JP6769091B2 - Ophthalmic equipment and ophthalmic equipment control program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an ophthalmic apparatus for examining an eye to be inspected, and an ophthalmic apparatus control program.

As conventional ophthalmic devices, for example, an optical power measuring device, a corneal curvature measuring device, an intraocular pressure measuring device, a fundus camera, OCT, SLO and the like are known. In these ophthalmic devices, it is common to move the optometry part up, down, left, right, front and back with respect to the eye to be inspected by operating an operating member such as a joystick, and align the optometry part with respect to the eye to be inspected at a predetermined position. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-066760 JP-A-10-216589

However, in the conventional device, there is a case where the alignment cannot be performed at a predetermined position with respect to the eye to be inspected only by the index of the eye to be inspected.

In view of the conventional problems, it is a technical subject of the present disclosure to provide an ophthalmic apparatus capable of good alignment with respect to an eye to be inspected and an ophthalmic apparatus control program.

In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure is characterized by having the following configurations.

(1) An ophthalmic device for inspecting an eye to be inspected, the eye-examination means for inspecting the eye to be inspected, the anterior-eye part photographing means for taking an image of the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected, and the eye to be inspected. It controls an index light projecting means that projects an index for detecting an alignment state with the optometry means onto the eye to be inspected, a driving means that moves the optometry means relative to the eye to be inspected, and the driving means. The control means includes a control means, and the control means is an index detection process for detecting the index and an image analysis process different from the index detection process for analyzing the optometry image and evaluating the focus state. The focus analysis process for obtaining an evaluation value is performed in parallel with the optometry image, and the driving means is controlled based on at least one of the detection result of the index and the analysis result of the focus analysis process. It is characterized by that.
(2) An ophthalmic apparatus control program executed in an ophthalmic apparatus for inspecting an eye to be inspected, which is executed by a processor of the ophthalmic apparatus to take an image of the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected. In the imaging step and the anterior segment imaging step, an index projection step of projecting an index for detecting the alignment state between the eye to be inspected and the eye examination means onto the eye to be inspected, and an index detection process for detecting the index. And the focus analysis process, which is an image analysis process different from the index detection process and obtains an evaluation value for analyzing the optometry image and evaluating the focus state, are performed in parallel with the optometry image. A control step for controlling a driving means for moving the optometry means relative to the optometry based on at least one of the detection result of the index and the analysis result of the focus analysis process. It is characterized by having it executed.

It is the schematic which shows the appearance of this Example. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of this Example. It is the schematic which shows the optical system of this Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the eye examination part when seen from the subject side. It is a figure for demonstrating the face photographing part. It is a flowchart which shows the measurement operation of an ophthalmic apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control of the measurement preparation. It is a flowchart which shows the control of full auto alignment. It is a flowchart which shows the control of Z alignment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a focus position and a focus evaluation value.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the ophthalmic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. The ophthalmic apparatus according to the first embodiment may include an eye examination unit (for example, eye examination unit 2), a drive unit (for example, drive unit 4), and a control unit (for example, control unit 70). ..

The optometry section may be provided to inspect the eye to be inspected. The optometry unit may include, for example, an optometry optical system as a configuration for inspecting the eye to be inspected. The eye examination unit may have, for example, a configuration for measuring the eye to be inspected or a configuration for photographing the eye to be inspected. The optometry optical system is not limited to this, and another measurement system (for example, an ultrasonic tonometer) and another imaging system (for example, an ophthalmic ultrasonic imaging apparatus) may be provided.

The drive unit may be provided to adjust the relative position between the eye examination unit and the eye to be inspected. For example, the drive unit may be a drive unit that moves the optometry unit with respect to the eye to be examined, or a drive unit that moves the eye to be examined with respect to the eye examination unit (for example, a jaw receiving movement mechanism). May be good.

The control unit may be, for example, a processor. The control unit may control each configuration provided in the ophthalmic apparatus, or may perform various arithmetic processes. The control unit may be operated by a control program for controlling the ophthalmic apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Further, the ophthalmic apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an illumination optical system for illuminating at least the anterior segment of the eye (for example, an index projection optical system 50) and an imaging optical system for imaging at least the anterior segment of the eye (for example, for example). An anterior segment imaging optical system 60) may be provided. The imaging optical system may be an imaging optical system for capturing a front image including the anterior segment, and for example, the imaging optical system is for imaging a front image including the anterior segment with a two-dimensional imaging element. It may be an imaging optical system. The illumination optical system may be provided to illuminate the area including the anterior segment imaged by the imaging optical system. Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment relating to the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system will be described.

<Illumination optics>
The illumination optical system includes a first illumination optical system for illuminating the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected and a second illumination optical system for illuminating the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected in a wider range than the first illumination optical system. A system and may be provided. The second illumination optical system may be arranged at different positions with respect to at least a part of the first illumination optical system. In this case, at least a part of the second illumination optical system may be arranged at a position farther from the inspection axis of the eye examination unit than the first illumination optical system. Further, the second illumination optical system may also serve as the first illumination optical system.

At least one of the first illumination optical system and the second illumination optical system may be an illumination optical system that illuminates with infrared light. In this case, for example, an infrared light source may be used, or a filter that transmits infrared light and cuts visible light may be used together with the visible light source. At least one of the first illumination optical system and the second illumination optical system may also serve as an index projection optical system for projecting an alignment index on the eye to be inspected.

The first illumination optical system may be an anterior segment illumination optical system. The illumination range of the first illumination optical system may be, for example, an illumination range including at least the pupil, sclera, and eyelashes of the eye to be inspected.

The second illumination optical system has a wider illumination range than the first illumination optical system. The second illumination optical system may illuminate a region including the anterior segment of the eye in a wider range than the first illumination optical system. The second illumination optical system may be, for example, a face illumination optical system. The illumination range of the second illumination optical system may be an illumination range capable of illuminating the face of the subject including at least both eyes. Further, the illumination range of the second illumination optical system may be an illumination range capable of illuminating one eye in a wider range than that of the first illumination optical system.

The illumination optical system may include a first illumination optical system and a second illumination optical system separately. As a result, good illumination is performed in the alignment by the first imaging optical system and the alignment by the second imaging optical system, and the alignment can be smoothly performed.

As an example of the configuration for providing a wide illumination range, the second illumination optical system is arranged at a position farther from the inspection axis of the eye examination section than the first illumination optical system to provide the subject. Can be illuminated in a wide range. In this case, from the distance in the vertical and horizontal directions from the optical axis of the first imaging optical system to the first illumination optical system, the vertical and horizontal directions from the optical axis of the second imaging optical system to the second illumination optical system. The distance at may be longer.

As an example of the configuration for providing a wide illumination range, the second illumination optical system may be a diffuse optical system, and a light diffusion optical member (for example, light) for diffusing over a wide range emitted from an illumination light source. A diffuser) may be provided. This makes it possible to illuminate the subject's face over a wide area. The light diffusing optical member may be, for example, a lens that diverges light. Of course, an illumination light source having light diffusivity may be used.

The second illumination optical system may include a plurality of illumination light sources, and the plurality of illumination light sources are arranged on the left and right sides of the second imaging optical system to ensure the illumination balance in the left-right direction. The light source. Each illumination light source arranged on the left and right may be arranged at a position farther than a predetermined interpupillary distance (for example, the average interpupillary distance of the human eye). As a result, both eyes can be illuminated in a wide range.

In this case, as for the plurality of illumination light sources, for example, the illumination light sources may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the first imaging optical system, or the illumination light sources may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the second imaging optical system. You may. Further, a plurality of illumination light sources may be arranged vertically, so that the illumination balance in the vertical direction is ensured. A surface-emitting type illumination light source having a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction may be used. Further, the illumination light source may be a ring-shaped light source. Of course, the arrangement configuration of the illumination light source can be variously changed and is not limited to these.

Further, regarding the arrangement of the illumination light source, the optical axis of the illumination light source may be arranged so as to be inclined toward the eye to be inspected with respect to the inspection axis of the eye examination unit. As a result, both eyes of the eye to be inspected can be well illuminated. Further, the second illumination optical system may be arranged at a position protruding toward the optometry eye with respect to the optometry window. As a result, the illumination optical system is arranged at a position close to the eye to be inspected, and the amount of illumination light is secured.

