Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes: a measurement unit configured to execute first measurement at each of a plurality of measurement points on a substrate, which are juxtaposed in one of a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction and an oblique direction with respect to the scanning direction, and to execute a second measurement at each of the plurality of measurement points, while the substrate is shifted in a direction different from the scanning direction and a processing unit configured to select some measurement points from the plurality of measurement points on the basis of a change in a measurement value at each measurement point, which is obtained by the first measurement and the second measurement.

Abstract: In an apparatus for performing an edge exposure process on an edge portion of a photoresist film that is formed on a semiconductor wafer, light provided from a light source is formed to have a ring shape corresponding to a shape of an edge portion of the wafer by an optical unit. The ring-shaped light is irradiated onto the edge portion of the wafer through a ring lens. Thus, the light efficiency is improved. Further, since there is no need to rotate the wafer, a side surface profile of the photoresist film is improved.

Abstract: A polarization control device for a lithography system selectively polarizes light in horizontal, vertical and/or circular orientations. A pair of relatively rotatable quarter-wave plates move to provide the desired polarization. When the quarter-wave plates are at a relative angle of 45 degrees, the polarization is circular. When the quarter-wave plates are both at zero or 45 degrees, the resulting polarization is vertical or horizontal. The polarization is selected based on the orientation of an image to be projected. Horizontal polarization is preferably used for images with a strong horizontal orientation, and vertical polarization is selected for images with a strong vertical orientation. Circular orientation is selected when the image has no strong horizontal or vertical orientation.

Abstract: The radar apparatus includes a laser light emitting section successively emitting laser lights, a reflection light detecting section receiving, as reflection lights, the laser lights reflected from an object, and generating light reception signals containing reflection signals respectively derived from the reflection lights and having signal levels depending on intensities of the reflection lights, an integrating section generating an integrated signal by integrating the light reception signals, the integrated signal containing the reflection signals being integrated, a phase shifted signal generating section generating a phase shifted signal by delaying the integrated signal by a predetermined time, a differential signal calculating section calculating, as a differential signal, a difference between the integrated signal and the phase-shifted signal, and a detector section detecting the object on the basis of a peak waveform of the differential signal caused by a rising edge of the reflection signals being i

Abstract: A solid element for use as a control or calibration element which can be used in a diagnostic analyzer. The element includes a translucent or transparent solid material which when illuminated by a light source emits light corresponding to a specified concentration of a specific analyte as an analyte being measured.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical analysis system for efficient compensation of spectroscopic broadband back-ground, such as spectroscopic fluorescence background or background signals that are due to the dark current of a detector. The optical analysis system effectively provides multivariate optical analysis of a spectroscopic signal. It provides wavelength selective detection of various spectral components that are indicative of a superposition of spectroscopic peaks or bands and their broadband background. Additionally, the optical analysis system is adapted to acquire spectral components that predominantly correspond to the broadband background of the spectroscopic peaks or bands. Wavelength selective selection of various spectral components is performed on the basis of reconfigurable multivariate optical elements or on the basis of a position displacement of a spatial optical transmission mask.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a brightness factor associated with a window shade fabric is disclosed. The brightness factor incorporates the openness factor of the fabric, visible light reflectance of the fabric and visible light transmission of the fabric. The brightness factor helps to determine the optimum window shade fabric for a particular room, building or other location. The brightness factor information may be used to select the correct fabric based on desired interior function, light level, the relative surface brightness, and/or any other desired interior characteristic. The fabric selection may affect the building envelope by, for example, facilitating the optimization of daylighting, reduction of artificial electric lighting needs, and minimization of glare conditions.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is provided with a light source (4), a first light-receiving element (5) and a second light-receiving element (6) which output signals corresponding to light intensity, a calculating part (12) and a memory part (13). The first light-receiving element (6) and the light source (4) are arranged so that transmitted light emitted from the light source and passed through a sample is received by the first light-receiving element (5). The second light-receiving element (6) is arranged so as to receive light other than the transmitted light emitted from the light source (4). In the memory part (13), a correlation between the output value of the first light-receiving element (5) and the output value of the second light-receiving element (6) when light is emitted from the light source (4) in a state where the sample is not present is stored.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable fluorescence correlation spectroscopy instrument that includes an excitation source, at least one of a light focusing element positioned to receive light emitted by the excitation source, a detector for detecting light, the detector positioned to receive light emitted by a sample excited by the excitation source, and a correlator coupled to the detector, the correlator for processing data received at the detector and providing data including autocorrelation data, crosscorrelation data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Increasing signal to noise ratio in optical spectra obtained by spectrophotometers. An interferometer introduces interference effects into a source light beam. A dual beam configuration splits the source beam having the interference effects into a reference beam and a sample beam. The reference beam interacts with a reference substance and is detected by a reference detector. The sample beam interacts with a sample substance and is detected by a sample detector. An optical spectra of the sample is based on the difference between the detected reference beam and the detected sample beam.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an object, the system comprising an illuminator including at least one pulsed light source, a detector assembly, and a relative motion provider operative to provide motion of the object relative to the detector assembly, alone an axis of motion, the detector assembly comprising a plurality of 2-dimensional detector units whose active areas are arranged at intervals.

