Abstract: A positioning device (21, 31) with a drive unit (147, 149, 151; 69, 71) with which an object table (1, 5) is displaceable over a guide (141, 65) which is fastened to a frame (45) of the positioning device (21, 31). The positioning device (21, 31) includes a force actuator system (205) which exerts on the frame (45) a compensation force which has a moment about a reference point (P) of the frame (45) whose value is equal to a value of a moment of a force of gravity acting on the object table (1, 5) about the reference point (P), and whose direction is opposed to a direction of the moment of said force of gravity. The use of the force actuator system (205) prevents the frame (45) from vibrating or being elastically deformed when a point of application on the frame (45) of the force of gravity is displaced relative to the frame (45) during a displacement of the object table (1,5).

Abstract: A positioning device with a drive unit with which an object table is displaceable over a guide which is fastened to a first frame thereof. A stationary part of the drive unit is fastened to a second frame thereof and dynamically isolated from the first frame while a reaction force of the object table arising from a driving force exerted by the drive unit on the object table is transmittable exclusively into the second frame.

Abstract: An image size identification apparatus and an image size identification method capable of identifying the size of an image recorded on a photographic film at a high accuracy are disclosed.Densities at a plurality of measurement points in a density measurement area including an image recording range on a photographic film on which an image is recorded are measured. On the basis of the measured densities, image characteristics which reflect an image size are extracted to determine the image size. An image portion is estimated on the basis of a measurement area, and a distribution of the estimated image in the measurement area can be used as the image characteristics which reflect the image size. The degree of dispersion of densities or density change amounts in a predetermined determination area in the measurement area can be used as the image characteristics which reflect an image size.

Abstract: A printer control film and a film carrier allow proper management of the printer control film. When a Bull's-eye serving as the printer control film is inserted into the film carrier, magnetic information recorded on the Bull's-eye is read out. When it is judged based on the read out information that the Bull's-eye is an unused one, a start time of use is recorded on the Bull's-eye together with an apparatus ID. When it is judged that the Bull's-eye was used before, the apparatus ID, the used period, the number of times of use, and the like are read out from the Bull's-eye. When it is judged based on these data that the Bull's-eye carries proper images necessary for a conditioning operation, the number of times of use is updated. Subsequently, images recorded on the Bull's-eye are printed onto a printing paper.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process image-wise exposes an imaging element with a high intensity short time scanning exposure. The imaging element comprises on a support in the order given a silver halide emulsion layer and a layer containing physical development nuclei. A thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element is subsequently developed in the presence of a developing agent and silver halide solvent. The image-wise exposure is focused substantially within the silver halide emulsion layer of the imaging element.

Abstract: A scanning type exposure apparatus comprises a mask stage RST for scanning a mask R across an illumination area on the mask R, a projection optical system PL for projecting an image of a pattern on the mask R onto a photosensitive substrate W, and a substrate stage WST for scanning the photosensitive substrate W across an exposure area. The apparatus comprises an image pickup unit 53 having its light-receiving section 1 provided on the substrate stage WST, for photoelectrically detecting an image of a mark pattern on the mask R, and a combining unit 4 for combining signals outputted from the image pickup unit 53 during a period in which the light-receiving section is scanned across the exposure area in synchronization with scanning for the mark pattern across the illumination area. Image formation characteristics or a position of the image of the mark pattern is determined on the basis of an output of the combining unit 4, which may be corrected before actual exposure.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus including structure for supplying illumination light, using a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of a first object onto a second object in cooperation with the illumination light, the projection optical system having a refraction optical element, controlling a changing unit (for changing a wavelength of illumination light) on the basis of an output of a detecting unit (for detecting a change in pressure around the projection optical system) so as to compensate a change in ratio, or so as to maintain a constant ratio, of reflective index between an atmosphere and the refraction optical element due to a change in pressure, and correcting a change in optical characteristic of the projection optical system, due to a factor other than the pressure change, without use of the wavelength changing unit; and a device manufacturing method including a step of projecting and transferring a device pattern of a mask onto a substrate by using the projection exposure apparatus.

Abstract: A photofinishing device for handling different format types of photographic film includes a work station with a film interface for photofinishing a respective format type of photographic film. The photofinishing device is provided With a first film deck interface utilized for containing a first format type of photographic film at the work station so that the first format type of photographic film may be photofinished while it is maintained in a specified orientation relative to the work station. The first film deck interface is releasably secured to the work station and replaceable with a second film deck interface capable of containing a second format type of photographic film at the work station. In this manner, when the photographic film in the device is changed from the first format type to the second format, the film decks may be quickly changed so that the second format type of photographic film is maintained in a specified orientation relative to work station for photofinishing.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of a first object onto a second object; an illuminator for illuminating the pattern of the first object, a wavelength changing device for changing a wavelength of the light from the illuminator; a spherical aberration selector for selecting a spherical aberration of the projection optical system; and a wavelength controller for controlling the wavelength by the wavelength changing device in accordance with the spherical aberration set by the selector.

Abstract: An image recording medium, such as a photographic negative filmstrip, has recorded thereon a plurality of images. An index print includes a support sheet on which are recorded a plurality of positive images corresponding to the plurality of images recorded on the filmstrip. The support sheet is physically attached directly to the filmstrip, thereby inhibiting separation of the index print from its filmstrip.

