Patents Issued in August 7, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140218675
    Abstract: A pair of spectacles is provided, wherein a temple main body includes a plate spring section formed to a side of the front frame; and a highly rigid section formed to a rear side of the plate spring section with the ear suspension section inclusive and having bending rigidity higher than that of the plate spring section while the plate spring section is formed in such a manner that its vertical width is rendered constant or tapered with narrowed by a predetermined ratio from its frontal side to its rear side as well as such that a thickness of the plate spring section satisfies the predetermined equation in relation with vertical widths of the plate spring section, positions in a longitudinal direction thereof and an abutment position with the lateral side of the head at the highly rigid section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Masunaga Optical Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru MASUNAGA
  • Publication number: 20140218676
    Abstract: Eyeglasses include lens elements (2, 3), sidepiece elements (4, 5) for supporting the eyeglasses and connecting elements (9) between the lens elements (2, 3) and the sidepiece elements (4, 5). The connecting elements (9) include a pin portion (10, 11) extending from the sidepiece elements (4, 5), and the lens elements (2, 3) have a hole (12, 13) for insertion of the pin portion (10, 11), the pin portion (10, 11) being inserted into the insertion hole (12, 13) to form elements for rotating the sidepiece elements (4, 5) relative to the lens element (2, 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Roberto Carlon
  • Publication number: 20140218677
    Abstract: An eye-lens device includes a frame, at least a lens unit, two first magnets, and two fasteners. The frame includes at least a lens-holding portion and two magnet-seats. The lens unit is held by the lens-holding portion. The first magnets are disposed at the magnet-seats respectively. Each of the fasteners is disposed pivotally to the frame and includes a second magnet. The lens unit is fastened by the attraction of the first and second magnets when the fasteners rotate relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: LIN YUAN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140218678
    Abstract: A lens is permanently engaged with a substantially rigid lens retaining apparatus to form a lens unit during a formation molding process of the lens retaining apparatus. The rigid lens retaining apparatus is permanently engaged with a substantially flexible eyewear frame during a formation molding process of the frame. Therefore, a secure attachment of lenses to the substantially flexible eyewear frame through rigid lens retaining apparatus is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Brent SHELDON
  • Publication number: 20140218679
    Abstract: A method for evaluating at least one individualized fitting parameter for a lens mounted in a spectacle frame. The method includes the following steps: (a) evaluating a postural parameter of the wearer of the spectacle frame in a vision posture, the postural parameter being selected from a plurality of preset postural parameters; (b) evaluating a second pantoscopic angle formed between, on the one hand, the projection of the temple of the frame onto the sagittal plane of the wearer, and on the other hand, the trace, on the same plane, of the front side of the frame; and (c) evaluating the first pantoscopic angle as a function of, on the one hand, the second pantoscopic angle evaluated in step (b), and on the other hand, the postural parameter of the wearer evaluated in step (a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'Optiqu
    Inventor: Ahmed Haddadi
  • Publication number: 20140218680
    Abstract: The proposed innovation provides methods and systems for measuring the interpupillary distance. The proposed innovation provides a fitting pad (102) having two detection points (104 and 106). The fitting pad is placed on the forehead of the user and an image is captured. The image is uploaded and pupil distance calculator software locates the fitting detection points and calculates the distance in pixels of the left and right X, Y coordinates. The software creates an image scale by dividing the pixel counts between the detection points. The software automatically locates the X, Y coordinates between the center of the left and right pupils and calculates the distance in pixels. The resulting pixel distance divided by the image scale provides the interpupillary distance in millimeter. In embodiments, ssegment height is calculated based upon an image imported by the user and the combined scaled images of the user and the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Hal Edward Wilson, James Gerard Welch
  • Publication number: 20140218681
    Abstract: Methods for determining a prescription (Rx) for a person include providing aberrometric data characterizing wavefront errors of the person's eye, the aberrometric data being obtained using an wavefront sensor and comprising one or more coefficients characterizing the wavefront errors; determining a starting Rx for the person's eye based on the one or more coefficients and on predetermined information relating aberrometric data and subjective refraction data for a plurality of people's eyes; and reporting the starting Rx to an eye care professional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicants: Carl Zeiss Vision Inc., Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH
    Inventors: Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20140218682
    Abstract: A system and method for screening vision including: requesting user information; performing objective visual acuity tests; and reporting visual acuity results without assistance from another person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SOLOHEALTH, INC.
    Inventor: Bart FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20140218683
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically detecting, classifying and quantifying clumps indicative of inflammation in the eye using optical coherence tomography images are described. Clump detection relies on both intensity and geometric thresholding. Applications of the invention include improved diagnosis, classification and monitoring of inflammatory disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventor: Harihar NARASIMHA-IYER
  • Publication number: 20140218684
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sub-aperture correlation based wavefront measurement in a thick sample and correction as a post processing technique for interferometric imaging to achieve near diffraction limited resolution are described. Theory, simulation and experimental results are presented for the case of full field interference microscopy. The inventive technique can be applied to any coherent interferometric imaging technique and does not require knowledge of any system parameters. In one embodiment of the present invention, a fast and simple way to correct for defocus aberration is described. A variety of applications for the inventive method are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.
    Inventors: Abhishek KUMAR, Alexandre R. TUMLINSON, Rainer LEITGEB
  • Publication number: 20140218685
    Abstract: An eye refractive power measuring apparatus includes: a measuring part configured to project measurement light onto a fundus of an examinee's eye and measure refractive power of the eye based on reflection light of the measurement light from the fundus; a fixation target presenting part configured to present a fixation target to the eye; a drive part configured to move a presenting position of the fixation target; and a control part configured to control the drive part to move the presenting position from far distance to near distance, the apparatus being configured to measure the eye refractive power in at least a far position and a near position, wherein the control part controls the drive part to change a control amount thereof based on a change in measurement results of the eye refractive power while the fixation target is moved from the far distance to the near distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Kenji NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20140218686
    Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan data of a subject is acquired over a region of interest which can include an optic disc or a macula of a retina. Layer boundaries of retinal layers are identified in the OCT scan data to facilitate measurements. In one aspect, a measurement related to ratio value between a total backscattered signal intensity of one or more target layers of the retina and a total backscattered signal intensity of one or more reference layers is computed on a location-by-location basis within a region of interest of the OCT scan data. Measurements can be collected, aggregated, analyzed, and displayed in connection with other information taken or derived from the OCT scan data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventor: Charles A. Reisman
  • Publication number: 20140218687
    Abstract: A slit lamp mounted eye imaging, a slit lamp integrated, a handheld, OCT integrated, or attached to a separate chinrest-joystick assembly apparatus and method for producing a wide field and/or magnified views of the posterior or the anterior segments of an eye through an undilated or dilated pupil is disclosed. The apparatus images sections and focal planes and utilizes an illumination system that uses one or more LEDs, shifting optical elements, flipping masks, and/or aperture stops where the light can be delivered into the optical system on optical axis or off axis from center of optical system and return imaging path from the eye, creating artifacts in different locations on the eye image. Image processing is employed to detect and eliminate artifacts and masks from images. The apparatus can be used in combination with an OCT, microscope and can be disposed in a hand-held housing for hand-held use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Verdooner
  • Publication number: 20140218688
    Abstract: A slit lamp mounted eye imaging a slit lamp integrated, a handheld, OCT integrated, or attached to a separate chinrest-joystick assembly apparatus for producing a wide field and/or magnified views of the posterior or the anterior segments of an eye through an undilated or dilated pupil. The apparatus images sections and focal planes and utilizes an illumination system that uses one or more LEDs, shifting optical elements, flipping masks, and/or aperture stops where the light can be delivered into the optical system on optical axis or off axis from center of optical system and return imaging path from the eye, creating artifacts in different locations on the eye image. Image processing is employed to detect and eliminate artifacts and masks from images. The apparatus can be used in combination with an OCT, microscope and can be disposed in a hand-held housing for hand-held use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Roger Verdooner
  • Publication number: 20140218689
    Abstract: The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for ophthalmic laser procedure and, more particularly, to systems and methods for dynamic fixation used in the fixation of the eye(s) of a patient during laser-assisted ophthalmic surgery and/or ophthalmic diagnostic and measurement systems where visualization and concentration on a target are desired. The invention generally enhances the alignment between the eye and a laser beam of a laser eye surgery system using visual fixation system and laser delivery optics. The visual fixation system allows a patient's eye(s) to be accurately focused at one or more fixation targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: AMO Development, LLC.
