Patents Issued in March 20, 2007
  • Patent number: 7193663
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes, above a substrate: data lines extending in a first direction; scanning lines extending in a second direction and intersecting the data lines; pixel electrodes and thin film transistors disposed so as to correspond to intersection regions of the data lines and the scanning lines; storage capacitors electrically connected to the thin film transistors and the pixel electrodes; and shielding layers disposed between the data lines and the pixel electrodes. Further, nitride films are included in the shielding layers and are formed along the data lines and are wider than the data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Shimizu, Yasuji Yamasaki, Takunori Iki
  • Patent number: 7193664
    Abstract: A pixel structure and a method of repairing the same are provided. The pixel structure comprises a first repairing pattern and a second repairing pattern formed together with scan lines and gates. The repairing method includes shorting the repairing patterns (or one of the repairing patterns) from a data line or a pixel electrode in a fusion process using a laser beam to repair the broken signal lines or defective pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsiung Liu, Chien-Chin Jen, Chien-Kuo He
  • Patent number: 7193665
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device capable of securing the lamp wire to the mold frame is disclosed. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image, a back light assembly for providing a light to the liquid crystal display panel and a mold frame receiving the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight assembly. The back light assembly includes a light supplying part including a light source for generating a light and a lamp wire for supplying an electrical current to the light supplying part. A securing portion for securing the lamp wire is formed on a side surface or a rear surface of the mold frame, shaped as a groove or a depressed portion, and the lamp wire is secured to the securing portion in such a way that securing and separation of the lamp wire is performed with ease and simplicity. A pair of securing ribs are formed on the bottom of the securing depressed portions facing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Sik Choi, Gong-Sub Kwon
  • Patent number: 7193666
    Abstract: Disclosed is an LCD device for performing bi-directional display. The LCD device includes first and second display units, and a light supplying unit. The first display unit includes an LCD panel and a transflective film that is disposed under the LCD panel and has layers in which first and second layers having different refractivity indexes are alternately stacked. The transflective film partially reflects and transmits light incident onto the film. The light supplying unit is disposed between the first and second display units, and provide the first and second display units with light generated from a lamp by dividing the light, to thereby regulate a contrast ratio of a luminance between the first and second display units. Therefore, the structure of an LCD panel for performing bi-directional image display can be simplified, and the light loss in the transmission mode can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Min Choi, Dong-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7193667
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel implementing a bistable liquid crystal and fabricating the same is disclosed in the present invention. Specifically, a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display panel having first and second substrates, the method includes forming a first electrode on the first substrate, forming a second electrode on the second substrate, assembling the first and second substrates, forming a bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, wherein the bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer having a monomer, aligning the bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer by applying electric fields, and forming polymer networks by exposing the bistable twist nematic liquid crystal layer to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ku-Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7193668
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device having a color filter on a thin film transistor (TFT) structure (COT structure). The color filter layers are formed on the same substrate as the TFT to be in direct contact with the source and drain electrodes without any intermediaries therebetween. In particular, there is no need for a passivation layer between the TFT and the color filter layers. Preferred embodiments include a back etched type TFT that does not require a light shielding layer, an etch-stopped type TFT having an etch stop layer, and a coplanar type TFT having a light shielding layer below the gate electrode of the TFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woong-Kwon Kim
  • Patent number: 7193669
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a display element with a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer between the substrates, and an alignment film on a surface of at least one substrate facing the layer; a pair of polarizers on both surfaces of the liquid crystal element to sandwich the liquid crystal element; and at least one optical phase element between at least one of the polarizers and the liquid crystal element, wherein an optical refractive ellipsoid of the optical phase element is tilted clockwise or counterclockwise from the normal of a surface of the optical phase element, wherein at least one of rates of variation of an ordinary refractive index and an extraordinary refractive index of a liquid crystal material of the liquid crystal layer with respect to a wavelength is set in a range where viewing angle dependent coloring does not occur on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motohiro Yamahara, Iichiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7193670
