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: 20230048772
    Abstract: A mask data generation method including: calculating first evaluation value of projection image based on first mask data in which first value or second value different from first value is set for each of a plurality of unit elements that constitute 2-dimensional grid; generating second mask data by changing value of first unit element to which first value is set to second value and by changing value of second unit element which is disposed close to first unit element on 2-dimensional grid and to which second value is set to first value, among the plurality of unit elements included in the first mask data; calculating second evaluation value of projection image based on the second mask data; and comparing the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value and selecting either the first mask data or the second mask data as output mask data based on the comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke OKUDAIRA, Satoshi YASHIKI
  • Publication number: 20230048981
    Abstract: A compound represented by Formula (1) given below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro SOMEYA, Masayuki SHIJO
  • Patent number: 11577466
    Abstract: A build system is provided with: a build apparatus that performs a build process for forming a build object by supplying build materials to an irradiation area of an energy beam from a supply system while irradiating a target object with the energy beam from an irradiation system; and a change apparatus that is configured to change a relative position between the energy beam and the target object, wherein the build system differentiates a condition of the build process that is performed at a first area of the target object and a condition of the build process that is performed at a second area of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki Ueno
  • Patent number: 11577452
    Abstract: A photocurable composition which can be used to manufacture a three-dimensional object that is formed by stacking a plurality of layers on top of each other, from which the three-dimensional object having excellent transparency, a high glass transition temperature, and a high hardness can be formed, and which exhibits a high curing rate. The photocurable composition is a photocurable composition used to manufacture a three-dimensional object that is formed by stacking a plurality of layers on top of each other. The photocurable composition contains a monofunctional monomer having a polycyclic aliphatic group, a polyfunctional monomer, an alcohol, and an acylphosphine oxide photopolymerization initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: NIKON CORPORATION, ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Akiko Miyakawa, Masafumi Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 11579421
    Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side along an optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, and a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power. Upon zooming from a wide-angle end state W to a telephoto end state T, a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 increases, and a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 decreases. Given conditions are satisfied. Accordingly, a zoom lens having high optical performance with suppressing variations in aberrations, an optical apparatus equipped therewith, and a method for manufacturing the zoom lens are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Obama, Norikazu Yokoi, Issei Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11578969
    Abstract: An integrated optical assembly is provided, with enhancements that are particularly useful when the integrated optical assembly forms part of a laser radar system. The integrated optical assembly produces a reference beam that is related to the optical characteristics of a scanning reflector, or to changes in position or orientation of the scanning reflector relative to a source. Thus, if the scanning reflector orientation were to shift from its intended orientation (due e.g. to thermal expansion) or if characteristics of the scanning reflector (e.g. the index of refraction of the scanning reflector) were to change on account of temperature changes, the reference beam can be used to provide data that can be used to account for such changes. In addition, if the scanning reflector were to be positioned in an orientation other than the orientation desired, the reference beam can be used in identifying and correcting that positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Gene Smith
  • Patent number: 11579532
    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: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 11579001
    Abstract: A calibrator includes: a position calculator which calculates a relative position between a first detector and a second detector on the basis of detection signals acquired respectively from the first detector, the second detector, and a third detector positioned with respect to a scale attached to a rotating body; and an error calculator which calculates error information on rotational position information of the rotating body on the basis of the relative position calculated by the position calculator as well as the detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Watanabe, Masahisa Takasaki
  • Patent number: 11572016
    Abstract: An image capture device is mounted in a vehicle. The image capture device includes: an image capture unit; and a setting unit that sets an image capture condition for each region of the image capture unit each having a plurality of pixels, or for each pixel, based upon at least one of a state exterior to the vehicle and a state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akiko Shiga, Toru Miyakoshi, Satoshi Yamaguchi, Akira Kinoshita, Kaoru Yoshino, Hitomi Naganuma, Takashi Kuriyama, Koichi Fukuda, Yuki Kita, Koji Nagaoka, Tomoya Nakagawa, Masakazu Sekiguchi, Takashi Shionoya
  • Patent number: 11575825
    Abstract: A control apparatus that access first cameras capturing a first subject of a first area, and second cameras capturing a second subject of a second area, detects a viewing direction of a spectator group in the first subject on the basis of image data of the first subject captured by any one of first cameras, identifies a focus area in the second area that is focused on by the spectator group on the basis of the viewing direction of the spectator group, identifies a focus subject, focused on by the spectator group, that is present in the focus area on the basis of image data of the second subject captured by each of the second cameras, determines a specific second camera to be a transmission source of image data from among the second cameras on the basis of the focus subject, and transmits image data from the specific second camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Otsubo, Satoshi Takahashi, Yuuya Takayama, Kazuhiro Abe, Hideo Hoshuyama, Marie Shoda, Sho Somiya, Tetsuya Koike, Naoya Otani
  • Publication number: 20230034966
