CANON TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS 2OO9

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CANON TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS 2009 ENGLISH

This brochure is printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council with ink that uses neither VOCs (Volaile Organic Compounds) nor mineral oil and realizes superior decomposability and deinkability.

CANON INC.

30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, Japan www.canon.com

CTH11 0209SZ 15.0 Printed in Japan

CANON TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS 2OO9

CANON TECHNOLOGY Technologies that make dreams come true, make the impossible possible, and sustain the global environment and society. Since its very beginnings, Canon has worked to develop and acquire innovative technologies that lead the times. A single discovery that leads to the birth of a new technology, a seed which, when carefully nurtured, blossoms in the form of a Canon product. Behind this process lies Canon’s unwavering stance as a company with a vision focused on the future and a commitment to original technologies, a company that strives to pioneer new technological frontiers, tackling whatever challeges the future may bring.

CONTENTS ■ Message from Top Management

P.2

President & COO, Canon Inc.

Tsuneji Uchida ■ Overview of Canon Technologies

P.4

■ Input Devices

P.22

Compact Digital Cameras

P.22

SLR Cameras

P.24

Digital Video Camcorders

P.26

Scanners

P.28

Toward the Realization of Cross-Media Imaging

■ Output Devices ■ Contributing to Society and the Environment Through Technology

■ Discussing Canon Technology

P.6

P.8

Executive Vice President & CTO, Canon Inc.

■ Canon Core Technologies

Inkjet Printers

P.30

Large-Format Inkjet Printers

P.32

Laser Beam Printers

P.34

Network Digital MFPs

P.36

Digital Color Presses – imagePRESS

P.42

■ Exposure Equipment

Toshiaki Ikoma

P.30

P.44

Semiconductor Exposure Equipment

P.44

Mirror Projection Aligners

P.46

P.12

Image Capture

P.12

Electrophotography

P.14

■ Optical Equipment

P.48

Inkjet Printing

P.16

■ Medical Equipment

P.51

Exposure Equipment

P.18

Displays

P.20 ■ Fundamental Technologies

P.52

Platform Technologies

P.52

Device Technologies

P.58

Production Engineering Technologies

P.62

Quality Management Technologies

P.66

■ Environmental Technologies

P.68

■ Future Technologies, Today

P.70

1

Message from Top Management

In pursuit of kyosei, Canon's technology focuses

■ Working to make kyosei a reality Canon’s corporate philosophy is kyosei, which refers to all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future. For us, it is essential that Canon technology contributes to the achievement of kyosei. In addition, the driving force behind Canon's growth and profitability is its technology. By sparking technological innovations that support better living standards and social and cultural development, Canon has grown into a corporation whose name is recognized across the globe. As the world undergoes major changes on its way to becoming a sustainable society, Canon aims to remain prosperous for the next 100, or even 200 years. To society at large and to Canon as a manufacturing company, technology will become increasingly important. ■ Canon as a manufacturing company A manufacturing company must have the ability to both develop core technologies and practically apply them for incorporation into actual products. Canon has created core technologies for products in fields such as image capture and electrophotography by infusing mechatronics, electronics, fine chemicals, and other engineering disciplines with a core focus on optics. The company has also fine-tuned its understanding of commercialization and manufacturing technologies to introduce a host of highly competitive value-added products. With a strong will, we are working to further hone our ability to achieve the highest levels of quality. It is no mistake to say that it is Canon’s essence to continue delivering products with superior design, ease of use, functionality, reliability, durability, and cost performance.

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squarely on the future

■ Cross-media imaging Canon is now pursuing a vision in which people are able to realistically reproduce their thoughts and dreams at will through images and information, spanning time and space to facilitate creative expression while supporting spiritual enrichment. Toward the realization of this vision, we are promoting sophisticated synergies between imaging devices, what we call cross-media imaging. We will achieve this integration through further advances in our cameras, video camcorders, printers and displays—the input and output products that enable realistic expression and reproduction—along with such supporting technological platforms as image-processing technology and color management. Equally important are advances in the range of technologies that allow users to realize this expression and reproduction at will, including user-interface, transmission, networking, image-recognition, and image-search technologies. By further developing cross-media imaging, Canon is taking steps forward in making this vision a reality.

Tsuneji Uchida President & COO Canon Inc.

Toward the Realization of Cross-Media Imaging

Overview of Canon Technologies From input to output and still images to video, Canon is working to achieve advanced synergies between imaging products. Growing from Canon's core technologies, imaging technologies supporting Creation, Expression, and Presentation provide users with an all-new richly unique communication experience.

Technologies for Compact digital cameras

X-ray image sensors

Expression

Scanners Network cameras

Color management technologies SLR cameras

Technologies for

Creation

Telecommunication technologies

Mirror projection aligners

Digital video camcorders

TV lenses

Semiconductor exposure equipment

logies

echno form T

Plat

logies

chno vice Te

De

Image Capture Technologies

Exposure Equipment Technologies

es nologi h c e T ring nginee E n o i t Produc es nologi h c e T t men anage M y t i l Qua ies

hnolog

al Tec nment

Enviro

Fundamental Technologies (➝ P.52) Platform Technologies / Device Technologies / Production Engineering Technologies / Quality Management Technologies / Environmental Technologies

4

Fundamental technologies are those that are shared among all products. They represent the foundation on which all Canon products are supported and span from the product development and manufacturing stages through to the final recycling stage.

Further Development of Existing Technologies

Inkjet printers

Expansion of Technological Domains

LCD projectors

Network digital MFPs

SEDs

Presentation

Technologies for Laser beam printers

Organic LED displays Large-format inkjet printers

Digital color presses

Intelligent image-processing technology Medical imaging technologies

Future Technologies Display Technologies Inkjet Printing Technologies Electrophotography Technologies

Future Technologies (➝ P.70) Canon is moving forward toward the creation of future Canon business domains through such technologies as vision-based technologies centered around the latest optical technologies, judgment-based technologies that apply advanced image-processing technologies, and behavior-based technologies made possible through advances in artificial intelligence research.

Core Technologies (➝ P.12) Image Capture Technologies / Exposure Equipment Technologies / Electrophotography Technologies / Inkjet Printing Technologies / Display Technologies

Canon has five core technologies. Through cross-media imaging, the company is working to realize further innovations in these five technological areas while aiming to create new core technologies.

5

Contributing to Society and the Environment Through Technology Since its foundation, Canon has contributed to society with unique technologies that open the way to new eras. Spanning more than 70 years, the company’s history is one of technological development. Dedicated to original technologies with an emphasis on research and development, Canon continues to introduce innovative new products, contributes to improved social conveniences, and creates new value.

Realizing Innovative Manufacturing Acquisition of U.S. patents

Fostering exceptional engineers

Canon's technological capabilities have grown through the development of cutting-edge technologies and the accumulation of an array of basic technologies. Patents are one way that the technological prowess of a company is measured, and in the United States, where companies from around the world have gathered, Canon has maintained its position among the top three patent recipients for the past 16 years.

Canon recognizes employees who have made meaningful contributions to the research and development of superior technologies as Members of the Canon Academy of Technology. Academy Members are specialists in their respective fields and befitting representatives of Canon technology. Research achievements by these highly insightful and experienced Members in various fields of expertise have garnered attention not only inside the company, but also externally through academic conferences and journal articles. Some Canon Academy Members have even received prestigious awards from outside the company for their notable achievements. In addition to further honing their own technical knowledge, Members of the Academy help to educate younger generations of Canon engineers and also promote the company's exceptional technologies to the world at large.

■ Companies and number of patent acquisitions, 2008

1

IBM

4,164

2

Samsung Electronics

3,518

3

Canon

2,114

4

Microsoft

2,027

5

Intel

1,777

* Based on weekly patent counts issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Canon R&D bases Canon is expanding its operations into all corners of the world, with R&D bases, production facilities, and market-

4 5

ing arms based in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Capitalizing on its proprietary technologies, Canon

2

actively engages in activities aimed at meeting the needs

3

7 6

1

8 9

of customers in different countries and regions while paying special attention to local culture and diversity.

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1 Canon Inc. 2

6

Canon Development Americas, Inc.

6 Canon India Software Development Centre 7 Canon Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

3 Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc.

8 Canon (Suzhou) System Software Inc.

4 Canon Technology Europe Ltd.

9 Canon Information Technologies Philippines, Inc.

5 Canon Research Centre France S.A.S.

10 Canon Information Systems Research Australia Pty. Ltd.

Social Contributions Made Possible by Technology Striving to be a truly excellent global company, Canon engages in business activities while also working diligently to fulfill its corporate social responsibilities. Currently, the company carries out nature conservation and supports social and cultural activities across the globe through the provision of imaging equipment and support for research efforts. Furthermore, Canon's cutting-edge digital technologies are being put to use as part of the Cultural Heritage Inheritance Project in order to preserve historical Japanese cultural treasures for future generations. Cultural Heritage Inheritance Project (Also known as the Tsuzuri Project) Carried out jointly with the Kyoto Culture Association (NPO), this project is intended to protect priceless ancient Japanese cultural assets, such as traditional folding screens and sliding doors. These works of art are first digitally recorded, after which the images are stored as digital data and printed on a Canon large-format inkjet printer to make replicas of the artworks in their original size. Because Canon technology enables the creation of high-resolution duplicates almost identical in appearance to the originals, the priceless artwork can be stored under conditions better suited to prevent deterioration.

Top: Takanobu Kano's masterpiece, Kinkishoga-zu, which was returned to Kyoto's Ryoan-ji Temple through the Tsuzuri Project Bottom: A large-format inkjet printer produces a full-scale print

Academic Collaboration with Utsunomiya University Today, Japan offers no opportunities for systematic education in the field of optics. In April 2007, Canon established the Center for Optical Research and Education (CORE) in cooperation with Utsunomiya University to provide a place to educate optics engineers and conduct cutting-edge optical research. CORE aims to provide a systematic education curriculum spanning from fundamental aspects of optical science like geometric optics and wave optics, to fields of application and advanced technologies, all with the goal of inspiring innovations that give way to new technologies and value. CORE marks a fresh departure from prior collaborations between industry and academic institutions that conventionally took the form of joint or contracted research projects. As a leading manufacturer of optical equipment, Canon supports and works with CORE, including the sending of employees to serve as instructors on subjects in the optical sciences, so that it may become the world’s premier optical research institute.

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Discussing Canon Technology

Taking on challenges in pursuit of dreams… Canon's strengths are the key to creating a new world of imaging. Two of Canon's major pillars of technology to date have been optical technology and precision technology. These technologies, fostered through the development of cameras and other products, have been applied to semiconductor exposure equipment, providing a typical example of products that symbolize the company's spirit of innovation. In the field of information technology as well, Canon possesses advanced technologies in such areas as LSI design and image processing. At the same time, Canon is also highly regarded for its ability to create products that combine and integrate technologies. For example, the company's efforts in the field of electrophotography have led to the introduction of a host of copiers and printers that use static electricity, earning Canon an excellent reputation worldwide. Surprisingly, no technology capable of perfectly controlling static electricity has been established since Benjamin Franklin identified it some 250 years ago. Many years of experience and the accumulation of know-how have enabled Canon to put this volatile natural phenomenon to practical use. The same holds true for Canon's inkjet printing technology. In other words, Canon's technical prowess has undergone stunning growth and development by taking in-the-field experience and using it to integrate and merge optics, precision technologies, and related fields to advance them to increasingly higher levels. This is truly the essence of practical ability achieved through the fusion of technology and skill. From the perspective of practical ability, a system that emphasizes production through cell production, automation, and the in-house manufacture of key devices is just another of Canon's strengths. Products such as toner and ink are the crystallization of materials technology, and today’s driving force behind the company's growth. To develop Canon's technical prowess in these and other fields in the future, we will continue bolstering our advanced technical strengths. Moreover, in line with the cross-media imaging strategy that we unveiled in 2005 as a new direction for technical development, the company will strive to open a broad new field of imaging possibilities while expanding current fields of activity and making the most of our existing technological strengths.

Toshiaki Ikoma Executive Vice President & CTO Canon Inc.

How will cross-media imaging evolve?

Development of cross-media imaging expands future potential.

One of the most important challenges we must overcome is how to utilize the new world of imaging to benefit mankind and as a means of enriching social life. For example, one area of pursuit that comes to mind for the new imaging domain is healthcare. Canon is currently collaborating with Kyoto University to develop technologies that enable peering deeper into the human body than normal vision allows. In the case of disorders such as cancer or vascular disease, exposing the human body to ultrasonic waves, light flux, magnet fields and other energy fields can be used to clearly identify affected areas by interaction effect, and acquire information for diagnoses. This provides an opportunity for Canon's advanced imaging solutions to be put to effective use in the field of medical imaging.

CMOS sensor technology and image-processing technology, just some of the cutting-edge fundamental technologies shared among Canon products, represent the foundation of the company's imaging capabilities. We will strive to extend these technologies into wider fields through cross-media imaging, which offers the potential for the creation of entirely new fields. Robotics, for example, a field that has attracted considerable attention, is one area that could benefit from Canon's precision technologies. There is also strong demand for sensing and control technologies, and their integration with imaging technologies. And one of the major themes here is super machine vision. This refers to efforts to further expand the potential of human visual perception, which is said to account for 75% of human perception, incorporating advanced functionality to enable future-oriented imaging technologies. Such technologies as the 50-million pixel CMOS sensor (➝ P.58), achieved through Canon's device technology, and MR technology (➝ P.72) will contribute significantly to these efforts. In addition, the exploration of the cosmos, made possible by the Subaru telescope, is another field under consideration. Research and development efforts in the field of futureoriented imaging encompass not only imaging for light waves beyond the visible wavelength spectrum, but also imaging capable of making use of all senses, including taste, hearing, and smell. As such, I believe that we need to further expand the scope of our fundamental research to also include brain functions.

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Aspiring for ambitious technological achievements in

10

Developing an environment where talented engineers can focus on the challenges of R&D.

Canon's original technologies are developed under careful management guidance.

Several possible fields of application have been presented as examples of the reach that cross-media imaging offers, and Canon, as a corporation, must carefully consider how to fully utilize them. Although it may be necessary to repeatedly review plans in order to realize commercialization, one thing that must be understood is the unlimited potential of crossmedia imaging. When pursuing new development within the imaging domain, what is most important is whether the efforts are accompanied by a dream. Our aim is not simply growing it as a new business, but rather to make use of the passion to make the technological future we envision a reality, and the spirit to face all challenges to contribute to a richer society as we strive to realize new possibilities in imaging technology. Canon places great importance on its research and development, investing over ¥300 billion per year in R&D on a consolidated basis since 2006, and will continue following this course, as will be reflected in the creation of a new R&D framework and environment. The Frontier Research Center conducts future-focused research in basic technical fields from a long-term perspective, beginning with scientific research to identify the technological “seeds” that can be developed into viable future technologies. Canon will continue to maintain and enhance these research and development environments. The company will actively engage in joint research involving not only Canon Inc.'s research and development divisions, but also the company’s entire global R&D network linking Canon research bases across the globe, along with outside research institutions and universities.

Since the company’s founding, Canon's corporate DNA has comprised a respect for human dignity, an emphasis on technology, and a spirit of enterprise. This has since led to a tradition of unfailing commitment to original technologies. For Canon, these “original technologies" must go beyond being just original. Rather, they must be truly superior, creative technologies. Moreover, such original technologies must serve to further enhance the company's core capabilities, the source of Canon’s competitive prowess. The core capabilities of a manufacturer cannot be achieved simply through the application of existing technologies. Canon has built its history through dedication to original technologies and in-house development, which has resulted in the birth of core technologies and products, and the establishment of the company's technological strength. To maintain and advance this framework, we must strengthen company-wide technical management capabilities with our sights set not only on ten years from now, but even farther into the future. To fulfill this goal, in January 2008 we established the Technological Strategy Committee. In addition to furthering our understanding of all aspects of science and technology, by establishing an accurate future vision based on the acquisition of a broad, objective perspective of the market and proposing potential technological applications in new fields, Canon will further enhance its development capabilities for the creation of original technologies.

Discussing Canon Technology

a free and open environment… The true spirit of Canon engineers is reflected in repeatedly embracing challenges. While many Canon products have been realized through diverse technical innovations, these achievements represent the triumphs of engineers whose names will forever be linked with the company’s technological history. Despite many failed attempts, their perseverance and diligence ultimately led to success. Canon’s technical development capabilities are supported by the company’s free and open corporate culture, along with the progress in the sharing of information realized by direct links between R&D and production divisions. As one of our strengths, we will continue to foster this corporate culture while actively promoting exchanges between engineers throughout the company aimed at the sharing of knowledge and information. We believe that these efforts will add further momentum to the existing corporate culture, providing encouragement to exceptionally talented individuals toward the proposal and execution of new and innovative technical ideas. I associate with a wide range of engineers myself as I personally take part in events such as the Innovative Engineering Forum, which provides a venue for engineers to engage in extensive debate and discussion, as well as regular lunch meetings with junior engineers. Some of the ideas proposed by these young engineers at these events have been adopted as actual research themes. Canon will cultivate various research ideas, developing them into technological dreams. Through a process of repeated trial and error, original technologies will be born and, supported by an infallible framework, strengthened toward a grand vision. I look to our engineers to pursue their development efforts embracing this spirit of challenge. It is this spirit of challenge that represents the true spirit of Canon engineers.

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Canon Core Technologies Bringing the core technologies at the heart of each Canon product to fruition was neither quick nor easy. Behind the creation of these technologies lie the brilliant imagination and vision of engineers, the unrelenting effort, countless failed attempts, and infinite challenges.

