Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method capable of improving the throughput, reducing the apparatus cost, and executing marginless copy with a natural impression. According to this invention, a multi-function printer executes marginless copy in the following. Marginless copy and a printing paper size are instructed. The position and size of an original placed on the original table of the scanner are detected. A reading area on the original table is decided on the basis of the instruction, detection result, and a predefined extra-printing size. Control is done to execute image reading while limiting the operation range of the sensor of the scanner so that the image original is read from the decided reading area.

Abstract: A method is provided for ejecting ink from a printhead coupled to an ink supply. The printhead includes a plurality of rows of pods with each pod including a plurality of ink nozzles. The ink supply defines a plurality of ink reservoirs connected in fluid communication with respective rows. The method includes the step of simultaneously ejecting ink from a single nozzle in each pod whereby the ink ejecting nozzles are located in corresponding locations within their respective pods.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including an image reading mechanism, a display, a memory, an image processing mechanism, an image creating mechanism, and a controller. The image processing mechanism performs first and second corrections using the plurality of stepped values. The image creating mechanism creates first and second subtractive images based on a first corrected image corrected by the first correction and a second corrected image corrected by the second correction. The controller controls the display to display the input image, the first corrected image, the final corrected image, the first subtractive image, and the second subtractive image in a screen image. A method of image processing and a computer readable data storing medium storing a program for image processing are also described.

Abstract: Lattice points for correspondence defining data are determined by transmitting from a client to a server the original correspondence defining data which previously prescribes correspondence between the lattice points in the low-dimensional color space and the lattice points for ink amount for a printing apparatus, causing the server to acquire correspondence between lattice points in the low-dimensional color space and lattice points in the device-independent color space by referencing the original correspondence defining data, prescribing a smoothness evaluation function which evaluates smoothness of the arrangement of lattice points in the device-independent color space and has as a variable the information about the position of lattice points in the low-dimensional color space, and optimizing the arrangement of lattice points in the device-independent color-space by improving the rating of the smoothness evaluation function, with the information about the position of lattice points varied.

Abstract: There is described a signal processing apparatus, which conducts processing of a signal outputted from an image capturing element that converts an optical image obtained by irradiating light on an object such as document to an electric signal. The apparatus includes: a sample-and-hold section to sample and hold a black signal level and an image signal level, both included in an analogue image signal inputted from an image capturing element; an analogue-to-digital converting section to convert the analogue image signal to digital image data within a predetermined number of conversion steps, which is larger than a number of conversion steps corresponding to a differential value between the black signal level and the image signal level; and a digital subtracting section to subtract black digital-image data representing the black signal level from signal digital-image data representing the image signal level, both being converted by the analogue-to-digital converting section.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically locates a source point within an image for an image-retouching tool. During operation, the system receives an image, wherein the image includes a defective area. Next, the system determines visual characteristics for the defective area. The system then searches around the defective area to identify candidate replacements for the defective area, and also determines visual characteristics for the candidate replacements. Next, the system compares visual characteristics of the defective area with visual characteristics for the candidate replacements to select a candidate replacement to be used as the source point from which pixels can be copied by the image-retouching tool. Note that this system not only improves the usability of image-retouching tools, but can also improve the quality of the result.

Abstract: A document analysis tool may generate a halftone image corresponding to the output of an image forming device and may display the generated halftone image for a document designer. The halftone image may include halftone dots displaced from each other, depending on a misregistration between image forming stations in the image forming device. Based on the quality of the displayed halftone image, the document designer may revise the document to account for the misregistration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device which aims for appropriate settings and simplification of printing functions. In a print server, when a print job is received, an application name used in a client terminal is specified from a drawing command of the print job, and standard settings of printing functions provided for each application are read from database files. Thereafter, the standard settings and settings of printing functions of the print job are compared. When the settings are different, after carrying out a warning processing, setting of printing functions based on the standard settings is carried out, and image processing and printing processing based on the set printing functions are executed. In this way, while simplifying settings of printing functions in the client terminal, image processing and printing processing by appropriate printing functions are possible.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments include an electrostatographic printing apparatus and a method of correcting one or more associated uniformity profiles. In various exemplary embodiments the apparatus includes first and second actuators. In various exemplary embodiments the method includes measuring an image and generating at least one corresponding TRC, generating a charge profile, subtracting a reference patch density from a patch value to obtain a difference profile, converting the difference profile to a ROS intensity profile and an LED intensity profile, and iteratively repeating the steps of measuring, generating, subtracting and converting until within an acceptable range.

