Abstract: A LIDAR system for measuring flow velocity in three axes comprises: a LIDAR arrangement of optical elements for generating a coherent beam of light and directing the coherent beam of light by at least one rotationally operated optical element from the system with a predetermined pattern, the at least one rotationally operated optical element also for receiving reflections from particles along the predetermined pattern and directing the beam reflections to a light detector which converts the beam reflections into representative electrical signals; and a processor for detecting bursts from the electrical signals which are representative of light beam reflections from at least one particle substantially at a corresponding position along the predetermined pattern, and for computing a Doppler frequency for each of a selected plurality of detected bursts from the signal content thereof.

Abstract: An optical media detection system (10) is described. The system (10) comprises a light source (16), a transmitted light detector (18), and a reflected light detector (20). The source (16) and the detectors (18,20) are mutually arranged and oriented such that the reflected light detector (20) detects light reflected from a portion of a media item (14) irradiated with light from the source (16), and the transmitted light detector (18) detects light transmitted through the portion of the media item (14) irradiated with light from the source (16). When a substantial amount of light is transmitted and reflected from a portion of the media item (14) then this indicates that the portion of the media item (14) irradiated is an optically transparent window, thereby enabling the system (10) to distinguish between a transparent window and a void.

Abstract: An optical sampling waveform measuring apparatus can measure waveform of a high-speed signal light P8 sensitively, accurately, and in high time resolution, Raman shift light which is generated from a light pulse having a narrower pulse width than the signal light to be measured is used as a sampling light pulse.

Abstract: A lens meter for measuring optical characteristics of a lens, which is capable of measuring a progressive lens easily and an aspherical lens accurately. The lens meter is provided with a lens rest having an aperture, for placing a lens thereon, a measurement optical system having a light source which projects a measurement light bundle onto the lens placed on the lens rest and a photodetector which receives the measurement light bundle transmitted through the lens, for forming a plurality of different measuring positions inside the aperture, calculation means for obtaining optical characteristics at each of the measuring positions based on an output from the photodetector, comparison means for comparing the optical characteristics obtained at the measuring positions, and guiding means for guiding a predetermined one of the measuring positions to at least one of a near viewing section and a far viewing section of a progressive lens based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid analysis includes a sensor for determining the index of refraction of a fluid. Advanced methods of fluid analysis relate index of refraction and other measured physical characteristics of the fluid.

Abstract: An automated optical inspection system having a marking system for marking areas of a board containing one or more defects with a mark or marks which are readily visible to the naked eye and which indicated the type of defect in the area being marked. Such systems may be formed from existing systems by attaching a light source to the system camera and using the light source to identify the portion of a board being inspected so that an operator can manually mark the board, or may be systems that include automated or semi-automated marking systems for marking the board.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for at-wavelength EUV mask-blank characterization for inspection of moderate and low spatial frequency coating uniformity using a synchrotron or other source of EUV light. The apparatus provides for rapid, non-destruction, non-contact, at-wavelength qualification of large mask areas, and can be self-calibrating or be calibrated to well-characterized reference samples. It can further check for spatial variation of mask reflectivity or for global differences among masks. The apparatus and method is particularly suited for inspection of coating uniformity and quality and can detect defects in the order of 50 &mgr;m and above.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for providing a disk of an optical tester. The disk comprises a transparent substrate that has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The disk also includes a coating on the first surface of the transparent substrate. An identical coating can be applied to the second surface of the transparent substrate. The coating can have multiple layers of thin films. The present invention provides a method to determine the required thickness of the coating to enhance the sensitivity of zero flying height measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining information on critical dimensions and overlay accuracy of features in a semiconductor structure comprises a light source, a detector and an optical means defining a first optical path and a second optical path. The first optical path and the second optical path are oriented in correspondence with the respective orientations of diffracting patterns provided on the semiconductor structure to obtain the required information without the necessity of rotating the semiconductor structure. This insures a significantly higher throughput.

