Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a polarization-modulating optical element, wherein the element causes, for light passing through the element and due to stress-induced birefringence, a distribution of retardation between orthogonal states of polarization, the method comprising joining a first component and a second component, wherein a non-plane surface of the first component being provided with a defined height profile is joined with a plane surface of the second component, whereby a mechanical stress causing the stress-induced birefringence is produced in the such formed polarization-modulating optical element.

Abstract: A visible/near-infrared spectrometry and its device for determining the components of a sample and the characteristics of the components of the sample by using visible light and/or near-infrared light in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 2500 nm. This spectrometry and device enable measurement that has been conventionally difficult, including high-accuracy determination of many components, detection of components present in ultra-low concentrations, and real-time determination of component characteristics, including determination of the structure or function of bio-macromolecules and their variations. The spectrum of a sample is measured while exposing the sample to water-activating perturbations (WAP), thereby causing the response spectrum to change, and by detecting transitions of the response spectrum. With this, by conducting spectrum analysis and/or multivariate analysis, the components of the sample and/or the characteristics of the components can be determined.

Abstract: A process of rapid and highly accurate analysis of spectral data, includes both a linear scanning (LINSCAN) method and an advanced peak detection method for pattern recognition. One or both of the methods are used to support the detection and identification of chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosive materials. The spectra of various targets can be analyzed by the two spectral analysis methods. These two methods can be combined for dual confirmation, greater accuracy, and to reduced false positives and false negatives, relative to what can be accomplished by either alone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical sensor for monitoring current or power in a monitored element of a device such as a bridge-wire or hot-wire of electro-explosive devices. The optical sensor comprises an optical sensor made of semiconductor material. The semiconductor material comprises an absorption edge which is sensitive to a temperature variation. The semiconductor material is for placing in thermal contact with the monitored element of the device, whereby, when the current or power varies in the monitored element, it causes a variation in temperature in the semiconductor element and hence a spectral shift of the absorption edge which can be measured and which is representative of current and power variation.

Abstract: A spectrometer 1A is made up of: an optical body 10 within which a light separation path is set along which an object light to be separated propagates; a light entry slit 16 through which the object light enters; a diffraction grating 17 for spectrally separating the incident object light; and a photodiode array 18 for detecting the object light separated by the diffraction grating 17. As an optical member for optically interconnecting the optical body 10 and the photodiode array 18, an optical connection member 20 is provided, with its light entry surface 21 for the separated object light in contact with the upper surface 11 of the optical body 10, with its light exit surface 22 in contact with the photodiode array 18, with the light exit surface 22 tilted by a specified angle relative to the light entry surface 21. Thus, the spectrometer capable of bringing about sufficient accuracy of placing optical elements in a simple constitution while bringing down cost is realized.

Abstract: A method for the detection of bacteria in aqueous fluids in the form of solutions, emulsions and or suspensions, such as drinking water, liquid food and drinks and biological fluids such as urine, spinal and/or amniotic fluids and serums by measurement of light scattering The fluid suspected of containing bacteria is filtered, first to exclude particles of sizes larger than the size of the expected bacteria. Other filtration methods are used in addition to exclude different constituents of the examined fluid. Ion exchange chromatography is such a method. The verification of bacterial contamination and the calculation of its level is performed by matching measured scattering profiles with pre-stored calibrated scattering profiles. A system for carrying out the measurements including cuvette units suited for light scattering measurements is provided.

Abstract: A first polarization controller controls a polarization state of measured light. A second polarization controller controls a polarization state of an optical sampling pulse. The measured light and the optical sampling pulse having the polarization states controlled are input to an optical fiber. An optical signal output from the optical fiber is transmitted to a polarizer. A first control unit adjusts the first polarization controller based on the measured light output from the optical fiber and the measured light output from the polarizer. A second control unit adjusts the second polarization controller based on an optical sampling pulse output from the optical fiber. Waveform measurement is performed by using the output of the polarizer.

Abstract: A method for measuring a physical function forms a symmetric composite function by combining the physical function with a reference function. The method obtains a Fourier transform of the symmetric composite function. The method calculates an inverse Fourier transform of the obtained Fourier transform, wherein the calculated inverse Fourier transform provides information regarding the physical function. The physical function can be a nonlinearity profile of a sample with at least one sample surface. The physical function can alternatively by a sample temporal waveform of a sample optical pulse.

