Abstract: An image pickup system includes photodiodes with color filters. A first color filter group includes visual light color filters, and a second color filter group includes a long red color filter at 640 nm or longer or a color filter at 580 nm and one of the visual light color filters. An infrared cut filter covers all the filters. A control circuit includes a fluorescent lamp distinguishing circuit for distinguishing a fluorescent lamp from other illuminating light sources by a ratio of an output signal from the photodiode with the long red filter to an output signal from the photodiodes with the visual light color filters; and a white balance control circuit for adjusting a white balance so as to match the illuminating light source distinguished by the fluorescent lamp distinguishing circuit.

Abstract: There is provided an ink jet head including a first drive element which is provided in correspondence with each ink jet nozzle and which has a thin film resistor for ejecting ink droplets from each ink jet nozzle and a thin film conductive electrode for feeding electricity to the thin film resistor, a second drive element which is formed in a vicinity of the first drive element and which vibrates ink in each ink jet nozzle corresponding to the first drive element for changing a meniscus position and a drive signal control device which controls at least one of a drive signal given to the first drive element and a drive signal given to the second drive element so that the ink droplets can be ejected at a desired meniscus position of the ink in each ink jet nozzle. There is also provided an ink jet printer using the ink jet head. The size of ink droplets can be made uniform, whereby a high-quality image can be recorded.

Abstract: A diffusing film comprises a transparent resin in which scatterers are dispersed. The difference between the refractive index of the transparent resin and that of the scatterers is in the range of 0.04 to 1.5. The scatterers are flat particles having sizes of 0.1 to 50 ?m.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a goods-wrapping apparatus for wrapping a particular article of a plurality of articles, includes: a goods storing section operable to store the plurality of articles; a goods carrying in/out section operable to carry in the articles into the goods storing section and carry out the article from the goods storing section; a printer operable to print a printing content associated with the particular article onto a printing medium based on the particular article; and a wrapping section operable to wrap the particular article carried out from the goods carrying in/out section with the printing medium onto which the printing content associated with the particular article has been printed.

Abstract: The plastic optical component includes a main body and a transparent moisture-proof coating provided on all surfaces of the main body, the moisture-proof coating satisfying the following relation (1): (D1/d)×(L/D2)<10 ??(1) where D1 (mm2/s) is a water diffusion coefficient of a first material of which the moisture-proof coating is made, d (mm) is a thickness of the first material, D2 (mm2/s) is the water diffusion coefficient of a second material of which the main body is made, and L (mm) is an average thickness across an optical surfaces of the second material.

Abstract: A black ink for ink-jet recording, which is excellent in durability of image (including durability of image quality) and discharging property, obtained by dissolving and/or dispersing at least one black azo dye having a particular property or structure in an aqueous medium, wherein a transition metal ion content of the black ink is 0.1 mmol/l or less.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a printer that performs image printing on the sheet members supplied at preset intervals at the first transport speed and a processor that performs development processing on the printed sheet members transported at the second transport speed. The printer includes a distribution unit and a control section. The distribution unit distributes the sheet members into plural lines while transporting the sheet members at the first transport speed. The distribution unit is replaceable and has a distribution processing capacity corresponding with the sheet output amount per unit time required by the image forming apparatus. The control section controls one or both of the sheet supply intervals and the sheet distribution speed in accordance with the sheet output amount.

Abstract: A color thermal printer is provided with a cooling fan for cooling a thermal head and a fan rotational speed controller for controlling the rotation speed of the cooling fan, a head temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the thermal head and an environmental temperature sensor for measuring an environmental temperature around the thermal head. A controller predicts the head temperature in each recording position based on the printing rate (printing density) calculated from the image data, a measured temperature of the thermal head and a measured environmental temperature, and also predicts a delay time of a heat transmitting system and a measuring system based on a fluctuation of the printing rate. The controller controls an air amount of the cooling fan in each recording position based on the predicted temperature and the delay time.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge has: a case which is substantially rectangular and which rotatably accommodates a single reel on which a recording tape is wound; an opening for pulling-out of the recording tape, the opening being formed in a wall surface of the case at a side of loading into a drive device other than at a corner portion of the case; a leader block fixed to an end portion of the recording tape, and pulled-out by a pull-out member of the drive device, and able to close the opening; and a position restricting portion disposing the leader block at an inner side of the wall surface and parallel to the wall surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus, comprising: a taken image input section which inputs a taken image in which face portions of persons are recorded; a detection section which detects the face portions of persons; a face selection section which accepts selection of desired face portions from among the detected face portions; an extraction section which extracts face images, which are images of the selected face portions, from the taken image; a template image input section which inputs a template image having composite areas, which are space areas where the extracted face images are to be laid out; and a composite section which lays out the extracted face images on the composite areas of the template image and creates a composite image in which the face images laid out on the composite areas are superimposed on the template image.

