Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the end-point of an electropolishing process of a metal layer formed on a wafer includes an end-point detector. The end-point detector is disposed adjacent the nozzle used to electropolish the wafer. In one embodiment, the end-point detector is configured to measure the optical reflectivity of the portion of the wafer being electropolished.

Abstract: The invention relates to device for measuring the thickness of a transparent sample (2), particularly a glass strip or a glass pane, involving the use of: a first light beam (L1), particularly a first laser beam, which strikes upon the front surface (8) of the sample (2) at a first angle of incidence (?1); a second light beam (L2), particularly a second laser beam, which strikes upon the front surface (8) of the sample (2) at a second angle of incidence (?2), the first angle of incidence (?1) and the second angle of incidence (?2) being different, and; at least one detector (11, 12) for detecting the light beams (L1?, L1?, L2?, L2?) of the first and second incident light beams (L1, L2) reflected by the sample, and for determining the position thereof.

Abstract: Image data comprising multiple images is received at an imaging device. The image data does not need to be processed by a driver before it is received at the imaging device. A number of images to be included in an output group is determined. Image data for each of the images to be included in the output group is identified. The image data for images within the output group is transformed into an image-ready format to be imaged within an N-up grid. The transformed image data for each of the images within the output group is stored in a buffer at a memory location corresponding to a cell within the N-up grid to form at least one rendered page. One of the rendered pages having image data formatted in an N-up grid is transmitted to the marking engine for imaging.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a copy restriction method thereof are provided, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a reader for receiving an output with a copy restriction mark including the number of possible copies, a printing part for printing the output which is input through the reader or provided from a user terminal device, a mark processor for calculating the number of possible copies of the copy restriction mark to print on a copy of the output, and a controller for comparing the number of copies input by a user and the number of possible copies of the copy restriction mark formed on the output and determining whether to copy the output. Accordingly, the number of copies of the output can be restricted so that undesired copies, distributions, and so forth, can be prevented for a secure document, even when carelessly copied.

Abstract: There is provided an image recording device that comprises an output buffer configured to temporarily store image data for one page of a recording medium, an image generating unit configured to generate output image data based on input image data, and an image recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium. The image generating unit includes a buffer based scale factor determining unit configured to determine a buffer based scale factor, the buffer based scale factor being determined such that an amount of the output image data does not exceed a capacity of the output buffer, a scale factor determining unit configured to determine a scale factor by which the image represented by the input image data is enlarged or reduced, and an image enlarging/reducing unit that generates the output image data based on the scale factor determined by the scale factor determining unit.

Abstract: If a CPU is informed that “1200×1200 dpi” is selected from an input unit, the CPU switches a normal 8-bit RIP process with 600×600 dpi to a 1-bit RIP process with 1200×1200 dpi. Image data, which has become 1-bit data with 1200 dpi, is stored in a page memory. A pixel packing process unit executes (2×2) packing when the image data stored in the page memory is to be output from the page memory. The packed Y color image data is restored, without delay, to a normal pixel unit in a pixel division unit. The packed M color image data is restored, with a delay in a delay memory, to a normal pixel unit in the pixel division unit. The packed C color image data is restored, with a delay in the delay memory, to a normal pixel unit in the pixel division unit. The packed K color image data is restored, with a delay in the delay memory, to a normal pixel unit in the pixel division unit.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes: a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light to have luminosity depending on the magnitude of a driving signal; a plurality of holding units that are respectively disposed in the plurality of light emitting elements, and respectively hold the driving signal to maintain a magnitude regulated such that the luminosity of the plurality of light emitting elements becomes uniform; and a plurality of supply units that are respectively disposed in the plurality of light emitting elements, and supply the driving signal, which is held by the holding units to have a certain magnitude for a period of time according to a gradation of light to be emitted, to a corresponding light emitting element.

