Abstract: An image outputting device and method that includes the steps of receiving image data from a first image data source; outputting the received image data; monitoring the first image data source for a problem; initiating a timer upon detection of a problem in the first image data source; suspending operation of the outputting step upon the detection of the problem in the first image data source; monitoring the passage of time since detection of the problem; and upon the lapse of a predetermined time, outputting image data received from a second image data source. Furthermore, if the problem is solved before the lapse of the predetermined period of time, resuming outputting of the image data received from the first image data source.

Abstract: Even if printing is carried out on an unprinted surface of a print sheet containing confidential information, the confidential information is prevented from leaking out, thereby increasing reuse rate. To achieve this, both print data instructed by a host apparatus and an already printed print sheet have a security level of print contents and manager information on the print matter as print matter attributes. Then, when the print data is printed on an unprinted surface, it is determined whether the print data can be printed on a fed print sheet, from the print matter attributes of the print data and of the print sheet. Further, print sheets are prepared beforehand every print matter attributes and a print sheet to be fed is selected on the basis of the print matter attributes of the print data.

Abstract: A device of this invention solely executes a power saving operation without influencing a repeater operation on a serial bus interface to which a plurality of devices are cascade-connected.

Abstract: An interface between a service provider application and a content providing application in a network printing system, comprising functionality for configuring the interface for the service provider to interface with the content providing application on a first level, wherein the first level comprises service provider administration properties, functionality for configuring the interface for a multi-service operator to interface with the content providing application on a second level, wherein the second level comprises multi-service level administration properties that comprise a portion of the service provider administration properties, and functionality for configuring the interface for an end user to interface with the content providing application on a third level, wherein the third level comprises end user level administration properties that comprise a portion of the multi-service provider administration properties.

Abstract: A printing system that comprises a host computer 50 and a printer 10 in combination. As the printer 10, is used one that can process a first class print request including a control program and print data and a second class print request including only print data, and, when an ID output request is received, sends a control program ID as identification information of a control program stored inside the printer 10 at that point of time. Printer control software 20a is installed on the host computer 50 to put the computer 50 in a state that, when a print request is to be outputted to the printer 10, the computer 50 verifies whether a required control program is stored within the printer 10, and the computer 50 sends a second class print request to the printer 10, when storing of the control program is verified, and sends a first class print request to the printer 10, when storing of the control program is not verified.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image ordering system in which an environment for enabling easily printing ordering for unspecified image content can be simply realized. A user watching image content delivered from a content deliverer designates an image to be printed. Then, image specifying information for specifying the image is written into a scene marker possessed by the user. When the user performs printing ordering via a receiving machine, the image specifying information is read out from the scene marker and a thumbnail image provided from the content provider is displayed. When the order is designated, high quality image data is provided from the content provider to the image order processing device. Subsequently, the image order processing device transfers the data so as to ask a print finishing operator to perform a print finishing processing.

Abstract: A printing device has multiple finishing functions and multiple e-mail accounts on a mail server in a network. Correspondence between finishing functions set by a user and e-mail accounts are stored in a printing device. An e-mail sent to each e-mail account undergoes a finishing function based on the stored correspondence in order to be printed.

Abstract: A portable terminal 1100 comprises: a printing end acquisition unit 1101 for obtaining the printing end status of a printer 1120; and a printing end confirmation unit 1102 for providing notification of the printing end for the printer 1120 by using a display device or an audible alarm. Further, a printer comprises: a printer controller 110, and a printer engine 120. The printer controller 120 includes: a radio communication unit 111, for exchanging command data with a portable terminal 101; a printing function identification unit 112, for determining whether a printing function is provided for the portable terminal 101; a warm-up start unit 113, for activating a warm-up operation; and a command data processor 115, for interpreting the command data received from the portable terminal 101.

Abstract: There is provided a printing system which allows efficient printing at a low cost. In a printing system, unprocessed order information is arranged so as to be sequentially processed from order information which can be processed by a printer without changing paper during an unattended operation, and order information which can be processed by paper set in the printer is preferentially printed. As a result, unprocessed image information is processed in an unmanned state at the maximum. Further, before switched to an unattended operation, a paper size in which the greatest number of prints are to be prepared is selected and the selected result is notified to an operator to instruct him or her to set the paper indicated by the result in the printer, thereby allowing order information to be processed by an unattended operation at the maximum.

Abstract: A method and associated control apparatus are used to control the operation of a plurality of independent printing devices each having at least one holder. The control apparatus is arranged to store information relating to one or more print jobs scheduled to be performed by each of said plurality of printing devices. This information includes the quantity of media required to complete each of the print jobs. The control apparatus learns an initial or current quantity of media held in one or more of said printing devices and estimates or otherwise determines the quantity of media remaining in a media holder of a printing device during the performance of a print job. The control apparatus generates an alert when said quantity of media reaches a predetermined minimum value indicating that more media will be required to accommodate a particular print job.

Abstract: A print control apparatus, which is connected to a multifunctional printer for printing images based on various data including at least facsimile data, comprises: a detector for detecting a call signal CI transmitted through a telephone line; a checker for checking the status of a print operation by the multifunctional printer, when the detector detects the call signal CI; and a controller for controlling timing of capturing the telephone line in response to the call signal CI detected by the detector, in accordance with the checked result of the checker. Thus, even if the call signal CI is detected while the print operation is being performed, the print operation can be optimally controlled, and also timing to capture the line can be controlled.

Abstract: The flexible printing system is comprised of a printer that has printing characteristics that can be updated. A printer cartridge comprises printer data memory that either stores new printing characteristics or stores a location from the Internet from which these characteristics can be downloaded. The printer accesses the cartridge's printer data memory and checks the stored printing characteristics. If the printer can use these characteristics and they differ from the characteristics that are presently being used by the printer, the printer updates its printing characteristics using the printer data memory's printing characteristics. In one embodiment, the printer characteristics are color tables and dithering algorithms.

Abstract: An image memory stores image data of a document file. A bit map developing part converts the document file into bit map image data. A difference information extraction part compares the bit map image data with the image data so as to extract difference information representing a difference between the bit map image data and the image data. The difference information is saved as a deference information file.

Abstract: A method includes forming a third halftone color plane, a fourth halftone color plane, and a fifth halftone color plane from a first halftone color plane and a second halftone color plane. In addition, the method includes performing a compression on the third halftone color plane, the fourth halftone color plane, and the fifth halftone color plane. An apparatus includes a processing device configured to form a third halftone color plane, a fourth halftone color plane, and a fifth halftone color plane from a first halftone color plane and a second halftone color plane. In addition, the apparatus includes a configuration to perform a compression on the third halftone color plane, the fourth halftone color plane, and the fifth halftone color plane to generate compressed halftone data and to decompress the compressed halftone data to generate decompressed halftone data. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a memory configured to store the compressed and the decompressed halftone data.

Abstract: The present invention provides to image processing methods that include a method of selecting an optimal threshold value (tO) for an image comprising the steps of: obtaining an image; selecting a test segment of the said image; determining the mean feature size (S) of features appearing in the test segment at each of a plurality of threshold values (t), so as to produce mean feature size data (S(t)); selecting a relevant subset of the mean feature size data (S(t)); and determining an optimal threshold value (tO) as a function of said subset of the mean feature size data. The present invention additionally provides methods of thresholding an image to produce a binary image by application of the optimal threshold value (tO) determined according to the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an automated inquiry-response e-mail based content delivery system is provided for delivering items of content to client devices at remote locations. Further provided are methods of delivering items of content from a storage location to client devices at remote locations through e-mail based inquiry-response automation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing an indelible mark on each page of a document which has been sent by FAX. The sender's FAX machine applies a clear/transparent chemical or ink message on the surface of the document which contains information such as the FAX machine identification number, telephone number of the FAX recipient, and the time and date of the FAX transmission. The information is printed and is invisible to the naked eye, but becomes visible underneath a low voltage UV light. The light is placed above the tray in which completed faxes are temporarily stored to make the mark visible to the operator to assure that each page of the document was separately sent. A separate pen light allows a sender or management person to confirm that a document has been properly and completely transmitted. Visible ink may be used if desired.

