Abstract: An image defect inspecting apparatus of the present invention includes a template image producing section for producing a template image from reference image data, a corresponding image extracting section for extracting a predetermined image located at a position corresponding to a template image from digital data of a scanned image for inspection, data embedding sections for embedding desired same pattern data into the template image and the image extracted by the corresponding image extracting section, a normalized correlation value calculation processing unit for acquiring a normalized correlation coefficient from the template image and the extracted image, into which the pattern data is embedded, and a defect judging section for judging as to whether a defect is present by comparing the normalized correlation coefficient acquired by the normalized correlation value calculation processing unit with a predetermined threshold value so as to acquire a large/small relationship thereof.

Abstract: A fault diagnosis section activates a driving component alone, measures an operation state signal and a paper passage time, and stores feature values (Vm, ?v, Tqs, ?ts) extracted as a determination reference in a storage medium. A paper passage fault determination section determines whether or not a fault has arisen on the basis of the paper passage time when an apparatus is under normal operating conditions. A diagnosis target block determination section determines an order to operate a detail fault diagnosis when it is determined that there is a plurality of diagnosis target blocks.

Abstract: A fault diagnosis section activates a driving component alone, measures an operation state signal and a paper passage time, and stores feature values (Vm, ov, Tqs, ots) extracted as a determination reference in a storage medium. A paper passage fault determination section determines whether or not a fault has arisen on the basis of the paper passage time when an apparatus is under normal operating conditions. A diagnosis target block determination section determines an order to operate a detail fault diagnosis when it is determined that there is a plurality of diagnosis target blocks.

Abstract: A trouble sensing device has a first unit and a second unit. The first unit determines total sum of driving current of a plurality of driving mechanisms. The second unit judges whether trouble has arisen based on the total sum of the driving current.

Abstract: A fault diagnosis section activates a driving compornent alone, measures an operation state signal and a paper passage time, and stores feature values (Vm, ?v, Tqs, ?ts) extracted as a determination reference in a storage medium. A paper passage fault determination section determines whether or not a fault has arisen on the basis of the paper passage time when an apparatus is under normal operating conditions. A diagnosis target block determination section determines an order to operate a detail fault diagnosis when it is determined that there is a plurality of diagnosis target blocks.

Abstract: An image inspection device to automate and simplify inspection of an output image. A paper discharge tray of a printer is a different color from paper. A CCD camera is disposed above a paper discharge portion of the printer, at which paper is discharged, and can capture the whole upper face of the paper discharge tray. When, directly after a state in which there is no paper on the paper discharge tray, a print job is received and a first print-processed sheet is outputted to the paper discharge tray, a CPU controls the CCD camera to capture the paper discharge tray in this state. Captured image data including the paper is acquired, corrections are applied to the captured image data and to original image data by image processing, and image characteristics thereof are made substantially the same. Thereafter, the outputted image is inspected by comparison of the two data sets.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring an object to be transferred in a predetermined direction has a drive mechanism unit, a transfer direction displacement information acquiring unit, a skew direction displacement information acquiring unit, and a transfer processing unit. The drive mechanism unit also has roll parts which cause the object to be transferred to move in the direction with a rotational force. The transfer direction displacement information acquiring unit and the skew direction displacement information acquiring unit radiate a predetermined measuring wave toward the object, so that the units acquire the displacement information in each of the directions. Based on the displacement information, the transfer processing unit performs a predetermined processing.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis method diagnoses a failure occurring in a diagnosis target apparatus including a drive mechanism having a drive member that receives power supply to operate and a power transmission member that transmits drive force of the drive member to another member. The method includes automatically acquiring by a sensor an operation state signal indicating an operation state during the drive mechanism operating for a predetermined period; and analyzing the automatically acquired operation state signal based on a failure probability model, which is obtained by modeling a cause of failure occurring in the diagnosis target apparatus with using probabilities, to execute failure diagnosis with respect to each of constituent members of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis method diagnoses failure occurring in an image forming apparatus. The failure causes defect in an image output from the image forming apparatus. The failure diagnosis method includes acquiring operation state signals indicating operation states during the image forming apparatus operating in different operation conditions, respectively; and analyzing the acquired operation state signals based on a failure probability model, which is obtained by modeling a cause of the failure occurring in the image forming apparatus with using probabilities, to execute failure diagnosis with respect to each of constituent members constituting the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A fault diagnosis section activates a driving compornent alone, measures an operation state signal and a paper passage time, and stores feature values (Vm, ?v, Tqs, ?ts) extracted as a determination reference in a storage medium. A paper passage fault determination section determines whether or not a fault has arisen on the basis of the paper passage time when an apparatus is under normal operating conditions. A diagnosis target block determination section determines an order to operate a detail fault diagnosis when it is determined that there is a plurality of diagnosis target blocks.

Abstract: A circuit board inspection device for inspecting the operation of a circuit board having a predetermined part or wire formed therein includes a supporting substrate disposed substantially in parallel with the parts mounting surface of the circuit board, and a signal change detection unit made of a coil or a capacitor disposed in a position of the supporting substrate corresponding to the part or wire of the circuit board, with the supporting substrate being disposed substantially in parallel with the circuit board.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring an object to be transferred in a predetermined direction has a drive mechanism unit, a transfer direction displacement information acquiring unit, a skew direction displacement information acquiring unit, and a transfer processing unit. The drive mechanism unit also has roll parts which cause the object to be transferred to move in the direction with a rotational force. The transfer direction displacement information acquiring unit and the skew direction displacement information acquiring unit radiate a predetermined measuring wave toward the object, so that the units acquire the displacement information in each of the directions. Based on the displacement information, the transfer processing unit performs a predetermined processing.

