CA2651541A1 - Spectacle frame bridge housing electronics for electro-active spectacle lenses - Google Patents

Abstract

A nose bridge (103) for a fashion spectacle lens frame adapted for housing electro-active lenses (105) is presented. The nose bridge may include a body (202) which may further include electronic components. The nose bridge may further include a connecting element (207) for connecting the electronic components with the electro-active lenses for altering optical properties of the electro-active lenses. The nose bridge may be adapted to fit a variety of frame sizes, shapes, an styles as well as lenses of a variety of sizes and shapes.

Description

Spectacle Frame Bridge Housing Electronics for Electro-Active Spectaclc Lenses Inventois: Ronald D. Blum, Joshua N. Haddock, William Kokonaski, Dtivight P.
Duston, Venkatramani S Iyer CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims piiozity from and incoxporates by r=eference in its entirety provisional application U.S. Serial No_ 60/796,876, titled "Spectacle Ftame Bridge IIousing filectronics for Electr-o-Active Spectacle Lenses". filed on May 3, 2006.

[002] This application is also a continttation-in-part of co-pending U.S.
Patent Application Serial No. 11/321,324, titled "Ophthalmic Lens foi Correcting Non-Conventional Refractive Eiror", filed on December 29, 2005, which is hereby incorpoiated by reference in its entirety and which is, in turn, a continuation of' U.S.
Patent Application Serial No.. 11/091,104, titled "System, Apparatus, and Method for Coix-ecting Vision Using an Electro-Active Lens", filed on March 28, 2005, which is, in turn, a continuation of'tJ..S_ Patent Application Serial No. 10/626,973, titled "System, Apparatus, and Method for Conecting Vision Using an Electro-Active Lens", filed on .July 25, 2003, which is, in turn, a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No_ 09/602,013, titled "Optical Lens System With Electro-Active Lens Having Alterably Different Focal Lengths", filed on June 23, 2000, and which, in tuin, claims pziority to the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications:

Serial No. 60/142,053, titled "Electro-Active Speetacles", filed July 2, 1999;
Serial No. 60/143,626, titled "Electro-Active Spectacles", filed July 14, 1999;

Serial No. 60/147,813, titled "Electio-Active Refiaction, Dispensing, &
Eyeweat", filed August 10, 1999;

Serial No. 60/150,545, titled "Advanced Electro-Active Spectacles", filed August 25, 1999;

Seiial No. 60/150,564, titled "Electro-Active Refiaction, Dispensing, &
Eyewear", filed August 25, 1999; and Serial No. 60/161,363, titled "Comprehensive Electro-Active Refraction, Dispensing, & Eyewear" filed October 26,1999_ [003] This application is also a continuation-in-part of' co-pending U_S_ Patent Application Serial No. 11/263,049, titled "Electro-Active Spectacle and Method of Fabricating Same", filed on October= 31, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by r-eference in its entirety and which claims priority to the following U.S Provisional Patent Applications:

Serial No. 60/623,947, titled "Electro-Active Spectacle and Method of Fabiicating the Same", filed November 2, 2004;

Serial No_ 60/659,431, titled "Eye Ware with Electzo-Active Piisms", filed March 9, 2005;

Serial No. 60/661,925, titled "Electronic Eye Glass Frame E.nabler", filed March 16, 2005;

Seiial No. 60/666,167, titled "Electronic Eyewear", filed March 30, 2005;

Serial No. 60/667,094, titled "Advanced Electronic Eyeweat", filed Apiil 1, 2005;
Serial No. 60/669,403, titled "Advanced Electronic Eyewear", filed April 8, 2005;
Seriai. No_ 60/673,758, titled "Advanced Electronic Eyewear", filed April 22, 2005;
Serial No. 60/674,702, titled "Advanced Electronic Eyewear", filed Apri126, 2005;
Serial No. 60/6-79,241, titled "Combination Dynamic Lens & Fixed Power= Lens Spectacles", filed May 10, 2005;

Serial No_ 60/685,407, titled "Combination Lens System of'a Progressive Addition and or Higher Order= Correcting Lens & Fixed Power Lens Spectacles", filed May 31, 2005;

Seiial No. 60/687,341, titled "Combination Lens System Consisting of a Progressive Lens and filectro-Active Lens", filed June 6, 2005;

Seiial No.. 60/687,342, titled "Everyday Fashion E.yewear Comprised of Four Distinct Thin Lenses and a Fiame". filed June 6, 2005; and Serial No. 60/692,270, titled " E.lectro-Active Spectacle and Method of Fabricating the Same", filed June 21, 2005_ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention [004] The present invention relates to a nose bridge for a fashion spectacle lens frame adapted for housing electro-aetive lenses.

