Patent Publication Number: US-8992011-B2

Title: Method for manufacturing lens for electronic spectacles, lens for electronic spectacles, and electronic spectacles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 12/809,790, filed Jun. 21, 2010, which is a U.S. National Stage application of PCT/JP2008/003799 filed Dec. 17, 2008, which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to electric wiring for an electric element of a lens part in electronic spectacles and proposes a structure capable of particularly improving the reliability of electric connection. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Electronic spectacles have been proposed in which electric elements such as an electrochromic (EC) element and a liquid crystal element are formed on or in a lens and the function of the lens is changed by supplying electric energy to the electric elements. 
     For example, electronic spectacles using EC elements are available. 
     In this example, an electrode wiring method for driving an EC element is shown in  FIG. 43  that is a sectional view of a lens. As shown in  FIG. 43 , an EC element  607  formed on a substrate lens  601  is made up of a lower ITO transparent electrode  602 , an Ir 2 O 3 /SnO 2  layer  603 , a Ta 2 O 5  layer  604 , a WO 3  layer  605 , and an upper ITO transparent electrode layer  606 . Further, plated layers  608   a  and  608   b  of two-layer structures are formed on the outer periphery of the lens (the inclined surfaces of V-blocks) as electrodes for extraction from the electrode layers. The plated layers  608   a  and  608   b  are in electrical contact with the upper ITO transparent electrode layer  606  and the lower ITO transparent electrode layer  602 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 44 , the frame of the spectacles is made up of metallic upper and lower rims  609   a  and  609   b  sharing a current path. The upper and lower rims  609   a  and  609   b  are joined via an insulator such as a thin plastic sheet. 
     A method for joining the lens and the rims and connecting a control unit and the EC element  607  is disclosed in which the electrodes  608   a  and  608   b  formed on the outer periphery of the lens and the upper and lower rims  609   a  and  609   b  are brought into contact with each other and terminals from the control unit are fastened between rim locks  609   a   1  on the ends of the upper and lower rims  609   a  and  609   b  (e.g., see patent document 1).
     Patent document 1: Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-138720   

     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     In the configuration of the prior art, however, the lower ITO transparent electrode  602  and the upper ITO transparent electrode layer  606 , which are electrodes provided on the outer periphery of the lens, are electrically connected only through contact with the upper rim  609   a  and the lower rim  609   b  that act as rims. Thus the electrical connection may become faulty when, for example, a screw (not shown) for fastening the rim locks  609   a   1  becomes loose. 
     In order to prevent the faulty electrical connection, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the ITO transparent electrode layer but a dry process such as vapor deposition cannot increase the thickness of the ITO transparent electrode layer. For this reason, the ITO transparent electrode layer is formed by using a wet process. In the wet process, however, ITO particles dispersed into an ink solvent increase the electrical resistance of the ITO transparent electrode layer, thereby degrading the operating characteristics of the element in the lens. 
     The present invention has been devised to solve the problem of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide electronic spectacles that can increase the reliability of electrical connection to an electronic circuit outside a lens without degrading the operating characteristics of an element in the lens of the electronic spectacles. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently manufacturing the lens for electronic spectacles. 
     Means for Solving the Problem 
     A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to the present invention, in the fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method including: fabricating the lower substrate such that a first recess for lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the lower substrate, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate, the first recess is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer, and a transparent lower electrode pattern is formed on the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first auxiliary electrode layer by a vapor deposition method so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first auxiliary electrode layer; fabricating the upper substrate such that a second recess for the lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the upper substrate, the surface being opposed to the lower substrate, the second recess is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer, and a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by the vapor deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and the second auxiliary electrode layer so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second auxiliary electrode layer; and joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate. 
     A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to the present invention, in the fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method including: fabricating the lower substrate such that a first recess for lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the lower substrate, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate, a lower electrode pattern is formed on the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first recess so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first recess, and the lower electrode pattern of the first recess is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer; fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by a vapor deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and a second recess for the lens electrode pads so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second recess, and the upper electrode pattern of the second recess is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer; and joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate. 
     The method for manufacturing the lens for electronic spectacles further includes, after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on the first and second recesses to expose the cut surfaces of the first and second recesses on a lens end. 
     The method for manufacturing the lens for electronic spectacles further includes: after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on the first and second recesses to expose the cut surfaces of the first and second recesses on a lens end; and forming conductive paste on the exposed first and second recesses to form the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern. 
     A lens for electronic spectacles according to the present invention is a lens containing an electric element between two substrates, wherein a lens electrode pad on one end of an electrode for applying a voltage to the electric element is exposed on a lens end, and the lens electrode pad has the electrode formed in a recess on a bonded surface of one of the two substrates, the electrode being formed by stacking an auxiliary electrode layer formed of conductive ink and a lower electrode pattern formed by a vapor deposition method. 
     The recess is exposed on the lens end as a curved surface. A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to the present invention, in the fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method including: fabricating the lower substrate such that a surface of the lower substrate is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer for lens electrode pads, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate, and a transparent lower electrode pattern is formed by a vapor deposition method on the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first auxiliary electrode layer so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first auxiliary electrode layer; fabricating the upper substrate such that a surface of the upper substrate is coated with the conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer for the lens electrode pads, the surface being opposed to the lower substrate, and a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by the vapor deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and the second auxiliary electrode layer so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second auxiliary electrode layer; and joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate. 
     A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to the present invention, in the fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method including: fabricating the lower substrate such that a transparent lower electrode pattern for applying a signal to the electric element forming part of the lower substrate is formed by a vapor deposition method, and one end of the lower electrode pattern is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer; fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by the vapor deposition method, the upper electrode pattern applying a signal to a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate, and one end of the upper electrode pattern is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer; and joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate. 
     The method for manufacturing the lens for electronic spectacles further includes, after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern to expose the cut surfaces of the substrates. 
     The method for manufacturing the lens for electronic spectacles further includes: after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern to expose the cut surfaces of the substrates; and forming conductive paste on the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern to form the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern. 
     A lens for electronic spectacles according to the present invention is a lens containing an electric element between two substrates, wherein an electrode for applying a voltage to the electric element has one end exposed on a lens end, and the one end of the electrode is formed by stacking an auxiliary electrode layer formed of conductive ink and a lower electrode pattern formed by a vapor deposition method. 
