Abstract: An apparatus having scattering and multi-color fluorescence detecting, analyzing and identification capabilities of blood or other fluids of interest. The sample to be tested may be entered in a disposable microfluidic cartridge which in turn is insertable in a hand-holdable or implantable miniaturized and portable cytometer instrument. This cytometer has significant application in biological warfare agent detection, hematology and other clinical and research fields.

Abstract: Arrangement for the optical detection of light radiation which is excited and/or backscattered in a specimen in a microscope, wherein the specimen illumination is focused in and/or in the vicinity of a pupil plane of the beam path between the specimen plane and detection plane and apparatus is provided in this plane for spatially separating the illumination light from the detection light, wherein fluorescent light and/or luminescent light and/or phosphorescent light and/or diffusely scattered illumination light coming from the specimen is detected, and the apparatus for spatial separation comprises at least a reflecting first portion and at least a transmitting second portion, wherein the reflecting portion serves to couple in the illumination light and the transmitting portion serves to pass the detection light in the detection direction or the transmitting portion serves to couple in the illumination light and the reflecting portion serves to couple out the detection light.

Abstract: A device for measuring dispersion of a link between two switching nodes of an optical network comprises a phase measuring unit PMU for determining a first phase of a data signal traveling on a first wavelength &lgr;1, and a second phase of the same data signal traveling on a second wavelength &lgr;2, received consecutively over the link under measurement. A dispersion measurement controller controls operation of the phase measuring unit and characterizes the dispersion of the link at a wavelength of interest &lgr;=(&lgr;1+&lgr;2)/2, based on the first and second phases. The PMU includes a frame detector for determining a first and a second rotation signal indicative of the digital offset between the first and second test clocks with a respective frame start, and a phase detector for measuring the phase of these test clocks with respect to a static reference. The static reference is provided by the same data signal transmitted continuously over a reference wavelength.

Abstract: A system for measuring caster trail of a wheel. The system comprises position sensing devices for sensing positional signals of the wheel and a data processing system configured to couple to the position sensing devices. The data processing system receives signals from the position sensing devices and determines spatial characteristics of a steering axis of the wheel, a reference plane and the center of a wheel. The system then determines the caster trail based on the spatial characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining angular information from a target. A plurality of sensors on an image plane are used to obtain measured amplitude data. An azimuth and elevation may be estimated using this measured amplitude data. A residual error between the measured amplitude data and calibrated amplitude data may then be determined. The angular information corresponding to the azimuth and elevation at which the residual error is minimized may then be outputted as representing or corresponding to the angular information of the target.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and sensing light in a projector, comprising a cold mirror positioned directly in the incident light path from a lamp and illumination optics of the projector for reflecting a large portion of visible light towards a light imaging device while transmitting IR and UV light and a small portion of the visible light; a secondary mirror for reflecting the small portion of the visible light, an integrating box positioned to collect and integrate the small portion of visible light, a light tube in optical communication with the integrating box for further integrating and attenuating the small portion of visible light, and an electro-optic device within the light tube for measuring the small portion of visible light within the light tube and generating an electrical signal in response thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the characteristic parameters of an overhead railway or tramway line, characterised by comprising, on board a railway or tramway vehicle (25):

Abstract: The present invention is a method for inspecting a surface of an article through an image thereof by photographing a surface to be inspected of the article with a CCD camera, in which the surface of the article is inspected by selecting two arbitrary pixels from among pixels showing the surface to be inspected in the image and comparing the two pixels. When the two pixels are selected, for example, pixels in point-symmetry or line symmetry can be selected. Further, the two selected pixels are compared, for example, in brightness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device of inspection of the transparent bottom of a bottle or similar item. The device and the method are characterized in that an optical system is provided such that the bottom of the bottle is shown, for the recording, in front of a surface which is illuminated by the illumination device and located at a distance from the bottom of the bottle, or as a result of the fact that the bottom of the bottle, for the recording, [sic; incomplete text] in front of a surface which is illuminated by an illumination device and located at a distance from the bottom of the bottle [sic] transport installation for piece goods.

