US5541762A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antiglare optical device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-12-13
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Granted: 1996-07-30
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Expires: 2014-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A device for viewing an object field containing intense light sources which could be disturbing or harmful to the human eye. Light from the object field is focused at a focal plane located within a layer of photochromic material. An intense light source produces an opaque mask in the photochromic layer. This mask matches the location and shape of the image of the intense light source at the image plane. An eyepiece permits a viewer to view the image plane to obtain an image of the object field with light from the intense light source dimmed by the opaque mask in the photochromic layer.
Inventors
- 👤 George S. Levy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/005; B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; G02B3/0062; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/22; G02B5/23; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/133526
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An antiglare optical device for human viewing of an object field containing an intense light source said device comprising: a) an objective means for focusing an image of said object field onto a focal plane, b) an eyepiece means for viewing said image focused onto said focal plane, c) a moderating photoactive layer means located at said focal plane for moderating light from said intense light source, wherein said light passing through said optical device defines an optical path, and further comprising a folding means for folding said optical path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An antiglare optical device for human viewing of an object field containing an intense light source said device comprising: a) an objective means for focusing an image of said object field onto a focal plane, b) an eyepiece means for viewing said image focused onto said focal plane, c) a moderating photoactive layer means located at said focal plane for moderating light from said intense light source, wherein said light passing through said optical device defines an optical path, and further comprising a folding means for folding said optical path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said photoactive layer means comprises photochromic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said photochromic material comprises a heterogeneous photochromic assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said photochromic material comprises a liquid crystal layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said photochromic material comprises a surface mode liquid crystal layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said photochromic material comprises absorbing dyes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said photochromic material comprises electron transfer chemicals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said photoactive layer comprises a liquid crystal display operating in a transparency mode, said display being controlled by a video signal generation means to provide images in said display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 8 wherein the video image generated is aligned with, and is the negative of, the image focused by said objective means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 1 comprising at least one field lens near said focal plane in order to increase the field of view of said device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said objective means and said eyepiece means together comprise at least one compound lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said objective means and said eyepiece means together comprise at least one mirror.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said objective means and said eyepiece means together comprise at least one Fresnel optical component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said folding means comprise at least one prism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said folding means comprise at least one mirror.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device as in claim 1 and further comprising a deflecting means for deflecting input rays, said deflecting means having two modes of operation such that optionally, either rays coming from the forward direction, or rays coming from the backward direction, are deflected toward the device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as in claim 1 and further comprising a mounting means for mounting said device into the ceiling of a vehicle, wherein said device intercepts, modulates and retransmits rays going through to a conventional rearview mirror.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said device is fabricated in the shape of binoculars.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said device is fabricated in the shape of a welding visor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said device is fabricated in the shape of space suit goggles.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 1 and further comprising an adjusting means for adjusting the operation of said photoactive layer by means of an electrical input.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 1 and further comprising baffles for stopping rays with high angular deviation from the optical axis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
A rearview mirror comprising: a) a objective means for focusing light, from an object field rearward of a vehicle, onto a focal plane, b) an eyepiece means for viewing said image at said focal plane, c) a photochromic layer means located at said focal plane for moderating intense light from said object field, wherein said light passing through said rearview mirror defines an optical path, and further comprising a folding means for folding said optical path.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
76 words
A rearview mirror comprising: a) a objective means for focusing light, from an object field rearward of a vehicle, onto a focal plane, b) an eyepiece means for viewing said image at said focal plane, c) a photochromic layer means located at said focal plane for moderating intense light from said object field, wherein said light passing through said rearview mirror defines an optical path, and further comprising a folding means for folding said optical path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4447128A
Cited
US5351151A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |