Systems, apparatus, and methods for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze present in optical lenses

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for measuring the haze value of a lens using a light-tight box containing a base, a light source, and a camera. The base positions the lens flat adjacent to the light source and is oriented so that the lens edge faces the light source. The light source is configured to emit blue light into the lens edge of the lens. The camera is oriented to face the top surface of the lens and is configured to measure the blue light emitted from the top surface of the lens. A computing device coupled to the camera is configured to calculate the haze value of the lens based on the measured blue light.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] A system, apparatus, and method for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze present in an optical lens, such as by only projecting blue light into the lens and / or by only measuring blue light at the lens. [Background technology]

[0002] Haze can affect the overall clarity or visual clarity of a lens. Therefore, it may be desirable to measure the amount of haze or haze value of a lens. The amount of haze can depend on the amount of impurities in the lens or lens layers. The amount of haze can vary depending on the amount of additives incorporated into the resin used to form the lens, such as photochromic dyes, UV absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), antioxidants, and mold release agents. In addition, the amount of haze can depend on the inherent transparency of the lens with or without these additives. Increasing the amount of additives and / or decreasing the inherent transparency of the lens generally leads to an increase in the amount of haze. There is a need for the ability to quickly, inexpensively, and accurately measure the amount of haze or haze value of lenses, such as lens blanks or optical lenses, before fitting the lenses into frames or selling them. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0003] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze present in an optical lens. [Figure 2] 1 is an image histogram of a high haze lens. [Figure 3] 10 is an image histogram of a low haze lens. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a flow diagram of an operating environment or process flow for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze present in optical lenses. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computing device.

[0004] Throughout this description, components depicted in the figures are designated with three or four digit reference numbers, where the last two digits are specific to the component and the first one or two digits are the number of the figure in which the component is first introduced. A component not described in conjunction with a figure can be assumed to have the same features and functionality as a previously described component having the same reference number or the same last two digits. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The techniques described herein provide systems, devices, and methods for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze present in optical lenses, such as by simply emitting blue light into the lens and / or measuring blue light emitted from the top surface of the lens. These techniques, otherwise collectively referred to herein as "haze meters," were developed to address the deficiencies of existing commercially available haze measurement equipment and standard techniques in certain cases, such as for measuring the haze 155 of lens 150 shown in FIG. 1. The techniques provide the ability to quickly, inexpensively, and accurately measure the amount of haze or haze value in lenses, such as lens blanks before optical lens manufacturing, or optical lenses before they are fitted into frames or sold.

[0006] The lens may be an unprocessed blank, a finished lens for fitting into a frame, a lens material sample, or a lens at any processing stage in between. Haze can affect the overall clarity or visual acuity of the lens. The measured amount of haze may be a haze amount or value known in the art. A haze meter may measure haze amounts or values known in the art. The amount of haze 155 may depend on the amount of impurities in the lens or layer, and the presence of damage to the front surface such as scratches or smudges such as fingerprints. The amount of haze may vary depending on the amount of additives incorporated into the lens resin, such as photochromic dyes, UV absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), antioxidants, and mold release agents. In addition, the amount of haze may depend on the inherent clarity of the lens with or without these additives. Increasing the amount of additives and / or decreasing the inherent clarity of the lens generally leads to an increase in the amount of haze. The amount of haze may also appear to vary depending on the edge quality of the lens. A lens edge with high surface roughness can add 10-12% haze to the average apparent value.

[0007] Device Description

[0008] 1, there is shown a block diagram of a system 100 for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze 187 present in an optical lens 150. A description herein of being "configured to do," "configured for," or "for" an action may mean that a unit, component, or system is configured and / or adapted to do that action, such as part of the repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze present in an optical lens.

[0009] System 100 includes box 110 having door 114, base 120, light source 130, and camera 140. Lens 150 may be mounted on base 120 to receive light 132 emitted by source 130 and to cause light 157 emitted from a top surface 154 of lens 150 to be measured by camera 140 as measurement light 144. Lens 150 is optional. Lens 150 may represent any one of a number of lenses whose haze value 187 is measured by system 100 and / or box 110. For example, system 100 and / or box 110 may be a haze meter for measuring the haze value 187 of a lens oriented on base 120, such as by only emitting blue light into the lens and / or by only measuring blue light within the lens.

[0010] Box 110 is a light-tight box that houses base 120, light source 130, and camera 140 within the box. Box 110 may be a housing that has an exterior surface of or includes a variety of light-blocking materials. Box 110 has a door 114 for accessing lens 150, base 120, and optionally other components within the box. When door 114 is closed, no light enters box 110 from external sources or the surroundings. Door 114 may provide user access to box 110 for mounting and / or orienting lens 150 in orientation 156 on base 120 within box 110.

[0011] The base 120 may be oriented 124 to position the lens 150 flat horizontally adjacent the light source 130 and with the lens edge 152 facing the light output 132 of the light source 120. The base 120 may include or be a mount having a flat top surface and fasteners or retention devices for removably holding the lens 150 in a fixed position 156 relative to the light source 120 and the camera 140. Although shown as a separate component, the base 120 may be part of the bottom of the box 110.

[0012] The light source 130 is for emitting blue light 132 into the lens edge 152. In some cases, the blue light 132 includes light of other colors within the human visible range. In other cases, the source 130 emits only blue light 132 and no light of other colors. The light source 130 may be a light emitting diode (LED), a laser, or another light source having blue light.

