Abstract: A method of scanning an image with an electronic scanner. A print medium or a scan bar is moved in an advance direction at an advance velocity. An image on the print medium is scanned using the scan bar. Scan image data is outputted from the scan bar to a buffer memory. A capacity level of the buffer is monitored at discrete points in time. A rate of change of the capacity level over time is determined. The advance velocity is controlled, dependent upon the rate of change.

Abstract: An optical module with movable reflective mirrors is provided in the invention. The optical module, which is set in a scanner for the scanning of documents, comprises the following elements: a first carriage comprising a first reflective mirror, a lens and a photoelectric sensing device, wherein the first carriage moves along the scanning direction to scan the document to be scanned; a second carriage comprising a second reflective mirror, a lens and a photoelectric sensing device, wherein the second carriage can make relative movement corresponding to the first carriage along the scanning direction; and a third carriage comprising a third reflective mirror, a lens and an photoelectric sensing device, wherein the third carriage can make relative movement corresponding to the first carriage along the scanning direction.

Abstract: An optical path device composed of four pieces of reflected mirrors is disclosed. In the optical path device, after being reflected many times between a set of two parallel mirrors, an incident light not perpendicular to the surface of the original document is turned by an optical path turning mirror to enter the parallel mirrors set again and reflected many times, and then the incident light is reflected into a lens and is imaged on a charge coupled device (CCD). The optical path device can limit the optical path between the parallel mirrors set effectively, thereby decreasing the volume of a chassis.

Abstract: A scanner that includes an outer casing, a platform, a scanning head, a driving device and a linear guide is provided. The scanning head further comprises a shell body, a scattering light source, a set of reflecting mirrors, a lens and a photo-sensor. The scanning head is able to move forward in a scanning direction. The shell body has a long side whose length is smaller than the length of the platform in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. Furthermore, the scattering light source has a length smaller than or equal to the length of the long side. With this design, a miniaturized and lighter scanning head is produced so that some material is saved and yet length of the scanning line for scanning a document and size of the platform remain unaffected. Additionally, platform area is fully utilized.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided which is capable of preventing abnormal lines from being generated on an image read out from an original document even if there is more or less dirt attached to a reading glass exclusively used for reading ADF original documents. In an image reading apparatus 100 of the present invention, in case of dirt adhering to a reading glass 11, when an original document 13 being sent to a document reading position PW by a transportation part 12 of an automatic document feeder 10 is being read by a scanning carriage 23 through the reading glass 11, abnormal densities appear in pixel data of positions corresponding to the dirt among the readout pixel data. However, a control part 30 of the image reading apparatus 100 nullifies the pixel data of abnormal densities, and compensates for the nullified pixel data based on their surrounding pixel data.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus in which a pixel area including arrangement of a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion portion and a common output portion for sequentially amplifying and outputting signals from the plurality of pixels included in the pixel area are formed on a single semiconductor substrate, comprises a power supply unit for effecting power supply control of the common output portion independently of control on power supply to the pixel area, and a control circuit for effecting control to supply no power to the common output portion in a predetermined period after starting photo charge accumulation in the photoelectric conversion portion and supply the power to the common output portion before the end of a photo charge accumulation period in the photoelectric conversion portion.

Abstract: A data driver of a display forming an image frame by sequentially scanning horizontal lines. The data driver comprises a shift register receiving image data of three primary colors in serial and outputting them in parallel within each scan duration, a sample and hold register acquiring the image data from the shift register, a gamma multiplexer outputting gamma reference voltages for the three primary colors in a predetermined sequence within each scan duration, three DACs receiving the image data of the three primary colors from the sample and hold register and the gamma reference voltages from the gamma multiplexer, and outputting calibrated image signals of the three primary colors, respectively, and three buffers receiving the calibrated image signals from the three digital-to-analog converters in the sequence of the primary colors.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises: an image storing unit operable to store an input image; a template storing unit operable to store at least one template of a body part area; a detecting unit operable to detect a location of and a size of the body part area out of the input image stored in the image storing unit, by using the at least one template of the body part area stored in the template storing unit; an ornament information storing unit operable to store ornament information of the ornament having a reference point; and an image composition unit operable to scale the ornament in accordance with the size of the body part area detected by the detecting unit, the image composition unit operable to locate a reference point of the scaled ornament so as to fit with a position of the body part area detected by the detecting unit, and the image composition unit further operable to compose the scaled ornament and the input image stored in the image storing unit.

