Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus includes an optical system to deliver a beam of pulsed infrared laser light that illuminate an interrogation area of a surface. The illumination has sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective ablation of molecules of a contraband substance present on the surface without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the ablated molecules and transfers them to a chemical analysis system having a detector. In response to the presence of a wide variety of contraband substance molecules, the detector outputs an electrical signal that activates an audible or visible alarm. Automated screening is provided in an accurate, reliable manner that virtually eliminates the vagaries of human performance. False alarms are reduced. Detection efficacy is increased. A traceable residue of the detected contraband is left on the article for subsequent forensic analysis.

Abstract: A module (10) for validating deposited media items is described. The module comprises: illuminating means (24) for illuminating a deposited media item (20); directing means (34) for directing illuminations from the illuminating means (24) to an examination area (22); optical detecting means (26) for detecting emissions from the deposited media item (20) at the examination area (22), where the emissions are caused by the illuminations; and processing means (32) for processing the detected emissions. The processing means (32) is operable in either a first mode, in which the deposited media type is known, or in a second mode, in which the deposited media type is not known. The illuminating means (24) includes ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation, and discrete primary colours.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for marking, authenticating and identifying articles that make use of photoluminescent materials, as well as articles marked by these methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for measuring an optical property, such as group delay or chromatic dispersion, of a DUT, comprising: a first coupler connected to the DUT for coupling a first optical signal having a first wavelength and a second optical signal having a second wavelength into the DUT, the second wavelength being variable with respect to the first wavelength, a detector connected to the DUT for detecting the first and the second signal leaving the DUT, an evaluation unit connected to the detector, for determining a difference in runtime, if any, between the first and the second signal having traveled at least one time through the DUT and for deriving the optical property from the detected difference.

Abstract: A surface foreign matter inspection device is provided with which the NA can be enlarged with a simple configuration, and a shortening of the time required for foreign matter inspection as well as a high detection sensitivity can be achieved. The device is provided with an optical detection means 6 that irradiates light from an radiation optical system onto the surface of an object under inspection on a stage, reflects light scattered by foreign matter on the object under inspection and turns the reflected light into parallel light, condenses the parallel light with a condensing lens, and detects the condensed light, as well as an information processing device 100 for processing an electrical signal from the optical detection means 6 and position information regarding the foreign matter on the object under inspection 4.

Abstract: A double-sided optical inspection system is presented which may detect and classify particles, pits and scratches on thin film disks or wafers in a single scan of the surface. In one embodiment, the invention uses a pair of orthogonally oriented laser beams, one in the radial and one in the circumferential direction on both surfaces of the wafer or thin film disk. The scattered light from radial and circumferential beams is separated via their polarization or by the use of a dichroic mirror together with two different laser wavelengths.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for inspecting defects on a substrate using a light beam, a light source irradiates light beams having different wavelengths onto the substrate. A detector detects first lights scattered from a surface of the substrate and second lights scattered from impurities on the substrate by irradiation of the light beams. An operation unit compares first intensities of the first lights with second intensities of the second lights in order to produce differential values therebetween, and selects a wavelength corresponding to a maximum value of the differential values. An inspection process for inspecting the defects on the substrate is performed using a light beam having the selected wavelength.

Abstract: Two or more defect maps may be provided for the same sample surface at different detection sensitivities and/or processing thresholds. The defect maps may then be compared for better characterization of the anomalies as scratches, area anomalies or point anomalies. This can be done without concealing the more significant and larger size defects amongst numerous small and immaterial defects. One or more defect maps can be used to report the anomalies with classified information; the results from this map(s) can be used to monitor the process conditions to obtain better yield.

Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus for detecting foreign matter and the like on a surface of a substrate by projecting and scanning laser beams to the surface of the substrate, comprising a light source unit for projecting two or more laser beams, and a projecting optical system for converging the laser beams so that the two or more laser beams are aligned in a row in a direction perpendicularly crossing the scanning direction at a projecting point on the substrate.

Abstract: A scanning tunable detection system and related method for analyzing samples includes a source of time varying excitation signals and a tunable optical filter for selectively transmitting time-varying optical signals emanated from a sample following irradiation with the time varying excitation signals. A detector is provided for converting the time-varying optical signals to electrical detection signals. The system can identify components in a sample using phase sensitive or time sensitive detection. A slew scan mode can be used to permit slow scanning through spectral regions rich in information but quickly in regions without such information.

