Abstract: Waveguide gratings, biosensors, and methods of using a waveguide grating, including as a biosensor.

Abstract: A target substance-detecting apparatus comprises a target substance-detecting element comprising metal structures, a light irradiation section for irradiating the target substance-detecting element with a light, a light-polarizing section which polarizes the irradiating light and separates an output light emitted from the target substance-detecting element into a first polarized light and a second polarized light, first and second light-receiving sections for outputting first and second signals according to intensity of the first and second polarized lights, respectively; and a control section which determines peaks of absorbances of the first and second polarized lights by measuring the absorbances from the first and second signals respectively, and controls the target substance-detecting element so that the peak values of the first and second absorbances can be maximized and minimized respectively by controlling a incidence angle of formed by a vibration direction of the incident light and a main axis of th

Abstract: Comprises the following phases: in first phase a vehicle (1) is facing an obstacle (4), screen or wall defining a distance, in second phase is determined the type of headlamp or lighting projector and its space position in relation to the obstacle, screen or wall, automated or hand operated, in third phase the headlamp or lighting projector of the vehicle is turn on and its beam (3) is projected in the obstacle, screen or wall, defining a real drawing (5) of the beam, in fourth phase, according to the space position, the distance to the wall, screen or obstacle and the type of headlamp or lighting projector a processor defines a theoretical beam, and in fifth phase a first artificial viewer (10) takes data of the real drawing and transfers them to the processor which compares them with those of the theoretical drawing.

Abstract: A device includes source and detector sensors. In a specific implementation, the device has two near detectors, two far detectors, and two sources. The two near detectors are arranged closer to the two sources than the two far detectors. A light-diffusing layer covers the two near detectors. The device may be part of a medical device that is used to monitor or measure oxygen saturation levels in a tissue. In a specific implementation, light is transmitted into the tissue and received by the detectors. An attenuation coefficient is first calculated for a shallow layer of tissue. The attenuation coefficient is then used to calculate an attenuation coefficient for a deep layer of tissue.

Abstract: A gas sensor for measuring at least one gas concentration, in particular for a vehicle climate control system, having a substrate, an IR radiation source fastened on the substrate, an IR detector fastened on the substrate, a measurement chamber for receiving a gas having the gas concentration that is to be measured, a shielding device situated in the measurement chamber between the IR radiation source and the IR detector, for shielding a direct transmission of IR radiation from the IR radiation source to the IR detector along an optical axis, and a reflective surface that has a concavely curved first mirrored area for receiving the IR radiation emitted by the IR radiation source, and that has a concavely curved second mirrored area that reflects the IR radiation to the IR detector, the measurement chamber being formed between the reflective surface and the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a planar surface plasmon resonance detector, wherein a periodic metallic grating structure is arranged on a common glass substrate to replace prisms and generate surface plasmon resonance. The shift of the wavelength or incident angle for surface plasmon resonance is used to detect biochemical molecules. Further, a low-cost white light-emitting diode replaces laser to function as a light source. Via the metallic grating structure and the white light-emitting diode, the present invention can facilitate a low-cost, compact and portable planar surface plasmon resonance detector and popularize the planar surface plasmon resonance detector.

Abstract: A method of detecting the condition of a turf grass is described. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises steps of attaching an active sensor to a mower; traversing a section of turf grass; and processing the output of the sensor. A device for detecting the condition of turf grass is also disclosed. The device comprises an array of illuminating devices generating a pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device receiving a pattern of reflected light which is coincident with the pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device adapted to detect stray light from the array of illuminating devices; and a feedback loop controlling the array of illuminating devices. A system employing the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical motion identification device utilizing partial total internal reflection light source and/or partial non-total internal reflection light source includes a light-emitting member, a code member and a light-sensing unit. The light-emitting member generates projecting light beams. The code member receives the projecting light beams generated by the light-emitting member at different angles and positions, and the code member has many total internal reflection surfaces in order to make the projecting light beams form many partial total internal reflection beams and a plurality of partial non-total internal reflection beams.

