Abstract: Methods for identifying a note with a partial OCR of one or more characters in the note's serial code. The methods record the characters read and associates each character read with its field position in the serial code. The method can use this information or combine the character and field information with positional information of the note within a stack in order to identify a note with a reasonable degree of statistical probability.

Abstract: An image processor wherein, with respect to pixels included in a pattern image and in a plural directions from a selected pixel among pixels, a number of same kind of pixels which consecutively continues from the selected pixel is counted. A processing recognition area effective signal that shows a range in which an area to be processed exists is produced. Whether the selected pixel is a processing candidate pixel is determined based on a determination whether the number is larger, in the plural directions, than a reference value. A processing image is made by comparing the processing candidate pixel and the processing recognition area effective signal.

Abstract: A method of quickly and accurately inspecting the stitching accuracy at which regions of a lithographic pattern are stitched at boundaries. The numerous regions of the lithographic pattern are exposed or delineated, one at a time. Inspected regions are scanned with a charged-particle beam to detect secondary electrons. The obtained signal is stored as an inspected image in an image memory, together with positional data about the inspected regions. After completion of acceptance of images from all the inspected regions, the inspected image is compared with a separately prepared reference image by an image processing unit. Pattern elements in the inspected regions corresponding to the reference image are extracted. Deviations at field boundaries or the like can be detected from the relative positions of these pattern elements, if any.

Abstract: A lead frame such as a normal or inverted lead frame includes an unsymmetrical part such as a gate. A clamp, for clamping the lead frame during wire bonding, includes an observation hole. The unsymmetrical part of the lead frame is visible through the observation hole. A lead eye box and a lead eye point are set on the unsymmetrical part through the observation hole. The picture inside the lead eye box is captured and compared to a control picture. Setting the lead eye box and the lead eye point on the unsymmetrical part through the observation hole allows detection of when the lead frame is inadvertently rotated at prescribed angles or when a normal lead frame and an inverted lead frame are inadvertently mixed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-precision alignment method, device and code for inspections that compare an inspection image with a reference image and detect defects from their differences. In one embodiment an inspection image and a reference image are divided into multiple regions. An offset is calculated for each pair of regions. Out of these multiple offsets, only the offsets with high reliability are used to determine an offset for the entire image. This allows high-precision alignment with little or no dependency on pattern density or shape, differences in luminance between images, and uneven luminance within individual images. Also, detection sensitivity is adjusted as necessary by monitoring alignment precision.

Abstract: The discriminability of character data that is displayed on a screen is improved by performing a color conversion on the character data. More specifically, a color conversion system is provided which comprises: extraction means for extracting character data including color data; conversion means for converting the extracted color data based on a predetermined color conversion rule; and output means for outputting the character data and the obtained color data to the application. The color conversion rule for this invention is set in advance so as to attain a specific objective (e.g., to enable a color-blind user to easily identify displayed characters). A single color conversion process and/or a process that provides the sequential conversion of multiple character colors at a constant time interval may be used.

Abstract: A system and method of offering photofinishing services involves receiving an exposed photographic film from a customer; developing and scanning the film to produce a digital image; displaying examples of a plurality of looks on a color display medium to a customer; receiving a selection of a preferred look from the customer; and applying the selected look to the digital image to produce a processed digital image having the preferred look.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus and method which can properly determine the number of quantization levels for quantizing image data by properly removing noise from the background of the image data. A histogram forming unit forms the output frequency distribution of densities of image data. A background density width detecting unit determines a density area exhibiting output frequency values equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold and including a maximum output frequency value in the formed distribution. A quantization level count determining unit decides the number of quantization levels on the basis of the number of maximum values included in the distribution other than the determined density area.

Abstract: The invention determines the degree of similarity between a target image and each of a plurality of reference images. The measure used for the degree of similarity between images is based on the human perceptive system, so that images that appear to a human to be similar in color have a higher similarity measure than images that appear to a human to be dissimilar in color. Each of the most populous colors of each partition of the target image is associated with a color in a corresponding partition of the reference image that is closest to the target image color. The similarity measure is based on the number of occurrences of each of these associated colors in the corresponding partitions, as well as the color difference between these associated colors. Thus, images that have similar, albeit not identical, colors, will have a higher similarity measure than images that have dissimilar colors. In a preferred embodiment, color difference is determined based upon the CIE luminance-chrominance color space.

