Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a layer (2) of a nematic liquid crystal material contained between two cell walls (3, 4) each carrying electrode structures (6, 7) and an alignment surface (20, 21). The alignment layer (20, 21) on one or both cell wall (4), is formed of a plurality of small (<15 ?m) surface features each separably capable of providing a bistable pretilts and an alignment direction and collectively causing larger variations of molecular orientation across the layer (2). The device may be switched between a light transmissive state and a light non-transmissive state. The small surface features may be areas of grating (21), protrusions (25), or blind holes (26), separated by mono stable flat surfaces (Fm) coated with a homeotropic alignment layer. Preferably, the grating etc provides bistable switching operation between a low surface tilt and high surface tilt, and the low tilt alignment direction varies between adjacent grating areas.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal display device having a wide viewing angle for transmissive display and reflective display. The liquid crystal display device according to the invention can include a homeotropic liquid crystal layer interposed between a pair of substrates. The liquid crystal display device has a transmissive display area and a reflective display area in each dot area. A liquid crystal layer thickness-adjustment layer can be interposed between at least the substrate of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer thickness-adjustment layer reduces the liquid crystal layer thickness of the reflective display area in comparison with the liquid crystal layer thickness of the transmissive display area. On the substrate opposing the substrate with the liquid crystal layer thickness-adjustment layer, protrusions protruding from the inner surface of the substrate to the liquid crystal layer are formed.

Abstract: A multi-cell gap fringe field switching mode LCD includes an upper substrate having an overcoat film and a lower substrate having a counter electrode and a pixel electrode successively formed thereon with a gate insulation film interposed between them. The overcoat film is patterned in such a manner that the cell gap at the center of the pixel electrode is different from that at the edge thereof and the overcoat film has a convex pattern formed on a part thereof corresponding to the center of the pixel electrode in a slanted profile and a concave pattern formed on a part thereof corresponding to the edge of the pixel electrode to optimize the driving voltage and phase delay value (?nd) in each position of the pixel electrode.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided, which includes: a first substrate; a first signal line disposed on the first substrate; a second signal line disposed on the first substrate and intersecting the first signal line; a thin film transistor coupled with the first and the second signal lines; a pixel electrode coupled with the thin film transistor; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a common electrode arranged on the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first tilt direction determining member arranged on the first substrate; and a second tilt direction determining member arranged on the first substrate, wherein the first tilt direction determining member is about 15 microns to about 20 microns apart from the second tilt direction determining member.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes, an alignment layer, a liquid crystal, and an opposite electrode. The plurality of pixel electrodes are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and include a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode that face each other. The alignment layer is disposed between the plurality of pixel electrodes and the second substrate. The liquid crystal is disposed between the alignment layer and the second substrate, and the liquid crystal is aligned by the first alignment layer. The opposite electrode is disposed between the liquid crystal and the second substrate. A selective electric voltage is applied between the opposite electrode and at least one of the plurality of pixel electrodes to change an orientation state of the liquid crystal from a spray orientation to a bend orientation.

Abstract: An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a substrate; a plurality of gate lines on the substrate, the gate lines having a zigzag shape; a plurality of first common lines between adjacent pairs of the gate lines, the plurality of first common lines having a zigzag shape; a plurality of data lines crossing the gate lines and the first common lines to define a plurality of pixel regions; a thin film transistor connected to one of the gate lines and one of the data lines; a plurality of auxiliary common lines extending from the first common lines, the plurality of auxiliary common lines parallel to the data lines; a plurality of common electrodes extending from the plurality of auxiliary common lines, the plurality of common electrodes parallel to the first common lines; a plurality of pixel lines connected to the thin film transistor; and a plurality of pixel electrodes extending from the plurality of pixel lines, the plurality of pixel electrodes parallel to and alternating with the plu

Abstract: To provide means for resolving a problem in which in steps of connecting a panel array substrate and a stick substrate, connection failure is enhanced and reliability is deteriorated by a positional shift caused in connecting operation and a positional shift caused by shrinkage of te substrate, a shape of a total of a stick substrate 103 is constituted by a rectangular shape (lx1×ly1) and contiguous electrode pads are annaged to shirt by Ts in Y-direction by which lead wirings of the panel array substrate and lead wirings of the stick substrate can be connected with high accuracy and an electrooptical device having high yield and excellent display characteristic is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to cholesteric liquid crystal (LC) displays comprising cells of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio which cells are filled with a liquid crystal composition preferably containing dichroic dye(s), and novel processes for their manufacture.

