Dynamic visual acuity training method and apparatus

An apparatus for improving athletic ability by varying visual images of viewed objects, comprising:

• (a) a first lens, said first lens including means for switching between a state of transparency for transmission of visual images through said first lens and a state of opacity for preventing transmission of visual images through said first lens;
• (b) a second lens, said second lens including means for switching between a state of transparency for transmission of visual images through said second lens and a state of opacity for preventing transmission of visual images through said second lens;
• (c) control means, operatively coupled to said first lens and said second lens, for alternating between said state of transparency and said state of opacity at a uniform rate, for simulating, visually, movement of an object viewed by a person at a slower than actual speed and for causing the person to react as if the object was moving at a greater than actual speed;
• and
• (d) support frame means for supporting said first lens and said second lens on the head of said person.

An apparatus for pulsing visual images viewed by a human wearer to improve dynamic visual acuity, comprising:

• (a) a first bi-state liquid crystal lens;
• (b) a second bi-state liquid crystal lens, said first lens and said second lens including voltage control means for controlling said lens between a transparent state and an opaque state;
• (c) control means, operatively coupled to said first lens and said second lens, for applying uniform voltage pulses to said first lens and said second lens:
• for alternating said lenses between said transparent state and said opaque state, for simulating, visually, movement of an object viewed by a person at a slower than actual speed and for causing the person to react as if the object was moving at a greater than actual speed;
• and
• (d) support frame means for supporting said first lens and said second lens on the head of said person.

A method of improving dynamic visual acuity, comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning at least one lens in the line of sight between a person and an object, said lens including means for switching between a state of transparency for transmission of visual images of the object through said lens and a state of opacity for preventing transmission of visual images of the object through said lens;
• (b) switching said lens between said state of transparency and said state of opacity at a first uniform rate;
• (c) simulating, visually, movement of the object viewed by the person at a slower than actual speed and causing the person to react as if the object was moving at a greater than actual speed;
• (d) monitoring changes in the person's dynamic visual acuity in response to the object;
• and
• (e) repeating steps (b) through (d) until said dynamic visual acuity improves to a desired level.

A method for improving the ability to react to objects by varying visual images of said objects, comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning a first lens in the line of sight between a person and an object, said first lens including means for switching between a state of transparency for transmission of visual images of the object through said first lens and a state of opacity for preventing transmission of visual images of said object through said first lens;
• (b) positioning a second lens in the line of sight between the person and the object, said second lens including means for switching between a state of transparency for transmission of visual images of the object through said second lens and a state of opacity for preventing transmission of visual images of the object through said second lens;
• (c) switching at least one of said lenses between said state of transparency and said state of opacity at a first uniform rate;
• (d) simulating, visually, movement of the object viewed by the person at a slower than actual speed and causing the person to react as if the object was moving at a greater than actual speed;
• (e) monitoring changes in the person's dynamic visual acuity in response to the object;
• and
• (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) until said dynamic visual acuity improves to a desired level.

A method for pulsing visual images viewed by a human wearer to improve physical coordination and concentration, comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning a first bi-state liquid crystal lens in the line of sight between a person and an object;
• (b) positioning a second bi-state liquid crystal lens in the line of sight between the person and the object, said first lens and said second lens including voltage control means for controlling said lens between a transparent state and an opaque state;
• (c) applying uniform voltage pulses to at least one of said lenses wherein said lens alternates between said transparent state and said opaque state;
• (d) simulating, visually, movement of the object viewed by the person at a slower than actual speed and causing the person to react as if the object was moving at a greater than actual speed;
• (e) monitoring changes in said human subject's dynamic visual acuity in response to the object;
• and
• (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) until said dynamic visual acuity improves to a desired level.