Patents Issued in April 29, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040080709
    Abstract: A spectacles set includes a primary spectacle frame which includes two nose supports thereof and a detachable shelter frame adapted for mounting in front of the primary spectacle frame. The detachable shelter frame includes a shelter frame for supporting two auxiliary lenses and a pair of magnetic attachment arrangements connected to the shelter frame. Each of the magnetic attachment arrangements includes a supporting arm extending rearwardly from the shelter bridge to securely mount the shelter frame in front of the primary spectacle frame and a magnetic seat which is connected to the supporting arm and extended to magnetically attach the nose supports of the primary spectacle frame so as to hold the shelter frame on the primary spectacle frame in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Yiling Xie
  • Publication number: 20040080710
    Abstract: The present invention provides single vision and multifocal lenses, as well as methods for their production, having a transverse chromatic aberration enabling provision of a lens the performance of which is equivalent to a refractive lens with a higher Abbe number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: C. Benjamin Wooley, Amitava Gupta, Israel Grossinger
  • Publication number: 20040080711
    Abstract: The present provides progressive addition lens designs and lenses in which unwanted lens astigmatism is reduced as compared to conventional progressive addition lenses. The lenses of the invention containing at least one surface that is a composite of a progressive surface design and a regressive surface design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Edgar V. Menezes
  • Publication number: 20040080712
    Abstract: Presented are a shape measuring step (A) in which the size L of an eyeball 1 and the shape R of the eyeground 2 are measured, an eyeball setting step (B) for setting an eyeball template 3, an eyeground image taking step (C) for taking images of the eyeground including superimposed portions d by shifting the imaging positions, a parameter setting step (D) for obtaining an eyeball parameter g that represents the positional relationship between the eyeground and images, an image pasting step (F) for pasting a number of images on the eyeball template, and a three dimensional image displaying step (H) for displaying three dimensional eyeground images 5 on the eyeball template on a display device 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: RIKEN
    Inventors: Hideo Yokota, Akitake Makinouchi, Hiroo Yabe
  • Publication number: 20040080713
    Abstract: There is provided an ophthalmic measuring apparatus in which an image obtained by refractive wavefront measurement is adjusted to an image more suitable for analysis, and the refractive wavefront measurement with high accuracy is enabled. A first movement unit for moving a condensing position so that a light flux from a first light source is condensed on a place close to the retina of a subject eye, and a second movement unit for optically moving a first conversion member for condensing a light flux reflected by an retina of the subject eye and a first light receiving part for receiving light fluxes can be independently driven and can be further driven by an operation of an operator. First, an arithmetic part adjusts a projection side and a light receiving side on the basis of first received light signals from the first light receiving part (S101˜S105).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hashimoto, Yoko Hirohara
  • Publication number: 20040080714
    Abstract: An image projecting apparatus has optical switches in first optical switch unit arranged in a square matrix arrangement, and a second optical switch unit of optical switches in single file for selectively reflecting the monochromatic lights reflected from the first optical switch unit. A light source irradiates a plurality of monochromatic lights of different wavelengths and the monochromatic lights are passed through the optical switches and a square beam generator such that they are incident on a panel unit to realize a monochromatic color stripe of a predetermined size. Light utilization increases through the use of first and second optical switch units, and overlapping between monochromatic color stripes can be prevented through the use of digital micromirror device (DMD) panel or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panel of fast responsiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Wan Hong, Sang-Whoe Dho
  • Publication number: 20040080715
    Abstract: A projector includes a first lens plate having a plurality of lenses, a second lens plate having a plurality of lenses, a light valve that modulates an output light beam from the second lens plate, and a light source apparatus. The light-source apparatus has a light-source lamp including an emission tube, a reflective mirror that reflects a divergent light beam from the light-source lamp to output a parallel light beam, the reflecting mirror having a reflective surface, a lamp housing that supports the reflective mirror, and an electrode lead. The electrode lead is led out of an end of the emission tube that is projected forward out of the reflective surface and is connected to an external connection terminal board which is positioned to a rear side of the reflective surface. The electrode lead is routed via the portion of the reflective mirror other than an effective area of the reflective mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Miyashita, Kazuto Shinohara, Shinji Haba, Akitaka Yajima, Tomiyoshi Ushiyama
  • Publication number: 20040080716