Abstract: A ring chuck that holds a wafer with a vacuum uses a vacuum trough that contacts the entire outer edge of the wafer. The chuck has a base having a top surface equal to or slightly smaller than a water to be tested with vacuum channels in the base. The base provides the mechanism to connect the chuck to a measurement instrument and a vacuum source. An annulus of non-contaminant material that has concentric rings extending upward from its outer edge is fixed to the base top surface with the trough between the concentric rings connected to the vacuum channels. The vacuum trough holds the wafer securely to the chuck and minimizes vibrations when the wafer is rotated.

Abstract: A method is provided for the determination of NO2− and/and NO3− in water by subjecting the water sample to ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy within the range of wavelengths of 200-240 nm, and determining the presence of NO2− and/or NO3− based on the Raman spectral measurement. The method has particularly applicability to the determination of such ions in wastewater. The method may also be employed with advantage in the control of processes involving the removal of ammonium ions upon reaction with oxygen.

Abstract: A portable spectral imaging microscope includes a probe head coupled via fiber optic cabling to a laser source and to a spectrograph. The probe head is coupled to a position controller that is mounted on a base suitable for positioning adjacent to a sample. The position controller has five degrees of freedom that permits one to adjust the position and direction of the probe head relative to the sample over a wide range of dimensions and angles. The entire probe head can be easily moved in order to precisely align the objective lens to stationary samples for simultaneous viewing and spectral analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of positioning a focused image within a sampled medium in an optical measurement probe of the type wherein a focused sampling image is transmitted through a window having a surface facing a sampled medium. A test medium is measured, preferably through the window, and the magnitude of an optical signal associated with the test medium is then compared to the magnitude of an optical signal associated with the window, and the result of the comparison is used to position the focused image. Typically, the magnitudes of optical signals are representative or Raman scattering or another wavelength-selective radiative sampling process such as fluorescence detection. The method is not limited in terms of window composition, and is compatible with sapphire windows commonly used in industry. Nor is the invention limited in terms of test medium though, in the preferred embodiment a fluid hydrocarbon such as isopropyl alcohol is used.

Abstract: In an optical measurement probe of the type which incorporates a window configuration suited to on-line process control and other applications this invention provides an improved technique for bonding such a window to probe body or process vessel. In general terms, the improvement arises through the use of a compression ring around the bonding area to maintain a consistent seal. In terms of apparatus, a hollow probe body terminates in a distal end having a flanged portion with an inner and outer wall that extends back into the body. The outer wall of the window is sealed against the inner wall of the flanged portion, with compression material urged against the outer wall of the flanged portion to pressurize the seal between the window and the inner wall of the flanged portion. In the preferred embodiment, the compression material is ring-shaped and exhibits substantially the same thermal expansion coefficient as the window.

Abstract: In a spectrophotometer, a photodiode detects light transmitted through a sample in a cell. A pre-amplifier and a feedback resistance are connected to the photodiode to convert a small electric current from the photodiode and amplify a voltage thereof. The voltage is read at a CPU after converted to a digital signal at an A/D converter. A sample component is determined from information based on the signal in the CPU. The spectrophotometer includes a circuit for changing the feedback resistance so that the feedback resistance can be adjusted according to the input voltage to the A/D converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining atmospheric spectroscopy measurements from an observation platform using retroreflectors is disclosed. The observation platform is located above the surface of a planetary body, and at least one retroreflector is located on the surface of the planetary body. Electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source that is incident upon the retroreflector is reflected to a spectrometer located on the observation platform. By analyzing the received radiation, the spectrometer obtains atmospheric spectroscopy measurements for the atmospheric region through which the incident and reflected radiation pass.

