GB2524585A - Method and system for inspecting bespoke manufactured products - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for inspecting a bespoke manufactured product, preferably prescription spectacles, comprising the steps of: storing data representative of at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; prompting an inspector to positively validate at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; comparing the prompted attribute against the stored data; and performing at least one quality inspection of the bespoke manufactured product if the prompted attribute is correctly validated against the stored data. The method may further comprise the steps of: assigning a unique product identifier to the product; assigning a inspector identifier to the inspector, and recording both unique identifiers. The attribute of the product may be one of the following: consumer name, contact details, shipping address, optical prescription, frame choice, lens type, lens coating, lens addition and lens tint. The quality inspection of the product may be visually assessing the frame quality, glazing quality or lens alignment. Also claimed is a corresponding system and computer program.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INSPECTING

BESPOKE MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS

This invention relates to a method and system for inspecting bespoke manufactured products. In partIcular, this invention relates to the manufacture and quality control of bespoke optical components for the eyes, such as spectacles.

Many distributors of bespoke products reduce costs and overheads by outsourcing the manufacture of such products to outside suppliers. This is particularly true in the manufacture of bespoke optical components for the eyes, such as spectacles, where the investment In terms of capital equipment and manpower, stock and components can be substantial.

The manufacture of spectacles hivolves cutting corrective lenses according to an optometrist's prescription and then securing the lenses in a spectacle frame. Since there aie often many hundreds of frames available to the consumer, and, rurthenm, various coathigs, additions and tints can be applied to the spectacle lenses, this leads to many thousands of combinations of frame and lenses being available to the consumer.

Outsourcing the manufacture to outside suppliers allows the distributor to concentrate on its core business competencles, such as marketing of the products and consumer service, instead of focussing on the complex manufacturing systems and processes that are needed to deal with this problem.

Bespoke products, such as spectacles, also require robust quality inspection of the finished product before the spectacles can be shipped. The quality inspection has two main purposes; firstly to ensure that the lenses are manufactured In accordance with the optometrist's prescription.

This Is usually achieved by measuring the optical properties of the lenses ushig a focimeter. A second, more qualitative, visual inspection ensures that the fkdshed product Is fit for purpose, e.g. by checking that the lenses are secured In the frame and that the hinges are correctly tensioned prIor to shipping the product.

A problem with visual quality control or inspection is that is it very often subjective hi nature, and primarily depends on the particular Individual undertaking the task and theIr attentiveness and concentration, which is likely to vary considerably throughout that individual's working day.

Consequently, there are inevitable changes in the quality standards of known visual quality control or inspections, and it Is not always possible to achieve a good reproducibility of the quality of the finished products.

Ills an object of the present Invention to provide a method and system for Inspecting bespoke manufactured products. The method and system ensures that the bespoke products are fully tracked during their manufacture and subsequent inspection, and all Inspection test results are recorded and automatically stored in a central database. The present invention therefore ensures that the Identity of each individual glazer and quality inspector is recorded for accountability purposes. If problems subsequently arise after the goods have been despatched, the present Invention can be used to fully investigate and address quality Issues, According to the present Invention there is provided a method for Inspecting a bespoke manufactured product, comprising the steps of: storing data representative of at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; prompting an Inspector to positively validate at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; comparing the prompted attribute against the stored data; and performing at least one quality inspection of the bespoke manufactured product if the prompted attribute is correctly validated against the stored data.

An advantage of using the present Invention for inspecting bespoke manufactured products Is that by prompting the Inspector at various stages of the quality Inspection process to positIvely validate attributes of the bespoke manufactured product helps to maintain attentiveness and reduce occurrences of inspector fatigue. Additionally, by automating some of the quality control steps helps to further reduce potential Sources of human error.

In use, the method may further comprise the steps of: assigning a unique product Identifier to the bespoke manufactured product; assigning a unique inspector identifier to the individual Inspector and recording the unique product Identifier and unique inspector Identifier.

Preferably, the bespoke manufactured product Is an optical component for the eyes. 2:

Further preferably, the bespoke manufactured product s pscription spectacles.

In use, the at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product may be s&ected from the group consisting of consumer name, contact details, shipping address, optical prescription, frame choice, lens type. ens coating, lens addffion and lens tint, Preferably, performing at least one quaty inspection of the bespoke manufactured product is selected from the group consisting of visuaily assessing frame quahty, visually assessing glazing quaDty and visuaHy assessing ens allgnment.

