Approximate cost auto focus reading glasses?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and cost of developing autofocus reading glasses that could assist individuals with fixed focus vision. Participants explore the technical requirements, potential market, and challenges associated with creating such a device.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a concept for autofocus glasses that would use range finding hardware, micro servos, and a computer to control focus, suggesting a target production cost of around $100.
  • Another participant questions the necessity of the range finder and automated focus, suggesting that adjustable glasses could simply be manually focused by the user.
  • A participant shares personal experience with cataract surgery and fixed focal length lenses, expressing a desire for autofocus capabilities to regain previous visual acuity.
  • Concerns are raised about the complexity and bulkiness of automatic focus systems compared to manual adjustments.
  • One participant argues that autofocus technology exists in compact forms, citing examples from smartphones, but acknowledges that adapting it for glasses would be costly and require advanced skills.
  • Another participant suggests potential synergy with existing technologies like Google Glass, which may have built-in autofocus capabilities that could be leveraged.
  • It is noted that the autofocus system would need to accurately determine where the user is looking to function effectively.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and practicality of autofocus versus manual focus in reading glasses. There is no consensus on the best approach or the feasibility of the proposed technology.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various technical challenges, including the need for efficient software, energy management for servos, and the potential costs associated with developing the technology. The discussion remains open-ended regarding the specifics of implementation and market viability.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring innovative solutions for vision correction, developers in the field of optical technology, and those interested in the intersection of wearable technology and healthcare.

Spinnor
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Take an 80 dollar pair of adjustable focus glasses,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ADLENS-HEMISPHERE-Adjustable-Reading-Glasses-Plastic-Round-Eyeglass-Frame-Gray-/310892439221?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

and use range finding hardware from a camera, add micro servos to control focus, add a computer to run it all, enable voice commands like, "hold focus"? The glasses would be for someone like me with fixed focus eyes.

Assume we could sell a million a year at some price point assuming they did not look too stupid. What might be an approximate cost to produce such a gizmo? Could it be done for about a $100?

With good eyes no one would need such a device.

Thanks for any help!
 
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If the glasses are adjustable as the ad notes, what does the range finder and stuff add?
Just put them on and adjust the focus. They get customized automatically that way.
So what am I missing?
 
etudiant said:
If the glasses are adjustable as the ad notes, what does the range finder and stuff add?
Just put them on and adjust the focus. They get customized automatically that way.
So what am I missing?

I had cataract surgery and got the cheaper set of implant lens which are fixed focal length. My eyesight is great for driving and if I am about 3.5 feet or farther the computer screen it is readable. I have two pair of reading glasses, +2 and +1.5 diopter that are good for about 1.5 and 2.5 feet. They are most sharp over a narrow range around 1.5 and 2.5 feet. If the glasses could auto focus on what I was looking at I would have back the ability I use to have when I was 7, great sight.

Probably need clever software to control focus and energy efficient servos and computer so batteries did not need to be too big.
 
Spinnor said:
I had cataract surgery and got the cheaper set of implant lens which are fixed focal length. My eyesight is great for driving and if I am about 3.5 feet or farther the computer screen it is readable. I have two pair of reading glasses, +2 and +1.5 diopter that are good for about 1.5 and 2.5 feet. They are most sharp over a narrow range around 1.5 and 2.5 feet. If the glasses could auto focus on what I was looking at I would have back the ability I use to have when I was 7, great sight.

Probably need clever software to control focus and energy efficient servos and computer so batteries did not need to be too big.

Yeah, but etudiant's point is why not make it a manual focus adjustment? The automatic adjustment will be very problematic and bulky.
 
If we all wondered what was wrong with manual focusing, we wouldn't have autofocus cameras.

The technology to capture an image, analyse the focus and control the correction in a very small and light package does exist.

My Samsung S3 has it all in a chip about 20 mm square.

However, adapting or re-creating that technology for this application would be expensive and need a high skill level.

On the other hand, the market is huge. Presbyopia affects the majority of people over 50 and I think enough of those would buy autofocus spectacles if the functionality and price were right.
 
Hmm, actually maybe there is some synergy with Google Glass... The camera in it probably already has the autofocus stuff built in, so you could just use that info to do the adjusting of some lenses that are added to the assembly...
 
the autofocus has to know where you are lookin at to work as expected.