Position Or Displacement Patents (Class 356/614)
  • Patent number: 9869695
    Abstract: An atomic-force microscope system is provided including: an electrically conducting cantilever support; an electrically insulating element; and an electrically conducting cantilever anchored at a first end to the cantilever support via the insulating element, the cantilever including a probe tip at a second end opposite to the first end and the cantilever support is configured as a backside electrode of the cantilever for backside actuation thereof; a Fabry-Perot interferometer including: a resonator with a first mirror defined on the cantilever; and a second mirror defined on the cantilever support having a first side and a second side configured to allow light injection, opposite to the first side, the latter extending at least partly vis-à-vis the first mirror. The interferometer includes a light-emitting device, and a detector configured for detecting a property of the system impacted by interferences of light emitted by the light-emitting device. Methods of operations are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ute Drechsler, Urs T Duerig, Armin Knoll, Thilo Stoeferle
  • Patent number: 9869757
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a laser tracker for determining the position of a target and in particularly for the continuous tracking of the target. In some embodiments, the laser tracker includes a beam source for generating measurement radiation, an angle measuring function for determining a horizontal pivot angle and a vertical pivot angle, a distance measuring function and a position sensitive surface detector for determining a point of impact of the reflected measurement radiation on the surface detector and for generating an output signal in order to control a target tracking function. The laser tracker may include a self-calibrating function for calibrating a beam offset using a reflecting calibration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Albert Markendorf
  • Patent number: 9864140
    Abstract: In part, the invention relates to optical caps having at least one lensed surface configured to redirect and focus light outside of the cap. The cap is placed over an optical fiber. Optical radiation travels through the fiber and interacts with the optical surface or optical surfaces of the cap, resulting in a beam that is either focused at a distance outside of the cap or substantially collimated. The optical elements such as the elongate caps described herein can be used with various data collection modalities such optical coherence tomography. In part, the invention relates to a lens assembly that includes a micro-lens; a beam director in optical communication with the micro-lens; and a substantially transparent film or cover. The substantially transparent film is capable of bi-directionally transmitting light, and generating a controlled amount of backscatter. The film can surround a portion of the beam director.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LIGHTLAB IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Desmond Adler, Stephen McCartin, Christopher Petersen
  • Patent number: 9864934
    Abstract: The optical scanning device includes a storage unit configured to store information on a scanning time of laser light and an emitted position of the laser light in a sub-scanning direction, the laser light measured on a plane. A scanning time for forming one scanning line is set based on the information on the measured scanning time and the measured emitted position, which is stored in the storage unit, and a radius of a photosensitive drum. This allows a magnification error in a main scanning direction to be reduced with an inexpensive configuration while realizing downsizing of an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisanori Kobayashi, Tetsuya Nishiguchi
  • Patent number: 9841947
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an absolute displacement detection device configured to calculate, from a plurality of displacement detection signals provided by a plurality of displacement detection mechanisms that detect displacement amounts, an absolute periodic signal having an absolute periodic signal period larger than displacement detection signal periods of the plurality of the displacement detection signals. Other embodiments of related devices and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Oriental Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Houda, Masaharu Furuta
  • Patent number: 9841848
    Abstract: An input device includes an irradiation component that emits scanning light relative to an input region of a projected image, a light receiver that receives reflected light of the scanning light to output detection signal, a detector that detects an input operation relative to the input region based on the detection signal from the light receiver; and a controller that sets an irradiation parameter of the scanning light from the irradiation component based on the input region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ken Nishioka
  • Patent number: 9817514
    Abstract: Invention principally regards a remotely controllable touch-sensing apparatus. The apparatus comprises a planar light guide, a plurality of light emitters arranged to emit light into the light guide for propagation by total internal reflection inside the light guide, and a plurality of light detectors, each being arranged to detect at least a portion of the emitted light propagating inside the light guide and at least a portion of the ambient light, said detectors being distributed along the periphery of the touch surface such that the optical plane of detection of light coincides with the plane of the light guide, at least one of said detectors being adapted to detect light emitted by an external device configured to emit light. The apparatus also comprises a processor unit configured to, ultimately, generate a digital signal containing data regarding light generated by the external device. Invention also regards a method for enabling control of a touch-sensing apparatus by an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FLATFROG LABORATORIES AB
