Eyeglass manufacturing apparatus, eyeglass manufacturing program, and eyeglass manufacturing system used for manufacturing eyeglasses.

Abstract

This invention provides an eyeglass manufacturing apparatus, an eyeglass manufacturing program, and an eyeglass manufacturing system that enable efficient eyeglass manufacturing. [Solution] An eyeglass manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing eyeglasses by processing eyeglass lenses to fit eyeglass frames, comprising: lens shape data acquisition means for acquiring first lens shape data used for processing the periphery of eyeglass lenses and second lens shape data having a smaller data capacity than the first lens shape data; display means capable of displaying a lens shape figure; and control means, wherein the control means acquires the second lens shape data before the first lens shape data, displays the first lens shape figure based on the acquired second lens shape data on the display means, and after acquiring the first lens shape data, displays the second lens shape figure based on the acquired first lens shape data on the display means in place of the first lens shape figure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a spectacle manufacturing apparatus, a spectacle manufacturing program, and a spectacle manufacturing system used for manufacturing spectacles.

Background Art

[0002] In the spectacle manufacturing process, various manufacturing apparatuses related to spectacle manufacturing (for example, a lensmeter, a spectacle frame shape measuring apparatus, a cup attaching apparatus, a spectacle lens processing apparatus, etc.) are used, and various processing information (blank mold data, the interpupillary distance of the wearer, the eye point position, spectacle frame information, the type of spectacle lens, etc.) required for peripheral processing of the spectacle lens is acquired (including input and data transfer) by each manufacturing apparatus according to each manufacturing process (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As a method of causing each manufacturing apparatus to acquire various processing information, it is conceivable to store the information obtained by the apparatus of each manufacturing process in a storage medium, and in the apparatus of the next process, to read (acquire) the information stored in the storage medium. However, among the processing information, there is data with a large capacity such as blank mold data (the target shape of the spectacle lens). In this case, since it takes time to read the data, the operator will have a waiting time until the data reading is completed, and the work efficiency will deteriorate.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide a spectacle manufacturing apparatus, a spectacle manufacturing program, and a spectacle manufacturing system that can efficiently manufacture spectacles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, this disclosure is characterized by having the following configuration.

[0007] (1) An eyeglass manufacturing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is an eyeglass manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing eyeglasses by processing eyeglass lenses to fit eyeglass frames, comprising a display means capable of displaying a lens-shaped figure and a control means, wherein the control means acquires the second lens-shaped data before the first lens-shaped data from a storage medium storing first lens-shaped data used for processing the periphery of eyeglass lenses and second lens-shaped data having a smaller data capacity than the first lens-shaped data, causes the display means to display a first lens-shaped figure based on the acquired second lens-shaped data, and after acquiring the first lens-shaped data, displays the second lens-shaped figure based on the acquired first lens-shaped data on the display means in place of the first lens-shaped figure. (2) A second aspect of the present disclosure is a spectacle manufacturing program that is executed in a spectacle manufacturing apparatus used for manufacturing spectacle, wherein the spectacle manufacturing apparatus comprises a display means capable of displaying a lens-shaped figure and a control unit, and the spectacle manufacturing program is characterized in that, when executed by the control unit, it causes the spectacle manufacturing apparatus to execute a control step which involves acquiring the second lens-shaped data before the first lens-shaped data from a storage medium storing first lens-shaped data used for processing the rim of spectacle lenses and second lens-shaped data having a smaller data capacity than the first lens-shaped data, causing the display means to display a first lens-shaped figure based on the acquired second lens-shaped data, and after acquiring the first lens-shaped data, causing the display means to display the second lens-shaped figure based on the acquired first lens-shaped data in place of the first lens-shaped figure. (2) An eyeglass manufacturing system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is an eyeglass manufacturing system including an eyeglass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising a storage medium in which the first lens shape data and the second lens shape data are stored, and a reading means for reading information from the storage medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of eyeglass manufacturing system 1. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the typical configuration of a tray (TR). [Figure 3] This diagram shows the configuration of the cup mounting device 400. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the eyeglass lens processing machine 500. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the external configuration of the tray mounting base 600 and the read / write unit 700. [Figure 6] This figure shows the ball shape data based on the rim shape. [Figure 7] This is a timing chart illustrating the retrieval of information stored on a storage medium. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the alignment screen 800. [Figure 9] This figure shows the second ball shape 880, based on the first ball shape data, displayed on the alignment screen 800. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the settings screen 900. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Overview> An overview of the eyeglass manufacturing system according to this embodiment is described below. The items classified in <> below can be used independently or in relation to each other.

[0010] An eyeglass manufacturing system (e.g., eyeglass manufacturing system 1) comprises at least an eyeglass manufacturing apparatus. The eyeglass manufacturing apparatus is configured to manufacture eyeglasses by processing eyeglass lenses to fit eyeglass frames. The eyeglass manufacturing apparatus includes, for example, at least one of a cup mounting device (e.g., cup mounting device 400) and an eyeglass lens processing device (e.g., eyeglass lens processing device 500). For example, the cup mounting device is configured to mount a cup (e.g., cup Cu), which is a processing jig, onto the surface of an eyeglass lens. For example, the eyeglass lens processing device is configured to process the periphery of an eyeglass lens held on a lens holding shaft (e.g., lens holding shaft 520) via a cup using a processing tool (e.g., processing tool 530).

[0011] For example, the eyeglass manufacturing apparatus includes display means (e.g., monitor 460, monitor 560) and control means (e.g., control unit 40, control unit 50). For example, the display means is configured to display a spherical graphic. For example, the control means is configured to acquire data stored in a storage medium (e.g., storage medium 100).

[0012] For example, the storage medium may be an electronic tag that uses radio waves or magnetic fields to read and write information (for example, an RFID (radio frequency identifier) ​​tag or an IC tag). The storage medium may also be a short-range wireless communication medium. For example, the storage medium may be provided in an eyeglass manufacturing system. For example, the storage medium may store first lens shape data used for processing the rim of an eyeglass lens, and second lens shape data with a smaller data capacity than the first lens shape data.

[0013] For example, the control means acquires the second lens shape data from the storage medium before the first lens shape data, displays the first lens shape figure based on the acquired second lens shape data on the display means, and after acquiring the first lens shape data, displays the second lens shape figure based on the acquired first lens shape data on the display means in place of the first lens shape figure. This allows for efficient eyeglass manufacturing. For example, if acquiring the first lens shape data, which has a large data capacity, takes time, the operator can use the first lens shape figure based on the second lens shape data that is displayed on the display means beforehand to start preparation and verification work related to eyeglass manufacturing. This reduces waiting time for work and allows for efficient eyeglass manufacturing. Furthermore, even if the acquisition of the first lens shape data is not yet complete, the operator can compare the first lens shape figure based on the second lens shape data with the shape of the eyeglass frame rim to confirm their consistency. Furthermore, the ability to quickly display the first ball shape based on the second ball shape data allows for verification of whether the data from the storage medium is being read correctly (whether or not the data is being transferred), thus enabling more efficient work.

[0014] For example, the display means and control means may be provided in the cup mounting device. For example, if the cup mounting device includes a cup mounting means (e.g., a cup mounting mechanism 420) configured for attaching a cup of a processing jig to an eyeglass lens on which a dot is marked on the lens surface, the control means may display an alignment screen (e.g., an alignment screen 800) on the display means for aligning the cup with the dot on the lens surface relative to a predetermined cup mounting reference axis (e.g., a reference axis L1), and may also display a first lens shape figure on the alignment screen so that it is in a predetermined positional relationship with the reference axis, and after acquiring the first lens shape data, display a second lens shape figure on the alignment screen in place of the first lens shape figure. This allows the operator to efficiently perform the alignment work of the eyeglass lens (the dot on the lens surface) with respect to the cup mounting reference axis by having the first lens shape figure based on the second lens shape data displayed on the alignment screen before the acquisition of the first lens shape data is completed. For example, the alignment screen simultaneously displays the lens image, allowing users to compare whether the first lens shape fits within the area of ​​the lens image. This enables proactive detection of lens clipping without waiting for the first lens shape data to be acquired. If it's unclear whether lens clipping is present or not, the second lens shape is displayed in place of the first lens shape, allowing for more accurate confirmation.

