Abstract: A sensor arrangement may be used to measure properties, such as optical properties, of a device arranged to process substrates. The sensor arrangement includes a substrate having the following: a plurality of sensor elements provided as an integrated circuit in the substrate, for each one of the plurality of sensor elements associated electronic circuitry comprising a processing circuit connected to the sensor element and an input/output interface connected to the processing circuit, and a power supply unit configured to supply operating power only to the electronic circuitry associated with one or more of the plurality of sensor elements which are in use. The at least one sensor element and possibly the processing electronics, the input/output unit, and/or the power supply unit may be provided as one or more integrated circuits or other structures in the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes a step of contactless optical measurement of the local value of at least one refringence optical characteristic of the lens over defined local zone around the measurement point of the lens, and at least one step of determining the axial position of the measurement point on one of the faces of the lens; the axial position of the measurement point obtained is compared with the local value of the optical characteristic of the lens at the measurement point as determined from the contactless optical measurement, in order to deduce therefrom at least one vertex optical power of the lens at the measurement point.

Abstract: A portable target locator for use by a ground observer to accurately determine the location of a target and transmit location information and firing instructions to an unmanned vehicle so the unmanned vehicle can locate the target and perform an operation based on the firing instructions. The apparatus comprises optics for permitting a user to see a magnified view of the target; a location determining component for determining a location of the apparatus; rangefinder for determining a range from the apparatus to the target; an Azimuth sensor for determining an Azimuth from the apparatus to the target; a processor for determining the location of the target based on the location of the apparatus, the range to the target, and the Azimuth from the apparatus to the targets, a transmitter for transmitting the location information and the firing instructions to the unmanned vehicle, and a portable handheld housing.

Abstract: Devices are provided for determining the longitudinal and angular positions of a rotationally symmetrical apparatus, when guided inside an element surrounding the same is provided. In one implementation, a device is provided that comprises a bead held in motion-transmitting contact with the apparatus, and includes an imaging optical navigation sensor that measures the motion of the bead by comparing successive images of its outer surface. The bead may be made of a paramagnetic material. Further, the device may include a magnetic device for applying a magnetic force onto the bead to secure its contact with the apparatus. Additional features of the device may be used to identify the insertion and withdrawal of the apparatus in the device as they cause a displacement of the bead, therefore allowing the determination of the absolute position of the apparatus.

Abstract: An object inspection machine comprises one or more engaging units and one or more sustaining units on the turnplate of the nip device. With the sustaining unit and the engaging unit engaging to each other, an object can be nipped and rotated. The camera thus designed is capable of taking a whole image of various sides of the object, and thereby increasing the accuracy of inspection.

Abstract: A method of dynamically imaging, calibrating and measuring bump height and coplanarity of a plurality of bumps on a surface is disclosed. The method includes illuminating the plurality of bumps with multispectral light from at least one light source, and receiving light of a first wavelength at an imaging device such that a top view image of at least a portion of the plurality of bumps is captured. The light of the first wavelength is reflected off the plurality of bumps at a first angle from the surface. Light of a second wavelength is received at the imaging device such that at least one oblique side view image of at least a portion of the plurality of bumps is captured. The light of the second wavelength is reflected off the plurality of bumps at a second angle from the surface. The captured images are processed to determine absolute bump height and coplanarity. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a transfer/inspection apparatus capable of inspecting any defect even during transferring and to provide a transfer/inspection apparatus capable of inspecting any defect in a non-contact state during transferring, even if the an object to be transferred is a transparent material. The transfer/inspection apparatus includes a transfer apparatus 2, and a defect inspector 3. The transfer apparatus 2 transfers a thin member 5 in a non-contacted state under control of voltage to be applied to an electrode face, and the defect inspector inspects any defect of the thin member during transferring the thin member. The transfer apparatus 2 is preferably provided with a light beam-transmitting portion (omitted portion 15) at a part of the electrode face for allowing the light beam therethrough.