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensator comprising two substantially identical integral optical components, each of the said optical components containing a substrate, an orientation layer, and an anisotropic layer, in that order, wherein the said two optical components are bonded together in parallel so that the anisotropic layer in one component is positioned orthogonally relative to the anisotropic layer in the other about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the substrates. Also disclosed is a process for making such a compensator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Xiang-Dong Mi
  • Patent number: 7193671
    Abstract: In a reflective liquid crystal display device according to the invention, while maintaining alignment characteristics by an obliquely evaporated alignment film, an electrical problem due to the film structure can be solved, and ions of the like can be prevented from passing through an alignment film, thereby long-term drive reliability can be achieved. Further, misalignment and nonuniform alignment due to the structure of an inter-pixel groove can be prevented so as to achieve superior image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Hashimoto, Tadaaki Isozaki
  • Patent number: 7193672
    Abstract: A vertically aligned liquid crystal display device for controlling liquid crystal molecules alignment with linear structures or slits consisting of a plurality of constituent units on at least one of a pair of substrates. In one configuration, an alignment controlling means forms an alignment singular points s=+1 of liquid crystal molecules at an intersecting point between the structures (or slits) and an edge of a pixel electrode. Preferably, at least one of the constituent units has bending portions over a capacitive bus line. In one preferred embodiment, the height of a portion of the linear structure opposite an edge of a pixel electrode is higher than other areas of the linear structures. Additionally, all liquid crystal molecules around an intersecting point between the structures or the slits formed on one substrate and an edge of a pixel electrode formed on the other substrate are preferably aligned to the intersecting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Arihiro Takeda, Yoshio Koike, Takahiro Sasaki, Kouji Tsukao, Shingo Kataoka, Kimiaki Nakamura, Yuichi Inoue, Kazutaka Hanaoka, Seiji Tanuma, Takatoshi Mayama, Hidefumi Yoshida, Yasutoshi Tasaka, Takashi Sasabayashi, Yohei Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 7193673
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is disclosed, which obtains a wide viewing angle without gray inversion, stabilizes alignment of liquid crystal layer, and obtains high aperture ratio. The LCD device includes first and second substrates; gate and data lines crossing each other on the first substrate to define a pixel region; a pixel electrode in the pixel region; electric field inducing windows in respective one of two regions of the pixel region; a common auxiliary electrode corresponding to the electric field inducing window of the pixel electrode; a common electrode on the second substrate; a dielectric protrusion on the common electrode corresponding to the periphery of the pixel electrode, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Chul Ahn, Do Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 7193674
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a lower substrate, an upper substrate facing the lower substrate, a common electrode and a plurality of data electrodes on the lower substrate to generate an In-Plane switching mode electric field parallel to the lower and upper substrates, and a liquid crystal layer having a helical alignment between the lower and upper substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung Ki Hong
  • Patent number: 7193675
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates, a plurality of gate bus lines and data bus lines on the first substrate, the gate bus lines being perpendicular to the data bus lines, a plurality of pixels defined by the gate bus lines and the data bus lines, the pixels having a plularity of regions, at least a pair of electrodes in each region having a common direction, and a plurality of liquid crystal molecules between the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Komatsu Hiroshi
  • Patent number: 7193676
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal panel comprised of a liquid crystal material disposed between segment and common electrodes defining pixels arranged in a matrix. A driver integrated circuit generates driving segment signals and driving common signals to drive preselected ones of the segment and common electrodes, respectively, to display an image on the liquid crystal panel. The driver integrated circuit also generates a segment signal waveform and a common signal waveform to drive one of the segment electrodes and one of the common electrodes, respectively, each placed in a normally ON state and not corresponding to the preselected ones of the segment and common electrodes, respectively, so that a frame is displayed at a portion of the liquid crystal panel not corresponding to the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7193677
