Patents by Inventor Peter Westphal

Peter Westphal 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: 12146740
    Abstract: A method for measuring the surface topography of an object including the following steps: a) providing source radiation and dividing the source radiation into illumination radiation and reference radiation, b) illuminating the surface of the object with illumination radiation in a planar illumination field, the surface of the object being illuminated simultaneously with more than one spatial radiation mode and the radiation modes of the illumination being spatially and temporally coherent, but with a fixed phase difference from one another, and c) overlaying the reference radiation on illumination radiation back-scattered at the surface of the object, and detecting an interference signal of the overlaid radiation with a detector. Steps a) to c) are carried out for at least two different, fixed wavelengths. The surface topography of the object is determined by means of digital holography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Peter Westphal
  • Publication number: 20230408402
    Abstract: A measurement device for spectroscopic constituent analysis includes a control unit, a light source, a sample holder arranged in the beam path of the light source, and a spectral measurement module. The measurement module comprises at least one photosensor with organic photodiodes arranged on a substrate and a temperature sensor arranged at the photosensor. During a sample measurement, a method using the measurement device comprises: detecting an actual temperature at the photosensor; pivoting-in a dark reference sample and measuring a dark reference value; pivoting-in a bright reference sample and measuring a bright reference value; measuring a spectral value of the sample and correcting the spectral value by means of a correction calculation by way of the control unit using the dark reference value, the bright reference value, the spectral value of the sample, the temperature and using values which were determined in a pre-calibration and stored in the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Daniel Bublitz, Karsten Lindig
  • Publication number: 20230204339
    Abstract: A method for measuring the surface topography of an object including the following steps: a) providing source radiation and dividing the source radiation into illumination radiation and reference radiation, b) illuminating the surface of the object with illumination radiation in a planar illumination field, the surface of the object being illuminated simultaneously with more than one spatial radiation mode and the radiation modes of the illumination being spatially and temporally coherent, but with a fixed phase difference from one another, and c) overlaying the reference radiation on illumination radiation back-scattered at the surface of the object, and detecting an interference signal of the overlaid radiation with a detector. Steps a) to c) are carried out for at least two different, fixed wavelengths. The surface topography of the object is determined by means of digital holography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel BUBLITZ, Peter WESTPHAL
  • Publication number: 20220413098
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for simultaneous range and velocity measurement in an FMCW LiDAR system. A first light source (16) produces first light having a first frequency that varies according to a first chirp rate. A second light source (18) produces second light having a second frequency that is constant or that varies according to a second chirp rate being different from the first chirp rate. Measuring light obtained by combining the first and second light therefore has two different frequency components during a measurement interval. A splitter (22) separates the measuring light into reference light and output light, and a scanning unit (28) directs the output light towards an object (12) and receives input light that is obtained by reflection of the output light at the object (12). A detector (32) detects a superposition of the reference light and the input light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Frank HÖLLER, Peter WESTPHAL
  • Patent number: 11129525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for examining an eye of a patient by the patient themselves by means of an ophthalmological apparatus, said apparatus having front optics and an apparatus pupil. According to said method, the patient positions the ophthalmological apparatus relative to the eye, a measure of the deviation of the pupil of the eye from the apparatus pupil is determined, and a pupil correction signal is produced depending on the measure of the deviation, said pupil correction signal specifying a direction and/or a degree of the deviation and being output to the patient. The patient can use the pupil correction signal for repositioning in relation to the ophthalmological apparatus with a smaller deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Tobias Schmitt-Manderbach, Daniel Bublitz, Peter Klopfleisch
  • Publication number: 20210231778
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for scanning ascertainment of a distance to an object are disclosed. Lasers of a light source emit a plurality of optical signals each having a time-varying frequency. At a given time, the frequencies of the optical signals are different. An evaluation device ascertains the distance to the object on the basis of measurement optical signals that were emitted by the light source and reflected or scattered at the object, and of reference optical signals that were emitted by the light source and were not reflected or scattered at the object. A dispersive scanning device simultaneously deflects the optical signals in different frequency-dependent directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Vladimir DAVYDENKO, Peter WESTPHAL
  • Publication number: 20210190951
    Abstract: A method for operating a LIDAR system with at least one spectrally tunable light source emitting a light beam having a temporally varying frequency and a transparent protective shield, arranged in a light path of the light beam, protecting the LIDAR system against environmental pollution includes determining distance values of an object based on beat frequencies of beat signals resulting from a superposition of partial signals obtained from partial reflection of the light beam at the object with reference signals not reflected at the object. Each distance value is determined from a peak in a signal spectrum obtained on the basis of a Fourier transformation of the beat signal. A degree of soiling of the protective shield is diagnosed by analyzing the signal spectrum in a predefined analysis frequency range. An upper limit frequency bounding said analysis frequency range is based on a distance of the protective shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Frank HÖLLER, Thomas WOLLWEBER, Jan HORN, Peter WESTPHAL
