AU2010249222A1

AU2010249222A1 - Configuration of lenses

Info

Publication number: AU2010249222A1
Application number: AU2010249222A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel Tracton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-08
Filing date: 2010-12-08
Publication date: 2012-06-28

Abstract

There is disclosed a method of configuring spectacle lenses (10) relative to a spectacles frame (12). This includes receiving a photograph of a spectacles user's face (16), and determining the pupillary distance (A) at least partly based on the photograph. A particular spectacles frame is allocated to the user and then, based on known dimensions of the frame and the pupillary distance, the frame and face are rendered according to a common dimensional scale. Then, the approximate in-use position of the frame relative to the face is determined. This enables the distance from a particular portion of one of the user's eyes relative to a suitable part of the frame to be measured, from which the position of a particular feature of the lens relative to the frame can be derived. The invention also relates to a method of providing spectacles, a method of obtaining a spectacles lens, and to spectacles.

Description

1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: Configuration of lenses The invention is described in the following statement: 2 CONFIGURATION OF LENSES FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to the field of spectacles, including their frames and lenses. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of determining the configuration of a spectacles lens, a method of providing a spectacles lens, a method of obtaining a spectacles lens, and to a pair of spectacles. 10 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION When obtaining a pair of spectacles, once the appropriate prescription has been determined, for example by an optometrist, it is often necessary to have lenses produced or prepared, and fitted to a spectacles frame. In order to 15 suitably configure the lenses for the particular frame, it is usually required for appropriate measurements to be taken. These may be of distances between the positions of key features of the lenses and relevant portions of the frames. Thus, the lenses can be configured or cut so as to fit the frames with the key features in positions which are appropriate for the spectacles user, in order to 20 meet the requirements of the prescription. Such measurements frequently require the use of complex equipment. Making such complex equipment available at a particular location, such as an optometrist's premises, can be expensive and also inconvenient as the 25 equipment is often not readily portable. Alternatively, the measurement may need to be carried out by trained personnel using handheld tools, and this is required to be in the presence of the spectacles user. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate 30 disadvantages of the prior art or to provide a useful alternative.

3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ACCORDING TO A FIRST ASPECT OF THE INVENTION there is provided a method of determining a configuration of at least one spectacle lens relative to 5 a spectacles frame, the method including: 1.1 receiving at a first location, from a second location, via an internet connection, a photograph of a face of a spectacles user, the face including two eyes each having a respective iris and a respective pupil; 1.2 from at least information appearing in the photograph, 10 determining the distance between predetermined portions of the eyes of the user; 1.3 allocating a predetermined spectacles frame, having known dimensions, to the user; 1.4 based on said known dimensions of the frame and said distance 15 between said predetermined portions of the eyes, rendering the frame and the face according to a common dimensional scale; 1.5 using said common scale, determining an assumed position of the frame relative to the face, the assumed position approximating a position in which the frame would be, relative to the face, if the frame were being worn 20 by the user; 1.6 based on said assumed position of the frame, measuring a distance between a position of a predetermined portion of at least one of the eyes and a position of a predetermined portion of the frame; 1.7 configuring at least one spectacle lens relative to the frame such 25 that at least one predetermined feature of the lens is adapted to be positioned, when fitted to the frame, so as to be said distance from said predetermined portion of the frame. In a preferred embodiment, in the step 1.1, the photograph is a photograph 30 which has been captured by a camera apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, in step 1.2, said predetermined portions of the eyes are the pupils whereby said distance is a pupillary distance.

