Patents Examined by Amanda Merlino
  • Patent number: 11971367
    Abstract: An inspection device includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire images obtained by imaging, under at least two illumination conditions with different brightness, solder normally printed on a substrate, and an image processing unit configured to specify a shape of the solder based on a difference in brightness between the images acquired by the image acquisition unit, and generate, based on the shape of the solder, inspection data used for inspecting a state of the solder printed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: JUKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Nuriya
  • Patent number: 11946863
    Abstract: Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) can be used to interrogate a surface of a sample such as a layered semiconductor structure. The SHG based sample interrogation systems may simultaneously collect different polarization components of the SHG signal at a time to provide different types of information. SHG imaging systems can provide SHG images or maps of the distribution of SHG signals over a larger area of a sample. Some such SHG imaging systems employ multiple beams and multiple detectors to capture SHG signals over an area of the sample. Some SHG imaging systems employ imaging optics to image the sample onto a detector array to form SHG images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: FemtoMetrix, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming Lei
  • Patent number: 11927545
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel semiconductor edge and bevel inspection tool system of a wafer comprising a first illumination setup, an imaging sensor unit, and a second illumination setup. At least a portion of the second illumination radiation is configured for interacting with at least a portion of the wafer edge and bevel region surface. The second illumination setup has different radiation parameters than the first illumination setup. The first and the second illumination radiations have substantially opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CAMTEK LTD
    Inventors: Carmel Yehuda Drillman, Mordi Dahan, Moshe Edri, Ohad Shimon, Shimon Koren
  • Patent number: 11874225
    Abstract: A reflection characteristic measurement device is provided that comprises: a control unit configured to measure a reflection characteristic of an object based on target information and instruction information, wherein: the target information is information including a coordinate positional relationship among a light source position of an incident light, a light detection position of a reflected light and a measurement point at the object, and numerical values related to the incident light and the reflected light, the incident light is light irradiated to the measurement point, the reflected light is light that the incident light is irradiated to the measurement point and then reflected at the measurement point, the instruction information is information related to an existing measurement result of the reflection characteristic, and the number of combinations of the coordinate positional relationship included in the target information is 1 to 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Watanabe, Masatoshi Ishikawa, Konosuke Kachi
  • Patent number: 11828674
    Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for calibrating a lens distortion center. The device includes a rotating frame, a first driving mechanism and a second driving mechanism. The first driving mechanism is connected with the rotating frame for driving the rotating frame to rotate. A calibration plate is arranged in the rotating frame and connected with the rotating frame through a rotating shaft. The second driving mechanism is connected with the calibration plate for driving the calibration plate to rotate relative to the rotating frame, and a lens placement platform is provided at a front end of the calibration plate. The device of the invention can adjust the relative position between the calibration plate and the lens through the cooperation of the first driving mechanism with the second driving mechanism, so that a lens can acquire different images to achieve calibration of lens distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SUZHOU AVIEW IMAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chenglin Yang, Hongxin He, Fang Zhao
  • Patent number: 11774362
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for imaging particles and/or cells using flow cytometry. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a light beam at a fluidic channel carrying a fluid sample containing particles; optically encoding scattered or fluorescently-emitted light at a spatial optical filter, the spatial optical filter including a surface having a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern along a transverse direction opposite to particle flow and a longitudinal direction parallel to particle flow, such that different portions of a particle flowing over the pattern of the apertures pass different apertures at different times and scatter the light beam or emit fluorescent light at locations associated with the apertures; and producing image data associated with the particle flowing through the fluidic channel based on the encoded optical signal, in which the produced image data includes information of a physical characteristic of the particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Yu-Hwa Lo, Yuanyuan Han
  • Patent number: 11768390
