Silhouette Patents (Class 356/613)
  • Patent number: 11966035
    Abstract: A light sheet microscope includes an irradiation optical system, a detection optical system, and a photodetector. The irradiation optical system includes a wavelength sweep light source which outputs light of which a wavelength changes with time as excitation light, a spectroscopic element on which the excitation light output from the wavelength sweep light source is incident and which emits the excitation light at an emission angle corresponding to a wavelength of the excitation light, a relay optical system which includes a cylindrical lens on which the excitation light emitted from the spectroscopic element is incident at an incident angle corresponding to the emission angle, and a first objective lens which condenses the excitation light guided by the relay optical system and irradiates the sample with the excitation light having a sheet shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Yuu Takiguchi, Rumika Tanaka, Hisayoshi Takamoto
  • Patent number: 11948845
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and a system for testing flatness. The device for testing flatness includes a base, a testing platform, and a ranging sensor. The testing platform is assembled on the base. The testing platform includes a supporting structure. The supporting structure is disposed on the side of the testing platform away from the base and is used to support a to-be-tested board. The structure matches the structure of the to-be-tested board. The ranging sensor is disposed on the side of the testing platform away from the base. After the to-be-tested board is placed on the testing platform, the ranging sensor is used to test distances between a number N of to-be-tested positions on the to-be-tested board and the ranging sensor, to obtain N pieces of distance information, and the N pieces of distance information are used to determine the flatness of the to-be-tested board, where N is an integer greater than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shaodong Sun, Haoran Gao, Guangcai Yuan, Lilei Zhang, Wenyue Fu, Li Li, Hanbo Zheng, Shuqi Liu, Qi Qi, Junwei Yan, Pingkuan Gu, Lina Jing, Yan Chen, Yimin Chen
  • Patent number: 11911815
    Abstract: A strip of metal entering or exiting a mill can be redirected about a roller so as to define an angled segment of the strip of metal, with the angled segment extending away from the roller and arranged at an angle relative to the roller. The angled segment can be connected with a coil that is rotated about a mandrel such that a magnitude of the angle of the angled segment changes as the coil is enlarged or reduced by the rotating of the mandrel. A sensor of a surface inspection system can detect a characteristic of a surface of the strip of metal in the angled segment or in the coil. The sensor can be robotically moved to modify a distance and/or an orientation of the sensor of the surface inspection system relative to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NOVELIS, INC.
    Inventors: Roberto Armbrust de Freitas Quintal, Luiz Alberto Murad Veiga, Paul Blain Harlan, Felipe Mappa Franca Rocha, Young Taeg Park, Rajbir Bal, Renato Rufino Xavier, Stephan Haertel
  • Patent number: 11892757
    Abstract: A booth for photographing or inspecting a vehicle includes walls that bounding a planar stage, each of the walls has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion has a first length and extending up from the planar stage. A first end of the first portion forms a first obtuse angle with the planar stage inside the booth, the second portion has a second length and extending up from a second end of the first portion. A first end of the second portion forms a second obtuse angle with the second end of the first portion inside the booth. A platform is also suspended above the stage. A lighting source is positioned on the platform. The lighting source is configured to direct light toward the second portion of each of the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Carvana, LLC
    Inventor: Davo Scheich
  • Patent number: 11874377
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three-dimensional (3-D) LIDAR measurements with multiple illumination beams scanned over a 3-D environment are described herein. In one aspect, illumination light from each LIDAR measurement channel is emitted to the surrounding environment in a different direction by a beam scanning device. The beam scanning device also directs each amount of return measurement light onto a corresponding photodetector. In some embodiments, a beam scanning device includes a scanning mirror rotated in an oscillatory manner about an axis of rotation by an actuator in accordance with command signals generated by a master controller. In some embodiments, the light source and photodetector associated with each LIDAR measurement channel are moved in two dimensions relative to beam shaping optics employed to collimate light emitted from the light source. The relative motion causes the illumination beams to sweep over a range of the 3-D environment under measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Velodyne Lidar USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Hall, Pieter J Kerstens, Mathew Noel Rekow, Stephen S. Nestinger
  • Patent number: 11866587