[0015] For example, an eyeglass manufacturing apparatus may be equipped with a layout data setting means. The layout data setting means is configured to display a setting screen (or a confirmation screen for checking the layout) on a display means for laying out the positional relationship of the optical center of the eyeglass lens with respect to the lens shape. In this case, the control means may first display the first lens shape figure based on the second lens shape data on the setting screen, and then display the second lens shape figure based on the first lens shape data in place of the first lens shape figure. This allows the operator to perform the layout data setting or confirmation work in advance, even if it takes time to acquire the first lens shape data, because the first lens shape figure is displayed first, before the display switches to the second lens shape figure. Therefore, eyeglass manufacturing can be performed efficiently.

[0016] For example, the spectacle manufacturing apparatus may include notification means. The notification means is configured to notify that the first ball-shaped graphic displayed on the display means has been replaced with the second ball-shaped graphic. The notification means may be voice generation means for announcing to the operator. For example, the notification means may notify by displaying a message indicating that the displayed first ball-shaped graphic has been replaced with the second ball-shaped graphic. Also, for example, the notification means may notify by changing the color of the graphic that the displayed first ball-shaped graphic has been replaced with the second ball-shaped graphic. Thereby, it is possible to easily notice and confirm that the first ball-shaped graphic serving as the preview image has been replaced with the second ball-shaped graphic used for processing. Thereby, for example, operations related to aligning spectacle lenses when attaching cups and operations related to setting layout data can be appropriately performed.

[0017] For example, the spectacle manufacturing system may further include at least one of a reading means (for example, the reading / writing unit 700), a writing means (for example, the reading / writing unit 700), a second ball-shaped data creation means (for example, the control unit 30), and a tray (for example, the tray TR) in addition to the storage medium. Also, the spectacle manufacturing system may include a spectacle frame shape measuring device (for example, the spectacle frame shape measuring device 2).

[0018] For example, the reading means is configured to read information from the storage medium. For example, the reading means may be anything that can read data. The control means acquires the first ball-shaped data and the second ball-shaped data read by the reading means.

[0019] For example, the second ball shape data creation means is configured to acquire first ball shape data and create second ball shape data based on the acquired first ball shape data. For example, the second ball shape data creation means may create second ball shape data with a smaller data size than the first ball shape data by thinning out the number of points that make up the first ball shape data. In this case, for example, if the number of points that make up the ball shape of the first ball shape data is composed of a predetermined small radial angle (for example, every 0.36 degrees) and the radial length, the second ball shape data creation means may create second ball shape data with a smaller data size than the first ball shape data by thinning out the points to a radial angle larger than that small radial angle (for example, every 3.6 degrees). Alternatively, for example, the second ball shape data creation means may reduce the number of points while maintaining the original shape by leaving points that characterize the ball shape of the acquired first ball shape data (for example, vertices of a figure, etc.) and thinning out adjacent points (in other words, points). This allows for a reduction in the number of points while maintaining the original shape as much as possible, enabling the creation of a second ball-shaped data file with a smaller data size.

[0020] For example, the second ball shape data creation means may create second ball shape data with a smaller data size than the first ball shape data by converting the coordinate position data of the ball shape of the first ball shape data into another format. In this case, the second ball shape data creation means may create second ball shape data with a smaller data size than the first ball shape data by converting the coordinate position data of the ball shape of the first ball shape data into the wavenumber domain.

[0021] For example, the second lens shape data creation means may be provided in the eyeglass frame shape measuring device. The eyeglass frame shape measuring device is configured to measure the rim shape of the eyeglass frame, or the shape of the demo lens fitted into the rim, etc. For example, the first lens shape data may be acquired by the eyeglass frame shape measuring device.

[0022] The writing means is configured to write and store the second ball-shaped data created by the ball-shaped data creation means together with the first ball-shaped data in the storage medium. For example, the writing means may be configured to store the first ball-shaped data and the second ball-shaped data in the storage medium in a predetermined manner, corresponding to the order in which the control means acquires the second ball-shaped data from the storage medium before the first ball-shaped data. For example, the above predetermined manner may consist of any of the following (a), (b), or (c).

[0023] (a) The control means is configured to acquire data in the order in which the data is written to the storage medium, and the writing means is configured to write the second ball-shaped data to the storage medium before the first ball-shaped data.

[0024] (b) The writing means writes the first ball-shaped data and the second ball-shaped data to a storage medium with identifiers that can distinguish them, and the control means is configured to acquire the identifier data attached to the second ball-shaped data before the identifier data attached to the first ball-shaped data.

[0025] (c) The storage medium is provided with multiple folders (which may be addresses, for example) in which multiple data are stored, the control means is configured to retrieve the data in the first folder provided on the storage medium before the data in the second folder, and the writing means is configured to store the second ball-shaped data in the first folder and the first ball-shaped data in the second folder.

[0026] For example, the tray is configured to carry eyeglass lenses and eyeglass frames. For example, the storage medium may be configured to be carried together with the tray. In this case, the storage medium may be carried attached to the tray.

[0027] This disclosure is not limited to the apparatus described in this embodiment. For example, terminal control software (program) that performs the functions of the above embodiment can be supplied to the apparatus or system via a network or various storage media, and the control device (e.g., CPU) of the apparatus or system can read and execute the program.

[0028] <Examples> An example of the eyeglass manufacturing system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0029] <Device configuration> Figure 1 shows an eyeglass manufacturing system 1 according to an embodiment. The eyeglass manufacturing system 1 performs different processes among multiple eyeglass manufacturing devices. Furthermore, each of the multiple eyeglass manufacturing devices has a different housing.

[0030] The eyeglass manufacturing system 1 includes a storage medium 100, a lens meter 200, an eyeglass frame measuring device 300, a cup mounting device (blocker) 400, an eyeglass lens processing device 500, a tray mounting stand 600, a read / write unit 700, and the like.

[0031] The eyeglass manufacturing system 1 performs at least one of the following actions during the process of transporting trays TR to tray mounting tables 600 provided by each device: reading information from a storage medium 100 transported with the trays TR, and writing information to the storage medium 100. Ultimately, the information stored in the storage medium 100 is used to generate processing data for controlling the processing operation of eyeglass lenses by the eyeglass lens processing device 500. In this embodiment, an RFID tag is used for the storage medium 100. For example, with short-range wireless communication such as RFID tags, data transmission takes time, so reading large amounts of data takes time.

[0032] <Tray> Figure 2 illustrates the configuration of a typical tray TR. The tray TR holds eyeglass lenses and eyeglass frames on which processed eyeglass lenses (hereinafter referred to as lenses LE) are to be mounted. In this embodiment, the tray TR is formed in a roughly rectangular shape in plan view. The base plate TR01 is provided with a lens mounting section TR10L for the left eye lens LE and a lens mounting section TR10R for the right eye lens LE. Since the lens mounting sections TR10L and TR10R have the same configuration, the explanation will use the lens mounting section TR10L as an example.

[0033] In the center of the lens mounting section TR10L, a cup mounting section TR20 is formed where the processing jig cup Cu (see Figure 3) is placed. The cup Cu is attached to the lens LE to be processed.

[0034] The front of the tray TR is provided with a mounting section TR40 for storing eyeglass frames and the like, as well as for installing the information storage medium 100. The storage medium 100 installed in the storage medium mounting section TR40 is transported together with the tray TR. In this embodiment, the storage medium 100 is attached to the tray TR. In this embodiment, the information storage medium 100 is installed in a position facing the read / write section 700 when the tray TR is placed on the tray mounting base 600, which will be described later.

