Abstract: An alignment system for optical lithography uses cameras fixed to a movable stage and to a lithography unit to view unique microscopic non-uniformities that are inherent to the surface of a work piece, e.g., metal or ceramic microcrystalline grains, for position referencing. Stage cameras image two sites on the work piece through windows in the stage to establish original position templates. After the work piece has been repositioned, e.g., reversed topside-down, the same two sites are again viewed and template matching establishes the transformed coordinates of the work piece, e.g. by a lithography unit camera under which the stage moves to approximate site locations. Two corner cameras can serve as a coarse positioning mechanism. The alignment system is particular useful for backside alignment in printed circuit board lithography.

Abstract: A device includes a housing; a color sensor within a first end of the housing, the color sensor configured to sense a color of a sample when the color sensor is placed proximate the sample; and a display within the housing, the display configured to display the color of the sample sensed by the color sensor.

Abstract: A position detector is for detecting a position of liquid held in a vessel. The position detector includes a sound wave generator disposed in contact with the vessel and having a plurality of sound generating elements for generating a sound wave by electrical energy; and a measuring unit that measures electrical characteristics of each of the sound generating elements based on the electrical energy reflected from each of the sound generating elements. The position detector also includes a determining unit that determines the presence or absence of the liquid at a position of each of the sound generating elements based on difference in the electrical characteristics measured at the measuring unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method which enable detecting a microscopic defect sensitively by efficiently collecting and detecting scattering light from a defect in a wider region without enlarging the apparatus. In the apparatus for inspecting a defect on a surface of a sample, including illumination means which irradiates a surface of a sample with laser, reflected light detection means which detects reflected light from the sample, and signal processing means which processes a detected signal and detecting a defect on the sample, the reflected light detection means is configured to include a scattering light detection unit which collects scattering light components of the reflected light from the sample by excluding specularly reflected light components by using an aspheric flannel lens and detecting the scattering light components.

Abstract: Provided is an optical receiver which accurately demodulates an optical signal obtained by the differential phase shift modulation method. The optical receiver includes: an interferometer which branches the inputted optical signal into two parts and gives a one-bit phase difference to the resultant two optical signals so that the two optical signals after addition of the phase difference are made to interfere each other to output two output lights; reflection means which reflects one of the output lights from the interferometer so as to return to the interferometer; detection means which detects the return light which has been reflected by the reflection means and propagates through the interferometer in the different direction from the inputted optical signal, for output; and phase difference control means which adjusts the phase difference given by the interferometer according to the intensity of the return light detected by the detection means.

Abstract: Prior art coherent optical wave mixing has permitted two-dimensional maps from which coupled quantum transitions have been identified in molecular samples. However, extended signal accumulation times and computer processing are required for a detailed molecular analysis, which can lead to sample toxicity and difficulties in interpretation. These and other requirements are reduced by an apparatus arranged for the projection of an image that directly encodes quantum couplings from a sample. Such an apparatus includes a source component (36), a diffractive optical component (25) for generating at least three light fields (1, 2, 3) from one light field (23), one or more optical telescopes (26) and (27) wherein the transverse separation between optical paths is modified from that possible to define with a single telescope between common object and image points, a sample (11) containing said image point, and a means for resolving and detecting the angular variation of light emission from a sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using common-path interferometric imaging for defect detection and classification are described. An illumination source generates and directs coherent light toward the sample. An optical imaging system collects light reflected or transmitted from the sample including a scattered component and a specular component that is predominantly undiffracted by the sample. A variable phase controlling system is used to adjust the relative phase of the scattered component and the specular component so as to change the way they interfere at the image plane. The resultant signal is compared to a reference signal for the same location on the sample and a difference above threshold is considered to be a defect. The process is repeated multiple times each with a different relative phase shift and each defect location and the difference signals are stored in memory. This data is then used to calculate an amplitude and phase for each defect, which can be used for defect detection and classification.

Abstract: A long-distance fiber optic monitoring system having a sensing unit and an analyzer that is remotely located from the sensing unit is provided. The sensing unit comprises a source of optical energy for injecting optical energy into the fiber optical cable and an optical detector configured to detect an optical return signal from the optical fiber. The detected optical return signal is associated with an acoustic signal impinging on the optical fiber. The analyzer receives a signal from the remote sensing unit via the optical fiber that is representative of the optical return signal, and determines a location of a disturbance based at least on the received signal. The representative signal can be transmitted from the remote sensing unit to the analyzer as an optical signal or via a metallic wired included with the optical fiber.

