Enhanced electro-active lens system

• US 7,195,353 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E-Vision Optics LLC
• Original Assignee: e-Vision, LLC (New Smart Optics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blum, Ronald D., Duston, Dwight P., Kokonaski, William
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHWARTZ, JORDAN MARC
• Application Number:
  US10/918,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20050036109A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 351/159, 351/41
• US Class Current: 351/159
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0123 comprising devices increasing the field of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/06 for controlling the phase of light G02B26/08 takes precedence , measuring optical phase difference G01J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/22 Correction of higher order and chromatic aberrations, wave front measurement and calculation
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/088 Lens systems mounted to spectacles

Abstract

A lens system and optical devices that provide enhanced vision correction are disclosed. The lens system includes an electro-active layer that provides correction of at least one higher order aberration. The higher order correction changes dynamically based on a user of the lens system'"'"'s needs, such as a change by the user'"'"'s gaze distance, pupil size, or changes in tear film following blinking, among others. Optical devices are also described that use these and other lens systems to provide correction of higher order aberrations. An optical guide is also described that guides the user'"'"'s line of sight to see through a lens region having a correction for a higher order aberration.

Claims

1. A lens system comprising at least one electro-active layer that provides correction of at least one higher order aberration, wherein the provided higher order correction dynamically changes in response to a user'"'"'s needs while looking through the lens system, wherein the provided higher order correction changes dynamically in response to a change in pupil size by the user looking through the lens system.

2. The lens system of claim 1, further comprising a photo-detector, wherein the photo-detector is configured to detect the diameter of a pupil of the user looking through the lens system.

3. The lens system of claim 1, applied to one of the group consisting of a telescope, a microscope, bio-microscope, ophthalmoscope, camera, a rifle scope, binoculars, and a night scope.

4. A lens system comprising at least one electro-active layer that provides correction of at least one higher order aberration, wherein the provided higher order correction dynamically changes in response to a user'"'"'s needs while looking through the lens system, wherein the provided higher order correction changes dynamically in response to a change in a tear film of the user'"'"'s eye.

5. The lens system of claim 4, applied to one of the group consisting of a telescope, a microscope, bio-microscope, ophthalmoscope, camera, a rifle scope, binoculars, and a night scope.

6. The lens system of claim 4, comprising a photo-sensor, wherein the photo-sensor is configured to detect reflection of light off the cornea of an eye of the user looking through the lens system.

7. A lens system comprising at least one electro-active layer that provides correction of at least one higher order aberration, wherein the provided higher order correction dynamically changes in response to a use'"'"'s needs while looking through the lens system, wherein the provided higher order correction changes dynamically in response to a change in ambient light conditions.

8. A lens system comprising at least one electro-active layer that provides correction of at least one higher order aberration, wherein the provided higher order correction dynamically changes in response to a user'"'"'s needs while looking through the lens system, wherein the provided higher order correction changes dynamically in response to a blink of the user'"'"'s eye when looking through the lens system.

9. The lens system of claim 8, comprising a photo-sensor, wherein the photo-sensor is configured to detect reflection of light off the cornea of an eye of the user looking through the lens system.