    Abstract: A Human-Computer Interface that comprises a set of sensors, actuators and computer generated controls is characterised in that the controls are projected in three spatial dimensions by a three dimensional display device and are manipulated by means of an operator interacting with them by movements of the operator's body, these movements being detected using the sensor system, where characteristics of a displayed target volume change according to the movement made, and actuators worn on the body, react according to how the body interacts with the computer generated controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Anderson, Saquib Ibrahim
  • Publication number: 20040080717
    Abstract: A method of one embodiment is disclosed that records one or more lengths of time a high temperature component of a device operates in accordance with a high-temperature policy. An action is performed in response to at least one of the lengths of time being greater than, corresponding threshold lengths of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Michael A. Pate
  • Publication number: 20040080718
    Abstract: To provide an image display device and a projector having a brightness or an excellent utilization efficiency of the light by improving the display performance of a moving picture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Kojima
  • Publication number: 20040080719
    Abstract: A lens cover is provided for being held between the air outlet and the projection lens. This allows the lens cover to prevent hot air exhausted from the air outlet from running across the light path of a projected light from the projection lens when the projection of an image is desired, hence avoiding the generation of shimmers in the projected image. Preferably, the lens cover is arranged vertical to the optical axis of the projection lens for turning movement on an axis located between the projection lens and the air outlet. Accordingly, the lens cover is hardly lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Morinaga
  • Publication number: 20040080720
    Abstract: A projector and an aspherical mirror are arranged below a top of a desk. Lights outputted from the projector are reflected on the mirror and projected on a screen in front of the desk. The reflected lights by the mirror transmit a transparent plate arranged in a part of the top of the desk. The reflected lights can be adjusted to pass in front of the desk. The projector is movable to be contained directly under the desk. The desk is provided with casters, therefore distance between the desk and the screen is adjusted to thereby enlarge the size of a projected picture on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: NEC VIEWTECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Masami Saito
  • Publication number: 20040080721
    Abstract: A light-filtering element for a display device is provided. The element includes at least one filter having a chamber with a filtering fluid, the filtering fluid selectively disposed in an optical path, and a liquid motion actuator selectively configured to move the filtering fluid substantially into and out of the optical path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Noah Lassar, St v n W. Steinfield, Mohammed M. Samii, Jack H. Schmidt, Matthew Giere, David Tyvoll, Wintrop D. Childers
  • Publication number: 20040080722
    Abstract: A projection display according to the present invention reduces the size of a light beam in the optical path of an illumination optics from the periphery to change the amount of light incident on a video display device and the angle of such incidence, thereby making a plurality of image brightness/contrast combinations selectable. Further, the present invention changes the revolving speed of a projection display cooling fan and the adjustment value settings for the video display device's electrical characteristics in accordance with the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Futoshi Yamasaki, Satoshi Nakayama, Takuya Shiaki, Tsutomu Nakashima, Eiji Yamaguchi, Nobuyuki Kimura
  • Publication number: 20040080723
    Abstract: An asymmetric aperture diaphragm placing structure for a projection lens is provided for securing an asymmetric aperture diaphragm to a lens holder. The asymmetric aperture diaphragm includes a positioning part formed asymmetrical about the optical axis. The lens holder has a mating part adapted to engage the positioning part only in a state where the asymmetric aperture diaphragm is in a predetermined direction with respect to the optical axis. The asymmetric aperture diaphragm is secured to the lens holder in a state where the positioning part and the mating part engage each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Inamoto
  • Publication number: 20040080724
    Abstract: A one piece, double gland, quad lobe design gasket system for use in a projection system that redundantly seals in the liquid present in a coupler supporting a projection lens in alignment with a projection optical signal generation device (e.g., a Cathode Ray Tube). The coupler defines a cooling chamber between said projection lens and said projection signal generating device and is filled with liquid in order to transport the optical signal between the projection optical signal generation device and projection lens while minimizing contrast distortion. In order to prevent leaking from the cooling chamber between the coupler and projection signal generation device, an improved sealing system is used by providing two separate channels in the coupler and using the integral double gland, quad lobe gasket. Each gland is placed in a corresponding groove in the coupler thus creating two separate lines of seal that keeps the liquid in the coupler from leaking out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi Electronic Devices (USA), Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Kane
