Patents by Inventor Alain Coulombe

Alain Coulombe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7403650
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image grabber allowing for the simultaneous projection of multiple phase-shifted patterns onto an object, and the simultaneous acquisition of multiple images of these phase-shifted patterns is described herein. The grabber comprises a pattern projecting assembly and an image acquisition assembly. The pattern projecting assembly includes, for example, a spectral splitter or a plurality of light sources, grids and projectors for simultaneous projection of a plurality of patterns under different monochromatic lights. The image acquisition assembly includes, for example, a CCD camera sensitive to the different monochromatic lights, or a plurality of CCD cameras with filters to gather lights incoming for the object simultaneously illuminated by the plurality of phase-shifted patterns. A method and a system for measuring the relief of an object, using the above-mentioned process, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: SolVision Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Coulombe, Michel Cantin, Alexandre Nikitine
  • Publication number: 20070146727
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image grabber allowing for the simultaneous projection of multiple phase-shifted patterns onto an object, and the simultaneous acquisition of multiple images of these phase-shifted patterns is described herein. The grabber comprises a pattern projecting assembly and an image acquisition assembly. The pattern projecting assembly includes, for example, a spectral splitter or a plurality of light sources, grids and projectors for simultaneous projection of a plurality of patterns under different monochromatic lights. The image acquisition assembly includes, for example, a CCD camera sensitive to the different monochromatic lights, or a plurality of CCD cameras with filters to gather lights incoming for the object simultaneously illuminated by the plurality of phase-shifted patterns. A method and a system for measuring the relief of an object, using the above-mentioned process, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: SOLVISION INC.
    Inventors: Alain Coulombe, Michel Cantin, Alexandre Nikitine
  • Patent number: 7079666
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image grabber allowing for the simultaneous projection of multiple phase-shifted patterns onto an object, and the simultaneous acquisition of multiple images of these phase-shifted patterns is described herein. The grabber comprises a pattern projecting assembly and an image acquisition assembly. The pattern projecting assembly includes, for example, a spectral splitter or a plurality of light sources, grids and projectors for simultaneous projection of a plurality of patterns under different monochromatic lights. The image acquisition assembly includes, for example, a CCD camera sensitive to the different monochromatic lights, or a plurality of CCD cameras with filters to gather lights incoming for the object simultaneously illuminated by the plurality of phase-shifted patterns. A method and a system for measuring the relief of an object, using the above-mentioned process, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Solvision Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Coulombe, Michel Cantin, Alexandre Nikitine
  • Patent number: 7023559
    Abstract: A method and a system for measuring the relief of an object are described herein. The system includes a grid projecting for projecting a grid, an image acquisition apparatus that includes a camera, and a computer. Providing a reference object having common elements with the object to measure, the method includes the steps of a) positioning the grid at three different known positions relative to the camera and the common elements; b) for each position of the grid, projecting the grid unto the reference object and, with the camera, taking an image of the reference object to yield three images having values for each pixel of the camera and c) computing the reference object phase for each pixel using the three reference object intensity values for the corresponding pixel. Steps a), b) and c) are repeated by replacing the reference object by the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Solvision Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Coulombe, Michel Cantin, Alexandre Nikitine
  • Patent number: 6771807
    Abstract: A method and a system for detecting surface defects on electronic circuits, such as Printed Circuit Boards (PCB), are described herein. The method first comprises identifying contours on a digital image of the PCB. Then anomalies are detected on the PCB image by comparing the identified contours to contours on a vectorial model of the PCB. Each detected anomaly is compared to manufacturing data to verify if it corresponds to a defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Solvision Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Coulombe, Michel Cantin, Louis BĂ©rard, Jonathan Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20020018118
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image grabber allowing for the simultaneous projection of multiple phase-shifted patterns onto an object, and the simultaneous acquisition of multiple images of these phase-shifted patterns is described herein. The grabber comprises a pattern projecting assembly and an image acquisition assembly. The pattern projecting assembly includes, for example, a spectral splitter or a plurality of light sources, grids and projectors for simultaneous projection of a plurality of patterns under different monochromatic lights. The image acquisition assembly includes, for example, a CCD camera sensitive to the different monochromatic lights, or a plurality of CCD cameras with filters to gather lights incoming for the object simultaneously illuminated by the plurality of phase-shifted patterns. A method and a system for measuring the relief of an object, using the above-mentioned process, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: SOLVISION INC.
    Inventors: Alain Coulombe, Michel Cantin, Alexandre Nikitine
  • Publication number: 20010028732
    Abstract: A method and a system for detecting surface defects on electronic circuits, such as Printed Circuit Boards (PCB), are described herein. The method first comprises identifying contours on a digital image of the PCB. Then anomalies are detected on the PCB image by comparing the identified contours to contours on a vectorial model of the PCB. Each detected anomaly is compared to manufacturing data to verify if it corresponds to a defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Alain Coulombe, Michel Cantin, Louis Berard, Jonathan Gauthier
  • Patent number: 6038879
    Abstract: The combined air exchange and air conditioning unit is used for conditioning air from a conditioned space. The unit comprises an exhaust air chamber, a return air chamber, a supply air chamber, and a fresh air chamber. A supply blower is used for drawing air from inside the supply air chamber to the outside and an exhaust blower is used for drawing air from inside the exhaust air chamber. A central plate damper is provided for regulating air transfers between the chambers. The damper plate is movable within a position range defined between two extreme positions, the first position allowing a connection of the return air chamber with the supply air chamber and a connection of the fresh air chamber with the exhaust air chamber, the second extreme position allowing a connection of the return air chamber with the exhaust air chamber and a connection of the fresh air chamber with the supply air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Yvon Turcotte
    Inventors: Yvon Turcotte, Alain Coulombe
  • Patent number: 5757473
    Abstract: An optical strain sensor for measuring microdeformations of a surface with a resolution of at least 0.2 microns. The sensor comprises at least one camera for taking photographs of areas of the surface, the photographs being separated by a known fixed distance from one another before deformation has occurred. Templates are selected on the photographs taken before deformation, relocalized on photographs taken after deformation of the surface, and the deformation is derived from the computation of the difference in distances between the templates before and after deformation has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Noranda, Inc.
    Inventors: Harald Kanduth, Denis Jacob, Christian Renaud, Michel Cantin, Alain Coulombe
  • Patent number: RE42899
    Abstract: A method and a system for measuring the relief of an object are described herein. The system includes a grid projecting for projecting a grid, an image acquisition apparatus that includes a camera, and a computer. Providing a reference object having common elements with the object to measure, the method includes the steps of a) positioning the grid at three different known positions relative to the camera and the common elements; b) for each position of the grid, projecting the grid unto the reference object and, with the camera, taking an image of the reference object to yield three images having values for each pixel of the camera and c) computing the reference object phase for each pixel using the three reference object intensity values for the corresponding pixel. Steps a), b) and c) are repeated by replacing the reference object by the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Zygo Corporation
    Inventors: Alain Coulombe, Michel Cantin, Alexandre Nikitine