US-12622583-B2 - Automated audio-feedback computerized system and method for artificial intelligence (AI)-controlled eye exercise

Abstract

The present invention provides a computerized operator-controlled optical system and method for tracking eye exercises of a patient, the system including an optical tracking device adapted to allow an operator to track eye exercises of a patient, a patient-activated apparatus for performing eye exercises of binocular vision and a processor adapted to receive data from the optical tracking device and from the patient-activated apparatus thereby providing the operator with at least one indication of the eye exercises of the patient over time.

Inventors

• CLAUDE NIMTSOVITCH

Assignees

• DIPLO D LTD

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20210510

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An automated, standalone, audio-feedback Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system for tracking eye exercises of a patient, the system comprising: an eye piece section; a middle section; a rear section, the sections being nestable in a telescopic manner, an extendable telescopic 3-step rail element including an extension rail mechanism, comprising: a rear rail element, a middle rail element, an eyepiece rail element, wherein the middle rail element is nested in the rear rail element and the eyepiece rail element is nested in the middle rail element, a metallic spring belt used to extend or retract the extendable telescopic 3-step rail element, and a first movable screen movable along the extendable telescopic 3-step rail element, wherein the telescopic sections are adapted to house a) an Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical tracking device adapted to continuously, automatically, track eye exercises of a patient, b) a user-activated apparatus for performing eye exercises of both eyes together, and) c) a processor adapted to receive data from the Artificial Intelligence-controlled eye tracking device and from the user-activated apparatus thereby providing the user with eye exercises for improving user eye function over time.
2. 2 . An automated audio-feedback Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 1 , further comprising an electronic apparatus adapted to download the data to a memory in the system.
3. 3 . An automated audio-feedback Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 1 , further comprising software readable by the processor, wherein the software is adapted to form user records over time.
4. 4 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the optical tracking device comprises a camera.
5. 5 . An automated AI controlled Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the optical tracking device comprises a video camera.
6. 6 . An automated AI controlled Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 5 , wherein the camera is adapted to capture images of each the users eyes continuously or semi-continuously.
7. 7 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 3 , wherein the software is adapted to output user records to an external computer system.
8. 8 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is constructed and configured to improve eye fusion deficiencies of the patient over time.
9. 9 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 8 , wherein the fusion deficiencies, are selected from convergence insufficiency, divergence excess, intermittent strabismus and combinations thereof.
10. 10 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 9 , wherein the convergence insufficiencies is exophoria.
11. 11 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 9 , wherein the intermittent strabismus is intermittent exotropia.
12. 12 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the user-activated apparatus comprises: a. an ocular apparatus comprising: i. at least one viewing aperture, disposed in front of the patient's eyes; ii. the viewing aperture adapted to receive at least one of: a. an optical lens; b. an optical filter; and c. a prismatic lens.
13. 13 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 12 , wherein the user-activated apparatus further comprises: a second screen arranged at a rear backing of the rear section; and a carrier element adapted to carry at least one of the first screen and the second screen towards and away from the ocular apparatus.
14. 14 . An automated AI controlled Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 13 , wherein the two screens display at least one of a picture, a photo, an alphanumeric symbol and at least one colored shape.
15. 15 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 12 , wherein the user-activated apparatus further comprises at least one electrical light element attached to the carrier element.
16. 16 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 12 , wherein the user-activated apparatus further comprises an audio feedback element for generating, during the eye exercises, an audio signal whose characteristics are indicative of a distance of one of the at least two screens from the at least one viewing aperture.
17. 17 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 12 , wherein the carrier element further comprises a distance adjusting element adapted to position the at least two screens and the lamp means each at an equal distance from the at least one viewing aperture.
18. 18 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 1 , further comprising a remote controlled motor for moving at least one of the two screens towards the at least one viewing apertures.
19. 19 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 17 , wherein the audio feedback signal characteristics include its frequency.
20. 20 . An automated Artificial Intelligence-controlled optical system according to claim 19 , wherein the audio feedback signal includes pulses and the signal characteristics include its pulse repetition rate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for improving eye activities, and more specifically to automated operator-controlled methods and apparatus for improving eye activities. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many prior art devices have been developed to assist a person with eye focus defects to perform orthoptic eye exercises. These exercises are adapted to correct mainly fusion deficiencies, such as, but not limited to convergence insufficiency, divergence excess or intermittent strabismus. Convergence insufficiencies include exophoria or esophoria. Intermittent strabismus includes intermittent exotropia and esotropia. These prior systems currently in use are based on the stereoscopic effect or binocular vision, wherein each eye is presented a separate picture, and the patient is required to exert the eyes muscles to integrate the two pictures into one focused image. Moreover, these prior art devices are not useful for the intermittent suppression deficiency, that is while one eye ceases at times from participating in the image forming process. When this happens, the usual eye exercises are no more effective. In prior art Israel Patent No. 119274, the present inventor disclosed a device which can be used at home. However, the picture movement is made manually by the user himself. Sometimes the velocity of movement is not appropriate for the desired exercise. There may not be sufficient consistency in the exercise, when performing it at a different rate each time. Moreover, the user has no indication, while performing the exercise, of the actual performance having been achieved. Only after finishing the exercise, the user can look at the achieved performance; this may not be enough an incentive for improvement, nor does it give an intuitive feeling for what is done, in real time. Yet another possible problem in prior art is that the user is responsible for deciding when picture tracking is lost—this is important in evaluating the success of the exercise, as well as motivating the user. However, the non-professional user may not be aware of his losing track, or may become aware of it only after a time delay—thus the effectiveness of the device may be impaired. WO2009/138964 to Nimstovitch describes an optical apparatus for performing eye exercise comprising base means shaped generally like an elongated beam; picture means which is suitable for eye exercise and includes positioning means for positioning said picture means at various locations along said base means; electrical light means attached to said base means, including lamp means and switch means for turning said lamp on and off; ocular means including two viewing apertures, each located in front of one eye, said ocular means being mounted on or close to one end of said base means; audio feedback means for generating, during the eye exercise performance, an audio signal whose characteristics are indicative of the distance of the moving picture from the user's eyes. WO2014199366A1 to Nimstovitch describes a computerized operator-controlled optical system and method for tracking eye exercises of a patient, the system including an optical tracking device adapted to allow an operator to track eye exercises of a patient, a patient-activated apparatus for performing eye exercises of binocular vision and a processor adapted to receive data from the optical tracking device and from the patient-activated apparatus thereby providing the operator with at least one indication of the eye exercises of the patient over time. None of the prior art devices are standalone nor automatically activated, without requiring a professional operator, such as an optician, a physician or a technician to track the user or patient's progress and to compare his/her progress over time. There thus remains a need to provide improved standalone automated orthoptic devices and methods. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of some aspects of the present invention to provide an automated AI-controlled optical system and method for tracking eye exercises of a user or patient, the system including a user-activated apparatus for performing eye exercises of both eyes together and an AI-controlled optical tracking device for track user eye movement thereby providing the user with eye exercises for improving user eye function over time. The invention further provides a standalone compact, foldable, automated AI-controlled optical system, which is around 20 cm in length, when folded. The system is controlled by software, which is configured to enable a user to use it unattended. The software is further configured to provide the user with audible real-time instructions. These instructions include verbal instructions for straining and for relaxing an eye or both eyes. According to further embodiments of the present invention, the automated AI-controlled optical system further provides audible sounds which vary according to the different levels of exerc