BACKGROUND

Field

This disclosure relates generally to eyewear and more particularly to lenses used in eyewear.

Description of Related Art

Eyewear can include optical elements that attenuate light in one or more wavelength bands. For example, sunglasses typically include a lens that absorbs a significant portion of light in the visible spectrum. A sunglass lens can have a dark film or coating that strongly absorbs visible light, thereby significantly decreasing the luminous transmittance of the lens. A lens can also be designed to have a spectral profile for another purpose, such as, for example, for indoor use, for use in sporting activities, for another particular use, or for a combination of uses.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments described herein have several features, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

Some embodiments provide a lens including a lens body and an optical filter within and/or outside of the lens body configured to attenuate visible light in a plurality of spectral bands. In some embodiments in which the optical filter is within the lens body, the optical filter can constitute the lens body, or the optical filter and additional components can constitute the lens body. The optical filter can be configured to substantially increase the colorfulness, clarity, and/or vividness of a scene. The optical filter can be particularly suited for use with eyewear and can allow the wearer of the eyewear to view a scene in high definition color (HD color). Each of the plurality of spectral bands can include an absorptance peak with a spectral bandwidth, a maximum absorptance, and an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth. The spectral bandwidth can be defined as the full width of the absorptance peak at 80% of the maximum absorptance of the absorptance peak, the full width of the absorptance peak at 90% of the maximum absorptance of the absorptance peak, or the full width of the absorptance peak at 95% of the maximum absorptance of the absorptance peak. Many other suitable definitions are possible. In some embodiments, an attenuation factor obtained by dividing the integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth by the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 0.8 for the absorptance peak in at least some of the plurality of spectral bands. In some embodiments, the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak in each of the plurality of spectral bands can be greater than or equal to about 20 nm.

In certain embodiments, the optical filter is at least partially incorporated into the lens body. The lens body can be impregnated with, loaded with, or otherwise comprise one or more organic dyes. Each of the one or more organic dyes can be configured to produce the absorptance peak in one of the plurality of spectral bands. In some embodiments, the optical filter is at least partially incorporated into a lens coating disposed over the lens body.

Some embodiments provide a method of manufacturing a lens. The method can include forming a lens having an optical filter configured to attenuate visible light in a plurality of spectral bands. Each of the plurality of spectral bands can include an absorptance peak with a spectral bandwidth, a maximum absorptance, and an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth. The spectral bandwidth can be defined as the full width of the absorptance peak at 80% of the maximum absorptance of the absorptance peak. An attenuation factor of the absorptance peak in each of the plurality of spectral bands can be greater than or equal to about 0.8 and less than 1. The attenuation factor of an absorptance peak can be obtained by dividing the integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth by the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak.

In certain embodiments, a lens can be formed by forming a lens body and forming a lens coating over the lens body. At least a portion of the optical filter can be incorporated into the lens body. At least a portion of the optical filter can be incorporated into the lens coating. The lens coating can include an interference coating.

In some embodiments, a lens body can be formed by a method including forming a plurality of lens body elements and coupling the lens body elements to one another using one or more adhering layers. A polarizing film can be disposed between two of the plurality of lens body elements. In some embodiments, the polarizing film can be insert molded within the lens body.

Some embodiments provide a lens including a lens body and an optical filter characterized by a spectral absorptance profile including a plurality of absorptance peaks. Each of the plurality of absorptance peaks can have a maximum absorptance, a peak location at the wavelength at which the absorptance peak exhibits maximum absorptance, a spectral bandwidth defined as the full width of the absorptance peak at 80% of the maximum absorptance of the absorptance peak, and a center wavelength located at a midpoint of the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak. The plurality of absorptance peaks can include a first absorptance peak having a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 558 nm and about 580 nm and a second absorptance peak having a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 445 nm and about 480 nm. The spectral bandwidth of each of the plurality of absorptance peaks can be between about 20 nm and about 50 nm.

In some embodiments, the plurality of absorptance peaks can include a first absorptance peak having a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 560 nm and about 600 nm and a second absorptance peak having a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 450 nm and about 490 nm. The spectral bandwidth of each of the plurality of absorptance peaks can be between about 15 nm and about 50 nm.

