Smart mirror coated glasses

Abstract

The device comprises: eyeglass lenses capable of functioning as both sunglasses and glasses; and eyeglass frames having a user touch unit, a light detection unit, an electrochromic switching unit for switching between the sunglasses function and the glasses function, and a function control unit that controls the electrochromic switching unit based on input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit; wherein the electrochromic switching unit in the function control unit switches its color based on input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit, causing the electrochromic layer located behind the half mirror layer to change color to a dark color for a blackout background due to the supply of electricity self-generated by the solar cell surface, thereby enabling the half mirror layer to exhibit a sunglasses function in the eyeglass lens, forming a mirror surface on the front surface; and the electrochromic layer is converted to a transparent color in the half mirror layer, enabling the eyeglass lens to exhibit an eyeglass function in which a transparent window is formed on the front surface. Unlike conventional photochromic lenses that can change color due to sunlight (ultraviolet rays), these lenses can be instantly used as either regular glasses or mirrored glasses depending on the user's desired situation, regardless of sunlight (ultraviolet rays), and can exhibit effects such as blocking ultraviolet rays and scattered light, as well as giving the wearer a sense of beautiful colors to create a stylish look.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to eyeglasses, and more particularly to smart mirror-coated eyeglasses that can be used as either normal eyeglasses or mirror eyeglasses depending on the user's desired situation, can block ultraviolet rays and scattered light, and can give the wearer a beautiful sense of color and create a stylish look. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, eyeglasses have gone beyond being a mere tool for correcting vision and have established themselves as a fashion item. Some people are particular about the design of the frames, others the color of the lenses, and still others give consideration to both the frames and the lenses.

[0003] Among these are eyeglass lenses with a color mirror coating. Mirror-coated eyeglasses, which have a coating on the lenses that reflects things like a mirror, were a huge hit for a time, gaining so much popularity that many people tried them out at least once. However, depending on the situation, the mirror coating on eyeglass lenses can give an overly flashy impression, and if it does not blend in with the surrounding environment, many people may feel uncomfortable and find it difficult to wear them continuously.

[0004] Recently, eyeglasses have been fitted with photochromic lenses that darken when exposed to sunlight. These photochromic lenses have the advantage of combining the functions of eyeglasses and sunglasses, and are convenient in many ways, making them popular with many people.

[0005] Photochromic lenses change color when exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet rays), giving the eyeglass lenses a bluish tint. In other words, they automatically change color in response to the ever-changing amount of sunlight, darkening outdoors and returning to a clear state indoors.

[0006] However, photochromic lenses gradually fade even after going indoors and UV rays are blocked (the color fades from the lenses after 3 to 10 minutes). This means that the color does not immediately return to its clear state, which can be a drawback as people may be concerned about the gazes of others who find glasses with dark lenses inconvenient. Another drawback is that the color-changing function is reduced when sunlight (UV rays) is blocked, such as indoors.

[0007] Furthermore, UV-chromophoric lenses have the disadvantage that they do not change color easily in hot and humid environments. Therefore, their color-changing performance deteriorates during the rainy season and midsummer. Another drawback is that color-chromophoric lenses are not available in a variety of colors, which can make them appear monotonous and boring.

[0008] If glasses could be used as either regular glasses or mirrored glasses depending on the user's desired situation, regardless of sunlight (ultraviolet rays), and could block out ultraviolet rays and scattered light, and could also give the wearer a sense of beautiful colors and a stylish look, they would likely gain great support from many people. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide smart mirror coated glasses that can be used as either normal glasses or mirror glasses depending on the user's desired situation, regardless of sunlight (ultraviolet rays), can block ultraviolet rays and scattered light, and can give the wearer a beautiful sense of color, creating a stylish look. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides smart mirror-coated eyeglasses, which include eyeglass lenses that can function both as sunglasses and eyeglasses; and an eyeglass frame that includes a user touch unit, a light detection unit, an electrochromic switching unit for switching between the sunglasses function and the eyeglasses function, and a function control unit that controls the electrochromic switching unit based on input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit; The eyeglass lens is The lens is configured such that an anti-fingerprint layer and a hard coating layer are formed in this order, a half mirror layer on which a transparent window or a mirror surface can be formed on the front surface, an electrochromic element surface portion is formed on the rear of the half mirror layer, and a solar cell surface portion is formed on the periphery of the electrochromic element surface portion, a lens body layer, and a protective layer are laminated in this order, Based on input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit, the electrochromic switching unit in the function control unit switches the electrochromic layer placed at the rear position of the half mirror layer to a dark color for a blackout background due to the supply of electricity self-generated by the solar cell surface unit, thereby giving the eyeglass lens a sunglasses function in which a mirror surface is formed on the front surface, and the electrochromic layer is converted into a transparent color, giving the eyeglass lens an eyeglass function in which a transparent window is formed on the front surface.

