Abstract: One or more parameters, such as time, are reported to a center using a form. The center then automatically extracts data from the form and converts it for storage and subsequent processing or review. The form is preferably a tangible form, which the sender completes, and then faxes or emails to the center. Image capture, registration, and feature recognition routines are included to enable the center to extract the reported data with no need for data reentry or human intervention. The invention is particularly suitable for remote employees who need to submit time sheets, expense reports, and the like to an employer, or for automatic analysis of submitted inventory reports, product orders, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is constituted to make it possible to automatically perform the processing required to recognize, on another host computer, data recognizable on a host computer. A server 101 requests OS information and file system information managed by a host A and a host A?. If, based on this information, it is determined that, when the OS of host A and host A? are the same or even different, the file system of host A is supported by host A?, the server 101 disconnects a host A-recognized logical volume VOL-A1 from host A, and connects it to host A?. Conversely, if it is determined that the OS of host A and host A? differ, and that the host A file system is not supported by host A?, the server 101 prepares a new logical volume Vol-A1?, causes host A to read out the data inside VOL-A1 and to transfer it to host A?, and causes host A? to write the transferred data to VOL-A1?.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing input image data includes an image obtaining unit that obtains image data stored in a storage unit of an external apparatus and a printing unit that prints obtained image data. The image obtaining unit includes an image-data requesting unit that requests the image data to the external apparatus, and obtains the image data from the external apparatus that responded a request from the image-data requesting unit.

Abstract: An image processing method is disclosed. A printer driver is a program for performing the method. The printer driver forms print image data that are printed by an inkjet recording apparatus capable of forming multi-level dots by ejecting droplets of recording liquid. The printer driver transforms image data of a manuscript into manuscript image data corresponding to the multi-level dots capable of being output from the inkjet recording apparatus by applying an image process such as a CMM process, a BG/UCR/? correction process, and a gradation process to the image data of the manuscript; further, forms the print image data corresponding to the multi-level dots capable of being output from the inkjet recording apparatus by combining the manuscript image data with data corresponding to the multi-level dots of an image pattern indicating that the manuscript is prohibited from being duplicated by a manuscript and tint block pattern combining section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image processing unit that has line heads that include a plurality of light sources disposed in a line shape in a main scanning direction, causes each light source to emit light onto image data to form pixels on an exposed surface, and performs image exposure, and creates two-dimensional image data to be printed on the basis of an image signal from the outside and an operation instruction. The image processing unit corrects the two-dimensional image data such that a density irregularity is corrected on the basis of light amount data and/or optical characteristic data for each of the pixels for the line heads, according to a correction value created on the basis of the light amount data and/or optical characteristic data for each of the pixels of the line heads.

Abstract: A character-edge detecting unit detects a character edge area in an image. A character-inside-area detecting unit detects a character inside area in the image. A density-information detecting unit detects density information in the image. An image processing unit executes a predetermined image processing according to results of detecting the character edge area, the character inside area, and the density information. The image processing unit applies different image processings or different image processing parameters to the character inside area based on the density information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for extracting embedded information that is embedded in an image is provided. The image processing apparatus includes: an information extraction unit configured to extract the embedded information from the image; an executable function determination unit configured to determine one or more executable functions according to the embedded information that is extracted; a display unit configured to display a list of the one or more executable functions determined by the executable function determination unit.