Abstract: Plenty of columnar spacers arranged between the substrates for liquid crystal display are presented. The columnar spacer includes a solid member with a plateau and a crown member atop the plateau and extended from the solid member. The crown member has a mesa with a pattern exposing a portion of the plateau, and the mesa is smaller than the plateau. The exposed plateau is past through an exterior environment.

Abstract: This exposure system projects a pattern image onto a substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid to expose the substrate, with a space between the projection optical system and the substrate filled with the liquid. The exposure system is provided with a vaporization preventing unit for preventing the vaporization of the liquid.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus which transfers a pattern image formed on a mask on to a substrate through a projection optical system, comprising a substrate table which holds said substrate, a first sensor which measures a gap between said substrate surface held by said substrate table and a control target position, and a second sensor which measures a distance between said projection optical system and said substrate table in an optical axis direction and corrects the control target position of said first sensor.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a radiation system for supplying a beam of radiation, and a support structure for supporting a patterning device. The patterning device serves to pattern the beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The apparatus also includes a projection system for projecting the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate, and an assembly for determining a spatial position of the patterning device relative to the projection system. The assembly includes a measuring unit that has a plurality of sensors that are mounted on the projection system.

Abstract: A projection optical system and exposure method for forming a reduced image of a first surface on a second surface, including forming a projection exposure of a reduced image of a pattern formed on a mask on a photosensitive substrate, the optical path between the projection optical system and the second surface being filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1.1 where a refractive index of an atmosphere in the optical path of the projection optical system is 1, and the magnification of the projection optical system being not more than ?. In variations, the projection optical system is substantially telecentric on both the first surface side and the second surface side; every optical member having a power in the projection optical system is a transmitting optical member; and a projection exposure in a one shot-area can include a plurality of partial exposures in partial exposure regions.

Abstract: A method for configuring the optical transfer of a patterning device pattern onto a substrate with a lithographic apparatus is presented. The method includes adjusting an intensity of a first illumination shape relative to a second illumination shape, the first and the second illumination shapes defining respectively a first illumination area and a second illumination area within a pupil plane of an illumination system of the lithographic apparatus, while maintaining the first and second illumination areas substantially constant, and illuminating the patterning device pattern with the first and second illumination shapes.

Abstract: Rapid calibration of a TOF system uses a stationary target object and electrically introduces phase shift into the TOF system to emulate target object relocation. Relatively few parameters suffice to model a parameterized mathematical representation of the transfer function between measured phase and Z distance. The phase-vs-distance model is directly evaluated during actual run-time operation of the TOF system. Preferably modeling includes two components: electrical modeling of phase-vs-distance characteristics that depend upon electrical rather than geometric characteristics of the sensing system, and elliptical modeling that phase-vs-distance characteristics that depending upon geometric rather than electrical characteristics of the sensing system.

Abstract: A laser distance measuring system includes an object lens, a beam splitter, a transmitter, a receiver, and a shutter mechanism. The beam splitter is disposed at one side of the object lens. The transmitter emits a laser beam that is split by the beam splitter into a measurement beam and a reference beam. The measurement beam passes through the object lens, and is reflected by an object to result in a reflected measurement beam passing through the object lens. The receiver is disposed to receive the reflected measurement beam and the reference beam. The shutter mechanism includes a beam masker operable to move to either block path of the reflected measurement beam to the receiver or path of the reference beam to the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a polarization dependent characteristic of an optical or opto-electronic device. Using the Mueller matrix data, a matrix M corresponding to a difference between a first and a second transmission spectrum is determined. The first and the second transmission spectrum correspond to a first Stokes vector and a second Stokes vector, respectively, with the second Stokes vector being opposite to the first Stokes vector. Eigenvalues of the matrix M are then determined and the first Stokes vector is determined by selecting the largest eigenvalue of the matrix M and determining a corresponding eigenvector. The second Stokes vector is then determined as a vector opposite to the first Stokes vector. Finally, the data indicative of the polarization dependent characteristic of the device are determined using the first and the second Stokes vector and the Mueller matrix data.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizes optical reflectivity (REF) to measure concentrations in liquids. The REF optical system is packaged in a compact and cost-effective form factor. An electronic circuit drives the optical system. The miniaturized REF sensor is situated in an optical-fluidic cell or an optical-fluidic manifold with an optical window in contact with the liquid. Changes in a total internal reflection (TIR) signal are sensitive to temperature and concentration of the liquid. These changes in the TIR signal are used to accurately determine the concentration in the liquid. The liquids may be either static or dynamic.