Descr=igtLion of the Related Art [005] Electro-active spectacle lenses make use of electronic components, which may include electronic circuitry, to alter the optical properties of the lenses.
These lenses present new challenges in aesthetically packaging and integrating the electronics within a fashionable spectacle lens frame. The invention disclosed herein desciibes a practical, cost-effective means for integr=ating the aforementioned electronics within the nose bridge portion of a fashion spectacle lens frame without distuibing the aesthetics of' the overrall frame design. The invention disclosed herein also describes a means for using the same nose br idge with a variety of' frame sizes, shapes, and styles as well as lenses of a var=iety of sizes and shapes.

SUMIVIARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] In an embodiment of the invention a nose bridge for spectacle f'rames adapted for housing electro-active lenses may include a body which may further include eleettonic components.. The nose bzidge may further include a connecting element for connecting the electronic components with the electro-active lenses for- altering optical pr=operties of the electro-active lenses.. The nose bxidge may be adapted for fitting at least one of' the following: a plur=ality of fiame sizes, a plurality of'frame shapes, a plurality of' fiame styles, a pluiality of lens sizes, and a plurality of'lens shapes.

DESCRIPTION OF T'HE DRAWINGS

[007] Embodiments of the invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding, analogous or= similar elements, and in which:

[008] FIG.. 1 shows a complete pair of'spectacles comprising an embodiment of a nose biidge portion of'a fashion spectacle lens frame for electro-active lenses;

[009] FIG. 2 is a close up view of a first embodiment of' a nose bridge portion of a fashion spectacle lens frame for electro-active lenses;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a close up view of a second embodiment of a nose bridge portion of a fashion spectacle lens frame for electro-active lenses; and [0011] FIG. 4 is a close up view of' a third embodiment of' a nose bridge portion of a fashion spectacle lens frame for electr=o-active lenses_ DESC'ItIPII N OF T'HE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

j0012] A complete pair of spectacles 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises two lenses 101, two temple stems 102, and a nose bridge 103, which joins the two lenses together.
Nose bridge 103 may also provide for the placement of nose pads 104 to support the spectacles on the wearer's nose_ Nose bridge 103 may be adapted to fit a varriety of frame types and styles as well as lens shapes and sizes. Electro-active spectacles differ from conventional spectacles in that the optical properties of a poition of the lenses 105 may be dynamically altered by the application of'suitable electrical signals. For example, the focal length or opti cal transmission of the lenses may be changed. These electrical signals are typically produced by means of electronic components, which may include electronic circuitry, which must be electrically connected to the electro-active portion of the lenses 105. The electrical cir=cuitry and electr-onic components can include, by way of example only, one or more of'the following: a power source, wires, integrated circuits such as drivers and controllers or the like. The electrical circuitry and electronic components can also include additional hardware that enhances the operation of'the electro-active spectacles For example, one or more of' the following may be included: a photovoltaic cell, a tilt switch, a light sensor, a passive range-finding device, a time-of-flight range finding device, an eye tracker, a view detector which detects Nvhere a user may be vie-vving, an accelerometer=, a proximity s-vvitch, a physical switch, a manual oven ide control, a capacitive switch which switches when a user touches the nose bridge or the like.

