Spectacle Frame Feasibility Verification Using Geometric Parameters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Opticians face challenges in determining whether a pair of glasses can be assembled before attempting assembly, leading to potential compatibility issues and limited frame options for customers due to the inability to accurately assess the feasibility of ophthalmic lenses with various spectacle frames.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to automatically determine the feasibility of assembling a pair of glasses by acquiring and verifying ranges of ophthalmic, morphological, and geometric-morphological parameters, such as spherical refraction power, cylindrical refraction power, pupil height, and pupil distance, using a computer-based system to classify spectacle frames and identify compatible lens parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the optician offers a limited sample of frames based on experience estimation, then the risk of incompatible assemblies is reduced, but the number of available frame options for the wearer is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly compatibilityVSAvoidframe selection variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary feasibility verification by calculating geometric parameters of the spectacle frame (bridge width, lens outline area, surround dimensions) and comparing them with the wearer's ophthalmic parameters (pupillary distance, lens curvature requirements) before the optician presents frames to the customer. This pre-assessment ensures that only compatible frames are considered, eliminating the need to rely on the optician's experience-based estimation while maintaining high compatibility rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manual experience-based estimation process is replaced with an automated computerized system that calculates geometric and optical parameters. The system uses mathematical models to determine whether a frame can accommodate specific lens prescriptions, substituting the optician's subjective judgment with objective computational analysis, thereby expanding frame options without sacrificing reliability.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the optician waits until assembly to discover incompatibility, then all frames can be presented to the customer, but the customer must be called back for re-selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe selection varietyVSAvoidcustomer revisit time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The feasibility verification is performed in advance during the frame selection phase, before the customer leaves the optician's shop. The system calculates whether the chosen frame can accommodate the prescribed lenses by comparing frame geometry with lens requirements, allowing the optician to identify and resolve compatibility issues before assembly begins, thereby eliminating the need for customer callbacks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback to the optician and customer about frame-lens compatibility. When a frame is selected, the system automatically evaluates whether it can accommodate the required lens prescription and communicates the result, enabling real-time adjustment of frame selection to ensure compatibility without delaying the process or requiring follow-up visits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If highly curved ophthalmic lenses are used, then the optical function is improved, but they cannot fit into rims with very slight curvature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical functionVSAvoidassembly feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system evaluates the curvature parameters of both the frame rim and the ophthalmic lens to determine compatibility. By calculating and comparing these geometric parameters, the system identifies whether the lens curvature can be accommodated by the frame geometry, allowing the optician to select frames with appropriate curvature characteristics that match the required optical performance while ensuring assembly feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3360004B1Process for controlling the feasibility of a pair of spectacles
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3360004B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3360004B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3360004B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for testing the feasibility of a pair of spectacles, this pair of spectacles comprising an identified spectacle frame (10). According to the invention, this method includes steps consisting in: a) acquiring a range of values of at least one first parameter (Ps, Pc) relating to a spectacle wearer, in all of which range it is desired to ensure the feasibility of the pair of spectacles, b) acquiring a range of values of at least one second parameter (PD, HD) that relates to a spectacle wearer and that is different from each first parameter, in all of which range it is desired to ensure the feasibility of the pair of spectacles, c) confirming, for a characteristic number of values of each second parameter, that the pair of spectacles is feasible whatever the value of each first parameter comprised in its range.