  • Publication number: 20040080725
    Abstract: Disclosed is a projection media comprising a transparent polymer layer with random light diffusing elements and having a Tg of less than 75° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Cheryl J. Kaminsky, Robert P. Bourdelais
  • Publication number: 20040080726
    Abstract: We introduce a mechanically tunable photonic crystal structure consisting of coupled photonic crystal slabs. Using both analytic theory, and first-principles finite-difference time-domain simulations, we demonstrate that the transmission and reflection coefficients for light normally incident upon such structures can be highly sensitive to nano-scale variations in the spacing between the slabs. Moreover, by specifically configuring the photonic crystal structures, the high sensitivity can be preserved in spite of significant fabrication-related disorders. We expect such a structure to play important roles in micro-mechanically tunable optical sensors and filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Wonjoo Suh, M. F. Yanik, Olav Solgaard, Shanhui Fan
  • Publication number: 20040080727
    Abstract: An EUV exposure apparatus is provided in which coils of an electromagnetic motor for driving a stage are kept from overheat damage as a result of heat generated by the coils themselves. In an EUV exposure apparatus for exposing a mask pattern to a wafer in a vacuum, the apparatus comprises an electromagnetic motor disposed in the vacuum and driving at least one of a mask stage and a wafer stage, and a cooling unit for cooling the electromagnetic motor to prevent overheat damage of the electromagnetic motor caused by heat generated by the electromagnetic motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiji Emoto
  • Publication number: 20040080728
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reducing time and effort of fixing the jammed film and capable of reducing waste of films not jammed when fixing the jammed film. The apparatus has: a film feeding section comprising a containing tray capable of containing photosensitive films and a shielding shutter to shield light into the containing tray; a plurality of processing sections to perform processing to a photosensitive film; a conveying mechanism to convey the photosensitive film along a predetermined conveying path leading continuously through the processing sections; a collecting section capable of collecting the photosensitive film on the conveying path; and a control section to control the conveying mechanism so as to convey photosensitive films in a jammed processing section and a processing section upstream of the jammed processing section to the collecting section when the photosensitive film is jammed on the conveying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Tomoyasu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20040080729
    Abstract: Devices are disclosed for placement between first and second masses for attenuating transmission of motions from one of the masses to the other. A general embodiment of such a device includes a fluid isolator and a lateral fluid bearing situated along a support axis. The fluid isolator includes a housing defining an isolator chamber pressurized with a gas at pressure Pisol. The fluid isolator is situated such that motion of the masses relative to each other along the support axis is at the fluid isolator, and lateral motion is at the lateral fluid bearing. The lateral fluid bearing includes first and second bearing surfaces that are transverse to the support axis. At least one such surface defines three channels: pressure channel, atmospheric pressure channel, and vacuum channel. In order from the isolator chamber, the pressure channel (at pressure PXYbearing≈Pisol) is first, the atmospheric pressure channel (at pressure Patm) is second, and the vacuum channel (at pressure Pvac) is third.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Alton H. Phillips, Hideaki Sakamoto, Michael B. Binnard
  • Publication number: 20040080730
    Abstract: A stage assembly (224) for moving and positioning a device (300) includes a device table (308), a device holder (312) that retains the device (300), and a stage mover assembly (204). In some embodiments, the stage assembly (224) allows precise rotation of the device (300) between a first position and a second position. Additionally, the stage assembly (224) can include a lock assembly (342) that selectively locks the device holder (312) to the device table (308) without influencing the flatness of the device (300) and without deflecting and distorting the device holder (312) and the device (300).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Binnard
  • Publication number: 20040080731
    Abstract: There is described an image-exposing apparatus for conducting an exposing operation by employing lights having wavelengths being different relative to each other and emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements. The image-exposing apparatus employs an optical device, which mixes a plurality of lights coming from directions being different relative to each other, so as to emit a mixed light in a unilateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20040080732
    Abstract: A near-field photomask is made up of a light shield film and openings formed in the light shield film, the photomask being used to expose an exposure target with a near-field light generated through the openings. The openings formed in the light shield film comprise two or more parallel rows of first slit openings each having a width smaller than 100 nm, and a second slit opening having a width smaller than 100 nm and extended perpendicularly to the rows of first slit openings while interlinking at least two of the rows of first slit openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Ryo Kuroda, Natsuhiko Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20040080733