    Abstract: The present invention provides a display device. The display device comprises a first substrate having formed thereon a pixel section (12) in which a plurality of pixels (11) are arranged in a matrix form and driving systems (13, 14) for driving to write pixel signals to the pixel section (12), a second substrate arranged to face the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer held between these substrates. As control systems (23, 24, 25) for controlling the driving systems (13, 14) are mounted as semiconductor chips on the first substrate in a COG method, reducing the thickness of the whole device is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masumitsu Ino
  • Patent number: 7193678
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate having a plurality of first seal frames each forming a panel area to become a display portion and a second seal frame containing these seal frames thereinside and being of a completely closed shape as a whole outside these first seal frames. The liquid crystal display device of the invention has a structure in which the whole inside of the second seal frame including the insides of the first seal frames of the array substrate is filled with liquid crystal by a liquid crystal dripping method and thereafter the color filter substrate is stuck on the array substrate. This display makes it possible to manufacture a liquid crystal display device of an aggregate liquid crystal display panel structure improved in uniformity of gap between both substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ueyama
  • Patent number: 7193679
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate for a display device prevents the problems occurring in the pattering process of a photosensitive organic material layer, such as the “stage image transfer” and “mask image reflection”. A photosensitive organic material layer is formed on or over a transparent plate, the layer being divided into a display section and a terminal section located outside the display section. The photosensitive organic material layer has a first thickness in the display section and a second thickness different from the first thickness in the terminal section. The layer is exposed to exposing light in such a way that the layer in the display section is exposed at a first exposure value according to the first thickness and the layer in the terminal section is exposed at a second exposure value according to the second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiaki Sakamoto, Hironori Kikkawa, Naohito Toyomaki
  • Patent number: 7193680
    Abstract: A method for forming a seal pattern of an LCD device includes a division mask to print seal patterns onto a substrate. A substrate having a plurality of liquid crystal display panels is prepared; a mask having an opening is arranged on at least one liquid crystal display panel; a seal pattern is formed on the liquid crystal display panel corresponding to the opening with the mask; and the mask is re-arranged on another liquid crystal display panel to form a seal pattern on a corresponding liquid crystal display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Su Jung, Soo Min Kwak
  • Patent number: 7193681
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a liquid confinement system, which at least partly confines liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, is restricted in its movement in the direction of the optical axis of the apparatus by a stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Erik Theodorus Maria Bijlaart, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Johannes Catharinus Hubertus Mulkens, Bob Streefkerk
  • Patent number: 7193682
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate. The apparatus includes an optical system being set at a reference temperature, for directing light to the substrate, an exposure chamber for storing the optical system in a vacuum ambience, and a load-lock chamber, disposed adjacent to the exposure chamber, for converting an ambience of a space surrounding the substrate into a vacuum ambience. When the load-lock chamber converts the ambience of the space surrounding the substrate into a vacuum ambience, the temperature of the load-lock chamber is made higher than the reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masami Yonekawa
  • Patent number: 7193683
    Abstract: A lithography apparatus including a reticle stage, a wafer stage, and an actuator. The reticle stage is operable to project an original image. A final image corresponding to the original image is formed on the wafer stage. The actuator is operable to actuate the reticle stage at a first acceleration and the wafer stage at a second acceleration. The first acceleration and the second acceleration are in colinear and opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew J. Hazelton
  • Patent number: 7193684
    Abstract: A projection exposure mask including a first mask pattern for exposing a member to form a continuous pattern thereon, and a second mask pattern for exposing the member to form a discontinuous pattern thereon. One of the first and second mask patterns is a reflecting type mask pattern and the other mask pattern is a transmitting type mask pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Iizuka, Junji Isohata, Nobuyoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7193685