Abstract: A method of correction for toner misregistration in color printing systems, specifically for run length encoded image data. This method, called “trapping”, usually involves extending the color separations one or more pixels to overlay the edge. The color of the “trap zone” is chosen such that it is nearly imperceptible in the presence of the two initial colors. Our approach assumes the existence of a “trap generator”, which provides a trap color given two input colors.

Abstract: A scanner unit has first and second carriages located below a glass document table. The first carriage has a first frame extending from a front side to a rear side along the document table, i.e. in a main scanning direction. The scanner unit contains, at the front side and the rear side, two rails that support the opposite ends of the first frame such that the first frame can slide in a sub-scanning direction. The scanner unit also contains, at the front side and the rear side, inhibiting elements for receiving a part of the first frame when the first carriage has slid along the rail to a hold position, thereby inhibiting the movement of the first carriage in the main scanning direction, and also for holding another part of the frame together with the rail when the carriage has slid to the hold position, thereby inhibiting the vertically upward movement of the frame.

Abstract: A scanner has an optical head that includes lenses and a photosensor array. The distance of the optical head, relative to a surface of a platen, is variable. As a result, the primary focal point for the lenses can be moved relative to a surface of the platen. The primary focal point can be continuously variable, or the primary focal point can be selected from one of multiple alternative primary focal points.

Abstract: A compensation apparatus for image scan, applied to an optical scanner with a platform, on which an object to be scanned is disposed. The optical scanner has a photosensitive apparatus with a set of scan photosensitive devices and a storage apparatus. When the object is scanned by the set of scan photosensitive devices, a scanned image is obtained and saved in the storage apparatus temporarily. The compensation apparatus has a set of calibration boards, a set of calibration photosensitive devices and an image processor. The set of calibration boards has two calibration boards located at two sides of the platform. The set of calibration photosensitive devices is located at two sides of the set of scan photosensitive device. The image processor is used to extract and compare the calibrated image, so as to adjust the scanned image.

Abstract: A control device and a method for controlling scanning speed of a scanner. The control device includes a decision device and a driving device. The decision device further includes an image buffer, an up-down counter and a comparator. The decision device receives the input image data and utilizes the up-down counter to compute data access volume inside the image buffer. The comparator decides whether to increase or decrease the scanning speed according to the data access volume and also outputs decision data to the driving device.

Abstract: A sensor chip arranged in a casing having a window portion on the side thereof to be faced to a medium to be read takes in the form of a single long chip. In particular, a single long and seamless sensor chip having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged thereon throughout a length of the window portion of the casing is mounted on a long supporting substrate having a length long enough to support the whole sensor chip. The sensor chip and the supporting substrate are bonded together such that transmission of stress due to external force exerted on the supporting substrate to the sensor chip is restricted.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method which facilitates the use of a printed or scribed document as an interface with a computer.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved transparency scanning module, which is applied on a cover of scanning device. The transparency scanning module and the cover can be taken apart for different consuming groups. The features of the invention are that transparency scanning module is embedded in cover, and a slot of cover for holding transparency scanning module is set plural fillisters, and there are plural connectors set on the relative positions of transparency scanning module for connecting each other. When the fillisters connecting with the connectors, transparency scanning module is able to offer light and also transparency scanning module and cover are combined and fixed each other closely; on the other hand, rim of transparency scanning module is thinner, and most central part is protruding in z direction, thus transparency scanning module can be inserted and held in the slot of cover. This is another design for closely combination.

Abstract: A scan method comprising a sensing photo module applicable in a scan apparatus for scanning a document is disclosed. The sensing photo module is equipped with photo sensors parallel to each other and detects the photo signal at every collection distance. The photo sensors extend horizontally and are positioned a line distance between the adjacent photo sensors. Under low operating resolution, the vertical resolution is increased by making the line ratio an integer, in order to solve the problem of color-quality loss due to a non-integer line ratio.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing apparatus in which a pattern table stores a plurality of screen patterns which include a predetermined number of pattern data and have different data patterns. An in-pattern position calculator generates an in-pattern position signal indicating a position of an input image signal in the screen pattern from main and sub scanning synchronizing signals. A pattern selecting signal combining section generates a pattern selecting signal for selecting a specified pattern in the pattern table from the input image signal, combines the pattern selecting signal and the in-pattern position signal supplied from the in-pattern position calculator, and supplies an address in the pattern table. A controller reads pattern data corresponding to the address in the pattern table from the pattern table and supplies image data.

