Method and systems for measuring interpupillary distance

• US 8,459,792 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2011
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hal E. Wilson, James Welch
• Original Assignee: Hal E. Wilson, James Welch
• Inventors: Wilson, Hal E., Welch, James
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG XUAN
• Application Number:
  US13/094,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20110267578A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 351/204, 351/246, 351/200
• US Class Current: 351/204
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/11 for measuring interpupillary distance or diameter of pupils
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/111 for measuring interpupillary distance
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 13/005 Measuring geometric parameters required to locate ophtalmic lenses in spectacles frames apparatus for testing or instruments for examining the eyes per se A61B3/00; machines or devices and accessories for grinding the edges of lenses using spectacles as a template B24B9/144
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30041 Eye; Retina; Ophthalmic
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30204 Marker
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/60 Analysis of geometric attributes

Abstract

The proposed innovation provides methods and systems for measuring the interpupillary distance. The proposed innovation provides a fitting pad (102) having two detection points (104 and 106). The fitting pad is placed on the forehead of the user and an image is captured. The image is uploaded and pupil distance calculator software locates the fitting detection points and calculates the distance in pixels of the left and right X, Y coordinates. The software creates an image scale by dividing the pixel counts between the detection points. The software automatically locates the X, Y coordinates between the center of the left and right pupils and calculates the distance in pixels. The resulting pixel distance divided by the image scale provides the interpupillary distance in millimeter. In embodiments, segment height is calculated based upon an image imported by the user and the combined scaled images of the user and the frame.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the interpupillary distance, the method comprising;

providing a fitting pad having two detection points;

placing the fitting pad on the forehead of the user;

capturing and uploading the image of the user; and

providing pupil distance calculator software;

the said software is configured for automatically locating the fitting detection points;

calculating the distance in pixels of the left and right X, Y coordinates;

creating an image scale by dividing the pixel counts between the detection points;

automatically locating the X, Y coordinates between the center of the left and right pupils; and

calculating the distance in pixels between the center of the left and right pupils.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the distance between the detection points is at least 40 mm.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the detection points are printed on a specialized fitting frame or a custom trial frame;

and wherein the detection points are located at a consistent, fixed distance.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the detection points are printed in such a manner so that there is a high level of contrast between the detection points and the fitting pad surface.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the detection points are located by at least one of the difference in level of contrast, shape and size of the detection points.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the centre of the left and right eye pupil are located by an attribute associated with the image of the eye.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the fitting pad is provided in a pre-printed format or can be printed by a user on a personal computer.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the fitting pad can be of different sizes.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein segment height is calculated based upon an image imported by the user and the combined scaled images of the user and the frame.

10. A system for measuring the interpupillary distance, the method comprising;

a fitting pad having two detection points, the fitting pad being placed on the forehead of the user;

a camera for capturing and uploading the image of the user; and

a pupil distance calculator software;

the said software is configured for

automatically locating the fitting detection points;

calculating the distance in pixels of the left and right X, Y coordinates;

creating an image scale by dividing the pixel counts between the detection points;

automatically locating the X,Y coordinates between the center of the left and right pupils; and

calculating the distance in pixels between the center of the left and right pupils.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the distance between the detection points is at least 40 mm.

12. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the detection points are printed on a specialized fitting frame or a custom trial frame;

and wherein the detection points are located at a consistent, fixed distance.

13. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the detection points are printed in such a manner so that there is a high level of contrast between the detection points and the fitting pad surface.

14. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the detection points are located by the difference in level of contrast, shape and size of the detection points.

15. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the centre of the left and right eye pupil are located by an attribute associated with the image of the eye.

16. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein segment height is calculated based upon an image imported by the user and the combined scaled images of the user and the frame.

17. A system for fitting a user with a pair of glasses, the system comprising;

a fitting pad configured to be placed on the forehead of the user, the fitting pad having a first detection point and a second detection point at a predetermined distance from the first detection point;

a camera for capturing an image of the user, including the user'"'"'s pupils, as the user wears the fitting pad;

a display;

a user interface; and

a processor in communication with the display, the user interface, and the camera;

wherein the processor is configured to calculate the number of pixels on the image between the first and second detection points, so as to provide a pixels-per-distance calculation for the captured image.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the system is further configured to prompt the user to confirm the location of the first and second detection points on the image.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the system is further configured to prompt the user to confirm the location of the user'"'"'s pupils on the image.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the system uses the confirmed location of the user'"'"'s pupils to present a virtual image of the user wearing a pair of glasses.