Abstract: A semiconductor optical switch may include an optical waveguide, a first electrode, and a first reflector. The optical waveguide may include a branching point, a first incoming path and first and second outgoing paths. The first electrode is provided at the branching point to give carrier injection into the branching point to allow that the branching point reflects an optical signal that is propagating through the first incoming path so that the reflected optical signal propagates through the second outgoing path. The first electrode may give no carrier injection into the branching point to allow that the branching point allows the optical signal to transmit through the branching point and propagate through the first outgoing path. The first reflector is provided on the first outgoing path. The first reflector reflects a leakage of light that has propagated from the branching point.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel section having two-dimensionally arrayed pixels each having a photoelectric conversion means, a memory means for storing photoelectric conversion signal, a transfer means for transferring the photoelectric conversion signal to the memory means, a reset means for resetting the memory means, a discharge means for discharging photoelectric conversion signal accumulated, a read means for reading photoelectric conversion signal; an A/D converter; a noise suppressing means for suppressing noise of signal from said A/D converter, having a frame memory and an adder; and a controller for, in reading signal from the same one pixel, effecting control so that there is a difference corresponding to one frame period between timing at which a first signal level is read out after transfer and timing at which a second signal level is read out at the time of resetting the memory means.

Abstract: In short, the image processing device for obtaining a single image by using a plurality of image-pickup elements comprises a plurality of image-pickup signal processing circuits that are provided for each of the image-pickup elements, an image arrangement conversion circuit which converts the read-out order of the images corresponding to the respective image-pickup elements that are output from the image-pickup signal processing circuits, an image splitting processing circuit for performing image splitting on the image that is output from the image arrangement conversion circuit, an image processing circuit for performing image processing in parallel on each of the split images, and an image compression circuit for compressing in parallel each of the split images that are output from the image processing circuit.

Abstract: A printer includes a printing part that prints inputted printing information on paper while moving by gravity and supports that support the printing part and the printing medium facing each other so that the printing part is movable in the gravity direction. The printing part corrects the inputted printing information according to a moving distance and a moving speed of the printing part and prints corrected printing information on the printing medium.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a high-resolution processing unit configured to restore, with respect to an image desired to be displayed, a frequency band higher than a frequency band of the recorded image, using one of one electronically recorded image and a plurality of electronically recorded images obtained by continuous shooting. The image processing apparatus further includes a local region designation unit configured to designate a region of the image desired to be displayed where the resolution is increased, and an estimation display unit configured to display, as a finish estimation image after high-resolution processing is applied to the image desired to be displayed, the result of the high-resolution processing applied to a local region, designated by the local region designation unit, by the high-resolution processing unit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel section having a plurality of pixels arranged into a two-dimensional array, each pixel having a photoelectric conversion means, a memory means for storing a photoelectric conversion signal of the photoelectric conversion means, a transfer means for transferring the photoelectric conversion signal to the memory means, a reset means for resetting the memory means, a discharge means for discharging the photoelectric conversion signal accumulated at the photoelectric conversion means, and a read means for reading the photoelectric conversion signal of the memory means; a vertical circuit for controlling an operation of the pixels in the pixel section, the vertical circuit having an alternate disposition in the vertical direction of a discharge control signal line connected to the discharge means of vertically adjacent ones of the pixels for controlling the discharge means and a transfer control signal line connected to the transfer means of vertically adjacent on

Abstract: A semiconductor optical switch may include an optical waveguide, a first electrode, and a first reflector. The optical waveguide may include a branching point, a first incoming path and first and second outgoing paths. The first electrode is provided at the branching point to give carrier injection into the branching point to allow that the branching point reflects an optical signal that is propagating through the first incoming path so that the reflected optical signal propagates through the second outgoing path. The first electrode may give no carrier injection into the branching point to allow that the branching point allows the optical signal to transmit through the branching point and propagate through the first outgoing path. The first reflector is provided on the first outgoing path. The first reflector reflects a leakage of light that has propagated from the branching point.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel section having two-dimensionally arranged pixels, each having a photoelectric conversion means, a memory means, a transfer means, a first reset means for resetting the memory means, a second reset means for resetting the photoelectric conversion means, and a read means for reading the photoelectric conversion signal of the memory means; and a controller for effecting a control so that, after passage of a predetermined time subsequently to the rendering of a concurrent reset by the second reset means on the photoelectric conversion means of all pixels, a transfer of the photoelectric conversion signal is concurrently effected by the transfer means to the memory means of all pixels, and the reading by the read means is temporarily halted at least at one or the other of timings of a start and a release of the concurrent reset by the second reset means.

Abstract: An optical switch changes over transmission paths of an optical signal by a refractive index change. The optical switch has an optical waveguide layer having an optical waveguide whose output path of an optical signal branches into two, and reflection diffusing ditches which are provided in a portion outside the optical waveguide in the optical waveguide layer, wherein the portion is closed to a branch portion of the optical waveguides. The reflection diffusing ditches extend in a direction crossing a traveling direction of the optical signal.

Abstract: A light signal switching apparatus has an input port and output ports, and outputs an output light from a desired output port. The apparatus has a splitter polarizing an input light into first and second polarized light whose polarization planes are different mutually by 90 degrees, a first polarization controller rotating a polarization plane of the second polarized light by 90 degrees to output a third polarized light, a first optical switch switching a path of the first polarized light to the desired output port side, a second optical switch switching a path of the third polarized light to the desired output port side, a second polarization controller rotating a polarization plane of the first polarized light by 90 degrees to output a fourth polarized light, and a combiner combining the third polarized light with the fourth polarized light, to output a combined light to the desired output port.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel section having two-dimensionally arrayed pixels each having a photoelectric conversion means, a memory means for storing photoelectric conversion signal, a transfer means for transferring the photoelectric conversion signal to the memory means, a reset means for resetting the memory means, a discharge means for discharging photoelectric conversion signal accumulated, a read means for reading photoelectric conversion signal; an A/D converter; a noise suppressing means for suppressing noise of signal from said A/D converter, having a frame memory and an adder; and a controller for, in reading signal from the same one pixel, effecting control so that there is a difference corresponding to one frame period between timing at which a first signal level is read out after transfer and timing at which a second signal level is read out at the time of resetting the memory means.