4 In a preferred embodiment, said distance between predetermined portions of the eyes is determined at least based on a determined distance between a predetermined portion of said camera apparatus and a predetermined feature of the user's face, at the time the photograph was taken. 5 Then, according to one embodiment, said predetermined feature of the user's face is a feature of the face which is closer than any other feature of the face to the predetermined portion of the camera apparatus at the time the photograph was taken. 10 In a preferred embodiment, in step 1.2, said information appearing in the photograph includes a distance between images of the pupils as captured by the camera apparatus wherein the eyes are reflecting, via the corneal reflex, light from a flash component of the camera apparatus. 15 According to an embodiment, in step 1.2, said information appearing in the photograph includes a distance between a predetermined portion of the iris of one of said eyes and a corresponding portion of the iris of the other eye. 20 In a preferred embodiment, in step 1.2, said determining of the distance between predetermined portions of the eyes is at least partly achieved from information generated by software on the camera apparatus using information appearing in the photograph. 25 Then, in one embodiment, said camera apparatus includes a camera device and a computer device to which the camera device is connected, the software being at least partially operable on the computer device. In a preferred embodiment, in step 1.6, said predetermined portion of at least 30 one of the eyes is a lower edge of at least one said iris, and said predetermined portion of the frame is an inner edge of the portion of the frame vertically below said lower edge.

5 In a preferred embodiment, in step 1.6, said predetermined portion of at least one of the eyes is a centre of at least one pupil, and said predetermined portion of the frame is an inner edge of the portion of the frame vertically below said at least one pupil. 5 In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step 12.1, after the step 1.7, of fitting the at least one configured lens to the frame. ACCORDING TO A SECOND ASPECT OF THE INVENTION there is 10 provided a method of providing spectacles, the method including, following uploading of a photograph at a remote location by a requester, the steps of: 13.1 determining a configuration of at least one spectacle lens relative to a spectacles frame according to the first aspect of the invention or preferred embodiments thereof; and 15 13.2 causing the providing, to the requester at the remote location, of spectacles having at least one lens the configuration of which has been determined according to step 13.1, wherein the photograph uploaded at the remote location is a said photograph of a face of a spectacles user. 20 In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step, prior to step 13.1, of enabling the transmitting of a photograph at the remote location via an internet website. ACCORDING TO A THIRD ASPECT OF THE INVENTION there is provided a 25 method of providing at least one spectacles lens, the method including, following uploading of a photograph by a requester, the step of: causing the providing, to the requester, of at least one spectacles lens which has been configured according to the first aspect of the invention or preferred embodiments thereof, wherein the uploaded photograph is a said 30 photograph of a face of a spectacles user. In a preferred embodiment, in the step of causing the providing of at least one spectacles lens, the at least one lens is provided fitted to the spectacles frame.

6 In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step, prior to the step of causing the providing of at least one spectacles lens, of enabling the transmitting of a photograph at the remote location via an internet website. 5 ACCORDING TO A FOURTH ASPECT OF THE INVENTION there is provided a method of obtaining at least one spectacle lens, the method including: uploading to the internet a photograph; and 10 receiving at least one spectacles lens which has been configured relative to a spectacles frame according to the first aspect of the invention or preferred embodiments thereof, wherein the uploaded photograph is a said photograph of a face of a spectacles user. 15 In a preferred embodiment, the step of receiving at least one spectacles lens includes receiving the lens fitted to the spectacles frame. ACCORDING TO A FIFTH ASPECT OF THE INVENTION there is provided a pair of spectacles including: 20 a spectacles frame; and at least one spectacle lens, wherein the at least one spectacle lens has been configured relative to the frame by a method according to the first aspect of the invention or preferred embodiments thereof. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 30 Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a face of a spectacles user together with a camera device; 7 Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a user's face, with an image of a spectacle frame superimposed on the face, and measurement lines for representing pupillary distance; 5 Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a user's face, similar to Figure 2, but where the measurement lines are for representing distance from iris to iris; Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the spectacles frame superimposed on a user's eyes, and measurement lines for representing a distance from a 10 corneal reflex to a lower frame edge; Figure 5 is a schematic front view of the spectacles frame, similar to that of Figure 4, but where the measurement lines are for representing a distance from a bottom edge of the iris to a lower frame edge; and 15 Figure 6 is a schematic front view of a pair of spectacles with bifocal lenses. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 20 One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of determining a configuration of spectacle lenses 10 relative to a spectacles frame 12. According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, a camera device 14 is used to take a photograph of the face 16 of a person (referred to below 25 as the user) who is to wear the spectacles. The photograph is required to be in electronic, and preferably digital, form. This embodiment of the invention involves a person (which may be the user or another party) making a request from a further party for that further party to 30 configure lenses 10 for a particular spectacles frame 12. The person making the request is referred to below as the requester. To enable this, a suitable website (not shown) is provided which allows or provides instructions for the photograph to be uploaded to the internet using a 8 computer or a device which functions as a computer. Preferably, the website is provided by the party that is requested to configure the lenses 10 to the frame 12 (this party being referred to below as the lens configurer). 5 The uploaded photograph is transmitted via an internet connection so as to be accessible by the lens configurer. The camera device 14 may be in the form of a smart phone. In this specification, reference to a smart phone is a reference to a mobile telephone 10 which includes a camera, and which includes computer functionality. In this case, it will be appreciated that the device 14 also constitutes a computer, and that the photograph can be transmitted to the internet directly from the device. 15 Alternatively, the camera device 14 may be a digital camera or web camera (webcam) which is connectable to a separate computer 18. In this case, with the camera device 14 connected to the computer 18 as illustrated by the phantom line 19 in Figure 1, the photograph can be downloaded onto the 20 computer 18 from the camera device 14, and then uploaded and transmitted to the internet from the computer. Reference to a camera apparatus 20 constitutes a reference to the camera device 14 and computer 18. This uploading and transmission, according to one preferred embodiment, is 25 by way of email, although in other preferred embodiments, other suitable forms of uploading and internet transmission may be used instead, such as by File Transfer Protocol (FTP). It will therefore be appreciated that, in this specification, reference to uploading a photograph or other electronic file to the internet includes transmitting it by email. 30 It will therefore be appreciated that the photograph is uploaded at a first location, so as to be available to the lens configurer at another location remote from the first location.

