JP2009098655A - Electronic spectacles - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pair of electronic spectacles having satisfactory feeling of use even when being used for a long time by providing the pair of spectacles well-balanced in weight. <P>SOLUTION: The pair of electronic spectacles composed of frames and lens parts which are connected with the frames and can make focuses electrically variable comprises: control parts which store control circuits for driving lenses for making focuses of the lens parts variable therein and have a hollow cylindrical shape; and power source parts which store power sources for supplying power to the control circuits therein and have a hollow cylindrical shape, wherein the frames are penetrated through the hollow parts of the control parts and power source parts and are made slidable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to both near and near electronic glasses for correcting both myopia and presbyopia symptoms by electrically changing the refractive index, that is, the focal point of a lens.

  Since the function of adjusting the focal length of an eyeball represented by presbyopia decreases with age, people need glasses with two different focal lengths for short distance and long distance. For this purpose, there is a pair of spectacles that have different focal point lens functions. This has regions with different focal lengths in the lens, and in use, the eyeball is moved to a portion having an appropriate focal length at a short distance or a long distance to see an object. However, since the eyeball moves between different focal regions, it tends to cause eye strain until it gets used. In addition, when a lens is extracted due to a disease such as cataract or glaucoma, it is necessary to prepare several types of lenses in daily life and use them properly according to the situation in conventional glasses with fixed focal length lenses. .

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, electronic glasses have been devised in which the refractive index is changed by an electric action to change the focal length (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this configuration, the power source configuration is made of a dry battery or a rechargeable battery, and battery replacement and charging can be easily performed. In addition, a convex lens or a concave lens is formed of a material having a uniaxial refractive index anisotropy different from a refractive index with respect to an extraordinary ray having a vibration direction in a plane including an optical axis, such as liquid crystal, and an ordinary ray, Switching between extraordinary rays and ordinary rays with a polarizing plate, etc., and changing the focal length of the lens, or enclosing a liquid in a transparent polymer material, and controlling the amount of liquid with an electromagnetic pump, etc. There have been widely proposed electronic glasses whose focal point is changed by an electric action, such as a configuration in which the refractive index is changed by changing the lens shape and the focal length is changed (see, for example, Reference 2).
Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-50339 JP 61-61128 A

  However, in the above configuration, the solar cell is placed on the front frame and the rechargeable battery is arranged near the joint of the frame on one side. Had a problem.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide electronic glasses having a good feeling even when used for a long time by balancing the weights of the front, back, left and right of the electronic glasses.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the electronic glasses of the present invention are electronic glasses comprising a frame and a lens unit connected to the frame and capable of electrically changing a focal point, and drive the lens of the lens unit. A control unit having a hollow cylindrical shape storing a control circuit for carrying out the operation, and a power supply unit having a hollow cylindrical shape storing a power source for supplying power to the control circuit, wherein the control unit and the power supply unit The frame is slidably arranged through the hollow portion.

  The electronic glasses of the present invention can balance the weight of the front, rear, left and right frames by arranging the control unit and the power supply on the left and right, or freely moving the control unit to the left (or right) and the power supply unit to the right (or left). I can take it. Furthermore, the weight of the adjustment and the material of the frame can be adjusted to balance the weight. Accordingly, it is possible to simultaneously improve the feeling of wearing, ensure the simplicity of battery replacement, and improve the flexibility of the front frame design.

(Embodiment 1)
The basic configuration of electronic glasses will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic eyeglass, and FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the lens part of the electronic eyeglass and a control block diagram for driving the lens part.

  The electronic glasses 1 shown in FIG. 1 switch the focal length by driving the liquid crystal in the glasses 2 and the left and right lens portions (4, 5) constituting the glasses 2 to change the refractive index. Control units (6a, 6b) and power supply units (3a, 3b) for supplying power to the control units (6a, 6b). In addition, the lens unit (4, 5) is configured to include a frame unit 7 for storing and fixing and mounting the lens unit (4, 5) on a human body.

  The left lens portion 4 and the right lens portion 5 have the same structure, and an enlarged sectional view of one lens portion is shown in FIG. The lens portion has a configuration in which convex transparent plates (10a, 10b) are joined to both sides of a transparent plate 8 formed of a glass plate or the like with spacers (9a, 9b) interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal (11a, 11b) having the same characteristics is sealed between the transparent plates (10a, 10b) to form variable focus lenses (12a, 12b). The rubbing process is performed so that the orientation direction of the liquid crystal (11a, 11b) to be sealed is an arrow direction A in FIG. 2 and an arrow direction B perpendicular to the direction so as to be orthogonal to the direction of incident light incident from the glasses. Do.

