Abstract: An optical proximity detector includes a plurality photodetectors (PDs) and a winner-take-all (WTA) circuit. Each of the PDs has a respective field of view (FOV) and produces a respective analog current detection signal indicative of light incident on and detected by the PD. In an embodiment, the WTA circuit includes a comparator and a multiplexor (MUX). The comparator compares the analog current detection signals produced by the PDs and produces a selection signal in dependence thereon. The MUX receives the analog current detection signals produced by the PDs and outputs one of the analog current detection signals in dependence on the selection signal produced by the comparator. Circuitry, which is shared by the PDs, produces a digital detection signal corresponding to the one of the analog current detection signals output by the MUX. Such design can be used to reduce power consumption, size and cost of an optical proximity detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatuses for test pattern selection for computational lithography model calibration. According to some aspects, the pattern selection algorithms of the present invention can be applied to any existing pool of candidate test patterns. According to some aspects, the present invention automatically selects those test patterns that are most effective in determining the optimal model parameter values from an existing pool of candidate test patterns, as opposed to designing optimal patterns. According to additional aspects, the selected set of test patterns according to the invention is able to excite all the known physics and chemistry in the model formulation, making sure that the wafer data for the test patterns can drive the model calibration to the optimal parameter values that realize the upper bound of prediction accuracy imposed by the model formulation.

Abstract: Provided is an image evaluation device including an acquisition unit that acquires an image including plural patterns having different spatial frequencies and contrasts, and an output unit that compares each of plural patterns included in the image acquired by the acquisition unit with each of plural ideal patterns corresponding to the plural patterns, calculates similarities therebetween, and outputs an evaluation value for evaluating performance regarding a resolution of the image based on a sum of the calculated similarities of the plural patterns.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object detection device has an image capturing unit, a first object detection unit, a light source detection unit, a second object detection unit, a degree-of-clouding calculation unit and a controller. The image capturing unit captures images rearward of a vehicle. The first object detection unit detects a presence of a three-dimensional object from the captured images. The second object detection unit detects a presence of a three-dimensional object from a detection result of the light source detection unit. The degree-of-clouding calculation unit calculates a degree of lens clouding from the captured images. The controller assess the object as an adjacent vehicle in an adjacent lane from the degree of lens clouding when the degree of lens clouding is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and from the presence of the object in the captured images when the degree of lens clouding is less than the value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detection portion that detects an earthquake, a plurality of job execution portions that each execute a job, an output portion that outputs information, and a control portion that, upon the detection portion detecting the occurrence of an earthquake, switches a mode of the image forming apparatus to an emergency mode, after a lapse of a prescribed wait time since the switching to the emergency mode, executes a self-diagnosis process for checking whether or not the job execution portions operate properly, and based on a result thereof, makes an output portion output information indicating an executable job and a non-executable job.