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus consists of: an illumination optical system, including a light source, for irradiating a mask; a projection optical system for projecting a hyperfine pattern image on a substrate; an optical integrator for illuminating the mask in a homogeneous illuminance distribution; and a luminous flux distributing member for distributing the luminous fluxes from the integrator into two luminous fluxes in two different directions for focusing intensity distributions over the Fourier transform surface or the surface in the vicinity thereof on two portions part from the optical axis of the illumination optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naomasa Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20040080734
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus of the present invention has a retaining base which retains a substrate, a device detecting undulation or thickness unevenness, and a control device which operates the detecting device. The substrate is deformed in a range of a field to be processed, by locally displacing the retaining base on the basis of the detected undulation or thickness unevenness of the substrate. Blurring of an image formed on the substrate can be thereby prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Yukio Taniguchi, Hirotaka Yamaguchi, Susumu Tsujikawa
  • Publication number: 20040080735
    Abstract: A plain surface stage apparatus includes a platen having a plain surface, stationary type supports comprising at least three supporting members, and displacement type supports, each of which supports the platen and forms a displacement type supporting point at a position other than those of supporting points formed by the stationary type supports, wherein the displacement type supports expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the plain surface of the platen so as to be displaced, and holds a selected displaced state of the displacement type supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Yoneta Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040080736
    Abstract: An imaging method for imaging a fine pattern having linear features extending along orthogonal first and second directions, is disclosed which method is characterized by: providing a light source having decreased intensity portions at a center thereof and on first and second axes defined to intersect with each other at the center and defined along the first and second directions, respectively; and illuminating the pattern with light from the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Suzuki, Miyoko Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20040080737
    Abstract: In an off-axis levelling procedure a height map of the substrate is generated at a measurement station. The height map is referenced to a physical reference surface of the substrate table. The physical reference surface may be a surface in which is inset a transmission image sensor. At the exposure station the height of the physical reference surface is measured and related to the focal plane of the projection lens. The height map can then be used to determine the optimum height and/or tilt of substrate table to position the exposure area on the substrate in best focus during exposure. The same principles can be applied to (reflective) masks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Christiaan Maria Jasper, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Theodorus Marinus Modderman, Gerrit Johannes Nijmeijer, Nicholaas Antonius Allegondus Johannes Van Asten, Frederik Theodorus Elisabeth Heuts, Jacobus Gemen, Richard Johan Hendrik Du Croo De Jongh, Marcus Emile Joannes Boonman, Jacob Frederik Friso Klinkhamer, Thomas Josephus Maria Castenmiller
  • Publication number: 20040080738
    Abstract: A predictive method is used to compensate for intermediate batch sensitivities which inevitably occur during resist batch changeover. The compensation is applied to historical dose levels to arrive at a new dose level estimating an optimum dose. When the system discovers that a new batch of resist is loaded to a tool, historical data is used to calculate a reference dose for each tool. A batch factor is continuously calculated and using historical data along with the batch factor, a dose adjustment is made to maintain proper image size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith J. Machia, Matthew C. Nicholls, Charles J. Parrish, Craig E. Schneider, Charles A. Whiting
  • Publication number: 20040080739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet post-processing device, including: a downstream side intermediate stacking unit having a pair of slide guides for supporting left and right edges of the sheet that is sent, the slide guides moving toward and away from each other so that the sheet is pressed against one of the slide guides that serves as a reference by the other slide guide to be positioned; a processing unit for processing the sheet positioned by the downstream side intermediate stacking unit; and a stacking unit for receiving the sheet that is dropped through a gap created between the slide guides, in which the pair of slide guides each have a bottom piece for supporting the edge of the sheet, and in which the bottom piece of the other slide guide is partially cut off to provide a remaining portion, the remaining portion making the gap between the bottom pieces wider on the upstream side than on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Sekiyama, Takashi Kuwata, Kenichiro Isobe, Masayoshi Fukatsu
  • Publication number: 20040080740
