Abstract: An optical encoder can detect relative movement of a target without the use of a systematic pattern on the target. Natural features of different areas of the target are imaged by a photosensor array. The photosensor array generates a sequence of data frames of the imaged areas, and a processor processes patterns in the data frames of the imaged areas to detect a relative motion or displacement of the target. The processor can determine incremental relative motion or rate of relative motion.

Abstract: Determinations of velocity and navigation of an imaging device relative to a region of interest are based on double correlation processing. A time series of images of detectable features within the region of interest is acquired and correlated with previously stored location information for uniquely distinguishing locations within the region of interest. Thus, one correlation step is to compare the positions of features within the time series with the previously stored location information. The other correlation step is to track the variations in positions of the features within the time series. Preferably, the imaged features that are used for correlation are randomly distributed. However, in some applications, a known systematic distribution of features may be used. The processing is applicable to hand scanning, robotic control, and similar operations.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system for taking displacement measurements of an object. The invention utilizes the Moiré effect to take precise displacement measurements of an object. In this regard, a visible pattern is disposed on an object, and a plurality of photosensors are uniformly spaced apart from the visible pattern. Importantly, the spacing between the photosensors is slightly different than the spacing between light and dark lines forming a projection or image of the visible pattern. This allows the invention to utilize the Moiré effect to accurately compute precise displacements or movements of the object. In this respect, electrical signal generated by the photosensor array will embody a repeating envelope pattern resulting from the difference in the pitch of the photosensors and the pitch of the projection or image of the visible pattern.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system and method for calculating the velocity, displacement and/or strain of a moving surface or web of material. ("Surface or web" is hereafter referred to simply as "web".) In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system is provided having a first photosensor array disposed near the web of material and a second photosensor array disposed near the web of material, wherein the second photosensor array is spaced a distance "d" from the first photosensor array. A processing unit is coupled to both the first photosensor array and the second photosensor array and is configured to control or carry out functional operations and computations associated with the system.

Abstract: This invention is a power efficient illuminator and illumination method that provides control of spatial distributions of power density, ray angles, wavelength(s), polarization and temporal behavior (even coherence) to meet specific design specifications across a prescribed target zone (i.e., line, area or volume). This invention utilizes an array (or set) of radiant power or energy sources which can be selected or varied in kind(s), form(s), size(s) number and arrangement. Ancillary reflective, refractive or diffractive optical elements may be used for additional control. The ancillary optics may be one or more shared single optic or may be one or more entire array(s) of elements matched to the array of sources. The ancillary optics may be refractive or reflective, passive or active, self-focusing, or diffractive (e.g., holographic, binary or multistep). The set of individual sources are systematically distributed spatially, and driven individually or together.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a transmit electrode and a receive electrode with a dry-toner cartridge located therebetween. The transmit and receive electrodes act as two plates of a capacitor, with the toner within the toner cartridge making up a portion of the dielectric between the two capacitor plates. An oscillating transmit signal is then applied to the transmit electrode, and a signal corresponding to the capacitance between the opposing electrodes is detected. The changing capacitance due to the changing toner quantity causes a change in the received signal. The value of the received signal is then converted into the quantity of toner residing between the opposing electrodes, and this quantity is displayed to the user. Arrangements of transmit and receive electrodes may be employed within the printer to not only sense the overall quantity of toner but the distribution of toner within the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A scanning device and method of forming a scanned electronic image include an imaging sensor and at least one navigation sensor. For an embodiment, the imaging sensor enables sensing of color images. In the preferred embodiment, the imaging sensor is a linear array of sensor elements, with a two-dimensional navigation sensor array at each end. The scanning device has three degrees of freedom, since position information from the navigation sensors allows manipulation of an image signal from the imaging sensor to reduce distortion artifacts caused by curvilinear scanning. Acceptable sources of the position information include printed matter and contrast variations dictated by variations in the inherent structure-related properties of the medium on which the scanned image is formed. Inherent structure-related properties can also include color contrast.

Abstract: A method and device for acquiring data related to topography of a medium includes projecting light, allowably from more than one direction, onto the surface of the medium at an angle of less than sixteen degrees relative to the surface and imaging the surface. For example, the imaging sensor may be an array of sensor elements that is used to determine navigation of a hand-held scanner along an original. By introducing light at an angle of less than sixteen degrees, surface irregularities cast shadows that form a high contrast illumination pattern along the surface of the medium. The navigation sensor detects multi-element variations of intensity of scattered light from the surface with respect to positions along the surface, so that the Nyquist criteria are adequately satisfied. Typically, the light is collimated incoherent light, but this is not critical. The illumination angle can be established by using a prism. The prism may have an antireflective thin film coating on one or more prism faces.

Abstract: A scanning device and method for forming a scanned electronic image include using navigation information that is acquired along with image data, and then rectifying the image data based upon the navigation and image information. The navigation information is obtained in frames. The differences between consecutive frames are detected and accumulated, and this accumulated displacement value is representative of a position of the scanning device relative to a reference. The image data is then positioned-tagged using the position data obtained from the accumulated displacement value. To avoid the accumulation of errors, the accumulated displacement value obtained from consecutive frames is updated by comparing a current frame with a much earlier frame stored in memory and using the resulting difference as the displacement from the earlier frame. These larger displacement steps are then accumulated to determine the relative position of the scanning device.

