Abstract: A method for preparing digital image data from an analog image input by scanning, and reducing visibility of the scanning noise, may include estimating a visibility of scanning noise, and a number of scanning samples needed to reduce scanning noise to below a visible threshold. Related methods include scanning, by an analog-to-digital image scanner, an analog image for multiple iterations, resulting in digital image data for each of the iterations; calculating a noise statistic for individual pixels of digital image data across the iterations; determining true values of individual pixels of the digital image data based on the noise statistic for each of the individual pixels and generating scanner noise reduced digital image data wherein pixels are assigned their respective ones of the true values; and saving the scanner noise reduced digital image data in a computer memory.

Abstract: A body thickness conversion unit converts a body thickness from a distance image imaged by a distance measurement camera to acquire the body thickness. A strength setting unit sets strength of noise reduction processing to a radiographic image to be stronger as the body thickness is thicker. A radiographic image acquisition unit acquires the radiographic image output from a radiation detector in radioscopy. A noise reduction processing unit executes the noise reduction processing on the radiographic image with the strength set by the strength setting unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for classifying a light-emitting semiconductor component (301) for an image sensor application, wherein the semiconductor component (301) is designed as a light source for an image sensor (302), comprising the following steps: providing the light-emitting semiconductor component (301); determining at least one of the following parameters of the light emitted with an emission spectrum by the light-emitting semiconductor component (301) during operation: R=?qR(?)·S(?)d?·texp, G=?qG(?)·S(?)d?·texp, B=?qB(?)·S(?)d?·texp, wherein qR(?), qG(?), and qB(?) are spectral sensitivities of a red, green, and blue color channel of the image sensor (302), S(?) is the emission spectrum of the light-emitting semiconductor component (301), texp is an exposure time, and ? designates a wavelength; classifying the light-emitting semiconductor component (301) into a class from a group of classes, which are characterized by different value ranges of at least one parameter that depends on at least o

Abstract: An optical member and a camera module comprising the same are disclosed. The optical member comprises a base material layer and a halide layer which is arranged on the base material layer, and in which the distribution amount of silver halide in the direction toward the edge of the base material layer is equal to or greater than the distribution amount of silver halide in the direction toward the center of the base material layer.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a gap retaining member, where the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a first region having an undercoat layer, a charge generating layer, and a charge transporting layer on a support in this order and a second region having an undercoat layer and a charge transporting layer on a support in this order, the undercoat layer contains a metal oxide particle and any one of an urethane resin, an amino resin, and a polyamide resin as a binder resin, and the charge transporting layer contains a charge transporting substance and at least one selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate resin and a polyester resin, and where the gap retaining member comes into contact with a surface of the second region of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a dynamic grain effect tool for a media-editing application that generates a grain effect and applies the grain effect to a digital image. The application first generates a random pixel field for the image based on a seed value. The application then generates a film grain pattern for the image by consecutively applying a blurring function and an unsharp masking function, based on an ISO value, to the randomly generated pixel field. The application then blends the grain field with the original image by adjusting each pixel based on the value of the corresponding pixel location in the grain field. The application then adjusts the grain amount in the previously generated full-grain image by receiving a grain amount value from a user and applying this value to the full-grain image.

Abstract: There is provided a method of reducing noise in a medical image while maintaining structure characteristics within the medical image. The method of reducing noise in the medical image includes: a step of estimating the amount of noise at each pixel by using a look-up table that previously stores physical properties of an image capturing device; a step of calculating a structure direction and a signal coherence at each pixel; a step of performing anisotropic smoothing by using an anisotropic smoothing filter kernel that reflects the structure direction and the signal coherence; and a step of obtaining a structure direction and a signal coherence from an image on which the anisotropic smoothing is performed, obtaining an anisotropic smoothing filter kernel that reflects the obtained structure direction and the signal coherence, and performing filtering that reflects statistical properties of the estimated amount of noise.

Abstract: A hybrid photodetector employing both transmissive and reflective detection techniques for detecting objects having differing light transmission and reflection properties are in conveyance.