[0011] In addition, in the smart mirror coated glasses of the present invention, the electrochromic surface portion of the electrochromic layer is configured such that an ion storage surface layer, an electrolyte surface layer, an electrochromic element surface layer with an operating electrode, and an upper conductive transparent substrate surface layer are laminated on the center side of a lower conductive transparent substrate surface layer; The solar cell surface portion of the electrochromic layer is characterized in that it is configured such that a dye adsorption layer, an electrolyte surface layer, a transparent electrode surface layer, and an upper conductive transparent substrate surface layer are laminated on both the left and right sides of the lower conductive transparent substrate surface layer.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, smart mirror coated eyeglasses include eyeglass lenses that can function both as sunglasses and eyeglasses; and eyeglass frames that include a user touch unit, a light detection unit, an electrochromic switching unit for switching between the sunglasses function and the eyeglasses function, a function control unit that controls the electrochromic switching unit based on input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit, and an energy harvesting unit that can generate electricity by itself; The eyeglass lens is The lens is configured such that an anti-fingerprint layer and a hard coating layer are formed in this order, a half mirror layer on which a transparent window or a mirror surface can be formed on the front surface, an electrochromic layer configured to form an electrochromic element surface part on the rear side of the half mirror layer, a lens body layer, and a protective layer are laminated in this order, Based on input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit, the electrochromic switching unit in the function control unit switches the electrochromic layer placed at the rear position of the half mirror layer to a dark color for a blackout background due to the supply of electricity self-generated by the energy harvesting unit, thereby allowing the half mirror layer to exhibit a sunglasses function in which a mirror surface is formed on the front surface of the eyeglass lens, and the electrochromic layer is converted into a transparent color, allowing the half mirror layer to exhibit an eyeglass function in which a transparent window is formed on the front surface of the eyeglass lens. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] Unlike conventional photochromic lenses that can change color due to sunlight (ultraviolet rays), the present invention has the advantage that it can be instantly used as either normal eyeglasses or mirrored eyeglasses depending on the user's desired situation, regardless of sunlight (ultraviolet rays), and can block ultraviolet rays and scattered light, while also giving the wearer a sense of beautiful colors and creating a stylish look. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of smart mirror coated glasses according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating application forms of smart mirror coated glasses according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the eyeglass lens of smart mirror coated eyeglasses according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration related to a spectacle lens having both sunglasses and eyeglass functions according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1A-1C are exemplary diagrams illustrating switching between eyeglass and sunglasses functions in smart mirror coated glasses according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the eyeglass lens of smart mirror coated eyeglasses according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration related to a spectacle lens having both sunglasses and eyeglass functions according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of smart mirror coated glasses 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing an application form of the smart mirror coated glasses 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The smart mirror-coated glasses 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention can instantly function as sunglasses with mirror-coated eyeglass lenses 6, as shown in FIG. 1(a), depending on the user's desired environment or situation, and can also function as regular eyeglasses with transparent eyeglass lenses 6, as shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0018] The smart mirror coated glasses 2 of the present invention are suitable for both sunglasses and regular glasses, and therefore, if they can be made into glasses by applying the glasses frame 4 to a regular glasses frame as shown in Figure 2(a), they can also be made into sports goggles by applying the glasses frame 4 to a sunglasses frame as shown in Figure 2(b).

[0019] The "sunglasses function" of the smart mirror coated glasses 2 of the present invention refers to the front-side mirror effect that can provide beautiful colors from the front, creating a stylish look, as well as the function of reducing glare, and can also provide eye protection by protecting the eyes not only from sunlight and reflected scattered light, but also from harmful ultraviolet rays.

[0020] The "eyeglass function" of the smart mirror coated glasses 2 of the present invention refers to the formation of a transparent window that becomes transparent when the glasses lens 6 is viewed from the front. The transparent window of the glasses lens 6 can be perfectly realized even if the glasses lens 6 is a prescription lens, and it can also function to protect the eyes from digital blue light.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the eyeglass lens 6 of the smart mirror coated eyeglasses 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram showing the configuration related to the eyeglass lens 6 capable of serving both as sunglasses and eyeglasses according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, smart mirror coated glasses 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprise eyeglass lenses 6 that can function as both sunglasses and eyeglasses, and an eyeglass frame 4 to which the eyeglass lenses 6 are joined on the left and right sides.

