Abstract: A non-linear response correction apparatus and method reduce look up table size and output error. In one embodiment, a range of an N-bit input signal is split into two or more sectors, based on a gradient of a non-linear correction curve and an allowable error, and then a N-bit input signal is divided into U upper bits and D lower bits where U and D depend on which sector contains the input signal. First and second look up tables read first and second data stored therein, respectively, using the upper bits of the digital signal as an address. The first data is the difference between a corrected signal and the input signal, and the second data is the gradient of the corrected signal with respect to the gradient of the input signal. The second data read from the second look up table is multiplied by the lower bits, and the first data read from the first look up table is added to the upper bits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing visibility of damping wire artifacts in aperture grill display tubes comprises a sensor device for locating the artifacts and responsively generating amplitude values, a processor for receiving the generated amplitude values and responsively calculating correction values, and a compensator device coupled to the processor for utilizing the correction values to correct said artifacts.

Abstract: A CRT display device having a cathode ray tube for displaying an image, includes a front case having plural fixing bosses for mounting the cathode ray tube therein and four sides defining a display area; a deflection preventing rib, formed on each side of the front case, for minimizing a gap between the cathode ray tube and the front case; and a CRT chassis for fixing the cathode ray tube to the fixing bosses. Each deflection rib is made up of a first portion for receiving a pressing force from the installation of the cathode ray tube and a second portion for generating a reaction force against the front surface of the cathode ray tube. The first and second portions forming a profile comparable to the outer surface of the cathode ray tube.

Abstract: An imaging optical system is disclosed. The system comprises a liquid crystal lens including a first body consisting of a substantially transparent birefringent liquid crystal member, a second body consisting of a substantially transparent birefringent liquid crystal member, and two pairs of electrodes for adding an electric field or a magnetic field onto the first body and the second body. A rear face of the first body is aligned perpendicular to a front face of the second body, the first body and the second body have substantially symmetrical shape against a plane perpendicular to an optical axis and plurality of optical elements are arranged front and after the liquid crystal lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin film transistor and a fabricating method thereof which is applied to a buried bus coplanar type TFT wherein the source and drain wires are located on a substrate. The present invention includes an insulated substrate, a source electrode and a drain electrode on the insulated substrate, a first insulating layer on the insulated substrate wherein the first insulating layer has a predetermined pattern, an active layer on the first insulating layer wherein the active layer has a source region, a channel region and a drain region, a second insulating layer covering the active layer, and a gate electrode on the second insulating layer over the channel region.

Abstract: To prevent an n-channel thin-film transistor from being deteriorated by hot holes generated in a gate-negative pulse mode, a thin polysilicon film 10 is provided with a p-type semiconductor region 13 in contact with a channel region 14. The p-type semiconductor region 13 is electrically connected to nowhere except the channel region 14. Holes induced on the surface due to a gate-negative pulse are further supplied from the p-type semiconductor region 13. An electric field established by the gate-negative pulse is relaxed by the holes, fewer hot holes are injected into the gate oxide film, and the TFT characteristics are less deteriorated.

Abstract: The display device includes an optical cell having a cell front with at least one cell region being capable of an optically transmissive mode and an optically nontransmissive mode with reference to the cell front. The optical cell contains an optically active material responsive to an applied electrical field such that optical properties of the material are controllably changeable. A reflector may be optically coupled to the cell. A prismatic film including a prismatic surface is optically coupled to the optical cell. The prismatic surface preferably comprises a series of prisms. The prisms have first faces and second faces intersecting the first faces. The first faces are oriented to refract light obliquely intercepting the first faces and the second faces are oriented to minimize refractive, reflective, and optical interactions of the light with the second faces.

Abstract: A lighter and thinner LCD module wherein a mold frame, a back cover and a top chassis are removed by directly attaching a back light assembly to a rear case and an LCD panel and a driving circuit unit to a front case.

