Edge Patents (Class 250/559.36)
  • Patent number: 11728191
    Abstract: A system includes a substrate support on which to receive a transparent substrate, a non-contact sensor adapted to detect and image a dot pattern etched on a front surface of the transparent substrate, and a processing device attached to the non-contact sensor. The processing device may determine, using imaging data from the non-contact sensor, an orientation of a right-angled edge of the dot pattern. The processing device may determine, based on the orientation of the right-angled edge, whether a front surface of the transparent substrate is facing up or facing down. The processing device may also direct a robot to transfer the transparent substrate to a processing chamber dependent on whether the front surface of the transparent substrate is facing up or facing down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle Alejandra Wong, Sanjay Rajaram
  • Patent number: 11692898
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a beam projector module including: a light source configured to output light; a substrate configured to support the light source; an optical device configured to reduce the light in terms of intensity output to a predetermined space; a frame configured to separate the optical device from the light source by a predetermined distance; an optical substrate configured to attach the optical device thereto and to define a sealed space with the substrate and the frame, the sealed space having internal pressure lower than pressure outside the sealed space; a sensor configured to measure a state of the sealed space; and a processor configured to change an operation mode of the light source depending on a measured value of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Namuga, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Youb Lee, Young Gyu Kang, Jeong Hwa Seo
  • Patent number: 11692701
    Abstract: A light source module includes a substrate; a light source disposed on the substrate; a lens assembly configured to transmit light transferred from the light source; and an optical barrier having a shape which surrounds the light source to block light transferred from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NAMUGA, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Youb Lee, Young Gyu Kang, Tae Youn Won
  • Patent number: 11360159
    Abstract: A substrate inspection apparatus may include a communication circuit, a plurality of light sources, an image sensor, at least one memory, and at least one processor. The processor may be configured to generate pin insertion state information indicating an insertion state of each of a plurality of first pins by using a pattern light reflected from each of the plurality of first pins, detect at least one second pin having an insertion defect from among the plurality of first pins by using at least one of the pin insertion reference information and the pin insertion state information of each of the plurality of first pins, generate a control signal for adjusting at least one first process parameter among a plurality of process parameters of the pin insertion apparatus, and control the communication circuit to transmit the control signal to the pin insertion apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: KOH YOUNG TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Dae Sung Koo, Woo Young Lim, Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 11204241
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for measuring the size distribution and/or hardness of free falling rock pieces. The method comprises projecting at least one laser line on the falling rock pieces by a laser device; capturing images of the falling rock pieces at an angle from the at least one laser line by at least one camera; and obtaining size distribution data of the falling rock pieces based on data obtained from a topographical map generated from the captured images. Certain embodiments further comprise: obtaining at least one of the volume and area of individual rock pieces from the topographical map; conducting a data analysis on at least one of the volume and area measurements of the rock pieces to reduce at least one of sampling and measurement errors; determining the size distribution of the falling rock pieces based on the data analysis and, optionally, evaluating a rock hardness index for the rock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignees: Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada as Represented by the Minister of Natural Resources Canada, Institut National d'Optique/National Optics Institute
    Inventors: Magella Bilodeau, Andre Demers, Daniel Lefebvre, Sebastien Roy
  • Patent number: 11112356
    Abstract: A precision edge detection system and sensor assembly is provided that uses a reflection technique to provide an energy efficient device that can be achieved using a relatively small form factor. There is provided an optical reflective sensor assembly that includes a light source, an optical element positioned to collimate and focus light from the light source to generate a focused beam, and at least one photodetector positioned adjacent the light source. The at least one photodetector is configured to detect light from the focused beam that has been reflected by an object positioned opposite the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Photon Control Inc.
