Transmission Optical System Residual Reflection Color Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variability in residual reflection colors of antireflection coatings on ophthalmic lenses makes it difficult to pair lenses with identical colors, leading to waste and unsustainability, as the perception of color is subjective and dependent on color experts, and there is a need for a system to predict and evaluate the perceived color of antireflection lenses.

Innovation Solution

A transmission optical system with an interferential coating that uses colorimetric coordinates from both CIELab and CIELUV color spaces to determine a residual color identifier, allowing for the evaluation and pairing of lenses based on hue deviation, lightness difference, and saturation difference, and a manufacturing system that adjusts dielectric layers to achieve a predetermined residual reflection color.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If color experts manually evaluate residual reflection colors for lens pairing, then lens pairing can be performed, but the process is subjective, time-consuming, and results in waste of non-pairable lenses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens pairing consistencyVSAvoidwaste of non-pairable lenses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual color expert evaluation with an automated optical measurement system that objectively quantifies residual reflection colors using spectrophotometry. The system measures colorimetric coordinates (L*, a*, b*) and converts them to CIELUV color space coordinates (L*, u*, v*) to enable automated, objective lens pairing decisions, eliminating subjective human judgment and associated waste.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where measured colorimetric data is immediately available for automated pairing decisions. The measurement results are processed through color space conversion and comparison algorithms that provide real-time feedback on lens compatibility, enabling continuous optimization of pairing decisions without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If only CIELab color space coordinates are used to characterize residual reflection color, then the measurement process is simpler, but the color perception prediction is less accurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor perception accuracyVSAvoidcolor space conversion complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional CIELab color space (L*, a*, b*) to three-dimensional CIELUV color space (L*, u*, v*) by adding the lightness dimension. This dimensional expansion provides a more comprehensive representation of human color perception, improving prediction accuracy while the systematic conversion process manages the added complexity through standardized algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the residual reflection color is not made reproducible, then manufacturing is more flexible, but lens pairing becomes problematic and requires manual selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidcolor consistency between lenses
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls and standardizes manufacturing parameters (coating thickness, material composition, deposition conditions) to achieve reproducible residual reflection colors. By precisely controlling these parameters, the system ensures consistent colorimetric coordinates across production batches, enabling automated pairing while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through defined parameter ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures reproducible and predictable residual reflection colors, enabling effective lens pairing and reducing waste by quantitatively assessing and matching the residual colors of antireflection coatings, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

an interferential coating on the first face providing the transmission optical system with a mean visible light reflection factor Rv that is less than or equal to 2.5%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical interference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP4439131A1Transmission optical system of determined residual reflection color, system for manufacturing thereof and apparatus for evaluating a difference in residual reflection color
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP4439131A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4439131A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4439131A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention concerns a transmission optical system (1) of determined residual reflection color. According to the invention, the transmission optical system (1) comprises an optical base element (14) having a first face (11) adapted to receive incident optical lights (10) and a second face (12) through which transmitted optical lights exit (30), the transmission optical system comprising an interferential coating (13) on the first face (11) providing the transmission optical system with a mean visible light reflection factor Rv that is less than or equal to 2.5 %, said transmission optical system (1) presenting by reflection on said first face a residual reflection color, wherein the transmission optical system (1) comprises a residual color identifier (21) for determining said residual reflection color, the residual color identifier being based in part on colorimetric coordinates of the transmission optical system in CIELab color space and in part on colorimetric coordinates of the transmission optical system in CIELUV color space.