Patents by Inventor Michael Bueeler
Michael Bueeler 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).
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Patent number: 12013548Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: NEXTLENS SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Mark Ventura, David Leuenberger, Michael Büeler, Manuel Aschwanden, Stephan Smolka, Frank Bose, David Niederer
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Patent number: 11956540Abstract: The invention relates to a tiltable mirror (1) for optical image stabilization in an optical imaging system (100), the tiltable mirror (1) comprising—a rigid mirror substrate (1S) with a planar reflective layer (1R) on a front side of the mirror substrate (1S) for reflecting incident light (500) in an optical imaging system (100), —a mirror frame (1F), wherein the mirror substrate (1S) is arranged tiltably in the mirror frame (1F), —an actuator (2) for tilting the mirror substrate (1S) around a primary (x) and a secondary (y) tilt axis with respect to the mirror frame (1F). The invention further relates to an optical imaging system comprising a tiltable mirror (1) according to the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Optotune Switzerland AGInventors: Stephan Smolka, Michael Büeler, Sanggyu Biern, Johannes Haase
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Publication number: 20240111173Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AGInventors: Mark VENTURA, David LEUENBERGER, Michael BÜELER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA, Frank BOSE, David NIEDERER
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Patent number: 11815742Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: David Leuenberger, Michael Büeler, Roman Patscheider, Pit Gebbers, Christopher Laning, Manuel Aschwanden
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Publication number: 20230185078Abstract: 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 saidType: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Michael BUEELER, David NIEDERER, Chris LANING, Roman PATSCHEIDER
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Patent number: 11579435Abstract: 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 saidType: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AGInventors: Manuel Aschwanden, Michael Bueeler, David Niederer, Chris Laning, Roman Patscheider
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Publication number: 20220196886Abstract: An optical device for machine vision, particularly for automatically extracting information from images of an object, comprising: a first optical path, which is arranged to image a first object plane, a second optical path, which is arranged to image a second object plane, an image sensor which is arranged to capture the image of the first and/or second object plane, wherein the first object plane extends obliquely with respect to the second object plane, the first optical path and the second optical path extend through a first liquid lens with an optical axis, wherein the optical axis extends vertically.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: Optotune AGInventor: Michael Büeler
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Publication number: 20220070350Abstract: The invention relates to a tiltable mirror (1) for optical image stabilization in an optical imaging system (100), the tiltable mirror (1) comprising—a rigid mirror substrate (1S) with a planar reflective layer (1R) on a front side of the mirror substrate (1S) for reflecting incident light (500) in an optical imaging system (100),—a mirror frame (1F), wherein the mirror substrate (1S) is arranged tiltably in the mirror frame (1F),—an actuator (2) for tilting the mirror substrate (1S) around a primary (x) and a secondary (y) tilt axis with respect to the mirror frame (1F). The invention further relates to an optical imaging system comprising a tiltable mirror (1) according to the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Optotune AGInventors: Stephan SMOLKA, Michael BÜELER, Sanggyu BIERN, Johannes HAASE
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Publication number: 20220066182Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system (1) comprising a solid lens barrel (2) for optical elements (3), wherein the lens barrel (2) extends along an optical axis (100) of the optical system (100), the lens barrel (2) holding a plurality of optical elements (3), the plurality comprising a lens system (5), comprising at least one solid lens (53), and a first lens (6) having an adjustable focal length, wherein the first lens (6) comprises a container (62) filled with a transparent fluid, wherein the container (62) comprises an elastically deformable and transparent membrane (61) facing a transparent bottom portion (67) of the container (62), wherein the lens barrel (2) has a first and a second opening (22, 22?) facing along the optical axis (100), wherein the first and/or the second opening (22, 22?) is configured to receive the lens system (5), wherein the lens barrel (2) has a first slot (24) extending perpendicular to the optical axis (100), wherein the first lens (6) is inserted through the first slot (2Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AGInventors: Michael BÜELER, Stephan SMOLKA, Johannes HAASE, Matthieu VERLANGEN
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Publication number: 20210165238Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: June 3, 2021Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AGInventors: Mark VENTURA, David LEUENBERGER, Michael BÜELER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA, Frank BOSE, David NIEDERER
