Abstract: Creating a locally managed instance of a printer on a workstation which communicates to the printer over a peer-to-peer network by selecting an option to create a locally managed instance of the printer, inputting an identifier of the printer, in response to the input identifier, automatically obtaining printer configuration information and print driver information based at least in part on the input identifier, automatically configuring the printer and installing a print driver based on the obtained printer configuration information and print driver information, and creating the locally managed instance of the printer. The printer configuration information and the print driver information may be automatically obtained from a remote device on the network, such as an FTP server, and a port for communication with the printer may be automatically created.

Abstract: In an image processing system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses and a management apparatus are connected to each other via a network, the management apparatus forms the image processing apparatuses into one or more groups based on apparatus attribute information, acquires control variable value information from an image processing apparatus in a group, and sends the acquired information to the other image processing apparatuses in the group. The other image processing apparatuses receive the control variable value information sent from the management apparatus, and execute image processing based on the received information.

Abstract: With this invention, upon scanning a print, since additional information recorded together with that print is reproduced while displaying the scanned image, a special effect that cannot normally be obtained from still images can be obtained. A print on which image information and additional information, different from the image information, are printed is scanned by a scanner (209). An additional information demultiplexer (210) demultiplexes that additional information, which is decoded by an error correction decoder (211). After that, the image and the decoded additional information (moving image or/and acoustic information) are simultaneously reproduced in combination.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device which aims for appropriate settings and simplification of printing functions. In a print server, when a print job is received, an application name used in a client terminal is specified from a drawing command of the print job, and standard settings of printing functions provided for each application are read from database files. Thereafter, the standard settings and settings of printing functions of the print job are compared. When the settings are different, after carrying out a warning processing, setting of printing functions based on the standard settings is carried out, and image processing and printing processing based on the set printing functions are executed. In this way, while simplifying settings of printing functions in the client terminal, image processing and printing processing by appropriate printing functions are possible.

Abstract: A system and method for a printer that receives a data containing multimedia information or a pointer to multimedia content and performs various actions in accordance with the received document. The printer may retrieve the multimedia content based on pointers within the document or the document itself may include multimedia content.

Abstract: A mailbox sheet discharge designation environment which flexibly deals with various requests from each user and inhibits a user's load is provided. In this environment, a host computer registers plural discrimination names including a user name and names of plural groups to which a user corresponding to the user name belongs for each of plural holding units of an image recording apparatus, and then transmits a printing job including sheet discharge address designation by the plural registered discrimination names to the image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus registers in a memory the plural discrimination names transmitted from the host computer to each of the holding units, and then discharges the printing job to the holding unit to which the discrimination name same as the discrimination name designated to the printing job has been registered.

Abstract: The invention is about a process to calibrate digital input devices, especially scanners and digital cameras. An input device reads a calibration picture and an adjustment of color values is made. This is defined through the usage of a calibration picture that shows only normed, printable colors. The invention is also about a calibration target.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided with multiple achromatic color inks having different densities and at least one chromatic color ink. Diversity of dots are created with the multiple achromatic color inks on a printing medium according to image data to form a black and white image where dots are inconspicuous. Dots of the at least one chromatic color ink are created according to lightness of an image to be mixed with the dots of at least one of the multiple achromatic color inks. This technique gives a high-quality monochromatic image with hue, where dots are inconspicuous. In the case of the printing apparatus provided with multiple chromatic color inks, a ratio of densities of these multiple chromatic color inks to one another is set to express a high-quality monochromatic image with desired hues. The printing apparatus provided with three different color inks, cyan, magenta yellow, as the multiple chromatic color inks, enables color images to be printed.

Abstract: CPU 150 performs a matrix operation on image data GD, and then increases the effective digit place number of the color values of the image data GD to increase the tone number of the image data GD from 8-bit tone to 18-bit tone. CPU 150 performs a gamma correction process, a matrix operation N?1M, and an inverse gamma correction process, and then restores the tone number of the image data GD to the original 8-bit tone, and performs automatic quality adjustment. As a result, the 8-bit tone of the original image data GD is preserved throughout image processing, and reproductive color number of the image data GD is preserved as well.