Abstract: A method and inspection system to inspect a first pattern on a specimen for defects against a second pattern that is intended to be the same where the second pattern has known responses to at least one probe. The inspection is performed by applying at least one probe to a point of the first pattern on the specimen to generate at least two responses from the specimen. Then the first and second responses are detected from the first pattern, and each of those responses is then compared with the corresponding response from the same point of the second pattern to develop first and second response difference signals. Those first and second response difference signals are then processed together to unilaterally determine a first pattern defect list.

Abstract: A device for automatically measuring characteristics of an ophthalmic lens (L1), includes: a support (2) designed to receive such a lens; on one first side of the lens support, illuminating elements (208) including an optical system for producing a light beam directed towards the ophthalmic lens mounted on the support; and on a second side of the support, elements for analyzing (210) the image transmitted by the ophthalmic lens mounted on the support and illuminated by the illuminating elements (208); elements for splitting the light beam including a first mask (220) forming a Hartmann array and arranged on the first side of the lens support to be illuminated, upstream of the lens by the light beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for contactlessly measuring the curvature of an ophthalmic article (1) having a “front” face (1B) that presents said curvature. The method consists in: sequentially emitting at least two light beams (L1, L2) onto said front face, these two light beams being offset by a certain angle (?) and converging substantially onto said front face, one of said emitted light beams (L1) being substantially centered on said front face and being substantially normal to said front face; analyzing the wave fronts of the resulting reflected beams (L?1, L?2) in order to determine their respective focuses (F1, F2) therefrom; and deducing the radius of curvature of said face; said operations being performed in such a manner that said emitted beams are substantially not reflected by the rear face of said article.

Abstract: A method for measuring the pitch in a noncontact way in a short time with high precision by using a simple device.

Abstract: A substrate is exposed by a first operation wherein detection light is directed upon a specified reference surface to detect surface positional information of a reference surface based on results of reception of detection light through the reference surface and by a second operation wherein detection light is directed upon a specified area of a first surface of a first mask to detect surface positional information of area based on results of reception of detection light through a first surface. The second operation is implemented a plurality of times for each of the plurality of areas of the first surface, and the first operation is implemented for each second operation before the second operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that include an optical device for providing information about one or more samples. The system includes well(s) for holding the sample(s), and in one embodiment, the optical device(s) have non-parallel sidewalls optically contacting the well(s) for providing the information about the sample(s) in the well(s). In some embodiments the optical devices may be truncated prism(s). In some embodiments the optical devices are part of a unibody structure with the well(s).