Abstract: A label inspection system fixture (1) has a scanner and housing (10) for performing full inline or offline inspection within a printer (20). The fixture (1) comprises a control circuit (5) with a processor within a curved guide plate (6). The scanner (10) communicates with the circuit (5), which in turn communicates with a host computer (VPU). The VPU identifies regions in a scanned label and applies to each region an inspection tool associated with that region. At least some of said tools include a stored training image and associated test data defining said regions and inspection criteria for the regions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, during an authentication process between a network device and an access terminal, an authentication message for access to the network is received. The network device is configured to allow access to an IP network. The network device determines one or more capabilities of the access terminal from the authentication message. An action is then performed based on the one or more capabilities of the access terminal. The action may include using the capabilities to set up a session with the access terminal. Also, the network device may send its own capabilities to the access terminal in an authentication response. Accordingly, a capability negotiation between the access terminal and network device may be provided during an authentication process. This may facilitate a faster session setup as capabilities are exchanged during authentication can be used in the configuration of the session.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes: a plurality of light receiving elements that are arranged in a main-scanning direction, are arranged in a sub-scanning direction according to colors of light to be received, and accumulates electric charge due to light exposure; and a plurality of AD conversion units that convert analog signals that indicate quantities of electric charge accumulated in the light receiving elements into digital signals are provide for each of groups each consisting of a predetermined number of pixels corresponding to the light receiving elements arranged in the sub-scanning direction. The AD conversion units convert the analog signals into the digital signals in an order in which the light receiving elements in the group are exposed to light. The light receiving elements constitute a correction unit that performs correction so as to reduce a difference relating to the timings in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An equalizer provided in a digital transmitter compensates for attenuation in a signal channel to a digital receiver. The equalizer generates signal levels as a logical function of bit history to emphasize transition signal levels relative to repeated signal levels. The preferred equalizer includes an FIR transition filter using a look-up table. Parallel circuits including FIR filters and digital-to-analog converters provide a high speed equalizer with lower speed circuitry. The equalizer is particularly suited to in-cabinet and local area network transmissions where feedback circuitry facilitates adaptive training of the equalizer.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus which allows a user to specify an original size and orientation and reads the specified area, the orientation of a placed original and the specified original orientation are often different. If a wrong original orientation is specified, the original is cut halfway, and a scanning result intended by the user cannot be obtained. In an embodiment of this invention, therefore, the user is allowed to specify only an original size, and an area necessary for orientation determination is read from the specified original size. After that, the original orientation is detected from the area, and the image is cut out and output.

Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a locking mechanism comprising an elongated slot to receive a pin. The apparatus can also comprise an encoder strip adhered to the locking mechanism. The apparatus can further comprise a tension spring coupled to the locking mechanism. The tension spring can provide a force in a given direction to pull the locking mechanism in the given direction.

Abstract: Provided is a document reading device capable of performing shading correction and making it difficult for foreign matters to enter inside the device. A document reading device includes a reading unit, a glass unit, and a closing member. The reading unit has a light source and reads a document. The glass unit has a glass plate that transmits light emitted from the light source and a reference member serving as a reference for shading correction of a reading optical system. The glass unit is disposed with a space provided with respect to the reading unit and slid between a first position where the light emitted from the light source transmits the glass plate and a second position where the light emitted from the light source reaches the reference member with the space being maintained.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: a moving body that moves to convey at least any of a light source that irradiates a document, a reflecting member that reflects reflected light from the document, and a photoelectric conversion element that performs photoelectric conversion on the reflected light; a driving unit that drives the moving body such that the moving body moves from a stop position to a target stop position in a sub-scanning direction; a detecting unit that is arranged at a position away from the target stop position in the sub-scanning direction, and detects arrival of the moving body; and a control unit that controls the driving unit such that the driving unit is switched from a state of being driven in a synchronizing operation region to a state of being driven in a self-starting region before the detecting unit detects arrival of the moving body.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus obtains a correction parameter for correcting the positional shift between a previously read image and a master image, and corrects one of a currently read image or a master image using the correction parameter for the previously read image, before comparing between the currently read image and the master image to detect the positional shift in the currently read image.

Abstract: A method for aligning plurality of imaging systems for capturing images of a receiver medium. An illumination system is used to illuminate the receiver medium with an illumination pattern. First and second imaging systems are used to capture images of the receiver medium, each including at least a portion of the illumination pattern. The first and second images are analyzed to determine a relative position of the illumination pattern in the first and second images. Imaging system alignment parameters for use in aligning images captured with the first and second imaging systems are determined responsive to the determined relative position.

Abstract: For a mobile terminal and a method for controlling charging thereof, when the remaining power amount of a power supply, including first and second power sources, is less than a minimum power consumption amount required for a call, power is charged using the second power source. The remaining power amount resulting from the charging is compared with a power consumption amount corresponding to a callable time, and information that is associated with the callable time corresponding to a result of the comparison is outputted.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products for processing digital images captured by a mobile device are disclosed. Myriad features enable and/or facilitate processing of such digital images using a mobile device that would otherwise be technically impossible or impractical, and furthermore address unique challenges presented by images captured using a camera rather than a traditional flat-bed scanner, paper-feed scanner or multifunction peripheral.