9 In order for the lenses 10 to be suitably configured, the actual vision specifications (i.e. the prescription) for each lens must also be transmitted to the lens configurer. 5 The uploaded photograph shows the two eyes 22 of the user, including the iris 24 and pupil 26 of each eye. Suitable information to enable the lens configurer to know or to determine the distance A between the pupils 26 of the user as shown in Figure 2 (i.e. the 10 pupillary distance) is required to be sent to the lens configurer. According to the preferred embodiment, this information is sent together with the photograph via the internet. The pupillary distance A is required in order to determine the correct positions of the optical centres of the lenses 10 relative to the frames 12. Also, as discussed below, the pupillary distance A is 15 required for establishing a dimensional scale to be used to render an image of the frame 12 and users face 16, so that the correct position of the frame relative to the face can be estimated. If the camera device 14 is in the form of a smart phone, it may be provided 20 with a suitable software application (commonly referred to an "app") which is adapted to calculate or assess the pupillary distance A, or to capture information that can be used by further software to determine this distance. This further software may be accessible via the website to which the photograph is uploaded, or may be available for use to the lens configurer. 25 If the camera device 14 forms part of a computer apparatus 20 which also includes a computer 18, the application, or part of the application, may be located on the computer. 30 According to one embodiment, the application is adapted to calculate the pupillary distance A automatically. For example, the camera device 14 may be adapted to determine the distance between some position on the device such as the camera lens 28 or the 10 surface (not shown) in the camera device 14 where the image is captured, and the user. It may be adapted to determine this distance from a certain location on the user's face, such as that part of the face closest to the lens 28 when the photograph is taken. The ability to calculate the pupillary distance A 5 may then be calculated based on this distance to the user. The ability of the software application to calculate the pupillary distance A may involve the need for the camera apparatus (including the software) to identify the positions of the pupils 26. This identification may be facilitated by the 10 reflection of light, via the pupils 26, from a flash component of the camera device 14. Such reflection is usually manifested as a single dot of a corneal reflex, and this reflex may be used to identify the pupils 26. The distance between the single dots pertaining to the two eyes 22 can be 15 used to determine the so-called near pupillary distance which is used for providing reading lens prescriptions. Such a measurement can be corrected, using known mathematical adjustments, to represent a so-called distance pupillary distance, which is used for providing distance lens prescriptions. 20 As an alternative to directly measuring the pupillary distance A, this distance may, instead, be gleaned by measuring the distance B between other portions of the eyes, such the right temporal limbus of an iris 24 and left nasal limbus of the other iris, or between the left temporal limbus and right nasal limbus of the iris as shown in Figure 3. In order for the pupillary distance A to be 25 determined from the distances between the relevant parts of the irises 24, the camera device 10 or camera apparatus 20 must be capable of recognising these parts of the irises. As an alternative, instead of the calculation of the pupillary distance A being 30 effected by the camera device 14, a dimensional scale indicating the scale of the dimensions of the face 16 may be produced, for example based on the distance from the camera device as mentioned above. This scale can be transmitted via the internet to the lens configurer to enable the lens configurer 11 to measure the pupillary distance A directly from the image of the face, using that scale. Another preferable manner of providing such a dimensional scale is for an 5 object having known dimensions to be positioned when the photograph is taken such that the object appears in the photograph. The object may, for example, be a ruler showing known measurements such as millimetres or inches, or another known object such as a coin of a particular known monetary denomination. Another type of object that may be used is a 10 spectacles frame of known dimensions. If the lens configurer is able to determine the dimensions of or appearing on the object, these dimensions can be used to determine the dimensional scale of the face, and hence the pupillary distance A. 15 As a further alternative, instead of a separate object appearing in the photograph, the scale of the face can be reasonably accurately determined from the irises 24 themselves. This is because the differences in iris dimensions of different people tend to be very small. 20 An important aspect when taking the photograph of the user's face 16, in order for the pupillary distance A to be accurately determined, is to avoid error of parallax. Such an error may occur if the position and angle of the camera device 14 relative to that of the face 16 is not suitable. Avoiding this error will usually require that the lens 28 of the camera device 14 be at the eye level of 25 the user and that the camera device be in essentially the same orientation (e.g. upright) as the face 16. The website may be adapted to provide instructions, for example by way of a video clip, as to how best to position the camera device 14 and face 16 30 relative to each other. The software associated with the website may also, or alternatively, be adapted to automatically assess a suitable orientation of the camera device 14 relative to the face 16. One manner in which this may be achieved is by 12 way of facial mapping. If a number of photographs are uploaded, with slightly different relative orientations between the camera device 14 and face 16, the software may be adapted to assess which orientation is the most preferable, and, if necessary, to advise the user accordingly. 5 As an alternative, a number of photographs of the user's face 16, taken with slightly different relative orientations between the camera device 14 and face, may be uploaded and transmitted to the lens configurer. The lens configurer may then determine which of the photographs is the most suitable for use. 10 Software will also correct for measurement proximity of the camera device 14 and the user's face 16 to enable fitting of reading and distance prescriptions. In order for the lens configurer to perform its function, it is necessary for the 15 required spectacles frame 12 to be selected and allocated to the user. According to the distance between predetermined portions of the eyes red embodiment, the frame 12 is indicated by the requester by selecting it from a database, preferably in the form of a digital library, of available frames. 20 Dimensions of the selected frame 12 will be available to the lens configurer. According to the preferred embodiment, the digital library includes details of such dimensions in relation to each of the frames identified therein. The digital library also includes images or representations of the frames. Indeed, the images or representations, and dimensions of the frames 12 recorded in the 25 digital library, may be based on accurate traces of the frames. According to the preferred embodiment, the lens configurer has access to software that enables the generation of an image showing the selected frame 12 superimposed on, and suitably positioned in relation to, the image of the 30 face 16 from the photograph. From the dimensions of the selected frame 12, and the dimensions of the relevant portions of the user's face 16, the lens configurer will be able to render the image of the user's face as appears in the photograph, and an image of the frame, according to a common dimensional scale.