Abstract: An image processor detects a specified pattern defined by arrangement of three or more elements. Positions of a plurality of element candidates are detected based on input image data, and n pairs (n≧2) of element candidates are selected in the plurality of elements. Then, n arrangement criterions are determined based on the positions of the selected n pairs, and one arrangement criterion is determined based on the n arrangement criterions. By using the one arrangement criterion, positions of all the elements are calculated in the specified pattern. The specified pattern is detected based on the calculated positions of the arrangement.

Abstract: An image encoding device is provided that can transmit encoded image data without lowering the frame rate even when the transmission speed of the transmission path is lowered. An encoded region designator (41, 42) selects the region that is to be encoded, in the input image, depending on the bit rate of the transmission path. Only such a region that is designated by the encoded region designator (41, 42) is encoded. The encoded region designator may be one which selects the region that is to be encoded, according to the bit rate of the transmission path, and the motion vector detected by the image encoding circuit (2). As an alternative, an encoded region designator may be used which selects the region that is to be encoded according to the bit rate of the transmission path, and the information on the designated region supplied from the outside.

Abstract: A software program running on a content server computer having access to a content repository provides instructions for one or more processors of the server computer to receive a content retrieval request in the form of a digital data representation of at least one physical feature of the requested content captured from the document by a data capture device, parsing the data to identify the content from the digital data representation, retrieving the content from the content repository, comparing the content retrieved to the at least one physical feature of the content requested, extracting the content requested from the content retrieved, and responding to the content retrieval request.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closable by a slider device, and the packages made thereby. An extended length of zipper closure construction is used. The zipper closure construction consists of a zipper closure having first and second mating profiles, a first tamper evident-structure encasing the slider device and the zipper closure, and a second tamper evident-structure. Together, the first and second tamper evident-structure envelop the mating profiles and slider device. When incorporated into a package, the first tamper-evident structure encases the slider device and zipper closure, and the second tamper evident-structure is positioned between the mating profiles and the package interior.

Abstract: A rolling bearing according to the present invention comprises an inner race 29, an outer race 31 and a plurality of balls 37 disposed therebetween. The inner race 29 has a raceway surface on its outer peripheral surface. The outer race 31 includes a raceway surface on its inner peripheral surface. The balls 37 are rotatably interposed between the raceway surfaces of the inner and outer races. A lubricant is enclosed in a space 41 formed between the raceways of the outer and inner races by an amount of 0.3% to 3% of the capacity of the space.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a double seal bearing including a labyrinth seal mechanism.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus including inner and outer rings and balls interposed therebetween, the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises:

Abstract: A roller is structured such that one or a plurality of grooves are recessed on an outer peripheral surface of an outer race in a bearing, a part of a synthetic resin tire integrally adhered to the outer race of the bearing is inserted and welded within a groove on the outer peripheral surface of the outer race in the bearing, whereby a firmer adhesion force can be obtained. Accordingly, a more firmly adhered fitting body is prevented from being peeled off from the outer race of the bearing and the tire and the outer race of the bearing are prevented from separately racing even when the bearing is exposed to a heavy load and rotates at a high speed, that is, the roller is adhered so as to prevent from rotating.

Abstract: The roller bearing 10 comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical-shaped rollers 15 which are respectively interposed between a concave-shaped race surface 12 formed on an outer race 11 and a concave-shaped race surfaces 14 formed on an inner race 13. Each of the rollers 15 is structured such that the central portion of the rolling surface thereof is formed by a first convex-shaped bus 17 which corresponds to the concave-shaped race surfaces 12 and 14, while the two end portions of the rolling surface thereof are respectively formed by second buses 16 which have a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the first bus 17.

Abstract: A crosspiece is formed by hardening a resin containing a filler. The crosspiece and a substrate or an optical waveguide plate are joined to one another by the aid of a filler-containing adhesive containing a filler. After that, the filler-containing adhesive is hardened. Those preferably used as the fillers include high strength substances composed of, for example, ceramics, plastic, and glass. Especially, it is preferable that the filler is spherical.

Abstract: An optical module includes a substrate, a waveguide body disposed on the substrate and including an optical waveguide for propagating light, and a photodetector. A curved portion for radiating light propagating through the optical waveguide from the optical waveguide is provided in a part of the optical waveguide, and the photodetector receives light radiated by the curved portion.

Abstract: Integrated mechanical angular alignment-enhancement structures for incorporation into free-space micromachined optical switches are capable of achieving better than 0.1° micro-mirror angular precision and repeatability with the optical switches. The structures open the path to high port-count crossconnects with sufficiently low loss for deployment in practical optical-communications networks.

Abstract: The subject to be attained by the disclosed technique is to provide an optical unit less expensive than conventional like optical units and having a wavelength multiplexer and optical waveguides.