Abstract: A robust, compact spectrometer apparatus for determining respective concentrations or partial pressures of multiple gases in a gas sample with single as well as multiple and even overlapping, absorption or emission spectra that span a wide spectral range.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides methods and instruments for fluorescence detection making it possible to separate and detect analytes of a plurality of species in a migration (separation) channel with length of the order of millimeters. Analyte samples disperse across the whole detection region of a migration channel filled with a sieving matrix. Electrodes located in contact with a power supply and the sieving matrix cause the analytes to electophoretically migrate at predetermined velocity V. The detection region is irradiated by excitation light whose intensity changes in a cycle equaling pitch p in the direction that the analytes move. Fluorescence emission from the analytes exposed to the excitation light is detected by a detector. Fluctuation &dgr;i (t) of output current from the detector is analyzed by a spectrum analyzer and the obtained spectrum is displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for obtaining ellipsometric measurements from a sample. A probe beam is focused onto the sample to create a spread of angles of incidence. The beam is passed through a quarter waveplate retarder and a polarizer. The reflected beam is measured by a detector. In one preferred embodiment, the detector includes eight radially arranged segments, each segment generating an output which represents an integration of multiple angle of incidence. A processor manipulates the output from the various segments to derive ellipsometric information.

Abstract: A beam splitting apparatus generates, from incident light having a specific polarization, first and second split light that has the specific polarization.

Abstract: A laser system outputs a laser light which is directed toward an object. The laser light has a frequency corresponding to the sympathetic or natural vibration frequency of molecules forming the object. The laser light is controlled so that in response to interaction with the object, the laser light forces the molecules of the object to vibrate at their sympathetic or natural vibration frequency thereby causing a thermal resistance of the object to increase whereupon a flow of thermal energy through the object is obstructed.

Abstract: A gas component analysis system transmits, reflects, and detects light using infrared light source; a reflector unit; and a light detector. The light is transmitted through a gas, such as air containing vehicle emissions, reflected, and detected for analysis and measurement of the amount of absorption that has occurred at known wavelengths. The amount of absorption may be used to determine concentrations of reference gases corresponding to specific wavelengths.

Abstract: A ground contamination detector has a duct (21) having an annular opening (21a). The annular opening blows air toward the ground (1) to form an air curtain that defines an enclosed space (2A) between the duct and the ground. The detector also has a pipe (23) having a nozzle that opens in the enclosed space and jets heated air toward the ground, to promote the evaporation of noxious substance (3) and diffuse the evaporated gas in the enclosed space. The detector also has a suction pipe (24) to suck the evaporated gas from the enclosed space and a sensor (25) to analyze the sucked gas. The enclosed space formed by the air curtain defines a detection area on the ground, and the detector collects and analyzes contaminants in the enclosed space in a noncontact way. The detector is installable on a vehicle, to efficiently detect the presence and position of contaminants on the ground in real time.

Abstract: Interferometric apparatus and methods for reducing the effects of coherent artifacts in interferometers. Fringe contrast in interferograms is preserved while coherent artifacts that would otherwise be present in the interferogram because of coherent superposition of unwanted radiation generated in the interferometer are suppressed. Use is made of illumination and interferogrammetric imaging architectures that generate individual interferograms of the selected characteristics of a test surface from the perspective of different off-axis locations of illumination in an interferometer and then combine them to preserve fringe contrast while at the same time arranging for artifacts to exist at different field locations so that their contribution in the combined interferogram is diluted.

Abstract: A method and/or arrangement for compensating the dispersion in signals of short-coherence interferometers and/or OCT interferometers, wherein the effect of the dispersion is eliminated by subsequent compensation in that the interferometer signal is correlated with a spatially variant correlation core which corresponds along the measurement axis in z-direction to an interferometer signal of an individual light-reemitting location with the same dispersion which is punctiform in z-direction.

Abstract: A method (1) creates charge carriers in a concentration that changes in a periodic manner (also called “modulation”) only with respect to time, and (2) determines the number of charge carriers created in the carrier creation region by measuring an interference signal obtained by interference between a reference beam and a portion of a probe beam that is reflected by charge carriers at various depths of the semiconductor material, and comparing the measurement with corresponding values obtained by simulation (e.g. in graphs of such measurements for different junction depths). Various properties of the reflected portion of the probe beam (such as power and phase) are functions of the depth at which the reflection occurs, and can be measured to determine the depth of the junction, and the profile of active dopants.

Abstract: Standard patterns of differential values of interference light that correspond to a predetermined step height of the first material being processed and standard patterns of differential values of interference light that correspond to a predetermined remaining mask layer thickness of the material are set. These standard patterns use wavelengths as parameters. Then, the intensities of interference light of multiple wavelengths are measured for a second material that has the same structure as the first material. Actual patterns with wavelength as parameter are determined from differential values of the measured interference light intensities. Based on the standard patterns and the actual patterns of the differential values, the step height and the remaining mask layer thickness of the second material are determined.