Image Capture While charting its course as a camera manufacturer, Canon grew hand in hand with advancements in image-capture technology. Thanks to unparalleled expertise in the fields of optics and precision engineering acquired over many years, and through the development of the world’s highest level of sensor technologies and image-processing techniques technologies, Canon is a global leader in the field of image capture. 50-Megapixel CMOS Sensor

■ Development and Accumulation of Optical Technologies Canon was founded in 1937 with the aim of creating the world's No. 1 camera. The company's history has proceeded apace with the development of cutting-edge optical technologies. To date, Canon has produced literally hundreds of masterpiece lenses. One such example is the fluorite lens, which had long been considered an impossibility. Fluorite is characterized by extremely low levels of chromatic aberration, ideal for capturing vivid, detailed images that cannot be achieved using conventional optical glass. Fueled by a burning desire to use fluorite in lenses, the company ultimately succeeded in synthesizing fluorite crystals. Canon also developed special processing technologies for such delicate materials, which could not be ground in the same way as normal optical glass, quadrupling the amount of time used during the grinding process. In 1969, Canon launched the world's first lens incorporating fluorite. Canon has also applied itself diligently to the development of aspherical lenses. In theory, with conventional spherical lenses, the focal point for the central portion of the lens does not coincide with the focal point for the peripheral area. This discrepancy, however, can be eliminated with an aspherical lens. Aiming to achieve a level of precision within 0.1 μm (1 μm = one millionth of a meter), Canon engineers repeatedly measured and shaped the lenses, and established the necessary design, processing, and ultraprecision measurement technologies. In 1971, Canon became the world's first company to market an SLR camera lens incorporating aspherical elements. Today, the company manufactures aspherical lenses with a degree of processing accuracy of 0.02 μm.

Another major achievement was the development of the DO lens. In the mid-nineties, Canon engineers believed that they could effectively correct for chromatic aberration by using a lens that incorporated a diffractive optical element, in which chromatic aberration occurs in the opposite direction to that of a refractive lens. Through the application of precision processing technologies, Canon created a diffractive optical element and, in 2001, produced the world’s first commercial DO Lens. This development made possible the creation of telephoto zoom lenses that are not only significantly smaller, but also realize higher levels of image quality. Other Canon milestones in lens technology are too numerous to list, but include the development of free-form surface lenses, an ultracompact 3x optical zoom lens unit that fits on top of a one-cent euro coin, and a 100x zoom television broadcasting lens. In addition, the company has put its camera-manufacturing knowhow and experience to use in the development of a range of other technologies indispensable in the field of photography, including auto-focus systems employing advanced sensors, the world’s first practical application of the ultrasonic motor, and optical imagestabilization technology. And the development process continues today, as cameras have evolved from analog to digital. Lenses and other optical technologies, used in the company’s electrophotographic technology as well as semiconductorexposure and LCD panel-exposure systems, have contributed to the diversification of Canon’s business and represent a key supporting core technology.

■ Focusing on CMOS Sensor Development

Interchangeable SLR Camera Lens Featuring a DO Lens EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM (introduced in 2004)

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In 1987, during the analog camera era, Canon developed and deployed the BASIS bipolar amplification sensor as the focusing sensor for the EOS650, the company's first autofocus SLR camera. Recognizing the potential of this sensor, the company's engineers embarked upon a detailed analysis and advancement project, marking the start of the CMOS sensor. In 2000, thirteen years later, Canon decided to use the CMOS sensor the company developed in-house as the image sensor in the digital SLR camera planned for release that year. Aware that any development hitches would prevent commercialization of the camera, the company’s engineers set to work. Compared with CCD image sensors, although CMOS sensors

generally offered the advantages of low power consumption, fast reading speeds, and low cost, their high levels of noise and poor sensitivity were pointed out as disadvantages at the time. Fixedpattern noise in particular was far from satisfying Canon's image quality standards. To overcome these shortcomings, the company thoroughly reviewed all processes required for manufacture and developed a noise-cancellation system, thereby clearing the noise hurdle. Meanwhile, it also became necessary to produce clean transistors with a leak current approximately 1/1,000th of that of transistors used in standard PCs and memory elements. Leaking of current is caused by heavy-metal contamination during the manufacturing process and irregularities in the structure of silicon crystals. Initially, almost all of the transistors were deemed defective in this regard, but the establishment of thorough cleaning and processing technologies paved the way for the launch of the EOS D30. While today’s CMOS sensors exceed 20 million pixels, Canon has successfully developed one with 50 million pixels. Moreover, the company has realized further advances in CMOS sensors to make possible a compact sensor capable of capturing full highdefinition (HD) video.

■ Breaking New Ground: The DIGIC Image Processor If the image sensor of a digital camera acts like film, then the device responsible for the development process that creates a visible image is the imaging processor. By the mid-1990s, digital cameras of other companies commonly used a microcomputer, which required several seconds per shot. Canon, in contrast, initially augmented the LSI (large-scale integrated circuit) used in video camcorders to process video signals with a new LSI. The results, however, were far from satisfactory. Then, in the fall of 1996, a project was launched with the aim of developing a singlechip system LSI for image processing even through there were no formal plans for a corresponding digital camera product. In the beginning, the project targeted the creation of an engine that could be integrated into any digital camera, not only to process the image data captured by the CCD sensor, but also to control the lens aperture, shutter speed, focus, and electronic flash, as well as manage power consumption, control the LCD monitor, and write to memory. While microcomputers utilized von Neumann architecture for sequential processing, imaging processors had been nonvon Neumann from the beginning, so a proprietary architecture suitable for general image processing was adopted. In addition, the project was one of the world’s first to begin development using a C programming language, enabling rapid, high-quality verification. One of the most important development objectives for the project was beautiful image quality. Also vital was processing speed. Compromises such as exploiting low expectations for the image quality of digital cameras or assuming that waiting several seconds for each shot was unavoidable were never considered.

Canon's first image processor, a single-chip integrated circuit for processing digital signals, was introduced in the PowerShot S10, released in October 1999. Although originally nameless, this image processor was christened DIGIC upon the launch of its third generation in 2003. 2008's DIGIC 4 marks the sixth generation of the image processor. With stunning improvements in speed, enhanced facedetection functionality capable of identifying faces in the picture frame and determining the optimal focus setting, high-speed intelligent contrast, and improved video functionality, the DIGIC 4 defines the state of the art for imaging processors.

■ DIGIC DV for Digital Video Camcorders Canon’s DIGIC image processor is also extensively used in the field of digital video camcorders. Initial development work in this area began in the 1990s, at the dawn of the digital video camcorder era, and came to fruition in 1994 in the form of the DIC, a camera-signal-processing LSI suitable for practical applications. The technology developed for the DIC was then further advanced and refined, culminating in the DIGIC DV, introduced in 2003, which realized optimal image processing for both video and still images. 2005 brought another evolution with the DIGIC DV II, which supports high-definition video with faster processing speeds and enhanced image quality. Digital video camcorders differ from digital still cameras in that their image sensor and image processor must operate on a continuous basis. Although a relatively large amount of power is normally required to keep high-definition image-processing algorithms operating at high speeds, Canon has fully utilized its expertise and know-how in the fields of image processing and LSI design to realize a unique processor for digital video camcorders that achieves both high image quality and low power consumption.

DIGIC DV II Image Processor

DIGIC 4 Image Processor

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Can o n C ore Tec hnologies

Electrophotography “Cameras in the right hand, business machines in the left.” It was under this business diversification motto that Canon undertook the challenge of electrophotographic technology, a field enmeshed in a veritable web of patents. Overcoming countless obstacles, Canon’s continued efforts have helped redefine not only office environments, but print culture itself. ■ The Desire to Print Photographs on Plain Paper The basic technology behind electrophotography was invented by American physicist Chester F. Carlson in 1938. This was subsequently put to practical use by the U.S.-based Haloid Company (now Xerox Corporation) in the development of the world's first plain-paper copier, introduced in 1959. Since then, electrophotography has gone on to become an important industrial technology employed in a variety of fields. In the electrophotography process, an invisible electrical image, or latent potential image, is created on photosensitive material whose electrical properties change in the presence of light. This image is then transferred to paper or other media after being made visible through the application of a powder-like material. In the early days of the technology, images were made visible through other methods, including scattering friction-charged material, applying liquid, or direct magnetic rendering. The early years of electrophotographic technology were a highly competitive era during which many different ideas were proposed and approaches tested. Canon began its full-fledged efforts in the field in 1962, and three years later, as conflicting technologies competed on a global stage, the company invented its NP approach. Canon's NP method differed from that of Xerox in that it did not use selenium as the photosensitive material. Instead, it opted for cadmium sulfide (CdS), a camera developer material already in plentiful supply at the company. A hard insulating coating was applied on top of the CdS to create a unique three-layer drum, achieving much higher levels of durability compared with the extremely delicate selenium-coated drums, which required regular maintenance.

■ Challenging Convention In 1979, Canon broke with convention and did away with the concentration adjustment mechanism, essential for the twocomponent method that had been employed up to that time and made use of a conductive toner and iron powder. In its place, Canon announced the NP-200J, which employed a dry mono-component jumping-development approach. This new method vastly improved the sharpness of copied images by accurately applying an insulating toner with a small particle size

Drum

Drum

Toner Carrier

Blade Magnet

Magnet

Comparison of the Dry Mono-component Jumping Method and the Two-component Method

of several micrometers, or several millionths of a meter, onto the photosensitive drum. A range of advances and improvements enabled a simplified structure, including the implementation of a new optical system incorporating a Selfoc lens, made possible through the development of a new toner containing an extremely small amount of external additive, and the application of alternating current carrier voltage to the carrier during development, an approach that defied conventional thinking. As a result, it was possible to achieve an extremely compact, low-cost design that enjoyed extraordinary popularity across the world. Behind this success was Canon's development culture, which wholeheartedly encouraged the tackling of any idea with potential, no matter how challenging it may be.

■ All-in-one Cartridge Breakthrough 1982 gave way to a revolutionary breakthrough in the way developers viewed copying machines. Previously, unavoidable regular maintenance made photocopiers seem unsuitable for nonbusiness applications. However, the emergence of the all-in-one toner cartridge concept, enabling the replacement of the toner, drum, and all other major copier components in a single operation, and the development of related technology opened the market for home-use copiers. Canon’s PC-10/20 and more advanced Family Copier models have had a major impact on electrophotographic technology, as well as the company’s business, from manufacturing to marketing.

The Electrophotographic Printing Process Network MFPs, laser beam printers, and multifunction production systems all employ the same printing principle. 1. Charging The photosensitive drum surface is negatively charged with a static charge.

2. Exposure Laser beams scan the photosensitive drum to form an image. Areas exposed to the laser beams lose their electrical charge.

3. Developing Toner is brought in close proximity to the drum and affixes to non-charged areas.

4. Transfer The photosensitive drum is brought into contact with the paper* and a positive charge is applied from behind, transferring the toner onto the paper.

5. Fixing Heat and pressure are applied to fix the toner to the paper.

* Most color models use a transfer system in which the toner first transfers from the photosensitive drum to an intermediate transfer belt, then from the belt to the paper.

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Interior of Canon's First Copying Machine, the NP-1100

■ Full Support for Networking

All-in-one Cartridges

■ From Analog to Digital, and on to Color In the 1980s, as the world underwent a digital revolution, Canon's electrophotography charted new territory in the fields of laser and digital technology. In 1979, this development first bore fruit with the LBP-10 laser beam printer. Based on this initial design, the company went on to introduce the NP-9030, a printer that combined a semiconductor laser with a photosensitive drum incorporating amorphous silicon, a material capable of printing up to one million copies with minimal degradation. In 1987, Canon debuted the CLC-1, the world’s first digital full-color copying machine. The CLC-1 was also the first copying machine with builtin temperature and humidity sensors, which it used to monitor changes in the ambient environment over an eight-hour period to control parameters such as charge and exposure to maintain consistent color image quality. Launched in 1989, the CLC500 added network functionality to the basic CLC-1 model, expanding the world of full-color desktop publishing. In 2000, Canon launched the CP2100, equipped with ultrasonic motors and an individual drum for each of the CMYK colors, marking the introduction of the Cleaner-less/Toner-reuse System, which makes possible the recovery of left-over toner for recycling, and the use of LED arrays. With these innovations, Canon brought about a color revolution in business offices.

The year 2003 saw copying machine development at Canon enter a totally new field of activity. System-on-a-chip (SoC) technology, developed in Silicon Valley, was implemented in copying machines, allowing them to take on the role of core network device. Now featuring document management capabilities in addition to printer, fax, and scanner functions, the copier had fully evolved into a multifunction network printer.

■ Accepting the Challenge of Offset Printing In today's print-on-demand world, it is possible to create printout comparable in quality to that of offset printing with the convenience of photocopying. The inherent potential of electrophotographic technology continues to enter new fields thanks to advancements in digital technology, integration with PCs, and transformation through networking. Breakthroughs in the fundamental concept of photocopiers could even see today's huge imagePRESS C7000VP transformed into desktop technology in no more than a decade. The history of Canon's electrophotographic technologies has been a story of repeated breakthroughs in thinking. The company's desire to boldly tackle new concepts that others would not even consider is the principal factor behind Canon’s success in the pursuit of the highly convenient, beautiful printout that represents a fundamental element of electrophotography.

Cross Section of Tandem Engine ‘CP2100’

15

Can o n C ore Tec hnologies

Inkjet Printing FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) is a high-density print head technology developed by Canon that enables the ejection of microscopic ink droplets as small as 1 picoliter from 6,144 nozzles for uniform, accurate placement on paper. Many untold stories lie behind the realization of this remarkable technology. ■ The Birth of a New Technology In the mid-seventies, as a number of printer manufacturers competed to develop inkjet printing using piezoelectric elements, Canon was among the first to recognize the true potential of inkjet technology, carrying out development activities designed to maximize this potential. As Canon introduced the Y-02 monochrome desktop calculator printer in 1981, the company continued to pursue a new, more highly advanced inkjet-printing process.

inside each nozzle, the efficient transfer of heat eventually became impossible. This phenomenon led to the coining of the term kogation—formed by attaching an English suffix to the Japanese word koge, meaning "scorch" or "burn"—an expression that went on to gain international acceptance. While the problem was thought by some to be insurmountable, the company, through the development of new analytic methods and the carrying out of massive amounts of repetitive testing, successfully found a solution to the problem of kogation. In 1985, eight years after submitting the original patent application, Canon launched its first Bubble Jet printer, the BJ-80.

■ Revolutionary Nozzle Created by Light

A Soldering Iron and Syringe Led to the Development of Inkjet Printing Technology

It was around this time that a fortuitous incident occurred. The tip of a soldering iron came into contact with a syringe needle containing ink, causing ink droplets to jet out from the tip of the needle. Observing the phenomenon, one of the company’s engineers had a flash of inspiration that culminated in the development of Canon’s unique inkjet technology, in which ink droplets are ejected by heating elements. On October 3, 1977, Canon submitted a basic patent application for the world's first thermal inkjet (Bubble Jet) technology.

■ Challenging ‘Common Sense’ There were still, however, many hurdles that remained before this technology could be successfully commercialized, one of which was heater durability. Heaters located inside the microscopic nozzles that eject the ink are formed using semiconductor production technology. Even though moisture and electrolytes are the bane of semiconductor elements, Canon challenged conventional wisdom by bringing ink, which contains both of these elements, into contact with the semiconductor heaters in order to vaporize it. Persistent trial and error eventually led to the development of a thin, high-performance insulation layer that electrically insulated the heater and ink in a highly reliable manner and was also capable of withstanding the powerful shock resulting from the generation and expulsion of bubbles. Thermal decomposition of ink components presented another major problem. Heating the surface of the heater to several hundred degrees in one-millionth of a second caused the ink to break down and denature, resulting in the deposition of insoluble sediment. With this process being repeated millions of times

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More than twenty years have passed since the introduction of the BJ-80. During that time, inkjet technology has evolved from monochrome to color, from text-centric output to graphics, and finally to photo-quality printout. Achieving photo-quality printing demanded smaller ink droplets, a goal that posed multiple challenges. Of primary importance is the technology that makes possible the high-precision creation of several thousand nozzles. To allow microscopic ink droplets as small as one picoliter (one billionth of a liter) to be ejected with high-precision placement, it is critical that every single nozzle be positioned with an accuracy of 0.1 μm. Conventionally, the only way to create nozzles and the complex internal channels to which they were connected was to bond together minutely fabricated components. There are, however, limits to the degree of accuracy with which several thousand nozzles can be assembled using this approach. Canon wasted no time in determining these limitations, and in 1992 initiated ambitious efforts to devise a revolutionary new production technology. Making full use of its original materials technologies and photolithographic technologies employed in the production of semiconductors, the company successfully developed the world's first production method for highly accurate nozzles that did not rely on the bonding of separate components. Using light to create the nozzles, this groundbreaking technology was perfected over a period of approximately seven years and first incorporated in the BJ F8500, introduced in 1999. Offering outstanding image quality, it marked a new chapter in the development of inkjet printers. Today, this technology, known as FINE, is featured in all of Canon's inkjet printer products.

Heater

Ink ejection opening

The FINE Nozzle

Nozzle

Ink Droplets being Ejected from a FINE Print Head (simulated image)

■ The Quest for Beautiful Print Quality In the field of inkjet printing, the evolution of Canon's product technology has proceeded hand in hand with ink technology. Having successfully achieved plain-paper compatibility and fullcolor printing, inkjet printing technologies are now realizing advances in response to a diverse range of needs. To do so, inks must deliver stable droplet-ejection performance, ensure that the microscopic nozzles do not become clogged, and clear safety standards in compliance with regulations on hazardous substances in each country and region worldwide. It also goes without saying that inks must realize outstanding image quality and permanence to enable long-term preservation of photos. To fulfill these strict requirements, Canon has developed a range of inks, including dye-based inks offering superior color reproduction and glossiness, and pigment-based inks characterized by excellent longevity. Canon dye-based inks were introduced in 2005 as part of the ChromaLife100 system, supporting the long-lasting beauty of photos. In 2008, the company developed ChromaLife100+ for even more beautiful long-lasting photos, enabling the creation of photo prints with a more than 300year album storage, approximately 30-year light fastness, and approximately 20-year gas fastness.* As for pigment-based inks, the company developed LUCIA to meet professional demand for photographic printing that realizes natural color reproduction. Canon also developed PgR technology, which applies a coating of clear ink to the print surface before printing with LUCIA inks, to prevent blurring when printing on plain paper. Additionally, the development of reactive ink technology, which exploits the chemical reaction between dye and pigment inks, achieves high-resolution print performance for large-format printers.

