Abstract: In a monitoring method of an exposure apparatus, a top critical dimension (TCD) and a bottom critical dimension (BCD) of the test pattern formed on a photo-sensitive material layer are measured. A dose deviation (?E) and a focus deviation (?F) are calculated by following equations: TCD+BCD=??E+(TCD0+BCD0) TCD?BCD=?1?F+?2?F3 Here, ?, ?1 and ?2 are constants, ?E=E?E0, ?F=F?F0, E represents a real exposure dose, F represents a real exposure focus, E0 represents a dose defined when a middle critical dimension of the test pattern is equal to a predetermined value, F0 represents a focus defined when TCD of the test pattern is equal to BCD thereof, and TCD0 and BCD0 are theoretical values in case of E0 and F0.

Abstract: A depth sensor includes a light source, a detector, and a signal processor. The light source transmits a source signal to the target according to a transmit control signal having reference time points. The detector receives a reflected signal from the source signal being reflected from the target. The signal processor generates a plurality of sensed values by measuring respective portions of the reflected signal during respective time periods with different time delays from the reference time points. The signal processor determines a respective delay time for a maximum/minimum of the sensed values for determining the distance of the target.

Abstract: An optical cable identification apparatus for identifying an optical cable by disturbing an optical fiber, existing inside an optical cable desired to be identified, from outside the optical cable. An optical unit transmits two optical signals to a single strand of optical fiber inside the optical cable, and detects a phase difference, a time difference, and light intensity between two optical signals which are reflected due to the disturbance from the outside. A single-fiber ending unit generates the time difference. A signal processing unit removes noise from the two reflected optical signals and demodulates the optical signals. A sound output unit outputs the optical signals from the signal processing unit as sounds.

Abstract: A pattern defect inspection apparatus capable of detecting minute defects on a sample with high sensitivity without generating speckle noise in signals is realized. Substantially the same region on a surface of a wafer is detected by using two detectors at mutually different timings. Output signals from the two detectors are summed and averaged to eliminate noise. Since a large number of rays of illumination light are not simultaneously irradiated to the same region on the wafer, a pattern defect inspection apparatus capable of suppressing noise resulting from interference of a large number of rays, eliminating noise owing to other causes and detecting with high sensitivity minute defects on the sample without the occurrence of speckle noise in the signal can be accomplished.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical cuvette for use in a flow-type particle analyzer, wherein the cuvette includes a removable flow tube containing a flow channel oriented coaxially.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrometer for material analysis and to a control method for a spectrometer. The spectrometer includes a radiant source (140) formed by multiple single radiation sources (141) having different central wavelengths, for generating a measuring signal, a measurement object (100) containing a material to be analyzed, at least one electrically tunable Fabry-Perot filter (120, 220) for the band pass filtering the measuring signal by at least two pass bands, and a detector (300, 400) for detecting said filtered measuring signals received from the measurement object (100). The spectrometer has: means (312) for modulating each of the single radiation sources (141) and correspondingly means (307, 309) for demodulating the detected signals such that the signal from each single radiation source can be distinguished from each other in the detector (300, 400); and means for detecting (300, 400) and demodulating (306, 307) multiple pass hands simultaneously.

Abstract: Hyperspectral imaging systems that may be used for imaging objects in three-dimensions with no moving parts are disclosed. A lenslet array and/or a pinhole array may be used to reimage and divide the field of view into multiple channels. The multiple channels are dispersed into multiple spectral signatures and observed on a two-dimensional focal plane array in real time. The entire hyperspectral datacube is collected simultaneously.

Abstract: A biometric image pickup apparatus includes: a light source section selectively switching between light of a first wavelength region with a high transmittance through a living organism and light of a second wavelength region with a lower transmittance through the living organism than light of the first wavelength region to apply the light of the first wavelength region and the light of the second wavelength region to the living organism; an image pickup lens section condensing light from the living organism; an image pickup device obtaining first image pickup data of the living organism on the basis of the light of the first wavelength region in light condensed by the image pickup lens, and obtaining second image pickup data on the basis of the light of the second wavelength region in the light condensed by the image pickup lens.