Abstract: A dispersive spectrometer comprising a primary lens that images a scene onto a slit through which light from a thin portion of the scene passes to a collimating lens. A grism is optically coupled to the collimating lens. The grism includes a diffractive element and is disposed such that light from the thin portion of the scene has an angle of incidence upon the diffractive element that is greater than one-third of the critical angle at the surface of the grism. The diffractive element disperses light from the thin portion of the scene in a direction that is perpendicular to the major dimension of the thin portion of the scene. A focusing lens is optically coupled to the grism to receive dispersed light from the thin portion of the scene. The focusing lens defines a focal plane onto which light from the thin slice of the scene is imaged.

Abstract: In order to provide a multi-path monochromator capable of reducing the size of optical parts with a high resolution and a wide dynamic range, the multi-path monochromator has a lens 2 used as a first collimator for converting an incident light into a parallel light, a diffraction grating 4 for diffracting an output light outputted from the lens 2, plane mirrors 3 and 5 for reflecting a diffraction light diffracted by the diffraction grating 4 to return the diffraction light back to a same path, a parabolic mirror 7 used as a second collimator for collecting a diffraction light which is again diffracted by the diffraction grating into which a reflected light is again outputted from the plane mirror, and an output slit positioned at a focal position of the parabolic mirror 7. The parabolic mirror 7 used as the second collimator has a focal length which is longer than a focal length of the lens used as the first collimator.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described for rapid characterization and screening of liquid samples to determine properties (e.g., particle size, particle size distribution, molar mass and/or molar mass distribution) thereof with static light scattering and/or dynamic light scattering. The liquid samples can be solutions, emulsions, suspensions or dispersions. One method, includes providing a vessel containing a liquid sample having an exposed surface that defines a gas-liquid sample interface, and analyzing the sample by light scattering methods that include transmitting light through the gas-liquid sample interface into the sample, and detecting light scattered from the sample or from a component thereof. Additional methods are directed to characterizing a plurality of liquid samples or components thereof. The methods, systems, and devices have applications in high-throughput screening, and particularly, in combinatorial materials research and in industrial process control.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating the quantity of particles collected by a suction extractor includes a capturing element handling assembly including a pair of stationary plates disposed in a spaced relationship to define a gap therebetween, the stationary elements being provided with sets of main apertures disposed in alignment with each other to define a corresponding set of channels extending through the gap. A movable disk interposed within the gap is provided with a plurality of holders capable of receiving a plurality of filter-type particle capturing elements. An actuator operatively coupled to the movable disk provides controlled movement thereof relative to the stationary plates. One of the main apertures on the first stationary plate defines a first inlet in fluid communication with an output fluid carrying line, while one aligned aperture on the second stationary plate defines a first outlet for fluid communication with the output fluid carrying line.

Abstract: A method for measuring the characteristics of particles in a fluid by detecting electromagnetic radiation scattered on individual particles and an apparatus for performing the method are characterized in that the measurement takes place in structurally separated manner using at least one irradiating device and at least one receiver device in at least one sensor arrangement through which flows a fluid flow containing the particles to be measured, that in the at least one sensor arrangement signal formation takes place of a signal to be received in the receiver device using exclusively optomechanical elements and that signals are transmitted between the at least one sensor arrangement and the at least one irradiating device or the at least one receiver device by means of optical signal transmitters. This makes the apparatus particularly suitable for use in explosion-endangered environments and at difficultly accessible measurement locations, e.g. on chimneys.

Abstract: The system includes a first polarizing element; an electro-optically driven birefringent element; a second polarizing element; an optical assembly; and, an optical-to-electronic imaging sensor assembly. The first polarizing element receives an incoming optical wavefront and provides a linearly polarized output therefrom. The electro-optically driven birefringent element receives the linearly polarized output and produces two polarization eigenwaves, an output of the birefringent element being elliptically polarized. The second polarizing element has a polarization axis perpendicular to a polarization axis of the first polarizing element. The second polarizing element receives the output from the birefringent element and provides a linearly polarized output. The optical assembly receives the output of the second polarizing element and forms a real image therefrom.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an image sensing section and image sensing control section for measuring the average position of a mark formed on a wafer during a predetermined observation period before a stage completely stops, an interferometer for measuring any deviation of the stage during the observation period, a stage deviation storage section for storing the measurement result by the interferometer in a memory and calculating the average deviation of the stage on the basis of the measurement result, and a shift amount calculation section for calculating the actual position of the mark, while the stage is at rest, on the basis of the average position of the mark and the average deviation of the stage.