Abstract: In a method of spectroscopically analyzing a sample, a plasma is generated. A magnetic field is generated by a magnetic dipole wherein the plasma is confined within the magnetic field. Sample atoms are introduced into the plasma wherein energized atoms of the sample are confined. The spectral composition or mass-to-charge ratio of the energized sample atoms is analyzed. In a spectroscopic system a magnetic dipole has an associated magnetic field. A plasma is confined within the magnetic field and a sample of energized atoms introduced into the plasma. A spectrometer analyzes the energized atoms for the mass-to-charge ratio or for their spectral composition.

Abstract: An atomic absorption spectrometer is disclosed which includes a monochromater (30) and an optical path defined by a toric mirror (14), a flat mirror (16), a flat mirror (20), a flat mirror (24), a toric mirror (22) and a further toric mirror (26). The toric mirror (26) directs light through entrance slit (32) of the monochromater (30) so that radiation is reflected from diffraction grating (38) and out exit slit (40) to a detector (42). A sample stage (18) in the form of a furnace is located between the mirrors (16) and (20). The monochromater is oriented so that the entrance slit is arranged transverse to the vertical.

Abstract: A ceramic reference in conjunction with a spectrometer, a metallized ceramic material, and a method of utilizing a ceramic material as a reference in the ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, or infrared spectral regions are presented. The preferred embodiments utilize a ceramic reference material to diffusely reflect incident source light toward a detector element for quantification in a reproducible fashion. Alternative embodiments metallize either the incident surface or back surface of to form a surface diffuse reflectance standard. Optional wavelength reference layers or protective layers may be added to the ceramic or to the metallized layer. The reference ceramic is used to provide a measure of optical signal of an analyzer as a function of the analyzers spatial, temporal, and environmental state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrometer (1) comprising a dispersive element of a light beam formed of a set of spectral components, the dispersive element generating spatial dispersion of the spectral components in the form of a dispersion spectrum (6) spatially spread, at least one photon detector (5, 52) comprising at least one detection element (51) being provided at one point of said dispersion. According to the invention, a matrix optical electromechanical device (3) is provided between the dispersive element and the detector in the dispersion spectrum, said electromechanical device being formed of a matrix of optical elements, each of the optical elements being able to send back a portion of the dispersion spectrum according to at least two directions in relation to a control signal, in order to enable the selection of at least one sub-assembly of the spectrum for said detection element. A method and an application of the spectrometer are claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus for scatterometry measurements is disclosed. The apparatus includes a modulated pump source for exciting the sample. A separate probe beam is directed to interact with the sample and the modulated optical response is measured. The measured data is subjected to a scatterometry analysis in order to evaluate geometrical sample features that induce light scattering.

Abstract: Provided is an optical alignment apparatus and method that can enhance the efficiency of optical alignment by using a light source for generating light of a visible wavelength range and lensed fiber and perform optical alignment quickly, precisely and economically. The optical alignment apparatus of the present research includes: a first light source for providing light of a visible wavelength range to perform optical alignment; a second light source providing light of an infrared wavelength range; a micrometer stage for aligning the light outputted from the first light source or the second light source with an active area of a detector; lensed fiber for inputting light into the active area of the detector; an optical alignment confirming means for visually confirming whether the light outputted from the lensed fiber is aligned with the active area of the detector; an image information acquiring means for acquiring image information; and a control means for operating the micrometer stage.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques, apparatus, and targets for determining overlay error between two layers of a sample. In one embodiment, a method for determining overlay between a plurality of first structures in a first layer of a sample and a plurality of second structures in a second layer of the sample is disclosed. Targets A, B, C and D that each include a portion of the first and second structures are provided. Target A is designed to have an offset Xa between its first and second structures portions; target B is designed to have an offset Xb between its first and second structures portions; target C is designed to have an offset Xc between its first and second structures portions; and target D is designed to have an offset Xd between its first and second structures portions. Each of the offsets Xa, Xb, Xc and Xd is preferably different from zero; Xa is an opposite sign and differ from Xb; and Xc is an opposite sign and differs from Xd.