Abstract: The invention concerns Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), in which Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) is used. PDLC does not require the use of polarizing filters and half-reflective mirrors, as do some other LCDs. Eliminating the polarizing filters and mirrors eliminates the light attenuation which the filters and mirrors cause. Thus, less light input is required, which increases battery life in devices which are battery-powered. The invention provides a color display by applying color filters to each pixel, and by edge-illuminating the PDLC.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a polarizer having a function of separating incident light into polarized light through reflection and transmission, which has (a) a haze of 10% or less, or (b) a ratio of parallel transmitted light to incident light of 40 to 60%, (c) a ratio of mirror reflected light to the incident light of 25% or more, (d) a ratio of diffusion reflected light to the incident light of 20% or less or (e) a fraction of mirror reflected light to the whole reflected light of 60% or more; (2) an optical element comprising the polarizer, and a 1/4 wavelength formed by one or two or more retardation layers disposed on at least one side thereof; (3) a lighting device comprising a surface light source, and the polarizer or the optical element disposed thereon; and (4) a liquid crystal display comprising the lighting device and a liquid crystal cell arranged on the light outgoing side thereof, with a polarizing plate intervening therebetween.

Abstract: A reflection-type liquid crystal displaying device is described. It has at least one optically transmitting first substrate on which an optically transmitting electrode is formed and a second substrate that reflects light. A liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first and the second substrates. An anisotropic scattering film for anisotropically scattering an incident light is formed directly on a side of the first substrate.

Abstract: A reflection type liquid crystal apparatus comprises a pixel electrode substrate carrying thereon a plurality of pixel electrodes, an opposite substrate disposed vis-a-vis said pixel electrodes and a liquid crystal material filling the gap between the substrates and adapted to display images by causing the pixel electrodes to reflect light entering from the opposite substrate. A reflection layer is arranged below a plurality of openings defined by the plurality of pixel electrodes to reflect light entering through the openings back to the openings.

Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal display and a light diffusion reflector are provided, comprising at least one light diffusion layer and a reflector having one or two reflection angles which exhibit maximums in an angle-dependent distribution curve of reflected light intensity which is generated when light is irradiated on the reflector surface from a direction at an angle of -45 degrees from a normal line to the reflector surface, in which at least one angle exhibiting the maximum deviates by at least 5 degrees from the angle of +45 degrees from the normal line to the reflector surface. The reflective liquid crystal display exhibits a bright image and an excellent visibility of images.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprises a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, a liquid crystal sealed in a space between the first and the second substrate, gate lines formed in longitudinal rows on the first. substrate, layer insulating film formed over the gate lines, source lines formed in transverse lines on the layer insulating film so as to form a matrix with the gate lines, thin-film transistors each electrically connected to the gate line and the source line, pixel electrodes formed in regions demarcated by the intersecting gate lines and the source lines and connected to the thin-film transistors, respectively, and gate insulating film interposed between the gate electrodes of the thin-film transistors and an active semiconductor layer. The dielectric constant of the gate insulating film being greater than that of the layer insulating film, and the liquid crystal display has a small parasitic capacitance which increases delay in signal transmission.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus of the present invention includes an array substrate, a counter substrate, and liquid crystal that is interposed and held by a space formed by maintaining the array substrate and the counter substrate at a specified interval in a parallel manner, the liquid crystal display apparatus being of in-plane switching in which voltage is impressed on a pair of electrodes disposed on the array substrate to generate an electric field substantially parallel with respect to the array substrate surface and in which liquid crystal is driven through in-plane switching of liquid crystal molecules, wherein the array substrate is formed with a conductive film layer on a surface opposite to the surface on which the pair of electrodes are disposed. Providing a liquid crystal display apparatus with no electric charged being stored on the substrate surface thereof and no afterimages appear.

Abstract: A flat panel display including a light modulating layer having two surfaces and formed of pierceable material; first vertical and second horizontal conductive traces formed respectively on the surfaces of the light modulating layer; and conductive piercing pins connected to the first and second conductive traces.