[0035] <Lensmeter> The lensmeter 200 measures the optical properties of the lens LE. The lensmeter 200 in this embodiment can also measure the optical center of the lens LE. The lensmeter 200 includes a measuring optical system (e.g., a Shack-Hartmann optical system) for measuring the optical properties of the lens LE. Furthermore, the lensmeter 200 in this embodiment includes a marking mechanism for marking the position of the optical center of the lens LE as measured by the measuring optical system. The process performed by the lensmeter 200 is an example of a lens measurement process, which is one of several processes for processing the periphery of the lens LE.

[0036] The lens meter 200 performs a measurement process for the optical properties of a lens LE installed at installation position 210 (see Figure 1) for processing the lens LE. The lens meter 200 also marks the lens LE at installation position 210 (see Figure 1) using the marking mechanism 220. Once the measurement process is complete, the lens LE is removed from installation position 210. In this embodiment, the lens meter 200 can automatically perform the measurement process for optical properties of a lens LE installed at installation position 210. For example, the lens meter 200 may automatically measure the optical properties while changing the position of the lens LE installed at installation position 210. Alternatively, the lens meter 200 may automatically measure the optical properties by scanning the lens LE at installation position 210 with measurement light.

[0037] Furthermore, the lens meter 200 can write the acquired eyeglass information to the storage medium 100, which is transported together with the tray TR, via the read / write unit 700 (details of which will be described later) connected to the lens meter 200.

[0038] The configuration of the lens meter 200 can, for example, utilize the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-075296. Therefore, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0039] <Eyeglass frame shape measuring device> The eyeglass frame shape measuring device (tracer) 300 measures the shape of the rim (lens frame) of an eyeglass frame (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the shape of the eyeglass frame). The eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 comprises a measuring unit 310, a monitor 320, an operation unit 330, a control unit 30, etc. The measuring unit 310 measures the shape of the rim of the eyeglass frame by bringing a measuring probe (not shown) into contact with the rim. The monitor 320 displays a spherical shape and information generated by measuring the shape of the rim. The control unit 30 controls the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 when the operation unit 330 is operated by an operator. The operation unit 330 may use at least one of the following: a mouse, joystick, keyboard, touch panel, etc. The control unit 30 controls the display of shapes and information on the monitor 320 by receiving input signals from the operation unit 330. In addition, by measuring the shapes of the left and right rims of the eyeglass frame, the frame center distance FPD, which is the distance between the geometric centers of the left and right rims, is obtained. The eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 may also measure the shape of a demo lens or template by bringing a measuring probe shaft, to which a measuring probe (not shown) is attached, into contact with the demo lens or template.

[0040] Furthermore, the eyeglass frame measuring device 300 can write the acquired eyeglass information to the storage medium 100, which is transported together with the tray TR, via a read / write unit 700 (details of which will be described later) connected to the eyeglass frame measuring device 300.

[0041] The configuration of the eyeglass frame measuring device 300 can, for example, utilize the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-8601. Therefore, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0042] <Cup mounting device> Figure 3 shows the configuration of the cup mounting device 400. The cup mounting device 400 includes a spectacle lens support mechanism 410, a cup mounting mechanism 420, a spectacle lens measuring mechanism 430, a monitor 460 (see Figure 1), a control unit 40 (see Figure 1), and the like.

[0043] The spectacle lens support mechanism 410 supports the lens LE. For example, the spectacle lens support mechanism 410 includes a cylindrical base 411, a ring member 412, a protective cover 413, support pins 414, etc. For example, the cylindrical base 411 houses the indicator plate 444 and retroreflective member 445, which will be described later. For example, the ring member 412 is fixed to the upper part of the cylindrical base 411. For example, the protective cover 413 is fixed to the upper part of the ring member 412. For example, the support pins 414 are fixed to the upper part of the protective cover 413. For example, the support pins 414 consist of three pins, and each support pin 414 is positioned at an equidistant and equiangled distance from the reference axis L1 of the spectacle lens measuring mechanism 430.

[0044] The cup mounting mechanism 420 is configured to attach the cup Cu to the surface of the lens LE. For example, the cup mounting mechanism 420 includes a mounting portion 421, an arm 422, an arm holding base 423, an arm holding base rotation axis 424, etc. The cup Cu is mounted on the mounting portion 421. The mounting portion 421 has a protruding portion 421a that fits into the protruding portion Cua formed on the cup Cu. For example, the mounting portion 421 is fixed to the arm 422. For example, the arm 422 includes a rotation mechanism (not shown) for variably maintaining the horizontal rotation angle of the mounting portion 421. The rotation mechanism (not shown) rotates the mounting portion 421 around the axis S1 of the mounting center axis of the cup Cu. For example, the arm 422 is fixed to the arm holding base 423. For example, the arm holding base 423 is fixed to the arm holding base rotation axis 424. The arm holding base rotation axis 424 rotates the arm 422 around its central axis. The arm holding base rotation axis 424 also includes a shaft (not shown) that allows the arm holding base 423 to move vertically. In this embodiment, the operator attaches the cup Cu to the mounting part 421. Next, the operator rotates the arm holding base 423 so that the mounting central axis S1 of the cup Cu coincides with the reference axis L1 of the spectacle lens measuring mechanism 430, and lowers the arm holding base 423, thereby attaching the cup Cu mounted on the mounting part 421 to the lens LE.

[0045] The spectacle lens measuring mechanism 430 is configured to measure the optical characteristics information of the lens LE. For example, the spectacle lens measuring mechanism 430 includes an illumination optical system 440, an imaging optical system 450, etc. The illumination optical system 440 projects an illumination beam from the front side of the lens LE. For example, the illumination optical system 440 includes a light source 441, a half mirror 442, a concave mirror 443, an indicator plate 444, a retroreflective member 445, etc. For example, the light source 441 irradiates the lens LE with a beam of light. For example, the concave mirror 443 reflects the beam of light from the light source and shapes the beam of light from the light source into a parallel beam of light (including a substantially parallel beam of light) with a diameter larger than that of the lens LE. For example, the indicator plate 444 has a predetermined pattern formed of a number of openings (holes for the passage of the beam of light). For example, the retroreflective member 445 reflects the beam of light from the light source in the same direction (including substantially the same direction) as the incident direction. For example, the retroreflective member 445 may be rotated at high speed around the axis of the reference axis L1 by a motor (not shown) or the like in order to uniformly reflect the light beam from the light source.

[0046] The imaging optical system 450 is configured to image the lens LE from the front side. For example, the imaging optical system 450 includes a concave mirror 443, an aperture 451, an imaging lens 452, an image sensor 453, etc. For example, the aperture 451 is positioned at the focal position (including the approximate focal position) of the concave mirror 443. For example, the aperture 451 is in a positional relationship with the light source 441 that is conjugate (including approximate conjugate). For example, the image sensor 453 images the reflected light beam emitted from the light source 441 and reflected by the retroreflective member 445. For example, the focal position of the image sensor 453 is aligned with the vicinity of the front surface of the lens LE. As a result, the image sensor 453 can image at least one of the print marks, hidden marks, markings, etc. on the lens LE in an approximately focused state.

[0047] The screen of the monitor 460 displays the lens image of the lens LE captured by the image sensor 453. The monitor 460 is a touch panel display. In this embodiment, because the monitor 460 is a touch panel, it functions as an operating unit. In this case, the control unit 40 receives input signals via the touch panel function of the monitor 460 and controls the display of information on the monitor 460. Of course, the cup mounting device 400 may also be configured with a separate operating unit. In this case, the operating unit may be at least one of the following: a mouse, joystick, keyboard, or touch panel. Of course, both the monitor 460 and the operating unit may be used to operate the cup mounting device 400.

[0048] <Eyeglass lens processing equipment> Figure 4 shows the configuration of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 500. The eyeglass lens processing apparatus 500 includes a processing chamber 510, a lens holding shaft 520 for holding the lens LE to be processed, a processing tool 530, a moving part 540, a lens shape measuring part 550, a monitor 560, a control unit 50 (see Figure 1), etc. Inside the processing chamber 510 are the lens LE held by the lens holding shaft 520 and the processing tool 530.

