Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Eye examining or testing instrument – Subjective type
Patent
1996-04-04
1998-11-17
Mai, Huy
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Eye examining or testing instrument
Subjective type
377 13, 434 81, A61B 302
Patent
active
058384235
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting data. It is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable for the diagnosing of eye disorders.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
A method for determining the ability of a person to distinguish between different colors is known wherein one or more racks each containing a plurality of colored counters is provided, each counter having a different color to each of the other counters such that when the counters are arranged linearly in their correct order the color of each counter except the first differs slightly and progressively from that of the preceding counter. It is the task of the subject of the test to arrange the counters in their correct order in the or each rack, relying only on the color of each counter.
In the known method, each counter is numbered on the underside. The process of collecting and processing the data involves noting the order of the counters according to their numbers and then calculating the ability of the subject to distinguish colors based on these numbers according to known algorithms. The results of these computations are usually plotted on a circular graph for interpretation.
The ability of the subject to distinguish between colors can be determined using four racks, each containing twenty-two counters. This involves eighty-five different colors, the last counter of each rack having the same color as the first counter of the next rack.
The collection and processing of the data in this way is a time-consuming activity, typically taking about 21/2 hours.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus for carrying out the collection of the data electrically. The data can then be easily and rapidly processed electronically.
At its most general, the present invention proposes that the numbering of the counters in the known method described above is replaced by the assignment to each counter of a specific electrical attribute, such as resistance. Then, means are provided for measuring the electrical attributes of the counters when they are arrayed in a rack, and processing that measurement of counter information to derive an analysis of the arrangement of the colors of the counters.
Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention may provide an apparatus for collecting data comprising a rack having a plurality of engagement positions, a plurality of counters for the rack, each counter being engageable in any one of the engagement positions; electrical attribute of each counter differing from that of each of the other counters; and the electrical attribute of each counter when engaged in corresponding engagement positions and processing means for collecting and processing the data relating to the value of the electrical attribute of each counter.
In the event that the apparatus is used for diagnosing eye conditions, each counter may have a colored portion, the color of the colored portion of each counter differing from the color of the colored portion of each of the other counters. The subject of the diagnostic test must arrange the counters in color order in the rack. There may be a plurality of racks with the counters having different colors. Then, either all the counters have a different value of the electrical attribute, or the counters within each rack have a different value, and there is also means for distinguishing each rack.
The electrical attribute most conveniently used in the present invention is resistance. If resistance is the electrical attribute used, each engagement position preferably has a hole and the detecting means includes electrical contacts for contacting the portion of specified electrical resistance of each counter through the corresponding hole. In this case the detecting means includes means for measuring the electrical resistance of the portion of specified electrical resistance of each counter.
The processing means processes the data relating to the value of the electrical attribute of each counter so that i
REFERENCES:
patent: 3609740 (1971-09-01), Paine et al.
patent: 3807838 (1974-04-01), Meyers
patent: 4239958 (1980-12-01), Pritty
Atel Systems Limited
Mai Huy
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