Abstract: An improved coupler with contrast ribs for use in a projection system. The coupler supports a projection lens in alignment with a projection optical signal generation device (e.g., a Cathode Ray Tube). The contrast ribs minimize contrast distortion that occurs in the coupler. The coupler defines a cooling chamber between said projection lens and said projection signal generating device and is filled with liquid in order to transport the optical signal between the projection optical signal generation device and projection lens. The contrast ribs change the angle of reflection of stray light rays generated by the projection optical signal generation device and direct a portion of those stray light rays to other contrast ribs. The ribs are preferably coated with a chemical composition that helps allow the ribs to absorb a portion of each ray incident on the rib.

Abstract: A non-mediated enzyme electrode comprises a base substrate (2) on which is provided an electrically conductive base layer (8) comprising finely divided platinum group metal or oxide bonded together by a resin; a top layer on the base layer (8), the top layer comprising a buffer. A catalytically active quantity of an oxidoreductase enzyme is provided in at least one of the base layer and the top layer. The invention also provides a biosensor (20) which includes an enzyme electrode, and methods of manufacturing the enzyme electrode and biosensor.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for generating image feature data from an image having an arbitrary shape for use in image search. The apparatus includes rectangular area generating unit (2); rectangular image generating unit (3); padded-pixel value selecting unit (5); and image feature data generating unit (4). First, rectangular image generating unit (2) draws a rectangular area around input image (1) such that input image (1) is included therein. Rectangular image generating unit (3) pads a pixel value in an area of the rectangular area generated by rectangular area generating unit (2) which does not include pixels associated with input image (1) to generate a rectangular image. Image feature data generating unit (4) generates feature data from the image generated by rectangular image generating unit (3).

Abstract: A process and system for processing a silicon thin film on a sample are provided. In particular, an irradiation beam generator is controlled to emit irradiation beam pulses at a predetermined repetition rate. These irradiation beam pulses are then separated into a first set of beam pulses and a second set of beam pulses. The first set of beam pulses are caused to irradiate through a mask to produce a plurality of beamlets. The second set of beam pulses and the beamlets are caused to impinge and irradiate at least one section of the silicon thin film. When the second set of beam pulses and the beamlets simultaneously irradiate the section of the silicon thin film, this combination of the beamlets and second set of beam pulses provides a combined intensity which is sufficient to melt the section of the silicon thin film throughout an entire thickness of the section.

Abstract: A linear seal seals over a slot formed in a wall of a vacuum chamber of a lithographic projection apparatus. The linear seal includes an elongate sealing member which is locally displaced from the slot at a selectable position such that conduits may pass from outside of the vacuum chamber to the inside of the vacuum chamber at the local displacement of the elongate sealing member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the optical analysis of a fluid, in which the fluid that has a first refractive index, is surrounded by an auxiliary fluid with a second refractive index, the first refractive index being larger than the second refractive index and light being sent through the fluid. It is endeavoured to obtain an encapsulation of the fluid in the auxiliary fluid at low cost. For this purpose, firstly the auxiliary fluid is led into a measuring channel, until it is filled, and then lead the fluid into the auxiliary fluid within the cross section with a flow speed, which generates a parabolic flow profile.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for measuring the non-linear coefficient and/or the dispersion coefficient of an optical fiber in an optical data transmission path by four-wave mixing, wherein at least two pump signals of known intensity with at least two different input frequencies are injected into one end of an optical fiber to be measured, in order to obtain at least two signals with at least two new frequencies by four-wave mixing, with the intensity of the backscattered signals of the new frequencies being measured at the feed side and the non-linear coefficent and/or the dispersion coefficient being determined from the measured intensities.

Abstract: Disclosed are a spectacle lens optical characteristics measuring method and a lens meter in which measurement beams are not intercepted by lens pressers. The left and right lenses of a pair of spectacles are point-supported by lens rest shafts at some midpoints in the optical paths of a pair of left and right measurement optical systems, and the spectacle frame for the lenses is held by a pair of frame retaining plates from the front and rear sides. In this state, the spectacle lenses are pressed against lens rest shafts by lens presser shafts to be thereby supported, whereby the way the spectacle frame is held by the frame retaining plates is corrected.