    Abstract: An organic slurry for use in wood-based composites is described herein. In one aspect, the organic slurry may include water, a lignin material insoluble in the water, such as dewatered kraft lignin, and a defoamer. During manufacturing, the water, lignin material and defoamer may be combined and mixed together in a vessel to produce the organic slurry. In one aspect, the defoamer may include a water-based defoamer, a silicone-based defoamer, a silicone-free defoamer, an oil-based defoamer, a polymer-based defoamer, or mixtures thereof. The organic slurry may have a pH less than neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Williamette Valley Company LLC
    Inventors: Jesse L. Paris, Matthew G. Peterson, James A. Livings, Sudip Chowdhuruy, Curtis G. Burton
  • Patent number: 11856282
    Abstract: A number of embodiments can include a photographic chamber. In some embodiments, a photographic chamber can comprise one or more frames arranged in a convex shape and having an opening; one or more walls coupled to the one or more frames and having one or more recesses configured to receive photography equipment; and a door matching the one or more walls, wherein the door can be located in the opening when positioned in a closed configuration. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Carvana, LLC
    Inventor: Davo Scheich
  • Patent number: 11836912
    Abstract: A system and method for grading the cosmetic appearance of a test object based on multi-region determination of cosmetic defects are disclosed. The method may include grading a test object, such as, but not limited to, a computing device, for refurbishing and selling refurbished devices. In at least one embodiment, the method may include receiving, by a processing device, a plurality of images of surfaces of a test object. A region of interest in each of the plurality of images is identified and defects are identified. The cosmetic appearance of each region of interest is graded based on the identified defects and are stored. The system may include a housing with a translucent dome and a movable platform for receiving and positioning a computing device. The system may include a plurality of cameras and lights arranged to capture different views of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Future Dial, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Jisheng Li, George Huang, Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 11836847
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating a 3D view of an object. At least a 360 degree view of an object is recorded by rotating the object or moving a camera around an object. The data can be used to generate a 3D view that allows users to rotate an item to see the corresponding images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CAPPASITY INC.
    Inventor: Konstantin S. Popov
  • Patent number: 11768294
    Abstract: An apparatus of a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning system for at least partial integration with a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an optical core assembly including an oscillating reflective element, an optical polygon element, and transmitting and collection optics. The apparatus includes a first exterior surface at least partially bounded by at least a first portion of a vehicle roof or at least a portion of a vehicle windshield. A surface profile of the first exterior surface aligns with a surface profile associated with at least one of the first portion of the vehicle roof or the portion of the vehicle windshield. A combination of the first exterior surface and the one or more additional exterior surfaces form a housing enclosing the optical core assembly including the oscillating reflective element, the optical polygon element, and the transmitting and collection optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Innovusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Yufeng Li, Ning-Yi Wang, Haosen Wang, Peng Wan, Yimin Li, Junwei Bao, Gil Salman
  • Patent number: 11721571
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring loop height of overlapping bonded wires, interconnecting the pads of a single or stacked silicon chips to the pads of a substrate taking the steps of: focussing of an optical assembly at multiple points of the bond wire including overlapping bond wires, capturing an image of the bond wire at each of the predetermined focused points; calculating the height of each point of the wire with respect to a reference plane; and tabulating the height data using the X, Y and Z coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: EMAGE VISION PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Soon Wei Wong, Victor Vertoprakhov
  • Patent number: 11550056
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three-dimensional (3-D) LIDAR measurements with multiple illumination beams scanned over a 3-D environment are described herein. In one aspect, illumination light from each LIDAR measurement channel is emitted to the surrounding environment in a different direction by a beam scanning device. The beam scanning device also directs each amount of return measurement light onto a corresponding photodetector. In some embodiments, a beam scanning device includes a scanning mirror rotated in an oscillatory manner about an axis of rotation by an actuator in accordance with command signals generated by a master controller. In some embodiments, the light source and photodetector associated with each LIDAR measurement channel are moved in two dimensions relative to beam shaping optics employed to collimate light emitted from the light source. The relative motion causes the illumination beams to sweep over a range of the 3-D environment under measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: VELODYNE LIDAR USA, INC.
