Electro-active Patents (Class 351/159.39)
  • Patent number: 11860454
    Abstract: An electronic case for electronic spectacles may include a base comprising a cavity formed therein. A first spectacle retention device may be located within the cavity. The first spectacle retention device may be configured to retain spectacles. An electrical control system may be included. An electrical connector may be configured to couple the electrical control system in electronic communication with the spectacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ACUCELA INC.
    Inventors: Ryo Kubota, Philip M. Buscemi, Pascal Loser, Ben Crook, Massimo Pinazza, Jim Niebanck, James Phillips, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 11733545
    Abstract: An opto-electronic module is configured to fit between anterior and posterior surfaces of a contact lens. The opto-electronics module may comprise a plurality of light sources configured to direct a plurality of light beams to a region of the retina away from the fovea and in some embodiments away from the macula. Each of the plurality of light sources may comprises an LED and one or more projection optics. Each of the projection optics can be coupled to an LED with an adhesive prior to placing the opto-electronics module on a layer of contact lens material. The opto-electronics module may comprise a flex PCB with the plurality of light sources, an antenna, a battery, a capacitor and a processor supported on the flex PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventors: Ryo Kubota, Jean-Noël Fehr, Hans Bernhard, Patrizia Weber, Alain Saurer, Amitava Gupta
  • Patent number: 11644361
    Abstract: Eyewear having monitoring capability, such as for radiation or motion, is disclosed. Radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, infrared (IR) radiation or light, can be measured by a detector. The measured radiation can then be used in providing radiation-related information to a user of the eyewear. Motion can be measure by a detector, and the measured motion can be used to determine whether the eyewear is being worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: IngenioSpec, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Patent number: 11635636
    Abstract: An optical article may include a frame, a first active lens arrangement coupled to the frame, and a second active lens arrangement coupled to the frame. The first active lens arrangement and the second active lens arrangement may be lined up abreast with respect to each other. Further, the optical article may include a time-based optical power adjustment mechanism coupled to the first active lens arrangement and the second active lens arrangement. The time-based optical power adjustment mechanism may be configured to vary the optical power of the first active lens arrangement and the second active lens arrangement in accordance with a predetermined adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventor: Bjorn Drobe
  • Patent number: 11630329
    Abstract: An electronic case for electronic spectacles may include a base comprising a cavity formed therein. A first spectacle retention device may be located within the cavity. The first spectacle retention device may be configured to retain spectacles. An electrical control system may be included. An electrical connector may be configured to couple the electrical control system in electronic communication with the spectacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: ACUCELA INC.
    Inventors: Ryo Kubota, Philip M. Buscemi, Pascal Loser, Ben Crook, Massimo Pinazza, Jim Niebanck, James Phillips, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 11209672
    Abstract: A contact lens may include a body of contact lens material extending between a first surface and a second surface. An electromechanical component may be supported in the contact lens material between the first surface and the second surface. A support comprising a plurality of pillars may be formed of the contact lens material and may extend from at least one of the first surface and the second surface to the electromechanical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: ACUCELA INC.
