Abstract: An image system uses an amplification-type MOS sensor for receiving an optical image through a photoelectric conversion element, converting the image into an electrical signal, and outputting the signal. This system includes an optical system for guiding this optical image to a predetermined position, an image processing means having a sensor for photoelectrically converting the optical image guided to the predetermined position by the optical system into an electrical signal in units of pixels, and a signal process device for processing an output from the image processing means, and outputting the resultant data.

Abstract: A compact, handheld portable electronic imaging system including both an electronic imaging camera and hard copy printer are separately housed with respect to each other and readily interfaceable with respect to each other for use either in combination or apart. In addition, a base unit provides a connection to a personal computer or network and provides power to recharge the batteries in the electronic imaging camera. Wireless transceiver interface means for transmitting electronic images between the electronic imaging camera and printer are provided so that when used apart, image defining electronic image information signals may be directed to the printer for the making of hard copies therefrom. A display viewfinder allows the user to see the scene in bright sun light and provides visual feedback and operation with a single user control which results in a simplified user interface.

Abstract: A multimedia system has a file storage, a sequencer, a program storage and an executing unit. The file storage stores a multimedia file composed of sequence tacks including a performance sequence track recording performance sequence information and a drawing sequence tack recording drawing sequence information, and a synchronization means recording synchronization information effective to synchronize the sequence tracks with one another. The sequencer processes the multimedia file for parallel running of the sequence tracks synchronously with each other according to the synchronization information. The program storage stores an application program which treats and controls the multimedia file. The executing unit executes the application program to enable the application program to communicate with the sequencer for effecting a control of the parallel running of the sequence tracks including a start control and a stop control of the parallel running of the sequence tracks.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus and a design method therefor are provided, and more particularly, a design method for a video signal processing integrated circuit (IC), in which to solve the shortage of pin ports caused by designing a video signal processor in a single IC, a vertical synchronization signal is output and a quasi synchronization signal is input through a single pin port, and an IC and a video signal processing apparatus thereby are provided. According to the design method, by designing a vertical synchronization dividing circuit inside an IC without increasing the number of pins in a video signal processing IC, the present invention can reduce the number of components, material costs, and save the PCB space. In addition, by integrating the vertical synchronization dividing circuit inside an IC, the component difference of a discrete device can be reduced, which enhances IC performance.

Abstract: A video-apparatus comprises histogram modification means to match at least luminance signals (Y) for separate pixels to prescribed values. The histogram modification means comprises a first memory (3) with a first look-up table to correct the video luminance signals (Y), while a second memory (4) with a second look-up table is provided, the values within the second look-up table (4) being derived from the values in the first look-up table (3) and being applied to correct the color-difference signals (U and V). Preferably, in order to obtain a distribution of a rounding-off error over a pixel's neighbor, each of the channels for the luminance (Y) and color-difference signals (U and V) comprises a closed lsb (least significant bit) correction loop (14, 14′) with a quantizer (15, 15′) and a pixel memory (16, 16′), the input of the lsb correction loop being formed by the corrected luminance and corrected color-difference signals respectively.

Abstract: A plurality of input/output terminals, with which devices having different protocols are connected in physically different forms, are displayed in an ordinate axis direction, and some of the devices, which are connected with the input/output terminals and the connection states of which can logically be discriminated, are displayed in an abscissa axis direction. The devices are selected by the selection of the input/output terminals displayed in the ordinate axis direction, or by the selection of the devices displayed in the abscissa axis direction, or by the selection of the devices displayed in the abscissa axis direction after the selection of the input/output terminals displayed in the ordinate axis direction.