Abstract: An encoder spectrograph is used to analyze radiation from one or more samples in various configurations. The radiation is analyzed by spatially modulating the radiation after it has been dispersed by wavelength or imaged along a line. Dual encoder spectrographs may be used to encode radiation using a single modulator. An encoder spectrograph includes a modulator with radiation filters having non-equal widths and centered at non-equal intervals along the encoding axis of the modulator.

Abstract: Even when the magnifying power is reduced, an image can be obtained at high resolution without significantly reducing the numerical aperture, and examination accuracy is improved.

Abstract: A particle image analyzing apparatus for analyzing an image of an imaged particle, the particle image analyzing apparatus comprising: an illuminating unit for providing dark field illumination the a particle; an imaging unit for acquiring capturing an imaged image by imaging the dark field illuminated particle; and an image processing unit for extracting a particle image from the imaged image captured by the imaging unit, based on a threshold value larger than a luminance value substantially corresponding to the background of the particle image, and analyzing the extracted particle image to obtain morphological feature information indicating the morphological feature of the particle; wherein the image processing unit extracts the particle image from the imaged image based on a threshold value larger than a luminance value substantially corresponding to the background of the particle image.

Abstract: Systems using coded particles for multiplexed analysis of biological samples or reagents, in which the codes on the particles are at least partially defined by light-polarizing materials.

Abstract: A process monitoring system has a process chamber configured to hold an object to be processed, an illumination source configured to emit a light to the object, a polarizer configured to polarize the light, a monitor window having a birefringent material and provided on the process chamber to propagate the light, direction adjusting equipment configured to adjust a relationship between a polarization plane of the light and a direction of an optic axis of the monitor window, and a monitoring information processor configured to detect the light reflected from the object.

Abstract: A sensing system (22) for a device (34) contains a light absorbing or scattering object (44). An illumination device (50,72) generating and emitting an illumination beam into the object (44). A first light filter (85) has at least one associated light spectrum filtering frequency. A first light sensor (60,80) is coupled to the first light filter (85), receives a first object-emitted portion of the illumination beam, and generates a first signal in response to the first portion. A second light filter (88) has at least one associated light spectrum filtering frequency. A second light sensor (62,82) is coupled to the second light filter (88), receives a second objected-emitted portion of the illumination beam, and generates a second signal in response to the second portion. A controller (54) generates a parameter signal, associated with a characteristic of the object, in response to the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: Low concentrations of complex gas mixture components may be detected and quantified using a gas-chromatograph to separate a gas mixture prior to analysis of one or more eluting components using an absorption spectrometer. Substantial reductions in analytical system complexity and improvements in reliability are achieved compared with other commonly used methods for analyzing such complex mixtures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement comprising a radiation-conducting substrate, said arrangement having a plurality of sensor fields and separating regions for separating the individual sensor fields from the respectively adjacent sensor fields. Said separating regions are formed by a separating agent layer that causes a reflectivity lower than 0.5 for radiation from the substrate on the interface between the separating agent layer and the substrate, at least in a first region adjacent to the interface between the separating agent layer and the substrate, and an extinction higher than 0.95 at least in a second region located above the first region, on the side opposing the substrate.

Abstract: The metal fine particles 33 are sparsely fixed on the surface of the transparent substrate 32, and the acceptor 35 for attaching the specific ligand is immobilized on the transparent substrate 32 or the metal fine particles 33. The prism 36 is closely attached to the lower surface of the transparent substrate 32, and the excitation light enters the transparent substrate 32 through the prism 36. The incident light is totally reflected at the surface of the transparent substrate 32, and the evanescent light generated at the surface and the metal fine particles 33 locally plasmon resonate. As the evanescent light and the metal fine particles locally plasmon resonate, a strong electric field is enclosed in the vicinity of the metal fine particles.

Abstract: A method for imaging a sample by means of a device having a cavity with black inner walls and a sample opening, the device further comprising illumination means for illumination of the cavity and a digital imaging device directed from the cavity to the sample opening, the method comprising the following steps: presenting a sample to the cavity via a sample opening; illuminating the cavity; activating the imaging device to record an image of the sample; communicating the recorded image data to a computer programmed with image analysis software to analyze the recorded image, characterized in that the inner wall of the cavity is light absorbing and in that it is at least partly provided with light point sources distributed over at least a part of the inner wall of the cavity and a selection of the light sources, dependent on the desired light conditions, is activated.

