Patents Examined by James C. Jones
  • Patent number: 12038509
    Abstract: A solid state LIDAR transmitter includes a two dimensional array of laser devices having columns and rows and configured such that anodes of laser devices in a column are connected to a common anode connection and cathodes of laser devices in a row are connected to a common cathode connection. A capacitive discharge circuit comprises a first switch configured so the capacitive discharge circuit charges to a voltage potential when the first switch is open and discharges when the first switch is closed. A second switch is configured such that the common cathode connection is coupled to ground when the second switch is closed. A controller is configured to instruct the first switch and the second switch to close at a time t0 such that the capacitive discharge circuit charges to the voltage potential at a time, t1, thereby causing a laser device connected between the capacitive discharge circuit and the second switch to generate an optical pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Opsys Tech Lid.
    Inventors: Mark J. Donovan, Raphael Harel, Noam Tziony, Mordehai Caspi, Meir Fogel
  • Patent number: 12031809
    Abstract: A system for detecting a wave occurring in/on a membrane includes a source for directing an excitation signal obliquely to the membrane and a receiver for measuring interference between a first part of the excitation signal reflected off a front surface of the membrane and a second part of the excitation signal reflected off a rear surface of the membrane. The system includes a processing device for detecting the wave based on a change in the measured interference. The detection of the wave is based on changes caused by the wave in the optical length of a V-shaped part of a propagation path of the second part of the excitation signal, where the V-shaped part of the propagation path is inside the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: PHOTONO OY
    Inventors: Antti Kontiola, Ari Salmi, Risto Montonen, Edward Haeggström
  • Patent number: 12032174
    Abstract: A system including a steerable mirror, a waveguide, first optics, intermediate optics, and final optics. The system includes a first light path for a foveal image element, the first light path including the first optics, the steerable mirror to steer a position of the foveal image element to a particular orientation, intermediate optics, and the final optics to direct the foveal image element to an in-coupling region of the waveguide. The system further includes a second light path for a field image element, the second light path including final optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Avegant Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron Matthew Eash, Andrew John Gross, Christopher David Westra, Edward Chia Ning Tang, Warren Cornelius Welch, III
  • Patent number: 12032125
    Abstract: An optically transparent device includes an exterior lens and an optical filter coupled to an inner surface of the exterior lens. A protective coating comprised of an acrylate may be coupled to an inner surface of the optical filter to reduce fragments of the optical filter from detaching from the exterior lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaodong Sun, May L. Castro
  • Patent number: 12019243
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide for systems and apparatus directed toward using a contact lens and deflection optics to process display information and non-display information. In one embodiment of the invention, a display panel assembly is provided, comprising: a transparent substrate that permits light to pass through substantially undistorted; a reflector disposed on the transparent substrate; and a display panel aimed toward the reflector and substantially away from a human visual system, wherein the reflector reflects light emitted from the display panel toward the human visual system. The reflector may comprise a narrow band reflector or a polarization reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVEGA INC.
