Abstract: A workpiece inspection apparatus includes: a first stage configured to transfer a first table, on which a workpiece accommodated in a tray is loaded at a first transfer position, to an inspection position; an inspection tool configured to inspect workpieces at the inspection position; a second stage configured to transfer a second table, on which another workpiece is loaded at a second transfer position, to the inspection position after retraction of the first table; and a transporter configured to load the workpieces before inspection to the first and second transfer positions and unload the workpieces after inspection from the first and second transfer positions.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sheet bundle binding device capable of easily removing some sheets from a sheet bundle that has been subjected to staple-free binding. A corner Sc of a first sheet bundle which is accumulated on a processing tray is subjected to proper binding using a staple needle by a staple binding unit. Then, a corner of a second sheet bundle obtained by accumulating additional sheets on the first sheet bundle is pressed and deformed between crimping toothed parts of a staple-free binding unit to temporarily bind the second sheet bundle. Thus, the additional sheets can easily be removed from the second sheet bundle.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sheet bundle binding device having both a staple binding unit and a staple-free binding unit, capable of performing binding in two stages of proper binding and temporary binding so as to obtain a desired binding force and to easily remove some sheets from a bound sheet bundle. A binding control section determines, based on user's settings, whether or not to perform first binding in which a first sheet bundle Sb1 is subjected to the proper binding using the staple binding unit or staple-free binding unit and determines whether or not to perform second binding in which a second sheet bundle obtained by accumulating additional sheets on the first sheet bundle is subjected to the temporary binding using the staple-free binding unit so as to control binding forces with which the first and second sheet bundles are bound.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sheet bundle binding device having both a staple binding unit and a staple-free binding unit, capable of performing binding in two stages of proper binding and temporary binding so as to obtain a desired binding force and to easily remove some sheets from a bound sheet bundle. A binding control section determines, based on user's settings, whether or not to perform first binding in which a first sheet bundle Sb1 is subjected to the proper binding using the staple binding unit or staple-free binding unit and determines whether or not to perform second binding in which a second sheet bundle obtained by accumulating additional sheets on the first sheet bundle is subjected to the temporary binding using the staple-free binding unit so as to control binding forces with which the first and second sheet bundles are bound.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sheet bundle binding device capable of easily removing some sheets from a sheet bundle that has been subjected to staple-free binding. A corner Sc of a first sheet bundle which is accumulated on a processing tray is subjected to proper binding using a staple needle by a staple binding unit. Then, a corner of a second sheet bundle obtained by accumulating additional sheets on the first sheet bundle is pressed and deformed between crimping toothed parts of a staple-free binding unit to temporarily bind the second sheet bundle. Thus, the additional sheets can easily be removed from the second sheet bundle.

Abstract: To provide a sheet bundle binding device capable of easily removing some sheets from a sheet bundle that has been subjected to staple-free binding. A corner Sc of a first sheet bundle Sb1 accumulated on a processing tray 24 is pressed and deformed between crimping toothed parts 54 and 55 of a staple-free binding unit 51 to bind the first sheet bundle Sb1 with a first binding force. Then, a corner of a second sheet bundle Sb2 obtained by accumulating additional sheets Sh2 on the first sheet bundle Sb1 is pressed and deformed between the crimping toothed parts 54 and 55 of the staple-free binding unit 51 to bind the second sheet bundle Sb2 with a second binding force smaller than the first binding force. Thus, the additional sheets can easily be removed from the second sheet bundle Sb2.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a focus position changing apparatus is provided on an optical path of a confocal optical apparatus having a light source and an objective lens and is configured to change a focus position of the objective lens in an optical axis direction of the objective lens. The focus position changing apparatus includes at least a plurality of optical path changing pieces and a rotating plate. Each of the plurality of optical path changing pieces is differ from each other in at least one of a refractive index and a thickness. On the rotating plate, the plurality of optical path changing pieces is arranged along a rotation direction of the rotating plate so as to cross an optical axis of the objective lens. And an anti-reflection layer is formed in a predetermined region on a surface of the rotating plate on a side of the light source.