Abstract: An apparatus of converting three color image signals into four color image signals having a white signal is provided, which includes: a lookup table storing a plurality of white scaling factors and a signal converter selecting a corresponding white scaling factor of the white scaling factors stored in the lookup table based on a white scaling signal from an external, converting the three color image signals into the four color image signals based on the selected white scaling factor. Like this, by converting into the four color image signals using the selected white scaling factor based on the white scaling signal from the external, the white scaling factor may be varied without change of a device in which conversion algorithm is stored, thereby manufacturing cost decreases.

Abstract: A color engine supports extensibility by allowing plug-ins. The color engine transforms an image file associated with a source device for consumption by a destination device. Within the color engine, a device model operates over a device model profile to generate a gamut boundary shell, which describes the range of colors a device is capable of producing. A color appearance model operates over a color appearance model profile to compensate for external viewing conditions. A gamut map model accepts as input gamut boundary shells describing the source device and the destination device, and operates over a gamut map model profile to generate a transform, which is used to transform the image file for consumption by the destination device. The device model profiles and gamut map model profiles may be extended using XML plug-ins, and the device models and gamut map models may be extended using DLL plug-ins.

Abstract: Method for building color transforms for color imaging devices having concave color gamut regions, including forming a device model that relates device control signals for a color imaging device to corresponding device-independent color values in a device-independent color space; forming a device color gamut representing the set of colors in the device-independent color space that are producible by the color imaging device; and forming a convex color gamut by fitting a convex hull to the device color gamut. The method further includes forming an expanded device model that relates device control signals for the color imaging device to expanded device-independent color values in the device-independent color space, such that the expanded device-independent color values fill the convex color gamut; and building a color transform that relates input device-independent color values to corresponding device control signals for the color imaging device using the expanded device model.

Abstract: An image processing method of reproducing an image displayed on a screen of a display unit on a printing medium used by an image forming device includes displaying a preview window on the screen of the display unit, displaying the image in the preview window, and printing the image having the same colors as those displayed in the preview window using the image forming device. In addition, an image processing apparatus usable with a display unit and an image forming device includes a data capture unit to capture data of at least a portion of an image displayed on a screen of the display unit, and a color adjustment unit to convert the image displayed on the screen of the display unit to an image having the same colors as those of an image displayed in a preview window by adjusting the colors of the image displayed on the screen of the display unit based on the image data captured by the data capture unit, and to output the converted image to the image forming device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a signal correction means which corrects, in an RGB color space, RGB tone data which is RGB image data; and a comparison section which compares (i) a tonal value of a white point which is neither an origin nor maximum tonal values of R, G, and B in the RGB color space, and where tonal values of R, G, and B are identical to one another, with (ii) respective tonal values of R, G, B of the RGB tone data. (A) In case where the tonal values of R, G, and B are determined to be larger than the white point, the signal correction means corrects the tonal values of R, G, and B to be close to the white point. (B) In case where the tonal values of R, G, and B of the RGB tone data is determined to be smaller than the white point, the signal correction section corrects they tonal values of R, G, and B of the RGB tone data to be away from the white point.

Abstract: A reference pixel PB is specified for a specified pixel P0 whose (luminance) value is below a threshold, for example, in the RGB data obtained in image pickup. The reference pixel PB should be on a straight line passing through the specified pixel P0 and the center O of the image and spaced from the specified pixel P0 by a distance, dr, depending on a reduction or expansion rate of a blue component (or B) image of the optical image corresponding to an optical zoom magnification in the image pickup. Only when the B value of the specified pixel P0 is smaller than that of the reference pixel PB, the B value of the specified pixel P0 is replaced with that of the reference pixel PB. By expanding or reducing the blue component image alone for the original RGB data, image data is obtained in which the magnification chromatism is corrected.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which forms an image on a recording medium by alternately driving a plurality of heaters linearly arranged in a main scanning direction alternately replaces even-numbered pixels and odd-numbered pixels of first image data in the main scanning direction by pixels of data which is not recorded for respective recording lines in a sub-scanning direction, rotates second image data different from the first image data by a preset angle and alternately converts pixels of the second image data into pixels of image data arranged in odd-numbered and even-numbered locations in the main scanning direction for respective lines in the sub-scanning direction, and superimposes the second image data processed on the first image data processed.

