Manufacturing ophthalmic lenses using lens structure cognition and spatial positioning system
US6012965A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29D11/00961
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for generating a virtual entity of an ophthalmic lens blank in a computer environment and for using this entity to monitor and control a lens generation process. The method comprises the steps of analyzing an image of a lens blank, measuring a first surface of a lens blank, probing a second surface, and locating both surfaces and the contour of the lens blank in a spatial coordinate system. These data are used to generate a virtual entity that is a precise representation of the lens blank. The virtual entity is used throughout the lens generation process for blocking the lens, for calculating and selecting lens orientation, skewing, prism, tool angles and ideal tool paths that produce best lens quality.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.