13 To assist in achieving this, according to the preferred embodiment, the software of the lens configurer is adapted to show horizontal and vertical graticule lines 30 and 32, respectively, on the image of the face 16 and 5 superimposed frame 12. These lines 30 and 32 can be moved by the lens configurer, for example by moving a computer mouse or keyboard arrows (not shown), into desired positions in order for distances between relevant lines, scaled appropriately, to be determined. 10 Thus, with reference to Figure 2, the lens configurer can move two outer vertical graticule lines 32 so that one extends through the centre of the pupil 26 of one eye 22, while the other line extends through the centre of the pupil of the other eye. Accordingly the distance between these two graticule lines represents the near pupillary distance A. 15 If the actual pupillary distance is known based on information transmitted with the photograph of the user's face 16, the lens configurer's computer software can be adapted to calibrate a suitable dimensional scale. In other words, the distance between the vertical graticule lines 32 appearing on the lens 20 configurer's computer display can be calibrated as a measurement corresponding to the known pupillary distance A (for example in millimetres). The rendering of the frame 12 that is superimposed over the image of the user's face 16 can be according to the same calibration - i.e. the same dimensional scale. 25 Then, using this scale, the lens configurer can determining an assumed position of the frame 12 relative to the user's face 16, where the assumed position approximates the actual position in which the frame would be disposed relative to the face if the frame were being worn by the user. 30 The distances reflected as Al and A2 in Figure 2 each represent half of the pupillary distance A, or complementary portions of the pupillary distance where the face 16 is not symmetrical. Accordingly, the position of the central 14 vertical graticule line 32 in Figure 2 represents the desired position of the centre of the nose-bridge of the frame 12. Once the assumed position of the frame 12 relative to the face 16 is 5 determined, suitable measurements can be taken to assist in the configuring of lenses 10 to fit the frames. For the purpose of the present example, there are five types of lens that may need to be configured: a single vision lens; an occupational (e.g. computer 10 use) lens; a bifocal lens; a trifocal lens, and a progressive lens (in which the vision characteristics of the lens change progressively from a certain position on the lens towards, say, a lower edge of the lens). For a single vision lens, it is necessary for the lens configurer to determine a 15 suitable position for the optical centre of the lens 10 relative to the relevant eye 22. As the position of the eye 22, including the pupil 26, relative to the frame 12 has been determined by superimposing the frame on the image of the face 16 20 as discussed above, the lens configurer can determine the desired position of the lens optical centre relative to a suitable portion of the frame 12. Thus, the lens 10 can be configured relative to the frame 12 so that, once fitted to the frame, the lens optical centre will be suitably positioned relative to the eye 22 when the frame is being worn by the user. 25 According to a preferred embodiment, the relevant portion of the frame 12 is the inner edge 29 of the frame vertically below the pupil 26. Thus, the measurement to be taken in this case is the vertical distance between the pupil 26 and that part 29 of the frame 12. This distance is illustrated in Figure 30 4 as the distance C between the upper and lower horizontal graticule lines 30. In order to take this measurement, the lens configurer moves these graticule lines 30 so that one extends though the centre of the pupils 26, and so that the other extends at the level of the inner edge 29 of the frame 12 immediately 15 below the pupils. The lens configurer's computer software is preferably adapted to automatically determine the actual length C, for example in millimetres, taking into account the applicable dimensional scale. 5 This may assist in improving accuracy relative to the current practice of using handheld tools, as the vertical positioning of the optical centre of a lens in a frame is not usually determined for single vision lenses in optical retail stores. Although only two horizontal graticule lines 30 are shown in Figure 4, it is 10 possible for the user's eyes 22 to be at slightly different heights. If this appears from the photograph, then separate pairs of horizontal graticule lines 30 can be used to measure a respective distance C applicable to each of the eyes. 15 Once a measurement of the length C has been taken for each lens 10, the lens configurer can configure the lenses according to the relevant lens measurements, for fitting to the frame 12. After the lenses 10 have been configured in this manner and fitted to the frame 12 to complete the spectacles 34, these can be physically delivered to the requester by a suitable 20 delivery method, such as post, courier, and so on. When the user is wearing the spectacles 34, in light of the above-mentioned measurement of the length C (or the lengths C if these are different for the two eyes 22), the lens optical centre of each lens 10 should be disposed in 25 alignment with the relevant pupil 26. In the single vision lens 10 is aspheric, an adjustment may need to be made to the optical centre of the lens in order to achieve accuracy - for example by slightly lowering the relative position of the optical centre. 30 If the lens 10 to be configured is an occupational lens, the procedure may be largely the same as for a single vision lens as described above. However, it may be necessary for the lens configurer to determine a suitable position for the manufacturer-specified fitting cross. In other words, the position of the 16 fitting cross may need to be determined in relation to the position in which the pupil 26 will be disposed relative to the frame 12 when the frame is being worn by the user. For example, for some occupational lenses, the manufacturers specify that the distance C is to be taken from the inner edge 5 29 of the frame 12 to the position of the fitting cross which is below the centre of the pupil 26. When the lens 10 to be configured is a bifocal lens, the relevant measurement to be taken is the vertical distance between a lower edge of the iris 24 of the 10 relevant eye 22, and the inner edge 29 of the frame 12 vertically below that edge of the iris. This is because the top 36 of the bifocal segment 10.1 (see Figure 6), where it joins the distance portion 10.2 of each lens 10, is to be aligned, in use, with the lower edge of the user's relevant iris 24. 15 The relevant distance is illustrated in Figure 5 as the length D between the horizontal graticule lines 30 shown in that figure. The positions of these lines can be manipulated by the lens configurer as described above, so that the upper line 30 is aligned with the lower edges of the irises 24, and the lower line 30 is aligned with the inner edge 29 of the frame 12 immediately below 20 the irises. The measurement of the distance D is preferably effected automatically by the lens configurer's software based on the positions of these horizontal graticule lines 30. 25 As in the case of the previous type of lens 10, the lens configurer can configure the bifocal lenses according to the relevant lens measurements, and send the fitted spectacles 34 to the requester. 30 When the lens 10 to be configured is a trifocal lens, the lens configurer positions the upper graticule line 30 on the lower pupil margin, and the lower graticule line on the inner edge 29 of the frame vertically below the pupil. The measurement D will be the distance between these two graticule lines.

