US5696573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ophthalmic apparatus
Assignee: Nidek Co Ltd
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Filing: 1996-02-16
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Granted: 1997-12-09
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Expires: 2016-02-16
Abstract
Abstract An ophthalmic apparatus including a measuring device for measuring an eye to be examined comprises a moving device for moving the measuring device with respect to the eye to be examined, a detecting device for detecting an alignment state between the measuring device and the eye, a control device for controlling operation of the moving device on the basis of detection results of the detecting device, a judging device for judging the alignment state on the basis of the detection results of the detecting device, a trigger signal generating device for generating trigger signals to make the measuring device start measurement based on judgement results of the judging device, and a stopping device for stopping operation of the moving device for a first predetermined time after completion of measurement by the measuring device.
Inventors
- 👤 Tetsuyuki Miwa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/14; A61B3/15; A61B3/152; A61B3/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An ophthalmic apparatus including measuring means for measuring an eye to be examined, the apparatus comprising: moving means for moving said measuring means with respect to the eye to be examined; detecting means for detecting an alignment state between said measuring means and the eye to be examined; control means for controlling operation of said moving means on the basis of detection results of said detecting means; judging means for judging the alignment state on the basis of the detection results of said detecting means; trigger signal generating means for generating trigger signals to make said measuring means start measurement based on judgement results of said judging means; and stopping means for stopping operation of said moving means for a first predetermined time after completion of measurement by said measuring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An ophthalmic apparatus including measuring means for measuring an eye to be examined, the apparatus comprising: moving means for moving said measuring means with respect to the eye to be examined; detecting means for detecting an alignment state between said measuring means and the eye to be examined; control means for controlling operation of said moving means on the basis of detection results of said detecting means; judging means for judging the alignment state on the basis of the detection results of said detecting means; trigger signal generating means for generating trigger signals to make said measuring means start measurement based on judgement results of said judging means; and stopping means for stopping operation of said moving means for a first predetermined time after completion of measurement by said measuring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said judging means includes a first monitoring means for monitoring whether or not a predetermined alignment state between said measuring means and an eye to be examined continues for a second predetermined time during said moving means is stopped operating by said stopping means, and said trigger signal generating means generates trigger signals when said first monitoring means determines that the alignment state has been continued for the second predetermined time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first predetermined time is longer than the second predetermined time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first predetermined time is set to 4 seconds and the second predetermined time is set to 1 second.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said judging means comprises a second monitoring means for monitoring whether or not, in moving said moving means, the predetermined alignment state continues for a third predetermined time shorter than the second predetermined time, and said trigger signal generating means generates trigger signals when the second monitoring means determines that the alignment state has been continued for the third predetermined time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising information means for informing an examiner of messages helpful to make an examinee sufficiently open and fix the eye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said information means comprises display means or sound means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said stopping means comprises returning means for returning said measuring means to reference positions where the measuring means is initially positioned before alignment between the measuring means and the eye is started by the moving means, every completion of measurement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-06-09 | 2001-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-08 | 2005-06-09 | 2005-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-08 | 2009-06-09 | 2009-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |