Patent Description:
Allowing users to experience desired lenses have been conducted by attaching a frame member without a lens to a lens that is independent of the frame member and is detachable to the frame member, and letting the users wear the frame member. Such a frame member is referred to as an optometric frame, a trial frame, a test frame, or a universal frame. Such a lens is referred to as an optometric lens, a trial lens, and/or the like.

PTL <NUM> discloses an optometric lens using a bifocal, multifocal, or progressive refractive index lens.

In recent years, an eyewear including a lens having an electric element has been used for various use. For example, PTL <NUM> discloses an eyewear including a liquid crystal lens whose refractive index changes.

When using the lens having the electric element, it is necessary to supply electric power to the electric element. In the eyewear disclosed in PTL <NUM>, a conductive path for electrically connecting between an electric power source provided at the end of a temple and an electrical contact disposed along the upper edge of a lens is provided inside the temple and a frame. <CIT> relates to a lens comprising at least a first electrical contact and a lens housing holding the lens. The lens housing includes at least a second electrical contact. The first device further comprises a compliant conductive element disposed between the first and the second electrical contact. The compliant conductive element electrically connects the first and second electrical contacts. <CIT> relates to electronics for controlling and synchronizing operation of electro-active lenses. The controlling electronics can be contained within one or more electronic modules positioned within the frame temples and can be removable and reprogrammable and can include inductive charge regions.

There is a request to let the user experience the change in the viewing way due to the drive of the electric element by attaching the optometric lens having the electric element to the frame member and letting the user wear the frame member. However, since the optometric lens is independent of the frame member, the path for electrically connecting between the electric power source and the electric element cannot be disposed inside the frame or the temple, like the eyewear disclosed in PTL <NUM>,.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lens unit independent of a frame member, the lens unit including an electric element and means for supplying electric power to the electric element.

The invention relates to an optometric lens unit according to claim <NUM>. The optometric lens unit includes: a lens unit, comprising: a lens having an electrical element; a rim portion covering a peripheral edge portion of the lens; a control unit for controlling the electrical element; an electric power supply unit for supplying electric power to the electrical element; a conductive portion being disposed between the rim portion and the peripheral edge portion of the lens and electrically connecting between an end portion of an electrode of the electrical element and the control unit, the end portion of the electrode being exposed to the peripheral edge portion; and a knob portion protruding from the lens or the rim portion, and provided with the control unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided a lens unit independent of a frame member, the lens unit having an electric element and means for supplying electric power to the electric element.

Hereinafter, a lens unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The lens unit according to the present embodiment has a structure independent of a frame member, and can be attached to and detached from the frame member, and is, for example, the lens unit called an optometric lens, a trial lens, and/or the like. The lens unit according to the present embodiment is used by being attached to the frame member called an optometric frame, a test frame, a universal frame, and/or the like for the purpose of adjusting the diopter of the lens to the user or letting the user experience a desired lens, at the time of creation of eyewear such as glasses and/or the like.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of lens unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a front view of lens unit <NUM>, and <FIG> is a side view of lens unit <NUM>. The front-back direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction of <FIG> correspond to the direction when viewed from the user with lens unit <NUM> attached to the frame member, respectively.

As illustrated in <FIG>, lens unit <NUM> has lens <NUM>, rim portion <NUM>, and knob portion <NUM>.

Lens <NUM> includes liquid crystal lens <NUM> and a pair of electrodes <NUM>.

Lens <NUM> has a multilayer structure in which a plurality of layers overlap in the thickness direction, and has a pair of conductive layers sandwiching the liquid crystal layer from the front and rear at a region having liquid crystal lens <NUM>. A pair of conductive layers are connected to electrodes <NUM>, respectively. By applying a voltage between a pair of conductive layers through electrode <NUM>, it is possible to activate the liquid crystal layer and change the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM>. Liquid crystal lens <NUM> is an example of the electric element and the optical element of the present invention. Details of the electric power supply path to liquid crystal lens <NUM> via electrode <NUM> will be described later.

