Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6379007?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=6734022
Timestamp: 2014-12-19 02:03:42
Document Index: 161213699

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 1']

Patent US6379007 - Eye chart with distinct symbols and methods for vision testing - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsAn eye chart of the present invention has a plurality of symbols selected from a set of distinct symbols. The symbols in the set consist of numerals of 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 and letters of A, E, F, H, J, K, L, P, T, X, and Y. In one embodiment, the symbols in the set further include a pictorial object. A...http://www.google.com/patents/US6379007?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6379007 - Eye chart with distinct symbols and methods for vision testingAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6379007 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/694,801Publication dateApr 30, 2002Filing dateOct 23, 2000Priority dateOct 23, 2000Fee statusLapsedAlso published asCA2424975A1, CN1473019A, CN1864625A, EP1383413A2, EP1383413A4, WO2002034112A2, WO2002034112A3Publication number09694801, 694801, US 6379007 B1, US 6379007B1, US-B1-6379007, US6379007 B1, US6379007B1InventorsMark Daniel FarbOriginal AssigneeMark Daniel FarbExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (3), Non-Patent Citations (5), Referenced by (9), Classifications (11), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetEye chart with distinct symbols and methods for vision testingUS 6379007 B1Abstract An eye chart of the present invention has a plurality of symbols selected from a set of distinct symbols. The symbols in the set consist of numerals of 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 and letters of A, E, F, H, J, K, L, P, T, X, and Y. In one embodiment, the symbols in the set further include a pictorial object. A method for vision testing of the present invention includes recording a value associated with an accuracy of identification of at least two of the letter, the numeral, and the pictorial objects on an eye chart by a person, and comparing the values for each eye of the patient. Because these symbols are distinct, the value recorded for visual acuity is accurate and consistent with each recordation. Further, the values are able to be used as aids in testing for neurological disorders or diseases. In another embodiment, the eye chart has symbols of red colors and of black colors. In another embodiment, the eye chart has variously colored symbols on colored backgrounds. Accuracy of identification of these colored symbols is recorded, compared, and used as an aid in diagnosing loss of color vision.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an eye chart with distinct symbols. In particular, the eye chart has lines of symbols, where the symbols are selected from a set of distinct symbols. The symbols include at least one of letters, numerals and pictorial objects. In one embodiment, a first subset of symbols has a first color and a second subset has a second color. The eye chart permits consistent quantification of visual acuity, which aids in testing, diagnosing, and monitoring of neurological and ophthalmological diseases, loss of color vision, and retinal dystrophies, as well as monitoring of effectiveness and dosage of some drugs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A Snellen test is typically used to determine visual acuity. The Snellen test has a patient identify black block letters of the alphabet from an eye chart at a specified distance away from a Snellen chart. Typically, a doctor records the value associated with the line on the Snellen chart that the patient reads completely, e.g., 20/20. If the patient misses some letters on the 20/20 line, the doctor would write down �20/20−� for 20/20 minus. Some doctors use a Jaeger card to test a patient's visual acuity. The values of visual acuity for Jaeger are noted as, for example, J2, J4, and J6.
Visual acuity testing for illiterate persons, including children, typically utilizes designated illiterate charts having lines with symbols. These charts typically have symbols of a �Tumbling� E, wherein the person identifies with fingers the direction of the E. Other charts used to test visual acuity for illiterates include pictorial objects that are identified, and an HOTV chart for an HOTV test. In the HOTV test, the person matches each test letter to one of the four letters H, O, T, or V printed on a card that can be held in the person's hands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An eye chart of the present invention has a plurality of lines, each line with a plurality of symbols chosen from a set of symbols. The symbols in the set include letters and numerals, wherein each symbol in the set is substantially equal in size and distinguishing features. In one embodiment, the symbols in the set further include a pictorial object. The pictorial objects have non-confusing, distinct shapes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates an eye chart 1 that can be used in determining visual acuity. The eye chart 1 has a plurality of lines 12 with symbols 14. The symbols 14 used in the lines 12 are chosen from a set of symbols. The set of symbols 14 include letters 16 and numerals 18. Each line 12 has a mix of letters 16 and numerals 18.
,III,,bI,B,,M,C,Λ,,O,,X, From the Russian alphabet, the following characters are included in the set of symbols:
Y,K,E,H,Γ,Φ,A,Π,P,,T, From the Hebrew alphabet, the following characters are excluded from the set of symbols:
,,,,, From the Hebrew alphabet, the following characters are included in the set of symbols:
, From the Greek alphabet, the following characters are excluded from the set of symbols:
Θ,I,O,Σ,E,Δ,Λ,Ψ,Φ,B,N,M From the Greek alphabet, the following characters are included in the set of symbols:
A, Γ,Z,ζ,H,K,Ξ,Π,P,T,Υ,X,Ω After the person has identified the symbols 14 in a given line 12 on the eye chart 1, 10 accurately, a value associated with that line 12 is recorded by a doctor. If the patient reads a given line 12 accurately, the doctor directs the patient to read a line 12 that has a smaller font. If the patient is unable to read the symbols in that line accurately, the doctor records a value corresponding with the previously read line. If the patient is able to read the numerals, but not the letters in the line, the doctor records a first value associated with the acuity with regard to numerals, and records a second value associated with the acuity with regard to letters. These two values may be compared with each other, as discussed in more detail below. The patient is scored for each eye.
