Patents Issued in February 20, 2001
  • Patent number: 6191827
    Abstract: A method of electronic Keystone correction for electronic devices having visual displays which exhibit optical distortion on the display screen. The corrective method is based on computation and electronic (physical) manipulation of the pixels of a visual display screen grid, and features the principle steps of: 1) characterization of the size of an input image, 2) determination of the number of generated pixels in the output image, 3) determination of the real position of each pixel in the output image by performing an electronic distortion to the input image opposite to the optical distortion of the input image, 4) interpolation of the output value of all color components of each pixel of the input image, 5) correction of (non-uniform) edge effects at both ends of each line of pixels, 6) transmission of the output corrected image to the electronic display device, individually, pixel by pixel, or as complete set of corrected pixels of the image, and 7) display of the perfected corrected optical image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Oplus Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosef Segman, Gady Yearim, Avy Strominger
  • Patent number: 6191828
    Abstract: A position sensible liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having a plurality of scanning lines, data lines, thin film transistors and pixel, and a second substrate having a plurality of first lines formed along the scanning lines and a plurality of second lines formed along the data lines, for position sensing. The black matrix is used as the position sensor input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chee Young Kim, Jun Hee Kim, Young Soo Ahm
  • Patent number: 6191829
    Abstract: An optical apparatus provided with a focusing optics (104) for focusing linearly polarized light has a construction wherein an optical rotatory element (103) having a region for optically rotating a polarization axis of the linearly polarized light in at least a portion thereof is disposed in the optical path of the linearly polarized light so as to differentiate locally the orientation of the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light falling thereon. The optical rotatory element (103) is preferably composed of a &thgr;° optically rotatable region (103a) capable of optically rotating a polarization axis of the linearly polarized light falling thereon by an optional angle &thgr;°, and a (&thgr;−90)° optically rotatable region (103b) capable of optically rotating a polarization axis of the linearly polarized light falling thereon substantially by an angle of (&thgr;−90)°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6191830
    Abstract: An electro-optic display device having a matrix array of picture elements and a thin film structure of storage capacitors associated with each picture element, the device provided with redundancy in the storage capacitor structure by segmenting one of the capacitor plates into two plates to produce two capacitors in series. Because the segmented plates are all on one level of the thin film structure, no additional masking steps are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation
    Inventors: Pawan Gogna, Peter J. Janssen
  • Patent number: 6191831
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display(TFT-LCD) having enhanced picture quality. The TFT-LCD comprises: an array substrate; a gate bus line disposed on the array substrate in a selected direction; a data bus line disposed to be crossed with the gate bus line; a pair of thin film transistors disposed at an intersection of the gate bus line and the data bus line and disposed at both sides of the data bus line respectively; a pixel electrode in contact with the respective thin film transistors; a gate insulating layer for insulating the gate bus line and the data bus line; and an intermetal insulating layer for insulating the data bus line and the pixel electrode, wherein the pair of thin film transistors have a source electrode in common.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kon Kim, Gyo Un Choi, Han Jin Lee, Han Jun Park
  • Patent number: 6191832
    Abstract: An active matrix display device of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; a plurality of switching elements connected to the respective pixel electrodes; a plurality of scanning lines for supplying a scan voltage to the switching elements; a plurality of signal lines for supplying a signal voltage to the switching elements, provided so as to cross the scanning lines; and a bypass spare line for avoiding at least one of a disconnected portion and a leak portion, formed so as to overlap at least one of the scanning line and the signal line with an insulating film interposed therebetween, wherein the bypass spare line and at least one of the scanning line and the signal line are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukihiko Nakakura
  • Patent number: 6191833
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device with a back-light unit excellent in viewing characteristics while improving the use efficiency of rays of light emitted therefrom is provided. The device includes at least a liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal layer as sandwiched between a pair of spatially opposed substrates at least one of which has electrodes thereon, an upper polarization plate and lower polarization plate laid out to retain the liquid crystal panel therebetween, an illumination light source in the from of a back-light device for use in illuminating the liquid crystal panel from the back side thereof, and a prism sheet provided at an upper surface of the back-light device, wherein a total reflection film is inserted between the liquid crystal panel and the back-light device so as to reflect light from the prism sheet which is reflected in the prism sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Hirakata
  • Patent number: 6191834