    Inventors: Robert Heitel, Hong Fu
  • Publication number: 20140218690
    Abstract: A method and a device for ascertaining and mapping data representing the optical imaging properties of an eye of a person, in which n different test images are displayed individually in succession on an electronically controllable monitor unit, are seen by the person from a settable viewing angle and at a settable distance, and are identified by means of an input comprising: a) ascertaining a characteristic viewing angle value at a given distance, at which a first probability for correct identification of the test images is achieved, b) ascertaining a characteristic distance value while maintaining the ascertained characteristic viewing angle value, at which a second probability for correct identification is achieved which is greater than the first probability, c) repeating steps a) and b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Sven Heinrich, Michael Bach
  • Publication number: 20140218691
    Abstract: In one example of the invention a patient display is provided on which a fixation graphic or video is shown in substantially the centre of the display, and then target graphics or video are shown at different positions on the display about the centre. A test subject is positioned in front of the patient display at a known distance, and a camera captures an image of the test subject's eyes, to allow gaze direction determination to be performed. The captured images are displayed to a clinician user by a controlling test application, the clinician making a determination based on the images as to whether the test subject saw a target graphic or video when it was displayed. The clinician user then makes an appropriate input into the controlling test application, which also logs the position at which the target image was displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicants: University of York, Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Adar Pelah, Louise Elizabeth Allen, Michael Edward Slater, Andrew Robert Jackson
  • Publication number: 20140218692
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for administering eye tests to identify cone sensitivity loss associated with hereditary and acquired color vision loss which may be used for early detection, progress, treatment, and monitoring of eye conditions, traumatic brain injury, optic neuritis, systemic and neurological diseases including Glaucoma, Retinopathy, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease and retinal toxicity. Particularly, the method and apparatus disclosed uses a Cone Contrast Test (CCT) to test individuals for hereditary or acquired color vision loss associated with (a) early signs of potential disease/damage/toxicity in an effort to (i) provide opportunity for treatment, and (ii) prevent permanent eye damage, and (b) monitor progress and treatment of such disease/damage/toxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Cheryl Nordstrom, Jeffrey Rabin, John M. Gooch
  • Publication number: 20140218693
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus includes an optical part disposed in a light path of an projection image; an enclosing unit to enclose the light path of the projection image and having an window for projecting the projection image onto a projection plane; and an air supply unit to supply air into an internal space of the enclosing unit enclosing the light path. Pressure of the internal space of the enclosing unit is kept at a positive pressure with respect to an external pressure of the enclosing unit during an image projection operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshio KUBO
  • Publication number: 20140218694
    Abstract: A heat dissipation structure of a projection device includes at least one fan, at least one light emitting unit, at least one air guide, and a sensing device. The fan with an outlet is used for providing a cooling flow. The light emitting unit is used for providing a light beam. The air guide is dismountable disposed in front of the outlet. The air guide is used for guiding the cooling flow to a hot spot of the light emitting unit. The sensing device is used for sensing a projection direction of the projection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chia-Jui LIN, Hui-Chih LIN
  • Publication number: 20140218695
    Abstract: A system for projecting changeable electronic content across multiple display surfaces. The system includes display surfaces arranged at a non-zero angle with respect to one another, such as three orthogonal display surfaces in the corner of a rectangular shaped product container. Changeable electronic content, including video and digital still images, is converted such that, when the projector receives and projects the content to the multiple display surfaces, the content is displayed undistorted to a viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Glenn E. Casner, Brett J. Sitter, Robert W. Shannon
  • Publication number: 20140218696
    Abstract: A light source drive device includes a supply unit that supplies a high-frequency first drive signal and a second drive signal whose frequency is lower than a frequency of the first drive signal to a discharge lamp which has a pair of electrodes, and a control unit that controls the supply unit so that the second drive signal is supplied during a second period after the first drive signal is supplied during a first period and the second period is lengthened as a voltage between the pair of electrodes is increased. It is preferable that the second period be longer than two minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20140218697