[0049] The machining tool 530 is used to machine the periphery of the lens LE. The machining tool 530 is mounted on a rotating shaft 531. The machining tool 530 is rotated by the rotation of the rotating shaft 531 by a motor 532. For example, the machining tool 530 is composed of multiple machining wheels. For example, the machining tool 530 includes a rough machining wheel, a finishing machining wheel, etc. For example, the finishing machining wheel has a machining surface for forming a bevel on the periphery of the lens LE after rough machining, and a flat finishing machining surface.

[0050] The moving unit 540 is configured to tertiarily change the positional relationship between the processing position of the lens LE held on the lens holding shaft 520 and the processing tool 530. For example, the moving unit 540 includes a carriage 541, a rotating unit 542, and an XY moving unit 543. The carriage 541 rotatably holds the lens holding shaft 520. The rotating unit 542 is configured to rotate the lens LE by rotating the lens holding shaft 520 around its axis. The XY moving unit 543 includes an X moving unit 543a and a Y moving unit 543b. The X moving unit 543a moves the carriage 541 in the axial direction (X direction) of the lens holding shaft 520, thereby relatively changing the positional relationship of the lens LE in the X direction with respect to the processing tool 530. The Y-movement unit 543b moves the carriage 541 in the direction (Y-direction) in which the distance between the lens holding shaft 520 and the rotation shaft 531 of the workpiece 530 changes, thereby relatively changing the positional relationship of the lens LE with respect to the workpiece 530 in the Y-direction.

[0051] The lens shape measuring unit 550 is configured to measure the shape of the front surface (e.g., the front refractive surface) and the rear surface (e.g., the back refractive surface) of the lens LE held on the lens holding shaft 520. For example, the lens shape measuring unit 550 has a first measuring probe that contacts the front surface of the lens, a second measuring probe that contacts the rear surface of the lens, and a detector 551a that detects the positions of the first measuring probe and the second measuring probe in the axial direction (X direction) of the lens holding shaft 520, and the refractive surface shape of the lens LE in the X direction is measured based on the detection result of the detector 551a.

[0052] Furthermore, the lens shape measuring unit 550 may also be configured to measure the external shape of the lens LE. In this case, the lens shape measuring unit 550 includes an external shape measuring probe that contacts the periphery of the unprocessed lens LE held on the lens holding shaft 520, and a detector 551b that detects the position of the external shape measuring probe in the radial direction (e.g., the Y direction) of the lens LE held on the lens holding shaft 520. Based on the detection result of the detector 551b, the radial external shape of the lens LE is measured.

[0053] The monitor 560 uses a touch panel display. In other words, in this embodiment, since the monitor 560 is a touch panel, the monitor 560 functions as an operating unit. In this case, the control unit 50 receives input signals via the touch panel function of the monitor 560 and controls the display of information on the monitor 560. Of course, the spectacle lens processing apparatus 500 may also be configured to have a separate operating unit. In this case, for example, the operating unit may use at least one of the following: a mouse, joystick, keyboard, touch panel, etc. Of course, the spectacle lens processing apparatus 500 may also be operated using both the monitor 560 and the operating unit.

[0054] Furthermore, the configuration of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 500 can be the one described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-149966; please refer to that publication for details.

[0055] A read / write unit 700 (details described later) is connected to the spectacle lens processing device 500. The read / write unit 700 can read processing data generated by the cup mounting device 400 from the storage medium 100, which is transported together with the tray TR. The spectacle lens processing device 500 can also write processing completion information to the storage medium 100, indicating that the processing of the spectacle lenses has been completed.

[0056] <Tray Stand> Figure 5 shows the external configuration of the tray mounting base 600 and the read / write unit 700. The tray mounting base 600 is installed in each of the eyeglass manufacturing devices. A tray TR is placed on the tray mounting base 600. In this embodiment, the tray mounting base 600 installed in the eyeglass lens processing device 500 will be described as an example. Figure 5 is a view of the eyeglass lens processing device 500 from diagonally above, showing the state in which the tray mounting base 600 is attached to the eyeglass lens processing device 500. In this embodiment, the tray mounting base 600 is placed in an area that does not interfere with the operator's operation of the eyeglass lens processing device 500. As an example, considering the operator's operation of the monitor 560, the tray mounting base 600 is placed on the rear side of the upper surface of the housing 530.

[0057] For example, the tray mounting base 600 includes a mounting section 601, a height adjustment mechanism 602, a wall mechanism 603, an anti-slip mechanism 604, a read / write section 700, etc. The mounting space 601 is a mounting area (mounting surface in this embodiment) on which the tray TR (see Figure 2) is placed. For example, the mounting section 601 only needs to have a shape that can support the bottom surface of the tray. Also, for example, the mounting section 601 only needs to have an area that can support the bottom surface of the tray. In this embodiment, the mounting space 601 is rectangular and has an area that contacts more than half of the bottom surface of the tray. The height adjustment mechanism 602 is provided to adjust the angle of the tray placed on the mounting section 601 with respect to the contact surface of the spectacle lens processing device 500. The wall mechanism 603 is formed integrally with the mounting section 601. For example, the wall mechanism 603 is provided so as to contact the side surface of the tray placed on the mounting section 601. The anti-slip mechanism 604 is provided so as to contact at least the bottom surface of the tray placed on the mounting section 601.

[0058] <Read / Write Section> The read / write unit 700 (see Figure 5) is connected to each of the eyeglass manufacturing devices and performs at least one of the following: reading information from the storage medium 100 and writing information to the storage medium 100. The read / write unit 700 is provided on the tray mounting base 600 and automatically performs at least one of the following: reading information from the storage medium 100 transported with the tray TR while the tray TR is placed on the tray mounting base 600. For example, the read / write unit 700 is fixedly positioned on the upper surface of the mounting portion 601 on the tray mounting base 600. In this embodiment, the storage medium 100 is placed at a predetermined position in the storage medium placement portion TR40 of the tray TR (see Figure 2), and when the tray TR is placed on the mounting portion 501, the read / write unit 700 is positioned on the upper surface of the mounting portion 601 facing the storage medium 100. The read / write unit 700 is also connected to the control unit of each of the eyeglass manufacturing devices by a connection portion 60 (see Figure 1).

[0059] <Department Head> The control system of the eyeglass manufacturing system 1 will be explained using Figure 1. In this embodiment, the lens meter 200 is equipped with a control unit 20, the eyeglass frame measuring device 300 with a control unit 30, the cup mounting device 400 with a control unit 40, and the eyeglass lens processing device 500 with a control unit 50. Each control unit may be implemented using a general-purpose CPU (e.g., processor), RAM, ROM, etc. The CPU controls the operation of each part of each eyeglass manufacturing device. RAM temporarily stores various information. ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU. In addition, each control unit is equipped with non-volatile memory that can store information even when the power supply is cut off.

[0060] In this disclosure, the term "processor" refers to one or more hardware processors configured to execute program code contained in a program (i.e., one or more instructions of a program). In other words, a "processor" is a hardware device capable of performing one or more programmed operations. For example, a "processor" may be a general-purpose or application-specific processor and may be at least one of a CPU, microprocessor, GPU, and DFP (Data Flow Processor).

[0061] In this disclosure, the term “memory” refers to one or more hardware memories that are non-transitional tangible recording media configured to record at least one of computer program code and data in a manner accessible from a processor. “Memory” can be implemented by memory technologies such as SRAM, SDRAM, non-volatile / flash type memory, or other types of memory. The computer program code that constitutes the program is recorded in memory and executed by the processor to enable various functions in each eyeglass manufacturing apparatus.

[0062] In this disclosure, the term “circuit” refers to one or more logic circuits as hardware, configured to enable each eyeglass manufacturing device to perform a function. In other words, “circuit” refers to one or more non-programmable devices. For example, “circuit” could be a custom IC designed to be non-programmable for a specific application.