Abstract: Microparticles 8 includes an optical substrate 10 having at least one diffraction grating 12 disposed therein. The grating 12 having a plurality of colocated pitches &Lgr; which represent a unique identification digital code that is detected when illuminated by incident light 24. The incident light 24 may be directed transversely from the side of the substrate 10 with a narrow band (single wavelength) or multiple wavelength source, in which case the code is represented by a spatial distribution of light or a wavelength spectrum, respectively. The code may be digital binary or may be other numerical bases. The micro-particles 8 can provide a large number of unique codes, e.g., greater than 67 million codes, and can withstand harsh environments. The micro-particles 8 are functionalized by coating them with a material/substance of interest, which are then used to perform multiplexed experiments involving chemical processes, e.g., DNA testing and combinatorial chemistry.

Abstract: A stereogram that consists of a plurality of rows of horizontally repeated text, words, symbols, or designs displayed on an object having a non-planar surface. The repeated text, words, symbols, or designs generally differ from row to row and are horizontally and differentially spaced apart. The elements of the image displayed are perceived to float in space in 3-dimensions as if parts of the image were located on different planes at different distances from the viewer when the point of convergence of the viewer's line of sight lies either in front of or beyond the actual plane of the displayed image. Application of the present invention, the object may be continuously rotated in one direction producing a continuous animated loop. Further, the curvature of the object provides an infinite number of fixed viewing angles. As a result, the viewer is able to experience the stereogram in a way not possible when displayed on a flat surface.

Abstract: All-Optical logic can avoid expensive demultiplexing back to electronics in telecommunications. The term all-optical is used to described processing in which all signal paths are optical whether used for control or information. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) can perform all optical logic because they have nonlinearity, low latency, and require low power. We use highly accurate computer models to simulate and evaluate NOR and NXOR logic gates using SOAs. These elements can act as building blocks for advanced logic systems. For example, in previous publications we described an approach to constructing arithmetic units form optical logic elements.

Abstract: A multi-beam laser scanning unit including a plurality of laser diodes arranged in the vertical direction, and a plurality of collimating lens units having collimating lenses, which are arranged in the laser beam optical path in order to convert laser beams emitted from each of the laser diodes into linear beams. The collimating lens units are arranged in a manner such that adjacent collimating lens units are partly overlapped in the laser beam scanning direction. Each of the collimating lenses has a different focal length.

Abstract: A light scanning optical system that is capable of increasing a deflection angle without causing optical performance degradation includes a reflection surface for reflecting incident light, a unit for rotating the reflection surface about a swing axis existing in substantially the same plane as the reflection surface, and an optical system that guides light deflected at a first deflection point on the reflection surface to a second deflection point on the reflection surface. The optical system is constructed such that the first deflection point and the second deflection point are in an approximately conjugate relationship.

Abstract: Provided is an optical modulator for modulating light comprising: a superlattice structure having a plurality of interleaved narrow and wide bandgap semiconductor layers, wherein wave functions of energy states of electrons and holes in different narrow bandgap layers are coupled; and a power supply that applies voltage to the superlattice structure between a first non-zero voltage and a second non-zero voltage to modulate the light.

Abstract: A display device 100 has a display unit 110 and a display switching unit 120. The display switching unit 120 is provided with a reflective polarizing plate 121, a liquid crystal panel 122, and a polarizing plate 123 arranged in this order from the side of the display unit 110 to the observation side. By controlling the liquid crystal panel 122, the display switching unit can be switched between a light transmissive state and a light reflective state. The display unit 110 and the display switching unit 120 are optically adhered to each other by an adhesive layer 131. Thus, deterioration of the contrast by boundary reflection can be restrained, and the flatness and the rigidity of the device can be improved.