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system for projecting a pattern on a reticle mounted on a first stage onto an object mounted on a second stage, a first reference plate provided on the reticle or a surface equivalent to the reticle, the first reference plate having three or more first reference marks each of which serves as a reference for an alignment between the reticle and the object, a measuring unit for measuring focus position at imaging positions of the first reference marks and for measuring an image surface of the projection optical system, and a correcting unit for correcting a relationship between the image surface and a reference surface as a reference of a measurement by the measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiya Miura
  • Patent number: 7193686
    Abstract: A lithographic exposing system having an optical system including a light source, a lens, a mirror and a filter, and transferring patterns formed on a reticle to a substrate. The method includes a device for lowering the energy of the light from the light source below a threshold energy, an equipment for making the light that has passed through the device a light source for measuring alignment marks formed on the substrate, and a light path controlling device for directing the light from the light source toward the optical system in an exposing process and for making the light from the light source toward said the alignment mark measuring equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Il Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7193687
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a wafer chuck which retains a wafer and a hollow plate unit which retains the chuck, which is composed of a ceramic material in an integral, hollow structure having a hollow section, the hollow section having a rib structure which serves to increase the natural frequency of the hollow plate unit with respect to torsional mode vibration, and which has holes for providing connection between the interior and exterior of the hollow section. The rib structure is constructed such that a rib unit having a rectangular shape in cross section, the sides thereof extending along X and Y fine movement directions, and a rig unit having a diamond shape in cross section are alternately disposed inside each other and are bonded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7193688
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a printer engine, a display unit, and a sound reproducing unit. The image forming device receives a list of contents from a content distributing device, and has the display unit display the content list. From the content list displayed by the display unit, a user of the image forming device selects a print content, a display content, and a sound content that he desires, associates the selected contents with one another to produce a group of the selected contents, and requests the content distributing device to distribute the group of the selected contents. The content distributing device produces the group of contents associated with one another, and distributes the group of contents to the image forming device. The image forming device expands the print content in the distributed content group into print data, and has the printer engine print the print data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Takamine, Atsushi Hirose
  • Patent number: 7193689
    Abstract: Method and device for light signal reception. This device can selectively execute a comparison mode or a gain mode. In the device, a transmitter transmits a light beam to a target. A receiver receives the light beam reflected from the target and outputs a corresponding received signal. In the comparison mode, it is determined whether a pulse in the received signal is higher than a reference voltage level. When the pulse is higher the reference voltage level, the pulse is outputted. The gain mode is executed and the received signal is amplified and output when no pulse is higher than the reference voltage level in the received signal. The method and device of the present invention can be applied to range finders, the comparison mode is executed during short-distance measurement and the gain mode is executed during long-distance measurement thereby measuring the target distance from several meters to a thousand meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ing-Song Lin, Jui-Feng Huang, Lung-Pin Chung, Ai-Ling Lin
  • Patent number: 7193690
    Abstract: A laser scanner for optically scanning and measuring an environment comprises a light transmitter having a predetermined transmission power for emitting a light beam. The emitted light beam is reflected at a measurement point in the environment. The reflected light beam is received with a certain intensity by a receiver. The transmission power is adjustable as a function of the intensity of the reflected light beam. Furthermore, a gray-scale value of the measurement point is determined as a function of the transmission power adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Ossig, Reinhard Becker, Bernd-Dietmar Becker
  • Patent number: 7193691
    Abstract: A focal plane architecture is provided which includes direct reading of an array of infrared detectors, each coupled to its own threshold circuit, the output of which is coupled to one input of a NAND gate, with the other input to the NAND gate being provided with a delayed threshold circuit output, thus to permit discrimination against ground clutter. This architecture results in an ultra fast frame read out, inherent discrimination of compact targets, photon counting at infrared wavelengths, and programmable range gating by exterior selection of array events within an expected return time for a transmitted pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan L. Weber
  • Patent number: 7193692
