Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
  • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
  • G02F1/29—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C7/00—Optical parts
  • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
  • G02C7/08—Auxiliary lenses; Arrangements for varying focal length
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C7/00—Optical parts
  • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
  • G02C7/08—Auxiliary lenses; Arrangements for varying focal length
  • G02C7/081—Ophthalmic lenses with variable focal length
  • G02C7/083—Electrooptic lenses
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C7/00—Optical parts
  • G02C7/10—Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
  • G02C7/101—Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses having an electro-optical light valve
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
  • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
  • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
  • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
  • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
  • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
  • G02F1/1341—Filling or closing of cells
  • G02F1/13415—Drop filling process

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of optics. More particularly, the present invention relates to system and method employing an electro-active lens that contains at least some integrated components, including a range finder device.
• an optical lens system comprises an electro-active lens and a controller coupled to the electro-active lens configured to adjust a focal length of at least a portion of the electro-active lens based on a signal from a range finder device, for example.
• a range finder device for use with a controller in an optical system.
• the range finder device comprises a transmitter configured to produce a first beam of non-visible radiation for intersecting a perceived object, and a receiver configured to detect a second beam of non-visible radiation reflected from the perceived object, the controller configured to determine a viewing distance of the perceived object based on signals received from the transmitter and receiver.
• a method of controlling an optical lens system comprises utilizing a range finder device to determine a viewing distance of an object perceived through an electro-active lens and adjusting a focal length of a first portion of the electro- active lens based on the viewing distance.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active phoropter/ refractor system 100.
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of another electro-active phoropter/ refractor system 200.
• FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a conventional dispensing practice sequence 300.
• FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of dispensing method 400.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of electro-active eyewear
• FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of prescription method 600.
• FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of a hybrid electro-active spectacle lens 700.
• FIG. 8 is a section view of an embodiment of hybrid electro-active spectacle lens 700 taken along section line A- A of FIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is a section view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 900, taken along section line Z-Z of FIG. 5.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens system 1000.
• FIG. 11 is a section view of an embodiment of a diffractive electro-active lens 1100 taken along section line Z-Z of FIG. 5.
• FIG. 12 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 1200.
• FIG. 13 is a section view of an embodiment of the electro-active lens 1200 of
• FIG. 12 taken along section line Q-Q.
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tracking system 1400.
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens system 1500.
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens system 1600.
• FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active refractive matrix 1900.
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of electro-active eyewear
• FIG. 22 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2200.
• FIG. 23 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2300.
• FIG. 24 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2400.
• FIG. 25 is a section view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2500 taken along section line Z-Z of FIG. 5.
• FIG. 26 is a section view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2600 taken along section line Z-Z of FIG. 5.
• FIG. 27 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of dispensing method 2700.
• FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens
• FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 35a - 35e illustrate assembly steps that may be completed in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 36a - 36e illustrate assembly steps that may be completed in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 37a - 37e illustrate assembly steps that may be completed in yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 38 is a perspective exploded view of an integrated chip range finder and integrated controller in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated controller battery and integrated controller in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated controller range finder in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 41 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 44a is an exploded perspective view of an integrated power source, controller and range finder in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 44b is a side sectional view the integrated power source, controller and range finder of FIG. 44a along Z-Z' in accord with one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 45 is a side view of the range finder transmitter of FIG. 44b in accord with one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 46 is a side view of the range finder receiver of FIG. 44b in accord with one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 47a-47c are side views of a wearer of an optical lens system in accord with one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system in accord with one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 49 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system in accord with one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system in accord with one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 51 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system in accord with one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 52 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system in accord with one embodiment of the invention.
• the present invention utilizes a novel approach in detecting, quantifying and correcting one's vision.
• the approach involves several innovative embodiments utilizing an electro-active lens.
• the invention utilizes a novel approach towards the selection, dispensing, activating, and programming of electro-active eyewear.
• a novel electro-active phoropter/refractor is utilized.
• This electro-active phoropter/refractor utilizes far fewer lens components than today's phoropters and is a fraction of the overall size and/or weight of today's phoropters.
• this exemplary inventive embodiment consists of only a pair of electro-active lenses housed in a frame mounting that provides, either through its own structural design and/or by way of a network of conductive wires, electrical power needed to enable the electro-active lenses to function properly.
• An "electro-active zone” can include or be included in an electro-active structure, layer, and/or region.
• An “electro-active region” can be a portion and/or the entirety of an electro-active layer.
• An electro-active region can be adjacent to another electro-active region.
• An electro-active region can be attached to another electro-active region, either directly, or indirectly with, for example, an insulator between each electro-active region.
• An “electro-active refractive matrix” is both an electro-active zone and region and can be attached to another electro-active layer, either directly, or indirectly with, for example, an insulator between each electro- active layer.
• “Attaching” can include bonding, depositing, adhering, and other well- known attachment methods.
• a “controller” can include or be included in a processor, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, an IC, a computer chip, and/or a chip.
• a “refractor” can include a controller.
• An “auto-refractor” can include a wave front analyzer.
• Near distance refractive error can include presbyopia and any other refractive error needed to be corrected for one to see clearly at near distance.
• Intermediate distance refractive error can include the degree of presbyopia needed to be corrected an intermediate distance and any other refractive error needed to be corrected for one to see clearly at intermediate distance.
• “Far distance refractive error” can include any refractive error needed to be corrected for one to see clearly at far distance.
• “Near distance” can be from about 6 inches to about 24 inches, and more preferably from about 14 inches to about 18 inches. "Intermediate distance” can be from about 24 inches to about 5 feet. "Far distance” can be any distance between about 5 feet and infinity, and more preferably, infinity.
• “Conventional refractive error” can include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and/or presbyopia.
• Non-conventional refractive error can include irregular astigmatism, aberrations of the ocular system, and any other refractive error not included in conventional refractive error.
• “Optical refractive error” can include any aberrations associated with a lens optic.
• a “spectacle” can include one lens. In other embodiments, a “spectacle” can include more than one lens.
• a “multi-focal” lens can include bifocal, trifocal, quadrafocal, and/or progressive addition lens.
• a “finished” lens blank can include a lens blank that has finished optical surface on both sides.
• a “semi-finished” lens blank can include a lens blank that has, on one side only, a finished optical surface, and on the other side, a non-optically finished surface, the lens needing further modifications, such as, for example, grinding and/or polishing, to make it into a useable lens.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of electro-active phoropter/refractor system 100.
• Frames 110 contain electro-active lens 120, which are connected via a network of conductive wires 130 to an electro-active lens controller 140 and to an electrical power source 150.
• the temples (not shown in FIG. 1) of frames 110 contain batteries or power sources such as, for example, a micro-fuel cell.
• the temple or temples of frame 110 possess the needed electrical components so that a power cord is plugged directly into an electrical outlet and/or the electro-active refractor's controller/programmer 160.
• the electro-active lenses 120 are mounted in a housing assembly which is suspended so one could simply position one's face properly in order to look through the electro-active lenses while being refracted.
• first inventive embodiment utilizes only a pair of electro-active lenses
• multiple electro-active lenses are used.
• a combination of conventional lenses and electro-active lenses are utilized.
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary embodiment of an electro- active refractor system 200 that includes housing assembly 210 that contains at least one electro-active lens 220 and several conventional lenses, specifically, diffractive lens 230, prismatic lens 240, astigmatic lens 250, and spherical lens 260.
• a network of conductive wires 270 connects the electro-active lens 220 to a power source 275 and to a controller 280, that provides a prescription display 290.
• the lenses can be used to test one's vision in a random and/or non-random one-at-a-time sequence. In other inventive embodiments, two or more lenses are added together giving a total corrective power in front of each eye as needed.
• the electro-active lenses which are utilized in both the electro-active phoropter and the electro-active eyewear, are comprised of either a hybrid and/or non-hybrid construction.
• a hybrid construction a conventional lens optic is combined with an electro-active zone.
• no conventional lens optic is used in a non-hybrid construction.
• the invention differs from today's conventional dispensing practice sequence 300, which is shown as a flow diagram in FIG. 3.
• steps 310 and 320 traditionally an eye examination involving a conventional refractor is followed by obtaining one's prescription and taking that prescription to a dispenser.
• steps 330 and 340 at the dispenser one's frames and lens are selected.
• the lenses are fabricated, edged, and assembled into the frames.
• step 370 the new prescription eyeglasses are dispensed and received.
• the electro-active eyewear is selected by or for the wearer.
• the frames are fitted to the wearer.
• the electronics are controlled by the electro-active phoropter/refractor control system, which in most cases is operated by an eyecare professional and/or technician.
• the patient or wearer can actually operate the control system and thus, control the prescription of their own electro-active lenses.
• both the patient/wearer and the eyecare professional and/or technician work with the controller together.
• the control system whether operated by the eyecare professional, technician, and/or the patient/wearer, is utilized to select both objectively or subjectively the best correcting prescription for the patient/wearer.
• the eyecare professional or technician programs the patient's/wearer's electro-active eyewear.
• the selected prescription is programmed into an electro-active eyewear controller, and/or one or more controller components, prior to the selected electro-active eyewear being disconnected from the electro- active phoropter/refractor's controller.
• the prescription is programmed into the selected electro-active eyewear at a later time.
• the electro-active eyewear is selected, fitted, programmed, and dispensed at step 450 in a totally different sequence than conventional eyeglasses are today. This sequence allows for improved manufacturing, refracting and dispensing efficiencies.
• the patient/wearer literally can select their eyewear, wear them while the testing of their vision is taking place, and then have them programmed for the correct prescription. In most cases, but not all, this is done before the patient/wearer leaves the examination chair, thus, ensuring the total fabrication and programming accuracy of the patient's final prescription, as well as the accuracy of the eye refraction itself.
• the patient can literally wear their electro-active eyeglasses when they get up out of the examination chair and proceed out of the eyecare professional's office.
• the prescription is sent electronically, for example, via the Internet, to a dispensing location where electro-active eyewear (frames and lenses) are sold.
• an electro-active eyewear controller is either programmed and installed into the electro-active eyewear, or directly programmed while installed in the electro-active eyewear, following the refraction.
• the electro-active eyewear controller, and/or one or more controller components is an intricate built-in part of the electro-active eyewear and does not need to be added at a later time.
• FIG. 27 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of another inventive dispensing method 2700.
• the vision of the patient is refracted using any method.
• the prescription for the patient is obtained.
• the electro- active eyewear is selected.
• the electro-active eyewear is programmed with the wearer's prescription.
• the electro-active eyewear is disp ' ensed.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another inventive embodiment of the electro- active eyewear 500.
• frames 510 contain generic electro- active lenses 520 and 522 that are electrically coupled by connecting wires 530 to electro-active eyewear controller 540 and power source 550. Section line Z-Z divides generic electro-active lens 520.
• Controller 540 acts as the "brains" of the electro-active eyewear 500, and can contain at least one processor component, at least one memory component for storing instructions and/or data for a specific prescription, and at least one input/output component, such as a port. Controller 540 can perform computational tasks such as reading from and writing into memory, calculating voltages to be applied to individual grid elements based on desired refractive indices, and/or acting as a local interface between the patient user's eyewear and the associated refractor/phoropter equipment.
• controller 540 is pre-programmed by the eyecare specialist or technician to meet the patient's convergence and accommodative needs. In this embodiment, this pre-programming is done on controller 540 while controller 540 is outside the patient's eyewear, and controller 540 is then inserted into the eyewear after the examination.
• controller 540 is a "read-only" type, supplying the voltage to grid elements to obtain the necessary array of refractive indices to correct the vision for a specific distance. As the patient's prescription changes, a new controller 540 must be programmed and inserted into the eyewear by the specialist. This controller would be of a class of ASIC's, or application specific integrated circuits, and its memory and processing commands permanently imprinted.
• the electro-active eyewear controller may be originally programmed by the eyecare specialist or technician when first dispensed, and later the same controller, or a component thereof, can be reprogrammed to provide a different correction, as the patient's needs change.
• This electro-active eyewear controller may be extracted from the eyewear, placed in the refractor's controller/programmer (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and reprogrammed during the examination, or reprogrammed, in situ, by the refractor without removal from the electro-active eyewear.
• the electro-active eyewear controller in this case could, for example, be of a class of FPGA's, or field programmable gate array architecture.
• the electro-active eyewear controller may be permanently built into the eyewear and require only an interface link to the refractor which issues the reprogramming commands to the FPGA. Part of this link would include external AC power to the electro-active eyewear controller provided by an AC adapter embedded in the refractor/phoropter or in its controller/programmer unit.
• the electro-active eyewear acts as the refractor, and the external equipment operated by the eyecare specialist or technician consists of merely a digital and/or analog interface to the electro-active eyewear's controller.
• the electro-active eyewear controller can also serve as the controller for the refractor/phoropter.
• the necessary processing electronics are available to alter the array of grid voltages to the electro-active eyewear and reprogram the electro-active eyewear controller with this data after the optimal correction for the user is empirically determined.
• Another innovative embodiment utilizes an electronic auto-refractor that can be used as a first step and/or in combination with the electro-active refractors (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) such as by way of example, but not limited to Humphrey's Auto-refractor & Nikon's Auto-refractor which have been developed or modified to provide feed back which is compatible and programmed for use with the invention's electro-active lenses.
• This innovative embodiment is used to measure one's refractive error, while the patient or wearer is wearing his or her electro-active spectacles. This feedback is fed automatically or manually into a controller and/or programmer, which then calibrates, programs or reprograms the controller of the user/wearer's electro-active spectacles.
