Patents by Inventor Frank Wippermann

Frank Wippermann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11924395
    Abstract: An inventive device includes a multi-aperture imaging device having an image sensor; an array of adjacently arranged optical channels, each optical channel including optics for projecting at least one partial field of view of a total field of view on an image sensor area of the image sensor, a beam deflector for deflecting a beam path of the optical channels, and focusing means for setting a focal position of the multi-aperture imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Jacques Duparré
  • Publication number: 20230094595
    Abstract: A device includes a plurality of imaging optical channels inclined in relation to one another, each of which includes an optic and at least one detector pixel arrangement. The plurality of optical channels are configured to obtain an image of a dot pattern of a field of view by imaging said field of view. The optical channels pass through the display plane and are set up for imaging (projecting) the field of view between the display pixels. The device includes an evaluator that is coupled to detector pixels of the detector pixel arrangements and configured to evaluate the dot pattern on the basis of a comparison, which causes hyper resolution, of signal intensities of different detector pixels so as to obtain an evaluation result, and to control the device at least partly on the basis of the evaluation result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Jacques DUPARRÉ, Andreas TÜNNERMANN
  • Patent number: 11611736
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device is provided that includes an image sensor and an array of adjacently arranged optical channels. Each optical channel includes an optic for imaging at least one partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor area of the image sensor. The device has a beam-deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels and the beam-deflector includes a first beam-deflecting area operative for a first wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation passing through the optical channel; and a includes second beam-deflecting area operative for a second wavelength range of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the optical channels. The second wavelength range is different from the first wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Jacques Duparré
  • Patent number: 11570346
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor, an array of optical channels, each optical channel including an optic for imaging a partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor region of the image sensor, and a beam-deflector switchable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position by executing a switching movement, and configured to deflect, in a first rotational position, optical paths of the optical channels into a first viewing direction, and to deflect, in a second rotational position, the optical paths of the optical channels into a second viewing direction. The array is configured to execute, based on the switching movement, an adjustment movement for adjusting an orientation of the array with respect to the beam-deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Nico Hagen, Andreas Reimann
  • Patent number: 11474331
    Abstract: A device described here includes a housing and a multi-aperture imaging device. The multi-aperture imaging device includes an array of optical channels arranged next to one another and a beam-deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels. In a first operating state of the device, the housing encloses a housing volume. In the first operating state of the device, the beam-deflector includes a first position within the housing volume. In a second operating state of the device, the beam-deflector includes a second position where the beam-deflector is arranged at least partly outside the housing volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Nicolas Lange, Oliver Pabst
  • Patent number: 11460613
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an array of optical channels, wherein each optical channel includes optics for imaging a partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor region of an image sensor. The multi-aperture imaging device includes a beam-deflecting unit for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels to a viewing direction of the multi-aperture imaging device. The multi-aperture imaging device includes a diaphragm structure arranged to at least partly close a gap between the array and the beam-deflecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Jacques Duparré
  • Patent number: 11457152
    Abstract: A device includes an image sensor and an array of optical channels, each optical channel including an optic for projecting a partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor area of the image sensor. A first optical channel of the array is configured to image a first partial field of view of the total field of view. A second optical channel of the array is configured to image a second partial field of view of the total field of view. The device includes a calculating unit configured to obtain image information of the first and second partial fields of view on the basis of the imaged partial fields of view, and to obtain image information of the total field of view, and to combine the image information of the partial fields of view with the image information of the total field of view so as to generate combined image information of the total field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brückner, Jacques Duparré, Alexander Oberdörster
  • Patent number: 11330161
    Abstract: A device includes a multi-aperture imaging device having an image sensor; an array of adjacently arranged optical channels, and a beam deflector for deflecting a beam path of the optical channels, wherein a relative position of the beam deflector is switchable between first and second positions so that in the first and second positions, the beam path is deflected towards first and second total fields of view, respectively. The device further includes controller adapted to control the beam deflector to move to the first and second positions to obtain imaging information of the first and second total fields of view, respectively, from the image sensor; and to insert a portion of the first imaging information into the second imaging information so as to obtain accumulated image information that in parts represents the first total field of view and in parts represents the second total field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brückner, Jacques Duparré
  • Patent number: 11310420
    Abstract: What is described are a method and a device, wherein two types of individual images are captured, namely a set of individual images captured simultaneously, and a further set of individual images captured in temporal succession. Among said two sets of individual images, individual images are selected which in combination result in a panoramic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Oberdoerster, Andreas Brueckner, Jacques Duparré, Frank Wippermann
  • Patent number: 11290649
    Abstract: In order to achieve a relatively small installation height of a multi-aperture imaging device having a one-line array of adjacently arranged optical channels, lenses of the optics of the optical channels are attached to a main side of a substrate by one or more lens holders and are mechanically connected via the substrate, the substrate being positioned such that the optical paths of the plurality of optical channels pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brückner, Andreas Bräuer, Alexander Oberdörster
  • Publication number: 20220094902
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes image sensor means with a plurality of image sensor areas and a plurality of optical channels, wherein each optical channel includes an optic for imaging a partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor area of the image sensor means associated with the optical channel. The plurality of optical channels is configured to image the total field of view completely. A first partial field of view of the total field of view and a second partial field of view of the total field of view are captured by a different number of optical channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Jacques DUPARRÉ
  • Patent number: 11244434
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device that is, on the one hand, able to provide image information on a scene and, on the other hand, allows obtaining high lateral resolution and/or a wide total field of view, is described. The multi-aperture imaging device is provided with a first plurality of optical channels for projecting overlapping first partial fields of view of a total field of view on first image sensor areas of an image sensor of the multi-aperture imaging device, as well as with a second arrangement of optical channels for projecting at least a part of of the total field of view on a second image sensor area of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brückner, Andreas Bräuer, Alexander Oberdörster
  • Publication number: 20220011661
    Abstract: An inventive device includes a multi-aperture imaging device comprising an image sensor; an array of adjacently arranged optical channels, each optical channel including an optic for projecting at least one partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor area of the image sensor arrangement, a beam deflection means for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels, and a focusing means for setting a focal position of the multi-aperture imaging device. The device further comprises a control means configured to control the focusing means and to receive image information from the image sensor; the control means being configured to control the multi-aperture imaging device into a sequence of focal positions so as to capture a corresponding sequence of image information of the total field of view and to produce, from the sequence of image information, a depth map for the captured total field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Jacques DUPARRÉ
  • Patent number: 11209607
    Abstract: An apparatus having an optical structure and ridges is described, wherein adhesive is arranged between the ridges and the optical structure, wherein the adhesive is effective to effect, after its annealing, a predetermined orientation of the optical structure in relation to a reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Reimann, Andreas Braeuer
  • Publication number: 20210314548
    Abstract: An inventive device includes a multi-aperture imaging device having an image sensor; an array of adjacently arranged optical channels, each optical channel including optics for projecting at least one partial field of view of a total field of view on an image sensor area of the image sensor, a beam deflector for deflecting a beam path of the optical channels, and focusing means for setting a focal position of the multi-aperture imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Jacques DUPARRÉ
  • Publication number: 20210314471
    Abstract: A device includes a multi-aperture imaging device having an image sensor; an array of adjacently arranged optical channels, and a beam deflector for deflecting a beam path of the optical channels, wherein a relative position of the beam deflector is switchable between first and second positions so that in the first and second positions, the beam path is deflected towards first and second total fields of view, respectively. The device further includes controller adapted to control the beam deflector to move to the first and second positions to obtain imaging information of the first and second total fields of view, respectively, from the image sensor; and to insert a portion of the first imaging information into the second imaging information so as to obtain accumulated image information that in parts represents the first total field of view and in parts represents the second total field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRÜCKNER, Jacques DUPARRÉ
  • Publication number: 20210281819
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor, an array of adjacently arranged optical channels, wherein each optical channel includes an optic for imaging at least one partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor area of the image sensor, a beam-deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels, wherein the beam-deflector includes a first beam-deflecting area operative for a first wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation passing through the optical channel; and a second beam-deflecting area operative for a second wavelength range of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the optical channels, the second wavelength range being different from the first wavelength range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Jacques DUPARRÉ
  • Patent number: 11106047
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor and an array of optical channels, wherein each optical channel includes an optic for imaging at least a part of a total field of view onto an image sensor region of the image sensor. The multi-aperture imaging device includes a beam-deflector including at least one beam-deflecting element for deflecting an optical path of an optical channel, wherein each optical channel is assigned a beam-deflecting element. The beam-deflecting element is configured to have a transparent state of a controllable surface based on first electric control and to have a reflecting state of the controllable surface based on a second electric control in order to deflect the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brückner, Jacques Duparré, Alexander Oberdörster
  • Publication number: 20210263289
    Abstract: A device described here includes a housing and a multi-aperture imaging device. The multi-aperture imaging device includes an array of optical channels arranged next to one another and a beam-deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels. In a first operating state of the device, the housing encloses a housing volume. In the first operating state of the device, the beam-deflector includes a first position within the housing volume. In a second operating state of the device, the beam-deflector includes a second position where the beam-deflector is arranged at least partly outside the housing volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Nicolas LANGE, Oliver PABST
  • Patent number: 11070731
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor and an array of optical channels, wherein each optical channel includes an optic for projecting a partial field of view of a total field of view on an image sensor area of the image sensor. The multi-aperture imaging device includes a beam-deflecting unit for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels, and an optical image stabilizer for the image stabilization along a first image axis by generating a first translational relative movement between the image sensor and the array and the beam-deflecting unit and for the image stabilization along a second image axis by generating a second relative movement between the image sensor, the array and the beam-deflecting unit. The device includes an electronic image stabilizer for the image stabilization of a first optical channel of the array along the first and the second image axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Jacques Duparré