Abstract: A wafer lithographic shielding mask for fabricating a multi-project wafer (MPW) and a wafer fabrication method using the same are disclosed. The mask including a light shielding layer and at least one transparent region is used to select the layout patterns of designated chips on an MPW reticle to be exposed onto the photoresist layer on the surface of the wafer. The lithography method of fabricating MPW mainly involves disposing a wafer lithographic shielding mask for selecting the exposure regions on the MPW reticle on the light transmission path from a lithographic light source to a wafer, e.g., between the MPW reticle and the lithographic light source or between the MPW reticle and the wafer, so as to prevent some undesired chips from being fabricated on the wafer using the MPW reticle, thereby decreasing the wafer production cost.

Abstract: The present invention allows for a large format substrate plate to move precisely in X, Y and ? Rotary directions with an integrated linear XY mechanism. The mechanism includes X1, X2 stages which are mounted to the moving substrate plate and Y1 and Y2 stages which are mounted to the machine base. The slides of the X and Y stages are connected to each other through a revolute joint. The resulting integrated X,Y mechanism can move the substrate plate in X,Y and Rotary ? directions preferably by motorizing at least three of the four linear stages with feedback encoders and by using computer controller to command the three motorized stages to move to their desired positions. The relationship between the desired position of the substrate in a global XY coordinate system and the motion of each motorized stage is provided through trigonometric transformations which are integral part of this invention.

Abstract: A part of a plate of a predetermined shape detachably mounted on a moving body is detected by an alignment system while the position of the moving body is measured by a measurement unit that sets a movement coordinate system of the movement body, and based on the detection results and the measurement results of the measurement unit corresponding to the detection results, position information of an outer periphery edge of the plate is obtained. Therefore, even if there are no alignment marks on the moving body for position measurement, the position of the plate, or in other words, the position of the moving body can be controlled on the movement coordinate system set by the measurement unit, based on the position information of the outer periphery edge of the plate.

Abstract: A method for mapping includes projecting a primary speckle pattern from an illumination assembly into a target region. A plurality of reference images of the primary speckle pattern are captured at different, respective distances from the illumination assembly in the target region. A test image of the primary speckle pattern that is projected onto a surface of an object in the target region is captured and compared to the reference images so as to identify a reference image in which the primary speckle pattern most closely matches the primary speckle pattern in the test image. The location of the object is estimated based on a distance of the identified reference image from the illumination assembly.

Abstract: To provide a fine particle measurement apparatus with an exhaust purification function, which is capable of suppressing an exhaust from having an adverse effect on an environment without degrading the reliability of fine particle measurement. A fine particle measurement apparatus with an exhaust purification function includes a condensation nucleus counter 30 for condensing alcohol together with fine particles 40 in air thereby to enlarge the fine particles 40, and measuring the enlarged fine particles 40, and an exhaust purification device 13 for purifying an exhaust of the condensation nucleus counter 30. The exhaust purification device 13 includes a photocatalytic filter 14, a chemical filter 15 for adsorbing the alcohol, thereby removing the alcohol, a water-type filter 17 for melting the alcohol to remove the alcohol, and a filter 16 for filtering the fine particles 40 contained in the exhaust to remove the fine particles 40.

Abstract: A defect inspecting apparatus of the invention solves a problem that in a defect inspecting apparatus, because of improving detection sensitivity of a microscopic defect by reducing a detection pixel size, a focal depth becomes shallow, a height of imaging is varied due to environmental change and the detection sensitivity of a defect becomes unstable. This apparatus comprises an XY stage, which carries a substrate to be inspected and scans in a predetermined direction, and a mechanism having a system of irradiating a defect on the inspected substrate at a slant and detecting the defect by a detection optical system disposed on the upper side, which corrects a height of imaging in real time for change in temperature and barometric pressure in order to keep the imaging in a best condition.

Abstract: A conventional problem in which inspection performance deteriorates as a transparent plate material becomes larger is solved.

