Devices and methods for providing wide field magnification
First Claim
1. A wide field visual optical device comprising:
- a plurality of Galilean telescopic lens sets, each telescopic lens set comprising an objective lens and an ocular lens positioned in telescopic relationship; and
a plurality of refracting optical elements positioned in front of at least some of the objective lenses, the refracting optical elements adapted to at least partially redirect light rays toward at least some of the objective lenses to provide a substantially contiguous wide field of view.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical devices and methods for providing wide field magnification to assist the visually impaired, and others, are provided. The optical device includes a plurality of telescopic lens sets, for example, a plurality of telescopes, each telescopic lens set including an objective lens and an ocular lens, and a plurality of refracting optical elements, for example, prisms, positioned in front of at least some of the objective lenses. The refracting optical elements are adapted to at least partially redirect light rays toward at least some of the objective lenses to provide wider fields of view, for example, a wider contiguous field of view. Aspects of the invention can provide fields of view up to 40 degrees or more. These wider fields of view can greatly enhance the visual acuity of the visually impaired, as well as provide wider fields of view for non-corrective purposes, such as for field observations.
63 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A wide field visual optical device comprising:
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a plurality of Galilean telescopic lens sets, each telescopic lens set comprising an objective lens and an ocular lens positioned in telescopic relationship; and a plurality of refracting optical elements positioned in front of at least some of the objective lenses, the refracting optical elements adapted to at least partially redirect light rays toward at least some of the objective lenses to provide a substantially contiguous wide field of view. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of providing wide field magnification, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of objective lenses; positioning a plurality of ocular lenses in Galilean telescopic relationship with the plurality of objective lenses wherein an image of an object visually viewed by a user through the objective lenses and ocular lenses is magnified; and refracting light from the object before the light enters the objective lenses wherein a viewer visually viewing the object through the plurality of ocular lenses views a substantially contiguous magnified wide field view of the object. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A wide field optical magnification system comprising:
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a plurality of Galilean telescopic lens sets, each telescopic lens set comprising an objective lens, an ocular lens positioned in telescopic relationship with the objective lens, and a prism positioned before the objective lens; and a support structure adapted to position the plurality of lenses sets; wherein at least some of the prisms comprise a prism angle β
chosen to refract light toward at least some of the objective lenses to provide a substantially contiguous magnified visual wide field of view to a user. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification