Abstract: A storage system may include a storage device configured to store data in a storage area corresponding to a physical address; a buffer memory configured to temporarily store data read from the storage device; and a storage controller configured to store first data having a first priority and second data having a second priority received by the storage system in the storage device, and load the first data into the buffer memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detection apparatus for detecting a plurality of marks provided on a substrate, comprising: an optical system; an illumination unit configured to selectively illuminate the plurality of marks with a plurality of light beams via the optical system such that each of the plurality of marks is illuminated with at least one light beam; and an image capturing device configured to capture an image of the plurality of marks via the optical system, wherein the illumination unit includes a change unit configured to individually change an incident angle of each of the plurality of light beams on a pupil plane of the optical system, thereby changing an irradiated position of each of the plurality of light beams on the substrate.

Abstract: A relative position positioning system includes a first apparatus and a second apparatus. Each one of the first and second apparatuses is configured to sense a relative position of the other in an initialization period. In an operation period, each one of the first and second apparatuses is configured to measure its own displacement relative to a plane, transmit its own measured displacement to the other through a wireless transmission unit, and update the relative position of the other according to its own displacement and the displacement received from the other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing graphs and/or physical bodies are described. In some embodiments, the systems and methods determine one or more scaling factors that may be subsequently used to extract data from a graph/body under consideration. The systems and methods may also enable data extraction from multiple graphs, providing avenues to simultaneously optimize multiple variables at the same time.

Abstract: A laser scanner measures 3D coordinates from a first position and a second position and uses a sensor unit that includes at least an accelerometer and gyroscope to register the 3D coordinates, the registration based at least in part on comparison to a measured sensor displacement to a preferred displacement value.

Abstract: A daylight sensor is adapted to be mounted to a surface in a space having a window, and has a rotatable enclosure for directing a lens of the daylight sensor towards the window. The daylight sensor includes a photosensitive circuit for measuring a light intensity in the space, and an enclosure for housing the photosensitive circuit. The lens directs light from the space towards the photosensitive circuit. The enclosure has a cover portion and a base portion adapted to be mounted to the surface. The cover portion is rotatable with respect to the base portion, so as to direct the lens towards the window after the base portion is mounted to the surface. The base portion may also include a cylindrical wall having a channel adapted to capture a snap of the cover portion, such that the snap may move angularly through the channel to allow for rotation of the cover portion with respect to the base portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for measuring position of other apparatus and a method for the same. The apparatus may comprise at least one light emitting part transmitting a photo signal, at least one light receiving part receiving a photo signal transmitted from other apparatus, and a signal processing part controlling the at least one light emitting part to transmit the photo signal including identification information of itself, acquiring identification information of the other apparatus based on the photo signal received from the other apparatus, and acquiring a positional information of the other apparatus based on the acquired identification information of the other apparatus. Thus, the apparatus located in an arbitrary space may accurately acquire relative positional information of counterpart apparatuses.

Abstract: An inspecting system for inspecting a lens module includes an inspection device; and a transmitting and loading device. The transmitting and loading device includes a grasping assembly, a supporting assembly, a sliding assembly loaded on the supporting assembly, and a control unit for controlling the grasping assembly and the sliding assembly. The grasping assembly is configured to clamp the lens module and to load the lens module on the sliding assembly, and the sliding assembly is adapted to transfer the lens module to a testing position of the inspection device.

Abstract: Printing of color imagery onto a rewritable color surface is accomplished by providing an applicator with an alignment subsystem capable of sensing an alignment marker of one or more colors dots from multiple local color dot patterns as the applicator scans the surface to align the applicator's print head to the local color dot patterns. The alignment subsystem uses the sensed alignment markers to determine an absolute position on the rewritable color surface at a resolution of the individual color dots in the local color dot pattern and to align the state values for the corresponding portion of the color image to the individual color dots in the local color dot patterns on said surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for an automatic alignment of digital image layers, implemented in specific software on a computing device (e.g. a personal computer (1)) which drives an image scanner (3) and aligns the multiple scanned image layers (25) in such a way, that of these layers (25) one resulting image (10) will be created, which has—by a statistical calculus based on multiple sampling and averaging of these multiple scanned image layers (25)—a decreased random distributed noise spectrum compared to single scanned images (25) and by the automatic alignment avoids a decrease in sharpness using statistical comparison of the multiple layers (25), especially deviation and cost functions, aiming to compensate a misalignment (6), e.g. mechanical mismatches of the scanner's (3) scanning carriage, between multiple scans (25).

