Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Eye examining or testing instrument – Objective type
Patent
1999-10-29
2000-12-12
Manuel, George
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Eye examining or testing instrument
Objective type
A61B 310
Patent
active
061588660
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to systems of presentation of images. The goal of the present invention is notably the improvement of the systems used to present images to a user so that they can be used in a wide range of situations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One particular aim of the invention is to exploit image presentation systems in situations where a link must be established between the image presented to the user and parameters related to this user, and notably a link between the image presented and the parameters of the user's eyes. This link can operate in either direction, for example, a modification of the image presented according to the user's viewing direction, or inversely an analysis of the eye during the presentation of an image and according to this image.
More precisely, the invention is an optical system for presenting an image to a user, said system including a source producing image elements to be presented and an optical channel for transmission of these image elements between said source and the eye of the user, characterised in that it also includes a system of illumination of the retina of the eye, and a system of detection of the image on this illuminated retina of the eye, said illumination system and said image detection system using at least part of said optical transmission channel.
The invention can include means of processing the image detected on the illuminated retina of the eye, which notably enables the user's viewing direction to be determined. In this case, according to the invention, said source producing image elements can take account of the viewing direction of the eye. This enables an image better adapted to the situation of observation of the user to be presented.
One example of a source of production of image elements to be presented is a display such as a liquid crystal screen or a cathode ray tube. Another example is a device for direct retinal writing, such as laser beam that scans the retina. These two examples are not limitative.
The part of said optical transmission channel used by the illumination system and the image detection system can be integrated in a head-mounted device. This device is for example a mobile device with a semi-rigid connector, for example a headband/chin-strap, with the eye illuminated or, preferably, a helmet placed on the head of the user; the user of which the image of the retina of the eye is being detected is not then obliged to remain immobile in front of a fixed image display device, his face is simply linked to a head-mounted device in which images are presented. The invention therefore offers the advantage of presenting images to the user while imposing few constrains, for the user retains freedom of head movement. If the system includes a display, this is preferably fitted on the head-mounted device (mobile device or helmet).
The invention also improves the comfort in the use of the image presentation system in a preferred embodiment consisting in moving part of the retinal illumination system and part of the retinal image detection system to some distance from the user's eye, by using an optical transport system including for example a bundle of optical fibers, to enable freedom of movement of the user when observing the image presented, while providing a lightweight head-mounted device.
The invention can be applied to the presentation of the image according to the viewing direction of the observer, notably in a helmet-mounted visual display of an aircraft pilot on which navigation or weapon aiming data are presented.
The invention can also be applied to the analysis of the movement of the eye of a subject reacting to a presentation of images or to the analysis of the retina of the eye of the subject, notably in an ophtalmoscope including a lightweight head-mounted device leaving the subject free to move his head.
The invention is not however limited to the applications mentioned above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other characteristics and advantages of the present
REFERENCES:
patent: 4662731 (1987-05-01), Yves
Bignolles Laurent
Gulli Christian
Lamarque Frederic
Le Gargasson Jean-Fran.cedilla.ois
Leger Alain
Manuel George
Thomson -CSF Sextant
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