    Abstract: A display device includes a shutter layer of liquid-crystal material arranged in cells to shutter input light selectively, a cover layer 5 on the shutter layer, and a set of phosphors 7 on the cover layer, corresponding to the cells, to be activated by the input light and provide the display image. To prevent crosstalk the active cell areas 10 defined by the electrode overlaps are smaller than the corresponding phosphors. This prevents crosstalk between cells even when input light that is not fully collimated is used and also allows space for thicker and/or broader electrodes 12 leading to the cells, reducing resistance, and for other components such as TFTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Screen Technology Limited
    Inventors: William Alden Crossland, Anthony Bernard Davey, Vincent Glenn Geake, Ian David Springle
  • Patent number: 6191835
    Abstract: A color filter layer covering both a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode which are formed on a lower substrate. A portion of the color filter layer positioned on the thin film transistor serves a protection layer of the thin film transistor and the other portion of the color filter layer serves a conventional color filter layer which were conventionally formed on an upper substrate opposite to the lower substrate. Therefore, the process number for the LCD is decreased and thus the manufacturing cost of the LCD is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woo Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 6191836
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a liquid crystal cell and related device includes providing an alignment layer of a light sensitive material on a substrate; and exposing the alighment layer to unpolarized or partially polarized light, to provide pretilt for the molecules of the alighment layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: LG Philips LCD, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joung Won Woo, Kyeong Jin Kim, Soon Bum Kwon, Ki Hyuk Yoon, Young Seok Choi, Jong Hyun Kim, Jin Hee Jung
  • Patent number: 6191837
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display and method of producing the same. The liquid crystal display comprises a first substrate having an outside surface and an inside surface, a second substrate having an outside surface and an inside surface facing the inside surface of the first substrate, and a liquid crystal composition sandwiched between the first and second substrates. The inside surface of the first substrate has disposed thereon at least first and second electrodes to thereby provide an electric field having a direction transverse to the first and second substrates and which controls the polarizing activity of the liquid crystal when a voltage is developed between the first and second electrodes. Furthermore, an electroconductive film is provided on the outside surface of one or both of the first and second substrates. The orientation of the liquid crystal is controlled by a transversely-oriented electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Eriko Fujimaki, Toshiaki Ishiyama
  • Patent number: 6191838
    Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit board connecting structure capable of connecting a circuit board, such as a flexible wiring board, and another circuit board by securing adequate contact pressure without the need for forming any special part thereby improving the reliability of contact and reducing the number of parts; an electro-optical device; electronic apparatus provided with the same; and a manufacturing method for an electro-optical device. The circuit board connecting structure electrically connects a conductive terminal 22-1 provided on a flexible wiring substrate 20, which is a first circuit board, and a conductive terminal 12 provided on a second circuit board 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6191839
    Abstract: An LCD heater and method having temperature sensors made by electrically isolating portions of ITO across a display surface and measuring the resistance of such portions and developing an assessment of temperatures in the interior of the display surface based on sensor calibration data taken under known temperature conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Rockwell Collin, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Briley, Gregory E. Davis
  • Patent number: 6191840
    Abstract: The invention concerns a manufacturing method for electro-optical or electrochemical photovoltaic cells (10), each cell (10) including front (1) and back (2) substrates bonded to each other by a sealing frame in which an active medium is confined, each frame (12) having, for this purpose, a filling aperture (14), the cell (10) further including contact pads (8) for establishing the electric connection between the electrodes (4, 6) of said cell (10) and an electric supply or control circuit, a method wherein the cells (10) are separated individually by means of a water jet and the rectilinear edges (24) scribed on one of the substrates (1, 2) in order to allow the contact pads (8) of the cells (10) to appear are situated in a location not opposite the filling aperture (14) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventor: Patrick Bon
  • Patent number: 6191841
    Abstract: A peripheral region of an array substrate is coated with a sealing agent in a manner to surround a display region, followed by arranging an opposite substrate to face the array substrate with a predetermined gap defined therebetween. Then, the sealing agent is heated for the curing while pressurizing the array substrate and the opposite substrate so as to seal these two substrates. After the sealing step, a liquid crystal composition is injected into the clearance between the array substrate and the opposite substrate through a liquid crystal injecting port formed in the sealing agent. The sealing agent should maintain a viscosity of at least 110 poises during the curing step of the sealing agent. The viscosity of the sealing agent, which is provided by a resin composition, is controlled by, for example, using a main component resin having a high molecular weight, a solvent having a low boiling point, and a curing agent that is liquid at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ootaguro, Kazuyoshi Okano
