Binocular automatic lens meter

Abstract

A system for determining optical correction information for an optical instrument is disclosed, the system including a camera system for acquiring at least one camera image, a target to which the camera system is aimed, a detection region between the camera system and the target for receiving an optical instrument including at least one lens, and a processing system, the system including: a search routine for determining at least one center of the at least one lens based on the at least one camera image of the target via the optical instrument.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Priority This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 302,356, filed January 24, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. [Background technology]

[0002] The present invention relates generally to lensmeters, and to automated lensmeters for determining the optical characteristics of eyeglass lenses.

[0003] Lensmeters have long been used by opticians and vision care professionals to measure the refractive settings (spectacles prescription, Rx: sphere, cylinder, and axis) of eyeglass lenses. Two common configurations are the manual lensmeter, shown at 10 in FIG. 1A (see, for example, FIG. 1 in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,730,924 and 10,533,925), and the auto lensmeter, shown at 20 in FIG. 1B (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,349,433, 7,609,371, and EP 0 363 281). Both types of lensmeter configurations require significant training for proper use and measurement. Even for trained users, measurement errors due to inaccurate placement of eyeglass lenses or improper fixation of the eyeglasses are common, prompting remeasurements to confirm the results. Also, these two techniques measure only one lens at a time, and it can take more than a minute to read the proper results for both lenses of the eyeglasses. Also, in single lens measurements, determining the pupillary distance (PD) (the distance between the axial centers of the lens pair) is a tedious task that is prone to additional user or measurement errors even for trained users. Historically, both of these systems were designed for professional use of spectacles, not for untrained users.

[0004] Although lensmeters have been proposed for use by non-opticians (e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0202141, which discloses use in conjunction with a mobile communication device), such systems have not been found to be sufficiently accurate, and generally require the user to move the mobile communication device and / or the glasses to generate a set of data from which distance can be determined.

[0005] Thus, there remains a need for an improved lensmeter system that can be quickly and easily used to find accurate optical information about a user's eyeglasses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,924 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Pat. No. 10,533,925 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,433 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 7,609,371 [Patent Document 5] European Patent No. 0363281 [Patent Document 6] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0202141 Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a system for determining optical correction information of an optical instrument, the system including a camera system for acquiring at least one camera image, a target to which the camera system is directed, a detection region between the camera system and the target for receiving the optical instrument including at least one lens, and a processing system, and a search routine for determining at least one center of the at least one lens based on the at least one camera image of the target via the optical instrument.

[0008] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining optical correction information for an optical instrument including at least one lens, the method including: positioning the optical instrument in a detection area, acquiring at least one camera image with a camera system, the at least one camera image including an image of a target through the optical instrument in the detection area, and determining at least one center of the lens using a search routine based on the at least one image of the target through the optical instrument.

[0009] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a system for determining optical correction information for an optical instrument, the system including a camera system for acquiring at least one camera image, a target to which the camera system is directed, a detection region between the camera system and the target for receiving an optical instrument including at least one lens, and a processing system for acquiring successive images, the processing system including a search routine for determining at least one center of the at least one lens based on the successive images of the target via the optical instrument.

