Nikon Patents Granted

Patents granted to Nikon by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11757381
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes an element displaced by application of voltage; an elastic body having a contact surface coming into contact with the element, a drive surface to produce a vibration wave by displacement of the element, and a plurality of grooves; a moving element come into contact with the drive surface and rotated by the vibration wave; an annular ring rotated by rotating of the moving element; and a lens moved in an optical axis direction by rotating of the annular ring; wherein the element mainly contains a material having potassium sodium niobate, potassium niobate, sodium niobate, or barium titanate, wherein a value of [(T/B)÷W] is in a range of 0.84 to 1.94, where T represents a depth of the groove, B represents a distance from a bottom part of the groove to the contact surface, and W represents a radial width of the elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takatoshi Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 11747714
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a first pixel having a first photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts light having entered therein, and a first light blocking unit that blocks a part of light about to enter the first photoelectric conversion unit; and a second pixel having a second photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts light having entered therein and a second light blocking unit that blocks a part of light about to enter the second photoelectric conversion unit, wherein: the first photoelectric conversion unit and the first light blocking unit are set apart from each other by a distance different from a distance setting apart the second photoelectric conversion unit and the second light blocking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Takahara
  • Patent number: 11744455
    Abstract: An image signal output device including an acquisition section configured to acquire a fundus image, a selection section configured to select a projection for displaying the acquired fundus image from plural projections, a conversion section configured to convert the fundus image into the selected projection, and a processing section configured to output an image signal of the converted fundus image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi Tanabe, Tomoharu Fujiwara, Mariko Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 11747736
    Abstract: In corner sections of first to fourth quadrants whose origin point is a center of an upper surface of a stage, three each of two-dimensional heads are provided. The three each of two-dimensional heads include one first head and two second heads. The stage is driven, while measuring a position of the stage using three first heads that face a two-dimensional grating of a scale plate provided above the stage from the four first heads, and during the driving, difference data of measurement values of the two second heads with respect to the first head in a measurement direction are taken in for head groups to which the three first heads belong, respectively, and using the difference data, grid errors are calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 11740442
    Abstract: A zoom optical system comprises, in order from an object: a front lens group (GFS) having a positive refractive power; an M1 lens group (GM1) having a negative refractive power; an M2 lens group (GM2) having a positive refractive power; and an RN lens group (GRN) having a negative refractive power, wherein upon zooming, distances between the front lens group and the M1 lens group, between the M1 lens group and the M2 lens group, and between the M2 lens group and the RN lens group change, upon focusing from an infinite distant object to a short distant object, the RN lens group moves, and the M2 lens group comprises an A lens group that satisfies a following conditional expression, 1.10<fvr/fTM2<2.00, where, fvr: a focal length of the A lens group, and fTM2: a focal length of the M2 lens group in a telephoto end state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Machida
  • Patent number: 11741706
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging portion that images a subject; a positional information acquisition portion that acquires positional information of an imaging position; a control portion which acquires information on the subject based on the positional information, and displays image data of the subject and the information on the subject on a display portion; and a hold control portion that outputs a hold control signal, which holds the image data of the subject and the information on the subject, to the control portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideya Inoue
  • Patent number: 11740444
    Abstract: A zoom optical system comprises, in order from an object side: a first lens group having positive refractive power; a front-side lens group; an intermediate lens group having positive refractive power; and a rear-side lens group. The front-side lens group is composed of one or more lens groups and has a negative lens group. At least part of the intermediate lens group is a focusing lens group. The rear-side lens group is composed of one or more lens groups. Upon zooming, distances between the first lens group and the front-side lens group, between the front-side lens group and the intermediate lens group, and between the intermediate lens group and the rear-side lens group change. The following conditional expressions are satisfied: ?10.000<fF/fRF<10.000 0.010<|fF/fXR|<10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Shibata, Tomoyuki Sashima
  • Patent number: 11743608