Abstract: A holographic storage apparatus for recording data in a holographic medium includes at least one light source for generating a reference beam and a signal beam. The reference beam is preferably a phase beam of unchanging phase content. The apparatus also includes a holographic medium placed in a path of the reference beam and a path of the signal beam. The holographic medium has a first face and both the reference beam and the signal beam enter the holographic medium through the first face. The holographic medium also includes a data reflective surface. The reference beam and the signal beam interfere in the holographic medium to create a hologram only after at least one of the reference beam and the signal beam have reflected off of the data reflective surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protection switch disposed at a node in a two-fiber optical channel protection ring. The protection switch includes a wavelength selective switch (WSS) coupled to the two-fiber optical channel protection ring. The WSS is configured to selectively drop at least one wavelength channel propagating in the two-fiber optical channel protection ring. A dynamic spectral equalizer (DSE) is coupled to the two-fiber optical channel protection ring. The DSE is configured to substantially block wavelengths corresponding to the at least one wavelength channel, and to optically manage at least one express wavelength channel not corresponding to the at least one wavelength channel.

Abstract: The wavelength supervisory channel is a mechanism for transmitting and receiving control and management information about the wavelength in a multi-wavelength communication system. A plurality of these channels, each being carried on their respective wavelengths can enable a redundant, robust and fault tolerant method of transmitting and receiving the aforementioned control information for the entire communications network comprised of many such optical devices replacing the traditional and more expensive optical supervisory channel or digital wrapper techniques. The invention described below details one embodiment of the wavelength supervisory channel implemented as a sub-carrier modulated orthogonal channel, riding along with the main payload data channel, in an all-electronic, low cost and unobtrusive methodology.

Abstract: An optical communication apparatus in which bidirectional communication may be made over a sole optical fiber. A light emitting device (132) radiates light through an optical system (133) to an optical fiber (76). The light transmitted from the optical fiber (76) is received over optical system (133) by a light receiving device (136). In the optical system (133), such a relationship S−2QN≧M>S/2Q−N is set, where M is the light volume of the stray light emitted, Q is the value of a Q-value representing the communication quality as required, S is the light volume of a received signal from a communication partner and N is the sum total of the Gaussian noise.

Abstract: An optical transport network comprises a number of nodes, or routers, which are coupled together via optical fibers. During a connection setup between a source node and a destination node, a node of the optical transport network initiates a cross-connect with an adjacent node and completes the cross-connect with the adjacent node without waiting for completion of any downstream cross-connects. The success of the connection operation to the destination node is checked by the node on the reverse pass. This results in completely pipelining the various cross-connect operations at each node. As a result, the connection setup time is of the order of a round-trip delay plus a single cross-connect time (independent of the number of nodes in the connection path).

Abstract: It is proposed that currently unused portions of transport overhead in frames sent on a high-speed outgoing channel be used to carry error count information from each of four low-speed input channels. At a 4:1 combiner, error monitoring bytes are extracted from transport overhead of frames received on each of the four input channels. Error counts are determined and accumulated for each input channel before being passed to a transport overhead generator for the outgoing channel, where they are inserted as bit patterns in unused portions of the transport overhead. At a receiving demultiplexer, the error counts are extracted from the transport overhead of incoming frames. The extracted error counts are then used to alter the error monitoring bytes included in the transport overhead of frames sent on each of four outgoing channels such that, at the far end of those outgoing channels, a correct number of errors for the three part path may be determined.

Abstract: An all optical network for optical signal traffic has at least a first ring with at least one transmitter and one receiver. The first ring includes a plurality of network nodes. At least a first add/drop broadband coupler is coupled to the first ring. The broadband coupler includes an add port and a drop port to add and drop wavelengths to and or from the first ring, a pass-through direction and an add/drop direction. The first add/drop broadband coupler is configured to minimize a pass-through loss in the first ring and is positioned on the first ring.

