Scan Patents (Class 356/607)
  • Patent number: 11340058
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) measuring device is provided. The 3D measuring device includes a processor system that is configured to generate a point cloud representing multiple surfaces. The point cloud includes multiple scan points. Generating the point cloud includes receiving spherical coordinates for a scan point, the spherical coordinates comprising a distance (r), a polar angle (?), and an azimuth angle (?). Generating the point cloud further includes homogenizing a scan point density of the surfaces by filtering the scan points. The homogenizing includes computing a value (p) for the scan point based on the spherical coordinates. Based on the value exceeding a predetermined threshold, storing the scan point as part of the point cloud, and based on the value not exceeding the predetermined threshold, discarding the scan point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Julian Becker, Daniel Pompe
  • Patent number: 10436572
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a compact and highly-accurate three-dimensional shape measurement apparatus. The three-dimensional shape measurement apparatus according to the present invention causes a part of a measurement light to proceed in a direction which is different from a direction with respect to a subject as an angle measurement light, and detects a rotation angle using the angle measurement light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Watanabe, Tatsuo Hariyama, Masayuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10416287
    Abstract: A laser device includes a transmitter that emits a light, a first reflector that pivotally reflects the light by a shaft, a light receiver provided apart from the transmitter in a first direction parallel to the shaft, a guide part that receives the light from the first reflector and changes a direction of the light in the first direction, and a second reflector that reflects a returning light from an object and pivots in sync with the first reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Masuda
  • Patent number: 10218963
    Abstract: Apparatus for mapping includes a radiation source, which is configured to emit a beam of radiation, and a detector and optics, which define a sensing area of the detector. A scanning mirror assembly is configured to receive and scan the emitted beam over a selected angular range within a region of interest while scanning the sensing area over the selected angular range in synchronization with the scanned beam from the radiation source. A processor is configured to process signals output by the detector in order to construct a three-dimensional (3D) map of an object in the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Benny Pesach, Ronen Akerman
  • Patent number: 9746311
    Abstract: A method for optically scanning and measuring a scene by a laser scanner includes generating multiple scans; tracking scanner positions with a position-tracking device for the multiple scans and providing tracked scanner positions in response; registering sequentially scans selected from the multiple scans into clusters using registration points or targets and confirming registration of the scans into the clusters according to specified quality criteria being fulfilled; selecting scans from the clusters and forming pairs of scans; forming an intersection of the selected pairs and comparing a size of the intersection with a threshold value obtained based at least in part on the tracked scanner positions; and attempting to register the pairs of scans if the size of the intersection exceeds the threshold value and accepting the registered pairs of scans if the registration is successful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Bartmann, Helmut Kramer, Daniel Pompe, Michael Schanz
  • Patent number: 9410794
    Abstract: Examination of a microscopic specimen is described. Height information for a respective plurality of lateral regions of the specimen is obtained from each of multiple specimen recordings, in which the height information of each specimen recording is limited to a respective height measurement range and the height measurement ranges of different specimen recordings are different. An overall image is calculated from the specimen recordings, in which overall image height information of the different specimen recordings is combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Lippert, Nils Langholz
  • Patent number: 9188432
    Abstract: A profile measuring apparatus includes: a light source device from which a projection light is irradiated, the projection light having a light amount changing with lapse of time in a first period and a predetermined spatial distribution; an imaging element; a second period setting section which sets a second period including at least a part of the first period; and a profile information obtaining section which obtains an information of the profile of the object based on an image data taken by the imaging element in the second period. The second period setting section sets the second period based on a light amount of a light which comes into the imaging element at the time of an imaging performed before one imaging performed in the second period; and a light amount change pattern of the projection light changing with lapse of time in the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoaki Yamada
  • Patent number: 8890843
    Abstract: An apparatus is operated to determine the location of at least one object on a touch surface of a light transmissive panel. In the apparatus, an illumination arrangement introduces radiation into the panel for propagation by internal reflection between the touch surface and the opposite surface, so as to generate a grid of intersecting radiation paths in a sensing area, and a detection arrangement measures the transmitted energy in the radiation paths. A data processor then determines, based on the transmitted energy, the location based on an attenuation of two or more radiation paths caused by the object touching the touch surface within the sensing area. In the apparatus, the illumination arrangement generates at least a subset of the radiation paths by sweeping at least one beam of radiation along the touch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Flatfrog Laboratories AB
    Inventors: Ola Wassvik, Tomas Christiansson
  • Patent number: 8848201