    Abstract: The blocker described comprises: a lens illumination light source; a light transmission and reflection device to reflect/transmit the light; an image sensor to detect light reflected by the light transmission and reflection device and thereby obtain an lens image; a lens meter to detect the light that has passed through the light transmission and reflection device to thereby measure lens characteristics; and a blocking member to attach a leap block to the lens. The light transmission and reflection device comprises: a first reflection plate having a central hole; a first rotating cylinder to be coupled to and to rotate the first reflection plate; a second rotating cylinder located inside and to rotate the first rotating cylinder; a second reflection plate, adjusted by the second rotating cylinder and configured to open or block the central hole in the first reflection plate; and driving means configured to drive the second rotating cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: HUVITZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Kun Oh, Hyun Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 11747285
    Abstract: In the method for checking a container inspection system with at least two detection devices, the at least two detection devices are configured to check a first and a second area of the containers to be inspected. A test container is fed to the container inspection system. The test container has a test feature in a first area to be inspected and a marking in a second area to be inspected, which is read by one of the detection devices and with which the test container can be identified as a test container. Also disclosed is a test container for use in connection with the disclosed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: HEUFT SYSTEMTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Heuft, Olga Kasdorf
  • Patent number: 11733180
    Abstract: An inspection device includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire images obtained by imaging, under at least two illumination conditions with different brightness, solder normally printed on a substrate, and an image processing unit configured to specify a shape of the solder based on a difference in brightness between the images acquired by the image acquisition unit, and generate, based on the shape of the solder, inspection data used for inspecting a state of the solder printed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: JUKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Nuriya
  • Patent number: 11671694
    Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to determining an optical characteristic of a camera. The device includes a housing that receives a test fixture retaining a camera. The housing includes a first segment and a second segment creating a chamber surrounding the camera. The first segment is attached to the test fixture and defines a first orifice located in a side of the first segment. The first orifice directs a flow of a gas out of the chamber. The second segment defines a second orifice located in a first side of the second segment to direct the flow of the gas into the chamber. An aperture is located in a second side of the second segment and positioned opposite the test fixture to define a field of view that includes a camera target. The aperture receives a lens barrel of the camera and enables the determination of the optical characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Brian Baker, Mark Robert Vincen, Dennis C. Nohns
  • Patent number: 11668659
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for determining a secondary image angle (20) of a light source (11) on a transparent object (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ISRA SURFACE VISION GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Kubiak, Christian Ripperda, Paul Weigt
  • Patent number: 11656183
    Abstract: A light detection sensor includes a light source that irradiates a detection target with light, a rod lens that collects emitted light from the detection target, a first light receiving element that detects the emitted light that has passed through the rod lens, and a second light receiving element that detects the emitted light that has passed through the rod lens, at a position different from a position at which the first light receiving element detects the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: GLORY LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sato, Hiroshi Konishi, Yuuichirou Okui
  • Patent number: 11650043
    Abstract: Systems and processes are provided for measuring carbon deposits on an engine. In some examples, a light source can be transmitted through a viewing window of an engine onto an area of an internal surface of the engine and reflected back through the viewing window and detected using an optical sensor. A topography of the area can be determined based, at least in part, on the reflected light source detected by the optical sensor and used to determine whether carbon deposits have increased, decreased, or remained constant on the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bhaskar Prabhakar, Riccardo Conti
  • Patent number: 11650126
    Abstract: Automatic visual inspection (AVI) systems and methods are disclosed for inspecting transmissive lenses using a plurality of camera poses to provide deflectometric measurements using fringe patterns from at least two points of view. Phase and/or modulation visibility values of the deflectometric measurements are measured for two sensitivities of the patterns taken through an inspection area of the lens from the points of view. Defects are detected based on the phase and/or modulation visibility values at a defect location as compared to at the local area. A defect type is classified to be prismatic, transmissive, lenslet or cosmetic based on the phase and/or modulation visibility values. The defect is localized on the front or back surface of the lens based on the phase and modulation visibility values, and a geometry of the lens orientation. The lens can be invalidated based on defect types, numbers, relative positions and locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Indizen Optical Technologies S.L.