    Abstract: A light source drive device includes a supply unit that supplies a high-frequency first drive signal and a second drive signal whose frequency is lower than a frequency of the first drive signal to a discharge lamp which has a pair of electrodes, and a control unit that controls the supply unit so that the first drive signal and the second drive signal of fixed durations are alternately supplied and that controls the supply unit so that the first drive signal is supplied in a case where a voltage between the pair of electrodes is below a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20140218698
    Abstract: A projection apparatus including a light source module and a Micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) mirror is provided. The light source module outputs a plurality of illumination beams having different transmission paths. The MEMS minor is disposed on the transmission paths of the illumination beams. Each illumination beam propagates to the MEMS mirror respectively, and the illumination beams are respectively reflected by the MEMS mirror to project on a plurality of positions within an imaging region, wherein the transmission paths of the illumination beams transmitted from the light source to the MEMS mirror are not intersected with the imaging region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Wei-Chih Lin
  • Publication number: 20140218699
    Abstract: An optical projection system for projecting an enlarged image on a projection surface is provided. The optical projection system includes an image forming element, a coaxial optical system and a concave mirror. The coaxial optical system and the concave mirror are arranged in this order on an optical path from the image forming element to the projection surface. The coaxial optical system includes lens groups and an aperture stop that share an optical axis. The lens groups include a first lens group and other lens groups. The first lens group has negative refractive power and independently moves in an optical axis direction for adjusting the focus of the optical projection system. The aperture stop is arranged at a position closer to the image forming element than the first lens group that is arranged closest to the concave mirror among the lens groups having the negative refractive power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Hibiki TATSUNO
  • Publication number: 20140218700
    Abstract: A resonance locking system for a pico-projector, the system comprising a resonance frequency sensor operative for sensing change in resonance frequency of a miniature mechanical device (10) including a moving mirror assembly having a driving frequency, by comparing a current resonance frequency to a reference; and a feedback loop changing at least one aspect of use of the miniature moving mirror assembly responsive to a current value of the resonance frequency measured by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MARADIN TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Matan Naftali, Eytan Keydar, Tal Langer, Sharon Hornstein
  • Publication number: 20140218701
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a laminated body having an active layer, a first cladding layer, and a second cladding layer, the active layer constitutes an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide includes a first portion connecting a first exit section and a first reflecting section to each other, a second portion connecting the first reflecting section and a second reflecting section to each other, and a third portion connecting the second reflecting section and a second exit section to each other, and a current density in the first portion and a current density in the third portion are higher than a current density in the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20140218702
    Abstract: An image projection method includes: reflecting, by a concave mirror, light having transmitted through one or more lenses after forming an intermediate-focused image of the light; and projecting an image onto a projection plane through reflecting the light reflected by the concave mirror by a plane mirror that has an aspect ratio of 1.9 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi YASUI, Mikinori MATSUDA
  • Publication number: 20140218703
    Abstract: There is provided an illumination method for illuminating an illumination objective surface by using a light from a light source. The illumination method includes setting control amount for controlling a plurality of optical elements, to control a state of an incident light coming into each of the plurality of optical elements, the plurality of optical elements being arranged in parallel and being capable of controlling the state of the incident light; illuminating the illumination objective surface with the light from the light source via the plurality of optical elements; monitoring integrated energy of the light from the light source; and correcting the control amount for the plurality of optical elements on the basis of a result of the monitoring of the integrated energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasushi Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20140218704
    Abstract: A catoptric system for EUV lithography includes six freeform reflective surfaces that are specified based on fringe Zernike polynomials. Each of the surfaces is tilted and/or decentered in a meridian plane and with respect to a common axis so that image and object planes are parallel. Rectangular fields can be imaged with image space numerical aperture of at least 0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20140218705