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro UEDA
  • Publication number: 20230036138
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi KOMAI
  • Publication number: 20230033962
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki FUNAOKA
  • Publication number: 20230029722
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki KANBARA, Takashi SHIONOYA, Naoki SEKIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 11568516
    Abstract: A solution to the problem of image and video stitching is disclosed that compensates for the effects of lens distortion, camera misalignment, and parallax in combining multiple images. The disclosed image stitching technique includes depth or disparity estimation, alignment, and blending processes configured to be computationally efficient and produce quality results by limiting the presence of noticeable seams and artifacts in the final stitched image. An inter-frame approach applies image stitching to video frames to maintain temporal continuity between successive frames across a stitched video output having a 360-degree viewing perspective. A temporal adjustment is configured to improve temporal continuity between a subsequent frame and a previous frame in a sequence of video frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tanmay Nitin Bichu, Ikuya Saito, Hideo Hoshuyama
  • Patent number: 11567419
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 11570414
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging sensor that outputs an imaging signal representing a sequence of frame images of a photographic subject. A buffer memory temporarily stores data of the sequence of frame images from the imaging signal. A release switch is actuated by a user to output an image-taking signal. A controller, upon receipt of the image-taking signal from the release switch: (i) generates moving image data from at least some of the plurality of frame images stored in the buffer memory, (ii) generates at least one piece of still image data based on at least one frame image of the plurality of frame images stored in the buffer memory, and (iii) associates the moving image data with the still image data and records the moving image data and the still image data in a recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Kuriyama
  • Publication number: 20230029429
    Abstract: A beam processing apparatus is a beam processing apparatus that irradiates a workpiece with a processing beam, and performs a removal processing of a first part of the workpiece by irradiating a first surface of the workpiece with the processing beam while moving an irradiation position of the processing beam along a first direction, and performs a removal processing of a second part of the workpiece by irradiating a second surface, which is formed at the workpiece by the removal processing of the first part, with the processing beam while moving the irradiation position of the processing beam along the first direction. A moving range of the processing beam for the removal processing of the second part is smaller than a moving range of the processing beam for the removal processing of the first part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoki MIYAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230028137
    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: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toru IWANE
  • Publication number: 20230015748
    Abstract: An optical system includes a first optical system, a second optical system, and a third optical system. The first optical system divides an input beam into a first light and a second light. The second optical system includes a concave reflective surface which reflects the first light. The third optical system directs at least one of the first light reflected from the second optical system and the second light from the first optical system to an output optical path of the third optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Gene SMITH, Brian Lee STAMPER
  • Patent number: 11554539
    Abstract: A photocurable composition for three-dimensional stereolithography which has a lower viscosity and from which a cured product having a high refractive index is obtained, and a three-dimensional object formed by using the composition. The composition is a photocurable composition for three-dimensional stereolithography containing a fluorene monomer, a carbazole monomer, a diluent monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator, the carbazole monomer being contained in an amount of less than 30 wt % with respect to the total amount of the fluorene monomer and the carbazole monomer, and the diluent monomer being contained in an amount of at least 20 wt % with respect to total solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignees: NIKON CORPORATION, ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Christophe Provin, Akiko Miyakawa
  • Patent number: 11557624
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a pixel substrate that includes a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit that generates an electric charge through photoelectric conversion executed on light having entered therein and an output unit that generates a signal based upon the electric charge and outputs the signal; and an arithmetic operation substrate that is laminated on the pixel substrate and includes an operation unit that generates a corrected signal by using a reset signal generated after the electric charge in the output unit is reset and a photoelectric conversion signal generated based upon an electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit and executes an arithmetic operation by using corrected signals each generated in correspondence to one of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20230011109
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: (1) a first pixel and a second pixel each including: a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts light and generates an electric charge; and a transfer unit that transfers the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit to an accumulation unit that accumulates the electric charge, the first pixel and the second pixel being arranged in a row direction; (2) a first supply unit that supplies a signal which controls the transfer unit of the first pixel; and (3) a second supply unit that supplies a signal which controls the transfer unit of the second pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu SARUWATARI
  • Patent number: 11553144
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging unit including an imaging section that includes a pixel capable of performing charge accumulation a plurality of times in response to an imaging instruction for generating one frame of image data; a storage section that stores a pixel signal based on output from the pixel; an updating section that updates the pixel signal already stored in the storage section by performing an integration process to integrate the pixel signal output from the pixel as a result of a new charge accumulation and the pixel signal already stored in the storage section; and a control section that controls whether the updating section performs the update, for each of a plurality of pixel groups that each include one or more pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 11553133