Lens unit <NUM> is, for example, a bifocal lens, liquid crystal lens <NUM> is used for short distance, the other regions of lens <NUM> is used for long distance, respectively. The position of liquid crystal lens <NUM> is desired to be disposed at a lower position of lens <NUM> as viewed from the user in a state of being attached to the frame member (see <FIG>). The addition (difference between the diopter for long distance power and the short distance) of liquid crystal lens <NUM> is <NUM>. 75D, for example. Note that the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may adopt a configuration that a ring electrode is adopted and a plurality of liquid crystal lenses are stacked, so that the addition can be changed. In this case, it may be configured to change the addition of liquid crystal lens <NUM> in response to the operation to operation portion <NUM> to be described later.

Lens <NUM> is formed by cutting out from a lens blank (not illustrated) serving as a base material. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, lens <NUM> has a substantially circular shape. The present invention is not limited to this. The shape of lens <NUM>, in addition to the circular shape, for example, rectangular, trapezoidal, elliptical shape, a shape obtained by combining some of these shapes, or an indefinite shape and/or the like.

Rim portion <NUM> is a member that covers the periphery of lens <NUM> and holds lens <NUM>. Examples of the material of rim portion <NUM> include metals such as titanium, aluminum, and stainless steel, and resins such as polyamide, acetate, celluloid, polyetherimide, and polyurethane, or carbon and/or the like. As described above, it is assumed that lens unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment is used by being appropriately attached to or detached from the frame member. Therefore, in order to prevent wear and deformation and/or the like due to multiple times of attachment and detachment, at least the portion of rim portion <NUM> which is exposed to the outside is desirably made of a highly durable material such as metal.

The thickness of lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM> (the length of lens <NUM> along the optical axis direction) is not particularly limited in the present invention. It is desirably about <NUM> in order to be attachable to and detachable from the frame member such as the optometric frame or the test frame.

Knob portion <NUM> is a member to be pinched when the user handles lens unit <NUM>. By pinching knob portion <NUM>, the user can easily attach lens unit <NUM> to the frame member. The material of knob portion <NUM> is not particularly limited, may be formed of the same material as that of rim portion <NUM>, or may be formed of a material different from that of rim portion <NUM>. Knob portion <NUM> may be formed integrally with rim portion <NUM>, or may be formed separately. In the case that knob portion <NUM> is formed separately from rim portion <NUM>, knob portion <NUM> may be fixed to a part of the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM> or may be fixed to a part of rim portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates, as an example, a case where opening 120A is provided in a part of rim portion <NUM>, and knob portion <NUM> is fixed to a part of the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM> through opening 120A.

As illustrated in <FIG>, operation portion <NUM> for receiving an operation for changing the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM> is provided at knob portion <NUM>. In the present embodiment, as an example, operation portion <NUM> is a detection pad of an electronic capacity type that can be used as a touch sensor, and detects a change in capacitance caused by a contact when an object (e.g., a finger of the user) comes into contact with the detection pad. In the case that knob portion <NUM> is formed of a material having a metal and/or the like conductivity, for example, a member (not illustrated) having an insulating property around operation portion <NUM> is disposed, and operation portion <NUM> and knob portion <NUM> is insulated.

As another example, for example, operation portion <NUM> may be a wireless communication device that receives an on/off instruction performed by an on/off operation on a switch provided separately from lens unit <NUM> by wireless communication. As the wireless communication device of operation portion <NUM>, for example, the communication device corresponding to Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and/or the like may be used.

Charging terminal <NUM> in the case of performing charging relative to electric power supply unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) described later is provided at knob portion <NUM>.

Next, the electric power supply path to liquid crystal lens <NUM> of lens <NUM> will be described in detail. Conductive portion <NUM> as the electric power supply path has conductive piece <NUM> and flexible substrate <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Conductive portion <NUM> connects electrode <NUM> of liquid crystal lens <NUM> to control unit <NUM> and electric power supply unit <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a pair of conductive pieces <NUM> are disposed between lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM>. Conductive piece <NUM> is formed so as to have a constant or more length in a direction along the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM>. Each of a pair of conductive pieces <NUM> is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the ends of a pair of electrodes <NUM> exposed from the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM>.

For describing that conductive piece <NUM> is disposed between lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM>, <FIG> illustrates the distance between lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM> emphasized. However, lens unit <NUM> of the present embodiment, as actually illustrated in <FIG>, has a configuration in which the spacing of lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM> on the exterior appearance is not widened.