• one's electro- active spectacles can be re-calibrated as needed without requiring full eye examination or eye refraction.
• one's vision correction is corrected, by way of one's electro-active lenses, to 20/20. This is obtained in most cases by correcting one's conventional refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and/or presbyopia).
• non-conventional refractive error such as aberrations, irregular astigmatism, and/or ocular layer irregularities of the eye are measured and corrected, as well as conventional refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and/or presbyopia).
• one's vision can be corrected in many cases to better than 20/20, such as to 20/15, to better than 20/15, to 20/10, and/or to better than 20/10.
• This advantageous error correction is accomplished by utilizing the electro- active lenses in the eyewear effectively as an adaptive optic.
• Adaptive optics have been demonstrated and in use for many years to correct for atmospheric distortion in ground-based astronomical telescopes, as well as for laser transmission through the atmosphere for communications and military applications.
• segmented or "rubber” mirrors are usually employed to make small corrections to the wave front of the image or laser lightwave. These mirrors are manipulated by mechanical actuators in most cases.
• Adaptive optics as applied to vision, is based on active probing of the ocular system with a light beam, such as an eye-safe laser, and measures the wavefront distortion of either the retinal reflection or the image created on the retina.
• This form of wavefront analysis assumes a plane or spherical probe wave and measures the distortion imparted on this wavefront by the ocular system.
• a skilled examiner can determine what abnormalities exist in the ocular system and prescribe an appropriate corrective prescription.
• wavefront analyzers There are several competing designs for wavefront analyzers, however, the adaption of the electro-active lenses described here for use as either a transmissive or reflective spatial light modulator to perform such wavefront analysis is included within the invention.
• wavefront analyzers examples are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,777,719 (Williams) and 5,949,521 (Williams), each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• small corrections or adjustments are made to the electro-active lenses so that an image lightwave is imparted by a grid array of electrically driven pixels whose index of refraction can be altered, accelerating or slowing down the light passing through them by the alterable index.
• the electro-active lens becomes an adaptive optic, which can compensate for the inherent spatial imperfection in the optics of the eye itself in order to obtain a nearly aberration-free image on the retina.
• the electro-active lens is fully two-dimensional, fixed spatial aberrations caused by the eye's optical system can be compensated for by incorporating the small index of refraction corrections on top of the gross vision correction prescription needs of the patient user. In this way, vision can be corrected to a level of better than what could be achieved with common convergence and accommodation corrections, and, in many cases, could result in vision better than 20/20.
• the patient's ocular aberrations can be measured by, for example, a modified auto refractor utilizing a wavefront sensor or analyzer designed specifically for eye aberration measurements.
• the controller in the eyewear can be programmed to incorporate the 2-D spatially-dependent index of refraction changes to compensate for these aberrations and other types of non-conventional refractive error in addition to the overall myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and/or astigmatism correction.
• embodiments of the electro-active lens of the present invention can electro-actively correct for aberrations of the patient's ocular system or created by the lens optic.
• a certain power correction of -3.50 diopters may be required in a certain electro-active divergent lens to correct a wearer's myopia.
• an array of different voltages, Ni . . . V ⁇ is applied to the M elements in the grid array to generate an array of different indices of refraction, Ni . . . N , which give the electro-active lens a power of -3.50 diopters.
• certain elements in the grid array may require up to plus or minus 0.50 units change in their index Ni . . . N M to correct for ocular aberrations and/or non-conventional refractive error.
• the small voltage deviations corresponding to these changes are applied to the appropriate grid element, in addition to the base myopia-correcting voltages.
• the electro-active refractor/phoropter is used according to an embodiment of the inventive prescription method 600 of FIG. 6.
• either a conventional refractor, an electro-active refractor having both conventional and electro-active lenses, or an electro-active refractor having only electro-active lenses, or an auto-refractor is utilized to measure one's refractive error using conventional lens powers such as minus power (for myopes), plus power (for hyperopes), cylindrical power and axis (for astigmatism) and prism power when needed.
• conventional lens powers such as minus power (for myopes), plus power (for hyperopes), cylindrical power and axis (for astigmatism) and prism power when needed.
• BVA best visual acuity
• certain embodiments of the invention allow for improving one's vision beyond what today's conventional refractor/phoropters will achieve.
• step 610 provides for further refinement of one's prescription in a non-conventional inventive way.
• the prescription which accomplishes this end point, is programmed into the electro-active refractor.
• the patient is properly positioned to look through the electro-active lenses having a multi-grid electro-active structure into a modified and compatible autorefractor or a wavefront analyzer, which automatically measures precisely the refractive error.
• This refractive error measurement detects and quantifies as much non-conventional refractive errors as possible.
• This measurement is taken through a small, approximately 4.29 mm, targeted area of each electro-active lens, while automatically computing the necessary prescription to achieve the best focus on the fovea along the line-of-sight while the patient is looking through the targeted area of the electro-active lens.
• this non-conventional correction is either stored in the controller/programmer memory for future use or it is then programmed into the controller that controls the electro-active lenses. This, of course, is repeated for both eyes.
• the patient or wearer now may at their option elect to use a control unit which will allow them to further refine the conventional refractive error correction, the non-conventional refractive error correction, or a combination of both, and thus the final prescription, to their liking.
• the eyecare professional may refine it, until in some cases no further refinement is performed.
• an improved BVA for the patient better than any available via conventional techniques, will be achieved.
• any further refined prescription is then programmed into the controller, which controls the electro-active lenses' prescription.
• the programmed electro-active spectacles are dispensed.
• steps 610 through 640 present an embodiment of one inventive method, depending upon the eyecare professional's judgement or approach, numerous different but similar approaches could be used to detect, quantify, and/or correct one's vision using solely electro-active refractors/phoropters or in combination with wavefront analyzers. Any method, no matter in what sequence, that utilizes an electro-active refractor/phoropter to detect, quantify, and/or correct one's vision, whether in conjunction with a wavefront analyzer or not, is considered part of the invention. For example, in certain inventive embodiments, steps 610 through 640 may be performed in either a modified way or even a different sequence.
• the targeted area of the lens referred to in step 610 is within the range of about 3.0 millimeters in diameter to about 8.0 millimeters in diameter. Still in other inventive embodiments, the targeted area can be anywhere from about 2.0 millimeters in diameter up to the area of the entire lens.
• an embodiment of the present invention concerns an electro-active refractor/phoropter that has a novel electro-active lens, that can either be of a hybrid or of a non-hybrid construction.
• hybrid construction it is meant a combination of a conventional single vision or a multifocal lens optic, with at least one electro-active zone located on the front surface, back surface, and/or in between the front and back surfaces, the zone consisting of an electro-active material having the necessary electro-active means to change focus electrically.
• the electro-active zone is specifically placed either inside the lens or on the back concave surface of the lens to protect it from scratches and other normal wear.
• the electro-active zone is included as part of the front convex surface, in most cases a scratch resistant coating is applied.
• the combination of the conventional single vision lens or a conventional multifocal lens and the electro- active zone gives the total lens power of the hybrid lens design.
• non-hybrid it is meant a lens which is electro-active whereby mostly 100% of its refractive power is generated solely by its electro-active nature.
• FIG. 7 is a front view
• FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line A-A, of an embodiment of an exemplary hybrid electro-active spectacle lens 700.
• lens 700 includes a lens optic 710.
• Attached to lens optic 710 is an electro-active refractive matrix 720, that can have one or more electro-active regions that occupy all or a portion of electro-active refractive matrix 720.
• Also attached to lens optic 710 and at least partially surrounding electro-active refractive matrix 720 is framing layer 730.
• Lens optic 710 includes an astigmatic power correction region 740 having an astigmatic axis A-A rotated, in this specific example only, approximately 45 degrees clockwise from horizontal.
• electro-active refractive matrix 720 can include a liquid crystal and/or a polymer gel. Electro-active refractive matrix 720 can also include an alignment layer, a metallic layer, a conducting layer, and/or an insulating layer.
• astigmatic correction region 740 is eliminated so that lens optic 710 corrects for sphere power only.
• lens optic 710 can correct for either far distance, near distance, and/or both, and any sort of conventional refractive error, including spheric, cylindric, prismatic, and/or aspheric errors.
• Electro-active refractive matrix 720 can also correct for near distance, and/or for non-conventional refractive error such as aberrations. In other embodiments, electro-active refractive matrix 720 can correct any sort of conventional or non-conventional refractive error and lens optic 710 can correct for conventional refractive error.
• an electro-active lens having a hybrid construction approach has certain distinct advantages over that of a non-hybrid lens. These advantages are lower electrical power needs, smaller battery size, longer battery life expectancy, less complex electrical circuitry, fewer conductors, fewer insulators, lower manufacturing costs, increased optical transparency, and increased structural integrity.
• non-hybrid electro-active lenses have their own set of advantages, including reduced thickness and mass manufacturing.
• About 95% of corrective prescriptions include a sphere power correction within a range of -6.00 diopters to +6.00 diopters, in 0.25 diopter increments. Based on this range, there are about 49 commonly prescribed sphere powers. Of those prescriptions that include an astigmatism correction, about 95% fall within the range of -4.00 diopters to +4.00 diopters, in 0.25 diopter increments. Based on this range, there are about 33 commonly prescribed astigmatic (or cylinder) powers. Because astigmatism has an axis component, however, there are about 360 degrees of astigmatic axis orientations, which are typically prescribed in 1 degree increments. Thus, there are 360 different astigmatic axis prescriptions.
• prescriptions include a bifocal component to correct for presbyopia.
• a presbyopic correction about 95% fall within the range of +1.00 to +3.00 diopters, in 0.25 diopter increments, thereby resulting in about 9 commonly prescribed presbyopic powers.
• one non- hybrid electro-active lens can eliminate the need to mass manufacture and/or stock numerous lens blank SKUs, and of possibly greater importance, can eliminate the need to grind and polish each lens blank to a particular patient's prescription.
• More than one non-hybrid electro-active lens SKU could be mass manufactured and/or stocked. Nevertheless, the number of SKU's could be reduced from millions to about five or less.
• the hybrid electro-active lens it has been discovered that by correcting for conventional refractive error with the lens optic and utilizing a mostly centered electro-active layer, it is possible to also reduce the number of SKU's needed.
• lens 700 can be rotated as needed to place astigmatic axis A-A in the needed position.
• the number of hybrid lens blanks needed can be reduced by a factor of 360.
• the electro-active zone of the hybrid lens can provide the presbyopic correction, thereby reducing by a factor of 9 the number of lens blanks needed.
• FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a semi-finished lens blank 2800.
• semi-finished lens blank 2800 has a lens optic 2810 with a finished surface 2820, an unfinished surface 2830, and a partial field electro-active refractive matrix 2840.
• semi-finished lens blank 2800 can have a full field electro-active layer.
• the electro-active structure of semi-finished lens blank 2800 can be multi- grid or single interconnect.
• semi-finished lens blank 2800 can have refractive and/or diffractive characteristics.
• the electro-active lens In either the hybrid or the non-hybrid embodiment of the electro-active lens, a significant number of needed correcting prescriptions can be created and customized by the electro-active lens which can be adjusted and controlled by a controller that has been customized and/or programmed for the patient's specific prescription needs.
• the millions of prescriptions and numerous lens styles, single vision lens blanks, as well as the numerous multifocal semi-finished lens blanks may be no longer needed.
• the invention includes both non-hybrid electro-active lenses, as well as full and partial field specific hybrid electro-active lenses that are either pre-manufactured electronic eyewear (frame and/or lenses) or customized electronic eyewear at the time of delivery to the patient or customer.
• frame and/or lenses pre-manufactured electronic eyewear
• customized electronic eyewear at the time of delivery to the patient or customer.
• both the frames and the lenses are pre-made with the lenses already edged and put into the eyeglass frames.
• programmable and re-programmable controller as well as the mass production of frames and lenses having the necessary electric components which can be prefabricated and sent to the eyecare professional's site or some other site for either the installation of, for example, a programmed controller, and/or one or more controller components, for the patient's prescription.
• the controller, and/or one or more controller components can be part of the pre-manufactured frame and electro-active lens assembly and then programmed at either the eyecare professional's site or some other site.
• the controller, and/or one or more controller components can be in the form, for example, of a chip or a thin film and can be housed in the frame, on the frame, in the lens, or on the lens of the eyeglasses.
• the controller, and/or one or more controller components can be re-programmable or not re-programmable based upon the business strategy to be implemented.
• controller and/or one or more controller components, is re-programmable, this will allow for the repeated updating of one's prescriptions as long as the patient or customer is happy with his or her eyeglass frames as well as the cosmetic appearance and functionality of the electro-active lenses.
• the lenses must be structurally sound enough in order to protect the eye from injury from a foreign object. In the United States, most eyewear lenses must pass a FDA required impact test. In order to meet these requirements, it is important that a support structure is built into or on the lens. In the case of the hybrid type, this is accomplished, for example, utilizing either a prescription or non-prescription single vision or multifocal lens optic as a structural base.
• the structural base for the hybrid type can be made out of polycarbonate.
• the electro-active material selected and thickness accounts for this needed structure.
• the non-prescription carrier base or substrate onto which the electro-active material is positioned accounts for this needed protection.
• the inventive design of the electro-active spectacle lenses can provide for the distance correction to be maintained when the electro-active zones are in the OFF position (the inactivated or unpowered state).