Abstract: An optical fiber communication system according to the present invention has, for example, first and second phase conjugators. The first phase conjugator converts a signal beam from a first optical fiber into a first phase conjugate beam. The first phase conjugate beam is supplied to the second phase conjugator by a second optical fiber. The second phase conjugator converts the first phase conjugate beam into a second phase conjugate beam. The second phase conjugate beam is transmitted by a third optical fiber. The second optical fiber is composed of a first portion located between the first phase conjugator and a system midpoint and a second portion located between the system midpoint and the second phase conjugator. The total dispersion of the first optical fiber substantially coincides with the total dispersion of the first portion, and the total dispersion of the second portion substantially coincides with the total dispersion of the third optical fiber.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent an increase of the degree of polarization of an output pumping light even if one of pumping light sources has a failure. Laser diodes (30a, 30b) are composed of FP-LDs made of InGaAsP to laser-oscillate at 1480 nm band. The outputs from the laser diodes (30a, 30b) enter a polarizing beam splitter (32) in orthogonal state of polarization and are combined there. The combined light by the polarizing beam splitter (32) enters a depolarizing element (34) and is depolarized there.

Abstract: An optical device capable of detecting the intensity and wavelength of light from a light source with a high level of precision, and an optical module incorporating the optical device. The optical device has a planar lightwave circuit having a Y-branched core, a silicon substrate, a filter block, an optical fiber, and a first and a second photodiode. The end portion on the input side of the core is connected to the optical fiber. One end portion on the output side of the core is connected to the filter block, and the other on the same side is to the second photodiode. The light is divided at a predetermined ratio at the Y-branching portion. One of the branched light is sent through the filter block to be input to the first photodiode, and the other branched light is directly input to the second photodiode.

Abstract: In an optical connector ferrule comprising an insertion opening through a bare fiber, from which the coating is removed, of one end of a coated optical fiber is inserted, a guide groove for guiding the bare fiber inserted through the insertion opening, a fiber hole into which the bare fibers guided by the guide groove is inserted, and an injection port through which adhesive for securing the coated optical fiber to the ferrule is injected, guide surfaces for guiding the bare fiber to the guide grooves are formed at sides of the guide groove. In the similar optical connector ferrule, there is provided an enlarged portion extending forwardly from a leading edge of the injection port in a fiber inserting direction and communicated with a filling space into which the adhesive is filled. Further, a ceiling surface of the enlarged portion is inclined downwardly forwardly from the injection port.

Abstract: For the configuration of an optical transmitting and receiving device (optical transceiver), an optical transmitter and an optical receiver are integrated in a single module with preferably two optical connections. For this purpose, the optical transmitter and the optical receiver are mounted on a common support and accommodated in a common housing, the optical transmitter preferably is disposed in one chamber of the housing and the optical receiver in another chamber of the housing, in order to avoid electrical and optical cross-talk between transmitter and receiver.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical fiber fusion splicer which, together with fusing and splicing optical fibers in the state in which the jacket of each optical fiber core is clamped by being provided with a means by which a V-shaped groove base is moved up and down so that the axial centers of optical fiber cores are positioned at the proper position for electrical discharge, is provided with a mechanism that temporarily moves clamp upward and V-shaped groove base downward followed by re-clamping in order to eliminate a lift-up phenomenon during rotation alignment of the constant polarization optical fibers.

Abstract: In order to prevent an optical cable which is used with a high-tension cable from being damaged by Corona discharge, the optical cable has a cable cladding provided with a Corona-resistant skin layer.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic rare earth doped fiber comprises a plurality of crystallites, wherein at least 90% of the rare earth dopant is situated within said crystallites. The stimulated emission and absorption line shapes of the rare earth doped glass-ceramic fiber is narrower than that stimulated emission and absorption line shapes of the precursor rare earth doped glass. This is indication of the reduction in the inhomogenous broadening of glass-ceramic fibers compared to glass fibers. An embodiment of an optical amplifier includes: an input port; a length of glass-ceramic rare earth doped fiber, the glass-ceramic fiber being operatively coupled to the input port and including a plurality of crystallites; at least one optical pump coupled to this glass-ceramic fiber; an output port providing an amplified optical signal; and at least one optical component situated between the input port and the output port.

Abstract: An object is to provide a video recording/playing apparatus for facilitating recording/playing of motion pictures.

Abstract: An adaptive equalizing circuit is used for a playback apparatus which does not perform tracking control. A playback signal supplied to an input terminal is supplied to a plurality of unit delay devices which are connected in series, and the signals at the input ends and the output ends are supplied to weighting devices, respectively. Furthermore, the playback signal supplied to the input terminal is supplied to a computation circuit, whereby weighting coefficients are determined. Then, each weighting is performed on the signals from unit delay devices, and these signals are added together by an adder so that the equalization of the playback signal is performed, and the signal is extracted from an output terminal.

