Abstract: Program recording systems and methods are operable to adjust recording times of a program of interest in response to an occurrence of an interrupting program that alters the scheduled recording times of the program of interest. An exemplary embodiment receives an unscheduled program flag (UPF) corresponding to an occurrence of an unscheduled program; adjusts at least one of a scheduled recording start time associated with the program of interest to an updated record start time and a scheduled recording end time associated with the program of interest to an updated record end time in response to receiving the UPF; and records the program of interest based upon at least one of the updated record start time and the updated record end time.

Abstract: An editing device includes a setting unit which sets a role for each device as an editor, in a group of devices as a plurality of editors in which a hierarchical structure is constituted by a director and one or more workers, and an executing unit which executes editing processing corresponding to an editing operation, when each device as the plurality of editors performs the editing operation which has been defined in advance on the basis of the role set by the setting unit.

Abstract: A television PC 40 detects an advertisement of a program scheduled to be broadcasted from within pictures based on TV signals transmitted by any one of TV broadcasting stations, then acquires program information for specifying this program (S101-S107), and registers reservation information based on the program information according to an instruction given from a viewer of the pictures in a reservation information management table 43d, thereby reserving the recording of the program (S108, S109).

Abstract: An encoding method includes controlling recording of frame-position information representing the position of a frame in a video stream, and controlling recording of unit-region-position information representing the position of a unit region serving as a processing unit used when the video stream is decoded.

Abstract: An image capturing device (100) is provided with: an image capturing unit (102) which generates, by continuous image capturing, a plurality of pieces of image data which are continuous in the time direction; an image processing unit which corrects a compression rate of the image data on the basis of a correction factor for correcting the image data, and performs compression coding by use of an intra-frame predictive coding system; a data control unit (124) which stores the image data, which has been subjected to the compression coding, in an image storage unit; a current compression rate derivation unit (130) which derives a current compression rate which is an actual compression rate of the image data which has been subjected to the compression coding; a current compression rate holding unit (132) which holds a plurality of current compression rates continuous in the time direction; a subsequent compression rate prediction unit (134) which predicts a subject compression rate, which is a compression rate of i

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of providing supplementary service information for A/V contents written in a recording medium. This method has a recording medium containing Presentation Language data, which have to be included like as in a digital television signal for supplementary service information in accordance with Advanced TV Enhancement Forum or Digital TV Application Software Environment standard, and reproduces, if a disk reproduction is requested, the Presentation Language data as well as requested A/V data and provides them for a connected external device such as a digital television. As a result, various video information and functions provided with Presentation Language data by a recording medium can be realized at a digital television set being able to accept Presentation Language data.

Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid heating unit capable of monitoring the temperature of the liquid storage tank or pipe in which liquid is heated by transmission of the radiated light, a liquid processing apparatus including the same, and a liquid processing method. The liquid heating unit includes: a lamp heater radiating light; a cylindrical member made of material transmitting the radiated light and having a cylindrical shape in which the lamp heater is able to be inserted and penetrated into an internal space thereof; a liquid pipe placed along an outer periphery of the cylindrical member and configured to heat liquid flowing therein using the radiated light; a reflection plate that covers the liquid pipe from the outside and reflects the radiated light; and a first temperature sensor attached to an outer surface of the reflection plate.

Abstract: The ranging apparatus of the present invention measures the distance to an object to be imaged by an imaging apparatus using the principle of triangulation ranging, and has a measurement unit in which a maximum distance that can be ranged to an object is not less than ½ of a maximum value of the hyper focal length of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A subject is tracked during continuous shooting, and the degree of reliability of the tracking result is determined. When it is determined that the degree of reliability of the tracking result is high, control values of exposure used to capture an image of the previous frame are configured as those used to capture an image of the next frame, thereby omitting calculation of control values of exposure. Upon this operation, in an image capture apparatus having a continuous shooting function, and a method of controlling the same, suppression of exposure variations and shortening of the exposure calculation time during continuous shooting can be effectively achieved.