• this can be accomplished by providing the distance correction with a conventional fixed focal length optic, whether it be a refractive or a diffractive hybrid type. Any additional add power, therefore, is provided by the electro-active zone(s). Thus, a fail-safe electro-active system occurs, because the conventional lens optic will preserve the wearer's distance correction.
• FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of another electro-active lens 900 having a lens optic 910 that is index matched to an electro-active refractive matrix 920.
• the diverging lens optic 910 having an index of refraction, n ls provides distance correction.
• Attached to lens optic 910 is the electro-active refractive matrix 920, which can have an unactivated state, and a number of activated states.
• electro-active refractive matrix 920 When electro-active refractive matrix 920 is in its unactivated state, it has an index of refraction n 2 , which approximately matches the index of refraction, n 1 ⁇ of lens optic 910.
• n is within 0.05 refractive units of __ ⁇ .
• framing layer 930 Surrounding electro-active refractive matrix 920 is framing layer 930, which has an index of refraction, n 3 , that also approximately matches the index of refraction, , of lens optic 910 within 0.05 refractive units of .
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of another electro-active lens system 1000.
• electro-active lens 1010 includes a lens optic 1040 and an electro-active refractive matrix 1050.
• a rangefinder transmitter 1020 is positioned on electro-active refractive matrix 1050.
• a rangefinder detector/receiver 1030 is positioned on electro-active refractive matrix 1050.
• either transmitter 1020 or receiver 1030 can be positioned in electro-active refractive matrix 1050.
• either transmitter 1020 or receiver 1030 can be positioned in or on lens optic 1040.
• either transmitter 1020 or receive 1030 can be positioned on outer covering layer 1060.
• FIG. 11 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a diffractive electro- active lens 1100.
• lens optic 1110 provides distance correction.
• diffractive pattern 1120 Etched on one surface of lens optic 1110 is diffractive pattern 1120, having an index of refraction, n.sub.l.
• electro-active refractive matrix 1130 Attached to lens optic 1110 and covering diffractive pattern 1120 is electro-active refractive matrix 1130, which has an index of refraction, n.sub.2, that approximates n.sub.l, when electro-active refractive matrix 1130 is in its unactivated state.
• framing layer 1140 is constructed of material mostly identical to lens optic 1110, and which at least partially surrounds electro-active refractive matrix 1120.
• a covering 1150 is attached over electro-active refractive matrix 1130 and framing layer 1140.
• the framing layer 1140 can also be an extension of lens optic 1110, in which can no actual layer is added, however, lens optic 1110 is fabricated so as to frame or circumscribe electro-active refractive matrix 1130.
• FIG. 12 is a front view, and FIG. 13 a side view, of an exemplary embodiment of an electro-active lens 1200 having a multi-focal optic 1210 attached to an electro-active framing layer 1220.
• multi-focal optic 1210 is of a progressive addition lens design.
• multi-focal optic 1210 includes a first optical refraction focus zone 1212 and a second progressive addition optical refraction focus zone 1214.
• Attached to multifocal optic 1210 is electro-active framing layer 1220 having an electro-active region 1222 that is positioned over second optical refraction focus zone 1214.
• a cover layer 1230 is attached to electro-active framing layer 1220.
• the framing layer can be either electro-active or non-electro-active.
• insulating material is utilized to insulate the activated region from the non-activated region.
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tracking system 1400.
• Frames 1410 contain electro-active lens 1420.
• a tracking signal sources 1430 such as light emitting diodes.
• tracking signal receivers 1440 are also attached to the backside of electro-active lens 1420 .
• Receivers 1440, and possibly sources 1430, are connected to a controller (not shown) that includes in its memory instructions to enable tracking. Utilizing this approach it is possible to locate very precisely the eye movements up, down, right, left and any variation thereof.
• sources 1430 and/or receivers 1440 can be attached to the backside of frames 1410, embedded in the backside of frames 1410, and/or embedded in the backside of lenses 1420.
• An important portion of any spectacle lens is the portion used to produce the sharpest image quality within the user's field of view. While a healthy person can see approximately 90 degrees to either side, the sharpest visual acuity is located within a smaller field of view, corresponding to the portion of the retina with the best visual acuity. This region of the retina is known as the fovea, and is approximately a circular region measuring 0.40 mm in diameter on the retina. Additionally, the eye images the scene through the entire pupil diameter, so the pupil diameter will also affect the size of the most critical portion of the spectacle lens.
• the resulting critical region of the spectacle lens is simply the sum of the diameter of the eye's pupil diameter added to the projection of the fovea's field of view onto the spectacle lens.
• the typical range for the eye's pupil diameter is from 3.0 to 5.5 mm, with a most common value of 4.0 mm.
• the average fovea diameter is approximately 0.4 mm.
• the typical range for the size of the fovea's projected dimension onto the spectacle lens is affected by such parameters as the length of the eye, the distance from the eye to the spectacle lens, etc.
• the tracking system of this specific inventive embodiment locates the regions of the electro-active lens that correlate to the eye movements relative to the fovial region of the patient's retina. This is important as the invention's software is programmed to always correct for the non-conventional refractive error that is correctable as the eye moves. Thus, it is necessary in most, but not all, inventive embodiments that correct for non-conventional refractive error to electro-actively alter the area of the lens that the line-of-sight is passing through as the eyes fixate their target or gaze.
• the vast majority of the electro-active lens corrects for conventional refractive error and as the eye moves the targeted electro-active area focus moves as well by way of the tracking system and software to correct for the non-conventional refractive error taking into account the angle in which the line-of-sight intersects different sections of the lens and factoring this into the final prescription for that specific area.
• the tracking system and enabling software is utilized to correct one's vision to its maximum, while looking or gazing at distant objects. When looking at near points the tracking system, if used, is utilized to both calculate the range of near point focus in order to correct for one's accommodative and convergence near or intermediate range focusing needs. This of course is programmed into the electro-active eyewear controller, and/or one or more controller components, as part of the patient or wearers' prescription.
• a range finder and/or tracking system is incorporated either into the lenses and/or frames.
• aberrations are directly related to the viewing distance, it has been discovered that they can be corrected in relation to the viewing distance. That is, once the aberration or aberrations have been measured, it is possible to correct for these aberrations in the electro-active refractive matrix by way of segregating the electro-active regions so as to electro-actively correct for aberrations for specific distances such as distance vision, intermediate vision, and/or near vision.
• the electro-active lens can be segregated into a far vision, intermediate vision, and near vision corrective zones, each the software controlling each zone causing the zone to correct for those aberrations that impact the corresponding viewing distance.
• a hybrid or non-hybrid electro-active lens can be designed to have a full field or a partial field effect.
• full field effect it is meant that the electro-active refractive matrix or layers cover the vast majority of the lens region within an eyeglass frame.
• the entire electro-active area can be adjusted to the desired power.
• a full field electro-active lens can be adjusted to provide a partial field.
• a partial field electro-active specific lens design can not be adjusted to a full field due to the circuitry needed to make it partial field specific.
• a partial section of the electro-active lens can be adjusted to the desired power.
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of another electro-active lens system 1500.
• Frames 1510 contain electro-active lenses 1520, which have a partial field 1530.
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of yet another electro-active lens system 1600.
• frames 1610 contain electro-active lenses 1620, which have a full field 1630.
• the multifocal electro-active optic is pre- manufactured and in some cases, due to the significantly reduced number of SKU's required, even inventoried at the dispensing location as a finished multifocal electro- active lens blank.
• This inventive embodiment allows for the dispensing site to simply fit and edge the inventoried multifocal electro-active lens blanks into the electronic enabling frames. While in most cases this invention could be of a partial field specific type electro-active lens, it should be understood this would work for full field electro-active lenses, as well.
• a conventional single vision lens optic being of aspheric design or non-aspheric design having a toric surface for correction of astigmatism and a spherical surface is utilized to provide the distance power needs. If astigmatic correction is needed the appropriate power single vision lens optic would be selected and rotated to the proper astigmatic axis location. Once this is done the single vision lens optic could be edged for the eye wire frame style and size. The electro-active refractive matrix could then be applied on the single vision lens optic or the electro-active refractive matrix can be applied prior to edging and the total lens unit can be edged later.
• an electro-active material such as a polymer gel may be advantageous over a liquid crystal material.
• the electro-active refractive matrix can be applied to compatible lens optics by way of different technologies known in the art.
• Compatible lens optics are optics whose curves and surfaces will accept the electro-active refractive matrix properly from the stand point of bonding, aesthetics, and/or proper final lens power.
• adhesives can be utilized applying the adhesive directly to the lens optic and then laying down the electro-active layer.
• the electro-active refractive matrix can be manufactured so it is attached to a release film in which case it can be removed and reattached adhesively to the lens optic. Also, it can be attached to two- way film carrier of which the carrier itself is attached adhesively to the lens optic. Furthermore, it can be applied utilizing a Surface Casting technique in which case the electro-active refractive matrix is created in-situ.
• FIG. 12 a combination of a static and non-static approach is used to satisfy one's mid and near point vision needs, a multifocal progressive lens 1210 having the proper needed distance correction and having, for example, approximately +1.00 diopter (or "D") of full near add power is utilized in lieu of the single vision lens optic.
• the electro-active refractive matrix 1220 can be placed on either side of the multifocal progressive lens optic, as well as buried inside the lens optic. This electro-active refractive matrix is utilized to provide for additional add power.
• the final add power is the total additive power of the low multifocal add and the additional required near power generated by way of the electro-active layer. For example only; if a multifocal progressive addition lens optic had an add power of +1.00 and the electro-active refractive matrix created a near power of +1.00 the total near power for the hybrid electro-active lens would be +2.00D. Utilizing this approach, it is possible to significantly reduce unwanted perceived distortions from multi-focal lenses, specifically progressive addition lenses.
• the electro-active refractive matrix is utilized to subtract out unwanted astigmatism. This is accomplished by neutralizing or substantially reducing the unwanted astigmatism through an electro-actively created neutralizing power compensation solely in the areas of the lens where the unwanted astigmatism exists.
• decentration of the partial field is needed.
• electro-active refractive matrix it is necessary to align the electro-active refractive matrix in such a way to accommodate the proper astigmatic axis location of the single vision lens optic so as to allow for correcting one's astigmatism, should it exist, as well as locating the electronic variable power field in the proper location for one's eyes.
• the use of an electro-active lens allows for certain manufacturing freedom not available to conventional multifocal lenses. Therefore, some embodiments of the invention, the electro-active region is located where one would typically find the distance, intermediate, and near vision regions of a conventional non-electro-active multi-focal lens.
• the electro-active region can be placed above the 180 meridian of the lens optic, thereby allowing the multifocal near vision zone to be occasionally provided above the 180 meridian of the lens optic.
• Providing the near vision zone above the 180 meridian of the lens optic can be especially useful for those spectacle wearers working at close distances to an object directly in front or overhead of the wearer, such as working with a computer monitor, or nailing picture frames overhead.
• the electro-active layer in the case of a non-hybrid electro-active lens or both the hybrid full field lens and for example, a 35 mm diameter hybrid partial field lens, the electro-active layer, as stated before, can be applied directly to either the single vision lens optic, or pre-manufactured with a lens optic creating electro-active finished multifocal lens blanks, or the multifocal progressive lens optic, prior to edging the lens for the shape of the frame's lens mounting.
• This allows for pre-assembly of electro-active lens blanks, as well as being able to inventory stock finished, but not edged electro-active lens blanks, thus allowing for just in time eyeglass fabrication at any channel of distribution, including the doctor or optician's offices.
• This will allow all optical dispensaries to be able to offer fast service with minimal needs for expensive fabrication equipment. This benefits manufacturers, retailers, and their patients, the consumers.
• the partial field specific region could be a 35 mm diameter centered or decentered round design. It should be pointed out that the diameter size can vary depending upon the needs. In certain inventive embodiments 22 mm, 28 mm, 30 mm, and 36 mm round diameters are utilized.
• the size of the partial field can depend on the structure of the electro-active refractive matrix and/or the electro-active field. At least two such structures are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, namely, a single- interconnect electro-active structure and a multi-grid electro-active structure. [0150] FIG.
• Lens 1700 includes a lens optic 1710 and an electro-active refractive matrix 1720. Within electro-active refractive matrix 1720, an insulator 1730 separates an activated partial field 1740 from a framed non- activated field (or region) 1750. A single wire or conducting strip interconnect 1760 connects the activated field to a power supply and/or controller. Note that in most, if not all, embodiments, a single-interconnect structure has a single pair of electrical conductors coupling it to a power source.
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 1800 having a multi-grid structure.
• Lens 1800 includes a lens optic 1810 and an electro-active refractive matrix 1820.
• an insulator 1830 separates an activated partial field 1840 from a framed non- activated field (or region) 1850.
• a plurality of wire interconnects 1860 connect the activated field to a power supply and/or controller.
• certain embodiments having multiple single interconnect electro-active layers can be energized in a preprogrammed sequence to allow one to have the ability to focus over a range of distances.
• two +0.50D single interconnect electro-active layers could be energized, creating a +1.00D intermediate focus to allow for a +2.00D presbyope to see at finger tip distance and then two additional +0.50D single interconnect electro-active layers could be energized to give the +2.00D presbyope the ability to read as close as 16 inches.
• the exact number of electro- active layers, as well as the power of each layer can vary depending upon the optical design, as well as the total power needed to cover a specific range of near and intermediate vision distances for a specific presbyope.
