Abstract: A presentation board digitizer system for large boards preferably employs at least three spaced-apart ultrasound receivers assemblies. A current position of an ultrasound transmitter is assigned as a weighted centroid of time-of-flight position measurements based on at least two pairs of receiver assemblies. The weighting used varies as a function of the position of the transmitter across the board. A preferred structure of an ultrasound receiver assembly for use in the system employs a pair of ultrasound receivers arranged side-by-side in a line perpendicular to the surface of the presentation board. The receivers are connected so as to generate a total output signal corresponding to the instantaneous sum of the ultrasound signals received at each, such that the receiver assembly is most sensitive to ultrasound signals incident from a plane adjacent to the presentation board.

Abstract: Method of calculating new luminance value data based on original luminance value data to be displayed on a matrix display device, where luminance value data are coded in sub-fields, and double-line addressing for the least significant sub-fields is used for reducing the addressing time. A reduction of the difference between the new data and the original data is obtained by computing a new common value for the least significant sub-fields of a set of neighboring or adjacent lines, and new values for the most significant sub-fields of each line of said set of adjacent lines. The method comprises embodiments which are applicable to both binary and non-binary sub-fields.

Abstract: A single polarizer projector using a color switch (i.e., color filter) comprising an image processing circuit for the image scaling processing, a &ggr; correction circuit for &ggr; correction, a panel drive circuit for driving a reflection panel, a color switch drive circuit for driving a color switch for coloring according to the gradation on the reflection display panel, and a color switch, whereby the color switch drive circuit determines the mean luminance of the outputted picture element data (original image) which has undergone the image processing, and the white color or black color is inserted among the displayed gradation for each of the R, G and B colors according to the value of the mean luminance to expand the dynamic range of the image to be displayed.

Abstract: A method for arranging entities in a two-dimensional lattice including the steps of determining all applicable two-dimensional lattice forms from a predetermined group of lattice forms for a predetermined number of entities to be arranged; determining the dimensions of a bounding region and a uniform separation distance between a center point of each entity for each applicable lattice form; selecting an optimal applicable two-dimensional lattice form; and plotting positions of each of the predetermined number of entities within the optimal applicable two-dimensional lattice form.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modeling the specular reflection of light from an object is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the method, a portion of the object is modeled by one or more surfaces each having at least one vertex and an edge point corresponding to an edge. A sine value associated with a highlight angle is determined at each vertex and edge point, and a control value is determined at each vertex and edge point using the sine values. A specular input component at each point on the surface is determined using the control values. The specular input component is utilized to determine the specular light component at that particular point. Embodiments of apparatus implementing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A graphics system comprises a texture memory, a rendering engine, a sample buffer and a filtering engine. The rendering engine renders received primitives based on a render pixel array whose vertical and horizontal resolutions are dynamically programmable. The rendering engine determines render pixels that geometrically intersect a primitive. For each intersecting render pixel, a texture access may be required (if texture processing is turned on) to determine texture values. The texture values may be used to compute sample values at sample positions interior to the sample render pixel and the primitive. A controlling agent may decrease the vertical and horizontal resolutions of the render pixel array to control frame render time. The filtering engine may programmably generate virtual pixel centers covering the render pixel array. Any change in the render pixel resolutions may require an accommodating change in the virtual pixel array parameters.

Abstract: A web-based system for sending an electronic mail message containing simulated human handwriting includes a website having a user interface whereby an email sender can enter a message in text format directly into the website, convert the message into simulated handwriting and forward the email to a recipient, without having to download or install additional software. The email sender may tailor the appearance of the message by choosing from a variety of formatting parameters including character size, color, pen type and choice of script. From this information, a compressed graphic image of handwritten script is created, which may then be presented to the sender for preview or editing prior to being sent to the recipient. The generated compressed graphic images are encoded in standard formats (e.g., GIF or JPEG) and sent using standard email protocols, which are acceptable to most email readers, thereby eliminating the need for special-purpose software for the recipient.

Abstract: A display control apparatus controls attributes of characters to be displayed on a display unit. The display control apparatus includes a storage storing predetermined attributes, and a converter for converting attributes of each of characters making up an input character string by referring to the storage so that characters making up a converted character string have the predetermined attribute. The converted character string is output for display on the display unit.