    Inventor: Yuriy Syvenkyy
  • Patent number: 11088002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate rack and a substrate processing system for processing substrates in a reaction chamber. The substrate rack may be used for introducing a plurality of substrates in the reaction chamber. The substrate rack may have a plurality of spaced apart substrate holding provisions configured to hold the substrates in a spaced apart relationship. The rack may have an illumination system to irradiate radiation with a range from 100 to 500 nanometers onto a top surface of the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Dieter Pierreux, Werner Knaepen, Bert Jongbloed, Cornelis Thaddeus Herbschleb, Hessel Sprey
  • Patent number: 11027494
    Abstract: A device (48) for calibrating an irradiation system (18) of an apparatus (10) for producing a three-dimensional work piece comprises a control unit (50) adapted to control the irradiation system (18) so as to irradiate a radiation beam (22; 22a, 22b) onto an irradiation plane (52) according to a calibration pattern. The device (48) further comprises a sensor arrangement (56) adapted to be arranged in the irradiation plane (52) and to output signals to the control unit (50) in response to being irradiated with the radiation beam (22; 22a, 22b) according to the calibration pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SLM Solutions Group AG
    Inventors: Christopher Stengel, Daniel Alberts, Dieter Schwarze, Toni Adam Krol
  • Patent number: 10768105
    Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatus, and systems are provided for image analysis. Methods of image analysis may include observation, measurement, and analysis of images of biological and other samples; devices, apparatus, and systems provided herein are useful for observation, measurement, and analysis of images of such samples. The methods, devices, apparatus, and systems disclosed herein provide advantages over other methods, devices, apparatus, and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Labrador Diagnostics LLC
    Inventors: Karan Mohan, Chinmay Pangarkar
  • Patent number: 10760951
    Abstract: The proposed technology relates to a window cover for a sensor package, in which a partition wall is provided between a light emitting device and a light receiving device to improve sensing accuracy and reliability of the sensor package. The proposed window cover includes: a base disposed in a direction in which light is emitted from a light source; a light emitting device cover extending from a first surface of the base and disposed at an upper portion of a light emitting device of the sensor package; and a light receiving device cover having the first surface of the base as a bottom surface thereof, and disposed at an upper portion of a light receiving device of the sensor package, wherein an outer circumference of the light emitting device cover extends in a direction opposite to the direction in which the light is emitted to form a partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: AMOSENSE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeun-Ho Bang, In-Tae Yeo
  • Patent number: 10761209
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a triangulation light sensor for the detection of objects on a conveying path having a light transmitter for transmitting transmitted light into a detection zone that extends over a part region of the conveying path, having a light receiver, a reception optics arranged in an optical path between the detection zone and the light receiver, and an evaluation unit that is configured for generating an object detection signal from the received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Kai Waslowski, Ingolf Hörsch, Gerhard Merettig, Matthias Götz
  • Patent number: 10740648
    Abstract: The method and system may be used to provide an indication of a color value for a particular siding sample and to color match a specific siding product to the color value of the siding sample. The system receives a digital image of a siding sample and a desired color value to be matched. A color query module plots this desired color value as a desired color point in a multidimensional color space together with a plurality of color reference points. Each color reference point represents the color value of an existing siding product. The system determines a “distance” between the desired color point and each plotted color reference point within the color space and identifies the siding product associated with the color reference point that is located the shortest distance to the desired color point within the color space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Maurer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Lee C. Drinan
  • Patent number: 10724847
    Abstract: An illumination unit emits a light parallel to a first direction to a measurement space. A light receiving unit outputs a signal indicating a two-dimensional distribution of a light incident on a light receiving surface. An optical system guides the light passing through the measurement space to the light receiving surface. A control unit detects a position of the measurement object in the first direction based on the signal. The light receiving surface is tilted by a predetermined angle around a second direction with respect to a transmission direction of the light. The control unit detects a position where light intensity is changed by a predetermined value in the second direction in the two-dimensional distribution, detects a position where the detected position is located in a third direction, and detects a position where the measurement object is placed in the first direction in the measurement space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keigo Kinbara, Ryusuke Kato