17 As in the case of the previous type of lens 10, the lens configurer can configure the trifocal lenses according to the relevant lens measurements, with the joint between the two segments of the trifocal component suitably positioned, and send the completed spectacles 34 to the requester. 5 Separate vertical distances D can be measured for the two eyes 22 where the positions of the eyes relative to the face 16 are different to each other. When the lenses 10 which are to be configured are progressive lenses, the 10 relevant measurement to be taken for each lens, as in the case of the single vision lens mentioned above, is the vertical distance between the relevant pupil 26 and the portion 29 of the inner edge of the frame 12 vertically below the pupil. Using a similar procedure to that for the single vision lenses 10 described above, the lens configurer can configure the progressive lenses 15 according to the relevant lens prescriptions, and send the completed spectacles 34 to the requester. For a progressive lens, it is necessary for the lens configurer to determine a suitable position of the fitting cross of the lens 10 relative to the relevant eye 22. A fitting cross is typically used on a progressive lens and is fitted over the pupil centre. 20 For this type of lens 10 also, separate distances C can be measured for the two eyes 22 where the positions of the eyes relative to the face 16 are different to each other. 25 According to another preferred embodiment, measurements of distances such as the lengths C and D are effected automatically using suitable computer software. Such software may determine positions of relevant parts of the face 16 relative to relevant parts of the frame 12 using a boxing system. For example, the software may be able to use facial mapping to automatically 30 calculate the distances rather instead of an operator having to manually move graticule lines to measure the distances.

18 Embodiment in which spectacles suppliers have lenses configured by others Methods according to embodiments of the invention, including those described above, can be used to enable lenses 10 to be ordered by a 5 spectacles supplier. In particular, this can be done where the supplier does not have suitable equipment or suitably trained staff for taking proper measurements to enable lenses to be configured, cut and shaped for a particular spectacles frame 12. In this case, the supplier may constitute the requester as mentioned above. 10 The lens configurer according to this example is a lens supplier at a location remote from the spectacles supplier. For example, the supplier in this case may be an optometrist, optician or other 15 optical professional, and the user may be a spectacles purchaser - i.e. a customer of the supplier. This example may apply where the user wishes to obtain new lenses 10 for an existing frame 12 or for a new frame. In either case, details of the prescription can be provided to the lens supplier together with the photograph of the user's (customer's) face 16 as described above. 20 If the lens supplier has details of the required frame 12 in its digital library, then the frame simply needs to be identified using a suitable frame part number or other unique reference. 25 Alternatively, the spectacles supplier can also transmit suitable details of the frame - such as a trace or other image of the frame 12 - including dimensions of the frame, to the lens supplier. As a further alternative, the spectacles supplier may provide the actual frame 12 to the lens supplier for suitable configuration of the lenses 10 and fitting of these to the frame. 30 The latter two alternatives may apply where the lens supplier does not have details of the required frame 12 in its digital library.