    Abstract: A system for inspecting a specimen, such as a semiconductor wafer that uses a laser light source for providing a beam of light. The beam is applied to a traveling lens acousto-optic device having an active region and responsive to an RF input signal to selectively generate plural traveling lenses in the active region. The traveling lens acousto-optic device is operative to receive the light beam and generate plural flying spot beams, at the respective focus of each of the generated traveling lenses. A light detector unit, having a plurality of detector sections, each detector section having a plurality of light detectors and at least one multi-stage storage device operative to receive in parallel an input from the plurality of light detectors, is used to generate useable scan data. Information stored in each of the storage devices is serially read out concurrently from the multiple stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC
    Inventors: Haim Feldman, Emanuel Elyasaf, Nissim Elmaliach, Ron Naftali, Boris Golberg, Silviu Reinhorn
  • Publication number: 20040080741
    Abstract: A light beam is directed towards a surface along a direction normal to the surface. The surface is caused to move so that the beam scans the surface along a spiral path. An ellipsoidal mirror is placed with its axis along the surface normal to collect light scattered by the surface and any anomalies at the surface at collection angles away from the surface normal. In some applications, a lens arrangement with its axis along the surface normal is also used to collect the light scattered by the surface and any anomalies. The light scattered by the mirror and lenses may be directed to the same or different detectors. Preferably light scattered by the surface within a first range of collection angles from the axis is detected by a first detector and light scattered by the surface within a second range of collection angles from the axis is detected by a second detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Norbert Marxer, Kenneth P. Gross, Hubert Altendorfer, George Kren
  • Publication number: 20040080742
    Abstract: An inspection device inspecting for a defect based on an image of wafer surface includes an imaging device obtaining an image data of a wafer subjected to inspection, a storage circuit storing an image data of a wafer for comparison reference, an image comparison unit comparing the image data of the wafer subjected to inspection and the image data of the wafer for comparison reference using a pre-set inspection condition, an acquiring circuit acquiring the WIP data of the wafer subjected to inspection, and a WIP data operating unit setting the inspection condition based on the obtained WIP data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mariko Mizuo, Toshiharu Katayama
  • Publication number: 20040080743
    Abstract: A monitoring system for detection of defects in an optical fiber coating during production of the fiber has first and second beam generating means which produce planar coherent beams which cross each other at the fiber passing through the system creating one or more diffraction patterns. A first plurality of photodetectors are mounted in a mount, the front face of which is impinged by the planar diffraction pattern, and a second plurality of photodetectors is similarly mounted in position below the impinging pattern. A defect in the fiber coating, regardless of shape or orientation, will cause the pattern or patterns to be tilted or shifted upward, downward, or planarly tilted to impinge one or more of the photodiodes which, as a result, generates a signal which is applied to a comparator and control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Fitel U.S.A. Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Adams, Harry D. Garner, Robert Thornton
  • Publication number: 20040080744
    Abstract: A flow cell for performing optical analysis of a fluid is provided. The flow cell comprises a monolithic cell housing that defines a detection chamber, fluid inlet and outlet ports and illumination and detection ports. Optical fibers are inserted in the illumination and detection ports, thereby forming substantially fluid-tight seals. A flow cell may be press-fit against a microfluidic device, with fluid sealing aided by O-rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Steven E. Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20040080745
    Abstract: A device for a transparent pipe (1) of circular cross-section for optically counting and measuring objects (3) carried with a fluid (2) within the pipe (1), in which the light beams exiting through the wall of the pipe (1) are preferably caught by an optical apparatus (4). The outer radius of the pipe (1) equals or nearly equals the product of the inner radius of the pipe (1) and the proportion of the light refraction index of the fluid within the pipe to the light refraction index of the medium surrounding the pipe. The optical apparatus (4) is located at a camera point (11) at a mean distance from the pipe (1) between a distal point of intersection (10) of light beams (7) hitting the internal wall of the pipe (1) at an angle of about five angular degrees, and a proximal point of intersection (12) of light beams hitting the internal wall of the pipe (1) at an angle of about ninety angular degrees relative to the axis of incidence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Torbjorn Kvassheim
  • Publication number: 20040080746
