Abstract: Described is a method to determine the viability of cells by measuring the absolute and relative rate of metabolic activity and/or integrity of the cell membrane through the use of vibrational spectroscopy. The use of deuterated agents facilitates detection of changes associated with a change in viability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a weathering test apparatus system capable of accurately monitoring deterioration of a light source used in a weathering test apparatus. According to the present invention, there is provided a weathering test apparatus system, which comprises a weathering test apparatus with a light source and a spectroradiometer which monitors deterioration of the light source, wherein the spectroradiometer comprises an entrance window which captures light from the light source, and a spectroscopic unit which is connected optically to the entrance window and has a multi-wavelength resolution function, the spectrometer being disposed inside the weathering test apparatus.

Abstract: An optical spectrum analyzer has a deflection section for changing an incidence angle of measured light on a diffraction grating, a plurality of light detection sections for detecting the dispersed measured light and outputting an electric signal responsive to the light strength, and a signal processing section for finding an optical spectrum of the measured light based on the electric signal from the light detection sections. The light detection sections are arranged along the wavelength dispersion direction of the diffraction grating and output electric signals independently of each other.

Abstract: A sheath liquid for a particle analyzer being used to analyze particles contained in a sample is described. The sheath liquid comprises water and a refractive-index adjustment agent comprising glycerols and/or sulfate. A method for producing the sheath liquid and a method for analyzing particles using the sheath liquid are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic system for electrophoretic analysis of materials in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology and numerous other fields. Light absorbance signals are received by a photodetector from periodically spaced regions along a channel in the microfluidic system. The signals received by the photodetector are modulated by the movement of species bands through the channel under electrophoretic forces. By Fourier analysis, the velocity of each species band is determined, and identification of the species is made based on its electrophoretic mobility in the channel.

Abstract: A lens blocking device is disclosed that includes a frame, a light source mounted on the frame, a carriage having a first end and a second end mounted on the frame for sliding movement between first and second positions, a first mirror mounted on the carriage first end and a lens block holder mounted on the carriage second end and shiftable between third and fourth positions with respect to the carriage, a stage disposed between the light source and the carriage, and including an opening, for supporting an object, an at least partially translucent screen generating a display image operably connected to the support frame, at least one second mirror arranged to reflect an image of an object on the stage from the first mirror, when the carriage is in the first position, onto the screen, and an actuator operably connected to the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of biochemical laboratory instrumentation for different applications of measuring properties of samples on e.g. microtitration plates and corresponding sample supports. The object of the invention is achieved by providing an optical measurement instrumentation which comprises a point detector (531) for the measurement of homogeneous samples, and an image detector (591) for the measurement samples wherein the substance to be measured is inside or attached to details such as cells. The instrumentation has thus two measurement modes for the measurement of different types of samples. In measurement of details, improved measurement accuracy is obtained, as well as better insensitivity to the number and location of the details such as cells or particles within a sample.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance biosensor uses coupled surface plasmons to decrease the width of a reflectivity dip and thereby increase the sensitivity of the surface plasmon resonance biosensor.

Abstract: An interferometer for demodulating a differential M-phase shift keying signal includes a PLC type interferometer main body, a heating portion that heats the PLC type interferometer main body, and an intermediate member having a higher stiffness than that of the PLC type interferometer main body, for bonding the PLC type interferometer main body and the heating portion with each other while being sandwiched therebetween. A linear expansion coefficient difference between the PLC type interferometer main body and the intermediate member is equal to or smaller than 4.5×10?6/° C., and a thermal conductivity difference between the PLC type interferometer main body and the intermediate member is equal to or larger than 10 W/mK. A phase of an optical signal flowing through the interferometer is adjusted by using the heating portion and a second heating portion.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, method and system can be provided for obtaining information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, a temperature change can be caused in the portion of the sample. At least one first electro-magnetic radiation can be forwarded to a section near or in the portion of the sample. A deformation of the section can be identified at a plurality of depths as a function of (i) a phase of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation provided from the section, and/or (ii) a rate of change of the phase and/or an amplitude of the second electro-magnetic radiation. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, method and system can be provided for controlling a temperature distribution in a sample. For example, an electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to the section in the sample at a particular wavelength.

Abstract: A measuring endoscope apparatus is disclosed having a light source unit that emits low coherence light, a probe that illuminates the observation object with the low coherence light and that collects light reflected by the observation object, and a single optical fiber that optically connects the light source unit and the probe. The light source unit includes a first low coherence light splitting part and an optical path length adjustment part. The probe includes a second low coherence light splitting part, a low coherence light multiplexing part, a lens that forms images using light returned from the observation object and an image detector that captures interference patterns and/or images using light reflected by the observation object. By using the low coherence light, surface conditions, such as roughness, can be accurately measured.