Abstract: A method and system comprising image processing techniques is provided that utilize spatio-spectral information relevant to an image, derived from multiple sets of selectively varied representations of the image to accurately and correctly identify illumination and material aspects of the image. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a scale-spaced pyramid arrangement is provided to preserve the purity of color from scale to scale, to insure accuracy in the identification of illumination and material aspects of the image.

Abstract: A system includes a camera and a projector for capturing spatial detail having resolution exceeding that afforded by the imaging optics, and recovering topographic information lost to the projective nature of imaging. The projector projects a spatial pattern onto the scene to be captured. The spatial patterns may include any pattern or combination of patterns that result in complex sinusoidal modulation. Spatial detail such as texture on the objects in the scene modulate the amplitude of the spatial pattern, and produce Moiré fringes that shifts previously unresolved spatial frequencies into the camera's optical passband. The images may be demodulated, and the demodulated components may be combined with the un-modulated components. The resulting image has spatial detail previously inaccessible to the camera owing to the band-limited nature of the camera optics. A spatial pattern may also be projected and received by the camera to estimate topographic information about the scene.

Abstract: A communication device includes a controller configured to control the communication device to determine whether to permit measurement of a transmission channel bandwidth which is a usable bandwidth in a transmission channel to and from another communication device via a network, based on whether the other communication device satisfies a specified condition, in response to receiving an establishment request that requests establishment of a session from the other communication device, measure the transmission channel bandwidth to and from the other communication device, in response to determining that the measurement of the transmission channel bandwidth is permitted, and communicate with the other communication device using the measured transmission channel bandwidth, in response to measuring the transmission channel bandwidth and receiving a permit command that is a command to permit the establishment of the session with the other communication device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus acquires a photographed image of an object on which a plurality of indicators have been arranged, recognizes an indicator in the photographed image, detects a position of the indicator, judges a timing at which a state of the object is changed to a predetermined state based on a change in the detected position of the indicator with respect to respective sequentially acquired images, and judges a state of the photographed image based on detected positions of the plurality of indicators with respect to a photographed image acquired at the judged timing at which the state of the object is changed to the predetermined state.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a blower that directs heated air flow towards a layer of a hydrophilic composition on an image receiving surface. A controller regulates the operation of the blower with reference to image data of ink drops on an image receiving member to control a dryness level of the hydrophilic composition layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain first image data obtained by reading, performed by a reading unit, a chart on which an image has not been formed by an image forming unit and second image data obtained by reading, performed by the reading unit, a chart formed by the image forming unit, and an estimation unit configured to change the second image data using the first image data and estimate a cause of an abnormality that has occurred in the image forming unit from a feature amount obtained by analyzing the changed image data.

Abstract: Techniques for correcting the color uniformity of a laser printer of a digital press or other device are provided. A process for correcting the color uniformity of a laser printer may include scanning a test page by an inline scanner of a digital press, determining scanner signal data from the test page, determining a scanner polynomial fitted to the scanner signal data, and determining a non-uniform coverage polynomial from the scanner polynomial. Additionally, techniques for verifying the linearity of a scanner are also provided.

Abstract: The present specification discloses systems and methods for enabling users to troubleshoot multifunction devices using handheld devices, such as mobile phones. In one embodiment, software executing on the handheld device receives data indicative of an error state in a multifunction device, causes the handheld device to obtain and display an image representative of an area of the multifunction device which would need to be serviced to address the error state, determines instructions for addressing the error state, and causes the handheld device to display the instructions in relation to the image representative of an area of the multifunction device.

Abstract: A method of performing handshaking between fax machines on the basis of T.30 protocol includes transmitting information on a first data rate selected to transmit a fax document to a receiving-side fax machine, transmitting a plurality of frames including bit strings predefined to test data transmission/reception at the first data rate prior to transmitting the fax document to the receiving-side fax machine, and receiving a message informing success or failure of the test. The transmitting of the frames includes determining a time duration of the transmitting the frames based on at least one of a TCF flag value and the first data rate.

