Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a filter for extracting, from a video signal, a high-frequency component which varies with a state of focusing, and a control part arranged to control a cutoff frequency of the filter according to a luminance level in the video signal.

Abstract: This invention is to enable, at low cost, image display with little line flicker based on an interlaced image signal and satisfactory movie display characteristics. The first de-interlace mode in which interlaced scanning line signals in the consecutive odd- and even-numbered fields are received by storage means, and the scanning line signals in the consecutive odd- and even-numbered fields are alternately read out to perform de-interlacing, and the second de-interlace mode in which scanning line signals in the odd- or even-numbered field are read out in units of fields and magnified in the vertical direction to perform de-interlacing are prepared. The scanning line signals are compared between the fields to determine whether the signal is a movie or a still image. When it is determined that the signal is a still image, the signal is displayed on a display device using a non-interlaced signal obtained in the first de-interlace mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a caption data processing apparatus for a digital TV for processing caption data contained in a broadcast signal. In particular, the apparatus is capable of preventing an error occurred when the additional byte of a command or a text overlaps with a code of a Reset command or a DelayCancel command to be looked up, by storing additional byte length of all commands and texts contained in a caption data to a lookup table, further reading the caption data stream as much as the length of a corresponding command using the above values, and storing the data stream to a service input buffer. In addition, the size of the lookup table can be reduced by creating the lookup table according to the regularity of a caption code mapping of a digital TV, and accordingly the time taken in looking up a Reset command and a CancelDelay command can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting vertical (V-SYNC) and horizontal (H-Blank) sync signals from a digital composite sync signal (C-SYNC) of a master video source for use in controlling a second video source, which allows for an adjustable delay relationship between the C-SYNC from the master source and the generated H-Blank. The present invention also provides a system and method for varying the responsiveness or gain of the genlocking circuit used to synchronize the system pixel clock frequency of the second video source to that of the master video signal.

Abstract: To make it possible to process or retrieve a recorded image in accordance with the location where the image is recorded and record digital image data together with GPS information when capturing a digital image by a video camera. Moreover, when GPS information cannot be captured, GPS information of a certain time before is captured. Furthermore, a system is disclosed which accesses the internet in accordance with the captured GPS information.

Abstract: In an image enhancement method and circuit, a luminance signal is extracted from input color signals. Histogram equalization is performed using a cumulative density function of the extracted luminance signal which is input in a screen unit. A transform function is controlled to map a mean level of the extracted luminance signal to itself, so that an adjusted luminance signal is output. The color signals are varied according to the variation of the luminance signals to output compensated color signals. Thus, image contrast is enhanced, and an undistorted color signal is provided at the same time. In order to reduce the hardware of the circuit, an interpolated cumulative density function is obtained by interpolating a quantized cumulative density function of an input luminance image and is used as a transform function. The transform function is controlled to map a mean level of the input luminance image to itself.

Abstract: In a video stabilizing circuit for a display apparatus, the clamp levels of R, G and B chromatic signals are controlled by feeding back the output currents of respective R, G and B terminals so that real time responses can be made, as against the fluctuations of video output load, thereby obtaining high brightness displays. The circuit according to the present invention is characterized in that output currents of R, G and B terminals are fed back from video output sections to clamp level control sections. The potential of a cut-off control terminal of the video pre-amplifier is then varied in such a manner that, if the beam current sensed by the clamp level control section is large, the bias voltage of the chromatic signals is made small. If the beam current sensed by the clamp level control section is small, the bias voltage of the chromatic signals is made large. Therefore, during a high brightness display, fluctuations in the brightness of the high beams and low beams is reduced and display is improved.