[0023] The eyeglass frame 4 is provided with a user touch unit 8 and a light detection unit 10 exposed to the outside, and as shown in the circuit block diagram in Figure 4, an electrochromic switching unit 14 for switching between the sunglasses function and the eyeglass function based on input from at least one of the user touch unit 8 and the light detection unit 10, and a function control unit 12 for controlling the electrochromic switching unit 14 are configured to be built into the eyeglass frame 4.

[0024] The eyeglass lens 6 of the present invention has an anti-fingerprint layer 22 and a hard coating layer 24 formed in this order, as well as a half mirror layer 20 that can form a transparent window or a mirror surface on the front surface depending on the conditions behind it, as shown in the cross-sectional configuration diagram of Figure 3, so that it can instantly be used as both sunglasses and eyeglasses depending on the user's environment and situation. In addition, behind the half mirror layer 20, an electrochromic layer 30 is provided that serves as a background for giving the half mirror layer 20 a mirror effect on the front surface or for making it a transparent window on the front surface, and behind the electrochromic layer 30, a lens body layer 50 and a protective layer 60 are laminated in this order.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the half-mirror layer 20 has an anti-fingerprint layer 22 and a hard coating layer 24 laminated in this order on the exposed front side, and a multilayer thin film having a reflective polarizing thin film and an absorptive polarizing thin film coated on the base glass surface by vacuum deposition to form a half-mirror surface.

[0026] The color of the mirror coating in the half mirror layer 20 can be a mirror-like silver color as a basic color, but a wide variety of colors such as blue, red, pink, etc. can also be used in addition to gold and green.

[0027] The mirror reflectance and light transmittance of the half mirror layer 20 are set to have a ratio of 70-50% mirror reflectance:30-50% light transmittance, and it usually looks like a transparent glass on the front surface. However, if the back surface of the half mirror layer 20 forms a background by blackout treatment using the electrochromic layer 30 of the present invention, a mirror of the color applied on the front surface is formed.

[0028] The half mirror layer 20 and the rear electrochromic layer 30 are bonded together with a PVA polarizing adhesive film 26. The PVA [poly(ethylene vinyl acetate)] polarizing adhesive film 26 has a PVA polarizing film that blocks ultraviolet rays, reflected light, and digital blue light, and has a structure in which an ultraviolet-curable adhesive is applied to both sides of the PVA polarizing film.

[0029] The electrochromic layer 30 disposed behind the half mirror layer 20 is composed of an electrochromic surface 30a and a solar cell surface 30b located on the periphery of the electrochromic surface 30a, as shown in Fig. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrochromic layer 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention utilizes energy generated by electricity generated by sunlight using the solar cell surface 30b located on the periphery of the lens.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the electrochromic surface portion 30a of the electrochromic layer 30 of the present invention is a component formed by laminating an ion storage surface layer 34, an electrolyte surface layer 36, an electrochromic element surface layer 38 with an operating electrode, and an upper conductive transparent substrate surface layer 40 on the central side of a lower conductive transparent substrate surface layer 32.

[0031] The solar cell surface portion 30b, which is arranged on the periphery of the electrochromic layer 30, is similarly a component formed by laminating a dye adsorption layer 42, an electrolyte surface layer 44, a transparent electrode surface layer 46k, and an upper conductive transparent substrate surface layer 40 on both the left and right sides of the lower conductive transparent substrate surface layer 32, as shown in Figure 4.

[0032] According to the present invention, based on input from at least one of the user touch unit 8 and the light detection unit 10 arranged on the temple side of the eyeglass frame 4, the electrochromic layer 30 placed at the rear position of the half mirror layer 20 changes color to transparent or dark using electricity self-generated by the solar cell surface unit 30b through switching operation of the electrochromic switching unit 14 in the function control unit 12 built into the eyeglass frame 4.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, under the control of the function control unit 12, the electrochromic layer 30 changes color to a dark color for a blackout background due to the electricity self-generated by the solar cell surface portion 30b, and the half mirror layer 20 gives the eyeglass lens 6 a sunglasses function in which a mirror surface is formed on the front surface.

[0034] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, under the control of the function control unit 12, the electrochromic layer 30 is converted to a transparent color by the electricity self-generated by the solar cell surface portion 30b, and the half mirror layer 20 gives the eyeglass lens 6 an eyeglass function in which a transparent window is formed on the front surface.

[0035] Although the dark color for the blackout background is displayed as is on the back of the eyeglass lens 6 that has the sunglasses function, the eyeglass wearer can conveniently view the subject ahead while receiving a wide variety of protection using the eyeglass lens 6.