Abstract: A container for holding a sample and a system and method for a handheld spectrometer using the container is disclosed. In one embodiment, the container includes a vial with an optical window at the base of the vial. A sample may be placed in the vial. A hollow plunger may be slidably inserted into the vial which seals the gap between the plunger and the walls of the vial. The plunger includes a filter element. When the plunger is inserted into the vial, the sample is forced against the optical window and the filter element vents liquid and/or gas that is in the vial into the hollow plunger. A portable or handheld system for detecting, for example, biothreat agents makes use of the container in order to determine a spectrum of the sample. The optical window of the container is preferably substantially transparent to photons illuminating the sample and to photons produced due to the interaction of the illuminating photons and the sample.

Abstract: A spectrometer collects background spectra during the idle time in which it is not collecting spectra from a sample. These spectra are collected over a range of exposure times, allowing the background reading on each pixel to be modeled as a function of exposure time. When sample spectra are then collected, the exposure time for the sample spectra can be used with the modeled function to compute an estimated background within the sample spectra. The estimated background can then be subtracted from the sample spectra, thereby reducing the noise therein.

Abstract: A spectrometer operator may specify a desired signal to noise ratio (SNR) to be attained when collecting spectra from a sample. The SNR from a single brief sample exposure is used to determine the maximum exposure time achievable without overloading the spectrometer. If the desired SNR is greater than the SNR of an exposure using the maximum exposure time, multiple exposures can be taken at the maximum exposure time, and can be combined (e.g., averaged or summed) to obtain a spectrum having a SNR which at least approximates the one desired. If the desired SNR is less than the SNR of an exposure using the maximum exposure time, then only a single exposure is needed, and the exposure time can be scaled using the SNR from the single brief sample exposure to achieve a SNR which at least approximates the one desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a useful improvement of an ellipsometer-type device. For this purpose, an existing ellipsometer is supplemented by a so-called resonance platform on which surface modes are excitable. Contrary to state of the art of known surface plasmons, the inventive modes are laterally localized. In addition, the resonance platform is not necessarily embodied in the form of a metal sheet. The inventive device also can be embodied in the form of an image-forming device. The inventive method consists in placing measurable samples on the platform surface and, afterwards, are exposed to light, thereby being excited in modes. The resonance position of modes is determined by the absorption behavior of a measurable substance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing and using a calibrated registration reference wafer in a semiconductor manufacturing facility where an archive media includes etched alignment attributes. Exposing a pattern of complementary alignment attributes onto the archive media such that the pattern of complementary alignment attributes overlay and interlock with the etched alignment attributes thereby forming completed alignment attributes. Then, measuring offsets in the completed alignment attributes and constructing a calibration file for the archive media based upon the offset measurements and other characteristic data of the exposure tool.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring a gas within a semiconductor thin film process. The apparatus includes an optical resonator disposed within an environment of the thin-film process, a tunable laser that excites the optical resonator at a characteristic frequency of the gas and a detector that detects an energy within the resonator.

Abstract: A system for the automated determination of retroreflectivity values for reflective surfaces disposed along a roadway repeatedly illuminates an area along the roadway that includes at least one reflective surface using a strobing light source. Multiple light intensity values are measured over a field of view which includes at least a portion of the area illuminated by the light source. A computer processing system is used to identifying a portion of the light intensity values associated with a reflective surface and analyze the portion of the light intensity values to determine at least one retroreflectivity value for that reflective surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining reflectance data of an object includes a diffuser having a surface. The apparatus includes a mapping portion that effects a mapping between a light field at the object's surface and a light field at the diffuser surface for BRDF capture of the object. A method for obtaining reflectance data usable to determine a plurality of values of the BRDF of an object. The method includes the steps of illuminating the object. There is the step of effecting a mapping between a light field at the object's surface and a light field at a diffuser surface for BRDF capture of the object with a mapping portion. An apparatus and a method for measuring an 8D reflectance field of an object or a 3D object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that relates to identifying a microorganism. The method comprising, diffracting laser light through a microorganism, combining a reference beam with the diffracted light on a single axis, and recording the combined light holographically as a three-dimensional image with a single exposure on a detector array. The method further comprising, reconstructing the holographic image and matching the reconstructed image with reference images of known microorganisms. Further disclosed herein is an apparatus for identifying a microorganism. The apparatus comprising, an interferometer to record an image of an unknown microorganism using single-exposure on-line (SEOL) digital holography, a means for reconstructing the recorded image, and a means for matching the reconstructed image with images of known microorganism.

