Patents by Inventor Stephan SMOLKA
Stephan SMOLKA 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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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: 20220011473Abstract: The invention relates to a lens (1) having an adjustable focal length, comprising: a container (2) enclosing an internal space (3) of the container (2), wherein the internal space (3) is filled with a transparent liquid (L), and wherein the container (2) comprises a circumferential lateral wall (20) surrounding said internal space (3), wherein the lateral wall (20) is connected to a transparent cover element (21) and to a transparent and elastically deformable membrane (22) such that the liquid (L) is arranged between the membrane (22) and the cover element (21), an annular lens shaper (4) connected to the membrane (22) so that an inner circumferential edge (40) of the lens shaper (4) defines a central area (23) of the membrane (22) and light passing said area (23) is refracted depending on a curvature of said area (23), and an actuator configured to move the lens shaper (4) towards or away from the cover element (21) to adjust said curvature of said area (23) of the lens (1) and therewith the focal length ofType: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2019Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Stephan SMOLKA, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Chris LANING, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Johannes HAASE, David Andreas NIEDERER
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Patent number: 11209576Abstract: The invention relates to a lens, comprising a container (100) defining a volume (V) which is filled with a transparent liquid (2), wherein the container (10) comprises a transparent and elastically deformable membrane (20) and a rigid member (30), wherein the membrane (20) and the rigid member (30) delimit said volume (V), and a lens shaping element (200) that contacts the membrane (20) and defines an area (21) of said membrane (20), which area (21) has an adjustable curvature for adjusting the focal length of the lens (1). According to the invention, the lens (1) is configured to compensate a thermal expansion of the liquid (2) and/or a change of the refractive index of the liquid (2) due to an increased temperature of the liquid (2) in order to reduce an unwanted thermally induced change of the focal length of the lens (1).Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Roman Patscheider, David Niederer, Pit Gebbers, Daniel Borer, Christopher Laning, Stephan Smolka
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Publication number: 20210325575Abstract: The present invention relates to a lens (1), comprising: a first chamber (C1) filled with a first transparent liquid (L1) comprising a first mass density (?1) and a first refractive index (n1), a second chamber (C2) filled with a second transparent liquid (L2) comprising a second mass density (?2) and a second refractive index (n2), and a transparent and elastically deformable first membrane (12) that separates the two chambers (C1, C2) from one another and contacts the first liquid (L1) and the second liquid (L2), wherein said mass densities (?1, ?2) and said refractive indices (n1, n2) are selected such that a gravity-induced coma aberration of the lens (1) is reduced or prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2019Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: David Andreas NIEDERER, Stephan SMOLKA
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Publication number: 20210318548Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device (1) for enhancing the resolution of an image or for reducing speckle noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Marcel SUTER, Stephan SMOLKA, Roman PATSCHEIDER, David Andreas NIEDERER
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Publication number: 20210181503Abstract: The invention relates to a lens having an adjustable optical power comprising a container with a frame structure, wherein the frame structure delimits a lens volume and a reservoir volume at least partially in a lateral direction, wherein the lens volume and the reservoir volume are fluidically connected, a first opening extending through the frame structure, wherein the lens volume is arranged at least partially in the first opening, a bottom structure and an elastically deformable transparent first membrane delimit the lens volume on opposite sides of the first opening, a second opening extending through the frame structure, wherein the reservoir volume is arranged at least partially in the second opening, a further membrane portion delimits the reservoir volume on one side of the second opening, a transparent second membrane separating a first volume filled with a first liquid from a second volume filled with a second liquid, the first volume and the second volume are arranged in the lens volume, and aType: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: Optotune AGInventors: Stephan SMOLKA, David Andreas NIEDERER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Johannes HAASE, Andreas BRÄNDLE
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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: 20210124095Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising a lens (10) having an adjustable focal length, the lens (10) comprising a container (11) that encloses a lens volume (V) and a reservoir volume (R) that is connected to the lens volume (V), wherein the two volumes (R, V) are filled with a transparent liquid (L), wherein the container (11) further comprises a flat lateral wall structure (12) having a front side (12a) and a back side (12b), an elastically deformable and transparent membrane (20), a transparent cover element (30), and an elastically deformable wall portion (22), wherein the membrane (20) is connected to the back side (12b) of the lateral wall structure (12), wherein the cover element (30) is connected to the front side (12a) of the lateral wall structure (12) such that the lens volume (V) is arranged between the cover element (30) and the membrane (20), and wherein the wall portion (22) is arranged adjacent the reservoir volume (R), and wherein the wall portion (R) comprises an iType: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2019Publication date: April 29, 2021Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA, Johannes HAASE, Frank BOSE, Christopher LANING, David Andreas 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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Patent number: 10845570Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device (1) for enhancing the resolution of an image, comprising: a transparent plate member (10) configured for refracting a light beam (20) passing through the plate member (10), which light beam (20) projects an image comprised of rows and columns of pixels (40), a carrier (50) to which said transparent plate member (10) is rigidly mounted, wherein the carrier (50) is configured to be tilted between a first and a second position about a first axis (A), such that the plate member (10) is tilted between the first and the second position about the first axis (A), whereby said projected image (30) is shifted by a fraction (?P) of a pixel, particularly by a half of a pixel, along a first direction (x), and an actuator means (60) that is configured to tilt the carrier (50) and therewith the plate member (10) between the first and the second position about the first axis (A).Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Mark Ventura, Marcel Suter, David Stadler, Stephan Smolka, Roman Patscheider, Markus Geissner