  • Patent number: 10665424
    Abstract: A pattern measuring method and a pattern measuring apparatus that efficiently prevent a measurement error inherent to a device that performs beam scanning in a specific direction such as a scanning electron microscope are provided. The invention is directed to a pattern measuring method and a pattern measuring apparatus in which a first curve with respect to an edge of one side and a second curve with respect to an edge of the other side are obtained by calculating a first power spectral density with respect to the edge of one side of a pattern and a second power spectral density with respect to the edge of the other side of the pattern based upon a signal that is obtained when a charged particle beam is scanned in a direction intersecting the edge of the pattern; a difference value between the first curve and the second curve is calculated; and one of the first curve and the second curve is corrected by using the difference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kawada, Takahiro Kawasaki, Junichi Kakuta
  • Patent number: 10576527
    Abstract: A method for loading blanks from a stack of blanks to a head press of a stamping press line is provided. The method may include: providing a loading robot; providing one or more separating robots configured to separate one blank at the top of a stack of blanks from the underlying blanks; providing a stack of blanks and applying separating robots to at least one side of the stack; recognizing the position of the stack of blanks using the position of the separating robots; picking up the blank located at the top of the stack of blanks with the loading robot, using the recognized position of the stack; loading the blank to the head press of the stamping press line using the loading robot. Furthermore disclosed is a system for loading blanks to a head press of a stamping press line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: David Mayoral Rojals, Roger Pons Bertran
  • Patent number: 10345147
    Abstract: An optical package is provided. The optical package includes an interference splitter allowing a light having a predetermined wavelength range to transmit through, a sensing element, and a light-transmitting structure. The light-transmitting structure includes a light-transmitting pillar and a light-absorbing layer surrounding the light-transmitting pillar, and the light-absorbing layer absorbs the light having the predetermined wavelength range. The interference splitter, the light-transmitting pillar, and the sensing element are arranged aligned with each other along an extending direction of the light-transmitting pillar. The sensing element is configured to receive the light transmitting through the interference splitter and the light-transmitting pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chia-Jung Chang, Yu-Sheng Hsieh, Jing-Yuan Lin, Chih-Hao Hsu
  • Patent number: 10304176
    Abstract: The invention alleviates a burden on a user relating to selection of a lighting color required for image inspection by multi-spectral imaging. A processor controls an illumination device to irradiate a setting target object individually with an illumination beam of each lighting color in a predetermined order, thereby generating a plurality of spectral images. The processor sets a combination of lighting colors recommended to illuminate an inspection target object based on the plurality of spectral images. An inspection unit inspects the inside of each inspection region in a plurality of inspection images generated for the inspection target object illuminated by illumination beams of lighting colors according to the set combination of recommended lighting colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Kido
  • Patent number: 10227187
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device (1) for handling individual intermediate layers (5). The method involves removing from each of at least two separate stacks of intermediate layers (7) an individual intermediate layer (5) arranged topmost on the particular stack of intermediate layers (7). The removed individual intermediate layers (5) are moved into a detection range of a sensor system (13) of its own and the particular own sensor system (13) identifying, preferably by means of optical detection, an outer edge (6) of the particular intermediate layer (5). Subsequently, the removed individual intermediate layers (5) move toward a particular target location (Z1, Z2), the particular, preferably optical detection thereby being taken into account, such that the intermediate layers (5) reach their particular target location (Z1, Z2) in a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albin Semmelrock, Bernhard Diener, Erhard Beer, Gerald Heckel, Manuel Kollmuss, Martin Osterhammer
  • Patent number: 9973614
    Abstract: An electronic device is operated based on whether it detects vibration indicative of natural human tremors while the device is not enclosed in a small space. Human tremors are detected by sampling a motion signal and performing a discrete Fourier transformation on a plurality of sets of samples. For each sample, a mean magnitude is calculated for a first range of frequencies indicative of human tremors. A mean magnitude is also calculated for a second range of frequencies greater than the first range. If the difference between the mean magnitude of the first range and the mean magnitude of the second range, then human tremors are detected for the set of samples. Human tremors are detected for the device if a threshold number of sets of samples within a predetermined time period produce an output indicating detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ola Thorn, Magnus Midholt, Olivier Moliner, Alexandar Rodzevski, Erik Westenius