    Abstract: Methods and systems for multi-modal three-dimensional (3D) scanning of objects are described. An example method may include receiving, from a scanning system, 3D information associated with an object having a first resolution. A region of interest of the object may be determined by a processor based on the 3D information associated with the object. Additionally, instructions for operating the scanning system to determine additional information associated with the region of interest of the object may be determined. The additional information associated with the region of interest may have a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution. The instructions may be provided to the scanning system to determine the additional information associated with the region of interest of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bruce, Ryan Hickman, Arshan Poursohi
  • Patent number: 8830484
    Abstract: An object detection and location system includes a sensor array for coupling to a support structure and a processing unit. At least one motor rotates first and a second reflectors about an axis parallel to an optical axis of the sensor array, and a light source projects a light beam toward the first reflector, which intercepts and reflects the light beam toward the object when the first reflector is directed toward the object, whereby at a given instant of time the light beam strikes the object and is reflected thereby as a second reflected light beam. The second reflector directs a field of view of the sensor array toward the object at the same instant of time to intercept the second reflected light beam and reflect it toward the sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Yefim Kereth
  • Patent number: 8736925
    Abstract: The invention relates to scanning linear image sensors with signal integration, in which an image of a line of points from an observed scene is reconstructed by the addition of successive images taken by a plurality of photosensitive lines which successively observe the same line of the scene as the scene moves across the sensor perpendicularly to the lines. The sensor according to the invention uses charge transfer pixels (Pm,i,j) grouped into M groups of N lines; an analog charge summation is carried out in each group; and the results of this summation are read by read circuits (READm) associated with each group, and then digitized and added to those of the other groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: E2V Semiconductors
    Inventors: Frederic Mayer, Vincent Hibon, Henri Bugnet, Joel Vaillant
  • Patent number: 8670130
    Abstract: The invention provides a laser scanner, comprising a main unit and a rotating unit rotatably mounted on the main unit, wherein the rotating unit has a deflection member for projecting the pulsed beams by deflecting the beams perpendicularly to center axis of the rotating unit. The main unit comprises a plurality of light emitting sources disposed in a two-dimensional arrangement for emitting a plurality of pulsed beams, an optical system for projecting and receiving the pulsed beams, a rotation angle detecting unit, a plurality of photodetectors for receiving a reflection light from an object via the deflection member and being disposed respectively at positions conjugate to the light emitting sources, a distance measuring unit for measuring a distance based on a photodetection signal from the photodetector, and a control arithmetic unit for calculating projecting directions of the pulsed laser beams projected from the deflection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Kaoru Kumagai, Minoru Chiba
  • Patent number: 8638446
    Abstract: A laser scanner or a laser tracker includes a light source that emits a light beam within an environment, and a data capture component that captures the light beam reflected back to the laser scanner or tracker from the environment. The laser scanner or tracker also includes a projector integrated within a body of the laser scanner or tracker or mounted to the body of the laser scanner or tracker at a predetermined location, the projector being operable to project visible information onto an object located within the environment, the projected visible information being indicative of images, data or information, the projected visible information being at least one of design intent information, information acquired by the laser scanner or tracker, or guidance to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clark H. Briggs
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8467069
    Abstract: A method and a device for inspecting the quality of a formed thermoplastic fiber-reinforced plastic component wherein the component is tested by means of a sensor unit with a downstream electronic evaluation unit for analysis of the measuring result acquired by sensor technology by means of sample comparison, wherein by means of the optical sensor unit the surface roughness of the plastic component is measured after forming, which surface roughness is analyzed by means of the evaluation unit by a comparison with a stored reference pattern in such a manner that increased surface roughness is interpreted as increased internal materials porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Edelmann, Tanja Frese, Carsten Brandt, Jens Kethler, Christoph Von Kopylow
  • Patent number: 8462355
    Abstract: A scanning microscope includes an acousto-optic scanner that produces a scanned beam. A beam separator based on total internal reflection or angle tuning of a dielectric filter separates an unscanned portion of an excitation light flux from a scanned portion. The scanned beam is directed to a specimen, and optical radiation generated in response to the scanned beam is directed to a detector that produces a detected signal that can be used to determine an image. The scanned beam can be directed to the specimen without formation of any intermediate focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Dejan Vucinic, Terrence J. Sejnowski
  • Patent number: 8416427
    Abstract: There is described a scanner having a frame with a support, two lasers attached to the frame and two optical sensors attached to the frame, the lasers and optical sensors being positioned and oriented to reduce shadowing effects for the cameras and for the laser lines while covering close to 100% of the surface of an object to be imaged and reducing the scanning time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Numeq Inc.
