Control Module for Automated Optical Lens Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current eyesight examination methods risk errors in comparing optical lenses due to poor understanding between operators and subjects, leading to inefficiencies and potential incorrect results during subjective refraction measurements.

Innovation Solution

An automatic refractor head controlled by a control module displays proposals for optical lenses and validation symbols on a selection screen, allowing subjects to compare lenses without operator intervention, ensuring accurate selection and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator manually switches optical lenses during comparison, then the examination can be conducted with simple equipment, but errors occur due to poor understanding between operator and subject

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of lens comparisonVSAvoidcomplexity of control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A control module is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the automatic refractor head. The control module receives selections from the operator and automatically switches lenses, eliminating direct manual switching while maintaining system control. This intermediary device resolves the contradiction by providing reliable automated control without requiring complex direct manipulation by the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic refractor head performs self-service by automatically switching between optical lenses based on control signals from the control module. This eliminates the need for manual lens switching by the operator, thereby improving reliability of lens comparison while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the operator rapidly switches between optical lenses to speed up examination, then productivity increases, but errors occur due to confusion and mistiming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of lens comparisonVSAvoidaccuracy of lens selection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical lens switching operation is replaced by an automated control system. The control module electronically controls the automatic refractor head to switch lenses, replacing the operator's manual mechanical switching action. This substitution enables rapid lens switching without human error, simultaneously improving productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control module implements feedback by receiving selection signals from the operator and automatically executing lens switching with precise timing. The system monitors and responds to operator inputs, ensuring that lens changes occur at the correct moments without confusion or mistiming, thereby maintaining high accuracy during rapid comparisons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If manual lens switching is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time occurs due to verification and correction of errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of control systemVSAvoidtime for verification and correction

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control module performs preliminary actions by automatically preparing and switching lenses in advance based on the examination protocol. This eliminates the need for time-consuming verification and correction during the examination, as the automated system ensures correct lens selection from the outset, reducing overall examination time while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11860344B2Method for comparing optical lenses, associated control module and system

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 SIVIEW

AI summary

A method for comparing first and second optical lenses such that when a control module receives a selection suggesting the first optical lens for the first time, a suggestion for the second optical lens is selected on a selection screen and no validation symbol is selected on the selection screen; when the control module receives the selection of the suggested second optical lens, the suggested first optical lens is selected on the selection screen and first and second validation symbols is selected on the selection screen, the first symbol indicating that the first and second optical lenses are identical, and the second symbol indicating that the second optical lens is better than the first optical lens; when the control module receives the selection of the suggested first optical lens for the second time or more, the suggested second optical lens is selected on the selection screen.