Abstract: The liquid droplet ejection apparatus comprises: a liquid droplet ejection head which includes a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with a plurality of nozzles through which droplets of liquid is ejected toward a recording medium; a plurality of resistance elements which determine pressure inside the pressure chambers, the resistance elements presenting in a number of equal to or less than a number of nozzles; and a determination circuit in which a bridge circuit is configured with a group of four of the resistance elements and determines a state of droplet ejection of each of the nozzles.

Abstract: The liquid ejection head comprises: ejection elements which include a plurality of ejection holes through which liquid is ejected, a plurality of pressure chambers in communication with the plurality of ejection holes, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements each of which deforms each of the pressure chambers and is provided on a side of the plurality of pressure chambers opposite from a side on which the ejection holes are formed; a common liquid chamber which supplies the liquid to the plurality of pressure chambers and is provided on a side of the pressure chambers opposite from the side on which the ejection holes are formed; a plurality of wiring members each of which is formed in such a manner that at least a portion of the wiring member rises upward from each of the piezoelectric elements or a vicinity of each of the piezoelectric elements through the common liquid chamber in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface on which the piezoelectric elements are disposed, each of the wiring memb

Abstract: A cartridge is set in a printer main unit, and has a remaining toner measurer which measures toner in a toner chamber upon setting of the cartridge. A cartridge memory stores information of a remaining toner amount measured previously. CPU compares the remaining toner amount measured newly with the remaining toner amount measured previously and read from the cartridge memory. If there is an increase in the toner, the cartridge is determined as improper cartridge reloaded with the toner. An alarm signal is generated. Also, printing is inhibited. In another preferred embodiment, shortage information is assigned to the cartridge upon using up the toner. The cartridge, if it has the shortage information, is determined as improper. If a characteristic of the toner is not within a reference range, the cartridge is determined improper. In another preferred embodiment, an upper limit of the number of times of toner reloading is predetermined.

Abstract: An image processing condition determining apparatus has an image obtaining section for obtaining an initial image, an image processing section for applying image processing to the initial image in accordance with the reference image processing condition and applying image processing to the initial image in accordance with the variation image processing conditions, so that a string of images is created on each of at least three sorts of adjustment parameters, a display section for displaying the image assembly created by said image creating section, and a reference image set up section for setting up one of a plurality of images constituting a plurality of image assemblies displayed on said display section in form of a new reference image according to operation. The image processing section repeats creating of a new string of images, taking as a reference a new reference image processing condition associated with a new reference image.

Abstract: A sensor utilizing an evanescent wave and comprising a light source for emitting a light beam and a measuring chip formed into the shape of a well. The measuring chip has a dielectric block and a thin film layer formed on one surface of the dielectric block. The sensor also includes an optical system for making the light beam enter the dielectric block at angles of incidence so that a total internal reflection condition is satisfied at an interface between the dielectric block and the thin film layer. The sensor further includes a sample supply-discharge unit which is detachably installed within the measuring chip. The sample supply-discharge unit is used for continuously supplying the sample onto the surface of the thin film layer and continuously discharging the supplied sample from the surface of the thin film layer.

Abstract: Image conversion to one-half of a number of pixels is carried out repeatedly to allow formation of an intermediate image having pixels of a number close to a set number of pixels. The intermediate image is further subjected to image conversion to thereby obtain image data of the set number of pixels.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink for ink jet recording, in which the formation of a high-quality image is possible, image keeping quality is excellent, the ink is not dried at an ink jet head, and ejection stability is high, wherein the ink for ink jet recording comprises: at least one dye having a specific structure, in which the at least one dye is dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium; and a betaine surfactant, wherein, when the ink has been shaken 30 times or more for 10 seconds and allowed to stand for 3 minutes, a bubble height in the ink is 30 mm or less.

Abstract: A light-emitting device including an anode, one or more organic compound layers containing at least a light-emitting layer, and a transparent cathode on a flexible support substrate having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 20 ppm/° C. or less, water permeability of 0.01 g/m2·day or less, and oxygen permeability of 0.01 cc/m2·day·atm or less. The flexible support substrate is constituted by a metal foil provided with an insulating layer on one or both surfaces thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photothermographic material, comprising a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic solvent salt, a reducing agent for a silver ion, and a binder on one face of a support, for being applied by using an organic solvent, the photothermographic material further comprising at least one compound selected from the group of compounds consisting of: a compound represented by the following general formula (1), a compound having a ?-lactam ring, a compound having a group that is adsorptive to a silver halide and a group that reduces a silver halide and a precursor thereof:

Abstract: A microcapsule in which a capsule wall of the microcapsule comprises a first polymer component. A surface of the capsule wall is modified with a second polymer component that is formed from a monomer having an ethylenic unsaturated bond.