Abstract: A method and system thereof for processing image data. Uncompressed image data comprising a plurality of pixels representing an image to be rendered are received. The pixels are grouped into blocks such that the pixels in a block have substantially the same color values. The image data including the blocks of pixels are compressed and the compressed data are used as the basis for generating a rendered image. The maximum number of pixels per block is dependent on the resolution at which the image may be rendered; at higher resolutions, more pixels are included in a block than at lower resolutions. However, the maximum physical dimensions of rendered blocks in the rendered image are not changed as a function of resolution; the maximum block size in an image rendered at one resolution is the same as that at another resolution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for implementing a trapping operation on a digital image during image processing. More specifically, the invention is directed to implementation of a trapping technique to prevent visual gaps or overlaps between colors on a poorly registered image that is produced by an imaging device, e.g. a color printer. The invention is most advantageously used in an imaging device that incorporates therein a split-level buffer.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes a CCD which picks up an image of a subject, and a front end process or which corrects data for the picked-up image by a light quantity distribution correction table for correcting the data for the picked-up image based on a light quantity distribution when the image is photographed using a flash.

Abstract: In order to improve pattern recognition, various kinds of transformations are performed on an input object. One or more recognition algorithms are then performed on the input object transforms in addition to the input object itself. By performing recognition algorithms on an input object and its transforms, a more comprehensive set of recognition results are generated. A final recognition decision is based upon an input object and its transforms by aggregating the recognition results.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile device with a built-in image capture device, and a character recognition function to present the information gathered with the character recognition result. With the mobile device, the character line extraction process is displayed whenever necessary, and the resolution of an image to be inputted for recognition processing is enhanced. Accordingly, it is possible for the operator to select the target character line with ease. In addition, the mobile device has a character recognition ratio improved by the enhancement in resolution.

Abstract: A handwriting recognition system with a wireless pen and a tablet. The wireless pen has an eraser button which is used to let an eraser mode be performed while the eraser button being process, the tablet receive messages from wireless pen and decide the location of wireless pen and current mode of handwriting recognition system. The method of using the handwriting recognition system at least has follows. Move the wireless pen over the tablet so let these messages be received by the tablet, and switch the current mode of the handwriting recognition system between an eraser mode and a writing mode. however, the terminal with coil of the wireless pen always is more closed to the tablet than the other terminal.

Abstract: In a method for the automatic detection of red-eye defects in photographic image data, one processing stage comprises an object recognition process that finds faces in image data based on density progressions that are typical for such faces.

Abstract: A region data describing method for describing, over a plurality of frames, region data about the region of an arbitrary object in a video, the method specifying the object region in the video with at least either of an approximate figure approximating the region or characteristic points of the regions approximating a trajectory obtained by arranging position data of the representative points or the characteristic point in a direction in which frames proceed with a predetermined function and describing the parameter of the function as region data. Thus, the region of a predetermined object in the video can be described with a small quantity of data. Moreover, creation and handling of data can easily be performed.

Abstract: A region data describing method for describing, over a plurality of frames, region data about the region of an arbitrary object in a video, the method specifying the object region in the video with at least either of an approximate figure approximating the region or characteristic points of the region approximating a trajectory obtained by arranging position data of the representative points or the characteristic point in a direction in which frames proceed with a predetermined function and describing the parameter of the function as region data. Thus, the region of a predetermined object in the video can be described with a small quantity of data. Moreover, creation and handling of data can easily be performed.

Abstract: An image recognition/reproduction method includes an extraction step of extracting local feature elements of an image, and a selection step of selecting a pair composed of a prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof, this pair being such that the distance between a pair composed of a prescribed local feature element and position information indicative thereof and a pair composed of a local feature element extracted at the extraction step and position information indicative thereof is less than a prescribed distance.

Abstract: Alphabet-partitioned codewords, for example class based codewords, are decoded using a two-part decoder. The first part is a class code decoder that extracts, from the codeword, information for decoding the symbol code. The second part is a symbol code decoder that uses that information to decode the symbol code. If the symbol code is a literal, the symbol is just stripped from the codeword; otherwise, the symbol is retrieved from a symbol memory. Throughput of blocks of even numbers of codewords is enhanced by compressing first and second block halves oppositely and by using two decoders to decompress first and second block halves in parallel. Throughput is enhanced further by using extended codewords, each of which is a concatenation of class codes and symbol codes of several symbols.