Abstract: A rubbing angle measuring equipment of the invention includes an light source unit, a measuring optical system, an imaging means, and an image evaluation means in which the measuring optical system is adapted such that a light from the light source unit passes by way of an illumination optical system and a polarizer to a rubbed measuring object and further passes by way of an analyzer and a focusing optical system to the imaging means, and the surface of the measuring object is focused to the imaging means, and in which image signals obtained by the imaging means are transmitted to the image evaluation means where signals having an intense periodicity in the image are detected, to measure the rubbing angle of the measuring object in a nondestructive manner, within a short period and at a high accuracy of 0.1° or more.

Abstract: A method of dynamically imaging, calibrating and measuring bump height and coplanarity of a plurality of bumps on a surface is disclosed. The method includes illuminating the plurality of bumps with multispectral light from at least one light source, and receiving light of a first wavelength at an imaging device such that a top view image of at least a portion of the plurality of bumps is captured. The light of the first wavelength is reflected off the plurality of bumps at a first angle from the surface. Light of a second wavelength is received at the imaging device such that at least one oblique side view image of at least a portion of the plurality of bumps is captured. The light of the second wavelength is reflected off the plurality of bumps at a second angle from the surface. The captured images are processed to determine absolute bump height and coplanarity. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Pixel intensities indicative of scattered radiation from portions of the inspected surface surrounding a location of a potential anomaly are also stored so that such data is available for quick review of the pixel intensities within a patch on the surface containing the location of the potential anomaly. Where rotational motion is caused between the illumination beam and the inspected surface, signal-to-noise ratio may be improved by comparing the pixel intensities of pixels at corresponding positions on two different surfaces that are inspected, where corresponding pixels at the same relative locations on the two different surfaces are illuminated and scattered radiation therefrom collected and detected under the same optical conditions.

Abstract: The present application describes and claims an opto-electronic method of quantitatively analyzing reflected optical distortion in sheets or panels of shaped glass.

Abstract: A via hole depth detector for detecting the depth of a via hole formed in a workpiece held on a chuck table, comprising: a first surface position detection means which comprises a first detection laser beam oscillation means for oscillating a first detection laser beam having a predetermined wavelength and detects the height position of an illuminated portion of the workpiece based on the reflected light of the first detection laser beam; a second surface position detection means which comprises a second detection laser beam oscillation means for oscillating a second detection laser beam having a wavelength different from the wavelength of the first detection laser beam and detects the height position of an illuminated portion of the workpiece based on the reflected light of the second detection laser beam; and a control means for obtaining the depth of the via hole formed in the workpiece based on a detection value obtained by the first surface position detection means and a detection value obtained by the s

Abstract: To determine the spectra of objects that have different degrees of fluorescence, a plurality of reference databases are provided, each reference database being suited to a different degree of fluorescence. A most appropriate one of the reference databases is selected based on a predicted degree of fluorescence of an object for which a reflectance spectrum is to be determined. The prediction of the degree of fluorescence may be based on user input, or may be predicted by using a priori information, such as a priori knowledge of media types.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for using a fiber array spectral translator-based (“FAST”) spectroscopic system for performing spectral unmixing of a mixture containing multiple polymorphs. In an embodiment, a first spectrum of a mixture containing polymorphs of a compound is obtained using a photon detector and a fiber array spectral translator having plural fibers. A set of second spectra is provided where each spectrum of the set of second spectra may be representative of a different polymorph of the compound. The first spectrum and the set of second spectra may be compared, and based on the comparison, the presence of one or more polymorphs in the mixture may be determined.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting aerosol threats comprising electrostatic collection and deposition of a threat agent onto a substrate. The threat agent deposited on the substrate is illuminated with a plurality of photons to thereby produce Raman scattered photons. The Raman scattered photons are analyzed in order to identify the threat agent.