Abstract: In a matrix area (720), a plurality of highlight-side dot centers (731) and a plurality of shadow-side dot centers (741) are regularly arranged and a plurality of reference points (751) are set while being distributed almost uniformly. Each of the dot centers (731, 741) is rotated about a nearest reference point (751). Threshold values of the matrix area (720) are determined so that halftone dot areas should be changed around a plurality of highlight-side dot centers (731) after being rotated in accordance with the variation in gray level on the highlight side and a halftone dot area (i.e., joined dot areas) should be changed around a plurality of shadow-side dot centers after being rotated in accordance with the variation in gray level on the shadow side. In a halftone dot image generated by using the matrix area which is thus generated, it is possible to suppress moire and graininess.

Abstract: A computer program and method for generating from a 1-bit image data file a multiple-bit image data file, which, when displayed on a computer display screen, resembles an image that would appear on an output medium as a result of an output device printing the 1-bit file, the program being operable to carry out, and the method comprising, the steps of: receiving a 1-bit image data file and first and second values that characterize actual regions of the output medium that would be marked by the output device when printing single and consecutive “on” pixels of the 1-bit file; calculating from the “on” pixels and the first and second values, proportions of corresponding notional rectangular regions of the output medium that would be marked by the output device when printing the “on” pixels; and setting values of the pixels of a multiple-bit image data file according to the calculated proportions.

Abstract: An image processing system comprising: an image acquisition unit for acquiring a scanned image; a non-voltage storage medium that stores correction information corresponding to a known object having a three-dimensional shape defined by the standard; when an object of the scanned image is the known object, a correction unit that corrects a shadow area of the scanned image corresponding to a shadow resulting from thickness of the known object, on the basis of the correction information.

Abstract: An original size detecting apparatus is capable of carrying out accurate original size detection without erroneous detection of the size of an original due to the influence of external scattered light. A CCD reads reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto an original placed on an original platen glass. Optical sensors detect two open states of the original presser plate, and a scanner controller performs predetermined control corresponding to each of the open states of the original presser plate detected by the optical sensors, to determine the size of the original based on the result of the reading by the CCD.

Abstract: A scanning method in which a scanning head moves back and forth to scan a paper sheet located in a scanning window is disclosed. The method of the present invention includes the steps of a) making the paper sheet go forward a first distance into the scanning window; b) the scanning head scanning a portion of the paper sheet; c) the transmission mechanism driving the scanning head to move a second distance in a first direction, wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance; d) repeating the steps b) and c) until the scanning head completely scans a plurality of portions of the paper sheet in the scanning region; e) repeating the steps a), b), c) and d), except that the scanning head moves in a second direction opposite to the first; f) repeating the steps a), b), c), d), and e), the movement of the scanning head alternating between a first and second direction, until the scanning head completely scans the paper sheet to be scanned.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a color line sensor and a monochromatic line sensor starts to read on the basis of the color reading start position when reading the image of a document in color and starts to read on the basis of the monochromatic reading start position when reading the image of a document in monochrome.

Abstract: A warm-up circuit adjusts the brightness of a CCFL through using PWM technique for a scanner. The warm-up circuit has an inverter connected to the CCFL for supplying power, and a PWM controller connected to the inverter for outputting a first control signal to the inverter in a warm-up time and outputting a second control signal to the inverter to control the inverter supplying power to the CCFL in a scan time.

Abstract: A contact image sensor module includes: a first image sensor, having a first light receiving element set aligned in a straight line; a second image sensor, having a second light receiving element set aligned in parallel to the abovementioned first light receiving element set; a first lens unit, forming, on the abovementioned first light receiving element set, a clear image of a first object, which is positioned at a first distance from light receiving surfaces of the abovementioned first light receiving element set; and a second lens unit, forming, on the abovementioned second light receiving element set, a clear image of a second object, which is positioned at a second distance, differing from the above mentioned first distance, from the light receiving surfaces of the abovementioned first light receiving element set.

Abstract: A hologram apparatus comprises a vibration detection beam generation unit to apply a vibration detection beam, incoherent to the data and reference beams and to detect the presence/absence of vibrations, to the hologram recording medium; a light reception/determination unit to receive the vibration detection beam emitted from the medium after the beam is applied to and propagates through the medium and to determine whether the beam receiving position is within a preset range; and an interruption unit to interrupt at least one of the data and reference beams from being applied to the medium, when this unit has determined that the position of beam reception is not within the preset range.

