Ophthalmic Lens Selection by Frame Curvature Inversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing spectacle lenses often limit the choice of frames for wearers, prioritizing lens selection based on prescription over frame aesthetics, leading to frustration for those seeking the best-looking frame.
Innovation Solution
A method that selects a semi-finished ophthalmic lens based on a given spectacle frame, reversing the traditional approach where the frame is the input data and the lens is the output, allowing for better frame selection while ensuring the lens meets the wearer's prescription and optical criteria through optimization of the optical system and edging parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lens selection is based on prescription requirements first, then optical performance is ensured, but frame selection freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional selection sequence by starting with frame selection based on aesthetic preferences, then working backwards to calculate the required lens optical system. This reversal allows customers to choose frames freely while the optical system is subsequently optimized to meet prescription requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between frame selection freedom and optical performance assurance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the number of base-curves in a series is limited, then mould number and stocking costs are minimized, but the ability to accommodate diverse frame curvatures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from selecting from fixed base-curves to calculating a custom optical system based on the chosen frame's actual curvature. By using frame curvature data as input for optical system calculation rather than constraining selection to predefined base-curve values, the system can accommodate any frame curvature while using the same limited set of semi-finished lenses, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability to diverse frames.
3Ease of operation
If frame selection is prioritized for aesthetic preferences, then customer satisfaction is improved, but ensuring optimal lens-frame compatibility becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement and data collection of the chosen frame's curvature characteristics before lens manufacturing. By obtaining accurate frame curvature data in advance and using it as input for the optical system calculation, the system ensures optimal lens-frame compatibility from the outset, thus resolving the contradiction between customer-driven frame selection and manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of selecting a semi-finished ophthalmic lens according to a given spectacle frame comprising the steps of: providing the spectacle frame front face base data providing a list of semi-finished ophthalmic lenses with a plurality of front face bases, and selecting from the list of semi-finished ophthalmic lenses the semi-finished ophthalmic lens whose front base is the closest from the front base of the spectacle frame.