     A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to the present invention, in the fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method including: fabricating the lower substrate such that a transparent lower electrode pattern for applying a signal to the electric element forming part of the lower substrate is formed by a vapor deposition method, a lower insulating layer pattern is formed on the electric element forming part and the lower electrode pattern of the lower substrate except for a part to be coated with a first auxiliary electrode layer, and the hole of the lower insulating layer pattern is coated with conductive ink to form the transparent first auxiliary electrode layer; fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by the vapor deposition method, the upper electrode pattern applying a signal to a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate, an upper insulating layer pattern is formed on the part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and on the upper electrode pattern except for a part to be coated with a second auxiliary electrode layer, and the hole of the upper insulating layer pattern is coated with conductive ink to form the transparent second auxiliary electrode layer; and joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate. 
     A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to the present invention, in the fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method including: fabricating the lower substrate such that a first recess for lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the lower substrate, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate, a lower electrode pattern is formed on the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first recess so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first recess, a lower insulating layer pattern is formed on the electric element forming part and the lower electrode pattern of the lower substrate except for a part to be coated with a first auxiliary electrode layer, and the hole of the lower insulating layer pattern is coated with conductive ink to form the transparent first auxiliary electrode layer; fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by a vapor deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and a second recess for the lens electrode pads so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second recess, an upper insulating layer pattern is formed on the upper electrode pattern and the part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate, except for a part to be coated with a second auxiliary electrode layer, and the hole of the upper insulating layer pattern is coated with conductive ink to form the transparent second auxiliary electrode layer; and joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate. 
     Further, electronic spectacles of the present invention are electronic spectacles in which a lens containing an electric element is set in a spectacle frame, the lens having lens electrode pads exposed on the lens end, the lens electrode pads being disposed on one end of an electrode for applying a voltage to the electric element, the spectacle frame including an electric connector having one end connected to a control unit for controlling the electric element, the electric connector having wiring electrode pads disposed on the other end of the electric connector so as to correspond to the positions of the lens electrode pads of the lens, the electronic spectacles having anisotropic conductive rubber interposed between the wiring electrode pad of the electric connector and the lens electrode pad of the lens. 
     The electronic spectacles further include a rim-side spot facing in the rim of the spectacle frame, the electric connector being placed in the rim-side spot facing; and a lens-side spot facing on the lens end of the lens, the anisotropic conductive rubber being placed in the lens-side spot facing. 
     Further, the electric connector passes through the rim locks of the spectacle frame and is provided in the rim, and the wiring electrode pads are set inside the rim of the spectacle frame. 
     Advantage of the Invention 
     With this configuration, a lens for electronic spectacles has lens electrode pads exposed on a lens end and an electrode formed by stacking an auxiliary electrode layer formed of ITO ink and a lower electrode pattern obtained by ITO sputtering. Thus the electrode of an electrode pattern can have a relatively small volume resistivity and a high light transmittance can be achieved without making the electrode pattern undesirably noticeable. 
     Further, a spectacle frame has an electric connector on which wiring electric pads are disposed at positions corresponding to the lens electrode pads of the lens, and anisotropic conductive rubber is interposed between the wiring electrode pads and the lens electrode pads. Thus it is possible to prevent disconnection caused by the loosening of a lens fastening part or a displacement of electric wiring and prevent electrical problems such as a short circuit caused by an electric leak. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an enlarged view of the principle part of electronic spectacles according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the principle part of the electronic spectacles according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view showing the principle part of electronic spectacles in which spot facings are formed according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view showing the principle part of the electronic spectacles in which spot facings are formed according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  shows a top view of the electronic spectacles and an enlarged view from a user; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded image of a completed lens  1  according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a process of fabricating a lower substrate according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view showing the process of fabricating the lower substrate according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a process of fabricating an upper substrate according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view showing the process of fabricating the upper substrate according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view in which a lens of the third embodiment is cut at a position on a first auxiliary electrode layer  104 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view in which the lens of the third embodiment is cut at the position on the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view in which the lens of the third embodiment is cut at a position on a second auxiliary electrode layer  204 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view in which the lens of the third embodiment is cut at the position on the second auxiliary electrode layer  204 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view showing the cutting position of the lens according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged perspective view showing a lens end face of the cut lens according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged view showing the principle part of the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  shows a schematic view of a spectacle frame and an enlarged perspective view and a structural diagram of a lug of the spectacle frame according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is a structural diagram showing that the lens is set in the spectacle frame according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged perspective view of another example in which silver paste is applied to a lens end face of the lens according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is a structural diagram showing another example in which the lens is set in the spectacle frame according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 22  is an exploded image of a completed lens  1  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a sectional view showing a process of fabricating a lower substrate according to the fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged perspective view in which a lens of the fourth embodiment is cut at a position on a first auxiliary electrode layer  104 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a sectional view in which the lens of the fourth embodiment is cut at a position on a second auxiliary electrode layer  204 ; 
         FIG. 26  is an exploded image of a completed lens  1  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view showing a process of fabricating a lower substrate according to the fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 28  is a sectional view showing the process of fabricating the lower substrate according to the fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view showing a process of fabricating an upper substrate according to the fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 30  is a sectional view showing the process of fabricating the upper substrate according to the fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 31  is an enlarged perspective view in which a lens of the fifth embodiment is cut at a position on a first recess  102 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a sectional view in which the lens of the fifth embodiment is cut at the position on the first recess  102 ; 
         FIG. 33  is an enlarged perspective view in which the lens of the fifth embodiment is cut at a position on a second recess  202 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a sectional view in which the lens of the fifth embodiment is cut at the position on the second recess  202 ; 
         FIG. 35  is a plan view showing the cutting position of the lens according to the fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 36  is an enlarged perspective view showing a lens end face of the cut lens according to the fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 37  is an exploded image of a completed lens  1  according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 38  is a sectional view showing a process of fabricating a lower substrate according to the sixth embodiment; 
         FIG. 39  is an enlarged perspective view in which a lens of the sixth embodiment is cut at a position on a first recess  102 ; 
         FIG. 40  is a sectional view in which the lens of the sixth embodiment is cut at a position on a second recess  202 ; 
         FIG. 41  is an exploded image of a completed lens  1  according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 42  is an exploded image of a completed lens  1  according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 43  shows electronic spectacles of the prior art; and 
         FIG. 44  shows the electronic spectacles of the prior art. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The following will specifically describe embodiments of electronic spectacles of the present invention in accordance with the accompanying drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ) show electronic spectacles. 
