Abrading – Precision device or process - or with condition responsive... – Computer controlled
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-03
2001-12-11
Rose, Robert A. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Precision device or process - or with condition responsive...
Computer controlled
36, C451S043000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328628
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an eyeglass lens layout device for performing layout for fitting an eyeglass lens to an eyeglass frame, and an eyeglass lens processing apparatus having the eyeglass lens layout device.
The types of eyeglass lens include a monofocal lens, a multifocal lens such as a bifocal lens, and a progressive multifocal lens. Depending on the type of the eyeglass lens, a different type of layout must be carried out to fit the eyeglass lens to an eyeglass frame.
In the case of the monofocal lens, horizontal layout is performed on the basis of data on the distance between centers of eyeglass frame portions (FPD) and the wearer's pupillary distance (PD) data, and vertical layout is performed on the basis of information on the height of the optical center of the lens with respect to the frame center (geometric center) of the eyeglass frame (data on the distance between the frame center and the optical center).
In the case of the bifocal lens, in general, horizontal layout is performed on the basis of FPD data of the eyeglass frame and the wearer's PD data for near use, and vertical layout is performed on the basis of data on the distance from the center of a small-lens upper boundary line to a lowest portion of the lens.
On the other hand, in the case of the progressive multifocal lens, vertical layout is in many cases performed on the basis of data on the distance from the wearer's eyepoint for far use to the bottom of the lens directly therebelow.
It should be noted that, in the case of the bifocal lens, there are cases where vertical layout is performed on the basis of data on the distance from the center of a small-lens upper boundary line to the bottom of the lens directly therebelow. Also, in the case of the progressive multifocal lens as well, there are cases where vertical layout is performed on the basis the distance from the far-use eyepoint to the lowest portion of the lens.
A layout device in a background art requires data input for such various layout types or methods in the following manner:
FIG. 8
is a diagram illustrating a display screen for layout and switches for input in an apparatus. If frame data of an eyeglass frame measured by an eyeglass-frame-shape measuring device is inputted to the layout device, a target lens configuration
810
based on the frame data is displayed on the screen of a display unit
800
, and it becomes possible to input layout data by using switches of a switch section
850
. In the case of a monofocal lens, to input the vertical layout, a cursor
811
is moved by operating a switch
857
to an item
803
where the vertical layout data are to be input, and then a prescription value of the height is inputted using a “−” switch
858
a
or a “+” switch
858
b.
In the case of a bifocal lens, the cursor
811
is moved to an item
805
indicating a layout mode, and the mode is changed to a bifocal mode by operating a change switch
859
. Subsequently, the cursor
811
is moved to an item
803
, and after the method is changed to a “BT vertical” method for inputting the height from the center of a small-lens upper boundary line to a lowest portion of the lens by operating the change switch
859
, a prescription value is inputted.
In the case of a progressive multifocal lens, after the display of the item
805
is changed to an optical center mode, the cursor
811
is moved to the item
803
. After the method is changed to a “PD vertical” method for inputting the height from the wearer's eyepoint for far use to the bottom of the lens directly therefrom by operating the change switch
859
, its prescription value is inputted.
Thus, in fitting the eyeglass lens to the eyeglass frame, a different layout method depending on each lens type must be used, and the operator must change the layout method on each occasion in conformity with the lens type, which is time-consuming and troublesome. In addition, this change is difficult to understand for a less-experienced operator, and the operation while referring to an operation manual is troublesome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which makes it possible to easily effect, without an error, a change of the layout method which differs for each lens type.
To attain the above object, the present invention is characterized by having the following configurations.
(1) An eyeglass lens layout device for performing layout to fit an eyeglass lens to an eyeglass frame, said device comprising:
layout data input means for inputting layout data for each of horizontal and vertical layout items with respect to the frame;
storing means for storing layout methods corresponding to lens types;
designating means for designating one of the lens types; and
setting means for retrieving one of the layout methods from the storing means and setting the retrieved one of the layout methods for a corresponding one of the layout items, in accordance with the designated one of the lens types.
(2) An eyeglass lens layout device according to (1), wherein the lens types includes at least one of a monofocal lens, a bifocal lens and a progressive multifocal lens, and the layout methods to be set for the vertical layout item include at least one of a layout method by which layout is carried out based on a height of an optical center of the lens with respect to a geometric center of the frame, a layout method by which layout is carried out based on a distance from a certain point, which is determined in accordance with each of the lens types, to a point on a bottom of a target lens shape, which is located vertically below the certain point, and a layout method by which layout is carried out based on a height from a lowest point of a target lens shape to the certain point.
(3) An eyeglass lens layout device according to (2), wherein the certain point determined in accordance with each of the lens types is an optical center in case of the monofocal lens, a center of a small-lens upper boundary line in case of the bifocal lens and a wearer's eyepoint for far use in case of the progressive multifocal lens.
(4) An eyeglass lens layout device according to (1), further comprising:
changing means for changing a relationship between the lens types and the corresponding layout methods.
(5) An eyeglass lens layout device according to (4), wherein the changing means includes displaying means for displaying a screen on which the relationship is changed.
(6) An eyeglass lens layout device according to (1), further comprising:
frame data inputting means for inputting frame shape data of the eyeglass frame, and
wherein the layout of the lens is carried out with respect to the inputted frame shape data.
(7) An eyeglass lens layout device according to (1), further comprising:
transmitting means for transmitting the layout data to an eyeglass lens processing apparatus for grinding an periphery of the lens.
(8) An eyeglass lens layout device according to (1), wherein the eyeglass lens layout device is installed in an eyeglass lens processing apparatus for grinding an periphery of the lens.
(9) An eyeglass lens processing apparatus for grinding an periphery of an eyeglass lens, said apparatus comprising:
lens holding means for holding and rotating the lens;
processing means, having at least one abrasive wheel, for processing the lens with the rotating abrasive wheel;
frame data input means for inputting frame shape data on an eyeglass frame;
layout data input means for inputting layout data for each of horizontal and vertical layout items with respect to the frame shape data thus inputted;
arithmetic means for obtaining processing data based on the frame shaped data and the layout data; and
processing control means for controlling processing to the lens based on the processing data thus obtained;
wherein the layout data input means includes:
storing means for storing layout methods corresponding to lens types;
designating means for designating one of the lens types; and
setting
Funakura Masakazu
Mizuno Toshiaki
Nidek Co. Ltd.
Rose Robert A.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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