Abstract: A mode-locked laser employs a light-wavelength-dependent, path-length adjuster to provide different path-lengths for multiple light frequencies and dual modulation frequencies selecting multiple modes with different wavelengths. The result is a single cavity laser producing mode-locked light outputs at defined different frequencies. Tuning of each frequency may be obtained by changing the laser modulation frequencies.

Abstract: A method of determining the radiation doses to which specific locations are subjected is provided. The method comprises providing an assembly comprising a plurality of layers, each of which includes a number of regularly spaced individual compartments that contain a liquid that changes in colour when exposed to radiation, radiating the assembly, determining the changes in optical density of the liquid in the individual compartments and calculating the doses of radiation to which the compartments have been subjected from the changes in optical density.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plasmonics platform comprising a substrate; a plurality of periodically spaced nanoholes and/or nanoparticles disposed upon the substrate; wherein the average first order of periodicity between the nanoholes and/or the nanoparticles is about 5 to about 1,000 nm; and a microelectromechanical and/or a nanoelectromechanical system in operative communication with the substrate so as to vary the average first order of periodicity between the nanoholes and/or the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a plasmon resonance in a material based on a change in at least one electrical property of the material. For example, the material can be a sensor portion of an electrical circuit, wherein the method can further include: exposing the sensor portion to a test material; optically illuminating the sensor portion when the test material is present, and monitoring the change in the at least one electrical property of the sensor portion in response to the optical illumination. The monitored changed in the at least one electrical property of the sensor portion can provide information about the test material, such as the presence or absence of selected analytes and/or their binding affinities. In another example, the material is a part of a receiver for a plasmonic circuit. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical device for determining at least one signal light component being characteristic for an optical near-field interaction of a probe with an object to be investigated, wherein the near-field interaction is subjected to a fundamental modulation at a fundamental frequency ?, comprises an interferometer device with an illumination light path (I) being directed to the probe, a reference light path (II) being directed to a detector device for obtaining detector output signals including signal light components, and a signal light path (III) being directed from the probe to the detector device, wherein the reference and signal light paths (II, III) are superimposed at the detector device, and a demodulation device for determining the signal light components by demodulating the detector output signals, wherein the reference light path (II) does not contain the probe, an interferometer phase modulator is arranged in the reference light path (II) or signal light path (III) for changing an interferometer phase co

Abstract: A system and a method for finding integer solutions of equations whose graphs are conic sections. The system provides a physical implementation of a geometric formulation of integer solutions of conic sections. The system includes a first source of waves and an arrangement of a plurality of reflectors to provide a lattice of interference patterns of standing waves in a plane, the lattice representing intersections at integer values. The system also includes a second source of waves and a detector provided along a curve that, with the second source, defines a cone of waves, which intersects with the plane of the lattice to provide a conic section. The detector finds points of intersection of the lattice and the conic section to determine integer solutions of the conic section. The conic section may be y=N/x, in which case the integer solutions provide a factorization into integers of N.

Abstract: A device for the interferometric measurement of a sample, in particular the eye, including an interferometer arrangement with a first measurement beam path, through which a measurement beam falls onto the sample, and a first reference beam path, through which a reference beam runs, which is applied to the measuring beam for interference. The interferometer arrangement includes a second measuring beam path and/or second reference beam path. The optical path lengths of the second measuring beam path and/or second reference beam path are different from one of the first beam paths. The wave length difference is selected according to a distance of two measuring areas which are arranged at a distance in the depth direction of the sample.

