direct a visual input to an eye of the subject through one of said first optical subsystem and said second optical subsystem;

an image detector adapted to detect an image reflected from said eye;

an image analyzer for determining the quality of said reflected image; and

a controller for controlling at least one of said first optical subsystem, said second optical subsystem, or said switching mechanism responsive to the quality of said reflected image.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism is configured to be controlled by said subject.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second cylindrical focal powers are zero.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mounting structure for positioning said adjustable optical system with respect to said eye of said subject.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said mounting structure comprises an eyeglass frame;

a helmet-mounted frame;

a component of a hat, head adornment, or item of head-centered apparel;

or a mechanical linkage connected to a base.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first optical subsystem comprises an adjustable lens system, and wherein said controller is operable to adjust at least one of said first spherical focal length, said first cylindrical focal power, or said first axis of orientation in order to adjust the quality of said reflected image for visual inputs within a first focal distance range.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said second optical subsystem comprises an adjustable lens system, and wherein said controller is operable to adjust at least one of said second spherical focal length, said second cylindrical focal power, or said second axis of orientation in order to adjust the quality of said reflected image for visual inputs within a second focal distance range.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism comprises an adjustable optical element comprising at least one of an adjustable mirror, an adjustable prism, an adjustable beam-splitter, an electrooptic element, a liquid-crystal element, or an adjustable lens system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism is configured for being controlled automatically.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said switching mechanism is configured to switch said visual input between said first optical subsystem and said second optical subsystem responsive to a change in focus of said reflected image indicative of a change in focal distance of said visual input.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said switching mechanism is configured to be controlled automatically in response to vergence movement of at least one eye of said subject.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a range finder alignable to a visual target.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the range finder is operable to provide an indication of a distance to the visual target and the controller activates said switching mechanism responsive to the indication of distance to the visual target.

14. A system for modifying the vision of a subject, comprising:

a first optical subsystem having a first spherical focal length, a first cylindrical focal power, and a first axis of cylindrical lens orientation;

a second optical subsystem having a second spherical focal length, a second cylindrical focal power, and a second axis of cylindrical lens orientation;

a switching mechanism configured to selectively direct a visual input to an eye of the subject through one of said first optical subsystem and said second optical subsystem;

an image detector adapted to detect an image reflected from said eye;

an image analyzer for determining the Quality of said reflected image; and

a controller for controlling at least one of said first optical subsystem, said second optical subsystem, or said switching mechanism responsive to the quality of said reflected image;

wherein said first optical subsystem has a first adjustable transmissivity and said second optical subsystem has a second adjustable transmissivity, and wherein said switching mechanism is adapted to switch said first adjustable transmissivity to substantially full transmissivity and said second optical subsystem to substantially zero transmissivity in order to direct said visual input through said first optical subsystem, and switch said first adjustable transmissivity to substantially zero transmissivity and said second adjustable transmissivity to substantially full transmissivity in order to direct said visual input through said second optical subsystem.

15. A system for modifying the vision of a subject comprising:

a first optical subsystem having a first spherical focal length, a first cylindrical focal power, and a first axis of cylindrical lens orientation;

a second optical subsystem having a second spherical focal length, a second cylindrical focal power, and a second axis of cylindrical lens orientation;

an automatically controllable switching mechanism configured to selectively direct a visual input to an eye of the subject through one of said first optical subsystem and said second optical subsystem;

an image detector adapted to detect an image reflected from said eye;

an image analyzer for determining the quality of said reflected image; and

a controller for controlling at least one of said first optical subsystem, said second optical subsystem, or said switching mechanism responsive to the quality of said reflected image.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said switching mechanism is configured to switch said visual input between said first optical subsystem and said second optical subsystem responsive to a change in focus of said reflected image indicative of a change in focal distance of said visual input.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of said first optical subsystem and said second optical subsystem is an adjustable lens system controlled by said controller.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said switching mechanism is configured to be controlled automatically in response to vergence movement of at least one eye of said subject.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising a range finder alignable to a visual target.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the range finder is operable to provide an indication of a distance to the visual target and the controller activates said switching mechanism responsive to the indication of distance to the visual target.