Abstract: An improved and lower cost color spectrophotometer, especially suitable for an on-line color printer color control system, in which plural different spectra LEDs sequentially perpendicularly illuminate a common and substantially circularly illuminated color test area, which may be variably spaced and variably oriented relative to the spectrophotometer, through a common central lens system, and also the reflected illumination therefrom may be measured at 45 degrees thereto by averaging the outputs of photodetectors spaced around that circularly illuminated color test area, to provide reduced sensitivity to the variable angular or azimuthal orientation of the color test area relative to the spectrophotometer, and which photodetectors may be so illuminated by 1:1 optics for spatial insensitivity.

Abstract: A wavelength detector includes a beam splitter block that taps off two spatially separated beams and a linear filter in an optical path of one of the two beams. The linear filter may be provided on the beam splitter block. The linear filter may be a notch anti-reflective filter in the optical path of the application beam. One or both of the beams may be focused on to their respective detectors.

Abstract: Sensor for household appliances, in particular washing machines and dishwashers, comprising a housing 2 which comprises first and second housing fingers 8, 10 extending from a basis, a first optical element 12 being arranged in the first housing finger 8, a second optical element 14 which is arranged in the second housing finger 10 wherein a sensing beam 16 transmitted and received by the optical elements 12, 14 is propagating between the housing fingers 8, 10 external to the housing 2 for sensing of the turbidity of a cleaning medium at least partially surrounding the housing 2, and a temperature sensor 18 which is arranged in the second housing finger 10 in a greater distance from the basis 4 compared to the second optical element 14 for sensing the temperature of the cleaning medium.

Abstract: An interferometry method using a laser of nominally fixed—but unknown and changing—frequency and phase angle, for example, attributable to laser drift. The interference pattern is periodically sampled at a frequency considerably higher than the phase shift of the object. The wavelength is reconstructed from the sampled patterns using a correlation algorithm. The phase angle is determined using an n-bucket algorithm. After all of the complex information has been determined at all of the multiple wavelengths, the surface of the object is calculated using conventional interferometry techniques. Accordingly, laser drift—typically considered a negative attribute—is used positively.

Abstract: A spectral image input device has an image forming optical system for forming an image of image light on an image forming surface and a phase difference generating unit disposed anterior to the image forming surface in the direction of image light travel. The phase difference generating unit constitutes, sequentially in the direction of image light travel, a polarizer for transmitting only polarized light in a specific direction, an optical element formed of a solid material having a birefringence, and arranged such that the principal refraction index axis is inclined 45° relative to the polarization angle of the analyzer, the optical element generating a phase difference in accordance with the wavelength of the image light based on the difference in the physical thickness of the optical element in the direction of image light travel and an analyzer for transmitting only the image light of a polarization angle of 90° relative to the direction of the polarized light of the polarizer.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor system comprises at least one measuring sensor 1 providing an optical output dependent upon one or more parameters to be measured, e.g. temperature, and at least one reference sensor 2 providing a reference output for comparison with the measuring sensor output. The reference sensor is provided in a birefringent fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting a frequency of an optical signal within a communications channel having a plurality of optical carriers separated by a predetermined frequency spacing. The method includes the steps of locking an optical carrier frequency to an axial mode of an optical resonator of known free spectral range; providing an additional optical resonator as a reference having a known free spectral range that differs from that of the first optical resonator; locking an optical reference signal to a closest axial mode of a reference optical resonator producing an optical reference signal that is spectrally offset from said optical carrier frequency by a spectral quantity less than the known free spectral range; mixing the optical carrier frequency with the reference optical signal frequency thus generating a difference signal as a beat frequency; and measuring a frequency of a difference signal.