    Inventors: David S. Hall, Pieter J. Kerstens, Mathew Noel Rekow, Stephen S. Nestinger
  • Patent number: 11526674
    Abstract: A text extracting system includes at least one processor configured to obtain a plurality of texts, specify at least one characteristic expression included in the plurality of texts, and extract, based on the at least one characteristic expression, at least one text to be entered into a question sentence generator from the plurality of texts, where the question sentence generator generating a question sentence from an input sentence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: RAKUTEN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Masakatsu Hamashita, Takashi Inui, Koji Murakami
  • Patent number: 11478890
    Abstract: A knife sharpener comprises a grinding surface for grinding a blade of the knife when the blade is moved relative to the grinding surface and an observation device including a sensor element and a display element. The sensor element is configured to observe the blade and to collect data regarding the blade when the blade is moved relative to the sensor element. The display element is configured to communicate a condition of the blade to an operator of the observation device. The condition of the blade is based on the data collected by the sensor element when the blade is moved relative to the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: EDGECRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Hessler, George Jensen, Lee Clark, Rick Stapleford, Zach Siskind, Bela Elek
  • Patent number: 11480532
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of inspecting, analyzing, classifying, and/or grading quality of a transparent sheet using a data set of photoelasticity measurements, thickness measurements, segmentation specifications, measurement specifications and quality control specifications of the transparent sheet. A results measurement is calculated on a computing system, quality control specifications are applied to the results measurement allowing writing to the database and creating reports, sending results to an operator interface and machine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: LiteSentry LLC
    Inventors: Eric Hegstrom, Bryan Nelson
  • Patent number: 11367276
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present application provides a target detection method, which comprises: obtaining a plurality of images acquired by an image acquiring device as images to be detected when a region to be detected is illuminated by light sources with different illuminating angles, wherein the different illuminating angles correspond to the different images to be detected (S101); and determining whether a target exists in the region to be detected based on gray scale differences between the obtained images to be detected with illuminating by the light sources of with different illuminating angles (S102). The method is applied to achieve a simple and effective detection of the target existing in the region to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Hangzhou Ezviz Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicong Jiang, Jianhua Zhu, Bingwei Shen, Bin Guo, Haiqing Jiang
  • Patent number: 11359913
    Abstract: A device is proposed for the contactless three-dimensional inspection of a blade (5) for a turbomachine, comprising: means for scanning the teeth, comprising at least one first pair of laser measurement modules (2A, 2B) and means for the rotational driving, about the main axis, of the blade relative to the modules along the main axis of the blade; means for the rebuilding of a three-dimensional virtual representation of the blade using data coming from said scanning means; means of dimensional inspection using the three-dimensional representation; each pair of modules comprising a first module (2A) oriented towards a first face of a tooth and a second module oriented towards a second face of a tooth; the modules being oriented relative to the blade so that during a rotation of the blade about the main axis, the scanning means scan the first and second faces of the blade on the entire rim of said blade, and so that during a translation of the blade along the main axis, said scanning means scan the first an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Didier Le Neel
  • Patent number: 11337612
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for determining characteristics of a wound. The system includes a first imaging sensor that obtains imaging information of a wound area and a second imaging sensor that obtains topology information of the wound area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
    Inventors: Kyle Wu, Peng Cheng, Peter Kim, Ozgur Guler
  • Patent number: 11307294
    Abstract: A scanning assembly for a detection system for a vehicle has a scanning fixture including a first mirror. The scanning fixture is attached to a first pivot. A reflective surface of the first mirror provides a first field of view between the detection system and a surrounding environment. A central member has a first end attached to the first pivot and a second end attached to a second pivot to couple the first pivot to the second pivot. A base is configured to attach the scanning assembly to the vehicle. The base is further attached to the second pivot. The scanning fixture is coupled to the base exclusively through attachment of the first pivot to the second pivot via the central member, the second pivot in turn being attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: VEONEER US, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard DeMersseman, Robert Sletten, Aaron Cahill, Patrick Holmes
  • Patent number: 11275177
    Abstract: Provided is a distance measurement apparatus including a light projector that projects reference pulsed light to an object region, a light receiver that receives reflected pulsed light from the object region, and a scanning unit including a plurality of movable mirrors provided between the light projector and the object region and synchronously operated. The distance measurement apparatus further includes a calculation unit that calculates a distance to the object region on the basis of a difference between light projection timing of projecting the reference pulsed light and light receiving timing of receiving the reflected pulsed light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Koyama, Tomoki Ono