Abstract: A method of operation of an image processing system includes: identifying a feature point on a first image; determining a matching point on a second image with the matching point corresponding to the feature point; calculating an offset component between the feature point and the matching point with the offset component having a vertical offset; identifying a correction field for updating the first image and the second image, with the correction field having a vertical adjustment, a zoom adjustment, a rotational adjustment, and a keystone adjustment; and updating the first image and the second image using the correction field for minimizing the offset component for displaying an aligned image on a device.

Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting motion or movement in an area of interest and a method of operation is provided. The system includes a CMOS sensor having an array of pixels that captures images in an area of interest. The system monitors the average pixel value for the array to define a first state. If the average pixel value changes beyond a defined threshold, the system defines a second state. For each change in state, a signal is generated. In one embodiment, the optical sensor is used with a meter having a dial with an indicator. The optical sensor generates a signal each time the indicator passes through the area of interest to allow for the remote monitoring of a consumable commodity.

Abstract: A method for measuring relative motion between an illuminated portion of a surface and an optical sensing device comprising a coherent light source and a photodetector device comprising an array of pixels and comparators for extracting motion features. The method includes the steps (a)-(d). Step (a) includes illuminating with the coherent light source the surface portion at a determined flash rate. Step (b) includes detecting, using the array of pixels a speckled light intensity pattern of the illuminated portion of the surface for each flash. Step (c) includes extracting edge direction data of two different types from the detected speckled light intensity patterns. Step (d) includes measuring relative motion between the optical sensing device and the illuminated portion of the surface based on extracted edge direction data.

Abstract: A linear position measuring system (10) and a method for determining a position of a carriage in relation to a slide rail (12), with an incremental scale (14) placed along the slide rail (12) and a scanner secured to the slide scale. The scanner is designed to scan a plurality of incremental markings along the incremental scale (14), wherein the incremental markings can be scanned as an essentially analog signal progression. The scanner is designed to scan the incremental markings with a variable scanning frequency. The scanning frequency can be adaptively varied in relation to a currently acquired frequency of the analog signal progression, wherein the variable scanning frequency measures at least twice the currently acquired frequency of the analog signal progression.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing color registration on template media having template markings thereon.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are provided for imaging a unit under test. Orientation of an imaging system is determined with a machine vision system, a unit under test is scanned with the imaging system, and the scanned image is processed into a substantially distortion-free image. The scanned image may be processed into a substantially distortion-free image by mapping a scanned image to coordinates determined by the machine vision system. By combining the position and orientation information collected at the time each image pixel is collected, the image can be assembled without distortion by mapping a detector signal to the appropriate image coordinate. Alternately, the scanned image may be processed into a substantially distortion-free image by mapping a scanned image to a predetermined matrix grid of coordinates, identifying distortion in the scanned image, and correcting identified distortion in the scanned image.

Abstract: A foreign object detecting apparatus in bill passageway includes a laser light source, a first light detector and a second light detector. The laser light source is arranged in a first lateral side to emit a coherent laser beam toward a second lateral side. The first light detector is arranged in the second lateral side to receive the coherent laser beam and to measure the intensity of the coherent laser beam. The second light detector is arranged in one of a top side and a bottom side, wherein when a foreign object is presence in the bill passageway, the intensity of the coherent laser beam received by the first light detector is decreased by the blocking of the foreign object, and at least a portion of the coherent laser beam which is reflected, refracted, diffracted or scattered by the foreign object is received by the second light detector.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a diffusion weighted image processing apparatus or the like which can correct a distortion of a diffusion weighted image requiring smaller endurance on a patient in a diffusion weighted image processing method for correcting distortion of a diffusion weighted image. The diffusion weighted image processing apparatus has a correcting device which relatively corrects, with mutual reference among two or more diffusion weighted images having different directions of gradient field pulses during imaging, distortions occurring in the directions of the gradient field pulses during the imaging of the diffusion weighted images, the distortion being caused by the gradient field pulse of the diffusion weighted image.

Abstract: An optical encoder device is provided, in which first light transmissive slits are formed in a movable slit plate and second light transmissive slits are formed in a stationary slit plate. The number of the second light transmissive slits is defined as S. The second light transmissive slits are formed in the stationary slit plate such that when one of the second light transmissive slits is optically coincident with one of the first light transmissive slits, the remaining S-1 second light transmissive slits are shifted in position from other first light transmissive slits corresponding to the remaining second light transmissive slits by S-1 phase differences.