Abstract: In a coding method, a (2N-1)st original block of m bits is encoded as an A type weighted block of n bits and a 2Nth original block of m bits is encoded as a B type weighted block of n bits. In a decoding method, if a weighted block of n bits is the A type block, the weighted block of n bits is decoded as the (2N-1)st original block of m bits, and if otherwise, the weighted block of n bits is decoded as the 2Nth original block of m bits.

Abstract: A system and method for managing image storage size. The invention uses reduction criteria to determine how much to reduce the storage size of an image over time. In one embodiment, reduction of data storage size includes degrading the quality of the image. The reduced-size image replaces the image from the previous iteration. The smaller storage allows longer access to the information in quick access storage and quicker transmission time.

Abstract: An image data coding apparatus having a coding unit that generates coded data after generating a transform coefficient by implementing Wavelet transform on image data, includes: a storage unit that stores coded data which the coding unit generates by coding image data which have not been sub-sampled; an information obtaining unit that obtains compression-related information indicating a compression rate or a restored image quality; and a re-coding unit that changes a sub-sampling ratio of individual color components constituting the coded data stored in the storage unit in conformance to the compression-related information and generates new coded data.

Abstract: A method for producing a compressed bit-stream from a digital image includes the steps of a) processing the digital image to produce a main subject belief map containing a continuum of belief values relating to the importance of subject and background regions in the image, b) performing a spatio-frequency transformation on the digital image to produce an array of transform coefficients, c) deriving a distortion-weighting factor for each transform coefficient from the belief map, and d) producing a compressed bit stream using an image compression system that is responsive to the distortion-weighting factors. The specific image compression system may be selected from a variety of image compression systems, including JPEG compression, JPEG2000 compression or vector quantization.

Abstract: Conversion between different codes can be implemented at high speed by a small device. A code input unit inputs a code. A compatible information reference unit refers to compatible information of each compressed symbol before and after code conversion, which then sends out compatible information data to a compressed symbol conversion unit. The compressed symbol conversion unit converts each of the compressed symbols in the input code data to a form adapted to a code to be converted based on the compatible information data, which then sends out converted code data to a converted code output unit.

Abstract: A method for removing blocking artifacts from moving and still pictures, comprising classifying horizontal and vertical boundaries in each picture as blocky or non-blocky; for each blocky boundary, defining an adaptive, picture content-dependent, one-dimensional filtered pixels region of interest (ROI) that crosses the boundary and is bound at each of its ends by a bounding pixel; defining a finite filter having a length correlated with the length of the ROI; defining a filtering pixels expansion that uniquely determines the padding values of the finite length filtered pixels ROI for the finite length filtering; and filtering the ROI pixels using the finite filter and the filtering expansion.

Abstract: A map image processing method and apparatus produces a birds-eye view in real time from a two-dimensional map image. In this method and apparatus, a map image having a wider area than a display area displayed on the display device is drawn and stored. When a scroll display is instructed, a part of the two-dimensional map image is sequentially read, and a display processing operation is sequentially executed. A birds-eye view is obtained by processing the two-dimensional map image. A display processing operation is applied to the birds-eye view. Since the birds-eye view is formed by simply processing the two-dimensional map image, the birds-eye view image can be produced in high speeds and can be scrolled in a smooth display mode.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus draws an image, stores the drawn image in a memory, reads image data from the memory along a raster direction, and executes a processing operation required for a display with respect to the read image data to output the processed image data to a display device. A display processing unit executes a processing operation including a coordinate calculation with respect to the image data read out along the raster direction. As a result, the image can be formed at high speed even under transition state of displayed images.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing technique for cutting out a portion of an original image so that the cut-out image includes an object therein and the object is displayed in a well-balanced manner irrespective of whether the object occupies a small area or a large area in the original image. A candidate region of the object is extracted from a given original image. A cut-out region is set based on the candidate region so as to cut out an image of the object from the original image. In this process, the reference for setting the position of the cut-out region is switched from one to another depending on the size that is occupied by the candidate region in the original image.