[0013] One method of'delivering these electrical signals to the electro-active portion of the lenses 105 is to locate some or all of the electronics within the nose bridge 103_ An electrical connection can then be made between the electronics and electiical contacts 107 within nose bridge 103 at the point where the nose bridge 103 connects to the lenses 105. From the electrical contacts 107 the electrical connection may be extended to the electro-active portion of"the lenses 105 by means of electrical leads 106 within the lens_ Electrical leads 106 may be ttansparent and may be made out of a transparent conductive material such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) or the like [0014] In a first embodiment of nose bridge 103 shown in FIG. 2, nose btidge 200 is a self-contained unit that is designed to be compatible with many different types of spectacle frames. For example, nose bridge 200 may be used with front eye-wire style spectacle fia.mes and the like_ At least a portion of the electr=onic components and circuitry are concealed within the body 202 of'the nose bridge 200. Electtical connection to the electro-active portion of the lenses 105 may be made by means of connecting element 207_ Connecting element 207 seives to mechanically and electrically -connect the body 202 of nose bridge 200 to lenses 101_ Connecting element 207 contains electrical contact points 201, which are located at the points where the biidge connects to lenses 101_ [0015] Electro-active lenses may r-equire input from the wearer's environment to operate properly_ For example, it may be beneficial to detect the distance to which a wearer is focused by means of a range finding or view detecting device and adjust the optical power- of'the electro-active portion of"the lens 105 accordingly. It may also be beneficial to detect the intensity or level of'light and adjust the optical transmission of the electro-active portion of the lens 105 accordingly. The optical transmission of the lens may be altered by means of tinting the lens or- other chromatic changes to the lens.
In this first embodiment a transmitter 203 and a receiver 204 may be mounted to the body of the bridge 202. Transmitter 203 and a receiver 204 may be used to peifocm range finding such as time-of-flight range fmding or passive range finding Multiple transmitters 203 and/or receivers 204 may also be used.. In ceitain other= embodiments, only the transmitter 203 is located on the biidge and the receiver 204 is located on another frame component, such as by way of example only, the temple stems.. In other embodiments, onl.y the receiver 204 is located on the biidge and the tr=ansmitter 203 is located on another frame component, such as the temple stems. In other embodiments it may be adequate to only receive input from the environment, in which case only a receiver 204 sensitive to the stimuh.ts of inte*est would be required.

[0016] Transmitter 203 and receiver 204 may transmit and receive various ty-pes of energy_ For example, transmitters and receivers used for range finding may transmit and r=eceive electro-magnetic or acoustic ener=gy.. This energy may or may not be within a frequency ot wavelength tange normally detectably by the human sense or=gans.
For example, inffrared light or ultrasonic noise may be used.

[0017] Electrical power may be supplied by power source 205 contained within the nose pads 104 connected to bridge body 202_ The power= source 205 may include, by way of example only, batter=ies or fuel cells_ The power source 205 may be rechai=geable, in which case it may be peimanently attached to the bridge 200. The power source 205 may also be disposable, in which case it may be easily removed and replaced as needed..
Furthexmore, the nose pad 104 which contains the power source 205 may be disposable, in which case as power source 205 is consumed it may be replaced by simply replacing the nose pad 104_ However, in other embodiments, powei source 205 is rechargeable in which case it is no longer necessary to dispose of'nose pad 104. Supplemental electiical energy for= opeiation of'the electtonics or recharging of'the power source 205 in situ may be provided by a small photovoltaic array 206 located on the outside of'the main body of' the bridge 202.

[0018] In a second embodiment of nose bridge 103 shown in FIG.. 3, nose bridge 300 is primarily comprised of a body 302 which contains at least a pottion of' the electionic components and circuitry. Body 302 may be molded from an organic resin(s)_ Electrical connection to the electro-active portion of the lenses 105 is made by means of connecting element 307. Connecting element 307 serves to mechanically and electrically connect the body 302 of nose bridge 300 to lenses 101. Connecting element 307 contains electrical contact points 301, which are located at the points where the bridge connects to lenses 101. Power souxce 205 may be encapsulated within the bridge body 302 in which case it may be rechat=geable. Alternately, body 302 may open to allow the iemoval and i-eplacement of power source 205. Molded body 302 may contain a ttansmitter-and/or a receiver 204 for sensing the wearer's environment. Molded body 302 may also contain a photovoltaic array 206 for pr=oviding extra electrical power or for recharging vower source 205 in situ.

[0019] In a third embodiment of'nose bridge 103 shorrn in FIG. 4, nose bridge 400 may be comprised of two components. The frst component, connecting element 407 is permanently attached to the electro-active lenses 101 and fr-ame_ The second component, body 402, is similai to the molded body 302 in the second embodiment and contains at least a portion of' the electronic components and circuitry. In this embodiment the molded body 402 can be easily attached to and removed from the connecting element 407 using appropriate physical and electrical connectors (not shown).