Abstract: A method of correcting the light amount irregularities for a photographic printer in which an image displayed on a two-dimensional display unit is exposed by transmitting or reflecting the light from a light source through or from the two-dimensional display unit is disclosed. An LED light source is turned on with a predetermined driving voltage applied to all the pixels of a liquid crystal panel. The image on the liquid crystal panel is exposed for a predetermined length of time by the light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel and developed thereby to produce a photographic print. The density at a point corresponding to each pixel of the liquid crystal panel is measured. The light transmittance correction amount for each pixel of the liquid crystal panel is determined in such a manner that the density measured at each point conforms to a predetermined reference density (a minimum value of density measurement, for example).

Abstract: A film cartridge storage apparatus for storing a plurality of film cartridges 20 stacked one on another. The stored film cartridges 20 are extracted from the apparatus one after another from the lowermost cartridge in association with a pivotal member 83 of an individual feed mechanism 80; 18; 280 having a first arm portion 83a and a second arm portion 83b. The first arm portion 83a of the pivotal member 83 pivots between a first area and a second area to hold the lowermost film cartridge in the first area and also to feed the lowermost film cartridge in the second area. The second arm portion 83b of the pivotal member allows a film cartridge to fall toward the first arm portion in the first area and also prevents a film cartridge from falling toward the first arm portion in the second area.

Abstract: A substrate is mounted on a stage of an exposure system, and an exposure light is converged on a material formed on the substrate to form a latent image. An auto-focusing light is emitted on the latent image, and the reflected light therefrom is detected. The focusing or defocusing state is judged on the basis of the detected result. When it is judged that the exposure light is defocused on the material formed on the substrate, the drive unit is driven for focus control so as to allow the exposure light to be focused on the material formed on the substrate.

Abstract: An exposure method includes the steps of illuminating an original with exposure light having a size b with respect to a scan direction, and projecting a pattern of the illuminated original onto a substrate with a projection magnification N.sub.op, and scanning the original and the substrate In the scan direction at a speed ratio N.sub.st different from the projection magnification N.sub.op wherein the speed ratio N.sub.st corresponds to the ratio between the speed of the substrate and the speed of the original and, when the minimum linewidth of an image of the pattern with respect to the scan direction is denoted by .DELTA.l. a relation 0<.vertline.N.sub.op -N.sub.st .vertline..multidot.b<.DELTA.l is satisfied.

Abstract: An image recording device in which an image is exposed onto a photosensitive material, and an image forming solvent is applied thereto, and an image receiving material is superposed thereon, and then heat development transfer is carried out so as to obtain an image on the image receiving material, comprising: a fixed stage which holds the photosensitive material; an application unit which applies the image forming solvent to the photosensitive material; a superposing unit which superposes the image receiving material on the photosensitive material; a connecting tool which connects the application unit and the superposing unit such that the units are moved integrally with one of the units in front of the other; and a squeeze roller which is disposed between the application unit and the superposing unit and is moved in accordance with the integral movement thereof, wherein as the application unit and the superposing unit are moved such that the application unit is positioned in front of the superposing unit, th

Abstract: A filmstrip holding apparatus for supporting a filmstrip having image frames to be scanned with reduced transverse curl is disclosed. The filmstrip holding apparatus includes a base defining a channel, the channel including a bottom surface having an aperature and two opposed parallel sides to accomodate the filmstrip lengthwise past the aperture; and a clamp having two opposed elongated clamping members and a support frame extending between the clamping members to hold them in their opposed relationship.

Abstract: A positive lithographic printing plate exposed by an imagesetter and suitable for mounting on a press cylinder comprising a photo-lithographic DTR material having a DTR processed RIP image to be printed lithographically and a DTR processed ink repelling region for mounting the printing plate on the press cylinder. The RIP image is exposed according to exposure commands which are sent to the imagesetter by the RIP and the DTR processed ink repelling region is exposed according to exposure commands generated by the imagesetter.

Abstract: A system and method of avoiding pattern shortening without resorting to generating a mask with a bias solve the direction dependent differences in exposure behavior in photolithography processes in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. Instead of designing a biased mask to solve the exposure problem, the pattern shortening effect is avoided by influencing the exposure process itself. By using an off axis illumination technique, the exposure is separated into different directions. In one embodiment, off axis illumination is applied in combination with special dipole apertures (i.e., two openings). The exposure is done in two or more parts, whereby the aperture is twisted between exposures. In another embodiment, off axis illumination is used in combination with special polarizer apertures. As with the first embodiment, the exposure is done in two or more parts, but in this case with differently polarized light.

Abstract: A photographic contact printing device has a point-like light source (17) and two uni-directionally curved parabolically cylindrical mirrors (18, 19) the axis of curvature (22, 23) of which are perpendicular to each other, and one axis (23) being parallel to the exposure plane.

Abstract: An asynchronous contact printer and a related method for printing motion picture film in different formats. The contact printer has a pair of film drives that move duplicate film and original film at different increments through the printer, and then intermittently stop the film to permit exposure of the original onto the duplicate. The printer can print duplicate film in an alternate format, such as the three-perforation or 2.5-perforation format, from original film in another format, such as the four-perforation format. This is accomplished by moving the film asynchronously through the printer and exposing frames of the original film onto the duplicate film on a frame-by-frame basis.