Shape Or Surface Configuration Patents (Class 356/601)
  • Publication number: 20140036261
    Abstract: An optical bend measurement apparatus includes a light source unit configured to supply measurement light, an optical transmission body configured to transmit the measurement light, a optical characteristic change members provided in different portions of the optical transmission body, and a photodetection unit configured to detect light output from the optical transmission body. Each optical characteristic change member imposes a change of optical characteristics on light impinging on the optical characteristic change member depending on a bend quantity in a specific direction of a portion of the optical transmission body where the optical characteristic change member is provided. The photodetection unit separates and detects the light that has undergone the change of the optical characteristics to independently measure bend quantities in specific directions of the different portions of the optical transmission bodies based on intensities of the detected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromasa FUJITA, Eiji YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8643851
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning device for determining at least partial cross-sectional profiles of food products to be sliced in accordance with the light cutting process, having at least one illumination device for generating a light line on the surface of a product and having at least one detection device for taking images of the product surface including the light line, wherein the illumination device includes at least one light source which is configured to generate a light beam propagating in the direction of a scanning region for the product in a scanning plane and widening in so doing and includes an optically effective device which is arranged in the propagation path of the widening light beam and which is configured to counter the divergence of at least some of the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
    Inventor: Guenther Weber
  • Patent number: 8643849
    Abstract: A measurement system comprising a light source unit, a projection unit and an optics unit is disclosed. The light source unit is configured to generate a plurality of modulated phase shifted light beams. The projection unit is configured to reflect the modulated phase shifted light beams onto an object surface. The optics unit is configured to capture the modulated phase shifted light beams from the object surface. The measurement system further comprises a photodetector and a processor. The photodetector is configured to receive the modulated phase shifted light beams from the optics unit to generate electrical signals. The processor is configured to retrieve position information of the object surface based on the electrical signals from the photodetector. A measurement method is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Li Tao, Guiju Song, Xinjun Wan, Kevin George Harding, Steven Robert Hayashi, James Joseph Hoffman, Charles Walter Muekmore, Yana Zhang Williams, Shukuan Xu
  • Publication number: 20140029017
    Abstract: A flexible apparatus is provided. The flexible apparatus includes a plurality of motion sensors mounted on different locations of the flexible apparatus, a storage configured to store operation information of the flexible apparatus corresponding to a bending shape, and a controller configured to determine a bending shape of the flexible apparatus based on a sensing value of each of the plurality of motion sensors, and to perform an operation corresponding to the determined bending shape based on the operation information stored in the storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-sung LEE, Geun-ho LEE
  • Publication number: 20140029018
    Abstract: Method for measuring an extruded profile using a measuring apparatus, wherein the measuring apparatus is designed to produce and measure at least two laser light sections on a surface of the profile, which is being pulled through the measuring apparatus, by means of at least one laser light section sensor from a respective, different position around the profile, wherein the at least two laser light sections are situated essentially in one plane. By positioning at least two references and/or reference markers from the adjacent positions together with the extruded profile in a respective common measurement capture area, said references or reference markers are used for calibration of respective raw image of the at least one laser light section sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Data M Sheet Metal Solutions Gmbh
    Inventors: Stefan Freitag, Albert Sedlmaier, Udo Lang
  • Publication number: 20140022555
    Abstract: In a method for optically scanning and measuring an environment, a laser scanner emits an emission light beam, receives a reception light beam reflected from an object, and determines for a multiplicity of measurement points at least the distance from the object to a center of the laser scanner, and in which at least some of the measurement points are displayed on a display device, the measurement points are assigned to pixels of a plane and their distances to the plane are assigned to respective depths, at least the pixels between the pixels which are assigned to the measurement points are filled with values in dependence on the depth, by selecting pixels, by searching for pixels which are adjacent to the selected pixels and have a smaller depth, and by filling the selected pixels depending on the values of the adjacent pixels and on their depths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Ossig, Dag Frommhold, Daniel Flohr