    Abstract: A laser range finder, including a transmitter, a receiver, a timing-counting module, and a processor is provided. The transmitter transmits a laser signal toward a target, and a reflected signal is reflected from the target, whereby a real fly time is defined. The time-counting module generates a plurality of timing units to measures the real fly time to obtain a measured fly time. The processor generates a distance value based on the measured fly time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Huang
  • Patent number: 7193693
    Abstract: A mechanism for always measuring the spatial intensity distribution of a laser beam and displacement of the optical axis of the laser beam is provided so that a measured signal is processed when the laser beam incident on a laser beam shaping optical element is out of a predetermined condition. The shape, diameter and incidence position of the laser beam incident on the laser beam shaping optical element are always kept in the predetermined condition by a spatial filter disposed at the position of a focal point of lenses forming a beam expander disposed in the optical axis, on the basis of a result of the signal processing. In this manner, silicon thin films uniform in crystallinity can be formed stably with a high yield on an insulating substrate which forms display panels of flat panel display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Yazaki, Mikio Hongo, Mutsuko Hatano, Takeshi Noda
  • Patent number: 7193694
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for the direct and objective grading of the cut and symmetry of gemstones is provided. The apparatus comprises a laser, an integration sphere, and a gemstone holder, which together measure certain optical characteristics of the gemstone. Optionally, the gemstone holder mechanically rotates and the integration sphere connects to a data recorder such that a plurality of measurements may be recorded and analyzed. The associated method provides a method for interpretation of the data generated by the apparatus as the data relates to the cut quality and symmetry of the gemstone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: William Underwood
  • Patent number: 7193695
    Abstract: A survey system for transmitting guide light for instructing the direction of a target, the guide light having a wide range with small power. The survey system includes a target having a recursion reflector for reflecting light and a survey apparatus having an automatic collimation device for automatically coinciding the collimation axis of the recursion reflector with that of a telescope. The target includes a guide light transmitter for emitting guide light and scans a fan beam that is wide in the horizontal direction and narrow in the vertical direction in the vertical direction as guide light. The survey apparatus includes a direction detector for receiving guide light and detecting the direction of the guide light transmitter and also includes a collimation preparing device for turning the telescope roughly to the recursion reflector based on an output signal from the direction detector prior to commencing the automatic collimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisya Sokkia
    Inventor: Akinobu Sugiura
  • Patent number: 7193696
    Abstract: A method for using light to indicate locations of flaws and defects on a composite structure generally includes electronically accessing positional data defining one or more defect locations on a composite structure. The positional data can be extracted from a part fabrication file in which resides numerical control (NC) data that can be used by a material placement machine to fabricate the composite structure. The method also includes automatically causing at least one light source to direct light at the composite structure to indicate the defect locations as defined by the positional data. Accordingly, the light allows the defect locations to be readily ascertained for later action, such as manual defect repair and/or FOD removal by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Roger W. Engelbart, Frank Gregory Speno
  • Patent number: 7193697
    Abstract: An apparatus for feature detection of a test object includes at least one light source module and at least one image capturing unit. The light source module provides light to illuminate a test region of the test object, and includes a substrate, a set of light-emitting components, and a light-focusing unit. The light-emitting components are mounted on the substrate for emitting light in parallel directions that are generally transverse to the substrate. The light-focusing unit is to be disposed between the light-emitting components and the test object, receives the light emitted by the light-emitting components, and focuses the light on the test region of the test object. The image capturing unit captures an image of the test object at the test region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Chroma Ate Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yueh Sung, Bing-Shien Chung, Wen-Chi Lo, Chin-Chiang Liao, Miao-Shen Liu
  • Patent number: 7193698
    Abstract: A wafer detection method. A plurality of PSL particles are sprayed on a wafer. An inspection operation is implemented on the wafer to obtain location information corresponding to a plurality of defects on the wafer, each location information corresponding to the defects comprises an error value. An inspection operation implemented on the PSL particles to obtain location information corresponding to the PSL particles. Offset location information corresponding to each defect is calculated according to the location information corresponding to each PSL particle. The error values corresponding to each defect are corrected according to the offset location information corresponding to each defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Long-Hui Lin, Li-Yu Chan
