Patent · US Expired

Automatic lens inspection system

US6047082A · kind A · utility

36Cited by
40References
87Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 1997
Grant dateApr 4, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01M11/0278
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An automatic system for inspecting contact lenses that are suspended in a saline solution within a lens holder. In the manufacturing process a first electronic image is taken of each lens disposed in its holder. Thereafter a second image is taken of the lens after the holder has been rotated and the solution and lens have moved. The two images are compared and any dark spots on the first image that move with respect to the second image are eliminated as artifacts that are caused by contaminants in the solution or marks on the lens holder. The rim of the lens, optical zone, printed logo and colored iris area of the lens are automatically inspected by a computer program for defects. The lens is rejected if defect features are found in any of the inspected areas.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.