Patents by Inventor Bernd Spruck

Bernd Spruck has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9879982
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for measuring an internal thread of a workpiece with a coordinate measuring apparatus and a CCD or CMOS sensor. The sensor records at least two images of a section of the internal thread and the recording conditions for the two images are modified. The data from these two recorded images are used to establish the position, orientation, core diameter and/or the pitch of the internal thread. The invention is also directed to an arrangement for measuring an internal thread of a workpiece and includes a coordinate measuring apparatus and the CCD or CMOS sensor in accordance with the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Hoeller, Bernd Spruck
  • Publication number: 20160195385
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for measuring an internal thread of a workpiece with a coordinate measuring apparatus and a CCD or CMOS sensor. The sensor records at least two images of a section of the internal thread and the recording conditions for the two images are modified. The data from these two recorded images are used to establish the position, orientation, core diameter and/or the pitch of the internal thread. The invention is also directed to an arrangement for measuring an internal thread of a workpiece and includes a coordinate measuring apparatus and the CCD or CMOS sensor in accordance with the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Frank Hoeller, Bernd Spruck
  • Patent number: 9329027
    Abstract: A measuring unit is set up to determine a relative position and relative orientation between the measuring unit and an arrangement of at least three optical elements. The measuring unit comprises a length measuring device, which emits measuring beams at at least three locations spaced apart from one another, and at least one beam directing device set up to direct the measuring beams to optical elements of the arrangement. The beam directing device is controllable in order to guide at least one of the measuring beams to a plurality of optical elements of the arrangement in a time-sequential manner in order to carry out a plurality of length measuring operations in a time-sequential manner in such a manner that, in the plurality of length measuring operations, each measuring beam of the at least one measuring beam strikes precisely one of the optical elements. A total of six lengths are measured in this manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Oliver Schmidt, Christian Koos, Bernd Spruck, Frank Höller
  • Patent number: 9175947
    Abstract: A device for determining a position of an object (25) in a spatial region (28) comprises a light source (3), a light directing device (4-9), at least one reference signal detector (11, 12) and a detector arrangement (13, 14). The light source (3) generates a sequence of light pulses with a repetition rate. The light directing device (4-9) directs the sequence of light pulses into the spatial region (28) and, as a reference signal (20), to the at least one reference signal detector (11, 12). The detector arrangement (13, 14) detects a plurality of light signals (23, 24) which are reflected and/or scattered by the object (25) in the spatial region (28) into a plurality of different directions by reflection and/or scattering of the sequence of light pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Cristina Alvarez Diez, Frank Hoeller, Bernd Spruck, Marc Tremont
  • Patent number: 8836955
    Abstract: A device for measuring a surface (2) comprises a light source (3), a light directing device (4-6), a detector arrangement (10) and an evaluation circuit (15). The light source (3) generates a sequence of light pulses with a repetition rate. The light directing device (4-6) is controllable to direct the sequence of light pulses onto a surface area (25) of the surface (2). The surface area may be selected from plural surface areas (25, 27). The detector arrangement is configured to receive at least one light signal (21-24) scattered and/or reflected by the surface area (25). The evaluation circuit (15) is coupled to the detector arrangement (10) and is configured to determine a phase difference between a reference signal (19) derived from the sequence of light pulses and a signal component of the at least one light signal (21-24), in order to determine a position of the surface area (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Cristina Alvarez Diez, Frank Hoeller, Bernd Spruck, Marc Tremont
  • Patent number: 8780331
    Abstract: An evaluation device for path length measurement configured to evaluate a measured signal representing an intensity of a sequence of pulses of electromagnetic radiation, particularly a sequence of light pulses, as a function of time, after the sequence has traveled through a path length to be measured. The sequence of light pulses is generated with a repetition rate by a radiation source, particularly a light source. The evaluation device is configured to evaluate a first component of the measured signal, which oscillates with a first frequency, and a second component of the measured signal, which the second component oscillates with a second frequency that is greater than the first frequency. The first frequency may correspond to the repetition rate or a multiple of the repetition rate. The second frequency may correspond to another multiple of the repetition rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Frank Hoeller, Cristina Alvarez Diez
  • Patent number: 8692981
    Abstract: An evaluation device, measuring arrangement and method for path length measurement. The evaluation device for path length measurement is configured to evaluate a measured signal which represents an intensity of a sequence of pulses of electromagnetic radiation as a function of time. The sequence of pulses has a repetition rate. The evaluation device is configured to determine a phase difference between a component of the measured signal, the component oscillating with a frequency, and a reference signal which oscillates with the frequency. For this purpose, the evaluation device generates, for example by frequency mixing, a first signal and a second signal which have another phase difference, such that the first signal and the second signal each oscillates with another frequency which is different from said frequency, and that the other phase difference has a predetermined relation to the phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Frank Hoeller, Cristina Alvarez Diez
