System and method for inspecting lenses

• Main Authors: MARY LOUISE DOLAN, JAMES EBEL, PETER W. SITES
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.12.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; CONTACT LENSES; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; OPTICS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURESAS SPECTACLES; TESTING; TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES ORSTRUCTURES; TESTING STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

A system and method for inspecting ophthalmic lenses. The system includes a transport subsystem for moving the lenses into an inspection position, a light sensor, and an illumination subsystem for generating a light beam and conducting the light beam through the lenses in the inspection position and onto the light sensor to form images of the lenses on the light sensor. The system further includes a data value generator to generate a set of data values for each lens image formed on the light sensor, and a processor for analyzing those data values. Preferably, the processor locates the lens image on the light sensor, tests that image to determine if the lens is badly torn, and determines a model for the outer edge of the lens image. The processor may calculate a decentration value for the lens, and test for any irregularities in the peripheral and center zones of the lens.