Abstract: Interferometers can be configured to maintain a measurement beam substantially orthogonal to a plane measurement mirror and to minimize the lateral beam shear between the measurement and reference beam components of the output beam to a detector. These interferometers use a dynamic beam steering element to redirect the input beam in response to changes in the orientation of the measurement plane mirror. These interferometers may be further configured to measure displacement and change in orientation of the plane mirror or configured in a combination of single pass interferometers fed by the input beam for measuring displacement and change in orientation of the plane mirror.

Abstract: Interferometric scanning method(s) and apparatus for measuring rotationally and non-rotationally symmetric test optics having spherical, mildly aspherical and multiple, mildly aspherical surfaces. At least a partial spherical wavefront is generated from a known origin along a scanning axis through the use of a spherical reference surface positioned along the scanning axis upstream of the known origin. A test optic is aligned with respect to the scanning axis and selectively moved along said scanning axis relative to the known origin so that the spherical wavefront intersects the test optic at the apex of the aspherical surface and at one or more radial positions where the spherical wavefront and the aspheric surface intersect at points of common tangency to generate interferograms containing phase information about the differences in optical path length between the center of the test optic and the one or more radial positions.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a 3-D laser measurement system, including a mirror continuously rotatable about a rotation axis which extends, e.g., in parallel or coaxial with a measuring beam emitted by an optical emitter and impinging on the mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a three-dimensional shape of an object using a projection moiré device. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a grid pattern image projected on a reference plane of a moving table and applying a buckets algorithm thereto, thereby achieving a reference phase, obtaining a grid pattern image projected on the object set on the moving table and applying a buckets algorithm thereto, thereby achieving an object phase, calculating a difference phase between the object phase and the reference phase, thereby achieving a moiré phase, and unwrapping the moiré phase, thereby achieving a level information of the object. The apparatus and method measure the three-dimensional shape using a projection grid without a reference grid, thereby achieving compactness of equipment, simplicity in usage and manufacturing cost reduction.

Abstract: A digital printing device is manually moved across a medium, and automatically prints an image on the medium by selectively engaging one or more print elements at positions corresponding to the image. Preferably, the printing device comprises a multi-element print head a pair of optical sensors which provide position and orientation data. A controller causes the print head to print the image responsive to the location and orientation determined by the optical sensors. The printing device may be hand-held and integrated into a personal digital assistant device.

Abstract: A system and method for generating achromatic components for output incorporate receiving input color data defined in a first color space. The received input color data is converted to intermediate color data defined in an intermediate color space. Typically the intermediate color space is defined only in terms of chromatic components. A black or achromatic component is then calculated. The black or achromatic color component is a function of both the input color data in the first color space and the intermediate color data in the intermediate color space. This black or achromatic color component is associated with the intermediate color data for further processing and output.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for applying 8-bit alpha blending to a bitonal source image and a bitonal destination image to produce a bitonal blended image. The bitonal blended image has a high quality, but memory resources are preserved because the process is accomplished without expanding the 1-bit images to 8-bit space before generating the blended image.

Abstract: A method of converting a source color map from a source print mode to a destination print mode comprises the steps of performing a constant hue clipping process to preserve ink ratios of destination colors to source colors and performing a channel independent clipping process to preserve ink volume.

Abstract: A print control system for controlling a print of print target data containing color specifying information includes a data distinguishing module (12) for distinguishing between pieces of element data contained in the print target data, and a color adjusting module (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) for adjusting a mix of color materials based on the color specifying information according to a category of the element data.

Abstract: In an image conversion apparatus converts an input image having a process color component and a spot color component, which is represented by density data for colors, into a halftone dot image represented by halftone dot data for colors of process colors, first halftone dot providing means provides the process color component constituting the input image in form of a halftone dot expression using a predetermined halftone dot sort; spot color separating means separates the spot color component constituting the input image into the process colors; second halftone dot providing means provides the spot color component separated into the process colors by said spot color separating means in form of a halftone dot expression using a halftone dot sort different from the halftone dot sort used in said first halftone dot providing means; and halftone dot synthesizing means synthesizes the process color component provided in form of a halftone dot expression obtained in said first halftone dot providing means with the

Abstract: In conventional image processing techniques, although a certain kind of image adjustment provides a desired effect on an image, it may cause an undesired side effect thereon, resulting in an unsatisfactory result of adjustment.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed. A host computer makes a query to a selected printer connected to a network concerning a printer language supported by the printer. Then, print data is converted to match the printer language received in response to the above query, and the converted data is transmitted to the printer. This enables the user to achieve correct printing operations while the printer languages of the individual printers connected to the network are transparent to the user.