Abstract: Substrate elements for making liquid crystal display devices are disclosed as well as display devices using such elements. A substrate element includes a base sheet having the desired optical properties and providing the structural stability for the substrate element. The substrate element further includes a microstructured barrier layer that protects the base sheet from adverse chemical reactions with the liquid crystal or alignment layer solvents. The microstructured barrier layer comprises a plurality of microstructured spacing members that provide precise, uniform spacing between the first substrate element and a second substrate element. A pair of substrate elements, at least one of which having a microstructured barrier layer, can thereby be mated to form a display device. The substrate elements of the present invention allow large area, high resolution displays to be fabricated which will provide uniform display properties throughout the display area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a TN cell which contains a nematic liquid crystal having positive dielectric anisotropy and a twist angle of essentially 90.degree., between two substrates provided with electrode and alignment layers, where the product of the separation between the substrate plates d and the optical anisotropy d.multidot..DELTA.n [sic] of the liquid crystal is between 0.15 and 0.70 .mu.m, characterised in that the liquid crystal contains a doping component in order to improve the grey shade capacity, so that the cell has a value for the undisturbed quotient of the separation between the substrate plates d and the pitch of the liquid crystal p of 0.1.ltoreq.d/p.ltoreq.0.5.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element which comprises an oriented liquid crystal polymer and with which a liquid crystal display less apt to have display unevenness in a wide viewing range including the front and slant directions can be fabricated; and an optical element and a polarizing element each containing the liquid crystal element. The liquid crystal element comprises either a layer of an oriented liquid crystal polymer or a substrate and formed thereon the layer of an oriented liquid crystal polymer, wherein the liquid crystal polymer layer has an average in-plane haze of 10% or higher and a dispersion of the in-plane haze H (%) within the range represented by the relationship a-.sqroot.(10a).ltoreq.H.ltoreq.a+.sqroot.(10a) wherein "a" is the average haze (%), or has an average in-plane haze lower than 10% and a dispersion of the in-plane haze H (%) within the range represented by the relationship 0.ltoreq.H.ltoreq.b+.sqroot.(10b) wherein "b" is the average haze (%).

Abstract: A full-color image capture system includes a color separation element and a single image sensor array. The color separation element can be operated in either a light reflective (mirror) mode in which selected intrinsic colors are reflected onto the image sensor array, or a light transmissive (filter) mode in which selected colors are transmitted to produce subtractive primary color images. The color separation element can be formed of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal materials that reflect light of selected intrinsic colors. The color separation element can include three holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal material layers so that three different intrinsic colors can be selectively reflected or transmitted onto the image sensor to provide a full-color image.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing substrates according to a predetermined photolithography process includes a loading station in which the substrates are loaded, a coating station in which the substrates are coated with a photoresist material, an exposing station in which the photoresist coating is exposed to light through a mask having a predetermined pattern to produce a latent image of the mask on the photoresist coating, a developing station in which the latent image is developed, an unloading station in which the substrates are unloaded and a monitoring station for monitoring the substrates with respect to predetermined parameters of said photolithography process before reaching the unloading station.

Abstract: A reference beam detector according to the invention can be used to accurately and efficiently perform a level shifting operation by means of a reference beam and effectively eliminate the use of markers and other devices that are structurally simple but entail cumbersome operations and also the use of a level shifter. The beam detector comprises a detector main body having a beam receiving section for detecting an emitted laser beam, a display section for displaying the position of receiving the emitted beam relative to the reference position of the beam receiving section and a slidable index section having an index for indicating the position relative to the reference position.

