Abstract: A system operating on a network for learning a language includes a memory for storing a scenario having tasks to be carried out in the language. A connection manager accepts a plurality of connections from one or more user systems. A virtual reality subsystem represents the scenario in a physical setting. A communication subsystem provides at least one channel over which users communicate text when carrying out the tasks in the language. Linguistic tools receive and disambiguate an identified term in specified text. A search subsystem retrieves information related to the specified text. The set of linguistic tools disambiguate the identified term in the information retrieved by the search subsystem to identify example uses having a meaning similar to the identified term in the specified text to aid the users of the user systems to comprehend the text communicated in the language over the at least one channel.

Abstract: A paper sheet finishing system includes a sheet guiding mechanism having nip rollers to transport a sheet forward, at least one diverter gate through which the sheet passes when the at least one diverter gate is open, and a temporary compiler to support the sheet after the sheet passes the at least one diverter gate, a diverter member to travel in conjunction with the at least one diverter gate, and at least one rear suppressor member connected to the diverter member to push a trailing edge of the sheet forward and pitch a leading edge of the sheet downward after the sheet controllably descends past the temporary compiler with reduced flutter and improved positioning during compilation of the sheets.

Abstract: A method for selecting CMY coordinates for printing a desired source color represented in an source color-space includes the step of obtaining coordinates for the printer gamut in the source color-space and then dividing the printer gamut into a plurality of tetrahedra, one of which contains the desired source color. This particular tetrahedron, referred to as the source-bearing tetrahedron, is identified and transformed into a target-bearing tetrahedron in the CMY color space. The target-bearing tetrahedron contains the CMY coordinates of the desired color. The specific color within the target-bearing tetrahedron is identified by obtaining barycentric coordinates for the source color relative to the source-bearing tetrahedron and identifying that color in the target-bearing tetrahedron that has the same barycenric coordinates. The CMY coordinates for that color can then be provided to a printer to print the desired source color.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image recording material as well as a protective film and an image display material using the same, the image recording material comprising at least: a transparent substrate; an image-receiving layer for forming an image by an electrophotographic system and disposed on one side of the substrate; and a function controlling means disposed on the other side of the substrate; wherein the image-receiving layer include a polyester resin which comprises a structural unit represented by the structural formula (I) and which has a number average molecular weight of 12,000 to 45,000: wherein n and m represent integers such that a molar ratio n/m is from 1 to 9.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element comprising a substrate and a light sensor disposed on a surface of the substrate and receiving high speed optical pulse signals and converting them into high frequency waves in which the light sensor comprises at least carbon nano-tubes, as well as a photoelectric conversion device having the element, for directly converting high speed optical pulses signals in a communication band into signals of high frequency waves or electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Methods of operating a robot comprised of a plurality of modules during reconfiguration, rearrangement to provide a support structure and internal manipulation, each module made of a cubic shape with six faces, each face including an arm for expansion and contraction with another module.

Abstract: A paper sheet gate actuation and guide system for a paper finishing device includes a guide rail, a drive system, a paper gate unit and a sliding cam unit. The guide rail is disposed along a side of the paper finishing device. The drive system includes a torque supplier to controllably supply torque, a timing belt connected to the torque supplier, and a plurality of pulleys to move laterally along the guide rail when the torque supplier supplies torque. The paper gate unit includes a gate arm to enable a paper sheet to pass through when the gate arm is opened, and a lift foot to open the gate arm when the lift foot is raised. The sliding cam unit includes a shoe to slide along the guide rail, a gate cam to raise the lift foot when engaged against the lift foot, a paddle to push a trailing edge of the paper sheet forward as the paper gate unit moves forward along the guide rail, and a fastener to attach the sliding cam unit to the timing belt.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing method and a apparatus of converting a color input image or a partial region thereof in accordance with a color gamut of a color image output apparatus is provided. The method and apparatus is characterized in that only the region requiring color gamut compression can be put to color gamut compression depending on the distribution of an input image, that the direction of the color gamut compression can be controlled continuously for each of the regions; the amount of the color gamut compression can be controlled continuously including clipping, that when color gamut compression is conducted by a color converter of a multi-dimensional DLUT interpolating calculation type, an excessively unnecessary color gamut compression can be avoided particularly upon clipping, and that there is enabled correction for visual bending in iso-hue lines caused by distortion of a color space in each of the regions of the color space.

Abstract: A non-linear control (NLC) system for controlling performance of a device. The NLC system comprises a controller system and a first feedback compensator connected to the controller. The first feedback compensator compensates for linear error performance of the device; the second feedback compensator compensates for non-linear error performance of the device.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer includes a three dimensional ink stick body that has a lateral center of gravity, a substantially horizontal perimeter, and opposed end surfaces. An ink stick guide element is formed in the bottom of the ink stick body, and the ink stick is adapted to travel through the feed channel along a feed channel guide rail. A portion of the ink stick perimeter forms a visually recognizable symbol, and a portion of the ink stick perimeter that is transverse to the feed direction of the channel has an insertion key element. Nesting elements are formed in the leading and trailing end surfaces of the ink stick body to nest with one another when ink sticks abut in the feed channel.

