Patents by Inventor Seiji Shimokawa

Seiji Shimokawa 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: 8772688
    Abstract: An autofocus device including: an optical source; an optical unit that allows emitted light from the optical source and object light from a measurement target to pass through the same optical path, the optical unit being arranged between the optical source and the measurement target; and a detection unit that performs focus detection by using the object light passed through the optical unit. The optical unit includes: a tube lens that forms the emitted light into parallel light; an image forming unit that forms a continuous line image on a surface of the measurement target; and a rotation unit that rotates the continuous line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Okabe, Seiji Shimokawa, Kazuki Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20120193511
    Abstract: Provided is an autofocus device comprising: an optical source; an optical unit that allows emitted light from the optical source and object light from a measurement target to pass through the same optical path, the optical unit being arranged between the optical source and the measurement target; and a detection unit that performs focus detection by using the object light passed through the optical unit, wherein the optical unit comprises: a tube lens that forms the emitted light into parallel light; a line-like image forming unit that forms a line-like image on a surface of the measurement target by the parallel light from the tube lens; and a rotation unit that rotates the line-like image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Okabe, Seiji Shimokawa, Kazuki Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 8033673
    Abstract: A light source (110) is fixed at a position and emits light in a direction away from an optical axis (A) of an objective lens. An outer reflecting mirror (an optical member) (130) and an inner reflecting mirror (an optical member) (140) are provided as a unit so that relative positions thereof are fixed. A reflecting mirror unit (120) can be moved in directions along the optical axis (A), i.e. up and down relative to the light source (110). A free-form curved surface portion (131) of the outer reflecting mirror (130) and a reflecting surface of the inner reflecting mirror (140) reflect light in different directions depending on a position of the light incident thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Shimokawa, Tatsuya Nagahama
  • Publication number: 20090237650
    Abstract: An optical unit includes: an objective lens; an imaging lens that is arranged in the optical axis of the objective lens and images a light beam output from the objective lens; a plurality of afocal optical systems that are arranged between the objective lens and the imaging lens and have different afocal magnifications; and a switch that shifts either one of the afocal optical systems to be aligned with the optical axis of the objective lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Shimokawa, Tatsuya Nagahama, Eisuke Moriuchi
  • Patent number: 7528968
    Abstract: An optical measuring machine includes a screen having a reference line, a movable stage, a detector for detecting a displacement of the stage, the first and second image-forming units for forming optical image(s) of a target object mounted on the stage on the screen, and a storage for storing the optical image(s). The first image-forming unit includes an image pickup for picking up the optical image(s), an output unit for outputting the picked up optical image(s) in digital image data, and a projecting unit for projecting the optical image(s) on the screen in accordance with the image data output by the output unit. The storage stores the image data output by the output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Kenji Okabe, Seiji Shimokawa
  • Publication number: 20080285254
    Abstract: A light source (110) is fixed at a position and emits light in a direction away from an optical axis (A) of an objective lens. An outer reflecting mirror (an optical member) (130) and an inner reflecting mirror (an optical member) (140) are provided as a unit so that relative positions thereof are fixed. A reflecting mirror unit (120) can be moved in directions along the optical axis (A), i.e. up and down relative to the light source (110). A free-form curved surface portion (131) of the outer reflecting mirror (130) and a reflecting surface of the inner reflecting mirror (140) reflect light in different directions depending on a position of the light incident thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji SHIMOKAWA, Tatsuya NAGAHAMA
  • Publication number: 20080252904
    Abstract: An optical measuring machine includes a screen having a reference line, a movable stage, a detector for detecting a displacement of the stage, the first and second image-forming units for forming optical image(s) of a target object mounted on the stage on the screen, and a storage for storing the optical image(s). The first image-forming unit includes an image pickup for picking up the optical image(s), an output unit for outputting the picked up optical image(s) in digital image data, and a projecting unit for projecting the optical image(s) on the screen in accordance with the image data output by the output unit. The storage stores the image data output by the output unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Kenji Okabe, Seiji Shimokawa
  • Patent number: 7016053
    Abstract: Luminous intensity and chromaticity of each luminescent light source are measured for an impressed current value, a mixing ratio of intensities of lights emitted from luminescent light sources required for synthesizing lighting intensity with the preset chromaticity at the luminous intensity instructed by an instruction value is computed with a theoretical equation for computing changes in chromaticity correlating to changes in luminous intensities of the luminescent light sources for color synthesis (ST33), luminous intensities of each luminous light source for generating a luminous intensity instructed by an instruction value from a mixing ratio are computed (ST34), and the impressed current value required for making each luminous light source emit light at the luminous intensity is read out from the characteristics of luminous light sources (ST35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Eisuke Moriuchi, Seiji Shimokawa, Keiji Akagi
