WO2006102365A2 - Lentilles a focalisation reglable - Google Patents

Lentilles a focalisation reglable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006102365A2
WO2006102365A2 PCT/US2006/010315 US2006010315W WO2006102365A2 WO 2006102365 A2 WO2006102365 A2 WO 2006102365A2 US 2006010315 W US2006010315 W US 2006010315W WO 2006102365 A2 WO2006102365 A2 WO 2006102365A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lens
lens system
lenses
elements
adjustment mechanism
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/010315
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2006102365A3 (fr
Inventor
Brett Spivey
Original Assignee
Brett Spivey
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/085,436 external-priority patent/US7372646B2/en
Application filed by Brett Spivey filed Critical Brett Spivey
Publication of WO2006102365A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006102365A2/fr
Publication of WO2006102365A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006102365A3/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C9/00—Attaching auxiliary optical parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C7/00—Optical parts
    • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C7/00—Optical parts
    • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
    • G02C7/06—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses bifocal; multifocal ; progressive
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C7/00—Optical parts
    • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
    • G02C7/06—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses bifocal; multifocal ; progressive
    • G02C7/061—Spectacle lenses with progressively varying focal power
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C7/00—Optical parts
    • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
    • G02C7/08—Auxiliary lenses; Arrangements for varying focal length
    • G02C7/081—Ophthalmic lenses with variable focal length
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C9/00—Attaching auxiliary optical parts
    • G02C9/02—Attaching auxiliary optical parts by hinging

Definitions

  • This Application is a continuation in part of United States Patent Applications, Serial No. 11/085,436 filed March 21, 2005 and Serial No. 11/243,944 filed October 5, 2005, which are incorporated by reference herein and claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 60/688,092 filed June 6, 2005.
  • This invention relates to lenses and in particular to eyeglasses lenses and in particular to adjustable focus lenses and to processes for making eyeglass lenses.
  • Nearsightedness is a condition of the eye in which distance objects cannot be focused on the retina and farsightedness is a condition of the eye in which near objects cannot be focused on the retina. These conditions are normally corrected by spectacle lenses having a power needed to correct the eye's focus error.
  • Astigmatism is a condition of the eye caused by an irregular curvature of an eye surface, usually the front surface. It can be corrected by a spectacle lens in which at least one surface has a different curvature in different planes through the lens axis.
  • the two lenses do not perfectly cancel, but as long as the power is fairly weak (i.e., less than about 5 diopters), the human eye does not detect the residual aberration.
  • the adjustable lens of the human eye is located immediately behind the iris.
  • the crystalline lens is comprised of 4 layers, from the surface to the center: the capsule, the sub-capsular epithelium, the cortex and the nucleus.
  • the lens capsule is a clear, membrane-like structure that is quite elastic, a quality that keeps it under constant tension. As a result, the lens naturally tends toward a rounder or more globular configuration, a shape it must assume for the eye to focus at a near distance. Slender but very strong suspending ligaments, which attach at one end to the lens capsule and at the other end to protrusions of the circular ciliary body around the inside of the eye, hold the lens in place.
  • the "amplitude of accommodation" of an eye is the maximum amount that the eye's crystalline lens can accommodate. This amount is very high when young and decreases with age.
  • the cornea of the human eye is also important in providing focus.
  • the cornea provides by far the greatest optical power in the eye, with a power of 43.0 D.
  • the entire optical system of the eye has a power of 58.6 D. This causes the light entering the eye to focus onto the retina.
  • the power of the cornea cannot be adjusted, except by surgery.
  • presbyopia is due both to a lessening of flexibility of the crystalline lens and to a generalized weakening of the ciliary muscle.
  • the crystalline lens is virtually incapable of changing shape.
  • eyeglasses are usually used to provide correct focus as needed. These eyeglasses include bifocal, trifocal, and continuous focal glasses. Other solutions include separate glasses for distance and reading.
  • the present invention provides a lens unit with at least two lens elements.
  • a mechanism is provided to adjust the position of one of the two lens elements relative to the other in a direction generally perpendicular to a viewing direction.
  • At least a portion of a surface of the first lens element is a specially designed surface defining a first complementary surface and at least a portion of a surface of the second lens element is a surface defining a second complementary surface that is substantially complementary to the first complementary surface.
  • the designs of the specially designed surfaces are chosen such that small adjustments of the relative positions of the two lenses in directions perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to a viewing direction results in changes in the combined focus of the two lenses of the lens unit.
  • Z(X 1 Y) + Z C (X,Y) 2*C 2 , which is. the expression for a flat plate. If the location of Z c in the x direction is changed by a small amount, dx, then the thickness variations do not cancel anymore, and the net thickness is:
  • Z(X,Y) + Zc(X + dx,Y) 2*C 2 + -C ! *(dx*(X 2 + Y 2 ) + dx 2 *X + dx 3 /3).
  • the above equations define positions Z(X, Y) on a surface of the lens as a function of X and Y assuming the assuming the other surface is flat (i.e. Z is constant).
  • the second surface of each lens will have some curvature.
  • the second surface will be a portion of the surface of a sphere with a constant radius.
  • the above equations for the specially designed surfaces need to be modified so that the Z defining the specially designed surface includes the curvature of the other surface.
  • the inner and outer surfaces are spherical with the outer surface having a slightly larger radius of curvature than the inner surface.
  • This provides the lens unit a basic power when the two lenses are in their null position.
  • the two inside surfaces are provided with the special surfaces as defined by the above equations modified in each case by the curvature of their second surfaces. With this arrangement the lenses need to be shifted laterally relative to each other to produce a zero power for the lens unit.
  • a C 3 X term is added to one surface and subtracted from the complementary surface to reduce the profile variation of each of the lenses.
  • each lens unit having two lens elements are mounted in a frame to provide eyeglasses with adjustable focus.
  • Some designs provide for movement side to side movement of the lens elements relative to each other. In other designs the relative motion is up and down. A simple technique is a thumbscrew adjustment that is operated by the wearer.
  • Another design is based on ringer force against a friction force.
  • separate frames holding the lens elements pivot about pivot points on the earpiece of a support frame.
  • two rear lens elements are mounted in a support frame and the front lens elements are mounted in a separate frame that pivots about a point on the earpiece of the support frame.
  • Another design includes a torsion bar assures that the movements of each lens element in one of the lens units is the same as the movements of the lens elements in the other lens unit. Techniques for automatic focusing of the lenses are also disclosed.
  • the lens units are first adjusted relative to each other to provide a desired focusing power then fixed in a frame to provide fixed lens units with a fixed power.
  • a very wide variety of lens powers can be produced with a minimal stock of lenses.
  • Each lens unit of these eyeglasses comprises at least two lens elements.
  • the first of the two lens elements in a lens unit has a specially designed surface providing a special varying lens thickness as a function of position across the lens surfaces, and the second of the two lens elements has specially designed surface providing a varying lens thickness that is substantially complementary to the varying thickness of the first lens element.
  • the designs of the surfaces are chosen such that small adjustments of the relative positions of the two lenses in a first direction predominantly perpendicular to the viewing direction results in changes in the combined focus of the two lenses of each lens unit. Astigmatism is corrected by a small adjustment in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction followed by a rotation of the two lenses about the axis of the two lenses.
  • the two lenses are fixed with respect to each other and installed in eyeglass frames. Cutting to the shape of the eyeglass frames can occur either before or after the fixing.
  • FIG. 1 is a drawing of a prototype set of eyeglasses based on the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a larger view of one of the lenses of the eyeglasses shown in FIG.l.
  • FIGS. 2 A through 2D and 3 A and B compare a lens system with single-lens units with a system with one of the lens units being a two-lens unit.
  • FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are plots of results of ray trace calculations.
  • FIGS. 7, 7 A, &B and 7C show features of a preferred embodiment where the lenses are moved vertically to adjust focus.
  • FIGS. 8 A and 8B describe a technique for improving the profile of the lenses.
  • FIGS. 9 A - 14A show optical conditions that were computer simulated with CAD optical software.
  • FIGS. 9B - 14B show the results of the FIGS. 9A- 14A simulations.
  • FIGS. 15 - 19D show features of adjustable frame designs.
  • FIGS. 2OA and 2OB show the molding specifications for a preferred polycarbonate lens design.
  • Z(X,Y) + Z C (X + dx,Y) 2*C 2 - C : *(dx*(X 2 + Y 2 ) + dx 2 *X + dx 3 /3).
  • the above equations define positions Z(X 5 Y) on a surface of the lens as a function of X and Y assuming the other surface is flat (i.e. Z is constant).
  • the second surface of each lens will have some curvature.
  • the second surface will be a portion of the surface of a sphere with a constant radius.