Abstract: A multi-spectrum screen exposure system for curing printing emulsions, including an enclosure with a platen that is transmissive to at least some ultraviolet wavelengths of light, a cover shiftable between an open orientation wherein the platen is accessible to an operator and a closed orientation wherein the platen is covered and inaccessible to the operator, a light emitting diode illumination (LED) light source assembly supported within the enclosure and oriented to direct illumination toward the platen, the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly emitting at least some light in the ultraviolet wavelengths, and a control unit operably coupled to the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly by which the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly can be operated in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: In one disclosed embodiment, a method for forming a high resolution resist pattern on a semiconductor wafer involves forming a layer of resist comprising, for example a polymer matrix and a catalytic species, over a material layer formed over a semiconductor wafer; exposing the layer of resist to patterned radiation; and applying a magnetic field to the semiconductor wafer during a post exposure bake process. In one embodiment, the patterned radiation is provided by an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source. In other embodiments, the source of patterned radiation can be an electron beam, or ion beam, for example. In one embodiment, the polymer matrix is an organic polymer matrix such as, for example, styrene, acrylate, or methacrylate. In one embodiment, the catalytic species can be, for example, an acid, a base, or an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A method of evaluating astigmatism of an irradiation system irradiating an electron beam is disclosed. In this method, a figure pattern consisting of plural (for example, four) concentric circles is formed on a reference sample “WP” and an image (scanned image) is formed based on an electron signal obtained by scanning the electron beam onto the reference sample “WP”. In the scanned image, the image has a blur in a region with its longitudinal direction parallel to the generating direction of the astigmatism and the size of the blur depends on magnitude of the astigmatism. Therefore, the direction and the magnitude of the astigmatism of the irradiation system of an irradiation apparatus can be detected based on the obtained scanned image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image holding member, a toner image forming unit, a color forming information applying unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit and a color forming unit, the color forming information applying unit exposing a toner image formed on a surface of the image holding member from a back surface side of the image holding member, light transmitted through the image holding member applying color forming information to the toner image.

Abstract: A radiographic image conversion panel containing a substrate having thereon a phosphor layer formed by a vapor-accumulating method, wherein the phosphor layer has a thickness distribution of not more than ±20%, the thickness distribution being defined by the formula: ((Dmax?Dmin)/(Dmax+Dmin))×100, provided that Dmax is a maximum thickness of the phosphor layer; and Dmin is a minimum thickness of the phosphor layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a security feature and a print medium which is equipped in that respect, which affords the possibility of not having to implement any change and in particular mechanical change in the surface of the card body. In that respect the substrate includes at least one change-over substance which by irradiation with light of a given wavelength experiences an irreversible change in color from a starting color to a final color, wherein the substrate in the initial condition is so irradiated with a controlled light beam of that wavelength, in particular a laser light beam that, due to the change in color caused thereby in the change-over substance, an image which can be recognized with the naked eye is produced within the volume of the substrate.

Abstract: In one disclosed embodiment, a method for forming a high resolution resist pattern on a semiconductor wafer involves forming a layer of resist comprising, for example a polymer matrix and a catalytic species, over a material layer formed over a semiconductor wafer; exposing the layer of resist to patterned radiation; and applying a magnetic field to the semiconductor wafer during a post exposure bake process. In one embodiment, the patterned radiation is provided by an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source. In other embodiments, the source of patterned radiation can be an electron beam, or ion beam, for example. In one embodiment, the polymer matrix is an organic polymer matrix such as, for example, styrene, acrylate, or methacrylate. In one embodiment, the catalytic species can be, for example, an acid, a base, or an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antireflecting coating composition which is capable of forming a crosslinked coating underneath a layer of photoresist comprising a silicon polymer, where the silicon polymer comprises at least one unit with the structure 1, where, R1 is selected from C1-C4 alkyl. The invention also relates to a process for imaging this composition.

Abstract: A method of providing a pattern on a substrate is disclosed. The method includes providing a layer of photoresist on the substrate, providing a layer of top coating over the layer of photoresist, lithographically exposing the photoresist layer and developing the photoresist to form a structure, covering the structure with a coating layer, inducing a chemical reaction between the photoresist and the coating layer, which reaction does not occur in the top coating, to form regions of modified coating layer, and removing unmodified coating layer to leave behind a patterned structure formed from the regions of modified coating layer.