  • Patent number: 11269063
    Abstract: A high-speed light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes one or more arrays of transmitting laser diodes (TLD) fixed to a mobile platform; multiple such arrays may be arranged around the mobile platform instead of a single array rotating at high speeds. Each TLD of the array transmits, in sequence, a light pulse at a transmit time to illuminate a particular azimuth and elevation. One or more receiving photodiodes (RPD) are fixed to the mobile platform and configured to receive the reflected returns of the transmitted laser pulses. Signal processors allow the LIDAR system to “see” at high resolution by determining distance and directional information and generating point clouds based on the returned pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Bendickson, Mitchell A. Riley
  • Patent number: 11163042
    Abstract: A scanning display system includes two detectors for rangefinding. Round trip times-of-flight are measured for reflections of laser pulses received at the detectors. A proportional correction factor is determined based at least in part on the geometry of the scanning display system. The proportional correction factor is applied to the measured times-of-flight to create estimates of more accurate times-of-flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Xue, P. Selvan Viswanathan, Robert James Jackson, George Thomas Valliath
  • Patent number: 11087239
    Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Henning, Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise
  • Patent number: 11067794
    Abstract: A system to scan a field of view with light beams can include a scanning mirror arrangement having a mirror and a drive mechanism configured to rotate the mirror about an axis between two terminal positions; at least one light source configured to simultaneously produce at least a first light beam and a second light beam directed at the mirror from different directions. Upon rotation of the mirror, the first and second light beams can scan a field of view. The scanning mirror arrangement may include a mirror; hinges attached at opposite sides of the mirror; and a drive mechanism attached to the hinges and configured to twist the hinges resulting in a larger twist to the mirror, wherein the hinges are disposed between the drive mechanism and the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Gerard Dirk Smits
  • Patent number: 10955651
    Abstract: A process is provided for imaging a surface of a specimen with an imaging system that employs a BD objective having a darkfield channel and a bright field channel, the BD objective having a circumference. The specimen is obliquely illuminated through the darkfield channel with a first arced illuminating light that obliquely illuminates the specimen through a first arc of the circumference. The first arced illuminating light reflecting off of the surface of the specimen is recorded as a first image of the specimen from the first arced illuminating light reflecting off the surface of the specimen, and a processor generates a 3D topography of the specimen by processing the first image through a topographical imaging technique. Imaging apparatus is also provided as are further process steps for other embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nanotronics Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Putman, John B. Putman, Julie A. Orlando, Jospeh G. Bulman
  • Patent number: 10949969
    Abstract: A digital imaging system processes digital images of a subject's fundus and/or pupils to determine pupil edge region pixels. Pupil edge region pixels are removed and a glint area is identified and interpolated over. Resulting images can be processed to determine a pixel intensity distribution slope. Using the pixel intensity distribution slope, refractive error determinations can be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: William Niall Creedon, Eric Joseph Laurin, Richard Allen Mowrey
  • Patent number: 10900765
    Abstract: A form measuring apparatus includes a base; an arm capable of swinging relative to the base; a coupler coupling the base and the arm, and having a deformation region that is capable of elastic deformation between the base and the arm; and a distortion detector installed in the deformation region. In the form measuring apparatus, a stylus is mounted to the arm and can slide along a surface of a work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimaoka, Kazuhiko Hidaka
  • Patent number: 10887501
    Abstract: An inspection device includes: an inspection pattern creating unit that creates an inspection pattern in which first regions each colored with a color different from each other and second regions each colored with a mixed color obtained by mixing at least two of colors with which the first regions are colored are alternately arranged; an irradiation unit that irradiates a surface of an inspection target with the inspection pattern while sliding the inspection pattern by a movement amount; a captured image acquisition unit that acquires a captured image obtained by imaging the surface of the inspection target irradiated with the inspection pattern; and a determination unit that generates color component images obtained by separating the acquired captured image for each of color components of the colors and determines whether or not there is a defect in the surface of the inspection target based on the color component images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Munehiro Takayama, Masataka Toda, Yukio Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10768118
    Abstract: According to a surface defect inspection device and a surface defect inspection method according to the present invention, an inspection face of an inspection object is irradiated with illumination light, and a defect at the inspection face is detected, based on an image including the inspection face captured. According to the surface defect inspection device and the surface defect inspection method, the illumination light is emitted with formation of at least one set of a light region and a dark region, and a range of a defect detection image region for the detection of the defect, to be set to the image capturing the inspection face irradiated with the illumination light in the light region, is adjusted in accordance with a previously defined degree of visibility for orange peel, at the detection of the defect at the inspection face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Harada, Masato Kashihara, Taizo Wakimura
