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US5017000A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multifocals using phase shifting

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-05-14
•
Granted: 1991-05-21
•
Expires: 2006-05-14
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Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to a multifocal optical lens configuration that relies on the phenomenon of simultaneous vision whereby the eye is presented with two clear images at once. In particular this invention allows a lens to be made with arbitrary relative brighnesses between the multiple images.

Inventors

  • 👤 Allen L. Cohen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 11:03
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/18; G02B5/1876; G02B5/189; G02B5/1895; A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/16; A61F2/1613; A61F2/1616; A61F2/1618; G02B3/00; G02B3/10; G02C; G02C7/00; G02C7/02; G02C7/04; G02C7/041; G02C7/042; G02C7/044; G02C7/06; G02C2202/00; G02C2202/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 53 words
A multiple focal point profiled phase plate having a plurality of annular concentric zones spaced according to the formula ##EQU8## where r(k) is the zone radii and k is a zone; in which a repetitive step is incorporated in the profile and has an optical path length greater or less than one-half wavelength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 53 words
A multiple focal point profiled phase plate having a plurality of annular concentric zones spaced according to the formula ##EQU8## where r(k) is the zone radii and k is a zone; in which a repetitive step is incorporated in the profile and has an optical path length greater or less than one-half wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 1 wherein the phase plate is part of an optical device containing body means, which body means comprises an optically refracting material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 55 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 2 wherein a phase shifting means is provided in at least some of the annular zones, the phase shifting means being of a step function nature, causing a substantial constant shift in the optical path length across essentially the entire zone into which it is incorporated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the phase shifting means is an excavated portion of the body means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the phase shifting means occupies every alternate zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the phase shifting means is adjusted so as to cause equal image brightnesses at each of the focal points of said body means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 37 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the phase shifting steps are adjusted so as to create a trifocal with equal image brightnesses at each of the focal points of said body means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the phase shifting steps are adjusted so as to cause the lens to focus some wavelengths of light preferentially.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 29 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the phase shifting steps are adjusted so as to reduce the maximum depths of any blaze or step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 20 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the optical device is designed as a contact lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the optical device is designed as a spectacle lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the optical device is designed as an intraocular lens implant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 19 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 1 wherein the optical device is designed as a mirror.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 29 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 3 wherein the phase shifting means includes the body means together with imbedded contaminants to achieve the desired phase shift.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 27 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 1 wherein the phase plate is designed to operate as a multifocal lens in the visible light range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 24 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 15 wherein the body means of said phase plate is designed as a contact lens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 24 words
The multiple focal point profiled phase plate of claim 15 wherein the body means of said phase plate is designed as a camera lens.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4016416A Cited
US4210391A Cited
US4338005A Cited
US4340283A Cited
US4637697A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-05-20 1994-11-19 1995-05-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-05-20 1998-11-19 1999-05-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-05-20 2002-11-19 2003-05-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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