Abstract: A device in miniature and fabrication of such a device for interferometric use is described, the device including a substrate with at least one deep reactive ion etching structure on at least one surface of the substrate forming an optical bench. The optical bench preferably comprises a moving stage, an actuator, one or more connector sockets and one or more optical components.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for analysis of optical pulses are provided. In one embodiment, an optical system is provided having an optical axis. The optical system includes a two-dimensional diffraction grating positioned along the optical axis, and a spectral filter positioned along the optical axis after the two-dimensional diffraction grating. The spectral filter is angularly offset about a vertical transverse angle associated with the optical system. The diffraction grating is angularly offset about the optical axis relative to the spectral filter, and an optical capture device positioned after the spectral filter.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the resolution of an optical fiber gyroscope and a ring laser gyroscope is provided. Entangled photons are introduced into an interferometer of a gyroscope. One or more detectors detect an interference pattern used to determine the angular velocity of a platform. The interference pattern may be a spatial and/or temporal interference pattern. The detectors may count the sub-wavelength interferometer fringes that indicate the direction and degree of angular rotation about the central axis of the apparatus. The detectors may measure a beat frequency.

Abstract: An optical fiber probe for an optical measuring device having a mechanical receptacle into which an optical fiber is inserted, having a fiber end piece which projects over the mechanical receptacle and is designed for guiding a measuring beam onto a measuring object. In the area of the fiber end piece and/or in the area of the mechanical receptacle, the optical fiber is provided, at least regionally, with coating that stabilizes it. The coating provides the fiber end piece with improved mechanical stability and reduced tendency to vibrate, making it possible to make it substantially longer than without the coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously acquiring interferograms created with a plurality of different interference conditions are provided in the present invention. In the present invention, an object beam and a reference beam are used to interfere with each other and there are a plurality of sub-fields of interference simultaneously generated. All the sub-fields of interference can be simultaneously acquired by an image acquiring device with single shooting action so as to form the plurality of interferograms. Moreover, the present invention also provides a method for solving the phase information of the object beam from the interferograms formed by the foregoing said method.

Abstract: A device for the optic measuring of an object (1), including a signal processing unit (2) as well as an interferometer with a light source (3) and with at least one detector (4a, 4d). The interferometer is embodied such that a light beam (12) created by the light source (3) is split at least into a working beam (12a) and a reference beam (12b), with the working beam (12a) impinging the object (1) and the working beam (12a) is at least partially reflected by the object and interfered with the reference beam (12b) on the detector (4a, 4b). The signal processing unit (2) is connected to the detector (4a, 4b) and includes a vibrometer processing unit (2f), which detects the motion of the object (1) from the measuring signals of the detector (4a, 4d).

Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a light source, a first grating, a second grating and photodetectors, light from the light source, which is split into partial beams of different directions at the first and second grating, being directed via a deflecting element to the detector. The deflecting element for incident partial beams having different directions has different regions, so that all partial beams directed from the deflecting element to the detector are approximately parallel.

Abstract: The disclosure features multiple degree-of-freedom interferometers (e.g., non-dispersive interferometers) for monitoring linear and angular (e.g., pitch and/or yaw) displacements of a measurement object with compensation for variations in the optical properties of a gas in the interferometer measurement (and/or reference) beam paths. The disclosure also features interferometry systems that feature an array of interferometers (e.g., including one or more multiple degree-of-freedom interferometer), each configured to provide different information about variations in the optical properties of the gas in the system. Multiple degree-of-freedom interferometers are also referred to as multi-axis interferometers.

Abstract: A shape measuring apparatus for measuring the shape of a measurement target surface includes an interferometer and computer. The interferometer senses interference light formed by measurement light from the measurement target surface and reference light by a photoelectric converter, while changing the light path length of the measurement light or the reference light. The computer Fourier-transforms a first interference signal sensed by the photoelectric converter to obtain a phase distribution and an amplitude distribution, shapes the amplitude distribution, inversely Fourier-transforms the phase distribution and the shaped amplitude distribution to obtain a second interference signal, and determines the shape of the measurement target surface based on the second interference signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an interferometer system comprises an unequal path interferometer assemble comprising; a first reference flat having a first length L1 in a first dimension, a second reference flat having a second length L2 in the first dimension, a cavity D1 defined by a distance between the first reference flat and the second reference flat, and a receptacle to receive an object in the cavity such that an optical path remains open between the first reference flat and the second reference flat, and a radiation targeting assembly to direct a collimated radiation beam to the interferometer assembly, a radiation collecting assembly to collect radiation received from the interferometer assembly, and a controller comprising logic to; vary a wavelength of the collimated radiation beam, record interferograms formed by a plurality of surfaces, extract phases of each of the interferograms for each of the plurality of surfaces to produce multiple phase maps, and determine each phase map from its corresponding interf