Abstract: Tuning of the resonant state of a structure that scatters optical fields is achieved by varying the effective optical properties of the environment of a small conductive structure. The frequency tunable resonant scatterer includes a medium, a conductive structure within that medium and a second structure in the vicinity of said conductive structure, wherein the plasmon resonance of said conductive structure is tuned by way of the proximity of said second structure to said conductive structure. The second structure is gradually moved away from and closer to the nanoparticle to change the effective dielectric constant for tuning a resonance frequency of the conductive structure to plural excitation wavelengths.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems that combine Raman spectroscopy performed in a manner that utilizes one or more of widefield illumination, simultaneous multipoint Raman spectral acquisition, and spectral unmixing for the purpose of high throughput polymorph screening. Features of this methodology include: (a) high throughput polymorph screening to reduce crystal orientation effects on Raman spectra; (b) in-well multi-polymorph screening using increased statistical sampling; and (c) multipoint spectral sampling to enable spectral unmixing.

Abstract: A spectrometer collects background spectra during the idle time in which it is not collecting spectra from a sample. These spectra are collected over a range of exposure times, allowing the background reading on each pixel to be modeled as a function of exposure time. When sample spectra are then collected, the exposure time for the sample spectra can be used with the modeled function to compute an estimated background within the sample spectra. The estimated background can then be subtracted from the sample spectra, thereby reducing the noise therein.

Abstract: The differences between the center wavelength and half bandwidth of the spectral sensitivity of each pixel of a sensor array in a spectral analyzer to be calibrated and the preprovided respective standard values of the center wavelength and the half bandwidth are expressed as functions of a pixel number (linear functions), and coefficients that define the functions are determined based on the pixel outputs of the sensor array obtained by measuring predetermined wavelength standards. The center wavelength and half bandwidth of each pixel are estimated from the differences obtained from the functions with the determined coefficients and the standard values.

Abstract: An optical measurement system for evaluating a sample has a motor-driven rotating mechanism coupled to an azimuthally rotatable measurement head, allowing the optics to rotate with respect to the sample. A polarimetric scatterometer, having optics directing a polarized illumination beam at non-normal incidence onto a periodic structure on a sample, can measure optical properties of the periodic structure. An E-O modulator in the illumination path can modulate the polarization. The head optics collect light reflected from the periodic structure and feed that light to a spectrometer for measurement. A beamsplitter in the collection path can ensure both S and P polarization from the sample are separately measured. The measurement head can be mounted for rotation of the plane of incidence to different azimuthal directions relative to the periodic structures. The instrument can be integrated within a wafer process tool in which wafers may be provided at arbitrary orientation.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the size distribution of a particle sample by counting and classifying particles into selected size ranges. The particle concentration is reduced to the level where the probability of measuring scattering from multiple particles at one time is reduced to an acceptable level. A light beam is focused or collimated through a sample cell, through which the particles flow. As each particle passes through the beam, it scatters, absorbs, and transmits different amounts of the light, depending upon the particle size. So both the decrease in the beam intensity, due to light removal by the particle, and increase of light, scattered by the particle, may be used to determine the particle size, to classify the particle and count it in a certain size range.

Abstract: An optical detection system for use in flow cytometry or the like, which includes a polarizing beamsplitter 820 such as a Wollaston prism. A light source provides an input light beam to a flow stream, wherein the input light beam has a polarization direction. The particles in the flow stream may produce an output light beam that includes a polarized component and a depolarized component. The polarizing beamsplitter receives the output light beam, and provides a polarized light beam and a depolarized light beam to a pair of detectors. The pair of detectors provide a first output signal that corresponds to the polarized light beam and a second output signal that corresponds to the depolarized light beam. A controller or processor may use the first output signal and the second output signal to help identify/classify particles and/or particle characteristics in the flow stream.