■ From Mobile to Large-format Printing Inkjet technology represents the only non-contact printing technology for print media such as paper. Because it is a noncontact approach, it makes printing possible on a diverse range of materials. In addition to mobile and home-use inkjet printer products, Canon has expanded the application of this technology to include large-format printers capable of accommodating print media up to approximately 1.5 meters in width to facilitate the creation of posters, architectural diagrams, and other large-scale printout. In terms of imaging performance, today's inkjet printers are capable of producing levels of resolution that exceed those

discernable by the human eye. Nevertheless, Canon's engineers continue to tackle formidable challenges in their quest to expand the potential of inkjet printing. In addition to working to enhance image quality, performance, and functionality, they are also striving to push the technology into new fields of application.

* About album storage: Album storage is based on the assumption that printout is stored in an archival album with a plastic cover sheet and kept in the dark. Criteria for estimation The permanence presented above is estimated by using an accelerated dark storage test (ISO 18924). Samples are kept in a controlled environment with high temperature and 50% relative humidity. The test environment is designed to accelerate color fading. The rate of decrease in optical density and rate of yellow discoloration of the paper are measured. Finally, the results are extrapolated to the length of time when a printed image is kept in an environment of 23°C at 50% relative humidity. About light fastness: Criteria for estimation Estimated light fastness is made under the following test conditions. Light source: White fluorescent light 70,000 lux; Temperature: 24°C; Humidity: 60% RH; A 2-mm thick glass is placed on the sample with an air gap between the glass and the sample during accelerated testing. About gas fastness: Criteria for estimation Estimated gas fastness is made under the following test conditions: Temperature (24°C) and humidity (60% RH) are controlled in an environment of mixed gases of O3, NOx and SOx. The ratio of the gases is typical to indoor air composition (O3: NOx: SOx = 3:19:1) with 100 times concentration in order to accelerate color fading. Criteria for estimation of print longevity shown above Estimates for image permanence are made using the Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. endpoint criteria “WIR Visually-Weighted Endpoint Criteria Set v3.0” as follows: The point where monochromatic/reflective optical density shows loss of 20–35% (figure set respectively for each color, starting density of 1.0 and 0.6). The point where the difference in color balance of yellow, magenta and cyan (each component in composite black) reaches 12–18%. Samples were printed with an optical density of 1.0 and 0.6 (each black, cyan, magenta, yellow) using default printer driver setting for each media. For the longevity figures appearing in this section, prints were produced through a combination of Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II print media, 2008 new ink tanks, and 2008 new FINE cartridges.

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Can o n C ore Tec hnologies

Exposure Equipment As noted in Moore’s Law, semiconductors, which constitute the very foundation of our highly information-based society, are advancing at a breathtaking rate. One of the major driving forces supporting this growth is semiconductor exposure technology. In this field, Canon technology is consistently at the leading edge of the industry, and the company is actively developing the next generation of these technologies. Also undergoing growth at a rapid pace are wide-screen LCD televisions. Canon's LCD panel exposure technologies and products address the demand for larger screens, lower cost, and higher throughput in the production arena. ■ Japan's First Semiconductor Exposure Tool

■ Chasing Moore’s Law

Semiconductor integrated circuits are created by taking a circuit pattern drawn on a photomask and optically transferring it onto a wafer. Canon's presence in this field dates back to 1965, when the company began designing a super high-resolution lens for photomask manufacturing. In 1970, the company introduced the lens in the PPC-1, a 1:1 projection mask aligner for 2-inch wafers that marked the first semiconductor exposure tool to be produced in Japan. However, as the system employed a manual alignment process and 3-inch wafers were to be introduced, this approach advanced no further.

Since 1984, light-source wavelengths have been continually reduced in order to satisfy the need for narrower circuit line widths of semiconductor devices. These wavelengths transitioned from the 436 nm (1 nm = one billionth of a meter) of the mercury lamp g-line, to the 365 nm of the lamp's i-line, the 248 nm of the krypton fluoride laser (KrF laser), and the 193 nm of the argon fluoride laser (ArF laser). Optical systems also underwent change. Because conventional glass could not provide necessary levels of transparency and uniformity, new glass materials were developed to suit light sources, facilitating further advances in resolution. As would be expected, masks (reticles) and stage control of wafers also became highly precise, and demand grew for greater levels of alignment accuracy. Canon introduced its first stepper (reduction projection exposure tool) in 1984 with the FPA-1500FA, which used the g-line as its light source, while the FPA2000i1 that followed in 1990 utilized the i-line. The company's F PA - 3 0 0 0 E X 3 a n d FPA-3000EX4 steppers, launched in 1996 and 1997, respectively, both employed a KrF excimer pulsed laser with a wavelength of FPA-1500FA 248 nm.

PPC-1: Japan’s First Semiconductor Exposure Tool

■ Proximity Mask Aligner In 1974, Canon introduced the PLA-300F, a proximity mask aligner in which the mask and wafer were separated by 10 to 20 μm (1 μm = one millionth of a meter) and exposure was performed using collimated light. This method, capable of processing line widths of approximately 4 μm, facilitated high levels of productivity through its automatic wafer feed capability for wafer sizes up to 3 inches. The company subsequently launched the world's first mask aligner with a laser-based automatic alignment system, the PLA500FA, in 1977. The machine became a best seller, enabling Canon to make a name for itself, both at home and abroad, as a producer of semiconductor exposure equipment a mere decade after entering the field.

■ Mirror Projection Mask Aligner In 1979, Canon introduced the MPA-500FA, which used the mirror projection method to achieve high-resolution 2-μm line-width circuits on wafers up to 5 inches. Furthermore, the MPA-600FA, released in 1985, provided additional support for 6-inch wafers. This model contributed greatly to the mass production of 64 to 256 KB DRAM during the 1980s. As line widths on semiconductor devices became ever finer, the mirror projection method was put to use in LCD panel exposure equipment.

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■ Birth of the Scanning Stepper In 1997, Canon developed exposure technology capable of the synchronized scanning of the reticle and wafer. Launching this technology as a key feature of the FPA-4000ES1, the company ushered in a new era of dynamic exposure. The FPA-5000ES2, introduced in 1998, delivered the world's highest productivity levels with faster, more accurate reticle and wafer stages. Also providing 300-mm (12-inch) wafer capability, the model went on to become a renowned scanning stepper. Further evolution of exposure equipment continued by improving the equipment platform, represented by the arrival of the FPA-6000 series in 2003, and FPA-7000 series in 2007. FPA-5000ES2

Featuring the Two-Wafer Stage System, the FPA-7000 series delivered dramatic increases in productivity. In addition, the systems feature a host of cutting edge technologies, including a polarized illumination system and an immersion exposure technology wherein the gap between the lens and wafer is filled with ultra-pure water to realize a projection lens system with an increased numerical aperture. Furthermore, the number of controlled axes has also increased to over 100, and the digital signal processor (DSP) used to perform this control is capable of processing six billion floating point operations per second (six gigaflops). Canon remains focused on the future, researching

Conceptual Illustration of the FPA-7000 Series Platform

■ Supporting Increasing Demand for Larger Screens In 1986, when mobile color LCD TVs first appeared on the market, Canon introduced the MPA-1500, a 1:1 mirror projection aligner capable of not only the batch exposure of 7-inch panels but also stitching exposure of 15-inch panels by four-photo composition. This system realized a high resolving power of between 1.5 and 3 μm, allowing for larger screen sizes and higher levels of productivity. The MPA-1500 became the de-facto standard for subsequent Canon LCD panel exposure tools.

liquids with a high refractive index and working to support a new process technology known as double patterning as part of ongoing developments to push the wavelength boundary back even further.

■ The Challenge of Next-Generation Technologies Canon has successfully developed ultra-precise, multi-layer mirror reflection systems, device vacuum processes, and other basic fundamental technologies for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, considered to be the next generation in exposure technology. Using a small field exposure tool (SFET), the company has also succeeded in exposing line widths of 26 nm.

Patterns Created through EUV Exposure (Source: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization)

laser interferometers are used to control position and rotation. In addition, the mask and substrate stages are simultaneously scanned individually in order to achieve high-precision synchronized control that reduces positional deviation on a submicrometer level. Although a high-precision optical tool, the MPAsp-H700 weighs 100 tons. At the same time, the level of precision required extends to the realm of the nanometer, a level invisible to the naked eye. Such massive-scale precision represents the challenge that Canon's exposure technology development efforts must meet to support the ever-evolving IT industry.

MPA-1500

Canon's current MPAsp-H700 is capable of the simultaneous exposure of six 55-inch wide-screen LCD panels (or three 57-inch panels). This high-performance system can process 323 panels per hour, keeping the company one step ahead of market needs. The MPAsp-H700 enables the full-field exposure of glass substrates measuring 2,200 x 2,500 mm, a size unmatched anywhere in the world (as of October 2008). The 0.7 mm-thick substrates are secured through vacuum suction on a stage weighing approximately four tons, which is then driven by linear motors at a high speed of 750 mm per second while

LCD Exposure Equipment for Eighth-Generation Glass Substrates

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Can o n C ore Tec hnologies

Displays Canon’s involvement in a variety of display technologies represents the company’s vision for the future, responding to continually diversifying demands in the field of display technology while aiming to advance into the new frontier of cross-media imaging.

Third-Generation AISYS

■ Projectors That Deliver Exceptional Images Quality In 2004, Canon introduced a new LCD projector technology. At the time, many conventional projectors used transmissive liquid crystal, which produced a lattice-like grid pattern due to the drive elements between the pixels. In line with its dedication to picture quality, Canon made use of Liquid Crystal On Silicon (LCOS) reflective LCD panels, which seamlessly blend individual pixels together to produce an image. Although LCOS offered excellent contrast performance, realizing sufficient brightness proved problematic. Canon engineers thus took on the challenge of achieving both contrast along with brightness. This led to the creation of the AISYS optical system, which makes use of the vertical and horizontal components of light from the light source used to illuminate the LCOS panel. Following exhaustive trial and error in fundamentally reconfiguring the relationship between polarized light and optical behavior, engineers successfully enhanced contrast by converting the horizontal component of the light that enters the LCOS panel into parallel beams, and boosted brightness by converging the vertical component. At the same time, new color separation/synthesis and optical projection systems were developed, making possible the realization of compact LCD projectors capable of delivering bright images with high levels of contrast and excellent gradation characteristics. In 2006, having achieved both high levels of brightness and contrast, Canon developed the second-generation of AISYS, which targeted improved illumination efficiency and high-grade picture brightness. Canon engineers took the cylindrical lens array, which had been used only for the horizontal component in first-generation products, and also applied it to the vertical component. They streamlined optical elements by vertically arranging the prisms of the color separation/synthesis system to

Screen Projection lens

LCOS (B)

LCOS (R)

LCOS (G) Lamp

PBS

Polarization separation surface

Third-Generation AISYS Color Separation/Synthesis System

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enhance brightness, and by using a hybrid beam combiner (HBC) approach that has both dichroic functionality and a polarization beam splitter (PBS). While the second generation of AISYS technology successfully added high-grade brightness to the excellent brightness and contrast performance that had already been achieved, it required a highly complex structure. The quest for a simpler, third-generation AISYS got underway in 2008 with an eye to significantly reducing costs. Instead of the pair of cylindrical lens arrays that had attracted attention in the second-generation AISYS, the third generation featured an asymmetric fly-eye lens array immediately after the lamp that integrated horizontal and vertical cylindrical lenses, which enabled a significant reduction in the total number of individual lenses required for the system. It thus became possible to enhance brightness while reducing size and cost without compromising high contrast. In addition, by adopting a lamp with superior color-rendering performance and taking the sensory characteristics of the human eye into account, Canon was able to realize even more faithful color-reproduction performance. The third generation of AISYS technology marked the beginning of Canon's in-house development of LCOS panels. As a result, Canon now develops all key projector parts, including AISYS, projection lenses, LCOS, and driver ICs.

■ Towards the Startup of a New Business – The Challenge of Flat-Screen SEDs Boasting the same high-speed motion traceability and high contrast as CRT (cathode ray tube) displays but with lower energy consumption and superior rendering performance with high resolution and low image distortion, the SED (Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display) represents the ideal display. Canon is moving forward with the development of this technology, a highly anticipated type of flat-screen display. In SEDs, an individual electron emitter, which fulfills the role served by the electron gun in CRT systems, is provided for each pixel on the display. In these electron emitters, the heart of the SED, voltage is applied across extremely small gaps of only a few nanometers formed between two electrodes, resulting in a release of electrons from one side. Some of these electrons are accelerated by an additional voltage applied between the glass substrates, resulting in luminescence when the accelerated electrons strike the phosphor coating of the opposing substrate. Development efforts targeting advances in this display technology are underway, from analysis and investigation of the

nano-level electron emitters to the associated material, drive, and production technologies. Enlarged view

Luminescence Color filter Phosphor

Black matrix Glass substrate

Electrode

Electron beams

Metal back film Electron emitter Va

Field emission

Scattering

Va

Several nm Nanogap

Glass substrate Vf

SED Electron Emission – Concentration of Group Abilities and OLEDs While LCDs require a backlight, the organic light emitting diode (OLED) is capable of emitting its own light. In addition, OLEDs offer other highly desirable characteristics supporting outstanding picture quality as they consume low power, have a thin and lightweight structure, realize optimal color reproducibility, and offer high levels of contrast, video responsiveness, and peak intensity in addition to being view-angle free. An OLED comprises an electron (-) transport layer, an organic electro-luminescence layer, and a hole (+) transport layer situated between an anode and a cathode. When voltage is applied, the organic material in the electro-luminescence layer is excited and releases energy in the form of light when it returns to its unexcited state. Since the 1970s, Canon has used a conductive material known as an organic photo conductor (OPC) for its photosensitive drums employed in electrophotographic processes, and these material technologies can now be put to use in the OLED's electron and hole transport layer. In addition, the company is making full use of organic material technologies honed over the years, carrying out research into a host of light-emitting and other materials that support such emission, and developing organic light-emitting materials with extremely high levels of color purity and energy efficiency. In terms of production engineering, Canon is strengthening its technical partnership with Canon Group companies Canon Anelva and Tokki. Both of these affiliates have developed vacuum processing technologies that can be applied to carry out organic film deposition, sealing for protection of the organic layer, and all steps in between in a high-grade vacuum environment. Furthermore, through joint development with Hitachi Displays, the company is making a vigorous push to commercialize OLED display products with high levels of efficiency, color purity, and longevity. Organic photosensor

– TFTs for LCDs and OLEDs Among the thin film transistor (TFT) semiconductor materials used in pixel circuits of LCDs and OLEDs are polycrystalline silicon (polySi) and amorphous silicon (a-Si). In addition to requiring high temperatures for production, both materials suffer several disadvantages. For example, a-Si TFTs have a slow response speed, while poly-Si TFTs, despite their relatively higher response speed, cannot easily be adapted for large screens. The biggest disadvantage of a-Si TFTs is that their characteristics change when a current is applied over long periods of time. Although this does not cause serious problems with LCDs, which only use TFTs for switching purposes and have short total energization times, it represents a significant shortcoming for technologies like OLEDs, in which the electric current flows continuously. Recently, transparent amorphous oxide semiconductor TFTs have become the focus of considerable attention in this field. In 2004 it was discovered that amorphous oxides of metals such as indium and zinc had properties highly suited for use as semiconductors. Employing a different operating principle, these materials provide response speeds that are ten times faster than those realized by conventional amorphous silicon and can be driven using small electrical charges. They also show potential in terms of high reliability and manufacturability. Accepting the challenge of these completely new, highly promising elements, Canon has initiated materials research projects with the aim of putting them to practical use in semiconductor devices. This effort has already delivered results with the discovery that adding an appropriate amount of gallium yields appropriate electron transfer rates and stability. While much is still unknown about amorphous oxide semiconductors, it is clear that they are highly stable, offer high basic functionality as transistors, and can be utilized in the production of large screens. Because these materials do away with the high-temperature processes (350-450°C) required for silicon semiconductors, production can be carried out at room temperature, making possible the fabrication of circuits on extremely thin plastic that could even permit bending. These breakthroughs bring within the realm of possibility displays that could adhere to a wall instead of hanging on it, or monitors that could be rolled up for storage.

OLED

Protective film

Electron conductive layer

CT

Photoelectric conversion layer

CG AI Light converted into a charge

Cathode Electron transport layer Emission layer Electron-hole transport layer Anode

Charge converted into light

Conceptual Comparison of Organic Photosensor and OLED

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Advanced Technologies for Compact Design and High Image Quality

Compact Digital Cameras Canon’s compact digital cameras embody the advanced camera technologies Canon has developed over the years and continue to receive enthusiastic reviews from users. Advanced optical technology, camera control technology, and electronic device technology densely mounted in a small body design make for compact cameras that deliver high performance and high image quality. Overview of Compact Digital Cameras A compact digital camera is a small camera that uses an image sensor to convert image data into digital signals for storage on a memory card.

Image Sensor A CCD (charged-coupled device) employing a primary color filter for superior color reproduction

Zoom Lever/Shutter Button

Memory Card Uses a high-speed, high-capacity SD Card/ MultiMediaCard to record image data

Imaging Processor Processes high-resolution images at high speeds DIGIC 4 Face/Motion Detection Technology X iSAPS Technology X X

Lens Unit The ultra-compact lens unit incorporates a UA lens element and a lens-shift Image Stabilizer (IS)

Image Stabilization and 5x Optical Zoom in a Slim Camera Body An Ultra-Small Lens Unit with a Lens-Shift Image Stabilizer *1 UA lens (Ultra-high refractive index Aspherical lens) A glass-molded (GMo) aspherical lens with an ultrahigh refractive index. *2 Lens-shift type Image Stabilizer (IS) A lens-shift type image stabilizer has the advantage of providing a wider adjustment scope with almost no deterioration in image quality. *3 Ceramic ball support system Ceramic balls are used as the bearings for the shifting lens. Ceramic material is relatively unaffected by magnetic fields, less prone to heat deformation than metal, and a lowfriction material, therefore providing high levels of device support. Unlike dual-axis guide-bar systems, no metal springs are used, facilitating smooth, stable operation.

