FR2893152A1 - METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC RECOGNITION OF AN OPHTHALMIC LENS AND LENS WORKING DEVICE USING SUCH A METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for automatic recognition of an ophthalmic lens in treatment (L1, L2) comprising the following steps of constituting a digital register representative of pending lenses, each record of which is associated with a lens or a pair of two lenses on hold and contains mounting information and the expected value of at least one optical prescription feature of each lens on hold, setting the lens in processing in a measuring device, acquisition by the measuring device of the intrinsic value of at least one optical or geometrical control characteristic of the lens being processed, identification, in the register, of the lens or lenses on standby whose expected value of the optical or geometrical control characteristic is close to the measured value of this optical or geometrical control characteristic of the lens in milking is lying. The invention also relates to a method for automatic preparation for mounting the lens using such a recognition method. The invention finally relates to an automatic preparation device for mounting for the implementation of such a recognition method.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES The present invention

  relates generally to the mounting of ophthalmic lenses of a pair of corrective glasses on a frame and more particularly to a method of automatically recognizing an ophthalmic lens for its preparation for mounting on a mount. The invention also relates to a method and an automated device for preparing the lenses of a pair of spectacles using such a recognition method. BACKGROUND ART The technical part of the optician's profession consists in mounting a pair of ophthalmic lenses in or on the frame selected by the wearer, such that each lens is suitably positioned facing the wearer's corresponding eye for best exercise the optical function for which it was designed.

  To achieve the mounting of this pair of ophthalmic lenses, the optician or the operator must in particular, from geometric input data, proceed to trim each lens. The trimming of a lens for mounting in or on the frame chosen by the future carrier is to change the contour of the lens to adapt to the frame and / or the desired lens shape. Most often, the clipping operations are conducted on a grinding machine, called a grinder, equipped with a suitable wheel set and appropriate finishing tools. To carry out this trimming, it is necessary to perform a number of operations beforehand. At the time of the order of the pair, or job, of lenses associated with the wearer, the optician enters into the memory of a computer, by means of a suitable interface (a keyboard and a screen) and with the aid of 'a suitable software, the predicted values of the optical characteristics of prescription of the two lenses of the pair 30 pending. This is in particular the spherical power and the prismatic and cylindrical powers and axes, and, where appropriate, the power addition. After the choice of the frame, the optician must locate the position of the pupil of each eye in the frame of the frame. The optician places the frame chosen by the wearer on his nose and makes several measurements on it. These measurements provide information about the wearer's morphology, called mounting information. It thus determines, mainly, two parameters related to the morphology of the wearer, namely the inter-pupillary distance and the height of the pupil relative to the frame. The operator enters the editing information into the computer's memory. With regard to the mount itself, it is necessary to define numerically its shape, which is generally achieved with the aid of a device specially designed to read the internal contour of the "circle" (that is to say frame of the lens) of the frame, or an electronic file pre-recorded or provided by the manufacturer. This shape information is in turn saved in the computer's memory. The software makes it possible to print a card summarizing the main elements of the order (customer name, prescription optical characteristics, etc.) as well as a barcode identifying the pair of lenses.

  This computer is networked with the grinding machine and a lens centering device. The optician finally places the mount and the plug provided with the identification bar code of the pair of lenses in a tray until the reception of the pair of lenses ordered.

  The optician repeats this step of entering and recording in the computer for each pair of lenses ordered. The computer stores the information associated with each pair of lenses and associates them with the bar code printed on the corresponding card. Upon receipt of the supposed pair of lenses, the optician performs a number of measurement and / or tracking operations on the lens itself, before trimming, to identify some of its characteristics such as, for example, the center optical in the case of a unifocal lens or the mounting cross in the case of a progressive lens. These characteristics make it possible to define a geometric reference of the lens in which the points and characteristic directions of the lens are identified. The optician uses a bar code reader associated with the centering device to read the bar code on the card. This operation then enables him to recover the assembly information essential to the centering of the lens, that is to say to the coherence of the geometric reference of the lens with the position of the pupil so that the points and characteristic directions are properly positioned in the mount. It then proceeds to lock the lens by depositing a self-adhesive gripping accessory to physically materialize the centering reference of this lens.

  Then the optician reads the barcode with a barcode reader associated with the grinding machine so that the computer provides the machine with an electronic file representative of the shape of the contour of each of the right and left lenses. However, such a device also requires the intervention of the operator, on the one hand, at the reception of the pair of lenses to find the card with the bar code corresponding a priori to the pair of lenses received, and, d ' on the other hand, to read the bar code twice (for centering and then for trimming each lens). This solution also requires a bar code reading means which increases the cost of the assembly line of the pair of lenses.

  Finally, such a device does not allow to detect per se a possible error of delivery or assignment of the received lenses in correlation with the corresponding command, that is to say to check if the information and characteristics of the lenses received match those of the cards or that the left lens and the right lens have not been reversed. This would require a specific confrontation step dedicated to the detection of a delivery error or an inversion, which would increase the mounting time of a lens pair on or in the desired mount. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to reduce the number of interventions by the operator when mounting the ophthalmic lenses of a pair of corrective glasses on a frame. For this purpose, the invention proposes a method for automatically recognizing an ophthalmic lens in treatment which comprises the following steps of: a) constituting a digital register representative of waiting lenses, each record of which is associated with a lens or a pair of two lenses waiting and contains mounting information and the expected value of at least one optical or geometrical control characteristic of each lens on standby, b) positioning of the lens being processed in a measuring device, c) acquisition by the measuring device of the intrinsic value of at least one optical or geometrical control characteristic of the lens in treatment, this characteristic being that or one of those recorded in the register, d) identification, in the register, lens or pending lenses whose expected value of the optical or geometric control is close to e the measured value of this optical prescription characteristic of the lens being processed, the measured value then being validated. The method according to the invention makes it possible to automatically identify the lens introduced into the trimming device. The optician need not intervene to determine the identity of the introduced lens nor is it necessary to have an additional reading device such as a barcode reader for example for 'identify. The number of user intervention is reduced, which limits handling errors. Finally, this method makes it possible, on the one hand, at the reception of the pair of lenses, to identify automatically without the user's intervention the corresponding pair of lenses, and on the other hand, to verify that there is no no error of delivery or inversion of the two lenses, which reduces the mounting time of a pair of lenses on or in the desired mount compared to the solution of the state of the art where these two steps are distinct. The invention also relates to a method of automatic preparation for mounting a first and a second ophthalmic lens in treatment belonging to the same pair of lenses, comprising the following steps of: applying the recognition method described above to attempt to recognize both lenses in treatment, - if the two lenses in treatment are recognized and identified as belonging to the same pair of lenses, association of the desired shape information of the two lenses in treatment to the registration of the corresponding register and clipping of the two lenses being processed one after the other as a function of shape information, mounting and optical or geometric control characteristics, otherwise transmitting a recognition failure signal.