[0010] The following description can be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] 1A and 1B show exemplary diagrams of prior art lensmeters, showing a manual lensmeter (FIG. 1A) and an auto lensmeter (FIG. 1B). [Figure 1B] 1A and 1B show exemplary diagrams of prior art lensmeters, showing a manual lensmeter (FIG. 1A) and an auto lensmeter (FIG. 1B). [Diagram 2] 1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a lensmeter system in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3 shows an example schematic functional diagram of a fixture system for operating the system of FIG. 2, including a transparent platform. [Figure 4] 3 shows an example schematic functional diagram of a fixture system for operating the system of FIG. 2, including a position sensor system. [Diagram 5] 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic functional diagram of a fixture system for operating the system of FIG. 2, the fixture system including a light source for generating multiple light beams simultaneously. [Figure 6A] Figures 6A-C show exemplary diagrammatic representations of a position detection system for use with the lensmeter of Figure 2. Figure 6A shows a fixture system for operating the system of Figure 2, which includes a position detection system and a first pattern (Figure 6B) and a second pattern (Figure 6C) spaced apart on the inside of an eyeglass lens. [Figure 6B] Figures 6A-C show exemplary diagrammatic representations of a position detection system for use with the lensmeter of Figure 2. Figure 6A shows a fixture system for operating the system of Figure 2, which includes a position detection system and a first pattern (Figure 6B) and a second pattern (Figure 6C) spaced apart on the inside of an eyeglass lens. [Figure 6C] Figures 6A-C show exemplary diagrammatic representations of a position detection system for use with the lensmeter of Figure 2. Figure 6A shows a fixture system for operating the system of Figure 2, which includes a position detection system and a first pattern (Figure 6B) and a second pattern (Figure 6C) spaced apart on the inside of an eyeglass lens. [Figure 7]3 shows an example schematic functional diagram of a fixture system for operating the system of FIG. 2, including a scanning laser light source for generating a pattern of a source image. [Figure 8] 1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of processing steps of a lensmeter system according to an aspect of the present invention; [Figure 9A] 9A-D show exemplary schematic diagrams of a lens center(s) detection system for use in a lensmeter system according to an embodiment including repeating pattern processing of the present invention, illustrating processing steps (FIG. 9A), a first iteration of dotting processing (FIG. 9B), a further iteration of dotting processing (FIG. 9C), and the determined distance between the centers of two lenses (FIG. 9D). [Figure 9B] 9A-D show exemplary schematic diagrams of a lens center(s) detection system for use in a lensmeter system according to an embodiment including repeating pattern processing of the present invention, illustrating processing steps (FIG. 9A), a first iteration of dotting processing (FIG. 9B), a further iteration of dotting processing (FIG. 9C), and the determined distance between the centers of two lenses (FIG. 9D). [Figure 9C] 9A-D show exemplary schematic diagrams of a lens center(s) detection system for use in a lensmeter system according to an embodiment including repeating pattern processing of the present invention, illustrating processing steps (FIG. 9A), a first iteration of dotting processing (FIG. 9B), a further iteration of dotting processing (FIG. 9C), and the determined distance between the centers of two lenses (FIG. 9D). [Figure 9D] 9A-D show exemplary schematic diagrams of a lens center(s) detection system for use in a lensmeter system according to an embodiment including repeating pattern processing of the present invention, illustrating processing steps (FIG. 9A), a first iteration of dotting processing (FIG. 9B), a further iteration of dotting processing (FIG. 9C), and the determined distance between the centers of two lenses (FIG. 9D). [Figure 10A]10A-E show an exemplary schematic diagram of a lens center(s) detection system for use in a lensmeter system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating processing steps (FIG. 10A), illustrating a first set of imaged points (FIG. 10B), illustrating a second set of imaged points (FIG. 10C), illustrating a third set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), illustrating a fourth set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), and illustrating the determined distance between the centers of two lenses (FIG. 10E). [Figure 10B] 10A-E show an exemplary schematic diagram of a lens center(s) detection system for use in a lensmeter system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating processing steps (FIG. 10A), illustrating a first set of imaged points (FIG. 10B), illustrating a second set of imaged points (FIG. 10C), illustrating a third set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), illustrating a fourth set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), and illustrating the determined distance between the centers of two lenses (FIG. 10E). [Figure 10C] 10A-E show an exemplary schematic diagram of a lens center(s) detection system for use in a lensmeter system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating processing steps (FIG. 10A), illustrating a first set of imaged points (FIG. 10B), illustrating a second set of imaged points (FIG. 10C), illustrating a third set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), illustrating a fourth set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), and illustrating the determined distance between the centers of two lenses (FIG. 10E). [Figure 10D] 10A-E show an exemplary schematic diagram of a lens center(s) detection system for use in a lensmeter system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating processing steps (FIG. 10A), illustrating a first set of imaged points (FIG. 10B), illustrating a second set of imaged points (FIG. 10C), illustrating a third set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), illustrating a fourth set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), and illustrating the determined distance between the centers of two lenses (FIG. 10E). [Figure 10E]10A-E show an exemplary schematic diagram of a lens center(s) detection system for use in a lensmeter system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating processing steps (FIG. 10A), illustrating a first set of imaged points (FIG. 10B), illustrating a second set of imaged points (FIG. 10C), illustrating a third set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), illustrating a fourth set of imaged points (FIG. 10D), and illustrating the determined distance between the centers of two lenses (FIG. 10E). [Figure 11] 1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of treatment point locations for a lens that includes multiple centers of the lens, such as a bifocal or progressive lens;

