Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing device for performing a conversion processing of image data, comprises an input unit for inputting image data, an enlargement/reduction magnification setting unit for setting an enlargement/reduction magnification of the image data inputted by the input unit, a data converting unit having a plurality of image data conversion tables and using one selected conversion table to convert the inputted image data to output data, and a table selecting unit for selecting the conversion table in accordance with the enlargement/reduction magnification set by the enlargement/reduction magnification setting unit. In the enlargement/output of the image by the image processing, the edge portion of output image can be prevented from being blurred by the enlargement processing. Moreover, in the reduction/output of the image, even when the reduction processing is performed, the reproducibility of intermediate gradation density fine lines in the input image can be enhanced.

Abstract: A scanner having a synchronization dynamic random access memory and its memory access method. The scanner has an image processor for processing digital image signals, a SDRAM compensation memory unit for holding compensation data, a SDRAM image archiving memory unit for holding processed digital image data and an input/output device for connecting with an external device. A plurality of buffers couple the compensation memory unit with the image processor, the image processor with the image archiving memory unit and the image archiving memory unit with the input/output device.

Abstract: A change-over part of an image reading apparatus changes over the function of an operation part disposed on the main body of the image reading apparatus between functioning as an operation part for a connection apparatus and functioning as an operation part for the main body of the image reading apparatus. By this arrangement, it is possible for the user to perform the various kinds of processing operations at the setting place of the image reading apparatus without coming and going between the image reading apparatus and a personal computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making holograms includes a technique for exposing a film substrate or other light-sensitive medium to consecutive two dimensional images, together representative of a physical three-dimensional system, to generate a three dimensional hologram of the physical system. Low beam ratios are employed to superimpose multiple (20-300) images on the substrate. Each image is relatively weak, but the combination of the series of weak images ultimately appears as a single clearly defined hologram.

Abstract: Apparatus for holographic recording of information includes a lens or lens system, referred to here as the “FT lens,” situated in such a way that light from an object beam enters the FT lens after passing through an object, and light leaving the FT lens impinges on a recording medium situated at a Fourier transform plane of the object with respect to the FT lens. Disclosed apparatus includes a phase element effectively juxtaposed with the object, in which the phase element is effective for redistributing object-beam intensity in the Fourier transform plane, and the phase element has a correlation length greater than a maximum pixel side length associated with the object. Disclosed apparatus includes an optical element or optical system, referred to here as a “power optic,” that adds convergence or divergence to the object beam before the object beam enters the FT lens.

Abstract: In an image reconstructing apparatus 10 for reconstructing a hologram, when a lid 11 is nearly upright in relation to an apparatus body 12, a light emitted from an illumination light source 15 is projected at a predetermined angle of incidence to a hologram 17a placed on a mount surface 16a of a holder 16 of the apparatus body 12 while the light source 15 is being moved.

Abstract: A long haul, broadband DWDM system that has been optimized by the proper selection of the distribution of total dispersion compensation. Dispersion compensation is utilized at both the receiver and transmitter ends. System performance is dependent on the ratio of compensation split between the transmitter and the receiver. A system operated in the nonlinear regime can be compensated to operate with low BER and with reduced penalties due to residual dispersion effects, even when the spread of total accumulated dispersion between the extreme channels in a broadband system exceeds 1,100 ps/nm.

Abstract: An optical signaling header technique applicable to optical networks wherein packet routing information is embedded in the same channel or wavelength as the data payload so that both the single-sideband modulated header and data payload propagate through network elements with the same path and the associated delays. The header routing information has sufficiently different characteristics from the data payload so that the signaling header can be detected without being affected by the data payload, and that the signaling header can also be removed without affecting the data payload. The signal routing technique can be overlaid onto the conventional network elements in a modular manner using two types of applique modules. The first type effects header encoding and decoding at the entry and exit points of the data payload into and out of the network; the second type effects header detection at each of~the network elements.

Abstract: Optical automatic gain control (AGC) is accomplished using stable, non-absorbing optical hard limiters and various optical logic gates derived therefrom. The AGC mechanism preserves the ratios between signal levels and provides an adjustable amount of gain.