  The invention also relates to a process for automatic preparation for mounting a first and a second ophthalmic lens in treatment belonging to the same pair of lenses, comprising the following steps: applying the recognition method described above for attempt to recognize the two lenses in processing, -association of the desired shape information of the two lenses in treatment to the register of the corresponding register, - if the two lenses in process are recognized and identified as belonging to the same job, clipping the two lenses being processed one after the other according to at least information of form, mounting and optical or geometric control characteristics, - otherwise, emission of a recognition failure signal. The invention also relates to an automatic assembly preparation device comprising a measuring device and a trimming device, an electronic and computer processing unit for controlling the trimming device and the measuring device, a computer separated from the unit. electronic processing and computer, and, for the implementation of the recognition method described above, the electronic processing unit and computer is connected to the computer so as to issue requests on the digital register constituted on the computer and is programmed for the implementation of steps c) and d) of the automatic recognition method, the step d) of identifying the lenses being performed by the electronic processing unit and computer or computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings of an embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the accompanying drawings: - Figure 1 is an elevational view of the automatic preparation device; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the carousel and seats forming the reception means and first and second transfer; - Figure 3 is an elevational view of the automatic preparation device, partially cut the probing means, gripping and third transfer; FIG. 4 is a diagram of existing links between a frame contour reader, a computer, a computer and electronic processing unit, and a carrier according to a first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram of existing links between a frame contour reader, a computer, a computer and electronic processing unit, and a carrier according to a first step of a second embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram of existing links between a frame contour reader, a computer, a computer and electronic processing unit, and a carrier according to a second step of the second embodiment.

  Components of the automatic preparation device As shown more particularly in FIG. 1, the assembly preparation device 1 according to the present invention comprises several subassemblies mounted on a common chassis: a measuring device 5 serving for the automatic measurement of various characteristics of lenses L1 and L2 (which may be for example single-vision, multifocal with pellet (s) near or intermediate vision with power discontinuity, or multifocal progressive power addition) and in particular the measurement of local ophthalmic power in remarkable points such as the optical center of a single lens or the reference points for near and far vision, and the measurement of at least one tracking feature, such as a centering feature , axis, location of reference points for distance vision and near vision, of the lens ; a device for trimming ophthalmic lenses; combined reception and first and second transfer means 2 designed and arranged to receive one or more pairs of ophthalmic lenses, for example a pair of two lenses L1 and L2, and to circulate them between a loading position and unloading, a measurement position in which the ophthalmic lens is presented opposite the measuring device 5 for measuring its locating characteristics and an intermediate position for its support by the probing means, seizure and third transfer provided ci below; probing, grasping and third transfer means 7 designed and arranged for firstly palpating each ophthalmic lens in preparation and secondly for grasping this lens with a view to transferring it from the reception and first and second means; second transfers 2 to the clipping device 6; an electronic and computer system 100 designed for executing an automated processing method according to the invention; a computer 200 which houses a register and makes it possible to enter the mounting information and the expected values of the optical and geometrical control characteristics of several lenses that are waiting; a cowling enclosing the assembly for its protection and having a restricted access door (not shown).

