Abstract:
A layout setting device that sets layout of a target lens shape used as a processing shape with respect to an eyeglass lens when the lens is processed to fit the lens to an eyeglass frame, the layout setting device includes: means for inputting data on the target lens shape; a display; a display control unit that switches between a first screen and a second screen to be displayed on the display or displays the first and second screens at the same time on the display, the first screen being used to input layout data including a pupillary distance of a user using the frame and a frame pupillary distance of the frame, and the second screen being used to measure a warp angle of the frame; and means for inputting the layout data using the first screen.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a layout setting device that sets layout of a target lens shape used as a processing shape with respect to an eyeglass lens when the lens is processed for fitting the lens to an eyeglass frame, an eyeglass lens processing apparatus, an eyeglass frame measuring device, and a cup attaching device, each having the layout setting device.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     When spectacles are formed by an eyeglass frame and an eyeglass lens, an optical center of a lens for a left eye generally corresponds to a pupil center of a user&#39;s left eye and an optical center of a lens for a right eye generally corresponds to a pupil center of a user&#39;s right eye. Accordingly, if geometric centers of left and right rim shapes (hereinafter referred to as target lens shapes) of the frame correspond respectively to the left and right pupil centers of the user when the user wears the frame, it is enough to fit the lenses to the frame so that the optical centers of the lenses correspond to the geometric centers of the target lens shapes of the frame. However, in actual, the geometric centers of the target lens shapes of the manufactured frame generally do not correspond to the pupil centers of the user. For this reason, when the periphery of the lens is processed to fit the lens to the frame, the geometric center of the target lens shape of the frame is positioned with respect to the optical center of the lens, that is, layout of the target lens shape with respect to the lens is set based on deviation in a lateral (substantially horizontal) direction and deviation in a longitudinal (substantially vertical) direction between the geometric center of the target lens shape of the frame and the pupil center of the user. Accordingly, a device for setting the above-mentioned layout is provided in an eyeglass lens processing apparatus called as an edger, an eyeglass frame measuring device called as a tracer, or a cup attaching device called as a blocker.  
         [0005]     The deviation in the lateral direction (hereinafter referred to as lateral deviation (shift amount)) between the geometric center of the target lens shape of the frame and the optical center of the lens is obtained from a difference between a distance between the pupil centers of the user (hereinafter referred to as a pupillary distance: PD) and a distance between the geometric centers of the target lens shape of the frame (hereinafter referred to as a frame pupillary distance: FPD). In particular, it is preferable that the lateral deviation is obtained in consideration of warp in the case of a frame with significantly warped rims. For this reason, a technology, in which the lateral deviation (shift amount) is obtained (corrected) based on the warp angle of the frame (rim), has been proposed as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,412 (JP-A-4-93164).  
         [0006]     As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,412 (JP-A-4-93164), in the case of a frame having rims, the warp angle is obtained from three-dimensional shape data of the rims, which is measured by the eyeglass frame measuring device. However, in the case of a rimless frame, a template (pattern) for the rimless frame or a demo lens (model lens) is generally measured by the eyeglass frame measuring device. Since two-dimensional shape (target lens shape) data is obtained from the measurement, the warp angle is not obtained.  
         [0007]     Meanwhile, the warp angle of the rimless frame, to which the demo lens is fitted, may be visually confirmed using a protractor. However, preparation of the protractor is troublesome.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an object of the invention to provide a layout setting device that can easily obtain a warp angle of an eyeglass frame, an eyeglass lens processing apparatus, an eyeglass frame measuring device, and a cup attaching device, each having the layout setting device.  
         [0009]     In order to achieve the object, the invention is characterized by having the following structure.  