Abstract: In a camera module, a lens for forming an image on an imaging element having a rectangular light receiving surface is formed in a shape obtained by removing a peripheral portion of a circular lens, such as a generally oval shape, and a cylindrical lens barrel coaxially holding the lens is formed in a shape conforming to that of the lens. A part of a focal adjustment actuator is disposed in a space created on a side of the lens barrel in correspondence with the removed portion of the lens, whereby reduction in size of the entirety of the camera module is promoted.

Abstract: An image display device includes a display unit that is installed inside a finder window provided in a housing and displays images, an obtaining unit that obtains brightness of a space inside the finder window, and a control unit that when the brightness obtained by the obtaining unit is a first brightness, sets the brightness of the display unit to a second brightness, and when the brightness obtained by the obtaining unit is a third brightness brighter than the first brightness, sets the brightness of the display unit to a fourth brightness brighter than the second brightness.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying faults in a passive optical network (PON). The method comprises acquiring at an optical network terminal of the PON at least one parameter indicative of at least one malfunction in at least one optical network unit of the PON, and identifying each malfunction from the at least one parameter. The parameters measured include, for each ONU, laser power, sync-lock and -unlock time and bit error rates. The information at the OLT is acquired remotely and in digital form, without use of any physical probing of any point or element in the PON. The system includes a temporal measurement module and a power laser measurement module coupled to a central processing unit that can extract fault information from digital data processed in the two modules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for evaluating the position of a time-varying disturbance on an optical waveguide. The steps include: transmitting sensing signals onto the optical waveguide, which sensing signals have imposed thereon a modulation which is dependent, at least in part, on their time of transmission; receiving returned sensing signals, which signals have been exposed to the disturbance; and, from the previously imposed modulation on the returned sensing signals, evaluating the position of the disturbance. Because the sensing signals have a modulation that is dependent at least in part on their transmission time, the round-trip time for the signals to travel to and from a disturbance can be inferred. From this round trip time, or a value related thereto, it is possible to directly or indirectly evaluate the position of the disturbance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for notifying an optical line termination (OLT) of a power failure. According to embodiments, a method for notifying an OLT of a power failure is provided. According to the method, a notification of a power failure at an optical network termination (ONT) is received. In response to receiving the notification, power is retrieved from a dedicated power storage unit dedicated to providing power for the transmission of a dying gasp alarm. The dying gasp alarm is transmitted to the OLT utilizing at least a portion of the power from the dedicated power storage unit. The dying gasp alarm notifies the OLT of the power failure.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the selection of ghost channels in an optical communication system, including components configured to collect one or more first data values indicating the validity of an optical communication channel within a first degree of a node in the optical communication system, collect one or more second data values indicating the optical power level of the optical communication channel, transmit the first and second data values to a second degree of the node, receive the first and second data values at the first degree, and aggregate the first and second data values for the first degree and the second degree at the first degree.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising, converting units converting electrical signals into signal lights with different wavelength, polarization control units controlling polarizing states of the signal lights into polarization controlled lights respectively, an optical multiplexer multiplexing the polarization controlled lights into a multiplexed light, an optical branching unit branching the multiplexed light and outputting a branched light, a polarizing unit extracting only signal lights of the specified polarizing state from the branched light into an extracted light, and a control unit detecting intensity of the extracted light. Pilot signals are applied to modulate the electrical signals or the polarization controls. The polarization control units controls the polarizing states of the signal lights based on the pilot signal frequencies of the detection result by the control unit.