       FIG. 1  is a sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 5(   a ) and a sectional view of the joints of lens electrode pads and wiring electrode pads according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 5(   b ) and an image of the joint of the lens electrode pad and the wiring electrode pad. 
     The electronic spectacles of the present invention include a spectacle frame  11 ; a lens  1  that has an electric element (not shown) such as a liquid crystal and an electrochromic element and is set in a rim  8  of the spectacle frame  11 ; a control unit  5  that is provided beside the spectacle frame  11  and generates an electric signal for driving the electric element of the lens  1 ; an electric connector  4  that is provided beside the spectacle frame  11  and transmits a signal from the control unit  5 ; anisotropic conductive rubber  7  sandwiched between the lens  1  and the rim  8 ; and a screw  10  for fastening upper and lower rim locks  9  of the rim  8 . 
     The lens  1  is fit into a groove  8   a  formed inside the rim  8 . The lens  1  has electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b  for transmitting the electric signal to the electric element and lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b  that are formed on a V-block  1   a  to increase the contact areas of the electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b  on the ends of the electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b.    
     On one end of the electric connector  4  beside the spectacle frame  11 , electrode pads  6   a  and  6   b  are formed so as to be electrically connected to the lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b  via the anisotropic conductive rubber  7 . 
     The electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b  are formed of extremely thin transparent electrodes such as ITO electrodes and are exposed to the outside on the V-block  1   a  provided on the outer sidewall of the lens  1 . The electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b  are only about 10 nm to 40 nm in thickness and are exposed to the outside as extremely thin lines of about 10 nm to 40 nm. Thus the electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b  may be in poor electric contact with the anisotropic conductive rubber  7 . For this reason, in the first embodiment, silver paste and nanoparticles are used for the electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b  exposed to the outside of the lens  1  and the lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b  are formed on a plane of the V-block  1   a  to expand an electrode part. 
     In this case, the electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b  are spaced only several μm apart in the thickness direction of the lens, the spacing being substantially equal to the thickness of the electric element. In order to form the lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b  respectively on the electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b , it is necessary to prevent the electrode patterns  2   a  and  2   b  on the end of the lens from overlapping each other in the thickness direction of the lens. 
     The electric signal generated from the control unit  5  made up of a power supply and an IC (integrated circuit) is transmitted to the wiring electrode pads  6   a  and  6   b , which are shaped like the lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b , through the electric connector  4  such as a flexible substrate, and then the electric signal is transmitted to the lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b  through the anisotropic conductive rubber  7 . 
     The anisotropic conductive rubber  7  provided between the lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b  and the wiring electrode pads  6   a  and  6   b  is typical anisotropic conductive rubber that has a side wall surface coated with a rubber material such as silicone. The shape of the anisotropic conductive rubber  7  is set such that the anisotropic conductive rubber  7  serving as an elastic body is sufficiently compressed (deformed) in contact with the exposed surface of a conducting part when the rim locks  9  are fastened by the screw  10  to attach the lens. 
     Thus even when the screw  10  fastening the rim locks  9  becomes somewhat loose, the electronic spectacles configured thus can be used without electrical disconnection because the anisotropic conductive rubber  7  is elastically deformed. 
     Further, the lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b  and the wiring electrode pads  6   a  and  6   b  can be sealed by the compressive deformation of the anisotropic conductive rubber  7 , so that the electronic spectacles can be used even in the rain without causing short circuits. 
     Second Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an inverted-V protrusion called the V-block  1   a  is formed on the outer periphery of the lens  1  and the V-groove  8   a  is formed on the inner periphery of the rim  8  provided beside the spectacle frame  11 . 
     In the most typical method, the lens  1  is attached to the spectacle frame by fixing the V-block  1   a  and the groove  8   a  in engagement with each other. In this configuration, however, the screw  10  fastening the rim locks  9  applies a force diagonally to the anisotropic conductive rubber  7  and the electric connector  4 , so that the anisotropic conductive rubber  7  and the electric connector  4  may be displaced from the predetermined positions and result in poor assembly (fitting of the lens) and electrical connection. 
     A second embodiment configured as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  has improved in that a force is not diagonally applied to an anisotropic conductive rubber  7  and an electric connector  4  during assembly. 
       FIG. 3  is an image of a sectional view showing the joints of the lens electrode pads and wiring electrode pads of electronic spectacles and  FIG. 3  is equivalent to a sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 5(   a ) in which the electronic spectacles are viewed from the top.  FIG. 4  is an image showing the joints of the lens electrode pads and the wiring electrode pads of the electronic spectacles and  FIG. 4  is equivalent to a sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 5(   b ) in which the electronic spectacles are viewed from the front. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a lens-side spot facing  1   b  for the anisotropic conductive rubber  7  is formed around lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b  on a lens  1 . Further, on a spectacle frame  11 , a rim-side spot facing  8   b  is formed on a part where an electric connector  4  is set inside a rim  8 . 
     The anisotropic conductive rubber  7  and the electric connector  4  are set thus in the spot facings  1   b  and  8   b , respectively. Thus even a screw  10  fastening rim locks  9  hardly displaces the anisotropic conductive rubber  7  and the electric connector  4 , so that it is possible to stably assemble the electronic spectacles and prevent disconnection caused by a displacement of electric wiring. 
     To be specific, the lens-side spot facing  1   b  and the rim-side spot facing  8   b  are formed such that a load is applied perpendicularly to the bottoms of the lens-side spot facing  1   b  and the rim-side spot facing  8   b  when the rim locks  9  are fastened by the screw  10 . This configuration makes it possible to stably assembly the electronic spectacles and prevent disconnection caused by a displacement of the electric wiring. 
     In the foregoing embodiments, one end of the electric connector  4  may be connected to the control unit  5  and the wiring electrode pads  6   a  and  6   b  on the other end of the electric connector  4  may be set in the groove  8   a  of the rim  8  so as to be opposed to the lens electrode pads  3   a  and  3   b . For example, the electric connector  4  can be set around the rim locks  9  and the rim  8 . 
     In this example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 , the electric connector  4  is passed between the rim locks  9  and is placed in the groove  8   a  or the spot facing  8   b  inside the rim  8  to further stabilize the electric connection. Since the electric connector  4  is set between the rim locks, it is possible to prevent a displacement of the electric connector  4  during assembly and make the electric connector  4  undetachable. 