    Inventors: Mattias Krus, Mats Petter Wallander, Ivan Karlsson
  • Patent number: 9816813
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a handheld measuring aid for use in a system—having a station for position and orientation determination of the handheld measuring aid—for surveying an object surface. the handheld measuring aid has in this case on a body, visual markings which are arranged in a defined spatial relationship, forming a pattern, on the body in a marking region, a measuring probe, which is arranged on an orifice of the body in a defined spatial relationship in relation to the pattern, for the object surface, an operating element, an electronic circuit for generating a measurement triggering signal—occurring as a function of an actuation of the operating element—and wireless communication means for transmitting the measurement triggering signal to the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Michael Lettau, Marco Lüscher, Burkhard Böckem
  • Patent number: 9772394
    Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates includes providing a retroreflector and a laser tracker. In a first instance, an operator gives a follow-operator gesture. The laser tracker responds by following movement of the operator. In a second instance, the operator gives a lock-on gesture. The laser tracker responds by steering a beam of light onto the retroreflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 9773930
    Abstract: An IC may include a substrate and a layer, and an array of GMAPDs in the layer. The layer may have trenches extending between adjacent GMAPDs. The IC may include an optically reflective material within the trenches. The optically reflective material may also be electrically conductive. For example, the optically reflective material may comprise a metal. Also, the trenches may be arranged in a honeycomb pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Motta, Claudio Alfonso Giacomo Savoia
  • Patent number: 9739595
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional measuring system is disclosed wherein a laser-based tracking unit communicates with an optical target on a measurement instrument to obtain position and orientation information about the instrument. The optical target incorporates a plurality of encoders configured to provide a full 360° working range in pitch, yaw and roll. Full working range in pitch and yaw is achieved through the use of a pitch/yaw angular encoder. Full 360° working range in roll is achieved with a combination of a level sensor and a 360° angular encoder, which are fixed to a pendulum so that the level sensor is always aligned to gravity. Use of a slip-ring mechanism ensures the unlimited full working range in roll. The measurement instrument includes a scanner integrated with a probe receptacle adapted to accept a probe assembly to provide the instrument with both a scanning measurement and a probe measurement capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Automated Precision Inc.
    Inventor: Kam C. Lau
  • Patent number: 9720087
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a spatial orientation of an auxiliary measurement object for a laser tracker, said measurement object having reference features which provide points of light. The tracker has a base, a support which can be pivoted in a motorized manner, a pivoting unit which can be rotated about a tilting axis in a motorized manner and which comprises an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the points of light, and a beam source for emitting a laser beam. According to the method, an image is captured in the direction of the auxiliary measurement object with respective capturable points of light, and the spatial orientation of the auxiliary measurement object is derived from image positions in the image for the points of light captured in the image using an image analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Andreas Christen, Konrad Wildi, Albert Markendorf
  • Patent number: 9719945
    Abstract: A lithographic process is used to form a plurality of target structures (T) on a substrate (W). Each target structure comprises overlaid gratings each having a specific overlay bias. Asymmetry (A) of each grating, measured by scatterometry, includes contributions due to (i) the overlay bias, (ii) an overlay error (OV) in the lithographic process and (iii) bottom grating asymmetry within the overlaid gratings. Asymmetry measurements are obtained for three or more target structures having three or more different values of overlay bias (e.g., ?d, 0, +d). Knowing the three different overlay bias values and a theoretical curve relationship between overlay error and asymmetry, overlay error (OV) can be calculated while correcting the effect of bottom grating asymmetry. Bias schemes with three and four different biases are disclosed as examples. Gratings with different directions and biases can be interleaved in a composite target structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Jan Hidde Smilde, Omer Abubaker Omer Adam
  • Patent number: 9719776
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for processing materials using wavelength beam combining for high-power operation in concert with interferometry to detect the depth or height of features as they are created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TERADIODE, INC.
