Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed that includes an image processing part configured to perform image processing for causing a printer to print document data, the printer having a nozzle head having a first nozzle group and a second nozzle group, the first nozzle group having multiple K nozzles and multiple nozzles whose positions coincide with positions of the K nozzles in a sub scanning direction, the second nozzle group having multiple nozzles offset in the sub scanning direction from the K nozzles. The image processing part is configured to perform the image processing so that K is prevented from being applied to and one or more colors related to the second nozzle group are applied to multiple dots corresponding to the second nozzle group in a single movement of the nozzle head in a main scanning direction with respect to a gray drawing object contained in the document data.

Abstract: A method of the present invention includes the steps of forming an organic material film having projections and depressions, using a photo-embossing material, on an insulating film on an underlying electrode in a thin-film transistor of an active-matrix liquid crystal display device; exposing the insulating film in a contact-hole-forming-area by reducing a thickness of the organic material film by a dry etching to said organic material film; forming a contact hole and exposing the underlying by a dry etching to the exposed insulating film; and contacting the exposed underlying electrode with a reflective electrode by forming the reflective electrode on the resulting structure.

Abstract: A method includes a step of processing a substrate with a substrate processing apparatus that includes a chuck configured to hold a substrate, and a support member configured to support the chuck. A cleaning mechanism is configured to move at least one of the chuck and the support member such that the chuck and the support member move relative to each other while staying in substantial contact with each other. An additional step moves a foreign substance between protrusions on the chuck and the support member.

Abstract: Upon generation of an image forming request, a control unit sets a request flag in a nonvolatile rewritable memory. A toner consumption monitoring unit calculates amount of toner consumption during a process of image formation based on the image forming request and the request flag. Upon completion of the process of image formation, the control unit deletes the request flag from the memory unit. Thus, it becomes possible to determine whether the amount of toner consumption is correctly updated based on the request flag and accurately monitor the amount of toner consumption.

Abstract: A source electrode and a drain electrode on a silicon oxide film (31) each has a double-layered structure of an ITO film (32), a transparent electrode, and a metal film (33) formed on the ITO film (32). A gap (35), no source electrode and drain electrode region, is formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode. A silicon nitride film (34) (a gate insulating film) is formed on the source electrode and the drain electrode and in the gap (35). The silicon nitride film (34) is a first region D1 having a relatively large thickness and a second region D2 having a relatively small thickness. The region D2 of the silicon nitride film (34) is provided with an MIM structure. A gate bus layer (36) is formed on the silicon nitride film (34). An MIM structure is formed in the second region D2.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus including a toner cartridge for holding toner, an image supporting unit, on which an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a toner image is formed, a toner development unit for developing the latent image into the toner image with the toner, a detecting unit for detecting toner concentration of the toner image, and a control unit for controlling an amount of toner adhering to the latent image by adjusting a development bias voltage based on an output of the detecting unit. If control by the control unit based on the detection output of the detecting unit is insufficient, and consumption of the toner is out of a predetermined normal range, the control is carried out by estimating one of toner consumption amount and toner recovery amount in a direction that departs from the predetermined normal range.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a stage configured to hold an original thereon and to move in a horizontal direction, a first interferometer configured to emit first measurement light used for measuring a position of the stage in a vertical direction thereof, a first mirror provided on a bottom surface of the stage, and a second mirror provided directly below the first mirror. The second mirror is disposed so as to guide the first measurement light emitted from the first interferometer to the first mirror.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for validating and paying out coins, which can guide metal fragments to the surface of the driving motor such that the guided metal fragments are attracted to the surface of the driving motor so as to prevent the metal fragments from entering the coin pay-out mechanism, thereby to prevent the coin pay-out mechanism from erroneously operating, and which can reduce the labor of the maintenance such as cleaning by accumulating the metal fragments at a given place.

