Electronic adapter for electro-active spectacle lenses

• US 7,527,375 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2007
• Issued: 05/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals Incorporated (Mitsui Chemicals)
• Original Assignee: Pixeloptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Blum, Ronald D., Duston, Dwight P., Haddock, Joshua N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben; Loha
• Application Number:
  US11/808,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20070296918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 351/121, 351/132, 351/133, 351/140, 351/141, 351/153, 351/158, 351/159, 351/168, 351/169, 351/172, 351/177, 351/217, 349/13, 623/6.22
• US Class Current: 351/159
• 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. An adapter for an electro-active lens, wherein the electro-active lens is housed in a spectacle frame and the electro-active lens has a first set of electrical contacts, wherein said adapter is a separate element from the electro-active lens, and wherein said adapter has a second set of electrical contacts for providing an electrical signal to the electro-active lens through said first set of electrical contacts.

2. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a power source operatively connected to said second set of electrical contacts.

3. The adapter of claim 2, further comprising a manually operable on/off switch connected to said power source.

4. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a sensor operatively connected to said second set of electrical contacts, wherein said sensor is for detecting if the electro-active lens is to be provided with the signal.

5. The adapter of claim 4, wherein said sensor senses the presence of a user.

6. The adapter of claim 5, wherein said sensor senses if the frame is opened.

7. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a driver operatively connected to said second set of electrical contacts, wherein said signal is for generating a predetermined optical add power to the electro-active lens.

8. The adapter of claim 7, wherein said driver provides said signal for generating the appropriate amount of optical power in the electro-active lens.

9. The adapter of claim 7, wherein said driver further comprises a focusing sensor for determining the appropriate signal for the electro-active lenses.

10. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said first set of electrical contacts and said second set of electrical contacts further comprise electrical mating elements.

11. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a synchronizer operatively connected to the adapter for controlling one lens based upon the control of another lens.

12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein said synchronizer comprises infrared optical transmission signals.

13. The adapter of claim 11, wherein said synchronizer comprises RF transmission signals.

14. The adapter of claim 11, wherein said synchronizer comprises an inductive coupling.

15. The adapter of claim 11, wherein said synchronizer comprises a flexible circuit extending through the spectacle frame.

16. The adapter of claim 11, wherein said synchronizer comprises ultrasonic transmission signals.

17. The adapter of claim 11, wherein said synchronizer comprises vibration transmission signals.

18. The adapter of claim 17, wherein said synchronizer comprises piezoelectric materials.

19. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter is for simultaneously contacting the lens and the frame.

20. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter is for contacting the lens without contacting the frame.

21. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter is located under and above the surface of the lens when in contact therewith.

22. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the lens has a surface and the adapter is located near the periphery of said surface when in contact with the lens.