Abstract: To provide a method of implementing cache logic technique in which total data processing time can be reduced, input data divided into block is sequentially processed in units of block in plural circuits using a programmable logic device provided with a circuit information input controller, a programmable logic circuit sector and a data cache. The plural circuits are sequentially reconfigured in the programmable logic device and execute processing per plural blocks which can be stored in the data cache. Intermediate data in units of plural blocks is stored in the data cache to be input data to a reconfigured circuit and intermediate data as the result of the processing by the reconfigured circuit is overwritten to the data cache. When the processing of the plural circuits is finished, the result of the processing is output to an external device without being stored in the data cache.

Abstract: A main etching step is effected in a state shown in FIG. 1A under a first pressure using a gas containing at least HBr, e.g., a mixture gas of HBr and Cl2 as an etching gas. The main etching is ended before a silicon oxide film 102, as shown in FIG. 1B, is exposed. An over-etching process is effected under a second pressure higher than the first pressure using a gas containing at least HBr, e.g., an HBr single gas so as to completely expose the silicon oxide film 102 as shown in FIG. 1C. In such a way, the selectivity of a silicon-containing conductive layer with respect to the silicon oxide film is improved compared to conventional methods. Without etching the silicon oxide film layer, which is an underlying layer, and without marring the shape of the silicon-containing conductive film layer formed by etching, only the desired silicon-containing conductive film layer is removed by etching reliably.

Abstract: An image defect inspecting apparatus of the present invention includes a template image producing section for producing a template image from reference image data, a corresponding image extracting section for extracting a predetermined image located at a position corresponding to a template image from digital data of a scanned image for inspection, data embedding sections for embedding desired same pattern data into the template image and the image extracted by the corresponding image extracting section, a normalized correlation value calculation processing unit for acquiring a normalized correlation coefficient from the template image and the extracted image, into which the pattern data is embedded, and a defect judging section for judging as to whether a defect is present by comparing the normalized correlation coefficient acquired by the normalized correlation value calculation processing unit with a predetermined threshold value so as to acquire a large/small relationship thereof.

Abstract: An image inspection device to automate and simplify inspection of an output image. A paper discharge tray of a printer is a different color from paper. A CCD camera is disposed above a paper discharge portion of the printer, at which paper is discharged, and can capture the whole upper face of the paper discharge tray. When, directly after a state in which there is no paper on the paper discharge tray, a print job is received and a first print-processed sheet is outputted to the paper discharge tray, a CPU controls the CCD camera to capture the paper discharge tray in this state. Captured image data including the paper is acquired, corrections are applied to the captured image data and to original image data by image processing, and image characteristics thereof are made substantially the same. Thereafter, the outputted image is inspected by comparison of the two data sets.

Abstract: By reusing circuit information designed in the past, the amount of computation for combining circuit information for layout and wirings is significantly reduced. A memory part stores a plurality of pieces of circuit information for forming circuits in programmable logic circuits. Each of pieces of the circuit information has an identifier of its own circuit information, and in the case where part or all of the circuit information is formed with other circuit information, has the identifiers of the other circuit information as reference identifiers, as circuit data thereof. An acquisition part passes specification circuit information from an application program to an editing part, obtains circuit information of a specified circuit, sent from the editing part, and forms the specified circuit in the programmable logic circuits according to the circuit information.

Abstract: To provide a method of implementing cache logic technique in which total data processing time can be reduced, input data divided into block is sequentially processed in units of block in plural circuits using a programmable logic device provided with a circuit information input controller, a programmable logic circuit sector and a data cache. The plural circuits are sequentially reconfigured in the programmable logic device and execute processing per plural blocks which can be stored in the data cache. Intermediate data in units of plural blocks is stored in the data cache to be input data to a reconfigured circuit and intermediate data as the result of the processing by the reconfigured circuit is overwritten to the data cache. When the processing of the plural circuits is finished, the result of the processing is output to an external device without being stored in the data cache.

Abstract: A number of photodiodes are arranged in line and dark output generating diodes are associated with the respective photodiodes. The light incident side of each dark output generating diode is shielded by a metal film. Two thin-film transistors are respectively connected to the photodiode and the dark output generating diode to transfer charges generated in the respective diodes. A capacitor is connected between the sources of the two thin-film transistors, and stores charges corresponding to the difference between the charges transferred through the two thin-film transistors, i.e., charges generated in the photodiode in response to incident light. Alternatively, the charges transferred through the two thin-film transistors are respectively stored in first and second capacitors, and charges corresponding to the difference between the charges of the first and second capacitors are obtained by a differential amplifier and stored in a third capacitor.

Abstract: A signal is read from photodiodes periodically with a predetermined period and applied to the input terminal. The input signal is amplified by an amplifier circuit and switched by a signal switching circuit to be alternately input to two offset cancel circuits through their respective switching elements. The period with which the switching elements are periodically turned on is set to be virtually double the period in the outputting of the signal from the photodiodes. The periods of time at which the switching elements are alternately turned on are shifted virtually half the period from each other. Further, output signals from the offset cancel circuits are adapted to be alternately output through a multiplexer.