Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a print system and a printer which enable a user to identity the printer having produced a print on the basis of this print without impairing the quality of the print. A host section transmits print data to a plurality of printers to instruct them to carry out printing. Each printer carries out printing as instructed by the host section. Prints from each printer are discharged to a particular area. Various printers discharge prints to the particular area. However, each print is provided with mark dots at a position that varies with the printers. Accordingly, examining the print enables a user to identify the printer having produced this print. A gradation value for the mark dots is determined taking a gradation value for surrounding dots into account.

Abstract: A method of printing hardcopy images, includes electronically transmitting a plurality of digital images and information identifying the locations of a plurality of recipients from a remote location over a communications channel to a central receiving agency; storing the plurality of digital images and the information identifying the locations of a plurality of recipients in a memory at the central receiving agency; a user selecting a recipient and selecting a particular stored digital image from the plurality of digital images, and authorizing the printing of the particular stored digital image; using the information identifying the location of the recipient to select a local printing station for the recipient from a plurality of local printing stations; transmitting the particular digital image to the selected local printing station; and printing the particular stored digital image at the selected local printing station to produce a hardcopy image.

Abstract: An image processing system according to the present invention is provided with a first switch control section configured to select clocks in accordance with an image processing mode, from among a plurality of clocks a first clock generating section generates for operating an image processing section, a storage section used for image processing, and a second clock generating section which enables an operation to be performed based on clocks faster than those used in the image processing mode, in accordance with an operation of the storage section. When direct access to the storage section is externally executed in an image processing mode, the image processing system causes a second switch control section to switch clocks from the clocks which are as fast as those used in the image processing mode to the clocks which enable an operation to be executed in accordance with the operation of the storage section.

Abstract: A method for producing an image-based product includes displaying a layout of the image-based product including at least one image field for receiving a digital image, selecting one or more digital images from an image source, storing the selected digital images in an image collection and moving one of the selected digital images stored in the image collection into the image field in the layout of the image-based product.

Abstract: The present invention uses the capabilities provided by configuring linked command sequences to provide for logo headers, logo trailers, watermarks, and margin message logos as configuration options. Additionally, the ability to map existing text attributes to new sets of attributes that may include color is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for merging and printing multiple postal presorted print jobs into a single print run for discounted rate mailing. The method includes merging mail recipient address lists from several print job orders into a merged recipient address list. The method further includes associating printing content provided by a print job order requestor with each recipient in the merged mail recipient address list. The method also includes printing mailpieces in a presorted sequence by selectively applying associated printing content for each mail recipient in a presorted merged mail recipient address list. Accordingly, several small targeted mailing print jobs, each individually too small to qualify for mailing discounts, can be merged into a larger, presorted print run collectively eligible for mailing discounts.

Abstract: A system which enables a user to preview a document by providing a user interface and inputting, via the user interface, information specifying an arrangement of components to create the document, the components including at least two of: a printed page, a tab page, a blank page, a front cover, a back cover, and a binding. Digital images of at least some of the components specified by the input information are obtained and an image of the document is generated by combining the digital images of at least some of the components in a manner so as to simulate an appearance of the document were the document to be physically assembled according to the input information. The image of the document is then caused to be displayed.

Abstract: An image scanning and printing device includes a printing unit that prints an image onto each of multiple sheets of recording papers in one printing process by a multi-up printing process and a control unit that controls to select and execute the multi-up printing process when a size of the recording paper, which is obtained based on a size of an original document and an output magnification, is less than half of a maximum recording paper size, and a number of sheets to be printed, which is obtained based on a number of original documents and a number of sets of sheets to be printed, is two sheets or more, and to select and execute a one-up printing process otherwise.

Abstract: A print process of body text and a 2-sided print process of tab paper sheets are done by a single operation from a PC. Body text data and one face of each tab paper sheet undergo a print process, only tab paper sheets are set in a tray again, and a print instruction is issued to execute a print process of only the other face of each tab paper sheet. Alternatively, after only one face of each tab paper sheet undergoes a print process, a print process of the other face of each tab paper sheet is executed together with body text data. In this case, an information processing apparatus issues commands and data required to execute the print process on the printing apparatus side.

Abstract: When a request for black-and-white copying is conducted on color copying input instruction, a main control section uses color image information obtained by reading an original to perform printing processing of color copying, and further uses a color/black-and-white image converting section to convert the color image information into black-and-white image information, thereby performing printing processing of black-and-white copying.

