Abstract: A method for sensing a register discrepancy (r) in a multi-color printed item, the position of at least one register mark (1, 1′) that is associated with one color being sensed with respect to the position of at least one register mark (2, 2′) that is associated with at least one further color, and any density register discrepancy (r) using a measurement window being ascertained from discrepancies in the actual relative position (3) with respect to the reference relative position (4). The invention, furthermore, concerns an apparatus, a register control system, and register marks (1, 1′, 2, 2′).

Abstract: Method of measuring a distortion angle between the longitudinal extent of the weft threads or rows of stitches in a textile strip (T) that is being continuously transported in a transporting apparatus (M) and the perpendicular to the transport direction, by means of a lighting arrangement (100A), a photoelectric sensor arrangement (107) with a plurality of sensor elements and an evaluation device (115) connected to the sensor arrangement for processing the values sampled from the sensor fields in order to obtain the distortion angle, wherein an arrangement of sensor elements with a plurality of rows and columns is used in which individual elements can be accessed as desired, and in a sequence of scanning steps different predetermined groups of sensor elements are interrogated, each of which is situated substantially on a sensor-field line, the groups involved in each scanning step being determined such that the scanned sensor-field lines are positioned at progressively altered angles with respect to the trans

Abstract: In an operation of a pattern dimension measuring system comprising a stage, an electron gun part, electron lens systems for scanning electron beam on a sample and having a MOL mechanism thereto, a secondary electron detector for detecting secondary electrons and so forth emitted from the sample, and a host computer having a pattern dimension measuring part, the stage is moved at a constant velocity, the coordinates of the stage is measured by a laser interferometer in real time, the variation in working distance of the electron beam is measured in real time by the optical lever system from a focal length measuring part to be fed back to a stage control part and an objective lens. When a pattern serving as an object to be measured reaches a region capable of scanning, the electron beam is scanned in the best focus while moving the scanning start position of the electron beam in synchronism with the constant velocity movement of the stage, so that the SEM image thereof is acquired.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor comprising a transmission device for transmitting a strip illumination in the direction of an object zone; a reception device for receiving light reflected or remitted from the object zone and for outputting at least one corresponding reception signal and an evaluation device for evaluating the at least one reception signal. A division of the strip illuminated object region into a plurality of monitoring segments is provided. Furthermore, a distance measuring device is provided by which, for at least one monitoring segment, the distance to an object disposed therein can be determined.

Abstract: A technique for measuring and selectively adjusting a clearance between a stationary object and desirably a rotating object includes a non-contact, sensing system having a sensor attachable to the stationary object, a mask having a predetermined sized viewport or aperture that sets or limits the sensing or operation of the sensor, and a controller. The sensor is operable for sensing within a field of view a portion of the rotating object and generating a signal in response thereto. The field of view varies in response to varying the clearance between the sensor and the second object. Desirably, the portion of the second object includes a varying pattern. The controller is operable to determine the clearance between the first object and the second object in response to the signal. In another embodiment, sensing system is operable to adjust the clearance by controller providing an electrical current to a resistive heating element in the thermally expandable portion of a plurality of segmented labyrinth seals.

Abstract: In quantitatively detecting light permeated through or reflected from a paper sheet in order to detect optical characteristics of the paper sheet, an optical paper sheet checking apparatus detects with stability and optimum precision.

Abstract: A pattern size evaluation apparatus comprising an illumination optical system for projecting parallel light rays of a predetermined wavelength on a monitoring area formed on an object, the monitoring area being formed at a position different from a device pattern formed on the object, a light intensity detection optical system for detecting diffracted light from the monitoring area, and a device pattern size evaluation section for evaluating a size of the device pattern based on an intensity of diffracted light from the monitoring area.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing a specific region in a sample to be observed by a microscope is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) forming a first concavity on a first side of the specific region by a focus ion beam (FIB) technique, (b) forming a second concavity on a second side of the specific region opposite to the first side by the focus ion beam technique, and (c) filling the first concavity and the second concavity with a first metallic packing and a second metallic packing respectively for defining the specific region to be observed.

Abstract: A pattern detecting apparatus is provided with an illuminating device which separates a detected surface into a plurality of irradiation areas and irradiates an irradiation light to adjacent irradiation areas from different directions, an imaging device which overlaps and images the irradiation areas with a mask generating a moire, and an image processing device which detects a phase difference of a concentration change of the moire image in the irradiation areas when the moire image is obtained by the imaging device, thereby judging whether or not a pattern exists.

Abstract: A device for detecting the marginal edge or a marking of a material web. The device contains an optical sensor and two light sources associated with the optical sensor. The first light source emits directed light beams and aims such beams at the material web. The first light source is formed by a plurality of light-emitting diodes, arranged such that the light reflected by the material web in a diffused manner cannot be detected by the optical sensor. A second light source is also associated with the optical sensor. The second light source contains a diffuser disk. The diffuser disk generates diffused light that is emitted in all three-dimensional directions. When the second light source is active, the condition of reflection is satisfied so that it is possible to scan the material web having mirror-like reflection.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a pattern formed on a substrate, includes the steps of moving a table along a first direction on which a substrate to be inspected is mounted, irradiating a converged electron beam on the substrate by scanning the converged electron beam along a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction; detecting an electron radiated from the substrate by the irradiation of the converged electron beam in which the movement of the table and the scanning of the converged electron beam are synchronized; forming a digital image of the substrate from the detected electron; improving a quality of the digital image by filtering the compensated digital image; and detecting a defect of a pattern formed on the substrate by using the improved quality digital image.