Abstract: A moving mechanism includes a first structural member having a first guide surface, a moving member being movable along the first guide surface, a second structural member having a second guide surface, and an actuator having a movable element provided on the moving member and a stator which is movable along the second guide surface. The first structural member is supported by the second structural member at three positions.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus including a coarse motion stage, a first moving mechanism to move the coarse motion stage with a large stroke, a fine motion stage, and a second moving mechanism to move the fine motion stage with a small stroke relative to the coarse motion stage. In addition, at least two couplings transmit forces from the coarse motion stage to the fine motion stage, and the couplings apply the forces in the same direction from at least two sides of the fine motion stage.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a base, a stage movable on the base in first and second directions, a first member movable relative to the base in the first direction, and a second member movable relative to the base in the second direction. The first member is placed on the second member. With this arrangement, drive reaction-forces generated due to movement of the stage can be canceled by moving the first and second members, resulting in a smaller space needed for accommodating a canceling mechanism.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus having a base and a movable body which is driven to move along the base. The apparatus includes a generator configured to generate a driving signal for the movable body, a temperature adjusting mechanism configured to adjust temperature of the base, and a controller configured to control a manipulated variable for the temperature control mechanism based on the generated driving signal.

Abstract: There is provided an electrical conductive roller having a roller body made from a resin with a light weight and a high accuracy, in which is the roller body is constituted with plural hollow members connected to each other in the longitudinal direction and is provided with a bonding means for keeping the connection of the hollow members even under a release of a compression force in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A driving apparatus which drives an object. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic actuator having a movable element and a stator, a surrounding member surrounding a heat portion of the electromagnetic actuator, a beam which provides the object with a driving force in accordance with movement of the movable element, a connecting member connecting the movable element and the beam, wherein the surrounding member has an opening allowing the movement of the movable element, the opening being arranged at a portion of the surrounding member not facing the object, and a heat recovery unit arranged at a position facing the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is technology for holding a substrate and, specifically, an object holding apparatus including a chuck for holding an object, a holding unit for holding the chuck, a generating unit provided in the holding unit, for generating a field related to an attraction force, a member provided in the chuck and attracted by the generating unit in accordance with the field, and a supporting unit for supporting one of the generating unit and the member, for movement at least in a direction nearing the other and in a direction away from the other.

Abstract: A stage device including a movable stage, a plate-like base which supports the stage, and a mass body which moves to cancel a reaction force acting on the base according to a movement of the movable stage. The plate-like base has a plurality of surfaces, and the stage and mass body are supported by different ones of the surfaces of the plate-like base.

Abstract: An object holding apparatus including a chuck for holding an object, a holder configured to hold the chuck, a generator provided in the holder and configured to generate a field related to an attraction force, a member provided in the chuck and configured to be attracted by the generator in accordance with the field, and a support configured to support one of the generator and the member. The support is configured to allow the one to move toward the other and away from the other, and the support includes a leaf spring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human ?-defensin secretion promoter that can be used in various forms, such as external preparation, internal preparation, food, etc., and promotes human ?-defensin secretion. An organic acid has an effect of promoting the secretion of human ?-defensin, particularly human ?-defensin-2, and therefore the organic acid is used as an active ingredient of a human ?-defensin secretion promoter. Furthermore, by adding the human ?-defensin secretion promoter to external preparations, internal preparations, or foods, a human ?-defensin secretion promotion effect can be imparted thereto.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for validating and paying out coins, which can guide metal fragments to the surface of the driving motor such that the guided metal fragments are attracted to the surface of the driving motor so as to prevent the metal fragments from entering the coin pay-out mechanism, thereby to prevent the coin pay-out mechanism from erroneously operating, and which can reduce the labor of the maintenance such as cleaning by accumulating the metal fragments at a given place.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, and a control method and program for same, whereby processing efficiency can be improved by permitting processing in respect of other print requests, even when paper has not been loaded in a manual paper supply unit after a manual print request has been made. When a print request relating to a prescribed paper is received, processing in respect of other print requests is permitted until it is detected that the prescribed paper has been loaded.