     To be specific, the electric connector  4  may be fixed between the rim locks  9  or grooves for the electric connector  4  may be formed on the rim locks  9 . Moreover, a positioning pin for the electric connector  4  may be provided in the rim locks  9  or the screw  10  may be used as a positioning pin. When grooves are formed, the groove patterns of the formed grooves may be used as positioning patterns, thereby preventing the electric connector  4  from being displaced or detached. 
     The electric connector  4  set between the rim locks  9  can achieve additional effect on appearance because the electric connector  4  is not exposed to the outside and does not interfere with the design of the spectacles. 
     In the present embodiment, the position of the control unit  5  is not limited as long as the control unit  5  is fixed inside a temple constituting the spectacles or at a lug on the spectacles. By setting the control unit  5  near the rim locks, the electric connector  4  can be shortened in length. 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIGS. 6 to 19  show a method for manufacturing a lens  1  for electronic spectacles. 
       FIG. 6  shows an exploded image of the completed lens  1  for better understanding of the manufacturing process. The lens  1  contains a liquid crystal  300  serving as an electric element between a lower substrate  100  and an upper substrate  200 . Reference numeral  400  denotes an adhesive layer for joining the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show a process for fabricating the lower substrate  100 . 
     In  FIG. 7(   a ), an electric element forming part  103  is formed on a surface  101  of the lower substrate  100  as shown in  FIG. 8(   a ). The surface  101  is opposed to the upper substrate  200  and the liquid crystal  300  is placed later on the electric element forming part  103 . 
     In  FIG. 7(   b ), the lower substrate  100  having a smooth surface is partially coated with conductive ink to form a first auxiliary electrode layer  104  as shown in  FIG. 8(   b ). To be specific, ITO ink that is conductive ink is used. Regarding the physical property of the ITO ink, the ITO ink containing dispersed conductive particles has a large volume resistivity of about 2.4×10 0 Ω·cm as compared with a conductive film formed by ITO sputtering with a volume resistivity of about 6 to 2×10 −4 Ω·cm, whereas an ITO ink film formed with a thickness of 1 μm has a spectral transmittance substantially equal to the spectral transmittance of an ITO conductive film formed by sputtering with a thickness of 30 nm. Therefore, the conductive film of the ITO ink is more transparent than the ITO conductive film formed by sputtering, on the assumption that films are equal in thickness. The ITO ink can obtain a transmittance of about 80% even when the film is 1 μm in thickness. The ITO ink may be applied by an ink-jet method or a dispenser. Further, the ITO ink can be applied also by spin coating or dipping at a necessary point on the lower substrate  100  masked with tape and the like. The first auxiliary electrode layer  104  formed of the ITO ink is preferably at least 1 μm in thickness. 
     In  FIG. 7(   c ), a lower electrode pattern  105  is formed on the electric element forming part  103  and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  so as to connect the electric element forming part  103  and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  as shown in  FIG. 8(   c ). To be specific, ITO sputtering is performed using a mask pattern connecting the electric element forming part  103  and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 . The lower electrode pattern  105  is about 10 nm to 40 nm in thickness. 
     In  FIG. 7(   d ), a lower insulating layer pattern  106  is formed on the electric element forming part  103  and the lower electrode pattern  105  as shown in  FIG. 8(   d ). To be specific, after ITO sputtering in  FIG. 7(   c ), SiO 2  is continuously sputtered without removing the lower substrate  100  from a chamber (without exposing the lower substrate  100  to the atmosphere). Such sputtering can be performed by a sputtering apparatus having multiple targets in a single chamber and thus a special apparatus is not necessary. 
     In  FIG. 7(   e ), an alignment layer  107  is applied to a part to be coated with the liquid crystal  300 , and rubbing is performed thereon. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show a process for fabricating the upper substrate  200 . 
     The upper substrate  200  having a smooth surface as shown in  FIG. 9(   a ) is coated with conductive ink as shown in  FIG. 10(   b ), so that a second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is formed as shown in  FIG. 9(   b ). The conductive ink may be applied by an ink-jet method or a dispenser. Further, the conductive ink can be applied by spin coating or dipping at a necessary point on the upper substrate  200  masked with tape and the like. The second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is preferably at least 1 μm in thickness. 
     In  FIG. 9(   c ), an upper electrode pattern  205  is formed on a part  203  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  so as to connect the part  203  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  as shown in  FIG. 10(   c ). The part  203  corresponds to the electric element forming part  103  on the lower substrate  100 . To be specific, ITO sputtering is performed using a mask pattern connecting the part  203  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204 . The upper electrode pattern  205  is about 10 nm to 40 nm in thickness. 
     In  FIG. 9(   d ), an upper insulating layer pattern  206  is formed on the upper electrode pattern  205  as shown in  FIG. 10(   d ). To be specific, after ITO sputtering in  FIG. 9(   c ), SiO 2  is continuously sputtered without removing the upper substrate  200  from a chamber device (without exposing the upper substrate  200  to the atmosphere). Such sputtering can be performed by a sputtering apparatus having multiple targets in a single chamber and thus a special apparatus is not necessary. 
     In  FIG. 9(   e ), an alignment layer  207  is applied onto the upper electrode pattern  205  so as to correspond to the part  203  and rubbing is performed thereon. The lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  are bonded with an adhesive layer  400  in a state in which the liquid crystal  300  serving as the electric element is interposed between the electric element forming part  103  of the lower substrate  100  fabricated thus and the upper substrate  200 . To be specific, the liquid crystal  300  is applied by a dispenser or the ink-jet method. After the liquid crystal  300  is applied, an adhesive (sealing agent) is applied around the liquid crystal  300  and then the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  are bonded with the adhesive layer  400 . 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view in which the bonded lower substrate  100  and upper substrate  200  are cut at a position on the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 .  FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the principle part of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view in which the bonded lower substrate  100  and upper substrate  200  are cut at a position on the second auxiliary electrode layer  204 .  FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of the principle part of  FIG. 13 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  that have been bonded thus are cut along a cutting line  301  according to the shape of the rim of the spectacle frame  11 . The cutting line  301  passes through the end of the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and the end of the second auxiliary electrode layer  204 . Since the substrates are cut thus, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the end face of the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and the lower electrode pattern  105  and the end face of the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are exposed on a lens end  302 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the end faces of the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and the lower electrode pattern  105  are exposed on the lower substrate  100  and the end faces of the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are exposed on the upper substrate  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the electronic spectacles can be constructed using the lens of  FIG. 16 . The lenses  1  are set in the spectacle frame  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18(   a ), flexible wires  305   a  and  305   b  serving as an electric connector  4  are provided at a lug  304  of the spectacle frame  11 . The flexible wires  305   a  and  305   b  have one ends connected to the control unit  5  and wiring electrode pads  306   a  and  306   b  are formed on the other ends of the flexible wires  305   a  and  305   b . As shown in  FIG. 18(   b ), the wiring electrode pads  306   a  and  306   b  are set in a rim  307  of the spectacle frame  11 . 
