Nikon Patents Granted
Patents granted to Nikon by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11522145Abstract: A method for manufacturing a transistor being a bottom-gate transistor is provided. The method for manufacturing a transistor includes a step of forming a first metal layer 32 on an insulator layer 20 provided on a substrate 10 including a gate electrode, a step of applying a resist onto the first metal layer 32, and patterning the first metal layer 32 by a photolithographic method, an oxide film removal step of removing an oxide film 26 formed on the patterned first metal layer 32, and a step of forming a source electrode and a drain electrode by forming a second metal layer 42 on the first metal layer 32.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Shohei Koizumi
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Patent number: 11520242Abstract: A liquid crystal exposure apparatus that moves a substrate supported in a noncontact manner by a noncontact holder to a projection optical system, and performs scanning exposure to the substrate equipped with: holding pads that hold a part of the substrate located at a first position above the noncontact holder; adsorption pads that hold another part of the substrate; a first drive section moves the holding pads from below the substrate direction intersecting a vertical direction, where the substrate is located at the first position held by the adsorption pads; and a second drive section that moves the adsorption pads holding the substrate, to a second position where the substrate is supported in a noncontact manner by the noncontact holder, wherein the scanning exposure, the second drive section moves the adsorption pads holding the substrate supported in a noncontact manner by the noncontact holder to the projection optical system.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Yasuo Aoki
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Patent number: 11522473Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes an element configured to be displaced by application of voltage, and an annular elastic body having a bottom surface coming into contact with the element and a drive surface having a groove, configured to drive a moving element by a vibration wave produced on the drive surface by displacement of the element. The element has a density of 4.2 to 6.0×103 kg/m3. 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 bottom surface, and W represents a radial width of the elastic body.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Takatoshi Ashizawa
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Patent number: 11523082Abstract: An image sensor includes: a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts light to generate an electric charge; a holding unit that holds the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit; an accumulation unit that accumulates the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit; a first transfer path that transfers the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit to the accumulation unit; and a second transfer path that transfers the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit to the accumulation unit via the holding unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Ryoji Ando, Yoshiyuki Watanabe
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Patent number: 11520117Abstract: A lightweight lens barrel with two focus lenses; a first lens holding frame for holding a first lens, a first drive unit for causing the first lens holding frame to move in the optical axis direction, a second lens holding frame for holding a second lens, a second drive unit for causing the second lens holding frame to move in the optical axis direction, and a moving tube with the first driving unit and the second driving unit, and movable in the optical axis direction, wherein the first lens holding frame and the second lens holding frame are each movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the moving tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi Kishimoto, Osamu Gomibuchi, Kenichi Kitano
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Patent number: 11518731Abstract: A method for producing a fluorine-containing compound represented by General formula (1), wherein X represents a halogen atom or an alkoxy group, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, Rf1 and Rf2 are each independently a fluorinated alkoxy group, and n represents an integer of 0 or more.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuo Yamaguchi, Yusuke Kawakami
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Patent number: 11520116Abstract: A lightweight lens barrel that includes two focus lenses. The first lens holding frame for holding a first lens L5, a first drive unit STM5 for causing the first lens holding frame to move in the optical axis direction, a second lens holding frame for holding a second lens L6, and a second drive unit STM6 for causing the second lens holding frame to move in the optical axis direction, the first lens holding frame being arranged on an inner peripheral side of the second lens holding frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi Kishimoto, Kenichi Kitano, Osamu Gomibuchi
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Patent number: 11511438Abstract: A carrier system and method carries an object to an object mounting member provided with an object mounting section. The system includes: a measurement device which obtains information related to a flatness of the object; a carrier member that carries the object; and a controller which controls a driving speed of the carrier member using the information related to the flatness of the object obtained by the measurement device.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Hideaki Hara
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Patent number: 11513306Abstract: An interchangeable lens is removably attached to a camera body including a body-side mount, an image sensor, body-side terminals and a first to fourth body-side claws. The interchangeable lens includes the lens-side mount, lens-side terminals which are in contact with body-side terminals, a first to fourth lens-side claws engaged with the first to fourth body-side claws once the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera body. The first and third lens-side claws are disposed on a third lens-side line intersecting with the first lens-side line at an optical axis with approximately 45 degrees. The first lens-side line passes through a center between opposite ends of the first lens-side claw to the optical axis. The second and fourth lens-side claws are disposed on a fourth lens-side line orthogonal to the third lens-side line at the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Koji Nagaoka, Noriyasu Kotani