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Publication number: 20200363565Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device (1), comprising a lens (2) having an adjustable focal length, and four actuators (3) for adjusting the focal length of said lens (2) and for stabilizing an image generated by the optical device (1) with help of said lens (2). According to the present invention, each actuator (3) comprises an electrically conducting first coil (301) for adjusting said focal length and a second electrically conducting coil (302) for stabilizing said image, wherein the first coils (301) are connected in series, wherein the optical device (1) is configured to apply a first current (I1) to the first coils (301) for adjusting said focal length, and wherein for stabilizing said image, the optical device (1) is configured to apply a second current (I2) to a first pair (31) of second coils (302) and a third current (I3) to a second pair (32) of second coils (302).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2018Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA
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Publication number: 20200355910Abstract: The present invention relates to a tunable prism for deflecting light incident on the tunable prism in a variable fashion, wherein the tunable prism comprises: a member comprising a transparent and flexible first surface, a transparent and flexible second surface that faces away from the first surface, and an optical medium arranged between the two surfaces, such that light (L) incident on the first surface passes through the optical medium and exits the member via the second surface, whereby the light (L) is deflected by the member depending on an angle (W) between the two surfaces, a rigid first optical element comprising a surface area connected to the first surface, a rigid second optical element comprising a surface area connected to the second surface, and an actuator system configured to tilt the first optical element and/or the second optical element to tune said angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: Optotune Consumer AGInventors: Stephan SMOLKA, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Johannes HAASE, Sanggyu BIERN, Frank BOSE
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Patent number: 10802297Abstract: The invention relates to a lens (1) for vision correction, wherein the lens (1) is particularly configured to be placed directly on the surface of an eye (2) of a person, wherein the lens (1) further comprises: a transparent base element (10) having a back side (12), and a front side (11) facing away from the back side (12), a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (20) connected to said base element (10), wherein said membrane (20) comprises a back side (22) that faces said front side (11) of the base element (10), a ring member (30) connected to said back side (22) of the membrane (20) so that the ring member (30) defines a curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a lens volume (41) adjacent said curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), which lens volume (41) is delimited by the ring member (30), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a reservoir volume (42) arranged in a boundary region (24) of the lens (1), wherein said two volumes (41, 42) aType: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Alexandre Larmagnac, Matthias Walser, Manuel Aschwanden, Marcel Suter, David Niederer, Anja Stobbe-Kreemers, Stephan Smolka, Roman Patscheider, Jochen Hotzel
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Publication number: 20200301116Abstract: The present invention relates to an Optical zoom device, comprising a first lens having an adjustable focal length and a second lens having an adjustable focal lens, wherein each lens comprises a lens core filled with a transparent fluid, wherein the respective lens core comprises a first wall in the form of an elastically deformable membrane and a transparent second wall facing the first wall, wherein the fluid is arranged between the two walls of the respective lens core, and wherein the respective lens comprises a lens shaping member interacting with the respective membrane for adjusting the focal length of the respective lens and/or for stabilizing an image generated with help of the two lenses, wherein the optical zoom device comprises a first and a separate second lens barrel, wherein the first lens core is mounted on the first lens barrel and the second lens core is mounted on the second lens barrel, wherein the optical zoom device comprises at least one actuator associated to the first lens for generaType: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2018Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Stephan SMOLKA, David NIEDERER, Markus GEISSNER, Roman PATSCHEIDER
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Patent number: 10684464Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1, 2) for pivoting an optical element (10), comprising: an optical element (10), wherein the optical element is movably mounted so that the optical element can be tilted at least about a first axis (A), a magnet (20) extending in an extension direction (Z), wherein the magnet (20) comprises a magnetization (M) aligned with said extension direction (Z), and wherein the magnet (20) comprises a front side (20a), and wherein optical element (10) is rigidly coupled to the magnet (20) or to a first conductor section (30) that faces the front side (20a) of the magnet (20) in the extension direction (Z), wherein the first conductor section (30) extends along the first axis (A), and a current source means (50) electrically connected to the first conductor section (30), which current source means (50) is designed to apply an electrical current (I) to said first conductor section (30), so that a Lorentz force is generated that tilts the optical element (10) about said first axis (A) alType: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Stephan Smolka, Chauncey Gratzel, Roman Patscheider, Markus Geissner