  • the above equations for the specially designed surfaces need to be modified so that the Z defining the specially designed surface includes the curvature of the other surface.
  • the inner and outer surfaces are spherical with the outer surface having a slightly larger radius of curvature than the inner surface.
  • This provides the lens unit a basic power when the two lenses are in their null position.
  • the two inside surfaces are provided with the special surfaces as defined by the above equations modified in each case by the curvature of their second surfaces.
  • the lenses need to be shifted laterally relative to each other to null the lens unit. Then, any lateral movement in one direction will increase the power of the unit and any movement in the opposite direction will decrease the power of the lens unit, hi other embodiments the inner and outer surfaces could be provided with more complicated surfaces when desired to correct other visual conditions such as astigmatism.
  • the other surfaces could also be designed to achieve many other eyeglass designs such as aviator glasses and wrap-around glasses.
  • FIG. 1 A first proposed version of the present invention is shown at 1 in FIG. 1.
  • This is a drawing of a pair of eyeglasses with wearer operated focusing lenses.
  • This embodiment includes metal or plastic frame 2, two back lenses 4 and two front lenses 6.
  • Back lenses 4 are mounted rigidly on frame 2.
  • Front lenses 6 are mounted so that they can be moved laterally with respect to back lenses 4.
  • Two pen mounts 8 are attached rigidly to frame 2 and tabs 10, 12 and 14 are attached rigidly to front lenses 6.
  • Pen 16 passes through pen mounts 8, allowing it to slide through tab 10.
  • Pen 18 passes through frame 2, allowing it to slide through tab 12.
  • Adjustment screw 20 passes through frame 2 and screws into treaded socket 15 in tab 14.
  • Spring 22 between frame 2 and tab 12 provides a compressive force in the direction of adjustment screw 20.
  • the wearer of the glasses shown in FIG 1 adjusts the focus of each of the lenses by rotating adjustment screws 20 as shown in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 2A shows a cross section view (cut in the horizontal plane) through back lens 4 and front lens 6 showing the relative vertical positions of the two lenses.
  • the curvature of lens 6 is the complement of the curvature of lens 4.
  • the effect of this pair of lenses is approximately equivalent to a flat plate shown in FIG. 3A.
  • lens 6 is offset to the right by 20 percent of the lens width. The net result of the offset is to produce the equivalent of a convex surface as shown in FIG. 3B, to bring the wearer's focal point nearer to him as compared to its uncorrected location.
  • lens 6 is moved farther to the left with respect to lens 4, a concave surface will be the effective result, thus moving the wearer's focal point farther away as compared to the location of his uncorrected focal point.
  • Applicant has performed ray trace calculations of the sliding lens system to verify that the optical quality is sufficient for eyewear.
  • Applicant used a pair of optics with one flat surface and one cubic surface. The fiat surfaces are on the outside and the cubic surfaces are facing each other such that there is a 0.1 mm gap between the optics when in the null position, with the effect of the cubic surfaces nearly canceling each other out.
  • the optics are assumed to be made of a typical glass with index of refraction of 1.5.
  • the strength of the cubic surface is described by:
  • the eye was modeled as having pupil diameter of 4 mm, with the pair of optics placed 2 cm in front of the eye. The eye is pointed to look at an object directly in front of the subject, with the center of the eye 3 cm from the centerline of the subject. The eyeball diameter was assumed to be 4 cm.
  • the rays originate at the eye and travel to a plane at various distances from the eye, which demonstrates the pattern that the eye senses at the object. In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 Applicant has plotted these patterns divided by the distance so that the errors are represented as angles.
  • the eye is first pointed at an object 10 meters away, with the eyeball properly focused at this 10-m focal length. This weak focusing at 10 meters is very close to an infinite focal length.
  • the lenses are in the aligned position, with 0.1-mm gap.
  • the resulting pattern at the object is shown FIG. 4. Plotted is the angular position of nine rays. They are packed so closely in the center that the positions cannot be distinguished.
  • the scale of the outer box is the approximate diffraction resolution limit for the eye - approximately 0.1 milli- radian. The small pattern compared to this dimension indicates that the level of aberration will not be noticeable.
  • Applicant moves the object plane in to 60 cm and re-points the eye, but does not refocus the eye. He first calculates the resulting angular pattern without readjusting the optics, and gets the pattern shown in FIG. 5.