    Abstract: An object is to provide an illumination apparatus that achieves illumination with a uniform illuminance distribution, while reducing a light quantity loss. An illumination apparatus for illuminating an illumination target surface has: a deflection member configured to form an illuminance distribution with a periodic pattern along a predetermined direction on a predetermined face traversing an optical path; and an optical integrator system having a plurality of wavefront division facets arrayed on the predetermined face and configured to form secondary light sources with use of a beam from the deflection member; the deflection member forms the illuminance distribution with the periodic pattern of an integer times or a unit fraction times an array period of the plurality of wavefront division facets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Komatsuda
  • Publication number: 20140218706
    Abstract: A radiation source comprises a nozzle configured to direct a stream of fuel droplets (400) along a trajectory towards a plasma formation location and a laser configured to direct laser radiation to the plasma formation location to convert the fuel droplets at the plasma formation location into a plasma. The laser comprises an amplifier (310, 320) and an optical element (500) configured to define a divergent beam path for radiation passing through the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Christian Wagner, Erik Roelof Loopstra
  • Publication number: 20140218707
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus which transfers a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate placed in proximity to the mask, the apparatus including an illumination optical device which illuminates the mask with an energy beam, a mask holding device which holds a periphery area of a pattern area of the mask from above, and makes a force at least within a plane parallel to a predetermined plane act on the mask and a substrate holding device which moves along the predetermined plane holding the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi SHIBAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20140218708
    Abstract: An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a light modulator which includes a modulator substrate and an array of mirrors that are supported by the modulator substrate. At least some adjacent mirrors partly overlap. The light modulator further comprises a plurality of actuators that are supported by the modulator substrate and are configured to tilt the mirrors individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Armin Werber, Severin Waldis, Florian Bach
  • Publication number: 20140218709
    Abstract: A field facet mirror for an illumination optics of a projection exposure apparatus for EUV microlithography transmits a structure of an object arranged in an object field into an image field. The field facet mirror has a plurality of field facets with reflection surfaces. The arrangement of the field facets next to one another spans a base plane. Projections of the reflection surfaces of at least two of the field facets onto the base plane differ with respect to at least one of the following parameters: size, shape, orientation. A field facet mirror results which can ensure a uniform object field illumination with a simultaneously high EUV throughput.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Staicu, Martin Endres
  • Publication number: 20140218710
    Abstract: A method of forming a reticle includes: loading a blank reticle; projecting an electron beam; moving a second aperture plate having a first pattern aperture and a second pattern aperture so that the first pattern aperture is directly overlapped by a first aperture of a first aperture plate, the electron beam passing through the first pattern aperture after passing the first aperture; exposing the blank reticle with the electron beam after the electron beam passes the first pattern aperture, to form a first exposure pattern; moving the second aperture plate so that the second pattern aperture is directly overlapped by the first aperture of the first aperture plate, the electron beam passing through the second pattern aperture after passing the first aperture; exposing the blank reticle with the electron beam after the electron beam passes the second pattern aperture, to form a second exposure pattern; and developing the blank reticle having the first and second exposure patterns to form the reticle having firs
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin CHOI, Jin-Ha JEONG, Urazaev VLADIMIR, Hea-Yun LEE
  • Publication number: 20140218711
    Abstract: An electrostatic clamp for use in holding an object onto a supporting table, the electrostatic clamp comprising: a multi-layer film comprising an electrode defined in an electrically conducting layer which is positioned between electrically insulating layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Eugene Maria Brinkhof, Jan Bex, Anko Jozef Cornelus Sijben, Johannes Wihelmus Damen
  • Publication number: 20140218712
