Abstract: Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, image scanning can be performed by scanning an object in a forward direction and capturing a first image of the object, scanning the object in a reverse direction and capturing a second image of the object, and combining the first image and the second image to produce a single image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for use with a printed substrate is disclosed. The image processing apparatus comprises an imaging device configured to receive light reflected from a portion of multiple patches of a colorbar on the printed substrate and configured to process color data from the light reflected from the portion of multiple patches of the colorbar.

Abstract: An adjusting unit adjusts an output level of digital data converted from image data, based on a correction coefficient for each color. A color correction unit performs a color-correction process of correcting a fluctuation of adjusted output level based on a color-correction parameter that differs from one image reading device to another. The correction coefficient is generated before a reading unit is installed in the image reading device such that the output level becomes a predetermined value when reading the original document without the color-correction process, and then adjusted without the color-correction process at a time of installing the reading unit.

Abstract: In an image processing method for carrying out an image quality correction for correcting an image quality on each of a plurality of images in an image group to obtain corrected images, an image processing method includes the steps of carrying out a temporary image quality correction for correcting an image quality on each images in the image group to obtain a temporarily corrected image. A characteristic value representing an image quality for each temporarily corrected image is calculated and a target characteristic value is calculated so that dispersion of each characteristic value to the target characteristic value is minimized on the basis of the characteristic value of each temporarily corrected image. A correction value of each of the plurality of images in the image group which corrects the characteristic value thereof to the target characteristic value is obtained, and the image is corrected with the correction value.

Abstract: In a method of determining the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure using a biological indicator, the biological indicator comprises a holographic sensor and spores or an enzyme. The method and the biological indicator rely on the holographic sensor to indicate the effectiveness of me sterilisation procedure and do not require a conventional pH indicator, a fluorophore or chromophore.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus, reproducing method, recording and reproducing apparatus, recording and reproducing method, recording apparatus, and recording method are provided.

Abstract: A volume-phase reflection hologram optical element is fabricated by exposing a hologram photosensitive material to two coherent light beams. One exposure light beam has an axis-asymmetric wavefront, and the other exposure light beam has focus points different in the optical axis direction (Z-direction) between on a plane (ZX-plane) including one of two directions (X- and Y-directions) mutually perpendicular on a sectional plane perpendicular to that light beam and on a plane (YZ-plane) including the other of those two directions. Thus, an image display apparatus is realized in which at the time of reproduction, the component of a predetermined wavelength of the image light diffraction-reflected by the hologram optical element is focused at positions different in the optical axis direction between on the ZX-plane and on the YZ-plane, offering different image viewing characteristics between in the X- and Y-directions.

Abstract: A scanner driver of a galvanometric scanner system includes an analog drive circuit; a control unit 31 for storing and holding optimized data formed from combinations of optimal values of circuit constants set in advance in accordance with a plurality of drive modes of a galvanometric scanner; and an electronic trimmer for changing the circuit constants of the analog drive circuit. The control unit selects one of the optimized data in accordance with an external input, and sets or updates parameters of the circuit constants via the electronic trimmer in accordance with the selected optimized data. When a drive mode of the galvanometric scanner system is changed, the scanner driver can accordingly be optimized readily and quickly.

Abstract: An image display apparatus capable of displaying an image on a plane of projection by beam raster scanning associated with resonant oscillation in a horizontal scanning direction (the main scanning direction), includes a resonance-point detector for detecting a mechanical resonant frequency in the horizontal scanning direction. Out of frequencies that are multiples of a vertical synchronizing frequency in image display, for example a frequency nearest to the mechanical resonant frequency detected in the resonance-point detector is determined as a horizontal scanning frequency of the raster scanning. The image display apparatus can thus provide a stable image display with ease.

Abstract: An oscillator device includes an oscillation system having at least one oscillator configured to oscillate, the oscillation system having a plurality of natural oscillation modes with a plurality of frequencies which frequencies are mutually in a relationship of integral-number ratio, a driving system configured to drive the at least one oscillation system, and a drive control system configured to control the driving system, wherein the drive control system applies to the driving system a driving signal in the form of a rectangular pulse based on combining a plurality of rectangular pulse signals corresponding to the plurality of natural oscillation modes, respectively.

