Inspection Of Flaws Or Impurities Patents (Class 356/237.1)
  • Patent number: 11965835
    Abstract: A beam of light is directed from a light source at a wafer on a chuck. The beam of light is reflected off the wafer toward a 2D imaging camera. Movable focus lenses in the path of the beam of light can independently change the illumination conjugate and the collection conjugate. A structured mask in an illumination path can be used and the beam of light can be directed through apertures in the structured mask. A gray field image of a wafer in a zone without direct illumination is generated using the 2D imaging camera and locations of defects on the wafer can be determined using the gray field image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: KLA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Xiumei Liu
  • Patent number: 11935143
    Abstract: A structure repair method selection system includes a repair evaluation unit that obtains an evaluation score for a structure after repair, a database that has data of a captured image of the structure and the evaluation score, an image acquisition unit that acquires a captured image of a target structure to be repaired, a damage detection unit that detects damage from the captured image, a similar damage extraction unit that extracts similar damage similar to the damage by using the database, and a repair method presentation unit that presents, based on the evaluation score, repair methods used for the similar damage. Also provided are a repair method selection method that uses the structure repair method selection system, and a repair method selection server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei Horita
  • Patent number: 11928944
    Abstract: Disclosures relate to a sensor system and arrangements having different sized removable spacers. The spacers may be mixed and matched as needed or desired to compensate for misalignment conditions. Further, different spacer combinations and adjustments may be guided by a security management computing device. Variations in configurations of mounting surfaces, such as door and window assemblies, may be accommodated. Alignment of a transmitter or a receiving device, e.g., a magnetic device, with respect to a transmitter or receiving device despite misalignment of the components due to, for example, uneven surfaces of a door or a window, or a respective frame may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Devlyn Kornegay, Michael Jou, Zhe Zhang, Henry Homza, Nicholas Stefano
  • Patent number: 11919050
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a test system for optically checking an electrical line, including a test area for arranging the electric line; a plurality of prisms surrounding the test area; a camera directed at the prisms, which is designed to optically detect the electric line arranged in the test area through the prisms from different sides; a shielding mechanism, the curved inner contour of which encloses the test area and the prisms at least in the radial direction; an air duct, which is at least indirectly connected to a nozzle directed towards the test area and which is designed to apply a cleaning air stream to at least some prism surfaces facing the test area and thereby to entrain dirt particles present on these prism surfaces; and further air ducts opening into an area of the inner contour of the shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: LISA DRÄXLMAIER GMBH
    Inventors: Linus Weberbeck, Manuel Kagerhuber
  • Patent number: 11906424
    Abstract: A terahertz scanner for detecting irregularities, such as chemical or structural variations, in a sample and methods of use thereof are described. The described terahertz scanner and algorithms allow for direct, high-sensitivity, high-throughput, and non-invasive detection of irregularities that range from chemical contaminant to material defects in a variety of substrates and settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mona Jarrahi, Nezih Tolga Yardimci
  • Patent number: 11906438
    Abstract: A method for managing electromagnetic interference (EMI) includes: obtaining electromagnetic radiation from a device, disposed in an internal volume of a data processing device, while the internal volume is EMI isolated and after the device performs a function; making a determination that the device disposed in the internal volume has an optical state associated with the electromagnetic radiation; and performing a first action set based on the determination, in which the electromagnetic radiation is obtained through a boundary of the internal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Embleton, Ben John Sy, Eric Michael Tunks
  • Patent number: 11862039
    Abstract: A device for an analogue modeling experiment of a geological structure under a hypergravity field of a large-scale centrifuge is provided. A bottom plate is placed on a basket of the centrifuge and mounted with screw rod components; screw rods are arranged in parallel with the bottom plate; diverters, screw rod supporting columns, sliding guide rails and a motor are arranged on the bottom plate; output shafts at two ends of the motor are respectively connected to the two diverters; the diverters are connected with one end of the corresponding screw rod; a fixed baffle plate is connected with the screw rods and is embedded with the sliding guide rails; a detachable baffle plate is arranged at a lower part of the fixed baffle plate and has a lower part connected with a swing baffle plate through a hinge; and a curved table is arranged on the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Liangtong Zhan, Chi Zhang, Jianxun Zhou
  • Patent number: 11835330
    Abstract: A video measurement system for measuring a test object comprising an imaging system comprising an imager having an imaging pupil, the imager arranged for viewing at least a portion of a silhouette of the test object by receiving light transmitted by the test object over a first angular extent; and an illumination system comprising (i) an illumination source; (ii) output having a second angular extent in object space that is larger than the first angular extent received by the imaging pupil; and (iii) a substrate arranged to diffuse light from the illumination source, the substrate having an axial centerline and a light obscuration element, wherein the light obscuration element is at least approximately coaxial to the axial centerline of the substrate, and wherein the pupils of the illumination and imaging systems are in at least approximately conjugate image planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Quality Vision International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel James Lawler Williams
  • Patent number: 11796390
    Abstract: A spectroscopic metrology system includes a spectroscopic metrology tool and a controller. The controller generates a model of a multilayer grating including two or more layers, the model including geometric parameters indicative of a geometry of a test layer of the multilayer grating and dispersion parameters indicative of a dispersion of the test layer. The controller further receives a spectroscopic signal of a fabricated multilayer grating corresponding to the modeled multilayer grating from the spectroscopic metrology tool. The controller further determines values of the one or more parameters of the modeled multilayer grating providing a simulated spectroscopic signal corresponding to the measured spectroscopic signal within a selected tolerance. The controller further predicts a bandgap of the test layer of the fabricated multilayer grating based on the determined values of the one or more parameters of the test layer of the fabricated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Tianhan Wang, Aaron Rosenberg, Dawei Hu, Alexander Kuznetsov, Manh Dang Nguyen, Stilian Pandev, John Lesoine, Qiang Zhao, Liequan Lee, Houssam Chouaib, Ming Di, Torsten R. Kaack, Andrei V. Shchegrov, Zhengquan Tan
  • Patent number: 11790518
    Abstract: Current inspection processes employed for pipeline networks data acquisition aided with manually locating and recording defects/observations, thus leading labor intensive, prone to error and a time-consuming task thereby resulting in process inefficiencies. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for that leverage artificial intelligence/machine learning models and image processing techniques to automate log and data processing, reports and insights generation thereby reduce dependency on manual analysis, improve annual productivity of survey meterage and bring in process and cost efficiencies into overall asset health management for utilities, thereby enhancing accuracy in defect identification, analysis, classification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services Limited
    Inventors: Jayavardhana Rama Gubbi Lakshminarasimha, Mahesh Rangarajan, Rishin Raj, Vishnu Hariharan Anand, Vishal Bajpai, Vishwa Chethan Dandenahalli Venkatappa, Pradeep Kumar Mishra, Gourav Singh Jat, Meghala Mani, Gangadhar Shankarappa, Dinesh Sasidharan Nair, Shashank Lipate, Vineet Lall, Kavita Sara Mathew, Karthik Seemakurthy, Balamuralidhar Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 11780026
    Abstract: The welding operation monitoring system includes an image capturing device that is disposed on a side opposite to a side to which the plasma flow is supplied out of a pipe inside and a pipe outside of the strip-shaped steel sheet formed in a tubular shape, and is configured to capture a color image including a plasma flow over the V-shaped region; and a welding operation monitoring device that is configured to generate a specific color component image obtained by extracting a specific color component from the color image, and specifies a V-shaped display region, which is a region corresponding to the V-shaped region within the color image, on the basis of the V-shaped region shown in the specific color component image, thereby analyzing a state of the welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugihashi, Kotaro Watanabe, Yoshihiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11774371
    Abstract: A system has detectors configured to receive a beam of light reflected from a wafer. For example, three detectors may be used. Each of the detectors is a different channel. Images from the detectors are combined into a pseudo-color RGB image. A convolutional neural network unit (CNN) can receive the pseudo-color RGB image and determine a size of a defect in the pseudo-color RGB image. The CNN also can classify the defect into a size category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Lauber, Jason Kirkwood
  • Patent number: 11648743
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for applying noise reducer elements to tyres. Each noise reducer element has an anchoring surface coated with an adhesive layer. The anchoring surface is illuminated with a reference radiation. The radiation emitted by the anchoring surface is detected; and a digital image representative of the anchoring surface is determined as a function of the emitted radiation. Each pixel of the digital image is associated with a respective brightness value representative of the amount of adhesive present in an area of the anchoring surface corresponding to such each pixel. One or more noise reducer elements are applied on the radially inner surface of a tyre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Ivan Gildo Boscaino, Albert Berenguer, Cristiano Puppi, Gianni Mancini
  • Patent number: 11614584