    Inventors: Ryo Kubota, Gordon Frederick MacCabee, Ferry Widjaja, Amitava Gupta
  • Patent number: 11187922
    Abstract: An embodiment of an eye-mountable device includes an optical lens; an accommodation actuator to provide vision accommodation for the optical lens; a controller including an accommodation logic to select one of a plurality of vision accommodation states for the device, the plurality of vision accommodation states including at least a failsafe focal distance; and a failsafe subsystem including a system health detector, the system health detector to monitor for one or more operational indicators for the device, wherein the failsafe subsystem is to cause the device to transition to a failsafe mode upon the failsafe subsystem identifying a failure condition for the device, the failsafe mode includes setting the vision accommodation state to be the failsafe focal distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Shungneng Lee, Daniel James Yeager, Jennifer Han, Nathan Pletcher, Brian Otis
  • Patent number: 11048100
    Abstract: A method of obtaining ophthalmic measurements. An individual wears frames. Control simulations are performed to determine an average far gaze view line, average intermediate gaze view line, and average near gaze view line. The average far gaze view line intersects the lens plane at a second intersection point. The average intermediate gaze view line intersects the lens plane at a third intersection point. The average near gaze view line intersects the lens plane at a fourth intersection point. The far region extends from a first position above the first intersection point to a second position below the second intersection point. The intermediate region extends from the second position to a third position below the third intersection point. The near region extends from the third position to a fourth position below the fourth intersection point. The control simulation takes into account the height and stature to fit the natural viewing dynamic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Optikam Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Bassem El-Hajal, Marco Lancione, Piotr Szymborski, Luc Jalbert
  • Patent number: 11033227
    Abstract: Devices and techniques coupleable to patient sensors and to patient parameters determined in response to examination of the patient. Information about the patient is correlated with measures for detecting and monitoring, predicting, and warning patients of, medical conditions. Elements wearable by or implantable in the patient, such as digital eyewear. Digital eyewear includes communication with medical personnel or emergency responders. Medical personnel communicate with consulting specialists, refer the patient to attending specialists, or call emergency services to transport and treat the patient for medical conditions. Methods of doing business using the digital eyewear. In response to patient medical conditions, providing information from medical experts, advertising from product and service providers. Fees for consulting specialists, medical personnel and use of the digital eyewear are insured using a subscription fee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Percept Technologies Inc
    Inventor: Scott W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10962789
    Abstract: Digital eyewear for monitoring, detecting, and predicting, preventing, treating, and training patients to conduct self-care, of migraines/photophobia in real-time. Digital eyewear for similar activity, with respect to negative visual effects, such as from changes in lighting conditions. Digital eyewear maintains information about progress of migraines/photophobia for each patient individually and collectively. Digital eyewear determines whether migraines/photophobia are likely or occurring. Digital eyewear ameliorates and treats migraines/photophobia. Digital eyewear trains the patient to self-care re migraines/photophobia. Digital eyewear receives information from patient and ambient sensors, maintains history of migraines/photophobia and amelioration/treatment, and determines correlations. Patient sensors receive information about patient status. Ambient sensors receive information about ambient environment near the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Percept Technologies Inc
    Inventor: Scott W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10701350
    Abstract: A head-mounted display apparatus may include a left display subsystem and a right display subsystem, and the left and right display subsystems may each have a display screen and a lens configured to focus light from the display screen at an exit pupil of the head-mounted display apparatus. The head-mounted display system may also include an actuation subsystem configured to change relative positioning of the left and right display subsystems based on received data indicative of an inter-pupillary distance of a user. Various other methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 10663762
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device is described that includes a frame and an optically active component comprising a bistable dielectric electroactive polymer. The bistable dielectric electroactive polymer changes shape when exposed to a sufficiently strong electric field and does not completely revert to its former shape when the electric field is deactivated. The refractive properties of the ophthalmic devices described herein are adjusted by exposing the devices to electric fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Layne A. Berge, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Thomas W. Liang, Manuel Orozco
  • Patent number: 10613350
    Abstract: An electrically focus-tunable lens of an active matrix type includes a basic lens and a transparent phase modulator which includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a common electrode unit, a phase modulation electrode unit, and an array of thin film transistors. Each liquid crystal portion of the liquid crystal layer is independently controlled by applying a predetermined voltage between the common electrode and a corresponding one of data electrode strips of the phase modulation electrode unit to provide each pixel area of the transparent phase modulator with an independent refractive index so as to create a phase modulation profile for the transparent phase modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Yi-Hsin Lin, Hung-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 10524899