Abstract: In an optical communication network that includes a plurality of interconnected network nodes, a method includes storing in each network node one or more cross-talk margins of respective communication channels that traverse the node. A potential communication channel that traverses a subset of the nodes in the network is identified. A quality of the potential communication channel is evaluated by processing the cross-talk margins stored in the nodes in the subset.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to an arrayed media converter (AMC) that has an array of Wavelength Division Multiplexing-Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) Optical Network Units (ONUs) for terminating an optical channel in the feeder or distribution portion of a telecommunication network. The ONU converts an optical signal from the optical channel into at least one electrical signal for transmission to a customer premises. Thus, the AMC serves as an interface between at least one WDM-PON link and at least one conductive connection, such as a twisted pair. In one exemplary embodiment, the AMC comprises a sealed housing that is environmentally hardened to protect the AMC from environmental conditions, including changes in weather. Such an AMC may be used to provide a robust, cost effective Fiber To The Curb (FTTC) solution, but the AMC may be used at other points within the network, if desired.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided to digitize an analog multi-channel RF narrowcast signal in an overlay system by dividing the signal into a plurality of subband signals and digitizing each subband signal using practical A/D converters.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) with a multiplexer, demultiplexer, and a wavelength cross-connect unit provides directionless capabilities. The ROADM allows a signal not to be limited to a particular direction when added at an optical network node, for example. The signal can be sent to other directions of the optical network node. Furthermore, the ROADM allows the wavelengths of add and drop signals to be changed and hence is “colorless.

Abstract: An optical ring network architecture including a number (N) of multi-add/drop filters, such as filters formed using pairs of frequency routers. Each multi-add/drop filter is coupled to two other multi-add/drop filters using N-2 transmission media, such as optical fibers, to form a ring. The network includes a number (N) of terminal stations associated with the multi-add/drop filters. A terminal station (p) is coupled with, and receives information from, its associated multi-add/drop filter (p) through a single optical fiber. The terminal station p is coupled with, and transmits information in a first direction around the ring to, a multi-add/drop filter p+1 through a single optical fiber. Communications from terminal station p to each other terminal station in the first direction are assigned one of N-1 wavelengths where no two wavelengths on a given optical fiber are associated with communications between terminal stations in the same direction.

Abstract: An optical source includes a set of N light sources that provide a corresponding set of N optical signals having N carrier wavelengths. These optical signals are combined into a seed optical signal and transported to a substrate using an optical fiber. This substrate includes a set of K optical amplifiers that amplify the seed optical signal and provide a set of M output optical signals on a corresponding set of M output optical waveguides (where M is less than K). In this way, a total power of the set of M output optical signals may be significantly larger than that of the seed optical signal, thereby ensuring that a majority of a power efficiency of the optical source is associated with power efficiencies of the set of K optical amplifiers instead of power efficiencies of the set of N light sources.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a quantum information system includes a source of time dependent entangled photons and an indicating unit. The indicating unit indicates the entangled state of the entangled photons based on the emission time of one or more of the entangled photons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an optical transmission system (100a, 100b, 100c), wherein at least one optical data signal is transmitted over an optical transmission link (120), which particularly comprises at least one optical fiber (120a). The inventive method is characterized by modulating (200) said data signal with a test signal (s) having a predetermined modulation frequency fmod to obtain a modulated data signal (Pin), by receiving (210) a reflected portion (Pback) of said modulated data signal (Pin), and by determining (220) a fiber quality measure (a) depending on said received reflected portion (Pback) of said modulated signal (Pin).

Abstract: An optical transmitter includes: a first modulator that modulates a first optical signal with a first data signal; a second modulator that modulates a second optical signal with a second data signal; a multiplexer that multiplexes the first optical signal and the modulated second optical signal to output a multiplexed signal; a phase difference data generator that generates a phase difference signal corresponding to a phase difference between the modulated first optical signal and the modulated second optical signal from the multiplexed signal; and a controller that controls the phase difference between the modulated first optical signal and the modulated second optical signal based on the phase difference signal.