<Imaging optical system>
The imaging optical system includes a first imaging optical system for imaging the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected and a second imaging optical system for imaging the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected in a wider range than the first imaging optical system. A system and may be provided. The second imaging optical system may be arranged at a different position with respect to the first imaging optical system. The first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system may be arranged in the housing of the inspection unit, or the first imaging optical system may be arranged in the housing of the inspection unit, and the second imaging optical system may be arranged. , It may be arranged outside the housing in the inspection unit. Here, when arranged inside the housing, the imaging optical system images the eye to be examined through the optometry window provided in the optometry unit, and when arranged outside the housing, the imaging optical system opens the optometry window. The eye to be inspected is imaged without intervention. Of course, both the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system may be arranged outside the housing surface on the subject side. Further, the second imaging optical system may also serve as the first imaging optical system.

The first imaging optical system may be used to image the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected illuminated by the first illumination optical system. The second imaging optical system may be used to image the anterior segment of the subject illuminated by the second illumination optical system.

The first imaging optical system may be an anterior segment imaging optical system. The imaging range of the first imaging optical system may be, for example, an imaging range including at least the pupil, sclera, and eyelashes of the eye to be inspected. The anterior segment imaging optical system may be used to image the anterior segment illuminated by the anterior segment illumination optical system.

The second imaging optical system has a wider imaging range than the first imaging optical system. The second imaging optical system may be, for example, a face imaging optical system. The illumination range of the second illumination optical system may be an imaging range capable of imaging the face of the subject including at least both eyes. The second imaging optical system may be used to image the face of the subject illuminated by the second illumination optical system. For example, the face imaging optical system may be used to image a face illuminated by the face illumination optical system.

Further, the imaging range of the second imaging optical system may be an imaging range capable of imaging one eye in a wider range than that of the first imaging optical system. The second imaging optical system may be used to image one eye of the subject illuminated by the second illumination optical system in a wider range than the first imaging optical system.

The imaging optical system may include a first imaging optical system and a second imaging optical system separately. As a result, when performing severe alignment using the first imaging optical system and rough alignment using the second imaging optical system, it is possible to perform in a state suitable for each.

As an example of a configuration for providing a wide imaging range, the second imaging optical system may include a fisheye lens. With a fisheye lens, both miniaturization and wide-angle lens can be achieved.

<Use for alignment>
The control unit may display an anterior segment image based on an imaging signal from the first imaging optical system on the display unit, or may be used for automatic alignment of the optometry unit with respect to the eye to be inspected. .. Further, the control unit may display an image based on the image pickup signal from the second image pickup optical system on the display unit, or may be used for automatic alignment of the eye examination unit with respect to the eye to be inspected. In this case, the control unit may perform automatic alignment with respect to the eye to be inspected by controlling the drive unit based on the image pickup signals from the first image pickup optical system and the second image pickup optical system.

Further, the control unit may automatically start the optometry operation after the automatic alignment is completed. In this case, for example, the control unit automatically emits a trigger signal for starting the optometry operation using the optometry unit, and the optometry unit (for example, the optometry optical system) may be operated based on the trigger signal. Good.

When the relative position between the eye to be inspected and the eye examination portion is automatically adjusted based on the image pickup signal from the imaging optical system, at least one of the eye examination portion and the jaw receiver can be moved based on the image pickup signal. , Automatic alignment may be performed. In this case, at least one of the driving unit for moving the eye examination unit and the driving unit for moving the jaw receiver may be driven and controlled by the control unit.

Here, the control unit may operate the automatic alignment based on the image pickup signal from the second image pickup optical system when the distance between the eye to be inspected and the eye examination unit is long. Further, when the distance between the eye to be inspected and the eye-inspecting portion is short, the automatic alignment based on the image pickup signal from the first image pickup optical system may be activated.

<Lighting control>
The control unit may control the illumination state of the anterior segment between the anterior segment illumination by the first illumination optical system and the anterior segment illumination in a wide range by the second illumination optical system. As a result, an illumination state suitable for at least one of the alignment by the first imaging optical system and the alignment by the second imaging optical system is set, and good alignment can be performed.

For example, the control unit may change the illumination state for the anterior segment between the anterior segment illumination by the first illumination optical system and the anterior segment illumination in a wide range by the second illumination optical system. The anterior segment illumination may be used in the alignment using the first imaging optical system, and the wide range illumination may be used in the alignment using the second imaging optical system.

It is sufficient that the illumination different from the wide range illumination by the second illumination optical system is performed at any timing of the anterior segment illumination by the first illumination optical system, and the alignment by the first imaging optical system and the first It does not need to be changed when switching to the alignment by the imaging optical system of 2. In this case, the control unit may switch between the anterior segment illumination by the first illumination optical system and the face illumination by the second illumination optical system. As a result, for example, lighting can be switched according to alignment control, and alignment can be performed smoothly.

As an example of the above-mentioned control of the illumination state, the control unit may limit the illumination by the second illumination optical system when the eye examination unit is aligned using the first imaging optical system. As a result, the influence of the second illumination optical system can be reduced. For example, in the alignment mode using the first imaging optical system (hereinafter referred to as the first alignment), the control unit operates the first illumination optical system to illuminate the anterior segment of the eye and the second illumination optics. Wide range lighting by the system may be restricted. As a result, noise due to the second illumination optical system (for example, anterior segment bright spot, an increase in the amount of light of the entire image) is limited in the anterior segment image, and proper anterior segment alignment can be performed.

As an example of the above-mentioned control of the illumination state, the illumination by the first illumination optical system may be restricted when the eye examination unit is aligned using the second imaging optical system. As a result, the influence of the first illumination optical system can be reduced. For example, in the alignment mode using the second imaging optical system (hereinafter referred to as the second alignment), the control unit operates the second illumination optical system to perform wide-range illumination and uses the second illumination optical system. Anterior optics may be restricted. As a result, noise due to the first illumination optical system (for example, anterior segment bright spot, an increase in the amount of light of the entire image) is limited in a wide range of anterior segment images, and appropriate wide range alignment can be performed.

As a specific method for limiting a wide range of illumination, for example, all the illumination light to the subject may be blocked. In this case, the illumination light source may be turned off, or the illumination light may be blocked by the shutter drive. Further, even if all the illumination light to the subject is not blocked, the illumination light may be dimmed to the extent that the noise light is reduced. In this case, the amount of light of the illumination light source may be reduced, or a part of the illumination light may be dimmed by the dimming filter. It should be noted that any of the above methods can also be used in the method of limiting the illumination of the anterior segment.

The ophthalmic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an ophthalmic apparatus having both a function of limiting wide-range illumination in the first alignment and a function of limiting anterior ocular illumination in the second alignment, as well as a wide-range illumination. It may be an ophthalmic apparatus having only a limiting function, or an ophthalmic apparatus having only a limiting function of anterior ocular lighting.

When the second illumination optical system is arranged at a different position with respect to at least a part of the first illumination optical system, the control unit is the first illumination optical system and the second illumination optical system. By switching the operation of, the lighting state for the subject may be controlled between the anterior segment illumination by the first illumination optical system and the wide range illumination by the second illumination optical system.

<Lighting switching control>
The control unit determines the subject between the anterior segment illumination by the first illumination optical system and the anterior segment illumination in a wide range by the second illumination optical system based on the imaging signal from the imaging optical system. The lighting state may be controlled. As a result, alignment can be performed smoothly.

In this case, for example, the control unit may limit wide-range illumination by the second illumination optical system based on the imaging signal from the first imaging optical system. In this case, the control unit may determine whether or not to limit the wide range illumination based on the image pickup signal from the first imaging optical system, and may limit the wide range illumination according to the determination result.