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus and a fabrication method thereof include an obtaining unit configured to obtain data of a first imaging position at which light from a first pattern having, as a longitudinal direction thereof, a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis of a projection optical system forms an image via the projection optical system, and data of a second imaging position at which light from a second pattern having, as a longitudinal direction thereof, a second direction which is not parallel to the first direction and is perpendicular to the optical axis forms an image via the projection optical system, when the first pattern and the second pattern are respectively placed on an object plane of the projection optical system, and a control unit configured to control a stage so that a substrate is positioned at a target position of the substrate along the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki IWAI, Ryo SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20140218713
    Abstract: A process of an extreme ultraviolet lithography is disclosed. The process includes receiving an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask, an EUV radiation source and an illuminator. The process also includes exposing the EUV mask by a radiation, originating from the EUV radiation source and directed by the illuminator, with a less-than-three-degree chief ray angle of incidence at the object side (CRAO). The process further includes removing most of the non-diffracted light and collecting and directing the diffracted light and the not removed non-diffracted light by a projection optics box (POB) to expose a target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Cheng Lu, Shinn-Sheng Yu, Anthony Yen
  • Publication number: 20140218714
    Abstract: A reticle for use in an extreme ultraviolet (euv) lithography tool includes a trench formed in the opaque border formed around the image field of the reticle. The trench is coated with an absorber material. The reticle is used in an euv lithography tool in conjunction with a reticle mask and the positioning of the reticle mask and the presence of the trench combine to prevent any divergent beams of radiation from reaching any undesired areas on the substrate being patterned. In this manner, only the exposure field of the substrate is exposed to the euv radiation. Pattern integrity in neighboring fields is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Hao HSU, Chia-Chen CHEN, Jui-Ching WU, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Chia-Jen CHEN, Chia-Ching HUANG
  • Publication number: 20140218715
    Abstract: A structure of an optical path for laser range finding includes a main body and a light-emitting unit assembled in the main body. The main body has a transmitting channel, a receiving channel and a calibration channel. The light-emitting unit is assembled in the transmitting channel. The light-emitting unit emits an external optical beam and an internal optical beam. The external optical beam is emitted through the transmitting channel. The internal optical beam is emitted to the receiving channel via the calibration channel. An included angle is defined between the external optical beam and the internal optical beam. A receiver is mounted in the receiving channel. Under this arrangement, the external optical beam and the internal optical beam do not interfere with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Nen-Tsua Li
  • Publication number: 20140218716
    Abstract: A cable for distributed fibre optic sensing comprising a flexible tape, an optical fibre suitable for Brillouin scattering measurement forming at least two lengths, and at least one free end of at least one length being connectable to a reading unit, wherein at least a section of the longitudinal length of the flexible tape is situated between at least a section of the two lengths such that the two lengths are in close proximity such that a temperature gradient between the two lengths is minimized, and wherein the section of the tape and the section of lengths can flex together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: University of New Brunswick
    Inventors: Anthony Brown, Bruce Colpitts
  • Publication number: 20140218717
    Abstract: A BOTDA system that combined optical pulse coding techniques and coherent detection includes a narrow linewidth laser, two polarization-maintaining couplers, microwave generator, two electro-optic modulators (EOMs), fiber under test, an optical circulator, a 3 dB coupler, a polarization scrambler, a pulse generator, a balance photodetector, an electrical spectrum analyzer, digital signal processing unit and a frequency shifter. The optical pulse coding techniques and coherent detection are simultaneously used in the invented system, which can be enhance the signal-to-noise ration (SNR), the measuring accuracy and the sensing distance of BOTDA. Moreover, the proposed system has the capacity of break interrogation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Nanjing University
    Inventors: Xuping Zhang, Junhui Hu, Lan Xia
  • Publication number: 20140218718
    Abstract: Sampling device geometry reduces specular reflectance, using lenses to focus electromagnetic energy to predominately return scattered rather than reflected electromagnetic energy to detector(s), reducing effect of non-matte surfaces and/or window. Sampling device includes inherent automatic optical calibration, and optionally thermal calibration. Calibration detectors are optically isolated with respective emitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: VISUALANT, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Ian Mander, Thomas A. Furness, III, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Michael Vivian Denton, Allan David Beach, Alan Charles Tompkins
