Patents Examined by John R. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7029121
    Abstract: Individual eye tracking data can be used to determine whether an individual has actually looked at a particular region of a visual field. Aggregation of data corresponding to multiple individuals can provide trends and other data useful for designers of graphical representations (e.g., Web pages, advertisements) as well as other items that can be viewed. Representation of the aggregated viewing data, which indicates both regions viewed and regions not viewed, can be accomplished using several different techniques. For example, percentages of the number of viewers that viewed a particular region can be represented as a particular color, or the underlying image being viewed can be blurred based on and acuity gradient and the number of individuals viewing various regions. The various regions represented as viewed can be selected based on the type of viewing activity (e.g., reading, gazing) is associated with a particular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Eyetools, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory T. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7025459
    Abstract: An ocular fundus imager (8) automatically aligns fundus illuminating rays to enter the pupil (P) and to prevent corneal reflections from obscuring the fundus image produced. Focusing the produced fundus image is automatically performed and is based upon the fundus image iself. A head restraint for the patient undergoing examination is in the form of a pair of spectacles which is not only easy to use accurately but significantly reduce the gross alignment between the optical system (8) and the patent's pupil (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Visual Pathways, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom N. Cornsweet, Gary F. Buck
  • Patent number: 7011411
    Abstract: An eye's optical characteristic measuring system, comprising a target projecting system for projecting a target image to an ocular fundus of an eye under test, a photodetection optical system for guiding the target image to a photoelectric detector, a simulation image calculating unit for calculating images of the target image to be formed when a plurality of target images of different sizes are independently projected to the fundus of the eye under test based on light amount intensity distribution of the target image detected at the photoelectric detector, and a visual acuity calculating unit having a predetermined threshold value and used for detecting light amount distribution characteristics from each of the light amount intensity distribution in a predetermined longitudinal direction of a plurality of target images calculated at the simulation image calculating unit and for calculating a visual acuity value of a person under test from an intersection of the light amount distribution characteristics and t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Masahiro Shibutani, Katsuhiko Kobayashi, Gaku Takeuchi, Yumi Kubotera
  • Patent number: 7001020
    Abstract: An autorefractor system in an ultra-compact package is described for rapidly and objectively measuring the refractive state of the eye. The autorefractor detector system, in conjunction with a secondary light source, uses one photodetector such as a charge coupled device (“CCD”) or one photodiode, to intercept a light beam at two distances from a secondary retinal light source created by one relay lens, one pupil emitter conjugate lens and one pupil detector conjugate lens. The signals produced by the photodetector are used to determine the full spherocylindrical refraction of the eye. A novel illumination and imaging system provides multiple capabilities to image the eye, control accommodation, and acquire and maintain optical alignment, while obtaining other measurements of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Daphne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Don R. Yancey, Leonard Schupak, Charles E. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7001019
    Abstract: An image observation apparatus is constructed to project image information displayed on an image display device for displaying the image information, onto a retina of an observing eye by a display optical system, thereby permitting an observer to observe the image information, and to perform control to change a position of an incident beam onto the entrance pupil plane of the observing eye. The apparatus is arranged to detect the position of the observer's pupil and change the position of the incident beam onto the entrance pupil plane of the observing eye, based on the result of the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinari Takagi, Tsutomu Osaka
  • Patent number: 6997556
    Abstract: In a method for detecting, evaluating, and analyzing look sequences of a test person using a look detection system, the field of view of the test person is detected by a first camera, which is directed forwardly and firmly held on the person's head, and recorded in a field of view video. The movement of the pupils is detected by a second camera, also firmly held on the person's head and recorded in an eye video. The pupil coordinates for each frame of the eye video are determined by automatically measuring the contrast of the pupils relative to the surrounding areas with an image recognition program, and the centroid of the dark area, which corresponds to the pupil center having the pupil coordinates is established. A correlation function between pupil coordinates in the eye video and the coordinates of the corresponding visual point is determined in the field of view video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Ernst Pfleger
  • Patent number: 6988801
