Patents by Inventor Timo Kratzer

Timo Kratzer 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: 10088691
    Abstract: An apparatus is for ascertaining and outputting a type of spectacle lens suitable for a spectacle wearer with a visual characteristics providing device, for providing visual characteristics of the spectacle wearer, a needs providing device, for providing individual needs of the spectacle wearer, a spectacle lens type providing device, for providing a plurality of types of spectacle lenses having predetermined characteristics, a desired characteristics ascertaining device, for ascertaining desired characteristics of a type of spectacle lens using the provided visual characteristics and the provided individual needs of the spectacle wearer, an assigning device, for assigning at least one type of spectacle lens from among the plurality of types of spectacle lenses to the desired characteristics, on the basis of predetermined assignment rules, and a spectacle lens type outputting device, for outputting the at least one assigned type of spectacle lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Vision Inc., Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, Carl Zeiss Vision Ireland Ltd.
    Inventors: Konrad Saur, Paraic Begley, Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20180259793
    Abstract: Spectacles include a spectacles lens having a carrier lens with a carrier lens front surface and/or a carrier lens rear surface, and having a front surface lens segment arranged on the carrier lens front surface and/or a rear surface lens segment arranged on the carrier lens rear surface, which are moveably guided on the carrier lens front surface and/or the rear surface lens segment, respectively. Further, the specatcles include a front/rear surface lens segment drive for moving the front/rear surface lens segment on the carrier lens front/rear surface, respectively; an eye position detection device for detecting the position of an eye of a wearer wearing the spectacles; and a drive control device for controlling the front and/or rear surface lens segment drive in accordance with the position of the eye detected by the eye position detection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremias Gromotka, Timo Kratzer, Gerhard Kelch
  • Patent number: 10073281
    Abstract: Spectacles include a spectacles lens having a carrier lens with a carrier lens front surface and/or a carrier lens rear surface, and having a front surface lens segment arranged on the carrier lens front surface and/or a rear surface lens segment arranged on the carrier lens rear surface, which are moveably guided on the carrier lens front surface and/or the rear surface lens segment, respectively. Further, the spectacles include a front/rear surface lens segment drive for moving the front/rear surface lens segment on the carrier lens front/rear surface, respectively; an eye position detection device for detecting the position of an eye of a wearer wearing the spectacles; and a drive control device for controlling the front and/or rear surface lens segment drive in accordance with the position of the eye detected by the eye position detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH
    Inventors: Jeremias Gromotka, Timo Kratzer, Gerhard Kelch
  • Publication number: 20180252941
    Abstract: In an eyeglass lens, an edge adjustment between an incoupling segment and an outcoupling structure can be provided by shaping of the inner surface. In the region of the eyeglass lens through which the eye looks for straight-ahead viewing, the inner surface substantially has a curvature that approximates the curvature of a typical inner surface of an eyeglass lens to such an extent that no perceptible optical imaging errors are induced by the inner surface when straight-ahead viewing. In the region of the edge adjustment, the inner surface has a shape that deviates to a greater extent from the curvature of the typical inner surface, which shape enables an imaging beam path coupled into the eyeglass lens by the incoupling segment to be directed to the outcoupling structure by reflections between the inner surface and the outer surface of the eyeglass lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen DOBSCHAL, Karsten LINDIG, Ralf MESCHENMOSER, Timo KRATZER
  • Publication number: 20180231803
    Abstract: Spectacles include a spectacles lens having a carrier lens with a carrier lens front surface and/or a carrier lens rear surface, and having a front surface lens segment arranged on the carrier lens front surface and/or a rear surface lens segment arranged on the carrier lens rear surface, which are moveably guided on the carrier lens front surface and/or the rear surface lens segment, respectively. Further, the spectacles include a front/rear surface lens segment drive for moving the front/rear surface lens segment on the carrier lens front/rear surface, respectively; an eye position detection device for detecting the position of an eye of a wearer wearing the spectacles; and a drive control device for controlling the front and/or rear surface lens segment drive in accordance with the position of the eye detected by the eye position detection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremias Gromotka, Timo Kratzer, Gerhard Kelch
  • Patent number: 10025115
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a spectacle lens and includes a body which is transparent or at least partly transparent to light and has a phase object which guides the light incident at an angle of incidence ? on a side facing away from an observer into a direction depending on the wavelength ? of the light and the angle of incidence ? thereof. The phase object has a multiplicity of diffraction structures, which diffract monochromatic light at a wavelength of 380 nm???800 nm with a diffraction efficiency of ??70% into one and same order of diffraction |m|?1 when the monochromatic light is incident at an angle of incidence ? on the side of the lens facing away from the observer which lies within a diffraction-structure-specific angle interval 15° wide and dependent on the wavelength of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, Carl Zeiss AG, Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Sessner, Joerg Petschulat, Katharina Rifai, Peter Klopfleisch, Matthias Burkhardt, Peter Pacher, Timo Kratzer, Herbert Krug