Some embodiments provide a lens including a lens body and an optical filter characterized by a spectral absorbance profile including a plurality of absorbance peaks. Each of the plurality of absorbance peaks can have a maximum absorbance, a peak location at the wavelength at which the absorbance peak exhibits maximum absorbance, a spectral bandwidth defined as the full width of the absorbance peak at 80% of the maximum absorbance of the absorbance peak, and a center wavelength located at a midpoint of the spectral bandwidth of the absorbance peak. The plurality of absorbance peaks can include a first absorbance peak having a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 558 nm and about 580 nm and a second absorbance peak having a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 445 nm and about 480 nm. The spectral bandwidth of each of the plurality of absorbance peaks can be between about 20 nm and about 50 nm.

In some embodiments, the plurality of absorbance peaks can include a first absorbance peak having a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 560 nm and about 600 nm and a second absorbance peak having a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 450 nm and about 490 nm. The spectral bandwidth of each of the plurality of absorbance peaks can be between about 15 nm and about 50 nm.

In certain embodiments, each of the first absorptance peak and the second absorptance peak has an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth and an attenuation factor obtained by dividing the integrated absorptance peak area by the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak. The attenuation factor of each of the first absorptance peak and the second absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 0.8.

The plurality of absorptance peaks can include a third absorptance peak configured to substantially attenuate light at least between about 405 nm and about 425 nm and a fourth absorptance peak configured to substantially attenuate light at least between about 650 nm and about 670 nm, between about 705 nm and about 725 nm, or between about 700 nm and about 720 nm. In another embodiment, the third absorptance peak is configured to substantially attenuate light at least between about 400 nm and about 420 nm. Each of the third absorptance peak and the fourth absorptance peak can have an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth and an attenuation factor obtained by dividing the integrated absorptance peak area by the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak. The attenuation factor of each of the third absorptance peak and the fourth absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 0.8.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of absorptance peaks can include a third absorptance peak configured to substantially attenuate light at least between about 650 nm and about 670 nm. The third absorptance peak can have an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth and an attenuation factor obtained by dividing the integrated absorptance peak area by the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak. The attenuation factor of each of the third absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 0.8.

Some embodiments provide a lens that includes a lens body with an optical filter configured to increase the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within one or more portions of the visible spectrum. The chroma value is the C* attribute of the CIE L*C*h* color space. At least one portion of the visible spectrum can include a spectral range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm. The increase in average chroma value can include an increase that is perceivable by a human with substantially normal vision.

In certain embodiments, the optical filter is configured to increase the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within a spectral range of about 540 nm to about 600 nm by a relative magnitude of greater than or equal to about 3% compared to the average chroma value of light transmitted through a neutral filter within the same spectral range.

The optical filter can be configured to increase the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within a spectral range of about 440 nm to about 480 nm by a relative magnitude of greater than or equal to about 15% compared to the average chroma value of light transmitted through a neutral filter within the same spectral range.

In some embodiments, the optical filter does not substantially decrease the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within the one or more portions of the visible spectrum when compared to the average chroma value of light transmitted through a neutral filter. In certain embodiments, the optical filter does not substantially decrease the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within a spectral range of about 440 nm to about 660 nm when compared to the average chroma value of light transmitted through a neutral filter.

The optical filter can be configured to increase the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within a spectral range of about 630 to about 660 nm by a relative magnitude of greater than or equal to about 3% compared to the average chroma value of light transmitted through a neutral filter within the same spectral range.

The optical filter can be at least partially incorporated into the lens body. For example, the lens body can be loaded with a plurality of organic dyes, each of the plurality of organic dyes configured to increase the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within one or more portions of the visible spectrum.

In some embodiments, the optical filter is at least partially incorporated into a lens coating disposed over at least a portion of the lens body. For example, the optical filter can include an interference coating.

In some embodiments, the optical filter can be at least partially incorporated into an adhering layer, a polarizing layer, or a combination of the adhering layer and the polarizing layer.

Certain embodiments provide a method of manufacturing a lens, the method including forming a lens including an optical filter configured to increase the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within one or more portions of the visible spectrum. At least one portion of the visible spectrum can include a spectral range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm. The increase in average chroma value can include an increase that is perceivable by a human with substantially normal vision.

The step of forming a lens can include forming a lens body and forming a lens coating over the lens body. At least a portion of the optical filter can be incorporated into the lens body. At least a portion of the optical filter can be incorporated into the lens coating. For example, the lens coating can include an interference coating.

The step of forming a lens body can include forming a plurality of lens body elements and coupling the lens body elements to one another using one or more adhering layers. A polarizing film can be disposed between two of the plurality of lens body elements. The lens can include one or more components that substantially absorb ultraviolet radiation, including near ultraviolet radiation. In some embodiments, the polarizing film can be insert molded into the lens body.