Abstract: A radiographic image conversion panel containing a substrate having thereon a phosphor layer formed by a vapor-accumulating method, wherein the phosphor layer has a thickness distribution of not more than ±20%, the thickness distribution being defined by the formula: ((Dmax?Dmin)/(Dmax+Dmin))×100, provided that Dmax is a maximum thickness of the phosphor layer; and Dmin is a minimum thickness of the phosphor layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic assembly comprising a photothermographic material and an intensifying means for converting ionizing radiation, wherein the assembly has been imagewise exposed to ionizing radiation to form a latent image in the photothermographic material. The photothermographic material has at least one imaging layer comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion, wherein thermal development of unexposed silver salts in exposed areas relative to unexposed areas is inhibiting when thermally developing the imagewise exposed assembly, thereby producing a positive image. The present invention is also directed to a photothermographic assembly that can be used in the present process in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed when exposed and thermally heated above 150° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development, the element further comprising a developer or precursor thereof and an oxidized developer scavenging agent to accelerate development by removing oxidized developer as it is formed during the thermal development step. In one embodiment of the invention, in which a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development that inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas, the method comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development. In one embodiment of the invention, a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development which agent inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas. The method preferably comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element. The present invention is also directed to a photothermographic element that can be used in the present process in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed when exposed and thermally heated above 150° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: wherein: the substituents are as defined in the application.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel exhibiting improved resistance to peeling or shock as well as enhanced sharpness is disclosed, comprising on a support a stimulable phosphor layer composed of columnar phosphor crystals formed through gas phase deposition, wherein the stimulable phosphor layer exhibits an X-ray diffraction pattern meeting the following ratio (I2/I1) of the highest peak intensity I1 and the second highest peak intensity I2: 0.3?I2/I1?1.0.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel comprising a support and a stimulable phosphor layer provided on the support, in which the stimulable phosphor layer is formed by a gas-phase growing method so that the layer thickness of not less than 50 ?m and the surface of the support is composed of polyimide resin.

Abstract: A projection system and method are provided, the system includes a radiation source for generating electromagnetic radiation outside the visible wavelength range, an imaging unit, which can be irradiated by the radiation source, and a projection screen having a radiation-sensitive surface which, when excited by means of the above-mentioned invisible radiation, can emit fluorescent light in the visible wavelength range. The radiation-sensitive surface is formed of a material which, irrespective of the position, emits fluorescent light of different wavelengths as a function of the wavelength of the excitation radiation, and the radiation source can emit excitation radiation of different wavelengths.

Abstract: A phosphor or scintillator sheet, web or panel is provided, wherein a phosphor or a scintillator layer is coated onto a flexible substrate, the stiffness of which is lowered by presence of pits or grooves onto said substrate, preferably applied by a technique selected from the group consisting of mechanical, chemical, (laser) optical, electrical and photo-etching techniques.

Abstract: A radiographic image conversion panel including a support, and at least one photostimulable phosphor layer formed on the support by a vapor phase deposition method (vapor phase growth). The panel is manufactured according to deposition, and a temperature of the support at the time of deposition is controlled at 50° C. to 150° C.

Abstract: A radiographic image conversion panel includes: a support; and at least one photostimulable phosphor layer provided on the support, wherein at least one layer of the photostimulable phosphor layers is formed by a photostimulable phosphor, and an amount of an activation metal atom at an end of a photostimulable phosphor crystal and an amount of an activation metal atom in the vicinity of the support satisfy a specific formula.

Abstract: Improved compounds and base precursors that undergo thermal decomposition are disclosed. Thermal base precursors, and in particular, a novel class of salts of arylsulfonylacetic acids as bleaching agents or promoting for photothermographic use are disclosed. Compositions employing these thermal base precursors are suitable for use in acutance and antihalation systems, bleachable filter dye materials, and in promoting unblocking of various components such as blocked developers, especially in photothermographic elements.

Abstract: A system and method of backprinting image prints in which an order is received specifying one or more recipients and, for each specified recipient, a set of one or more images associated with that recipient. For each recipient specified by the order, the images associated with the recipient are separated into at least one printable unit of images, and, for each printable unit, each image in the printable unit is printed on a first side of an image print. Backprinting information is backprinted on the other side of one or more of the image prints. The backprinting information can be received from a user and backprinted onto one or images.

Abstract: A method of marking a substrate includes contacting the substrate with a composition and contacting the composition with energy sufficient to produce a change in the composition that can be detected optically. In some embodiments, the change produces a white mark.