Abstract: A surface reflection encoder scale is used with a surface reflection encoder for detecting a relative movement amount of a member for making a relative move. The surface reflection encoder scale includes a substrate of the member or a substrate provided on the member and a reflection phase grating provided on the substrate and having asperities for changing a phase of reflected diffracted light on its surface. The asperities of the phase grating are formed of a deposition film of metal silicide and chromium.

Abstract: A technique includes providing an optical source signal to an optical fiber to produce a backscatter signal. A receiver is provided to detect the backscatter signal. During an acquisition period in which the backscatter signal is present, a sensitivity of the receiver is varied with respect to time to regulate an input signal range of an amplifier of the receiver.

Abstract: An optical characteristic measuring apparatus includes: a light source section which sweeps wavelengths of a first input light and a second input light respectively, frequencies of the first and second input lights being different from each other and polarized states of the first and second input lights being perpendicular to each other, and outputs the first and second input light; an interference section which inputs one branched light of the first and second input lights to a measuring object, makes output light from the measuring object interfere with other branched light of the first and second input lights, and outputs a plurality of interference lights; a plurality of light receiving sections which are respectively provided for the interference lights, receives the interference lights respectively, and outputs signals in accordance with optical powers of the interference lights respectively; and a low-pass filter for filtering the outputted signals.

Abstract: A method of studying a surface using an interferometer, in which there is relative motion between the surface and the interferometer, the motion having a total velocity Vtot which includes a transversal or traversing component Vt and a longitudinal component Vl.

Abstract: A tracking type laser interferometer that detects displacement of a retroreflector 300 being an object to be measured by utilizing interference of a laser beam 102 irradiated onto the retroreflector 300 and reflected by the retroreflector 300 in the returning direction, and carries out tracking by means of a two-axis turning mechanism 240 using displacement in the position of the optical axis of the laser beam 102; the same tracking type laser interferometer, includes; a light irradiator 600 that emits a fan-shaped laser light 602 that is fan-shaped including the optical axis of the laser beam 102, is interlocked with turning movements of the two-axis turning mechanism 240 around an axis orthogonal to the center axis of the corresponding fan shape; and a light receptor 620 that has a specific positional relationship with the retroreflector 300 or the light irradiator 600 and receives the fan-shaped laser light.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting ultrasonic surface displacements at a remote target are disclosed, one embodiment of the system comprising: a first laser to generate a first laser beam. The first laser beam produces ultrasonic surface displacements on a surface of the remote target. A second laser generates a second laser beam operable to detect the ultrasonic surface displacements on the surface of the remote target and to provide a reference beam to an interferometer. The second laser beam is split, at a beam-splitter, into a pump beam and a probe beam. The pump beam is amplified by a first amplifier and the probe beam is amplified by a second amplifier. The pump beam is then provided to the interferometer as a reference beam and the probe beam is directed to the target to detect the ultrasonic surface displacements. The first and second amplifiers can be controlled independently of one another to control their respective laser beam's power.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for measuring the relative thickness of the lipid layer component of the precorneal tear film on the surface of an eye after distribution of the lipid layer subsequent to blinking is disclosed. An illuminator directs light to the lipid layer of a patient's eye. The illuminator is a broad spectrum light source covering the visible region and is a lambertion light emitter such that the light source is specularly reflected from the lipid layer and undergoes constructive and destructive interference in the lipid layer. A collector collects and focuses the specularly reflected light such that the interference patterns on the tear film lipid layer are observable. The collector also produces an output signal representative of the specularly reflected light which is suitable for further analysis, such as projection on to a high resolution video monitor or analysis by or storage in a computer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical element having an optical surface of a non-rotationally symmetric shape is described. Measuring light is generated using an interferometer optics, wherein the interferometer optics has at least one diffractive component having a grating. The optical surface is positioned at a first position relative to the diffractive component, wherein first measuring light diffracted at the diffractive component is incident on the optical surface at plural locations thereof, and at least one first interference pattern generated from first measuring light reflected from the optical surface is detected. The optical surface is positioned at a second position relative to the at least one diffractive component, wherein second measuring light diffracted at the diffractive component is incident on the optical surface at plural locations thereof, and at least one second interference pattern generated from second measuring light reflected from the optical surface is detected.