Abstract: In a two dimensional image recording and reproducing scheme, a position of a prescribed pattern in an information recording image that contains the prescribed pattern is detected by detecting a rough position of the prescribed pattern in the information recording image in units of pixel size, and then detecting a detailed position of the prescribed pattern in the information recording image in units less than the pixel size, according to the rough position and a center of gravity of a distribution of similarities between regions in the information recording image and a reference image of the prescribed pattern.

Abstract: A method for photogrammetric block adjustment of satellite imagery using a simplified adjustment model in-lieu of a physical camera model. A known relationship between image space line and sample coordinate and object space X, Y, Z coordinates is provided by a mathematical model. Observations comprise ground control points, tie points, or other observations for which approximate knowledge of object and image space coordinates is available. The photogrammetric block adjustment determines the parameters of the adjustment model to best fit the observations and measurements. Object coordinates can be calculated for features measured in the images after block adjustment. In one embodiment the method is utilized for photogrammetric block adjustment of satellite imagery described by a rational polynomial (RPC) camera model rather than by a physical camera model.

Abstract: Methods are provided for use with a computing device and an image scanning device. One method includes performing a scan to produce a preview scanned image, selecting a portion of the preview scanned image for final scanning, and scanning the selected portion of the preview scanned image to produce a final scanned image. Performing the scan to produce the preview scanned image may include performing an autocrop process and a deskew process before displaying the preview scanned image to the user. Once the preview scanned image is displayed, then the user may decide to selectively rotate the preview scanned image, for example, about an anchor point that was used in the deskew process. The user may also select a portion of interest within the image. Once the user is satisfied with the user selected rotation, if any, and the user selected portion of interest, then a final scan will be performed. As part of the final scan process, the method includes calculating an effective portion of the preview scanned image.

Abstract: A class code of a subject pixel of an HD signal is obtained from pixel data of a class tap extracted from an SD signal. In a memory bank, coefficient data for a generating equation, including parameters for adjusting image quality, for generating elements of a summation matrix for obtaining coefficient data for an estimate equation are stored on a class basis. A summation matrix is generated in accordance with the coefficient data stored in the memory bank and the values of the parameters as specified by a user operation, generating coefficient data for the estimate equation for each class in accordance with the values of the parameters, which is stored in a memory. A calculation circuit calculates pixel data of the subject pixel of the HD signal by the estimate equation from pixel data of the prediction tap extracted from the SD signal and from coefficient data associated with the class code, supplied from the memory.

Abstract: An average filter or filters is used in line with the output of an interpolation filter to downscale an image. The interpolation filter upscales a source image or bitmap of pixels into an intermediate form and the average filter or filters downscales the intermediate form to a destination image or bitmap of pixels. This configuration incorporates a small amount of logic with a relatively low incremental cost, enabling high quality downscaling of text and computer graphics content. The invention achieves quality comparable to a filter/scalar combination with more taps or a separate decimation pass.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus which receives an image signal divided into a plurality of different subband components, detects an error in low-frequency subband component data within the image signal of one picture, and interpolates remaining frequency subband component data other than the low-frequency subband component of the picture in accordance with the error detection result.

Abstract: Time elapsed from the time when the sensor cover is opened and power supply to the fingerprint sensor is turned from off to on is counted and when there is no fingerprint image read-in command within a specified period of time power supply to the fingerprint sensor is turned off. Even if power supply to the fingerprint sensor is turned off, when a fingerprint image read-in command executes power supply to the fingerprint sensor is turned on and read-in of a fingerprint image commences. If a fingerprint image read-in command executes when the sensor cover is closed, that command is invalidated. In such a configuration, the opening and closing of a sensor cover works in synchronicity with on/off control of power supply for a fingerprint sensor and even when the sensor cover is open, wasteful electricity consumption through power supply continuing if the fingerprint sensor is not used within a specified period of time is prevented.

