Technical Field

The present invention relates to eyewear, in particular to customisable adjustable light transmittance eyewear.

Discussion of Prior Art

As the lighting level an individual is exposed to varies, the individual may want to adjust the amount of light their eyes are exposed to. Activities in which this is necessary include outdoor activities such as walking, running and alpine sports where there may be high light levels reflecting from snow-covered surfaces. Individuals may also feel the need to alter the amount of visible light entering their eyes indoors as the light level may vary between different rooms within the building. Another use is when dealing with machinery producing sparks. Individuals may want to have low light transmittance eyewear while the sparks are produced, but high light transmittance eyewear during periods when spark production is at a minimum.

There are a number of long-standing options available today which enable individuals to adapt the amount of visible light their eyes are exposed to. Some options include (whether with or without corrective lenses):

i. Alternating between high light transmittance eyewear (or no eyewear) and low light transmittance (tinted) eyewear (e.g., sunglasses)

ii. Glasses with photochromic lenses

iii. Flip-ups Using eyewear such as sunglasses, which can be prepared with different tint levels (light transmittances) and colours is common practice. This provides the wearer with manual control - the wearer can switch to sunglasses as and when they desire. However, the disadvantage is that the wearer must continuously put the sunglasses over their eyes and take them off in order to vary light exposure to their eyes. If they are wearing high light transmittance eyewear, such as spectacles, then this means they must continuously alternate between the two eyewear devices.

The second option pertains to photochromic lenses, which have the benefit of the wearer only requiring one eyewear device to vary the level of light the eyes are exposed to. However, the issue with these devices is that the wearer has no manual control over when the lenses’ light transmittance adjusts. The adjustment is predicated on UV exposure as described by U.S. patent number 4,756,973. Another disadvantage is that they take a few minutes to adjust from the lowest light transmittance state to the highest light transmittance. Yet another option is that of flip-up lenses. As noted in U.S. patent number 3,531 ,188, this consists of lenses of“either regular or clip-on type in which the lenses are pivotable at the top from the normal position in front of the eyes, to a position out of the line of sight, simply by flipping the lenses upwardly”. These devices provide the wearer with manual control but require an additional moving unit (the flip-up device) for eyewear and can be cumbersome to manage.

Technology has progressed to enable the development of a single eyewear device in which the light transmittance of lenses can be manually adjusted. There are devices that have been built with this capability, however, they have a number of disadvantages when compared with the invention in question. One disadvantage is that these devices do not cater to those who may require multiple additional (likely corrective) lenses. The ability to easily input and replace finished, corrective lenses from an arbitrary supplier is not available. Another disadvantage is that these devices do not enable replacement of the adjustable light transmittance lenses by anyone other than the manufacturer of the adjustable light transmittance lenses. For the manufacturer to do so, it would require the deconstruction of the eyewear unit. There is no simple method of adjustable light transmittance lens replacement. Another disadvantage is that they do not achieve sufficiently high enough light transmittances (>c.70%) to appear transparent to the naked human eye. Yet another disadvantage of the current devices is that the method for controlling them requires a physical addition to the eyewear. For example, a physical button on the device or an additional device all together such as a smartphone and accompanying smartphone application.

Current adjustable light transmittance eyewear uses electrochromic technology (such as that discussed in U.S. patent number 7,375,871) or liquid crystal technology (such as that in U.S. patent number 9,933,631 or European patent number 1 ,090,326) to achieve control of the lenses light transmittance. Statements of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided eyewear comprising: a frame comprising a lens retaining means configured to accommodate a stacked configuration of lenses within the frame; an adjustable light transmittance lens disposed within the lens retaining means; and a control circuit for varying the light transmittance level of the adjustable light transmittance lens.

The present invention provides eyewear in which the frame comprises a lens retaining means which is configured to retain lenses within the frame such that there is a stacked configuration of lenses within the eyewear. An adjustable light transmittance lens is provided, the transmittance of which can be controlled by a control circuit. Such eyewear enables multiple lenses to be retained within the frame to provide an eyewear device that provides the user the benefits of a variable transmittance lens along with ability to control the transmittance level and to incorporate corrective lenses within the same eyewear device. The frame may comprise a frame front having a rim region (e.g. a goggle) or pair of rim regions (e.g. glasses), each rim region comprising a lens retaining means. The lens retaining means may take the form of a slot or plurality of slots within the rim region(s). In an alternative configuration the lenses may be retained in a lens retaining means in the form of a cartridge which is then inserted into the frame of the eyewear. It is noted that the rim region may fully encircle the lenses or only partially encircle the lenses.