[0013] The source 130 may be for emitting blue light 132 from the lens edge 152 to the opposing edge 158 of the lens 150, such as with a collimated beam having a circular cross-sectional diameter between 0.5 and 3 mm. This diameter may be equal to or less than the thickness of the lens 150. This diameter may be less than the thickness. In other cases, this diameter may be greater than the thickness.

[0014] The lens 150 has a top surface 154 facing the camera 140, an edge 152 facing the source 130, and an edge 158 opposite the edge 152. The edges may be parallel. The edge 158 may be or include the portion or periphery of the lens 150 furthest from the edge 152. The lens has a circular cross section when viewed from above and a thickness. The bottom surface of the lens 150 may be positioned on the base 120. Haze 155 of or within the lens 150 can be measured as a portion of light 157 from which a haze value 187 can be calculated.

[0015] Light 157 exits lens 150 or from top surface 154. Light 157 may be a portion of light 132 exiting surface 154. Light 157 may have the same color as light 132, except that light 157 may include or be altered by haze 155, resulting in a haze value 187. The color of exiting light 157 may also be altered by interaction with the lens material and / or any dyes, pigments, or other additives within lens 150. These factors may affect the spectral characteristics and color composition of exiting light 157, which in turn contributes to haze 155 and the measured haze value 187.

[0016] Lens 150 can have a variety of configurations depending on its application and design. The anterior surface of the lens can be considered a monofocal surface, providing a consistent curvature across its entire surface. Alternatively, the anterior surface can be a complex surface exhibiting a continuously varying surface curvature. Additionally, the anterior surface can accommodate bifocal or multifocal lens designs. Lens 150 can include one or more of: a lens blank base layer of polyurethane with a second layer of optical material, a hard coat, a photochromic dye, a film, a polarizing dye, glass, or a layer of optical material known for optical lenses, a photochromic material formed from a liquid to a solid, and / or a variety of base curvatures, and / or a variety of optical grinds and / or optical prescriptions.

[0017] Camera 140 is oriented to face top surface 154 of lens 150. Camera 140 is configured to measure blue light 157 emitted from top surface 154 as measurement light 144. Measurement light 144 may be image data of emitted light 157. Camera 140 may face top surface 154 and have an imaging element for imaging it. Camera 140 may have an orientation that includes orienting a viewing direction (e.g., the optical axis, principal axis, or chief ray of the camera) perpendicular to top surface 154. Measuring blue light 157 emitted from top surface 154 may include measuring blue light within the lens or between top surface 154 and a bottom surface of the lens.

[0018] The camera 140 may measure the exit light 157 of the image of the lens 150 and the haze 155, such as by generating a measurement light 144 of the exit light 157. The measurement light 144 includes image data of the haze 155.

[0019] In some cases, blue light 157 includes light of other colors, such as when light 132 does. In other cases, camera 140 measures only blue light 157 and not light of another color. In some cases, light source 120 emits only blue light 132 and camera 140 measures only blue light 157. In some cases, light source 120 emits only blue light 132 or camera 140 measures only blue light 157. Blue light 132 and / or blue light 157 may only have wavelengths between 430 nanometers (nm) and 485 nanometers (nm) (inclusive).

[0020] System 100 also includes a computing device 180 in data communication with box 110 via data connection 105. Device 180 receives light 144 that is used to calculate a value 187. Device 180 is for calculating a haze value 187 of the lens based on the measured blue light 144 as described further below.

[0021] Calculating the haze value 187 may be performed by a calculator 186 of the device 180. The calculator 186 may be or include computer hardware, logic and / or software instructions that cause the calculation to be performed.

[0022] The value 187 of the amount of haze 155 of the lens 150 may be proportional to and / or include the amount of light that undergoes wide-angle scattering at angles greater than 2.5° from the normal, as opposed to the clarity amount, which may be the amount of light that undergoes narrow-angle scattering at angles less than 2.5° from the normal (ASTM D1003).

[0023] If light 152 and light 157 are not exclusively blue light, device 180 and / or calculator 186 may calculate value 187 using only the blue wavelengths of light 157 and / or light 144, such as by filtering or processing only the blue wavelengths of light 157 to form light 144. In this case, light 152 and light 157 may be or include white light or light including blue and other wavelengths emitted by a light source and measured by a camera. Using hardware, digital, software processing, and / or camera imaging, it is possible to capture only blue light as light 144.

[0024] Device 180 and / or calculator 186 may include non-transitory computer instructions that, when executed by computing device 180, cause device 180 and / or calculator 186 to receive user input via user input device 184 to control light source 130 to emit only blue light 132 and / or control camera 157 to measure only blue light 157. The instructions may also cause calculation of a haze value 187 for lens 150 based on the measured blue light 144.

[0025] Device 180 provides output to a user via user output device 182, such as a computer display, and receives user input via user input device 184, such as a mouse, touch screen, and / or keyboard. User output device 182 and user input device 184 enable user 190 to control system 100, box 110, source 130, and / or camera 140. Input device 184 may receive user selections, light source commands, and camera commands that are received for transmission to source 130 and camera 140. In some cases, input device 184 receives user input (commands, instructions) of user selections to provide a repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze 155 as a haze value 187.