         [0010]     (1) A layout setting device that sets layout of a target lens shape used as a processing shape with respect to an eyeglass lens when the lens is processed to fit the lens to an eyeglass frame, the layout setting device comprising:  
         [0011]     means for inputting data on the target lens shape;  
         [0012]     a display;  
         [0013]     a display control unit that switches between a first screen and a second screen to be displayed on the display or displays the first and second screens at the same time on the display, the first screen being used to input layout data including a pupillary distance of a user using the frame and a frame pupillary distance of the frame, and the second screen being used to measure a warp angle of the frame; and  
         [0014]     means for inputting the layout data using the first screen.  
         [0015]     (2) The layout setting device according to (1), further comprising means for inputting the warp angle of the frame measured using the second screen.  
         [0016]     (3) The layout setting device according to (2), wherein  
         [0017]     the display control unit displays an angle measuring line, which is rotated about a point on a reference line, on the second screen, and  
         [0018]     the warp angle inputting means inputs an amount or angle of rotation of the measuring line with respect to the reference line to input the warp angle of the frame.  
         [0019]     (4) An eyeglass frame measuring device including the layout setting device according to (2), wherein the target lens shape data inputting means includes a measuring unit that obtains the target lens shape of the frame by measurement.  
         [0020]     (5) A cup attaching device including the layout setting device according to (2) comprising a cup attaching unit that attaches a cup used as a processing jig to the lens.  
         [0021]     (6) The layout setting device according to (2), further comprising an arithmetic unit that obtains lateral deviation in a direction of the pupillary distance between a geometric center of the target lens shape and an optical center of the lens based on the input layout data and the input warp angle.  
         [0022]     (7) An eyeglass lens processing apparatus including the layout setting device according to (5), comprising:  
         [0023]     a lens chuck that holds the lens;  
         [0024]     a processing tool;  
         [0025]     an arithmetic unit that obtains processing data based on the obtained lateral deviation; and  
         [0026]     a processing control unit that controls a positional relationship between the held lens and the processing tool and processes a periphery of the lens based on the basis of the obtained processing data.  
         [0027]     (8) An eyeglass frame measuring device including the layout setting device according to (5), wherein the target lens shape data inputting means includes a measuring unit that obtains the target lens shape of the frame by measurement.  
         [0028]     (9) A cup attaching device including the layout setting device according to (5), comprising a cup attaching unit that attaches a cup used as a processing jig to the lens. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  is a view showing a schematic appearance of an eyeglass lens processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a view showing a schematic structure of a lens processing unit;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a control system of the apparatus;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a view showing an example of a screen for measuring a warp angle of an eyeglass frame;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a view illustrating an example of the measurement of the warp angle;  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a modification of the measurement of the warp angle;  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the calculation of lateral deviation (shift amount);  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a view showing a modification of a screen for measuring a warp angle;  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating another modification of the measurement of the warp angle; and  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of an eyeglass lens processing system in the case that a layout setting device is separated from the eyeglass lens processing apparatus. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]     Embodiments according to the invention will be described below with reference to accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is a view showing a schematic appearance of an eyeglass lens processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. An eyeglass frame measuring device  2  is provided in an eyeglass lens processing apparatus  1 . Measuring devices as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,242 (JP-A-4-93163), US Re. 35898 (JP-A-5-212661), etc. can be used as the measuring device  2 . Further, a switch panel (input unit)  110  for the measuring device  2 , a switch panel (input unit)  120  and a touch panel type display (serving as both a displaying unit and an input unit)  115  forming a layout setting device, and a switch panel (input unit)  125  for the processing apparatus  1  including a processing starting switch and the like are provided on the upper surface of a case (body) of the processing apparatus  1 . A lens LE to be processed is processed in a processing, chamber inside an opening/closing cover  130 . Further, the measuring device  2  and the switch panel  110  may be formed to be separated from the processing apparatus  1 . In addition, the display  115  and the switch panel  120  may also be formed to be separated from the processing apparatus  1 , like the measuring device  2 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is a view showing the schematic structure of a lens processing unit  200  provided in the processing apparatus  1 . The lens LE is held (chucked) by two lens chucks  211 L and  211 R, which are included in a carriage  210 , and is rotated by the lens chucks  211 L and  211 R. Further, the lens LE is ground (edged) by a grindstone  251  used as a processing tool, which is attached to a grindstone spindle  250  to be rotated. The grindstone  251  according to the this embodiment includes three grindstones, that is, a roughing grindstone  251   a  for glass, a roughing grindstone  251   b  for plastic, and a finishing grindstone  251   c . The grindstone  251   c  includes a V-shaped groove used to form a bevel, and a flat-processing surface. The grindstone spindle  250  is rotated by a grindstone rotating motor  253  via torque transmission members such as a belt.  
