Abstract: Disclosed is a projection exposure method for transferring a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate through a projection optical system. A light beam having a first wavelength for exposure is radiated through the projection optical system onto a first mark area including a fiducial mark on a fiducial plate installed on a substrate stage, reflected light from the first mark area is detected to obtain a position of the fiducial mark. A light beam having a second wavelength to which the photosensitive substrate is not photosensitive is radiated through the projection optical system onto the first mark area, reflected light from the first mark area is detected to obtain a position of the fiducial mark. A positional discrepancy of the fiducial mark caused by the difference in wavelength between the first and second wavelengths is previously calculated on the basis of results of the detection.

Abstract: Even when a printer is in a condition incapable of receiving commands from a personal computer (PC), a status responding mode can be switched to ON in accordance with a request from the PC, thereby allowing detailed status information of the printer to be transmitted to the PC. When a printer is in an error condition when it is powered or reset, the printer rejects reception of data on a data line. Therefore, the mode of the printer cannot be changed with a set command transmitted from the PC to the printer through the data line. In view of the fact that the printer is capable of receiving signals on control lines even if the printer is in the error condition, the PC outputs a status transmission request through the select-in line for a predetermined number of times, so that a status transmission request interrupt process can be executed and then a parameter DEVICE is set to ON.

Abstract: A photographic film processing apparatus has a data reader for reading magnetic data stored in a row of magnetic recorded tracks on a photographic film. The apparatus determines whether a reading error has occurred during film processing. If no error has occurred, then the film is processed in accordance with the magnetic data from the film. If an error has occurred, then the apparatus determines whether the data is eligible for replacement with reference data. If the erroneous data is eligible, then the film is processed in accordance with the reference data. If the erroneous data is not eligible, then the film is processed in accordance with external substitute data which is entered by an operator. Furthermore, the apparatus produces a maintenance demand signal based on the number of reading errors or the total length of photographic film processed.

Abstract: A positioning device (21, 31) with a drive unit (147, 149, 151; 69, 71) with which an object table (1, 5) is displaceable over a guide (141, 65) which is fastened to a frame (45) of the positioning device (21, 31). The positioning device (21, 31) includes a force actuator system (205) which exerts on the frame (45) a compensation force which has a moment about a reference point (P) of the frame (45) whose value is equal to a value of a moment of a force of gravity acting on the object table (1, 5) about the reference point (P), and whose direction is opposed to a direction of the moment of said force of gravity. The use of the force actuator system (205) prevents the frame (45) from vibrating or being elastically deformed when a point of application on the frame (45) of the force of gravity is displaced relative to the frame (45) during a displacement of the object table (1,5).

Abstract: According to this invention, the contact and separation conditions between an OPC drum and a charger roller are controlled by utilizing a tension spring, which is connected between a frame and a bearing through which the shaft of the charger roller extends, for separating a driving gear of the OPC drum and a driven gear of the charger roller by a predetermined distance in order that the OPC drum and the charger roller can be separated while the OPC drum is at standstill, in order to prevent the charger roller from deforming or contaminating the OPC drum. The force of the tension spring is overcome by the force generated by the driving gear engaging the driven gear to enable the OPC drum and the charger roller to again contact each other while the OPC drum is rotated.

Abstract: A positioning device with a drive unit with which an object table is displaceable over a guide which is fastened to a first frame thereof. A stationary part of the drive unit is fastened to a second frame thereof and dynamically isolated from the first frame while a reaction force of the object table arising from a driving force exerted by the drive unit on the object table is transmittable exclusively into the second frame.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer drum has at least a drum main body having a volume resistivity of 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.8 .OMEGA.cm, and an insulating layer provided on an outer surface of the drum main body. A first transfer voltage applying roller is provided inside the intermediate transfer drum so as to be opposite to a photosensitive drum and so as to be in contact with an inner surface of the intermediate transfer drum. A transfer roller is provided inside the intermediate transfer drum so as to be opposite to a second transfer grounded roller and so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer drum. By thus arranging an image forming apparatus wherein image formation is carried out with respect to recording paper through the intermediate transfer drum, an optimal first transfer voltage can be applied from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer drum, while an optimal second transfer voltage can be applied from the intermediate transfer drum to the recording medium.

Abstract: A printer control film and a film carrier allow proper management of the printer control film. When a Bull's-eye serving as the printer control film is inserted into the film carrier, magnetic information recorded on the Bull's-eye is read out. When it is judged based on the read out information that the Bull's-eye is an unused one, a start time of use is recorded on the Bull's-eye together with an apparatus ID. When it is judged that the Bull's-eye was used before, the apparatus ID, the used period, the number of times of use, and the like are read out from the Bull's-eye. When it is judged based on these data that the Bull's-eye carries proper images necessary for a conditioning operation, the number of times of use is updated. Subsequently, images recorded on the Bull's-eye are printed onto a printing paper.

Abstract: The outer circumferential portions of the opposite ends of a cylindrical photosensitive body provided with a photosensitive layer on a substrate is supported while the photosensitive body is driven. The rotation of the photosensitive body is controlled by control members which are a roll member, a tracking roll, an electrification roll member or the like. The substrate may be shaped into a cylinder by rolling up a metal strip or a metal plate and TIG-welding a joint portion thereof.

