Optical element for correcting color blindness

• US 8,931,930 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2013
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
• Inventors: Harding, Brett T., Li, Sheng, Mochizuki, Amane, Fujii, Hironaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Tracie Y
• Application Number:
  US13/753,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20140211447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 362/326, 362/84, 428/411.1, 428/704, 428/500
• US Class Current: 362/326
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/223 containing organic substances, e.g. dyes, inks or pigments
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/10 Optical elements and systems for visual disorders other than refractive errors, low vision
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/104 having spectral characteristics for purposes other than sun-protection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31855 Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers

Abstract

Described herein are devices, compositions, and methods for improving color discernment.

Claims

1. A device having an optical element, wherein the optical element comprises:

a substantially transparent component; and

a color conversion layer, directly or indirectly attached to the substantially transparent component, comprising a luminescent compound dispersed in a substantially transparent matrix;

the luminescent compound comprising Rhodamine 6G or Pyrromethene 605; and

wherein the color conversion layer is configured to modify a color of an object or image viewed through the color conversion layer by a user, wherein modifying the color allows the user to better distinguish colors.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the substantially transparent component is not a lens.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the substantially transparent component is not a contact lens or an eyeglass lens.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the color conversion layer is directly attached to the substantially transparent component.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the color conversion layer is attached to the substantially transparent component by laser welding.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the color conversion layer is indirectly attached to the substantially transparent component.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer which attaches the substantially transparent component to the color conversion layer.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the substantially transparent component is not attached to the color conversion layer by an adhesive layer.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the color conversion layer is not a scratch resistant coating.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the adhesive layer is a double-sided adhesive.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the adhesive layer is a double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive.

13. The device of claim 7, wherein the adhesive layer comprises an acrylic adhesive.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the color conversion layer is not laminated to the substantially transparent component.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein device further comprise an electronic display that emits light, wherein the device is configured so that at least a portion of the light emitted from the display passes through the color conversion layer and modifies the color of the light emitted from the display.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical element as a peak wavelength of visible absorption of about 500 nm to about 580 nm.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical element as a peak wavelength of visible emission of about 540 nm to about 600 nm.