Abstract: A method of forming an optical component is disclosed. The method includes forming a primary base on an optical component precursor having a light transmitting medium positioned adjacent to a preliminary base. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the primary base is closer to the CTE of the light transmitting medium than the CTE of the preliminary base is to the CTE of the light transmitting medium. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the preliminary base.

Abstract: A modular and adjustable backplane assembly for providing a fiber-optics backplane interface to a plurality of router cards functioning as a data router is provided. The assembly includes a first portion having a first array of connectors for interfacing with a compatible array of second connectors engaging specific ones of the router cards, and a second portion having a second array of connectors for interfacing with a compatible array of second connectors engaging specific others of the router cards. The mechanics of the assembly enable a moveable attachment with respect to the first and second portions such that they may be positionally adjusted during mounting, and wherein external data paths are provided from individual ones of the connectors to individual others of the connectors by fiber-optic conductors.

Abstract: An optical waveguide feedthrough comprising

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the attenuation level of a semiconductor VOA relative to an absolute temperature of the VOA without the use of a power monitor is provided. The method includes the step of providing a variable optical attenuator for attenuating the optical signal. The variable optical attenuator is instructed to maintain the desired attenuation level of the optical signal. The temperature of the variable optical attenuator is periodically sensed, and a required voltage level is determined to achieve the desired attenuation level based at least partially on the periodically sensed temperature of the VOA. The method can further include the step of increasing and decreasing a voltage to the VOA to achieve the required voltage level and thus the desired attenuation level.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator, or VOA, and method of operation is provided. The operational method increases the linearity of the optical signal attenuation versus an applied actuator actuation signal and decreases the attenuation loss sensitivity to actuation signal noise and actuation signal uncertainty. A preferred embodiment has a light emitting waveguide and optionally an output waveguide, a focusing system, a mirror having a reflecting surface, and a mirror actuator. The mirror is operatively connected with a suspension element that returns the mirror to a highest attenuation, or zero actuation, position when the actuator fails to supply a minimal force to the mirror. The preferred embodiment provides better optical attenuation accuracy and enables reductions in both the complexity and cost of control circuitry of the VOA.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator including: a birefringent element positioned to separate an input optical signal into two spatially separated, orthogonally polarized beams; a LC modulator positioned to receive the orthogonally polarized beams and selectively alter their polarizations; a reflective element positioned to reflect the beams back through the LC modulator and the birefringent element, wherein the birefringent element recombines orthogonally polarized components of the reflected beams to produce an output optical signal; and a controller coupled to the LC modulator to selectively cause the LC modulator to alter the polarizations of the orthogonally polarized beams, wherein during operation the controller is responsive to a request to variably attenuate the intensity of the output optical signal relative to the intensity of the input optical signal to one of multiple non-zero attenuation settings.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a core, and a cladding layer that has a plurality of nano-particles around the core.

Abstract: A photocatalyst apparatus includes a plurality of photocatalytic optical fibers, each having a photocatalytic clad on a solid or core and a solid or hollow substrate having a surface for attaching the fibers thereto/thereon, preferably by an adhesive, wherein the fibers project from the surface, preferably in perpendicular direction and/or substantially parallel to one another. The substrate may have light-redirecting means preferably with a gradation pattern or may have opening/openings to pass therethrough. The photocatalytic optical fibers may receive light at fixed ends and/or at free ends thereof. The fibers may have light collectors on free ends thereof. A manufacture of the photocatalyst apparatus may be preferably accomplished by an electrostatic process. A photocatalyst reactor may include a light source to communicate with the photocatalytic optical fibers and/or may include an housing to enclose the photocatalyst apparatus/apparatuses.

