Abstract: This invention relates to temples or end-pieces of temples for eyeglass frames. The temples are disclosed as having a wide variety of electrical and/or electronic components housed therein. Temples and hinges are also disclosed which attach to either the eyeglass frame itself or to the surface of a lens and which break apart from its attachment upon an impact without damage to the temple, the hinge, the frame, or the surface of the lens. A hinge is also disclosed for connecting a temple having a power source to an eyeglass frame and for providing an electrical connection with the frame only when the temple is opened.

Abstract: This invention relates to temples or end-pieces of temples for eyeglass frames. The temples are disclosed as having a wide variety of electrical and/or electronic components housed therein. Temples and hinges are also disclosed which attach to either the eyeglass frame itself or to the surface of a lens and which break apart from its attachment upon an impact without damage to the temple, the hinge, the frame, or the surface of the lens. A hinge is also disclosed for connecting a temple having a power source to an eyeglass frame and for providing an electrical connection with the frame only when the temple is opened.

Abstract: A nose bridge for a fashion spectacle lens frame adapted for housing electro-active lenses is presented. The nose bridge may include a body which may further include electronic components. The nose bridge may further include a connecting element for connecting the electronic components with the electro-active lenses for altering optical properties of the electro-active lenses. The nose bridge may be adapted to fit a variety of frame sizes, shapes, and styles as well as lenses of a variety of sizes and shapes.

Abstract: An electro-active phoropter and a method of using the electro-active phoropter to measure a patient's vision prescription is disclosed. The electro-active phoropter includes a series of individually addressable electro-active lenses. The lenses have either a positive or negative optical power when an electrical potential is applied across the lens and a neutral optical power when no electrical potential is applied across the lens. Each lens provides an optical power that is part of a net optical power of the series of lenses when a patient views through the phoropter. The optical power of the phoropter can be incrementally adjusted by changing the distribution of the electrical potential across the different lenses of the series to provide increasing or decreasing optical power until a patient achieves a desired level of clarity and a vision prescription has been determined.

Abstract: An advanced floor mat is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the floor mat includes a cleanable portion. The floor mat may also include a water dissipation component, a water absorbing component, a cushioning component, customized graphics, a transparent cleanable portion, a tacky surface on the cleanable portion, an antibacterial composition, an antifungal composition, and a fragrance. Additionally, the cleanable portion may be erodible and may include a plurality of cleanable reusable layers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an ophthalmic system that performs effective blue blocking for an ophthalmic lens while at the same time providing a cosmetically attractive product, normal or acceptable color perception for a user, and a high level of transmitted light for good visual acuity.

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.

Abstract: Techniques and assemblies for light ray steering are described. A method includes receiving solar rays onto a surface of an electro-optic prism. The electro-optic prism includes a first electrode positioned on a first substrate, a second electrode positioned on a second substrate, and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode includes multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes. The method further includes applying multiple voltages to some or all of the substantially parallel linear electrodes to generate a refractive index gradient across the electro-optic prism. The method further includes controlling the refractive index gradient so that the solar rays exit the electro-optic prism in a direction substantially normal to a light focusing element, and utilizing the light focusing element to focus the solar rays on a solar energy collector.

Abstract: An improved device and method for manufacturing electro-active spectacle lenses comprising electronic, electro-active optical, and bulk refractive optical elements is presented. In this method, electronic and electro-active optical elements are mounted to an optically transparent and mechanically flexible integration insert which is separate from any bulk refractive optical element(s). This method is advantageous for the manufacture of such spectacle lenses in that it allows for the mass production of many of the individual elements and enables the integration of the insert with the bulk refractive optical element(s) by multiple means. One such approach involves attaching the insert with a transparent adhesive to a rigid optical substrate and then encapsulating it by means of surface casting. Alternatively, the insert may be placed between the surfaces of a mold filled with an optical resin and encapsulated within the bulk refractive element as the resin is cured.

Abstract: Techniques and assemblies for steering light rays are described. A system includes an electro-optic prism configured to provide controllable steering of solar rays and a photovoltaic device. The electro-optic prism includes a first electrode including multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes positioned on a first substrate and a reference electrode positioned on a second substrate. An electro-optic material is positioned between the first electrode and the reference electrode. The prism is operable to disperse light in a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band. The photovoltaic device is arranged in optical communication with the electro-optic prism. The photovoltaic device includes a first light-absorbing material and a second light-absorbing material arranged such that the first light-absorbing material receives the first wavelength band light and the second light-absorbing material receives the second wavelength band light.