• a combination of either one or more single interconnect electro-active layers are present in the lens in combination with a multi-grid electro-active structural layer.
• a multi-grid electro-active structural layer is utilized either in a hybrid or non-hybrid lens. Either way, the multi-grid electro-active structure in combination with a properly programmed electro-active eyewear controller, and/or one or more controller components, would allow for the ability to focus over a broad range of intermediate and near distances.
• variable power electro-active field is located over the entire lens and adjusts as a constant spherical power change over the entire surface of the lens to accommodate one's working near vision focusing needs.
• variable power field adjusts over the entire lens as a constant spherical power change while at the same time creating an aspherical peripheral power effect in order to reduce distortion and aberrations.
• the distance power is corrected by way of either the single vision, multifocal finished lens blanks, or the multifocal progressive lens optic.
• the electro-active optical layer corrects mainly for the working distance focusing needs. It should be noted this is not always the case. It is possible, in some cases, to utilize either a single vision, multifocal finished lens optic, or multifocal progressive lens optic for distance spherical power only and correct near vision working power and astigmatism through the electro-active refractive matrix or utilize either the single vision or multifocal lens optic to correct astigmatism only and correct the sphere power and near vision working power through the electro- active layer. Also, it is possible to utilize a piano, single vision, multifocal finished lens optic, or progressive multifocal lens optic and correct the distance sphere and astigmatism needs by way of the electro-active layer.
• the power correction needed can be accomplished by way of any number of additive power components.
• additive power components include the utilization of a single vision or finished multifocal lens optic providing all the distance spherical power needs, some of the distance spherical power needs, all of the astigmatic power needs, some of the astigmatic power needs, all of the prismatic power needs, some of the prismatic power needs, or any combination of the above when combined with the electro-active layer, will provide for one's total focusing needs.
• the electro-active refractive matrix allows for the utilization of adaptive optic correction-like techniques to maximize one's vision through his or her electro-active lenses either prior or after final fabrication. This can be accomplished by way of allowing the patient or intended wearer to look through the electro-active lens or lenses and adjusting them manually, or by way of a special designed automatic refractor that almost instantly will measure conventional and/or non-conventional refractive error and will correct any remaining refractive error be it spherical, astigmatic, aberrations, etc. This technique will allow for the wearer to achieve 20/10 or better vision in many cases.
• a Fresnell power lens layer is utilized along with the single vision or multifocal or multifocal lens blank or optic as well as the electro-active layer.
• the Fresnell layer is utilized to provide spherical power and thereby reduce lens thickness, the single vision lens optic to correct astigmatism, and the electro-active refractive matrix to correct for mid and near distance focusing needs.
• a diffractive optic is utilized along with the single vision lens optic and the electro-active layer.
• the diffractive optic which provides for additional focusing correction, further reduces the need for the electric power, circuitry, and thickness of the electro-active layer.
• the combination of any two or more of the following can be utilized in an additive manner to provide the total additive power needed for one's spectacle correction power needs. These being a Fresnell layer, conventional or non- conventional single vision or multifocal lens optic, diffractive optic layer, and electro-active refractive matrix or layers.
• the decentered partial field specific electro- active lens is located so that the optical center of this field is located approximately 5 mm below the optical center of the single vision lens, while at the same time having the near working distance electro-active partial field being decentered nasally or temporally to satisfy the patient's correct near to intermediate working range pupillary distance.
• a design approach is not limited to a circular design but could be virtually any shape that allowed the proper electro- active visual field area needed for one's vision needs.
• the design could be oval, rectangular, square shaped, octagonal, partially curved, etc. What is important is the proper placement of the viewing area for either the hybrid partial field specific designs or hybrid full field designs that have the ability to achieve partial fields as well as non-hybrid full field designs that also have the ability to achieve partial fields.
• the electro-active refractive matrix in many cases (but not all) is utilized having an uneven thickness. That is, the metallic and conductive surrounding layers are not parallel and the gel polymer thickness varies to create a convergent or divergent lens shape. It is possible to employ such a non-uniform thickness electro-active refractive matrix in a non-hybrid embodiment or in a hybrid mode with a single vision or multifocal lens optic. This presents a wide variety of adjustable lens powers through various combinations of these fixed and electrically adjustable lenses.
• the single interconnect electro-active refractive matrix utilizes non-parallel sides creating a non-uniform thickness of the electro-active structure.
• the multi-grid electro-active structure utilizes a parallel structure, which creates a uniform thickness of the electro-active structure.
• a convergent single vision lens optic may be bonded to a convergent electro-active lens to create a hybrid lens assembly.
• the electrical voltage may either increase or reduce the refractive index. Adjusting the voltage up to reduce the index of refraction would change the final lens assembly power to give less plus power, as shown in the first row of Table 1 for different combinations of fixed and electro-active lens power.
• the final hybrid lens assembly power changes as shown in Table 2 for different combinations of fixed and electro-active lens power. It should be noted that, in this embodiment of the invention, only a single applied voltage difference is required across the electro-active layer.
• the electro-active polymer gel layer can be injection-molded, cast, stamped, machined, diamond turned, and/or polished into a net lens optic shape.
• the thin metallic layer is deposited onto both sides of the injection molded or cast polymer gel layer by, for example, sputtering or vacuum deposition.
• the deposited thin metallic layer is placed on both the lens optic and the other side of the injection-molded or cast electro-active material layer.
• a conductive layer may not be necessary, but if it is, it may also be vacuum deposited or sputtered onto the metallic layer.
• the invention can always be placed in one common location.
• the present invention allows one to either look straight ahead or slightly up or down, and the entire electro-active partial or full field adjusts to correct for the necessary near working distance. This reduces eye fatigue and head and eye movements.
• the adjustable electro-active refractive matrix adjusts to the correct power needed to clearly see the distant object.
• the thickness of the single vision lens optic may be advantageous to reduce the thickness of the single vision lens optic.
• the central thickness of a plus lens, or the edge thickness of a minus lens can be reduced by way of some appropriate distance power compensation in the electro-active adjustable layer. This would apply to a full field or mostly full field hybrid electro-active spectacle lens or in all cases of a non- hybrid electro-active spectacle lens.
• the adjustable electro-active refractive matrix does not have to be located in a limited area but could cover the entire single vision or multifocal lens optic, whatever size area or shape is required of either one.
• the exact overall size, shape, and location of the electro-active refractive matrix is constrained only due to performance and aesthetics.
• one embodiment is of a hybrid electro-active lens utilizing less than a full field approach and a minimum of two electrodes.
• Other embodiments utilize a multi-grid electro-active refractive matrix approach to create the electro-active refractive matrix which case multiple electrodes and electrical circuitry will be required.
• a multi-grid electro-active structure it has been discovered that for the boundaries of the grids that have been electrically activated to be cosmetically acceptable (mostly invisible), it may be necessary to produce a refractive index differential between adjacent grids of zero to 0.02 units of refractive index difference.
• the range of refractive index differential could be from 0.01 to 0.05 units of refractive index differential but in most inventive embodiments the difference is limited, by way of a controller to a maximum of 0.02 or 0.03 units of refractive index difference between adjacent areas.
• one or more electro-active layers having different electro-active structures such as a single-interconnect structure and/or a multi-grid structure, which can react as needed once energized to create the desired additive end focusing power. For example only, one could correct for distance power of a full field by way of the anterior (electro-active layer, distal with respect to the wearer's eyes) and utilize the posterior (i.e.
• proximal electro-active refractive matrix to focus for near vision range utilizing a partial field specific approach generated by the posterior layer. It should become readily apparent that utilizing this multi electro- active refractive matrix approach will allow for increased flexibility while keeping the layers extremely thin and reducing the complexity of each individual layer. Furthermore, this approach allows for sequencing the individual layers in as much as one can energize them all at one time, to generate a simultaneous variable additive focusing power effect. This variable focusing effect can be produced in a time lapsed sequence, so as to correct for mid-range focusing needs and near vision range focusing needs as one looks from far to near and then create the reverse effect as one looks from near to far.
• the multi electro-active refractive matrix approach also allows for faster electro-active focusing power response time. This happens due to a combination of factors, one being the reduced electro-active material thickness needed for each layer of multi electro-active layered lens. Also, because a multi electro-active refractive matrix allows for breaking up the complexity of a master electro-active refractive matrix into two or more less complex individual layers which are asked to do less individually than the master electro-active layer.
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electro- active refractive matrix 1900. Attached to both sides of an electro-active material 1910 are metallic layers 1920. Attached to the opposite side of each metallic layer 1920 are conductive layers 1930. [0176]
• the electro-active refractive matrix discussed above is a multilayer construction consisting of either a polymer gel or liquid crystal as the electro-active material. However, in certain inventive cases both a polymer gel electro-active refractive matrix and a liquid crystal electro-active refractive matrix are utilized within the same lens. For example: the liquid crystal layer may be utilized to create an electronic tint or sunglass effect and the polymer gel layer may be utilized to add or subtract power.
• Both the polymer gel and liquid crystal has the property that its optical index of refraction can be changed by an applied electric voltage.
• the electro-active material is covered by two nearly transparent metallic layers on either side, and a conductive layer is deposited on each metallic layer to provide good electrical connection to these layers. When a voltage is applied across the two conductive layers, an electric field is created between them and through the electro- active material, changing the refractive index.
• the liquid crystal and in some cases the gels are housed in a sealed encapsulating envelope of a material selected from silicones, polymethacrylate, styrene, proline, ceramic, glass, nylon, mylar and others.
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2000 having a multi-grid structure.
• Lens 2000 includes an electro-active material 2010 that can, in some embodiments, define a plurality of pixels, each of which can be separated by a material having electrical insulating properties.
• electro- active material 2010 can define a number of adjacent zones, each zone containing one or more pixels.
• Electro-active material 2010 Attached to one side of electro-active material 2010 is a metallic layer 2020, which has a grid array of metallic electrodes 2030 separated by a material (not shown) having electrical insulating properties. Attached to the opposite side (not shown) of electro-active material 2010 is a symmetrically identical metallic layer 2020. Thus, each electro-active pixel is matched to a pair of electrodes 2030 to define a grid element pair.
• Attached to metallic layer 2020 is a conductive layer 2040 having a plurality of interconnect vias 2050 each separated by a material (not shown) having electrical insulating properties.
• Each interconnect via 2050 electrically couples one grid element pair to a power supply and/or controller.
• some and/or all of interconnect vias 2050 can connect more than one grid element pair to a power supply and/or controller.
• metallic layer 2020 is eliminated. L other embodiments, metallic layer 2020 is replaced by an alignment layer.
• the front (distal) surface, intermediate surface, and/or back surface can be made of a material comprising a conventional photochromatic component.
• This photochromatic component may or may not be utilized with an electronic produced tint feature associated as part of the electro- active lens. In the event that it is utilized it would provide an additive tint in a complimentary manner.
• the photochromatic material is used solely with the electro-active lens without an electronic tint component.
• the photochromatic material can be included in an electro-active lens layer by way of the layer composition or added later to the electro-active refractive matrix or added as part of an outer layer either on the front or the back of the lens.
• the electro-active lenses of the invention can be hard-coated front, back, or both can be coated with an anti-reflection coating as desired.
• This construction is referred to as a sub-assembly and it can be electrically controlled to create either a prismatic power, sphere power, astigmatic power correction, aspheric correction, or aberration correction of the wearer. Furthermore, the subassembly can be controlled to mimic that of a Fresnell or diffractive surface. In one embodiment, if more than one type of correction is needed, two or more sub- assemblies can be juxtaposed, separated by an electrically insulating layer. The insulating layer may be comprised of silicone oxide. L another embodiment, the same subassembly is utilized to create multiple power corrections. Either of the two sub-assembly embodiments just discussed can be made of two different structures.
• the first structural embodiment allows that each of the layers, the electro-active layer, conductor, and metal, are contiguous, that is, continuous layers of material, thus forming a single-interconnect structure.
• the second structural embodiment (as shown in FIG. 20) utilizes metallic layers in the form of a grid or array, with each sub-array area electrically insulated from its neighbors.
• the conductive layers are etched to provide separate electrical contacts or electrodes to each sub-array or grid element. In this manner, separate and distinct voltages may be applied across each grid element pair in the layer, creating regions of different index of refraction in the electro-active material layer.
• the details of design including layer thickness, index of refraction, voltages, candidate electro-active materials, layer strucmre, number of layers or components, arrangement of layers or components, curvature of each layer and/or components is left for the optical designer to decide.
• the multi-grid electro-active structure or the single interconnect electro-active structures can be utilized as either a partial lens field or a full lens field.
• an electro-active material having a closely matching refractive index as that of the partial field specific electro-active non-activated layer is utilized laterally adjacent to and separated from the partial field specific electro-active region by an insulator. This is done to enhance the cosmetic nature of the electro-active lens by way of keeping the appearance of the entire electro-active refractive matrix appearing as one, in the unactivated state.
• the framing layer is of a non-electro-active material.
• the polymer material can be of a wide variety of polymers where the electro- active constituent is at least 30% by weight of the formulation.
• electro-active polymer materials are well known and commercially available. Examples of this material include liquid crystal polymers such as polyester, polyether, polyamide, (PCB) penta cyano biphenyl and others.
• Polymer gels may also contain a thermoset matrix material to enhance the processability of the gel, improve its adhesion to the encapsulating conductive layers, and improve the optical clarity of the gel.