Abstract: Where a stack projection operation is carried out using first and second projection display units, it is arranged such that the first projection display unit projects a crosshatch pattern continuously in time while on the other hand, the second projection display unit projects a pattern identical with that crosshatch pattern such that the pattern flashes at given intervals of time. Thereafter, the state of superposition between the patterns projected from the two projection display units is examined to carry out inter-set convergence adjustment between the display units.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an insulating layer disposed between the source lines and the transparent electrodes on one substrate. Transparent pixel electrodes adjacent to both sides of one of the source lines overlap the source line with different overlapping widths and an auxiliary capacitor is formed to cancel the difference in the amount of parasitic capacitance generated due to the overlap of the individual transparent pixel electrodes with the source line.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of display elements arranged in a first and a second direction on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. Each of the display elements includes a transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate; a pixel electrode driven by the drain output of the transistor; and a capacitor for storing the drain output of the transistor. The capacitors each include a diffusion region formed in the surface of the semiconductor substrate and an upper electrode facing with the diffusion region with an insulating film between them. The capacitor diffusion regions of adjacent two display elements arranged in the second direction extend along a border between the two elements and merge with each other at the border.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display mounting assembly includes a frame for receiving a liquid crystal cell, a mould for receiving the frame, and a plurality of suspensions integrally formed with the mould to support the frame by urging an outer wall of the frame against an inner wall of the mould. The frame is provided with a plurality of concave step portions, and the suspensions are formed corresponding to the concave step portions. Each of the suspensions is U-shaped and provided with a hook which is hooked on the corresponding concave step portion of the frame.

Abstract: A reflection type liquid-crystal in which a light guide plate is in tight contact with a liquid-crystal display element having a reflecting layer through a bonding layer with refractive index in a range of from 1.40 to 1.55 and whole light transmittivity in a range of not less than 90%, the light guide plate being designed so that incident light from an incidence side surface is emitted from a lower surface through prismatic irregularities formed on an upper surface, and the light emitted from the lower surface takes maximum intensity at an angle of 30 degrees or less with respect to a normal to a plane of the lower surface, while maximum intensity of leakage light from the upper surface at that angle is not larger than ⅕ of the maximum intensity in the lower surface, and incident light from the lower surface is transmitted from the upper surface.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal projection device includes an organic electroluminescent element that is sandwiched by an organic thin-film layer between an electrode layer that reflects light and a transparent electrode layer that transmits light, and a transparent liquid crystal panel that controls passage of light emitted from the surface of the organic electroluminescent element and also includes a half-mirror layer arranged on the side where light is output from the transparent electrode layer. Some of the incoming light is reflected through the transparent electrode layer to another electrode layer and the rest of the light is transmitted the distance between the half-mirror layer. The electrode layer is set to the optical distance of resonance of the light.

Abstract: A polarizer 130 is provided on the upper side of a TN liquid crystal 140, and a light scattering layer 150, a polarization separator 160, a polarizer 170 and a light source 190 are provided on the lower side of the TN element 140. The polarized light separator 160 causes a linear polarized light component in the direction of a transmission axis of light incident from above to be transmitted, and reflects a linear polarized light component thereof in the direction of a reflection axis orthogonal thereto. Under external light, it becomes white in a voltage non-application portion 120, and it becomes dark in a voltage application portion 110. Under light source light, it becomes dark in the voltage non-application portion 120, and it becomes light in the voltage application portion 110.

Abstract: A liquid crystal layer, made of a liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy, is sealed between an opposing substrate and a pixel substrate that are arranged face to face with each other; thus, a liquid crystal panel of the birefringence control type is constructed. In this liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal molecules, provided as the liquid crystal material, are kept in an oriented state in which they incline by an angle in the range of 3° to 10° with respect to the direction that is normal to the opposing substrate and the pixel substrate. Upon application of a driving voltage to the liquid crystal layer, since the pretilt angle, which is the initial angle of inclination of the liquid crystal molecules, is set at a value greater than that of a conventional apparatus, the occurrence of reverse tilt regions can be suppressed.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid-crystal display where both pixel electrode 14 and common electrode 3 for controlling a liquid-crystal layer 40 are disposed above a color filter 10 covered with a shield electrode 20.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display unit in which a voltage is applied to a pixel electrode and a common signal electrode constituted by two upper and lower transparent conductive layers having insulation layers disposed therebetween so that a liquid crystal is driven to control display can improve any one or both of reduction of a writing time of the liquid crystal (reduction of a capacitance between the pixel electrode and the common signal electrode) and reduction of a driving voltage of the liquid crystal. An inter-layer insulation layer between the transparent electrodes formed of different layers is constituted by at least one or a laminated structure of a part of a gate insulation layer, a part of a surface protection layer of a thin film transistor and an applied-type insulation layer and insulation layers in an area which is positioned above the lower transparent electrode.

