Patents by Inventor Helmut Altheimer

Helmut Altheimer 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: 20060055881
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a progressive lens is described. This invention is characterized by the following steps: selecting a preset progressive lens having a preset object distance function A1(x,y), selecting an object distance function A2(x=x0,y) along the main line of vision of the preset progressive lens for a lens that is to be derived, locating the map U:y?y? along the main line of vision, such that the value y? for which the following holds is calculated for each value of y: A1(x=x0,y)=A2(x=x0,y?), calculating the setpoint values S(x,y) at S(x,y?)=S(x,U(y)).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Edda Wehner, Andrea Welk, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Walter Haimerl
  • Patent number: 7008058
    Abstract: A progressive spectacle lens having two aspherical and in particular progressive surfaces, i.e. surfaces contributing to the rise in the effect (addition Add.) from the distance vision portion to the near vision portion, in which the sagittal heights zi=zi(x,y) of at least one (i) progressive surface (i=1,2) are chosen such that the sagittal height z of this respective surface at the edge of the spectacle lens given by yi=fi1(x) for y?0 and yi=fi2(x) for y<0 assume predefined values without this surface (i) or the other surface (j) having a reversal of curvature forming a supporting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfeiffer, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer
  • Publication number: 20060007392
    Abstract: A double-progressive spectacle lens in which the progressive action is distributed over the front and rear surfaces of the double-progressive spectacle lenses and described by the quotient Q Q=Addvfl/AddGesamt where Addvfl represents the increase in the surface dioptric power along the principal line on the front surface between the distance area and the near area, and ADDGesamt represents the increase in the total dioptric power along the principal line between the distance area and the near area, and the fraction Q increases with growing distance area effect F: ? Q ? ( F ) ? F ? 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Esser, Walter Haimerl, Edda Wehner, Andrea Welk, Helmut Altheimer, Martin Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20060007393
    Abstract: A double progressive spectacle lens having a prefabricated progressive surface and a second progressive surface for correcting a spherical ametropia or a cylindrical ametropia, in which the surface properties of the progressive surface in the vicinity of the principal line of sight are asymmetric, the asymmetry being determined by the symmetry factor SA, which is determined in relation to the level A by the ratio of the smaller to the larger horizontal distance between the principal line of sight and the location at which the surface astigmatism in the horizontal section reaches the value A [dpt].
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Haimerl, Helmut Altheimer, Gregor Esser, Edda Wehner, Andrea Welk
  • Publication number: 20050280775
    Abstract: A pair of spectacle lenses in which one spectacle lens is designed for distance vision or near vision, and the second spectacle lens is designed for another object distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Walter Haimerl, Edda Wehner, Andrea Welk
  • Patent number: 6974214
    Abstract: A method for optimizing an atoroidal surface of an optical lens, in particular a spectacle lens, having at least one plane of symmetry is characterized by a combination of the following features: dividing the atoroidal surface having at least one plane of symmetry into at least two regions separated by the at least one plane of symmetry; representing one of the separate regions (represented region) of this surface by a set of coefficients of B spline functions; computing sagittal heights of the represented region by B spline interpolation; computing sagittal heights in at least one other region by mirroring coefficients or coordinates at the at least one plane of symmetry; and optimizing the atoroidal surface only by varying the set of B spline coefficients of the represented region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Andrea Welk, Helmut Altheimer, Peter Baumbach, Rainer Dorsch, Gregor Esser, Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 6965385
    Abstract: A method is provided for demonstrating an effect of a particular spectacle frame and of optical lenses fitted into this spectacle frame on the appearance of a spectacles wearer as it would be perceived by another person (virtual observer). An image of a face of the spectacles wearer is prepared in such manner that the image can be processes in a computer. An arrangement of the respective spectacle frame in front of the eyes is determined. The image of the face is projected onto a plane by a computation (ray-tracing) of principal rays passing through a center of rotation of an eye of the (virtual) observer to produce a planar image of the face in this plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Andrea Welk, Helmut Altheimer, Peter Baumbach, Gregor Esser, Walter Haimerl
  • Patent number: 6964478
