Profile Patents (Class 250/559.22)
  • Patent number: 12117526
    Abstract: A displacement meter includes: a light source; an illumination optical system which forms a light intensity distribution at a predetermined position on an optical axis by using light from the light source such that a light intensity at a peripheral portion of the light intensity distribution is stronger than a light intensity at a center portion of the light intensity distribution; a light deflection portion which has an opening on the optical axis and a reflection part reflecting light of the light intensity distribution formed by the illumination optical system at the predetermined position; a first lens unit which collects light reflected by the reflection part and illuminates a measurement object; a sensor array which detects light reflected by the measurement object and passing through the opening of the light deflection portion through the first lens unit; and a measurement unit which detects a displacement of the measurement object by using outputs of the sensor array at different timings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Uozumi
  • Patent number: 12090026
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional intraoral scanner which, in particular, includes: a case which may be drawn in and out of the oral cavity, and has an opening for introducing, into the case, via an end part thereof, the appearance of the oral cavity (hereinafter, image) in the form of light; at least one camera arranged inside the case, and allowing the light introduced via the opening of the case to pass; a light projector which is arranged on one side of the at least one camera and which radiates light into the oral cavity via the opening; an optical element provided to be rotatable while tilting so as to reflect or bend the path of the light from the at least one camera and the light projector from inside the case; and a light path change unit for moving the optical element so as to be adjustable. Therefore, the three-dimensional intraoral scanner may easily obtain image data for the entire oral cavity of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: MEDIT CORP.
    Inventors: Min Ho Chang, Soo Bok Lee, Ji Woong Chang
  • Patent number: 12078470
    Abstract: A height measurement device images a target, extracts a contour of the target from a two-dimensional image, sets a circumscribed rectangular area of which each side is parallel to a corresponding side of the visual field of the camera and each side is circumscribed with the extracted contour of the target, and sets an extension area in which each of four sides of the set circumscribed rectangular area is extended outward by a predetermined amount. The height measurement device determines multiple imaging positions such that maximum parallax is obtained within a range where the extension area does not protrude from the visual field of the camera. Then, the height measurement device images the target at each of the determined multiple imaging positions, and estimates a height of the target from parallax of a two-dimensional image of the target imaged at each of the multiple imaging positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takumi Azuma, Nobuo Oishi
  • Patent number: 12055476
    Abstract: An imaging flow cytometry apparatus and method which allows registering multiple locations across a cell, and/or across multiple flow channels, in parallel using radio-frequency-tagged emission (FIRE) coupled with a parallel optical detection scheme toward increasing analysis throughput. An optical source is modulated by multiple RF frequencies to produce an optical interrogation beam having a spatially distributed beat frequency. This beam is directed to one or more focused streams of cells whose responsive fluorescence, in different frequencies, is registered in parallel by an optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bahram Jalali, Eric D. Diebold, Brandon Buckley
  • Patent number: 12050408
    Abstract: One or more images of a device feature are acquired using an imaging tool. A geometrical shape is defined encompassing the relevant pixels of each image, where the geometrical shape is represented in terms of one or more parameters. A cost function is defined whose variables comprise the one or more parameters of the geometrical shape. For each image, numerical optimization is applied to obtain optimal values of the one or more parameters for which the cost function is minimized. The optimal values of the one or more parameters are reported as metrology data pertaining to the device feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Waheb Bishara, Stephanie W. Chen, Bin Lin, Xinhuo Xiao
  • Patent number: 12044628
    Abstract: An optical detection device and a detection method thereof are provided. A linear light source provides a light curtain formed by multiple light beams, the light curtain is located on a transportation path of transporting an object to be detected. A sensor set senses the part of light beams not interrupted by the object to be detected, so as to generate a sensing signal with various strengths. A control circuit determines a physical characteristic, moving speed and position of the object to be detected according to the strength of the sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Aspect Microsystems Corp.