Multiple adjustable light transmittance lenses may, or may not, be layered adjacent to one another within the rim regions of the frame front. Additional lens retaining means may be used for yet more adjustable light transmittance lenses, protective lenses or simple incorporation of finished lenses which may or may not be corrective. Multiple lens retaining means enable replacement of lenses enabling customisation by characteristics such as colour, light transmittance range, light transmittance gradation across a single lens as well as shape and any other features. The lens retaining means may be configured to releasably retain lenses within the eyewear. Lens may be removed from and installed into the eyewear by, for example, using force to push the lens from the lens retaining means or by disassembling the eyewear.

The eyewear may further comprise an attachment portion for securing the eyewear to a user in use. The attachment portion may comprise the arms of a pair of spectacles or a strap (e.g. an elasticated retaining strap on a pair of goggles). The attachment means may also comprise an anchor point for connecting a strap or arms to the frame front.

The eyewear may comprise a pressure sensor located in the arms of the eyewear, the pressure sensor being configured to activate the control circuit upon contact with an object (e.g. the action of putting the eyewear on may activate the control circuit).

The eyewear may comprise a pressure element located in the frame of the eyewear, the pressure element being arranged to deform on contact with a user in order to complete the control circuit. In this manner the action of putting on the eyewear may physically cause the control circuit to be completed.

The eyewear may comprise an induction device in electrical communication with a battery located within the frame, the battery being part of the control circuit and the induction device being configured to allow the battery to be charged when the induction device is brought into communication with a charging device.

The eyewear may comprise a battery located within the frame and a charging port, the battery being part of the control circuit and in electrical communication with the charging port. The lens retaining means may comprise a power interface to supply power from the battery to the adjustable light transmittance lens.

The control circuit may comprise a circuit board, battery and control device. The control device may comprise an accelerometer or a light (e.g. UV, visible or infrared light) sensor. The control circuit may also comprise a user control device in the form of a voice control device, touch sensors, proximity sensors or physical controls in order to enable the user to control the adjustable lens. Depending on the control device incorporated into the eyewear the control circuit may support a number of different control gestures to control the adjustable light transmittance lens. For example, where the eyewear comprises arms and an accelerometer, taps on the arms may enable a first control action related to the adjustable lens, taps on the frame above the lenses may enable a further control action. Where the eyewear comprises a touch sensor then sliding gestures may enable a further control action.

The control circuit may be disposed in the frame of the eyewear, in an attachment portion or a combination thereof.

The lenses that may be accommodated by the lens retaining means may be corrective lenses or noncorrective lenses. The eyewear may also accommodate additional adjustable light transmittance or other electronically controlled lenses.

The present invention provides eyewear in which the light transmittance of the incorporated adjustable light transmittance lenses may be controlled by a wearer defined input. Eyewear in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may also include the simple incorporation of finished lenses which may or may not be corrective. The present invention provides the ability for an individual to control light transmittance with simple input mechanisms (adjusting light transmittance within less than 0.5 seconds of firing said input mechanism). It does not require external devices or buttons to provide said control (but they may be added if so desired). The invention may operate with a plurality of light transmittance ranges and transition between a plurality of light transmittance values. Eyewear according to embodiments of the present invention may be constructed in different modular fashions to enable easy fitting and customisation by an arbitrary retailer or optician or the wearer themselves based on wearer size and aesthetic, or other, preference. Eyewear according to embodiments of the present invention may comprise constituent elements of eyewear (arms, adjustable tint lenses, normal lenses, electronics etc) which are sold separately and put together reversibly or irreversibly. Such modularity enables a user: to change lens, frame, arm style / colour / tint / light transmittance, change electronics and thus features of device, change battery. Eyewear according to embodiments of the present invention may use liquid crystal technology, however, other adjustable light transmittance technologies such as electrochromic technology may be used.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective of an example of the prior art of an eyewear unit;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the prior art eyewear unit. What is seen here can be referred to as the‘frame front';

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional perspective of the configuration for securing a finished lens (corrective or not), adjustable light transmittance lens and protective lenses within the frame of eyewear according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an input sensor, battery, controlling circuit and adjustable light transmittance lenses according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevated perspective of an embodiment of present adjustable light transmittance eyewear invention in the form of spectacles;

FIG. 6 illustrates two adjustable light transmittance lenses adjacent to one another, which may be individually controlled;

FIG. 7 illustrates the configuration for connecting the battery, electronics (consisting of a flexible printed circuit or wires and a ridged printed circuit board) and adjustable light transmittance lenses all together; FIG. 8 illustrates the configuration for connecting the battery, electronics (consisting of a flexible printed circuit only) and adjustable light transmittance lenses all together; and

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional perspective of the configuration for securing lenses within the frame of the current invention within four pairs of lens retaining means (four lens retaining means are out of view in this perspective)

Disclosure of the Invention From FIG. 1 the prior art of an eyewear unit can be seen. This could be referred to as spectacles, glasses or sunglasses. The front of the frame, also known as the frame front (and seen isolated in FIG. 2) is constituted of two lenses 1 , 2 (whether corrective or not) as well as a pair of rim regions 3, 4 within the frame front into which these lenses are placed. There is a bridge 5 between the lenses, which sits above the nose of the wearer.

