GB2514751A

GB2514751A - Teds - 1x

Info

Publication number: GB2514751A
Application number: GB1304071.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel Richard Matthew Farr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-06
Filing date: 2013-03-06
Publication date: 2014-12-10
Also published as: GB201304071D0

Abstract

A device that promotes a healthier usage and blinking pattern for a computer user and thereby reduces discomfort to the eyes. It has 3 sources of light: 3a, a white light, activates every 6-10 seconds and reminds the user to blink. 3b, a red light, activates when it is time for the user to look away into the distance and 3c, a blue light activates when it is time for the user to take a break from the screen. The sources of light are activated from the control device, a chip and / or a circuit board. The device has a battery as a source of power, 3e. In this example the component parts are held within the frame that is the right hand arm of a pair of spectacles. There may also be a speaker 4g.

Description

A device to promote blinking.

Background

The device is to be used to help promote blinking. Blinking helps water the eye and make it feel more comfortable. This could be of potential benefit to anyone who needs to concentrate the eyes for a period of time; book readers or computer users for example. In such instances the person will tend to blink less than they normally would and this causes discomfort and fatigue. It is also helpful for a user if the eyes look away and focus on something in the distance from time to time. The device can help promote this to the user.

Statement of Invention

The device promotes a more natural blink pattern in the user by illuminating a light source(s) in their field of vision over time and a promotes a healthier usage of items such as computers by reminding the user to look away, take breaks etc.

Description:

The device has a frame that contains a light source(s), a power source(s) and a control device (to regulate the light sources going on/off etc. The frame could be made of glass, plastic, aluminium, steel, etc. or a combination of materials or any other such suitable material that is fit for purpose.

The frame could resemble that of spectacles but is not confined to that design. The frame contains a light source or light sources; these could be of various colours, luminosity or a source(s) of light could be made to look a different colour(s) via a filter for example. These sources of light may be of the LED (light emitting diode) type, a light bulb or any such other item that is able to emit light and can be of various wattage where approriate. The source of light is to be placed within the field of vision of the eye or eyes. The frame also has a source or sources of power. The power may be external and supplied into the frame or it may be contained in or on the frame itself. For example a USB cable may supply the power to the frame or batteries of various types may possibly be used.

The device also has a control device or devices. The control device(s) may perform various functions; the main function being to turn the source of light on and off over time and thereby regulating the blink pattern for the user. The control device(s) may also regulate the power to the light source. This may in turn affect the brightness or dullness of the light source(s). The control device may possibly be a circuit and/ or computer chip on, or within, the frame or possibly the control device may operate through an attachment to the frame, a USB cable from a computer would be an example.

Method of use The device can be set up to promote a more normal blinking pattern for the user. To this end the devices control circuit / chip etc. can be used to turn the light source(s) on and then off every 6 seconds -activation. This would be the signal for the user to blink. The duration that the light is on could vary. The device could be adjusted for more or less activation as required, possibly every 3)5,7,9 seconds etc. The interval between turning the light on and off could vary. The brightness or the dullness of the light sources could be varied too. It could also be set to activate a number of times in quick succession, like a double flash' of light. If the device design contained more than one light source it could activate them separately or together. The device could also be used to remind a computer user) for example, to take a break from the screen. The device could use a pattern of turning the light source on! off over 30 minutes and then leave the light source on for 10 minutes.

Once the light has gone off this would be the signal for the user to return back to the computer. The device could also use a signal that the user would know to look away from the screen. Possible this might be a combination of flashes followed by a period where the light does not flash. Alternatively the device could activate a different colour light or lights; this would then be the signal for the user to look away. For example, the device may have 3 lights. The flash, every 6 seconds, of the normal white light could be the signal for the user to blink. A red light that comes on and stays on for 6 seconds could be the signal for the user to look away into the distance. A blue light that comes on alter 30 minutes and stays on for 10 minutes could be the signal for the user to remain away from the computer till the blue light goes off. The device could have various pre-set timing programmes held within the device, the user could select the one that suits them best. The device could also be set up' to the users preferences. This might be through the USB cable attachment to the computer or the device may have a slot into the control device area to take some sort of memory card, a micro SD card would be an example.

Diagram 1 Please see diagram 1, one possible design for the device.

Diagram 1 shows a possible combination of the elements. Here, la, the Frame contains the elements for the device. In this example the right hand arm is shown to contain the light source (ib), a switch (id), the control device (le) and the power source (ic). The switch (le) in this example slides to the required programme-1,2, or 3. The switch could be round and rotate in the arm; this would select the required pre-set programme. The left hand arm could be weighted so that it weighs the same as the right hand arm. This would help it balance more easily. Alternatively the left hand arm may contain some or all the elements of the right hand arm.

Diagram 2 Diagram 2 illustrates another possible combination. It represents the right hand side of a pair of spectacles, if you are looking through them as the wearer. In this illustration the light sources have been moved off the arm and onto the inner part of the frame -2a. 2a is placed for illustration only, the light sources could be anywhere in the users field of vision.

In this example there are 2 sources of light. The light source 2b could be used to signal the wearer to blink and the light source 2c could be used for the wearer to look away into the distance. If both lights are on then this may be the signal for the wearer to take a break from looking at the VDU, book etc. The area 2b and 2c may be substituted for a reflective surface(s), possibly a mirror or any other light reflective material. In such a design the light source would then be reflected off it. The light source may even be angled toward or pointed at the reflective material.

Diagram 3 In this possible combination the device has 3 sources of light -3a, 3b, 3c. 3a could possibly be a normal white light at 50 watts for example, that flashes, indication that the user should blink. 3b at watts for example, may be a red source of light, this may be used as an indicator for the user to look away into the distance or adjust their vision for a set period of time. 3c at 20 watts for example, may be a blue source of light; this may indicate to the user that it is time to take a break from whatever they are currently doing.

The control device, 3d, in this illustration is paired with a SD card; however, any memory type device will do, Micro SD, USB etc. The intention being that the SD card, or any other type of memory device, is used to feed the control device information. For example, it may contain the user's preferences as to when the light sources are activated! deactivated. 3e represents the power source. As mention before this could be a number of different types. In this example it could be a lithium Ion battery that gets charged through 3f. The connection point could be of any appropriate type for the device.

For example a USB or mini USB port but the device is not limited to these two examples. This connection, 3f, could also be used to supply information to the control device.

Diagram 4 This diagram shows the combination of elements that make up the device in a different frame than previously illustrated. The diagram is also illustrated as closed, therefore the casing is shown and the control device(s) and inner workings are hidden behind it. In this illustration the frame is an item that could be attached to spectacles, 4f. The frame, 4a, has a hinge in this example to allow it to be attached to another item. How the device attaches to another item could vary, it could use Velcro, any kind of clip or any other appropriate way to be attached to the item in question.

The illustration also shows an optional item 4g. a speaker included in the frame and paired to the control device. Here the control device(s) could also be used to give audible signals to the user.