GB2546725A

GB2546725A - Button hole 3D

Info

Publication number: GB2546725A
Application number: GB1522507.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Rohan Jayamanne Don
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-19
Filing date: 2015-12-19
Publication date: 2017-08-02
Also published as: GB201522507D0

Abstract

A method of temporarily modifying the lenses in eyeglasses or spectacles for the purpose of viewing three dimensional images, movies or television programmes by means of attaching polarising eyeglasses to conventional spectacles. The polarising eyeglasses 701 may be made from a polarizing lens, filter, film, membrane or the like. The polarising eyeglasses have no arms or temple tips and are temporarily attached to the frame of conventional spectacles using one or a combination of slots/buttonholes and/or elastic strips (fig 5) and/or hook and loop fasteners; and may engage with the frame, arm and/or nose piece of the spectacles. The eyeglasses may be shaped to follow the contour of a face of the spectacle frame, and may be attached to either the inside or outside of the spectacle frame. The left and right eyeglasses may be joined together by a bridge piece 702 made from elastic, plastic, synthetic or natural material with a fastening or adjusting mechanism, allowing the bridge to be detachable from one of the eyeglasses, allowing the eyeglasses to be attached separately, and joined together once attached. Left and right eyeglasses may indicate the polarizing orientations of said eyeglass to allow them to be distinguished from each other.

Description

Description of the Invention

The present invention is a method of temporarily modifying the lenses in conventional eyeglasses or spectacles for the purpose of viewing three dimensional images or movies or television programmes (Figure I). The term lens (or lenses) of conventional eyeglass or spectacle as used herein is defined as any light refracting or non-refracting elements mounted in a frame for wearing before the eyes. It may also be referred as an optical element of a spectacle or conventional eyeglass. The present invention describes split 3D glasses for temporarily modifying the lenses of a pair of conventional spectacles/eyeglasses for the purpose of viewing three-dimensional images, programmes or movies. The term polarizing filter/film/membrane/lens/material is the component used to achieve a process called polarization, much like a Venetian blind controls sunlight through a window. Horizontally polarized light is blocked by the vertically oriented polarizers and vice versa. For example, one horizontally polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane is used to manufacture one of the split 3D glasses and one vertically polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane is used to manufacture the second split 3D glasses. The left and right split 3D glasses presented as a pair to be applied to each spectacle lens of an eyeglass for the purpose of viewing three dimensional images, programmes or movies (Figure 2). In the split 3D glasses, polarizing lens/filter/film/membrane or material used has a second polarizing lens/filter/film/membrane or material having a second polarizing orientation that is different from said first polarizing orientation. Polarizing orientations may be horizontal, vertical, circular, linear or of any other geometrical orientation and combination of orientations.

The polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membranes used to manufacture the split 3D glasses may be of any size or shape. The split 3D glasses is shaped to follow the contour of the face and the glasses frame.

The polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membranes used to manufacture the split 3D glasses may be housed in an outer frame. Usual shape of the split 3D glasses conforms to the shape of a conventional eyeglass/spectacle lens and glasses frame. The shape of the split 3D glasses may have a wrap round feel to the design. Due to the novel attachment of the split 3D glasses to a conventional frame, the split 3D glasses do not require earpieces or temple tips. The whole of the split 3D glasses may be made from polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane (ie part opposing the lens of the conventional glasses and the part with buttonholes opposing and been attached to the frame/temple of the conventional glasses). The split 3D glasses may be made of a combination of material including polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane together with any other material. The split 3D glasses may be made with a combination of material including polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane as a whole or in part. The split 3D glasses if presented in parts, the user may be required to assemble the parts to make the the split 3D glasses prior to use. The parts may be assembled during the manufacturing process and presented to the user as whole split 3D glasses. The assembled or non assembled parts of the split 3D glasses may be presented as one, two or more pairs or presented as single split 3D glasses ( ie one left pair or one right pair). The different parts of the split 3D glasses may be made out of the same material or different material. Markings or features on the left split 3D glasses polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane and on the right split 3D polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane can distinguish them from each other. Distinguishing features may be in the form of different colours, hues, tints, shapes, codes, words, numbers or letters or a combination of these methods or any other distinguishing method. Markings or features on the left split 3D glasses and on the right split 3D glasses can distinguish them from each other. Distinguishing features may be in the form of different colours, hues, tints, shapes, codes, words, numbers or letters or a combination of these methods or any other distinguishing method.

