System and method for determining distances from an object
According to one or more embodiments, the processes and systems disclosed allow a user of a mobile device to determine their distance from an object. The object may be an image of a pattern having a known size. The image may be displayed on a computer screen or other suitable medium such as a printed sheet. According to one or more embodiments, the disclosed processes and systems aid in determining or guiding a user to a distance at which an eye examination is conducted.
1. A process for conducting an eye examination, the process comprising:
calibrating a camera of a mobile device;
using the mobile device, tracking a current distance from the mobile device to an object while the current distance is changing;
guiding a user to a specified distance from the object for conducting the eye examination; and
receiving at the mobile device input from the user in response to eye examination material presented on the object.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein calibrating the camera comprises receiving and analyzing a series of images taken from the camera at multiple angles in relation to a calibration pattern presented on the object.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein guiding the user comprises providing instructions to the mobile device to display an indication of the current distance between the mobile device and the object in relation to the specified distance between the mobile device and the object.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the object is a monitor of a computer, and wherein the process further comprises receiving an indication from the user of a size of a displayed object on the monitor.
5. The process of claim 4 , wherein receiving the indication from the user of the size of the displayed object on the monitor comprises receiving input from the user matching the dimensions of the displayed object to a reference shape having a known size.
6. The process of claim 4 , wherein receiving the indication from the user of the size of the displayed object on the monitor comprises receiving and analyzing one or more images taken from the camera, the one or more images including the displayed object and a reference object having a known size.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the object is a monitor of a computer, and wherein guiding the user comprises providing instructions to the computer to display directions on the monitor instructing the user to continue moving to or from the monitor.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein the object is a monitor of a computer, and wherein the process further comprises pairing the mobile device to the computer.
9. The process of claim 8 , wherein pairing comprises receiving input entered on the mobile device indicative of an identifier displayed on the monitor.
10. The process of claim 1 , further comprising providing indication from the mobile device to the user when the specified distance has been reached.
11. The process of claim 10 , wherein providing indication to the user comprises superimposing an icon indicating the current location of the user on an icon indicating the specified distance for conducting the eye examination.
12. The process of claim 1 , further comprising determining a diagnosis or lens prescription in response to receiving input from the user in response to eye examination material presented on the object.
13. The process of claim 1 , further comprising guiding the user to a second specified distance from the monitor in response to receiving input from the user in response to eye examination material displayed on the monitor.
14. A mobile device comprising:
a camera; and
a processor coupled to the camera, the processor configured to:
calibrate the camera by capturing a series of images;
track a current distance from the mobile device to an eye examination chart; and
guide a user holding the mobile device to a specified distance from the eye examination chart.
15. The mobile device of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to calibrate the camera by analyzing the series of images.
16. The mobile device of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive input from the user in response to the eye examination chart.
17. The mobile device of claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate a diagnosis or lens prescription in response to the received input from the user in response to the eye examination chart.
18. A server associated with a remote mobile device, the server configured to:
receive images of a calibration pattern taken by a camera of the remote mobile device at various angles;
calibrate the camera using the images received;
determine a current position of the remote mobile device in relation to a target object;
determine a specified position for the remote mobile device;
provide instructions to the remote mobile device to display an indication of the current position as the current position changes; and
provide instructions to the remote mobile device to display an indication of the current position matching relative to the specified position.
19. The server of claim 18 , wherein the server is further associated with a remote computer, and wherein a monitor of the remote computer is the target object.
20. The server of claim 19 , wherein the server is further configured to provide instructions to the remote computer to display on the monitor eye exam material upon the current position matching the specified position.
21. The server of claim 19 , wherein the server is configured to pair the remote mobile device and the remote computer by providing instructions to the computer to display on the monitor a code and receiving from the remote mobile device an indication of the displayed code matching the remote mobile device to the remote computer.
22. A process for conducting an eye examination, the process comprising:
calibrating a camera of a mobile device;
using the mobile device, tracking a current distance from the mobile device to a computer monitor while the current distance is changing;
using the mobile device, determining a testing distance from the mobile device to the computer monitor, when the current distance ceases to change;
presenting eye examination material on the computer monitor, wherein a size of the eye examination material is based in part on the testing distance; and
receiving at the mobile device input from the user in response to the eye examination material.
23. A process for conducting an eye examination, the process comprising:
calibrating a camera of a mobile device;
using the mobile device, tracking a current distance from the mobile device to a computer monitor while the current distance is changing;
presenting eye examination material on the computer monitor;
guiding a user to move to or from the computer monitor and then stop in response to the eye examination material;
using the mobile device, measuring a distance from the mobile device to the computer monitor, when the user has stopped; and
determining a characteristic of the user's vision in response to the measured distance.