  • Patent number: 8634594
    Abstract: A computerized system for displaying and making measurements based upon captured oblique images. The system includes a computer system executing image display and analysis software reading an oblique image having corresponding geo-location data and a data table storing ground plane data, the ground plane data comprising a plurality of facets within an area depicted within the oblique image, the facets having a plurality of elevation data that conforms to at least a portion of terrain depicted within the oblique image; wherein the computer system displays the oblique image, receives a starting point and an end point selected by the user, where one or both points may be above the terrain, and calculates a height difference between the starting and end points dependent upon the geo-location data and the elevation data of a facet of the ground plane data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, Frank D. Giuffrida, Robert L. Gray, Charles Mondello
  • Publication number: 20140016114
    Abstract: The disclosure is based on a hand-held laser distance measuring device comprising at least one laser unit which is configured to determine a first distance using a laser beam emitted in a first relative direction. The laser unit is further configured to determine at least one second distance, near instantaneously, using a laser beam emitted in at least one second relative direction which differs from the first relative direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eladio Lopez, Jan Weingarten
  • Patent number: 8629388
    Abstract: A 3D image capturing device includes a first lens module, a second lens module, a single sensor, an image sensor; a cross dichroic prism; a first mirror; and a second mirror. The first and second lens module have a first optical axis and a second optical axis, respectively. The second lens module is located juxtaposed with the first lens module. The second optical axis is parallel with the first optical axis. The first and second mirrors are arranged at opposite sides of the cross dichroic prism. The first and second mirrors are configured for reflecting and directing light beams from the first and second lens modules to the cross dichroic prism. The cross dichroic prism is configured to redirect the reflected light beams from the first and second mirrors to the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Jung Yu, Shih-Chieh Yen, Yen-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 8625106
    Abstract: In a method for optically scanning and measuring an object by a laser scanner by a procedure in which a emission light beam modulated with a target frequency is emitted by means of a light emitter, a reception light beam reflected or otherwise scattered in some way from an object in the surroundings of the laser scanner is received, with a measuring clock, as a multiplicity of samples by means of a light receiver and in each case at least the distance from the object is determined from the phase angles of the multiplicity of samples for a plurality of measuring points by means of a control and evaluation device, for determining the distances, a phase shift caused by a distance difference of temporal adjacent samples is corrected in order to correct the distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Ossig, Philipp Schumann
  • Patent number: 8625105
    Abstract: An apparatus measures the tread of a tire on a vehicle, in which a laser line generator (34) generates an elongate pattern of light. Mirrors (36) are arranged to reflect light from the laser line generator (34) onto the rolling surface of the tire. Mirrors (36, 38, 42) are arranged to reflect light from different regions of the rolling surface of the tire towards a camera (32). The camera images the regions of the rolling surface of the tire. The apparatus may be hand-held or arranged such that a tire to be aged is driven onto or over it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sigmavision Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Pryce, Björn Åke Gustafsson
  • Publication number: 20140002826
    Abstract: A sample, which has a mesa portion having a pattern thereon, is placed on a Z table. Light is irradiated to the mesa portion through an optical system and light reflected by the mesa portion is received to measure a height of the mesa portion. A height map of the mesa portion is created based on a height of a corner position. A height using the height map is corrected based on a deviation of a measured value from a target value, and a temporal variation of a focal position of light irradiated to the mesa portion. An optical image of the pattern is obtained while controlling the Z table based on the corrected height of the mesa portion. The optical image is compared with a reference image and a defect is determined when a difference value between the optical image and reference image is more than a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Hiromu Inoue, Nobutaka Kikuiri
  • Patent number: 8619264