Abstract: A single polarizer projector with a color switch and a projection method thereof, wherein the mean luminance of the inputted video signal is calculated so that the transmittance of the color switch can be controlled by the mean luminance in such a fashion that the transmittance is set to a maximum (100%) while setting the same to a low level (50%), thereby preventing unnatural blackening of relatively dark image for improving the contrast ratio.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is furnished with: a liquid crystal display element having a pair of substrates, to which alignment members are provided to their respective opposing surfaces, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched by the pair of substrates; an alignment mechanism for providing at least two different director configurations simultaneously on different arbitrary regions used for display in the liquid crystal layer; and a reflection film provided to at least one of the different arbitrary regions showing different director configurations; wherein the different arbitrary regions showing different director configurations are used for a reflection display section for showing reflection display and a transmission display section for showing transmission display, respectively.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes on a surface facing the second substrate, a plurality of gate bus lines extending into a row direction, a plurality of drain bus lines extending into a column direction, and a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix.

Abstract: A highly reliable semiconductor display device is provided. The semiconductor display device has a channel forming region, an LDD region, and a source region and a drain region in a semiconductor layer, and the LDD region overlaps with a first gate electrode, sandwiching a gate insulating film.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device having a thin film transistor in a pixel region thereof, the present invention arranges a semiconductor layer being located under a source electrode in the thin film transistor within a contour of a gate line (or a gate electrode of the thin film transistor) so as to suppress a photo conductive current in the semiconductor layer, or to prevent the source electrode from being broken at a position where the source electrode gets over the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transflective liquid crystal display device having at least one switching element having at least a drain electrode, a first passivation layer formed over the switching element with the first passivation layer defining a drain contact hole exposing a first portion the drain electrode, a transparent pixel electrode contacting the drain electrode through the drain contact hole and defining a contact opening that exposes a second portion of the drain electrode, the contact opening being defined in a portion of the transparent pixel electrode in the drain contact hole, and a reflective pixel electrode contacting the transparent pixel electrode in the drain contact hole and contacting the drain electrode through the contact opening.

Abstract: An array substrate includes a wiring section, switching elements, an insulating film formed so as to cover the wiring section and switching elements, and pixel electrodes formed in a matrix on the insulating film and connected to the switching elements through contact holes made in the insulating film.

Abstract: An active type liquid crystal display device, comprising an electrode being formed by using a transparent electrically conductive film constituting a pixel electrode, which allows the black matrix to be set as the common potential. Also claimed is an active type liquid crystal display device of the same type as above, comprising an electrode being formed on the same layer as that of the source line, which allows the black matrix to be set as the common potential.

Abstract: In a backlight unit, a plurality of light sources whose luminescent chromaticities are different mutually, i.e., a white color fluorescent tube W, a red color fluorescent tube R, a green color fluorescent tube G, and a blue color fluorescent tube B, are arranged on both end in a longitudinal direction of a light guide plate respectively. The white color fluorescent tube W is arranged at a position closest to the end surface in a longitudinal direction of the light guide plate. Luminances of these fluorescent tubes W, R, G, B can be adjusted independently by control voltages supplied from external devices. Lights emitted from a plurality of light sources enter into the light guide plate, and then the lights are emitted from the light guide plate in a predetermined direction. Since the backlight unit itself has a color adjusting function, the reduction of the luminance and the change of the color balance due to degradation of the fluorescent tubes can be corrected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display comprising of: an upper substrate, with an upper electrode formed on a surface of said upper substrate, and with a vertically aligning film formed on said electrode; a lower substrate, with a lower electrode formed on a surface of said lower substrate facing said upper substrate, and with a surface grating film formed with axially symmetric, 2-dimensional surface relief grating, multi-aligned arrays laminated on said electrode; and a liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy inserted into the gap between said upper substrate and lower substrate and sealed.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal display device in which the orientation film formed on a substrate is irradiated by polarized UV light while heating the substrate.

