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: 8038296
    Abstract: An optical observation instrument, in particular a spectacle, a reading aid or a telescope, comprises an optical element, in particular a spectacle lens, adapted to be controllably adjustable in its refractive power, a sensor, and a control unit for adjusting the refractive power as a function of signals from the sensor. The sensor is a brightness sensor. In a method of controllably adjusting a refractive power of an optical element in an optical observation instrument an optical parameter is captured by means of a sensor and the refractive power is adjusted as a function of a signal from the sensor. By means of the sensor the brightness of the light impinging on the optical instrument is captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Baumann, Jesús Miguel Cabeza Guillén, Michael Claus, Markus Haidl, Gerhard Kelch, Timo Kratzer, Herbert Krug, Peter Schnitzer, Hexin Wang
  • Patent number: 8007103
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention features a method for determining an eyeglass prescription for an eye. The method includes obtaining a measurement of a wavefront indicative of the refractive properties of the eye, establishing an optimization space corresponding to a plurality of possible prescriptions for the eye, determining a value for a merit function for each of the possible prescriptions in the optimization space, where the merit function value corresponds to a visual function of the eye when corrected using the corresponding possible prescription, generating a representation of the merit function values, and outputting the representation to an eye care professional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Morris, Jesus Miguel Guillen Cabeza, Timo Kratzer
  • Patent number: 7972000
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining the individually required addition (Add) of a vision assist for an eye, the method having the following steps: a) a preliminary addition (Addpreliminary) is determined; b) the depth of field (T) of the eye is individually determined; and, c) the addition (Add) is computed according to the following equation: Add=Addpreliminary??T; wherein ? defines a real number which lies in the range 0<??1. The invention is further directed to a corresponding arrangement for carrying out the method as well as a computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
    Inventors: B. Monique Becker, Jesús-Miguel Cabeza-Guillén, Timo Kratzer
  • Patent number: 7771052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing a contrast vision test on a subject in order to determine a contrast sensitivity function. According to said method, an image of a continuous sinusoidal grid is presented to the subject for viewing, the spatial frequency continuously changes in the direction of a first axis, and the contrast continuously changes in the direction of a second axis that extends perpendicular to the first axis. The subject's contrast sensitivity function is defined by means of a curve that encloses an area of the sinusoidal grid in which the subject perceives the sinusoidal grid pattern during viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Kratzer, Erich Hofmann, Lars Mendel
  • Publication number: 20100182566
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining the individually required addition (Add) of a vision assist for an eye, the method having the following steps: a) a preliminary addition (Addpreliminary) is determined; b) the depth of field (T) of the eye is individually determined; and, c) the addition (Add) is computed according to the following equation: Add=Addpreliminary??T; wherein ? defines a real number which lies in the range 0<s?1. The invention is further directed to a corresponding arrangement for carrying out the method as well as a computer program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: B. Monique Becker, Jesús-Miguel Cabeza-Guillén, Timo Kratzer
  • Patent number: 7744217
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining an eyeglass prescription for a vision defect of an eye. In certain embodiments, the method includes optimizing a caustic in the area of the retina of the eye for a light ray passing through the eyeglass prescription and the eye. The disclosure further relates to an apparatus that is suitable for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
    Inventors: Jesus Miguel Guillen Cabeza, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20100118265
    Abstract: A method for determining correction characteristics for a vision aid for at least one eye of a person wherein: a vision impression of the person is determined in a first usage condition after which a vision impression of the person is determined in a second usage condition after which the wavefront of the person is optimized by determining the correction characteristics for the vision aid until the vision impression of the person in the second usage condition at least approximately matches the vision impression of the person in the first usage condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Gerhard Kelch, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20100039614
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention features a method for determining an eyeglass prescription for an eye. The method includes obtaining a measurement of a wavefront indicative of the refractive properties of the eye, establishing an optimization space corresponding to a plurality of possible prescriptions for the eye, determining a value for a merit function for each of the possible prescriptions in the optimization space, where the merit function value corresponds to a visual function of the eye when corrected using the corresponding possible prescription, generating a representation of the merit function values, and outputting the representation to an eye care professional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS VISION GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Morris, Jesus Miguel Guillen Cabeza, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20100030570
    Abstract: Methods for dispensing eyeglasses are disclosed. The methods involve making a subjective refraction and an objective refraction and sending the information to a calculation computer to combine both refractions to calculate the person's prescription. The person's prescription is subsequently sent to a manufacturing location separate from the calculation computer for manufacture of the lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Kratzer, Herbert Krug, Jesus-Miguel Cabeza-Guillen, Harald Ruenz
  • Patent number: 7556381