Abstract: This invention describes a fluid transfer device which has a fluid handling system and a fluid detection system controlled by a central processing system which allows the device to accurately determine both the verification of fluid dispensed and the liquid level position in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a value document, such as a banknote (1), which includes one or more window zones (2A, 2B) with one for example optically active element each which rotates a polarization plane P0 of polarized light LA, LB, penetrating the window zone by a defined angle. If such value documents are stacked and polarized light penetrates the superimposed window zones, the number of stacked value documents can be determined by way of the overall rotation of the polarization plane PA, PB. The overall nominal value of a stack of banknotes can thus be determined. The window zones can have category-specific rotational characteristics for different categories or nominal values and/or can be disposed in category-specific positions in the valuable document.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for locating an area of interest within a digital image of a form captured by an imaging scanner. Specific examples include methods and apparatus for optical mark reading with a digital imaging scanner. In many of the methods, an image of a response form is captured by a scanner, and target areas for possible responses are located within the image based upon an expected location being adjusted as necessary for certain error-inducing defects in the forms or scanning process. Also disclosed are steps to normalize the darkness values of pixels captured from an optically scanned form.

Abstract: A technique for reducing navigation errors that are caused by uneven illumination involves using only the portion of the image data that is properly illuminated in the correlation process. The portion of the image data that is used for optical navigation is established by summing the image data on a per-slice basis, comparing the per-slice sums to a pre-established intensity threshold, and defining boundaries of the navigation window in response to the comparison. Boundaries are set at the points where the per-slice sums equal the pre-established intensity threshold.

Abstract: Indications of user inputs with respect to a diagnostic image displayed on a display monitor are received to identify defective locations of the display monitor. Information is collected based on the received user inputs that identify defective locations of the display monitor.

Abstract: A method for detecting sub-pixel motion for an optical navigation device is disclosed. The method calculates the displacement of the sub-pixel motion according to brightness curve equations of captured images, which is represented by positional coordinates x and y. The detection method includes capturing a first image frame and a second image frame at different times, selecting plural pixels from the first image frame as calculation reference pixels, generating brightness curve equations of the reference pixels, calculating partial-derivatives of the reference pixel to generate a plurality of two-dimensional first-order equations, and calculating the sub-pixel motion according to the plurality of the two-dimensional first-order equations. The method can reduce the pixel noise by choosing reliable pixels as the reference pixels. The method also reduce the noise by classifying the reference pixels.

Abstract: A system for sensing imaging media along a transport path. System includes a light source positioned proximate to a selected location along transport path. A transducer in optical alignment with light source so as to receive light from light source after light crosses transport path provides an output signal having a frequency representative of the presence of imaging media at the selected location.

Abstract: An imager captures successive images of an object. One image is then subtracted from another image to generate difference images. Each difference image is then correlated with itself or with one of the images used to generate the difference image to determine the relative motion between the imager an the object.

Abstract: Quasi-achromatic multi-element lens(es) which are precisely mounted with respect to one another in a tubular mounting fixture, and the application thereof in focusing, (and optionally re-colliminating), a spectroscopic electromagnetic beam into a very small, chromatically relatively undispersed, area spot on a material system.

Abstract: A laser blood-flow meter includes a laser-beam irradiator for irradiating laser beams to biological structure, a detector for detecting scattered beams resulted from scattering of the laser beams in the biological structure, the laser blood-flow meter measuring blood flow of the biological structure in accordance with the scattered beams detected by the detector, and a beam-collector for collecting the scattered beams to direct the collected beams to the detector.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of optical tracking sensing using block matching to determine relative motion. The method includes three distinct means of compensating for non-uniform illumination: (1) a one-time calibration technique, (2) a real-time adaptive calibration technique, and (3) several alternative filtering methods. The system also includes a means of generating a prediction of the displacement of the sampled frame as compared to the reference frame. Finally, the method includes three cumulative checks to ensure that the correlation of the measured displacement vectors is good: (1) ensuring that “runner-up” matches are near the best match, (2) confirming that the predicted displacement is close to the measured displacement, and (3) block matching with a second reference frame.

Abstract: In order to provide a procedure and a device that will enable the, at least partially, automated acceptance of bank notes that can be realized in an acceptable cost range and that will enable the highly automated, rapid acceptance of bank notes with a high level of certainty, a method, in which a test for the acceptability of bank notes is performed by automatic vending machines is proposed; by this method a bank note is fed via a transport unit to a digitalization station, where it is at least partially digitized; the data obtained in this manner are then compared with stored data by a computer unit, which makes a determination of value, and renders an automatic decision regarding acceptance. If the automatic decision regarding acceptance is negative, an image of the digitized data is generated in order to allow a service employee to perform a visual inspection of the note and render a final decision regarding acceptance.