Abstract: An electrode structure of a display panel includes a plurality of electrodes formed on a substrate constituting the display panel, the electrodes including display electrode portions provided in almost parallel in a central part of the substrate and oblique lead electrode portions converged in a predetermined number for each block from the display electrode portions to reach terminal portions at an end of the substrate, and a dummy electrode provided between two oblique lead electrode portions extending in different directions in a block boundary portion for limiting a flow of an etching solvent into the block boundary portion during etching when the electrodes are formed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising a sealing material provided on a periphery of a substrate, projections formed by etching a film formed on the subtrate, and another substrate opposite the substrate being remote therefrom by a gap and being supported by the projections. An area occupying rate of the projections portions with respect to a region enclosed by the sealing material is not less than 0.0001 and not more than 0.003. It is possible to obtain a liquid crystal display device free of display blurs at the time of using the same in a high temperature condition and with which no bubbles are generated when using the same in a low temperature condition by setting the area occupying ratio for the columnar spacers to be optimal value.

Abstract: A method for forming a liquid crystal display device includes forming a metal film over a drive substrate, and patterning the metal film to form at least one pixel electrode and an optical shield film. The optical shield film is provided outside of a pixel electrode area and has a width greater than a width of each of the pixel electrode. A resin is deposited over the patterned metal film, and the resin is patterned to form at least one pole spacer and strip spacer. The strip spacer surrounds the pixel electrode area and has a width greater than a diameter of each of pole spacer. Liquid crystal material is supplied into an inside space which is surrounded by the strip spacer, and a sealing material is filled at outer edges of the strip spacer for fixing the drive substrate and a common substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprises: a layer of a chiral liquid crystal material disposed between first and second substrates; and means for applying a voltage across the liquid crystal layer. A first region of the liquid crystal layer is an active region for display and a second region of the liquid crystal layer is a nucleation region for generating a desired liquid crystal state in the first region when a voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer. The ratio of the thickness d of the liquid crystal layer to the pitch p of the liquid crystal material has a first value (d/p)A in the first region of the liquid crystal layer and has a second value (d/p)N different from the first value in the second region of the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A device for holding a lens of eyewear to an eyewear frame comprising: a first fastening portion disposed at approximately a mid point of a bridge bar of the eyewear frame and being disposed only near the midpoint, the first fastening portion having an attachment point for removably fastening the lens; a second fastening portion for removably fastening the lens disposed opposite the first fastening portion and being formed on a nose support of the eyewear; whereby a lens can be attached to the first and second fastening portions to removably secure the lens to the eyewear, there being no other attachment point for the lens to the eyewear frame.

Abstract: Liquid crystal modulation elements 925R, 925G and 925B are arranged so that light outgoing surfaces 9252R, 9252G and 9252B thereof face light incident surfaces 911R, 911G and 911b of a color synthesizing prism 910. Transparent plates 970R, 970G and 970B are bonded to the light outgoing surfaces 9252R, 9252G and 9252B of the liquid crystal modulation elements 925R, 925G, and 925B. For this reason, adhesion of dust to the light outgoing surfaces 9252R, 9252G and 9252B of the liquid crystal modulation elements 925R, 925G and 925B can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent light reflection at the interface surface between the light outgoing surfaces 9252R, 9252G and 9252B and air due to the difference in refractive index therebetween.

Abstract: A control signal for controlling a correction circuit for at least one electron beam that scans a screen line by line, the amplitude of which varies along each line according to a curve of a first type determined by line parameters, each of the line parameters varying, from one line to another, according to a curve of the first type determined by column parameters.

Abstract: An integrated front projection display system having a planar projection screen formed on a front surface of a rigid frame, the screen including means for reflecting light from the screen in a preselected spatial distribution. A movable arm is hingedly connected at a first end to the rigid frame, the arm being movable between a storage position and a projection position, the arm further comprising means for moving the arm between said storage and projection positions and for retaining the arm at each of said positions. A projection head is mounted on a second end of the movable arm such that it does not substantially obstruct the view of the projection screen when the arm is in the projection position.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to smoothly join divided patterns adjacent to each other in a synchronous moving direction when a mask and a substrate are moved in synchronization, and the divided patterns are joined and picture-synthesized on the substrate. According to the invention, when the mask and the substrate are moved in synchronization with respect to irradiation with an exposing light, the divided patterns of the mask are projected on the substrate, and a plurality of divided patterns adjacent on the substrate are joined and exposed, the divided patterns adjacent to each other in the synchronous moving direction partially overlap each other.