    Inventors: Mingshun Shih, Jung-Fu Liao
  • Patent number: 11985397
    Abstract: System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Binder
  • Patent number: 11959821
    Abstract: A comprehensive test platform for fluorescence microscope objective lenses, comprising a bottom plate (1), wherein a horizontal adjustment device and a vertical fixing mechanism are provided on the bottom plate (1); the horizontal adjustment device comprises a two-dimensional translation stage (2) and a two-dimensional tilting stage (3) stacked in sequence; a reticle (4) is provided on the two-dimensional tilting stage (3); the vertical fixing mechanism comprises a back plate (6), and the back plate (6) is fixedly connected onto the bottom plate (1); an optical detection device and a guide sliding device (7) in the vertical direction are separately fixedly provided on the back plate (6); and a sliding support (8) that can slide along the guide sliding device is provided on the guide sliding device (7), and a measuring objective lens (5) is fixed on the sliding support (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: MLOptic Corp.
    Inventor: Bin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11954841
    Abstract: An image analysis device may align an image to determine a position of a wafer within the image. The wafer may include a plurality of wafer bumps. The image analysis device may mask, based on the position of the wafer, the image to obtain an image of a portion of the wafer. The image analysis device may binarize the image of the portion of the wafer to create a binarized image of the portion of the wafer. The image analysis device may determine a bump pattern, associated with the plurality of wafer bumps, based on the binarized image of the portion of the wafer. The image analysis device may perform a defect analysis of the determined bump pattern. The defect analysis may be associated with detecting regions of the portion of the wafer in which one or more wafer bumps have abnormal bump heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Lieh Chen, Cheng-Kang Hu, Cheng-Lung Wu, Jiun-Rong Pai
  • Patent number: 11946851
    Abstract: An imaging flow cytometry apparatus and method which allows registering multiple locations across a cell, and/or across multiple flow channels, in parallel using radio-frequency-tagged emission (FIRE) coupled with a parallel optical detection scheme toward increasing analysis throughput. An optical source is modulated by multiple RF frequencies to produce an optical interrogation beam having a spatially distributed beat frequency. This beam is directed to one or more focused streams of cells whose responsive fluorescence, in different frequencies, is registered in parallel by an optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bahram Jalali, Eric D. Diebold, Brandon Buckley
  • Patent number: 11877063
    Abstract: An inspection device that performs inspection by using an inspection image of a board on which multiple components are disposed, the inspection device includes a fixed focus type camera, a lifting/lowering mechanism configured to move the camera up or down relative to the board, a setting section configured to acquire height information of the components, and set a reference position separated from a top surface of the board by a distance corresponding to a height of each of the components according to a predetermined setting method such that an imaging surface of each component within an imaging range of the camera is included in a depth of field of the camera, and a control section configured to control the lifting/lowering mechanism and the camera such that the inspection image is captured after the camera is relatively moved up or down to focus on the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Kobayashi, Yuki Inaura, Tomoya Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 11842506
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire first image data obtained by capturing an image of an object, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a three-dimensional shape of the object based on second image data obtained by irradiating the object with pattern light and capturing an image of the object, a determination unit configured to determine a flat area on the object based on the three-dimensional shape of the object, and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate a surface characteristic of the flat area on the object based on the first image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11838607
    Abstract: System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Binder
  • Patent number: 11686686
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a preservation layer of a motor vehicle component during the manufacture of a motor vehicles. A preservation medium is applied having fluorescent additives to a component of the motor vehicle in a coating region. An inspection head having at least one camera and a UV light source is then caused to move adjacent to an inspection region that is a partial region of the coating region. The UV light source is the caused to emit radiating light onto the inspection region and the at least one camera is concurrently caused to record at least one image of the inspection region. An examination of the at least one recorded image is then conducted for a faulty coating with the preservation medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik GMBH & Co KG
    Inventor: Christoph Kribernegg
  • Patent number: 11653485
    Abstract: A component mounting device moves a board height sensor horizontally to multiple measuring points and measures heights of the front surface of the board at the multiple measuring points. Subsequently, the component mounting device obtains a positional deviation in the horizontal direction of a target mounting position on the front surface of the board based on the heights of the front surface of the board so measured. In addition, the component mounting device obtains a positional deviation in a vertical direction of the target mounting position based on a measured height in the vertical direction of the front surface of the board. Then, the component mounting device corrects the target mounting position based on the positional deviation in the horizontal direction and the positional deviation in the vertical direction that are so obtained and mounts a component in the target mounting position so corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Otsuki, Toshinori Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11630053