Abstract: An optical scanning device including a light source, a deflection device to deflect a light beam from the light source, an image focus optical system to focus the light beam deflected by the deflection device on a scanned surface to form an image thereon and scan a surface by the light beam deflected by the deflection device to form an image thereon, a light path switching device provided between the light source and the deflection device, which switches a light path of the light beam emitted from the light source to deflect the light beam on different timings such that the light beam scans different surfaces.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes plural light source devices, a deflecting device having deflecting surfaces, an input optical system and a plurality of imaging optical systems, wherein a plurality of scan surfaces are simultaneously scanned by the deflecting device, wherein each of the plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least one transmission type imaging optical element and at least one reflection optical element, wherein each of at least two light beams scanningly deflected by the different deflecting surfaces of the deflecting device passes through the at least one transmission type imaging optical element constituting the imaging optical system and is thereafter reflected by the at least one reflection optical element and, subsequently, it passes again through the transmission type imaging optical element, and wherein, after passing again through the transmission type imaging optical element, the at least two light beams scanningly deflected by the different deflection surfaces of the de

Abstract: There is provided a technique in which in an optical beam scanning device, optical characteristics can be suitably corrected according to a change in environmental temperature.

Abstract: There is provide a technique in which in an optical beam scanning device, optical characteristics can be suitably corrected according to a change in environmental temperature.

Abstract: A high contrast spatial light modulator for display and printing is fabricated by coupling a high active reflection area fill-ratio and non-diffractive micro-mirror array with a high electrostatic efficiency and low surface adhesion control substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a piezoelectric driving device and a driving method thereof, and an optical modulating device using the same. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the optical modulating device can include an optical modulator, having a piezoelectric element causing a displacement object to be displaced by being contracted or expanded according to a supplied driving voltage; and a driving unit, generating the driving voltage to be supplied to the piezoelectric element. Here, the driving voltage can be a square-wave signal having a shorter reset time than a minimum reaction time necessary to allow the displacement object to be displaced.

Abstract: The projector has an intensity-modulable light source to emit a light beam onto a projection surface, as well as an optical switch connected after the light source for intensity modulation of the light beam emitted by the light source, and a control unit to control intensity modulation of the light source and the optical switch.

Abstract: An image display device having an optical modulation element, which modulates light emitted from a light source according to display information, and displaying a display image based on the display information includes: a unit adjusting the amount of illumination light with respect to light emitted from the light source on the basis of brightness information on the brightness of the display image based on the display information; a color conversion processing unit that performs a color conversion process according to the brightness information with respect to the display information so that the display image can be color-reproduced within a predetermined color space; and a display and driving unit that drives the optical modulation element on the basis of the display information having been subjected to the color conversion process so as to display the display image.

Abstract: The present invention is a device, method and system for making a display and displaying information that includes a fibrous organic substrate, e.g., multiribbon cellulose or cellulose substrate, and a variable reflectivity dye disposed in the fibrous substrate, wherein the reflectivity of the dye is modulated in situ. The display device may use a dye selected from an electrochromic, a thermochromic, a magnetochromic, an ionochromic, a light sensitive, a fluorescent, a fluorescent effect energy transfer dye or combinations thereof and may be used as high storage, high contrast and/or high definition paper.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates to light transmissive, transflective, or reflective flat panel display devices and, more specifically, to light emissive flat panel displays constructed from high performance electrowetting light valve (ELV) devices (10a-g). An array of ELV devices (10a-g) is mounted on or adjacent to a backlight (11), employing a reflector (13) allowing for improved transmission. The backlight (11) may be partially diffusely reflective or translucent as to also allow for creation of a transflective display panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a panel for information display wherein one or more display media are sealed between two opposite substrates at least one of which is transparent and information such as an image is displayed by moving the display media using the electric field generated in the substrates. A multilayer substrate wherein a first plate, a low elasticity layer and a second plate are sequentially arranged is used as at least one of the substrates (as both substrates in the embodiment shown in the drawings) so that stress concentration in a rib bonding portion of a partition wall can be relaxed. Such a panel for information display is improved in the mechanical strength against external forces by using a multilayer substrate having a multilayer structure which includes a buffer layer for relaxing stress concentration.

