GB2425926A

GB2425926A - Encouraging and demonstrating eye blinking in computer visual terminal use

Info

Publication number: GB2425926A
Application number: GB0508944A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Don Gerard Rohan Jayamanne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-03
Filing date: 2005-05-03
Publication date: 2006-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-03
Also published as: GB2425926B; GB0508944D0

Abstract

Computer and computer terminal users are encouraged and reminded to perform regular voluntary blinking and are demonstrated a technique of voluntary blinking. The device can be used to prompt and encourage behavioural changes amongst computer and computer display terminal users to reduce visual fatigue, eyestrain and eye discomfort by promoting regular voluntary blinking resulting in good tear film distribution.

Description

A device to encourage voluntary blinking amongst computer and computer

terminal uses.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A device for encouraging behavioural changes amongst computer and computer terminal uses to reduce visual fatigue, eyestrain and eye discomfort by promoting regular voluntary blinking amongst computer terminal uses is described.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Increasing use of computers and computer teflninals (visual display unitsVDU) in the work place and at home has resulted in a corresponding increase in visual fatigue, eyestrain and eye discomfort in computer users. it has been determined that a computer user staring at a VDU blinks at a rate which is significantly below the normal for that individual. The blinksalso tend to be suboptimal in excursion.

There are three types of blinking: spontaneous, reflex and voluntary.

Spontaneous blinking is the most common form. Blink rate varies among individuals and is dependent on environmental factors. Reflex blinking is in response to different types of stimuli such as noise and touch. Spontaneous blinking and reflex blinking are known as involuntary blinking. Involuntary blinking rate appears to be reduced in computer users. This reduction in the frequency and amplitude at which a person blinks involuntarily is believed to cause a reduction in the frequency at which the eye is bathed by the tear film, resulting in discomfort.

Duration and force of voluntary blinking tends to be larger than those for spontaneous and reflex blinking. The commonest form of voluntary blinking is winking where there is voluntary closure of one eye only. Encouraging computer and VDU terminal uses to perform voluntary blinking on a regular basis will benefit the individuals by promoting good tear film distribution. The present invention encourages behavioural changes amongst computer terminal uses. A device placed on the VDIJ or computer screen together with audio and visual advice encourages the individual using the computer to perform regular voluntary blinking by demonstrating a technique of voluntary blinking.

THE INVENTION

In this invention a method and system is provided to encourage computer terminal users to perform regular voluntary blinking and the device demonstrates a technique of voluntary blinking. The apparatus includes a device which is attachable to a screen of a computer or a visual display unit by any method such as clips or feet (Figure 1). The device may be connected via a wire or a remote wireless connection to a computer, computer network or console or may run independently, if the device is connected to a computer or a computer network, a piece of software connects the device to the computer.

The device has a representation of an external appearance of an eye (or two eyes) with movable layers at the upper and lower borders of the representation of the eye(s) symbolising the upper and lower eyelids (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

The representation of the external appearance of the eye (or two eyes) for the purpose of the device is an illustration of the organ of sight in humans. The illustration may be a view from any direction. The movable layers may be physical structures or a digital animated process on a screen on the device. The representation of the eye(s) and eyelids may be in a diagrammatic or digital animated format or may be a mechanical or electronic apparatus (Figure 2).

The eyelids like structures are able to move over the representation of the eye(s) to temporarily close the representation of the eye(s) in a blink like motion (Figure 2). This process may be done by a mechanical, electronic or digitally animated process.

Once the computer is switched on and the operating system activated, or an individual logs on to the computer, the device will display the excursions of eyelids in a voluntary blink. A technique of voluntary blinking is demonstrated with deliberate, slow, complete eyelid closure. In addition to the visual method demonstrated by the device on the technique of voluntary blinking, an audio message can be presented through a speaker in the device or a speaker on the connected computer offering the following advise " To reduce visual fatigue and discomfort, blink softly and deliberately on a regular basis during the session paying particular attention to completeness of blinking and lid closure" This message can also be presented visually and in text on the screen of the device or the computer screen. The device shows the movement of eyelid closure softly demonstrating a technique of voluntary eyelid closure and blinking. The device may display the technique of voluntary blinking on a screen on the apparatus in a digital, animated format or a mechanical or electronic process may show the desired excursion of the eyelids like structures (Figure 2). The device will continue to show the technique of voluntary lid closure/blinking on a screen or mechanical or electronic apparatus at a pre-programmed frequency during the time the individual is logged on to the computer. The piece of software connecting the device to the computer can control the above functions of the device. The frequency at which the technique of voluntary blinking is demonstrated by the device can be altered by the user. The frequency of presentation of the audio-visual message associated with the device can also be altered by the user. The technique of voluntary blinking may be demonstrated by the device independently to the audio-visual message.

Claims

I. In this invention a method and system is provided to encourage computer and computer terminal users to perform regular voluntary blinking and the device demonstrates a technique of voluntary blinking. The apparatus includes a device which is attachable to a screen of a computer or a visual display unit by any method such as clips or feet. The device may be connected via a wire or a remote wireless connection to a computer, computer network or console or may run independently. If the device is connected to a computer or a computer network, a piece of software connects the device to the computer. The device has a representation of an external appearance of an eye (or two eyes) with movable layers at the upper and lower borders of the representation of the eye(s) symbolising the upper and lower eyelids. The representation of the external appearance of the eye (or two eyes) for the purpose of the device is an illustration of the organ of sight in humans. The illustration may be a view from any direction. The movable layers may be physical structures or a digital animated process on a screen on the device. The representation of the eye(s) and eyelids may be in a diagrammatic or digital animated format on a screen or may be a mechanical or electronic apparatus. The eyelids like structures are able to move over the representation of the eye(s) to temporarily close the representation of the eye(s) in a blink like motion.