Abstract: An input image is transformed to produce an output image. First pixels occurring at edges within the input image are detected. Second pixels that are part of text within the input image are also detected. The first pixels and the second pixels are combined to produce the output image.

Abstract: A device to translate an input pixel value to an output pixel value for a current pixel includes a diffusion block to produce a diffusion error to add to the input pixel value to produce a diffused pixel value. In addition, the device includes a feedback modulation block to generate a threshold value, the threshold value determined using a value of an earlier output pixel value, the earlier output pixel value occurring at a predetermined number of pixels prior to the current pixel. Furthermore, the device includes a quantizer to compare the diffused pixel value to the threshold value and based on the comparison to select a value for the output pixel value.

Abstract: For the reproduction of originals, images are generated on an image carrier, for example by printing. The imaging device that generates the image is usually not capable to cover at once the complete image area on the carrier. If the device is capable to cover the full width of the image area, the image may be generated line by line. Devices not having this capability will generate a first portion of an image line on the carrier. An adjacent second portion of the image line is then generated by another imaging device or after a period of time by the imaging device that generated the first portion. The region where the first and second portion meet on the carrier may cause visual artefacts on the final reproduction due to spatial misregistration of the adjacent line portions. This problem is solved by dividing the image in adjacent sub-images having an overlap zone on the carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for the halftoning of gray scale images by utilizing a pixel-by-pixel comparison of the image against an anisotropic stochastic screen is disclosed. The anisotropic stochastic screen comprises a non-deterministic, non-white noise function which, when thresholded, is designed to produce anisotropic dot patterns having a power spectrum characterized as having negligible low frequency components and a high-frequency region which has an absence of stronger dominant spikes.

Abstract: This invention provides a system which can obtain the same output irrespective of a reading system by previously storing different parameters used at the image processing times for respective reading systems and performing image processing operation by selectively using one of the parameters corresponding to the reading system used even in a case where different reading systems such as a through read system and document table fixed type system are provided to read a color document.

Abstract: A method for printing includes printing an image on media and generating data related to image quality, with the data to indicate whether the image quality within a first area of the media has deteriorated. In addition, the method includes modifying the image based on the data so that the image is no longer printed within the first area if the data indicates deterioration.

Abstract: A method for reducing image noise is provided. The procedure of the method is provided in the following steps. First, the color level scale of a scanned image of a document is reduced by a plurality of bits in order to subtract a noise level from the scanned image. Then the color level scales of all pixels of the image are recombined by a halftone pattern method in order to recover the color level scales. Finally the missing codes of the image are filled out by bit enhance method. Because of the color level scales of the proceeding image are not reduced, the scanned image quality does not be blurred by the method. Because the method does not minimize the color level of the proceeding image, the image noise can be reduced without blurring the scanned image and the quality of the image can be increased after the process thereof. And because each color level of the pixel in the image is subtracted by a noise level, some of the bits are removed and the capacity of the image file is decreased.

Abstract: An input image is transformed to produce an output image. Pixels occurring at edges that represent detail within the input image are detected to produce an intermediate image. Background fill representing textures of the input image is generated. The background fill and the intermediate image are combined to produce the output image.

Abstract: An apparatus and system include means to identify first and second pixel toner densities associated with selected pixels included in a color plane window, and means to generate at least one modified color plane window having identifications assigned to the pixel toner densities for transmission to a monochrome enhancement module. An article contains instructions causing a machine to execute a method including selecting a plurality of original color plane windows, each having a number of pixels, associating each pixel in each of the windows with an identification of VALID or INVALID, generating a plurality of modified windows to correspond to the plurality of original windows, wherein each one of the plurality of modified windows includes the associated identifications, and transmitting the modified windows to a monochrome enhancement module.

Abstract: An image compensating method. First, multiple scanning lines are used to scan a document and a longitudinal black and white pattern, in order to produce the actual gray level value for multiple pixels with respect to each of the scanning lines and the document, as well as a correctional gray level value for complete black and a correctional gray level value for complete white with respect to the longitudinal black and white pattern. Then, the compensational gray level value with respect to the actual gray level value for each of the pixels is obtained according to the correctional gray level value for complete black, the correctional gray level value for complete white, the theoretical gray level value for complete black, the theoretical gray level value for complete white, and the actual gray level value for each of the pixels. Then, the procedure is complete.