Abstract: A device and method of optics propagation and signal control integrated with micro-electro-mechanical-switches (MEMS). This device modifies optical transmission properties of a transparent multilayer metal stack by mechanically varying the thickness of an air gap between layers in the stack This is accomplished by utilizing MEMS coupled with the stack to change the optical path in a given layer of the transparent multilayer metal stack. This can be accomplished by developing a hybrid combination of transparent multilayer stacks and MEMS, wherein an air gap is used as one of the dielectric layers. The air gap thickness can be controlled by the MEMS device thereby enabling dramatic control of the optical path.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier structure (121, 221) for optically amplifying an input optical signal comprises an optical means (22) through which the optical signal is propagated, a first pump optical source (10) for generating a first pump radiation and at least one second pump optical source (24, 27) for generating a second pump radiation. The first and second pump optical radiations are combined and propagated in optical transmission means (22) for supplying an optical amplification of the signal through the Raman effect. The first pump optical source (10) comprises a first laser source (12) for generating a radiation with relatively low noise and relatively low power and a Raman amplifier (13) for amplifying the radiation coming from the first laser source for generating the first pump radiation.

Abstract: Projection objective, projection exposure apparatuses and related systems and components are disclosed.

Abstract: A night vision device provides both an amplified visible light image and an infrared image, overlayed upon each other so that they appear to be a single image. A user may select to utilize either an intensified visual image only, an infrared image only, or ratios of both images simultaneously. Dichroic surfaces within the night vision device are utilized first to separate light into visible and infrared portions, and then to recombine the visible and infrared images to a single image.

Abstract: The invention is based on the object of providing UV interference filters having improved long-term stability. For this purpose, a method for producing a dielectric transmission interference filter is provided, in which an alternating layer system having the constituents magnesium fluoride, lead fluoride and antimony oxide is produced on a substrate by co-evaporation. After deposition, the substrate is subjected to heat treatment and irradiated with UV light in order to stabilize the layer system.

Abstract: A lens array sheet is provided. The lens array sheet includes: a transparent sheet-like lens side base material 140; a plurality of lenses formed on one surface of the lens side base material 140; a transparent sheet-like light shielding base material 160 which is laminated on the rear surface of the one surface of the lens side base material 140; and a light shielding pattern 180 formed on the rear surface of the surface laminated on the lens side base material 140 in the light shielding base material 160 that transmits visible light at a part corresponding to the focal point of the plurality of lenses 120 and shields the visible light at the other part.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for curing UV-curable monomers and monomer/polymer mixtures that are in an environment in which they are protected from UV radiation.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective comprises: a first objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; a third objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging directly onto the image plane; wherein a first concave mirror having a first continuous mirror surface and at least one second concave mirror having a second continuous mirror surface are arranged upstream of the second intermediate image; pupil surfaces are formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate image and between the second intermediate image and the image plane; and all concave mirrors are arranged optically remote from a pupil surface.

Abstract: Various kinds of observation can be accurately realized using different types of image-acquisition unit. Low-magnification observation is possible and return light from a single specimen is acquired by a plurality of image-acquisition units. The invention provides an observation apparatus including an illumination light source for emitting illumination light for irradiating a specimen mounted on a stage; an objective lens for collecting return light from the specimen; an image-forming lens for imaging the return light collected by the objective lens; an image-acquisition unit for acquiring the return light imaged by the image-forming lens; and an attaching-and-detaching mechanism for attaching and detaching the image-acquisition unit in such a manner that the image-acquisition unit is capable of being positionally aligned with an optical axis of the image-forming lens.

Abstract: A microscope includes optics configured to direct beams onto an object including a reflective material, a detector configured to receive a field spectrum formed by beams reflected by the object, and a calculator configured to reconstruct an image of the object from the field spectrum detected by the detector.