Abstract: A compact OCT-like scanning device reduces radiation back-propagating to the radiation source by means of a polarized optical element that is reflective for linearly polarized light or radiation at one orientation and which is transmissive for radiation orthogonal to the reflected linearly polarized light or radiation. The device is also compatible with viewing the surface of the target being scanned either directly by visual means or by means of a camera.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an encoder in a lithographic apparatus, the encoder including a sensor and a grating, the encoder configured to measure a position of a moveable support of the lithographic apparatus, the method including measuring a position of the moveable support using an interferometer; and calibrating the encoder based on the position of the moveable support measured by the interferometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting objects in which a light pattern is beamed by a plurality of transmitting modules into an observation zone, the transmitting modules being spaced to each other, in which light radiated back from the observation zone is detected by at least one spatially resolving detector unit, in which a surface contour of an object located in the observation zone is determined on the basis of the detected light according to the light section principle, in which a maximum spatial resolution is caused by the intervals at which the transmitting modules are spaced from each other.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a height of objects on a moving surface comprising providing a linear image sensor positioned transverse to a direction of travel of the moving surface, and at least one light source positioned collinear to the linear image sensor and proximate to an edge of the moving surface so that the light source projects a unique patterned light sequence across a width of the moving surface, detecting a transverse shift in a portion of the unique patterned light sequence with respect to the direction of travel of the moving surface as an object passes through the unique patterned light sequence, determining an amount of shift of the portion of the unique patterned light sequence, and determining a height of the object based on the portion of the unique patterned light sequence shift.

Abstract: A photosensitive chip, including: at least one set of photosensors substantially aligned in a Y direction; and a layer of non-transmissive material including a plurality of openings. Each opening in the plurality of openings includes a respective center line and overlaps only a portion of a respective photosensor so that only the portion of the respective photosensor is photosensitive. The respective center lines for openings for each set of photosensors are not collinear in the Y direction. In an example embodiment, the plurality of openings includes at least one row of openings substantially aligned in an X direction, orthogonal to the Y direction. In an example embodiment, each opening has an equal width in an X direction, orthogonal to the Y direction.

Abstract: A crash sensor is provided on a vehicle having first and second vehicle structures. The crash sensor includes a light transmitter for emitting a light signal within an opening between the first vehicle structure and the second vehicle structure, and a photo receiver for sensing irradiance in the opening between the first vehicle structure and the second vehicle structure. A change in irradiance or illuminance is indicative of a change in displacement of the first structure relative to the second structure indicative of deformity of the vehicle. The sensor further includes processing circuitry for processing the sensed irradiance and detecting a vehicle crash based on the change in sensed irradiance.

Abstract: A portable imaging-based measurement device is developed to perform 2D projection based measurements on an object that is difficult or dangerous to access. This device is equipped with self calibration capability and built-in operating procedures to ensure proper imaging based measurement.

Abstract: A method of rasterizing a print image plane for a multiple beam printer engine, which comprises the steps of receiving an image having a plurality of lines of print data for processing by the printer engine, and performing a print image plane rasterization. The print image plane rasterization includes (a) calculating a first line destination for a first line of print data; (b) moving the first line of print data to the first line destination; and (c) calculating a displaced line destination for a displaced line of print data, and continually moving the displaced line of print data to the displaced line destination until the displaced line of print data is moved to the first line and forms a loop. The process is repeated until each line of the plurality of lines has been moved to a line destination associated with each line of the image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a droplet jetting apparatus which jets fluid in a droplet shape. The apparatus includes a main body (100), which has a chamber (110) for containing fluid. The main body further has at least one nozzle (120) which communicates with the chamber and jets a droplet onto a printable matter, and a first electrode (130) which is formed on the inner surface of at least one selected from between the nozzle and the chamber by patterning treatment to make electrical contact with the fluid. The apparatus further includes a second electrode (140), which is provided between the nozzle and the printable matter and has a through hole, through which the droplet is jetted from the nozzle onto the printable matter, a power supply (200) which supplies a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a control unit (300) which controls the power supply.

Abstract: A method for capturing an image in a multi-color printing system, the method includes the steps of providing a test pattern on a print media having a plurality of test patterns aligned in a first direction in a repeating pattern; providing an image capture device having a shutter that controls a time interval during which a single image is captured; and flashing a strobe light multiple times within the time interval in which a single image is captured; wherein each strobe light flash is synchronized with motion of the test pattern past the image capture device so that each test pattern is illuminated by a single strobe-light flash at substantially the same location within the captured image.

