Progressive Lens Optical Design Using Wearer Gaze Behavior

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining optical systems of progressive lenses do not adequately account for the wearer's visual behavior under natural conditions, leading to suboptimal lens personalization.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining an optical system of a progressive lens that includes providing a mean direction of gaze for a wearer, determining a target value for an optical design parameter based on this gaze, and calculating the lens system using an optimization procedure with supplementary target values to enhance personalization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional optical optimization procedures are used without supplementary target values related to visual behavior, then the calculation process remains simple and fast, but the precision of lens personalization is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of lens personalizationVSAvoidcomplexity of optimization calculation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by conducting visual behavior testing before the optical optimization calculation. The wearer performs visual tests to determine direction of gaze and visual behavior characteristics, which are then used as supplementary target values in the optimization procedure. This preliminary data collection enables more precise lens personalization without complicating the actual optimization calculation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual behavior parameters (direction of gaze, visual behavior characteristics) as intermediary elements between the wearer's actual visual needs and the optical system design. These parameters serve as mediators that translate subjective visual behavior into objective quantitative target values for the optimization calculation, thereby improving personalization precision while maintaining calculation clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If supplementary target values based on visual behavior are introduced into the optimization calculation, then lens personalization precision is improved, but the calculation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of optical designVSAvoidcalculation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By performing visual behavior testing and determining direction of gaze data in advance before the optimization calculation, the patent avoids the need for time-consuming iterative adjustments during the optimization process. The preliminary visual behavior data serves as fixed input parameters, allowing the optimization to proceed more efficiently with clearer guidance on target values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the input parameters of the optimization calculation by incorporating quantitative visual behavior parameters (direction of gaze angles, visual behavior characteristics) as supplementary target values. These parameter changes provide more specific guidance to the optimization algorithm, enabling it to converge faster to the optimal solution while achieving higher precision in lens personalization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the optical system is optimized using only prescription data without visual behavior information, then the calculation is faster and simpler, but the lens does not adequately account for wearer's actual visual behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to wearer's visual behaviorVSAvoidcomplexity of data collection and processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having the wearer actively participate in visual behavior testing, where they naturally perform visual tasks (reading, writing, or using a display device) while their gaze is tracked. The system automatically captures direction of gaze data during these natural activities, eliminating the need for complex artificial testing procedures while still obtaining accurate visual behavior information for lens optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual measurement methods with automated optical tracking systems. Instead of using complex eye tracking hardware or manual observation procedures, the system uses computational methods to analyze visual behavior patterns, substituting mechanical complexity with computational elegance while maintaining high adaptability to individual wearer behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3362845B1Method for determining an optical system of a progressive lens
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3362845B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3362845B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3362845B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Method for determining an optical system of a personalized progressive lens for a given wearer comprising the following consecutive steps: a) providing a mean direction of gaze determined for the wearer in a reference frame tied to the head of the said wearer; b) determination of a target value for at least one optical design parameter as a function of the mean direction of gaze determined in step a); c) calculation of the optical system of the progressive lens by an optical optimization procedure on the basis of target values where the target value of the (or of each) optical design parameter as a function of the mean direction of gaze determined in step b) is a target value.