For example, the control unit may limit wide-range illumination based on the alignment detection result for the eye based on the image pickup signal from the first image pickup optical system. As a result of the alignment detection, for example, the control unit determines whether or not the eye to be inspected is detected by an analysis process different from the index detection based on the image pickup signal from the first imaging optical system, and the eye to be inspected is determined. If it is determined that it has been detected, wide area illumination may be restricted. As an analysis process different from the index detection, for example, a characteristic site of the eye to be inspected (for example, pupil, iris, sclera, blood vessel, etc.) may be detected. Further, the control unit determines whether or not the alignment index from the eye is detected based on the image pickup signal from the first imaging optical system, and if it is determined that the alignment index is detected, the control unit is the first. 2 The illumination optical system may be limited. In the imaging signal from the first imaging optical system, it is sufficient to determine whether or not the eye is detected by the corneal reflex by the illumination optical system or the index projection optical system, the characteristic part of the eye, or the like. Not limited to.

The alignment detection result is not limited to this, and if the alignment deviation detected by using the first imaging optical system satisfies the allowable range, the wide range illumination may be limited. In this case, the permissible range may be a condition relaxed from the permissible range in which the trigger for starting the optometry is issued. As a result, a wide range of illumination is restricted during precise alignment toward the start of eye examination, and alignment with respect to the eye to be inspected can be performed accurately.

As described above, by limiting the wide range illumination based on the alignment detection result, automatic alignment based on the alignment detection result using the first imaging optical system can be smoothly performed. For example, when detecting the alignment state of the optometry part with respect to the eye to be inspected using the pupil or the alignment index, the wide range illumination is restricted in conjunction with the detection of the pupil or the alignment index, so that the subsequent alignment detection is performed by noise light. It can be done in a state where the influence of is reduced. Therefore, automatic alignment can be performed smoothly.

The control unit may determine whether to limit the wide-range illumination or the anterior segment illumination based on the imaging signal from the first imaging optical system, and limit the illumination according to the determination result. For example, the control unit may limit the wide-range illumination when the eye to be inspected is detected in the image pickup signal from the first imaging optical system, and limit the illumination of the anterior eye portion when the eye to be inspected is not detected. Good. As a result, it is possible to smoothly limit the lighting for each alignment.

In the above description, the face illumination is limited based on the imaging signal from the first imaging optical system, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the wide range illumination is restricted based on the imaging signal from the second imaging optical system. You may. For example, since the distance between the optical axes between the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system is known in advance, the control unit can be used as an eye subject and an eye examination unit detected by the second imaging optical system. By multiplying the misalignment with the image by the distance between the optical axes, the positional relationship between the first imaging optical system and the optometry unit can be detected. Therefore, when the alignment deviation reaches within the allowable range in the positional relationship between the first imaging optical system and the eye examination unit detected by the second imaging optical system, the control unit is subjected to the first imaging optical system. Wide range illumination may be restricted by determining that the eye has been detected.

When the control unit switches the image pickup optical system used for alignment control between the first image pickup optical system and the second image pickup optical system, the control unit uses the first illumination optical system to illuminate the anterior segment and the second. It is also possible to switch between wide-range illumination by the illumination optical system of. As a result, each alignment can be performed smoothly. Even when the imaging optical system used for alignment control is set to one of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system, the other imaging optical system may be operating in the background.

In the above description, an example of limiting the illumination based on the image pickup signal from the image pickup optical system has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit uses the operation signal from the operation unit operated by the examiner. Lighting may be restricted based on.

<Transformation form>
In the first embodiment, when the illumination state is switched between the first alignment and the second alignment, between the forearm illumination by the first illumination optical system and the wide-range illumination by the second illumination optical system. The lighting state may be switched alternately with. In this case, the control unit may detect the alignment state with respect to the eye to be inspected based on the imaging signal acquired by the second imaging optical system during wide-range illumination. Further, the control unit may detect the alignment state with respect to the eye to be inspected based on the image pickup signal acquired by the image pickup optical system during the illumination of the anterior eye portion. In this case, the reaction rate of the alignment is slightly reduced, but the influence of the other illumination is reduced, and good alignment can be performed.

In the second alignment, the control unit constantly illuminates by the second illumination optical system, and in the first alignment, the wide range illumination by the second illumination optical system and the front by the first illumination optical system. It may be alternated with eye illumination.

It should be noted that the present embodiment can be applied even when a single illumination optical system performs anterior segment illumination and face illumination. For example, the second illumination optical system may also serve as the first illumination optical system.

In this case, the control unit may change the illumination state for the anterior segment between the anterior segment illumination and the wide range illumination. For example, in the first alignment, the control unit may change the illumination state by the second illumination optical system with respect to the time of performing the second alignment. Thereby, for example, even when the second illumination optical system also serves as the first illumination optical system, it is possible to perform illumination suitable for the first alignment.

In the case of a structure in which the amount of illumination light is insufficient when performing the first alignment, the control unit may increase the amount of illumination light by the second illumination optical system as compared with the case of performing face alignment. .. On the other hand, in the case of a structure in which an excessive amount of illumination light occurs when performing the first alignment, the control unit reduces the amount of illumination light by the second illumination optical system as compared with the case of performing the first alignment. You may do so. When the lighting state is changed, for example, the amount of light from the light source may be increased or decreased, or when a plurality of light sources are used, the light source to be used for lighting may be selected.

It should be noted that the present embodiment can be applied even when a single imaging optical system performs anterior segment imaging and face imaging. For example, a second imaging optical system capable of capturing an image including both eyes of the eye to be inspected is arranged, and the control unit performs rough automatic alignment and severe automatic alignment based on the imaging signal from the second imaging optical system. May be done.

In this case, the control unit may switch the illumination state by the first illumination optical system and the second illumination optical system. For example, the control unit may perform wide-range illumination using the second illumination optical system in rough automatic alignment (when the distance between the eye examination unit and the eye is large). In addition, the control unit may perform anterior segment illumination using the first illumination optical system in severe automatic alignment (when the distance between the eye examination unit and the eye is short).
<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the ophthalmic apparatus of the second embodiment will be described. The ophthalmic apparatus of the second embodiment mainly includes, for example, an eye examination unit (for example, an eye examination unit 2), a drive unit (for example, a drive unit 4), and a face photographing unit (for example, a face photographing unit 90). .. The optometry unit includes, for example, an optometry optical system and inspects the eye to be inspected. The driving unit moves the optometry unit relative to the eye to be inspected. The face photographing unit photographs the face of the subject. The face photographing unit may, for example, photograph the left and right eyes of the subject. The photographing optical axis of the face photographing unit is arranged at a position shifted to the left or right from the inspection optical axis of the inspection optical system.

As a result, even when the optometry portion is moved to the left or right to inspect the eye to be inspected, the face photographing portion can be arranged near the center of the face of the subject. As a result, the face photographing unit can easily photograph both eyes of the subject. By photographing the face including both eyes of the eye to be inspected, it is possible to use the eye information obtained from the facial image, for example, when one eye is measured and then moved to the other eye. Further, for example, even when the eye examination portion is arranged near one eye, it is possible to smoothly move to the other eye by using the facial image.

The face photographing means may be provided so as to be located between the left eye and the right eye of the subject when the eye examination unit is moved to a preset predetermined position. The predetermined position may be the initial position. The predetermined position is set to a position shifted to the left or right from the machine center position, for example, in order to measure either the left or right eye quickly. The machine center position may be, for example, the center position of the drive range in the left-right direction of the drive unit, or the position of the left-right symmetric axis of the device main body (for example, the base, the face support portion, etc.). When the eye examination unit is moved to a predetermined position, for example, the face photographing unit may be arranged so that the position in the left-right direction is the same as the machine center of the apparatus main body (for example, the base). As a result, the face photographing unit can photograph both eyes of the subject when the eye examination unit 2 is arranged at a predetermined position. The left-right direction is, for example, the eye width direction of the subject.

The facial imaging unit may be arranged at a position shifted to the left or right of the inspection optical axis by the interpupillary distance of one eye (half the interpupillary distance). The initial position may be set to a position deviated from the mechanical center of the device by the interpupillary distance of one eye, for example, in order to shorten the alignment time. In such a case, when the inspection optical axis is arranged at a position shifted to the left or right by the distance between the pupils of one eye with respect to the center of the machine, the face photographing portion is arranged at the position of the center of the machine in the left-right direction. The face photographing unit may be arranged at a position shifted in the left-right direction with respect to the inspection optical axis. In this case, as the interpupillary distance, a predetermined interpupillary distance may be used, for example, the average interpupillary distance of the human eye (generally 64 mm) may be used, but of course, this Not limited.