    Abstract: When the amplification ratio is low and strong incident light causes a large charge, the signal retrieved from regions where the incident light is weak is also weak, but when the amplification ratio is high in regions where the incident light is weak, the signal retrieved from regions where the incident light is strong becomes saturated. Therefore, the dynamic range of the imaging unit is narrow. Provided is an imaging unit comprising an imaging section that includes a first group having one or more pixels and a second group having one or more pixels different from those of the first group; and a control section that, while a single charge accumulation is performed in the first group, causes pixel signals to be output by performing charge accumulation in the second group a number of times differing from a number of times charge accumulation is performed in the first group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shiro Tsunai
  • Patent number: 11742376
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a plurality of pixels having photoelectric conversion units that convert incident light to charges, and readout units; a first signal line, connected to the plurality of pixels, that outputs a first signal transferred to the readout unit based upon the charge converted by the photoelectric conversion unit; and a second signal line, connected to the plurality of pixels, that outputs a second signal after the readout unit has been reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Juen, Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11742299
    Abstract: A determination apparatus has a calculation section, where first and second direction pitches intersecting within a predetermined plane of a plurality of detection areas are D1 and D2, respectively, sizes in the first and second directions of each of a plurality of divided areas arranged two-dimensionally along the first and second directions on a substrate are W1 and W2, respectively, and first and second direction pitches of a plurality of marks arranged on the substrate are p1 and p2, respectively, calculates pitch p1 and pitch p2 of the plurality of marks that satisfy formulas (a) and (b) below, based on pitch D1, pitch D2, size W1, and size W2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 11733499
    Abstract: An optical system (ZL(1)) comprises a plurality of lens groups including a first focusing lens group (G2) and a second focusing lens group (G4) that are disposed side by side on an optical axis, and the second focusing lens group (G4) is disposed at a position closer to an image surface than the first focusing lens group (G2). The first focusing lens group (G2) has positive refractive power, and moves toward an object along the optical axis from focusing on an infinite-distance object to focusing on a short-distance object. The second focusing lens group (G4) moves toward the image surface along the optical axis from focusing on the infinite-distance object to focusing on the short-distance object. The optical system (ZL(1)) satisfies the following conditional expression. ?020<?F1/?F2<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corooration
    Inventor: Keisuke Tsubonoya
  • Patent number: 11733478
    Abstract: A lens barrel is removeably attachable to an image pickup unit, wherein a large amount of shake can be corrected. This lens barrel includes a mounting part that is removeably attachable to an image pickup unit, including: an image forming optical system that forms a subject image for the image pickup unit; a support unit that supports at least a portion of the image forming optical system; and a fixed unit that is disposed outside of the support unit and that is fixed to the mounting unit. The support part is relatively rotatable and moveable with respect to the fixed unit, about at least two axes which are substantially orthogonal to the light axis of the image forming optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Nagaoka, Kunihiko Shimizu, Teppei Okuyama, Noriyasu Kotani, Hisanori Togawa
  • Patent number: 11724959
    Abstract: An optical glass contains: a P2O5 component of 30 to 60 mass % (exclusive of 30); an Al2O3 component of 2 to 10 mass % (exclusive of 2); a TiO2 component of 10 to 36 mass % (exclusive of 36); an Nb2O5 component of 0 to 5 mass %; a Ta2O5 component of 0 to 15 mass %; a Bi2O3 component of 0 to 5 mass % (exclusive of 5); and an Sb2O3 component of 0 to 1 mass %; and a BaO component of 1 to 20 mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Koide
  • Patent number: 11726307
    Abstract: A camera module having a high resolution, high optical performance, and a reduced size, an optical apparatus including the camera module, and a method for manufacturing a camera module 1 are provided. The camera module 1 mounted on an optical apparatus such as a camera 60 includes an unit optical system UL including a primary reflection mirror 12 as a first reflection member and a secondary reflection mirror 13 as a second reflection member sequentially from an object side along an optical axis and configured to form an image of an object, an image sensor 14 configured to capture the image formed by the unit optical system UL, and a plurality of unit blocks 10 each including the unit optical system UL and the image sensor 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Iwane
  • Patent number: 11717161
