Frame-Independent Focus Adjustable Eyewear Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dynamic lenses face challenges in achieving frame independence, maintaining cost-effectiveness, and reducing turnaround time in eyewear dispensing, while also addressing the need for flexible fashion and aesthetics, and effective remote communication with autonomous components.
Innovation Solution
A frame-independent focus adjustable spectacle lens is developed, where autonomous components such as focus sensors, control electronics, and power units are embedded within the lens blank, allowing for dynamic lens fabrication and dispensing processes similar to conventional single-focus lenses, with remote data communication and programming capabilities using IR LEDs and photodiodes, and NFC for synchronization between lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic lens components (focus sensor, control electronics, power source) are placed within the spectacle frame, then the lens can achieve focus adjustment functionality, but the frame selection is limited and fashion flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the autonomous components (focus sensor, control electronics, power source) from the spectacle frame and embeds them directly within the lens blank. This separation allows the frame to be selected purely for fashion and aesthetics without being constrained by component placement requirements, while the lens independently houses all necessary dynamic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds multiple autonomous components within the lens blank structure, creating a nested configuration where the focus sensor, control electronics, and power source are integrated into the lens body. This nesting approach consolidates complex functionality within the lens while maintaining frame independence.
2Ease of manufacture
If dynamic lens fabrication processes are developed from scratch, then frame independence is achieved, but manufacturing cost and turnaround time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by embedding all autonomous components within the lens blank during the initial lens fabrication process, before the lens is framed or dispensed. This preliminary integration of components eliminates the need for separate assembly steps later, allowing the lens to be manufactured using conventional processes and then directly mounted into any frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal lens blank design that can be used with any spectacle frame, making the dynamic lens compatible with existing framing processes and frame styles. The standardized lens blank interface allows it to function in the existing eyewear manufacturing ecosystem without requiring frame-specific modifications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If focus adjustment components are integrated into the lens, then dynamic focus capability is achieved, but the lens structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components (focus sensor, control electronics, power source) into a single integrated unit within the lens blank. This consolidation combines several discrete elements into one cohesive assembly, achieving dynamic focus capability while minimizing the overall structural complexity compared to having separate components.
4Productivity
If conventional lens blank processes are used for dynamic lenses, then cost and turnaround time are reduced, but frame independence must be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lens blank self-sufficient by embedding all necessary autonomous components directly into it. The lens blank becomes a self-contained unit that requires no external frame integration for its dynamic functionality, allowing it to be processed through conventional lens manufacturing channels and dispensed independently of frame selection.
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 solution enables frame-independent dynamic lenses that maintain flexibility and fashion, adhere to established dispensing processes, and facilitate efficient remote communication and calibration, reducing costs and turnaround time while providing effective presbyopia correction.
Implementation Method 1
the lens must be frame independent which is a challenge with dynamic lenses
Implementation Method 2
switching between refractive and diffractive surface shapes of far and near foci or intermediate and near foci correspondently for presbyopia correction
Implementation Method 3
remote data communication and programming capabilities using IR LEDs and photodiodes
Implementation Method 4
NFC for synchronization between lenses
Data Source
AI summary
A frame independent focus adjustable eyewear lens blank includes an autonomous components assembly. The lens blank includes a front optically finished convex surface and a back unfinished surface. A first and second space are formed in the lens blank between the front and back surfaces. The autonomous components assembly includes a focus sensor configured to detect a need for near and/or far focus and a control electronics having a microprocessor and a power unit. The power unit includes a battery and/or a photocell. The lens blank includes a focus adjustable element configured to change a focus viewed through lens produced from the lens blank where the focus adjustable element is in communication with the focus sensor and the control electronics. The focus sensor, control electronics and power unit are disposed within the first space and the focus adjustable element is disposed within the second space.