Abstract: After prescan of a plurality of images on a photographic film, designation of an image to be processed and verification of the image to be processed, the photographic film is conveyed at high speed to a position where the reading conditions for the image to be processed can be set. When reading the image to be processed, the photographic film is conveyed at the same conveying speed as at the time of fine scan, and from the time point when the reading is complete, the high speed conveying of the photographic film is resumed and the photographic film is delivered. In a case where adjacent images are designated as the images to be processed, an operation similar to the one described above is performed until completion of reading the images to be processed, and then, the images to be processed are fine scanned after returning the photographic film to a position where the reading conditions for the images to be processed can be set.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus of the invention comprises a scanning module that is slidably mounted to a guiding structure, and a scanning platform where is placed a document sheet to be scanned. The guiding structure includes a first track portion and a second track portion that oppositely face the scanning platform. Thereby when the scanning module is located on the first track portion, it captures the image of the front side of the document sheet. When the scanning module is located on the second track portion, it captures the image of the reverse side of the document sheet.

Abstract: A method of removing memory of a scanning apparatus. The period of a shift signal is adjusted according to the speed of reading data from a scan line by a computer instead of using a memory buffer. Therefore, correct data transmission between the image extraction device and the computer can be achieved. As a result, the cost of the scanning apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: A digital still camera having an organic image sensor for capturing an image; a lens having an aperture value F; and a shutter having a shutter speed T (sec).

Abstract: In a storing mode of an apparatus for sequentially storing and retrieving digital page data, a first/second complex reference beam and a modulated/second signal beam converge on a first/second location to generate a sequence of first/second interference patterns to be sequentially stored on a holographic medium. A shift selectivity of the first complex reference beam is larger than that of the second complex reference beam so that the second interference pattern is used as a servo pattern to sequentially determine where the first interference patterns have been stored.

Abstract: In a storing mode of an apparatus for storing and retrieving a sequence of digital page data, a first/second complex reference beam and a modulated signal beam converge on a storing location to generate a sequence of first/second interference patterns to be sequentially stored on a holographic medium. A shift selectivity of the first complex reference beam is larger than that of the second complex reference beam so that the second interference pattern is used as a servo pattern to sequentially determine where the first interference patterns have been stored.

Abstract: An integrated scanner for scanning a barcode is formed on a common substrate. The scanner may include a micro-machined mirror, a laser diode, and a detector, mounted on a single substrate or several connected substrates. Lenses can be used to focus a laser beam from the laser diode as well as expand a laser beam deflected by the micro-machined mirror. The scanner may also scan a barcode without using a micro-machined mirror by rotating the laser diode.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-beam scanning optical system capable of implementing high-quality printing in relatively simple structure and at high speed, and an image forming apparatus using it. The multi-beam scanning optical system has an incidence optical unit for guiding a plurality of beams emitted from a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting regions spaced apart from each other in a main scanning direction, to a deflector; a scanning optical unit for focusing the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, on a surface to be scanned; and a synchronism-detecting optical unit for converging part of the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, via a return mirror on a slit surface by a lens section, thereafter guiding the beams to a synchronism detector, and controlling timing of a scan start position on the surface to be scanned, by use of a signal from the synchronism detector.

Abstract: A scanning optical system includes a deflector that deflects a light beam toward an object surface such that the light beam is scanned over the object surface in a main scanning direction. A mirror system reflects back the light beam so that the light beam travels toward the object surface after being deflected twice by the deflector. The mirror system reflects back the light beam such that a projection of the light beam on an auxiliary scanning section, which is a plane perpendicular to the main scanning direction, is incident on the reflection surface for a first time at an incident angle different from an incident angle at which the projection of the light beam is incident on the reflection surface for a second time. A blocking member is provided to prevent the unwanted light flux from striking the object surface while allowing the light beam scanning the object surface.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical deflecting device capable of suppressing undesirable vibrations of an optical deflecting element such as a mirror and allowing a plurality of optical deflecting elements to be easily arranged. The optical deflecting device is characterized in that the device has: a moving body 21 having at least two optical deflecting elements 1, 31 held to face each other; supporting means having a first supporting member 32 pivot-connected to the moving body 21 between the two optical deflecting elements 1, 31, so as to support the moving body 21 to a stationary body 22 such that the moving body 21 is tiltable around at least a first axis; and first driving means 26, 27, 41, 43 for driving the moving body 21 around the first axis.