  • the angular scale on this plot is 100 times larger than the previous plot, and it can be seen that the lack of proper focus greatly degrades the eye's limiting resolution, which is 1/100 of the total box size.
  • to refocus the glasses-eye optical system he slides the lens 6 laterally in the plus x direction a distance of 1.012 cm. (This could be accomplished in the FIG. 2 example by rotating adjustment screw 20.)
  • the resulting ray angular locations at 60 cm are shown in FIG. 6.
  • Applicant has plotted the data on the original scale, for which the outer box size is the limiting resolution. The much smaller spot cluster indicates that the level of aberration will not be noticeable, and that the lenses have properly refocused the glasses-eye system.
  • Moving only lens 6 (relative to lens 4 and the eye of the patient) requires a slight re- pointing of the eye. hi order to preserve the eye's pointing direction, he would need to slide the first lens 7.2 mm in the x direction, and slide the second lens 2.92 mm in the minus x direction opposite from the first lens, for a net off-set of 1.012 cm.
  • the reader will understand that providing adjustments for both lenses adds some complication to the design shown in FIGS 1 and 2, but could be done by, for example, using another adjustment screw.
  • equations for the lens thickness of the two lenses outside the sweet spot can be determined by integration of the equation for the desired net thickness of both lenses taken together.
  • This simple preferred embodiment of the present invention provides important improvements over prior art glasses such as bifocals, trifocals and continuous focal lenses.
  • the lenses can each be adjusted by the user so that his viewed object is exactly in focus through all portions of the sweet spot which can be made as large as desired. This is especially advantageous if the viewed object is stationary with respect to the wearer such as when reading, working at the computer, watching TV and watching a movie.
  • Many of the potential embodiments of he present inventions do not provide for very quick adjustment of the focus. This could be somewhat of a problem in situations, for example, when a student is watching a lecturer and taking notes at the same time.
  • FIGS. 7, 7 A, 7B and 7C A sketch of a set of glasses is shown in FIG. 7.
  • the two generally cylindrical shell lenses, back lens 42 and front lens 44, for each eye are held in a frame with top frame element 32, side elements 36A and 36B and bottom frame elements 34.
  • the glasses include nosepieces 38 and ear elements 40.
  • the two lenses have a cylindrical shape (with radii of about 5 inches) and the special surfaces for focus adjustment are applied to the inside surfaces in both cases.
  • back lens 42 is fixed to the frame but front lens 44 is free to slide up and down in slots in frame elements 36A and 36B as shown in FIG. 7B.
  • the slots in the frame elements 36A and 36B and lens 44 have the same radii of curvature.
  • a tight fit is provided so that sliding occurs only when significant finger force is applied to lens 44.
  • a tab 46 may be provided at the bottom comer of the lenses for applying this force to change the focus.
  • Needed would be a motor and actuator with a power source to provide the lateral displacement provided in the example by adjustment screw 20.
  • a small processor could be used to translate cues provided by the range finder, camera or wearer into instructions for the motor and actuator. Specific equipment of this general type for determining distances to viewed objects is described in the patents referenced in the background section.
  • a system can be used to measure inter-pupil distance.
  • This system would provide a determination of the distance of the object that the eyes are pointed at. If an object is far away, each eye is pointed in approximately the same direction. As the object moves closer, the eyes start to cross so that both are pointed at the object.
  • Small cameras can take digital images of each of the eyes and a miniature digital processor can compute the offset distance that maximizes the correlation of the two images. This offset, when added to the camera separation, yields inter-pupil distance.
  • This inter-pupil distance can be converted by the same digital processor into a range to the object, which is then converted to an offset distance for the sliding lenses. The processor then commands the motor/actuator to position the lenses in the proper position.
  • the result consists of the terms from before (first line) plus new terms (second line).
  • the new terms have a component proportional to X 5 which results in an angular displacement of the image in the X-direction; a component proportional to Y, which results in an angular displacement in the Y-direction; and 2 terms with neither X nor Y which only result in a change in total thickness but do not noticeably affect the combined lens behavior.
  • These new terms while possibly causing a displacement in the image, do not change the power in diopters of the lens pair as the lenses are relatively displaced.
  • the plot shown in FIG. 8B adds the term X/40 to the surface function.
  • the performance of the lens pair is unchanged, but notice that the peak to valley displacement of the surfaces are smaller, and therefore the lenses may be easier to manufacture or mount into the glasses.