Abstract: In a case where a parameter received from an application is a first parameter, an information processing apparatus receives data included in the parameter as string type data, converts the received data into binary data, and transmits the converted data to a printing apparatus. In a case where the received parameter is a second parameter, the information processing apparatus transmits data corresponding to the second parameter to the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A position adjustment apparatus couples an imaging unit, which includes an imaging sensor and a focusing lens unit, to a base frame and is capable of adjusting a position of the imaging unit. The image sensor reads a document image and the focusing lens unit forms the document image by using the image sensor. The position adjustment apparatus may include an adjustment frame on which the focusing lens unit and the image sensor are installed, a height fixing member for coupling the adjustment frame to the base frame so as to fix a height of the adjustment frame at a fixed support position, and first and second adjustment members for coupling the adjustment frame to the base frame so as to adjust the height of the adjustment frame at first and second adjustable support positions. An image reading apparatus may include the imaging unit and the position adjustment apparatus.

Abstract: Device, system, and method of monitoring fax relay. An apparatus for measuring Quality of Service (QoS) of Fax over Internet Protocol (FoIP) calls includes: a FoIP packet monitoring module to monitor in real-time Internet Protocol (IP) network streams exchanged between a FoIP emitter device and a FoIP receiver device; a FoIP equipment evaluator to evaluate real-time performance of at least one of: the FoIP emitter device, and the FoIP receiver device; and a FoIP call QoS evaluator to evaluate in real time a FoIP call QoS quality of a FoIP communication between said FoIP emitter device and said FoIP receiver device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of performing gradation correction without causing a user to perform a troublesome operation. The image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads an original. A chart is formed on a recording material, and the recording material having the chart formed thereon is conveyed to the image reading unit via a shared conveying path used for both of reading the original and forming an image on the recording material. The conveyed recording material is read by the image reading unit, and gradation correction is performed based on the chart read by the image reading unit.

Abstract: A device for calibrating scanned image includes a scanning unit arranged in a paper transmitting path for capturing texts and images on a document and transferring into electrical signals, a set of transmitting device which includes at least a first transmitting roller arranged upstream to the scanning unit, and a second transmitting roller arranged downstream to the scanning unit. There is no other transmitting roller arranged between the first and the second transmitting rollers, the distance between the first and the second transmitting rollers is shorter than the length of the document, and the second transmitting roller is faster than the first transmitting roller. A paper sensor is arranged in the paper transmitting path for detecting the position and the velocity of the document, and a control unit is connected with the paper sensor and the scanning unit to adjust the scan frequency in response to the position and the velocity of the document.

Abstract: A device for calibrating scanned image includes a scanning unit arranged in a paper transmitting path for capturing texts and images on a document and transferring into electrical signals, a set of transmitting device which includes at least a first transmitting roller arranged upstream to the scanning unit, and a second transmitting roller arranged downstream to the scanning unit. There is no other transmitting roller arranged between the first and the second transmitting rollers, the distance between the first and the second transmitting rollers is shorter than the length of the document, and the second transmitting roller is faster than the first transmitting roller. A paper sensor is arranged in the paper transmitting path for detecting the position and the velocity of the document, and a control unit is connected with the paper sensor and the scanning unit to adjust the scan frequency in response to the position and the velocity of the document.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes: a first communication device, which has a first controller coupled to a first interface; and a second communication device, which has a second controller coupled to a second interface, wherein at least one of the first controller and the second controller is configured to perform operations comprising: transmitting data from the first communication device to the second communication device; determining whether the wireless communication connection is terminated during the data transmission; suspending the data transmission if it is determined that the wireless communication connection is terminated; determining whether another wireless communication connection is established after suspending the data transmission; and transmitting a part of the data to the second communication device via the another wireless communication if the another wireless communication connection is established, wherein the part of the data includes at least remaining data that was not received