Some embodiments provide a lens including a lens body and an optical filter configured to increase the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within one or more portions of the visible spectrum. One of the one or more portions of the visible spectrum can include a spectral range of about 540 nm to about 600 nm. The increase in average chroma value can include an increase that is perceivable by a human with substantially normal vision.

Certain embodiments provide a lens including a lens body and an optical filter configured to increase the average chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within one or more portions of the visible spectrum. Three of the one or more portions of the visible spectrum can include a spectral range of about 440 nm to about 510 nm, a spectral range of about 540 nm to about 600 nm, and a spectral range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm. The increase in average chroma value can include an increase that is perceivable by a human with substantially normal vision.

Some embodiments provide a lens for eyewear including a lens body and an optical filter including a plurality of organic dyes. Each of the plurality of organic dyes is configured to attenuate visible light in one or more spectral bands. Each of the one or more spectral bands includes an absorptance peak with a spectral bandwidth, a maximum absorptance, and an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth. The spectral bandwidth can be defined as the full width of the absorptance peak at 80% of the maximum absorptance of the absorptance peak. The attenuation factor of an absorptance peak can be obtained by dividing the integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth by the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak. For one or more of the plurality of organic dyes, the attenuation factor of at least one absorptance peak is greater than or equal to about 0.8.

For example, one or more of the plurality of organic dyes can include an absorptance profile having a blue light absorptance peak with a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 470 nm and about 480 nm. In some embodiments, the spectral bandwidth of the blue light absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 20 nm, and the attenuation factor of the blue light absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 0.9.

One or more of the plurality of organic dyes can include an absorptance profile having a yellow light or yellow-green light absorptance peak with a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 560 nm and about 580 nm. In some embodiments, the spectral bandwidth of the yellow light or yellow-green light absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 20 nm, and the attenuation factor of the yellow light or yellow-green light absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 0.85.

One or more of the plurality of organic dyes can include an absorptance profile having a red light or orange-red light absorptance peak with a center wavelength and/or peak location between about 600 nm and about 680 nm. In some embodiments, the spectral bandwidth of the red light or orange-red light absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 20 nm, and the attenuation factor of the red light absorptance peak is greater than or equal to about 0.9.

Each of the plurality of organic dyes can be selected to increase the chroma value of light transmitted through the lens in one or more chroma enhancement windows. The one or more chroma enhancement windows can include a first spectral range of about 440 nm to about 510 nm, a second spectral range of about 540 nm to about 600 nm, a third spectral range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm, or any combination of the first, second, and third spectral ranges.

Certain embodiments provide a lens including a lens body and an optical filter configured to attenuate visible light in a plurality of spectral bands. Each of the plurality of spectral bands includes an absorptance peak with a spectral bandwidth, a maximum absorptance, lower and upper edge portions that are substantially below the maximum absorptance, and a middle portion positioned between the lower and upper edge portions and including the maximum absorptance and a region substantially near the maximum absorptance. In some embodiments, one of the lower or upper edge portions of at least one absorptance peak lies within an object spectral window including a spectral region in which the object emits or reflects a substantial visible stimulus.

The optical filter can be configured such that one of the lower or upper edge portions of at least one absorptance peak lies within a background spectral window. The background spectral window includes a spectral region in which the background emits or reflects a substantial visible stimulus.

The optical filter can be at least partially incorporated into the lens body. The lens body can be impregnated with a plurality of organic dyes, each of the plurality of organic dyes configured to produce the absorptance peak in one of the plurality of spectral bands.

The optical filter can be at least partially incorporated into a lens coating disposed over at least a portion of the lens body. For example, the optical filter can include an interference coating. The optical filter can also be at least partially incorporated into an adhering layer, a polarizing layer, or a combination of the adhering layer and the polarizing layer.

Some embodiments provide a method of manufacturing a lens, the method including forming an optical filter configured to attenuate visible light in a plurality of spectral bands. Each of the plurality of spectral bands including an absorptance peak with a spectral bandwidth, a maximum absorptance, lower and upper edge portions that are substantially below the maximum absorptance, and a middle portion positioned between the lower and upper edge portions and including the maximum absorptance and a region substantially near the maximum absorptance. One of the lower or upper edge portions of at least one absorptance peak can lie within an object spectral window including a spectral region in which the object emits or reflects a substantial visible stimulus.