  • a lens pair closest to the desired focus power is chosen from stock as described in 1) above. Adjustments are made in a first direction (the X-direction) to provide the desired focus. Then adjustments are made in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X- direction to apply astigmatism correction to the lenses.
  • the lenses can also include an overall bow, or any polynomial degree less than 3, or can have a deviation which is not noticeable to the eye, or can be tapered from the center, or can include a base amount of constant correction which is not complementary (such as a base focus correction or a progressive lens correction) d.
  • the third term is just a net thickness, which the eye does not notice.
  • j A polynomial of degree ⁇ 2 introduces net thickness and wedge, which does not affect visual acuity.
  • Astigmatism comes in two directions, described by 2XY and X 2 - Y 2 . These are equivalent to each other except for a 45° rotation. In order to make the lens pair correct both directions of astigmatism, the pair of lenses will need to be rotated, as a unit, after the offsets have been applied, up to plus or minus 45°. The focus is unaffected by this rotation.
  • the lenses are cut out to fit into the frames.
  • the cubic surfaces are on the inside surfaces between the two lenses. This in general will provide better correction as compared to having the cubic surfaces on the outside surfaces, but requires a gap between the lenses.
  • the cubic surfaces can be on the outside and matched spherical surfaces can be on the inside.
  • the lenses are glued together (preferably with refractive index matching glue) as a single unit with no air gap. This should provide a superior mechanical structure, and the internal surfaces are removed, but the optical performance may be somewhat inferior.
  • FIG. 9A is a simulations of a 0 diopter combinations of two lenses.
  • the two lenses are shown at 2 and 4.
  • the optics of a typical human eye is simulated at 6.
  • the resulting spot size on the retina is shown in FIG. 9B at 8.
  • This spot size can be compared with 40 micron reference line 10.
  • the average rms radius of the spot is 0.323 micron. This is smaller than the diffraction limit of the human eye, which is about 0.7 microns for the average rms radius.
  • FIG. 1OA shows the result of 0 diopters looking up at 30 degrees.
  • the resulting spot size in this case is shown at 12 in FIG. 1OB.
  • the average rms radius is measured at 0.842 microns, which is just slightly larger than the 0.7 micron rms diffraction limit of the human eye. Plus Two Diopters
  • FIGS. HA and HB show a + 2 diopter simulation looking straight ahead.
  • Lens 2 has been positioned downward with respect to lens 4.
  • the resulting spot size is shown at 14 in FIG. HB and as above can be compared with 40 micron reference line 10.
  • the average rms radius is measured at 0.558 microns, which is smaller than the 0.7 micron diffraction limit rms radius of the human eye.
  • FIGS. 12A and 12B show the results + 2 diopters looking up at 30 degrees.
  • the resulting spot size in this case is shown at 16 in FIG. 12B. Much of the size of spot 16 is attributable to chromatic aberration.
  • the average rms radius is measured at 6.675 microns, which is about 10 times larger than the 0.7 micron rms diffraction limit of the human eye.
  • the optical error associated with this enlarged spot size is about the same as experienced with typical spectacle lenses at off axis angles of about 30 degrees and the error is unlikely to be noticeable by a typical wearer.
  • the spot size 16 in FIG. 12B may to some readers appear relatively large. However, the reader is encouraged to keep in mind the actual magnitude of these optical aberrations in prospective.
  • the 40 micron reference line 10 is approximately equal to the thickness of a typical human hair.
  • Light detectors in the eye are tiny rods and cones. Cones (which are sensitive to color) are typically about 6 microns in diameter and a little smaller in the fovea region. Rods are about 2 microns in diameter but many of these rods are typically connected to the same nerve so their contributions are summed.
  • FIGS. 13 A and 13B show a - 2 diopters simulation looking straight ahead.
  • Lens 2 has been positioned upward with respect to lens 4.
  • the resulting spot size is shown at 18 in FIG. 13B.
  • the average rms radius is measured at 0.558 microns, which is smaller than the 0.7 micron diffraction limit rms radius of the human eye.
  • FIGS. 14A and 14B show the results - 2 diopters looking up at 30 degrees.
  • the resulting spot size in this case is shown at 20 in FIG. 14B.
  • the average rms radius is measured at 4.789 microns, which is about 7 times larger than the 0.7 micron rms diffraction limit of the human eye.
  • the optical error associated with this enlarged spot size is about the same as experienced with typical spectacle lenses at off axis angles of about 30 degrees and the error is unlikely to be noticeable by a typical wearer.