Abstract: A sample sensor (200) for detecting a concentration of a sample in a sample mixture, the sample sensor (200) comprising a light source (101), a detector element, a processing section (106) and parameter measuring means. The light source (101) produces a light beam (113) for exciting molecules of the sample. The detector element detects an 5 amount of excited molecules of the sample and provides a detector current indicating the amount. The processing section (106) is coupled to the detector element (103) for processing the detector current to generate an output signal (109) representing the concentration. The processing section (106) comprises a temperature compensation module (112) being arranged for compensating for a temperature dependent wavelength shift of the light source (101) 10 based on at least one measured value of a temperature dependent parameter of the light source (101), other than an output wavelength. The parameter measuring means obtain the at least one measured value.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes at least a portion of an optical waveguide having a hollow core generally surrounded by a cladding. The cladding substantially confines a first optical signal and a second optical signal within the hollow core as the first optical signal and the second optical signal counterpropagate through the optical waveguide. Interference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal is responsive to perturbation of the at least a portion of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical tomographic diagnostic apparatus is characterized by executing a first step (S1) to acquire a wavelength spectrum, a second step (S2) to increase the number of elements of the wavelength spectrum, a third step (S3 and S4) to convert the wavelength spectrum into a wavenumber spectrum and to decrease the number of elements to provide a wavenumber spectrum of equal intervals, and a fourth step (S5) to acquire tomographic information of the object to be inspected from the wavenumber spectrum. As a result, a wavenumber spectrum of equal intervals can be obtained which is faithful to a physical phenomenon, and more accurate tomographic information can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a position detection system for the contactless interferometric detection of the location of a target object. A target object unit comprises a reference light transmitter, which is configured such that it transmits a reference light beam having curved light wave fronts. The target object unit comprises at least one detector array having a plurality of detector pixels, which is fixed to the target object unit such that the reference light beam of the reference light transmitter impinges on the same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for imaging a diffraction grating with a very high depth of focus, using a highly accurate code plate position measurement system. Positions may be measured to an accuracy of 1 nm or even smaller. The system may be used in fields such as manufacturing integrated circuits, and low- and very-low-frequency geophones, and other low- and very-low-frequency acoustic detectors.

Abstract: In a scatterometric method, a roughness value can be obtained by using a model including a surface layer having a variable parameter relating to its refractive index.

Abstract: A sensor system and method for analyzing a feature in a sensing volume. The system imaging the feature with a first sensor and a second sensor that cooperate to form a contiguous sensing volume.

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: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the layer thickness and the refractive index of a sample. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for determining the layer thickness of a sample (layer) having high light scattering characteristics that allows a fast (real-time process) and cost-effective measurement having a high accuracy.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a sheet carrying body carrying a sheet thereon in a predetermined direction, a pattern selecting unit selecting one of a plurality of patterns that includes a first pattern and a second pattern, the first pattern including a plurality of marks aligned at intervals of a predetermined distance within a first range, the second pattern including a plurality of marks aligned at intervals of a predetermined distance within a second range shorter than the first range, a forming unit configured to form the selected pattern on the sheet carrying body and form an image on the sheet being carried on the sheet carrying body, a deviation determining unit determining a positional deviation of the image based upon the pattern formed, and a correcting unit performing positional deviation correction for the image to be formed on the sheet based upon the positional deviation determined.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically placing a rotated row in a multi-up imposition. Calculations can be performed, which are required to execute an automated multi-up imposition. The dimensions of the input document can be then evaluated against the available area in the imposed layout to determine whether there is sufficient space to add a rotated row to the layout (e.g., the “Dutch Row” in Dutch imposition). If it is determined that there is sufficient space for a rotated row, a rotated page row can then be added to the imposed layout.

Abstract: An image reading and recording apparatus which can prevent a reading unit from unexpectedly being opened even when an operation of a reducing unit such as a damper for reducing an opening/closing force of the reading unit is added to an interlocking motion caused by a force adapted to open a pressure plate portion is provided. The apparatus has: a recording unit which records images onto a recording medium; and a reading unit which is openably and closably arranged for the recording unit and has an original plate on which an original document is put and a pressure plate portion which presses the original onto the original plate. A restricting unit which can restrict the reading unit to the closed state is provided. In the closed state of the pressure plate portion, the restricting unit is made inoperative. In the open state of the pressure plate portion, the restricting unit is made operative.

