Electro-Active Lens Control Using Gaze and Viewing Distance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for presbyopia, such as reading glasses and electro-active lenses, require manual adjustment or complex range-finding devices, which are cumbersome and costly to integrate with contact lenses.
Innovation Solution
A device associated with the user, such as a smartphone, determines if the user is gazing at it and adjusts electro-active lenses worn by the user to appropriate focal lengths based on the detected distance, eliminating the need for manual operation or complex range-finding devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual switches or orientation sensors are used to control electro-active lenses, then the lenses can be adjusted for different vision needs, but the user must actively operate the device or make specific head movements, reducing convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the user is viewing content on the device and adjusts the electro-active lenses accordingly without requiring manual input. The device monitors its own usage context and self-regulates the lens focal length based on detected viewing conditions, making the system serve itself rather than requiring user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors device usage patterns, viewing distance, and duration to dynamically adjust lens focal length. This closed-loop feedback mechanism detects when presbyopic symptoms occur during device usage and automatically compensates by adjusting the electro-active lenses to appropriate focal lengths.
2Extent of automation
If complex range-finding devices are integrated with contact lenses to determine viewing distance, then automatic focal length adjustment is achieved, but the complexity and cost of the system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of integrating complex range-finding devices directly into the contact lenses, the system uses the user's existing device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) as an intermediary to detect viewing distance and usage patterns. This external mediator provides the necessary distance information without requiring complex integration into the lens itself, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing camera and processing capabilities of common devices (smartphones, tablets, computers) that users already possess and use daily. These multi-functional devices serve both as the viewing platform and as the distance detection system, eliminating the need for dedicated range-finding hardware in the lenses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electro-active lenses are used to provide controllable change in refractive index, then vision correction for presbyopia is achieved, but the lenses require integration with control systems and power sources, increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the vision correction function with the user's existing device by using it as the control unit. The device's processor, camera, and communication capabilities are combined with the electro-active lenses to create an integrated system where the existing device serves multiple functions: content display, distance detection, and lens control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system and power source for the electro-active lenses are extracted from the lens assembly itself and placed in the external device (smartphone, tablet, or computer). This separation removes the burden of complex control systems and power management from the contact lens, leaving only the electro-active optical element in the lens while housing all complex electronics in the external device.
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
The solution automatically adjusts focal length for electro-active lenses worn by the user, providing seamless vision correction without the need for manual intervention, reducing complexity and cost by leveraging devices the user frequently interacts with.
Implementation Method 1
liquid-crystal technology, allowing for a controllable change in refractive index by applying an electric field
Implementation Method 2
Liquid crystal lens with large focal length tunability and low operating voltage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a
AI summary
A device (120) for controlling a lens (151) for adjustable vision correction is provided. The device, e.g., a smartphone, comprises means which are operative to determine if a user (110) of the device is gazing (411) at the device, and, if the user is gazing at the device, to determine a distance between the eye (112) and the device, and to control the lens to adjust its focal length based on the determined distance. Thereby, the lens is adjusted only if required, i.e., if the user is gazing at the device. Embodiments of the invention are suitable for correcting presbyopia if the user is gazing at a device located at close distance, and alleviate the need for the user to actively operate a switch or move her head for adjusting the focal length of her lenses.