Abstract: An alignment target structure includes a reflective member and a non-reflective field proximate to the member. The field is configured to enhance identification of the target and/or to enhance contrast between the member and the field. The field may include an absorptive structure and/or a diffractive structure.

Abstract: In an optical system, first and second optical paths intersected with each other on a sample holder are set, wherein the first and second optical paths are formed so that light from a light source is projected to be converged on the intersection from an incoming side beam switching mirror that selectively switches a direction of the light via one of first and second converged light reflectors, first and second received light reflectors that projects the light to an exiting side beam switching mirror disposed on the first and second optical paths respectively, the exiting side beam switching mirror switches a direction of the light projected from one of the first and second received light reflectors, and intensity of light from the sample in case of face side incidence and back side incidence to the sample can be measured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the paper quality for halftone printing, according to which a finely distributed pattern of geometric figures is applied to the paper, said paper is then illuminated and the light that is reflected and scattered by the paper is observed. The method is characterised in that the pattern is applied to an optical transparent planar element, the side of said element bearing the pattern is brought into contact with the surface of the paper and the paper is pressed against the planar element.

Abstract: A path length control apparatus (PLC) for a ring laser gyroscope (RLG) provides a flattened surface for reflecting a laser beam. The flattened surface is achieved by providing a void behind the mirror in the laser beam area thus separating this area from stresses induced by temperature, voltage and/or displacement.

Abstract: A wavefront measurement system includes a source of electromagnetic radiation. An imaging system directs the electromagnetic radiation at an object plane that it uniformly illuminates. A first grating is positioned in the object plane to condition the radiation entering the input of a projection optic. A projection optical system projects an image of the first grating onto the focal plane. A second grating is positioned at the focal plane that receives a diffracted image of the object plane to form a shearing interferometer. A CCD detector receives the image of the pupil of the projection optical system through the projection optical system and the second grating that forms a fringe pattern if there are aberrations in the projection optical system. Phaseshift readout of fringe pattern can be accomplished by stepping the first grating in a lateral direction and reading each frame with the CCD detector.

Abstract: An automated monitoring and alignment system to position the mechanical and optical components of a flow cytometer to enhance the consistency, performance, and efficiency of particle sorting and analysis applications.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical measurement arrangement, in particular for the examination of layer systems, and comprises an illumination device having at least one illumination source for delivering a measurement light beam and coupling it into the beam path of a layer thickness measuring instrument.

Abstract: For an automatic defect inspection of an edge exposure area of a wafer, an optical unit supplies a light beam onto the edge portion of a wafer and a detection unit detects light reflected from the edge portion. The detection unit converts the detected light into an electrical signal to transmit the electrical signal to a processing unit. The processing unit analyzes the electrical signal to measure the reflectivity of the edge portion, compares the measured reflectivity with a reference reflectivity, and calculates the width of the edge exposure area. The processing unit compares the calculated width with a reference width to detect any defect in the edge exposure area.

Abstract: A scanning or copying system can include imaging elements and one or more system processors that are programmed or adapted to perform image processing methods and algorithms on image data, and in some instances, to enhance the image. Image data is acquired using imaging elements. Some imaging elements may have overlapping or rotated fields of view or employ differing resolutions. For each imaging element, its output is recombined together with the output of one or more other imaging elements. To perform the recombination, the system can extract features in an overlapping region and match these features in multiple images. In some instances, the features matched can be edges. Alternatively, the recombination can be performed by positioning each subimage with respect to a larger image through image matching and location techniques. Parameters from the recombined image can be extracted and these parameters can be used to correct for geometrical and spatial distortions and thereby enhance the image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a print system includes an anticipated ambient lighting selector to allow selection of an anticipated ambient lighting. A rendering module is configured to map a print job into raster data configured to reduce color cast in gray output when displayed under the anticipated ambient lighting.

Abstract: Blind inverse halftoning on a digital image is performed by applying a robust convolution filter to the digital image.