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Patent number: 11511244Abstract: A fluidic device for capturing or detecting a sample substance contained in a solution includes at least two continuous circulation flow channels selected from the group consisting of: a first type continuous circulation flow channel which is formed of a first circulation flow channel and a second circulation flow channel and which is configured to circulate the solution in the first circulation flow channel and then circulate the solution in the second circulation flow channel; and a second type continuous circulation flow channel which is formed of a third circulation flow channel and a fourth circulation flow channel and which is configured to circulate the solution in the third circulation flow channel and then circulate and mix the solution in both of the third and fourth circulation flow channels, wherein any one of the circulation flow channels has a capturing section which captures the sample substance, and/or a detecting section which detects the sample substance.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Keiji Mitsui, Ryo Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11511483Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an article made of a polymerized material including the steps of: —providing a vat of polymerizable material, transparent at least in the 400-800 nanometers wavelengths range, —irradiating the polymerizable material with a laser beam according to a predetermined pattern so as to polymerize the polymerizable material in order to form the article, the predetermined pattern being determined based on a three-dimension representation of the article with the positions in three dimensions of a plurality of volume units adapted to form together the article, the laser beam scanning the vat in three dimensions in order to be focused at each position of the volume units present in the predetermined pattern so as to initiate locally the polymerization of the polymerizable material at each of these positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignees: Nikon Corporation, Essilor InternationalInventor: Manuel Theodet
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Patent number: 11506863Abstract: An accessory includes: a detection terminal; a first power supply terminal through which a first power supply voltage is supplied; a first ground terminal used as a ground potential; a second power supply terminal through which a second power supply voltage is supplied; a second ground terminal used as a ground potential; a ready terminal used to indicate whether or not communication is allowed; a first data terminal that receives a first data signal; a second data terminal that outputs a second data signal; a clock terminal that outputs a clock signal; and a third data terminal that outputs a third data signal, wherein: the first ground terminal, the second power supply terminal, and the second ground terminal are positioned between the first power supply terminal and the ready terminal; and the first data terminal and the second data terminal are positioned between the ready terminal and the clock terminal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Takayuki Funaoka
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Patent number: 11506484Abstract: There is provided a profile measuring apparatus, including: an irradiation section configured to irradiate a measurement light to a measurement area of the object; an imaging section configured to obtain an image of the measurement area; a table configured to place the object thereon; a coordinate calculation section configured to calculate a position of the measurement area based on an image detected by a detection section; and a positioning mechanism configured to drive and control a relative position of the imaging section and the table. The positioning mechanism calculates a relative position of the imaging section to the table, based on an information with respect to an edge line direction of a convex portion or an extending direction of a concave portion in the measurement area of the object having a repetitive concave-convex shape, to move at least one of the table and the imaging section.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Masaya Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 11504712Abstract: A fluid device includes a substrate and a gas-liquid separating filter, the substrate has a flow path through which a solution flows, a reservoir, in which the solution is accommodated, connected to the flow path, an injection hole configured to connect the reservoir to the outside, and an air introduction hole branched off from the injection hole and connected to the outside, and the gas-liquid separating filter is disposed in a path of the air introduction hole, allows passage of a gas flowing through the air introduction hole, and prevents passage of a liquid flowing through the air introduction hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoya Ishizawa, Taro Ueno, Ryo Kobayashi, Tetsuomi Takasaki
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Patent number: 11509841Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel that includes: a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit, each of which generates an electric charge through photoelectric conversion of light; an output unit that outputs a first signal generated based upon the electric charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal generated based upon an electric charge generated in the second photoelectric conversion unit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts a capacitance at the output unit upon outputting of the first signal and the second signal from the output unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Atsushi Komai
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Patent number: 11500300Abstract: In a beam irradiation apparatus in which a movable body holds an object, a mark detection system detects a first mark on the movable body while moving the movable body in a first direction and changing an irradiation position of a measurement beam in the first direction, the mark detection system detects a second mark while moving the movable body in the first direction and changing the irradiation position of the measurement beam in the first direction, a controller controls a position of the movable body in a second direction intersecting the first direction during a time period between the detection of the first mark and the detection of the second mark, and the controller controls the movement of the movable body to adjust a positional relation between the object on the movable body and a processing beam, based on results of the detection of the first and second marks.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Akihiro Ueda