In FIG. 1 there are two temples 7, 6 (the arm stems connecting to the frame front) which are placed at the side of the head of the wearer - the back of which rests on the wearer’s ears. These temples are joined to the frame front by two hinges 8, 9. Eyewear in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3. The eyewear is of the same general form as Figure 1 and is shown in cross section (the cross section shown is taken vertically through the eyewear between the hinge portion and the bridge of the eyewear). The eyewear of Figure 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame 32 which comprises a lens retaining means in the form of slots 25, 28 in the frame front 32 and an adjustable light transmittance lens 27. A control circuit (not shown in Figure 3) passes through an aperture 23 of the frame. The adjustable light transmittance lens 27 is shown in slot 28 and is adjacent to two protective lenses 26, 29. It is noted that these three lenses 26, 27, 29 may or may not be adhered together prior to placement in the slot 28. Additionally, it is noted that in some configurations the two protective lenses 26, 29 may not be required. This depends on the preference of the customising party.

A finished lens 24 (which may be corrective if so required) is located in slot 25 such that the lens retaining means (25, 28) accommodates the lenses 24, 26, 27, 29 in a stacked configuration within the frame 32. This lens may be corrective if so required.

It should be noted that in FIG. 3 slots 25, 28, which make up the lens retaining means, extend continuously around their respective lenses which are placed within them in order to hold them firmly in place. However, this does not have to be the case. Another arrangement may see the lens retaining means enclose only a portion of the lens. The electrical connection that may be made from the battery to the circuit passes through the aperture 23 in the top of the frame front 32.

It should also be noted that the two slots 25, 28 shown in FIG 3 are part of a single element but in an alternative arrangement these slots may each be in separate elements and not incorporated into one element of material. The elements would be irreversibly or reversibly connected via connection point 29a. Each slot would be located in effectively a separate frame front piece with each piece adjacent to one another. Each piece may or may not be attached to one another via means such as soldering, screws or other attachment forms. More lens retaining means may be added as pleased for the positioning of additional lenses. Each slot may be used by one or more lenses for a variety of purposes.

FIG. 4 illustrates an adjustable light transmittance mechanism in eyewear according to an embodiment of the present invention functions. This mechanism may be situated in an eyewear form similar to that of typical glasses as illustrated by FIG 1. The invention may also be situated in other types of eyewear such as goggles for use in snowy alpine regions, running eyewear, motorcycle or cycle helmets, welding safety visors or helmets, swimming googles. In FIG. 4 the adjustable light transmittance lenses 12, 13 can be seen. The light transmittance of these lenses is controlled by the electronic circuit 11. Both the circuit and lenses are powered by the battery 14. The sensor 10 which determines whether it is under the appropriate input to alter the lenses’ light transmittance can also be seen. This sensor may be an accelerometer which may be programmed to determine when the device has been tapped in a certain direction and a certain number of times by the wearer. At this point the current passed through the lenses would be adjusted and thus the light transmittance of the lenses would also be adjusted. Another possible sensor is a touch sensor (resistive, capacitive or other) which would trigger when in appropriate contact with another object. The two sensors mentioned thus far would likely be placed in the temple in which the circuit rests. Other forms of sensors that may be used are light or UV sensors. These sensors are triggered by a change in the level of exposure to either visible light rays or UV rays, respectively. These sensors would likely be situated in the top corners of the frame front.

Eyewear in accordance with embodiments of the present invention functions in the following manner. The sensor receives a form of input (acceleration, touch, visible light, UV light etc). Upon receiving said input, the sensor sends a signal to the circuit which, depending on the settings, either decreases or increases the light transmittance of the lenses.