Abstract: A printer controller includes an XPS driver operable to cause a printer to perform printing operation in conformation with XPS standard. The XPS driver includes; a receiver, operable to receive a print document; an analyzer, operable to analyze the print document; a determiner, operable to determine, based on a result of analysis, whether or not the print document includes a print instruction for performing printing outside a printable area on a print sheet; a generator, when a result of determination indicates that the print document includes the print instruction for performing printing outside the printable area, operable to generate a scaled-down print image into which a print image generated in accordance with the print document is scaled down at such a scaling factor at which an entire area of the print sheet fits into the printable area; and an outputter, operable to output data of the scaled-down print image to the printer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image processing section which creates print data to be outputted out of complex original document data including both character data and diagram data in a single page of data; and an image forming section which outputs the created print data onto a sheet, wherein the image processing section determines divided character data and divided diagram data in the complex original document data, to be outputted; creates character print data by enlarging the divided character data and attaching position information in the complex original document data; creates diagram print data by enlarging the divided diagram data and attaching position information in the complex original document data; and creates position information attached print data in which the position information of the divided character data and the divided diagram data are attached to the complex original document data.

Abstract: It is determined whether the rasterization result of a rendering object is cashed. If it is determined that the rasterization result of the rendering object is not cashed, an image and a mask for the image are generated from the rendering object. The generated image and the generated mask are stored in a cache. If it is determined that the rasterization result of the rendering object is cached, an image and a mask are extracted from the cache. The extracted image is rendered on a portion of the extracted mask so that a background image remains on a portion other than the portion of the extracted mask.

Abstract: A document processing apparatus which is capable of causing predetermined processes to be performed using sheets of one fixed format, in both of the case of scanning a fixed format sheet which has a description entered therein and the case of scanning a sheet which has a description entered therein but is other than the fixed format sheet. When a fixed format sheet having an entry made thereto is scanned in, a multifunction machine executes a first document processing process. When a fixed format sheet has been previously scanned in, if a sheet other than the fixed format sheet is scanned in, the multifunction machine executes s second document processing process. When no fixed format sheet has not been previously scanned in, if a sheet other than the fixed format sheet is scanned in, the multifunction machine executes a usual process.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that picks only necessary pages up from a plurality of originals and copies after aligning in an order of pages so as to reduce a work burden on a user is provided. The image forming apparatus having a copy function includes an identification information extracting portion for extracting identification information (page number and heading information) which identifies originals from image data of read originals, a selecting portion for displaying the extracted identification information and accepting the identification information selected by the user as a target for image formation, and an output portion for printing image data excluding the identification information from the image data of the target for image formation accepted by the selecting portion. Here, the identification information is preferably formed with code information.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a scanner swingable between a closed position to close an upper side of a catch tray of a printer and an opened position to open the upper side of the catch tray, a positioning mechanism having a protruding section formed at one of the printer and the scanner and a recessed section formed at the other such that the protruding section is fitted thereinto in the closed position, and a lock mechanism configured with an engagement hole formed at one of the protruding section and the recessed section and an engagement portion formed at the other so as to hold the closed position by engagement therebetween. When the scanner is swung to the closed position, a contact portion of the protruding section contacts a contact portion of the recessed section before the engagement portion contacts the engagement hole or a region around the engagement hole.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an energy converting unit receives light from an optical source and converts the light into electric power, and an electrical storage unit stores therein the electric power. The energy converting unit is arranged in such a manner that a relative position of the energy converting unit to the optical source is always constant when a reading unit is reading an image.

Abstract: A control unit to set a priority level to operate the audio replay function so that the priority level is higher in an abnormal operation of the apparatus than in a normal operation of the apparatus is provided in the image forming apparatus 10 which comprises a plurality of functions including an image forming function and an audio replay function. For example, the priority level of the audio replay function to a lowest level in the normal operation, and sets to a highest level next to a priority level of the image forming function in the abnormal operation.

Abstract: Devices and methods wherein if a predefined recognition dot pattern designed to prohibit an image data outputting is detected from image data acquired by an image data acquiring unit, outputting of the image data is prohibited, and if a predefined recognition mark to cancel image data outputting prohibition is detected, the outputting of the image data is permitted.

Abstract: A device managing apparatus which can collectively manage a plurality of devices connected to a network and reduce resources such as time and costs required for developing a network device managing program. It is determined whether or not each of the devices connected to the device managing apparatus via the network has a unique device management page of the device for management of the device. If any of the devices does not have a unique device management page thereof, a device management page for the device is created. If any of the devices has a unique device management page thereof, it is then determined whether or not it is possible to communicate with the device. If it is possible to communicate with the device, information indicative of the unique device management page of the device is acquired.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and software for notification of multi-function peripheral (MFP) receive jobs are disclosed. A system provides a MFP configured to store at least one remote communication identifier, to process a MFP job associated with the at least one remote communication identifier, and to transmit, in response to an event associated with the MFP job, notification directed to the remote communication identifier. The MFP may receive the remote communication identifiers from embedded MFP jobs or may receive them from previously stored user profiles that specify notification preferences for different job types. The remote identification identifier may be, for example, an email address or a telephone number.