Further, SnO ₂ is coated on both surfaces of the transparent plate 8 to provide transparent electrodes (13a, 13b), and SnO ₂ is also formed inside the convex transparent plates (10a, 10b) facing the transparent plate 8. A transparent electrode (14a, 14b) is provided by coating. Both electrodes (14a, 14b) are connected to each other by lead wires or the like and grounded. The electrodes (13a, 13b) on both sides of the transparent plate 8 are also connected to each other. The lens portions (4, 5) produced in this way are fixed to the frame 7. By adopting this configuration, a variable focal length lens that does not require the use of a polarizing plate can be realized as described below.

  Incident light entering the lens unit (4 or 5) can be decomposed into two polarization components orthogonal to each other. When a polarization component parallel to the orientation direction of the arrow A of the variable focus lens 12a enters the variable focus lens 12a, this light component becomes an extraordinary ray with respect to the variable focus lens 12a. At this time, when a voltage is applied to the variable focus lens 12a, the liquid crystal molecules gradually change the alignment direction in a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface in accordance with the voltage. Therefore, the “apparent refractive index” of the variable focus lens 12a for the extraordinary ray component continuously changes from the value for extraordinary light to the value for ordinary light, and the focal length changes. Since the extraordinary light component of the variable focus lens 12a becomes an ordinary light component in the variable focus lens 12b, the “apparent refractive index” does not change and the focal length does not change. Therefore, go straight ahead.

  Now, one incident light component incident on the variable focus lens 12a, that is, a component corresponding to ordinary light with respect to the variable focus lens 12a, does not change the “apparent refractive index” and changes the focal length. do not do. However, since the variable focus lens 12b has a component corresponding to abnormal light, when the voltage is applied to the variable focus lens 12b, the “apparent refractive index” changes and the focal length becomes similar to the operation in the lens 12a described above. Change.

  Since the same voltage is applied to each of the variable focus lenses (12a, 12b), an optimal focal length variable effect is exerted on each polarization component. Therefore, by arranging the optical axis directions of the liquid crystals (11a, 11b) in the two focus variable lenses (12a, 12b) so as to be orthogonal to each other, the lens operates as a variable focal length lens with respect to polarized light in all directions. It will be. Therefore, it is possible to realize a lens that can change the focal length regardless of the polarization direction of incident light without using a polarizing plate.

  Since the refractive index of the liquid crystal (11a, 11b) in the lens portion changes due to a change in environmental temperature, it is necessary to control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules by this temperature. Therefore, the applied voltage control circuit 19 includes a variable voltage output circuit 21 and a characteristic correction circuit 20 that controls the output voltage of the variable voltage output circuit 21 according to the temperature from the temperature sensor 40. The variable voltage output circuit 21 varies the output voltage according to the control voltage input from the characteristic correction circuit 20 and the AC voltage amplitude of the DC / AC converter 22 (or oscillator) that converts direct current from the direct current power source into alternating current. To the electrodes (13a, 13b) on the transparent substrate 8.

  A temperature sensor 40 such as a thermistor is connected in the vicinity of the lens units (4, 5), and its output is input to the differential amplifier 18 via the sensor processing unit 17. The temperature signal input to the differential amplifier 18 is compared with the sensor voltage Vo at the reference temperature when assembled and adjusted in a process or the like, and the difference signal is output.

  The output of the differential amplifier 18 is input to the applied voltage control circuit 19, and the applied voltage control circuit 19 determines the amplitude of the AC voltage that drives the liquid crystal output from the variable voltage output circuit 21 according to the input voltage. To compensate for changes in refractive index due to temperature changes. Depending on the liquid crystal, there is a PWM drive that drives by changing the duty of the drive signal. In this case, the variable voltage output circuit 21 converts the output from the DC / AC converter 22 to the signal amplitude of the applied voltage control circuit 19. In response, PWM modulation is performed to drive the liquid crystal.

  With the above configuration, the orientation of liquid crystal molecules can be controlled by the temperature change of each liquid crystal (11a, 11b) by a signal based on the detection signal level of the temperature sensor 40. Therefore, it is possible to compensate (prevent) the change in the focal length of the lens due to the change in the refractive index.