[0026] Connection 105 is a data connection from computing device 180 external to box 110 and device 180 to light source 130 and camera 140. Data connection 150 may be used by computing device 180 to send user selections, light source commands, and camera commands received on input device 184 to source 130 and camera 140. Data connection 105 may be used by box 110 and its internal camera 140 to send measurement light 144 information (data) from camera 140 to device 180. Connection 105 may be a wired, wireless, internet, or other data connection.

[0027] Box 110 also includes data connections 115 and 117 between connection 105 and source 310, and between connection 105 and camera 140, respectively. Data connections 115 and 117 may be used by computing devices 180 and / or 170 to transmit user selections, light source commands, and camera commands received on input device 184 to source 130 and camera 140, respectively. In some cases, connections 115 and 117 are from device 170 rather than from connection 105.

[0028] Data connections 105, 115, and 117 may be wired, wireless, Bluetooth, WIFI, USB, Ethernet, or other data connections between electronic and / or computing devices. They may be point-to-point, broadcast, or multi-point connections.

[0029] There may be external power connections, such as from a wall outlet or other power source, for device 180, device 170, source 130, and camera 140. In some cases, these power connections may be part of connections 105, 115, and 117.

[0030] A user 190 may control the door 114, the base 120, the orientation 124, the position 156, the orientation of the source 130, and / or the orientation of the camera 140 through the input 184. The user 190 may control the time and length of emission of the light 132 from the source 130 and / or the measurement of the light 157 by the camera 140. The user 190 may control the calculator 186 and / or the calculation of the haze value 187, such as based on a histogram and / or a mathematical formula. The user 190 may be a person and / or a human being. In other cases, the user 190 may represent a computing device, an AI, or a neural network.

[0031] Any one or more of the system, device, component actions, and / or user 190 controlled actions may be performed automatically. Automatic may refer to when an action occurs without user input that causes, directs, or selects the course, completion, or selection of the action. Any one or more of the actions may be performed repeatedly, such as to obtain another haze value 187 for the same lens 150 or to obtain a haze value 187 for a different lens 150. Any one or more of the actions may be, or be part of, a quantifiable measurement by the device 180 or calculator 186 of the haze value 187 present in the optical lens 150.

[0032] Box 110 may optionally include computing device 170 having some or all of the components of device 180 and / or for performing some or all of the actions of device 180. In this case, the components and actions of device 180 may be divided in any amount between device 170 and device 180. Device 170 may have user input and output devices similar to user input device 184 and user output device 182 of computing device 180. User 190 may receive output from and input to device 170 and / or device 180. Device 170 may be part of box 110 connected to connection 105 and between connection 105 and base 120, light source 130, and / or camera 140.

[0033] System 100, device 180 and / or calculator 186 for calculating haze value 187 may include using measured blue light 144 to calculate an average pixel value of light 144 from pixels of surface 154 for a histogram having N bins depicting the brightness of individual pixels captured in measured blue light 144 (e.g., of light 157), where bin 0 represents a completely dark light bin of light 144 and bin N represents a completely bright / high brightness light bin of light 144. This average pixel value of light 144 may be haze value 187.

[0034] For example, bin 0 may represent a completely dark light bin, defined as very low intensity or undetectable light as light 157, where haze 155 does not scatter or reflect blue light 132, so light 157 and light 144 are dark (e.g., blue light 132 is not present in light 157 and light 144). In this case, bin N may represent a completely bright light bin, where much of the haze blocks blue light 132 and / or reflects blue light 132 into light 157, so light 157 and light 144 are completely bright (e.g., much of the blue light 132 is present in light 157 and light 144).

[0035] Calculating the average pixel value (e.g., haze value 187) may be by summing the x values of the bins (e.g., brightness values of bin numbers from 0 to N, such as 1 for bin 1 and 17 for bin 17), multiplying this by the height of the bar at that bin position (e.g., 7 percent in bin 1 and 1 percent in bin 17), which is the number of pixels present at that bin position (e.g., having that brightness from 0 to N), and dividing the sum by the total number of pixels in the image (e.g., P) to obtain the average pixel value.

[0036] For example, Figure 2 is an image histogram 200 of a high haze lens anomaly in lens 150. Histogram 200 shows pixel data (blue vertical lines) of brightness bin values 252 for bins 253 plotted against a percent (%) of total pixel value 254. Histogram 200 shows an example where N is 256. Histogram 200 shows an exponentially decreasing curve of values 252 for 256 bins, from bin 0, which represents completely dark data for light 144, to bin 256, which represents completely bright data for light 144.

[0037] In this example where N is 256 bins (such as for 6E6 pixels on the surface 154 of the lens) and bin 0 represents complete darkness and bin 255 represents complete brightness, the following formula may be used to calculate the average pixel value:

[0038]

number

[0039] 2, the average pixel value (e.g., haze value 187) is shown as 19.15 in line 258. Histogram 200 may be calculated by device 180, device 170, and / or calculator 186 to calculate haze value 187 as the average 258.

[0040] In another example, FIG. 3 is an image histogram 300 of a low-haze lens anomaly for lens 150. Histogram 300 shows pixel data (blue vertical lines) of luminance bin values 352 for bins 253 plotted against a percent (%) of total pixel value 254. Histogram 300 illustrates an example where N is 256. Histogram 300 shows a more linear and more rapidly declining curve of values 352 for the 256 bins, from bin 0, representing completely dark data for light 144, to bin 256, representing completely bright data for light 144. In the example of FIG. 3, the average pixel value (e.g., haze value 187) is shown by line 358 as 4.96. Histogram 200 may be calculated by device 180, device 170, and / or calculator 186 to calculate haze value 187 as the average 358.