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevated perspective of eyewear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inside the right temple 15 is situated a cavity in which the controlling circuit 16 is positioned. In the left temple 18 is situated the cavity in which the battery 17 is positioned. The UV sensor 19 and visible light sensor 20 can also be seen. The protective front lenses 21 , 22 protect the adjustable lenses from possible damage that can be caused by external sources. The temples 15, 18 may be irreversibly or reversibly connected to the frame front. If reversibly connected to the frame front, then either the temples or the frame front may be replaced with alternatives based on the wearer's, retailer’s or another party’s preference such as size, colour, electronics or battery capabilities, light transmittance ranges and levels, shape as well as other characteristics as desired.

FIG. 7 illustrates how the electronics, battery and adjustable light transmittance lenses may be connected together before or after placement into the frame. All components are removable from the frame either by disassembling the frame or by physically forcing the lenses out of the lens retaining means. The adjustable light transmittance lenses 38, 39 would slot into place into the frame connected with detachable electrically conductive attachments 37a, 37b to the flexible printed circuit (FPC) 33 so the adjustable light transmittance lenses are electronically controllable as soon as slotted in by the ridged printed circuit board (PCB) 35 powered by the battery 34. Both the RGB and battery are connected to the FPC by electrically conductive attachments 36, 40. Any of the electrically conductive attachments 36, 37a, 37b, 40 may be irreversibly or reversibly connected to either or both elements that it is creating a connection between. For example, the electrically conductive attachment 37a may be irreversibly connected to the FPC 33 and reversibly connected to the adjustable light transmittance lens 38, allowing the adjustable tint lens to freely disconnect and reconnect as required. Alternatively, the electrically conductive attachment 37a may be reversibly connected to the FPC and irreversibly connected to the adjustable light transmittance lens or the electrically conductive element 37a could be reversibly or irreversibly connected to both. An irreversible connection could be a fusible metal like solder, whereas a reversible connection could be a small, electrically conductive clip which allows for disconnection and reconnection by hand orwith tool(s). Two examples of this are ZIF or board-to-board connectors. FIG. 8 illustrates a variation to FIG. 7, however, with the FPC 33 incorporating the contents of the PCB, hence no need for an additional connection between the two as they are merged together, allowing for easier handling when placing into the frame. Either of the constructions illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 provide easy ability to anyone to customise the eyewear.

FIG. 9 illustrates a version of the invention in which the lens retaining means is provide in the form of four adjacent slots (41 , 43, 47, 50) in the frame of the eyewear. Each slot supports one or more lenses each with distinct purposes. Slot 41 supports lens 42, which may be a finished lens (corrective or not). Slot 43 supports lens 44, which may be a protective lens. Slot 50 supports lens 49, which may be an adjustable light transmittance lens. Slot 47 supports lenses 45, 46 and 48, which may be a protective lens, adjustable light transmittance lens and protective lens, respectively. Each slot may be incorporated into the same body of material (eliminating the need for connection points 51 , 52 and 53) or each may have its own distinct element of material with each being connected together reversibly at the connection points 51 , 52 and 53 via means such as screws or any other means to enable easy replacement of each rim region which another of a different size or shape. Alternatively, the elements could be connected irreversibly by means such as an adhesive.

Embodiment 1

An embodiment of the present invention was prepared in the following manner. An FPC and two custom form factor and custom light transmittance range electronic dimming filters were prepared. These filters acted as the adjustable light transmittance lenses. The filters were connected to the FPC which was then connected to a custom designed PCB. The FPC was also connected to a 100mAh capacity battery. These units were all enclosed within a custom CAD designed stereolithography 3D printed enclosure. In the example, the input to control the filters was a double tap of the frame that was detected (registered) by the control circuit. An accelerometer was programmed to register a double tap with custom code.

The invention provides an advantage compared to prior art systems as , unlike with prior art, finished lenses (corrective or not) may easily be fit into the frame by fitting said lenses into a slot as illustrated by slot 25 in FIG. 3. It is just as easy to put these lenses in as it is with commonly available prescription glasses. Simply push in with a modicum of force. Finally, the custom adjustable light transmittance lenses according to this embodiment of the invention adjust from 76% to 37% light transmittance. Additionally, it enables control of light transmittance with a simple double tap gesture. There is no requirement for an additional external physical device such as a button or smartphone app as there has been with previous attempts. Embodiment 2

In another embodiment of the present invention, a similar approach was taken to embodiment 1. However, rather than only two light transmittance states, there was a series of light transmittances within a predefined range. This example had a maximum light transmittance of 75% and lowest light transmittance of 35%. There were 7 light transmittance steps in between this maximum and minimum - each separated from the next step by an arbitrarily set value. The light transmittance could be increased or decreased, going through each step in succession from lowest to highest or vice versa.

