Abstract: A method of controlling a programmable lens device comprising a programmable lens and an optical function controller, the programmable lens having an optical function and extending between at least one eye of the wearer and the real world scene when the device is used by the wearer, and the optical function controller being arranged to control the optical function of the programmable lens, the method comprising: —an optical function data receiving step during which optical function data relating to the optical function of the programmable lens is received by the optical function controller, —an activity data receiving step during which activity data relating to the activity of the wearer are received by the optical function controller, —an optical function modifying step during which the optical function of the programmable electronic lens device is modified by the optical function controller based on the optical function data and the activity data.

Abstract: A method of controlling a programmable lens device comprising a programmable lens and an optical function controller, the programmable lens having an optical function and extending between at least one eye of the wearer and the real world scene when the device is used by the wearer, and the optical function controller being arranged to control the optical function of the programmable lens, the method comprising: an optical function data receiving step during which optical function data relating to the optical function of the programmable lens is received by the optical function controller, an optical function modifying step during which the optical function of the programmable electronic lens device is modified by the optical function controller based on the optical function data.

Abstract: A selective dyeing method is used for dyeing a substrate, selectively within a first exposed surface portion of said substrate. For this purpose, the substrate consists of a material that is impervious to a dye with the exception of the first portion of the exposed surface. In particular, the impervious material can form a layer which covers a base portion of the substrate in a second portion of the exposed surface. The substrate is heated such that the dye penetrates a pervious material which constitutes the first portion of the exposed surface. The method is particularly useful for eliminating light diffused by the walls of a multilayer structure which is supported by means of ocular glass.

Abstract: A variable power optical element is divided into cells which contain two liquid crystals mixed according to different proportions. The proportion of one of the liquid crystals in each cell increases on the basis of the radial distance between a central point of the optical element and said cell. An appropriate selection of the two liquid crystals results in a higher variation of the optical power between two control states of said optical element. More particularly, the optical element may consist of an ophthalmic lens which changes between a convergent lens state and a divergent lens state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selective dyeing method used for dyeing a substrate (10), selectively within a first exposed surface portion (S1) of said substrate. For this purpose, the substrate consists of a material (2) that is impervious to a dye with the exception of the first portion of the exposed surface. In particular, the impervious material can form a layer which covers a base portion (3) of the substrate in a second portion (S2) of the exposed surface. The substrate is heated such that the dye (C) penetrates a pervious material (1) which constitutes the first portion of the exposed surface. The method is particularly useful for eliminating light diffused by the walls of a multilayer structure which is supported by means of ocular glass.

Abstract: Method for producing a plastic film containing a compound absorbing ultraviolet radiation comprising (a) depositing an alcoholic solution of polyvinyl butyral on a transparent plastic support film, (b) evaporating the solvent from the alcoholic solution of polyvinyl butyral so as to form a polyvinyl butyral layer on the transparent support film, (c) printing the polyvinyl butyral layer with an ink absorbing ultraviolet radiation (UV absorber) in a pattern, (d) heating the transparent plastic support film, coated with the printed polyvinyl butyral layer so as to enable at least part of the UV absorber to pass from the polyvinyl butyral layer to the plastic support film, (e) removing the polyvinyl butyral layer, preferably by washing with a suitable solvent. The application also relates to the film obtained by this method and the use of this film for producing a photochromic element with a spatially non-uniform behavior.

Abstract: An electrically controllable optical component (10) comprises a transparent array of cells (3) and two transparent electrodes (5a, 5b) which are parallel and lying opposite each other on either side of the array of cells. Certain of the cells located between the two electrodes contain different electroactive materials, so that said cells exhibit different respective variations in at least one optical quantity in response to an electrical signal applied to the electrodes. An optical function is thus temporarily conferred on the component, resulting from gradients in the optical quantity that are formed parallel to the surface of the component.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent electrochromic systems which each include one pair of supply electrodes and at least one pair of polarization electrodes. The polarization electrodes prevent a reaction of mutual neutralization of the electroactive substances of the systems from causing unnecessary consumption of electric current. Said electrodes also prevent a neutralization reaction from limiting a lower value of light transmission of the systems. For this purpose, the polarization electrodes produce an electric field inside the systems, which attracts the electroactive substances that have already reacted with the supply electrodes to different areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photochromic optical article with reduced thermal dependency, comprising: (a) a transparent substrate, (b) a saturated photochromic layer having, in the activated state and at a temperature of 20° C. or greater, a relative transmission factor of less than 1% in the visible range, and (c) an anti-UV coating of plastic material at least partially covering the saturated photochromic layer, the said anti-UV coating containing at least one agent which absorbs UV radiation (anti-UV agent) and is distributed in a pattern consisting of a multitude of points, each having a surface area of less than 0.15 mm 2, the average distance between two neighboring points lying between 0.5 and 2 mm and the ratio of the overall surface area of all the points to the total surface area of the anti-UV coating being such that the relative transmission factor of the optical article in the visible range in the activated state and at 20° C. or greater is at least equal to 5%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent electrochromic system (100) which includes two pairs of transparent supply electrodes (1-4), which are intended for being electrically connected to variable power sources (20, 21). The electrodes of the two pairs are supported by separate outer walls (10, 11) of the system, on either side of a closed volume which contains electroactive substances. The electrochromic system has superior dynamics and switching rate. Various embodiments of the invention correspond to various modes for connecting the electrodes to the power sources, and to various partitions of the closed volume into separate cells (13).

