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).

  • Patent number: 12029486
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignees: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC., CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Jochen Straub, Robert Sprowl, Yuan Liu, Matthew J. Everett
  • Publication number: 20240108212
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Conor Leahy, An-Dien Nguyen, Robert Sprowl, Jochen Straub, John Walker
  • Publication number: 20210369109
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jochen STRAUB, Robert SPROWL, Yuan LIU, Matthew J. EVERETT
  • Publication number: 20180103841
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventor: Robert SPROWL
  • Patent number: 8419188
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprowl, Joshua M. Hudman, Joshua O. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120075686
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Hudman, Joshua O. Miller, Richard A. James, Robert A. Sprowl, Markus Duelli
  • Publication number: 20120032875
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A Sprowl, Margaret K. Brown
  • Publication number: 20110249197
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprowl, Joshua M. Hudman, Joshua O. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090141244
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua O. Miller, Richard A. James, Christian Dean DeJong, Robert A. Sprowl, Maarten Niesten
  • Publication number: 20090128782
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua O. Miller, Richard A. James, Christian Dean DeJong, Robert A. Sprowl, Maarten Niesten
  • Publication number: 20080037090
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Miller, Richard James, Christian DeJong, Robert Sprowl, Maarten Niesten