Abstract: A control circuit computes relative horizontal and vertical inclination angles between a screen and a projector by a line-type passive range-finding device. A display driving section adjusts a projection optical system including a condensing lens on the basis of the vertical and horizontal inclination angles computed by the control circuit, thereby correcting for a keystone distortion in an image projected.

Abstract: An optical power measuring apparatus for successively measuring optical power in a time series and displaying a time axis change of the measurement values as a measurement screen fixedly displays the latest measurement value of optical power on the measurement screen, and improves a working factor of an optical axis adjustment.

Abstract: An inspection illuminates a generally specular surface of an electrical circuit with flashes of light. The flashed light comes form at least two spectrally different sources, and is temporally spaced. A camera forms an optical image of the circuit for each flash of light. Optical images are combined to provide a combined image. An analysis of the combined image can detect defects, and production related decisions may be based on this analysis.

Abstract: The surface inspection apparatus comprises a light source section for emitting a first luminous flux and a second luminous flux; a first irradiation optical system in which the first luminous flux is irradiated on the surface of an inspected object at a first irradiation angle; a second irradiation optical system in which the second luminous flux is irradiated on the surface of an inspected object at a second irradiation angle different from the first irradiation angle; a displacement section for relatively displacing an inspected object and an irradiation luminous flux of the irradiation optical system; a light receiving optical system for receiving scattered light of the first luminous flux irradiated by the first irradiation optical system and produced from an inspection object on the surface of an inspected object and scattered light of the second luminous flux irradiated by the second irradiation optical system and produced from an inspection object on the surface of an inspected object; a first light re

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for calibrating an optical detection channel for a two-dimensional, spatially dependent measurement of fluorescent or luminescent radiation in multi-specimen carriers.

Abstract: A prism-based cytometry excitation optics system redirects, shapes and combines plural beams provided by light sources, so they can be focused by an objective into closely spaced spots within the channel of a cytometry flow cell. The mounted set of dispersive prisms redirect beams of different wavelengths so that beams with separated inputs emerge from the final prism, substantially overlapping in position and nearly parallel to one another. Preferred embodiments having a mounted set of four distinct isosceles triangular prisms are described with particular orientations and positions, but the specific design parameters may vary depending on the choice of beam wavelengths, spot separations in the flow cell, and choice of prism material. The prism system has inherently better thermal and long-term stability compared to mirror-based optics.

Abstract: A system and method for in vitro analysis of therapeutic agents comprising a reservoir adapted to hold a therapeutic agent, a first flow cell having a first cell chamber adapted to receive at least a first sample of the therapeutic agent, a second flow cell having a second cell chamber adapted to receive at least a second sample of the therapeutic agent, the first flow cell having a first path length (be′) and the second flow cell having a second path length (be″), the first path length being substantially equal to a sensitivity factor (f)×be″, a membrane chamber having a biological cell membrane therein adapted to receive at least a third sample of the therapeutic agent, the membrane chamber being further adapted to detect the membrane potential of the biological cell membrane; and spectroscopic detection means for detecting the spectral characteristics of the first and second therapeutic agent samples.

Abstract: An optical detection device for validating bank rates has several input apertures, an imaging device (12), a diffraction grating (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) associated with each input aperture (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) and a detection array (17). The diffraction grating (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) is rotated at angle of e.g. 45 degrees relative to the orientation of the linear detection array (17). This arrangement enables the spectra of multiple points to be measured simultaneously. The angle of rotation, the pitch of the apertures (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) and a pitch of the diffraction grating (15.1, 15.2, 15,3) are selected in such a way that the spectra of sad multiple points are contiguously mapped onto the detection array (17) has a single linear array of color sensitive detection pixels. The acxis of the linear array is offset with respect to an optical axis (7) of the optical detection device.