Conductive piece <NUM> is formed of a material having flexibility and conductivity, such as, for example, conductive rubber. Conductive piece <NUM> is disposed between lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM> in a condition of being compressed by lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM>. Thus, as illustrated in <FIG>, a configuration in which the spacing of lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM> on the exterior appearance is not widened is realized. Since conductive piece <NUM> has flexibility, even when disposed in the compressed state, occurring distortion due to being applied excessive stress to lens <NUM> is prevented.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a pair of conductive pieces <NUM> connected to a pair of electrodes <NUM>, respectively, are spaced apart from each other in the direction along the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM>. Although not particularly limited in the present invention about the distance between a pair of conductive pieces <NUM> to each other, it is desirable that conductive pieces <NUM> to each other are disposed apart more than a distance reliably insulated. <FIG> illustrates an example in which each of a pair of conductive pieces <NUM> is disposed so as to avoid opening 120A of rim portion <NUM>. With such a configuration, situations such that a pair of conductive pieces <NUM> are short-circuited in contact with each other, liquid crystal lens <NUM> does not operate normally, or liquid crystal lens <NUM> is destroyed and/or the like can be prevented.

With a configuration that conductive piece <NUM> is disposed in the compressed state between the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM>, the contact pressure between conductive piece <NUM> and electrode <NUM> is sufficiently increased. It is possible to ensure conduction between conductive piece <NUM> and electrode <NUM>.

The reason that electrode <NUM> of lens <NUM> and flexible substrate <NUM> are electrically connected via conductive piece <NUM>, rather than directly, is as follows. As described above, lens <NUM> is formed by cutting out from the lens blank. The position of electrode <NUM> at the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM> changes in accordance with the cutting out way from the lens blank. However, changing the design of the electric power supply path to liquid crystal lens <NUM> of lens <NUM> in accordance with the position of electrode <NUM> causes an increase in cost and a prolonged development period and is undesirable. In the present invention, by disposing conductive piece <NUM> having the constant or more length in the direction along the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM>, the positional change of electrode <NUM> in the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM> is absorbed.

Each of a pair of conductive pieces <NUM>, flexible substrate (also referred to as flexible printed wiring board or FPC) <NUM> is electrically connected. Flexible substrate <NUM> is an example of the conductive wire of the present invention. Flexible substrate <NUM> has a multilayer structure in which a conductive layer is sandwiched by a pair of insulating layers and the conductive layer is insulated by the insulating layers. At the connection point between flexible substrate <NUM> and conductive piece <NUM>, and the connection point between flexible substrate <NUM> and control unit <NUM>, between flexible substrate and electric power supply unit <NUM>, an opening is provided in a part of the insulating layer and conductive layer is exposed. Thus, the electrical connection between conductive piece <NUM> and the conductive layer of flexible substrate <NUM> is established. The insulating layer opening that the conductive layer is exposed is formed in such a size that the conductive layer does not contact other than conductive piece <NUM>, control unit <NUM> or electric power supply unit <NUM>. The conductive layer is insulated from other than conductive piece <NUM>, control unit <NUM>, or electric power supply unit <NUM>. Thus, a short circuit in flexible substrate <NUM> is prevented.

As illustrated in <FIG>, flexible substrate <NUM> is disposed between conductive piece <NUM> and rim portion <NUM>. Flexible substrate <NUM> is electrically connected to control unit <NUM> provided inside knob portion <NUM> through, for example, the inside of knob portion <NUM>.

The width of flexible substrate <NUM> in its entirety is less than the width of rim portion <NUM>. In the present specification, the widths of flexible substrate <NUM> and rim portion <NUM> mean the length in the direction perpendicular to the sheet of <FIG> and <FIG>, that is, in the thickness direction of lens unit <NUM>. The width of flexible substrate <NUM> is, for example, <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is desirable that the length along the longitudinal direction of flexible substrate <NUM> is longer than the linear distance between conductive piece <NUM> and control unit <NUM>, and is the length so that flexible substrate <NUM> can be suitably disposed inside knob portion <NUM>. Flexible substrate <NUM> has a generally elongated shape.