     When the lens  1  is set in the rim  307 , anisotropic conductive rubber  308  is disposed as shown in  FIG. 19  between the wiring electrode pads  306   a  and  306   b  and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 , the lower electrode pattern  105 , the second auxiliary electrode layer  204 , and the upper electrode pattern  205  of the lens  1 . In this state, the lens  1  is supported by the rim  307  with a screw  10 , so that the wiring electrode pad  306   a  is electrically connected to the lower electrode pattern  105  of the lens in a reliable manner via the anisotropic conductive rubber  308 . Further, the wiring electrode pad  306   b  is electrically connected to the upper electrode pattern  205  of the lens in a reliable manner via the anisotropic conductive rubber  308 . This is because the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  formed on the lower electrode pattern  105  increases a contact area with the anisotropic conductive rubber  308  and improves electrical continuity. The second auxiliary electrode layer  204  has the same effect. With this configuration, a voltage for driving the liquid crystal  300  can be applied between the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  of the lens  1  from the control unit  5 . 
     In the case where the lower electrode pattern  105  is increased in thickness and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is not provided or in the case where the upper electrode pattern  205  is increased in thickness and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is not provided, as compared with the present embodiment, the resistance of the electrode can be reduced but light transmittance decreases without the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204 . The light transmittance is an important factor of the electronic spectacles. Consequently, the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  can be easily visible in an undesirably noticeable manner. In contrast to this configuration, in the third embodiment, the lower electrode pattern  105  is reduced in thickness and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is stacked thereon to increase the overall thickness. Further, the upper electrode pattern  205  is reduced in thickness and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is stacked thereon to increase the overall thickness. Thus the electrode can have a relatively low resistance and the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are not noticeable. For this reason, the laminated structure of the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  is quite effective. 
     In the case where the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  are coated with the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  and then the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are formed thereon, the lower insulating layer pattern  106  and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  can be formed, as previously mentioned, on the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  by continuous sputtering without removing the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  by opening the chamber to the atmosphere. 
     To be specific, in the case where the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are formed on the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  and then the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  are applied thereon, it is necessary to form the lower insulating layer pattern  106  and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  after forming the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  by sputtering, opening the sputtering apparatus to the atmosphere to remove the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 , and then changing the mask pattern. Thus vapor drawing performed twice in the sputtering apparatus results in a complicated fabrication process. 
     In the third embodiment, the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  are first formed on the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 . In this case, the lower electrode pattern  105  and the lower insulating layer pattern  106  can be formed on the lower substrate  100  without opening the sputtering apparatus to the atmosphere, and the upper electrode pattern  205  and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  can be formed on the upper substrate  200  without opening the sputtering apparatus to the atmosphere, thereby achieving a simple fabrication process. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , it is more preferable to apply conductive paste on the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  because the conductive paste increases the contact area. To be specific, as shown in  FIG. 20 , silver pastes  303   a  and  303   b  are respectively applied as conductive pastes to the exposed end face of the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and the lower electrode pattern  105  and the end face of the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  and the upper electrode pattern  205 . Ideally, the silver paste  303   a  formed on the lens end  302  is electrically connected to the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  as well as the lower electrode pattern  105 . In the present embodiment, the thin lower electrode pattern  105  is exposed on the lens end  302  and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  having a larger thickness than the lower electrode pattern  105  is also exposed on the lens end  302 . Thus even when the lower electrode pattern  105  is insufficiently exposed on the lens end  302 , the silver paste  303   a  can be electrically connected to the lower electrode pattern  105  in a reliable manner via the thick first auxiliary electrode layer  104 . 
     Similarly, it is ideal that the silver paste  303   b  formed on the lens end  302  is electrically connected to the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  as well as the upper electrode pattern  205 . In the present embodiment, the thin upper electrode pattern  205  is exposed on the lens end  302  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  having a larger thickness than the upper electrode pattern  205  is also exposed on the lens end  302 . Thus even when the upper electrode pattern  205  is insufficiently exposed on the lens end  302 , the silver paste  303   b  can be electrically connected to the upper electrode pattern  205  in a reliable manner via the thick second auxiliary electrode layer  204 . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
       FIGS. 22 to 25  show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the third embodiment, the lower substrate  100  is coated with the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and then the lower electrode pattern  105  is formed thereon, and the upper substrate  200  is coated with the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  and then the upper electrode pattern  205  is formed thereon. The fourth embodiment is different only in that first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  are applied later and other points are similar to those of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 22  shows an exploded image of a completed lens  1  for better understanding of the manufacturing process. 
     In  FIG. 23(   a ), a lower electrode pattern  105  is formed from an electric element forming part  103  of a lower substrate  100  to a part near the outer periphery of the lower substrate  100 . 
     In  FIG. 23(   b ), only one end of the lower electrode pattern  105  is coated with conductive ink to form the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 . After that, a lower insulating layer pattern  106  is formed on the electric element forming part  103  and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  from the lower electrode pattern  105 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 22 , an alignment layer  107  is formed on the lower insulating layer pattern  106  so as to correspond to the position of the electric element forming part  103 . 
     Also in this case, an upper substrate  200  is formed as in  FIGS. 23(   a ) and  23 ( b ). In other words, as shown in  FIG. 22 , an upper electrode pattern  205  is formed from a part corresponding to the electric element forming part  103  on the lower substrate  100  to a part near the outer periphery of the upper substrate  200 , and the upper electrode pattern  205  is coated with conductive ink only near the outer periphery of the upper substrate  200  to form the second auxiliary electrode layer  204 . Moreover, an upper insulating layer pattern  206  is formed on the upper electrode pattern  205  and an alignment layer  207  is formed thereon. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23(   c ), the lower substrate  100  on which the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is applied later to the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper substrate  200  on which the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is applied later to the upper electrode pattern  205  are bonded to each other with an adhesive layer  400  in a state in which a liquid crystal  300  is interposed between the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 .  FIG. 24  is an enlarged perspective view in which the bonded lower substrate  100  and upper substrate  200  are cut at a position on the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 .  FIG. 25  is an enlarged sectional view in which the bonded lower substrate  100  and upper substrate  200  are cut at a position on the upper electrode pattern  205 . 
