Scan Patents (Class 356/608)
  • Patent number: 8014001
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring and developing a topography of a surface of a person or an object. The system includes a container having a flexible outer surface against which the person is to be placed. A deformable material located in the container can be rendered rigid while the person is positioned thereagainst to hold a shape of the outer surface of the container after the person is removed from against the container. A contact free measuring device is operatively connected to a memory device and arranged to measure distances from the measuring device to a plurality of points on the surface of the container and to store those distances in the memory device in digital form. A mounting mechanism may orient or couple the container to the measuring device, permitting the measuring device to be positioned and at least temporarily held fixed relative to the container within a predetermined distance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Prairie Seating Corporation
    Inventor: Adolf Trenkenschu
  • Patent number: 7986415
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for optical 3D measurement, comprising a first beam deflector for deflecting an illuminating beam onto a measurement object and for deflecting the observation beam which is radiated back by the measurement object, wherein the first beam deflector can move along a path distance S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Thiel, Joachim Pfeiffer, Peter Fornoff
  • Publication number: 20110164229
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a patterning subsystem for transferring a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate controlled in accordance with recorded measurements of level variations across a surface of the substrate. A level sensor is provided for projecting a level sensing beam of radiation to reflect from a location on the substrate surface and for detecting the reflected sensing beam to record the surface level at said location. The level sensor incorporates at least one moving optical element to scan the substrate surface by optical movement in at least one dimension to obtain measurements of surface level at different locations without mechanical movement between the level sensor and the substrate. Optical path length equalization measures may be employed, using shaped reflectors and/or additional moving mirrors, to avoid focus variation during the scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Frank STAALS, Marcus Adrianus Van De Kerkhof
  • Patent number: 7968173
    Abstract: The present invention relates to printable security paper that includes a region capable of receiving printed indicia on the front side and on the reverse side which are observable in reflected light and form an image observable in transmitted light, as security element protecting against two-sided copying, characterized in that such region is a screened region having an average overall opacity less than the opacity of the vellum part of the rest of the paper, said screened region being made up from alternations of vellum miniregions, having an approximately constant thickness equal to that of the vellum part of the rest of the paper, and of miniregions of reduced opacity because of their smaller thickness compared with the vellum miniregions. The invention also relates to the security document obtained with this paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Arjowiggins Security
    Inventors: Nathalie Vast, Yvan Thierry, Stephane Mallol
  • Publication number: 20110141252
    Abstract: A triangulation camera device includes a light source device being adapted for generating illumination light to be directed onto an object under investigation and including a light source with an optical pattern generator and a first aperture being arranged along a first optical axis, a detector device being adapted for sensing reflection light reflected by the object and including a detector camera and a second aperture being arranged along a second optical axis, and an imaging optic having imaging lenses being adapted for imaging the illumination light onto the object and for collecting the reflection light, said imaging optic having a third optical axis, wherein the first, second and third optical axes are arranged in parallel and displaced relative to each other and the first and second apertures are arranged with a telecentric configuration relative to the imaging optic such that the illumination light and the reflection light are capable of forming a parallel illumination light bundle and a parallel ref
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: BERLINER GLAS KGAA HERBERT KUBATZ GMBH & CO.