Abstract: Shape inspection is carried out without preparing an inspection apparatus for each model of product. There is provided a shape inspection method comprising a first step of placing an object to be measured on an inspection stand for actual measurement, a second step of obtaining information of the surface shape of the object, a third step of calculating shape data of the object in a weightless state based on the information of the surface shape of the object, and a fourth step of recalculating the shape data of the object in a state that the object is placed on a predetermined inspection stand based on the shape data in the weightless state of the object, and judging the quality of the object based on the recalculated shape data of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are proposed for measuring displacement, surface profile and roughness of a moving object or an inner radius of a hollow cylinder. The apparatus includes a light emitting unit, a light dispersing unit for receiving light from the light emitting unit and focusing rays with different wavelengths into different focal points with different intervals, and a wavelength measuring unit for measuring wavelengths of the rays. When the moving object is moving within a dispersing range of the focal points, the rays with different wavelengths are reflected or scattered, and the displacement of the moving object is learned from variation of the wavelengths being measured by the wavelength measuring unit. Given that a reflecting component is disposed in the centre of an inner circle of the hollow cylinder, the inner radius of the hollow cylinder can be measured by the principle of the apparatus for measuring displacement.

Abstract: Automated inspection comparator/shadowgraph system to compare and contrast a working operation for a workpiece and a resulting workpiece compared to the operating system. Computer software controls the inspection machine to determine irregularity between a resulting workpiece and originally programmed computer software, such that the irregularities are made known to the operator so that he will know whether or not the resulting workpiece complies with the tolerances set for by the original computer program.

Abstract: A precision laser based method of marking semiconductor wafers, packages, substrates or similar workpieces is provided. The workpieces have articles which may include die, chip scale packages, circuit patterns and the like. The marking occurs in a workpiece marking system and within a designated region relative to an article position. The method includes determining at least one location from which reference data is to be obtained using (a) information from which a location of an article is defined, and (b) a vision model of at least a portion of at least one article. Reference data is obtained to locate a feature on a first side of (a second) workpiece using at least one signal from a first sensor. The method further includes positioning a marking field relative to the workpiece so as to position a laser beam at a marking location on a second side of the workpiece. The positioning is based on the feature location.

Abstract: A device for determining the position of a semiconductor substrate on a rotation device having a rotational axis, including a direction of rotation detecting unit for determining the rotational state of the rotation device, and also including at least one light source and at least one receiver which is photo-sensitive to the light from the light source, wherein at least one light beam emitted by the light source is directed toward the edge of the semiconductor substrate and passes said edge to at least a partial extent.

Abstract: Provided is a visual inspection apparatus for a semiconductor wafer, by which a threshold value optimal for inspection can be determined and visual inspection of each chip can be performed based on the threshold value, by obtaining in advance a table indicating a relation between a film thickness of a thin film in specific positions in the wafer and a gradation value for each sample area in the chip, measuring the film thickness of the thin film in the specific positions of the wafer to be inspected before inspecting the chip, and comparing the measured film thickness with the gradation value in the table.

Abstract: The invention provides a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus is used for printing a content to be printed on an object. A surface of the object-includes a non-printable area. The printing apparatus includes a scanning/retrieving module, an adjusting module, and a printing module. The scanning/retrieving module is used for scanning the surface of the object and retrieving the position information of the non-printable area. The adjusting module is used for adjusting the content to be printed to generate an adjusted content based on the position information. The printing module is used for printing the adjusted content on the printable area of the surface. The printable area is different from the non-printable area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an online method for associating an image with an indicator. The method includes the step of storing a captured image in the clipboard of a server. A selection tool selects an association operator from a number of possible operators of a printed toolbar. The method further includes the step of selecting, with the selection tool, the indicator on a printed page to associate the captured image in the clipboard with the selected indicator.

Abstract: A print apparatus connected to a server via a network includes an improvement-information requesting unit configured to notify the server via the network of identification information unique to a print head; an improvement-information storage unit configured to store downloaded head-characteristic-improvement information; and a print processor configured to perform a print operation by referring to the head-characteristic-improvement information stored in the improvement-information storage unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, computer-program, and storage medium capable of acquiring a paper fingerprint efficiently and improving convenience for users. An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image sensor acquiring RGB signals. The G signal is separated from the acquired RGB signals, and the RGB signals are input into a gain adjustment 1+A/D-converting 1 section and the separated G signal is input into a gain adjustment 2+A/D-converting 2 section. The gain adjustment 2+A/D-converting 2 section performs gain adjustment on the input G signal on a different basis from the gain adjustment 1+A/D-converting 1 section. The gain-adjusted G signal is input into a paper fingerprint extracting section via a shading correcting section. The paper fingerprint extracting section extracts a paper fingerprint based on the input G signal.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, comprising: a printing unit that prints an image on a recording medium in a color mode or a monochrome mode based on a first job; a switching unit that performs a switching operation to switch between the color mode upon printing a color page and the monochrome mode upon printing a monochrome page; a first computing unit that computes, based on a switching time required for the switching operation, the maximum number of switching actions at which a printing turnaround time from a printing start time to a printing stop time is not more than a first time limit from the printing start time to a predetermined time limit; and a first limiting unit that restricts the switching operation based on a number of switching actions determined by the first computing unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus sets a print parameter with which stability of colors can be achieved in continuous printing. The number of prints is obtained. The print parameter is adjusted, and stability of colors in the case where the number of prints are printed in a continuous manner is evaluated. Based on the evaluation result, the print parameter is set.

Abstract: The present invention provides a color conversion device that can be applied to a color management system. The color conversion device provides a color conversion device capable of generating a color conversion table used for color reproduction with high precision. The color conversion device generates a color conversion table that describes a correspondence relationship between color data in a first color space and color data in a second color space and corrects the correspondence relationship described in the color conversion table based on calorimetric values of color sample charts obtained by the reading of a plurality of the color sample charts. The color conversion device according to the present invention can correct the output values based on the calorimetric values of the color sample charts.

Abstract: A print control device includes a first data processing unit configured to process first print job data based on a first file format, a second data processing unit configured to process second print job data based on a second file format, the second data processing unit including a data converter configured to convert first print job data into second print job data, a display control unit configured to display an image that may be printed based on the second print job data processed by the second data processing unit, an input unit configured to select therethrough one of the first print job data processed by the first data processing unit and the second print job data processed by the second data processing unit, and an output unit configured to output the print job data selected through the input unit so as to be printed.

Abstract: Provided is a print engine pipeline subsystem of a printer controller. The subsystem includes a print engine pipeline controller for reading and writing print engine pipeline registers, and a contone decoder unit for expanding JPEG compressed continuous tone (“contone”) layers. Also included are a lossless bi-level decoder for expanding compressed bi-level layers, a line loader unit for expanding page images for a printhead, and a printhead interface for sending dot data to the printhead and for providing line synchronization between multiple printer controllers.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including an image input module configured to input a document image; a detect module configured to detect whether copy control information is provided with document image data of the document image; a transfer module configured to transfer the document image data through a network in case the detect module detects the copy control information; an edit module configured to edit the document image data, and create an edited image according to the copy control information; and an image output module configured to output the edited image.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with printers includes: an application to set printing setting information as a document to be printed; a printer driver to generate printing data by employing the printing setting information specified by the application and the document; a determining unit to determine whether the printing setting information to be set using the printer driver is included in the printing setting information set using the application, using selected printer attributes and printing setting information set using the application; and a display to display information relating to printing settings to be set using the printer driver of the selected printer in a case the determining unit determines that the printing setting information to be set using the printer driver is included. If a printer is selected which cannot be controlled by a binding application, the binding application displays items to be set with a printer driver.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a display, a retrieving unit, a process display unit, a process receiving unit, a process storing unit, a thumbnail display unit, and a thumbnail designating unit. The retrieving unit retrieves image data. The process display unit displays on the display a plurality of candidate image processes to be performed on the image data. The process receiving unit receives an instruction indicating a selected image process selected from among the plurality of candidate image processes. The process storing unit stores the selected image process. The thumbnail display unit displays a thumbnail image corresponding to the image data on the display. The thumbnail designating unit designates a thumbnail image. The thumbnail display unit displays a processed thumbnail image that represents a result of the selected process performed on the image data corresponding to the designated thumbnail image.