Although <FIG> illustrates the structure in which lens <NUM> includes a pair of electrodes <NUM>, and a pair of conductive pieces <NUM> and flexible substrates <NUM> are connected to a pair of electrodes <NUM> respectively, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of electrodes <NUM> may be three or more, in which case, the number of conductive piece <NUM> and flexible substrate <NUM> may be the number suited to electrode <NUM>. A single flexible substrate separating a plurality of conductive layers with a plurality of insulating layers may be used to connect between a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of conductive pieces, respectively.

In the case that rim portion <NUM> is formed of metal, it is necessary that conductive piece <NUM> and rim portion <NUM> are insulated. Lens unit <NUM> has insulating member <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>) between rim portion <NUM> and conductive piece <NUM>, and between rim portion <NUM> and flexible substrate <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram for explaining insulating member <NUM>. Insulating member <NUM> is formed of an insulating material such as resin or rubber, for example.

As illustrated in <FIG>, insulating member <NUM> has upper plate portion <NUM> and two side plate portions <NUM>, <NUM>. Upper plate portion <NUM> is formed so as to be long in a direction along flexible substrate <NUM>. Two side plate portions <NUM>, <NUM> are connected at substantially right angles toward flexible substrate <NUM> on both sides of upper plate portion <NUM>. Insulating member <NUM> is formed so as to be longer than conductive piece <NUM>, in the direction along flexible substrate <NUM>.

In <FIG>, for the purpose of illustration, insulating member <NUM>, conductive piece <NUM>, and flexible substrate <NUM> are illustrated in a state of being separated from each other. Actually, insulating member <NUM>, conductive piece <NUM>, and flexible substrate <NUM> are disposed in a state of being in contact with each other, between rim portion <NUM> and lens <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. With such a configuration, insulating member <NUM> is in a state such as to cover conductive piece <NUM>, rim portion <NUM> and conductive piece <NUM> are reliably insulated.

Control unit <NUM> and electric power supply unit <NUM> are electrically connected to electrode <NUM> of liquid crystal lens <NUM>, by conductive portion <NUM> including flexible substrate <NUM>. Although not illustrated, control unit <NUM> is electrically connected to operation portion <NUM>. Although the method of connecting control unit <NUM> and operation portion <NUM> is not particularly limited, control unit <NUM> and operation portion <NUM> may be connected by, for example, a cable and/or the like (not illustrated).

Control unit <NUM> controls, for example, the driving of operation portion <NUM>, the detection of a change in capacitance in operation portion <NUM>, and the application of a voltage to liquid crystal lens <NUM>. Specifically, when operation portion <NUM> detects the contact of the object (finger and/or the like of the user), the control circuit, for example, applies a voltage to liquid crystal lens <NUM>, or stops the application of the voltage to switch the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM>.

Electric power supply unit <NUM> supplies electric power to liquid crystal lens <NUM>, operation portion <NUM>, and control unit <NUM>. Electric power supply unit <NUM> has, for example, rechargeable battery <NUM> such as a nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery, and supplies electric power for each configuration using the electric power stored in rechargeable battery <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, control unit <NUM> and electric power supply unit <NUM> are provided inside knob portion <NUM>. In an example not forming part of the invention, a part of control unit <NUM> and/or electric power supply unit <NUM> may be disposed between rim portion <NUM> and lens <NUM>. A part of control unit <NUM> and/or electric power supply unit <NUM> may be exposed to the outside from the outer wall surface of knob portion <NUM>.

As described above, lens unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: lens <NUM> having liquid crystal lens <NUM>; rim portion <NUM> covering a peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM>; control unit <NUM> for controlling liquid crystal lens <NUM>; conductive portion <NUM> being disposed between rim portion <NUM> and the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM> and electrically connecting between the end portion of electrode <NUM> of liquid crystal lens <NUM> which is exposed to the peripheral edge portion and control unit <NUM>; and knob portion <NUM> protruding from lens <NUM> or rim portion <NUM>.