Abstract: An image processor has an image scanning unit, a memory, an address specification unit, a scan control unit, and a transmission control unit. The image scanning unit is configured to scan an original image. The memory is configured to store image data scanned by the image scanning unit. The address specification unit is able to specify a plurality of addresses of different protocols as multi-address destination. The scan control unit controls the image data scanned by the image scanning unit. The transmission control unit is configured to generate an image data from an image data stored in the memory, such that the image data has an image quality that is appropriate for the protocol corresponding to each of the addresses specified by the address specification unit, and transmit the image data to each of the addresses.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for associating an image with a communication characteristic are disclosed. According to one method, a content characteristic of a first image may be identified. Communication of the first image may be monitored to identify a communication characteristic of the first image. Further, the content characteristic may be associated with the communication characteristic. The association between the content and communication characteristics may be used to associate a second image having the content characteristic with the communication characteristic.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for indicating the current status of a removable media device provided for being loaded with at least one removable medium, and being connected to a device for reading and/or writing AV storage media. The method has the steps of checking the type of user input upon occurrence of user input, keeping the status of the removable media device if the type of user input is not related to the removable media device, else checking whether a characteristic feature of the at least one removable medium has changed, keeping the current status if the characteristic feature of the at least one removable medium has not changed, and else updating the status.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a first positioning part that performs positioning between a first original image and a second original image which is obtained after execution of additional entry, with respect to an entire original; a first extraction part that extracts difference information between the first original image and the second original image subjected to the positioning by the first positioning part; a second positioning part that locally performs positioning between the first original image and the second original image based on the difference information extracted by the first extraction part; and a second extraction part that extracts additional entry information from the second original image between the first original image and the second original image subjected to the positioning by the second positioning part.

Abstract: A disclosed device for generating a pulse-width modulated signal according to image data and based on a pixel clock signal includes a pixel clock generating unit configured to generate the pixel clock signal and a modulated data generating unit configured to generate the pulse-width modulated signal. The pixel clock generating unit includes a multi-phase clock signal generating unit, a comparing unit, a frequency calculation unit, a counting unit, and a pixel clock signal output unit. The modulated data generating unit includes a data converting unit, an edge time calculation unit, and a pulse-width modulated signal output unit.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image reader comprises a plurality of light receiving elements configured to receive light from an object to be read and to convert the light into image signals. The image reader further comprises means for determining a distance between the object and the plurality of light receiving elements at a plurality of different positions of the object. Moreover the image reader comprises means for selecting at least one correction process portion based at least on the distance between the object and the plurality of light receiving elements. The image reader comprises means for applying the at least one selected correction process to the image signal.

Abstract: A reading unit reads image data from an image. An information processing terminal is connected to the reading unit. The information processing terminal includes a read control unit that controls the reading unit. The reading unit transmits the image data to the information processing terminal. The information processing terminal combines a user name set in advance by a user with the image on the read control unit, and transfers the image combined with the user name to a display unit to display the image.

Abstract: An image reader includes an image sensor including a plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of light receiving elements receive a reflection light from a document and perform photoelectric conversion. The image reader further includes an MTF calculation portion which calculates an MTF of the image sensor based on image data which is obtained by reading a predetermined MTF detection pattern. Moreover, the image reader includes an image processing portion which divides the plurality of light receiving elements into a first MTF region and a second MTF region. The image processing portion performs a first image process on the plurality of image signals which are outputted from the light receiving elements in the first MTF region and a second image process on the plurality of image signals which are outputted from the light receiving elements in the second MTF region.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor produces an image including plural sub-images, which are rapidly read out and outputted via output circuits. The image sensor has its imaging surface divided into corresponding plural sub-areas producing image data, which is transferred by the horizontal transfer path in both left and right directions and outputted from the output circuits, whose amplifier characteristics are determined as follows. Optical black (OB) data from an OB area on the imaging surface is transferred in the left direction by the horizontal transfer path and outputted from one output circuit as total OB data. OB data is transferred by the horizontal transfer path in both left and right direction and outputted from the output circuits as left and right OB data. An output circuit characteristics determiner uses the total, and left and right OB data to determine the amplifier characteristics of the output circuits.

Abstract: A document surface micro-adjust mechanism for an optical scanner. The optical scanner has an outer casing with a transparent document platform in the upper section. An optical lens is enclosed inside the outer casing. The document surface micro-adjust mechanism uses a carrier chassis to embed the transparent document platform. One end of the carrier chassis is hinged upon the upper wall of the outer casing while the other end of the carrier chassis has a through hole to be engaged to a locking hole on a latching structure attached to the upper section of the outer casing. A locking element passes through the through-hole to engage with the locking hole. An elastic element is positioned between the carrier chassis and the latching structure. Depth of the locking element inside the locking hole may be adjusted to vary optical distance from the document surface of the transparent document platform to the optical lens inside the scanner.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member for bearing a latent image, a developer bearing member for transporting developer to an opposing position opposing the image bearing member by rotating with developer being borne thereon, the developer bearing member having regularly-disposed concave sections formed on a surface thereof, and an alternating voltage applying section for applying to the developer bearing member an alternating voltage that includes a first voltage for moving developer from the developer bearing member toward the image bearing member, and a second voltage for moving developer from the image bearing member toward the developer bearing member in order to develop the latent image using the developer that has been transported to the opposing position, and the cycle period of the alternating voltage is larger than a value obtained by dividing a minimum width of the concave section in a circumferential direction of the developer bearing member by a movin