Abstract: The optical path of exposing light is sealed in its entirety inside a chamber, pressure inside the chamber is made higher than the pressure outside the chamber and the optical characteristics of a projection optics unit are corrected in accordance with the value of pressure inside the chamber. In an exposure apparatus using exposing light having a light-emission spectral line that overlaps the absorption spectrum region of oxygen, atmospheric oxygen outside the chamber can be prevented from penetrating the optical path of the exposing light, thereby making it possible to perform exposure under oxygen-free conditions. In addition, the optimum projected image can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate with a pattern of a mask, wherein polarized light from a light source is transformed into light having its polarization state, in a section perpendicular to an optical axis, changed, wherein the light is divided with respect to a wavefront into plural light beams which are then superposed one upon another on a light entrance surface of an optical integrator, and wherein the mask is illuminated with light beams from the optical integrator.

Abstract: An illuminating device of a projection-microlithographic device includes a light source, an objective, and a device which produces a particular image field configuration. The device has fields which, in the direction of scanning movement, are separated at least in parts by a free zone, and are located in a peripheral region of the circular image field of a downstream projection objective in a manner at least approximating rotation symmetry. The integral of the quantity of light passing through the fields in the scanning direction are constant over the entire extent of the image field configuration in the direction at right angles to the scanning direction. Such an image field configuration replaces a conventional rectangular scanner slot formation whose width in the scanning direction corresponds to the forementioned integral of the image field configuration. The design of the image field configuration permits an approximately rotationally symmetric illumination of the projection objective.

Abstract: A weight compensation mechanism made up of at least three spring members (3a-3c), and linear motors (4a-4c) for finely translating a fine moving stage (1) in the Z direction are interposed between the fine moving stage (1) and a coarse moving stage (2). The barycenter (G) of a structure including the fine moving stage (1) deviates from the stage center (O) owing to bar mirrors (10) or the like. When the spring members (3a-3c) return the fine moving stage (1) to a statically balanced state, a rotation moment is generated to score or damage the stage. The spring constants of the three spring members (3a-3c) are set based on the relative positions of the spring members (3a-3c) to the barycenter (G), thereby preventing generation of the rotation moment.

Abstract: An image process method comprises an input step of inputting color image data composed of a signal representing brightness and a signal representing tint, and a smoothing process step of performing a smoothing process to the signal representing tint, while holding the signal representing brightness. Thus, high-level color noise reduction can be performed without deteriorating apparent resolution of an output color image.

Abstract: An image exposure apparatus in which positioning of a photosensitive material, such as a printing plate to be wound around a rotating drum, is implemented in a small space. A turning unit and a transport conveyor are provided at a plate supply/transport section. The turning unit trains the printing plate about the rotating drum and feeds the plate to the transport conveyor. At the transport conveyor, the printing plate is transported and a leading end of the printing plate abuts pin rollers. Then, a positioning motor is operated to move the turning unit and the transport conveyor integrally. Thus, the printing plate abuts another pin roller in a width direction to implement positioning of the printing plate. The leading end of the positioned printing plate is then fed to a puncher by the transport conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring polarization dependent loss is disclosed featuring several fiber optic couplers combined in tandem and oriented such that the PDL noise of the measurement system is reduced to a negligible level. By matching the PDLs of the couplers and vectorally subtracting opposite phases of polarization, the PDL of the measurement system is virtually eliminated. Thus, the PDL noise floor is lowered to near zero and the PDL of the optical device-under-test (DUT) can be accurately measured. The system is relatively inexpensive to implement and offers needed versatility because it measures the PDL of optical devices that operate in a reflection mode or in a forward transmission mode. Thus, it provides one PDL measurement solution for both types of devices.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of measuring wavelength dispersion characteristic and other characteristics by using only a single fiber pair.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly on a top surface of a substrate comprises directing a first radiation beam having a first wavelength at the top surface of the substrate at a first angle measured from normal, and directing a second radiation beam having a second wavelength at the top surface of the substrate at a second angle measured from normal, wherein the second wavelength is not equal to the first wavelength. The method then comprises detecting scattered radiation from the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam to detect the presence of particles or COPs, and to differentiate between the two. Differences in the scattered radiation detected from the first radiation beam and from the second radiation beam provide the data needed to differentiate between particles and COPs.