Abstract: An interface module mediates between a printer driver and at least one add-on module, allowing the printer driver to call at least one add-on module via the interface module. One or more add-on modules are registered with the interface module, independent from the printer driver. One or more add-on modules may modify the user interface presented by the printer driver. As a print stream passes through the printer driver, one or more add-on modules may add data to the print stream at one or more access points. In this way, the interface module allows for greater control over the print stream and the user interface.

Abstract: Image processing systems for converting image data corresponding to a document, where the image data exhibits a first format, are disclosed. In this regard, a representative image processing system includes a file conversion system configured to receive information corresponding to the image data as well as information corresponding to a second format to which the image data is to be converted. Additionally, the file conversion system is configured to retrieve information corresponding to a set of format rules, where the set of format rules corresponds to the second format. Thereafter, the file conversion system converts the image data to converted data representative of image data and exhibiting the second format without rescanning, reanalyzing, or reprocessing the document. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: A print driver user interface method for printing copies of a document, which includes receiving a number corresponding to the number of copies to be printed from an application, receiving at least one command relating to an operation to be performed on each of the number of copies to be printed, and displaying a first feature to a user informing the user that the application may have a problem printing multiple copies. The method also includes offering the user a choice relating to printing copies of the document and transferring control of printing the copies from the application to the print driver.

Abstract: An imaging system scanning device preview-scans an image and generates image data that is used to generate a scanned image preview. The scanned image preview is displayed in a viewing region of a user interface and represents the image in an electronic form. An image region of the scanned image preview can be defined and selected, and a final-scan of the image region emulated with a software or firmware component that generates a final scanned image. An emulated final-scan of the image region includes interpolating the image data corresponding to the image region to improve the resolution of the image region when generating the final scanned image. The final scanned image can be communicated to a destination location such as a data storage component, or to an image reproduction device.

Abstract: This invention comprises a converged printer architecture for controlling both electro-photographic (EP) processing and raster image processing (RIP) of data for laser modulation over a video line. By converging EP process control with image processing control, significant advantages in cost, image quality, and output stability are achieved. A digital signal processor (DSP) serves as the central processing resource of the architecture. The DSP is well suited for the dual role of image processing and real-time feedback process control. The DSP can operate in open loop motor/motion control, print process control, and in closed loop feedback control including image processing adaptations for quality and stability enhancements.

Abstract: The present invention includes an embodiment for estimating ink usage of a print job, comprising connecting a computer peripheral device to a host computer having predefined information relating to the peripheral device and offering pricing and estimation of ink and image consumables to complete the print job, before the print job is performed. The present invention also includes an embodiment as an ink usage monitoring system for estimating ink usage of a print job, comprising a computer peripheral device for performing the print job and a host computer connected to the computer peripheral device and having predefined information relating to the peripheral device. The host computer has pricing and estimation of ink and image consumables to complete the print job, before the print job is performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing secure value-added network services in a network using one or more operating systems. The system runs on a distribution agent Web server accessible from one or more types of network Operating Systems (“OS”) via a Secure Socket Layer (“SSL”) channel. The system includes one or more subsystems, including a receiving system that receives one or more document service requests over a secure communications medium, an authentication system that authenticates each received document service request, a processing system that processes the one or more authenticated document service requests, and a request fulfillment system that fulfills each processed document service request.

Abstract: A FAX receiving unit is an interface with the call originating FAX. A delivery management table is stored with a service code for designating a kind of a FAX mail service and a condition requested by the call originating FAX and also a telephone number of the destination FAX. A service subscriber table records the telephone number and the FAX-ID for every subscriber. A message accumulation unit stores the FAX message and the FAX-ID of the call originating FAX. A service control unit registers the delivery management table with the service code and the telephone number of the destination FAX received by the FAX receiving unit from a transmitting FAX and accumulates the FAX message and the FAX-ID of the call originating FAX in the message accumulation unit. The service control unit acquires a corresponding FAX-ID by retrieving the service subscriber table on the basis of the destination FAX telephone number of which the call originating FAX notifies and replies it to the call originating FAX.