Abstract: An optical scanner that may assemble the lens design for varying the focus and resolution, having a light source, a reflection compound mirror, a charge coupled device, a basic objective lens and a compound lens. The basic objective lens is designed by simulation software. According to the lens design theory, the compound lens is designed. By incorporating the basic objective lens and the compound lens, different resolutions such as 1200 dpi, 1600 dpi and 2400 dpi of the optical scanner are obtained without redesigning the lens device, the current specification of the optical scanner is also varied.

Abstract: An optical state modulation method is provided. The method comprises steps of periodically modulating luminance of a visible light in temporal domain so as to generate an optical state variation on a recorded image that is obtained by image-capturing of a displayed image, the visible light being superposed on an original display image to produce the displayed image, the optical state variation being independent of an original display image and generating no hampering effect when the displayed image is directly watched.

Abstract: Improvements in an interferometric modulator that has a cavity defined by two walls.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed of apparatuses and methods for linearization. A linearized signal can control, for example, a microelectromechanical device, a microelectromechanical device, and/or a device controlling a modulated intensity of electromagnetic energy. Some embodiments include linearization functions such as a logarithm or x/(a+x).

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture is disclosed that provides an improved, more efficient, laser beam modulator and splitter. The combined device includes a crystal with a horizontal cross-sectional shape of a pentagon. The crystal includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first through fifth sides. The first side and the second side are substantially parallel. An absorber is mounted on the third side. The fourth and fifth sides are substantially opposite to the third side. The fourth and fifth sides form an angle substantially equal to 180 degrees minus the sum of a first a second Bragg angles. The crystal also includes at least one layer. For one embodiment, each layer includes an incident window on the first side, an active window on the second side and a transparent axis between the incident window and the active window. A first and a second transducer are mounted on the fourth and fifth sides.

Abstract: A travelling wave-type optical modulator has a supporting substrate and a ferroelectric single crystalline layer on the supporting substrate. The ferroelectric single crystalline layer has thicker parts and thinner parts within the modulating region of the travelling wave-type optical modulator when viewed in the cross section of the modulating region. An optical waveguide is formed in the thicker part of the ferroelectric single crystalline layer, and electrodes for modulation are provided on the thinner part of the ferroelectric single crystalline layer between the adjacent thicker parts.

Abstract: An optical transmission system comprising a first optical waveguide suitable for transmitting a first information signal, a second optical waveguide suitable for transmitting a second information signal, and input means for providing an electro magnetic radiation signal into said first waveguide, said signal being suitable for providing Raman amplification of the information signals, the system further comprising an optical coupling between said waveguides, arranged to transmit at least a portion of the Raman amplification signal from the first waveguide to the second whilst substantially blocking the transmission of the information signals between the waveguides.

Abstract: A Raman excitation control method enabling to reduce the number of couplers and photodetectors (PD) for providing an optical transmission unit with reduced cost. The method is provided for use in optical amplification to amplify an optical signal using Raman excitation light fed into an optical transmission line. A backward light of a laser diode producing the Raman excitation light is monitored by an optical back power monitor. The monitored power value is compared with an initial set value stored in a memory for the laser diode. Based on this comparison result, a feedback control is performed against the light emission power of the laser diode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving a gain profile from optical channel monitors (OMONs) and using that gain profile along with additional system parameters received from the OMONs for calculating the needed Raman pump parameters (power and/or wavelength) and adjusting the Raman pumps to those calculated parameters for achieving any pre-determined broadband signal gain or power profile. The calculated Raman pump parameters are scaled to be within a range of predetermined acceptable values.

Abstract: Known optical power equalizers receive an optical main input signal modulating between high and low input power levels. The optical power equalizers emit an equalized optical main output signal modulating between high and low output power levels, where at least one of the two sets of high and low power levels is equalized to one high or one low output power level. Such devices can comprise at least one gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier that operates about its saturation range. The optical power equalizer receives an amplifier input signal, which has one or more modulated portions, and emits a modulated amplifier output signal. According to the invention the dependence of the gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier's gain on the power of the amplifier input signal is adjusted such that the high input power levels of the amplifier input signal are equalized into the one high output power level of the amplifier output signal.