Abstract: A reflection characteristic measuring apparatus includes: at least one illuminator for illuminating a sample surface to be measured with light; a plurality of light receiving sections each adapted for receiving the light reflected on the sample surface illuminated by the light from the illuminator to output two-dimensional light receiving data, respectively; and a deriving section for deriving a characteristic of the sample surface based on a weighted average obtained by applying a weighting factor to each of the light receiving data outputted from the light receiving sections based on an installation condition concerning the illuminator and the light receiving sections, and by averaging the light receiving data weighed with the weighting factors.

Abstract: An airway adapter that comprises a housing and a pressure transducer. The housing comprises a flow path having a first end and a second end, a first pressure port that communicates with the flow path, and a second pressure port that communicates with the flow path. The first pressure port is spaced apart from the second pressure port. The flow restriction is disposed in the flow path between the first and second pressure ports that creates a pressure differential therebetween. The pressure transducer generates a signal that reflects the differential pressure created by the flow restriction between the first and second pressure ports, wherein the pressure transducer comprises an optical interferometer.

Abstract: It is possible to a variable spectroscopy device that has a plurality of coating layers facing each other at an interval and changes a transmission band of light passing through the coating layers by adjusting an optical path length between the coating layers, in which the coating layer is structured so that a change rate of a transmission bandwidth between two arbitrary transmission bands is smaller than a change rate of a central wavelength between the two transmission bands within a spectroscopy wavelength band for changing a transmission band.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention features a calibration apparatus for an optical modulator comprising: a light source emitting a beam to the optical modulator; an optical scanning unit scanning and projecting a beam emitted from the optical modulator; a light measuring unit measuring a beam emitted from the light source; and a light source control unit controlling the light source to the optical scanning unit to emit a calibration beam that is invisible and can be sensed by the light measuring unit.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the visual coarseness of a paint film comprising effect pigments by means of a measuring device having a cavity with reflective inner walls and a sample opening, the device further comprising illumination means for illumination of the cavity and a digital imaging device directed from the cavity to the sample opening and arranged at a distance from the centre normal of the sample opening, the method comprising the following steps: presenting a sample of the paint film to the cavity via the sample opening; illuminating the cavity; activating the imaging device to record an image of the sample; communicating the recorded image data to a computer programmed with image analysis software to analyze the recorded image. The optical axis of the imaging device is set at an angle of 3-12 degrees with the centre normal of the sample opening.

Abstract: An illumination unit comprising a high-power light source (1), a first optical element (12) for focusing the light emitted from the high-power light source (1), a photometric head (8) for illuminating an object (3) in a predefinable manner, an optical waveguide (2) for transmitting the emitted and focused light to the photometric head (8), a displacement unit (6) for varying the axial distance between the high-power light source (1) with the first optical element (12) and the inlet of the optical waveguide, wherein the cross-sectional surface of the focal point is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional surface of the optical waveguide (2) on the light inlet side, and the intensity of the light coupled into the optical waveguide (2) can be varied by axial displacement of the high-power light source (1).

Abstract: A transfer mechanism 21 of a vertical heat treatment system 1 includes a base capable of vertical movement and turning movement, and plural substrate support devices, disposed on the base so as to be movable anteroposterior, that hold wafers W. Provided on the base 25 is a first sensor 45 that emits a light beam directed toward a direction in which the substrate support device 20 moves anteroposterior, and detects the target member upon receipt of a reflected light of the light beam. Provided on two tip end portions of the substrate support device 20 is a second sensor 40 that detects the target member upon interruption of a light beam traveling between the tip end portions by the target member. When a target member 44 provided at its specific positions with projections 49 and 50 is placed at a position in a wafer boat 8, the base 25 moves vertically and turns, and the substrate support device 20 moves anteroposterior.