    Inventor: Parviz Tayebati
  • Patent number: 9703129
    Abstract: A component mounting apparatus that compresses a component to a transparent substrate on which the component is placed with a photocurable resin interposed therebetween. The component mounting apparatus includes: a receiving unit that includes a base member and a transparent member provided on an upper surface of the base member and receives a surface of the substrate, which is positioned below the component, on an upper surface of the transparent member; a pressing unit that presses the component against the substrate received by the receiving unit; and a light irradiation unit that irradiates the photocurable resin with light through the transparent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Yamada, Yasuhiro Narikiyo, Yasutaka Tsuboi, Toshihiko Tsujikawa
  • Patent number: 9694460
    Abstract: When measuring the dimensions of a tool having a cutting portion at an edge of a planar portion, first a plurality of points are measured on the planar portion using a measuring probe, then a planar formula for a measurement plane containing the planar portion is determined from these measured values. Next, the measuring probe is moved along the measurement plane expressed by the planar formula from the exterior of the cutting portion toward the cutting portion until the measuring probe contacts the cutting portion. The position of the cutting portion is determined based on the position of the measuring probe when the measuring probe comes into contact with the cutting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kousuke Sugiyama, Tadashi Kimura, Tadahiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9686518
    Abstract: This projector is configured to allocate a first projection laser beam corresponding to a first image signal and a second projection laser beam corresponding to a second image signal different from the first image signal to a first area and a second area not overlapping with the first area, respectively, to project the first projection laser beam and the second projection laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirono Tsubota, Atsuya Hirano, Kenji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 9664502
    Abstract: An interferential position-measuring device determines a position of an object which is disposed to be movable along a measurement direction. A light source is configured to emit a beam which is split into two sub-beams. One of the sub-beams impinges on an optical functional element on the object. The sub-beams are subsequently superimposed and interfered at a superposition location and a resulting signal beam propagates toward an evaluation unit configured to generate a position-dependent measurement signal from the resulting signal beam. A switching element is disposed in the signal path downstream of the superposition location and upstream of a signal-digitizing device. The switching element is configured to define a specific sampling point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Meissner, Joerg Drescher, Wolfgang Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 9622825
    Abstract: A robotic manipulator 100, controller 300 and system for use in flexible endoscopy, the manipulator 100 comprising a flexible member configured to be coupled to an endoscope, and an arm connected to and movable by the flexible member, wherein the flexible member has a first end connected to the arm and a second end connectable to the controller 300 to allow a physical movement of the arm to be controllable by a physical movement of the controller 300.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE, NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Soo Jay Louis Phee, Soon Chiang Low, Khek Yu Ho, Sheung Chee Chung
  • Patent number: 9621082
    Abstract: An embodiment of this invention is directed to implementing motor control of suppressing the influence of the cogging of a motor while minimizing preliminary detection processing. According to this embodiment, a printing apparatus includes an acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of a moving carriage, and a control unit configured to control drive of the motor to suppress the influence of the cogging of the motor based on the detection by the acceleration sensor. In accordance with the relationship between the band of the cogging frequency of the motor and the band of the resonance frequency of the carriage, the control unit determines whether to use a cancel signal for feedback control of an encoder sensor. When the cancel signal is not used, the control unit changes the gain of feedback control of the acceleration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Haruhiko Tanami
  • Patent number: 9618341
    Abstract: Visual codes are scanned to assist navigation. The visual code may be a Quick Response (QR) code that contains information useful to calibrating a variety of navigation-based sensors such as gyroscopes, e-compasses, and barometric pressure sensors. In an embodiment, an imaging device, an gyroscope, and a processor are elements of a system. The processor is coupled to the imaging device and the gyroscope. The processor causes the imaging device to scan a visual code. Based on scanning the visual code, the processor causes the gyroscope to be calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Deric Wayne Waters, Tarkesh Pande
  • Patent number: 9600928
    Abstract: A method and device for automatically identifying a point of interest (e.g., the deepest or highest point) on the surface of an anomaly on a viewed object using a video inspection device is disclosed. The video inspection device obtains and displays an image of the surface of the viewed object. A reference surface is determined along with a region of interest that includes a plurality of points on the surface of the anomaly. The video inspection device determines a depth or height for each of the plurality of points on the surface of the anomaly in the region of interest. The point on the surface of the anomaly (e.g., having the greatest depth or height) is identified as the point of interest. A profile of the object surface at the point of interest is then determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clark Alexander Bendall, Melissa Rose Stancato, Michael Melvin Ball