[0063] In this disclosure, at least one of a circuit and a processor having memory storing computer program code enables each eyeglass manufacturing apparatus to function. The expression "at least one of a circuit and a processor" should be interpreted as disjunctive (logical OR) and not as at least one circuit and at least one processor.

[0064] <Control operation> This section describes the control operations of multiple processes (work processes) that the eyeglass manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment performs on the lens LE. In the eyeglass manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment, the following processes are performed: measuring the optical properties of the lens LE with a lens meter 200 (lens measurement process); marking the lens LE with a marking point using the lens meter 200 (marking point application process); measuring the shape of the eyeglass frame with an eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 to acquire first lens shape data used for processing the edge of the lens LE and second lens shape data with a smaller data capacity than the first lens shape data (lens shape data acquisition process); attaching the cup and generating processing data using a cup attachment device 400 (lens processing preparation process); and processing the edge of the eyeglass lens using an eyeglass lens processing device 500 (lens processing process).

[0065] <Lens measurement process> First, the worker selects the eyeglass frame desired by the subject and the lens LE that matches the subject's prescription, and then places it in the designated position on the tray TR along with the cup Cu, which is the processing jig for the lens LE.

[0066] If the subject wears or owns eyeglasses, the operator measures the optical properties of the lenses LE of the eyeglasses worn or owned by the subject using the lensmeter 200. For example, the optical properties of the lenses LE include at least one of the following: the left and right lens powers of the eyeglasses (e.g., spherical power S, astigmatism power C, astigmatism axis angle A, etc.), prism amount Δ, interpupillary distance (PD), eye point position (the position of the subject's pupils), etc. The interpupillary distance (PD) and eye point position (the position of the subject's pupils) may also be obtained by measuring the position of the subject's eye and inputting it into the lensmeter 200. For example, if the subject wishes to have new eyeglasses made with the same power as the eyeglasses they are currently wearing, the measured optical properties of the lenses LE are obtained as the subject's eye examination information (i.e., the eye examination process can be omitted).

[0067] The operator places the tray TR on the tray mounting base 600 of the lensmeter 200. When the read / write unit 700 on the tray mounting base 600 detects that the tray TR has been placed on the tray mounting base 600 of the lensmeter 200, it sends a detection signal to the control unit 20 of the lensmeter 200. Upon receiving the detection signal, the control unit 20 of the lensmeter 200 causes the read / write unit 700 to output eye examination information. As a result, at least one of the eye examination information, such as the left and right lens powers of the eyeglasses (e.g., spherical power S, astigmatism power C, astigmatism axis angle A, etc.), prism amount Δ, interpupillary distance (PD), and eye point position (the position of the subject's pupils), is automatically written to the storage medium 100 of the tray TR. Therefore, the eye examination information is stored in the storage medium 100 that is transported together with the tray TR. The worker removes the tray TR from the tray mounting base 600 of the lens meter 200 and transports the tray TR to the next process.

[0068] Of course, the optometric information may also be obtained by performing an optometric examination process that measures the visual function (refractive power, etc.) of both eyes of the subject using a subjective optometric device (not shown). For example, the operator measures or inputs the optical characteristics of the subject's eye using a subjective optometric device (not shown) based on the optical characteristics of the lens obtained by the lensmeter 200, objective measurement results obtained by an objective optometric device (objective refractive power measuring device), etc. In this embodiment, the optical characteristics of the subject's eye include at least one of the following: refractive power (e.g., spherical power S, astigmatism power C, astigmatism axis angle A, etc.), prism amount Δ, interpupillary distance (PD), eye point position (the position of the subject's pupil), etc. In this way, the optical characteristics of the subject's eye are obtained as the subject's optometric information. Furthermore, the eye examination information may be stored in a storage medium 100, which is transported together with the tray TR, by a read / write unit of a subjective eye examination device (not shown).

[0069] <Marking process> The operator removes the unprocessed lens LE from the tray TR and places the lens LE on the installation position 210 (see Figure 1). After measuring the lens LE to confirm the optical center, etc., the operator pushes down the lever (not shown) of the marking mechanism 220. This causes the pen tip of the marking mechanism 220 to come into contact with the lens LE, and a mark is made on the lens LE. The operator then marks the other lens LE in the same way. The marks made will be used when attaching the cup in the lens processing preparation process described later.

[0070] <Gem shape data acquisition process> Next, the operator removes the eyeglass frame from the tray TR and sets it in the measuring unit 310 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300. The operator operates the control unit 330 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device (tracer) 300 to measure the lens shape of the lens LE to be processed (for example, the shape of the rim into which the processed lens will be fitted, or the shape of the demo lens that was fitted in the eyeglass frame, etc.). Based on the execution signal from the control unit 330, the control unit 30 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 guides a measuring probe (not shown) of the measuring unit 310 along the rim of the eyeglass frame and measures the shape of the rim based on the trajectory of the measuring probe. Based on the measured rim shape, first lens shape data is acquired. The circumference of the rim shape (i.e., lens shape) is also obtained based on the measured shapes of the left and right rims.

[0071] Next, the control unit 30 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 creates a second lens shape data TD2 (in other words, simplified data or preview data) with a smaller data capacity than the first lens shape data TD1 (in other words, the main data) based on the acquired first lens shape data TD1 (in other words, the main data).

[0072] Figure 6 shows the lens shape of lens shape data based on the rim shape. Here, the lens shape of one lens LE is shown. The first lens shape data TD1 is expressed as (rn,θn) (n=1, 2, ..., N) using the radial length rn and radial angle θn, with respect to the center position (e.g., geometric center position) Tc of the rim shape. For example, in this embodiment, the unit change angle of the radial angle θn is 0.36 degrees, and the first lens shape data TD1 is obtained as polar coordinates with 1000 points around the entire circumference of the lens shape. Note that the lens shape data may also be obtained in xy Cartesian coordinates.

[0073] In this embodiment, the control unit 30 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 creates second lens shape data TD2 by, for example, reducing the number of points that constitute the lens shape of the first lens shape data TD1. For example, if the first lens shape data TD1 had data with a radial angle every 0.36 degrees, the control unit 30 reduces the radial angle θn every 3.6 degrees (i.e., by making the number of points around the entire circumference of the lens 100), thereby creating second lens shape data TD2 with a smaller data capacity than the first lens shape data TD1. In this example, the data capacity of the second lens shape data TD2 is set to 1 / 10 of the data capacity of the first lens shape data TD1. As a result, even if it takes time to read the first lens shape data TD1 which has a large data capacity, the reading time for the second lens shape data TD2 is set to 1 / 10 of the time it takes to read the first lens shape data TD1.

[0074] Note that while the first lens shape data TD1 and the second lens shape data TD2 are required for the right eye and left eye respectively, the other data can be created by horizontally flipping one of the data (for example, mirror inversion).

[0075] The operator places the tray TR on the tray mounting table 600 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300. When the read / write unit 700 provided on the tray mounting table 600 detects that the tray TR has been placed on the tray mounting table 600 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 (for example, when it becomes possible to read and write information between the tray TR and the storage medium 100 that was transported together with the tray TR), it transmits a detection signal to the control unit 30 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300. When the control unit 30 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 receives the detection signal, it causes the read / write unit 600 to output frame information of the first lens shape data TD1 and the second lens shape data TD2, thereby storing that data in the storage medium 100 (for example, this may include writing, inputting, transmitting, etc.). Of course, the frame information may include at least one of the following in addition to the left and right lens shape data: the distance between the centers of the left and right lens shapes (FPD), the circumference of the left and right rims of the eyeglass frame, the frame curve, etc.