Abstract: A measuring device for determining the relative offset between two components in a z-direction includes two measuring members. A first measuring member is affixable on a first component, and the second measuring member is affixable on a second component. Furthermore, the measuring device includes a sensor device for determining the relative position of the two measuring members. The first measuring member and the second measuring member are affixable on the first components at a rigid angle. At least one of the measuring members is able to be brought into adhesive contact with the first component or the second component. The measuring device includes support members for at least one measuring member so that the measuring member is able to assume a parking or an operating position. The measuring members are precisely and reproducibly aligned in space relative to each other in the parking position.

Abstract: Disclosed are remote spatial calibration apparatuses and spatial calibration methods. A first plurality of line-generating lasers is arranged for generating a first set of substantially parallel lines in a first orientation. A second plurality of line-generating lasers is arranged for generating a second set of substantially parallel lines in a second orientation. Both sets of lines are directed to project on an object and the second orientation is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation such that the lines form a matrix of lines. An imaging device is configured for obtaining an image of the object and the matrix of lines formed on the object. The spatial calibration apparatuses may be included in a housing comprising a projection face, an imaging device cavity formed in the projection face, and a plurality of laser cavities formed in the projection face.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of printing documents comprising a plurality of pages sourced from a computer network. The methods provide a zoom property attribute to scale the document (FIG. 10). In one implementation a preview window (1702,1703) is displayed which shows the pages in the document scaled based on the zoom property attribute. A user selection (1701), within the preview window, is then determined for the pages of the scaled document. A subset (1804 cf. 1802) of the pages according to the user selection are then printed. In another implementation it is determined whether an amount of content (1008) on a last page of a scaled multi-page document (1002), which is scaled based on the zoom property attribute, is less than a predetermined amount. When the amount of content (1008) is less than the predetermined amount, the scaled multi-page document is further scaled down to fit to a nearest whole page. The further scaled multi-page document (1010) may then be printed.

Abstract: An acquisition condition of information can automatically be determined based on data processed by a multi-function peripheral to acquire information from other multi-function peripherals in accordance with the condition while maintaining security. When an MFP performs a printing process or an image reading process by scanner in a system connecting a plurality of MFPs, a certain predetermined word and the number of usage times thereof, etc., are extracted from the data and written and retained into log information. The MFP determines whether associated data are acquired from other MFPs for each word extracted based on the log information. If a certain MFP acquires data processed by other MFPs, the log information retained by other MFPs is checked in accordance with an acquisition condition retained by each MFP, and data corresponding to the log information conforming to the acquisition condition are acquired from other MFPs and stored in the own machine.

Abstract: Print systems and methods that repeatedly print a file on an output medium. The system comprises a user interface, a driver and a printer. The user interface receives a setup option comprising a column number, a row number and a copy number. The driver calculates a reduction/magnification ratio according to the column number and the row number, and calculates a deviation position for each file to be repeatedly printed on the output medium. The driver transmits at least one command corresponding to the file having the properties of the reduction/magnification ratio and the deviation position. The printer repeatedly prints the file on the output medium according to the command.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an apparatus and system for managing form data obtained from an outside system, which may be combined with image data to be printed.

Abstract: By suppressing deviation of dot-formation positions stemming from insufficient accuracy in conveying a printing medium due to eccentricity of a conveying roller, a printed image in which unevenness is less visible is obtained. An accumulated amount of conveyance errors is reduced by narrowing a nozzle-use range and by reducing a conveyance amount over an entire printing region according to the number of colors to be used and desired printing quality in printing an image. Moreover, the nozzles used when the nozzle-use range is narrowed are not fixed, and are switched to be used as appropriate. This prevents only certain nozzles from being used concentratedly, and allows all of the nozzles to maintain substantially the same ejection performance.

Abstract: A color reproduction system with drift correction that includes a storage module, an image processing module, a printer, a scanner, and a calibration module. The storage module stores one or more current linear response halftones and a set of device independent color signals representative of a calibration target. The image processing module receives the stored device independent color signals and generates binary print data based on the one or more current linear response halftones. The printer prints a copy of the calibration target in accordance with the binary print data. The scanner scans the copy of the calibration target printed by the printer to generate scanned image data that corresponds to the copy of the calibration target.

Abstract: A calibration strip for use with a package of test strips includes a substrate with and a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on a surface of the substrate with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the grey scale regions of the calibration strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of test strips in a package associated with the calibration strip.

Abstract: A system for measuring an analyte in a body fluid sample includes a meter, with a grey scale photodetector module, and a memory module. The system also includes a test strip. The test strip has a substrate with a working surface for receiving the body fluid sample and a reverse surface that is in opposition to the working surface. The test strip also includes a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on either of the working and reverse surfaces, with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the scale regions of the test strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of the test strip. The grey scale photodetector module is configured to detect the permutative grey scale calibration pattern of the test strip when the test strip is inserted into the meter.

Abstract: A method for determining a test strip calibration code for use in a meter includes inserting a calibration strip into the meter, with the calibration strip having a substrate and a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on the substrate. In addition, the permutative grey scale calibration pattern includes more than one grey scale region that define a grey scale permutation uniquely corresponding to a calibration code of test strips in a package associated with the calibration strip. The method also includes: (i) detecting the permutative grey scale calibration pattern with a grey scale photodetector module of the meter, and (ii) determining a calibration code that uniquely corresponds to a grey scale permutation defined by the permutative grey scale calibration pattern based on a permutation matrix stored in the meter.

Abstract: A method for determining a test strip calibration code for use in a meter includes inserting a test strip into the meter. The inserted test strip having a substrate with a working surface for receiving the body fluid sample and a reverse surface that is in opposition to the working surface. The test strip also includes a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on either of the working and reverse surfaces, with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the scale regions of the test strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of the test strip. The method also includes detecting the permutative grey scale calibration pattern with a grey scale photodetector module of the meter and determining a calibration code that uniquely corresponds to a grey scale permutation defined by the permutative grey scale calibration pattern based on permutation matrix stored in the meter.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a method for controlling the function of a display apparatus are disclosed. The display apparatus comprises a first memory, a second memory, a color module, and a switch. The first memory stores the first setting data. The second memory stores the second setting data. The color module is installed with one of the first color unit and the second color unit alternatively. The switch chooses either the first memory or the second memory according to the color unit that has been installed in the color module. The display apparatus functions in response to the setting data stored in the chosen memory.

Abstract: Color production with high chroma in a low lightness portion is realized by using an appropriate complementary color ink to a particular color ink reproducing the low lightness portion. More specially the device secondary color G-K is reproduced with ink of the pure color component composed of the color mixture of the particular color G ink and the basic color Y ink to tone the particular color G ink. In addition, as complementary color components, the particular color R ink and K ink are used. Thereby, the reproduction line is substantially linear from the device secondary color G point to the device K point. In color reproduction at the dark portion of the color on the G-K line, sufficient chroma can be obtained.

Abstract: A modular printer system includes a number of modules that are capable of being logically and physically connected together. The modules include a printer module having a body that defines a print media feed path extending from an input end to an output end and a pagewidth printing mechanism positioned adjacent the media feed path between the input end and the output end for printing onto print media in the media feed path. At least one modular connector is arranged on the body to permit at least an image processing module to be connected to the body. A bus interconnects the printing mechanism and the image processing module to facilitate communication between the printing mechanism and the image processing module.

Abstract: An image processing method of processing color image data includes: holding a correction object color which is a color to be corrected and a correction value of the correction object color at least at a time when starting an operation of correcting the color image data; generating a correction area including a coordinate point corresponding to the correction object color in a predetermined color space; generating a correction characteristic that the color is corrected within the correction area and the correction value decreases as it gets closer to an edge of the correction area from the coordinate point of the correction object color, based on the correction object color and the correction value; and correcting the color image data in accordance with the generated correction characteristic.

