External Lab Codes

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The bridge interface, which enables two totally different computer systems to communicate, has some standard procedures which can be customized so the base information can be tailored to each user's specific requirements.

The SAPIENT system has essentially two different labels for all the base frame and lens components of a spectacle order. The first label or description is used internally only to describe a particular element of an order. For example, "Single Vision" for a single vision lens. In the SAPIENT system, you can make this label say anything you want by modifying it in the spectacle lens design base file. This label is only used to select and display information on the system and can be made to say "Bob" if everyone knew "Bob" meant "Single Vision". The second label, referred to as an external lab code, is the name used by the lab to represent the same item. This allows you to call the item "Single Vision" in the SAPIENT system but "SV" when the order is sent to the lab. In general, if no external lab code is specified, the SAPIENT description is sent instead. In some cases, if no external code is entered, that component gets sent to the special instructions area on the lab computer.

All components of the spectacle order have default DVI lab fields where the external lab code is being sent. (See the appendix for information on what the DVI lab screen looks like as well as what the field numbers are.) These default areas will be discussed in the following section. However, the SAPIENT system allows several options for the user to be able to redirect an external lab code to someplace other than its default area. You can redirect any external lab code using the following command sequences in the external lab code fields. (Notes: Items in BOLD ITALIC should be typed in exactly as shown. Items in ITALIC should be replaced with the proper controlling values. You cannot have any spaces around the punctuation ",:/".)

FLD#X,CODE

Where X is some field number and CODE is a valid external lab code. This syntax will redirect the specified code to a different field number, so entering "FLD#6,P" will send a "P" to the lab field number 6.

FLD#X1/X2,CODE

Where X1 and X2 are field numbers and CODE is a valid external lab code. This syntax will redirect the specified code to field number X1 if it is a component of the left eye or to field number X2 if it is a component of the right eye. Entering "FLD#134/113,COL" will send the code "COL" to the lab field number 134 if it is the left eye; otherwise it will send "COL" to field 113.

FLD#SRV,CODE

Where CODE is a valid external lab code. This syntax will redirect the specified code to a service code area on the lab computer, so entering "FLD#SRV,SLAB" will send "SLAB" to the next available service field on the lab system.

FLD#COT,CODE

Where CODE is a valid external lab code. This syntax will redirect the specified code to the coating field on the lab computer. Entering "FLD#COT,-ARC" will send "ARC" to the right half of the coating field on the lab system and "FLD#COT,ARC-" will send "ARC" to the left half. (Note: Coating codes must include the minus "-" to direct the code to the proper side of the coating field on the DVI lab system. A code with a preceding minus (-ARC) means the lab is going to add the coating. A code with a trailing minus (ARC-) means the material comes with the coating from the factory.)

CODE1:FLD#X,CODE2

Where X is some valid field number and CODE1 and CODE2 are valid external lab codes. This syntax will allow two external lab codes to be created from one area. Entering "TRN:FLD#6,TRN" will send "TRN" to the default field area as well as to field number 6 on the lab system. You can use any redirecting syntax on either side of the ":", so entering "FLD#6,TRN:FLD#SRV,TRN" is also valid. Currently, you can only send a maximum of two codes (only one ":") from any single external lab code field.