[0012] The drawings are presented for illustrative purposes only. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Disclosed herein is a lensmeter configuration and associated algorithms that greatly simplify the measurement of both lenses in spectacles to the extent that an untrained and inexperienced user can perform a complete spectacles lens measurement with high accuracy, repeatability, and one or two orders of magnitude faster than the conventional method described above with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B. The disclosed binocular autolensmeter technology and associated algorithms can be components of a self-service small store, a freestanding device that allows untrained users or untrained salespeople to measure the prescription value (Rx) and pupil distance (PD) of spectacles in public places such as spectacles stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, and shopping centers. Or the binocular autolensmeter and associated algorithms can measure the settings of monocular, bifocal, standard progressive lenses, and lineless progressive lenses. Rx consists of spherical correction (SP), cylindrical correction (CY), cylinder axis (AX), add reading correction (ADD), prism shift (PR), and the height of the segment of the progressive lens.

[0014] composition A system according to an embodiment of the invention typically comprises four components in use: a fixture 100 that holds a camera system 101 and a target 104 beneath a transparent platform 102, and a pair of glasses 103 that is positioned on the transparent platform 102 between the camera system 101 and the target 104, as shown in Figure 2. The glasses 103 are positioned on the transparent platform (also shown in Figure 3) such that the camera is directed through the lenses, through the transparent platform, to the target 104.

[0015] The principle of operation of this setup is that the camera system 101 records an image of the target 104. As soon as the glasses are held between the camera system 101 and the target 104, the image of the target recorded by the camera system is distorted. The distortion of the target image can be used to estimate the Rx and PD parameters of the glasses. In the remainder of this section, each component of this setup and how they can be used in calculating Rx and PD are described in more detail.

[0016] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention of Figure 3, camera system 101 consists of a digital camera 200 and a lens 201 for focusing an image from a target plane 204 onto a sensor plane of digital camera 200. The sensor of digital camera 200 may consist of a CCD or CMOS based chip.

[0017] As mentioned above, in some implementations, there is a transparent platform 202 between the camera system 101 and the target 104 on which the eyeglasses can be placed. This provides a stable surface with a known position and distance 205 between the eyeglass lenses and the target 104. The transparent platform 202 may be made of glass or plastic (e.g., acrylic) and may be transparent over the entire visible wavelength spectrum or only in a specific wavelength range (e.g., 700 nm to 900 nm). The known distance 205 may be used as a constant reference distance in the calculation of Rx and PD. The camera lens 201 is selected (206) such that when the eyeglasses 203 are placed on the transparent platform 202, a camera field of view is generated that encompasses both eyeglass lenses. The system records camera images of the pattern with and without the transparent platform, so that any diffraction caused by the transparent platform may be excluded from the calculation of optical parameters, including one or more centers of each lens.

[0018] In some implementations, the transparent platform 202 may be split into two sections, one for each lens of the glasses 203. There may be a slight recess between the two sections, allowing the nose bridge of the glasses 203 to more optimally fit to stably place the glasses 203 on the split transparent portion. Images and patterns tracked from camera 214 may be used in the same manner as images and patterns tracked from camera 200.

[0019] In some implementations, the target 104 may be a static image, pattern, or graphic. The target graphic may consist of a sticker, may be etched into a plate, or may be projected from a light source directly below or above the target plane 104.

[0020] In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the target 104 may consist of an electronic display 204, such as an LCD or OLED screen, capable of providing dynamically moving images, patterns, or graphics before, during, and after a measurement session. The display 204 and the camera system 101 are connected to a computing and control device 207, which manages the interaction between the two components. The system can determine the optical center of each lens by any of the search routines discussed below.

[0021] In some embodiments of the invention, there is no transparent platform 202 between the camera system 101 and the target 104. If the position of the eyeglass lens 203 between the camera 101 and the target 104 is required for the Rx and PD result calculations, a position sensor 208 may be included in the fixture 100 as shown in Figure 4. The position sensor may include a proximity sensor along the vertical rise of the position sensor 208.

[0022] In particular, the position sensor 208 may be an induction-based sensor bar that can identify the frame position 205 of the glasses 203 with respect to the path between the camera 101 and the target 104, as shown in Figure 4. The position sensor 208 may also be a spring-loaded mechanical lever that is depressed with the glasses 203, thereby measuring the position of the glasses 205 during a lensmeter measurement session. Again, the system can determine the optical center of each lens by any of the search routines discussed below.

[0023] In some embodiments, the laser 215 and the diffraction grating 216 may be positioned to simultaneously generate multiple light beams that traverse the eyeglass lens 203, as illustrated in FIG. 5. One of the two cameras 213 is positioned near the laser to observe the diffuse lens spot 220 generated on the lens by the laser beam. A second camera 214 is positioned below the diffuser surface 217. The diffuser surface 217 generates a diffuse light spot 218 from the laser beam that can be observed and tracked by the second camera 214. The diffuser surface 217 may be composed of a thin, opaque plastic sheet. The diffuser surface is used in place of the display 204 to track the distortion of the pattern caused by the eyeglass lens 203. The system can determine the optical center of each lens by any of the search routines discussed below.

[0024] In some implementations, the diffuse reflection 220 of the lens caused by the light rays from the diffraction grating 216 can be tracked by the camera 213, as shown in FIG. 6A. The distance between the diffuse lens points 220 can be used to determine the position of the lens relative to the rest of the fixture. If the glasses 203 are near the diffraction grating 216, the diffuse lens points will be closer (as shown in FIG. 6B) than if the glasses 203 are farther from the diffraction grating 216 (as shown in FIG. 6C). The distance of the glasses lenses from the camera can then be determined based on the spread of the points. The system can determine the optical center of each lens by any of the search routines discussed below.

[0025] In some implementations, instead of a diffraction grating, a galvanometer mirror 219 can be used to direct the laser light 215 to different locations on the eyeglass lens 203. The computation and control system 207 can turn the laser 215 on and off and move the galvanometer mirror to create dots at different locations on the eyeglass lens 203. The laser light passes through the eyeglass lens and onto a diffuser surface 217. The position of each diffuse dot 218 can be tracked by a second camera 214 to determine the parameters of the lens as described below.

[0026] In another embodiment, the second camera 214 views a diffuse spot 218 on the diffuser surface 217, as shown in Figure 7. With or without glasses present (calibration), the parameters of the lenses can be determined as described below by having the system acquire multiple images associated with each position of the galvanometer, and thus associated with the image spot as it is moved. The system can determine the optical center of each lens by any of the search routines discussed below.

[0027] The targets 104 may consist of repeating patterns such as a checkerboard pattern, a CharuCo pattern, a dot grid pattern, a circle grid pattern, or a grid pattern with multi-colored features. These target configurations allow the camera to identify distinct fiducial locations on the target plane and track the movement of the fiducials as the eyeglasses are inserted into the lensmeter fixture. Using dynamic target display 204, the position, color, and pattern of each fiducial can be changed before, during, and after a measurement session. For example, to improve the accuracy of the measurement or to find the optical center of the lens (described below), the dot pattern may be displayed first in a sparse arrangement and then in a dense configuration as the measurement is taken.

[0028] Search routine: Referring to FIG. 8, in step 1 (300), the camera system 101 first acquires an image of the pattern of the target 104 without the glasses placed in the fixture 100. This is the calibration image. This calculation takes into account the net diffraction of light as it travels through the transparent platform 102. According to a further aspect, the calibration may be further performed with or without the transparent platform to further identify the amount of net diffraction caused by the transparent platform. The reference position of the calibration image is stored in memory for later use. In step 2 (301), the glasses are inserted or placed in the fixture 100 between the camera system 101 and the target 104, again optionally placed on the transparent platform 102. A continuous camera stream may be fed to the computation and control device 207, so that a change in the image may be detected, indicating the presence of the glasses and that this step has been initiated. Alternatively, a mechanical switch or level may be pressed by the glasses indicating their presence to the computation and control device 207. In step 3 (302), the computation and control device captures an image (measurement image) from the camera 101, finds the fiducial positions, and compares their positions with the positions of the fiducials in the calibration image. Thus, each fiducial has a calibration position and a measurement position along the plane of the target 104, forming a pair of front and back positions of the fiducial. For the fixture described in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 7, the positions of the glasses 103, the camera 101, and the target pattern 104 are known with respect to each other. If all positions are known, the general algorithm can be achieved with as few as two images from the feature tracking camera. The first image is a calibration image without the lens present, and the second image is an image with the lens from the glasses 103 present.