Abstract: A method for printing multiple binary bitmaps (10) with an original density level (12a) and a color (18), wherein the color (18) is the same for all the multiple binary bitmaps (10), by combining “n” number of binary bitmaps into “p” bits of a multibit image forming a “p” bit image (20), identifying at least one overprint (24a), predicting an overprint density (26a) for each overprint, calculating a set of exposures (28) needed to image each overprint density (24a) and original density (12a), setting a maximum exposure level (30) that is a number greater than or equal to the maximum of the set of exposures (28), calculating pulse width modulation levels (30) for the set of exposures (28) using the set maximum exposure level (30), and printing the color (28) at the set maximum exposure level (30) using the pulse width modulation levels (30) for each level of the “p” bit image (20) in a single pass.

Abstract: A system and method for creating gamma correction data for a hardcopy device includes generating a data pattern, the data pattern including data representing color pixels and monochrome pixels, dithering the color pixels of the data pattern, and error diffusing the monochrome pixels of the data pattern such that the dithered color pixels and the error diffused monochrome pixels are each N-bit values, N being greater than one. A test pattern is generated based on the dithered color pixels and the error diffused monochrome pixels. The test pattern is scanned into scanned image data, and a plurality of color gamma correction curves and a monochromatic gamma correction curve are generated from the scanned image data.

Abstract: There is described a compound apparatus, having a plurality of outputting functions including at least a copy function. The compound apparatus includes: an image-reading device to read an original image residing on a document so as to convert the original image into image data; a binary-coded image data generating section to generate binary-coded image data by applying a binary-coding processing to the image data; an image-data storing section to store the image data or the binary-coded image data; a designating section to designate an outputting function among the plurality of outputting functions; a resolution setting section to set an output-image resolution, based on an output resolution of the outputting function; and a resolution converting section to convert a resolution of either the image data or the binary-coded image data, stored in the image-data storing section, to the output-image resolution set by the resolution setting section.

Abstract: A method of adjusting positions of dots in an original halftone image for improving quality of printed images, the original halftone image including a plurality of pixels containing either dots to be printed or blank spaces. The method includes selecting a pixel in the original halftone image containing a selected dot to be printed, analyzing pixels in the original halftone image neighboring the selected pixel to determine if the neighboring pixels contain dots to be printed, adjusting the position of the selected dot in the selected pixel to increase an average distance between the selected dot and the dots in the neighboring pixels, and creating a modified halftone image in which the position of selected dot has been adjusted.

Abstract: Obtained are an imaging optical system having a simple structure in which imaging position deviation due to deformation caused by a weight of an off-axial optical element is reduced and an image reading apparatus using the same. According to an imaging optical system for image reading, image information on an original surface is imaged on a sensor, and is read by the sensor. The imaging optical system includes reflection-type off-axial optical elements, each of which has an outer shape whose lengths in directions orthogonal to each other are different from each other and whose thickness is smaller than a length of the outer shape in a short-direction thereof and is made of a resin material. The plurality of off-axial optical elements are disposed such that mirror surfaces thereof are opposed to each other and constructed to satisfy a conditional expression.

Abstract: A camera assembly for use in scanning a paper substrate of a printing press including a housing, a camera mounted within the housing, a light source, and at least one mirror.

Abstract: A drive system for an optical imaging head assembly of a scanner includes a rack having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side including a toothed surface and the second side including a guide surface, a pinion engaged with the toothed surface of the rack, and at least one guide member contacting the guide surface of the rack.

Abstract: A structure holds a medium itself to be scanned flat on an installation base in a stand type image input device. The installation base of the image recognition apparatus is provided with a mechanism which clips a medium and straightens creases and curls in the medium. the installation base may be provided with adhesion. Alternatively a mechanism for holding down a medium with filaments finer than the resolution of the image input device maybe provided.

