Patents by Inventor Robert Sprowl
Robert Sprowl 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: 12029486Abstract: A low cost fundus camera uses LED light sources placed adjacent the camera's imaging stop, and thereby eliminates the need for optics for introducing the light source to the camera's optical path. Lens reflex in the pupil relay is avoided by using only reflective optics in the pupil relay. Reflex from the LED is mitigated by actuating each LED separately, one at a time, and capturing a separate image with each actuated LED. Reflex-free regions of each captured image are extracted and combined to create a composite reflex-free image.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignees: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC., CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AGInventors: Jochen Straub, Robert Sprowl, Yuan Liu, Matthew J. Everett
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Publication number: 20240108212Abstract: The eye imaging system for producing images with reduced speckle artifacts may comprise a laser diode for providing a beam of radiation to the eye; a detector for collecting light returning from the eye and generating output signals in response thereto, the detector having a sensor integration time; a driver circuit for applying a modulated drive signal to the laser diode, the modulated drive signal inducing a spectral broadening of the beam of radiation during the sensor integration time. The laser diode may be a single-mode laser designed to operate at a fixed current and wavelength. The drive signal may be modulated by shaping a drive current pulse. The drive signal may be modulated by imposing an RF modulation on a drive current pulse. The drive signal may be further modulated by shaping a drive current pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.Inventors: Conor Leahy, An-Dien Nguyen, Robert Sprowl, Jochen Straub, John Walker
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Publication number: 20210369109Abstract: A low cost fundus camera uses LED light sources placed adjacent the camera's imaging stop, and thereby eliminates the need for optics for introducing the light source to the camera's optical path. Lens reflex in the pupil relay is avoided by using only reflective optics in the pupil relay. Reflex from the LEDs is mitigated by actuating each LED separately, one at a time, and capturing a separate image with each actuated LED. Reflex-free regions of each captured image are extracted and combined to create a composite, reflex-free image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2019Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Jochen STRAUB, Robert SPROWL, Yuan LIU, Matthew J. EVERETT
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Publication number: 20180103841Abstract: Systems for visual field testing are described. One example system for testing the visual function of a patient includes a display, optics, a variable focus lens, a response detection system, and a processor. The display generates visual stimuli for the visual function testing of the patient. The optics image the visual stimuli onto the retina of the patient's eye. The variable focus lens is placed at a plane conjugate to the pupil of the eye for correcting the refractive error of the eye without impacting a field of view of the system. The response detection system collects data on the patient's perception of the visual stimuli. The processor receives a refractive error value of the patient and in response adjusts the variable focus lens to compensate for the refractive error of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventor: Robert SPROWL
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Patent number: 8419188Abstract: A wavelength combining apparatus includes first and second optical devices. The first optical device collects and collimates or focuses light from multiple laser light sources. The second optical device includes multiple nonparallel dichroic surfaces to combine light received from the first optical device.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Microvision, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Sprowl, Joshua M. Hudman, Joshua O. Miller
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Publication number: 20120075686Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a display projector may comprise a light source to generate a beam to be scanned, a scanning platform to scan the beam in a selected pattern to project an image on a projection surface, and a collection lens and microlens array to shape the beam to a desired beam profile without significantly increasing spot size of the beam with increasing distance from the projection surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.Inventors: Joshua M. Hudman, Joshua O. Miller, Richard A. James, Robert A. Sprowl, Markus Duelli
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Publication number: 20120032875Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes one or more light sources (101,102,103) configured to produce one or more light beams (104,105,106). An additional light source (111) produces an additional light beam (112), which may be a non-visible light beam like an infrared beam. A spatial light modulator (107) is configured to produce images (109) on a projection surface (110) by scanning the light beams and the additional light beam within an image cone (118) oriented in a first direction (119). A partial reflector (117) is disposed within the image cone (118) and is configured to pass at least a portion of the light beams and reflect at least a portion of the additional light beam within a second cone (120) oriented in a second direction (121).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.Inventors: Robert A Sprowl, Margaret K. Brown
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Publication number: 20110249197Abstract: A wavelength combining apparatus includes first and second optical devices. The first optical device collects and collimates or focuses light from multiple laser light sources. The second optical device includes multiple nonparallel dichroic surfaces to combine light received from the first optical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.Inventors: Robert A. Sprowl, Joshua M. Hudman, Joshua O. Miller
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Publication number: 20090141244Abstract: A MEMS-based projector may be included in various user devices. A selective fold mirror, a MEMS-based projector, and a polarization rotator may be oriented to reflect a beam within the device for external projection. Alternatively, a total internal reflection prism may take the place of a selective fold mirror or a polarization rotator and may reduce the number of necessary components in the user device. Various optical components may be placed in the MEMS-based projector and arranged in different positions to reflect a light beam in a desired direction for external projection. The components that make up the MEMS-based projector may depend on the available footprint in the device and the direction in which the light beam is to be projected. Some optical components may provide multiple functionalities which would otherwise require multiple components and may reduce the size of the projector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: Microvision, Inc.Inventors: Joshua O. Miller, Richard A. James, Christian Dean DeJong, Robert A. Sprowl, Maarten Niesten
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Publication number: 20090128782Abstract: A MEMS-based projector may be included in various user devices. A selective fold mirror, a MEMS-based projector, and a polarization rotator may be oriented to reflect a beam within the device for external projection. Alternatively, a total internal reflection prism may take the place of a selective fold mirror or a polarization rotator and may reduce the number of necessary components in the user device. Various optical components may be placed in the MEMS-based projector and arranged in different positions to reflect a light beam in a desired direction for external projection. The components that make up the MEMS-based projector may depend on the available footprint in the device and the direction in which the light beam is to be projected. Some optical components may provide multiple functionalities which would otherwise require multiple components and may reduce the size of the projector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2009Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: Microvision, Inc.Inventors: Joshua O. Miller, Richard A. James, Christian Dean DeJong, Robert A. Sprowl, Maarten Niesten
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Publication number: 20080037090Abstract: A MEMS-based projector may be included in various user devices. A selective fold mirror, a MEMS-based projector, and a polarization rotator may be oriented to reflect a beam within the device for external projection. Alternatively, a total internal reflection prism may take the place of a selective fold mirror or a polarization rotator and may reduce the number of necessary components in the user device. Various optical components may be placed in the MEMS-based projector and arranged in different positions to reflect a light beam in a desired direction for external projection. The components that make up the MEMS-based projector may depend on the available footprint in the device and the direction in which the light beam is to be projected. Some optical components may provide multiple functionalities which would otherwise require multiple components and may reduce the size of the projector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.Inventors: Joshua Miller, Richard James, Christian DeJong, Robert Sprowl, Maarten Niesten