Abstract: A display arrangement for providing optical information into an observer's field of view, which can be carried at the head, includes a picture source, a picture transmission device and an eyepiece. The picture transmission device consists of at least partially of a fiber optics section which is at least partially surrounded by a material that is plastically deformable.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating content codes for the scenes of a program includes a scene detector that detects the start of new scene, and a selector that allows a viewer to enter one or more content codes for the scene. The content code(s) and data identifying the scene are then stored for later use. The apparatus also includes a new-scene indicator that is activated when a new scene begins and is then deactivated after content code(s) have been inputted for the scene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for accurately combining low-resolution and high-resolution video streams into a single seamless display to a human observer. The present invention also provides a method for the smooth blending of high- and low-resolution video boundary. In order to create an effective visual display, it is advantageous that the boundary between high- and low-resolution video not be overly distracting and irregular. The present method to reduce distractions from the quadrilateral boundary between low-and high-resolution video by smoothly blending the two in an annular region between the two. This results in a much more visually pleasing, effective display. The present invention also provides a method for progressively mosaicking high resolution imagery over a low resolution image captured by our panoramic sensor.

Abstract: A smart card digital video recorder system provides a smartcard containing a processor and persistent storage device storing a plurality of digital streams and is inserted into an authorized receiving device or a docking station. The invention allows a receiving device to select a specific digital stream from the persistent storage device which is output to the receiving device and displayed to a user. User control commands are accepted via the receiving device and sent through the smartcard system and allow the user to view and listen to stored digital streams with at least the following functions: variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, index, pause, variable rate reverse play, variable rate play, and play. The smartcard receives analog signals and digital video signals from the receiving device and converts them into digital streams which are stored on the persistent storage device.

Abstract: While a significant video signal is not being output, a stream that is decoded to a black picture signal is output along with a base band signal that causes a block picture to be displayed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for editing a program in a digital broadcasting receiver, which can support an editing function of recorded data of a digital broadcasting program, without using an additional hardware. Firstly, wanted programs are clipped from a plurality of recorded programs, the clipped programs are individually recorded, wanted programs are selected from the clipped and recorded programs, and the selected programs are merged in a predetermined order according to a merging operation, thus allowing a user to produce a new program.

Abstract: An EPLmaker (10) is composed mainly of editing terminals (15), (16) and (17) each reading and decoding each of highly compressed sub materials to produce a material data and make an EPL while displaying, on a monitor, a video based on the material data. The EPL includes identification information for identification of a material used in editing and a format declare state for defining a format of at least a certain material. The EPLs made by the editing terminals (15), (16) and (17) are stored into an EPL storage unit (18). The EPLs stored in the EPL storage unit (18) are read by an edit controller (20). The edit controller (20) makes an edit control signal based on the EPLs, and supplies the signal to a content maker (30). Thus, an editing can be executed with having not to pool the materials once on hand and with labors and costs.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating content codes for the scenes of a program includes a scene detector that detects the start of new scene, and a selector that allows a group of viewers to enter or select one or more content codes for the scene, the content codes being related to the audio and visual contents of the scene. The content code(s) and data identifying the scene are then stored for later use. The apparatus also includes a new scene indicator that is activated when a new scene is detected and is then deactivated after content code(s) have been inputted for the scene. Content codes may also be obtained from a set of viewers with a single content code being generated based on the entire set.

Abstract: A moving image playback apparatus plays back moving image data, and synchronously displays a thumbnail image sequence obtained from the moving image data. In this state, when a cursor used to designate a thumbnail image falls within a predetermined area including the display area of the thumbnail image, synchronous display of the thumbnail image sequence is interrupted. When a thumbnail image is designated by the cursor, the playback position jumps to a corresponding scene to start playback of the moving image, and synchronous display of the thumbnail image sequence is restarted. When the thumbnail image sequence has been scrolled in the time-axis direction, synchronous display of the thumbnail image sequence is interrupted, and an instruction interface used to instruct restart of synchronous display is provided. When the instruction interface is operated in this state, synchronous display of the thumbnail image sequence is restarted.