    Inventors: François Marcil, Christian Matz, Louis Geoffroy, Elmekki Ennajimi
  • Patent number: 8411280
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a shape of a surface, comprises a measurement head which measures at least one of a distance between a reference point and the surface and a direction of a normal from the surface to the reference point, a scanning mechanism which scans the measurement head, and a processor which calculates the shape of the surface based on a measurement result measured using the measurement head and coordinates of the reference point, wherein the coordinates of the reference point are calibrated using a measurement result measured by scanning the measurement head along a scanning path in association with a first surface to be measured, and a shape of a second surface to be measured is calculated based on a measurement result measured by scanning the measurement head along the same scanning path in association with the second surface, and the calibrated coordinates of the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8405884
    Abstract: A scanner including: a transparent plate; a light emitting unit that emits light to an object on the transparent plate; a sensor to form an image of the object; a focusing lens unit that is arranged on a light path between the transparent plate and the sensor, to focus light from the object onto the sensor; and a controller to determine whether a foreign substance is disposed in the light path, using the image, calculates a position of the foreign substance, and corrects the image on the basis of the calculated position of the foreign substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-kyung Hong, Jonghyon Yi
  • Patent number: 8335038
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an image of a pattern to be formed on a semiconductor by scanning the pattern using a scanner, the apparatus including an EUV mask including the pattern, a zoneplate lens on a first side of the EUV mask and adapted to focus EUV light on a portion of the EUV mask at a same angle as an angle at which the scanner will be disposed with respect to a normal line of the EUV mask, and a detector arranged on another side of the EUV mask and adapted to sense energy of the EUV light from the EUV mask, wherein NAzoneplate=NAscanner/n and NAdetector=NAscanner/n*?, where NAzoneplate denotes a NA of the zoneplate lens, NAdetector denotes a NA of the detector, and NAscanner denotes a NA of the scanner, ? denotes an off-axis degree of the scanner, and n denotes a reduction magnification of the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-gun Lee, Seong-sue Kim
  • Patent number: 8335039
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an image of a pattern to be formed on a semiconductor by scanning the pattern using a scanner, the apparatus including an EUV mask including the pattern, a zoneplate lens on a first side of the EUV mask and adapted to focus EUV light on a portion of the EUV mask at a same angle as an angle at which the scanner will be disposed with respect to a normal line of the EUV mask, and a detector arranged on another side of the EUV mask and adapted to sense energy of the EUV light from the EUV mask, wherein NAzoneplate=NAscanner/n and NAdetector=NAscanner/n*?, where NAzoneplate denotes a NA of the zoneplate lens, NAdetector denotes a NA of the detector, and NAscanner denotes a NA of the scanner, ? denotes an off-axis degree of the scanner, and n denotes a reduction magnification of the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-gun Lee, Seong-sue Kim
  • Patent number: 8243289
    Abstract: A sensor system and method for analyzing a feature in a sensing volume is provided. The system receives image data from a sensor, where the image data including peaks corresponding to the intersection of laser lines with the feature. The system generates a dynamic window based on the entropy of the peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Perceptron, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengchih Lin, Craig A. Manning, Shyam P. Keshavmurthy
  • Publication number: 20120069352
    Abstract: A method for optically scanning and measuring a scene by means of a laser scanner which, for making a scan having a certain center, optically scans and measures its environment provided with targets, whereby two adjacent scans having different centers and scanning the same scene overlap within a range of measuring points so that some targets are scanned by any of the two scans, whereby, for registering the two adjacent scans, the targets are localized in the measuring points during a first step and, during a second step, candidates of correspondence among the localized targets of the two adjacent scans are looked for and, during a third step, a test registration of the two adjacent scans is made which, if there is a sufficient compliance of the measuring points within the overlapping range, is taken over for registration, thus identifying the targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Ossig, Reinhard Becker, Alexander Kramer
  • Publication number: 20110292406
    Abstract: The present invention relates to non-contact optical scanning of an object for generation of a three-dimensional surface model of the scanned object. In particular the invention relates to a scanner for obtaining the three-dimensional geometry of at least a part of the surface of an object, said scanner comprising: —at least one light source, preferably a laser light source with adjustable power, —projection means for directing light from the at least one light source to a moving spot on the surface of the object, —at least one image sensor adapted to record at least one image of at least a part of the surface, —detection means, other than the at least one image sensor, for monitoring at least a part of the light reflected from the surface, —regulation means for adjusting the intensity of the at least one light source based on the amount of light reflected from the surface, and—means for transforming the at least one image to a three-dimensional model of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: 3Shape A/S