  • Patent number: 10697764
    Abstract: A sample shape measuring method includes a step of preparing illumination light passing through a predetermined illumination region, a step of applying the illumination light to a sample, and a predetermined processing step. The predetermined illumination region is set so as to include an optical axis at a pupil position of an illumination optical system. Light transmitted through the sample is incident on the observation optical system. The predetermined processing step includes a step of receiving light emerged from the observation optical system, a step of obtaining a quantity of light of the received light, a step of calculating a difference or a ratio between the quantity of light and a reference quantity of light, and a step of calculating an amount of tilt in a surface of the sample from the difference or the ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mayumi Odaira, Yoshimasa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10528684
    Abstract: An improved TCAD software tool includes a structure generator for generating a core single-pixel three-dimensional (3D) model including only front-end details of a single CIS pixel, a prototyping tool for generating modified CIS prototypes by automatically combining the core single-pixel 3D model with features and configurations included in selected modular templates, and a separate mesh generator for generating optical simulation models by generating optical meshes based on each CIS prototype's selected configuration. The modular templates include pre-configured optically-relevant (e.g., micro-lens and anti-reflection) structures, alternative (e.g., front-side illuminated or back-side illuminated, two-dimensional or 3D) pixel configurations, alternative array configurations, and alternative color filter patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason S. Ayubi-Moak, Gergö A. Létay, Lutz Schneider, Wei-Choon Ng
  • Patent number: 10437034
    Abstract: A process is provided for imaging a surface of a specimen with an imaging system that employs a BD objective having a darkfield channel and a bright field channel, the BD objective having a circumference. The specimen is obliquely illuminated through the darkfield channel with a first arced illuminating light that obliquely illuminates the specimen through a first arc of the circumference. The first arced illuminating light reflecting off of the surface of the specimen is recorded as a first image of the specimen from the first arced illuminating light reflecting off the surface of the specimen, and a processor generates a 3D topography of the specimen by processing the first image through a topographical imaging technique. Imaging apparatus is also provided as are further process steps for other embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: NANOTRONICS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Putman, John B. Putman, Julie A. Orlando, Joseph G. Bulman
  • Patent number: 10283419
    Abstract: An object is to provide a method and apparatus for measuring a surface profile that enable correction or the like of the surface profile through measuring the surface profile of a semiconductor layer when forming the semiconductor layer by a vapor deposition method. A single laser beam is reflected by a movable mirror to generate incident laser beams (Ld1, Ld2 and Ld3) separated substantially into three beams, and incident points (P1, P2 and P3) on the surface of a semiconductor layer (7) being formed in a chamber (2) are irradiated with the incident laser beams (Ld1, Ld2 and Ld3). A beam position sensor detects reflected laser beams (Lv1, Lv2 and Lv3) from the irradiation points (P1, P2 and P3) thereby to measure the surface profile of a film that includes the incident points (P1, P2 and P3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: YSYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yves Lacroix
  • Patent number: 10240915
    Abstract: A measurement system includes: a projection apparatus that projects, onto a subject, first pattern light indicating a first pattern projection image including a first pattern image corresponding to a specific bit in gray code obtained by gray-coding projection coordinates stipulated by a projection coordinate system, and a second pattern image having the same cycle as the first pattern image, but having a different phase from the first pattern image, following a projection sequence where projections of the first and second pattern images coexist; and at least one imaging apparatus that images the first pattern light and generates an imaged image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
    Inventor: Ryuji Fuchikami
  • Patent number: 10182711
    Abstract: A method of aiding the diagnosis of otitis media in a patient includes obtaining image data in a processor apparatus of a computing device, the image data being associated with at least one electronic image of a tympanic membrane of the patient, calculating, a plurality of image features, each image feature being calculated based on at least a portion of the image data, classifying the at least one electronic image as a particular type of otitis media using the plurality of image features, and outputting an indication of the particular type of otitis media. Also, a system for implementing such a method that includes an output device and a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Alejandro Hoberman, Jelena Kovacevic, Nader Shaikh, Anupama Kuruvilla
  • Patent number: 10152800
