Abstract: A reading device includes an imaging element and correcting circuitry. The imaging element is configured to receive light from an object selectively irradiated with visible light or invisible light. The correcting circuitry is configured to apply correction processing based on a difference in an optical characteristic between an invisible light region and a visible light region to an image signal in the invisible light region output from the imaging element and output the image signal corrected.

Abstract: An edge detecting device includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire first color information and second color information in an image including a document region and a background region outside the document region. The first color information is color information of the background region and the second color information is color information of the document region. The processing circuitry is configured to detect a boundary between the background region and the document region from a change in color information between the first color information and the second color information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes circuitry to: obtain a read image read from an image of a document output from an image reading device; detect an edge between a background area and a document area in the read image; sample a detection result of the edge at each first interval in a first direction to extract a first boundary point group including a plurality of boundary points; sample the detection result of the edge at each second interval in the first direction to extract a second boundary point group including a plurality of boundary points; determine a noise removal condition based on the first boundary point group; remove, from the second boundary point group, a boundary point satisfying the noise removal condition as noise; and calculate a linear equation approximating the second boundary point group from which the noise is removed.

Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus, a mobile object, a robot, a three-dimensional measuring device, a surveillance camera, and a distance-measuring method. The distance-measuring apparatus, a mobile object includes a light source to emit light, an imaging element to receive and photoelectrically convert the light into a plurality of electrical signals, and to obtain the electrical signals upon being sorted into a plurality of phase signals, and a computing unit to calculate distance to the object based on the phase signals. In the distance-measuring apparatus, a period of time during which the imaging element obtains the phase signals is different from a light emitting period of the light source in length. The distance-measuring method includes determining whether or not aliasing is present based on a light emitting period of the light source, a period of time during which the plurality of phase signals are obtained, and a result of the calculating.

Abstract: A range-finding device including a light-emitting device, an imaging unit, a calculator, and a controller. The image unit receives pulsed light reflected from an object within the space for a plurality of time periods in a time-division manner, electrically converts the pulsed light into an electrical signal, and accumulates electric charge of the electrical signal for each of the plurality of time periods. The calculator calculates a time difference between emission of the pulsed light and reception of the pulsed light reflected from the object based on the electric charge accumulated for each of the plurality of time periods and determine a distance to the object based on the time difference. The controller controls the timing of reception of the pulsed light for each of the plurality of time periods at the imaging unit according to an intensity of the pulsed light reflected from the object.

Abstract: An inclination detecting device includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to detect, in image information that is an image of an object imaged by an imaging device at an imaging position where a background member forms a background, a first boundary between the background member and a shadow of the object at detection positions in at least one of main-scanning and sub-scanning directions on an outline of the object; detect a second boundary between the object and the shadow of the object at detection positions in at least one of the main-scanning and sub-scanning directions on the outline of the object in the image information; detect a boundary group including detection results of the second boundary at the detection positions; and detect an inclination of the object in the image information from detection results of the first boundary, the second boundary, and the boundary group.

Abstract: An inclination detecting device includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to detect, in image information that is an image of an object imaged by an imaging device at an imaging position where a background member forms a background, a first boundary between the background member and a shadow of the object; detect a second boundary between the object and the shadow of the object in the image information; and detect an inclination of the object in the image information from the first boundary and the second boundary detected by the processing circuitry.

Abstract: A printed wiring board production method that forms a base film and a conductive pattern on the base film by an additive method or a subtractive method, includes a plating process that electroplates the conductive pattern on a surface of the base film, wherein the plating process includes a shield plate arranging process that arranges a shield plate between an anode and a printed wiring board substrate that forms a cathode, and a substrate arranging process that arranges the printed wiring board substrate in a plating tank, and wherein a distance between the shield plate and the printed wiring board substrate is 50 mm or greater and 150 mm or less.

Abstract: An distance measurement apparatus includes a light source to emit irradiation light, circuitry to output, to the light source, a first current that changes in accordance of light-emission timing information defining at least turn-on timing of the light source, and a second current that does not change in accordance of the light-emission timing information, a sensor to detect reflection light reflected from an object irradiated with the irradiation light emitted from the light source. The circuitry calculates a distance to the object based on a detection amount of the reflection light detected by the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a fluorinated ether compound and a coating liquid capable of forming a surface layer excellent in water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, fingerprint stain removability and lubricity and an article having a surface layer excellent in water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, fingerprint stain removability and lubricity. Provided is a fluorinated ether compound represented by [Rf-G-]aZ[—(O—R2)c—SiR3nL3?n]b wherein Rf: a linear polyfluoroalkyl group having at least two carbon atoms, which has at least one etheric oxygen between carbon-carbon atoms, G: —R1—O—, —R1—CONH—, —CONH— or a single bond, R1: an alkylene group, Z: a hydrocarbon group having a valence of (a+b) or the like, R2: an alkylene group, R3: a monovalent hydrocarbon group or the like, L: a hydrolyzable group, n: from 0 to 2, a: an integer of at least 1, b: an integer of at least 1, (a+b): at least 3, when a is 1, b is at least 4, and when a is at least 2, b is at least 1, and c: 0 or 1.

