Systems and methods for improving visual perception
The object of the present invention is to provide a system and method to enable a person wishing to improve his vision capabilities to carry with him a training device and to be able to train his vision whenever and wherever he wishes. The current invention makes use of widely available and familiar infrastructure of hand held devices such as cellular phone and cellular network. Other mobile digital devices having visual display may be used, for example: Pocket PC, Palm computer electronic notebook, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and even some digital music players such as iPod. Training session comprises of displaying to the trainee sequence of images on the built in display of there hand held device and receiving his response to the displayed images.
1. A method for training a visual system in a human user comprising the steps of:
(a) presenting to said user a sequence of consecutive images comprising: (1) at least a first consecutive image and a second consecutive image; and (2) at least one target structure or at least one target image;
(b) receiving a feedback from said user indicating whether said user has identified said at least one target structure or at least one target image; and
(c) shortening the time interval between the presentation of said first consecutive image and said second consecutive image as said vision improves in said user.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said training is improving.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of presenting to said user at least one consecutive image for a shorter period or a longer period compared to the presentation period of the remaining consecutive images in said sequence.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sequence of consecutive images comprises at least one target image and at least one masking image.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the strength of said target image and said masking image differ.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sequence of consecutive images comprises at least one target structure and at least one flanking structure.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the strength of said target structure and said flanking structure differ.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least a first consecutive image and a second consecutive image comprise at least one alphanumerical character.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said presenting is in a single field of view.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sequence is presented on a screen of a portable device.
11. A device for training a performance of a visual system in a human user comprising:
(a) a computing unit; and
(b) a display presenting a sequence of consecutive images generated by said computing unit, said sequence of consecutive images comprises: (1) at least a first consecutive image and a second consecutive image; and (2) at least one target structure or at least one target image; wherein said computing unit shortens the time interval between the presentation of said first consecutive image and said second consecutive image as said performance of said visual system in said user improves.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein said training is improving.
13. The device of claim 11 , wherein said computing unit further shortens or prolongs the presentation period of at least one consecutive image compared to the presentation period of the remaining consecutive images in said sequence.
14. The device of claim 11 , wherein said sequence of consecutive images comprises at least one target image and at least one masking image.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the strength of said target image and said masking image differ.
16. The device of claim 11 , wherein said sequence of consecutive images comprises at least one target structure and at least one flanking structure.
17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the strength of said target structure and said flanking structure differ.
18. The device of claim 11 , wherein said presenting is in a single field of view.
19. The device of claim 11 , wherein said device is a portable device.
20. The device of claim 11 , further comprising an input means to enable said user to signal of identification of said target image or said target structure in said sequence of consecutive images.
21. A system for training a visual system in a human user comprising:
(a) a computing unit; and
(b) a display presenting a sequence of consecutive images generated by said computing unit, said sequence of consecutive images comprises: (1) at least a first consecutive image and a second consecutive image; and (2) at least one target structure or at least one target image; wherein said computing unit shortens the time interval between the presentation of said first consecutive image and said second consecutive image as said performance of said visual system in said user improves.
22. The system of claim 21 , further comprising an input means to enable said user to signal of identification of said target image or said target structure in said sequence of consecutive images.
23. The system of claim 21 , further comprising a server linked to said device.
24. The system of claim 23 , wherein said server performs at least one operation selected from the list consisting: authorizing said user, downloading a training program to said device, monitoring a training progress of said user, generating a sequence of consecutive images comprising: (1) at least a first consecutive image and a second consecutive image; and (2) at least one target structure or at least one target image, or modifying parameters used to generate said image or said structure.
25. The system of claim 23 , wherein said server comprises said computing unit.
26. The system of claim 21 , wherein said training is improving.