Abstract: Methods and apparatii are provided that use a photosensitive element that is photosensitive to light within a predetermined range of exposure levels to capture images including exposure levels that are outside of the predetermined range of exposure levels. The photosensitive element is exposed to light from a scene. The light from the scene is fractured into concentrated and residual portions with the concentrated portions being directed to form a pattern of concentrated image elements on the photosensitive element when light from the scene is within a first exposure range with the residual portion of the light being directed to form a residual image when light from the scene is within a second exposure range. The light from the scene is adapted also so that the pattern of concentrated image elements is formed in a predefined pattern of concentrated image areas on the photosensitive element.

Abstract: A photosensitive material comprising a substrate and a reversibly decolorable colored layer disposed thereon, wherein the reversibly decolorable colored layer is reversibly colored and decolored, the reversibly decolorable colored layer is in a colored state at 25 ° C., and a temperature at which the color density of the reversibly decolorable colored layer is reduced to 50% based on that at 25 ° C. is 50 to 120 ° C. A method for forming an image using the photosensitive material is also provided.

Abstract: A method of electronic processing of an imagewise exposed dispersed particle photoconductive material imaging element employing pulsed radiation and radio frequency photoconductivity apparatus having a sample capacitor with a gap is described, comprising the steps of: a) placing the imagewise exposed photoconductive material imaging element in an electromagnetic field adjacent the sample capacitor; b) scanning the element through the gap in the sample capacitor with a pulsed, focused beam of radiation; c) directly measuring the photoelectron response of the element and recording the resulting signals from the radio frequency photoconductivity apparatus; and d) advancing the element past the capacitor and repeating steps b) and c); wherein the photoconductive material imaging element comprises photoconductive particles which contain deep electron trapping agents which in an unfilled state effectively decrease the photoconductivity of the photoconductor particles, and wherein imagewise exposure of the photocond

Abstract: Photothermographic elements employing improved base precursors that undergo thermal decomposition are disclosed. Thermal-dye-bleach agents, and in particular, a novel class of salts of arylsulfonylacetic acids as bleaching agents for photothermographic use are disclosed. Photothermographic elements employing these thermal-dye-bleach agents are suitable for use as acutance and antihalation systems, bleachable filter dye materials, and in promoting unblocking of various components such as blocked developers, especially in photothermographic elements.

Abstract: A color photothermographic element comprising at least three light-sensitive units which have their individual sensitivities in different wavelength regions, each of the units comprising at least one light-sensitive silver-halide emulsion, binder, and dye-providing coupler, and a blocked developer in the presence of a thermal solvent represented by the following structure: wherein the groups are as defined in the specification to promote the thermal development of the photothermographic element.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material having a plurality of core particles formed of a core material. The core material has a first glass transition temperature. A shell encapsulates each core particle. The shell is formed of a shell material that has a second glass transition temperature less than the first glass transition temperature. When subjected to a temperature greater than the second glass transition temperature and less than the first glass transition temperature, the shells form a continuous matrix surrounding the core particles. The shell material includes a functional component that can be activated in response to an external excitation. This functional component can include either photosensitive, semiconductor, magnetic, piezoelectric or electro-active components just to mention a few. The different components may be chemically or physically bound to the shell or cores. These nanocomposite materials are used as storage media.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal development having a receiver for receiving an imagewise exposed thermal film, an accumulator for gathering the film, a drive for advancing the film from the receiver to the accumulator, a heater located between the receiver and the accumulator for developing the film, a compound image scanner for scanning the film after it has been thermally developed, the scanner having a first light source and a first sensor placed for forming a first electronic record of the image formed on the developed film by reflection, a second light source and a second sensor placed for forming a second electronic record of the image by an opposing reflection, and a third sensor and a third light source placed for forming a third electronic record of the image formed by transmission, and a lighttight container for the receiver and the heater.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: wherein PUG is a residue of removing a hydrogen from wherein X, Y, and Z represent substituents selected independently from the groups hydrogen, alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclopropyl, aryl, arylalkyl, and heterocyclic groups, wherein at least one of X, Y, and Z is an aryl group and one of X, Y, Z, which may or may not be an aryl group, is attached in the direction of the backbone, and the other substituents are as defined in the specification. Such compounds have good reactivity and can by used to block photographically useful compounds such as developing agents until thermally activated under preselected conditions. Compounds according to the present invention are especially useful in color photothermographic imaging elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: 1

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a blocked polymeric compound in which the blocking group, between the developing agent and the polymeric backbone, is heteroaromatic. Such compounds have good reactivity and can by used to block photographically useful compounds such as developing agents until thermally activated under preselected conditions. Compounds according to the present invention are especially useful in color photothermographic imaging elements.