Abstract: Connection terminals connected to a scanning driver IC chip 32 are arranged on a short side of a wiring connection area 25A of a second substrate 25 in a liquid crystal display panel 21, and the connection terminals and connection terminals arranged on a long side of a wiring connection area 24A of a first substrate 24 are connected from the same direction with a single flexible printed wiring board 22. For this reason, convenience of the flexible printed wiring board 22 can be improved. In addition, it is possible to reduce the projection size of the wiring connection area of the first substrate 24, and the ratio of the display area in the whole liquid crystal panel 21 can be increased.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element of the present invention comprises a pair of substrates 1, 2 with transparent electrodes 5, 6, a spacer 3 for maintaining a certain gap between the substrates, which is disposed between the pair of substrates 1, 2, and a liquid crystal layer 4 sealed between the substrates 1, 2; in which the spacer 3 has an elasticity, the sum of a repulsion force of the spacer 3 and an internal pressure of the above-mentioned liquid crystal layer 4 is constantly approximately 1 atm with a change in temperature within a range of usable temperatures of the liquid crystal display element, and each of the spacer 3 and the internal pressure of the liquid crystal layer 4 varies linearly. According to such a constitution, it is possible to improve a temperature characteristic of the grade of display resulting from a firm column-shaped spacer with little elasticity, and to realize a liquid crystal display element with little deterioration in the grade of display due to a change in temperature.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a photosensitive member and a support portion for detachably supporting a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive member. The support portion supports the developing unit in a pivotable manner. A driving force transmitting portion disposed on an axis substantially the same as a pivot axis of the developing unit supported by the support portion is adapted to transmit a driving force to the developing unit supported by the support portion.

Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus having a movable object table in vacuum, an interferometer-based alignment system for detecting the position of that object table has a passive part in vacuum and an active part outside the vacuum chamber. The active part contains the beam generator, e.g. a laser, and the electronic detectors whilst the passive part contains the illumination and imaging optics. The two parts are coupled by optical fibers. The interferometer may make use of different diffraction orders from measurement and reference gratings and the order separation may be included in the passive part.

Abstract: A system and method of improving a photolithography process is disclosed. A phase shift filter is placed between two lenses located between a reticle mask and a wafer. The two lenses combined with the phase-shift filter performs a adjustment of the mask image in the spatial frequency domain, projecting an image that is equivalent to the differentiation of the light intensity of the mask image, thereby reproducing a sharper defined mask pattern on the wafer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a purged optical gap between a pellicle and a reticle in a photolithography system is described. A porous frame between a reticle and a pellicle maintains the purged optical gap. A porous frame includes a first and a second opposing surface. The first opposing surface defines a first opening, and is configured to mate with the pellicle. The second opposing surface defines a second opening, and is configured to mate with the reticle to enclose the optical gap between the pellicle and the reticle. A gas supply interface infuses a purge gas through the porous frame and into the gap.

Abstract: Frequency domain velocity measurements and time domain velocity measurements are made using light from cells or other objects. An optical grating is used to modulate the light from an object so that it has a frequency proportional to the velocity of the object. Depending upon the embodiment, the pitch of the optical grating is uniform or varying. The modulated light is detected, producing an analog signal that is then digitally sampled. Time domain signal processing techniques are used to determine the velocity of the object from the digital samples. Preferably, the velocity measured is applied in determining a timing signal employed for synchronization of an image of the object and an detector signal in an optical analysis system that uses a time delay integration (TDI) detector to determine characteristics of the object in response to light from the object.

Abstract: One version of the invention relates to a laser detection system that includes a ball lens and a plurality of fiber optic bundles placed adjacent the ball lens so that incoming light rays are focused onto the bundles by the ball lens. In one particular version of the invention, a ball lens is one that can provide an almost infinite number of “principal” axes for off-axis light. Each fiber optic bundle is aimed in a different direction from each other bundle so that each bundle will have a different FOV even though the same ball lens is used to focus the incoming light rays.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting removable particulates initially on a test surface or surface to be inspected. The removable particles are transferred to a portion of a tacky surface on a carrier by adhering and then removing the portion of the tacky surface from the test surface. The carrier is received by a positioning means and passed through the field of view of a surface inspection means guided by a controller. Signals from the surface inspection means are combined with coordinates from the controller to produce particle coordinates, which indicate particulates initially on the test surface. Particle coordinates on the tacky surface measured before the tacky surface is adhered and removed from the test surface can be compared with particle coordinates measured after the tacky surface is adhered and removed from the test surface.