    Inventor: Volker Schmidt
  • 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: 7903261
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control projection of a pattern are provided. A particular method includes receiving first three-dimensional coordinates that specify one or more locations on a surface of a workpiece where the one or more locations correspond to a part definition to be projected onto the surface. The method also includes computing scan angles for a scanning system based on the first three-dimensional coordinates. The scan angles specify angles used by the scanning system to direct a beam of light to project the part definition onto the surface. The method also includes sending control signals to the scanning system based on the scan angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Saint Clair, Mitchell D. Voth, David C. Soreide, William D. Sherman
  • Patent number: 7883762
    Abstract: The invention concerns a security document comprising, as security element against recto/verso copying, indicia present on both sides and capable of being viewed under reflected lighting and forming an image capable of being viewed under transmitted light. The invention is characterized in that said indicia comprise lines and form said image with 3D effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Arjowiggins Security
    Inventor: Pierre Doublet
  • Patent number: 7884949
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image measuring apparatus comprising: an XYZ shaft transfer means mounted onto a base member; a work stage mounted to the base member, for moving a measuring object to a measuring position and thereafter supporting it and having a predetermined reference surface set at a side thereof; an image obtaining means in which it is moved toward X,Y and Z shafts by the XYZ shaft transfer means, scans a grating image by the frequency of N times to a side of the measuring object supported and fixed to the work stage, obtains the changed grating image by the measuring object by N times; a light emitting means mounted to a side of the image obtaining means for generating and emitting light with a predetermined wavelength; and a control unit which irradiates light generated from the light emitting means mounted to a side of the image obtaining means to the reference surface set the side of the work stage, receives the changed grating image obtained from the image obtaini
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Koh Young Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kwang-Ill Koh, Eun-Hyoung Seong, Moon-Young Jeon
  • Patent number: 7880899
    Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement system comprises: a three-dimensional measuring device for obtaining measurement data related to the three-dimensional shape of a target object for measurement; a specification part for specifying a primitive of the target object based on annotation information contained in CAD data; and a controller for controlling the three-dimensional measuring device based on the primitive specified by the specification part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Sensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Horita, Osamu Toyama, Koichi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7873488
    Abstract: A chromatic point sensor (CPS) calibration object and characterizing data are provided. The calibration object comprises a flat base plane with steps extending from it. Step measurement points provided by the steps and base plane measurement points provided by portions of the base plane are intermingled along a measurement track. The characterizing data characterizes known heights of the measurement points. A calibration method acquires measurement data such that some base plane measurement points should be at nearly the same measurement distance and therefore have the same common mode errors relative to known base plane measurement point heights. If such base plane measurement points exhibit minimal error variations, then measurements for those and proximate measurement points may provide reliable calibration data. In contrast, error variations outside an expected range indicate unreliable measurements that should be screened or replaced by new calibration measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Nahum, David William Sesko, Kim W. Atherton
  • 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: 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: 7847940
    Abstract: A multi-channel imaging head is calibrated in accordance with a pre-determined regular pattern to minimize swath-to-swath and inter-swath variations during the imaging of the regular pattern. The imaging parameters of the imaging head are optimized in accordance with the pre-determined regular pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Valentin Karasyuk, Harry R. Zwicker, Wilson D. Cheung, Jonathan V. Caspar, Sina Afrooze
  • 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: 7812969
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus includes a measuring section and a data integrating section. The measuring section has three-dimensional measurement dimensions, and measures a three-dimensional shape of a measurement object in a non-contact state. The measuring section measures a three-dimensional shape of a part of the measurement object multiple times by shifting the measurement dimensions to obtain multiple measurement data. The measurement dimensions are shifted in such a manner that at least portions of consecutive measurement dimensions by the shifting are lapped one over the other. The data integrating section integrates the multiple measurement data to obtain the three-dimensional shape of the measurement object. The data integrating section executes the data integration, using reliability information attributed to the respective measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Sensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Morimoto, Yoshihisa Abe, Shinichi Horita
  • 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: 7796278
    Abstract: A method for precisely measuring position of a part to be inspected at a part inspection station is provided. The method includes positioning a part having a part axis relative to a measurement axis at the part inspection station and scanning the positioned part with an array of planes of radiation so that the part occludes each of the planes of radiation over a measurement interval of the part to create a corresponding array of unobstructed planar portions of the planes of radiation. Each of the unobstructed planar portions contains an amount of radiation which is representative of a respective geometric dimension of the part. The method also includes measuring the amount of radiation present in each of the unobstructed planar portions to obtain measurement signals and processing the measurement signals to obtain a geometric measurement between the axes at the measurement interval. The geometric measurement may be a distance between the axes or angle between the axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: GII Acquisition, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Spalding, Eric M. Walstra
  • 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: 7768655
    Abstract: A method of measuring an object includes positioning the object on a moveable stage, performing a rotary scan of the object with a range sensor, and determining geometric parameters of the object based on the rotary scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Robert Hayashi, Zhongguo Li, Kevin George Harding, Jianming Zheng, Howard Paul Weaver, Xiaoming Du, Tian Chen
  • Patent number: 7756323
    Abstract: A 3D scanning device comprises: a digital light encoding unit comprising a digital micromirror device for encoding a rapidly changing shape signal onto a light beam directed to an object, a shape of said signal being selected such that distortions thereof by a contoured object reveal three-dimensional information of said contour; a detector synchronized with said digital light processing unit for detecting reflections of said light beam from said object, and a decoder for determining a 3D shape of said object from distortions of said signal in said detected reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd.