    Abstract: An imaging flow cytometry apparatus and method which allows registering multiple locations across a cell, and/or across multiple flow channels, in parallel using radio-frequency-tagged emission (FIRE) coupled with a parallel optical detection scheme toward increasing analysis throughput. An optical source is modulated by multiple RF frequencies to produce an optical interrogation beam having a spatially distributed beat frequency. This beam is directed to one or more focused streams of cells whose responsive fluorescence, in different frequencies, is registered in parallel by an optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bahram Jalali, Eric D. Diebold, Brandon Buckley
  • Patent number: 11620760
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ranging method based on laser-line scanning imaging to effectively suppress interference of extreme weather on imaging. The method includes the following steps: acquiring priori reference images for a fixed laser-line scanning system, including respectively placing reference whiteboards at different distances, projecting line laser beams to the whiteboards, and acquiring the reference images by using a camera; placing a laser-line scanning device in a real scene, causing the laser-line scanning device to respectively emit line lasers at different angles, and acquiring an image at each scanning angle by using a camera; and performing fusion calculation on the acquired scanning image in the real scene and the priori reference images by using a ranging algorithm based on laser-line scanning, and extracting distance information of a surrounding object, to implement environment perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School
    Inventors: Yongbing Zhang, Xizhi Huang, Xiangyang Ji, Haoqian Wang
  • Patent number: 11597960
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to approaches for assessing a sample or the presence of microorganisms. The sample, in certain implementations may be assessed for one or both of absence of microorganisms (sterility) and/or for concentration of said organisms (bio-burden). sample partition device may be employed that partitions the sample input volume into multiple discrete measurement zones with little or no loss of sample (e.g., zero-loss) and with little operator involvement, thereby reducing operator- and environment-based false positives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alex David Corwin, Erik Leeming Kvam, Christine Lynne Surrette, Brian Joseph Scherer, Pei-Hsin Kuo, Ralf Lenigk
  • Patent number: 11577859
    Abstract: A fault resilient airborne network includes a plurality of aircraft system components installed within an aircraft and at least one agent in communication with the plurality of aircraft system components during in-flight operation of the aircraft. The at least one agent is configured to monitor an aircraft system component for a fault, observe a fault within the aircraft system component, and provide reconfiguration instructions to the aircraft system component in response to the observed fault. The at least one agent is further configured to predict a life expectancy of the aircraft system component using machine learning models while monitoring the aircraft system component for a fault, and provide reconfiguration instructions to the aircraft system component when the life expectancy of the aircraft system component meets a threshold. The reconfiguration instructions are configured to cause an adjustment in at least some of the plurality of aircraft system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean D. Howard, Raymond Y. Zheng
  • Patent number: 11580652
    Abstract: One exemplary implementation facilitates object detection using multiple scans of an object in different lighting conditions. For example, a first scan of the object can be created by capturing images of the object by moving an image sensor on a first path in a first lighting condition, e.g., bright lighting. A second scan of the object can then be created by capturing additional images of the object by moving the image sensor on a second path in a second lighting condition, e.g., dim lighting. Implementations determine a transform that associates the scan data from these multiple scans to one another and use the transforms to generate a 3D model of the object in a single coordinate system. Augmented content can be positioned relative to that object in the single coordinate system and thus will be displayed in the appropriate location regardless of the lighting condition in which the physical object is later detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Chapdelaine-Couture, Mohamed Selim Ben Himane
  • Patent number: 11561289
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for an optical sensing system steering optical beams with a wedge prism. An exemplary system may include a scanner configured to steer an emitted optical beam towards an object. The system may further include a wedge prism configured to receive an optical beam returned from the object and refract the returned optical beam towards the scanner. The scanner is further configured to steer the refracted optical beam to form a receiving optical beam in a direction non-parallel to the emitted optical beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Youmin Wang
  • Patent number: 11477339
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller that causes an image reading device to suspend reading a source document, when a decider decides that a shortage value of a source image is equal to or larger than a first threshold, causes a display device to display a message that the first threshold is changed to a predetermined second threshold larger than the first threshold, stores the source image, or causes the image forming device to form the source image, when a reading resuming instruction, to resume reading the source document at least including the source document the reading of which has been suspended, is received by an operation device, and when the decider decides that the shortage value of the source image is smaller than the second threshold, and causes, when there is a next source document, the image reading device to read the next source document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nitta