    Inventors: Karl-Josef Hollenbeck, Henrik Öjelund, Christopher Simon Edwards, Alfredo Chávez Plascencia, Rune Fisker
  • Patent number: 8064684
    Abstract: An interface that allows a user to explore complex three dimensional datasets. The user manipulates a physical modeling material that defines the geometry of a surface that intersects a voxel dataset and the intersected voxel values are projected back onto the surface of the physical material as image data. A position sensor captures position data specifying the geometry of the surface, a processor compares the array of data values with the captured position data to identify selected ones of these data values whose position in the array corresponds to the geometry of the surface, and a projector for illuminates the surface with an image representative of the data at the array/surface intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Carlo Filippo Ratti, Benjamin Tarquinn Fielding Piper, Yao Wang, Hiroshii Ishii
  • Publication number: 20110261368
    Abstract: The invention provides a laser scanner 1 for performing multi-point measurement by projecting a pulsed beam 12 over total circumference for scanning, comprising a main unit 3 and a rotating unit 4 rotatably mounted on the main unit, wherein the rotating unit has a deflection member 15 for projecting the pulsed beams by deflecting the beams perpendicularly to center axis of the rotating unit, the main unit comprises a plurality of light emitting sources 11 disposed in two-dimensional positions and used for emitting a plurality of pulsed beams, an optical system 6 for projecting and receiving the pulsed beams, a rotation angle detecting unit 19 for detecting a horizontal rotation angle of the rotating unit, a plurality of photodetectors 8 for receiving a reflection light 12? from an object via the deflection member and being disposed respectively at positions conjugate to the light emitting sources, a distance measuring unit 9 for measuring a distance based on a photodetection signal from the photodetector, and
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Kaoru Kumagai, Minoru Chiba
  • Patent number: 7995834
    Abstract: A method and system to capture geometry of a three dimensional target while disambiguating multiple projected target elements. The system projects at least three light pattern elements toward a target at a diverse spacing relative to each other. The system captures at least one image of the target while illuminated by at least one of the pattern elements. The pattern elements are moved relative to the target. The system disambiguates one pattern element from any other contained within an image of the target, at least in part based on the diverse spacing. The system measures triangulation locations of points on a three-dimensional surface of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: NextEngine, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Knighton, David S. Agabra, Vlad Constantin Cardei, Jeremy A. Millers, Mark A. Feeney, William D. McKinley
  • Patent number: 7989757
    Abstract: A configurable scanner (1), for contactless measurement of the depth and perimeter of a wound on a target body part (9), has a scan head (4), and is configured to be controlled by a processor (3) for controlling a scanning procedure and analyzing the results. The scan head (4) projects a contour line onto a surface the target body part, and captures an image of the projected contour line. A series of captured images are analyzed to create a three dimensional model of the wound, and determine at least one of depth, perimeter and volume of the wound from the three dimensional model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Woundmatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Osama Al-Moosawi, Sean M. Geary
  • Patent number: 7969582
    Abstract: A laser scanning microscope apparatus comprising, a controlling unit for obtaining height information at each scanning point of a sample to be examined by obtaining a relative distance that maximizes an intensity output from a photo-detecting unit, which is obtained when the sample to be examined is scanned with a light from a laser light source, when a relative distance is changed by a Z scanning unit, includes an arithmetic processing unit for obtaining a plurality of height profiles of one line acquired by scanning the sample to be examined in a state of light with the light defecting unit while shifting the plurality of height profiles of one line in a scanning direction by a predetermined amount, and for obtaining one profile by linking the plurality of height profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7924439
    Abstract: A method for extracting parameters of a cutting tool is provided. The method comprises positioning the cutting tool on a moveable stage, performing one or more rotary scans of a first section of the cutting tool to generate a scanning point cloud, indexing a plurality of points of the scanning point cloud, detecting one or more feature points based on the indexed scanning point cloud, and extracting one or more parameters based on the detected feature points. A system for extracting the parameters is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tian Chen, Kevin George Harding, Steven Robert Hayashi, Xiaoming Du, Jianming Zheng, Howard Paul Weaver, James Allen Baird, Xinjue Zou, Kevin William Meyer
