Design system for designing shapes of eyeglasses

• US 5,576,778 A
• Filed: 09/27/1994
• Issued: 11/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paris MIKI Incorporated (Paris MIKI Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Paris MIKI Incorporated (Paris MIKI Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fujie, Hiroyuki, Fujie, Ryuto, Takeuchi, Kunie
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US08/312,627
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 351/177, 351/178, 351/159, 33/200, 33/507
• US Class Current: 351/177
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 13/003 Measuring during assembly or fitting of spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/203 Drawing of straight lines or curves

Abstract

A design system for designing shapes of eyeglasses. In the system, image data expressing the face of a person are first subjected to image processing such as color compensation and profile emphasis. Subsequently, feature points representing the facial features of the face are extracted, and a plurality of horizontal, vertical and inclined auxiliary lines and auxiliary points on the auxiliary lines are set based on the feature points. Anchor points of a Bezier curve which defines the shapes of the lenses and frame of the eyeglasses are then determined. The Bezier curve is converted to data composed of polar coordinates, and the converted data are transmitted to machine tools. Control points provided at the anchor points are controlled based on words which represent a desired design image for the eyeglasses. The design system can automatically generates the shapes of the lenses and frames of eyeglasses based on features of individuals and their design preferences.

Claims

1. A design system for designing shapes of eyeglasses comprising:

means for inputting an image of a face of a person as image data to be processed by a computer;

means for effecting image processing on said image data so that color compensation and profile emphasis are effected;

means for extracting feature points which represent a feature of the profile of the face and features of hair, eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth of the person;

wherein the feature points which represent features of the profile of the face include points predetermined on the hairline, on the contour line from the forehead to the cheek, and on the chin,

the feature points which represent features of the eyebrows include points predetermined at the inner end of the eyebrow, at the top of the eyebrow, at the tail or outer end of the eyebrow, and on a lower edge of the eyebrow,

the feature points which represent features of the eyes include points predetermined at the center of the pupil, on the profile line of the iris, and on the eyelid,

the feature points which represent features of the nose include points predetermined at the tip of the nose and at the peaks of the wings of the nose,

the feature points which represent features of the lips include points predetermined at the depressed center portion of the upper lip, at both ends of the lips, and at the lower end of the lower lip;

means for setting a plurality of horizontal, vertical and inclined auxiliary lines and auxiliary points on said auxiliary lines, based on said feature points, and

means for determining anchor points of a Bezier curve which defines the shapes of lenses and a front frame of eyeglasses.

2. A design system for designing shapes of eyeglasses according to claim 1, wherein control points provided at the anchor points of said Bezier curve are controlled based on words which represent a desired design image for the eyeglasses.

3. A design system for designing shapes of eyeglasses comprising:

means for inputting an image of a face of a person as image data to be processed by a computer;

means for effecting image processing on said image data so that color compensation and profile emphasis are effected;

means for extracting feature points which represent a feature of the profile of the face and features of hair, eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth of the person;

wherein the feature points which represent features of the profile of the face include points predetermined on the hairline, on the contour line from the forehead to the cheek, and on the chin,

the feature points which represent features of the eyebrows include points predetermined at the inner end of the eyebrow, at the top of the eyebrow, at the tail or outer end of the eyebrow, and on a lower edge of the eyebrow,

the feature points which represent features of the eyes include points predetermined at the center of the pupil, on the profile line of the iris, and on the eyelid,

the feature points which represent features of the nose include points predetermined at the tip of the nose and at the peaks of the wings of the nose,

the feature points which represent features of the lips include points predetermined at the depressed center portion of the upper lip, at both ends of the lips, and at the lower end of the lower lip;

means for setting a plurality of horizontal, vertical and inclined auxiliary lines and auxiliary points on said auxiliary lines based on said feature points;

means for determining anchor of a Bezier curve which defines shapes of lenses and a front frame of eyeglasses;

means for converting information regarding said Bezier curve representing said defined shapes to data composed of polar coordinates; and

means for transmitting said converted data to a machine tool.

4. A design system for designing shapes of eyeglasses according to claim 3, wherein control points provided at the anchor points of said Bezier curve are controlled based on words which represent a desired design image for the eyeglasses.