  Measuring device The measuring device 5 of the present invention has several functions of measuring various characteristics of the lens. Among these various functions, there are two main functions which consist, for one, in measuring the local optical powers of the lens at remarkable points thereof, and for the other, in detecting and locating characteristics of the lens. centering or locating the lens in order to establish or correctly position the lens in a known global reference system of the device. In the exercise of its first function, the measuring device 5 operates without contact, by overall cartographic imaging, but is completed by the probing means 7 which perform a probing of the lens to provide a geometric information combined with the optical information delivered by the measuring device 5. This probing operates, in the example described below, by contact with the lens. But it goes without saying that the skilled person may substitute a contactless probing operation equivalent to a geometric position statement. Beyond the embodiment shown below, the measuring device can be of any type according to which the lens is presented between the illumination means and the analysis means to obtain an overall measurement of one or more of its optical characteristics at a plurality of points over most of its extent. The overall optical measurement can be obtained by deflectrometry (Hartmann type, moiré, etc.), interferometry, wave propagation, etc. The user interface can then display not only the optical or reference center, but also power and / or power and / or axis maps at one or more remarkable points of the lens. For example, it is possible to use a measuring device of the type of those marketed by the Applicant under the Kappa CT trademark or described in the document FR2866719 or in the document FR2825466 (or its equivalent US6888626). It is also possible to use a measuring device described in document EP1061329. Trimming device The trimming and drilling device 6 can be made in the form of any material cutting or removal machine adapted to modify the contour of the ophthalmic lens to match that of the frame or "circle" of the ophthalmic lens. 'a selected mount. Such a machine may consist for example of a grinder, a laser cutting machine or jet water, etc. which is incorporated or juxtaposed a drilling function. For example, it is possible to use a grinder of the type sold by the Applicant under the trade mark Kappa and by the company National Optronics under the trademark 7E or described in the patent documents FR2784919 and US5158422. Combined means of reception and first and second transfers The means of reception and first and second transfers 2 take the form of a carousel which is illustrated in Figure 2 and which comprises: a loading and unloading tray 30 mounted on the common frame for rotating, under the control of control means (in this case an electric motor not shown) controlled by the electronic and computer system 100, about an axis of rotation passing substantially through its center and perpendicular to the plane of this plateau; a support frame 31 integral with the common frame; reception seats 34, 35 on which the lenses L1 and L2 are intended to rest when they are loaded on the plate 30. - on the loading and unloading platform 30, at least three loading places 36 to 38 and the at least four unloading places 41 to 44. immobilizing means 32 of the lenses L1 and L2 loaded on the plate 30 at the loading places 36 to 38. In the illustrated example, the loading places 36 to 38 are constituted by a corresponding number of indentations or recesses. These three notches 36 to 38 are identical and each have a substantially circular shape of diameter slightly greater than the standard (about 70 mm) of the L1 and L2 lenses to be cut. The three indentations are arranged emerging on the periphery of the loading and unloading tray 30. These openings allow access to at least two seats 34, 35 on which the lenses to be cut. Next to the loading places 36 to 38 are articulated clamps 32 constituting the means for immobilizing the lenses. The four unloading places 41 to 44 consist of recesses or cuvettes formed on the surface of the plate 30. These recesses or depressions are circular in shape with a diameter always greater than that of the lenses L1 and L2 after trimming. are formed from the center of each unloading trough 41 to 44 to the peripheral edge of the plate 30 on which these openings open. These lights are intended to allow the depositing of the lenses, after trimming, by the third and fourth transfer means. Preferably, a first loading place 36 is diametrically opposed to the other two loading places 37, 38 themselves located adjacent. The four unloading spaces 41 to 44 are grouped in pairs. Thus, a first pair of unloading places 41, 42 is interposed between the two loading places 36, 37 while the other two unloading places 43, 44 are located between the loading places 36 and 38. The immobilization means 32 lenses include clips 46 to 48 which are each located directly above the loading places 36 to 38.

  Preferably, the measuring device 5 and the probing, gripping and third transfer means 7 are located side by side and diametrically opposite to the access door 26. The measuring device 5 is at least partly located in line with the path traveled by the loading places 36 to 38 and unloading 41 to 44 so that the lenses L1, L2 remain carried by the loading and unloading platform 30 when determining their characteristics. In addition, the trimming device 6 is placed adjacent to the loading and unloading tray 30, and the probing, gripping and second transfer means 7 are interposed between the measuring device 5 and this trimming device 6. Means After determining certain characteristics of the lens L1 by means of the measuring device 5, the loading and unloading tray 30 is rotated again to bring, in a second transfer, the LI lens facing the probing means, gripping and third transfer 7. The lens L1 is then in said intermediate position. As shown in FIG. 3, the probing, gripping and third transfer means 7 take the form of a member or arm ensuring on one hand the probing of the lenses L1 and L2 and, on the other hand, the manipulation of these lenses. for transfer (third transfer) to the trimming device 6. For this purpose, the probe arm, gripping and third transfer 7 has a wrist 81 movable relative to the common frame along five axes controlled, with a horizontal translation along the X axis, a vertical translation along the Z axis three rotations around the X, Y, Z. The control of these mobility axes is achieved in this case by motorized electrical means. But the skilled person may provide for the implementation of other control means such as pneumatic or other means. Whatever the nature, the control of these five axes of mobility is controlled by the electronic and computer system 100. To allow the separate functions of probing on the one hand and gripping on the other hand, the wrist 81 of the arm 7 is provided with probing means 85 and gripping means 86 which are distinct and independent of each other. The probing means 85 are arranged to palpate independently or jointly the two main faces (front or convex 8 and rear or concave 9) of the lenses L1, L2. For this purpose, these probing means 85 comprise two branches 90 and 91 which are substantially rectilinear and which each end with a free angled end forming a probing nose 92, 93. The two mouthpieces 92, 93 of the two branches 90, 91 point towards each other so as to be brought into contact with the front faces 8 and rear 9 respectively. On each of the two nozzles 92 and 93 are mounted mechanical feelers known in themselves, operating by simple mechanical contact. One and / or the other of the two branches 90 and 91, in this case the two branches 90 and 91 are movable in translation on the wrist 81. This translation allows to separate or bring closer the two beaks 92, 93 The gripping means 86 take the form of a locking clip which consists of an upper jaw 95 and a lower jaw 96 movable in translation or pivoting opposite one another. In the example illustrated, the lower jaw 96 is movably mounted on the wrist 81 to slide on a rail 87 in the same direction of translation as the probe branch 90 and is for example driven in translation by means of a mechanism The upper jaw 95 is mounted fixed on the wrist 81. The nose 101, 102 are transferred to the clipping means with the lens they seize and then realize without further repositioning of the lens 20 its blocking on the clipping means. The noses 101, 102 exert a dual function. They are first used to achieve the gripping of the lens from its loading location on the plate 30 of the carousel of first and second transfers 2, when they present the lens in the intermediate position. Then, the lens being thus grasped, by means of the noses 101, 102, by the probing, gripping and third transfer arm 7 the latter operates the third transfer of the lens towards the clipping means 6. When the lens is supported by these clipping means (relay passage), the nose retains a holding role by clamping the lens and then exert a second function, derived from the first, which consists in making the locking of the lens in view its machining in cooperation with the shafts and rotation of the shaping means 6. The nose then constitute drive stops forming an integral part of the trimming means 6. These different stages of the preparation process will be exposed more in detail later.