  • Patent number: 9811870
    Abstract: A portable electronic device for presenting a recommendation message is described. The device includes display; one or more processors; and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The device detects a trigger event based on a user input, the trigger event initiating a receipt of non-tactile user input; and, in response to detecting the trigger event, receives non-tactile user input. The device generates one or more character strings based on the non-tactile user input and one or more predefined string generation rules. Each character string of the one or more character strings includes multiple characters. The device generates a recommendation message that includes the one or more character strings; and displays the recommendation message on the display. A corresponding method and a computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs for execution by the portable electronic device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Canhui Huang
  • Patent number: 9678322
    Abstract: A system and method for dating gelatin silver photographic paper is provided. The system and method includes providing a database management system having physical texture characteristic profiles. The system implements a program of instructions to determine a probable date range or source for each textural characteristic profile. The system includes LED sources disposed around an inner surface of a dome; an LED controller, and a CCD imager microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Messier, Andrew Messier
  • Patent number: 9606710
    Abstract: Movement of a user interface (UI) element may be controlled through a magnet based physics model that controls movement of the UI element as if it were under a magnetic force. The magnet based physical model and other parameter settings may be configured through an evolution theory algorithm based on training data representing various device operating conditions. Runtime data may also be collected to refine the model and parameter settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jason Allen Doucette
  • Patent number: 9488522
    Abstract: An identifying method for detecting a specific region of a translucent medium provided includes steps as follows. A light sensing module is adjusted to allow an operation point of the light sensing module to be in an active region. Light is emitted to a driven translucent medium by a light-emitting module. The light been passed through the translucent medium is sensed by the light sensing module to generate a first light-intensity signal based on the light sensed at one time instant, and the voltages of the first light-intensity signal are regulated to derive a second light-intensity signal. A voltage level of the first light-intensity signal is compared with that of the second light-intensity signal to generate a comparison result. A determination of whether a specific region of the translucent medium is positioned between light sensing module and light-emitting module is made based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HiTi Digital, Inc.
    Inventor: Tsung-Yueh Chen
  • Patent number: 9330710
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of a mobile robot within a data storage library and to a library including such systems and utilizing such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Spectra Logic, Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Edward Bacom, Christopher Bancroft Brooks, Nicholas Aldo Nespeca
  • Patent number: 9310313
    Abstract: A groove-monitoring system for imaging an optical tape surface is provided. The optical tape surface includes a plurality of groove patterns embossed thereon. The groove-monitoring system includes an optical sensor, a first light source directing a first light beam onto the optical tape surface with a first angle of incidence such that the first light beam is directly reflected from the optical tape surface and imaged by the optical sensor. The groove-monitoring system also includes a second light source directing a second light beam onto the optical tape surface with a second angle of incidence such that the second light beam is diffracted from the optical tape surface and imaged by the optical sensor as a diffracted light image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Scott D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9311382
    Abstract: A processor-based personal electronic device (such as a smartphone) is programmed to automatically respond to data sent by various sensors from which the user's activity may be inferred. A wireless communication link may be used by the device to obtain data from remote sensors which may be worn by the user. A personal “scorecard” may be generated from the raw data and from data concerning other users. Personal, raw characterization data may be computed into personal statistical data by averaging over time. Then, it may be sent (anonymously) to a server that receives such data from many (or all) users. The server may return personal statistical positioning to enable comparison of the user to other participants. In certain embodiments, the generation of a personal scorecard from the personal position in the group statistics may be performed in the user's device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Devrim Varoglu, Mohammad Bidabadi, Paolo D. Concha
  • Patent number: 9290346
