Electro-Active Spectacle Lenses

• US 20110228212A1
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision International GMBH (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Pixeloptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Duston, Dwight P., Blum, Ronald D., Haddock, Joshua N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,408,699 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00817 Producing electro-active lenses or lenses with energy receptors, e.g. batteries or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/08 Auxiliary lenses; Arrangements for varying focal length
• 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

Abstract

An adapter for a spectacle frame is disclosed which is configured for enabling the spectacle frame to operate and control electro-active lenses housed therein. In particular, the spectacle frame may allow electro-active lenses housed therein to focus and be controlled both automatically and manually with heretofore unrealized results.

Claims

1-22. -22. (canceled)

23. A method of manufacturing an electro-active lens product comprising:

providing an optical lens with an electro-active element;

providing a transparent electrical lead to provide power to the electro-active element;

providing at least one power source connection to the lens connected with the transparent electrical lead;

modifying the lens to at least partially expose an electrical lead of the power source connection;

connecting the electrical lead of the power source connection to at least one of an electrical power source, a power switch, and a sensor that detects the presence of a lens user.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising attaching at least one electrical adapter to the lens, the electrical adapter including a component of at least one of an electrical power source, a power switch, and a sensor that detects the presence of a lens user.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising, providing a spectacle frame housing the electro-active lens product,

wherein the electrical adapter is separate from the spectacle frame.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein modifying the lens includes forming at least one of a slot, groove or notch on a posterior side of the lens, the method further comprising placing the electrical adapter in the at least one of a slot, groove or notch such that the component is electrically connected with the electrical lead of the power source connection.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one of a slot, groove or notch includes a contour for securely receiving the electrical adapter.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source and a power switch.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source and a sensor that detects the presence of a lens user.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source, a power switch and a sensor that detects the presence of a lens user.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising, providing one or more focus sensors in the lens,

wherein, the electro-active element and the one or more focus sensors are configured to correct refractive errors of the eye not associated with presbyopia.

32. The method of claim 23, further comprising, providing a spectacle frame housing the electro-active lens product,

wherein the electrical lead of the power source connection is connected with a second sensor that detects whether the spectacle frame is open or closed.

33. The method of claim 23, further comprising, providing a synchronization device that is configured to activate a first electro-active lens and a second electro-active lens at substantially the same time.

34. The method of claim 23, wherein the modifying the lens includes edging the lens.

35. The method of claim 23, wherein the modifying the lens includes providing a recess in the lens.

36. An electro-active lens product comprising:

an optical lens with an electro-active element;

a transparent electrical lead configured to provide power to the electro-active element; and

at least one power source connection in the lens connected with the transparent electrical lead,

wherein an electrical lead of the power source connection is at least partially exposed on an edge of, or in a recess of, the lens and connected to at least one of an electrical power source, a power switch, and a sensor that detects the presence of a lens user.

37. The product of claim 36, further comprising at least one electrical adapter attached to the lens, the electrical adapter including a component of at least one of an electrical power source, a power switch, and a sensor that detects the presence of a lens user.

38. The product of claim 37, further comprising a spectacle frame housing the electro-active lens product,

wherein the electrical adapter is separate from the spectacle frame.

39. The product of claim 37, wherein the electrical lead of the power source connection is at least partially exposed in a recess of the lens, the recess comprising at least one of a slot, groove or notch on a posterior side of the lens whereby the electrical adapter is attached to the lens such that the component is electrically connected with the electrical lead of the power source connection.

40. The product of claim 39, wherein the at least one of a slot, groove or notch includes a contour for securely receiving the electrical adapter.

41. The product of claim 37, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source and a power switch.

42. The product of claim 37, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source and a sensor that detects the presence of a lens user.

43. The product of claim 37, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source, a power switch and a sensor that detects the presence of a lens user.

44. The product of claim 36, further comprising one or more focus sensors in the lens,

wherein, the electro-active element and the one or more focus sensors are configured to correct refractive errors of the eye not associated with presbyopia.

45. The product of claim 36, further comprising a spectacle frame housing the electro-active lens product,

wherein the electrical lead of the power source connection is connected with a second sensor that detects whether the spectacle frame is open or closed.

46. The product of claim 36, wherein the optical lens includes a first electro-active lens and a second electro-active lens, the product further comprising:

a synchronization device configured to activate the first electro-active lens and the second electro-active lens at substantially the same time.

47. The product of claim 46, wherein the synchronization device includes a transmitter.

48. The product of claim 36, wherein the electrical lead of the power source connection is at least partially exposed on an edge of the lens.

49. The product of claim 36, wherein the electrical lead of the power source connection is at least partially exposed in a recess of the lens.