  • Patent number: 7901096
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for illuminating an object and projecting its image on a ground glass screen. Optical comparators conventionally use incandescent illumination, either mercury arc or halogen. The use of an array of high intensity LED devices, provides many options for packaging the required optical components used in comparators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Dorsey Metrology International
    Inventor: Peter Donald Klepp
  • Patent number: 7876454
    Abstract: A method for measurement of a cutting tool is provided. The method comprises positioning the cutting tool on a moveable stage, performing a first rotary scan of a first section of the cutting tool to generate a first scanning point cloud, segmenting the first scanning point cloud, performing a second rotary scan of the first section based on the segmentation of the first scanning point cloud, and extracting the parameters of the first section based on the second rotary scan of the first section. A system for extracting parameters of a cutting tool is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoming Du, Kevin George Harding, Steven Robert Hayashi, Tian Chen, Jianming Zheng, Howard Paul Weaver, James Allen Baird, Xinjue Zou
  • Patent number: 7876455
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus includes a line laser light source (1) and an image capturing device (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: TechnoDream21 Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawasaki, Ryo Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7860549
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) representation of one or more light sources inside a sample, such as a mammal. Mammalian tissue is a turbid medium, meaning that photons are both absorbed and scattered as they propagate through tissue. In the case where scattering is large compared with absorption, such as red to near-infrared light passing through tissue, the transport of light within the sample is described by diffusion theory. Using imaging data and computer-implemented photon diffusion models, embodiments of the present invention produce a 3D representation of the light sources inside a sample, such as a 3D location, size, and brightness of such light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Xenogen Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Stearns, Bradley W. Rice, Michael D. Cable
  • Patent number: 7859684
    Abstract: A device for shaping objects by removal of material from the surface thereof with a pulsed laser beam and a deflecting device through which the laser bean is guided over the surface of the object. An optical device is provided for changing the distribution of the radiation intensity inside the laser beam cross section. After the passage of the laser beam through this optical device, the radiation intensity has a bell-shaped or Gaussian distribution, or a distribution similar to a bell-shaped or Gaussian distribution, in at least one cross-sectional direction through the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Claus Goder, Thomas Hollerbach, Juergen Kuehnert, Eckhard Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7835014
    Abstract: A method for absolute position measuring that includes scanning a code having code elements arranged one behind the other in a measuring direction, wherein the code elements include sequential first and second code elements which define a code word containing absolute position information. The method including generating scanning signals within the first code elements and the second code elements. The method further including forming information regarding the sequential first and second code elements from the scanning signals via a reference value and determining the reference value as a function of at least one of the scanning signals within the first code elements and the scanning signals within the second code elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Mayer, Johann Oberhauser
  • Patent number: 7821714
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an image of a pattern to be formed on a semiconductor by scanning the pattern using a scanner, the apparatus including an EUV mask including the pattern, a zoneplate lens on a first side of the EUV mask and adapted to focus EUV light on a portion of the EUV mask at a same angle as an angle at which the scanner will be disposed with respect to a normal line of the EUV mask, and a detector arranged on another side of the EUV mask and adapted to sense energy of the EUV light from the EUV mask, wherein NAzoneplate=NAscanner/n and NAdetector=NAscanner/n*?, where NAzoneplate denotes a NA of the zoneplate lens, NAdetector denotes a NA of the detector, and NAscanner denotes a NA of the scanner, ? denotes an off-axis degree of the scanner, and n denotes a reduction magnification of the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-gun Lee, Seong-sue Kim
  • Patent number: 7811385
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle washing installation with the use of a light-section procedure, wherein at least one treatment device (1) and a vehicle (2) to be washed are moved relative to each other in the washing direction (L), the vehicle surfaces are illuminated by two light fans (11, 12) starting from different positions, a first (FIG. 7) and a second (FIG. 8) two-dimensional depiction of the vehicle surfaces illuminated by the light fans (11, 12) are recorded from shooting angles which are oblique with respect to the planes of the light fans, and are stored in a control unit (20) together with the relative position and/or relative movement of treatment devices (1) and vehicle (2), the preceding steps are repeated during a traversing operation from one end to the other end of the vehicle (2), and, during or after the end of the traversing operation, a three-dimensional representation of the vehicle surfaces is calculated from the two-dimensional depictions (FIG. 7, FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Washtec Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Auer, Stefan Mayer