[0076] Here, the control unit 30 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 stores the first lens shape data TD1 and the second lens shape data TD2 in the storage medium 100 via the read / write unit 600, in a manner that corresponds to the order in which the eyeglass manufacturing device used in the next work process acquires the data. In this embodiment, in order to allow the eyeglass manufacturing device used in the next work process (for example, the cup mounting device 400, the eyeglass lens processing device 500) to acquire the second lens shape data TD2 before the first lens shape data TD1, the control unit 30 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 stores the second lens shape data TD2 and the first lens shape data TD1 in the storage medium 100. The order of the lens shape data stored in the storage medium 100 may be identified based on the date and time of storage, an identifier automatically assigned based on the order in which the lens shape data was stored, etc. Furthermore, as a method for storing the first lens shape data TD1 and the second lens shape data TD2 in the storage medium 100 in a manner corresponding to the order in which the eyeglass manufacturing apparatus used in the next work process acquires the data, regardless of the order in which the data is stored in the storage medium 100, the first lens shape data TD1 and the second lens shape data TD2 may each be assigned a distinguishable identifier and stored in the storage medium 100, and the eyeglass manufacturing apparatus used in the next work process may be configured to acquire (for example, by reading, outputting, receiving, etc.) the data of the identifier assigned to the second lens shape data TD2 before the data of the identifier assigned to the first lens shape data TD1.

[0077] Furthermore, the layout data necessary to lay out the positional relationship of the optical center of the lens LE to the lens shape (for example, at least one of the following: interpupillary distance PD, inter-center distance FPD, height OH of the optical center of the lens LE relative to the geometric center of the lens shape) is also stored in the storage medium 100 so that the eyeglass manufacturing apparatus used in the next work process can acquire it before the first lens shape data TD1. For example, since the capacity of the layout data is much smaller than the data capacity of the second lens shape data TD2, it may be stored in the storage medium 100 before the second lens shape data TD2.

[0078] As a result, information such as lens shape data is automatically written to the storage medium 100 of the tray TR. Therefore, the lens shape data is stored in the storage medium 100 that is transported together with the tray TR. The operator removes the tray TR from the tray mounting table 600 of the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300 and transports the tray TR to perform the next process.

[0079] <Lens processing preparation steps> The operator places the tray TR on the tray mounting base 600 of the cup mounting device 400. When the read / write unit 700 provided on the tray mounting base 600 detects that the tray TR has been placed on the tray mounting base 600 of the cup mounting device 400, it transmits a detection signal to the control unit 40 of the cup mounting device 400. Upon receiving the detection signal, the control unit 40 of the cup mounting device 400 reads the eye examination information and lens shape data stored in the storage medium 100 that was transported together with the tray TR by the read / write unit 700. As a result, the cup mounting device 400 acquires the eye examination information and lens shape data.

[0080] At this time, the control unit 40 of the cup mounting device 400 acquires the first lens shape data TD1 and the second lens shape data TD2 from the storage medium 100 in the order in which they were stored in the storage medium 100. In this embodiment, the control unit 40 acquires the second lens shape data TD2 before the first lens shape data TD1, displays the first lens shape figure based on the acquired second lens shape data on the monitor 460 of the cup mounting device 400, and after acquiring the first lens shape data TD1, displays the second lens shape figure based on the acquired first lens shape data TD1 on the monitor 460 in place of the first lens shape figure. In addition, if layout data is stored in the storage medium 100, the control unit 40 acquires the layout data before the first lens shape data TD1. After that (after the first lens shape data TD1 is acquired), the control unit 40 acquires the eye examination information and the remaining frame information. Examples of these operations will be explained using Figures 7 to 9.

[0081] Figure 7 is a timing chart illustrating the acquisition of information stored in the storage medium 100. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the alignment screen 800 displayed on the monitor 460 of the cup mounting device 400. Figure 8(a) shows the first lens shape figure 810 based on the second lens shape data displayed on the alignment screen 800. Figure 8(a) shows the lens LE being aligned based on the first lens shape figure 810 based on the second lens shape data. Figure 9 shows the second lens shape figure 880 based on the first lens shape data displayed on the alignment screen 800.

[0082] As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the first state P1 is defined as the state in which the tray TR is placed on the tray mounting base 600 and the reading of the second lens shape data TD2 is performed from time t0. The second state P2 is defined as the state in which the reading of the second lens shape data TD2 is completed at time t1 and the reading of the first lens shape data TD1 is performed from that time t1. The third state P3 is defined as the state in which the reading of the first lens shape data is completed at time t2 and the reading of optometry information and the remaining frame information is performed from that time t2.

[0083] First, when the tray TR is placed on the tray mounting base 600, the reading of the second lens shape data TD2 stored in the storage medium 100 begins at time t0. The operator removes the lens LE from the tray TR and places the lens LE on the support pin 414 of the cup mounting device 400 (see Figure 3).

[0084] Next, for example, while the operator is removing the lens LE from the tray TR, once the reading of the second lens shape data TD2 is completed, the alignment screen 800 of the monitor 460 displays the first lens shape figure based on the second lens shape data TD2, as shown in Figure 8(a). Also, from the time t1 when the reading of the second lens shape data TD2 is completed, the reading of the first lens shape data TD1 stored in the storage medium 100 is performed.

[0085] As shown in Figure 8(a), the alignment screen 800 is a screen for aligning the cup Cu with a mark on the lens surface relative to a predetermined reference axis for cup mounting. The alignment screen 800 displays the first lens shape figure 810, the cup image 820, the support pin image 830, the lens image 840, the alignment target mark 850, etc. The first lens shape figure 810 is formed based on the second lens shape data TD2. The first lens shape figure 810 has fewer data points that make up its shape compared to the original first lens shape data TD1. Therefore, it is displayed as an approximate figure for the second lens shape figure 880 (see Figure 9), which is based on the original first lens shape data TD1, as will be described later. In other words, the first lens shape figure 810 is treated as a lens shape figure for previewing the second lens shape figure 880. In this embodiment, the first lens shape 810 is formed based on the second lens shape data D2, which has a radial angle θn of 3.6 degrees and 100 points. Therefore, compared to the accurate second lens shape 880 based on the first lens shape data TD1 (lens shape TD1 in Figure 6), the first lens shape 810 is formed with a rounded shape, for example, with points missing at the corners (for example, corner K in Figure 6). The cup mark 820 indicates the outline of the cup Cu to be attached to the lens LE. The lens image 840 is the lens image of the lens LE. The lens image 840 shows a mark image 860, which is an image of a mark that has been previously placed at the optical center position of the lens LE (in this embodiment, the center position Tc of the lens LE). The mark 850 indicates the target position for aligning the mark applied to the lens surface. The center position 870 of the mark 850 is positioned to coincide with the reference axis L1 for cup mounting. The first lens-shaped figure 810 is displayed with its center position Tc offset from the reference axis L1, based on layout data (for example, at least one of the interpupillary distance PD, intercenter distance FPD, and optical center height OH of the lens LE). The alignment screen 800 also displays an image of the support pin 414, but for the sake of explanation, its illustration is omitted here.

[0086] The operator moves the lens LE on the support pin 414 while checking the alignment screen 800 so that the imprinted image 860 aligns with the mark 850. As a result, as shown in Figure 8(b), the reference axis L1 for cup mounting and the optical center position of the lens LE coincide, and the alignment is completed. In addition, for example, in the mounting process of attaching the cup to the lens LE, there may be cases of "bulb failure" where the lens shape does not fit within the diameter of the lens LE, or when attaching the cup Cu to a lens with a low lens height (narrow vertical width of the lens after processing), such as a spanner wrench frame, the cup Cu may not fit within the lens shape. For this reason, the operator can check for bulb failure (a state in which the first lens shape figure 810 does not fit within the diameter of the lens LE) and check the mounting position of the cup (whether the cup mark 820 fits within the first lens shape figure 810, etc.) on the lens LE after alignment is complete. For example, in the mounting process of attaching a cup Cu to a lens LE, a "bulb-hole" error may occur, indicating that the bulb shape does not fit within the diameter of the lens LE. Similarly, when attaching a cup Cu to a lens with a low lens height, such as a spanner-eye frame, the cup may not fit within the bulb shape. In this way, during the waiting time while acquiring the large-capacity first bulb shape data TD1, tasks such as alignment, checking for bulb-hole errors, and confirming the mounting position of the cup Cu can be started in advance based on the first bulb shape diagram 810. Therefore, the waiting time for these tasks can be reduced, and rework can be minimized because bulb-hole errors and the mounting position of the cup Cu can be checked at this stage. Furthermore, the display of the first bulb shape diagram 810 based on the second bulb shape data TD2 allows for confirmation that data reading from the storage medium 100 is functioning correctly and without malfunction.