Abstract: At both ends of a waveguide 43 having a plurality of cores 51, light emitting elements 47 and light receiving elements 49 are disposed so as to face end faces of the cores 51. A switch 44 is overlapped over the waveguide 43. In the switch 44, switching windows 52 each can be switched between a state where light propagating through the core 51 is passed and a state where the light is reflected are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the switching windows 52 are arranged along the top faces of the cores 51. A test board 45 having a plurality of channels 60 in each of which a metallic thin film 61 is formed is disposed over the switch 44, and receptors 62 are fixed on the metallic thin film 61 in the channels 60. A specimen containing a specific ligand is passed in each of the channels 60.

Abstract: In an optical tomography system, an interference light obtained by multiplexing the reflected light from the object and the reference light is guided to an interference light detecting means by a waveguide means. The interference light detecting means has a spectrometer spectrally dividing the interference light. A polarization setting means which causes the interference light guided by the waveguide means to enter the spectrometer after setting the state of polarization of the interference light guided by the waveguide means to a predetermined state of polarization is provided between the waveguide means and the spectrometer.

Abstract: A phase-difference sensor measures the spatially resolved difference in phase between orthogonally polarized reference and test wavefronts. The sensor is constructed as a linear-carrier phase-mask aligned to and imaged on a linear-carrier detector array. Each adjacent element of the phase-mask measures a predetermined relative phase shift between the orthogonally polarized reference and test beams. Thus, multiple phase-shifted interferograms can be synthesized at the same time by combining pixels with identical phase-shifts. The multiple phase-shifted interferograms can be combined to calculate standard parameters such as modulation index or average phase step. Any configuration of interferometer that produces orthogonally polarized reference and object beams may be combined with the phase-difference sensor of the invention to provide single-shot, simultaneous phase-shifting measurements.

Abstract: A composite partially reflecting element of a Fabry-Perot interferometer includes a transparent plate having a surface facing toward the optical gap of the interferometer, a partially reflecting layer disposed on the surface of the transparent plate facing toward the optical gap, and at least one protective layer on at least one side of the partially reflecting layer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) shape measurement method using a Moire measurement principle and a Stereo vision measurement principle is provided.

Abstract: A 3D shape measuring apparatus using a shadow moire, which can measure a 3D shape of a test object by selectively switching on/off a plurality of illuminating parts irrespective of a form of the test object is provided.

Abstract: A weighting function is obtained to enhance measured diffraction signals used in optical metrology. To obtain the weighting function, a measured diffraction signal is obtained. The measured diffraction signal was measured from a site on a wafer using a photometric device. A first weighting function is defined based on noise that exists in the measured diffraction signal. A second weighting function is defined based on accuracy of the measured diffraction signal. A third weighting function is defined based on sensitivity of the measured diffraction signal. A fourth weighting function is defined based on one or more of the first, second, and third weighting functions.

Abstract: In a measuring system, a method for evaluating parameters of a workpiece includes measuring a periodic structure, such as a grating, on the workpiece to produce image data. An orientation of features in the image data, produced by higher order diffractions from the periodic structure, is identified. An orientation of the periodic structure is determined based on the orientation of the features in the image data. The image data is then modified, based on the orientation of the periodic structure, to correlate with, and for comparison to, simulated image data to ascertain parameters of the workpiece. Alternatively, optical components in the measuring system, or the workpiece itself, are adjusted to provide a desired alignment between the optical components and the periodic structure. A microstructure on the workpiece may then be measured, and the resulting image data may be compared to the simulated image data to ascertain parameters of the microstructure.

Abstract: A draft size detecting function detects a size and a setting direction of a draft set in a scanner which reads an image of the draft, a display unit displays, in a selectable state, an icon corresponding to the draft setting direction detected by the draft size detecting function, and displays, in a non-selectable state, an icon which does not correspond to the draft setting direction detected by the detecting function among a plurality of icons to designate a direction of the image in the draft, and the image direction corresponding to the selected icon is set as the direction of the image in the draft, in a case where the specific icon is selected from the selectable icons displayed in the display unit.

Abstract: A first display area and a second display area are disposed in each setting screen concerning setting of photocopy processing, a draft graphical image and a finished graphical image are set in which present set contents are reflected every time the set contents are changed in response to user's operation, the set draft graphical image is displayed in the first display area, and the set finished graphical image is displayed in the second display area.

Abstract: An operation device for use in a photocopier displays a draft setting key for setting a direction of an image in a draft in a basic screen displayed in a display unit which can display an icon selectable by an operation unit, further displays the draft setting key in a second setting screen for performing set processing in response to an indicated key, in a case where any of the keys displayed in the basic screen is indicated, and displays, in the display unit, a draft image direction setting screen for setting the direction of the image in the draft, in a case where the draft setting key is indicated.