  • Publication number: 20190254514
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for examining an eye of a patient by the patient themselves by means of an ophthalmological apparatus, said apparatus having front optics and an apparatus pupil. According to said method, the patient positions the ophthalmological apparatus relative to the eye, a measure of the deviation of the pupil of the eye from the apparatus pupil is determined, and a pupil correction signal is produced depending on the measure of the deviation, said pupil correction signal specifying a direction and/or a degree of the deviation and being output to the patient. The patient can use the pupil correction signal for repositioning in relation to the ophthalmological apparatus with a smaller deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Tobias Schmitt-Manderbach, Daniel Bublitz, Peter Klopfleisch
  • Patent number: 10359617
    Abstract: A microscope includes a holder for holding a sample, an objective for imaging at least apart of a sample held by the holder, a detection module, a control unit for setting the focus position of the objective in a first direction for the recording by means of the detection module, and a focusing module for maintaining a set focus position of the objective. The focusing module includes the control unit, a second detector and first focusing optics with adjustable focal length. The focusing module is switchable into a focus-hold mode, wherein an intensity-modulated object is imaged into the sample via the first focusing optics and the objective, and an image of the imaged object is recorded by means of the second detector. The control unit holds the focus position of the objective on the set focus position, based upon the recording of the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Pospiech, Reiner Mitzkus, Marzena Franek, Peter Westphal
  • Patent number: 10116855
    Abstract: A microscope including an objective having a focal plane in a sample space, and an autofocus device comprising a light modulator for generating a luminous modulation object that is intensity-modulated periodically along one direction, an autofocus illumination optical unit that images the modulation object such that its image arises in the sample space, an autofocus camera, an autofocus imaging optical unit that images the image of the modulation object in the sample space onto the autofocus camera, a control device, which receives signals of the autofocus camera and determines an intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object and generates a focus control signal therefrom. The control device determines an intensity distribution of the image of a luminous comparison object imaged by the optical unit to correct the intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object with regard to reflectivity variations in the sample space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Reiner Mitzkus
  • Publication number: 20170322409
    Abstract: A microscope includes a holder for holding a sample, an objective for imaging at least apart of a sample held by the holder, a detection module, a control unit for setting the focus position of the objective in a first direction for the recording by means of the detection module, and a focusing module for maintaining a set focus position of the objective. The focusing module includes the control unit, a second detector and first focusing optics with adjustable focal length. The focusing module is switchable into a focus-hold mode, wherein an intensity-modulated object is imaged into the sample via the first focusing optics and the objective, and an image of the imaged object is recorded by means of the second detector. The control unit holds the focus position of the objective on the set focus position, based upon the recording of the second detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Matthias POSPIECH, Reiner MITZKUS, Marzena FRANEK, Peter WESTPHAL
  • Patent number: 9696686
    Abstract: A method for automatic focusing of a microscope with a microscope objective on a selected area of a specimen, in which a digital hologram of the selected area of the specimen is generated in an off-axis mode and a microscope with which the method is implemented. The digital hologram is used to determine, on the optical axis of the microscope objective, a focus position to be set in which the selected area of the specimen is optimally in focus. Subsequently, a control system is used to set the microscope to the focus position determined and thus is focused on the area selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Markus Sticker, Jakow Konradi, Peter Westphal
  • Publication number: 20170099429
    Abstract: A microscope including an objective having a focal plane in a sample space, and an autofocus device comprising a light modulator for generating a luminous modulation object that is intensity-modulated periodically along one direction, an autofocus illumination optical unit that images the modulation object such that its image arises in the sample space, an autofocus camera, an autofocus imaging optical unit that images the image of the modulation object in the sample space onto the autofocus camera, a control device, which receives signals of the autofocus camera and determines an intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object and generates a focus control signal therefrom. The control device determines an intensity distribution of the image of a luminous comparison object imaged by the optical unit to correct the intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object with regard to reflectivity variations in the sample space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Peter WESTPHAL, Reiner MITZKUS
  • Patent number: 9599558
