Vision modification with reflected image

• US 8,282,212 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• 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:
  US12/590,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20100103373A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 359/200, 359/205, 359/246
• US Class Current: 351/246
• 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 system for modifying the vision of a subject, comprising:

an adjustable optical system having an adjustable spherical focus and a control signal input adapted to receive a control signal for controlling the adjustment of at least one focus parameter of the adjustable optical system; and

at least one image detector adapted to detect in real-time an image reflected from a retina of an eye of the subject and capable of generating as an output a reflected image signal containing information about the focus condition of said reflected image.

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

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said image detector is located on or about said adjustable optical system.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said image detector is located on said mounting structure.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said mounting structure comprises an eyeglass frame.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said mounting structure comprises a helmet-mounted frame, or a component of a hat, a head-adornment, or an item of head-centered apparel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said adjustable optical system comprises a fluid lens.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said fluid lens comprises an interface between two immiscible fluids.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said adjustable optical system comprises a lens having an elastically deformable shell surrounding an inter-lens space, and wherein adjusting said lens comprises adjusting the pressure or volume of a fluid in said inter-lens space.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said adjustable optical system comprises an electroactive lens.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said adjustable optical system comprises a compound lens.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said adjustable optical system has at least one of an adjustable cylindrical focus or axis of cylindrical orientation.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said adjustable optical system has an adjustable magnification factor.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said adjustable optical system includes a filter for modifying an intensity of light incident on the adjustable optical system in at least one visible spectral band.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit at least a portion of said reflected image signal wirelessly from said image detector to an image analyzer.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit said control signal to said adjustable optical system for reception at said control signal input.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said control signal input is configured to receive a digital signal.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an image analyzer for determining a sharpness of said reflected image from said reflected image signal; and

an optical system controller for generating said control signal control for controlling adjustment of said adjustable spherical focus to increase said sharpness of said reflected image.

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

an adjustable optical system having a control signal input adapted to receive a control signal for controlling the adjustment of at least one focus parameter of the adjustable optical system and including a fluid lens, wherein the fluid lens includes an interface between two immiscible fluids; and

at least one image detector adapted to detect in real-time an image reflected from a retina of an eye of the subject and capable of generating as an output a reflected image signal containing information about the focus condition of said reflected image.

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

an adjustable optical system having a control signal input adapted to receive a control signal for controlling the adjustment of at least one focus parameter of the adjustable optical system and including a fluid lens having an elastically deformable shell surrounding an inter-lens spade, wherein the fluid lens is adjustable by adjusting the pressure or volume of a fluid in the inter-lens space; and

at least one image detector adapted to detect in real-time an image reflected from a retina of an eye of the subject and capable of generating as an output a reflected image signal containing information about the focus condition of said reflected image.