Each split 3D glasses has a simple novel design for attaching it to a conventional pair of glasses. One, two, three or more buttonholes are present to secure it to the frame at the sides and/or nose piece of a pair of conventional glasses (Figure 3).

The buttonholes may be present on the area of the split 3D glasses that attaches to the frame of a conventional pair of glasses (Figure 4) or the area that attaches to the nose piece of a conventional pair of glasses or vice verse. The buttonholes may be present on any part or parts of the split 3D glasses. The buttonholes may be cut directly on to the material used to manufacture the split 3D glasses or the buttonholes may be attached to the split 3D glasses on a secondary material(s) . The secondary material(s) may be attached to the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method. The buttonholes may be of any size or shape. The buttonholes are created on the split 3D glasses by any method and may be sealed prior to the first use of the split 3D glasses. The buttonholes may be present on the polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane. Together with buttonholes, elastic strip or strips may be present on the split 3D glasses for the purpose of temporarily attaching the split 3D glasses to a conventional pair of glasses ( Figure 5). The elastic strips may be present on any part or parts of the split 3D glasses. The elastic strip(s) may be attached directly to the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method. The elastic strip or strips may be used to attach the spilt 3D glasses to the frame, nose piece or any part of a conventional pair of glasses. The elastic strips may be attached directly on to the material used to manufacture the split 3D glasses by any temporary or permanent method. The elastic strips may be attached to the split 3D glasses on a secondary material(s). The secondary material(s) with the elastic strips may be attached to the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method. The split 3D glasses may contain both buttonholes and elastic strips or buttonholes on their own or elastic strips on their own. The split 3D glasses may have a mechanical-based fastening material attached to them to aid attachment to a conventional pair of glasses. A hook and loop or an another mechanical based fastening material may be present in combination with buttonholes, elastic strips or in isolation to aid attachment of the split 3D glasses to a conventional pair of glasses. The mechanical based fastening material may be attached directly on to the material used to manufacture the split 3D glasses by any temporary or permanent method.

The mechanical based fastening material may be attached to the split 3D glasses on a secondary material(s). The secondary material(s) with the mechanical based fastening material may be attached to the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method. The left and right glasses of the split 3D glasses described above may be presented to the user joined to form a bridge similar to a bridge of a conventional pair of glasses (Figure 6). The user may choose to separate the left and right glasses of the split 3D glasses prior to placing them over the conventional pair of glasses or place them over their glasses without separating the left and right glasses. The user may then separate them prior to watching the 3D programme. If the split 3D glasses are presented to the user joined with a bridge piece, the user may separate the left and right glasses of the split 3D glasses prior to attaching them to the conventional pair of glasses and then reattach the bridge piece of the split 3D glasses when watching the 3D programme. ( Figure 7). By reattaching the split 3D glasses at the bridge piece prior to watching the 3D programme a more comfortable fit over conventional glasses may be achieved for the movie goer. The bridge part may be attached to the left and/or right glasses of the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method. The bridge piece may be detachable from the left and/or right glasses of the split 3D glasses. The material used for the construction of the bridge may be elastic, plastic or any synthetic or natural material with any fastening or adjusting mechanism. The bridge piece can be made of a hook and loop or an another mechanical based fastening material or elastic material that is flexible to fit over the bridge of any conventional pair of glasses.

The present invention provides an inexpensive method of temporarily modifying the characteristics of lenses in eyeglasses or spectacles for the purpose of viewing three dimensional images such as movies, images or television programmes. It is the primary objective of this invention to temporarily modify the characteristic of lenses of an eyeglass or an optical element mounted in a frame, making use of a split 3D design with a novel attachment. In the present invention, the total thickness of the split 3D glasses may be of any thickness and the material used to manufacture the polarizing lens/filter/film/material or membrane may be any synthetic (man made) and/or natural material such as plastic or polymeric material. The orientation of the polarization used may be of any orientation and combination of orientations. In part or full, the process of attachment of the split 3D glasses can be supported by any part of the frame of the conventional eyeglass. The size and shape of the polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane can be of any size or shape to fit any conventional eyeglass. The flexibility of the polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane can vary in the degree of flexibility. The polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane may be made up of different combinations or layers of materials (man made and/or synthetic) such as plastics or polymers. The split 3D glasses may be made up of polarizing filter/film/lens/material or membrane and other material(s) and can be of any size or shape to fit any type of conventional glasses or spectacle frame. The temporary modification of the lenses of the conventional eyeglass with the split 3D glasses is quick and convenient. When the person returns to activities for which the conventional eyeglasses are suited, the individual removes the split 3D glasses. The split 3D glasses can be stored once removed from the lens of the conventional eyeglass or can be disposable. The split 3D glasses if presented in parts, can be prepared or assembled by any person with or without specialist training or with and without specialist equipment.

