Patents by Inventor David Niederer

David Niederer 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: 20180267294
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1, 2) for pivoting an optical element (10), comprising: an optical element (10), wherein the optical element is movably mounted so that the optical element can be tilted at least about a first axis (A), a magnet (20) extending in an extension direction (Z), wherein the magnet (20) comprises a magnetization (M) aligned with said extension direction (Z), and wherein the magnet (20) comprises a front side (20a), and wherein optical element (10) is rigidly coupled to the magnet (20) or to a first conductor section (30) that faces the front side (20a) of the magnet (20) in the extension direction (Z), wherein the first conductor section (30) extends along the first axis (A), and a current source means (50) electrically connected to the first conductor section (30), which current source means (50) is designed to apply an electrical current (I) to said first conductor section (30), so that a Lorentz force is generated that tilts the optical element (10) about said first axis (A) al
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Optotune AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Stephan SMOLKA, Chauncey GRATZEL, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Markus GEISSNER
  • Publication number: 20180217402
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lens (1) for vision correction, wherein the lens (1) is particularly configured to be placed directly on the surface of an eye (2) of a person, wherein the lens (1) further comprises: a transparent base element (10) having a back side (12), and a front side (11) facing away from the back side (12), a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (20) connected to said base element (10), wherein said membrane (20) comprises a back side (22) that faces said front side (11) of the base element (10), a ring member (30) connected to said back side (22) of the membrane (20) so that the ring member (30) defines a curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a lens volume (41) adjacent said curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), which lens volume (41) is delimited by the ring member (30), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a reservoir volume (42) arranged in a boundary region (24) of the lens (1), wherein said two volumes (41, 42) a
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE AG
    Inventors: Alexandre LARMAGNAC, Matthias WALSER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Marcel SUTER, David NIEDERER, Anja STOBBE-KREEMERS, Stephan SMOLKA, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Jochen HOTZEL
  • Publication number: 20180136372
    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: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AG
    Inventors: Roman PATSCHEIDER, David NIEDERER, Pit GEBBERS, Daniel BORER, Christopher LANING, Stephan SMOLKA
  • Publication number: 20180127363
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid thioether carboxylic acid ester, a process for the preparation of the liquid thioether carboxylic acid ester, an article comprising the liquid thioether carboxylic acid ester as well as a use of the liquid thioether carboxylic acid ester as a component or substantial part of an optical system, tunable lens, adaptive optical module and materials thereof, actuator, electro-active polymer, laser and all related products, optical liquid, cover glass, lens or container material, tiltable prism or optical calibration liquid or optical refractive index matching liquid and a use of the liquid thioether carboxylic acid ester as a component or substantial part of a color filter, window material, coating, varnish, lacquer, dye or pigment formulation, immersion liquid, ingredient or additive in a plastic material or ingredient or additive in a polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Reinhold OEHRLEIN, Philip CASPARI, Kurt DIETLIKER, Natalia KUKALEVA, David NIEDERER
  • Publication number: 20180129072
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lens (1) for vision correction, wherein the lens (1) is configured to be placed directly on the surface of an eye (2) of a person or to be implanted into an eye (2) of a person, and wherein the lens (1) further comprises: a transparent base element (10) having a back side (12) and a front side (11) facing away from the back side (12), a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (20) connected to said base element (10), wherein said membrane (20) comprises a back side (22) that faces said front side (11) of the base element (10), a ring member (30) connected to said back side (22) of the membrane (20) so that the ring member (30) defines a curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a lens volume (41) adjacent said curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), which lens volume (41) is delimited by the ring member (30), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a reservoir volume (42) adjacent a boundary area (24) of said membrane (20
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Optotune AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Stephan SMOLKA, Chauncey GRATZEL, David STADLER, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Matthias WALSER, Alexandre LARMAGNAC, Marcel SUTER, Thomas SCHMIDHAUSLER
  • Publication number: 20180074233
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable focus lens comprising an elastically deformable optical element (7) and a circumferential mechanism (10, 1, 5, 2, 3, 8, 21) to transfer a rotational movement to an axial movement, wherein by using a ball bearing system (9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17) the mechanism is optimized in a manner to reduce mechanical friction, friction variation and to improve force-direction dependent positioning insensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Optotune AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Philipp WAIBEL
  • Publication number: 20180011285
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device (1) for enhancing the resolution of an image, comprising: a transparent plate member (10) configured for refracting a light beam (20) passing through the plate member (10), which light beam (20) projects an image comprised of rows and columns of pixels (40), a carrier (50) to which said transparent plate member (10) is rigidly mounted, wherein the carrier (50) is configured to be tilted between a first and a second position about a first axis (A), such that the plate member (10) is tilted between the first and the second position about the first axis (A), whereby said projected image (30) is shifted by a fraction (?P) of a pixel, particularly by a half of a pixel, along a first direction (x), and an actuator means (60) that is configured to tilt the carrier (50) and therewith the plate member (10) between the first and the second position about the first axis (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Optotune AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Mark VENTURA, Marcel SUTER, David STADLER, Stephan SMOLKA, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Markus GEISSNER
  • Publication number: 20170131569
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device, comprising: a lens (10) having an adjustable focal length (f).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Daniel BORER, Christopher LANING, Michael BUEELER