Abstract: A handy karaoke equipment capable of being readily connected to a desired external equipment such as a TV, permitting users to enjoy it in a sense of a game like a TV game, and being manufactured at a reduced cost. An equipment body which has a microphone integrally incorporated therein is detachably mounted therein with a data cartridge having image data and performed music data stored therein. An operation section is arranged for selecting performed music and setting conditions for performance of the music selected such as a tempo of the music, a key thereof, an echo and the like. Also, the equipment body is provided therein with an audio signal processing section for converting the performed music data read out of the data cartridge into a performance signal, combining the performance signal and a sound signal inputted thereto from the microphone with each other to prepare a combined signal and converting the combined signal into an audio signal depending on the performance conditions.

Abstract: A method of storing a data file, particularly in the MPEG format and including a flow of different frames, comprises a protection system for the data file based on a parameter stored in the data file. Advantageously, the storage method comprises selectively protecting the frames by storing parameters that are associated with corresponding different frames whose values are selected to provide a playing quality level requested by an end user. Also, a method is provided for decoding a data file, particularly of the MPEG type and including a flow of different frames, wherein the data file is stored per above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of recording a multi-channel data stream on a recording medium in such a manner that substreams of digital channels constituting the multi-channel data stream can be distinguished each other in reproduction. The present recording method separates a multi-channel stream composed of substreams belonging to a plurality of channels into individual substreams, records the individual substreams separately by channel in a single or plural stream objects allocated in a recording medium, and creates as many files as the number of channels for the single or plural stream objects. The present method makes it possible to selectively search and reproduce each substream among a recorded multi-channel stream through file selection, thereby improving use convenience of a recording machine such as a digital video recorder.

Abstract: An optical disc recorded media, and method of creating the same, that will play back on both DVD players and personal computers, comprising recorded formats having Video CD Segment Items displaced from the Video CD data track 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling power supplied to a motor comprising a power controller having a source of electrical power for providing the necessary power to operate the apparatus, an oscillator for generating gating signals at a relatively higher frequency than the electrical power supplied, circuitry responsive to the gating signals for gating the low frequency electrical power to generate a DC voltage, and an inhibitor for inhibiting the generating of gating signals by the oscillator to regulate the DC voltage generated so as to control the speed of any motor connected to the apparatus. The apparatus may be setup to inhibit the oscillator when certain circuit conditions such as an over current condition is detected. The apparatus may also be setup to keep the oscillator in an OFF state once inhibited until a specified amplitude or period of the input signal has been reached.

Abstract: A portable oscillating space heater is provided, which comprises at least one opening therein, at least one heating assembly including an electric heating element disposed within the housing for producing radiant heat energy, at least one fan mounted within the housing and adapted to produce a directed air flow introducing from the opening in the rear portion of the housing and passing through the electric heating element and thereby producing a heated air flow, and an oscillation mechanism for providing oscillatory movement at least to the heating assembly thereby to continuously change the direction of the heated air flow produced by the fan.

Abstract: A process for in-situ purification of organic molecules and vapor deposition of the purified molecules involves vaporizing the organic molecules from a crude material, condensing the organic molecules on a glass wool baffle, re-vaporizing the condensed organic molecules, and depositing the re-vaporized organic molecules on a substrate. An apparatus adapted for practicing the process includes a crucible, a glass wool baffle in the crucible above the bottom of the crucible, and a heater configured to heat the crucible and glass wool baffle.

Abstract: A radiant energy device for shrinking a thin film onto an open top of a container, the radiant energy device comprising: a source of power, to provide power to the radiant energy device; a plurality of fixed energy-emitting units, each of the units when energized being configured to emit radiant energy towards the shrinking film on said open top of the container; and a switching means, operatively connected between the source of power and each of the energy-emitting units, to independently activate at least two groups of the energy-emitting units; wherein, a first group of the energy-emitting units partially shrinks the thin film onto the container, and a second group finishes the shrinking.