  • Patent number: 6191842
    Abstract: A computer operated man assisted motion generation system for use with a camera in cinematography. The system responds to the measured or sensed position of a camera support such as a crane or dolly, and determines the desired camera pan, tilt, roll, focus, zoom, etc. based on predetermined correspondence between camera location and camera parameters, and generate movement of the camera and camera control accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Service Vision, S.A
    Inventor: Alfredo Vallés Navarro
  • Patent number: 6191843
    Abstract: Even when a surface temperature of an illumination optical system becomes high, detection accuracy of a reticle alignment detection system is not negatively affected. An illumination optical system irradiates an illumination light to a mask and exposes a substrate with the illumination light through the mask. A gas supply device supplies gas, which has been cleaned, to a case in which is disposed at least part of an illumination optical system. A temperature adjusting device adjusts the temperature of the case and the temperature in the vicinity of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 6191844
    Abstract: When the scanning of a mask stage and a substrate stage is started, an interferometer measures the position of the substrate stage, while an interferometer unit differentiates the output of the interferometer to give a speed signal on the substrate stage, and delivers this speed signal. A main control unit produces a target value for the amount of exposure light adapted to this speed signal. A light amount adjustment system adjusts the amount of exposure light from an exposure light source in response to the target value calculated by the main control unit. Thus, exposure with appropriate amount of light adapted to the speed of the substrate stage is performed over all of the time zones from the start of drive of the substrate stage in the scan direction until its standstill. Hence, the exposure time can be shortened, and the throughput can be increased, in comparison with exposure being performed only in the constant speed zone of the stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Ueda
  • Patent number: 6191845
    Abstract: The invention intends to precisely measure the distance to an object. A CCD opens an electronic shutter for a proper period of time under control of a timing generator to receive a laser beam reflected by an object, converts the amount of light entering the CCD during that period of time, after passing a corresponding beam splitter, into an electric signal (voltage), and then outputs the electric signal to a distance calculating circuit. The distance calculating circuit calculates the distance from a laser telemeter to the object using a dark voltage VD, a reflection voltage VR and a total voltage VA inputted from the CCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6191846
    Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing multilayer samples is disclosed. An intensity modulated pump beam is focused onto the sample surface to periodically excite the sample. A probe beam is focused onto the sample surface within the periodically excited area. The power of the reflected probe beam is measured by a photodetector. The output of the photodetector is filtered and processed to derive the modulated optical reflectivity of the sample. Measurements are taken at a plurality of pump beam modulation frequencies. In addition, measurements are taken as the lateral separation between the pump and probe beam spots on the sample surface is varied. The measurements at multiple modulation frequencies and at different lateral beam spot spacings are used to help characterize complex multilayer samples. In the preferred embodiment, a spectrometer is also included to provide additional data for characterizing the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Therma-Wave, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Opsal, Li Chen
  • Patent number: 6191847
    Abstract: A fixed optic sensor system (200) comprising a sensor system (210), and electronic sub-system (205) and a communications means (215). The system can be used for detecting the presence of various sample (236) properties and in that regard has widespread application by leveraging off various miniaturized sensor configurations including surface plasmon resonance (50), fluorescence (80), light transmission (125) and others (150). In one embodiment, the communications means (215) is a wireless transmitter/receiver. In another embodiment, a hand held instrument (358) can be used on-site and communicates with the sensor (350) to receive sample (352) related data and transmit it to a remote processing system (370) for further analysis. In yet another embodiment, a hand held instrument (403) has a plurality of cardiac marker binding ligands (400) deposited on the sensor/sample interface providing a medical diagnosis and point-of-care device (403).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jose L. Melendez, Richard A. Carr, Patrick Paul Smith, Dwight U. Bartholomew, John H. Berlien, Jr., Frederick F. Geyer, Paul S. Breedlove
  • Patent number: 6191848
    Abstract: A laser sensor holder apparatus for enabling a power sensor to be held in the path of a laser beam to measure the beams power comprises a base unit including a mounting frame, and translation stages to enable the movement of a sensor mounting plate to a desired position in the path of a laser beam. The apparatus is useful in measuring the power of a laser beam. Applications of the apparatus include its use in direct imaging systems whereby the previous method of manually holding a power sensor in the path of a class 4 laser and all of its inherent disadvantages may be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventor: Robert K. Armitage
