System and method for enabling customers to obtain refraction specifications and purchase eyeglasses or contact lenses
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11457807-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for obtaining sight screenings, optical prescriptions and fittings for eyeglasses and contact lenses. A system can be self-operated through a voice-activated response system that enables an individual to determine one's own refraction, or can be operated with the assistance of a technician. A plurality of customer diagnostic locations can include digital equipment and optical instruments to conduct the sight screening. The data generated at these locations can be transferred to a remotely located eye doctor who interacts with a customer via a live audio-video connection to assist with interpreting the data, diagnosing the customer and operating the instruments at the locations. The eye doctor diagnoses, consults and authorizes the prescriptions for the customer. The customer's data can be sent to a lens laboratory to enable the fabrication, purchasing, and delivery of eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Core Innovation
A remotely assisted vision screening system allows customers to obtain optical prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses. The system includes a diagnostic center and optical equipment located at the diagnostic center, at least including an auto-phoropter, and at least one computing device controls at least a portion of the optical equipment through an equipment interface during an eye examination.
The system generates objective vision data and subjective vision data associated with a subjective refraction based on usage of the optical equipment and one or more responses received from the customer. The system sends vision screening data to a remote individual via a network, where the vision screening data enables the remote individual to determine a refractive error, and receives prescription data from the remote individual via the network, including an optical prescription associated with the at least one eye.
The system provides the optical prescription to the customer, including an electronic signature from the remote individual authorizing the optical prescription. The system provides one or more user interfaces to a device operated by the remote individual so that the remote individual performs a remote refraction procedure that enables the customer to obtain the subjective refraction without assistance from an onsite eye doctor, while an audio-video connection permits audio to be output to the customer and voice-based inputs are received and used to electronically control and adjust the auto-phoropter.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims, a system and a method, centered on remote refraction using an audio-video connection, voice-based inputs, remote control of an auto-phoropter through an equipment interface, and network exchange of vision screening data to enable the remote individual to determine refractive error and provide prescription data including an electronic signature.
Remotely assisted vision screening using diagnostic center optical equipment
A diagnostic center and optical equipment configured to perform one or more vision tests, located at the diagnostic center and at least including an auto-phoropter.
Equipment-interface control of the auto-phoropter during an eye examination
At least one computing device controls at least a portion of the optical equipment through an equipment interface during an eye examination for a customer.
Objective and subjective vision data generation and network transmission
The computing device generates objective vision data and subjective vision data based on usage of the optical equipment and one or more responses received from the customer, and sends vision screening data to a remote individual via a network enabling the remote individual to determine a refractive error.
Remote individual prescription reception and providing an optical prescription
The system receives prescription data from the remote individual via the network, the prescription data including an optical prescription associated with the at least one eye, and provides the optical prescription to the customer.
Remote refraction procedure without onsite eye doctor using audio-video and voice-based inputs
The system provides one or more user interfaces to a device operated by the remote individual permitting the remote individual to perform a remote refraction procedure that enables the customer to obtain the subjective refraction without assistance from an onsite eye doctor, where an audio-video connection permits audio to the customer and voice-based inputs are received.
Voice-based inputs used to electronically control and adjust auto-phoropter
Voice-based inputs are utilized by the remote individual to electronically control and adjust the auto-phoropter via the equipment interface during the remote refraction procedure and to determine the subjective refraction.
Interactive audio-video eye examination enabling remote individual participation
An interactive audio-video eye examination enables participation of the remote individual via the audio-video connection, where the customer is at the diagnostic center in a first location and the remote individual is at a second location remote with respect to each other, and the remote individual controls the auto-phoropter during the remote refraction procedure based on voice-based inputs.
Optical prescription includes current refractive error and electronic signature
The optical prescription includes a current refractive error for the at least one eye and an electronic signature from the remote individual authorizing the optical prescription.
Presentation of the optical prescription on computing device user interfaces
The optical prescription is provided to the customer, at least in part, by presenting the optical prescription on one or more user interfaces of the at least one computing device.
Across the independent system and method claims, the core claim coverage is the combination of an onsite diagnostic center with an auto-phoropter controlled via an equipment interface, generating objective and subjective vision data during an eye examination, sending vision screening data over a network so a remote individual determines refractive error, and providing an optical prescription to the customer with an electronic signature, while enabling the remote individual to conduct a remote refraction procedure using an interactive audio-video connection and voice-based inputs.
Stated Advantages
Enables the customer to obtain the subjective refraction of the at least one eye without assistance from an onsite eye doctor.
Provides an interactive audio-video eye examination permitting the remote individual to interact with the customer during the remote refraction procedure.
Provides an optical prescription to the customer including a current refractive error and an electronic signature authorizing the optical prescription.
Documented Applications
Remotely assisted vision screening to allow customers to obtain optical prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Providing a remotely assisted eye examination via an eye examination system with a diagnostic center and optical equipment, including an auto-phoropter.
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