Abstract: A test target is written in a non image zone at set time intervals. The test target is sensed. At least one of frequency, amplitude and phase of banding, which is inherent in a printing device, is determined based on the sensed test target. At least one banding compensation parameter based at least on one of the determined frequency, amplitude and phase of banding is determined. Characteristics of producing an image based on the determined banding compensation parameter are adjusted to compensate the banding inherent in the printing device.

Abstract: A printing assist system for assisting printing based on print specification information including a specification of printed material, includes a print mode storage that stores a plurality of print modes each including the specification of the printed material and setting of a printing device, print specification information acquiring means for acquiring the print specification information, printing device information acquiring means for acquiring printing device information representing a device capability for each of a plurality of the printing devices, print mode retrieving means for retrieving a plurality of the print modes in the print mode storage based on the print specification information acquired by the print specification information acquiring means and the printing device information acquired by the printing device information acquiring means, evaluation calculation means for calculating, to each of the print modes retrieved by the print mode retrieving means and for each of a plurality of evalua

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of displaying a predetermined object, such as a file, is configured to allow a plurality of users to access the object. First, a plurality of users are set to a logged-in status. While the plurality of users are set to the logged-in status, one user in the logged-in status and having no access right to an object is permitted to operate the object using an access right of another user in the logged-in status.

Abstract: In one exemplary method of printing within a framework, a message identifying a printer and indicating data to be printed is sent from a user equipment to a system proxy. A message identifying the user equipment and the printer and indicating data to be printed is sent from the system proxy to a print server. The data to be printed is sent from the print server to the printer.

Abstract: A mobile device adapted to print a file and a method of printing a file from a mobile device are disclosed.

Abstract: The present application relates to a printing system in which a printing apparatus comprising a low-cost chip can be utilized and a high quality print can be obtained.

Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. Furthermore, the MMR system facilitates business methods that take advantage of the combination of a portable electronic device, such as a portable video player or a portable audio player, and a paper document for the portable electronic device to provide information.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus comprises a print data generation unit which generates the print data; a reception unit which receives print data; an image data generation unit which generates image data of each page; an image forming unit which forms an image of each page on a medium; a calculation unit which calculates a generation time taken to generate image data; and a control unit which controls a timing when the image data is output to said image forming unit, wherein said control unit controls a timing when image data of a page of interest is output to said image forming unit, on the basis of the generation time taken to generate the image data of the page of interest and the generation time taken to generate image data of n pages subsequent to the page of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus, which comprises a control section operable, when a communication-possibility determination section determines that it is impossible to communicate with a server apparatus, to store and keep processed sheet number information representing the number of image-processed sheets in a sheet-number storage section in correspondence with user-identification information for identifying each user, and when the communicate with the server apparatus is determined to be possible, to transmit the processed-sheet-number information stored in the sheet-number storage, to the server apparatus in correspondence with the user-identification information. The image processing apparatus makes it possible to reliably manage an accumulated sheet number on the side of the server apparatus, on a user-by-used basis.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus decides, in response to an information request transmitted from an information processing apparatus, a priority image forming unit from a plurality of image forming units in accordance with the states of image forming units. The image forming apparatus transmits identification information containing an identifier of the decided image forming unit.

Abstract: An optimization service is provided for optimizing the run-time performance of a document processing system. The method of optimization includes analyzing an electronic file representing soft copy documents for a plurality of documents to be printed and processed through a document processing system to estimate an expected result of an optimizing operation if the printed documents are processed through the document processing system in accord with the optimizing operation. The estimate of the expected result of the optimizing operation is then presented to the user. If simulated performance information from the service provider regarding expected performance is favorable to the user, the user instructs the service provider to perform the selected optimizing operation. Recommended optimization techniques may be provided to enhance future performance of the document processing system, based on a comparative analysis.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for the design of image transfers, such as decals, including artwork to parts, such as tubular parts. In one implementation, a method of generating artwork for application to a part is provided including the steps of: generating a template based at least in part on a movement of a component of a machine that applies image transfers including the artwork to the part; and designing the artwork in accordance with the template, the artwork adapted to be made into an image transfer to be applied to the part. In another implementation, an image transfer to be transferred to a part by a machine, the image transfer comprising: a carrier film; and artwork formed on the carrier film, the artwork created using a template based at least in part on a movement of a component of the machine that will apply the image transfer including the artwork to the part.