• this matrix may be a cross-linked acrylate, methacrylate, polyurethane, a vinyl polymer cross-linked with a difunctional or multifunctional acrylate, methacrylate or vinyl derivative.
• the thickness of the gel layer can be, for example, between about 3 microns to about 100 microns, but may be as thick as one millimeter, or as another example, between about 4 microns to about 20 microns.
• the gel layer can have a modulus of, for example, about 100 pounds per inch to about 800 pounds per inch, or as another example, 200 to 600 pounds per inch.
• the metallic layer can have a thickness of, for example, about 10 "4 microns to about 10 "2 microns, and as another example, from about 0.8 x 10 "3 microns to about 1.2 x 10 "3 microns.
• the conductive layer can have a thickness of, for example, on the order of 0.05 microns to about 0.2 microns, and as another example, from about 0.8 microns to about 0.12 microns, and as yet another example, about 0.1 microns.
• the metallic layer is used to provide good contact between the conductive layer and the electro-active material.
• Those skilled in the art will readily recognize the appropriate metal materials that could be used. For example, one could use gold or silver.
• the refractive index of the electro-active material may vary, for example, between about 1.2 units and about 1.9 units, and as another example, between about 1.45 units and about 1.75 units, with the change in index of refraction of at least 0.02 units per volt.
• the rate of change in the index with voltage, the actual index of refraction of the electro-active material, and its compatibility with the matrix material will determine the percentage composition of the electro- active polymer into the matrix, but should result in a change of index of refraction of the final composition of no less than 0.02 units per volt at a base voltage of about 2.5 volts but no greater than 25 volts.
• the sections of the electro-active refractive matrix assembly are attached to a conventional lens optic with an appropriate adhesive or bonding technique which is transparent to visible light.
• This bonding assembly can be by way of release paper or film having the electro-active refractive matrix pre-assembled and attached ready for bonding to the conventional lens optic. It could be produced and applied to the awaiting lens optic surface in-situ. Also, it could be applied pre-applied to the surface of a lens wafer, which is then adhesively bonded to the awaiting lens optic. It could be applied to a semi-finished lens blank which is later surfaced or edged for the appropriate size, shape as well as the appropriate total power needs.
• the electro-active refractive matrix may occupy the entire lens area or only a portion of it.
• the index of refraction of the electro-active layers can be correctly altered only for the area needed to focus. For example, in the hybrid partial field design previously discussed, the partial field area would be activated and altered within this area. Therefore, in this embodiment the index of refraction is altered in only a specific partial region of the lens. In another embodiment, that of a hybrid full field design, the index of refraction is altered across the entire surface. Similarly, the index of refraction is altered across the entire area in the non-hybrid design.
• the refractive index differential between adjacent areas of an electro-active optic should be limited to a maximum of 0.02 units to 0.05 units of refractive index differential, preferably 0.02 units to 0.03 units.
• the embodiment would be designed structurally for a full field embodiment; however, the controller would be programmed to allow for switching the power needs from a full field to a partial field and back again or vice versa.
• voltage is delivered to the optical assemblies.
• wires which are contained in the edges of the frames of the spectacles.
• the wires run from a power source described below into the an electro- active eyewear controller, and/or one or more controller components, and to the frame edge surrounding each spectacle lens, where state-of-the-art wire bonding techniques used in semiconductor manufacturing link the wires to each grid element in the optical assembly.
• state-of-the-art wire bonding techniques used in semiconductor manufacturing link the wires to each grid element in the optical assembly.
• the single wire interconnect structured embodiment meaning one wire per conductive layer, only one voltage per spectacle lens is required and only two wires would be necessary for each lens. The voltage would be applied to one conductive layer, while its partner on the opposing side of the gel layer is held at ground potential.
• an alternating current (AC) voltage is applied across opposing conductive layers.
• each grid sub-area in the array is addressed with a distinct voltage, and conductors connect each wire lead in the frame to a grid element on the lens.
• An optically transparent conducting material such as indium oxide, tin oxide, or indium tin oxide (ITO) may be used to form the conductive layer of the electro-active assembly which is used to connect the wires in the frame edges to each grid element in the electro-active lens. This method can be used regardless of whether the electro-active area occupies the entire lens region or only a portion of it.
• One of the techniques for achieving pixelation in the multi-grid array design is to create individual mini-volumes of electro-active material, each with their own pair of driving electrodes to establish the electric field across the mini-volume.
• Another technique for achieving pixelation uses patterned electrodes for the conductive or metallic layer, grown on the substrate lithographically. In this way, the electro-active material can be contained in a contiguous volume, and the regions of different electric field creating the pixelation are defined entirely by the patterned electrodes.
• a source of electricity such as a battery
• the voltages to create the electric field are small, hence, the temples of the frames are designed to allow for the insertion and extraction of miniature bulk batteries which provide this power.
• the batteries are connected to the wire bundles through a multiplexing connection also contained in the frame temples.
• conformal thin film batteries are attached to the surface of the frame temples with an adhesive that allows them to be removed and replaced when their charge is dissipated.
• An alternative would be to provide an AC adapter with an attachment to the frame-mounted batteries to allow in situ charging of either the bulk or conformal thin-film batteries when not in use.
• An alternate energy source is also possible whereby a miniature fuel cell could be included in the spectacle frames to provide greater energy storage than batteries. The fuel cell could be recharged with a small fuel canister that injects fuel into a reservoir in the spectacle frames.
• a tracking system is built into the eyewear, such as discussed above, and the proper enabling software and programming of the electro- active eyewear controller, and/or one or more controller components, housed in the electro-active eyewear is provided.
• This inventive embodiment both tracks one's line of sight, by way of tracking one's eyes, and applies the necessary electrical energy to the specific area of the electro-active lens being looked through. In other words, as the eyes move a targeted electrically energized area would move across the lens corresponding to one's line of sight directed through the electro-active lens. This would be manifested in several different lens designs.
• the user could have a fixed power lens, an electro-active lens, or a hybrid of both types to correct for conventional (sphere, cylinder, and prism) refractive error.
• the non-conventional refractive error would be corrected by way of the electro-active refractive matrix being of a multi-grid structure whereby, as the eye moves the corresponding activated region of the electro-active lens would move with the eye.
• the eye's line-of-sight corresponding to the eye's movement, as it intersects the lens would move across the lens in relationship to the eye's movements.
• the multi-grid electro-active structure which is incorporated into or on the hybrid electro-active lens can be of a partial field or a full field design.
• the targeted and tracked area could correct for also some conventional error, as well.
• this targeted and tracked area can be automatically located with the assistance of the controller, and/or one or more controller components, by way of either a range finder located in the eyewear tracking the eye movements, with a eye tracking system located in the eyewear or both a tracking system and a range finder system.
• a range finder located in the eyewear tracking the eye movements
• a eye tracking system located in the eyewear or both a tracking system and a range finder system.
• a transparent insulator is utilized to keep the electrical activation limited to the central area being activated and the unactivated peripheral electro- active material is utilized to keep the edge of the active region invisible.
• thin film solar cell arrays can be attached to the surface of the frames, and voltage is supplied to the wires and the optical grid by photoelectric effect using sunlight or ambient room lighting.
• solar arrays are used for primary power, with the miniature batteries discussed earlier included as back up power. When electrical power is not needed the batteries can be charged from the solar cells during these times in this embodiment.
• An alternative allows for an AC adapter and attachment to batteries with this design.
• the electro-active lenses are switchable. At least two switch positions are provided, however, more are provided if needed.
• the electro-active lenses are either on or off. In the off position, no current flows through the wires, no voltage is applied to the grid assemblies, and only the fixed lens power is utilized. This would be the case in a user requiring a far field distance correction, for example, assuming of course, the hybrid electro-active lens utilizes either a single vision or multifocal lens blank or optic which corrects for distance vision as part of its construction.
• the switch would be on, providing a predetermined voltage or array of voltages to the lenses, creating a positive add power in the electro-active assemblies. If a mid-field correction is desired, a third switch position can be included.
• the switch could be microprocessor controlled, or manually user controlled. In fact, there could be several additional positions included.
• the switch is analog not digital, and provides continuous variance of the focal length of the lens by adjusting a knob or lever much like a volume control on a radio.
• the switch itself is located on the spectacle lens frames and is connected to a controller, for example, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, contained in the spectacle frames.
• a controller for example, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit
• This controller responds to different positions of the switch by regulating the voltages supplied from the power source. As such, this controller makes up the multiplexer discussed above, which distributes various voltages to the connecting wires.
• the controller may also be of an advanced design in the form of a thin film and be mounted like the battery or solar cells conformably along the surface of the frames.
• this controller and/or one or more controller components, is fabricated and/or programmed with knowledge of the user's vision correction requirements, and allows the user to easily switch between different arrays of pre-determined voltages tailored for his or her individual vision requirements.
• This electro-active eyewear controller, and/or one or more controller components is easily removable and/or programmable by the vision care specialist or technician and replaced and/or reprogrammed with a new "prescription" controller when the user's vision correction requirements change.
• One aspect of the controller-based switch is that it can change the voltage applied to an electro-active lens in less than a microsecond.
• the electro-active refractive matrix is manufactured from a fast-switching material, it is possible that the rapid change in focal length of the lenses may be disruptive to the wearer's vision. A gentler transition from one focal length to another may be desirable.
• a "lag time” can be programmed into the controller that would slow the transition.
• a “lead time” could be programmed into the controller that would speed the transition.
• the transition could be anticipated by a predictive algorithm.
• the time constant of the transition can be set so that it is proportional and/or responsive to the refractive change needed to accommodate the wearer's vision. For example, small changes in focusing power could be switched rapidly; while a large change in focusing power, such as a wearer quickly moving his gaze from a distant object to read printed material, could be set to occur over a longer time period, say 10-100 milliseconds. This time constant could be adjustable, according to the comfort of the wearer.
• the switch is in a separate module, possibly in a pocket in the user's clothing, and is activated manually.
• This switch could be connected to the spectacles with a thin wire or optical fiber.
• Another version of the switch contains a small microwave or radio-frequency short-range transmitter which sends a signal regarding switch position to a tiny receiver antenna mounted conformably on the spectacle frames. In both of these switch configurations, the user has direct but discreet control over the focal length variation of his or her spectacles.
• the switch is automatically controlled by a view detector, such as a range finding device located, for example, in the frame, on the frame, in the lens, and/or on the lens of the spectacles, and pointing forward toward the object to be perceived.
• a view detector such as a range finding device located, for example, in the frame, on the frame, in the lens, and/or on the lens of the spectacles, and pointing forward toward the object to be perceived.
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another inventive embodiment of electro- active eyewear 2100.
• frames 2110 contain electro-active lenses 2120 that are connected by connecting wires 2130 to controller 2140 (integrated circuit) and power source 2150.
• a range finder transmitter 2160 is attached to an electro-active lens 2120 and a range finder receiver 2170 is attached to the other electro-active lens 2120.
• transmitter 2160 and/or receiver 2170 can be attached to any electro-active lens 2120, attached to frame 2110, embedded in lens 2120, and/or embedded in frame 2110.
• range finder transmitter 2160 and/or receiver 2170 can be controlled by controller 2140 and/or a separate controller (not shown).
• signals received by receiver 2170 can be processed by controller 2140 and/or a separate controller (not shown).
• this range finder is an active seeker and can utilize various sources such as: lasers, light emitting diodes, radio-frequency waves, microwaves, or ultrasonic impulses to locate the object and determine its distance.
• a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser VCSEL
• VCSEL vertical cavity surface-emitting laser
• OLED organic light emitting diode
• the advantage of this device is that OLEDs can often be fabricated in a way that they are mostly transparent. Thus, an OLED might be a preferable rangefinder design if cosmetics is a concern, since it could be incorporated into the lens or frames without being noticeable.
• An appropriate sensor to receive the reflected signal off the object is placed in one or more positions on the front of the lens frames and connected to a tiny controller to compute the range.
• a single device can be fabricated to act in dual mode as both emitter and detector, and connected to the range computer. This range is sent via a wire or optical fiber to the switching controller located in the lens frames or a wireless remote carried on oneself and analyzed to determine the correct switch setting for that object distance.
• the ranging controller and switching controller may be integrated together.
• the range finder device may have difficulty switching the focal length of the electro-active lens when the wearer desires to moves from one item of focus to another.
• the range finder transmitter and range finder receiver may require extra head movement by the wearer of the lenses before the lenses switch one vision correction to another.
• "false switching" may occur when the lenses switch from the vision correction actually needed by the wearer to a vision correction that is not appropriate.
• the range finder transmitter and range finder receiver may selectively be covered with additional lenses for controlling the transmitted beam width produced by the transmitter, and the acceptance cone accepted by the receiver.
• FIG. 44a is an exploded perspective view of an integrated power source, controller and range finder in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• system 4400 includes range finder device 4420, which is coupled to controller 4440, which is in turn coupled to power source 4460.
• FIG. 44b is a side sectional view of system 4400 of FIG. 44a along Z-Z' in accord with one embodiment of the present invention.
• range finder device 4420 is comprised of range finder transmitter 4424 and range finder receiver 4428.
• range finder transmitter 4424 and range finder receiver 4428 are transmitter and receiver diodes, respectively, which may take the form of IR laser diodes, LEDs or other non-visible radiation sources, for example.
• transmitter 4424 has been selectively covered with transmission lens 4426 to control the transmitted beam width produced by transmitter 4424.
• receiver 4428 may be selectively covered with receiving lens 4430 to control the acceptance cone accepted by receiver 4428.