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a stereoscopic vision three dimensional measurement method and system calculating a laser speckle as a texture. The measurement method includes that: a forming process of a laser speckle is simulated first, and calculation is performed to obtain a digitized laser speckle diagram, then the laser speckle diagram is outputted onto a film or a photographic dry plate, the laser speckle diagram on the film or the photographic dry plate is projected onto a surface of a measured object subsequently; a left view and a right view of the measured object are acquired finally, and all matching points corresponding to each other are found in the left view and the right view, and then a three dimensional point cloud of the surface of the measured object is reconstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: ZHUHAI RITECH TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Fugen Zhang, Yunpeng Li
  • Patent number: 10151576
    Abstract: A confocally chromatic sensor for determining coordinates of two different determination locations of a measurement object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Haverkamp, Christoph Husemann
  • Patent number: 10029380
    Abstract: Device for controlling the sharpening state of a blade (2) having a cutting edge (20) delimited by two sides (21, 22) converging towards a plane (X) that contains the cutting edge itself. The device comprises two control surfaces each of which is in contact with a corresponding side (21, 22) of the cutting edge (20) and is connected with a transducer (R4), which produces an electrical displacement signal (S4) proportional to a displacement of the control surface with respect to said plane (X). Furthermore, the device comprises a processing unit (E) that receives said displacement signals (S4) and compares them, emitting an error signal if the comparison produces a value that exceeds a predetermined limit. The control surfaces are the surfaces that delimit an external groove (40) of a roller (4) that is free to translate along an axis (A4) perpendicular to said plane (X) and spaced from the blade (2) by an amount such that said cutting edge (20) passes in said groove (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUTURA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giovacchino Giurlani
  • Patent number: 10029381
    Abstract: Device for controlling the sharpening state of a blade (2) having a cutting edge (20) delimited by two sides (21, 22) converging towards a plane (X) that contains the cutting edge itself. The device comprises two control surfaces each of which is in contact with a corresponding side (21, 22) of said cutting edge (20) and is connected with at least one transducer (R1, R2, R4), which produces an electrical displacement signal (S1, S2; S4) proportional to a displacement of the control surface with respect to said plane (X). Furthermore, the device comprises a processing unit (E) that receives said displacement signals (S1, S2, S4) and compares them, emitting an error signal if the comparison produces a value that exceeds a predetermined limit. The processing unit is connected to means (101, 102) for supporting and moving sharpening means (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUTURA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giovacchino Giurlani
  • Patent number: 9955910
    Abstract: Dimensions of a surface feature are determined by capturing an image of the surface feature and determining a scale associated with the image. Structured light may be projected onto the surface, such that the position of structured light in the captured image allows determination of scale. A non-planar surface may be unwrapped. The surface may alternatively be projected into a plane to correct for the scene being tilted with respect to the camera axis. A border of the surface feature may be input manually by a user. An apparatus and system for implementing the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ARANZ Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: William Richard Fright, Mark Arthur Nixon, Bruce Clinton McCallum, James Telford George Preddey
  • Patent number: 9906729
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a stage on which an object is configured to be placed; an imaging unit having an imager configured to image the object; a movement mechanism configured to perform a relative movement between the stage and the imaging unit in at least one direction within a placement plane for placing the object; a tilt mechanism configured to tilt at least one of an imaging surface of the imager and the stage relative to a moving direction of the movement mechanism; and a tilt angle setting unit configured to set a tilt angle of the tilt mechanism based on at least a magnification of the imaging unit and a size of an effective area on the imaging surface, the effective area being an area into which observation light from the object is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Watanabe, Hiroyuki Fukuda, Yoko Abe
  • Patent number: 9857472
    Abstract: Provided is a laser radar system. The laser radar system includes a first transmission and reception unit sequentially radiating a first laser beam to a plurality of locations within a first view range and receiving a reflected light; and a second transmission and reception unit sequentially radiating a second laser beam to a plurality of locations within a second view range and receiving a reflected light, wherein each of the first transmission and reception unit and the second transmission and reception unit is fixed to a loader and independently searches for the first view range and the second view range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Bongki Mheen, Myoungsook Oh, Jae-Sik Sim, Jung-Ho Song, Hong-Seok Seo, Minhyup Song
  • Patent number: 9823458
    Abstract: An optical microscope system for 3D surface deformation and morphology measurement that can serve as a powerful tool in quality engineering and control, as well as in biological and materials research is described. The system was developed in part by combining the DAIC technique with optical microscopy. Decoding algorithms were derived for calculating the 3D displacement or profile of a micro-sized test sample from the in-plane displacement components of it first-order diffracted views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Shuman Xia, Jingwen Zhang
  • Patent number: 9810527
