Ask HN: Why don't computers tell you when your glasses need cleaning?

3 points·amichail··7 comments

Can't the webcam be used to do this?

Of course, you should only be told to clean your glasses when there are smudges near the center of a lens that would actually impact your vision when using the computer.

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Do your glasses get so dirty that it's visible in a webcam image before you clean them yourself? In typical lighting conditions, I don't think my lenses' smudges are visible until well above the threshold where I'd clean them myself.

Then improve the hardware so it can detect these smudges.

But why? It's easy to tell when you need to clean your glasses without special equipment. Unless I'm missing something, there doesn't seem to be a problem to be solved here.

Is this not something you can determine with your own eyeballs?

Also, if you have to ask the answer is “yes,” time clean your glasses/shower/perform basic hygienic tasks.

Solved! Put up a blank screen. If it's snowing, get out the microfiber. If it's hailing, wash them.

Next up, a holographic display that corrects for your vision. Optionally, adjusts to changes in real time.

Next up next. Eyeglasses that automatically dispense your eye drops. (You need to look up for this to work)

OIMV (Order of invention may vary)

Reminder, everyone. Use your monitor in a well-lighted room. A bright monitor in a dark room causes eye strain. Lost the study, but I can speak from experience.

If one's glasses have not yet become smudged badly enough to notice, what would be the point of cleaning them?

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