Adaptive Ophthalmic Lenses Scene Analysis Glare Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adaptive ophthalmic lenses systems struggle to automatically adjust their optical function based on the scene being observed, leading to inadequate protection against glare and inconsistent visual comfort.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes a sensor, such as a camera, to acquire and analyze the scene in front of the wearer, determining parameters like luminosity and sharpness to adapt the optical function of the lenses in real-time, ensuring clear vision and glare protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If photochromic lenses are used to reduce light transmission under high brightness conditions, then protection against glare is improved, but the lenses remain in high transparency state inside a car due to UV radiation levels, making the driver vulnerable to dazzle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against glareVSAvoidadaptability to different environments
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the photochromic chemical mechanism with an electro-optical system that uses electrical stimuli to control light transmission. This allows the lens to respond to electronic signals from sensors rather than relying solely on UV radiation detection, enabling differentiated response in various environments such as inside vehicles where UV levels may be high but glare protection is still needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that detect environmental conditions and provide feedback to a control unit, which then adjusts the electro-optical lens properties accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the lens to adapt dynamically to different situations, such as detecting oncoming headlights or bright sunlight, and adjusting transmission levels appropriately

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If electro-optical systems are used to control optical features by electrical stimulus, then adaptability to different activities is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for sensors and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different activitiesVSAvoidcomplexity of sensor and control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a camera sensor that serves multiple functions: it captures the visual scene for processing, detects luminosity levels, and provides data for determining working distances. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors, thereby lowering overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability across different activities and environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit integrates multiple processing functions including scene analysis, parameter determination, and lens control signals generation. By merging these functions into a single control unit rather than using separate dedicated components for each function, the system achieves the required adaptability while minimizing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables adaptive ophthalmic lenses to automatically adjust their optical function according to the wearer's field of view, providing improved visual comfort and protection against glare in various environments and activities.

Implementation Method 1

a light sensor, in particular a camera, configured to acquire the scene in front of the wearer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2893394B1Method for adapting the optical function of an adaptive ophthalmic lenses system
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP2893394B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Method for adapting the optical function of an adaptive ophthalmic lenses system comprising: an adaptive ophthalmic lenses system providing step during which an adaptive ophthalmic lenses system is provided, an acquisition step during which the scene in front of the wearer is acquired, a gazing zone determining step during which a gazing zone is determined, the gazing zone being a zone of the images of the scene acquired during the acquisition step comprising the gazing direction of the wearer, a parameter determining step during which the value of at least one parameter of the images of the scene acquired during the acquisition step is determined, an adaptation step during which the optical function of the active ophthalmic lenses is adapted according to the value of the at least one parameter determined during the par a meter determining step.