Electronic adapter for electro-active spectacle lenses
View Patent ↗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.
1. An adapter for an electro-active lens, wherein the electro-active lens is housed in a spectacle frame and the electro-active lens has a first set of electrical contacts, wherein said adapter is a separate element from the electro-active lens, and wherein said adapter has a second set of electrical contacts for providing an electrical signal to the electro-active lens through said first set of electrical contacts.
2. The adapter of claim 1 , further comprising a power source operatively connected to said second set of electrical contacts.
3. The adapter of claim 2 , further comprising a manually operable on/off switch connected to said power source.
4. The adapter of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor operatively connected to said second set of electrical contacts, wherein said sensor is for detecting if the electro-active lens is to be provided with the signal.
5. The adapter of claim 4 , wherein said sensor senses the presence of a user.
6. The adapter of claim 5 , wherein said sensor senses if the frame is opened.
7. The adapter of claim 1 , further comprising a driver operatively connected to said second set of electrical contacts, wherein said signal is for generating a predetermined optical add power to the electro-active lens.
8. The adapter of claim 7 , wherein said driver provides said signal for generating the appropriate amount of optical power in the electro-active lens.
9. The adapter of claim 7 , wherein said driver further comprises a focusing sensor for determining the appropriate signal for the electro-active lenses.
10. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein said first set of electrical contacts and said second set of electrical contacts further comprise electrical mating elements.
11. The adapter of claim 1 , further comprising a synchronizer operatively connected to the adapter for controlling one lens based upon the control of another lens.
12. The adapter of claim 11 , wherein said synchronizer comprises infrared optical transmission signals.
13. The adapter of claim 11 , wherein said synchronizer comprises RF transmission signals.
14. The adapter of claim 11 , wherein said synchronizer comprises an inductive coupling.
15. The adapter of claim 11 , wherein said synchronizer comprises a flexible circuit extending through the spectacle frame.
16. The adapter of claim 11 , wherein said synchronizer comprises ultrasonic transmission signals.
17. The adapter of claim 11 , wherein said synchronizer comprises vibration transmission signals.
18. The adapter of claim 17 , wherein said synchronizer comprises piezoelectric materials.
19. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is for simultaneously contacting the lens and the frame.
20. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is for contacting the lens without contacting the frame.
21. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is located under and above the surface of the lens when in contact therewith.
22. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the lens has a surface and the adapter is located near the periphery of said surface when in contact with the lens.