Abstract: A digital micromirror device (DMD) modified for use as a temporal light modulator. The DMD is modified so that the mirrors of the DMD have a preferential tilt direction. The inputs and outputs of the DMD are connected to common ground, except for the bias input lines. The latter are connected to a common excitation input, which is used to cyclically reposition the mirrors between tilted and flat states.

Abstract: An optical element which includes a reflection portion capable of reflecting a light beam in a desired direction is provided. The optical element comprises a substrate 21, a light reflection portion 101, and a support portion 102 which supports the light reflection portion 101 over the substrate 21. Each of the light reflection portion 101 and the support portion 102 is constructed of at least one film. The support portion 102 has one end 102c fixed to the substrate 21 and has the other end 102d joined with the film constructing the light reflection portion 101, and it bends from one end 102c toward the other end 102d, thereby to support the principal plane of the film constructing the light reflection portion 101, non-parallelly, for example, perpendicularly to the principal plane of the substrate 21.

Abstract: An electrophotographic display includes a plurality of microcapsules each encapsulating therein an insulating liquid and a plurality of charged electrophoretic particles dispersed in the insulating liquid, a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other so as to sandwich the plurality of microcapsules, and a plurality of electrodes capable of being supplied with a voltage. A voltage is applied between the plurality of electrodes to move the charged electrophoretic particles between a first internal wall portion of each microcapsule an external surface of which contacts the first substrate and a second internal wall portion of each microcapsule an external surface of which is substantially out of contact with both the first and second substrate, thereby to switch a display state.

Abstract: A fiber optical parametric oscillator is formed using photonic crystal fibers, also known as microstructure fibers or holey fibers. The optical parametric oscillator includes only a few meters of microstructure fiber. In one embodiment, the microstructure fiber is disposed between a highly reflective mirror and a diffraction grating in a simple Fabry-Perot configuration wherein the diffraction grating is tuned to reflect a particular wavelength of the signal wave back to the microstructure fiber. In another embodiment, the microstructure fiber is disposed in a ring cavity and the parametric oscillator is synchronously pumped. The parametric oscillator may be implemented with free space optics or use all fiber optic components.

Abstract: A nonlinear phase-shift compensation method and apparatus is provided for improving system performance in optical transmission systems. The apparatus includes a phase-shift compensating device that provides a partial compensating phase shift to reduce the nonlinear phase noise resulting from self-phase modulation and amplified spontaneous emissions in an optical transmission system.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improvement on radio transceiver technology. It presents a new method for transmitting and receiving a radio signal. The claims listed within are all limited to the application of the technology for the transmitting and receiving of data. The technology exists as a replacement to the standard antenna. There are subtle variations from existing technologies as well as possible unique applications of the technology being patented. None of the claims are known to be in the public domain, but the distinctions may require legal expertise.

Abstract: An operating-microscope system including an operating microscope, a carrier system for the microscope, and at least one drive element that can be actuated by a switch and is intended for moving and/or focusing a microscope includes a sterilizable hand switch arranged on the operating table. The switch is positioned and configured so that the surgeon may actuate the switch to move and/or focus the microscope without releasing the operating instrument.

Abstract: A microscope (10) which comprises at least one magazine (30) with receiving areas for accommodating assemblies, assemblies for such a microscope (10), a process for carrying out investigations with a microscope (10) and a computer program and a computer program product are described. The microscope (10) described comprises transponders associated with the assemblies inserted in the receiving areas and a reader unit for reading data stored in the transponders.

Abstract: An inverted microscope having a U-shaped microscope housing (1), on one limb (2) whereof is provided a horizontal changing surface (3) for optomechanical adaptation of a module, wherein the module (4) comprises a horizontally protruding base unit (5) having on the one hand a binocular tube (6) placed thereon, and on the other hand a photo tube (7), with photo device (8), placed thereon.