    Abstract: To obtain a high-resolution image on a detection of a contour of an object, an image detection system for detecting an object is provided which comprises a defined detection zone in which the object moved through the detection zone is detectable; at least two lighting units for lighting the detection zone with a respective light beam; and at least two light reception units for receiving light reflected at the object, wherein one respective lighting unit is associated with a light reception unit, and wherein the lighting units each transmit their light beams at a defined light wavelength and the light reception units are configured to receive a respective light wavelength of the reflected light associated with them, wherein the one light reception unit receives a different light wavelength than the other light reception unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Klemens Wehrle, Long Lu
  • Patent number: 9803975
    Abstract: A handheld device and method using the device, the device comprising a sensor receiving light from within a field of view (FOV) to generate a plurality of consecutive images of the FOV, a structured light source that is controllable to generate a plurality of light patterns, the source arranged to project at least one light patterns into the FOV where at least a portion of a pattern reflects from an object and is captured by the sensor and a processor to receive images, the processor programmed to control the source to project a pattern into the FOV, locate the pattern in at least one of the generated images, locate discontinuities in the pattern and use the discontinuities to measure at least one dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. Moed, Carl W. Gerst, III
  • Patent number: 9494414
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tool measuring device for measuring the size of tools used for making aluminum can bodies. The tool measuring device utilizes an LED measurement carriage having a central opening so that the LED measurement carriage passes over and around the tools. An LED linear beam is generated by LED linear arrays so that the tools cast a shadow on optical photodetector linear arrays. The distance between the transition points from light to dark on the optical photodetector linear arrays is measured to provide a highly accurate measurement of the size of various portions of the tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTEGRATED PACKAGING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Kalvis Jaunarajs, Michael W. Calahan, Kevin M. Gillest
  • Patent number: 9341578
    Abstract: A method of inspecting a painted finish of a component such as a vehicle body or panel includes positioning the component with respect to an array of LED lighting fixtures each having LED tubes and generating light via the array with a predetermined set of lighting characteristics. The set of lighting characteristics includes a striped pattern, a beam angle of at least 120 degrees, and a CRI of at least 85 or at least 90. The method includes inspecting the painted surface for defects while illuminating the component with the light from the array. A control action is executed with respect to the component when the component contains a threshold number and/or a threshold size of the defects. Each array may have two LED tubes and four angled reflectors, and illuminating includes reflecting light from the LED tubes off of the angled reflectors toward the painted surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick A. Porter, Alexander K. Peat
  • Patent number: 9286530
    Abstract: A handheld device and method using the device, the device comprising a sensor receiving light from within a field of view (FOV) to generate a plurality of consecutive images of the FOV, a structured light source that is controllable to generate a plurality of light patterns, the source arranged to project at least one light patterns into the FOV where at least a portion of a pattern reflects from an object and is captured by the sensor and a processor to receive images, the processor programmed to control the source to project a pattern into the FOV, locate the pattern in at least one of the generated images, locate discontinuities in the pattern and use the discontinuities to measure at least one dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Moed, Carl W. Gerst, III
  • Patent number: 9267794
    Abstract: A method of determining a target spatial coordinate using an apparatus comprising a movable hand-held probe, having a body and a pointing element for pointing the target spatial coordinate, and a portable base unit provided with line-of-sight distance coupling means, wherein the hand-held probe is coupled to the base unit by said line-of-sight distance coupling means, coupled to the body at an attachment point, and wherein the base unit is provided with sensors providing measuring signals for measuring length or a change in length of the line-of-sight distance coupling means and rotation of said line-of-sight distance coupling means in at least one degree of freedom. Computer-controlled processing means are arranged for processing measuring signals. The method further comprising retrieving measuring signals wherein the target spatial coordinate is appointed from different orientations of the hand-held probe, and determining the target spatial coordinate from the measuring signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Holding Prodim Systems B.V.
    Inventors: Rene Teune, Antonius Johannes Janssen
  • Patent number: 9175951
    Abstract: A method of determining a structure parameter of a target. Illuminating a first region of the target with a first beam and measuring a diffraction pattern. Shifting the position between the target and the projection system to offset a second region to be illuminated from the first region. Illuminating the second region and measuring a diffraction pattern. Retrieving phase information from the measured first and second diffraction patterns. Modeling the target using an estimated structure parameter to calculate a modeled diffraction pattern and modeled phase information. Determining the structure parameter of the target by comparing the measured diffraction patterns and the retrieved phase to the calculated modeled diffraction intensity pattern and the modeled phase information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: ASML Netherlands B.V., Technische Universiteit Delft
    Inventors: Omar El Gawhary, Stefan Jacobus Hendrikus Petra