[0087] Next, at time t2, once the reading of the first ball shape data TD1 is complete, the second ball shape figure 880 based on the first ball shape data TD2 is displayed on the alignment screen 800 instead of the first ball shape figure 810 based on the second ball shape data TD2, and the eye examination information and remaining frame information stored in the storage medium 100 are read.

[0088] As shown in Figure 9, the alignment screen 800 further displays the second ball-shaped figure 880, a message 890, etc. The second ball-shaped figure 880 is formed based on the first ball-shaped data TD1. Compared to the first ball-shaped figure 810 in Figure 8, the second ball-shaped figure 880 has a larger amount of data that constitutes its shape, so the outlines of the corners of the ball-shaped figure are clearly displayed. At the same time, the alignment screen 800 displays a message 890 indicating that the first ball-shaped figure 810 has been replaced by the second ball-shaped figure 880.

[0089] The operator confirms via message 890 that the first lens shape 810 has been replaced by the second lens shape 880. This allows for easy recognition that the first lens shape 810, which serves as a preview image, has been replaced by the second lens shape used for processing. The operator can also use the second lens shape 880 to perform accurate checks for lens breakage, confirm the mounting position of the cup Cu, etc. After performing these checks, the operator operates the cup mounting device 400 to attach the cup Cu to the surface of the lens LE, which has been aligned.

[0090] Furthermore, once the operator has finished reading the eye examination information and the remaining frame information, they input information such as processing conditions and lens information into the cup mounting device 400 based on the eyeglass frame and lens LE desired by the subject. For example, the processing conditions may be processing settings that include at least one of the following: beveling, flat grinding, grooving, finishing mode, etc. For example, the lens information may be at least one of the following: lens type / design data (e.g., single-vision, multi-vision, progressive lens, etc.), lens material (e.g., refractive index, lens thickness, etc.), characteristics, color, surface treatment (e.g., multi-coating, water-repellent coating, super-water-repellent coating, etc.). The control unit 40 of the cup mounting device 400 generates processing data (e.g., lens shape data relative to the mounting center of the cup Cu, processing condition data, etc.) for controlling the processing operation in the eyeglass lens processing device described later, based on predetermined necessary information such as eye examination information, layout data, and frame information.

[0091] For example, when the control unit 40 of the cup mounting device 400 confirms that the mounting process of attaching cups to the left and right lenses LE and the generation of processing data have been completed, it causes the read / write unit 700 to output the processing data. As a result, the processing data is automatically written to the storage medium 100 of the tray TR. Therefore, the processing data is stored as processing information in the storage medium 100, which is transported together with the tray TR. The operator removes the tray TR from the tray mounting table 600 of the cup mounting device 400 and transports the tray TR to perform the next process.

[0092] <Lens processing steps> The operator places the tray TR on the tray mounting table 600 of the eyeglass lens processing machine 500. When the read / write unit 700 provided on the tray mounting table 600 detects that the tray TR has been placed on the tray mounting table 600 of the eyeglass lens processing machine 500, it transmits a detection signal to the control unit 50 of the eyeglass lens processing machine 500. Upon receiving the detection signal, the control unit 50 of the eyeglass lens processing machine 500 automatically reads the processing data stored in the storage medium 100 that was transported together with the tray TR by the read / write unit 700. As a result, the eyeglass lens processing machine 400 acquires the processing data.

[0093] At this time, the control unit 50 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 500 acquires the first lens shape data TD1 and the second lens shape data TD2 from the storage medium 100, similar to the lens processing preparation process. In this embodiment, the control unit 50 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 500 acquires the second lens shape data TD2 before the first lens shape data TD1, displays the first lens shape figure based on the acquired second lens shape data TD2 on the monitor 560 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 500, and after acquiring the first lens shape data TD1, displays the second lens shape figure based on the acquired first lens shape data TD1 on the monitor 560 in place of the first lens shape figure. After that, the control unit 50 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 500 acquires the remaining processing data information.

[0094] Figure 10 shows an example of a setting screen 900 for checking layout data showing the positional relationship of the optical center of the lens LE, or for setting necessary processing conditions, based on the second lens shape data TD2 acquired before the first lens shape data TD1. The setting screen 900 is displayed on the monitor 560 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 500. For example, the setting screen 900 displays the left and right lens shape data. Also, for example, the confirmation screen 900 may be provided with a processing condition change button 910, a processing start button 911, etc. For example, as lens shape data for the left eye, the left eye lens shape figure OL, which is a lens shape figure based on the lens shape data, is displayed. Furthermore, the left eye lens shape data includes an input section (display section) for parameters such as the optical center OCL of the left eye lens shape, the geometric center PCL of the left eye lens shape, and the height 920 of the lens optical center relative to the geometric center of the left eye lens shape. Similarly, for example, as lens shape data for the right eye, the right eye lens shape figure OR, which is a lens shape figure based on the lens shape data, is displayed. Furthermore, the lens shape data for the right eye includes an input (display) section for parameters such as the optical center OCR of the right eye lens shape, the geometric center PCR of the right eye lens shape, and the height of the lens optical center relative to the geometric center of the right eye lens shape (930). Also, for example, the lens shape data for the left eye and the lens shape data for the right eye include an input (display) section (940) for parameters such as the distance FPD between the geometric centers of the left eye lens shape and the right eye lens shape, an input (display) section (950) for parameters such as the interpupillary distance PD of the wearer, and an input (display) section (960) for parameters such as the distance DBL between the nasal ends of the left eye lens shape and the right eye lens shape.

[0095] Similar to the lens processing preparation process, as shown in Figure 7, first, the tray TR is placed on the tray mounting base 600, and in the first state P1, at time t0, the reading of the second lens shape data TD2 is started, and the reading of the second lens shape data TD2 stored in the storage medium 100 is performed. Next, at time t1, the reading of the second lens shape data TD2 is completed, and in the second state P2, at that time t1, the reading of the first lens shape data TD1 is performed, and the first lens shape figure based on the second lens shape data TD2 (same as in Figure 7, so its illustration is omitted) is displayed on the setting screen 900, and the reading of the first lens shape data TD1 stored in the storage medium 100 is performed. At this time, the operator can remove the eyeglass frame from the tray TR and, before the reading of the first lens shape data TD1 is completed, can check the consistency between the lens shape data and the eyeglass frame against the first lens shape figure displayed on the setting screen 900. In this case, the operator can verify the consistency between the lens shape data and the rim shape of the eyeglass frame by comparing the first lens shape displayed on the settings screen 900 with the rim shape of the eyeglass frame placed on the tray TR. In this way, while waiting for the large-capacity first lens shape data TD1 to be acquired, the process of verifying the consistency between the lens shape data and the rim shape of the eyeglass frame can be started in advance based on the first lens shape figure derived from the second lens shape data TD2.

