Patents by Inventor Manuel Aschwanden

Manuel Aschwanden 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: 20240111173
    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: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Mark VENTURA, David LEUENBERGER, Michael BÜELER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA, Frank BOSE, David NIEDERER
  • Publication number: 20240077789
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging optical system with a tunable optical component, which comprises a first optical surface, a second optical surface and a deformable internal space between the first optical surface and the second optical surface, which internal space is filled with a transparent liquid, and wherein an optical property of the tunable optical component is adjustable by altering a shape of the internal space, and with a first folding element which is mechanically coupled to the tunable optical component such that a relative displacement between the first folding element and the tunable optical component causes a change of the optical property of the tunable optical component and with a second folding element that is arranged in series with the tunable optical component and the first folding element within an optical path of the imaging optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, Ilias Bosdas
  • Patent number: 11880044
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device (1) for enhancing the resolution of an image or for reducing speckle noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, Marcel Suter, Stephan Smolka, Roman Patscheider, David Andreas Niederer
  • Publication number: 20230375819
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tunable optical component (100) comprising a liquid chamber (101), a flexible membrane (1), a shaping element (3), and an actuator (2), wherein the liquid chamber (101) is filled with a liquid (102), the membrane (1) delimits the liquid chamber (101), the membrane (1) is attached to the shaping element (3), the shaping element (3) has a ring shape, wherein the shaping element (3) surrounds an optically active area (10) of the membrane (1), the actuator (2) comprises multiple piezo units (20), the piezo unit (20) is coupled to a counterpart (203) in a releasable force-fitting manner, the piezo unit (20) is arranged to move the counterpart (203), and wherein the relative movement of the counterpart (203) and the piezo unit (20) results in a movement of the liquid (102), which causes a change of an optical property of the optically active area (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Optotune Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Roman PATSCHEIDER, Christopher LANING, David Andreas NIEDERER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN
  • Patent number: 11815742
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising: at least a first lens (100) having an adjustable focal length, wherein the first lens (100) comprises a container (2) comprising at least one reservoir volume (90) and a lens volume (91) which are in flow communication via a channel (92) and filled with a transparent fluid (F), and wherein the container (2) comprises a stretchable transparent membrane (21) and a transparent lens shaper (22) that is immersed in the fluid (F) and connected to the membrane (21), so that the lens shaper (22) defines a curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (21), and wherein the container (2) comprises a transparent back wall (30) facing the membrane (21), wherein the fluid (F) is arranged between the membrane (20) and the back wall (30). According to the present invention, the at least one reservoir volume (90) is covered by a wall (21), wherein a plunger (94) for interacting with an actuator part (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: OPTOTUNE AG
    Inventors: David Leuenberger, Michael Büeler, Roman Patscheider, Pit Gebbers, Christopher Laning, Manuel Aschwanden
  • Publication number: 20230358924
    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: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Manuel ASCHWANDEN
  • Publication number: 20230347604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing at least one optical component (1), comprising the steps of: a) Providing at least one cavity (2), wherein the at least one cavity (2) is delimited on a first side by a surface (3a) of a first membrane portion (3), wherein a shape of the first membrane portion (3) is adjustable; b) Filling a material (4) into the at least one cavity (2) for forming at least one optical component (1), such that the material (4) contacts a surface (3a) of the first membrane portion (3); c) Adjusting the shape of the first membrane portion (3); d) Curing the material (4) filled into the at least one cavity (2) so that the material (4) forms a first interface (e.g. a first optical surface) (1a) of the at least one optical component (1), which first interface (1a) comprises a shape defined by a shape of the surface (3a) of the first membrane portion (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: OPTOTUNE SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David Andreas NIEDERER, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Michael ZIHLMANN, Christopher LANING, Marta VIDIELLA DEL BLANCO
  • Publication number: 20230324769
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging optical system (1) comprising a folding component (2) and a tunable optical component (3) that are arranged on an optical path of the optical system (1), wherein the tunable optical component (3) comprises a first optical surface (7), a second optical surface (8) and a deformable internal space (9) between the first optical surface (7) and the second optical surface (8), which internal space (9) is filled with a transparent liquid (11), wherein an optical property of the tunable optical component (3) is adjustable by altering a shape of the internal space (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Markus Geissner, Manuel Aschwanden, Ilias Bosdas, Mohammad Beygi, Jonathan Hobbis
  • Publication number: 20230324644
    Abstract: Carrier arrangement (1) for an optical device (16) comprising a first carrier (2) and a second carrier (3), which are rotatable relative to each other about a first axis (8) that is defined by a first bearing means (7), wherein the first bearing means (7) is arranged between the first carrier (2) and the second carrier (3) and comprises at least one pin (9), preferably two pins, with a longitudinal axis (10), wherein the pin (9) is arranged such that its longitudinal axis (10) is essentially parallel to the first axis (8), wherein a first portion (17) of the pin (9) is attached to the first carrier (2) and a second portion (18) of the pin is moveably arranged in a notch (10) of the second carrier (3), or wherein the first portion (17) of the pin (8) is attached to the second carrier (3) and the second portion (18) of the pin (9) is moveably arranged in a notch (11) of the first carrier (2), the notch (11) comprising at least two support surfaces (30, 31) that are designed such that the second portion (18) of
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Optotune Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang ZESCH, Dávid Almá{hacek over (s)}i, Manuel ASCHWANDEN