  Electronic control system and computer The device 1 comprises a system, or processing unit, electronic and computer 100 driving here consisting of an electronic card designed to coordinate the control of the measuring means, the clipping device, the means of reception and first and second transfers and probing, gripping and third transfer means for automatically processing a lens, in accordance with the automated processing method to be discussed later. The electronic and computer system 100 comprises for example conventionally a motherboard, a microprocessor, a random access memory and a permanent mass memory. The mass memory contains a program for executing the automated assembly preparation method which will be described later. This mass memory is preferably rewritable and is advantageously removable to allow its rapid replacement or programming on a remote computer via a standard standard interface. Computer and Lens Requests Waiting The working device 1 comprises a computer 200 equipped with or associated with a permanent memory, typically a hard disk, local or remote, which allows the constitution of a register. With the aid of a suitable interface, this computer makes it possible to enter the mounting information and the expected values of the optical and geometrical control characteristics of several pairs of pending lenses, as well as secondary information attached to the pair of lenses in question. such as the name and address of the carrier 400 for example.

  This computer 200 is separate from the electronic and computer processing unit. Preferably this computer is the one used by the optician to perform a command of a pair of lenses on hold. The electronic and computer processing unit 100 is connected to the computer 200 so as to issue requests to the register and is programmed to implement a method of automatic recognition of an ophthalmic lens in treatment. This process is described below. Operation (recognition and automated processing method) The editing preparation device which has just been described is implemented according to an automated method which will now be described. It is proposed a treatment of lenses by job. The term "job", commonly used in the field of ophthalmic optics, covers a pair of associated lenses LI and L2 belonging to the same pair of spectacles and therefore mounted on the same frame to equip a wearer. The proposed device also makes it possible to treat several jobs (typically two jobs) at least partly simultaneously, that is to say in masked time.

  The automated job preparation preparation process is now described (first job J l) Preliminary step Entry or transmission of job input data Using computer 200 and adapted software, optician is a representative digital register of lenses waiting to be machined. Each record of the digital register is associated with a job of two lenses on hold and contains editing information and the expected value of optical and geometric control characteristics of each lens on hold. Other secondary information such as the address and the name of the carrier 400 are also attached to the job registration of the two corresponding lenses. The recording of the mounting information and values of the optical and geometric control characteristics of a job of two lenses is described below. In order to perform a correct optical assembly, in a preliminary step, the frame chosen by the wearer 400 is placed on his nose and several measurements are made on it using a device called a pupillometer or any other device of the invention. morphological measurement or imaging. With this pupillometer, therefore, the operator collects several data among which: - the interpupillary distance D which represents the distance separating the two pupils P1, P2, - the interpupillary half-distances which represent the distances separating each pupil P1, P2 and the center 13 of the nose of the frame carried by the wearer 400.

  The optician then raises, for example manually with a ruler or by imaging, the height H which represents the distance, taken vertically from each pupil P1, P2, separating the pupil P1, P2 and the lower edge of the circles C1, C2 of the frame carried by the wearer 400. This height can be measured, either by means of presentation glasses having the frame chosen by the wearer 400 and on the lenses of which the location of the pupils of the wearer 400 are marked with the felt and then measured by the rule, or by means of a digital image acquisition system and processing of this image. This measurement therefore integrates information relating to the geometry of the chosen frame. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mounting information relating to the morphology of the carrier 400 (as well as the optical and geometrical control characteristics of the job intended for the carrier 400, as explained below) are then entered by the operator by means of of an appropriate interface (typically a keyboard and a screen) and stored in the memory of the computer 200. The optician or operator also enters, in the memory of the computer 200, the expected values of the optical and geometric characteristics of the computer. control of the two left and right lenses waiting constituting the job intended for the wearer 400. These are typically the following characteristics: the type of lens: unifocal, progressive, double or triple foci, etc. - the spherical, prismatic, cylindrical powers, - the addition of power (s) for progressive lenses (or, which is equivalent, the two powers in far vision and in near vision), - the cylinder axes and prism, - hue, - treatment, - material, - shape and / or dimensions of the outline of the lens before trimming, - the general arch (base), - the mark of the lens. On the other hand, information representative of the shape of the contour of the chosen frame obtained by a contour reader 300 is also addressed to the computer 200 which places them in memory. This information may also for example be selected by the optician and then extracted from a database stored locally in the memory of the computer 200 or on a remote server accessible via the Internet or a secure point-to-point link.

  The shape information of the outline of the frame, the mounting and the optical and geometric control characteristics of the job intended for the carrier 400 constitute the control data of the job J1. This preliminary step is repeated for each lens job to be controlled, that is to say each lens job waiting, and all the control data are stored in the computer 200. The optician or the operator then benefits from a representative register of lenses on standby. This control data of the different jobs are intended to be sent to the electronic processing system and computer 100 to identify the waiting lens job corresponding to the lens job that the operator receives.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the control data of a job can also be obtained according to a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the contour reader is connected on the one hand to the electronic data processing system 100 and secondly to a barcode reader 301. As previously, the mounting information relating to the morphology of the carrier 400 and the optical and geometric control characteristics of the lens job for the wearer 400 , are input by the operator in the computer 200. A printer 500 connected to the computer 200 prints a card 501 having a long bar code (Figure 5). This long bar code is also associated in the memory of the computer 200 with the mounting information and with the characteristics and geometrical control of the lens job intended for the carrier 400. The operator then places the card 501 of the carrier comprising the long bar code in a tray with the chosen frame. When the operator receives the lens job, he reads the bar code along the customer's card 501 using the bar code reader 301 (FIG. 6). Then, the outline reader 300 reads the shape of the outline of the frame previously chosen by the wearer and associates this shape information with the long bar code. These two data are sent to the electronic and computer processing system 100 which compares the long bar code read with that recorded in the computer 200. After identifying the corresponding bar code, the electronic processing system and computer 100 comprises the complete structure of the job order data. It can be provided for this embodiment that the job verification method described below relates only to the comparison between the intrinsic values of the optical or geometric control characteristics of the job received and the expected values of the optical or geometric characteristics of the job. previously identified by the long bar code. Of course a short bar code can be used instead of the long bar code. In any case, when the operator receives a job of two lenses L1, L2, he checks whether the two lenses of the job received correspond to two lenses of a job waiting stored in the computer's register and that the two lenses belong to the same job, from the control data of the different jobs registered (as described above) and following a verification process described below. Step 1.1 Presentation of the loading and unloading platform 30 in the loading position If necessary, the electronic and computer system 100 controls the rotation of the loading and unloading platform 30 so as to have two free loading places 36, 37 facing the door access. Step 1.2 Opening the Access Door Initially, the access door is held closed. The rule is that the access door is generally closed to protect the internal organs of the machine and in particular the loading and unloading tray 30. The opening of the access door of the device is carried out at the request from the operator. At the request of the operator, the opening of this door is authorized by the electronic and computer system 100 restrictively during the loading and unloading steps. Step 1.3 Loading the Lenses The loading and unloading tray 30 is rotated to occupy marked positions and in particular a loading position in which only two loading places 36 and 37 and two unloading places 41 and 42 are accessible for the first time. operator after opening the access door. The third loading place 38 and the other two unloading places 43, 44 are hidden by the rest of the cowling.