  • Patent number: 9594156
    Abstract: A laser scanner measures a surface of spaces and/or objects and produces a point cloud representing the surface. The laser scanner includes a laser source for producing laser light, a detector for receiving the laser light, and a platform that pivots relative to a stationary base of the laser scanner. The laser light is directed to a particular point on the surface through an outlet point. Laser light scattered at the particular point is received through an inlet point on the platform. A distance to the particular point is determined using laser light scattered and received by the detector. A direction to the particular point is detected using, for example, one or more sensors for determining a pivot position of the platform relative to the base. A parallel kinematic drive pivots the platform relative to the base to scan the laser beam over points of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Bernhard Sprenger, Knut Siercks
  • Patent number: 9570334
    Abstract: A method for positioning a wafer in semiconductor fabrication is provided. The method includes sending a wafer into a processing chamber by a transferring module. The method further includes producing a video image in relation to an edge of the wafer by a monitoring module. The method also includes performing an image analysis on the video image to determine if the edge of the wafer is in a correct position. If the edge of the wafer is not in a correct position a shifting value is calculated and the wafer is moved according to the shifting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yao-Yuan Shang, Kuo-Shu Tseng, Chune-Te Yang, Chi-Hsin Chan, Chung-Jhieh Chen
  • Patent number: 9562922
    Abstract: A provision of a movement direction determination section for determining that a particular direction is a movement direction of the detection target object, in a case where a second comparator determines that larger than a predetermined threshold value is an absolute value of a ratio of (i) a difference between the photocurrent of the at least two light receiving elements to (ii) a sum of a photocurrent of at least two light receiving elements next to each other along the particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadamasa Kimura, Takayuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9560726
    Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of dependency of wireless control systems for electrical appliances on pre-existing control switches along with limited switching functionality. It relates to a system (1,50) for wirelessly controlling an electrical appliance (100). By providing the system with an input unit (5,25,55) comprising a user-operable command interface (9,19,49,59) and a control device (3,30) which is connectable to said electrical appliance, wherein said input unit is located remotely from said control device, and said control device is adapted to detect a light signal being reflected off said command interface, to allocate said light signal to a predetermined command and to output said command to the electrical appliance, it is possible to rely on light manipulation when being reflected, without need of connection to the electrical wiring present in a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Maurice Herman Johan Draaijer
  • Patent number: 9547563
    Abstract: A recovery system and method for performing site recovery utilizes recovery-specific metadata and files of protected clients at a primary site to recreate the protected clients at a secondary site. The recovery-specific metadata is collected from at least one component at the primary site, and stored with the files of protected clients at the primary site. The recovery-specific metadata and the files of the protected clients are replicated to the secondary site so that the protected clients can be recreated at the secondary site using the replicated information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: VMware, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilia Langouev, Ryan D. Gallagher, Aleksey Pershin, Ruopeng Ye
  • Patent number: 9539206
    Abstract: Method for producing and monitoring oral active ingredient films with a base to which a solution containing at least one active ingredient is applied, the method comprising the steps: • metering and mixing the base formulation, • coating the base formulation onto a substrate, so that a strip results • if necessary, drying the base formulation strip coated on the substrate • printing a colorant solution containing at least one active ingredient onto the upper side of the base formulation strip according to the flexographic printing method, • drying the base formulation strip coated on the substrate together with the printed active ingredient solution, • penetrating the base formulation strip coated on the substrate together with the printed active ingredient solution from the upper and/or lower side by means of radiation from a radiation source, • measuring the transmission of the penetrating radiation by means of at least one reception unit on the opposite side of the base formulation strip coated on the subs
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignees: TESA SE, TESA LABTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Braun, Armin Breitenbach, Ralf Schliephacke
  • Patent number: 9526424
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a computer-implemented method of triggering optical coherence tomography data collection. The method includes collecting optical coherence tomography data with respect to a vessel using an optical coherence tomography probe disposed in the vessel; determining a clearing radius and a quality value for each frame of optical coherence tomography data collected for the vessel using a computer; determining if a blood clearing state has occurred using at least one clearing radius and at least one quality value; and generating a trigger signal in response to the blood clearing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: LIGHTLAB IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Neil Judell, Robert Steinbrecher, Joel Friedman, Christopher Petersen
  • Patent number: 9523648