Abstract: A measuring device for the optic measuring of an object 13a is provided, in particular for measuring a motion of the object. The device includes an interferometer 20 with a measuring beam exit 12, a reflection beam entry 14, an interfering beam exit 15, and a light source 1 for creating a light beam 8, an optic detector 16, which is arranged at the interfering beam exit 15 of the interferometer 20 such that a light beam exiting the interfering beam exit 15 impinges the detector and a signal processing unit 17 connected to the detector 16 being embodied such that they can measure measuring signals of the detector 16.

Abstract: A portable and convenient electronic distance measuring apparatus using a laser beam and a supersonic wave is provided.

Abstract: A surface profiling apparatus for providing surface profile information for a sample surface. This apparatus includes: support means for supporting a sample having a non-planar surface; light directing means for directing broadband light to an interference zone along first and second light paths; moving means for causing relative movement between the sample surface and a non-uniform sample light beam; and compensating means for compensating for the difference between the two path lengths caused by this relative movement. The first light path includes the sample surface and the second light path includes a non-planar reference surface. The light directing means comprises shaping means operable to shape the beams of light to form: a non-uniform reference light beam with a wavefront substantially matching the reference surface along the second light path; and the sample light beam with a beam profile substantially matching the reference light beam profile along the first light path.

Abstract: Interferometry apparatus which comprises a measurement light beam (2a, 2b) and a reference light beam (2c, 2d) which interact with each other to cause a spatial fringe pattern (24). An optical device (12) is provided which interacts with the spatial fringe pattern (24), such that light is spatially separated into different directions (30, 32, 34, 36). The intensity modulation in two or more directions of the spatially separated light is phase shifted. The optical device may comprise, for example, a diffractive device, a refractive device or a diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A method for measuring and two-dimensional mapping of electro-optical properties of materials using a Reflective Grating Interferometer (RGI) includes projecting a substantially coherent and monochromatic electromagnetic beam subjected to a homogeneous electrical field so the beam is enlarged to have a two-dimensional cross section comparable with dimensions of the material, dividing the electromagnetic beam into one part that crosses the material and another part that travels undisturbed, recomposing the two beams on a recombination element of the RGI, detecting the recombined beam by a device suited to two-dimensional detection of such beam. The method also includes: E. obtaining phase variation ?ø(x,y) between the divided beams; F. varying the applied electrical field value and repeating the detection steps; G.

Abstract: A method of measuring a 3D shape, which can measure a 3D shape of target objects on a board by searching a database for bare board information when a measuring object is not set to a normal inspection mode or by performing bare board teaching when the board is supplied from a supplier having not the bare board information is provided.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed of obtaining three-dimensional information pertaining to an object of interest, based on a light-pattern image acquired by digitally photographing the object with patterned light being projected onto the object, By an exemplary technique, a local adaptive spatial-filter is configured for the light-pattern image, based on a spatial frequency characteristic of the light-pattern image having a plurality of sub-areas, on a sub-area-by-sub-area basis, and local thresholds are set for the light-pattern image, based on image information acquired by locally applying the spatial filter to the light-pattern image, on a sub-area-by-sub-area basis.

Abstract: A positioning system includes an illumination device, a terminal, and a positioning server. The illumination device transmits identification information. The terminal transmits the identification information received from the illumination device, to the positioning server. The positioning server uses the identification information received from the terminal, thereby searching an illumination installation position database registered in advance so as to identify the terminal position. This eliminates power supply for positioning infrastructure and facilitates attachment to a ceiling, thereby realizing the positioning infrastructure at a low cost.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for measuring changes in the position of the edge of a body of a component. Said measuring device contains a sensor which reacts to the changes, a light source, a measuring edge fixed in relation to the edge of the body, and a light emitted from the light source. From the change in position, information about the deformation caused by a force F (for example, in the case of bearings) can be obtained, a weight or an imbalance can be determined, and joints and press fits can be monitored. The measurement is carried out by reflection or transmission, preferably using optical waveguides.

Abstract: A method of thickness measurements of thick petrochemical films on a water surface has includes irradiating a surface by an optical beam, receiving a reflected signal, analyzing the dependence of intensity of the reflected signal on a wavelength, determining a film thickness based on the analysis, using three wavelengths for irradiation of the surface, selecting the wavelengths from conditions n 2 ? ? 1 ? 2 = 2 ? n 2 ? ( ? 2 ) ? 2 , where n2 (?1) and n2(?2) are refraction coefficients of petrochemical product at the wavelengths: ?1 and ?2, ?3 is equal to a wavelength of absorption maximum of petrochemical product, and using for the determination of the film thickness results of the analysis of intensity of the reflected signal at the three wavelengths.

Abstract: A method for specifying handling characteristics for multiple printed copies of an electronic document is disclosed. According to one aspect, a user interface is displayed. The user interface comprises user interface elements through which a user can specify, for each copy of two or more printed copies of an electronic document, a separate handling characteristic (e.g., a source tray and/or an output tray) for that copy. The handling characteristics for each copy of the electronic document may differ. Through the user interface, separate handling characteristics for each copy of the two or more copies are received. Print data, which causes the printing device to print the two or more copies in accordance with the handling characteristics, in sent to a printing device (e.g., a printer). Consequently, users are not required to repetitively activate the “print” control of an application program for each copy that is to be handled differently.

Abstract: A printing tool has a module allowing printing of at least one linked content item. A request sub-module generates a request to print at least one linked content item, and a retrieval sub-module allows at least one linked content item to be retrieved for printing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing apparatus arranged to scale an object within an image, said image processing apparatus comprising a calibrator arranged to scale the object based on a calibration factor derived from a relationship between a true dimension of a marker and a dimension of the marker in pixel units in the image, wherein the calibrator is further arranged to generate a plurality of calibration factors obtained using a plurality of differently oriented markers identified within said image. The image I comprises a plurality of objects (3, 8, 9) which are oriented differently in space resulting in a different alignment of these objects with respect to the anatomical structures (2). The object (3) is linked to a measurement tool, which is arranged to measure a length of the object (3) in pixel units and to calculate a true length of the object (3) using a calibration factor determined from a marker (A), which has a similar alignment in space as the object (3).

Abstract: A image processing apparatus includes a first image converting section for converting an original image into an output resolution image, a second image converting section for converting the original image into an intermediate resolution image, a similarity information generating section for detecting a plurality of similar areas, in a block in the intermediate resolution image corresponding to a predetermined partial area in the output resolution image, that resemble the partial area, and for generating similarity information including a position of each of the plurality of similar areas in the intermediate resolution image and a weight of the position, a texture generating section for generating a texture image by combining high-frequency components of the intermediate resolution image at the position according to the weight, and a texture blending section for blending the output resolution image and the texture image to generate output image.

Abstract: A calibration method having the steps of: forming a test image on a sheet; reading the test image on the sheet; and determining correction data to converge data of the test image onto target data, based on information read in the reading step; wherein in cases where in the step of forming the test image a first test image is formed on a face of a transparent sheet as the test image, in the step of reading the test image the first test image is read from a first side of a face to be read which is opposite to the face of the transparent sheet where the first test image is formed.

Abstract: A device to select and drive recording elements included in a print head that prints images, for example, a nozzle. The device includes an encoder to encode address data, a decoder to decode the encoded address data to restore original address data, an address data bus to connect the encoder with the decoder to transfer the encoded address data to the decoder, a driver to drive the recording elements using the primitive data and the decoded address data, and a primitive data bus to transfer the primitive data to the driver. Accordingly, when the recording elements included in the print head are driven using the primitive data and the address data, the address data can be encoded so that neighboring recording elements share the address data bus to reduce the number of address data bus lines and a size of a print head chip.

Abstract: A printer for printing an interface onto a surface is provided. The interface is comprised of visible data and machine-readable coded data. The visible data is based at least partially on document data which includes identity data indicative of an identity associated with a region of the interface. The printer comprises a printhead and a processor for generating dot data for the printhead using the document data. The processor includes a coded data generator configured to generate the coded data based at least partially on the identity data. Further, the printhead is configured to print the interface onto the surface by printing the visible data and the coded data substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods of selecting a color for an electronic ink are disclosed. A portion of a photograph may be analyzed to determine a representative color value, which may be an average color value for the portion. Depending on the photograph, more than one representative color value may be determined. A color or colors, that may include gradients in brightness or saturation levels, which will be visible on the representative color value or values, may then be determined. A color of the electronic ink is then set to the appropriate color or colors so that when a user inks on a photograph, the ink is visible.

Abstract: A method and a system to create either a white default background or any other selected default color without the need to coat the whole region or section of the medium upon which the object or image is to be printed on under the object with the desired media color. This is done by determining for each pixel within the region if there is colorant to be applied, and if not, to apply the default colorant. This could be achieved in more than one approach.