Abstract: A method and system for image scanning presents a user with a suggested parameter adjustment to a scanned image upon system analysis of corresponding scanned image data. A scanner generates initial preview image data of the scanned image. A display displays the image to the user from the initial preview image data. A processor detects a selected portion of the preview image data as having a likelihood of being a standard parameter and for determining a suggested adjustment to the initial preview image data for displaying the selected portion as the standard parameter within the displayed image. The suggested adjustment is communicated to the user and the user implements or overrides the suggested adjustment in a subsequent scan of the image, whereby the user may obtain desired image data for the subsequent scan and the suggested adjustment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system of image data conversion, capable of setting conversion characteristics with more ease even for data having mixed image attributes, and of reducing the amount of data and the size of memory required. The conversion system includes processing elements in a processor array, each including at least an input data register, character registers, an attribute register, and a global processor, so that a calculator in each of the processing elements operates to select, and store in the character registers, the data set, xi, yi, and ai, corresponding to attribute data stored in the attribute register, to be conversion processed subsequently according to an expression stored in the global processor.

Abstract: Provided is an image communication apparatus which, if encoded image information is received, controls the form in which the received image information is printed in dependence upon whether a specific type of printing paper has been loaded or in dependence upon whether color-space information of the received image information matches a prescribed color space.

Abstract: In order to relieve the load for an user and smooth an operation of the user in case of mixing each of sheets, on which images are formed by separating jobs, in predetermined page order of the job, color pages in the job outputted from a computer are printed by a color MFP and black/white pages are printed by a black/white MFP. Thereafter, on the computer, it is displayed that each sheaf of sheets has to be set in which bin of a collator, to the user. The user sets a sheaf of sheets printed by each of the MFP's in the collator. The collator mixes color pages with black/white pages. Further, each MFP prints bar codes representing page information or job information. The user sets a sheaf of sheets printed by each of the MFP's in the collator. The collator reads the bar codes to mix the color pages with the black/white pages.

Abstract: Image data of various data formats stored in the storage of the MFP can be visually displayed on the display as an image after converting format of image data stored in the storage to a predetermined format by the data format converter.

Abstract: To provide a printing system and a printing apparatus which can ensure high-speed, normal printing with small memory requirements even when lots of print commands are sent to a printer. The printing apparatus includes a print mode determination unit which judges whether intermediate-language data can fit in a page memory when print command data is converted in normal print mode and selects the normal print mode if the data can fit in, but selects compressed print mode if the data cannot fit in. Furthermore, the print mode determination unit includes a data reprocessing unit which, when the compressed print mode is selected, reduces any compressible part of intermediate-language data which corresponds to fine-gradation image data in normal print mode using a compression/decompression process, output gradation conversion process, clipping process, or reversible compression process whichever is applicable before storing it again in the page memory.

Abstract: The technique of the invention reads out information on production variance of a secondary transfer unit, which is stored in a storage element of the secondary transfer unit (S100), computes an adjustment value of a control parameter ‘contact timing’, which is related to the operation of the secondary transfer unit, based on the read-out information on production variance (S110), and writes the computed adjustment value into a RAM (S120). The operation of the secondary transfer unit is controlled with the adjustment value of the control parameter ‘contact timing’ written in the RAM.

Abstract: When performing Push-type data transfer from the side of an image-supply apparatus 100 to a printer 200P, it is necessary for the printer 200P to have a buffer that is capable of containing at least the capacity for one page of data. Therefore, the text/image-supply apparatus 100 stores printing-description data obtained from the application on its own memory unit 105. The image-formation apparatus 200 performs rasterization based on received printing-description data, however, in this process, when there is a link file L that is linked to the top file T of the printing-description data, the image-formation apparatus 200 specifies the link destination and sends a data-acquisition request to the text/image-supply apparatus 100, so there is no need for a buffer.

Abstract: Remote output environment remarkably improving convenience in remote output mode is provided so that print process according to original direction information detected by transmitter image forming apparatus can be performed by receiver image forming apparatus. Therefor, image processing system including first device having input unit of inputting image data and communication unit of performing data communication, and second device having communication unit of performing data communication and output unit of outputting image data sets the remote output mode for performing through the communication unit the data communication of the image data input by the first device and causing the second device to output the communicated data, causes the first device to acquire the direction information input by the first device, and causes in this mode the second device to output the image data from the first device in output manner based on the acquired information.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for providing printing services. In particular, the present invention enables a print job source, for example a facsimile machine, to print directly to a printer over a network, without an intervening personal computer. In an example embodiment of the invention, a telephone number is assigned to a printer. A print job is associated with the telephone number. The print job is then forwarded from a print job source to a spooling server over a network. The print job is associated with the printer at the spooling server based on the telephone number. The print job is then forwarded from the spooling server to the printer and printed.

