KR20040089672A - Electro-optic lens with integrated components - Google Patents

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ranging device for use with a controller in an optical system is disclosed. The ranging device comprises a transmitter shaped to produce a first beam of non-visible radiation for intersecting a sensed object, a receiver and a transmitter shaped to detect a second beam of non-visible radiation reflected from the sensed object And a controller configured to measure the field of view distance of the detected object based on the signal received from the receiver. Also disclosed is a control method of an optical lens system. The method consists in using a ranging device to measure the viewing distance of an object sensed through the electro-active lens and adjusting the focal length of the first portion of the electro-active lens based on the viewing distance. Also disclosed is an optical lens system. The optical lens system consists of an electro-active lens and a controller coupled to the electro-active lens shaped to adjust the focal length of at least a portion of the electro-active lens based on the signal from the ranging device.

Description

Electro-optic lens with integrated components

In 1998, about 9,200 million vision measurements were performed in the United States alone. Most of these measurements include global checks for internal and external eye pathologies, analysis of muscle balance and binocularity, corneal and in many cases pupil measurements, and finally objective and subjective refraction measurements. It was.

Refraction measurements are performed to understand / diagnose the magnitude and type of refraction errors in the eye. In general, the types of refractive errors that can be diagnosed and measured are myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. Current refractometers (poropters) attempt to correct vision with 20/20 distance and near and in some cases 20/15 distance vision; However, this is an exception.

It should be noted that the theoretical limit at which the retina of the eye can process and define vision is about 20/10. This is much better than the visual acuity level usually obtained by both methods of current refractometers (poropters) and conventional spectacle lenses. Missing from this conventional design is the ability to detect, quantify, and correct non-traditional refractive errors such as aberrations, irregular astigmatism, or lens layer irregularities. Such aberrations, irregular astigmatism and / or lens layer irregularities may be a result of the visual system, aberrations caused by conventional eyewear, or a combination of the two.

It is therefore very beneficial to have a means to detect, quantify and correct visual acuity close to, or possibly better than, 20/10. Moreover, it is beneficial to do this in a very effective and user friendly manner.

Summary of the Invention

An optical lens system is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, an optical lens system consists of an electro-active lens and a controller coupled to an electro-active lens shaped to adjust the focal length of at least a portion of the electro-active based on signals from the ranging device.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a ranging device for use with a controller in an optical system is disclosed. The ranging device is configured to produce a first beam of non-visible radiation to intersect a sensed object, a receiver and transmitter shaped to detect a second beam of non-visible radiation reflected from the sensed object. And a controller configured to measure the field of view distance of the detected object based on the signal received from the receiver.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling an optical lens system is disclosed. The method consists in using a ranging device to measure the viewing distance of an object sensed through the electro-active lens and adjusting the focal length of the first portion of the electro-active lens based on the viewing distance.

The invention will be more fully understood by interpreting the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, references, and the like.

The present invention relates to the field of optics. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electro-active lens system comprising at least some integrated components including a ranging device and a method of using the same.

1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active phoropter / refractometer system 100.

2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an electro-active phosphor / refractometer system 200.

3 is a process diagram of a typical preparation run sequence 300.

4 is a process diagram of an embodiment of a preparation method 400.

5 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of electro-active glasses 500.

6 is a process diagram of an embodiment of a prescription method 600.

7 is a front view of an embodiment of a hybrid electro-active spectacle lens 700.

8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a hybrid electro-active spectacle lens 700 along section line A-A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electro-active spectacle lens 900 across the section line Z-Z of FIG. 5.

10 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active lens system 1000.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the diffractive electro-active spectacle lens 1100 across the section line Z-Z of FIG. 5.

12 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 1200.

13 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the electro-active lens 1200 of FIG. 12 through section line Q-Q.

14 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a tracking system 1400.

15 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active lens system 1500.

16 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active lens system 1600.

17 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 1700.

18 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 1800.

19 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active refractive matrix 1900.

20 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2000.

21 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of electro-active glasses 2100.

22 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2200.

23 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2300.

24 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2400.

25 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2500 across the section line Z-Z of FIG. 5.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2600 across the section line Z-Z of FIG. 5.

27 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a preparation method 2700.

28 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2800.

29 is a schematic diagram of an optical lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

30 is a schematic diagram of an optical lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

31 is a schematic diagram of an optical lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

32 is a schematic diagram of an optical lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

33 is an exploded schematic view of an optical lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

34 is an exploded schematic view of an optical lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

35A-35E illustrate completed assembly steps in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

36A-36E illustrate completed assembly steps in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

37A-37E illustrate completed assembly steps in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

38 is an exploded schematic view of an integrated chip range finder and integrated controller in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

39 is an exploded schematic view of an integrated controller battery and an integrated controller according to another embodiment of the present invention.

40 is an exploded schematic view of an integrated controller range finder in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

41 is a schematic diagram of an optical lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

42 is a schematic diagram of an optical lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

43 is a schematic diagram of an optical lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

44A is an exploded schematic view of an integrated power source, controller and range finder in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44B is a side cross-sectional view of the integrated power, controller and rangefinder of FIG. 44A across Z-Z 'in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a side view of the rangefinder transmitter of FIG. 44B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 46 is a side view of the rangefinder receiver of FIG. 44B, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

47A-47C are side views of a wearer of an optical lens system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

48 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

49 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

50 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

51 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

52 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention utilizes a novel approach to detect, quantify and correct visual acuity. This approach involves several innovative embodiments using electro-active lenses. Moreover, the present invention utilizes a novel approach to selecting, preparing, activating and programming electro-active glasses.

For example, in one embodiment of the invention, a novel electro-active phosphor / refractometer is used. These electro-active poropters / refractometers use a much smaller number of lens components than current poropters and are a fraction of the overall size and / or weight of current poropters. Indeed, an exemplary embodiment of the invention is a single pair mounted within a frame mounting that provides the electrical power necessary for the electro-active lens to function correctly through its structural design or by a network of conductive wires. It consists of an electro-active lens.

Descriptions of various terms are provided to aid in understanding certain embodiments of the invention. In some situations this description is not always limited but should be read correctly within the embodiments, techniques and claims provided herein.

An “electro-active zone” may include or include an electro-active structure, layer, and / or zone. An "electro-active zone" can be part and / or all of an electro-active lens. The electro-active zone may be adjacent to another electro-active zone. The electro-active zones may be attached directly to another electro-active zone or indirectly, for example with insulators between each of the electro-active zones. The electro-active layer can be attached directly to another electro-active layer or indirectly, for example with an insulator between each electro-active layer. "Adhesion" may include bonding, depositing, adhering, and other well-known methods of attachment. A “controller” may include or include a processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, IC, computer chip and / or chip. A "refractometer" can include a controller. An "auto-refractometer" may include a wavefront analyzer. "Near refraction errors" can include presbyopia and other refraction errors that need to be corrected for a clear view at close range. “Mid-range refractive error” may include other refraction errors that need to be corrected to look clean at presbyopia and medium distance. The "far refraction error" may include other refraction errors that need to be corrected to look clean from a distance. The "near" may be from about 6 inches to about 24 inches, more preferably from about 14 inches to about 18 inches. “Medium distance” can be from about 24 inches to about 5 feet. The "distant" may be the distance between 5 feet and infinity, more preferably infinity. “Typical refractive error” may include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and / or presbyopia. “Non-normal refractive errors” can include irregular astigmatism, aberrations of the visual system, and other refractive errors not included in the usual refractive errors. "Optical refraction error" can include aberrations associated with lens optics.

In certain embodiments “glasses” may include one lens. In other embodiments the “glasses” may comprise one or more lenses. "Multi-focal" lenses may include bifocal, triplefocal, quadfocal and / or progressive additional lenses. A “finished” lens blank may include a lens blank that finishes the optical surface on both sides. A "semi-finished" lens blank has an optical surface with only one side finished, while the other side can have a non-optically finished lens and such lenses can be used, for example, to make the lens usable. And / or further modifications such as polishing. "Packaging" may include grinding or polishing extra material to finish the non-finished surface of the semi-finished lens blank.

1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electro-active phosphor / refractometer system 100. Frame 110 includes an electro-active lens 120 coupled to an electro-active lens controller 140 and an electro-active power source 150 via a network of conductive wires 130.

In certain embodiments, the eyeglasses of frame 110 (not shown in FIG. 1) comprise a battery or a power source such as, for example, a micro-fuel cell. In another embodiment of the invention, the glasses or legs of the frame 110 provide the electrical components necessary to plug the power cord directly into the controller / programmer 160 of the electrical outlet and / or electro-active refractometer. Include.

In another embodiment of the invention, the electro-active lens 120 is mounted in a suspended housing assembly so that the face can be accurately positioned for viewing through the electro-active lens while refracted.

While the first embodiment of the invention uses only one pair of electro-active lenses, in certain other embodiments of the invention, a plurality of electro-active lenses are used. Also in other embodiments of the invention a combination of conventional and electro-active lenses is used.

FIG. 2 includes at least one electro-active lens 220 and several conventional lenses, in particular diffractive lens 230, spectroscopic lens 240, astigmatism lens 250 and spherical lens 260. A schematic of an exemplary embodiment of an electro-active refractometer system 220 comprising a housing assembly 210. The network of conductive wires 270 couples the electro-active lens 220 to a controller 280 that provides a power source 275 and a prescription display 290.

In each embodiment of the invention where multiple electro-active lenses and / or combinations of conventional and electro-active lenses are used, the lenses are random and / or non-random, one-at-a. -time) can be used to test vision. In other embodiments of the invention, two or more lenses are added while providing total correction power before each eye required.

Electro-active lenses used in both electro-active poropters and electro-active glasses are composed of hybrid and / or non-hybrid structures. Conventional lens optics in hybrid structures are combined with electro-active zones. No conventional lens optics are used within the non-hybrid structure.

As discussed above, the present invention differs from the current typical preparation run sequence 300 shown in the process diagram of FIG. As shown in steps 310 and 320, eye measurements, which generally include conventional refractometers, are followed by obtaining a prescription and delivering the prescription to a dispenser. The frame and lens are then selected in the dispenser as shown in steps 330 and 340. As shown in steps 350 and 360 the lens is sized, rimmed and assembled to the frame. Finally, in step 370 new prescription glasses are dispensed and awarded.

As shown in the process diagram of FIG. 4, in step 430 within an exemplary embodiment of a method 400 of preparation of the invention, the electro-active glasses are selected by or for the wearer. In step 420 the frame is tailored to the wearer. In step 430 the wearer wears electro-active glasses and in most cases is controlled by an electro-active poropter / refractometer control system coordinated by an eyecare expert and / or technician. However, in certain embodiments of the invention, the patient or wearer can substantially adjust the control system and thus adjust the prescription of their own electro-active lens. In other embodiments of the invention, both the patient / wearer and eye care professional and / or technician may perform with a controller.

Whether adjusted by an eyecare professional, technician and / or patient / wearer at step 440, the control system is used to objectively or subjectively select the best corrective prescription for the patient / wearer. After selecting the appropriate prescription to correct the patient / wearer's vision with the best correction, the eyecare specialist or technician programs the patient's / wearer's electro-active glasses.

In one embodiment of the invention, the selected prescription is programmed with the electro-active spectacles controller and / or one or more controller components prior to the selected electro-active spectacles away from the controller of the electro-active pupil / refractometer. In another embodiment of the invention, the prescription is later programmed with the selected electro-active glasses.

In this case the electro-active glasses are selected, fitted, programmed and formulated in step 450, which is a sequence entirely different from the current conventional glasses. This sequence allows for improved manufacturing, refraction and formulation efficiency.

The method of the invention allows the patient / wearer to actually select their glasses, wear them during their vision test, and program them for corrective prescriptions. In most but not all cases this is done before the patient / wearer leaves the measuring chair and thus ensures total standardization and programs the accuracy of the patient's final prescription as well as the accuracy of the eye refraction itself. Finally, in this embodiment of the invention, patients can virtually wear their electro-active glasses when they get up from the measuring chair and go to the eye care professional's office.

It should be noted that other embodiments of the invention allow the electro-active phosphor / refractometer to simply display or print out the best calibrated prescription of a patient or wearer who has been filled in the same manner as in the past. Generally, the process involves delivering prescriptions written at the preparation location where electro-active glasses (frames and lenses) are sold and prepared.

In another embodiment of the invention, the prescription is also sent electronically, for example, via the Internet to a pharmaceutical location where electro-active glasses (frames and lenses) are sold.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the electro-active spectacles controller and / or one or more controller components are programmed, installed into the electro-active spectacles, or within the electro-active spectacles, if the prescription is not filled at the point where the eye refraction was performed. Directly programmed during installation, followed by refraction. If nothing is added to the electro-active glasses, the electro-active glasses controller and / or one or more controller components are complex built-in parts of the electro-active glasses and do not need to be added later.

27 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a preparation method 2700 of yet another invention. In step 2710 the patient's vision is refracted using some method. In step 2720 a prescription for the patient is obtained. In step 2730 the electro-active glasses are selected. In step 2740 the electro-active glasses are programmed into the wearer's prescription. In step 2750 electro-active glasses are prepared.

5 is a schematic diagram of another inventive embodiment of the electro-active glasses 500. In this embodiment frame 510 includes common electro-active lenses 520 and 522 that are electrically coupled by connecting wires 530 to electro-active glasses controller 540 and power source 550. Section line Z-Z separates general electro-active lens 520.

The controller 540 acts as the “brain” of the electro-active glasses 500 and includes at least one or more inputs, such as at least one or more processor components, at least one or more memory components and ports for storing instructions. It may include an output component. Controller 540 may perform computer tasks such as reading from and writing to memory, calculating a voltage applied to an individual grid element based on a desired refractive index, or patient / user It can act as a local interface between the refractometer / poropter equipment combined with the eyeglasses.

In one embodiment of the invention, the controller 540 is pre-programmed by an eyecare professional or technician who encounters the convergence and compliance needs of the patient. In this embodiment this pre-programming is performed on controller 540 while controller 540 is outside of the patient's glasses, which controller 540 is then inserted into the glasses after measurement. In one embodiment of the invention, the controller 540 is of a “read-only” type that supplies voltage to the grid elements to obtain an array of refractive indices necessary to correct vision for a particular distance. If the patient's prescription changes, the new controller 540 must be programmed by the expert and inserted into the glasses. Such a controller would be a class of ASICs or application specific integrated circuits and their memory and permanently traced process commands.

In another embodiment of the invention the electro-active spectacles controller is first formulated to provide another correction when the patient's needs change, and later the same controller or its components can be reprogrammed. It is programmed from the beginning. This electro-active spectacles controller is extracted from the spectacles and placed in the controller / programmer of the refractometer (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and reprogrammed or measured in situ during the measurement by the refractometer without any removal from the electro-active spectacles. Reprogrammed. The electro-active spectacles controller in this case can be a class or field programmable gate array structure of the FPGA, for example. In this embodiment of the invention the electro-active spectacles controller is only permanently assembled into the spectacles and only requires an interface link to the refractometer which issues a reprogramming command to the FPGA. Part of this link includes external AC power to the electro-active spectacles controller provided by an AC adapter embedded in the refractometer / poropter or in its controller / programmer unit.

In another embodiment of the invention, the electro-active glasses act as a refractometer, and the external equipment coordinated by the eyecare specialist or technician consists only of a digital and / or analog interface to the controller of the electro-active glasses. The electro-active spectacles controller thus also acts as a controller for the refractometer / poropter. The processing electronics required in this embodiment is useful for converting the arrangement of grid voltages into electro-active glasses and reprogramming the electro-active glasses controller with such data after optimal calibration for an empirically determined user. In this case the patient observes the eye chart through his / her own electro-active glasses during the measurement, and the controller in their electro-active glasses is electrically reprogrammed at the same time when he / she selects the best corrective prescription. I don't know

Another innovative embodiment is Humphrey's automatic as a first step, e.g., but not limited to, developed or modified to provide feedback that is compatible with the electro-active lens of the present invention and programmed for use with it. Use an electro-active refractometer, which can be used in combination with an electro-active refractometer (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) such as a refractometer & Nikon's auto-refractometer. This innovative embodiment is used to measure refractive error while a patient or wearer is wearing his or her electro-active glasses. This feedback is fed automatically or manually into the controller and / or the programmer, which then calibrates, programs or reprograms the controller of the user / wearer's electro-active glasses. In this innovative embodiment the electro-active glasses can be re-calibrated as needed without the need for global eye measurement or eye refraction.