Abstract: Techniques and assemblies for steering light rays are described. An electro-optic prism includes a variable resistance electrode on a first substrate, a reference electrode positioned on a second substrate and an electro-optic material positioned between the variable resistance electrode and the reference electrode. The electro-optic prism is operable for generating an internal electrical field by providing a variable voltage to the variable resistance electrode, such that a dynamic refractive index of the electro-optic prism is provided.

Abstract: A prism having a variable apex angle is described. The prism has a variable volume and an apex angle of the prism varies based on variations in the volume of the prism.

Abstract: Techniques and assemblies for light ray steering are described. A method for directing light rays includes steering the light rays using a static prism and controllably steering the light rays using an electro-optic prism, such that the combination of the light ray steerings from the static prism and the electro-optic prism substantially steer the light rays to impinge on a light focusing element at a predetermined angle. The electro-optic prism includes a first electrode positioned on a first substrate, a second electrode positioned on a second substrate, and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode includes multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes. Applying multiple voltages to some or all of the multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes generates a refractive index gradient across the electro-optic prism. The direction of solar rays exiting the electro-optic prism is controllable by controlling the refractive index gradient.

Abstract: Techniques and assemblies for steering light rays are described. An electro-optic prism is operable to provide controllable steering of light rays. The electro-optic prism includes a first electrode including multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes on a first substrate and a reference electrode on a second substrate. An electro-optic material is positioned between the first electrode and the reference electrode. When separately controllable voltages are provided to at least some of the linear electrodes, a gradient electric field is provided within the electro-optic material to cause the electro-optic material to have a refractive index gradient. The refractive index gradient can be controlled by varying the magnitude of the separately controllable voltages provided to at least some of the linear electrodes.

Abstract: An electro-active spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens includes a first lens optic. The disclosed lens also includes a first electro-active zone positioned in a cooperative relationship with the first lens optic. In certain embodiments, the electro-active lens includes a range finder positioned in a cooperative relationship with the electro-active lens.

Abstract: Techniques and assemblies for steering light rays are described. An electro-optic prism is operable to provide controllable steering of solar rays. The electro-optic prism includes a first electrode, a reference electrode and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and reference electrodes. In one implementation, the first electrode includes multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes positioned on a first substrate and the reference electrode is positioned on a second substrate. Such implementation can include that when separately controllable voltages are provided to at least some of the linear electrodes, a gradient electric field is provided within the electro-optic material to cause the electro-optic material to have a refractive index gradient. The refractive index gradient can be controlled by varying the magnitude of the separately controllable voltages provided to at least some of the linear electrodes.

Abstract: An electro-active spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens includes a first lens optic. The disclosed lens also includes a first electro-active zone positioned in a cooperative relationship with the first lens optic. In certain embodiments, the electro-active lens includes a range finder positioned in a cooperative relationship with the electro-active lens.

Abstract: An electro-active spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens includes a first lens optic. The disclosed lens also includes a first electro-active zone positioned in a cooperative relationship with the first lens optic. In certain embodiments, the electro-active lens includes a range finder positioned in a cooperative relationship with the electro-active lens.

Abstract: A mirror assembly including an active lens and a reflective surface. The mirror assembly may change its refractive index when a voltage is applied to the active lens, thereby changing the field of view in the lens. Exemplary applications include a blind spot system in a motor vehicle, in which, upon sensing another vehicle in a driver's blind spot, the mirror assembly changes the driver's field of view to include the blind spot. Additional applications include a magnifying mirror for shaving or applying cosmetics.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a floor display system comprising or associated with a weight measuring device. An output of the weight measuring device may be processed by electronic logic to display corresponding information on an electronic display device of the floor display system. The information may relate to the weight of an object on the floor display system, in particular, for example, the weight of a person standing on the floor display system. The floor display system may further be capable of displaying arbitrary content including graphical images and verbal information, where the content is changeable on demand. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to a floor display system with reflective properties.