    Inventor: Ron Kimmel
  • Publication number: 20100141932
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control projection of a pattern are provided. A particular method includes receiving first three-dimensional coordinates that specify one or more locations on a surface of a workpiece where the one or more locations correspond to a part definition to be projected onto the surface. The method also includes computing scan angles for a scanning system based on the first three-dimensional coordinates. The scan angles specify angles used by the scanning system to direct a beam of light to project the part definition onto the surface. The method also includes sending control signals to the scanning system based on the scan angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Saint Clair, Mitchell D. Voth, David C. Soreide, William D. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20100141960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: NextPat, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark S. Knighton, David S. Agabra, William D. McKinley, John Z. Zheng, David D. Drobnis, J. Douglas Logan, Basel F. Bahhour, Jill E. Haynie, Kevin H. Vuong, Amit Tandon, Kent E. Sidney, Peter L. Diaconescu
  • 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: 7697147
    Abstract: An apparatus for the representation of an area on the three-dimensional surface of a patient's body, with a control device which provides three-dimensional coordinates of at least one area to be represented on the surface of the patient's body, wherein the area pre-sets a desired intersection area of a radiation area on the surface of the patient's body, characterized in that at least one projection device featuring a laser is provided, by which the desired intersection area can be projected to the three-dimensional surface of the patient's body on the basis of the provided coordinates, while at least one laser beam generated by the laser can be guided along the contour of the desired intersection area sufficiently rapidly, so that the impression of a closed contour around the desired intersection area results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen
    Inventor: Johann Kindlein
  • Patent number: 7692144
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing a height of a specimen includes an electron beam unit having an electron beam source, lenses, a table for setting a specimen and controllable in a height direction, and a detector, and a height detection system for detecting height of the specimen set on the table while the specimen is irradiated by an electron beam. The height detection system further includes an illumination system, a collection system, first and second detectors, a device configured to receive output signals from the first and second detectors while the specimen is irradiated by the electron beam and to generate a comparison signal from the output signals, wherein the comparison signal is responsive to the height of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Watanabe, Takashi Hiroi, Maki Tanaka, Hiroyuki Shinada, Yasutsugu Usami
  • Publication number: 20100073685
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring and developing a topography of a surface of a person or an object. The system includes a container having a flexible outer surface against which the person is to be placed. A deformable material located in the container can be rendered rigid while the person is positioned thereagainst to hold a shape of the outer surface of the container after the person is removed from against the container. A contact free measuring device is operatively connected to a memory device and arranged to measure distances from the measuring device to a plurality of points on the surface of the container and to store those distances in the memory device in digital form. A mounting mechanism may orient or couple the container to the measuring device, permitting the measuring device to be positioned and at least temporarily held fixed relative to the container within a predetermined distance range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Adolf Trenkenschu
  • Patent number: 7684055
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring station, especially for a pipe cutting machine (2), with a first distance sensor (8) that can pivot about a transverse axis (16) by a drive (13) for generating a first scanning beam (6) that scans an object (4) during the continuous pivoting motion and measures first distance measured values in a clocked manner, and with a second distance sensor (19) that is stationary as regards the transverse axis (16) for generating a second scanning beam (22) that is directed onto a angle measuring apparatus (21) connected in a non-rotating manner to the first distance sensor (8) and that measures second distance measured values in a clocked manner, and with an electronic synchronization unit (17) comprising connections for the first and the second distance measured signals, and with a calculating unit (18) that calculates a profile of the object (4) to be measured from the synchronized distance measured signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Rattunde & Co. GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Rattunde
