Patents Assigned to OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
  • Publication number: 20240125984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lens, comprising a container (100) defining a volume (V) which is filled with a transparent liquid (2), wherein the container (10) comprises a transparent and elastically deformable membrane (20) and a rigid member (30), wherein the membrane (20) and the rigid member (30) delimit said volume (V), and a lens shaping element (200) that contacts the membrane (20) and defines an area (21) of said membrane (20), which area (21) has an adjustable curvature for adjusting the focal length of the lens (1). According to the invention, the lens (1) is configured to compensate a thermal expansion of the liquid (2) and/or a change of the refractive index of the liquid (2) due to an increased temperature of the liquid (2) in order to reduce an unwanted thermally induced change of the focal length of the lens (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Roman PATSCHEIDER, David NIEDERER, Pit GEBBERS, Daniel BORER, Christopher LANING, Stephan SMOLKA
  • Patent number: 11635551
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical zoom device (1) Optical zoom device (1), comprising a first lens assembly (2), and a second lens assembly (3) following the first lens assembly (2) in the direction of an optical axis (A) of the optical zoom device (1) so that light (L) can pass through the first lens assembly (2) and thereafter through the second lens assembly when travelling along the optical axis (A), wherein said lens assemblies each comprise a focus-adjustable lens (31, 32) as well as an electropermanent magnet (107, 207) or a shape memory alloy (120, 220) for actuating the respective lens (31, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventor: Manuel Aschwanden
  • Patent number: 11585963
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising: a first housing section (3), a cover element (20) connected to the first housing section (3), a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (10) which is arranged in said first housing section (3), a container (2) having a volume (V), wherein the membrane (10) forms part of the container (2), and wherein said container (2) is arranged in said first housing section (3), a transparent fluid (F) residing in said volume (V) of the container (2), a lens shaping part (11) that is in contact with the membrane (10) for defining a curvature-adjustable area (10c) of the membrane (10), which area (10c) faces said cover element (20), a circumferential lens barrel (50) that holds at least one rigid lens (51) facing said container (2), wherein the lens barrel is arranged in said first housing section, an image sensor (52) facing the lens barrel and the container (2), a second housing section (4), wherein the image sensor is arranged on the second housing secti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventor: Manuel Aschwanden
  • Patent number: 11579435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising: a container (2) forming a fluidic lens, the container (2) comprising a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (10), a transparent optical element (20) facing the membrane (10), and a wall member (3), wherein the optical element (20) and the membrane (10) are connected to the wall member, and wherein said container encloses a volume (V) that is filled with a fluid (F), a lens shaping part (11) that is in contact with said membrane (10) for defining a curvature adjustable area (10c) of the membrane (10), which area (10c) faces said optical element (20), and a circumferential lens barrel (50) extending in an axial direction, which lens barrel (50) surrounds an opening (50c) in which at least one rigid lens (51) is arranged that is held by the lens barrel (50), and a voice coil motor (5) that is designed to move the lens shaping part (11) along an axial direction (z) with respect to said container (2), so as to adjust a curvature of said
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, Michael Bueeler, David Niederer, Chris Laning, Roman Patscheider
  • Patent number: 11500132
    Abstract: An actuator including an electrically conducting coil arranged on or integrated into a wall member, wherein the electrically conducting coil is arranged adjacent to a magnetic flux return structure. A magnet connected to a carrier, wherein the magnet interacts with the electrically conducting coil such that when a current is applied to the coil the coil is either moved towards the carrier along an axial direction or away from the carrier along the axial direction depending on a direction of the current within the coil. A magnetic flux guiding structure connected to the carrier, wherein magnetic flux is guided through the flux return structure and the flux guiding structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, Pit Gebbers
  • Publication number: 20220155552
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lens, comprising a container (100) defining a volume (V) which is filled with a transparent liquid (2), wherein the container (10) comprises a transparent and elastically deformable membrane (20) and a rigid member (30), wherein the membrane (20) and the rigid member (30) delimit said volume (V), and a lens shaping element (200) that contacts the membrane (20) and defines an area (21) of said membrane (20), which area (21) has an adjustable curvature for adjusting the focal length of the lens (1). According to the invention, the lens (1) is configured to compensate a thermal expansion of the liquid (2) and/or a change of the refractive index of the liquid (2) due to an increased temperature of the liquid (2) in order to reduce an unwanted thermally induced change of the focal length of the lens (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Roman PATSCHEIDER, David NIEDERER, Pit GEBBERS, Daniel BORER, Christopher LANING, Stephan SMOLKA
  • Patent number: 11317010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Optical device (1), comprising: a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (10), an optical element (20) facing the membrane (10), a wall member (300), wherein the optical element (20) and the membrane (10) are connected to the wall member (300) such that a container (2) with a volume (V) is formed, a fluid (F) residing in said volume (V), and a lens shaping part (11) that is in contact with the membrane (10) for defining a curvature adjustable area (10c) of the membrane (10), which area (10c) faces said optical element (20), and a circumferential lens barrel (50) that surrounds an opening (50c) in which at least one rigid lens (51) is arranged that is held by the lens barrel (50), and an actuator means (40) that is designed to move the optical element (20) in an axial direction (A) with respect to the lens shaping part (11), which axial direction (A) is oriented perpendicular to a plane along which the lens shaping part (11) extends, or to move the lens shaping part (1
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, Markus Geissner
  • Publication number: 20220075101
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lens (1) having an adjustable optical power, wherein the lens (1) comprises a container (2), wherein the container (2) comprises: a lens volume (V) filled with a transparent fluid (F1), a reservoir volume (R1) filled with the transparent fluid (F1) and connected to the lens volume (V), a frame structure (3) forming a lateral wall of the container (2), wherein the frame structure comprises a first recess (30) for accommodating at least a portion of the lens volume (V), and wherein the frame structure (3) comprises a second recess (31) for accommodating at least a portion of the reservoir volume (R1), an elastically deformable and transparent membrane (4) connected to the frame structure, a lens shaping element (5) connected to the membrane, wherein the lens shaping element (5) comprises a circumferential edge (50a) defining an area (4a) of the membrane (4) having an adjustable curvature, a transparent bottom wall (6) connected to the frame structure (3) so that the lens volum
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Stephen SMOLKA, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Johannes HAASE, Sanggyu BIERN, Roman PATSCHEIDER
  • Publication number: 20220066182
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system (1) comprising a solid lens barrel (2) for optical elements (3), wherein the lens barrel (2) extends along an optical axis (100) of the optical system (100), the lens barrel (2) holding a plurality of optical elements (3), the plurality comprising a lens system (5), comprising at least one solid lens (53), and a first lens (6) having an adjustable focal length, wherein the first lens (6) comprises a container (62) filled with a transparent fluid, wherein the container (62) comprises an elastically deformable and transparent membrane (61) facing a transparent bottom portion (67) of the container (62), wherein the lens barrel (2) has a first and a second opening (22, 22?) facing along the optical axis (100), wherein the first and/or the second opening (22, 22?) is configured to receive the lens system (5), wherein the lens barrel (2) has a first slot (24) extending perpendicular to the optical axis (100), wherein the first lens (6) is inserted through the first slot (2
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Michael BÜELER, Stephan SMOLKA, Johannes HAASE, Matthieu VERLANGEN
  • Publication number: 20220057628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator 1 for an optical device 100, comprising a movable mover 10 comprising a coil 11, wherein the mover 10 is configured to be connected to a piston 70 for moving the piston 70, a support structure (20) wherein the mover (10) is movable with respect to the support structure (20), and two magnet structures (30, 31) configured to interact with the coil (11) to move the mover (20) and therewith the piston (70), wherein the two magnet structures (30, 31) are connected to the support structure (20) such that the coil (11) is arranged between the two magnet structures (30, 31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Stephen SMOLKA, Johannes HAASE, Sanggyu BIERN
  • Publication number: 20210278569
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising: a first housing section (3), a cover element (20) connected to the first housing section (3), a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (10) which is arranged in said first housing section (3), a container (2) having a volume (V), wherein the membrane (10) forms part of the container (2), and wherein said container (2) is arranged in said first housing section (3), a transparent fluid (F) residing in said volume (V) of the container (2), a lens shaping part (11) that is in contact with the membrane (10) for defining a curvature-adjustable area (10c) of the membrane (10), which area (10c) faces said cover element (20), a circumferential lens barrel (50) that holds at least one rigid lens (51) facing said container (2), wherein the lens barrel is arranged in said first housing section, an image sensor (52) facing the lens barrel and the container (2), a second housing section (4), wherein the image sensor is arranged on the second housing secti
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventor: Manuel ASCHWANDEN
  • Publication number: 20210165238
    Abstract: The invention relates Tunable prism (1) for optical image stabilization, comprising the components: —A container (2) that comprises a membrane (6) comprising at least a transparent portion, the container (2) further comprising a transparent rigid bottom portion (5) facing the membrane (6), wherein the membrane (6) is connected to the bottom portion (5), and wherein the container (2) encloses a volume (7) that is filled with a transparent fluid (3), —A transparent window (8) arranged on the membrane (6), wherein the membrane (6) comprises a deformable portion (6a) extending around an outer edge (8a) of the window (8), such that the window (8) can be tilted around a first and/or a second axis (201, 202) with respect to the bottom portion (5). The invention further relates to an imaging system (50) comprising the tunable prism (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Mark VENTURA, David LEUENBERGER, Michael BÜELER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA, Frank BOSE, David NIEDERER
  • Publication number: 20210149087
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical zoom device (1) Optical zoom device (1), comprising a first lens assembly (2), and a second lens assembly (3) following the first lens assembly (2) in the direction of an optical axis (A) of the optical zoom device (1) so that light (L) can pass through the first lens assembly (2) and thereafter through the second lens assembly when travelling along the optical axis (A), wherein said lens assemblies each comprise a focus-adjustable lens (31, 32) as well as an electropermanent magnet (107, 207) or a shape memory alloy (120, 220) for actuating the respective lens (31, 32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventor: Manuel ASCHWANDEN
  • Publication number: 20210124095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising a lens (10) having an adjustable focal length, the lens (10) comprising a container (11) that encloses a lens volume (V) and a reservoir volume (R) that is connected to the lens volume (V), wherein the two volumes (R, V) are filled with a transparent liquid (L), wherein the container (11) further comprises a flat lateral wall structure (12) having a front side (12a) and a back side (12b), an elastically deformable and transparent membrane (20), a transparent cover element (30), and an elastically deformable wall portion (22), wherein the membrane (20) is connected to the back side (12b) of the lateral wall structure (12), wherein the cover element (30) is connected to the front side (12a) of the lateral wall structure (12) such that the lens volume (V) is arranged between the cover element (30) and the membrane (20), and wherein the wall portion (22) is arranged adjacent the reservoir volume (R), and wherein the wall portion (R) comprises an i
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA, Johannes HAASE, Frank BOSE, Christopher LANING, David Andreas NIEDERER
  • Publication number: 20210116682
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical zoom device (1), comprising: a first lens (31) having an adjustable focal length and comprising a container (41) filled with a transparent fluid (F), wherein the container (41) of the first lens (31) comprises an elastically deformable and transparent membrane (61) facing a transparent wall (21) of the container (41) of the first lens (31), a second lens (32) having an adjustable focal length, wherein the second lens (32) is arranged after the first lens (31) in an optical path (A) of the optical zoom device (1), wherein the second lens (32) comprises a container (42) filled with a transparent fluid (F), wherein the container (42) of the second lens (32) comprises an elastically deformable and transparent membrane (62) facing a transparent wall (22) of the container (42) of the second lens (32), and a light deflecting device (70) arranged in the optical path (A), wherein the second lens (32) is arranged after the light deflecting device (70) in the optical path (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Stephan SMOLKA, Michael BÜELER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Johannes HAASE, Frank BOSE
  • Publication number: 20200363565
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising a lens (2) having an adjustable focal length, and four actuators (3) for adjusting the focal length of said lens (2) and for stabilizing an image generated by the optical device (1) with help of said lens (2). According to the present invention, each actuator (3) comprises an electrically conducting first coil (301) for adjusting said focal length and a second electrically conducting coil (302) for stabilizing said image, wherein the first coils (301) are connected in series, wherein the optical device (1) is configured to apply a first current (I1) to the first coils (301) for adjusting said focal length, and wherein for stabilizing said image, the optical device (1) is configured to apply a second current (I2) to a first pair (31) of second coils (302) and a third current (I3) to a second pair (32) of second coils (302).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA
  • Publication number: 20200355854
    Abstract: An actuator including an electrically conducting coil arranged on or integrated into a wall member, wherein the electrically conducting coil is arranged adjacent to a magnetic flux return structure. A magnet connected to a carrier, wherein the magnet interacts with the electrically conducting coil such that when a current is applied to the coil the coil is either moved towards the carrier along an axial direction or away from the carrier along the axial direction depending on a direction of the current within the coil. A magnetic flux guiding structure connected to the carrier, wherein magnetic flux is guided through the flux return structure and the flux guiding structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Pit GEBBERS
  • Publication number: 20200301116
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an Optical zoom device, comprising a first lens having an adjustable focal length and a second lens having an adjustable focal lens, wherein each lens comprises a lens core filled with a transparent fluid, wherein the respective lens core comprises a first wall in the form of an elastically deformable membrane and a transparent second wall facing the first wall, wherein the fluid is arranged between the two walls of the respective lens core, and wherein the respective lens comprises a lens shaping member interacting with the respective membrane for adjusting the focal length of the respective lens and/or for stabilizing an image generated with help of the two lenses, wherein the optical zoom device comprises a first and a separate second lens barrel, wherein the first lens core is mounted on the first lens barrel and the second lens core is mounted on the second lens barrel, wherein the optical zoom device comprises at least one actuator associated to the first lens for genera
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA, David NIEDERER, Markus GEISSNER, Roman PATSCHEIDER
  • Patent number: 10690815
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lens device (1), comprising: a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (10), an optical element (20) opposing the membrane (10), a wall member (300), wherein the optical element (10) and the membrane (10) are connected to the wall member (300) such that a volume (V) is formed, a fluid (F) residing in said volume (V), and a lens shaping member (11) attached to the membrane (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, Pit Gebbers
  • Publication number: 20200124839
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising: a container (2) forming a fluidic lens, the container (2) comprising a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (10), a transparent optical element (20) facing the membrane (10), and a wall member (3), wherein the optical element (20) and the membrane (10) are connected to the wall member, and wherein said container encloses a volume (V) that is filled with a fluid (F), a lens shaping part (11) that is in contact with said membrane (10) for defining a curvature adjustable area (10c) of the membrane (10), which area (10c) faces said optical element (20), and a circumferential lens barrel (50) extending in an axial direction, which lens barrel (50) surrounds an opening (50c) in which at least one rigid lens (51) is arranged that is held by the lens barrel (50), and a voice coil motor (5) that is designed to move the lens shaping part (11) along an axial direction (z) with respect to said container (2), so as to adjust a curvature of said
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Michael BUEELER, David NIEDERER, Chris LANING, Roman PATSCHEIDER