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multifocal lens (1), in particular an intraocular lens or contact lens, having a refractive focus (Fr) and a first and a second diffractive structure (6, 7) that at least partially overlap, said two diffractive structures (6, 7) being different. A first order focus (F1;1) of the first diffractive structure (6) coincides with a first order focus (F2,1) of the second diffractive structure (7). The invention further relates to a method for producing such a multifocal lens (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Rayner Intraocular Limited
    Inventors: Kirsten Lux, Nicole Plank, Wolfgang Brezna, Nikolaus Dragostinoff
  • Patent number: 10347802
    Abstract: An optoelectronic component includes an optoelectronic semiconductor chip and an optical element, wherein the optical element includes a prism structure configured to split light emitted by the semiconductor chip into two beams and deflect the beams in a first direction relative to one another, and the optical element includes a beam deflecting structure configured to deflect both beams jointly in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hirmer, Claus Jaeger
  • Patent number: 10310276
    Abstract: A virtual reality display apparatus includes at least one display and at least one optical assembly. The display is configured to provide an image beam to a user's left eye or right eye. The optical assembly is disposed on a transmission path of the image beam. The optical assembly includes a first Fresnel lens which includes a plurality of ring structures surrounding an optical axis thereof. Each of the ring structures has an effective refraction surface and an optically non-effective surface connected to the effective refraction surface and disposed between the optical axis and the effective refraction surface. An average inclined angle of optically non-effective surfaces in a central area of the first Fresnel lens inclined with respect to the optical axis is smaller than an average inclined angle of optically non-effective surfaces in a peripheral area of the first Fresnel lens inclined with respect to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Yi-Jung Chiu, Wei-Kuo Shih
  • Patent number: 10151937
    Abstract: Improved eyewear is disclosed. The eyewear comprises a frame member and a lens. The eyewear also includes circuitry within the frame member for enhancing the use of the eyewear. A system and method in accordance with the present invention is directed to a variety of ways to enhance the use of eyeglasses. They are: (1) media focals, that is, utilizing the eyewear for its intended purpose and enhancing that use by using imaging techniques to improve the vision of the user; (2) telecommunications enhancements that allow the eyeglasses to be integrated with telecommunication devices such as cell phones or the like; and (3) entertainment enhancements that allow the eyewear to be integrated with devices such as MP3 players, radios, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Percept Technologies Inc
    Inventor: Scott W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9983418
    Abstract: An eye-mountable device includes an enclosure material shaped to be removably mounted over a cornea and to permit eyelid motion when the enclosure material is so mounted. The eye-mountable device also includes a tactile sensor system, including one or more pressure-sensitive sensors, disposed within the enclosure material and coupled to output a signal in response to pressure applied to the one or more pressure-sensitive sensors by a user. A controller is disposed within the enclosure material and electrically coupled to the tactile sensor system to receive the signal and, in response to the signal, control at least one other piece of circuitry in the eye-mountable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventor: Christian A. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 9690117
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electro-active optical systems, such as a pair of spectacles having one or more lenses that employ electro-active optical structures. In some embodiments, the invention relates to electro-active optical systems having a flexible electrically conductive connection between the lens and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Blum, Charles Willey, Joshua Haddock
  • Patent number: 9671619
    Abstract: A gaze direction tracking system for an ophthalmic lens comprising an electronic system is described herein. The gaze direction tracking system is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic lens. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The gaze direction tracking system is utilized to determine pupil position and use this information to control various aspects of the ophthalmic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Braxton Pugh, Adam Toner, Daniel B. Otts
  • Patent number: 9575387
    Abstract: The present disclosure disclose a polymer stabilizing liquid crystal lens and a method for manufacturing the same, a display device and an electronic product. The polymer stabilizing liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate with a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer and a second substrate with a second electrode. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a plurality of electrode units. A periodic electric field which has voltages varying periodically is generated between the plurality of electrode units and the second electrode. The liquid crystal layer includes polymers and liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules are deflected under action of the periodic electric field before the polymers are stabilized, and are maintained at a deflecting angle after the polymers are stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinxing Wang, Jaegeon You, Jikai Yao
  • Patent number: 9535268
    Abstract: This invention discloses a device comprising multiple functional layers with multiple energization elements formed on substrates, wherein at least one functional layer comprises an electrical energy source. In some embodiments, the present invention includes a component for incorporation into ophthalmic lenses that has been formed by the stacking of multiple functionalized layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Flitsch, Daniel B. Otts, Randall B. Pugh, James Daniel Riall, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 9375886
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing an ophthalmic lens with a microcontroller and an energy source incorporated within the ophthalmic lens. The energy source is capable of powering the microcontroller included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Frederick A. Flitsch