Abstract: The invention, in various exemplary embodiments, incorporates multiple image sensor arrays, with separate respective color filters, on the same imager die. One exemplary embodiment is an image sensor comprising a plurality of arrays of pixel cells at a surface of a substrate, wherein each pixel cell comprises a photo-conversion device. The arrays are configured to commonly capture an image. An image processor circuit is connected to said plurality of arrays and configured to combine the captured images, captured by the plurality of arrays, and output a color image.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed which provide a plurality of pixel arrays on a common substrate each associated with a hyperspectral filter. Images from each of the arrays may be separately analyzed or combined into a composite image.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus which expresses lamp lighting energy corresponding to input gray scale data on the basis of on/off of lighting lamp of plural sub-dots corresponding to different lamp lighting times of different assistant scanning positions, with respect to such image that rapidly changes from a state close to white level toward a state close to black level, or with respect to such image that rapidly changes from a state close to black level toward a state close to white level, in order to decrease that a thin white stripe or a thin black stripe happens on the border portion, a random generator 34 and a adding circuit 33 are provided so that: whenever the gray scale value is inputted to the gray scale value input register 31, with respect to the lamp lighting energy, a random number of predetermined level is added.

Abstract: An image reading device including a plurality of image sensors configured to read image data of an original document, each of which having a reading range overlapping in a main scanning direction with an adjacent image sensor among the plurality of image sensors, and a gamma correction mechanism configured to conduct gamma correction to correct linearity of respective output characteristics of the plurality of image sensors, based on gamma correction data produced according to an output characteristic of a reference image sensor selected from the plurality of image sensors. The reference image sensor and the adjacent image sensor read identical input data, and the gamma correction mechanism compares the results, obtains a difference between the results, and adjusts the output characteristic of the adjacent image sensor to the output characteristic of the reference image sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing apparatus and method for the purpose of preventing overlapping of dots between two colors in low-density areas in color pseudo-grayscale processing, thereby obtaining excellent placement of the dots of each color. When a color image is binarized, an error is added to a respective one of color components (I0,I1), after which output decision means (2) decides an output value in accordance with the value of the sum in such a manner that the sum of pixel values after conversion will be rendered constant. Error calculation means (3-0, 3-1) calculate differences between pixel values before and after binarization as errors, and error diffusion means (9-0, 9-1) calculate values to be diffused to a neighboring pixel. Weighting coefficients used at such time are decided in accordance with combinations of values of the color components (I0,I1) of pixel values in the original image. The output value decided by the output decision means (2) is printed out by a printer or the like.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a photographing condition estimation unit for estimating a photographing condition of the input image based on photometric information and focal information. A Y/C separation unit separates the input image into a luminance signal and a color difference signal; a luminance correction unit extracts an edge from the luminance signal and corrects the luminance signal by a gradation conversion curve; a color difference correction unit corrects the color difference signal based on luminance signals obtained before and after the gradation correction and a theoretical limit characteristic of color reproduction; a skin color correction unit performs skin color correction depending on the photographing condition; and a Y/C synthesis unit synthesizes the luminance signal and the color difference signal obtained after the correction. Gradation correction is performed on the input image such that appropriate hue and saturation are achieved while emphasizing a main object.

Abstract: A portable digital media playback apparatus is disclosed. The device comes preloaded with a large number of digital media files for preview. After preview, the files are tagged with information that indicate that the user wishes to purchase the digital media file or purchase certain digital rights associated with the digital media file, such as for example, rental to play the media three times. When the portable device is synched back up with a library of digital media files available for purchase or rental, the files designated for purchase are downloaded to the portable device and files designated to be deleted are deleted from the portable device. In one embodiment, a user profile is created and includes a record of user events relating to the digital media files previewed or deleted or selected for purchase. The user profile is then provided to the content provider to compare it with the characteristics of additional digital media files available for preview.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for verifying data, and more particularly to holographic data carriers and apparatus for creating such data carriers, and to methods of verifying data stored on holographic data carriers. A data carrier comprising: a hologram storing data to reproduce an image of a portion of a human body characteristic of an individual; and a second data bearing device; and wherein data stored by said second data bearing device is verifiable using data stored in said hologram.

