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: Methods, apparatus and systems for the detection of defects in transparent substrates such as glass sheets are disclosed. The methods, apparatus and systems are capable of detecting optical path length variations in transparent substrates smaller than 100 nm.

Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus and a surface inspection method aim to securely deal with finer repetition pitch without shortening the wavelength of illumination light. To this end, the apparatus includes a unit illuminating repetitive pattern(s) formed on the substrate surface to be inspected with linearly polarized light, a unit setting to an oblique angle an angle between the direction of an intersecting line of a vibration plane of the linearly polarized light on the substrate surface and the repetition direction of repetitive pattern(s), a unit extracting a polarized light component perpendicular to the vibration plane of the linearly polarized light, from light having been emitted from the repetitive pattern(s) in a specular direction, and a unit detecting a defect of the repetitive pattern(s) according to the light intensity of the polarized light component.

Abstract: A system for measuring a profile of an object comprising a source creating a beam of electromagnetic energy. An electromagnetic beam receiver spaced from the source for processing an output signal proportional to the girth of the object being measured. A platform for providing rotational and vertical movement of the object being measured causing the object to obstruct a portion of the electromagnetic beam generated by the source. A processor for processing the output signal from the electromagnetic beam receiver to form a composite profile of the object measured.

Abstract: A flow imaging system is used to implement surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection to study bio-molecular interactions. The flow imaging system is used to capture SPR absorption spectra of large numbers of objects, where each object includes both a metal film capable of exhibiting SPR, and detecting molecules. Analyte molecules are added to a solution of such objects, and the result is introduced into the flow imaging system which collects full SPR spectral data from individual objects. The objects can be nanoparticles or larger particles that support metal island films. The SPR spectral data can be used to determine specificity, kinetics, affinity, and concentration with respect to the interactions between the detecting molecules and the analyte molecules.

Abstract: A chemical imaging system is provided which uses a near infrared radiation microscope. The system includes an illumination source which illuminates an area of a sample using light in the near infrared radiation wavelength and light in the visible wavelength. A multitude of spatially resolved spectra of transmitted, reflected, emitted or scattered near infrared wavelength radiation light from the illuminated area of the sample is collected and a collimated beam is produced therefrom. A near infrared imaging spectrometer is provided for selecting a near infrared radiation image of the collimated beam. The filtered images are collected by a detector for further processing. The visible wavelength light from the illuminated area of the sample is simultaneously detected providing for the simultaneous visible and near infrared chemical imaging analysis of the sample. Two efficient means for performing three dimensional near infrared chemical imaging microscopy are provided.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer for integration purposes includes a measurement head with an illumination arrangement (10) including at least one light source (11) for the illumination of a measurement object located in a measurement plane (M) under an angle of incidence of at least 45°, with a pick-up arrangement for capturing the measurement light remitted by the measurement object under an angle of reflection of the essentially 0° relative to the perpendicular of the measurement plane, a spectrometer arrangement (30) with an entry slot (31) for the spectral splitting of the measurement light received through the entry slot and captured and with a photoelectric receiver arrangement (32) exposed to the spectrally split measurement light for conversion of the individual spectral portions of the measurement light into corresponding electrical signals.

Abstract: A spectroscopy system is provided which is optimized for operation in the VUV region and capable of performing well in the DUV-NIR region. Additionally, the system incorporates an optical module which presents selectable sources and detectors optimized for use in the VUV and DUV-NIR. As well, the optical module provides common delivery and collection optics to enable measurements in both spectral regions to be collected using similar spot properties. The module also provides a means of quickly referencing measured data so as to ensure that highly repeatable results are achieved. The module further provides a controlled environment between the VUV source, sample chamber and VUV detector which acts to limit in a repeatable manner the absorption of VUV photons. The use of broad band data sets which encompass VUV wavelengths, in addition to the DUV-NIR wavelengths enables a greater variety of materials to be meaningfully characterized.