Abstract: There is provided a computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a function for an image processing. The function comprises: executing a job; creating a log image from an image handled in the job; setting a creation guarantee level of the log image; and controlling the execution of the job to be completed after the log image is created, if the creation guarantee level is set to a high level.

Abstract: Reprographic or imaging systems and methods issue a command to place multiple finishing devices into an alternating delivery mode such that consecutive sets are sent to different finishing devices, rather than to the same finishing device.

Abstract: A printing device capable of laying out print image data according to layout definition data that defines print layout and print an image based on the print image data, is configured to include a layout acquisition unit which obtains second layout definition data if first layout definition data is included in a print job provided to the printing device, a layout replacement unit which replaces the first layout definition data included in the print job with the second layout definition data obtained by the layout acquisition unit, an image generation unit which lays out and generates print image data according to the second layout definition data replaced by the layout replacement unit, and a print execution unit which executes printing based on the print image data generated by the image generation unit.

Abstract: In a network facilitating print functions, a means for rendering a print job intended for a remote printer on a client computer using stored administrative settings is provided. Transparently to the client's applications, the client computer keeps the stored remote printer's administrative settings synchronized with those stored on the print server. Using the stored administrative settings, the client renders the print job to a native printer language directly cognizable by the printer before sending this rendered file to the print server for forwarding to the printer. By queuing these remote print jobs, the online status of the respective print server is also transparent to the client's applications, facilitating off-line printing.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for selecting a printer in a document reproduction environment comprising a plurality of networked printing devices. In one embodiment, a document is received which is to be printed and a set of image quality requirements specific for the document are determined based on the document's image content. A threshold quality expectation level is set for the document based on the set of image quality requirements. Device specific image quality metrics are obtained for each of the networked printing devices and then compared with the threshold quality expectation level. A printing device which best exceeds the threshold quality expectation level is selected as a result of the comparison. The document is sent to the selected networked printing device. If none of the networked printing devices is found to meet the threshold then an operator is signaled that the document cannot be printed.

Abstract: In a print processing system, a storage server temporarily stores print data generated on a user client PC; a multifunction apparatus then obtains the print data from the storage server and prints the data, according to user's operation on the multifunction apparatus; and a management server manages a storage status of the print data on the storage server. The user client PC transmits to the storage server, bibliographic information associated with the print data concurrently when transmitting the data. The storage server stores thereon the print data obtained from the user client PC and transfers to the management server, the bibliographic information obtained from the user client PC. The management server manages the storage status of the print data on the storage server, based on the bibliographic information obtained from the storage server.

Abstract: A method automatically determines a workflow for a print job via analysis of PDF documents is disclosed. A job synopsis comprising hashed information of a historical print job's document content along with a PDF document-level and object-level metadata and information about workflow nodes and parameters can be stored in a database. The job synopsis of a new incoming print job can then be compared to the historical print job synopses database. If the new print job matches the historical print job within a certain predefined similarity limit, then workflow and parameter information associated with the historical job can be utilized to augment an initial workflow for the incoming print job.

Abstract: In a system and method for processing a form comprising a plurality of entry markings, an area-array image sensor may capture an image of the form in free-space without requiring relative movement of the sensor and the form. A processor may interpret the captured image to determine at least a first entry selection based, at least in part, on the position of at least one of the plurality of entry markings with respect to at least one other marking in the image.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a CPU that determines whether or not to use operation information included in paper information received from another printing apparatus. If it is determined to use the operation information, the received paper information is registered as the paper information of Type 2. In addition, the CPU included in the printing apparatus selects one of a plurality of pieces of paper information and controls a printer unit such that the printer unit performs a printing process in an operating state based on the operation information included in the selected piece of paper information.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a detecting portion that detects a connection with an external storage device that stores print data and print completed page information of the print data; a reading portion that reads the print data and the print completed page information from the external storage device; and a printing portion that prints the print data from a next page of a print completed page with reference to the print completed page information.