Abstract: A method is proposed whereby photo-bleaching is used not only to change the absorption and fluorescence of a sample but is also employed to change its scattering characteristics. When the compounds which are bleached are contained in regions wherein the real part of the index of refraction is greater than or equal to the average index of the medium, the bleaching will result in reduction in the scattering at wavelengths longer than the wavelength of the bleaching source. This reduction can be useful in measuring the concentration of analytes located at significant depths within turbid media.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for producing an output coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering (CARS) signal of a medium. The method comprises generation of a unitary optical excitation pulse that carries a pump photon, a Stokes photon and a probe photon; and inducing a CARS process in the medium by exciting the medium by the at least one such unitary optical excitation pulse.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber optic apparatus for simultaneously measuring the scattering and concentration signals of macromolecules in a flow cell 3. The apparatus is based on the delivery/focusing of both a laser and ultraviolet light source to the same physical position in a low volume flow cell 4, via a bifurcated optical fiber 3. This configuration allows the light scattering and concentration signal changes associated with a macromolecular solution passing through the flow channel to be measured simultaneously. This invention also relates to a method that uses the optical apparatus 10 to determine properties of a macromolecular solution such as the ideal crystallization and/or formulation conditions (via B22) for a given protein solution.

Abstract: A spectroscope of the present invention includes a concave diffraction grating which disperses incident light, an incident light introduction unit which introduces incident light into the concave diffraction grating, and an outgoing light receiving unit which receives outgoing light dispersed for different wavelengths by the concave diffraction grating. The spectroscope further includes an incident aperture which limits an incident angle of light emitted by the incident light introduction unit to the concave diffraction grating, and an outgoing aperture which limits an outgoing angle of outgoing light dispersed for different wavelengths by the concave diffraction grating to the light receiving unit. The spectroscope is constructed so that relatively rotational transfer of at least two out of the concave diffraction grating, the incident aperture and the outgoing apertures can be performed along a Rowland circle which the concave diffraction grating forms.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the alignment of marking lasers in a room for diagnosis and/or treatment in the radiation therapy, characterized by a housing, which is provided with holding means for the installation in the room and which has the following a linearly extending photosensor and an analyzing unit, which compares the position of the light generated by the laser on the photosensor with a reference position, and generates a corresponding signal upon a deviation of the measured position from the reference position.

Abstract: A system comprises the step for applying a mark in advance in a reference position in which attachment of a lens holder is anticipated on a convex lens surface of a reference lens; the step for attaching the lens holder to the convex lens surface of the reference lens by using a holder attachment apparatus; and the step for comparing a position in which the lens holder is actually attached and a reference position in which the mark is applied on the lens. A cavity-shaped hole is formed in the holder so that a position of the mark on the reference lens can be observed when the lens holder is attached to the lens. In the comparison step, a toolmaker's microscope is used to observe the mark through the hole in the lens holder from a direction of the convex lens surface of the lens, an actual attachment position of the holder is compared to the reference position of the reference lens, and an attachment accuracy of the holder is verified.

Abstract: An overlay target on a substrate includes two sets of gratings; the first set having a pitch P1 and the second set having a pitch P2 and each set including a grating with an orientation substantially perpendicular to the first grating of each set. When a layer of resist is to be aligned with the layer below it, the same overlay marks are provided on the upper layer and the relative positions of the overlay targets on the upper layer and the lower layer are compared by shining an overlay beam on to the overlay targets and measuring the diffraction spectrum of the reflected beam. Having two sets of overlay targets with different pitches in gratings enables the measurement of overlay errors that are greater than the pitch of either one of the overlay gratings.

Abstract: An image-based method and corresponding apparatus for measuring, in scientifically basic terms, the complete fiber length distribution from a tapered beard. The method may be referred to as length by image analysis (Li).

