Ophthalmic Lens Surface Modification While Preserving Dioptric Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for customizing ophthalmic lenses require repetitive optimization of each design, making them inefficient for implementing non-dioptric parameter changes without significant design and optimization time.

Innovation Solution

A method for modifying ophthalmic lenses by adding complementary surfaces to maintain the dioptric function while altering non-dioptric parameters, such as optical distortion, thickness, and geometry, using a computer-based system to determine and apply modifying surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing methods for customizing ophthalmic lenses are used, then non-dioptric parameters can be modified, but repetitive optimization of each design is required, increasing design time and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoiddesign time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lens design into a base design and separate modifying surfaces. Each modifying surface targets specific non-dioptric parameters (distortion, thickness, geometry) independently, allowing selective customization without re-optimizing the entire lens design. This segmentation enables efficient modification while preserving the proven dioptric performance of the base design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary optimization of the base lens design once, then uses pre-defined modifying surfaces that can be applied to achieve different non-dioptric parameter targets. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repetitive full-optimization cycles for each customization variant, significantly reducing design time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing methods for customizing ophthalmic lenses are used, then non-dioptric parameters can be modified, but repetitive optimization of each design is required, increasing design complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lens design into a base design and separate modifying surfaces. Each modifying surface targets specific non-dioptric parameters (distortion, thickness, geometry) independently, allowing selective customization without re-optimizing the entire lens design. This segmentation enables efficient modification while preserving the proven dioptric performance of the base design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal base design that can serve multiple customization needs through the application of different modifying surfaces. The same base design can be adapted to various non-dioptric parameter requirements by selecting and applying appropriate modifying surfaces, reducing the need for multiple specialized designs and simplifying the overall design system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If modifying surfaces are added to change non-dioptric parameters, then customization is achieved, but the dioptric function may be altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-dioptric parameter adjustmentVSAvoiddioptric function stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies modifying surfaces with local quality, where each modifying surface is designed to affect only specific regions of the lens and specific non-dioptric parameters. The modifying surfaces are localized to achieve distortion correction, thickness adjustment, or geometry modification without significantly impacting the overall dioptric function, thus maintaining reliability while enabling customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses modifying surfaces that are determined based on the non-dioptric function to be modified, effectively creating optimized surface profiles that can be copied and applied to different base designs. These modifying surfaces are designed to achieve specific non-dioptric targets while their impact on dioptric function is controlled and minimized, ensuring reliability is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3304180B1A method for modifying a non-dioptric parameter of an optical system
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3304180B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3304180B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3304180B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method implemented by computer means for modifying a non-dioptric parameter of an optical system comprising a first and a second surface, wherein the method comprises a modifying step (S0) during which the first surface and second surface are modified so as to obtain a modified optical system such that the dioptric function of the modified optical system is substantially the same as the dioptric function of the optical system.