Patent US4540238A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4540238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bilevel telemicroscopic apparatus
Assignee: Edwards Optical Corp
•
Filing: 1982-02-16
•
Granted: 1985-09-10
•
Expires: 2002-02-16
Abstract
Abstract Telemicroscopes mounted to spectacle lenses extend rearwardly from the lenses toward a patient's eyes. The telemicroscopes are miniaturized and provide an extended depth of field and a field of view ranging from 8 degrees to 20 degrees. The spectacle lenses are shaded to increase the field of view, and the image viewed through the telemicroscopes matches the perceived outer diameter of the telemicroscopes. With the very small scopes positioned at about the center viewing axis of the eye, bilevel viewing in which a magnified image and a nonmagnified image are simultaneously viewed is possible. Several telemicroscopes may be mounted in a cluster for panoramic viewing.
Inventors
- 👤 D. Brandon Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B21/00; G02B21/0004; G02B21/0008; G02C; G02C13/00; G02C13/003; G02C13/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
Spectacles comprising a carrier frame to be supported on a wearer for positioning spectacle lenses in front of the eyes of the wearer and a multiple lens optical instrument mounted to at least one of the lenses, characterized in that: the optical instrument extends from a front lens of the instrument at about the spectacle lens toward the wearer's eye, is less than about 16 mm in overall length, and has an internal diaphragm with an aperture of about 4 mm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
Spectacles comprising a carrier frame to be supported on a wearer for positioning spectacle lenses in front of the eyes of the wearer and a multiple lens optical instrument mounted to at least one of the lenses, characterized in that: the optical instrument extends from a front lens of the instrument at about the spectacle lens toward the wearer's eye, is less than about 16 mm in overall length, and has an internal diaphragm with an aperture of about 4 mm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
Spectacles as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the ratio L N /ID N of the length L N of the optical instrument, from the diaphragm of the instrument to a negative lens of the instrument near the eye, to the inner diameter ID N of the instrument at the diaphragm is about 3.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Spectacles as claimed in claim 2 wherein the ratio L N /ID N is greater than 3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Spectacles as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the optical length of the optical instrument is adjustable for focal adjustment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Spectacles as claimed in claim 1 wherein the perceived periphery of the magnified image viewed through the optical instrument closely matches the perceived outer periphery of the optical instrument.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
Spectacles as claimed in claim 1 wherein the optical instrument is of a smaller outer diameter and is mounted to be held close to the wearer's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a magnified image and a nonmagnified image simultaneously.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Spectacles as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spectacle lens to which the optical instrument is mounted incorporates shading.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Spectacles as claimed in claim 7 characterized by a cluster of telemicroscopes mounted to the spectacle lens for panaromic viewing with the views through the individual telemicroscopes blended together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
Spectacles comprising a carrier frame to be supported on a wearer for positioning spectacle lenses in front of the eyes of the wearer and a multiple lens optical instrument mounted to at least one of the lenses, characterized in that: the optical instrument has only two lenses mounted in a barrel which is less than about 16 mm in overall length and extends from a front lens of the instrument at about the spectacle lens toward the wearer's eye, and the optical length of the optical instrument is adjustable for focal adjustment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
Spectacles comprising a carrier frame to be supported on a wearer for positioning spectacle lenses in front of the eyes of the wearer and a multiple lens optical instrument mounted to at least one of the lenses, characterized in that: the optical instrument has only two lenses mounted in a barrel which is less than about 16 mm in overall length and extends from a front lens of the instrument at about the spectacle lens toward the wearer's eye, and the optical length of the optical instrument is adjustable for focal adjustment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles comprising a carrier frame to be supported on the nose of a wearer for positioning spectacle lenses in front of the eyes of the wearer and a telemicroscope mounted to at least one of the lenses, characterized in that: the telemicroscope has an internal diaphragm of about 4 mm and is mounted to a spectacle lens incorporating shading.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles comprising a carrier frame to be supported on the nose of a wearer for positioning spectacle lenses in front of the eyes of the wearer and a telemicroscope mounted to at least one of the lenses, characterized in that: the telemicroscope has an internal diaphragm of about 4 mm and is mounted to a spectacle lens incorporating shading.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles as claimed in claim 10 characterized in that the telemicroscope extends from a front lens of the telemicroscope at about the spectacle lens toward the wearer's eye and has a small internal diaphragm for providing a large depth of field ranging at least from several meters to infinity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles as claimed in claim 10 wherein the spectacles lens shading is darkest at about the telemicroscope and lighter towards the periphery of the spectacle lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles as claimed in claim 10 wherein the perceived periphery of the magnified image viewed through the telemicroscope closely matches the perceived outer periphery of the telemicroscope.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles as claimed in claim 10 wherein the telemicroscope is of a small outer diameter and is mounted to be held close to the wearer's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a magnified image and a non-magnified image simultaneously.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles as claimed in claim 14 wherein the shading is darkest over about half of the lens and surrounds the telemicroscope.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
