Vision modification with reflected image

• US 8,104,892 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hillis, W. Daniel, Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Jung, Edward K. Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): GREECE, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US11/495,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20070019157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,014 Days
• Field of Search: 351/200, 351/205, 351/246
• US Class Current: 351/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/085 Fluid-filled lenses, e.g. electro-wetting lenses

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 lens control system, comprising:

a) an image analyzer configured to receive at least one image signal detected from an eye of a subject and to determine from said image signal at least one image quality attribute; and

b) a lens controller including at least one of analog or digital electronic circuitry and configured to receive said at least one image quality attribute from said image analyzer and to receive a lens state signal from an adjustable lens system, and responsive to said lens state signal and said image quality attribute to generate a lens control signal for adjusting the state of said adjustable lens system to modify said at least one image quality attribute of said image detected from said eye.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power source.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said image analyzer performs at least one image preprocessing step selected a group including from noise reduction, artifact removal, image compression, mathematical transformation, and contrast adjustment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said image analyzer detects a foveal region of said image and selects for further analysis at least a portion of said foveal region of said image.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein selection of said foveal region is based upon identification of at least one landmark in said foveal region.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said image analyzer and said lens controller is packaged in a package that can be carried by said subject.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said image analyzer and said lens controller is located at a remote location from said subject.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said image analyzer and said lens controller comprises a device including a microprocessor.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the device including a microprocessor is sized to fit on or about a pair of eyeglasses.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said detected image signal is transmitted wirelessly from a detection device, and wherein said system further comprises a receiver configured to receive said wirelessly transmitted image signal portion.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit said lens control signal to said adjustable lens system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said lens control signal is at least in part a digital signal.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein said power source comprises one of a battery, a photovoltaic cell, an inductive coil, an antenna, an energy scavenging device, a device that scavenges energy from the environment of said subject, a device that scavenges energy from the body of said subject.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said power source comprises device that scavenges energy from the body of said subject, the power source selected from a device adapted to provide power derived from at least a part of the systolic-diastolic cycle of said subject, an electric power generating device adapted for placement in the airway of said subject, and a device adapted for association with the pulsatile blood flow of said subject.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein said power source comprises one of a battery, a photovoltaic cell, an inductive coil, an antenna, or an energy scavenging device.

16. The system of claim 2, wherein said power source scavenges energy from the environment of said subject.

17. The system of claim 2, wherein said power source scavenges energy from the body of said subject.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said power source is adapted to provide power derived from at least a part of the systolic-diastolic cycle of said subject.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said power source comprises an electric power generating device adapted for placement in the airway of said subject.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said power source comprises a device adapted for association with the pulsatile blood flow of said subject.