  • Publication number: 20140218719
    Abstract: Detection system comprising an examination region, a one-piece optical element including a focusing portion to concentrate light received from the examination region and a guiding portion to homogenize light received from the focusing portion, and a detector configured to detect homogenized light received from the guiding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis Pristinski, David P. Stumbo
  • Publication number: 20140218720
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to map the body habitus, without the use of ionizing radiation, and to simultaneously track the position of an ionizing radiation imaging detector with respect to the body habitus map so that the radiotracer distribution of the patient can be fused with the body habitus map and thus provide an anatomical reference for the radiotracer distribution within the patient. A depth camera, capable of imaging a 3-dimensional surface, is attached to an ionizing radiation imaging detector where the relative position between the two is known.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Novadaq Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Joel KINDEM
  • Publication number: 20140218721
    Abstract: A device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory operable to perform operations. The operations include determining a first estimated distance associated with a first location of an optical fiber based on first light detected by a sensor, where the first light is detected at a first time when a portion of the optical fiber has a first configuration, and determining a second estimated distance associated with a second location of the optical fiber based on second light detected by the sensor, where the second light is detected at a second time when the portion of the optical fiber has a second configuration. The operations further include determining a third estimated distance associated with a third location of the optical fiber based on the first estimated distance and the second estimated distance, where the third location is associated with a fault in the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Bryan Smith
  • Publication number: 20140218722
    Abstract: An optical inspector includes a radiating source, a time varying beam reflector, a telecentric scan lens, a first and second lens, a field stop, and a detector. The radiating source irradiates a first position of on the time varying beam reflector with a source beam. The time varying beam reflector directs the source beam to the telecentric scan lens, which in turn directs the source beam to a sample. The first lens focuses scattered radiation from the sample to generate multiple scan lines at a first focal plane. The field stop is positioned at the first focal plane to block one or more scan lines at the first focal plane. The scan line not blocked by the field stop propagates to the second lens. The second lens de-scans the scan line and generates a point of scattered radiation at a second focal plane where the detector input is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Zeta Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Meeks, Rusmin Kudinar, Hung P. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140218723
    Abstract: A defect inspection apparatus including: a first illumination optical system which is configured to illuminate the inspection area on a sample surface from a normal line direction or a direction near thereof with respect to said sample surface; a second illumination optical system which is configured to illuminate said inspection area from a slant direction with respect to said sample surface; a detection optical system having a plurality of first detectors which are located, in front of, on the sides of, and behind said inspection area, respectively, with respect to the illumination direction of said second illumination optical system, and where the regular reflected light component, from said sample surface, by illumination light of said second illumination optical system, is not converged; and a signal processing system which is configured to inspect a defect, upon basis of signals obtained from said plurality of first detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro ISHIMARU, Minori NOGUCHI, Ichiro MORIYAMA, Yoshikazu TANABE, Yasuo YATSUGAKE, Yukio KENBOU, Kenji WATANABE, Hirofumi TSUCHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140218724
    Abstract: An optical inspector includes a radiating source, a time varying beam reflector, a telecentric scan lens, a separating minor, and a first and second detector. The radiating source is configured to irradiate a first position on the time varying beam reflector with a source beam. The time varying beam reflector directs the source beam to the telecentric scan lens, which in turn directs the source beam to a sample. The telecentric scan lens directs specular reflection and near specular scattered radiation to the time varying beam reflector. The specular reflection is directed by the separating mirror to the first detector. The near specular scattered radiation is not reflected by the separating minor and propagates to the second detector. In response, the optical inspector determines the total reflectivity, the surface slope, or the near specular scattered radiation intensity of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ZETA INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven W. Meeks, Rusmin Kudinar, Hung P. Nguyen