The polarizing lens/filter/film/material or membranes of any orientation can be used to manufacture the split 3D glasses of this invention. The split 3D glasses may be attached to either the front (anterior) or back (posterior) surface of the conventional eyeglass/spectacle or a combination of one on the anterior surface and one on the posterior surface. Different combinations of orientation of polarizing lens/filter/film/material or membrane can be adhered to either the right or left split 3D glasses.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1 depicts a pair of split 3D glasses with first polarizing lens/filter/film/ membrane or material (101) polarizing light passing through one of said lenses of said conventional pair of eyeglasses only, and the second split 3D eyeglass has a second polarizing lens/filter/film/membrane or material (102) having a second polarizing orientation that is different from said first polarizing orientation. ( The wide horizontal and vertical lines shown in the figure are for illustration purposes of the Venetian blind effect of the polarizing filter/film or membrane. The polarizing filter orientation would be less visibly obvious in real life).

Figure 2 depicts a pair of split 3D glasses, the left (201) and right (202) split 3D glasses are attached as a pair to each spectacle lens of an eyeglass (203). Due to the novel attachment of the split 3D glasses to a conventional frame, the split 3D glasses do not require earpieces or temple tips. The earpieces/temple tips of the conventional frame (204) are illustrated in figure 2. The shape of the split 3D glasses may have a wrap round feel to the design.

Figure 3 depicts each split 3D glasses has a simple novel design for attaching it to a conventional pair of glasses. One, two, three or more buttonholes are present to secure it to the frame at the sides (301) and/or nose piece (302) of a pair of conventional glasses ( 303).

Figure 4 depicts the side view of a split 3D glasses with two buttonholes (401) present to secure it to the frame at the sides of a pair of conventional glasses (402). Due to the novel attachment of the split 3D glasses to a conventional frame, the split 3D glasses do not require earpieces or temple tips (403).

Figure 5 depicts an elastic strip ( 501) on the right split 3D glasses and a mechanical-based fastening material (502) on the left split 3D glasses present for the purpose of temporarily attaching the split 3D glasses to a conventional pair of glasses. The nose pieces (503) of the conventional frame is shown in figure 5.

Figure 6 depicts the left and right glasses of the split 3D glasses ( 601) joined to form a bridge (602) similar to a bridge of a conventional pair of glasses. The bridge can be made of a flexible material.

Figure 7 depicts the split 3D glasses (701) joined with a bridge piece (702), the user may separate the left and right glasses of the split 3D glasses prior to attaching them to the conventional pair of glasses and then reattach the bridge piece of the split 3D glasses when watching the 3D programme.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of temporarily modifying eyeglasses or spectacles for the purpose of viewing three dimensional images. The invention relates 3D glasses that can be applied to spectacles/eyeglasses with corrective lenses for the purpose of viewing three dimensional movies, television programmes or images. Polarizing material of any orientation can be used to manufacture this invention. However, for example one horizontally polarizing material and one vertically polarizing material is presented as a pair to be applied to a spectacle/eyeglass for the purpose of viewing three dimensional images such as movies or television programmes. This invention discloses a pair of split 3D glasses including a left eyeglass and a right eyeglass which are separated, the split 3D glasses attaches on the inside of the glasses frame or the outside of the glasses frame and is shaped to follow the contour of the face and the glasses frame. Each split 3D glasses has one, two, three or more buttonholes to secure it to the frame at the sides and/or nose piece of a pair of conventional glasses. An elastic split 3D glasses has buttonholes plus an elastic strip so it is suitable for frames both with and without nose pieces. The split 3D glasses may have a mechanical-based fastening material (ie hook and loop) attached to them to aid attachment to a conventional pair of glasses. Due to the novel attachment of the split 3D glasses to a conventional frame, the split 3D glasses do not require earpieces or temple tips. The pair of split 3D glasses can be directly fixed on to the frames of conventional glasses, so that the pair of split 3D glasses is more convenient and comfortable to use.