  • Patent number: 11468667
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods and structures providing wide-area traffic monitoring based on distributed fiber-optic sensing (DFOS) that employs deep neural network(s) for denoising noisy waterfall traces measured by the DFOS. Such systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may advantageously monitor multiple highways/roadways using a single interrogator and optical fiber switch(es) which provides traffic information along every sensing point of existing, deployed, in-service optical telecommunications facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Milad Salemi, Ming-Fang Huang
  • Patent number: 11448737
    Abstract: A miniature solid-state laser radar and a data processing method therefor. The miniature solid-state laser radar includes a laser emitter (1), an imaging lens (2), an imaging sensor (3), and a control and data processing apparatus (4). The laser emitter (1) is used to emit linear laser; the imaging lens (2) is used to collect reflected laser light and image same on the imaging sensor (3); the imaging sensor (3) receives light focused through the imaging lens and images the same; and the control and data processing apparatus (4) is used to control working of the laser emitter (1), receive imaging data from the imaging sensor (3), run a structural light algorithm, and finally acquire point cloud data in a space environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventors: Qiang Wang, Jianfei Zhang, Huan Wang
  • Patent number: 11423526
    Abstract: An image analysis device may align an image to determine a position of a wafer within the image. The wafer may include a plurality of wafer bumps. The image analysis device may mask, based on the position of the wafer, the image to obtain an image of a portion of the wafer. The image analysis device may binarize the image of the portion of the wafer to create a binarized image of the portion of the wafer. The image analysis device may determine a bump pattern, associated with the plurality of wafer bumps, based on the binarized image of the portion of the wafer. The image analysis device may perform a defect analysis of the determined bump pattern. The defect analysis may be associated with detecting regions of the portion of the wafer in which one or more wafer bumps have abnormal bump heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Lieh Chen, Cheng-Kang Hu, Cheng-Lung Wu, Jiun-Rong Pai
  • Patent number: 11346661
    Abstract: A method for creating a measurement protocol in a computer, such as the measurement computer of a coordinate-measuring machine or a computer remote therefrom, includes: providing data necessary for creating a measurement protocol generated on the basis of a measurement sequence by the coordinate-measuring machine; providing specification data specifying predefined conditions under which a measurement sequence should be performed and/or specifying predefined conditions under which examination features should be evaluated; checking the data necessary for creating a measurement protocol as to whether the predefined conditions under which the entire measurement sequence should be performed were met and/or as to whether the predefined conditions under which individual examination features to be examined should be evaluated were met; and, creating a measurement protocol in the form of an electronic document, in which compliance and/or non-compliance with the conditions in accordance with the specification data is d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Roithmeier, Udo Kirin
  • Patent number: 11327016
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fluorescence imaging using radiofrequency multiplexed excitation. One apparatus splits an excitation laser beam into two arms of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The light in the first beam is frequency shifted by an acousto-optic deflector, which is driven by a phase-engineered radiofrequency comb designed to minimize peak-to-average power ratio. This RF comb generates multiple deflected optical beams possessing a range of output angles and frequency shifts. The second beam is shifted in frequency using an acousto-optic frequency shifter. After combining at a second beam splitter, the two beams are focused to a line on the sample using a conventional laser scanning microscope lens system. The acousto-optic deflectors frequency-encode the simultaneous excitation of an entire row of pixels, which enables detection and de-multiplexing of fluorescence images using a single photomultiplier tube and digital phase-coherent signal recovery techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Eric D. Diebold, Bahram Jalali, Brandon Buckley
  • Patent number: 11280718
    Abstract: An imaging flow cytometry apparatus and method which allows registering multiple locations across a cell, and/or across multiple flow channels, in parallel using radio-frequency-tagged emission (FIRE) coupled with a parallel optical detection scheme toward increasing analysis throughput. An optical source is modulated by multiple RF frequencies to produce an optical interrogation beam having a spatially distributed beat frequency. This beam is directed to one or more focused streams of cells whose responsive fluorescence, in different frequencies, is registered in parallel by an optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bahram Jalali, Eric D. Diebold, Brandon Buckley
  • Patent number: 11274991
    Abstract: An inspection tool for allowing visual inspection of an end face of a fiber optic ferrule. The inspection tool includes a passage for allowing a camera to view the end face. The inspection tool also includes light directing structure for first directing ferrule illumination light axially along the inspection tool, and then reflecting the axial light across the end face of the fiber optic ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Jacques Ann Diepstraten, Jozef Christiaan Mathieu Versleegers, Antonius Bernardus Gerardus Bolhaar, Christiaan Radelet