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Patent number: 11483467Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an imaging element having a plurality of image capture regions, each of the image capture regions having a plurality of pixels for generating an image signal; a setting unit that sets different image capture conditions for the plurality of image capture regions; and a control unit that corrects a portion of an image signal of a photographic subject captured under first image capture conditions in an image capture region among the plurality of image capture regions so that it is as if the portion of the image signal was captured under second image capture conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiyuki Kanbara, Takashi Shionoya, Naoki Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 11474333Abstract: A zoom optical system (ZL) comprises, in order from an object: a first lens group (G1) having a positive refractive power; a second lens group (G2) having a negative refractive power; a third lens group (G3) having a positive refractive power; and a subsequent lens group (GR), wherein upon zooming, a distance between the first lens group (G1) and the second lens group (G2) changes, a distance between the second lens group (G2) and the third lens group (G3) changes, and a distance between the third lens group (G3) and the subsequent lens group (GR) changes, the subsequent lens group (GR) comprises a focusing lens group that moves upon focusing, and following conditional expressions are satisfied, 3.70<f1/(?f2)<5.00, 3.20<f1/f3<5.00, where f1: a focal length of the first lens group (G1), f2: a focal length of the second lens group (G2), and f3: a focal length of the third lens group (G3).Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Kosuke Machida
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Patent number: 11474325Abstract: A focus adjustment control apparatus is provided which includes: a focus detection unit that calculates an evaluation value with regard to contrast of an image via an optical system to detect a focus adjustment state of the optical system; an acquisition unit that acquires from a lens barrel at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value of an image plane movement coefficient that represents correspondence relationship between a movement amount of a focus adjustment lens included in the optical system and a movement amount of an image plane; and a control unit that uses at least one of the maximum value and the minimum value of the image plane movement coefficient to determine a drive speed for the focus adjustment lens when the focus detection unit detects the focus adjustment state.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroyuki Tomita, Toshiaki Maeda
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Patent number: 11470253Abstract: A display device includes an acquisition unit that acquires moving image data generated by an image-capturing device and velocity information on the image-capturing device while generating the moving image data, and a display control unit that controls a region to be processed for a moving image to be displayed on a display unit using the moving image data, based on the velocity information acquired by the acquisition unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Yuki Katsumata, Naoki Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 11467501Abstract: There is provided a reflective image-forming optical system which is applicable to an exposure apparatus using, for example, EUV light and which is capable of increasing numerical aperture while enabling optical path separation of light fluxes. In a reflective imaging optical system (6) forming an image of a first plane (4) onto a second plane (7), the numerical aperture on a side of the second plane with respect to a first direction (X direction) on the second plane is greater than 1.1 times a numerical aperture on the side of the second plane with respect to a second direction (Y direction) crossing the first direction on the second plane. The reflecting imaging optical system has an aperture stop (AS) defining the numerical aperture on the side of the second plane, and the aperture stop has an elliptic-shaped opening of which size in a major axis direction (X direction) is greater than 1.1 times that in a minor axis direction (Y direction).Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Hideki Komatsuda
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Patent number: 11455798Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Hideya Inoue
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Patent number: 11448893Abstract: A zoom optical system (ZL) includes: a first lens group (G1) having negative refractive power; a second lens group (G2) having positive refractive power, the second lens group (G2) being disposed further toward an image than the first lens group (G1); and a succeeding lens group (GL) having a vibration-isolating group (GVRb) that moves so as to have a displacement component in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis, the succeeding lens group (GL) being disposed further toward the image than the second lens group (G2), a distance between the first lens group (G1) and the second lens group (G2) changing and a distance between the second lens group (G2) and the succeeding lens group (GL) changing upon zooming, and the following conditional expression being satisfied: 4.899?|f1VRaw/fw|<1000.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroki Harada
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Patent number: 11451723Abstract: An image sensor, includes: a plurality of pixels arranged along a first direction, each of which includes a photoelectric conversion unit that generates an electric charge through photoelectric conversion of light, and outputs a signal generated based upon the electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit; a first signal line to which signals from one or more pixels among the plurality of pixels are output; a second signal line to which a signal from another pixel among the plurality of pixels is output; and an arithmetic unit that executes an arithmetic operation with a signal generated by combining the signals from the one or more pixels output to the first signal line and the signal output to the second signal line.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Atsushi Komai
