EP1819267A2

EP1819267A2 - System and method for visual defect screening

Info

Publication number: EP1819267A2
Application number: EP05816070A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stephen H. Sinclair; David M. Rivoire; Gregory R. Kull; Brett Kull; David Lenett; Alexander John Batyi; Lawrence A. Husick
Original assignee: Vimetrics LLC
Current assignee: Vimetrics LLC
Priority date: 2004-10-22
Filing date: 2005-10-22
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Also published as: WO2006047369A3; EP1819267A4; WO2006047369A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for screening humans, and particularly juvenile humans, for common defects of the visual system, though the playing of a game.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VISUAL DEFECT SCREENING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for screening humans, and particularly juvenile humans, for common defects of the visual system, though, the playing of a game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vision screening is a common requirement for school-age children,, and typically takes the form of exposure of the child to a "Snellen" or other eye chart, under the supervision of a medical professional such as a nurse, physician, or optometrist. In most public schools, such testing is mandatory in certain grades. This testing, however, is often performed at too late an age to permit early intervention that saves vision, or is too cursory to indicate certain types of visual defects that commonly affect children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards a system and method for detecting visual defects in humans, and particularly in juvenile humans, through the playing of a game. US Patent No. 5589897 issued on December 31, 1996 is entitled "Method and Apparatus for Central Visual Mapping and Optimization of Image Presentation Based Upon Mapped Parameters". That patent describes the basis for testing of several parameters of vision.

The game of the present invention, in its preferred embodiment, is a video game kiosk, similar to those found in arcades and other commercial venues, which presents a series of visual tasks requiring recognition of a symbol presented, from among a group of symbols, and manual input of the spatial relationship of the recognized symbol to a central figure. Variations in, among other factors, the color, size, contrast, distance from center, speed, and orientation of the symbols, together with isolation of monocular ^■vision and binocular vision, yields results which may be interpreted as indications of particular visual defects or deficits in the game player, which are stored, reported and analyzed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 depicts the vision testing system of the present invention. Fig. 2 depicts a typical game screen of the present invention. Fig. 3 depicts a report according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The system of the present invention is implemented as a video game kiosk having the following components: a central processing unit such as a 1.2 GHz or faster Pentium-class chip, having more than 256MB of random access memory, a 64 bit video card, and, optionally, a network interface card or modem; a monitor of at least 21" diagonal measure, .24mm dot pitch, and having 1920x1440 pixel resolution capability; a. joystick capable of registering at least 8 directions (equally spaced around the compass directions), and having a button switch either co- located or adjacent the joystick; a printer; and a shutter system for occluding each eye of the game player selectively during play. The preferred embodiment of the game of the present invention utilizes an automated interactive, engaging videogame to test vision using cartoon characters. The system utilizes standard computer components, ocular shutters, and a printer and is housed in a kiosk 100 (Fig. 1). The kiosk presents a game (Fig. 2) that is gender neutral, and appeals to a wide range of ages. The player (child) looks through a viewer with shutters so that each eye may be tested separately. Play time is approximately 4 to 10 minutes, and the player's central and peripheral vision and stereopsis are measured under a range of contrast, illumination, and color conditions. The child is rewarded during play with displayed scores and visual displays (fireworks, short cartoons, etc. ) The results of play are uploaded to a secure server and optionally may be printed at the kiosk.

During play, a central figure, preferably "Herbert the Frog" as depicted in Fig. 2 is presented. Surrounding Herbert are a number of insects (depicted in Fig. 2 as bees) that move about, and that Herbert attempts to capture under the control of the game player. A symbol is displayed superimposed on Herbert's abdomen, and then, eight insects are displayed arrayed around Herbert, each bearing a superimposed symbol, one of which matches that superimposed on Herbert. These insect-symbols may be displayed in various sizes, in various hues, saturations and contrasts, at various orientations, and at various distances from Herbert, and the sequence of presentation is algorithmically determined to detect thresholds of visual acuity in the game player in spatial resolution, visual field, color acuity, contrast acuity, and the like. By occluding first one eye and then the other, a full test of vision, including stereopsis may be conducted.

After game play, the system of the present invention preferably prints a report, depicted in Figs. 3a and 3b, bearing an indicator of session identity (typically a hashed code of the machine identification number, the date and time of the conclusion of play, and a check digit or digits.) This receipt number, together with stored results of the game play, is communicated to a storage server, from which it may be retrieved. Optionally, an interpretation of the results of game play may be retrieved from the system, either directly, or from the storage server. As depicted in Figs. 3a and b, vision may be displayed in the report at a variety of levels and orientations to give an indication of the vision quality of the person who has been evaluated.

While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than of limitation and that changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention in its broader aspects. Rather, various modifications may he made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without depaxting from the spirit of the invention. The irrventors further require that the scope accorded their claims be in accordance with the broadest possible construction available under the law as it exists on the date of filing hereof (and of the application from which this application obtains priority,) and that no narrowing of the scope of the appended claims be allowed due to subsequent changes in the law, as such a narrowing would constitute an ex post facto adjudication, and a taking without due process or just compensation.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for screening a human for visual sensory defects, comprising the steps of: a) Presenting on a visual display, a central symbol of interest; b) Presenting on the visual display, displaced angularly and linearly, a plurality of symbols, one of which is substantially identical in connotation to the central symbol of interest; c) Eliciting from the human an indication of the angular direction corresponding to the one displaced symbol which is substantially identical in connotation to the central symbol of interest; d) Recording in a computer memory information indicative of the human's indication of direction; e) Presenting on the visual display, a plurality of additional central symbols of interest and displaced symbols, varying at least one visual parameter of the displaced symbols selected from the group of height, width, boldness, contrast, hue, saturation, angular rotation, and texture; f) Iterating step (e) until the elicited indication is consistently incorrect, in order to permit determination of threshold perception ability of the human; and g) Recording in the computer memory information indicative of each indication of direction in a set identified as the responses of a single human at a single time interval.

2. The method of Claim 1 wherein the symbols presented are characters of a language.

3. The method of Claim 1 wherein the indication of direction is performed using a joystick.