    Abstract: A defect-inspection device includes an irradiation unit having an objective-pupil-optical unit that allows illumination light linearly condensed by a first light-condensing unit to pass through, and an objective lens that allows the illumination light having passed through the objective-pupil-optical unit to pass through; an irradiation-position-control unit that controls a passing position of the illumination light in the objective-pupil-optical unit disposed at a pupil surface of the objective lens; a detection unit having a second light-condensing unit that condenses light irradiated by the irradiation unit and generated from a sample, a specular-reflection light-blocking unit that blocks specular-reflection light from the sample and light components generated near the pupil surface among the light beams condensed by the second light-condensing unit, and an image-forming unit that images the light that is condensed by the second light-condensing unit and is not blocked by the specular-reflection light-bloc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yuta Urano, Toshifumi Honda, Yukihiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 9519380
    Abstract: A handwriting system includes a light source module, an image sensing apparatus and a processing circuit. The light source module is configured to provide a light source to illuminate an object on a plane. The image sensing apparatus is disposed on the plane and configured to capture an image of the object reflecting light emitted by the light source. The processing circuit is electrically connected to the image sensing apparatus and configured to receive the image captured by the image sensing apparatus, analyze the shape of each of light spot(s) in the captured image and screen out the light spot(s) not conforming to the shape of the object. Another handwriting system and two handwriting system operation methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Han-Ping Cheng, Shu-Sian Yang
  • Patent number: 9500516
    Abstract: The invention in some aspects relates to radiometers and related methods of use. In some aspects of the invention, methods are provided for determining a circumsolar profiles at external locations of interest, e.g., at a solar power generation system installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Masdar Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Peter Ross Armstrong, Ragini Kalapatapu, Matteo Chiesa
  • Patent number: 9470792
    Abstract: Some embodiment include a handheld distance measuring device having a laser distance meter for measuring distances to target points in an environment and an image acquisition unit for acquiring images of the environment, characterized by a control unit having program code for controlling a spatial modeling functionality having a measurement sequence, in the scope of which images of a region of the environment are acquired from different positions of the distance measuring device, these images having a shared image region, wherein the image acquisition unit assumes different, which represent the respective position and alignment of the distance measuring device, during the acquisition of the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Kurt Giger
  • Patent number: 9463574
    Abstract: A mobile inspection robot that includes a robot body and a drive system supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface. A controller communicates with the drive system and a sensor system. The controller executes a control system that includes a control arbitration system and a behavior system in communication with each other. The behavior system executes an inspection behavior, the inspection behavior influencing execution of commands by the control arbitration system based on sensor signals received from the sensor system to identify and inspect electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Indrajit Purkayastha, Michael John Tirozzi, Jason R. Smith, Kimberly Susanne Monti
  • Patent number: 9459538
    Abstract: A lithography apparatus is disclosed, having at least one mirror arrangement which includes a mirror substrate including a front side with a reflecting surface, a side wall, which extends along a circumference of the mirror substrate from a rear side of the mirror substrate, and mounting elements to mount the mirror arrangement on a structural element of the lithography apparatus. The rear side of the mirror substrate and an inner side of the side wall delimit a cavity. Each of the mounting elements is connected to the mirror arrangement at a connection surface. The relation S/D>0.5 is satisfied at least one of the connection surfaces, wherein D denotes a thickness of the side wall at the connection surface and S denotes the length of the shortest path through the mirror material from the centroid of the connection surface to the rear side of the mirror substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Schaffer, Wilfried Clauss, Hin-Yiu Anthony Chung
  • Patent number: 9452533
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a robot positioning device includes a first interface configured to communicate with a robot and a second interface configured to communicate with a location measuring system. The robot positioning device includes a calibrator, a modeler, and an instructor. The calibrator is configured to direct the location measuring system to determine robot calibration locations when robot joints are positioned in calibration joint positions. The modeler is configured to create a calibrated model relating robot joint positions to robot locations based at least in part on the robot calibration locations received from the location measuring system and associated calibration joint positions of the robot joints. The instructor is configured to receive a goal location from the robot. The instructor is further configured to transmit goal joint positions to the robot, the goal joint positions based at least in part on the goal location and the calibrated model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Joseph M. Calkins, Robert J. Salerno
  • Patent number: 9423885