Abstract: A detection system comprising modulation means for applying a circular polarisation modulation to an incident beam of radiation, sample holding means through which the modulated beam is passed, a grating to diffract the beam of radiation, an array of solid state detectors arranged to receive different wavelengths of the beam, and processing means arranged to synchronise detected signals with the modulation applied by the modulation means, in order to measure the spectral circular dichroism of the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical device for receiving light having a wavelength between 400 nm and 680 nm. The device has a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that comprises a substrate having a first and second surface, at least one of which being coated with a substantially parallel array of elongated conducting elements, wherein the PBS reflects light of a first polarity and transmits light of the opposite polarity; and a reflector positioned to reflect the opposite polarity light back through the PBS to the front surface, wherein the reflector does not substantially alter the polarity of light at any position. The device can be used to detect fluorescence polarization of a sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resolving both the angular (nx,ny) and spatial (x,y) dependence of the effective source coherence matrix for lithographic steppers and scanners is described. First an in-situ source metrology instrument is combined with in-situ polarization elements to create an in-situ source imaging polarizer or ISIP. The ISIP is loaded into a photolithographic exposure tool, aligned, and then exposed onto a suitable recording media or recording sensor. The recording sensor comprising either resist coated wafers or electronic sensors capture the image intensity at a multiplicity of different field points. The resulting measurements are entered into a computer program that reconstructs the source coherence matrix as a function of direction cosine at multiple field points. Alternative ISIP configurations are discussed in some detail. Applications of the ISIP include polarization source mapping for deep-UV and EUV lithography, process optimization, process monitoring, and chip manufacturing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional image display apparatus, including a first phase retardation plate including first and second polarized light regions in which retarder materials are oriented in different optical axis directions, wherein the first phase retardation plate retards light output from a polarized light display panel, and a second phase retardation plate including third and fourth polarized light regions in which retarder materials are oriented in different optical axis directions, wherein the second phase retardation plate retards incident light from the first phase retardation plate by a predetermined phase on a polarized-light-region basis. Therefore, light can be transferred to a viewer as accurate linear polarized light without regard to wavelength. Accordingly, a viewer can see a clear three-dimensional image using the polarized light glasses.

Abstract: An illumination arrangement intended for use in a spectrophotometer is constructed as a linear array of light emitting diodes (11), whereby many individual light emitting diode chips are tightly packed along a small, narrowly defined straight or circular line and at least partially cast into a resin, in which at least regionally a converter material is included for the conversion of the light emitted by the light emitting diodes into other wavelength ranges. The light emitting diodes (11) have different spectral characteristics. UV light emitting regions and non-UV light emitting regions as well as regions covered with colour filters and/or polarization filters are provided. The illumination arrangement can include white emitting regions and narrow band emitting regions constructed especially for colour density measurement, whereby the narrow band regions can also be realized as narrow band converters. Ortho-silicate illuminants (BOSE) are preferably used as converter materials.

Abstract: A measuring device includes several sequentially disposed coating chambers for measuring optical properties of coated substrates. These coating chambers are separated from one another by partitioning walls, whose free ends are located closely above the substrate. The substrate is preferably a continuous film. By measuring the reflection, the transmission, etc. of the substrate between the individual coating chambers, it becomes possible to carry out measurements within only partially completed layer systems. This yields advantages for the technical operation control of the coating process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing bone tissue comprises the steps of and means for: exposing a sample to nonionizing radiation; detecting nonionizing radiation after transit in the bone tissue; measuring optical properties from the detected nonionizing radiation to characterize bone tissue across an entire selected spectral range using a continuous wave model, a frequency domain model or a combination of both wave model and frequency domain models; and determining composition, structure, physiology or a combination thereof of bone tissue from the measured optical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for accomplishing noise reduction in a photoacoustic gas detector using a sound damping element and/or a background or reference microphone where a preferably larger external volume that acts as a sound damping element (SDE) is coupled to a smaller volume through which the gas diffuses. The coupling is accomplished in such a way that the externally generated sound waves incident upon the photoacoustic detector are adequately attenuated by the larger volume SDE without adversely affecting diffusion of the gaseous species of interest through the smaller volume for measurement by the detector. Preferably this is accomplished by coupling the larger SDE volume to the smaller gas diffusion volume by a long and thin pressure channel.

