Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an edge correction apparatus which can execute base clip processes optimal to different noise levels depending on the level of an input signal. To this end, an apparatus has a high-frequency extraction circuit for extracting a high-frequency signal equal to or more than a predetermined frequency from an input signal, a suppression circuit for suppressing signal components equal to or less than a suppression level from the extracted high-frequency signal, a setting circuit for setting the suppression level in correspondence with the signal level of the input signal, and a high-frequency emphasis circuit for emphasizing the high-frequency signal suppressed by the suppression circuit.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an excellent image reading apparatus that realizes miniaturization and reduces a total reading time at the time of reading a transparent original and, in addition, improves operability. In order to attain this object, since the image reading apparatus has a configuration in which a light source driving circuit section is disposed to overlap in the upward direction separating from an original mounting surface of a surface light emitting section, an area occupied by the light source driving circuit section and the surface light emitting section on a horizontal surface becomes small and miniaturization can be realized. In addition, since the light source driving circuit section and the surface light emitting section can be disposed in a position close to a hinge section altogether, the center of gravity of an FAU is moved to the hinge section side, and rotatability of the hinge section becomes easy and is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the stabilization of the production capacity of an extraction plant extracting metals in a process, where the metal content of the feed solution varies. For the stabilization of capacity, the extraction cells and their piping are constructed and situated in such a way, that the extraction stages can be connected in different combinations, either in parallel or in a series. The method is especially suitable for the copper extraction process.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to eliminate the need for any analytic function and maximize the contrast of an image resulting from gray level conversion of an original image. To accomplish this, an image processing apparatus which executes image processing for a radiographical image obtained by converting, into an electrical signal, an intensity distribution of radiation that is radiated to an object and has passed through at least the object, includes a defining unit for defining a gray level conversion curve to be used for gray level conversion on the basis of the contrast of the image resulting from gray level conversion of the original radiographical image, and a gray level conversion unit for converting the gray level of the radiographical image by using the gray level conversion curve defined by the defining unit.

Abstract: The fixed light for bends for a motor vehicle comprises at least two light sources, means sensitive to the path of the vehicle for supplying a signal dependent on the nature of the road followed by the vehicle, and means for controlling successive switching on the sources according to the signal delivered and providing an effect of light sweeping towards the inside of the bend. Each light source consists of one or more modules with light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: A lens apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of keeping the engagement of a protruding portion of a first member and a cam groove portion of a second member even if an external force acts on the apparatus. The lens apparatus comprises: a first member including first and second protruding portions; and a second member including a first groove portion with which the first protruding portion engages, and a second groove portion into which the second protruding portion is inserted. The second protruding portion and the second groove portion are away from each other in a case where the first and second members are located in a specified positional relationship, and come into contact with each other in a case where the first and second members are located in another positional relationship.

Abstract: In an image scanning system which includes an image scanning apparatus for scanning an image using a solid-state image sensing element, and an image processing apparatus, the scanned image undergoes image correction. The image scanning apparatus informs the image processing apparatus of image scan characteristic data such as linearity characteristic data unique to itself. The image processing apparatus executes a correction process of an image scanned by the image scanning apparatus using the received image scan characteristic data.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system which has a plurality of optical elements, and directs light from an original to an object to be exposed; a first stage which holds the object to be exposed; a first vacuum chamber which contains the first stage; and a second vacuum chamber which is adjacent to the first vacuum chamber, contains a part of the plurality of optical elements, and communicates with the first vacuum chamber through a first opening. The pressure in the second vacuum chamber is higher than pressure in the first vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.

Abstract: An image display apparatus is disclosed, which is small and has a wide view angle. The apparatus comprises an optical system which introduces light beams from first and second image display elements to first and second observation regions. The system has a plane-symmetric structure whose plane of symmetry is a plane passing between the first and second observation regions. The system introduces the light beam from the first image display element located in a first area with respect to the plane of symmetry to the first observation region via a reflection on a surface located in a second area after a reflection on a surface located in the first area, and introduces the light beam from the second image display element to the second observation region via a reflection on a surface located in the first area after a reflection on a surface located in the second area.

Abstract: In two phases signals (A, B) outputted from a scale or a scale having a discontinuous portion provided in its incidental member to a light receiving portion, a region in which amplitudes of the two phases signals (A, B) are small corresponds to outputs when a reflecting portion lies in the scale in terms of rotation position, and a region in which amplitudes of the two phases signals (A, B) are large corresponds to outputs when a nonreflecting portion lies in the scale in terms of rotation position. An optical encoder for discriminating positions of a reflecting portion and a nonreflecting portion of a scale using a threshold value (L) to detect an absolute position based on a reason that when the signals (A, B) are arithmetically operated by an arithmetic operation processing circuit to obtain a sum of squares of the signals (A, B), change points in the amplitudes of the signals (A, B) are steeply obtained.