Abstract: A frequency modulated spectroscopy system, including a photo-detector, a band-pass filter to filter the output of the photo-detector, and a rectifier to demodulate. The band-pass filter has a relatively high Q factor. With the high Q factor band-pass filter and rectifier, a reference sinusoid is not required for demodulation, resulting in phase-insensitive spectroscopy. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a light source, an aperture member, and a detector. The light source provides incident light for illuminating an obverse surface of a plate at a predetermined incident angle. The plate has the obverse surface and a reverse surface and is transparent to the wavelength of the incident light. The aperture member has an opening through which speckle light from the obverse surface and speckle light from the reverse surface pass. The speckle light results from the incident light. The detector detects the intensity of the speckle light passing through the opening. In order that the speckle light from the obverse surface and the speckle light from the reverse surface overlap each other at the detector, the opening has a longitudinal dimension in a direction in which the incident angle is formed.

Abstract: A laser gyro of the present invention includes laser light excitation means (a semiconductor laser device 100) that excites first and second laser lights propagating in the opposite directions to each other in a circular ring-shaped path (an optical path 40), coupling means (optical waveguides 41 and 42) for superimposing the first and the second laser lights, and a photodetector for observing an interference signal generated by the superimposed first and second laser lights.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interferometric measuring system for measuring, for example, shape deviation, position, surface properties, vibrations, of an object, the measuring system including a transmitting element having a modulation interferometer and a radiation source for short-coherent radiation, as well as a measuring probe system connected thereto for supplying the radiation via a common optical path, and further including a receiving element for analyzing the measuring radiation returning from the measuring probe system, said receiving element being combined with the transmitting element in a transmitter/receiver unit.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides side-sensing optical fiber-based optical acoustic sensors that are well suited to catheter-based intravascular diagnostic applications. Another aspect of the invention provides intravascular probes, such as catheters, that include a side-sensing optical acoustic sensor according to the invention and means for photoacoustically generating an acoustic signal, such as ultrasound, from a target tissue. Still another aspect of the invention provides a method for evaluating at least a section of a blood vessel, such as an artery, and in particular identifying, locating and/or characterizing atherosclerotic lesions within the blood vessel. A related embodiment provides a method for identifying, locating and/or characterizing lipid-rich atherosclerotic lesions such as vulnerable plaques.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for determining the thickness, distance and/or profile of areas of a transparent and/or diffuse object that are spaced apart, in particular for measuring distances in the eye. In the device for determining position using an interferometer arrangement based on the Michelson principle, a scanning unit is arranged for the change in path length in the reference beam or measurement beam path. The scanning unit comprises a scan table which is movable translationally in corresponding guides, the movement direction enclosing an angle ? to the reference beam. At least two reference mirrors having a distance d in direction of the reference beam and slightly overlapping laterally are arranged on the scan table so that during the oscillating movement of the scan table carried out by a motor the reference beam is reflected in itself first by the first reference mirror and then by the second reference mirror.

Abstract: An ophthalmic imaging device for improved ophthalmic imaging including: an optical coherence scanning device, a fundus imaging device: an iris viewer; a motorized chin rest; an internal test target, and a fixation target device wherein the optical coherence scanning device, the ophthalmic scanning device, the iris viewer, and the fixation target device all share at least one common optical element. The optical coherence device preferably employs a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with an all fiber reference path; monitoring and attenuating power within the reference path. The multiple devices are separately and in combination aligned with the eye. The system includes internal and external calibration and improved image formats.

Abstract: An optical lens system includes a lens surface capable of forming concentric interference patterns on an object as if light emitted from a single light source were virtually emitted from two or more light sources within a plane containing an optical axis of the single light source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring a characteristic, e.g. spectral bandwidth, of a light beam. The apparatus may comprise an etalon for generating an interference pattern having at least one light cone, an arrangement of detector elements, the arrangement receiving a portion of the light cone and producing a signal indicative of the characteristic; and an auxiliary detector positioned to receive a portion of the light cone and produce a signal indicative of an alignment between the etalon and the linear arrangement.

Abstract: A scanning microscope for the optical measuring of an object, including a lens, a light source, a displacement unit, and a scanner control unit, with the scanning microscope being embodied such that a measurement beam emitted by the light source impinges the object to be measured and that the measuring beam reflected by the object reentering as a reflection beam through the lens into the radiation path of the microscope and the scanner control unit is embodied cooperating with the displacement unit such that the scanner control unit controls the displacement unit via control signals such that the relative position of the object to be measured and the measuring beam can be changed so that the measuring beam can be directed to at least two predetermined, locally different measuring points on the object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shape measuring system is provided with a measuring unit having a three-dimensional measurement range and adapted to measure the three-dimensional shape of a measurement object in a noncontact manner, a measurement range shifting unit for shifting the position of the measurement range of the measuring unit, a shape calculating unit for calculating the overall three-dimensional shape of the measurement object from a plurality of measurement data obtained by shifting the measurement range relative to the measurement object, and a judging unit for setting judgment areas in specified peripheral areas within the measurement range and judging the presence or absence of any unmeasured area of the measurement object outside the measurement range based on measurement data corresponding to the judgment areas.

Abstract: A method is provided for enlarging the measuring volume of an optical measuring system and, on such a measuring system, at least one camera (2,3,4) to determine the position of at least one object (1) in relation to a base co-ordinate system, whereby, in order to measure the position of a point which is not situated within the field of vision of said camera (2,3,4), this camera (2,3,4) is moved in relation to a reference (7) having a fixed position in relation to said base co-ordinate system towards a measuring position, so that said point is situated within the field of vision of the camera (2,3,4), whereby the movement of the camera (2,3,4) in relation to said reference (7) is determined and the position of said point is perceived with said camera (2,3,4) in order to determine its position in relation to said base co-ordinate system, taking into account the movement of the camera (2,3,4).

Abstract: A linear measurement apparatus includes a measuring unit including at least one first noncontact distance measuring sensor and one second noncontact distance measuring sensor supported at a frame and aligned on opposite sides of a measured object. The measuring unit measures a plurality of first gap distances to a plurality of first object positions in a plurality of parallel first measurement lines and a plurality of second gap distances to a plurality of second object positions in a plurality of parallel second measurement lines. A distance calculator calculates a plurality of candidate object lengths on the basis of the first and second gap distances, each candidate object length being a distance between one of the first object positions and one of the second object positions. A maximum selector selects a maximum object length from among the plurality of candidate object lengths.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of executing plural jobs and capable of generating a thumbnail image representing a history of execution of the jobs. The image forming apparatus includes a condition setting unit that sets a condition for generating the thumbnail image and a log generating unit. The log generating unit generates a thumbnail log of the job executed on the basis of the condition set by the condition setting unit, when any one of the jobs is executed in the image forming apparatus, and generates a thumbnail image using this thumbnail log.

Abstract: A printing processing apparatus comprises an analyzing unit that analyzes the components of print data; a first raster processing unit that, based on the analysis result of the analyzing unit, performs raster processing at a first resolution for the print data of a portion of the components of the print data other than an optically read printing portion; a second raster processing unit that, based on the analysis result of the analyzing unit, performs raster processing at a second resolution higher than the first resolution for the print data of the optically read printing portion of the components of the print data; a resolution conversion unit that converts the print data that has been processed by the first raster processing unit into the second resolution; and a synthesizing unit that synthesizes the print data that has been converted into the second resolution by the resolution conversion unit and the print data that has been processed by the second raster processing unit.

Abstract: A printing system includes a receive controller that enables by using a user interface unit an input of an instruction during performing of first print processing with a print apparatus, and an operation controller that enables the print apparatus to perform check processing before completion of the first print processing in the case where the instruction is input, the check processing being second print processing by using print data which is used in the first print processing, the operation controller enabling the print apparatus to continue the first print processing after the second print processing.

Abstract: A method for printer to monitor color matching includes displaying a target color pattern corresponding to a source color pattern and printing a plurality of reference color patterns, each reference color pattern corresponding to a color corrected source color pattern. The method includes comparing the reference and target color patterns and determining whether there is a match according to a user-defined criteria. A system includes a display device to display a source color pattern represented in a first color space in a second color space; a printer to map first color space values of the source color pattern to third color space values associated with the printer; color correction transforms to map the third color space values associated with the printer to another set of color space values; and a printer driver to configure color settings according to the selected color correction transform and a selected print mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for segmenting a digital image into regions.

Abstract: A color image control system and method are provided for improving the image control of printing systems, including digital front-end processors, color printers and post-finishing system. This automatic image control system, including measurement and calibration, by registering the captured reproduced document with the extracted virtual device document and automatically locating a plurality of regions in which to measure captured color values, using colorimetric measurements of an aim reproduction of the document at these same region positions, and finally relating the captured color values, the colorimetric color values, and the virtual device color values to create the an accurate color mapping. One embodiment of this method combines a global regression polynomial with local mapping refinement.

Abstract: A system and method for file-based configuration of a document output device is provided. Following the receipt of electronic document data and instruction data from an associated workstation, DEVMODE data is retrieved from an XML data file. The instruction data is then compared with the DEVMODE data to determine whether the DEVMODE data requires changes so that the document output device incorporates the instruction data into the output of the electronic document. When the DEVMODE data requires updating, data stored in the data file is used to generate a new DEVMODE structure associated with the document output device. This new data is then used to output the electronic document incorporating the instructions contained within the instruction data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a color printing device, whereby the color printing device comprises a reciprocating color measurement device and a reciprocating optical density sensor, to a mobile carriage comprising a color printhead, a color measurement device and an optical density sensor and to a color measurement method comprising the following steps: identify the position of a pattern on a two-dimensional media using a mobile optical density sensor; derive the position of a color patch on the media from the position of the pattern; measure the color of the color patch using a color measurement device.

Abstract: There has been a problem in that original image data should be saved with another name so as not to be altered, resulting in complexity and an increase in a necessary storage region. Image data are housed in a folder managed as a film metaphor and a database of photographic data 30b corresponding to each image data is prepared. When a desirable image processing is selected for desirable image data, the selected image processing is updated as modification information in the database structure. When display, output or print is actually required, various image processings are executed by referring to modification information on only a work area with original image data left. Therefore, it is possible to easily enjoy image modification or the like with the original image data left as they are.

Abstract: A system enables geographically-spaced common-brand users to publish locale-specific, content-controlled messages. The system provides selective access to pre-constructed, digital, plate-ready macrotemplates. A dynamic document server stores the macrotemplates and authorizes selective access thereto based upon user-supplied credentials. The user, having authenticated credentials, may access a select macrotemplate, which necessarily comprises a plurality of digital, plate-ready microtemplates, including at least one restricted access template and at least one open access template. Authorized users may edit a select microtemplate as dictated by the user's level of authorization. The user may thus send the content-controlled digital, plate-ready file to a publisher for publishing information or messages compiled upon the macrotemplate. The system thereby enables geographically-spaced common-brand users to publish locale-specific, content-controlled messages.

Abstract: Document data received via a network is analyzed to detect the presence/absence of external reference data to be acquired from a reference destination on the network, and a reference count of the external reference data. Based on the analysis result, external reference data is acquired from the reference destination on the network. The acquired external reference data is stored in a memory in a reusable state. When it is determined based on the reference count and the reuse count of the external reference data that the external reference data is not reused, the external reference data stored in the reusable state is deleted.

Abstract: From an external device, a print job which includes application data generated by an application on the external device and print data printable by a printing apparatus is received. The print data in the received print job is rasterized into bitmap data. The application data in the received print job is converted into bitmap data which represents encrypted information rasterizable by the printing apparatus. The converted bitmap data and rasterized bitmap data are composited. The composited bitmap data is printed.