Variations

One variation of the invention includes the use of multiple adjustable lenses in front of one another forming a stacked composition. This would enable a greater range of light transmittance control if each layer of adjustable lens is controlled independently via the input. This would also allow for control over colour if each adjustable lens has a different colour. Switching each one of the multiple adjustable lenses to different light transmittance levels would enable a variation in the light colour transmitted. For example, see FIG. 6 which illustrates a system containing 2 layers of adjustable light transmittance lenses 30, 31. If both lenses are at their highest light transmittance value then the total light passing through is at its maximum. If one lens 30 is then adjusted to its lowest light transmittance whilst the other lens 31 is kept at its highest light transmittance, the total light passing through will decrease. If both lenses are at their lowest light transmittance then the total light passing through will decrease further to the lowest possible value. This arrangement may be incorporated into the invention as the single adjustable lens was in FIG. 3, i.e., in a slot with protective lenses on either side of adjustable lens stacked composition. However, it is possible to include this stacked arrangement with only one or with no protective lenses at all. Where the lens retaining means takes the form of a slot in the frame, it is also possible for each adjustable lens to be situated in its own slot, so that there is no need for more than one lens to be stacked into one slot.

It is possible to control each lens with a separate input. One example of this is as follows. Taps registered on the arms (x-direction) could control one lens or one pair of lenses, taps on the lenses (y-direction) to control another and sliding gestures to control yet another.

Another variation includes not having an additional (corrective or not) lens.

As previously mentioned the input required to signal for a light transmittance adjustment may also be varied. Possible controls include, but are not limited to, voice control, UV light, visible light, infrared light, touch sensors, proximity sensors, physical controls such as buttons or sliders and smart device applications such as for a smartphone, smart watch, tablet or computer. For the final mentioned option, the additional device could connect via Bluetooth, infrared or Wi-Fi technology. The device may be charged via a variety of means such as via a charging port into which a charging cable is attached. The port could be magnetic or some form of standard or bespoke USB technology. Another method of charging is via wireless inductive or conductive charging. Yet another is via the conversion of kinetic energy from the movement of the glasses. Another means to charge the device is with solar panels positioned on the frame front and temples. Additionally, solar panels could be placed in front of the lenses and frame front. Said solar panels could be fixed in position or could be capable of being pivoted upwards or downwards. This would adjust the solar panels from a position in front of the eyes to one out of sight. These solar panels could be transparent or not. Another means of charging the device could be via the appendage of miniature electricity generators which use moving air as the power source.

Eyewear systems in which this invention may be incorporated, include but are not limited to, goggles for use in snowy alpine regions, running eyewear, motorcycle or cycle helmets, welding safety visors or helmets, swimming googles.

There are a number of manners in the which power control may be implemented. One example, is that current may only flow when the temples of the eyewear are parallel to one another (and so the temple ends are in full contact with the frame front) not when closed. To do this a connection will only be made when the glasses are parallel. This could be done using metal contacts, magnetic or not, on the end of the temples and on the point at which the temples meet the frame front. Only once the temples are parallel with one another would these contacts meet and allow current to flow and hence the adjustable light transmittance lenses to be adjusted.

The inside of the hinges could also be made from FPC material, wires or a flexible electrically conductive material to allow the adjustable light transmittance lenses to be controlled even when the temples are not parallel. The exterior of the hinge could be made from a flexible material such as silicon rubber.

Another power-cutting mechanism involves including a contact sensor on either temple which detects when the wearer’s head is close enough in proximity. If so, current is permitted to flow to the adjustable light transmittance lenses. Once the sensor has not been activated for a set period of time by object proximity, current is switched off to the adjustable light transmittance lenses. The sensor could also be a pressure sensor which detects the pressure of the wearer’s head. There is also the option to use a capacitive touch sensor which would only send a signal if skin comes into contact with it. Light transmittance may also be a factor with alternatives in the invention. In the two examples it was opted to have a discrete number of light transmittance states. Instead a control could be implemented which would enable the wearer to vary the current to any value on a spectrum within a pre-defined range. A possible control for this would be a physical sliding addition to the temple. More user-friendly, however, would be a touch control strip on the temple. The protocol for its functionality could be as follows. The wearer’s finger is placed on a certain location on the touch sensor strip. The position of the finger would determine where on the light transmittance spectrum the lenses would now be set to. Another method of implementing this touch strip could be that when a finger slides in one direction, the light transmittance of the adjustable light transmittance lenses increases. If the finger is slid in the opposite direction, the light transmittance decreases. An additional variation with respect to light transmittance is that the maximum and minimum light transmittance values for the invention may vary from substantially 0% light transmittance to, or substantially to, 100% light transmittance.