     Even in the case where the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  are applied later, as in the third embodiment, the end faces of the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and the lower electrode pattern  105  of the lower substrate  100  are exposed on a lens end  302  of the lens  1  and the end faces of the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  and the upper electrode pattern  205  of the upper substrate  200  are exposed on the lens end  302  because the lower and upper substrates  100  and  200  are cut along a cutting line  301  as shown in  FIG. 15 . Other points are similar to those of the third embodiment. 
     The lower insulating pattern  106  and the upper insulating pattern  206  may be formed over the substrates. Therefore, the lower insulating pattern  106  and the upper insulating pattern  206  can be formed by sputtering without using a mask. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     In the third embodiment, the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is formed on the smooth surface of the lower substrate  100  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is formed on the smooth surface of the upper substrate  200 , whereas in a fifth embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 26 , a first recess  102  is formed on a surface  101  of a lower substrate  100  and a second recess  202  is formed on a surface  201  of an upper substrate  200  such that first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  can be correctly patterned at predetermined positions even when ITO ink having high wettability is used. 
       FIGS. 26 to 36  show a method for manufacturing a lens  1  for electronic spectacles. 
       FIG. 26  shows an exploded image of the completed lens  1  for better understanding of the manufacturing process. The lens  1  contains a liquid crystal  300  serving as an electric element between the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 . Reference numeral  400  denotes an adhesive layer for joining the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 . 
       FIGS. 27 and 28  show a process for fabricating the lower substrate  100 . 
     In  FIG. 27(   a ), the first recess  102  and an electric element forming part  103  are formed on the surface  101  of the lower substrate  100  as shown in  FIG. 28(   a ). The surface  101  is opposed to the upper substrate  200  and the liquid crystal  400  is placed on the electric element forming part  103  later. The first recess  102  is formed by transferring a convex formed on a resin molding die of the lower substrate  100 . The first recess  102  can be formed after molding. The first recess  102  is preferably about 0.5 mm to 2 mm in width and about 10 mm to 20 mm in length. Further, the first recess  102  has a depth of about several tens μm to several hundreds μm. 
     In  FIG. 27(   b ), the first recess  102  is coated with conductive ink to form the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  as shown in  FIG. 28(   b ). The first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is preferably at least 1 μm in thickness. To be specific, the first recess  102  is filled with ITO ink that is conductive ink. The ITO ink may be applied by an ink-jet method or a dispenser. The surface of the first recess  102  formed on the surface  101  of the lower substrate  100  is coated with the ITO ink to form the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 . Thus even when ITO ink having high wettability is used, it is possible to correctly pattern the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  at a predetermined position on the lower substrate  100 . 
     The first auxiliary electrode layer  104  can be formed also by spin coating or dipping in a state in which a part other than the first recess  102  is masked with tape and the like. 
     In  FIG. 27(   c ), a lower electrode pattern  105  is formed on the electric element forming part  103  and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 . The lower electrode pattern  105  connects the electric element forming part  103  and the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  so as to cover the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  as shown in  FIG. 28(   c ). To be specific, ITO sputtering is performed using a mask pattern connecting the electric element forming part  103  and the first recess  102 . The lower electrode pattern  105  is about 10 nm to 40 nm in thickness. 
     In  FIG. 27(   d ), a lower insulating layer pattern  106  is formed on the electric element forming part  103  and the lower electrode pattern  105  as shown in  FIG. 28(   d ). To be specific, after ITO sputtering in  FIG. 27(   c ), SiO 2  is continuously sputtered without removing the lower substrate  100  from a chamber (without exposing the lower substrate  100  to the atmosphere). Such sputtering can be performed by a sputtering apparatus having multiple targets in a single chamber and thus a special apparatus is not necessary. 
     In  FIG. 27(   e ), an alignment layer  107  is applied to a part to be coated with the liquid crystal  300 , and rubbing is performed thereon. 
       FIGS. 29 and 30  show a process for fabricating the upper substrate  200 . 
     In  FIG. 29(   a ), the second recess  202  is formed on the surface  201  of the upper substrate  200  as shown in  FIG. 30(   a ). The surface  201  is opposed to the lower substrate  100 . The second recess  202  is formed by transferring a convex formed on a resin molding die of the upper substrate  200 . The second recess  202  can be formed after molding. The second recess  202  is preferably about 0.5 mm to 2 mm in width and about 10 mm to 20 mm in length. Further, the second recess  202  has a depth of about several tens μm to several hundreds μm. 
     In  FIG. 29(   b ), the second recess  202  is coated with conductive ink to form the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  as shown in  FIG. 30(   b ). The second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is preferably at least 1 μm in thickness. To be specific, the second recess  202  is filled with ITO ink that is conductive ink. The ITO ink may be applied by the ink-jet method or a dispenser. The surface of the second recess  202  formed on the surface  201  of the upper substrate  200  is coated with the ITO ink to form the second auxiliary electrode layer  204 . Thus even when ITO ink having high wettability is used, it is possible to correctly pattern the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  at a predetermined position on the upper substrate  200 . 
     The second auxiliary electrode layer  204  can be formed also by spin coating or dipping in a state in which a part other than the second recess  202  is masked with tape and the like. 
     In  FIG. 29(   c ), an upper electrode pattern  205  is formed on a part  203  corresponding to the electric element forming part  103  on the lower substrate  100  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  as shown in  FIG. 30(   c ). The upper electrode pattern  205  connects the part  203  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  so as to cover the second auxiliary electrode layer  204 . To be specific, ITO sputtering is performed using a mask pattern connecting the part  203  and the second recess  202 . The upper electrode pattern  205  is about 10 nm to 40 nm in thickness. 
     In  FIG. 29(   d ), an upper insulating layer pattern  206  is formed on the upper electrode pattern  205  as shown in  FIG. 30(   d ). To be specific, after ITO sputtering in  FIG. 29(   c ), SiO 2  is continuously sputtered without removing the upper substrate  200  from a chamber device (without exposing the upper substrate  200  to the atmosphere). Such sputtering can be performed by a sputtering apparatus having multiple targets in a single chamber and thus a special apparatus is not necessary. 
