Patents by Inventor Andreas BRÜCKNER

Andreas BRÜCKNER 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).

  • Publication number: 20200057310
    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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRÜCKNER, Jacques DUPARRÉ, Alexander OBERDÖRSTER
  • Patent number: 10567629
    Abstract: The fact that a beam-deflecting device can be produced cost-effectively and without any losses of optical quality of the multi-aperture imaging device is used when a carrier substrate is provided for the same, wherein the carrier substrate is common to the plurality of optical channels and is installed with a setting angle, i.e. oblique with respect to the image sensor in the multi-aperture imaging device such that a deflection angle of deflecting the optical path of each optical channel is based, on the one hand, on the setting angle and, on the other hand, on an individual inclination angle with respect to the carrier substrate of a reflecting facet of a surface of the beam-deflecting device facing the image sensor, the reflecting facet being allocated to the optical channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brueckner, Andreas Braeuer, Alexander Oberdoerster
  • Patent number: 10560617
    Abstract: A device includes a housing having a first transparent area and a second transparent area and a multi-aperture imaging device arranged inside the housing and including a beam deflector. The device includes a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the portable device having a first operating state and a second operating state. In the first operating state, the beam deflector deflects an optical path of the imaging device such that it passes through the first transparent area and that the second diaphragm at least partly optically closes the second transparent area. In the second operating state, the beam deflector deflects the optical path of the imaging device such that it passes through the second transparent area. In the second operating state, the first diaphragm at least partly optically closes the first transparent area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brückner, Andreas Bräuer, Alexander Oberdörster
  • Publication number: 20200029023
    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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRÜCKNER, Jacques DUPARRÉ, Alexander OBERDÖRSTER
  • Patent number: 10542196
    Abstract: A device for relative positioning of multi-aperture optics having several optical channels in relation to an image sensor includes a reference object, a positioning device, and a calculating device. The reference object is arranged such that the reference object is imaged onto one image region per channel in the optical channels by the multi-aperture optics. The positioning device is controllable to change a relative location between the multi-aperture optics and the image sensor. The calculating device is configured to determine actual positions of the reference object in at least three image regions in images of the reference object and to control the positioning device on the basis of a comparison of the actual positions with positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Brueckner, Frank Wippermann, Andreas Braeuer
  • Publication number: 20190373154
    Abstract: The fact that a beam-deflecting device can be produced cost-effectively and without any losses of optical quality of the multi-aperture imaging device is used when a carrier substrate is provided for the same, wherein the carrier substrate is common to the plurality of optical channels and is installed with a setting angle, i.e. oblique with respect to the image sensor in the multi-aperture imaging device such that a deflection angle of deflecting the optical path of each optical channel is based, on the one hand, on the setting angle and, on the other hand, on an individual inclination angle with respect to the carrier substrate of a reflecting facet of a surface of the beam-deflecting device facing the image sensor, the reflecting facet being allocated to the optical channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRUECKNER, Andreas BRAEUER, Alexander OBERDOERSTER
  • Publication number: 20190335072
    Abstract: A device for relative positioning of multi-aperture optics having several optical channels in relation to an image sensor includes a reference object, a positioning device, and a calculating device. The reference object is arranged such that the reference object is imaged onto one image region per channel in the optical channels by the multi-aperture optics. The positioning device is controllable to change a relative location between the multi-aperture optics and the image sensor. The calculating device is configured to determine actual positions of the reference object in at least three image regions in images of the reference object and to control the positioning device on the basis of a comparison of the actual positions with positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas BRUECKNER, Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRAEUER
  • Patent number: 10425567
    Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus for detecting an object area with a flat housing having a first main side, a second main side, a lateral side; and a multi-aperture device with a plurality of laterally juxtaposed optical channels facing the lateral side, wherein each optical channel is configured to detect a respective partial area of the object area through the lateral side or along an optical axis of the respective optical channel that is deflected between a lateral course within the housing and a non-lateral course outside the housing, wherein the partial areas of the optical channels cover the object area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brueckner, Andreas Braeuer
  • Patent number: 10362202
    Abstract: A device for relative positioning of multi-aperture optics having several optical channels in relation to an image sensor includes a reference object, a positioning device, and a calculating device. The reference object is arranged such that the reference object is imaged onto one image region per channel in the optical channels by the multi-aperture optics. The positioning device is controllable to change a relative location between the multi-aperture optics and the image sensor. The calculating device is configured to determine actual positions of the reference object in at least three image regions in images of the reference object and to control the positioning device on the basis of a comparison of the actual positions with positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Brueckner, Frank Wippermann, Andreas Braeuer
  • Patent number: 10362229
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes a one-line array of adjacently arranged optical channels and beam-deflecting unit for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels. The beam-deflecting unit includes a first position and a second position between which the beam-deflecting unit is translationally moveable along a line extension direction of the one-line array. The beam-deflecting unit is configured such that it deflects the optical path of each optical channel into mutually different directions depending on whether it is located in the first position or in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brückner, Andreas Bräuer, Alexander Oberdörster
  • Publication number: 20190222768
