Vision loss simulator
AssigneeThe Singer Company
InventorsGerald J. Kron, Timothy E. Hale
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for simulating the loss of vision in a subject, which occurs for example under sustained high "G" loading, using an optical element 12 such as a visor with variable optical characteristics ranging from opaque to transparent. An oculometer 18 monitors at least one of the subject's eyes and provides a signal representative of its line of sight. This signal is fed to a computer 56 which calculates a pattern of opacity, light scattering transmissivity and transparency and controls the screen accordingly to produce such a pattern simulative of the visual effects which occur during loss of vision.
Claims28
Apparatus for simulating vision loss in a subject, comprising:
- (a) an optical element for use within the field of view of the subject which has a range of variable optical transmission characteristics;
- (b) first means for varying at selectable locations the optical transmission characteristics of said optical element;
- and
- (c) second means for monitoring the line of sight of an eye of the subject and providing an output signal representative of said line of sight;
- and
- (d) control means responsive to said second means for controlling according to a predetermined schedule said first means to produce a dynamic pattern of said optical transmission characteristics in said optical element by the application of a control parameter at selected locations therein, said pattern being defined with respect to the instantaneous line of sight of at least one eye of the subject, whereby the visual effects associated with vision loss are simulated for the subject.
A method for simulating vision loss in a subject, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an optical element variable between a first state of transparency and a second state of opacity, within the field of view of the subject;
- (b) determining the point of intersection of said optical element and the line of sight of an eye of the subject;
- (c) defining for said optical element according to a predetermined schedule, with respect to said point of intersection, a first area to be put in said first state, and which thereby defines a second area which comprises the remaining area of said element;
- (d) defining in said second area, according to said predetermined schedule, a set of selected locations to be put in said second state;
- and
- (e) controlling said optical element to produce said first area and second area therein, whereby the field of view of the subject is altered according to said predetermined schedule to simulate for the subject the visual effects associated with vision loss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.