  The operator can not therefore be mistaken in loading and unloading the jobs on and off the plate 30. In this marked position of loading, the clamps 46 and 47 corresponding to the loading places 36 and 37 are open and the two seats 34, 35 are in the up position. The two lenses L1 and L2 of the first job JI are manually deposited by the operator on the two places 36, 37 loading the loading and unloading platform 30 accessible through the access door. This is the only physical intervention of the operator on the lenses.

  Of course, an automated loading of the lenses can be provided. Step 1.4 First transfer of the first lens: rotation of the loading and unloading platform 30 for passage of the first lens L1 of the job J1 in the measuring device 5 The assembly of the plate 30 and the clamps 46 to 48 is driven simultaneously by rotation to bring the first lens L1 of the first job vis-à-vis the measuring device 5. This rotation of the plate 30 is performed, seen from above, clockwise and under the control of the electronic and computer system 100. Step 1.5 Reading and optical recognition of the first lens L1 of the job J1 by the measuring device 5 Several optical and / or geometric control characteristics of the lens in process are acquired by the device for measuring the intrinsic value, each of these characteristics being one of those registered in the registry. The intrinsic value of an optical or geometric control characteristic of the lens is the value obtained by direct measurement on this lens. This type of value is defined in opposition to a value of a characteristic of the lens recorded in advance, for example on a bar code that is read, a value that could be described as extrinsic. The acquisition of the optical and / or geometric characteristics of the lens L1 by the measuring device 5 is performed automatically as permitted by the above-mentioned Kappa CT measuring device and as described in the aforementioned documents. The values of these optical and / or geometric characteristics are stored by the electronic and computer system 100.

  As explained below, an individual verification is made of the conformity of the intrinsic values of the optical and geometrical control characteristics of each lens of the job with respect to the prescription entered by the operator.

  The optical characteristics for which each lens is individually validated are in particular: the type of lens: unifocal, progressive, double or triple focus, etc. - the spherical, prismatic, cylindrical powers, - the addition of power (s) for progressive lenses (or, which is equivalent, the two powers in far vision and near vision), - the orientations of the axes of cylinder and prism, - the hue, - the treatment, - the index, - the shape and / or dimensions of the outline of the lens before trimming, - the general arch (base), - the mark of the lens that can be recognized by a digital image processing that recognizes specific markings affixed to the lens by the manufacturer, - the material of the lens. In practice, validation can only be done on some of these characteristics. The most significant features are: - spherical, prismatic, cylindrical powers - lens type: unifocal, progressive, double or triple focus, etc. the addition of power (s) for progressive lenses (or, which is equivalent, the two powers in far vision and in near vision), the orientations of the cylinder and prism axes, the shape and / or the dimensions of the contour of the front lens trimming, - the hue.

  The electronic and computer processing unit 100, connected to the computer 200, then sends requests on the register to compare the intrinsic values of the optical or geometric control characteristics of each lens of the job J1 with the expected values entered by the operator and contained in the register. With the exception of the lens type, a value compared to another is considered close to the latter when it is within a fixed range around this value. Of course, this error interval varies according to the type of optical or geometric control characteristics studied and the calculation standards used for the measurement. This interval may for example be set as follows: - plus or minus 0.25 diopters or more or less 20% for the optical powers, - plus or minus 10 degrees for the orientations of the cylinder and prism axes, - more or less 3 mm for the diameter of the lens, plus or minus 30 for the transmission percentage of the lens. The electronic and computer processing unit 100 then identifies the lens or lenses on standby whose expected values of the optical or geometric control characteristics are close to the measured (or intrinsic) values of the optical and geometric control characteristics of the lens being processed. The electronic and computer processing unit 100 then carries out the following test steps: if the measured value of one of the optical or geometrical control characteristics of the lens L1 under treatment does not correspond to the expected (or prescribed) value of this Optical or geometric control characteristic for any of the pending lenses recorded in the register, an error signal is emitted. Steps 3.1 to 3.5 are then performed. described below, otherwise they are ignored. if, after validating the intrinsic value of all acquired optical or geometric control characteristics, the number of idle lenses identified is greater than one, the measuring device acquires and validates the intrinsic value of an optical or geometrical characteristic of additional control from the group of waiting lenses previously identified, until the measured intrinsic values of the optical or geometric control characteristics of the lens being processed correspond to the expected values of the optical or geometric control characteristics of a single lens in waiting. if the number of idle lenses identified is equal to one, the pending lens identified is associated with the lens L1 being processed. if the measured values of all the optical or geometrical control characteristics of the lens being processed are close to the recorded values of all the optical or geometrical control characteristics of several identified pending lenses, the operator is warned and chooses one of the lenses. pending identified to associate with the L1 lens in received processing. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the measuring device acquires a marking characteristic, for example the manufacturer's mark on the glass and compares it to that associated with each lens waiting in the computer's register. Once the identification of the lens has been carried out, the electronic and computer processing unit 100 can access all the other information initially recorded and associated with this lens LI and the corresponding job J1, such as the editing information and the secondary information. . As a variant to increase the reliability of the identification, it is possible to acquire the intrinsic value of all the available optical or geometric control characteristics of the lens in LI treatment. The intrinsic values of all the optical or geometrical control characteristics of the lens being processed are then measured and compared to the recorded values of all the optical or geometrical control characteristics of the lenses on standby. The following steps are carried out in the case where the lens L1 has been recognized and associated with one of the stored waiting lenses, otherwise the steps 3.1 to 3.5 described below are executed. Step 1.6 Reading of the first lens L1 of the job J1 by the measuring device 5 The geometric analysis of the lens L1 by the measuring device 5 is carried out automatically to provide the electronic and computer system 100 with data relating to the referential for locating the lens (centering point and orientation). These locating features are stored by the electronic and computer system 100.