  • Patent number: 11249404
    Abstract: A system comprises a topography measurement system configured to determine a respective height for each of a plurality of locations on a substrate; and a processor configured to: determine a height map for the substrate based on the determined heights for the plurality of locations; and determine at least one alignment parameter for the substrate by comparing the height map and a reference height map, wherein the reference height map comprises or represents heights for a plurality of locations on a reference substrate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Emil Peter Schmitt-Weaver, Kaustuve Bhattacharyya, Rene Marinus Gerardus Johan Queens, Wolfgang Helmut Henke, Wim Tjibbo Tel, Theodorus Franciscus Adrianus Maria Linschoten
  • Patent number: 11067384
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide an elongated part measuring apparatus including an elongated frame, an elongated transparent part supporter supported by the frame and configured to support an elongated part (such as a guide wire or mandrel), an elongated movable part straightener pivotally connected to and supported by the frame, and a movable optical measurer movably connected to and supported by the frame and configured to take multiple spaced apart outer dimensional measurements of the elongated part (whether uncoated or coated).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Innovatech, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Reget, Paul J. Margis, Bruce Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 10887578
    Abstract: In various embodiments, systems and methods for acquiring depth images utilize an architecture suited to safety-rated applications, and may include more than sensor (such as time-of-flight sensors) operating along different optical paths and a comparison module for ensuring proper sensor operation. Error metrics may be associated with pixel-level depth values for purposes of allowing safe control based on imperfectly known depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: VEO ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Denenberg, Lev Persits, Clara Vu, Robert Craig Randall, Patrick Sobalvarro, Valentina Chamorro, Gene Malkin, Alberto Moel
  • Patent number: 10837764
    Abstract: A surface flatness measuring device and a surface flatness measuring method are disclosed. By non-contacting laser measurement, measurement precision can reach 0.001 mm so the measurement precision is high. A repetitive measurement error thereof can be controlled to be within 3 um so the measurement error is tiny, which prevent issues of low measurement precision and great measurement errors due to manual measurement in prior art. At the same time, the present invention measurement data can be automatically recorded and saved, measurement for a large batch of boards under measurement can be implemented, which prevents the issues of the conventional measurement data requiring manual recording and lacking capability of uploading the measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinpeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 10830583
    Abstract: A method for creating a measurement protocol in a computer, such as the measurement computer of a coordinate-measuring machine or a computer remote therefrom, includes: providing data necessary for creating a measurement protocol generated on the basis of a measurement sequence by the coordinate-measuring machine; providing specification data specifying predefined conditions under which a measurement sequence should be performed and/or specifying predefined conditions under which examination features should be evaluated; checking the data necessary for creating a measurement protocol as to whether the predefined conditions under which the entire measurement sequence should be performed were met and/or as to whether the predefined conditions under which individual examination features to be examined should be evaluated were met, and; creating a measurement protocol in the form of an electronic document, in which compliance and/or non-compliance with the conditions in accordance with the specification data is d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Roithmeier, Udo Kirin
  • Patent number: 10812695
    Abstract: A measuring device (233) for monitoring movement of a first object relative to a second object, the first object or the second object including a target surface (13), comprises a first image sensor combination (236), a second image sensor combination (237), and a control system (20A). The image sensor combinations (236, 237) capture first images and second images of the target surface (13) over time. The first image sensor combination (236) includes a first image sensor (236A) and a first lens assembly (236B). The second image sensor combination (237) includes a second image sensor (237A), and a second lens assembly (237B) having a second optical axis (237BX) that is at an angle of between thirty degrees and sixty degrees relative to normal to the target surface (13). The control system (20A) analyzes the first images and the second images to monitor movement of the first object relative to the second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan K. Wells, Matthew D. Rosa, Paul Derek Coon, Eric Peter Goodwin
  • Patent number: 10739131
    Abstract: A three-dimensional scanning device including: a projection unit for projecting a wide-area pattern and a local pattern on an object to be measured; an image acquisition unit for acquiring an image of the object on which the wide-area pattern and the local pattern are projected; a detection unit for detecting the locations of a plurality of first IDs that are identifiers formed in the shape that can be distinguished utilizing image information in a space within a certain range in the image of the object, on which the wide-area pattern is projected, acquired by the image acquisition unit; a collection unit for collecting data on a brightness value within a predetermined certain distance with respect to the center point of the detected first ID; and an operation unit for determining a first ID value of the first ID using information of the collection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: MEDIT CORP.
