Abstract: A data processing system has the following construction in order to achieve high speed data processing with reduced memory capacity. There are provided a memory to store a plurality of pieces of sequentially input data to be processed, a plurality of processors to execute a series of processings, e.g., Log conversion, MTF correction, gamma correction and binarization in this order to the data to be processed stored in the memory in the order of input, and a state control portion to determine which processing is stagnant by monitoring the progress of a processing by each of said plurality of processors and prohibit a processor executing a processing succeeding to a processing determined as being stagnant from accessing the memory. Processings by the plurality of processors are executed asynchronously and the plurality of processors share the memory.

Abstract: A data processing system has the following construction in order to reduce the memory capacity and the cost. There are provided a plurality of processors to execute to input image data a series of processings including Log conversion, MTF correction, gamma correction and binarization in a prescribed order and a memory to store pixel data to be processed and a state flag to represent the state of processing the pixel data in association with each other. Processings by the plurality of processors are executed asynchronously. The plurality of processors share the memory.

Abstract: The method and apparatus particularly adapted for reducing the storage capacity of line memories needed for temporarily storing image data for lines until image data for the last line is obtained in digital filtering. Inputted image data are divided into a plurality of blocks, each of which consists of image data obtained from n pixels. The integer n may assume a value of 8, 16, 32, etc. The constituents of one block after another are compressed such that image data consisting of 8 bits per pixel are converted into encoded data consisting of 2 bits per pixel. Data on a dynamic range and an average value for each block are added as a headder to the encoded data. Compressed image data are taken out of a buffer memory after being temporarily stored therein and, together with or separately from compressed image data newly outputted from a compression unit, subjected to image processing such as MTF correction in an arithmetic unit.

Abstract: A notch alignment apparatus has a unit body (15), which can advance into a carrier (3) through a bottom opening (4) of the carrier (3), for aligning notches (2) formed in the peripheral edges of semiconductor wafers (1), which are contained in the carrier (3) and arrayed in a facing state. The unit body (15) is provided with a rotationally driving shaft (25) having a cylindrical shape, for coming into contact with the peripheral edges of the wafers (1) from below and driving the wafers (1) to rotate all together. A plurality of idle pulleys (26) independent of each other are arranged on one side of the driving shaft (25), for coming into contact with the peripheral edges of the wafers (1) from below. The idle pulleys (26) are supported by a common pulley shaft (27) to be independently and freely rotatable. A stopper or wafer guide (28) is arranged on the other side of the driving shaft (25), for stopping rotation of the wafers (1) by means of contact with the peripheral edges of the wafers (1).