Patents by Inventor Tal Verker
Tal Verker 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).
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Patent number: 10148066Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring objects comprise a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of light beams directed toward a spot generator array comprising a plurality of spot generating lenses. The plurality of light sources is separated from the spot generator array with a separation distance sufficient to overlap the plurality of light beams at each of the spot generating lenses. The overlap of each of the beams at each of the spot generating lenses provides smoothing of the energy profile of the light energy incident on the spot generating lenses. The spot generator array generates focused spots comprising overlapping focused beams. The overlapping beams may comprise overlapping beams of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array, and the overlapping focused beams can decrease optical artifacts.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Publication number: 20180266814Abstract: An apparatus is described for measuring surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. In many embodiments, the apparatus is configured to focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective fixed focal position relative to the apparatus. The apparatus measures a characteristic of each of a plurality of returned light beams that are generated by illuminating the three-dimensional structure with the light beams. The characteristic is measured for a plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure. Surface topography of the three-dimensional structure is determined based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the returned light beams for the plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Erez Lampert, Adi Levin, Tal Verker
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Patent number: 10058404Abstract: A probe head for dental confocal imaging, comprises a light-guiding part for guiding a light beam towards a teeth portion, the light-guiding part having an entrance face through which the light beam enters the light-guiding part and an exit face through which the light beam exits the light-guiding part, wherein the light-guiding part is configured, in case of a linearly polarized light beam having two polarization components being perpendicular to each other, to change polarization of the linearly polarized light beam on its path through the light-guiding part in such a way that one of the two polarization components, compared to the other of the two polarization components, is retarded by an odd multiple of a quarter of a wavelength of the light beam along the path from the entrance face to the exit face.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Publication number: 20180235738Abstract: An apparatus is described for determining surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. The apparatus can include a probe and an illumination unit configured to output a plurality of light beams. In many embodiments, the apparatus includes a light focusing assembly. The light focusing assembly can receive and focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective external focal point. The light focusing assembly can be configured to overlap the plurality of light beams within a focus changing assembly in order to move the external focal points along a direction of propagation of the light beams. The apparatus can include a detector having an array of sensing elements configured to measure a characteristic of each of a plurality of light beams returning from the illuminated spots and a processor coupled to the detector and configured to generate data representative of topography of the structure based on the measured characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Publication number: 20180192877Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods for confocal 3D scanning. The apparatus can comprise a spatial pattern disposed on a transparent base and a light source configured to provide illumination to the spatial pattern and an optical system comprising projection/imaging optics having one or more lenses and an optical axis. The projecting/imaging optics may be scanned to provide depth scanning by moving along the optical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Yossef ATIYA, Tal VERKER
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Patent number: 9939258Abstract: An apparatus is described for measuring surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. In many embodiments, the apparatus is configured to focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective fixed focal position relative to the apparatus. The apparatus measures a characteristic of each of a plurality of returned light beams that are generated by illuminating the three-dimensional structure with the light beams. The characteristic is measured for a plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure. Surface topography of the three-dimensional structure is determined based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the returned light beams for the plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Erez Lampert, Adi Levin, Tal Verker
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Patent number: 9844427Abstract: An apparatus is described for determining surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. The apparatus can include a probe and an illumination unit configured to output a plurality of light beams. In many embodiments, the apparatus includes a light focusing assembly. The light focusing assembly can receive and focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective external focal point. The light focusing assembly can be configured to overlap the plurality of light beams within a focus changing assembly in order to move the external focal points along a direction of propagation of the light beams. The apparatus can include a detector having an array of sensing elements configured to measure a characteristic of each of a plurality of light beams returning from the illuminated spots and a processor coupled to the detector and configured to generate data representative of topography of the structure based on the measured characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Publication number: 20170328704Abstract: A system for determining surface topography of a three-dimensional structure is provided. The system can include an illumination unit configured to output a two-dimensional array of light beams each comprising a plurality of wavelengths. An optical assembly can focus the plurality of wavelengths of each light beam to a plurality of focal lengths so as to simultaneously illuminate the structure over a two-dimensional field of view. A detector and a processor are used to generate data representative of the surface topography of the three-dimensional structure based on the measured characteristics of the light reflected from the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Publication number: 20170265970Abstract: A computing device comprises a processor that uses a field curvature model that is calibrated to a confocal imaging apparatus. The processor receives intensity measurements generated by pixels of a detector of the confocal imaging apparatus. The processor determines, for each pixel, a focusing setting of the confocal imaging apparatus that provides a maximum measured intensity. The processor determines, for each pixel, a depth of a point of a 3D object associated with the pixel that corresponds to the determined focusing setting. The processor adjusts the depth of at least one point of the 3D object based on applying the determined focusing setting for the pixel associated with the at least one point to the field curvature model to compensate for a non-flat focal surface of the confocal imaging apparatus. The processor determines a shape of the 3D object based at least in part on the adjusted depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Tal Verker, Adi Levin, Ofer Saphier, Maayan Moshe