Abstract: In short, the image processing device for obtaining a single image by using a plurality of image-pickup elements comprises a plurality of image-pickup signal processing circuits that are provided for each of the image-pickup elements, an image arrangement conversion circuit which converts the read-out order of the images corresponding to the respective image-pickup elements that are output from the image-pickup signal processing circuits, an image splitting processing circuit for performing image splitting on the image that is output from the image arrangement conversion circuit, an image processing circuit for performing image processing in parallel on each of the split images, and an image compression circuit for compressing in parallel each of the split images that are output from the image processing circuit.

Abstract: An optical communication apparatus includes: an erbium-doped optical fiber amplifier for amplifying a modulated optical signal, wherein a DC (direct current) light which is not modulated is inputted to the erbium-doped optical fiber amplifier together with the optical signal.

Abstract: In short, the image processing device for obtaining a single image by using a plurality of image-pickup elements comprises a plurality of image-pickup signal processing circuits that are provided for each of the image-pickup elements, an image arrangement conversion circuit which converts the read-out order of the images corresponding to the respective image-pickup elements that are output from the image-pickup signal processing circuits, an image splitting processing circuit for performing image splitting on the image that is output from the image arrangement conversion circuit, an image processing circuit for performing image processing in parallel on each of the split images, and an image compression circuit for compressing in parallel each of the split images that are output from the image processing circuit.

Abstract: An electronic imaging apparatus having a section for generating imaging data which indicates an imaging condition; an optical finder mechanism for introducing light from a subject to a finder; a data display device for displaying at least one of the subject's image and the imaging condition in the finder; and a switching device for switching between light incident/non-incident states for the optical finder mechanism. When imaging is not performed, the switching device makes the light incident on the optical finder mechanism. When imaging is performed and the image signal is not recorded, the switching device makes the light incident on the optical finder mechanism, and the subject's image and the image formed by the data display device are superimposed and displayed in the finder. When imaging is performed and the image signal is recorded, at least the image formed by the data display device is displayed by the switching device.

Abstract: An optical switch has an input port, output ports, optical waveguides whose output path of an optical signal branch into two. A first stage optical switch section is provided in a branching portion of the optical waveguide, which switches a propagating path of an optical signal to a path leading to the desired output port. A subsequent stage optical switch section is provided in a branching portion of the optical waveguide subsequent to the first stage optical switch section, which switches a propagating path of a leakage light, which is leaked from the first stage optical switch section, to a path which does not propagates the leakage light to any of the output ports. The first stage optical switch section and the subsequent stage optical switch section switch a path of an optical signal according to a refractive index change caused by a carrier injection.

Abstract: A position information measuring method capable of easily obtaining information on a relative position deviation between two marks by using scatterometry or reflectometry. Marks (25A) are formed on a wafer (W) at a pitch P1, and marks (28A) are formed on an intermediate layer (27) over them at a pitch P2 different from the pitch P1. A detection light (DL) is allowed to vertically enter the wafer (W) and a regular reflection light (22) from two marks (25A, 28A) only is spectrally separated on a wavelength basis for photoelectric converting. Wavelength-based reflectances are obtained from obtained detection signals, a reflectance at a specified wavelength is determined for each position in the measuring direction (X direction) of marks (25A, 28A), the shape of a Moire pattern formed by the overlapping of two marks (25A, 28A) is determined from the obtained reflectance distribution, and the position deviation amount of a mark (28A) is determined from the shape.

Abstract: This position measuring device comprising a calculation unit 19 calculates mark position information relating to the position of the mark by using a mark signal obtained by irradiating a detection beam onto the mark formed on an object W, and a correction device 19 for correcting the calculation results from the calculation unit 19 based on the asymmetry of the mark signal. As a result, positional deviation resulting from asymmetry can be detected, and by correcting for this deviation the effect that the image asymmetry has on the measurement can be reduced. Therefore, a more accurate high precision alignment can be performed, and there is no requirement to increase the NA of the detection optical system, nor to prepare a special short wavelength light source, meaning increases in the size and cost of the apparatus can also be prevented.

Abstract: An optical switch changes over transmission paths of an optical signal by a refractive index change. The optical switch has an optical waveguide layer having an optical waveguide whose output path of an optical signal branches into two, and reflection diffusing ditches which are provided in a portion outside the optical waveguide in the optical waveguide layer, wherein the portion is closed to a branch portion of the optical waveguides. The reflection diffusing ditches extend in a direction crossing a traveling direction of the optical signal.

Abstract: An alignment template goodness qualification method receives a pattern image and a pattern based alignment template and performs template goodness measurement using the pattern image and the pattern based alignment template to generate template goodness result output. A template qualification is performed using the template goodness result to generate template qualification result output. If the template qualification result is acceptable, the pattern based alignment template is outputted as the qualified pattern based alignment template. Otherwise, an alternative template selection is performed using the pattern image, the pattern based alignment template and the template goodness result to generate alternative pattern based alignment template output. The template goodness measurements include signal content measurement, spatial discrimination measurement and pattern ambiguity measurement.