Abstract: The invention provides a holographic image corrector in a microscope, which employs an optical system that has as an objective a lens or mirror. The characteristics of the objective are recorded by sending a first laser beam through a spatial filter (or an array of pinholes) and then through the objective, if a lens or reflecting the beam therefrom, if a mirror, to form an objective beam. Means are provided for directing a laser reference beam also through a spatial filter (or an array of pinholes) and intersecting same with the object beam in a recording medium, to form a hologram thereof. Then means illuminate the article to be viewed with a laser beam so that light therefrom passes through the objective or reflects therefrom and through the hologram, to correct for aberrations in the objective and provide a relatively clear image of the article.

Abstract: A hologram device records information of an interference fringe of signal light and reference light onto a hologram recording medium and reproduces the recorded information by emitting the reference light onto a recording area of the hologram recording medium. The hologram device includes a recording/reproducing controller performing a recording operation of the information concurrently with a reproducing operation of previously-recorded information, and an error detector detecting an error in the previously-recorded information reproduced concurrently with the recording operation.

Abstract: A scanning assembly is disclosed for providing controlled movement of a mirror. The scanning assembly includes a motor shaft of a limited rotation motor, a scanning device, and a scanning device mounting unit. The mirror mounting unit includes a tapered base for coupling the scanning device mounting unit to the output shaft of the limited rotation motor. One of the tapered base and the output shaft includes a cylindrical tapered male plug having a decreasing inner diameter that decreases along a direction of coupling of the tapered base and the output shaft for engaging the tapered base to the output shaft. The tapered base includes an overall taper angle of at most about 4.0 degrees from the rotational axis of the output shaft.

Abstract: The optical scanning apparatus includes a polygonal rotatable mirror which deflects a light beam emitted from a light source, a drive motor which rotates said polygonal rotatable mirror, and an optical box which holds said drive motor, wherein a fitting hole in which a bearing of said drive motor fits, is provided in said optical box, and a wall surface of this fitting hole has notch portions partially arranged. Thereby, the heat release property of the bearing of the polygonal rotatable mirror drive motor becomes good.

Abstract: A common photodetecting unit detects a plurality of beams scanned by a plurality of polyhedral reflection mirrors provided in a multiple stages with a common rotation axis, and generates a synchronization detection signal based on detected beams. The reflection mirrors make a predetermined angle ?1 in a direction of rotation of the reflection mirrors. When time between two consecutive synchronization detection signals on a time line generated by the common photodetecting unit is ti, where i is a positive integer equal to or smaller than number of split beams, at least one of ti is different from others.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apodization mask that narrows the central lobe of an optical image of a point in a focusing system and suppresses the amplitudes of the sidelobes of the image that are within a predetermined radius of the central axis of the sidelobes, thereby improving resolution of point objects that are relatively close together and presenting better images of small objects.

Abstract: A security element connected to at least a portion of a substrate, the security element including an at least partial coating having a first state and a second state connected to at least a portion of the substrate, the at least partial coating being adapted to switch from a first state to a second state in response to at least actinic radiation, to revert back to the first state in response to thermal energy, and to linearly polarize at least transmitted radiation in at least one of the first state and the second state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochromic material, and a device utilizing the electrochromic material, comprising a substituted-1,1-dioxo-thiopyran of the general structure I: wherein: X is carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; n is 0, 1 or 2; R3 is independently an electron withdrawing group or a substituted or unsubstituted alky or aryl group; R1 and R5 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; and R2 and R4 each independently represent hydrogen, or an electron withdrawing group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly includes a transparent substrate having forward and rearward surfaces. A transflective reflector is disposed at a surface of the substrate and the transflective reflector includes at least one thin film layer. A display element is disposed behind the substrate and is operable to emit display information that passes through the transflective reflector and the substrate for viewing by a person viewing the forward surface. Light incident on the forward surface of the substrate and passing through the substrate to be incident on the transflective reflector may exhibit a substantially non-spectrally selective reflectant characteristic as viewed by a person viewing the forward surface of the substrate. The transflective reflector may include a plurality of thin film layers, wherein the refractive indices and physical thicknesses of the individual layers may be selected to limit a tinting effect and/or a color interference effect.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a process of forming a device that has an improved usable lifetime due to the addition of a gas-phase lubricant that reduces the likelihood of stiction occurring between the various moving parts in an electromechanical device. One advantage of the disclosed device is that a gas-phase lubricant has a high diffusion rate and, therefore, is self-replenishing, meaning that it can quickly move back into a contact region after being physically displaced from the region by the contacting surfaces of the device during operation. Consequently, the gas-phase lubricant is more reliable than conventional solid or liquid lubricants in preventing stiction-related device failures.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a tiltable micro mirror plate includes forming a substrate comprising an upper surface and a hinge support post in connection with the upper surface, disposing over the substrate a first sacrificial material selected from the group of amorphous carbon, polyarylene, polyarylene ether, and hydrogen silsesquioxane, depositing one or more layers of structural materials over the first sacrificial material, forming an opening in the one or more layers of structural materials, wherein the opening can provide access from outside to the first sacrificial material below the one or more layers of structural materials, and removing the first sacrificial material to form the tiltable micro mirror plate in connection with the hinge support post.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a MEMs structure including flexures movably supporting a reflective face are disclosed.