Abstract: An optical metrology model for a structure to be formed on a wafer is developed by characterizing a top-view profile and a cross-sectional view profile of the structure using profile parameters. The profile parameters of the top-view profile and the cross-sectional view profile are integrated together into the optical metrology model. The profile parameters of the optical metrology model are saved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for determining the direction and location of the symmetry axis of a revolution-shaped article. Furthermore, the invention enables one to determine the radius of the article as well as the pitch of a possible thread. In the arrangement of the invention, the article being measured is illuminated using light sources arranged in direct vicinity of the cameras. Each camera is measuring the reflection plane formed from the article being measured based on the light reflected backward from the article. The symmetry axis is determined by calculating the transversal of the reflection planes. The system of the invention uses at least two cameras, but the measurement accuracy can be improved by calculating the symmetry axis from the transversals of the reflection planes of a bigger set of cameras. Furthermore, at least a third camera is required to calculate the pitch of thread.

Abstract: A structured light 3D scanner consisting of a specially designed fixed pattern projector and a camera with a specially designed image sensor is disclosed. A fixed pattern projector has a single fixed pattern mask of sine-like modulated transparency and three infrared LEDs behind the pattern mask; switching between the LEDs shifts the projected patterns. An image sensor has pixels sensitive in the visual band, for acquisition of conventional image and the pixels sensitive in the infrared band, for the depth acquisition.

Abstract: A positioning system for determining an angular position of a vehicle (10) with respect to a predetermined position. The system comprises at least one beacon (12) whose position relative to the predetermined position is known, for generating at least one beam of known optical characteristic that allows deriving of the angular position.

Abstract: An optical position-measuring device is arranged for recording the relative position of a scanning unit and a scale movable to it in at least one measuring direction. The scale is configured as a combined unit which includes at least one reflector element as well as a measuring graduation. A light source and one or more detector elements are assigned to the scanning unit. The scanning unit includes splitting device(s) which split the beam of rays, emitted by the light source, into at least two partial beams of rays in the measuring direction, which after being split, propagate in the direction of the scale.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for semiconductor wafer bonding provide in-situ and real time monitoring of semiconductor wafer bonding time. Deflection of the wafer edges during the last phase of the direct bonding process indicates the end of the bonding process. The apparatus utilizes a distance sensor to measure the deflection of the wafer edges and the bonding time is measured as the time between applying the force (bonding initiation) and completion of the bonding process. The bonding time is used as a real-time quality control parameter for the wafer bonding process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a measuring system for optical monitoring of coating processes in a vacuum chamber, in which the light source is arranged inside the vacuum chamber between the substrate carrier and a shutter is arranged beneath the substrate carrier and the light-receiving unit is arranged outside the vacuum chamber in the optical path of the light source. The substrate carrier is designed to accept at least one substrate, and it can move across the coasting source in the vacuum chamber, preferably revolving about an axis, whereby the substrate or substrates cross(es) the optical path between the light source and the light-receiving unit for transmission measurement, and the shutter shades a measurement area across the coating source.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus transfers plot data stored in a first storing part of a side of a controller to a side of a writing engine. A second storing part temporarily stores the plot data from said first storing part. When data stored in the second storing part reaches a data amount to be previously stored in order that continuous transfer of the plot data to the side of the writing engine from the second storing part is available at a predetermined transfer rate, even when a predetermined delay occurs in a transfer operation of the plot data from the first storing part to the second storing part, reading of the plot data from the second storing part is started for starting image forming operation.