    Abstract: A device measures aberrations of an eye and contains a first light source, a lens, a reflective surface, and a wavefront sensor. The first light source is adapted to reflect light off eye's retina to produce a wavefront. The lens is adapted to receive light from the wavefront. The reflective surface is disposed so as to reflect light from the wavefront that is received by the lens back through the lens to produce an image of the wavefront. The wavefront sensor is adapted to receive light from the wavefront so as to provide a measure of the aberrations of the eye. The device may contain a second light source primarily at a second wavelength that illuminates the eye. Light from the second light source is substantially transmitted through the reflective surface to form an image of the eye that may be used to align the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventor: Geunyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 6979084
    Abstract: To enable evaluation of the binocular performance of spectacle lenses and display of the result of the evaluation, a method and an apparatus for evaluating and indicating the binocular performance of spectacle lenses. Binocular performance indexes indicating the binocular performance of the spectacle lenses to an object point within a visual field when it is observed through specific positions on both lenses are defined. For all object points in the visual field, the binocular performance indexes are derived. An image of the visual field, in which each pixel is assigned a monochromatic luminosity or a set of primary RGB color luminosity according to the value of the binocular performance index for viewing the corresponding object point, is created and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Hua Qui
  • Patent number: 6976758
    Abstract: A gonioscopy lens employs a plurality of mirror sets so that substantially the entire periphery of the anterior chamber of an eye can be viewed without rotating or moving the contact lens. Each mirror set comprises a first mirror position anterior to the eye on one side of the optical axis and a second mirror positioned posterior to the first mirror on the opposite side of the optical axis. Each set is oriented relative to each other so that the second mirror receives light rays from the peripheral portion of the anterior chamber, reflects those rays to the second mirror to the first mirror, and then reflects the light rays in a generally anterior direction so that they can be used by an ophthalmologist employing the lens. The image viewed by the ophthalmologist is upright and located over its actual position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Ocular Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng Tee Khaw, Peter G. Harrington, Daniel M. Bell
  • Patent number: 6974215
    Abstract: An optical instrument comprising an eye refractive power measurement index optical system (50) for projecting an eye refractive power index in order to measure the refractive power of an eye (E) to be examined, a fixed index projecting optical system (10) for fixing/fogging the eye (E), an observation optical system (40) for observing the eye (E), a light receiving optical system (60), a ring plate (30) and an infrared LED (34) for projecting a cornea shape index used to measure the cornea shape of the eye (E), a ring plate (80) and an infrared LED (84) for projecting light to the center of the cornea via an objective lens (22), and an alignment index projecting optical system (70), whereby it is possible to project part of the cornea shape index onto the cornea (Ec) of the eye to be examined via the objective lens (22) of the observation optical system (40) for observation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventor: Takefumi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6966650
    Abstract: A system and a method for automated, electrophysiological assessment of visual function in glaucoma suspects and patients is provided using visual evoked potentials measured in response to periodic stimuli presented to the patients. The method may be comprised of the steps of entering a patient's information into a computer, initializing a visual stimulus for the patient, recording a plurality of visual evoked potential signals obtained from one or more electrodes attached to the patient's scalp, saving and processing digitized data relating to the visual evoked potential signals, and determining if the likelihood of glaucoma is high or low based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventors: Zongqi Hu, Vance Marc Zemon
  • Patent number: 6964480
    Abstract: An improved ophthalmic instrument for estimating aberrations in the eyes of a patient and providing the patient with a view of optical correction of the aberrations so as to provide instant feedback as to the accuracy of the estimated aberrations. The ophthalmic instrument comprises an adaptive optic subsystem for sensing and correcting estimated aberrations in a patient's eye, and a fixation target providing a view of correction of the estimated aberrations. The adaptive optics subsystem includes a wavefront sensor and a multi-stage phase compensator. The multi-stage phase compensator includes a first stage for compensating for a defocus component of the estimated aberrations, and at least one other additional stage for compensating other higher order components of estimated aberrations. Preferably, the first stage comprises a variable focus lens for defocus correction, and the additional stage(s) comprises a deformable mirror for correction of higher order aberrations estimated in the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce M. Levine
  • Patent number: 6942343
    Abstract: The gonioscope of the invention comprises a hollow tapered body with mirror surfaces formed on the inner side of the gonioscope or on the inserts placed into the recesses on the inner surface of the gonioscope. Several reflecting surfaces arranged at the same or different angles can be used. The device can be made disposable and molded with reflecting surface coatings applied onto the inner flats. According to one of the embodiments, the gonioscope can be used in combination with a meniscus lens that can applied onto the eye cornea and used as a support for sliding the front end of the gonioscope over the lens surface for orientation thereof at different angles to the optical axis of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Arkadiy Farberov
  • Patent number: 6943754