[0036] In the present invention, the user touch unit 8 located on one side of the temple of the eyeglass frame 4 operates in an automatic mode and a manual mode.

[0037] For example, if the user touches the touch panel 8 with a finger once, the device operates in manual mode. The single touch inputs an electric color change toggle command, and if the user touches the touch panel 8 with a finger twice in succession, the device switches to automatic mode.

[0038] When the user touches the touch unit 8 once, it is recognized as the manual mode, and under the control of the function control unit 12, the electrochromic layer 30 of the eyeglass lens 6 is instantly switched from the currently maintained color change state to the opposite color change state.

[0039] If the user touches the touch unit 8 twice in succession, it is recognized as an automatic mode, and in the automatic mode, the function control unit 12 adaptively changes the color change state of the electrochromic layer 30 based on the amount of ultraviolet light detected by the light detection unit 10. If the amount of light detected by the light detection unit 10 is large, the function control unit 12 changes the color of the electrochromic layer 30 to a dark color for a blackout background, and if the amount of light detected by the light detection unit 10 is small, the function control unit 12 changes the color of the electrochromic layer 30 to transparent.

[0040] The spectacle lens 6 having the electrochromic layer 30 according to the present invention allows the color-changing function to be instantly changed at any time as long as the user desires, and by switching to automatic mode, the spectacle lens 6 can vary the color-changing function according to the amount of light (amount of ultraviolet light), making it easy for the spectacle wearer to use.

[0041] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the electricity for driving the electrochromic layer 30 is self-generated, eliminating the need for separate charging.

[0042] Therefore, the eyeglass wearer can instantly use the sunglasses function and eyeglass function whenever he or she wishes, and unlike eyeglasses with photochromic lenses, when the wearer goes indoors or drives a vehicle into a tunnel, the photodetector 10 immediately detects this and the electrochromic layer 30 instantly reflects an instantaneous color change, causing the eyeglass lens 6 to turn transparent. In an outdoor environment with sunlight, the photodetector 10 and the electrochromic layer 30 instantly reflect an instantaneous color change, causing the eyeglass lens 6 to look like a mirror on the front, blocking out not only glare but also ultraviolet rays and reflected light.

[0043] Unlike photochromic lenses, which do not change color quickly even when indoors, the eyeglasses 2 of the present invention have excellent adaptability to the environment and have excellent color-changing ability that distinguishes them from photochromic lenses, which do not change color easily in slightly hot or humid environments.

[0044] Furthermore, the present invention, like sports sunglasses, can block most of the ultraviolet light and block glare when engaging in activities in places where the intensity of ultraviolet and visible light is high, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, or when engaging in activities such as aviation sports, exploring the desert, remote islands, and remote areas, mountain climbing, and skiing.The sunglasses also provide a mirror-like view that can be achieved with any one of a variety of hues, providing the wearer with a beautiful sense of color and creating a stylish look.

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the hues of the spectacle lenses 6 visible on the front surface are silver (a), gold (b), green (c), blue (d), red (e), and pink (f) as a sunglasses function, and illustrates a state in which transparent windows (a) to (f) are formed in all of the spectacle lenses 6 visible on the front surface as an eyeglass function.

[0046] Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention described above in connection with Figures 3 and 4, the electrochromic layer 30 of the eyeglass lens 6 is described as having a solar cell surface portion 30b that self-generates electricity, but this can also be realized as a modified embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram of the eyeglass lens 6 in smart mirror coated eyeglasses 2 according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram showing the configuration related to the eyeglass lens 6 that can function as both sunglasses and eyeglasses according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] In Figures 6 and 7, the smart mirror coated glasses 2 are equipped with an energy harvesting unit 70 for self-generating energy built into the eyeglass frame 4, replacing the solar cell surface unit 30b in the electrochromic layer 30 in the eyeglass lens 6 in Figure 4.

[0049] The energy harvesting unit 70 can convert energy from sunlight, the movement or vibration of a wearer wearing the smart mirror-coated glasses 2, etc. into electricity to drive the electrochromic layer 30.

[0050] In the modified embodiment of Figure 6, the electrochromic layer 30 in the eyeglass lens 6 is a component that does not have a solar cell surface portion (30b in Figure 4), and has a configuration in which an ion storage surface layer 34, an electrolyte surface layer 36, an electrochromic element surface layer 38 with an operating electrode, and an upper conductive transparent substrate surface layer 40 are stacked on top of a lower conductive transparent substrate surface layer 32.