Abstract: A method for the jewelry inner structure detection comprising steps of dividing the light emitted from a low coherence light source into two beams by means of a light splitter, one beams is then directed to a sample arm on which a gem to be detected is fixed and the other beam is directed to a reference arm capable of cause optical path length change and reflect light; adjusting the optical path length; transforming the light interference signal into a corresponding electrical signal; and transferring the electrical signal to a signal processor and analyzer; changing the optical path of the reference arm, obtaining one dimensional light intensity signal in the gem depth direction and then lateral scanning the gem to be detected to obtain a two dimensional optical slice image of the gem.

Abstract: In Optical Doppler tomography (ODT), or color Doppler optical coherence tomography, the signal component of primary interest arises from moving scatterers, such as flowing blood cells in blood vessels. Clutter rejection filters are provided and used to remove undesired components from the ODT signal, such as clutter induced by stationary scatterers (e.g., the relatively stationary tissue of a blood vessel wall). Empirical results indicate that such clutter rejection filters can be employed to achieve ODT images from which blood vessel diameter can more accurately be estimated than images obtained using conventional ODT techniques. Further, Doppler images obtained using the clutter rejection filter technique disclosed herein exhibit fewer background artifacts induced by the relative motion of stationary scatterers with respect to the scanning probe.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for mapping optical coherence tomography (OCT) data to facilitate review and diagnosis. In one aspect, high resolution 2D line scans are obtained along with lower density 3D cube scans and displayed in a manner to provide context to the clinician. In another aspect, OCT data is analyzed to provide information about non-uniformities of the tissue. Binary image maps of maps useful for determining tautness of membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and device for the detection of an essentially rectilinear contrast edge (E) in a direction, whereby a periodic sweep (?) of global visual angle (??) of the optical sensors, by translation (S) in another direction transverse to the first direction, is carried out. The translation provides a periodic sweep of non-uniform angular speed (?) during a part of the period of sweeping and a measurement of a time difference (t) from the signals provided by the sensors (D1, D2), depending on the angular position of the contrast edge (E) with relation to a reference direction (OY12) within the global visual angle (??) from the sweep law (?), the reference direction being connected to a specific value for the time difference (t). The above is of application to spatial stabilization of a sight line and the fine following and fixing of an object with at least one contrast edge.

Abstract: In a fiber optic block 10 formed by bundling and integrating a plurality of optical fibers 11 each composed of a core region 12 and a clad region 13, an at least partially curved input end face 14 composed of one end of each optical fiber and a measurement surface having a curved surface shape of a to-be-measured object are pressed against each other. Then, an optical image formed by bringing the input end face into contact with the measurement surface and output from an output end face 15 of the fiber optic block is used to inspect the curved surface shape of the to-be-measured object. This allows a curved surface shape inspection method capable of inspecting the shape of a curved surface easily, a fiber optic block, and a curved surface shape inspection apparatus to be achieved.

Abstract: A belt-like pattern reading unit reads a belt-like pattern given to the media storage cell using an image unit provided in a hold unit. A deflection amount calculating unit measures a deviation from a reference position of a horizontal pattern borderline corresponding to a position of the hold unit on a arm unit based on the read belt-like pattern, calculates a deflection amount of the arm unit based on the measured deviation, and stores a correction value of a position corresponding to the deflection amount in a correction value storing unit. A servo control unit controls movement of the hold unit using the correction value.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an external device that stores therein an image, and an image forming apparatus that is directly connected to the external device and outputs the image. The image forming apparatus includes an fetching unit that fetches the image from the external device; a receiving unit that receives information about an output format of the image, and number of copies to be output; and an image output unit that outputs, when the number of copies is multiple, the number of copies of the image in the output format received by the receiving unit.