Abstract: A thickening process of figure data (outline font data) is performed, an intersection where line segments on outlines cross is obtained, the outlines are separated at the intersection, the separated outline portions are synthesized, the rounding direction of the outlines after the outline synthesis is compared with the original rounding direction of the outlines, and the outlines in which the rounding directions are different from the original rounding direction are deleted. Thus, the outlines overlapped by the thickening process are correctly connected and the inside can be correctly painted.

Abstract: An automated method of and system for collecting and displaying audience recognition information concerning a video presentation, comprising: displaying a video presentation to a plurality of subjects; inquiring of each of the subjects by computer means whether each of a plurality of still images from the video presentation are recognized by each of the subjects; for each of the images, tabulating a percentage of the subjects reporting recognition of the image in inquiring; and automatically generating by computer means a graph comprising each of the images, wherein a position of each of the images on the graph is determined by the corresponding percentage generated in tabulating.

Abstract: In a method for representing movements when examining animated objects with ultrasound, the object is scanned with an ultrasound split-field unit (1) adjusted to one cutting plane only. The signals obtained from successive split image scannings are converted in a memory (3) into a virtual three-dimensional data block, in which the third dimension results from a preset or selectable time interval between successively recorded split images. From the stored data block data are called up by way of one or more console inquiry stations (4, 5) and according to adjustable criteria, namely interfaces or cutting axes by way of this data block or according to signal criteria, and images are displayed on at least one display unit (7) in the form of split images (8), motion curves (11, 12), and height-adjusted or depth-adjusted or axonometrically displayed groups of curves (13) giving a spatial impression, or as a three-dimensional impression.

Abstract: An apparatus generating a closed-loop periodic motion data from open time-series motion data given for moving a multi-joint rigid body object, and comprising an open periodic motion generating unit for making local movements of a multi-joint rigid body object periodic and generating an open periodic time-series motion data, a closed-loop motion generating Unit for reading out the position data of the whole object among the open periodic time-series motion data, generating the position data of the whole object made its motion closed-loop, replacing the position data of the whole object among open periodic time-series motion data stored in a storage unit with the generated data, and storing the generated data in the storage unit.

Abstract: A CPU including a CPU-side signal line for connecting each of CPU-side memory device, OSD device, and OSD-side memory device to the CPU, and switching means for disconnecting the OSD device and OSD-side memory device from the CPU-side signal line when the CPU erases or rewrites memory contents of the CPU-side memory device through the CPU-side signal line.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for efficiently accomplishing texture transformation from an initial state to a final state. Only an initial and a final texture, and the number of desired intermediate textures are transmitted to a local computer system from a remote computer system. A control channel bears information of the desired number of intermediate textures and is used for controlling which pixels are to be changed and how fast they are changed. In one example, a portion of the initial texture is changed to its final texture in each intermediate texture. In another example, the colors of the initial texture change gradually into the final texture by changing the values of the color components of each pixel in each intermediate texture by a predetermined step value.

Abstract: A method for implementing per-pixel shading is provided that is fast enough to be used with real time interactive graphics products. Computationally expensive color values are precalculated for a sample of normal vector orientations as a function of orientation-dependent color values, collected in a color map, and referenced through the color variables. The color variables are linearly related to angle coordinates that specify the normal vector orientations in a selected coordinate system. Angle coordinates are determined for the vertices of the polygons representing the object to be imaged. During rendering, the vertex angle coordinates are interpolated to provide pixel color angles, which are converted to color variables. Color values referenced by the color variables are assigned to the corresponding pixels.

Abstract: At least of images to be reconstituted, a display controller 5 separates gradation data constituting image data and image quality data of the images to be reconstituted, and transmits the two different separated data together with such data as layer data and active area data concerning display areas to an image display unit. In the image display unit, gamma coefficient data of the full display area is determined from the obtained gradation data and image quality data by using first layer data. As for a 2-nd to an n-th layer image, image correction is made via a color managing image processor to obtain satisfactory image quality with first layer correction coefficient data, thus minimizing the image quality deterioration in the full display area. Thus, a system permits image reproduction faithful to the image quality of the original images.