Abstract: An image input and output system is provided in which a common operation screen for a plurality of image output devices having different attributes is displayed. Based on attribute information of each of printers, the server generates a signal for generating an operation screen, and transmits the signal to the scanner. At the scanner, image data is inputted, and a common operation screen, which is generated based on the signal for generating the operation screen, is displayed on a display panel. When information designating the printer and information relating to an output format of an image is inputted from the display panel, the inputted information and the image data are transmitted to the server. The server transmits, to a designated printer, the image data and the information relating to the output format of the image, which are transmitted from the scanner, and images are outputted.

Abstract: An image input and output system is provided in which a common operation screen for a plurality of image output devices having different attributes is displayed. Based on attribute information of each of printers, the server generates a signal for generating an operation screen, and transmits the signal to the scanner. At the scanner, image data is inputted, and a common operation screen, which is generated based on the signal for generating the operation screen, is displayed on a display panel. When information designating the printer and information relating to an output format of an image is inputted from the display panel, the inputted information and the image data are transmitted to the server. The server transmits, to a designated printer, the image data and the information relating to the output format of the image, which are transmitted from the scanner, and images are outputted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing facsimile documents can be utilized to ensure a faxed document or any portion of a faxed document is not lost. An amount of printing material available to a printing device can be determined. Based on the determined amount of printing material available, an incoming facsimile document can be printed or stored to memory to ensure that data is not lost. Similarly, an amount of available memory within a printing device can be determined to ensure that facsimile data being stored to memory is not lost due to a memory limitation. Utilizing the systems and methods disclosed, facsimile documents can be interactively managed so that information is not lost due to printing material or memory limitations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that includes a first system and a second system, wherein the permission/prohibition of access to a storage unit provided in the first system is controlled appropriately based on a signal transmitted from the second system, and a control method thereof. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the first system and the second system, and permits access to the storage unit only when executing a program that includes a predetermined process to activate the apparatus using an external storage apparatus.

Abstract: In a method of authorizing a supply for use with a printing system, a supply is provided having a memory containing a first and second codes and supply-specific data, which uniquely identifies the supply. The first code, the second code and the supply-specific data are retrieved from the memory of the supply. The first and second codes are translated using the supply-specific data. The translated first code is compared to a third code and the translated second code is compared to a fourth code. Use of the supply with the printing system is authorized when the translated first code corresponds to the third code and the translated second code corresponds to the fourth code. Use of the supply with the printing system is prevented when either the translated first code does not correspond to the third code, or the translated second code does not correspond to the fourth code.

Abstract: For automatic selection of an apparatus for processing of a document processing job, features of the document processing job are compared with features necessary for execution of the document processing job of each apparatus available. In the even that it results from the comparison that a plurality of apparatuses possess the necessary features, a most suitable apparatus among the plurality of suitable apparatuses is selected via a further comparison of the features of the document processing job with features of the apparatus that are necessary for execution of the document processing job.

Abstract: A method for limiting bit rate in IP facsimile, in this method the highest bit rate that the called gateway allows is determined, after the call connection is set up, the called fax machine transmits the digital identification containing the highest facsimile bit rate that the called fax machine provides, the called gateway compares the highest facsimile bit rate that the called fax machine provides with the determined highest bit rate that the called gateway allows, then selects the lower and inserts in the frame and transmits to the calling fax machine, the calling fax machine compares the bit rate with the highest bit rate that the calling fax machine itself provides, the lowest will be the highest bit rate at which message is transmitted, then the message is transmitted, confirmed, then the call connection is released. In this method, when the network becomes bad, the highest facsimile bit rate is limited through gateway to improve quality of pictures.