  The arrangement of the power supply units (3a, 3b) and the control units (6a, 6b), which is the gist of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 6. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the control units (6a, 6b) and the power supply units (3a, 3b) for controlling the lens units (4, 5) are arranged on the left and right frame units 7, respectively. Here, the frame portion 7 refers to a member other than a lens or an electronic circuit, that is, an assembly of a so-called rim, wisdom, temple, modern, or the like.

  The configuration of one power supply unit 3a is shown in FIG. In the present invention, a cylindrical lithium ion rechargeable battery 35 having a hollow portion 30 at the center is used. A rubber fixing semi-fixing member 33 is provided on the inner wall of the hollow portion 30. The periphery of the rechargeable battery 35 is covered with an exterior member 31 made of resin. The outer periphery of the exterior member 31 is covered with a sweat-absorbing cushioning material 34 made of plant fiber or the like. Positive and negative electrodes (38, 39) are provided on the surface of the lithium ion rechargeable battery, and can be connected to the power receiving electrode of the control unit when combined with the control unit. A fitting mechanism such as a screw that can be connected to the control unit 6a is provided at the end of the power supply unit 3a provided with the electrodes. The configuration of the power supply unit 3b is the same as that of the power supply unit 3a.

  The control unit 6a corresponding to the power supply unit 3a has a cylindrical shape similar to that of the power supply unit 3a (not shown), and has a hollow portion at the center. The inner wall of the hollow portion of the control unit is also provided with a rubber-like semi-fixing member, similar to the power supply unit 3a. The cylindrical side surface of the control unit 6a is covered with an exterior member similar to that of the power supply unit 3a, and the surface of the exterior member is covered with a buffer material similar to that of the power supply unit 3a. A power receiving electrode corresponding to the positive and negative electrodes (38, 39) of the power supply unit 3a is provided on the power supply unit 3a side of the control unit 6a, and a fitting mechanism such as a screw corresponding to the power supply unit 3a is provided at an end thereof. Is provided. The configuration of the control unit 6b is the same as that of the control unit 6a.

  Since the power supply units (3a, 3b) and the control units (6a, 6b) of the present invention have the structure described above, they can be easily attached and detached. That is, when the control unit side is fixed and the power supply unit (3a, 3b) is turned 2 to 3 times counterclockwise, the power supply unit is detached, and when the power supply unit (3a, 3b) is rotated clockwise, the power supply unit (3a, 3b) is The control units (6a, 6b) are tightly coupled, and the positive and negative electrodes (38, 39) can be connected to the power receiving electrode on the control unit side. Since it is easy to attach and detach as described above, it is possible to charge the power supply units (3a, 3b) with a dedicated charger.

  In addition, since the power supply unit 3 is fixed to the frame unit 7 via the semi-fixing member 33, the wearer wearing the electronic glasses of the present invention can place the control unit (6a, 6b) and the power supply at an optimal position on the frame. The parts (3a, 3b) can be slid independently and stopped at the optimum position. This can be realized by the rubber property of the semi-fixed member provided on the inner wall of the hollow portion.

Moreover, since the buffer material 34 outside the control unit (6a, 6b) and the power source unit (3a, 3b) is made of dietary fiber or the like, the human body is not adversely affected. In addition, it is possible to simultaneously prevent the shift when wearing the electronic glasses of the present invention and the uncomfortable feeling at the time of wearing. By using this cushioning material 34 in the present invention, it is possible to obtain a simple massage effect by placing it on a pleasant part (for example, a temple) that is stimulated by the wearer, and the comfort of wearing is also conventional. It can be more comfortable than glasses. Instead of hollow lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, AAA or AAA small batteries can be used. In this case, the control unit (6a, 6b) is formed into a hollow cylinder and a dry battery is accommodated therein. Further, if the ear hooking portion 71 of the frame is screwed so that it can be fitted with the control portion (6a, 6b), the connection and separation between the dry battery and the control portion (6a, 6b) can be performed. Can be done. The arrangement of the control units (6a, 6b) may be such that there is no problem even if there is weight, such as in the vicinity of the ear hooking part or in the vicinity of the front lens joint part.

  As an additional merit of this configuration, it is possible to shorten the wiring length for voltage supply to the liquid crystal with a lens part and the hydraulic pump by arranging the right and left dedicated control unit and power supply independently, and the front surface including the nose pad Since there is no need to wire in the frame portion, the degree of freedom in lens and frame design and selection is dramatically improved.