Backeronnd of the Invention

Refractive errors are different eye conditions that cause the eyes to focus images incorrectly. These problems result either in the individual being unable to focus on distant objects, close objects, or it may cause their vision to be distorted. The first step when making prescription glasses is determining the strength of the prescription or the refractive error of the individual. This is done by a doctor or an optician with an eye test. Once the prescription is determined for each eye, the numerical value is sent off to a laboratory for the lenses to be created by a technician. After the lenses are created, they are adjusted to fit the chosen frames. Your eyes are about two inches apart, and see the same object from slightly different angles. These two images are processed by your brain in order to gauge distance or depth. High-quality three dimensional (3D) movies and programs can now be seen in thousands cinemas all over the world or on television. One technique of making 3D films is to use 2 cameras, one camera for each eye. This method captures in 3D with depth of field. The reason why you wear 3D glasses in a cinema is to feed different images into your eyes. The cinema screen or television actually displays two images, and the glasses cause one of the images to enter one eye and the other to enter the other eye. There are different types of 3D glasses. Polarization type is the commonest type of 3D glasses.

Polarized lenses are used commonly in sunglasses to reduce glare from reflective surfaces. They achieve this through a process called polarization, much like a Venetian blind controls sunlight through a window. The blind blocks light at certain angles while allowing light to transmit through other selected angles. Polarized lenses are made from a special polarizing film or filter that is applied to the glass on the surface of the lens. Horizontally polarized light is blocked by the vertically oriented polarizers in the lenses. Both right and left lenses in sunglasses (or prescription sunglasses) would have vertically orientated polarizers in the lenses. The polarized lenses in the sunglasses are fixed at this angle that only allows vertically polarized light to enter the eye. This results in the reduction in glare. The polarization requirement of 3D glasses is somewhat different to sunglasses. Horizontally and vertically-polarized lenses/filters/films membranes or material are used to view 3D movies or television programmes. (Circular as well as other orientations of polarized lenses/filters/films/membrane or material can also be used to view 3D movies and television programmes.) Some of the light reflected from the cinema screen or television is vertically polarized, which is received by a lens with a similar vertical filter. The other lens only receives horizontal polarized light waves. The brain takes both these images and creates a sense of depth. If the movie goer watching a movie or the person watching the television at home is a spectacle wearer, it may be inconvenient to wear 3D glasses over the spectacles. Wearing 3D glasses over prescription spectacles can at best be irritating and at worst spoil the enjoyment of the film. Special prescription 3D glasses may be an expensive option.

It is desirable to provide a simpler and more convenient way for spectacle wearers to watch 3D movies or television. A previous invention has proposed split 3D glasses with outer sides of the two eyeglasses having fixing clamps for fixing the eyeglasses on legs of a pair of conventional glasses. This solution is one method of attaching split 3D glasses to conventional glasses.

The present invention describes simple split 3D glasses design with buttonholes to secure it to the frame at the sides and nose piece of a pair of conventional glasses. An elastic split 3D glasses has buttonholes plus an elastic strip so it is suitable for frames both with and without nose pieces. The split 3D glasses with buttonholes with or without elastic strips is a wrap around design which offers a simple solution to temporarily modify conventional glasses. Due to the novel attachment of the split 3D glasses to a conventional frame, the split 3D glasses do not require earpieces or temple tips.

