# US 10,768,447 B2 · Thermally influenced changeable tint device

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- Number: US 10,768,447 B2
- Document ID: US10768447B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/440,158
- Filed: 2013-11-01
- Published: 2015-10-08
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-11-01
- Assignees: Essilor International
- Applicants: Essilor International
- Inventors: Ronald D. Blum
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768447B2

## CPC

- G02C 7/102: {Photochromic filters}
- G02B 7/008: {with means for compensating for changes in temperature or for controlling the temperature; thermal stabilisation}
- G02C 7/101: {having an electro-optical light valve (electro-optical elements per se G02F)}
- G02C 11/08: Anti-misting means, e.g. ventilating, heating (H05B3/84 takes precedence); Wipers
- G02F 1/0126: {Opto-optical modulation, i.e. control of one light beam by another light beam, not otherwise provided for in this subclass}
- G02C: SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES (trial frames for testing the eyes A61B3/04; goggles or eyeshields not having the same features as spectacles A61F9/00)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS

## Abstract

A device is provided. The device includes a base ophthalmic optic, a changeable tint element disposed over the base ophthalmic element, and a transparent heating element adapted to heat the changeable tint element. The transparent heating element is preferably adapted to heat the entire area of the changeable tint element.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An eyewear, comprising:
a base ophthalmic lens;
a photochromic changeable tint element disposed over or within the base ophthalmic lens; and
a heat management system, the heat management system comprising:
a transparent heating element adapted to heat the photochromic changeable tint element;
a photo-sensor, configured to sense a change in ambient light or to sense a level of ambient light;
a thermo-sensor;
an energy source electrically connected to the transparent heating element; and
a controller electrically connected to the photo-sensor and thermo-sensor, wherein the controller is configured to detect input from the photo-sensor and thermo-sensor, and to control the transparent heating element based upon input from the photo-sensor and thermo-sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to turn on the transparent heating element when a decrease of ambient light is detected using the photo-sensor and to turn off the transparent heating element after the photochromic changeable tint element is heated at a predefined temperature below the photochromic changeable tint element's glass transition temperature while bleaching based upon input from the thermo-sensor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the photochromic changeable tint element's glass transition temperature is between 80° C. and 140° C.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the heating element provides a temperature rise between 1° C. and 25° C. to the photochromic changeable tint element.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the photochromic changeable tint element comprises a first photochromic layer and a second photochromic layer, wherein the first photochromic layer is closer to the eye of a user than the second photochromic layer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the photochromic changeable tint element is solid state.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the photo-sensor is chosen from an ambient light intensity sensor, a visible light sensor, a UV sensor, a UV and blue light sensor working between the range of 380 nanometers and 480 nanometers, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the base ophthalmic lens is an electronic lens.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The eyewear of claim 1, wherein at least one of the photochromic changeable tint element and the heating element comprises a conductive polymer, or a conductive polymer further comprising conductive particles.