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Canon’s Digital ELPH (Digital IXUS) camera series provides 3–5x optical zoom capability in a slim camera body. The lens units in these cameras use one or two of Canon’s specially developed UA lens*1 elements and realize the industry’s top class in terms of ultra-compact size. This revolutionary lens unit also incorporates Canon’s unique lens-shift type Image Stabilizer (IS)*2 technology for improved ease of use. IS is the product of the optical stabilizer technology that Canon began developing in the 1980s and had originally been used in single-lens reflex cameras. IS employs an ultra-compact gyro sensor to detect camera shake, analyzes the amount of movement, and shifts the lens unit’s corrective optical lens in parallel

to the image sensor to compensate for the bending of light rays from the subject relative to the optical axis. The drive mechanism that supports and moves the corrective optical lens employs a ceramic ball support system,*3 which works in concert with a high-precision control circuit to provide smooth, precise movement and outstanding responsiveness. By integrating the IS with Motion Detection Technology (→ P.23) and high-sensitivity response, Canon compact digital cameras enable the easy capturing of sharp blurfree images.

UA lens

Ceramic material offers better support than metal because it is less subject to thermal deformation and creates less friction.

Digital ELPH Lens Unit

Ceramic Ball Support System for Shifting Lens

Higher Speed and Further Improved Processing Capabilities DIGIC 4

Input

DIGIC 4 achieves further improvements in image processing speed. It incorporates new noise reduction technology and high-speed shadow correction, along with improved video functionality, Face Detection technology, and Motion Detection technology. The latest version of the Canon image processor delivers substantially improved *5 DIGIC 4 performance and functionality. DIGIC 4 is the latest version

of Canon’s DIGIC imaging processor, which is used in Canon’s Digital ELPH/IXUS, PowerShot, and EOS-series cameras. A high-performance image processor with highend processing functions, DIGIC is customized to provide optimal performance in every individual camera model in which it is used.

DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor

Output

Light entering a digital camera through its lens is converted into electric signals by a CCD image sensor. From these signals the digital image processor generates image data with natural color reproduction, rich gradation, and low noise. DIGIC, Canon’s digital camera image processor,*4 is a high-performance LSI chip (→ P.56) that uses unique architecture to achieve constant high-speed processing. Using algorithms developed by Canon, DIGIC makes possible the high-speed processing of such tasks as reducing false colors and moiré patterns, and canceling noise during long exposures. It also reduces noise for high-speed image capture and provides higher resolution signal output to the LCD monitor. The processing and memory components are configured in a layered structure to conserve space.

*4 Image processor A micro-computer that integrates a CPU, memory to house processing programs, a timer function, and input/output onto a single integrated circuit.

*5

Exposure

Detecting Faces, Optimizing Settings and Minimizing Camera Shake Face and Motion Detection Technology

Optical / Medical

These new technologies have been realized by fusDIGIC 4 incorporates Face Detection technology, which can ing DIGIC’s high-speed computing performance with the recognize human faces in a picture and adjust such facwealth of Canon camera technologies incorporated in the tors as focus and exposure accordingly, along with Motion image processing algorithms. Detection technology, which detects subject movement and ensures optimal sensitivity, shutter speed, and aperture settings. With Face Detection, DIGIC’s high-speed response makes possible the rapid detection of a large number of different faces (up to 35 faces in a frame, of Without Face Detection With Face Detection which up to 9 can be tracked). By combining the Face Detection algorithm with iSAPS technology, DIGIC 4 is able to determine the main subject of the photo immediately. Motion Capture technology enables DIGIC to detect whether the subject is moving, while iSAPS determines the optimal shooting settings to reduce subject blur.

Fundamental

Face Detection Technology

Realizing High-Speed, High-Precision Control

*6 iSAPS high-speed AF iSAPS AF predicts the focus setting based on previously shot scenes, reducing the time required for focusing.

High

Shooting frequency

Low Bright

Near

Brightness

Distance to subject Far

Dark

Conceptualization of Photographic Space Distribution of subject positions based on a given focal length

*7 iSAPS intelligent AE/ AWB iSAPS AE/AWB applies optimized algorithms for each shot according to the shooting mode selected by the user, which minimizes mistakes thanks to more precise exposure and white balance matched to the selected shooting mode and surrounding environment.

Future

Over many years of camera development, Canon has gathered a vast amount of photographic data, creating a database with extensive statistical analyses of the correlations between focal length or zoom position, surrounding brightness, and subject-to-camera distance. Making use of this Photographic Space database, Canon developed iSAPS (intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology, which predicts the scene a user is about to photograph and promptly selects the optimal settings for key functions. This technology combines shooting parameters from recently taken shots with the camera’s built-in data to estimate the distance between the camera and the subject, improve AF (Auto Focus)*6 precision and speed, and enable optimal AE (Auto Exposure) and AWB (Auto White Balance) performance.*7

Environmental

iSAPS Technology

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Overcoming Challenges to Achieve Rich Expressive Capabilities

SLR Cameras Originally founded as a camera manufacturer, Canon has introduced a series of innovative SLR camera products in its continuing pursuit of the ideal single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. The high-quality images realized by Canon’s proprietary and world-renowned lenses, CMOS sensors, and imaging processors are the result of the company’s efforts in optical and cutting-edge digital imaging technology. Pentaprism

Overview of SLR Cameras

Converts the image on the focusing screen to an upright image

Digital SLR cameras feature an interchangeable lens system and use an image sensor that converts light into electrical signals to record images.

Focusing Screen Metering Sensor

The image of the subject to be photographed is displayed on this screen

63-zone metering sensor optimized for Area AF

Image Sensor Utilizes Canon’s proprietary CMOS sensor

Shutter Release Switch

Full-Frame CMOS Sensor CMOS Sensor Technology (P.58)

X

Memory Card

X

Main Mirror

Shutter

Flips up during exposure to open a path for light to reach the image sensor

Opens during exposure to allow light to reach the image sensor

Secondary Image-Formation Lens

Submirror Elliptical mirror that directs light from the lens to the AF distancemeasuring optics

Two pairs of integrated aspherical lenses guide the image of the subject to the AF sensor

Imaging Processor

Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit

Processes the signals read from the image sensor at high speeds and generates image data X

X

EOS Integrated Cleaning System

Area AF Sensor

DIGIC 4 (P.23)

X

New Area AF Technology

High-Speed Continuous Shooting and Predictive AF New Area Autofocus

*1 AF system with 19 selectable points plus 26 Assist AF Points This Area AF Sensor, featured in Canon’s high-end EOS-1D Mark III/EOS-1Ds Mark III digital SLR cameras, enables continuous shooting with the predictive AI servo AF at speeds up to approximately 10 fps. *2 High-speed new Area AF sensor Combines high speed with an improved sensitivity range of -1 to 18 EV (room temperature, ISO 100), enabling AF shooting even in dark conditions.

24

The autofocus (AF) technology of Canon’s EOS series of SLR cameras debuted in 1987, making an impact on the market for its speed and ease of use. Since that time, Canon has continued to develop and evolve AF technology into a digital camera legacy: from its initial AF with a single focus point at the center of the viewfinder to 3-point AF in 1990, 5-point AF in 1992, and 45-point AF in 1998. Canon’s new Area AF features 19 Cross-Type and 26 Assist AF Points.*1 While the system includes the same number of 45 focusing points as in conventional Area AF, all 19 selectable points are high-precision cross-type points, in which vertical and horizontal line components of the subject are simultaneously detected by cruciform distance measurement. Vertical lines are detected with professional-class specifications, conforming to the large-diameter lens group of f/2.8–4 distance-measuring light flux. For horizontal line detection, the 26 assist points conform to f/5.6 light flux, effectively assisting the focusing points selected by the photographer and ready at all times to capture subjects adjacent to selected focusing points. This greatly contributes to the faster capture of moving subjects, particularly when shooting continuously with the predictive AI Servo AF at the high speed of approximately 10 frames per second.

This technology was realized through Canon’s Area AF precision optical system and unique high-sensitivity New Area AF sensor,*2 along with the development of sophisticated AF computation algorithms.

: Cross-type points (19) : Assist points (26)

Array of Area AF Focusing Points 19 selectable cross-type points (1 central point plus 18 additional points) together with 26 assist points yield a 45-point Area AF system to detect the subject, enabling instantaneous AF shooting even with fast-moving, unpredictable scenes

Area AF Sensor

High-Resolution, High-Sensitivity, Low-Noise Image Sensors Full-Frame CMOS Sensors rated horizontally and vertically by about one pixel to cut the high-spatial-frequency components responsible for interference. Additionally, this low-pass filter features a hybrid structure that incorporates an infrared-cut filter to suppress red-ghosting and color fogging caused by reflections from the surface of the CMOS sensor. Infrared absorption glass

CMOS sensor Low-pass filter Separates the image data horizontally

Structure of the Hybrid Infrared-Cut Low-Pass Filter

Full-Frame CMOS Sensor (Full Scale)

Sealant Infrared absorption glass CMOS sensor Low-pass filter

Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit

Fundamental

Piezoelectric device Retainer

Optical / Medical

€ Hybrid Infrared-Cut Low-Pass Filters False colors and color moiré patterns are unavoidable in digital images that are captured by image sensors alone. These artifacts are caused by interference when the spatial frequency of the subject is close to the pixel pitches of the image sensor. The optical low-pass filter, located directly in front of the CMOS sensor, is designed to minimize these problems. Canon developed a new three-layered optical low-pass filter comprising a phase plate sandwiched between two single-crystal substrates. The image is sepa-

€ EOS Integrated Cleaning System*4 The EOS Integrated Cleaning System is a comprehensive processing system to minimize sensor dust that includes a self-cleaning sensor unit and software. The system was developed based on the concept of preventing dust generation, adherence, and retention.

Exposure

Phase plate Converts linear polarization to circular polarization Low-pass filter Separates the image data vertically

*4 EOS Integrated Cleaning System The EOS Integrated Cleaning System comprises the following measures: (1) Prevents dust formation: Thoroughly checks mechanisms and component materials to prevent dust from forming inside the camera (2) Suppresses adherence of dust to image sensor: Employs an anti-static mechanism (3) Shakes off dust with ultrasonic vibrations: The Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit, which is integrated with the low-pass filter in the front of the CMOS sensor, uses a piezoelectric device to shake off dust with ultrasonic vibrations (4) Automatically processes dust removal using software and/or Dust Delete Data acquisition/addition: Dust particles are added to the image as mapped information, which is processed by the automatic Dust Delete function using the bundled Digital Photo Professional software (Ver. 3.2 and up)

Output

Dichroic mirror Reflects infrared rays

Input

The CMOS sensor (→ P.58) is one of the most important components of a digital SLR camera. Canon develops and produces CMOS sensors using its own semiconductor exposure technology. Canon currently uses three different sizes of CMOS sensor: 35mm full-frame, APS-H, and APS-C. All Canon CMOS sensors realize high-resolution performance: up to 21.1 million pixels for 35mm full-frame sensors,*3 10.1 million pixels for APS-H type, and 15.1 million pixels for APS-C. Featuring eight-channel signal reading and supported by the DIGIC imaging processor, CMOS sensors are capable of achieving high-speed continuous shooting of approximately 10 frames per second, facilitating new levels of photographic expression that far surpass those of film cameras.

*3 35mm full-frame CMOS sensors (36 × 24 mm) The evolution of Canon’s FullFrame CMOS Sensors: EOS-1Ds (2002) EOS-1Ds Mark II (2004) EOS 5D (2005) EOS-1Ds Mark III (2007) EOS 5D Mark II (2008)

Realizing Smaller, Lighter Telephoto Lenses DO Lens

(1) Refractive lens Blue, green, red Combination of (1) and (2) Chromatic aberration

Canon incorporated the lens into its EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM interchangeable lens for SLR cameras, significantly reducing the size and weight of telephoto lenses while maintaining their high imaging performance. Next, the company conducted an even more thorough study of the materials and shape of the diffraction gratings, developing a three-layer DO lens that utilizes three diffractive optical elements. Incorporating the three-layer DO lens into the EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM zoom lens, Canon also successfully reduced the size of telephoto zoom lenses. Three-layer DO lens Diffraction grating

Two-layer DO lens Diffraction grating

Red, green, blue Cancels out chromatic aberration Reverse chromatic aberration

Correcting Chromatic Aberrations with a DO Lens

Glass lenses

Structure of DO Lens

Glass lenses

*5 Chromatic aberration One factor that can negatively affect image quality is color blur, or chromatic aberration, caused by wavelengthinduced fluctuations in the refractive index of light passing through a lens. Ordinarily, this problem is corrected by using multiple convex and concave lenses in combination.

Future

(2) DO lens

Environmental

Canon developed the world’s first Diffractive Optics (DO) lens to eliminate chromatic aberrations,*5 which occur in opposite directions in diffractive and refractive optical elements. The unique two-layer DO lens takes advantage of this phenomenon, and is formed by placing two precise diffraction gratings a few micrometers*6 apart on the surface of glass lenses to create a multi-layer structure.

*6 Micrometer (μm) 1 μm = one millionth of a meter, or 0.001 mm

25

Opening Up the High-Image-Quality World of HD Video

Digital Video Camcorders Video camcorders combine video images and audio and therefore require advanced digital imaging technology that differs from that used in photography. Camcorders must process large volumes of data rapidly while also being portable, realizing a compact size and consuming low energy. Applying a range of its advanced technologies, Canon has developed full HD video camcorders to meet the needs of the high-definition era. Image Sensor

Overview of Digital Video Camcorders

Full HD CMOS Sensor developed in-house for video applications

A digital video camcorder uses an image sensor that converts light into electrical signals to record video and audio.

X

Full HD CMOS Sensor

Codec Engine Optical Image Stabilizer (Lens-Shift Type)

Dedicated processor designed to compress or decompress video images and audio according to the recording medium

Designed to counteract the effects of camera shake without sacrificing image quality HD Video Lens with Image Stabilization and AF Function

X

HD Video Lens An optical zoom lens incorporating aspherical glass lens elements. Uses a gradient ND filter and, in some high-end models, an Ultra High Refractive Index Aspherical Lens (UA Lens) HD Video Lens with Image Stabilization and AF Function

X

Image Processor

External AF Sensor

Converts electric signals sent from the image sensor into video images

Calculates the distance to the subject HD Video Lens with Image Stabilization and AF Function

X

X

DIGIC DV II

Image Processor for HD Digital Video Processing DIGIC DV ll

*1 Video noise Random noise is more noticeable in video than in still images and occurs more frequently when shooting in dark conditions. Remedying noise in video camcorders requires a different approach than still cameras.

DIGIC DV is Canon’s image processor for digital video processing. DIGIC DV II represents the evolution of the DIGIC DV processor, supporting the realization of high-imagequality full HD video. With signal processing for digital video camcorders, reducing noise*1 is important, particularly in flat and dark areas. Camcorders must be able to accommodate highspeed video capture while also realizing low power consumption. Canon’s proprietary video image processing algorithms reduce noise and enable the recording of beautiful images with vivid color reproduction and rich gradation.

Increased processing speeds not only enable high-quality HD image recording and playback, but also support a variety of features such as simultaneous video and stillimage capture and high-speed continuous shooting.

DIGIC DV II Image Processor

Image Processing for Video Camcorders Video camcorders incorporate a camera function, which converts electric signals of images of the subject into video, and a recorder function, which records and plays back the images from the recording media. Every stage of image processing is supported by proprietary Canon technologies. Camera Function

26

Recorder Function

Lens

Image sensor

Image formation

Conversion into electric signals

Image processor

HD codec engine

Recording media

Image generation

Compression/ Decompression

Recording/Playback

Supporting High-Definition Images HD Video Lenses with Image Stabilization and AF Function Input

Spherical lens

Aspherical lens

With camera shake

With optical stabilization following lens shift

Output

Blur Image sensor Correction lens

Shift

Focal Point Alignment with an Aspherical Lens and LensShift Image Stabilization

Computing the distance, adjusting the lens Bringing the subject into focus

Exposure

Full HD-compatible lenses require a high level of resolving power. Canon utilizes glass aspherical lens elements*2 in the lens system, optimizing the position and shape of the elements to achieve the best possible lens configuration for HD video images. Also, as zoom magnification increases, the effects of camera shake become more pronounced. To counteract this problem Canon employed optical lens-shift image stabilization, which detects a wide range of vibrations, from low to high frequencies, and corrects accordingly. This image stabilizing technology, based on Canon’s proprietary lens-shift image stabilizing system, shifts the correcting lens element in parallel to the image plane to correct the optical axis in response to image shake. When shooting HD video, fast and accurate focus tracking is necessary because out-of-focus images are easily noticed. Accordingly, Canon's Instant AF first employs an external AF sensor to compute distance to the subject and swiftly adjust the lens. Next, the CMOS sensor accurately focuses the image that passes through the lens. The use of two sensors to focus on the subject enables quick and accurate focusing performance.

Image sensor Subject

  External AF sensor

Optical / Medical

Overview of Instant AF

*2 Aspherical lens A lens with a free-curved surface that is not spherical. While it is difficult for a single spherical lens to converge light sharply at a single point, it is possible with an aspherical lens.

Supporting Full HD with High Speed and Low Power Consumption Full High-Definition (HD) CMOS Sensors

Fundamental

While the sizes of CMOS sensors utilized in Canon digital SLR cameras (→ P.25) correspond to film sizes, compactbody digital video camcorders required a reduced-size CMOS sensor with a smaller surface area. The sensor also had to support the reading and recording of high-definition 1920 × 1080 pixel resolution (a total of approximately 2.07 million pixels), creating the need to densely mount the pixels on the sensor to realize outstanding HD-quality images. Adapting the CMOS sensor technology utilized in its digital SLR cameras, Canon succeeded in developing a full HD*3 CMOS sensor for video camcorders. The sensor features a 1/3.2-inch image area with approximately 2 million pixels when shooting video, and approximately 3 million when capturing still images. This high-density sensor was realized through pixel miniaturization technology. (→ P.59) In addition to offering high-speed reading of images in full HD with low power consumption, the CMOS sensor also utilizes a primary color filter featuring comprehensive color information that achieves faithful color reproduction while minimizing false colors and moiré patterns.

Environmental Future

HD Video Camcorder CMOS Sensor

*3 Full HD (compliant) Digital television signals may be standard-definition (SDTV) with 525 scan lines, the same as analog television, or high-definition (HDTV), with 720 or 1,080 scan lines. Full HD refers to 1,080 scan line systems, which provide the highest level of resolution. With HDTV1080i, the effective number of pixels is 1,920 × 1,080, with 1,440 × 1,080 pixels per frame. A digital video camcorder that supports Full HD thus realizes the same level of imaging performance as high-definition TV.