  The acquisition of the locating characteristics indicated above will make it possible, in connection with the geometrical-morphological data acquired during the preliminary step previously described, to determine the exact point of gripping and locking of the ophthalmic lens L1 on the carousel of the reception means and first and second transfers 2 brought to the intermediate position (as explained below) and determine the clipping parameters to drive the clipping device 6 accordingly during the trimming. Step 1.7 Second transfer of the first lens: rotation of the loading and unloading platform 30 for probing the first lens L1 of job J1. The plate 30 is actuated in rotation clockwise to place the lens L1 in a so-called intermediate position in which the lens is close to the arm 7 so as to be accessible to this arm for its probing on the one hand and for its grip on the other hand, as we will see in the following steps. During this second transfer, the rotation of the plate 30 is controlled and followed by the control electronics in rotation of the plate 30 and is stored in a memory of the electronic and computer system 100. Conjointly, the position and the axis of the lens measured by the measuring device 5 during the previous step 20 is followed and stored in memory. Step 1.8 Probing of the contour of the first LI lens of the JI job The probing, gripping and third transfer arm 7 then probes the intended contour of the lens after trimming in order to check whether this lens is of sufficient surface area and thickness to obtain the desired lens 25 after trimming by the trimming device 6. The set of information obtained locating and editing is stored in a first dedicated memory space of the computer and electronic processing unit, to allow in case of validation of the second lens L2, as explained below to proceed to the blocking and trimming of the first lens L1. As a variant, the second lens L2 being validated in the majority of cases, the manipulation arm 7 can, in parallel with the validation of the second lens L2, first probe the lens L1 and set it to the trimming position in the clipping device 6.

  Step 2.1 First transfer of the second lens: rotation of the loading and unloading platform 30 for passage of the second lens L2 of the job J1 in the measuring device 5. Step 2.2 Reading of the second lens L2 of the job J1 by the device 5. For this step, step 1.5 of automatic recognition and then step 1.6, previously described, are applied to the second lens L2 of the job J1 by the measuring device 5. If the second lens L2 is recognized, the the set of information obtained by locating and editing is stored in a second dedicated memory space of the computer and electronic processing unit 100. Step 2.3 Second transfer of the second lens: rotation of the loading and unloading tray 30 for passage in the intermediate position for the purpose of probing the second lens L2 of job J1. Step 2.4 Probing of the contour of the second lens L2 of job J1. Step 2.5 Checking the overall consistency of the first job J1 with respect to the input data. The internal program of the electronic and computer system 100 carries out a check of the overall coherence of the characteristics of the two lenses considered as a job, that is to say according to their belonging to the same pair of glasses, with in particular the simulation of the mounting of the two lenses on the selected frame and the verification that this mounting is possible. The characteristics for which the two lenses of the pair are considered jointly, in their belonging to the same job, are in particular: the centering of each lens on the frame according to the reference frame defined by means of the measuring device for each lens and pupillary half-distances and heights specific to the wearer, this centering making it possible to simulate the mounting of the lenses on the frame for which they are intended, as explained in more detail below, the expected axial position of the lens. bevel or groove on the edge of each lens relative to the front face of the lens, to ensure the aesthetics of the assembly (balanced axial positioning of the two lenses, one with respect to the other, on the mount), - the coherence of the hues, indices, degraded of the two lenses of the job, - the complementarity of the two lenses or the membership of the two lenses in the same job : we check that the job consists of a right lens and a left lens and that these two lenses correspond to the same job.

  In particular, the global reconciliation of the job marking characteristics is carried out as follows. On the basis of the information representative of the parameters specific to the wearer's morphology, in particular the pupillary half-distance and the height of the pupil relative to the axis of the horizontal, and information representative of the contour of the chosen frame, acquired during of the preliminary step previously described, the electronic and computer system 100 produces a video image which is displayed on the display screen such as an LCD screen (not shown). Therefore, on this screen, we will see in particular, on the same scale the outline of the frame and that of the uncut lens, with its particular characteristics, including the tracking points that are worn or those that have been determined by the implementation of the measuring device. Taking all these elements into account, measured, calculated or read, makes it possible to determine the position of the perimeter of the cut-away lens in relation to the initial ophthalmic lens and, as a result, the position of the point of gripping of the lens, with a view to trimming, which is usually the center of the rectangle in which fits the outline of a frame or "circle" of the mount. Alternatively, it may also happen that the mounting of the lenses L1, L2, or at least one of them, is not possible or desirable because of a mechanical impossibility or visual discomfort that this mounting would provide to the bearer.