Abstract: An optical beam having a randomly and unpredictably variable input polarization state propagates through an optical system containing a first optical surface, for example a diffraction grating, a first adjustable mirror, and means for rotating the respective parallel (P) and perpendicular (S) plane polarization components of the optical beam relative to the first optical surface by ninety degrees, thereby generating a polarization rotated optical beam having reversed orientations of the S and P polarization components relative to the input. The optical beam is reflected from the first adjustable mirror, which redirects the optical beam onto an optimized location on the first optical surface, thereby reducing PDL due to propagation through the optical system. In some embodiments the optical beam location on the first adjustable mirror remains substantially constant during adjustment.

Abstract: A method and system to measure misalignment error between two overlying or interlaced periodic structures are proposed. The overlying or interlaced periodic structures are illuminated by incident radiation, and the diffracted radiation of the incident radiation by the overlying or interlaced periodic structures are detected to provide an output signal. The misalignment between the overlying or interlaced periodic structures may then be determined from the output signal.

Abstract: A measuring system for in-situ measurements down a well (1) by a spectrometer (4) is provided. The spectrometer (4) includes a radiation source (5) and a detector (6). A probe (15) optically connected to the spectrometer (4) and includes an optical pathway (7) for transmission of a radiation from the radiation source (5) and at least a second optical pathway for transmission of a characteristic radiation from a sample to the detector (6). A positioner is provided to position the probe (15) near a side surface (11) of the borehole (3) and to optically couple the optical pathways (7) to the side surface (11), wherein the probe (15) is traversable up and down the well (1) by way of a guide operatively connected to the probe (15) and to a fixed location at the wellhead. By use of the apparatus and method a concentration of methane or other substance of interest is obtained, and thereby, a potential production of a coal bed methane formation is obtained.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an optical cavity, a source to provide light to the optical cavity, a sensor to detect the light and generate a corresponding sensor signal, and a servo device including a feedforward input and a feedback input. Feedback from the sensor signal is provided to the servo device to regulate operation of the source at a frequency selected to generate an optical field resonating in the first mode in the cavity. An input device provides a control signal to a control input of the servo device that selectively alters operation of the light source to corresponding halt resonance in the first mode. An evaluation device is also included to evaluate decay of the optical field after resonance in the first mode is halted.

Abstract: A small-sized measuring apparatus having a stray light suppressing capability for detecting the distribution of optical intensities on the cross section of a light beam having a predetermined wavelength contained in a light beam reflected from a measuring surface by entering a collimated light beam having a large cross sectional area into the measuring surface. A collimated light beam having a sufficient cross sectional area is entered into the interface between a dielectric block and a thin metal film formed on the dielectric block at an angle that satisfies the conditions of total reflection. A light beam having a predetermined wavelength is selected from the light beam totally reflected at the interface to detect the distribution of optical intensities for the selected light beam by the wavelength selecting section capable of eliminating stray light.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus and a method for positioning an optical component, several optical components being arranged in a receiving device (1); the receiving device (1) being rotatable about an axis (3) or movable along a direction in such a way that an optical component is positionable and the receiving device (1) retainable in a retention position corresponding thereto; a coding device (4) having coding means (5, 9), and two detectors (6, 7) detecting the coding means (5, 9), being provided; the coding device (4) or the two detectors (6, 7) being associated with the receiving device (1); and the two detectors (6, 7) detecting coding means (5, 9) at spatially different points; and in order to achieve detection of the position of the receiving device (1) with reduced component complexity for the coding means (4, 5, 9) and detection means (6, 7) as well as a decreased manufacturing time associated therewith, is characterized in that the coding device (4) is embodied in such a way that on th

Abstract: A linear positioning apparatus includes an intermediate portion having an axis, and first and second end portions mounted with flexure legs thereto. The flexure legs accommodate motion of the intermediate portion relative to the end portions along the axis, but inhibit motion of the intermediate portion relative to the end portions in directions not parallel to the axis. The apparatus can accommodate forces having off-axis components, and produce motion that comprises substantially no off-axis component. The apparatus is useful in, for example, optical systems where precise linear motion is required.