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

Abstract: A system and/or method for temporal profiling of an incident laser pulse. The system and/or method includes a laser beam source for providing the incident laser pulse and a Bragg grating (BG) coupled to receive the incident laser pulse. The BG includes a distribution of diffraction efficiency density at various depths within the BG and provides a plurality of diffracted beamlets from the incident laser pulse. The system and/or method combines the diffracted beamlets into a single temporally shaped laser beam.

Abstract: A hologram recording apparatus for carrying out holographic recording by emitting a signal beam and a reference beam onto a holographic recording medium includes a laser light source configured to output a pulsed laser beam, a splitter configured to split the laser beam into a signal beam and a reference beam, a spatial light modulator configured to modulate the signal beam or both the signal beam and the reference beam, and a controlling unit configured to control the spatial light modulator to modulate at least one of the signal beam and the reference beam with a totally dark pattern for a predetermined period of time, wherein the predetermined period begins no later than the start of the risetime of a pulse of a laser beam output from the laser light source.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source that emits a light beam, a deflection unit that deflects the light beam, an optical unit that introduces the light beam to a target surface, a housing unit that stores these components, and a member that contacts the light source and/or the optical unit. The light source and/or the optical unit changes in attitude due to a temperature change while the optical scanner is operating. The member extends or contracts according to the temperature change so as to reduce the change of the attitude.

Abstract: A laser scanning unit is provided which can use an inexpensive and easily manufactured f? lens and which can further ensure good precision in adjustment. The laser scanning unit can repeatedly scan focused light onto a scan line, and includes a multi-beam light source for emitting parallel light, first and second cylindrical lenses for focusing the parallel light in a sub-scanning direction and a main scanning direction, respectively, a polygon mirror for deflecting the focused light in the main scanning direction, and an f? lens for focusing the deflected light on the scan line.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning device is disclosed that is able to realize a stable and small beam spot and realize stable scanning line intervals between plural light beams. The multi-beam optical scanning device includes a first optical system which has a first lens for coupling the light beams from the light sources, and a second lens which is an anamorphic element having power at least in a sub scanning direction and for guiding the light beams from the first lens to the deflection unit; and a second optical system. At least the second lens includes a diffracting surface having power.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus is provided. The light scanning apparatus includes a beam splitter, which is located between a polygonal mirror and an f? lens and reflects a portion of light incident thereon to the polygonal mirror. A laser beam reflected from the beam splitter is reflected by the polygonal mirror and incident on the f? lens. The path of a laser beam incident on the polygonal mirror and the path of the laser beam reflected from the polygonal mirror are at the same level with each other. Therefore, by installing a beam splitter in a laser scanning apparatus, it is possible to reduce the length of each reflective surface of the polygonal mirror in a main scanning direction without increasing the length of each reflective surface of the polygonal mirror in a sub scanning direction. In addition, it is possible to perform high-speed scanning while making less noise.

Abstract: A superconductor-based modulator includes a superconductor coupled to a cold reservoir to receive extreme ultra-violet (EUV) light beams. The light beams are modulated by altering transmission and reflection properties of the superconductor. Magnetic field, temperature, or a combination of both, may be used to control the superconducting properties of the superconductor. The modulator may perform temporal, spatial, and grey-scale modulations. The surface of the superconductor may be patterned with heat or infrared radiation to facilitate light focusing.

Abstract: A nanoporous, nanocrystalline film and electrochromic device. The nanoporous, nanocrystalline film has a conducting metal oxide having an electroactive compound, which is either a p-type or n-type redox promoter or p-type or n-type redox chromophore, absorbed thereto. The electrochromic device has at least one electrode, the at least one electrode having a transparent or translucent substrate bearing an electrically conducting coating, which in turn bears a conducting nanostructured metal oxide film.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micro-mirror includes a hinge disposed outwardly from a substrate. The hinge is capable of at least partially supporting a micro-mirror disposed outwardly from the hinge. The micro-mirror is capable of being selectively transitioned between an on-state position and an off-state position. In one particular embodiment, the hinge comprises a substantially flat profile for at least a portion of the hinge disposed between a first hinge post of the hinge and a mid-point of the hinge. The apparatus also includes a plurality of process control voids formed within a conductive layer disposed inwardly from the hinge. In one particular embodiment, the substantially flat profile is at least partially created from the plurality of process control voids.

Abstract: A lighting system is disclosed comprised of a plurality of image projection lighting devices including a first image projection lighting device. The first image projection lighting device is typically comprised of a microprocessor and a camera. The microprocessor and/or a command from a central controller can cause the camera to capture a first image of the projection surface and can cause the first image projection lighting device to produce a projected light which substantially reduces the nonuniformity of light intensity on the projection surface from the plurality of image projection lighting devices.

Abstract: A phase optimization apparatus and method to obtain a maximum extinction ratio by feeding back a portion of an optical signal output from a Mach-Zehnder interferometer wavelength converter using XPM of a semiconductor optical amplifier to maintain an optimum phase difference between two arms. The phase optimization apparatus includes a first arm having a first semiconductor optical amplifier that amplifies a pump signal and a probe signal, a second arm having a second semiconductor optical amplifier that amplifies the probe signal, and a ? phase shifter that controls the phase of the amplified signal, an optical band-pass filter that filters optical signals to output only the modulated probe signal; and a phase control unit that receives feedback to output to the ? phase shifter of the second arm a phase control signal, which controls a phase difference between the first and second arms.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier having at least a first and a second optical Raman-active fiber disposed in series with each other is disclosed. A first pump source is connected to the first Raman-active fiber, and is adapted for emitting and coupling into the first Raman-active fiber a first pump radiation including a first group of frequencies. A second pump source is connected to the second Raman-active fiber, and is adapted for emitting and coupling into the second Raman-active fiber a second pump radiation including a second group of frequencies. The whole of the first and second group of frequencies extends over a pump frequency range having a width of at least 40% of the Raman shift. The minimum and the maximum frequency in each of the first and second group of frequencies differ from each other by at most 70% of the Raman shift.

Abstract: An optical amplification apparatus includes a polarizing beam splitter for reflecting a portion of an incident light and transmitting a remaining portion of the incident light, depending upon a polarized state of the incident light, at least two optical amplification means each including a first polarizing plate which makes polarized states of the light before and after the light reflected from the polarizing beam splitter reciprocatingly passes through the first polarizing plate, to be orthogonal to each other, an amplitude division plate for amplitude-dividing the light having passed through the first polarizing plate, into first and second lights, and optical amplifiers for respectively amplifying the first and second lights which are amplitude-divided by the amplitude division plate. The optical amplification means are located such that the light output from upstream optical amplification means is incident upon the polarizing beam splitter included in downstream optical amplification means.

Abstract: An optical system is provided for creating a mosaic image of a large field of view through a microscope at fast refresh rates of about 25 Hz with a high resolution that is free of blurring or aberrations. The optical system includes an objective lens assembly (20), an iris (30), one or more scanning mirrors (40) for high-speed scanning, one or more imaging lenses and irises (50, 60, 80), and a high-speed imaging device (70) arranged in that order from an object. The optical system also includes a mechanism for processing and constructing scanned and captured images into a mosaic image.

Abstract: Described is a portable confocal microscope which includes a microscope stand including a shaft having top and bottom ends, a platform connected to the shaft by a height adjustment mechanism, a base member connected to the bottom end of the shaft and first and second elongated channel members slidably and rotatably connected to the base member, an optical assembly including an objective lens including a first position adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position of the objective lens along a first axis, a confocal module transmitting light to and receiving light from a specimen to be imaged via the optical assembly, an image acquisition system recording images through the optical assembly, a specimen stage including a position adjustment mechanism for moving the stage along a second and third axis, and a computer controlling the first and second position adjusting mechanisms to generate an image for recording by the image acquisition system.