Abstract: A subsystem addition to the Imaging Simplified Laser Pointing System (ISL). The subsystem in itself is a laser system to be operated off-axis within the field of view of the ISLAPS. This subsystem laser is to be used to interrogate the target. Operation of the ISLAPS at night or with low light conditions is made possible by this addition. The interrogator beam is bounced off the target. In the OA mode the receiver is looking for a retro-reflection or optical augmentation to signal the firing of the negation laser. This mode can be used at any light level. In the illuminator mode the interrogator is "opened up" to effectively spotlight the target during low light conditions. This allows for imaging, aimpoint selection and video correlation in the same manner as was done with ambient light in the original system. The use of the interrogator also makes it possible to range gate. This reduces background creating clearer images and increases sensitivity because it allows for a reduction in threshold levels.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an electromagnetic radiation source, an optical analyzer, and a fiber optic bundle. The fiber optic bundle has an excitation fiber in optical communication with the electromagnetic radiation source and a plurality of emission fibers in optical communication with the optical analyzer. The optical analyzer can have multiple channels, including a fluorescence-emission channel in optical communication with the emission fibers. Optionally, the fiber optic bundle can further contain at least one reflection fiber in optical communication with an absorbance/reflectance channel. In addition to detecting Fries product in formed polycarbonate materials, the method and apparatus can also be utilized to directly determine the concentration of a target species in parallel polycarbonate reactor systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double pass monochromator that improves wavelength resolution and reduces the actual length thereof. A return reflection means 7 that reverses the direction of dispersion of the wavelength of the second pass light 1c, 1f emitted and incident on a diffraction grating 4 during the reflection. In addition, the angles of the incident and emitted light during separation of spectral components by the diffraction grating are identical during the first and second diffraction.

Abstract: A two-fibre optic probe or sensor performs accurate measurements of fluids flowing within a remote vessels, such as blood flowing within arteries or veins or fluid flowing within pipes. One of the fibre transmits a light that is intercepted by a reflective surface. The reflective surface reflects the light out of the probe through an optically transparent window, located in the probe, and into the volume of the fluid. A portion of the emitted light scatters back, as backscatter, through the optical window into the probe where the light once again encounters the reflective surface. The reflective surface then directs the backscattered light directly into the terminal ends of the other fibre that receives the light. The detected light is used to measure the volume of the fluid at the area where the incident beam of the emitted light and the backscattered light overlaps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a urinalysis apparatus easy to maintain and manage without using any supplies such as the test paper, in which the concentration of an optically active substance in urine is determined by measuring the angle of rotation of the urine. Also, a polarimeter and a urinalysis apparatus which are reliable, compact and inexpensive are provided by using a polarimeter including means for transmitting the polarized light through a specimen, applying a magnetic field to the specimen and detecting the change in the direction of light polarization due to the application of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A height meter for measuring the height of a first surface of a transparent object is described, which height meter comprises a radiation source for supplying a converging measuring beam whose chief ray extends at an angle to the normal on the surface, and a radiation-sensitive detection unit for detecting a radiation beam reflected by the surface to be measured. Since a diaphragm is arranged in the path of this beam, it is prevented that radiation reflected by a second surface situated opposite the first surface can reach the detection unit. The height meter is notably suitable for an inspection device for a lithographic mask.

Abstract: A system for point-by-point measurement of spatial coordinates comprising: one or more opto-electronic cameras (7, 8) arranged for measuring spatial direction to point-shaped light sources; one or more rangefinders (11) for measuring distance and optionally direction to light-reflecting targets (19, 28); a touch tool (18) having a minimum of three point-shaped light giving means (21-25) in known local coordinates relative to a local tool-fixed coordinate system, one or more light-reflecting points or targets (28) for the laser rangefinder, and having a contact point (30) in known position relative to said local coordinate system; and data processor (2) designed to compute the spatial position and orientation of said touch tool (18) relative to said camera (7, 8) and rangefinder (11) on the basis of knowledge of the position of said light giving means (21-25) relative to the tool's contact point (30), the measured directions from the cameras (7, 8) to the individual light giving means (21-25), and measured dis

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precision distance measurement are provided to perform accurate measurement of distance to an object according to light spots formed on the light receiving surface of a detector even when multiple reflections are involved. A beam of light emitted from a light source and reflected from the object is focused on the viewing surface as light spots through an optical member. The focal position of a reflected beam of light is determined according to a focal position detection process. When there are peaks in a luminosity curve generated on the detector, prior to performing the focal position detection process, the peaks are separated into individual light spots and a correct light spot for deriving the precise distance is selected by a selection process.