In certain other embodiments of the invention vision correction is corrected to 20/20 by an electro-active lens. This is obtained in most cases by correcting common refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and / or presbyopia). In certain other embodiments of the invention, non-normal refractive errors such as aberrations, irregular astigmatism and / or lens layer irregularities of the eye as well as conventional refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and / or presbyopia) are measured and corrected for . In the embodiment of the invention, in addition to the usual refractive errors, aberrations, irregular astigmatism and / or lens layer irregularities of the eye are corrected so that vision is in many cases 20/15, 20/15 or more, 20/10, 20/10 or more. It can be calibrated to 20 or more.

This beneficial error correction is achieved by effectively using electro-active lenses as adaptive optics in the glasses. Adaptive optics have been demonstrated and used for years to correct laser distortions in the atmosphere in ground-based astronomy telescopes as well as laser transmission through the atmosphere for communications and military applications. In these cases, split or "rubber" mirrors are generally used to make small corrections to wave or laser light waves in front of the image. Such mirrors are in most cases manipulated by mechanical actuators.

Adaptive optics, when applied to vision, are based on active probing of the vision system into a light beam, such as an eye-safe laser, and measure retinal reflection or isotropic distortion of an image formed on the retina. This form of isometric analysis estimates flat or spherical probe waves and measures the distortion added to this isoform by the visual system. By comparing the initial isomorphism to the warp, the skilled measurer can determine what abnormalities exist in the visual system and prescribe an appropriate corrective prescription. However, there are various comparable isometric analyzer designs, and modifications of the electro-active lenses described herein for use as transmissive or reflective spatial light modulators to perform isotropic analysis included within the present invention. Examples of plane analyzers are provided in US Pat. Nos. 5,777,719 (Williams) and 5,949,521 (Williams), respectively, incorporated by reference.

However, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the image light waves are distributed by a grid arrangement of electrically driven pixels whose refractive indices can be varied, and by means of variable indices to accelerate or slow down the light passing through them. Small corrections or adjustments are made. In this way the electro-active lens becomes an adaptive optic capable of compensating for spatial defects inherent in the optics of the eye itself to obtain an image with little aberration on the retina.

In certain embodiments of the invention, because the electro-active lens is generally two-dimensional, the fixed spatial aberration caused by the optical system of the eye incorporates a small index of refractive correction on top of the overall vision correction prescription needed by the patient / user. Can be compensated for. In this way, vision can be corrected to a better level than can be achieved with normal convergence and accommodation correction, and in many cases can result in good vision of 20/20 or better.

To achieve better vision than this 20/20 correction, the patient's visual aberration can be measured, for example, by a modified autorefractometer using an isotropic sensor or an analyzer specially designed for measuring eye aberrations. If other types of visual aberrations and non-traditional refractive errors are determined in both scale and spatial terms, then the controller in the glasses may have other types of such aberrations and non-traditional refractive errors in addition to global myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and / or astigmatism correction. It can be programmed to incorporate an index of 2-D spatially-dependent refraction change to compensate. Thus embodiments of the electro-active lenses of the present invention can electro-actively correct what is caused by aberrations or lens optics in the patient's vision system.

Thus, for example, a specific power correction of -3.50 diopters is required for certain electro-active divergent lenses that correct the wearer's myopia. In this case an array of different voltages V ₁ ... V _N is applied to the M elements in the grid array to produce an array of different indices of reflection N ₁ ... N _M giving -3.50 diopter power to the electro-active lens. . However, certain elements in the grid arrangement require a plus or minus 0.50 unit change in their indexes N ₁ ... N _M to compensate for visual aberrations and / or non-traditional refractive errors. Small voltage deviations corresponding to these changes apply to suitable grid elements in addition to the basic near-correction voltage.

Irregular astigmatism, e.g., non-traditional refractive errors such as tear layers in front of the cornea, each anterior or posterior, aqueous irregularities, visual refractive irregularities such as anterior or posterior to the lens lens, transparent irregularities, or caused by the visual refractive system itself An electro-active refractometer / phoropter is used according to the embodiment of the inventive method 600 of FIG. 6 to detect, quantify or correct as much of the other aberration as possible.

In step 610, conventional refractometers, electro-active refractometers with both conventional and electro-active lenses or electro-active refractometers or auto-refractometers with only electro-active lenses, if necessary, have negative power (for myopia), plus It is used to measure refractive error using conventional lens powers such as power (for primitive), cylindrical power and axis (for astigmatism) and prism power. This approach can be used to obtain what is now known as BVA (best visual acuity) of a patient by conventional corrective refractive errors. However, certain embodiments of the present invention make it possible to enhance vision more than would be achieved by current conventional refractometers / poropters.

Thus step 610 provides further refinement of the prescription by a non-conventional method of invention. The prescription to achieve this end point in step 610 is programmed into the electro-active refractometer. The patient is accurately positioned to view through an electro-active lens with a multi-grid electro-active structure in a modified, compatible autorefractometer or isometry analyzer that automatically measures refractive errors accurately. This refractive error measurement detects and quantifies as many non-traditional refractive errors as possible. This measurement allows the patient to achieve the best focus on the fovea along the line of view when viewed through the targeted area of the electro-active lens while the patient is made through the small targeted area of about 4.29 mm of the electro-active lens. The necessary prescription is automatically computerized. Once these measurements are made, these non-traditional calibrations are stored in the controller / programmer memory for later use or programmed into a controller that controls the electro-active lens. This is of course repeated for both eyes.

In step 620 the patient or wearer optionally determines the final prescription and the use of a control unit that will enable further refinement of conventional refractive errors, non-traditional refractive errors or a combination of both. Instead or in addition, in some cases, eye care specialists improve until no further improvement is performed. In this respect, BVA for improved patients is achieved which is better than useful via conventional techniques.

The further refined prescription is then programmed in step 630 with a controller that controls the prescription of the electro-active lens. In step 640 the electro-active glasses programmed are prepared.

While the steps 610 to 640 provide embodiments of a method of the invention that differ depending on the judgment or approach of the eye care professional, a number of different but similar approaches exist with electro-active refractometers / poropters only or with isotropic analyzers. Combinations can be used to detect, quantify and / or correct vision. Any method using an electro-active refractometer / poropter that detects, quantifies and / or corrects visual acuity with or without isometry analyzers regardless of the sequence is considered part of the invention. For example, in certain embodiments of the invention steps 610 to 640 may be performed in a modified method or other sequence. Moreover, in embodiments of certain other inventive methods, the targeted area of the lens shown at step 610 is in the range of about 3.0 millimeters in diameter to about 8.0 millimeters in diameter. Also in another embodiment of the invention, the targeted area can be anywhere from about 2.0 millimeters in diameter to the area of the entire lens.

Thus, even if this discussion is too focused on refractions using various forms of electro-active lenses alone or in combination with an isometry analyzer that performs later eye measurements, the emerging technology allows simple objective measurement and potentially patient communication. There is another possibility of eliminating the need for reactions or interactions. Many embodiments of the invention described and / or claimed herein are intended to perform with any form of measurement system, whether objective, subjective, or a combination of both.

Returning to the electro-active lens itself as discussed above, embodiments of the invention relate to an electro-active refractometer / poropter with a novel electro-active lens that can be a hybrid or non-hybrid structure. The hybrid structure results in a combination of conventional single vision or multifocal lens optics with at least one electro-active zone located between the front surface, back surface and / or front and back surfaces, the electro-active zone being electrically focused It consists of an electro-active material with electro-active means necessary to change it. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the electro-active zones are specially located on the concave surface inside or behind the lens to protect it from scratches and other common wear. In most embodiments where the electro-active zone is included in some of the convex surfaces above, a scratch resistant coating is applied in most cases. Conventional single vision lenses or a combination of conventional multifocal lenses and electro-active zones provide the total lens power of a hybrid lens design. Non-hybrids result in lenses that are electro-active because nearly 100% of the refractive power is generated solely by the electro-active properties.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of an exemplary hybrid electro-active spectacle lens 700, and FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view through line A-A thereof. In this embodiment lens 700 includes lens optic 710. An electro-active layer 720, which may have one or more electro-active regions that occupy all or part of the electro-active layer 720, is attached to the lens optic 710. Frame layer 730 is also attached to at least a portion around lens optic 710 and electro-active layer 720. Lens optic 710 includes astigmatism power correction zone 740 with astigmatism axis A-A that rotates about 45 degrees in the horizontal direction to the right only in this particular embodiment. Covering electro-active layer 720 and frame layer 730 are optional cover layers 750.

As will be discussed later, the electro-active layer 720 may comprise a liquid crystal and / or a polymer gel. Electro-active layer 720 may also include an alignment layer, a metal layer, a conductive layer, and / or an insulating layer.

In another embodiment the astigmatism correction zone 740 is removed such that the lens optic 710 corrects only spherical power. In another embodiment lens optics 710 correct for long, near and / or both and / or several common refractive errors, including spherical, cylindrical, spectroscopic and / or aspheric errors. can do. Electro-active layer 720 may also correct for non-traditional refractive errors, such as near and / or aberration. In other embodiments, the electro-active layer 720 can correct several common or non-normal refractive errors, and the lens optic 710 can correct for conventional refractive errors.

It has been found that electro-active lenses with a hybrid structural approach have distinct advantages over non-hybrid lenses. These advantages are low electrical power requirements, small battery size, long battery life expectancy, less complex electrical circuits, less conductors, less insulators, less manufacturing costs, increased visual transparency, and increased structural integrity. However, it should be noted that non-hybrid electro-active lenses have their own advantages, including reduced thickness and high volume manufacturing.

Also, in some embodiments, both non-hybrid and full field hybrid and field hybrid approaches both have large quantities of a very limited number of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), for example when the electro-active structural design used is a multi-grid electro-active structure. It was found that this would enable the manufacture. In this case a large amount of manufacturing is only necessary if the focus is first on a limited number of differentiated features such as curvature and size for the anatomical fit of the wearer.

To understand the importance of this improvement, one should understand the many conventional lens blanks needed to process most prescriptions. About 95% of the calibration prescriptions include spherical power calibration in the range of -6.00 diopters to +6.00 diopters. There are about 49 commonly prescribed spherical powers based on this range. The 0.25 diopter increase in this prescription involving astigmatism correction is 95% in the range of -4.00 diopters to +4.00 diopters. Based on this range there are about 33 commonly prescribed astigmatism (cylindrical) powers. However, astigmatism is about 360 degrees in the astigmatism axis direction, which is usually prescribed in 1 degree increments because of its axial component. Thus there are 360 different astigmatism prescriptions.

Moreover, many prescriptions contain a bifocal component for correcting presbyopia. A 0.25 diopter increase in this prescription with presbyopia correction is 95% in the range within +3.00 diopters from +1.00 diopters, thus resulting in about 9 commonly prescribed presbyopia powers.

Since some embodiments of the present invention may provide spherical, cylindrical, axial and presbyopic correction, one non-hybrid electro-active lens may provide 5,239,080 (= 49 x 33 x 360 x 9) other prescriptions. Thus, one non-hybrid electro-active lens can eliminate the need for a large number of manufacturing and / or stock multi-lens blank SKUs, and more importantly the need to grind and polish each lens blank of a particular patient's prescription. Can be removed.

More than one non-hybrid electro-active lens SKU can be manufactured and / or supplied in bulk to assess various lens curvatures needed to adjust for anatomical issues such as facial shape, eyelash length, and the like. Nevertheless, many SKUs can be reduced to less than about 5 million.

It has been found that for hybrid electro-active lenses it is possible to reduce the number of SKUs required by correcting conventional refractive errors with lens optics and using an almost centered electro-active layer. As shown in FIG. 7, the lens 700 can be rotated because it is necessary to position the astigmatism axis A-A to the desired position. Thus the number of hybrid lens blanks required can be reduced by a factor of 360. Moreover, the electro-active zone of the hybrid lens can provide presbyopia correction to reduce the number of lens blanks required by a factor of nine. Thus, a hybrid electro-active lens embodiment can reduce the number of lens blanks required from more than 5 million to 1619 (= 49 x 33). The mass production and / or supply of this number of hybrid lens blank SKUs is theoretically possible, thus eliminating the need for grinding and polishing.

Nevertheless, grinding and polishing of semi-finished hybrid lens blanks into a finished lens blank leaves a possibility. 28 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a semi-finished lens blank 2800. In this embodiment the semi-finished lens blank 2800 has a lens optic 2810 with a finished surface 2820, an unfinished surface 2830 and a partial field electro-active layer 2840. In another embodiment semi-finished lens blank 2800 may have a full field electro-active layer. Furthermore, the electro-active structure of the semi-finished lens blank 2800 may be multi-grid or single interconnect. Semi-finished lens blanks 2800 may also have refractive and / or diffractive properties.

In the hybrid or non-hybrid embodiment of the electro-active lens, a significant number of orthodontic prescriptions can be generated, and can be modified and controlled by a programmable controller, ordered for the specific prescription needs of the patient. It can be produced by the active lens and can be ordered. Thus, millions of prescriptions and numerous lens styles and single vision lens blanks are no longer needed, as well as numerous multifocal semi-finished rented blanks. In fact, as we know, revolutions occur in most lens and frame manufacturing and distortions.

The present invention is directed to both non-hybrid electro-active lenses as well as full and partial field specific hybrid electro-active lenses, which are then pre-manufactured electro glasses (frames and / or lenses) or ordered electro glasses delivered to a patient or customer. It should be noted that it includes. If the glasses are pre-standardized and assembled, both the frame and the lens are pre-fabricated with a lens that is already framed and entered into the glasses frame. The necessary electrical components may also be pre-standardized and sent to the eye care professional's site for the patient's prescription or to another site, for example, for the installation of a programmed controller and / or one or more controller components. Programmable and reprogrammable controllers as well as mass production of bearing frames and lenses are also considered part of the invention.

In certain cases, the controller and / or one or more controller components may be part of a pre-fabricated frame and electro-active lens assembly, which may then be programmed at the eye care professional's site or at another site. The controller and / or one or more controller components may be in the form of a chip or thin film, for example, and may be mounted in the frame of the glasses, on the frame, in the lens, on the lens. The controller and / or one or more components may or may not be reprogrammable based on the business strategy in effect. If the controller and / or one or more controller components are reprogrammable, this may result in repeated updating of the prescription as long as the patient or client is satisfied with his or her eyeglass frame as well as the cosmetic appearance and functionality of the electro-active lens. updating will be enabled.

In the latter case, non-hybrid and hybrid electro-active lenses must be structurally safe to protect the eye from wounds from foreign material. Most spectacle lenses in the United States must pass the shock test required by the FDA. In order to meet this need, it is important for the support structure to be assembled inside or on the lens. For the hybrid type this is achieved using, for example, prescription or non-prescription single vision or multifocal lens optics as the structural base. For example, the hybrid type structural base may be made of polycarbonate. For non-hybrid lenses the electro-active material and thickness chosen in certain embodiments is important for this desired structure. In other embodiments, a non-prescription carrier base or substrate on which the electro-active material is located is important for this required protection.

In certain hybrid designs it may be necessary to maintain proper distance correction when using an electro-active zone in the spectacle lens when power disturbances to the lens occur. Incorrect Battery or Bonding In some cases, it can be dangerous if the wearer drives a car, drives an airplane, or loses his distance correction. In order to prevent such an event, the inventive design of the electro-active spectacle lens can provide a distance correction that is maintained when the electro-active zone is in the OFF position (disabled or powered off). In embodiments of the present invention this may be achieved by providing distance correction with conventional fixed focal length optics regardless of refractive or diffractive hybrid type. Thus additional power addition is provided by the electro-active zones. Thus a fault-safe electro-active system occurs because conventional lens optics will preserve the wearer's distance correction.

9 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of another electro-active lens 900 having lens optics 910 index matched to the electro-active layer 920. In this illustrative embodiment, the diverging lens optic 910 with refractive index n ₁ provides distance correction. The electro-active layer 920 attached to the lens optic 910 may have one inactivated state and multiple activated states. When the electro-active layer 920 is in an inactive state, it has a refractive index n ₂ approximately matching the refractive index n ₁ of the lens optic 910. More precisely, when deactivated, n ₂ is in the 0.05 refractive unit of n ₁ . Electric-frame layer 930 surrounding the active layer 920 has a refractive index n ₃ that also approximately matches the index of refraction n ₁ of the lens optic 910 within 0.05 refractive units of n _1.

