Method and a device for preparing a job of two ophthalmic lenses belonging to the same pair of eyeglasses for mounting

#The present invention relates in general to mounting ophthalmic lenses of a pair of correcting eyeglasses in a frame, and it relates more particularly to an automatic or assisted device for preparing the lenses of a pair of eyeglasses for mounting in the frame selected by the user.

#The technical portion of the work carried out by an optician consists in mounting a pair of ophthalmic lenses in or on the frame selected by the user, in such a manner that each lens is suitably positioned facing the corresponding eye of the user so as to perform as well as possible the optical function for which it is designed. In order to do this, it is necessary to perform a certain number of operations.

#After the frame has been selected, the optician must begin by situating the position of the pupil of each eye in the frame of reference of the frame. The optician thus determines mainly two parameters that are associated with the morphology of the user, namely the pupillary distance and the height of the pupil relative to the frame.

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the device of the present invention for automatically preparing ophthalmic lenses for mounting;

#FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the outside of the automatic preparation device fitted with a cover;

#FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with an access door of the cover shown open for loading lenses that are to be prepared onto reception and first and second transfer means, and for unloading lenses therefrom;

#As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 1 of the present invention for preparing lenses for mounting comprises a plurality of subassemblies mounted on a common frame: a measurement device 5 for automatically measuring various characteristics of lenses L1 and L2 (which may for example be single-vision, multifocal having near or intermediate vision segment(s) with power discontinuity, or indeed multifocal with progressive addition of power), and in particular for measuring local ophthalmic powers at remarkable points such as the optical center of a single-vision lens or the far vision and near vision reference points, and for measuring at least one identification characteristic such as a centering, axis orientation, or localization of reference points for near vision and far vision of the lens; a cutting-out device 6 for cutting ophthalmic lenses to shape; combined reception and first and second transfer means 2 arranged to receive one or more ophthalmic lens jobs, e.g. one job comprising two lenses L1 and L2, and to make the lenses travel between a loading and unloading position, a measurement position in which the ophthalmic lens is presented in register with the measurement device 5 for measuring its identification characteristics, and an intermediate position for being taken in charge by the feeler, gripper, and third transfer means described below; feeler, gripper, and third transfer means 7 designed and arranged firstly to feel each ophthalmic lens being prepared, and secondly to grip said lens in order to transfer it from the reception and first and second transfer means 2 to the cutting-out device 6; an electronic and computer system 100 designed to execute an automatic processing method of the invention; and a cover 20 enclosing the entire assembly in order to protect it, and possessing a small access door 26. Measurement Device

#The measurement device 5 of the present invention performs several measurement functions on various characteristics of the lens. Amongst these various functions that are described in greater detail below, there are two main functions, one consisting in measuring the local optical powers of the lens at remarkable points thereof, and the other consisting in detecting and locating centering or identification characteristics of the lens in order to establish or position the lens appropriately in an overall frame of reference known to the device.

#While performing its first function, the measurement device 5 operates without making contact, by overall mapping imaging, however that is associated with feeler means 7, which, as explained below, feel the lens in order to provide geometrical information in combination with the optical information delivered by the measurement device 5. In the example described below, this feeling is performed by making contact with the lens. Nevertheless, it will be understood that the person skilled in the art could replace that with contactless feeling operating in an equivalent manner to obtain geometrical position information.