    Abstract: In an apparatus and system for focusing optics an objective lens is configured to collect light from a region of an object to be imaged, said region having a feature with a known geometric characteristic, wherein the geometric characteristic is known before the feature is imaged by the optical device. A focusing sensor is configured to observe a shape of the feature and a splitter is configured to split the collected light into a first portion and a second portion, and directing said first portion through a weak cylindrical lens to the focusing sensor. A processor is configured to analyze the observed shape and determine whether the observed shape of the feature has a predetermined relationship to the known geometric characteristic and a mechanism is configured to autofocus the optical device by moving at least one of the objective lens and the object to be imaged in response to the analysis and determination of the processor. In some embodiments, the feature can be a fluorescent bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Guy Garty, David J. Brenner, Gerhard Randers-Pehrson
  • Publication number: 20130342850
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the engagement state of two mating work pieces, such as two parts of an electrical connector, includes a 2D scanning profile laser sensor. The laser sensor is located in a measurement position relative to the work pieces being scanned. The laser generates a two axis surface profile of the joined work pieces. The measured surface profile is compared by a controller with a reference surface profile to determine complete or non-complete engagement of the work pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Leon Drasovean
  • Publication number: 20130342851
    Abstract: A method for gathering information relating to at least one object positioned on a patient positioning device of a medical imaging device is provided. The method includes the following steps: gathering by optical means of 3-D image data relating to the object positioned on the patient positioning device by means of a 3-D image data recording unit, transferring the gathered 3-D image data from the 3-D image data recording unit to an evaluating unit, determining information relating to the object positioned on the patient positioning device based on the 3-D image data by means of the evaluating unit, generating output information based on the determined information relating to the object positioned on the patient positioning device, and outputting the output information relating to the object positioned on the patient positioning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Holger Dresel, Matthias Drobnitzky, Jens Gühring, Edgar Müller, Stefan Popescu
  • Patent number: 8614796
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring a profile of a reflecting face of an end (2) of a pipe section. An electrical field is generated between the face and suspended particles (19) in the ambient air of the face. The particles (19) are attracted to the face by the electrical field and matt-finishing the face. The face is then sensed with a laser beam (16) and scattered light (17) is reflected by the face and measured by a sensor (11), thereby determining a face profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Rattunde & Co GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Rattunde
  • Publication number: 20130321823
    Abstract: There is provided a form measuring apparatus including: a light generator configured to generate a light; a projector configured to scan the measuring object with the light by changing an irradiation direction of the light generated by the light generator; a controller configured to control the light generator to periodically change an intensity of the light generated by the light generator, and to change an amplitude of the intensity change of the generated light according to the irradiation direction; an imager configured to take an image of the measuring object; and a measuring portion configured to calculate the three-dimensional form of the measuring object based on the image of the measuring object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: NIKON CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8599371
    Abstract: A method of obtaining high dynamic range, spectrally, spatially and angularly resolved radiance of a sample surface of a sample by an electromagnetic irradiator irradiating electromagnetic radiation of controlled spectral distribution onto the sample surface and, using an electromagnetic sensitive sensor to register the reflected spectral distribution. The spectral distribution of the intensity of the electromagnetic field is modeled to have been reflected by a plurality of spatially well defined part-surfaces of the sample surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Mikael Lindstrand
  • Patent number: 8593302
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle treatment installation with a drive-in area for a vehicle to be treated, a treatment gantry that can move along a drive-in direction, and at least one camera for creating an image of the drive-in area and vehicle. Such known vehicle treatment installations often fail and/or are maintenance-intensive. The task of providing an installation and also a method for its operation that simplifies, with simple means, the drive-in process into the correct treatment position for the driver of a vehicle to be treated is achieved by a display device that is visible to the driver of the vehicle during the drive-in process, and at least one mark. The subject matter of the invention is also a method for the operation of the vehicle treatment installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: WashTec Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Auer
  • Patent number: 8593644