Abstract: An optical detection system is adapted particularly for detection of biological reactions, especially fluorescent or chemilluminescent reactions. An excitation source, preferably a laser, illuminates a portion of an object to be examined, the portion preferably comprising one microlocation out of an array of microlocations. An intervening optical detection platform serves to direct the excitation radiation, preferably through use of a scanning system, most preferably through use of an x-y mirror-based scanning system to the portion of the object to be illuminated. A detector, preferably a photomultiplier tube, receives the emitted radiation from the objects to be examined, the detector being characterized in that the diameter of the region examined by the detector is the same as or smaller than the diameter of the illuminated region, and comprises less than the entire surface of the object to be examined, and most preferably images a whole or a part of a single microlocation.

Abstract: An imaging spectral device for use in the spectrum image analysis for performing the spectroscopic analysis of the respective points in two dimensional field is disclosed. The device comprises an imaging spectral device composing a white-light source to illuminate an object to be measured, a tunable filter located in the optical path between the object and the white-light source, a driving mechanism for wavelength scanning of the tunable filter, and a control unit in which scanning rate of transmitting wavelength of the tunable filter is controlled by the above-mentioned driving mechanism in such a manner that the spectral transmittance of the tunable filter integrated within the exposure time becomes desired spectral distribution of the object to be measured.

Abstract: A spectrometer that includes an array of illumination sources positioned to illuminate a detection area with a plurality of beams of light. A detector is responsive to the detection area, and a spectroscopic signal output is responsive to relative amounts of light from the beams in different spectral regions received by the detector after interaction with the sample in the detection area.

Abstract: An apparatus incorporated within a spectroscopic imaging system, typically a microscope, but also applicable to other image gathering platforms, namely fiberscopes, macrolens imaging systems and telescopes employing a polarizing beam splitting element is disclosed. The apparatus allows simultaneous spectroscopic (i.e. chemical) imaging and rapid acquisition spectroscopy to be performed without the need for moving mechanical parts or time sequenced sampling and without introducing significant optical signal loss or degradation to the spectroscopic imaging capability. In addition, the apparatus affords a more compact design, an improved angular field of view and an improved overall ruggedness of optical design at a lower manufacturing and maintenance cost compared to previous devices.

Abstract: A compact and high-performance spectroscope capable of providing a resolution of 0.1 pm or less as in the case of a large-sized spectroscope with an increased focal length and suitable for measuring the spectral distribution of an excimer laser beam. A collimating optical system collimates light under measurement passing through an entrance slit. The collimated light is incident on a diffraction grating and diffracted at angles differing depending on wavelengths. An imaging optical system focuses a beam of light diffracted by the diffraction grating. An exit slit or a light distribution detector is placed in a focal plane of the imaging optical system. A beam diameter-expanding optical system is placed at least between the collimating optical system and the diffraction grating to expand the diameter of the beam of light collimated by the collimating optical system at least in the direction of dispersion of the diffraction grating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically monitoring an optical signal-to-noise ratio in which an arbitrarily polarized optical signal including an unpolarized ASE noise is inputted to a rotating quarter-wave plate and then to a rotating linear polarizer so that a maximum power and a minimum power of the signal outputted from the rotating linear polarizer can be detected, and the detected maximum power and minimum power is used for automatically monitoring the optical signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Amplified spontaneous emission light, which is low coherence light radiated out from an optical fiber doped with a light emitting material when excitation energy is applied to the optical fiber, is divided into signal light and reference light. A frequency of the reference light is shifted to a frequency slightly different from the frequency of the signal light. A tomographic image of a measuring site is acquired from an intensity of interference light formed by the signal light reflected from the measuring site and the reference light.