[0041] An acceptable haze value threshold for the lens 150 is determined based on the desired level of visual clarity. An average pixel value (e.g., haze value 187) is used as a measure of haze in the lens. The threshold is typically selected to ensure that the lens meets required quality standards. Often, the threshold is set below a certain percentage of fully bright values in bin N, such as 20, 15, 10, 5, 2, or 1 percent. In some cases, the threshold is a value 187 below 10 percent. The threshold may be below 5 percent. The threshold may be below 2 percent. By setting the threshold, lenses 150 with excessive haze 155 that is detectable or visible to the human eye can be identified and rejected using value 187. Various thresholds can be used based on specific quality requirements and industry standards.

[0042] For example, the threshold for rejecting lens 150 may be any lens having an average pixel value threshold below 5 or 10 percent. In this case, the lens of Figure 2 would fail and be rejected for use, while the lens of Figure 3 would pass and be usable. A threshold of 7, 10, or 15 percent may also be used.

[0043] When light 132 strikes surface 152 of transparent lens 150, the following interactions occur: some of the light 132 is reflected from surface 152 of the material, some of the light 132 is refracted within the material (depending on thickness) and reflected from edge 158 and / or a second surface at edge 154, and / or some of the light 132 passes through lens 150 as light 157 at an angle (e.g., 90 degrees) determined by the refractive index of the material of lens 150, the incidence angle of light 132, and the configuration of light source 130.

[0044] Light 157 passing through the transparent material of lens 150 can be affected by irregularities within the lens, including poorly dispersed particles, contaminants (i.e., dust particles), and / or voids. This causes light 132 to scatter in various directions from the normal, the extent of which is related to the size and number of irregularities present. Small irregularities cause light 132 to scatter or diffuse in all directions, while large irregularities cause light to be scattered forward in a narrow cone. These two types of scattering behavior are known as wide-angle scattering, which causes haze due to a loss of transmitted contrast, and narrow-angle scattering, which is a measure of a material's clarity or "transmission quality" based on reduced sharpness.

[0045] These factors may therefore be used to define the transmission characteristics of the transparent material of lens 150, as follows: Transmission may be the amount of light 132 that passes through the material of lens 150 without being scattered. Haze 187 may be proportional to and / or include the amount of light 132 that undergoes wide-angle scattering in lens 150 at angles greater than 2.5° from the normal to light 132. Clarity may be the amount of light that undergoes narrow-angle scattering at angles less than 2.5° from the normal to light 132.

[0046] Processing Description 4 shows a flow diagram of an operating environment or process flow 400 for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze present in an optical lens. Flow 400 may be performed by one or more components of system 100. Flow 400 may begin at step 410 and end at step 490, although the process may also be circular by returning to step 410 after step 490. For example, the process may return to step 410 to retest lens 150 or to replace the lens and test a different lens. Flow 400 may be a method for detecting a haze value 187 of lens 150.

[0047] Step 410 involves orienting lens 150 flat on base 120 adjacent light source 130, with base 120 positioning lens edge 152 of lens 150 facing light source 130. Step 410 may include orienting lens 150 so that top surface 154 faces camera 140, edge 152 faces source 130, and edge 158 is opposite edge 152. Step 410 may include using a fastener or holding device to removably hold lens 150 in a fixed position 156 relative to light source 120 and camera 140.

[0048] Step 420 involves emitting blue light 132 from light source 130 into lens edge 152. Step 420 may involve emitting blue light 132 and not emitting light of another color. Step 420 may involve emitting blue light from a diode (LED), laser, or another light source having blue light. Step 420 may involve emitting blue light 132 from lens edge 152 to the opposing edge 158 of lens 150, such as using a collimated beam having a circular cross-sectional diameter between 0.5 and 3 mm. This diameter may be equal to or less than the thickness of lens 150. This diameter may be less than the thickness. In other cases, it may be greater than the thickness.

[0049] Step 430 is orienting camera 140 to face top surface 154 of lens 150. Step 430 may include orienting camera 140 to measure blue light 157 emitted from top surface 154 as measurement light 144. Step 430 may include orienting camera 140 so that an image sensor faces top surface 154 and captures the same. Step 430 may include orienting the camera to orient a viewing direction, optical axis, principal axis, or chief ray of the camera perpendicular to top surface 154 of lens 150. Step 430 may include measuring blue light 157 emitted from top surface 154 by measuring blue light within the lens or between top surface 154 and bottom surface of the lens.

[0050] Step 440 involves imaging the lens 150 with a camera 140, where the camera 140 measures blue light 157 emitted from the top surface 154 of the lens 150. Step 440 may include measuring haze 155 of or within the lens 150 as part of the light 157 from which a haze value 187 can be calculated. Step 440 may include measuring light 157 emitted from the lens 150 or from the top surface 154. Step 440 may include measuring the emitted light 157 of an image of the lens 150 and haze 155, such as by generating a measurement light 155 of the emitted light 157. Step 440 may include measuring blue light 157 that includes light of other colors, such as when light 132 is emitted having a color other than blue. Step 430 may include measuring only blue light 157 and not measuring light of other colors.

[0051] Step 420 may include only emitting blue light 132 and / or step 440 may include only measuring blue light 157. Step 420 may include only emitting blue light 132 and / or step 440 may include only measuring blue light 157 having a wavelength between 430 nanometers (nm) and 485 nanometers (nm).