    Abstract: Components, apparatus, and method for detecting emission signals from target molecules include a substrate having a plurality of pixel locations on a surface, each location including at least one target molecule; a reflecting plate disposed opposite a side of the substrate having the pixel location; and a lens array disposed between the substrate and the reflecting plate, including the first lens array on the substrate side, a medium layer, and the second lens array on the reflecting plate side. Each lens of the second lens array has its focus on each lens of the first lens array, and the first lens array and the second lens array focus into an image of each of the at least one target molecule on the reflecting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Tomohiko Matsushita, Takeo Nishikawa, Shigeru Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20040080747
    Abstract: An optical particle counter has a gain-apertured laser cavity producing laser light, an inlet jet providing fluid flow into a particle detecting region within the laser cavity, the inlet jet having an inlet jet orifice; a detection optics assembly located to collect light scattered from particles with the detecting region for producing an output signal indicative of the particles; and an optical barrier complex located to reduce noise as compared to the gain-apertured system without the optical barrier complex for fluid flow rates greater than or equal to about 0.1 cubic feet per minute. The optical barrier complex inhibits laser light from illuminating turbulent eddy currents originating on the interior walls of the inlet jet. The optical barrier complex includes one or more physical apertures, one or more optical stops, or both which are located to prevent laser light from illuminating the eddy currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Cerni, Dwight A. Sehler, Mark A. Lilly
  • Publication number: 20040080748
    Abstract: An illuminiation system for increasing a light signal from an object passing through a reflection cavity. The reflection cavity is disposed between spaced-apart, opposed first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides of a moving stream of objects. A light collection system is disposed substantially orthogonal to a plane passing through the surfaces and the stream so as to collect light that is scattered from or emitted by the objects as they pass through a field of view disposed between the first and second surfaces. A beam of light from a laser source is directed through the stream of moving objects in a direction nearly orthogonal to the stream (but slightly inclined) and lying in the plane that extends through the surfaces and the stream. Due to the reflection angle and the distance between the stream and the first surface, the point at which the light reflected from the first surface intersects the stream on a second pass is displaced from where it passed though the stream on its initial pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Amnis Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Ortyn, David A. Basiji, Keith L. Frost, N. Robert McRuer
  • Publication number: 20040080749
    Abstract: A colorimeter that uses its flexible power/electronic cable as a mounting mechanism is disclosed. The colorimeter can be placed against a target screen, suspended by the cable, where the cable in turn drapes over the top of the display cabinet. A slidable weight can be coupled to the cable to hold a selected position. Alternatively, a slotted suction cup can be used to hold the selected position. A leaf spring can be installed to provide a slight bias force to the backside of the calorimeter, thereby ensuring the colorimeter lays flush to the target screen in the presence of disruptive conditions and anomalies. The calorimeter can further be configured with a low impact suction cup array mount. The colorimeter assembly can be configured with an FOV that corresponds to that of a human, and with self-aligning optical qualities that provide a colorimeter with high SNR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Carl David Lutz, Thomas A. Lianza, Nicholas A. Milley
  • Publication number: 20040080750
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable fluorescence correlation spectroscopy instrument that includes an excitation source, at least one of a light focusing element positioned to receive light emitted by the excitation source, a detector for detecting light, the detector positioned to receive light emitted by a sample excited by the excitation source, and a correlator coupled to the detector, the correlator for processing data received at the detector and providing data including autocorrelation data, crosscorrelation data, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: David E. Wolf, Dylan A. Bulseco
  • Publication number: 20040080751
    Abstract: A signal processing method and a signal processing device are provided in which a signal obtained from an object as an input signal, a time lag signal is generated from the input signal, a difference between the input signal and the time lag signal, and the generation of the difference is detected, so that a portion of the object at a position where the difference is generated is featured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: NIPPON SHEET GLASS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kokuryo, Shinji Nagao
  • Publication number: 20040080752
    Abstract: A system for controlling a relative length a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber includes a first heater coupled to the first optical fiber, a second heater coupled to the second optical fiber, and a controller coupled to the first heater and the second heater. The controller operates the first heater in response to a temperature less than a predetermined temperature and operates the second heater in response to the temperature greater than the predetermined temperature. This allows the length of the optical fibers to be maintained evenly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: William S. Hoult, Joshua A. Conway