Abstract: In spectroscopic devices the sections of an optical measuring path from a light source to a measuring volume containing a measuring gas and from there to a measuring detector are often sealed off from the ambient atmosphere and purged with a purge gas such as dry nitrogen to prevent penetration of atmospheric gas components, such as water vapor, which may interfere with the trace gas measurement. The moisture content in the nitrogen supply is usually in the range of a few ppm at the gas source and can increase dramatically at the measuring site depending on the length of the nitrogen pipe net and due to porosity of the pipe walls, leakage of seals and residual moisture trapped in so-called dead legs.

Abstract: An optical assembly comprises an optical device (103); an enclosure (101) for containing the optical device (103), the enclosure (101) including a transparent section (107) to allow passage of a light beam (104) to or from the optical device (103); and means for measuring the attenuation of a test light beam (212) through the transparent section(107). Preferably, the optical assembly also comprises means for compensating for the measured amount of attenuation by adjusting a measurement or a characteristic of the optical device (103) or a related optical device to compensate for the measured amount of attenuation.

Abstract: A method of examining a sample comprises exposing the sample to a pump pulse of electromagnetic radiation for a first period of time, exposing the sample to a stimulant pulse of electromagnetic radiation for a second period of time which overlaps in time with at least a portion of the first exposing, to produce a signal pulse of electromagnetic radiation for a third period of time, and interfering the signal pulse with a reference pulse of electromagnetic radiation, to determine which portions of the signal pulse were produced during the exposing of the sample to the stimulant pulse. The first and third periods of time are each greater than the second period of time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed that enable lasers to be stabilized in frequency to a high precision while simultaneously enabling rapid re-acquisition of stabilization control loops in the event of frequency locking loss. The principle of operation is to incorporate two etalons, one having a high finesse for frequency high stability, and one having a low finesse for wide error signal locking range, and electronics that pass control between two control systems in such a manner that any loss of frequency locking is rapidly re-acquired.

Abstract: A system for spectral analysis of a multi-wavelength signal is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention, like the prior art, uses a grating or prism to disperse the spectral components of a multi-wavelength signal, and then uses a reciprocating or rotating mirror to direct the spectral components, one at a time, into a photodetector. The illustrative embodiment uses a telescope between the grating and the mirror to improve the spectral resolution of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for spatial-heterodyne interferometry for transmission (SHIFT) measurements. An apparatus, includes: a source of coherent light energy; a reference beam subassembly optically coupled to the source of coherent light; an object beam subassembly optically coupled to the source of coherent light; a beamsplitter optically coupled to both the reference beam subassembly and the object beam subassembly; and a pixilated detection device optically coupled to the beamsplitter. The object beam subassembly includes an object that is at least partially translucent, the object transmissively optically coupled between the source of coherent light energy and the beamsplitter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heterodyne reflectometer system and method for obtaining highly accurate phase shift information from heterodyned optical signals, from which extremely accurate film depths can be calculated. A linearly polarized light comprised of two linearly polarized components that are orthogonal to each other, with split optical frequencies, is directed toward a film causing one of the optical polarization components to lag behind the other due to an increase in the optical path in the film for that component. A pair of detectors receives the beam reflected from the film layer and produces a measurement signal, and the beam prior to incidence on the film layer and generates a reference signal, respectively. The measurement signal and reference signal are analyzed by a phase detector for phase shift. The detected phase shift is then fed into a thickness calculator for film thickness results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical interferometric apparatus and method for measuring acceleration, pressure, and pressure of fluids during flow using micro-opto-electro-mechanical-systems (MOEMS). The high-sensitivity and high-resolution apparatus includes a movable mass, a stationary mass, a light source, and a photo detector. The light source emits a beam which is converted into two beam portions after impinging onto the movable and stationary masses. Interference between the beam portions are used to measure acceleration or pressure. The MOEMS structure may be integrated with a photo detector or planar waveguide. Differential amplification can be realized by employing two similar detecting structures.

Abstract: A surface shape measuring adapted so that object light and reference light are outputted from a low coherence light source, the object light which is irradiated onto an object and is reflected and returned therefrom is combined with the reference light, combined light is received by a photodetector to measure a surface shape of the object, including: an optical path length scanning portion adapted to scan an optical path length of the object light or the reference light within a predetermined range; and a splitting optical system provided on at least one of optical paths of the object light and the reference light, to split an incident light beam into light beams, wherein the splitting optical system sets a predetermined optical path length difference corresponding to each predetermined pair of the light beams among the light beams into which the incident light beam is split.