    Abstract: An optical imaging system includes a first lens system housed in a body of a mobile telecommunication device, the first lens system having a first optical axis, a first entrance pupil fixed in space in a reference plane associated with said body, and a first focal length; and an optical telescope providing a diffraction-limited imaging within a spectral range from at least 486 nm to at least 656 nm. The optical imaging system is configured to image, when the optical telescope is inserted between the first lens system and an entrance pupil of a visual system of an eye (EPE), the EPE onto the first entrance pupil and vice versa with a substantially unit magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: David M. Williamson
  • Patent number: 11714274
    Abstract: An acquisition condition is decided for a second image of improved quality. Values xi resulting from down sampling brightness values of an input first image are accepted by an input layer. A filter is scanned and a convolutional computation performed in a convolutional layer. Outputs z1 to z4 of the convolutional layer and a first image acquisition condition v=(v1, v2, v3, v4) of the first image are accepted by an output layer and a second acquisition condition y is computed by the output layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mao Hatto, Yutaka Sasaki, Hideo Takahashi, Norio Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11714292
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] There are provided an optical system having good imaging performance, an optical apparatus, and a method for manufacturing the optical system. [Solution] An optical system OL used in an optical apparatus, such as a camera 1, includes a diffractive optical element GD and at least one specific lens Lp, which is a lens made of crystalline glass. The specific lens Lp satisfies the condition expressed by the following expression: ?gFp+0.0017×?dp<0.730, where ?gFp represents partial dispersion ratio of a medium of the specific lens Lp, and ?dp represents the Abbe number of the medium of the specific lens Lp at a d line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Miwa, Hiroshi Yabumoto
  • Patent number: 11714268
    Abstract: A variable magnification optical system includes, in order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power; a second lens group having negative refractive power; and a third lens group having positive refractive power; upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group and a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group being varied. The variable magnification optical system further includes a V lens group GV having negative refractive power and being moved to have a component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and an F lens group GF having positive refractive power and being moved along the optical axis upon focusing from an infinitely distant object to a close object, the V lens group GV being disposed on the more object side than the F lens group GF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Sashima, Akihiko Obama
  • Patent number: 11712160
    Abstract: Predicting a non perfusion area. An enhancement image processing section performs enhancement image processing on a fundus image of a subject eye to enhance vascular portions (304). A prediction processing section predicts a non perfusion area in the fundus image that has been subjected to the enhancement image processing (306 to 312). A generation section generates a non perfusion area candidate image (314).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mariko Hirokawa, Yasushi Tanabe, Tomoharu Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11716539
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: an input unit, first image data being a portion of an image with first and second photographic subjects being imaged being inputted therein, the second subject to be displayed after the first, and the first subject again to be displayed by repeating control to shift a portion of the image displayed upon the display unit in a first direction and to display a portion not displayed; and an image generation unit generating, from the first image data, second image data including the first and second subjects, and the second subject is arranged towards the first direction from the first subject, if a first distance by which the image displayed shifts from the first subject being displayed until the second subject is displayed is longer than a second distance by which the image displayed shifts from the second subject until the first subject is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidenori Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 11716545
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes: an image capturing element having a first image capturing region that captures an image of a photographic subject and outputs a first signal, and a second image capturing region that captures an image of the photographic subject and outputs a second signal; a setting unit that sets an image capture condition for the first image capturing region to an image capture condition that is different from an image capture condition for the second image capturing region; a correction unit that performs correction upon the second signal, for employment in interpolation of the first signal; and a generation unit that generates an image of the photographic subject that has been captured by the first image capturing region by employing a signal generated by interpolating the first signal according to the second signal as corrected by the correction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Shionoya, Toshiyuki Kanbara, Naoki Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 11714259