[0052] Step 450 is to calculate a haze value 187 of the lens 150 based on the measured blue light 144. Step 450 may include receiving light 144 used to calculate the value 187 and calculating the haze value 187 of the lens haze 155 based on the measured blue light 144. Step 450 may include a device 180 and / or a calculator 186 that calculates the haze value 187.

[0053] Step 450 may include using the measured blue light 144 to calculate an average pixel value of light 144 from the pixels of surface 154 for a histogram having N bins depicting the brightness of individual pixels captured in the measured blue light 144 (e.g., of light 157), where bin 0 represents a completely dark light bin of light 144 and bin N represents a completely bright / high brightness light bin of light 144. This average pixel value of light 144 may be a haze value 187. Step 450 may include explanations for FIGS. 1-3, such as using bins 0-N or 0-256.

[0054] Step 450 may include calculating the mean pixel value using the following formula, where N is 256 bins:

[0055]

number

[0056] Steps 410-440 may occur in box 110 having door 114. In some cases, steps 410-450 occur in box 110. Steps describe actions that may be distributed among various computing devices. Steps describe actions that may be combined with actions of other steps, and actions of a single step may be distributed among other separate steps.

[0057] 5 is a block diagram of a computing device 500. Computing device 500 may represent any of device 180, device 170, a device for calculating histogram 200, a device for calculating histogram 300, and / or a device used to perform one or more steps or portions of steps of process 400. Computing device 500 may be a desktop or laptop computer, a server computer, a cloud computer or network, a client computer, a network router, a network switch, a network node, a tablet, a smartphone, or other mobile device. Computing device 500 may include software and / or hardware for providing the functionality and features of the units and / or processes described herein, such as for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze 155 or haze value 187 present in optical lens 150. Computing device 500 may include one or more of a logic array, memory, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, software, firmware, and a processor. The hardware and firmware components of computing device 500 may include various specialized units, circuits, software, and interfaces for providing the functionality and features of the units described herein.

[0058] Computing device 500 has a processor 510 coupled to memory 512, storage 514, a network interface 516, and an I / O interface 518. Processor 510 may be or include one or more microprocessors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), and programmable logic arrays (PLAs).

[0059] Memory 512 may be or include RAM, ROM, DRAM, SRAM, and MRAM, and may include firmware, such as static data or fixed instructions, BIOS, system functions, configuration data, and other routines used during operation of computing device 500 and processor 510. Memory 512 also provides storage for data and instructions associated with applications and data handled by processor 510. As used herein, the term "memory" refers to memory 512 and expressly excludes transitory media such as signals or waveforms.

[0060] The storage device 514 provides non-volatile mass or long-term storage of data or instructions within the computing device 500. The storage device 514 may take the form of a magnetic or solid-state disk, tape, CD, DVD, or other reasonably large-capacity addressable or storage medium. Multiple storage devices may be provided or available to the computing device 500. Some of these storage devices may be external to the computing device 500, such as network storage or cloud-based storage. As used herein, the terms “storage device” and “storage medium” refer to the storage device 514 and expressly exclude transitory media such as signals or waveforms. In some cases, such as with solid-state memory devices, the memory 512 and the storage device 514 may be a single device.

[0061] The network interface 516 includes an interface with a network, such as a network that may be used to transmit network packets, network messages, text messages, telephone calls, faxes, radio signals, and / or wired power signals as described herein. The network interface 516 may be wired and / or wireless.

[0062] The I / O interface 518 interfaces the processor 510 with peripherals (not shown), such as displays, video and still cameras, microphones, user input devices (e.g., touch screens, mice, keyboards, etc.), and USB devices. In some cases, the I / O interface 518 includes peripherals such as displays, GUIs, and user input devices for access by a user to enter data, make selections, and view displays.

[0063] In some cases, storage device 514 is a non-volatile or non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, including any type of computer-readable medium, including magnetic, optical, and solid-state storage media. It should be understood that the software may be installed within and sold with the application on box 110, device 170, and / or device 180. Alternatively, the software may be obtained and loaded onto box 110, device 170, and / or device 180, including via a storage medium or by obtaining the software from any manner of a network or distribution system, including from a server owned by the software creator or from a server used by but not owned by the software creator. The software may be stored on a server for distribution over the Internet.

[0064] Embodiments of the systems, units, and processes herein for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze 155 or haze value 187 present in an optical lens 150 may be implemented with machine-readable storage media in a storage device included with, or otherwise coupled to, or associated with a computing device. That is, the software may be stored on electronic machine-readable media. These storage media include magnetic media such as hard disks, optical media such as compact disks (CD-ROMs and CD-RWs) and digital versatile disks (DVDs and DVD±RWs), flash memory cards, and other storage media. As used herein, a storage device is a device capable of reading and / or writing to a storage medium. Storage devices include hard disk drives, DVD drives, flash memory devices, and others.

[0065] The techniques and embodiments herein provide improvements in computing machinery in systems and units and create special purpose computing devices as systems and units, such as by using system 100, box 110, device 170 and / or device 180 for repeatable and quantifiable measurement of haze 155 or haze value 187 present in optical lens 150. System 100 and / or box 110 may be a haze meter for measuring the haze value 187 of a lens that is to be oriented on base 120, such as by only emitting blue light into the lens and / or only measuring blue light within the lens.