140 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus comprising a telemicroscope mounted to a carrier for positioning of the telemicroscope in front of a person's eye, characterized in that: the telemicroscope is of a small outer diameter with an optic axis within 5 millimeters of an outer edge thereof and is mounted to be held close to the person's eye with the outer edge at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye with the optic axis of the telemicroscope within 5 millimeters of the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a nonmagnified image of an object near the center of vision and a clear magnified image of the same object simultaneously without confusion with the edge and center axis of the magnified image close to the center of the nonmagnified image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
140 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus comprising a telemicroscope mounted to a carrier for positioning of the telemicroscope in front of a person's eye, characterized in that: the telemicroscope is of a small outer diameter with an optic axis within 5 millimeters of an outer edge thereof and is mounted to be held close to the person's eye with the outer edge at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye with the optic axis of the telemicroscope within 5 millimeters of the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a nonmagnified image of an object near the center of vision and a clear magnified image of the same object simultaneously without confusion with the edge and center axis of the magnified image close to the center of the nonmagnified image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the perceived periphery of the magnified image viewed through the telemicroscope closely matches the perceived outer periphery of the telemicroscope.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 17 further comprising means to enlarge the perceived outer periphery of the telemicroscope.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the means to increase the perceived outer periphery is a diaphragm movable toward the eye along the telemicroscope.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the means to increase the perceived outer periphery is an asymmetric diaphragm which is rotatable about the telemicroscope.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 16 characterized by a cluster of telemicroscopes mounted for panaromic viewing with the views through the individual telemicroscopes blended together.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles as claimed in claim 16 characterized by a cluster of telemicroscopes mounted to a shaded spectacle lens for panoromic viewing with the views through the individual telemicroscopes blended together.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 16 characterized in that the optical length of the telemicroscope is adjustable for focal adjustment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein positive and negative lenses of the telemicroscope are jointed through adjustable threaded conjunctions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the telemicroscope is mounted for adjustment of the angle of the telemicroscope relative to the carrier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the telemicroscope is less than about 16 millimeters in overall length and less than about 10 millimeters in outer diameter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
Telemicroscopic apparature as claimed in claim 26 wherein the telemicroscope has a small internal diaphragm of about 4 millimeters.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
199 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles comprising a carrier frame to be supported on a wearer for positioning spectacle lenses in front of the eyes of the wearer and a telemicroscope mounted to at least one of the lenses, characterized in that: the telemicroscope extends from a front lens of the telemicroscope at about the spectacle lens toward the wearer's eye, is less than about 16 millimeters in overall length, is less than about 10 millimeters in outer diameter, and has an internal diaphragm with an aperture of about 4 millimeters; positive and negative lenses of the telemicroscope are joined through adjustable threaded connections to enable adjustment of the optical length of the telemicroscope; means are provided to enlarge the perceived outer periphery of the telemicroscope to enable that periphery to be matched to the perceived periphery of the magnified image viewed through the telemicroscope; the spectacle lens to which the telemicroscope is mounted incorporates shading; and the telemicroscope is mounted to be held at about eyelash length from the wearer's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is about to view and perceive a magnified image and a nonmagnified image simultaneously.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
199 words
Telemicroscopic spectacles comprising a carrier frame to be supported on a wearer for positioning spectacle lenses in front of the eyes of the wearer and a telemicroscope mounted to at least one of the lenses, characterized in that: the telemicroscope extends from a front lens of the telemicroscope at about the spectacle lens toward the wearer's eye, is less than about 16 millimeters in overall length, is less than about 10 millimeters in outer diameter, and has an internal diaphragm with an aperture of about 4 millimeters; positive and negative lenses of the telemicroscope are joined through adjustable threaded connections to enable adjustment of the optical length of the telemicroscope; means are provided to enlarge the perceived outer periphery of the telemicroscope to enable that periphery to be matched to the perceived periphery of the magnified image viewed through the telemicroscope; the spectacle lens to which the telemicroscope is mounted incorporates shading; and the telemicroscope is mounted to be held at about eyelash length from the wearer's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is about to view and perceive a magnified image and a nonmagnified image simultaneously.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