  • Patent number: 7193699
    Abstract: The invention is based on a method and an apparatus for scanning a semiconductor wafer (1), on-the-fly images of regions on the wafer being acquired using a camera (3). Upon a scan line changeover, a continuously curved displacement track is generated by at least partial superimposition of the relative motions between the wafer (1) and camera (3) in the direction of the scan lines and perpendicular thereto. As a result, time is saved and wafer throughput is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Vistec Semiconductor Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Michelsson
  • Patent number: 7193700
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the functionality of an optical element includes a detector and a light source whose radiation is reflected to the detector by a surface of the optical element facing the detector and the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Trumpf Lasertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Fliss
  • Patent number: 7193701
    Abstract: A system for providing and using a gray optical standard is disclosed, the standard generally comprising a housing having a cavity and an at least partially transparent portion adjacent to the cavity for receiving the radiation emitted radiation by an optical instrument and a particulate material disposed in the cavity. The particulate material is a mixture of highly absorptive and highly reflective particles having a diameter of about 20 microns or less. In some embodiments, the at least partially transparent portion of the housing is modified to be highly diffusely scattering in the wavelength region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Howard L. Mark
  • Patent number: 7193702
    Abstract: A fluid inspection device for inspecting a fluid in a vessel includes an elongate insertion well having a rear end disposed at the wall of the vessel and a front end disposed in the interior of the vessel. An inside of the insertion well is sealed off from the fluid in the vessel and an outside of the insertion well is in contact with the fluid in the vessel. A camera unit is disposed in the inside of the insertion well, and a lens in operative communication with the camera unit is disposed at the front end of the insertion well so that a front end of the lens is in contact with the fluid and a rear end of the lens is inside the insertion well. In addition, a light guide having a light emitting end is configured to guide light from the inside of the insertion well to the light emitting end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: J.M. Canty Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Canty, Paul J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7193703
    Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor unit includes a prism. A thin film has a first surface and a sensing surface. The first surface overlies the prism to constitute a thin film/prism interface. The sensing surface immobilizes a sample in sample fluid. Illuminating light is applied to the interface in a form satisfying a condition for total internal reflection, to create attenuated total reflection in the illuminating light reflected by the interface. An angle of incidence of the illuminating light upon the attenuated total reflection is changed upon (bio)chemical reaction of the sample on the sensing surface. The sensor unit includes an enclosing cover, secured to the prism, for covering the sensing surface. A lower recess is formed in the prism, and positioned at the sensing surface. The lower recess constitutes a flow channel for flow of the sample fluid on the sensing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Hakamata, Tatsuo Fujikura
  • Patent number: 7193705
    Abstract: A method for determining atomic isotope masses in mass spectrometry, atomic isotope ratios being determined from molecular isotope ratios measured by means of an isotope mass spectrometer—ion correction, the determination of the atomic ratios being carried out by setting up and solving a system of equations which describes relationships between the atomic and the molecular ratios, and the system of equations having to have at least as many independent equations as there are atomic ratios. The entire system of equations is linearized by means of suitable numerical methods in a first step, in particular by means of a Taylor expansion or similar method, and in which the linearized system of equations is subsequently solved as a whole without transforming the individual equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Thermo Electron (Bremen) GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Jürgen Schlüter
  • Patent number: 7193706
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for screening large numbers of individual cells or colonies of cells using scanning microscopy coupled with fluorescence lifetime measurement and analysis, using time-correlated single photon counting. This invention further provides an automated method for selecting cells that exhibit desired characteristics. The method uses the scanning microscope system to focus a laser beam onto a surface upon which cells are immobilized on the timescale of the procedure. The cells that are illuminated in this way are killed or their growth is inhibited. The focused laser beam is scanned across the surface and turned on and off during the scanning process such that only non-irradiated cells survive, resulting in a patterned cell growth This invention further provides a computer-controlled projection device, such as a micro-mirror array or a liquid crystal display system, which is sued to project an image onto the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents, Acting on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Neal W. T. Woodbury, Benjamin P. Bowen, Allan Scruggs
