Electro-active spectacle lenses

• US 8,408,699 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision International GMBH (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Pixeloptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Blum, Ronald D., Haddock, Joshua N., Duston, Dwight P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US13/151,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20110228212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 351/159.03, 351/159.19, 351/159.34, 351/159.39, 351/159.41, 351/159.42, 351/159.44, 351/159.73, 351/159.74, 351/158, 351/178, 348/335, 348/345, 320/108
• US Class Current: 351/159.39
• 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. A method of manufacturing an electro-active lens product comprising:

providing an optical lens with an electro-active element that changes optical power;

providing a transparent electrical lead to provide power to the electro-active element;

providing at least one power source connection to the optical lens connected with the transparent electrical lead;

edging the optical lens to at least partially expose an electrical lead of the power source connection; and

connecting the electrical lead of the power source connection to at least one of an electrical power source, a power switch, and a sensor that detects the presence of user of the optical lens.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching at least one electrical adapter to the optical lens, the electrical adapter including a component of at least one of an electrical power source, a power switch, and a sensor that detects the presence of the user of the optical lens.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising, providing a spectacle frame housing the electro-active lens product,

wherein the electrical adapter is separate from the spectacle frame.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising forming at least one of a slot, groove or notch on a posterior side of the optical lens, and placing the electrical adapter in the at least one of a slot, groove or notch such that the component is electrically connected with the electrical lead of the power source connection.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one of a slot, groove or notch includes a contour for securely receiving the electrical adapter.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source and a power switch.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source and a sensor that detects the presence of the optical lens user.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source, a power switch and a sensor that detects the presence of the optical lens user.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, providing one or more focus sensors in the optical lens,

wherein, the electro-active element and the one or more focus sensors are configured to correct refractive errors of the eye of the optical lens user not associated with presbyopia.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical lens includes a first electro-active lens and a second electro-active lens, the method further comprising, providing a synchronization device that is configured to activate the first electro-active lens and the second electro-active lens at substantially the same time.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a recess in the optical lens to at least partially expose the electrical lead of the power source connection.

12. An electro-active lens product comprising:

an optical lens with an electro-active element;

a transparent electrical lead configured to provide power to the electro-active element; and

at least one power source connection in the optical lens connected with the transparent electrical lead,

wherein an electrical lead of the power source connection is at least partially exposed on an edge of, or in a recess of, the optical lens and connected to at least one of an electrical power source, a power switch, and a sensor that detects the presence of a user of the optical lens.

13. The product of claim 12, further comprising at least one electrical adapter attached to the optical lens, the electrical adapter including a component of at least one of an electrical power source, a power switch, and a sensor that detects the presence of the user of the optical lens.

14. The product of claim 13, further comprising a spectacle frame housing the electro-active lens product,

wherein the electrical adapter is separate from the spectacle frame.

15. The product of claim 13, wherein the electrical lead of the power source connection is at least partially exposed in a recess of the optical lens, the recess comprising at least one of a slot, groove or notch on a posterior side of the optical lens whereby the electrical adapter is attached to the optical lens such that the component is electrically connected with the electrical lead of the power source connection.

16. The product of claim 15, wherein the at least one of a slot, groove or notch includes a contour for securely receiving the electrical adapter.

17. The product of claim 13, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source and a power switch.

18. The product of claim 13, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source and a sensor that detects the presence of the optical lens user.

19. The product of claim 13, wherein the electrical adapter includes an electrical power source, a power switch and a sensor that detects the presence of the optical lens user.

20. The product of claim 12, further comprising one or more focus sensors in the optical lens,

wherein, the electro-active element and the one or more focus sensors are configured to correct refractive errors of an eye of the optical lens user not associated with presbyopia.

21. The product of claim 12, wherein the optical lens includes a first electro-active lens and a second electro-active lens, the product further comprising:

a synchronization device configured to activate the first electro-active lens and the second electro-active lens at substantially the same time.

22. The product of claim 21, wherein the synchronization device includes a transmitter.

23. The product of claim 12, wherein the electrical lead of the power source connection is at least partially exposed on an edge of the optical lens.

24. The product of claim 12, wherein the electrical lead of the power source connection is at least partially exposed in a recess of the optical lens.