27

High-precision Scanning Technology Expanding the Range of Digital Data Use

Scanners Canon has combined many of its advanced optical, electronics, and software technologies to create scanners that enable the conversion of camera film, photo prints, and text documents into high-grade digital data. Canon has worked to develop high-precision scanning technology not only for stand-alone scanners but also for the scanning function of copying machines. Overview of Scanners A scanner converts documents (including camera film, photo prints, and text documents) into digital data by exposing them to light to form an image that is “read” by an image sensor. (The see-through illustration shows a CCD flatbed scanner)

Light Source High-brightness white LED light source X

White LED Light Guide Technology

Reflective Mirrors Used to ensure the correct optical path length

Lens Unit An aspherical ST lens guides the light from the light source that strikes the document to the image sensor

FARE Glass Adjusts for differences in optical path lengths between infrared and normal light

CCD Sensor

Light Source for Film Scanning

Converts light hitting the document into electrical signals

Provides the light source when scanning photo film. Uses white LED or a fluorescent lamp X

Carriage Drive Motor

Image Correction Technology

Controller

Carriage

Processes image data from the CCD sensor with a dedicated imaging processor

Optical unit equipped with a light source, mirrors, lens, and imaging sensor. The entire carriage moves when scanning the document

CCD and CIS Systems Canon offers two types of flatbed scanner: CCD and CIS. CCD models incorporate high-precision optics and high-density CCD line sensors that illuminate the document with a light source such as white LED to deliver sharp, high-resolution images. CIS scanners are slim-bodied, energy-efficient models that utilize a three-color RGB LED as the light source and read documents with a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of the same width as document originals.

28

CCD scanner

Light source

CIS scanner Light guide

Scanning direction Glass

LED

Scanning direction Glass SELFOC lens

Mirror Lens CCD

RGB filter

Photo receptor

Enhancing Work Efficiency and Conserving Energy White LED Light Guiding Input

Light intensity of CanoScan 8800F lamp Lamp turns off Scanning starts Scan button pressed

Light intensity of Conventional lamps Warm-up time (about 30 sec. at room temp.)

Scan button pressed

Lamp turns off Scanning starts

Reduction of Warm-up Time Through Use of White LED Lamp

*1 LED (Light Emitting Diode) A semiconductor diode that emits light when an electric current is applied. While LEDs are smaller and lighter than fluorescent lamps, have a longer lifespan, and require less electricity to run, lower light intensity has been cited as a drawback. Recently, as LED brightness has improved, they have been adopted for a wide range of applications.

Output

With conventional CCD scanners that employ fluorescent lamps, about 30 seconds of warm-up time is required after startup or re-activation from sleep mode. While using an LED*1 as the light source eliminates warm-up time, because it is a point light source, technology is needed to convert it into a linear light source with uniform light intensity. By applying the LED light guide technology Canon developed for its CIS scanners and researching LED installation and light guide formats, the company was able to develop a high-brightness white LED light source for scanners. This technology ensures stable light intensity immediately upon starting up the scanner, reducing warm-up time to zero. In addition, it is no longer necessary to keep the light on after scanning, which helps save energy.

A Full Array of Image Correction Features for a Variety of Documents Exposure

Image Correction Technology

Optical / Medical

The scanning mechanism is not the only factor that determines scanner performance. The driver that processes data from the scanner and reproduces images is equally important. Canon’s ScanGear scanner driver is designed not only to enable exceptional ease of use but also to deliver a wide range of image-processing features. This image-processing technology is based on platform technology used in other Canon digital imaging devices, but has been specially customized for use in scanners. € Backlight correction € Dust and scratch removal The backlight correction function analyzes backlit images When scanning photographic film using a high-resolution and automatically adjusts the overall image brightness and scanner, minute dust particles and scratches that are inviscontrast according to the darkness levels in the areas that ible to the naked eye are picked up. The dust and scratch need correction. removal function first detects dust and scratches with infrared light from an infrared LED, and then determines the size and shape of the dust and scratches along with the characteristics of the surrounding image. Next, the dust and scratches are automatically removed through a high-level integration of hardware and software processing to create a beautiful reproduction.

Fundamental

(Conceptual diagram)

(Conceptual diagram)

Before and After Backlight Correction

€ Discoloration correction The discoloration correction function restores vivid colors to film or photo prints that have faded or display color bleeding. The histogram of the scanned image is analyzed and hue, color balance, contrast, and saturation are automatically adjusted to appropriate levels.

Environmental

Before and After Dust and Scratch Removal

€ Book-binding shadow correction This corrective function reduces the shadow that occurs when an open book or magazine is scanned. The shadow created by the book’s spine is detected using a shaperecognition density table, and the brightness is adjusted accordingly.

Future

(Conceptual diagram)

Before and After Discoloration Correction

(Conceptual diagram)

Before and After Book-Binding Shadow Correction

29

Photo Printing Technology for Optimal Quality and Speed

Inkjet Printers Inkjet printers enable most anyone to easily create high-quality photo prints and have significantly changed the way people enjoy photography. An integration of precision technologies, including those for ink and print heads, makes possible the printing of beautiful photographs for users to enjoy in mere moments. Canon’s ability to combine component technologies, which it continues to steadily amass, has elevated the quality of inkjet printers to new heights. Paper Feed Mechanism

Overview of Inkjet Printers

Incorporates an automatic duplex print/copy unit, and offers 2-way paper feeding, from either the paper cassette at the front of the machine or rear tray at the back

A heater is used to create bubbles in the ink, which cause the ejection of microscopic ink droplets to create an image on paper.

Scanner

Carriage Moves horizontally while the print head ejects ink droplets

Ink Tanks Between four and ten individual ink tanks, one for each color

Card Slots Supports direct printing from a wide range of memory cards

Controlling Microscopic Ink Droplets FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) After developing the basic mechanisms used in inkjet printers, Canon has continued to foster new ideas and original technologies in the field. FINE is the key technology behind these innovations. FINE's ink ejection mechanism and print head manufacturing technology have enabled Canon to achieve dramatic improvements in image quality, gradation expression, and image stability. € Ejection mechanism for accurate placement of microscopic ink droplets as small as 1 picoliter*1 Microscopic ink droplets and precise ejection are essential to high image quality. With conventional ejection systems, however, the finer the ink droplets, the more vulnerable they are to airflow disturbances from print head movement and changes in ink viscosity due to temperature fluctuations, resulting in inconsistent ejection volumes and ink dot placement. Canon’s FINE print head ensures that all the ink under the heater is pushed out in a single ejection to ensure efficient performance. Ink droplet speed has been increased to

more than 1.5 times that of conventional systems, reducing their susceptibility to airflow disturbances to enable increased placement accuracy. € Print head manufacturing technologies using nanoprecision semiconductor exposure equipment Achieving smaller droplet sizes and faster print speeds requires high-precision fabrication technologies to enable the placement of a greater number of nozzles over a wider area. Canon’s FINE print heads are made by integrating the heaters and nozzles into a single unit on a wafer using a process that makes the most of the company’s expertise in semiconductor production, as well as its original material technologies and innovative processing technologies. The ability to fabricate nozzles with high precision over large areas without using bonding processes makes it possible to arrange 6,000 or more nozzles within an area measuring a mere 20 mm × 16 mm, roughly the size of a thumbprint. Approx. 9μm in diameter 5-pl nozzle

Heating/Foaming

*1 picoliter (pl) 1 pl = one trillionth of a liter

30

Ink droplet ejection

FINE's Ink-Ejection Process

The ink ejection opening is located beneath the heater, which allows all the ink under the heater to be ejected uniformly.

1-pl nozzle 2-pl nozzle

Print Head with Enlarged View of Nozzle Configuration

Realizing Beautiful Prints on Plain Paper PgR (Pigment Reaction) Technology Input

When printing on plain paper, ink tends to bleed. Canon’s PgR technology, however, makes it possible to achieve high-quality print results comparable to brochures and posters, even when using ordinary plain paper. This technology employs newly developed “clear ink” to coat plain paper, after which Canon LUCIA pigment inks*2 (→ P.33) are used to print on the clear ink coating to create high-quality prints.

Canon’s clear ink, a transparent ink containing polyvalent metal ions, reacts with the pigment in the pigment ink, causing it to bond with the surface of the paper. In order to establish PgR technology, Canon redesigned its ink materials and developed new mechanical devices such as rollers to spread a thin, uniform layer of clear ink over the surface of the paper.

Output

The paper is coated with clear ink.

Pigment ink is ejected.

Upon contact, the pigment ink reacts with the surface of the paper.

Improved saturation, brightness and ink fixation.

PgR Technology Ink Fixing Process

ChromaLife 100+ to the modification of the dye architecture of the ink and the addition of a new longevity improver to the photo paper, gas fastness has improved significantly. In addition, the ability to reproduce colors in the red region has been expanded, making it possible to preserve fresh, rich colors over an extended period of time.

*3 Dye inks A type of ink in which the coloring material is dissolved at the molecular level; ideally suited for use in photo prints. *4 300-year album storage, 30-year light-fastness, and gas-fastness of 20 years. Permanence figures are projections based on tests conducted under accelerated environmental conditions and are not guaranteed. More detailed information about how these projections are calculated, and the criteria used, can be found on P.17.

Optical / Medical

ChromaLife 100+ is an advanced system for preserving the beauty of photos that combines Canon’s genuine dye inks*3 and genuine photo paper to produce photos with a 300-year album storage, 30-year light-fastness, and gasfastness of 20 years.*4 Multiple performance demands are simultaneously placed on the inks used in Canon inkjet printers, including heat stability, the maintenance of fine droplet configuration (proper spheres of 1 pl), and safety. Bright coloration, high ink density, and fade resistance are also vital. Due

Exposure

Long-lasting Beauty of Photos

*2 Pigment ink A type of ink that uses micro-dispersion of extremely fine pigment particles and achieves superior longevity.

Advanced Photo Correction

Input images (examples)

Scene categorization makes use of image analysis technology based on detailed analyses of a huge database of photo images. For portraits, Auto Photo Fix detects subjects' faces and optimally adjusts skin tones and brightness. With scenery photos, emphasis is placed on making the photos as colorful and striking as possible. When a photograph contains both faces and scenery, the technology aims for an automatically well-balanced image by producing natural skin tones against a vivid background. Auto Photo Fix can also correct for red-eye.*5

Scene optimization

Optimized results (examples) Night scenery

Portrait

(1) Identifies face areas in the image.

(3) Optimizes the correction effect using the results of categorizing scenes and shooting information.*6

Auto Photo Fix Process

Red-eye correction

*6 Optimizing correction effects Specific forms of correction include color cast correction, exposure correction, face color correction, and face brightening (backlight adjustment). On the basis of the scene categorization results, Auto Photo Fix implements scene-type optimization (tone adjustment and increased saturation); depending on the scene, specific colors may be emphasized to achieve optimal correction.

Future

(2) Analyzes the features of the image and infers the type of scene.

*5 Red-eye correction The red-eye phenomenon may occur when taking a picture of someone using flash photography. The effect is caused by light being reflected off the capillaries in the retina of the eye.

Environmental

Canon Auto Photo Fix technology helps inkjet printers achieve their full printing potential by automatically analyzing and classifying photographs and making appropriate corrections. Auto Photo Fix identifies faces in the image, then analyzes the features of the image and infers the type of scene. Corrections are then implemented based on the face identification and scene classification results, combined with shooting information. Auto Photo Fix uses face identification technology that is significantly more advanced than conventional face identification techniques.

Fundamental

Auto Photo Fix

31

Enabling the High-Speed Production of High-Definition Extra-Large Posters and Maps

Large-Format Inkjet Printers The technology found in Canon inkjet printers is changing the large-format printing world. FINE print head technology (→ P.30) has led to the development of wide print heads that provide high-definition, highspeed printing on large-scale media. Large-format printing offers a wide range of applications, including artwork to adorn walls, architectural CAD, and cultural projects. Overview of Large-Format Inkjet Printers

High-Capacity Ink Tanks

Using the same principle as a conventional inkjet printer, a heater causes

Between 5 and 12 individual color ink tanks (330–700ml) supply ink to the print head via tubes

bubbles to form in the ink, ejecting microscopic ink droplets to print on largeformat media.

X X

LUCIA Reactive Ink Technology

Multiple Sensors Adjust the head position, detect paper width, and automatically calibrate colors

Print Heads Each one-inch-wide (2.54cm) head can print six colors, with 2,560 nozzles per color. Equipped with two heads placed side by side, the system provides a total of 30,720 nozzles for 12 color inks (2,560 × 12 = 30,720 nozzles, 2,400 × 1,200 dpi)

Carriage Transports the print heads horizontally. Incorporates a sensor to read print results and a cutter in addition to the print heads

Take-up Unit

2,560 nozzles × 6 colors 2,560 nozzles × 6 colors

Automatically winds the printed output

High-speed Performance, from Image Processing to Printer Control L-COA

*1 Large-volume image data The data volume required for printing an A0 sheet (841 × 1,189 mm, sixteen times the size of a sheet of A4 paper) is approximately 3GB. *2 pl (picoliter) 1 pl = one trillionth of a liter *3 High-speed printing An A0-size print can be created in approximately 53 seconds.

32

The L-COA image processor, the heart of Canon’s largeformat inkjet printers, processes large-volume image data and compiles printing data*1 to provide optimal control of the printer. L-COA controls the one-inch-wide print heads, which eject ink droplets as small as 4 pl*2 from 30,720 nozzles, to enable high-speed,*3 high-resolution large-format printing. L-COA was developed using Canon’s System LSI Integrated Design Environment platform technology (→ P.56). L-COA integrates onto a single chip functions that had previously been handled by multiple chips, including protocol processing, image processing, and printer control. System processing is also integrated for faster processing, a shorter communication time lag, and greater speed.

High performance/ High integration

L-COA High-resolution image processing

The L-COA Image Processor and Conceptual Overview

High-speed engine control

12-Color Pigment Inks to Satisfy Demanding Professionals LUCIA G ink

Y ink

GY mixture

R ink

YR mixture

CG mixture

RM mixture

BC mixture

MB mixture

Comprehensive Color Expression with CMYRGB Inks

Five-color Dye and Pigment Inks for High-Definition CAD Printing Reactive Ink Technology small text with a placement accuracy of ±0.1% and a minimum line width of 0.02 mm. A rendering resolution of 1,200 dpi enables the smooth reproduction of oblique lines and curves, ensuring the clear presentation of small text characters.

*6 Dark and light gray ink Dark and light gray ink reduce the graininess of gradation in dark areas of an image. Because gray printing uses little colored ink, it reduces the impact of light sources on printouts.

Exposure

Printing architectural drawings and design plans requires accurate printing of fine lines. Canon-developed reactive ink technology exploits the reaction between CMYK dye inks and pigment-based matte black ink to prevent blurring along the edges of text characters and lines. Five-color dye and pigment reactive inks create clear, crisp black output, making possible the printing of ultra-

*5 Complementary colors Pairs of colors located on opposing sides of the color circle. When adjacent to one another, complementary colors are emphasized and seem more saturated, such as magenta-colored flowers against green leaves.

Output

C ink B ink M ink Clear and rich color expression

Input

The ink used in printers is either dye-based or pigmentbased.*4 Canon’s LUCIA pigment inks combine the glossiness of dye ink with the vivid colors and weather resistance of pigment ink. For the 12 LUCIA pigment inks, in addition to CMY ink colors, Canon developed special complementary RGB colors (complementary color*5 relationship) and two shades of gray,*6 realizing an expanded range which enables greater overall balance. With LUCIA, vivid colors can now be achieved on a variety of media types, including glossy paper.

*4 Dye and pigment Ink is made up of pigment, solvent, additives, and water. Pigment is dissolved at the molecular level in dye ink but, in pigment ink, is only dispersed without being dissolved. Each ink type has its own strengths, with dye ink offering subtle color expression well suited for use in photo prints and pigment ink delivering superior light-fastness.

Optical / Medical

Color ink (dye)

Matte black ink (pigment)

Chemical reaction

Black droplet with minimal bleeding

Reactive Ink Technology

Fundamental

Easy Automated Creation of Poster and Album Layouts Dynamic Layout Engine (DLE) element while minimizing the spacing between each element. With the newly developed auto design function that uses this algorithm, users simply input a minimum amount of information, such as the targeted image, text and image data, and the software automatically creates design drafts in optimal color arrangements and layouts.

Poster candidates

DLE technology

Springs are compressed

Automatic layout minimizes the energy in the connectors linking the content boxes.

Future

• Texture • Text fonts • Colors • Basic design

Environmental

PosterArtist 2008, Canon’s poster-creation software for large-format printers, incorporates Canon’s proprietary DLE technology. DLE automatically provides layouts optimized for the number and size of the elements to be included in the poster, making possible professional-looking results without complicated operations. The basic algorithm used in DLE serves as a spring-like adjustment function, which enables the flexible changing of the spacing between each variable content element. It automatically enables the optimization of the size of each

Automatic layout creation

Auto Design Function

33

Electrophotographic Technology Meets Needs for Smaller, Slimmer Printers

Laser Beam Printers Canon has rapidly responded to user needs from a variety of angles in the development of its laser beam printers (LBPs). To meet the demands of the times, Canon continues to develop products while striving not only to improve such basic performance aspects as image quality, speed, and ease of use, but also providing network compatibility, extensibility, and eco-friendly performance. Overview of Laser Beam Printers

Lens System

Through the electrophotographic printing process (→ P.14), laser beams scan the sur-

Lenses guide the laser beams from the polygon mirror to the individual photosensitive drums

face of photosensitive drums to form a latent image. Toner is then affixed to non-charged areas of the drums to develop the latent image, and finally transferred to paper for printing.