  • Patent number: 6191849
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wafer inspecting apparatus suitable to determine whether a scattering substance is a surface foreign matter or an internal defect even if the particle size of the scattering substance is smaller than the wavelength of irradiation rays used for inspection. The wafer is obliquely irradiated with irradiation rays at the Brewster angle, and scattered rays which are scattered from a scattering substance on or in the wafer are detected at and angle 0° and an angle of the Brewster angle or more by detectors. Then, it is determined whether the scattering substance is a surface foreign matter or an internal defect on the basis of a ratio between the intensities of the scattered rays detected by the detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Muneo Maeshima, Kazuo Takeda, Shigeru Matsui
  • Patent number: 6191850
    Abstract: A system and method for inspecting the surface of an object using structured illumination is provided. A structured illuminator having a diffuser assembly, grid pattern and beam splitter projects the grid pattern on the surface. The projected grid pattern is viewed by a camera, which is aligned on-axis with the projection and substantially perpendicular to the surface. The structured grid pattern makes more-pronounced any surface defects. The projected image, defined by the grid pattern and received by the camera, is analyzed using a two-step technique that, first locates and scores the individual features of the grid, and then compares the locations of the actual features as viewed, to ideal locations for such features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventor: Gilbert W. J. Chiang
  • Patent number: 6191851
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for calibrating a downward viewing image acquisition system. The apparatus comprises a calibration panel with calibrative material of known reflectivity. The calibrative material coats the panel surface or is pulled across its surface or pulled across its frame so as to maintain a consistent reflectivity and/or emissivity. A housing is provided which protects the calibration panel from the deteriorative effects of natural elements. The housing alternately exposes the calibration panel to the downward viewing image acquisition system as a calibration exposure and covers the calibration panel after the calibration exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Randy R. Kirkham, Janelle L. Downs, Eileen M. Perry
  • Patent number: 6191852
    Abstract: In the measurement system for detecting optical signals of microassays, the signal-generating test objects 5 are arranged on an investigation surface of a planar carrier 4. The planar carrier 4 is, in particular, a microtitre plate for biological objects. In principle, the measurement system comprises an optical imaging arrangement which reduces the size of the test objects 4 to be measured in such a way that all the objects are imaged completely on a two-dimensional, photosensitive image sensor 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Paffhausen, Martin Bechem
  • Patent number: 6191853
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a particle size distribution comprising a light source directing a laser light to particles which are dispersed into a solvent and which exhibit Brownian motion, a detector converting an interference light caused by Doppler-shifted scattered light by the particles into an electric detection signal, an operation unit obtaining an intermediate function by processing the detection signal, and a processing unit subjecting the intermediate function to an inverse problem and thereby calculating a particle size distribution. The apparatus includes a data selecting unit between the operation unit and the processing unit for selecting data from all data regions in the intermediate function at appropriate intervals and creating a data table used in an inverse problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Tatsuo Igushi
  • Patent number: 6191854
    Abstract: Optical telecommunications system, comprising: a transmitting station capable of emitting an optical signal having a power of between 18 and 30 dBm; an optical fibre transmission line capable of transmitting the said optical signal, comprising dispersion shifted fibre with a length of between 100 km and 1000 km; an optical receiving station, capable of receiving the said optical signal; which comprises, between the said transmission line and the said optical receiver, a chromatic dispersion compensator. Preferably the said optical fibre transmission line has a length of between 200 and 400 km.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi e Sistemi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Grasso, Aldo Righetti, Paolo Ottolenghi, Fabio Donati
  • Patent number: 6191855
    Abstract: A method for the determination of grain size in a thin film sample comprising the steps of measuring first and second changes in the optical response of the thin film, comparing the first and second changes to find the attenuation of a propagating disturbance in the film and associating the attenuation of the disturbance to the grain size of the film. The second change in optical response is time delayed from the first change in optical response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Brown University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Humphrey J Maris
  • Patent number: 6191856