Abstract: An optical magnification device for varying the distance between an observer's eye (1) and an object (7), e.g., for a binocular magnifier or a microscope, in which focusing onto the object (7) is accomplished by means of progressive lenses (3) displaceable perpendicular to the observation beam(s) (2).

Abstract: A stereo microscope includes two oculars mounted at one end of a housing and an objective lens mounted at an opposite end of the housing. Between the opposite ends of the housing is a rotatably mounted lens magnification changer with three series of bores extending diametrically therethrough. For each ocular, a line of sight extends to a prism assembly, through one of the bores of a series which contains a lens assembly and through the objective lens. Both lines of sight lie in a common plane. A LED light source is located adjacent the objective lens. Light entering through the objective lens and one of the series of bores in the lens magnification changer is received by a digital camera.

Abstract: A scanning laser microscope is provided which includes at least one laser light source for emitting laser light, a plurality of modulating sections for adjusting the laser light emitted from each laser light source, a storage section for storing delay time information on an input/output of each modulating section, and signal production section for producing a driving signal to drive at least one modulating section selected from the plurality of modulating sections based on the delay time information of the at least one selected modulating section. The delay time information includes information on a response time from a start of driving to development of a function of each modulating section.

Abstract: A viewing device includes a housing defining an interior chamber through which light can pass. The housing includes first and second spaced apart openings communicating with the interior chamber such that light entering the first opening is viewed by a user looking into the second opening. The second opening is further configured to receive sound created by the user and the housing is configured to transmit the sound entering the second opening toward a sound exit location of the housing at or near the first opening. The second opening can define an eyepiece portion into which the user looks and a mouthpiece portion into which a user speaks. The viewing device can take the form of a periscope toy.

Abstract: Handsfree fieldglasses providing increased clarity and magnification of a visual target in an outdoor application are disclosed. The handsfree fieldglasses can include eyeglasses, binoculars, and a customized connector coupling the eyeglasses and binoculars. The eyeglasses may include prescription lenses and/or polarized lenses. The lenses can have antireflective coatings, hydro-phobic coatings and/or a reduced or substantially flat base curve. The binoculars include adjustable separate lens arrangements having lengthy or infinite focal lengths to be placed against each eyeglass lens. The connector includes multiple fixed attachments and adjustable components such that the binoculars can be custom adjusted to rest against the eyeglasses and also to flip away from the eyeglasses while remaining coupled thereto. While resting against the eyeglasses, a user simultaneously perceives a full field of view having a magnified central portion and non-magnified outer portion.

Abstract: A polymer sheet for use in a projection screen comprises polyorgano silsesquioxane microspheres that enhance light diffusing characteristics. Also disclosed is a projection screen comprising at least two glass plates and the polymer sheet disposed therebetween. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a polymer sheet by incorporating the microspheres with the polymer.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens includes an input side configured to receive the image and an output side, opposite the input side, configured to display the image. The input side includes a first facet angled to receive input light constituting at least a portion of the image. The input side also includes a second facet at least partially facing the first facet and a third facet linking the first facet to the second facet, wherein the third facet and the output side are substantially parallel.

Abstract: A contrast improving sheet includes a first optical functional element and a second optical functional element on the viewing side thereof. The first optical functional element has a plurality of protrusions, each having a pair of opposite total-reflection facets for totally reflecting image light rays substantially perpendicularly incident on the entrance surface and a flat facet extending between the front edges, on the side of the exit surface, of the pair of opposite total-reflection facets. Light absorbing layers are formed between the adjacent protrusions. The second optical functional element has a light path correcting layer for correcting light paths followed by the image light rays totally reflected by the total-reflection facets such that the image light rays are emitted through the exit surface substantially perpendicularly to the exit surface. The light path correcting layer has a plurality of alternately inclined planes inclined in opposite directions.

Abstract: An optical isolator is constructed such that an optical isolator element in which at least one flat Faraday rotator and at least two flat polarizers are bonded to each other into an integral unit by van der Waals forces or hydrogen-bonding forces acting between bonding surfaces of the Faraday rotator and the polarizers is accommodated in a tubular magnetic element.