  • Publication number: 20160363737
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a housing, a deformable lens, and a lens shaper. The lens shaper defines the shape of the deformable lens. A first mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. A second mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. The second mechanism is at least one of an electromechanical actuator or motor. The first mechanism and the second mechanism are different types of mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Thomas Schmidhausler, Christoph Romer, Thomas Kern, Shu-Heng Yang, Charles King, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel Warren
  • Publication number: 20160306183
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device for reducing speckle noise of laser light having a first optical element extending along an extension plane, and an actuator designed for moving the first optical element along the extension plane. The actuator is formed as a reluctance actuator that is designed to exert a reluctance force on the first optical element to move the first optical element along the extension plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: David Niederer, Marcel Suter, Manuel Aschwanden, Selina Casutt, Damian Schneider
  • Publication number: 20160124220
    Abstract: An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion and having a filler material. The optical system also includes a corrective fixed lens. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. The corrective fixed lens is integral with the first deformable lens and the corrective fixed lens is in direct contact with the filler material of the deformable lens where the light passes through, and is configured to correct monochromatic or polychromatic aberrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Bueeler, Manuel Aschwanden, Chauncey Graetzel, David Niederer
  • Patent number: 9268110
    Abstract: An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. A first volume of a first optical media and a second volume of a second optical media are defined at least in part by the deformable portion of the membrane. The first volume and the second volume are completely enclosed by the housing. The first volume and the second volume remain substantially constant for all configurations of the first deformable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Bueler, Manuel Aschwanden, Chauncey Gratzel, David Niederer
  • Publication number: 20140285911
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a housing, a deformable lens, and a lens shaper. The lens shaper defines the shape of the deformable lens. A first mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. A second mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. The second mechanism is at least one of an electromechanical actuator or motor. The first mechanism and the second mechanism are different types of mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Thomas Schmidhausler, Christoph Romer, Thomas Kern, Shu-Heng Yang, Charles King, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel Warren
  • Publication number: 20140192427
    Abstract: An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. A first volume of a first optical media and a second volume of a second optical media are defined at least in part by the deformable portion of the membrane. The first volume and the second volume are completely enclosed by the housing. The first volume and the second volume remain substantially constant for all configurations of the first deformable lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE AG
    Inventors: Michael Büeler, Manuel Aschwanden, Chauncey Gratzel, David Niederer
  • Patent number: 8699141
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first membrane, a second membrane and at least one electromagnetically displaceable component. The first membrane includes an optically active area. The first membrane and the second membrane are coupled by a filler material disposed in a reservoir. At least one electromagnetically displaceable component is coupled to the filler material via the second membrane, such that a displacement of the at least one electromagnetically displaceable component is operative to cause a deformation of the optically active area of the first membrane by movement of the filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Knowles Electronics, LLC, Optotune AG
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Thomas Schmidhausler, Christoph Romer, Thomas Kern, Shu-Heng Yang, Charles King, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel Warren
  • Patent number: 8659835
    Abstract: An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. A first volume of a first optical media and a second volume of a second optical media are defined at least in part by the deformable portion of the membrane. The first volume and the second volume are completely enclosed by the housing. The first volume and the second volume remain substantially constant for all configurations of the first deformable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Optotune AG
    Inventors: Michael Büeler, Manuel Aschwanden, Chauncey Gratzel, David Niederer
  • Patent number: 8000022
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical system (1). The optical system (1) has a housing (2) with an opening (3) extending through the housing (2) encompassing an in general constant volume (V). A membrane (6) with two or more membrane sections is arranged across the opening separating the volume (V) in a first and a second chamber (7, 8) filled with at least one fluid. The membrane is attached to an annular holding frame (9). An actuator is interconnected to the membrane (6) directly or indirectly to change the optical behaviour of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Optotune AG
    Inventor: David Niederer
  • Publication number: 20100232161
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first membrane, a second membrane and at least one electromagnetically displaceable component. The first membrane includes an optically active area. The first membrane and the second membrane are coupled by a filler material disposed in a reservoir. At least one electromagnetically displaceable component is coupled to the filler material via the second membrane, such that a displacement of the at least one electromagnetically displaceable component is operative to cause a deformation of the optically active area of the first membrane by movement of the filler material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Thomas Schmidhausler, Christoph Romer, Thomas Kern, Shu-Heng Yang, Charles King, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel Warren
  • Publication number: 20100231783
    Abstract: An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. A first volume of a first optical media and a second volume of a second optical media are defined at least in part by the deformable portion of the membrane. The first volume and the second volume are completely enclosed by the housing. The first volume and the second volume remain substantially constant for all configurations of the first deformable lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Büeler, Manuel Aschwanden, Chauncey Gratzel, David Niederer
  • Patent number: D824540
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: David Niederer