Attaching lens unit <NUM> having such a configuration to a frame member called as, for example, an optometric frame or a test frame let the user experience a change in the refractive index in liquid crystal lens <NUM>. Since lens unit <NUM> attached to the frame member is freely replaceable, the user can try lens unit <NUM> having liquid crystal lens <NUM> of various refractive indices.

According to lens unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, conductive portion <NUM> includes flexible substrate <NUM> connected to control unit <NUM>, and conductive piece <NUM> for electrically connecting between electrode <NUM> and flexible substrate <NUM>, and a plurality of conductive pieces <NUM> respectively connected to a plurality of electrodes <NUM> are disposed apart from each other in a direction along the peripheral edge portion of the lens <NUM>.

With such a configuration, it is possible to reliably insulate a plurality of conductive pieces <NUM> respectively connected to a plurality of electrodes <NUM> from each other, and it is possible to prevent malfunction or destruction and/or the like of liquid crystal lens <NUM> due to a short circuit. By connecting electrode <NUM> and flexible substrate <NUM> via conductive piece <NUM>, it is possible to correspond to the positional change of electrode <NUM> in the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM> according to the cutting out way of lens <NUM> from the lens blank. Since a plurality of conductive pieces <NUM> are disposed between rim portion <NUM> and the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM>, the contact pressure between conductive piece <NUM> and electrode <NUM> is sufficiently increased, conduction between conductive piece <NUM> and electrode <NUM> becomes reliable.

According to lens unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, rim portion <NUM> has opening 120A in which knob portion <NUM> is disposed, and conductive piece <NUM> is disposed so as to avoid opening 120A.

Since conductive pieces <NUM> are disposed between the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM> as described above, even if conductive pieces <NUM> are disposed while being sufficiently spaced from each other, it is not necessary to increase opening 120A of rim portion <NUM> more than necessary. Increasing the size of opening 120A more than necessary leads to increasing the size of knob portion <NUM>, which may cause deterioration of the aesthetic appearance and deterioration of the usability of lens unit <NUM>. According to lens unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred because such a situation can be prevented.

In lens unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of rim portion <NUM> which is exposed to the outside is made of metal. With such a configuration, the durability of lens unit <NUM> is improved, so that lens unit <NUM> can accommodate multiple times of attachment and detachment to the frame member.

According to lens unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, operation portion <NUM> that receives an operation on control unit <NUM> is provided on knob portion <NUM>. With this configuration, a user who attaches lens unit <NUM> to the frame member for trial use can easily experience changes in the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM>.

Lens unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a notification unit (not illustrated) that receives an operation on control unit <NUM> and notifies the user or the operator (a person other than the user who supports trial use and/or the like of the user) of the change in the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM> by an LED or sound when the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM> changes. With such a configuration, the user or the operator who attaches lens unit <NUM> to the frame member for trial use can recognize that the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM> has changed based on light or sound other than changes in the refractive index.

Hereinafter, an example of use of lens unit <NUM> of the above embodiment will be described while citing the specific example. First, the frame member to which lens unit <NUM> of the above embodiment is attached will be described.

<FIG> are diagrams for illustrating the frame member to which lens unit <NUM> is attached. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of frame member <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, frame member <NUM> is configured so as to attach a pair of lens units <NUM> corresponding to the left and right eyes of the user, respectively. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which lens unit <NUM> is attached to frame member <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, frame member <NUM> is generally called as the optometric frame, the test frame, the universal frame, and/or the like.

As illustrated in <FIG>, frame member <NUM> has holding members <NUM> and <NUM> in the front part. Holding members <NUM> and <NUM> hold lens unit <NUM> when lens unit <NUM> is attached to frame member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, lens unit <NUM> may be attached to frame member <NUM> by, for example, inserting lens unit <NUM> between holding members <NUM> and <NUM>. Although <FIG> illustrates an example in which lens unit <NUM> is attached from the upper side of frame member <NUM>, the present invention is not limited to this. Lens unit <NUM> may be attached from, for example, the side or the lower side of frame member <NUM>.

Next, a configuration for charging electric power supply unit <NUM> of lens unit <NUM> will be described while citing the specific example. In the above embodiment, electric power supply unit <NUM> performs electric power supply to each configuration of lens unit <NUM> using the electric power stored in rechargeable battery <NUM>. Therefore, the configuration of charging rechargeable battery <NUM> before use of lens unit <NUM> is required.