Abstract: A machine (1) is equipped for printing a pattern on a substrate (20). The machine (1) comprises a table (10) for supporting and moving the substrate (20), and a print head (30) for firing ink droplets towards the substrate (20). Further, the machine (1) comprises a cover plate (40) which is arranged such as to encompass the print head (30), wherein the print head (30) partly extends through a hole in the cover plate (40). During a printing process, evaporation of solvent which is part of the ink droplets starts as soon as the ink droplets land on the substrate (20). The presence of the cover plate (40) has an equalizing effect on the evaporation rate over the printed pattern. As a result, a height distribution of all printed elements of the pattern is within predetermined limits, once the elements have dried up.

Abstract: A first set-value calculating unit calculates a first set value of a black-level feedback based on a reflection amount that increases a speed of tracking to a black-level target value in a black-level feedback control. A second set-value calculating unit calculates a second set value of a black-level feedback based on a reflection amount that slows down a tracking to a black-level target value as compared to the speed of tracking of the first set-value calculating unit. A selecting unit selects and outputs any one of the first set value and the second set value and outputs selected value as a set value. A controlling unit controls selection of any one of the first set value and the second set value by the selecting unit based on the black differential value and a gain of the image data.

Abstract: An image processing system includes: a motion detector, for determining whether a decoded pixel data corresponds to a still image; an encoder, for encoding the decoded pixel data when the decoded pixel data corresponds to a still image to generate an encoded pixel data; and a decoder, coupled to the encoder, for receiving the encoded pixel data and decoding the encoded pixel data to generate an decoded image data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus prints a first image data rendered at a first number of halftone levels based on a second image data rendered at a second number of halftone levels larger than the first number of halftone levels. A dot forming section forms lines of pixels on a print medium, the lines including a number of groups of sub lines of sub dots. The groups are aligned such that the sub lines of sub dots extend in traverse directions substantially perpendicular to an advance direction. A controller controls the dot forming section such that a selected number of sub dots in the advance direction are combined to form a pixel. Sub dots on the same sub line have the same exposure energy and sub dots on different sub lines in the same pixel have different exposure energies.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a high-speed print device configured to receive a print media and discharge a printed product that includes a printed image. An image capturing device is positioned adjacent the print device and is configured to capture an image of the printed image on the printed product. A computer includes a monitor, a processor, an input device, and a communication device configured to communicate with the print device. The monitor is configured to display the captured image, the input device is configured to allow a user to vary the displayed image, and the processor is configured to calculate an adjustment to the print device in response to the varied image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing method including: (A) converting a tone value indicating a tone of a certain color to a first light tone value indicating a tone of a light color using a predetermined number of tones, and a first dark tone value indicating a tone of a dark color using a predetermined number of tones; (B) converting the first light tone value to a second light tone value indicating a tone of the light color with a smaller number of tones than the predetermined number of tones, based on a table for the light color; (C) converting the first dark tone value to a second tone value indicating a tone of the dark color with a smaller number of tones than the predetermined number of tones, based on a table for the dark color other than the table for the light color; (D) ejecting a light ink based on the second light tone value to form a light dot in the light ink on a medium, ejecting a dark ink based on the second dark tone value to form a dark dot in the dark ink on the medium, and expressi

Abstract: A print data generating apparatus to generate print data which is used for printing in a printing apparatus based on image data by using a white colorant and at least one non-white colorant is provided. The print data generating apparatus comprises an image data inputting system, whereby white image data indicating white density levels of an image to be printed is inputted, a colorant data generating system, which generates white colorant data wherein color information of each of a plurality of pixels configuring the white image data is converted into the white colorant level, and a print data generating system, which generates white print data to be used for printing with the white colorant in the printing apparatus based on the white colorant data.

Abstract: A print data generating apparatus, comprising a background color designating system, wherein at least one background color of pixels in a background area of the image to be printed is designated, a usable color designating system, wherein a color to be used to print the at least one background color of the pixels is designated among a plurality of color options including a transparent color and a specific color, a color substituting system, wherein color information of the at least one background color is substituted with color information of the color designated in the usable color designating system, and a print data creating system, in which print data to be used for printing is created based on the image data wherein the color information of the at least one background color is substituted with the color designated in the usable color designating system in the color substituting system, is provided.

Abstract: A printer which outputs and records a test pattern onto a recording medium and evaluates quality of an image produced by the printer based on the test pattern recorded on the recording medium, wherein: the test pattern comprises: a pattern for visual evaluation; and a quality control pattern including an evaluation content description information field indicating information of contents of the visual evaluation and an information input field for adding information of an evaluation result of the visual evaluation.

Abstract: An image processing device 100 has a reading unit 2, a density measuring unit 81, and an extraction unit 82. The reading unit reads a plurality of samples 9. The density measuring unit 81 measures the density of the background image of the plurality of samples 9 having been read by the reading unit 2 and the density of the latent images included in the plurality of samples 9. The extraction unit 82 extracts combinations of background image and latent image. The background image has a density being equal to or less than a first predetermined value. The latent image has a density difference from the background images having a density equal to or less than the first predetermined value. The latent image has a density being equal to or less than a second predetermined value.

Abstract: A print data generating apparatus to generate print data used for printing in a printing apparatus based on image data representing an image to be printed on a recording medium is provided. The print data generating apparatus comprises a data inputting system, by which application color setting data is inputted in the print data generating apparatus, a color substituting system, in which color information of each of the pixels configuring the image data is substituted with color information of an application color to print each of the pixels configuring the image data based on the application color setting data, and a print data generating system, in which print data to be used for printing is generated based on the image data wherein the color information of each of the pixels is substituted with the color information of the application color in the color substituting system.

Abstract: It is analyzed on the basis of received print data whether the print data is print data generated via a process path formed from a combination of the first application and first printer driver, or print data generated via a process path formed from a combination of the second application and second printer driver. Settings associated with the process of print data are made for each process path. The process of the received print data is controlled on the basis of the analysis result and setting contents.

Abstract: It is determined whether a combination of an output requesting application and a printer driver designated as an output destination is a combination of the first application and first printer driver or a combination of the second application and second printer driver. When it is determined that the combination of the output requesting application and the printer driver is neither of these combinations, confirmation information to confirm whether to execute a print process is output.

Abstract: Software application that interfaces with a main frame operating a job control language so as to overcome the file limit for processing in the job control language, by dividing files or other data sets into batches that are equal to or less than the limit of the job control language. The software application then provides the batches for processing in the job control language individually, so that the file limit is not exceeded for any processing operation.

Abstract: There is provided a driver program for controlling a printing apparatus.

Abstract: Firmware stored in a printer such as an inkjet printer can be rewritten by executing a firmware rewriting process which is not dependent upon the internal processing status of the printer. A printer 1 for executing a printing process based on print data sent from a host computer has a rewriting unit 38 for executing a firmware rewriting process, a print unit 37 for executing processes other than the firmware rewriting process, a rewrite command interpreting unit 32 for detecting a rewrite command that precedes the transmission of rewrite data required for the firmware rewriting process, and a control unit 36 for executing the firmware rewriting process with a priority over all other processes when a rewrite command is detected.

Abstract: A method for determining a toner usage estimate for a print job to be performed by a printing system having at least one print engine and at least one controller includes determining a set of print conditions for the print job and selecting a set of parameters associated with the print conditions. The method further includes estimating a total amount of toner usage for each of the print job's pages. The set of parameters may include image rendering, job dependent and engine dependent parameters.

Abstract: In an image authentication system, a printing unit prepares a code in a form of an image of a different density in any two adjacent blocks, and prints the code onto a recording medium as a printed image. A storage unit stores therein image data corresponding to printed images and codes to be embedded in image data corresponding to the printed images in a correlated manner. An authenticating unit receives scanned image data corresponding to a printed image, extracts a code embedded in the scanned image data and authenticates the printed image corresponding to the scanned image data based on extracted code.