Abstract: A structure for providing an optical effect comprises a first and second substrates hot stamped together by an adhesive. The adhesive comprises an energy activated binder having a plurality of particles distributed therein or thereon for providing the optical effect detectable through the first substrate.

Abstract: In a recorder for recording optical information in a plurality of recording areas of a holographic memory medium, a recording part records the optical information on a first recording area by multiple-recording; a determining part determines whether the recording in the first recording area has been completed; and a fixing part fixes the optical information on the first recording area in determining that the recording in the first recording area has been completed. The recording part records the optical information in a second recording area by multiple-recording in parallel with or after fixing the optical information in the first recording area when determining that the recording in the first recording area has been completed. Corresponding method and the medium used are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hologram recording medium includes a stack of at least a lower transparent substrate, a recording layer made of a photocurable organic material, and an upper transparent substrate, wherein a spacer for keeping a thickness of the recording layer is dispersed and disposed in the inside of the recording layer in a direction of a principal plane of the hologram recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spatial flexure comprising: a base section; an end section; and an intermediate laterally contracting and expanding section connecting the base and end sections, whereby when the intermediate section laterally expands or contracts, the end section pivots downwardly or upwardly. The present invention further provides a spatial flexure scanner comprising: a base section; a scanning beam reflective section; an intermediate laterally contracting and expanding section connecting the base and reflective sections; an actuator associated with the base section; a scanning beam reflective mirror connected to the reflective section; means connecting the actuator and the reflective member for causing lateral contraction or expansion of the intermediate section in response to the actuator, whereby when the intermediate section laterally expands or contracts, the reflective section pivots downwardly or upwardly.

Abstract: The exposure method includes the steps of: illuminating a hologram recording medium, in which a hologram with a first pattern has been recorded by illumination with a laser beam emitted from a first laser oscillator, with a laser beam emitted from a second laser oscillator; and delivering the laser beam emitted from the second laser oscillator, which has passed through the hologram recording medium, onto a resist, thereby forming a second pattern in the resist. The wavelength of the laser beam used for illuminating the resist through the hologram recording medium in which the hologram is recorded is shorter than the wavelength of the laser beam used for recording the hologram in the hologram recording medium. Further, the wavelength of the laser beam used for illuminating the resist is 1/(0.5×n) (where n is an integer not less than 3) that of the laser beam used for recording the hologram.

Abstract: A complex amplitude type spatial optical modulation element, with which the amount of generation of 0th-order diffraction light is low, is provided. An optical element is arranged by aligning a plurality of three-dimensional cells C1 (x, y) two-dimensionally on an XY plane. Each individual cell is made of a light transmitting material and has a specific amplitude and a specific phase defined therein. On the upper surface of each individual cell, a first region, in which a groove G(x, y) is formed, and a second region, positioned at both sides of the first region, are formed, and light blocking layers F1 and F2 are formed on upper surfaces of the second region. The first region, which is a bottom surface of groove G(x, y) is set to an area (G1×G3) that is in accordance with the specific amplitude defined in the corresponding cell, and the depth (G2) of groove G(x, y) is set to a value that is in accordance with the specific phase defined in the corresponding cell.