Abstract: A sheet reading apparatus includes a sheet table on which a sheet is placed, a conveyor configured to convey the sheet, a reading guide configured to guide the sheet conveyed by the conveyor, and a reading device configured to read a shadow of the sheet conveyed by the conveyor, for detection of an inclination of the sheet. The sheet reading apparatus further includes a transparent member disposed at a position on a reading line of the reading device. The position on the reading line is withdrawn from the sheet and adjacent to the reading guide.

Abstract: A plating device for printed interconnect boards includes: a plating bath configured to store a plating solution; a plurality of metal jigs; an anode disposed to face the base boards for printed interconnect boards; and a mechanism configured to apply a voltage to the anode and to the base boards for printed interconnect boards, wherein the plurality of metal jigs include insulating shielding plates at areas facing the anode and include, on sides of the base boards for printed interconnect boards and between the base boards for printed interconnect boards and the shielding plates, exposed surfaces that are orthogonal to the base boards for printed interconnect boards.

Abstract: A distance measurement device includes a projection optical system, a light-receiving system to receive light projected from projection optical system and reflected by an object; and a correction system to correct a difference in timing of light emission between the plurality of light sources. The projection optical system includes a plurality of light sources and a plurality of drive circuits to drive the plurality of light sources.

Abstract: A capacitive switch device includes an operation panel operated by a user with a touch operation, a film member provided along a surface of the operation panel on an opposite side from a surface operated with the touch operation, and an electrode portion forming a capacitor with a finger of the user and a wiring portion, both the electrode portion and the wiring portion being provided to the film member. The film member is bonded to the operation panel by a pressure-sensitive adhesive at a predetermined first portion of the film member and supported at a second portion of the film member different from the first portion by a supporting portion which allows the film member to move due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction in an in-plane direction of the film member.

Abstract: A reading device includes an imaging element and correcting circuitry. The imaging element is configured to receive light from an object selectively irradiated with visible light or invisible light. The correcting circuitry is configured to apply correction processing based on a difference in an optical characteristic between an invisible light region and a visible light region to an image signal in the invisible light region output from the imaging element and output the image signal corrected.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a sensor and circuitry. The sensor is configured to read a visible spectrum and an invisible spectrum of an image. The circuitry is configured to separate the image read into a visible image and an invisible image and perform different image correction processes on the visible image and the invisible image, respectively.

Abstract: A distance measurement device includes a projection optical system, a light-receiving system to receive light projected from projection optical system and reflected by an object; and a correction system to correct a difference in timing of light emission between the plurality of light sources. The projection optical system includes a plurality of light sources and a plurality of drive circuits to drive the plurality of light sources.

Abstract: A range finding apparatus includes a light emission unit including a light source and a light source driver, a light detection unit, and circuitry. The light source driver supplies a plurality of drive pulses having different pulse width at different time periods. The light detection unit receives the light emitted from the light emission unit and then reflected from an object. The circuitry calculates a range to the object based on a time difference between one time point when a pulse light is emitted from the light source and another time point when light reflected from the object is received by the light detection unit. One of the drive pulses set with a smaller pulse width is set with a sine wave pattern, and another one of the drive pulses set with a greater pulse width is set with a rectangular wave pattern.

Abstract: An operation apparatus includes: an operation plate on which an operation surface performed by a pressing operation with an operation body; an assembly member assembled with the operation plate; a first elastic member opposite to the operation surface with respect to the operation plate, and between the operation plate and the assembly member to be elastically deformable by a pressing force applied by the operation body; a sensor detecting an elastic deformation changing amount of the first elastic member generated by the pressing operation; a pressing determinator determining whether the pressing operation is performed based on a detection value of the sensor; and a second elastic member between the operation plate and the assembly member to be elastically deformable with the first elastic member by the pressing force. The first and second elastic members are arranged to enable the pressing force applied serially.

Abstract: An operation apparatus includes: an operation plate having an operation surface performed by a pressing operation with an operation body; a vibrator including a movable yoke and a fixed yoke for generating a magnetic circuit for guiding a magnetic flux, and an exciting coil for generating the magnetic flux, and the vibrator vibrating the operation plate through a magnetic force generated by an electrical conduction on the exciting coil; a detector detecting a pressing amount by the pressing operation; a press determinator determining based on the pressing amount detected by the detector whether the pressing operation is performed; and a vibration controller for an electrical conduction on the exciting coil when the press determinator determines that the pressing operation is performed. The detector detects the pressing amount by detecting a change in an electrostatic capacitance generated between the movable yoke and the fixed yoke.