Abstract: A distortion compensation circuit including a configurable delay may be used with one or more non-linear elements, such as a laser, to compensate for distortion generated by the non-linear element(s), for example, in broadband RF applications. Embodiments of the distortion compensation circuit may include a primary signal path with a configurable delay segment and a secondary signal path including at least one distortion generator. The configurable delay segment may be selectively configured to provide different delay settings to accommodate different RF loading conditions such that the delayed RF signal on the primary signal path is aligned with the distortion products generated on the secondary signal path when combined to form an RF signal with distortion compensation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical modulator control system implemented in an optical burst mode transmitter, said control system comprising means for measuring a plurality of optical power sample values and associated optical wavelength data values from a modulator at a first sampling rate, wherein an average power table is generated from said values for each sample period and stored in a memory. The control system also comprises means for performing a control error calculation from two or more stored average power tables at a second sampling rate to calculate a single error value to provide gain and/or bias control signals, wherein the second sample rate is sampled at a slower rate than the first sample rate. The control system described optimises the modulator performance over temperature and lifetime in an optical network.

Abstract: The invention is directed to decreasing the power consumption of a remote control signal receiving circuit. A receiving circuit includes a timing signal generation circuit generating a timing signal, a power supply circuit intermittently operating a light receiving element receiving a remote control signal by supplying power to the light receiving element when the timing signal is at a first level and by halting supplying power to the light receiving element when the timing signal is at a second level, a sampling signal generation circuit generating a sampling signal during the operation of the light receiving element corresponding to the timing signal, a sampling circuit sampling an output signal from the light receiving element corresponding to the sampling signal, and a detection circuit detecting the output signal sent from the light receiving element and sampled by the sampling circuit.

Abstract: A digital coherent receiver converts signals and local light respectively detected, as detection results, in signal light from an optical transmission line, into digital signals and that further applies digital processing to the digital signals. The receiver includes a skew detecting unit that detects skew between the digital signals; a skew control unit controls the skew of each of the signals so that the skew to be detected by the skew detecting unit will be reduced; and a demodulating unit that demodulates each signal controlled for skew by the skew control unit.

Abstract: Provided is a coherent optical receiving apparatus and an optical signal processing method. The coherent optical receiving apparatus may include an optical hybrid unit to generate an optical signal by combining a first optical signal inputted from an optical transmitting apparatus and a second optical signal inputted from a local oscillator, a polarization demuxer to demultiplex the optical signal outputted from the optical hybridizing unit, a frequency offset compensator to estimate a frequency offset of at least one of even-numbered samples and odd-numbered samples, and to compensate for a frequency offset of the even-numbered samples and a frequency offset of the odd-numbered samples using the at least one estimated frequency offset, and a carver distortion compensator to compensate for phase distortions of the samples for which the compensation for the frequency offset is performed, the phase distortions being generated by the optical transmitting apparatus.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes an analog/digital converter, and a control circuit. The analog/digital converter has a dynamic range at a time of converting an analog electric signal generated based on an optical signal to a digital electric signal. The dynamic range is variable, and the control circuit varies the dynamic range of the analog/digital converter based on the chromatic dispersion of the optical signal.

Abstract: An image inspection device includes an acquiring section that reads an image formed on an image carrying medium using an image forming material and acquires first inspection image information; and a decoloring section that leaves an infrared absorbent on the image carrying medium, and decolors a decolorable composition on the image carrying medium by physical treatment or chemical treatment, wherein the image forming material contains the infrared absorbent having an optical absorption peak in an infrared region, and the image forming material contains the decolorable composition having an optical absorption peak in a visible region in a color-developed state and being decolored by physical treatment or chemical treatment.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus realizes two functions using a single actuator to sense the width and presence of a printing medium and a single sensor to sense operation of the actuator, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a photoreceptor for bearing a toner image; a transfer body onto which the toner image borne by the photoreceptor is transferred; a drive section for driving the photoreceptor and transfer body respectively, and a control section for controlling the drive section so as to drive the photoreceptor and transfer body at a predetermined driving speed, wherein the control section, under a state in which the control section controls to drive the transfer body at the predetermined driving speed, controls to: a) drive the photoreceptor while changing the driving speed of the photoreceptor within a range of driving speeds between low speed and high speed, including the predetermined driving speed, b) extract torque characteristics under the control which includes the change of driving speed of the photoreceptor, and c) determine the driving speed of the photoreceptor based on the extracted torque characteristics.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes: an image carrier configured to carry toner patches; a first sensor configured to irradiate S-polarized light to a low-density patch in a predetermined low density range among the toner patches, and to receive reflection light from the low-density patch; and a second sensor configured to irradiate P-polarized light to a high-density patch in a predetermined high density range among the toner patches, and to receive reflection light from the high-density patch.