  • Patent number: 7193707
    Abstract: The present invention provides a small sized wide wave-range spectroscope with a simple structure which requires a short time to measure light for measurement over a wide wavelength spectrum. The small sized wide wave-range spectroscope has a collimator (43) for changing light for measurement (L) transmitted through a slit (41) into collimated light (L0), a plurality of diffraction gratings (44a, 44b) with different grating constants d supported rotatably around a rotational axis in parallel with the incident slit (41) and disposed side by side in the direction of the rotational axis in the optical path of the collimated light (L0), and a diffracted-light focusing members (45a, 45b) for focusing a plurality of diffracted light rays (L1 to L4) provided by the plurality of diffraction gratings (44a, 44b) by which the collimated light (L0) is diffracted, each of the diffracted-light focusing members (45a, 45b) being provided in association with each of the plurality of diffraction gratings (44a, 44b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Ohnishi, Sumitaka Tachikawa, Shozo Katsuki, Koji Masutani
  • Patent number: 7193708
    Abstract: Time efficient methodology for investigating a sample system using electromagnetic wavelengths which are not absorbed by oxygen and/or water vapor during evacuation or purging of a substantially enclosed space in which is present the sample system, followed by using wavelengths which are absorbed by oxygen and/or water vapor after the evacuation or purging is sufficiently completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventor: Craig M. Herzinger
  • Patent number: 7193709
    Abstract: Use of differences in spectroscopic spectra resulting from multiple sample investigation, or sequential investigation of the same sample in evaluation of sample characterizing parameters such as ultra-thin film thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Thomas E. Tiwald
  • Patent number: 7193710
    Abstract: Disclosed are spectroscopic ellipsometer systems which include polarizer and analyzer elements which remain fixed in position during data acquisition, and at least one continuously rotating or step-wise rotatable compensator which transmits an electromagnetic beam therethrough and imposes a continuously variable or plurality of sequentially discrete polarization states on a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and at least one multiple element lens which also transmits the electromagnetic beam therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Martin M. Liphardt, Jeffrey S. Hale, Craig M. Herzinger, Steven E. Green, Ping He, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 7193711
    Abstract: An imaging method and apparatus are provided, including a light source emitting a polarized light beam, and an optical assembly including a control layer and/or a light reflection surface. The control layer advantageously allows for control over the properties of a generated evanescent wave to optimize an image of a specimen array within the evanescent wave. The light reflection surface includes coupling means used to couple a receptor/capture agent advantageously allowing for flexible control over receptor specific regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Maven Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Rassman, David Ralin, Robert A. Lieberman, Lothar U. Kempen, Herbert Shapiro
  • Patent number: 7193712
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring an electromagnetic radiation response property associated with a substrate are disclosed. The methods and apparatus generate electromagnetic waves and capture a portion of the generated waves after the waves pass through a first polarized filter, reflect from a substrate, and pass through a second polarized filter arranged in a cross polar arrangement with respect to the first polarized filter. Digital data is determined from the captured electromagnetic waves. Based on the digital data, the customer is given certain choices and/or informed of certain personal care product recommendations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company, Innovative Measurement Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Phelps Sottery, Mark Sekas, Patricia Alison LaFleur
  • Patent number: 7193713
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring an optical characteristic of a projection optical system such as wavefront aberration, for example, very precisely. In an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes a first detecting step for causing each of plural light beams from a pattern to pass a predetermined position on a pupil plane of the optical system and subsequently imaging the light beams separately, and for detecting an imaging position of each light beam upon the pupil plane of the optical system, a second detecting step for detecting error information related to a passage position as each light beam passes through the pupil plane, and a third detecting step for detecting wavefront aberration of the optical system on the basis of the imaging position of each light beam upon the pupil plane and of the error information related to the passage position of each light beam on the pupil plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Shiode