Abstract: A surgical microscope (100) has an illuminating arrangement (110) which can guide illuminating light to the object region (105) with a first illuminating beam path (111) and with a second illuminating beam path (112). A light exit unit is provided in the first illuminating beam path (111). An illuminating field diaphragm is mounted in the second illuminating beam path. The first illuminating beam path (111) has an illuminating optic which images the light exit plane of the light exit unit or a plane conjugated to the light exit plane into a first image plane (350). An illuminating optic is provided in the second illuminating beam path (112) and this illuminating optic images the illuminating field diaphragm into a second image plane (250) different from the first image plane.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive positioning projection screen is provided for displaying a first projected image and providing a coordinate signal of a pressed position. The pressure sensitive positioning projection screen comprises a screen body having a first and a second insulation layers, a plurality of mutually separated and isolated first electrodes arranged along a first direction and configured in the first insulating layer, and a plurality of mutually separated and isolated second electrodes arranged along a second direction and configured in the second insulating layer, wherein the first electrodes are interlaced with the second electrodes for providing the coordinate signal of the pressed position along the first and the second directions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display device including an image source unit shaped like a plate to form an image; and an image magnifying unit including a plurality of light transfer members each extended in a first direction and arrayed in a second direction transverse to the first direction, each light transfer member is shaped like a plate, of which a longitudinal direction is parallel with a surface of the image source unit and a height direction is transverse to the surface of the image source, and includes a plurality of cutting parts arrayed in the longitudinal direction and form a plurality of light guide channels. With this configuration, there is provided a display device which can reduce a problem that a joint is distinctive to a user's eye.

Abstract: A disclosed reflective screen is configured to display an image projected from a projection device located within a short distance. The reflective screen comprises a first reflective surface configured to reflect, in a substantially same direction, projection light beams projected from a first position, and a second reflective surface configured to reflect, in the substantially same direction, projection light beams projected from a second position different from the first position.

Abstract: Switchable lens systems and methods of manufacturing switchable lens systems are provided. A representative switchable lens system includes an imaging area and a seal line. The imaging area includes a first glass plate, a second glass plate and a lenticular structure. The lenticular structure is arranged in between the first and second glass plates and is provided with a plurality of cavities in between the lenticular structure and one of the first and second glass plates. The seal line surrounds the imaging area at its periphery, and is provided with a fill opening. A filling channel is located between at least a portion of the periphery of the imaging area and the seal line to provide a connection between the fill opening and multiple ones of the cavities.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display is provided. The stereoscopic display includes: an image displaying section that generates a right eye image and a left eye image and emits the same; and a phase differential plate disposed on an exit side of the image displaying section that orthogonalizes to each other or rotates reversely the polarizing directions of the right eye image and the left eye image which are incident from the image displaying section and emits the same. The phase differential plate is disposed on the image displaying section side and has an image light-antireflective film that prevents the right eye image light and the left eye image light from reflecting from the image displaying section.

Abstract: Light transmission in a vehicle may be controlled using a system that includes a linear polarizing means and an ellipticity increaser associated with a display in the vehicle. The ellipticity increaser is configured and oriented with respect to the linear polarizing means for increasing the ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizing means through the ellipticity increaser. The system also includes an ellipticity adjuster and a linear polarizer associated with a window of the vehicle. The ellipticity adjuster is oriented with respect to the linear polarizer for increasing the ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizer through the ellipticity adjuster. The ellipticity increaser and adjuster are disposed between the linear polarizing means and the linear polarizer, and are configured and oriented with respect to each other for reducing ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizing means through the ellipticity increaser and adjuster to the linear polarizer.

Abstract: A camera module that can obtain a clear image even in the case where dust is generated inside the camera module due to a shock applied thereto is provided. The camera module includes a base and a cover attached to the base so as to define a space therebetween in which the holder can be displaced.

Abstract: Reflective accessories for increasing the visibility of persons engaged in night-time (or other low-light) activities. Reflective accessories include a mechanism configured for attachment of the accessory to an object associated with the person engaging in a low-light activity by looping the accessory around at least a portion of the object and twisting the mechanism about itself to thereby secure the accessory to the object, and a flexible body supported by the mechanism and having an outer surface with a portion configured to reflect light to a degree that the portion is generally more visible than the object to which the accessory is attached when a light source is directed at the accessory and the object.

Abstract: Providing a zoom lens system having a high zoom ratio being compact with high optical performance. The system includes, in order from an object along an optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, at least one lens group having positive refractive power, and an n-th lens group GN being disposed to the most image side. The n-th lens group GN with positive refractive power includes, in order from the object, a front group GNa and a rear group GNb having positive refractive power. Focusing on an object is carried out by moving the rear group GNb along the optical axis, and a given conditional expression is satisfied.