Abstract: An optical alignment method is for a light-emitting module that includes a housing unit, a light-emitting unit disposed in the housing unit, and a lens unit. The optical alignment method includes: (a) through image-capturing techniques, finding a light-emitting point of the light-emitting unit and a predetermined reference point, and determining a total optical path length between the light-emitting point and an imaging plane; (b) finding a first center line that divides the total optical path length in half; (c) through image-capturing techniques, finding opposite first and second edges of the lens unit, and determining a lens length between the first and second edges; (d) finding a second center line that divides the lens length in half; and (e) assembling the lens unit to the housing unit so that the first and second center lines overlap. A light-emitting module and an assembly method therefor are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical interferometer (100) includes a first optical interferometer (200) disposed on a front surface side of a workpiece (W) and a second optical interferometer (300) disposed on a rear surface side of the workpiece (W). The first optical interferometer (200) and the second optical interferometer (300) each include a light emitting section (210, 310), a wire grid (220, 320) and an interference fringe sensor (230, 330). Wire alignment directions of the wire grid (220) of the first optical interferometer (200) and the wire grid (320) of the second optical interferometer (300) are orthogonal to each other. When no workpiece (W) is set, the wire grid (220) of the first optical interferometer (200) reflects light from the second optical interferometer (300) to generate object light and the wire grid (320) of the second optical interferometer (300) reflects light from the first optical interferometer (200) to generate object light.

Abstract: In a position-measuring device for recording the relative position of a scanning unit and a measuring graduation that is movable with respect to the latter in at least one measuring direction, the scanning unit includes a plurality of grating structures as well as at least one reflector element. The elements in the scanning unit are arranged such that the beams of rays diffracted by the measuring graduation pass through first grating structures in the scanning unit, subsequently impinge on the reflector element, from which there takes place a retroreflection in the direction of the measuring graduation, and the partial beams of rays then pass through second grating structures and then once again impinge upon the measuring graduation. The first and the second grating structures are arranged such that, upon the first and second passing through of the partial beams of rays, a defined lens effect on the partial beams of rays results.

Abstract: A method for measuring a contour variation of a measuring area on an object. The method includes the steps of: irradiating the measuring area with a light beam, wherein reflection or transmission of the beam occurs; splitting the transmitted or reflected beam; combining the split beams with each other and observing a fringe pattern representing a differential phase between the split beams; varying the phase of the split beams relative to each other, such that the differential phase is kept within the range of 2 pi; calculating an optical path length difference from the differential phase; and relating the optical path length difference to the contour variation of the object.

Abstract: An optical cavity, such as a laser or transmissive cavity, that can contain an analyte provides a different intensity-energy function with analyte present than when absent. The intensity-energy functions can, for example, include respective peaks that are different in at least one of central energy, amplitude, contrast, and full width half maximum (FWHM) (or other intermediate intensity width). Each intensity-energy function can include a set of modes in which the optical cavity provides output light. A laterally varying transmission component, such as a layered linearly varying filter, responds to the intensity-energy functions by providing different laterally varying energy distributions to a photosensing IC, and the distributions are also different, such as in position, size, or intensity. In response, the photosensing IC provides sensing results that are also different. The sensing results can be used to obtain information about the analyte, such as its refractive index or absorption coefficient.

Abstract: To precisely measure bead cutting shapes of electric resistance welded pipes without being affected by difference in luminance level between cut and uncut portions in optical cutting images, an image is obtained by overlaying an optical cutting image with the optical cutting image subjected to thinning processing. A profile of the welded pipe is approximated with a quadratic function and a region containing the bead apex coordinates is identified as the bead. Shape data of the pipe surface at the portion corresponding to the bead portion is obtained from the preset left and right boundaries of the bead portion and the apex position of the separately-calculated bead portion, and bead width, height, slope angle, and unevenness at the left and right boundaries between the bead portion and base pipe portion, are each calculated, based on the left and right bead shape approximation functions and base pipe shape approximation function.

Abstract: The present invention aims that in a printing environment holding only a print instruction and a print data, a printing system capable of updating, changing, correcting, etc. only an additional drawing object is provided by holding an instruction about printing of an additional drawing object (added information) based on the print instruction. In printing out print data on a target page with an additional drawing object added, a job ticket generation means generates a job ticket according to the information about an additional drawing object and instruction information about the printout. Printout means perform printout based on the job ticket generated by the job ticket generating means.

Abstract: A printing apparatus generates print data with a priority given to a processing speed over a quality of images, even without explicit instructions, when printing images which do not require a high quality. The printing apparatus includes a priority decision unit for deciding whether to prioritize a speed of processing the image data or a quality of the images at the time of printing, based on print content description data including information on layout instructions for printing the images. The printing apparatus also includes a print data generation unit for generating print data including the images, based on the print content description data, the decision made by the priority decision unit, and the image data, and a print unit for printing the print data generated by the print data generation unit.