Abstract: An optical scanner for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a polygonal mirror for steering a scanning beam incident thereto and an optical device located in the vicinity of the polygonal mirror. The polygonal mirror and optical device are supported by a housing. A heat radiation guide adjoins the polygonal mirror and is formed integrally with or separately from the housing. The heat radiation guide has a guide surface inclined relative to the axis of rotation of the polygonal mirror and intersecting a plane virtually formed by a scanning beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical micro-mirror comprising a fixed part, a moveable part, with reflection means connected to the stationary part by articulation means.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved MEMS devices and methods for use with fiber-optic communications systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus for steering light has a beam layer (160) with a reflective surface. The device uses a multi-layer electrode stack underlying the beam layer to rotate the beam layer into a desired position. Additionally, an underlying rotation and support structure provides a stable platform for the beam layer when the device is activated. In one embodiment, the underlying structure provides a multi-point landing system to maintain a generally flat beam layer upper surface when the device is activated.

Abstract: Using a micro-electromechanical actuator, tuning stubs may be actuated for tuning cavities in photonic crystal lattice structures.

Abstract: An optoelectronic component with an optoelectronic transducer is produced with the novel method. The optoelectronic component has a coupling region, which is formed in a radiation-transparent molding of the optoelectronic component. On the base of a clearance of the coupling region, the optoelectronic component has a radiation-optical functional surface, which is formed from the housing material and introduced into the molding with the aid of a profile milling cutter.

Abstract: The invention provides an electro-optical device, a method of driving the electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus, capable of maintaining much higher display quality. In the device, when an electrophoresis display device is powered on, a controller carries out a reset process. Next, the controller starts a writing process. When a new writing instruction is received, the controller carries out the selection of reset-writing pixels. The controller selects in spatially and temporally dispersed manner the pixels, which are targets of the reset-writing process. In addition, the selection of the pixel is carried out using a reset-writing selection signal. After the reset process, a writing voltage is applied to the reset-writing pixel. On the other hand, differential voltages are applied to pixels other than the pixels selected for the reset-writing.

Abstract: A reflective display device includes a switching layer, placed between substrates, for switching between a transmissive state for allowing transmission of incident light and a scattering state for scattering the incident light, and a retro-reflector for reflecting an incident ray from the liquid crystal layer so that an outgoing ray of the reflected light is parallel to the incident ray. A pitch of smallest unit structures of the retro-reflector is set to be larger than 0 mm and not more than 5 mm. The retro-reflector is preferably in a form of a corner cube array and has light absorbing surface portions at borders of the smallest unit structures. With this reflective display device, brightness of white state and contrast ratio can be improved.

Abstract: A quantum-confined Stark effect quantum-dot optical modulator includes an interferometer having a beam splitter, first and second parallel optical branches fed by the beam splitter and a beam combiner fed by the first and second parallel optical branches and a laser for feeding a laser beam to the beam splitter. First and second optical phase shifters are provided in respective ones of the first and second parallel optical branches. Each optical phase shifter includes an intrinsic semiconductor crystalline planar layer and p-type and n-type planar semiconductor layers on opposite faces of the intrinsic semiconductor crystalline planar layer, the intrinsic layer lying in a plane parallel to a direction of propagation of the laser beam in the respective optical branch. The intrinsic layer has plural layers of planar arrays of quantum dots therein. A reverse bias D.C. voltage source is connected across the p-type and n-type layers.

Abstract: An optical system includes a layer of magneto rheological (MR) fluid having a surface exposed to air or vacuum. The MR fluid has a first state wherein the surface is reflective, and a second state wherein the surface is non-reflective. A magnetic actuator selectively applies a magnetic field to the MR fluid to actuate the fluid to the second state.

Abstract: A magneto-optic modulator and method are provided. An optical waveguide having a magneto-optic active medium is magnetized by a biasing magnetic field. The magnetization of the magneto-optic active medium is modulated thereby causing a variation in the Faraday effect on optical signals passing through the magneto-optic medium. The result is a polarization modulated optical signal.

Abstract: Reconfigurable radiant energy reflectors (3) of very low areal densities are formed of a laminate of a thin layer of a shape memory alloy (17) and a thin film or membrane material (15). The outer surface of the membrane provides the energy reflecting surface (16) and a support member (11) is attached to the laminate for application in a system. In a preferred embodiment, the shape memory alloy (17) is compositionally graded (18, 19, 29, 21) and exhibits a two-way shape memory effect and a heater (5) serves as the actuator to the reflector.