Abstract: A compact spectrometer operable in a wavelength range of 4.5 or more microns includes an entrance slit, a collimating mirror, a grating, a focusing mirror and a first focal plane. At least some radiation passing through the slit follows an optical path in which at least some radiation passing through the slit is reflected by the collimating mirror onto the grating, which in turn reflects at least some radiation onto the focusing mirror, which in turn reflects and focuses at least some radiation at a first focal plane and onto the two-dimensional array of detectors. Each column in the two-dimensional array of detectors corresponds to a wavelength in the 4.5 or more micron range, the two-dimensional array includes a plurality of columns that collectively correspond to wavelengths spanning the 4.5 or more micron range, and each adjacent pair of columns in the two-dimensional array of detectors corresponds to two wavelengths that differ by an equal amount.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for driving a piezoelectric element or an optical modulator including a piezoelectric element and a recorded medium recorded with a program for executing the same. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method for driving a piezoelectric element causing a displacement object to be displaced by being contracted or expanded according to a supplied driving voltage, including supplying a driving signal to the piezoelectric element during a first driving period in a first voltage range; supplying a control signal for controlling a polarization hysteresis of the piezoelectric element according to a driving, performed during the first driving period, to the piezoelectric element; and supplying the driving signal to the piezoelectric element during a second driving period in a second voltage range.

Abstract: A method for dividing substantially nonpolarized white light into three substantially nonpolarized fractions includes splitting the substantially nonpolarized white light into a first fraction and a second fraction, the first fraction being substantially nonpolarized light of a first wavelength interval and the second fraction of substantially nonpolarized light of a second and a third wavelength interval, the first wavelength interval being located between the second and the third wavelength interval and splitting the second fraction into a third fraction with substantially nonpolarized light of the second wavelength interval and into a fourth fraction with substantially nonpolarized light of the third wavelength interval.

Abstract: An optical filter includes a base film and at least two conductive layers stacked on the base film, a first conductive layer of the two conductive layers having a first thickness and a first refractive index, and a second conductive layer of the two conductive layers having a second thickness and a second refractive index, the first and second refractive indices and the first and second thicknesses being configured to generate a destructive interference of external light reflected from the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: An anisotropic diffusion film has a high brightness, high luminance uniformity ratio and a high productivity, and is suitable essentially for a surface light source of planar display devices for liquid crystal display devices and the like, such as a direct backlight. In the anisotropic diffusion film, a stripe-shaped convex lens is formed on one surface of a substrate film. The cross-sectional shape of a plane vertical to the stripe direction satisfies the following conditions that (A-C) and the whole of light transmittance of the anisotropic diffusion film is 70% or more: A: the contour of the projecting part of the cross-sectional shape is a curved line; B: the aspect ratio of the projecting part of the cross-sectional shape is 1 or more but not more than 3; and C: the distance between the apexes of the adjacent projecting parts of the cross-sectional shape is 10 ?m or more but not more than 100 ?m.

Abstract: A reflector device for reflecting light from an LED and the like is provided. The reflector device comprises a reflectant material and a three-dimensional reflector formed from the reflectant material with the reflector having a top and a base and the reflector being entirely free from seams from the top to the base.

Abstract: Provided is a contrast enhancing sheet having an excellent bright room contrast function and laid on the screen of a display unit, comprising a plurality of light transmitting portions each having a trapezoid-like sectional shape in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of light absorbing portions each having a wedge-like sectional shape, the top side of the trapezoid-like sectional shape of the light transmitting portion being adjacent to the bottom side of the wedge-like sectional shape of the light absorbing portion, wherein a light diffusion means is provided at the top side of the trapezoid-like sectional shape of the light transmitting portion.

Abstract: A optical instrument (e.g., coronagraph) is described herein that has a pick-off mirror with a surface having an array of reflective structures (reflective occulting mask) machined therein which enables an optical image of one or more low intensity objects (e.g., planets) to be obtained when the low intensity object(s) are located in close proximity to a high intensity object (e.g., sun). Also described herein, is a method for manufacturing the pick-off mirror which has a surface with an array of reflective structures (reflective occulting mask) that are machined therein.