  • FIGS. 15 through 19D Additional prototype designs developed by Applicant are shown in FIGS. 15 through 19D.
  • rear frame 100 is positioned on a wearer in the same manner as regular glasses.
  • Front frame 102 is mounted on frame 100 with slide guide 106 and slide slot 108 so that front frame 102 is free to slide up and down relative to rear frame 100 but can not move sideways relative to rear frame 100.
  • the wearer is able to position front frame 102 relative to rear frame 100 by pushing on actuating lever 104 in order to adjust the focus of the lenses. Closes tolerances between guide 106 and guide slot 108 hold the front frame in position after it has been positioned by the wearer.
  • FIGS. 16A and 16B show another frame design for adjusting the front frame up and down relatively to the rear frame.
  • slide ring 110 that is a part of front frame 116 slides up and down on shaft 112 that is a part of rear frame 114.
  • the wearer adjusts the relative positions of the two frames by adjusting pivot bar 118.
  • the earpieces 120 are a part of rear frame 114 and the nose rest 122 is a part of front frame 115.
  • Front frame 115 hangs from pivot bar 118 via hang element 121 that pivots about pivot bar 118 and a pivot connection at nose rest 122 so that the displacement of frame 116, produced by the pivoting of pivot bar 118, does not alter the spacing between the two frames.
  • FIGS. 16C through 161 show features of a frame design similar to the one described above.
  • This frame includes back lens assembly 124, front lens assembly 126, a torsion bar assembly 128, two adjusting side bars 130 and a nose piece assembly 132 and ear piece 134.
  • the torsion bar assembly includes torsion bar 128A two sleeves 128B (through which bar 128 A is free to pivot) that are rigidly attached to back lens assembly at locations 128C.
  • Bar 128A is pivotably attached to front lens frame assembly 126 at locations 128D.
  • the two adjusting side bars 130 are pivotably attached to ear piece 134 at location 134A and are attached to front lens assembly at location 134B as shown in FIG. 16G.
  • Back lens assembly 124 includes peg attachment 124A which is comprised of two curved pegs as shown in FIG. 16H.
  • Front lens assembly 126 includes two sleeve attachments 126 A each attachment having two sleeves that slide in a general up and down direction on the pegs of peg attachment 124A.
  • the curve of the pegs matches the nominal radius of curvature of the lenses.
  • This frame also includes nose piece assembly 136 on which both front and back lens assemblies rest via sleeves 124B and 126B and stops 136A. With this feature the eyeglasses are positioned based on the location of the lowest of the two lens assemblies. Therefore, the movement of the center of the lens units relative to the wearer's eyes moves only half as far as in the FIG. 15 example.
  • Front lens assembly 126 is raised relative to back lens assembly 124 by squeezing bar 130 and earpiece 134 at location 134A and lowered by squeezing at 134B as shown in FIG. 16G.
  • Torsion bar 128 is preferably stiff enough to assure that the relative motion of the lens elements in both lens units is approximately the same. The movement up or down of the front lens elements in one of the lens units relative to the rear lens element induces a torque on torsion bar 128 A which produces a corresponding movement in the front lens element in the other lens unit.
  • FIGS. 17A through 17E show features of a prototype design currently in fabrication by Applicants and his fellow workers.
  • support frame 74 fits on the wearers head just as regular glasses.
  • the lenses, both rear lenses 98R and 98L and front lenses 96R and 96L are contained in separate frames, rear frame 72 and front frame 70, that move relative to support frame 74.
  • Frames 70 and 72 pivot about left and right pivot mounts (left mount 92L and pivot screw 94L are shown).
  • FIG. 18B shows the two lenses aligned. The wearer raises front lenses 96L and 96R in front frame 70 and lowers rear lenses 98L and 98R in rear frame 72 to positions such as the one shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 18A by squeezing frame temple arms at position 87 as shown in FIG. 18B.
  • the wearer moves the lenses in the opposite directions by squeezing frame temple arms at position 85 as shown in FIG. 18B.
  • the lenses are aligned in FIG. 18B.
  • FIGS. 19A through 19D shows a variation of the FIGS. 18 version.
  • the FIGS. 19 version is the same as the FIGS. 18 version except the wearer adjusts the relative positions of the lenses by turning cam 60 instead of squeezing the temple arms.
  • FIGS. 2OA and 2OB Detailed molding specifications for two lenses of a preferred embodiment are shown in FIGS. 2OA and 2OB.