Abstract: A device and method for reading optical marks are disclosed. The device, an optical mark reader (OMR) has an array of photo sensors with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are driven by digital-to-analog converters (DACs), which are in turn controlled by a microcontroller. When calibrating the OMR, the sensors read a white card, and the microcontroller adjust the DACs so that the outputs of all sensors are at a voltage close to the saturation points of the photo-transistors in the sensors so that the maximum useable ranges of the sensors are utilized. The sensors then read one or more patterns of known grayscales and their response voltages are recorded. The microcontroller generates an array of voltage values as a function of grayscale for each sensor and store the values in a memory device. When reading an optical marks, the sensor output voltage in response to a mark is looked up in the table of voltages values stored in the memory device to determine the grayscale of the mark.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an engine interface, a chip set interface, and a data floe controller. The engine interface interfaces with an engine which includes a scanner and a plotter. The chip set interface interfaces with a chip set of a CPU. The data flow controller selects one of first, second, and third data flows. In the first data flow, scanner image data scanned by the scanner and which is input through the engine interface is output as plotter data to the engine interface. In the second data flow, the scanner image data is output to the chip set interface. In the third data flow, image data input through the chip set interface is output as plotter data to the engine interface.

Abstract: The reclosable plastic bag is formed by opposing panels of web with four sides sealed. A zipper is sealed within the bag so that a first zipper profile is sealed to a first opposing panel and a second zipper profile is sealed to a second opposing panel. A slider engaging the zipper profiles in a closed position protrudes from an opening in at least one of the opposing panels and may be further secured in place by a label. The slider cannot be moved from the position wherein the zipper profiles are closed to the position wherein the zipper profiles are open prior to the user tearing a perforated or otherwise weakened line across the panels. When this tear is made, it is unmistakable and intuitive evidence that the bag may have been previously opened and depending upon the circumstances, possibly tampered.

Abstract: A rolling guide apparatus comprises a first slide member and second slide member. The first slide member includes a pair of wing portions and a connecting portion connecting the wing portions. First raceway grooves are formed on the wing portions, individually. Second raceway grooves are formed on the second slide member. Rolling elements are held under a pre-load between the raceway grooves. A residual compression stress region is created on the surface region of the first slide member. A worked portion is formed on the connecting portion. The worked portion serves to adjust the pre-load on the rolling elements by regulating the residual compression stress region by working to deform the connecting portion.

Abstract: In an aerostatic gas bearing, slot sections can be easily processed, bearing stiffness and a load capacity can be improved, and an amount of gas flow can be greatly reduced as compared with a conventional circular slot restriction bearing. A multiplicity of radial slots are formed on both the end surfaces of a bearing member. A bearing housing is assembled by fixing slot side plates on both the side surfaces thereof and accommodated in a casing, and a shaft having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the bearing housing is inserted through the bearing housing. Gas is fed from a gas feed port and flown into a multiplicity of slots through a peripheral groove and fed-gas introduction path. The gas flows into the radial bearing clearance between the shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing housing, thereby the shaft is rotatably supported.

Abstract: A pivot bearing includes a stepped shaft including an enlarged and a reduced diameter shaft portions; a plurality of balls of the lower row are interposed between the enlarged diameter shaft portion and a sleeve outer ring surrounding the enlarged diameter shaft portion; a ball bearing including inner and outer rings and a plurality of balls interposed therebetween is provided around the reduced diameter shaft portion so that the inner ring is secured around the reduced diameter shaft portion with applying an appropriate pre-load on the upper end surface of the inner ring, and the outer ring is urged to contact the lower surface thereof intimately onto the upper surface of the sleeve outer ring. The pivot bearing is reduced in the number of elements, facilitated in incorporating a bearing with the swing arm, and expected to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A retainer nut for use in a bearing assembly disposed between a shaft and another structural element does not trap metallic chips from a failing bearing. The bearing assembly includes a first race mounted to the shaft, a second race mounted to the structural element, and a plurality of bearing elements disposed between the first and second races. The retainer nut is attached to the shaft and includes a cylindrical ring portion and an annular flange disposed on one end of the ring portion. The flange extends radially inward from the ring portion, and a plurality of openings is formed through the flange for allowing metallic chips to freely pass.

Abstract: An assembly of an outer race of a constant velocity joint and part of a motor vehicle wheel bearing, wherein the outer race has a first bore and an internal groove in the bore, the bearing part and the race being held in assembled position by a spring ring engaged in the groove and in an external groove of the bearing part which has a second bore with an open end, the ring having, adjacent its ends, arms which extend generally radially inwardly through a slot extending radially of the second bore between an inner end open to the second bore and an outer end at the external surface of the bearing part, the slot extending axially between the external groove and an end of the bearing part.

