Spectacle Frame Pre-Adjustment via Digital Face Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for adjusting spectacle frames on a wearer's face are time-consuming, tedious, and dependent on the operator's skill, often resulting in frames that are not precisely adapted to the wearer's optical and mechanical needs, especially when ophthalmic lenses are already mounted.

Innovation Solution

A method to determine and apply necessary deformations to a pre-existing spectacle frame, chosen by the wearer, to ensure correct positioning and comfort, using digital simulations and adjustment criteria to achieve optimal fit without adding material or damaging the frame, allowing for precise adjustment before or after lens mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of the frame is performed directly on the wearer's face, then the adjustment can be performed with simple equipment, but the process is long and tedious and the quality depends on the operator's skill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment qualityVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the necessary deformation of the frame before the actual adjustment process. The method calculates the ideal placement of ophthalmic lenses and the geometric characteristics of the frame based on the wearer's face shape in advance, allowing the frame to be pre-adjusted to the correct geometry before being placed on the wearer's face, thereby reducing the time and skill required during the actual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process with a computational method. Instead of relying on the optician's manual manipulation and empirical know-how, the system uses computer algorithms to calculate the necessary frame deformation and geometric characteristics, substituting mechanical skill with automated computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the frame is adjusted after the ophthalmic lenses have been mounted, then the frame can be adjusted to the wearer's face, but the process does not always allow for precise adaptation of optical and mechanical characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe adaptabilityVSAvoidoptical and mechanical adaptation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the necessary frame deformation before the lenses are mounted. The method calculates the ideal geometric characteristics of the frame based on the wearer's face shape and the desired placement of ophthalmic lenses in advance, allowing the frame to be pre-adjusted to the correct geometry before lens mounting, thereby ensuring precise optical and mechanical adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional sequence by determining the frame's geometric characteristics and necessary deformation before the lenses are mounted, rather than adjusting the frame after lens mounting. This reverse approach allows for more precise control over the optical and mechanical characteristics, as the frame geometry can be optimized independently before the lenses are fixed in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a pre-assembled, pre-defined frame is used, then the wearer can select frame components according to their preferences, but the frame may not be perfectly adapted to the wearer's face without additional adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe selection easeVSAvoidframe-to-face adaptation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the necessary deformation of the pre-selected frame before the wearer receives the glasses. The system determines the ideal geometric characteristics of the frame based on the wearer's face shape and the desired lens placement in advance, allowing the frame to be pre-adjusted to match the wearer's specific facial features, thereby maintaining both ease of selection and precise adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3090308B1Adjustment process of a pre-selected real spectacles frame for use by a given wearer

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for fitting an actual predetermined glasses frame (10), selected by a given wearer, for the use thereof by said wearer. Said method comprises the following steps: b) the head (TS) of the wearer is at least partially modelled, in at least one reference system, with at least one model (MN) of part of the nose (N) and one model (MORD, MORG) of part of the ears (ORD, ORG); c) simulating the positioning of the frame (10) on the head (TS) of the wearer is carried out, in the model of the head (TS) of the wearer, by placing the corresponding areas of said frame (10), or a model of the latter, one over the other; and d) on the basis of placing these one over the other, the necessary change in shape of the actual predetermined frame (10) is determined in order to achieve a fitting of said frame (10) on the head (TS) of the wearer in accordance with at least one predetermined fitting criterion.