The face photographing unit may be provided so that the photographing optical axis is parallel to the inspection optical axis. As a result, when the eye examination unit is arranged at the initial position and the face photographing unit is located in front of the face of the subject, it is easy to photograph both eyes of the subject.

The device may include a control unit (for example, a control unit 70). The control unit may detect the position coordinates of the eye to be inspected based on the face image taken by the face photographing unit, for example. At this time, the control unit may detect the position of the eye to be inspected from the image that remains distorted due to the influence of the photographing lens (for example, the imaging lens 92) or the like. Then, the control unit may correct the position coordinates according to the distortion of the face image. In this way, after detecting the position coordinates of the eye to be inspected from the distorted face image, the position coordinates are corrected according to the distortion of the image, so that the distortion of the entire face image is corrected from the face image. The position coordinates of the eye to be examined can be obtained smoothly.

The control unit may move the eye examination unit to the initial position by controlling the drive unit, for example. Then, the control unit may photograph the face including both the left and right eyes in a state where the eye examination unit is in the initial position by controlling the face photographing unit. Further, for example, the control unit may control the drive unit based on the face image captured by the face photographing unit, and may move the optometry means relative to the eye to be inspected.

Further, the control unit may detect both eyes from the face image, for example, and obtain the position coordinates thereof. When the position coordinates of both eyes are acquired, the control unit 70 may perform rough alignment based on the position coordinates of both eyes when switching the measurement target eye left and right. In this way, both eyes of the eye to be inspected can be photographed in a state where the eye examination portion can be moved to the left or right and can be quickly aligned with the eye to be measured first. As a result, not only the position information of the first measured eye but also the next measured eye can be acquired, and the left and right eyes can be switched smoothly.

<Third Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described. The ophthalmic apparatus of the third embodiment includes, for example, an eye examination unit (for example, eye examination unit 2), an anterior eye part imaging unit (for example, anterior eye part imaging optical system 60), and an index projection unit (for example, an index). It mainly includes a projection optical system 50), a drive unit (for example, a drive unit 4), and a control unit (for example, a control unit 70). The optometry unit examines, for example, the eye to be examined. The anterior segment imaging unit photographs, for example, the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected. The index light projecting unit projects, for example, an index for detecting the alignment state between the eye to be inspected and the eye examination unit on the eye to be inspected. The driving unit moves the optometry unit relative to the eye to be inspected. The control unit controls, for example, the drive unit.

The control unit performs, for example, an index detection process and an image analysis process different from the index detection process in parallel with the anterior segment image. In this case, the control unit 70 controls the drive unit based on the results of the index detection process and the image analysis process. As a result, the position of the eye to be inspected and the eye-inspection portion can be more reliably aligned.

The index detection process is, for example, a process of detecting an index projected on the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected by the index light projecting unit. As a detection method by an image analysis process different from the index detection process, for example, a characteristic portion of the eye to be inspected may be detected from an anterior segment image. The characteristic site of the eye to be inspected may be, for example, at least one of a pupil, an iris, and a sclera. As a detection method by an image analysis process different from the index detection process, for example, a focus evaluation value may be detected based on at least a part of the anterior segment image by a method different from the index detection.

The detection range of the eye to be inspected by an image analysis process different from the index detection process may be set wider than the detection range in which the index is detected. For example, it is more likely that a featured portion such as a pupil can be detected even if the image is blurred or blurred, and the detection range is wider than that of index detection.

If the index can be detected, the control unit may align the eye to be inspected with the eye examination unit based on the detection result of the index. If the index cannot be detected and the eye to be inspected can be detected by the image analysis process, the eye to be inspected and the eye examination means may be aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions based on the detection result by the image analysis process. The case where the index can be detected may be either the case where the index cannot be detected without detecting the pupil or the case where the index and the pupil can be detected.

In addition, focus analysis processing may be performed as image analysis processing. The focus analysis process is, for example, a process of analyzing an anterior segment image and obtaining an evaluation value for evaluating a focus state. In this case, the control unit may control the drive unit based on the detection result of the index or the analysis result of the focus analysis process.

The evaluation value may be, for example, an evaluation value that changes according to the distance to the focusing position. In this case, as the evaluation value, an evaluation value showing a higher value as it approaches the in-focus position may be used. Further, as the evaluation value, an evaluation value showing a value lower as the focus position is approached may be used. In this case, in the image processing analysis, an image feature amount (for example, image sharpness) having a characteristic that changes according to the distance to the in-focus position may be acquired. The drive unit may be controlled according to the acquired image feature amount.

The control unit may perform Z alignment in which the index detection process and the focus analysis process are performed in parallel while moving the eye examination unit forward or backward in the Z direction. Then, when the index is not detected and the focus evaluation value changes more than a predetermined amount with respect to the evaluation value corresponding to the in-focus position, the control unit 70 may reverse the traveling direction and repeat the Z alignment again. .. This allows the index detection to be attempted again when the index has passed the position where it would be detected.

The control unit may perform the alignment in the front-rear direction after the alignment in the up / down / left / right directions.

The control unit may perform the index detection process and the focus analysis process while advancing the eye examination unit toward the subject by the drive unit. As a result, the eye examination portion can be smoothly moved to the in-focus position.

The control unit 70 may calculate the evaluation value for the entire anterior segment image, or may calculate the evaluation value in the region near the pupil. At this time, the control unit 70 may detect the pupil of the eye to be inspected from the image of the anterior segment of the eye.

For example, the control unit may continue the automatic alignment when the index is detected in the index detection process. When the index is not detected and the eye to be inspected is detected in the image analysis process, the control unit automatically aligns the focus position based on the detection result of the image analysis process, and then stops the automatic alignment. May be good.

For example, when the index is detected in the index detection process, the control unit may execute the auto shot after the automatic alignment is completed. When the index is not detected and the eye to be inspected is detected in the image analysis process, the control unit outputs the operation signal from the examiner without executing the auto shot after the automatic alignment based on the detection result of the image analysis process is completed. You may wait.

<Example>
The ophthalmic apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an ophthalmologic force measuring device will be described as an example of an ophthalmic device, but a corneal curvature measuring device, a corneal shape measuring device, an intraocular pressure measuring device, an axial length measuring device, a fundus camera, and an OCT (optical coherence). It can also be applied to other ophthalmic devices such as tomography) and SLO (Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope).

The ophthalmic apparatus of this embodiment examines, for example, the eye to be inspected. For example, the ophthalmic apparatus of this embodiment may be an apparatus for performing an examination for each eye, or an apparatus for performing an examination for both eyes at the same time (binocular vision). The ophthalmic apparatus mainly includes, for example, an eye examination unit, an imaging unit, a drive unit, and a control unit.

<Appearance>
The appearance of the ophthalmic apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 of this embodiment mainly includes an eye examination unit 2, a face photographing unit 90, and a driving unit 4. The eye examination unit 2 inspects the eye to be inspected. The eye examination unit 2 may include, for example, an optical system for measuring the optical power of the eye to be inspected, the curvature of the cornea, the intraocular pressure, and the like. Further, the eye examination unit 2 may be provided with an optical system or the like for photographing the anterior eye portion, the fundus, etc. of the eye to be inspected. In this embodiment, the eye examination unit 2 for measuring the refractive power will be described as an example. The face photographing unit 90, for example, photographs the face of the eye to be inspected. The face photographing unit 90 photographs a face including at least one of the left and right eyes to be inspected, for example. The drive unit 4 moves, for example, the eye examination unit 2 and the face photographing unit 90 in the vertical, horizontal, front-back directions (three-dimensional directions) with respect to the base 5.