10 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of another electro-active lens system 1000. In this illustrative embodiment, the electro-active lens 1010 includes a lens optic 1040 and an electro-active layer 1050. Rangefinder transmitter 1020 is located above electro-active layer 1050. In addition, the rangefinder detector / receiver 1030 is located above the electro-active layer 1050. In alternative embodiments, the transmitter 1020 or receiver 1030 may be located within the electro-active layer 1050. In another alternative embodiment, the transmitter 1020 or receiver 1030 may be located in or above the lens optic 1040. In other embodiments, the transmitter 1020 or receiver 1030 may be located above the outer covering layer 1060. Further, in other embodiments, the transmitter 1020 and the receiver 1030 may be located above any combination of the above.

11 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a diffractive electro-active lens 1100. In this illustrative embodiment, the lens optic 1110 provides distance correction. The diffractive pattern 1120 etched on one surface of the lens optic 1110 has a refractive index n ₁ . Electro-active layer 1130 attached to lens optic 1110 and covering diffractive pattern 1120 has a refractive index n ₂ close to n ₁ when electro-active layer 1130 is in an inactive state. In addition, the frame layer 1140 attached to the lens optic 1110 is made of substantially the same material as the lens optic 1110 and at least partially surrounds the electro-active layer 1120. Covering 1150 is attached over electro-active layer 1130 and frame layer 1140. The frame layer 1140 can also be an extension of the lens optic 1110 and no substance layer can be added, but the lens optic 1110 is assembled to frame or circumscribe the electro-active layer 1130.

12 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an electro-active lens 1200 with multifocal optics 1210 attached to an electro-active frame layer 1220, and FIG. 13 is a side view. In this illustrative embodiment, the multifocal optic 1210 is a progressive additive lens design. In addition, the multifocal optic 1210 includes a first optical refractive focus region 1212 and a second progressive additive optical refractive focus region 1214. An electro-active frame layer 1220 with an electro-active zone 1222 attached to the multifocal optic 1210 is located over the second optical refractive focus zone 1214. Cover layer 1230 is attached to electro-active frame layer 1220. It should be noted that the frame layer can be electro-active or non-electro-active. When the frame layer is electro-active, an insulating material is used to insulate the activated region from the non-activated region.

For most inventions, but not all, in order to program electro-active glasses for optimal correction of vision, correction for non-traditional refractive errors tracks eye movement of the patient or wearer, thereby providing line-of-eye for each eye. Required to track line-of-sight

14 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of tracking system 1400. Frame 1410 includes an electro-active lens 1420. Attached to the backside of the electro-active lens 1420 (surface close to the wearer's eye, also called the proximal surface) is a tracking signal source 1430, such as a light emitting diode. Also attached to the backside of the electro-active lens 1420 is a tracking signal receiver 1440, such as a light reflecting sensor. Receiver 1440 and possibly source 1430 are coupled to a regulator (not shown) that includes a trace to its memory indication. Using this approach it is possible to very accurately determine the position of the eye movement up, down, right, left and any change thereof. This is necessary, but not all, as some type of non-traditional refraction error that must be corrected and separated within the line-of-sight (eg, the particular cornea that moves as the eye moves). For irregular or bumps).

In various alternative embodiments, the source 1430 and / or receiver 1440 may be attached to the back of the frame 1410, buried in the back of the frame 1410 and / or buried in the back of the lens 1420. have.

An important part of any spectacle lens, including electro-active spectacle lenses, is the part used to produce the most pronounced image quality within the user's field of view. Although a healthy person can see approximately 90 degrees on each side, the most pronounced visual sensitivity is located within a smaller field of view corresponding to the portion of the retina with the best visual sensitivity. This area of the retina is known as a fovea and is a circular area measuring approximately 0.40 mm in diameter in the retina. In addition, the eye makes an image of the scene through the entire pupil diameter, so that the pupil diameter will also affect the size of the most important part of the spectacle lens. The important area that results from the spectacle lens is simply the sum of the pupil diameter of the eye plus the projection of the povia field of view to the spectacle lens.

The typical range for the pupil diameter of the eye is 3.0 to 5.5 mm with the most common value of 4.0 mm. The average povia diameter is approximately 0.4 mm.

The typical range for the size of the povia that projected the size with the spectacle lens is influenced by variables such as the length of the eye and the distance from the eye to the spectacle lens.

The tracking system of this particular embodiment of the invention locates the region of the electro-active lens in relation to eye movement with respect to the povia region of the patient's retina. This is as important as the software of the invention is programmed to always correct for non-traditional refraction errors that can be corrected as the eye moves. Thus, in most but not all embodiments of the invention, correction for non-traditional refraction errors for electro-activity results in a line-of-sight when the eye fixes or stares at its target. It is necessary to change the area of the lens passing through. In other words, in this particular inventive embodiment, the majority of the electro-active lenses correct for conventional refractive errors and the target electro-active area focus as the eye moves to correct for non-normal refractive errors taking into account angles. Moving through tracking systems and software, the line-of-site traverses different parts of the lens and factors it into the final prescription for a specific area.

In most, but not all, embodiments of the invention, tracking systems and legalization software are used to maximize human vision when viewing or staring at distant objects. If a tracking system is used when looking at near points, it is used to calculate the range of near point focus or to broker the required focus range to correct for harmonious and near convergence. Of course this is programmed with an electro-active spectacles and / or one or more regulator elements as part of the patient's or wearer's prescription. In still other embodiments of the invention, the range detector and / or tracking system is combined into a lens and / or frame.

In other embodiments of the invention, for all but not all types of non-traditional refractive errors, such as astigmatism, but in most cases electro-active lenses are not needed in the eyes of the patient or wearer. In this case the entire electro-active lens is programmed for correction as with other conventional refractive errors of the patient.

In addition, since deviations are directly related to seeing long distances, they have been found to be correctable to seeing long distances. Once the departures or departures are measured, correction of these departures in the electro-active layer is possible by separating the electro-active zones to electro-actively correct the deviations for specific distances such as distant, intermediate and / or near vision Do. For example, an electro-active lens can be separated into a distant field of view, a medium field of view, and a near field of view correction area, and each software that adjusts each area creates an area for correction for such deviations that impact the corresponding vision distance. . Thus, in this particular inventive embodiment, it is possible to correct for non-refractive errors without a tracking mechanism, where each separated region corrects for a particular deviation of a certain distance so that the electro-active layer is separated for a different distance.

Finally, it should be pointed out that in another inventive embodiment, it is possible to make corrections of non-traditional refractive errors such as those caused by departures without physically separating the electro-active zones and tracking. In this embodiment, using the sight distance as input, the software adjusts the focus of a given electro-active area to account for the necessary correction for deviations without impacting the field of view at a given sight distance.

Moreover, it has been found that hybrid or non-hybrid electro-active lenses can be designed to have a full field or partial field effect. By the full field effect it is meant that the electro-active layer or layers cover most of the lens area in the spectacle frame. For the whole field, the total electro-active area can be adjusted to the desired power. In addition, the full field electro-active lens can be adjusted to provide a partial field. However, the partial field electro-active specific lens design cannot be adjusted over the entire field due to the circuitry needed to make it partial field specific. In the case of a full field lens tuned to be a partial field lens, the partial region of the electro-active lens can be adjusted to the desired power.

15 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of another electro-active lens system 1500. Frame 1510 includes an electro-active lens 1520 with a partial field 1530.

For purposes of comparison, FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of another electro-active lens system 1600. In this illustrative embodiment, the frame 1610 includes an electro-active lens 1620 having a full field 1630.

In some embodiments, the multifocal electro-active optics are prefabricated and in some cases listed at the dispensing position as a finished multifocal electro-active lens blank due to the significantly reduced number of SKUs required. This inventive embodiment permits a distribution site to simply fit and edge the listed multifocal electro-active lens blank into the electron legalizing frame. In most cases this invention may be a partial field specific type electro-active lens, but also works for a full field electro-active lens.

In one hybrid embodiment of the invention, conventional single field lens optics of aspheric or spherical designs with toric surfaces for astigmatism and correction of spherical surfaces are used to provide distance power requirements. If astigmatism correction requires adequate power, a single field of view lens optic is selected and rotated to the appropriate astigmatism axis position. This allows single field lens optics to be edged with respect to eye wire frame style and size. The electro-active layer can be applied to a single field of view lens optic or the electro-active layer can be applied before edging and the total lens unit can be edged later. For edging in which the electro-active layer is attached to the lens optics of a single field of view or multifocal electro-active optics, before edging, an electro-active material, such as a polymer gel, can be beneficial across the liquid crystal material.

The electro-active matrix can be applied to lens optics that are compatible by other techniques known in the art. Compatible lens optics are optics whose curves and surfaces accept suitably the electro-active layer from the stand points of bonding, aesthetics and / or suitable final lens power. For example, the adhesive can be used to apply the adhesive directly to the lens optic and place it under the electro-active layer. Also, the electro-active layer can be prepared by attaching to a release film, in which case it can be removed and reattached to the lens optics. It can also be attached to a two-way film carrier, which itself is attached to the lens optics. In addition, it can be applied using surface casting technology, in which the electro-active layer is made in-situ.

In the previously mentioned hybrid embodiments, FIG. 12, which is a combination of static and non-static approaches, is used to meet near-middle point viewing needs, with moderately necessary distance correction, e.g. full near add. Multifocal progressive lens 1210 with approximately +1.00 diopters (or "D") of power is used instead of the single field of view lens optics. Using this embodiment, the electro-active layer 1220 may be embedded inside the lens optic and located on one side of the multifocal progressive lens optic. This electro-active layer is used to provide additional add power.

When using lower add power in the lens optic than is required by the entire multifocal lens, the final add power is the total added power of the low multifocal add and additionally needed near power generated by the electro-active layer. For example, if the multifocal progressive additive lens optic has an add power of +1.00 and the electro-active layer produces near power of +1.00, the total near power for the hybrid electro-active lens is + 2.00D. Using this approach, it is possible to reduce unwanted perceived distortion from multifocal lenses, especially progressive additive lenses.

In some hybrid electro-active embodiments, multifocal progressive addition lens optics are used so that the electro-active layer is used to relieve unwanted astigmatism. This is done by neutralizing or substantially reducing unwanted astigmatism through electro-actively made neutralizing power compensation in the lens area where unwanted astigmatism is present.

In some embodiments of the invention, partial field decentration is required. Appropriate astigmatism of single field lens optics to enable correcting astigmatism as well as placing an electronically variable power field at a suitable location in the human eye when applying a decentered partial field electro-active refractive matrix It is necessary to align the electro-active refractive matrix in such a way as to adjust the axial position. It is also necessary to align partial field positions in order to enable proper decentralization of the patient's pupil needs when designing the partial field. Also, unlike conventional lenses, where electrostatic bifocals, multifocals, or progressive zones are always located below the human distance-viewing gaze, the use of electro-active lenses enables certain manufacturing freedoms that are not useful in conventional multifocal lenses. The ship was found. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the electro-active zone is generally located where one finds the far, middle and near field of vision of a conventional non-electro-active multi-focus lens. For example, the electro-active zone is located at more than 180 meridian of the lens optics to enable the multifocal near field of view to be sometimes provided above 180 meridians of the lens optics. Providing more than 180 Meridian's near field of view of lens optics is useful for eyewear wearers who work close to the front of the wearer or directly above the object, such as working with computer monitors or nailing picture frames overhead. This may be particularly useful.

In the case of non-hybrid electro-active lenses or hybrid full field lenses and for example 35 mm diameter hybrid partial field lenses, the previously mentioned electro-active layer is a single field lens optic, or an electro-active finished multifocal lens blank. It can be applied directly to a multifocal progressive lens optic prior to lens aging for the form of lens installation of the frame, or pre-fabricated with lens optics to make the lens optics. This will allow all optical preparation rooms to provide fast service with minimal requirements for expensive assembly equipment. This is beneficial for manufacturers, retailers, patients and consumers.

Considering the size of the partial field, for example, in one embodiment, the partial field specific region can be a 35mm diameter centered or decentered round design. It should be pointed out that the diameter size can vary as needed. In certain inventive embodiments 22 mm, 28 mm, 30 mm & 36 mm round diameters are used.

The size of the partial field may depend on the structure of the electro-active layer and / or the electro-active field. At least two such structures are observed within the scope of the present invention, namely single-interconnect electro-active structures and multi-grid electro-active structures.

17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 1700 with a single interconnect structure. Lens 1700 includes lens optic 1710 and electro-active layer 1720. Within electro-active layer 1720, insulator 1730 separates activated partial field 1740 from framed non-activated field (or region) 1750. Single wire interconnect 1760 connects the activated field to the power supply and / or regulator. In most but not all embodiments, a single interconnect structure has a pair of electrical conductors that couple it to a power source.

18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 1800 with a multi-grid structure. Lens 1800 includes lens optic 1810 and electro-active layer 1820. Within the electro-active layer 1820, the insulator 1830 separates the activated partial field 1840 from the framed non-activated field (or region) 1850. Multiple wire interconnects 1860 connect the activated field to the power supply and / or regulator.

It has been found that using a smaller diameter for the partial field, the difference in electro-active thickness from the edge of the partial field specific area can be minimized when using a single interconnect electro-active structure. This is particularly positive in minimizing the electrical power requirements as well as the number of electro-active layers required for single interconnect structures. This is not always the case for partial field specific regions using multi-grid electro-active structures. When using a single interconnect electro-active structure, in many invention embodiments, but not all, a plurality of single interconnect electro-active structures may have multiple combined electro-active powers of, for example, + 2.50D. Layered in or on the lens to make it. In this embodiment only, five + 0.50D single interconnect layers can be placed on top of each other separated by an insulating layer in most cases. In this way, adequate electrical power can in some cases minimize the electrical requirements of one thick single interconnect layer, which is impractical to adequately conduct current, making the necessary refractive index changes for each layer.

In the present invention, certain embodiments with multiple single interconnect electro-active layers can pass current in a sequence programmed such that it has the ability to focus over a range of distances. For example, two + 0.50D single interconnect electro-active layers could conduct current and two additional + 0.50D singles, creating a +1.00 intermediate focus for the + 2.00D presbyopian to see the fingertip distance. The interconnect electro-active layer was able to conduct current so that it could read as close as 16 inches to a person with + 2.00D presbyopia. The power of each layer as well as the exact number of electro-active layers can vary depending on the optical design as well as the total power required to cover a particular range of adjacent and intermediate viewing distances for a particular presbyopian person.

In addition, in some other inventive embodiments, a combination of one or more single interconnect electro-active layers is present in the lens combined into a multi-grid electro-active structure layer. Again, this gives you the ability to focus on mid and close ranges, assuming proper programming. Finally, in other inventive embodiments, only multi-grid electro-active structures are used in hybrid or non-hybrid lenses. Multi-grid electro-active structures, and / or one or more regulator elements in combination with suitably programmed electro-active spectacles regulators, allow for focusing over a wide range of medium and close distances.

In addition, semi-finished electro-active lens blanks that allow surfacing are also within the scope of the invention. In this case, the decentered, centered, partially field electro-active layer or the full field electro-active layer combined with the blank is combined with the blank and makes the necessary correction regimen to the surface.

In some embodiments the variable power electro-active field is positioned over the entire lens and adjusted as a constant spherical power change over the entire lens surface to accommodate the human near vision focus requirement. In other embodiments, the variable power field produces an aspherical peripheral power effect to reduce distortion and aberration while being adjusted over the entire lens as a constant spherical power change. In the embodiments discussed above, the far power is corrected by a single field of view, multifocal finished lens blank or multifocal progressive lens optics. An electro-active optical layer primarily corrects for working far focus needs. It should be noted that this is not always the case. In some cases, a single field of view, multifocal finished lens optics, or multifocal progressive lens optics for remote spherical power only, and a single field of view or astigmatism for the correction of near field action power and astigmatism or only astigmatism with an electro-active refractive matrix It is possible to use multifocal lens optics and to correct spherical power and near field action power through the electro-active layer. It is also possible to use plano, single field of view, multifocal finished lens optics or progressive multifocal lens optics and to correct distant spherical and astigmatism needs by an electro-active layer.