Abstract: There is provided a print control system including a receiving unit that receives from a client a print request relating to saved document data, an acquisition unit that acquires print set data which specify whether respective pages of the document data are to be printed in color or in monochrome and a print instruction unit that causes a printer to print the document data on the basis of the print set data, wherein the print set data are data that are saved in advance in association with the document data.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are described for producing pure gray tones on a multi-color document output device that includes a system for operating on device independent color data having multiple color components, which color data corresponds to one or more associated electronic documents. The system and method function to extract gray data by the use of tristimulus values in a range specified by a functional relationship of a selected tristimulus value.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are described for producing pure gray tones on a multi-color document output device that includes a system for operating on device independent color data having at least three color components, which color data corresponds to one or more associated electronic documents. The system and method function to extract grayscale data from such a device independent color data description, which grayscale corresponds to a rendering and a single color space. Such resultant data, inclusive of a color data portion and a grayscale portion, is thus completed in device independent form.

Abstract: A 4×4 LUT comprises a K to K LUT merged with a CMYK to CMYK LUT with values ranging from [0, 0, 0, 0] to [0, 0, 0, 255], said 4×4 LUT written to a known file format. A method for creating 4×4 look up tables (LUTs) uses the source and destination ICC profiles. A K to K LUT is built, a CMYK to CMYK LUT is built, the K to K LUT is merged with the CMYK to CMYK LUT, and the resulting LUT is written to a known file format. Such a process is important since it solves the issue of preserving K in a CMYK to CMYK transform while adding the performance improvement of a 4×4 LUT.

Abstract: A method of providing a print representation of a document which, when printed, has at least one region the appearance of which is dependent on viewing conditions. The method comprises generating a representation of the document and then modifying the appearance of the at least one region to thereby simulate the appearance of the document when printed. This is achieved by animating the representation of the at least one region or at least partially combining the at least one region with an image.

Abstract: A printer for executing printing on the basis of tone data representing a tone of one of a plurality of colors of ink, includes an input unit that inputs first tone data for a color represented by N bits per pixel and second tone data for a color represented by M bits per pixel, M being larger than N; a storage unit that stores the tone data input by the input unit, the storage unit including a plurality of storage areas, each storage area having a capacity that can store a group of the first tone data within a predetermined print range, wherein multiple storage areas are used to store the second tone data; and a print unit that executes printing on the basis of the tone data stored in the storage unit, the print unit being capable of processing both the first tone data and the second tone data.

Abstract: A process control strip, for the visual checking of an exposure process for a recording material, includes coarse signal elements having a size which is substantially constant in the event of process fluctuations, and fine signal elements having a size which changes in the event of process fluctuations. In known process control strips, a dependence of the visual perception of the tone values of the coarse signal elements from the position of an observer in relation to a preferential direction of the coarse signal elements which is predetermined by the direction of propagation of lines, has been found. This angular dependence of the impression is overcome by providing at least one first region with coarse signal elements in the form of a line raster with lines which have a course different from a straight line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for image-adaptive color reproduction is provided. The apparatus includes an information-extraction unit, an image-compression unit and an image-information-reproduction unit. The information-extraction unit inputs image information of a first color space model, converts the input image information into image information of a second color space model, and extracts pixel frequency information of pixels belonging to a plurality of color regions by using the image information of the second color space model. The image compression unit inputs the image information of the first color space model, converts the input image information into the image information of the second color space model, and calculates compressed image information by compression-mapping the image information of the second color space model. The image information reproduction unit outputs final image information by using the pixel frequency information and the compressed image information.

Abstract: A printed tone control method for adjusting a printed color tone by comparing image data serving as a reference and image data obtained by reading an image from a print actually made by a printing machine. The method includes a representative point setting step for setting a representative point for use in control of the color tone based on image data, an alternative representative point setting step for setting an alternative representative point that satisfies a predetermined condition when a point inappropriate for tone measurement is selected as the representative point, and a tone adjusting step for adjusting the color tone by using the alternative representative point.

Abstract: A color chart that enables exact color adjustments without being influenced by distortion or peripheral light loss is provided. The color chart has a plurality of colored regions each being of a different color, separated by line segments that radiate outward from a predetermined point. A plurality of achromatic colored regions are provided among the plurality of colored regions at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided that print a set of similar color patches using a color output device, determine colorimetric values for each color patch, calculate a standard deviation value for each of the calorimetric values, and calculate a numerical value that is a function of the standard deviation values and that represents the calorimetric deviation of the set.