Abstract: Micron-scale displacement measurement devices having enhanced performance characteristics are disclosed. One embodiment of a micron-scale displacement measurement device includes a phase-sensitive reflective diffraction grating for reflecting a first portion of an incident light and transmitting a second portion of the incident light such that the second portion of the incident light is diffracted. The device can further include a mechanical structure having a first region and a second region, the mechanical structure positioned a distance d above the diffraction grating and forming a wall of a cavity, the second portion of the incident light is reflected off of the first region of the structure such that an interference pattern is formed by the reflected first portion and the reflected second portion of the incident light. The device can further include an orifice formed in the cavity to provide for the passage of air between the inside and outside of the cavity.

Abstract: An inspection method for evaluating the performance of an optical component at high precision is provided. According to the inspection method, a first light beam 24 and a second light beam 26 both having different phases are generated from light which has passed through an optical component 18, and are interfered with each other to form an interference region 30. A linear line 66, a linear line 70 and linear lines 72 are set within the interference region 30 so as to determine a distribution of light intensities on each of the linear lines 72. Then, a frequency corresponding to the maximal light intensity is determined. Further, an approximated liner line or an approximated curved line is determined from a plurality of frequencies determined for each of the linear line 72. Then, the aberration of the optical component is evaluated based on the coefficient of the approximated linear or curved line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the optical metrology of conical holes. The inventive method consists in: placing the body comprising the hole in a microscope such that the larger-diametered area of the hole is directed towards lighting means, centring the hole in the field of vision of the observation means, focusing on the smaller-diametered area with the aid of an intense light, and measuring the diameter thereof and the main defects in same. The focusing plane is then changed and the contour of the hole is measured by projecting a series of patterns and measuring the position of points along the contour when the images of the projected pattern and the reflection thereof inside the hole are superimposed in the plane of a camera belonging to the equipment.

Abstract: In a known measuring process, the stability for the generation of two measuring beams, by means of two measuring systems operating in the same measurement strategy is given. The reflection angle of the measuring beams deflected onto a blank are detected as inclination deviations of the surface and analyzed by difference. Systematic measuring deviations are conventionally reduced however mainly by the use of a single measuring strategy or system with a moving measuring beam. According to the invention, the measurement accuracy can be improved by combining two measuring strategies in the measuring process, carried out by different measuring systems (13, 14), which can be an autocollimator (AKF) and a long-trace profilometer)LTP), the measuring beams of which can be directed at the blank (10) using different types of deflecting units (15). Measured results with an accuracy of up to 0.01 angle seconds, hence sub-nanometer range, for example +/?0.

Abstract: An image position detecting device is disclosed that detects an image position based on a reflected light from an image carrier that reflects a light irradiated from a light emitting source. The device includes first and second light receivers that are spaced apart in a moving direction of the image carrier such that the first light receiver detects a toner image adhered on and being moved by the image carrier before the second light receiver detects the toner image, and a comparison output unit that compares first and second analog signals input from the first and second light receivers to determine whether a level of the first analog signal is higher than a level of the second analog signal, and outputs the comparison result as an output signal-in binary form. The first and second analog signals are input to the comparison output unit at different levels.

Abstract: A media buffer is configured, in one embodiment, to receive a burst of sheets of printed media into a buffer path sized to accommodate the burst. One or more secondary sheets contained within the burst are stalled within the buffer path, thereby increasing spacing between the sheets. The burst is then advanced downstream according to the increased spacing, such that sheets comprising the burst move downstream evenly spaced among themselves and among sheets of other bursts.

Abstract: An image processing device manages data for each object transmitted for each image forming device with respect to a plurality of image forming devices, which are transmission destinations of data for each object, and controls transmission of data for each object which has not been transmitted to each image forming device based on the management contents.