Abstract: An optical amplifier with improved output power utilizing less optical fiber components and reduced noise is disclosed. A first optical fiber amplifier is pumped by a first light source prior to splitting into a number of sub-bands, and a second optical fiber amplifier is pumped by a second light source. One of the sub-bands is amplified in multiple stages using a reflector, by passing the amplified sub-band back into the second optical amplifier in a reverse direction. Thereafter, all amplified sub-band signals are recombined to produce an output signal.

Abstract: An optical architecture for observation telescopes, in particular for telescopes intended to be installed on board a vehicle, such as a space satellite, for observing terrestrial areas, includes a concave and off-axis mirror which is aspherical or possibly spherical and reflects in the form of a convergent beam a beam consisting of radiation that it receives from a terrestrial area that it is observing, a dioptric and achromatic aperture correction plate inserted on the path of the convergent beam reflected by the mirror, a dioptric and achromatic field correction plate inserted on the path of the convergent beam reflected by the mirror on the downstream side of the aperture correction plate relative to the mirror, and a pupil on the path of the reflected convergent beam to obtain an off-axis field of view preventing central obscuration. It constitutes a simple way of imaging stereoscopically.

Abstract: An autofocus for a confocal microscope is realized by means of a confocal microscope arrangement comprising an illumination arrangement for illuminating an object in a raster pattern, first means for generating a first wavelength-selective splitting of the illumination light and second means for generating a second wavelength-selective splitting of the light coming from the object in a parallel manner for a plurality of points of the object, and detection means for detecting the light distribution generated by the second means, wherein an at least point-by-point spectral splitting and detection of an object image in a wavelength-selective manner is carried out and a control signal is generated from the determination of the frequency deviation and/or intensity deviation from a predetermined reference value corresponding to the object position in order to adjust the focal position by means of the vertical object position and/or the imaging system of the microscope.

Abstract: A laser microscope includes a beam scanning mechanism to scan a laser beam. An objective lens condenses the beam, and receives from a specimen the light by a linear and a non-linear phenomenon evoked by condensation of the beam, and a reflect light. A first beam splitter is arranged between the objective lens and the scanning mechanism, and separates the laser beam, the light by the linear phenomenon and the reflected light, from the light by the non-linear phenomenon. A first photodetector detects the light by the non-linear phenomenon. A second beam splitter is arranged between a light source and the scanning mechanism to separate the beam from the light by the linear phenomenon. A second photodetector detects the light passing a pinhole arranged at a position conjugative to the focal point of the objective lens among the light by the linear phenomenon and the reflected light.

Abstract: A focusing system for a microscope has an objective lens, a sample stage, a reflected illumination system for generating fluorescence from a sample, a transmitted illumination system for irradiating light on the sample to capture a transmitted optical image, a set of optical elements for forming the transmitted optical image on the basis of a phase information included in light transmitted through the sample, an optical element for dividing the fluorescence image and the transmitted optical image, a sensor for capturing the transmitted optical image divided by the optical element for dividing light, a focus detecting section for detecting a focusing level of the transmitted optical image on the basis of a signal output from the sensor, and a driver for moving at least one of the objective lens and the stage to focus on the sample on the basis of the focusing level.

Abstract: A transmitted-light illumination arrangement for microscopes has at least one LED which is arranged interchangeably in or in the vicinity of the plane of the aperture diaphragm of illumination optics or in front of Köhler illumination optics. The transmitted-light illumination arrangement advantageously has at least one LED light source radiating in the illumination direction of the microscope and at least one LED light source radiating in the opposite direction, wherein the light of the oppositely radiating light source is deflected in the illumination direction via deflecting mirrors, preferably a concave mirror, this light source being located in the focal point thereof.

Abstract: Use of a filter in lieu of a secondary reflector in a reflective telescope provides compact design that eliminates the obstruction caused by the secondary reflector. The filter is selectively reflective to either the angle of incidence of radiation striking the filter or to the polarization exhibited by the radiation. An angularly sensitive filter may be constructed to either a bandpass filter or a short pass filter. A filter that is sensitive to polarization is constructed from a cholesteric liquid crystal. The filter is disposed in front of a primary reflector that comprises an aperture for collecting radiation observed by the telescope.