  • Publication number: 20040080753
    Abstract: An optical heterodyne detection system includes an attenuator for attenuating an input signal before the input signal is combined with a local oscillator signal. An optimal attenuation level for the input signal, which improves the signal to noise ratio of the heterodyne beat signal, is determined by obtaining a base measurement of an output signal in response to the local oscillator signal and in the absence of the input signal, obtaining sample measurements of the output signal in response to the input signal as a function of different attenuation levels, and determining the optimal attenuation level as a function of the base measurement and the sample measurements. A minimum attenuation level for the input signal, which protects receiver photodetectors from being saturated or damaged, is determined by setting an initial attenuation level and gradually reducing the attenuation level until the voltage limit of the photodetectors is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: William Ian McAlexander, Douglas M. Baney
  • Publication number: 20040080754
    Abstract: An integrated imaging element for an interferometer generates at least one interference image that includes multiple interference portions with different relative phase shifts interleaved in a pattern having a high spatial frequency in the image. The interleaved pattern is at least partially determined by the pattern of a high density relative retarder array used in the integrated imaging element. In various embodiments, the multiple interference portions are interleaved in a checkerboard-like pattern across the entire surface of a detector device. As a result, various non-common mode errors present in various interferometers that generate separate non-interleaved images for each relative phase are reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Tobiason, Kim W. Atherton
  • Publication number: 20040080755
    Abstract: A displacement pickup is provided which includes a displaceable scale (12) having defined therein a first area (12a) where positional information is recorded with a predetermined pitch and a second area (12b) where positional information is recorded with a predetermined pitch different from that in the first area (12a), a first reading system (10) to read the positional information recorded in the first area (12a), a first phase detector (14) to detect a first phase on the basis of the positional information read by the first reading system (10), a second reading system (11) to read the positional information recorded in the second area (12b), a second phase detector (15) to detect a second phase on the basis of the positional information read by the second reading system (11), a phase comparator (16) to make a comparison between the first and second phases, and an origin signal generator (17) to generate an origin signal according to the result of comparison from the phase comparator (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Sony Precision Technology
    Inventors: Hideaki Tamiya, Kayoko Taniguchi, Akihiro Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20040080756
    Abstract: A beamsplitter (16) splits a source beam (14) into a sample path (17) and a reference path (19). The reflected beams recombine to form an interference signal (100). Reference surface (20) is horizontaly suspended on a loudspeaker membrane (30), and moved via a voice coil attached to the membrane (30). this arrangement isolates the reference surface (20) from external vibrations. The surface profile of the sample (18a) is analysed via the interference fringes, which are determined by computing maxima or minima in the statistical variance of digital data representing the interference signal (100). The apparatus may be used for calibrating laser ablation procedures in eye surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Phillip George Reid, Hank Christian Sciberras, Zheng Lin Wang, Geoffrey Thomas Dair
  • Publication number: 20040080757
    Abstract: This invention is an instrument adaptable for integration into a process tool the combines a number of instruments for surface characterization. As an integrated process monitor, the invention is capable of monitoring surface dishing, surface erosion and thickness of residue layers on work-pieces with little time delay. The invention is adaptable to making measurements while a wafer or work-piece is either wet or dry. A preferred embodiment includes an integrated optical profiler adapted to surface profiling in the presence of optical interference arising from retro-reflections from underlying optical non-uniformities Alternate embodiments include an integrated stylus profiler with vibration isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Fred E. Stanke, Talat F. Hasan, Michael Weber
  • Publication number: 20040080758
    Abstract: Slit light is projected onto the surface of an object, the reflected light is received using a video camera and analyzed by means of an image processor to thereby determine an equation of the surface onto which the slit light is projected. Then, an image is captured through normal image taking using the video camera and a straight line (line of sight) passing through the measuring point on the object and the center of the video camera is determined. Furthermore, parameters such as an affine transformation are determined by a comparison between the image of a characteristic area F of the object and a reference image. Then, the three-dimensional position and posture of the measuring point are determined from an intersection between the line of sight and the determined surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: FANUC LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Ban, Ichiro Kanno