Abstract: In a rendering device Urnd1, a processor 1 receives a front-left image Sfl and a front-right image Sfr at regular intervals, and therefrom, cuts out a partial front-left image and a partial front-right image for overlay onto a mask image. The processor 1 then overlays, with a predetermined timing, any one of vehicle model images varying in size onto the mask image. Here, the vehicle model image is overlaid in such manner as to create a moving picture as if the vehicle model image is moving forward. With such vehicle model image, a driver of a vehicle can instantaneously recognize that a drive assistant device is now showing the front side of the vehicle.

Abstract: By selecting a template, a crop boundary (98a) is displayed on an image on a screen. The crop boundary has a corresponding shape to that of a frame of the selected template, and is variable in size while keeping the same shape and being centered on a reference point (98e). Upper and lower horizontal lines (98b, 98c) are also displayed inside the crop boundary to define an internal zone (98d), and the center point on the upper horizontal line is defined as the reference point. By placing the reference point on the top of the head of a human subject contained in the displayed image and then moving the lower horizontal line to align it with the chin, the internal zone is adjusted to the head of the human subject. In cooperation with the movement of the lower reference line, the crop boundary is automatically enlarged or reduced so as to keep the internal zone in a predetermined proportion and position relative to the crop boundary.

Abstract: Focus state themeing is accomplished by separating the processing of the focus state from the processing of an operative state of a control element. The operative states of the control element are entered or exited based upon the detection of input from a user or the detection of control availability by the operating system or by an application running on the operating system. Once an operative state is determined for a control element, the focus state of the control element is detected and merged with the operative state to generate a theme state for the control element. The theme state is a combination of the operative state and the focus state. There is one combined theme state for each operative-focus combination. Various display configurations may be used to represent a control element with a combined operative-focus state. The control element is then rendered on a display based on the operative state theme and the focus state theme.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for using predetermined preferences/characteristics to ascertain personal compatibility between network or chat room participants based upon profile information. When the system determines that these preferences are favorable for interpersonal compatibility, the system will automatically notify or page the participants so as to facilitate their introduction. Further functionality, aside from the compatibility based upon profile information, includes e-mail and other electronic notification of personal compatibility as well as geographic compatibility.

Abstract: When driving an ink-jet printhead equipped with a matrix-type circuit having a substrate, a plurality of scanning signal lines and a plurality of information signal lines on the substrate and heating elements provided on the substrate at points of intersection between the scanning and information signal lines, scanning signals (Vy1 to Vy3) having a first potential (½·V0) are supplied sequentially to the scanning signal lines by a first driving circuit, select signals (Vx1 to Vx4) having a second potential (−½·V0) are supplied to the information signal lines by a second driving circuit in accordance with print data, and each of the scanning and select signals is provided with a first interval (t1) having first and second potentials and with a second interval (t2) over which the potential difference is zero, whereby accumulation of heat at unselected points is prevented to suppress crosstalk.

Abstract: In a thermal ink jet print head, individually-controlled heating elements are separated into groups of heating elements. Redundant control lines for the separate groups of heating elements increase the print head's reliability by reducing the likelihood that a print head will be completely disabled by an electrical fault on the control lines that in prior art devices extended to all of the heating elements.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a high-density ink-jet print head that utilizes a common high-density nozzle plate as a base for aligning a multiple of ink-jet printing modules. The high-density nozzle plate has wide body, high-density, high-resolution nozzles. The nozzle plate is fabricated using conventional electrochemical machining or laser machining techniques. The nozzle plate is able to provide not only a base for aligning each ink-jet printing module, but also the alignment necessary for the whole group of the ink-jet printing modules so that all modules are aligned properly. Therefore, the alignment operation can be carried out without the need for sophisticated alignment equipment and the alignment accuracy is high.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink cartridge body which is removably mountable in a printer carriage area of an ink jet printer and an alignment and latching mechanism for the ink cartridge body. The printer carriage area includes at least first and second spaced-apart elongate guide rails and the ink cartridge body includes a printhead and at least two bearing points at predetermined locations on the ink cartridge body, each of the bearing points disposed on the cartridge body for separately engaging at least one of the elongate guide rails for aligning and maintaining the printhead in a predetermined orientation relative to the print media in the printer. The invention substantially reduces the number of parts and tolerances thereof required for aligning a printhead relative to a print media by directly aligning the cartridge body rather than the carrier in the carriage area of the printer.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of manufacturing a monolithic thermal fluid jet nozzle for the electronically controlled propulsion of fluids characterized by the steps of arranging said nozzle on a substrate on which at least one dielectric layer and at least one layer of metal or metal strip have been deposited; removing at least part of the deposited metal layer, leaving chancels adjacent to said at least dielectric layer or in-between dielectric layers, for the transportation of fluids; applying at least one heating element to the channel for fluid propulsion, which element superheats the fluid to form a vapour bubble which ejects at least part of the surrounding fluid through the nozzle.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid by generation of bubble includes an ejection outlet for ejecting the liquid; a liquid path in fluid communication with the ejection outlet; a bubble generation region for generating the bubble in the liquid; a movable member having a fulcrum and a free end and disposed faced to the bubble generation region; wherein the movable member moves from the first position to the second position by pressure produced by the generation of the bubble, and a resistance against movement of the movable member, is smaller adjacent the free end than adjacent the fulcrum.

