Enhanced electro-active lens system

• US 7,588,332 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E-Vision Optics LLC
• Original Assignee: Pixeloptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Duston, Dwight P., Kokonaski, William, Blum, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHWARTZ, JORDAN MARC
• Application Number:
  US11/968,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20080174732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 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 having an optical power, comprising:

a sensor adapted for sensing an ambient light and producing a signal based on said sensed ambient light; and

a controller operably connected to said sensor, wherein said controller is adapted for adjusting the optical power of the lens based on said signal from said sensor and the controller is further adapted for adjusting the optical power of the lens to one of a plurality of optical prescriptions of a wearer of the lens based upon an intensity of said ambient light.

2. The lens of claim 1, wherein said signal from said sensor varies with the intensity of said ambient light.

3. The lens of claim 1, wherein said controller is a micro-controller.

4. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is an electro-active lens.

5. The lens of claim 4, wherein said electro-active lens comprises a multiplicity of pixels.

6. The lens of claim 5, wherein said pixels are individually addressable.

7. The lens of claim 1, wherein said sensor is one of a photo-sensor or a photo-detector.

8. The lens of claim 1, wherein the optical power of the lens is for correcting an aberration of a wearer'"'"'s eye.

9. The lens of claim 8, wherein said aberration is a higher order aberration.