<FIG> are diagrams exemplifying charging unit <NUM> for charging rechargeable battery <NUM> of lens unit <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of charging unit <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which lens unit <NUM> is charged in charging unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, charging unit <NUM> has, for example, base portion <NUM> and lid portion <NUM>. Lid portion <NUM> is configured to be opened or closed (arrow A) relative to base portion <NUM> by a hinge portion (not illustrated). Slit <NUM> for holding lens unit <NUM> is provided on base portion <NUM>. Similarly, slit <NUM> for holding lens unit <NUM> in a state where lid portion <NUM> is closed is provided on lid portion <NUM>. It is desirable that at least a portion of base portion <NUM> and lid portion <NUM> in contact with lens unit <NUM> is formed of a soft material (cloth and/or the like) that does not damage lens unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when lens unit <NUM> is inserted into slit <NUM> of base portion <NUM>, lens unit <NUM> is held by base portion <NUM>. When lid portion <NUM> is closed in this state, knob portion <NUM> of lens unit <NUM> is inserted into slit <NUM> of lid portion <NUM>. An electric power supply terminal (not illustrated) capable of supplying electric power when in contact with charging terminal <NUM> of knob portion <NUM> is provided inside slit <NUM>. With such a configuration, when lens unit <NUM> is put into charging unit <NUM> and lid portion <NUM> is closed, charging is performed relative to electric power supply unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) via charging terminal <NUM>. When not in use of lens unit <NUM>, it is possible to perform the accommodation and charging of lens unit <NUM> at the same time in charging unit <NUM>, the usability of lens unit <NUM> is improved.

<FIG> illustrate an example that charging unit <NUM> has a pair of slits <NUM>, <NUM>, charging unit <NUM> may have more slits. In this case, it is more preferable because charging unit <NUM> can be handled like an accommodation member (case) capable of accommodating and charging a plurality of lens units <NUM> at the same time. <FIG> illustrates an example of lenses set <NUM> including multiple lens units <NUM> and charging unit <NUM> capable of accommodating these.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which charging unit <NUM> is held in a state of standing lens unit <NUM> (a state that knob portion <NUM> is the upper). Charging unit <NUM> may hold lens unit <NUM>, for example, in a state in which lens unit <NUM> is put sideways, i.e., in a state in which knob portion <NUM> is tilted down in one of the left and right directions. In this case, in charging unit <NUM>, the position of the electric power supply terminal for supplying electric power to charging terminal <NUM> may be appropriately adjusted.

In the case that a plurality of lens units is used at the same time, such as the case that a pair of lens units corresponding to the left and right eyes of the user respectively are used at the same time, the lens unit of the present invention may be configured to communicate with each other between the plurality of lens units. <FIG> is a diagram for explaining an example in which wireless communication is performed between a pair of lens units 100A and 100B. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, each of a pair of lens units 100A and 100B has wireless communication unit <NUM>.

When a pair of lens units 100A and 100B are simultaneously used for the left and right eyes of the user, the refractive indices of liquid crystal lenses <NUM> are preferably adjusted to be substantially the same in the left and right lens units 100A and 100B, because the preferred addition for the user are often substantially the same in the left and right. In such a case, for example, at which time of setting the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM> suited to the eye of the user by first lens unit 100A, information related to the set refractive index is transmitted to wireless communication unit <NUM> of second lens unit 100B by using wireless communication unit <NUM> included in control unit <NUM>. Control unit <NUM> of second lens unit 100B performs the setting of the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM> based on the information related to the received refractive index. With such a configuration, in the case that a pair of lens units 100A and 100B are simultaneously used for the left and right eyes of the user, it is possible to omit the labor of adjusting the refractive index for each of the left and right lens units 100A and 100B, thereby improving the usability of lens unit <NUM>.

As wireless communication unit <NUM>, for example, a communication device with a known wireless communication technique, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) and/or the like may be used. <FIG> illustrates an example in which transmission is performed only from first lens unit <NUM> A to second lens unit 100B, it may be configuration so as to communicate in both directions. Wireless communication unit <NUM> may perform not only communication between a pair of lens units 100A and 100B but also wireless communication with, for example, an external control device (not illustrated). In this case, wireless communication unit <NUM> receives information related to the designation of the refractive index from the external control device, control unit <NUM> may control the refractive index of liquid crystal lens <NUM> based on this information.

