Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a print medium, a storage unit configured to store ink, a printhead configured to discharge ink supplied from the storage unit to print onto the print medium, and a signal acquiring unit configured to acquire a signal related to a remaining amount of ink in the storage unit. The signal acquiring unit, in accordance with a start of conveyance by the conveyance unit, starts acquisition of the signal.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source unit having a light exiting portion from which a light is output, a scanning unit having a mirror supported by a supporting part and reflecting the light output from the light exiting portion while swinging the mirror around a swing axis, and a housing having an enclosed space partitioned by a plurality of wall portions including a first wall portion and a second wall portion, in which the light exiting portion and the scanning unit are placed in the enclosed space, wherein the first wall portion transmits the light reflected by the scanning unit, and the second wall portion includes a part of the light source unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting surface aberrations on a vehicle. The surface aberrations may not be readily apparent to the human eye. Machine learning constructs image detecting systems to automate the detection of surface aberrations on the vehicle. Additionally, the machine learning may refine the aberration detection systems to identify the cause of the surface aberration on the vehicle and enhance the capabilities of the aberration detection systems.

Abstract: A LUS robotic surgical system is trainable by a surgeon to automatically move a LUS probe in a desired fashion upon command so that the surgeon does not have to do so manually during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. A sequence of 2D ultrasound image slices captured by the LUS probe according to stored instructions are processable into a 3D ultrasound computer model of an anatomic structure, which may be displayed as a 3D or 2D overlay to a camera view or in a PIP as selected by the surgeon or programmed to assist the surgeon in inspecting an anatomic structure for abnormalities. Virtual fixtures are definable so as to assist the surgeon in accurately guiding a tool to a target on the displayed ultrasound image.

Abstract: A security document may include a laserizable first layer including a grayscale image formed by laserizing; a color pattern that is in alignment with the grayscale image; and a second layer arranged between the first layer and the pattern, such that the first layer is above the second layer, and the pattern is below the second layer. The second layer may be more opaque than the first layer, such that when observing the security document from the top, the grayscale image appears to be colored by the color pattern only when the bottom of the security document is being illuminated.

Abstract: The invention proposes a document configured to generate a color image, comprising: a set of pixels printed on or in a substrate, each pixel forming a pattern including an arrangement of sub-pixels of at least two different colors; and an array of lenses disposed opposite the set of pixels so as to generate the color image by focusing or diverging an incident light through the lenses on at least part of the sub-pixels, each lens being positioned, relative to a facing associated pixel, to focus or diverge the incident light on at least one of the sub-pixels of said associated pixel so as to modify the contribution of the respective colors of the sub-pixels of the associated pixel, in a region of the color image generated through said lens, with respect to the pattern intrinsically formed by the associated pixel independently of said lens.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an oscillator configured to oscillate a laser beam, an irradiation portion configured to radiate the laser beam oscillated by the oscillator to an outside, a light absorption unit configured to absorb the laser beam and to convert the laser beam to heat, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control, in an irradiation state, the irradiation portion to press the irradiation portion against a workpiece with first pressing force via the light absorption unit and irradiate the workpiece with the laser beam. The control unit is configured to control, in a non-irradiation state, the radiation portion to press the irradiation portion against the workpiece with second pressing force smaller than the first pressing force via the light absorption unit, or to separate the irradiation portion from the light absorption unit so as to set the second pressing force to zero.

Abstract: An object detector includes a light-emitting system and a light-receiving system. The light-emitting system includes a light source including a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed in one-axis direction. The light-emitting system emits light. The light-receiving system receives the light emitted from the light-emitting system and reflected by an object. The plurality of light-emitting elements emits a plurality of light beams to a plurality of areas differing in the one-axis direction. The amount of light to illuminate some of the plurality of areas is different from the amount of light to illuminate other area other than the some of the plurality of areas.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which is capable of obtaining a moving image having a special effect suitable for a scene while suppressing a load of a user. In the image processing apparatus, an acquisition unit acquires a first image generated by shooting, a division unit divides the first image into two or more regions according to a distribution of a distance of each subject, at the time of shooting, included in the first image, a detection unit detects one of the divided regions as a high brightness region where high brightness pixels exist, a first generation unit performs correction of the first image with different correction intensities with respect to the high brightness pixels and surrounding pixels thereof in the high brightness region to generate a plurality of second images, and a second generation unit generates a moving image using the generated second images.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a print head includes a first light emitting element line and a second light emitting element line. The first light emitting element line and the second light emitting element line each include a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light on the basis of image data. The plurality of light emitting elements of the second light emitting element line are arranged deviated from the plurality of light emitting elements of the first light emitting element line by a certain interval in a main scanning direction.

