Graphical interface for monitoring usage of components of a lens forming apparatus

• US 7,074,352 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 07/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
• Inventors: Foreman, John T., Lattis, Matthew C., Powers, Galen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vargot, Mathieu D.
• Application Number:
  US09/788,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20030042633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,967 Days
• Field of Search: 264/1.1, 264/1.36, 264/1.38, 264/40.1, 264/40.6, 264/40.7, 425/135, 425/174.4, 425/808
• US Class Current: 264/1.36
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0827 using UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0833 using actinic light
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2071/022 Annealing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/0888 using transparant moulds
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0032 the coating being applied upon the mould surface before introducing the moulding compound, e.g. applying a gelcoat B29C44/14 and B29C44/32 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/005 Compensating volume or shape change during moulding, in general
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00442 Curing the lens material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0002 monomers or prepolymers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2011/0016 Lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/23 Photochromic filters

Abstract

A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system is configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for displaying the status of an eyeglass lens forming apparatus, the eyeglass lens forming apparatus comprising:

a first lens curing unit comprising a first activating light source, wherein the first activating light is configured to apply light toward a mold assembly during use, wherein the mold assembly is configured to hold a lens curing composition;

a second lens curing unit comprising a second activating light source and a heating system, wherein the second activating light source is configured to apply light toward the mold assembly during use, and the heating system is configured to heat the interior of the second lens curing unit during use; and

a conveyor system, wherein the conveyor system is configured to convey a mold assembly through the first lens curing unit into and through the second lens curing unit during use;

wherein application of activating light and heat at least partially cures the lens forming composition to form the eyeglass lens; and

the method comprising;

monitoring a parameter of at least one component of the lens forming apparatus, wherein one of the components comprises one of the lens curing units;

displaying the status of at least one of the monitored components on a display device, wherein the displayed status is based on the monitored parameter;

comparing the monitored parameter to a predetermined range for the monitored parameter for at least one monitored component; and

displaying an error message if the monitored parameter is outside of a predetermined acceptable range for the monitored parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the status of at least one of the monitored components comprises displaying a picture representative of the monitored component, and wherein the picture of the monitored component is colored to indicate the status of the component.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the status of at least one of the monitored components comprises displaying a table with a listing of the monitored component, and wherein the table includes an indication of the status of the monitored component.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring a parameter of at least one component comprises monitoring a parameter of one or more of the first activating light source, the second activating light, and the heating system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mold assembly resides on a mold assembly holder, the mold assembly holder comprising a body and an indentation formed in the body, wherein the indentation is complementary to the shape of the mold assembly.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first lens curing unit and/or the second lens curing unit comprises an ultraviolet light source.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass lens forming apparatus further comprises an anneal unit, the anneal unit comprising an anneal unit heating system, wherein the anneal unit heating system is configured to heat the interior of the anneal unit, and wherein monitoring a parameter of at least one component comprises monitoring a parameter of the anneal unit heating system.

8. The method of claim 1, and wherein monitoring a parameter of at least one component comprises monitoring a parameter of the conveyor system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying an error message comprises sounding an alarm.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the status of the component comprises displaying a picture representative of the component, and wherein the picture of the component comprises one or more colors to indicate the status of the component.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a status of the mold assembly.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein pictures representative of the monitored components comprises a picture of one of the lens curing units.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein monitoring a parameter comprises monitoring a speed of the conveyor system.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the conveyor system comprises two discrete conveyors, wherein the first conveyor is configured to convey the mold assembly from the first curing unit to the second curing unit, and wherein the second conveyor is configured to convey the mold assemblies through the second curing unit and monitoring a parameter comprises monitoring the first conveyor system and/or the second conveyor system.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the status of the monitored component comprises displaying one or more graphical icons.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the status of the monitored component comprises one or more graphical icons and one or more alphanumeric characters.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein application of activating light and heat toward the mold assembly to at least partially cures the lens forming composition comprises applying activating light and heat to the mold assembly in the second lens curing unit subsequent to application of activating light to the mold assembly in the first curing unit.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying an error message comprises displaying the error message on a remotely located display device.