  • Patent number: 7684053
    Abstract: An optical displacement sensor for measuring distance or surface displacement of an object by surface profile scanning includes an optical source, a first optical detector and a second optical detector. The optical source is located intermediate the first and second optical detectors. The first and second optical detectors are arranged to collect light emitted by the optical source when scattered by and/or reflected from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeung Ming Chow
  • Publication number: 20100060904
    Abstract: A light-emitting hand-held surface profiler for scanning and profiling the surfaces of objects has a transparent housing, a focusable light source, a conical mirror aligned to redirect light emitted by the light source onto a surface to be profiled, an imaging sensor and a lens aligned to redirect toward the imaging sensor light reflected by the surface onto the lens. The light source, conical mirror, imaging sensor and lens are mounted within the housing and positionally referentially coupled to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: 3DM DEVICES INC.
    Inventors: John Howard KEIGHTLEY, Adriano Goncalves CUNHA, Mark Aurele Louis DUMONT
  • 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: 7676114
    Abstract: A system for three-dimensional reconstruction of a surface profile of a surface of an object is provided that utilizes a binary pattern projected onto the surface of the object. A binary string consisting of a series of “1”s and “0”s is first created, and a binary pattern of light that is constructed in accordance with the binary string such that bright and dark bands of light of equal widths correspond to “1”s and “0”s from the binary string respectively is projected onto the surface. The binary pattern is shifted with respect to the surface multiple times, during which an image of the binary pattern illuminating the surface is obtained at each position of the binary pattern. Thereafter, a height of each predetermined point on the surface is calculated relative to a reference plane based upon the images cumulatively obtained at said predetermined point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi Kit Ronald Chung, Jun Cheng, Y. Edmund Lam, Shun Ming Kenneth Fung, Fan Wang, Wing Hong Leung
  • Patent number: 7659995
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: NextPat, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark S. Knighton, David S. Agabra, William D. McKinley, John Z. Zheng, David D. Drobnis, J. Douglas Logan, Basel F. Bahhour, Jill E. Haynie, Kevin H. Vuong, Amit Tandon, Kent E. Sidney, Peter L. Diaconescu
  • Publication number: 20100007733
    Abstract: The invention proposes an optical monitoring device for monitoring the activity of a tool in a monitoring area, having at least one camera (1). In order to improve the capture of the lateral regions of a three-dimensional object in the monitoring area (20), at least one mirror (2) is provided that is concavely bent in at least one partial region and that is disposed in the optical path between the monitoring area (20) and the camera (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander Bachem, Matthias Westenhoefer, Karlheinz Hohm
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090279103
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for optical 3 D measurement, comprising a first beam deflector for deflecting an illuminating beam onto a measurement object and for deflecting the observation beam which is radiated back by the measurement object, wherein the first beam deflector can move along a path distance S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Thiel, Joachim Pfeiffer, Peter Fornoff
  • Publication number: 20090251709
    Abstract: An apparatus for the representation of an area on the three-dimensional surface of a patient's body, with a control device which provides three-dimensional coordinates of at least one area to be represented on the surface of the patient's body, wherein the area pre-sets a desired intersection area of a radiation area on the surface of the patient's body, characterised in that at least one projection device featuring a laser is provided, by which the desired intersection area can be projected to the three-dimensional surface of the patient's body on the basis of the provided coordinates, while at least one laser beam generated by the laser can be guided along the contour of the desired intersection area sufficiently rapidly, so that the impression of a closed contour around the desired intersection area results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen
    Inventor: Johann Kindlein
  • Publication number: 20090237678
    Abstract: In a method and system for measuring wear in the lining of a vessel by a laser contouring system having an electromagnetic radiation emitting and receiving device. The laser contouring system references permanent marks and temporary marks positioned outside, on, or within the vessel. The distances and direction from the electromagnetic radiation emitting and receiving device to the fixed and temporary marks is determined during an initial measurement by the electromagnetic radiation emitting and receiving device from a first scanning position. The electromagnetic radiation emitting and receiving device is then moved along a path from the first scanning position to a second scanning position wherein some of the marks which were scanned from the first scanning position are scanned again to determine the relative position of the vessel and points on the internal lining of the vessel to determine the contour of the lining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: David E. Brzoska, James E. Yanker