    Abstract: A focus detection device includes: an imaging unit having a first pixel and a second pixel each of which receives light transmitted through an optical system and outputs signal used for focus detection; an input unit to which first information regarding a position on an image plane and an exit pupil distance of the optical system is input; a selection unit that selects a first focus detection based on the signal having been output from the first pixel or a second focus detection based on the signal having been output from the second pixel, based on the first information having been input to the input unit; and a focus detection unit that performs the first focus detection or the second focus detection based on a selection by the selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Kita, Akira Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 11705468
    Abstract: Image-capturing device includes: an image sensor that includes a first pixel and a second pixel, each having a filter unit that can be switched to a light-shielding state in which light is blocked or to a transmissive state in which light is transmitted, a photoelectric conversion unit that generates an electric charge through photoelectric conversion of light transmitted through the filter unit and an output unit that outputs a signal based upon electric charge generated at the photoelectric conversion unit, and; a correction unit that corrects a signal output from the output unit of the first pixel while the filter unit of the first pixel is in a transmissive state, based upon a signal output from the output unit of the first pixel with the filter unit of the first pixel set in a light-shielding state and with the filter unit of the second pixel set in a transmissive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11706541
    Abstract: A first circuit constituting a plurality of first circuit in a first direction, which stores a signal output from a pixel having a photoelectric conversion unit; a first control unit to which the plurality of first circuits are connected and outputs a first signal for outputting signals stored in the plurality of first circuits; a readout unit that reads out the signal output from the first circuit; a plurality of second circuits that are connected to the first control unit, a plurality of sets of the plurality of second circuits in the first direction; and a second control unit that controls a readout of the signal by the readout unit. The first control unit outputs a second signal to the plurality of second circuits together with the first signal; and the second control unit controls the readout of the signal by the readout unit, based on the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11697791
    Abstract: A cell culture substrate includes: a first layer that includes a first gel in which gold nanoparticles dispersed; and a second layer that includes a second gel in which the gold nanoparticles are not present or are present in a lower concentration in comparison with the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignees: Nikon Corporation, University Public Corporation Osaka
    Inventors: Takeshi Kawano, Chie Kojima
  • Patent number: 11693298
    Abstract: A camera body at which one or more camera accessories, at which light from a subject enters, are detachably mountable, includes: a body-side terminal; and a communication unit that communicates with at least one of the camera accessories, wherein: the communication unit requests, via the body-side terminal, the camera accessory for a discriminating signal indicating whether or not another camera accessory capable of communicating with the camera body is mountable on a subject side of the camera accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Kawai
  • Patent number: 11691217
    Abstract: A processing apparatus is equipped with: a first stage system that has a table on which a workpiece is placed and moves the workpiece held by the table; a beam irradiation system that includes a condensing optical system to emit beams; and a controller to control the first stage system and the beam irradiation system, and processing is performed to a target portion of the workpiece while the table and the beams from the condensing optical system are relatively moved, and at least one of an intensity distribution of the beams at a first plane on an exit surface side of the condensing optical system and an intensity distribution of the beams at a second plane whose position in a direction of an optical axis of the condensing optical system is different from the first plane can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 11696028
    Abstract: A blur correction device includes a blur correction element that is movable to correct blurring of a subject image formed via an image-capturing optical system, a motion sensor that detects a motion of a device equipped with the blur correction device, an input unit to which information indicating a position on an image sensor that captures the subject image is input, and a drive unit that moves the blur correction element based on the position and the motion. In a case where the position is different, the direction of the blur correction element moved based on the motion is different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daiju Nakajima, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto, Yoshiko Ono, Eiji Mikamoto
  • Patent number: 11692104
    Abstract: Provided is ITO particles satisfying a relationship expressed in Expression (1) given below. 16×S/P2?0.330 . . . (1) (In the expression, S indicates a particle area in a TEM photographed image, and P indicates a perimeter of the particle).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Muramatsu, Kiyoshi Kanie, Ryoko Suzuki, Yasutaka Nishi, Makoto Nakazumi
  • Patent number: 11696047