Abstract: A method (1500) of generating a representation of a page (1000) to be rendered is disclosed. The page (1000) comprises one or more graphic objects (1080, 1090), each being defined by two or more edges bounding a fill. The method (1500) operates by partitioning the page (1000) into a plurality of regions, each region having a corresponding sequence of fills adapted to be composited to generate a colour for each pixel location within the region upon rendering. Then, the representation is generated such that at least two regions reference a common fill sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for color balancing page data, from a variety of input sources having non-consistent device color profiles, among a plurality of individually accessible print engines arranged in a system for color printing multiple copies of multiple page documents. Input page data is converted to a common color space, rasterized and routed to a selected print engine. Page data routed to each marking engine is color balanced to the selected marking engine where at least a portion of the color balancing occurs following the rasterizing of the page data.

Abstract: The present application relates to a printing system by which the users can notice the discrepancy between printer setting and user's intention before printing and recover such discrepancy easily even if such discrepancy occurs.

Abstract: To provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method and a program that can decrease the frequency at which the object is externally referenced at the time of drawing and improve the drawing efficiency by suitably adjusting the bandwidth so that each element block of a structured document data may be included in one band. Therefore, the image processing apparatus scans the page of the structured document data in dividing the structured document data having plural element blocks into plural bands. The number of element blocks where an object to be externally referenced on the scanned line is arranged is detected. And the line at which the detected number of element blocks is decrease is set up as a divided line of the structured document data.

Abstract: A printer controller is disclosed which includes one or more non-volatile memory elements for storing print/fax/scan data and printer controller system parameters. The non-volatile memory elements can include flash memory PCMCIA cards. A non-volatile storage medium is also provided for retaining an operating system, wherein the printer controller is bootable from the non-volatile storage medium. The non-volatile storage medium is preferably a CD-ROM or other removable type data disc.

Abstract: In a printer 1 which is an information processing apparatus of the present invention, after a password is accepted from a PC 2 together with image data and job information, the image data is encrypted and stored in a storage part 106, the job information is associated with the password and stored in a management part 104 as a job management table, and the process waits. In a case where a security program is executing, in case that a main power 110 is turned off, the operation of a backup part 105 to supply power to the management part 104 is inhibited, so that the job information table stored in the management part 104 is deleted. In a case where the security program is not executing, power is supplied to the management part 104 by the backup part, thereby maintaining the job management table stored in the management part 104.

Abstract: In printing onto a creased paper with a fold portion, a printing method of the invention performs a warning step (S203) that gives a warning about the need of smoothening out of the fold portion; and a printing step that starts printing after the warning is given in the warning step. The printing method further performs a reception step (S204, S206) that receives a confirmation instruction with respect to the warning given in the warning step, and the printing step does not start printing until the confirmation instruction is received in the reception step.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to specifying a sender in detail when image data is attached to email and transmitted from an Internet facsimile device. An MFP (100) has an E-mail transmission mode in which email with an image is transmitted to a general email address, and an IFAX transmission mode in which email with an image is transmitted to an apparatus copying with the IFAX function. In transmitting an image, the MFP (100) authenticates the user in cooperation with an authentication server (102). When the authenticated user selects the IFAX transmission mode, an email address corresponding to the user is acquired from the authentication server (102), and set in the Sender field. The From field holds the email address of a device, similar to the prior art.

Abstract: A full-size scrapbook page is scanned by n image scanner. A computer device receives an image of the scanned full-size scrapbook page. The full-size scanned scrapbook page is displayed on a display screen coupled to the display device. The full-size scanned scrapbook page is accepted to create an accepted scrapbook page. The accepted scrapbook page image is transferred to an image printer and is printed on the image printer. The results is a high-quality color copy or reproduction of the original scrapbook page.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an input part for inputting information, a processing part for processing the information; a storing part for storing the information, an output part for outputting the information, a writing part for writing desired information to a portable recording medium, and a scanner for scanning an original as image information. In image forming apparatus, the image information scanned by the scanner is stored in the storing part, and wherein the input part, the processing part, the storing part, and the output part are centralized at one place, and send and receive the information to and from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a judging unit that judges whether a replacement part attached to the image forming apparatus needs replacement based on consumption information indicative of how much the replacement part has been consumed. The replacement part includes a storage unit that stores therein information including identification information unique to the replacement part. When the judging unit judges that the replacement part needs replacement, a reading unit reads the identification information from the replacement part, and an encrypting unit encrypts a predetermined piece of information in the replacement part based on the identification information read by the reading unit.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and method. Identification information statically allocated to a remote communication apparatus is designated. A domain name of the remote communication apparatus is presented to acquire an IP address by using a DNS service. A connection is made to a remote communication apparatus, to which the IP address acquired is allocated, to receive a response message. Information included in a predetermined section of the response message and all or a predetermined part of identification information designated are compared. When all or the predetermined part of the identification information coincides with the information included in the predetermined section of the response message, substantive data is transmitted to the remote communication apparatus connected.

