Patents by Inventor James Nelson Stainton

James Nelson Stainton 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: 10209501
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope for patterned substrate measurement can include an objective lens, a reflected illuminator, a transmitted illuminator, a focusing adjustment device, an optical sensor, and a processor. The focusing adjustment device can automatically adjust the objective lens focus at a plurality of Z steps. The optical sensor can be capable of acquiring images at each of these Z steps. The processor can control the reflected illuminator, the transmitted illuminator, the focusing adjustment device, and the optical sensor. The processor can be configured to capture first and second images at multiple Z steps, the first image with the pattern using the reflected illuminator and the second image without the pattern using one of the reflected illuminator and the transmitted illuminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Zhen Hou, James Jianguo Xu, Ken Kinsun Lee, James Nelson Stainton, Hung Phi Nguyen, Rusmin Kudinar, Ronny Soetarman
  • Publication number: 20160253813
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope for patterned substrate measurement can include an objective lens, a reflected illuminator, a transmitted illuminator, a focusing adjustment device, an optical sensor, and a processor. The focusing adjustment device can automatically adjust the objective lens focus at a plurality of Z steps. The optical sensor can be capable of acquiring images at each of these Z steps. The processor can control the reflected illuminator, the transmitted illuminator, the focusing adjustment device, and the optical sensor. The processor can be configured to capture first and second images at multiple Z steps, the first image with the pattern using the reflected illuminator and the second image without the pattern using one of the reflected illuminator and the transmitted illuminator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Zhen Hou, James Jianguo Xu, Ken Kinsun Lee, James Nelson Stainton, Hung Phi Nguyen, Rusmin Kudinar, Ronny Soetarman
  • Publication number: 20160252714
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope for patterned substrate measurement can include an objective lens, a reflected illuminator, a transmitted illuminator, a focusing adjustment device, an optical sensor, and a processor. The focusing adjustment device can automatically adjust the objective lens focus at a plurality of Z steps. The optical sensor can be capable of acquiring images at each of these Z steps. The processor can control the reflected illuminator, the transmitted illuminator, the focusing adjustment device, and the optical sensor. The processor can be configured to capture first and second images at multiple Z steps, the first image with the pattern using the reflected illuminator and the second image without the pattern using one of the reflected illuminator and the transmitted illuminator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Zhen Hou, James Jianguo Xu, Ken Kinsun Lee, James Nelson Stainton, Hung Phi Nguyen, Rusmin Kudinar, Ronny Soetarman
  • Patent number: 9389408
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope for patterned substrate measurement can include an objective lens, a reflected illuminator, a transmitted illuminator, a focusing adjustment device, an optical sensor, and a processor. The focusing adjustment device can automatically adjust the objective lens focus at a plurality of Z steps. The optical sensor can be capable of acquiring images at each of these Z steps. The processor can control the reflected illuminator, the transmitted illuminator, the focusing adjustment device, and the optical sensor. The processor can be configured to capture first and second images at multiple Z steps, the first image with the pattern using the reflected illuminator and the second image without the pattern using one of the reflected illuminator and the transmitted illuminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Zeta Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhen Hou, James Jianguo Xu, Ken Kinsun Lee, James Nelson Stainton, Hung Phi Nguyen, Rusmin Kudinar, Ronny Soetarman
  • Publication number: 20120019626
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope for patterned substrate measurement can include an objective lens, a reflected illuminator, a transmitted illuminator, a focusing adjustment device, an optical sensor, and a processor. The focusing adjustment device can automatically adjust the objective lens focus at a plurality of Z steps. The optical sensor can be capable of acquiring images at each of these Z steps. The processor can control the reflected illuminator, the transmitted illuminator, the focusing adjustment device, and the optical sensor. The processor can be configured to capture first and second images at multiple Z steps, the first image with the pattern using the reflected illuminator and the second image without the pattern using one of the reflected illuminator and the transmitted illuminator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Zeta Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhen Hou, James Jianguo Xu, Ken Kinsun Lee, James Nelson Stainton, Hung Phi Nguyen, Rusmin Kudinar, Ronny Soetarman