Patents Assigned to Precision, Inc.
  • Predicting pattern critical dimensions in a lithographic exposure process
    Patent number: 8572518
    Abstract: A method for predicting pattern critical dimensions in a lithographic exposure process includes defining relationships between critical dimension, defocus, and dose. The method also includes performing at least one exposure run in creating a pattern on a wafer. The method also includes creating a dose map. The method also includes creating a defocus map. The method also includes predicting pattern critical dimensions based on the relationships, the dose map, and the defocus map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Jacek K. Tyminski, Raluca Popescu
  • System and method for continuous, asynchronous autofocus of optical instruments using multiple calibration curves
    Patent number: 8558154
    Abstract: The current application is directed to autofocus subsystems within optical instruments that continuously monitor the focus of the optical instruments and adjust distances within the optical instrument along the optical axis in order to maintain a precise and stable optical-instrument focus at a particular point or surface on, within, or near a sample. Certain autofocus implementations operate asynchronously with respect to operation of other components and subsystems of the optical instrument in which they are embedded. The described autofocus subsystems employ multiple calibration curves to precisely adjust the z-position of an optical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Cooper, Paul Goodwin, Stephen G. Goodson
  • Blade speed adjustable mechanism and focal plane shutter having the same
    Patent number: 8553309
    Abstract: A blade speed adjustable mechanism includes: a board having an opening; a shutter blade opening or closing the opening; a drive lever supported by the board and bringing the shutter blade into an overlapped operation or an expanded operation; a biasing member engaging the drive lever and biasing the shutter blade in an overlapped direction or in an expanded direction; a ratchet member engaging the biasing member and having ratchet teeth; an engagement member holding the ratchet member at a desired stop position and adjusting an biasing force of the biasing member by changing the stop position. The engagement member has a plurality of pawl portions different from each other in length. The pawl portion engages the ratchet tooth to hold the ratchet member at the stop position. A difference in length between the pawl portions is shorter than a distance corresponding to a pitch of the ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichi Nakano, Hiroshi Takahashi
  • Blade drive device and optical device
    Patent number: 8550731
    Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a board including an optical path opening; a blade including a plurality of openings; a first drive source that swings the blade to move toward and away from the optical path opening; and a second drive source that changes a position of a swinging fulcrum of the blade relative to the board. The first drive source includes a first rotor and a first transmitting portion transmitting a rotation of the first rotor to the blade. The second drive source includes a second rotor and a second transmitting portion transmitting a rotation of the second rotor to the blade. The blade includes a cam slot engaging the first transmitting portion and a fitting hole into which the second transmitting portion slidably fits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Phichet Numnual, Prapas Charoensilputthakun
  • Blade drive device
    Patent number: 8540439
    Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a blade; a drive source that drives the blade; and a chassis that has an opening opened and closed by the blade and that houses the blade and the drive source. The drive source includes: a rotor that is rotatably supported; a stator around which a coil for excitation is wound and which applies a rotational force to the rotor. The stator is arranged to surround a periphery of the opening and has a rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Masuzawa, Kenichi Kudo
  • FRONT/BACK DISCRIMINATION DEVICE FOR TIME CARD, TIME RECORDER PROVIDED WITH SAME, FRONT/BACK DISCRIMINATION METHOD FOR THE TIME CARD, AND PROGRAM
    Publication number: 20130215162
    Abstract: A time recorder includes a first sensor that detects the side edge of a time card having a cut-out formed at at least one corner of the bottom, a second sensor that detects the bottom of the time card, and a card feeding unit that feeds the time card. When the time card is fed by this card feeding unit, a pulse counter of the card feeding unit counts the number of pulses of predetermined pulse signals after the first sensor detects the time card and until the second sensor detects the time card. Next, the front and back faces of the time card are determined based on the number of pulses that is a counting result. Hence, the front and back faces can be determined by the first sensor and the second sensor only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Gokita, Ryuji Okuyama
  • Blade driving device and optical instrument
    Patent number: 8511916
    Abstract: A blade driving device includes: a board including an opening; a blade movable between a position receding from the opening and a position overlapping at least a part of the opening; and a buffering member having a loop shape, having an elasticity, abutting the blade at an end of a movable range of the blade, and being deformable such that the loop shape is warped when abutting against the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takahashi, Seiichi Oishi
  • Torso garment
    Patent number: 8510864
    Abstract: A torso-covering garment for playing paintball having gripping areas to enable the user to grippably contact a gripping area of the garment with the butt stock of the gun. Each gripping area comprises a pliant, non-cushioning substrate. Common embodiments of the garment are shirts, jerseys, jackets, and vests. A method of playing paintball which comprises wearing the garment of the invention, and a method of fabricating the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Dye Precision Inc.