Abstract: An in-line fluid heating system including a lamp module having a plurality of heating lamps. A fluid vessel is configured to slidably accept the lamp module therein. The fluid vessel includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a central tube, and an outer envelope in fluid communication with and coaxial to the central tube. The heating lamp module is removably disposed between the central tube and outer envelope such that the fluid is heated as it passes through the central tube and the outer envelope. A reflector substantially surrounds the fluid vessel for reflecting energy emitted from the lamp module back into the fluid vessel. Insulation may substantially surround the reflector and fluid vessel to further prevent heat loss.

Abstract: Featured is a device particularly suitable for heating water in a container, such as a pail or bird bath, so as to maintain a source of drinking water for domesticated animals, wild animals and livestock. A water heating device according to the present invention includes a housing, a heat generating mechanism that is disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to a portable power supply and a mechanism that thermally couples the heat generating mechanism and the housing so that at least some of the generated heat energy is coupled to the housing. The housing is configured and arranged so as to be immersible in water and so that at least a portion of the heat energy being thermally coupled to the housing is dispersed or transmitted to the water. Also, the heat generating mechanism is configured and arranged so the heat energy being dispersed or transmitted to the fluid is sufficient to maintain a liquid supply of a least a portion of the water within the container for a predetermined time.

Abstract: In this invention, a camera position display portion for displaying the position of a camera at which a to-be-photographed person looks at the time of photographing by the camera, a confirming process display portion for displaying “wait for photographing” to the to-be-photographed person, an end display portion for displaying “end of photographing” to the to-be-photographed person, and an exit display portion for displaying “traveling direction after the end of photographing” to the to-be-photographed person are provided and display of guidance as to the photographing state (the position at which the to-be-photographed person looks, waiting for photographing, end of photographing, traveling direction after the end of photographing) is made for the to-be-photographed person.

Abstract: A camera to which an external strobe device is detachably attachable is disclosed. The camera has an operational member for setting an emission intensity of the external strobe device through an operation by a photographer, and an instructing unit for instructing a set signal set by the operational member to the strobe device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus automatically determines the photographing mode and displays on a display a kind of the photographing mode with the image of the subject.

Abstract: A camera has a body and a capture system mounted in the body. The capture system defines a photographic scene, An evaluator assesses a plurality of parameters for capture of the scene. A look-up table matches the parameters to one or more of a plurality of editorial suggestions to define a suggestion set. A display unit is selectively actuable to show depictions of the editorial suggestions of the suggestion set. In a method, the capture system of the camera defines a scene and an electronic image having a field of view inclusive of the scene is captured and evaluated. Responsive to the evaluating, one or more editorial suggestions relating to capture are displayed on the camera.

Abstract: In a camera and method, an archival image is captured. During the capturing of the archival image, a plurality of evaluation images are also captured. A verification image is generated from the evaluation images. Characteristics of the evaluation images are compared to predetermined standard ranges and an output quality warning is generated when a characteristic is outside a respective range. The output quality warning is communicated while the verification image is displayed on the camera.

Abstract: A camera has a body and a capture system disposed in the body. The capture system is actuable to capture an archival image and an assessment image. The capture system defines a different field of view for each of those images. The field of view of the assessment image is larger than the field of view of the archival image. A display unit mounted on the body, shows a first portion of the assessment image corresponding to the field of view of the archival image and is selectively switchable to show a second portion of the assessment image that is non-concentric with the field of view of the archival image. In a method using the camera, an electronic image defining the assessment field of view is captured; then the different portions of the assessment field of view are selectively displayed in alternation.

Abstract: a camera that enables a photographer to take pictures of himself as he takes pictures of other subjects. The camera has an image-collecting system (lens and CCD) pointed in the forward direction as in an ordinary video camera; it also has an image-collecting system pointed substantially backward towards the photographer. Electronic means in the camera combines the images such that the forward view is the main picture and the backward view (the photographer) appears as a picture-in-picture.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a system that induces users to make orders for additional prints in a similar sense as making additional prints in the conventional silver-halide film photography system. In a print service that provides print output of image data to an order from a user, in case that a repeat order is placed from said user, different charge system from that applied last time is applied based on the date of the previous order.