Abstract: A device for quantitative assessment of the aligned position of two machine parts, workpieces or the like is used especially for purposes of axis alignment or spindle alignment. A light beam is incident on an optoelectronic sensor which can be read out two-dimensionally and the impact point there is determined by the sensor. Part of the light beam is preferably reflected by the sensor directly onto a second optoelectronic sensor. The impact point of the reflected light beam there is determined in a feasible manner by the second sensor. The orientation of at least the first sensor relative to the location of the light beam is determined from the signals of the two sensors.

Abstract: An object-displacement detector comprises: a mirror having a curved surface, and said mirror being fixed to an object; a light emitting device for emitting a light; a photo-detector having plural light-receiving regions which are divided in two-dimensional space; and a single optical system having a single optical axis for guiding said emitted light to said mirror and guiding a refracted light from said mirror to said photo-detector for detecting an intensity distribution of said reflected light.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for obtaining information regarding a depth of a subject includes: an illumination unit operable to cast a first illumination light beam that mainly contains a first wavelength and has a first intensity distribution on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the first illumination light beam and a second illumination light beam mainly containing a second wavelength and a third wavelength and having a second intensity distribution on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the second illumination light beam onto the subject, the second and third wavelengths being different from the first wavelength, the second intensity distribution being different from the first intensity distribution; and a depth calculation unit operable to calculate a depth-direction distance to the subject based on outgoing light beams from the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for measuring the mass of a substance. In one method, energy is applied to a substance and a response resulting from the application of energy as measured. The mass of the substance is then determined based at least in part on the measured response.

Abstract: A film thickness measuring method and apparatus capable of measuring a film thickness with high accuracy even if the spectral reflection intensity is not sufficiently high to measure an accurate film thickness and gives a poor S/N ratio. A spectral reflectance ratio S(&lgr;) at a spot where the film under measurement is present and a spectral reflectance ratio R(&lgr;) at a spot where the film under measurement is not present are measured to determine a spectral reflectance ratio Rmeas(&lgr;)=S(&lgr;)/R(&lgr;). A theoretical value Rcalc(&lgr;) of spectral reflectance ratio at an assumed film thickness d is determined, and an evaluation value Ed is determined from the total sum of differences between the value of Rmeas(&lgr;) and the value of Rcalc(&lgr;). The film thickness d is changed in steps of &Dgr;d in a measuring retrieval range of from d1 to d2 to determine an evaluation value Ed at each film thickness, thereby obtaining an evaluation function E(d).

Abstract: In order to provide a paper-feeding stepping motor driving method which inhibits the torque of a paper-feeding stepping motor of a line-type thermal printer, which is driven in response to the divisional energization of heating elements, from excessively increasing during dynamic division printing, and which achieves noise reduction and energy conservation, while a driving signal to be applied to the paper-feeding stepping motor is active, an active pulse is subdivided.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an image data input section for reading a document as image data; a target value memory section for storing a target value of an input/output characteristic value when a reference document is read; a comparator for comparing the image data of the reference document and the target value so as to create a new input/output characteristic value; a fixed value memory section for storing a difference in input/output characteristic values as a fixed value between an original document and a copy document; and an adder for adding the fixed value to the image data of the reference document so as to output a resultant value to the comparator. By the provision of the fixed value memory section and the adder, the image forming apparatus can set a plurality of input/output characteristic values by reading the reference document once, thus reducing time for the procedure of setting the respective input/output characteristic values.

Abstract: When performing predetermined color correction/modification processing on RGB image data including red, green and blue color components so as to perform hue correction thereon, a frequency distribution of respective tone values is obtained for at least one of these red, green and blue color components of the RGB image data; it is determined from the frequency distribution whether or not the RGB image data has already undergone tone transformation; and the predetermined color correction/modification processing is performed on the RGB image data so as to perform the hue correction thereon only when it is determined that the RGB image data has not undergone tone transformation yet.