Abstract: An optical inspection system for detecting defects on the surface of a semiconductor wafer includes two light sources and two light receivers mounted as a common assembly which is rotated such that two curtains of light and corresponding linear photosensor arrays circularly scan the wafer surface. The reflected light is analyzed to determine the presence of surface defects. Marks applied to the wafer surface provide amplitude and timing references used to adjust and synchronize the analyzed signals.

Abstract: An illumination head for optical inspection of an upper surface of a printed circuit board. The illumination head comprises a backlight having an aperture formed therein for viewing the part and at least one lightline disposed adjacent to the backlight. The backlight and the lightline are operative to direct illumination on the part such that the illumination head may be disposed a prescribed distance above the part. Typically, the lightline provides illumination off-axis from the viewing axis of the part in order to increase contrast and decrease shadows on the part. In this respect, the illumination head may be positioned between 4 and 6 inches above the printed circuit board in order to permit reworking of the printed circuit board after a defect is found thereon.

Abstract: A spectroscopic analyzing arrangement comprises an ATR optical sampling plate with a front sample-contacting face and an opposed rear internally face. An anvil assembly is arranged so that the sample-contacting face can be pressed against the sample to receive spectroscopic information. A reflection barrier between the anvil assembly and the rear face prevents internally reflected light within the sampling plate from picking up spectroscopic information from the anvil assembly, thus enhancing the performance of the arrangement.

Abstract: An automatic color-tone test device comprises: a measurement cell 4 to which there are communication-connected dye liquor introduction tubes 16, 18 for passing through a controlling dye liquor that is a measurement object and dye liquor discharge tubes 17, 19; a spectrophotometer adapted such that a light transmission distance in the measurement cell 4 can be variably set in compliance with a concentration level of the controlling dye liquor that is a measurement object; and a statistical test computer section for operation-judging whether or not concentration and hue agree with desired values.

Abstract: A Czerny-Turner spectroscope according to the present invention includes: a collimator mirror having a toroidal surface for reflecting a beam of light passing through an entrance slit to a plane diffraction grating; and a telemeter mirror having a cylindrical surface for reflecting and converging the beam of light reflected and separated by the plane diffraction grating to an exit. When a slit is placed at the exit, the straight generatrix is set substantially parallel to the exit slit. When a linear object (such as the separation channel of the capillary electrophoresis microchip) to receive a part of the spectrum of light reflected by the telemeter is placed at the exit, the linear object is set parallel to the straight generatrix. By this construction and configuration, the curving of monochromatic spectrum component at the exit is minimized, and the monochromatic light produced by the inventive Czerny-Turner spectroscope can pass the exit slit in full.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for adjusting angular play on a predetermined angular range of an optical element mobile in rotation relative to a frame. Said device comprises a contact piece (3), integral with the optical element, and an elastic steady arm (4). The steady arm has a first end (41) fixed to the frame and a second end (42) co-operating with the contact piece when the mobile element is oriented in the predetermined angular range, at least when the mobile element enters said angular range in the rotational direction (S1), such that the steady arm exerts on the mobile element a counter-torque. Said second end does not co-operate with the contact piece when the mobile element is oriented outside the angular range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical system for an apparatus for multi-part differential particle discrimination to facilitate analysis, classification, and sorting of various fluid components for presentation. The optical system is characterized by one or more of the following: a synchronized illumination beam and flow cell conduit, a flow cell arrangement to control back reflection, and light sensor arrangement to particularly gather a specific range of light scatter, such specific range of light scatter directly corresponding to at least one type of particle capable of being identified by the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the concentration of a constituent in a fluid by directing a beam of light into the fluid and sensing the intensity of components of the light emerging from the fluid at various wavelengths. The light emerging from the fluid can be light that has been attenuated by absorption or induced by fluorescent radiation. The effect of scattering on the light is minimized by normalizing the component intensities, which are then applied to an algorithm incorporating weighting factors that weighs the influence that the intensity at each wavelength has on the determination of the concentration of the constituent for which the algorithm was developed. The algorithm is developed by a regression analysis based upon a plurality of known mixtures containing various concentrations of the constituent of interest.

Abstract: To provide an SPR sensor plate which allows easy fixation of an antibody and easy retention of a subject and which can be manufactured easily, as well as an immune reaction measuring instrument employing this SPR sensor plate. The SPR sensor plate includes: a plate-shaped light waveguide 3 that allows light from a light source 21 to be transmitted therethrough; and a sensing metal film 5 formed on part of a surface of the light waveguide 3. A reflecting metal film 7 is formed on opposite end surfaces of the light waveguide 3 except for a light incident surface 9 and a light exit surface 11 forming inclined surfaces having a same inclination.