Abstract: A mark sensor and methods for detecting a core mark disposed on a fiber optic cable core having a core receiving area for receiving the fiber optic cable core. The mark sensor includes emitter/receiver sensor devices that can be disposed about the core receiving area for observing a portion of the core for detecting the core mark. The mark sensor can include a sensor positioning system for moving the sensors relative to the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system is operative to move the sensors upon insertion of the cable core in the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system can include a linkage to another mark sensor for transmitting sensor motion to the other mark sensor. Alternatively, the mark sensor can include stationary sensors that sweep the core with radiation, for example, a bar code reader. Methods for using the foregoing sensors can result in the direct or offset marking of reverse oscillation of lay areas in a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, particularly a color image forming apparatus, of the present invention distinguishes a register mark and the background of a conveying member on the basis of the level of a signal representative of the background and the peak value or the bottom value of the signal. The apparatus can therefore accurately detect deviation between images of different colors and correct it.

Abstract: A cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a thin retroreflective marker. Light from a source is reflected from the marker almost exactly on its incident path. A planar light shaping optical structure such as a holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) ruled or blazed diffraction grating, holographic diffraction grating, binary optics or holographic diffraction grating directs light to the detector. The LSD has degrees of angular diffusion in different orthogonal axes. This property makes possible unique identification of different types of cartridges.

Abstract: A print medium with encoded data and a print media detection system for use in detecting at least one characteristic of the sheet of print medium based on the encoded data are disclosed. The encoded data is designed to minimize its visual perceptibility. The print media detector is designed to recognize various characteristics of print media based upon the encoded data and transmit information regarding these characteristics to a printing device so that one or more operating parameters of the printing device can be adjusted to help optimize print quality for the particular characteristics of a particular print medium. A printing device including the print medium and print media detection system is also disclosed. A method of detecting one or more characteristics of print media used in a printing device is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging device is disclosed wherein light used to image an object (imaging light) and light used to determine the position of the imaging device relative to the object (positioning light) pass through the same optical device. Imaging light is directed from an imaging portion of the object to a linear photosensor array. Positioning light is directed from a positioning portion of the object to a two-dimensional photosensor array. In one embodiment of the imaging device, the imaging light and positioning light have different wavelengths and are directed to their respective locations by the use of a beam splitter. In another embodiment of the invention, the imaging light and positioning light are directed to their respective locations by diffracting the light with a lens.

Abstract: A two camera over-the-belt optical character recognition (OCR) system for reading the destination addresses on parcels carried on a conveyor belt. The parcels bear an orientation defining fluorescent ink fiduciary mark that is typically stamped on the parcel in the same area as the destination address. The fiduciary mark is located approximately in the center of the destination address block and oriented in the same direction as the underlying destination address. The first camera, a low resolution CCD camera, captures an image of the fiduciary mark. A host computer stores an image of the fiduciary mark, determines the position and orientation of the fiduciary mark, and defines a region of interest about the fiduciary mark. The second camera, a high resolution CCD camera, captures a grey-scale image of the conveyor and the parcels carried on the conveyor.

Abstract: A rotation-angle measurement for printing presses with at least one marking (2) arranged on a rotating element (1) and at least one sensor (3,4) which detects marking (2). The at least one marking (2) extends along the entire circumferential path (5) and is arranged on the element (1), the position of which is to be determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides media sensors for sensing the position of a media in a printer, such as a thermal demand printer. A repositionable media sensor for monitoring the location of a web of label media which utilizes a visible light source projected onto the label media to accurately indicate the position of the media sensor to the operator relative to the label media and facilitate any required adjustment thereof. A printed label sensor is provided for use with a thermal demand printer and includes a light emitter and light detector pair wherein a single light pipe for receiving a sensing beam from the emitter and reflecting the sensing beam at a predetermined angle towards the detector is provided. Preferably, the light pipe is mounted in a peel bar and no electronics are required outside the electronic housing of the printer.

Abstract: A cutting plotter equipped with a device for reading register marks for seal cutting capable of accurately reading the register marks printed on a seal material. The cutting plotter includes a head provided thereon with a light emitting element for emitting a predetermined amount of light toward a surface of the seal material and a light receiving element for detecting the amount of light reflected from the surface of the seal material. A difference between the amounts of reflected light detected by the light receiving element is calculated by a first calculation unit and then stored in a storage unit. A relative difference between the difference in the amounts of reflected light stored in the storage unit and a difference between the amounts of reflected light calculated by the first calculation unit is calculated by a second calculation unit.

Abstract: A method for measuring such parameters as height, position, shape, colinearity, and coplanarity of arrays of minute objects on the surface of integrated circuits, such as Ball Grid Arrays (BGA), all in one simple and straight forward procedure during the manufacturing process of integrated circuits. Shadows of the objects are created on the substrate through the use of x-rays or other light sources placed at predetermined distances and angles from the objects. An imaging device obtains images from the shadows cast onto the substrate and the images are then analyzed to determine if they meet predefined parameters. Multiple sources of illumination can be used to illuminate the array in order to create a more precise image for analysis and three dimensional images of the BGA can be created for analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting the print quality of a series of barcodes positioned on at least one side of a high speed moving web. The apparatus includes a synchronization element having a light source and a photocell; a laser scanning element; a microprocessor, and means for generating decoded barcode data. Also included is a means for comparing the contrast value of the print on either side of the web material, whether black or multicolored. The apparatus includes an objective means of inspecting print quality which is more efficient than subjective means of visual inspection. If erroneous scanned data is found, the web is stopped until the problem is corrected.