    Abstract: An optical device for establishing a spatial orientation for a drill bit includes at least three light sources and two cameras. The first light source is used to silhouette the drill bit; a second light source is used to generate a reflection from a primary facet of the drill bit; and a third light source is used to generate a reflection from the margin of the drill bit. In sequence, the first camera responds to the first light source to establish an axial position for the drill bit on the axis. The second camera then responds to the second light source to establish a gross rotational position for the drill bit on its axis. Finally, the first camera is again used. This time it establishes a precise rotational position for the drill bit on its axis to establish the spatial orientation for the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Volution
    Inventors: Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen, James John Glover
  • Patent number: 6191857
    Abstract: A method of measuring selected values of a specimen having at least one edge is performed with an apparatus which positions the specimen in the path of a light beam such that the specimen at least partially interrupts the light beam and the edge borders a shadow cast by the specimen. Further, the apparatus rotates the specimen about a rotary axis through at least one predetermined angle; monitors, by an observing apparatus, a boundary of the shadow cast by the edge; generates, by the observing apparatus, signals representing positions of the boundary; and evaluates the signals for determining the selected values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Walter AG
    Inventor: Andreas Meier
  • Patent number: 6191858
    Abstract: A wafer with an exposure surface having a wafer mark formed thereon for scattering incidence light for position alignment and an exposure mask with a mask surface having a mask mark formed thereon for scattering incidence light for position alignment, are disposed facing each other with a predetermined distance being set between the exposure surface and the mask surface. An illumination optical system applies illumination light to the wafer mark and the mask mark along an optical axis which is oblique relative to the exposure surface. An observation optical system focuses scattered light from the wafer mark and mask mark on a light reception surface. The optical axis of the observation optical system is slanted in a direction opposite to the direction of the optical axis of the illumination optical system, relative to a normal direction to the exposure surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Miyatake
  • Patent number: 6191859
    Abstract: An optical system is disclosed for use in sorting apparatus to monitor light at a viewing station thereof to generate signals indicative of the optical properties of selected items in the product stream being sorted. In the system light received from a single line at the viewing station is split into discrete beams, which are filtered into different wavelength ranges to determine the category of the respective product items. The beams are directed onto a slit through which the light beams must pass on their way to respective lines of light sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sortex Limited
    Inventors: David Roy Winterbottom, Laurence John Robinson
  • Patent number: 6191860
    Abstract: An attenuating optical shutter for high speed spectral analysis of an optical radiation band so as to derive N wavelength-dependent portions thereof. The attenuating optical shutter incorporates an optical shutter body including N shutter segments, each selectably switchable between a first substantially transparent and a second substantially opaque optical state, and a multi-zone attenuator comprising N optical attenuating zones each having a different predetermined wavelength-dependent attenuation characteristic. Each of the shutter segments is optically interconnected with a respective one of the N optical attenuating zones of the multi-zone attenuator thus forming N respective cells of the attenuating optical shutter. Such an attenuating optical shutter finds particular application in a spectrometer. A method for determining the spectral function of a sample using the attenuating optical shutter is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Orsense Ltd.
    Inventors: Leonid Klinger, Ilya Fine
  • Patent number: 6191861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for femtosecond transient absorption comprising phase-sensitive detection, spectral scanning and simultaneous controlling of a translation stage to obtain TA spectra information having at least a sensitivity two orders of magnitude higher than that for single-shot methods, with direct, simultaneous compensation for chirp as the data is acquired. The present invention includes a amplified delay translation stage which generates a splittable frequency-doubled laser signal at a predetermined frequency f, a controllable means for synchronously modulating one of the laser signals at a repetition rate of f/2, applying the laser signals to a material to be sample, and acquiring data from the excited sample while simultaneously controlling the controllable means for synchronously modulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Duncan W. McBranch, Victor I. Klimov
  • Patent number: 6191862
    Abstract: An imaging system wherein an optical signal is transmitted to both a sample to be measured and a rotating element which is calibrated to the system. A return signal is detected by the system, and a scan analyzer and correction unit uses the system calibration information along with synchronization information to correct for return signal degradation or errors due to imperfections in the rotating element in real time. This allows for an accurate measurement of the sample. The system can also include a coarse path-length adjustment unit to allow the system to track a region of interest within a sample to further allow for accurate sample measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lightlab Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Swanson, Christopher L. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6191863