    Abstract: A cursor maneuvering device comprises a cavity containing a plurality of colored lights and an image sensor and covered with a semi-transparent medium having dispersive surfaces. The colored lights are located in the cavity in an as largely departed as possible manner and illuminate a pointing device contacting the surface of the semi-transparent medium. The image sensor detects a hue of light illuminating the pointing device and controls a cursor depending upon the hue. Changes in the hue of a moving pointing device are translated into movement of the cursor on the display of an electronic device. The pointing device may be anything touching the semi-transparent medium, for instance a finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Wen-Chieh Geoffrey Lee
  • Patent number: 9415477
    Abstract: A method for operating a machine tool is disclosed wherein during operation of the machine tool at least one state of the machine tool is projected into a working area of the machine tool with a 3D projector at a predefined point in space in the working area. A projection device performing the method and a machine tool with such a projection device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sven Tauchmann, Andre Vieweg
  • Patent number: 9395176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical position-measuring device for generating a plurality of phase-shifted scanning signals regarding the relative position of a fiber optic scanning head and a reflection measuring standard movable relative thereto in at least one measuring direction. In the fiber optic scanning head, a scanning reticle is disposed before the measuring standard end of an optical fiber. The scanning signals are coded in a wavelength-dependent manner. To this end, a beam incident on the scanning reticle is split into at least two sub-beams which strike the reflection measuring standard and are subsequently recombined to interfere with each other so as to generate the phase-shifted scanning signals. The sub-beams travel different optical path lengths between splitting and recombination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventor: Karsten Saendig
  • Patent number: 9377885
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement system includes a communication device, a retroreflector, and a laser tracker. The communication device includes a first light source and an operator-controlled unit that controls emission from the first light source. The laser tracker includes a wide field-of-view (FOV) camera, a second light source, a narrow FOV camera next to the second light source, and a processor. The processor determines that a lock-in command has been given in response to the wide FOV camera capturing light emitted by the first light source. To lock onto the retroreflector, the processor captures with the narrow FOV camera light from the second light source reflected by the retroreflector and uses the image to lock onto the retroreflector with a beam of light from the tracker. It measures a distance and two angles with the tracker to get 3D coordinates of the retroreflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, Jennifer K. Park
  • Patent number: 9354716
    Abstract: An example system includes a computing device located proximate to a physical activity surface, a video capture device, and a detector. The video capture device is coupled for communication with the computing device and is adapted to capture a video stream that includes an activity scene of the physical activity surface and one or more interface objects physically intractable with by a user. The detector processes the video stream to detect the one or more interface objects included in the activity scene, to identify the one or more interface objects that are detectable, to generate one or more events describing the one or more interface objects, and to provide the one or more events to an activity application configured to render virtual information on the one or more computing devices based on the one or more events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Tangible Play, Inc.
    Inventors: Pramod Kumar Sharma, Jerome Scholler
  • Patent number: 9335207
    Abstract: A sensor includes an enclosure having a housing and a lower cassette that cooperate to provide a sealed volume in which an optical sensor assembly is enclosed and protected. The optical sensor assembly includes a circuit board with a light source and a light detector. The sensor assembly further includes a light pipe that guides light from the sensor onto a target and a lens guides reflected light from the target onto the light detector. Lower ends of the light pipe and the lens are supported by a recess in the lower cassette. Upper ends of the light pipe and the lens are supported by an upper cassette. The upper cassette is positively located and mounted to the circuit board and received in an internal receptacle in the lower cassette. Mounting the lower cassette to the housing encloses the optical sensor assembly in the proper alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: David Bina, James Cirillo, Laird Daubenspeck, Hung phi Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9285212
    Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of systems for detecting the posture of a mobile object in space. The system according to the invention comprises an electro-optical device comprising a light source, a photoreceptor and means of analysis, and a retro-reflecting cube corner disposed on the mobile object. The cube corner comprises a mask disposed on its entry face. The source emits a parallel or almost-parallel pencil beam. The electro-optical device comprises means for deviating, about a fixed point, the said pencil beam of light by an angle varying as a function of time. The photoreceptor is configured for receiving the pencil beam of light retro-reflected by the cube corner. The means of analysis are configured in such a manner as to determine, based on the signal coming from the photoreceptor, the position of a number of points representative of the borders of the mask and, using this positional information, the posture of the cube corner in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Bruno Barbier, Laurent Potin, Siegfried Rouzes
  • Patent number: 9272420