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a first readout circuit that reads out a first signal, being generated by an electric charge resulting from a photoelectric conversion, to a first signal line; a first holding circuit that holds a voltage based on an electric current from a power supply circuit; and a first electric current source that supplies the first signal line with an electric current generated by the voltage held in the first holding circuit, wherein: the first holding circuit holds the voltage based on the electric current from the power supply circuit when the first signal is not read out to the first signal line by the first readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wataru Funamizu, Masahiro Juen, Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11689832
    Abstract: An imaging element includes: an imaging unit in which a plurality of pixel groups including a plurality of pixels that output pixel signals according to incident light are formed, and on which incident light corresponding to mutually different pieces of image information is incident; a control unit that controls, for each of the pixel groups, a period of accumulating in the plurality of pixels included in the pixel group; and a readout unit that is provided to each of the pixel groups, and reads out the pixel signals from the plurality of pixels included in the pixel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro Tsunai, Hironobu Murata
  • Patent number: 11686829
    Abstract: A display apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a storage section for storing distance measurement data acquired by performing a distance measurement and position data indicating a position at which the distance measurement was performed as a set, a position detecting section for detecting a current position, and a display section for displaying the distance measurement data stored as a set with the position data corresponding to the detection result of the current position detected by the position detecting section, within the distance measurement data stored in the storage section. By displaying, with the display section, the distance measurement data stored as a set with the position data corresponding to the detection result of the current position detected by the position detecting section, within the distance measurement data stored in the storage section, only necessary distance measurement data corresponding to the current position can be displayed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON VISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Niimura
  • Patent number: 11689798
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a display control unit that is configured to display at a display unit a first image generated by capturing an image with light having entered a first area of an image sensor and a second image generated by capturing an image with light having entered a second area at the image sensor different from the first area; and a selection unit that is configured to select either the first area or the second area as an area for image-capturing condition adjustment in reference to the first image and the second image displayed at the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Tsuchiya, Yuuki Asano, Shuhei Yoshikawa, Iori Noda, Takashi Shionoya, Toshiyuki Kanbara, Aiko Namikawa
  • Patent number: 11686926
    Abstract: An optical system (LS) Includes lenses (L22,L23) satisfying the following conditional expressions, ?dLZ<35.0, and 0.702<?gFLZ+(0.00316×?dLZ), where ?dLZ: Abbe number of the lens with reference to d-line, and ?gFLZ: a partial dispersion ratio of the lens, wherein ?gFLZ is defined by the following expression, ?gFLZ?(ngLZ?nFLZ)/(nFLZ?nCLZ). wherein a refractive index of the lens with reference to g-line is ngLZ, a refractive index of the lens with reference to F-line is nFLZ, and a refractive index of the lens with reference to C-line is nCLZ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Yamashita, Tomoki Ito, Hiroshi Yabumoto, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Satoshi Miwa, Keisuke Tsubonoya, Ayumu Makida, Takeru Uehara
  • Patent number: 11680794
    Abstract: Laser radar systems include a pentaprism configured to scan a measurement beam with respect to a target surface. A focusing optical assembly includes a corner cube that is used to adjust measurement beam focus. Target distance is estimated based on heterodyne frequencies between a return beam and a local oscillator beam. The local oscillator beam is configured to propagate to and from the focusing optical assembly before mixing with the return beam. In some examples, heterodyne frequencies are calibrated with respect to target distance using a Fabry-Perot interferometer having mirrors fixed to a lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Metrology NV
    Inventors: Anthony R. Slotwinski, Mina A. Rezk
  • Patent number: 11682134
    Abstract: A detection device including: a detector that detects an object from one viewpoint; a reliability calculator that calculates reliability information on the object at the one viewpoint by using a detection result of the detector; and an information calculator that calculates shape information on the object at the one viewpoint by using the detection result of the detector and the reliability information and calculates texture information on the object at the one viewpoint by using the detection result, the information calculator generates model information on the object at the one viewpoint based on the shape information and the texture information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeaki Sugimura, Yoshihiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11682690