    Inventor: Randall Sprague
  • Patent number: 12019355
    Abstract: A camera module includes an imaging lens assembly and an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is located on an image side of the imaging lens assembly. The imaging lens assembly has an optical axis and includes a plastic lens barrel and a plurality of plastic lens elements, wherein the plastic lens elements are disposed in the plastic lens barrel. The plastic lens barrel includes an object-side outer surface, a lens barrel minimum opening, an object-side outer inclined surface and a reversing inclined surface. The object-side outer surface is a surface of the plastic lens barrel facing towards an object side being closest to the object side and is annular. The reversing inclined surface expands from the lens barrel minimum opening to the image side, wherein a connecting position of the reversing inclined surface and the object-side outer inclined surface forms the lens barrel minimum opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Tang Tsai, Ming-Ta Chou
  • Patent number: 12019313
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens element includes an upper distance viewing zone and a lower near viewing zone. The upper distance viewing zone includes a central region with a first refractive power for clear distance vision and peripheral regions that are relatively positive in power compared to the first refractive power. The lower near viewing zone has a central region that is relatively positive in power compared to the first refractive power to account for accommodative lag. The powers of the peripheral regions of the lower near viewing zone are one of: i) equal to the power of the central region of the lower near viewing zone, ii) relatively positive in comparison to the power of the central region of the lower near viewing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Brien Holden Vision Institute Limited
    Inventors: Padmaja Rajagopal Sankaridurg, Cathleen Fedtke, Leslie Alan Donovan, Earl Leo Smith, III, Arthur Ho, Brien Anthony Holden
  • Patent number: 12013518
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for seamlessly transitioning between lens projections. In one exemplary embodiment, a piecewise lens projection is composed of three (3) functions: (i) a first polynomial-based lens projection, (ii) a second “joining” lens projection, and (iii) a trigonometric lens projection. The piecewise lens projection characterizes virtualized lens distortion as a function of FOV; image data can be dynamically projected based on the virtualized lens distortion, regardless of FOV. In this manner, a user may achieve the visually familiar effects associated with a first lens definition for a first FOV, while still smoothly animating transitions to other lens projections (e.g., a larger FOV using stereographic projections).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Newman
  • Patent number: 12013597
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lens element intended to be worn in front of an eye of a wearer, the method comprising obtaining a lens member comprising a holographic recording medium disposed on a first surface of the lens member, the holographic recording medium being configured to be able to convert an interference pattern into a holographic optical element, obtaining wearer prescription data relating at least to the prescription of the wearer, manufacturing a second surface of the lens member based on the wearer prescription data, and recording a holographic optical element within the holographic recording medium so as to provide an additional optical power of opposite sign to the prescribed optical power so as to slow down the progression of the abnormal refraction of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventor: Gilles Le Saux
  • Patent number: 12013551
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include an optical module. The optical module may include a deformable lens and an actuator configured to be deflectable to cause a change in the shape of the deformable lens to alter light passing through the optical module. In various examples, the optical module may include a stop structure configured to mechanically stop the actuator from deflecting beyond a threshold deflection in at least one direction. In some cases, the stop structure may be used for calibration purposes. Additionally, or alternatively, the stop structure may be configured to define an aperture stop that limits an amount of light that passes through the optical module. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the stop structure may be configured to hide the actuator when the optical module is viewed in plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Webster Capital, LLC
    Inventor: Sébastien Bolis
  • Patent number: 11994756
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing partially polarized optical articles. A polarizing element is used to cover at least a portion of the front surface of an optical article to form a polarizing zone and a non-polarizing zone on the optical article. The optical article is then tinted to produce a gradual color transition between the polarizing zone and non-polarizing zone of the optical article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Hao-Wen Chiu, Srinivasan Balasubramanian, Peiqi Jiang
  • Patent number: 11988894
    Abstract: A lens is positioned to be received by a lens holder. The lens includes a first electrical trace and the lens holder includes a second electrical trace. The first and second electrical traces form electrodes of a sense capacitor. A capacitance of the sense capacitor is sensed. From the sensed capacitance, a determination is made as to whether the lens is present and properly positioned in the lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: John Kevin Moore
  • Patent number: 11988834
    Abstract: An optical device includes: a lens including a first lens portion having a first curved surface with a first curvature and a second lens portion having a second curved surface corresponding to the first curved surface; a display device disposed on a first side surface of the lens; a convex lens disposed between the first side surface of the lens and the display device; and a reflector disposed on the first curved surface of the first lens portion of the lens, the reflector configured to reflect light of the display device refracted by the convex lens toward a user's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ju Hwa Ha, Jae Joong Kwon, Jeong Woo Park, Su Bin Jung
  • Patent number: 11988818