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a paper sheet processing apparatus is provided with a conveying device which conveys a paper sheet along a conveying way, a discrimination section 14 which distinguishes a paper sheet, a plurality of accumulation sections which accumulate the paper sheet distinguished, a sorting mechanism which sorts the paper sheet distinguished to one of the accumulation sections, a first sensor which includes an opaque substance sensor which detects an opaque substance and a transparent substance sensor which detects a transparent substance, and which detects a paper sheet which is conveyed, a second sensor which detects a paper sheet which is conveyed, and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Haruhiko Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 9195861
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first image of a first line of perforations in a sheet product, processing the first image to determine whether the first line of perforations are within specifications, and outputting an indication to an operator indicative that the first line of perforations are not within specifications responsive to determining that the first line of perforations are not within specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Richard J. Bigari, Bryan A. Brzezinski
  • Patent number: 9142437
    Abstract: A system for separately handling different size FOUPs includes an end effector having a surface thereon for supporting a FOUP. The end effector and surface is configured to support different size FOUPs. A fixture or means for engaging and maintaining a FOUP, of different size FOUPs, included to position and maintain each of a different size FOUP on the end effector during transport thereof. A shelf is configured to receive each of said different size FOUPs. The end effector is thus capable of transporting either a first size FOUP or a second, smaller size FOUP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Fosnight, Ryan J. Gallagher, Stephen B. Miner
  • Patent number: 8963113
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor for recognizing object edges of objects moved relative to the sensor, has a light transmission device with at least one light transmitter, in particular at least two light transmitters, for generating a respective collimated or focused transmitted light beam. The sensor has at least two light receivers for imaging a light spot produced by the respective transmitted light beam on an object, wherein the two light receivers are arranged on two mutually opposite sides of the light transmission device, and has an evaluation unit which is designed to compare the two reception intensities of the two images of the respective light spot taken by the two light receivers with one another and to evaluate the result of the respective comparison to recognize an object edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Merettig, Roland Bergbach, Matthias Goetz, Kai Waslowski, Ingolf Hörsch
  • Patent number: 8950326
    Abstract: A method for laser ablating an image on a blank printing plate, includes providing a peripheral tolerance region at the edges of a printing plate, mounting the printing plate on a roller, detecting positions of at least one edge of the printing plate, determining positions of all edges of the printing plate in accordance with the detection, determining an image area within boundaries of the printing plate, laser ablating an image on the printing, within the image area, laser ablating all areas outside of the image area on the printing plate to provide a relief area at which no printing, based on the determined positions of all edges of the printing plate, and controlling the laser to prevent any laser ablation outside of boundaries of the edges of the printing plate, based on the determined positions of all edges of the printing plate, within the provided peripheral tolerance region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Laser Dot Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Mark E. Van Denend, Arthur van der Weijden
  • Patent number: 8760667
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for the detection of a substrate edge in a printing machine comprising a substrate transport unit that defines a substrate transport path (8). In this method, at least one light value of a first section of a sensor line (10) and a dark value of a second section of the sensor line are determined, and a threshold value is calculated based thereon. When the threshold value on one pixel is exceeded and the threshold value on another pixel is not reached, it is possible to calculate a position of the substrate edge. The device comprises a light source arrangement (5) for generating diffuse light, and comprises a sensor line for the detection of light from the light source arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas Jacobsen, Wolfgang Kuphaldt, Joerg Zessin
  • Patent number: 8761656
    Abstract: An edge detecting device for detecting an edge of a moving recording medium includes a reflecting unit that includes a reflecting surface having reflectance higher than that of the recording medium, light sources that irradiate the recording medium and the reflecting surface of the reflecting unit with light, a light receiving unit that includes pixels of a photoelectric conversion element provided in a width direction of the recording medium and receives reflected light that has been emitted from the light sources and has been reflected by the recording medium and the reflecting surface of the reflecting unit on the pixels of the photoelectric conversion element, and a control unit that determines a region of the pixels of the photoelectric conversion element that make output higher than a previously set determination threshold value to be the edge of the recording medium on the light receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Keisuke Saka
