Patents Examined by Saeed Seyrafi
  • Patent number: 6741408
    Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) including a support structure that is coupled to at least one optical component. A diffraction grating is optically coupled to at least one optical component coupled to the at least one optical component. A frame is coupled to the diffraction grating. Pins may be coupled between the support structure and the frame to substantially thermally isolate the support structure from the frame. The pins may be substantially geometrically equally spaced and have approximately the same exposed length extending from the lens barrel. The pins may have the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Confluent Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: Jim Beattie, Ian Turner, Ninghui Zhu
  • Patent number: 6611380
    Abstract: A system and method for calibration of a display system with a linear modulator array that includes: a light source; a linear array of light modulating devices driven by a controller; a projection lens system that creates a line image of the linear array on a screen; a scanning mirror that sweeps the line image across the screen to form a two-dimensional scene; and an image sensor containing an area array of light sensitive detectors that captures image intensity data from the two-dimensional scene and transmits the image intensity data to the controller, wherein the controller converts the image intensity data into a one-dimensional array of correction factors for the linear array of light modulating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Marek W. Kowarz, Donald J. Stauffer, James G. Phalen, John C. Brazas
  • Patent number: 6600605
    Abstract: A prismatic device for reforming the cross section of the beam emitted along a semiconductor laser bar stripe by deflecting successive segments of the emitted beam in directions making acute angles with the longitudinal axis of the emitted beam and redirecting the deflected beam segments through layers of glass into an array of parallel beam segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics Semiconductor Lasers, Inc.
    Inventor: Serguei Anikitchev
  • Patent number: 6594093
    Abstract: In the case of an adjusting apparatus for an optical element in a lens system, in particular a lens in a projection lens system for semiconductor lithography, for producing tilting movements, having at least one actuator, the optical element is connected via elastic connecting members, directly or indirectly via an inner mount, to an outer mount. The elastic connecting members or the at least one actuator are/is provided in each case with bearing bridges which have bearing locations for a connection to the optical element or to the inner mount, and bridge arms which are connected to the bearing locations. The bridge arms are provided with piezoceramic elements in plate or sheet form which undergo changes in length upon activation. The piezoceramic elements of the various bearing bridges can be activated individually or together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Semiconductor Manufacturing Technologies AG
    Inventors: Timo Moeller, Bernhard Gellrich
  • Patent number: 6560046
    Abstract: A collimator positioning system for positioning a collimator on a base member. The positioning system includes a first support rod and a second support rod. The first support rod has a general elongated length with at least two cam surfaces spaced from each other along the length. The second support rod is movable relative to the first support rod to form a variable collimator support area therebetween. The support rods are adapted to be moved relative to each other for varying an angle of inclination or a height of the collimator on the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: James Robert Whitty
  • Patent number: 6560026
    Abstract: An optical turning film has a first surface including an array of prisms. The array has a plurality of first prisms, with each of the first prisms having a first prism configuration, and a plurality of second prisms, with each of the second prisms having a second prism configuration different from the first prism configuration. The optical film also has a second surface opposing the first surface, and light rays incident to the first surface are directed by the plurality of first prism and the plurality of second prisms along a direction substantially parallel to a viewing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Mark E. Gardiner, Sanford Cobb, Kenneth A. Epstein, Wade D. Kretman
  • Patent number: 6552854
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a light source for supplying illumination light, a reflection type display element for modulating the illumination light into image light by reflecting the light, an illumination optical system for guiding the illumination light to the reflection type display element, and a projection optical system for guiding the image light to an observer. The image light is incident on the projection optical system via at least a portion of said illumination optical system. The projection optical system includes a member for correcting an optical path length difference between rays of the image light caused when the image light is incident on the projection optical system via at least a portion of the illumination optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junko Kuramochi, Atsushi Okuyama, Takashi Sudo
