Polarized contrast enhancing sunglass lens
OwnerMichael J. Farwiginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is a polarized sunglass lens that utilizes a multiband contrast enhancer comprised of three rare-earth oxides to provide relatively high peak transmittance in portions of the red and green spectrum, relatively lower transmittance for the blue spectrum, and very low transmittance for the UV spectrum. The lens provides enhanced perception of colors, heightened contrast, and improved visual acuity. The inclusion of vanadium pentoxide in the lens provides attenuation of the UV spectrum, thus protecting the user's eyes and the internal layers and colorants from UV-induced damage. The front lens element can be either the multiband contrast enhancer or a photochromic lens element.
Claims17
A sunglass lens comprising a multiband contrast enhancer means and a light polarizer, the multiband contrast enhancer means providing:
- a) maximum light transmittance for at least one wavelength within each of two green wavelength ranges, the first green wavelength range being from 490 nanometers (nm) to 510 nm, the second green wavelength range being from 540 nm to 560 nm, wherein the wavelengths of maximum transmittance in each of the green wavelength ranges have a transmittance value which is at least 120 percent of the value of luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- b) maximum light transmittance for at least one wavelength within a red wavelength range of from 620 nm to 720 nm wherein the wavelength of maximum transmittance has a transmittance value which is at least 120 percent of the value of the luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- c) minimum light transmittance for at least one wavelength within each of two wavelength ranges, the first wavelength range being from 515 nm to 525 nm, the second wavelength range being from 570 nm to 590 nm, wherein the wavelengths of minimum transmittance in each of the wavelength ranges have a transmittance value less than 75 percent of the value of luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- d) light transmittance so that the value of the light transmittance at any wavelength within the range of wavelengths from 420 nm to 460 nm is less than 125 percent of the value of the luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- e) light transmittance so that the value of the light transmittance at 400 nm is between 50 percent and 100 percent of the value of the luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- f) light transmittance so that the value of the light transmittance at any wavelength between 250 nm and 365 nm is less than 1 percent of the value of luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- and
- g) wherein the light transmittance and luminous transmittance values of the multiband contrast enhancer are measured using CIE illuminant D65 in accordance with ANSI specification Z80.3-2001.
A multiband contrast enhancer means suitable for use in ophthalmic applications comprising neodymium oxide in the range of 1.25 mole percent to 2.5 mole percent, praseodymium oxide in the range of 0.25 mole percent to 1.75 mole percent, erbium oxide in the range of 0.5 mole percent to 2.0 mole percent, and vanadium pentoxide in the range of 0.5 mole percent to 2.0 mole percent, said multiband contrast enhancer means providing:
- a) maximum light transmittance for at least one wavelength within each of two green wavelength ranges, the first green wavelength range being from 490 nanometers (nm) to 510 nm, the second green wavelength range being from 540 nm to 560 nm, wherein the wavelengths of maximum transmittance in each of the green wavelength ranges have a transmittance value which is at least 120 percent of the value of luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- b) maximum light transmittance for at least one wavelength within a red wavelength range of from 620 nm to 720 nm wherein the wavelength of maximum transmittance has a transmittance value which is at least 120 percent of the value of the luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- c) minimum light transmittance for at least one wavelength within each of two wavelength ranges, the first wavelength range being from 515 nm to 525 nm, the second wavelength range being from 570 nm to 590 nm, wherein the wavelengths of minimum transmittance in each of the wavelength ranges have a transmittance value less than 75 percent of the value of luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- d) light transmittance so that the value of the light transmittance at any wavelength within the range of wavelengths from 420 nm to 460 nm is less than 125 percent of the value of the luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- e) light transmittance so that the value of the light transmittance at 400 nm is between 50 percent and 100 percent of the value of the luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- f) light transmittance so that the value of the light transmittance at any wavelength between 250 nm and 365 nm is less than 1 percent of the value of luminous transmittance of the multiband contrast enhancer;
- and
- g) wherein the light transmittance and luminous transmittance values of the multiband contrast enhancer are measured using CIE illuminant D65 in accordance with ANSI specification Z80.32001.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.