Abstract: A scanning laser microscope includes a laser generation unit which generates a laser beam, a light modulation unit which modulates the laser beam, a scanning unit which scans a sample, a light receiving unit which receives a light from the sample, a control unit which controls the light modulation unit for each pixel of a scanning image acquired by the light receiving of the light receiving unit, and a storage unit which stores a plurality of controlled patterns. The number of pixels of the patterns correspond to the number of pixels of the scanned image. A modulation information of the laser beam is set for each pixel. The control unit reads the control patterns stored in the storage unit, controls the light modulation unit based on the modulation information of each pixel, and performs such control that the control patterns are changed at an arbitrary timing.

Abstract: A microscopic imaging apparatus with flat-top distribution of light is disclosed, which includes an incident light source, a diffractive optical element, a beam-splitter, a tunable filter and an image sensor. The diffractive optical element receives an incident light provided by the incident light source and generates a uniform incident light. The uniform incident light illuminates a sample so that an optical signal is emitted from the sample. The optical signal passes through the beam-splitter and the filter unit to reach the image sensor for obtaining the detected image of the sample.

Abstract: A phase contrast x-ray microscope has a phase plate that is placed in proximity of and attached rigidly to the objective to form a composite optic. This enables easier initial and long-term maintenance of alignment of the microscope. In one example, they are fabricated on the same high-transmissive substrate. The use of this composite optic allows for lithographic-based alignment that will not change over the lifetime of the instrument. Also, in one configuration, the phase plate is located between the test object and the objective.

Abstract: A binocular device arranged to enable images recorded by an image recording unit to be reproduced and checked on the site without using a reproduction device provided separately from the binocular device. The binocular device has an image pickup unit for obtaining an image formed from observation light at a first image plane position in one of two observation optical systems, and a display unit for displaying at a focal plane position in an ocular optical system of the other observation optical system the image obtained by the image pickup unit. The image obtained by the image pickup unit can be checked through the display unit on the site immediately after being obtained.

Abstract: A housing for a magnification loupe is provided having a body portion for an eyepiece lens and a nose portion for an objective lens. The body portion for the eyepiece lens includes outer circumferential threads over which the objective nose portion fits. The objective nose portion includes a pin slot defining an arc across the body of the nose. The arc is configured such that a pin may be secured through the holes in the nose piece to co-act with the threads of the eyepiece body such that radial movement is prohibited.

Abstract: Optical systems (1-19) for endoscopes and the like are characterized by an integrated design in which the locations of the components and the aberration corrections are no longer tied to the optical functions of the objective (1-6) and the relays (7-19), and in which the relays may depart from symmetry. The power requirements can thus be shifted from one group to another, thereby reducing the overall power requirement. Moreover, the aberration correction can be shared between the optical groups of the integrated system.

Abstract: A linear lens system for rigid endoscopes for the conversion of a distal intermediate image (1) into a proximal intermediate image (4), is characterized by a first non-symmetrically arranged sequence of two linear lenses (6, 7), a subsequent odd sequence of similar, non-cemented, symmetrically biconvex linear lenses (10, 11, 12), and a final sequence of two linear lenses (8, 9), arranged as a mirror image to the first sequence (6, 7).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for generating image data for displaying a stereoscopic image on the basis of an image for a left eye and an image for a right eye, the image processing apparatus includes first detecting means for detecting image pairs each taken in a continuous shooting mode among a plurality of images, second detecting means for detecting image pairs each taken consecutively within a predetermined time among the plurality of images, presenting means for presenting the image pairs detected by the first detecting means or the second detecting means to a user, and generating means for setting one of two images comprising a the image pair selected by the user among the image pairs presented by the presenting means as the image for the left eye and the other as the image for the right eye, and generating the image data for displaying the stereoscopic image.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating three-dimensional images is disclosed. The device has at least four mirrors, arranged in an inner set and an outer set. An enclosure, preferably cylindrical in shape, houses the mirrors and alignment apparatus and can be placed in three different positions. The camera takes two-dimensional photographs or operates in two modes of three-dimensional photography: forward looking and backward looking. This device is preferably attached to a digital camera. The device can also be used when the digital camera is attached to a hand held personal computing device, for example a Handspring™ Visor™ computer made by Handspring, Inc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are six mirrors, including four inner mirrors and one set of outer mirrors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a grid polarizer comprising a substrate; and a plurality of stacked metal and dielectric layers, having a width w, disposed on the substrate and forming a parallel grid of stacked layers. The stacked layers are spaced apart to form a repetition space between the stacked layers, such that no diffraction orders are allowed to propagate except the zero order. The grid polarizer that is capable of transmitting substantially all illumination of a given polarization while suppressing at least of portion of the illumination reflected due to an orthogonal polarization component.