  • Patent number: 6549347
    Abstract: A catadioptric lens barrel structure for a projection exposure apparatus includes first and second lens barrels. Each of the lens barrels has an optical axis. The optical axes run parallel to each other. The lens barrel structure also includes a third lens barrel transversely connecting the first lens barrel to the second lens barrel. A reticle is placed in front of an entrance end of the first lens barrels and a wafer is placed in front of an exit end of the second lens barrel. Each lens barrel has a center plane perpendicular to the corresponding optical axis at a position half-way along the length of the corresponding lens barrel. A lens barrel support structure firmly secures the plurality of lens barrels. The lens barrel support structure is made of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Marc Spinali
  • Patent number: 6549345
    Abstract: A magnification device for assisting people to read the small print on medicine vials/bottles. The device including a magnifying lens having the ability to move towards or away from the indicia on the bottle to further aid the user to focus per their particular level of eyesight. A pair of rods are coaxial disposed within a corresponding pair of channels to enable the lens to be focused by pushing or pulling the lens. The present invention is designed to be used with virtually all manufactured bottle caps. The device can either be permanently affixed to the bottle cap, and thereby be disposable with the cap; or it can be removably connected and therefore be reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Venanzio Cardarelli
  • Patent number: 6549346
    Abstract: An objective lens assembly includes: at least two groups of lenses having a common optical axis: and at least two lens holders for respectively holding the at least two groups of lenses, wherein each of the lens holders has an end face perpendicular to the optical axis, and the lens holders are positioned such that the end face of one of the lens holders faces the end face of the other lens holder, and a gap between these end faces is filled with an adhesive agent for adhering the lens holders to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Wada, Keiichi Matsuzaki, Seiji Nishino, Tetsuo Saimi, Kenichi Kasazumi, Masanari Mohri
  • Patent number: 6549348
    Abstract: An optical scanning device is provided, which is compact-sized and lightweight, and, which consumes less power. A movable member of the device is supported on a fixed member via a swing axis provided on the fixed member. On an upper surface and along an axial line of swing of the movable member, there are disposed a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. When an AC current flows through a coil provided in the movable member, electromagnetic force acting on the coil when traversing a magnetic circuit comprising a yoke and a permanent magnet both provided on the fixed member urges the movable portion to swing around its swing axis at a predetermined cycle. A laser bean L from the light emitting unit scans a bar code and a reflected light L′ from the bar cord is received by the light receiving unit thereby reading information of the bar code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hidekuni Aizawa, Yoshimasa Goda
  • Patent number: 6545826
    Abstract: Thermally compensated wavelength division demultiplexers and multiplexers are disclosed. In one aspect, thermally compensated optical systems for use in an optical network are disclosed. The systems include a diffraction grating coupled to a grating mount having a temperature coefficient. The systems further include an optical fiber coupled to a fiber mount having a temperature coefficient and a lens assembly coupled to a lens mount. The lens mount is operable to position the lens assembly between the fiber mount and the grating mount and includes a substantially similar temperature coefficient to the fiber mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Horwitz, Jie Qiao, Feng Zhao, Kwei Kwang Chang
  • Patent number: 6538828
    Abstract: A hand held device extends across a line of text on a page to enlarge the image and illuminate it as well. The device includes an elongate cylindrical lens that extends across the page. Elongate supports straddle the line and support the lens at a fixed distance above the line to bring the line into focus for the reader. At least one of the supports has a light source at one end that emits light into the transparent support that acts as a light pipe. A roughened surface on the support causes the light to be distributed and emitted onto the line being read. By directing the light only onto the line, less extraneous light reaches the eye for enhanced viewing by a person with cataracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Seamus Redmond
  • Patent number: 6538829
    Abstract: An adjusting optical element mount (1) serves for the position of two components (2a, 2b) in relation to one another, in particular of two carrier elements for optical elements, such as mirrors or lenses, in particular as an axial and/or angle manipulator for lithography lenses. The components (2a, 2b) can be adjusted in relation to one another via the action of force (F, T). Each of the components (2a, 2b) has at least three hinges (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d). Each of the hinges (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of one component (2a) is connected in each case to a corresponding hinge (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the respectively other component (2b) to form a pair of hinges (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) via a lever element (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Johannes Rau, Wolfgang Hummel, Juergen Fischer