    Abstract: In a method for producing a lens, in particular a spectacle lens, central aberrations of an eye, to be corrected, of an ametropic person, such as sphere, cylinder and axis, are compensated. At least one refracting surface of the lens is configured such that for at least one direction of view both a dioptric correction of the ametropia is performed and aberrations of higher order are corrected. Their effects on the visual acuity and/or the contrast viewing are a function of the size of the pupillary aperture of the eye to be corrected and are corrected by the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventors: Gerhard Kelch, Timo Kratzer, Markus Welscher, Helmut Wietschorke
  • Publication number: 20090015787
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining an eyeglass prescription for a vision defect of an eye. In certain embodiments, the method includes optimizing a caustic in the area of the retina of the eye for a light ray passing through the eyeglass prescription and the eye. The disclosure further relates to an apparatus that is suitable for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS VISION GMBH
    Inventors: Jesus Miguel Cabeza Guillen, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20080282183
    Abstract: A method of designing and/or selecting a progressive addition lens design for a wearer is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes displaying a graphical representation of an initial progressive addition lens design including design parameters having design values. A user interface is provided including, for each of one or more of the design parameters, a control that is adjustable over a range of levels, each level in the range being associated with a corresponding value of the respective design parameter. A control is adjusted to select a level and the selection is processed so as to substantially simultaneously update the displayed graphical representation in accordance with the selected level to provide a modified progressive lens design. A system for designing and/or selecting a progressive addition lens design for a wearer is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS VISION AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott Warren Fisher, Saulius Raymond Varnas, Philipp Ellinger, Michael Alan Morris, Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20080231802
    Abstract: In general, in some embodiments, the disclosure provides a method that includes making a subjective refraction of a person to determine information about the person's vision, making a wavefront measurement of one or both of the person's eyes to determine information about the optical properties of one or both of the person's eyes (e.g., aberrations), calculating a prescription for the person based on the information about the person's vision and the information about the optical properties of one or both of the person's eyes, and outputting the prescription.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
    Inventors: Jesus Cabeza, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20080212025
    Abstract: An optical observation instrument, in particular a spectacle, a reading aid or a telescope, comprises an optical element, in particular a spectacle lens, adapted to be controllably adjustable in its refractive power, a sensor, and a control unit for adjusting the refractive power as a function of signals from the sensor. The sensor is a brightness sensor. In a method of controllably adjusting a refractive power of an optical element in an optical observation instrument an optical parameter is captured by means of a sensor and the refractive power is adjusted as a function of a signal from the sensor. By means of the sensor the brightness of the light impinging on the optical instrument is captured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Oliver Baumann, Jesus Miguel Cabeza Guillen, Michael Claus, Markus Haidl, Gerhard Kelch, Timo Kratzer, Herbert Krug, Peter Schnitzer, Hexin Wang
  • Publication number: 20080170206
    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: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: JESUS MIGUEL CABEZA GUILLEN, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20080137037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing a contrast vision test on a subject in order to determine a contrast sensitivity function. According to said method, an image of a continuous sinusoidal grid is presented to the subject for viewing, the spatial frequency continuously changes in the direction of a first axis, and the contrast continuously changes in the direction of a second axis that extends perpendicular to the first axis. The subject's contrast sensitivity function is defined by means of a curve that encloses an area of the sinusoidal grid in which the subject perceives the sinusoidal grid pattern during viewing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2005
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Timo Kratzer, Erich Hofmann, Lars Mendel
  • Publication number: 20080100800
    Abstract: In general, in some embodiments, the disclosure provides a method that includes making a subjective refraction of a person to determine information about the person's vision, making a wavefront measurement of one or both of the person's eyes to determine information about the optical properties of one or both of the person's eyes (e.g., aberrations), calculating a prescription for the person based on the information about the person's vision and the information about the optical properties of one or both of the person's eyes, and outputting the prescription.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS VISION GMBH
    Inventors: Jesus Miguel Cabeza Guillen, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20070008493
    Abstract: A method and a vision test apparatus determine the necessity of a vision aid during darkness and/or twilight. Also, a set of vision aids are referred to. The daylight defective vision is measured at at least one value of high luminance=10 cd/m2 and the night defective vision is measured at at least one value of low luminance <10 cd/m2. Thereafter, the difference between the daylight defective vision and the night defective vision is determined and, when a defined value is exceeded, the recommendation for using a vision aid during darkness and/or twilight is outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventor: Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20050259222
    Abstract: In a method for producing a lens (2), in particular a spectacle lens, central aberrations of an eye (1), to be corrected, of an ametropic person, such as sphere, cylinder and axis, are compensated. At least one refracting surface (9, 10) of the lens (2) is configured such that for at least one direction of view both a dioptric correction of the ametropia is performed and aberrations of higher order are corrected. Their effects on the visual acuity and/or the contrast viewing are a function of the size of the pupillary aperture (5) of the eye (1) to be corrected and are corrected by the lens (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Gerhard Kelch, Timo Kratzer, Markus Welscher, Helmut Wietschorke