     In  FIG. 29(   e ), an alignment layer  207  is applied to a part of the upper electrode pattern  205  so as to correspond to the part  203 , and rubbing is performed thereon. 
     The lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  are bonded with the adhesive layer  400  in a state in which the liquid crystal  300  serving as the electric element is interposed between the electric element forming part  103  of the lower substrate  100  fabricated thus and the upper substrate  200 . To be specific, the liquid crystal  300  is applied by a dispenser or the ink-jet method. After the liquid crystal  300  is applied, an adhesive (sealing agent) is applied around the liquid crystal  300  and then the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  are bonded with the adhesive layer  400 . 
       FIG. 31  is an enlarged perspective view in which the bonded lower substrate  100  and upper substrate  200  are cut at a position on the first recess  102 .  FIG. 32  is an enlarged view of the principle part of  FIG. 31 .  FIG. 33  is an enlarged perspective view in which the bonded lower substrate  100  and upper substrate  200  are cut at a position on the second recess  202 .  FIG. 34  is an enlarged view of the principle part of  FIG. 33 . 
     As in  FIG. 15 , the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  that have been bonded thus are cut along a cutting line  301  according to the shape of a rim  8  of a spectacle frame  11 . In this case, the substrates  100  and  200  are cut at the first and second recesses  102  and  202  and the cut surfaces of the first and second recesses  102  and  202  are exposed on a lens end  302  as shown in  FIG. 35 . As shown in  FIG. 36 , on the exposed cut surfaces of the first and second recesses  102  and  202 , the end faces of the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and the lower electrode pattern  105  of the lower substrate  100  are exposed and the end faces of the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  and the upper electrode pattern  205  of the upper substrate  200  are exposed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the electronic spectacles can be constructed using the lens of  FIG. 35 . The lenses  1  are set in the spectacle frame  11 . 
     With this configuration, a voltage for driving the liquid crystal  300  can be applied between the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  of the lens  1  from the control unit  5 . 
     In the case where the first and second recesses  102  and  202  are coated with the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  and then the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are formed thereon, the lower insulating layer pattern  106  and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  can be formed, as previously mentioned, on the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  by continuous sputtering without removing the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  from the chamber opened to the atmosphere. 
     To be specific, in the case where the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are formed on the first and second recesses  102  and  202  and then the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are coated with the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204 , the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are formed on the first and second recesses  102  and  202  by sputtering, the sputtering apparatus is opened to the atmosphere to remove the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 , the mask pattern is changed, and then the lower insulating layer pattern  106  and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  are formed. In another method, the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  are formed on the first and second recesses  102  and  202  by sputtering, the sputtering apparatus is opened to the atmosphere to remove the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 , the first and second auxiliary electrodes  104  and  204  are formed, and then sputtering is performed again. In both of the methods, however, vapor drawing performed twice in the sputtering apparatus results in a complicated fabrication process. 
     In the present embodiment, the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  are first applied. In this case, the lower electrode pattern  105  and the lower insulating layer pattern  106  can be formed on the lower substrate  100  without opening the sputtering apparatus to the atmosphere, and the upper electrode pattern  205  and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  can be formed on the upper substrate  200  without opening the sputtering apparatus to the atmosphere, thereby achieving a simple fabrication process. 
     As in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , it is more preferable to apply silver pastes  303   a  and  303   b  that are conductive pastes onto the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  because the silver pastes  303   a  and  303   b  increase the contact areas. The same advantage can be achieved as in the foregoing embodiments. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     In the fourth embodiment, the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is formed on the smooth surface of the lower substrate  100  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is formed on the smooth surface of the upper substrate  200 , whereas in a sixth embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 37 , a first recess  102  is formed on a surface  101  of a lower substrate  100  and a second recess  202  is formed on a surface  201  of an upper substrate  200  such that first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  can be correctly patterned at predetermined positions even when ITO ink having high wettability is used. 
       FIGS. 37 to 40  show the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the fifth embodiment, the first recess  102  is coated with the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and then the lower electrode pattern  105  is formed thereon, and the second recess  202  is coated with the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  and then the upper electrode pattern  205  is formed thereon. The sixth embodiment is different only in that the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  are applied later. Other points are similar to those of the fifth embodiment. 
       FIG. 37  shows an exploded image of a completed lens  1  for better understanding of the manufacturing process. 
     In  FIG. 38(   a ), a lower electrode pattern  105  is formed from an electric element forming part  103  to the first recess  102  of the lower substrate  100 . 
     In  FIG. 38(   b ), the lower electrode pattern  105  is coated with conductive ink only in the first recess  102  to form the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 , and a lower insulating layer pattern  106  is formed so as to cover the first auxiliary electrode layer  104 , the lower electrode pattern  105 , and the electric element forming part  103 . As shown in  FIG. 37 , an alignment layer  107  is formed on the lower insulating layer pattern  106  so as to correspond to the position of the electric element forming part  103 . 
     In this case, the upper substrate  200  is formed as in  FIGS. 38(   a ) and  38 ( b ). In other words, as shown in  FIG. 37 , an upper electrode pattern  205  is formed on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part  103  on the lower substrate  100 , the second recess  202 , and a part connecting the electric element forming part  103  and the second recess  202 . After that, the upper electrode pattern  205  is coated with conductive ink only in the second recess  202  to form the second auxiliary electrode layer  204 . Further, an upper insulating layer pattern  206  is formed so as to cover the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  and the upper electrode pattern  205 . Moreover, an alignment layer  207  is formed thereon. 
     As shown in  FIG. 38(   c ), the lower substrate  100  on which the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is applied later onto the lower electrode pattern  105  in the first recess  102  and the upper substrate  200  on which the second auxiliary electrode layer  209  is applied later onto the upper electrode pattern  205  in the second recess  202  are bonded to each other with an adhesive layer  400  in a state in which a liquid crystal  300  is interposed between the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 .  FIG. 39  is an enlarged perspective view in which the bonded lower substrate  100  and upper substrate  200  are cut at a position on the first recess  102 .  FIG. 40  is an enlarged sectional view in which the bonded lower substrate  100  and upper substrate  200  are cut at a position on the second recess  202 . 