    Abstract: A structure for, and method of, forming a first optoelectronic circuitry that generates an optical signal, a second optoelectronic circuitry that receives an optical signal, and a loopback waveguide that connects the output from the first optoelectronic circuitry to the second optoelectronic circuitry on an interposer substrate are described. The connected circuits, together comprising a photonic integrated circuit, are electrically tested using electrical signals that are provided via probing contact pads on the PIC die. Electrical activation of the optoelectrical sending devices and the subsequent detection and measurement of the optical signals in the receiving devices, in embodiments, provides information on the operability or functionality of the PIC on the die at the wafer level, prior to die separation or singulation, using the electrical and optical components of the PIC circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: Suresh Venkatesan, Yee Loy Lam
  • Patent number: 11610390
    Abstract: An artificial neural network-based method for detecting a surface type of an object includes: receiving a plurality of object images, wherein a plurality of spectra of the plurality of object images are different from one another and each of the object images has one of the spectra; transforming each object image into a matrix, wherein the matrix has a channel value that represents the spectrum of the corresponding object image; and executing a deep learning program by using the matrices to build a predictive model for identifying a target surface type of the object. Accordingly, the speed of identifying the target surface type of the object is increased, further improving the product yield of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: GETAC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kun-Yu Tsai
  • Patent number: 11608155
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes an offset flange insert comprising a base portion, a flange portion, and an interconnect portion. The base portion of the insert is configured to be received in a hole in an edge region of the floor panel and includes an opening that is sized to receive a fastener. The interconnect portion extends laterally from the base portion such that when the edge portion of the floor panel is overlapping a lateral edge portion of the airframe, the flange portion of the insert is beyond the lateral edge portion. The flange portion is also configured to be bonded to a bottom surface of the floor panel beyond the lateral edge portion of the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Emily Yang, Michael Patrick Durbin
  • Patent number: 11598918
    Abstract: A structure for, and method of, forming a first optoelectronic circuitry that generates an optical signal, a second optoelectronic circuitry that receives an optical signal, and a loopback waveguide that connects the output from the first optoelectronic circuitry to the second optoelectronic circuitry on an interposer substrate are described. The connected circuits, together comprising a photonic integrated circuit, are electrically tested using electrical signals that are provided via probing contact pads on the PIC die. Electrical activation of the optoelectrical sending devices and the subsequent detection and measurement of the optical signals in the receiving devices, in embodiments, provides information on the operability or functionality of the PIC on the die at the wafer level, prior to die separation or singulation, using the electrical and optical components of the PIC circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventors: Suresh Venkatesan, Yee Loy Lam
  • Patent number: 11585746
    Abstract: An inspection system includes a base, an array of fixtures, and a plurality of sensors or light sources. Each fixture has a first portion rotatably secured to the base and configured to rotate about a yaw axis and a second portion rotatably secured to the first portion and configured to rotate about a pitch axis. Each sensor or light source is secured to one of the fixtures and is configured to direct light at yaw and pitch angles relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: General Inspection, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Nygaard, Nathan Kujacznski, Dikshant Sharma
  • Patent number: 11580375
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accelerated training of a machine learning based model for semiconductor applications are provided. One method for training a machine learning based model includes acquiring information for non-nominal instances of specimen(s) on which a process is performed. The machine learning based model is configured for performing simulation(s) for the specimens. The machine learning based model is trained with only information for nominal instances of additional specimen(s). The method also includes re-training the machine learning based model with the information for the non-nominal instances of the specimen(s) thereby performing transfer learning of the information for the non-nominal instances of the specimen(s) to the machine learning based model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corp.
    Inventors: Kris Bhaskar, Laurent Karsenti, Scott Young, Mohan Mahadevan, Jing Zhang, Brian Duffy, Li He, Huajun Ying, Hung Nien, Sankar Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 11562480
    Abstract: The invention provides an automatic inspection process for detecting visible defects on a manufactured item. The process includes a set up mode in which images of same-type defect free items, but not images of same-type defected items, are obtained, and an inspection mode in which images of both same-type defect free items and same-type defected items, are obtained and defects are detected. Images of the same-type defect free items are analyzed and based on the analysis the process switches to the inspection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: INSPEKTO A.M.V. LTD.