    Abstract: A system for tracking a gaze of an operator includes a head-mounted eye tracking assembly, a head-mounted head tracking assembly and a processing element. The head-mounted eye tracking assembly comprises a visor having an arcuate shape including a concave surface and an opposed convex surface. The visor is capable of being disposed such that at least a portion of the visor is located outside a field of view of the operator. The head-mounted head tracking sensor is capable of repeatedly determining a position of the head to thereby track movement of the head. In this regard, each position of the head is associated with a position of the at least one eye. Thus, the processing element can repeatedly determine the gaze of the operator, based upon each position of the head and the associated position of the eyes, thereby tracking the gaze of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John H. Aughey, Michael V. Rohr, Steven D. Swaine, Carl J. Vorst
  • Patent number: 6926408
    Abstract: A means to generate a continuous two-dimensional reflection pattern suitable for corneal topography that uses sinusoidal profiles of both intensity and color values. The technique provides a more robust image processing due to the ability to apply digital band pass filters, continuous data for improved surface reconstruction, and the ability to directly measure the meridian of the reflection pattern source point when the corneal surface normal does not lie in the meridian of the measurement instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Sarver & Associates Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin J. Sarver
  • Patent number: 6926407
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for measuring a hue of a predetermined primary color included in light reflected from a surface. The apparatus has a diffuse light source for creating incident light comprising a plurality of primary colors including the predetermined primary color, the incident light being directed onto the surface. The incident light is reflected from the surface to produce the reflected light. The apparatus also has a photometer for receiving and analyzing the reflected light to provide objective chromaticity data representing the hue of the predetermined primary color, and a scale adapted for converting the objective chromaticity data to a clinical score measuring the hue of the predetermined primary color in the reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Trefford Simpson
  • Patent number: 6923541
    Abstract: An optometric apparatus for a subjective examination of a visual function of an examinee's eye includes a pair of right-and-left lens chamber units, each having test windows; and rotary disks disposed in each unit, each disk holding therein optical elements, one of the optical elements in each disk being placed between the test windows; and the optical elements include optical elements of 29 mm to 39 mm in effective diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: NIDEK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Hosoi, Akihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6916096
    Abstract: A system and method for eye examination by scanning light scattered from an area of the retina and projecting light into the eye includes a scanner, a receiver unit, and a projection unit. The scanner is constructed and arranged to scan an area on the retina. The receiver unit is optically coupled to the scanner and constructed and arranged to capture light scattered back from the area of the retina. The projection unit is constructed to generate and optically couple a light configuration to the scanner for delivering the light configuration into the eye relative to the area of the retina, wherein the scanner, the receiver unit and the projection unit are cooperatively designed to analyse a patient's sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventors: Heinrich A. Eberl, Roland H. C. Eberl, Hans Brandl
  • Patent number: 6905210
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and media relating the display of scattering and/or absorption characteristics of an optical medium. For scattering measurements, a Hartmann-Shack calibration image of a measurement system is acquired to define a first plurality of point spread functions. A Hartmann-Shack test image of the medium is acquired to define a second plurality of point spread functions. A shift is determined between the test image and the calibration image. A point spread of each of the second plurality of point spread functions is measured, each of the second plurality of point spread functions including a component due to optical aberration of the medium and a component due to scatter. The component due to optical aberration is determined using the shift. The component due to optical aberration is deconvolved to determine the component due to scatter. A display of the local scattering characteristics is generated using the component due to scatter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Advanced Research and Technology Institute
    Inventors: Raymond A. Applegate, Larry N. Thibos
  • Patent number: 6899428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and methods for contrast sensitivity measurement. The device and the methods make it possible to precisely measure the contrast sensitivity of a subject within a short period of time. The device comprises a contrast target display part 100 for displaying contrast targets for a contrast sensitivity test, a contrast target data determination part 320 for determining contrast targets to be displayed on the contrast target display part 100 according to data on optical characteristics of an eye of a subject to be examined, a contrast target display control part 330 for instructing the contrast target display part 100 to display contrast targets based on contrast target data created in the contrast target data determination part 320 according to a predetermined procedure, and a display part 600 for displaying the results of contrast measurement of the subject using data on a history of responses of the subject to displayed contrast targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Topcon Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Mihashi