• the acceptance region, or cone, of receiver 4428 includes the solid angle over which light rays approaching the range finder device will be able to reach receiver 4428 once they pass through either a receiving lens, an aperture, or other device covering receiver 4428.
• a protective window may shield the internal components of range finder device 4420, and more specifically, the transmitter and receiver, from the user's environment, while not affecting the function of the internal components.
• FIG. 45 is a side view of the range finder transmitter 4424 of FIG. 44b in accord with one embodiment of the present invention.
• transmission lens 4426 has a selected divergent power to diverge the beam B produced by transmitter 4424 to a given pattern width D for a given working distance L. Accordingly, the width of the beam produced by transmitter 4424 is optimized for given working distances for reading and intermediate vision, which minimizes the need for extra head movement, while avoiding false switching by not making the beam excessively large.
• FIG. 46 is a side view of the range finder receiver 4428 of FIG. 44b in accord with one embodiment of the present invention.
• receiver 4428 is selectively covered with receiving lens 4430, which has slit aperture 4432 formed within it.
• receiving lens 4430 is constructed of a material, such as an opaque material, that would prevent receiver 4428 from receiving any reflected beam, with the exception of those traveling through slit aperture 4432.
• transmission lens 4426 covering transmitter 4424 and receiving lens 4430 covering receiver 4428 are merely illustrative, and that other embodiments that manipulate the transmission beam of transmitter 4424 or the acceptance cone of the receiver 4428 may be employed to further reduce false switching, or improve the performance of optical system 4400.
• other methods of restricting the acceptance cone or the received pattern of the receiver include employing other geometrically shaped apertures, variable shutters, lenses, or devices restricting the passage of light rays onto receiver 4428.
• placing lenses over the transmitter and receiver is optional, and any combination of the above lens may be provided in accordance with the invention.
• the receiving lens 4430 used to selectively cover receiver 4428 is optional.
• the transmission lens 4426 used to selectively cover transmitter 4424 is optional.
• the need for additional head movement, and the occurrence of false switching, are both minimized by increasing the width of the transmitted beam produced by the range finder transmitter, and optionally, manipulating how the reflected beam is presented to the range finder receiver.
• the switch can be controlled by a small but rapid movement of the user's head. This would be accomplished by including another view detector, such as a tiny micro-gyroscope or micro-accelerometer in the temple on the lens frames.
• the controller may be programmed to provide power to the range finder device so that the observed field may be interrogated by the range finder device to determine if a change in vision correction is required.
• the range finder device may be turned off.
• the range finder device may be turned on.
• another view detector such as a tilt switch
• another view detector such as a tilt switch
• another view detector may be employed to determine whether the user's head is tilted down, or up, at a given angle above or below a posture that would be indicative of someone looking straight ahead in the distance.
• an illustrative tilt switch may include a mercury switch mounted in the controller that closes a circuit that provides power to the rangefinder, and/or the controller, only when the patient is looking up or down a predetermined angle away from a horizontal.
• the range finder device may be configured to operate and switch the electro-active lens from distance correction to another state (such as near or intermediate correction) when the user's head is tilted downward or upward at the predetermined angle away from horizontal.
• the lenses may employ an additional requirement that an object be sensed in the near or intermediate distance for some predetermined period of time before switching occurred.
• the tilt switch could also be used to set a logic level high that is then AND gated (in positive logic) with a logical level set by the rangefinder that indicates whether an object is in the near or intermediate distance.
• FIGS. 47a-47c are side views of a wearer of an optical lens system in accord with one embodiment of the present invention.
• the wearer of an optical lens system may adjust his head from horizontal to an upward head tilt angle ( ⁇ up ), and from horizontal to a downward head tilt angle ( ⁇ d ow n)-
• FIG. 47b illustrates the wearer with his head tilted down at the downward head tilt angle ( ⁇ down )
• FIG. 47c illustrates the wearer with his head tilted up at the upward head tilt angle ( ⁇ up ).
• the tilt switch may close (and provide power to the range finder device, or the controller, or both) when the wearer's head moves up or down from the horizontal by about 5 to 15 degrees from the horizontal position, and preferably, about 10 degrees from the horizontal position. In one further embodiment, the tilt switch may close when the wearer's head moves up or down from the horizontal by about 15 to 30 degrees from the horizontal position, and preferably, about 20 degrees from the horizontal position.
• the above-described embodiments employing tilt switches may be optimized based on the needs or desires of the wearer. For example, the wearer may choose to have the angle of deviation from the horizontal position required to close the switch differ in the upward or downward directions.
• the angle for the upward tilt to close the switch may be equal to angle for downward tilt, or they could differ from each other by several degrees.
• the tilt switch may also be optimized by providing that it would only activate the rangefinder (or provide power to the range finder device, or the controller, or both) when the wearer tilts his head in the downward direction, or alternatively, only when the wearer tilts his head in the upward direction. This latter case is unlikely, since everyone typically tilts their head down slightly to read.
• the system utilizes a tilt switch to determine the angle of tilt of the wearer's head. The angle of tilt, either downward or upward, may be sent to the controller which determines whether the tilt is greater than a predetermined angle.
• the controller could selectively power the range finder device upon the tilt crossing the tilt threshold associated with the tilt switch.
• a micro-gyroscope or micro-accelerometer could be employed in a similar fashion.
• a micro-gyroscope or micro- accelerometer may produce an output that the controller could use to determine the position of the wearer's head, and adjust power to the range finder device accordingly.
• Yet another exemplary embodiment uses a combination of microgyroscope with a manual switch.
• the microgyroscope is utilized for mostly reading and visual functions below the 180 so as to react to one's head tilt.
• the microgyroscope sends a signal to the controller indicating the degree of head tilt, which is then converted into increased focusing power, depending on the severity of the tilt.
• the manual switch which can be remote, is used for overriding the microgyroscope for certain visual functions at or above the 180, such as working on a computer.
• a combination of a rangefinder and a microgyroscope is utilized.
• the microgyroscope is utilized for near vision, and other vision functions below the 180, and the rangefinder is used for viewing distances which are above the 180 and are of a viewing distance of, for example, four feet or less.
• a range finder device may be used in combination with a tilt switch, micro-gyroscope or micro-accelerometer to determine whether the electro-active lens should be switched.
• the controller may use a logic level for each of the integrated components, such as the tilt switch, gyroscope or accelerometer, with the additional requirement that the range finder device must obtain a new viewing distance before switching would occur, for example.
• another exemplary embodiment utilizes an eye-tracker to measure inter-pupillary distance and detect the viewing distance. As the eyes focus on distant or near objects, this distance changes as the pupils converge or diverge. At least two light-emitting diodes and at least two adjacent photo-sensors to detect reflected light from the diodes off the eye are placed on the inside frame near the nose bridge. This system can sense the position of the edge of the pupil of each eye and convert the position to inter-pupillary distance to calculate the distance of the object from the user's eye plane. In certain embodiments three or even four light emitting diodes and photo sensors are used to track eye movements.
• any combination of the various mechanisms described herein, which minimize false switching and excessive wearer movements to initiate switching may be combined in any fashion as desired to meet the needs of the skilled artisan and the wearer of the optical lens system.
• any of the logical levels or switching mechanisms may be customized to fit the particular needs of a given user.
• the electro-active refractive matrix can also be used to give a spectacle lens an electro-chromic tint.
• a tint or sunglass effect can be imparted to the lens, which alternates the light transmission somewhat through the lens. This reduced light intensity gives a "sunglass" effect to the lens for the comfort of the user in bright, outdoor environment.
• Liquid crystal compositions and gel polymers with high polarizability in response to an applied electric field are most attractive for this application.
• this invention may be used in locations where temperature variations may be sizeable enough to affect the index of refraction of the electro-active layer. Then, a correction factor to all of the supplied voltages to the grid assemblies would have to be applied to compensate for this effect.
• a miniature thermistor, thermocouple, or other temperature sensor mounted in or on the lens and/or frame and connected to the power source senses changes in temperature. The controller converts these readings into voltage changes needed to compensate for the change in refractive index of the electro-active material.
• electronic circuitry is actually built into or on the lens surface for the purpose of increasing the temperature of the electro-active refractive matrix or layers.
• the power source which is located in the temples, will be connected to the controller by only two conductors through the temple-front frame hinge.
• the conductors linking the controller to the lenses can be totally contained within the front section of the frame.
• the spectacles may have one or both spectacle frame temples, parts of which are easily removable. Each temple will consist of two parts: a short one which remains connected to the hinge and front frame section and a longer one which plugs into this piece.
• the unpluggable part of the temples each contain an electrical power source (battery, fuel cell, etc.) and can be simply removed and reconnected to the fixed portion of the temples.
• These removable temples are rechargeable, for example, by placing in a portable A.C.
• the rings may be circular or non-circular such as, for example, elliptical.
• This configuration serves to reduce substantially the number of required electro-active regions that must be separately addressed by conductor connections with different voltages, greatly simplifying the interconnect circuitry.
• This design allows for the correction of astigmatism by employing a hybrid lens design.
• the conventional optic may provide cylindrical and/or astigmatic correction
• the concentric ring electro-active refractive matrix may provide the spherical distance and/or near vision correction.
• This concentric ring, or toroidal zone, embodiment allows for great flexibility in adapting the electro-active focusing to the wearer's needs. Because of the circular zone symmetry, many more thinner zones can be fabricated without increasing the wiring and interconnect complexity. For example, an electro-active lens made from an array of 4000 square pixels will require wiring to address all 4000 zones; a need to cover a circular partial region area of 35 millimeters diameter will yield a pixel pitch of about 0.5 millimeters. On the other hand, an adaptive optic made from a pattern of concentric rings of the same 0.5 millimeter pitch (or ring thickness) will require only 35 toroidal zones, greatly reducing the wiring complexity.
• the pixel pitch (and resolution) can be decreased to only 0.1 millimeters and only increase the number of zones (and interconnects) to 175.
• the greater resolution of the zones may translate into greater comfort for the wearer, since the radial change in refractive index from zone to zone is smoother and more gradual.
• this design restricts one to only vision corrections which are spherical in nature.
• the concentric ring design can tailor the thickness of the toroidal rings so as to place the greatest resolution at the radius where it is needed.
• the design calls for phase-wrapping, i.e., taking advantage of the periodicity of light waves to achieve greater focusing power with materials of limited refractive index variation
• This judicious use of each toroidal pixel yields the greatest focusing power obtainable for the number of zones utilized while minimizing the aliasing effect present in low-resolution systems that employ phase- wrapping.
• it may be desired to smooth the sharp transition from the far-field focus region to the near vision focus region in hybrid lenses employing a partial electro-active area. This occurs, of course, at the circular boundary of the electro-active region.
• the invention would be programmed to have regions of-less power for near vision in the periphery of the electro-active region.
• regions of-less power for near vision in the periphery of the electro-active region.
• the electro-active region provides a +2.50 add power presbyopic correction.
• several toroidal regions or "bands" each containing several addressable electro-active concentric ring zones, would be programmed to have decreasing power at larger diameters.
• one embodiment might have a central 26 mm diameter circle of +2.50 add power, with a toroidal band extending from 26 to 29 mm diameter with +2.00 add power, another toroidal band extending from 29 to 32 mm diameter with +1.5 add power, surrounded by a toroidal band extending from 32 to 35 mm diameter with +1.0 add power.
• This design may be useful in providing some users with a more pleasant wearing experience.
• FIG. 22 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2200. Within lens 2200 are defined various regions proving different refractive corrections. Below mid-line B-B, several near distance corrective regions 2210 and 2220 each having a different corrective power, are surrounded by a single intermediate distance corrective region 2230. Although only two near distance corrective regions 2210 and 2220 are shown, any number of near distance corrective regions can be provided.
• any number of intermediate distance corrective regions can be provided.
• a far distance corrective region 2240 are provided above mid-line B-B.
• Regions 2210, 2220, and 2230 can be activated in a programmed sequence manner, to save power for example, or in a static on-off manner similar to a conventional tri-focal.
• lens 2200 can help the wearer's eye focus, by smoothing the transition between the various focal lengths of the various regions. Thereby, the phenomenon of "image jump" is relieved or greatly reduced. This improvement is also provided in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, below.
• FIG. 23 is a front view of an embodiment of another electro-active lens 2300. Within lens 2300 are defined various regions proving different refractive corrections. Below mid-line C-C, a single near distance corrective region 2310 is surrounded by a single intermediate distance corrective region 2320. Above mid-line C-C, is located a single far distance corrective region 2330. [0241] FIG. 24 is a front view of an embodiment of an embodiment of another electro-active lens 2400. Within lens 2400 are defined various regions providing different refractive corrections. A single near distance corrective region 2410 is surrounded by a single intermediate distance corrective region 2420, which is surrounded by a single far distance corrective region 2430.
• FIG. 25 is a side view of an embodiment of another electro-active lens 2500.
• Lens 2500 includes a conventional lens optic 2510 to which several full field electro-active regions 2520, 2530, 2540, and 2550 are attached, each separated from the adjacent regions by insulating layers 2525, 2535, and 2545.
• FIG. 26 is a side view of an embodiment of another electro-active lens 2600.
• Lens 2600 includes a conventional lens optic 2610 to which several partial field electro-active regions 2620, 2630, 2640, and 2650 are attached, each separated from the adjacent regions by insulating layers 2625, 2635, and 2645.
• Framing region 2660 surrounds electro-active regions 2620, 2630, 2640, and 2650.