Abstract: To synthesize an aperture mask having unnoticeable steps with a taken fundus image. In an image processing apparatus, taken fundus image data is inputted and then analyzed. After that, an aperture mask is selected and inputted as aperture mask data, and an image size of the fundus image compared with an image size of the aperture mask. The image size of the aperture mask is adjusted to the image size of the fundus image and then the fundus image data and the aperture mask data are developed in raster format to image memories. The image size of the fundus image is adjusted to the image size of the aperture mask based on the comparison result and a coefficient for low pass filtering process is determined according to the image size of the fundus image. After that, the degree of clearness of corresponding fundus image data is calculated based on each pixel value of the aperture mask data on which the low pass filtering process has been performed and the calculation result is outputted to the image memory.

Abstract: A system and method for performing person-to-person messaging with a value added service having a short message service center (SMSC) that receives a message having an address of a terminating wireless device, such as a and a Universal Resource Location (URL); a message server that creates an enhanced message from the address and URL of the message; and a Short Message Service Gateway Mobile Switching Center (SMS GMSC) that forwards the enhanced message to the terminating wireless device. The message server includes a SMSC interface that communicates with the SMSC; an Internet interface that communicates with the Internet; a system bus that connects the SMSC interface and the Internet interface; and a processor, connected to the system bus that extracts the URL and address from the message received via the SMSC interface, retrieves internet content from the Internet located at the URL address, and creates the enhanced message having the retrieved Internet content.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is featured with excellent operability of storage at the time of non-use, as well as excellent operability of charging the battery, in addition to such advantages as thin and battery-driven, and preferably suitable for portable use. A cradle provided for this image forming apparatus functions as a placement stand when an ink jet printer, which is provided with a battery charger mounted thereon, is inserted in the direction designated appropriately at the time of non-use. When the ink jet printer having the battery charger thus mounted thereon is contained in the cradle, the contact point portion of the battery charger and the contact terminal portion of the cradle are electrically connected. Therefore, the battery incorporated in the battery charger is charged when the AC adopter cable is inserted into the CDL-DCin jack of the cradle.

Abstract: A method of making a gap between first and second objects have a predetermined value includes steps of introducing light to an entry window on the first object, detecting an intensity of light from an exit window on the first object, and positioning the second object, with respect to a direction concerning the gap, based on an intensity of light detected in the detecting step. The exit window is positioned so that light enters through the entry window of the first object, reflects off the second object, and then enters the exit window of the first object if the gap has the predetermined value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a camera system equipped with a pair of photographing systems and a drive mechanism. Each of the pair of photographing systems of the camera system is equipped with an image pickup element and a zoom lens for forming an object image on the image pickup element. The entrance pupil position of this zoom lens with respect to the image pickup element varies according to zooming. When zooming is performed, the drive mechanism moves the zoom lenses and the image pickup elements integrally in a direction opposite to a direction in which the entrance pupil positions of the zoom lenses move with respect to the image pickup elements. Further, each of the pair of photographing systems is configured to be rotatable around the entrance pupil centers of the respective zoom lenses of the photographing systems.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed which can produce refractive index distribution data with high accuracy without limiting directions in which transmitted wavefronts are measured. The image processing apparatus has a simulating section which simulates a transmitted wavefront in each of the directions to produce a second transmitted wavefront image based on first refractive index distribution data, a comparing section which produces first information indicating the result of comparison between the second transmitted wavefront image and the first transmitted wavefront image, and a changing section which changes the first refractive index distribution data based on the first information to produce second refractive index distribution data.

Abstract: The invention is to provide an optical scanning apparatus which scans light from a light source onto a surface to be scanned, comprising a light scanning optical system having at least one reflecting surface of non-rotation symmetrical shape, and guiding a deflected beam two-dimensionally deflected by a deflection optical system onto the surface to be scanned by using the one reflecting surface of non-rotation symmetrical shape, wherein a principal ray of a beam incident onto the center of an angle of view of the surface to be scanned is made inclined incident onto the surface to be scanned in the first scanning direction.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for exposing a pattern of a reticle onto an object to be exposed, via a projection optical system, utilizing exposure light, includes an optical element for determining a shape of an effective light source on a predetermined surface that substantially has a Fourier transformation relationship with the reticle, a detector for detecting the shape of the effective light source and a light intensity on the object, and a corrector for correcting a variance of performance of the projection optical system, and a controller for controlling the corrector based on a detection result of the detector.

Abstract: To obtain an original reading imaging optical system, with which a carriage integral type scanning system can be readily realized in an original reading system such as a digital copier for which high-speed performance and high resolution are required, and an image reading apparatus using the same. According to the present invention, by crossing optical paths in a reflection optical system, the more compact imaging optical system capable of coping with decentering error can be attained. Further, by crossing the optical paths on an object side from a diaphragm, the still more compact imaging optical system can be attained. As a result, the original reading imaging optical system of the carriage integral type scanning system and the image reading apparatus using the same can be provided.