Abstract: A parameter setting section sets a parameter stored beforehand in a parameter storage section as a parameter in an operation in an image pick-up section or an image processing section until an image pick-up start detection section detects an image pick-up start of a code. Moreover, when the image pick-up start detection section detects the image pick-up start of the code, the parameter setting section changes the parameter extracted from image information output from the image pick-up section or image information subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing section from the parameter stored in the parameter storage section.

Abstract: In an apparatus for monitoring any deviation of a planar surface from its desired position, a light source and a light detector are positioned so that when the surface is at the desired position a beam of light projected by the light source is reflected by the surface and fully registers on the light detector causing the light detector to generate a peak output signal. When the surface deviates from its desired position, the reflected beam of light does not fully register on the light detector, causing the light detector to generate less than peak output signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating and aligning Time Delay Integration (TDI) Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensors. A TDI sensor for linear imaging (line sensor) is calibrated by generating a two dimensional image from the line sensor, analyzing the two dimensional image, and calibrating the line sensor based on the analysis. An alignment correction can then be generated, the correction applied to the line sensor placement and the line sensor re-tested. A calibration system includes means for generating a two dimensional image from the TDI line sensor, means for analyzing the two dimensional image, and means for calibrating the line sensor based on the analysis of the two dimensional image.

Abstract: A reference frame provided in a vacuum chamber is supported by support pillars extending through and isolated from the vacuum chamber walls to isolate the reference frame from vibrations in the vacuum chamber. The gap between the support pillar and the vacuum chamber wall may be sealed by a low-stiffness seal. The low stiffness seal may be a three part seal allowing relative motion in six-degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A flowcell including a plurality of separate chambers is provided on the substrate table so that a fluid can be brought into contact with exposed areas of the substrate to interact therewith. A series of exposures and chemical processes can thereby be carried out without removing the substrate from the substrate table.

Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a reference grating 11 mounted on the wafer table WT is illuminated with a measurement beam 20 incident in a direction independent of wafer table tilt. The diffraction orders are detected by detector 30 and used to determine the lateral shift in the wafer table resulting from a non-zero Abbe arm, and hence the Abbe arm, for calibration purposes. The detector 30 may be a detector also used for off-axis alignment of the wafer and wafer table.

Abstract: An imaging system with built-in diagnostics and preferably implemented as an integrated system-on-a-chip (SOC) imaging system. According to one implementation of the present invention, the imaging system can be operated in two operating modes: a normal operating mode and a special diagnostic mode. While running in the diagnostic mode, the imaging system can be configured to detect manufacturing defects. The imaging system can be further configured to compensate for certain types of manufacturing defects. While running in the diagnostic mode, the imaging system (1) identifies pixels that function incorrectly and (2) creates a record of such pixels. In the normal operating mode, the imaging system can use the record to compensate for the missing or incorrect data from these defective pixels during real-time image processing. The present invention simplifies testing of imaging systems and/or image sensors. It also increases manufacturing yield and, therefore, results in lower per-unit manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking a predetermined number of X-ray films has a sheet member holding device disposed above a stacking position for temporarily holding at least a first X-ray film, and an actuating device for displacing the sheet member holding device from the stacking position to drop the X-ray film held by the sheet member holding device into the stacking position. The apparatus is capable of stacking a plurality of X-ray films highly accurately and efficiently in the stacking position while avoiding damage to the X-ray films.

Abstract: A mouse for navigating upon grainy surfaces is equipped with at least two optical navigation circuits having different views of the work surface and whose axes may be non-parallel. For each navigation circuit an indication of navigation impairment owing to grain is detected. A suitable algorithm chooses from among the various navigation circuits which one's output to use. The multiple optical navigation circuits can each be separate self-contained mechanisms on separate dies or they can be separate sections of a single integrated circuit. The various metrics used within a navigation circuit for spatial filter selection can be further used by the navigation circuit selection algorithm. Each optical navigation circuit can have its own light source, or they can share a common one. They may also share any imaging optics, although each navigation sensor sees a different image.

Abstract: An optical probe, which is particularly suited to for use in measurements on tissue material of a patient. In one embodiment, the probe comprises upper and lower housing elements incorporating a light energy source and corresponding detector. The tissue material of the patient is disposed between the upper and lower housing elements such that the light energy emitted by the source passes through the tissue material to the detector. A plurality of light shields are attached to one or both of the housing elements to reduce the amount of ambient and reflected light reaching the detector. Additionally, various portions of the upper and lower housing elements and shields utilize light absorbent coloration and/or coatings which further mitigate the effects of undesired ambient and reflected light, thereby reducing noise generated within the instrument and increasing its accuracy. In one embodiment, the light shields are made removable from the optical probe, thereby facilitating replacement.