Abstract: A gloss sensor is described for optically measuring the gloss of a surface and compensating for dirt buildup on the sensor. The gloss sensor includes a light source and a first collimator for receiving light energy from the light source, forming therein and emitting therefrom a collimated light beam. A first detector is located within the first collimator for developing a reference signal and a beam splitter disposed adjacent the first end of the first collimator for dividing the collimated beam into a first beam and a second beam, the second beam being received by a reflection device. A first mirror is positioned adjacent a first window, the first mirror adapted to reflect the first beam onto a surface to be measured through the first window and further adapted to receive the second beam reflected from the reflection device.

Abstract: An interference optical system (1) is employed to split an input light beam in two, giving a predetermined optical path length difference to the resultant two light beams and thereafter synthesizing them to generate interference fringes. A reference light with a known wavelength &lgr;1 is introduced into the interference optical system (1) from a coherent reference light source (2). A test light with an unknown wavelength &lgr;2 is simultaneously introduced into the interference optical system (1) from a coherent test light source (3) via a different optical path. The interference optical system (1) modulates both received signals obtained from the reference and test lights by giving the same variation to optical path length differences for the reference and test lights. Degrees of modulations of the received signals, obtained from the reference and test lights, depend on their wavelengths &lgr;1 and &lgr;2, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed are first and second embodiments of a 3-channel probe-plate structure of the fiber-optic interferometer, wherein low-coherent-length light from a superluminescent light-emitting diode is split by a tree splitter into three light branches which are coupled as separate light inputs to the probe-pate structure by single-mode, polarization-preserving optical fibers. For each of the 3 channels, the first embodiment of the probe-plate structure comprises an integrated polarizing lithium-niobate Y splitter-modulator for deriving separate reference-arm light and probe-arm light.

Abstract: An object is to provide a three-dimensional data input apparatus that enables data currently required by the user to be easily extracted from the stored past three-dimensional data, shooting position data or shooting direction data. When the user provides the three-dimensional measuring device 1 with a measurement instruction, the portions operate through control by the central processing portion 17 to obtain the three-dimensional data SS and the two-dimensional image data SN of the object Q. The group of the three-dimensional data SS, the two-dimensional image data SN, the position data SP and the attitude data SA that are in the one-to-one correspondence with one another as described above are stored in the storage portion 18 every time the three-dimensional data of the object Q is measured.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and method are provided for controlling a printer. The apparatus comprises a first determination device for determining whether character pattern data representing a pattern of a character can be downloaded to the printer, and a download device for downloading the character pattern data to the printer in a case where the first determination device determines that a download is possible. The apparatus also comprises a first transmission device for transmitting a character code to the printer in a case where character pattern data is downloaded to the printer by the download device, an acquisition device for acquiring image information corresponding to the character in a case where character pattern data for a character is not downloaded by the download device, and a second transmission device for transmitting the acquired image information to the printer.

Abstract: A printer for effecting recording on a recording medium by a recording unit includes a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium, an infrared ray communication unit containing in a case member an infrared ray communication element for effecting data communication with an external data processing apparatus with an infrared ray as a communication medium, and a supporting unit for rotatably supporting the infrared ray communication unit on the printer so as to be protrudable from the surface of the outer case of the printer.

Abstract: A printing apparatus can process all information relating to past states of use of the printing apparatus and appropriately notify the user of the state of use of the printing apparatus. A number of used recording sheets in the printing apparatus is accumulated as a number of passed sheets, and the user is notified of the accumulated number of used sheets and an average number of used sheets during a predetermined time period, in accordance with a command to confirm the number of passed sheets from the user. By also notifying the user of the amount of used consumable supplies, such as ink and the like, the user can be made aware of the frequency of required exchange or replenishment of each of the consumable supplies.

Abstract: A document creation system and method in which electronic information intended for reproduction and including at least one hyperlink is accessed. The accesses information is formatted into a contiguous localized document in a reproducible format into which is incorporated at least one functional link related to a hyperlink. The functional link is reproducible in a material form in the localized document for replicating a function associated with the hyperlinks. The localized document can then be displayed to reveal the function links which are manually traversable. Display is typically by printing and the functional links may include printed lines, cutouts in the paper or tabs applied to the paper.