    Inventors: Minho Chang, Soobok Lee, Jiwoong Chang, Sungbin Im, Euijeong Song, Hansol Kim, Seungjin Lee
  • Patent number: 10731975
    Abstract: An inspection device for contactless three-dimensional inspection of a blade for a turbomachine. The device includes at least one first pair of laser measurement modules to scan the blade and a rotational drive to rotate, about the main axis, the blade relative to the modules along the main axis of the blade. The device then rebuilds a three-dimensional virtual representation of the blade using data coming from the scan and performs a dimensional inspection using the three-dimensional representation. Each pair of modules includes a first module oriented towards a first face of the blade and a second module oriented towards a second face of the blade. The modules are oriented relative to the blade so that during rotation, the modules scan the faces of the blade on the entire rim of the blade, and during translation of the blade along the main axis, the faces are scanned throughout their height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Mesure-Systems3D SAS
    Inventor: Didier Le Neel
  • Patent number: 10692247
    Abstract: A processor implemented method for compressing surface data of a 3 dimensional object in a global digital space, using an image encoder that supports an image data compression algorithm, the image encoder being coupled to a transmitter. The method includes the steps of (i) decomposing the surface data into at least one surface representation that is encoded in an oriented bounding box, (ii) transforming the oriented bounding box into a canonical camera representation to obtain canonical coordinates for the at least one surface representation, (iii) converting each of the at least one surface representation into at least one bounding box image pair that includes a grayscale image representing depth, and a color image and (iv) tiling the at least one bounding box image pair to produce a tiled bounding box image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Omnivor, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam G. Kirk, Oliver A. Whyte
  • Patent number: 10551177
    Abstract: A measurement method for selecting a rectangle from a grid image that has been projected on a surface of an object or that has been gained by taking an image of a grid drawn on the surface of an object, inputting an image in a state where the optical system has been adjusted in such a manner that the grid phase of the above-described projected grid image or the above-described drawn grid is gained by dividing 2m? (m is an integer) by Mx×Ny within the rectangle, sampling a rectangular region made up of Mx pixels in the x direction and Ny pixels in the y direction of the above-described grid image or an image of the above-described grid from the above-described inputted image, and finding a phase on the basis of the brightness of pixels in the above-described rectangular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: 4D SENSOR INC.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Morimoto, Yoshiyuki Kusunoki, Masaki Ueki, Akihiro Masaya, Akifumi Takagi
  • Patent number: 10529533
    Abstract: A sample holder, a member mounting device, and a charged particle beam apparatus are able to secure a compatible configuration for the transfer of a sample between different-type charged particle beam apparatuses without an increase in equipment costs. The charged particle beam apparatus includes a holder unit for removably fastening a sample holder for receiving a sample, and a sample stage unit for loading the holder unit in a sample chamber. The sample holder includes a sample holding member for receiving a sample, a support section for supporting the sample holding member, and a clip disposed on the support section at a position where the sample holding member is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH SCIENCE Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Iwahori
  • Patent number: 10495444
    Abstract: A pipe measuring apparatus includes a measurement probe that performs a non-contact measurement of a pipe as a measurable object; and a displacement mechanism that relatively displaces the measurement probe in three mutually orthogonal axis directions relative to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Nagataki, Takao Kawabe
  • Patent number: 10488641
    Abstract: A scanning microscope includes a two-dimensional scanning device that includes a first scanner and a second scanner for scanning, in oscillation motion and with light, a sample in directions orthogonal to each other, the first scanner scanning the sample at a speed higher than a speed of the second scanner, and a scan controller that controls the two-dimensional scanning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chika Nakamoto, Yosuke Tani
  • Patent number: 10422622
    Abstract: An interference observation apparatus includes an interference optical apparatus, a microscope housing, an imaging unit, and an objective lens. The interference optical apparatus includes a housing, a light source, a photodetector, beam splitters, a reference mirror, and a control unit. The interference observation apparatus is configured such that the housing of the interference optical apparatus is disposed between the objective lens attachment portion and the objective lens in a microscope apparatus including the imaging unit for capturing an image of the light passing through the objective lens attached to the objective lens attachment portion having an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Toyohiko Yamauchi, Hidenao Yamada
  • Patent number: 10379034
    Abstract: Spectrophotometer for the characterization of receivers of solar collectors in order to determine optical properties (transmittance and reflectance). The equipment allows the evaluation of a receiver tube in real time and in any kind of light conditions, both inside and outside. The equipment also allows the detection of the eccentricity between the outer tube and the inner tube, which directly influences the reliability of the measurement. The equipment has a mechanical system for allowing a rotation of the equipment around the tube in order to find the optimum measurement position and attach itself to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ABENGOA SOLAR NEW TECHNOLOGIES, S.A.
