Abstract: In a two dimensional image recording and reproducing scheme, a position of a prescribed pattern in an information recording image that contains the prescribed pattern is detected by detecting a rough position of the prescribed pattern in the information recording image in units of pixel size, and then detecting a detailed position of the prescribed pattern in the information recording image in units less than the pixel size, according to the rough position and a center of gravity of a distribution of similarities between regions in the information recording image and a reference image of the prescribed pattern.

Abstract: A holographic medium is formed of an optical waveguide including at least one core layer positioned between at least one portion of a material having a lower refractive index, a diffraction grating layer formed at a boundary between the core layer and the material of lower refractive index or in the core layer, and a storage layer outside the optical waveguide. Upon storing information in the storage layer a reference beam and an object are input into the optical waveguide and in retrieving stored information the reference beam is emitted to an end face of the core layer and transmitted through the core layer to be transformed into a diffracted beam in a diffraction grating layer that is emitted outside the core layer and transmitted through the storage layer, where the object beam is retrieved as a retrieved beam.

Abstract: An information coding apparatus, an information decoding apparatus, and a method and a program therefor are provided, which can represent a large amount of information with a small number of pixels. Information bits which are inputted are coded as a block of a two-dimensional image made up from m (where m is a natural number)×n (where n is a natural number) pixels. Specifically, pixels which represent the information bits are arranged in a code area, which is an area of (m?o)×(n?p) pixels within a code block of m×n pixels (where o and p are natural numbers which satisfy 0<o<m and 0<p<n); and, no pixels which represent the information bits are arranged in a guide area, which is an area of the other pixels within the code block of m×n pixels.

Abstract: An information reading apparatus can detect the coupling state of the input light to a waveguide of a laminated recording medium in a simple manner, so as to enable to focus the input light on a target recording layer to access the information recorded in the target recording layer quickly. The apparatus is compact and is economical to produce. The apparatus has a light source for injecting a light on an input edge of a lamination recording section, assembled into the recording medium containing a lamination of recording layers. Each recording layer has data represented by scattering centers which diffract an input light generated by a converging lens. An input light directing device directs the light source and the converging lens as a unit to focus the input light on a desired location. An image recording device records an informational image generated by guided waves produced within a laminated waveguide.

Abstract: In a two dimensional image recording and reproducing scheme, a position of a prescribed pattern in an information recording image that contains the prescribed pattern is detected by detecting a rough position of the prescribed pattern in the information recording image in units of pixel size, and then detecting a detailed position of the prescribed pattern in the information recording image in units less than the pixel size, according to the rough position and a center of gravity of a distribution of similarities between regions in the information recording image and a reference image of the prescribed pattern.

Abstract: A holographic medium comprising an optical waveguide including at least one core layer positioned between portions having a lower refractive index; a diffraction grating layer formed at a boundary between the core layer and the above portions or in the core layer; and a storage layer outside the optical waveguide. An optical waveguide having the above structure in which the diffraction efficiency of the diffraction grating layer has a specific distribution is useful. In multiple-angle storage, a reference beam is emitted from an end face of a core layer or from the upper or lower side of the medium and a photodetector may be used, so as to control the incident angle. The reference beam and/or the optical waveguide is moved so that the reference beam couples only with a specific diffraction grating layer. The object beam may be focused onto a small target area of the storage layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spin-processing apparatus less likely to produce a mist when an object to be processed is rotated. The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a cup body having a lower cup and an upper cup mounted relative to the lower cup to be up/down movable, a rotation body retaining the object mounted within the cup body, a step motor rotationally driving the rotation body, an exhaust tube connected to a bottom of the lower cup to allow a gas in the cup body to be exhausted, and a scatter-proof cover provided within the upper cup and mounted above the rotation body.

Abstract: A heat welding apparatus for bonding a heat-meltable sheet, such as an asphalt sheet, to a substrate. The apparatus has a chamber having an inlet and an outlet on opposite sides thereof and an exhaust duct in its upper portion for exhausting gases generated during welding, a conveyor mechanism extending through the inlet and outlet of the chamber for intermittently conveying a laminated structure of the substrate and the heat-meltable sheet, and near infrared radiators for heating the laminated structure disposed respectively above and below the laminated structure which has been fed into the chamber, and stopped thereat, by the conveyor mechanism.