  • Patent number: 8748858
    Abstract: A processing device includes a control section adapted to perform emission control of first and second light source sections based on a light reception result of a light receiving section adapted to receive a reflected light beam caused by an object reflecting irradiation light beams from the first and second light source sections, and a determination section adapted to determine a positional relationship of the object with respect to the first and second light source sections based on emission current control information for performing the emission control. The determination section determines the positional relationship of the object based on first period emission current control information as the emission current control information in a first period in which no object exists in the detection area and second period emission current control information as the emission current control information in a second period in which the object exists in the detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8729513
    Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for the detection of orientation features on a material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Texmag GmbH Vertriebsgesellschaft
    Inventor: Jürgen Eisen
  • Patent number: 8614431
    Abstract: The various methods and devices described herein relate to devices which, in at least certain embodiments, may include one or more sensors for providing data relating to user activity and at least one processor for causing the device to respond based on the user activity which was determined, at least in part, through the sensors. The response by the device may include a change of state of the device, and the response may be automatically performed after the user activity is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Huppi, Anthony M. Fadell, Derek Barrentine, Daniel Freeman
  • Patent number: 8598556
    Abstract: A substrate positioning device includes: a supporting unit for supporting a substrate in place; a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit respectively arranged at major surface sides of the substrate to face each other; a light emission control unit configured to control a light emission quantity of the light emitting unit pursuant to a control value; and a detecting unit for detecting a light reception quantity received by the light receiving unit. The substrate positioning device further includes an adjusting unit for controlling the control value pursuant to the light reception quantity while the substrate is not supported by the supporting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Shinichi Katsuda
  • Patent number: 8576411
    Abstract: In the component position measurement method, the position B of the component 1 when the laser beam is blocked (the laser beam blocking position) is measured with respect to the chuck position A of the component 1. Since the component 1 generates a large vibration (inclination) during the chuck is used, the position of the leading end (front end) C of the component 1 is computed using the inclination angle ? with respect to the measurement value of the deviation amount H of the laser beam blocking position B of the component 1 based on a similarity relationship of a triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Patent number: 8476611
    Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for the detection of orientation features on a material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Texmag GmbH Vertriebsgesellschaft
    Inventor: Juergen Eisen
  • Patent number: 8422750
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of producing a three-dimensional image of at least a part of the retina of an eye is provided. The method including obtaining a two-dimensional wide-field image of said part of said retina, determining a three-dimensional shape for said part of said retina and using the three-dimensional shape for said part of said retina to modify said two-dimensional image to produce a three-dimensional image of said part of said retina. The apparatus including an imaging system adapted to provide a two-dimensional wide-field image of said part of said retina, a three-dimensional shape determination module adapted to determine a three-dimensional shape for said part of said retina, and a two-dimensional image modification module adapted to modify said two-dimensional wide-field image of said part of said retina using said three-dimensional shape to produce a three-dimensional image of said part of said retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Optos, PLC
    Inventors: Alastair Atkinson, Christophe Mazo
  • Patent number: 8355581
    Abstract: A system detects an object contour with an image acquisition assembly, the object moving relative to the assembly. A line detector scans the surface line by line during a scan cycle, the line being transverse to the relative motion direction. During active periods, a light source emits light synchronized with the scan cycle, allowing the line detector to acquire a first group of at least one lit scan line. A second group of unlit scan line(s) is acquired during non-emitting idle periods. The object passes between the line detector and the light source. A processor receives and analyzes acquired scan lines. For each lit scan line group and a successive second unlit scan line group, the processor identifies a token pattern with a lit segment adjoining an unlit segment. The processor searches the first and second groups for the token pattern ending or reappearing to produce an object contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Vision Technology (AVT) Ltd.