    Abstract: A robot system includes: an imaging unit including an imaging device and a distance measuring part; and a robot to which the imaging unit is attached. The imaging device preliminarily images a workpiece. The robot preliminarily moves the imaging unit based on the result of the preliminary imaging. The distance measuring part measures the distance to the workpiece. The robot actually moves the imaging unit based on the result of the measurement. The imaging device actually images the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Nakahara
  • Patent number: 9245916
    Abstract: A sensor is disclosed that can include a light component in support of a first light source operable to direct a first beam of light, and a second light source operable to direct a second beam of light. The sensor can also include an imaging device positioned proximate the light component and operable to directly receive the first beam of light and the second beam of light and convert these into electric signals. The imaging device and the light component can be movable relative to one another. The sensor can further include a light location module configured to receive the electric signals and determine locations of the first beam of light and the second beam of light on the imaging device. In addition, the sensor can include a position module configured to determine a relative position of the imaging device and the light component based on the locations of the first beam of light and the second beam of light on the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rememdia LC
    Inventor: Fraser M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9234737
    Abstract: A method for measuring and aligning a rotary cylindrical or other rotationally symmetrical apparatus, such as a kiln or a drum. The apparatus to be measured and aligned has a shell and at least one supporting ring. As the rotary apparatus is rotating under process conditions, measurement points are measured on the surface of the rotating object's shell in the axial direction on both sides of each supporting ring on the same circumferential line. Regression circles are calculated from the measured points, center points are determined for the calculated circles and a straight line and its center point are determined between the center points of the circles calculated on both sides of each supporting ring. A reference straight line is calculated for the center line of the shell and the object's shell is aligned to be straight by transferring the determined center points of the shell to the calculated reference line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Andritz Oy
    Inventors: Teemu Hakkinen, Heikki Iivarinen, Pertti Kaikkonen, Tuomo Lintunen
  • Patent number: 9229107
    Abstract: A fragmented lens system for creating an invisible light pattern useful to computer vision systems is disclosed. Random or semi-random dot patterns generated by the present system allow a computer to uniquely identify each patch of a pattern projected by a corresponding illuminator or light source. The computer may determine the position and distance of an object by identifying the illumination pattern on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Holding 81 LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Bell
  • Patent number: 9200899
    Abstract: A laser projection system for projecting an image on a workpiece includes a photogrammetry assembly and a laser projector, each communicating with a computer. The photogrammetry assembly includes a first camera for scanning the workpiece, and the laser projector projects a laser image to arbitrary locations. Light is conveyed from the direction of the workpiece to the photogrammetry assembly. The photogrammetry assembly signals the coordinates light conveyed toward the photogrammetry assembly to the computer with the computer being programmable for determining a geometric location of the laser image. The computer establishes a geometric correlation between the photogrammetry assembly, the laser projector, and the workpiece for realigning the laser image to a corrected geometric location relative to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Virtek Vision International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt D. Rueb
  • Patent number: 9188426
    Abstract: A positional measuring device has a reference laser pointer and at least one measurement laser pointer. These laser pointers are positioned at a first end and a second end of a variable-length defining mechanism, a common example being a tape measure. The lasers are oriented in a direction which is perpendicular to the measurement axis of a user-specified length of the variable-length defining mechanism. The emission axis of each laser is thus parallel with each other. The lasers project onto a remote object. The laser pointers provide visual reference points that help a user ensure they are correctly measuring dimensions of an object. The distance between the laser pointers can easily be read via the variable-length defining mechanism. Because the lasers need to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the user-specified length, a dual-axis liquid level is provided to ensure proper orientation of the positional measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Bradley Allen Safranski
  • Patent number: 9158389
    Abstract: An example system includes a computing device located proximate to a physical activity surface, a video capture device, and a detector. The video capture device is coupled for communication with the computing device and is adapted to capture a video stream that includes an activity scene of the physical activity surface and one or more interface objects physically intractable with by a user. The detector processes the video stream to detect the one or more interface objects included in the activity scene, to identify the one or more interface objects that are detectable, to generate one or more events describing the one or more interface objects, and to provide the one or more events to an activity application configured to render virtual information on the one or more computing devices based on the one or more events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Tangible Play, Inc.
    Inventors: Pramod Kumar Sharma, Jerome Scholler