    Abstract: A spectacle lens is provided with a region (distance portion) designed for viewing at greater distances and, in particular, “to infinity”, a region (near portion) designed for viewing at short distances and, in particular, “reading distances”, and a progression zone disposed between the distance portion and the near portion, in which the power of the spectacle lens increases from the value in the distance reference point located in the distance portion to the value at the near reference point located in the near portion along a line (principal meridian) curving towards the nose. The invention is marked by specific conditions for the astigmatic deviation and/or the mean “as worn” power being observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Andrea Welk, Peter Baumbach, Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfeiffer, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Rainer Dorsch, Martin Zimmerman, Norbert Awrath, Jochen Brosig, Werner Mueller, Martin Wechs, Stephan Haser, Winfried Nikolaus
  • Publication number: 20050206842
    Abstract: A unifocal spectacle lens with an aspheric and/or atoric surface, or a progressive spectacle lens, in which the unifocal spectacle lens or the progressive spectacle lens has small higher order aberrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Edda Wehner, Andrea Welk, Walter Haimerl, Helmut Altheimer, Gregor Esser
  • Publication number: 20050110945
    Abstract: A progressive spectacle lens having two aspherical and in particular progressive surfaces, i.e. surfaces contributing to the rise in the effect (addition Add.) from the distance vision portion to the near vision portion, in which the sagittal heights zi=zi(x,y) of at least one (i) progressive surface (i=1,2) are chosen such that the sagittal height z of this respective surface at the edge of the spectacle lens given by yi=fi1(x) for y?0 and yi=fi2(x) for y<0 assume predefined values without this surface (i) or the other surface (j) having a reversal of curvature forming a supporting edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfeiffer, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer
  • Patent number: 6848788
    Abstract: A spectacle lens comprises a region (distance portion) designed for viewing at large distances and in particular “to infinity”; a region (near portion) designed for viewing at short distances and in particular “reading distances”; and a progressive zone disposed between the distance portion and the near portion, in which the power of the spectacle lens increases from a value at a distance reference point located in the distance portion to a value at the near reference point located in the near portion along a curve (principal line) veering towards the nose. The invention is distinguished by a combination of the following features: a change of magnification with a direction of sight is small; the magnification increases radially, starting from the distance reference point; the difference between the magnifications at the distance and near reference points is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Andrea Welk, Peter Baumbach, Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfeiffer, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Rainer Dorsch
  • Patent number: 6834957
    Abstract: A progressive power spectacle lens in which a progressive length is less than or equal to 12 mm and width of the distance portion in a horizontally meridian y=+7 mm in dependence on power and addition power is larger than the values given in the following Table: Sph = −6.0 dpt −2.5 dpt 0.5 dpt 3.0 dpt 5.0 dpt Addition 47 mm 55 mm 60 mm 60 mm 60 mm Power = 1.0 Addition 34 mm 36 mm 34 mm 29 mm 35 mm Power = 2.0 Addition 26 mm 27 mm 25 mm 22 mm 23 mm Power = 3.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Andrea Welk, Peter Baumbach, Walter Haimeri, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Edda Wehner, Norbert Awrath, Martin Zimmermann, Winfried Nikolaus
  • Patent number: 6832834
    Abstract: A method for computing a spectacle lens, which includes a region (distance portion) designed for viewing at large distances and in particular “to infinity”, a region (near portion) designed for viewing at short distances and in particular “reading distances,” and a progressive zone disposed between the distance portion and the near portion, in which the power of the spectacle lens increases, from a value at a distance reference point located in the distance portion to a value at the near reference point located in the near portion along a curve (principal line) veering towards the nose, by an amount designated as addition power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfeiffer, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer
  • Patent number: 6808263
    Abstract: Described is a spectacle lens comprising a region (distance portion) designed for viewing at large distances and in particular “to infinity”; a region (near portion) designed for viewing at short distances and in particular “reading distances”; and a progressive zone disposed between the distance portion and the near portion, in which the power of the spectacle lens increases from a value at a distance reference point located in the distance portion to a value at a near reference point located in the near portion along a curve (principal line) veering towards the nose. The invention is rendered distinct by a feature, amongst others, according to which trajectories of motion fulfill specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Andrea Welk, Peter Baumbach, Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfeiffer, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Rainer Dorsch