Abstract: A p-n tunnel junction between a p-type semiconductor layer and a n-type semiconductor layer provides current injection for an edge-emitting nitride based semiconductor laser structure. The amount of p-type material in the nitride based semiconductor laser structure can be minimized, with attendant advantages in electrical, thermal, and optical performance, and in fabrication.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus for heating and permanently fusing toner powder images onto an image carrying sheet. The fusing apparatus includes a pressure roller; a closed loop magnetic flux carrying member positioned adjacent the pressure roller and including a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side is located between the pressure roller and the second side. The fusing apparatus also includes an electrically conductive wire wound about the second side forming a primary transformer coil having N1 number of turns. The primary transformer coil is connectable to an AC power supply source for inductively transferring AC electric energy to the first side. Importantly, the fusing apparatus includes a rotatable fuser roller forming a fusing nip with the pressure roller. The rotatable fuser roller has an electrically conductive layer and a rigid non-conductive core in the form of a ceramic tube underlying the conductive layer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for cleanly cutting off filling of a container with toner without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus for the method includes (a) a conduit member having a discharging end; (b) a conveyor device for moving the toner from the hopper towards the container; and (c) a nozzle device including a positive and negative air pressure applying device, and a nozzle member for directing the toner to the container. The nozzle member has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member and a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container. The nozzle member includes a post-cutoff controllable vibrator assembly connected to a controller for selectively enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.

Abstract: Workflow techniques for coordinating organizational processes by providing flexible representations of work using generalized process structure grammars (GPSG). The techniques take into account that, in reality, work evolves both horizontally, in the co-operation of causally unrelated, but information-sharing tasks, and vertically, in the co-ordination of causally-dependent activities. Process modeling involves (1) viewing documents and tasks as duals of each other, capturing horizontal co-operation; and (2) exploiting constraints to express the soft dependencies among related activities and documents within the framework of generative rule-based grammars for processes, thus handling vertical co-ordination. This alleviates or avoids rigidity arising in conventional workflow solutions in part from viewing work processes as unfolding along a single line of temporally chained activities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spectrally-encoding plural source images and for providing the spectrally-encoded plural source images in a composite image, for rendering the composite image in a physical form, or for recovering at least one of the encoded source images from the rendered composite image such that the recovered source image is made distinguishable. For example, when the rendered composite image is subjected to illumination by one of the narrow band illuminants for which a source image was encoded, the source image becomes visually detectable by an observer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spectrally-encoding plural source images and for providing the spectrally-encoded plural source images in a composite image, for rendering the composite image on a substrate, or for recovering at least one of the encoded source images from the rendered composite image such that the recovered source image is made distinguishable. At least one of the source images includes image content in the form of a textured image. When the rendered composite image is subjected to illumination by one of the narrow band illuminants for which a source image was encoded, the textured image in the recovered source image becomes visually detectable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spectrally-encoding plural source images and for providing the spectrally-encoded plural source images in a composite image, for rendering the composite image in a physical form, or for recovering at least one of the encoded source images from the rendered composite image such that the recovered source image is made distinguishable. The composite image is generated using an image-dependent dynamic range determination so as to provide a maximum usable contrast in a recovered source image.

Abstract: A method for creating a metadata field in a template, which includes receiving a template selection, receiving a selection of a new metadata field, receiving properties of a metadata field to be added to the template, storing the properties of the metadata field, and downloading the metadata field to a scanning device in response to a signal from the scanning device.

Abstract: An optical transmission device improved in optical coupling loss between light guides and optical elements and excelling in efficiency of light utilization is to be provided. The optical transmission device is provided with light guides having light incidence/emission sections on plural stepped portions, a substrate which fixes the light guides, and light receiving elements and light emitting elements arranged on the substrate to match the light incidence/emission sections of the light guides. The light receiving elements and the light emitting elements are arranged on the substrate by use of optical connectors. Coefficients of linear expansion and the rates of dimensional variation due to water absorption (or water absorption rates) of the light guides and the substrate here are substantially equalized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spectrally-encoding plural source images and for providing the spectrally-encoded plural source images in a composite image, for rendering the composite image in a physical form, or for recovering at least one of the encoded source images from the rendered composite image such that the recovered source image is made distinguishable. Source image confusion in a rendered composite image is controlled by application of a multi-illuminant gray component replacement (GCR) technique to the darkness common to the different colorants under the multiple illuminants.