Abstract: Multilayer films are provided that exhibit a colored appearance when viewed at an oblique angle as a result of one or more reflection bands in the visible region of the spectrum. The films however provide no substantial reflection bands in either the visible or near infrared regions for light normally incident on the film. The films can be made to shift from clear at normal incidence to an arbitrary designed color at an oblique angle without necessarily becoming cyan.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anisotropic light scattering element that is further improved in controlling of the viewing angle and also reduced in the thickness. The anisotropic light scattering element has an anisotropy in the scattering intensity, and includes an anisotropic light scattering layer having an anisotropy in the light scattering intensity depending on the polarization direction of incident linearly polarized light, and a birefringent layer having a phase difference of less than {fraction (1/10)} wavelength with respect to incident light in a normal direction and a phase difference with respect to incident light in a direction inclined from the normal that is different from the phase difference with respect to incident light in a normal direction. The birefringent layer develops a phase difference with respect to incident light in a direction inclined from the normal.

Abstract: A hybrid achromatic optical lens having a high numerical aperture whose chromatic aberration is removed and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The hybrid achromatic optical lens includes a first optical member of a low index of refraction and a second optical member of a high index of refraction. The second optical member is formed on a depressed portion of the first optical member and has a diffractive surface, which is a contact surface of the second optical member with the first optical member and has a plurality of pitches formed on a refractive surface.

Abstract: A two layer system can transform an arbitrary specified light field at an input plane to a desired light field at an output plane. The light field includes both intensity and phase. Such a system can be cascaded for higher level functionality. There are two computations involved. The first computes a sensitivity matrix symbolically. The elements of the matrix hold the variation in each element at the output plane with variation in each element of both phase screens. An element of this matrix is provided for reference. The second algorithm iteratively updates the phase screen values to bring the output field to that desired. On each iteration, the algorithm performs a forward computation from input to output. The phase values are updated using the sensitivity matrix and the error at the output relative to that desired.

Abstract: A diffraction grating with periodically arranged protrusions and grooves at a relatively narrow pitch and improved diffraction efficiency is disclosed. The protrusions of the grating are made of a material whose index of refraction is greater than that of the grooves, and the ratio of the width D of the protrusion to the pitch &Lgr; of the protrusion is set equal to or less than 0.4 (D/&Lgr;≦0.4).

Abstract: A manufacturing method for optical interference type panel is provided. A patterned supporting layer is formed on a transparent substrate, and then a first electrode layer and an optical film are formed sequentially on the supporting layer and the transparent substrate. A sacrificial material layer is formed on the optical layer, and then, a backside exposure process is performed by using the supporting layer as a mask to pattern the sacrificial material layer. A portion of the patterned sacrificial material layer is removed to expose the optical film above the supporting layer to form a sacrificial layer, and then a second electrode layer is formed on the sacrificial layer between the adjacent supporting layers and portion of the optical film. Afterwards, the sacrificial layer is removed.

Abstract: An optical film has a transparent film, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the transparent film, the adhesive layer having a refractive index different by 0.1 or less from that of a layer of the one surface of the transparent film, and a repetitive prismatic structure provided on the other surface of the transparent film, the repetitive prismatic structure having optical path changing slopes aligned in a substantially constant direction at an inclination angle in a range of from 35 to 48 degrees with respect to a plane of the transparent film. Another optical film has a transparent film having an average in-plane retardation of not larger than 30 nm, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the transparent film, the adhesive layer having a refractive index different by 0.12 or less from that of a layer of the one surface of the transparent film, and the repetitive prismatic structure provided on the other surface of the transparent film.