It should be pointed out in the present invention that power calibration is required whether the total distance power requirement as well as the prismatic, spherical or aspherical power, midrange power demand and near point power requirements can be performed with many additional power elements. This may be all distance spherical power requirements, some of the distance spherical power requirements, all of the astigmatism power requirements, some of the astigmatism power requirements, all of the triangular power requirements, some of the triangular power requirements, or total focusing needs when combined with an electro-active layer Any combination of any of the above to provide a single field of view or finish includes the use of a focal lens optic.

It has been found that the electro-active layer enables the use of adaptive optic correction-like techniques to maximize the field of view through his or her electro-active lens before or after the last assembly. This allows the patient or the intended wearer to see through the electro-active lens or lenses and to adjust it manually or to measure conventional and / or non-traditional refractive errors and to correct the remaining refractive errors such as spherical, astigmatism, deviation, etc. This can be done via a designed auto refractor. This technique allows the wearer to get 20/10 or better visibility in many cases.

In addition, it should be noted that in certain embodiments a Fresnell power lens layer is used along the electro-active layer as well as along a single field of view or multifocal or multifocal lens blanks or optics. For example, Fresnel layers are used to provide spherical power to reduce lens thickness, single field lens optics to calibrate astigmatism, and electro-active layers to calibrate medium and near distance focusing needs.

As discussed above, in another embodiment diffractive optics are used along the single field of view lens optics and the electro-active layer. Diffractive optics that provide additional focusing correction in this approach also reduce the need for electrical power, circuitry and thickness of the electro-active layer. These are Fresnel layers, conventional or non-traditional single field or multifocal lens optics, diffractive optic layers and electro-active layers or layers. It is also possible through an etching process that divides the form or effect of the diffractive or Fresnel layer into an electro-active material to make non-hybrid or hybrid electro-active optics with diffractive or Fresnel elements. It is also possible to use electro-active lenses to make conventional lens power as well as trident type power.

Reduce manufacturing costs and reduce manufacturing costs by using approximately 22 mm or 35 mm diameter round centered hybrid partial field specific electro-active lens designs or approximately 30 mm adjustable decentered hybrid electro-active partial field specific designs. It is possible to minimize electrical power circuit requirements, battery life, and battery size to improve optical transparency.

In an embodiment of the invention, the decentered partial field specific electro-active lens is positioned such that the optical center of this field is located approximately 5 mm below the optical center of the single field of view lens, but at the same time allows the patient to be calibrated close to the intermediate working range pupil distance. It has a near-working distance electro-active partial field, either nose or temporally decentered to satisfy. It should be noted that such a design approach is not limited to the circular design and that substantially any shape may be required so that a suitable electro-active field of view area is required for human viewing needs. For example, the design can be oval, triangular, rectangular, octagonal, partially curved, and the like. What is important is the proper location of the viewing area for non-hybrid full field designs that can achieve partial fields, as well as hybrid partial field specific designs or hybrid full field designs that can achieve partial fields.

It has also been found that in many cases, electro-active layers are used with uneven thicknesses. That is, the metallic and conductive surrounding layers are not parallel and the gel polymer thickness changes to create a converging or diverging lens shape. It is possible to use such non-constant thickness electro-active layers in non-hybrid embodiments or in hybrid mode with single field of view or multifocal lens optics. In some inventive embodiments, the single interconnect electro-active layer utilizes non-parallel faces that produce an electro-active structure of non-constant thickness. However, in most but not all embodiments of the invention, the multi-grid electro-active structure utilizes a parallel structure that creates an electro-active structure of constant thickness.

To illustrate some of the possibilities, a convergent single field lens optic can be coupled to the convergent electro-active lens to make a hybrid lens assembly. Depending on the electro-active lens material used, the electrical voltage can increase or decrease the refractive index. Increasing the voltage to reduce the refractive index will change the final lens assembly power to give less positive power as shown in the first column of Table 1 for the other combination of fixed electro-active lens power. By adjusting the applied voltage to increase the refractive index of the electro-active lens optics, the final hybrid lens assembly power changes as shown in Table 2 for the different combinations of fixed electro-active lens power. In an embodiment of the invention, it should be noted that only the voltage difference applied alone is required across the electro-active layer.

S.V. Or M.F. Lens optics (distance vision) Electro-active lens power Voltage change Refractive index change Final Hybrid Lens Assembly Power + + - - Less plus + - - - Even more plus - + - - More negative - - - - Less minus

S.V. Or M.F. Lens optics (distance vision) Electro-active lens power Voltage change Refractive index change Final Hybrid Lens Assembly Power + + - - Even more plus + - - - Less plus - + - - Less minus - - - - More negative

Possible manufacturing processes for such a hybrid assembly are as follows. In one embodiment, the electro-active polymer gel layer can be injection-molded, cast, stamp, machine, diamond turn and / or polish in the form of net lens optics. The thin metallic layer is injected mold or precipitated on both sides of the cast polymer gel layer, for example by sputtering or vacuum precipitation. In another exemplary embodiment, the deposited thin metallic layer is located on both the lens optic and the other side of the injection-molded or cast electro-active material layer. A conductive layer is not required, but if it will also be vacuum deposited or sputtered on the metallic layer.

Unlike conventional bifocals, multifocals, or progressive lenses, the invention can always be placed in one normal position where close field of vision power separation is required to be positioned differently for other multifocal designs. Unlike other static power zones used by conventional approaches, where the eye moves and the head is tilted to use such zones or zones, the present invention allows the user to look straight or slightly up or down, and the entire electro-active part. Or the whole field adjusts the calibration for the required close working distance. This reduces eye fatigue and head and eye movements. In addition, the adjustable electro-active layer adjusts to the calibration power needed to clearly see distant objects when trying to look far away. In most cases, this makes the electro-active adjustable near working distance field plano power, and converts the hybrid electro-active lens into a far field corrective lens or low power multifocal progressive lens that corrects the distance power. Or adjust. However, this is not always the case.

In some cases it would be beneficial to reduce the thickness of the single field lens optics. For example, the center thickness of the plus lens or the edge thickness of the minus lens can be reduced through some suitable distance power supplementation in the electro-active adjustable layer, which is a full field or mostly full field hybrid electro-active spectacle lens or In all cases it applies to non-hybrid electro-active spectacle lenses.

In addition, the adjustable electro-active refractive matrix need not be located within a limited area but can cover a single field of view or an entire multifocal lens optic, regardless of what size area or shape is required. The exact overall size, shape and location of the electro-active refractive matrix is constrained only by performance and aesthetics.

It has also been found and made part of the invention by using suitable front convex and back concave curves of single field or multifocal lens blanks or optics to reduce the complexity of the electronics required for the invention. By appropriately selecting the front convex base curve of a single field of view or multifocal lens blank or optics, it is possible to minimize the number of connecting electrodes required to activate the electro-active layer. In some embodiments, only two electrodes are needed while the total electro-active field area is adjusted to the set amount of electrical power.

This occurs due to the change in the refractive index of the electro-active material and, depending on the location of the electro-active layer, makes before, after, or an intermediate electro-active layer of different power. The proper curvature relationship of the curves before and after each layer thus influences the necessary power adjustment of the electro-active hybrid or non-hybrid lens. In most but not all hybrid designs that use no diffractive or Fresnel elements, the electro-active layer is front and back parallel to that of a single field of view or multifocal semi-finished blank or single field of view or multifocal finished lens blank. It is important not to have a curve. One exception to this is a hybrid design that uses a multi-grid structure.

It should be noted that one embodiment is a hybrid electro-active lens that utilizes full field access and less than at least two electrodes. Another embodiment uses a multi-grid electro-active layer approach to make an electro-active layer, in which case multiple electrodes and electrical circuits will be required. Using a multi-grid electro-active structure, it is desirable to produce a refractive index difference between adjacent grids of refractive index differences of zero to 0.02 units, with respect to the boundary of the electrically activated grid that is cosmetically acceptable (mostly invisible). Necessity was found. Depending on cosmetic requirements, the range of refractive index differences can be 0.01 to 0.05 units, but in most embodiments of the invention the differences are limited by the regulator to a maximum of a refractive index of 0.02 or 0.03 units between adjacent areas.

One or more electro-active layers with other electro-active structures, such as single-interconnect structures and / or multi-grid structures, which can react as needed to conduct current to create the desired additional end focusing power. It is also possible to use. For example, the front layer (electro-active layer, distal end of the wearer's eye) is calibrated for the far field power of the entire field and the posterior to focal point in the near vision distance using the partial field specific approach generated by the back layer. (Ie, adjacent) electro-active refractive matrices can be used. It will be apparent that using this multi-electro-active refractive matrix approach will allow for increased flexibility while keeping the present layer very thin and reducing the complexity of each individual layer. Moreover, to generate additional focusing power effects that tend to change simultaneously, this approach can sequence the individual layers as much as they can be through the current at one time. This variable focusing effect can be produced in a time-lapsed sequence such that it corrects for mid-range focusing needs and near field of view focusing needs when viewed from a distance and adversely affects when viewed from a distance.

Multi-electro-active layer approach also allows for faster electro-active focusing power response time. This occurs due to the combination of reduced electro-active material thickness factors required for each layer of the lens with multiple electro-active layers. In addition, it is possible for a multi-electro-active layer lens to divide the complexity of the master electro-active layer into two or more composite separate layers which are less individually needed than the master electro-active layer.

The following describes the materials and structures of electro-active lenses, their electrical wiring circuits, electrical power supplies, electrical switching techniques, software and object distance ranging for focal length adjustment.

19 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electro-active layer 1900. Attached to both sides of the electro-active material 1910 is a metallic layer 1920. Attached to the opposite side of each metallic layer 1920 is a conductive layer 1930.

The electro-active layer discussed above is a multilayer structure consisting of liquid crystals such as polymer gels or electro-active materials. However, for some inventions the polymer gel electro-active layer and the liquid crystal electro-active layer are used in the same lens. For example, the liquid crystal layer can be used to create an electron tint or sunglass effect and the polymer gel layer can be used for add or subtract power. Polymer gels and liquid crystals have a property that their optical refractive index can be changed by an applied electrical voltage. The electro-active material is covered with two substantially transparent metallic layers on one side, and the conductive layer is deposited in each metallic layer to provide good electrical connection to this layer. When a voltage is applied to the two conductive layers, an electric field is created between them, and the refractive index changes through the electro-active material. In most cases, liquid crystals and in some cases gels are stored in sealed encapsulated envelopes of materials selected from silicon, polymethacrylate, styrene, proline, ceramics, glass, nylon, mylar, and the like.

20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2000 having a multi-grid structure. Lens 2000 includes an electro-active material 2010 that can in some embodiments define a number of pixels that can be separated by a material having electrical insulating properties. Thus, the electro-active material 2010 can define a number of adjacent areas, each area containing one or more pixels.

Attached to one side of the electro-active material 2010 is the metallic layer 2020, which has a grid array of metallic electrodes 2030 separated by a material having electrical insulating properties (not shown). Attached to the opposite side of the electro-active material 2010 is a symmetrically identical metallic layer 2020. Thus, each electro-active pixel is matched to a pair of electrodes 2030 to define a grid element pair.

Attached to the metallic layer 2020 is a conductive layer 2040 having a plurality of interconnect vias 2050 each separated by an electrically insulating material (not shown). Each interconnect via 2050 is electrically coupled with one grid element pair to a power supply and / or regulator. In alternative embodiments, some and / or all interconnect vias 2050 may connect one or more grid element pairs to a power supply and / or regulator.

It should be noted that in some embodiments metallic layer 2020 is removed. In other embodiments, the metallic layer 2020 is replaced with an alignment layer.

In certain inventive embodiments, the front (end) surface, intermediate surface and / or back surface may be made of a material comprising conventional photochromic elements. This photochromic element may or may not be used as the electronically produced tint feature involved as part of the electro-active lens. However, in many inventive embodiments, the photochromic material is used alone as an electro-active lens without an electronic tint element. The photochromic material may be included in the electro-active lens layer by adding it to the electro-active layer or after layer composition or as part of the outer layer before or after the lens. In addition, the electro-active lenses of the invention can be hard-coated before, after or both and coated with an anti-reflective coating.

This structure is called a sub-assembly and can be electrically adjusted to perform wearer's triangular power, spherical power, astigmatism power correction, aspheric correction or departure correction. Furthermore, the subassembly can be adjusted to mimic that of the Fresnel or diffractive surface. In one embodiment, if more than one type of calibration is required, two or more subassemblies may be juxtaposed and separated by an electrically insulating layer. The insulating layer may be composed of silicon oxide. In another embodiment, the same subassembly is used to make multiple power calibrations. One of the two sub-assembly embodiments discussed can be made of two different structures. This first structural embodiment contacts each of the layers, the electro-active layer, the conductor and the metal, to be a continuous layer of material to form a single-interconnect structure. The second structural embodiment (shown in FIG. 20) uses a metallic layer in the form of a grid or array, with each sub-array area electrically isolated from its neighbors. In this embodiment showing a multi-grid electro-active structure, the conductive layer is etched to provide separate electrical contacts or electrodes to each sub-array or grid element. In this way, separate and distinct voltages can be applied across each grid element pair in the layer, creating different refractive index regions in the layer of electro-active material. The detailed design, including layer thickness, refractive index, voltage, candidate electro-active material, layer structure, number of layers or elements, arrangement of layers or elements, curvature of each layer and / or element, is up to the optical designer to determine. .

It should be noted that it may be used as a partial lens field or as a whole lens field between a multi-grid electro-active structure or a single interconnect electro-active structure. However, when certain subfields are used in the electro-active layer, insulators are usually used in which the electro-active material has an index of refraction that closely matches the index of refraction of the subfield which is particularly suitable for the electro-active deactivated layer (frame layer). Can be separated from the particular electro-active zone subfield or used laterally in close proximity. This is to increase the fashion function of the electro-active lens by making the entire electro-active layer appear as one in the inactive state. It should also be noted that the framing layer is a non-electroactive material.

The polymer material may be various kinds of polymers having at least 30% or more of the components by weight in the components of the electro-active component. Such electro-active polymers are well known and commercially available. Examples of such materials may include liquid crystal polymers such as polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, pentacyanobiphenyl (PCB) or others. A thermosetting resin matrix component may be included to enhance the processability of the polymer gel. In addition, adhesion may be promoted through encapsulation of the conductive layer, which increases the optical transparency of the gel. Examples of such matrices include crosslinked acrylates, methacrylates, polyurethanes, double or multifunctional acrylates, methacrylates or vinyl derivatives crosslinked with vinyl polymers.

The thickness of the gel layer may be, for example, from about 3 microns to about 100 microns, but may have a thickness of about 1 millimeter, and preferably between about 4 microns and about 20 microns. The gel layer may, for example, have a modulus of from about 100 pounds per inch to about 800 pounds per inch, preferably between 200 and 600 pounds of modulus. The metallic layer may have a thickness of, for example, about 10 ⁻⁴ microns to 10 ⁻² microns, preferably about 0.8 × 10 ⁻³ microns to about 1.2 × 10 ⁻³ . . The conductive layer may, for example, have a thickness of about 0.05 microns to about 0.2 microns, preferably about 0.8 microns to about 0.12 microns, and more preferably about 0.1 microns .

The metal layer is used to provide good contact between the conductive layer and the electro-active material. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that suitable metal materials can be used. For example, gold or silver.

In one embodiment the refractive index of the electro-active material can vary, for example between about 1.2 and about 1.9 units, preferably between 1.45 and 1.75 units. In addition, the change in refractive index should be within a minimum of 0.02 units per volt. The rate of change in refractive index with volts, the actual refractive index of the electro-active material and the compatibility of the matrix material will determine the composition percentage of the electro-active polymer in the matrix. However, the change in refractive index of the final composition should be within 0.02 units per volt at a base voltage of about 2.5 volts or within 25 volts.

As already mentioned for embodiments of the invention using hybrid designs, sections of the electro-active refractive matrix assembly are attached to conventional lens optics transparent to visible light with suitable adhesive or bonding techniques. Such a coupling assembly can be a release paper or film with an electro-active layer preassembled and attached to bond to conventional lens optics. It is manufactured for application to the surface of the lens optic in a stationary state. In addition, there are also manufactured to be applied to the surface of the lens wafer in advance, which is an adhesive force is increased while waiting for the lens optics. This can be applied later to semi-finished lens blanks so that the surface or edge can be machined with a suitable power as well as with a suitable specification shape. Finally, the lens optics can be machined using surface casting technology, which creates the electrically modified power of the present invention. The electro-active layer may occupy the entire lens portion or only a portion thereof.