Abstract: A robot-based gauging system is provided for determining three-dimensional measurement data of the surface of an object. The robot-based gauging system includes a robot having at least one movable member and a robot controller for controlling the movement of the movable member in relation to the surface of an object. A non-contact sensor is coupled to the movable member of the robot for capturing image data representative of the surface of the object. A position reporting device reports position data representative of the position of the non-contact sensor. A synch signal generator for generating and transmitting a synch signal is electrically connected to each of the non-contact sensor and the position reporting device, such that the non-contact sensor reports image data in response to the synch signal and the position reporting device reports position data in response to the synch signal.

Abstract: A stage apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of interferometers 14H, 14J, 14R for measuring the displacements of a fine adjustment stage 11 at respective measuring sites, a plurality of actuators 29h, 29j, 29r for independently moving the stage 11, and a mathematical operational conversion unit 43. Deviations .DELTA.H, .DELTA.J and .DELTA.R are derived by a subtracting displacements H, J, R of the stage 11 actually measured by the interferometers from the target displacements HT, JT, RT of the stage 11, and supplied to the mathematical operational conversion unit 43, where the target driven increments .DELTA.h, .DELTA.j, .DELTA.r are derived by a calculation using a predetermined mathematical model (this model is an inverse matrix T.sup.-1, which is the inverse of the matrix T describing the operation for deriving the displacements measured by the interferometers from the displacement produced by the actuators).

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the retroreflectivity of materials. The system comprises a light source and a first optical pathway along which an illumination light beam travels originating from the light source and ending at a retroreflective surface to be measured. Also, a second optical pathway is provided along which a retroreflected beam travels back from the retroreflective surface to a sensor array. A processor is electrically coupled to the sensor array with an accompanying memory on which is stored operating logic adapted to determine the intensity of a predetermined pattern of the retroreflected beam incident to the sensor array which defines the retroreflected light which propagates from the retroreflective surface at a predetermined observation angle.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a coating comprising a pigment and metallic flakes, said method by directing beams of light toward a coating; measuring the reflectance of light from the coating at the specular angle; measuring the reflectance of light from the coating at one or moren on-specular angles; analyzing said measured light at the specular and non-specular angles as a function of wavelength; and determining the K/S of the pigment and the volume fraction of said metal flakes within the coating from the measurements of the specular and non-specular reflectance; wherein K is the absorption cross-section of the pigment multiplied by its volume concentration; and S is the scattering cross-section of the pigment multiplied by its volume concentration.

Abstract: A fiber optic interferometric sensor (150) having constantly high sensitivity by use of two lasers (152, 154) that simultaneously output at first and second wavelengths. By judicious choice of the wavelengths, the optical path length difference between the two interferometer paths (164, 166) can be kept near the maximum slope of the interference fringes for one or the other of the wavelengths. The output from the interferometer (160) is divided between first and second detector arms (170, 130). A filter (172) in the first detector arm passes the first wavelength and rejects the second. A filter (182) in the second detector arm passes the second wavelength and rejects the first. A first detector (174) at the output of the first detector arm reads the interference pattern at the first wavelength. A second detector arm reads the interference pattern at the second wavelength.

Abstract: A combination fiber optic current and voltage sensor having a common source and other components. One other common component for certain configurations is the detector. Voltage sources are necessarily designed to avoid coherence and intensity problems when sharing a broadband source with a current sensor. An embodiment of a combination voltage/current sensor shares a birefringence modulator, polarizer, source, detector and electronics. A multitude of fiber optic current sensors and another multitude of fiber optic voltage sensors can share a common fiber light source.

