Abstract: When alignment marks, which have been previously formed on a substrate corresponding to each of two orthogonal axial directions, are detected by a microscope, a main control unit detects positions and numbers of the respective marks, and calculates stretching degrees of the substrate in the two orthogonal axial directions respectively on the basis of information on the detected positions of specified marks and information on designed positions of the specified marks. The main control unit determines a mean value of the stretching degrees by weighting each of the calculated stretching degrees in the two orthogonal axial directions in accordance with the detected numbers of the marks corresponding to each of the two orthogonal axial directions so that the determined weighted mean value of the stretching degrees is set as a magnification correction value.

Abstract: A light-exposing device for making a semiconductor device. A reticle has patterns to be exposed to light. A blind controls a light-exposing area of the reticle. An optical system between the blind and the reticle condenses light passing through the blind. Adjacent patterns on a reticle are consecutively projected by superimposing light-exposing energy. An extra optical system condenses light passing through the blind. The usable area of the reticle is maximized; the interval between patterns is not critical; and inferiority by either lack or excess of the exposure to light between the patterns is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for processing images such as photographs or magazine pages. The computer-driven apparatus includes a reciprocating easel which moves along railings under an image capture device such as a camera. Vacuum pickers pick up images which have been processed and drop them into image drop bins under computer control, thus freeing the human operator from moving images. Vacuum compartments on the reciprocating easel hold images securely in place while they are photographed but release them when they are not being photographed. A bar code scanner system may be used to track images and correlate the images with film frames in the camera. Translucent panels within the easel allow transparencies to be processed by illuminating the images from beneath the easel.

Abstract: Photosensitive material is printed in a printing/exposure unit of a photoprinting/developing machine with high efficiency. The photoprinting/developing machine includes a printing/developing section, a carrier section and a developing section. The carrier section has a sheet distributor to improve the processing capacity of the developing section. The printing/exposure section has an exposure table. If photosensitive sheets are short enough, three of them are fed onto the exposure table all at once.

Abstract: A projection exposure system for printing the pattern formed on a reticle onto a wafer includes a reticle stage (5) and a wafer stage. A first reference plate (9) having a first reference pattern (MM1) formed thereon is mounted on the reticle stage (5), and a second reference plate (25) having a second reference pattern (WM1) formed thereon is mounted on the wafer stage. The first reference pattern (MM1) comprises two cross-marks (60a, 60b) spaced apart from each other in X-direction, and the second reference pattern (WM1) comprises two cross-marks (61a, 61b) spaced apart from each other in X-direction., Images of the cross-marks (61a, 61b) of the second reference pattern (WM1) are formed through a projection optical system (2) on the reticle stage (5) and superimposed with the cross-marks (60a, 60b) of the first reference pattern (MM1).

Abstract: A paper pressing force controller of a printer includes a pressing roller that contacts a transfer roller for receiving a paper sheet therebetween. Guide rollers supply the paper sheet between the transfer roller and the pressing roller and a pressure sensing unit senses the pressure variations according to the thickness variations of the paper sheet supplied between the guide rollers. A pressure changing unit controls a pressing force of the pressing roller against the paper sheet by moving the pressing roller vertically with respect to the transfer roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a fixing unit for performing a fixing process by bringing a fixing member having a heat source and a pressurizing member having an elastic layer into contact with each other, wherein control is performed such that a portion in the vicinity of a deformed portion of the pressurizing member and the leading end of the transfer member do not coincide with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus administration system includes an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet of paper. A service terminal is connected to the image forming apparatus through a communication line and administers conditions of the image forming apparatus. An operation panel has operation keys and a screen. A changing device can be operated to change an indication of the operation panel from an indication for inputting an operation command for image formation to an indication for inputting a request command for transmitting data from the image forming apparatus to the service terminal. A transmitting device can transmit the data in response to the request command and the changing device changes the indication of the operation panel from the indication for inputting a request command for transmitting data from the image forming apparatus to the service terminal to the indication for inputting an operation command for image formation before the transmission of the data is completed.

Abstract: When the scanning of a mask stage and a substrate stage is started, an interferometer measures the position of the substrate stage, while an interferometer unit differentiates the output of the interferometer to give a speed signal on the substrate stage, and delivers this speed signal. A main control unit produces a target value for the amount of exposure light adapted to this speed signal. A light amount adjustment system adjusts the amount of exposure light from an exposure light source in response to the target value calculated by the main control unit. Thus, exposure with appropriate amount of light adapted to the speed of the substrate stage is performed over all of the time zones from the start of drive of the substrate stage in the scan direction until its standstill. Hence, the exposure time can be shortened, and the throughput can be increased, in comparison with exposure being performed only in the constant speed zone of the stage.

Abstract: A developing device using developer and an image carrier has of a developing roller to carry developer, to feed developer to image carriers and to form a developer image. The developing device also has an upper mixer screw, which conveys, developer to the developing roller while stirring it, and a lower mixer screw provided under the upper mixer screw, which circulates and conveys developer jointly with the upper mixer also, the developing device has a drawing up roller with first and second magnetic poles formed to draw up developer when the lower mixer screw feeds developer to the upper mixer screw. The drawing up roller has magnetic matter provided in contact with the drawing up roller so as to form an angle 90.degree. or below to the horizontal line passing through the center of axis of the developing roller between the first and second magnetic poles so that developer which is drawn up by the drawing up roller, separates so that it is re-circulated by the upper mixer screw.