The refractive index of the electro-active layer can be changed and corrected only for the area in which the focus is desired. For example, as mentioned in the hybrid subfield design, the partial field area can be activated and changed within this area. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the refractive index can be changed only in a specific portion of the lens. In another embodiment, in the refractive index of a hybrid full-field design, the refractive index can be changed against the entire surface. Similarly, the index of refraction can be changed against the entire region in a non-hybrid design. As already mentioned, it was developed to maintain an optical cosmetic appearance, and the change in refractive index between adjacent areas of the electro-active optics should not exceed 0.02 units and preferably 0.05 units. 0.02 units to about 0.03 units.

In the scope of the present invention, the user may wish to be able to use the partial field in some cases, and then change the electro-active layer to the whole field. In this case, embodiments of the present invention should be designed for full-field embodiments. However, the controller can be programmed to change power from full field to partial field and vice versa.

In order to set the electrical field required to simulate an electro-active lens, a voltage must be delivered to the optical assembly. For this purpose, a bundle of small diameter wires is prepared. This is included in the corner of the frame of the glasses. The wire may be connected from the power source to the electro-active spectacles controller, as described below, with one or more controller components. And, respectively, connected to the frame at the edge edge of the spectacle lens. Wire bonding techniques used in semiconductor manufacturing can connect wires to each grid element within the optical assembly. In an embodiment of the wire interconnect structure, it is required to mean one wire to the conductive layer, and to apply only one voltage per spectacle lens. And only two wires are required for each lens. Voltage is applied to one conductive layer. On the other side of the gel layer, on the other hand, his partner is given a ground potential. In another embodiment, changing the current (AC) voltage can be applied against the conductive layer. These two connections are each easily made near the edge frame of the spectacle lens.

If a grid array of voltages is used, each grid subregion in the array is applied at a specific voltage. Then, a conductor connects each wire lead to the frame for the grid element of the lens. Optically transparent conductive materials such as indium oxide, tin oxide or indium tin oxide (ITO) may be used to form the conductive layer of the electro-active assembly. At this time, the electro-active assembly is to be able to connect the wires in the edge of the frame to each grid element in the electro-active lens. This method can be used regardless of whether the electro-active area occupies the whole lens part or only part thereof.

One technique for achieving pixelation in a multi-grid alignment design is to create individual mini-volumes of electro-active material with their own pair of driving electrodes to establish an electric field each crossing the mini-volume. It is. Another technique for achieving pixelation utilizes electrodes patterned for conductive or metal layers grown on lithographically substrates. In this way the electro-active material can be included in adjacent volumes, and the region of the other electric field which produces the pixelation is entirely defined by the patterned electrode.

To supply electrical power to the optical assembly, a power source, such as a battery, must be included in the design. The voltage that creates the electric field is small, and therefore the eyeglasses of the frame must be designed to contain a reduced bulk battery for powering it. The battery is connected to a bundle of wires via multiplexing connections, which are included in the frame leg. In another embodiment, a conformal thin film battery can be attached to the frame glasses by an adhesive, which can be removed or replaced when the charge is consumed. Optionally, an AC adapter may be provided for attaching to the frame mounted battery to enable charging in place when the conformal thin film battery is unavailable.

As another energy source, a micro-fuel cell can be used, which can be included in a spectacle frame that provides higher energy storage than a battery. The fuel cell is recharged through a fine fuel canister that can inject fuel by the reservoir into the spectacle frame.

It is possible to further reduce the power supply by using the hybrid multigrid structure of the present invention, which usually includes a partial field specific region. It should be noted that when using hybrid subfield multigrid structures, hybrid fullfield multigrid structures may also be used.

In another approach, a tracking system may be installed in the glasses as mentioned above when correcting for unprecedented refractive errors such as aberrations. Appropriate software and programs must be performed on the electro-active spectacles controller, and one or more controller components must be provided within the electro-active spectacles body. The shape of the present invention can not only find the line of view by tracking the human eye but also supply the necessary electrical energy to a specific area of the electro-active lens to be seen. In other words, according to the movement of the eye, the desired electrically energized area moves the lens across the lens directly in response to the specific person's field of view through the electro-active lens. For example, a user may use a fixed power lens, an electro-active lens or a combination of both types to correct conventional refractive errors (spherical, conical and prismatic). As such an example, a refractive error that has not existed in the past can be corrected by the method of an electro-active layer having a multi-grid structure. As the eye moves, the corresponding active area of the electro-active lens moves with the eye. In other words, the line of sight of the eye corresponding to the movement of the eye causes the lens to move in relation to the movement of the eye.

The multi-grid electro-active structure described above is one capable of hybrid or combination with hybrid electro-active lenses for partial or full field design.

In order to use embodiments of the present invention, people can minimize their electrical needs through a method of electrically energizing only the limited portions they see. Therefore, the less energy is sited, the less power is needed by a given prescription at any given time. In parts that are not directly visible, but not in all cases, in most cases, it is not energized or activated for it. For example, conventional refractive errors can be corrected to correct 20/20 vision such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. In embodiments of the present invention, the target or tracked site may correct for possible astigmatism errors, including irregular astigmatism, aberrations and refractive errors present on the surface of the eye of the irregular layer. In another embodiment of the present invention, targets or tracked sites can be corrected with conventional errors as well. In another embodiment of the present invention the targeted or tracked site can be automatically positioned with the aid of a controller and / or one or more controller components, which are glasses that track eye movement with an eye tracking system located in the glasses. This can be done by both the range finder or tracking system and the range finder system located above.

Although only partial electro-active zones are used in this design, the entire surface can be covered with an electro-active material to avoid circular lines visible to the user in the lens in the inactive state. In some embodiments, transparent insulators can be used to confine the electro-active site to the central site and unactivated peripheral electro-active material can be at the edge of the invisible active site.

In another embodiment, a thin film solar cell array can be attached to the frame surface. Voltage is applied to the optical grid and wires by the optoelectronic effect of sunlight or room light. In one embodiment, the solar array can be used as the primary power source. This has already been mentioned as a battery miniature. When electrical power is not needed, the battery is charged from the solar cell at this time in such an embodiment. On the one hand, you can use an AC adapter with a designed battery.

The electro-active lens can be switched to provide the user with varying focal lengths. At least two or more switch positions may be provided, and more may be provided as needed. In a simple embodiment, the electro-active lens can be turned on or off. In the off position, no current flows through the wire and no voltage is applied to the grid assembly. Only fixed lens power is useful. This is the case where the user requires correction of far field distances, for example a hybrid electro-active lens may use optics to correct the far field of vision as part of a single vision or multi focus lens or part of its configuration. The switch must be turned on for near vision correction, such as reading, providing the lens with an already determined voltage or an array of voltages and creating a positive increasing power within the electro-active assembly. If intermediate field calibration is required a third switch position can be included. These switches can be controlled by a microprocessor or directly by the user. In fact, several additional positions may be included. In another embodiment, the switch is analog and not digital. Adjusting the knob or lever, such as the volume control of the radio, can provide a continuous change in the focal length of the lens.

In some cases fixed lens power is not included as part of the design, and all vision correction is achieved through the electro-active lens. In this embodiment a voltage or an array of voltages must be provided to the lens if long distance and near distance correction is required by the user. If only distance correction or reading perspective adjustment is required by the user, the electro-active lens should be on when correction is required, and off when correction is not required. However, this is not always the case, and in some cases it may be possible to automatically adjust the voltage to turn off or turn down over distance depending on the design of the lens.

In one exemplary embodiment the switch itself is located above the spectacle lens frame and connected to the controller. For example, an application specific integrated circuit may be included in the spectacle frame. Such a controller causes it to respond to different positions of the switch by adjusting the voltage supplied from the power source. As such, the controller can be made with a multiplexer as described above, which applies various voltages to the wires to which it is connected. The controller may be an advanced thin film design and may be mounted on the surface of the frame such as a battery or a solar cell.

In another exemplary embodiment, the controller and / or one or more controller components may be manufactured to be programmable according to the user's field of vision requirements. It also allows the user to easily switch between different arrays of pre-determined voltages for each individual viewing condition. The electro-active spectacles controller and / or one or more controller components can be easily removed by the expert or technician to view the vision program and reprogram the controller with a new prescription when the user's vision correction requirements change. Can be replaced.

One aspect of controller-based switches is the ability to vary the voltage applied to the electro-active lens within microseconds. If the electro-active layer is made of a fast switching material, it is possible that a sudden change in the focal length of the lens would destroy the spectacle of the spectacle wearer. A loose transition from one focal length to another is desirable. As an additional form of the present invention, lag time can be programmed into the controller to slow the transition. Conversely, a lead time can be programmed into the controller for fast switching. Similarly, the conversion can be predicted by a predictable algorithm.

In some cases, the conversion constant time may be adapted to the spectacle wearer's field of view so that the change in refractive index can be partially or totally answered. For example, small changes in focus power can be quickly switched, while large changes in focus power, such as the spectacle wearer moving his field of view from a distant material to a near reading, ie 10 to Can be fixed to occur in 100 milliseconds. Such time adjustment is possible at the convenience of the wearer.

In either case, the glasses themselves do not need to be switched on. In another exemplary embodiment, the switch is in a separate module and can be placed in a pocket in the user's clothing, which can be driven by hand. Such a switch may be connected to the glasses via thin wire or optical fiber. Another type of switch is a switch comprising a device that transmits via microwave or short range electromagnetic waves through which a signal relating to the switch position is transmitted to an antenna receiver unit mounted on the spectacle frame. In all these switch types, the user can directly or indirectly control his glasses by changing the focal length.

In another exemplary embodiment, the switch is automatically controlled by a range-finding mechanism in the lens or on or in the frame. This allows you to point out the object you want to recognize.

21 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the electro-active glasses 2100 of the present invention. As shown in this illustrated example, the frame 2110 includes an electro-active lens 2120, which is connected to the controller 2140 (integrated circuit) and the power supply 2150 via a connecting wire 2130. Is connected to. Rangefinder transmitter 2160 is attached to electro-active lens 2120, and rangefinder receiver 2170 is attached to another electro-active lens 2120. In various embodiments, the transmitter 2160 and / or receiver 2170 may be attached to the electro-active lens 2120. It may be attached to frame 2110 and embedded in lens 2120 and / or frame 2110. Also, the rangefinder transmitter 2160 and / or receiver 2170 are removed by the controller 2140 and / or a separate controller (not shown). Similarly, the signal received by receiver 2170 may be processed by controller 2140 and / or a separate controller (not shown).

In any case, the rangefinder is an active seeker and uses a variety of sources, such as light from a laser light emitting diode, radio frequency waves, microwaves, or ultrasonic pulses, to locate an object and determine its distance. In one embodiment a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) can be used as the light transmitter. The small size and flat shape make this instrument very attractive for this application. In another embodiment, an organic light emitting diode or OLED may be used as a light source for the range finder. An advantage to this device is that the OLED can be made very transparent. Therefore, OLED can be a very good range finder if considered fashion. This is because it can be incorporated into a lens or frame without notable features.

A suitable sensor for receiving the off signal of the object is to be located at one or more positions in front of the lens frame. Small controllers can be connected to adjust the range. This range can be transmitted over the optical fiber or wire to the wire or the switching controller located within the lens frame or via the remote radio itself, and analyzed to determine the correct switch for the desired distance. In this case, the range controller and the switching controller interact with each other.

It should be appreciated that in some cases the distance measuring device difficult to switch the focal length of the electro-active lens when the wearer wishes to move from one item of focus to another. For example, the rangefinder transmitter and the rangefinder receiver require extra head movement by the wearer of the lens before the lens switch from one vision correction to the other. Alternatively, "false switching" occurs when the lens switches from the vision correction substantially required by the wearer to another vision correction that is not suitable. For example, when the lens switches vision correction from distant correction to intermediate or near correction, instead of switching to distant correction that the wearer actually requires.

Thus in another embodiment the rangefinder transmitter and the rangefinder receiver are optionally covered with additional lenses for controlling the transmitted beam width generated by the transmitter and the receiving cone received by the receiver.

44A is an exploded schematic view of an integrated power supply, controller and range finder in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 44A, system 4400 includes ranging device 4420 coupled to controller 4440 coupled to source 4460. FIG. 44B is a side cross-sectional view of system 4400 of FIG. 44A through Z-Z 'in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 44B, the range finder 4200 includes a range finder transmitter 4424 and a range finder receiver 4428. In this embodiment, the rangefinder transmitter 4424 and the rangefinder receiver 4428 are each a transmitter and receiver diode, for example in the form of an IR laser diode, LED or other non-visible radiation source. In this embodiment the transmitter 4424 is optionally covered with a delivery lens 4526 to control the delivery beam width generated by the transmitter 4424. Similarly, receiver 4428 was optionally covered with receiving lens 4430 to control the receiving cones received by receiver 4428. The receiving zone or cone of the receiver 4428 includes a solid angle that will reach the receiver 4428 if light rays approaching the ranging device pass through the receiving lens, aperture, or other device covering the receiver 4428. The protective window blocks the internal components of the ranging device 4420, more particularly the transmitter and receiver, but does not affect the function of the internal components.

FIG. 45 is a side view of the rangefinder transmitter 4424 of FIG. 44B in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 45, the transfer lens 4526 has a divergence power selected to diverge the beam B generated by the transmitter 4424 at a given pattern width D for a given working distance L. Thus, the width of the beam generated by the transmitter 4424 is optimized for a given working distance for reading and intermediate vision, which minimizes the need for extra head movement and avoids pseudo switching by not creating an excessively large beam.

FIG. 46 is a side view of the rangefinder receiver 4428 of FIG. 44B in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 46, the receiver 4428 is optionally covered with a receiving lens 4430 having a slit aperture 4432 formed therein. The use of receive lens 4430 with slit aperture 4432 reduces the pattern accommodated in a substantially rectangular field rather than the overall field of view detected if receive lens 4430 does not fit into receiver 4428. In this embodiment, the receiving lens 4430 is constructed of a material such as an opaque material to prevent the receiver 4428 from receiving the reflected beam except for traveling through the slit aperture 4432.

The above embodiments of the delivery lens 4428 covering the transmitter 4424 and the receiving lens 4430 covering the receiver 4428 are merely exemplary and may include a delivery beam of the transmitter 4424 or a receiving cone of the receiver 4428. It should be appreciated that other embodiments that have been manipulated can be used to reduce pseudo switching and improve the performance of the optical system 4400. For example, another method of limiting the receiving cone or receiving pattern of the receiver includes using a geographically formed aperture, a changeable shutter, a lens, or a device that limits the passage of light on the receiver 4428. It is also to be understood that positioning the lens on the transmitter and receiver is optional and a combination of such lenses is also provided in accordance with the present invention. For example, in at least one or more other embodiments, the receiving lens 4430 used to selectively cover the receiver 4428 is optional. Similarly, in at least one or more other embodiments the delivery lens 4428 used to selectively cover the transmitter 4424 is optional. In the above-described embodiment, both the need for additional head movement and the occurrence of pseudo switching increase the width of the transmitted beam generated by the rangefinder transmitter and optionally by manipulating how the reflected beam appears in the rangefinder receiver. Is minimized.

In another embodiment, the switch can be controlled by a small but fast movement of the user's head. This is accomplished by including another field detector, such as a small micro-gyroscope or micro-axelometer in the spectacles legs on the lens frame. A small, fast vibration or twist of the head activates the micro-gyro or micro-axelometer and causes the switch to rotate through the authorized position setting to change the focus of the electro-active lens to the desired correction. For example, when motion by a micro-gyroscopic or micro-axelometer is detected, the controller is programmed to power the rangefinder so that the observed field is inserted into the rangefinder to determine if a change is needed to correct vision. Is signaled. Similarly, the ranging device is turned off after a predetermined interval or period of time when no head movement is detected. Moreover, in at least one embodiment the ranging device is turned on after the detection of the movement and the use of the ranging device.