    Inventor: Bryon Benini
  • Focal plane shutter and optical apparatus
    Patent number: 8485742
    Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; blades capable of opening and closing the opening; a drive lever swingably supported, holding a movable iron piece and driving the blades; a self-holding type solenoid capable of adsorbing to the movable iron piece by a given attraction force in a non-energized state, and reducing the given attraction force in an energized state; a biasing member biasing the drive lever to move the drive lever away from the self-holding type solenoid; and a set member moving the drive lever to abut the drive lever with the self-holding type solenoid, wherein the self-holding type solenoid is energized to reduce the given attraction force when the drive lever is swung by the set member to abut the movable iron piece with the self-holding type solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichi Nakano, Makoto Mikami, Chiaki Nemoto
  • Rotary encoder and method of assembling the same
    Patent number: 8487237
    Abstract: Provided is a rotary encoder, including: a rotary scale, which has a predetermined pattern including continuous patterns and a rotational angle original point formed thereon with reference to a pattern center, has a polygonal outer shape, and has the rotational angle original point defined with reference to at least one side of sides of the polygonal outer shape; a hub, which includes projections for abutting the sides of the polygonal outer shape of the rotary scale and positioning the rotary scale; a rotating shaft, which is press-fitted into the hub and rotates coaxially with the pattern center of the rotary scale; and detecting units for irradiating the rotary scale with light and detecting the light reflected by the rotary scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Canon Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Ikuo Watanabe, Masahiko Igaki, Chihiro Nagura, Hiraku Kozuka, Satoru Hamasaki, Makoto Ogura, Tsutomu Nagao, Yasuji Yokoyama
  • Deconvolution for the reduction of blurring induced by internal reflections
    Patent number: 8478069
    Abstract: A system and method of image processing employ mathematical deconvolution to estimate the magnitude and location of a target object within an image. Both the nature of internal reflections and the convolution process by which each internal reflection contributes to blurring of the acquired image data may be measured and modeled. In accordance with mathematical deconvolution techniques, the combined effects of these internal reflections may be reduced to the extent that respective contributions of the target object and each individual reflection may be distinguished and quantified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl S. Brown
  • Stage driver for movable stages
    Patent number: 8467126
    Abstract: A manually operated driver for precision support stages having coarse and optional fine position control. A yoke connected to a movable stage slides along a shaft parallel to the direction of motion of the stage. The yoke has opposing pivot members that can, in one position, contact the shaft to self-lock the position of the yoke on the shaft and, in another position, remain clear of the shaft thereby allowing the yoke to slide freely on the shaft for coarse position control. The shaft has threads at one end that turn into a support block. Turning of the shaft with a knob and with the yoke locked to the shaft, slowly changes the position of the yoke and the connected stage for fine position adjustment of the stage. A pair of such drivers in orthogonal orientation on parallel x-y movable stages will provide two dimensional motion of stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Valley Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Faubion
  • Focal-plane shutter and optical equipment
    Patent number: 8465217
    Abstract: A focal-plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a leading blade and a trailing blade; a trailing blade lever; a first lever; a second lever; a self-holding type solenoid; a leading blade electromagnet and a trailing blade electromagnet; and a set lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichi Nakano, Hideki Tanaka
  • Focal plane shutter and optical apparatus
    Patent number: 8449206
    Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a drive lever swingably supported by the board, biased from a start end to a terminal end of a swingable range by a drive spring, and driving blades opening and closing the opening; and a set member rotating in a first direction to position the drive lever at the start end, and then rotating in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takahashi, Seiichi Oishi
  • Systems and methods for adjusting a lithographic scanner
    Patent number: 8438507
    Abstract: A system and methods are provide for modeling the behavior of a lithographic scanner and, more particularly, a system and methods are provide using thresholds of an image profile to characterize through-pitch printing behavior of a lithographic scanner. The method includes running a lithographic model for a target tool and running a lithographic model on the matching tool for a plurality of different settings using lens numerical aperture, numerical aperture of the illuminator and annular ratio of a pattern which is produced by an illuminator. The method then selects the setting that most closely matches the output of the target tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Nikon Corporation, Nikon Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Renwick, Koichi Fujii
  • Drive mechanism, blade drive mechanism and optical device
    Patent number: 8419298
    Abstract: A drive mechanism includes: an actuator including a rotor magnetized; a magnetic body, a magnetically attractive force being generated between the magnetic body and the rotor; and a sandwiched member sandwiched between the rotor and the magnetic body. At least one of the magnetic body and the sandwiched member is coupled to the rotor, and the magnetic body and the sandwiched member slidably contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Hisashi Kawamoto, Yutaka Asai
  • ANTI-CHOP EYES FOR A PAINTBALL MARKER
    Publication number: 20130081603
    Abstract: An anti-chop system for a pneumatic paintball marker that is automatically cleaned. The anti-chop eye system includes a transmitter and receiver arranged so as to sense the presence of a paintball within a breech using a beam of light. A moving member of the paintball marker automatically wipes at least one surface of the transmitter and/or receiver to remove contaminants such as paint, grease, dirt and the like. By automatically cleaning the anti-chop eye system, the reliability of the system is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Dye Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Dye Precision, Inc.
  • Electrical connector with a printed circuit board
    Patent number: 8403705
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises: a housing defining a plurality of walls and a receiving room surrounded by the walls, a metal shell enclosing the housing, a PCB located under the metal shell, a terminal module received in the housing and defining a plurality of terminals passing through the PCB and extending out of the metal shell and an insulative outer cover having a receiving cavity enclosing the metal shell, a block wall limiting the PCB moving forwardly and at least one convex limiting the metal shell moving rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Inc. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Feng Liu, Chin-Te Lai, Bin Xu
  • Pneumatic paintball marker
    Patent number: 8397705
    Abstract: A novel and unique pneumatic paintball marker having a variety of novel features, the first being an on/off compressed air control valve, positioned at the front of the marker below the barrel and adjacent to an in-line pressure regulator. Major innovations have been made in reducing the size and weight of the body of the marker, along with the construction of a new bolt assembly consisting of just four components and only one moving part. An anti-chop eye electronic system insures that the paintballs are in proper position, and rubber ball detents are optionally added to hold the paintballs in place prior to firing the marker, so that the paintballs will not roll out the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Dye Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. DeHaan, Bryon E. Benini, Eric L. Roberts, William R. Wing, Eero K. Kaakkola
  • Motor stator
    Patent number: D681058
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: SEIKO Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Masami Yamamoto, Kenichi Kudo