Ophthalmic Lens Selection via Frame Prescription Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of spectacles often face frustration due to limited frame choices that do not suit their prescription, leading to aesthetically unsatisfactory results, and opticians may struggle to recommend suitable frames, resulting in client dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A computer system that takes the wearer's prescription and chosen frame as input, outputting suitable pairs of ophthalmic lenses while allowing parameterization to prioritize aesthetics, comfort, and deformability, using algorithms to select lenses that fit both optical and aesthetic criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the optician limits the frame choices to those adapted to the lenses, then the lenses best suit the prescription, but the frame selection becomes too limited and aesthetically unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprescription suitabilityVSAvoidframe choice variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by taking frame selection as the starting point rather than lens selection. The system first receives frame selection data from the wearer, then determines compatible lenses based on the prescription and frame characteristics. This reversal allows wearers to prioritize aesthetic preferences while the system ensures optical compatibility, resolving the contradiction between frame variety and prescription suitability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter prioritization by making frame parameters (aesthetics, style, personal preference) the primary input rather than lens parameters (prescription optimization). The computer system adjusts lens parameters to match the selected frame while maintaining prescription requirements, enabling both diverse frame choices and proper optical correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the optician recommends frames based on lens compatibility, then the spectacles function properly, but the wearer's aesthetic preferences are not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectacle functionalityVSAvoidaesthetic satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reverses the recommendation sequence: instead of the optician recommending frames based on lens compatibility, the system receives the wearer's self-selected frame as input and determines compatible lenses. This inversion places aesthetic satisfaction first while ensuring functionality through computer-based compatibility verification, resolving the contradiction between proper spectacle function and aesthetic preference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the system prioritizes frame aesthetics, then the wearer is satisfied with the appearance, but the lens selection must be constrained to match the frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic preference fulfillmentVSAvoidlens configuration options
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of frame characteristics (shape, size, material, style) before determining lens compatibility. By pre-processing frame data and establishing compatibility criteria in advance, the system can quickly identify suitable lens options that satisfy both aesthetic preferences and optical requirements, maintaining lens configuration versatility while prioritizing frame aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2037314B1A method and computer means for choosing spectacle lenses adapted to a frame
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP2037314B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2037314B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2037314B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~3E

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and a computer system and its components for providing spectacles adapted to a future wearer. The method comprises the steps of: - inputting in a computer system a first set of data (F1) related to the wearer, comprising at least a prescription of the wearer, - inputting in the computer system a second set of data (F2) related to a spectacle frame chosen by the wearer. The computer system is provided with processing means for outputting, on the basis of the first and second sets of data, at least one set of data (S1, S2, ..., SN) characterizing a pair of ophthalmic lenses adapted to the wearer and the chosen frame.