     Even when the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  are applied later onto the first and second recesses  102  and  202 , as in the fifth embodiment, the end faces of the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  and the lower electrode pattern  105  of the lower substrate  100  are exposed on a lens end  302  of the lens  1  and the end faces of the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  and the upper electrode pattern  205  of the upper substrate  200  are exposed on the lens end  302  because the lower and upper substrates  100  and  200  are cut along the cutting line  301  as in  FIG. 35 . Other points are similar to those of the fifth embodiment. 
     In the sixth embodiment, the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is formed on the recess of the lower electrode pattern  105  in the first recess  102  and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is formed on the recess of the upper electrode pattern  205  in the second recess  202 . Thus even when ITO ink having high wettability is used, it is possible to correctly pattern the first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  at predetermined positions on the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200 . 
     Further, the lower insulating pattern  106  and the upper insulating pattern  206  may be formed over the substrates, thereby forming insulating layers by sputtering without using a mask. 
     Seventh Embodiment 
     In the fourth embodiment, the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is formed on the lower substrate  100  and then the lower insulating layer pattern  106  is formed thereon, and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is formed on the upper substrate  200  and then the upper insulating layer pattern  206  is formed thereon. A seventh embodiment is different only in that a hole  106   b  (see  FIG. 41 ) is formed on a lower insulating layer pattern  106 , a hole  206   b  (see  FIG. 41 ) is formed on an upper insulating layer pattern  206 , the lower insulating layer pattern  106  is formed before a first auxiliary electrode layer  104 , and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  is formed before a second auxiliary electrode layer  204 . 
     In the seventh embodiment, the hole  106   b  of the lower insulating layer pattern  106  formed on a lower electrode pattern  105  is filled with conductive ink and the lower electrode pattern  105  is partially coated with the conductive ink. Thus even when ITO ink having high wettability is used, it is possible to correctly pattern the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  at a predetermined position. Similarly, the hole  206   b  of the upper insulating layer pattern  206  formed on an upper electrode pattern  205  is filled with conductive ink and the upper electrode pattern  205  is partially coated with the conductive ink. Thus even when ITO ink having high wettability is used, it is possible to correctly pattern the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  at a predetermined position. Other points are similar to those of the fourth embodiment. 
     Eighth Embodiment 
     In the sixth embodiment, the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  is formed on the lower substrate  100  and then the lower insulating layer pattern  106  is formed thereon, and the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  is formed on the upper substrate  200  and then the upper insulating layer pattern  206  is formed thereon. An eighth embodiment is different only in that a hole  106   b  (see  FIG. 42 ) is formed on a lower insulating layer pattern  106 , a hole  206   b  (see  FIG. 42 ) is formed on an upper insulating layer pattern  206 , the lower insulating layer pattern  106  is formed before a first auxiliary electrode layer  104 , and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  is formed before a second auxiliary electrode layer  204 . 
     In the eighth embodiment, the hole  106   b  of the lower insulating layer pattern  106  formed on a lower electrode pattern  105  is filled with conductive ink and the lower electrode pattern  105  is partially coated with the conductive ink. Thus even when ITO ink having high wettability is used, it is possible to correctly pattern the first auxiliary electrode layer  104  at a predetermined position. Similarly, the hole  206   b  of the upper insulating layer pattern  206  formed on an upper electrode pattern  205  is filled with conductive ink and the upper electrode pattern  205  is partially coated with the conductive ink. Thus even when ITO ink having high wettability is used, it is possible to correctly pattern the second auxiliary electrode layer  204  at a predetermined position. Other points are similar to those of the sixth embodiment. 
     In the fifth, sixth, and eighth embodiments, the first and second recesses  102  and  202  make it possible to correctly pattern highly wettable ink at the predetermined positions and prevent the ITO ink, which is conductive ink, from spreading to the bonded surfaces of the upper and lower substrates. 
     In the case where patterning is performed directly on the surfaces of the lower substrate  100  and the upper substrate  200  without providing the first and second recesses  102  and  202  as in the third, fourth, and seventh embodiments, a gap is formed between the bonded upper and lower substrates because of the thickness of the ITO ink that is conductive ink, thereby deforming the lens  1 . The fifth, sixth, and eighth embodiments make it possible to satisfactorily fabricate the lens  1  with less deformation. 
     In the fifth, sixth, and eighth embodiments, when the first and second recesses  102  and  202  are composed of flat surfaces in cross section, ink tends to gather at straight lines where the surfaces of the recess intersect with each other, so that the ink has a larger thickness in some portions than on the flat surfaces. In the portions where a liquid tends to gather, cracks are likely to occur owing to different dry states on the surface of an ITO ink film that is a conductive ink film, thereby increasing the resistance of a transparent conductive film formed of ITO ink. In order to solve this problem, the first and second recesses  102  and  202  of the fifth, sixth, and eighth embodiments are curved in cross section. When the first and second recesses  102  and  202  are not curved in cross section but are formed by joining flat surfaces in cross section, substantially the same effect can be expected by rounding the intersections of the flat surfaces. 
     In the third to eighth embodiments, the transparent first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204  are formed by applying ITO ink that is conductive ink and the transparent lower electrode pattern  105  and upper electrode pattern  205  are formed by sputtering. The lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  can be similarly formed by vapor deposition methods other than sputtering. The other vapor deposition methods include PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) methods such as resistance heating vapor deposition, electron beam vapor deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, ion plating and ion beam deposition, and chemical vapor deposition methods such as thermal CVD (thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition), plasma CVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition), optical CVD, epitaxial CVD, and atomic layer CVD. 
     Further, the transparent first and second auxiliary electrode layers  104  and  204 , the lower electrode pattern  105 , and the upper electrode pattern  205  are made of ITO (indium tin oxide) in the example of the foregoing explanation. The layers and patterns may be made of ITO substitute transparent electrode materials that include niobium-doped titanium dioxide (Ti 1-x Nb x O 2 : TNO) not containing indium but containing titanium as a major component, and ZnO. 
     In the third to eighth embodiments, the lower insulating layer pattern  106  and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  are provided. When the lower electrode pattern  105  and the upper electrode pattern  205  can be electrically insulated in a continuous manner by the adhesive layer  400  alone, at least one of the lower insulating layer pattern  106  and the upper insulating layer pattern  206  may be omitted. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     Electronic spectacles according to the present invention ensure connection to an electric circuit and achieve higher reliability. Thus the present invention is useful for spectacles and sunglasses that use electric elements such as a liquid crystal element and an electrochromic element.