    Abstract: A first circuit layer including a first semiconductor substrate with photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light and generates charge, and a first wiring layer with wiring that reads out signal based upon charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit; second circuit layer including a second wiring layer with wiring connected to the wiring of the first wiring layer, and a second semiconductor substrate with a through electrode connected to the wiring of the second wiring layer; third circuit layer including a third semiconductor substrate with a through electrode connected to the through electrode of the second circuit layer, and third wiring layer with wiring connected to the through electrode of the third semiconductor substrate; and a fourth circuit layer including a fourth wiring layer with wiring connected to the wiring of the third wiring layer, and fourth semiconductor substrate connected to the wiring of the fourth wiring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Matsumoto, Toru Takagi
  • Patent number: 11678797
    Abstract: An optical imaging system includes a first lens system housed in a body of a mobile telecommunication device, the first lens system having a first optical axis, a first entrance pupil fixed in space in a reference plane associated with said body, and a first focal length; and an optical telescope providing a diffraction-limited imaging within a spectral range from at least 486 nm to at least 656 nm. The optical imaging system is configured to image, when the optical telescope is inserted between the first lens system and an entrance pupil of a visual system of an eye (EPE), the EPE onto the first entrance pupil and vice versa with a substantially unit magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: David M. Williamson
  • Patent number: 11683596
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data of a subject; an identification unit configured to identify a color temperature of light from the subject on the basis of the image data acquired by the acquisition unit; an adjustment unit configured to adjust a white balance of the image data on the basis of the color temperature identified by the identification unit; and a suppression unit configured to suppress a chroma of the image data applied adjustment by the adjustment unit, if image data of a specific light-emitting body is included in the image data, on the basis of color information of the specific light-emitting body applied adjustment by the adjustment unit, by eliminating color of the specific light-emitting body applied adjustment by the adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takatoshi Morikawa, Norimitsu Anada
  • Patent number: 11668899
    Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object along an optical axis: a first lens group having a negative refractive power; a second lens group having a positive refractive power; a third lens group having a negative refractive power; a fourth lens group; and a fifth lens group. When the zoom lens performs varying magnification, the distance between the first and second lens groups changes, the distance between the second and third lens groups changes, the distance between the third and fourth lens groups changes, the distance between the fourth and fifth lens groups changes, the second and fourth lens groups move along the same trajectory along the optical axis, and at least the third lens group moves along the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Umeda
  • Patent number: 11664404
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a first semiconductor substrate provided with a pixel, including a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light to generate an electric charge, an accumulation unit that accumulates the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, and a transfer unit that transfers the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit to the accumulation unit, and a second semiconductor substrate provided with a supply unit for the pixel, the supply unit supplying the transfer unit with a transfer signal to transfer the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the accumulation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Saruwatari, Shutaro Kato, Ryoji Ando, Yojiro Tezuka, Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11658192
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: an accumulation unit that accumulates an electric charge generated by a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light transmitted through a microlens; and a readout unit that reads out a signal based on a voltage of the accumulation unit, wherein the accumulation unit and the readout unit are included along an optical axis direction of the microlens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu Saruwatari
  • Patent number: 11653096
    Abstract: A calculation device calculating an amount of movement in an optical axis direction of a focusing lens which adjusts a focal position of an imaging optical system includes: a first input unit to which first information about a deviation between an imaging surface which captures an image by the imaging optical system and the focal position is repeatedly input; a second input unit to which second information about a shake of the imaging optical system in the optical axis direction is repeatedly input at intervals shorter than those of the first information; and a calculation unit which calculates the amount of movement on the basis of at least one of the first information and the second information, wherein the calculation unit calculates the amount of movement on the basis of the second information between an input of the first information and an input of the next first information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Kazahaya, Yuki Kinouchi, Akihiko Obama, Satoru Shibata
  • Patent number: 11652128