Abstract: A high speed, wide-range, high-accuracy positioning stage device for eliminating errors due to deterministic elements such as variation of surface machining accuracy of a bar mirror and for preventing error accumulation due to indeterminate elements such as air fluctuations when switching between laser interferometers. When an X1 laser interferometer as a first position measurement device and an X2 laser interferometer as a second position measurement device are switched, at a place at which at least two position measurement devices are activated, when a value is handed over from the X1 laser interferometer, which was activated, to the X2 laser interferometer, which is to be activated, errors due to the effect of X-bar mirror flatness and air fluctuations are found by a correction function for the X-bar mirror and/or a table and the average of the measured values, and the value of the X2 laser interferometer is corrected by a correction device such as a calculation device.

Abstract: A wavefront splitting element includes a diffraction grating for splitting light into multiple beams including transmitting light and reflected light.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a slider including a head for recording data into and reproducing data from a record carrier, and a floatation surface that floats above the record carrier includes the steps of setting an orthogonal coordinate system having an origin as a center of the floatation surface, and regulating a shape of the floatation surface by using laser to scan a rear surface of the floatation surface so that a flatness at each of plural positions set by the orthogonal coordinate system.

Abstract: An optoelectronic measuring method and a distance measuring device for carrying out the method for determining the dimensions with respect to length, width or height of objects mounted in or outside of processing or measuring machines. At least one ray bundle transmitted by a measuring head of a measuring device is projected on a surface of an object to be measured as a dot-shaped measuring spot at various locations on a circumferential line of a geometric figure, and the reflected ray bundle projects through a projection unit the respective measuring spot onto an optoelectronic transducer unit of the measuring head and the signals produced by the transducer unit are evaluated in an evaluating unit.

Abstract: A computer/printer system and method which includes and involves a screen-display device with a display screen, and wherein requests for a document print preview results in the direct and accurate creation by the printer per se of a true preview on the display screen showing how the document will actually look after printing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in printing devices. In certain implementations, ink is printed to a first area of a print medium and a second area of the print medium. The ink is applied to the first area at a higher density than the second area. A first light scattering intensity value is measured from the first area and a second light scattering intensity value is measured from the second area. The print medium is categorized based on a comparison of the light scattering intensity values.

Abstract: A method for encoding data in a monochrome media utilizing the capability of the media for grayscale resolution. A document is processed to provide an image in electronic format, in which each pixel has an assigned data value with a given bit depth. A mapping operation is performed for generating a monochrome data word (120), preferably having a reduced bit depth. The monochrome data word (120) can be used to encode multiple data fields (114, 116, 118). A printer (92) then produces a preserved document record (90) in which the appropriate monochrome data word (120) determines the grayscale value for each pixel.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied on a computer readable medium are provided for image processing evaluation. In one embodiment, a method is provided that comprises the steps of forecasting a number of image processing parameters of an image processing operation based upon at least one image processing setting, displaying the image processing parameters on a display device, and, performing a preoperative task based upon a user input in response to the display of the image processing parameters.

Abstract: In a pre-procedure in an image communication method, a receiver notifies a transmitter as to whether a capability of receiving JPEG-encoded information is provided, whether a capability of receiving full-color information in Lab color space is provided, whether a capability of receiving full-color information in sYCC color space is provided, and whether a capability of receiving non-regular-sized information in sYCC color space is provided. Furthermore, the transmitter notifies the receiver as to designation of transmission of JPEG-encoded data, designation of transmission of full-color information in Lab color space, designation of transmission of full-color information in sYCC color space, and designation of transmission of non-regular-sized information in sYCC color space. An upper limit of information amount of non-regular-sized information in a main scanning direction is determined based on a maximum receivable sheet size and resolution of full-color information in Lab color space.