Fixing Belt Applies heat and pressure to fix the toner to the paper

Laser Diode This unit emits laser beams in the four CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) colors

Polygon Mirror The mirror spins at a high speed (20,000 to 30,000 rpm) to scan the laser beams

All-in-one Cartridges For ease of maintenance, each cartridge includes a single integrated photosensitive drum and developing unit for each of the CMYK colors

Transfer Pad

Intermediate Transfer Belt

Applies a positive charge to induce transfer from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt. This new device replaces conventional transfer rollers X

Combines the toner images formed on the individual drums and transfers the image to the paper

Pad Transfer High-Image-Quality Technology

Reducing Printer Load to Realize High-Speed Output Color CAPT (Canon Advanced Printing Technology) Image data output by printers is generated by Color CAPT driver software, installed on the host PC, and the printer controller. An advantage of Canon’s Color CAPT technology is its ability to perform at high speeds everything from GDI*1 commands to data rendering and compression on the host PC, then send this data via the interface to the printer controller memory. The function of the printer controller is not to conduct the image processing of data, but to decompress the highly compressed data stored in its memory. *1 GDI (Graphic Device Interface) A graphics processing program included in Microsoft Windows. *2 PDL (Page Description Language) A language used to provide printing data instructions regarding location and format data for text and graphics.

34

Utilizing high-performance PCs in this way makes possible high-speed printing, even of pages containing large volumes of data, using minimal printer memory and without burdening the printer controller. The latest version of Color CAPT, Color CAPT 3.0, provides improved network connectability to make printing even more convenient.

Windows PC

Printer

GDI

Printer driver

Printing

GDI command

PDL conversion

Printing

GDI command

Rendering

Application

Printer controller PDL*2

Ordinary PDL

Engine Bitmap

Rendering Bitmap

Color CAPT

(Soft SURF)

Conceptual Diagram of Color CAPT Data Processing

High-compression bitmap (Hi-SCoA; pipeline transfer)

Electric Field Control Technology for Simple Architecture and Improved Image Quality Pad Transfer High-Image-Quality Technology Input

fer belt without scattering toner for the printing of text that is sharp and clear. Less electrical resistance in the system makes possible a 90% decrease in voltage needed for transfer, contributing to a smaller overall printer size and lower costs.

Photosensitive drum

Output

Electrical conductive sheet

Intermediate transfer belt

Transfer pad

Low friction

Secondary transfer counter roller

Exposure

To produce color LBP images, toner formed in the image on each yellow, magenta, cyan, and black photosensitive drum is initially transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt in succession and layered on top of one another. In the past, a positive charge was applied to the transfer roller to cause the negatively charged toner to transfer onto the belt. In Canon’s newly developed Pad Transfer High-ImageQuality Technology, a pad and special electrical conductive sheet with low friction resistance convey toner onto the intermediate transfer belt for the primary transfer. With conventional rollers, it was necessary to add extra components or make the roller bigger to prevent toner from scattering due to such phenomena as delamination discharge. Canon’s Pad Transfer High-Image-Quality Technology uses an electrical conductive sheet to eliminate the need for additional components, achieving a small, simple configuration. Applying a positive charge to the sheet draws the negatively charged toner onto the intermediate trans-

Pad Transfer High-Image-Quality Technology

Reducing Height to Realize Slim Color Laser Beam Printers Ultra-Compact LBP Design Technology

€ Slim High-Voltage Electrical Component Technology In its pursuit to create a compact and slim LBP, Canon developed a slender high-voltage power board that is recessed into the side of the printer. Although LBPs require high voltage and tend to have large power boards, a slimmer design was achieved by replacing the traditional electromagnetic transformer*3 with a piezoelectric transformer*4 to reduce height by about 50% to 8.0 mm. Canon also adopted a new integrated circuit design, reducing the size of the transformer frequency control circuit by approximately one third.

H: 16.0 mm

4-in-1 Ultra-Slim Laser Scanner

Transformer PZT

FET

HV_R

HV_R

Piezoelectric high-voltage power supply

HV_C

HV_R

HV_C

L

Al Cap47

EI10.2

Conventional high-voltage power supply (electromagnetic transformer)

High-Voltage Power Board with Ultra-Slim High-Voltage Electrical Component Technology

*3 Electromagnetic transformer A transformer that uses electromagnetic induction to change voltage. Previous electromagnetic transformers used electromagnetic coils for induction.

Future

H: 8.0 mm

Environmental

€ Slim Structural Design Technology Canon also decreased the size of LBPs by arranging toner cartridges horizontally instead of vertically and developing a draw-type operation. A new “fanless” design, which exploits natural convection to eliminate the need for a heat-dissipating fan, also contributes to a rigid, lightweight frame design.

Fundamental

€ 4-in-1 Ultra-Slim Laser Scanner In conventional laser scanners, each of the four photosensitive drums requires a laser scanner. Canon’s 4-in-1 Laser Scanner is a single scanner unit that projects four color laser beams onto a polygon mirror at oblique angles, splitting the light path into four directions to guide each beam towards its respective photosensitive drum. Positioning the polygon mirror at a low level in the center of the scanner unit and meticulously designing the paths of the beams made possible the 4-in-1 Ultra-Slim Laser Scanner’s minimal overall height of 50 mm.

Optical / Medical

Canon has engaged in a variety of technical overhauls in response to the need for compact-size LBPs, which are often located on or near desktops in office environments. Canon’s Ultra-Compact LBP Design Technology, responsible for the realization of ultra-slim A4 color LBPs measuring 262 mm in height, is a composite of different technologies that contribute to smaller, slimmer designs.

*4 Piezoelectric transformer A transformer that exploits the piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric element (ceramic) to change voltage.

35

Combining Advanced Technologies to Make Office Work Easier

Network Digital MFPs Network digital MFPs allow multiple office imaging tasks, such as input, output, storage, and transmission of documents, to be performed by a single device. Canon has drawn on its expertise in developing electrophotographic technologies to combine advanced network, document processing, and software technologies in a single unit. Scanning Unit Canon’s network digital MFPs also aim to provide Illuminates documents on the copyboard glass and enhanced security technology to meet today’s scans them with a CCD business needs. sensor Overview of Network Digital MFPs Drum Units

Network Digital MFPs print documents using the electrophotographic printing process. An MFP utilizes

A photosensitive drum, electrical charging roller, developing unit, and developing roller are incorporated into each compact drum unit, with one drum unit provided for each of the CMYK colors

either a tandem system, as illustrated on the right, in which each CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color has its own laser unit and drum unit; or a single-drum system, in which one drum is used to form images.

X

Advanced FLAT 4 Engine

iR Controller The heart of the network digital MFP, the iR Controller consists of a graphics processor chip, expanded memory, and system LSI that incorporates a dual-core CPU, graphics engine, and rendering engine into a single chip X

Intermediate Transfer Belt

Controller Architecture

Combines the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums for each color and transfers them to paper

Laser Units Uses laser beams to scan the photosensitive drum, exposing the surface of the drum to form an image. In tandem systems, one laser unit is assigned to each of the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) colors X

Fixing Unit Applies heat and pressure to fix transferred toner to paper

Advanced FLAT 4 Engine

X

Twin-Belt Fixing Device

High-Definition, High-Speed Color Output Advanced FLAT 4 Engine The laser units used in tandem systems*1 employ a high-definition four-beam laser array that simultaneously emits four laser beams onto the photosensitive drum for each CMYK color via a polygon mirror and lens. The compact four-surface mirror measures 20 mm diagonally and controls the laser beams while rotating at a high speed of 37,000 rpm. Compact rotation motors and improved bearings reduce rotation noise.

*1 Tandem systems and single-drum systems Types of image-formation systems used in photocopiers. Whereas tandem systems have separate laser and drums units for each CMYK color aligned in parallel that make them suitable for highspeed output, single-drum systems have a single laser unit and single drum unit shared by all of the CMYK colors, making possible smaller printer products. *2 Patch Standard toner image used as the basis for each type of correction that is typically formed on the photosensitive drum and intermediate transfer belt, then recovered by the cleaner.

36

€ Registration Correction Although tandem systems are considered more susceptible to color misalignment and image density inconsistencies than single-drum systems,*1 Canon has solved these problems through the use of advanced sensing technologies. To deal with color misalignment, a photosensor measures each color pattern formed on the intermediate transfer belt and automatically corrects the image-forming position of each color on the photosensitive drum. Inconsistencies in image density are automatically corrected by forming a patch*2 of each color on the intermediate transfer belt, which is then scanned with an RRPS sensor capable of reading image density with high precision, even for faint colors. € C l e a n e r- L e s s To n e r- R e u s e System In ordinary MFPs, a small amount of toner often remains on the photosensitive drum after the image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt and is collected using a cleaning blade. Registration Correction

Canon has developed a Cleaner-Less/Toner-Reuse System, which uses an auxiliary charged brush to recharge the residual particles and balance out the static load, after which the developing roller collects the recharged particles. This system is incorporated into the MFP unit, enabling a smaller drum unit, longer lifespan for the photosensitive drum, and reliable methods for the collection and reuse of toner.

Polygon mirror

Photosensor

Toner bottle

Toric lens Mirror Developing roller

Drum unit Developing unit

Reading unit for each color pattern

Photosensitive drum

Charging roller Auxiliary charged brush Intermediate transfer belt

Cleaner-Less/Toner-Reuse System

Efficiently Implementing Random Processing on Network Digital MFPs Controller Architecture Input

Sequential processing Scanner Fax

Send Network

Storage

Print

Output

Concurrent multitask processing Send

Scanner

Fax

Storage Print Network

MFP Sequential and Concurrent Multitask Processing

*3 Dual-core CPU A CPU with two CPU cores in the CPU package. The processing performance of the CPU is improved through parallel processing.

Exposure

Network digital MFPs conduct concurrent multitasking, or simultaneous parallel processing of multiple tasks, including printing, copying, scanning, faxing, networking input and output, and in-box data utilization, procedures that entail exceptionally large volumes of processing data. Canon has developed a dedicated processor as the heart of the multitasking system—the iR/iPR Controller, an LSI independently developed using the company’s System LSI Integrated Design Environment (→ P.56). The Color iR/iPR Controller for color MFPs combines dedicated processors, including a 666MHz and 400MHz dual-core CPU*3 to control the system, a graphics engine for processing all images in the same dimension, and the SURF rendering engine for processing print data in a single chip. The controller boards for Canon’s network digital MFPs contain these dedicated processors, standard 1GB (maximum 1.5 GB) expanded memory, and a specialized chip for efficient 1,200 dpi image processing.

Reproducing High-Definition Documents for Easier Readability S-Toner Optical / Medical

Wax

S-Toner Structure

*4 Polymerizing reaction A chemical reaction that forms a polymer in which multiple atoms share covalent bonds, such as a macromolecular compound.

Fundamental

S-Toner, used in network MFPs and laser beam printers, is a micro-particle toner with a microcapsule structure. Because S-toner is created by a chemical reaction (polymerizing reaction*4), particles have a spherical shape and uniform size, making possible the creation of beautiful image output with sharp and fine lines. S-toner particle encapsulate a wax core, enabling paper on which toner has been fixed to separate easily from the fuser roller. The toner also provides an appropriate level of gloss for high density areas like photographs, and produces easy-to-read text with a matte finish.

Achieving Stable High-Speed Output and Low Power Consumption Twin-Belt Fixing Device

Environmental

IH coil

Fixing belt

Pressure belt

Twin-Belt Fixing Device

5 IH (Induction Heating) A heating method that uses electromagnetic induction, a technology commonly used in home-use rice cookers and electromagnetic induction cookers.

Future

Stable high-speed output is a must in offices where network digital MFPs serve the needs of multiple users simultaneously. Canon developed its Twin-Belt Fixing system by combining induction heating (IH)*5 technology (→ P.69), commonly used in cooking appliances, with a new concept employing two belts that fixes toner with heat and pressure. Unlike conventional fixing rollers, the two belts expand the pressurized area from a line to a plane, enabling significantly improved fixing stability during fast printing cycles. Because the fixing belt is made of a low-thermalcapacity material and is heated by an IH coil from the outer surface that comes into contact with the paper, the method achieves approximately 20% greater thermal efficiency compared with conventional halogen heaters while consuming less power.

37

Network Digital MFPs Supporting the Building of Business Models MEAP/MEAP-Lite MEAP,*1 an application platform incorporated into Canon’s network digital MFPs, enables users to perform copying and other MFP functions as applications customized to their needs and office work without using a computer. The MEAP architecture, which realizes independence from the operating system by Java technology, mainly comprises three elements: the MEAP platform, which provides the basic execution environment; the MEAP system service, which provides system-related functionality; and multiple MEAP applications. MEAP provides network digital MFPs with dramatically enhanced potential as IT terminals and further broadens their interaction with external devices and systems. Canon has also developed MEAP-Lite, which incorpo*1 MEAP Multifunctional Embedded rates the MEAP concept into LBPs, aiding in the building of server-less printing systems. Application Platform

Custom UI

MEAP functionality application

System Integration

MEAP system services

Custom Workflow

MEAP applications (Java)

MEAP Platform Copy/Send BOX/Print

Controller

CPCA Class Library

Application Manager

Java(J2ME) Personal Profile

Utility Class Library

Real-time OS

MEAP Architecture

Improving Output Performance Printing System Producing high-speed, high-resolution output on a network digital MFP creates a heavy load for the printer controller. Canon has developed a printing system that performs optimal data processing for each product and provides efficient high-speed/high-resolution output, without placing excessive strain on the printer controller. € UFR II/UFR II LT Canon network digital MFPs and laser beam printers incorporate UFR II, developed by Canon for printers. UFR II uses a load-balancing feature to efficiently distribute the processing burden of all components of printer data between the PC and the printer, and also facilitates optimal data processing in line with the printer’s RIP*2 capabilities. UFR II LT, the page description language used in lowcost machines, also uses UFR II technology to carry out PC data processing, enabling high-speed printing even on printers with low processing capabilities.

Windows PC

€ High-Speed RIP The RIP of ordinary printers is conducted by software (software RIP). However, in the case of color printers, which handle large volumes of data, it is often impossible to use software RIP for high-speed data processing, meaning the hardware’s RIP must be used instead. With the aim of enhancing high speed and high resolution, Canon has developed and incorporated into its products the core technology for high-speed RIP, which can be used as either software RIP or hardware RIP. Additionally, Canon is proceeding with the further optimization and parallelization of internal processing in order to accommodate higher speeds, and also realizing advancements in the development of technology to enable, high-resolution data processing by high-speed internal data compression.

Printer

Load is distributed according to printer capability Page layout

UFR II LT

Data processing Graphics processing

UFR II

*2 RIP Raster Image Processing, a process for creating bitmap data from a page description language (PDL).

38

Load balancing

Image processing

PC

UFR II Load Balancing

Printer

Analyzing Paper Documents to Create Reusable Electronic Copies Document Processing Technology Input

Canon network digital MFPs do more than just make copies of scanned data. Built-in document-processing technology enables the creation of reusable electronic copy by analyzing documents, separating them into text, graphic, and image components, and carrying out the most appropriate processing for each component. Document Analysis Technology

Searchable PDF Conversion Technology

High-Compression PDF Conversion Technology

Transparent, high-resolution text image Binarization

Text block extraction

Output

MMR compression for text block Assignment of text color

Outline PDF Conversion Technology

Synthesis Deletion of text block JPEG compression for background image

Resolution conversion

Highly compressed searchable PDF

Low resolution and high-frequency elimination enable extremely high compression.

Overview of PDF*3 Conversion Based on Document Processing Technology

€ High-resolution text display in any environment: Outline PDF Conversion Technology Outline PDF conversion technology represents the evolution of high-compression PDF conversion technology. While this technology conventionally combines text and background data extracted from scanned images, Canon’s Outline PDF converts text data into vector data and then compresses it to make possible the display of high-resolution text regardless of the image data reproduction environment. Text and graphics data converted with Outline PDF can also be reused in Adobe Illustrator, expanding the range of reuse possibilities for scanned documents.

Environmental

Canon’s Outline PDF

*3 PDF (Portable Document Format) A document conversion format developed by Adobe Systems Inc. widely used for exchanging documents and displaying documents on the Internet.

Future

Smooth Text Reproduction in Any Environment

Fundamental

Conventional PDF

€ High resolution with low data volume: High-Compression PDF Conversion Technology High-compression PDF conversion technology employs document analysis technology to extract individual text and image data and separate them into multiple layers. Each layer is then optimally compressed, providing high compression ratios while maintaining high resolution. Using conventional compression methods, an A4-size color image scanned at 150-dpi can be compressed to a file size of about 2 MB. With Canon technology, however, the same image scanned at a resolution equivalent to 300 dpi can be reduced to roughly one tenth of that size (200 KB). Canon was the world’s first company to incorporate this technology into MFPs, and has dramatically improved the capability of handling color document image data, which entails particularly high volumes of data.

Optical / Medical

€ Searching for text in image PDF: Searchable PDF Conversion Technology Searchable PDF conversion technology enables text searches within PDF documents by overlaying text, identified and extracted as data using document analysis technology, on the original image as a text layer. The technology achieves a fast processing speed of 7.5 pages per minute for A4-size documents, with a high accuracy rate of 97.75% (based on in-house Japanese-language evaluation samples). In addition to Japanese, the technology supports English as well as various European and Asian languages.

Exposure

€ Separating text and graphics from image data: Document Analysis Technology Canon’s document-processing technology analyzes the layout of scanned paper documents and creates basic data by extracting text, graphics, and images as objects. It enables the creation of high-quality documents through recognition technology, like vector conversion, image processing and compression. Canon has focused efforts particularly in the area of advancing recognition technology, which offers support for a variety of languages in addition to English and European languages, including Chinese and Korean.

39

Network Digital MFPs Providing a Secure Environment with Hardware and Software Security Technologies Canon views the entire flow of office information centered on the network digital MFP as a document cycle, providing total security for paper documents and electronic data through both hardware and software. € Safeguarding image and document copyrights: Digital Watermarking Technology Digital watermarking is a security technology used to protect the copyrights of photographs, illustrations, video content contained on DVDs and other media, and documents. With this technology, the name of the copyright holder, the date of creation, and other related information can be encoded and embedded into copyrighted digital content as a watermark according to a “key” that indicates where the information is embedded. Various methods of embedding can be used depending on the data in question. In the case of still images, image data is converted into frequency data using a Fourier transform,*1 after which the watermark information is converted into a pulse signal and embedded in the frequency data Original image

*1 Fourier transforms and inverse Fourier transforms The Fourier transform is the process of observing an image or other data, analyzing the degree of change, and converting the results into a frequency. An inverse Fourier transform is the same process reversed, converting the image or other data from a frequency back into its original state.

according to a key. Finally, the signal is converted back into image data using an inverse Fourier transform.*1 Since the pulse signal is distributed throughout the entire image during the inverse conversion process, the watermark is not visibly apparent. Further, the embedded watermark cannot be detected without the key generated at the time of embedding. Canon has also developed an error-correcting coding technology that utilizes mathematical processing to decode signals that may have been rendered unreadable due to noise, enabling the recovery of embedded information even when part of the content has been deleted or modified without authorization.