    Inventors: Yonatan Hyatt, Joel Koenka, Harel Boren
  • Patent number: 11557027
    Abstract: A vision inspection system includes a sorting platform having an upper surface supporting parts for inspection, wherein the parts are configured to be loaded onto the upper surface of the sorting platform in a random orientation. The vision inspection system includes an inspection station including an imaging device. The vision inspection system includes a vision inspection controller receiving images and processing the images based on an image analysis model to determine inspection results for each of the parts. The vision inspection controller has a shape recognition tool configured to recognize the parts in the field of view regardless of the orientation of the parts on the sorting platform. The vision inspection controller has an AI learning module operated to customize and configure the image analysis model based on the images received from the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventors: Du Wen, Lei Zhou, Tim Darr, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu
  • Patent number: 11543237
    Abstract: A method for inspection of a target object, the method including irradiating a reference surface having a non-flat reference profile with radiation; determining reference response data based on detected radiation having interacted with the reference surface; irradiating a target object with radiation, the target object including a target surface having a non-flat target profile corresponding to the reference profile; determining inspection response data based on detected radiation having interacted with the target object; and determining at least one parameter of the target object based on the reference response data and the inspection response data. An alternative method; a control system for controlling an emitter system and a detector system; and an inspection system including a control system, an emitter system and a detector system, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jacobus Lodevicus Martinus Van Mechelen, Deran Maas, Andreas Frank
  • Patent number: 11493454
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for detecting and imaging specular surface defects on a specular surface that employs a knife-edge technique in which the camera aperture or an external device is set to form a physical knife-edge structure within the optical path that effectively blocks reflected rays from an illuminated specular surface of a predetermined degree of slope values and allows rays deflected at differing slopes to reach the vision system camera sensor. The light reflected from the flat part of the surface is mostly blocked by the knife-edge. Light reflecting from the sloped parts of the defects is mostly reflected into the entrance aperture. The illumination beam is angled with respect to the optical axis of the camera to provide the appropriate degree of incident angle with respect to the surface under inspection. The surface can be stationary or in relative motion with respect to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Fariborz Rostami, John F. Filhaber, Feng Qian
  • Patent number: 11475584
    Abstract: In one example, a distance sensor includes a camera to capture images of a field of view, a plurality of light sources arranged around a lens of the camera, wherein each light source of the plurality of light sources is configured to project a plurality of beams of light into the field of view, and wherein the plurality of beams of light creates a pattern of projection artifacts in the field of view that is visible to a detector of the camera, a baffle attached to a first light source of the plurality of light sources, wherein the baffle is positioned to limit a fan angle of a plurality of beams of light that is projected by the first light source, and a processing system to calculate a distance from the distance sensor to an object in the field of view, based on an analysis of the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Magik Eye Inc.
    Inventor: Akiteru Kimura
  • Patent number: 11467096
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for remotely detecting defects in a structure may proceed non-destructively. A mobile sensing platform may place sensors in a desired positioning relative to the structure. The desired position may include a non-contacting relation between the sensors and structure. The mobile sensing platform may project laser beams onto the structure and sense backscattered light via the sensors. Variations in the backscattered light may correspond to motion of the structure, such as vibrations. By calculating the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations, defects in the structure may be detected. By correcting for noise, such as that associated with acceleration of the mobile sensing platform, accuracy and precision of defect detection may be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ADVANCED SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Vladimir Markov
  • Patent number: 11469188
    Abstract: A semiconductor package may include a package substrate, a molded interposer package (MIP) and a first stiffener. The MIP may be arranged on the package substrate. The MIP may include an interposer, at least one first semiconductor chip and at least one second semiconductor chip molded by a molding member. The first stiffener may be attached to any one of outer surfaces of the MIP. The first stiffener may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the package substrate to suppress a warpage of the MIP. Thus, central conductive bumps between the MIP and the package substrate may not be upwardly floated to improve an electrical connection between the central conductive bumps and the package substrate. Further, a short between edge conductive bumps between the MIP and the package substrate may not be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Geunwoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11440285
    Abstract: An example of a method of manufacturing a component from a composite prepreg includes collecting a specimen from the composite prepreg and quantifying an amount of surface resin of the specimen by submerging the specimen in a container containing a fluid to determine a fluid pickup percentage. Responsive to a determination that the fluid pickup percentage exceeds a predefined threshold value, forming a component from the composite prepreg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Suvankar Mishra