  • Patent number: 8681344
    Abstract: In an embodiment a method for position determination of an object in a spatial area is provided in which the object is illuminated with at least one light beam. The light beam does not cover the complete spatial area and is guided into a part of the spatial area in which the object is present depending on the position of the object. In another aspect a method for measuring a surface is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Cristina Alvarez Diez, Simon Brattke, Lars-Christian Wittig, Stefan Richter, Enrico Geissler, Christian Koos, Oliver Schmidt, Frank Hoeller
  • Publication number: 20140028667
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided, with which a first 3D representation, for example on the basis of a laser scanning micrograph, with a second 3D representation, for example on the basis of an optical micrograph, are represented in superimposed manner on a suitable 3D display. Methods and apparatuses of such a type can be used, in particular, for the purpose of cutting objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Christina Alvarez Diez, Christian Wojek, Jochen Fuchs
  • Patent number: 8530856
    Abstract: A beam device, in particular a particle beam device, for analyzing an object is provided, as well as a system comprising a particle beam device and an optical microscope for optically analyzing an object. The beam device simplifies the exchange and reduces the time of the exchange of objects to be examined. The beam device includes at least one beam generator that generates a beam, at least one objective lens that focuses the beam on an object arranged in a holding element. The objective lens comprises at least one connecting element. The holding element may be connected to the connecting element so that the holding element is removable from the connecting element for modification of the object. Alternatively, the holding element may be mounted to a beam column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss NTS Limited
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Martin Edelmann, John Craven, Robert Taylor, Martin Kühner
  • Publication number: 20130215435
    Abstract: A measuring unit set up to determine a relative position and relative orientation between the measuring unit and an arrangement of at least three optical elements. The measuring unit comprises a length measuring device, which emits measuring beams at at least three locations spaced apart from one another, and at least one beam directing device set up to direct the measuring beams to optical elements of the arrangement. The beam directing device is controllable in order to guide at least one of the measuring beams to a plurality of optical elements of the arrangement in a time-sequential manner in order to carry out a plurality of length measuring operations in a time-sequential manner in such a manner that, in the plurality of length measuring operations, each measuring beam of the at least one measuring beam strikes precisely one of the optical elements. A total of six lengths are measured in this manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS AG
    Inventors: Oliver Schmidt, Christian Koos, Bernd Spruck, Frank Höller
  • Patent number: 8311328
    Abstract: An electronic visual aid is provided that includes an evaluating unit, which is supplied with a recording of an information carrier on which information standing out visibly from the background is displayed. The evaluating unit determines a brightness distribution of the recording and derives from the brightness distribution a brightness threshold value lying in the transition zone between a zone of the brightness distribution associated with the background and a zone of the brightness distribution associated with the information. The visual aid also includes an image processing unit which generates from the recording a binary image having only two different, predetermined brightness values, by respectively assigning to the pixels of the binary image the first of the two brightness values when the brightness of the corresponding pixel of the recording is below the brightness threshold value, and otherwise assigning the second brightness value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventor: Bernd Spruck
  • Publication number: 20120218563
    Abstract: In an embodiment a method for position determination of an object (25) in a spatial area (28) is provided in which the object (25) is illuminated with at least one light beam (22, 27). The light beam (22, 27) does not cover the complete spatial area (28) and is guided into a part of the spatial area in which the object (25) is present depending on the position of the object (25). In another aspect a method for measuring a surface is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Cristina Alvarez Diez, Simon Brattke, Lars-Christian Wittig, Stefan Richter, Enrico Geissler, Christian Koos, Oliver Schmidt, Frank Hoeller
  • Publication number: 20120092644
    Abstract: An evaluation device, measuring arrangement and method for path length measurement. The evaluation device for path length measurement is configured to evaluate a measured signal which represents an intensity of a sequence of pulses of electromagnetic radiation as a function of time. The sequence of pulses has a repetition rate. The evaluation device is configured to determine a phase difference between a component of the measured signal, the component oscillating with a frequency, and a reference signal which oscillates with the frequency. For this purpose, the evaluation device generates, for example by frequency mixing, a first signal and a second signal which have another phase difference, such that the first signal and the second signal each oscillates with another frequency which is different from said frequency, and that the other phase difference has a predetermined relation to the phase difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS AG