This process may be done by a mechanical, electronic or digitally animated process. Once the computer is switched on and the operating system activated, or an individual logs on to the computer, the device will

S

display the excursions of eyelids in a voluntary blink. The piece of software connecting the device to the computer can control the functions of the apparatus. A speaker on the device or the connected computer can describe the technique and a screen on the device or the computer screen display the technique visually and in text. The audio-visual message can offer the following advise To reduce visual fatigue and discomfort, blink softly and deliberately on a regular basis during the session paying particular attention to completeness of blinking and lid closure" The device may display the technique of voluntary blinking on a screen on the apparatus in a digital, animated format or a mechanical or electronic process may show the desired excursion of the eyelids like structures. The device will continue to show a technique of voluntary lid closure/blinking on a screen on the device in a digital animated format or the mechanical or electronic apparatus at a pre-programmed frequency during the time the individual is logged on to the computer and the frequency of the presentation can be altered. A technique of voluntary blinking can be demonstrated by the device independently to the audiovisual display on the connected computer. The device may run unconnected to a computer or computer network demonstrating a technique of voluntary blinking.
2. The method and system of claim 1, where the device may be of any size made of any material and attachable to a computer screen or visual display unit of any size or design or shape.
3. The method and system of claim I and 2, where the device may stand freely without attachment to a computer screen or visual display unit.
4. The method and system of claim 1, 2 and 3, where the device may be connected to a computer or computer network via a wire connection or remote wireless connection of any type or may run independently.
5. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3 and 4, where the device is connected to a computer or a computer network, a piece of software connects the device to the computer or computer network and software connecting the device to the computer can control the functions of the device or the device runs independently of any software.
6. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, where the device has a representation of a single eye or pair of eyes or any amount of eyes in any artistic form or colour, size or shape or appearance.
7. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, where the device has the representation of the external appearance of the eye(s) in a physical mechanical or electronic apparatus or digital, diagrammatic or animated format.
8. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, where the device has representations symbolising both upper and lower eyelids or a single eyelid.
9. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, where the device has representations of eyelid like structures either as movable layers or digital animated process in front of the representation of the eye(s).
10. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, where the device has representations symbolising upper and lower eyelid like structures which are able to move together or separately demonstrating a technique of a voluntary blink.
ii. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, where the device has representations symbolising upper and lower eyelid like structures which are able to move in front of one or two representations of an eye(s) at the same time or at different times.
12. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, where the device functions independently or in combination with a computer or computer network.
13. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, where the device demonstrates more than one technique of voluntary blinking.
14. The method and system of claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, where the device demonstrates a technique of voluntary blinking to be performed one eye at a time or two eyes at the same time.
15. The method and system of claim 1,2, 3,4, 5,6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, where the device demonstrates a technique of voluntary blinking with or without audio-visual representation on the connected computer.
16. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, where the device demonstrates a technique of voluntary blinking at any frequency during the time the individual is logged on to the computer.
17. The method and system of claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16, where the device demonstrates a technique of voluntary blinking and then the computer or the network connected to the device continues to display the technique audio-visually with or without the device further displaying the technique.
18. The method and system ofclaim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, where the device connected to the computer does not demonstrate a technique of voluntary blinking but the software connecting the device to the computer displays a technique of voluntary blinking via an audio or visual or audio-visual display on the computer screen.
19.Themethodandsystemofclaim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 15, 16, 17 and 18, where the device demonstrates a technique of voluntary blinking at any frequency during the time an individual is logged on to the computer or the device runs independently demonstrating the technique of voluntary blinking when the computer is even switched off.
20. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 1 5, 16, 17, 18 and 19, where the device demonstrates a technique of voluntary blinking at any frequency during the time the individual is logged on to the computer and the user or another individual can alter the frequency at which the device demonstrates the technique.
21. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, where the device can be switched off or not connected to a computer and the audio-visual message representing a technique of voluntary blinking is displayed on the computer by the computer operating system or a specific software system.
22. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, where the device is connected to a computer by the operating system software of the computer.
23. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Ii, 12, 13, 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, where the device demonstrates a technique of voluntary blinking with or without an audio-visual message of the technique been displayed on the computer or the device.
24. The method and system of claim 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7,8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, where the device is attachable to a computer screen by any permanent or temporary method or the device may be a part of the computer or visual display screen or connected to the computer or visual display screen.
25.Themethodandsystemofclaim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, where the device has a built in speaker to convey audio messages or uses an external speaker to convey audio messages
26. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Ii, 12, 13, 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, where the device has a built in visual display screen of any size.
27. The method and system of claim 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7,8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,24,25 and 26, where the device may not be connected to a computer or computer network but may operate independently demonstrating a technique of voluntary blinking. (I
28. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,26 and 27, where the device may not be connected to a computer or computer network but the software program of such a device may display a technique of voluntary blinking on a computer or computer network audio-visually.
29. The method and system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28, where the device may have internal or external power source to power the device.
30. The method and system of claim 1,2,3,4, 5,6, 7, 8,9, 10, ii, 12, 13, 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, where the device has a representation of the eye(s) in the form of an illustration of the organ of sight in humans. The representation may be a view from any direction.