Abstract: A printer apparatus of this invention includes a reception unit which receives print job from a host apparatus, a preview information generation unit which generates preview information that indicates layouts of logical pages and finishing processing for respective physical pages to be printed in accordance with job control information and print data included in the print job, when a job type corresponding to the print job is preview, and a transmission unit which transmits the preview information to the host apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a saving mode in which imaging materials to be used are reduced, includes: an image processing part that converts image data from which an image will be formed into corresponding image data in an output color space; and an image forming part that forms the image from the image data converted by the image processing part, using the imaging materials, the image processing part reducing a color component of non-dominant (n+m)-component color mixed into a dominant n-component color in the image data converted, where n and m are integers of 1 or greater.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving a control command including first identification information; an identification information obtaining unit for obtaining the first identification information from the control command thus received; a storage unit for storing second identification information related to a specific user; an identification information comparing unit for comparing the first identification information with the second identification information; and a control command processing unit for performing a first process when the first identification information matches to the second identification information and performing a second process when the first identification information does not match to the second identification information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and software for notification of multi-function peripheral (MFP) receive jobs are disclosed. A system provides a MFP configured to store at least one remote communication identifier, to process a MFP job associated with the at least one remote communication identifier, and to transmit, in response to an event associated with the MFP job, notification directed to the remote communication identifier. The MFP may receive the remote communication identifiers from embedded MFP jobs or may receive them from previously stored user profiles that specify notification preferences for different job types. The remote identification identifier may be, for example, an email address or a telephone number.

Abstract: A method of choosing jobs to run in a stream based distributed computer system includes determining jobs to be run in a distributed stream-oriented system by deciding a priority threshold above which jobs will be accepted, below which jobs will be rejected. Overall importance is maximized relative to the priority threshold based on importance values assigned to all jobs. System constraints are applied to ensure jobs meet set criteria.

Abstract: A multifunction device includes a memory reading unit for reading file information in a memory, a selecting unit for selecting an executable function based on said file information, a printing unit for printing out on a printing medium information bringing said file information into correspondence with said executable function, a medium scanning unit for scanning the printing medium, a detecting unit for detecting the file information requested for execution and the executable information from among information scanned out with the medium scanning unit, and an executing unit for executing a process corresponding to the executable function to a file corresponding to the file information based on the information detected with the detecting unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which is capable of eliminating a burden on an operator in managing a copy number on a printout and improving security for the printout when a function for printing the copy number on the printout is realized. Printing based on a print job is performed, and a copy number set in units of copies on a printout generated by the printing is printed. Number of printed copies information corresponding to the number of printed copies of the print job is stored, in association with the print job. When the print job stored in a memory section 27 is printed, a printer section 26 prints the copy number on the printout based on the number of printed copies information associated with the print job.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving image data including graphic data and hatching specifying data; a data analyzing unit for analyzing the image data to detect the hatching specifying data; a pattern forming unit for forming a hatching pattern according to the hatching specifying data when the data analyzing unit detects the hatching specifying data; a pattern arranging unit for arranging the hatching pattern formed by the pattern forming unit with respect to a standard point of a page; and a clip processing unit for clipping the hatching pattern arranged by the pattern arranging unit according to the image data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling printable content from textual and graphical sources, and reducing consumable print medium such as toner, ink, and paper. The method and apparatus include a print medium formatting program for configuring data identification options and print options via at least one graphical user interface (GUI) generated by a print option formatting module. The configured data identification options and print options are then stored in one or more print configuration data files. A print monitoring module monitors for a print request. The print medium formatting program intercepts the print request and matches data identification from a spooled print file, which is generated from the print request, with the stored data identification options. If the print medium formatting program finds a match, a transforming program module transforms the spooled print file in accordance to the print options, and then prints the transformed print file to an output device.

Abstract: A print engine comprising at least one print controller and at least one associated authentication device is provided. Each authentication device having a processor, a memory that the processor can access, a memory access unit for controlling accesses to the memory, an input for receiving power for the authentication device from an external power source, and a power detection unit. The processor is configured to control and trim the amount of power supplied to the input to predetermine a threshold at which operation of the authentication device is established.