Abstract: Provided is a method of printing a compressed image. The method includes the steps of receiving, with a printer controller, the image, having a bi-level black data layer compressed in an Edge Delta and Runlength (EDRL) compression format and a continuous tone (contone) CMYK data layer, from a computer. The method includes the steps of expanding the image by simultaneously decompressing the two data layers in parallel, and halftoning the contone CMYK data layer into bi-level CMYK data layer. Also included are the steps of compositing the bi-level black data layer over the bi-level CMYK data layer to form a composited bi-level CMYK image, transmitting the composited bi-level CMYK image to a memory buffer of pagewidth printer for printing.

Abstract: A printed sheet handling system and method for use with lazy-portrait narrow-end to narrow-end (LPEE) formatted pages web printed pages to produce document sets includes: a printer to print LPEE formatted paired document pages on a continuous web; a slitter that divides the LPEE formatted printed web into two streams of sheets; collecting each stream in separate rolls of continuous sheets; withdrawing the stream of continuous sheets from a top of one roll, rotating the second roll 180°, and withdrawing the stream of continuous sheets from a bottom of the second roll; transferring each of the unwound streams of continuous sheets to a cutter that cuts each stream into individual pages; and collating the individual pages into correctly aligned and page number-sequenced document sets.

Abstract: To realize e-mail capable of modifying contents by itself. A document processing apparatus is utilized as a mailer for sending and receiving e-mail. A document to be sent as e-mail describes logic that functions as a document modification part for modifying contents of the document itself. The logic described in the document is executed by a VC unit when the document processing apparatus, receiving the document as e-mail, opens the document. The document modification part includes logic for modifying the contents of the document based on various types of information obtainable when opening the document, such as the time, the environment of the document processing apparatus, and information acquired from an information provision server. The document processing apparatus modifies a body of the document by reflecting the situation at the time of opening the e-mail.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which has a double-side copying function, including: at least either one of an original document detection section that detects a size of an original document, and an original document size setting section that sets a size of the original document as required; an original document top position setting section that sets a top position of the original document as required; a binding direction setting section that sets a binding direction of the original document and a binding direction of an output sheet as required; an output size setting section that sets a size of the output sheet as required; a print magnification ratio setting section that sets a print magnification ratio as required; and a copy region determination section that sets a copy region with reference to a top left corner of the original document, the top left corner being identified when the original document is placed such that the top position thereof is upward.

Abstract: An image processor is disclosed that includes an input part to which image data to be subjected to image processing are input; an input control part configured to control the inputting of the image data to the input part; an output part configured to output the result of the image processing; an output control part configured to control the outputting of the image data from the output part; and a processing control part configured to control processing of the image data, the processing control part being to be connected between the input control part and the output control part through multiple transmission parts. The processing control part is connected to one of the transmission parts which one transmission part is subsequent to the input control part when the output setting of the image data output from the output part is changed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing throughput of print jobs in a print shop environment are disclosed. A system may include a plurality of resources, a print job workflow management system that coordinates a flow of print jobs with respect to the plurality of resources, and a processor-readable storage medium in communication with the print job workflow management system. The processor-readable storage medium may contain one or more programming instructions that, when executed, direct the print job workflow management system to receive print job characteristics pertaining to a plurality of print jobs processed in the print shop environment. Data determined based on the received print job characteristics, including a form type utilized in the print shop environment for each job and a print volume associated with each form type, may be provided. The plurality of resources may then be assigned based on the print volume associated with each form type.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning a plurality of print jobs in a transaction printing environment are disclosed. A print job workflow management system receives a plurality of print jobs each having a job size and selects a first threshold based on at least the job sizes for the plurality of print jobs. A print job is assigned to a first autonomous cell if the job size for the print job is greater than the first threshold. The print job is assigned to a second autonomous cell if the job size for the print job is less than a second threshold. Otherwise, the print job is assigned to a third autonomous cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus, a method of controlling the image processing apparatus, a program and a storage medium that can increase security strength of encoded data, printed on a recording medium. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image to be a document is read and is subjected to image processing, and thereby digital data is acquired. Next, the above-described digital data is encoded to generate a first encoded data. Next, information on a process of decoding the digital data from the first encoded data is encoded to generate second encoded data.

