Patents by Inventor Christoph Dietz

Christoph Dietz 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).

  • Publication number: 20230417533
    Abstract: An optical measuring device includes a measuring head with an imaging optical unit and an evaluation unit, wherein the measuring head is connected to the evaluation unit by way of two light-guiding fibers, wherein the evaluation unit includes a light source whose light is guided through the first light-guiding fiber into the measuring head and wherein light reflected by the measurement object is guided back through the measuring head and into a second light-guiding fiber by means of a beam splitter, in such a way that outgoing and returning light are separated, wherein the fiber ends are in mutually conjugate positions, wherein the beam splitter and the fiber ends are arranged together in a connector that is separably connected to the measuring head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Christoph Dietz, Philipp Rohrmann, Stephan Weiss
  • Patent number: 11460577
    Abstract: A distance measuring device comprises a measuring head, the measuring head having an optical measuring system for carrying out an optical measurement process on a measurement object by means of at least one measuring light beam formed from a broad-band measuring light. The measuring head further has a liquid guide with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet for producing a jet of liquid directed at the measurement object, the liquid guide being designed such that in certain sections at least the measuring light beam runs essentially along the jet of liquid. The measuring head further has a flow element with a laminar flow channel, the flow element being designed such that the at least one measuring light beam is able to reach the measurement object by passing through the laminar flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: Christoph Dietz
  • Patent number: 11027364
    Abstract: A method for measuring the depth of the vapour cavity during an industrial machining process employs a high-energy beam. An optical measuring beam is directed towards the base of a vapour cavity. An optical coherence tomograph generates interference factors or other raw measurement data from reflections of the measurement beam. An evaluation device generates undisturbed measurement data, wherein raw measurement data that is generated at different times is processed together in the course of a mathematical operation. This operation can be a subtraction or a division. Slowly changing interference factors can thus be eliminated. An end value for the distance to the base of the vapour cavity is calculated from the undisturbed measurement data using a filter. As a result, the depth of the vapour cavity can be determined, in the knowledge of the distance at a part of the surface of the work piece that is not exposed to the high-energy beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: PRECITEC OPTRONIK GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Schönleber, Christoph Dietz
  • Patent number: 10762348
    Abstract: A method for determining parameters for the position and orientation of the cornea of an eye and involves the steps of generating linear structures on the iris and/or sclera of the eye, having a camera capture a first image of the eye including the linear structures, and determining, on the basis of the first image, a distance and an orientation of the linear structures in relation to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: PRECITEC OPTRONIK GMBH
    Inventors: Gabriel Palzer, Christoph Dietz, Stefan Birmanns
  • Patent number: 10725178
    Abstract: A measuring device includes a light source that emits light of a plurality of wavelengths, in particular a continuous spectrum, a first confocal diaphragm, through which light from the light source passes, and an optical illuminating/imaging system having a first splitting optical element designed as a prism or grating. The optical illuminating/imaging system, which is designed such that the light enters the first splitting optical element collimated, includes a first lens system having at least one first lens that is spatially separated from the first splitting optical element, the effective focal length of the first lens system being significantly different for different wavelengths, and the optical illuminating/imaging system being designed such that focus points of different wavelengths are formed at different locations along a line segment. The measuring device is configured to measure an object that intersects with the line segment and reflects at least a part of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Precitec Optronik GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Dietz
  • Patent number: 10695863
    Abstract: A method for controlled machining of a workpiece includes focusing a laser light beam on a target point of the workpiece to generate a laser focus point. An optical distance measuring device gathers measuring data to determine a distance between the target point and a laser target optics. The workpiece is positioned in relation to the laser focus point based on the distance measuring data gathered. The distance measuring device is a confocal optical distance measuring device having a measuring light source for generating a measuring light and having a variable-focal-length measuring lens system. The focal length of the variable-focal-length measuring lens system is varied over time to gather distance measuring data at different focal length values of the variable-focal-length measuring lens system. A device for controlled machining includes a laser light source, a laser target optics, a distance measuring device, a positioning device, and an evaluation and control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Precitec Optronik GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Dietz
  • Publication number: 20200174127
    Abstract: A measuring device includes a light source that emits light of a plurality of wavelengths, in particular a continuous spectrum, a first confocal diaphragm, through which light from the light source passes, and an optical illuminating/imaging system having a first splitting optical element designed as a prism or grating. The optical illuminating/imaging system, which is designed such that the light enters the first splitting optical element collimated, includes a first lens system having at least one first lens that is spatially separated from the first splitting optical element, the effective focal length of the first lens system being significantly different for different wavelengths, and the optical illuminating/imaging system being designed such that focus points of different wavelengths are formed at different locations along a line segment. The measuring device is configured to measure an object that intersects with the line segment and reflects at least a part of the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventor: Christoph Dietz