[0029] During the measurement of the eyeglass lenses, the position shift of each reference pair along the target 104 plane may be tracked by the calculation and control device 207. This allows the detection of the axial center of each eyeglass lens, which will be described in more detail below. Finally, in step 5 (304), the axial center of each lens is used to determine Rx. Specific details regarding steps 3, 4, and 5 are described further below.

[0030] Find the axis center (step 302): Two techniques for finding the axial center of a spectacle lens have been described and are outlined in Figures 9A-9D and 10A-10E.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 9A, the technique for finding the first axial center begins by providing a pattern on the display (step 500). As shown in FIG. 9B, pattern 510 includes a pattern set for each lens. Next, a reference position on the pattern is found (step 501) and compared to the original position from the calibration image. For each lens, a reference with the least amount of position shift compared to the respective calibration image reference is selected (step 502). The system provides that multiple iterations of this process can be used with finer resolution. The determined reference position may be used as the axial center of the lens (step 505), or if further refinement is desired, the selected reference position is used as a tentative axial center for subsequent refinement iterations (steps 503-504). In the latter case, as shown in FIG. 9C, a finer grid pattern 516 is drawn by the display 514 on the tentative center 512, and again, a reference with the least amount of shift compared to the calibration image is selected for each lens. This process may be repeated until the reference movement on the candidate axis centers is less than some preselected cutoff distance, after which a final axis center location is selected as shown at 518 in FIG. 9D, indicating that the lens center 520 is positioned the determined distance away (313).

[0032] Referring to FIG. 10A, the technique for finding the second axis center includes first drawing a reference point on the display (step 600), and then recording this reference position on the target plane before inserting the glasses 203 into the fixture 100. This creates a reference calibration position. After the glasses 203 are inserted into the fixture 100, the position shift of the reference in the measurement image (shown at 612 in FIG. 10B) is recorded and compared with the calibration reference position. Any shift in position is determined (step 602). And if the shift distance is less than a predefined cutoff length, the measurement reference position is used as the axis center of the lens. If the distance is greater, the calibration reference position drawn by the display is set as the reference of the previously found measurement position (step 603), as shown at 614 in FIG. 10C. This process is repeated (as shown at 616 in FIG. 10D) to cause the calibration standard to "follow" the measurement standard until the distance between the two falls below a predetermined cutoff distance, after which the final measurement location is selected as the axis center (step 605), providing the lens center 620 at the determined distance 323, as shown in FIG. 10E.

[0033] These techniques may be repeated for each lens and may be performed simultaneously at different portions of the target plane for each lens of the eyeglasses 203. These techniques may be used with bifocal or progressive lenses. As shown in FIG. 11, there may be two reference positions with minimal displacement, indicating the two axis centers 702 and 707 and the segment height position 706. For two or more future axis centers, a "follow" technique may be used to further refine the placement of the reference positions.

[0034] Calculate the interpupillary distance (step 303): Once the axial center of each lens is known, the pupil distance (PD) can be calculated from the system geometry. Since the axial center of the lens does not cause any refractive bending of the light rays, a straight line can be traced from the camera system 101 to the target plane through the axial center of each lens creating two trace lines. The line intersects with the plane of the spectacle lens. The spectacle lens surface is located at a known distance D2 (205) from the target surface and at a known distance D1 from the camera system 101. After the center search algorithm for each lens is completed, the final reference position of the lens center of each lens is known on the target plane giving the distance P1. The pupil distance (PD) consists of the geometric ratio: PD=P1×D1 / (D1+D2).

[0035] Converting to Diopters (Step 304): For each axis center found during the measurement session, a subsequent pattern or shape may be displayed around the axis center by the target display 204. In some cases, a circle of radius r may be drawn around the axis center. Distortion of the circle by the lens may form an ellipse with major axis length a, minor axis length b, and distortion angle c. Two ratios may be calculated during the measurement session: the ratio of major axis distortion R1=a / r, and the ratio of minor axis distortion R2=b / r.

[0036] Prior to the measurement session, a calibration curve that maps the distortion ratio to diopters is determined and placed in the memory of the computation and control device 207. A calibration curve may be generated where the points represent the calibration points and the lines represent the regression with a best-fit polynomial. The best-fit polynomial can be described as a conversion function D(R) that takes a ratio R as an input and gives diopters D as an output. A calibration curve may only be valid for a given camera-lens distance and lens-target distance 205, and therefore a calibration curve specific to a particular combination of system distance configuration may be required.