Abstract: A semiconductor body having an alignment mark comprising a pair of sets of parallel lines disposed on the semiconductor body, the parallel lines in one of the sets being disposed orthogonal to the parallel lines in the other one of the set, the two sets of parallel lines being in an overlaying relationship. Also, a method and apparatus for detecting an alignment mark on a semiconductor body. The method and apparatus provide an alignment illumination comprising a pair of orthogonal, lines of impinging light which is scanned over the surface of the alignment mark, one of such pair of impinging light lines being orthogonal to, and laterally displaced from, the other one of such pair of impinging light lines, impinging light being reflected by the alignment lines in the surface of the semiconductor when such impinging light is over to provide a pair of laterally displaced beams of reflected light.

Abstract: A scanning type exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system which projects a pattern of a reticle onto a wafer, which is held by a wafer chuck, a scanning stage system which scanningly moves the reticle and the wafer synchronously with respect to the projection optical system and an inspection system which inspects influence of particles on at least one of the wafer and on the wafer chuck. The inspection system includes a focus detector which measures a focus state of the wafer and a calculator which calculates outputs of the focus detector.

Abstract: A bill validator for detecting the presence of a bill comprising a bill passageway having a first side and a second side, a light source positioned at the first side, the light source for emitting light across the passageway, a reflecting surface positioned at the second side, and a detector device positioned at the first side, the detector device for receiving light reflected from the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A mark sensor and methods for detecting a core mark disposed on a fiber optic cable core having a core receiving area for receiving the fiber optic cable core. The mark sensor includes emitter/receiver sensor devices that can be disposed about the core receiving area for observing a portion of the core for detecting the core mark. The mark sensor can include a sensor positioning system for moving the sensors relative to the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system is operative to move the sensors upon insertion of the cable core in the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system can include a linkage to another mark sensor for transmitting sensor motion to the other mark sensor. Alternatively, the mark sensor can include stationary sensors that sweep the core with radiation, for example, a bar code reader. Methods for using the foregoing sensors can result in the direct or offset marking of reverse oscillation of lay areas in a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An improved optical sensor for a banknote validator uses an aspherical lens having a planar wall as a combination radiation plug for a port in the pathway and a focusing arrangement. Emitters and receivers are closely positioned on a common support and generally located at the focal point of the lens. The radiation reflected by a banknote is focused and received by the receiver. The lens also serves to collimate the produced radiation of the emitters for scanning of the banknote.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning an optically readable record carrier (1) includes a radiation source (5), a radiation-sensitive detection system (7), and an optical scanning unit for focusing a scanning beam (3) produced by the radiation source to a scanning spot (9) on the record carrier. The scanning unit including a lens system having an optical axis (13), which lens system includes a first lens unit having a main lens (15) and a second lens unit having an auxiliary lens (17). The scanning device further includes a first detection unit involved in detection of the main lens with respect to the record carrier, and a second detection unit involved in detection of the auxiliary lens.

Abstract: A scanning mouse has two optical navigation sensors to allow measurement of both translation and rotation of the scanning mouse. It also has an image sensor, and the ability to digitize the sensed image data. There may be a second image sensor at perpendicular to the first. A high speed digital data path connects the scanning mouse to the computer. Software in the computer processes image line data that includes the locations of the navigation sensors and the digitized image data to produce partial scanned images that are further assembled into a complete image within the environment of the computer. Each optical navigation sensor images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus and a method which enables precise positioning of a mask and a wafer without being influenced by the deviation of the gap between the mask and wafer or the positional deviation of the irradiated light beam. A light beam irradiates on a first mark of a first object and a second mark of a second object. The relative position of the two objects is detected on the basis of a plurality of spot images of the light beam transmitting through the two marks, or being reflected upon or diffracted upon the marks. Each centroid of the plurality of spots is detected and a first alignment amount is obtained; in addition, a correction amount for the first alignment is obtained by applying the fuzzy inference method based on an additional signal, such as the positional relation of the first and second objects or the positional relation of the irradiated light beam and the first mark.

Abstract: A scanning device and method of forming a scanned electronic image include an imaging sensor and at least one navigation sensor. For an embodiment, the imaging sensor enables sensing of color images. In the preferred embodiment, the imaging sensor is a linear array of sensor elements, with a two-dimensional navigation sensor array at each end. The scanning device has three degrees of freedom, since position information from the navigation sensors allows manipulation of an image signal from the imaging sensor to reduce distortion artifacts caused by curvilinear scanning. Acceptable sources of the position information include printed matter and contrast variations dictated by variations in the inherent structure-related properties of the medium on which the scanned image is formed. Inherent structure-related properties can also include color contrast.