  • Patent number: 10466357
    Abstract: A measuring device includes a light source that emits light of a plurality of wavelengths, in particular a continuous spectrum, a first confocal diaphragm, through which light from the light source passes, and an optical illuminating/imaging system having a first splitting optical element designed as a prism or grating. The optical illuminating/imaging system, which is designed such that the light enters the first splitting optical element collimated, includes a first lens system having at least one first lens that is spatially separated from the first splitting optical element, the effective focal length of the first lens system being significantly different for different wavelengths, and the optical illuminating/imaging system being designed such that focus points of different wavelengths are formed at different locations along a line segment. The measuring device is configured to measure an object that intersects with the line segment and reflects at least a part of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Precitec Optronik GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Dietz
  • Publication number: 20190137626
    Abstract: A distance measuring device comprises a measuring head, the measuring head having an optical measuring system for carrying out an optical measurement process on a measurement object by means of at least one measuring light beam formed from a broad-band measuring light. The measuring head further has a liquid guide with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet for producing a jet of liquid directed at the measurement object, the liquid guide being designed such that in certain sections at least the measuring light beam runs essentially along the jet of liquid. The measuring head further has a flow element with a laminar flow channel, the flow element being designed such that the at least one measuring light beam is able to reach the measurement object by passing through the laminar flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventor: Christoph Dietz
  • Publication number: 20190091798
    Abstract: A method for measuring the depth of the vapour cavity during an industrial machining process employs a high-energy beam. An optical measuring beam is directed towards the base of a vapour cavity. An optical coherence tomograph generates interference factors or other raw measurement data from reflections of the measurement beam. An evaluation device generates interference-suppressed measurement data, wherein raw measurement data that is generated at different times is processed together in the course of a mathematical operation. This operation can be a subtraction or a division. Slowly changing interference factors can thus be eliminated. An end value for the distance to the base of the vapour cavity is calculated from the interference-suppressed measurement data using a filter. As a result, the depth of the vapour cavity can be determined, in the knowledge of the distance at a part of the surface of the work piece that is not exposed to the high-energy beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Martin Schönleber, Christoph Dietz
  • Patent number: 10228551
    Abstract: A chromatic confocal measuring device includes a light source, which emits light of a plurality of wavelengths, and a first beam splitter, via which the light from the light source into an imaging optical unit having chromatic aberration on. Light reflected from the measurement object is imaged by the imaging optical unit and the first beam splitter onto a first confocal detection stop arrangement, such that the first confocal detection stop arrangement functions as a confocal aperture. Light incident through the first detection stop arrangement is detected and evaluated by a first detection device. The measuring device has a first slit stop, which functions as a confocal aperture of the measuring device. The measuring device additionally includes a second detection device and a second beam splitter, wherein the second beam splitter splits the light reflected from the measurement object into a first and a second partial beam, which image the same spatial region of the measurement object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: PRECITEC OPTRONIK GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Dietz, Martin Schönleber, Jean-Francois Pichot
  • Publication number: 20180189563
    Abstract: A method for determining parameters for the position and orientation of the cornea of an eye and involves the steps of generating linear structures on the iris and/or sclera of the eye, having a camera capture a first image of the eye including the linear structures, and determining, on the basis of the first image, a distance and an orientation of the linear structures in relation to the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Gabriel PALZER, Christoph DIETZ, Stefan BIRMANNS
  • Patent number: 9230817
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a thickness of a silicon wafer with a highly-doped layer at least at a backside of the silicon wafer is provided. The apparatus has a source configured to emit coherent light of multiple wavelengths. Moreover, the apparatus comprises a measuring head configured to be contactlessly positioned adjacent the silicon wafer and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the silicon wafer with the coherent light and to receive at least a portion of radiation reflected by the silicon wafer. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a spectrometer, a beam splitter and an evaluation device. The evaluation device is configured to determine a thickness of the silicon wafer by analyzing the radiation reflected by the silicon wafer by an optical coherence tomography process. The coherent light is emitted multiple wavelengths in a bandwidth b around a central wavelength wc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: PRECITEC OPTRONIK GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Schoenleber, Christoph Dietz
  • Publication number: 20140315333
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a thickness of a silicon wafer with a highly-doped layer at least at a backside of the silicon wafer is provided. The apparatus has a source configured to emit coherent light of multiple wavelengths. Moreover, the apparatus comprises a measuring head configured to be contactlessly positioned adjacent the silicon wafer and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the silicon wafer with the coherent light and to receive at least a portion of radiation reflected by the silicon wafer. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a spectrometer, a beam splitter and an evaluation device. The evaluation device is configured to determine a thickness of the silicon wafer by analyzing the radiation reflected by the silicon wafer by an optical coherence tomography process. The coherent light is emitted multiple wavelengths in a bandwidth b around a central wavelength wc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Precitec Optronik GmBH