Abstract: The invention of the present application provides a high-speed and small-sized optical interconnection device using wavelength-multiplexed light suitable therefor in order to make compatible between an increase in high-speed communication capacity of the optical interconnection device and an increase in high-speed communication distance thereof. According to the invention of the present application, a signal processing LSI is placed within a central portion of a main surface of a semiconductor substrate, and input/output units for transmitting and receiving optical wavelength-multiplexed lights are multi-chip integrated on the periphery of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, whereby they are integrated into a single package, and a wiring length can be reduced and a physical signal band for each connecting wiring can be enlarged.

Abstract: There is provided an optical signal monitoring method and apparatus for measuring the characteristics of an input WDM optical signal. In the optical signal monitoring method, the WDM optical signal is combined with reference lights at both sides of the WDM optical signal on the wavelength spectrum. The combined signal is input to a filter having a variable transmission wavelength according to an applied driving voltage. A driving voltage-light intensity graph of a combined optical signal detected from the filter is derived in its overall wavelength band. A linear approximated wavelength is obtained with respect to a driving voltage and a non-linear compensated wavelength is calculated in a predetermined non-linear compensation formula with the driving voltage and the operation temperature of the filter.

Abstract: The high data transmission capacity of fiber optic networks has been exploited through wavelength division multiplexing, abbreviated WDM. By using multiple independent wavelengths, or lambdas, the fiber can carry a multiplicity of content, each in its own lambda. As the number of lambdas increases (it is currently ca. 100 and is projected to climb to 100,000 or more) it becomes increasingly challenging to allocate lambdas to traffic. The present invention automates the allocation process by detecting similar interests amongst groups of users, and creating a shared lambda for use by the users.

Abstract: A wavelength-division multiplexing optical communication system for wavelength-division multiplexing a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths and transmitting a wavelength-division multiplexed signal via an optical fiber transmission line. The wavelength-division multiplexing system includes a multiplexing unit that wavelength-multiplexes a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths. A storing unit stores information regarding an addition or subtraction of an optical signal to be wavelength-multiplexed, into a predetermined time slot of a frame signal that is composed of a plurality of time slots. The wavelength-division multiplexing system outputs a monitor/control frame signal, based upon the stored information. A transmitting device transmits the monitor/control signal as an optical signal having a wavelength different from the wavelengths of the multiplexed optical signals.

Abstract: A WDM add/drop multiplexer structure comprising a plurality of WDM laser assemblies, wherein the WDM add/drop structure is arranged, in use, in a manner such that a controlled temperature environment is created around laser sources of the laser assemblies, and in a manner such as to be capable of creating the controlled temperature environment around the laser sources while the WDM add/drop multiplexer structure is subjected to an outside temperature ambient experienced in an Outside plant (OSP) situation.

Abstract: An optical add-drop multiplexer successively comprises a first ferrule, a first graded index (GRIN) lens with a bandpass filter attached thereon, an optical crystal, a second GRIN lens, and a second ferrule. An input and an output optical fiber are stationed in the first ferrule, and a dropping and an adding optical fiber are stationed in the second ferrule. An optical multiplexed signal from the input optical fiber is transmitted through the first GRIN lens to the bandpass filter. From the bandpass filter, an optical signal having a wavelength identical to a central wavelength of the bandpass filter is output to the dropping optical fiber, and other optical signals having other wavelengths are coupled with an optical signal from the adding optical fiber having a wavelength identical to the central wavelength of the bandpass filter and are transmitted to the output optical fiber.

Abstract: A special solution is required in closed fiber rings in order to remove OCDM transmission signals from the optical ring after they have passed the corresponding receiving node. This object is achieved by an OCDM detection device containing an OCDM detector for detecting received OCDM signals and an optical component controlled by the OCDM detector for transmission or non-transmission of received OCDM signals in at least one optical line. In a variation the OCDM detector detects special OCDM signals in an individual optical transmission channel and is designed in such a way that the optical component is controlled for transmission of OCDM signals if no special OCDM signals are detected and the optical component is controlled for non-transmission of OCDM signals if special OCDM signals are detected.