[0066] The lens may be an unprocessed blank, a finished lens for fitting into a frame, a sample of lens material, or a lens at any stage of processing in between. The lens may be or include one or more optical materials, including thermoplastic polycarbonates, hard resin thermoset polymers, poly(ureaurethanes), polythiourethanes, episulfides, other sulfur-containing polymers with a refractive index greater than about 1.56, polystyrene, polyamides, optical-grade nylon polymers, acrylics, polyacrylates, and polymethacrylates. The lens may include a hard coat, a photochromic dye, film or layer, and / or a polarizing dye, film or layer. The lens may have various layers of these materials and / or glass or other optical materials known for optical lenses. The lens may have a polyurethane lens blank base layer with a second layer of photochromic material, such as one formed from a liquid to a solid. The lens may have various base curvatures. The lens may have various optical grinds or optical prescriptions.

[0067] Haze 155 can affect the overall clarity or visual clarity of a lens. The measured haze amount 187 can be a haze amount 155 or haze value 187, as known in the art. A haze meter may measure the haze amount or haze value 187, which can be a fraction of a standard or known amount of light. The amount of haze can depend on the amount of impurities in the lens or layer. The amount of haze can vary depending on the amount of additives incorporated into the lens resin, such as photochromic dyes, UV absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), antioxidants, and mold release agents. In addition, the amount of haze can depend on the inherent clarity of the lens with or without these additives. Increasing the amount of additives and / or decreasing the inherent clarity of the lens generally leads to an increase in the amount of haze. The amount of haze can also seem to vary depending on the edge quality of the lens edge 152. A lens edge with high surface roughness can add between 10 and 12% of haze to the average apparent value.

[0068] While specific embodiments and numbers are provided herein, it is understood that the concepts described herein can have variations and different numbers. For example, while N=256 "bins" describing the brightness of individual pixels are described, the number of bins N can vary, such as between 3 and 30,000. There may be between 20 and 500 bins. In some cases, N is a fraction or multiple of 256 bins. Also, various thresholds can be used to determine whether a lens passes or fails quality control. While the examples provided in FIGS. 2-3 show high-haze and low-haze lenses, any acceptable threshold, such as any or an intermediate number, can be used to pass or fail a lens. In some cases, the mean pixel value threshold for a haze value 187 for an acceptable lens 150 may be less than 20, 15, 10, or 5 percent. In some cases, the mean pixel value threshold for an acceptable threshold may be less than 20, 15, 10, 5, 2, or 1 percent. In some cases, the maximum acceptable threshold intensity bin value may be less than 100, 85, 68, 51, 34, 17, or 10. While a calculation of the mean pixel value is shown 187, other standards such as standard deviation, mean square, or other calculations may also be used.

[0069] The embodiment is designed to operate the box 110 at room temperatures that should not exceed 80°F (27°C) and should not change too rapidly. While specific temperatures are described, other applicable temperatures, such as temperatures not exceeding 70°F or 90°F, are contemplated. An LED may be used as the light source 130. The light source may be specifically selected or tuned to emit blue light. The light may be a collimated beam with a circular cross-sectional diameter between 0.5 and 3 mm. The diameter may be between 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, or 1.4 mm. An ideal target diameter may be between 1.0 and 1.2 mm. In one preferred variant of the haze meter, the beam diameter is between 1.0 and 1.2 mm.

[0070] The camera may be specifically selected or tuned to measure the blue channel or blue light emitted by the light source, although the type of camera 140 may vary. While it may be preferable for the camera and imaging system to measure only a specific wavelength range of blue light, in some cases the light source emits only the desired wavelength range and measurements are made in a light-controlled chamber. In some embodiments, the camera is a red-green-blue (RGB) camera with the R and G channels disabled to capture or read only the B color. The camera may also be a camera with a color set (RGB or other) with only blue imaging enabled. The camera may be a spectrometer or other electro-optical system designed to measure light emitted from the top surface of the lens, such as a photodiode, amplifier, and signal measurement device. The optical system may measure only blue light. In some embodiments, the device can use multiple cameras rather than just one. Utilizing two or more cameras allows the device to capture both color and haze. This may be useful in some cases to speed up color capture or measure lens haze from various angles.

[0071] It may be preferable for the camera / imaging system 140 to measure only a particular wavelength range of blue light, such as blue light having a wavelength of 455 nm. In some cases, the light source emits only a desired wavelength range, such as blue light having a wavelength of 455 nm, and measurements are performed in a light-controlled chamber so that only light of that wavelength can be detected or measured. Either the camera or the light source can be controlled to measure or emit blue light having a wavelength of 455 nm. It is also contemplated that the wavelength ranges of both the emitted light and the measured light can be controlled to be blue light having a wavelength of 455 nm.

[0072] The 455 nm blue light wavelength may be varied relative to the camera 140 and / or emitter (e.g., source 130). Wavelength 455 may be varied to be a wavelength or a range of wavelengths between 430 and 485 nm. For example, the light may be 480 nm only or may range from 450 to 480 nm, inclusive. In one embodiment, instead of 455 nm, light may be used at any wavelength or wavelength range within that range, plus or minus 5 nm increments. For example, a plus or minus 10 nm variation dictates that the light may be 440 nm only or may range from 445 to 465 nm, inclusive. In other embodiments, instead of 455 nm, light may be used at any wavelength or wavelength range within that range, plus or minus N nm increments, where N is between 1 and 20. For example, a plus or minus 8 nm variation dictates that the light may be 447 nm only or may range from 447 to 463 nm, inclusive.