         [0041]     A block  214 , which can be rotated about a central axis of the lens chuck  211 L, is attached to a left arm  210 L of the carriage  210 . A lens rotating motor  215  is fixed to the block  214 . The torque of the motor  215  is transmitted to the lens chuck  211 L provided at the left arm  210 L via torque transmission members such as a gear. Accordingly, the lens chuck  211 L is rotated. In addition, the torque of the lens chuck  211 L is transmitted to the lens chuck  211 R, which is provided at the right arm  210 R of the carriage  210 , via torque transmission members such as a belt provided in the carriage  210 . Accordingly, the lens chuck  211 R is rotated in synchronization with the lens chuck  211 L.  
         [0042]     When processing is performed, a cup used as a processing jig is adhered to the front surface (front refracting surface) of the lens LE by an adhesive tape, and a base of the cup is mounted on a cup seat provided at the end of the lens chuck  211 L. A lens holding (chucking) motor  212  for moving the lens chuck  211 R in a central axis direction of the lens chuck  211 R is fixed to the right arm  210 R, and the torque of the motor  212  is transmitted to the lens chuck  211 R via torque transmission members such as a belt and an axial movement member disposed in the carriage  210 , so that the lens chuck  211 R approaches the lens chuck  211 L. A lens retainer is fixed to the end of the lens chuck  211 R and the lens retainer comes in contact with the rear surface (rear refracting surface) of the lens LE, so that the lens LE is held (chucked) by the lens chucks  211 L and  211 R.  
         [0043]     The carriage  210  is rotatably and slidably attached to a carriage shaft  220  parallel to the lens chucks  211 L and  211 R, and is moved together with a moving arm  221  in left and right directions (hereinafter, referred to as an “X-axis direction”) that is central axis direction of the carriage shaft  220  by a motor  222 . Further, a block  230  capable of being rotated about a central axis of the grindstone spindle  250  is attached to the moving arm  221 . A motor  231  and two guide shafts  235  are fixed to the block  230 , and a lead screw  232  is rotatably attached to the block  230 . The torque of the motor  231  is transmitted to the lead screw  232  via torque transmission members such as a belt, so that the lead screw  232  is rotated. A guide block  233  coming in contact with the lower surface of the block  214  is fixed to the upper end of the lead screw  232 . The guide block  233  is moved along the guide shafts  235 . The carriage  210  is rotated about the carriage shaft  220  in up and down directions (in a direction in which a distance between the central axis of the lens chucks  211 L and  211 R and the central axis of the grindstone spindle  250  is changed. Hereinafter, referred to as a “Y-axis direction”) due to the movement of the guide block  233 . Further, a spring (not shown) is elastically provided between the carriage  210  and the moving arm  221 , and the carriage  210  is always pushed downward, so that the lens LE is pressed against the grindstone  251 . A known structure of a carriage, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,657 (JP-A-2001-18155), may be used as the above-mentioned structure of the carriage.  
         [0044]     A drilling and grooving unit  300  and a lens measuring unit (a unit for measuring the position of an edge of a lens)  350  (see  FIG. 3 ) are disposed on the rear side of the carriage  210 . Known units, which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,124 (JP-A-2003-145328), may be used as the drilling and grooving unit  300  and the lens measuring unit  350 .  