Claims

1. Apparatus for temporarily modifying the lenses of a pair of conventional eyeglasses for the purpose of viewing three-dimensional images, said apparatus comprising: a pair of split 3D glasses including a left eyeglass and a right eyeglass which are separated, the split 3D glasses attaches on the inside of the glasses frame or the outside of the glasses frame and is shaped to follow the contour of the face and the conventional glasses frame. Each split 3D glasses has one, two, three or more buttonholes to secure it to the frame and nose piece of a pair of conventional glasses. An elastic split 3D glasses has buttonholes plus an elastic strip so it is suitable for frames both with and without nose pieces. The split 3D glasses to have a mechanical-based fastening material (hook and loop) attached to them to aid attachment to a conventional pair of glasses. Due to the novel attachment of the split 3D glasses to a conventional frame, the split 3D glasses do not require earpieces or temple tips. One split 3D eyeglass is made of a first polarizing lens/ filter/film/membrane or material such that said first polarizing lens/filter/film/ membrane or material polarizes light passing through one of said lenses of said conventional pair of eyeglasses only, and the second split 3D eyeglass has a second polarizing lens/filter/film/membrane or material having a second polarizing orientation that is different from said first polarizing orientation, said second polarizing lens/filter/film/membrane or material polarizes light passing through the other of said lenses of said conventional pair of eyeglasses. Left and right eyeglasses of the split 3D glasses may carry different distinguishing features to enable the left and right polarizing orientations of said split 3D glasses to be visually distinguished from each other.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left and right glasses of the split 3D glasses is presented to the user joined to form a bridge similar to a bridge of a conventional pair of glasses. The user can choose to separate the left and right glasses of the split 3D glasses prior to placing them over the conventional pair of glasses or place them over their glasses without separating the left and right glasses. The user can separate the left and right glasses of the split 3D glasses prior to attaching them to the conventional pair of glasses and reattach the split 3D glasses bridge piece when watching the 3D programme. The bridge part can be attached to the left and/or right glasses of the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method. The bridge piece is detachable from the left and /or right glasses of the split 3D glasses. The material used for the construction of the bridge may be elastic, plastic or any synthetic or natural material with any fastening or adjusting mechanism. The bridge piece can be made of a hook and loop or another mechanical based fastening material or elastic material or any material that is flexible to fit over the bridge of any conventional pair of glasses.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a combination of mechanical based fastening material and/or buttonholes and/or elastic strips are present together in any arrangement or buttonholes, elastic strips or mechanical based fastening material is present in isolation to aid attachment of the split 3D glasses to a conventional pair of glasses.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said different distinguishing features comprise at least one of: different colours; different hues; different tints; different shapes; different codes; different words; different numbers; different letters.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the polarizing orientations may be horizontal, vertical, circular, linear or of any other geometrical orientation and combination of orientations. The polarizing material may be made up of any combination or layers of material, any degree of flexibility or any size or shape.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the said apparatus may be disposable or reusable.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the polarizing filter/ film/lens/material or membranes used to manufacture the split 3D glasses may be housed in an outer frame. Usual shape conforms to the shape of a conventional eyeglass or spectacle lens and glasses frame. The shape of the split 3D glasses may have a wrap round feel to the design. Due to the novel attachment of the split 3D glasses to a conventional frame, the split 3D glasses do not require earpieces or temple tips. The whole of the split 3D glasses may be made from polarizing filter/film/lens/material/membrane or the polarizing material may be housed within a frame.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the said apparatus has one, two, three or more buttonholes present to secure it to the frame at the sides and/or nose piece of a pair of conventional glasses. The buttonholes can be present on the area of the split 3D glasses that attaches to the frame of a conventional pair of glasses or the area that attaches to the nose piece of a conventional pair of glasses or vice verse. The buttonholes can be present on any part or parts of the split 3D glasses. The buttonholes can be cut directly on to the material used to manufacture the split 3D glasses or the buttonholes can be attached to the split 3D glasses on a secondary material(s). The secondary material(s) can be attached to the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method. The buttonholes can be of any size or shape. The buttonholes are created on the split 3D glasses by any method and can be sealed prior to first use of the split 3D glasses. The buttonholes can be present on the polarizing filter/film/lens/ material or membrane. Together with buttonholes, elastic strip or strips can be present on the split 3D glasses for the purpose of temporarily attaching the split 3D glasses to a conventional pair of glasses. The elastic strips can be present on any part or parts of the split 3D glasses. The elastic strip(s) can be attached directly to the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method. The elastic strip or strips can be used to attach the spilt 3D glasses to the frame, nose piece or any part of a conventional pair of glasses. The elastic strips can be attached directly on to the material used to manufacture the split 3D glasses or the elastic strips can be attached to the split 3D glasses on a secondaiy material(s). The secondary material(s) with the elastic strips can be attached to the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method. The split 3D glasses can contain both buttonholes and elastic strips or buttonholes on their own or elastic strips on their own. The split 3D glasses can have a mechanical-based fastening material attached to them to aid attachment to a conventional pair of glasses or temporarily connect the left and right glasses of the split 3D glasses. The mechanical based fastening material may be attached directly on to the material used to manufacture the split 3D glasses by any temporary or permanent method. The mechanical based fastening material may be attached to the split 3D glasses on a secondary material(s). The secondary material(s) with the mechanical based fastening material may be attached to the split 3D glasses by any permanent or temporary method.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the said apparatus can be made with a combination of material including polarizing filter/film/lens/ material or membrane as a whole or in part. The split 3D glasses if presented in parts, the user will be required to assemble the parts to make the the split 3D glasses prior to use. The parts may be assembled during the manufacture process and presented to the user as whole split 3D glasses. The assembled or non assembled parts of the split 3D glasses can be presented as one, two or more pairs or presented as single split 3D glasses (ie one left pair or one right pair). The different parts of the split 3D glasses may be made out of the same material or different material. The split 3D glasses if presented in parts, can be prepared or assembled by any person with or without specialist training or with and without specialist equipment.

10. Apparatus for temporarily modifying the lenses of a pair of eyeglasses for the purpose of viewing three-dimensional images, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.

11. A method of temporarily modifying the lenses of a pair of eyeglasses for the purpose of viewing three-dimensional images, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.