Abstract: Hollow-core photonic-bandgap fiber is used in fiber optic Sagnac interferometers, including but not limited to fiber optic gyroscopes. Use of the hollow-core photonic-bandgap fiber reduces Rayleigh backscattering and Kerr effects, which otherwise would introduce phase shift into light propagating through the optical fiber and result in errors in the output of the interferometer. Narrowband light sources, such as semiconductor lasers currently employed for telecommunication applications, which provide increased wavelength stability, as well as broadband light sources, can be used to drive the fiber optic interferometers. Modulation can also be employed to improve the accuracy of the output of these sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the wavelength of an input light beam whereby the input light beam is split into two light beams which are directed through two paths of different optical length. The light beams are interfered with each other in order to form a fringe pattern at an observation plane, which fringe pattern is detected and analyzed to thereby determine the wavelength of the input light beam.

Abstract: An interferometric measuring device for measuring surface characteristics, shapes, distances, and changes in distance, for example vibrations, of measurement objects (7) has a probe section (6). An advantageous design with respect to ease of use and error-free scanning is provided by the fact that the probe section (6) is subdivided into a fixed probe section (6.1) and a rotatable probe section (6.2) mechanically and optically coupled thereto, and that a beam splitter (6.3; 6.3′) is situated in the rotatable probe section (6.2) for creating a reference beam and a measuring beam for the interferometric measurement (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The invention uses the phase shifting diffraction interferometer (PSDI) to provide a true point-by-point measurement of absolute flatness over the surface of optical flats. Beams exiting the fiber optics in a PSDI have perfect spherical wavefronts. The measurement beam is reflected from the optical flat and passed through an auxiliary optic to then be combined with the reference beam on a CCD. The combined beams include phase errors due to both the optic under test and the auxiliary optic. Standard phase extraction algorithms are used to calculate this combined phase error. The optical flat is then removed from the system and the measurement fiber is moved to recombine the two beams. The newly combined beams include only the phase errors due to the auxiliary optic. When the second phase measurement is subtracted from the first phase measurement, the absolute phase error of the optical flat is obtained.

Abstract: A method and a device for interferential microscopic imaging of an object which comprises sending a light beam in each of the arms of a two-wave interferometer, one of the arms comprising the object to be analyzed. The phase is subjected to a sinusoidal modulation to a frequency f. The signal modulation results from mechanical oscillation of an assembly of elements of the interferometer. The interference signal (S) is integrated during the phase variation via a multichannel sensor. A computer enables to record the integrated interference signal obtained during each period fraction 1/n and to calculate, subsequently, the image of the object. The invention is potentially useful for characterizing thin layers, for controlling components in microelectronics, for reading data stored in volume (3D) and objects unstable in time; in biology and in vivo studies.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing near-perfect optical surfaces, for EUV and soft-x-ray optics. The method involves polishing or otherwise figuring the multilayer coating that has been deposited on an optical substrate, in order to correct for errors in the figure of the substrate and coating. A method such as ion-beam milling is used to remove material from the multilayer coating by an amount that varies in a specified way across the substrate. The phase of the EUV light that is reflected from the multilayer will be affected by the amount of multilayer material removed, but this effect will be reduced by a factor of 1−n as compared with height variations of the substrate, where n is the average refractive index of the multilayer.

Abstract: In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a method for determining the location of an alignment mark on a stage, which includes directing a measurement beam along a path between an interferometer and a mirror, wherein at least the interferometer or the mirror is mounted on the stage, combining the measurement beam with another beam to produce an output beam comprising information about the location of the stage, measuring from the output beam a location, x1, of the stage along a first measurement axis, measuring a location, x2, of the stage along a second measurement axis substantially parallel to the first measurement axis, calculating a correction term, &psgr;3, from predetermined information characterizing surface variations of the mirror for different spatial frequencies, wherein contributions to the correction term from different spatial frequencies are weighted differently, and determining a location of the alignment mark along a third axis parallel to the first measurement axis based on x1,