Abstract: A method and system of establishing affinity of job listings is disclosed. A first job listing for which a jobseeker has applied is determined. The first job listing has a first job attribute. A second job listing for which the jobseeker has applied is also determined. The second job listing has a second job attribute. A first job attribute value and a second job attribute value are compared to determine a similarity score that represents a similarity between the first job attribute and the second job attribute. The first job listing and the second job listing are affiliated if the similarity score is higher than a predefined threshold level.

Abstract: Stop of print operation in the middle of printing is prevented from causing a stripe or unevenness on a print medium. A print control apparatus for creating print data for printing with a printing apparatus, and transmitting the created print data to the printing apparatus, includes: judging means for judging whether to transmit print data by page to the printing apparatus; and transmission controlling means for transmitting the print data by page when the judging means judges to transmit the print data by page, and transmitting each print data, into which the print data for a page is divided, when the judging means judges not to transmit the print data by page.

Abstract: A method for providing an image forming device with a user-friendly application program. A program of the image forming device includes a basic service program and a simple text language processing program. The basic service program has an operation panel control module, image input and image output modules. If a command string in a source code is a control string, the simple text language processing program passes a parameter of a button description included in the control string to the operation panel control module as an argument to cause a button to be displayed and pressing of the button when pressed. In response to the detection, corresponding modules are activated. Accordingly, different multiple modules can be easily processed. Additionally, any size of buttons can be displayed anywhere on the panel. The image forming device alone can realize the method to allow many more users to easily use the application.

Abstract: A mail processing system includes one or more processing devices operative to perform executable operations. The system further includes or accesses numerous devices containing consumable items used therein. In the mail processing system, the operating speed of the system is calculated using one or more various profile techniques. The system also determines the remaining capacity or amount of the consumable in the system. Based on the computed operating speed, the system calculates a prediction term predicting the expiration of the corresponding consumable. From this prediction term, an estimated time to expire is computed to predict when the consumable will expire, thereby insuring any mailing projects may be timely completed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus acquires print data to be printed by a printing apparatus and restriction information for restricting an output process of the print data. The information processing apparatus converts a format of the acquired print data and the restriction information based on information regarding a processing capability of the printing apparatus. Then, the information processing apparatus sends the print data and the restriction information, the format of which has been converted, to the printing apparatus.

Abstract: When the second job to be processed by interrupting the first job is input, a blank area is discriminated where the first image based on the first job is not laid out on a printing medium. It is determined whether the second image based on the second job can be laid out in the discriminated blank area of the printing medium. When it is determined that the second image can be laid out in the blank area on the printing medium, printing is controlled so as to form the first and second images on the printing medium.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to this invention acquires function restriction information used to restrict the use of functions of an image processing apparatus. The apparatus acquires job log data of a job which is processed using the functions of the image processing apparatus. The apparatus changes the acquired function restriction information. The apparatus calculates a cost incurred upon using the functions of the image processing apparatus within a designated period, based on unit price information indicating the unit prices of the resources consumed upon using the functions of the image processing apparatus, the job log data, and the changed function restriction information. The apparatus outputs the calculation result.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for executing a process based on a count available for each group is disclosed, including: a remaining count acquisition part acquiring a remaining count available for a group to which a user authenticated by a user ID belongs, from a count management server which manages the count for each group.

Abstract: A print control system adapted to control a digital printer having a first machine-readable ink of a first colour and a second ink that is not machine readable at the same wavelength as said first ink and that is of substantially the same colour, said system being adapted to control said printer to print upon a document in said first ink a position -determining pattern readable by a digital pen to enable said pen to acquire data to enable a position of said pen in said pattern to be determined, and to print human discernable content that is not read by said pen superposed with said pattern using said second ink and not said first ink.

Abstract: A method of printing a digital document comprises providing a first document for printing, the first document comprising at least one functional area in which pattern markings are to be printed, generating from the first document a second document in which at least one of the shape and or size and or location of the at least one functional area is modified, obtaining a portion of pattern to fit the modified functional area; and printing the second document. The modification may be performed at print time after the first document has been designed and published within a digital document processing system. An apparatus for processing a digital document is also provided.