Abstract: A continuous scan type measuring apparatus includes a continuous scan type optical application measuring instrument, a single-axis measuring instrument scanning stage and two carrier stages. The continuous scan type optical application measuring instrument performs a surface shape measurement of a measuring object. The single-axis measuring instrument scanning stage carries the optical application measuring instrument and causes the optical application measuring instrument to perform continuous scanning along a predetermined direction. The two carrier stages are detachably mount respective measuring objects thereon and move independently of each other. The two carrier stages are positioned independently at one of a measurement position within a scanning range of the optical application measuring instrument and a replacement position of the measuring objects.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a continuous scan type measuring apparatus includes a continuous scan type optical application measuring instrument, a single-axis measuring instrument scanning stage and two carrier stages. The continuous scan type optical application measuring instrument performs a surface shape measurement of a measuring object. The single-axis measuring instrument scanning stage carries the optical application measuring instrument and causes the optical application measuring instrument to perform continuous scanning along a predetermined direction. The two carrier stages are detachably mount respective measuring objects thereon and move independently of each other. The two carrier stages are positioned independently at one of a measurement position within a scanning range of the optical application measuring instrument and a replacement position of the measuring objects.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus includes at least an aperture plate that is provided with a plurality of confocal apertures which are two-dimensionally arranged to have a predetermined arrangement period, and an aperture plate displacement portion that displaces the aperture plate at a constant speed in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Further, the aperture plate is provided with a cover member which is moved integrally with the aperture plate and which includes a transparent body allowing the light beams from the light source to pass therethrough and to be irradiated to the plurality of confocal apertures, and protects the plurality of confocal apertures from dust. Further, an imaging optical system, by which each of reflected light beams is guided to a photo-detector, is designed in consideration of optical properties of the whole optical system including the transparent body of the cover member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a focus position changing apparatus is provided on an optical path of a confocal optical apparatus having a light source and an objective lens and is configured to change a focus position of the objective lens in an optical axis direction of the objective lens. The focus position changing apparatus includes at least a plurality of optical path changing pieces and a rotating plate. Each of the plurality of optical path changing pieces is differ from each other in at least one of a refractive index and a thickness. On the rotating plate, the plurality of optical path changing pieces is arranged along a rotation direction of the rotating plate so as to cross an optical axis of the objective lens. And an anti-reflection layer is formed in a predetermined region on a surface of the rotating plate on a side of the light source.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus includes at least an aperture plate that is provided with a plurality of confocal apertures which are two-dimensionally arranged to have a predetermined arrangement period, and an aperture plate displacement portion that displaces the aperture plate at a constant speed in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Further, the aperture plate is provided with a cover member which is moved integrally with the aperture plate and which includes a transparent body allowing the light beams from the light source to pass therethrough and to be irradiated to the plurality of confocal apertures, and protects the plurality of confocal apertures from dust. Further, an imaging optical system, by which each of reflected light beams is guided to a photo-detector, is designed in consideration of optical properties of the whole optical system including the transparent body of the cover member.

Abstract: There are provided a platen on which an original is mounted, a line sensor that performs photoelectric conversion on light from the original on the platen, a first carriage that moves along the platen and guides the light from the original to the line sensor, a first housing that stores and supports the first carriage to be movable along the platen, first driving means for moving the first carriage, a second carriage provided with a plurality of rod-shaped light-source lamps that applies light to the original, a second housing that stores and supports the second carriage to be movable along the platen and covers the platen, second driving means for moving the second carriage, and control means for controlling the first driving means, the second driving means and lighting of the plurality of light-source lamps.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a platen, a frame for holding the platen, an installation device disposed to the frame so that the platen can be held in a substantially vertical state, and a scanning device for reading a document along the platen substantially vertically held. The reading of the document is carried out by elevating or lowering the scanning device.

Abstract: A polarization bearing detection type two-dimensional light reception timing detecting device for implementing a fast surface shape measurement that can accommodate an animal body measurement, and a surface shape measuring device using it. The polarization bearing of a detection light is turned in synchronization with slit light scanning, and the polarization bearing is two-dimensionally recorded by two sets of analyzers and storage type image detectors in a crossed Nicols arrangement, and thereby it is possible to determine, with only one-time imaging, timing at which a slit light is beamed into respected pixels in the storage type image detectors.

Abstract: In order to switch to a light source with a light amount corresponding to the type of original from among a plurality of light sources in a simplified structure without using a specific switching mechanism in reading a transmissive original with a photoelectric sensor while moving, there are provided a platen on which an original is mounted, a line sensor that performs photoelectric conversion on light from the original on the platen, a first carriage that moves along the platen and guides the light from the original to the line sensor, a first housing that stores and supports the first carriage to be movable along the platen, first driving means for moving the first carriage, a second carriage provided with a plurality of rod-shaped light-source lamps that applies light to the original, a second housing that stores and supports the second carriage to be movable along the platen and covers the platen, second driving means for moving the second carriage, and control means for controlling the first driving mean

Abstract: A polarization bearing detection type two-dimensional light reception timing detecting device for implementing a fast surface shape measurement that can accommodate an animal body measurement, and a surface shape measuring device using it. The polarization bearing of a detection light is turned in synchronization with slit light scanning, and the polarization bearing is two-dimensionally recorded by two sets of analyzers and storage type image detectors in a crossed Nicols arrangement, and thereby it is possible to determine, with only one-time imaging, timing at which a slit light is beamed into respected pixels in the storage type image detectors.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a platen, a frame for holding the platen, an installation device disposed to the frame so that the platen can be held in a substantially vertical state, and a scanning device for reading a document along the platen substantially vertically held. The reading of the document is carried out by elevating or lowering the scanning device.

Abstract: An active confocal image acquisition apparatus includes a confocal image acquisition system and a liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel is disposed in the confocal image acquisition system so that its elements are aligned with elements of the detector. The light transmittance of elements of the liquid crystal panel is adjusted so as to make the intensities of reflection of all pixels (the values attained when the parts reflecting light are at or near the focused position) as close to a predetermined level as possible. By this configuration and method of using it, the active confocal image acquisition apparatus can perform accurate measurement if there are high-reflectance and low-reflectance parts together in the measuring field.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus which has an improved arrayed confocal imaging system. A three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus using a confocal imaging system which has a new means for changing the distance in the Z direction between the object and the object-position-in-focus, instead of an object stage moved in the Z direction. This means shifts the object-position-in-focus in the Z direction by refraction. One means inserts a plurality of transparent flat plates between the objective lens and the object-position-in-focus in turn. Another means uses a transparent flat plate made of a material for which the refractive index changes according to the voltage applied and is disposed between the object and the object-position-in-focus.