    Inventors: Noam Noy, Amit Stekel
  • Patent number: 8339615
    Abstract: An edge detection method includes preparing a transparent substrate which includes a first main face having a first main region and a first peripheral region and a second main face having a second main region and a second peripheral region, the first peripheral region having an inclination angle of ?a1 and the second peripheral region having an inclination angle of ?a2, causing measuring light to enter the first peripheral region from a direction perpendicular to the first main region, detecting a non-emitting region where the measuring light is not emitted from the second peripheral region, and detecting an edge of the transparent substrate on the basis of the non-emitting region, wherein if a refractive index of the transparent substrate is n, the inclination angles ?a1 and ?a2satisfy the following expression: n×sin(?a1+?a2?arcsin(sin ?a1/n))?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masayuki Dohi, Itsuko Sakai, Takayuki Sakai, Shunji Kikuchi, Takuto Inoue, Akihiro Hori, Masayuki Narita
  • Patent number: 8324604
    Abstract: A web edge sensor is disclosed. The web edge sensor has a light source directing light incident to an edge of a web. The edge of the web scatters the light and a sensor array that detects a first portion of the light scattered from the edge of the web and rejects a second portion to determine a position of the web edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University
    Inventors: Prabhakar R. Pagilla, Aravind Seshadri
  • Patent number: 8305587
    Abstract: A metrology tool (1) for measuring the positions of structures (32) on a mask surface (31) is disclosed. On a measuring stage (33) a reflector (36) selective with respect to the wavelength is provided, which essentially reflects light within a first wavelength region emitted from a first illumination device (10), and essentially does not reflect light within a second wavelength region emitted from a second illumination device (20). The reflector (36) selective with respect to the wavelength preferentially is a dichroic mirror. By detecting the light within the first wavelength region reflected by the reflector (36) the position of predefined sections of outer edges (37) of the mask is determined. The light from the second wavelength region is used for determining the coordinates of structures on the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor MIE GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Heiden
  • Patent number: 8300919
    Abstract: Edge points are extracted by specifying a height (values indicating a distance from a substrate) on a pattern when edges of the pattern are extracted from a CD-SEM image. Further, LER values obtained by the extraction of a Fourier spectrum of the LER are obtained. When the same sample is previously observed with the AFM and the CD-SEM, a size of the LER obtained by specifying a height, an auto-correlation distance of the LER, or an index called the spectrum is obtained from results of the AFM observation. Further, theses indices obtained by specifying image processing conditions for detecting the edge points from the CD-SEM observation result are obtained. Also, it is determined that heights providing values when the values are matched correspond to the image processing conditions and then, the edge points are extracted from the CD-SEM IMAGE instead of the AFM observation by using the image processing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuko Yamaguchi, Hiroki Kawada
  • Patent number: 8207484
    Abstract: A LIDAR system that includes a streak image sensor having multiple sensor elements for receiving optical return signals from portions of a spatial region within their respective instantaneous fields of view is operated by periodically sampling and storing electrical signals generated by the sensor elements respectively, and initiating the periodic sampling of the electrical signals of each sensor individually and independently by reference to a feature of that sensor's electrical signal that represents a boundary between materials with different optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Voxtel, Inc.
    Inventor: George M. Williams
  • Patent number: 8180273
    Abstract: A meandering detection device capable of detecting meandering of a subject with high accuracy includes: a contact which has an open end making contact with and following a subject body and which is supported by a support part; a reflection part integrally provided to the contact and reflecting light; an emission part emitting light toward the reflection part; and a first and a second light receiving parts which are disposed in front of the reflection part, which receive the light reflected by the reflection part and then outputs signals in accordance with respective amounts of light received, and which detect meandering of the subject based on a difference in the amount of light received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Kensuke Fujihara
  • Patent number: 8146498
    Abstract: A method for determining a position of a mechanical edge of a reference edge of a sheet of recording media relative to a first edge of a drum slot in a cylindrical surface of an imaging drum, the method includes: mounting the sheet of recording media on the imaging drum in an orientation wherein the reference edge extends along the cylindrical surface of the imaging drum in a substantially axial direction and wherein the reference edge extends over the first edge of the drum slot; establishing at least one acute apex diffuse light source in the slot; capturing at least one digital camera image of the reference edge and the at least one acute apex diffuse light source; and determining from the at least one digital camera image a location of at least one point on the mechanical edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Hawes, Allan Warnes
  • Patent number: 8148704
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of printing plate (14) mounted on an imaging drum (12), and applying an image to a printing plate while maintaining registration and alignment between the image and a reference edge (15) of the printing plate include mounting the printing plate on a plate-making machine (10) and then determining the locations of at least two points on the reference edge. The locations of two or more points are used to determine a transformation that is applied to image data to yield transformed image data (27). The transformed image data is used to image the printing plate. A method and apparatus for determining the locations of the points using backlighting avoids errors encountered in illuminating from the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Calvin D. Cummings, Allan Warnes, Peter Hawes
  • Patent number: 8111390
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting residue on a glass substrate and method of use are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substrate support, a sensor, a controller and a peripheral device in communication with the controller. The apparatus measures the height or thickness of a main surface and an edge delete surface of a substrate to determine if film residue is present on the edge delete surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Tsai, Asaf Schlezinger