Abstract: A cleaning blade mounting method includes the steps of: moving a toner image carrier on which a toner layer is formed so that the toner layer reaches a cleaning position by a cleaning device; after bringing a tip of a cleaning blade into contact with the toner layer, bringing the tip into contact with the toner image carrier, mounting the cleaning blade to a temporary position with a second load lower than a first load that is a contact load at a time of an image formation; moving the cleaning blade with the second load from the temporary position to a final position at which a cleaning operation is carried out; bringing the cleaning blade with the first load into contact with the toner image carrier; and mounting the cleaning blade to the final position at the time of the image formation.

Abstract: The main body of the image forming system includes an image forming apparatus; an optional apparatus; and a communication unit configured to perform communication between the main body of the image forming apparatus and the optional apparatus. The optional apparatus includes one optional control unit for controlling multiple optional functions, and the main body of the image forming apparatus includes a registration designation unit configured to designate registration of an ID number to the one optional control unit of the optional apparatus by the communication unit to designate registration of an ID number to the one optional control unit of the optional apparatus. The one optional control unit assigns an ID number to each of the multiple optional functions according to the designation from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer member that transfers the toner image to an object to be transferred at a transfer position that faces the image carrier; an endless transfer belt that is wound around the transfer member, and rotates circumferentially as the transfer member rotates; a facing member that is arranged to face the transfer member so as to nip the transfer belt at the transfer position; a transfer voltage application member that applies a voltage at the transfer position such that a transfer current flows between the transfer member and the facing member; and a conductive member to which a voltage is applied between the conductive member and a target member at a position different from the transfer position such that a current in a direction opposite to the transfer current flows to the transfer belt.

Abstract: A developing cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus by passing through a mounting guide provided in the main assembly. The developing cartridge includes a frame; a developer carrying member for carrying a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image; a portion to be guided for being guided by the mounting guide when the developing cartridge passes through the mounting guide; an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer; a seal member for unsealably sealing an opening for permitting supply of the developer from the accommodating portion to the developer carrying member; and a grip member, provided at a longitudinal end portion of the seal member, including a fixed portion dismountably fixed on the frame and a grip portion to be gripped when the seal member is removed. The grip portion is disposed in a state in which the grip portion is bent relative to the fixed portion in a direction crossing a mounting direction of the developing cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing cartridge, comprising a developing unit and a photosensitive unit, of which the latter consists of a photosensitive member and a developer chamber and has a developer outlet connecting the chamber and a sealing cap matching the developer outlet and used to seal the said outlet. Based on the said technical proposal, the photosensitive unit is designed with a developer outlet connecting the chamber and with a sealing cap matching the developer outlet and used to seal the said outlet, so, when the photosensitive unit becomes full with developer, the sealing cap can be opened to remove the developer in the photosensitive unit, which facilitates the cleaning without affecting the normal operation of the processing cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor unit, a developing unit to feed a developer to a photoconductor of the photoconductor unit, the developing unit being provided rotatable relative to the photoconductor unit, and a link unit to allow a charging roller of the photoconductor unit to come into contact with or be separated from a photoconductor while in linkage with rotation of the developing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided including a housing having a first opening and a second opening which are directed in a same direction; a plurality of developing units which are disposed in parallel with each other in the housing along an oblique direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the developing units which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing along the oblique direction through the first opening; and a plurality of developer cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units, each of the developer cartridges being disposed in parallel with each other in the housing to be opposite to an end of a respective one of the developing units along a substantially horizontal direction in a longitudinal direction of the developing units, the developer cartridges which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing through the second opening.