Further, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 of this embodiment may include, for example, a housing 6, a display unit 7, an operation unit 8, a face support unit 9, and the like. For example, the housing 6 houses an eye examination unit 2, a face photographing unit 90, a drive unit 4, and the like. The display unit 7 displays, for example, an observation image of the eye to be inspected, a measurement result, and the like. The display unit 7 may be provided integrally with the device 1, or may be provided separately from the device, for example. The ophthalmic apparatus 1 may include an operation unit 8. The operation unit 8 is used for various settings of the device 1 and an operation at the start of measurement. Various operation instructions by the inspector are input to the operation unit 8. For example, the operation unit 8 may be various human interfaces such as a touch panel, a joystick, a mouse, a keyboard, a trackball, and a button. The face support portion 9 may include, for example, a forehead pad 10 and a chin rest 11. The jaw base 11 may be moved in the vertical direction by driving the jaw base driving unit 12.

<Control system>
As shown in FIG. 2, the present device 1 includes a control unit 70. The control unit 70 controls various controls of the present device 1. The control unit 70 includes, for example, a general CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, and the like. For example, the ROM 72 stores an ophthalmic apparatus control program, initial values, and the like for controlling the ophthalmic apparatus. For example, RAM temporarily stores various types of information. The control unit 70 is connected to an eye examination unit 2, a face photographing unit 90, a drive unit 4, a display unit 7, an operation unit 8, a chin rest drive unit 12, a storage unit (for example, a non-volatile memory) 74, and the like. The storage unit 74 is, for example, a non-transient storage medium capable of retaining the stored contents even when the power supply is cut off. For example, a hard disk drive, a detachable USB flash memory, or the like can be used as the storage unit 74.

<Eye examination part>
The eye examination unit 2 measures, inspects, and photographs the eye to be inspected. The eye examination unit 2 may include, for example, a measurement optical system for measuring the refractive power of the eye to be inspected. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the eye examination unit 2 includes a measurement optical system 20, a fixation target display optical system 40, an index projection optical system 50, and an observation optical system (imaging optical system) 60. You may.

The measurement optical system 20 may include a projection optical system (projection optical system) 20a and a light receiving optical system 20b. The projection optical system 20a projects a luminous flux onto the fundus Ef through the pupil of the eye to be inspected. Further, the light receiving optical system 20b may take out the reflected light beam (fundus reflected light) from the fundus Ef through the peripheral portion of the pupil in a ring shape and capture a ring-shaped fundus reflection image mainly used for measuring the refractive power. Good.

For example, the projection optical system 20a has a measurement light source 21, a relay lens 22, a hall mirror 23, and an objective lens 24 on the optical axis L1. The light source 21 projects a spot-shaped light source image from the relay lens 22 onto the fundus Ef via the objective lens 24 and the central portion of the pupil. The light source 21 is moved in the optical axis L1 direction by the moving mechanism 33. The hall mirror 23 is provided with an opening through which the light flux from the light source 21 passes through the relay lens 22. The hole mirror 23 is arranged at a position optically conjugate with the pupil of the eye to be inspected.

For example, the light receiving optical system 20b shares the hall mirror 23 and the objective lens 24 with the projection optical system 20a. Further, the light receiving optical system 20b includes a relay lens 26 and a total reflection mirror 27. Further, the light receiving optical system 20b has a light receiving diaphragm 28, a collimator lens 29, a ring lens 30, and an image sensor 32 on the optical axis L2 in the reflection direction of the hall mirror 23. A two-dimensional light receiving element such as an area CCD can be used as the image sensor 32. The light receiving diaphragm 28, the collimator lens 29, the ring lens 30, and the image sensor 32 are moved integrally with the measurement light source 21 of the projection optical system 20a in the optical axis L2 direction by the moving mechanism 33. When the light source 21 is arranged at a position optically conjugated with the fundus Ef by the moving mechanism 33, the light receiving diaphragm 28 and the image sensor 32 are also arranged at a position optically conjugated with the fundus Ef.

The ring lens 30 is an optical element for shaping the fundus reflected light guided from the objective lens 24 via the collimator lens 29 into a ring shape. The ring lens 30 has a ring-shaped lens portion and a light-shielding portion. When the light receiving diaphragm 28 and the image sensor 32 are arranged at positions optically conjugated with the fundus Ef, the ring lens 30 is arranged at a position optically conjugated with the pupil of the eye to be inspected. The image sensor 32 receives the ring-shaped fundus reflected light (hereinafter referred to as a ring image) through the ring lens 30. The image sensor 32 outputs the image information of the received ring image to the CPU 71. As a result, the CPU 71 displays the ring image on the display unit 7, calculates the refractive power based on the ring image, and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the dichroic mirror 39 is arranged between the objective lens 24 and the eye to be inspected. The dichroic mirror 39 transmits the light emitted from the light source 21 and the fundus reflected light corresponding to the light from the light source 21. Further, the dichroic mirror 39 guides the light flux from the fixation target presentation optical system 40, which will be described later, to the eye to be inspected. Further, the dichroic mirror 39 reflects the anterior segment reflected light of the light from the index projection optical system 50 described later, and guides the anterior segment reflected light to the observation optical system 60.

As shown in FIG. 3, the index projection optical system 50 may be arranged in front of the eye to be inspected. The index projection optical system 50 mainly projects an index used for alignment of the optical system with respect to the eye to be inspected to the anterior eye portion. Here, the index projection optical system 50 may also be used as anterior segment illumination for illuminating the anterior segment of the eye E.

For example, the index projection optical system 50 may include a ring index projection optical system 51 and an index projection optical system 52. The ring index projection optical system 51 projects diffused light onto the cornea of the subject's eye E, and projects a ring index (so-called Mayerling). The ring index projection optical system 51 is also used as anterior segment illumination for illuminating the anterior segment of the subject's eye E in the ophthalmic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The index projection optical system 52 projects parallel light onto the cornea of the eye to be inspected and projects an infinity index.

The optotype presenting optical system 40 may be an optotype presenting optical system for fixing the eye to be inspected. The optotype presenting optical system 40 includes, for example, at least a light source 41 and a fixation target 42. In FIG. 3, the light source 41, the fixation target 42, and the relay lens 43 are provided on the optical axis L4 in the reflection direction of the reflection mirror 46. The fixation target 42 is used to fix the eye to be inspected when measuring the objective refractive power. For example, the fixation target 42 is illuminated by the light source 41 and is presented to the eye to be inspected.

The light source 41 and the fixation target 42 are integrally moved in the direction of the optical axis L4 by the drive mechanism 48. The presentation position (presentation distance) of the fixation target may be changed by moving the light source 41 and the fixation target 42. As a result, the refractive power can be measured by applying cloud fog to the eye to be inspected.

The anterior segment imaging optical system 60 may be provided to capture an image of the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected. For example, the anterior segment imaging optical system 60 includes at least an image pickup lens 61 and an image pickup element 62. In FIG. 3, the image pickup lens 61 and the image pickup element 62 are provided on the optical axis L3 in the reflection direction of the half mirror 63. The image sensor 62 is arranged at a position optically conjugate with the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected. The image sensor 62 images the anterior segment illuminated by the ring index projection optical system 61. The output from the image sensor 62 is input to the control unit 70. As a result, the anterior segment image Ia of the eye to be inspected captured by the image sensor 62 is displayed on the display unit 7 (see FIG. 2). Further, in the image sensor 62, an alignment index image (a ring index and an infinity index in this embodiment) formed on the cornea of the eye to be inspected is imaged by the index projection optical system 50. As a result, the control unit 70 can detect the alignment index image based on the image pickup result of the image pickup element 62. Further, the control unit 70 can determine the suitability of the alignment state based on the position where the alignment index image is detected.

<Face photography section>
The face photographing unit 90 may include, for example, an optical system for photographing a face including at least one of the left and right eyes to be inspected. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the face photographing unit 90 of this embodiment mainly includes, for example, an image pickup element 91 and an image pickup lens 92.