Further preferably, performing at east one quality inspection of the bespoke manufactured product further comprises the steps of: measuring the optical properties of the ens using a focimeter; and comparing the measured optical properties against the optical prescription.

In use, the method may further comprise the step of: recording on a database whether the bespoke manufactured product passes or fails the at least one quaflty inspection, Preferably, the step of recording the unique product identifier and unique inspector identifier further comprises the step of: scanning a machine readable code using a barcode scanner.

Further preferably, the machine readable code is embodied in any one of the following: barcode, Quick Response (OR) code? radio frequency identification (RHO) tag, magnetic data carder, OpUcal Character Recognition (OCR) and smart card.

In use, wherein if the bespoke manufactured product fails the at east one qucilty inspection, then the method may further comprise the step of: performing at east one secondary quality inspection of the bespoke manufactured product.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a bespoke manufactured product, comprising the steps of: receiving an order from a remote server; picking the respective parts; assembling the bespoke manufactured product according to the order and inspecting the bespoke manufactured product according to the inventive method described above.

Further according to the present Invention there Is provided computer program product For inspectIng a bespoke manufactured pmducl comprising: computer program product means for storing data representative of at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; computer program product means for prompting an inspector to positively validate at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; computer program product means for comparing the prompted attribute against the stored data; and computer program product means for performing at least one quality inspection of the bespoke manufactured product If the prompted attribute Is correctly validated against the stored data.

Also further according to the present invention there is provided a system for inspecting a bespoke manufactured product comprising the steps of: means for storing data representative of at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product means for prompting an inspector to positively validate at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product means for comparing the prompted attribute against the stored dab; and means for performing at least one quality lispection of the bespoke manufactured product if the prompted aftrlbute Is correctly validated against the stored data.

It is believed that a method and system for inspecting bespoke manufactured products In accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems outlined above. The advantages of the present Invention are that a method and system Is provided which ensures that the bespoke products are fuUy tracked during their manufacture and subsequent inspection, and a inspection test results are recorded and automaticaHy stored in a central database. Further advantageously, the present invention ensures that the identity of each indMduai glazer and quaUty inspector is recorded for accountability purposes-If problems subsequently arise after the goods have been despatched, the present invention can be used to fuy investigate and address quailty issues. Prompting the quaty inspector at various stages of the quaty inspection process to positively vaUdate attributes of the bespoke manufactured products advantageously helps to reduce occurrences of inspector fatigue.

It will be obvious to those skiiled in the a1 that variations of the present invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as spectficay described herein.

Specific nonhmiting embodiments of the invention will now he described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I illustrates a flow diagram showing how a bespoke product is manufactured and inspected according to the present invention; Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a flow diagram showing how a quality inspecflon according to the present invention is implemented; Fig. 4 iustrates a flow diagram showing a secondary quahty inspection that is required should the bespoke manufactured preduct fail the quality inspection shown in Figs. 2 and 3; Figs. 5 to 15 are screenshots that illustrate how quaty checks are recorded in accordance with the quality inspection procedures outlined in Figs. 2 and 3: Fig. 16 iustrates a flow diagram showing how an inexpensive manual focimeter can be interfaced to measure and record the optical properties of bespoke manufactured products in accordance with the present invention: and Fig. 17 is a high-level schematic diagram showing how the quality inspection according to the present invention is implemented in hardware. b

In the following description each step in the accompanying drawings wifi be referred to as "S followed by the step number, eq. 810, 512 etc. Referring now to the drawings, a method of receiving a bespoke order, and manufacturing and inspecting the resultant bespoke product it can be shipped to the consumer is iflustrated in Fig. 1.

The present invention has been developed specificafly for the manufacture of bespoke optical products, such as prescription spectacles and sunglasses. This is in no way intended to be limiting as, in use, such manufacturing and inspection processes can be utised in many different types of bespoke assembly.

An electronic order is received via the distributor's secure website. The order includes a number of fields such as, but not limited to, consumer name and contact details, optical prescription RX (which specifies the values of aH parameters the optometrist deems necessary to construct corrective lenses appropriate for the consumer), spectacle frame choice, lens type and additional coatings or tints, shipping address. When the order is received on the manufacturers system a unique order number is assigned to it. In a preferred embodiment, the unique order number is an alphanumeric identifier which is machine readable by a barcode scanner. The printed order, along with its unique machine readable product identifier, is then placed in a bin or tray and the individual component parts required to construct the bespoke spectacles are then picked fm the warehouse and placed in the tray.