• an electro- active lens for correcting refractive error can be fabricated using an electro-active refractive matrix adjacent to a glass, polymer, or plastic substrate lens which is imprinted or etched with a diffractive pattern.
• the surface of the substrate lens which has the diffractive imprint is directly in contact with the electro-active material.
• one surface of the electro-active refractive matrix is also a diffractive pattern which is the mirror image of that on the lens substrate surface.
• the assembly acts as a hybrid lens, such that the substrate lens always provides a fixed corrective power, typically for distance correction.
• the index of refraction of the electro-active refractive matrix in its unactivated state is nearly identical to that of the substrate lens; this difference should be 0.05 index units or less.
• the substrate lens and electro- active refractive matrix have the same index, and the diffractive pattern is powerless, and provides no correction (0.00 diopter). In this state, the power of the substrate lens is the only corrective power.
• Electro-active layers that use liquid crystals are birefringent. That is, they display two different focal lengths in their unactivated state when exposed to unpolarized light.
• the first requires at least two electro-active layers to be used. One is fabricated with the electro-active molecules aligned longitudinally in the layer, while the other is fabricated with latitudinally oriented molecules in its layer; thus, the molecular alignment in the two layers is orthogonal to each other. Li this manner, both polarizations of light are focused equally by both of the layers, and all light is focused at the same focal length.
• a different alternative requires one to add a cholesteric liquid crystal to the electro-active material to give it a large chiral component. It has been found that a certain level of chiral concentration eliminates the in-plane polarization sensitivity, and obviates the need for two electro-active layers of purely nematic liquid crystal as a component in the electro-active material.
• This class includes any liquid crystal film that forms nematic, smectic, or cholesteric phases that possess a long-range orientational order that can be controlled with an electric field.
• nematic liquid crystals are: pentylcyanobiphenyl (5CB), (n-octyloxy)-4-cyanobiphenyl (8OCB).
• This class includes any transparent optical polymeric material such as those disclosed in "Physical Properties of Polymers Handbook" by J. E. Mark, American Institute of Physics, Woodburry, N.Y., 1996, containing molecules having unsymmetrical polarized conjugated p electrons between a donor and an acceptor group (referred to as a chromophore) such as those disclosed in "Organic Nonlinear Optical Materials” by Ch. Bosshard et al., Gordon and Breach Publishers, Amsterdam, 1995.
• Examples of polymers are as follows: polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinylcarbazole, polyimide, polysilane.
• chromophores examples include paranitroaniline (PNA), disperse red 1 (DR 1), 3- methyl-4-methoxy-4'-nitrostilbene, diethylaminonitrostilbene (DANS), diethyl-thio- barbituric acid.
• PNA paranitroaniline
• DR 1 disperse red 1
• DANS diethylaminonitrostilbene
• Electro-optic polymers can be produced by: a) following a guest/host approach, b) by covalent incorporation of the chromophore into the polymer (pendant and main-chain), and/or c) by lattice hardening approaches such as cross- linking.
• This class includes polymer liquid crystals (PLCs), which are also sometimes referred to as liquid crystalline polymers, low molecular mass liquid crystals, self- reinforcing polymers, in situ-composites, and/or molecular composites.
• PLCs are copolymers that contain simultaneously relatively rigid and flexible sequences such as those disclosed in "Liquid Crystalline Polymers: From Structures to Applications" by W. Brostow, edited by A. A. Collyer, Elsevier, New- York-London, 1992, Chapter 1.
• Examples of PLCs are: polymethacrylate comprising 4-cyanophenyl benzoate side group and other similar compounds.
• This class includes polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs), which consist of dispersions of liquid crystal droplets in a polymer matrix.
• PDLCs polymer dispersed liquid crystals
• NCAP nematic curvilinear aligned phases
• TIPS thermally induced phase separation
• SIPS solvent-induced phase separation
• PIPS polymerization-induced phase separation
• BDH-Merck mixtures of liquid crystal E7
• NOA65 Norland products, Lie.
• This class includes polymer-stabilized liquid crystals (PSLCs), which are materials that consist of a liquid crystal in a polymer network in which the polymer constitutes less than 10% by weight of the liquid crystal.
• PSLCs polymer-stabilized liquid crystals
• a photopolymerizable monomer is mixed together with a liquid crystal and an UV polymerization initiator. After the liquid crystal is aligned, the polymerization of the monomer is initiated typically by UV exposure and the resulting polymer creates a network that stabilizes the liquid crystal.
• PSLCs see, for instance: C. M. Hudson et al. Optical Studies of Anisotropic Networks in Polymer-Stabilized Liquid Crystals, Journal of the Society for Information Display, vol. 5/3, 1-5, (1997), G. P.
• This class includes electro-optic asymmetric organic films, which can be fabricated using the following approaches: Langmuir-Blodgett films, alternating polyelectrolyte deposition (polyanion/polycation) from aqueous solutions, molecular beam epitaxy methods, sequential synthesis by covalent coupling reactions (for example: organotrichlorosilane-based self-assembled multilayer deposition). These techniques usually lead to thin films having a thickness of less than about 1 mm.
• FIG. 29 a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. The optical lens system in FIG.
• an optical lens 2900 having an outer perimeter 2910, a lens surface 2920, a power source 2930, a battery bus 2940, a transparent conductor bus 2950, a controller 2960, a light emitting diode 2970, a radiation or light detector 2980, and an electro-active refractive matrix or region 2990.
• the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 is contained in a cavity or recess 2999 of the optical lens 2900.
• this optical lens system is self-contained and may be placed in a wide variety of supports including eyeglass frames and phoroptors.
• the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 of the lens 2900 may be focused and controlled by the controller 2960 to improve the vision of a user.
• This controller 2960 may receive power from the power source 2930 via the transparent conductor bus 2950 and may receive data signals via the transparent conductor bus 2950 from the radiation detector 2980.
• the controller 2950 may control these components as well others via these buses.
• the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 may refract light passing through it so that a wearer of the lens 2900 may be able to see focused images through the electro-active refractive matrix 2990. Because the optical lens system of FIG. 29 is self-contained, the optical lens 2900 may be placed into various frames and other supports, even though these frames and other supports may not contain specific supporting components for the lens system. [0261] As noted, the light emitting diode 2970, radiation detector 2980, controller 2960, and power source 2930 are each coupled to one another, and to the electro- active refractive matrix 2990 via various conductor buses. As can be seen, the power source 2930 is directly coupled to the controller 2960 through a transparent conductor bus 2950.
• This transparent conductor bus is primarily used to transport power to the controller, which may then be selectively fed to both the light emitting diode 2970, the radiation detector 2980, and the retroactive refractive matrix 2990 as necessary. While the transparent conductor bus 2950 in this embodiment is preferably transparent, it may also be translucent or opaque in alternative embodiments.
• a light emitting diode 2970 and radiation detector 2980 may work in conjunction with one another as a range finder to help focus the electro-active refractive matrix 2990. For instance, visible and invisible light may be emitted from the light emitting diode 2970. The reflection of this emitted light may then be detected by the radiation detector 2980 and may generate a signal identifying that it has sensed the reflected light beam. Upon receiving this signal, the controller 2960, controlling both of these activities, may determine the distance for a specific object. Aware of this distance, the controller 2960, previously programmed with the proper optical compensation of the user, may then generate signals that activate the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 to allow a user looking through the optical lens 2900 to view the object or image more clearly.
• the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 is shown as a circle with a 35 mm diameter, and the optical lens 2900 is also shown as a circle, this time with a 70 mm diameter and a center lens thickness of approximately 2 mm.
• the optical lens 2900 and the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 may also be configured in other standard and non-standard shapes and sizes. In each of these alternative sizes and orientations it is nevertheless preferable that the position and size of the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 be such that a user of the system can readily view images and objects through the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 portion of the lens.
• the other components in the optical lens 2900 may be positioned in other locations of the optical lens 2900. It is preferable, however, that any location chosen for these individual components be as unobtrusive to the user as possible. Li other words, it is preferred that these other components be located away from the main viewing path of the user. Moreover, it is also preferred that these components be as small and transparent as possible to further reduce the risk of obstruction to a user's line of sight.
• the surface of the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 may be flush or substantially flush with the surface of the optical lens 2920.
• the buses may be positioned in the lens along a radius of the lens projecting out from a center point. By positioning the buses in this fashion, the lenses may be rotated in their supports to align the buses in their least obtrusive orientation.
• this preferred bus design need not always be followed. In FIG. 29, rather than having all of the components along a single bus positioned along a radius of the lens 2900, the radiation detector 2980 and the light emitting diode 2970 have been positioned on non-radial buses 2950.
• the bus or other conductive material be accessible from the outer periphery of the lens so that the individual components of the lens may be accessed, controlled or programmed as necessary from the edge of the lens even if the lens has been etched or edged to fit a particular frame. This accessibility may include a direct exposure to the outside of the lens as well as being positioned near the surface of the perimeter and then reachable via a penetration into the lens.
• FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. Like, the embodiment of FIG. 29, this embodiment also shows a lens system that may be used to correct or improve the refractive error of a user.
• the lens system of FIG. 30 includes a frame 3010, a transparent conductor bus 3050, a light emitting diode/range finder 3070, a nose pad 3080, a power source 3030, a translucent controller 3060, an electro-active refractive matrix 3090, and an optical lens 3000.
• the controller 3060 is positioned along the transparent conductor bus 3050 between the electro- active refractive matrix 3090 and the power source 3030.
• the range finder 3070 is coupled to the controller 3060 along a different conductor bus.
• the optical lens 3000 is mounted and supported by the frame 3010.
• the power source 3030 is mounted on the nose pad 3080, which is in turn connected to the controller 3060 through the nose pad connector 3020.
• An advantage of this configuration is that the power source 3030 may be readily replaced or recharged as required.
• FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an alternative lens system in accord with another embodiment of the present invention.
• the controller 3160, strap 3170, frame 3110, conductive bus 3150, electro-active refractive matrix 3190, optical lens 3100, frame stem or hollow lumen 3130, and signal conductors 3180 are labeled.
• the controller 3160 has been mounted onto strap 3170.
• This controller 3160 is coupled to the electro-active refractive matrix 3190 through signal conductors 310 that are positioned within the hollow lumen frame stem 3130 of the frame 3110 and travel to the controller 3160 via the strap 3170.
• a user's prescription can be carried with them from lens system to lens system by simply uncoupling the strap 3170 and placing it onto an alternative frame to be worn by the user.
• FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• the frame 3210, as well as the electro-active refractive matrix 3290, the optical lens 3200, and the internal frame signal conductors 3280, can all be seen in FIG. 32.
• the frame 3210 contains internal frames signal conductors 3280 that may be accessed from any point along their length such that information and power may be readily provided to the components of the optical lens 3200 regardless of its orientation in the frame 3210. Li other words, regardless of the position of the radial bus of the optical lens 3200, the radial bus may be able to contact the internal frame signal conductors 3280 and provide both power and information to control the electro-active refractive matrices 3290.
• Section A-A of FIG. 32 clearly shows these internal frame signal conductors 3280.
• only one may be provided within the frame leaving the frame itself to be used as a conductor to facilitate the transport of power and other information to the components.
• more than two internal frame conductors may also be used in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• a conductive layer may, instead, be used. In this alternative embodiment, this conductive layer may cover all of the lens or only a portion of the lens.
• FIG. 33 is a perspective exploded view of an optical lens system in accord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. Li FIG. 33, an optical lens 3330 can be seen with an electro-active refractive matrix 3390 and an optical toroid 3320.
• the refractive matrix 3390 has been positioned within the optical toroid 3320 and then secured to the back of the optical lens 3330.
• the optical toroid 3320 forms a recess of cavity in the back of the optical lens 3330 to support, hold and contain the electro-active refractive matrix 3390.
• the front of the optical lens 3330 may then be molded, surface cast, laminated or treated to further configure the optical lens system to a user's specific refractive and optical needs.
• the electro-active refractive matrix 3390 may then be activated and controlled to improve the vision of a user.
• FIG. 34 is another exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• an optical lens 3400, an electro-active refractive matrix 340 and a carrier 3480 can all be seen.
• the electro-active refractive matrix 3490 in this embodiment is coupled to the optical lens 3400 via the carrier 3480.
• the other components 3470 needed to support the electro-active refractive matrix 3490 may also coupled to the carrier 3480. In so doing, these components 3470 and the electro-active refractive matrix 3490 may be readily secured to various optical lenses.
• this carrier 3480, its components 3470, and the electro-active refractive matrix 3490 may each be covered with another material or substance to protect them from damage either before or after they are coupled to the lens.
• the carrier 3480 may be made with a number of possible materials including a membrane of polymer mesh, a pliable plastic, a ceramic, a glass, and a composite of any of these materials. Consequently, this carrier 3480 may be flexible and rigid depending upon its material composition. In each case, it is preferred that the carrier 3480 be transparent, although it may be tinted or translucent in alternative embodiments and may provide other desired properties to the lens 3400 as well.
• various manufacturing processes may be employed including micro-machining and wet and dry etching of the lens to form the recess or cavity in which the carrier may be mounted. These techniques may also be used to manufacture the carrier itself including etching one or both sides of the carrier to create a diffractive pattern to correct for any optical aberrations created by the carrier.
• FIGS. 35a - 35e show an assembly sequence that may be employed in accord with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• the frame 3500 and the eye 3570 of a wearer can be clearly seen.