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Frank Hoeller, Cristina Alvarez Diez
  • Publication number: 20120086933
    Abstract: An evaluation device for path length measurement configured to evaluate a measured signal representing an intensity of a sequence of pulses of electromagnetic radiation, particularly a sequence of light pulses, as a function of time, after the sequence has traveled through a path length to be measured. The sequence of light pulses is generated with a repetition rate by a radiation source, particularly a light source. The evaluation device is configured to evaluate a first component of the measured signal, which oscillates with a first frequency, and a second component of the measured signal, which the second component oscillates with a second frequency that is greater than the first frequency. The first frequency may correspond to the repetition rate or a multiple of the repetition rate. The second frequency may correspond to another multiple of the repetition rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS AG
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Frank Hoeller, Cristina Alvarez Diez
  • Patent number: 8049680
    Abstract: A method for improving vision of a low-vision person and a viewing aid therefore are disclosed. An image is recorded by means of an image recording device, the image being intermediately stored within an image memory and modified and presented to the eyes of the person by means of an image display device being mounted on the head of the person. An image is recorded within a recording mode and the modified image is transferred to the image display device within a display mode. The display mode is initiated in an interval in time with regard to the image recording mode, the interval in time being manually adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Birgit Rottenkolber, Simon Brattke, Martin Edelmann, Norbert Wurscher, Ruediger Landsinger
  • Publication number: 20110176146
    Abstract: A device for measuring a surface (2) comprises a light source (3), a light directing device (4-6), a detector arrangement (10) and an evaluation circuit (15). The light source (3) generates a sequence of light pulses with a repetition rate. The light directing device (4-6) is controllable to direct the sequence of light pulses onto a surface area (25) of the surface (2). The surface area may be selected from plural surface areas (25, 27). The detector arrangement is configured to receive at least one light signal (21-24) scattered and/or reflected by the surface area (25). The evaluation circuit (15) is coupled to the detector arrangement (10) and is configured to determine a phase difference between a reference signal (19) derived from the sequence of light pulses and a signal component of the at least one light signal (21-24), in order to determine a position of the surface area (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Cristina Alvarez Diez, Frank Hoeller, Bernd Spruck, Marc Tremont
  • Publication number: 20110157603
    Abstract: A device for determining a position of an object (25) in a spatial region (28) comprises a light source (3), a light directing device (4-9), at least one reference signal detector (11, 12) and a detector arrangement (13, 14). The light source (3) generates a sequence of light pulses with a repetition rate. The light directing device (4-9) directs the sequence of light pulses into the spatial region (28) and, as a reference signal (20), to the at least one reference signal detector (11, 12). The detector arrangement (13, 14) detects a plurality of light signals (23, 24) which are reflected and/or scattered by the object (25) in the spatial region (28) into a plurality of different directions by reflection and/or scattering of the sequence of light pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Cristina Alvarez Diez, Frank Hoeller, Bernd Spruck, Marc Tremont
  • Publication number: 20100321277
    Abstract: An HMD system including an image data module, which includes an enabling unit and a data unit, as well as a display module that can be mounted on the head of a user and is connected to the image data module via a bidirectional communication channel. The enabling unit transmits an enabling request to the display module via the communication channel, and the display module transmits an enabling code via the communication channel in response to the enabling request. The enabling unit verifies the validity of the enabling code, prevents transmission of image data from the data unit to the display module if an invalid enabling code is present and allows transmission of image data from the data unit to the display module if a valid enabling code is present. The display module presents an image based on the transmitted image data to the user wearing the display module on his head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS AG
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Simon Brattke
  • Publication number: 20100224780
    Abstract: A beam device, in particular a particle beam device, for analyzing an object is provided, as well as a system comprising a particle beam device and an optical microscope for optically analyzing an object. The beam device simplifies the exchange and reduces the time of the exchange of objects to be examined. The beam device includes at least one beam generator that generates a beam, at least one objective lens that focuses the beam on an object arranged in a holding element. The objective lens comprises at least one connecting element. The holding element may be connected to the connecting element so that the holding element is removable from the connecting element for modification of the object. Alternatively, the holding element may be mounted to a beam column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Bernd Spruck, Martin Edelmann, John Craven, Robert Taylor, Martin Kuhner