Lenses are then cut to shape according to the frame dimensions in a lens cutter 1\t 810 glazer then assembles the lenses and frame. At each stage in the manufacturing process, each individual glazer is logged on to the system by scanning their own respective barcode to uniquely identify them, or alternatively each individual glazer may have a unique login. Only when the individual glazer is logged on to the system can any work to the order be carried out and recorded, At 812, the glazer then assesses whether the order has been glazed correctly, and is prompted by a popup window to confirm that the job has been successful or not. If the glazer selects "Yes", the optical properties of the lenses are then measured using a focimeter at 814. At 816, the system prompts the glazer to scan the tray containing the manufactured spectacles and the unique order number is scanned using a barcode scanner. At 518, the system then calls the focimeter and compares its measured values against the consumer's prescription held in the central database which administrates the system. At 920, a compare method is used to compare the measurements obtained from the focimeter to check if they are within acceptable tolerances, If the obtained measurements are within tolerances at 822, the order is then passed for a visual S quality control inspection as described in detail in relation to Fig& 2 and 3. if the lenses are outside of the tolerances at 924, a popup wul be displayed advising the glazer that the order is not within acceptable tolerances and the glazer is, at S26 able to either rescan and remeasure the order, or to pass the order directly to a secondary inspection procedure at 328.

If, after remeasurement, the lenses still are not within acceptable tolerances, the glazer confirms that the order is to be rejected and a reject reason wiU then be entered, via a reject screen as shown in Fig. 15. In this case, where the spectacles have been manuFactured with lenses having an incorrect prescription, it would be appropriate to select the reason "RX off power, and a popup will be displayed advising the inspector to send the order to a secondary inspection at S28.

Further details of the secondary inspection procedure are set out in Fig, 4.

Referring again to Fig. 1, if at 812 the glazer decides that the order has not been glazed correctly for any reason, the glazer is able to specify, at 330, that the order is to be rejected. At 932, the order is scanned and a reject reason will then be entered at S36. via the reject screen shown in Fig. 15. At 338, a pop-up will be displayed advising the inspector to send the order to secondary inspection.

Fig. 1 also shows the process that is followed if the spectacles rejected and returned to the "cell", which is a rework section, In the rework section, at 840, the glazer scans the order which then displays, at 342. the specific reason why the spectacles have been returned to the cell. At S44, the glazer then attempts to rectify the order by performing some remedial rework and if the glazer assesses the rework to be successful, at 348, the order is then passed for a visual quality control inspection, as set out in Figs. 2 and 3.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the steps of a visual quality control inspection according to the present invention that has been developed in order to overcome issues of inspector fatigue, and to adequately record the outcome of the quality checks so that the manufacturer can fully and promptly investigate quality issues after the product has been despatched.

As with each stage of the manufacturing process described above in relation to Fig. 1, each individual quafity inspector is logged on to the system by scanning their own respective barcode to uniquely identfy them, or alternatively each quafity inspector may have a unique login. As we as actually recording the individual inspector pertorming the quafity checks for accountabifity purposes, the inspector is routinely prompted at various steps of the quafity inspeefion process to positively vafidate attributes of the spectacles, as described in detail below, to maintain attentiveness and reduce occurrences of inspector fatigue.

The visual quality control inspection according to the present invention commences, at 350, when the machine readable unique order number on the tray containing the manufactured spectacles is scanned using a barcode scanner. In other embodiments, other forms of automatic data capture could be utilised such as, for example, Quick Response (QR) codes, radio frequency identification (RHO) tags, magnetic dat.a carriers and stripes, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and smart cards. On scanning a valid order at 352, the inspector is taken to a first check screen at 358, termed "Check 1: 3 x frames listed on screen in Fig. 2. A screenshot of this screen is shown in Fig. 5. Alternatively, if an invalid order number is scanned, the inspector is be presented with an error message at 354 informing that the order number cannot he found 956.

In this first check, at 558, the inspector is presented with three different frames fisted on the screen at 360. At 362, the inspector is then prompted to check that the order has been manufactured with the correct frame. The inspector will then select the Frame from a choice three. One will be the correct frame and the other two will be randomly selected.