Abstract: A scanning device and method of forming a scanned electronic image include an imaging sensor and at least one navigation sensor. In the preferred embodiment, the imaging sensor is a linear array of sensor elements, with a two-dimensional navigation sensor array at each end. The scanning device has three degrees of freedom, since position information from the navigation sensors allows manipulation of an image signal from the imaging sensor to reduce distortion artifacts caused by curvilinear scanning. Acceptable sources of the position information include printed matter and contrast variations dictated by variations in the inherent structure-related properties of the medium on which the scanned image is formed. Illumination for optimal operation of the navigation system may be introduced at a grazing angle in some applications or in the normal to a plane of the original in other applications, but this is not essential.

Abstract: A surface analysis scanner system includes calibration targets, which include a target substrate and a film covering the surface of the target substrate which is scanned by the surface scanner. The film is antireflective to the particular scanned light. Particles which contaminate the antireflectance film on the substrate do not scatter sufficient light to be detected by the surface analysis scanner detectors and thus do not interfere with the calibration of the scanner. The calibration targets may include reference features which are etched into the substrate surface or deposited on the antireflectance coated substrate surface which scatter light in a manner similar to particles on a surface. The reference features may also be embedded in a transparent material supported by the antireflectance coated substrate with a second antireflectance film coating the upper surface of the transparent material.

Abstract: A method of simulating a factory. Characteristics such as job skills of people in the factory are modeled along with characteristics of machines in the factory. Chicken charts and time-state charts are used to validate and verify the model.

Abstract: A surface analysis scanner system includes calibration targets, which include a target substrate and a film covering the surface of the target substrate which is scanned by the surface scanner. The film is antireflective to the particular scanned light. Particles which contaminate the antireflectance film on the substrate do not scatter sufficient light to be detected by the surface analysis scanner detectors and thus do not interfere with the calibration of the scanner. The calibration targets may include reference features which are etched into the substrate surface or deposited on the antireflectance coated substrate surface which scatter light in a manner similar to particles on a surface. The reference features may also be imbedded in a transparent material supported by the antireflectance coated substrate with a second antireflectance film coating the upper surface of the transparent material.

Abstract: A surface analysis scanner system includes calibration targets, which include a target substrate and a film covering the surface of the target substrate which is scanned by the surface scanner. The film is antireflective to the particular scanned light. Particles which contaminate the antireflectance film on the substrate do not scatter sufficient light to be detected by the surface analysis scanner detectors and thus do not interfere with the calibration of the scanner. The calibration targets may include reference features which are etched into the substrate surface or deposited on the antireflectance coated substrate surface which scatter light in a manner similar to particles on a surface. The reference features may also be imbedded in a transparent material supported by the antireflectance coated substrate with a second antireflectance film coating the upper surface of the transparent material.

Abstract: An automated cassette handler transports a cassette containing integrated circuit wafers between first and second elevators in a standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) system for integrated circuit processing. The handler is adapted to grip and transport the cassette while positively pushing the wafers into the cassette.

Abstract: An automated cassette handler is disclosed for transporting a cassette containing integrated circuit wafers between first and second elevators in a standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) system for integrated circuit processing. The handler is adapted to grip and transport the cassette while positively pushing the wafers into the cassette.

Abstract: A hot chuck assembly characterized by a platen suspended over a base assembly by four, equally spaced mounting assemblies. The suspension points on the platen are provided as close as possible to its upper, wafer support surface so that thermal expansion of the platen has a minimal effect on the position of a supported wafer. Each of the mounting post assemblies includes a pair of resilient leg portions which can flex in a radial direction to absorb radial expansion or contraction of the platen. In consequence, the hot chuck assembly of the present invention minimizes both lateral and axial displacement of a supported integrated circuit wafer as the platen heats and cools.

Abstract: An automated cassette handler for transporting a cassette containing integrated circuit wafers between first and second elevators in a standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) system for integrated circuit processing. The handler is adapted to grip and transport the cassette while positively pushing the wafers into the cassette.

Abstract: A particle-free dockable interface is disclosed for linking together two spaces each enclosing a clean air environment. The interface is composed of interlocking doors on each space which fit together to trap particles which have accumulated from the dirty ambient environment on the outer surfaces of the doors.

Abstract: A particle-free dockable interface with an interlocking latch is disclosed for linking together two spaces each enclosing a clean air environment and preventing the opening of the interface without the presences of two mating system components. The interface comprises interlocking doors on each space which fit together to trap particles which have accumulated from the dirty ambient environment on the outer surfaces of the doors. The interlocking latch is comprised of a latch spring and latch foot assembly coupled to a first one of the two clean air spaces and a mating door pull and port latch assembly coupled to the second of the two clean air spaces. The latch foot, door pull, and port latch assemblies are constructed so that interlock doors cannot be opened unless the first and second clean air spaces are properly aligned and mated.