System and method for generating machine marking instructions

1. A method of generating machine marking instructions for marking an ophthalmic lens, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving lens order data related to a lens order;

receiving an initial marking layout;

calculating, using the lens order data, ophthalmic lens data of an ophthalmic lens related to the lens order;

determining, using the calculated ophthalmic lens data, marking parameters relating to the ophthalmic lens;

producing an additional marking layout by modifying the initial marking layout using the marking parameters determined using calculated ophthalmic lens data, said additional marking layout providing information related to the calculated ophthalmic lens data, and the lens order data, the additional marking layout representing the markings to be applied to the ophthalmic lens;

generating machine marking instructions arranged to cause a marking machine to mark the ophthalmic lens in accordance with the additional marking layout; and

marking the ophthalmic lens according to the machine marking instructions generated in accordance with the additional marking layout.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of producing an additional marking layout further comprises the steps of:

producing a final marking layout, by modifying the initial marking layout using the marking parameters and the lens order data, the final marking layout representing the markings to be present on the ophthalmic lens;

receiving a semi-finished marking layout representing the markings applied to a semi-finished lens; and

producing the additional marking layout by subtracting the semi-finished marking layout from the final marking layout.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the lens order data comprises a semi-finished marking layout code and the method further comprises:

extracting the semi-finished marking layout code from the lens order data; and

using the semi-finished marking layout code to select a semi-finished marking layout from a semi-finished marking layout database.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lens order data comprises an initial marking layout code and the method further comprises:

extracting the initial marking layout code from the lens order data; and

using the initial marking layout code to select an initial marking layout from the marking layout database using the initial marking layout code.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

a plurality of the marking parameters represent the positions of a plurality of markings relating to ophthalmic features of the specific lens; and

the marking parameters representing the position of markings related to a first ophthalmic feature are associated with the marking parameters representing the position of markings related to a second ophthalmic feature such that a change in the position of the markings related to the first ophthalmic feature produces a change in the position of the markings relating to the second ophthalmic feature.

6. A system for generating machine marking instructions for marking an ophthalmic lens, the system comprising processors arranged to:

receive lens order data related to a lens order;

receive an initial marking layout;

calculate, using the lens order data, ophthalmic lens data of an ophthalmic lens related to the lens order;

determine, using the calculated ophthalmic lens data, marking parameters relating to the ophthalmic lens;

produce an additional marking layout by modifying the initial marking layout using the marking parameters determined using calculated ophthalmic lens data, said additional marking layout providing information related to the calculated ophthalmic lens data, and the lens order data, the additional marking layout representing the markings to be applied to the ophthalmic lens;

generate machine marking instructions arranged to cause a marking machine to mark the ophthalmic lens in accordance with the additional marking layout; and

marking the ophthalmic lens according to the machine marking instructions generated in accordance with the additional marking layout.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the processors is further arranged to:

produce a final marking layout, by modifying the initial marking layout using the marking parameters and the lens order data, the final marking layout representing the markings to be present on the ophthalmic lens;

receive a semi-finished marking layout representing the markings applied to a semi-finished lens; and

produce the additional marking layout by subtracting the semi-finished marking layout from the final marking layout.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the lens order data comprises a semi-finished marking layout code and the processors are further arranged to:

extract the semi-finished marking layout code from the lens order data; and

use the semi-finished marking layout code to select a semi-finished marking layout from a semi-finished marking layout database.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the lens order data comprises an initial marking layout code and the processors is further arranged to:

extract the initial marking layout code from the lens order data; and

use the initial marking layout code to select an initial marking layout from the marking layout database using the initial marking layout code.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein:

a plurality of the marking parameters represent the positions of a plurality of markings relating to ophthalmic features of the specific lens; and

the marking parameters representing the position of markings related to a first ophthalmic feature are associated with the marking parameters representing the position of markings related to a second ophthalmic feature such that a change in the position of the markings related to the first ophthalmic feature produces a change in the position of the markings relating to the second ophthalmic feature.

11. A networked data processors for generating machine marking instructions for marking a surface of an ophthalmic lens, the networked data processor are arranged to:

receive lens order data over a data communications network, the lens order data being related to a lens order;

receive an initial marking layout over a data communication network;

calculate, using the lens order data, ophthalmic lens data of an ophthalmic lens related to the lens order;

determine, using the calculated ophthalmic lens data, marking parameters relating to the ophthalmic lens;

produce an additional marking layout by modifying the initial marking layout using the marking parameters determined using calculated ophthalmic lens data, said additional marking layout providing information related to the calculated ophthalmic lens data, and the lens order data, the additional marking layout representing the markings to be applied to the ophthalmic lens;

generate machine marking instructions arranged to cause a marking machine to mark the ophthalmic lens in accordance with the additional marking layout, and

marking the ophthalmic lens according to the machine marking instructions generated in accordance with the additional marking layout.

12. The networked data processors of claim 11 , wherein the lens order data comprises an initial marking layout code and the networked processors are further arranged to:

extract the initial marking layout code from the lens order data; and

use the initial marking layout code to select an initial marking layout from the marking layout database using the initial marking layout code.