Abstract: A focus shift sensor includes a light source which directs light through a first grating to form a pattern of light. The pattern is directed through the lens which images the pattern at a second grating. The two gratings have different periods such that the second grating generates a pattern of Moire fringes which are projected onto a CCD array. The second grating is preferably tilted with respect to the plane of the image of the pattern from the first grating such that only a portion of the second grating is within the range of focus of the lens. As a result, a pattern of shortened Moire fringes is produced. As the range of focus shifts along the second grating, the Moire fringes move along the CCD array. The movement of the fringes is tracked and the system is adjusted to maintain the location of the focal plane of the lens at a desired location.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus for thermally fixing images on an image receiving material at a predetermined image fixing temperature, comprising an image fixing device comprising a core member, and an exothermic phase transition layer provided on said core member, comprising an exothermic phase transition material which is capable of performing reversible phase transition from an amorphous solid state to a crystalline state with liberation of crystallization heat therefrom, and vice versa, and has a melting point higher than said predetermined image fixing temperature, a heating device which maintains the temperature of at least an outer surface of said image fixing device at said predetermined image fixing temperature, a first phase transition device which heats said exothermic phase transition layer, thereby having said exothermic phase transition material perform phase transition from said amorphous state to said crystalline state for liberation of crystallization heat therefrom, a second phase transition devi

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for positioning, for each shot provided on a wafer, a pattern formed on a mask with respect to the wafer and also for exposing the pattern on the wafer includes a wafer stage carrying the wafer and movable stepwise for each shot, a mask stage carrying the mask and movable, a stage control unit for making relative positioning between the wafer and the pattern of the mask and maintaining the relative positioning so that the stage control unit moves the mask stage to make the relative positioning before the wafer stage stops for each shot, and an exposure control unit for performing exposure while the relative positioning is maintained.

Abstract: In a development device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing body, the development device includes: a developer bearing body for conveying a developer borne thereon to a developing area on the image bearing body; a plurality of magnetic poles provided inside the developer bearing body; a detaching magnetic pole including optional two adjoining poles of the plurality of magnetic poles which are arranged to have the same polarity as each other for forming a repulsive magnetic field to remove the developer on the developer bearing body; and a magnetic body provided in the vicinity of and spaced away from the detaching magnetic pole, for forming a repulsive magnetic field having the same polarity as that of the detaching magnetic pole.

Abstract: A continuous web substrate duplex printing system which can utilize a single and otherwise conventional or existing xerographic print engine (normally printing conventional cut sheet print substrates) of a standard width without substantial structural modification. Separate first and second image transfer stations are positioned in line with one another in the direction of movement of the endless surface imaging member, with said second image transfer station downstream of the first, for respectively transferring print images to the first and second sides of the continuous web sequentially without requiring a dual width imaging member or dual imaging members for duplex printing.

Abstract: A heat-pressure fixing device for fixing a toner image is composed of a fixing member, a pressure member and an oil applicator for applying dimethylsilicone oil as a release oil. The fixing member is surfaced with dimethylsilicone rubber having a storage modulus E' satisfying 1.0.times.10.sup.6 dyn/cm.sup.2 <E'<1.5.times.10.sup.7 dyn/cm.sup.2 and a loss modulus E" satisfying 1.0.times.10.sup.5 dyn/cm.sup.2 <E"<7.5.times.10.sup.5 dyn/cm.sup.2, and exhibits a good release performance at a low dimethylsilicone oil application rate of 1-20 mg/A4-size (621 cm.sup.2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and cutting individual images from a web containing a plurality of images, the web having a magnetic media capable of retaining magnetically recorded data. The apparatus comprising a reader for reading magnetically recorded data contained on the magnetic media which provides information relating to the location of the images thereon; and a mechanism responsive to the information read by the reader and for performing an operation to the web in accordance with the information.

Abstract: A time distance notifying system for an image forming apparatus sets an image forming mode composed of one or plural image forming parameters, generates attribute data to discriminate the set image forming mode, stores time data representing a time required for forming an image in the image forming mode represented by various attribute data, measures a time required for performing an operation of a predetermined unit during the set image forming mode, judges whether or not time corresponding to the generated attribute data has been stored in the memory, derives a time required for the image forming on the basis of a corresponding time data in a case where it is judged that a time data corresponding to the attribute data has been stored and for deriving a time required for the image forming on the basis of a time measured in a case where it is judged that a time data corresponding to the attribute data is not stored in a memory, and notifying a time derived.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for scanning photographic film includes a scan gate (14, 16, 18, 26-30) having a film track (14) to guide a filmstrip (50) longitudinally in a direction of travel, a film guide surface (26) in the film track, and an elongated scan aperture (28) through the guide surface, the scan aperture being extended transverse to the film track; an image scanning device (18) positioned opposite the scan aperture, the scanning device including a housing (20) with a window (36), the housing enclosing an elongated array (44)of sensors faced through the window toward the film track opposite the scan aperture, the array of sensors having a length (L) and being spaced from the film guide surface; the scanning device further having a transparent cover (42) between the sensors and the film guide surface; the array and the cover being extended transversely to the film track, whereby a passage (48) for a filmstrip (50) is defined between the cover and the film guide surface; a conduit (78, 80)for delivering pressuriz

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for exposing a photosensitive substrate with a pattern on a circular mask by projection through a projection optical system. The apparatus includes a prealignment stage for previously correcting an error of the circular mask in its rotational direction, and a transport arm and a rotatable arm for transporting the circular mask from the prealignment stage to a mask stage. The prealignment stage includes an optical detecting system for detecting the rotational error of the circular mask from a predetermined orientation on the prealignment stage, a rotatable stage for rotating the circular mask on the prealignment stage, and a unit for controlling the rotatable stage on the basis of the rotational error so that the circular mask has the predetermined orientation. Orientational adjustment can be previously performed before importing the circular mask to the mask stage of the projection exposure apparatus.