Abstract: A method for processing non-standard facilities frames by T.38 gateways, wherein the T.38 gateways includes at least one transmitting gateway and at least one receiving gateway, the transmitting gateway is connected with a transmitting facsimile machine, and the receiving gateway is connected with a receiving facsimile machine. The method includes: a) the transmitting gateway and the receiving gateway determining the types of all received V.21 frames; b) when the receiving gateway or the transmitting gateway receives a non-standard frame NSF, modifying the non-standard frame NSF, so that the corresponding receiving facsimile machine or transmitting facsimile machine is unable to receive a correct NSF frame; c) the receiving gateway encapsulating the modified NSF frame data, or the transmitting gateway modulating the modified NSF frame data and transmitting the modulated frame data. The method modifies the rate negotiation performed with proprietary frames as a negotiation performed with standard frames.

Abstract: A server receives simulation condition input from a client computer, and in accordance with the simulation condition input creates display-use data indicating the result of the simulation, and sends the display-use data to the client. The print simulator of the server first converts the image data to ink quantities, and then converts the ink quantities to spectral reflectance of the print. Then, using the spectral reflectance of the print together with the print observation condition and the display device observation condition, there is created display-use data for simulating the appearance of the print under the print observation condition, under the display device observation condition.

Abstract: In a print status monitor system of the invention, a specified printer receives a polling interval reduction request from a server in response to polling made at a normal polling interval set to a polling interval, and changes the polling interval to a shorter polling interval, which is shorter than the normal polling interval. The server sends a print status transmission request to the specified printer, in response to polling made by the specified printer at the shorter polling interval. The specified printer receives the print status transmission request sent from the server in response to the polling made to the server at the shorter polling interval, obtains print status information representing the status of a print job, and sends the obtained print status information to the server. The server receives and obtains the print status information sent from the specified printer in response to the print status transmission request.

Abstract: In a message display control apparatus of the invention, when an administrator of a server computer presses a ‘Details’ button on a setting window displayed on the screen of a display unit, a message display setting module of a CPU in the server computer opens a detailed setting window on the screen of the display unit. The administrator operates an input unit to tick any desired checkboxes among an ‘On end of printing at all printers’ checkbox, an ‘On error’ checkbox, an ‘On end of printing at each printer’ checkbox, and a ‘Show copy number at the begging of copy mode printing’ checkbox, in a ‘Report Clustering status’ field on the detailed setting window. Such selective ticking specifies permission for display of messages corresponding to the ticked checkboxes among preset four messages on the monitor screen of a client computer.

Abstract: There is provided a device information management system, including a server, a client and a device in which the server and the client are configured to communicate with each other via a first communication channel while the client and the device are configured to communicate with each other via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel and device information is transmitted from the device to the client via the second communication channel and from the client to the server via the first communication channel and registered in a database of the server. The device includes a device-side information supplying unit configured to supply the device information to the client via the second communication channel.

Abstract: In a print production system, when urgent finishing, in which print production is performed preferentially, is selected with a print order receiver having an urgent finishing selection function, information showing that the urgent finishing has been selected is given to order information and is outputted to an image forming apparatus together with the order information and the image forming apparatus outputs prints so that it is possible to identify that the prints correspond to the urgent finishing. A print order receiver includes a device, which computes a reception time for a placed print order from the contents of the print order, a print order status, and a printer status, and displays the reception time on a display. With an image forming apparatus and method, prints and a print pack are produced so that a print of a selected image is placed on the top of the print pack.