  Step 3.0 Accepting or Refusing the First Job J1 The job J1 is accepted or refused depending on whether the individual and global characteristics mentioned above are or are not validated and / or modified. Alternative 1: If the first job J1 is refused (alternative 1), the following five steps are executed. Otherwise, they are ignored. Step 3.1 Rotation of the loading and unloading tray 30 for presenting the first job JI next to the access door (fifth transfer) Step 3.2 Opening the clamps of the loading and unloading tray 30 Step 3.3 Opening the door access on command of the operator Step 3.4 Taking the first job J1 by the operator Step 3.5 loading the next job for its processing, in accordance with steps 3 and following Alternative 2: If the first job JI is accepted (alternative 2 most likely ), the previous five steps are ignored and the following steps are performed.

  Step 3.6 Rotation of the loading and unloading platform 30 for presenting the first lens LI of job J1 in the intermediate position for its gripping by the probing, gripping and third transfer arm 7 (end of second transfer) Step 3.7 Selection and clipping of the machining noses by the probing, gripping and third transfer arm 7 Step 3.8 Taking the first L1 lens of the JI job by the probing, gripping and third transfer arm 7. After having performed the preceding palpages described, the probe arm, gripping and third transfer 7 sandwiches the lens L1 between the two noses 101 and 102. The two noses are then precisely implanted on the lens which is firmly maintained. This results in a stable and precise locking of the lens without geometric error. It will be observed that at this stage of gripping of the lens by the gripping means, the referential of the lens, which defines its centering and its orientation (or axis) and which has been measured by the measuring device 5, has been preserved. or followed by the electronic and computer system 100 during the second transfer of the lens by the plate 30 between the measurement position and the intermediate position. The nose, whose attachment geometry on the jaws 95, 96 of the arm is perfectly known by construction, are therefore implanted on the lens to seize it according to a geometry (positioning in the plane of the lens and orientation) known compared to the reference frame of the lens. The noses 101, 102 are thus implanted on the lens in an orientation and a position in the plane of the lens which may be arbitrary but which is in all cases perfectly known and stored in a memory of the electronic and computer system 100. In this case, it is not intended to adjust the relative angular orientation of the nose with respect to the lens around the common blocking axis AB when tightening the noses 101, 102 on the lens. This orientation, which is arbitrary, is memorized and materialized, at an angular offset known by the nose. This known angular offset is taken into account when trimming the lens. Step 3.9 Opening of the gripper in charge of the first lens L1 of the job JI on the plate Step 3.10 Third transfer of the first lens L1 of the job J1 for passing the relay from the carousel to the clipping means The lens L1 is then moved by the arm probing, gripping and third transfer 7 to be removed from the loading and unloading tray 30. Then, this lens is transferred by this member 7 to the clipping device 6. During this transfer, there is no loss of reference since the nose remains permanently in the marked position and belong, in a way, both to the gripping arm and to the clamping and driving shafts of the clipping device. Given the memorization of the repository of the lens previously performed, the electronic and computer system 100 deduces the position and orientation of this frame of the lens in the repository of the clipping device. Step 3.11 Probing of the first lens L1 of the job J1 in the trimming device 6. Before its machining and for the accuracy of the latter, the first lens L1 of the job J1 is probed, while it is installed in the device of the trimming 6 being locked and rotated between the shafts of the grinder, by the probe arm, gripping and third transfer 7. This probing is performed 30 according to the desired contour and assumed (in view of the transfer of the lens without loss of reference) of the lens after trimming and according to the lining of the lens provided by the measuring device 5 and carrier morphology data and mount geometry data entered into memory.

  This probing makes it possible to acquire in the memory of the electronic and computer system 100 with a great precision and in concreto the spatial configuration in the three dimensions of the lens locked between the shafts of the grinder, taking into account possible deformations of the lens. due to the tightening of the lens between the nose under the pressure of the trees. The electronic and computer system 100 then calculates by calculation the precise machining parameters: lens contour, three-dimensional shape of the bevel or groove, position and orientation of the drilling holes. Step 3.12 Machining (trimming) of the first lens L1 of the job J1 by the trimming device 6. The electronic and computer system 100 drives the trimming device 6 to perform machining of the periphery of the lens so as to cut the latter to the desired contour, taking into account the locating characteristics of the lens provided by the measuring device 5 and carrier morphology data and mount geometry entered into memory. Depending on the type of editing the JI job being processed is intended for (Circled Frame, Circleless Frame with Drilled Lens, Nylon Strapping Frame), the lens is beveled, drilled, or grooved. Step 3.13 Positioning of the loading and unloading tray 30 for depositing the first lens L1 of the job J1 by the probing, gripping and third transfer arm 7. The loading and unloading tray 30 is actuated in rotation so as to bring the unloading place facing the clipping means 6, at a predetermined position at which the arm 7 will deposit the cut-away lens. Step 3.14 Fourth transfer of the first lens L1 job J1 for return of the lens of the clipping means to the carousel. After being trimming by the trimming device 6, the lens is again gripped by the probing, gripping and third transfer arm 7 to be deposited on an unloading place of one of the pairs of unloading places 41 to 44. The lens L1 is taken up by the probing, gripping and third transfer arm 7 in the trimming device 6 to be deposited on the unloading place of the loading and unloading platform 30. This step is executed simultaneously with the previous one for a work in masked time allowing a saving of time of treatment. Of course, the rotation of the loading and unloading platform for the proper positioning of the latter is completed before the deposition of the lens by the arm 7.

  Step 3.15 Deposit of the first lens L1 job J1 in place of unloading on the carousel tray. Step 3.16 Rotation of the loading and unloading platform 30 for presenting the second lens L2 of the job J1 in the gripping zone by the probing, gripping and third transfer arm 7 (end of second transfer).