159 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus comprising a telemicroscope mounted to a carrier for positioning of the telemicroscope in front of a person's eye, characterized in that: the telemicroscope is of a small outer diameter and is mounted to be held close to the person's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye with the optic axis of the telemicroscope close to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a nonmagnified image of an object near the center of vision and a clear magnified image of the same object simultaneously without confusion with the edge and center axis of the magnified image close to the center of the nonmagnified image, wherein the perceived periphery of the magnified image viewed through the telemicroscope closely matches the perceived outer periphery of the telemicroscope and the telemicroscopic apparatus further comprises means to enlarge the perceived outer periphery of the telemicroscope.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
159 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus comprising a telemicroscope mounted to a carrier for positioning of the telemicroscope in front of a person's eye, characterized in that: the telemicroscope is of a small outer diameter and is mounted to be held close to the person's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye with the optic axis of the telemicroscope close to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a nonmagnified image of an object near the center of vision and a clear magnified image of the same object simultaneously without confusion with the edge and center axis of the magnified image close to the center of the nonmagnified image, wherein the perceived periphery of the magnified image viewed through the telemicroscope closely matches the perceived outer periphery of the telemicroscope and the telemicroscopic apparatus further comprises means to enlarge the perceived outer periphery of the telemicroscope.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein the means to increase the perceived outer periphery is a diaphragm movable toward the eye along the telemicroscope.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein the means to increase the perceived outer periphery is an asymmetric diaphragm which is rotatable about the telemicroscope.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
143 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus comprising a telemicroscope mounted to a carrier for positioning of the telemicroscope in front of a person's eye, the apparatus comprising: a cluster of telemicroscopes mounted to a shaded spectacle lens for panoromic viewing with the views through the individual telemicroscopes blended together, each telemicroscope being of a small outer diameter and mounted to be held close to the person's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye with the optic axis of the telemicroscope close to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a nonmagnified image of an object near the center of vision and a clear magnified image of the same object simultaneously without confusion with the edge and center axis of the magnified image close to the center of the nonmagnified image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
143 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus comprising a telemicroscope mounted to a carrier for positioning of the telemicroscope in front of a person's eye, the apparatus comprising: a cluster of telemicroscopes mounted to a shaded spectacle lens for panoromic viewing with the views through the individual telemicroscopes blended together, each telemicroscope being of a small outer diameter and mounted to be held close to the person's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye with the optic axis of the telemicroscope close to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a nonmagnified image of an object near the center of vision and a clear magnified image of the same object simultaneously without confusion with the edge and center axis of the magnified image close to the center of the nonmagnified image.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
132 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus comprising a telemicroscope mounted to a carrier for positioning of the telemicroscope in front of a person's eye, wherein: the telemicroscope is of a small outer diameter and has an internal diaphragm with an aperture of about 4 millimeters and is mounted to be held close to the person's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye with the optic axis of the telemicroscope close to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a nonmagnified image of an object near the center of vision and a clear magnified image of the same object simultaneously without confusion with the edge and center axis of the magnified image close to the center of the nonmagnified image.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
132 words
Telemicroscopic apparatus comprising a telemicroscope mounted to a carrier for positioning of the telemicroscope in front of a person's eye, wherein: the telemicroscope is of a small outer diameter and has an internal diaphragm with an aperture of about 4 millimeters and is mounted to be held close to the person's eye at about but offset relative to the central viewing axis of the eye with the optic axis of the telemicroscope close to the central viewing axis of the eye such that the person is able to view and perceive a nonmagnified image of an object near the center of vision and a clear magnified image of the same object simultaneously without confusion with the edge and center axis of the magnified image close to the center of the nonmagnified image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2675740A
Cited
US414860A
Cited
US945078A
Cited
FR701614A
Cited
US2027123A
Cited
US2256587A
Cited
US2280354A
Cited
US2217475A
Cited
US2422661A
Cited
US2389428A
Cited
US2545673A
Cited
US2599716A
Cited
US2759395A
Cited
US2978955A
Cited
US3273456A
Cited
US3456327A
Cited
US3522983A
Cited
US3592525A
Cited
US3826564A
Cited
US3741634A
Cited
US4074368A
Cited
US4195918A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-09 | 1989-03-11 | 1989-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-09 | 1993-03-11 | 1993-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-09 | 1997-03-11 | 1997-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |