Abstract: A method of automatically correcting dust artifact regions within images acquired by a digital image acquisition system including a digital camera with a lens assembly includes determining probabilities that certain pixels within multiple digitally-acquired images correspond to one or more dust artifact regions. A statistical dust map is formed including mapped dust artifact regions based on the dust artifact determining. The mapped dust artifact regions are separated into aura regions partially obscured by dust and shadow regions substantially obscured by dust inside the aura regions. Digital data are corrected corresponding to pixels within one or more digitally-acquired images including dust artifact regions separated into aura regions and shadow regions correlated with mapped aura and shadow regions of the statistical dust map.

Abstract: A method includes providing a display device. The display device may include a plurality of picture elements and a plurality of pixel drivers each for driving a respective one of the picture elements. The method may further include receiving input image data to drive the picture elements to display an image in an image plane. The method may also include receiving user input to indicate a shift in position of the image in the image plane. The shift in position may be by less than the distance between adjacent picture elements. In response to the user input, the input image data may be processed to generate interpolated image data to implement the shift in position. The picture elements may be driven with the interpolated image data.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a photosensitive element that generates an electrical signal corresponding to light incident thereon and a ramp signal generator that generates a ramp signal. Generation of the ramp signal is initiated in response to activation of a ramp enable signal. An offset adjusting circuit generates a counter enable signal after activation of the ramp enable signal and after initiating generation of the ramp signal. A counter initiates counting responsive to generation of the counter enable signal. A latch latches a counter output responsive to a comparison of the ramp signal and the electrical signal corresponding to light incident on the photosensitive element. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: An optical modulator restricted in a photorefractive phenomenon caused by a stray light in an optical modulator, and improved in the quenching ratio characteristics of a signal light. The optical modulator comprises a substrate consisting of a material having an electro-optic effect, an optical waveguide formed on the substrate, and a modulating electrode for allowing an electric field to work on the optical waveguide and changing the phase of light passing through the optical waveguide, characterized in that stray light removing means are provided on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An optical device includes at least two photonic bandgap crystal (PBG) stacks that are each comprised of alternating layers of high and low index materials. A defect region is formed in a cavity region between the at least two photonic bandgap crystal stacks so as to provide the properties needed to reflect light received by the optical device.

Abstract: A variable attenuation signal acquisition probing system and voltage measurement system uses an optical cavity to acquire a signal under test. The probing system has an optical transmitter and receiver that are coupled to the optical cavity via an optical transmission system. The optical cavity has an electrode structure having apertures formed in the optical cavity that are parallel to propagation path of the optical signal within the cavity. A modulated optical signal is generated by the optical cavity in response to the signal under test creating an electromagnetic field distribution in electro-optic material in the optical cavity that overlaps the optical path of the optical signal propagating in the optical cavity which varies the index of refraction of electro-optic material in the optical path. Changes in the polarization state of the optical signal attenuates the magnitude of the output electrical signal of the optical receiver.

Abstract: A multi-core optical fiber pressure sensor is described, which sensor includes an optical fiber having at least two cores, wherein the cores have collocated measurement portions, for example in-fiber interferometers or Bragg Grating portions. In an exemplary embodiment, the fiber is arranged such that a pressure induced force will act on the multi-core fiber at said collocated position, affecting the light guiding cores in a different manner. In another exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber is configured to bend in response to pressure changes.

Abstract: A multi-chip module having an optical element sending and receiving optical signals and mounted on a printed circuit board in which an optical guide is formed, includes an optical path-converting member that protrudes from a face of the multi-chip module that is to be connected to the printed circuit board, is optically connected to the optical element, and is inserted into an inserting hole formed on the printed circuit board so as to intersect the optical guide when mounting the multi-chip module. The optical path-converting member is inserted into the inserting hole to form an optical path guiding light from the optical element into the optical guide or guiding light transmitted through the optical guide into the optical element.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for constructing stacked circuit modules and precursor assemblies with flexible circuitry. Using the methods of the present invention, a single set of flexible circuitry whether articulated as one or two flex circuits may be employed with CSP devices of a variety of configurations either with or without form standards.

Abstract: An integrated circuit has an optical waveguide configured to carry a plurality of optical channels, which in a particular embodiment are optical clock signals generated by an optical clock generator. The integrated circuit includes an optical crossbar having a first output, a second output, a first optical ring resonator, and a second optical ring resonator. In a further embodiment, the optical crossbar is an optical crossbar switch and an output path in the optical crossbar switch includes another tunable optical ring resonator and an intermediate waveguide, which allows isolating the output from any optical channel on the on-chip optical waveguide by tuning the first ring resonator to a first wavelength, and tuning the other ring resonator to another wavelength.

Abstract: A light controlling means includes a shutter member and an actuator. The shutter member is disposed in a slit and has a function to shut off signal light propagated in the light path of an optical fiber array. The actuator is constructed to drive and move the shutter member in a vertical direction. The shutter member is fixed to one end of the actuator and positioned substantially in alignment with an inclination angle of the slit. Further, a base member of the shutter member is made from transparent quartz glass. A light reflecting film is formed on a portion of one of the plate surfaces of the shutter member, on a surface opposite the optical axis of a light exit portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for routing optical signals in which at least one demultiplexer receives and demultiplexes an incoming wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signal into n individual channels. At least two multiplexers are used for assembling respective multiplexed output signals and are connected by an array of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), each channel having correspondingly at least two SOAs connecting it respectively to each of the multiplexers. The SOAs are operated in a co-ordinated switching mode to route the corresponding channel selectively to at least one of the multiplexers, and may also contribute gain. A proportionate signal may be split off from each channel and taken to a photodetector to enable the gain of the associated SOAs to be adjusted to equalize or otherwise balance the signal levels.

Abstract: Biochemical assays that are performed in cuvettes and in the wells of multi-well plates and that utilize excitation and light emission as labels for detection are enhanced by an illumination and detection system that supplies excitation light through an optical fiber that transmits excitation light from an excitation light source to the cuvette or well. Emission light produced by the excitation is then collected by a collimating lens and converted to a signal that is compiled by conventional software for analysis. The optical fiber and collimating lens can either be on the same side of the receptacle (generally the open side) or on opposite sides, i.e., one above and the other below.

Abstract: A single pulse laser beam of linear polarization is irradiated to a glass region such that the condensing point is located inside of the glass region, thereby to form, at the condensing point, a periodic structure region in which high refractive-index zones and low refractive-index zones are repeatedly being generated at pitches of 1 ?m or less. Planes in which the high refractive-index zones or the low refractive-index zones are being joined to one another, are formed in parallel to the polarized magnetic field direction of the pulse laser. It is therefore possible to prepare an optical structural body having a submicron-order fine periodic structure which can readily be produced.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength optical source includes a broadband optical source providing a broadband optical signal, and a modification module optically coupled to the broadband optical source. The modification module splits the broadband optical signal into a first output signal and a second output signal. The first output signal and second output signal each comprise a plurality of frequency separated frequency slices of the broadband optical signal. Also, a method of providing a pair of related multi-wavelength signals using one or more broadband sources includes: (a) routing a broadband signal into a plurality of Bragg gratings in a manner that causes the Bragg gratings to reflect portions of the broadband signal and to transmit portions of the broadband signal; (b) routing the reflected portions to a first output as a first output signal; and (c) routing the non-reflected portions to a second output as a second output signal.

Abstract: The present invention is an SSFBG with which there are few restrictions on the code that can be set and the overall length of which is short. This SSFBG has four unit FBGs the Bragg reflection wavelengths of which are ?1, ?2, ?3, and ?4 disposed with a part where the unit FBGs overlap one another in the waveguide direction of the optical fiber. The left end of the horizontal axis corresponds to the position of the I/O terminal of the SSFBG and the right end of the horizontal axis corresponds to the terminal on the opposite side from the I/O terminal of the SSFBG. The Bragg reflection wavelengths ?1, ?2, ?3, and ?4 of the four unit FBGs are ?1=1543.28 nm, ?2=1543.60 nm, ?3=1543.92 nm, and ?4=1544.24 nm respectively. Codes (?1, ?2, ?3, and ?4) used in the time-spreading/wavelength hopping system are established for the SSFBG by disposing the four unit FBGs at equal intervals such that the interval therebetween is 12.8 mm.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a waveguide that includes a core extending along a waveguide axis and a confinement region surrounding the core. The confinement region includes a spiral portion and a non-spiral portion, wherein the spiral portion and the non-spiral portion extend along the waveguide axis.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical waveguide which comprises forming a core layer (c) on surface of a peelable substrate (a), then forming a clad layer (d) on the surface of the core layer (c) and the surface of the substrate (a), and then peeling the substrate (a) off from the core layer (c) and the clad layer (d) to fabricate an optical waveguide of which the top face (e) or the bottom face of the core layer (c) is not covered by the clad layer (d).

Abstract: A photonic crystal waveguide and a homogeneous medium waveguide for enabling a steep bend and arrangement at an arbitrary angle with low propagation loss. A photonic crystal waveguide has a core formed by a photonic crystal having periodicity in the Y-direction. Electromagnetic wave is propagated by a band on the Brillouin zone boundary of the photonic band structure of the core. A side face of the core parallel to the Y-direction is in contact with a homogeneous medium having a refractive index of ns, and the condition of ?0/ns>a?/(?2/4+a2)0.5 is satisfied when the wavelength in vacuum of the electromagnetic wave is represented by ?0, the period of the photonic crystal is represented by a, and the period in the XZ-plane direction of the wave propagated through the core is represented by ?.

Abstract: A waveguide PIN photodiode is provided. The waveguide PIN photodiode includes a lower light guide layer, a light absorption layer, an upper light guide layer, and a cladding layer. The lower light guide is formed on a substrate, and the light absorption layer is formed on the lower light guide layer. The upper light guide layer is formed on the light absorption layer, and the cladding layer is formed on the upper light guide layer. The lower light guide layer, the light absorption layer, and the upper light guide layer constitute a core layer, which is an optical waveguide, and graded index distribution is symmetrically formed in a depth direction, centering around the light absorption layer having a highest refractive index.

Abstract: Optical fiber repair apparatus include a longitudinally extending closure frame having a longitudinally extending optical fiber receiving groove in a face thereof. An adjustable guide member on the closure frame is longitudinally movable thereon to adjust a position of an optical fiber of a first optical fiber cable in the groove. A first attachment member is configured to couple the first optical fiber cable to the guide member with the optical fiber of the first optical fiber cable extending into the optical fiber receiving groove. A retainer is configured to couple a second optical fiber cable to the closure frame with an optical fiber of the second optical fiber cable extending into the optical fiber receiving groove.

Abstract: A splice tray arrangement including a tray and a splice chip arrangement. The splice chip arrangement including stackable splice chips defining channels for holding splice elements. Each of the splice chips including a mounting arrangement for mounting the splice chip at a mounting location on the tray, and a stacking arrangement for mounting the splice chip upon another splice chip.

Abstract: A cable guide and system are disclosed for maintaining a desired bend radius. The cable guide includes two substantially curved tube halves, each tube half comprising a curved portion having a predetermined radius. The cable guide also includes a hinge joining the tube halves and a fastening member configured to fasten the tube halves together. A first end of each of the tube halves is shaped to adhere to a cable connector. The cable connector terminates a cable. The tube halves have an open configuration and a closed configuration. When in the closed configuration, the tube halves are fastened together by the fastening member. In the closed configuration, the tube halves form a tubular sleeve. The tubular sleeve includes a lumen through which a cable may extend.

Abstract: A light concentrator for an optical antenna gradually narrows from the light receiving end to the end in contact with a light detector, and has a refractive index that gradually increases from the first to the second end, to afford a greater acceptance angle for the incoming optical signal. The increase may occur in stages of corresponding layers of the light concentrator, the layers being arranged in order of increase in refractive index from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A unit installed in electronic equipment includes a connector configured to connect a transmission line of the electronic equipment, and an access plate where a plurality of the connectors are provided. The access plate is slide-able against the electronic equipment.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus is provided which can minimize ripple current flowing through a DC link capacitor, and downsize the motor driving apparatus. It synchronizes the frequency of the inverter carrier signal for driving an inverter with the frequency of the DC/DC converter carrier signal for driving a DC/DC converter, and carries out control in such a manner that the center of a period during which the input current of the inverter is zero and the center of a period during which the output current of the DC/DC converter is zero are matched.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided which performs optimum zooming and focusing even after long use. The imaging apparatus includes: a lens which is movable along the optical axis; a driving module to drive the lens; a driving amount calculation module to determine a drive count indicating the number of times the driving module has been operated or a drive time for which the driving module has been operated; a storage module to store compensation amounts which are used to compensate for the mechanical play of the driving module according to the drive count or the drive time; and a control module to control the driving module wherein a compensation amount appropriate for the drive count or time determined by the driving amount calculation module is selected from the compensation amounts stored in the storage module and the selected compensation amount is used to compensate for the mechanical play of the driving module.

Abstract: Cartridge and camera systems are provided that have a cartridge with a photosensitive element having an exposure surface and a housing having a storage area for storing the photosensitive element and an opening adapted to permit transport of the photosensitive element from a storage position within a housing to exposure position outside of the housing. A micro-lens array is joined the housing and positioned to confront the exposure surface when the photosensitive element is in the exposure position.

Abstract: A communication system couples communication devices using optical switches and links. The optical switches provide OSI Layer 1 restoration in response to a fault. The communication devices provide OSI layer 2/3 restoration in response to the fault after OSI Layer 1 protection is complete.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength optical packet switch system with shared output buffer is disclosed, which includes N input fibers, N output fibers, an input device, a wavelength converter, a wavelength router, an output buffer, a wavelength classifier and a control device. The present invention utilizes both the tunable wavelength converter and the wavelength router to accomplish multi-wavelength optical packet switching. The present invention also provides the output buffer connected to the output of the wavelength router for being shared by optical packets in all wavelengths (channels), thereby avoiding the packet loss due to output conflicts and reducing the cost of establishing the buffer.

Abstract: An optical network, which includes edge and switching nodes, optically communicate information formatted into statistically multiplexed control and data bursts and/or metadata. Control bursts are transmitted prior to the data bursts to configure optical switches in selected switching nodes so that the data bursts do not require O-E-O conversion. Each edge node consists of an adaptive PBS medium-access layer (MAC) component in order to achieve the transmission throughput improvement. The adaptive PBS MAC component enables the PBS data burst size to adapt to the TCP flow, allowing the PBS data burst to be transmitted immediately for the TCP flow experiencing TCP slow start. It performs a “deep” packet inspection of control packets coming back to the data source from the destination PBS network edge node to detect packet losses.

Abstract: Disclosure is a wavelength division multiplexed-passive optical network having a bus structure capable of connecting one central office to a plurality of remote nodes through one optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical communication system comprises a first optical interface, an optical processing system, and a second optical interface. The first optical interface receives an optical signal that is phase-modulated and has a first wavelength. The optical processing system converts the first wavelength of the optical signal to a second wavelength that is different from the first wavelength without converting the optical signal into an electrical format. The second optical interface transfers the optical signal that is phase-modulated and has the second wavelength.

Abstract: In an image-forming apparatus being selectable between a four-color mode forming images using only cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner and a six-color mode forming images using light cyan and light magenta toner in addition to the four-color toner, by automatically selecting the correction between density correction and gradation correction in the four-color mode and density correction and gradation correction in the six-color mode in accordance with an operation mode of the image-forming apparatus, variations in image density and gradation reproducibility can be effectively corrected for short and long periods in four-color and six-color modes.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a cyan color image formation unit which uses a cyan color toner to form a cyan color image; a magenta color image formation unit which uses a magenta color toner to form a magenta color image; a yellow color image formation unit which uses a yellow color toner to form a yellow color image; a black color image formation unit which uses a black color toner to form a black color image; an invisible image formation unit which uses an invisible toner to form an invisible image; and a control apparatus which, when only the black color toner and the invisible toner are used for formation of an image, stops respective image formation operations of the cyan color image formation unit, the magenta color image formation unit and the yellow color image formation unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for performing thermal fixing of toner images, including a fixing section, a heating section, a power supply section and a control section. The control section controls the power supplying section to start supplying electric power to the heating section, and the control section controls the power supplying section to stop supplying electric power to the heating section after a lapse of a predetermined time interval, based on a thermal response characteristic of a temperature detecting section, even when the temperature of the heating section has not yet reached a target fixing temperature.

Abstract: A period of a first edge, a voltage change in a first direction of a first pulse signal fed from a zero-crossing detecting circuit, is detected. A second edge, a voltage change in a second direction opposite to the first direction, is generated when a time period equal to half the period of the first edge has elapsed from the next first edge. In response to a second pulse signal generated from the first and second edges, phase control of power to be supplied to heating elements is performed by using triacs. In this manner, during power control using a signal from the zero-crossing detecting circuit as a trigger signal, is achieved stable power control which enables tracking even though the power supply frequency fluctuates, and which is impervious to the effect of the positive or negative polarity of an input power supply.

Abstract: A circulating intermediate transfer member contacts an image carrier at a primary transfer position at which a toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member. A secondary transfer member contacts the intermediate transfer member at a secondary transfer position at which the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium. A gate roller pair nips the recording medium therebetween at a nipping position and conveys the recording medium toward the secondary transfer position. A cleaning blade retractably contacts and scrapes off toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member. A conveyance speed of the recording medium at the nipping position is faster than that at the secondary transfer position. The cleaning blade is retracted from the intermediate transfer member until a trailing end of the recording medium passes through the nipping position, when the recording medium has a stiffness greater than a prescribed level.

Abstract: A belt device includes an endless belt, a plurality of rollers around which the endless belt is wound, and a foreign material entry preventing member disposed on at least one side of the endless belt in the width direction. The foreign material entry preventing member prevents the entry of the foreign material into a region surrounded by the endless belt.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit for rotatably supporting the drum, first and second portions to be positioned relative to the main assembly, a rotatable developing unit, and first and second portions to be supported on first and second supporting portions to permit a rotation of the developing unit in the crossing direction when the process cartridge is set in the main assembly of the apparatus, and a driving force receiving member, rotatably supported on an outer surface of the second portion to be supported, for receiving a driving force for rotating the developing roller from a driving force transmission member provided in the main assembly when the process cartridge is set in the main assembly of the apparatus.

Abstract: A developing unit for an image forming apparatus using a two-property developer that induces a magnetic attraction force based on the slope of a curved line representing the magnetism of each magnetic pole of a magnetic field generating part of a developing roller and determining a developer-regulating position where the changes of the magnetic attraction force are minor based on the magnetic attraction force in order to assure stable transfer of the developer to a photoconductive medium.