  Step 3.17 Taking the second lens L2 job J1 by the probe arm, gripping and third transfer 7 along the boxing axis. Step 3.18 Third transfer of the second lens L2 of the job J1 for the forward passage of the lens L2 from the carousel to the clipping means. Step 3.19 Probing of the second lens L2 of the job J1 in the trimming device 6. Step 3.20 Machining of the second lens L2 of the job J1. Step 3.21 Fourth transfer of the second lens L2 job J1 for return of the lens L2 from the trimming means to the carousel. Step 3.22 Deposition of the second lens L2 of the job J1 on the unloading place of the loading and unloading platform 30. Step 3.23 Fifth transfer: rotation of the loading and unloading platform 30 for presentation of the first job JI for unloading by the 'operator. Step 3.24 Opening the access door for unloading the first job JI. Step 3.25 The opening of the access door, to allow the operator to access the job J1 prepared, is done at the request of the operator and under the control of the electronic system and computer 100 which does not allow the opening of the door that the plate 30 is in the loading and unloading position.

Step 3.26 Unloading the first job J1 by the operator. You can then load and process another job. As a variant, it is also possible to partially process, in masked time, two jobs (pairs of lenses associated with the same pair of spectacles). Then proceed as previously with the concurrent processing of a second job J2 parallel to the first J1 job being processed. To do this, it suffices to load the second job J2 on the loading places 37, 38 while the first lens of the first job is in the trimming device 6 and the second lens of this first job is processed by the measuring device 5. It can be expected to achieve the association of the desired shape information of the two lenses in treatment to the registration of the corresponding register and the trimming of the two lenses in treatment if the two lenses in treatment are recognized and identified as belonging to the same pair of lenses.

Claims (7)

  1. A method for automatically recognizing an ophthalmic lens in treatment (L1, L2) comprising the following steps of: a) constituting a digital register representative of waiting lenses, each record of which is associated with a lens or a pair lens assembly and contains mounting information and the expected value of at least one optical or geometrical control characteristic of each lens on standby, b) positioning of the lens being processed (L1, L2) in a measuring (5), c) acquisition by the measuring device (5) of the intrinsic value of at least one optical or geometrical control characteristic of the processing lens (L1, L2), this characteristic being one or the other of those recorded in the register, d) identification, in the register, of the lens or lenses on standby whose expected value of the optical or geometric control characteristic is close to the measured value of this control characteristic of the lens in treatment (L1, L2), the measured value then being validated.   2. Recognition method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, the expected value of several optical or geometric control characteristics of each lens on hold being contained in the digital register, in step c) is acquired by the device of measuring (5) the intrinsic value of several control characteristics of the lens being processed (L1, L2) and that in step d) identifying in the register the lens or lenses on standby whose expected values optical or geometrical control characteristics are close to the measured values of the optical or geometrical control characteristics of the lens being processed (L1, L2).   3. Automatic recognition method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, the expected value of several optical or geometric control characteristics of each lens on hold being contained in the digital register, it is expected after step d) the next test step: - if the measured value of one of the optical or geometrical control characteristics of the lens L1 under treatment does not correspond to the expected value of this optical or geometrical control characteristic for any of the lenses on hold recorded in the register , an error signal is emitted; - if, after validating the intrinsic value of all acquired optical or geometric control characteristics, the number of idle lenses identified is greater than one, the measuring device (5) acquires and validates the intrinsic value of an optical characteristic or additional control geometry from the group of waiting lenses previously identified, until the measured intrinsic values of the optical or geometric control characteristics of the processing lens (LI, L2) correspond to the expected values of the optical or geometric characteristics ordering a single lens on hold; if the number of waiting lenses identified is equal to one, the identified waiting lens is associated with the lens being processed (L1, L2); if the measured values of all the optical prescription characteristics of the lens being processed (L1, L2) are close to the recorded values of all the optical or geometrical control characteristics of several identified idle lenses, a signal is emitted as well as an invitation to choose one of the identified pending lenses to associate with the lens in treatment (L1, L2).   4. Recognition method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intrinsic values of all the optical or geometric control characteristics of the lens being processed (L1, L2) are measured and compared to the expected values of all the characteristics. Optical or geometrical control of lentils waiting.   5. A process for automatic preparation for mounting a first and a second ophthalmic lens (L1, L2) in treatment belonging to the same pair of lenses, comprising the following steps: -application of the recognition method according to one claims 1 to 4 to try to recognize the two lenses in treatment (LI, L2), - if the two lenses in treatment (L1, L2) are recognized and identified as belonging to the same pair of lenses, association of the information of the desired shape of the two lenses being processed (L1, L2) at the registration of the corresponding register and trimming of the two lenses in process (L1, L2) one after the other according to at least information of form , mounting and optical or geometric control characteristics, - otherwise, issuing a recognition failure signal.   6. A process for automatic preparation for mounting a first and a second ophthalmic lens (L1, L2) in treatment belonging to the same pair of lenses, comprising the following steps of: -applying the recognition method according to the one of claims 1 to 4 to attempt to recognize the two lenses in process (L1, L2), association of the desired shape information of the two lenses in process (L1, L2) with the registration of the corresponding register, - if the two lenses in treatment (L1, L2) are recognized and identified as belonging to the same job, trimming the two lenses in treatment one after the other according at least information of form, mounting and optical or geometrical control characteristics, otherwise, transmitting a recognition failure signal.   7. An automatic assembly preparation device (1) comprising a measuring device (5) and a trimming device (6), an electronic and computer processing unit (100) for controlling the trimming device (6) and the measuring device (5), a computer (200) separated from the electronic and computer processing unit (100), characterized in that for carrying out the recognition method according to one of claims 1 to 4 , the electronic and computer processing unit (100) is connected to the computer (200) so as to issue requests on the digital register constituted on the computer and is programmed for the implementation of steps c) and ) of the automatic recognition method, the step d) of identifying the lenses being performed by the electronic processing unit and computer (100) or the computer (200).