  • Patent number: 11443917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image generation method for an objective for generating an image corresponding to a multi-frame image from image signals obtained by scanning a small number of frames are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Chikako Abe, Hitoshi Sugahara
  • Patent number: 11435298
    Abstract: In some examples, a system receives a first image of a circuit board produced by a first production stage, and compares the first image to a second image of the circuit board acquired at a second production stage for the circuit board. The system indicates an anomaly with the circuit board based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: David A. Moore, Jonathon Hughes, Michael L. Mixon, Gretchen La Fontaine Otero, Niysaan E. Vlasak
  • Patent number: 11397153
    Abstract: A beam of light is directed from a light source at a wafer on a chuck. The beam of light is reflected off the wafer toward a 2D imaging camera. Movable focus lenses in the path of the beam of light can independently change the illumination conjugate and the collection conjugate. A structured mask in an illumination path can be used and the beam of light can be directed through apertures in the structured mask. A gray field image of a wafer in a zone without direct illumination is generated using the 2D imaging camera and locations of defects on the wafer can be determined using the gray field image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventor: Xiumei Liu
  • Patent number: 11378451
    Abstract: A spectroscopic metrology system includes a spectroscopic metrology tool and a controller. The controller generates a model of a multilayer grating including two or more layers, the model including geometric parameters indicative of a geometry of a test layer of the multilayer grating and dispersion parameters indicative of a dispersion of the test layer. The controller further receives a spectroscopic signal of a fabricated multilayer grating corresponding to the modeled multilayer grating from the spectroscopic metrology tool. The controller further determines values of the one or more parameters of the modeled multilayer grating providing a simulated spectroscopic signal corresponding to the measured spectroscopic signal within a selected tolerance. The controller further predicts a bandgap of the test layer of the fabricated multilayer grating based on the determined values of the one or more parameters of the test layer of the fabricated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Tianhan Wang, Aaron Rosenberg, Dawei Hu, Alexander Kuznetsov, Manh Dang Nguyen, Stilian Pandev, John Lesoine, Qiang Zhao, Liequan Lee, Houssam Chouaib, Ming Di, Torsten R. Kaack, Andrei V. Shchegrov, Zhengquan Tan
  • Patent number: 11369259
    Abstract: An endoscopic device includes a manipulator body and an insertion portion including opposed respective proximal and distal ends. The insertion portion is connected to the manipulator body via the proximal end. A first heat generator is configured to be attached to the manipulator body. A heat radiator is configured to be detachably attached to the manipulator body and is thermally connected to the first heat generator. The heat radiator includes at least one air inlet port through which air flows in and at least one air outlet port having an area smaller than an area of the at least one air inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshisato Kudo
  • Patent number: 11353322
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to make it easier to perform positioning of a detection device when detecting surface characteristics of a sensing object. The invention includes a detection device, a processing part, a guidance information generation part and an informing part. The detection device detects reflection light from a sensing object by irradiating light onto the sensing object. The processing part calculates surface characteristics of the sensing object by processing data from the detection device. The guidance information generation part generates information about a distance and/or an attitude of the detection device relative to the sensing object. The informing part informs the information about the distance and/or the attitude generated by the guidance information generation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: HORIBA, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiichi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 11330162
    Abstract: A technology is provided in which moving objects positioned at a different place and having more than the number of the cameras are displayed on a display device. The present invention is directed to a moving object imaging device including a camera, a deflection unit, a controller configured to control the camera and the deflection unit, an imaging processing part, and an imaging display part, thereby imaging the moving object in a sequentially repeating manner and creating moving image data based upon images acquired by the image processing part to display the created moving image data on the image display part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsuka, Kazuhiko Hino, Masahiro Mimura
  • Patent number: 11300527
    Abstract: A method for detecting lens cleanliness of a lens disposed in a flat-field optical path, the flat-field optical path including a light source, the lens, a camera, the light source is a narrow-band multispectral uniform surface light source, the camera's light-sensitive surface is disposed perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens and in the light position of the lens, the method including collecting the bright-field image data and dark-field image data in a plurality of spectra through the lens; for each pixel, performing a spectral differential flat-field correction operation to yield a plurality of spectral differentials; and displaying the spectral differentials in the form of a plurality of images to show a uniformity of each of the plurality of images, wherein a non-uniform area on each of the plurality of images is determined to have been caused by an impurity of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: MLOptic Corp.