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the smoothness index of the interior of a metered dose container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: Optical displacement sensor 10 may possess light-emitting element(s) 11 for projecting light onto distance measurement target(s) 17, and light-receiving element(s) 12 capable of receiving light reflected from distance measurement target(s) 17 and disposed such that light-receiving surface(s) 12a thereof is or are substantially perpendicular to optical axis or axes R1 of projected light. Furthermore, such optical displacement sensor(s) 10 may be equipped with slit(s) 13 capable of narrowing light beam(s) projected toward distance measurement target(s) 17, and slit(s) 14 capable of narrowing light reflected from distance measurement target(s) 17.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting at least one imaging process in response to the media thickness as detected by a media thickness sensor is presented. The apparatus is an optical sensor for measuring a thickness of a media in an imaging device. The sensor includes a light source and a receiver. The light source transmits a beam toward a first side of the media which reflects at least a portion of the transmitted beam as a reflected beam. The second side of the media is supported by a media support that is a fixed distance from the light source and receiver. The receiver receives the reflected beam and generates output signals correlating the receiver output to a media thickness. The output signals are used to adapt at least one imaging process in response to the measured media thickness.

Abstract: A method of performing a pattern fill operation of a pattern into a clipping region resolves the pattern into an intermediate format between a page description language and a page bit map. This intermediate format is cached. For each tiling of the pattern into the clipping region the pattern is clipped to the clipping region and rendered from the clipped intermediate format pattern into a corresponding location of a page bit map. The intermediate format of the pattern may be scan line runs and trapezoid fills. The intermediate format of the pattern may be paths and curves. The clipping of the pattern to the clipping region performs scan line conversion with polygon to polygon clipping or trapezoid/run array to trapezoid/run array clipping.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus including at least one pair of feeding rollers disposed in pairs in a vertical direction at a predetermined interval to feed a sheet of recording paper picked up by a pickup roller along a sheet feeding path; a document position sensor to detect whether the sheet of paper picked up by the pickup roller reaches a set reference position; a storage unit to store an information about the position of the sheet of paper at which a white line would be produced where the storage unit stores the information by sheet size; a printing part to print an image as the sheet is fed into a printing area; and a control unit to control a feeding rate of the feeding rollers using the information stored in the storage unit regarding the white line producing position of the sheet of paper where the sheet of paper is fed at an initially set feeding rate starting from the time when the sheet of paper is detected to have reached at the reference position by the document position sensor until the time when

Abstract: Information can be managed as to whether or not photographed images have been previously subjected to printing or not. In a recording medium storing image files, reception information is also recorded for managing a state of printing order reception for each of the files. A printing order reception apparatus for receiving printing orders rewrites the reception information to represent a state of reception completion, regarding the image files for which a printing order has been received.

Abstract: A selected antialiasing technique is applied to non-labeled gray-scale or color image data by deconstructing an image into a set of binary images, applying the antialiasing method to each binary image to generate antialiased images, and combining the antialiased images to generate an output image. Computational requirements may be reduced by identifying boundaries within the input image data and generating and antialiasing localized binary images only in selected regions of the image.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a print formatter circuit which receives high-level printing signals from a host computer, such as a PC or mainframe computer. The print formatter circuit translates the high level printing signals into signals of an intermediate-level interface language, which is communicated to a printhead controller circuit. The printhead controller circuit in turn translates the intermediate-level interface language signals into discreet-event commands, and other finite action-element or condition-element signals or requirements, that are communicated to the inkjet printer and to a printhead in the printer.

Abstract: A system and method for printing an image on a document by generating RGB data from a scanned image, converting the RGB data to CMYK data and identifying one of a first and a second type of screening. The type of screening is identified for a first one of the CMYK data based upon the density of the first one of the CMYK data and the density of at least one of the other CMYK data.

Abstract: A system and method for processing image data generates color image data from a scanned image, the color image data including RGB data, converts the RGB data to CMY data, and translates the CMY data for the pixel to CMYK data. A weighting coefficient is set for a pixel based on the values of the CMY data for the pixel. A particular region in which the pixel is located is identified as a black color region or a non-black color region. The value of the K data for the pixel is altered based on the weighting coefficient if the particular region is a non-black color region.