Abstract: A system for managing printing device related objects on a network, comprising a GUI, by first selecting a topic of interest from a category of interests; then selecting a predefined object locator, which filters objects based on associated criteria. The system enables graceful scaling, wherein the number of topics of interest in the first GUI pane and the complexity of the displayed information in the second GUI pane stay roughly constant even when the number of devices and objects in an organization increases significantly. The methods also include Static, Dynamic, Permanent, and Temporary object locators; hierarchically displayed topics and object groupings displayed in an integrated manner; defining new topics, topic actions, and object locators; and selecting an action for property and printing device related object, then displaying a topic of interest associated with the selected action.

Abstract: A server system has a shared storage device including a job queue storage area, a job queue registration request storage area and a job assignment storage area, a first server including a job queue registration processing unit registering the job execution request in the job queue storage area according to the registration request information written to the job queue registration request storage area, a second server including an assignment processing unit assigning the job execution request registered in the job queue storage area to the execution server, and writing the relationship between the execution server and the job execution request of the job assigned to the execution server to the job assignment storage area, and an execution server including an execution unit acquiring the job execution request from the job assignment storage area provided for the execution server, and executing the assigned job.

Abstract: A print information processing apparatus for performing a printing process is disclosed. The print information processing apparatus is connected to a printer via a network and includes an interface configured to connect a removable recording medium; a data storage unit configured to store encrypted data; a decryption unit configured to read decryption information used to decrypt the encrypted data from the removable recording medium connected to the interface and to decrypt the encrypted data by using the decryption information. In the print information processing apparatus, the decryption unit permits the printing process of the encrypted data only when the removable recording medium is connected to the interface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an authentication unit that authenticates an authorized user; a ticket generating unit that generates a job execution ticket including conditions for allowing execution of a job, a data acquiring unit that outputs the job execution ticket and an acquirement request for data selected by the authorized user who logs in through authentication, to a server device that is connected to a network; and a controller that allows processing of the data under the conditions even after the authorized user logs out, when the data having the job execution ticket attached thereto is received within a predetermined period of time since the log-out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing using a synchronization signal are provided. Printing processes are performed in the apparatus by determining points in time for performing the printing processes based on a synchronization signal so that it is possible to reduce a waiting time for printing.

Abstract: On receiving FAX image data, an image forming apparatus determines whether or not a security code is superimposed on the image data. If superimposed, the image forming apparatus stored the content of the security code and erases the superimposed security code from the image. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus creates a higher-resolution security code including the same information as that of the stored security code. The FAX image is converted into a higher-resolution image. The higher-resolution security code is superimposed on the FAX image with a higher resolution resulted from the conversion, and the resultant FAX image is printed.

Abstract: Disclosed are an information processing apparatus, a printing instruction method, and a storage medium storing a computer program, that can improve the operability. When dragging and dropping of a first icon that indicates a printer onto a second icon that indicates a document to be printed is detected, or dragging and dropping of the second icon onto the first icon is detected, a signal from an input device such as a keyboard at the time of detection of the drop event is detected, and a printing condition is determined. A print data corresponding to the second icon is transmitted to the printer that is indicated by the first icon so as to print the document to be printed in the printing condition corresponding to the signal that is output from the input device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which has a first drawing conversion unit which converts first drawing information generated by an application of a first type into first print information which can be processed by a printer driver of a first type, and a second drawing conversion unit which converts second drawing information generated by an application of a second type into second print information which can be processed by a printer driver of a second type, includes a determination unit which determines the type of application as an output source with respect to the printer driver as an output destination, a detection unit which detects printer drivers which match the type of application from installed printer drivers, and a display control unit which displays printer drivers on a display for selecting a printer driver as the output destination of the application.

Abstract: An information processing device, capable of communicating with an image processing device, has: an acceptance unit to accept an instruction as to whether or not to add, to a print job, browsing management information corresponding to an original file of the print job; and a transfer unit to, in a case where the acceptance unit accepts the instruction to add the browsing management information, add the browsing management information to the print job and transfer the acquired print job to the image processing device, and, in a case where the acceptance unit does not accept the instruction to add the browsing management information, transfer the print job to the image processing device without adding the browsing management information.