    Abstract: A white light optical profilometer having a measurement head that is separated from the base unit by means of a fiber optic bundle. The measurement head contains a Michelson objective, whose reference path is folded so that the measurement head may be compact. The measurement head also contains a tilting mirror, which directs light from the surface of interest to the objective, and may be adjusted to allow the measurement head to scan complex surfaces. The base unit contains the other elements of the profilometer, such as an image detector and illuminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Dorel Marius Necsoiu, Joseph N. Mitchell, Jason O. Burkholder, William T. Gressick
  • Patent number: 8593643
    Abstract: In an exemplary implementation of this invention, light from a scattering scene passes through a spatial light attenuation pattern and strikes a sensor plane of a camera. Based on said camera's measurements of the received light, a processing unit calculates angular samples of the received light. Light that strikes the sensor plane at certain angles comprises both scattered and directly transmitted components; whereas light that strikes at other angles comprises solely scattered light. A processing unit calculates a polynomial model for the intensity of scattered-only light that falls at the latter angles, and further estimates the direct-only component of the light that falls at the former angles. Further, a processing unit may use the estimated direct component to calculate a reconstructed 3D shape, such as a 3D shape of a finger vein pattern, using an algebraic reconstruction technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jaewon Kim, Ramesh Raskar
  • Patent number: 8593645
    Abstract: A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an optical surface and a measurement device which measures a parameter related to the optical surface at a plurality of separated areas on the optical surface. The measurement device includes an illumination unit which directs individual measuring light beams towards the areas on the optical surface. Each measuring light beam illuminates at least a portion of an area, which is associated with the measuring light beam, and at least a portion of an adjacent area which is not associated with the measuring light beam. A detector unit measures a property for each measuring light beam after it has interacted with the optical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Patra
  • Publication number: 20130308138
    Abstract: An optical shape sensing system employing an elongated device (20), an optical fiber (10) embedded within the elongated device (20) with the optical fiber (10) including one or more cores, an optical interrogation console (30) and a 3D shape reconstructor (40). In operation, the optical interrogation console (30) generates reflection spectrum data indicative of a measurement of both an amplitude and a phase of a reflection for each core of the optical fiber (10) as a function of wavelength and the 3D shape reconstructor (40) reconstructs a 3D shape of the optical fiber (10). The 3D shape reconstructor (40) executes a generation of local strain data for a plurality of positions along the optical fiber (10) responsive to the reflection spectrum data, a generation of local curvature and torsion angle data as a function of each local strain along the fiber, and a reconstruction of the 3D shape of the optical fiber (10) as a function of each local curvature and torsion angle along the optical fiber (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gert Wim 'T Hooft, Robert Manzke
  • Patent number: 8582117
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus for an optical non-contact surface roughness measurement device allowing for quick, accurate, and repeatable device calibration is described. In certain embodiments, the calibration apparatus may include a base, one or more calibration surfaces coupled to a top surface of the base, and an alignment collar coupled to the top surface of the base defining a window exposing the one or more calibration surfaces. By utilizing the mechanical structure of the alignment collar and base, the optical non-contact surface roughness measurement device may be accurately aligned with respect to the calibration surfaces, allowing for repeatable calibration measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schmitt Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Southwood, Wayne Case
  • Patent number: 8580374
    Abstract: A resin molded body comprises a front surface layer disposed on a front surface side, a back surface layer disposed on a back surface side, and an intermediate layer disposed between the front surface layer and the back surface layer, each of the layers has a micro-phase separated structure including lamellar micro domains, each of the micro domains of the layers has a wave-like shape having amplitudes in the opposite direction of the front surface and the back surface, a maximum value of predetermined distances in the micro domains of the front surface layer and a maximum value of predetermined distances in the micro domains of the back surface layer are larger than the wavelength in the visible light range, and predetermined distances in the micro domains of the intermediate layer are equal to or less than the wavelength in the visible light range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Shigeo Hara, Takahiko Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20130293899
