Extreme Gaze Angle Detection for Powered Ophthalmic Lenses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powered ophthalmic devices face challenges in manufacturing miniaturized electronic components for integration onto optical-grade polymer contact lenses, requiring biocompatibility, mechanical robustness, and efficient control of focal state and other parameters, while accounting for physiological functions like blinking and gaze angles.

Innovation Solution

The use of extreme gaze angles, detected by sensors such as iris-facing photodetectors or accelerometers, to trigger changes in the powered ophthalmic device, combined with blink detection and convergence sensing, to control focal state and other parameters, providing a natural and reliable input method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If miniaturized electronic components are integrated onto optical-grade polymer contact lenses, then functionality and vision enhancement are improved, but manufacturing complexity and reliability challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the gaze detection function from complex eye-tracking systems and implements it using simple photodetectors that measure only vertical eye movement. This extraction allows the function to be achieved with minimal components, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining functionality for controlling lens focus state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the eye's own movement and the natural interaction between the contact lens and eyelid to generate the control signal. The downward gaze of the wearer naturally causes the lens to interact with the lower eyelid, producing thickness changes that activate the photodetectors. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external sensors or complex calibration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If gaze angle sensing is used to control focal state, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and false positive detection become challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidgaze angle measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The photodetectors are positioned specifically to measure only vertical eye movement (downward gaze) rather than attempting to measure all gaze directions. This localized measurement approach simplifies the sensing mechanism and improves precision for the specific function of detecting when the wearer needs near vision correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a threshold-based detection approach where extreme downward gaze angles trigger the focus change. Rather than requiring precise continuous measurement, the system activates when the gaze angle exceeds a predetermined threshold, which simplifies the measurement requirements and reduces false positives from normal eye movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors and electronic components are integrated into contact lenses, then adaptability and functionality are improved, but biocompatibility and mechanical robustness become more difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidbiocompatibility and mechanical robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential photodetector function from complex electronic systems, using minimal components that are more compatible with the biological environment. This reduction in component complexity improves biocompatibility while maintaining the core functionality of detecting eye movement to control lens focus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 allows for reliable and efficient control of powered ophthalmic devices, enhancing vision correction and functionality by using measurable and purposeful gaze angles, reducing the need for complex calibration and minimizing false positives, while ensuring biocompatibility and mechanical robustness.

Implementation Method 1

iris-facing photodetectors to observe the pupils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

accelerometers to track/measure vertical gaze positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10345621B2Electronic ophthalmic device with extreme gaze angle detection

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE INC

AI summary

Disclosed are powered or electronic ophthalmic devices or lenses which can have the ability to monitor and sense extreme gaze angle. Also disclosed is the use of extreme gaze angles to control the focal state of the lens as well as for augmenting, control of, or input to, other device parameters of the powered or electronic ophthalmic lens. Applicants have researched and determined what are believed to be acceptable ranges of both upward and downward extreme gaze angles which are not only measurably distinguishable from normally occurring gaze angles associated with everyday activities, but which are still achievable by the wearer if purposeful, as they are still within human eye movement capability.