Abstract: An ink container for supplying ink out of a main body thereof through an ink supply port, the container includes an ink retaining material for retaining the ink in the main body of the container; pressure adjusting means for adjusting a pressure in the main body; and a valve member disposed in the ink supply port; the valve including a substantially non-elastic plug member for plugging the ink supply port and an elastic member for urging the substantially non-elastic member toward the ink supply port.

Abstract: An ink tank cartridge for use in an ink jet recorder has a container having exterior walls, a porous member is stored in the container, an ink supply port that extends through one of the exterior walls of the body to supply ink to the exterior of the cartridge, and a packing member, disposed within the ink supply port and having an opening therethrough and a rib formed on a upper surface. A pressing member may be provided to bias the packing member against an inner surface of the ink supply port. The ink tank cartridge can be assembled to limit the occurrence of air bubbles in the ink.

Abstract: The invention concerns apparatus and method for printing onto lenticular material. Lenticular material has particularly onerous alignment requirements which, until now, has meant that it has not been possible to print upon such material on an automated home user basis. The apparatus and method of the present invention, utilise a feed cylinder 30 which incorporates grooves 311-31n which are dimensionally arranged to correspond with lens dimensions of a preferred lenticular material size. The feed cylinder 30, as it rotates about a central longitudinal axis 33, aligns and feeds input lenticular material into a printer to be printed upon. The cylinder 30 can also be used with other print media such as paper, transparencies etc, by providing the cylinder 30 with ridges 32 between the grooves 311-31n. With such conventional material, the ridges 32 grip the media as it is fed into the printer.

Abstract: A light emitting element array is provided with a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a row, field-effect transistors connected in series with the respective light emitting diodes, shift registers for individually turning the respective field-effect transistors on by individually supplying drive signals to gates of the respective field-effect transistors, and an emission controller for driving the light emitting diodes by supplying the emission signals, whose levels are so differed as to correspond to the respective light emitting diodes, to the light emitting diodes connected with the field-effect transistors when these field-effect transistors are individually turned on.

Abstract: Two-dimensional image data is divided into two-dimensional image data of numbers of main scanning lines depending on intervals between laser beams. While effective signals are high in level, the divided two-dimensional image data simultaneously start being outputted as effective image data. While effective signals are low in level, the two-dimensional image data are made ineffective. In this manner, recording ranges covered by the laser beams are adjusted to record a two-dimensional image. A high-quality two-dimensional image can thus be recorded at a high speed in a desired recording position on a photosensitive medium by exposure to light beams with an inexpensive arrangement without the need for a highly accurate adjusting process and a highly accurate adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image by modulating laser light in correspondence with an image signal. A pulsewidth modulation signal is generated in correspondence with input image data. A laser drive control circuit has a photosensor PD which detects laser light emitted from a laser diode LD and generates a detection current, a resistor which generates a detection voltage corresponding to the detection current outputted from the photosensor PD, a buffer in which the generated detection voltage is inputted, an amplifier which amplifies an output from the buffer, and a constant current source and a switch to add a predetermined current to the detection current for compensation for reduction of output voltage due to offset voltages of the buffer and the amplifier. Control data for controlling maximum and minimum pulsewidths in the pulsewidth modulation signal are obtained based on the detection voltage, and generation of the pulsewidth modulation signal is controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color image forming apparatus in which it is possible to prevent positional deviation in scanning of each optical scanning device without having to improve the lens accuracy to an extreme degree.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting an alternative video or multimedia data file during an interrupted video transmission in, for example, a mobile video telephony system. In a first aspect of the invention, the method includes interrupting the video signal (200) which then automatically initiates downloading of a video data file from a storage medium (205,206) into a memory (120) for transmission to viewers over the mobile telephony system during the interruption in the video transmission. In a second aspect, a pre-encoded multimedia data file is stored on a storage medium (310) and downloaded into the video telephony system for playback to viewers during the interruption thereby providing a more enjoyable and possibly more informative viewing experience. In a third aspect, a software generated image is produced (400) and transmitted to viewers in lieu of the interrupted video transmission.