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus of leveling a substrate in a charged particle lithography system. In an example, the apparatus includes a cantilever-based sensor that includes an optical sensor and a cantilever structure. The optical sensor determines a distance between the optical sensor and a surface of the substrate based on light reflected from the cantilever structure. In an example, a first distance is between the cantilever structure and optical sensor, a second distance is a height of the cantilever structure, and a third distance is between the optical sensor and the surface of the substrate. The optical sensor determines the first distance based on the light reflected from the cantilever structure, such that the third distance is determined from the first distance and the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Chi Wang, Jeng-Horng Chen
  • Publication number: 20130293705
    Abstract: A measuring appliance in which inputted or measured spatial points and a horizontal projection representation or spatial representation of at least some spatial points from the quantity of spatial points can be displayed, said points being at least partially connected by lines. The measuring appliance has a representation-changing functionality in the framework of which, according to a line selected on the user side from the lines displayed in a horizontal projection representation or a spatial representation, in an automatically controlled manner by means of the evaluation and control unit: a virtual surface is defined by the selected line and a direction provided as the vertical; a subset of spatial points is selected from the quantity of spatial points, lying inside a buffer zone surrounding the virtual surface in a defined manner; and a vertical projection representation of exclusively such spatial points pertaining to the subset is displayed on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Christian Schorr, Frank Schroeder, Romy Koch, Kurt Giger
  • Patent number: 8576409
    Abstract: A method for measuring the internal space of an elongate body. The elongate body has in a global xyz-coordinate system a longitudinal axis x. A laser profile scan is carried out, in which a laser scanner, which carries out scans in a plane, is moved through the internal space of the elongate body. The scan plane is tilted about the y-axis by a tilt angle ? or about the z-axis by a tilt angle ?. Preferably, the scan plane is tilted about the y-axis and the z-axis corresponding to the global coordinate system of the internal space. An apparatus for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lufthansa Technik AG
    Inventor: Oliver Sascha Thomaschewski
  • Publication number: 20130286405
    Abstract: A motorcycle frame rack enables a motorcycle frame to be repaired without removing many components from the motorcycle. A motorcycle is positioned on the motorcycle frame rack, secured in place and then the frame is adjusted using chains coupled to towers. A self-centering laser measuring system is able to be used to analyze and measure damage to the motorcycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Allen Cagle
  • Publication number: 20130286407
    Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating an object with electro-magnetic radiation comprising spectrally distinct features, the apparatus comprising: a) a probe for illuminating the object and having a proximal end and a distal end; b) a receiver for receiving reflected light from the object; and c) a processor operatively connected to the receiver for processing the reflected light, wherein the probe comprises a bundle of waveguides, each of which waveguides transmits light of a particular wavelength, wavelength band or spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel Elson, Neil Clancy, Guang-Zhong Yang, Danail Stoyanov
  • Publication number: 20130286406
    Abstract: An oven wall shape measuring apparatus includes: a slit laser light source that is arranged in a thermally-insulated protection box having a slit-like window and emits slit-like laser light; a laser light mirror that reflects the laser light and irradiates an oven wall surface with the laser light via the window; an imaging mirror that reflects reflected light due to irradiation of the laser light and self-emitting light emitted from the oven wall surface, the reflected light and the self-emitting light entering the thermally-insulated protection box via the window; and an imaging device that images, via an optical filter, the self-emitting light and the reflected light that are reflected from the imaging mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoshi Yamahira, Toshifumi Kodama
  • Patent number: 8570531
    Abstract: Provided is a method for enhancing accuracy of an optical metrology system that includes a metrology tool, an optical metrology model, and a profile extraction algorithm. The optical metrology model includes a model of the metrology tool and a profile model of the sample structure, the profile model having profile parameters. A library comprising Jones and/or Mueller matrices and/or components (JMMOC) and corresponding profile parameters is generated using ray tracing and a selected range of beam propagation parameters. An original simulated diffraction signal is calculated using the optical metrology model. A regenerated simulated diffraction signal is obtained using the regenerated JMMOC, integrated for all the rays of the optical metrology model. If an error and precision criteria for the regenerated simulated diffraction signal compared to the original simulated diffraction signal are met, one or more profile parameters are determined from the best match regenerated simulated diffraction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Shifang Li
  • Patent number: 8570530