    Inventors: Juan Antonio Quiroga Mellado, José Alonso Fernández, Eduardo Pascual, Sergio Sampedro, Daniel Crespo Vázquez
  • Patent number: 11639847
    Abstract: A catheter procedure system includes a base and a robotic mechanism having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the base along the longitudinal axis. The robotic mechanism includes a robotic drive base including at least one drive mechanism, a cassette operatively secured to the robotic drive base, a rigid guide coupled to the cassette and fixed relative to the robotic mechanism and a flexible track having a distal end, a proximal end and a plurality of reflective sections. At least a portion of the flexible track is disposed within the rigid guide. The robotic mechanism also includes a position detector mounted to the robotic drive base and positioned beneath the flexible track. The position detector is configured to detect light reflected off of the reflective sections of the flexible track and to determine the position of the distal end of the flexible track based on the detected reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Corindus, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Kottenstette, Peter Falb, Timothy Deignan, Per Bergman
  • Patent number: 11614392
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for particle counting and wavelength or angle performed in combination in order to characterize an aerosol is disclosed. In one example, data regarding particle counting (such as from an optical particle sensor) and data regarding angle or wavelength (such as from an ensemble measurement sensor) may be separately generated, with the separately generated data being analyzed in combination in order to characterize the aerosol. In another example, data regarding particle counting and regarding angle or wavelength may be generated in combination in order to characterize the aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Particle Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tandeep S. Chadha, Jiaxi Fang, Pratim Biswas
  • Patent number: 11592388
    Abstract: Improved optical absorption spectroscopy of species having broad spectral features is provided by choosing frequencies to cover the spectral feature(s) of interest, where the frequencies are slightly adjusted as needed to avoid narrow spectral features from interfering chemical species (i.e., clutter). The resulting clutter avoidance provides improved optical spectroscopy of species having broad spectral features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Picarro, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hoffnagle, Chris W. Rella
  • Patent number: 11566965
    Abstract: A contact lens retrieving method is applied to a contact lens, which is placed in a detection container containing a buffer solution and has been inspected in an optical detection. The method comprises steps: moving a vacuum sucker into the buffer solution at a first speed to make the contact lens depart from the lateral side of the detection container; moving the vacuum sucker away from a bottom of the detection container at a second speed with the vacuum sucker not leaving the buffer solution to make the contact lens flow toward a center of the detection container; moving the vacuum sucker to approach the contact lens at a third speed to make the vacuum sucker and the contact lens positioned to each other; and using the vacuum sucker to take up the contact lens and carry the contact lens out of the detection container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Hope Vision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng Jun Su, Hsiu Ming Yang, Huan Chiu Tsen
  • Patent number: 11506567
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an aspheric lens eccentricity detecting device based on wavefront technology and a detecting method thereof. The device comprises: an upper optical fiber light source, an upper collimating objective lens, an upper light source spectroscope, an upper beam-contracting front lens, an upper beam-contracting rear lens, an upper imaging detector, an upper imaging spectroscope, an upper wavefront sensor, a lens-under-detection clamping mechanism, a lower light source spectroscope, a lower beam-contracting front lens, a lower beam-contracting rear lens, a lower imaging spectroscope, a lower wavefront sensor, a lower imaging detector, a lower collimating objective lens and a lower optical fiber light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Guohua Shi, Yi He, Feng Gao, Lina Xing, Xin Zhang, Wen Kong
  • Patent number: 11499888
    Abstract: A lens inspection module comprises: a lens insertion station, at least one lens inspection station, and a lens removal station as well as a closed-loop transportation rail, a cuvette transportation shuttle with a plurality of inspection cuvettes, and a self-driving cleaning shuttle for cleaning the rail. Cleaning shuttle comprises a driving unit a cleaning head, a suction unit, and a tube connecting cleaning head and suction unit. Cleaning head is spaced apart from suction unit and driving unit in the transportation direction and is pivotally arranged about a pivot axis. Cleaning head may comprise a distance sensor for detecting the distance between cleaning shuttle and transportation shuttle. Driving unit is configured to change the speed of the self-driving cleaning shuttle when the distance between the cleaning shuttle and the transportation shuttle is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard Pfaff, Roger Biel, Susanne Fechner, Daniel Kessler