• the electro- active refractive matrix 3580 of optical lens 3505, the radial bus 3540 and various rotation and position arrows 3510, 3520, and 3530 can also be seen.
• FIG. 35c shows the optical lens system with its radial bus 3540 at the 9 o'clock position.
• FIG. 35d shows the same optical lens system of FIG. 35c after it has been edged and a portion of the outer perimeter or region has been removed in preparation for mounting into the frame 3500.
• 35e shows a completed lens system having the electro-active refractive matrix centered over the eye of the user in a first region and the radial bus 3540 and power source 3590 being positioned between the eye of the user and the temple of the frame 3500 in the perimeter region of the lens.
• the combined perimeter region and first region comprise the entire lens blank in this embodiment. However, in other embodiments, they may only comprise a portion of the total lens blank.
• a technician assembling this lens system in accord with one embodiment of the present invention may proceed as follows.
• the frame 3500 to be fitted with the electro-active lens may be placed in front of a user to locate the center of a user's eye 3570 with respect to the frame.
• the electro-active lens may then be rotated, positioned, edged, and cut such that the center of the electro-active refractive matrix 3580 is centered over the user's eye 3570 when the user wears the frame. This rotation and cutting is shown in FIGS. 35b, 35c and 35d.
• the power source or other components may then be snapped onto the bus 3540 of the lens and the lens may be secured into the frame as shown in FIG. 35e.
• This snapping process may include pushing leads from each of the components through the surface of the lens and into the bus to secure the component to the lens as well as to provide for their connection to each other and to the other components.
• the electro-active lens system and the electro-active matrix are described as being centered in front of or over a user's eye, both the lens and the electro-active matrix may also be placed in other orientations in the user's field of vision including being off-set from center of the user's eye.
• the lens may be edged, thereby allowing its dimensions to be changed, the lens may be ultimately assembled by a technician to fit a wide variety of frames and individual users.
• one or both surfaces of the lens may also be surface-cast or ground to further compensate for the user's refractive error.
• the lens surface may also be laminated to compensate for the user's optical aberrations.
• the technician may use standard lens blanks to assemble the system.
• These lens blanks may range from 30 mm-80 mm with the most common sizes being 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 72 mm, and 75 mm. These lens blanks may be coupled with an electro-active matrix mounted on a carrier before or sometime during the assembly process.
• FIGS. 36a - 36e illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention depicting another assembly sequence wherein, rather than having the range finder and power source positioned on the lens, these components are actually coupled to the frame itself. Illustrated in FIGS. 36a - 36e are a frame 3600, a user's eye 3670, orientation and rotation arrows 3610, 3620 and 3630, electro-active refractive matrix 3680 of optical lens 3605 and a transparent component bus 3640.
• the user's eye may first be positioned within the frame.
• the lens may then be rotated with respect to the user's eye such that the electro-active refractive matrix 3680 is properly positioned in front of the user's eye.
• the lens may then be shaped and ground as necessary and inserted into the frame. Concurrent with this insertion the range finder, battery and other components 3690 may also be coupled to the lens.
• FIGS. 37a - 37f provide yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• the transparent bus 3740, electro-active refractive matrix 3780, user's eye 3770, rotation arrows 3710, range finder or controller and power source 3730 and multi-conductor wire 3720 are depicted throughout these figures.
• another step depicted in FIG. 37e may be completed.
• This step, depicted in FIG. 37e entails wrapping the outer circumference of the lens with a multi-conductor washer or wire system 3720.
• This wire system 3720 may be used to transport signals and power to and from the electro-active refractive matrix 3780 as well as the other components.
• the actual signal wires in the multi-conductor washer 3720 may include ITO [indium tin oxide] materials as well as gold, silver, copper or any other suitable conductor.
• FIG. 38 is an exploded isometric view of an integrated controller and range finder that may be employed in the present invention. Rather than having the controller and the range finder connected to each other via a bus as shown in other embodiments, in this embodiment the range finder, which consists of a radiation detector 3810 and an infrared light emitting diode 3820, is directly coupled to the controller 3830. This entire unit may then be coupled to the frame or the lens as described in the above embodiments. While the dimensions of 1.5 mm and 5 mm are shown in FIG. 38, other dimensions and configurations may also be employed.
• FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated controller and power source in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the controller 3930 is directly coupled to the power source 3940.
• FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated power source 4040, controller 4030 and range finder in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• the radiation detector 4010 and light emitting diode 4020 are coupled to the controller 4030, which is in turn coupled to the power source 4040.
• the dimensions shown in this case are exemplary and alternative dimensions may also be employed.
• FIGS. 41 - 43 are each perspective views of a lens system in accord with various alternative embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 41 is a lens system that employs a controller and range finder combination 4130 that is in turn coupled to the electro-active refractive matrix 4140 and the power source 4110 through power conductor buses 4120.
• FIG. 42 shows a combined controller and power source 4240 that is coupled to a light emitting diode 4220 and radiation detector 4210 (range finder) and the electro-active refractive matrix 4230 through transparent conductor buses 4250.
• FIG. 41 is a lens system that employs a controller and range finder combination 4130 that is in turn coupled to the electro-active refractive matrix 4140 and the power source 4110 through power conductor buses 4120.
• FIG. 42 shows a combined controller and power source 4240 that is coupled to a light emitting diode 4220 and radiation detector 4210 (range finder) and the electro-active refractive matrix 4230 through transparent conductor buses 4250.
• FIG. 43 illustrates the positioning of the combined power source, controller and range finder 4320, positioned along the radial transparent conductor bus 4330, which is in turn coupled to the electro-active refractive region 4310.
• various dimensions and diameters are shown. It should be understood that these dimensions and diameters are merely illustrative and that various other dimensions and diameters may be employed.
• electro-active systems described herein may be utilized to steer and/or focus a beam of light, or laser light, that may have uses in optical communications and optical computing, such as optical switching and data storage.
• electro-active systems described herein may be utilized by complex imaging systems to locate an optical image in three-dimensional space.
• FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system in accord with one embodiment of the invention.
• electro-active optical system 4800 includes a first electro-active element 4820, a second electro-active element 4830, a third electro-active element 4840, and range finder device 4850.
• an image 4810 is represented by an arrow at a first point in three-dimensional space.
• the image may be, for example, a beam of light, a laser beam, or a real or virtual optical image.
• the electro-active optical system 4800 may be utilized to focus the image 4810 to a predetermined point in three dimensional space.
• the first electro-active element 4820 may be used to move, or shift, the image 4810 along the x-axis. This may be accomplished by applying the appropriate array of signals to the first electro-active element 4820 to produce horizontal prism in the first electro- active element 4820.
• the second electro-active element 4830 may be used, in a similar manner as the first electro-active element 4820, to produce vertical prism and shift the image 4810 along the y-axis.
• the third electro-active element 4840 may be used to focus the image 4810 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 4800 to a more positive or more negative optical power, depending on the desired location of the resulting image.
• range finder device 4850 may be utilized to detect the location of a target, for example, a detector, in the image field where the user desires to focus the resulting image. Range finder device 4850 may then determine the degree of focus required in the third electro-active element 4840 to achieve the resulting image 4860 desired by the user at the predetermined point in three-dimensional space. It should be appreciated that range finder device 4850 may be in the form of the above-described range finder embodiments, including an integrated power source, controller and range finder system. [0287] FIG.
• electro-active optical system 4900 includes a first electro-active element 4920, a second electro-active element 4930, and range finder device 4950.
• an image 4910 is represented by an arrow at a first point in three-dimensional space.
• the image may be, for example, a beam of light, a laser beam, or a real or virtual optical image.
• the electro-active optical system 4900 may be utilized to focus the image 4910 to a predetermined point in three dimensional space.
• the first electro- active element 4920 may be used to move, or shift, the image 4910 along both the x- axis and the y-axis.
• the second electro-active element 4930 may be used to focus the image 4910 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 4900 to a more positive or more negative optical power, depending on the desired location of the resulting image.
• range finder device 4950 may be utilized to detect the location of a target, for example, a detector, in the image field where the user desires to focus the resulting image.
• Range finder device 4950 may then determine the degree of focus required in the second electro-active element 4930 to achieve the resulting image 4960 desired by the user at the predetermined point in three-dimensional space. It should be appreciated that range finder device 4950 may be in the form of the above-described range finder embodiments, including an integrated power source, controller and range finder system.
• FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system in accord with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 50, electro-active optical system 5000 includes a first electro-active element 5020 and range finder device 5050. Also shown in FIG. 50, an image 5010 is represented by an arrow at a first point in three-dimensional space.
• the image may be, for example, a beam of light, a laser beam, or a real or virtual optical image.
• the electro-active optical system 5000 may be utilized to focus the image 5010 to a predetermined point in three dimensional space.
• the first electro-active element 5020 may be used to move, or shift, the image 5010 along both the x-axis and the y-axis. This may be accomplished by applying the appropriate array of signals to the first electro-active element 5020 to produce horizontal and vertical prism in the first electro-active element 5020.
• the prism may be produced with both a horizontal and a vertical component, as opposed to solely horizontal or solely vertical.
• the first electro-active element 5020 may be used to focus the image 5010 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 5000 to a more positive or more negative optical power, depending on the desired location of the resulting image.
• Range finder device 5050 may be utilized to detect the location of a target, for example, a detector, in the image field where the user desires to focus the resulting image. Range finder device 5050 may then determine the degree of focus required in the first electro-active element 5020 to achieve the resulting image 5060 desired by the user at the predetermined point in three-dimensional space. Accordingly, the optical system 5000 would produce an array with optical properties the same as an optical lens with prism at a fixed angle and possessing a desired spherical power. It should be appreciated that range finder device 5050 may be in the form of the above-described range finder embodiments, including an integrated power source, controller and range finder system.
• FIG. 51 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system in accord with one embodiment of the invention.
• electro-active optical system 5100 includes a first element 5120, a second electro-active element 5130, and range finder device 5150.
• an image 5110 is represented by an arrow at a first point in three-dimensional space.
• the image may be, for example, a beam of light, a laser beam, or a real or virtual optical image.
• the electro-active optical system 5100 may be utilized to focus the image 5110 to a predetermined point in three dimensional space.
• the first element 5120 may be used to select a specific wavelength of light from the image or beam 5110.
• the second electro-active element 5130 may be used to move, or shift, the image 5110 along both the x-axis and the y-axis. This may be accomplished by applying the appropriate array of signals to the second electro-active element 5130 to produce horizontal and vertical prism in the second electro-active element 5130. In this embodiment, the prism may be produced with both a horizontal and a vertical component, as opposed to solely horizontal or solely vertical.
• the second electro-active element 5130 may also be used to focus the image 5110 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 5100 to a more positive or more negative optical power, depending on the desired location of the resulting image.
• range finder device 5150 may be utilized to detect the location of a target, for example, a detector, in the image field where the user desires to focus the resulting image. Range finder device 5150 may then determine the degree of focus required in the second electro-active element 5130 to achieve the resulting image 5160 desired by the user at the predetermined point in three-dimensional space. Accordingly, the optical system 5100 would produce an array with optical properties the same as an optical lens with prism at a fixed angle and possessing a desired spherical power. It should be appreciated that range finder device 5150 may be in the form of the above-described range finder embodiments, including an integrated power source, controller and range finder system.
• FIG. 52 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system in accord with one embodiment of the invention.
• electro-active optical system 5200 includes a first element 5220, a second electro-active element 5230, and range finder device 5250.
• an image 5210 is represented by an arrow at a first point in three-dimensional space.
• the image may be, for example, a beam of light, a laser beam, or a real or virtual optical image.
• the electro-active optical system 5200 may be utilized to focus the image 5210 to a predetermined point in three dimensional space.
• the first element 5220 may be a fixed lens used to provide a large, or gross, adjustment to position of the resulting image along the z-axis.
• the second electro-active element 5230 may be used to move, or shift, the image 5210 along both the x-axis and the y-axis. This may be accomplished by applying the appropriate array of signals to the second electro-active element 5230 to produce horizontal and vertical prism in the second electro-active element 5230.
• the prism may be produced with both a horizontal and a vertical component, as opposed to solely horizontal or solely vertical.
• the second electro-active element 5230 may also be used to focus the image 5210 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 5200 to a more positive or more negative optical power, in combination with the first element 5220, depending on the desired location of the resulting image.
• range finder device 5250 may be utilized to detect the location of a target, for example, a detector, in the image field where the user desires to focus the resulting image. Range finder device 5250 may then determine the degree of focus required in the second electro-active element 5230, in combination with the first element 5220, to achieve the resulting image 5260 desired by the user at the predetermined point in three-dimensional space.
• the optical system 5200 would produce an array with optical properties the same as an optical lens with prism at a fixed angle and possessing a desired spherical power.
• range finder device 5250 may be in the form of the above-described range finder embodiments, including an integrated power source, controller and range finder system. It should be further appreciated that although a fixed lens has only been described above with reference to FIG. 52 for use in adjusting the focal length of the resulting image, a fixed lens may be employed with any of the above-described electro-active optical systems for steering or focusing an optical image in three-dimensional space.
• the various embodiments described above could be used in any imaging system designed for recording an optical image, such as digital or conventional cameras, video recorders, and other devices for recording an optical image.
• an eye tracker may also be added to the lens to track the eye movements of the user both in focusing the electro-active refractive matrix, as well as performing various other functions and services for the user.
• a combined LED and radiation detector have been described as a rangefinder other components may also be used to complete this function.

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