    Abstract: An intra-oral imaging apparatus having an illumination field generator that forms an illumination beam having a contour fringe projection pattern when receiving light from a first light source and having a substantially uniform illumination field when receiving light from a second light source. A polarizer in the path of the illumination beam has a first polarization transmission axis. A projection lens directs the polarized illumination beam toward a tooth surface and an imaging lens directs at least a portion of the light from the tooth surface along a detection path. A polarization-selective element disposed along the detection path has a second polarization transmission axis. At least one detector obtains image data from the light provided through the polarization-selective element. A control logic processor responds to programmed instructions for alternately energizing the first and second light sources in a sequence and obtaining both contour fringe projection data and color image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Rongguang Liang
  • Publication number: 20130278939
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for non-incremental position and form measurement of moving solid bodies (7), containing a laser Doppler distance sensor (10) in wavelength multiplexing technique with at least two different wavelengths (?1, ?2) and with a modular fibre optic measurement head in its sensor design, which contains two additional modules, which are connected to the measuring head by means of fibre optics a light source unit (2) and a detection unit (4). Two laser light bundles (37) of different wavelengths (?1, ?2) in the light source unit (2) are coupled into a glass fibre (24). The bichromatic scattered light in the detection unit (4) is split into the different wavelengths (?1, ?2) corresponding to the two measurement channels (41, 42) and subsequently are detected separately by means of two photo detectors (43, 44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DRESDEN
    Inventors: Thorsten Pfister, Lars Buettner, Juergen Czarske, Florian Dreier
  • Patent number: 8565475
    Abstract: An optical system for reading encoded microbeads. The microbeads provide output light signals onto a Fourier plane when illuminated by an incident light. The system includes an input light source that is configured to illuminate the microbeads thereby providing the output light signals. The output light signals are configured to be projected onto the Fourier plane in a readable manner. The system also includes a reading device that is positioned to detect the output light signals from the Fourier plane. The system also includes a processor that is configured to perform Fourier plane analysis of the optical light signals to determine corresponding codes of the microbeads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Moon, Martin A. Putnam
  • Patent number: 8553234
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shape measurement device including: a light irradiation unit which irradiates linear light onto a work; an imaging element which images reflected light reflected by the work; and an image-forming lens which forms an image of the reflected light reflected by the work on an imaging plane of the imaging element, and a light irradiation plane of the light irradiation unit, a principal plane including a principal point of the image-forming lens, and the imaging plane of the imaging element satisfy a Scheimpflug principle. The shape measurement device further includes: an image obtaining region selection unit which divides the imaging plane of the imaging element into a plurality of regions, and selects, as an image obtaining region, a region for use in measurement from the plurality of regions in response to at least one of measurement accuracy and a size of a measurement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Nemoto, Masaoki Yamagata, Tadashi Iwamoto, Nobuyoshi Machida
  • Patent number: 8547557
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for determining a height map of a surface of an object. The apparatus can include positioning means for the object, a light source, an optical detector for converting the received light into electrical signals, first optics for directing light from the light source to the surface and for directing the light from the surface to the optical detector, a beam splitter located between the first optics and the surface, a reference mirror, second optics located between the beam splitter an the mirror for directing the light from the beam splitter to the mirror and from the mirror to the beam splitter, scanning means, processing means that converts the signal from the optical detector into a height map. The beam splitter can be a polarizing beam splitter. A controllable polarization controller can be located between the light source and the first optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Maarten Jozef Jansen
  • Publication number: 20130253884
    Abstract: An apparatus arranged to analyze a structure, the apparatus comprising: a control unit; a light source arranged to irradiate a target area of the structure; and a light detector in communication with said control unit, and arranged to detect said irradiated light from said light source after interaction with the target area, said control unit arranged to: transform amplitudes of the detected light to the optical thickness domain, said transform comprising a bilinear transform; determine morphological information of the target area responsive to said performed transform. The determined morphological information is optionally displayed within a three dimensional view of the target area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: G & D INNOVATIVE ANALYSIS, LTD.