[0096] Next, once the reading of the first lens shape data TD1 is complete, the setting screen 900 for the second lens shape based on the first lens shape data TD1 is displayed, and the remaining processing data information stored in the storage medium 100 is read. The operator can confirm through the notification of message 970 that the first lens shape has been replaced with the left-eye lens shape OL and the right-eye lens shape OR of the second lens shape. Since these are the same as the lens processing preparation process, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0097] Once the reading of the eye examination information and the remaining lens shape data is complete, various data are automatically entered into the setting screen 900. For example, the operator removes one side of the lens LE from the tray TR. For example, the operator attaches (inserts) the lens holding shaft 520 into the cup attached to the lens LE and holds (chucks) the lens LE. For example, the operator presses the processing start button 911. For example, the control unit 50 of the lens processing apparatus 500 controls the processing of the periphery of the lens LE based on the operation signal from the processing start button 911. Also, for example, the control unit 50 of the lens processing apparatus 500 controls the processing of the periphery of the lens LE by rotating the lens holding shaft 520 and moving the lens holding shaft 520 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions based on the aforementioned processing data, thereby adjusting the relative positional relationship of the processing position of the lens LE with respect to the processing tool 530 (for details, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-177234). Furthermore, since the processing conditions for the lens LE processing device 500 are written in the processing data, it is not necessary to set the processing conditions again.

[0098] For example, when the peripheral processing of one lens LE is completed, the operator returns the lens LE to the tray TR, clamps the other lens LE in the lens holding shaft 520, and performs peripheral processing on it in the same way. For example, when the peripheral processing of both lens LEs is completed, the control unit 50 of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 500 outputs processing completion information to the read / write unit 700, indicating that the processing of the lens LEs has been completed. As a result, the processing completion information is automatically written to the storage medium 100 in the tray TR. Therefore, the processing completion information is stored as processing information in the storage medium 100 that is transported together with the tray TR.

[0099] <Example of transformation> In the eyeglass manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment, the second lens shape data TD2 is configured to have a smaller data capacity than the first lens shape data TD1 by reducing the number of points that constitute the lens shape of the first lens shape data TD1, but the system is not limited to this configuration. For example, the second lens shape data TD2 may be created in such a way that its data capacity is reduced compared to the first lens shape data TD1 by converting the coordinate position data of the lens shape of the first lens shape data into another format. For example, the second lens shape data TD2 may be configured in such a way that its data capacity is reduced compared to the first lens shape data TD1 by using a discrete cosine transform. The discrete cosine transform is one method of converting a discrete signal into the frequency domain. In this case, the second lens shape data TD2 may have a smaller data capacity than the first lens shape data TD1 by converting the first lens shape data TD1 into a combination of cosine functions (cosines) that have frequency and amplitude.

[0100] Furthermore, in the eyeglass manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment, the cups were manually attached using the cup attachment device 400, but the system is not limited to this. For example, an automatic cup attachment device may be used that automatically detects the position of the markings or the optical center of the lens LE using a built-in camera, and adjusts the relative positional relationship between the lens LE and the cup Cu to attach the cup Cu. In this case, since the second lens shape data TD2 is acquired before the first lens shape data TD1, a lens shape figure based on the second lens shape data TD2 is displayed on the setting screen 900 illustrated in Figure 10, allowing for the confirmation of the layout data. Also, if the layout data has not been acquired, the display of a lens shape figure based on the second lens shape data TD2 makes it easier to visually work with the layout data, improving work efficiency.

[0101] Furthermore, in order to enable each control unit (for example, control unit 40, control unit 50) to acquire the second lens shape data TD2 before the first lens shape data TD1, the data may be stored in the storage medium 100 in the following manner. For example, the storage medium 100 is provided with multiple folders (which may also be addresses) in which multiple data are stored, and each control unit (for example, control unit 40, control unit 50) that reads and acquires data from the storage medium 100 is configured to read and acquire data in the order of the first folder, second folder, third folder, ... of the storage medium 100. Then, for example, control unit 30, which functions as a writing means for the eyeglass frame shape measuring device 300, is configured to write the first lens shape data TD1 to the second folder and the second lens shape data TD2 to the first folder. As a result, the second lens shape data TD2 in the first folder is acquired before the first lens shape data TD1 in the second folder. Furthermore, if it is desired that the layout data be acquired before the first ball shape data TD1, the control unit 30, which functions as a writing means, can write the layout data to the second folder and then write and store the first ball shape data TD1 in the third folder, which is located later. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 1. Eyeglass Manufacturing System 100 storage medium 200 Lens Meter 300 Eyeglass Frame Measuring Device 400 Cup Mounting Device 500 Eyeglass lens processing machine 600 Tray Stand 700 Read / Write Unit 800 Alignment screen 900 Settings screen

Claims

1. An eyeglass manufacturing apparatus for producing eyeglasses by processing eyeglass lenses to fit eyeglass frames, A display means capable of displaying a spherical figure, Control means and Equipped with, The control means is characterized by acquiring the second lens shape data before the first lens shape data from a storage medium that stores the first lens shape data used for processing the rim of eyeglass lenses and the second lens shape data which has a smaller data capacity than the first lens shape data, displaying the first lens shape figure based on the acquired second lens shape data on the display means, and after acquiring the first lens shape data, displaying the second lens shape figure based on the acquired first lens shape data on the display means in place of the first lens shape figure.

2. In the eyeglass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, The system further includes a layout data setting means for displaying a setting screen on the display means for arranging the positional relationship of the optical center of the spectacle lens with respect to the aforementioned lens shape. The eyeglass manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the control means displays the first spherical shape on the setting screen, and then displays the second spherical shape in place of the first spherical shape.

3. In the eyeglass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, An eyeglass manufacturing apparatus further comprising a notification means for notifying that the first spherical figure displayed on the display means by the control means has been replaced by the second spherical figure.

4. In the eyeglass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The spectacle lens, which has markings on its surface, is further provided with a cup mounting means configured for attaching the cup of a processing jig. The eyeglass manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the control means displays an alignment screen on the display means for aligning the cup with the markings applied to the lens surface with respect to a predetermined reference axis for cup mounting, displays the first lens shape on the alignment screen so that it is in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the reference axis, and after acquiring the first lens shape data, displays the second lens shape on the alignment screen in place of the first lens shape.

5. A spectacle manufacturing program executed in a spectacle manufacturing apparatus used for manufacturing spectacles, The aforementioned eyeglass manufacturing apparatus is A display means capable of displaying a spherical figure, Control unit and Equipped with, The aforementioned eyeglass manufacturing program is executed by the control unit, A control step that retrieves the second lens shape data before the first lens shape data from a storage medium that stores the first lens shape data used for processing the rim of eyeglass lenses and the second lens shape data which has a smaller data capacity than the first lens shape data, displays the first lens shape figure based on the retrieved second lens shape data on the display means, and after retrieving the first lens shape data, displays the second lens shape figure based on the retrieved first lens shape data on the display means in place of the first lens shape figure. A spectacle manufacturing program characterized by causing the spectacle manufacturing apparatus to execute the following.

6. A glasses manufacturing system including a glasses manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A storage medium in which the first ball-shaped data and the second ball-shaped data are stored, A reading means for reading information from the aforementioned storage medium, An eyeglass manufacturing system characterized by comprising the following features.

7. In the eyeglass manufacturing system described in claim 6, The aforementioned eyeglass manufacturing system is A second ball shape data creation means that acquires the first ball shape data and creates the second ball shape data based on the acquired first ball shape data, A writing means for writing and storing the second ball shape data created by the second ball shape data creation means together with the first ball shape data to the storage medium, An eyeglass manufacturing system characterized by comprising the following features.

8. In the eyeglass manufacturing system described in claim 7, The second ball-shaped data creation means is An eyeglass manufacturing system characterized by creating a second lens shape data in which the data size is reduced compared to the first lens shape data by reducing the number of points constituting the first lens shape data, or by converting the coordinate position data of the lens shape of the first lens shape data into another format.

9. In the eyeglass manufacturing system according to claim 7 or 8, The writing means stores the first ball shape data and the second ball shape data in the storage medium in a predetermined manner, corresponding to the order in which the control means acquires the second ball shape data from the storage medium before the first ball shape data. A spectacle manufacturing system characterized by the following features.

10. In the eyeglass manufacturing system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, The system further comprises a tray on which the aforementioned eyeglass lenses and eyeglass frames are placed and transported. The eyeglass manufacturing system is characterized in that the storage medium is transported together with the tray.

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