    Inventors: Noelia Martinez Sanz, Guillermo Espinosa Rueda, David Izquierdo Núñez, Marta Osta Lombardo, Marta Mainar López, Carlos Heras Vila, Iñigo Salina Ariz, Santiago Forcada Pardo, Rafael Alonso Esteban
  • Patent number: 10352691
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing phase maps acquired using interferometer wafer geometry tools are disclosed. More specifically, instead of performing phase unwrapping first and then analyze the unwrapped data in a height domain, systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure operate in a curvature domain without having to perform any phase unwrapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Haiguang Chen, Jaydeep Sinha, Shouhong Tang, Sergey Kamensky
  • Patent number: 10345711
    Abstract: A method for determining an offset between a center of a substrate and a center of a depression in a chuck includes providing a test substrate to the depression, the test substrate having a dimension smaller than a dimension of the depression, measuring a position of an alignment mark of the test substrate while in the depression, and determining the offset between the center of the substrate and the center of the depression from the position of the alignment mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Gerrit Johannes Nijmeijer, Minne Cuperus, Petrus Anton Willem Cornelia Maria Van Eijck
  • Patent number: 10308345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a structure having a panel, a stringer and a rib. The stringer has a stringer flange that is joined to an inner surface of the panel and a stringer web that extends away from the stringer flange. The rib has a rib web and a rib foot. The rib foot has a rib foot flange that is joined to the stringer web, first and second rib foot base parts that are joined to the inner surface of the panel or to the stringer flange and a rib foot web that is joined to the rib web. The rib foot is formed as a single folded piece such that the rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a first folded corner, the first rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot flange by a second folded corner and the second rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot web by a third folded corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Oliver Marks
  • Patent number: 10296667
    Abstract: For designing rooms or buildings for specific purposes, like homes for elderly people, an action space object that can be read from a database to a CAD application is provided, the action space object defining a volume needed to carry out a specific activity/action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: KAAKKOIS-SUOMEN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY
    Inventor: Jukka-Pekka Selin
  • Patent number: 10240911
    Abstract: The entire throat height or air gap of a laser gauge's C-frame enclosure constitutes its accurate measurement range so that any material passing at any height through the air gap will be accurately measured. The laser gauge has at least one laser and usually two lasers housed in an enclosure with at least two arms that are spaced apart for receipt of a target surface in the air gap between the arms. The gauge has a first enclosure barrier attached to a first one of the enclosure arms at a first boundary of the air gap. The first enclosure barrier is positioned away from the laser at or beyond the gauge's proximal measurement limit. A second enclosure barrier is attached to a second one of the enclosure arms at a second boundary of the air gap. The second enclosure barrier is positioned away from the laser at or nearer than the gauge's distal measurement limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Advanced Gauging Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Derrick Baker
  • Patent number: 10229537
    Abstract: A processor implemented method for compressing time-varying surface data of a 3 dimensional object in a global digital space having frames, using a video encoder that supports a video data compression algorithm, the video encoder being coupled to a transmitter. The method includes the steps of (i) decomposing the time-varying surface data into at least one surface representation that is encoded in an oriented bounding box, (ii) transforming the oriented bounding box into a canonical camera representation for each frame to obtain canonical coordinates for the at least one surface representation, (iii) converting each of the at least one surface representation into at least one bounding box video pair that includes a grayscale video representing depth, and a color video and (iv) tiling the at least one bounding box video pair for each frame to produce a tiled bounding box video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Omnivor, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam G. Kirk, Emmett W. Lalish, Oliver A. Whyte