[0051] The electrochromic layer 30 in the eyeglass lens 6 can perform a color change action using electrical energy self-generated by the energy harvesting unit 70 built into the eyeglass frame 4.

[0052] 3 and 6, in the present invention, the lens body layer 50 formed on the rear of the electrochromic layer 30 in the eyeglass lens 6 can be made of glass or plastic material for eyeglasses, and can also be made in the form of a prescription lens. The rear of the lens body layer 50 is configured to have a protective layer 60 with fingerprint resistance, etc., laminated thereon.

[0053] The spectacle lens 6 of the present invention can function as sunglasses by changing the hue that produces a mirror effect due to the half mirror layer 20 and the electrochromic layer 30, so there is no problem at all with the change in the density of discoloration due to the change in the thickness inside the lens, as occurs with prescription lenses.

[0054] In the embodiments and modified embodiments of the present invention, energy can be self-generated, but if necessary, the eyeglass frame 4 may further be provided with a built-in battery, a power switch, and a charging port for charging the built-in battery using a USB cable, or may be provided with a wireless power supply unit having a wireless electric coil for supplying power wirelessly so that charging is possible without a wired charging port.

[0055] Although specific embodiments have been described in the above description of the present invention, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be determined by the above-described embodiments, but by the claims and their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0056] The present invention can be used to manufacture eyeglasses that combine the functions of sunglasses and eyeglasses.

Claims

1. In smart mirror coated glasses, Spectacle lenses that can be used as both sunglasses and glasses, an eyeglass frame including a user touch unit, a light detection unit, an electrochromic switching unit for switching between a sunglasses function and an eyeglass function, and a function control unit for controlling the electrochromic switching unit based on input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit; Although equipped with The eyeglass lens is The lens is configured such that an anti-fingerprint layer and a hard coating layer are formed in this order, a half mirror layer on which a transparent window or a mirror surface can be formed on the front surface, an electrochromic element surface portion is formed on the rear of the half mirror layer, and a solar cell surface portion is formed on the periphery of the electrochromic element surface portion, a lens body layer, and a protective layer are laminated in this order, Smart mirror coated eyeglasses characterized in that the electrochromic layer placed at the rear position of the half mirror layer changes color to a dark color for a blackout background by the supply of self-generated electricity from the solar cell surface through switching operation of the electrochromic switching unit in the function control unit based on input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit, thereby allowing the half mirror layer to exhibit a sunglasses function in which a mirror surface is formed on the front surface of the eyeglass lens, and the electrochromic layer is converted into a transparent color, allowing the half mirror layer to exhibit an eyeglass function in which a transparent window is formed on the front surface of the eyeglass lens.

2. the electrochromic surface portion of the electrochromic layer is configured such that an ion storage surface layer, an electrolyte surface layer, an electrochromic element surface layer with an operating electrode, and an upper conductive transparent substrate surface layer are laminated on the center side of a lower conductive transparent substrate surface layer; The smart mirror coated eyeglasses of claim 1, wherein the solar cell surface portion of the electrochromic layer is configured such that a dye adsorption layer, an electrolyte surface layer, a transparent electrode surface layer, and an upper conductive transparent substrate surface layer are laminated on both the left and right sides of the lower conductive transparent substrate surface layer.

3. In smart mirror coated glasses, Spectacle lenses that can be used as both sunglasses and glasses, a spectacle frame including a user touch unit, a light detection unit, an electrochromic switching unit for switching between a sunglasses function and an eyeglass function, a function control unit for controlling the electrochromic switching unit based on input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit, and an energy harvesting unit capable of generating electricity by itself; Although equipped with The eyeglass lens is The lens is configured such that an anti-fingerprint layer and a hard coating layer are formed in this order, a half mirror layer on which a transparent window or a mirror surface can be formed on the front surface, an electrochromic layer configured to form an electrochromic element surface part on the rear side of the half mirror layer, a lens body layer, and a protective layer are laminated in this order, The smart mirror coated eyeglasses are characterized in that the electrochromic layer placed at the rear position of the half mirror layer is switched on in response to input from at least one of the user touch unit and the light detection unit, and the electrochromic switching unit in the function control unit switches the color of the electrochromic layer placed at the rear position of the half mirror layer to a dark color for a blackout background when supplied with electricity self-generated by the energy harvesting unit, thereby giving the eyeglass lenses a sunglasses function in which a mirror surface is formed on the front surface, and the electrochromic layer is converted into a transparent color, giving the eyeglass lenses an eyeglass function in which a transparent window is formed on the front surface.

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