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Publication number: 20170252132Abstract: A probe head for dental confocal imaging, comprises a light-guiding part for guiding a light beam towards a teeth portion, the light-guiding part having an entrance face through which the light beam enters the light-guiding part and an exit face through which the light beam exits the light-guiding part, wherein the light-guiding part is configured, in case of a linearly polarized light beam having two polarization components being perpendicular to each other, to change polarization of the linearly polarized light beam on its path through the light-guiding part in such a way that one of the two polarization components, compared to the other of the two polarization components, is retarded by an odd multiple of a quarter of a wavelength of the light beam along the path from the entrance face to the exit face.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Patent number: 9752867Abstract: A system for determining surface topography of a three-dimensional structure is provided. The system can include an illumination unit configured to output a two-dimensional array of light beams each comprising a plurality of wavelengths. An optical assembly can focus the plurality of wavelengths of each light beam to a plurality of focal lengths so as to simultaneously illuminate the structure over a two-dimensional field of view. A detector and a processor are used to generate data representative of the surface topography of the three-dimensional structure based on the measured characteristics of the light reflected from the structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Publication number: 20170248412Abstract: An apparatus is described for measuring surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. In many embodiments, the apparatus is configured to focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective fixed focal position relative to the apparatus. The apparatus measures a characteristic of each of a plurality of returned light beams that are generated by illuminating the three-dimensional structure with the light beams. The characteristic is measured for a plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure. Surface topography of the three-dimensional structure is determined based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the returned light beams for the plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Erez Lampert, Adi Levin, Tal Verker
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Publication number: 20170222404Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring objects comprise a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of light beams directed toward a spot generator array comprising a plurality of spot generating lenses. The plurality of light sources is separated from the spot generator array with a separation distance sufficient to overlap the plurality of light beams at each of the spot generating lenses. The overlap of each of the beams at each of the spot generating lenses provides smoothing of the energy profile of the light energy incident on the spot generating lenses. The spot generator array generates focused spots comprising overlapping focused beams. The overlapping beams may comprise overlapping beams of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array, and the overlapping focused beams can decrease optical artifacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Patent number: 9693839Abstract: A probe head for dental confocal imaging, comprises a light-guiding part for guiding a light beam towards a teeth portion, the light-guiding part having an entrance face through which the light beam enters the light-guiding part and an exit face through which the light beam exits the light-guiding part, wherein the light-guiding part is configured, in case of a linearly polarized light beam having two polarization components being perpendicular to each other, to change polarization of the linearly polarized light beam on its path through the light-guiding part in such a way that one of the two polarization components, compared to the other of the two polarization components, is retarded by an odd multiple of a quarter of a wavelength of the light beam along the path from the entrance face to the exit face.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Patent number: 9675430Abstract: A confocal imaging apparatus includes an illumination module to generate an array of light beams. Focusing optics perform confocal focusing of an array of light beams onto a non-flat focal surface and direct the array of light beams toward a three dimensional object to be imaged. A translation mechanism adjusts a location of at least one lens to displace the non-flat focal surface along an imaging axis. A detector measures intensities of an array of returning light beams that are reflected off of the three dimensional object and directed back through the focusing optics. Intensities of the array of returning light beams are measured for locations of the at least one lens for determination of positions on the imaging axis of points of the three dimensional object. Detected positions of one or more points are adjusted to compensate for the non-flat focal surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Tal Verker, Adi Levin, Ofer Saphier, Maayan Moshe
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Patent number: 9675429Abstract: An apparatus is described for measuring surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. In many embodiments, the apparatus is configured to focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective fixed focal position relative to the apparatus. The apparatus measures a characteristic of each of a plurality of returned light beams that are generated by illuminating the three-dimensional structure with the light beams. The characteristic is measured for a plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure. Surface topography of the three-dimensional structure is determined based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the returned light beams for the plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Erez Lampert, Adi Levin, Tal Verker
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Patent number: 9660418Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring objects comprise a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of light beams directed toward a spot generator array comprising a plurality of spot generating lenses. The plurality of light sources is separated from the spot generator array with a separation distance sufficient to overlap the plurality of light beams at each of the spot generating lenses. The overlap of each of the beams at each of the spot generating lenses provides smoothing of the energy profile of the light energy incident on the spot generating lenses. The spot generator array generates focused spots comprising overlapping focused beams. The overlapping beams may comprise overlapping beams of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array, and the overlapping focused beams can decrease optical artifacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Publication number: 20170027670Abstract: An apparatus is described for determining surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. The apparatus can include a probe and an illumination unit configured to output a plurality of light beams. In many embodiments, the apparatus includes a light focusing assembly. The light focusing assembly can receive and focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective external focal point. The light focusing assembly can be configured to overlap the plurality of light beams within a focus changing assembly in order to move the external focal points along a direction of propagation of the light beams. The apparatus can include a detector having an array of sensing elements configured to measure a characteristic of each of a plurality of light beams returning from the illuminated spots and a processor coupled to the detector and configured to generate data representative of topography of the structure based on the measured characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Patent number: 9439568Abstract: An apparatus is described for determining surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. The apparatus can include a probe and an illumination unit configured to output a plurality of light beams. In many embodiments, the apparatus includes a light focusing assembly. The light focusing assembly can receive and focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective external focal point. The light focusing assembly can be configured to overlap the plurality of light beams within a focus changing assembly in order to move the external focal points along a direction of propagation of the light beams. The apparatus can include a detector having an array of sensing elements configured to measure a characteristic of each of a plurality of light beams returning from the illuminated spots and a processor coupled to the detector and configured to generate data representative of topography of the structure based on the measured characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
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Publication number: 20160113742Abstract: An apparatus is described for measuring surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. In many embodiments, the apparatus is configured to focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective fixed focal position relative to the apparatus. The apparatus measures a characteristic of each of a plurality of returned light beams that are generated by illuminating the three-dimensional structure with the light beams. The characteristic is measured for a plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure. Surface topography of the three-dimensional structure is determined based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the returned light beams for the plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Erez Lampert, Adi Levin, Tal Verker