Abstract: There is provided a playing time limiting mode for controlling a picture image outputting apparatus by means of a playing time enabling the outputting operation of a picture image and a locking time disabling the outputting operation of a picture image, in which the playing time is set to be a preferable value by the setting operation of a user; a value set beforehand in the apparatus is used as the locking time; when a playing time limiting mode is selected by a mode selection, first, the timing of the playing time is begun according to a prescribed condition, and when the passing of the playing time is detected, the timing of the locking time is begun and the operation of the outputting of a picture image is made to be impossible until the locking time has passed.

Abstract: A CE device has a generator for generating data to create an on-screen menu for a GUI. These data is transferred via the Internet to a remote location where the user is given visual feedback for control of the apparatus. Control is achieved via the Internet and a home server driving an IR blaster local to the apparatus.

Abstract: A variety of special effect processing is performed on video frames retrieved from a disk device 30 in effect processing stages ES1, ES2, and so on. A work memory 112B is always interposed between processing at one stage and processing at the next stage. Further, a plurality of processing are performed in parallel at one effect processing stage. Frames having all of effect processing completed are stored in an input/output buffer 115 in no special order through layering processing ESL. The plurality of edited frames stored in the input/output buffer 115 are output in synchronization with an output clock (not shown) in realtime.

Abstract: Reverse jog play can be provided quickly and simply in a player that plays a recorded stream of inter-frame encoded digital video by storing, in intra-coded frame format, frames that were previously decoded by the player and are in the vicinity of the frame currently being displayed. The intra-frame encoded versions of the decoded frames may be digitally stored in random access memory (RAM) or in some other storage medium that is easily accessible. The number of previously decoded frames may be a fixed number essentially independent of the frame structure of the video stream. Alternatively, the player stores each decoded frame from a predetermined, e.g., the most recently or next to most recently decoded, intra-coded frame (I-frame) until the current frame. Thus, the number of useable stored frames is a function of the video stream structure, the design choices of the user, and the current frame being displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-linear reproduction control method of multimedia stream and an apparatus thereof, the present invention comprises judging a skip direction by interpreting whether a skip request is a forward skip or a backward skip when the skip request is inputted from the user, determining a skip unit by judging whether the user request is a big unit or a small unit, selecting a structural information or semantic information change point of the multimedia stream mostly adjacent to the present reproduction position as a reproduction resume point on the basis of the determined skip direction and skip unit or selecting the reproduction resume point by using the set temporal offset from the preset reproduction position, accordingly it is possible to.

Abstract: This invention provides an image transmission method, image anti-duplication method, image anti-duplication device, and image recording medium in which the information for anti-duplication control is superimposed on the video signal without deterioration of the resultant video signal and the information is extracted accurately and quickly to perform anti-duplication control.

Abstract: A superimposing position setting unit uses a video synchronizing signal from a synchronization separating unit as a reference signal, and generates a superimposing position indicating signal S4 for indicating an effective image plane interval of a video signal as a superimposing interval during which an SS duplication control signal is superimposed. An SS duplication control signal generator generates a PN code sequence repeating every one vertical interval, and spreads the spectrum of a duplication control signal S3 by using the PN code sequence to form an SS duplication control signal. The SS duplication control signal is outputted to the effective image plane interval on the basis of the superimposing position indicating signal S4, and is superimposed on the video signal during the effective image plane interval of the video signal by an adder.

Abstract: An optical disc on which a variety of types of video titles are recorded and which enables a reproduction apparatus to instantly distinguish whether emulated AV functions may be performed for any of the titles. The optical disc includes a manager area which stores playback type information corresponding to the management information for each video title, with the playback type information including a first flag showing whether the present video title is expressed using one or a plurality of sets of route information and a second flag showing whether a title is expressed using any branch information.

Abstract: A system stream contiguous reproduction apparatus to which are input one or more system streams interleaving at least moving picture data and audio data, and system stream connection information includes a system clock STC generator for producing the system clock that is used as the system stream reproduction reference clock. The system stream contiguous reproduction apparatus further includes one or more signal processing decoders that operate referenced to the system clock STC, decoder buffers for temporarily storing the system stream data transferred to the corresponding signal processing decoders, and STC selectors for selecting a system clock STC referenced by the signal processing decoders when decoding the first system stream, and another system clock STC referenced by the signal processing decoders when decoding a second system stream reproduced contiguously to the first system stream.

