Biomimicking applications of human sensory systems

• US 7,267,437 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2003
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wendell Watkins
• Original Assignee: Wendell Watkins
• Inventors: Watkins, Wendell
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler; Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cattungal; Sanjay
• Application Number:
  US10/621,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20050012897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 351200-247, 600/38, 600/558
• US Class Current: 351/203
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/00 Apparatus for testing the eyes; Instruments for examining the eyes eye inspection using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/10; devices for treatment of the eyes A61F9/00; exercisers for the eyes A61H5/00; optical systems in general G02B
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/032 Devices for presenting test symbols or characters, e.g. test chart projectors A61B3/036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/08 for testing binocular or stereoscopic vision, e.g. strabismus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 5/00 Exercisers for the eyes

Abstract

A method of sensory training and testing systems focusing upon the development of pre-attentive and attentive vision for the enhancement of the individual'"'"'s ability to perform specific functions.

Claims

1. A method for training or testing vision, comprising the following steps:

creating a three-dimensional environment including at least two objects of shape, including a first object and a second object, situated before a background;

wherein the space between any object is beyond the horizontal angular extent an individual is able to foveate using attentive vision;

positioning the first object and the second object to produce either movement cues, color cues or depth cues; and

viewing the first and second object with the left eye and the first and second object with the right eye using pre-attentive vision and studying the response of an individual thereto.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal angular extent between the first and second object is at least 2 degrees of the entire field width viewed by the individual.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second object are positioned to produce depth cues by varying the depth range difference between the first object and the second object.

4. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of using an audible sound, unique smell or specific touch sensation to alert the individual to a correct response.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the depth cues are provided within a range of the pre-attentive depth perception limit.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the pre-attentive depth perception limit is approximately 3 arcmin.

7. The method of claim 2, further including the step of varying the textural contrast between the background and the first and second objects.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of varying includes varying textural spatial frequency.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of varying includes varying color composition.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of varying includes varying edge fidelity.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of varying includes varying electronic signal noise.

12. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of varying the textural contrast between the background and the first and second objects.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the background includes varying the textural positioning of features within said background.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied in the treatment of dyslexia.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of studying includes creating, positioning and viewing to teach individuals to utilize pre-attentive vision in reading.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein pre-attentive vision is used to calibrate the attentive vision of the foveal region.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first and second object are similarly shaped but orientated differently.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein depth and color cues are applied.