  • Publication number: 20230282143
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Carrier device (1) for carrying an optical element (2), comprising: a platform (P) defining a plane (P1), a base (S), a spring structure (3) connecting the platform to the base so as to allow tilting of the platform with respect to the base about a least a first axis (A) extending parallel to said plane, a first magnet (M1) and a first coil (C1), wherein the first magnet is connected to the platform and the first coil (C1) is connected to the base, or wherein the first magnet is connected to the base and the first coil (C1) is connected to the platform (P), and wherein the first magnet (M1) is magnetized parallel to said plane (P1), wherein the first coil (C1) comprises a first coil section (10) opposing the first magnet (M1), such that an electrical current flowing through the first coil section (10) generates a Lorentz force in a direction extending at an angle in the range from 88° to 92° with respect to said plane (P1) such that a tilting of the platform (P) is caused, and
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Optotune Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Stephan Smolka, Manuel Aschwanden, Wolfgang Zesch
  • Publication number: 20230185002
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising: a tunable lens (2) having a tunable optical power, and a lens barrel (3) extending along a central axis (z), the lens barrel (3) comprising a circumferential lateral wall (30) surrounding an internal space (31) of the lens barrel (3) for accommodating the tunable lens (2), wherein the tunable lens (2) is carried by the lens barrel (3) and is at least partially arranged in the internal space (31) of the lens barrel (3) at a height (h) with respect to the central axis (z), wherein the lens barrel (2) comprises a first cross-sectional plane (A) and a second cross-sectional plane (B), said cross sectional planes (A, B) intersecting each other along the central axis (z), wherein the lens barrel (3) comprises at said height (h) of the tunable lens (2) a first diameter (D1) extending along the first cross-sectional plane (A) and a second diameter (D2) extending along the second cross-sectional plane (B), wherein the first diameter (D1) is smaller th
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, Johannes HAASE, Frank BOSE, Stephan SMOLKA, Andreas BRANDLE, Sanggyu BIERN
  • Publication number: 20230185050
    Abstract: An optical device is suggested, which comprises a container (2) enclosing an internal space (3), wherein the internal space (3) is filled with a transparent liquid (4), and wherein the container (2) comprises a transparent bottom (5) and a transparent and elastically deformable membrane (6) opposing said bottom (5) such that the liquid (4) is arranged between the membrane (6) and the bottom (5), a circumferential lens shaping element (10) connected to the membrane (6) so that a circumferential edge of the lens shaping element (10) defines a central area (8) of the membrane (6) so that light can pass through the container (2) via the central area (8) and the bottom (5), wherein the lens shaping element (10) is deformable and comprises a plurality of actuation points (11), wherein in each of the actuation points (11) the lens shaping element (10) is moveably mounted with respect to the transparent bottom (5) by a bearing means (12) and wherein at least one actuation point (11) is displaceable with respect to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Optotune Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Manuel Aschwanden
  • Publication number: 20230185078
    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: February 12, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Michael BUEELER, David NIEDERER, Chris LANING, Roman PATSCHEIDER
  • Publication number: 20230134656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid lens (1) with an adjustable optical power comprising at least the following components: a lens volume (VL) with a first transparent liquid (L1) arranged between a first transparent membrane (21) and a second transparent membrane (22) opposite the first membrane (21), wherein the first membrane (21) has a first side (21-1) facing outwards the lens volume (VL) and a second side (21-2) facing in the opposite direction particularly toward the lens volume (VL), wherein the second membrane (22) has a first side (22-1) facing toward the lens volume (VL) and a second side (22-2) facing in the opposite direction particularly outward the lens volume (VL), a lens shaping element (3) arranged on the first membrane (21), the lens shaping element (3) having a circumferential aperture (3a) defining a lens area (21a) of the first membrane (21) having an adjustable curvature, a rigid transparent window element (5) connected to the second membrane (22) covering a window portion (22a) of the
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Optotune Consumer AG
    Inventors: Stephan Smolka, Manuel Aschwanden, David Andreas Niederer, Johannes Haase
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230046355
    Abstract: Objective comprising a lens barrel, an actuator and a tunable lens, wherein the tunable lens comprises a primary membrane and a secondary membrane delimiting a liquid volume on opposing sides along an axial direction, the tunable lens comprises a container delimiting the liquid volume in lateral directions, wherein the lateral directions extend perpendicularly with respect to the axial direction, and the primary membrane and the secondary membrane are attached to opposing sides of the container, the tunable lens comprises a window member which is attached to the secondary membrane, wherein the secondary membrane connects the window member and the container elastically, wherein relative motion of the window member and the container along the axial direction results in a change of an optical property of the tunable lens, the window member or the container is fixedly attached to the lens barrel, the actuator is arranged to provide an actuation force along the axial direction, wherein the actuation force acts bet
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Stephan Smolka, Frank Bose, 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
  • Publication number: 20220373805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one optical property of a visual aid (e.g. eyeglasses) for a person, the method comprising the steps of: Observation of a test pattern (T) by the person through an tunable lens (20, 21) of a virtual reality (VR) and/or augmented reality (AR) headset (2) worn by the person, the tunable lens (20, 21) being positioned in front of an eye of the person, and adjusting at least one optical property of the tunable lens (20, 21) so that the person perceives the test pattern (T) as being sharp, or adjusting at least one optical property of the tunable lens (20, 21) until a sensor device (30, 31) detects accommodation of the eye of the person to the test pattern (T).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Optotune AG
    Inventor: Manuel Aschwanden
  • 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