Abstract: A program recording/reproducing system demultiplexes predetermined program signals from multiplexed signals into which a plurality of program signals are time-division-multiplexed per predetermined multiplexing unit, and records these demultiplexed program signals. The predetermined program signals are extracted from the multiplexed signals, and the program signals are recorded. The program signals are read out of a recording medium, and the readout program signals are outputted so that an output interval on each multiplexing unit becomes coincident with a time interval in the multiplexed signals. A null packet is inserted in between the two readout program packets in the same state as when recorded, thereby troubleshooting a buffer overflow or underflow occurred during the reproducing process.

Abstract: The present invention suitably provides a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a liquid vaporizer heating element, and thereby the rate of evaporation and level of fragrance delivery from the same. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device may include a switch that suitably allows the temperature of various types of heating elements to be controlled for different levels of fragrance output. For example, an exemplary embodiment may include a two-pronged plug adaptable to typical outlets that might be found in residential homes or businesses. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical switch generally provides varying resistance values to the electric circuitry of the vaporizer such that, by changing the switch setting, the operating temperature of the wick is controlled and thus the rate of fragrance evaporation from the vaporizer.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and method for a three-dimensional image and an image service system and method through communications networks are provided. The photographing apparatus for a three-dimensional image has a turning means for detecting the rotation state of the turning means by angle and outputting a signal at predetermined angles; a control unit for outputting a photographing timing signal and finishing the photographing if a predetermined number of output signals from the turning means are received; and a photographing means for photographing an object according to the photographing timing signal.

Abstract: A lens moving device comprises a lens frame to which a lens is attached and a drive mechanism which moves the lens frame along the optical axis of the lens. An arm-receiving opening is formed in a connecting member provided on the lens frame. The drive mechanism has a motor, and an output shaft of the motor is connected to a feed screw, on which a nut is fitted. A moving member is integrally formed on the nut, and first and second arms are provided on the moving member. The first and second arms are inserted into the arm-receiving opening. The first and second arms are arranged in order along the line, in which the lens is moved. A spring force of the first arm is greater than that of the second arm.

Abstract: A system and method for converting from a digital film development system color space to a standard color space using a lookup table divided into a polyhedron. In one exemplary embodiment, back, front, and through image data is obtained from the digital film development system by recording light reflected from and transmitted through a developing film. For each pixel in the data, a lookup table is consulted to determine a mapping between the back, front, through data and standard color space values. The lookup table datapoints are divided into polyhedrons and it is determined which polyhedron matches the pixel. Then, from this polyhedron, a standard color space value can be interpolated, extrapolated, or otherwise calculated, or chosen directly from the table.

Abstract: A stereo camera capable of photographing a stereo picture maintaining an optimum stereo effect. Right and left lens boards 42R, 42L of a stereo camera 41 are coupled to a camera body 46 via upper and lower two sets of parallel links 47. Parallel grooves 45L, 45R are formed in the lateral direction in the inner portions of the lens boards 42L, 42R, and with which a circular eccentric cam 43 is engaged. When the shaft mounting the cam 43 is turned, the right and left lens boards 42R and 42L move in parallel describing circular loci, making it possible to automatically adjust the focal point as well as the distance between the optical axes of the lenses, which is important for accomplishing a stereo effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic camera (a digital camera) that includes a taking optical system that forms an image of a subject, a lowpass filter and a CCD area sensor that captures the image formed by the taking optical system. The lowpass filter is mounted on a driving mechanism that moves it in the direction parallel to a light-receptive surface of the CCD. The driving mechanism consists of a pair of filter guides that support the filter, a pair of shafts that guides rectilinear movement of the filter, a cam disc that is rotated by a motor and a cam follower attached on the guide. When the picture is taken, the motor rotates the disc, which reciprocates the filter. Since the movement of the lowpass filter moves the shadow of the dust formed on the CCD area sensor, an influence of the shadow is diffused among a larger number of pixels.

Abstract: A bayonet mount includes a mount main body constituted of resin and a metal member that, at least partially, reinforces a bayonet tab portion at the mount main body.

Abstract: A photo printing apparatus (100) with a data converter (22) for converting inputted image data of a photo film (1) into print data with a print density set for each pixel in images, and a print head (4) for forming images on print sheets based on the print data. The data converter (22) includes a basic conversion processor (40) for converting the image data to exclude color information intrinsic to the photo film from the inputted image data, and an image quality corrector (50) for performing an image quality correction process for the image data based on attribute information on the photo film and with conditions corresponding to the photo film.