Embedded watermark

Image with embedded digital watermark (Watermark is not visually discernible)

a C non I n c. Canon Inc.

Conversion to frequency data using the Fourier transform

Manipulation of key information and insertion of pulse signal

Conversion to image data using the inverse Fourier transform

Digital Watermarking

€ Protecting critical information with simple processing: Security Screen Pattern Technology is hidden in the background of the document until copied. Security screen pattern technology is designed to deter Prior to copying, a balance of small and large dots creates unauthorized copying. Canon has developed a security the impression of an even background. During the copying screen pattern-printing technology that can embed hidden process, the small dots are not read and thus disappear, text in ordinary paper documents without the need for leaving behind only the hidden text that is printed in large special paper. If the document is copied, the hidden text dots. Focusing on processing technology for the boundarappears on copied duplicates. Security screen patterns are ies between large and small dots enables a uniform dencomposed of a pattern rendered in small dots and a hidsity and prevents hidden text strings from being visible. den text string rendered in large dots which, when printed, Security pattern before copying

Security pattern after copying

Small dots Copying Large dots

After copying (copy)

Before copying Designed so that the hidden text appears when copied Density Latent image

Density Background

Overview of Security Screen Pattern Technology

40

Latent image

Background

Maximum Utilization of Hardware Functions Document Solutions Input

In addition to hardware devices such as network digital MFPs and digital color production systems, Canon has developed the imageWARE series of software products. Canon document solutions digitize paper documents for more effective use, improving office workflow efficiency and reducing costs. Input

Business Solutions for Users € Optimal solutions through flexible system architecture: imageWARE Solution Suite Canon’s imageWARE Solution Suite platform is built on device-control and document-handling technologies. A variety of functions are provided as components, facilitating efficient customization and allowing users to build systems ideally suited to their needs.

Text data

imageWARE Solution Suite Management Security

Output

Processing Management

Browsing

Search

Links

Links Business applications

Core system Visualization

Output

Configuration of imageWARE Solution Suite DTP application

Computer

JDF parser imagePRESS C7000VP

JM hot folder

JDF

Print job manager

Prepress manager

JDF

Optical / Medical

PDF/TIFF/ PS/JPEG

imagePRESS Server

JDF

imagePRESS C7000VP

JDF connector

System Schematic of imageWARE Prepress Manager and Print Job Manager

Fundamental

Device Management Solutions € Efficient printing device management for system administrators: imageWARE Enterprise Management Console (iW Management Console) Canon’s imageWARE Enterprise Management Console provides the centralized management of tasks that were previously handled by multiple utilities, including printing device setup, address book delivery, and printer driver installation.

Exposure

€ Comprehensive high-efficiency print management system: imageWARE (iW) Prepress Manager / imageWARE (iW) Print Job Manager Canon imageWARE Prepress Manager software is designed to support the creation of high-quality prints in the Print On Demand (POD) market. The software combines document data from different applications and scanned image data into a single file, making it possible to edit while previewing an image of the final document. Canon imageWARE Print Job Manager sets up a centralized system that can manage the operational status and job status of printers installed at remote locations.

Integration/ Centralization

Image data

Image conversion (resolution and format conversion) OCR image characteristic extraction iR agent

Service provider Log information Image data

Data server

Web server

Log information Image/Text data

Network digital MFP

Web server Printer driver add-in

Client PC

Printer agent Print server

System setup and agent management

Search Printer driver add-in

Driver agent Client PC

(attribute, full text, image)

Auditor/ Administrator PC

Filtering and mail notification

System manager

Future

€ Preventing information leaks by unauthorized printing or copying: imageWARE (iW) Secure Audit Manager Canon’s imageWARE Secure Audit Manager allows users to store and manage the content of documents used during printing, copying, scanning, and faxing, as image logs in a database. This function proves useful for improving security.

Environmental

€ Accurate recording/management of device use status: imageWARE (iW) Accounting Manager Canon’s imageWARE Accounting Manager tallies and analyzes total output records for tasks such as printing and copying by department, user, and device. Each device holds its own records for review as needed.

Client Image search server

imageWARE Secure Audit Manager System Configuration

41

Digital Imaging Technology to Satisfy Demanding Professionals

Digital Color Presses – imagePRESS The imagePRESS digital color press is Canon’s first color on-demand printer for professional use. Incorporating a range of Canon state-of-the-art technologies, the imagePRESS handles a wide variety of media and achieves outstanding high-definition printout that approaches offset quality, delivers high productivity for on-demand, small-volume print jobs, and realizes excellent durability and reliability. Laser Unit

Overview of imagePRESS Digital Color Presses Canon’s imagePRESS produces printout using the electrophotographic printing method (→ P.14). It delivers the high-precision registration needed for professional color on-demand printing and incorporates a flexible inter-

Employs a low-spread red twin-beam laser to write images at 1,200 dpi × 1,200 dpi in 256 gradations, achieving high-definition printout

mediate transfer belt capable of accommodating a variety of print media and dual fixing to achieve uniform print speed for all output.

The iPR Controller, the heart of Canon’s imagePRESS digital color press, integrates a dual-core CPU and graphics engine into a single dedicated LSI chip (→ P.56). The controller features expanded memory and two 80GB large-capacity hard drives

First Fixing Unit/Second Fixing Unit Performs dual-path fixing of the toner onto the paper. Paper initially passes through the first fixing unit, which utilizes a fixing roller and pressure belt, and then through the second fixing unit, which uses fixing and pressing rollers X

iPR Controller (→ P.37)

Dual Fixing System

Intermediate Transfer Belt Transfers the image from the photosensitive drums to the paper in a single step for each of the four toner colors. Uses a flexible resin belt to support a wide range of different paper types X

Auto-Registration

Photosensitive Drum Toner adheres to areas scanned by laser beams to form images on paper

Color Reproduction Comparable with Offset Printing V-Toner Canon’s V (Vivid-color) Toner is specially designed for use with the imagePRESS digital color press. Averaging 5.5 μm*1 in diameter, V-Toner has evenly dispersed wax and pigment within the toner particles to achieve color reproduction comparable with the quality achieved in offset printing. By improving its thermal fusing performance, V-Toner also

*1 μm (micrometer) 1 μm = one millionth of a meter

42

provides optimized gloss that harmonizies with a variety of media to achieve uniform gloss output. Additionally, Canon’s newly developed T (Tough) Carrier, which, along with V-Toner, comprises the developing agent, creates a synergy with V-Toner that results in smooth images with less graininess.

Conventional Toner and Conventional Carrier

V-Toner (enlarged image)

Comparison of Developing Agent

V-Toner and T Carrier

Accurate Image Positioning During Duplex Printing Auto-Registration Input

During duplex printing, the paper shrinks slightly due to the heat that is applied to fix the image to the front surface. To prevent paper shrinkage from affecting the printing position, Canon uses 2nd Image Size Reduction to create a slightly smaller image on the back surface so that the printed image size is identical on both the front and back surfaces of the paper. [Function not applied] Front

[Function applied]

Back

Front

Back

Output

To ensure proper post-press processes, such as paper cutting and book binding, the imagePRESS must realize high-precision image positioning on the paper. Canon uses three Auto-Registration functions for increased imagepositioning accuracy. First, Active Registration uses skew-feed rollers to push fed paper against the side reference plate to ensure proper alignment with the image printing direction. Next, on the intermediate transfer belt, the Registration Patch sensor detects a patch printed at the leading edge of the transfer image. By controlling the transport timing of the paper, this function ensures accurate print positioning between the Corrects paper leading and trailorientation ing edges of the PaperPaper feeding paper. direction

Paper shrinks due to heat from fixing during printing on front surface.

[Front surface printing]

The A' (back surface) is printed slightly smaller than the A (front surface) to achieve the same print size on both sides. The paper returns to its original size when cooled.

[Back surface printing]

Skew-feed roller

Exposure

Side-reference plate

Active Registration

Overview of 2nd Image Size Reduction

Dual Path Achieves Uniform Print Speed for All Media Dual Fixing System Optical / Medical

sheets per minute (A4, landscape) for media types of varying thicknesses. *2 Type of paper Dual-path route For coated paper, embossed paper and plain paper over 150 g/m2

Second fixing unit

First fixing unit Bypass route For plain paper of 150 g/m2 or less

Dual Fixing System

A wide variety of paper is used in commercial printing, including coated paper and art paper in addition to general-use premium-grade paper, medium-quality paper, and recycled paper. The varying thicknesses of these, along with multiple processing techniques, make for a diverse range of paper types.

Fundamental

Canon’s imagePRESS handles thick and coated paper through a two-path system employing two fixing units. The paper initially passes through the first fixing unit, which utilizes a fixing roller and a pressure belt, and then through the second fixing unit, which uses fixing and pressure rollers, to realize high-luster printout. Paper that does not require dual fixing, such as thin or recycled paper, passes through the first fixing unit only. By automatically adjusting the paper path according to the type of paper,*2 the imagePRESS produces uniform surface luster and maintains a consistent print speed of 70

Real-Time Control of Image Density New ARCDAT*3 In addition, the digital density correction function automatically controls the light intensity of the main scanning laser for significantly improved image-density uniformity.

Environmental

Patch (Y) YY

M

C

Bk 1st sheet

Patch (M)

Patch (Bk) Y

M

C

Bk

Patch (C)

Y

M

C

2nd sheet

1st sheet

Calibration based on correction data (Y, M)

Future

The imagePRESS employs Canon’s proprietary New ARCDAT real-time calibration system to maintain stable color output for large-volume, multiple-page printing jobs. By detecting the density of a patch on each photosensitive drum, the technology corrects for deviations from ideal density to maintain a constant halftone density. The New ARCDAT system controls all the preinstalled screen patterns for reproducing gradations and continually measures the absolute values of tone and density deviations. This makes possible the real-time control of image density, enabling the maintenance of a constant density without compromising productivity. The Automatic Toner Replenisher (ATR), which constantly monitors toner replenishing status, also controls density to match changes in internal temperature and humidity based on video count information from the controller and data from sensors in the developing unit and photosensitive drums.

Bk 3rd sheet

2nd sheet

1st sheet

Calibration based on correction data (C, Bk)

Overview of New ARCDAT Control

*3 ARCDAT Automatic and Reciprocal Color Density Adjustment Technology

43

Supporting the Evolution of the Semiconductor Industry

Semiconductor Exposure Equipment Semiconductors are constantly evolving, achieving ever-higher levels of performance and functionality. Amid this evolution, circuit line widths continue to shrink, decreasing from 45 nm to 32 nm. Canon, through its semiconductor exposure equipment, meets the strict cutting-edge demands of the industry while focusing on the development of future technologies. These technologies serve as the driving force behind Canon's optical and control technologies. Reticle changer

Overview of Semiconductor Exposure Equipment Semiconductor exposure equipment prints circuit patterns onto silicon wafers using reduced projection exposure. These tools play a vital role in the manufacture of semiconductor chips, a procedure that requires several hundred processes. Because these tools “step” from one chip to the next to expose the several hundred chip patterns on a single wafer, they are also called “steppers.”

In semiconductor production, the process of exposure, developing, and processing is repeated dozens of times. Accordingly, the reticle changer enables the storage of multiple reticles

Reticle/Reticle stage The reticle, also called a photomask, is a glass (quartz) substrate on which the circuit pattern to be exposed is drawn. The reticle stage secures the reticle and moves in synchronization with the wafer stage X

Stage Synchronization Control Technology

Wafer stage Holds the wafer in place and moves sequentially in synchronization with the reticle stage X

Stage Synchronization Control Technology

Projection optics Combines cutting-edge optical technologies to achieve extremely low aberration X

Immersion Exposure Technology

Light source The light source illuminates the circuit pattern Light on the reticle, using ultraviolet-range light with i-line wavelengths shorter than visible light (i-line lamp, KrF excimer laser KrF/ArF excimer lasers)

ArF excimer laser

Wavelength 365 nm 248 nm 193 nm

Achieving Microscopic Processes with Ultra-Pure Water Immersion Exposure Technology

*1 NA (Numerical Aperture) Index of the resolution capability of a lens, calculated by taking the sin of the maximum angle of incidence of a beam of light focused on the focal point multiplied by the refractive index of the medium. The value can be thought of as an indicator of the brightness of a lens. *2 nm (nanometer) 1 nm = one billionth of a meter

44

Responding to the shrinking geometry of semiconductor devices requires either reducing the wavelength of the exposure light or increasing the numerical aperture (NA*1) of the projection optics. Since NA is proportional to the refractive index (n) of the medium between the projection optics and wafer, the use of ultra-pure water (n=1.44) instead of air, for example, enables an NA that is 1.44 times greater than the level previously thought unsurpassable. The application of this principle led to the development of immersion lithography technology. Using this technology, the minimum circuit line width possible using an ArF excimer laser (193-nm *2 wavelength), which provides the shortest wavelength available for today’s lens optics, can be reduced beyond the previous limit of 65 nm. By enabling the miniaturization of feature sizes without major changes to existing production facilities, immersion lithography technology makes it possible to reduce the burden of such costs as capital investment. Canon has developed an original liquid film flow (LFF)

immersion method to achieve the stable formation of an ultra-pure water film between the projection optics and wafer. Canon's FPA-7000AS7 immersion exposure system employs the LFF method and incorporates catadioptric projection optics with the world's highest NA of 1.35. Canon continues to carry out research and development aimed at surpassing current wavelength limits, including the search for liquids offering a higher refractive index to replace ultra-pure water and research into a new process technology called double patterning. Ultra-pure water recovery

Projection optics

Ultra-pure water supply

Silicon wafer Wafer stage

Liquid Film Flow Immersion Method Using Ultra-Pure Water

Achieving High Yield Rates and High Productivity of Semiconductors Stage Synchronization Control Technology

*3 Scan and repeat method A method of exposure in which both the reticle and wafer stages move. Compared with the step and repeat method, in which only the wafer stage moves, this approach offers the merits of greater depth of focus while facilitating larger chip sizes.

Output

circuit lines would not be possible. Commencing with the FPA-7000 series, Canon has mounted two wafer stages, achieving both high precision and high throughput by enabling the parallel operation of wafer-surface measurement and exposure for each stage. Both stages and the lens are supported against vibration and driven without contact by linear motors. Both stages are 6-axis fine-drive stages and the lens contains multiple self-adjusting mechanisms. As such, the total number of axes subject to synchronization control within the system exceeds 100. Changes in position for each axis are measured by Canon's high precision sensing technology and controlled by dedicated control algorithms. Both stages use a drive reactive force cancellation mechanism with counter masses that move in the opposite direction for vibration-free acceleration to achieve precise position control.

Input

*4 Wafer flatness Not only the curvature of the wafer surface as a whole, but even slight imperfections of only a few nanometers within a single shot area (about 20 mm2) can create problems.

Exposure

Among the technologies supporting the manufacture of semiconductors, synchronization control technology is as important as circuit miniaturization technology. The precision of stage positioning has a direct effect on yield rates, while stage speed affects productivity as measured by hourly "throughput." Semiconductor exposure equipment which uses the scan and repeat method*3 carries out wafer exposure while continually synchronizing the movements of the wafer and reticle stages. Ensuring the accurate positioning of reticle patterns on the wafer during exposure with proper focus and uniform light intensity requires the extremely precise control of all moving sections. To achieve ultra-fine line widths of 45 nm, the flatness of the wafer*4 also must not be overlooked. If the positioning of both stages and the lens is not corrected for each shot in accordance with even the slightest inconsistencies on the surface of the wafer, the exposure of microscopic

Supporting Total Productivity Improvement Exposure Equipment Application Platform *5 EES (Equipment

At present, this platform is being applied to the FPA- Engineering System) 7000 series and future plans include linking it with a Linking not only with exposure equipment but also with "recipe server"*6 to develop it into a solutions system.

Equipment control system Recipe server

Cell controller

Coating/ developing equipment

Wafer measurement equipment

Equipment engineering system (EES) Various applications Application platform

*6 Recipe server Makes possible the creation and editing of "recipes" (control information) for wafer exposure for each piece of equipment and can be linked to a production management system.

Fundamental

Role of Applications

peripheral equipment is indispensable for improving precision and productivity in semiconductor manufacturing. EES provides a system and interface for data sharing.

Optical / Medical

Semiconductor exposure equipment software not only achieves maximum performance from the hardware, but also plays a vital role by contributing to increasing total productivity. The application platform that forms the core of the software system is composed of an infrastructure connecting multiple CPUs/OSs and a plug-in framework that supports basic control and data management, making it possible to rapidly adapt to the needs of diversifying semiconductor manufacturers. Not only does this technology provide a common platform for semiconductor manufacturers' various online, GUI, EES,*5 and other interfaces, but by opening these to external access, it allows access and precise control of all kinds of internal and external data and makes providing solutions simple.

Achieving Next-Generation Semiconductors Smaller than 30 nm Next-Generation Exposure Technology Organization) next-generation semiconductor materials and process technology development project, MIRAI. The equipment is being used in pattern transfer characterization for next-generation mask substrate technology development with outstanding results.

Environmental

Mask stage EUV mask Illumination system

*7 EUV Extreme Ultraviolet

Projection system EUV light source

Wafer stage Vacuum and environment control system

Source: EUVA website (http://www.euva.or.jp/) EUV Exposure Equipment Projection Optics System

*8 SFET (Small Field Exposure Tool) Installed at the Super Clean Room facility in Tsukuba, an industry-academic-government cooperative research center. The tool has achieved the world’s top-class resolution of 26 nm (half-pitch).

