Ophthalmic Lens Oscillator Adjustment Using Blink and Light Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of electronic components into ophthalmic lenses, such as contact lenses, faces challenges including manufacturing complexity, power management, and accuracy in clock frequency adjustment due to size and power consumption constraints, as well as the need for robust mechanical and electrical designs that account for physiological functions like blinking and ambient light detection.
Innovation Solution
A powered ophthalmic lens with a system controller, timing circuit, and communications circuit that adjusts the oscillator frequency based on external signals, allowing for accurate data collection and synchronization, while also incorporating blink detection methods to control lens operations and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are integrated into ophthalmic lenses to provide enhanced functionality, then the lens capabilities are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electronic components (controller, timing circuit, communication circuit, oscillator) into an integrated electronic system within the ophthalmic lens. This merging approach enables enhanced functionality including variable focus control, data logging, wireless communication, and environmental sensing while managing the inherent complexity through systematic integration of subsystems
2Extent of automation
If battery power is used to operate electronic components in the lens, then the lens can function autonomously, but the power consumption and energy management challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the timing circuit that generates clock signals for controlling operational modes. The system alternates between active measurement/logging modes and low-power standby modes, with the oscillator providing periodic timing signals that enable efficient power management by synchronizing operations to reduce overall power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic system incorporates self-service capabilities through autonomous operation where the controller automatically manages power distribution, the timing circuit self-regulates operational cycles, and the system can autonomously log data and communicate results without continuous external control, thereby optimizing power usage
3Ease of manufacture
If the oscillator frequency is not adjusted for manufacturing tolerances, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but the timing accuracy and data reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the frequency adjustment mechanism where the controller monitors the oscillator output and automatically adjusts the frequency to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This closed-loop approach maintains accurate timing for data logging and communication operations while using standard manufacturing processes, thereby preserving both manufacturing simplicity and timing precision
4Reliability
If the lens operates continuously to collect data, then the data collection completeness is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timing circuit generates periodic clock signals that control the operational cycles of the lens system. Data collection occurs in periodic intervals synchronized with the oscillator, allowing the system to maintain reliable data gathering while entering low-power states between measurement cycles, thus balancing data completeness with power conservation
Data Source
AI summary
An eyelid position sensor system for an ophthalmic lens comprising an electronic system is described herein for adjusting an oscillator frequency on the lens. In at least one embodiment, the frequency adjustment is based on at least one signal received by the contact lens. In a further embodiment, the at least one signal includes a signal providing a plurality of transitions to compare to transitions in an oscillator output signal. In at least one embodiment, the source of the external signal is lighting. In at least one embodiment, updating the oscillator frequency between two lenses.