In another embodiment, the symbols 14 in the eye chart that are colored red or black are not distinct symbols (not shown). For instance, there may be a red �B�, a black �1 �, and a red �M� in a given line 12 on the chart. In one embodiment, the pictorial objects as shown in FIG. 2 may be in a single color or various colors other than black.
FIG. 3 illustrates an eye chart 5 with lines 12 having symbols 14, including a first symbol 24 in a first color, and a second symbol 26 in a second color. The first and second symbols are substantially equal in size and distinguishing features, so that each symbol is substantially equally legible. In the present invention, the first symbol 24 is black and the second symbol 26 is red. The symbols 14 in the eye chart 5 are the letter �E� in various orientations.
In yet other embodiments such as that shown in FIG. 4, the chart 1 has the distinct symbols 14 over a colored and patterned background 30 of a red and yellow pattern. In this example, the letters �K� and �Y� are black while the numeral �4� is green. For some charts, backgrounds of pale yellow or bright red may be useful. In testing of color blindness, background colors such as red-purple and gray dots, and red-yellow dots, are useful. Such background colors are the standard colors of the Ishihara plates. For instance, a green-dotted numeral 9 and a blue-green-dotted 3 may be set among red and red-purple dots or red and gray dots. One with a particular type of color blindness, sees both blue green and red as gray. Accordingly, he cannot see the 3 but can see the 9, which appears to be light yellow. One with another type of color blindness cannot see the 9 but can see the 3 which appears slightly bluer than the other dots, which appear gray.
While various embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concept herein. For example, the term �chart� not only refers to a distance chart, but also the term includes far charts, near charts, hand held charts, such as cards. The cards may be paper or plastic, and are generally used in the HOTV matching test. �Charts� also refers to electronic charts, film charts, transparency charts, and projections, including one row of symbols at a time.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4611893 *Aug 14, 1984Sep 16, 1986Eyedex AssociatesEye chart for screening computer monitor operatorsUS5436681 *Apr 12, 1994Jul 25, 1995Michaels; Brian A.Apparatus and method for screening individuals for ametropic conditionsUS5844544 *Jun 13, 1995Dec 1, 1998H. K. Eyecan Ltd.Visual communications apparatus employing eye-position monitoring* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1Duane's Ophthalmology On CD-ROM, vol. 1, Chapter 10, "Clinical Ophthalmology," vol. 1, Chapter 33, "The Human Eye As An Optical System," vol. 2, Chapter 19, "Color Vision," edited by Tasman and Jaeger, published by Lippincott-Raven, 1997 edition, (five pages).2Graham-Field, "Eye Test Chart for 10 Feet," No. 2867-1264 (one page).3Graham-Field, "Illiterate Chart for 10 Feet," No. 2867-1262-1 (two pages).4J. G. Rosenbaum, M.D., "Rosenbaum Pocket Vision Screener" (one page).5Wilson Ophthalmic Corp., "The Source," 1999 Catalog, cover sheet and pp. 40-45.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7252382Mar 4, 2004Aug 7, 2007Brunk S FredApparatus and method for measuring differences in the transmission of light through a lens of an eyeUS7354156 *Aug 17, 2006Apr 8, 2008Mcleod Roger DNaturoptic method for restoring healthy visionUS7357508 *Aug 23, 2002Apr 15, 2008Taketoshi SuzukiEye test chart apparatusUS7427137Jul 18, 2006Sep 23, 2008Robert KoppanyVisual acuity testingUS7942451 *Jun 28, 2006May 17, 2011Target Brands, Inc.Medication packaging and labeling systemUS8042946 *Apr 16, 2010Oct 25, 2011Spaeth George LContrast sensitivity testUS8636363Sep 20, 2010Jan 28, 2014Mark Costin RoserInteractive home vision monitoring systemsUS20060212833 *Dec 14, 2005Sep 21, 2006Canon Kabushiki KaishaRadial, three-dimensional hierarchical file system viewWO2008081446A2 *Jan 1, 2008Jul 10, 2008Eytan BlumenthalMethod, algorithm and device for testing visual acuity* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification351/239International ClassificationA61B3/06, A61B3/028, A61B3/032, A61B3/02Cooperative ClassificationA61B3/028, A61B3/032, A61B3/066European ClassificationA61B3/028, A61B3/06D, A61B3/032Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 22, 2010FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20100430Apr 30, 2010LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesDec 7, 2009REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedSep 30, 2005FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google