Abstract: In the production of optical elements, not only flat substrates but also spherical or aspherical substrates are used. The costs of such a substrate can exceed the coating costs by a multiple. Particularly in development work, cost savings may be achieved if a substrate can be used repeatedly. To recover a substrate, it is proposed to provide an interlayer between the substrate and the functional layers, which comprises at least one layer of chromium and one layer of scandium. By immersing the optical element into a hydrochloric acid solution, this interlayer is dissolved, so that the functional layer is also removed from the substrate and the substrate is ready for reuse.

Abstract: A display device for a motor vehicle includes an indicator 3 for providing a displayed image, arranged internally in the vehicle; a combiner 5 for reflecting image light of the displayed image toward an eye point I of a driver of the vehicle, a virtual image S of the displayed image which can be visually recognized from the eye point being displayed on the combiner 5; and meter units 9, 9 for displaying a status of the vehicle as a real image, the meter units being located between the combiner and the eye point at a position outside an optical path of the image light of the displayed image. The combiner 5 has a contour which can be visually recognized from the eye point and nearly surrounds the virtual image and a real image of the meter units 9, 9. In such a configuration, a display with a sense of unity between a real image and a virtual image can be realized while avoiding an increase of a dashboard in size and complication thereof in structure.

Abstract: Partially polarized light produced by an integrator/polarization conversion system combination and two non-pixilated twisted nematic liquid crystal display cells (TN-LCD) or other light modulators are utilized. By adjusting the voltages on the TN-LCD cells, it is possible to adjust the relative amounts of the greatest two of the colors supplied, of the red, green and blue colors, used by the display without changing the light of the color in the least supply. Because all of the adjustments are done electronically through voltage controls, not mechanically, the “white” point correction system is both simple and reliable.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit which has positive optical power and which does not move for zooming, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power. In zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the first lens unit is moved toward the object side and the second lens unit is moved toward the image side, whereby the distance between the first and second lens units is increased. By constructing each lens unit such that the focal length, the distance between the principal points, etc., satisfy predetermined conditions, a small zoom lens having a high zooming ratio and high optical quality can be obtained.

Abstract: A zoom lens having only four lens groups is disclosed. In order from the object side, these are: a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power that moves for zooming, a third lens group having negative refractive power that moves for correcting a shift in the image surface position when zooming, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power and formed of front and rear subgroups, with the rear subgroup consisting of a single positive lens element that moves to correct for different back focus lengths that are required when the zoom lens is used in different television cameras. Various conditions are preferably satisfied in order to maintain favorable correction of spherical aberration and astigmatism even when the back focus of the zoom lens is adjusted slightly so as to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope zoom objective lens system having improved optical performance, and comprising a compact optical system with a zoom ratio of at least 3. The microscope zoom objective lens system comprises a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power and a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power. For zooming from a low to a high magnification side, the second and third lens groups G2 and G3 move along the optical axis while the separation between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 becomes wide and the separation between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 becomes narrow. The first lens group G1 comprises at least one doublet having positive refractive power and consisting of a positive lens and a negative lens. The positive lens has an Abbe number defined by &ngr;>80.

Abstract: A compound refractive lens for focusing, collecting, collimating and imaging with x-rays comprising N unit lenses numbered i=1 through N unit lenses substantially aligned along an axis such that i-th lens having a displacement ti orthogonal to said axis, with said axis located such that the sum of the lens displacements ti equals zero, and wherein each of said unit lenses comprises a lens material of lithium, carbon, or polyimide. A method for molding and housing the unit lenses is provided such that the unit lens have high surface and optical quality, and do not chemically deteriorate due to absorption of water or oxidation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for housing an optical element are provided. A ring is configured with a symmetry that corresponds to that of the optical element and for bonding with the optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the optical element. An axial retaining spring may be provided for securing the optical element within an optical-system assembly. The axial retaining spring includes axial constraint fingers to engage a subsequent optical component and structures adapted to apply a point load at selected locations on the optical element.