The face photographing unit 90 is provided, for example, at a position where both eyes of the eye to be examined can be photographed when the eye examination unit 2 is in the initial position. In this embodiment, the initial position of the eye examination unit 2 is set to a position shifted to the right with respect to the examination optical axis of the eye examination unit 2 so that the right eye can be easily examined (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the face photographing unit 90 is provided at a position where both eyes of the eye to be inspected can be photographed in a state where the eye examination unit 2 is in the initial position shifted to the right side. For example, the face photographing unit 90 is arranged at the machine center M with the eye examination unit 2 in the initial position. When the initial position is set based on, for example, half the interpupillary distance, that is, the interpupillary distance of one eye, the face photographing unit 90 shifts to the left or right by the distance between the pupils of one eye with respect to the machine center M of the main body of the apparatus. It may be placed in a different position. The average value of the interpupillary distance of one eye is about 32 mm.

Further, the face photographing unit 90 may be arranged in consideration of the optical systems of various devices. Depending on the device, optical elements such as a light source, a lens, and a light receiving element may be provided on the left and right sides of the central optometry window 2a. In addition, optical elements may be provided above and below the optometry window 2a. In addition, an air ejection nozzle for measuring intraocular pressure may be provided. In consideration of these cases, the face photographing unit 90 may be mounted in an oblique direction while avoiding the vertical and horizontal directions of the optometry window 2a. In this embodiment, it is mounted diagonally to the left. In this way, the arrangement of the face photographing unit 90 may be considered in consideration of the optical systems of various devices. Of course, depending on the model, it may be attached in any direction around the optometry window 2a.

The face photographing unit 90 of this embodiment is moved together with the eye examination unit 2 by the driving unit 4. Of course, the face photographing unit 90 may be fixed to the base 5 and may not move, for example.

The image pickup lens 92 may be, for example, a wide-angle lens. The wide-angle lens is, for example, a fisheye lens, a conical lens, or the like. By providing the wide-angle lens, the face photographing unit 90 can photograph the face of the subject with a wide angle of view. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the following equation (1) is derived from the relationship between the range D in which both eyes can be reliably photographed and the maximum distance L from the front surface of the assumed eye examination unit 2 to the eye to be inspected. ..

Here, assuming that D = 100 mm and L = 105 mm as conditions for reliably photographing both eyes when the eye examination unit 2 is pulled to the examiner side most, θ = 50.9 from the equation (1). Therefore, when the angle of view of the face photographing unit 90 is 50 ° or more, both eyes of the subject can be photographed more preferably.

<Face lighting optical system>
The face illumination optical system 80 illuminates the face of the eye to be inspected. The face illumination optical system 80 may be provided to illuminate the face of the subject including both eyes of the subject. The face illumination optical system 80 includes, for example, an illumination light source 81. As shown in FIG. 4, an illumination light source 81a and an illumination light source 81b are provided. The illumination light source 81 emits infrared light. It is preferable that the face illumination optical system 80 can uniformly illuminate the face of the eye to be inspected around the optical axis of the face photographing unit 90. In this embodiment, illumination light sources 81 are provided at the left and right positions of the optometry window. The face illumination optical system 80 may be provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the face photographing unit 90. For example, it may be provided at a symmetrical position about the face photographing unit 90, or may be provided at a vertically symmetrical position. As the face illumination optical system 80, a light source having a lower directivity than the index light source for alignment is used.

<Control method>
Hereinafter, the control operation of the present device 1 will be described. The device 1 automatically aligns the eye examination unit 2 with the eye to be inspected, for example, in order to inspect the eye to be inspected.

The flowchart of the fully automatic measurement is shown in FIG. For example, the control unit 70 performs full-auto alignment after preparing for measurement, and aligns the eye to be inspected with the eye examination unit 2. After that, the eye is measured, the eye examination unit 2 is moved to the other eye, and full auto alignment is performed again. When the alignment is completed, the control unit 70 measures the eye to be inspected and ends the process. Each step will be described below.

{Step S100: Preparation for measurement}
In step S100, the control unit 70 prepares for measurement. Details of measurement preparation will be described later. When the measurement preparation is completed, the control unit 70 proceeds to step S200.

{Step S200: Fully automatic alignment (1)}
In step S200, the control unit 70 performs full-auto alignment with one of the left and right eyes to be inspected. Details of full auto alignment will be described later.

{Step S300: Measurement (1)}
In step S300, the control unit 70 inspects the eye to be inspected. For example, the control unit 70 irradiates the fundus of the eye to be inspected with the measurement light, and measures the optical refractive power of the eye to be inspected based on the detection result of the measurement light reflected by the fundus.

{Step S400: Left / right eye switching}
In step S400, the control unit 70 switches the measurement target eye. For example, the control unit 70 moves the eye examination unit 2 from the eye for which the examination has been completed in step S300 to the other eye.

{Step S500: Fully automatic alignment (2)}
In step S500, the control unit 70 performs full-auto alignment on the eye to be inspected for which the inspection has not been completed, as in step S200.

{Step S600: Measurement (2)}
In step S600, the control unit 70 inspects the other eye to be inspected.

<From measurement preparation to measurement>
Subsequently, the control from the measurement preparation in step S100 to the measurement in step S300 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7. For example, the control unit 70 detects both eyes of the subject from the face image taken by the face photographing unit 90. Since the alignment index has a narrow irradiation range, it is not possible to illuminate both eyes of the subject. Therefore, in this embodiment, the face illumination optical system 80 is provided. In addition, after binocular detection, index or pupil detection is performed. If the index or pupil can be detected, the position of the chin rest is appropriate, so the measurement preparation is completed and the process shifts to the fully automatic alignment process. In other cases, adjust the chin rest. The chin stand adjustment may be performed manually by the examiner, or may be automatically performed using the previously obtained eye detection result of the face photographing unit. At this time, since the pupil can be detected even if the face illumination is lit, it may be lit. Hereinafter, each step of FIG. 7 will be described.

{Step S110: Face image analysis}
In step S110, the control unit 70 illuminates the face with the face illumination optical system 80. For example, the light source 81a and the light source 81b are turned on. At this time, the control unit 70 may turn off the alignment light. The control unit 70 detects at least one of the left and right eyes to be inspected based on the imaging signal from the face photographing unit 90.

{Step S120: Anterior segment image analysis}
In step S120, the control unit 70 analyzes the image of the anterior segment of the eye based on the imaging signal from the anterior eye imaging optical system 60, and performs detection processing of the eye to be inspected. For example, the control unit 70 analyzes the anterior segment image and performs index or pupil detection processing. At this time, the control unit 70 may turn on the alignment light and turn off the face lighting. At this time, the control unit 70 may turn on the face illumination.

{Step S130: Optometry detection determination}
In step S130, the control unit 70 determines whether or not the eye to be inspected could be detected based on the image pickup signal from the anterior eye photographing optical system 60 in the detection process of step S120. When the eye to be inspected is detected, the control unit 70 skips the jaw stand adjustment in step S140 and shifts to the position adjustment of the eye examination unit 2 by the anterior eye imaging optical system 60. If the eye to be inspected is not detected, the process proceeds to step S140.

{Step S140: Jaw stand adjustment}
In step S140, the control unit 70 controls, for example, the jaw base drive unit 12 to adjust the height of the jaw base. The control unit 70 controls the jaw base drive unit 12 based on the analysis result of step S110, and adjusts the height of the jaw base. In this case, the control unit may control the jaw pedestal drive unit 12 so that the eye to be inspected is arranged within the movable range of the eye examination unit 2 and adjust the height of the jaw pedestal. If it is not necessary to adjust the chin rest, the process may proceed to step S180.

According to the above flow, in the jaw stand adjustment based on the image pickup signal from the face photographing unit 90, the height adjustment of the jaw stand is not necessarily performed by performing eye detection based on the image pickup signal from the optometry optical system 60. When it is not necessary, at least the jaw stand adjustment can be skipped, so that the alignment with respect to the eye to be examined can be performed smoothly.

{Step S150: Second face image analysis}
When the height adjustment of the chin rest is completed, the control unit 70 detects at least one of the left and right eyes to be inspected based on the image pickup signal from the face photographing unit 90 in step S150. ..

{Step S160: Second anterior segment image analysis}
In step S120, the control unit 70 analyzes the image of the anterior segment of the eye based on the imaging signal from the anterior eye imaging optical system 60, and performs detection processing of the eye to be inspected. At this time, the control unit 70 may turn on the alignment light and turn off the face lighting. At this time, the control unit 70 may turn on the face illumination.