In another embodiment another field detector, such as a tilt switch, tilts down or up at a given angle above or below the posture that is an indication of the person looking straight at a distance. For example, the exemplary tilt switch includes a mercury switch and / or controller installed in a controller that closes the circuitry that powers the rangefinder only when the patient looks up or down at a pre-measured angle away from the horizon. If the lens is designed for remote vision correction without power, in at least one embodiment the telemetry device is in another state when the user's head is tilted down or up at a pre-measured angle away from the horizon. Or to operate and switch the electro-active lens from a long range calibration (such as a mid range calibration). In addition, the lens utilizes the additional requirement that objects are sensed within short or intermediate distances for a premeasured period before switching occurs. The tilt switch can also be used to AND gate (within manual logic) to a logical level set by a range finder that sets the logic level high to indicate whether the object is within near or intermediate distances.

47A-47C are side views of a wearer of an optical lens system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 47A, the wearer of the optical lens system adjusts the upward head tilt angle θ _up from horizontal and the downward head tilt angle θ _down from horizontal. 47B shows the wearer with the head tilted _down at the downward head tilt angle θ _down . 47C shows the wearer with the head tilted upward at an upward head tilt angle θ _up . In one embodiment the tilt switch is closed when the wearer's head is moved up or down horizontally up to about 5-15 degrees from the horizontal position, preferably from about 10 degrees from the horizontal position (and the ranging device or controller or Power both). In another embodiment the tilt switch is closed when the wearer's head moves horizontally up or down from the horizontal position to about 15-30 degrees, preferably from the horizontal position to about 20 degrees.

It should be appreciated that the above-described embodiments using the tilt switch are optimized based on the wearer's needs or desires. For example, the wearer is selected to have an angle away from the horizontal position necessary to close the other switch upwards or downwards. Thus, the angle to the upward slope to close the switch can be the same as or different from the angle to the downward slope to several degrees. Additionally, because everyone generally tilts his head down to read, activating the rangefinder only when the wearer tilts his head downwards or, alternatively, the wearer tilts his head upwards (or rangefinder or controller) Or both) or optimized.

In another embodiment, the system uses a tilt switch to measure the tilt angle of the wearer's head. The downward or upward tilt angle is sent to a controller that determines whether the slope is greater than the predetermined angle. Thus, the controller can selectively power the ranging device when the slope crosses the tilt threshold associated with the tilt switch. Similarly, in another embodiment a micro-gyroscope or micro-axelometer may be used in a similar form. For example, a micro-gyroscope or micro-axelometer produces an output that the controller can measure the wearer's head position and use to adjust the power to the ranging device.

Another exemplary embodiment is the use of a combination of microgyroscopes with manual switches. In this embodiment, the microgyroscope can be usefully used for reading or viewing functions within a range of 180 degrees in which the human head can be tilted. Thus, when a person's head is tilted, the microgyroscope signals to the controller how much the head is tilted. This converts into increasing focusing power depending on the degree of inclination. The manual switch may be remote and may be used to override the gyroscope for certain viewing functions at 180 or more, such as operating on a computer.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a combination of range finder and microgyroscope can be used. Microgyroscopes are used for near field of view, and for other field-of-view functions within 180, the range finder is used for the distance seen. More than 180 is for example 4 feet or less in distance. In another embodiment the ranging device is used in combination with a tilt switch, micro-gyroscope or micro-axelometer to determine whether the electro-active lens should be switched. In these embodiments, the controller sets the logic level for each of the integrated components, such as a tilt switch, gyroscope, or axelometer, as an additional requirement that the ranging device must obtain a new field of view before switching occurs. I use it.

As an alternative to a manual switch or rangefinder design that adjusts the focusing power of an electro-active assembly, another exemplary embodiment uses an eye-tracker to measure inter-pupillary distance and to measure field of view distance. . Depending on the focal point of the distant or near object, the grouping and dispersion of the pupil changes. In at least two light emitting diodes and at least two adjacent photosensors for detecting light reflected from the diode off, the eye is positioned in an inner frame adjacent to the nose bridge. The system can detect the position of the edge of each pupil of the eye and can switch the pupillary distance position to calculate the distance of the object from the user's eye plane. In certain embodiments three or four light emitting diodes and photosensors are used to track motion in the eye.

In another embodiment it should be appreciated that the combination of various mechanisms described herein that minimizes excessive wearer movement causing pseudo switching and switching may be combined in any form desired to suit the needs of those skilled in the art and the wearer of an optical lens system. Logical levels or switching mechanisms are therefore customized to meet the specific needs of a given user.

In addition to visual field correction, an electro-active layer can be used to give the electrochromic tint to the spectacle lens. By applying an appropriate voltage to a suitable gel polymer or liquid crystal layer, a tint or sunglass effect can be given to the lens, which can alter the light transmission to some extent through the lens. The reduced amount of light gives the lens a "sunglass" effect in bright places or outdoors, depending on the user's convenience. Highly fluorescent liquid crystal compositions and gel polymers responding to the applied electric field are very effective for this application.

In some embodiments, the present invention can be designed for use where there is a temperature change that can greatly affect the refractive index of the electro-active layer. And a calibration element of all the voltages supplied to the grid assembly can be applied to compensate for this effect. The miniature of a thermistor, thermocouple, or other temperature sensor connected to the power sensor and mounted to the lens and / or frame changes with temperature. The controller switches to detect the change in voltage that requires correction for the change in refractive index of the electro-active material.

In some cases, however, an electrical circuit can be practically mounted on the surface of the lens for the purpose of increasing the electro-active layer or layer. This is to reduce the refractive index of the electro-active layer by maximizing the power change of the lens. The increased temperature can be used regardless of the increase in voltage, providing additional flexibility to allow for the change and adjustment of the lens power by changing the refractive index. It is desirable to measure the temperature when it is used and to control or feed back the temperature for proper application.

In the case of full field grid arrays or portions of each addressed electro-active zone, many conductors are needed to multiplex the voltage specific to each grid element from the controller. In order to easily install such an interconnect, the present invention places the controller in the front section of the spectacle frame, for example the nose ring area. Therefore, the power source located on the spectacles can be connected to the controller by only two conductors via the spectacles-front frame hinge. Conductors connected to the lens controller may be collectively contained within the frame front.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the eyeglasses are one or two eyeglass frame eyeglass legs or portions thereof which can be easily removed. Each leg is made up of two parts, the short part that is connected to the hinge and the front frame section and the long part of the plug on this piece. The non-pluggable portions of the glasses legs each contain an electrical power source (battery, fuel cell, etc.) and can be simply removed or reconnected from a fixed portion of the glasses legs. Such removable eyeglasses can be recharged repeatedly and have, for example, a portable AC charging unit capable of charging direct current flow by magnetic induction or other recharging methods. In this way a fully charged replaceable spectacles can be connected to the spectacles for continuous and long term activation of the lens and ranging system. In fact, several interchangeable eyeglasses can be mounted in the user's pocket for this purpose.

In many cases, the wearer requires spherical correction of far, near or medium vision. This allows for sufficient deformation of the interconnect grid array lens. Therefore, there is an advantage in the spherical symmetry of the desired calibration optics. In this case a special geometrical grid consisting of an outlet ring of the electro-active zone may comprise a partial area or full field lens. The ring may be circular and may be, for example, shaped like an oval. This shape contributes to a substantial reduction in the number of desired electro-active zones, which must be addressed by each conductor connection at different voltages, in particular by the simplification of interconnect circuits. This design is suitable for correction of astigmatism by adopting a hybrid lens design. Conventional optics in this case can provide cylindrical or astigmatism correction, and outlet ring electro-active layers can also be provided for spherical distance and / or near field of vision correction.

The electric ring or toroidal zone can give sufficient flexibility to suit electro-active focusing according to the wearer's needs. Because of the circular zone symmetry, many thinner zones can be fabricated without increasing wiring or interconnect complexity. For example, an electro-active lens made from an array of 4000 square pixels requires wiring for all 4000 zone addresses. To cover a 35mm diameter circular section area, a pixel of about 5mm pitch is required. On the other hand, applicable optics made from a pattern of concentric rings of the same 0.5 mm pitch (or ring thickness) require only 35 toroidal zones, which greatly reduces wiring complexity. In contrast, the pixel pitch (resolution) can only be reduced to 0.1 mm, and only the number of zones (interconnects) is increased to 175. The increased resolution of the zone is of great comfort to the wearer because the radial change in refractive index from one zone to another zone is slow and cumulative. This design, of course, is limited to only spherical field correction.

It is also possible to vary the thickness of the toroidal ring so that the concentric ring has a large resolution of the required radius. For example, if you want a wrap-shaped design that takes advantage of the periodicity of the light wavelength to increase the focusing power as a material with a limited change in refractive index, people will be centered in the circular region of the electro-active site. It can be designed to place a wider ring and a narrower ring around it. The wise use of such toroidal pixels results in a large, attainable large focusing power of the number of zones available, while minimizing the impact on low resolution systems employing lap shapes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, smoothness is required when converting a far field focus area of a hybrid lens having a partially electro-active zone into a near vision focus area. This of course occurs at the circular boundary of the electro-active zone. To accomplish this, one wants to be programmed in the region of low power for near vision around the electro-active zone. For example, considering a hybrid of an electric ring with a 35 mm diameter electro-active zone, a fixed focal length lens provides distance correction and an electro-active zone provides +2.50 additional power presbyopia correction. Instead of maintaining this power all the way around the electro-active zone, several toroidal areas or bands each containing an addressable electro-active electrostatic ring zone are programmed for power reduction at large diameters. will be. For example, during an activation period one embodiment has a toroidal band with a central diameter 26 mm circle at +2.50 additional power and a diameter extending from 26 to 29 mm at +2.00 additional power. On the one hand, it has another toroidal band extending in diameter from 29 to 32 mm at +1.5 additional power and surrounded by a toroidal band extending in diameter from 32 to 35 mm at +1.0 additional power. This design provides a more comfortable experience for the wearer.

When using an ophthalmic spectacle lens, people use about half of the top of the lens for the long range vision. About 2 to 3 mm upper and about 6 to 7 mm lower in the center line are used for mid-distance vision and 7 to 10 mm or less from the center line for near vision.

Aberrations that occur in the eye vary depending on the needs to be corrected and the transaction from the eye. The distance of the object to be seen is directly related to the need for correction of special aberrations. Hence, aberrations arising from the optics of the eye require correction at about the same distance at all distances, the same correction at intermediate distances, and the same correction at near distances. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the optical activity of the lens to correct specific aberrations of the eye, and the three to four sections of the lens (far, intermediate, and near section) have a grid-by-grid of the electro-active lens according to the eye's field of view movement. Grid adjustments should be made.

22 is a front view illustrating an embodiment of the electro-active lens 2200. In the lens 2200 various regions with different refractive corrections are provided. Several short-range calibration areas 2210 and 2220 have different calibration powers below the line B-B, and are surrounded by the intermediate distance calibration area 2230 around them. Although only two near correction areas 2210 and 2220 are shown, several near correction areas may be provided. A distance calibration area 2240 is provided above the line B-B. Regions 2210, 2220, and 2230 may be programmed and activated in a sequential manner, and operated, for example, in a stop on-off method or a conventional method, to reduce power. When viewing near at a distance or near at a distance, the lens 2200 assists the wearer's focus by smoothing the transition between different focal lengths in various areas. Therefore, a phenomenon such as an image jump is alleviated or greatly reduced. An improved version of this embodiment is shown in Figures 23 and 24 below.

23 is a front view illustrating another embodiment of an electro-active lens 2300. The lens 2300 includes various regions having different refractive indices. Below the middle of the line C-C is the near-field calibration area 2310, which is surrounded by the intermediate distance calibration area 2320. In the upper portion of the line C-C, the remote calibration area 2330 is located.

24 is a front view showing another embodiment of the electro-active lens 2400. The lens 2400 includes various regions with different refractive indices. Below the middle of line C-C is near-field correction area 2410, which is surrounded by intermediate distance correction area 2420, which is also surrounded by remote correction area 2430.

25 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an electro-active lens 2500. Lens 2500 includes a conventional lens optic 2510 with several full-field electro-active zones 2520, 2530, 2540 and 2550 attached thereto. Each region is separated from an adjacent region by the insulating layers 2525, 2535 and 2545.

26 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an electro-active lens 2600. Lens 2600 includes a conventional lens optic 2610 and attached thereon several full-field electro-active zones 2620, 2630, 2640 and 2650. Each region is separated from an adjacent region by insulating layers 2625, 2635 and 2645. Frame area 2660 surrounds electro-active zones 2620, 2630, 2640, and 2650.

Complementary with respect to electro-active diffractive lenses, electro-active lenses for correcting refractive errors can be made using an electro-active layer adjacent to glass, polymer or plastic materials that can be printed or etched in diffraction format. . The surface of the lens material with diffractive imprint is in direct contact with the electro-active material. Therefore, the surface of the electro-active layer has a mirror-like diffraction pattern on the lens material surface.

The assembly acts like a hybrid lens, which is typically the same as long distance calibration as the lens substrate always has a fixed calibration power. The refractive index of the electro-active layer under the deactivated state is almost equal to the refractive index of the lens substrate. The difference is 0.05 index units or less. Therefore, when the electro-active lens is inactive, the lens substrate and the electro-active layer have the same index and the diffraction pattern is powerless and provides no correction (0.00 diopters). In this state, the power of the lens substrate is only correction power.

When the electro-active refractive matrix is activated, its index changes and the refractive power of the diffraction pattern is added to the base lens. For example, when the base lens has a power of -3.50 diopters, the electro-active diffraction layer has power at activation of +2.00 diopters. Thus, the total power of the electro-active lens assembly is -1.50 diopters. In this way the electro-active lens enables near vision or reading. In another embodiment the electro-active layer in the activated state may be an index that matches the lens optics.

The electro-active layer using the liquid crystal is birefringent. This represents two different focal lengths in an inactive state when placed in an unpolarized beam of light. Such birefringence gives two or a faint image to the retina. There are two ways to solve this problem. The first is to use at least two electro-active layers. It can be made using electro-active molecules arranged horizontally in layers. On the other hand, the method is also to make molecules that are longitudinally biased in the layer. Therefore, the molecular arrangement of the two layers is perpendicular to each other. In this way, the polarization of light is all focused equally by all layers and all light is focused with the same focal length.

This can be accomplished by simply stacking two perpendicularly arranged electro-active layers or by another design in which the center layer of the lens is a doubleside plate. At this time, the double side plate is etched with the same diffraction pattern on all sides. The electro-active materials allow the layers to be placed on all sides of the center plate to ensure that their arrangement is at right angles. A cover superstrate is then placed on each of the electro-active layers. This is a simpler design than overlapping each other in the electro-active / diffraction layers.

Alternatively, the cholesteric liquid crystal may be added by imparting a large amount of chiral components to the electro-active material. This is because it is known to remove the plane polarization sensitivity according to the chiral concentration level, so that the electro-active component does not require two electro-active layers of pure nematic liquid crystal.

As for the material used for the electro-active layer, the following special electro-active materials can be used for the electro-active layer and the lens of the present invention, and the list is shown below. In addition to the liquid crystal materials exemplified in class 1, similar creamer gels may be used.

LCD

It includes liquid crystal films on nematic, smectic or choletics with a wide range of orientation properties that can control the electric field. Examples of nematic liquid crystals are pentyl-cyano-biphenyl (5CB), (n-octyloxy) -4-cyanobiphenyl (8OCB), and the like. Examples of other liquid crystals include 4-cyano-4-n-alkylbiphenyl, 4-n-pentyloxyl-biphenyl, 4- as compounds when n is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Commercially available mixtures of cyano-4'-n-alkyl-p-terphenyl and ZLI-series of E7, E36, E46 and BDH (British Drag House) -Merck and the like.

Electro-Optic Polymer

Transparent optical polymer materials such as shown in the "Physical Properties of Polymer Handbook" published by J. E Mark in American Institute of Physics, Woodburry, New York, 1996. This is Ch. Unpolarized Sigma Electron by Donor and Acceptor Group (quoted as Cromerpore) as described in "Organic Nonlinear Optics" published by Gordonhard Breal Publishers, Amsterdam, 1995 by Bosshard et al. These are molecules that have a systematic feature. Examples of these polymers include polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinylcarbazole, polyimide, polysilane, and the like. Examples of chromamerpores are paranitroaniline (PNA), dispulse red 1 (DR 1), 3-methyl-4-methoxy-4'-nitrostyrene, diethylaminonitrostyrene (DANS), diethyl-thio- Barbituric acid.