Selecting the correct frame will at 368 navigate The inspector to the second check screen, termed Check 2: Frame Quality" in Fig. 2. Alternatively, if the wrong frame is selected at 664 a pop-up wiH be displayed advising the inspector they have selected the wrong frame, and enquiring if they wish to reject the order. Additionally, selecting the option "none of these" shown in Fig5 will display a pop-Sup advising the inspector that they have selected none of these', and enquiring if they wish to reject the order.

If the inspector confirms that the order is to be rejected a reect reason will then be entered, via a reject screen as shown in Fig. 15. In this case, where the spectacles have been manufactured with the wrong frame, it would be appropriate to select this reason, and a pop-up wifi be displayed at 866 advising the inspector to send the order to a secondary inspection.

If the inspector does not wish the order to be rejected, the reject pop-up can be dosed by selecting the "Go Back button in Fig. 15, and another set of random frames wUl he displayed for the inspector to make the selection.

By prompfing the inspector to positively validate attributes of the spectacles, in this case by validating that the order has been manufactured with the correct frame helps to maintain attentiveness and reduce occurrences of inspector fatigue. The overafl quality and robustness of the visual quality control is subsequenfly improved.

Selecting the correct frame wifl at 868 navigate the inspector to the second check screen, termed "Check 2: Frame Quaflty" in Fig, 2. A screenshotof this screen is shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the inspector is prompted at 370 to perform a check of the frame quality and a pass/fail decision is taken at 872. If the frame quality is deemed to he unacceptable, the inspector selects the "No button which wiU at 874 navigate the inspector to a reject screen, and a reject reason wi be selected; as described above in relation to Fig. 15. Depending upon the reject reason at 876, a pop-up wiH then be displayed advising the inspector to either send the order back to the glazer at 878 in the re-work cell, or to send the order back at 880 for a secondary inspection.

If the frame quality is judged to be acceptable, the inspector selects the "Yes" button which will at S82 navigate the inspector to the third check screen, termed Check 3: Frame Setup" in Fig. 2. A screenshot of this screen is shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the inspector is prompted at 884 to perform a check that the lenses are secure in the frame and that the frame has been setup correctly and a pass/fail decision is taken at 886. if the frame setup is deemed to be unacceptable, the inspector selects the "No" button which will at 888 navigate the inspector to a reject screen, and a reject mason will he selected, as described above in relation to Fig. 15.

Depending upon the reject reason at 890, a pop-up will then be displayed advising the inspector to either send the order back to the glazer at 892 in the re-work cell, or to send the order back at 894 for a secondary inspection.

If the frame setup is judged to be acceptable, the inspector selects the "Yes" button which wHI at 396 navigate the inspector to the fourth check screen, termed "Check 4: Bath" in Ag. 2. A screenshot of this screen is shown in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 8, the inspector is prompted at 596 to confirm that they cleaned the spectacles and a pass/fali decision is taken at 8100, If the inspector has not cleaned the spectacles, the inspector selects the "No" button which will at 5102 navigate the inspector to a reject screen, and a reject reason wHI be selected, as described above in relatbn to Fig. 15. Depending upon the reject reason at 5104, a popup will then be displayed advising the inspector to either send the order back to the glazer at 5106 in the rework ceV, or to send the order back at 5108 for a secondary inspection.

If the spectacles have been cleaned, the inspector s&ects the "Yes" button which wl at Silo navigate the inspector to the fifth check screen, termed Check 5: Glazing Quality" in Fig. 2. A screenshot of this screen is shown in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, the inspector is prompted 5112 perForm a check of the quality of the glazing and judge whether the overali lens quathy is to an acceptable standard and a pass/fail decision is taken at 8114. If the glazing quality is deemed to be unacceptable, the inspector selects the "No" button which will at 3116 navigate the inspector to a reject screen, and a reject reason will be selected, as described above in relation to Fig. 15.

Depending upon the reject reason at Si 18, a pop-up will then be displayed advising the inspector to either send the order back to the glazer at 5120 in the rework cell, or to send the order back at 8124 for a secondary inspection.

If the glazing quality is deemed to be acceptabie, the inspector selects the Yes" button which will at Si 26 navigate the inspector to the sixth check screen, termed "Check 6: Lens Type" in Fig. 3. A screenshot of this screen is shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 10, the inspector is prompted at 5128 with tour different options listed on the screen. The inspector is then prompted 130 to positively validate that the order has been manufactured with the correct lens. The inspector will then select the ens from a choice three, namely single vision lenses, bifocal or varifocal lenses.