  • FIG. 2OA provides the specifications for the rear lens
  • FIG. 2OB provides the specifications for the front lens.
  • the material is polycarbonate as shown at 130 in the two figures.
  • the rear surface of rear lens 98 is convex spherical with a radius of 133.4 mm and the front surface of front lens 96 is concave spherical with a radius of 171.0 mm as shown at 132 in the figures.
  • the front surface 2S of rear lens 98 is convex and the rear surface IS of front lens 96 is concave and both are nominally spherical with radii of 150 mm as shown at 132 in both figures.
  • the surfaces of both lenses are modified according to the surface equations given at 134 in the figures. These equations are:
  • T(X.Y) - 0.05X + 6XlO- 5 X 3 + 1.8XlO- 4 XF 2 , the same for both lenses.
  • T(X, Y) defines the modification to the base radius which is 150 mm in both cases. Modifying the base radius in both cases means that the amount removed from the surface one of the lenses is the same as the amount added to the surface of the other lens. This means that the surfaces are complementary to each other. Subtracting the thicknesses described by the above equation from both surfaces would have the same effect.
  • the figures specify typical lens tolerances.
  • the clear aperture is 46 mm and the edge diameter of each lens is 50 mm.
  • a C 3 X term i.e.
  • -0.05X is added to one surface and subtracted from the complementary surface to reduce the profile variation of each of the lenses.
  • the spherical surfaces at the rear of the front lens 96 and the front of rear lens 98 give the lens combination a base null power of 1.0 diopter when the two lenses are aligned.
  • the relative motion of the two lens elements in a lens unit is in directions related to the nominal curvature of the lens unit.
  • the nominal curvature of the lens unit described in FIGS. 2OA and 2OB is 150 mm. Therefore, their relative motion preferably should be along a radius approximately 150 mm behind the center of the lens unit.
  • optical analysis performed by Applicants has shown that tolerances on this issue is loose and (for the 150 mm nominal curvature example) the lens unit performs acceptably if the radius is within the range of about 50 mm to infinity (parallel motion).
  • the nominal curvature of the lenses is flat as in the examples shown in FIGS. 2 through 3B(S)
  • relative motion should be parallel. In the examples shown in FIGS.
  • the relative motion of the two lenses is defined by radii of about 50 mm.
  • a curvature such as 150 mm could be designed into guide 106 and guide slot 108.
  • the shaft 112 and sleeves 110 could be designed for a curvature of 150 or any other desired curvature.
  • lenses can be made as described above, except that the equation describing the lens thickness only applies in a center "sweet spot" region. Outside of this region the lens shape is optimized with thickness or other concerns in mind.
  • the lens surfaces can all have a common curvature term, and the lenses can be displaced along a curved surface as opposed to pure lateral displacement. These surfaces can have the same third degree polynomial thickness variation, but on a curved basis. There can be a net thickness on the lens unit in the null position to provide an optical base figure. This optical base figure could be applied to any or all of the lens elements in the lens unit.
  • the complementary cubic polynomial surfaces may be designed to provide up to plus or minus two diopters of focus correction.
  • eye care professionals could select from different sets of lens units with an offset focus base figure spaced every four diopters.
  • a progressive surface could be incorporated into the optical base figure, which is a common shape incorporated into prescription lenses to help mitigate presbyopia.
  • FIGS. 2 A through 2D and FIGS. 3 A and B provide a comparison between a lens system with single lens units and a system described above with one of the lens units being a pair of stationary lenses with a moving lens in between the pair.
  • FIGS. 2 A and 2B represent a lens system with single lens units with FIG. 2 A showing the null position and FIG. 2B showing a shifted position.
  • FIGS. 2C and 2D represent a lens system with one of the lens units being comprised of two separated lenses and the other lens unit being a single lens positioned in between the two lens of the first lens unit.
  • FIG. 2C represents the null position and FIG. 2D represents the shifted position.
  • FIG. 3A represents the effective combined total thickness for both null positions (i.e., FIGS. 2A and 2C) and
  • FIG. 3B represents the effective combined total thickness for both shifted positions (i.e., FIGS. 2B and 2D).
  • the lens can move up and down, side to side, or at any other direction predominately perpendicular to the wearer's line of sight.
  • the moving lenses for each eye can move in common (best for up and down) or in different directions such as out and in away from the nose.