Abstract: Aspects of color of a halftoned image are controlled or adjusted. A method for adjustment can include determining a color description of a color of an area or window associated with a target halftoned pixel, determining a desired adjustment to the color associated with the target pixel, determining a color change value based on the desired adjustment and the color description associated with the target pixel, combining the color change value with at least one value of the target halftoned pixel, thereby generating at least one combined target pixel value and quantizing the at least one combined target pixel value. For instance error diffusion and/or rank-ordered error diffusion is used to perform the quantization. Color adjustments can be based on user preference and/or calibration compensations between original and target devices.

Abstract: An annotated digital photograph processing system that forms a plurality of composite image files from a plurality of corresponding digital images, annotation information and process control information, and prints them as a plurality of composite images on a roll of photographic medium. Each composite image file may be generated by a server computer, which also receives the components thereof, the file comprising the image and a first symbol. The first symbol includes process control information, and may optionally include annotation information. A roll containing the composite images is processed by a novel printing apparatus that comprises a scanner and inkjet print-heads connected to a control computer, to print the annotation and a second symbol, which includes process control information, directly behind the image to which they correspond after the destructive effects of photo-processing chemicals occur. Then, the first barcode is severed from the medium for each printed image.

Abstract: A system for controlling reproduction of a document. The system can comprise a signature determination unit operable to determine a signature from a document based upon an intrinsic characteristic of the document, and a comparison unit operable to compare the determined signature to a stored signature. The system can also comprise a reproduction apparatus operable to create a reproduction of the document in dependence upon a comparison result from the comparison unit.

Abstract: Electronic Host. The E-host combines a programmed chip, circuit, power source and Light Emitting Diodes to sequence lighting in different colors for periods specified in the chip programming. The E-host exists to easily assist diners or any other seated individuals who may need assistance without lengthy waits or searches. The internal chip controls the color/s emitted from the internally positioned diodes and the length for which each color is emitted. There is no lighting device presently available, in seated situations, which lets the seated individual/diner turn on and allow a server to identify that assistance is required and how long it has been required, by means of changing the emitted color.

Abstract: An image signal processing device is disclosed, which includes: an image data generating unit which generates first reproduction image data displayed at the time of normal reproduction and second reproduction image data displayed in a display form different from that used at the time of the normal reproduction by performing a predetermined process on original image data or the first reproduction image data; a displaying unit which selectively displays the first reproduction image data and the second reproduction image data; and a controlling unit which allows the first reproduction image data to be displayed on the displaying unit and allows the original image data to be in a deletable state, when the second reproduction image data is displayed on the displaying unit and deletion is instructed.

Abstract: When an ID card (41, 81) including user ID stored therein is set in an image processing apparatus (1, 71), the user ID is read out of the IC card. Upon depression of a key instructing individual setting, ID information including the user ID and apparatus ID is transmitted to a computer terminal (3; 3-1, 3-2) which stores a plurality of user ID's and setting information corresponding to the apparatus. Responding to the ID information transmitted, the computer terminal transmits individual setting information stored therein for each user back to the image processing apparatus, whereupon the apparatus stores the individual setting information in a memory and realizes the individual setting for each user, which corresponds to the set user ID, in a control panel (8) of the apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing method that stores image data in a storage unit is disclosed. The image data and data related to processing performed on the image data are stored in correlation with each other in the storage unit.

Abstract: A scanner is illustrated and described.