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Patent number: 11448860Abstract: A variable magnification optical system includes a positive first lens group disposed at a most object side, a negative intermediate group disposed at an image side of the first lens group, a positive focusing group disposed at an image side of the intermediate group, and a positive image side group disposed at an image side of the focusing group. Upon varying magnification, a distance between the first lens group and the intermediate group, a distance between the intermediate group and the focusing group and a distance between the focusing group and the image side group are varied; and the image side group includes, in order from an object side, a positive A group, a negative B group satisfying a predetermined conditional expression with respect to the A group, and a C group, whereby excellent optical performance, high speed focusing, and other advantages are achieved.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Kosuke Machida
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Patent number: 11445117Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Hideya Inoue, Toru Iwaoka, Michiko Noborisaka, Masayuki Hatori, Tomohide Hamada
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Patent number: 11442262Abstract: An image processor includes an image generator configured to generate corresponding image data corresponding to first microscopic image data obtained under a first observation condition, based on second microscopic image data and third microscopic image data obtained under a second observation condition, and an image output unit configured to output the corresponding image data. The corresponding image data may be image data corresponding to a first focal plane from which the first microscopic image data are obtained, and wherein the second microscopic image data and the third microscopic image data may be image data on a second focal plane and a third focal plane, respectively, which are different from the first focal plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2017Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Ichiro Sase, Yutaka Sasaki, Takaaki Okamoto, Yuki Terui, Kohki Konishi, Masafumi Mimura, Martin Berger, Petr Gazak, Miroslav Svoboda
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Patent number: 11442371Abstract: A lithography system is provided with: a measurement device measuring position information of marks on a substrate held in a first stage; and an exposure apparatus on a second stage, the substrate for which the position information measurement for the marks has been completed, performs alignment measurement to measure position information for part of marks selected from among the marks on the substrate, and performs exposure. The measurement device measures position information of marks on the substrate to obtain higher-degree components of correction amounts of an arrangement of divided areas, and the exposure apparatus measures position information of a small number of marks on the substrate to obtain lower-degree components of the correction amounts of the arrangement of the divided areas and exposes the plurality of divided areas while controlling the position of the substrate by using the obtained lower-degree components and the higher-degree components obtained by the measurement device.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
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Patent number: 11440869Abstract: A compound expressed in the following formula (1) (where R1 and R2 independently denote a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Y1 and Y2 independently denote an alkylene group having a carbon number of 1 to 9, and n1 and n2 independently denote an integer of 0 to 3).Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshihiro Someya, Masayuki Shijo
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Patent number: 11435550Abstract: A camera includes: an image capturing unit that outputs a signal by capturing a subject image via an optical system having a focus adjustment optical system; a detection unit that detects an in-focus position at which the subject image is in focus on the image capturing unit by the optical system based on the signal outputted from the image capturing unit; a control unit that controls a position of the focus adjustment optical system so as to focus continuously upon a specified subject based on the in-focus position detected by the detection unit; and an acquisition unit that acquires information related to at least one of a distance to the specified subject, a size of the specified subject, and the optical system; wherein the control unit controls the position of the focus adjustment optical system based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Masaru Habe
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Patent number: 11438558Abstract: An electronic device comprises a projector that is configured to project an image and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control an orientation of the image to be projected to a first orientation when the electronic device is in a first attitude, and to control the orientation of the image to be projected to a second orientation different from the first orientation when the electronic device is in a second attitude different from the first attitude.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Hirotake Nozaki, Nobuhiro Fujinawa
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Patent number: 11435672Abstract: A measurement device has: a slider which holds a substrate and is movable parallel to the XY plane; a drive system that drives the slider; a position measurement system which emits beams from a head section to a measurement surface in which grating section are provided on the slider, which receives respective return beams of the beams from the measurement surface, and which is capable of measuring position information in at least directions of three degrees of freedom including the absolute position coordinates of the slider; a mark detection system that detects a mark on the substrate; and a controller which detects the marks on the substrate using the mark detection system while controlling the drive of the slider, and which obtains the absolute position coordinates of each mark based on the detection result of each mark and measurement information by the position measurement system at the time of detection.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
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Patent number: 11428920Abstract: An information processing device comprises: an image processor which generates surface information from point cloud data generated on the basis of position information of an object, using a value of a first parameter and a value of a second parameter; and a display controller which causes a display to display a surface image on the basis of the generated surface information, wherein the image processor generates a plurality of pieces of surface information, using a plurality of values of the first parameter and a plurality of values of the second parameter, and the display controller causes the display to display a plurality of surface images on the basis of the plurality of pieces of generated surface information.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Wataru Tomosugi, Sadashige Ishida, Kazuhiro Abe, Shutaro Onishi