Abstract: Methods and systems herein provide for the color conversion of image data with various levels of gray values, such as text. Such color conversion includes generating a CMYK conversion model by defining a gray region in the perceptual color space of the image data to convert the gray values of the gray region to a range of K values during CMYK color conversion of the image data and segmenting chroma values in a color lookup table that maps perceptual color values to CMYK color values. Lightness values in the color lookup table are adjusted using a perceptual model (e.g., a Heimholtz-Kohlrausch Effect model) based on the segmented chroma values to substantially maintain a lightness relationship between the gray values of the image data and the remaining color values of the image data. The image data is the converted to a CMYK color space using the generated CMYK conversion model.

Abstract: Methods disclosed permit the printing of online content in a manner that optimally uses printer capability. A method for printing web page content can comprise: receiving a print request for a first print data associated with the web page at a printer, wherein the print request includes the web-page URL; generating a request for a second print data, wherein the request for the second print data is based on the web-page URL, and the second print data is associated with the first print data; and printing according to the second print data received in response to the request. For example, for online maps, the first print data can be low resolution map data while the second print data can be higher resolution map data. For online images, the first print data can be RGB image data while the second print data can be CMYK image data.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a plurality of intermediate data generating sections that analyzes distributed data of document data described in a page description language, and generates intermediate data; and a plurality of drawing data generating sections that acquires the intermediate data from the plurality of intermediate data generating sections and generates drawing data including information of pixels of a print image based on the acquired intermediate data. The plurality of intermediate data generating sections generates the intermediate data by pages of the document data. The plurality of drawing data generating sections corresponds to a plurality of different basic colors and generates the drawing data for the corresponding basic colors.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, system and medium are described that support functionality to receive document(s) to be printed at a printing device, and enable editing the document(s) prior to printing. Modifications to the document(s) may be generated based on the user edits, and a print preview of the modified documents may be displayed and may enable further edits. In some embodiments, the print preview may be provided to the user on a display that is part of the printing device. In some embodiments, the print preview may be provided to the user through a UI presented on a client device. Display of the modified document(s) may be a rasterized image of the modified document(s), generated based on capabilities of a selected printing device. In some embodiments, modifications may be made to an intermediate version of the document(s), and that intermediate version may be cached.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms an image based on a processing batch, a measurement unit, which interrupts the processing batch to form a density pattern by controlling the image forming unit, and which obtains density adjustment data by measuring the density pattern, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the density of the image based on the density adjustment data. When the measurement unit performs a density measurement before formation of a first color page of a processing batch, which includes monochrome and color pages, the adjustment unit adjusts the density of each color page using new density adjustment data obtained through the density measurement performed before the formation of the first color page, and the adjustment unit adjusts the density of each monochrome page using old density adjustment data obtained before the density measurement performed before the formation of the first color page.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a document, a first detection unit configured to detect a first deviation amount of the conveyed document by a leading edge of the document, a first correction unit configured to correct deviation of the conveyed document if the first deviation amount is larger than a predetermined value, an input unit configured to read the document the corrected deviation and to input image data, a second detection unit configured to detect a second deviation amount of the conveyed document by a trailing edge of the document, and a second correction unit configured to correct deviation of the document included in the input image data if the second deviation amount is larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: an input unit configured to input images of a plurality of pages; and a printing unit configured to execute, if the images of the plurality of pages include a color page image, printing on a plurality of sheets based on the images of the plurality of pages by solely sheets for color printing even in a case where the images of the plurality of pages include a monochrome page image.

Abstract: When an image forming apparatus sequentially reads the document images of a plurality of pages, forms images on sheets and outputs the sheets (aggregation mode and similar), the image forming apparatus compares, for partial data of the data for a plurality of pages generated by a reading device, coded partial data after first image processing with coded partial data after second image processing. If the coded partial data after first image processing is smaller, the coded data for the plurality of pages after first image processing is caused to be stored in a compressed data storage portion. Then, a first coding/decoding portion is caused to read the stored data, a second image processing portion and similar are caused to perform processing of the data, and a printer is caused to form images on sheets and output the sheets.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is adapted to form a printed image by forming ink dots based on an ink amount specified for each of a plurality of pixels forming image data. The determination unit is configured to analyze the image data and to determine at least one color patch to be printed based on a result of the analysis. The patch printing unit is configured to print the color patch. The color measurement unit is configured to perform color measurement on the color patch to obtain a color value indicated in the color patch. The correction data creation unit is configured to create correction data using the color value obtained by the color measurement unit. The printing unit is configured to form the ink dots based on the ink amount that has been corrected based on the correction data.

Abstract: An association table is generated which associates print information with color values. Print information of a print is encoded into target color values based on the generated association table. Image data of management patches having the target color values are added to image data for printing the print. The print, which is printed by a printing machine, is colorimetrically measured to acquire color values of the management patches. The acquired color values of the management patches are decoded into print information based on the association table. The association table is generated depending on a gamut of the printing machine.

