Eyewear Indicators That Change Color for Exam and Lens Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eyewear devices do not effectively alert users about the need for an eye examination or a change of frame or lens, which is crucial for maintaining optimal visual correction and preventing conditions like myopia progression in children and early detection of eye pathologies in adults.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating indicators in eyewear devices that change color or area in response to stimuli such as time, light, temperature, or mechanical stress to signal the need for an eye examination or frame/lens change, with indicators positioned on various parts of the eyewear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chronochromism or color change mechanisms are used in eyewear devices, then the ability to alert users about eye examination needs is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealerting function reliabilityVSAvoideyewear device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color change mechanisms (chronochromism) to indicators in the eyewear device that change color over predetermined time periods or in response to stimuli, providing a reliable visual alert system for eye examination needs while maintaining relatively simple device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses indicators that replicate or copy the visual signaling function from food industry chronochromism applications, adapting a proven alerting mechanism to the eyewear context without requiring complex new systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If multiple indicators with different stimuli are incorporated, then the measurement precision of monitoring needs is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring precisionVSAvoidindicator system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the monitoring function into multiple separate indicators, each responding to different stimuli (time, light, temperature, mechanical stress), allowing precise monitoring of various parameters independently while keeping each indicator relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The eyewear device incorporates indicators that can respond to multiple types of stimuli, creating a multi-functional monitoring system that provides comprehensive eye health monitoring through a unified device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures timely eye examinations and frame/lens changes, reducing myopia progression in children and improving visual correction and early detection of eye pathologies in adults.

Implementation Method 1

Different technologies can be used to generate chronochromism. US 2007/0064541 and US 7,232,253 disclose examples of elapsed time indicator devices.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChronochromism: Thermochromism

Implementation Method 2

WO 2007/013105 A1 discloses a frame for spectacles comprising heat-sensitive material, normally opaque and capable of becoming transparent when a thermal colour change threshold is exceeded.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal color change: Thermochromism

Data Source

PatentEP4127826B1Device and process for alerting for eye exam or change of frame or lens
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP4127826B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an eyewear device comprising a system for alerting of a need of an eye examination and/or a change of frame and/or a change of lens of the eyewear device, in order to provide the best visual correction and comfort. The invention also relates to a process for monitoring the need of an eye examination and/or a change of frame and/or lens of an eyewear device, comprising using an eyewear device according to the invention, and to a process for manufacturing an eyewear device according to the invention.