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 Title: |
US5654786:
Optical lens structure and control system for maintaining a selected constant level of transmitted light at a wearer's eyes
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Bylander, E. Gerald; Sherman, TX
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| Assignee: |
Burlingame; Robert C., Sherman, TX
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| Published / Filed: |
1997-08-05
/ 1996-01-11
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| Application Number: |
US1996000584567
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A61F 9/02;
G02C 7/10;
G02C 7/12;
G02F 1/055;
Core:
G02C 7/00;
G02F 1/01;
more...
IPC-7:
G02C 1/00;
G02C 7/12;
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| ECLA Code: |
A61F9/02F2; G02C7/10A; G02C7/12; G02F1/055B;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
351/049;
351/041;
351/158;
Original:
351/049;
351/041;
351/158;
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| Field of Search: |
351/049,158,41,44,45,46
359/062,63
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| Priority Number: |
| 1996-01-11 |
US1996000584567 |
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| Abstract: |
A lens structure and electronic control system is provided for use in eyeglasses. The lens structure is formed by a pair of lenses with a transmission layer formed by an electro-optic material is disposed therebetween. The transmission layer is used to control the amount of light that is transmitted through the lens structure by placement of a variable voltage placed across it. The transmission layer can be formed by either a dichroic dye or by a ferro-electric material such as PLZT. The electronic control system uses a photoamperic sensor placed behind the lens structure to develop a current proportional to the transmitted light. The current is converted into a voltage which is compared to a desired transmission range. If the sensed transmission level is outside the desired range the control circuit causes a power supply to add or decrease the charge across the lens as necessary to bring the transmitted light level back into the desired range. The use of a ferro-electric material also requires the use of a high voltage power supply to provide the necessary voltages to operate the lens structure.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Harris, Tucker & Hardin, P.C. ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Dang, Hung X.;
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 24 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. An optical device to be worn by a user comprising:
- a) a lens structure having an optical transmissivity which is electrically controllable, the lens structure including a pair of lenses having a transmission layer therebetween, the transmission layer being responsive to a variable voltage applied thereto for varying an amount of light transmitted through the lens structure;
- b) a frame coupled to the lens structure, wherein the frame places the lens structure in optical relationship with the user's eyes;
- c) a sensor mounted behind the lens structure to measure the amount of transmitted light passing through the lens structure; and
- d) a control circuit electrically coupled to the lens structure and the sensor, and including a power source, the control circuit sensing and responding to the amount of light transmitted through the lens structure as measured by the sensor and electronically adjusting the optical transmissivity of the lens structure by varying the variable voltage applied to the transmission layer such that the amount of light transmitted through the lens remains within a predetermined range.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 119 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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