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Patent number: 11430684Abstract: A measurement system used in a manufacturing line for micro-devices includes: a plurality of measurement devices in which each device performs measurement processing on a substrate; and a carrying system to perform delivery of a substrate with the plurality of measurement devices. The plurality of measurement devices includes a first measurement device that acquires position information on a plurality of marks formed on a substrate, and a second measurement device that acquires position information on a plurality of marks formed on a substrate. Position information on a plurality of marks formed on a substrate can be acquired under a setting of a first predetermined condition in the first measurement device, and position information on a plurality of marks formed on another substrate can be acquired under a setting of a second predetermined condition different from the first predetermined condition in the second measurement device.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Go Ichinose, Tomonori Dosho
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Patent number: 11428527Abstract: Disclosed is a monitoring method wherein: a target is prepared using terrain model data including terrain location information; at a first time, an image of the target is picked up by means of an image pickup unit of a surveying device, and first image data is generated; at a second time after the first time, an image of the target is picked by means of the image pickup unit of the surveying device, and second image data is generated; and displacement of the target is detected using a first image based on the first image data, and a second image based on the second image data.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIKON-TRIMBLE CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuya Ohhashi
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Patent number: 11428897Abstract: A focus adjustment control apparatus is provided which includes: a focus detection unit that calculates an evaluation value with regard to contrast of an image via an optical system to detect a focus adjustment state of the optical system; an acquisition unit that acquires from a lens barrel at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value of an image plane movement coefficient that represents correspondence relationship between a movement amount of a focus adjustment lens included in the optical system and a movement amount of an image plane; and a control unit that uses at least one of the maximum value and the minimum value of the image plane movement coefficient to determine a drive speed for the focus adjustment lens when the focus detection unit detects the focus adjustment state.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroyuki Tomita, Toshiaki Maeda
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Patent number: 11428913Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first lens group having negative refractive power; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. Upon varying magnification, distances between the first lens group and the second lens group, between the second lens group and the third lens group and between the third lens group and the fourth lens group vary. The second lens group includes a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group. Each of the front lens group and the rear lens group includes at least one positive lens. At least a part of the lenses in the second lens group is moved as a group to have a component in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Makoto Fujimoto, Takeshi Umeda
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Patent number: 11428911Abstract: A zoom optical system includes, disposed in order from an object, 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. At least a part of the third lens group is arranged to be movable along an optical axis as a focusing lens group, and the focusing lens group is moved toward an image when a focusing state on a long-distance object is changed to a focusing state on a short-distance object. The following conditional expression is satisfied: 0.90<f3/fw<1.50, where f3 denotes a focal length of the third lens group and fw denotes a focal length of the zoom optical system in a wide-angle end state.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Tomoki Ito, Hiroshi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 11428953Abstract: A method for designing a spectacle lens includes: presenting a plurality of blurred images created by applying different degrees of blur to an original image and having a wearer see the blurred images; acquiring information on a sensitivity to blur of the wearer; and designing a spectacle lens based on the information on the sensitivity to blur of the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIKON-ESSILOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Sungjin Cho
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Patent number: 11422353Abstract: A liquid supplier includes: a supply port which supplies a liquid to a space between an objective lens and an observation object; and a recovery port which recovers the liquid supplied from the supply port, wherein the supply port and the recovery port satisfy a condition where positions of the supply port and the recovery port differ from each other in a direction of an optical axis of the objective lens or a condition where positions of the supply port and the recovery port with respect to the optical axis differ from each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens or both conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Toshiki Yasokawa
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Patent number: 11422343Abstract: A catadioptric system (LS) is provided with: a first reflecting mirror (M1) that reflects light from an object; a second reflecting mirror (M2) that reflects light reflected by the first reflecting mirror (M1); a first lens group (G1) that transmits light reflected by the first reflecting mirror (41) and travelling toward the second reflecting mirror (M2), and transmits light reflected by the second reflecting mirror (M2); and a second lens group (G2) that transmits light reflected by the second reflecting mirror (M2) and transmitted through the first lens group (G1). The catadioptric system is configured that an image of the object is formed by light transmitted through the second lens group (G2).Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Kensuke Uchida