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light to generate an electric charge; and an AD conversion unit having a comparison unit that compares a signal caused by an electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit with a reference signal, a first storage unit in a first circuit layer, the first storage unit storing a first signal based on a signal output from the comparison unit, and a second storage unit in a second circuit layer that is stacked on the first circuit layer, the second storage unit storing a second signal based on the signal output from the comparison unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11650483
    Abstract: An accessary that is attachable to a camera body, includes a first power terminal to which a first drive power is supplied from the camera body; a second power terminal to which a second drive power is supplied from the camera body; a first ground terminal that is a ground terminal corresponding to the first drive power; a second ground terminal that is a ground terminal corresponding to the second drive power; and a communication terminal group consisting of a plurality of terminals used for a first data communication with the camera body and a second data communication with the camera body, the second data communication being independent of the first data communication. The plurality of terminals of the communication terminal group are arranged directly adjacent to each other, and the first ground terminal is arranged between the first power terminal and the communication terminal group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuharu Imafuji, Masafumi Oikawa
  • Patent number: 11642818
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluidic device includes molding either one of the base member and the valve part with a first mold; and molding the other one of the base member and the valve part with a second mold with respect to the molded base member or the molded valve part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya Ishizawa, Taro Ueno, Masaaki Tanabe
  • Patent number: 11642636
    Abstract: A solution mixer comprising: a main flow path in which a solution circulates; at least one solution introduction flow path connected to the main flow path; and at least one solution discharge flow path connected to the main flow path, wherein the solution discharge flow path has at least one solution discharge flow path valve, and wherein the main flow path has at least one main flow path valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Ichiki, Taro Ueno, Shoichi Tsuchiya, Masashi Kobayashi, Kenji Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11645859
    Abstract: An analysis device configured to analyze a correlation between feature values in a cell in response to a stimulus includes: a cell-image acquiring unit configured to acquire a plurality of cell images in which the cell that is stimulated is captured; a feature value calculating unit configured to calculate a feature value for constituent elements that form the cell, based on the plurality of cell images acquired by the cell-image acquiring unit; a correlation calculating unit configured to use the feature value calculated by the feature value calculating unit and to calculate correlations between the constituent elements; a correlation selecting unit configured to select a first correlation from the correlations calculated by the correlation calculating unit; and an image selecting unit configured to select a first cell image from the plurality of cell images that are captured, based on the first correlation that is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: NIKON CORPORATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Takuro Saigo, Shinichi Furuta, Shunsuke Takei, Masafumi Yamashita, Shoko Yamasaki, Masayuki Murata, Fumi Kano, Yoshiyuki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 11647276
    Abstract: A portable information device including a body, a position information portion that is provided in the body and that outputs position information, an image sensor that is provided in the body, a display system that is provided in the body and that displays, on a local field in a screen field, relevant information based on the position information such that the displayed relevant information is overlapped on a real-time image, an input portion that is provided on the body and, by use of which user operates an icon, the icon being displayed on the local field such that the displayed icon is overlapped on the real-time image and an imaging button that is provided, separately from the input portion, on the body and that is operated by user to capture a subject image via the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideya Inoue, Toru Iwaoka, Michiko Noborisaka, Masayuki Hatori, Tomohide Hamada
  • Patent number: 11644655
    Abstract: A variable magnification optical system comprising a plurality of lens groups which includes a first negative lens group having negative refractive power, a second negative lens group disposed at a more image side than the first negative lens group and having negative refractive power, a third negative lens group disposed at a more image side than the second negative lens group and having negative refractive power; upon varying a magnification, distances between adjacent lens groups being varied; the first negative lens group being movable to include a component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis as a vibration reduction lens group; the second negative lens group being moved along the optical axis upon carrying out focusing; and the predetermined conditional expression(s) being satisfied. The variable magnification optical system can attain a high optical performance and be made in small in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Ishikawa, Norikazu Yokoi