Abstract: Light emitted from a light source (1) reaches a sample surface (2) via an objective lens (6). An edge (7a) of a louver (7) is located at a a position which is conjugate with a predetermined reference position across the objective lens. When the sample surface is displaced from the reference position, light reflected from the sample surface impinges upon the louver is reflected therefrom and is then detected by a photo-sensor (8). When the surface coincides with the reference position, the light does not reach the photo-sensor. Thus, a displacement of the sample surface from the reference point can be detected by monitoring output signals from the photo-sensor.

Abstract: An overlapping image area is produced on the border between adjacent image areas by processing of image data so as to eliminate a dropout due to registering mismatch. A target image area CR2, specified by an operator, is expanded by a predetermined width d to produce overlapping image areas CR4 and CR5. The color of the overlapping image area CR4 or CR5 is determined based on the color of the target area CR2 and the original color of the overlapping image area CR4 or CR5. For example, the larger value between each color component of the original color of the overlapping image area and that of the color of the target area is selected as the new color component of the overlapping image area.

Abstract: A method of forming small through-holes in a thin metal layer including the steps of forming resist films having openings formed in accordance with a predetermined pattern; etching one or both sides of the thin metal plate and stopping etching before through-holes are formed; removing the overhang of the resist film by spraying high pressure fluid onto the etched side of the thin metal plate; covering the surface by an etch-resisting layer; forming through-holes by etching the side not covered; and stripping the etch-resisting layer and the resist film.

Abstract: A process camera includes: an original holder; a lens for projecting an image of the original on an image forming plane; a frame having an opening defining the image forming plane; a focusing glass attached to the frame movable between a portion covering only a part of the opening of the frame and an open position freeing the opening for forming an image of the original of the surface thereof; a vacuum board for holding a film thereon; and a member for mounting to the frame the vacuum board rotatably around a predetermined axis of rotation between a closed position covering all of the opening and a position covering only a part of the opening. Since the area of the focusing glass is selected to be smaller than the area of the opening, the area required by the focusing glass at the open position is small. The axis of rotation of the vacuum board is provided crossing the opening, but not along sides of the opening.

Abstract: An optical system for illuminating an object, including an entrance pupil for receiving light from a light source, an exit pupil for passing the light received to an object to be illuminated, and an optical axis which extends through the optical sytem to the light source and the object respectively, wherein the entrance height of the light received in the entrance pupil is substantially proportioned to the tangent of the exit angle in the exit pupil.

Abstract: A laser exposure system for use in scanning and recording images, the system comprising subdividing the laser beam from the laser source into several parallel traces of laser beams; modulating the laser beams individually in response to the image signals by means of a multi-channel optical modulator; directing the modulated laser beams through a first mirror and a second mirror so as to enable the laser beams from the second mirror to be in parallel with the reference plane with respect to the sub-scanning direction; varying the distance between the modulator and the first mirror; and adjusting the angles of the first and second mirrors to the reference plane so that a possible decline of the laser beams in the subscanning direction is compensated.

Abstract: A color separation method for converting plural kinds of picture signals obtained by photoelectrically scanning an original color picture with a color separation optical system into reproducible picture image signals by a plurality of kinds of color inks in which the first color separation signals types of black print of which are full-black or close thereto are converted into the second color separation signals, deflection amount between the first and the second color separation signal is obtained according to which said second color separation signals are corrected into third color separation signals. A picture basing on the third color separation signals is compared with that of basing on the first color separation signals on a color monitor and according to the result of comparison the picture image basing on the third color separation signals is visually approximated or coincide with the first one by adjusting the correction amount of said color separation signals.

Abstract: A method of recording register marks by a color scanner for the respective color separation pictures, wherein the register marks are produced by positive and negative linear pictures, or alternatively, by positive linear picture having omitted portions, thereby performing the registering work in an exact and efficient manner.