Abstract: An assembly including an outer race of a constant velocity joint and part of a vehicle wheel bearing. The outer race has a first bore and an internal groove in the bore, and the wheel bearing part has a second bore with an open end, an external groove, and a slot extending radially from the second bore between an inner end open to the second bore and an outer end at an external surface of the bearing part, the slot extending axially between the external groove and the open end. The wheel bearing part and the outer race are held in an assembled position by a spring ring engaged in the internal groove and the external groove. The spring ring includes, adjacent its ends, first and second arms which extend generally radially inward through the slot. The first arm is substantially longer than the second arm and inclined such that the first arm extends approximately through a center axis of the spring ring. A sealing element is also included to seal the second bore.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device 1A has an optical waveguide substrate 15A and a supporting body 8 for supporting the substrate 15A. The substrate 15A has a main body 2 made of an electrooptic material and having a main face 2a and an opposing face 2b, optical waveguides 4A, 4B, and electrodes 3A, 3B, 3C for applying an electrical signal on the optical waveguides. At least a part of the opposing face 8a of the supporting body 8 opposing the substrate 15A is covered with a conductive layer 7A. It is thus possible to reduce the resonance due to substrate radiation of microwave into the whole of the optical waveguide substrate and supporting body.

Abstract: Electrically switchable optical elements, such as application specific integrated elements including filters, lenses and switches, are combined with wavelength locked feedback loops. Electrically Switchable Bragg Grating (ESBG) technology is combined with a wavelength locked feedback loop to provide variable focal length optical systems which automatically adjust the focal length of incident light.

Abstract: A fiber-optic polarizer made by a process comprised of providing a substrate, coupling or embedding an optical single mode fiber to the substrate, making a narrow trench across the fiber at an angle, thereby bifurcating the fiber core into a first fiber core end and a second fiber core end, inserting and securing a thin polarizing material of a monolithic, non-laminated structure into the narrow trench, such that a light spot size emitted from a first fiber core is completely encompassed by the polarizing material, and the light spot size emerging from the polarizing material is substantially collected within the mode field diameter of a second fiber core. The narrow trench having a width of about 30-50 &mgr;m, and the polarizing material having a thickness of about 15-50 &mgr;m. The polarizing material having a monolithic composition.

Abstract: An optical device having an optical circuit integrated on a side of a substrate having a column of substrate material. The column of substrate material preferably includes a cylindrical portion having a circular cross-section. The optical device preferably includes an optical waveguide that is wound around the cylindrical portion of the substrate. The waveguide is defined by a core region in a layer of optically transparent material on the side of the column. The core region can be generated by altering the index of refraction of the transparent material. The core region can also be generated by depositing a patterned layer of a second optically transparent material. The optical device can also include active devices such as fiber amplifiers, semiconductor lasers, and optical sampling devices. The optical device is preferably constructed by rotating the substrate while depositing optically transparent materials and/or various semiconductor materials on the substrate.

Abstract: Piezoelectric members are arranged in a rectangular array of 32 columns and 32 rows and a polyimide film is sandwiched at front and back sides thereof by spacers having through-holes formed only around cross-points of optical waveguides therebetween. An end of a piezoelectric member in the shape of a plate is fixed to the polyimide film with the spacer interposing therebetween. As an opening/closing operation mechanism for a cut section for change-over between propagation directions of light, there is used piezoelectric member constituted of a piezoelectric element capable of pressing a region around a cross-point point of optical waveguides from one side to the other side. With such a construction adopted, there can be obtained an optical switch capable of not only reducing an optical loss, but also preventing a change-over abnormality and burning from occurring and in addition, capable of further downsizing.

Abstract: A method and optical routing apparatus for directing an optical signal are disclosed. The optical routing apparatus includes an input port configured to provide the optical signal along an incident path and a plurality of output ports configured to receive the optical signal. An optical switching arrangement including a rotatable mirror and a plurality of fixed mirrors is operated to route the optical signal from the input port to one of the output ports depending on the configuration of the optical switching arrangement.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) element, MEMS optical switch and MEMS fabrication method are described. The MEMS element comprises a crystalline and moveable element is moveably attached to the substrate. The moveable element includes a perpendicular portion oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of the substrate. The crystal structure of the perpendicular portion and substrate are substantially similar. The moveable element moveable is moveably attached to the substrate for motion substantially constrained to a plane oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of the substrate. In at least one position, a part of a perpendicular portion of the moveable element projects beyond a surface of the substrate. The moveable element may be retained in place by a latch. The perpendicular portion may be formed substantially perpendicular portion to the substrate. An array of such structures can be implemented to work as an optical switch.