Abstract: A system for teleconferencing presentations by a presenter is disclosed, including a cart forming a podium, a computer in or on the cart, a touch panel interface with the computer, positioned on the cart, visible to the presenter; and a CODEC operationally attached to the computer. One arrangement includes a first camera for taking a video image of the presenter, mounted on the cart, and a second camera, mounted on the cart, for taking images of documents. In one preferred arrangement, the system also includes a projector associated with the cart and a screen. The projector projects images from the first or second camera to the screen.

Abstract: According to this invention, an electronic photographing device in which image information corresponding to one set of images photographed by panorama photographing can be recorded on a recording medium includes: a rotating direction setting device for setting information corresponding to a rotating direction of the electronic photographing device in the panorama photographing; a rotating direction recording device for recording information corresponding to the rotating direction set by the rotating direction setting device on the recording medium; a control device for controlling an arrangement of the one set of panorama images on the basis of the information corresponding to the rotating direction recorded on the recording medium; and a display device for displaying the one set of panorama images arranged by the control device.

Abstract: A sampling pulse generator for an electronic endoscope that comprises a CDS circuit, OR circuits, a clock pulse generator, a shift counter, first and second switch groups, EEPROM and a CPU, is provided. The generator cyclically generates clock pulses. The pulses are cyclically counted between 0 and 9 by the counter. The counter has ten output terminals that correspond to each of the count numbers. A signal is only output to a terminal corresponding to the current count number. Each of the first and second switch groups has ten switches that are connected to each of the terminals. With data in the EEPROM, the on-off states of the switches are set by the CPU. The CCD drive pulses are generated by signals from the terminals via OR circuits. The clamp pulse and sample-hold pulse are generated by signals from the switch groups which are set in the on state.

Abstract: The method for coding live images in microscopy makes possible the recording of a first complete image (251) that depicts a portion of a microscopic preparation (14a). A first coded complete image (200) is generated therefrom and is stored in a buffer memory (27). The first coded complete image (251) can moreover be output, for example, on a monitor. When a second complete image (252) is recorded, only a part is processed and transmitted. That part corresponds to the offset of an X-Y stage (12). The coordinates of the portion of the second complete image (252), and further control data, are transferred to a control data decoder (26). A correspondingly assembled and coded complete image (210) is generated in an image assembler (32), the at least one coded partial image (220) and the preceding coded complete image located in the buffer memory (27) being used.

Abstract: A video observation system, useful for location of fish and other plant and animal life underwater, comprises a solid state imager having substantial sensitivity to infrared radiation; video signal generating means for generating a video signal corresponding to the image formed on the solid state imager; mounting means for mounting the solid state imager on a submersible portion of a watercraft; and a video display device arranged to display a visible image corresponding to the image formed on the solid state imager.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for illuminating the end portions of downwardly extending features of a component without substantially illuminating the body of the component. At least one light source is configured to direct a fan-shaped sheet of light at the downwardly extending features of the component at a low angle of incidence with respect to the component body. A camera or other image capture device captures an image of the illuminate downwardly extending features and signal processing means determine the position of the downwardly extending features from the image thus formed with respect to a desired position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for driving door installations as a function of the presence of person wherein the region of the door installation is continuously observed by at least one videocamera. According to the invention through the videocamera and/or suitable sensors, object motions within the space to be monitored are acquired with an analysis being carried out in conjunction with the video image of whether or not the moving object is a person. If this is the case, its location and/or direction of movement is determined and the door installation is driven as a function thereof. The videocamera is preferably disposed approximately diametrically opposite the door installation with its angle of view being directed as steeply as possible onto the region to be monitored. The videocamera is connected to an electronic image processing device.