  • Publication number: 20180107022
    Abstract: An apparatus is for ascertaining and outputting a type of spectacle lens suitable for a spectacle wearer with a visual characteristics providing device, for providing visual characteristics of the spectacle wearer, a needs providing device, for providing individual needs of the spectacle wearer, a spectacle lens type providing device, for providing a plurality of types of spectacle lenses having predetermined characteristics, a desired characteristics ascertaining device, for ascertaining desired characteristics of a type of spectacle lens using the provided visual characteristics and the provided individual needs of the spectacle wearer, an assigning device, for assigning at least one type of spectacle lens from among the plurality of types of spectacle lenses to the desired characteristics, on the basis of predetermined assignment rules, and a spectacle lens type outputting device, for outputting the at least one assigned type of spectacle lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Konrad Saur, Paraic Begley, Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer
  • Patent number: 9864212
    Abstract: The current invention is directed to a method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for providing a modified lens design for an uncut lens blank, in particular through the use of a non-transitory computer readable medium. Further, a method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for reducing a thickness of an original lens design of an uncut lens blank, in particular through the use of a non-transitory computer readable medium, is provided. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an uncut lens blank and an uncut lens blank are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, Carl Zeiss Vision Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer, Philipp Ellinger
  • Patent number: 9784992
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining an eyeglass prescription for an eye, in particular through the use of a non-transitory computer readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, Carl Zeiss Vision Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20170261767
    Abstract: An optical visual aid is disclosed that assists an observer looking at an object through at least one spectacle lens. The optical visual aid has a dioptric power matched to an eye of the observer for at least one viewing direction. The dioptric power is composed of a plurality of dioptric power components. A first dioptric power component of the plurality of dioptric power components has a best possible corrective power for the eye of the observer at a defined distance of the object from the corneal vertex of the eye for the viewing direction. At the same time, a further dioptric power component of the plurality of dioptric power components has an additional astigmatic, partly corrective power for the viewing direction for the eye of the observer at the defined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Arne Ohlendorf, Rainer Sessner, Timo Kratzer, Katharina Rifai, Christian Lappe
  • Patent number: 9733492
    Abstract: A set of eyeglass lens semifinished products is provided and is composed of at least three series of eyeglass lens semifinished products having spherical or rotationally symmetric aspherical front surfaces. The series of eyeglass lens semifinished products differ in pairs in the base material of the series. Each of the series includes at least three types of eyeglass lens semifinished products which differ in pairs and the front surface shapes. The front surface shapes of the at least three types are identical on a central partial surface within the actual surface refractive power range of the front surface of the series in relation to a standard index of refraction of 1.53 between 3.2 D and 6.7 D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Michels, Timo Kratzer, Gerd Nowak
  • Patent number: 9717407
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing night vision are disclosed. At least one visual mark is presented to a test person having an open pupil from a distance of several meters. The visual mark is configured as a light point, and a visual impression of the test person is determined by means of the visual mark. The apparatus comprises means for opening a pupil of a test person, in particular a darkened room. An examination position for the test person and a presentation apparatus for visual marks arranged at a distance of several meters from the examination position are also provided. The presentation apparatus comprises at least one point-shaped light source. A light beam thereof is directed towards the examination position. Means are provided for determining a visual impression of the test person with the help of the visual marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS VISION GMBH
    Inventors: Jesus Miguel Cabeza Guillen, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20170102555
    Abstract: A set of eyeglass lens semifinished products is provided and is composed of at least three series of eyeglass lens semifinished products having spherical or rotationally symmetric aspherical front surfaces. The series of eyeglass lens semifinished products differ in pairs in the base material of the series. Each of the series includes at least three types of eyeglass lens semifinished products which differ in pairs and the front surface shapes. The front surface shapes of the at least three types are identical on a central partial surface within the actual surface refractive power range of the front surface of the series in relation to a standard index of refraction of 1.53 between 3.2 D and 6.7 D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Georg Michels, Timo Kratzer, Gerd Nowak