  • Patent number: 7792655
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for scanning and obtaining points of an object is provided. The method includes defining a measuring distance between two points of an object and scanning the measuring distance according to an optimal measuring position. If coordinate values of each of the scanned points are valid, then the method send the obtained coordinate values to an electronic device if the obtained coordinate values are valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Yi-Rong Hong, Li Jiang, Zhong-Kui Yuan
  • Patent number: 7755772
    Abstract: A tire shape measuring system measures a surface shape on the basis of an image of a line of light (a light section line) emitted to a surface of a relatively rotating tire using a light-section method. The shape measuring system includes a light projector for emitting a plurality of lines of light onto a tire surface in directions different from a direction in which the height of the surface is detected so as to form a plurality of separate light section lines and a camera for capturing images of the light section lines in directions in which chief rays of the lines of light are specularly reflected by the tire surface. The shape measuring system individually detects the coordinates of the light section lines from images of pre-defined independent image processing target areas for each captured image and calculates the distribution of the surface height using the detected coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Takahashi, Naokazu Sakoda, Tsutomu Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7724377
    Abstract: A tire shape detecting apparatus includes a projector that applies a plurality line light beams in a continuously joined manner, from a direction different from the detection height direction (Z-axis direction) in one light section line, or that applies one line light beam in a condensed manner in the line length direction thereof in order that the one light section line may be formed on the one line Ls on the surface of the tire; and a camera for picking up images of the plurality of line light beams applied to the tire surface in the direction in which the principal ray of each of the plurality of line light beams performs specular reflection with respect to the tire surface, or in the direction in which the principal ray of the condensed one line light beam performs specular reflection with respect to the tire surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naokazu Sakoda, Eiji Takahashi, Tsutomu Morimoto, Yasuhiro Matsushita, Toshikatsu Nonaka, Shiro Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 7715021
    Abstract: The invention provides a microscope for measuring the surface profile of an object, including (1) an illumination module which directs illumination radiation with different wavelengths to different surface portions of the object in such a way that a predetermined object intersection length range is illuminated for every portion, and (2) a detection module which detects sample radiation of every portion successively in time. Wherein the detection module directs the sample radiation into a detection beam path via a scanner and confocally images another wavelength of the sample radiation in a plane for every intersection length to be detected. The detection module also detects the intensity of the confocally imaged sample radiation in a wavelength-dependent manner and derives therefrom the position of the corresponding surface portion of the object. Wherein the detection module has a color module arranged between the scanner and the plane, through which the sample radiation passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microimaging GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Winterot
  • Patent number: 7705291
    Abstract: A configurable scanner (1), adapted for contactless measurement of the depth and perimeter of a wound on a target body part (9), has a scan head (4), and a processor (3) for controlling a scanning procedure and analyzing the results. The scan head is translated along a substantially semicircular path (7) having a configurable radial distance from an imaginary axis, such that the imaginary axis is approximately coincident with an axis of the target (9). The scan head (4) projects a contour line having a calibrated length onto the target surface, and the processor (3) stores an image of the projected contour line captured by an image capturing device (11). The processor (3) analyzes a series of captured images to determine the coordinates in three axes of the projected contour line, creates therefrom a 3D model of the region of interest, and determines a depth and perimeter of the wound from the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Woundmatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Osama Al-Moosawi, Sean M. Geary
  • Patent number: 7684054