In the embodiment described above, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the state that lens unit <NUM> is attached to the frame member, knob portion <NUM> is disposed substantially on a straight line passing through the center of liquid crystal lens <NUM> and the center of lens <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this. Knob portion <NUM> may be disposed in an oblique or lateral direction (oriented in a direction perpendicular to the straight line passing through the center of liquid crystal lens <NUM> and the center of lens <NUM>). With such a configuration, for example, in the case that it is necessary to attach to the frame member with overlapping the other lens and lens unit <NUM>, it can be prevented a situation that the knob portion of the other lens and knob portion <NUM> of lens unit <NUM> interfere with each other to be difficult to attach lens unit <NUM> to the frame member.

In the embodiment described above, as illustrated in <FIG>, knob portion <NUM> is formed so as to extend from lens <NUM> to the outside in substantially the same plane as lens <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this. Knob portion <NUM> may not be disposed in the same plane as lens <NUM>, when viewed from the side of lens unit <NUM>, knob portion <NUM> may be formed so as to extend obliquely from lens <NUM>. Knob portion <NUM>, for example, may be formed to bend from the middle.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example in which knob portion <NUM> is formed to bend from the middle. As illustrated in <FIG>, the portion near the root of knob portion <NUM> (root portion 130A) is disposed in substantially the same plane as lens <NUM>, and the portion near the tip of knob portion <NUM> (tip portion 130B) is bent from the same plane as lens <NUM> to a substantially right angle. The root of tip portion 130B is provided with hinge portion <NUM>. It is configured that the user can bend tip portion 130B against root portion 130A or return to its original state (extended state) by using hinge portion <NUM> as a fulcrum.

In such a case, it is desirable that operation portion <NUM> is provided in tip portion 130B. The reason is that in a condition of attaching lens unit <NUM> to frame member <NUM>, operation portion <NUM> is positioned at a position that the user is easy to operate. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of use in the case that operation portion <NUM> is provided in tip portion 130B. <FIG> illustrates a situation that lens unit <NUM> that knob portion <NUM> having tip portion 130B is disposed sideways is attached to frame member <NUM> exemplified in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in a state that lens unit <NUM> is attached to frame member <NUM>, operation portion <NUM> provided on tip portion 130B is positioned at a position corresponding to a temple of common glasses. Since the temple is a position where a person wearing glasses can easily touch with a hand, the user who uses frame member <NUM> to which lens unit <NUM> is attached can preferably operate operation portion <NUM>. In an eyewear such as an electronic glasses having a lens with an electric element, since the operating portion of the electric element is often provided in the temple generally, the user can perform an experience almost the same as the actual operation feeling at the trial use of lens unit <NUM>.

As described in the above example of use, lens unit <NUM> according to the above embodiment is assumed to be attached to the frame member called the optometric frame, the test frame, and/or the like. The present invention is not limited to this. The lens unit of the present invention may be used not only by being attached to the frame member, but also by being attached to another device such as an optometric device called a phoropter and/or the like.

In the embodiment described above, <FIG> illustrates case that opening 120A is provided in a part of rim portion <NUM>, and knob portion <NUM> is fixed to a part of the peripheral edge portion of lens <NUM> through this opening 120A. The present invention is not limited to this. <FIG> are diagrams illustrating other examples of methods of fixing knob portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example in which substantially the entirety of knob portion <NUM> is configured to be detachable relative to the body portion of lens unit <NUM> (here, the portion including lens <NUM> and rim portion <NUM>). In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, connector <NUM> is provided in rim portion <NUM>, connector <NUM> is provided in knob portion <NUM>, respectively. Each of connectors <NUM>, <NUM> has an electrical contact (not illustrated) such as a tab terminal or a USB terminal. When knob portion <NUM> is attached to rim portion <NUM>, by this electrical contact, electric power supply unit <NUM> provided inside knob portion <NUM> and electrode <NUM> of liquid crystal lens <NUM> are electrically connected. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, it is preferable that electric power supply unit <NUM> is provided inside knob portion <NUM> to be removed. In an example not forming part of the invention, control unit <NUM> may be provided inside the body portion of lens unit <NUM>, not inside knob portion <NUM>. In this case, control unit <NUM> will remain in the body portion of lens unit <NUM> even if knob portion <NUM> is removed.