Abstract: An endless belt includes a base layer having an endless belt shape, an elastic layer provided on the base layer, and a surface layer provided on the elastic layer. The surface layer contains fluororesin. The surface layer is provided with at least one mark portion formed through alteration of the surface layer by spot irradiation with laser light having an ultraviolet-region wavelength.

Abstract: Even in the case of a document file including an annotation and text within a page, the file size is reduced while retaining annotation and text information. An image processing apparatus that extracts an annotation object and a text object from a page of an input document file, converts other objects included within the page except for the extracted annotation object and text object into one image object, compresses the converted one image object, and generates page data based on the compressed image object and the extracted annotation object and text object.

Abstract: A machining route display device includes a positional information acquiring section configured to acquire positional information of a drive shaft in a predefined control cycle, a laser machining head coordinate calculator configured to calculate a coordinate value of the laser machining head from the positional information of the drive shaft and machine configuration information of a laser machine, a laser output acquiring section configured to acquire a laser output value from a laser, a display format setting section configured to set a display format of the laser according to the laser output value acquired by the laser output acquiring section, and a display section configured to display a machining route based an the coordinate value of the laser machining head and the display format.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser system and method which enables fast, accurate laser frequency tuning. In particular, the present invention includes only one laser and only one absolute frequency locking loop to perform the same fast frequency tuning than previous seed laser systems.

Abstract: An optical image stabilizer for a camera module includes a camera comprising a lens; and an optical image stabilizer processor configured to: generate a movement pattern signal, adjust a position of the lens of the camera according to the movement pattern signal, and calibrate a gain according to the adjusted position of the lens.

Abstract: A color laser markable article includes at least a first and a second laser markable layer including, respectively, a first infrared dye IR-1 having an absorption maximum in the infrared region ?max(IR-1) and a second infrared dye IR-2 having an absorption maximum in the infrared region ?max(IR-2), characterized in that the color laser markable layers further include a Diffusion Hindered Molecular Assembly (DHMA) which contains a leuco dye.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inspection device that is capable of detecting foreign matter with high accuracy, the inspection device including: a light source; an electro-optic element on which light from the light source is incident and which changes a phase of the light into at least two states; and a controller. The controller corrects a phase fluctuation of the electro-optic element itself, using intensity modulation characteristics of the eletro-optic element which are obtained by changing an applied voltage that is input to the electro-optic element.

Abstract: An actuator device includes a frame, a movable member to rotate about a rotation axis, a reflection member formed on the movable member to reflect a light flux that enters the reflection member, a first deformable member disposed on the frame to support and move the movable member, at least one first driver to deform the first deformable member, a detection-use line formed on the first deformable member and on the movable member to allow an electric current, and a light shield unit disposed at least one of a light incident side and a light exit side of the reflection member. The light shield unit blocks at least one of an entry of the light flux to the reflection member and an exit of the light flux from the reflection member when the detection-use line is damaged.

Abstract: A light source unit mountable to an image display apparatus for irradiating scan light to an optical scanning system to generate an image includes a plurality of light emitters to emit corresponding lights having different wavelengths, a plurality of coupling lenses respectively disposed for the plurality of light emitters to respectively pass through the lights emitted from the plurality of light emitters, and a plurality of aperture-formed members respectively disposed for the plurality of coupling lenses to respectively pass through the lights coming from the coupling lenses, each of the plurality of aperture-formed members formed of an aperture having an aperture size set differently depending on the wavelengths of the lights emitted from the plurality of light emitters.

Abstract: There are provided an image recording apparatus and an imaging apparatus. In the image recording apparatus and the imaging apparatus, a control unit identifies whether an input image input by an image input unit is an omnidirectional image or an ordinary image. An image editing unit, based on an omnidirectional image, converts the omnidirectional image into a panoramic image by developing the omnidirectional image in a circumferential direction. Then, the image editing unit records the converted panoramic image on a recording medium. As for an ordinary image, the image editing unit records the input image input by the image input unit on the recording medium.

Abstract: Image data is processed using a filter configured to compensate for degradation in an image that occurs when the image is printed by a printing unit. The degree of compensation for the degradation in the image by the filter depends on a printing direction on a printing medium by the printing unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for reliable 3D shape extraction of a metal surface. In this method, images are acquired at the same time by simultaneously irradiating interference-free polarized lights to a metal object. A photometric stereo method is then applied based on the images except for images which make the extraction of a 3D shape of the metal object inaccurate.