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor and an array of optical channels, each optical channel including optics 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 deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels and an optical image stabilizer for an image stabilization along a first image axis by generating a translatory relative movement between the image sensor and the array and for an image stabilization along a second image axis by generating a rotational movement of the beam deflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRUECKNER, Andreas BRAEUER, Alexander OBERDOERSTER
  • Patent number: 10334172
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor, a single-line array of juxtaposed optical channels, wherein each optical channel includes optics for projecting a partial area of an object area on an image sensor area of the image sensor and beam deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels. The multi-aperture imaging device includes an actuator unit for generating a relative movement between the image sensor, the single-line array and the beam deflector, wherein the actuator unit is arranged such that the same is arranged at least partly between two planes that are spanned by sides of a cuboid, wherein the sides of the cuboid are oriented parallel to one another as well to a line extension direction of the single-line array and part of the optical path of the optical channels between the image sensor and the beam deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brückner, Andreas Bräuer, Alexander Oberdörster
  • Patent number: 10291852
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor and an array of optical channels, each optical channel including optics 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 deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels and an optical image stabilizer for an image stabilization along a first image axis by generating a translatory relative movement between the image sensor and the array and for an image stabilization along a second image axis by generating a rotational movement of the beam deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brueckner, Andreas Braeuer, Alexander Oberdoerster
  • Publication number: 20190104242
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes at least one image sensor and an array of juxtaposed optical channels. Each optical channel includes optics for imaging of projecting at least one partial area of an object area on an image sensor area of the image sensor. A first optics of a first optical channel is configured to project a first partial area of the object area on a first image sensor area and to project a second partial area of the object area on a second image sensor area. A second optics of a second optical channel is configured to project at least a third partial area of the object area on a third image sensor area. The first partial area and the second partial area are disjoint in the object area. The third partial area overlaps incompletely with the first partial area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRUECKNER, Andreas REIMANN
  • Publication number: 20190068950
    Abstract: A 3D multi-aperture imaging device includes a plurality of image sensor areas. The 3D multi-aperture imaging device includes 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 the image sensor and includes a second plurality of optical channels for projecting second partial fields of view of the total field of view overlapping each other and the first partial fields of view on second image sensor areas. The first and second pluralities of optical channels are arranged laterally offset from one another. The 3D multi-aperture imaging device includes a processor that is configured to receive image sensor data from the image sensor that is configured to provide an output signal including a data header, wherein the data header includes information regarding the structure of the 3D multi-aperture imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRÜCKNER, Andreas BRÄUER
  • Publication number: 20190011809
    Abstract: Multi-aperture imaging device includes at least one image sensor, an array of juxtaposed optical channels, wherein each optical channel has optics for projecting at least one partial area of an object area on an image sensor area of the image sensor, and a beam deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels in beam-deflecting areas of the beam deflector. The beam deflector is formed as an array of facets arranged along a line-extension direction of the array of optical channels. One facet is allocated to each optical channel. Each facet has a beam-deflecting area. A stray light suppressing structure is arranged between a first beam-deflecting area of a first facet and a second beam-deflecting area of a juxtaposed second facet, which is configured to reduce transition of stray light between the first beam-deflecting area and the second beam-deflecting area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRUECKNER, Andreas BRAEUER
  • Publication number: 20180360186
    Abstract: An epilating device having a frame, a pair of clamping elements with a first clamp and a second clamp mounted in the frame, wherein each clamp has a skin contact surface facing towards the user's skin. The first clamp and the second clamp being inclined with respect to each other in the open position and being parallel to each other in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Pedro Sanchez Martinez, Andreas Brueckner
  • Publication number: 20180324334
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device described herein includes at least one image sensor and an array of juxtaposed optical channels. Each optical channel includes optics for projecting at least one partial area of an object area on an image sensor area of the image sensor. The array includes: a housing including a wall structure facing or facing away from the image sensor, through which the optical channels pass, and a sidewall structure arranged on the wall structure, wherein the wall structure or the sidewall structure is formed including glass, ceramic, glass ceramic or a crystalline material, wherein the optics of the optical channels are arranged in the housing, and wherein the wall structure is connected to optics of the optical channels and fixes the optics with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brueckner, Andreas Reimann, Andreas Braeuer
  • Publication number: 20180198963
    Abstract: A device includes a housing having a first transparent area and a second transparent area and a multi-aperture imaging device arranged inside the housing and including a beam deflector. The device includes a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the portable device having a first operating state and a second operating state. In the first operating state, the beam deflector deflects an optical path of the imaging device such that it passes through the first transparent area and that the second diaphragm at least partly optically closes the second transparent area. In the second operating state, the beam deflector deflects the optical path of the imaging device such that it passes through the second transparent area. In the second operating state, the first diaphragm at least partly optically closes the first transparent area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRÜCKNER, Andreas BRÄUER, Alexander OBERDÖRSTER
  • Publication number: 20180184068
    Abstract: A 3D multi-aperture imaging device that is, on the one hand, able to provide 3D 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 3 D 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 3D multi-aperture imaging device, as well as with a second plurality of optical channels for projecting overlapping second partial fields of view of the total field of view on second image sensor areas of the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Frank WIPPERMANN, Andreas BRÜCKNER, Andreas BRÄUER, Alexander OBERDÖRSTER