Abstract: An optical displacement measurement system can detect a position of an object with an enhanced degree of resolution by providing, a coherent beam La is focussed on the lattice plane of a diffraction grating 1 by a first focussing element 4 and, at the same time, a first pair of diffracted beam Lb1, Lb2 are collimated and made to irradiate a reflection optical system 3 perpendicularly by a second focussing element 5. Thus, if the optical axis of the first diffracted beam Lb1 is displaced, the first diffracted beam Lb1 follows the same optical path and focussed on the lattice plane of the diffraction grating at the same spot when reflected by the reflection optical system so that the optical axis of the second diffracted beam Lb2 produced from the first diffracted beam Lb1 as the latter is diffracted will never be displaced.

Abstract: An optical system is fabricated in the form of one device, so that the simplified optical system is realized. A displacement is measured with a high resolving power utilizing an interference fringe. An interference measurement probe 2 receives a coherent light from a light source section 1, and divides the coherent light into a plurality of luminous fluxes. The interference measurement probe 2 emits a plurality of irradiation luminous fluxes at different angles. The plurality of irradiation luminous fluxes form an interference fringe and the interference fringe is irradiated onto an objective 8. A light receiving section 3 is disposed at a position where a reflection luminous flux from the objective 8 interferes, and receives an interference light reflected from the objective 8, thereby outputting a light receiving signal which is converted to an electric signal.

Abstract: A method for optically measuring layer thickness in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of providing a first metal layer on a semiconductor device structure, providing a second metal layer on the first metal layer, forming a dielectric layer over the second metal layer and directing light onto the structure such that light reflected from a surface of the dielectric layer and a surface of the second metal layer create an interference pattern from which the dielectric layer thickness is measured. A system for optically measuring layer thickness includes a semiconductor device to be measured. The semiconductor device includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer disposed on the first metal layer, the second metal layer having an arcuate shaped top surface and a dielectric layer disposed on the second metal layer.

Abstract: An interferometric lithographic apparatus includes an arrangement for applying interfering laser beams to a part for producing a first interference pattern. The first interference pattern has a first fringe spacing. A mobile part holder stage is repositioned to change the interference pattern and produce a second fringe spacing. A control arrangement, automatically responsive to the repositioning of the part holder, re-aligns optical paths and optimally interferes the laser beams to produce the second fringe spacing.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a variable width pulse is disclosed for use in an electrostatic printing mechanism which is adapted to produce grayscale intensity of a pixel to be printed based on predetermined digital data. The variable width pulse is formed during a clock interval which is established by a clock signal such that the width of the pulse during the clock interval is based on the digital data and corresponds to a grayscale intensity of the pixel to be printed. The arrangement includes at least a first delay line including an input, an output and a plurality of cells serially connected therebetween such that a digital signal received by the input propagates from the input to the output through the cells. Each cell includes a cell output for indication of the present state of digital data contained in the cell. A pulse generating section then provides the clock signal, as the digital signal, to the input of the first delay line such that the clock signal propagates through the first delay line.

Abstract: A method of printing a print image on a print medium using a printer includes providing a text printing mode, wherein a first predetermined number of bits identify a selected character to be printed. A host based printing mode is provided wherein selected bits each indicate whether a corresponding pixel should be printed. The printer is initialized to print in either one of the text printing mode and the host based printing mode. A second predetermined number of bits of a data stream associated with the print image to be printed are received within the printer. The second predetermined number of bits is examined to determine a presence of a command therein. The printer is enabled to print in an enabled printing mode. The enabled printing mode includes either the text printing mode or the host based printing mode, dependent upon the examination of the second predetermined number of bits. The printer is used to print on the print medium in the enabled printing mode.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a printing method for the printing apparatus, along with a paper ejecting position control method and apparatus of the printing apparatus are provided wherein a print control unit is provided with an instruction evacuating area and a paper ejection evacuating area both for storing information associated with the ejecting position. The ejecting position is contained in an instruction provided to a printing portion based on offset information and contents stored in the instruction evacuating area. The contents of the paper ejection evacuating area are updated based on ejecting position contained in the instruction provided to the printing portion. The paper ejection evacuating area is updated based on the actual ejecting position, and the contents of the instruction evacuating area are updated based on the contents of the paper ejection evacuating area in a recovery after printing failure occurred, therefore, paper can always be ejected to the proper position.