Abstract: Color registration errors are corrected for print jobs including periodic image content. Pixels values for a set of document pages are analyzed to identify the presence a periodic pattern of ink coverage having a repeat period. A first subset of document pages are printed and the resulting color registration errors are measured and analyzed to determine a periodic pattern of color registration errors. A repeating pattern of color registration correction values are determined corresponding to the periodic pattern of color registration errors. A second subset of the document pages is printed using the determined repeating pattern of color registration correction values.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method to flash print an image. The apparatus includes an energy source that delivers energy. The apparatus includes an energy pulse width modulator coupled to the energy source. The energy pulse width modulator may receive energy from the energy source and modulate the energy received from the energy source. The energy pulse width modulator may be driven by a logic module. The apparatus also includes a plurality of imaging pixels modulated by the energy pulse width modulator and conveying modulated energy to a host material. The host material may be in close proximity to a receiving medium and the modulated energy may release dye from the host material into the receiving medium.

Abstract: An apparatus that corrects multivalued data after halftone processing and which includes a line input unit configured to input multivalued data of a correction line to be corrected among the multivalued data, a detection unit configured to convert multivalued data of a precedent line that precedes the correction line by N lines into dot data and to detect a dot in the precedent line, and a line correction unit configured to correct the multivalued data of the correction line based on a number of linked dots from the bottom-end edge, and the number of linked detected dots is the number of dots that are linked in a sub scanning direction from the correction line down to the bottom-end edge, and the bottom-end edge is an edge at which the density becomes lower in the sub scanning direction and the lower of density values represents the background color.

Abstract: A controller is configured to set a reference gradation value when a gray reference member is illuminated. When the number of pixels, of which the gradation values is equal to or greater than the reference gradation value, is a target number of pixels, both are stored in association with each other. A correction target number which is a minimum target number of pixels from among a plurality of target numbers of pixels respectively providing differences, which is less than a predetermined value, between the reference gradation values stored in association with an M-th target number and an (M+1)-th target number. The controller further determines an anomaly pixel number which is the number of anomaly pixels having gradation values which are equal to or greater than a base gradation value. The gradation values of the determined number of anomaly pixels are corrected.

Abstract: In an image forming device, a retaining member is configured to retain a plurality of cartridges juxtaposedly arrayed in a prescribed direction. The retaining member is configured to move in the prescribed direction between a mounted position in which the retaining member is mounted in the main casing and a pulled-out position in which the retaining member is pulled out of the main casing. A belt is disposed above a plurality of photosensitive drums corresponding to the plurality of cartridges when the retaining member is in the mounted position. A tray is disposed below the retaining member when the retaining member is in the mounted position. A pickup roller configured to pick up a medium accommodated in the tray, a part of the pickup roller being arranged to overlap with a part of the retaining member in the prescribed direction when the retaining member is in the mounted position.

Abstract: A method for forming and a document having a color laser image with high reflective yield, which comprises a sheet of laserable material, sub-pixels in primary colors, the laser beam via carbonization exposing grey levels of the color image, and a substrate. The whole is laminated in various embodiments. The sub-pixels in various embodiments are separated by transparent regions which increase reflectivity and reinforce the white component of the personalised image. Layers of reflective varnish can reinforce reflectivity.

Abstract: A security document precursor including, in order, at least: a) a transparent biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate foil; b) a colorless color forming layer containing at least an infrared absorber, a color forming component and a polymeric binder; and c) a polymeric support; wherein the colorless color forming layer contains at least one component forming a compound having a melting temperature of less than 20° C. upon laser marking the colorless color forming layer with an infrared laser. Methods for securing a security document using the security document precursor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing images (8) on a substrate (2) with colour bodies thereon, the colour bodies losing a colour effect due to a laser (23) and consisting of dyes or pigments contained in capsules (1). Different colour bodies having at least three different colour effects are on or in the substrate (2). The method includes: (a) producing a colour chart (14), with individual colour effect of individual colour bodies contained as a function of the spatial coordinates thereof on or in the substrate; and (b) spatially resolving radiation, which opens the colour effect of colour bodies of individual capsules and releases dyes by a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the colour chart (14) in order to produce a resultant colour effect. Substrates, like security documents, can be produced this method.