         [0045]     Next, the operation of the apparatus having the above-mentioned structure will be described with reference to a schematic block diagram of a control system shown in  FIG. 3 . The processing of a lens fitted to a rimless frame having large warp will be described in the following description. First, a template (pattern) for the rimless frame or a demo lens (model lens) is measured by a measuring unit  750  of the measuring device  2 . Data on a target lens shape obtained from the measurement is input to a memory  501  by operation of a transmission switch of the switch panel  110  or  120 , through an arithmetic and control unit  700  of the measuring device  2  and an arithmetic and control unit  500  of the layout setting device that also serves as an arithmetic and control unit of the processing apparatus  1 . Further, when target lens shape data for one eye is obtained, target lens shape data for the other eye is obtained from mirror reverse of the obtained target lens shape data. In addition, the target lens shape data may be input from the outside through communication devices (not shown), or data read from data previously stored in a data memory (not shown) may be used as the target lens shape data.  
         [0046]     When the target lens shape data is input, a layout data input screen, which includes target lens shape graphics FT for left and right lenses, is displayed on the display  115  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Therefore, layout data can be input through operation of switches of the switch panel  120 .  FIG. 3  shows that an optical center processing mode (a mode where the cup is fixed at the optical center of the lens and the lens is held (chucked) by the lens chucks  211 L and  211 R) is selected by a switch  121   a . A cursor  151  is moved to each item by operation of a switch  121   b , and layout data, such as PD of a user and FPD of a frame, is then input by operation of a switch  121   c . In the target lens shape graphics FT, FC indicates a geometric center of the target lens shape, and OC indicates an optical center of the lens. Further, processing conditions, such as a material of the lens, a type of the frame, and a processing mode, are input by operation of switches of the switch panel  120 .  
         [0047]     Next, a warp angle (inclination angle) of the frame (rim) is measured. In this case, the layout data input screen of the display  115  is switched into a warp angle measuring screen by operation of a switch  121   d . The displaying on the display  115  is controlled by the arithmetic and control unit  500 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a view showing an example of a screen for measuring a warp angle of an eyeglass frame on the display  115 . An warp angle measuring index  400  displayed on the screen includes a reference line (hereinafter referred to as a “horizontal reference line”)  401  extending in a horizontal direction, a reference line (hereinafter referred to as a “vertical reference line”)  402  that passes through a midpoint  405  of the horizontal reference line  401  and extends in a vertical direction, and angle measuring lines  410  that have a central point  415  positioned on the vertical reference line  402  and correspond to an angle in the range of 0 to 30° at an interval of 5° so as to be symmetric with each other with the horizontal reference line  401  as the 0° reference. Further, the reference lines  401  and  402  (hereinafter referred to as coordinate axes  403 ) and the measuring lines  410  are moved up and down by operation of the switch  121   b . In addition, the only measuring lines  410  are moved up and down by operation of a switch  121   e . Meanwhile, the interval of the measuring lines  410  may be set to a predetermined angle such as 1°.  
         [0049]     A frame seat  116  is provided on the lower side of the display  115 . The frame seat  116  has a height larger than the height of the screen of the display  115  so that the frame placed on the screen of the display  115  inclined toward the front side is not slipped down (see  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0050]     The measurement of the warp angle of the frame, which is performed by the warp angle measuring screen shown in  FIG. 4 , will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . In the following description, the positions of the portions (bridge portions), which are closest to a nose, of left and right demo lenses fitted to the rimless frame are innermost points of the frame, and the positions of the portions (temple portions), which are closest to an ear, of the demo lenses are outermost points of the frame.  
         [0051]     First, a frame  600  is placed on the screen  115  so that a center  601  (of a bridge) of the frame  600  in a horizontal direction (PD direction) is positioned on the reference line  402 . Then, the coordinate axes  403  and the measuring lines  410  are moved up and down by operation of the switch  121   b  so that left and right innermost points  602   a  and  602   b  of the frame  600  are positioned on the reference line  401 . After that, the measuring lines  410  are moved up and down by operation of the switch  121   e  so that an intersection  650  between a line connecting the left innermost point  602   a  with the left outermost point  603   a  and a line connecting the right innermost point  602   b  with the right outermost point  603   b  corresponds to the central point  415 .  