Selecting the correct lens will navigate the inspector to the next check screen, which is dependent on whether the order specified any ens adthtions or tints, Alternativ&y, if the wrong ens is selected at 5132 a popwp will be displayed advising the inspector they have selected the wrong lens, and enquiring if they wish to reject the order. Additknally, selecting the option "none of these' iD shown in Fig. 10 will display a pop-up advising the inspector that they have s&ected "none of these, and enqufring it they wish to reject the order.

If the inspector confirms that the order is to be rejected a reject reason will then be entered, via a reject screen as shown in Fig. 15. In this case, where the spectades have been manufactured wfth the wrong lens, it would be appropriate to s&ect this reason at 5134, and a pop-up will be displayed advising the inspector to send the order to a secondary inspection.

At 5136, one of two new screens is then prompted to the inspector to further check that the lens is correct. Depending on whether the ens includes any additions or tints dictates the checks" the inspector will then have to complete.

Selecting the correct lens will at 8138 and 5148 navigate the inspector to the sevent.h or &ghth check screens termed the "Check 7: Tint Screen or "Check 8: Addition Screen in Fig. 3. If the order contains a kink, or the order has neither a tint or addition, the inspector is prompted at S140 to positively validate this by checking the ens against the order and confirming whether this is true or false at SI 42. A screenshot of this screen is shown in Fig. 11.

if the wrong ens tint is selected at S144 a pop-up wiU be displayed advising the inspector they have selected the wrong tint, and enquiring if they wish to reject the order, If the inspector confirms that the order is to be rejected a reject reason will then be entered, via a reject screen as shown in Fig. 15. In this case, where the spectacles have been manufactured with the wrong tint, it would be appropriate to select this reason, and a pop-up will be displayed at 5146 advising the inspector to send the order to a secondary inspection.

If the order specifies an addition, as opposed to a tint, the inspector is prompted at 8150 to positively validate this by checking the lens against the order and confirming whether this is true or false at 8152. A screenshot of this screen is shown in Fig. 12.

If the wrong lens addition is selected at 5154 a pop-up will be displayed advising the inspector they have selected the wrong addition, and enquiring if they wish to reject the order. If the inspector confirms that the order is to be rejected a reject reason will then be entered, via a reject screen as shown in Fig. 15. In this case, where the spectacles have been manuFactured with the wrong addftion, it wouki he appropriate to select this reason, and a popup wifi be displayed advising the nspeciorto send the order to a secondary inspection at 9156.

At 5158, for bifocal or varifocal lenses, the inspector then checks the agnment of the lenses, in addition to general ens fitUng.

Selecting the correct lens addition or tint will at 9160 navigate the inspector to the next check screen, the ninth check screen, termed "Check 9: Lens Alignment' in Fig. 3. A screenshot of this screen is shown in Fig. 13. As shown in Fig. 13; the inspector is prompted at 5162 to perform a check of the quality of the lens alignment and a pass/fail decision is taken at 5164. If the lens alignment is decreed to be unacceptable, the inspector selects the "No" button which will at 9166 navigate the inspector to a reject screen, and a reject reason will be selected, as described above in relation to Fig. 15. Depending upon the reject reason selected at 5168, a popup wifi then he displayed advising the inspector to either send the order back to the glazer at 5170 in the rework cell, or to send the order back at 5172 for a secondary inspection.

If the lens alignment is judged to be acceptable, the inspector selects the "Yes" button which will at 5174 navigate the inspector to the tenth and final check screen, termed Check 10: Order Confirmation" in Fig. 3. A screenshot of this screen is shown in Fig. 14. As shown in Fig. 14, the inspector is prompted at 9176 to confirm that the correct spectacles are ready to be shipped and a pass/fail decision is taken at 9178. If the "No' button is elected, this will at 8180 navigate the inspector to a reject screen, and a reject reason will be selected, as described above in relation to Fio. 15. Depending upon the reject reason selected at 5182, a pop.up wiil then be displayed advising the inspector to either send the order back to the glazer at 9184 in the rework cell, or to send the order back at 5186 for a secondary inspection, If the inspector confirms that the order is correct, the inspector selects the "Yes" button at 9188 and the order will be shipped.

