Abstract: Differing ratios of the amount of light from light source LD2 to the amount of light from light source LD1 are provided. An image pattern for adjustment that includes, for each color, an area made up of isolated dots by light source LD1 and an area made up of isolated dots by light source LD2, is printed for each ratio. In a copier, a density of each area is detected, a ratio at which a difference between the density of an area of isolated dots by light source LD1 and the density of an area of isolated dots by light source LD2 is smallest is decided as an adjustment ratio, and control is performed such that light sources LD1 and LD2 emit light at the adjusted ratio.

Abstract: A printer detects density of a toner pattern on an intermediate transfer belt, operates a differential value for the detection value, and compares the differential value with a threshold value. If fluctuation of detection values is great and there are detection values of which differential values exceed the threshold value, those detection values are assumed to contain noise due to abnormality of the shape on the belt, and the detection values in such a range are corrected using curve approximation. A tone correction table is updated using the corrected detection values.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises: a reader to read image; an output part to output the image; an information giving part to give additional information to the image before the image is outputted by said output part; an output controller to make said output part output a plurality of test patterns for output level correction of additional information in different output levels; a data calculator for output level correction, to calculate data for output level correction of said additional information based on reading results drew by said reader from said outputted test patterns for output level correction of additional information; and an output level corrector to correct an output level of said additional information based on said calculated data for correction.

Abstract: A document searching apparatus includes an input unit that inputs a search query for conducting a search in a structured document, the structured document being obtained by expressing elements included in a document in a hierarchical manner; a query converting unit that converts a query sentence constituting the search query and a search target element of the query sentence according to a predetermined rule so as to generate a new search query; a document searching unit that searches the structured document by using the new search query; and a search-result presenting unit that presents a result of the search.

Abstract: An optical pumping device is provided in which a multi-core fiber obtained by bundling up a plurality of optical fibers, which are input ports, and a double clad fiber for optical pumping are spliced through a bridge fiber composed of a double clad fiber having a tapered shape. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently couple signal light and pumping light to the double clad fiber for optical pumping.

Abstract: An image forming device for forming an image on an image carrier using a different grayscale reproduction method for each of two or more different attributes contained in portions of the image. The image forming device forms a different standard pattern in one-to-one correspondence with each different attribute contained in the image portions, using a grayscale reproduction method used for reproducing image portions containing the attribute, detects density of each standard pattern formed by the standard pattern forming unit, sets, for each different attribute, a condition for correcting grayscale of the image portions containing the attribute, in accordance with the detected density, and corrects grayscale of the image portions in accordance with each condition set by the correction condition setting unit.

Abstract: A multi-port coupler for coupling an pumping light source to a cladding pump fiber for optical amplification, includes a central signal fiber and a plurality of pumping fibers arranged around the central signal fiber, the central signal fiber and the plurality of pumping fibers being unified and a front side is reduced in diameter, wherein an emitted light confining waveguide part is provided around a core of the signal fiber located at the center, and the emitted light confining waveguide part whose outer diameter is larger than that of the core has a higher refractive index than a cladding and a lower refractive index than the core and the emitted light confining waveguide part is formed continuously from a splicing point of the cladding pump fiber to a coupler front end branched into multiple fibers.

Abstract: An acquiring unit acquires a first search criterion from outside. A first searching unit extracts a first search result that satisfies the first search criterion from a storing unit that stores information to be searched. A first output unit outputs the first search result to a first output device. A changing unit changes the first search criterion to a second search criterion based on a predetermined condition. A second searching unit extracts a second search result that satisfies the second search criterion from the storing unit. A second output unit outputs the second search result to a second output device that is different from the first output device.

Abstract: A video content viewing support system includes unit acquiring video content and text data corresponding to the video content, unit extracting viewpoints from the video content, based on the text data, unit extracting, from the video content, topics corresponding to the viewpoints, based on the text data, unit dividing the video content into content segments including first segments and second segments for each of the extracted topics, the first segments corresponding to a first viewpoint included in the viewpoints, the second segments corresponding to a second viewpoint included in the viewpoints, unit generating a thumbnail and a keyword for each of the content segments, unit providing the first segments and at least one of the thumbnail and the keyword corresponding to one of the first segments for each of the first segments, and unit selecting at least one of the provided first segments.

Abstract: System includes unit acquiring video content from video source, unit acquiring text data corresponding to video content from text data source, unit extracting topics from video content based on text data, unit dividing video content into video content segments for each of topics, unit generating one of first thumbnail image, first keyword and first key sentence, unit storing cue words corresponding to video portions, unit comparing text data with cue words to specify first video portion of video portions, first video portion corresponding to first cue word of cue words, unit concealing portion of one of second thumbnail image, second keyword and second key sentence and correspond to specified video portion and generate concealed portion, unit providing, after concealing one portion, combination of each of video content segments and one of second thumbnail image, second keyword and second key sentence, to provide combinations, and unit selecting one of combinations manually.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the invention includes an image carrier, an exposure device performing exposure for forming a toner image on a surface of the image carrier and having at least a first exposure light source and a second exposure light sources a sensor for detecting specified patterns, which are formed on the image carrier at a specified time with use of the first and second exposure light sources, a storing unit for storing a correlation, which is attained from a detection result by the sensor, between the first and second exposure light sources, and a controller for controlling the first and second exposure light sources based on the correlation.