19 Once the photograph and lens prescription details are sent to the lens supplier and the frame 12 has been properly identified, the lens supplier can configure, prepare and fit lenses 10 of the appropriate type (for example, single vision, aspheric, bi- or tri-focal, or progressive lenses) and send the completed 5 spectacles 34 to the spectacles supplier. Alternatively, the lens supplier might simply send the prepared lenses 10 to the spectacles supplier for fitting to the frame 12 by that supplier. 10 The spectacles 34 can then be provided to the customer (the user) according to the terms as agreed between the customer and supplier. Embodiment enabling online purchase of spectacles 15 Methods according to embodiments of the invention, including those described above, can be used to enable customers to order spectacles 34 online. In this case, the lens configurer may also be the spectacles supplier. 20 Alternatively, the lens configurer may be a third party relative to the purchaser and spectacles supplier. The lens configurer or supplier will provide an internet website which is adapted to enable the placing of orders for spectacles 34. The website will provide a display of the lens configurer's or supplier's digital library of spectacles frames 12, to enable a purchaser to 25 order a desired frame. The purchaser can then upload a photograph of the face 16 of the intended user of the spectacles 34 as described above, either via the website if it allows for this, or via email. 30 In addition, the purchaser can transmit details of the user's lens prescription, including information as to the type of lens (e.g. single vision, bi- or tri-focal, or progressive).

20 Once the lens configurer has these details, lenses 10 of the appropriate type can be configured, prepared and fitted to the desired frames 12. Then, the completed spectacles 34 can be delivered by suitable means to the purchaser, either directly or via the spectacles supplier if this is a party 5 separate from the lens configurer. The ability to order spectacles 34 online in this manner can avoid the need to visit an outlet in order to purchase spectacles, including the frames 12. It will, however, be appreciated that such a physical visit to a suitably qualified 10 practitioner, such as an optometrist, optician or other optical professional, may still be required in order to obtain a suitable lens prescription. Where the invention is used for the purpose of online purchase of spectacles 34 as described above, apart from the lens configurer or supplier providing a 15 website for the placing of orders, it might also provide suitable software to be downloaded onto a smart phone (i.e. a smart phone "app") or computer, to enable the determination of the pupillary distance A, or the provision of a scale on the photograph, and avoiding error of parallax as described above. It may also enable adjustments for proximity. 20 The website of the lens configurer or supplier may, in this case, also be adapted to present a display to the purchaser, for showing the frame superimposed on the image of the user's face 16. This will allow the purchaser to assess the appearance of the frame 12 in relation to the face 16 25 to assist in the process of choosing a desired frame before the configuring of the lenses 10 begins. If the lenses 10 to be configured are bi- or tri-focal lenses or progressive lenses, and if the selected frame 12 is unsuitable for such lenses, for example 30 by having insufficient height, the website of the lens configurer or supplier is preferably adapted to advise the purchaser accordingly, and to require another frame 12 to be selected.