  • Patent number: 9155483
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for improving and enhancing vision are disclosed. Adjustable lenses or optical systems may be used to provide adaptive vision modification. In some embodiments, vision modification may be responsive to the current state of the user's visual system. Certain embodiments provide correction of the subject's near and far vision. Other embodiments provide enhancement of vision beyond the physiological ranges of focal length or magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9046683
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable an enhanced direct-viewing optical device to make customized adjustments that accommodate various optical aberrations of a current user. In some instances a real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements is based on known corrective optical parameters associated with a current user. In some implementations a control module may process currently updated wavefront measurements as a basis for determining appropriate real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements to produce a specified change in optical wavefront at an exit pupil of the direct-viewing device. Possible transformable optical elements may have refractive and/or reflective and/or diffractive and/or transmissive characteristics that are adjusted based on current performance viewing factors for a given field of view of the direct-viewing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Caldeira, Peter L. Hagelstein, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John Brian Pendry, David Schurig, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9001282
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique—CNRS
    Inventors: Samuel Archambeau, Henri Camon, Solon Mias
  • Patent number: 8994885
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pre-edging lens and a method for manufacturing an edged lens, wherein provisions are made to be able to maintain the cell gap of a liquid crystal lens structure constant while, in effect, eliminating the need to incorporate any spacers in the edged lens. More specifically, the invention provides a pre-edging lens and a method for manufacturing an edged lens, wherein the pre-edging lens includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, a first sealing material which does not contain any spacer, a liquid crystal layer provided between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate and sealed by the first seal, and a second seal which contains a spacer and which is disposed in a region provided between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate and located outwardly of the first seal, the region being removed during edging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ando, Kenji Matsumoto, Ayano Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8992011
    Abstract: Electronic spectacles include a spectacle frame; lenses having electric elements; a control unit that generates electric signals for driving the electric elements of the lenses; electric connectors that transmit the signals from the control unit to wiring connector pads; and conductive rubber members sandwiched between the wiring connector pads and lens electrode pads of the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Masatomo Matsui
  • Patent number: 8985765
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to eyewear having an electrically switchable spectral transmittance lens(es). The eyewear includes a lens driver that controls the variable spectral transmittance lens(es). The lens driver is functional to alter a duration of a spectral transmittance state based on a desired frequency and/or duty cycle of the spectral transmittance state. A user may provide an input indicating the desired level of difficulty provided by the eyewear, wherein the input may indicate that the frequency, the duty cycle, or a combination of the two should be changed. As a result of changing a perceived level of difficulty presented by the eyewear, a wearer of the eyewear may train his or her visual abilities to provide a competitive advantage. The input may be received at a receiving module as a remote signal from the user or a third party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Reichow, Jonathan I. Brown, Umar Hanif, Herb Yoo
  • Publication number: 20150077702
    Abstract: This invention discloses various designs for rings that make up the functionalized layers in a functional layer insert. More specifically, design parameters for the rings for incorporation into an ophthalmic lens. Additionally, functional aspects of the rings and materials for encapsulating the functional insert into an area outside the optical zone of the ophthalmic lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Frederick A. Flitsch, Daniel B. Otts, James Daniel Riall, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 8979262
    Abstract: A semi-finished blank for a varifocal lens, as well as a varifocal lens and varifocal eyeglasses, have power consumption reduced and avoid a decrease in commercial value. A first substrate has a first transparent conductive film that is produced on the front face of this first substrate. A second substrate that is opposite the first substrate has a second transparent conductive film that is produced on the back face of this second substrate. A varifocal portion is disposed between the front face of the first substrate and the back face of the second substrate. The first transparent conductive film is separated by laser into a first region that includes a region that is opposite the varifocal portion, and a region other than this first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kouji Sone, Satoko Machida, Shunsuke Nishihara, Akihiro Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8960899
    Abstract: A contact lens having a thin silicon chip integrated therein is provided along with methods for assembling the silicon chip within the contact lens. In an aspect, a method includes creating a plurality of lens contact pads on a lens substrate and creating a plurality of chip contact pads on a chip. The method further involves applying assembly bonding material to the each of the plurality of lens contact pads or chip contact pads, aligning the plurality of lens contact pads with the plurality of chip contact pads, bonding the chip to the lens substrate via the assembly bonding material using flip chip bonding, and forming a contact lens with the lens substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: James Etzkorn