  • Patent number: 6857762
    Abstract: A plurality of light emitting elements comprise a number of groups having light emitting colors different from each other. The light emitting element groups are arranged in ring shapes about an optical axis of an optical system in a plane or planes substantially orthogonal to the optical axis. A combining unit combines radiation light beams of different light emitting colors to generate illumination light having a given hue. The combining unit is provided downstream of the light emitting elements along a light emitting direction. A focusing unit focuses the illumination light in the direction toward the optical axis and is provided downstream of the combining unit. Accordingly, it is possible to direct illumination light having uniform and non-irregular hue, the hue corresponding to a surface color of an object to be measured, to the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Shimokawa, Tatsuya Nagahama, Kuniaki Obata, Hirotaka Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20030231494
    Abstract: A plurality of light emitting elements comprise a number of groups having light emitting colors different from each other. The light emitting element groups are arranged in ring shapes about an optical axis of an optical system in a plane or planes substantially orthogonal to the optical axis. A combining unit combines radiation light beams of different light emitting colors to generate illumination light having a given hue. The combining unit is provided downstream of the light emitting elements along a light emitting direction. A focusing unit focuses the illumination light in the direction toward the optical axis and is provided downstream of the combining unit. Accordingly, it is possible to direct illumination light having uniform and non-irregular hue, the hue corresponding to a surface color of an object to be measured, to the object to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Shimokawa, Tatsuya Nagahama, Kuniaki Obata, Hirotaka Matsubara
  • Patent number: 6621065
    Abstract: A CCD camera (27) images a work to generate its image data. An imaging optical system (24, 25, 26) focuses an image of the work on the CCD camera (27). A down-projection illumination source (31) includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting device for producing a down-projection illumination light to illuminate the work from above. An illuminating optical system (29) joins the illumination light from the down-projection illumination source (31) to the imaging optical system in order to lead the illumination light to the work via the imaging optical system. These optical components are mounted on a chassis (23) to construct an imaging probe (1), which is employed at any angle as a measuring probe of a three-dimensional tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Fukumoto, Seiji Shimokawa, Kenji Okabe
  • Publication number: 20030169431
    Abstract: Luminous intensity and chromaticity of each luminescent light source are measured for an impressed current value, a mixing ratio of intensities of lights emitted from luminescent light sources required for synthesizing lighting intensity with the preset chromaticity at the luminous intensity instructed by an instruction value is computed with a theoretical equation for computing changes in chromaticity correlating to changes in luminous intensities of the luminescent light sources for color synthesis (ST33), luminous intensities of each luminous light source for generating a luminous intensity instructed by an instruction value from a mixing ratio are computed (ST34), and the impressed current value required for making each luminous light source emit light at the luminous intensity is read out from the characteristics of luminous light sources (ST35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Eisuke Moriuchi, Seiji Shimokawa, Keiji Akagi, Hiroyuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6461030
    Abstract: Illumination angle adjuster (42) for condensing illumination light from a light generator (41) toward a workpiece (25) includes a simple-structured optical member of condenser lens (44). With the simple arrangement, illumination angle of the illumination light to the workpiece (25) can be easily changed by moving the condenser lens (44) along an optical axis of an optical system (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Shimokawa, Shunsaku Tachibana
  • Patent number: 6407800
    Abstract: A focus detection unit being applicable to various workpiece and capable of reducing production cost and an optical measuring instrument having the focus detection unit are provided. The focus detection unit is for forming image of first focusing pattern and second focusing pattern onto an image surface of an optical system, projecting the image onto the workpiece, and adjusting relative position of the first focusing pattern and the second focusing pattern for focusing, the focus detection unit including: a slide plate having a plurality of pair of the first focusing pattern and the second focusing pattern; a switching member for switching the slide plate to project the image of either one of the first focusing patterns and the second pattern corresponding thereto onto the workpiece; and a projector for projecting the image of the focusing patterns switched by the switching member onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Shimokawa, Kenji Okabe, Taizo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6075558
    Abstract: In an auto-focus apparatus having an object lens 14 which condenses light on an object surface to be measured, a CCD camera 24 observing the object's image based on emitting light from the object lens 14, and an actuator 15 which displaces the object lens 14 along the optical axis based on the contrast of the object image obtained with the CCD camera 24, the auto-focus apparatus includes an illuminator 25, a projection lens 21 and a liquid crystal panel 22 on which a designated pattern is displayed and further includes a pattern projection means 20 which projects the designated pattern on the object surface to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsaku Tachibana, Kenji Okabe, Seiji Shimokawa