Electroactive Ophthalmic Lens Gaze Tracking Phase Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pixelated ophthalmic lenses suffer from defects such as parasitic images and blurring due to periodic or non-periodic cell arrangements, leading to reduced visual quality as the gaze direction moves away from the lens center, limiting their adaptability to varying viewing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method for customizing ophthalmic lenses with a transparent set of electroactive cells that adjust their optical phase-shift distribution function in real-time to match the wearer's gaze direction and viewing distance, using a computer-controlled system to activate cells with varying refraction indices and optimize dioptric functions for near, intermediate, and far vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pixelated ophthalmic lenses use fixed cell arrangements (periodic or non-periodic), then manufacturing is simplified, but visual quality deteriorates due to parasitic images and blurring when gaze direction moves away from lens center
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the optical characteristics of the lens dynamic rather than fixed. The lens contains multiple sets of cells with different optical properties (different refraction indices, absorption coefficients, or polarizing characteristics) that can be selectively activated based on the wearer's gaze direction. This allows the lens to adapt its optical function in real-time, maintaining high visual quality across different viewing conditions while using a manufacturable pixelated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes optical parameters (refraction index, absorption coefficient, polarizing capability) of different cells based on spatial position and gaze direction. By varying these parameters dynamically across the lens surface and selecting appropriate cells based on detected gaze direction, the system maintains optimal optical performance for near, intermediate, and far vision while minimizing parasitic images and blurring effects.
2Device complexity
If pixelated lenses have fixed optical characteristics, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying viewing conditions (near, intermediate, far vision) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the lens to switch between different optical configurations based on viewing conditions. Multiple cell sets with distinct optical characteristics are prepared in advance, and a control system selectively activates the appropriate cells based on real-time gaze direction detection. This provides multi-focal functionality (near, intermediate, far vision) without requiring complex mechanical moving parts, maintaining relatively simple device structure while achieving high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single lens that performs multiple functions: it can provide correction for near vision, intermediate vision, and far vision within one optical element. Different regions or sets of cells within the same lens structure provide different dioptric powers and optical functions, allowing the wearer to access multiple viewing modes without needing separate glasses or complex mechanical adjustments.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lens centers optical function at a fixed reference point, then manufacturing alignment is easier, but visual quality worsens when gaze direction deviates from the reference point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the optical function center dynamic rather than fixed. While the lens is manufactured with a reference centering point for alignment purposes, the actual optical function can be shifted to different regions based on the wearer's gaze direction. The control system detects gaze direction and activates cell sets that provide optimal optical correction for the current viewing direction, effectively moving the functional center to match the wearer's line of sight and maintaining high visual quality across all gaze directions.
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 approach minimizes defects induced by pixelation, ensuring consistent high-quality vision across different gaze directions and distances, enhancing visual comfort and adaptability in everyday life.
Implementation Method 1
The dioptric function of the optical element can be characterized by an optical phase-shift distribution for a given monochromatic light wave which crosses the optical element
Implementation Method 2
optical phase-shift is equal to the product of the double of number pi by the length of crossing L of each cell, and by the difference between the value n of refraction index of the transparent material which fills this cell and the value of the air index
Data Source
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Figure 2
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AI summary
The invention proposes a method for providing to an eye a customizable ophthalmic lens comprising a transparent set of electroactive cells (24) juxtaposed to a surface of the said lens, said set of cells being activable and suitable for providing an optical phase-shift distribution function, the said method comprising the steps of: providing (402) a reference phase-shift distribution function adapted to provide a given dioptric function DF(α, β); determining (404) the actual gaze direction (αa, βa) of the eye; - choosing (406) a reference gaze direction (αR, βR); calculating (408) an actual point Pa and a reference point PR, said actual point Pa being the intersection between the actual gaze direction of the eye and the transparent set of electroactive cells and said reference point PR being the intersection between the reference gaze direction of the eye and the transparent set of electroactive cells; calculating (410) a modified phase-shift distribution function by shifting the reference phase-shift distribution function according to a vector ⃗ PRPa; and activating (412) the electroactive cells according to the said modified phase- shift distribution function so as to provide a customized ophthalmic lens to the eye.