    Inventors: Gustavo Aizenberg, David Pincu
  • Publication number: 20130250308
    Abstract: An information acquiring device has a light source which emits light in a predetermined wavelength band; a projection optical system which projects the light emitted from the light source toward a target area; and a light receiving element which receives reflected light reflected on the target area for outputting a signal. First signal value information relating to a value of a signal outputted from the light receiving element during a period when the light is emitted from the light source, and second signal value information relating to a value of a signal outputted from the light receiving element during a period when the light is not emitted from the light source are stored in a storage. An information acquiring section acquires three-dimensional information of an object in the target area, based on a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the second signal value information from the first signal value information stored in the storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi UMEDA, Takaaki MORIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20130242314
    Abstract: The specification discloses a pulsed time-of-flight laser range finding system used to obtain vehicle classification information. The sensor determines a distance range to portions of a vehicle traveling within a sensing zone of the sensor. A scanning mechanism made of a four facet cube, having reflective surfaces, is used to collimate and direct the laser toward traveling vehicles. A processing system processes the respective distance range data and angle range data for determining the three-dimensional shape of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Keith Fowler, Nan-Ming Lai
  • Publication number: 20130241762
    Abstract: A light beam is scanned, for use in laser radar and other uses, by an optical system of which an example includes a beam-shaping optical system that includes a first movable optical element and a second movable optical element. The first optical element forms and directs an optical beam along a nominal propagation axis from the beam-shaping optical system to a target, and the second optical element includes a respective actuator by which the second optical element is movable relative to the first optical element. A controller is coupled at least to the actuator of the second optical element and is configured to induce motion, by the actuator, of the second optical element to move the optical beam, as incident on the target, relative to the nominal propagation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Smith, Alexander Cooper, Eric Peter Goodwin, Yuichi Takigawa, Alec Robertson
  • Publication number: 20130235387
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional (3D) measuring device and method. The 3D measuring device includes a light source emitting a laser beam, a focal point adjusting device adjusting a focal position of the laser beam, a rotating reflection mirror reflecting the laser beam of which the focal position is adjusted by the focal point adjusting device, a scanning lens disposed on a route of the laser beam so as to scan a measuring target with the laser beam reflected by the rotating reflection mirror, a condenser lens condensing the laser beam reflected on the measuring target, and at least one detection unit receiving the laser beam condensed on the condenser lens to thereby detect a laser beam signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taeg Gyum KIM
  • Publication number: 20130235478
    Abstract: The method for measuring profile of an aspheric surface projects an illumination light onto the aspheric surface and introduces a reflected light reflected by the aspheric surface to a sensor through an optical system. The method provides, to a wavefront of the illumination light, a curvature bringing an absolute value of an angle of the reflected light to a smaller value than a maximum value of absolute values of angles of optical system side peripheral rays, locates an exit pupil such that the absolute value of the reflected light angle is smaller than the maximum value, provides, to a sensor conjugate surface, a curvature and a position causing rays of the reflected light not to intersect on the sensor conjugate surface. The sensor conjugate surface, the wavefront of the illumination light and the aspheric surface have a same one of convex and concave surfaces toward a same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiki Maeda
  • Publication number: 20130235477
    Abstract: The method includes: measuring a first wavefront of a reference light on a sensor by using the sensor; calculating a second wavefront of the reference light on the sensor by using a parameter of an optical system; changing an optical system parameter in calculation such that a difference between rotationally symmetric components of the first and second wavefronts becomes smaller; calculating, by using the changed parameter, a magnification distribution of rays of the reference light between on the sensor and on a sensor conjugate surface; measuring a first ray angle distribution of the reference light by using the sensor, and measuring a second ray angle distribution of a measurement light by using the light-receiving sensor. The method calculates the profile of the measurement object aspheric surface by using the profile of the reference aspheric surface, the first and second ray angle distributions and the magnification distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasunori FURUKAWA, Yumiko OSAKI, Yoshiki MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20130229665