    Inventors: Jiang He, Teresa Zhang, Wei Zhou, Peihong Bai
  • Patent number: 11280744
    Abstract: Accuracy of detecting abnormalities on the surface of a workpiece is improved. An appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of a workpiece is provided. The appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of the workpiece includes a first lighting unit that irradiates the workpiece with light, a first imaging unit that images the workpiece irradiated by the first lighting unit, a first detection unit that detects a first defect from an image captured by the first imaging unit, a second lighting unit that irradiates the workpiece with light, a second imaging unit that images the workpiece irradiated by the second lighting unit, and a second detection unit that detects a second defect from an image captured by the second imaging unit. The first lighting unit uses coaxial epi-illumination, and the second lighting unit uses coaxial epi-illumination and dome illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji Yamada
  • Patent number: 11274993
    Abstract: A tire testing method includes: applying a lubrication solution to a bead part of a tire; detecting a phase of a reference point of the tire; detecting a phase of a rotation origin of a spindle at common coordinates shared with coordinates at which the phase of the reference point is indicated; detecting a singular point present on the tire by conducting a tire test while rotating the tire on the spindle, and detecting a phase from the rotation origin to the singular point; calculating a phase from the reference point to the singular point based on the phase of the reference point, the phase of the rotation origin, and the phase from the rotation origin to the singular point; storing information about the reference point and information about the rotation origin at the common coordinates; and marking the tire at a position where the singular point is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Ito, Yasuhiro Matsushita, Koji Goto
  • Patent number: 11237484
    Abstract: A metrology tool, an aplanatic singlet lens, and a method of designing an aplanatic singlet lens are provided. The metrology tool is for determining a characteristic of a structure on a substrate. The metrology tool comprises an optical detection system for detecting radiation over a wavelength range. The optical detection system comprises an aplanatic singlet lens for focusing the radiation on to a detector. The aplanatic singlet lens has a n aplanatic wavelength which is within the wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Ferry Zijp
  • Patent number: 11226293
    Abstract: A method of imaging surface features with a large (non-microscopic) field-of-view includes projecting a structured illumination pattern onto the transparent target. The surface features modify the structured illumination pattern, and an image of the modified structured illumination pattern is imaged at each of multiple different introduced phase shifts via an imaging device. The method further provides for extracting, from each of the captured phase-shifted images, image components that correspond to frequencies exceeding a cutoff frequency of the imaging device; and using the extracted image components to construct a corrected image of the surface features of the transparent target. The corrected image has a resolution that is greater than a spatially incoherent point-to-point optical resolution of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Kaijun Feng
  • Patent number: 11206967
    Abstract: An image capture device includes a plurality of stacked ceramic circuit boards, an image sensor, signal conditioning electronics, and a connector. Each ceramic circuit board is parallel and directly coupled to at least one other circuit board. The image sensor is mounted to a first ceramic circuit board. The signal conditioning electronics are mounted to one or more of the stacked ceramic circuit boards and are coupled to receive electrical signals generated by the image sensor. The image capture device is enclosed by a shaft and the stacked ceramic circuit boards are stacked along a length of the shaft. The connector is mounted to a second ceramic circuit board that is on an opposite side of the plurality of stacked ceramic circuit boards from the first ceramic circuit board. The connector is mounted to a side of the second ceramic circuit board facing away from the first ceramic circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Viraj A. Patwardhan, John A Barton, Mathew Clopp, John E. Sell
  • Patent number: 11192665
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for thermal inspection of tape layup. One embodiment is a method for performing inspection of a tape layup. The method comprises laying up tape onto a surface of a laminate, applying heat to tack the tape to the surface, and generating thermographic images of the tape as applied to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Tyler Holmes, Amanda Hansen, Steven K. Brady
  • Patent number: 11195440
    Abstract: A display device includes a defect inspection circuit, and a display panel having a display area and a peripheral area positioned outside the display area. The display panel includes a sensing wire positioned in the peripheral area and connected to the defect inspection circuit. The defect inspection circuit includes a resistance detection circuit that detects a resistance of the sensing wire based on an output signal corresponding to the sensing wire, a memory that stores first resistance information related to the resistance of the sensing wire detected in a first inspection operation, and a comparator circuit including a first comparator that compares the first resistance information with second resistance information. The second resistance information is related to the resistance of the sensing wire detected in a second inspection operation that is performed at a different time than the first inspection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Sae Lee, Jung Hoon Shim, Won Kyu Kwak, Ki Myeong Eom