[0073] Computing devices 170 / 180 and / or software on those devices may be used in conjunction with the described haze meter and / or to prompt a user to perform method actions for the haze meter. However, software may not be required, other than to store image data and / or calculate the resulting haze value 187. For example, camera 140 may be attached to a display that shows an image of the haze for viewing by a user and manual determination of the resulting haze by a trained operator. In other cases, the computing device and / or software calculates the resulting haze by calculating the average pixel value 187 from a histogram generated by the program. In some cases, the histogram generated by the program consists of 256 "bins" that depict the brightness of individual pixels captured in the image. Bin 0 represents complete darkness, and bin 255 represents complete brightness. The calculation is performed as the sum of the x values (bins) multiplied by the height of the bar at that bin location (the number of pixels present at that bin location). Dividing this by the total number of pixels in the image gives us the average pixel value of 187.

[0074]

number

[0075] In some cases, the "segment" or "segment" portion of the lens oriented to be parallel to the LED beam 132 is a jagged or intentional feature on the surface of the lens having a partial sphere or other curved shape and a line or line segment. From an upward oblique view, it may appear as a partial circle or ellipse bisected by a line to form a cup-like shape. The "segment" may be along the length of the line or line segment. A segment may be a portion or region of a multifocal lens, such as a bifocal or trifocal lens, designed for reading or distance vision correction.

[0076] The light beam 132 may be collimated. It may be highly directional and / or coherent. The light beam 132 may have a circular or another cross-sectional shape across its emission direction. The light source may be an LED, laser, or other monochromatic source. The light source may be any source capable of providing the emitted light wavelengths described herein. In some cases, the light wavelength may be within 1, 2, 5, or 10 nm of the target wavelength.

[0077] The dimensions of the platform, stage, or pedestal 120 may also vary. The lens may be positioned convex or concave facing up towards the camera 140. The height of the platform relative to the source 130 of light 132 may vary and may depend on the thickness and / or curvature of the lens. The lens may be oriented so that the light 132 is incident above the midpoint of the height of the lens.

[0078] Proper alignment of the stage may be achieved by a variety of indication methods, including by visual alignment. The lens is aligned on the stage so that light enters through the side of the lens at edge 152. Light may enter the side of the lens and through the center toward the opposite side or edge 158 of the lens while lens 150 rests on stage 120.

[0079] Single or multiple images of the lens may be used for the haze calculation. Each image may generate a measurement beam 144. The sample or series name does not have to be unique, such as if previous results are recorded or not needed. Each measurement may be a single image or a single measurement beam 144. It may be more than two images, such as from 2 to 10 images.

[0080] The direction and / or intensity of the light 132 may vary between images and could potentially include more than a single LED or source 130. The direction of the light 132 may be varied between images by changing the height at which the light strikes the side of the lens edge 152 and / or the upward and / or sideways angle at which the light strikes the side of the lens. The intensity of the light 132 may be varied between images by varying the intensity to increase or decrease in predetermined linear, exponential, or random increments across the image. More than a single LED or source 130 may be used, such as to provide the variations described above. More than a single LED source may be used, such as to simultaneously provide multiple light outputs as referred to herein. The multiple outputs may include the variations in direction and / or intensity of the light described above.

[0081] The test may be performed in a dark or lightless environment or box 110. The light from the meter's light source 130 may be the only light. In other cases, some other or ambient light may be present in the environment as long as it does not include the light spectrum of the meter's light or source 130 and / or the light spectrum sensed by the camera 140.

[0082] Also, various upper and / or lower boundaries of acceptable lenses for a set of images or data 144 may be used, such as plus or minus less than 2, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, or 20 percent of the value 187. Calibration of the system 100 may occur at various times before or during use of the haze meter or lens testing.

[0083] Conclusion

[0084] Throughout this specification, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered exemplary rather than limiting on the devices and procedures disclosed or claimed. While many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system components, it should be understood that such acts and such components may be combined in other manners to achieve the same purpose. With respect to flow diagrams, additional and fewer steps may be employed, and the steps shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the methods described herein. Acts, components, and features featured only in the context of one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.

[0085] As used herein, "plurality" or "number" means two or more. As used herein, a "set" of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether in the specification or the claims, terms such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," and the like, are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including, but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of," respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to the claims. The use of ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," and "third" in the claims to modify claim elements does not, by itself, imply a priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another, or a chronological order in which actions of a method are performed, but is merely used as a heading to distinguish claim elements by distinguishing a claim element having a particular name from another element having the same name (except for the use of the ordinal number). As used herein, "and / or" means that the listed items are alternatives, but that the alternatives include any combination of the listed items.

Claims

1. A haze meter for measuring the haze value of a lens, a light-tight box containing a base, a light source, and a camera; the base positions the lens flat adjacent to the light source and has an orientation such that the lens edge faces the light source; the light source is configured to emit blue light into a lens edge of the lens; a light-tight box, the camera oriented to face a top surface of the lens, the camera configured to measure blue light emitted from the top surface of the lens; a computing device configured to calculate the haze value of the lens based on the measured blue light; and A haze meter comprising:

2. The haze meter of claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured to emit only the blue light and the camera is configured to measure only the blue light.

3. 2. The haze meter of claim 1, wherein the light source is at least one of an LED or a laser, and the light source is configured to emit only the blue light, or the camera is configured to measure only the blue light.