Abstract: An optical calibration system calibrates an optical switch containing a mirror having one or more degrees of freedom, an input port receiving an optical signal from an optical signal source, and an output port. The calibration method includes identifying, within a sequence of coarse sweep positions, an initial position of the mirror that directs to the output port a reflected optical signal with at least a predetermined signal strength. A coarse step position of the mirror is then identified, within a sequence of coarse step positions separated by a coarse step size, whereby the reflected optical signal has a maximum signal strength. A fine step position of the mirror is then identified, within a sequence of fine step positions separated by a fine step size, whereby the reflected optical signal has a maximum signal strength. One or more calibration values associated with the identified fine step position are then stored.

Abstract: A system and method of compensating for optical polarization dispersion effects exhibited in a length of optical fiber in an optical network. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that detects a polarization mode dispersion characteristic of the optical signal and enables real time adjustment of the center wavelength of the optical in manner so as to minimize polarization effects in the optical fiber link. In another embodiment, the wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology is implemented for enabling real time physical adjustment, e.g., X-Y dimension strain control, of the optical fiber link itself in accordance with the detected amount of polarization mode dispersion.

Abstract: An input signal line is split and guided to a 2×1 switch and a drop unit by an optical coupler. The 2×1 switch guides the signal from the optical coupler or a signal from a second 2×2 switch to a first 2×2 switch. The first 2×2 switch guides the signal from the 2×1 switch or a signal from an add unit to an inter-station line or the second 2×2 switch. The second 2×2 switch guides the signal to a 2×1 switch for an inter-station line to which the signal is output. The add unit guides a signal to a first 2×2 switch for an inter-station line to which the signal is added. The drop unit guides a signal from a desired inter-station line to an intra-station line.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) switching includes one or more optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs) to drop or add optical signals on one or more optical channels. The OADM may be a 1-channel OADM which includes first and second conductors arranged periodically so as to have a pair of different polarities, an optical waveguide type coupler dropping or adding an optical signal of a specific channel by an electric field generated from the first and second conductors, a power supply unit supplying the second conductor with a power, and a switch placed between the second conductor and power supply unit to control a power supply of the second conductor, so as to control generation and termination of the electric field in accordance with an operation control signal.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing optical transmission system, an optical loading-channel transmitters, a WDM optical transmitter and a method of optically loading an optical transmission line with multiple optical loading channels are disclosed. The multiple optical loading channels are produced in the form of an optical comb by means of a periodic optical filtering apparatus incorporated within a resonator constructed as an optical loop. A plurality of optical loading channels of the generated optical comb are then outputted without data being modulated thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispersion-compensating module having a structure which compensates for the dispersion of an optical transmission line in a wavelength band of 1.55 &mgr;m and adjusts loss fluctuations among wavelengths in the wavelength band of 1.55 &mgr;m into an appropriate range. The dispersion-compensating module comprises a structure adapted to be installed in an already installed optical fiber transmission line, and has a loss slope with a polarity opposite to that of the optical fiber transmission line in the wavelength band of 1.55 &mgr;m. A configurational example of the dispersion-compensating module comprises a dispersion-compensating optical fiber as a dispersion-compensating device, and an optical fiber doped with a transition metal element as a loss-equalizing device.

Abstract: An optical transmission device which reduces optical noise in an optical transmission system. The optical transmission device includes a core light amplifying unit and a first buffer light amplifying unit for amplifying a first signal light from a first transmission path and an amplified second signal light from the core light amplifying unit. The first buffer light amplifying unit supplies the core light amplifying unit with the first signal light, and supplies the first transmission path with the amplified second signal light. Also provided is a second buffer light amplifying unit for amplifying a second signal light from a second transmission path and an amplified first signal light from the core light amplifying unit. The second buffer light amplifying unit supplies the core light amplifying unit with the second signal light, and supplies the second transmission path with the amplified first signal light.