  • Patent number: 6532113
    Abstract: A display device for use in a vehicle is provided, by which an image for superposition displayed on a display source is projected on a windshield of a vehicle so that the foreground of the vehicle and a virtual image of the image for superposition are accurately seen together even when a seat position and a physique of a driver change and when a shape of the windshield changes. A light of inverse image for superposition displayed on a display surface 5a of a display unit 5 in a dashboard 1 in a vehicle is projected on a windshield 3 so that the driver sees the foreground visible through the windshield 3 together with a virtual image of the inverse image for superposition reflected on the windshield 3 in front of an eye point I, that is, a virtual image of the original image for superposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kunimitsu Aoki, Makoto Takashima, Takanori Watanabe, Kousuke Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 6529333
    Abstract: A method and system for providing different magnified images of an electronic device. The vision system has a first beamsplitter for receiving an image of the device illuminated by a light source, the beamsplitter providing multiple of images of the device; optical elements for receiving the plural images of the device, each of the optical elements magnifying the image by a predetermined magnification factor to produce more than one magnified images; and a second beamsplitter for receiving the magnified images and filtering out all but one of the magnified images based on a wavelength of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kulicke & Soffa Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Beatson, Christian Hoffman, Michael Woodward, Lawrence B. Brown
  • Patent number: 6529339
    Abstract: A lens made of at least one of a resin and glass includes a lens effective diameter area, a peripheral area formed integral with the lens effective diameter area and located at a periphery of the lens effective diameter area, and at least one marker area located in the peripheral area and formed on a circle whose center is a center of the lens effective diameter area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Maeda, Katsuhiro Koike, Ikuya Kikuchi, Makoto Sato
  • Patent number: 6529282
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of controlling photolithography processes based upon scatterometric measurements of photoresist thickness, and system for accomplishing same. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a library of optical characteristic traces, each of which corresponds to a grating structure comprised of a plurality of photoresist features having a known thickness, forming at least one grating structure in a layer of photoresist, the formed grating structure being comprised of a plurality of photoresist features having an unknown thickness, and illuminating the formed grating structure. The method further comprises measuring light reflected off of the formed grating structure to generate an optical characteristic trace for the formed grating structure, and determining the unknown thickness of the photoresist features by comparing the generated optical characteristic trace to at least one optical characteristic trace from the library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: James Broc Stirton, Richard J. Markle
  • Patent number: 6529337
    Abstract: An image blur correction apparatus includes a correction optical system for correcting an image blur, an actuator for driving the correction optical system, a plurality of resilient members provided on an outer periphery of the correction optical system, the resilient members being provided substantially angularly equally divided into at least three locations about an optical axis of the correction optical system, and a guide member for movably guiding the correction optical system along a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the correction optical system. The plurality of resilient members and the guide member are disposed within substantially the same plane orthogonal to the optical axis. In a case in which the actuator does not perform the drive of the correction optical system, the plurality of resilient members hold the correction optical system substantially at a center of the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Koyama, Toru Kawai, Ryuji Suzuki, Masanori Ishikawa, Shigeki Sato
  • Patent number: 6525888
    Abstract: A radially adjustable lens mounting with a mounting ring, a lens and a large number of leaf spring elements each of which is firmly attached to the mounting ring at one end, the other end being in contact with a ring groove formed by the peripheral surface of the lens. The lens mounting allows a frictionless and tilt-free adjustment of the lens and holds the lens in a manner that is stable over a long time and is independent of thermal and mechanical stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Laser, Optik, Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Schletterer