  • Patent number: 7589316
    Abstract: A scanning beam assembly comprising: a beam generator to generate a beam of radiation, an oscillating reflector configured to deflect the beam at varying angles of excursion to yield a scanned beam that scans a field of view, an optical detector that detects light reflected from the field of view, the detector including at least one of an adjustable gain and adjustable sensitivity, and a controller programmable to control the gain and/or sensitivity of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Dunki-Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7573583
    Abstract: An intra-oral laser digitizer system provides a three-dimensional visual image of a real-world object such as a dental item through a laser digitization. The laser digitizer captures an image of the object by scanning multiple portions of the object in an exposure period. The intra-oral digitizer may be inserted into an oral cavity (in vivo) to capture an image of a dental item such as a tooth, multiple teeth or dentition. The captured image is processed to generate the three-dimension visual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: D4D Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Henley S. Quadling, Mark S. Quadling, Alan Blair
  • 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: 7557914
    Abstract: An apparatus including a scanning mechanism, a tracking mechanism, and a processing unit. The scanning mechanism includes a rotating mechanism, a mounting arm rotatably attached to the rotating mechanism, and a light source connected to the mounting arm. The scanning mechanism also includes a mirror connected to the mounting arm, wherein the mirror is positioned to reflect the coherent light. The scanning mechanism also includes a measuring system attached to the mounting arm. The measuring system measures a parameter associated with an object on which the coherent light falls. The tracking mechanism is in communication with the scanning mechanism. The tracking mechanism measures a distance from the tracking mechanism to the scanning mechanism. The processing unit is in communication with the scanning mechanism and the tracking mechanism. The processing unit collects measurement information from the scanning mechanism and the tracking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vincent Thompson, Stephen J. Bennison, Scott L. Waltari
  • Publication number: 20090116038
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring station, especially for a pipe cutting machine (2), with a first distance sensor (8) that can pivot about a transverse axis (16) by a drive (13) for generating a first scanning beam (6) that scans an object (4) during the continuous pivoting motion and measures first distance measured values in a clocked manner, and with a second distance sensor (19) that is stationary as regards the transverse axis (16) for generating a second scanning beam (22) that is directed onto a angle measuring apparatus (21) connected in a non-rotating manner to the first distance sensor (8) and that measures second distance measured values in a clocked manner, and with an electronic synchronization unit (17) comprising connections for the first and the second distance measured signals, and with a calculating unit (18) that calculates a profile of the object (4) to be measured from the synchronized distance measured signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Ulrich Rattunde
  • Patent number: 7474414
    Abstract: A system and a method of guiding a real-time inspection using a 3D scanner are provided. The system and the method of guiding a real-time inspection using a 3D scanner allow an operator to perform an accurate and swift inspection of an object to be measured so as to meet a designer's design intentions. For that purpose, 3D shape information of an object to be measured is detected using a scanner and shape information and inspection guide information of the object stored in a data storage unit, and inspection information of the object for judging the validity of the measurement information detected from the scanner is checked through a display unit. After that, the scanner is operated to compare the measurement information detected by the scanner with the inspection information so as to judge the validity of the measurement. Therefore, an operator can accurately understand a designer's intentions for inspection to perform measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Inus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Seock Hoon Bae, Tae Joo Kim
  • Patent number: 7469191