Electrical optical polymers can be prepared by a) a guest / host approach, b) introducing chromamer pores into the polymer (pendant and mainchain), or c) lattice hardening approaches such as crosslinking.

Polymer liquid crystal

Such polymeric liquid crystals include polymeric liquid crystals (PLCs). These are liquid crystal polymers, low molecular weight mass liquid crystals, self reinforcing polymers, insulator complexes and / or molecular complexes. PLCs are relatively straight and flexible sequence copolymers, described in detail in "Liquid Crystalline Polymers: From Structure to Application" in W. Brostow, edited by AA Collyer, Elsevier, New-Tork-London, 1992, chapter 1. . An example of PCLs is polymethacrylate comprising 4-cyanophenylbenzoate and similar compounds as side chains.

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal

Such polymer dispersed liquid crystals include polymer disperse liquid crystals (PDLCs), which are the dispersion of liquid crystal droplets in a polymer matrix. Such materials can be prepared in a number of ways, including the nematic cavity alignment face (NCAP) method by heat induced phase separation (TIPS), solvent induced phase separation (SIPS) and polymer induced phase separation (PIPS). It is by. Examples of PDLCs include mixtures of liquid crystals E7 (BDH-Merck) and NOA65 (Norland products, Inc. NJ), mixtures of E44 (BDH-Merck) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), of E49 (BDH-Merck) and PMMA Mixture, dipentaerythritol hydroxypenta acrylate, liquid crystal E7, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-phenylglycerine and Rose Bengal dye.

Polymer Stabilized Liquid Crystal

Polymer stabilized liquid crystals include polymer-stabilized liquid crystals (PSLCs). It is a substance containing a liquid crystal in a polymer network in which the liquid crystal component in the polymer is 10% by weight or less. The photopolymerizable monomer mixes the liquid crystal and the UV polymerization initiator. After the liquid crystals are arranged, the polymerization of the monomers begins due to ultraviolet exposure, resulting in a polymer with a network in which the liquid crystals are stabilized. Examples of PSLCs include C. M. Hudson et al. Jourmal of the Society for Information Display, vol. 5/3, 1-5, (1997), "Optical Study of Anisotropic Networks of Polymer Stabilized Liquid Crystals" and J. of Am. G. P. Widerrecht et al. Chem, Soc., 120, 3231-3236 (1998), "Photoreactivity of Polymer Stabilized Nematic Liquid Crystals".

Self-assembled Nonlinear Supra Molecular Structure

It includes an electro optic metric organic film and can be manufactured by the following method. Langmuir-Blodgett films, polyelectrolyte deposition (polyanion / polycation) conversion from aqueous solution, molecular beam apitaxial method, continuous synthesis by cobalt coupling reaction (e.g. organotrichlorosilane- Self-assembled multi-layer deposition). Such a technique can produce a thin film having a thickness of about 1 mm or less.

29 is a schematic diagram of an optical lens system according to another optional embodiment of the present invention. The optical lens system of FIG. 29 includes an external perimeter 2910, a lens surface 2920, a power source 2930, a battery bus 2940, a transparent conductor bus 2950, a controller 2960, And an optical lens 2900 with a light emitting diode 2970, a radiation or light detector 2980, and an electro-active refractive matrix or region 2900. In this embodiment the electro-active refractive matrix 2900 is included in the cavity or recess 2999 of the optical lens 2900.

As shown, these optical lens systems are self-contained and located within a wide range of supports, including eyeglass frames and poropters. In use, the electro-active refractive matrix 2900 of the lens 2900 is focused and controlled by the controller 2960 to enhance the user's vision. This controller 2960 receives power from a power source via transparent conductor bus 2950 and receives a data signal from transparent detector bus 2950 from radiation detector 2980. Controller 2950 controls other elements via these buses.

When functioned correctly, the electro-active refractive matrix 2900 refracts the light passing through it so that the wearer of the lens 2900 can see the focused image through the electro-active refractive matrix 2900. Since the optical lens system of FIG. 29 is self-contained, the optical lens 2900 lies within various frames and other supports even if these frames and other supports do not include specific support elements for the lens system.

As discussed, the light emitting diodes 2970, the radiation detector 2980, the controller 2960 and the power source 2930 are each connected to the electro-active refractive matrix 2900 via each other and through various conductor buses. As shown, the power source 2930 is directly connected to the controller 2960 via the transparent conductor bus 2950. This transparent conductor bus is used as a necessity to deliver power to a controller that is selectively supplied to both the light emitting diodes 2970, the radiation detector 2980 and the reactive refractive matrix 2900. In this embodiment the transparent conductor bus 2950 is preferably transparent while in another embodiment it is translucent or opaque.

To help focus the electro-active refractive matrix 2900, the light emitting diodes 2970 and the radiation detector 2980 are in relation to each other as a distance meter to help focus the electro-active refractive matrix 2900. Works. For example, visible light and invisible light are emitted from the light emitting diodes 2970. This reflection of the emitted light produces a signal that is detected by the radiation detector 2980 and confirms that the reflected light beam has been sensed. Upon receiving this signal, the controller 2960, which controls all of these activities, measures the distance of a particular object. Recognizing this distance, the controller 2960, pre-programmed with the appropriate optical compensation of the user, activates the electro-active refractive matrix 2900 to enable the user to see objects or images more clearly through the optical lens 2900. do.

In this embodiment the electro-active refractive matrix 2900 is represented by a circle having a 35 mm diameter, and the optical lens 2900 is also represented by a circle having a central lens thickness of 70 mm diameter 2900, about 2 mm. However, in alternative embodiments, optical lens 2900 and electro-active refractive matrix 2900 are shaped to other standard and non-standard shapes and sizes. The location and size of the electro-active refractive matrix 2900 in each of these optional sizes and directions is preferably such that the user of the system can easily view images and objects through the electro-active refractive matrix 2900 portion of the lens. Do.

Other elements in the optical lens 2900 lie in different positions of the optical lens 2900. However, it is desirable for any selected location of these individual elements to be as careful as possible for the user. In other words, these other elements are preferably located away from the user's main viewing path. Moreover, it is desirable that these elements be as small and transparent as possible to reduce the risk of disturbance to the line of sight of the user.

In a preferred embodiment the surface of the electro-active refractive matrix 2900 is flushed or substantially flushed with the surface 2920 of the optical lens. Moreover, the bus is located in the lens along the radius of the lens projecting from the center point. By positioning the bus in this form, the lenses are rotated within their supports to align the bus in its least unobtrusive direction. However, as shown in FIG. 29, this preferred bus design does not always have to follow. In FIG. 29, the radiation detector 2980 and the light emitting diodes 2970 were located on the non-reflective bus 2950 rather than having all the elements along a single bus located along the radius of the lens 2900. Nevertheless, but not all, it is desirable that many different elements be placed along the radius of the lens to minimize their interference. Moreover, it is desirable for individual elements of the lens to be accessed, controlled or programmed from the edge of the lens as necessity even when the bus or conductive material is easily accessible from the outer periphery of the lens so that the lens is etched or edged to fit a particular frame. . This accessibility is not only located near the surface of the field of view but also includes direct exposure outside the lens and can be reached through penetration into the lens.

30 is a schematic diagram of a lens system according to another optional embodiment of the present invention. Like the embodiment of FIG. 29, this embodiment also represents a lens system used to correct or increase a user's refractive error. The lens system of FIG. 30 includes frame 3010, transparent conductor bus 3050, light emitting diode / rangefinder 3070, nose pad 308, power source 3030, translucent controller 3060, electro-active refraction Matrix 3090 and optical lens 3000. As shown in FIG. 30, the controller 3060 is located along the transparent conductor bus 3050 between the electro-active refractive matrix 3090 and the power source 3030. As shown, the distance meter 3070 is connected with the controller 3060 along another conductor bus.

In this embodiment optical lens 3000 is mounted and supported by frame 3010. Furthermore, rather than having a power source 3030 mounted on or within the optical lens 3000, the power source 3030 is connected to the nose pad 3080, which in turn is connected to the controller 3060 through the nose pad connector 3020. . An advantage of this shape is that the power source 3030 can be easily replaced or re- exchanged as desired.

31 is a schematic diagram of an optional lens system according to another embodiment of the present invention. 31, controller 3160, strap 3170, frame 3110, conductive bus 3150, electro-active refractive matrix 3190, optical lens 3100, frame stem or empty lumen 3130 and signal conductor 3180 are marked. Rather than mounting the controller 3160 on or in the optical lens 3100, the controller 3160 is mounted over the strap 3170 as shown in the preceding embodiments. This controller 3160 is connected to the electro-active refractive matrix 3190 via a signal conductor 3180 that is located within the empty lumen frame stem 3130 of the frame 3110 and moves through the strap 3170 to the controller 3160. do.

32 is a schematic diagram of a lens system according to another optional embodiment of the present invention. The frame 3210 as well as the electro-active refractive matrix 3290, the optical lens 3200 and the internal frame signal conductor 3280 are all visible in FIG. 32. In this embodiment frame 3210 is internal frame signal conductor 3280 accessed from any point along its length such that information and power are readily provided to elements of optical lens 3200 regardless of the direction of frame 3210. It includes. That is, irrespective of the position of the reflective bus of the optical lens 3200, the radial bus may contact the internal frame signal conductor 3280 and provide both power and information to control the electro-active refractive matrix 3290. can do. Sections A-A of FIG. 32 clearly show these internal frame signal conductors 3280. In another alternative embodiment, rather than having two internal frame signal conductors 3280, only one is provided within the frame leaving the frame itself and used as a conductor to facilitate the transfer of power and other information to the element. Moreover, two or more inner frame conductors are also used in the optional embodiments of the present invention.

Moreover, in another alternative embodiment, a conductive layer is used instead of having a single radial bus that connects the refractive matrix to the frame signal conductor. In this optional embodiment the conductive layer covers all or part of the lens. In a preferred embodiment it will cover the entire lens to be transparent and to minimize distortion associated with the boundary of the layer. When such layers are used, many of the access points along the lens's external field of view are increased by extending the layers from one or more locations to the outer periphery. Moreover, this layer is partitioned into individual sub-zones to provide multiple passages between the edge of the lens and the elements therein.

33 is an exploded schematic view of an optical lens system according to another optional embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 33 an optical lens 3330 may appear with an electro-active refractive matrix 3390 and an optical toroid 3320. In this embodiment the refractive matrix 3390 is located within the optical toroid 3320 and fixed behind the optical lens 3330. In so doing, the optical toroid 3320 forms a recess in the cavity behind the optical lens 3330 to support, retain and contain the electro-active refractive matrix 3390. When such an optical lens system is assembled, the front surface of the optical lens 3330 may be molded, surface cast, laminated or processed to be shaped to the optical lens system to the user's specific refractive and optical needs. In accordance with this embodiment, the electro-active refractive matrix 3390 is activated and controlled to increase the vision of the user.

34 is another exploded schematic of an optional embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 34, optical lens 3400, electro-active refractive matrix 3490 and carrier 3480 may all appear. Rather than using toroids to help orient the electro-active refraction on the optical lens as in the previous embodiment, in this embodiment the electro-active refractive matrix 3490 is connected to the optical lens 3400 via the carrier 3480. ) Similarly, other elements 3470 required to support the electro-active refractive matrix 3490 are also connected to the carrier 3480. This allows these elements 3470 and the electro-active phrase matrix 3490 to be easily fixed to various optical lenses. Moreover, such a carrier 3480, its elements 3470 and the electro-active refractive matrix 3490 are each covered with another material and material to protect them from wounds before or after being connected to the lens.

The carrier 3480 is made of many possible materials, including a membrane of polymer mesh, flexible plastic, ceramic, glass, and mixtures of these materials. As a result, this carrier 3480 bends or hardens differently depending on its material composition. In each case the carrier 3480 is preferably transparent, although in alternative embodiments it may be tinted or translucent and provide the lens 3400 with other desired properties. Various manufacturing processes are used, including micro-machining of the lens and wet and dry etching to form recesses or cavities in which the carrier is mounted, depending on the type of material of the carrier 3480. These techniques can also be used to manufacture the carrier itself, including etching one or both sides of the carrier to produce another pattern that corrects for any optical aberrations produced by the carrier.

35A-35E illustrate assembly sequences used in accordance with optional embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 35A, the frame 3500 and the wearer's eye 3570 may be clearly seen. In FIG. 35B, the electro-active refractive matrix 3580 of the optical lens 3505, the radial bus 3540, and various direction and location arrows 3510, 3520, and 3530 can be seen. 35C shows an optical lens system with a radial bus 3540 at the 9 o'clock position. 35D shows the same optical lens system as FIG. 35C after the optical lens system is edged and a portion or region of the external field of view has been removed during manufacture for mounting into frame 3500. 35E shows a power source located between the electro-active refractive matrix and radial bus 3540 centered on the user's eye within the first zone and the limbs of the frame 3500 in the user's eye and the field of view of the lens A complete lens system with 3590 is shown. The combined field of view zone and the first zone consist of the entire lens blank in this embodiment. However, in other embodiments they consist only of a portion of the total lens blank.

A technician assembling such a lens system according to one embodiment of the present invention proceeds as follows. In the first step described in FIG. 35A, the frame 3500 fitted to the electro-active lens is placed in front of the user to be centered in the user's eye 3570 relative to the frame. After being positioned in the center of the user's eye with respect to the frame, the electro-active lens is rotated, positioned, edged and cut such that the center of the electro-active refractive matrix 3580 is centered on the user's eye 3570 when the user wears the frame. do. Such rotations and cuts are shown in FIGS. 35B, 35C and 35D. After the lens is edged and cut to accurately position the electro-active matrix 3580 in the user's eye, the power source or other element snaps over the bus 3540 of the lens and the lens is placed in the frame as shown in FIG. 35E. It is fixed. This snapping process includes a pushing lead from each element through the lens surface and into the bus, as well as to provide engagement with each other and with other elements.

While the electro-active lens system and the electro-active matrix are centered on the front of the user's eye, both the lens and the electro-active matrix are in the field of the user's field of view, including being off-set from the center of the user's eye. In the other direction. Moreover, because of the myriad of shapes and sizes of useful eyeglass frames, the lenses are edged and their dimensions changed, so the lenses are eventually assembled by a technician to fit a wide range of frames and individual users.

In addition to simply using an electro-active refractive matrix to correct the user's vision, one or both sides of the lens are surface-cast or polished to further correct for the user's refractive error. Likewise, the lens surface is laminated to correct for the optical aberration of the user.

In this embodiment as well as others, the technician uses a standard lens blank to assemble the system. These lens blanks range from 30mm to 80mm up to normal common sizes 60mm, 65mm, 70mm, 72mm and 75mm. These lens blanks are connected with an electro-active matrix mounted on the carrier during or before the assembly process.

36A-36E illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention describing another assembly sequence in which these elements are actually connected to the frame itself rather than having a range finder and a power source located in the lens. 36A-36E show frame 3600, user eye 3670 and direction and rotation 3610, 3620 and 3630, electro-active refractive matrix 3680 and transparent element bus 3640 of optical lens 3605. Is illustrated. As in the embodiment described above, the user's eyes are first positioned within the frame. The lens then rotates relative to the user's eye such that the electro-active refractive matrix 3680 is accurately positioned in front of the user's eye. The lens is then shaped, polished and inserted into the frame as needed. In line with this insertion, the range finder battery and other elements 3690 are also connected to the lens.

37A-37F provide another optional embodiment of the present invention. Transparent bus 3740, electro-active refractive matrix 3780, user eye 3770, rotation arrow 3710, range finder or controller and power source 3730 and multi-conductor wires 3720 are described in these figures. do. In this optional embodiment, in addition to completing the steps described in the two assembly embodiments, another step described in FIG. 37E is completed. The steps described in FIG. 37E enclose the external environment of the lens with a multi-conductor cleaner or wire system 3720. This wire system 3720 is used to move signals and power into and out of the electro-active refractive matrix 3780 as well as other elements. Substantial signal wires in the multi-conductor cleaner 3720 include ITO (indium tin oxide) materials as well as gold, silver, copper or other suitable conductors.