    Inventors: Martin Schoenleber, Christoph Dietz
  • Patent number: 8716039
    Abstract: According to the invention, a monitoring device (12) is created for monitoring a thinning of at least one semiconductor wafer (4) in a wet etching unit (5), wherein the monitoring device (12) comprises a light source (14), which is designed to emit coherent light of a light wave band for which the semiconductor wafer (4) is optically transparent. The monitoring device (12) further comprises a measuring head (13), which is arranged contact-free with respect to a surface of the semiconductor wafer (4) to be etched, wherein the measuring head (13) is designed to irradiate the semiconductor wafer (4) with the coherent light of the light wave band and to receive radiation (16) reflected by the semiconductor wafer (4). Moreover, the monitoring device (12) comprises a spectrometer (17) and a beam splitter, via which the coherent light of the light wave band is directed to the measuring head (13) and the reflected radiation is directed to the spectrometer (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Precitec Optronik GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Dusemund, Martin Schoenleber, Berthold Michelt, Christoph Dietz
  • Patent number: 8699038
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a thickness of a silicon wafer with a highly-doped layer at least at a backside of the silicon wafer is provided. The apparatus has a source configured to emit coherent light of multiple, wavelengths. Moreover, the apparatus comprises a measuring head configured to be contactlessly positioned adjacent the silicon wafer and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the silicon wafer with the coherent light and to receive at least a portion of radiation reflected by the silicon wafer. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a spectrometer, a beam splitter and an evaluation device. The evaluation device is configured to determine a thickness of the silicon wafer by analyzing the radiation reflected by the silicon wafer by an optical coherence tomography process. The coherent light is emitted multiple wavelengths in a bandwidth b around a central wavelength wc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Precitec Optronik GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Schoenleber, Christoph Dietz
  • Patent number: 8410392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machining device (10) comprising at least one machining head (16) designed to provide at least one high-energy machining beam (22), especially an electron or laser beam. Such a machining device is used to remove material from workpieces (28) or for connecting workpieces (28) by bonding, especially by means of welding. According to the invention, at least one scanning device (32) designed as an optical coherence tomograph and provided for surface scanning is associated with the machining head (16). The invention also relates to a method for machining material using a high-energy machining beam for scanning surface areas of a workpiece which is machined, not yet machined, or being machined, by means of an optical coherence tomograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Precitec Optronik GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Kogel-Hollacher, Christoph Dietz
  • Publication number: 20130034918
    Abstract: According to the invention, a monitoring device (12) is created for monitoring a thinning of at least one semiconductor wafer (4) in a wet etching unit (5), wherein the monitoring device (12) comprises a light source (14), which is designed to emit coherent light of a light wave band for which the semiconductor wafer (4) is optically transparent. The monitoring device (12) further comprises a measuring head (13), which is arranged contact-free with respect to a surface of the semiconductor wafer (4) to be etched, wherein the measuring head (13) is designed to irradiate the semiconductor wafer (4) with the coherent light of the light wave band and to receive radiation (16) reflected by the semiconductor wafer (4). Moreover, the monitoring device (12) comprises a spectrometer (17) and a beam splitter, via which the coherent light of the light wave band is directed to the measuring head (13) and the reflected radiation is directed to the spectrometer (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicants: DUSEMUND PTE. LTD, PRECITEC OPTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Claus Dusemund, Martin Schoenleber, Berthold Michelt, Christoph Dietz
  • Publication number: 20110261371
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a thickness of a silicon wafer with a highly-doped layer at least at a backside of the silicon wafer is provided. The apparatus has a source configured to emit coherent light of multiple, wavelengths. Moreover, the apparatus comprises a measuring head configured to be contactlessly positioned adjacent the silicon wafer and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the silicon wafer with the coherent light and to receive at least a portion of radiation reflected by the silicon wafer. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a spectrometer, a beam splitter and an evaluation device. The evaluation device is configured to determine a thickness of the silicon wafer by analyzing the radiation reflected by the silicon wafer by an optical coherence tomography process. The coherent light is emitted multiple wavelengths in a bandwidth b around a central wavelength wc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: PRECITEC OPTRONIK GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Schoenleber, Christoph Dietz
  • Publication number: 20100155375
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machining device (10) comprising at least one machining head (16) designed to provide at least one high-energy machining beam (22), especially an electron or laser beam. Such a machining device is used to remove material from workpieces (28) or for connecting workpieces (28) by bonding, especially by means of welding. According to the invention, at least one scanning device (32) designed as an optical coherence tomograph and provided for surface scanning is associated with the machining head (16). The invention also relates to a method for machining material using a high-energy machining beam for scanning surface areas of a workpiece which is machined, not yet machined, or being machined, by means of an optical coherence tomograph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Christoph Dietz, Markus Kogel-Hollacher