    Abstract: The present invention measures jitter in a galvano scanner that scans a light beam on a surface to be scanned by periodically turning a reflection mirror in a reciprocating manner. Two detectors for detecting and receiving the light beam are mounted near both ends of the scan region of the light beam, a first detection signal of each of the two detectors is extracted whenever the reflection mirror is activated for one scanning, a required time for one scanning is computed from the extracted detection signals, and a variation in the required time for each scanning is measured based on the computed required time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoji Shimoda, Koichi Saito
  • Patent number: 7453580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image measuring apparatus comprising: an XYZ shaft transfer means mounted onto a base member; a work stage mounted to the base member, for moving a measuring object to a measuring position and thereafter supporting it and having a predetermined reference surface set at a side thereof; an image obtaining means in which it is moved toward X, Y and Z shafts by the XYZ shaft transfer means, scans a grating image by the frequency of N times to a side of the measuring object supported and fixed to the work stage, obtains the changed grating image by the measuring object by N times; a light emitting means mounted to a side of the image obtaining means for generating and emitting light with a predetermined wavelength; and a control unit which irradiates light generated from the light emitting means mounted to a side of the image obtaining means to the reference surface set the side of the work stage, receives the changed grating image obtained from the image obtain
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Koh Young Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwang-Ill Koh, Eun-Hyoung Seong, Moon-Young Jeon
  • Patent number: 7440119
    Abstract: There is provided a three-dimensional shape detecting device comprising: pattern beam projection means which projects a plurality of pattern beams including two pattern beams having different angular widths; image capturing means which captures an image of a subject onto which the pattern beams are projected, from a position a prescribed distance apart from the pattern beam projection means; and three-dimensional shape calculation means which calculates positions of the pattern beams projected on the subject based on the image captured by the image capturing means and thereby determines a three-dimensional shape of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeo Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7436498
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the shape of a gemstone, including irregularities on its surface, is provided, The apparatus comprises a platform adapted to support the gemstone, a scanning system adapted to provide geometrical information concerning the three-dimensional convex envelope of the gemstone, an illumination system adapted to project on the gemstone a plurality of laser beams, an imaging system adapted to capture reflections of at least a part of said laser beams from the surface of the gemstone, and a processor. The processor is adapted to calculate, based on said geometrical information, a predicted reflection of each laser beam, to compare the captured reflections with said predicted reflections and to relate each captured reflection to its corresponding predicted reflection, to determine said shape of the gemstone based on the comparison and said geometrical information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Sarin Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi Kerner, Yedidya Ariel, Nur Arad
  • Patent number: 7397551
    Abstract: A method for verifying scan precision of a laser measurement machine includes the steps of: preparing a standardized BGA model; measuring Z coordinates values of each solder ball peak of the BGA model for certain times; determining a Z coordinates conventional true value of each solder ball peak; measuring X, Y coordinates values of each solder ball centre of the BGA model; determining a coplanarity conventional true value of a seating-plane; determining an optimum scanning mode; determining optimum scanning parameters under the optimum scanning mode; scanning the BGA model under the optimum scanning parameters and the optimum scanning mode; obtaining X, Y, Z coordinates values of each solder ball peak; evaluating the veracity of Z coordinates of each solder ball peak; evaluating the veracity and repetitiveness of coplanarity; and evaluating scan precision of the laser measurement machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ling-Hua Que, Zhong-Kui Yuan, Wei Xu, Xiao-Bo Xin, Kuei-Yang Lin
  • Patent number: 7365863
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for allowing analysis results of scan data to have supplemental geometry and various measurements generated from the supplemental geometry or mutual common relations between geometric tolerances, and when the scan data changes, the analysis results according to the related data are recalculated in real time in order to simplify the repetitive inspection process according to the scan data changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Inus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Seock Hoon Bae, Dong Hoon Lee, Seung Yob Kim, Sung Woo Cho