Abstract: Sets of pixel data defining parts of rasterized portions of an image are received. At least one of the parts of one of the rasterized portions of the image overlaps another part of that portion of the image. The pixel data that defines the overlapping part includes mask data that identifies pixels of the overlapping part that are to be included in the image. The sets of pixel data are decompressed. The decompressed data are used to generate a series of the rasterized portions of the image including the pixels identified in the mask data. While each of the rasterized portions of the image is being used by a print engine, another of the rasterized portions of the series is being generated.

Abstract: A job including image data to be subjected to printing is transmitted from a user PC to an image forming apparatus. Upon execution of printing in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus notifies the user PC of completion of printing. The image forming apparatus also saves the job subjected to printing after assigning an ID for saving to the job. A screen appears on the user PC to give notification of completion, with a button for giving an instruction for re-outputting. The user PC gives an instruction to re-output the job by pressing the button, so that the image forming apparatus does reprinting.

Abstract: A document management system manages a printed document with document management information. The document management system includes an electronic document generating unit, a time-information acquiring unit, a storage-information acquiring unit and a management-information storing unit. The electronic document generating unit generates an electronic document. The time-information acquiring unit acquires information relating to time, which verifies that the electronic document generating unit generated the electronic document. The storage-information acquiring unit acquires information relating to a storage period of the printed document corresponding to the electronic document. The management-information storing unit stores document management information in which identification information of the electronic document is associated with the information relating to the storage period of the printed document.

Abstract: A method for making a computer device function as a print data generation module and a relevant information generation module is described. The method may be stored on computer-readable medium. The print data generation module creates print data based on target data to be stored on a storage unit. The relevant information generation module creates relevant information that associates the target data with the print data, to be stored on the storage unit.

Abstract: There is provided a printer control apparatus which can be applied to an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of types of readers and a plurality of types of printers can be connected to a single controller, and which enable efficient transfer of image data from the reader to the printer via an image memory of the controller. The controller receives image data from a reader and temporarily stores the same in an image memory, and transmits the stored image data to a printer. The controller acquires a reader processing speed from the reader and a printer processing speed from the printer, and determines, while the image data is being written to the image memory, timing for transmitting the image data written in the memory to the printer according to a difference between the reader processing speed and the printer processing speed and a sub-scan size of the image data.

Abstract: A method of storing a bit-pattern in each of a plurality of printer cartridges, each having a memory, of a printing system is provided, in which a first memory location is determined which is different than a first memory location in at least a plurality of the other printer cartridges, and the bit-pattern is stored at the determined first memory location. The different first memory locations are determined such that the bit-pattern storage location of all the respective printer cartridges cannot be ascertained from the bit-pattern storage location of any one of the printer cartridges.

Abstract: A method of storing at least one functionally identical code segment in each of a plurality of printer cartridges, each having a memory, of a printing system is provided, in which a first memory location is determined which is different than a first memory location in at least a plurality of the other printer cartridges, and a first of the at least one code segments is stored in the memory at the determined first memory location. The different first memory locations are determined such that the code segment storage location of all the respective devices cannot be ascertained from the code segment storage location of any one of the printer cartridges.

Abstract: To provide a technology that can contribute to improvements in convenience in document management by enabling management in units of component elements of contents of documents to be managed. The system is provided with: an extraction unit that extracts component elements forming contents of a document to be managed from the document; an association unit that associates predetermined metadata characterizing the component elements with the component elements extracted in the extraction unit; and a registration unit that registers information on the component elements and metadata associated in the association unit.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including an added image detecting section that detects added image data contained in image data by analyzing input image data to be printed; an added image determination section that, when added image data is detected by the added image detecting section, determines whether the detected added image data corresponds to any post-processing on a post-processing apparatus which applies post-processing to a printing medium which has been subjected to printing; an image forming section that forms a printed image with the added image data removed from image data to be printed if the added image determination section determines that the added image data corresponds to post-processing on the post-processing apparatus; and a post-processing controller that instructs the post-processing apparatus to apply the post-processing for the added image data if the added image determination section determines that the added image data corresponds to post-processing on the post-proces

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a first image obtaining portion which obtains an image of a medium as a first image, a second image obtaining portion which can continuously obtain each image of a plurality of originals as a second image, and an image output section which outputs the image has: an input portion which inputs composition instruction information for instructing composition of first image and each second image; a control portion which makes said first and said second image obtaining portions operative when the composition instruction information is inputted; and an image composing portion which forms each composite image by composing each of the second images sequentially obtained by the second image obtaining portion to the first image obtained by said first image obtaining portion. The image output section outputs the composite images formed by the image composing portion.