Method and apparatus for making patterns for eyeglasses

Abstract

A system for computerizing eyeglass geometrical frame pattern records at a central location for access by eyeglass retailers or wholesalers is disclosed. The pattern records are stored in a central computer in the form of instructions for a remote pattern cutting machine. The instructions define the shape of the eyeglass frame in quasi-polar coordinates, either using the frame's geometrical "box" center as the origin or using the optical center of the lens as the origin, the computer providing the desired conversion between the two pattern centers. When an optician has a call for edging a lens for a particular frame, the optician obtains the edge shape data from the central computer by specifying the frame and, if desired, by specifying the decentration of the optical center from the frame geometric center. The central computer may convert its frame shape data from the geometric center to the optical center, if desired, and then provides the necessary data for cutting the pattern. Data is transmitted to and is stored at a remote pattern cutter which then utilizes the data to cut a full-size pattern from an inexpensive plastic workpiece, or pattern blank. Then the optician may compare the pattern with the frame to make sure that it is correct before edge-grinding the lens to the shape of the pattern, thereby greatly simplifying the present labor-intensive process of preparing lenses for frames.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.