Nikon Patents

Nikon Corporation manufactures and sells semiconductor and FPD lithography equipment, digital cameras, lenses and accessories, and microscopes and other measuring instruments.

Nikon Patents by Type
  • Nikon Patents Granted: Nikon patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Nikon Patent Applications: Nikon patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Publication number: 20230278914
    Abstract: An optical glass comprising: by mass %, 20% or more and 50% or less of a content rate of P2O5; 12.66% or more and 35% or less of a content rate of TiO2; 0% or more and 20% or less of a content rate of Nb2O5; and 5% or more and 30% or less of a content rate of Bi2O3, wherein a ratio of a content rate of TiO2 to a content rate of P2O5 (TiO2/P2O5) is 0.30 or more and 0.75 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya KOIDE
  • Publication number: 20230280575
    Abstract: A microscope includes: an illumination optical system that focuses illumination light and forms an illumination region on a sample; a detection optical system that forms an image by light from the sample on an image plane; an aberration setting unit that sets an aberration state of at least one of the illumination optical system and the detection optical system; a detector in which a detection surface having a plurality of aligned detection units is arranged on the image plane; a calculation unit that calculates light amount distribution information of a detection image detected by the detection units; and a computation unit that determines an aberration state of at least one of the systems which should be set by the aberration setting unit based on the light amount distribution information of the detection image in a plurality of aberration states set by the aberration setting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke FUJIKAKE, Yamato NIITANI
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230270328
    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: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: David M. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20230273507
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens that is detachably attached to a camera body and that includes a holding unit at which a plurality of contacts is arranged, includes: a first contact group that includes a plurality of the contacts, arranged at the holding unit, through which a first data communication is performed with the camera body in a first period; a second contact group that includes a plurality of the contacts, arranged at the holding unit, through which a second data communication is performed with the camera body in a second period that is shorter than the first period; and a power source contact arranged at the holding unit, through which operation voltages for the first and second data communications are supplied to the interchangeable lens from the camera body. The first contact group is arranged at a position closer to the power source contact than the second contact group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuharu IMAFUJI, Masafumi OIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230273400
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki TOMITA, Toshiaki MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20230276148
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro TSUNAI, Hironobu MURATA
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230268373
    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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru MATSUMOTO, Toru TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20230264266
    Abstract: A processing system includes: an irradiation system that irradiates an object with an energy beam; a material supply member that supplies a build material irradiated with the energy beam; a measurement apparatus that obtains information related to a height of a surface of the object; and a distance change apparatus that changes a distance between the material supply member and the surface based on a measured result by the measurement apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshimitsu KURAMI, Zhi-Wei LIN, Yoon Jung JEONG, Michael Birk BINNARD
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230256536
    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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi SHIBAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230256537
    Abstract: A processing system, which processes an object by irradiating the object with a processing light through an irradiation optical system, includes: an irradiation apparatus including at least a terminal optical element of the irradiation optical system; a movement apparatus that moves the irradiation apparatus; a first measurement apparatus that is disposed at the irradiation apparatus and measures a position of the object; a second measurement apparatus that measures the position of the object through at least the terminal optical element; and a third measurement apparatus that emits, from a position which is away from the irradiation apparatus, a measurement light toward the irradiation apparatus and measures the position of the irradiation apparatus by detecting the measurement light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji SATO
  • Publication number: 20230261025
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu SARUWATARI, Shutaro KATO, Ryoji ANDO, Yojiro TEZUKA, Atsushi KOMAI
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230254572
    Abstract: A portable information device includes: an image sensor; a position information acquisition portion that outputs position information; an orientation sensor; and a display that displays an image of an object output from the image sensor and displays relevant information on the object, the relevant information on the object being obtained based on at least measurement data from the position information acquisition portion and the orientation sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideya INOUE, Toru IWAOKA, Michiko NOBORISAKA, Masayuki HATORI, Tomohide HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20230251484
    Abstract: An image-capturing device includes: a plurality of micro-lenses disposed in a two-dimensional pattern near a focal plane of an image forming optical system; an image sensor that includes a two-dimensional array of element groups each corresponding to one of the micro-lenses and made up with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which receive, via the micro-lenses light fluxes from a subject having passed through the photographic optical system and output image signals; and a synthesizing unit that combines the image signals output from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements based upon information so as to generate synthetic image data in correspondence to a plurality of image forming areas present on a given image forming plane of the image forming optical system, the information specifying positions of the photoelectric conversion elements output image signals that are to be used for generating synthetic image data for each image forming area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20230246054
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: (A) a first circuit layer provided with a comparison unit that (i) compares a first signal caused by an electric charge generated by a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts light to generate the electric charge with a first reference signal, and (ii) compares a second signal for correcting the first signal with a second reference signal; and (B) a second circuit layer provided with (i) a first storage unit that stores a third signal that is based on a result of the comparison between the first signal and the first reference signal, and (ii) a second storage unit that stores a fourth signal that is based on a result of the comparison between the second signal and the second reference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru MATSUMOTO