Abstract: A non-gouging sheet stripper assembly is disclosed for stripping copy sheets from a surface of a moving fusing member. The non-gouging sheet stripper assembly includes (a) at least one baffle forming part of a sheet path; (b) a finger shaft having a first end attached to the at least one baffle and a second distal end for forming a sheet directing first angle with the surface of the moving fusing member; and (c) a finger tip located at the second distal end of the finger shaft and having a contour for forming a sheet stripping second angle, that is different from the sheet directing first angle with the surface of the moving fusing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a heat source for heating the fixing member, a pressure member urged against the fixing member so as to form a nip portion between the pressure member and the fixing member, and a release agent applying unit that applies a release agent to the fixing member or the pressure member. An amount A (weight parts) of wax contained in the toner, and an amount B (mg/sheet) of a release agent applied to the fixing member or the pressure member by the release agent applying unit per printing medium of A4 size satisfy the following relationships (1) through (3): 0?A?20 ??(1) 0?B?1.0 ??(2) 8?A+(12×B)?32.

Abstract: A glossing subsystem is provided that receives duplexed output media that has been selectively marked on a first side and a second side. The glossing subsystem includes: a first glossing unit that selectively provides a first gloss level to a first side of the duplexed output media; and, a second glossing unit that selectively provides a second gloss level to a second side of the duplexed output media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the transport and/or storage of developing agent in an image forming apparatus. A cartridge may be employed having a reservoir for developing agent and a component, such as a drum, which may include an interior region capable of storing developing agent. A transport device may be included that is capable of transporting developing agent between the reservoir and a location in the image forming apparatus such as the drum interior.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can perform stable sheet conveyance, regardless of whether a sheet processing apparatus is connected thereto. The image forming apparatus can be connected to a sheet processing apparatus that performs post processing on each conveyed sheet. The image forming apparatus includes: a pair of discharge rollers that are located at the discharge outlet of the image forming main body for sheet conveyance, and have rotational members arranged so as to alternately face both sides of each sheet in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction; and an upper discharge roller holding member that changes the center distance between the discharge rollers from a first center distance observed when the sheet processing apparatus is not connected to the image forming main body to a second center distance observed when the sheet processing apparatus is connected to the image forming main body to convey a sheet to the sheet processing apparatus.

Abstract: In digital broadcast systems, it is common to broadcast besides main services additional services like news services. Typically, these additional services are regularly updated and broadcasted by a service provider (3) several times a day. In order to keep service data transmitted by the additional services up to date in a receiving device (1) receiving the services, a method of accessing services is given according to which a respective service information about the services provided by service providers (3) is extracted from a service presently received by the receiving device (1), and then at least one of the services about which service information was extracted according to the respective extracted service information might be accessed. Thus, the service data can automatically be updated by the receiving device (1) itself, even if transmission conditions of an additional service like update rates change over the time.

Abstract: The invention proposes a repeater designed for indoor transmissions. The useful frequency band is split into two frequency bands and the repeater amplifies the signals from one of the bands and translates them to the other band. The transposition of frequency bands results in preventing creating significant interference effects on the signal to be amplified. A management circuit is used to address, at lower cost, interference problems between the bands.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining communications with a radio frequency (RF) peripheral device such as an RF input device and an RF output device. A computer may search for an RF peripheral device by transmitting a signal request on available channels until a response is received from an RF peripheral device. If the RF channel becomes busy and/or jammed, the RF peripheral device may tune into a predetermined channel while the computer scans for another channel to use. Once the computer finds a better channel, the computer may go to the predetermined channel and broadcast the new channel location to the RF peripheral device. In addition, if an RF signal arrives incomplete or corrupt, the computer may transmit a negative acknowledgement to the RF peripheral device, which may retransmit the previous RF signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for handling unreliable feedback information in a wireless network. The present invention adjusts one or more communications (202) with a receiving unit (272) in a wireless communication network by receiving feedback information (302) relating to the receiving unit (102), determining a feedback information offset for the receiving unit (272), and adjusting the one or more communications (202) with the receiving unit (272) based on the feedback information and the feedback information offset (306).