Abstract: An optical film has a transparent film, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the transparent film, the adhesive layer having a refractive index different by 0.1 or less from that of a layer of the one surface of the transparent film, and a repetitive prismatic structure provided on the other surface of the transparent film, the repetitive prismatic structure having optical path changing slopes aligned in a substantially constant direction at an inclination angle in a range of from 35 to 48 degrees with respect to a plane of the transparent film. Another optical film has a transparent film having an average in-plane retardation of not larger than 30 nm, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the transparent film, the adhesive layer having a refractive index different by 0.12 or less from that of a layer of the one surface of the transparent film, and the repetitive prismatic structure provided on the other surface of the transparent film.

Abstract: A light guide plate (LGP) (3) includes a transparent plate (31) and a waterproof layer (32). The transparent plate has a light emitting surface (311) on a top thereof, and a bottom surface (312) opposite to the light emitting surface. The waterproof layer is disposed over the light emitting surface. A preferred method for fabricating the LGP includes the steps of: (a) providing an transparent plate having a light emitting surface on a top thereof and a bottom surface opposite to the light emitting surface; and (b) forming a waterproof layer over the light emitting surface.

Abstract: An illumination optical system for illuminating an illumination area on an illumination surface based on a light from a light source has a wavefront dividing type optical integrator and a light source image enlarging member. The wavefront dividing type optical integrator is arranged in an optical path between the light source and the illumination surface which forms a plurality of light source image. The light source image enlarging member is arranged in an optical path between the light source and the optical integrator at or near a position optically conjugate with the illumination surface. The light source image enlarging member enlarges the light source image. The illumination area has a slot shape with a first dimension and a second dimension which is perpendicular to the first dimension and the light source image enlarging member stretches the light source image along the first direction corresponding to the first dimension.

Abstract: A near-field optical head objective lens that can read and write high-density data on an optical disc is disclosed. On a surface where an incident beam converges by the near-field optical head objective lens, a film that can produce surface plasmon effect is coated. As the incident beam hits the material and produces the surface plasmon, a micro aperture is generated to minimize the diameter of the light spot, thereby increasing the data capacity stored in the optical disc.

Abstract: An imaging optical system images a one-dimensional image on an image surface by regarding as an object a light modulator element which has light modulator parts arranged one-dimensionally in a first direction, and regarding a bundle of rays from the light modulator element as an object light. The imaging optical system includes at least two anamorphic surfaces each having radii of curvature which are different on an object surface in the first direction and a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, so that imaging surfaces in the first and second directions match.

Abstract: A zoom lens system, with a new structure that exhibits high optical performance over the entirety of a zoom range and the entirety of a focusing range, is disclosed. This zoom lens system comprises, in order from an object side to an image side: a front lens group which includes a plurality of lens units that move during zooming; a lens unit with negative optical power which moves during zooming and moves towards the object side during focusing from an infinity object to a close-distance object; and a lens unit with positive optical power which does not move for zooming.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small, thin, light and low cost zoom lens suitable for cellular telephones, portable information terminals, etc. In particular, it can provide a small and thin, high performance zoom lens having a zoom ratio of approximately 2, a depth of less than 9 mm during shooting and in storage, a total lens length of less than 30 mm, an angle of view of approximately 61°, and a F number of approximately 2.8 providing a sufficient light, with various aberrations all suitably corrected.

Abstract: A projection objective having a variable focal length, preferably serving to image tilting mirror matrices or reflecting and/or transmitting LCDs, said projection objective comprising three groups of lenses (G1, G1, G3) arranged on a common optical axis, wherein, starting from the side facing the projection screen, the first lens group (G1), serving the purpose of focussing, and the second lens group (G2), serving the purpose of varying the focal length, are arranged on the optical axis in a variably positioned manner, and the third lens group (G3) is stationary.

Abstract: Provided is a resin composition for lens sheet, a lens sheet, and a projection screen which by defining the mechanical properties based on the consideration of the pressure and time factor actually applied to an ionizing radiation curable resin enables obtaining excellent images without, even if any pressure has been applied to the lens sheet surface, causing crush of the configuration of the lens.