{Step S170: Second eye detection determination}
In step S170, the control unit 70 determines whether or not the eye to be inspected could be detected in the detection process of step S160. When the eye to be inspected is detected, the control unit 70 skips the position adjustment of the eye examination unit 2 by the face photographing unit 90 and shifts to the position adjustment of the eye examination unit 2 by the anterior eye photographing optical system 60. If the eye to be inspected is not detected, the process proceeds to step S180.

{Step S180: Position adjustment by the face shooting section}
In step S180, the control unit 70 controls the drive unit 4 based on, for example, an image pickup signal from the face photographing unit 90, and adjusts the position of the eye examination unit 2. The control unit 70 detects the position of the eye to be inspected based on the imaging signal from the face photographing unit 90. The control unit 70 controls the drive unit 4 based on the position detection result and adjusts the position of the eye examination unit 2. In this case, the control unit may control the drive unit 4 so that the eye to be inspected is arranged within the range that can be photographed by the anterior eye imaging optical system 60, and may adjust the position of the eye examination unit 2.

{Step S190: Position adjustment by front eye imaging optical system 60}
In step S190, the control unit controls the drive unit 4 based on the image pickup signal from the anterior ocular imaging optical system 60, and adjusts the position of the eye examination unit 2. The control unit 70 detects the position of the eye to be inspected based on the imaging signal from the anterior eye photographing optical system 60. The control unit 70 controls the drive unit 4 based on the position detection result and adjusts the position of the eye examination unit 2. In this case, the control unit may control the drive unit 4 so that the eye to be inspected is arranged within the alignment allowable range, and adjust the position of the eye examination unit 2.

According to the above flow, in the position adjustment of the optometry unit based on the image pickup signal from the face photographing unit 90, the face photographing unit 90 performs eye detection based on the image pickup signal from the anterior eye photographing optical system 60. When the movement of the eye examination unit 2 is not always necessary, the control can be skipped, so that the alignment with respect to the eye to be inspected can be smoothly performed.

<Parallel processing of index detection and eye detection different from index detection>
Next, an example of control in step S190 will be described with reference to FIG. In step 190, the control unit 70 may perform index detection in the anterior eye portion image and eye detection different from the index detection in parallel based on the imaging signal from the anterior eye photographing optical system 60. In the following description, as an eye test detection different from the index detection, a case where the test eye is detected by detecting a characteristic portion of the test eye will be described as an example.

In this case, when the index is detected, the control unit 70 controls the drive unit 4 based on the detected index to move the optometry unit 2 with respect to the eye to be inspected. When the index cannot be detected and the feature portion of the eye to be inspected is detected, the control unit 70 controls the drive unit 4 based on the detection result of the feature portion to perform XY alignment, and then performs Z alignment described later.

The control unit 70 may turn off the face illumination after the XY alignment using the feature portion is completed. This is because the face illumination light appears as a bright spot and may interfere with the index detection. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the face illumination may be turned off when the movement of the eye examination unit is changed by using the anterior eye imaging optical system 60. Further, the control unit 70 turns off the face illumination when the misalignment between the eye to be inspected and the inspecting unit 2 reaches a predetermined alignment range after executing the automatic alignment using the index, and the eye to be inspected and the inspecting unit 2 are inspected. Severe alignment with 2 may be performed. Hereinafter, each step of FIG. 8 will be described.

{Step S220: Anterior segment image analysis}
In step S220, the control unit 70 performs a detection process for detecting at least one of a characteristic portion and an index of the eye to be inspected from, for example, an anterior segment image captured by the anterior segment imaging optical system 60.

{Step S230: Index detection determination}
In step S230, the control unit 70 determines, for example, whether or not the index is detected in the detection process of step S220. When the index is detected, the control unit 70 moves to step S240, and when the index is not detected, the control unit 70 moves to the process of step S250.

{Step S240: Alignment}
In step S240, the control unit 70 controls the drive of the drive unit 4 based on the position information of the index detected in the anterior eye portion image analysis in step S220, and moves the eye examination unit 2. When the control unit 70 moves the eye examination unit 2, the control unit 70 ends the full auto alignment.

{Step S250: Feature site detection}
In step S250, the control unit 70 detects a featured portion from, for example, an anterior ocular segment image. If the feature portion cannot be detected, the control unit 70 may return to step 180, perform error processing, or the like.

{Step S260: Pupil Alignment (XY)}
In step S260, the control unit 70 controls the drive of the drive unit 4 based on the position information of the feature portion detected in step S220, and moves the eye examination unit 2. For example, the control unit 70 moves the eye examination unit 2 so that the reference coordinates (for example, pupil center coordinates) of the feature portion detected by the anterior eye portion image analysis in step S220 become a target position on the image.

{Step S270: Z alignment}
In step 270, the control unit 70 performs alignment in the Z direction, for example. The details of Z alignment will be described later.

As described above, in parallel with the alignment by the index detection, the alignment between the eye examination unit 2 and the eye to be inspected can be surely performed by performing the alignment by the eye to be inspected having a wider detectable range than the index detection.

In addition, although the index detection and the feature region detection of the eye to be inspected, which is different from the index detection, are performed at the same time, the timing shift to the extent that the position shift of the observation point due to the rough alignment movement can be ignored is allowed. For example, index detection and feature site detection may be performed alternately for each frame. In such a case, the camera settings and image preprocessing may be changed between the index detection and the feature portion detection. For example, when detecting a feature region, gamma correction may be performed to enhance the contrast between the predetermined feature region and the rest.

Similar to the above method, the control unit 70 may perform index detection in the face image and eye detection different from the index detection in parallel based on the imaging signal from the face photographing unit 90. In this case, at least one of parallel detection based on the image pickup signal from the face photographing unit 90 and parallel detection based on the image pickup signal from the anterior eye imaging optical system 60 may be performed.

Next, the Z alignment of step S270 will be described. In this embodiment, the control unit 70 advances in the Z direction while detecting the index, and if the index can be detected, alignment is performed. Further, for example, the control unit 70 calculates the sharpness of the anterior segment image in parallel with the index detection in order to efficiently search for the position where the index can be detected. Hereinafter, each step of FIG. 9 will be described.

{Step 271: Index / Sharpness calculation / Proceed in the direction of travel}
In step 271, the control unit 70 controls the drive of the drive unit 4, for example, and moves the eye examination unit 2 in the Z direction. At the initial stage, the control unit 70 advances the eye examination unit 2 in a direction approaching the eye to be inspected. The control unit 70 performs index detection and sharpness calculation while advancing the eye examination unit 2. The sharpness of the image increases at the in-focus position, and conversely decreases at the out-of-focus position. For example, the control unit 70 determines whether the result of progressing based on the amount of change in sharpness before and after moving in the Z direction approaches or moves away from the in-focus position. Since the amount of change in sharpness can only be known after moving in the Z direction, it cannot be used to determine the direction of travel at the start position. Therefore, the start position may be set to the front pin position (the position before the in-focus position) so that the index cannot be detected at the start position and the index can be advanced in a plausible direction.

The index detection and the sharpness calculation may be performed at the same time, or may be performed at different timings as long as the positional deviation of the observation point due to the movement of the eye examination unit 2 in the focus direction can be ignored. For example, the control unit 70 may alternately perform index detection and sharpness calculation for each frame.

{Step S272: Index detection determination}
In step S272, the control unit 70 determines whether or not an index for alignment is detected by the anterior ocular segment image analysis while advancing the eye examination unit 2. The control unit 70 proceeds to step S273 when the index is detected, and proceeds to step S274 when the index is not detected.

{Step S273: Alignment}
In step S273, the control unit 70 performs alignment based on the position information of the index calculated in step 271 and ends the alignment.

{Step S274: Determining the amount of change in sharpness}
In step S274, the control unit 70 determines whether or not the amount of change in sharpness calculated in step 271 is large. For example, if the index passes the in-focus position without being detected, the sharpness is greatly reduced. The control unit 70 proceeds to step S275 when the amount of change in sharpness is large, and returns to step S271S when the amount of change in sharpness is small.