Abstract: The electronic writing instrument is provided with: a writing unit that writes down on a medium where a code indicating identity information and location information of the medium is formed; an emitting unit that emits light to the medium; a photoelectric conversion unit that includes photoelectric conversion element receiving a reflected light from the medium by the light emitted by the emitting unit and outputting an electronic signal after converting the reflected light by photoelectric conversion; a receiving unit that receives a user operation; and a condition changing unit that changes at least any one of an emitting condition of the emitting unit to the medium and an output condition of the photoelectric conversion unit when the receiving unit receives an operation.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a technique allowing the pictographic characters or the face marks to be converted to, for example, the corresponding, but more expressive and more vivid facial image of high picture quality and thereby to achieve compact but smooth and amusing communication. An system for distribution of images via e-mail constructed so that, when a text accompanied with pictographic characters is transmitted from a user terminal 1 and received by a communication processor 11 of a server 10, a registering station 12 and a image/text processor 15 read out user-registered images corresponding to the ideographic characters from a user database 13, then combine these images with the text and send back such combination to the user terminal 1 via the communication processor 11.

Abstract: A printer includes a print document receiving unit 100 that receives document data, a document analysis unit 120 that generates output document data from the document data, a print mode determination unit 140 that selects a print mode to be executed by the document analysis unit 120, a layout processing unit 170 that processes the output document data, and a print execution unit 180 that executes printing. The document analysis unit 120 has a serial print mode 125, a batch print mode 126, and a partial serial print mode 127. The print mode determination unit 140 switches the print modes according to a streamable attribute value, a memory usage, or the like.

Abstract: In a workflow execution system, work control information for executing a work assigned to one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a network; workflow execution information indicating which works of a workflow have been executed; and information indicating an image processing apparatus on the next tier, are stored in a portable recording medium. When the work is executed by a proxy image processing apparatus, it is judged from the information stored in the portable recording medium whether or not the work can be executed by the proxy image processing apparatus, and if it can be executed, the work is executed based on the information stored in the portable recording medium. When proxy execution of the work is completed, workflow execution information including the execution result and image information are stored in the portable recording medium and transmitted to the image processing apparatus on the next tier.

Abstract: A method of printing a document comprising a plurality of pages, the plurality of pages comprising invariant data and variable data, wherein invariant data is data that is presented on each of at least two of the plurality of pages and variable data is data that is presented on only a single page, includes: a) for each page of the plurality of pages, determining whether invariant data, if any, on that page has been previously rendered to a raster and, if not, rendering the invariant data to a raster and using that raster, in c) below, for the invariant data when present on other pages of the plurality of pages; b) for each page of the plurality of pages, rendering, to a raster, variable data, if any, of that page; and c) for each page of the plurality of pages, merging the rasters rendered for the invariant data, if any, and variable data, if any, of that page.

Abstract: In generating a combined workflow, processing steps that are included in different workflows and that use the same function are integrated into a single step. At this time, if it is determined that there exists any difference among properties for the processing steps, a processing step for adjustment relating to the difference is specified as needed.

Abstract: An image forming system which realizes reliable output of an original of a finished book, while maintaining security. A sheet-unique information-reading unit reads sheet-unique information unique to a sheet used for making a finished book based on image data. A memory section stores the sheet-unique information read by the sheet-unique information-reading unit in association with the image data based on which a finished book is made. In outputting an original of the finished book, a CPU causes an image forming device to perform image output based on the information stored in the memory section.