  • Patent number: 11163939
    Abstract: An article inspection apparatus includes an inspection control unit 31 and a weighing conveyor main unit 32 that inspect an article W while the article is being conveyed, and a display unit 50 and a display control unit 33 that output an image for displaying a determination result about a plurality of determination items as an image on the same screen in response to an inspection result. The display control unit 33 includes a selection unit 37 and an editing unit 38 that switches an image for displaying a determination result about a specific determination item out of a plurality of determination items to another image for displaying the determination result which is stored and held in advance, in response to a display change request input for the specific determination item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: ANRITSU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takamasa Ito
  • Patent number: 11158040
    Abstract: In a method for identifying a robot arm responsible for creating a scratch on a wafer, at least one scratch mark on a wafer is detected. A first scratch dimension of the at least one scratch mark is determined. The determined first scratch dimension is compared to a plurality of first robot arm dimensions to generate a plurality of first comparing results, wherein the first comparing results respectively correspond to a plurality of robot arms. One of the robot arms is identified based on the first comparing results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yen-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 11126155
    Abstract: To provide an automatic screw inspection system allowing screw inspection of a workpiece to be conducted more efficiently. An automatic screw inspection system comprises: a robot to which a screw inspection device is attached, the screw inspection device including a holder unit attached in a removable manner and holding an inspection gauge used for inspection of a female screw hole in a workpiece as an inspection target; a gauge storage storing a plurality of the holder units for inspection of the female screw hole conforming to a plurality of standards; a table on which the workpiece is to be placed; and a controller that controls the drive of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 11092554
    Abstract: An adhesion defect detection apparatus includes an inspection window having a first dummy area, a second dummy area, and an inspection area disposed between the first dummy area and the second dummy area. A first shape changer is disposed on the inspection window. The first shape changer is configured to change a shape of the inspection window in a first direction. A second shape changer is disposed outside of both the first dummy area and the second dummy area. The second shape changer is configured to change a shape of the inspection window in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae Jin Hwang
  • Patent number: 11088003
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device, including a first chamber for accommodating a mask, and a first ionizer in the first chamber, wherein the first ionizer is adjacent to the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Chien Huang, Chung-Hung Lin, Chih-Wei Wen
  • Patent number: 11079303
    Abstract: Vibrometric signatures of portions of a vehicle, such as a joint between two or more aspects of the vehicle, may be generated and used to make determinations regarding the integrity or suitability of the vehicle for one or more missions. Vibrometric signatures are generated based on imaging data captured with the vehicle subjected to excitation over a range of frequencies, and power levels of vibrations of the vehicle are calculated based on the images. Pixels corresponding to surfaces on either side of a joint are selected and vibrometric signatures calculated for such surfaces are compared to determine whether the joint adequately transfers vibrations, or whether the joint is sufficiently tight. Where the vibrometric signatures are sufficiently similar to one another, the joint may be presumed to be tight. Where the vibrometric signatures are not sufficiently similar to one another, the joint is presumed to require maintenance or inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pragyana Mishra, Kevin Tseng
  • Patent number: 11069138
    Abstract: A geographical location of a user device is determined using a Global Positioning System. It is determined that the geographical location of the user device is within a geographical region of a digital element. In response to the determination that the geographical location of the user device is within a geographical region of the digital element, an indication that the digital element is selectable is provided. A representation of the digital element is provided without providing an auditory content of the digital element. A user selection indication that selects the representation of the digital element to obtain the auditory content of the digital element is received. The auditory content of the digital element is provided upon receiving the user selection indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ripple, Inc. of Delaware
    Inventor: Ray Beau Lotto
  • Patent number: 11062586
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a condition of a substantially transparent component includes a light assembly operably coupled to the substantially transparent component. The light assembly is operable to selectively illuminate the substantially transparent component. At least one sensor is operably coupled to the substantially transparent component. The at least one sensor has a corresponding detection sensing volume. The at least one sensor is configured to measure the illumination of the substantially transparent component to determine a condition of the substantially transparent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: David L. Lincoln