Fig. 4 shows the steps of a further inspection procedure, termed a secondary inspection that is carhed out depending upon the reject reason either selected by the glazer during manufacture, or the quality inspector during the visual quality control inspection, on the reject screen of Fig. 15.

This allows a secondary inspection to be performed before the job is ultimately accepted or rejected.

When a job is passed to secondary inspection at 3190, following a rejection by the glazer or quallty inspector, the system prompts the secondary inspector to scan the tray containing the manufactured spectacles and its machine readable unique order number is scanned at 3192 using a barcode scanner. The job, along with its failure reason, then is displayed at 3194 in a popup window. The secondary inspector then decides at $196 whether to perform a secondary inspection of the job at 8198, or to simply reject the order at 8204, based predominately on the reject reason.

If the secondary inspector elects to perfonn a secondary inspection ci the job a new screen is created displaying a summary of the visual inspection, as described above in relation to Figs. 2 and 3. The secondary inspector is then able to reexecute any of the checks simply by clicking on the relevant link, If, after performing a secondary inspection of the failed check at 3200 the inspector is satisfied that the spectacles are acceptable the order can then be passed back to visual inspection at 3208 or they can be shipped.

If the spectacles fail the secondary inspection the order is rejected at 3204 and a new order is manufactured at 8206.

Fig. 1$ shows further detail of those steps of Fig, I in which the system calls a focirneter to measure the optical properties of the lenses and compares its measured values against the consumers prescription held in the central database. With the present invention, an inexpensive manual focimeter is utilised to check whether the manufactured spectacles meet the required prescription. This is undertaken by intemfacino the manual focimeter through its printer port.

Instead of printing out the measurements obtained from the focimeter and placing such printout in the tray for the inspector to check against the original order, the procedure described in Fig. 16 shows that the measured information is taken through the instrument's printer Port via the production server, onto an SQL database which then automatically verifies whether the lenses are within an acceptable tolerance, or not.

As shown in Fig. 16. the system prompts the glazer at 8212 to scan the tray containing the manufactured spectacles and its machine readable unique order number is scanned using a barcode scanner. The spectacles are then placed in the focimeler and a measurement of the optical properties is undertaken. The system then calls the focimeter at S214 through its printer port, and the measurement information Is taken at S210.

The optical properties of the lenses are measured using the focimeter at 8210. The focimeter measures the sphere power, cylinder power, the axis and prismatic power of the spectacle lens.

The interpupillary distance is also measured. The focimeter simultaneously measures 108 multIple poInts within the noseplece area providing an accurate and reliable measurement of the prescription.

The unique order number and the measurement readings from the focimeter are then sent to the production server at 8126.

At 8218, the production server uses a compare method to compare the readings from the focimeter with the prescription In the database. It will compare measured fields against the fields recorded In the order and uses ISO tolerances to decide whether at S200 the lenses pass or fail.

if the obtained measurements are within tolerance, the order is considered to have been successfully glazed and is then passed for visual quality control inspection at 8222, as described in detail In relation to Figs. 2 and 3.

If the lenses are outside of prescribed tolerance, a pop-up will be displayed at 8224 advIsing the glazer that the order Is not wIthin acceptable tolerances, and to either re-scan and re-measure the order at S226, or to reject the order, using the pop-up window shown in Ag. 15. The order can then be either sent to a secondary inspection or rejected at 8228.

The foclmeter is Interfaced using the USB port on a tablet running the application software. Drivers that are Installed in the focimeter will allow the tablet and focimeter to communicate with each other throu the focimeter's printer port.

The applIcation will call the focimeter using commands specified by the manufacturer. The focimeter will then send the readings to the applcatlon and will compare these measurements with the consumer order on the database. Once the focimeter has sent the measured readings to the appcation at 5210, the appUcation will communicate with the web server housing the SQL database. At 5216, the appcation wW pass the order number and the readings to the web server housing the SQL database.

Figure 17 illustrates a typcal plallorm on which the quaty inspection method accorthng to the present invention is implemented. The iilustrated system comprises a barcode scanner 250 and a fodmeter 252 communicatively coupled to a tablet computer 254 which runs the appcation through a browser, In particular, the fodmeter 252 is interfaced to the tablet computer 254 via its printer port. The tablet computer 254 is further communicaUvely coupled to an SQL database 258 via a remote web senior 256.