Abstract: The photosensitive conductor unit includes a casing, and a protective cover, wherein: the casing includes an engaging portion on an insertion-side end and a guide portion slidably guiding the protective cover in proximity to an opposite end to the insertion-side end of the photosensitive conductor unit; the protective cover includes a hook portion engaging with the engaging portion, a positioning portion determining the position of the protective cover, a side wall covering an exposed portion of the surface by extending along an axial direction of the photosensitive conductor drum, and a rail portion extending in the insertion direction of the photosensitive conductor unit in proximity to both ends of the side wall in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the photosensitive conductor drum and engaging with the guide portion such that the guide portion slidably guides the protective cover.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum for use with an image forming apparatus, includes a cylinder; a flange provided at a longitudinal end of said cylinder, wherein the flange has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the cylinder; and a resin material injected in a gap in a radial direction between the cylinder and the flange and fixing said flange to the cylinder.

Abstract: A gear drive apparatus includes a gear train including a plurality of gears, and a holding unit accommodating the gear train and a lubricant to be supplied to tooth flanks of each of the plurality of gears, the holding unit including an inlet opening from which the lubricant is poured. The lubricant from the inlet opening is supplied to an engagement area where two gears of the plurality of gears are engaged with each other, or to a tooth flank area of one of the two gears at an upstream part from the engagement area along a rotational direction of the one of the two gears.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which an electrostatic image is to be formed; a rotatable supporting member, configured to support a developing device for developing the electrostatic image and configured to rotationally move the developing device toward a developing position, provided movably in a rotational axis direction with respect to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; an urging member for urging the rotatable supporting member in the rotational axis direction. In addition, a regulating portion regulates a position of the rotatable supporting member, with respect to the rotational axis direction, urged by the urging member.

Abstract: A developing device usable with an image forming apparatus, which has an improved configuration to allow smooth flow of developer stored therein. The developing device includes a housing in which a developer receiving chamber is defined, a partition to divide the developer receiving chamber into a first developer receiving chamber and a second developer receiving chamber, and a first developer delivery member arranged in the first developer receiving chamber to deliver developer in a first direction. The partition includes at least one opening to communicate the first developer receiving chamber and the second developer receiving chamber with each other, and a shield to block between the first developer receiving chamber and the second developer receiving chamber at an upstream position of the first direction so as to isolate the two developer receiving chambers from each other.

Abstract: In a method to optimize transfer of a developer fluid on a printing substrate in an electrophoretic printing apparatus, a developer fluid containing at least carrier fluid and toner particles is used, the toner particles having sizes that are greater than diameters of capillaries in a surface of the printing substrate. The additive particles are added to the developer fluid before the transfer, sizes of the additive particles being selected such that the sizes are smaller at least in part in comparison to the diameters of the capillaries in the surface of the printing substrate.

Abstract: A development device using a developing agent including a toner and a carrier, in which the development device includes a development roller that attaches the developing agent to a circumference surface of the development roller and transfers the developing agent to a development region in which the development roller faces a photo receptor; and a regulation portion to regulate an amount of the developing agent transferred to the development region, where the regulation portion includes first, second, and third regulation portions sequentially disposed in the stated order in an opposite direction to a rotational direction of the development roller, where the first, second, and third regulation portions are respectively spaced apart from the circumference surface of the development roller by first, second, and third intervals, the second interval is greater than the third interval, and the third interval is narrowed in the rotational direction of the development roller.

Abstract: A developing device that is provided in an image forming device that forms an image includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developer carrier that is configured to form a developer image on a surface of the image carrier by attaching developer on the electrostatic latent image; and a contact member that is configured to contact the developer carrier. The contact member contacts the developer carrier and exerts a contact pressure per unit area thereon, the contact pressure per unit area being based on charging characteristics of the developer being used.