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for inspecting a component having a length, a width, and an axis. The system includes a fixture for holding the component, a light source disposed on one side of the component, and an optical detector disposed on the other side of the component. In the preferred embodiment, the detector has a field of view wider than the width of the component, thereby enabling the detector to image a portion of the outer edges of the component. A translation stage is operative to move the light source and detector in unison along the length of the component and a processor, in communication with the detector and the translation stage, is operative to: a) receive electrical signals representative of the outer profile imaged by the detector; b) move the translation stage incrementally along the length of the component; and c) record the outer profile imaged by the detector at each increment and form a composite profile of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: GII Acquisition, LLC
    Inventor: David Crowther
  • Patent number: 7675631
    Abstract: A method of measuring a dimension and/or position of an object located in a measuring field, includes projecting a fan-shaped reference wave onto a holographic optical element having a first interference pattern and a second interference pattern; forming a first parallel partial wave front from the fan-shaped reference wave using the first interference pattern, the first parallel partial wave front entering the measuring field; and forming a second parallel partial wave front from the fan-shaped reference wave using the second interference pattern, the second parallel partial wave front entering the measuring field; wherein the measuring field is located behind the holographic optical element, and the first parallel partial wave front and the second parallel partial wave front intersect in the measuring field. A method of making a holographic optical element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Zumbach Electronic AG
    Inventors: Urs-Peter Studer, Beda Kaeser
  • Patent number: 7646494
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for detecting the displacement, such as the deflection, of a plurality of elements (1), such as microcantilevers, forming part of an array (2), by emitting a light beam (4) towards the array (2) and by receiving a reflected light beam on an optical position detector, whereby the position of incidence of the light beam is determined by the displacement of the corresponding element. The system further comprises: scanning means (7) for the displacing the light beam (4) along the array (2) so that the light beam is sequentially reflected, by the individual elements (1) along said array (2); and reflection detecting means (11) for detecting when the light beam is reflected by an element. The system is arranged so that when the reflection detecting means (11) detect that the light beam is reflected by an element, the corresponding position of incidence of the light on the detector is taken as an indication of the displacement of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas
    Inventors: Laura M. Lechuga Gomez, Mar Alvarez Sanchez, Francisco Javier Tamayo de Miguel
  • Patent number: 7633048
    Abstract: Disclosed are scanning devices which measure and quantify optical properties within an object such as the absorption of light, refractive index, light scattering, fluorescence, and phosphorescence. Through the use of two rotating plane mirrors and two paraboloid mirrors, a laser light beam is made to traverse the object to be scanned wherein the beam is always parallel to the optical axis. The invention provides an improvement over previously reported scanning devices by virtue of increased speed and resolution. Two-dimensional projections gleaned by each scan of the object are reconstructed into a three-dimensional image through the use of various computer techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventors: Simon John Doran, Nikola Krstajic
  • Patent number: 7570361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a test method for the testing of the functional capability of a monitoring sensor which scans a protective field to be monitored using a scanner. In accordance with the invention, at least one contour test object and one field test object are provided outside the protective field to be monitored. A field set is defined having at least two scan fields, with the first scan field of the first field set comprising the protective field to be monitored and at least one contour test object and the second scan field of the first field set comprising at least the region of the field test object. In a first test sequence, the protective field to be monitored is scanned with the first field set, with a positive first output signal only being generated when the contour test object is detected in the expected position in the first scan field and with a negative second output signal being generated when the field test object is detected in the second scan field of the first field set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventors: Walter Schneider, Otto Görnemann
  • Patent number: 7542135
    Abstract: The invention is a non contact laser inspection self centering device to inspect the counter sink portion of a counter sunk fastener hole on a surface. In detail, the self centering and seating device includes a combination laser transmitter and receiver for transmitting a laser bean across a surface and for receiving the return signal from the surface. A self centering device is attached to the combination laser transmitter and receiver for aligning the laser transmitter with the fastener hole such that the transmitted and received laser beam passes across the center of the counter sink portion of the fastener hole. A computer system is connected to the combination laser transmitter and receiver for analyzing the transmitted and returned laser signal from the surface and determining if the counter sink portion of the hole is within tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Mead, Dennis Bowles