Abstract: A scanning type exposure apparatus comprises a mask stage RST for scanning a mask R across an illumination area on the mask R, a projection optical system PL for projecting an image of a pattern on the mask R onto a photosensitive substrate W, and a substrate stage WST for scanning the photosensitive substrate W across an exposure area. The apparatus comprises an image pickup unit 53 having its light-receiving section 1 provided on the substrate stage WST, for photoelectrically detecting an image of a mark pattern on the mask R, and a combining unit 4 for combining signals outputted from the image pickup unit 53 during a period in which the light-receiving section is scanned across the exposure area in synchronization with scanning for the mark pattern across the illumination area. Image formation characteristics or a position of the image of the mark pattern is determined on the basis of an output of the combining unit 4, which may be corrected before actual exposure.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus utilizing clear marking particles in the development of an image, the clear marking particles being laid down so as to prevent offset upon fusing of an image to a receiver member. The reproduction apparatus is disclosed as including a dielectric member adapted to have latent images formed thereon. A development station, is provided including a plurality of developer units respectively containing marking particles of different colors, at least one developer unit containing black marking particles and another developer unit containing clear marking particles. The development station selectively develops latent images with marking particles from the developer units respectively. A transfer station serves to transfer developed marking particle images to a receiver member, and a fuser assembly fuses a marking particle image on a receiver member.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process image-wise exposes an imaging element with a high intensity short time scanning exposure. The imaging element comprises on a support in the order given a silver halide emulsion layer and a layer containing physical development nuclei. A thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element is subsequently developed in the presence of a developing agent and silver halide solvent. The image-wise exposure is focused substantially within the silver halide emulsion layer of the imaging element.

Abstract: A color forming image apparatus for forming a multicolor image by forming an image of each color including a transfer member holder for retaining a plurality of transfer members. The image former forms the image on the transfer member based on an image signal from an external source. A detector detects information relating to a status of the transfer member held in the transfer member holder and sends the information to the external source.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus including structure for supplying illumination light, using a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of a first object onto a second object in cooperation with the illumination light, the projection optical system having a refraction optical element, controlling a changing unit (for changing a wavelength of illumination light) on the basis of an output of a detecting unit (for detecting a change in pressure around the projection optical system) so as to compensate a change in ratio, or so as to maintain a constant ratio, of reflective index between an atmosphere and the refraction optical element due to a change in pressure, and correcting a change in optical characteristic of the projection optical system, due to a factor other than the pressure change, without use of the wavelength changing unit; and a device manufacturing method including a step of projecting and transferring a device pattern of a mask onto a substrate by using the projection exposure apparatus.

Abstract: An alignment system (30) is provided for use during the lithography process of producing multiple layer (24-26) integrated circuits. The location of each previous layer (24-26) in the integrated circuit is measured and evaluated with respect to each other and the wafer (14). The next layer is placed on the wafer (14) in a manner which optimizes its alignment relationship to each of the previous layers (24-26). Weighting factors are used to optimize alignment in multiple layer (24-26) integrated circuits.

Abstract: In a service system, a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a control unit for remote-controlling them are connected by a communication line. A plurality of terminal units are located at respective service stations and also connected to the control unit. The image forming apparatuses each sends, when an event indicative of or predictive of an error occurs therein, information representative of the event to the control unit. The control unit received the information analyzes it and then selectively sends information relating to maintenance or repair to the image forming apparatuses to the terminal units.

Abstract: A photofinishing device for handling different format types of photographic film includes a work station with a film interface for photofinishing a respective format type of photographic film. The photofinishing device is provided With a first film deck interface utilized for containing a first format type of photographic film at the work station so that the first format type of photographic film may be photofinished while it is maintained in a specified orientation relative to the work station. The first film deck interface is releasably secured to the work station and replaceable with a second film deck interface capable of containing a second format type of photographic film at the work station. In this manner, when the photographic film in the device is changed from the first format type to the second format, the film decks may be quickly changed so that the second format type of photographic film is maintained in a specified orientation relative to work station for photofinishing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed which comprisesa toner-image holding unit for holding a toner image,a recording medium,transfer-fixing means for bringing the recording medium into contact with the toner image on the toner-image holding unit and heating the toner image so as to transfer and fix the toner image onto the recording medium,toner-image cooling means for cooling the toner image transferred and fixed onto the recording medium so as to suppress the flowing of the toner image, andpeeling means for peeling the recording medium off the toner-image holding unit.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of a first object onto a second object; an illuminator for illuminating the pattern of the first object, a wavelength changing device for changing a wavelength of the light from the illuminator; a spherical aberration selector for selecting a spherical aberration of the projection optical system; and a wavelength controller for controlling the wavelength by the wavelength changing device in accordance with the spherical aberration set by the selector.

Abstract: A toner for recording electrostatic image having a volume-average particle diameter of from 6 to 10 .mu.m, which exhibits a compression stress of from 50 to 500 kgf/cm.sup.2 at the middle temperature between room temperature and the glass transition temperature of the toner, and a compression stress of from 0.2 to 10 kgf/cm.sup.2 at the middle temperature intermediate between the glass transition temperature and the softening temperature of the toner.