Abstract: A silver halide photosensitive material having a substrate, a heat-responsive-discolorable coloring layer and a photosensitive layer coated thereon and having a silver halide, dye-providing compound and a binder, the heat-responsive-discolorable coloring layer containing a heat-responsive-discolorable coloring composition, which is colored at a temperature lower than its discoloration initiation temperature (T) of 60 to 200° C.; which is substantially discolored at a temperature equal to or higher than T; and which does not recover its color once discolored, even when its temperature is lowered to a temperature lower than T again, and the heat-responsive-discolorable coloring composition containing a polymer having a glass transition temperature of 60 to 200° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic element comprising a support, at least one photothermographic imaging layer, and at least one filter layer, wherein the filer layer comprises a heat-bleachable composition comprising a benzothiazine arylidiene filter dye, which filter dye is in the presence of an effective amount of a base precursor.

Abstract: A photoconductive material imaging element is described comprising a support and a silver halide emulsion imaging layer comprising silver halide grains which have not been chemically sensitized to optimize formation of latent image Agn0 centers upon imagewise exposure and which are doped with at least 500 deep electron trapping agent dopant centers per grain. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the photoconductive material imaging element includes a planar support and the non-chemically sensitized, deep electron trapping agent doped silver halide grains comprise tabular grains, preferably with an average grain size equivalent circular diameter of greater than 2 &mgr;m, with the long dimensions of the tabular grains primarily oriented parallel to the plane of the support.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic element comprising a support, at least one photothermographic imaging layer, and at least one filter layer, wherein the filer layer comprises a heat-bleachable composition comprising a benzothiazine arylidiene filter dye, which filter dye is in the presence of an effective amount of a base precursor.

Abstract: A method of electronic processing of an imagewise exposed dispersed particle photoconductive material imaging element employing pulsed radiation and radio frequency photoconductivity apparatus having a sample capacitor with a gap is described, comprising the steps of: a) placing the imagewise exposed photoconductive material imaging element in an electromagnetic field adjacent the sample capacitor; b) scanning the element through the gap in the sample capacitor with a pulsed, focused beam of radiation; c) directly measuring the photoelectron response of the element and recording the resulting signals from the radio frequency photoconductivity apparatus; and d) advancing the element past the capacitor and repeating steps b) and c); wherein the photoconductive material imaging element comprises photoconductive particles which contain deep electron trapping agents which in an unfilled state effectively decrease the photoconductivity of the photoconductor particles, and wherein imagewise exposure of the photocond

Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic element comprising a support, at least one photothermographic imaging layer, and at least one filter layer, wherein the filer layer comprises a heat-bleachable composition comprising a barbituric acid arylidene filter dye is in the presence of an effective amount of a base precursor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light sensitive photographic element suitable for image capture followed by machine reading to produce a single perspective two-dimensional color image, said element comprising a two-sided support (a) having disposed on one side of said support a red light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer unit, a green light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer unit, and a blue light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer unit, and (b) having disposed on the opposing side of said support a convergent micro-lens array located and sized to be sufficient to concentrate the image light of a single perspective of an image incident on an area of a micro-lens onto a smaller area of the emulsion layer units. Such elements provide improved latitude in image recording.

Abstract: A photothermographic imaging material comprising a support having thereon a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive silver halide, a light-insensitive organic silver salt, a binder, and a reducing agent for silver ions, wherein the reducing agent is represented by the following Formula (S):  wherein Z is a group of atoms necessary to form a non aromatic ring of 3 to 10 members; Rx is a hydrogen or an alkyl group; each Ro′ and Ro″ is independently a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group; Qo is a substituent; and each n and m is independently an integer of 0 to 2; and plural Qos may be the same or different.

Abstract: An image information recording method, comprising the steps of: (a) imagewise exposing to light a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon a light-sensitive layer containing a silver halide and a color coupler; (b) subjecting the photographic light-sensitive material to color development so as to obtain an image in the photographic light-sensitive material; (c) converting the image in the photographic light-sensitive material to electric image information using a scanner comprising a light source part and a light receiving part while at least 80% of the developed silver and the silver halide remains in the photographic light-sensitive material; and (d) recording the electric information on a recording medium, wherein, the step (c) is carried out with the scanner that exhibits a light diffusion coefficient of at least 0.8.