Abstract: Data concerning misalignment of beams is measured and held in an optical scanning apparatus before the optical scanning apparatus is incorporated in an image forming apparatus. The optical scanning apparatus includes a light source for emitting multiple beams, an optical lens for converting the multiple beams to parallel lights and a rotating polygon mirror for rotary-deflecting the multiple beams. Furthermore, the measurement apparatus measures main scanning direction misalignment among the multiple beams on a photosensitive member provided for the image forming apparatus, which has been determined by detecting the multiple beams from the rotating polygon mirror (and an f? lens). The optical scanning apparatus includes a holding unit for holding the data concerning misalignment. The image forming apparatus in which the optical scanning apparatus is incorporated corrects the misalignment with the use of the data concerning misalignment inputted directly or indirectly from the holding unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a repeated sampling method for image scanning. In one or more embodiments, the sampling method may comprise a sample treatment procedure for the data of an image scanning device during the scanning of an image. The method may comprise sampling, sorting, eliminating one or more group-departing values, and getting a mean value, etc. The sampling procedure may involve scanning a single point of the image several times to produce several sets of sampling values. The sorting procedure may involve sorting the several sets of sampling values after being sampled according to their magnitude. The eliminating group-departing values procedure may involve obtaining the relatively larger values and relatively smaller values from the several sets of sampling values after being sorted. The getting mean value procedure may involve obtaining a mean value from the several sets of sampling values.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus and method capable of accurately determining a still image and a moving image irrespective of an image pattern represented by input image signals and performing an interlace-to-progressive conversion process suitable for the image type are provided. First progressive-scheme image signals for one frame are generated by performing interpolation or extrapolation calculation on input interlaced-scheme image signals for each field, and second progressive-scheme image signals for one frame is generated by combining the input image signals of the one and the other fields of two adjacent fields. Next, still image determination is performed to determine whether or not an image for one frame based on the input image signals or an image corresponding to each of display regions divided from the one frame is a still image.

Abstract: A transmission device for driving a name card to pass over a contact image sensor (CIS) comprises: a loading deck provided with a central recess and a correction slip attached to a bottom face at the front end thereof; a first gear set for driving the loading deck; a second gear set fixed oppositely on the same gear shaft of the first gear set for driving the loading deck; and a motor for driving the first gear set.

Abstract: There is provided a method for printing a still image out of moving images in accordance with a printing request, comprising the steps of generating printing request timing in accordance with an operation by a user; computing the inter-frame difference value between a frame image corresponding to the printing request timing and a frame image of I picture before and/or after the frame image; and determining, based on the computed result, whether the frame image of the above I picture is used as a print prospect or a frame image of P picture before and/or after a frame image corresponding to the printing request timing is used as a print prospect. According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to print a still image without noise deterioration at a high quality.

Abstract: An optical scanner suitable for scanning a vertical object. The optical scanner has a scanning body, a focusing device and a scanning module. The scanning body has a transparent window, the focusing device has an arm, a reflective mirror and a lens. One end of the arm is coupled to the scanning body, and the reflecting mirror and the lens are disposed on the arm. The scanning module is disposed in the scanning body with a shell, a lens and an optical sensor. The shell has a light cone opening, and the lens and optical sensor are disposed within the shell. The image of the vertical object is focused by the focusing device on the transparent window, incident to the scanning module via the light cone opening, and refracted by the lens to form an image on the optical sensor.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus including: a circulating transport path to transport original documents; a first reading section to read images at a first reading position on the original documents; and a second reading section to read images on the original documents at a second reading position, opposing to the first reading position, on the circulating transport path, wherein the second reading section has different reading characteristics from characteristics of the first reading section.

Abstract: A method for scanning a selected target image area of a document includes steps of establishing in a scanner a first optical path by a first focusing lens; using the first focusing lens to preview the document and select from the whole document image a selected image area; moving the first focusing lens out of the first optical path and move a second focusing lens into the optical path to establish a second optical path in the scanner; and using an optical scanning module in the scanner and the second focusing lens to scan the selected image area of the document to obtain the desired target image.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes a housing with a scan flatbed. A loading glass is installed at the scan flatbed of the housing for loading a to-be-scanned document. A photoelectric sensing device senses the light corresponding to the to-be-scanned document to generate electric signals. The electric signals are transmitted through a flat cable to a motherboard. The flat cable is designed to include a line peak so that the surface friction between the flat cable and the loading glass can be reduced to line friction. The flat cable can also be shifted near the sidewall of the housing and is inclined to the center of the housing so that the friction traces remained on the loading glass is outside the scan flatbed. Thus, the abrasion on the loading glass can be reduced and the quality of the scanning images can be improved.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes: a loading portion which loads sheets where images of image data are formed, the sheets in a standard size larger than a designated finish size on the image data; a binding portion which binds a stacked sheet stack; a cutting portion which cuts the bound sheet stack; and a control portion which controls the cutting portion so that the bound sheet stack in the standard size is cut in a finish size based on finish size information of the above described image data.