Abstract: A drawing control device includes: a fill-stroke generating unit that generates a fill stroke that includes a plurality of strokes that fill a drawing area; a shape-stroke generating unit that generates a shape stroke which is a stroke of a shape to be formed on the drawing area; a first detecting unit that detects an overlap portion where the fill stroke and the shape stroke overlap with each other; a modifying unit that removes the overlap portion from the fill stroke to modify the fill stroke to obtain a drawing stroke; a drawing-instruction generating unit that generates a drawing instruction for drawing each stroke in the drawing stroke; and a drawing control unit that controls a drawing device by using the drawing instruction to cause the drawing device to draw the drawing stroke on an object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for faster monochrome printing in an in-line electrophotographic printer is described. The printer is configured such that it has more light emitting sources for use in an image transfer assembly for black than for image transfer assemblies for any other color in the printer. When printing a color print job, less than all of the light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly are used. A print controller directs print data for a monochrome print job to all of the available light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly and increases the print medium transport speed. The system and method may be configured to operate with dedicated data channels for each light emitting source or may share some data channels for monochrome and color print jobs.

Abstract: A method of color laser marking an article having a polymeric foil with at least one colorless layer containing an infrared absorber, a polymeric binder and a color forming compound; including the steps of:—laser marking the colorless layer with an infrared laser using a first laser operation mode to generate a blue or cyan color; and—laser marking the same colorless layer with an infrared laser using a second laser operation mode to generate a black color, wherein the first laser operation mode applies less energy to the colorless layer than the second laser operation mode. Also disclosed is an article, such as a security document, including a polymeric foil and a colorless layer containing laser marked graphical data having a blue or cyan color and laser marked information having a black color.

Abstract: A method of color marking a metal or metal-plated part is described involving setting at least one laser parameter of a laser, such as the power, scan speed, Q-switch, spot size, line separation, and scan repetition, and then energizing a metal containing surface layer of the part using the laser to change the color reflected by the surface layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism that more appropriately evaluates an image defect caused by a specific process in an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus of this invention performs colorimetry of a patch image at a spatial resolution corresponding to the spatial frequency of color unevenness caused by a specific process included in an image forming process. A statistic value based on the n-th (n is an integer of 2 or more) order central moment of a specific color component of a colorimetric value obtained by performing colorimetry at the spatial resolution is compared with a reference value, thereby detecting that the color unevenness caused by the specific process has occurred in the patch image.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a character, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) by way of pigment particles (1) which are arranged thereon and lose their color effect under the action of a laser (23), wherein different pigment particles (1) with at least three different color effects are arranged on and/or in the substrate (2). The invention is distinguished by the following method steps: (a) production of a color chart (14), in which the individual color effect of individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles is contained as a function of their spatial coordinate on and/or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved irradiation, which changes the color effect of only individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles, by way of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the color chart (14) in order to produce a resulting color effect.

Abstract: An optical scanning device scanning scan target surfaces in a first direction with light includes: a light source emitting first and second light beams corresponding to two of the scan target surfaces; an optical deflector including a reflection surface on which the emitted first and second light beams are obliquely incident while being separated from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and deflecting the first and second light beams; a scanning lens disposed on respective optical paths of the deflected first and second light beams; and a branching optical element transmitting therethrough most of the first light beam transmitted through the scanning lens, and reflecting most of the second light beam transmitted through the scanning lens. The deflected first and second light beams intersect between the optical deflector and the branching optical element, when projected on a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A substrate marking apparatus for use in combination with a substrate comprising a multi-color change diacetylene compound is disclosed. The substrate marking apparatus comprises: at least two radiation sources operable to emit radiation of different wavelengths, optical transformation elements and a control system. The control system takes digital file information and converts this to a set of emission instructions for the radiation sources. The radiation sources are then applied to the substrate in sequence and intensity determined by the control system such that the substrate is activated to change from a colorless state to any one of a range of multiple permanent colors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image carriers for four fundamental colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and for an auxiliary color, and three optical scanning devices. A first optical scanning device includes two light sources for the black color and another fundamental color, a first deflector, and a first housing. A second optical scanning device includes two light sources for other two fundamental colors, a second deflector, and a second housing. A third optical scanning device includes a light source for the auxiliary color, a third deflector, a third housing, and one or more reflecting mirrors. The light source for the auxiliary color is disposed closer to the third deflector with the one or more reflecting mirrors to turn an optical path therebetween while maintaining an optical path length thereof. The optical paths for the auxiliary color and for the black color have identical light utilization efficiency.

Abstract: A method of colour laser marking a security document precursor including at least: a transparent biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate foil; at least one colourless colour forming layer for generating a colour different from black containing at least an infrared absorber a colour forming compound and a polymeric binder; and a laser markable polymeric support or a laser markable layer for generating a black colour; comprising the steps of: laser marking the colourless colour forming layer through the transparent polymeric foil with a infrared laser used in continuous wave mode to generate a colour different from black; and laser marking the laser markable polymeric support or the laser markable layer through the transparent polymeric foil with the same infrared laser but used in a pulsed mode to generate a black colour.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed, including a surface emitting laser element having a surface emitting laser which emits a light in a direction which is perpendicular to a substrate face; a light receiving element which monitors the light of the surface emitting laser; a package provided with a region on which the surface emitting laser element and the light receiving element are provided; and a lid which has a window through which passes the light of the surface emitting laser, the window being formed with a transparent member, and which covers the surface emitting laser element and the light receiving element.

