David D Madsen, Age 62Long Island, ME

6353478, Mar 5, 2002

Sep 3, 1999

09/389539

Eric P. Rudd - Hopkins MN
William P. Kennedy - Golden Valley MN
Troy R. Pesola - Champlin MN
David D. Madsen - Lakeland MN

CyberOptics Corporation - Minneapolis MN

G01B 1106

356631, 356623, 356 306, 25055927, 25055931, 25055938

A digital range sensor comprises a light source, an optical element to focus the light from the source down to a small spot on a target, a second optical element that is mounted obliquely from the source axis, and a prism mounted on a multi-element detector, which in turn is mounted at the focus of the light returning from the target. The purpose of the prism on the detector is to direct the light onto the active surface of the detector at an angle closer to normal incidence than would otherwise be possible. The detector produces digital data which is transferred to a control module for processing and to produce a numerical range measurement.

6909515, Jun 21, 2005

Aug 27, 2003

10/649324

David D. Madsen - Lakeland MN, US
David M. Kranz - Minneapolis MN, US

CyberOptics Corporation - Minneapolis MN

G01B011/14

356614, 356620, 356622, 2505593, 25055932

Features of the present invention provide an optical layout that can accommodate the relatively strict enclosure requirements for compact component alignment sensor. Specifically, aspects of the present invention provide a single optical component that reduces the degree of divergence, and preferably substantially collimates light from the plurality of divergent light sources prior to entering the sensing field. In this regard, part count is kept low and the physical size of the optical train itself is relatively small.

7190393, Mar 13, 2007

Mar 4, 2004

10/793176

David D. Madsen - Lakeland MN, US
Eric P. Rudd - Hopkins MN, US
Mark R. Schoeneck - Bloomington MN, US
Joseph L. Horijon - Veldhoven, NL

CyberOptics Corporation - Golden Valley MN

H04N 7/18

348131, 348363, 348374, 396449, 396485, 396507

An illumination and imaging system is provided with a co-axial illuminator that does not include a beamsplitter. The co-axial illuminator achieves efficiencies substantially in excess of those achieved with a beamsplitter. In one aspect, an optical stop is used to reflect illumination upon a target. The optical stop includes an aperture allowing light reflected from the target to pass to a detector. The aperture of the stop has an asymmetrical feature that facilitates operation on specular targets.

7239399, Jul 3, 2007

Nov 8, 2002

10/291074

David W. Duquette - Minneapolis MN, US
Paul R. Haugen - Bloomington MN, US
David Fishbaine - Minnetonka MN, US
John D. Gaida - Victoria MN, US
David D. Madsen - Lakeland MN, US
Theodore Paul Dale - Minneapolis MN, US
Todd D. Liberty - Apple Valley MN, US
Brant O. Buchika - Minnetonka MN, US
Scott D. Roth - Newburyport MA, US
Thomas W. Bushman - Marblehead MA, US

CyberOptics Corporation - Golden Valley MN

G01B 11/14

356614, 356400

Improved component placement inspection and verification is performed by a pick and place machine. Improvements include stereovision imaging of the intended placement location; enhanced illumination to facilitate the provision of relatively high-power illumination in the restricted space near the placement nozzle(s); optics to allow image acquisition device to view the placement location from an angle relative to a plane of the placement location, thereby reducing the possibility of such images being obstructed by the component; techniques for rapidly acquiring images with commercially available CCD arrays such that acquisition of before and after images does not substantially impact system throughput; and image processing techniques to provide component inspection and verification information.

7706595, Apr 27, 2010

Nov 1, 2004

10/978687

Thomas W. Bushman - Marblehead MA, US
David D. Madsen - Lakeland MN, US
Paul R. Haugen - Bloomington MN, US
Steven K. Case - Minnetonka MN, US
John D. Gaida - Victoria MN, US
M. Hope Madsen - Lakeland MN, US

CyberOptics Corporation - Golden Valley MN

G06K 9/00

382141

Embodiments include measuring motion characteristics of the workpiece through the placement process. Since the component is placed on the workpiece with some force to ensure proper adhesion to the workpiece, some deflection of the workpiece is expected during the placement cycle. The placement force is adjusted to ensure that the component is safely placed into the solder paste or adhesive. Placement force is adjusted through a number of characteristics including: choice of spring tension in the nozzle; the length of the nozzle and the amount of over-travel into the board; the rigidity of the board and design; and the placement of the board support mechanisms. With proper adjustment of these characteristics and parameters, high quality placements onto the workpiece can be ensured.

2002008, Jun 27, 2002

Dec 14, 2001

10/017512

David Madsen - Lakeland MN, US
Eric Rudd - Hopkins MN, US
Mark Schoeneck - Bloomington MN, US

H04N009/47

348/131000

An illumination and imaging system is provided with a co-axial illuminator that does not include a beamsplitter. The co-axial illuminator achieves efficiencies substantially in excess of those achieved with a beamsplitter. In one aspect, an optical stop is used to reflect illumination upon a target. The optical stop includes an aperture allowing light reflected from the target to pass to a detector. The aperture of the stop has an asymmetrical feature that facilitates operation on specular targets.

2005012, Jun 16, 2005

Nov 2, 2004

10/979750

David Madsen - Lakeland MN, US
Paul Haugen - Bloomington MN, US
Timothy Badar - St. Paul MN, US

H01F007/06

029739000, 029832000, 029834000, 029744000, 414737000

Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include providing first article inspection in pick and place machines by collecting images of the placement event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By displaying this information as it is generated on the machine, the operator can take prompt and effective corrective actions. In one embodiment, images are taken of the placement location before and after placement of the component. These images are then processed and displayed to the operator shortly after the placement has completed. In addition to the images, key measurements are displayed to the operator to assist in the diagnosis of problems as they occur. Key features that are presented to the operator include absence/presence detection, vibration detection and manual visual inspection.

2006007, Apr 13, 2006

Oct 4, 2005

11/243523

Steven Case - St. Louis Park MN, US
Paul Haugen - Bloomington MN, US
David Duquette - Minneapolis MN, US
David Madsen - Lakeland MN, US
David Fishbaine - Minnetonka MN, US
Lance Fisher - Excelsior MN, US
Timothy Badar - St. Paul MN, US
Swaminathan Manickam - Wilmington MA, US

B23P 21/00

029709000, 029740000, 029743000, 029721000

Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include inspecting the pick operation in pick and place machines by collecting images of the pick event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By detecting and displaying this information as it generated on the machine, the operator or machine can take prompt and effective corrective actions.