Abstract: In a print data processing apparatus and an input data generating apparatus, image data of an original image generated by a personal computer is binarized in a selected binary mode. The designation number Dn of the selected binarization mode is transmitted with the binary image data to a laser printer. In the laser printer, a data thinning mode-designating number Pn corresponding to the designation number Dn received is set. If the capacity of a development buffer is insufficient, the mode-designating number Pn is read and identified. If Pn="X1", thinning is performed in a first data thinning mode. If Pn="Y2", thinning is performed in a second data thinning mode. If Pn="Z3", thinning is performed in a third data thinning mode. Therefore, if the capacity of a storage device for storing dot image data to be supplied for printing becomes insufficient, dot image data can be reduced in size in an optimal irreversible compressing device selected in accordance with the type of original image.

Abstract: In a photographic process printer system that receives printable pixel data into a print engine component from a computer component over a high-speed fiber channel communication pathway. Feedback control messages from the print engine component are sent over a low-speed serial channel communication pathway to the computer component to control the transmission of printable pixel data. The computer component continues to transmit packets of printable pixel data over the high-speed fiber channel communication pathway as long as the feedback control messages indicate that the print engine component is ready to receive more packets of printable pixel data.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is disclosed which comprises print means for printing input print data on a print recording medium, the print means driven by the input print data, storage means for storing the print data, storage control means for determining whether or not storage specification is set in the print data and storing the print data in the storage means as a file if the storage specification is set, attribute information transfer means for transferring attribute information of the file stored in the storage means to a source issuing the attribute information transfer request in response to an input attribute information transfer request, file conversion means for converting the file stored in the storage means into an image data file in response to an image data file transfer request input based on the attribute information, image data file transfer means for transferring the image data file to a source issuing the image data file transfer request, and reprint means for reading the file stored in the stora

Abstract: An imaging device and method enable the freeing of memory during a punt (print overrun) avoidance operation and during a duplexing operation for enhanced page throughput. Specifically, if a first race condition threshold is met, being indicative of an estimated need to pre-rasterize a band from a page of image data for punt avoidance, and if after pre-rasterization it is determined pre-rasterization is not actually needed for punt avoidance, then the pre-rasterized band is evaluated relative to its display list for memory savings purposes for improved page throughput performance. Similarly, if a duplex condition threshold is met, being indicative of a band being part of a first side of a duplex page being processed and of an estimated need to save memory for processing of the second side of the duplex page, then the band is pre-rasterized and evaluated relative to its display list for memory savings purposes for improved duplex page throughput performance.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer having plural ink ejection nozzles on a print head, additional firings are added for each print element so as to ensure that the ink jet nozzles remain unclogged during printing. The extra firings are effected directly onto the recording medium in a controlled way so as to ensure that printout quality is not adversely affected. Particularly, extra firings of lighter-colored inks are effected over regions of darker colored ink, and any color shift caused thereby is compensated by changing printout data in the surrounding region.

Abstract: An optical image scanner includes a scan head that is mounted onto a guide member with a bias torque that reduces uncertainty in position of the scan head. A drive member, such as a belt or cable, is attached to the scan head with an offset relative to a centerline of the guide member. A tensioning device ensures that the drive member asserts force on the scan head at each of the attachment points. As a result, a bias torque is placed onto the scan head, relative to the guide member, reducing uncertainty in position. For bidirectional movement, the biasing torque is the same for either direction of travel.

Abstract: The claimed integrated scan-to-store apparatus comprises of a single housing unit wherein a flatbed scanner, CPU, monitor, and storing means are disposed within. The apparatus allows images to be scanned and stored on a removable data/storage device.