With such a configuration, for example, charging can be performed by detaching knob portion <NUM> and connecting only knob portion <NUM> to the charger of electric power supply unit <NUM>. Therefore, for example, in the case that the remaining charge amount of electric power supply unit <NUM> is reduced, it is possible to continuously use lens unit <NUM> by removing first knob portion <NUM>, and attaching the second knob portion <NUM> including electric power supply unit <NUM> whose charge amount is remained sufficiently.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example in which rim portion <NUM> and knob portion <NUM> are integrally formed. In this example, knob portion <NUM> is fixed to rim lock <NUM> which is a member for closing rim portion <NUM>. As a result, knob portion <NUM> can be firmly fixed.

In the embodiment described above, charging terminal <NUM> for charging rechargeable battery <NUM> is provided on non-detachable knob portion <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the charging for rechargeable battery <NUM> may be performed via, for example, non-contact electric power receiving unit <NUM> for receiving a non-contact electric power supply from the outside. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example in which electric power supply unit <NUM> has a non-contact electric power receiving unit <NUM>.

In the case that non-contact electric power receiving unit <NUM> receives electric power from the outside, the received electric power may not be used to charge electric power supply unit <NUM> that is a rechargeable battery, and may be supplied to electrode <NUM> and control unit <NUM> directly. In this case, since it is not necessary that electric power supply unit <NUM> have rechargeable battery <NUM>, it is possible to save space and reduce cost. Since it is not necessary that rechargeable battery <NUM> is charged before use of lens unit <NUM>, the usability of lens unit <NUM> is improved.

In the embodiment described above, lens <NUM> has liquid crystal lens <NUM> whose refractive index changes by electrical control as an example of the electrical element and the optical element of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to this. As the electric element and the optical element of the present invention, for example, an electrochromic lens in which the transmittance of light is changed by electrical control may be employed. As the electric element and the optical element of the present invention, such as a liquid crystal lens and an electrochromic lens, a composite lens obtained by overlapping a plurality of lenses of different types from each other may be employed. In this case, it is desirable that operation portion <NUM> corresponding to each lens is provided independently according to the type of the lens.

In the embodiment described above, liquid crystal lens <NUM> as an example of the optical element has its refractive index changed by the control of control unit <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this. The lens unit of the present invention has, for example, an optical element whose optical characteristics (refractive index and transmittance of light, and/or the like) is not changed by electrical control, and whose optical characteristics is fixed in a state different from the other regions of the lens. Specifically, for example, by disposing a material (for example, transparent adhesive and/or the like) with different optical characteristics from the other regions of the lens, the lens unit of the present invention may have a region with different optical characteristics regardless of electrical control.

In the embodiment described above, it has been described about the case where knob portion <NUM>, operation portion <NUM> which is a configuration provided in knob portion <NUM>, control unit <NUM>, and electric power supply portion <NUM> are provided one by one, respectively. The present invention is not limited to this. The lens unit of the present invention may have a plurality of knobs, operation portions, control units, and electric power supply units. These may be appropriately changed according to the purpose of use, the usage mode, and/or the like of the lens unit.

Claim 1:
An optometric lens unit (<NUM>) independent from a frame member and being used by being attached to and detachable from a frame member, comprising:
a lens (<NUM>) having an electrical element (<NUM>);
a rim portion (<NUM>) covering a peripheral edge portion of the lens;
a control unit (<NUM>) for controlling the electrical element;
an electric power supply unit (<NUM>) for supplying electric power to the electrical element;
a conductive portion (<NUM>) being disposed between the rim portion and the peripheral edge portion of the lens and electrically connecting between an end portion of an electrode (<NUM>) of the electrical element and the control unit, the end portion of the electrode being exposed to the peripheral edge portion; and
a knob portion (<NUM>) protruding from the lens or the rim portion, and provided with the control unit.