Abstract: A system of control panels for multifunction devices each have multiple defined regions which are associated with a different function of the multifunction devices. Selectable controls are grouped by functional relation into one or more control groups, where the selectable controls of an individual control group are arranged within a region associated with a particular function. Although a particular control panel may not have selectable controls for a function that is not supported by a multifunction device, the particular control panel still has a defined region for the function.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating print jobs sent to a publisher. Typically, the method includes receiving a print request that a print job be sent to a publisher. The print job may have a print job attribute. The method further includes comparing the print job attribute to a pre-authorized attribute limit. The print request is directed to a destination determined by results from comparing the print job attribute with the pre-authorized attribute limit.

Abstract: A kit, system, and associated methods are provided to facilitate wireless printing. In one embodiment, the system comprises a platform having a processor circuit having a processor and a memory. The system also includes a wireless printing logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The wireless printing logic comprises an application capable of a print operation and a number of hidden objects that encapsulate a number of wireless printing tasks associated with a wireless printing operation for the application. The wireless printing logic also includes at least one application programming interface (API) object that provides an interface between the application and the hidden objects, and, at least one platform specific object that encapsulates a number of adaptive wireless printing tasks that are configured for operation on the platform.

Abstract: A printer control system for and a printer control method of controlling a print option, such as a line or text thickness value include generating an information registration window that enables a user to configure the print option, designating the line/text thickness in the information registration window, reconfiguring the line/text thickness of the print option after combining an original line/text thickness value designated by an application program unit with the designated line/text thickness value designated in the information registration window in response to a print command, and printing printer data based on the reconfigured print option.

Abstract: A method of storing usage information in an ink jet printer includes storing low priority usage information in a first memory field. First high priority usage information is stored in a second memory field. Second high priority usage information is stored in a third memory field. The second high priority usage information is substantially identical to the first high priority usage information.

Abstract: A method for advertising, comprising the steps of generating a high-quality image; placing one or more advertising data in a predetermined location of the high-quality image; and fixing the high-quality image and advertising data to a utilitarian object. The advertising data is thereby placed in the high-quality image on an object therein so that the advertising data appears to be part of the particular object in the high-quality image.

Abstract: A histogram of density difference between each pixel and an adjacent pixel is prepared from the image data obtained by pre-scanning an original. Then an approximation function for the density difference histogram is generated, and the kind of the original is discriminated as text/photograph/other based on the coefficient of the approximation function. According to the kind of the original, a density conversion table matching each kind is prepared, and is used for density correction of the image obtained by main scanning. For a text original, the density conversion table is prepared from the distribution of data close to the light and dark ends of the density histogram. For a photograph original, the density conversion table is prepared from the coefficient of the approximation function for the cumulative histogram of the density histogram.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the transformation of an image represented by grey tone values and/or colour valence values in a first co-ordinate system into a second co-ordinate system. According to this method, a relationship is created between the co-ordinates of source image pixels in an initial image and the co-ordinates of target image pixels in a target image, using a transformation matrix, in which co-ordinates of the target image pixels belonging to the natural value range can correspond with co-ordinates of the source image pixels which fall within the real value range and vice versa. Adjacent pixels are then taken into account in the determination of the valence values of a target image pixel, in which auxiliary co-ordinates are determined from the co-ordinates of two respective sequential source image pixels, in such a way that two target image pixels can be calculated from this.

Abstract: An implementation of a technology, described herein, for efficient and flexible multi-bit halftoning on a marking device, such as a printer. At least one implementation of the technology, described herein, performs multi-bit halftoning with hardware (e.g., circuitry) rather than a programmable processor. Furthermore, at least one implementation performs multi-bit halftoning for a variable number of bits per pixel and a variable resolution. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: A system and method of processing a scanned image produced by scanning a halftone image formed of a plurality of image dots and having a halftone resolution and at least one halftone angle includes detecting at least one halftone characteristic of the scanned image, dividing the scanned image into a plurality of image sections based on the at least one halftone characteristic, and enhancing each of the image sections of the scanned image to create a plurality of enhanced image sections. Each image section of the scanned image includes a plurality of pixels and at least one scanned image dot formed within the plurality of pixels. As such, enhancing each of the image sections includes diffusing the at least one scanned image dot of each of the image sections.