Abstract: An scanning device for a television camera sealed in a casing. An intermediate body is rotatable on a support about a first rotation axis. The camera is rotatable on the intermediate body about a second rotation axis by rotatable coupling mechanisms provided with respective internal housing seals within which are introduced and disposed along a rotation axis successive respective deformable sections of connection cable for the camera, pre-shaped partially wound in a helix with respective axis parallel to the rotation axis to be elastically deformable to unwind from the helical shape under camera rotation. The casing has a transparent element facing the camera lens and a cleaning device therefor including a transparent film and a movement mechanism to move the film across the transparent element as needed.

Abstract: Selection candidates for number of imaging pixels and for an image compression rate are displayed in a two-dimensional arrangement on a setting screen for setting an image quality, and combinations of selectable number of image pixels and a compression rate can be presented to a user. An instruction for moving a cursor which displays a selected position on the screen is received, and a setting can be changed to a number of pixels and a compression rate which are pointed by the cursor after a position of the cursor is designated. More specifically, numbers of pixels to be selected are 2400×1800, 1280×960, and 640×480, and compression rates to be selected are Fine, Normal, and Basic. When the user selects the number of pixels, candidates of the selectable compression rate for the number of pixels are displayed.

Abstract: In a divisional process for determining which of a camera mode, an OFF mode, and an audio mode is set by a mode setting switch, a process to close a lens cover of a taking lens is performed when the audio mode is set for achieving an audio play function that is unrelated to functions of a camera.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In a normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.

Abstract: This specification discloses an image blur preventing apparatus applicable to a camera which has an image blur detecting device for detecting an image blur state, a predicting portion for predicting the image blur state after a predetermined point of time on the basis of the detection output of the image blur detecting device at the point of time, and forming a predicted image blur signal corresponding to the image blur state, an image blur preventing device for performing an image blur preventing operation in accordance with the predicted image blur signal obtained by the predicting portion, and a changing portion for changing the manner of the prediction by the predicting portion in accordance with the photographing operation state of the camera, whereby optimum prediction is effected in accordance with the state of the camera.

Abstract: Of three-color signals R′, G′ and B′, obtained as output signals of multipliers 156R, 156G and 156B, designed to effectuate luminance compression of the three-color signals R, G and B sent to input terminals 151R, 151G and 151B by multiplying the signals R, G and B with a coefficient k, in such a manner as to maintain saturation and color hue of the three-color signals R, G and B, only the saturation of color video signals represented by the three-color signals R′, G′ and B′ is compressed by first saturation compression circuits 160R, 160G and 160B so that the signal level of the signal of the three-color signals R′, G′ and B′ having the highest signal level will be the clip level.

Abstract: An object is to prevent a false signal from being generated. In a CCD comprising a lot of photodiodes, vertical transfer paths, and a horizontal transfer path, signal charges respectively representing R, G and B color components are mixed in the horizontal transfer path. Therefore, readout of the signal charges inputted to the horizontal transfer path from the photodiodes is controlled such that the order of the color components respectively represented by the signal charges is a repetition of R, G, B and G and a repetition of B, G, R and G in every other row. When complementary colors are generated by mixing pixels in the horizontal transfer path, they differ even in the same column, thereby making it possible to prevent a false signal from being generated.

Abstract: Sampling points are generated selectively in a prescribed portion other than the pattern edge portion of a layout pattern used in a semiconductor manufacturing process based on an input that is data of the layout pattern. Simulation results of a pattern to be generated from the layout pattern are obtained for the respective sampling points. Pattern distortion amounts in the portion other than the pattern edge portion are detected by comparing the data of the layout pattern and the simulation results for the respective sampling points.

Abstract: A lens control device comprising a variator lens group for zooming, a focusing lens group for compensating for a change introduced into the focused position as a result of a zooming operation by the variator lens group, a conversion lens group for changing a focusable shifting area of the variator lens group from a first area to a second area, a computing circuit for determining driving information for driving the focusing lens group during the shifting of the variator lens group, based on focused position data, according to object distance, of the focusing lens group relative to the position of the variator lens group, and a control circuit for shifting the variator lens group from the first area to the second area in response to the mounting of the conversion lens group and for controlling a computing operation of the computing circuit so that a focused position of the focusing lens group is determined when the variator lens group moves within the second area.