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Patent number: 11419495Abstract: An image processing method, which is executed by a processor, comprises acquiring choroid information from an image of a fundus of an examined eye, and comparing the choroid information against a choroid normative database and determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the fundus.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Mariko Hirokawa, Yasushi Tanabe, Tomoharu Fujiwara
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Patent number: 11415771Abstract: An accessory that can be attached to a camera body, the camera body including a first camera-side clock terminal that outputs a first clock signal, a second camera-side clock terminal to which a second clock signal is input, and a first camera-side power supply terminal that outputs first power, the accessory includes: an eighth terminal that is brought into contact with the first camera-side clock terminal; a tenth terminal that is brought into contact with the second camera-side clock terminal; and a second terminal that is brought into contact with the first camera-side power supply terminal, wherein: a distance between the tenth terminal and the second terminal is longer than a distance between the eighth terminal and the second terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Takayuki Funaoka, Kiyoshi Yasuda, Hideaki Sugiyama
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Patent number: 11415788Abstract: A zoom optical system (ZL) comprises a first lens group (G1) having positive refractive power, a second lens group (G2) having negative refractive power, a third lens group (G3) having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group (G4) having negative refractive power, and a fifth lens group (G5) having positive refractive power that are disposed in order from an object. Upon zooming from a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state, the lens groups are moved along an optical axis to change distances between the lens groups. The fifth lens group (G5) comprises at least one positive lens and at least one negative lens. Certain conditional expressions are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Satoshi Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 11418731Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel, the pixel has: a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically convert light to generate a charge; an accumulation unit that accumulates at least one of the charge generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit and the charge generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit; a first output unit and a second output unit that output a signal based on the charge accumulated in the accumulation unit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts a capacitance of the accumulation unit if a signal based on the charges generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit and the second photoelectric conversion unit is output from the first output unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Shigeru Matsumoto
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Patent number: 11415770Abstract: An accessory that can be attached to a camera body, the camera body including a first camera-side clock terminal that outputs a first clock signal, a first camera-side data terminal that outputs a first data signal, and a third camera-side data terminal to which a third data signal is input, the accessory includes: an eighth terminal that is brought into contact with the first camera-side clock terminal; a seventh terminal that is brought into contact with the first camera-side data terminal; and a ninth terminal that is brought into contact with the third camera-side data terminal, wherein the eighth terminal is positioned between the seventh terminal and the ninth terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Takayuki Funaoka, Kiyoshi Yasuda, Hideaki Sugiyama
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Patent number: 11415786Abstract: A variable magnification optical system includes: a first lens group having a positive refractive power and arranged closest to an object; a negative lens group having a negative refractive power and arranged closer to an image than the first lens group; a positive lens group which has a positive refractive power, which includes at least one lens that moves integrally with an aperture stop, and which is arranged closer to the image than the negative lens group; and a focusing group arranged between the negative lens group and the positive lens group, wherein when varying magnification, the first lens group moves with respect to an image plane, the distance between the first lens group and the negative lens group is changed, and the distance between the negative lens group and the positive lens group is changed, wherein when focusing, the distance between the focusing group and a lens arranged at a position to face an object-side of the focusing group is changed, and the distance between the focusing group andType: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Kosuke Machida
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Patent number: 11415787Abstract: A variable magnification optical system includes, in order from an object: a first lens group (G1) having a negative refractive power; a second lens group (G2) having a positive refractive power; a third lens group (G3) having a negative refractive power; and a fourth lens group (G4) having a positive refractive power. The system performs varying magnification by changing the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group, the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group, and the distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group. The third lens group includes a 32nd lens group (G32) configured to be movable so as to have a component in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis in order to correct image blur as a vibration-reduction lens group (VR) and a 31st lens group (G31) disposed at an object-side of the 32nd lens group. The 32nd lens group has negative refractive power, and the system satisfies Conditional Expression (1) below. 0.200<f1/f3<0.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Atsushi Shibayama
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Patent number: 11418698Abstract: A focus adjustment device comprising: a first detector which detects a focused state by a contrast detection system; second detectors which detect a focused state by a phase difference detection system; and a control unit which controls the first detector and second detectors so as to detect the focused state by the second detectors when detecting the focused state by the first detector.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroaki Takahara, Hiroyuki Tomita
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Patent number: D961501Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshihisa Saito, Shiki Inoue, Atsushi Hamazaki