Abstract: Determining that a plurality of spatial light modulator (SLM) pixels includes one or more first regions of SLM pixels that satisfy an acceptable defective SLM pixel policy, and one or more second regions of SLM pixels that fail the policy, is disclosed. Utilizing the first regions of SLM pixels within a projection system that has a first resolution that is less than a second resolution that would have been provided by utilizing both the first regions of SLM pixels and the second regions of SLM pixels is also disclosed.

Abstract: A MEMs scanning device has a variable resonant frequency. In one embodiment, the MEMs device includes a flexible arm that extends from an oscillatory body. An electrical field applies a force to the flexible arm, thereby bending the flexible arm to change the moment of inertia of the oscillatory body and a secondary mass carried by the flexible arm. The shifted combined center of mass changes the resonant frequency of the MEMs device. In another embodiment, an absorptive material forms a portion of a torsional arm that supports the oscillatory body. The mechanical properties of the absorptive material can be varied by varying the concentration of a gas surrounding the absorptive material. The varied mechanical properties change the resonant frequency of the scanning device. A display apparatus includes the scanning device and the scanning device scans about two or more axes, typically in a raster pattern.

Abstract: An electrophoretic device 20 is provided which includes a circuit board 1 provided with a plurality of pixel electrodes 3, a transparent electrode (counter electrode) 4 opposed to the individual pixel electrodes 3, an electrophoretic dispersion layer 11 containing an electrophoretic dispersion 11, the electrophoretic dispersion layer 11 being partially interposed between the electrodes, a plurality of thin-film transistors 30 disposed on a surface of the circuit board 1 remote from the electrophoretic dispersion layer 11, and conducting parts 8 extending through the circuit board 1 and electrically connecting the pixel electrodes 3 and the thin-film transistors to each other.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel methods and compositions useful for improving the performance of electrophoretic displays. The methods comprise adding a high absorbance dye or pigment, or conductive particles or a charge transport material into an electrode protecting layer of the display.

Abstract: A low-noise optical frequency converter uses a predetermined microwave electric signal to modulate an input light wave and output a light wave that includes a first-order upper-sideband or lower-sideband and a third-order lower-sideband or upper-sideband. The frequency converter modulates a light wave identical to the input light wave with a signal having a frequency that is three times that of the microwave signal, to form a first light wave having a first-order lower-sideband or upper-sideband. The first light wave is mixed with a second light wave having a first-order upper-sideband or lower-sideband and a third-order lower-sideband or upper-sideband, with a phase of the third-order lower-sideband or upper-sideband reversed to a phase of the first light wave, thereby suppressing third-order sidebands.

Abstract: Power of signal light injected to a Raman amplification medium is measured or estimated by calculation and ratio of the gain between forward pump light and backward pump light is controlled according to the result of the measurement or calculation. Wavelengths used in the forward pumping are optimally allocated.

Abstract: An optical amplifier utilizes two or more doped fiber segments or portions to achieve a lower noise figure and a higher saturation power than would be possible using any one of the doped fiber segments. Each doped fiber portion may be considered to be a doped fiber optical amplifier, and has a different doping level than each of the other doped fiber portions. Each such doped fiber portion has distinct amplitude gain and noise characteristics relative to each of the other doped fiber potions. The two or more doped fiber portions are coupled to each other in series and most often in a predefined order based on their relative amplitude gain, noise and saturation power characteristics.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier is considered comprising a mono-mode core, a first cladding around said core and at least a further cladding around said first cladding while said first cladding includes a ring shaped active region doped with rare earth material surrounding said mono-mode core. Advantageously, the first cladding is designed with a radial refractive index following an almost continuous decreasing function for increasing radius. The use of a continuously decreasing refractive index for the cladding at the outer border of the ring shaped active medium optimize the efficiency of the coupling between the core and the cladding.

Abstract: A dual fiber optic amplifier uses a single pump source for two or more optical power amplifiers. The dual fiber optic amplifier includes a pump source that emits light, a pump splitter, a first optical power amplifier and a second optical power amplifier. The pump splitter splits the light emitted by the pump source into two or more portions. The first optical power amplifier includes an optical fiber input, an optical fiber output, and a doped fiber portion, wherein the first portion of light from the splitter is coupled into the optical fiber input of the first optical power amplifier. The second optical power amplifier includes an optical fiber input, an optical fiber output, and a doped fiber portion, wherein the second portion of light emitted from the splitter is coupled into the optical fiber input of the second optical power amplifier.