Abstract: A detection device used in an image forming apparatus, comprises a light-emitting element which emits light towards a toner pattern formed on an image carrier, a first light-receiving element which detects the light reflected from the toner pattern and a second light-receiving element which detects the light reflected from the toner pattern in a fashion different from the first light-receiving element. The detection device calculates the amount of toner of the toner pattern based on the output values from the first and second light-receiving elements as well as the position of the toner pattern based on the output value from the first light-receiving element.

Abstract: An optical fiber laser includes a resonator comprising an erbium-doped glass fiber serving as a gain medium and a pumping light source that launches pumping light into the erbium-doped glass fiber. The pumping light source emits pumping light of a wavelength of 980 nm or longer, and the optical fiber laser emits laser light in a wavelength band of 2.8 ?m (2.7 ?m to 3.0 ?m).

Abstract: A method and device for estimating toner concentration in a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus equipped with such device. The above method and device calculate an amount of toner charge from data detected by a transferred toner amount sensor, compensate the toner charge based on environmental humidity data and cumulative use period data of the image forming apparatus, and estimate toner concentration. The image forming apparatus equipped with the above device exerts control to predict toner consumption from the estimated toner concentration, supply toner to a developing unit according to the predicted toner consumption, and maintain the toner concentration in the developer at predetermined concentration.

Abstract: Text information analysis apparatus arranges a plurality of texts according to the content of each text. In the text information analysis apparatus, a category decision unit classifies text to one of a plurality of predetermined categories. A cluster generation unit clusters texts having similar contents from the plurality of texts. A control unit controls the category decision unit and the cluster generation unit to simultaneously execute a category decision and clustering for the plurality of texts.

Abstract: An inner cladding exposure section 14 is formed by removing a part of an outer cladding 4 of an optical amplification medium fiber 10 which has a porous layer 3 between the inner cladding 2 and the outer cladding 4 in a longitudinal direction. An end surface 23 of an optical fiber 20 for the excited light incidence is cemented on an outer periphery of the exposed inner cladding 2. The excited light 24 is incident into the optical amplification medium fiber 10 from the optical fiber 20 for the excited light incidence. By doing this, it is possible to provide a method for exciting a light in an optical amplification medium fiber which can realize a superior amplitude while emitting the excited light so as to be incident into the optical amplification medium fiber highly efficiently.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupling structure for optically coupling an emission-side optical fiber and an incidence-side optical fiber includes: an emission-side base; and an incidence-side base, wherein the emission-side optical fiber is secured to the emission-side base, and an end of the emission-side optical fiber is exposed at the coupling end surface, wherein the incidence-side optical fiber is secured to the incidence-side base, and an end of the incidence-side optical fiber is exposed at a slope provided in said incidence side base, and wherein the coupling end surface of the emission-side base is abutted against the abutting surface of the incidence-side base, the emission-side optical fiber exposed at the coupling end surface of the emission-side base and the incidence-side optical fiber exposed at the slope of the incidence-side base are spaced apart with a clearance, and the emission-side optical fiber and the incidence-side optical fiber are optically coupled.

Abstract: A method for detecting a connector disengagement of an optical fiber amplifier and a transmission optical fiber connected thereto, the optical fiber amplifier including a doped optical fiber and a pumping light source, and a transmission optical fiber including at least one connecting portion connected to an output of the optical fiber amplifier, includes the steps of: measuring a reflection from the transmission optical fiber to the optical fiber amplifier; and comparing the reflection to an allowable range between a first threshold that is greater than a predetermined reflection in the absence of a connector disengagement, and a second threshold that is smaller than the predetermined reflection in the absence of a connector disengagement; determining that there is no connector disengagement when the measured reflection is within the allowable range; and determining that there is a connector disengagement otherwise.

Abstract: A method and device for estimating toner concentration in a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus equipped with such device. The above method and device calculate an amount of toner charge from data detected by a transferred toner amount sensor, compensate the toner charge based on environmental humidity data and cumulative use period data of the image forming apparatus, and estimate toner concentration. The image forming apparatus equipped with the above device exerts control to predict toner consumption from the estimated toner concentration, supply toner to a developing unit according to the predicted toner consumption, and maintain the toner concentration in the developer at predetermined concentration.

Abstract: An image forming device capable of providing an image of excellent quality without unevenness of density. According to the image forming device, a controller measures light quantity for each light emitting element of the exposing device as to the pattern where only one of the light emitting elements is turned on, and as to the pattern where all the light emitting elements are turned on. Based on the data about the measured light quantity, a change rate in the light quantity distribution of the exposing device is calculated. Based on the data about the measured light quantity and the change rate in the light quantity distribution calculated, correction value for each of the light emitting elements of the exposing device is determined.