  • both lenses for each eye can move at the same time in opposite directions, as opposed to the first example given where one of the lens is fixed to the eyeglass frame.
  • These special surfaces can be applied to any two of the four surfaces of the two lenses; however, it is better to apply the special surfaces to the inside surfaces as shown in the examples since second order effects depend on distances between the special surfaces.
  • Lens units of the present invention can be utilized in many applications other than for eyeglasses.
  • the concepts can be applied to almost any situation where adjustable focusing is needed. These include microscopes, cameras, copy machines and magnifying glasses.
  • the present invention can be used for eye examinations. Lateral adjustments can be provided with a micrometer operated by the patient to focus his eyes at various distances and having a read-out on a computer screen indicating lens power needed for focusing at those distances. Such devices might be provided at drug stores selling inexpensive lenses for reading. In addition the lenses might be used to confirm a prescription.
  • Manufacturing techniques that could be employed include: machining (such as with numerically controlled equipment), molding, special materials with curing and use of gradient index lenses for which thickness is replaced by "optical path length" defined by (n-l)*(thickness) where n is the index of refraction.
  • Potential range finders include optical, laser and acoustic.
  • Cues for automatic changing of focus could include blinking, eyebrow motion and hand switches. Putting a slight curvature (such as spherical, cylindrical or ellipsoidal) on both lenses does not change the power of the lenses and could be incorporated.

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité lentille qui comprend deux éléments lentilles possédant chacun des surfaces spéciales telles qu'un ajustement de la position de l'un des deux éléments lentilles par rapport à l'autre dans une direction généralement perpendiculaire à une direction de visualisation modifie la puissance de focalisation de l'unité lentille. Dans des modes de réalisation préférés, on fixe deux unités lentilles dans une monture afin d'obtenir des lunettes à focalisation réglable. L'invention se rapporte à plusieurs modèles de montures. Dans des modes de réalisation préférés, on monte deux unités lentilles, chaque unité lentille comprenant deux éléments lentilles, dans une monture afin d'obtenir des lunettes à focalisation réglable. L'invention porte sur divers modèles. Certains modèles de l'invention permettent un mouvement latéral des éléments lentilles l'un par rapport à l'autre. Dans d'autres modèles, le mouvement relatif s'effectue de haut en bas. L'invention peut faire appel à une technique simple de réglage par vis de serrage à main commandée par l'utilisateur. Dans un autre modèle, on exploite la force d'un doigt s'exerçant contre une force de frottement. Dans certains modes de réalisation préférés, des montures séparées maintenant les éléments lentilles pivotent autour de points de pivotement sur la branche de la monture de support. Dans d'autres modèles, on monte deux éléments lentilles arrière dans une monture de support et l'on monte les éléments lentilles avant dans une monture séparée qui pivote autour d'un point sur la branche de la monture de support. Un autre modèle comprend une barre de torsion qui garantit que chaque élément lentille de l'une des unités lentilles effectue les mêmes mouvements que ceux des éléments lentilles de l'autre unité lentille. L'invention concerne également des procédés de focalisation automatique des lentilles.
PCT/US2006/010315 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Lentilles a focalisation reglable WO2006102365A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/085,436 US7372646B2 (en) 2005-03-21 2005-03-21 Adjustable focus lens system
US11/085,436 2005-03-21
US68809205P 2005-06-06 2005-06-06
US60/688,092 2005-06-06

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018000035A1 (fr) * 2016-06-28 2018-01-04 Eagle Fino Optical Technology Pty Ltd Lunettes pour l'entraînement ou la correction de la vision
WO2018195104A1 (fr) 2017-04-19 2018-10-25 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Lentille progressive réglable et procédé de conception

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6208464B1 (en) * 1998-05-26 2001-03-27 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tremble preventing device

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6208464B1 (en) * 1998-05-26 2001-03-27 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tremble preventing device

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018000035A1 (fr) * 2016-06-28 2018-01-04 Eagle Fino Optical Technology Pty Ltd Lunettes pour l'entraînement ou la correction de la vision
WO2018195104A1 (fr) 2017-04-19 2018-10-25 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Lentille progressive réglable et procédé de conception
WO2018194592A1 (fr) * 2017-04-19 2018-10-25 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Lentille progressive réglable et procédé de conception
US11086144B2 (en) 2017-04-19 2021-08-10 Carl Zeiss Vision International Gmbh Adjustable progressive lens and design method

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