Abstract: A method of recording a surface relief microstructure in a record medium comprises:

Abstract: A signal processor for reducing power consumption. The signal processor includes a signal processing circuit and a first regulator connected to the signal processing circuit. The first regulator receives an external regulated voltage from an external regulator connected to the signal processor and generates an internal regulated voltage that is in accordance with an output level of a CCD image sensor. The signal processing circuit operates with the internal regulated voltage and performs a predetermined signal processing on an image signal generated by the CCD image sensor.

Abstract: An image signal processor for reducing power consumption. The image signal processor is connected between a solid-state imaging device, which generates a first image signal, and an external device, and includes first and second regulators, a switch circuit, a signal processing circuit, and an output circuit. The first regulator generates a first voltage that is in accordance with an output level of the solid-state imaging device. The second regulator generates a second voltage that is in accordance with an input level of the external device. The switch circuit supplies the power supply voltage or the second voltage to the output circuit in accordance with the operating state of the imaging external device. The signal processing circuit operates with the first voltage and generates a second image signal. The output circuit provides the second image signal to the external device.

Abstract: A signal processor for reducing power consumption. The signal processor includes a signal processing circuit and an output circuit, which outputs an image signal generated by the signal processing circuit. The signal processor further includes a first regulator for generating a first regulated voltage from a power supply voltage and supplying the first regulated voltage to the signal processing circuit. A second regulator generates a second regulated voltage, which is greater than the first regulated voltage, from the power supply voltage and supplies the second regulated voltage to the output circuit.

Abstract: A barrier-attached camera which can reduce the occurrence of damage to the camera, e.g., damage, of a mechanism portion of a lens barrel due to a careless operation of a barrier, and a method of changing a lock state of the barrier, are disclosed. The camera includes a slidable barrier 2 for covering the lens barrel 3 under the retracted state to protect the lens barrel 3, and a lock member 19 for locking the movement of the barrier 2 in a closing direction. During the movement of the barrier 2 in the closing direction, the movement of the lock member 19 to a lock position is made ready, so that immediately after the barrier 2 is moved to an open position, the lock member 19 can be moved to the lock position. Consequently, the closing operation of the barrier 2 is prohibited at the time when the extraction of the lens barrel 3 is started, immediately after the barrier 2 is opened, thus preventing collision of the barrier 2 with the lens barrel.

Abstract: When any of facilities of a film producing and packaging system suffers a failure, a film processing controller shuts off the film producing and packaging system. The operator repairs a failing facility and manually discharges a length of an elongate film which may possibly be defective. After the failing facility is repaired, the film processing controller is restarted to operate the film producing and packaging system, which then automatically discharges a length of the elongate film corresponding to a preset number of sized films. It is possible to easily and quickly discard a portion of the elongate film which has been made defective by the facility failure.

Abstract: When a jam happens at the second printer in a tandem printer system, the printing operation is terminated at the first and second printers. The continuous sheet after establishment of the primary page images at the first printer is reserved between the first and second printers. The first recovery page for the second printer is determined based on the primary page images on the continuous sheet remaining between the first and second printers. Accordingly, it is not necessary to remove the entire continuous sheet remaining between the first and second printers when the printing operation should be recovered. It is possible to minimize the loss of the continuous sheet reserved between first and second printers even when a jam happens at the second printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for printing shipping labels for recycling printing device replaceable components. When a printing device detects an end-of-life condition of a replaceable component in the printing device, a printing device user is prompted to enter information identifying the user and/or the printing device (possibly after accessing a web site). Alternatively, this information may be stored in component memory of a replaceable component where it is obtained by the printing device automatically. An appropriate recycling location is determined from the information and a shipping label including the address of the recycling location is printed from the printing device.