  • Patent number: 8950862
    Abstract: This invention discloses a media substrate for incorporation into ophthalmic lenses that has been formed by the stacking of multiple functionalized layers. Additionally, methods and apparatus for providing a stacked functional layer insert for incorporation into an ophthalmic lens are also provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel and the lens includes at least one stacked functional layer insert portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Frederick A. Flitsch, Daniel B. Otts, James Daniel Riall, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 8894201
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus to form organic semiconductor transistors upon three-dimensionally formed insert devices. In some embodiments, the present invention includes incorporating the three-dimensional surfaces with organic semiconductor-based thin film transistors, electrical interconnects, and energization elements into an insert for incorporation into ophthalmic lenses. In some embodiments, the formed insert may be directly used as an ophthalmic device or incorporated into an ophthalmic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Frederick A. Flitsch
  • Patent number: 8888278
    Abstract: An apparatus for eye sight enhancement includes a lens having a first mode with a first optical power and a second mode with a second optical power, an actuator device adapted to vary a mode of the lens from the first mode to the second mode and from the second mode to the first mode, a fixing device adapted to fix the lens in a mounting position, a sensor device adapted to determine a focusing distance, and a processor adapted to control an operation of the actuator device depending on the focusing distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony DADC Austria AG
    Inventor: Norbert Irnleitner
  • Patent number: 8888282
    Abstract: An electronic vision-therapy apparatus includes a frame, a lens module and a control unit. The lens module includes first and second liquid crystal lenses. The control unit is for controlling the first and second liquid crystal lenses to cooperatively generate and display a light filtering pattern. The light filtering pattern has an opaque part and a plurality of transparent parts. The control unit configures a part of the first liquid crystal lens that corresponds to the opaque part to allow only light having a first polarization to pass therethrough, and configures a part of the second liquid crystal lens that corresponds to the opaque part to allow only light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan Normal University
    Inventors: Jon-Chao Hong, Chao-Hsin Wu, Mei-Yung Chen
  • Patent number: 8882266
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bifocal lens constructed such that the lens is not easily damaged when hit by flying fragments and, moreover, able to obtain a consistent focal length with a simple construction. The lens is equipped with a transparent substrate having transparency and rigidity, a transparent resilient body having transparency and elasticity, a transparent fluid enclosed in the space between the aforementioned transparent substrate and the aforementioned transparent resilient body, and a mechanism that induces changes in the shape of the aforementioned transparent resilient body. Changes are induced in the shape of the transparent resilient body to form the desired shape in the two states of the lens which comprises the transparent fluid enclosed in the space between the transparent substrate and the transparent resilient body, making it possible to obtain the desired characteristics (accurate optical characteristics) in either of the two states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Oisllee Planning Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8864304
    Abstract: Significantly faster state transitioning time between the optimal optical density for viewing 2D Movies as 3D movies through Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles can be achieved by using multiple layers (multi-layer) of electronically controlled variable tint materials to fabricate the right and left lenses of the 3Deeps spectacles. The use of multi-layered lenses may result in as much as a 50% decrease in transition time between states. The invention also relates to Multi-Use Electronically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that house within a single spectacle frame several layers of optoelectronic material in which each layer of electronically controlled relates to a different method of viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth Martin Jacobs, Ronald Steven Karpf
  • Patent number: 8857983
    Abstract: Antennas and antenna systems may be designed and configured for incorporation into mechanical devices, including medical devices, such as ophthalmic devices, including contact lenses. These antennas and antenna systems may be utilized to transmit data from the mechanical device to a receiver, to receive data from a transmitter, and/or to inductively charge an electromechanical cell or the like incorporated into the mechanical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Braxton Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Frederick A. Flitsch, Adam Toner, Scott Robert Humphreys
  • Publication number: 20140268029
    Abstract: An energized ophthalmic lens device is disclosed. The energized ophthalmic lens device can include one or more modulated photonic emitters, a media insert supporting a first processor and one or more light sources, and one or more antennas configured to communicate with the first processor and a second processor. The one or more light sources can be configured to generate light. At least a portion of the generated light from the one or more light sources can be emitted by the one or more photonic emitters. The first processor can be configured to receive, from a sensor, an indication to project a visual representation. The processor can further be configured to control, in response to the received indication, at least one of the one of more modulated photonic emitters and the one or more light sources based on one or more programmed parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Frederick A. Flitsch
  • Patent number: 8833935