Abstract: When an L*a*b* value of a certain color is outside a target color gamut to be converted, it is judged whether the L*a*b* value is located within the range of the color gamut set under a predetermined condition. This set range is a range in which the accuracy is degraded if colors are converted using only a first method, for example, a range in the neighborhood of the color gamut. If a color to be converted is located within the range, colors are converted using a second method. If the L*a*b* value of the color to be converted is outside of the set range, it is converted using the first method until the conversion result is contained within the range Then, the occurrence of both a problem which the first conversion method has for colors in the neighborhood of the color gamut when colors are converted and a problem which the second method has in the conversion of a color far from the color gamut can be suppressed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a maximum/minimum density detecting unit which detects a center pixel of a matrix of N×N pixels in image data that has a maximum or minimum density. A determination unit determines whether the absolute value of a difference between an average of densities of diagonal pixels of the matrix and a density of the center pixel is larger than a threshold value. A peak pixel detecting unit detects peak pixels of the matrix, each peak pixel being the center pixel having a maximum or minimum density, and the absolute value of the difference with respect to the center pixel being larger than the threshold value. A dot region detecting unit detects one of neighboring pixels of the matrix as being a dot region based on the number of the peak pixels in a target region and the number of the peak pixels in each of neighboring regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus and an image processing program for dealing with inverted characters (outlined characters) constituted by white pixels on a black ground in a tree structure same as that of normal characters constituted by black pixels on a white ground.

Abstract: The printer outputs a first test pattern for automatic measurement of image quality and a second test pattern for visual evaluation, measures automatically the image quality of the output first test pattern, determines the image quality from the obtained image quality data, inputs results of the visual evaluation of the output second test pattern, stores the image quality data, determination results and the evaluation results and displays the image quality data, the determination results, the evaluation results and history thereof, thereby performing the quality control of the output image. The method and system for controlling quality of printing density in the printer calibrate measurement results with a built-in densitometer using an external densitometer calibrated by means of a reference density sample to calibrate the built-in densitometer regularly in the printer.

Abstract: A resource management method according to the present invention for managing a resource retained by an image forming apparatus that is capable of processing print data, which is based upon print languages of a plurality of types, using a specified resource, comprises a setting step of setting attributes, with regard to the resource, corresponding to each of the plurality of types of print languages processable by the image forming apparatus, and a storage step of storing the attributes, which have been set at said setting step, in the image forming apparatus in association with actual data of the resource retained by the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit for acquiring information stored in a memory of a printing device connected through a bidirectional interface, and a selecting unit for selecting a printer driver corresponding to the information acquired by the acquiring unit from a plurality of printer drivers on the basis of the information.

Abstract: When image data from an external device is image data for proof printing, the number of pages of image data is calculated. Further, the percentage of a character image region and the percentage of a photographic image region in all the image data are determined. A reduction in toner consumption is determined according to the number of pages, the percentage of the character image region and the percentage of the photographic image region, and a document is then printed.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing and sending facsimile messages using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to indicate a reference to a document that is appended to the outgoing facsimile. In another further configuration, the user utilizes a form having pre-defined regions that are used to correlate a pen stroke with a desired action.

Abstract: An apparatus distributes processed image data from a central location to remote terminals, for viewing by medical personnel for the purposes of diagnosis and determining a treatment regimen for a patient. The apparatus receives image data from imaging devices, and is programmed with rules or other parameters with respect to the manner in which that image data is to be processed and sorted. The apparatus applies the parameters to the appropriate received image data, and distributes the processed image data to one or more remotely coupled terminals. Because the image data is automatically pre-processed by the apparatus according to various parameters that are specific to certain medical personnel's preferences (or specific to other factors), the amount of repetitive user-required configuration and repetitive workstation processing is reduced—simple remote terminals with limited processing capability can receive highly customized image data.