Methods and apparatus for actuating an ophthalmic lens in response to ciliary muscle motion

• US 10,172,704 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2015
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e-vision Smart Optics, Inc. (New Smart Optics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: e-vision Smart Optics, Inc. (New Smart Optics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blum, Ronald D., Kokonaski, William, Duston, Dwight P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tallman, Robert E.
• Application Number:
  US14/816,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20150335420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,254 Days
• Field of Search: 351158, 35115939, 3511594
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1613 having special lens configurations, e.g. multipart lenses; having particular optical properties, e.g. pseudo-accommodative lenses, lenses having aberration corrections, diffractive lenses, lenses for variably absorbing electromagnetic radiation, lenses having variable focus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1627 for changing index of refraction, e.g. by external means or by tilting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/061 with movable shutters, e.g. filter discs; Actuating means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/06 bifocal; multifocal ; progressive G02C7/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/16 Shades; shields; Obturators, e.g. with pinhole, with slot G02C5/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices

Abstract

Eyewear is provided including a frame, and a camera connected with the frame, in which the camera is configured to be controlled by a remote controller. The camera may be configured to capture video and/or a photo. The eyewear may include data storage, and the camera may be connected to the data storage. A wrist watch may be configured to act both as a time piece and a controller of the camera. The eyewear may also include a heads up display and/or a video file player. The eyewear may also include an electro-active lens.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an ophthalmic lens having an optic zone and a peripheral zone attached to and extending from the optic zone;

a variable optic element incorporated into the optic zone of the ophthalmic lens, the variable optic element being configured to change an optical power of the ophthalmic lens; and

a sensing system attached to the peripheral zone of the ophthalmic lens, the sensing system being configured to detect motion of a ciliary muscle associated with the process of accommodation and to generate an action for controlling the variable optic element.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the ophthalmic lens is flexible.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication element to wirelessly receive an external signal for the processor to generate the action for controlling the variable optic element.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing system is configured to generate a first action in response to detection of a first motion of the ciliary muscle and to generate a second action, different from the first action, in response to a second motion of the ciliary muscle.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the first motion of the ciliary muscle comprises tension and the first action controls the variable optic element to achieve near focus; and

the second motion of the ciliary muscle comprises compression and the second action controls the variable optic element to achieve far focus.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power source, electrically coupled to the variable optic element, to power the variable optic element.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the power source comprises at least one of a rechargeable battery and a capacitor.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the power source is configured to store electrical power generated by the motion of the ciliary muscle.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing system comprises a piezoelectric element configured to produce a change in current flow in response to the motion of the ciliary muscle.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a ciliary body attachment point configured to attach the sensing system to the ciliary muscle.

9. A method of actuating a variable optic element incorporated into an optic zone of an ophthalmic lens, the method comprising:

detecting motion of a ciliary muscle associated with the process of accommodation; and

generating an action for controlling the variable optic element in response to the motion of the ciliary muscle,

wherein the detecting motion of the ciliary muscle is performed by a sensing system attached to a peripheral zone attached to and extending from the optic zone of the ophthalmic lens.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

generating another action for controlling the variable optic element in response to a wireless signal.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein generating the action comprises:

generating a first action in response to detection of a first motion of the ciliary muscle, and

generating a second action, different from the first action, in response to a second motion of the ciliary muscle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the first motion of the ciliary muscle comprises tension and the first action controls the variable optic element to achieve near focus; and

the second motion of the ciliary muscle comprises compression and the second action controls the variable optic element to achieve far focus.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

storing electrical power generated by the motion of the ciliary muscle with a power source of the ophthalmic lens.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensing system comprises a piezoelectric element and the detecting motion comprises sensing a change in current flow in the piezoelectric element.