Abstract: A light modulator device includes a first electrical conduit, a second electrical conduit electrically isolated from the first conduit, a first display element, and a second display element. The first display element is in an actuated state when a voltage difference between the first conduit and the second conduit has a magnitude greater than a first actuation voltage and is in a released state when the voltage difference has a magnitude less than a first release voltage. The second display element is in an actuated state when the voltage difference has a magnitude greater than a second actuation voltage and is in a released state when the voltage difference has a magnitude less than a second release voltage. Either the actuation voltages are substantially equal and the release voltages are different, or the actuation voltages are different and the release voltages are substantially equal.

Abstract: A device includes a micro-display that includes at least one light modulator. The light modulator includes a first reflector plate, a second reflector plate, and at least one piezoelectric flexure, wherein the piezoelectric flexure is an extended length piezoelectric flexure.

Abstract: An Interferometric Modulator (IMod) is a microelectromechanical device for modulating light using interference. The colors of these devices may be determined in a spatial fashion, and their inherent color shift may be compensated for using several optical compensation mechanisms. Brightness, addressing, and driving of IMods may be accomplished in a variety of ways with appropriate packaging, and peripheral electronics which can be attached and/or fabricated using one of many techniques. The devices may be used in both embedded and directly perceived applications, the latter providing multiple viewing modes as well as a multitude of product concepts ranging in size from microscopic to architectural in scope.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a mirror plate comprising a reflective upper surface, a lower surface, and a substrate portion comprising a cavity having an opening on the lower surface, a substrate comprising an upper surface, a hinge support post in connection with the substrate, and a hinge component supported by the hinge support post and in connection with the mirror plate, and one or more landing tips configured to contact the lower surface of the mirror plate to limit rotation of the mirror plate. The hinge component includes a protrusion that is anchored in a hole in the top surface of the hinge support post and the hinge component is configured to extend into the cavity to facilitate rotation of the mirror plate.

Abstract: A scan-type optical apparatus includes a light source device that emits a laser beam, an electro-optic element that conducts scan of the laser beam emitted from the light source device by varying refractive index distribution in accordance with the level of voltage to be applied, and a light blocking member disposed on an optical path of the laser beam emitted from the electro-optic element when no voltage is applied to the electro-optic element.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing amplified Rayleigh backscatter at a Raman pump. A pump assembly for an optical amplifier includes a set of pump radiation sources for Raman pumping an optical transmission span. Each pump radiation source is adapted to produce radiation having a pump wavelength and a pump power. The optical transmission span is adapted to provide Raman amplification of an optical data signal when pumped by the set of pump radiation sources. At least one optical isolator is selectively located between at least one selected pump radiation source and the optical transmission span to reduce amplified Rayleigh backscatter at the pump wavelength of the selected pump radiation source from feeding back into the selected at least one pump radiation source.

Abstract: An optical device includes an input optical source that provides and optical signal to the optical device. A surface phonon polariton (SPP) nanostructure receives the optical signal that interacts with the SPP nanostructure to excite a Raman process and produce a Raman light signal. The Raman light signal comprises a broad spectral range from near infrared to far infrared.

Abstract: An apparatus for generation of Terahertz radiation comprising: (A) a Magnon Gain Medium (MGM), wherein the MGM supports generation of nonequilibrium magnons; and (B) at least one magnon mirror (MM). The nonequilibrium magnons are generated in the MGM. Interaction between nonequilibrium magnons leads to generation of Terahertz photons.

Abstract: A confocal reflectance microscope system incorporates a dual-wedge laser scanner assembly. The scanner assembly incorporates a pair of rotatably mounted prisms, each prism having an angle selected to deviate a light beam from a light source by a desired angle. Each prism is mounted for rotation at a desired speed of rotation and in a desired direction to scan the light beam over the target. An image is built up from successive reflected signals returned from the target.

Abstract: Optical systems, including apparatus and methods, for obtaining images, particularly with multiple fields of view. These systems may utilize a plurality of optical components with different optical axes, where the optical axes may be selectively rotated into alignment with an imaging axis to obtain images having various discrete fields of view.