  As applications of the first embodiment, there are configurations shown in FIGS. The details will be described below. First, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 6 and the power supply unit 3 are arranged only on one side of the frame 7, and the counterweight 23 is arranged on the frame 7 on the opposite side. The structure of the counterweight 23 is the same as that of the power source 3a shown in FIG. 3, and is slidable on the frame. The material used for the internal weight is preferably metal. By making the weight of the counterweight 23 equal to the weight of the control unit 6 and the power supply unit 3, it is possible to balance the weight of the entire glasses and improve the wearing feeling.

  Next, in the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the power supply unit 3 is arranged on one side of the frame 7 and the control unit 6 is arranged on the frame 7 on the opposite side. In this way, by adjusting the position of the power supply unit 3 and the control unit 6, the weight balance may be adjusted without causing a sense of incongruity according to the wearer's personality.

Next, the configuration shown in FIG. 7A adjusts the weight balance by devising the arrangement of the power supply unit 3 and the control unit 6 in glasses with different left and right lens thicknesses. In general, the control unit 6 is light and the battery unit 3 is heavy. A thick lens is heavier than a thin lens. Therefore, the control unit 6 is arranged in the frame on the thick lens side, and the power supply unit 3 is arranged in the frame on the thin lens side. By arranging in this way, it is possible to easily adjust the left and right weight balance in glasses using lenses having different powers.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 7B is a method of adjusting the balance by changing the weights of the left and right frames. The weight of the frame 7 on which the control unit 6 is arranged is adjusted to be heavier than the weight of the frame on which the power supply unit 3 is arranged, thereby adjusting the left and right weight balance.

  As described above, FIGS. 5 to 7 show configurations to which the present invention can be applied. However, when adjusting, not only the actual weight but also the weight distribution according to the wearer's sense, the glasses can be more comfortable. In the present invention, since the power supply unit and the control unit are slidable on the frame, such adjustment can be easily performed.

(Embodiment 2)
In recent years, with the spread of mobile phones, WEB services and mail services for mobile phones are increasing. In addition, brain training on mobile game terminals and electronic books are also popular. With the acceleration of personal IT use, even generations who need reading glasses have come to have mobile phones and game terminals (hereinafter referred to as mobile terminals). As described above, there are increasing opportunities for the elderly to see the small screen of the portable terminal. However, it is not comfortable for the elderly with advanced presbyopia to see or input characters on the small screen. Therefore, reading glasses are necessary for such elderly people. In this embodiment, when using a portable terminal, a configuration of electronic glasses that can supply power to the reading glasses from these portable terminals and automatically switch to the power for myopia is shown.

  8A is an image diagram in which the electronic glasses of the present invention are connected to the mobile phone 27, FIG. 8B is an image diagram in which the electronic glasses of the present invention are connected to the portable game terminal 28, and FIG. It is the image figure which connected the electronic glasses of invention and PC29.

  FIG. 9 shows an electronic eyeglass interface block of the present invention. The electronic glasses are connected to the portable terminal or PC using a USB interface. Further, power is supplied to the electronic glasses from the terminal side via the USB. In the electronic eyeglass interface block of the present invention, two data lines of + DATA and -DATA are connected to the control unit 35 via the USB-IF unit 31 from the terminal side. When detecting + DATA and -DATA, the control unit 35 determines that the electronic glasses are connected to the terminal. The control unit 35 that has detected the connection closes the opened USB power supply switching SW 33 and sends the power from the terminal to the power supply unit 32 via Vbus. The power supply unit 32 impedance-converts the power sent from the terminal and sends it to the DC-AC conversion unit 34. After closing the USB power switch SW33, the controller 35 switches the internal power switch SW36 to switch from the internal battery 37 to the output of the DC-AC converter 34. If the output of the DC-AC converter 34 at this time is set to the power for myopia, the wearer's electronic glasses can be automatically set to the myopia mode.

  The switching of the internal power switch SW 36 is preferably performed after the output of the DC-AC converter 34 is stabilized. A known technique can be used for the switching timing at which the output is considered stable. For example, a timer may be provided in the control unit 35 to perform time delay, or the control unit 35 may determine and determine the output of the DC-AC conversion unit 34.