[0020] E-lectrical connection to the electro-active portion of'the lenses 105 is made by means of connecting element 407. Connecting element 407 serves to mechanically and electrically connect the body 402 of nose btidge 400 to lenses 101. Connecting element 407 contains electrical contact points 401, which are located at the points where the bridge connects to lenses 101. The body 402 may contain a non-rechaigeable power source 205 and this may be disposable and ceplaced as the power source 205 is consumed. Alternately, power source 205 may be rechatgeable in which case the body 402 may be removed fTom the connecting element 407 and placed in an appropriate charging unit as needed. Alternately, body 402 may open to allow the removal and r=eplacement of power source 205_ Molded piece 402 may contain a tiansmitter and/or a receiver 204 for sensing the wearer's environment.. Molded body 402 may also contain a photovoltaic ariay 206 for providing extra electrical power or recharging power=
source 205 in situ. Such an approach would be well suited to the plastic of' zyle resin frames where the physical and electrical connectors iequired for such a design could be more easily incorporated and concealed_ [0021] In a fouath embodiment (not shown) of' nose bridge 103 an approach such as that illustrated in FIG. 4 may be employed Nvhere only the pottion of the molded body component that contains the power source 205 can be removed. In such an embodiment the power source 205 may be either disposable oi= rechargeable as discussed in the third embodiment.

[0022] The above embodiments do not require that all of'the electronic citcuitcy andlor components be contained within the nose bridge portion of the frames_ In certain other vmbodiments other i~ame components such as ihe temple stems, ternple hinges, and ey-,--wiYe may be used to mount and conceal electronic components and/or circuitry_ [0023] The above embodiments of nose bridge 103 may be adapted to be a common platform for a variety of'frames and lenses. Nose bridge 103 may be adapted for fashion spectacle frames of'various types, sizes, and styles as well as for frames manufactured fi=om a variety of materials_ Nose bridge 103 may be adapted to fit a variety of lenses of different sizes and shapes as. well as lenses manufactured from a variety of materials.
This may be accomplished by having nose bridge 103 be integrated into the frame or by having nose bridge 103 attach to a portion of an existing frame_ [0024] In embodiments in which power source 205 is iechargeable, power= source may be recharged within the nose bridge 103. In another embodiment, power source 205 may be detached from nose bridge 103 and recharged outside of nose bridge 103.
In embodiments in which power, source 205 is charged within nose bridge 103, nose bridge 103 may contain electrical contact points (not shown) which are adapted to fit a charging station. In another embodiment, power- souice 205 may be inductively charged within nose bridge 103. In one exemplary embodiment, an eyeglass case may be adapted to be an inductive chacger- suitable foi recharging power source 205 within nose bridge 103. In such an embodiment, spectacles 100 may be placed within the eyeglass case and power souice 205 may be recharged.

Claims (14)

1. A nose bridge for spectacle frames adapted for housing electro-active lenses, comprising:

a body comprising electronic components; and a connecting element for connecting said electronic components with the electro-active lenses for altering optical properties thereof; wherein the nose bridge is adapted for fitting at least one of the group consisting of: a plurality of frame sizes, a plurality of frame shapes, a plurality of frame styles, a plurality of lens sizes, and a plurality of lens shapes.

2. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said body is integral with said connecting element.

3. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said body is adapted for detachably attaching to said connecting element.

4. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said optical property is that of optical transmission.

5. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said optical property is that of focal length.

6. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said electronic components comprises a power source.

7. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said electronic components comprises an integrated circuit.

8 The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said electronic components comprises a tilt switch.

9. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said electronic components comprises a photovoltaic cell.

10. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said electronic components comprises a transmitter of electro-magnetic energy not within a range of wavelengths visible to a human eye and a receiver for receiving at least a portion of said electro-magnetic energy.

11. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said electronic components comprises a transmitter of acoustic energy not within a range of frequencies audible to a human ear and a receiver for receiving a reflection of at least a portion of said acoustic energy.

12. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said electronic components comprises a device for determining a distance between a wearer of the spectacles and an object focused upon by said wearer using the spectacles.

13. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said body comprises one or more nose pad that contain a power source.

14. The nose bridge of Claim 1, wherein said body comprises a power source that is rechargeable.