    Abstract: A structured illumination apparatus includes a light modulator being disposed in an exit flux of light from a light source and in which a sonic wave propagation path is arranged in a direction traversing the exit flux of light; a driving unit generating a sonic standing wave in the sonic wave propagation path by giving a driving signal for vibrating a medium of the sonic wave propagation path to the light modulator; and an illuminating optical system making mutually different diffracted components of the exit flux of light passed through the sonic wave propagation path to be interfered with each other, and forming interference fringes of the diffracted components on an observational object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsushi NOMURA
  • Patent number: 8526011
    Abstract: The present invention describes a device for surveying a surface (104) in a real world coordinate system (111). The device comprises a pattern projecting unit (101) adapted for projecting a predefined pattern (105) onto the surface (104), an optical measurement system (102) adapted for determining positional and image data of a projected pattern (106) on the surface (104), wherein the positional and image data are indicative of the predefined pattern (105) in a measuring coordinate system (112), and a processing unit (103) adapted for determining transformation data based on the predefined pattern (105) and the determined positional and image data of the projected pattern (106). The transformation data allow a transformation between the real world coordinate system (111) and the measuring coordinate system (112) to thereby survey the surface (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: 3GSM GmbH
    Inventors: Gunther Lenz, Andreas Gaich
  • Patent number: 8520219
    Abstract: A non-contact sensing system acquiring three-dimensional information includes a laser light source and fiber generating a Gaussian optical beam. A movable mirror is angularly adjusted to scan the beam to an area of illumination. A lens package between the light source and the movable mirror focuses the optical beam to under-fill a movable mirror optical surface and control an optical beam scanned volume. The optical beam reflected by the movable mirror is redirected using a fold mirror orthogonal to an optical beam orientation. The optical beam is maintained Gaussian by the mirrors and lenses. An imaging device having a field of view intersecting the area of illumination receives optical beam image data reflected from the area of illumination. A control module communicating with the imaging device receives an object location in the imaging device field of view from the image data and reports object location data to a coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Perceptron, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Shaw, David Crowther
  • Publication number: 20130215434
    Abstract: Light emitting devices, packages and related methods are disclosed with electrical leads with one or more indicators. A package can include a leadframe that can include at least a first lead and a second lead. The first lead can include a first end for electrical connection to at least one light emitting device and a second end extending toward a first side of the package. The second lead can include a first end for electrical connection to at least one light emitting device and a second end extending toward a second side of the package. One or both of the second end of the first lead or the second end of the second lead can comprise an indicator serving as an identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventor: CREE, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130208286
    Abstract: In the machine tool (10) pertaining to the present invention, an imaging device (33) takes an image of a tool (20) being moved in the feeding direction. Contour lines (51) are identified by means of the plurality of sets of image data generated from imaging. The movement trajectory (52) and the central axis (53) of the tool (20) are identified on the basis of the contour lines (51). When the movement trajectory (52) and the central axis (53) are offset, said offset can be used to correct the positioning of the tool (20) with the machine tool (10). As a result, the processing accuracy of a workpiece improves. Moreover, when the dimensions of a tool (20) that has a tilted posture are measured, it is possible to determine the actual tool diameter or the actual blade position in the tilted posture. The aforementioned blade position and tool diameter can be used to correct the positioning of the machine tool (10). Thus, the processing accuracy of the workpiece improves even more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 8508750
    Abstract: A friction-coefficient estimating device is configured to estimate friction coefficient of the surface of a medium in a form of a sheet by irradiating a light on the surface and by detecting specularly-reflected light component of a reflected light and a diffusely-reflected light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventors: Shigeharu Okano, Nobuhisa Yamazaki