Abstract: A server for printing a photo sheet. The server is connected with a client terminal and a printing apparatus via a network. The server includes one or more receivers for receiving data related to customers and/or children of customers. One or more receiving periods are configured based on the information. Information is stored in one or more databases. The server may receive data, configure a detection period, and print out images based on the information.

Abstract: In the invention, there is disclosed a print control device for overlaying, for example, a form being a fixed element of a form sheet with data to be embedded in the form and sending resulting data to a printing device to print the form sheet, including: overlay means for generating data obtained by overlaying a form corresponding to a selected form sheet with the data to be embedded in the form; transfer means for transferring environment information of the print control device, which affects output contents of the form sheet, to an external processing device; acquisition means for acquiring setting information sent back from the external processing device based on the environment information transferred by the transfer means and used at a time of printing; and sending means for sending the overlaid data so that an output operation is performed by use of the setting information acquired by the acquisition means.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus and an image output method capable of producing a PDL output without interfering with the execution of a calibration procedure is provided. A main controller rasterizes PDL data from a network on a DRAM as image data. The main controller determines whether or not a calibration procedure is being executed. If it is determined that the calibration procedure is being executed, a production of a PDL image output is put in a queue until the calibration procedure is completed. If it is determined that the calibration procedure is not being executed, the image data on the DRAM is transferred to a printer portion at an appropriate timing so that the printer portion may produce a printed page of the image data.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of managing image data includes a display unit configured to display image data whose predetermined date is known among image data stored in a storage unit, and a setting unit configured to set a date to another image data using the image data displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data processing apparatus that sets identification information for identifying each of a plurality of contents based on metadata added to each of the contents. The apparatus includes: title information acquisition means for acquiring title information of each of the contents, the title information concerning a title of the content and being included in the metadata; information extraction means for comparing the title information of each of the contents to extract a part of the title information that is common to all of the contents; and identification information setting means for setting the identification information of each of the contents based on the other part of the title information than the part of the title information that is common to all of the contents.

Abstract: This invention allows the user to easily make an edit operation of a template even when the functions of a printing apparatus have changed. This invention is directed to an information processing apparatus, which is connected to a printer and edits a template that designates functions to be executed by the printer upon printing, including a unit which acquires information associated with newly executable functions by a newly connected printer, and a unit which generates a template that designates the acquired functions.

Abstract: An image-processing method includes: acquiring multi-level tone print data expressed in multilevel tones; determining whether the acquired multi-level tone print data includes line data indicative of a line having a tone; replacing, if the print data includes the line data, the line data with specific line data based on the tone of the line data, the specific line data indicating a specific line having a prescribed tone value and a prescribed structure; and converting the multi-level tone print data to binary data after replacing the line data with the specific line data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, a printing apparatus and an image processing method are provided which can perform quantization processing on image data at high speed based on an error diffusion method while at the same time avoiding degradations in a quality of printed images. When an error value represented by error data is a particular value, the error data is converted into compressed error data with a data volume less than that of the original error data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the shapes of FM-AM mixed halftone dots on the multi-bit depth imaging apparatus. In the prior art, since the reproduction of the shapes of the dots in various gradations is absolutely based on the theory of random error diffusion and is influenced by the dynamic controlling output mechanism for the multi-bit dots, it is hard to assure the controllability of the shapes of the dots in a certain gradation. Based on the prior art, the dynamic statistic algorithm with adjacent output gray levels is introduced to assure the controllability of the shapes of the dots and solve the problem of random change of the shapes of the dots due to the randomicity of the error diffusion. According to the disclosed method, the features of the multi-bit imaging apparatus can be achieved fully in light of the requirements of the dots on the basis of the original method for multi-bit FM-AM mixed screening using error diffusion based on dual-feedback.

Abstract: An engraver having a shoe sensor system for sensing a movement of the shoe and for adjusting an engraving signal in response thereto.