Concealing Non-Optically Transparent Components in Optical Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing smart eyewear that integrates electronic components while maintaining aesthetic appeal and flexibility in eyewear customization is challenging, as existing methods often require specific spectacle frames and complex wiring connections, limiting options and customization.
Innovation Solution
A method to conceal non-optically transparent components within optical articles by covering part of the eyewear shape section with opaque material, allowing integration without compromising aesthetics or requiring specific frames, using computer programs and processing circuits to instruct the concealing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are positioned in the frontal part of the eyewear to provide smart functions, then the smart function is achieved, but the components become visible and compromise eyewear estheticism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the non-aesthetic electronic components (battery, wiring) from the visible frontal part of the eyewear and relocates them to the temple area, which is less visible when worn. This separation allows the smart functions to be maintained while the aesthetic appearance of the front view is preserved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the temple) to house the electronic components. The temple acts as a mediator that carries the battery and wiring away from the visible lens area, allowing these components to be positioned in a location that does not compromise the aesthetic appearance of the eyewear front.
2Shape
If components are hidden within the thickness of the spectacle frame to maintain aesthetics, then estheticism is improved, but the choice of eyewear is limited and customization options are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of hiding components within the limited two-dimensional space of the frame thickness, the patent utilizes the third dimension by extending components along the temple arm. This dimensional shift provides ample space for housing electronic components while maintaining various eyewear frame styles and customization options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the temple area a multi-functional zone that serves both as a structural support element and as a housing for electronic components. This universal approach allows the same temple structure to fulfill aesthetic, structural, and functional roles, enabling customization without compromising aesthetics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wiring is used inside the spectacle frame to connect battery and sensors, then smart function is achieved, but the rims need to allow both holding the lens and integrating wiring, making the connection complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wiring and battery from the complex frame structure and relocates them to the simpler temple area. This extraction simplifies the overall connection architecture by reducing the number of integration points required in the rims and bridge, while still achieving the necessary electrical connections for smart functions.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method of concealing a non-optically transparent component of an optical article. The method comprises—providing (S7) an optical article comprising: —an optical lens comprising an eyeball side facing an eye of a person when the optical article is worn by the person and an object side opposing the eyeball side, the optical lens comprising on the object side an eyewear shape section extending from an outer contour of the optical lens to an inner contour, and—a non-optically transparent component extending at least partly over the eyewear shape section, and—concealing (S8) the non-optically transparent component by covering at least part of the eyewear shape section of the optical lens using an opaque material.