Abstract: An object of an input print job is discriminated, and color conversion processing is applied to the object of the print job based on the discrimination result and information which is set in correspondence with the print job and is used to designate color conversion processing. When the object is a transparent object, the color conversion processing is executed on a rendering color space, and when the object is a gradation object, the color conversion processing is executed on a device color space.

Abstract: Disclosed is color conversion method using a color look-up table. The method includes the steps of: generating a color look-up table using information on the difference of each channel before and after a conversion of each color; and converting the colors using the generated color look-up table. The step of generating the color look-up table includes identifying the maximum difference value among several difference values and generating a first compressed table to initially compress the difference values using the maximum difference value.

Abstract: When generating a color conversion table for converting a device independent color into a device color, a conversion target color of the device independent color corresponding to a lattice point of the color conversion table is set based on color reproduction information indicating the relationship between the device color and device independent color. The conversion target color is changed to generate a plurality of neighbor colors of the conversion target color. The conversion target color and the plurality of neighbor colors are converted into device colors based on the color reproduction information, and the device color corresponding to the conversion target color is calculated from the conversion results.

Abstract: A printing method and apparatus, the method and apparatus including inputting a print job, printing the print job, selecting an output mode in which sheets of the print job are either reversed or not reversed before being output to a stacking unit. When printing is performed based on a second print job subsequent to printing performed based on a first print job, the second print job is output in the same output mode as that of the first print job.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus processes vector image data in units of blocks. When vector image data associated with a first block satisfies a predetermined condition, the image processing apparatus stores the result of processing the vector image data associated with the first block. When vector image data associated with a second block matches the vector image data associated with the first block, the image processing apparatus outputs the result of processing the vector image data associated with the first block, which is stored therein.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a registering unit, a display unit, a settings-acquiring unit, and a virtual device renaming unit. The registering unit registers a plurality of communicable printers as a plurality of virtual devices. Each of the plurality of virtual devices has a plurality of functions. The display unit displays a plurality of virtual device names for the plurality of virtual devices. The settings-acquiring unit acquires a setting for at least one of the plurality of functions for each of the plurality of virtual device. The virtual device renaming unit changes at least one of the virtual device names for the plurality of the virtual devices to a device name representing the setting of a corresponding virtual device acquired by the settings-acquiring unit.

Abstract: A print processing system is capable of display a setting parameter required by a user for print setting input.

Abstract: The respective jobs of copying, printing, scanning, and faxing processed by an integrated application are unitarily divided into four job steps. A package of function modules 41A selectively used in the respective jobs is classified into four groups of input, create, edit, and output function modules 410 to 412 according to the division. A data format is unified into bitmap by a create function module 411A, and the bitmap data is processed by an edit function module 411B for pagination or aggregation, etc. In response to receiving setting information and a job code, a job controlling module 43A creates job step control blocks 440 to 442 and writes the information therein to create a job. Each of job step controlling (JSC) modules 450 to 452 starts a function module for each page, and after the completion thereof, creates a thread control block for the next downstream side JSC module.

Abstract: An automated method is provided for viewing production data for a print job. The production data includes an electronic document defined by a page description language (PDL). The electronic document is stored in a PDL image file and has predefined physical dimensions and a predetermined area in which the electronic document must fit in a layout of a physical printed document. In the method, a still image proxy is created of the PDL image file. A static template is created that defines the predetermined area. The physical dimensions of the template are dynamically determined based on the area in which the electronic document must fit in the layout of the physical printed document. The physical dimensions of an image display of the still image proxy are dynamically determined based on the relative size of the predefined physical dimensions of the PDL image file to the predetermined area in which the electronic document must fit.

Abstract: To enable the operability of image editing process to improve, the first procedure for making configurations relating to a print medium used in printing by a printing device, the second procedure for selecting an image to be printed by the printing device and specifying its print range, the third procedure for making configurations relating to image processing for the image for which the print range is specified, and the fourth procedure for performing printing process of the image data to which the configured image processing is applied are executed.

Abstract: A system for generating soft copy (digital) versions of hard copy documents uses images of the hard copy documents. The images may be captured using a device suitable for capturing images, like a camera phone. Once available, the images may be processed to improve their suitability for document generation. The images may then be processed to recognize and generate soft copy versions of the documents represented by the images.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a method and system for increasing the throughput of mail processing machines by limiting the number of document processing system stops while effectively allowing errors to be reconciled during the continued operation of the system. More particularly, the present approach involves logging detected errors during an ongoing document processing run. The detected errors are analyzed for priority, and the operator is alerted to take corrective action during run time for specified errors. The reported errors may be reconciled prior to the completion of the document processing run.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs a user authentication process and performs a private print process according to a request from an authenticated user. When the user requests interruption of the private print which is now performed or it is detected that the user has left a place near the image forming apparatus while the private print is being performed, the image forming apparatus interrupts the private print which is now performed and stores a print state at the interruption time. Further, the image forming apparatus performs a user authentication process and re-starts the private print which is interrupted in response to a re-start request from the authenticated user.

