Vision modification with reflected image

• US 7,931,373 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2009
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (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): Sugarman; Scott J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomas; Brandi N
• Application Number:
  US12/321,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20090195751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 351/200, 351/205, 351/209, 351/211, 351/222, 351/243, 351/245, 351/246
• US Class Current: 351/246
• 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 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

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 method of providing adaptive vision modification, comprising the steps of:

a) detecting a time varying image reflected from an eye of a subject;

b) generating an image data set representative of an instance of said time varying image;

c) determining an image quality attribute of said image data set;

d) comparing said image quality attribute to a reference image quality attribute;

e) determining a lens system adjustment as a function of said image quality attribute and said reference image quality attribute; and

f) adjusting a lens system according to said determined lens system adjustment to modify said time varying image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said time varying image is a real-time varying image.

3. The method of claim 1, further including repeating steps a) through f) to provide on-going adaptive vision modification.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing said image quality attribute to said reference image quality attribute includes:

a) determining a numerical value corresponding to the image quality attribute; and

b) comparing the determined numerical value to a stored value corresponding to the reference image quality attribute.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said reference image quality attribute is an image quality attribute of a previous instance of said time varying image.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said time varying image is detected from a first location in said eye and wherein said reference image quality attribute is an image quality attribute of a time varying image detected from a second location.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said second location is external to the optics of the eye of the subject.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said second location is the within the eye of the subject.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said second location is one of the cornea of the eye of the subject, the front surface of the lens of the eye of the subject, and the back surface of the lens of the eye of the subject.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an image quality attribute is performed using a device including a microprocessor.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the device including a microprocessor is sized or otherwise configured for being carried or worn by the subject.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the device including a microprocessor is sized so as to be a component of a pair of eyeglasses.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting at least a portion of said image data set wirelessly to a receiving location at a distance farther from the eye of the subject than the lens system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the receiving location is remote from the subject.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the receiving location is at a device carried by the subject.

16. The method of claim 1, including transmitting a control signal from the receiving location to the lens system.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the control signal is a digital signal.

18. The method of claim 6, wherein said second location is the cornea of the eye of the subject.

19. The method of claim 6, wherein said second location is the front surface of the lens of the eye of the subject.

20. The method of claim 6, wherein said second location is the back surface of the lens of the eye of the subject.