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and process for extinguishing a source. Said device comprises an interferometer (2) which receives an incident light beam (10) emanating from a central point source. The interferometer has a separator (4) separating the incident beam into two secondary beams (13, 14) with the same focal power, and two arms (5,6) each equipped with an optical system, and having optical paths of equal length. Combining elements (7) merge the secondary beam into one output beam (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventor: Jean Gay
  • Patent number: 6191864
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the endpoint of CMP processing on semiconductor wafer in which a lower layer of material with a first reflectivity is positioned under an upper layer of material with a second reflectivity. Initially an endpoint site is selected on the wafer in a critical area where a boundary between the upper and lower layers defines the desired endpoint of the CMP process. The critical area on the wafer is generally determined by analyzing in the circuit design and the polishing characteristics of previously polished test wafers to denote the last points on the wafer from which the upper layer is desirably removed by CMP processing. After an endpoint site is selected, a light beam impinges the polished surface of the wafer and reflects off of the surface of the wafer to a photo-sensor. The photosensor senses the actual intensity of the reflected light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gurtej Singh Sandhu
  • Patent number: 6191865
    Abstract: An image generating system is structured to transfer the N-dot multivalued image data from an image generating device to write them on the N numbers of FIFO memories in synchronism with a specific transfer clocking, and to read them out to the engine by the clock having 1/N transfer frequency. This clock synchronizes with the horizontally synchronous signals. Then, the image data are selected by means of a selector one after another for output. The multivalued image data thus output are converted into the binary image data to be transferred to the engine in synchronism with the transfer frequency. In this way, the system can be formed simpler with ease as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6191866
    Abstract: A laser printer and printing method for obtaining high quality of a picture by using different DPIs between a printer engine and data for printing, which includes a PC interface unit for receiving rasterized data from a PC connected to a printer; a band memory for storing the data transmitted from the PC interface unit; a main controller for reading and transmitting the data stored in the band memory; a clock generating unit for generating a clock for transmitting the data; a line buffer memory for temporarily storing the read data; and a line buffer control unit for controlling the line buffer. A printing method includes receiving data from the PC and storing the data in a band memory, comparing the DPI of data with that of the printer engine, and transmitting the data at least once to the printer engine for the time corresponding to the predetermined number of the clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Duk-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6191867
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a halftone imaging system is described which automatically compensates for drifts in overall system performance as well as for any substantial change in the imaging parameters. Calibration is achieved by optimizing the exposure level of the imaging system and linearizing the exposure level of the imaging system based on the determined optimized exposure level. The method and apparatus of the present invention are capable of calibrating an imaging system automatically by generating lookup tables and transfer functions without substantial operator intervention. Once calibration is achieved, subsequent imaging commands are automatically mapped to appropriate commands that produce a calibrated output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Shor, Eric J. Donaldson, James L. Hartmann, Steven W. Tanamachi
  • Patent number: 6191868
    Abstract: In a halftoning unit of a laser printer and the like, a high speed, high density and high gradations halftoning is realized by multi-value implementation by clustered dot concentrated dither halftoning (known as a sub-matrix method) and PWM distributing gradation among the plurality of halftone dots with a small memory and circuit. For this purpose, the value of the difference between an input gradation value ni and a threshold value nc, &Dgr;n=ni−nc, is shortened within a range of 0 to &Dgr;h and the lower s bit of &Dgr;h is removed by a round-down or round-up process. Meanwhile, a threshold array is generated from an extended threshold pattern obtained by combining threshold patterns of 2s whose threshold interval is &Dgr;h, i.e. &Dgr;Ah×K, &Dgr;h×K+1, . . . , &Dgr;×K+2(s−1). Thereby, a halftone dot dither process in which the PWM gradation increases distributively among the 2s dots may be realized with a small scale memory and circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Shibuya, Tadashi Okada, Masayuki Kanda, Eiji Yoshino, Atsushi Onose, Tatsuki Inuzuka, Toshiaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6191869
    Abstract: A facsimile machine which includes a telephone conversation function that can securely shift the facsimile communication mode to a telephone conversation mode after facsimile communication, even if an error occurs during facsimile communication. This is accomplished without using a telephone conversation reservation function. At a point where after facsimile communication is started, facsimile communication may be stopped after the transmission of predetermined signals between the calling party side facsimile machine and the receiving party side facsimile machine, or due to error. In the case where a communication error occurs because of paper jamming, the main controller keeps occupying the communication line occupied by the line controller, and a signal sound on the occupied communication line is externally emitted by the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiya Miura