Upon inspection, the barcode scanner 250 is used to read the unique machine readable product identifier of the lens being measured and! or the unique log in W the individual glazer, these readings are then sent to the app!ication residing on the tablet computer 254. The unique machine readable product identifier is then sent to the SQL database 258 where it is used to extract the corresponding optical prescription.

The optical properties of the lens are then measured by the focimeter 252, the measurement readings from the tocimeter 252 are then sent to the appilcation residing on the tablet computer 254 where they are forwarded to the SQL database for comparison. The SQL database 258 compares the readings recorded by the focimeter 252 with the optical prescription stored in the SQL database 258 to verify that the lenses have been manufactured having the correct optical prescription.

SO tolerances are used to decide whether the lenses pass or faiL The tolerances will be as per the tolerances currently used in the manual process, they will be systemised and converted into a database table. At 5220, the server wiH then pass the result back to the application via another web service. The standard used [or determination of the tolerances is B5 EN ISO 21987 2009.

Various alterations and moditicatons may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention, For example, although particular embodiments refer to implementing the present invention in the manufacture of prescription spectacles, this is in no way intended to be rnUng as, n use, the present nvenUon can be uUUsed n the manufacture and nepecUon of bespoke products. 1$

Claims (7)

1. C LAI MS1. A method for inspecting a bespoke manufactured product, comprising the steps of: storing data representative of at east one attribute of the bespoke manuFactured product; prompting an inspector to positively vadate at east one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; comparing the prompted attribute against the stored data; and performing at east one quality inspection of the bespoke manufactured product if the prompted attribute is correctly vadated against the stored data.
2. 2. The method according to claim I further comprising the steps of: assigning a unique product identifier to the bespoke manufactured product; assigning a unique inspector identifier to the indMdual inspector; and recording the unique product identifier and unique inspector identifier,
3. 3. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the bespoke manufactured product is an optical component for the eyes.
4. 4. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the bespoke manufactured product is prescription spectacles.
5. 5. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product is selected From the group consisting of consumer name, contact details, shipping address, optical prescription, frame choice, ens type, ens coating, ens addition and ens tint.
6. 6, The method according to claim 1, wherein performing at east one quality inspection of the bespoke manufactured product is selected from the group consisting of visuafly assessing frame quaiity, visually assessing glazing quatity and visually assessing lens alignment
7. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein performing at least one quality inspection of the bespoke manufactured product further comprises the steps of: measuring the optica properties of the ens using a focirneter; and comparing the measured opUca propeftes against the optIc prescripfion.B, The method according to any preceding daim, further comprising the step of: recording on a database whether the bespoke manufactured product passes or fans the at east one quaty inspection.9. The method according to daim 2, wherein the step of recording the unique product idenUfier and unique inspector identifier further comprises the step of: scanning a machine readable code using a barcode scanner.10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the machine readabe code is embodied in any one of the foflowing: barcode, Othck Response (OR) code. ratho frequency identificaUon (RAD) tag, magnetic data camer, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and smart card.11. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein if the bespoke manufactured product faUs the at east one quafity inspection, then performing at east one secondary quaRty inspection of the bespoke manufactured product.12. A method for manufacturing a bespoke manufactured product, comprising the steps of: receiving an order from a remote server; picking the respective parts; assembling the bespoke manufactured product according to the order; and inspecting the bespoke manufactured product according to claim 1.13. A computer program product for inspecting a bespoke manufactured product, comprising: computer program product means for storing data representative of at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; computer program product means for prompting an inspector to positively validate at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; computer program product means for comparing the prompted attribute against the stored data; and computer program product means for performing at least one quality inspection of the bespoke manufactured product if the prompted attribute is correctly validated against the stored data.14. A system for Inspecting a bespoke manufactured product comprising the steps oft means for storing data representative of at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; means for prompting an inspector to positively validate at least one attribute of the bespoke manufactured product; means for comparing the prompted attribute against the stored data; and means for performing at least one quality Inspection of the bespoke manufactured product if the prompted attribute Is correctly validated against the stored data.15. A method for inspecting a bespoke manufactured product as hereinbefore described.16. A computer program product for inspecting a bespoke manufactured product as described herein with reference to FIgs. 1 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.17. A system for Inspecting a bespoke manufactured product as described herein with reference to Figs. ito 16 of the accompanying drawings.