Abstract: In order to provide an image forming apparatus through which the user can perform a print out under which a desirably printed out image is laid out on a desired record sheet, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation panel unit which displays an input data preview window that displays input data which is input from an external device or input data which is read out by a manuscript readout mechanism, an output sheet size selection window that selects an output sheet size, an output application setup selection window that selects an output application setup, an output figuration preview window that displays an output figuration which is determined based on an output sheet size which is selected by the output sheet size selection window and an output application setup which is selected by the output application setup selection window, an input data adjustment window that adjusts input data, and an output result preview window that displays input data which is adjusted b

Abstract: A printing control apparatus to control a printing operation includes a web server connection unit to connect with a web server of a pre-set address and receive environmental information of an area where the printing apparatus is located, and a controller to transmit a printing control signal corresponding to the received environmental information and printing data to a printing apparatus. Accordingly, a transfer voltage is adjusted according to the environmental information of the area where the printing apparatus is located, so that the effect of the environment on the printing quality can be minimized and thus the printing quality can be improved.

Abstract: A network scan apparatus includes: a scanner including a scanning unit to scan a document and generate an image file based on the scanned document, a transmitting unit to transmit the image file, and an output selection unit to select whether to output scan file information; an output device, connected to the scanner, via a network, to output the scan file information according to whether the scan file information is selected to be output after a scanning operation; and a host computer connected to the scanner and the output device via the network, to collect the scan file information transmitted from the scanner, and transmit the scan file information to the output device.

Abstract: To provide an optimal service matched with requests from users of a MFP connected with a network. A method for providing a service by a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 10 includes the steps of: receiving a request for the service; receiving information 90 required for executing the service from an external device 30 capable of communicating with the MFP; judging, based on the received information 90, whether the MFP 10 itself executes processing for providing the service or the external device 30 executes the processing (50); and if the MFP itself executes the processing and if the MFP does not have an application required for the execution, downloading the application 100 from the external device.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus includes a spooler which spools a received print job in a print queue and outputs the print job, a print job management unit which holds a print job output from the spooler, and manages transmission of a print job to a printing apparatus and whether a print job is complete in the printing apparatus, and a display control unit which displays the processing status of a print job that is spooled in the print queue and managed by the print job management unit.

Abstract: An image input and output system is provided in which a common operation screen for a plurality of image output devices having different attributes is displayed. Based on attribute information of each of printers, the server generates a signal for generating an operation screen, and transmits the signal to the scanner. At the scanner, image data is inputted, and a common operation screen, which is generated based on the signal for generating the operation screen, is displayed on a display panel. When information designating the printer and information relating to an output format of an image is inputted from the display panel, the inputted information and the image data are transmitted to the server. The server transmits, to a designated printer, the image data and the information relating to the output format of the image, which are transmitted from the scanner, and images are outputted.

Abstract: A job managing section acquires an operational status of a standby print job when a determination that a job having been accepted by a job accepting section is a reserved low-key print setting job is made, as a result of a determination by a reserved setting determining section, and also allocates a printout for the reserved low-key print setting job to an available time slot based on the acquired operational status. As a result, the printout for the reserved low-key print setting job can be executed in an available time slot which is different from a time slot for the standby print job. Accordingly, mixing of printed sheets related to a plurality of print jobs can be prevented as much as possible, and a contribution to an improvement in convenience at the user-side can be made.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image former that prints target data on a sheet, a first judger that judges a supply unit that is replaceably loaded thereon and has a memory storing identification information uniquely given to the supply unit and information about a plurality of vendors providing the supply unit, is whether or not a reproduced product, an accessor that accesses a server owned by a vendor supplying the supply unit according to the information about the vendors providing the supply unit, which is stored in the memory of the supply unit, if the first judger judges that the supply unit is a reproduced product, a second judger that judges whether or not the identification information stored in the memory of the supply unit is registered in the server owned by the vendor supplying the supply unit, which is accessed by the accessor.

Abstract: Methods of, and apparatus for, splitting data for two-sided printing are provided. In one embodiment, a method of splitting data for printing by a first and a second print head of a two-sided printer is provided, the method comprising: identifying a portion of the data transverse to a print direction comprising no information for printing, designating a portion of the data prior to the identified portion for printing by the first print head, and designating a portion of the data following the identified portion for printing by the second print head.