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a first interface configured to connect to a telephone line; a second interface configured to connect to a network, and a controller. The controller is configured to execute: a detection processing in which the controller detects reception of a signal indicating transmission of facsimile data, and an upload processing in which the controller transmits facsimile data, which is received from a transmission source apparatus to an upload destination server, which is an upload destination apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention acquires a photographed image of an object on which indicators have been arranged, detects the indicators from the photographed image with use of a comparison reference image for pattern matching prepared in advance, and instructs to perform predetermined processing based on the detected indicators. The indicators each have a pattern where influence of geometrical image distortion generated corresponding to a photographing distance or a photographing angle with respect to the object is restrained by a central portion of the photographed image, and the comparison reference image is a partial image corresponding to a central portion of the indicator. The indicators are detected from the photographed image by comparing the comparison reference image with the acquired photographed image.

Abstract: A carriage motor which is a heat generating device is arranged next to a CIS in a scanner unit. The carriage motor drives respective transport rollers of an ADF unit via a gear system as well. The scanner unit makes a white reference board be read so as to obtain white reference data, and obtains black reference data more frequently than the white reference data, e.g., in a continuous process for reading a document. As a CIS module continues a reading process, the black reference data changes as being affected by a change in temperature in the CIS module, etc. The scanner unit deals with such a change in the black reference data by obtaining the black reference data more frequently.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image processing section to process gradation characteristic of the image data based on a tone curve, an image forming section to form an image based on the image data processed by the image processing section; and a control section to control processing in the image processing section. The control section has a function to adjust characteristic of output density relative to input density of image data as the gradation characteristic as a tone curve via a setting screen, saves operational situations at the time of adjustment of the tone curve on the setting screen as a history, and, when the history is designated, reproduces a state at the time of the past adjustment for the tone curve on the setting screen by using the saved operational situations.

Abstract: An evaluation chart has test patterns, a first code mark, and a second code mark. The evaluation chart is electronically read at one time to obtain first code information that specifies measuring conditions for the evaluation chart and second code information that specifies image forming conditions for the evaluation chart. Quantized information of the test patterns that is measured under the measuring conditions is associated with the image forming conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for processing value documents. A value document is input to the input opening of an apparatus for value-document processing and transported using a transport system of the apparatus to an image sensor which senses a partial image of the value document. A contour of the front partial area is ascertained from the sensed partial image and checked. If the check of the contour of the front partial area yields a fault, the value document is rejected. Faulty or faultily transported value documents can thus be recognized and transported back to the input opening at a very early time.

Abstract: A position detector, includes: a scale having first and second patterns having respective first and second period; a detector array including elements each detecting energy intensities based on the patterns; a generator configured to generate first and second signals having phases different from each other obtained based on the patterns respectively; and a deriver deriving a position of the array relative to the scale based on the signals, wherein the scale is movable relative to the array; the deriver derives a reference position as a detection element array position relative to the scale based on the signals, performs a first process to derive a array position relative to the scale by a array displacement relative to the reference position is derived based on the first signals, and performs a second process in which a relative array position is derived based on the position derived by the first process.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a document reading unit configured to guide light emitted from a light source to a photoelectric conversion unit to read an image on the document; a driving unit configured to drive the document reading unit so that the document reading unit reciprocates along the document; a reading position obtaining unit configured to obtain a home position at which the document reading unit is in a stopped state when starting a read operation; a dark time data obtaining unit configured to obtain dark time output data of the photoelectric conversion unit while the light source is turned off; and a read control unit configured to perform control for causing the driving unit to return the document reading unit to the home position and entering a document read operation to read a document image after the dark time data obtaining unit obtains the dark time output data.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a white reference member, reading device, and processor. The reading device includes lenses and light-receiving elements. The light-receiving elements output a plurality of pixel values based on a light reflected from the white reference member. Each lens corresponds to at least two light-receiving elements. Each light-receiving element is configured to receive a light reflected from the white reference member and passing through the corresponding lens and to output one pixel value. The processor acquires the pixel values by using the reading device, sets a target pixel, and determines that the target pixel is an abnormal pixel when an absolute value of difference between a pixel value of the target pixel and a pixel value of a first pixel is greater than a prescribed threshold. The first pixel is separated from the target pixel by an integer multiple of the predetermined lens-to-lens distance.