38 is an exploded view of the same size of the integrated controller and range finder used in the present invention. Rather than having a controller and a distance meter connected to each other via a bus as shown in another embodiment, in this embodiment a distance meter consisting of a rotation detector 3810 and an infrared light emitting diode 3820 is directly connected to the controller 3830. This entire unit is connected to the frame or lens as described in the above embodiment. While the diameters are 1.5 mm and 5 mm as shown in FIG. 38, other dimensions and shapes are also used.

39 is an exploded schematic view of an integrated controller and power source in accordance with another optional embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the controller 3930 is connected directly to the power source 3940.

40 is an exploded schematic view of an integrated power source 4040, controller 4030 and range finder in accordance with another optional embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 40, the radiation detector 4010 and the light emitting diode 4020 (ranger) are connected to a controller, which in turn is connected to a power source 4040. As in the above embodiment, the dimensions shown in this case (3.5 mm and 6.5 mm) are exemplary and optional dimensions are also used.

41-43 are respective schematic views of lens systems in accordance with various optional embodiments of the present invention. 41 is a lens system using a controller and rangefinder coupling 4130 that is in turn connected with an electro-active refractive matrix 4140 and a power source 4110 via a power conductor bus 4120. Comparative FIG. 42 shows a coupled controller and power source 4240 connected to a light emitting diode 4220 and radiation detector 4210 (rangefinder) and an electro-active refractive matrix 4230 via a transparent conductor bus 4250. Indicates. 43 is located along the radial transparent conductor bus 4330, which in turn shows the location of the coupled power source, controller, and distance meter 4320 connected to the electro-active refractive zone 4310. Various dimensions and diameters appear in each of these three figures. It is to be understood that these dimensions and diameters are illustrative only and that various other dimensions and diameters are used.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the present invention are widely used in the field of photonics and telecommunications. For example, the electro-active systems described herein are used to adjust and / or focus light beams or laser light, and are used for optical communication and optical computing, such as optical switching and data archiving. Additionally, the electro-active system described herein is used by computer imaging systems to position optical images in three-dimensional space.

48 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 48, the electro-active optical system 4800 includes a first electro-active element 4820, a second electro-active element 4830, a third electro-active element 4840 and a distance measuring device 4850. ). As shown in FIG. 48, image 4810 is represented by an arrow at the first point in three-dimensional space.

The image is for example a light beam, a laser beam or a real or virtual optical image. Thus, the electro-active optical system 4800 is used to focus the image 4810 at pre-measured points in three-dimensional space. The first electro-active element 4820 is used to move or shift the image 4810 along the x-axis. This is accomplished by applying the proper alignment of the signal to the first electro-active element 4820 to create a horizontal prism in the first electro-active element 4820. The second electro-active element 4830 is used in a similar manner as the first electro-active element 4820 to create a vertical prism along the y-axis and to move the image 4810. The third electro-active element 4840 focuses the image 4810 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 4800 to a more positive or more negative optical power depending on the desired position of the obtained image. Is used. In addition, the ranging device 4850 is used to detect the position of a target, for example a detector, in an image field in which the user wishes to focus the obtained image. The ranging device 4850 then measures the focal angle required in the third electro-active element 4840 to achieve the obtained image 4860 desired by the user at a premeasured point in the three-dimensional space. . It should be appreciated that the range finder 4850 is in the form of a range finder embodiment described above, including an integrated power source, controller, and range finder system.

49 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 49, the electro-active optical system 4900 includes a first electro-active element 4920, a second electro-active element 4930 and a distance measuring device 4950. As shown in FIG. 49, image 4910 is represented by an arrow at the first point in three-dimensional space. The image is for example a light beam, a laser beam or a real or imaginary optical image. Thus, the electro-active optical system 4900 is used to focus the image 4910 at pre-measured points in three-dimensional space. The first electro-active element 4920 is used to move or shift the image 4910 along both the x-axis and the y-axis. This is accomplished by applying the proper alignment of the signal to the first electro-active element 4920 to create horizontal and vertical prisms in the first electro-active element 4920. The second electro-active element 4930 focuses the image 4910 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 4800 to a more positive or more negative optical power depending on the desired position of the obtained image. Used to match. In addition, the ranging device 4950 is used to detect the position of a target, for example a detector, in an image field in which the user wishes to focus the obtained image. The ranging device 4950 then measures the focal angle required in the second electro-active element 4930 to achieve the obtained image 4960 desired by the user at a premeasured point in the three-dimensional space. . It should be appreciated that the ranging device 4950 is in the form of a rangefinder embodiment described above, including an integrated power source, controller, and rangefinder system.

50 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 50, the electro-active optical system 5000 includes a first electro-active element 5020 and a ranging device 5050. As shown in FIG. 50, image 5010 is represented by an arrow at the first point in three-dimensional space. The image is for example a light beam, a laser beam or a real or imaginary optical image. Thus, an electro-active optical system 5000 is used to focus the image 5010 at a premeasured point in three-dimensional space. The first electro-active element 5020 is used to move or shift the image 5010 along both the x-axis and the y-axis. This is accomplished by applying the proper alignment of the signal to the first electro-active element 5020 to create horizontal and vertical prisms in the first electro-active element 5020. In this embodiment, the prisms are created with both horizontal and vertical components opposite to only horizontal or only vertical. In addition, the first electro-active element 5020 can be adapted to the image 5010 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 5000 to a more positive or more negative optical power depending on the desired position of the obtained image. ) Is used to focus. The ranging device 5050 is used to detect the position of a target, for example a detector, in an image field in which the user wishes to focus the obtained image. The ranging device 5050 then measures the focal angle required in the first electro-active element 5020 to achieve the obtained image 5060 desired by the user at a premeasured point in the three-dimensional space. . It should be appreciated that the ranging device 5050 is in the form of a rangefinder embodiment described above, including an integrated power source, controller, and rangefinder system.

51 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 51, the electro-active optical system 5100 includes a first electro-active element 5120, a second electro-active element 5130 and a distance measuring device 5150. As shown in FIG. 51, image 5110 is represented by an arrow at the first point in three-dimensional space. The image is for example a light beam, a laser beam or a real or imaginary optical image. Thus, the electro-active optical system 5100 is used to focus the image 5110 at a premeasured point in three-dimensional space. The first electro-active element 5120 is used to select light of a particular wavelength from an image or beam 5110. This is achieved using static monochromatic filters or monochromatic filters that switch mechanically or electrically. The second electro-active element 5130 is used to move or shift the image 5110 along both the x-axis and the y-axis. This is accomplished by applying the proper alignment of the signal to the second electro-active element 5130 to create horizontal and vertical prisms in the second electro-active element 5130. In this embodiment, the prisms are created with both horizontal and vertical components opposite to only horizontal or only vertical. The second electro-active element 5130 may also focus the image 5110 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 5100 to a more positive or more negative optical power depending on the desired position of the obtained image. It is used to match. In addition, the ranging device 5150 is used to detect the position of a target, for example a detector, in an image field in which the user wishes to focus the obtained image. The ranging device 5150 then measures the focal angle required in the second electro-active element 5130 to achieve the desired image 5160 desired by the user at a premeasured point in the three-dimensional space. . It should be appreciated that the rangefinder 5150 is in the form of a rangefinder embodiment described above, including an integrated power source, controller, and rangefinder system.

52 is a schematic diagram of an electro-active optical system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 52, an electro-active optical system 5200 includes a first electro-active element 5220, a second electro-active element 5230 and a distance measuring device 5250. As shown in FIG. 52, image 5210 is represented by an arrow at the first point in three-dimensional space. The image is for example a light beam, a laser beam or a real or imaginary optical image. Thus, the electro-active optical system 5200 is used to focus the image 5210 at a premeasured point in three-dimensional space. The first electro-active element 5120 is a fixed lens used to provide large or overall adjustment to the position of the image obtained along the z-axis. The second electro-active element 5230 is used to move or shift the image 5210 along both the x-axis and the y-axis. This is accomplished by applying the proper alignment of the signal to the second electro-active element 5230 to create horizontal and vertical prisms in the second electro-active element 5230. In this embodiment, the prisms are created with both horizontal and vertical components opposite to only horizontal or only vertical. The second electro-active element 5230 also adjusts the optical power of the system 5200 to a more positive or more negative optical power in combination with the first element 5220, depending on the desired position of the obtained image. Thereby focusing the image 5210 along the z-axis. In addition, the ranging device 5250 is used to detect the position of a target, for example a detector, in an image field in which the user wishes to focus the obtained image. The ranging device 5250 is then combined with the first element 5220 to achieve a second electro-active element 5230 to achieve the desired image 5260 desired by the user at a premeasured point in the three-dimensional space. Measure the focal angle required in Thus optical system 5200 produces an alignment with optical properties that is the same as an optical lens with a prism at a fixed angle and possesses the desired spherical power. It should be appreciated that the ranging device 5250 is in the form of a rangefinder embodiment described above, including an integrated power source, controller, and rangefinder system. Also, a fixed lens has been described with reference to FIG. 52 in using it to adjust the focal length of the obtained image, but a fixed lens is any of the above-described methods for adjusting or focusing an optical image within a three-dimensional space. It should be appreciated that it is also used in electro-active optical systems. For example, the various embodiments described above may be used in any imaging system designed to record optical images, such as digital or conventional cameras, video recorders, and other devices for recording optical images.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, other embodiments are also possible within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, an eye tracker is also added to the lens to track the movement of the user's eyes when focusing on the electro-active refractive matrix, as well as performing various other functions and services for the user in addition to each of the elements described above. . Moreover, while LEDs and radiation detectors combined as rangefinders are described, other elements are also used to complete this function.

Claims (63)

Electro-active lenses; And A controller coupled to the electro-active lens shaped to adjust the focal length of at least a portion of the electro-active lens based on the signal from the field of view detector: Optical lens system including The method of claim 1, wherein the field detector is: Optical lens system further comprising a range finder device The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the distance measuring device is: A transmitter configured to produce a first beam of non-visible radiation to intersect the sensed object; And And further comprising a receiver shaped to detect a second beam of non-visible radiation reflected from the sensed object. 4. The optical lens system of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to measure the field of view distance of a detected object based on signals received from the transmitter and receiver. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the distance measuring device is: An optical lens system further comprising a first device to steer the first beam produced by the transmitter 4. The optical lens system of claim 3, wherein the distance measuring device further comprises: a diverging lens selectively covering the transmitter. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the distance measuring device is: An optical lens system, further comprising a second device for manipulating the receiving cone received by the receiver 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the distance measuring device is: An optical lens system, further comprising a receiving lens selectively covering the receiver, shaped to adjust a receiving cone received by the receiver The optical lens system of claim 8, wherein the receiving lens is constructed of an opaque material. 10. The optical lens system of claim 8, wherein the receiving lens comprises a slit aperture. 11. The optical lens system of claim 10, wherein the slit aperture is substantially rectangular. The optical lens system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is a laser diode. The optical lens system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is an LED. 4. The optical lens system of claim 3 wherein the transmitter and receiver are both coupled to a power source. The system of claim 2, wherein the field detector is: Optical lens system further comprising a tilt switch for use in combination with a ranging device 10. The optical lens system of claim 1, further comprising a power source coupled to the controller and field of view detector. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the focal length of at least a portion of the electro-active lens by adjusting the voltage applied to the portion of the electro-active lens based on the field of view measured by the field of view detector. Optical lens system The optical lens system of claim 1, wherein the field detector further comprises a tilt switch. A transmitter configured to produce a first beam of non-visible radiation to intersect the sensed object; And Including a receiver shaped to detect a second beam of non-visible radiation reflected from a sensed object: A distance measuring device for use with a controller in an optical system, wherein the controller is configured to measure the field of view distance of the detected object based on signals received from the transmitter and the receiver. 20. The distance measuring device of claim 19, further comprising a diverging lens that selectively covers the transmitter. And further comprising a receiving lens selectively covering the receiver, shaped to adjust the receiving cone received by the receiver. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the receiving lens is constructed of an opaque material. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the receiving lens includes a slit aperture. 24. A distance measuring apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said slit aperture is substantially rectangular. 20. The distance measuring device of claim 19, wherein said transmitter is a laser diode. 20. The distance measuring device of claim 19, wherein the transmitter is an LED. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transmitter and receiver are both coupled to a power source. Electro-active lenses; And A controller configured to adjust the voltage applied to at least a portion of the electro-active lens, characterized in that the voltage is combined with the adjusted focal length for the electro-active lens based on the field of view distance of the glasses measured by the field detector: Electro-active glasses including 29. The spectacles according to claim 28, wherein said field detector further comprises a ranging device. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the distance measuring device is: A transmitter configured to produce a first beam of non-visible radiation to intersect the sensed object; And Receiver configured to detect the second beam of non-visible radiation reflected from the sensed object Glasses characterized in that it further comprises 31. The spectacles of claim 30, wherein the controller is configured to measure the field of view distance of the detected object based on signals received from the transmitter and the receiver. 31. The spectacles according to claim 30, wherein the ranging fixation further comprises a first device for steering the first beam produced by the transmitter. 31. The spectacles according to claim 30, wherein the ranging device further comprises a diverging lens for selectively covering the transmitter. 31. The spectacles according to claim 30, wherein the ranging device further comprises a second device for manipulating the receiving cone received by the receiver. 31. The spectacles according to claim 30, wherein the ranging device further comprises a receiving lens selectively covering the receiver, shaped to adjust the receiving cone received by the receiver. 36. The spectacles of claim 35 wherein the receiving lens is constructed of an opaque material. 36. The spectacles according to claim 35, wherein the receiving lens comprises a slit aperture. 38. The eyewear as recited in claim 37, wherein the slit aperture is substantially rectangular. 31. The spectacles according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter is a laser diode. 31. The glasses of claim 30, wherein the transmitter is an LED. 30. The spectacles according to claim 29, wherein the field meter further comprises a tilt switch for use in combination with the distance measuring device. 29. The eyeglass of claim 28, further comprising a power source coupled with the controller and the field of view detector. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the focal length of at least a portion of the electro-active lens by adjusting the voltage applied to the portion of the electro-active lens based on the field of view measured by the field detector. glasses 29. The spectacles according to claim 28, wherein said field detector further comprises a tilt switch. Use a field of view detector to measure the field of view of the object sensed through the electro-active lens; Adjusting the focal length of the first part of the electro-active lens based on the viewing distance Control method of optical lens system including 46. The method of claim 45, wherein adjusting the focal length further comprises applying a voltage coupled with the desired optical power combined with the viewing distance to the first portion of the electro-activity. 46. The method of claim 45, wherein said field detector further comprises a distance measuring device. 48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the distance measuring device is: A transmitter configured to produce a first beam of non-visible radiation to intersect the sensed object; And Receiver configured to detect the second beam of non-visible radiation reflected from the sensed object Control method characterized in that it further comprises 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the controller is configured to measure the field of view distance of the detected object based on signals received from the transmitter and the receiver. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the ranging device further comprises a first device for steering the first beam produced by the transmitter. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the ranging device further comprises a diverging lens that selectively covers the transmitter. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the ranging device further comprises a second device for manipulating the receiving cone received by the receiver. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the ranging device further comprises a receiving lens selectively covering the receiver, shaped to adjust a receiving cone received by the receiver. 54. The method of claim 53, wherein the receiving lens is constructed of an opaque material. 54. The method of claim 53, wherein said receiving lens comprises a slit aperture. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the slit aperture is substantially rectangular. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the transmitter is a laser diode. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the transmitter is an LED. 48. The method of claim 47, wherein said field detector further comprises a tilt switch for use in combination with a ranging device. 46. The method of claim 45, further comprising a power source coupled to the controller and the field of view detector. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the focal length of at least a portion of the electro-active lens by adjusting the voltage applied to the portion of the electro-active lens based on the field of view measured by the field detector. Control method 46. The method of claim 45, wherein said field detector further comprises a tilt switch. Use the first electro-active element to horizontally move the optical image within the first plane perpendicular to the optical axis; Use a second electro-active element to vertically move the optical image within the first plane perpendicular to the optical axis; Use a field of view detector to measure the first distance of the optical image along the optical axis; Analyze the first distance to measure the optical power adjustment to focus the optical image; Adjusting the optical power of the third element by optical power adjustment to focus the optical image A method of using an electro-active optical system for positioning an optical image in three-dimensional space along an optical axis, including