[0037] The prescription for a given lens may be calculated as follows: SP=D(R2). CY=D(R1-R2) and AX=mod(c,180), where the mod(.) function is the modulus of the angle of distortion 180. Figure 11 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of treatment point locations for a lens that includes multiple centers of the lens, such as a bifocal or progressive lens.

[0038] Definition: The terms "a" and "an," when modifying a noun, do not imply the presence of only one of that noun. For example, the sentence "An apple is hanging from a branch" (i) does not mean that there is only one apple hanging from the branch, (ii) is true if there is one apple hanging from the branch, and (iii) is true if there is more than one apple hanging from the branch.

[0039] A computation is "performed according to" a first equation means that the computation includes (a) solving the first equation, or (b) solving a second equation that is derived from the first equation. Non-limiting examples of "solving" an equation include solving the equation in a closed form, solving by numerical approximation, or solving by optimization.

[0040] Computing "based on" specified data means performing a computation using the specified data as input.

[0041] Non-limiting examples of a "camera" include: (a) a digital camera, (b) a digital grayscale camera, (c) a digital color camera, (d) a video camera, (e) a light sensor, imaging sensor, or photodetector, (f) a set or array of light sensors, imaging sensors, or photodetectors, (h) a light field camera or plenoptic camera, (i) a time-of-flight camera, and (j) a depth camera. In some cases, the camera includes a computer or circuitry for processing data captured by the camera.

[0042] The term "comprise" (and grammatical variations thereof) shall be interpreted as being followed by the word "without being limited to." If A includes B, then A includes B, and possibly others.

[0043] The following are non-limiting examples of the term "computer" as used herein: (a) digital computer, (b) analog computer, (c) a computer that performs both analog and digital calculations, (d) microcontroller, (e) microprocessor, (f) controller, (g) tablet computer, (h) notebook computer, (i) laptop computer, (j) personal computer, (k) mainframe computer, and (l) quantum computer. However, a human being is not a "computer" as the term is used herein.

[0044] "Defined Term" means a term or phrase that is enclosed in quotation marks in this Definitions section.

[0045] An event does not have to occur throughout a period for it to occur "during" that period. For example, an event that occurs only during a portion of a particular period occurs "during" that particular period.

[0046] The term "eg" means, for example.

[0047] The fact that an "example" or examples of something are given does not mean that they are the only examples of that thing. The example (or group of examples) is merely illustrative, not exhaustive or limiting.

[0048] "For instance" means, for example.

[0049] Saying that X is "given" is simply a way of identifying X so that X can later be specifically referred to. Saying that X is "given" does not create any implication about X. For example, saying that X is "given" does not create the implication that X is a gift, assumption, or known fact.

[0050] "Herein" means within this document, including the body, specification, claims, abstract, and drawings.

[0051] As used herein, (1) "embodiment" means an embodiment of the present invention. (2) "embodiment" means an embodiment of the present invention. (3) "case" means an embodiment of the present invention. (4) "usage scenario" means a usage scenario of the present invention.

[0052] The term "include" (and grammatical variations thereof) shall be interpreted as being followed by the word "including but not limited to."

[0053] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "or" means "and / or." For example, if A is true, or if B is true, or if both A and B are true, then A or B is true. Also, for example, the computation of A or B means the computation of A, or the computation of B, or the computation of A and B.

[0054] The term "such as" means for example.

[0055] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, when method steps are recited herein, the method includes the following variations: (1) the method steps occur in any order or sequence, including orders or sequences different from those described herein; (2) any step(s) in the method occur multiple times; (3) any two steps occur the same number of times during the method or occur different numbers of times; (4) one or more steps of the method are performed in parallel or sequentially; (5) any step of the method is performed iteratively; (6) a particular step of the method is applied to the same subject each time a particular step occurs or is applied to a different subject each time a particular step occurs; (7) one or more steps occur simultaneously; or (8) the method includes other steps in addition to those recited herein.

[0056] Headings are included solely to facilitate the reader's reading of this document. Section headings have no effect on the meaning or scope of such section.