    Abstract: A measuring device and corresponding method for measuring a measurement object, comprising an illumination device for illuminating the measurement object with an illumination pattern, a pattern generation device with at least one pattern generating element for bringing about a positionally variant intensity distribution of the illumination pattern, and an optical sensor arrangement for detecting the illumination pattern reflected and/or scattered by the measurement object. The measuring device has an optics which is telecentric at least on the measurement object side and is arranged in a beam path from the illumination device to the measurement object. The optical sensor arrangement detects the illumination pattern through at least one part of the telecentric optics. The pattern generating device is designed in such a way that the illumination pattern has a positionally and/or spectrally variant vertex focal length distribution on the measurement object side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: 9568724
    Abstract: A microscope including an objective having a focal plane in a sample space, and an autofocus device comprising a light modulator for generating a luminous modulation object that is intensity-modulated periodically along one direction, an autofocus illumination optical unit that images the modulation object such that its image arises in the sample space, an autofocus camera, an autofocus imaging optical unit that images the image of the modulation object in the sample space onto the autofocus camera, a control device, which receives signals of the autofocus camera and determines an intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object and generates a focus control signal therefrom. The control device determines an intensity distribution of the image of a luminous comparison object imaged by the optical unit to correct the intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object with regard to reflectivity variations in the sample space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Reiner Mitzkus
  • Patent number: 9549672
    Abstract: An appliance for recording an image of an ocular fundus includes an irradiating device with a radiation source and optical components for generating an illumination strip. A scanning device is set up to cause a scanning movement of the illumination strip for the purpose of scanning the ocular fundus. An optoelectronic sensor senses detection light issuing from the ocular fundus. The optoelectronic sensor has a plurality of sensor rows and is set up such that charges contained in one sensor row are each shifted, with a time delay, into a further sensor row. A control means is connected to the scanning device and/or to the optoelectronic sensor and is set up to control the scanning movement and/or the time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Daniel Bublitz
  • Patent number: 9389405
    Abstract: An autofocus method for a microscope with an objective which images a sample lying in an object plane, including the steps: projecting a longitudinally extended grating slit which lies in a grating slit plane onto the sample, and imaging the projection of the grating slit onto an autofocus camera; determining an intensity distribution of the grating slit image and from this, deducing a preset for a relative adjustment of sample and object plane; projecting a likewise longitudinally extended comparison slit onto the sample, and imaging the projection of the comparison slit onto the autofocus camera; evaluating the width of the comparison slit image at right angles to the longitudinal extension at at least two sites which are spaced apart along the longitudinal extension, and determining a width variation of the comparison slit image, a gradient of the width variation and a direction of the relative adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Reiner Mitzkus
  • Patent number: 9239293
    Abstract: An illumination device includes at least four semiconductor radiation sources (18) for emitting optical radiation in respectively different emission wavelength ranges. At least one color splitter (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which is reflective for optical radiation of the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is assigned to each of at least three of the semiconductor radiation sources (18). The semiconductor radiation sources (18) and the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged such that the optical radiation, which is emitted in each case from each of the semiconductor radiation sources (18), is coupled into a common illumination beam path section (24). In each case, one collimating unit (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4), which collimates the optical radiation emitted by the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is arranged in the beam path sections from the semiconductor radiation sources (18) to the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Daniel Bublitz
  • Publication number: 20150309297
    Abstract: A microscope including an objective having a focal plane in a sample space, and an autofocus device comprising a light modulator for generating a luminous modulation object that is intensity-modulated periodically along one direction, an autofocus illumination optical unit that images the modulation object such that its image arises in the sample space, an autofocus camera, an autofocus imaging optical unit that images the image of the modulation object in the sample space onto the autofocus camera, a control device, which receives signals of the autofocus camera and determines an intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object and generates a focus control signal therefrom. The control device determines an intensity distribution of the image of a luminous comparison object imaged by the optical unit to correct the intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object with regard to reflectivity variations in the sample space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Peter WESTPHAL, Reiner MITZKUS
  • Patent number: 9144400
    Abstract: Non-invasive optical measurement of glucose and other dissolved substances in human or animal intraocular fluid. A method takes advantage of the fact that the wave dependence of optical activity is fundamentally different from corneal birefringence. The optical activity of substances dissolved in the intraocular fluid, such as glucose, lactate, ascorbic acid or amino acids, is scaled as a first approximation with the reciprocal value of the wavelength square. In contrast, corneal birefringence is scaled with the reciprocal value of the wavelength and therefore behaves considerably different from the optical activity. For the method according to the invention, a physical model is used, which describes the influence on the polarization of measurement radiation by the components of the eye, particularly by the intraocular fluid and the cornea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventor: Peter Westphal