    Abstract: A camera body with which it is possible to improve the effect of shake correction, a camera accessory, and an information transmission method wherein the camera body to which a camera accessory can be detachably mounted, and includes: a movable section which is movable to correct shaking of the camera body; a detection unit which detects the shake and outputs a detection signal; a calculation unit which, on the basis of the detection signal, calculates an amount of movement of the movable section; and a transmission unit which transmits, to the camera accessory, body-side information the calculation unit uses to calculate the amount of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sueyuki Ohishi
  • Patent number: 11548215
    Abstract: A method of producing an optical device from a volume of a curable composition, includes the following steps: —polymerizing a first portion of the volume by irradiating an external surface of the volume with a light irradiation, thereby increasing a transmittance of the first portion for the light irradiation; —polymerizing a second portion of the volume by irradiating the second portion with the light irradiation through the external surface and the polymerized first portion, wherein the light irradiation has a light intensity varying over the external surface between a first light intensity and a second light intensity distinct from the second light intensity. A corresponding system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: NIKON CORPORATION, ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, UNIVERSITE DE HAUTE-ALSACE (UHA)
    Inventors: Olivier Soppera, Manuel Theodet
  • Patent number: 11550206
    Abstract: Provided is a light receiving apparatus including a first light receiving unit; a body to which the first light receiving unit is secured; a first exterior portion that covers at least a portion of the body; and a mount that is capable of having an interchangeable lens attached thereto, to which the body and the first exterior portion are secured. Also provided is a light receiving apparatus, in which a body to which a first light receiving unit is secured and a first exterior portion that covers at least a portion of the body are secured to a mount that is capable of having an interchangeable lens attached thereto, and force placed on the first exterior portion is absorbed by the mount, such that transfer of the force placed on the first exterior portion to the body is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Okutani, Eiji Matsukawa, Yoshiaki Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20230004094
    Abstract: An optical device includes a plurality of laser light sources, an output module having an optical modulator, and a time divider that is disposed between the plurality of laser light sources and the output module and that is configured to divide laser beams emitted from the plurality of laser light sources in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi MIZUNO, Masaki KATO
  • Patent number: 11546536
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first image sensor comprising first pixels that receive incident light, and that include a first and second photoelectric conversion units that are arranged in a first direction; and a second image sensor including second pixels that receive light that has passed through the first image sensor, and that include a third and fourth photoelectric conversion units that are arranged in a second direction that is different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Izumi
  • Patent number: 11543637
    Abstract: A variable magnification optical system comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a first intermediate lens group having positive refractive power, a second intermediate lens group having negative refractive power and a rear lens group; upon varying a magnification from a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between the first lens group and the first intermediate lens group being varied, a distance between the first intermediate lens group and the second intermediate lens group being varied, and a distance between the second intermediate lens group and the rear lens group being varied; the rear lens group comprising at least one focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing from an infinitely distant object to a closely distant object; and predetermined conditional expressions being satisfied, thereby the focusing lens group(s) being reduced in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Machida
  • Patent number: 11546529
    Abstract: An image-capturing device includes: an image sensor that captures an image of a subject to output an image-capturing signal; a development processing unit that generates development data based on the image-capturing signal; and an output control unit that outputs the development data to an external device in a predetermined transmission format via a connecting member that connects the image-capturing device to the external device. The output control unit outputs the image-capturing signal to the external device via the connecting member in the predetermined transmission format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Yoshimura, Hiroaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11537051
    Abstract: A control method for a spatial light modulator for an exposure apparatus having a projection optical system having an optical elements a state of each of which is allowed to be changed, the method sets states of optical elements located in a first area to a first distribution in which a first optical element in a first state and a second optical element in a second state are distributed in a first distribution pattern so that one portion of a light from the optical elements located in the first area enters the projection optical system and setting states of optical elements located in a second area to a second distribution in which the first optical element and the second optical element are distributed in a second distribution pattern to reduce a deterioration of the pattern image caused by a light that enters the projection optical system from the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Yashiki
  • Patent number: 11539904
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a first voltage source that supplies a first voltage and a plurality of pixels supplied with the first voltage. The pixel includes a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light, an accumulation unit to which an electric charge resulting from photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred and accumulated, a transfer unit that transfers the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the accumulation unit; a second voltage source that supplies a second voltage, and a supply unit that supplies the transfer unit with a transfer signal based on either the first voltage supplied by the first voltage source or the second voltage supplied by the second voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu Saruwatari
