| NIKON CORPORATION Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120033192 | Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device producing method - An exposure apparatus (EX) exposes a substrate (P) by irradiating exposure light (EL) on the substrate (P) via a projection optical system (PL) and a liquid (LQ) supplied from a liquid supply mechanism ( | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033123 | INFORMATION CONTROL APPARATUS, DATA ANALYZING APPARATUS, SIGNAL, SERVER, INFORMATION CONTROL SYSTEM, SIGNAL CONTROL APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - An information control apparatus comprises: a determination unit that determines at least an attribute of an object to be analyzed on the basis of captured image data acquired by an imaging apparatus fixed to a signal; and an output unit that outputs determination result information of the determination unit to a data analyzing unit that generates analysis result information on the basis of at least the attribute of the object to be analyzed. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032067 | Two dimensional encoder system and method - An encoder system and method are provided, that is designed to improve 2D encoder systems and methods in areas such as accuracy, compactness, stability, resolution, and/or light efficiency. Moreover, the system and method of this invention provides a new concept in a retroreflector that while particularly useful in applicants' system and method, is believed to have more general utility in optical imaging systems and methods. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120030485 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A USB electronic device with a power source loaded therein, which is connected to another USB electronic device via a USB connector, comprises a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage at an identification pin of the USB connector, a power supply control unit that controls connection/disconnection between a power supply pin of the USB connector and the power source based upon a change in voltage at the identification pin detected by the voltage detection unit and an allow/disallow control unit that executes control to allow/disallow detection of the voltage change at the identification pin. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028197 | TRANSMISSION OPTICAL SYSTEM, ILLUMINATION OPTICAL SYSTEM, EXPOSURE APPARATUS, AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a transmission optical system which guides light in a nearly parallel beam state emitted from an optical outlet port of a light source, to an optical inlet port of an exposure apparatus body and which injects the light in the nearly parallel beam state into the optical inlet port is provided with a condensing optical system which keeps the optical outlet port and the optical inlet port in an optical Fourier transform relation, and an angle distribution providing element which is arranged in an optical path between the optical outlet port and the condensing optical system and which provides an emergent beam with an angle distribution in a range larger than a range of an angle distribution of an incident beam. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026613 | ACTUATOR, DRIVE DEVICE, LENS UNIT, IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE - It is an objective of the present invention to provide an actuator that can efficiently enlarge a displacement amount of a moving element. Provided is an actuator that moves a moving element, comprising a drive element that contacts the moving element; a drive unit that moves the moving element in a movement direction by moving a contact portion of the drive element contacting the moving element in the movement direction and in an opposite direction that is opposite the movement direction, such that movement speed in the opposite direction is greater than movement speed in the movement direction; and a displacement enlarging section that joins the drive unit and the drive element to each other, and transmits enlarged displacement of the drive unit to the drive element. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026490 | SURFACE INSPECTION APPARATUS - A surface inspection apparatus for observing an edge portion of an object to be inspected includes an illumination device that irradiates an illumination light to the edge portion; and an observation device that forms an image of an observation region of the edge portion illuminated with the illumination light. The illumination device emits a first irradiation beam and a second irradiation beam as the illumination light. The first irradiation beam is incident at approximately right angles to the edge portion for compensating brightness of the image and the second irradiation beam is obliquely incident laterally to the observation region of the edge portion for generating a shadow depending on a surface state of the observation region. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026475 | Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device producing method - An exposure apparatus EX is provided with a measuring unit | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026386 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT DEVICE AND IMAGING DEVICE - The focus adjustment device is characterized by comprising: a driver | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026365 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGE SYNTHESIS PROGRAM - An imaging device includes an imaging element, a RAM, an adding synthesizing unit, and a high dynamic range synthesizing means. The imaging element captures an image of a subject and generates image data. The RAM temporarily stores plural pieces of image data that have been consecutively captured by the imaging element. The adding synthesizing means adds and synthesizes the plural pieces of image data stored in the RAM to generate synthesized image data. The high dynamic range synthesizing means synthesizes one of the plural pieces of image data with the synthesized image data to generate high dynamic range image data and outputs the generated high dynamic range image data. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026311 | STRUCTURED ILLUMINATION MICROSCOPE APPARATUS AND AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Polarized light which is emitted from an optical fiber becomes circular polarized light bypassing through a first quarter wave plate. The circular polarized light which has entered a second quarter wave plate is converted into nearly linear polarized light which has S polarization. P polarization components are removed from the nearly linear polarized light by a polarizer, but the polarizer is not always necessary. The optical axis of the polarizer is set to be a direction which allows transmitting of S polarized light. The light that has passed through the polarizer is separated into diffracted lights by a diffraction grating, and is used as the structured illumination light. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025280 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device comprises a plurality of pixels that includes a photoelectric conversion portion, a charge-voltage converter that receives the charge and converts the charge to a voltage, an amplifier that outputs a signal corresponding to a potential of the charge-voltage converter, a transfer portion that transfers a charge from the photoelectric conversion portion to the charge-voltage converter, and a reset transistor that resets a potential of the charge-voltage converter; a connection transistor that connects or disconnects the charge-voltage converter of at least one of the pixels and the charge-voltage converter of at least one of the other pixels. A threshold voltage of the connection transistor is higher than a threshold voltage of the reset transistor. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120019804 | CLEANING METHOD, CLEANING APPARATUS, DEVICE FABRICATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A liquid immersion member cleaning method used in an immersion exposure apparatus exposes a substrate with exposure light that transits an exposure liquid, wherein the liquid immersion member is disposed at least partly around an optical member and an optical path of the exposure light, which passes through the exposure liquid between the optical member and the substrate. The cleaning method comprises: loading a cleaning tool into the immersion exposure apparatus and disposing the cleaning tool at a position at which it opposes a first recovery port of the liquid immersion member, which is capable of recovering the exposure liquid; and supplying a cleaning liquid to a recovery passageway of the liquid immersion member, wherethrough the exposure liquid from the first recovery port flows. The liquid immersion member has a first discharge port, which is for discharging the exposure liquid from the recovery passageway, and a second discharge port, which is for discharging a gas from the recovery passageway and hinders the discharge of the exposure liquid more than the first discharge port does; and the cleaning liquid is recovered from a recovery part of the cleaning tool via the first recovery port. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019803 | CLEANING METHOD, LIQUID IMMERSION MEMBER, IMMERSION EXPOSURE APPARATUS, DEVICE FABRICATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A liquid immersion member in an immersion exposure apparatus, which exposes a substrate with exposure light which transits an exposure liquid, has a first recovery port, which is capable of recovering the exposure liquid and that is disposed at least partly around an optical member and an optical path of the exposure light that passes through the exposure liquid between the optical member and the substrate. A cleaning method of cleaning the liquid immersion member comprises: supplying a cleaning liquid to a recovery passageway of the liquid immersion member, wherethrough the exposure liquid recovered via the first recovery port from a space, which the first recovery port faces, flows. The liquid immersion member has a first discharge port, which is for discharging the exposure liquid from the recovery passageway, and a second discharge port, which is for discharging a gas from the recovery passageway and hinders the discharge of the exposure liquid more than the first discharge port does. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019802 | CLEANING METHOD, IMMERSION EXPOSURE APPARATUS, DEVICE FABRICATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An immersion exposure apparatus exposes a substrate with exposure light that transits an exposure liquid. A liquid immersion member has a first recovery port, which is capable of recovering the exposure liquid, and is disposed at least partly around an optical member and an optical path of the exposure light that passes through the exposure liquid between the optical member and the substrate. A cleaning method comprises: supplying a cleaning liquid to a recovery passageway, wherethrough the exposure liquid recovered via the first recovery port from a space, which the first recovery port faces, flows; and recovering the cleaning liquid from the recovery passageway. The liquid immersion member has a first discharge port, which is for discharging the exposure liquid from the recovery passageway, and a second discharge port, which hinders the discharge of the exposure liquid more than the first discharge port does and is for discharging a gas from the recovery passageway; and the cleaning liquid is not supplied to the space, which the first recovery port faces, via the first recovery port. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019792 | Liquid jet and recovery system for immersion lithography - A liquid immersion lithography apparatus includes a stage on which a wafer is held. A projection system projects a pattern image to an exposure region through an immersion liquid to expose the wafer on the stage. A plurality of supply openings are arranged to surround the exposure region, via which the liquid is supplied from above the exposure region. A plurality of recovery openings are arranged to surround the exposure region, via which the liquid is collected from above the exposure region. A part of the supply openings are selected so as to supply the liquid ahead of the exposure region in a direction in which the stage moves. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120014592 | SUBJECT DETERMINATION METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DETERMINING SUBJECT, AND CAMERA - A photographic subject determination method includes: a binarization step of creating a plurality of binarized images of a subject image, based upon color information or luminance information in the subject image; an evaluation value calculation step of, for each of the plurality of binarized images, calculating an evaluation value that is used for specifying at least one of a position, a size, and a shape of a photographic subject within the subject image; and a photographic subject specification step of specifying at least one of the position, the size, and the shape of a photographic subject within the subject image, based upon the evaluation value. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013877 | ILLUMINATION OPTICAL SYSTEM, EXPOSURE APPARATUS, AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an illumination optical system comprises an optical integrator which forms a secondary light source on an illumination pupil plane in an illumination optical path of the illumination optical system with incidence of exposure light from a light source device thereinto; a first transmission filter arranged in an optical path of the exposure light emitted from a first surface illuminant of the secondary light source and having a transmittance characteristic varying according to angles of incidence of the exposure light; a second transmission filter arranged in an optical path of the exposure light emitted from a second surface illuminant of the secondary light source and having a transmittance characteristic varying according to the angles of incidence of the exposure light; and a rotation mechanism which rotates the first and second transmission filters so as to vary an angle of inclination thereof relative to the optical axis of the illumination optical system. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013864 | LIQUID IMMERSION MEMBER, IMMERSION EXPOSURE APPARATUS, LIQUID RECOVERING METHOD, DEVICE FABRICATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A liquid immersion member is disposed inside an immersion exposure apparatus and at least partly around an optical member and around an optical path of exposure light that passes through a liquid between the optical member and an object. The liquid immersion member comprising: a first member, which has a recovery port that recovers at least some of the liquid from a space above the object; a recovery passageway, wherein the liquid recovered via the recovery port flows; a second member, which faces the recovery passageway and has a first discharge port that is for discharging the liquid from the recovery passageway; and a third member, which faces the recovery passageway and has a second discharge port that is for discharging a gas from the recovery passageway. The second member comprises a first portion and a second portion, which is disposed at a position higher than the first portion is and is capable of discharging a greater amount of the liquid than the first portion is. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013863 | LIQUID IMMERSION MEMBER, IMMERSION EXPOSURE APPARATUS, LIQUID RECOVERING METHOD, DEVICE FABRICATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A liquid immersion member is disposed inside an immersion exposure apparatus and at least partly around an optical member and an optical path of exposure light that passes through a liquid between the optical member and an object. The liquid immersion member comprises: a first member, which has a recovery port that recovers at least some of the liquid from the space above the object; a recovery passageway, wherethrough the liquid recovered via the recovery port flows; a discharge part, which has a first discharge port for discharging the liquid from the recovery passageway and a second discharge port for discharging a gas from the recovery passageway, that separately discharges the liquid and the gas from the recovery passageway; and a hindering part, which hinders the liquid in the recovery passageway from contacting the second discharge port. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013862 | LIQUID IMMERSION MEMBER, IMMERSION EXPOSURE APPARATUS, LIQUID RECOVERING METHOD, DEVICE FABRICATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A liquid immersion member is disposed inside an immersion exposure apparatus and at least partly around an optical member and around an optical path of exposure light that passes through a liquid between the optical member and an object. The liquid immersion member comprises: a first member, which has a first surface, a second surface that faces a direction other than that faced by the first surface, and a plurality of holes that connects the first surface and the second surface, that recovers at least some of the liquid from the space above the object opposing the first surface via the holes; a recovery passageway, wherethrough the liquid recovered via the holes of the first member flows; and a discharge part, which separately discharges a liquid and a gas from the recovery passageway. The first member comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion hinders a gas flowing from a space between the object and the first surface into the recovery passageway via the holes more than the first portion does. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013861 | Apparatus and method for providing fluid for immersion lithography - An apparatus and method provide fluid for immersion lithography. A nozzle member that can move in a direction, is arranged to encircle a space under the optical element. The nozzle member can have an input to supply the immersion liquid to the space under the optical element during the exposure, and an output to remove the immersion liquid from a gap between the nozzle member and the wafer during the exposure. Immersion liquid can be supplied at a first rate to the space from a first portion of the nozzle member and at a second rate to the space from a second portion during the exposure. A wafer substrate is exposed by light through the immersion liquid. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013860 | Liquid recovery system, immersion exposure apparatus, immersion exposing method, and device fabricating method - A liquid recovery system is used by an immersion exposure apparatus. The liquid recovery system is provided with: a first opening; a gap portion that is provided so that a liquid on an object that opposes the first opening can flow into the gap portion through the first opening; a liquid recovery part that suctions, through a porous member, at least part of the liquid that flows into the gap portion; and a second opening that is different from the first opening. The gap portion is open to the atmosphere through the second opening. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013772 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains a photographic image captured with an image sensor; a flat portion extraction unit that extracts a flat portion area within the photographic image having been obtained; and a defect information generating unit that generates defect information corresponding to the extracted flat portion area. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013737 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE, AND IMAGE COMBINATION PROGRAM - An image-capturing device includes: an image-capturing unit that captures an image of a photographic subject; a selection unit that selects, as a reference image, a single image from among a plurality of images that have been captured in succession by the image-capturing unit; a calculation unit that calculates an amount of positional deviation between the reference image and each of the plurality of images other than the reference image; and a generation unit that generates a combined image by positionally aligning and then combining the reference image and those ones of the plurality of images whose amounts of positional deviation are less than or equal to a predetermined amount of deviation. The selection unit selects the reference image so that the number of images for which the amount of positional deviation is less than or equal to the predetermined amount of deviation becomes large. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120012191 | LIQUID RECOVERY APPARATUS, EXPOSURE APPARATUS, LIQUID RECOVERING METHOD, DEVICE FABRICATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A liquid recovery apparatus is used in an immersion exposure apparatus and is connected to a liquid immersion member, which is disposed at least partly around an optical path of exposure light that passes through an optical member and a liquid between the optical member and an object. The liquid recovery apparatus comprises: a first passageway, which is connected to a discharge part of the liquid immersion member that separately discharges the liquid and a gas from a recovery passageway of the liquid immersion member wherethrough the liquid recovered via a recovery port of the liquid immersion member flows, into which the liquid discharged via a first discharge port of the discharge part flows; a second passageway, into which the gas discharged via a second discharge port of the discharge part flows; and a first detection apparatus, which is disposed in at least part of the second passageway and detects the amount of the gas discharged via the second discharge port. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120008218 | IMAGING DEVICE AND LENS BARREL - An imaging device comprises a lens barrel having an optical system with an adjustable focal point, and has a first state can focus relative to an imaging face, and a second state can not focus relative to the imaging face, a changing unit for changing the lens barrel from the second state to the first state when the imaging unit is activated, a discriminating unit which discriminates whether the state of the barrel is the first state or the second state, and a control unit which, at a time of activating the imaging unit, changes the lens barrel to the first state by the changing unit if it is discriminated that the state of the barrel is the second state, and which maintains the first state if it is discriminated that the state of the barrel is the first state. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008194 | IMAGING OPTICAL SYSTEM, MICROSCOPE APPARATUS INCLUDING THE IMAGING OPTICAL SYSTEM, AND STEREOSCOPIC MICROSCOPE APPARATUS - Provided is an imaging optical system that can prevent enlargement of the entire optical system of a microscope apparatus while holding a wide distance between optical axes to allow enlargement to a low-power range. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008150 | Autofocus system and method - New and useful concepts for an autofocus system and method are provided. A basic concept uses fringe projection in an autofocus system and method. A further aspect provides spatial filtering concepts for the fringe projection concept. In yet another aspect, the fringe projection autofocus system and method is provided with temporal phase shifting using no moving parts. In a still further aspect, the fringe projection autofocus system and method is provided with unambiguous height measurement concepts. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008112 | Substrate processing method, exposure apparatus, and method for producing device by immersing substrate in second liquid before immersion exposure through first liquid - An immersion type lithographic apparatus includes at least one immersion space and an immersion system configured to at least partially fill the immersion space with a liquid. The apparatus is configured to rinse at least part of the immersion space with a rinsing liquid before the apparatus is used to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a substrate. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008111 | Exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method - A support structure of a lithographic projection apparatus is configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device being configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. A substrate table is configured to hold a substrate. A projection system is configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. A liquid supply system includes a container at least partly defining a space between the projection system and the substrate, the container having a selectively openable and closeable aperture therein, the aperture having an area smaller than an area of the substrate, the patterned beam capable of being projected through liquid in the space and the aperture onto the substrate. A closure is configured to selectively close and open the aperture, and the closure is separable from the remainder of the apparatus. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008006 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC CAMERA, AND MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - In an image processing apparatus performing synthetic processing on N number of images (where N is an integer of two or larger) being captured from a same photographic scene under mutually different exposure conditions to generate a synthetic image with a higher dynamic range than the N number of images, obtaining the N number of images, and performing low-pass processing on at least one image among the N number of images to generate a low-pass image. Then, a weighting amount in the synthetic processing is decided based on the low-pass image, and the synthetic processing is performed on the N number of images according to the decided weighting amount to generate the synthetic image. Accordingly, a natural synthetic image with fewer changes in contrast, hue, and chroma is generated in a simple configuration when generating the synthetic image. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007994 | Electronic device, electronic camera, and data transfer program - An electronic device includes: a data transfer unit that transfers data between a first recording medium and a second recording medium; an indication unit that indicates a communication protocol and a data transfer rate to be used in data transfer to the transfer unit; a judgment unit that judges whether or not the data transfer is successful; a control unit that controls the indication unit to indicate a communication protocol and a data transfer rate to be used in data transfer, after the judgment whether or not the data transfer is successful, based on the communication protocol used in the data transfer, the data transfer rate used in the data transfer, and the judgment whether or not the data transfer is successful. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120002076 | CAMERA AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A camera includes: a photographing unit that generates image files by consecutively capturing subject images at an electronic shutter speed high enough to ensure that no image blur occurs in the subject images; an image file recording unit that records image files into a storage medium; a setting unit that sets a movie image frame rate; a synthetic image generation unit that generates a plurality of synthetic images each by combining sets of image data in image files among a plurality of image files generated by the photographing unit, a quantity of the sets of image data being set by taking into consideration the frame rate set by the setting unit; and a movie image file generation unit that generates a movie image file containing a movie image, each frame of the movie image being constituted with one of the synthetic images. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002068 | Camera with red-eye correction function - An electronic camera comprises an image generation unit that generates a plurality of images for red-eye detection based upon an image obtained by capturing an image of a subject with an image-capturing element, a setting unit that sets a specific mode among a plurality of modes related to electronic camera functions, a selection unit that selects a specific type of red-eye detection processing among a plurality of types of red-eye detection processing different from one another, based upon the mode set via the setting unit; and a red-eye detection unit that detects a red-eye area based upon the images for red-eye detection by executing the red-eye detection processing selected by the selection unit. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110317992 | IMAGE SHOOTING DEVICE - An image shooting device includes an image shooting part, an operation part, a display part that displays a first image which is being shot by the image shooting part under a first light source on a display medium, a recording part that records a second image shot under a second light source by the image shooting part which receives the image shooting instruction from the operation part in a storage medium, a shooting condition setting part that sets a first shooting condition for the first image and a second shooting condition for the second image when the first light source is different from the second light source, and a shooting condition control part that performs control on shooting conditions of the image shooting part such that the first image is shot under the first shooting condition and the second image is shot under the second shooting condition. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317990 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, CAMERA BODY, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An interchangeable lens that is detachably fitted to a camera body includes: a photographic optical system including a plurality of driven members whose driven state changes; a driven position information transmission unit that transmits driven position information to the camera body via a first transmission unit according to a clock signal input from the camera body, the driven position information being relates to a position of at least one driven member among the plurality of driven members; and a type information transmission unit that transmits type information to the camera body via a second transmission unit that is different from the first transmission unit, the type information specifying a type of driven position information that can be transmitted from the driven position information transmission unit. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317292 | PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR AND LENS BARREL - A piezoelectric actuator includes: a plurality of first piezoelectric elements; a first member that is interposed between opposing faces of the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements and that is driven in a first direction by the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements; a second piezoelectric element that is disposed in the first member; a second member that is disposed in contact with the second piezoelectric element and that is driven in a second direction intersecting the first direction by the second piezoelectric element; and a third member that comes in contact with the second member and that is moved relative to the first member by driving the second member. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317264 | IMAGING DEVICE AND OPTICAL DEVICE - An imaging device includes a laminated member, a vibration member, a driving portion. The laminated member is arranged to face an image pick-up portion that is configured to obtain an image from an optical system. The laminated member includes a plurality of light transmissive layers that are laminated each other. The vibration member is provided on the laminated member and vibrates the laminated member to cause bending vibration. The driving portion is electrically connected to the vibration member so as to drive the vibration member. At least one light transmissive layer among the light transmissive layers is larger than other light transmissive layers. The at least one light transmissive layer has a laminated part and a non-laminated part. The vibration member is mounted on the non-laminated part. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317061 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, CAMERA BODY AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An interchangeable lens that is detachably mounted at a camera body includes: a photographic optical system that includes a first drive target member and a second drive target member, a drive condition of each of which changes; and a drive condition information transmission unit that transmits to the camera body first drive condition information pertaining to the drive condition of the first drive target member and second drive condition information pertaining to the drive condition of the second optical member. The drive condition information transmission unit transmits the first drive condition information with a first frequency and transmits the second drive condition information with a second frequency lower than the first frequency by attaching the second drive condition information to the first drive condition information. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317059 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an optical system; an imaging unit; an extractor that extracts a part of a first image as a reference image, the first image being received via the imaging unit; a first detector that obtains a first similar image from within the first image, the first similar image having a characteristic similar to a characteristic of the reference image; a calculator that obtains a positional relationship between the first similar image and the reference image; a second detector that obtains a second similar image from within a second image, the second image being received via the imaging unit later than the first image, the second similar image having a characteristic similar to the characteristic of the reference image; and a position detector that detects a position of a corresponding part of the second similar image in accordance with the positional relationship. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317026 | Imaging apparatus with scene analysis - An imaging apparatus comprises an image-capturing element that outputs image signals representing a plurality of color components and an analyzing device that analyzes a captured photographic image based upon image signals with linearity, which are output from the image-capturing element. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110316528 | POSITION DETECTION DEVICE, TWO-DIMENSIONAL POSITION MEASURING APPARATUS, OPTICAL APPARATUS AND POSITION DETECTION METHOD - A position detection device includes a magnet and a magnetic detector. The magnet includes a first pole, a second pole, a third pole and a fourth pole. The first pole and the second pole are arranged spaced apart from each other and have a same magnetic polarity. The third pole and the fourth pole are arranged spaced apart from each other and have a magnetic polarity different from the magnetic polarity of the first pole and the second pole. The first pole faces the third pole. The second pole faces the fourth pole. The magnetic detector is configured to detect magnetism of the first pole, the second pole, the third pole, and the fourth pole. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110310375 | ILLUMINATION OPTICAL SYSTEM, EXPOSURE APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - According to an embodiment, the illumination optical system for illuminating an illumination target surface with light from a light source is provided with a polarization converting member which converts a polarization state of incident light so as to form a pupil intensity distribution in a predetermined polarization state on an illumination pupil of the illumination optical system; and a phase modulating member which is arranged in the optical path on the illumination target surface side with respect to the polarization converting member and which transmits light from the pupil intensity distribution so as to convert linearly polarized light thereof polarized in a first direction, into required elliptically polarized light and maintain a polarization state of linearly polarized light polarized in a second direction (X-direction or Y-direction) obliquely intersecting with the first direction, in order to reduce influence of retardation caused by a subsequent optical system between the polarization converting member and the illumination target surface. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110310274 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE, IMAGE REPRODUCTION DEVICE, AND IMAGE REPRODUCTION METHOD - An image-capturing device includes: an image sensor that captures an image of a photographic subject and outputs the image; an image size conversion unit that converts a whole of the image outputted from the image sensor to an entire region image having a lesser number of pixels than a number of pixels of the whole of the image; a cutting out region setting unit that sets a cutting out region for a partial region image to be cut out from the image outputted from the image sensor; an image cutting out unit that cuts out the partial region image corresponding to the cutting out region from the image outputted from the image sensor; and a recording control unit that records the entire region image converted by the image size conversion unit and the partial region image cut out by the image cutting out unit in an image recording unit, while establishing a relation to each other. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110310272 | Digital camera - A digital camera includes an insertion unit for inserting a storage medium, an image pickup unit, a control unit for storing an image picked up by the image pickup unit onto a storage medium inserted into the insertion unit, and a medium detection unit for detecting whether the storage medium inserted into the insertion unit is a storage medium in which rewrite is limited. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110310258 | Digital camera - A digital camera includes a communicator that communicates with other digital camera, a receiver that receives a camera information of another digital camera and an imaging device that forms a digital image of an object. The digital camera further includes a processor that creates a digital image data from the digital image based upon the camera information. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110310097 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, RECORDING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Provided is an image processing apparatus that stereoscopically displays a two-dimensional image, comprising a generating section that generates a left-side image and a right-side image by shifting the two-dimensional image left and right in a display region; and an output section that outputs the left-side image to a left eye of the user and the right-side image to a right eye of the user. The generating section generates the left-side image and the right-side image by shifting the two-dimensional image to the left and right within the display region by a distance no greater than a distance between pupils of a user. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110299184 | High NA Annular Field Catoptric Projection Optics using Zernike Polynomial Mirror Surfaces - Optical structure and design concepts are provided, using a Y-Zernike polynomial, and by which optical components, optical components and optical structures, can be designed and produced, to image at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths, at a relatively high NA (e.g. 0.35), with a relatively large field of view (e.g. 26×2 mm). Moreover, an optical structure produced according to the principles of the present invention has a small amount of asymmetry, which enables the components of the optical structure to be manufactured with current manufacturing techniques. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299092 | Imaging Optical System for Producing Control Information Regarding Lateral Movement of An Image Plane or An Object Plane - A new and useful concept is provided by which control information for an imaging optical system such as a lithographic imaging optical system can be generated. A system and method are disclosed that are designed to detect changes in the lateral position of an image plane or object plane in an imaging optical system, particularly a lithographic imaging optical system. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299058 | Movable body drive method and movable body drive system, pattern formation method and apparatus, exposure method and apparatus, and device manufacturing method - Positional information of a wafer stage in a Z-axis direction and a tilt direction with respect to the XY plane (for example, a θy direction) is measured, using a surface position measurement system, such as, for example, a Z head and the like, and the wafer stage is driven based on the measurement results. At the same time, positional information of the wafer stage is measured using an interferometer system such as, for example, a Z interferometer. When abnormality of the surface position measurement system is detected or when the wafer stage moves off from a measurement area of the surface position measurement system, drive control is switched to a drive control based on the measurement results of the interferometer system. Accordingly, the wafer stage can be driven continuously even at the time of abnormality generation in the surface position measurement system. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299056 | System and Method Configured to Provide Predetermined Depth Of Focus and to Control Irradiance Distribution - A system and method for illuminating an imaging optical system are provided, designed to spread the irradiance distribution at a pupil located at a mirror, to decrease the maximum irradiance on the mirror in the pupil, while maintaining a predetermined depth of focus of the imaging optical system (i.e. a depth of focus that is predetermined to be acceptable for the particular imaging optical application). | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299055 | Beam transforming element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method with two optical elements having different thicknesses - A beam transforming element for forming a predetermined light intensity distribution on a predetermined surface on the basis of an incident beam includes a first basic element made of an optical material with optical activity, for forming a first region distribution of the predetermined light intensity distribution on the basis of the incident beam; and a second basic element made of an optical material with optical activity, for forming a second region distribution of the predetermined light intensity distribution on the basis of the incident beam, wherein the first basic element and the second basic element have their respective thicknesses different from each other along a direction of transmission of light. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299052 | Measuring apparatus and method, processing apparatus and method, pattern forming apparatus and method, exposure apparatus and method, and device manufacturing method - Position information of a movable body within an XY plane is measured with high accuracy by an encoder system whose measurement values have favorable short-term stability, without being affected by air fluctuations, and also position information of the movable body in a Z-axis direction orthogonal to the XY plane is measured with high accuracy by a surface position measuring system, without being affected by air fluctuations. In this case, since both of the encoder system and the surface position measuring system directly measure the upper surface of the movable body, simple and direct position control of the movable body can be performed. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110297814 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR - A solid-state image sensor has a pixel, a vertical signal line, and a control unit. The pixel has a photoelectric conversion part, a charge-voltage conversion part, a transfer transistor, an amplifying transistor, a selection transistor which selects whether or not to output a signal, and a reset transistor which resets a charge of the charge-voltage conversion part. The charge-voltage conversion part is connected to the amplifying transistor and the reset transistor by connection wiring. To the vertical signal line, a signal output from the amplifying transistor is transmitted. The control unit controls the reset transistor and the selection transistor so that the selection transistor is in the on state when the reset transistor changes from the on state to the off state during the reset period in which a charge of the photoelectric conversion part is reset. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110293244 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes a storage unit that sequentially stores a plurality of frame images based on an imaging signal from an imaging sensor that images light from a subject, a moving image data generation unit that generates slow motion moving image data that is to be played at a second frame rate lower than a first frame rate that represents the number of frame images stored per unit time in the storage unit, based on the plurality of frame images stored in the storage unit during a predetermined time period, a still image data generation unit that generates at least one piece of still image data based on at least one frame image of the plurality of frame images stored in the storage unit during the predetermined time period, and a record control unit that associates the slow motion moving image data generated by the moving image data generation unit and the still image data generated by the still image data generation unit and records the slow motion moving image data and the still image data in a recording medium. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293201 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT OF IMAGE RECORDING - An image recording device includes: a recording unit that records into a first image file that contains a plurality of sets of image data, common information that can be set by a user as information commonly applicable to all sets of image data in the first image file and individual information that can be individually set by the user for each set of image data in the first image file; and an information modifying unit that modifies the common information based upon information set for the first image file and modifies the individual information corresponding to image data in the first image file based upon information set for the image data. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292528 | VIBRATION ACTUATOR, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING VIBRATION ACTUATOR, LENS BARREL AND CAMERA - A vibration actuator having excellent driving performance, a method for manufacturing the vibration actuator, a lens barrel and a camera. The vibration actuator is provided with: an electromechanical conversion element which converts an electric energy into a mechanical energy; an elastic body which generates vibration waves by oscillation of the electromechanical conversion element; a resin layer, which is formed of a conductive thermoplastic resin and bonds the electromechanical conversion element and the elastic body with each other; and a relatively moving member which is brought into contact with the elastic body with a pressure and is relatively moved to the elastic body by vibration waves. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292278 | ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, ACCESSORY AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An electronic equipment includes a main body, a mounting portion that is provided in the main body and on which an accessory can be mounted, a battery that is stored in the main body, a battery voltage detection portion that detects an output voltage of the battery, an external power source supply portion which supplies the electric power from the battery to the accessory mounted on the mounting portion, and a control portion which determines the remaining capacity of the battery on the basis of the threshold value to be set based on accessory information on the accessory and a detection result of the battery voltage detection portion. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292274 | Image detection device, focusing device, image-capturing device, image detection method, and focusing method - An image detection device includes: a subject detector that acquires image information in an image field of an imaging optics with an image sensor, and detects a position of a subject in the image field based upon reference information related to an image of the subject and the image information; and a magnification detector that detects a magnification of the imaging optics. And the subject detector starts operation to detect the position of the subject, when the magnification has become greater than or equal to a predetermined value. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292228 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - An image capturing device includes a first image processing unit that processes a plurality of frame images to form a moving image file, on the basis of an image capturing signal from an image capturing element that captures an image of light from a subject, an instructing unit that instructs to capture a still image of the subject, a second image processing unit that processes the still image on the basis of the image capturing signal from the image capturing element, when the instructing unit instructs to capture the still image during capturing of the moving image, and generates an interpolation frame image that is the frame image until the capturing of the moving image restarts after the instructing unit instructs to capture the still image, when the capturing of the moving image restarts after the still image is captured, and a moving image file generating unit that generates the moving image file, on the basis of the plurality of frame images processed by the first image processing unit and the interpolation frame image generated by the second image processing unit. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110286734 | Camera - A camera includes: a first sensor of a storage type that has a plurality of pixels; a focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state of a photographic optical system based upon a detection signal from the first sensor for a photographic subject; a second sensor that acquires an image of the photographic subject; an extraction unit that extracts a main photographic subject region from image information acquired by the second sensor; and a control unit that controls accumulation of electrical charge by the first sensor, based upon values outputted from pixels of the first sensor that correspond to the main photographic subject region. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286680 | MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing an image processing program causing a computer to execute an image processing on image data to be processed, the image processing program including an obtaining step obtaining the image data, a gradation conversion processing step performing gradation conversion processing on the image data at an intermediate part of gradation according to input/output characteristics having characteristics to which characteristics to reduce a contrast are added, and a correcting step making a correction to enhance a local contrast indicative of contrast at a local part of an image for the image data subjected to the gradation conversion processing by using a gain curve in which a degree of enhancement changes in accordance with luminance information of a pixel to be processed, and thus, bright and dark part gradations are improved while suppressing a change in a hue and color saturation as well as maintaining an apparent contrast. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286119 | LENS BARREL, IMAGING DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A lens barrel and imaging device with a low likelihood of optical characteristics being degraded by an impact from a fall or the like may be provided. A lens barrel including: a retention member that retains an optical system; and a first guide shaft that guides the retention member to be movable along an optical axis of the optical system, wherein the retention member includes, a first engaging portion that engages with the first guide shaft, and an abutting portion disposed at the opposite side of the optical axis from the side thereof at which the first engaging portion is disposed, at a position that is offset in the optical axis direction from the engaging portion, the abutting portion being abuttable against an abutted portion when a force in the optical axis direction is applied at least to the retention member. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286110 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - The lens barrel has a first lens unit that is disposed at the object side and changeable between a first state, a spacing of the lenses is a predetermined spacing, and a second state, the spacing of the lenses is narrower than in the first state; a second lens unit that is disposed at the image side and capable of changing a focusing state by moving along the optical axis; a restricting member that restricts the change of the first lens unit from the first state to the second state; and driving unit that, in a state in which the change to the second state is restricted by the restricting member, moves the second lens unit toward the image side, wherein the restricting member releases the restriction in association with a completion of the movement of the second lens unit by the driving means. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286091 | Microscope system and observation control method - A microscope system and observation control method. An electric zoom consecutively changes a magnification for a sample. A revolver includes a plurality of objective lenses of different magnifications and switches the objective lens placed in an observation optical path to intermittently change the magnification for the sample. A control section calculates a total magnification at which the sample is observed based on a magnification provided by the electric zoom and the magnification of the objective lens currently placed in the observation optical path. The control section operates when the revolver switches the objective lens placed in the observation optical path, to determine a target magnification that is the magnification of the electric zoom required to keep the total magnification obtained after the switching of the objective lens equal to the total magnification obtained before the switching of the objective lens. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110285650 | Apparatus for recording and reproducing plural types of information, method and recording medium for controlling same - Various processes effectively execute updating of related information that is correlated to user selected information. For example, when a selected screen is touched by a pen or the like while an image corresponding to the selected image data is displayed on the screen, existing line drawing data (for example, a first character string) that is correlated to the image data and stored is displayed on the screen. In this instance, if new line drawing data (for example, a second character string) is input using the pen or the like, the new line drawing data is added to the existing line drawing data, and is correlated to the image data being displayed and stored. Different sound data can be correlated to selected image data. Different memo data also can be correlated user selected sound data. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110280559 | VIBRATIONAL WAVE MOTOR, LENS BARREL AND CAMERA - A vibrational wave motor which can realize a suitable drive performance and can be driven quietly. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110279807 | MOVABLE BODY DRIVE METHOD AND SYSTEM, PATTERN FORMATION METHOD AND APPARATUS, EXPOSURE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING MOVABLE BODY BASED ON MEASUREMENT VALUE OF ENCODER AND INFORMATION ON FLATNESS OF SCALE, AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A drive unit drives a wafer stage in a Y-axis direction based on a measurement value of an encoder that measures position information of the wafer stage in the Y-axis direction and based on information on the flatness of a scale that is measured by the encoder. In this case, the drive unit can drive the wafer stage in a predetermined direction based on a measurement value after correction in which a measurement error caused by the flatness of the scale included in the measurement value of the encoder is corrected based on the information on the flatness of the scale. Accordingly, the wafer stage can be driven with high accuracy in a predetermined direction using the encoder, without being affected by the unevenness of the scale. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110279794 | Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method - An exposure apparatus illuminates a pattern with an energy beam and transfers the pattern onto a substrate via a projection optical system. The exposure apparatus includes a substrate stage, a supply mechanism, a recovery mechanism and an auxiliary recovery mechanism. The substrate stage mounts the substrate and moves within a two-dimensional plane while holding the substrate. The supply mechanism supplies liquid to a space between the projection optical system and the substrate on the substrate stage. The recovery mechanism recovers the liquid, and the auxiliary recovery mechanism recovers the liquid which could not be recovered by the recovery mechanism. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110279727 | BACKSIDE ILLUMINATION IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE - A backside illumination image sensor that includes a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a read circuit formed on a front surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and captures an image by outputting, via the read circuit, electrical signals generated as incident light having reached a back surface side of the semiconductor substrate is received at the photoelectric conversion elements includes: a light shielding film formed on a side where incident light enters the photoelectric conversion elements, with an opening formed therein in correspondence to each photoelectric conversion element; and an on-chip lens formed at a position set apart from the light shielding film by a predetermined distance in correspondence to each photoelectric conversion element. The light shielding film and an exit pupil plane of the image forming optical system achieve a conjugate relation to each other with regard to the on-chip lens. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110279690 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE, CAMERA, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT OF IMAGE PROCESSING - An electronic device includes: a specifying unit that specifies image data to be designated as a print target; an image generation unit that generates a single image as a print target image based upon a plurality of sets of image data when the specifying unit specifies as the print target a set of image data contained in a first image file that includes the plurality of sets of image data for constituting the single image; an image file generation unit that generates a second image file containing the print target image having been generated by the image generation unit; an image file recording unit that records the second image file having been generated by the image file generation unit, into a storage medium; and a print information recording unit that generates print information to be used when printing the print target image and records the print information into the storage medium. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110278652 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A plurality of pixels PX include effective pixels and optical black pixels. Signal lines VL are provided corresponding to each column of the pixels PX and supplied with output signals of the pixels PX of the corresponding column. Clip transistors CL are provided corresponding to the respective signal lines VL and limit a potential of the corresponding vertical signal lines VL based on a gate potential. At least in a predetermined operating mode, a potential Vclip_dark is supplied to a gate of one of the clip transistors CL corresponding to at least one pixel column formed of the optical black pixels when reading a noise level from the pixels PX corresponding to the clip transistors CL and when reading a data level from the pixels PX corresponding to the clip transistors CL. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110275106 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING ACTIVITY OF CULTURED CELLS, MICROCHAMBER AND METHOD OF MEASURING ACTIVITY OF CULTURED CELLS - A device for measuring activity of cultured cells includes a position detecting unit specifying a position of a cell to be measured, a microchamber controlling unit disposing in the culture container a microchamber which surrounds the cell and forms a measurement space, the measurement space being minute with respect to a volume of the culture container, and a measuring unit measuring environmental factors contained in the measurement space. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110274424 | Lens barrel, photographic device, and production method of same - A lens barrel comprising bayonet type mount projections to detachably attach to a lens-fitting unit of a camera body having a photographic region, wherein mount projections are formed to avoid cross-section of light path area where object light is introduced in the camera body. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110274419 | Lens barrel, camera and lens barrel adjustment device - A lens barrel comprises a fixed optical system though which a subject image enters into the lens barrel along with an optical axis, a retreatable blur correction optical system that corrects an image blur by moving within a plane ranging perpendicular to the optical axis in an operating position and that retreats to a storage position from the operating position, a blur correction optical system drive unit that drives the retreatsble blur correction optical system within the plane ranging perpendicular to the optical axis, and a correction information recording unit at which reference position correction information is recorded, the correction information indicating a reference position for the retreatable blur correction optical system within the plane ranging perpendicular to the optical axis. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273782 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - A lens barrel having an image forming optical system including a first optical system and a second optical system which is moveable independently from the first optical system, a first driving portion which drives the first optical system during a magnification changing operation of the image forming optical system, and a second driving portion which drives the second optical system during the magnification changing operation, along with driving the second optical system during a focus adjustment of the image forming system. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273698 | Beam transforming element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method with two optical elements having different thicknesses - A beam transforming element for forming a predetermined light intensity distribution on a predetermined surface on the basis of an incident beam includes a first basic element made of an optical material with optical activity, for forming a first region distribution of the predetermined light intensity distribution on the basis of the incident beam; and a second basic element made of an optical material with optical activity, for forming a second region distribution of the predetermined light intensity distribution on the basis of the incident beam, wherein the first basic element and the second basic element have their respective thicknesses different from each other along a direction of transmission of light. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273697 | Polarization-modulating element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method - There is disclosed a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273693 | Beam transforming element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method with two optical elements having different thicknesses - A beam transforming element for forming a predetermined light intensity distribution on a predetermined surface on the basis of an incident beam includes a first basic element made of an optical material with optical activity, for forming a first region distribution of the predetermined light intensity distribution on the basis of the incident beam; and a second basic element made of an optical material with optical activity, for forming a second region distribution of the predetermined light intensity distribution on the basis of the incident beam, wherein the first basic element and the second basic element have their respective thicknesses different from each other along a direction of transmission of light. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273692 | Beam transforming element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method with two optical elements having different thicknesses - A beam transforming element for forming a predetermined light intensity distribution on a predetermined surface on the basis of an incident beam includes a first basic element made of an optical material with optical activity, for forming a first region distribution of the predetermined light intensity distribution on the basis of the incident beam; and a second basic element made of an optical material with optical activity, for forming a second region distribution of the predetermined light intensity distribution on the basis of the incident beam, wherein the first basic element and the second basic element have their respective thicknesses different from each other along a direction of transmission of light. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273684 | NANO-IMPRINT METHOD AND APPARATUS - There is provided a nanoimprint method for pressing a template having a pattern of a rugged or uneven shape, to a substrate coated with a curable resin the method including a measuring step for measuring positions of preselected sample measurement points of a predetermined number, which are set for object regions, respectively, of the substrate; a calculating step for performing statistical operations using the measurement positions of the sample measurement points as operation parameters thereby to calculate the deformed states of the object regions; a deforming step for deforming the template based on the deformed states of the object regions calculated at the calculating step; and a pressing step for pressing the deformed template onto the object regions. Accordingly, a nanoimprint method and a nanoimprint apparatus capable of forming a pattern highly precisely on a substrate are provided. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273608 | FOCUS DETECTION DEVICE - A focus detection device includes: a defocus information detection unit that detects phase difference information indicating a phase difference manifested by a pair of images formed with a pair of light fluxes having passed through different areas of a photographic optical system and detects defocus information based upon the phase difference information; and a correction unit that executes correction for correcting the defocus information, detected by the defocus information detection unit, in correspondence to a predetermined direction extending between a first direction that orthogonally intersects an optical axis of the photographic optical system and radially extends from the optical axis and a second direction that orthogonally intersects the first direction. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273606 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device provided with an imaging unit for imaging object light, and a display unit for displaying an image, comprises: a storage unit that stores at least one of setting information regarding image capture performed in a predetermined image capture mode in which a predetermined image capture condition can be set and setting information regarding functions other than the image capture; a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied when the predetermined image capture mode is released and then the imaging device re-enters the predetermined image capture mode; and a control unit that controls whether to cause the display unit to display presence display, which indicates presence or absence of the setting information stored in the storage unit, based on a determination result of the determination unit. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273599 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An image-capturing device includes: a first image sensor equipped with first and second image-capturing pixels and first focus detection pixels, each of which receives one of light fluxes formed by splitting subject light having passed through an optical system, the first and the second image-capturing pixels generating first and second color signals respectively and the first focus detection pixels outputting focus detection signals indicating a state of focus detection pertaining to the optical system; and a second image sensor equipped with third image-capturing pixels and second focus detection pixels, each of which receives another light flux, the third image-capturing pixels generating third color signals and the second focus detection pixels outputting focus detection signals, wherein: when n represents a quantity of the first image-capturing pixels, quantities of the second and the third image-capturing pixels, and the first and the second focus detection pixels are n, 2n, 2n and 2n respectively. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273595 | Noise reduction device for reducing noise in image using blackout image, electronic camera, program, and method - The noise reduction device includes an image storage unit, a blackout image processing unit, and a noise processing unit. The image storage unit captures image data obtained by imaging a field with an image sensor, and stores the image data therein. The blackout image processing unit captures blackout image data obtained by imaging by the image sensor that is shaded, and extracts a specific noise component of the blackout image data. The noise processing unit reduces a noise in the image data based on the specific noise component of the blackout image data. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273589 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - Provided are: an acquisition unit that acquires at least one of an image stored in a storage unit and an image recorded on a recording medium; an extraction unit that extracts a factor regarding the image that is acquired by the acquisition unit, the factor that does not satisfy a predetermined condition; and a display unit capable of displaying information on an image-capture state of the image based on the factor extracted by the extraction unit and capable of displaying information on a solution for allowing the factor to satisfy the predetermined condition. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273577 | Imaging device, with blur enhancement - An imaging device includes an imaging section, an image segmenting section, and a blur enhancement section. The imaging section images a field to generate photographic image data. The image segmenting section partitions an image of the photographic image data into a first region that is a main subject region and a second region where the main subject is not included. The blur detecting section detects degree of blur of an image of the second region of the image of the photographic image data. The blur enhancement section performs blur enhancement processing on the image of the second region to enlarge the degree of blur of the image after image processing in proportion to the magnitude of the detected degree of blur of the image. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273543 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, RECORDING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Provided is an image processing apparatus that stereoscopically displays a two-dimensional image, comprising a generating section that generates a left-side image and a right-side image by shifting the two-dimensional image left and right in a display region; a right-edge processing section that attaches a right-edge image, which is displayed within a prescribed range from a right edge of the display region, to a right side of the left-side image; a left-edge processing section that attaches a left-edge image, which is displayed within a prescribed range from a left edge of the display region, to a left side of the right-side image; and an output section that outputs the left-side image with the right-edge image attached thereto to a left eye of a user and outputs the right-side image with the left-edge image attached thereto to a right eye of the user. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272565 | ENCODER - An encoder includes: a light modulation section which modulates at least a portion of light that is emitted from a light source; a moving member which has an incidence plane, on which a plurality of light beams of the light incident, and is relatively movable in at least one direction; and at least two light receiving sections which respectively receive interference fringes that are generated in at least two regions on the moving member, wherein the light enters into the moving member such that at least two interference fringes move in opposite directions on the moving member in accordance with a modulation by the light modulation section. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272382 | TEMPLATE MANUFACTURING METHOD, TEMPLATE INSPECTING METHOD AND INSPECTING APPARATUS, NANOIMPRINT APPARATUS, NANOIMPRINT SYSTEM, AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - There is provided a template inspection apparatus which inspects a replica template, manufactured by an imprinting method from a master template having a depression/protrusion pattern, the template inspection apparatus including: an inspection light source part which radiates inspection light of plane waves; a stage configured to dispose the master template and the replica template so as to be in close proximity with each other and be irradiated by the inspection light; and a detection part which detects light of a component transmitting through the master template and the replica template and different from the plane waves. Accordingly, a template can be inspected in a short time. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110270562 | Profile measuring apparatus - According to one embodiment, a profile measuring apparatus comprises a profile measuring unit, a position acquiring unit, a profile calculating unit, a deflection detecting unit, and a controlling unit. The profile measuring unit has a projecting unit to project a pattern onto a measured object, and an imaging unit to image the pattern. The position acquiring unit acquires a position of the pattern on the measured object. The profile calculating unit calculates a profile of the measured object, based on image information from the imaging unit and position information from the position acquiring unit. The deflection detecting unit detects deflection of the projecting unit. The controlling unit executes active correction for the profile measuring unit and/or passive correction for the profile calculating unit, based on the deflection of the projecting unit detected by the deflection detecting unit. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268420 | Image recording apparatus, dynamic image processing apparatus, dynamic image reproduction apparatus, dynamic image recording apparatus, information recording/reproduction apparatus and methods employed therein, recording medium with computer program stored therein - The image recording apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a conversion device that converts an optical image of a subject to an electrical signal, a recording circuit that records the electrical signal achieved through the conversion device in a storage device as image data and a display control circuit that detects an available capacity at the storage device and the length of time that power supply by a source is possible and displays them on a display as available capacity information and remaining power supply time information. The available capacity information indicates the length of available recording time remaining at the available capacity that has been detected. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268419 | Moving image file producing method, computer program product and electronic camera - A moving image file producing method includes: inputting an image material; inputting a scenario information; and producing a moving image file that contains the image material based on the scenario information. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268142 | METHOD FOR HAVING LASER LIGHT SOURCE IN STANDBY STATUS - When the laser light source is caused to standby, the temperatures of semiconductor lasers are changed by approximately 3° C. from the temperature when the laser light source is always being used. With a temperature change of approximately 3° C., the wavelengths of the laser light generated by the semiconductor lasers change approximately 0.3 nm. This change hardly has any effect at all on optical fiber amplifiers, but the conversion efficiencies at the respective wavelength conversion elements of the wavelength conversion optical system change, and, particularly, deep ultraviolet light is hardly generated at all any longer. Therefore, even while the laser light has been made incident to the wavelength conversion optical system, there is no longer damaging of the wavelength conversion elements. Therefore, it is possible to provide a laser light source standby method that is able to shorten the start up time of the laser light source. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267710 | LENS BARREL AND OPTICAL DEVICE - A lens barrel comprises barrier blades that open and close in a directional orthogonal to an optical axis; an optical system retention frame that includes a first surface along a direction orthogonal to the axis, the optical system retention frame retaining the optical system and movable with respect to the barrier blades in a direction along the axis; and a coupling plate includes a second surface relatively movable with respect to the first surface, the coupling plate causing the barrier blades to open and close by the coupling plate rotating about the axis; wherein, when the barrier blades are opened, the first surface is can move in the axis direction without abutting against the second surface and, when the barrier blades are closed, the first surface abuts against the second surface and movement of the first surface in the axis direction is restricted. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267511 | CAMERA - A camera includes an image sensor that includes a first pixel row at which a plurality of first pixels that output focus adjustment signals are disposed, and second pixel rows each made up exclusively with a plurality of second pixels that output image data generation signals; and an interpolation processing device that executes, when outputs from a plurality of pixel rows are provided as a combined output according to a predetermined combination rule, interpolation processing for an output from a specific second pixel row which would be combined with an output from the first pixel row according to the predetermined combination rule, by using the output of the specific second pixel row and a combined output of second pixel rows present around the specific second pixel row. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110261445 | MICROSCOPE APPARATUS - A microscope apparatus configured to enlarge entrance pupils while maintaining the rotational symmetry of optical systems of a plurality of optical paths after ejection of light from an objective lens to bring out the performance of the objective lens. A microscope apparatus includes an objective lens having a function of collecting light from the object; and optical paths in which all lens groups are rotational symmetric systems and through which light exited from the objective lens passes, wherein when a sum of maximum diameters of entrance pupils of optical systems forming any two of the optical paths is set as ΣDi, and an axial luminous flux diameter determined from a maximum aperture angle α and a focal distance f of the objective lens is set as Dobj, a condition of the following expression is satisfied, ΣDi>Dobj where Dobj=2·f·sin α. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261345 | Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method - A lithographic projection apparatus includes a substrate table configured to hold a substrate, a projection system arranged to project a patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate, a liquid supply system configured to supply liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, and a residual liquid detector configured to detect liquid remaining on the substrate and/or the substrate table after an exposure is completed. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261331 | Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method - A lithographic apparatus includes a substrate table which holds a substrate, a projection optical system which projects a patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate, a liquid supply member which supplies a liquid to a space between the projection optical system and the substrate, and a liquid detector which detects a liquid remaining on a surface of an exposed substrate before the exposed substrate is unloaded from the substrate table. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261330 | Substrate conveyance device and substrate conveyance method, exposure apparatus and exposure apparatus and exposure method, device manufacturing method - A lithographic projection apparatus includes a substrate table configured to hold a substrate, a projection system arranged to project a patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate, a liquid supply system configured to supply liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate, and a residual liquid detector configured to detect liquid remaining on the substrate and/or the substrate table after an exposure is completed. A device manufacturing method includes projecting, using a projection system of a lithographic apparatus, a patterned beam of radiation through a liquid onto a substrate, the substrate being held by a substrate table, and, after the projecting is complete, detecting residual liquid on the substrate and/or the substrate table. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261244 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE REPRODUCING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS AND PROGRAM RECORDING MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus has a data reading section, a controlling section, and a display section. The data reading section reads a reproduced file selected from a first file and a second file. Here, the first file includes data of a first image together with metadata indicating a location of a second image related to the first image. The second file includes the data of the first image but do not include the metadata. The controlling section detects the metadata from the reproduced file. The display section performs display of indicating existence of the second image on a first screen reproducing the first image of the reproduced file when the controlling section detects the metadata. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261230 | Image-capturing device - An image-capturing device including an image-capturing element, a data extraction device, a recording device, a reproduction device, and a display control device is provided. The image-capturing element captures an image of a photographic subject and outputs image data. The data extraction device extracts data corresponding to a region designated in advance within the image data outputted from the image-capturing element. The recording device records the extracted data and the image data into a recording medium individually. The reproduction device reads out the extracted data from the recording medium. The display control device outputs an image signal to a display device, so as to display an image according to the extracted data read out by the reproduction device. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261227 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus provided with: an imaging unit including an imaging sensor for imaging light from an object and a storage unit for storing image data generated based on an imaging signal output from the imaging sensor; and a GPS module for executing a process of calculating location information based on received data from a satellite, in which as a result of the imaging unit shifting from a low power consumption mode or a power OFF state to a normal image-capture mode, the GPS module shifts from the low power consumption mode or the power OFF state to a normal operation mode in which the process of calculating the location information is executed, and if it is not possible to perform the process of calculating the location information at the time of imaging the light from an object in the GPS module at a time point at which the light from an object is imaged after the imaging unit has been shifted to the normal image-capture mode, then image-capture-time location information obtained in consideration of at least one of pre-image-capture location information already acquired at a time point before the time of the imaging and post-image-capture location information calculated at a time point after the time of the imaging is added to the image data and stored in the storage unit, and calculation technique information indicating by which technique the image-capture-time location information has been obtained is also added to the image data and stored in the storage unit. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261226 | Electronic camera video signal correcting device - A device stores in ROM white spot addresses, white spot levels, an OB level median, sensitivity, and time-in-second under dark shooting, a temperature coefficient correcting the white spot level according to the temperature under normal shooting, a sensitivity coefficient for the sensitivity-based correction, and a time-in-second coefficient for the exposure time-in-second-based correction. A temperature difference during shooting a subject is obtained according to the difference between OB level median during normal shooting and that during dark shooting. A correction value for the white spot level due to temperature is obtained from temperature difference and temperature coefficient, and similarly, correction value due to sensitivity is obtained from sensitivity difference and sensitivity coefficient, and correction value due to time-in-second is obtained from time-in-second difference and time-in-second coefficient for correction. Dark current is corrected by subtracting OB level median during shooting a subject from the video signal during shooting a subject. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261224 | Digital camera and storage medium for image signal processing for white balance control - A CCD captures a subject image having passed through a taking lens and an image processing circuit performs various types of image pre-treatment including gamma correction and white balance on image data corresponding to n lines×m rows output by the CCD. The image processing circuit also performs format processing on the data. The data are then compressed at a compression circuit. The white balance adjustment and the like are implemented in line sequence at a line processing circuit which engages in signal processing in pixel sequence in units of individual lines in the output from the CCD. The image data having undergone the pre-treatment are then subjected to format processing prior to JPEG compression, at a block processing circuit that engages in signal processing in units of individual blocks each ranging over an n×m (N>n, M>m) block. In other words, the signal processing is performed in block sequence. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110258583 | Processing execution program product and processing execution apparatus - A computer readable computer program product containing a processing execution program, the processing execution program includes: an area display instruction to display, in correlation to data displayed on a screen, a selection area to be operated by a user for selecting the data; a selection status display instruction to display a selection status indication indicating that the data has been selected in the selection area; a processing execution instruction to execute the processing to the data corresponding to the selection area in which the selection status indication is displayed; and an execution status display instruction to display an execution status indication on the processing in place of the selection status indication in the selection area. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110258066 | Method of brokering digital data - A photographer | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255857 | Camera - In a camera, the first cam is rotated to assume a rotational phase at which drive of the first shutter blade set with the first drive force is not hindered and the second drive force charge cam face in contact with the second charge member charges the second drive force as the rotating shaft is caused to rotate to a first rotational phase. The second drive force charge cam in contact with the second charge member sustains a second drive force charging state during a transition period in which the rotating shaft in the first rotational phase rotates to a second rotational phase. The first drive force charge cam face in contact with the first charge member charges the first drive force and the second drive force charge cam face in contact with the second charge member charges the second drive force as the rotating shaft is caused to rotate from the first rotational phase to the second rotational phase. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255852 | Aperture control device and camera - An aperture control device includes: an aperture first driving member that controls an aperture of a diaphragm through which light flux passes; an aperture second driving member that drives the aperture first driving member; a motor that drives the aperture second driving member; a detection device that detects start of movement of the aperture first driving member caused by the aperture second driving member driven by the motor; and a motor control device that controls an aperture value of the diaphragm by controlling a rotational amount of the motor after the detection device detects the start of movement of the aperture first driving member. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255849 | Camera - To provide a camera that can perform a removal operation for particles adherent to a surface upon which light is incident, of a pickup device and a transmitting member disposed on an optical path of the pickup device in such a condition that the particles are properly removed. According to the present invention, a camera comprises a driving mechanism section to drop and remove particles on a cleaning target that is a surface of an image pickup device and/or a surface of a low-pass filter provided closer to a side of a subject in an optical path than the image pickup device, the subject light passing through the low-pass filter, which is provided with: a tilt sensor to detect an orientation of the camera; and a control section to judge whether a removal operation for the particles by the driving mechanism section should be carried out or not in accordance with the detected value from the tilt sensor. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255801 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes an edge emphasizing unit configured to form an edge emphasized image by emphasizing an edge of an input image, a range setting unit configured to set a pixel value range of a target pixel value of a target pixel of the input image based on a pixel value difference between the target pixel value and a neighboring pixel value of a neighboring pixel of the input image, and based on an edge emphasized neighboring pixel value of an edge emphasized neighboring pixel of the edge emphasized image, and a ringing control unit configured to restrict an edge emphasized target pixel value of an edge emphasized target pixel of the edge emphasized image in the pixel value range. The edge emphasized neighboring pixel corresponds to the neighboring pixel position of the input image. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254990 | Electronic device and electronic camera - An electronic device includes: a display element that displays a numeral; an auxiliary display element that displays an expression other than a numeral; an arithmetic operation device that executes an arithmetic operation to obtain an integer; and a display control device that implements control so as to display the integer obtained through the arithmetic operation executed by the arithmetic operation device by using the display element and the auxiliary display element. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254979 | IMAGING APPARATUS, SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes a microphone that converts a sound signal into an electrical signal, a detector that detects at least one of a sensor signal output from an operation sensor detecting an operation of an imaging unit that takes an optical image obtained by an optical unit and a control signal output from an operation unit that controls the operation of the imaging unit, a determination unit that determines a state of operation of the imaging unit based on at least one of the sensor signal and the control signal, a memory unit that stores a first electrical signal output from the microphone as a noise signal when a signal ratio of the first electrical signal and a second electrical signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and a noise reduction unit that reduces a noise of the electrical signal. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254977 | Data recording apparatus and camera - A data recording apparatus includes: a data recording device that records acquired data in a recording medium; a target data specifying device that specifies target data to which data processing is to be performed out of data recorded in the recording medium based on an instruction by a user; a recordable data number calculation device that calculates a number of the acquired data that will be able to be recorded in the recording medium by performing the data processing to the target data based on a remaining capacity of the recording medium and a content of processing of the data processing; a display control device that displays on a display device a result of the calculation by the recordable data number calculation device before the data processing is performed. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254971 | Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and electronic camera - An image processing method of the present invention includes a detection step detecting a characteristic area from each of three or more shot images having a common graphic pattern in part thereof, the characteristic area having an image significantly different from the other shot images, and a combining step extracting a partial image located in the characteristic area from each of the three or more shot images and combining these partial images into one image. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254970 | Electronic camera - An electronic camera comprises an image processing unit that performs image quality adjustment using a plurality of adjustment parameters, an information acquisition unit that acquires from an external device first image quality adjustment information including a parameter group for use with the image quality adjustment and an image quality adjustment algorithm that applies the parameter group, and a control unit that controls the image processing unit so that it performs image quality adjustment while applying the parameter group included in the first image quality adjustment information that has been acquired to the image quality adjustment algorithm included in the first image quality adjustment information that has been acquired. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254946 | Surface inspection device - A surface inspection device ( | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110249151 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus of the present application includes a reduced image generation section generating a first reduced image obtained by reducing at least a target image being a noise reduction target, out of the target image and a reference image to be a reference of a noise reduction processing, a noise extraction section extracting a noise component in a frequency band corresponding to a reduction ratio of the first reduced image by using at least the first reduced image, and a noise reduction section reducing the noise component in the frequency band from a pixel value of each pixel of the target image based on the noise component in the frequency band being extracted. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110249114 | Image display and recording apparatus and a recording medium on which a category control program is recorded - An image display and recording apparatus displays at least one image which belongs to a category as a heading image which shows that category. The heading images are selected from a plurality of images recorded in memory. The display of the heading images allows the content of each category to be grasped at one glance when selecting the category. The heading images may be used when displaying the categories of the images in various types of displays. Such displays include an index screen, a cartridge list screen, a category list screen, a category index screen, a story list screen, and a story index screen. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110249112 | DEFECT INSPECTION DEVICE AND DEFECT INSPECTION METHOD - A defect inspection device and an inspection method which can decide the quality of a pattern shape of a sample surface in a short time are provided. A defect inspection device | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110245898 | LASER APPARATUS, LIGHT THERAPY APPARATUS, EXPOSURE APPARATUS, DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD, AND OBJECT INSPECTION APPARATUS - A fundamental wavelength light generating unit generates light of a fundamental wavelength in accordance with an output wavelength instruction signal. An optical amplifier unit amplifies the light of the fundamental wavelength. A wavelength converting part includes nonlinear optical crystals that each perform wavelength conversion and temperature regulators that each regulate the temperature of the corresponding nonlinear optical crystal, wherein the wavelength converting part converts the light amplified by the optical amplifier unit to light of the wavelength indicated by the output wavelength instruction signal. A storage unit stores correspondence information that indicates a correspondence relationship between the wavelength of the output light and the temperature of each of the nonlinear optical crystals based on the corresponding wavelength. A control unit controls each of the temperature regulators such that the temperature of the corresponding nonlinear optical crystal reaches the temperature to be set in accordance with the output wavelength instruction signal. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244396 | EXPOSURE APPARATUS, EXCHANGE METHOD OF OBJECT, EXPOSURE METHOD, AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A first carrier unit carries out a substrate tray that supports a substrate from below from a substrate holder by sliding the substrate tray in one axis direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to the substrate surface. Meanwhile, a second carrier unit carries in a substrate tray that supports a substrate subject to carry-in from below onto the substrate holder by sliding the substrate tray in the Y-axis direction, in parallel with the carry-out operation of the substrate (in a state where a part of the substrate tray that supports the substrate subject to carry-out is located on the substrate holder). Consequently, exchange of the substrate on the substrate holder can speedily be performed. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242520 | OPTICAL PROPERTIES MEASUREMENT METHOD, EXPOSURE METHOD AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An image of a pattern used for measurement formed on a reticle for testing is transferred onto a wafer for testing via a projection optical system, while gradually changing a position in an optical axis direction of the projection optical system. The image of the pattern used for measurement which has been transferred is detected, and an amount corresponding to an expanse of the image of the pattern in a measurement direction is obtained. In this case, four images included in the image of the pattern used for measurement are detected in detection areas, respectively, or in other words, remaining sections except for both ends in a non-measurement direction are detected, and for example, area of the remaining sections is to be obtained as the corresponding amount. Optical properties of the projection optical system are to be obtained, based on the area which has been obtained. Because the area which has been obtained does not have sensitivity to the non-measurement direction, the optical properties of the projection optical system in the measurement direction can be precisely obtained. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242511 | Apparatus and methods for inhibiting immersion liquid from flowing below a sustrate - A substrate stage is provided with an immersion liquid collection member that surrounds at least an alignment feature of the substrate stage used to align the substrate on the stage by engaging alignment structure of the substrate. The collection member is located at least partly below the periphery of the substrate held by the substrate holding member of the substrate stage. The collection member has an uppermost liquid-receiving surface that preferably is spaced below a lowermost surface of the substrate when the substrate is held by the substrate holding member. The collection member collects liquid that flows along the alignment feature so as to prevent that immersion liquid from flowing along the under-surface of the substrate. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242506 | PROJECTION APPARATUS - A projection apparatus comprising a projection unit provided with an optical system that projects an image, a housing that houses the projection unit, a first surface, provided at the housing, that functions as a distance reference surface that defines a distance from a projection window that the housing is provided with to a projection surface that projects the image and as a first placement surface used when setting the housing, and a second surface, provided at the housing, that perpendicularly intersects the first surface and functions as a second placement surface when setting the housing is provided. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242365 | Photometric device - A photometric device includes a storage-type photometric sensor, a first control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon an average value of an output of the photometric sensor, a second control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon a maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor, and an accumulation control means that controls the second control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor on which the accumulation control is performed by the first control means exceeds a saturation output level of the photometric sensor, and controls the first control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor does not exceed the saturation output level of the photometric sensor. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242363 | Digital camera system - A digital camera system capable of operating by detecting a feature point, which has not been accomplished, in addition to ordinary functions of a conventional camera is provided. According to an aspect of the present invention, a digital camera system includes a detecting means that detects a given feature point from an image data, a receiving means that receives an order from a user, a selecting means that selects each feature point in accordance with a given order instructed by the receiving means when a plurality of feature points are detected, and a display that displays feature point information identifying the feature point selected by the selecting means. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242352 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - Information of a flare component is extracted from a shot image without using shooting condition data such as wavelength spectrum data of a bright point and imaging characteristic data of a shooting optical system. To achieve this, an aspect of an image processing method of the present application includes an input step inputting a processing target image obtained by a shooting optical system, an estimating step estimating an ideal bright point image component included in an occurrence area of a flare in the processing target image, an extracting step extracting a real bright point image component including a flare component from the occurrence area, and a calculating step calculating a difference between the ideal bright point image component and the real bright point image component as an index of the flare component included in the occurrence area. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241485 | Motor device, method of manufacturing motor device, and robot device - A motor device includes a base portion; a transmission portion that is formed with the base portion as one member and is wound around at least a part of an outer periphery of a rotator; and a driving portion which is supported by the base portion, moves the transmission portion by a certain distance in a state in which a rotational force is transmitted between the rotator and the transmission portion, and returns the transmission portion to a predetermined position in a state in which the rotation force transmission state is released. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241484 | Motor device, method of manufacturing motor device, and robot device - A motor device comprises a transmission substrate formed with a transmission portion that is wound around at least part of the outer periphery of a rotator; and a driving substrate that has a driving portion which moves the transmission portion by a certain distance in a state in which a rotational force is transmitted between the rotator and the transmission portion returns the transmission portion to a predetermined position in a state in which the rotation force transmission state is released, and is connected to the transmission substrate so that the driving force due to the driving portion acts on the transmission portion. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110236006 | MIRROR UNIT AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - A mirror unit that can decrease the wait time before distance measurement. The mirror unit includes a first mirror; a second mirror; a first mirror holder that holds the first mirror, is rotatable on a rotational axis arranged above an optical path of the incident light, is lowered to a first mirror-down position, and is raised to a first mirror-up position; and a second mirror holder that includes an auxiliary component and a mirror holding component holding the second mirror, is lowered to a second mirror-down position, and is raised to a second mirror-up position, wherein the auxiliary component is provided below the first mirror holder in the direction of the lowering, is rotatable on a rotational axis that is the same as or parallel to the rotational axis of the first mirror holder, and can be lowered independently of the first mirror holder, and the mirror holding component is engaged with the auxiliary component to be relatively rotatable around a rotational axis that is parallel to the rotational axis of the auxiliary component. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235038 | Evaluation device and evaluation method - In an evaluation device ( | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235007 | Environmental system including a transport region for an immersion lithography apparatus - A lithographic projection apparatus that is arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate using a projection system has a liquid supply system arranged to supply a liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate. The apparatus also includes a liquid collecting system that includes a liquid collection member having a permeable member through which a liquid is collected from a surface of an object opposite to the liquid collection member, wherein the permeable member has a plurality of passages that generate a capillary force. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235006 | Exposure apparatus, exposure method, method for manufacturing device - An exposure method and apparatus exposes a substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid. The liquid is circulated in a circulation path. At least a part of the liquid in the circulation path is supplied through a discharge path to a space below the projection optical system, the discharge path being connected to the circulation path. The substrate is exposed via the projection optical system and the liquid. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234888 | Digital camera and interchangeable lens - A digital camera includes: a mirror box that defines a space in which a light flux from a photographic lens is guided to an imaging unit; a mirror unit that is arranged inside the mirror box and is configured to rotate between a viewing position in which the mirror unit is inserted in a photographic light path from the photographic lens to the imaging unit to reflect the light flux and a photographing position in which the mirror unit is retracted from the photographic light path; and an opening section that discharges from the mirror box air that is moved when the mirror unit is rotated. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234885 | TRACKING DEVICE AND IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS - A tracking device includes: an image sensor that obtains image information of an image present within an image plane formed via an optical system; a tracking unit that tracks a target within the image plane based upon the image information; a focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state of the optical system over at least one focus detection area set in the image plane; a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment for the optical system based upon the focus adjustment state detected in the focus detection area corresponding to a position of the target; a decision-making unit that makes a decision as to whether or not the target is being tracked based upon results of tracking operation executed by the tracking unit; and a control unit that bans the focus adjustment based upon results of the decision made by the decision-making unit. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234880 | Camera configured to issue a warning - This camera includes a display device that displays a photographic condition, and a detection unit that detects a problem related to photography of which a photographer should be warned. When some problem is detected by the detection means, notification thereof is provided via a specification display (a simple warning message) for notifying of the detected problem, for example by blinking an in-viewfinder help mark; and when a specified actuation (for example the depression of a help button) is performed while this specification display is being provided, a warning message (a detailed warning message) that describes in text the details of the problem that has been detected is displayed upon the display device (for example, a liquid crystal monitor). | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234862 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes: an image sensor that outputs pixel signals by capturing a subject image, the image sensor including a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix pattern and; a calculation unit that calculates correction values each used to individually correct errors in pixel signals read out from one of pixel columns at the image sensor, while the image sensor in a continuous shooting state continuously outputs the pixel signals; and a correction unit that corrects the pixel signals by using the correction values calculated in the continuous shooting state, wherein: if a specific condition changes in the continuous shooting state, the correction unit corrects the pixel signals by using the correction values already in use. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234848 | Sound recording device, imaging device, photographing device, optical device, and program - A sound recording device includes an input unit, a timing detection unit, a section setting unit that sets a first section including a section in which an operation unit operates in a sound signal, a reference signal determination unit that determines, as a first reference signal, the sound signal corresponding to a second section following the first section, a signal detection unit that detects, as a second reference signal, a sound signal with the highest correlation with the first reference signal, an interpolation signal detection unit that detects, as an interpolation signal, a sound signal that follows the second reference signal detected by the signal detection unit in the sound signal and has the same time length as the first section, a signal replacement unit that replaces the sound signal in the first section with the interpolation signal, and a recording unit that records the sound signal replaced by the signal replacement unit. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234843 | Signal processing device, signal processing program and electronic camera - The present invention includes a color converting section carrying out color conversion processing and a coefficient correcting section setting a correcting coefficient group to a coefficient group of the color conversion. The coefficient correcting section sets a local area containing a pixel to be processed, and calculates “feature information of the local area” containing at least one of averaged color information, averaged luminance information, and flatness on the basis of the pixel signals of the local area. The coefficient correcting section determines a correcting coefficient group to be used for the pixel to be processed on the basis of the feature information of the local area. With this construction, the present invention suppresses influence of noise when changing the color conversion processing for each pixel. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234842 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An image processing device that corrects a pixel value in image data, includes: an input unit that inputs image data having a plurality of color components and including a plurality of pixels each holding one color component; a calculation unit that calculates a maximum value among pixel values of a plurality of same-color neighboring pixels each holding a color component identical to a color component held in a processing target pixel selected from the pixels included in the image data and pixel values of a plurality of different-color neighboring pixels each holding a color component different from the color component held in the processing target pixel, which take up positions closer to the processing target pixel than the plurality of same-color neighboring pixels; and a correction unit that compares a pixel value of the processing target pixel with the maximum value and replaces the pixel value of the processing target pixel with the maximum value if the pixel value of the processing target pixel is greater than the maximum value. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234839 | Electronic camera - An electronic camera comprises an image processing unit that performs image processing using a plurality of adjustment parameters and a parameter setting unit that sets each of the plurality of parameters for the image processing unit according to a single change command. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234838 | IMAGE PROCESSOR, ELECTRONIC CAMERA, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processor including an acquisition unit and a moving image generation unit. The acquisition unit acquires image analysis information of a feature in an image. The moving image generation unit generates a moving image superimposed and displayed on the image so that the moving image is displayed in a pattern that changes in accordance with the image analysis information acquired by the acquisition unit. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234821 | IMAGING DEVICE - The timing when the operation state of an operation unit is changed is detected by a timing detection unit. A difference between a sound signal on which operation sound is superimposed or is highly likely to be superimposed and a sound signal on which operation sound is not superimposed is calculated based on the timing signal to obtain the operation sound information of the operation unit. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234818 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND COMPUTER-READABLE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT CONTAINING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing device includes: an evaluation unit that evaluates a plurality of images by designating predetermined image characteristics as an evaluation index; an image processing unit that executes image processing, which will affect the evaluation index, on at least one image among the plurality of images; and an image selection unit that selects an image with superiority in an evaluation value calculated in correspondence to the evaluation index, among the plurality of images evaluated by the evaluation unit by factoring in application of the image processing by the image processing unit. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110229118 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS - An interchangeable lens to be removably attached to a camera body, includes: a receiving device that receives predetermined control data from the camera body through a first transmission path; a control device that executes predetermined control processing based upon the control data upon reception of the control data by the receiving device; a generation device that executes at predetermined intervals generation processing for generating predetermined lens data which indicates an operating state of the interchangeable lens; a transmission device that transmits the lens data to the camera body through a second transmission path, which is different from the first transmission path, upon generation of the lens data by the generation device; and a prioritizing device that gives priority to the generation processing by the generation device over the control processing by the control device. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229057 | Image data processing device - An image data processing device includes: a basic image data acquisition device that acquires basic image data; a simplified image data generation device that generates simplified image data corresponding to the basic image data which has been acquired, a size of the simplified image data being smaller than that of the basic image data; a transmission device that transmits at least the basic image data to an external storage device; and an internal storage device that stores the simplified image data without storing the basic image data. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228406 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, OPTICAL DEVICE WITH THE ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE ZOOM LENS SYSTEM - A zoom lens system has a front lens group and a rear lens group along the optical axis and in order from the object side. The rear lens group has a first lens unit having a positive refracting power, a second lens unit having a negative refracting power, and a third lens unit having a positive refracting power. Upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, a space between the front lens group and the first lens unit varies, a space between the first lens unit and the second lens unit increases, and a space between the second lens unit and the third lens unit decreases. At least a part of the second lens unit is movable so as to have a component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228295 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes a selecting unit selecting a reference image from input images, a calculating unit calculating brightness ratios of the remaining input images as gains, a calculating unit calculating first weights for the remaining input images and calculating a second weight based on a brightness of image data as a synthesized image of the input image with the first weights, a generating unit generating a high-contrast image by performing weighting synthesis on the input images using the first weights and the second weight, a preparing unit preparing a tone conversion curve based on a brightness distribution of the high-contrast image and a brightness distribution as conversion target, and a generating unit performing the tone conversion on the high-contrast image based on the tone conversion curve, and generating the output image having the narrow tonal range. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228240 | Stage apparatus and exposure apparatus - A stage apparatus includes: a moving stage, which moves along a movement plane; a first moving table, which holds a specimen while being able to move with respect to the moving stage; and a second moving table, which is provided on the moving stage and, when the first moving table has moved from a first position to a second position, is positioned at the first position. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228140 | Electronic camera having electronic zoom indicator - an electronic camera includes: an image-capturing unit that creates an image by capturing an image of a subject; an enlarged image generating unit that creates an enlarged image by enlarging a portion of the image created by the image-capturing unit; an optical viewfinder that enables verification of a subject range corresponding to a range of the image created by the image-capturing unit; and a warning output unit that issues a warning when the enlarged image generating unit is in operation. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228132 | CAMERA AND IMAGE COMPOSITION PROGRAM - A camera includes: an image-capturing unit; a storage unit; a positional deviation amount determination unit that determines an amount of positional deviation in each of a plurality of frame images; an image composition unit that positionally matches the frame images based upon the results of determination and performs additive composition; a decision unit that decides whether or not each of the frame images is suitable for a subject for the additive composition; and a control unit that, if a negative decision is reached for at least one of the frame images, selects as a source image a frame image decided as suitable, takes a duplicate image as a subject for the additive composition instead of the frame image decided to be negative, and controls the image composition unit so as to perform the additive composition while relatively shifting one of the duplicate and the source image by a predetermined amount. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228131 | IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT CONTAINING IMAGE ANALYSIS COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image-capturing apparatus includes: a micro-lens array that includes a plurality of micro-lenses arrayed therein; an image sensor that includes arrayed therein a plurality of pixels that capture a plurality of pupil projection images, each corresponding to a pupil of an optical system projected via one of the plurality of micro-lenses as a light flux from the optical system passes through the micro-lens array; a photographic image generation unit that generates, based upon an output from the image sensor, a photographic image including a partial image corresponding to each of the plurality of pupil projection images; and an arithmetic operation unit that executes position calculation to determine a center position of the partial image by scanning the photographic image in reference to a reference image corresponding to the partial image. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228107 | Information processing apparatus, information processing method and recording medium for electronic equipment including an electronic camera - A personal computer to which electronic equipment, such as, an electronic camera is connected reads recording units that are recorded in the electronic camera and displays a table consisting of recording information. In recording information such as a main image, a sub image and sound in the electronic camera, data within the electronic camera are inter-related by an index which indicates that the information is part of a common recording unit. The date having the same index are output and displayed in a same thumbnail area. When a recording unit for deletion is designated from the table; check boxes are displayed according to information contained in the recording unit. For example, an “x” is displayed in the check box of the information to be deleted, indicating that the information is a target of deletion. After the selection of information is completed and an “OK” button is pressed, the personal computer sends a control command to the electronic camera and deletes the designated information. Rather than deletion, the designated information can be read from the electronic camera into the personal computer. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228105 | DATA TRANSFER DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC CAMERA - A reception section receiving a reference signal and a data signal of data which is to be transferred, a holding section holding a test signal of test data received prior to the data and the reference signal, a calculation section calculating a delay amount which occurs between the reception of the data signal and the reception of the reference signal by using the test signal and the reference signal held by the holding section, and a delay section relatively delaying the data signal from the reference signal based on the delay amount. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228069 | Technique for estimating cell conditions and image processor for cell observation - Provided is a means whereby the degree of activity of a cell can be determined during cell viewing. By an imaging device, first and second images in which a cell under observation is captured are sequentially obtained at a predetermined time interval, and after aligning the rotational angle orientations on the image plane of the cell under observation that is included in the images, a correlation value or difference of intracellular texture feature values in the first image and second image is sequentially computed. A time series variation of the computed correlation value or difference is then derived, and the degree of activity of the cell under observation is detected based on the state of variation. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110222037 | Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method - An exposure apparatus comprises a liquid immersion system, a first mover, and a prescribed member. The exposure apparatus exposes a substrate via an optical member and a liquid. The liquid immersion system performs supply and recovery of the liquid. The first mover can move in a first area, and can hold the liquid between itself and the optical member. The prescribed member is removed from the first mover when the first mover withdraws from a position opposing the optical member, and can hold the liquid between itself and the optical member. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110222031 | LIQUID IMMERSION MEMBER, EXPOSURE APPARATUS, LIQUID RECOVERING METHOD, DEVICE FABRICATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A liquid immersion member can form an immersion space such that an optical path of exposure light is filled with a liquid. The liquid immersion member comprises: a recovery port, which recovers at least some of the liquid on an object disposed such that it faces an emergent surface wherefrom the exposure light emerges; a recovery passageway, wherein flows the liquid recovered via the recovery port; a first suction port, which faces the recovery passageway and suctions only a gas from the recovery passageway; and a second suction port, which faces the recovery passageway and suctions the liquid from the recovery passageway | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110221916 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - Provided are: an imaging sensor that captures light from a subject; a first instruction unit that instructs to capture a still image by using the imaging sensor; a recording control unit that records a single movie image file containing a first movie image produced based upon an imaging signal output from the imaging sensor during a period from when the still image is captured by the capturing instruction by the first instruction unit until before a first predetermined time and a second movie image produced by using the still image during a period from when the still image is captured until after a second predetermined time, or recording a single movie image file containing the second movie image and a third movie image produced based upon the imaging signal output from the imaging sensor during a period from when the still image is captured until after a third predetermined time, in a recording unit; and a detection unit that detects movement information of the subject, and the recording control unit sets at least one length of the first predetermined time, the second predetermined time, and the third predetermined time, based upon the movement information detected by the detection unit. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110221912 | IMAGE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM - An image data processing system transfers image data, stored in an image file and corresponding to independent images, from a first device to a second device. The first device includes data output, image file generation, and transfer processing units. The second device includes a specification data generation unit. The data output unit outputs combined miniaturized image data. The combined miniaturized image data shows combined miniaturized images. The miniaturized images correspond to the independent images. Each miniaturized image has a smaller data volume than the independent image. The specification data generation unit generates transfer subject specification data from the combined miniaturized image data. The transfer subject specification data specifies data corresponding to a transfer subject independent image. The image file generation unit generates a transfer image file storing the transfer subject image data. The transfer processing unit transfers the transfer image file to the second device. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110216230 | Image data processing apparatus and electronic camera - An image data processing apparatus includes a data size conversion device that changes a data size of an image data at an optional ratio, the image data has a plurality of pixels each of which includes any one of a plurality of color components, and the plurality of color components being arranged in a specific order. The data size conversion device newly calculates a value of color component of each pixel after changing the data size based upon values of color components of a plurality of same color pixels before changing the data size, while maintaining the order of arrangement of the plurality of color components. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110212389 | FOCUS TEST MASK, FOCUS MEASUREMENT METHOD, EXPOSURE METHOD AND EXPOSURE APPARATUS - A focus test reticle for measuring focus information includes an outer pattern. The outer pattern has a line pattern composed of a light shielding film extending in the Y direction, a phase shift portion provided on a side in the +X direction of the line pattern and formed to have a line width narrower than the line pattern, a transmitting portion provided on a side in the −X direction of the line pattern and formed to have a line width narrower than the line pattern, a transmitting portion provided on a side in the +X direction of the phase shift portion, and a phase shift portion provided on a side in the −X direction of the transmitting portion. Focus information of a projection optical system is measured at a high measuring reproducibility and a high measuring efficiency. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110211741 | EVALUATION APPARATUS OF FLUORESCENCE POPULATION, EVALUATION METHOD OF FLUORESCENCE POPULATION AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - Statistical data of a fluorescence population is obtained easily with high accuracy. To achieve this, an evaluation apparatus of fluorescence population of the present application includes an input unit inputting a fluorescence observation image (If) of a fluorescence population and a transillumination observation image (It) having a same field of view as the fluorescence observation image, a first detecting unit (Mt) detecting, as a first area, an area in which a cellular image exists on the transillumination observation image being input, a setting unit (If′) setting, as a reference area, an area corresponding to the first area on the fluorescence observation image being input, and an obtaining unit obtaining fluorescence intensity data of a fluorescence image from the reference area in the fluorescence observation image. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110211645 | Radio device, electronic device, and imaging device - A radio device for transmitting or receiving desired information through an MIMO transmission line, and an electronic device and an imaging device which have the radio device and supplied with drive power together with the radio device may realize to implement a desired radio transmission flexibly in the form suitable for the battery residual amount and power consumption, in which plural antenna sections for performing radio communication by a spatial division multiplexing method on an MIMO transmission line, and a controller for increasing or decreasing the number of the antenna portions used for the radio transmission. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110211186 | Exposure apparatus, exposure method and device manufacturing method - An exposure method sequentially exposes a plurality of shot areas of a substrate. The method includes: (i) holding the substrate on a substrate holder such that a gap is formed along an edge of the substrate; (ii) exposing one of the shot areas, located near a center of the substrate, through a liquid of a liquid immersion area which covers only a portion of a surface of the substrate, while moving the substrate at a first scanning speed; and (iii) exposing an other one of the shot areas through the liquid of the liquid immersion area, while moving the substrate at a second scanning speed lower than the first scanning speed. The other one of the shot areas is located near the edge of the substrate and the gap is included in the liquid immersion area during the exposure of the other one of the shot areas. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110211184 | Seed light generation device, light source device, adjustment method thereof, light irradiation device, exposure device, and device manufacturing method - A light source device including a seed light generation device, a light amplification unit which optically amplifies seed light generated by the seed light generation device, and a wavelength conversion unit which converts the wavelength of the light optically amplified by the light amplification unit. The seed light generation device includes a pulsed light generation unit which generates pulsed light having a single wavelength, a pulse modulation unit which selectively passes and extracts a part of the pulsed light, and a timing adjustment unit which relatively adjusts the extracting timing of the pulsed light by the pulse modulation unit during the generation period of the pulsed light by the pulse generation unit, according to an operation. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110211183 | Illumination optical system, aligner, and process for fabricating device - [Problem] Each of pupil intensity distributions at respective points on an illumination target surface is substantially uniformly adjusted. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110205519 | POLARIZATION CONVERTING UNIT, ILLUMINATION OPTICAL SYSTEM, EXPOSURE APPARATUS, AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a polarization converting unit, for converting incident light into light in a predetermined polarization state and emitting the converted light, has a first optically rotatory member having a first thickness distribution of thicknesses in an optical-axis direction different at a plurality of locations and a second optically rotatory member having a second thickness distribution, each of which is a member to rotate linearly polarized light incident thereto as propagating light, around the optical-axis direction. The first and second optically rotatory members are comprised of an optical material with an optical activity arranged so as to have a crystal axis coincident or parallel with the optical-axis direction. Particularly, the sum of respective thicknesses of superimposed regions in the first and second optically rotatory members is different from the sum of respective thicknesses of other superimposed regions in the first and second optically rotatory members when viewed along the optical-axis direction. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110205514 | MEASURING METHOD AND MEASURING APPARATUS OF PUPIL TRANSMITTANCE DISTRIBUTION, EXPOSURE METHOD AND EXPOSURE APPARATUS, AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A measuring apparatus for measuring a pupil transmittance distribution of an optical system to be examined has a diffraction grating mounted on a first surface in an optical Fourier transform relation with a pupil of the optical system, an illumination optical system which makes a beam inclined relative to the optical axis, incident to a predetermined position on the first surface so that a +first-order diffracted beam, generated through the diffraction grating, passes through a first pupil partial region in an effective region of the pupil and so that a −first-order diffracted beam, generated through the diffraction grating, passes through a second pupil partial region, and a measuring unit which measures an intensity of the +first-order diffracted beam, and an intensity of the −first-order diffracted beam, and the measuring apparatus determines a ratio of a pupil transmittance in the first and second pupil partial regions. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110205423 | FOCUS DETECTION DEVICE, PHOTOGRAPHIC LENS UNIT, IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A focus detection device includes: a focus detection unit that includes a pair of light-receiving element arrays and lens systems via which a pair of focus detection light fluxes are each guided to one of the pair of light-receiving element arrays, and detects an image shift amount based upon output signals output from the pair of light-receiving element arrays; an acquisition unit that obtains a plurality of sets of opening data pertaining to sizes and positions of a plurality of openings; a function value calculation unit that calculates, based upon the plurality of sets of opening data, a function value pertaining to a gravitational center distance between gravitational centers of a pair of overlapping areas where a pair of specific focus detection pupils overlap an exit pupil; and a conversion unit that converts the image shift amount to a defocus amount based upon the function value. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110205388 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image-capturing device includes: a photographic optical system; a photoelectric conversion element array made up with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, arrayed therein; a micro-lens array made up with a plurality of micro-lenses arrayed therein; a data creation unit that creates pixel data at a plurality of pixels on a specific image forming plane by applying filter matrix data to output signals provided from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; and an image synthesis unit that synthetically generates an image on the specific image forming plane at a given position assumed along an optical axis of the photographic optical system, based upon the pixel data. The filter matrix data assume a two-dimensional data array pattern conforming to a specific intensity distribution with a distribution center thereof set at an element corresponding to a central position of a projection image of each of the plurality of pixels. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110205385 | SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A signal processing apparatus includes a signal transforming unit transforming a first sound signal obtained by dividing a sound signal represented by a time function and by the predetermined time width into a second sound signal represented by a frequency function; a calculating unit determining a third sound signal which has a reduced influence of the operation sound by using the second sound signal and a sound signal representing the operation sound; a correcting unit performing a correction, by setting a sound signal representing the target sound as a reference signal, on the third sound signal based on the reference signal; and a signal inverse transforming unit inverse-transforming a sound signal on which the correction is performed from the sound signal represented by the frequency function into the sound signal represented by the time function. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110202308 | ENCODER SYSTEM, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD, AND TRANSMISSION SIGNAL GENERATION AND OUTPUT DEVICE - An encoder system includes: a first single-rotation absolute encoder that outputs a first signal corresponding to an angular position of a first rotatable shaft; a power transmission device that transmits the power of the first shaft to a second rotatable shaft with a predetermined transmission ratio; a second single-rotation absolute encoder that outputs a second signal corresponding to an angular position of the second shaft; and a signal processing section that generates data related to the rotation count of the first shaft based on at least the first signal and the second signal. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110200944 | MANUFACTURING METHOD OF EXPOSURE APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A manufacturing method of an exposure apparatus includes adjusting a positioning device that determines a positional relation at the time of docking between a body and a stage module such that a positional relation between an absolute reference surface of a metrology frame of the body and a stage position reference surface of the stage module becomes a desired relation. Accordingly, after that, only by docking the body and the stage module with each other via the positioning device, the positional relation between the absolute reference surface of the body and the stage position reference surface of the stage module becomes a desired relation. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199594 | Exposure apparatus and method for producing device - An exposure apparatus includes an optical element via which a patterned beam is projected onto a substrate through exposure liquid filled in a space between the optical element and the substrate. The apparatus also includes a member having a flow passage in which exposure liquid flows, the flow passage being in fluidic communication with the space. The apparatus also includes a cleaning system which cleans the member. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199591 | EXPOSURE APPARATUS, EXPOSING METHOD, MAINTENANCE METHOD AND DEVICE FABRICATING METHOD - An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate with exposure light, which transits a first liquid. The exposure apparatus comprises: an optical member, which has an emergent surface wherefrom the exposure light emerges; a liquid immersion member, which at least partly surrounds an optical path of the exposure light emerging from the emergent surface, has a lower surface that the substrate opposes during an exposure of the substrate, and holds the first liquid between the substrate and at least part of the lower surface; and a plate member, which has a first surface and a second surface that faces the opposite direction to the first surface and which is capable of moving to a position at which it opposes the lower surface; wherein, cleaning is performed in a state wherein the first surface opposes the lower surface. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199534 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE - An image-capturing device includes: an input unit that inputs a subject image formed by an optical system manifesting axial chromatic aberration as an input image; an edge detection unit that detects edges in the input image, each in correspondence to one of color components; a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment for the optical system by detecting contrast differences of the edges corresponding to individual color components having been detected and then moving a focus adjustment lens included in the optical system; and a lens moving direction determining unit that determines a moving direction along which the focus adjustment lens is to move for purposes of focus adjustment based upon the edges corresponding to the individual color components having been detected and the axial chromatic aberration. The focus adjustment unit causes the focus adjustment lens to move along the moving direction determined by the lens moving direction determining unit. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199507 | MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A storage medium storing an image processing program in which the image processing program obtains a plurality of images and displacement information indicating a positional displacement between the plurality of images, calculates weighting information for performing weighting processing on the displacement information for each of a plurality of color components, performs the weighting processing on the displacement information for each of the plurality of color components, calculates a pixel value of a color component of a calculation target based on local inflection information of a color component other than the color component of the calculation target and the weighting information after conducting the weighting processing, and generates a composite image based on a calculation result. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a processing time in image processing which generates, from the plurality of images having the positional displacement, the composite image having a higher resolution than those images. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110194020 | Digital camera - A digital camera includes: a light guide section that defines a space in which a light flux from a photographic lens to an imaging unit is guided; a mirror unit arranged inside the light guide section, that is adapted to rotate between a viewing position in which the mirror unit is inserted in a photographic light path from the photographic lens to the imaging unit to reflect the light flux and a photographing position in which the mirror unit is retracted from the photographic light path; a mirror unit control section that controls rotation of the mirror unit; a rotation instruction section that outputs a signal to rotate the mirror unit while no photography is performed to the mirror unit control section; and an opening section provided in the light guide section that discharges from the light guide section air that is moved by the rotation of the mirror unit. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110194012 | Camera - To provide a camera having improved efficiency. A camera is provided with a fitting portion to which a lens barrel is detachably fitted, and a first driving portion capable of driving an aperture portion included in the lens barrel. The first driving portion can be switched between an actuable state in which it is actuated in response to an input and drive the aperture portion and an actuation-restricted state to restrict the actuation. The first driving portion is brought into the actuation-restricted state when the lens barrel fitted to the fitting portion is equipped with a second driving portion capable of driving the aperture portion. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110193985 | IMAGING DEVICE, INFORMATION ACQUISITION SYSTEM AND PROGRAM - The imaging device of the invention includes an imaging portion that images a subject; a positional information acquisition portion that acquires positional information of an imaging position; a control portion which acquires information on the subject based on the positional information, and displays image data of the subject and the information on the subject on a display portion; and a hold control portion that outputs a hold control signal, which holds the image data of the subject and the information on the subject, to the control portion. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110193975 | Image inputting apparatus, image inputting program product, camera, and image processing system - An image inputting apparatus includes: an input unit that inputs an original image file including at least an image data region in which image data is stored and an appended information region; a decision unit that decides whether or not falsification of the original image file is prohibited, based upon the appended information; a file modification unit that modifies the original image file to create a new image file in which the appended information region is expanded; and a store control unit that disallows the file modification unit to create the new image file and stores the original image file just as it is if the decision unit has decided that falsification of the inputted original image file is prohibited, and that makes the file modification unit create the new image file and stores the new image file if the decision unit has decided that falsification of the inputted original image file is not prohibited. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110193974 | Electronic camera having a communication function - An electronic camera has an image data memory for storing image data and a communication mode for transferring the stored image data to one or more different cameras. The camera includes a controller that, prior to image data transmission, receives remaining capacity data of the image data memory in a receiver side camera and displays an image number corresponding to the remaining capacity of the receiver side camera. When plural receiver side cameras are available, the controller, prior to image data transmission, receives the remaining capacity data of the image data memory in the plurality of receiver side cameras and displays a number of sendable images corresponding to the remaining capacity for each of the plurality of receiver side cameras. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110193973 | Camera - A camera includes: an image-capturing unit that captures an image of a subject to acquire image data; an image storing unit that stores a plurality of image data acquired by the image-capturing unit in a storage medium; an image specifying unit that specifies image data designated by a user from among the plurality of image data stored in the storage medium; and a transmission controlling unit that when transmitting the plurality of image data to an external device using a wireless communication device, identifies specified image data specified by the image specifying unit and non-specified image data that are not specified by the image specifying unit from each other and transmits the specified image data to the external device in priority to the non-specified image data. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110192964 | ENCODER - An encoder emits modulated light from a light source section and lets a first light and a second light separated from the modulated light interfere with each other in a moving grating. In the encoder, the light emitted from the light source section is electrically modulated, and the first light and the second light have different light path lengths. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110191280 | Recording medium for data file management, apparatus for data file management, handling apparatus for image data, and image capturing system - When a shutter release operation is performed at an electronic still camera, an MPU records image data output from an image capturing element into a CF card. The MPU also stores the image data in a transfer buffer memory of an interface circuit. The image data stored in the transfer buffer memory are transferred to a transfer buffer memory provided at an interface circuit of a personal computer connected via an IEEE-1394 cable. The MPU of the personal computer reads out the image data having been taken into the personal computer from the transfer buffer memory and records them in a specific recording area in a recording device. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110189613 | Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device fabrication method - An exposure apparatus forms an immersion area by supplying a liquid onto a part of a substrate, and forms a prescribed pattern on the substrate through the liquid. A spare immersion area, which is capable of holding part of the liquid on the substrate, is formed at the outer circumference of the immersion area. It is possible to prevent the separation of the liquid, which is disposed between a lower surface of a projection optical system and a substrate surface, from the lower surface of the projection optical system in accordance with the relative movement of the projection optical system and the substrate. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110188135 | OPTICAL DEVICE AND OPTICAL INSTRUMENT - An optical device comprises: a first holding frame holding an optical system; a second holding frame holding the first holding frame and having a groove provided on a face opposing the first holding frame; an elastic member provided between the first holding frame and the second holding frame; a position determining portion capable of determining a position of the first holding frame towards the elastic member, and provided to sandwich, with the elastic member, the first holding frame; a fixing portion is capable of fixing the first holding frame towards the position determining portion so that the first holding frame is fixed, and which is provided to sandwich, with the position determining portion, the first holding frame; and a protruding portion which has a first end fixed to the first holding frame, and another end which differs from the first end and which is inserted into the groove. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187879 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - The present application provides an imaging device and an image processing program capable of recording an image suitable for image editing. The imaging device includes an imaging section imaging a subject by an image sensor to generate data of a first image in a pixel range and data of a second image in a second pixel range circumscribing the first image, the first image having an angle of view desired by a user, and a recording section recording the data of the first image and records the data of the second image as additional information of the data of the first image. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187810 | MICROACTUATOR, OPTICAL DEVICE AND EXPOSURE APPARATUS, AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A pair of support members each having a spring section in a part thereof support a mirror element, and a pair of drive mechanisms arranged respectively corresponding to a pair of the support members transform the spring sections of the corresponding support members, thereby changing a distance between each of support points at which the support members support the mirror element and a base. Accordingly, the mirror element can be translated by driving all of the drive mechanisms, or the mirror element can be inclined with respect to the base by driving some of the drive mechanisms. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187741 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus includes: an input unit that inputs an image as an input image, the image being recorded in correlation with information related to ground point of photography; an image selection unit that selects, as selected images, a plurality of images from among the input images input by the input section; a region extraction unit that extracts a map region on the basis of a number of the selected images included in a predetermined region upon the map, the predetermined region including the ground points of the selected images selected by the image selection unit; and a display unit that displays the map region extracted by the region extraction unit with photographic ground point signs, the photographic ground point manifesting the ground point of the selected image. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110185131 | RECORDING CONTROL DEVICE - A recording control device includes: an interface unit | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110182512 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - An image processing apparatus includes a selection device that selects a plurality of frames from a video image constituted with a group of frames, an extraction device that recognizes a specific subject image in the plurality of frames having been selected and extracts the recognized subject image, and an image creation device that creates a still image containing a plurality of subject images having been extracted by the extraction device. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181969 | OPTICAL DEVICE, OPTICAL APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - An optical device includes: a holding frame holding an optical system; a tubular member provided at an outer circumferential surface with a first concave groove and at an inner circumferential surface with a second concave groove, and holding the holding frame; and an eccentric pin penetrating through the first and second concave grooves, including one end attached to the holding frame, and eccentrically rotating against the first and second concave grooves in response to a force applied to the other end of the eccentric pin. A length, in a first direction intersecting a penetrating direction through which the eccentric pin penetrates, of the first concave groove is greater than a length, in a second direction intersecting the first direction and the penetrating direction, of the first concave groove. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181967 | LENS BARREL AND OPTICAL INSTRUMENT - The present invention provides a miniaturized lens barrel and optical instrument. The lens barrel ( | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181756 | Image processing apparatus and electronic camera that reduce the length of time required to complete reproduction of recorded image data - An electronic camera includes: an image capturing device that performs photoelectric conversion on a subject image formed by a photographic optical system and outputs image data; an image display device that displays an image based upon the image data; a first storage device achieving a first access speed; a second storage device achieving a second access speed lower than the first access speed; and a control device that, if image data for display are present in the first storage device when an image reproduction mode for displaying the image based upon the image data at the image display device is set, displays an image based upon the image data in the first storage device at the image display device, and if the image data for display are not present in the first storage device, displays an image based upon image data in the second storage device at the image display device. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181755 | Digital still camera - In a digital still camera, when the reproducing mode is selected, an indication to the effect that the operation is in standby for reproduction is displayed on an indicating device, and if the command dial is not operated until 16 seconds elapses after the indication has been started, the supply of source voltage to the various parts of the camera is stopped, to achieve a reduction in power consumption. If the command dial is operated within 16 seconds, image signals are output to an external monitor and also an indication to the effect that reproduction is in progress is displayed on the indicating device. If the command dial has been operated within three minutes after reproduction of a given photographic frame has been started, reproduction of the following frame is performed, but if the command dial has not been operated until the three minutes have elapsed, the indication to the effect that the operation is in standby for reproduction is displayed again. If the sensitivity changeover switch and the command dial are operated together during reproduction or standby for reproduction, the photographic frame to be reproduced is determined in correspondence to the quantity and direction of the rotation of the command dial and the frame number of the frame thus determined is displayed on the indicating device. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181748 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PLAYING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes: a light receiving device having a micro lens array in which a plurality of micro lenses are arrayed two-dimensionally, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that are provided for the plurality of micro lenses, and that outputs a plurality of photoreception signals that are obtained by receiving optical flux from an optical system via the micro lenses; a detection device that, based on the photoreception signals, detects an amount of displacement between an image plane obtained from the optical system and an image plane obtained from the light receiving device; a focal point adjustment device that performs focal point adjustment on the optical system based on the displacement amount; and a control device that, when an image plane that corresponds to the displacement amount is contained within an image plane range within which it is possible to create an image that is based on the photoreception signal, creates an image of the image plane that corresponds to the displacement amount based on a photoreception signal which is selected in accordance with the displacement amount from among the plurality of photoreception signals, and then displays this image. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181742 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - The present invention relates to an electronic camera which images an object image and records image data. Particularly, the present invention relates to technology to record image data in a good shooting state, such as with little blurring due to hand shaking. The invention has an image pick-up means which continuously images an object, a temporary memory means which temporarily stores a plurality of frames of image data which are continuously imaged by the image pick-up means, a shooting evaluation means which evaluates a good or bad shooting state of the image data imaged by the image pick-up means, a still image selection means which selects the image data with the highest evaluation of the shooting evaluation means among the image data which are stored in the temporary memory means, and an image saving means which saves the image data which is selected by the still image selection means. | 07-28-2011 |