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230237684
    Abstract: An image processing method performed by a processor and including: a step of acquiring a choroidal vascular image; a step of detecting a vortex vein position from the choroidal vascular image; a step of identifying a choroidal vessel related to the vortex vein position; and a step of finding a size of the choroidal vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mariko HIROKAWA, Yasushi TANABE, Takahiko YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20230237817
    Abstract: There is provided a culturing assistance device including: a memory which stores a program; and a processor which executes the program, wherein the processor executes the program to implement: acquiring a plurality of captured images in which cells are captured in time series; calculating a probability that a state of the cells shown in the acquired image is a certain state; reading predetermined state change rule information which is stored in a storage unit and indicates a relationship among a plurality of states of the cells in the time-series; and determining the state of the cell based on the calculated probability and the read state change rule information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya OTANI, Yuuya TAKAYAMA, Tetsuya KOIKE
  • Publication number: 20230237672
    Abstract: The first aspect of the present invention provides a migration ability evaluation method comprising: a trajectory generation step of generating a trajectory of movement of an object being observed of a living body on the basis of a plurality of images of the object being observed acquired by capturing observation images of the object being observed multiple times in a time-series manner; a migration ability calculation step of calculating a migration ability measure indicating the degree of migration of the object being observed in a certain direction on the basis of the trajectory of movement of the object being observed; and a migration ability evaluation step of evaluating whether or not the object being observed satisfies a predetermined condition on the basis of the migration ability measure of the object being observed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuomi TAKASAKI, Toru ICHIHASHI, Hiroaki KII, Junya YOSHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20230239591
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a pixel that generates a pixel signal based upon incident light having entered therein; and a generation unit that includes a first input unit to which the pixel signal is input, a second input unit to which a first reference signal with a shifting voltage is input, and an output unit that outputs an output signal generated based upon the pixel signal and the first reference signal, wherein: the generation unit further includes a first capacitance disposed between the first input unit and the output unit, a second capacitance disposed between the second input unit and the output unit, and a third capacitance connected to either one of the first capacitance and the second capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wataru FUNAMIZU, Yojiro TEZUKA, Masahiro JUEN
  • Publication number: 20230231966
    Abstract: To generate multiple types of images of the same subject, an electronic apparatus includes a drive control unit that controls the drive of an image sensor, a division unit that divides an image capture region of the image sensor into at least first and second regions, and an image generation unit that generates a first image by capturing an image of the same subject in the first region and generates a second image by capturing an image of the same subject in the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi SHIONOYA, Toshiyuki KANBARA, Masakazu SEKIGUCHI
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230221110
    Abstract: A detection device includes: a detector that detects an object from a first viewpoint; an information calculator that calculates first model information including shape information on the object from the first viewpoint by using detection results of the detector; a light source calculator that calculates light source information on the light source by using a first taken image obtained by imaging a space including a light source that irradiates the object with illumination light and including the object; and a position calculator that calculates a positional relation between the first viewpoint and the object by using the light source information as information used to integrate the first model information and second model information including shape information obtained by detecting the object from a second viewpoint different from the first viewpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro NAKAGAWA, Takeaki SUGIMURA, Yoshiyuki YAMARIKU
  • Publication number: 20230221519
    Abstract: A vibrator includes an electromechanical transducer which is a piezoelectric ceramic made of sodium-potassium niobate metal oxides and whose temperature characteristics of a relative permittivity is 500 [ppm/° C.] or less in absolute value in a temperature range from ?40° C. to 170° C., wherein excitation of the electromechanical transducer produces a vibration wave. Another vibrator includes an electromechanical transducer which is a piezoelectric ceramic made of sodium-potassium niobate metal oxides and whose temperature characteristics of a relative permittivity is 390 [ppm/° C.] or less in absolute value in a temperature range from 0° C. to 60° C., wherein excitation of the electromechanical transducer produces a vibration wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takatoshi ASHIZAWA, Kazutaka WATANABE, Hirofumi TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20230224610
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a first photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a first opening to an electric charge, a second photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a second opening which is smaller than the first opening to an electric charge, and a signal output wiring that outputs a first signal generated by the electric charge converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal generated by the electric charge converted by the second photoelectric conversion unit. The second photoelectric conversion unit is disposed between the second opening and the signal output wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hironobu MURATA
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230217107
    Abstract: A focus detection device includes: an imaging unit having a first and second pixel each of which receives light transmitted through an optical system and outputs signal used for focus detection, and a third pixel which receives light transmitted through the optical system and outputs signal used for image generation; an input unit to which information regarding the optical system is input; a selection unit that selects one of the first and second pixel based on the information to the input unit; a readout unit that reads out the signal from one of the first and second pixel based on a selection result at a timing different from reading out the signal from the third pixel to be read out; and a focus detection unit that performs the focus detection based on at least one of the signals of the first and second pixel read out by the readout unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sinsuke SAMBONGI, Akira KINOSHITA, Yuki KITA
  • 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: 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