Abstract: To improve the quality of border pixels located between pictorial components, between a pictorial component and a rule component or between a pictorial component and a screen tint component in an image reproduction system, each border pixel is recorded using image data contained in selected pixels that surround the border pixel being reproduced. Which ones of the surrounding pixels are selected are determined by a digital word associated with the border pixel.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a sheet-like article such as a wafer between a first horizontal passage defining a first plane and a second horizontal passage defining a second plane at a different level from said first plane comprising a carriage vertically movable between said first and second planes for transferring said sheet-like article between said first and second horizontal passages.

Abstract: A sheet inserting guide for engaging a flexible sheet material with sheet transfer device comprising a base plate, and a restriction plate spaced from the base plate to define a sheet insertion port therebetween at an end adjacent said sheet transfer device. The restriction plate defines at least an inwardly tapered side edge at the other end thereof away from said sheet transfer device, the portion of said restriction plate defining said tapered side edge preferably being bent outwardly at an angle relative to said base plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring thin sheet-like articles such as wafers is disclosed. The apparatus is provided with opposed pairs of contact elements capable of adjusting the distance between said pairs of contact elements. The thin sheet-like articles are transferred one by from a transfer passage to a treating station while they are clamped between said pairs of contact elements by a transfer mechanism movable between the transfer passage and the treating station.

Abstract: A sheet material contacting device comprising a flexible sheet-like pressing member having a sufficient weight to force a sheet material against a planar transparent plate, a pair of rigid support members fixedly holding opposed edges of said pressing member, and means for vertically moving said pressing member relative to said transparent plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotary apparatus for treating boards such as printed circuit boards at various treating stations circumferentially disposed around the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a plurality of clamps for holding the work piece, a plurality of mechanisms for elevating and lowering the clamps individually, and turning a rotary frame carrying said plurality of clamps.

Abstract: A device for supporting, in a manner capable of being displaced, an optical fiber bundle for use in transferring a light beam. The device comprises a plurality of lever means serially connected together in end-to-end relationship, with each lever means being rotatable at one end relative to the adjacent lever means. The optical fiber bundle is fixedly supported by the lever means along the length thereof, in a manner such that the optical fiber bundle can be displaced only by being twisted about its own axis without being subjected to a bending force.

Abstract: An image scanning and recording system includes a recording unit for duplicating and recording halftone images on a photosensitive material. The recording unit comprises an acousto-optic light modulating element including a plurality of ultrasonic wave exciting portions disposed side by side on a single acousto-optic medium. The ultrasonic wave exciting portions independently, modulate incident light into a plurality of modulated light beams in response to image signals from photoelectrical scanning means. A scale-down optical system then reduces the diameter of the plurality of modulated light beams, and a plurality of light transfer elements transfer the light beams from the scale-down optical system to a focussing lens system to be projected therefrom onto a film mounted on a recording cylinder.

Abstract: An image scanning and recording device includes a recording unit for duplicating and recording halftone images on a photosensitive material. The recording unit comprises a light source associated with an acousto-optic light modulating element including a plurality of ultrasonic wave exciting portions disposed in an array side by side on a single acousto-optic medium. The ultrasonic wave exciting portions each independently modulate incident light into the respective modulated light beams in response to image signals from photoelectrical scanning means. In addition means are provided for directing light from the source to the acousto-optic light modulating elements. Also provided are means for forming rows of tiny light spots corresponding to the modulated light beams on a recording material.

Abstract: A light beam distributor comprises a light transmitting block defining a pair of wedgewise opposed surfaces so that a single incident light beam is split and emitted into a plurality of light beams from one surface while it is repeatedly reflected between the pair of surfaces.

Abstract: An aperture mask for use in the recording section of an image scanning and recording system is disclosed. The aperture mask defines a pair of apertures, preferably of identical size and shape, in alignment with the optical path of a light beam for exposing a recording material, and the pair of apertures being arranged in spaced apart relation at a predetermined distance.

Abstract: In an electronic color separation system having a photomultiplier tube device in the scanning unit thereof, a diffuser plate is disposed between a light source and a photomultiplier tube in the immediate vicinity of said photomultiplier tube. The diffuser plate allows a uniform amount of light to impinge on the photomultiplier tube and prevents production of undersirable output signals.