    Abstract: The imaging lens consists of, in order from an object side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a third lens group having a negative refractive power, and is configured such that, during focusing, the first lens group and the third lens group remain stationary with respect to an image plane, the second lens group moves in the direction of an optical axis, the first lens group includes a first-a negative lens and a first-b negative lens successively in order from a position closest to the object side, and that the second lens group includes an aperture stop that moves integrally with the second lens group during focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Taiga Noda
  • Patent number: 11988827
    Abstract: A head mounted display with wide field of view (WFOV) is disclosed. A conventional small display is used in conjunction with a Beam Steering Mechanism (BSM) to dynamically steer the FOV of the displayed image at a very fast rate to provide an effectively WFOV for immersive visual experience. An electrically actuated switchable Steering Mechanism (SM) is provided within the display projection module that steers the projected image towards different portions of the lens at a fast rate. The steering can be either in one, two or three dimensions. The steering allows for the displayed image to be wider field of view (FOV) to the observer than conventionally projected images that are small fixed FOV. The SM is steered at a high rate so as to be indistinguishable to the human observer. The steering can be controlled in a gaze tracked dynamic, on-demand fashion so as to save power consumed by the display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Cogni Trax
    Inventor: Sajjad Ali Khan
  • Patent number: 11988850
    Abstract: A removable lens stack includes a base layer, a first removable lens layer, and a second removable lens layer. The base layer may include a substrate and a moth eye coating. The first removable lens layer may include a substrate, a single or multi-layer interference antireflective coating on a first side of the substrate, and a fluoropolymer coating on a second side of the substrate. The first removable lens layer may be stacked on top of the base layer with the fluoropolymer coating being molded to fit the moth eye coating. The second and any subsequent removable lens layer may include a substrate, a single or multi-layer interference antireflective coating on a first side of the substrate, and an acrylic or polyurethane adhesive on a second side of the substrate. The second removable lens layer may be stacked on top of the first removable lens layer and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Laminated Film LLC
    Inventors: Stephen S. Wilson, Bart E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11982806
    Abstract: An optical system with adjustable eye relief includes a relay lens assembly. The relay lens assembly is defined by a collimating lens and a focusing lens. The optical system includes an aperture stop. The aperture stop is configured to shift axially along an optical axis between the collimating lens and the focusing lens. The optical system also includes an afocal lens assembly. The afocal lens assembly is defined by the focusing lens and an eyepiece. Additionally, an axial shift of the aperture stop along the optical axis between the collimating lens and the focusing lens changes an eye relief of the eyepiece based on a transverse magnification of the afocal lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: RAYTHEON CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Stan Szapiel, Stefan Atalick
  • Patent number: 11982868
    Abstract: A lens barrel and an imaging device which can be miniaturized, the lens barrel with a movable cylinder that moves along the optical axis with a change in focal length; first and second drive units in the movable cylinder; and first and second lens driven by the first and second drive units respectively to move along the optical axis relative to the movable cylinder. The movement amount of the first lens relative to the cylinder when the focal length is changed to a second focal length from a first state where the first lens is at a position closest to a subject with a first focal length is less than the movement amount of the first lens relative to the cylinder when the focal length is changed to the second focal length from a second state where the first lens is closer to an image plane than the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Gomibuchi, Makoto Horikoshi, Mizuki Wayu, Tsuneo Watanabe, Kenichi Kitano
  • Patent number: 11982882
    Abstract: A system for the color coding of objects in the field of view of a plurality of spectacle wearers includes a pair of spectacles per spectacle wearer. Liquid crystal cells of at least one spectacle lens of the spectacles are so designed that a transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cells may be switched between high and low transmission states. The system also includes one RGB light source per spectacle wearer and means for controlling or regulating the luminance times, color and intensity of the RGB light source such that the light source for a first spectacle wearer illuminates with a first color at a time of the state of high transmission of the liquid crystal cell and the light source for a second spectacle wearer illuminates at a time of high transmission of the liquid crystal cell of their spectacles with a second color different from the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: INOPTEC LIMITED ZWEIGNIEDERLASSUNG DEUTSCHLAND
    Inventor: Ralf G. J. Knoll
  • Patent number: 11981098
    Abstract: A method of coating an edge surface of an optical lens is provided. The method includes providing an optical lens comprising a first optical surface and an opposing second optical surface, wherein the first and the second optical surfaces are connected by an edge surface, disposing at least one temporary protective material on at least a portion of a perimeter portion of one or both of the first and the second optical surfaces abutting the edge surface, disposing at least one coating material on the edge surface of the optical lens to obtain at least one edge coating, and removing any excess coating material disposed on the at least one temporary protective material. An optical lens having at least one temporary protective material disposed on only at least a portion of a perimeter portion of one or both of the first and the second optical surfaces abutting the edge surface is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Mabeline Tan, Hui Yu, Ker Chin Ang, David Herfort