Abstract: A multiple hologram recorder includes an optical system and an incident angle controller. The optical system applies a recording beam and a reference beam to a unit recording region of a hologram recording medium. The recording beam is modulated in accordance with information to be recorded. The reference and the recording beams have the same wavelength. The angle controller adjusts the incident angle of the recording or reference beam to preset angles. Every time the incident angle is adjusted to one set angle, one-page holographic recording is performed. The set angles include a reference angle associated with an angular interval. The incident angle controller causes the incident angle to continuously vary within the angular interval when the incident angle is adjusted to the reference angle. This continuous variation is performed with the recording and the reference beams irradiating the unit recording region.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source, a deflector, and an optical system including an elongated optical element that focuses deflected luminous flux on a surface of a medium to be scanned. The optical element is supported by a first elastic member and reinforced by a reinforcing member arranged outside a beam effective range along a length of the optical element. The optical element is pressed by a pressing member in a pressing direction orthogonal to a deflection direction, and biased by a second elastic member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. The pressing member and the second elastic member control a posture of the optical element at a substantially central part in a main scanning direction.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanner includes light sources, a deflector deflecting the beams emitted from the light sources at an equiangular velocity, a scanning image-forming optical system guiding the deflected beams to a surface so as to be formed into light spots on the scanned surface, a light receiving device receiving the beams deflected toward optical write-in starting portions on the scanned surface as synchronizing beams, and a synchronizing beam optical system guiding the beams deflected toward the optical write-in starting portions on the scanned surface to the light receiving device. The scanning image-forming optical system includes two or more scanning positive lenses, with a region having a positive power in a main scanning direction on an optical write-in starting side, and each deflected beam received by the light receiving device passes through one or more but not all of the scanning positive lenses to be guided to the light receiving device.

Abstract: Scanning beam display systems based on scanning light on a fluorescent screen. The screen can include fluorescent materials which emit visible light under excitation of the scanning light to form images with the emitted visible light. Multiple lasers can be used to simultaneously scan multiple laser beams to illuminate the screen for enhanced display brightness. For example, the multiple laser beams can illuminate one screen segment at a time and sequentially scan multiple screen segments to complete a full screen.

Abstract: A disclosed optical scanning device includes: a light source unit having plural luminous sources; a light source driving unit modulating each luminous source in accordance with pixel information; an oscillating mirror supported on a twist beam as a rotation shaft, the oscillating mirror collectively deflecting light beams from the luminous sources and performing reciprocating scanning on a surface to be scanned; an imaging optical system imaging the light beams from the luminous sources on the surface to be scanned; an oscillating mirror driving unit setting a scanning frequency f in accordance with a resonance frequency of the oscillating mirror; and a pitch adjustment unit adjusting beam spot intervals p in a sub-scanning direction in accordance with the scanning frequency f of the oscillating mirror that has been set.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a light scanning unit designed to suppress the quantity of torsion of a light beam caused by an inclination angle of a cylindrical lens disposed between a light source and an optical deflecting element so as to suppress increase in diameter of the beam imaged on a to-be-scanned surface. The object is achieved by the light scanning unit in which a collimator lens, an aperture, a cylindrical lens, a spherical lens, a rotary polygon mirror, an F? lens and a to-be-scanned surface are disposed in an optical path between the light source and the optical deflecting element in order of increasing distance from the light source. The light scanning unit is designed to satisfy an expression of Mt?D/? when ? designates a diameter of the aperture, D designates a diffraction diameter of each beam focused on the to-be-scanned surface and scanning the to-be-scanned surface, ? designates a rotation angle with a generatrix of the cylindrical lens, and Mt designates a conjugate magnification.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a single deflector to optically scan a plurality of target surfaces. The deflector is shared by all the beams from a plurality of light sources. The optical scanner includes photodetectors arranged to receive the deflected beams deflected. The beams traveling toward the deflector have an open angle in a deflecting rotation plane. A plurality of scanning optical systems are arranged to guide the deflected beams to different target surfaces. Each of the scanning optical systems includes at least two identical scanning lenses. At least one specific scanning lens in the scanning optical system is at a position rotated 180 degrees from a corresponding specific scanning lens in another scanning optical system. The specific scanning lens has a sub scan curvature on at least one surface with a shape asymmetrically varying from an optical axis toward both peripheries in the main scan direction.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display (10) and a system (12) for implementating a method of activating a subwindow (80) of an electrophoretic display (10). The method involves a reception of image information (14) for the subwindow, a determination of an image-holding time (82) for the subwindow, and an addressing of the subwindow of the electrophoretic display based on the received image information and the image-holding time.

Abstract: An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The electrochromic element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack.

