Remote control for auto-darkening lens systems and method

An auto-darkening lens system, comprising

• an auto-darkening lens, including a controllable light shutter capable of attenuating light over a range of shades to provide such light to the eyes of a user wearing the auto-darkening lens,
• operating circuitry to control light transmitting characteristics of the controllable light shutter over at least part of such range of shades,
• a wired remote control to adjust at least one operating parameter of the auto-darkening lens via the operating circuitry while the auto-darkening lens system is worn,
• the wired remote control including indicators to indicate at least one of a setting and an operating condition of at least one of the auto-darkening lens and operating circuitry the indicators being viewable through the auto-darkening lens in the direct field of view of a user wearing the auto-darkening lens.

An auto-darkening apparatus for protection of the eyes of a user from incident electromagnetic energy, comprising

• a controllable variable electromagnetic energy transmission lens positionable before at least one eye of a user while the user is wearing the lens,
• a control circuit adapted to control transmission of electromagnetic energy through said lens over a range of shades,
• a remote control adapted to adjust operation of said control circuit and/or said lens permitting a user to effect such control while wearing the lens, and
• an indicator adapted to indicate in the peripheral field of view of a user wearing the lens at least one operational parameter of the lens while the lens is being worn by the user,
• whereby while the lens is being worn by a user, adjustments may be made to effect control of said control circuit and/or said lens and the results of such adjustments may be displayed to the user by the indicator to the user.