Abstract: Micromachined passive alignment assemblies and methods of using and making the same are provided. The alignment assemblies are used to align at least one optical element. The alignment assemblies may be configured with kinematic, pseudo-kinematic, redundant or degenerate support structures. One alignment assembly comprises a base and a payload, which supports at least one optical element. The payload may be coupled to the base via connecting structures. The base, the payload and/or the connecting structures may have internal flexure assemblies for preloading a connection, thermal compensation and/or strain isolation.

Abstract: A speed variation mechanism includes a base, a first sliding member, a second sliding member and a fixing device. The base has a first surface. The first sliding member is able to slide on the first surface and has a second surface. The second sliding member is able to slide on the second surface and has a third surface. The third surface is in contact with a driven member to drive an optical device. The fixing device can selectively fix the first sliding member to the base or the second sliding member. When the second sliding member is pushed, the speed variation mechanism of the invention can provide different moving speeds for the driven member to drive the optical device by fixing the first sliding member to the base or the second sliding member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of deposition of an absorbing material upon a plastic/glass substrate by vacuum coating at an angle of inclination between 5° to 30° and using a mask on the evaporation source to produce a graded film material and a method for the preparation of graded density absorbing film useful as an antiglare optical device for protecting the eyes by reducing the glare by absorbing the light intensity falling upon it in a non-uniform fashion.

Abstract: Surface of a transfer disk for performing magnetic transfer is repeatedly contacted or separated relative to a cleaning disk having a smaller hardness than the surface, thereby removing a foreign matter on the surface of the transfer disk.

Abstract: A disc drive device includes a base and a disc rotatably attached to the base. The disc drive also includes an actuator assembly rotatably attached to said base and a device for moving the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes an actuator arm and a transducer head in a transducing relationship with respect to the disc. The transducer is attached to the actuator arm. A method of screening disc drives for harmonic resonant frequencies includes sampling the position error signal at a track location in the disc drive, and determining the velocity of the position error signal from the sample of the position error signal. The velocity of the position error signal sample is divided by the position error signal to produce a quotient. The quotient is compared to a selected quotient threshold value to determine the type of a harmonic in the disc drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the value of a slider airbearing resonance frequency involves obtaining a readback signal from a data storage medium over a plurality of complete airbearing periods and estimating the value of an airbearing resonance frequency using the readback signal. In one embodiment, a discrete signal segment comprising a plurality of frequency transform components is produced using the readback signal information, and the value of the airbearing resonance frequency is estimated using spectral leakage in the discrete signal segment. A ratio of the magnitudes of a first DFT component to a second DFT component is computed at each of a plurality of sampling rates. Each of these sampling rates is defined by a number of samples per average airbearing cycle multiplied by a frequency falling within a range of expected airbearing frequencies associated with a given implementation.

Abstract: According to a broad aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus are presented for identifying a track (42) of a rotating disk (12) of a mass data storage device (10), using EPR4 data detection techniques. The track identification indicia (64) may be written more densely than the track identification indicia would have been written without using EPR4 data equalization techniques, wherein track identification indicia pulses (110-113) may at least partially overlap. The identification indicia (110-113) is read from the disk (12) using a read head (18), and processed using EPR4 data equalization techniques in an EPR4 Viterbi detector (92). The Viterbi detector (92) may be used also to detect data pulses (64) by switching its mode of operation from a track identification mode to a data detection mode.

Abstract: This invention provides a demodulation method and a demodulator for demodulating by converting analog signal obtained by reading information stored in a recording medium to digital signal so as to generate data representing that information. Consequently, correct data is obtained from signal having low S/N ratio. Over-sampling is carried out by an A/D converter 103A and a digital signal synchronous with a proper clock is reproduced by interpolation computation, maximum likelihood is detected and RLL decoded. Then, error is corrected by an error correction code.

Abstract: A clocking method and apparatus for a rotating storage medium uses a single reference frequency from which both the pattern frequency of a servo pattern signal and the rotational frequency of the storage medium are derived. During the servo track writing process, a clock track is read from the storage medium to obtain a clock signal having a clock frequency and the phase of the servo pattern signal is digitally adjusted relative to the clock signal so that the servo pattern signal is in phase with the clock signal.