[0057] This definitions section shall in all cases supersede and redefine other definitions of the defined terms. The applicant(s) shall act as their own lexicographer with respect to the defined terms. For example, definitions of the defined terms set forth in this definitions section shall supersede common usage and external dictionaries. If a particular term is defined explicitly or implicitly within this document, that definition shall supersede and redefine definitions of the particular term arising from any source outside this document (such as dictionaries or common usage). If this document provides an explicit explanation as to the meaning of a particular term, that explanation shall, to the extent applicable, supersede definitions of the particular term arising from any source outside this document (such as dictionaries or common usage). Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, any definition or explanation of a term or phrase herein applies to all grammatical variations of that term or phrase, taking into account differences in grammatical forms. For example, grammatical variations include nouns, verbs, participles, adjectives, possessives, various inflections, various tenses.

[0058] Variations The present invention can be embodied in a variety of ways.

[0059] Each description of a method, apparatus or system of the invention herein describes a non-limiting example of the invention, and the invention is not limited to these examples and may be practiced in other ways.

[0060] The description of any prototypes of the invention herein is intended to illustrate non-limiting examples of the invention, and the invention is not limited to these examples, as the invention may be practiced in other ways.

[0061] Each description herein of any implementation, embodiment or example of the invention (or any use scenario of the invention) is intended to describe a non-limiting example of the invention, and the invention is not limited to these examples, as the invention may be practiced in other ways.

[0062] Each diagram, diagram, schematic or drawing in this specification (or in a preliminary version) illustrating features of the invention is intended to illustrate non-limiting examples of the invention, and the invention is not limited to these examples, as the invention may be practiced in other ways.

[0063] The above description (including but not limited to the accompanying drawings and figures) describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in other ways. The methods and apparatus described herein are merely exemplary applications of the principles of the present invention. Other configurations, methods, modifications, and substitutions by those skilled in the art are within the scope of the present invention. Numerous changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention also includes, without limitation, one or more combinations and permutations of the items described herein (including any hardware, hardware components, methods, processes, steps, software, algorithms, functions, and technologies).

Claims

1. 1. A system for determining optical correction information for an optical instrument, comprising: a camera system for acquiring at least one camera image; a target toward which the camera system is aimed; and a detection area between the camera system and the target for receiving the optical instrument including at least one lens; a processing system having a search routine for determining at least one center of the at least one lens based on the at least one camera image of the target through the optical instrument; A system comprising:

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detection region comprises an optically transparent surface upon which the optical instrument may be placed.

3. The system of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the target is at a known distance from the camera system.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a position sensor that facilitates determining a position of the optical instrument.

5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the search routine employs iterative analysis of different resolutions of the pattern responsive to the at least one camera image.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the search routine employs iterative analysis of target images at different positions responsive to the at least one camera image.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the target comprises a repeating pattern.

8. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the target comprises a changeable dynamic target display.

9. 1. A method for determining optical correction information for an optical instrument including at least one lens, comprising: Positioning the optical instrument within a detection region; acquiring at least one camera image with a camera system, the at least one camera image including an image of a target through the optics within the detection area; determining a center of at least one of the lenses using a search routine based on the at least one image of the target through the optical instrument; A method comprising:

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the detection region comprises an optically transparent surface upon which the optical instrument may be placed.

11. The method of any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the target is at a known distance from the camera system.

12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the system further comprises a position sensor that facilitates determining a position of the optical instrument.

13. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the search routine employs iterative analysis of different resolutions of the pattern responsive to the at least one camera image.

14. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the search routine employs iterative analysis of target images at different positions responsive to the at least one camera image.

15. The method of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the target comprises a repeating pattern.

16. The method of any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the target comprises a dynamic target display that is changeable.

17. 1. A system for determining optical correction information for an optical instrument, comprising: a camera system for acquiring at least one camera image for acquiring a sequence of images; a target toward which the camera system is aimed; and a detection area between the camera system and the target for receiving the optical instrument including at least one lens; a processing system having a search routine that determines a center of at least one of the at least one lens based on the successive images of the target through the optical instrument; A system comprising:

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the detection region comprises an optically transparent surface upon which the optical instrument may be disposed.

19. A system according to any one of claims 17 to 18, wherein the search routine employs iterative analysis of different resolutions of patterns responsive to the successive images.

20. A system according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the search routine employs iterative analysis of a target image at different positions responsive to the successive images.

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