Abstract: An acousto-optic cell is used in a method and device for patterning a workpiece, for exposing a radiation sensitive layer on a workpiece such as a mask or a device substrate. The acousto-optic cell includes an array of transducers. The transducers may supply columns of ultrasound to the cell. They may produce a two dimensional modulation pattern within the cell. Electromagnetic radiation is modulated by the cell and related to a workpiece. The modulation of the cell may modulate the amplitude and/or phase of the electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, adjoining columns of ultrasound may be positioned so that portions of the electromagnetic radiation partially overlap and interfere, after they are modulated.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a mirror plate comprising a reflective upper surface, a louver surface having a recess in the lower surface, a first cavity having an opening on the lower surface, and a cantilever situated under the recess and connected with the lower portion of the mirror plate. The mirror plate can tilt around a hinge component extending into the first cavity. The hinge component is supported by a stationary substrate. The tilt movement of the mirror plate can be stopped when the cantilever comes to contact with a stationary object.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a substrate; a hinge in connection with the substrate; a mirror plate that is connected with the hinge and is configured to tilt about the hinge; and a piezoelectric device coupled with the substrate. The piezoelectric device is configured to produce an acoustic wave to assist the separation between the mirror plate and the object.

Abstract: Methods of forming a protective coating on one or more surfaces of a microelectromechanical device are disclosed comprising the steps of forming a composite layer of a sacrificial material and a protective material, and selectively etching the sacrificial material to form a protective coating. The protective coatings of the invention preferably improve one or more aspects of the performance of the microelectromechanical devices in which they are incorporated. Also disclosed are microelectromechanical devices formed by methods of the invention, and visual display devices incorporating such devices.

Abstract: Bearing portions having an approximately arc shape are provided on a lower surface of a plate-shaped member. In the bearing portions, stoppers of a regulating member are embedded. With the engagement of the lower surface of the plate-shaped member and the apex of a pivot member and the engagement of an inner surface of the bearing portions and a lower surface of the stoppers, the plate-shaped member is rotatably supported with the apex of the pivot member as a center. With a side surface of the regulating member 109 facing a side surface of the bearing portions, the position of the plate-shaped member in a rotation axis direction is regulated.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect to block light for use with an array of micro electromechanical machines separated by the first breaks includes a layer of an electrically conductive and an electrically isolated portions separated by second breaks configured to cross the first breaks on multiple sides of one of the micro electromechanical machines.

Abstract: A large number of holes are formed in a two-layered porous film sandwiched between a lower substrate and an upper substrate and filled with a light transmitting liquid and fine particles. When a voltage is applied between an upper electrode and a lower electrode, migration of the fine particles, takes place based on electrophoresis. White color is displayed when the fine particles are located on an upper transparent porous film side and black color is displayed when the fine particles are located on a lower black porous film side. Color display is also possible by periodically repeating three primary colors of RGB in the lower layer porous film or arranging a color filter on the transparent upper substrate. Bubbles-containing fine particles or bubbles themselves may be employed in place of the fine particles.

Abstract: The electrophoretic display panel (1) for displaying a picture has a pixel (2) having an electrophoretic medium (5) having first and second charged particles (6,7), the first charged particles (6) having a first optical property, the second charged particles (7) having a second optical property different from the first optical property, and an optical state depending on positions of the particles (6,7). Furthermore, particle movement means (10,11,100) are arranged to enable a picture movement of the first and the second particles (6,7) to their respective position for displaying the picture, and particles movement decoupling means are arranged to provide unequal abilities of the first and the second particles (6,7) to move for substantially decoupling the picture movement of the first particles (6) from the picture movement of the second particles (7).

Abstract: An optical parametric amplifier of the invention comprises a nonlinear amplification section to which a signal light and a pump light are injected via a coupler. The nonlinear amplification section is constructed by connecting in multiple stages a plurality of polarization retaining highly nonlinear optical fibers (HNLFs) having mutually different zero-dispersion wavelengths and dispersion slopes. The zero-dispersion wavelengths of the HNLFs are on the short wavelength side of a pump light wavelength, and are shorter towards the output side HNLF. Furthermore, the arrangement is set such that the dispersion slopes of the HNLFs become steeper towards the output side HNLF. As a result, it is possible to realize an optical parametric amplifier that is high gain and broadband.