Abstract: A plurality of subsystems having diverse individual functions can be connected to an image forming apparatus. Each of the subsystems is made up of, for example, plural kinds of units which are different in performance from each other. Each of the units has inherent information related to the performance, and decides the operation specification of the entire image forming apparatus according to the combination of those units.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes three color line sensors for outputting red, green, and blue color signals, a monochrome line sensor for outputting a monochrome signal having a higher resolution than the color signals, and a resolution-enhancement processor. The resolution-enhancement processor enhances a resolution of a pixel signal of the color signals, based on a monochrome smoothed value obtained by smoothing a signal of an arbitrary pixel of the monochrome signal and signals of pixels around the arbitrary pixel and a color smoothed value obtained by smoothing a signal of a pixel of each color signal and signals of pixels around the pixel of the color signal, the pixel of the color signal corresponding to the position of the arbitrary pixel of the monochrome signal. The image scanning apparatus can perform high-luminance and high-resolution scanning with a 4-line configuration and can reduce color-misalignment phenomenon due to motor drive.

Abstract: When a whole input gamut is mapped into an output gamut, even a gamut range which is not used in practice is mapped into the output gamut. This causes a saturation drop or tone loss. In order to solve this problem, image data obtained by the first device is input and an obtaining condition of the input image data is obtained. On the basis of the obtaining condition, the first gamut information of the input image data is obtained from a table showing the relationship between the output gamut of the first device and the obtaining condition. On the basis of the first gamut information and the second gamut information which indicates the gamut of the second device, the input image data is mapped into the gamut indicated by the second gamut information.

Abstract: A color shift detection pattern forming part forms a color shift detection pattern. A sensor detects color shift in the color shift detection pattern. A color shift amount computing part calculates an amount of color shift. A color shift correcting part corrects the calculated amount of color shift. A correction amount computing part computes an amount of correction to correct the computed amount of color shift. A correcting part corrects the computed amount of color shift based on the computed amount of correction based on a setting value for controlling a color shift state. A determining part determines whether an abnormality is detected in the computed amount of color shift or in the computed amount of correction of color shift based on a result of computation of the amount of color shift or a result of computation of the amount of correction. A fixed value setting part sets a specific fixed value to the setting value of the correcting part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interpolation method for enlarging an image, wherein the image is composed of plural scanning lines. Firstly, it selects four adjacent continuous pixels xk?1, xk, xk+1, and xk+2 which have the pixel values f(xk?1), f(xk), f(xk+1), and f(xk+2) respectively on each of the scanning lines; next, it determines three linear equations Lk?1, Lk, and Lk+1 according to every two adjacent pixel values f(xk?1) and f(xk), f(xk) and f(xk+1), and f(xk+1) and f(xk+2), respectively; then, it selects a pixel x to be interpolated between the pixel xk and the pixel xk+1; finally, it applies the pixel x to the three linear equations Lk?1, Lk, and Lk+1 to determine three candidate pixel values which are weighted and combined to obtain pixel value f(x) of the pixel x.

Abstract: An information filing method of an information filing apparatus equipped with a display, the method includes storing information and attribute information associated with the information, classifying a plurality of pieces of the information into a plurality of classification units on the basis of the attribute information, displaying a list of classification units in a first area of the display, selecting the classification unit displayed in the first area, displaying, in a second area of the display, an index of the information classified into the classification unit, selecting one classification unit or a plurality of consecutive classification units displayed in the first area, and classifying the classification unit into more detailed classification units and displaying the more detailed classification units in the first area.