Abstract: In an image processing method which is executed in an image processing system to which a client computer and a color image forming apparatus are connected, profile administration data of the color image forming apparatus is received, and, when it is judged based on the received profile administration data that a predetermined output profile does not exist, the predetermined output profile is registered in the color image forming apparatus, whereby profile administration can be effectively performed.

Abstract: An print control apparatus for printing a reproduction checking image in colors. In a print control apparatus 1 that has a printing device 6 to print a document, a CPU 2 combines a remaining pattern image composed of dots larger than a minimum dot size readable by a color copying machine and a vanishing pattern image composed of dots having the same size as the larger dot and dots smaller than the minimum dot readable by the color copying machine to produce a reproduction checking image and causes the printing device 6 to print the reproduction checking image along with document print data on paper (FIG. 1).

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus which is easy for a user to operate. In the information processing apparatus, it is judged based on a function obtained from a peripheral whether or not a job script can be issued to the peripheral, and a job issuance processing is controlled in accordance with a judgment result.

Abstract: A computer system and method for outputting printer commands to a printer in response to a print request from an application program are presented. The printer includes a device font whose characters are addressed for printing via a single, double, or n-byte code. The text data, however, utilizes the Unicode Standard to identify its characters. The system, therefore, includes a graphics device interface, which is compatible to read the Unicode data, to invoke the printer driver functions for controlling the outputting of the text data to the printer. A printer OEM supplied minidriver contains a characterization of the printer, including information identifying the device font resident in the printer and the code used to identify the individual characters of the font. A printer driver uses this information to translate the text data to be printed from the Unicode Standard to a code capable of selecting a device font provided character.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, an image processing device, a computer network and a simple network printer wherein a simple network printer without RIP capability is enabled to print a print job that includes raster image processor instructions. In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the steps include receiving and storing, by the simple network printer, a broadcast from a raster image processor (RIP)-enabled unit announcing the RIP-enabled unit's capabilities and, upon receiving a RIP print job request from a source, requesting the RIP-enabled unit to proxy the print job and send the print job in simple format to the simple network printer for printing.

Abstract: Conversion from a page description language (PDL) and conversion to a printer language is disclosed, as may be embodied in a device having two mechanisms. One mechanism is capable of converting a received file according to a printer-independent PDL to a first interim format. The other mechanism is capable of converting the received file, as has been converted to a second interim format, to a printer-specific printer language.

Abstract: In a method for configuration of a device-specific program system, adjusting values that require different loading operations are input during an input phase. The first adjusting value is then transmitted to the device-specific program system. The device-specific program system carries out a loading operation required for the processing of the first adjusting value. The second adjusting value is transmitted to the device-specific program system and a corresponding load operation is carried out. With the method, a user is allowed to input the second adjusting value already before the first loading operation is completed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can be connected to an image-forming apparatus, a method, and a program used for the information processing apparatus are disclosed. The information processing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling print-setting information set for document data to be printed, a recognition unit for recognizing information about a first function specified by the print-setting information by translating the print-setting information controlled by the control unit, an obtaining unit for obtaining information about a second function of the image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether or not the image-forming apparatus can perform the first function recognized by the recognition unit based on the second-function information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a modification unit for modifying the print-setting information controlled by the control unit based on the determination result.

Abstract: A method for shopping for one or more consumables for a device includes requesting with the device the identity of at least one supplier for the at least one consumable for the device, identifying the supplier for the consumable based on the request, and displaying with the device the identified supplier. A system for shopping for one or more consumables for a device includes a requesting system, an identification system, and a display system. The requesting system with the device requests the identity of at least one supplier for the consumable for the device. The identification system identifies the supplier for the consumable based on the request. The display system with the device displays the identified supplier.

Abstract: A method for authorising discounted printing, comprising identifying content which has been captured by a consumer in authorised defined circumstances, and authorising discounted consumer printing of the identified content or of further content linked to the identified content

Abstract: The output method is determined for providing optimal output in order to output image information supplied from the image input unit such as a feeder effectively while taking the states of power supply of the apparatus and the external apparatus into account.