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Publication number: 20190278102Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device (1) (e.g. for enhancing the resolution of an image), comprising: a transparent plate member (55) configured for refracting a light beam (L) passing through the plate member (55), which light beam (L) projects an image comprised of rows and columns of pixels (40), and a carrier (30) to which said transparent plate member (55) is rigidly mounted, wherein the carrier (30) is configured to be moved between a first and a second state, whereby said projected image (30) is shifted by a fraction (?P) of a pixel, particularly by a half of a pixel, along a first direction (x). According to the invention, the carrier (30) is configured to be multistable (e.g. bistable or tristable), wherein said first and said second state are stable states of the multistable (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2017Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Marcel SUTER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Damian SCHNEIDER, Matthias WALSER, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Stephan SMOLKA
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Publication number: 20180267294Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1, 2) for pivoting an optical element (10), comprising: an optical element (10), wherein the optical element is movably mounted so that the optical element can be tilted at least about a first axis (A), a magnet (20) extending in an extension direction (Z), wherein the magnet (20) comprises a magnetization (M) aligned with said extension direction (Z), and wherein the magnet (20) comprises a front side (20a), and wherein optical element (10) is rigidly coupled to the magnet (20) or to a first conductor section (30) that faces the front side (20a) of the magnet (20) in the extension direction (Z), wherein the first conductor section (30) extends along the first axis (A), and a current source means (50) electrically connected to the first conductor section (30), which current source means (50) is designed to apply an electrical current (I) to said first conductor section (30), so that a Lorentz force is generated that tilts the optical element (10) about said first axis (A) alType: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2015Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicant: Optotune AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Stephan SMOLKA, Chauncey GRATZEL, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Markus GEISSNER
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Publication number: 20180217402Abstract: The invention relates to a lens (1) for vision correction, wherein the lens (1) is particularly configured to be placed directly on the surface of an eye (2) of a person, wherein the lens (1) further comprises: a transparent base element (10) having a back side (12), and a front side (11) facing away from the back side (12), a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (20) connected to said base element (10), wherein said membrane (20) comprises a back side (22) that faces said front side (11) of the base element (10), a ring member (30) connected to said back side (22) of the membrane (20) so that the ring member (30) defines a curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a lens volume (41) adjacent said curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), which lens volume (41) is delimited by the ring member (30), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a reservoir volume (42) arranged in a boundary region (24) of the lens (1), wherein said two volumes (41, 42) aType: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2016Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: OPTOTUNE AGInventors: Alexandre LARMAGNAC, Matthias WALSER, Manuel ASCHWANDEN, Marcel SUTER, David NIEDERER, Anja STOBBE-KREEMERS, Stephan SMOLKA, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Jochen HOTZEL
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Publication number: 20180136372Abstract: The invention relates to a lens, comprising a container (100) defining a volume (V) which is filled with a transparent liquid (2), wherein the container (10) comprises a transparent and elastically deformable membrane (20) and a rigid member (30), wherein the membrane (20) and the rigid member(30) delimit said volume (V), and a lens shaping element (200) that contacts the membrane (20) and defines an area (21) of said membrane (20), which area (21) has an adjustable curvature for adjusting the focal length of the lens (1). According to the invention, the lens (1) is configured to compensate a thermal expansion of the liquid (2) and/or a change of the refractive index of the liquid (2) due to an increased temperature of the liquid (2) in order to reduce an unwanted thermally induced change of the focal length of the lens (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: OPTOTUNE CONSUMER AGInventors: Roman PATSCHEIDER, David NIEDERER, Pit GEBBERS, Daniel BORER, Christopher LANING, Stephan SMOLKA
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Publication number: 20180129072Abstract: The invention relates to a lens (1) for vision correction, wherein the lens (1) is configured to be placed directly on the surface of an eye (2) of a person or to be implanted into an eye (2) of a person, and wherein the lens (1) further comprises: a transparent base element (10) having a back side (12) and a front side (11) facing away from the back side (12), a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (20) connected to said base element (10), wherein said membrane (20) comprises a back side (22) that faces said front side (11) of the base element (10), a ring member (30) connected to said back side (22) of the membrane (20) so that the ring member (30) defines a curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a lens volume (41) adjacent said curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), which lens volume (41) is delimited by the ring member (30), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a reservoir volume (42) adjacent a boundary area (24) of said membrane (20Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: Optotune AGInventors: Manuel ASCHWANDEN, David NIEDERER, Stephan SMOLKA, Chauncey GRATZEL, David STADLER, Roman PATSCHEIDER, Matthias WALSER, Alexandre LARMAGNAC, Marcel SUTER, Thomas SCHMIDHAUSLER