{Step S275: Round trip determination}
In step S275, the control unit 70 determines, for example, whether or not the number of round trips in which forward and backward are repeated is one or more. The control unit 70 proceeds to step S276 when the number of round trips is one or more, and proceeds to step S277 when the number of round trips is less than one.

{Step S276: Error handling}
In step S276, the control unit 70 performs error processing as an alignment error. For example, the control unit 70 moves between the front pin and the rear pin (a position deeper than the in-focus position) to the focus position where the sharpness is maximized, and the alignment fails in the display or audio reproduction. The examiner or the subject may be notified. In this case, the control unit 70 may switch the alignment mode from the fully automatic mode to the manual mode.

Further, the control unit 70 may perform the measurement at the focus position where the sharpness is maximized, instead of making an error. Further, in that case, it may be displayed together with the measurement result that the measurement position is not the position of the index alignment.

{Step S277: Reverse direction of travel}
In step S277, the control unit 70 reverses the traveling direction of the eye examination unit 2, for example. For example, the control unit 70 sets the traveling direction in the opposite direction when the sharpness is significantly reduced. By this process, even if the proper position is passed, it can be restored quickly. When the control unit 70 reverses the traveling direction, the control unit 70 returns to step S271.

As described above, by performing the index detection process and the sharpness calculation in parallel from the anterior segment image, the eye examination unit 2 can be smoothly moved to a position where the index alignment is possible. Even for a diseased eye whose alignment is difficult with an index, it is possible to approach the alignment position as in this embodiment.

Further, since the sharpness of the anterior segment image is a method that does not depend on the shape of the alignment index, it can be used in various devices that perform alignment by anterior segment image analysis. It can also be used in ophthalmic devices that initiate alignment based on a manually given initial point (eg, pupil position).

<Sharpness calculation>
An example of sharpness calculation will be described. In this embodiment, the edge strength is calculated as the sharpness. For example, the control unit 70 convolves a Sobel filter (one-dimensional filter for contour detection) in the anterior segment image (processes from the top, bottom, left, and right) and calculates the edge strength. The edge strength is the degree of change in brightness at a certain point, and the sharper the outline, the larger the value. For example, the control unit 70 uses the integrated value of the edge strength of the entire image (the total value of the edge strength of the entire image) as the focus evaluation value. Let G _x (x, y) be the luminance gradient of the coordinates (x, y) obtained by folding the Sobel filter, and G _y (x, y) be the luminance gradient in the y direction. (X, y) is given by the equation (2).

Then, the focus evaluation value F is given by the equation (3) from the integrated value of G (x, y).

Here, W is the width (pixel) of the image, and H is the height (pixel) of the image. Although the Sobel filter is used in this example, other filters such as the Prewitt filter may be used. Further, although the integrated value of the edge strength of the entire image is used, the region is not limited to this. For example, only the area near the center of the image may be used. Further, instead of the edge strength, the contrast of the image may be used.

Subsequently, an example of determining the amount of change in sharpness will be described. In the embodiment, the control unit 70 obtains the amount of change in sharpness between the Z position where the sharpness is maximized among the detected positions and the position after traveling in the Z direction. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the focus position and the focus evaluation value. As shown in FIG. 10, the focus evaluation value has a peak (maximum value) at the in-focus position, and the value is low at the front pin and the rear pin.

Here, the focus evaluation value at the focus position Z is F (Z). For example, the control unit 70 determines that the amount of change in sharpness is large when the condition of the following equation (4) is satisfied.

However, α is a constant. α may be an empirically determined value. In this example, α was set to 2/3. Z _max is, for example, the Z position where the sharpness is maximized among the detected ones. When there is a sufficient difference between the sharpness at the position Z and the maximum value, the condition of the equation (4) is satisfied. On the other hand, when only the out-of-focus position is observed, or when only the vicinity of the in-focus position is observed, the condition of Eq. (4) is not satisfied. When the control unit 70 determines that the condition of the equation (4) is satisfied, it is assumed that the amount of change in sharpness is large and the control unit 70 moves away from the in-focus position.

Examples of the method for detecting the eye to be inspected from the image include various image processing methods such as pupil detection by infrared imaging and edge detection of the brightness value. For example, when the subject's face is photographed infraredly, the skin appears white and the pupils appear black. Therefore, the control unit 70 may detect a round and black (low brightness) portion as a pupil from the infrared image obtained by infrared imaging. Using the method as described above, the control unit 70 detects the eye to be inspected from the face image If and acquires the two-dimensional position information thereof.

In this embodiment, the final alignment is performed by detecting the alignment index in the anterior segment image Ia captured by the anterior segment imaging optical system 60, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 70 may perform final alignment based on the pupil position, contrast, edge, etc. of the anterior segment image Ia.

The face photographing unit 90 may be provided at the same height as the height of the optical axis of the eye examination unit 2. For example, the optical axis of the face photographing unit 90 may be the same as the height of the optical axis of the eye examination unit 2. For example, the face photographing unit 90 can adjust the height of the eye examination unit 2 to the eye to be inspected by adjusting the height of the face photographing unit 90 to the eye to be inspected.

As the simplest method, the control unit 70 may set the depth position to the position farthest from the subject and then slowly advance in the direction of the examiner until the index can be detected.

1 Ophthalmology equipment 2 Eye examination unit 4 Drive unit 5 Base 6 Housing 70 Control unit 71 CPU
72 ROM
73 RAM
80 Face lighting optical system 90 Face photography section

Claims (6)

An ophthalmic device for examining the eye to be inspected.
An optometry means for inspecting the eye to be inspected and
Anterior segment imaging means for capturing an anterior segment image of the eye to be inspected, and
An index light projecting means that projects an index for detecting an alignment state between the eye to be inspected and the eye examination means onto the eye to be inspected,
A driving means for moving the optometry means relative to the optometry,
A control means for controlling the drive means is provided.
The control means
The index detection process for detecting the index and the focus analysis process which is an image analysis process different from the index detection process and obtains an evaluation value for analyzing the anterior ocular segment image and evaluating the focus state are described before. An ophthalmologic apparatus that performs the operation in parallel with an eye image and controls the driving means based on at least one of the detection result of the index and the analysis result of the focus analysis process . The image analysis process is a pupil detection process for detecting a pupil from the anterior segment image.
The ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the driving means based on the index or the detection result of the pupil. When the control means can detect the index by controlling the driving means, the control means aligns the eye to be inspected with the eye examination means based on the detection result of the index, and cannot detect the index. The ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the eye to be examined can be detected by the image analysis process, the eye to be inspected and the eye examination means are aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions based on the detection result by the image analysis process. .. The control means performs Z alignment in which the index detection process and the focus analysis process are performed in parallel while moving the optometry means forward or backward in the Z direction by the drive means, and the index is not detected and the evaluation value is obtained. However, the ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the evaluation value corresponding to the in-focus position changes more than a predetermined amount, the Z alignment is repeated again by reversing the traveling direction. The control means performs a predetermined number of times of reversing the traveling direction two or more times after the evaluation value changes more than a predetermined amount with respect to the evaluation value corresponding to the in-focus position without the index being detected. When this is performed, two points, a moving direction change position on the side far from the eye to be inspected and a moving direction change position on the side closer to the eye to be inspected, are obtained, and the evaluation value is the evaluation value corresponding to the in-focus position between the two points. The ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the optometry means is moved to the indicated position. An ophthalmic device control program executed in an ophthalmic device for examining an eye to be inspected.
By being executed by the processor of the ophthalmic apparatus
The anterior segment imaging step of capturing the anterior segment image of the eye to be inspected, and
In the anterior segment imaging step, an index projection step of projecting an index for detecting an alignment state between the eye to be inspected and the eye examination means onto the eye to be inspected,
The index detection process for detecting the index and the focus analysis process which is an image analysis process different from the index detection process and obtains an evaluation value for analyzing the anterior segment image and evaluating the focus state are performed before the above. It is performed in parallel with the eye image, and the driving means for moving the optometry means relative to the eye to be inspected is controlled based on at least one of the detection result of the index and the analysis result of the focus analysis process. Control steps and
An ophthalmic apparatus control program, characterized in that the ophthalmic apparatus is executed.