Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – Ophthalmic lenses or blanks
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-24
2004-06-08
Schwartz, Jordan (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
Ophthalmic lenses or blanks
C351S16000R, C351S162000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06746120
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to contact lens fabrication. In particular, the invention relates to an automated method and system for providing customized cosmetic contact lenses to users.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Colored cosmetic contact lenses blend, enhance, or mask the colored portion of the wearer's iris to change the visible color of the eye. Such lenses have become widely accepted fashion accessories, and are even worn by users who do not require prescription correction of their vision. In fact, such lenses may be used to add detail to clothing outfits and other fashions such as Halloween costumes.
Contact lenses recently have been manufactured with improved pattern and color integration that greatly enhances the realism of the resulting colored iris. For example, subtle color differences may be implemented in multiple, superimposed pattern layers on the lens. This gives the iris the illusion of depth of color and improved integration with the wearer's natural eye colors.
While improved technology has resulted in more realistic colors in lenses, there has been an increased demand for a wider variety of colored contact lenses to more accurately reflect the mood, personality or individual tastes of the wearer. This is reflected in the increased popularity of “Tattoo” styled lenses that include printed images on the iris portion. For example, some tattoo lenses have included an inscription such as the text “2000” annularly printed on the iris portion of a lens. Other such lenses have included even opaque iris portions that mask out a portion of the iris so that the pupil of the eye appears to have a vertical ellipsoid shape to suggest the iris of a cat.
Thus, users of prescription contact lenses—or colored-lens wearers who desire more unique and tailored fashion accessories—would benefit from the ability to easily customize cosmetic or corrective contact lenses to suit the individual's tastes. Furthermore, the ability to customize contact lenses may provide a wider market for potential colored contact lens wearers who are unsatisfied with the color options presently available.
Typically, a contact lens must fit the size and shape of the user's eye precisely in order for the lens to be safe to wear. Because of this, contact lenses are typically manufactured in a wide array of sizes and corrective prescriptions to accommodate a majority of wearers. For example, the main parameters for selecting a contact lens for a user includes the lens diameter, the base curve of the lens and the corrective prescription. The corrective prescription can include other parameters, such as the amount of corrective magnification to compensate for myopic or hyperopic vision, the degree of correction needed for astigmatism, the presence or absence of bifocal or trifocal areas, or vision-correcting tinting. Other options, as mentioned above, include iris colorization patterns or other forms of tinting for cosmetic use or convenience in handling. Consequently, the large number of permutations and combinations of these features requires a lens-care practitioner to keep a large inventory of lenses on hand. The least-used lens permutation combinations are likely to remain unused within this inventory.
Similarly, while a wide range of cosmetic color and pattern combinations are available in pre-made packages of contact lenses, the colors and patterns may not be ideally suited for a particular wearer. For example, the skin color, hair color, and iris color of a particular user may appear most cosmetically appealing when accentuated by colored contact lenses having a particular color shade. While multiple shades of colors are available in pre-made stock lenses, the user may be required to settle for a close match of the desired shade instead of an ideal shade if the ideal shade lies somewhere between available successive shade gradients. Moreover, corrective prescriptions such as corrective magnification are available only in stepped increments. For example, magnification is usually available in increments of + or −0.25 diopter. A patient requiring correction of −2.35 diopter would need to choose between the inexact correction of either a −2.25 and −2.50 diopter lens.
While the advent of the Internet and its many implemented software routines have greatly increased consumers' ability to purchase lenses from a wider variety of manufacturers, lens wearers' choices are still restricted by the limitations of pre-manufactured lenses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The method and system of the present invention allows users to efficiently order uniquely made customized contact lenses. The method and to system may be completely or partially automated, or implemented on a web server and client environment on the Internet.
The invention preferably utilizes customized template images showing the shape, color and surrounding features of a user's actual eye so that the user's selected lens parameters may be reviewed accurately before an order is placed. The template eye images are preferably obtained by photographic means or by scanning the patient's eyes. Furthermore, required parameters, such as corrective prescription, lens diameter and base curve of the lens may be obtained automatically from a confidential database or through communications with an approved optometrist or eye care provider. These parameters may be incorporated into the template.
The user's selected lens parameters include an available palette of iris patterns for use in overlapping, layered arrangements. Other parameters include a wide array of colors for use with or without the patterns. The user may also preferably incorporate computer images or other image information into a customized lens iris area. The user may preview how the lens will look on the wearer's eye after each selection compare all selections at one time, or compare the natural eye colors and construct an arrangement that suits the wearer's reeds, both cosmetically and medically.
In one aspect of the present invention, a method of configuring a customized contact lens for a user is provided. The method includes the steps of displaying a template eye image to assist the user in visualizing selected options for a customized contact lens and displaying a plurality of contact lens selection options to the user. The information includes a plurality of selectable lens colors and lens design patterns. The method also includes the step of sending an ordering request to order a contact lens. In another embodiment, the lens may incorporate lens colors and lens design patterns selected by the user, and the method further may include the steps of receiving the ordering request and manufacturing a contact lens incorporating the selected lens colors and lens design patterns.
In another aspect of the present invention, the method may include the steps of providing a choice of sample eyes for selection by the user as a modeling template, selecting one or more sample eyes as a template eye, selecting a pre-configured pattern for superposition onto a portion of the template eye, selecting one or more colors from a pallete of colors for superposition onto coloring of the selected pattern, and adjusting the pattern and colors to generate an image of a contact lens in accordance with the user's selections.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided that includes the steps of displaying a template eye, allowing the user to modify the appearance of the eye, and deriving a contact lens pattern that, when worn, modifies the appearance of an eye according to the intentions of the user.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of configuring a customized contact lens for a user is provided wherein the user is linked to a computer network interface. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of sample eye templates for selection by the user via the computer network interface, receiving a request from the user indicating selection of at le
Broderick Daniel F.
Foppe Ann T.
Santilli James
Tucker Robert Carey
Gorman Robert J.
Meece R. Scott
Novartis AG
Schwartz Jordan
Stultz Jessica T
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