Abstract: A group of spectral data of print mediums and a group of laminating film spectral data are stored, which correspond to a plurality of colors on a color chart. The type of print medium and the type of laminating film are entered. From the group of spectral data of print mediums and the group of laminating film spectral data, spectral data corresponding to the entered type of print medium are entered as first spectral data, and spectral data corresponding to the entered type of laminating film are entered as second spectral data. Colorimetric value data of the colors are calculated using the first spectral data and the second spectral data.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus executes quantization processing of second multi-valued image data that corresponds to a second relative movement of a plurality of relative movements based on first multi-valued image data that corresponds to a first relative movement of the plurality of relative movements, and executes quantization processing of the first multi-valued image data based on the second multi-valued image data. This makes it possible to output a high-quality image having excellent robustness and reduced graininess by controlling the overlap rate of dots that are printed by the first relative movement and the dots that are printed by the second relative movement.

Abstract: A clamper clamps an edge of a lenticular sheet and moves in a sub-scanning direction to transport the lenticular sheet. While the lenticular sheet is transported so as to form an image receptor layer on a rear side of the lenticular sheet, a sensor unit is moved in a main-scanning direction, such that the sensor unit is moved relative to the lenticular sheet in a direction which has a predetermined measurement scanning angle from the main-scanning direction. The sensor unit receives an inspection light projected toward and passed through the lenticular sheet, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a received amount of the inspection light. Based on a variation of the inspection light, an oblique transportation angle of the lenticular sheet is calculated and the clamper is rotated in a direction to cancel the oblique transportation angle of the lenticular sheet.

Abstract: A printer control apparatus controls plural kinds of printers by use of a universal printer driver which is capable of communicating with the plural kinds of printers via a network and which is capable of supporting the plural kinds of printers. According to the printer control apparatus, a control section causes display means to display a printer list of the plural kinds of printers and a window for accepting an input for selecting available printers from the plural kinds of printers included in the printer list. Thus, a user is allowed to use only printers selected as the available printers. This makes it possible to easily restrict use of an unintended printer while benefiting from a universal printer driver's advantage.

Abstract: A system is provided in which printer driver update work is not required, and in addition, print queue creation work can be hidden. When a virtual printer driver is installed, a generic printer driver is installed in the system without creating a print queue. Then, for execution of printing, the installed generic printer driver is used to create the print queue, and a print job is input to the print queue.

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that can perform authentication even in a case where a card reader for use in authentication fails when providing services for a user by performing authentication. When a failure of the card reader that inputs identification information is not detected, authentication is performed in a first authentication process using the identification information input by the card reader. When a failure of the card reader is detected, authentication is performed in a second authentication process using information of an image read by a scanner of the image processing apparatus. When authentication performed in the first authentication process or the second authentication process is successful, usage of the image processing apparatus is permitted.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which is capable of reducing time and labor to configure detailed settings of an output-side device at a read-side device. A controller unit selects an output-side device, requests the selected output-side device to transmit information on output settings, receives the requested information on the output settings and limiting conditions on the reading settings for executing the output settings, executes reading of image data based on the reading settings with the received limiting conditions, and transmits the read image data and the information on the output settings to the output-side device.

Abstract: To provide a technology enabling a terminal device to use various functions provided in a data processing device without the use of a device driver. A multifunction device executes a process for implementing a function indicated by instruction data when such instruction data is stored in a shared area of the RAM. Here, the shared area of the RAM in which the instruction data is stored can be recognized by a personal computer connected to the multifunction device as a storage area that can be accessed through the file system, which is a function provided as a standard feature of the operating system. Accordingly, operations of the multifunction device can be controlled from the personal computer end simply by storing instruction data in the shared area via the operating system, eliminating the need for a special device driver to control the operations of the multifunction device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for submitting an electronic document to a printing system that includes a print controller having an input port and a print queue. Methods in accordance with this invention include coupling a portable media device to the input port, the portable media device including an electronic document and automatically copying the electronic document to the print queue. Apparatus in accordance with this invention include a portable media device that includes an electronic document. The portable media device is adapted to be coupled to the input port of the print controller, and the print controller is adapted to automatically copy the electronic document to the print queue.

Abstract: A multi-function printer having a compact size and portable configuration while providing printing, scanning and copying functionalities is disclosed herein. The multi-function printer includes a printer assembly and a scanner assembly configured to cooperatively utilize the same pick and paper movement systems along a common feed or paper path to perform these printing, scanning and copying functions. Thus, the disclosed multi-function printer may require a less complex paper movement and control system which, in turn, reduces the printer's overall weight while increasing its flexibility and/or portability.