Abstract: A photochromic composition that is liquid at 20° C. and includes (a) at least one photochromic dye and (b) an ionic solvent selected from (b)(i) room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL), (b)(ii) ionic liquid mixtures that are liquid at room temperature, and (b)(iii) room-temperature liquid mixtures of at least one ionic liquid and at least one organic solvent that is miscible therewith. The use of said photochromic composition in optical devices such as ophthalmic lenses is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent electrochromic systems which each include one pair of supply electrodes and at least one pair of polarisation electrodes. The polarisation electrodes prevent a reaction of mutual neutralisation of the electroactive substances of the systems from causing unnecessary consumption of electric current. Said electrodes also prevent a neutralisation reaction from limiting a lower value of light transmission of the systems. For this purpose, the polarisation electrodes produce an electric field inside the systems, which attracts the electroactive substances that have already reacted with the supply electrodes to different areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photochromic optical article with reduced thermal dependency, comprising: (a) a transparent substrate, (b) a saturated photochromic layer having, in the activated state and at a temperature of 20° C. or greater, a relative transmission factor of less than 1% in the visible range, and (c) an anti-UV coating of plastic material at least partially covering the saturated photochromic layer, the said anti-UV coating containing at least one agent which absorbs UV radiation (anti-UV agent) and is distributed in a pattern consisting of a multitude of points, each having a surface area of less than 0.15 mm 2, the average distance between two neighbouring points lying between 0.5 and 2 mm and the ratio of the overall surface area of all the points to the total surface area of the anti-UV coating being such that the relative transmission factor of the optical article in the visible range in the activated state and at 20° C. or greater is at least equal to 5%.

Abstract: A variable power optical element is divided into cells which contain two liquid crystals mixed according to different proportions. The proportion of one of the liquid crystals in each cell increases on the basis of the radial distance between a central point of the optical element and said cell. An appropriate selection of the two liquid crystals results in a higher variation of the optical power between two control states of said optical element. More particularly, the optical element may consist of an ophthalmic lens which changes between a convergent lens state and a divergent lens state.

Abstract: Method for producing a plastic film containing a compound absorbing ultraviolet radiation comprising (a) depositing an alcoholic solution of polyvinyl butyral on a transparent plastic support film, (b) evaporating the solvent from the alcoholic solution of polyvinyl butyral so as to form a polyvinyl butyral layer on the transparent support film, (c) printing the polyvinyl butyral layer with an ink absorbing ultraviolet radiation (UV absorber) in a pattern, (d) heating the transparent plastic support film, coated with the printed polyvinyl butyral layer so as to enable at least part of the UV absorber to pass from the polyvinyl butyral layer to the plastic support film, (e) removing the polyvinyl butyral layer, preferably by washing with a suitable solvent. The application also relates to the film obtained by this method and the use of this film for producing a photochromic element with a spatially non-uniform behaviour.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selective dyeing method used for dyeing a substrate (10), selectively within a first exposed surface portion (S1) of said substrate. For this purpose, the substrate consists of a material (2) that is impervious to a dye with the exception of the first portion of the exposed surface. In particular, the impervious material can form a layer which covers a base portion (3) of the substrate in a second portion (S2) of the exposed surface. The substrate is heated such that the dye (C) penetrates a pervious material (1) which constitutes the first portion of the exposed surface. The method is particularly useful for eliminating light diffused by the walls of a multilayer structure which is supported by means of ocular glass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent electrochromic system (100) which includes two pairs of transparent supply electrodes (1-4), which are intended for being electrically connected to variable power sources (20, 21). The electrodes of the two pairs are supported by separate outer walls (10, 11) of the system, on either side of a closed volume which contains electroactive substances. The electrochromic system has superior dynamics and switching rate. Various embodiments of the invention correspond to various modes for connecting the electrodes to the power sources, and to various partitions of the closed volume into separate cells (13).

Abstract: A transparent optical component having cells (1) filled with an optical material is proposed, which has a high transparency. The cells of the component are filled to levels (h1, . . . , h5) which vary randomly, and the variations of which are adapted so as not to cause a perceptible optical defect. To do this, the fill levels of the cells are adapted so that the phase shifts experienced by the light rays (R1, . . . , R5) which pass through the cells have a root mean square deviation of less than one quarter of the wavelength (1). Such a component may in particular be an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a base component (1) provided with a set of cells (10) open on a face of the component and a film (2) for sealing the cells. The film is adhesively bonded to ends (12) of separation walls (11) present between the cells. The adhesive bonding is carried out by applying a pressure adjusted so that the ends of the walls penetrate into a layer of adhesive material (3) positioned between the film and the set of cells. A refractive index value of the adhesive material is adjusted with respect to a value of the same index for the material of the ends of the walls m order to obtain an optical element which exhibits a high transparency.

Abstract: A photochromic composition that is liquid at 20° C. and includes (a) at least one photochromic dye and (b) an ionic solvent selected from (b)(i) room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL), (b)(ii) ionic liquid mixtures that are liquid at room temperature, and (b)(iii) room-temperature liquid mixtures of at least one ionic liquid and at least one organic solvent that is miscible therewith. The use of said photochromic composition in optical devices such as ophthalmic lenses is also described.