21 If the frame 12 selected by the purchaser has adjustable nose-pads, and if the lenses 10 are bi- or tri-focal or progressive lenses, then the question of whether the lenses are configured to be correctly positioned when the frame is worn by the user will depend on the adjustment of the nose-pads. In this case, 5 suitable adjustments of the frame position on the face or the lens position can be made by the lens configurer or supplier as the case may be, before the spectacles 34 are delivered to the purchaser. Although the invention is described above in relation to preferred 10 embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A method of determining a configuration of at least one spectacle lens relative to a spectacles frame, the method including: 5 1.1 receiving at a first location, from a second location, via an internet connection, a photograph of a face of a spectacles user, the face including two eyes each having a respective iris and a respective pupil; 1.2 from at least information appearing in the photograph, determining the distance between predetermined portions of the eyes of the 10 user; 1.3 allocating a predetermined spectacles frame, having known dimensions, to the user; 1.4 based on said known dimensions of the frame and said distance between said predetermined portions of the eyes, rendering the frame and the 15 face according to a common dimensional scale; 1.5 using said common scale, determining an assumed position of the frame relative to the face, the assumed position approximating a position in which the frame would be, relative to the face, if the frame were being worn by the user; 20 1.6 based on said assumed position of the frame, measuring a distance between a position of a predetermined portion of at least one of the eyes and a position of a predetermined portion of the frame; 1.7 configuring at least one spectacle lens relative to the frame such that at least one predetermined feature of the lens is adapted to be 25 positioned, when fitted to the frame, so as to be said distance from said predetermined portion of the frame.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein, in the step 1.1, the photograph is a photograph which has been captured by a camera apparatus. 30

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein, in step 1.2, said predetermined portions of the eyes are the pupils whereby said distance is a pupillary distance. 23

4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein, in step 1.2, said distance between predetermined portions of the eyes is determined at least based on a determined distance between a predetermined portion of said camera apparatus and a predetermined feature of the user's face, at the time 5 the photograph was taken.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said predetermined feature of the user's face is a feature of the face which is closer than any other feature of the face to the predetermined portion of the camera apparatus at the time the 10 photograph was taken.

6. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein, in step 1.2, said information appearing in the photograph includes a distance between images of the pupils as captured by the camera apparatus wherein the eyes 15 are reflecting, via the corneal reflex, light from a flash component of the camera apparatus.

7. A method according to claim 3 wherein, in step 1.2, said information appearing in the photograph includes a distance between a predetermined 20 portion of the iris of one of said eyes and a corresponding portion of the iris of the other eye.

8. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein, in step 1.2, said determining of the distance between predetermined portions of the eyes 25 is at least partly achieved from information generated by software on the camera apparatus using information appearing in the photograph.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said camera apparatus includes a camera device and a computer device to which the camera device is 30 connected, the software being at least partially operable on the computer device.

10. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein, in step 1.6, said predetermined portion of at least one of the eyes is a lower edge of 24 at least one said iris, and said predetermined portion of the frame is an inner edge of the portion of the frame vertically below said lower edge.

11. A method according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein, in step 1.6, said 5 predetermined portion of at least one of the eyes is a centre of at least one pupil, and said predetermined portion of the frame is an inner edge of the portion of the frame vertically below said at least one pupil.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims including the 10 step 12.1, after the step 1.7, of fitting the at least one configured lens to the frame.

13. A method of providing spectacles, the method including, following uploading of a photograph at a remote location by a requester, the steps of: 15 13.1 determining a configuration of at least one spectacle lens relative to a spectacles frame according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and 13.2 causing the providing, to the requester at the remote location, of spectacles having at least one lens the configuration of which has been determined according to step 13.1, wherein the photograph uploaded at the 20 remote location is a said photograph of a face of a spectacles user.

14. A method according to claim 13 including the step, prior to step 13.1, of enabling the transmitting of a photograph at the remote location via an internet website. 25

15. A method of providing at least one spectacles lens, the method including, following uploading of a photograph by a requester, the step of: causing the providing, to the requester, of at least one spectacles lens which has been configured according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein 30 the uploaded photograph is a said photograph of a face of a spectacles user.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein, in the step of causing the providing of at least one spectacles lens, the at least one lens is provided fitted to the spectacles frame. 25

17. A method according to claim 15 or claim 16 including the step, prior to the step of causing the providing of at least one spectacles lens, of enabling the transmitting of a photograph at the remote location via an internet website. 5

18. A method of obtaining at least one spectacle lens, the method including: uploading to the internet a photograph; and receiving at least one spectacles lens which has been configured 10 relative to a spectacles frame according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the uploaded photograph is a said photograph of a face of a spectacles user.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the step of receiving at least one spectacles lens includes receiving the lens fitted to the spectacles frame. 15

20. A pair of spectacles including: a spectacles frame; and at least one spectacle lens, wherein the at least one spectacle lens has been configured relative to 20 the frame by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.