  • Patent number: 6779889
    Abstract: A spectacle lens comprises a region (distance portion) designed for viewing at greater distances, in particular, to infinity; a region (near portion) designed for viewing at short distances and, in particular, “reading distances”; and a progression zone located between the distance portion and the near portion, in which the power of the spectacle lens increases from a value at the distance reference point located in the distance portion to the value at the near reference point located in the near portion along a line (principal meridian) curving towards the nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Andrea Welk, Peter Baumbach, Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfeiffer, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Rainer Dorsch, Martin Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6776487
    Abstract: A spectacle lens comprises a region (distance portion) designed for viewing at large distances and in particular “to infinity”; a region (near portion) designed for viewing at short distances and in particular “reading distances”; and a progressive zone disposed between the distance portion and the near portion, in which a power of the spectacle lens increases from a value at a distance reference point located in the distance portion to a value at a near reference point located in the near portion along a curve (principal line) veering towards a nose. The invention is distinct in that, for minimizing a change of binocular imaging properties with horizontal movements of glance, a lift (difference between a maximum and a minimum value occurring during a movement) of binocular imaging properties when a moving object is being followed, is smaller than a physiologically pre-determined limiting amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfeiffer, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Andrea Welk, Peter Baumbach, Rainer Dorsch
  • Patent number: 6752497
    Abstract: Described is a single vision spectacle lens for spherical or astigmatic prescriptions. It is characteristic of the present invention that at least one surface is an atoroidal surface, and that along at least one line the refraction defect and the astigmatic defect for viewing angles of up to 40° are each smaller than ±0.15 dpt. In the case of an astigmatic prescription the deviation of the cylinder axis or axis orientation from the prescribed cylinder axis or axis orientation is smaller than 1°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Herbert Pfeiffer, Walter Haimerl
  • Publication number: 20040114100
    Abstract: A method for optimizing an atoroidal surface of an optical lens, in particular a spectacle lens, having at least one plane of symmetry is characterized by a combination of the following features: dividing the atoroidal surface having at least one plane of symmetry into at least two regions separated by the at least one plane of symmetry; representing one of the separate regions (represented region) of this surface by a set of coefficients of B spline functions; computing sagittal heights of the represented region by B spline interpolation; computing sagittal heights in at least one other region by mirroring coefficients or coordinates at the at least one plane of symmetry; and optimizing the atoroidal surface only by varying the set of B spline coefficients of the represented region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Andrea Welk, Helmut Altheimer, Peter Baumbach, Rainer Dorsch, Gregor Esser, Walter Haimerl, Herbert Pfieffer
  • Publication number: 20040085650
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a spectacle lens, in which at first a semi-finished uncut spectacle lens (hereinafter referred to as a blank) is produced, i.e. a spectacle lens having merely one finished optical surface (hereinafter described as base surface); subsequently a prescription-optimized surface is computed according to the data of a spectacle lens prescription; and then the prescription-optimized surface is finished according to the computed data. The invention is characterized by the following method steps: after the production of the semi-finished spectacle lens the base surface is measured; the prescription-optimized surface is computed and finished taking into account not only the individual data of the spectacle prescription, but also the actual shape of the base surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Roswitha Fendt, Fritz Gruna, Helmut Altheimer, Walter Haimerl, Gregor Esser, Herbert Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20040027679
    Abstract: A method is described for designing and optimizing an individual spectacle lens. The invention is characterized in that a draft design is made by an ophthalmologist on a video workstation by means of a computer program; the design is communicated to a manufacturer or an optical computing office; and that the manufacturer optimizes an individual spectacle lens on the basis of these stipulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Andrea Welk, Walter Haimerl, Gregor Esser, Peter Baumbach, Helmut Altheimer, Edda Wehner