4. 4. The haze meter of claim 3, wherein the light source is configured to emit only the blue light having a wavelength between 430 and 485 nm, and the camera is configured to measure only the blue light having a wavelength between 430 and 485 nm.

5. 4. The haze meter of claim 3, wherein the light source configured to emit the blue light is configured to emit the blue light from an edge of the lens to an opposing edge of the lens by using a collimated beam having a circular cross-sectional diameter of between 0.5 and 3 mm, and wherein orienting the camera includes directing a viewing direction perpendicular to the top surface of the lens, and wherein being configured to measure the blue light emitted from the top surface of the lens includes being configured to measure the blue light between the top surface and bottom surface of the lens.

6. 2. The haze meter of claim 1, wherein calculating the haze value includes using the measured blue light to calculate an average pixel value from a histogram having N bins depicting the brightness of individual pixels captured in the measured blue light, where bin 0 represents complete darkness and bin N represents complete brightness, and wherein the calculation is performed by multiplying the sum of the x values of the bins by the height of the bar at that bin position, which is the number of pixels present at that bin position, and dividing the sum by the total number of pixels in the image to obtain the average pixel value.

7. Where N is 256 bins, with bin 0 representing complete darkness and bin 255 representing complete brightness, calculating the average pixel value is done using the following formula: [Equation 1] 7. The haze meter of claim 6, wherein an acceptable haze threshold has an average pixel value threshold of less than 20, 15, 10, 5, 2, or 1 percent of the full brightness.

8. 10. The haze meter of claim 1, wherein the lens comprises one or more of an optical material, a hard coat, a photochromic dye, a film, a polarizing dye, a layer of glass or optical material known for optical lenses, a lens blank base layer of polyurethane with a second layer of photochromic material such as that formed from a liquid to a solid, various base curvatures, various optical grinds, or optical prescriptions.

9. The haze meter of claim 1 , wherein the light-tight box includes a door for mounting the lens on the base and an external data connection from the computing device to the light source and the camera.

10. 2. The haze meter of claim 1, wherein the computing device includes a user input device and a display device, the user input device for receiving a user selection to make a repeatable and quantifiable measurement of the haze, and the base includes a mount for holding the lens in a fixed position relative to the light source and the camera.

11. 1. A system for measuring the haze value of a lens, comprising: A haze meter, a light source configured to emit only blue light into a lens edge of the lens; and a camera oriented to face a top surface of the lens and configured to measure only blue light emitted from the top surface of the lens; a haze meter having a computing device having a user input device, a user output device, and a data connection to said haze meter, When executed by the computing device, causing input received at the user input device to control the light source to emit only the blue light and to control the camera to measure only the blue light; and calculating the haze value of the lens based on the measured blue light; a computing device having non-transitory computer instructions that cause the computing device to perform actions including: A system comprising:

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the light source is configured to emit only the blue light and the camera is configured to measure only the blue light.

13. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the light source is at least one of an LED or a laser, and the light source is configured to emit only the blue light or the camera is configured to measure only the blue light.

14. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the light source configured to emit the blue light is configured to emit the blue light from an edge of the lens to an opposing edge of the lens by using a collimated beam having a circular cross-sectional diameter of between 0.5 and 3 mm, orienting the camera includes orienting a viewing direction perpendicular to the top surface of the lens, and measuring only the blue light emitted from the top surface of the lens includes measuring the blue light between the top and bottom surfaces of the lens.

15. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein calculating the haze value includes using the measured blue light to calculate an average pixel value from a histogram having N bins depicting the brightness of individual pixels captured in the measured blue light, where bin 0 represents complete darkness and bin N represents complete brightness, and wherein the calculation is performed by multiplying the sum of the x values of the bins by the height of the bar at that bin position, which is the number of pixels present at that bin position, and dividing the sum by the total number of pixels in the image to obtain the average pixel value.

16. 1. A method for detecting a haze value of a lens, comprising: orienting the lens flat on a base adjacent to a light source, the base positioning the lens edge facing the light source; emitting blue light from the light source into the lens edge; orienting a camera to face a top surface of the lens; imaging the lens with the camera, the camera measuring blue light emitted from the top surface of the lens; calculating the haze value of the lens based on the measured blue light; A method comprising:

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein emitting the blue light comprises emitting only the blue light, and measuring the blue light comprises measuring only the blue light.

18. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein emitting the blue light comprises emitting the blue light from at least one of an LED or a laser, and emitting the blue light comprises emitting only the blue light, or measuring the blue light comprises measuring only the blue light.

19. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein emitting the blue light comprises emitting the blue light from an edge of the lens to an opposing edge of the lens by using a collimated beam having a circular cross-sectional diameter of between 0.5 and 3 mm, orienting the camera comprises orienting the camera to orient a viewing direction perpendicular to the top surface of the lens, and measuring the blue light comprises measuring blue light emitted from the top surface of the lens, including measuring the blue light between the top and bottom surfaces of the lens.

20. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein calculating the haze value includes using the measured blue light to calculate an average pixel value from a histogram having N bins depicting the brightness of individual pixels captured in the measured blue light, where bin 0 represents complete darkness and bin N represents complete brightness, and wherein the calculation is performed by multiplying the sum of the x values of the bins by the height of the bar at that bin position, which is the number of pixels present at that bin position, and dividing the sum by the total number of pixels in the image to obtain the average pixel value.

Images