Abstract: When an original image is to be printed as a poster composed of an array of 4×4 output images, an image is generated by enlarging the original image fourfold in the vertical and horizontal directions and dividing the enlarged image into 16 parts. These 16 partial images are output successively starting from the upper left or lower right of the 4×4 array, depending upon the designation. If there is a blank page, the blank page is output as is even if the printer possesses a blank-paper economizing function. Thus, when a poster printing function is used, the user designates the manner in which the enlarged image is divided up and the order in which the divided images are printed. Even if the printer is equipped with the blank-paper economizing function, normal printed results can be obtained merely by joining the output sheets together in the order that conforms to the manner in which the enlarged image was divided.

Abstract: An image recording/reproducing apparatus includes an image signal processing unit which transforms original image data with a first resolution, supplied from an image input device, into a processed image signal with a second resolution. A recording signal generating unit transforms at least one of the original image data and the processed image signal produced by the image signal processing unit, into a recording form. An image recording device stores the processed image signal in the recording form, produced by the recording signal generating unit, into a storage unit, the recording form of the processed image signal being suited to a predetermined data format on the storage unit. An image reproducing device transforms the processed image signal in the recording form, read from the storage unit, into an output-form signal, and displays an image on a display monitor in accordance with the output-form signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of displaying an image on a display device having first and second sides, said image including a light restricting silhouette pattern having a plurality of first transparent or translucent areas, and at least one design layer having at least one color, said at least one design layer being visible from one side of said display device and substantially less visible from the other side, said image being substantially transparent or translucent as viewed from the other side, comprising the steps: 1) providing at least a definition of said design layer to a computer, 2) generating a computerized version of said design layer with,he computer, 3) outputting the computerized version of said design layer to said display device, the computerized version of said design layer being modified to subdivide said design layer into a plurality of second discrete transparent or translucent areas and other areas; and 4) displaying said modified design layer and said silhouette pattern with

Abstract: To effectively executing the relay multi-address calling with sub-address signals in a communication system capable of data communication according to ITU-T Recommendation T.33. When relay multi-address calling destinations are designated with sub-address signals from a calling facsimile apparatus, the facsimile apparatus instructed to execute the relay multi-address calling notifies relay multi-address calling impermissible ones of the designated multi-address calling destinations to the calling facsimile apparatus and executes the relay multi-address calling to relay multi-address calling permissible destinations, then notifying this communication result to the calling facsimile apparatus having instructed on relay multi-address calling. On the other hand, the calling facsimile apparatus having instructed to execute the relay multi-address calling directly calls the relay multi-address calling impermissible destination and sends the original data thereto.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a scanner, which reads a plurality of images and inputs them as multivalue digital image data; a matching data producing section which, based on the inputted multivalue image data, produces matching data for joining the respective inputted images; a post-processing section, which binarizes the image data of each image inputted by the scanner; a joining section, which synthesizes the respective inputted images into a single image by joining the binary data produced by the post-processing section, which corresponds to the image data of the respective inputted images, on the basis of the matching data produced by the matching data producing section; and a printer for outputting the image joined by the joining section. Thus an image processing device can be provided which is capable of joining any type of image, whether from written characters, halftone dot, or photographic originals, and of performing this joining processing at high speed.

Abstract: An adjustable chassis for variable brightness for a scanner includes a light source, a reflection means, a lens, a charge coupled device and a brightness adjuster. The brightness adjuster may be a reflection mirror adjuster which can change the angle of a first reflection mirror, or a lamp holder adjuster which can change the light emitting angle toward the scanning document, or a light source adjuster which can change the distance between the light source and the scanning document so that brightness on the document may be obtained at an optimum degree to achieve better scanning quality.

Abstract: An image pickup device for sensing a two-dimensional (2D) image while causing a projected image of an object to be sensed being projected onto a linear image sensor to relatively move with respect to the linear image sensor in a direction (V scanning) perpendicular to the internal scan (H scan) direction of the linear image sensor. This device includes a position detector circuit that detects the position of the object to be sensed, and a pixel size modifier circuit for changing or modifying the setup configuration of a pixel size in the V scan direction of the linear image sensor on the basis of a position detection signal indicative of the position of the to-be-sensed object as detected by the position detector circuit. The pixel size modifier circuit is operable based on the object position detection signal to periodically change the interval of H-scanning start pulses of the linear image sensor.