  • Publication number: 20170075139
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a spectacle lens and includes a body which is transparent or at least partly transparent to light and has a phase object which guides the light incident at an angle of incidence ? on a side facing away from an observer into a direction depending on the wavelength ? of the light and the angle of incidence ? thereof. The phase object has a multiplicity of diffraction structures, which diffract monochromatic light at a wavelength of 380 nm???800 nm with a diffraction efficiency of ??70% into one and same order of diffraction |m|?1 when the monochromatic light is incident at an angle of incidence ? on the side of the lens facing away from the observer which lies within a diffraction-structure-specific angle interval 15° wide and dependent on the wavelength of the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Rainer Sessner, Joerg Petschulat, Katharina Havermann, Peter Klopfleisch, Matthias Burkhardt, Peter Pacher, Timo Kratzer, Herbert Krug
  • Patent number: 9468371
    Abstract: Methods for determining a prescription (Rx) for a person include providing aberrometric data characterizing wavefront errors of the person's eye, the aberrometric data being obtained using an wavefront sensor and comprising one or more coefficients characterizing the wavefront errors; determining a starting Rx for the person's eye based on the one or more coefficients and on predetermined information relating aberrometric data and subjective refraction data for a plurality of people's eyes; and reporting the starting Rx to an eye care professional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, Carl Zeiss Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20160073871
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing night vision are disclosed. At least one visual mark is presented to a test person having an open pupil from a distance of several meters. The visual mark is configured as a light point, and a visual impression of the test person is determined by means of the visual mark. The apparatus comprises means for opening a pupil of a test person, in particular a darkened room. An examination position for the test person and a presentation apparatus for visual marks arranged at a distance of several meters from the examination position are also provided. The presentation apparatus comprises at least one point-shaped light source. A light beam thereof is directed towards the examination position. Means are provided for determining a visual impression of the test person with the help of the visual marks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Jesus Miguel CABEZA GUILLEN, Timo KRATZER
  • Publication number: 20160045107
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for determining the refractive properties of an eye. The system includes a wavefront measurement device for measuring the refractive properties of the eye. The system is configured to have at least one measurement mode assigned to children, wherein the system has an input device configured to switch the system into one of the at least one measurement mode assigned to children. The system is further configured to alter at least one of a group including a default pupillary distance, a default cornea vertex distance, a default position of the wavefront measurement device, a default position and/or direction of a measurement ray of the wavefront measurement device, a default position of a forehead and chin rest assembly of the system and a fixation target when the system is switched into the one of the at least one measurement mode assigned to children.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Monique Welscher, Timo Kratzer
  • Patent number: 9259145
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing night vision are disclosed. At least one visual mark is presented to a test person having an open pupil from a distance of several meters. The visual mark is configured as a light point, and a visual impression of the test person is determined by means of the visual mark. The apparatus comprises means for opening a pupil of a test person, in particular a darkened room. An examination position for the test person and a presentation apparatus for visual marks arranged at a distance of several meters from the examination position are also provided. The presentation apparatus comprises at least one point-shaped light source. A light beam thereof is directed towards the examination position. Means are provided for determining a visual impression of the test person with the help of the visual marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS VISION GMBH
    Inventors: Jesús Miguel Cabeza Guillen, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20150346512
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining an eyeglass prescription for an eye, in particular through the use of a non-transitory computer readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20150338680
    Abstract: The current invention is directed to a method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for providing a modified lens design for an uncut lens blank, in particular through the use of a non-transitory computer readable medium. Further, a method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for reducing a thickness of an original lens design of an uncut lens blank, in particular through the use of a non-transitory computer readable medium, is provided. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an uncut lens blank and an uncut lens blank are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer, Philipp Ellinger