Abstract: Microelectronic imagers, optical devices for microelectronic imagers, methods for manufacturing integrated optical devices for use with microelectronic imagers, and methods for packaging microelectronic imagers. The optical devices are manufactured in optical device assemblies that provide efficient and highly accurate fabrication of the optics that are used in microelectronic imagers. The optical device assemblies are particularly useful for packaging a plurality of microelectronic imagers at the wafer level. Wafer-level packaging is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of manufacturing microelectronic imagers because a plurality of imagers can be packaged simultaneously using highly accurate and efficient processes developed for packaging processors, memory devices and other semiconductor devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a planar substrate and an array of substantially transparent spherical micro-lenses forming a pattern. The pattern has an internal two-dimensional lattice symmetry on the planar substrate. Each micro-lens includes a convex bulge or a concave depression in a surface of the planar substrate. The micro-lenses and substrate include hydrogel that swells and contracts in a manner that is responsive to an environmental condition.

Abstract: For distributing the flux density of an input light flow (11), this input light flow is split-up in at least two light flows (12, 13) comprising different cross-sectional parts of the input light flow (11), and an output light flow (15) is output to which two partial flows each comprising a flux density fraction of at least one of the light flows (12, 13) are superimposed in one direction by means of a partial reflection at a partially reflecting optical surface (9). Additionally, at least one further output light flow (17) is output to which two further partial flows each comprising further flux density fractions of the same light flows (12, 13) as in case of the first output light flow (15) are superimposed in a further direction by means of the same partial reflection at the partially reflecting optical surface (9).

Abstract: A display device for displaying information is provided with an optical system for guiding the light of the display device to the eye, the optical system having, in the order in the proceeding direction of the light, an entrance face for receiving the light, a curved face for totally reflecting the light and a reflecting face concave to the eye side and adapted to reflect the light toward the eye. The reflected light is transmitted by the curved face and reaches the eye. Thus there is obtained a compact display device with satisfactorily suppressed aberrations.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom lens system which includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit with positive optical power, a second lens unit with negative optical power, a third lens unit with positive optical power, a fourth lens unit with positive or negative optical power, and a fifth lens unit with positive optical power. In at least one exemplary embodiment of this zoom lens system, during zooming, the second lens unit, the third lens unit, and the fifth lens unit can move along the optical axis.

Abstract: A zoom lens including a first lens unit exhibiting a positive refractive power and always being statically positioned along an optical axis when a power of the zoom lens is varied or the focusing is conducted and including a reflective optical element for bending an optical path, a second lens unit exhibiting a negative refractive power and including a negative lens, a negative lens and a positive lens, along the optical axis in this order from an object side, a third lens unit exhibiting a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit exhibiting a positive refractive power, and including at least two positive lenses, and a fifth lens unit exhibiting a negative refractive power, wherein the second lens unit, the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit are moved for varying the power of the zoom lens.

Abstract: An inner-focus type zoom lens system used for a camera module having an image sensor and using an LC lens is provided. The inner-focus type zoom lens system includes an objective lens group, a condensing lens group, at least one moving lens group, and an LC lens. The objective lens group is located most closely to an object side and fixed, and the condensing lens group is located most closely to an image side and fixed. The moving lens group is located between the objective lens group and the condensing lens group and moved for zooming. The LC lens includes an inner space filled with an LC material whose refractive index and abbe number change according to an applied voltage. The LC lens compensates for an image plane using the changes of the refractive index and the abbe number of the LC material when the zooming is performed by the moving of the moving lens.

Abstract: An object is to provide a zoom lens system having compactness, a high zoom ratio, and high optical performance with preferably correcting various aberrations. The zoom lens system includes, in order from the object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power. When a state of lens group positions varies from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 increases, a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 decreases, a distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4 varies, and the fourth lens group G4 moves along a zoom trajectory having a convex shape facing to an image.