Abstract: When a differential page image is created by comparing a target inspection page image and an inspection page image, differential page image attribute information which is an inspection result is created by acquiring attribute information of an image region of the target inspection page image and an image region of the inspection page image corresponding to the differential page image, from target inspection page image data and inspection page image data.

Abstract: In a method for scanning a book including a plurality of pages, a property of the plurality of pages is measured between a plurality of points on the top of the book and a plurality of points on the bottom of the book to generate a plurality of data values. The plurality of data values are grouped into a plurality of levels corresponding to the plurality of pages. A determination is made for each of the plurality of the points at each of the plurality of levels whether ink is present. Pixel data is generated, indicative of one of the presence or absence of ink at each of the plurality of points for each of the plurality of levels. An image is generated using the pixel data for each of the plurality of levels.

Abstract: A method to generate a histogram matched image in which a portion of a first reference image is partitioned into a plurality of regions. Histogram matching is performed separately on the plurality of regions of the first reference image and corresponding regions in a second image to generate a plurality of first histogram matched reference images. Histogram matching is also performed on the portion of the first reference image and a corresponding portion in the second image to generate a second histogram matched reference image. An area from one of at least a first histogram matched reference image and the second histogram matched reference image is selected to generate a finalized histogram matched reference image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, a temperature sensor, a storage unit, a drive-frequency initial setting unit, a power measuring unit, and a drive-frequency adjusting unit. The fixing unit is configured to perform induction heating using a coil unit. The drive-frequency initial setting unit is configured to establish an initial-setting value for a drive frequency of the coil unit based on the temperature-frequency relationship information stored in the storage unit and on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor immediately before a power activation of the fixing unit. The power measuring unit is configured to measure power consumption of the fixing unit at the drive frequency established by the drive-frequency initial setting unit. The drive-frequency adjusting unit is configured to adjust the drive frequency of the coil unit based on the power consumption measured by the power measuring unit.

Abstract: A imaging scanner identifies first and second locations in a first and second captured image of a document, analyzes each character in the identified locations, and produces a first and second string, each including a character and a confidence value. The device determines that a first measurement of the confidence values in each of the first and second string is beyond a range of a first threshold. The device compares the confidence value for each character in the first string with a corresponding confidence value in the second string, selects a character from one of the first or second string with a higher confidence value; and produces a combined string including the selected characters and the confidence value associated with each selected character.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a white reference member, reading device, and processor. The reading device includes lenses and light-receiving elements. The light-receiving elements output a plurality of pixel values based on a light reflected from the white reference member. Each lens corresponds to at least two light-receiving elements. Each light-receiving element is configured to receive a light reflected from the white reference member and passing through the corresponding lens and to output one pixel value. The processor acquires the pixel values by using the reading device, sets a target pixel, and determines that the target pixel is an abnormal pixel when an absolute value of difference between a pixel value of the target pixel and a pixel value of a first pixel is greater than a prescribed threshold. The first pixel is separated from the target pixel by an integer multiple of the predetermined lens-to-lens distance.

Abstract: A power control apparatus uses a job history stored in a second storage unit to update, at a predetermined time interval, a power-off sequence table defining a sequence in which power supply is to be stopped for devices when a smart power meter has requested power supply reduction, inquires the smart power meter regarding the amount of power to be reduced when a power reduction request has been received therefrom, and stops power supply to devices in accordance with the reduction power amount, the device power consumption amounts, and the power-off sequence table.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an automatic document feeder to feed an original document downstream, a frame, an image reader to read the original document fed by the automatic document feeder, and an image reader mounting unit to hold the image reader thereon. The frame pivotally supports the image reader mounting unit. A parallelism adjusting unit is provided to adjust parallelism of the image reader mounting unit. The parallelism adjusting unit is disposed on a side opposite a pivoting center for the image reader mounting unit at a prescribed interval therefrom. The pivoting center is located near a reading reference point in the image reader, at which the image reader starts reading the original document in main and sub-scanning directions.