  • Patent number: 6191870
    Abstract: Image data received via a communication line is stored in a data memory. The image data that has been stored in the image memory is not output intact but is subjected to a pixel reducing operation by a CPU. As a result, the image data is compressed in such a manner that an integral number of image pages will fit on one page on the receiving side. The resulting image is developed in a bit-map memory. Upon observing an output of an compressed image, the operator selects the necessary data and designates the required image using a keyboard. The designated image is read out of the data memory, developed intact in the bit-map memory and printed out in the received size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 6191871
    Abstract: An image-reading method which allows a transporting motor to transport, relative to each other, an original document having an image to be read and a light-receiving element for scanning the image in the width direction, so as to read the image in a direction that is orthogonal to the width direction. The method allows the light-receiving element to read the image and output the resulting image data. The transporting speed of the transporting motor is increased based on the desired suppression in the resolution of the image data. Therefore, a facsimile machine using the above-mentioned method can read the image of an original document with a desired resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeo Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6191872
    Abstract: An illuminator and a scanner incorporating such an illuminator. In one embodiment, the illuminator has a plurality of arrays of semiconductor light emitting elements, each array having a different integrated spectral output, and a plurality of respective different interference filters each positioned between a corresponding array and the media holder. A media holder holds a media carrying an image for scanning, the media holder being positioned to receive filtered light from the illuminator. A sensor is positioned to receive light from the media holder so as to generate an image signal corresponding to an image on a media positioned at the media holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joel D. DeCaro, Mark E. Shafer
  • Patent number: 6191873
    Abstract: To provide an image reading device capable of reading a high-quality image under the conditions such as compactness, simplification, and low power consumption, an image reading apparatus using this image reading device, and a method therefor, white reference data for white level correction is stored in a memory in correspondence with a reference temperature. A temperature near the image reading device is detected, and white reference data is corrected on the basis of the temperature difference between the detected temperature and the reference temperature. The corrected white reference data is used in white level correction of an image signal output from a CCD included in the image reading device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Mizoguchi, Koji Fukunaga, Kenji Maeda, Kiyoshi Katano, Takahiro Onsen, Makoto Kobayashi, Jin Sunata
  • Patent number: 6191874
    Abstract: An image processing system for printing, in which a decrease in saturation in the entire image is prevented while maintaining reproducibility for an achromatic color (gray balance). The image processing system extracts an achromatic-color component from an image signal including C, M and Y signals, and performs color correction for the C, M and Y signals by subtracting the achromatic-color component from the C, M and Y signals. The system then generates a K signal based on the achromatic-color component, and adds the achromatic-color component to the C, M and Y signals subjected to the color correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akitoshi Yamada, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 6191875
    Abstract: An improved process for holography is provided, in which the reference beam used for storage and readout has a correlated phase content. In particular, it was found that reference beams having random phase content limited the attainable storage density and the accuracy of readout of stored holograms due to uncontrolled fluctuations in the correlation selectivity. By contrast, a reference beam having correlated phase content provides accurate shift selectivity, the ability to tailor the reference beam spectrum to minimize crosstalk between neighboring holograms, and mitigation of limitations inherent in the holographic system or holographic medium. Improved storage density and readout accuracy are thereby attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Richard Curtis, Peter B. Littlewood, Partha Pratim Mitra, William Larry Wilson
  • Patent number: 6191876
    Abstract: A system and a method of displaying projected images on a projection screen of the system include one or more reconfigurable holographic optical elements (HOEs) in the screen to optically manipulate the projected images impinging on the screen. The reconfigurable HOEs may be configured to perform simple optical functions that are commonly associated with traditional optical devices, such as lenses, prisms and mirrors. However, the reconfigurable HOEs may also be configured to perform sophisticated optical manipulations, such as varying angular intensity of diffused light toward predefined viewing regions. Each reconfigurable HOE includes a hologram that is sandwiched between two electrode layers. The hologram is a holographic photopolymeric film that has been combined with liquid crystal. The hologram has an optical property that changes in response to an applied electrical field. The reconfigurable HOEs are utilized to control the diffusing characteristic of the projection screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: DigiLens, Inc.
    Inventor: Milan M. Popovich