Electro-active Spectacles Modular Electronics and Inductive Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electro-active lenses and spectacles lack cosmetically acceptable and practical mechanisms for controlling and synchronizing operation, providing electrical connectivity, and recharging, and are not compatible with various frame sizes, types, or styles.
Innovation Solution
The development of electronics that can be housed in any type of frame to control and synchronize electro-active lenses, along with a slim line charger that includes adjustable inductive charging cradles to recharge power sources, enabling efficient user interaction and compatibility with fully-rimmed, partially-rimmed, or rimless frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional electro-active lenses and spectacles are used, then the basic lens function is provided, but cosmetically acceptable and practical mechanisms for controlling and synchronizing operation are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The control electronics are nested within the frame structure itself, with the frame serving as both the structural support and the housing for electronic components. This integration allows cosmetically acceptable control mechanisms while managing system complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure is designed to serve multiple functions: structural support, housing for electronics, and interface for control mechanisms. This multi-functionality provides cosmetically acceptable controls while avoiding the need for separate dedicated control components that would increase overall complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional electro-active lenses and spectacles are used, then the lens function is provided, but practical mechanisms for providing electrical connectivity are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is merged with the electrical connection system, where conductive elements are integrated into the frame itself. This combination provides reliable electrical connectivity between the power source, control electronics, and electro-active lenses while reducing the number of separate connection components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connectivity system is designed with asymmetric routing that follows the natural structure of the frame, placing conductive elements where they can be efficiently integrated without requiring symmetric or overly complex connection paths.
3Duration of action of moving object
If conventional electro-active lenses and spectacles are used, then the lens function is provided, but mechanisms for recharging are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is designed to incorporate recharging functionality as an integrated feature, allowing the same structural elements to serve both structural and charging purposes. This approach extends operational duration while minimizing the addition of separate recharging components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electro-active lenses and spectacles are used, then the basic function is provided, but compatibility with various frame sizes, types, or styles is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic system is divided into modular segments that can be independently configured and positioned within different frame types. This segmentation allows the same basic electronic architecture to be adapted to various frame sizes, types, and styles without requiring complete system redesign, thereby achieving frame compatibility while managing complexity through modular design.
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
Enables cosmetically acceptable and practical operation of electro-active lenses across different frame types and styles, ensuring synchronized activation and deactivation, and provides efficient recharging capabilities for electro-active spectacles of any size or shape.
Implementation Method 1
a slim line charger that includes adjustable inductive charging cradles to recharge power sources
Implementation Method 2
changing the refractive index of an electro-active material (e.g., a liquid crystal material) by the application and removal of electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention provide electronics for controlling and synchronizing operation of electro-active lenses regardless of frame type, size or style. The controlling electronics can be contained within one or more electronic modules positioned within the frame temples and can be removable and reprogrammable and can include inductive charge regions. Conductive links between electronic modules and/or between left and right Sides of the electro-active spectacles can include left and right upper and lower rim portions of the frame, the bridge, conductive layers of the electro-active lenses, the upper and lower grooves of the electro-active lenses, and/or wires embedded within any portion of the frame. Aspects of the present invention also provide chargers for recharging electro-active spectacles of any size, shape or style using adjustable inductive charging cradles to inductively charge electro-active spectacles of the present invention.