Abstract: A system and method for processing and analyzing virtual microscopy digital images (“virtual slides”) is provided. The system comprises an algorithm server that maintains or has access to a plurality of image processing and analysis routines. The algorithm server additionally has access to a plurality of virtual slides. The algorithm server executes a selected routine on an identified virtual slide and provides the resulting data. The virtual slide can be accessed locally or remotely across a network. Similarly, the image processing routines can be obtained from local storage or across a network, or both. Advantageously, certain common sub-routines may be stored locally for inclusion in other local or remotely obtained routines. Access to image processing and analysis may be restricted through a monitor process that authenticates requests to process or view virtual slides.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printer and computers connected by an network. A mail server is provided for transmitting notification data from the printer to the computers in the form of an email message. Print data stored in the printer is erased once the print data has been used for reprint operations a certain amount of times. If the amount of print data stored in the printer exceeds a reference size, then print data sets are selected for erasure based on predetermined conditions. Data stored in the printer can be retrieved from the printer and amended at the computer.

Abstract: Memory management. A method embodiment includes receiving data separable into segments. For each segment, it is determined whether to save that segment to a first memory such as RAM or to a second memory such as a hard disk. Each segment is saved to a determined location. While saving each segment determined to be saved to the first memory, it is determined whether the first memory is depleted. When the first memory is determined to be depleted, a segment being saved to the first memory is instead saved to the second memory.

Abstract: Print attributes are set in print type where a plurality of original paper images are arranged on at least one surface of print paper so that useless print can be prevented. A print attribute for defining a specific relationship between an original paper size and a print paper size is provided as one of the print attributes of the print type, one print attribute is selected from a plurality of options so that the specific relationship between the original paper size and the print paper size is set. As a result, a combination of the original paper size and the print paper size intended by a user can be set securely even in the above print type, so that useless print can be prevented securely.

Abstract: An image data processing system comprising;

Abstract: A system for printing at least one image on a partially-printed medium. The system includes a print detector that is adapted to scan the partially-printed medium so as to form scan data, and a controller coupled to the print detector that is adapted to analyze the scan data so as to identify at least one unprinted region on the medium. A print engine coupled to the controller is adapted to print one or more of the images in the unprinted region or regions.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising a color distribution analyzing portion for analyzing color distribution of an inputted color image, an image content judgment portion for judging the content of a color image based on the analyzed color distribution, a color conversion parameter determining portion for determining a color conversion parameter based on the judged image content, and a color conversion portion which executes color conversion upon a color image based on this color conversion parameter.

Abstract: Processing of a pixel in a digital image includes performing inverse halftoning on the pixel with respect to a local pixel neighborhood; and performing selective sharpening on the inverse halftoned pixel with respect to the local pixel neighborhood.

Abstract: A group of pixels of a digital image is processed to reduce bleed-through. The processing includes generating an upper bound for each pixel of the group; and taking a weighted average of the upper bound and original pixel intensity for each pixel of the group.

Abstract: A print generating device for hiddenly embedding first information in an image to acquire an information-attached image and generating a print on which the information-attached image is recorded. The print generating device includes an information attaching unit for attaching second information, which indicates that the first information is embedded in the image, to the print.

Abstract: A fax data transmitting and receiving method using a fax data transmitting apparatus and a fax data receiving apparatus that are connected via at least two fax lines. Upon fax data transmission, first, a script to be transmitted is scanned, and fax data corresponding to the script are stored. Next, at least two available lines to transmit the fax data are secured. Thereafter, the fax data is divided, and then the fax data segments are simultaneously transmitted via the secured available lines. Upon fax data reception, first, the dialing of the fax data transmitting apparatus is replied. Then, the phone number of at least one extra available line is provided to the fax data transmitting apparatus. Thereafter, an extra available line corresponding to the phone number is provided to the fax data transmitting apparatus.

Abstract: A document scanner for scanning an open book includes a housing and a wedge-shaped transparent platen supported by the housing. The platen defines an upper surface configured to support a book in a face-down position, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The platen includes a first platen portion and a second platen portion joined at a vertex to thereby define the wedge-shape of the platen. The document scanner further includes a scan head moveably supported by the housing. The scan head is configured to move generally parallel to the first platen portion and the second platen portion.