Non-Point Light Pattern Lens Contour Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining features of spectacle lenses, such as contour and shape, are cumbersome and unreliable, especially for rimless glasses, leading to difficulties in accurately measuring and ordering ophthalmic lenses.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a non-point light pattern generating device, an image acquisition device, and a processing unit that generates a predefined non-point light pattern, reflects it on the lenses, acquires an image, and determines the lens features by analyzing the reflected pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement methods using software are used to determine lens contour and shape, then the operator can obtain measurement data for ordering ophthalmic lenses, but the process becomes fastidious and unreliable especially for rimless glasses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical measurement system (operator using software to define points on digital images) with an optical measurement system. A light pattern is projected onto the lens, and cameras capture the reflected light pattern. The system automatically processes these images to extract lens contour and shape data, eliminating the need for manual point-by-point measurement by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs automatic self-measurement of the lens features. The light pattern reflection automatically reveals the lens contour and shape without requiring operator intervention to define measurement points. The system processes the captured images and extracts measurement data autonomously, making the measurement process self-service rather than operator-dependent.
2Reliability
If manual software-based measurement is used for rimless glasses, then measurement data can be obtained, but reliability deteriorates due to difficulties in identifying lens contour
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a colored light pattern (e.g., green or blue) that is projected onto the lens and reflected back. The color of the reflected light pattern provides high visual contrast against the lens and background, making the lens contour easily distinguishable. This color-based approach significantly improves the reliability of contour identification compared to grayscale digital images used in manual measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the difficult visual inspection and manual point-definition process with an optical projection and automated image processing system. The light pattern naturally conforms to the lens surface geometry, and computer vision algorithms automatically trace the contour from the reflected pattern, eliminating the difficulty of manual contour identification.
3Productivity
If automated light pattern reflection method is used to determine lens features, then measurement efficiency and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single light pattern projection system that can measure multiple lens features (contour, shape, diameter, curvature) simultaneously from the same captured images. The same optical setup and image processing pipeline handle all measurement tasks, making the system multi-functional and reducing overall complexity compared to having separate specialized devices for each measurement type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the lens surface geometry through light pattern reflection. Instead of physical contact measurement, the system projects a light pattern that replicates the lens contour and shape in reflected light, which is then captured by cameras. This optical copying approach simplifies the measurement process while maintaining high measurement capability.
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
The system enables efficient and reliable determination of lens features, including contour and shape, facilitating accurate ordering and fitting of ophthalmic lenses, even for rimless glasses, and can be used in optical stores or for online applications.
Implementation Method 1
a non-point light pattern generating device (1) configured for generating a predefined non-point light pattern (5), and arranged for having said predefined non-point light pattern (5) reflected on said at least one lens (2)
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for determining at least one feature of at least one lens (2) mounted in a spectacle frame (200). The system comprises a non-point light pattern generating device (1) configured for generating a predefined non-point light pattern (15), and arranged for having said predefined non-point light pattern reflected on said at least one lens (2), an image acquisition device (3) configured for acquiring an image of the spectacle frame (200) including an image of the reflected non-point light pattern (5), and a processing unit (4) configured for determining at least the contour of said at least one lens (2) in function of at least one feature of the image of the reflected non-point light pattern (5). It is also proposed a corresponding method and computer program.