Abstract: A magnetic recording apparatus includes a laser light source (132), a recording magnetic head (131) and a magnetoresistive element. The recording magnetic head includes a pair of magnetic poles (100 and 101), between which the magnetoresistive element is interposed. A rotary actuator (Sa) positions the recording magnetic head at a desired track of a magnetic recording medium. A laser beam can be radiated onto the magnetic recording medium to raise the temperature of a region (302) of the medium. This region has a width of the order of the track width. The raised temperature lowers the coercive force of this region, where a recording magnetic field can be applied for high density recording. The rotary actuator may form a yaw angle (&thgr;) with a track of the magnetic recording medium. Even in this case, the recording magnetic head (131) and the reproducing element have no tracking offset from the code track.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) circuit (10) having feedback provided to an input of an differential amplifier setting the amplifier input impedance close to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) characteristic impedance. A matched source and input impedance produces a generally flat gain frequency response. As the result of flat response and wider gain bandwidth, white noise without high frequency peaking can be obtained. Feedback resistors (R5) provide feedback according to the present invention which is superior in terms of the input referred noise since the feedback attenuates both the input signal from the sensor and the noise from the amplifier. Feedback resistors (R5) may be connected through AC coupling capacitors to compensate the voltage differences between amplifier input and output. The circuit of the present invention provides a method to connect the feedback resistors directly from amplifier outputs to inputs which have a different potential.

Abstract: A tape drive unit and record medium for use in a data streamer in which the tape cassette includes in addition to a magnetic tape a solid-state memory. By detecting a correspondence between data on the tape and data in the memory, various operations of the tape drive unit can be controlled, so that it is not possible to write over or erase data already recorded on the tape. The tape can be divided into partitions such that it is not necessary to rewind the tape to the beginning when it is desired to record new data.

Abstract: A medium transfer mechanism of a recording medium storage apparatus is provided, which is capable of reducing a load on a motor or a gear, when a recording medium is transferred. In order to store a recording medium T in libraries L1 and L2, the medium transfer mechanism of a recording medium storage apparatus includes a driving side engaging element which is moved by a motor. A follower side engaging element engages with the driving side engaging element. A predetermined gap is between the driving side engaging element and the follower side engaging element. A biasing device biases the follower side engaging element for engaging with the driving side engaging element.

Abstract: To optimize the life of a magnetic disk data storage device it is recognized that the accessing of data on the disk data surface should mimic the varying effective lubricant protection over the disk surface. The lubricant applied to the disk data surfaces migrates outward during drive operation. To match the disk surface protection to the frequency of data accesses at the storage locations, the stored data files are periodically examined to determine how recently access has occurred and the number of accesses during a most recent fixed period to determine whether the data file is to be stored in radially inner or radially outer portions of the band of concentric data tracks. By thus allocating the data file storage location, the data is accessed and intermittent contact between disk surface and transducer carrying slider occurs with greatest frequency where the lubricant coating is least depleted and most robust.

Abstract: A tape is associated with a semiconductor memory storing the end position of the last data of a data set recorded on the tape. The end location is stored in the memory before the last data are written to the tape. In a further operation mode, data identifying the location of one or plural successfully written data sets which have already been written to the tape are stored in the memory while user data are written to the tape.

Abstract: A disk drive that includes a base, a magnetic disk, a rotary actuator that carries a head for reading and writing data from the disk in a track-following mode under the control of a servo control system, and at least two sensors—one fixed sensor rigidly coupled to the overall disk drive and one mobile sensor mounted to the rotating actuator—for differentially detecting accelerations of the rotary actuator relative to the overall disk drive and its disk. The disk drive detects and actively compensates for accelerations imparted to a balanced actuator that has an effective imbalance. The fixed sensor is preferably mounted to a PCBA that is secured to the base. The mobile sensor is preferably mounted to an actuator arm of the rotary actuator, as far outboard as possible, and so as to align with the fixed sensor as the rotary actuator swings through its range of travel. The preferred sensors are linear accelerometers.