Abstract: When reading calibration chevrons during mark-on-belt (MOB) sensor timing calibration, cyan portions or legs of printed chevrons are detected in order to determine a timing window offset adjustment. Depending on which of the six cyan legs on the left side of the chevrons are detected, a determination can be made regarding whether the window needs to be started earlier or later. If only the first two cyan legs on the left side of the chevron are detected, then the MOB sensor timing window is beginning (and ending) too early and an appropriate adjustment can be made to cause the timing window to initiate later. If only the last two cyan legs on the left side of the chevron are detected, then the MOB sensor timing window is beginning (and ending) too late, and appropriate adjustment can be made to cause the timing window to initiate earlier.

Abstract: A housing for the scan unit printhead of an imaging device. The housing is substantially bowl shaped having a plurality of mounting surfaces extending inwardly toward a central region of the housing. The housing is constructed from a metal composition. The scan unit includes a plurality of light sources and an optical assembly operatively coupled thereto. The housing mounting surfaces support components of the optical assembly using an adhesive, without additional mounting hardware.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an imaging element array including an imaging element group in which a plurality of imaging elements are aligned, each of the imaging elements including an integrally molded input portion, an output portion, and a reflective portion, collecting light input to the input portion, reflecting the light by the reflective portion near a position where light flux is downsized, and outputting the reflected light from the output portion to form an image at an image point, and an inhibiting portion which is formed around the reflected portion in the imaging element group to inhibit light other than the light reflected by the reflective portion from traveling to the output portion.

Abstract: An optical disk label writing method for writing a label on an optical disc uses a similar writing operation to that used to write data to the disc. The disc has a label side including a laser reactive material for forming the label image, and a tracking format that can be tracked by a writing laser in a similar way to a writing operation. A computer program is provided for converting a label image to a disk image file for writing to the label side.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which can suppress degradation of an image quality in a recording material save mode processing and obtain an effect of consumption amount reduction of recording material desired by a user at low costs. A recording material consumption amount at the time of applying first color conversion processing unit is predicted corresponding to inputted image data. The setting of a second color conversion processing is changed from a prediction value and a target value of the recording material consumption amount.

Abstract: What is described is a method for producing a sign, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) with colour bodies arranged on said substrate, said colour bodies losing the colour effect under the influence of a laser (23) and consisting of dyes or pigments contained in capsules (1), wherein different colour bodies (1) having at least three different colour effects are arranged on or in the substrate (2). The invention is characterised by the following method steps: (a) producing a colour chart (14), in which the individual colour effect of individual colour bodies (1) formed from dyes or pigment particles is contained as a function of the spatial coordinates thereof on or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved radiation, which open the colour effect of colour bodies (1) just of individual capsules and release these dyes, by means of an excitation beam of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the colour chart (14) in order to produce a resultant colour effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of marking a substrate that comprises a color forming material, comprising the steps of: activating a region of the substrate so as to transform it from an inactive, low reactive state to an active, high reactive state; irradiating a part of the activated region with an initial color changing radiation to effect an initial color change to a first color; and irradiating a part of the substrate that has been changed to the first color with a high power density beam of visible electromagnetic radiation to effect a further color change of the irradiated region to a second color.

Abstract: A method for preparing a colour laser marked article comprising the steps of: a) infrared laser marking a security element including a polymeric support and a colour forming layer comprising a colour forming compound, an infrared dye and a polymeric binder comprising vinyl acetate and at least 85 wt % of vinyl chloride based on the total weight of the binder; and b) exposing the laser marked security element with light having a wavelength higher than 440 nm. The light exposure of step b) hinders the falsification of an issued security document without significant increase of background density.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs pseudo gradation processing using dithering, and includes an image carrier; a plurality of light-emitting element arrays arranged in a main-scanning direction and including a plurality of light-emitting elements; an image forming unit performing lighting control of the arrays and forming a pattern image on the image carrier; a detecting unit detecting a density of the pattern image; a position detecting unit detecting a position in the main-scanning direction of the detecting unit with respect to the light-emitting element arrays; a determining unit that, based on the detected position, determines whether the detecting unit is positioned at a proper detection position with respect to the pattern image on which noise has no effect; and an operation control unit that, when the detecting unit is positioned at the proper detection position, performs an image density detection operation on the pattern image using the detecting unit.