Abstract: A multiple print engine configuration allows a plurality of workstations to create individual print jobs and then transfer them to a distributing processor. The distributing processor spools the jobs in a print spooler and then performs a software raster image processing (“RIP”) operation on the print jobs. The RIP operation divides the jobs into multiple individual jobs which are stored in a page buffer. An image task manager in conjunction with an engine manager selectively s the RIPed pages to multiple print engines.

Abstract: An authentic scanner driver 11 provided with a function of preventing unauthorized use is installed in a personal computer 10. Data is sent and received with a color scanner 20 via the driver. The color scanner 20 is provided with a driver recognition portion 22 for making a decision as to whether the connection target is an authentic driver. Only where the driver is judged to be an authentic driver, normal image processing (acceptance and transfer of data) is performed. Where the driver is not an authentic driver, the normal image processing is stopped. Thus, the unauthorized use preventing function incorporated in the driver is operated with certainty. Monitoring is done to detect whether fraudulent processing such as forgery is performed. Consequently, unauthorized use can be prevented.

Abstract: An augmented operating system printing architecture is provided to permit certain print job attributes from a client to have a desired effect on a print server in a networked environment. The augmented operating system printing architecture includes: 1) an augmented print driver for collecting certain print job attributes and for rendering the print job, 2) an augmented print spooler for processing the print job and for directing the print job to a target device, and 3) an agent service to enable print job attributes collected on the client when a print job is initiated to be used by the print server when the print job is processed. The augmented operating system printing architecture also permits print jobs to be sent to multiple recipients. The augmented print spooler creates multiple copies of the print job when it is directed to multiple recipients, one copy for each recipient.

Abstract: The present invention ascertains delimiting boundaries of print jobs quickly and accurately in a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus determines the type of PDL that describes print data received from a host computer. If a session is completed, data cannot be received within a fixed period of time, or if end of PDL defined by an end-of-job command is found, then the printing apparatus delimits a print job using the position at which the above event occurs. If none of the above apply, the printing apparatus stores the acquired print data in a receive buffer. If the data immediately follows end of PDL, then the printing apparatus regards this data as the beginning of another print job, newly assigns a job identifier to this print job and stores the same in the receive buffer. The stored print data is managed in correlation with the job identifier thereof.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an imaging job and for implicit network address discovery is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and an imaging device in electronic communication with the computing device. Executable instructions on the imaging device are configured to receive the imaging job sent to the imaging device. An implicit network address is discovered from the imaging job without using an explicit address embedded in the imaging job. The imaging job is started at the imaging device. A status message for the imaging job is sent to the network address.

Abstract: A digital multifunctional device 1 comprises an image reading unit 2, a hard disk 12, an image forming unit 6 and a device control unit 8. When there is input of a new image data through the image reading unit 2 while the device control unit 8 is invalidating a preceding image data stored in the hard disk 12, the invalidation by the device control unit 8 of the preceding image data in the hard disk 12 is interrupted, and the new image data being input is utilized to invalidate the preceding image data.

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 image forming apparatus sends a request signal to a web server upon reception of a request signal for web server from a LAN terminal and receives content data sent from the web server in response to the request signal. The image forming apparatus judges whether the received content data is suitable for a display capabilities of the LAN terminal. When judging that the received content data is suitable for the capabilities of the LAN terminal that has sent the request signal, the image forming apparatus transfers the received content data to the LAN terminal. When judging that the received content data is not suitable for the capabilities of the LAN terminal that has sent the request signal, the image forming apparatus executes a print request process to thereby print an image based on the content data on a recording sheet.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an image printing apparatus which can print images without any halfway offset or obverse/reverse pixel offset at a low cost. An image printing apparatus includes a clock generating section which generates a dot clock as the basis of each pixel forming an image, an image printing section which prints a one-line image in a main scanning direction in accordance with image data with reference to the dot clock output from the clock generating section, and prints a one-page image by repeating in the sub-scanning direction one-line image printing performed in the main scanning direction, and a clock control section which changeably controls the frequency of the dot clock during scanning of one line in the main scanning direction.