Abstract: A control system includes an electrical load control device responsive to radiant energy and a transmitter. The transmitter includes two sets of radiant energy generators connected to an electrical circuit such that polarity of the sets is reversed. A transmissive enclosure includes indented portions defining deflectors oriented obliquely with respect to a generator support surface. The transmitter is secured to a bracket for attachment to a backcover of the load control device. The control system may also include a master control generating an electrical control signal in response to an actuator or in response to a radiant energy signal. The control system is capable of limiting the master control to generate a signal only in response to the actuator. A power supply for the transmitter includes a filter network having a filter capacitor and resistor in series with a power supply capacitor and a diode in parallel with the resistor.

Abstract: A method for dispersion compensation regulation wherein, in order to transmit high-bit-rate optical signals, in a first step a bit-rate-reduced optical signal is formed from the high-bit-rate optical signal by the N-fold repetition at the transmitting end of each logic 1 and each logic 0, and in a second step the bit-rate-reduced optical signal is transmitted. In a third step the bit error rate of the transmitted bit-rate-reduced optical signal is determined at the receiving end, and in a fourth step the absolute-magnitude compensations of the dispersion compensation units are regulated in such a way that the determined bit error rate is minimized. After the bit error rate has been minimized by regulations the second to fourth steps are repeatedly carried out for the high-bit-rate optical signal.

Abstract: A method of transmitting an optical communications signal, comprising receiving a first signal, encoding the signal with a differential or duobinary encoding scheme, encoding the signal with an oscillating signal component, and sub-carrier modulating the signal onto a sub-carrier of an optical carrier signal. The invention also relates to corresponding systems and apparatuses.

Abstract: A system and method for individually controlling channels of a multi-channel optical communications system are described. The optical communications system uses optical transmitters such as semi-conductor lasers for each channel. A drive circuit provides energizing energy to each laser in order to generate a modulated output. In the present invention a programmable memory such as an EPROM is used to individually control drive conditions for each laser in order to tailor the output.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-beam scanning optical system capable of implementing high-quality printing in relatively simple structure and at high speed, and an image forming apparatus using it. The multi-beam scanning optical system has an incidence optical unit for guiding a plurality of beams emitted from a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting regions spaced apart from each other in a main scanning direction, to a deflector; a scanning optical unit for focusing the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, on a surface to be scanned; and a synchronism-detecting optical unit for converging part of the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, via a return mirror on a slit surface by a lens section, thereafter guiding the beams to a synchronism detector, and controlling timing of a scan start position on the surface to be scanned, by use of a signal from the synchronism detector.

Abstract: A scanning optical system is used to re-form an original image on a CCD line sensor. The optical system has an object side lens unit, a mirror and an image side lens unit. The object side lens unit condenses light from the object. The mirror is arranged between the object side lens to deflect the light having passed through the object side lens unit for scanning. An exit pupil of the object side lens unit coincide with an entrance pupil of the image side lens unit.

Abstract: A signal time-scaling arrangement utilises a known configuration comprising the use of a laser which has its wavelength varied over time, a modulator coupled to the laser and to a modulating analogue electrical source and a dispersion means coupled to the output of the modulator and providing at its output signal which is a stretched version of the analogue modulating a signal, but provides for the modulator to be a single-sideband modulator instead of double-sideband. The effect of this is to enable the use of a much simple laser-control system involving a CW laser output which is wavelength-ramped continuously between quite narrow wavelength limits, while allowing the use of a dispersion means having a wide dispersion characteristic in order to provide the required degree of time-scaling. The invention is application to an ADC system or to a Doppler system.

Abstract: A tunable modulator includes an epitaxial structure formed on a substrate. The epitaxial structure includes a waveguide for light guiding, generally in form of a ridge, a trench for thermal insulation and an integrated heating element which, when a current is passed therethrough, heats the modulator and in turn changes the effective bandgap. This alters the wavelength that is best modulated resulting in a tunable modulator in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A reflective layer 212 having an aperture 212a for each pixel is formed on a first substrate 211, and a colored layer 214 for constituting a color filter is formed thereon. A surface protection layer 215 is formed on the colored layer 214, and a transparent electrode 216 is formed further thereon. The colored layer 214 is constituted so as to cover the aperture 212a in a two-dimensional direction, but overlaps only a part of a reflection surface in the pixel in a two-dimensional direction.