         [0052]     The warp angle ( 150  in  FIG. 5 ) of the frame  600  is visually confirmed by the indication of the coordinate axes  403  and the measuring lines  410 , and a value in a warp angle displaying field  660  is then changed by the operation of the switch  121   c . As a result, the warp angle of the frame  600  is input. Further, the warp angle measuring screen is switched into the original layout data input screen by the operation of the switch  121   d , so that the input warp angle is stored in the memory  501 .  
         [0053]     Meanwhile, when the frame  600  is placed on the display  115 , the warp angle of the frame  600  may be visually confirmed by the only left or right innermost portion and outermost point as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this case, the half of the warp angle (30° in  FIG. 6 ), which is visually confirmed, corresponding to one side of the frame  600  is input into the field  660  as the warp angle of the frame  600 .  
         [0054]     When the warp angle is input, the arithmetic and control unit  500  obtains lateral deviation (shift amount) based on the layout data, the warp angle, and the like. A method disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,412 (JP-A-4-93164) may be used as a method of obtaining the lateral deviation (shift amount).  
         [0055]     The method of obtaining the lateral deviation will be described in brief with reference to  FIG. 7 . The horizontal direction (PD direction) is used as an x-axis direction, the vertical direction is used as a y-axis direction, and a direction perpendicular to the x and y-axis directions is used as a z-axis direction. In the case when a target lens shape is inclined with respect to an X axis by an inclination angle α on an X-Z plane, the position of the portion closest to a nose in the target lens shape is indicated by a point V 1  (x 1 , z 1 ) and the position of the portion closest to an ear in the target lens shape is indicated by a point V 2  (x 2 , z 2 ). Further, a midpoint of a line connecting the point V 1  with the point V 2  is indicated by OF. The midpoint OF corresponds to a geometric center of the target lens shape. Furthermore, a radius of a curve C of the front surface of a lens is indicated by rL. In addition, a center of a circle, which has the radius of rL and passes through the points V 1  and V 2 , is indicated by OL.  
         [0056]     Next, a point OPD (xPD, zPD), which is positioned on the curve C of the front surface of the lens, is obtained from the curve C of the front surface of the lens and the input PD. Further, an intersection OFPD between a line that passes through the central point OL and the point OPD, and the line that connects the point V 1  with the point V 2 , is obtained. Then, a distance I 2  between the midpoint OF and the intersection OFPD is obtained as the lateral deviation.  
         [0057]     When processing is performed, the arithmetic and control unit  500  obtains roughing data and finishing data based on the target lens shape data, the layout data, the lateral deviation, and the like. Then, the arithmetic and control unit  500  controls a distance between the rotating central axis of the lens LE (the central axis of the lens chucks  211 L and  211 R) and the rotational central axis of the grindstone  251  (the central axis of the grindstone spindle  250 ) based on each of the roughing data and the finishing data (although the lens LE is moved relative to the grindstone  251  by the movement of the carriage  210  in this embodiment, the grindstone may be moved relative to the lens). Accordingly, the periphery of the lens LE is processed. When grooving is performed on the peripheral surface (edge surface) of the flat-finished lens LE, grooving data is obtained and grooving is performed by control of the drilling and grooving unit  300 . Further, when drilling is performed on the refracting surface of the lens LE, drilling data is obtained and drilling is performed by control of the drilling and grooving unit  300 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 8  is a view showing a modification of the warp angle measuring screen. The reference lines  401  and  402  (coordinate axes  403 ) are displayed on the display  115 . Further, an angle measuring line  470 , which is symmetric with respect to a central point  475  positioned on the reference line  402 , is displayed. The measuring line  470  is rotated about the central point  475  in directions indicated by arrows  477  by operation of the switch  121   c  so as to be symmetric. Further, the coordinate axes  403  and the measuring line  470  are moved up and down by operation of the switch  121   b . In addition, the measuring line  470  is moved up and down by operation of the switch  121   e.    
         [0059]     The measurement of the warp angle of the frame, which is performed by the warp angle measuring screen shown in  FIG. 8 , will be described with reference to  FIG. 9 . The intersection  650  corresponds to the central point  475  by operation of the switch  121   e . Then, the innermost points  602   a  and  602   b  of the frame  600  and the outermost points  603   a  and  603   b  of the frame  600  are positioned on the measuring line  470  by operation of the switch  121   c . A value in the warp angle displaying field  660  is changed by a rotation signal (an amount or angle of rotation) of the measuring line  470 , which is input by the switch  121   c . The warp angle measuring screen is switched into the original layout data input screen by the operation of the switch  121   d , so that the input warp angle is stored in the memory  501 .  
         [0060]     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 9 , it is preferable that the display  115  include a screen having a horizontal width larger than the horizontal width of the entire frame  600 . However, the display  115  may include a screen that has a horizontal width larger than the horizontal width of one side portion of the frame  600  including at least the center  601  thereof. Further, when the size of a screen of the display  115  is large, the layout data input screen and the warp angle measuring screen may be displayed on the display at the same time without being switched therebetween.  
         [0061]     Meanwhile, although the layout setting device has been integrally formed with the processing apparatus  1  in the above description, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the layout setting device may be integrally formed with the measuring device  2 , which is separated from the processing apparatus  1 . Further, the layout setting device may be provided in peripheral devices, which are used to process the eyeglass lens, such as a cup attaching device for attaching a cup used as a processing jig to the eyeglass lens. In addition, the layout setting device may be separated from the processing apparatus so as to be used as a dedicated device.  
         [0062]      FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of an eyeglass lens processing system when a layout setting device  10  is separated from the processing apparatus  1 .  FIG. 10A  exemplifies that the setting device  10  is provided in the measuring device  2 , and  FIG. 10B  exemplifies that the setting device  10  is provided in a cup attaching device  3 .  
         [0063]     In  FIG. 10A , the setting device  10  includes the display  115 , the switch panel  120 , the arithmetic and control unit  500 , the memory  501 , and the like. The arithmetic and control unit  500  is connected to the arithmetic and control unit  700  of the measuring device  2 , which includes a measuring unit  750  (the arithmetic and control unit may serve as both the arithmetic and control unit  500  of the setting device  10  and the arithmetic and control unit  700  of the measuring device  2 ). In this case, target lens shape data obtained from the measuring device  2 , layout data and a warp angle set by the setting device  10 , and the like are output from an output unit  510  to an arithmetic and control unit  100  of the processing apparatus  1  via a communication line  20 , by an instruction signal from the processing apparatus  1 , the measuring device  2 , or the setting device  10 . Further, lateral deviation may be obtained by the arithmetic and control unit  500  of the setting device  10  and then output to the arithmetic and control unit  100  of the processing apparatus  1 .  
         [0064]     In  FIG. 10B , the setting device  10  includes the display  115 , the switch panel  120 , the arithmetic and control unit  500 , the memory  501 , and the like. The arithmetic and control unit  500  is connected to an arithmetic and control unit  800  of the attaching device  3 , which includes a cup attaching unit  850  (the arithmetic and control unit may serve as both the arithmetic and control unit  500  of the setting device  10  and the arithmetic and control unit  800  of the attaching device  3 ). In this case, layout data and a warp angle set by the setting device  10 , and the like are output from the output unit  510  to the arithmetic and control unit  100  of the processing apparatus  1  via the communication line  20 , by an instruction signal from the processing apparatus  1 , the attaching device  3 , or the setting device  10 . Further, lateral deviation may be obtained by the arithmetic and control unit  500  of the setting device  10  and then output to the arithmetic and control unit  100  of the processing apparatus  1 .  
         [0065]     Meanwhile, the setting device  10  may be integrally formed with a device in which the measuring device  2  is integrally formed with the attaching device  3 .