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Publication number: 20210116682Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical zoom device (1), comprising: a first lens (31) having an adjustable focal length and comprising a container (41) filled with a transparent fluid (F), wherein the container (41) of the first lens (31) comprises an elastically deformable and transparent membrane (61) facing a transparent wall (21) of the container (41) of the first lens (31), a second lens (32) having an adjustable focal length, wherein the second lens (32) is arranged after the first lens (31) in an optical path (A) of the optical zoom device (1), wherein the second lens (32) comprises a container (42) filled with a transparent fluid (F), wherein the container (42) of the second lens (32) comprises an elastically deformable and transparent membrane (62) facing a transparent wall (22) of the container (42) of the second lens (32), and a light deflecting device (70) arranged in the optical path (A), wherein the second lens (32) is arranged after the light deflecting device (70) in the optical path (A).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AGInventors: Stephan SMOLKA, Michael BÜELER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Johannes HAASE, Frank BOSE
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Publication number: 20200379275Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device, comprising: a lens having an adjustable focal length. According to the invention, a light source which is configured to emit light that is affected by said lens and impinges on at least a first photosensitive element, which is designed to generate a first output signal corresponding to the intensity of light impinging on it, wherein the first photosensitive element is configured to measure only a portion of the intensity distribution of said emitted light, and wherein the light source, the lens and the first photosensitive element are configured such that a change of the focal length of said lens changes the intensity distribution of the emitted light that impinges on the first photosensitive element, so that each focal length of the lens is associated to a specific first output signal generated by the first photosensitive element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: Optotune AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Daniel BORER, Christopher LANING, Michael BUEELER
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Publication number: 20200285077Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: David LEUENBERGER, Michael BÜELER, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Pit GEBBERS, Christopher LANING, Manuel ASCHWANDEN
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Patent number: 10684495Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device, comprising: a lens having an adjustable focal length. According to the invention, a light source which is configured to emit light that is affected by said lens and impinges on at least a first photosensitive element, which is designed to generate a first output signal corresponding to the intensity of light impinging on it, wherein the first photosensitive element is configured to measure only a portion of the intensity distribution of said emitted light, and wherein the light source, the lens and the first photosensitive element are configured such that a change of the focal length of said lens changes the intensity distribution of the emitted light that impinges on the first photosensitive element, so that each focal length of the lens is associated to a specific first output signal generated by the first photosensitive element.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Roman Patscheider, Daniel Borer, Christopher Laning, Michael Bueeler
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Publication number: 20200124839Abstract: 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 saidType: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Michael BUEELER, David NIEDERER, Chris LANING, Roman PATSCHEIDER
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Publication number: 20170131569Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device, comprising: a lens (10) having an adjustable focal length (f).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2015Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Daniel BORER, Christopher LANING, Michael BUEELER
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Publication number: 20160202455Abstract: Optical zoom system (1) for imaging an object plane (100) onto an imaging plane (200), e.g. for a smartphone camera, and comprising two liquid lenses (10, 20) followed by a fixed correction lens (30, 50, 60), the liquids having an Abbe number greater than 60.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicants: Optotune AG, KNOWLES GMBHInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Michael BUEELER, Martin SALT
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Publication number: 20160124220Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Michael Bueeler, Manuel Aschwanden, Chauncey Graetzel, David Niederer
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Patent number: 8944647Abstract: The illumination source has a LED light source (2) generating a first divergent light field (6). The light from the LED light source (2) is processed by a first optical element (10), in particular a first lens element, to generate a second divergent light field (19). The first divergent light field (19) is processed by a second optical element (20) having a variable lens variable focus in order to generate a third light field (35) whose divergence can be varied.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Optotune AGInventors: Michael Bueeler, Manuel Aschwanden
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Publication number: 20150028195Abstract: A deformable optical lens with a lens membrane having an optically active portion that is configured to be shaped over an air-membrane interface according to a spherical cap and Zernike polynomials is provided. The spherical cap and the Zernike polynomials comprise a Zernike[4,0], (Noll[11]) polynomial and are sufficient to model the deformable optical lens to within approximately 2 micrometers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Charles King, Chauncey Graetzel, Laurent Davoine, Christopher Monti, Thomas Schmidhaeusler, MIchael Bueeler, Martin Salt, Natalia Kukaleva, Peter Liebetraut