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 includes data analyzing units configured to respectively interpret image data in accordance with different corresponding data formats, a drawing processing unit configured to execute a drawing process on the basis of a result of the interpretation, a data format determining unit configured to determine the data format of input image data, to cause a particular data analyzing unit corresponding to the data format to interpret the input image data, and to cause another data analyzing unit to interpret the input image data responsive to a format error being generated while the input image data is being processed using the particular data analyzing unit or the drawing processing unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a sub communication unit that receives an association process request using wireless communication and executes an association process and includes a main communication unit that performs wireless communication in accordance with association information that is used in the association process and in accordance with setup information that is setting information on wireless communication that can be set for each system of the association process request.

Abstract: To delete unnecessary blank page(s) without changing a desired output layout requested by a user, a CPU of a controller unit sets fixed page image data, as image data of a plurality of consecutive pages whose relationship is to be fixed, among image data of a plurality of pages of a document read by a scanner unit. Further, the CPU detects image data corresponding to blank page(s) from the image data of the plurality of pages, and counts the number of pages of image data corresponding to the blank pages existing between the fixed page image data. Then, to determine an output layout of image data, the CPU deletes image data corresponding to all blank pages existing between the fixed page image data if the number of pages is an even number, and the CPU deletes image data corresponding to an even number of blank pages that are present between the fixed page image data if the number of pages is an odd number.

Abstract: A print control apparatus includes: a setting unit that sets a determination condition for adding authentication information necessary for performing print processing based on received print data; a determination unit that determines whether or not the received print data matches the determination condition set by the setting unit; and an adding unit that, if it is determined by the determination unit that the print data matches the determination condition, adds the authentication information to the print data.

Abstract: A replaceable printer component includes a first memory device and a communication link. The first memory device stores a first secret. The communication link is configured to communicatively link the first memory device to a printer controller when the replaceable printer component is installed in a printing system. The printing system includes a second memory device storing a second secret. The second memory device is communicatively linked to the printer controller. The first memory device is configured to authenticate communications between the first memory device and the printer controller based on the first secret and the second secret.

Abstract: A imaging device is provided having a transceiver adapted to send and receive wireless communication signals and a contact surface. A contact circuit is adapted to detect contact of imaging device with said contact surface. A controller is adapted to enable communication only between the imaging device and detected imaging device.

Abstract: A method and system for managing distribution lists rely on the collection of job log data from shared devices, such as networked printers. For each printer, a usage community comprising users of the shared device, can be determined, based at least in part on the job log data. At least one distribution list of users is generated, based on the usage community. The distribution list can be linked with a mailer program, whereby users in the usage community are grouped together under a common contact address. Updating the distribution list at intervals to reflect changes in the usage community allows a static email address to be used for a varying group of users.

Abstract: A print shop management method for handling re-assignment of print jobs after a printer error occurs. After a print job is assigned to a printing device, the print shop management system monitors the status of the printers. When a printer error occurs, re-assignment decisions is made based on the severity of the error, so that less severe errors can be resolved by the operator without job re-assignment, while more severe errors cause the print job to be automatically re-assigned to another printer. For some errors, the print shop management system may notify the operator of the error, and wait for a timeout period; if the operator does not respond within the timeout period, the print job will be re-assigned to another printer. The handling of a printer error may be affected by other factors such as time of day, physical proximity of an operator, etc.

Abstract: A printing device is provided with an imager to capture an output image of the paper after it is printed on. The output image is compared to an input image representing the image being printed to detect any artifacts in the output image and to determine the type of the artifacts. The types of the artifacts include effects caused by dirty drum, low or missing toner, dirty or wrinkled paper, etc. The printing device performs a responsive action based on the type of artifacts detected, including displaying a diagnostic message, stopping the printing, rejecting the sheet, re-printing, printing subsequent pages with a corrective action, etc. Further, another imager is provided to capture an image of the paper before it is printed on, and the image is analyzed to detect artifacts of the input paper, including dirty or wrinkled paper, wrong paper size, paper skew or misalignment, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting image production device-related information to a remote service facility is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request to transmit image production device-related information to a remote service facility, image production device-related information being at least one of registration information, diagnostic information, account information, copy count information, alert information, fault information, configuration information, and update information, receiving the image production device-related information, encoding the image production device-related information into one or more machine-readable markings, generating a paper user interface that includes the one or more machine-readable markings, receiving a transmission mode selection, and transmitting the paper user interface to the remote service facility using the selected transmission mode.