Abstract: A method of detecting life of an image bearing member has: a contact time detecting step of detecting contact time when a developer carrying member that can be in contact with or have a clearance with an image bearing member contacts the image bearing member, the developer carrying member developing an electrostatic image formed in the image bearing member by a developer; and a determining step of determining life of the image bearing member in accordance with a parameter calculated by using the contact time detected in the contact time detecting step.

Abstract: Image data is stored into an image memory, then an image processing unit performs image processing on the image data stored in the image memory and generates information on a predicted amount of developer consumed in image formation, based on the image data resulted from the image processing. A printer forms an image by using the developer based on the processed image data, thereafter, the developer is supplied in correspondence with the information on the predicted consumption amount of the developer. Thus, primary image processing functions can be integrated on an image processing board, and the developer consumption amount can be predicted by the image processing board based on the image data.

Abstract: Any reduction in the dignity of image, any increase in the waiting time, any increase in toner consumption and waste toner, etc. are prevented. A memory is provided in a developing device detachably mountable to the main body of an image forming apparatus, and a main body memory is provided in the main body. The last optimum bias stored in the memory in the developing device and the newest development bias are compared with each other, and on the basis of the difference &Dgr;Di therebetween, the interval at which density detection is effected is changed. When &Dgr;Di≧A, the interval is shortened, and when A>&Dgr;Di≧B, the interval is not changed, and when B>&Dgr;Di, the interval is lengthened. Thereby, necessary minimum density control is effected to thereby prevent any reduction in the dignity of image and any increase in the waiting time.

Abstract: There is described an image-forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording medium, a size of which is larger than that of the toner image being a fixed form size, based on image data corresponding to the fixed form size. The image-forming apparatus includes an image-forming section to form the toner image in a region of the fixed form size, based on the image data corresponding to the fixed form size, and to form a specific toner image in a specific region outside the fixed form size, both the region and the specific region being shared each other within a whole area of the recording medium; and a controlling section to control the image-forming section so as to form a predetermined patch image, serving as the specific toner image, in the specific region outside the fixed form size.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the type including a plurality of image carriers arranged along an image transfer belt and an image transferring device configured to transfer toner images of different colors from the image carriers to a sheet being conveyed by an image transfer belt or by way of the image transfer belt by applying a bias to the belt, a bias applying method of the present invention can measure a current leaking between a plurality of high-tension power supply sections or to the ends thereof as AC resistances between respective terminals and therefore to accurately measure the leak currents of DC components. Therefore, when relatively high DC components are selected, a difference in current between a plurality of power supply sections can be maintained constant.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of printing images on tab-sheets as well as on normal sheets can automatically perform a mixed printing job including image printing for the normal sheets and image printing for the tab-sheets. The apparatus makes it possible to use image information a number of times and that preparation of the image information is easy. In the apparatus, image information of a text sheet document to be printed on the text sheets and image information of a tab-sheet document to be printed on the tab-sheet are separately inputted to the apparatus and separately stored in an image memory in advance. The apparatus performs combined printing in which printing of the image information of the text sheet document stored in the image memory and printing of the image information of the tab-sheet document stored in the image memory are so combined that the printings of the pages of the tab-sheet document are inserted intervening in the printing of the text sheet document at designated page positions.

Abstract: A rotary developing apparatus having a plurality of developing devices mounted along the outer periphery of a cylindrical rotary unit 2 includes a first gear train 81, 6 and 21 for connecting the rotary unit to a drive source 8 to rotate the rotary unit 2, a second gear train 81, 7, 5 and 4 for connecting a developing roller 3 of a developing device revolved and stopped at a developing position, as a result of the rotary unit 2 being rotationally driven, to the drive source 8 to rotate the developing roller 3, and a drive switching means 9 for switching between the first gear train and the second gear train to connect either of them to the drive source 8.