Abstract: An illuminated aiming device for an observation instrument comprises a reticle plate, an aiming mark provided at the reticle plate, and a light source directed onto the aiming mark via a light guide. The light guide is configured as a wave guide within the reticle plate.

Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein an interval between at least any two lens units among the lens units is changed so that an optical image of an object is formed with a continuously variable magnification, a first lens unit arranged on the most object side among the lens units includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam from the object, and any one of the lens units, any one of the lens elements, or alternatively a plurality of adjacent lens elements that constitute one lens unit move in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis; an imaging device including the zoom lens system; and a camera employing the imaging device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a dynamic optical tag communication system is provided which includes high and low index CCR, both having a modulator, such as TCFP-MQWs on a first side of the CCR configured to modulate in a first temperature range, and a modulator on a second side of the CCR to modulate in a second temperature range. In some embodiments another high index CCR having corresponding first and second temperature range modulators is provided. In some embodiments, a CCR may have three modulators, such as MQWs, one configured to modulate in a first temperature range, another to modulate in a second temperature range, and yet another to modulate in a third temperature range. In some embodiments, a dynamic optical tag communication system has CCRs which include a high index CCR having a DDG modulator and a low index CCR having a DDG modulator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for shaping a laser beam for interaction with a film in which the laser beam travels along a beam path and defines a short-axis and a long-axis. In one aspect, the system may include a first short-axis element having an edge positioned at a distance, d1, along the beam path from the film and a second short-axis element having an edge positioned at a distance, d2, along the beam path from the film, with d2<d1. An optic may be positioned along the beam path between the second element and the film for focusing the beam in the short-axis for interaction with the film. In another aspect, a system may be provided having a mechanism operative to selectively adjust the curvature of one or both of the edges of the short-axis element.

Abstract: An optical integrator of a wavefront dividing type permits an arbitrary distance to be set between an entrance surface and an exit surface, without production of aberration and without reduction in reflectance on reflecting films. The optical integrator has a plurality of first focusing elements (first concave reflector elements 18a) arranged in parallel, a plurality of second focusing elements (second concave reflector elements 20a) arranged in parallel so as to correspond to the first focusing elements, and a relay optical system (19) disposed in an optical path between the first focusing elements and the second focusing elements. The relay optical system refocuses a light beam focused via one of the first focusing elements, on or near a corresponding second focusing element so as to establish an imaging relation of one-to-one correspondence between one of the first focusing elements and one of the second focusing elements.

Abstract: A hybrid lens is provided in which a plastic lens made from an ultraviolet curing resin is affixed to a ceramic lens which uses as a glass material a light transmitting ceramic having a permeability of 70% or larger in a visible radiation range and a particle diameter of 40 micrometers to on the order of 120 micrometers and on which chipping flaws having a depth of 50 micrometers to on the order of 60 micrometers are formed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an objective (1) for an observation device (10), whereby the objective comprises an objective-lens-system, which consists of a first optical subcomponent (11, 14) on the object side and a second, optical subcomponent (12, 15), whereby the second optical subcomponent (12, 15) is arranged at a distance (d2) to the first optical subcomponent (11, 14) on the optical axis of the objective, and one of the subcomponents (12, 14) possesses a positive refractive power and the other subcomponent (11, 15) possesses a negative refractive power, which is hereby characterized in that the objective (1) has a zooming device. In addition, the invention concerns a microscope, which contains such an objective. Finally, a method for adjusting an objective (1) of an observation device (10) is provided with the invention.

Abstract: A three-unit zoom lens system comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power; a second lens unit having a positive refractive power; and a third lens unit having a positive or negative refractive power, wherein during magnification change from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, a space between the first lens unit and the second lens unit narrows, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move toward the only object side, and a space between the second lens unit and the third lens unit changes during a focusing operation.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit having positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power. Each lens unit moves during zooming. In particular, the first lens unit moves so as to be closer to an object at a telephoto end than at a wide-angle end during zooming, and the fourth lens unit moves in a locus convex toward the object side during zooming. The sharing of magnification variation between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit is appropriately set.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. The first lens unit and the third lens unit move in the optical axis direction during zooming. The following conditions are satisfied: 0.60<m3/m1<0.90, and 0.080<|f2/ft|<0.120, where m1 and m3 are maximum moving distances in the optical axis direction of the first lens unit and the third lens unit, respectively, during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, ft is a focal length of the zoom lens at the telephoto end, and f2 is a focal length of the second lens unit.