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bifocal lens constructed such that the lens is not easily damaged when hit by flying fragments and, moreover, able to obtain a consistent focal length with a simple construction. The lens is equipped with a transparent substrate having transparency and rigidity, a transparent resilient body having transparency and elasticity, a transparent fluid enclosed in the space between the aforementioned transparent substrate and the aforementioned transparent resilient body, and a mechanism that induces changes in the shape of the aforementioned transparent resilient body. Changes are induced in the shape of the transparent resilient body to form the desired shape in the two states of the lens which comprises the transparent fluid enclosed in the space between the transparent substrate and the transparent resilient body, making it possible to obtain the desired characteristics (accurate optical characteristics) in either of the two states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Oisllee Planning Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8820926
    Abstract: A first recess (102) of a lower substrate (100) is coated with conductive ink to form a first auxiliary electrode layer (104), a lower electrode pattern (105) is formed thereon by vacuum deposition, a second recess (202) of an upper substrate (200) is coated with the conductive ink to form a second auxiliary electrode layer (204), an upper electrode pattern (205) is formed thereon by vacuum deposition, the upper and lower substrates are bonded to each other with an electric element (300) interposed between the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (100), and the upper and lower substrates are cut at positions on the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer (104) and the lower electrode pattern (105) and the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer (204) and the upper electrode pattern (205) so as to expose the cut surfaces of the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatomo Matsui
  • Publication number: 20140240658
    Abstract: An electronic or powered ophthalmic lens includes one or more systems having one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. These systems may change the state of the powered ophthalmic lens. In systems having one or more sensors, a decision making process is required to substantially reduce the possibility of changing the state of the powered ophthalmic lens based upon inaccurate, incomplete or erroneous information supplied by the sensors, changing physiologic conditions , as well as noise and/or interference from internal and external sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE, INC.
    Inventors: Randall Braxton Pugh, Adam Toner, Daniel B. Otts
  • Patent number: 8801177
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Samuel Archambeau, Jean-Paul Cano, Christian Bovet
  • Patent number: 8783865
    Abstract: Electronic spectacles include a spectacle frame; lenses having electric elements; a control unit that generates electric signals for driving the electric elements of the lenses; electric connectors that transmit the signals from the control unit to wiring connector pads; and the electric connector have one end connected to a control unit for controlling the electric element and an another end connected to lens electrode pads. The lens has an inverted V-shaped protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatomo Matsui
  • Patent number: 8783864
    Abstract: Electronic spectacles include a spectacle frame; lenses having electric elements; a control unit that generates electric signals for driving the electric elements of the lenses; electric connector that transmit the signals from the control unit to wiring connector pads; and the electric connector have one end connected to a control unit for controlling the electric element and an another end extended to the inside of a rim of the spectacle frame. The electric connector passes through rim locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatomo Matsui
  • Publication number: 20140168601
    Abstract: This present invention provides apparatus and methods for the activation of an energized ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, the present invention provides for activation and deactivation of one or more components via wireless communication with an activation unit external to the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an energized ophthalmic lens contains components that detect external signals, process the detected signal and activate components that change optical characteristics via the control of electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Otts, Randall B. Pugh, Frederick A. Flitsch
  • Patent number: 8727531
    Abstract: A spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens provides a vision correcting area for the correction of a wearer's refractive error. The viewing correction area provides Correction for non-conventional refractive error to provide at least a part of the Wearer's vision correction. The lens has a prescription based on a wave front analysis of the wearer's eye and the lens can further be modified to fit within an eyeglass frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: e-Vision, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald D. Blum, William Kokonaski
  • Patent number: 8721074
    Abstract: Ophthalmic lenses, including contact lenses may be enhanced through the incorporation of both active and passive electrical components. Electrical interconnects and die attachment configurations are required to ensure electrical connectivity between the components and the optic portion of the lens as well as providing a means for mounting planar devices on spherical surfaces. Electrical interconnects and die attachment for powered ophthalmic devices, including contact lenses includes realizing conductive traces on optical plastic, attaching planar dies to spherical surfaces and underfilling, overmolding and light blocking to complete the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Braxton Pugh, Adam Toner, Praveen Pandojirao-S, James Daniel Riall, Daniel B. Otts, Edward Kernick
  • Patent number: 8708484
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to eyewear having an electrically switchable spectral transmittance lens(es). The eyewear includes a lens driver that controls the variable spectral transmittance lens(es). The lens driver is functional to alter a duration of a spectral transmittance state based on a desired frequency and/or duty cycle of the spectral transmittance state. A user may provide an input indicating the desired level of difficulty provided by the eyewear, wherein the input may indicate that the frequency, the duty cycle, or a combination of the two should be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Reichow, Jonathan I. Brown, Umar Hanif, Herb Yoo