Abstract: This invention relates to a host apparatus and an image editing method, which can reflect a user's desired layout design. The host apparatus, which is connected to a printing apparatus capable of placing and printing a plurality of images on a printing medium and transfers image data, lays out the plurality of images in the following way. The direction of a printing medium to be used for printing is specified. Then, the length of the printing medium to be used for printing is specified. Selectable placement orders of the plurality of images are determined, based on the specification, and are displayed on the screen. Finally, a desired placement order is selected from the displayed selectable placement orders.

Abstract: What is provided are a system and method for print/copy job environments utilizing a page description language (PDL). In one embodiment, an input PDL stream describing embedded objects in a job is received and parsed. Reusable document components (RDCs) are identified. A determination is made as to how many placements are in the PDL for each identified RDC. If no RDCs are placed more than once, caching is disabled. If it is not efficient to split the PDL stream into smaller tasks, page parallel rip (PPR) is disabled. The embedded objects are analyzed to determine a number of PPRs for the job based on system resources. A raster image processing (RIP) time is projected for each path in the job based on the determined number of placements and the determined number of PPRs. A job processing path is prescribed for the job based on the most efficient projected RIP time.

Abstract: A print data processing apparatus includes a reception processing unit receiving an instruction for execution of a multi-size printing function to output a piece of print data in a plurality of print sizes.

Abstract: When performing marginless printing for content data of a size which is the same as the sheet size, white streaks occur in the print result due to a convey error. Further, when object-data items included in the content data are simply magnified, a necessary object-data item may not be printed partly and/or entirely. Therefore, the present invention provides a printer magnifying the object-data items included in the content data appropriately on the printer side. The sheet size described in the content data is compared to the size of a sheet set in the printer and the content data is magnified so that an object-data item such as a text-data item considered as necessary for a user does not extend off the sheet size.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to prevent appearance of streaks in head scanning direction at the joint of print data of the image to be printed. Print data composed of a multiplicity of dot information is supplied to a printing head having a plurality of dot forming elements arrayed along a sub-scanning direction. The printing head and the printing medium relatively move in main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction each other, and an image is printed on the surface of the printing medium. In the print data supplied by every main scanning action of the printing head, a deformed data portion of concave and convex shapes of waveform are formed, for example, so that dots may not be arrayed in parallel continuously in the main scanning direction of the printing head, at the joint of the ends of the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of representations of color that are stored in an electronic color library and that can be selected by a user. After a color selection is made, a plurality of color ink formulas and/or colorant formulas capable of producing the selected color are provided. Further, other selections can be made to define a substrate or other criteria that can impact the color ink formulas. The user can make a selection among the plurality of color ink formulas and/or colorant formulas. The selected color ink formula(s) (or colorant formula(s)) can be transmitted over a communication network, such as the Internet or a local Intranet to another party, such as an ink manufacturer.

Abstract: A printer status interface controller displays an interface at a client system with a first color from among a plurality of colors associated with a first print cartridge position associated, from among a plurality of print cartridge positions of a printer. The printer status interface controller receives a user selection within the interface to specify an association of a second color from among the plurality of colors with the first print cartridge position. Responsive to the user selection to associate the second color with the first print cartridge position, a printer color association controller adjusts a reference to the first color in a print document to print in the second color through a second print cartridge in a second print cartridge position from among the plurality of print cartridge positions.

Abstract: Color production with high chroma in a low lightness portion is realized by using an appropriate complementary color ink to a particular color ink reproducing the low lightness portion. More specially the device secondary color G-K is reproduced with ink of the pure color component composed of the color mixture of the particular color G ink and the basic color Y ink to tone the particular color G ink. In addition, as complementary color components, the particular color R ink and K ink are used. Thereby, the reproduction line is substantially linear from the device secondary color G point to the device K point. In color reproduction at the dark portion of the color on the G-K line, sufficient chroma can be obtained.

Abstract: A control circuit of an image reader having at least one light source includes: a light source control portion that controls ON and OFF of the light source by performing current switching for adjusting a value of a current supplied to the light source; a black reference data creating portion that creates black reference data used for shading correction under control of the light source control portion; an image reading portion that reads image data under control of the light source control portion; and a shading correction portion that performs shading correction of the image data using the black reference data. The black reference data creating portion adds a noise, which is equivalent to a noise added to the image data by the current switching, to the black reference data, and the shading correction portion removes the noise added to the image data by performing the shading correction.