  • Publication number: 20220398736
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: an acquirer that acquires observation results obtained from a time-lapse image of a target object; and a controller that indicates, in a display image, analysis results visually representing the observation results and an increase/decrease time indicating an amount of time required to increase or decrease a predetermined value related to the target object. When a setting for a section in the analysis results has been received, the controller indicates, in the display image, the increase/decrease time corresponding to the section that has been set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Momotaro ISHIKAWA, Toshihide TADAKI, Takeyuki ABE, Kohma HAYASHI, Kyoko NEGISHI, Ryoko SENDODA
  • Publication number: 20220398701
    Abstract: An image processing method, including: by a processor: acquiring a fundus image; performing a first enhancement processing on an image of at least a central region of the fundus image, and performing a second enhancement processing, which is different from the first enhancement processing, on an image of at least a peripheral region of the fundus image that is at a periphery of the central region; and generating an enhanced image of the fundus image on the basis of a first image obtained as a result of the first enhancement processing having been performed and a second image obtained as a result of the second enhancement processing having been performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi TANABE, Daishi TANAKA, Mariko HIROKAWA, Makoto ISHIDA
  • Patent number: 11525044
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hard-coat-layer-forming composition whereby a hard coat layer having excellent scratch resistance and cracking resistance can be formed, and an optical member. The hard-coat-layer-forming composition is a composition used to form a hard coat layer on a plastic substrate, and includes: metal oxide particles; at least one type of component X selected from the group consisting of an organic silicon compound represented by a predetermined formula, a hydrolysate thereof, and a hydrolytic condensate thereof; and at least one type of component Y selected from the group consisting of an organic silicon compound represented by a predetermined formula, a hydrolysate thereof, and a hydrolytic condensate thereof, and a glycoluril crosslinking agent, a hydrolysate thereof, and a hydrolytic condensate thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON-ESSILOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Goro Shioda
  • Patent number: 11526987
    Abstract: A feature value related to a positional relationship between a vortex vein position and a characteristic point on a fundus image is computed. The image processing method provided includes a step of analyzing a choroidal vascular image and estimating a vortex vein position, and a step of computing a feature value indicating a positional relationship between the vortex vein position and a position of a particular site on a fundus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi Tanabe, Mariko Hirokawa
  • Publication number: 20220392217
    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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideya INOUE
  • Patent number: 11522473
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takatoshi Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 11522145
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shohei Koizumi
  • Patent number: 11520127
    Abstract: 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); a third lens group (G3); a fourth lens group (G4) having a negative refractive power; and a fifth lens group (G5) having a positive refractive power, the system performing varying magnification by changing the distance between the first and second lens groups, the distance between the second and third lens groups, the distance between the third and fourth lens groups, and the distance between the fourth and fifth lens groups, and the fourth lens group including a 42nd lens group (G42) configured to be movable so as to have a component in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis and a 41st lens group (G41) disposed at an object-side of the 42nd lens group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Shibayama
  • Patent number: 11520242
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuo Aoki
  • Patent number: 11520116
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Kishimoto, Kenichi Kitano, Osamu Gomibuchi
  • Patent number: 11520117
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Kishimoto, Osamu Gomibuchi, Kenichi Kitano
  • Patent number: 11518731
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamaguchi, Yusuke Kawakami
  • Patent number: 11523082
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryoji Ando, Yoshiyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20220385844
    Abstract: An imaging element includes a first substrate that is provided with a photoelectric conversion unit which generates an electric charge by photoelectric conversion, a signal line to which a signal based on the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit is output, and a supply unit which supplies a voltage to the signal line such that a voltage of the signal line does not fall below a predetermined voltage, and a second substrate that is provided with a processing unit which processes the signal output to the signal line and is stacked on the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoji ANDO
  • Publication number: 20220384657
    Abstract: What is provided is a transistor including a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, a semiconductor film, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, in which the gate insulating film is a laminated film in which a SiOx film and a SiCyNz film are alternately formed, the total number of films constituting the laminated film is 3 or more and 18 or less, and the thickness of each film constituting the laminated film is 25 nm or more and 150 nm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicants: NIKON CORPORATION, TORAY ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto NAKAZUMI, Tsukasa KISHIUME, Masaki MORI, Takayoshi FUJIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220378381
    Abstract: An image display method executed by a processor comprises displaying a screen including a two-dimensional fundus image of an examined eye and a three-dimensional eyeball image of the examined eye, finding a second region in the three-dimensional eyeball image that corresponds to a first region specified in the two-dimensional fundus image, and displaying a mark indicating the second region in the three-dimensional eyeball image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mariko HIROKAWA
  • Patent number: 11513306
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Nagaoka, Noriyasu Kotani