Abstract: An apparatus changes setting for inhibiting processing of an electronic document executed in a document processing apparatus to setting for permitting the processing of the electronic document. After the setting for permitting the processing of the electronic document, upon reception of information indicating that the electronic document has been processed, the apparatus changes the setting for permitting the processing of the electronic document to setting for inhibiting the processing of the electronic document.

Abstract: The present invention provides a print system that can avoid the case where a sheet of photo paper is wastefully used in printing. When an instruction from a user includes an instruction specific to photo printing (an instruction to use a sheet of photo paper, for example) (S203), a host apparatus appends a tag indicating “photo printing” to print content to be transmitted to a printer (S206). When the printer receives the print content from the host apparatus (S251) and the image data included in the received print content cannot be used for the printing (S252: Yes), the printer changes the details of the printing operation as appropriate (S254, S255, and S256) on the basis of the presence or absence of the appended tag (S253), thereby avoiding the case where a sheet of photo paper is wasted.

Abstract: According to a first aspect there is provided a method for associating a file that contains the image with a second file that is identified by input received at a set-top box from a user. According to a second aspect there is provided a method for capturing an image that is displayed on a display device that is associated with the set-top box; and communicating the image over a network. According to a third aspect there is provided a method for adjusting a frame that is displayed on a display device that is associated with the set-top box; capturing an image that is displayed inside the frame on the display device; and processing the image. According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method for capturing an image displayed on a display device associated with the set-top box; associating the image with a rule; and processing the rule to prevent the image from being printed.

Abstract: A printing system capable of processing a plurality of job streams and sub-jobs within a job stream. The system including one or more marking engines, a hopper, and one or more print media destinations. The system further provides a jobs scheduler for determining a schedule for processing queued print sub-jobs of a job stream using a utility function based on dwell time and a system model indicative of the plurality of interconnected processing units. The plurality of sub-jobs employing one or more of the plurality of sheet processing paths including at least one pre-print batch and at least one direct print batch. A sheet itineraries processor is provided for causing the plurality of interconnected processing units to concurrently move sheets of the concurrent sub-jobs along selected sheet processing paths to process the sheets and to deliver the at least one pre-print batch to the hopper and to deliver the at least one direct print batch to the destination.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, it has been determined that the bandwidth, guaranteed periodic delivery and error correction characteristics of a USB High-Speed Interrupt OUT pipe of the USB 2.0 standard enable the Interrupt OUT pipe to be used to transfer print data from the host computer to the printer. By using the Interrupt OUT pipe for this purpose, it is no longer necessary to store an entire rasterized page in the formatter memory of the printer before commencing printing of the page. Consequently, the size of the formatter memory device can be relatively small compared to the size of the formatter memory device that is currently used to store an entire rasterized page. Alternatively, the same size memory device as that currently used to store an entire rasterized page may be used to enable higher resolution pages to be printed.

Abstract: A variable price on-line printing system includes printing and finishing resources, and an on-line server to receive print job data and electronic requests for use of the printing/finishing resources from customer workstations. A dynamic price database includes data that describe current and anticipated future demand for the printing/finishing resources. An automated dynamic price offer generation process accesses the dynamic price database and derives a dynamic price for use of at least one of the printing/finishing resources based upon current and anticipated future demand as indicated in the dynamic price database. A user interface engine receives input from the automated dynamic price offer generation process and outputs price offers to the customer workstations, including the dynamic price associated with a printing/finishing resource, wherein the dynamic price is tailored to shape demand for the printing/finishing resource. The customer can accept or decline the dynamic price offer.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for a client causing an electronic document to be printed without using a printer driver installed on the client is provided. A client discovers one or more printing devices on a network. The client communicates with a discovered printing device to identify the printing features supported by the discovered printing device. When the client receives a request to print an electronic document to a selected printing device, the client sends the electronic document and print configuration data to the selected printing device. As the client has been informed of the printing features supported by the selected printing device, the client can send the electronic document and the print configuration data to the selected printing device in a form readable by the selected printing device. The selected printing device processes the electronic document and the print configuration data to produce a printed copy of the electronic document.