  By performing this configuration, power from a portable terminal or PC can be used for electronic glasses, so a small-capacity battery may be used, and a large-capacity battery need not be built in the eyeglass body. Therefore, weight reduction of electronic glasses can be achieved. A feeling of wearing can be improved by reducing the weight of the electronic glasses main body.

  In addition, when the remaining battery power of the electronic glasses main body is reduced, it is possible to cope with sudden battery exhaustion without inconvenience by connecting to a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PC. Further, since the battery inside the electronic glasses can be charged using the power on the terminal side, there is great convenience.

  The electronic glasses of the present invention can be easily adjusted for the weight balance of the front, rear, left, and right frames, and thus are suitable for electronic glasses with a good wearing feeling. In addition, since the power and information can be used by connecting to mobile phones and mobile terminals, which have been increasing in recent years, it is suitable for electronic glasses with further improved performance.

External view showing the configuration of the electronic glasses of the present invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic glasses of this invention The figure which shows the structure of the power supply part of Embodiment 1. The figure which shows the structure of the control part using the dry cell of Embodiment 1. FIG. Schematic diagram showing another configuration of the first embodiment Schematic diagram showing another configuration of the first embodiment Schematic diagram showing another configuration of the first embodiment The figure for demonstrating the use operation | movement of Embodiment 2. FIG. Block diagram showing a configuration of the second embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic glasses 2 Glasses part 3, 3a, 3b Power supply part 4, 5 Lens part 6, 6a, 6b Control part 7 Frame part 8 Transparent plate 9 Spacer 10a, 10b Convex-shaped transparent plate 11a, 10b Liquid crystal 12a, 12b Focus variable lens 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b Transparent electrode 17 Sensor processing unit 18 Differential amplifier 19 Applied voltage control circuit 20 Characteristic correction circuit 21 Variable voltage output circuit 22 DC / AC converter 23 Counterweight 24 Dry battery 27 Mobile phone 28 Mobile game terminal 29 PC
30 Hollow part 31 USB-IF part 32 Power supply part 33 USB power supply switching SW
34 DC-AC converter 35 Control unit 36 Internal power switch SW
40 Temperature sensor

Claims (11)

Electronic glasses consisting of a frame and a lens part connected to the frame and capable of electrically changing the focus;
A hollow cylindrical control unit containing a control circuit for driving the lens of the lens unit;
A hollow cylindrical power supply unit storing a power supply for supplying power to the control circuit,
Electronic glasses that are slidably disposed through the frame in the hollow part of the control part and the power supply part. The electronic glasses according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member for affixing the frame to the inner wall of the hollow portion of the power supply unit and the control unit is attached. The power supply unit has a fitting mechanism for coupling to the control unit, and has a supply electrode that can transmit and receive electric power when coupled to the control unit, and the control unit is mated with the fitting mechanism. The electronic glasses according to claim 1, further comprising a power receiving electrode that has a mechanism and is connected to the supply electrode when coupled to the power supply unit. The cylindrical member side surface of the power supply unit and the control unit is provided with an exterior member made of resin, and the surface of the exterior member is covered with a cushioning material made of natural material fibers. The electronic glasses listed. The electronic glasses of Claim 3 which arrange | positions the coupling body of the said control part and the said power supply part couple | bonded by the said fitting mechanism only on the one side of the said flame | frame. 6. The electronic glasses according to claim 5, wherein a counterweight for balancing the weight of the combined body is disposed on a frame where the combined body is not disposed. The electronic glasses according to claim 6, wherein the counterweight has the same shape as the combined body, the frame is passed through the hollow portion, and is fixed in contact with the frame by an elastic member provided on the inner wall of the hollow portion. The electronic glasses according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is disposed on one side of the frame, and the control unit is disposed on a frame on which the power supply unit is not disposed. The lens unit includes two left and right lens units. When the left and right lens units have different weights, the power unit is disposed on a frame on a lighter side of the lens unit and is opposite to the power unit. The electronic spectacles according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged in a frame at a position. Frame,
A lens unit electrically connected to the frame and capable of changing a focus;
A control circuit for driving the lens of the lens unit and a cylindrical control unit in which a battery storage unit connected to the control circuit is disposed at the opening end;
Electronic eyeglasses comprising an ear hook for fitting the open end,
Electronic glasses with the control unit disposed on one side of the frame. The electronic glasses include a USB determination block that determines that the electronic glasses are connected to a USB device and cuts off power from the power supply unit and supplies power from the USB device to the control unit when connected. Electronic glasses according to 10.

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