Future

Canon is conducting research into exposure equipment that uses short wavelength EUV*7 light as the basis for future technology. Because EUV has a short wavelength of 13.5 nm and cannot use lens-based refractive optical systems, it uses reflective optics employing ultra-high-precision multilayer-coated mirrors. Further, because EUV light does not travel through air, it was necessary to develop a variety of elemental technologies, such as device technology to put the entire device in a vacuum, ultra-precision engineering technology for the mirrors (→ P.63), nanometer-order positioning technology, and environmental control technologies to prevent contamination. Canon has developed an EUV small field exposure tool (SFET*8) that incorporates a two-mirror projection system, and supplied this to Selete (Semiconductor Leading-Edge Technologies) as experimental equipment for NEDO’s (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development

45

Ultra Large-Scale Exposure Technology for Manufacturing Large Screen LCD Televisions

Mirror Projection Aligners Large-screen LCD televisions are enjoying widespread popularity. LCD panels, a key component of LCD televisions, are created with technology that precisely exposes minute pixel circuits over a wide area on largescale glass substrates. Canon mirror projection aligners can accommodate 8th-generation glass substrate sizes, making possible the single-exposure production of widescreen TVs up to 57 inches in size. Canon is the leading manufacturer of this equipment. Overview of Mirror Projection Aligners Mirror projection aligners transfer fine pixel patterns onto a glass substrate to create liquid crystal display panels for displays and televisions. Canon mirror projection aligners (mask aligners) employ the company’s original mirror-scanning method for optical mirror projection.

Mask Original plate for projection exposure of pixel circuit patterns onto glass substrates

Mask stage The stage that secures the mask and moves sequentially in synchronization with the substrate stage

Mirror projection optical system Composed of a trapezoidal mirror, a concave mirror, and a convex mirror. The optical system ensures seamless wide-field exposure X

Large Concave Mirror

Glass substrate The glass substrate measures six or eight panels in size. The size differs according to the generation of the substrate. At present, 8th generation substrates are the largest in size, measuring 2,200 x 2,500 mm (with a thickness of 0.7 mm)

Substrate stage Light source

Glass substrates are secured to the stage by vacuum adsorption. The stage moves in synchronization with the mask stage X

*1 World's largest diameter As of October 2008 *2 μm (micrometer) 1 μm = one millionth of a meter, or 0.001 mm *3 8th-generation Ongoing changes in the size of glass substrates are represented as "generations." The larger the substrate, the better suited it is for producing large panels. Productivity also increases as a single substrate yields multiple panels, so the number of generations has risen rapidly. Currently, the 8th generation represents the cutting edge of the industry, with the next generation expected to be the 10th generation. Development of equipment to accommodate next-generation substrates is also being carried out.

46

Ultra-high-pressure mercury lamp. Uses three wavelengths (g-, h-, i-line) in the UV range

Ultra-Large Stage

Manufacturing High-Precision Mirrors with the World's Largest Diameter*1 Large Concave Mirror Canon mirror projection aligners employ a mirror-scanning method that makes use of a mirror-based projection optical system. The system offers such merits as a simple configuration facilitating increases in substrate size, a wide exposure field, no chromatic aberration, which can occur with lenses, and no image performance degradation. Pattern exposure processes for LCD panels are carried out with a precision of several μm.*2 The projection mirror used in the system also requires high precision. Large concave mirrors in particular, with a large diameter to realize an exposure width capable of exposing large panels seamlessly in a single pass, enable significant increases in productivity. By making use of extremely high-precision processing technologies (→ P.63), Canon has succeeded in developing the world's largest diameter concave mirror, a 1,514 mm 8th-generation*3 ultra-high precision concave mirror with a surface processing accuracy of 0.015 μm. The mirror makes possible a resolving power of 3 μm across the entire exposure field.

Large-Diameter High-Precision Concave Mirror (1,514 mm diameter)

Exposing Large Scale Substrates at a Speed of 750 mm per Second Ultra-Large Stage Input

The high-performance and high-speed operation of the ultra-large stage allows it to attain a high throughput of 323 panels per hour for 55-inch wide panels.

Output Exposure

Canon’s latest mirror projection aligner measures 9 m (width) x 11.6 m (depth) x 5.8 m (height). The main body of the unit weighs 100 metric tons, with the moving mask stage weighing 1 ton and the substrate stage weighing 4 tons, making the aligner Canon's largest product. As the size of LCD substrates increases, the weight of the moveable parts has also increased. Because increased weight tends to impair the performance of the stages, Canon selects materials with a low specific gravity and strong rigidity in order to develop ultra-large stages that reduce overall weight while maintaining component strength. The substrate stage and mask stage are each maintained by air bearings and are driven by non-contact linear motors. The comparatively light mask stage follows the comparatively heavy substrate stage for completely synchronized "master slave control." The drive performance of the substrate stage realizes an extremely high level of precision, achieving a speed of 750 mm per second in just 0.5 seconds upon moving, and comes to a complete stop in a mere 0.2 seconds upon arriving at the stop position. Both stages utilize positional measuring technology using a laser interferometer to control position and speed. (→ P.61)

Mirror Projection Aligner for 8th-generation Glass Substrate Sizes

Optical / Medical

Group Company Technology — Canon ANELVA Corporation

Supporting the Film Deposition Process for Large Panels Vacuum Deposition Technology *4 Vacuum deposition Thin films (thickness of 1 μm or less) are commonly formed on a physical surface by either electroplating or vacuum deposition. Vacuum deposition, which takes place in a vacuum, facilitates the controlling of the film’s thickness during formation. Methods of vacuum deposition include "vacuum evaporation," in which the film material is heated and evaporated; "CVD," which makes use of a chemical reaction with a gaseous film material; and "sputter," which uses physical reactions.

Environmental

*5 Sputter deposition When voltage is applied to a glass substrate and film material (target) within a vacuum containing argon or other inert gas, the gas becomes ionized (Ar+) and collides with the target at high speed, causing the atoms and molecules composing the target to be ejected (the sputtering phenomenon). The sputtered atoms and molecules adhere to the surface of the substrate in a thin layer.

Future

Canon ANELVA Sputtering Equipment for LCDs (C-3711 SERIES)

Fundamental

Vacuum deposition*4 technology, used in the wiring process during LCD panel production, forms a thin film in a vacuum using the "sputter deposition"*5 method. This is a film deposition method that uses the "sputtering phenomenon" to form a thin film of metal, such as the aluminum and molybdenum used in transistor circuit wiring, on glass substrates. Since its founding, Canon ANELVA has developed original ultra-high vacuum technologies and produced film deposition equipment for semiconductors, storage devices, and panel devices. Canon ANELVA developed the ANELVA System, a vertical transfer system for substrates during the manufacture of LCD panels, which accommodates upgrades in glass substrate generations while solving such problems as substrate bowing, which would occur in conventional horizontally-oriented transfer systems, and equipment installation space. Further, Canon ANELVA also developed the "rectangular split cathode," a unique cathode configuration for sputtering that can expose two substrates at once by consecutive deposition of three types of film material (targets) in the same vacuum chamber. The deposited film delivers uniformly superior quality and also improves the usage rate of the target. The equipment reduces panel costs while increasing productivity within the rapidly growing LCD panel-production sector.

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Optical Equipment Canon technologies, based on the company's extensive experience as an optical equipment manufacturer, play key roles in a wide range of fields, from high-resolution LCD projectors and HD television broadcast zoom lenses to network cameras and the Subaru telescope capable of observing stars more than ten million light years away. Canon's optical technologies effectively meet the demands of professional users for high performance and rugged reliability wherever they are needed.

New Optical System Enables Compact Body with High Image Quality AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System) *1 Image display devices LCD panels can be either t ra n s m i s s i v e o r r e f l e c tive. Since drive circuits lie between the pixels on transmissive panels, a grid-like pattern appears in the projected image. With reflective panels, the drive circuits are behind the LCD elements, enabling the panel to project a smooth, seamless image. *2 PBS Polarization Beam Splitter *3 Light leakage Because of the polarized nature of the light received by the LCOS panels and the PBS, light beams entering at a high angle of incidence can cause light leakage, resulting in reduced contrast. *4 Fly-eye lens A lens composed of multiple single lenses packed closely together, both vertically and horizontally, resembling a fly's eye.

configuration successfully allows AISYS to control light Canon has developed and now manufactures its own independently. LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) reflective LCD panels for The projection lamp in AISYS has been changed to an use as image display devices*1 in LCD projectors. Although AC lamp with high luminance efficiency, reducing the size LCOS panels are ideal for displaying high-resolution imagand cost of the illumination optical system while attaining es, because they must be used in tandem with a PBS,*2 the highest level of luminance in its class. achieving brightness in a compact body design meant sacrificing contrast. In order to overcome this drawback commonplace in conventional optical sysSide view / Role of the optical system: Increase brightness, reduce size tems, Canon developed its unique AISYS optical system. AISYS independently controls the light from the light source in the vertical direction to converge at a larger angle for enhanced brightness, and the horizontal direction to Lamp Explosion-proof Fly-eye lens Condenser lens PBS LCOS panel convex lens converge at a smaller angle to prevent light leakage*3 in the PBS and LCOS panel, resulting in high contrast performance. Currently in its third generation, AISYS now employs a concave fly-eye lens,*4 which Top view / Role of the optical system: Increase contrast has multiple lenses arrayed two-dimensionally and was newly developed for the third-generation system. This simple lens Configuration of the AISYS Illumination Optical System Illumination optics Color separation/synthesis system

An optical structure that separates the light from the illumination source into RGB colors, guides them to three LCOS panels, and then combines the images of each color reflected from the LCOS panels

Polarizes the light from the projection lamp and directs it to the color separation system while maintaining both brightness and contrast. Utilizes a fly-eye lens Projection lamp

LCOS reflective LCD panels

Image display device for projected images free of lattice-like grid patterns

Projection lens

Large-aperture zoom lens

AISYS Optical system composed of illumination optics, color separation/synthesis system, and LCOS panels

LCD Projector Optical System

48

AC lamp with even illumination performance

World's Highest Class TV Broadcast Zoom Lenses with Autofocus Technology Autofocus HDTV 100x Zoom Lens

Full-time AF allows professional camera operators to shoot without touching the focus controller

Exposure

Relay broadcast of auto racing

Output

erties according to shooting conditions, and a digital servo system that makes possible high-precision lens operation. Canon’s latest broadcast zoom lens, the DIGISUPER 100AF, incorporates a proprietary autofocus system. By employing a registration phase-detection sensor system, the new model delivers high focusing accuracy that is suitable for full high-definition video images, high tracking capability to keep high-speed moving objects in focus, and the ability to achieve focus rapidly from a completely defocused state. The DIGISUPER 100AF offers practical full-time auto-focus (AF) that fulfills the demands of professional HDTV camera operators.

Input

Canon television broadcast camera lenses are renowned for their outstanding optical performance and exceptional reliability. The flagship model of the lineup is the world's first HDTV-compatible 100x zoom lens. This lens incorporates optical element manufacturing technologies such as ultra-low-dispersion (UD) new glass material and fluorite, as well as optical design technology, which takes maximum advantage of the characteristics of these elements. Together, these technologies ensure ample compensation for phenomena like chromatic aberration and curvature of field while maintaining a practicable and manageable lens size. Standard built-in features include an Optical Shift Image Stabilizer that allows users to change anti-vibration prop-

Optical / Medical

Examples of DIGISUPER 100AF in Use

Monitoring and Recording Remote Video over Networks Network Cameras and Remote Video/Recording Software

€ Network video-recording software Network video-recording software facilitates remote monitoring, enabling video images from up to 64 network cameras to be recorded simultaneously to a single recording server. It also permits the integration of multiple recording servers into a single system. Additionally, because the video monitoring system uses LAN and the Internet, it can be used to set up wide-area security systems or monitoring systems for factories and stores. The viewer enables the free layout of multiple image displays, providing a sense of intuitive operation. Linking with other systems is also possible through a network connection.

Environmental

€ High image-quality, advanced-function network cameras Canon network cameras are capable of transmitting VGA video images (640 x 480 pixels) of up to 30 frames per second to viewers and make possible high-resolution, lowillumination shooting. They include such intelligent functions as motion detection and image uploading, and can be freely operated by remote control via an independent viewer, enabling the shooting of high-impact images completely unlike those made possible with conventional fixed cameras. Additionally, sending images to a small group of viewers or establishing a monitoring system can be done with ease. The systems use the standard Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)*5 to transmit camera-control information and image data, ensuring compatibility with Internetrelated software.

Fundamental

Canon's VB series of network camera systems facilitates the easy operation and display of remote video images using a web browser or dedicated viewer software.

Viewer PC

Internet

Example of a Network Camera System Configuration

Mobile phone

Future

Network camera

*5 HTTP Hypertext transfer protocol. Used for sending and receiving content data (HTML) between web servers and web browsers.

49

Optical Equipment Canon Lens Technologies Support New Space Discoveries The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan's Subaru Telescope in Hawaii Research institutes from around the world have placed space observatories at the summit of Mt. Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii to use the world-class telescopes located there. Among these is the large Subaru telescope, operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. The Subaru telescope's most distinct feature is its primary focus, unprecedented among optical-infrared telescopes with a diameter greater than eight meters and with a 30 arcmin field of view, equivalent to the diameter of the moon. The excellent imaging performance of the built-in primary focus camera*1 has been used for the observation of distant astronomical bodies, the birth and development of galaxies, Prime focus and to investigate the large-scale structure of the universe, Optical Cassegrain secondary mirror resulting in notable achievements and earning the Subaru Prime focus corrector telescope the overwhelming confidence of astronomers Optical Nasmyth lens system secondary mirror Nasmyth focus worldwide. Canon's lens technology was used in the cor(optical) rector lens system responsible for controlling the perforInfrared secondary mance of this advanced primary focus. mirror From the first light of 1999, the Subaru telescope has contributed to advances in astronomy. Canon is also planNasmyth focus Primary (infrared) ning to develop a next-generation primary focus camera mirror Tertiary mirrors (optical and with an even wider field of vision. The Subaru telescope infrared) will continue to be an indispensable presence in future Cassegrain focus developments within the field of astronomy, and will surely play a useful role in the explication of "dark energy,*2" which represents the biggest challenge in astronomy today, as well as in investigating the history of the galaxy. Structure of the Subaru Telescope

*1 Primary focus camera (of the Subaru telescope) Nicknamed "Suprime-Cam." A CCD camera equivalent to an 80-megapixel digital camera. *2 Dark energy Approximately 96% of the composition of the universe is unknown, with 73% being dark energy and the remaining 23% dark matter. Discovering the true nature of dark energy is the greatest challenge facing 21st century astrophysics. This mystery could possibly be solved using galactic data collected by the Subaru telescope. *3 Atmospheric dispersion Phenomenon where starlight appears to disperse when it enters the earth's atmosphere caused by differences in refractive indices.

50

€ Prime Focus Corrector Lens System for the Subaru Telescope The Subaru's primary focus has a shorter focal length than the Cassegrain and other foci, allowing it to capture bright images from a wide field of view. In conventionally designed large-scale reflecting telescopes, it had not been possible to install an optical system in the primary focus because the resulting prime focus corrector lens system would be too large. To address this issue, Canon developed a prime focus corrector lens system approximately 70% smaller and 50% lighter than conventional systems, thus enabling its installation in the Subaru. This lens unit comprises seven elements in five groups, weighs 170 kilograms, and offers a field area 25 times wider than the Cassegrain focus (6 arcmin field view). The lens system also accurately compensates for atmospheric dispersion*3 by employing two lenses that have the same refractive index but are made of materials with different dispersion characteristics. The lenses shift at right angles to the optical axis to compensate for atmospheric dispersion, a unique system created by Canon that has greatly reduced the weight of the prime focus corrector lens system.

€ Mirror Surface Inspection Device The Subaru telescope is a reflecting telescope that collects light reflected from the primary mirror (a single 8.2 meter-diameter mirror) at various focal points (primary, Cassegrain, and Nasmyth focus). Although the shape of the primary mirror may change due to its weight, with any such alterations significantly affecting the degree of observation accuracy, the Subaru telescope is equipped with a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor to adjust the distortion of the primary mirror. Canon contributed significantly to the development of this equipment. In this system, the light beams collected at each focal point are reflected from a mirror and passed through a collimator lens, which converts them into parallel beams that are directed into a micro-lens array. The image formed on each of the micro-lenses is then captured by the CCD, and the main mirror surface is calibrated accordingly. The high resolution of this device has made a significant contribution to the stability of the Subaru telescope's observation capabilities.

Micro-lens array

Collimator lens

Primary mirror focus

CCD

Atmospheric dispersion correction lenses Aspherical lens

Compensates for atmospheric dispersion by shifting correction lenses

When the primary mirror is deformed, the positions of the images formed on the lenses become displaced

Correct light path Light path when the primary mirror is deformed (yellow)

Primary mirror

Deformed primary mirror surface (dotted line)

Actuators

Structure of the Prime Focus Corrector Lens System

Image of Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor Equipment

Medical Equipment

Input

Canon uses its original optical and digital imaging technologies to supply devices that support digitization and networking in the field of medicine. Canon's digital X-ray systems and ophthalmic equipment, which simplify the diagnosis process, continue to play an increasingly important role in the medical industry. Lending Strong Support to X-Ray Diagnosis X-Ray Image Sensor A major challenge in the development of the X-ray image sensor was noise reduction technology. Canon solved the problem with the development of a low-noise IC, signal processing circuits, and power supplies, which made possible an image sensor with a 43 cm x 43 cm imaging area that achieves 7.2-megapixel resolution. A preview image of the X-ray appears on the monitor in only three seconds after exposure. Because the system uses a universal interface and the installed control software conforms to the latest medical information transmission standards, X-ray images can be sent over an in-house network to share information, and also transmitted outside the hospital, enabling off-site diagnoses and emergency care.

n-type amorphous silicon

Exposure

X-rays

Output

X-ray procedures, vital to medical diagnoses, are progressively moving toward digital and online technologies. The Canon CXDI series, which incorporates the company’s LANMIT*4 (Large Area New MIS Sensor and TFT) X-ray image sensor, is a digital radiography device that makes possible the acquisition of high-resolution medical image data with low radiation exposure. The flat-panel LANMIT is made up of a scintillator on top of a photosensor and includes five layers, including the scintillator and a layer of amorphous silicon. X-rays passing through the human body are converted into visible light by the scintillator, which is then directly read by the photosensor. Using cesium iodide (Csl), which has high light-conversion efficiency, the scintillator makes possible both high-definition imaging and a reduction in the required level of X-ray exposure.

Upper electrode Amorphous silicon

Scintillator Silicon nitride film

Cover CFRP

Scintillator Array substrate

Glass substrate Insulator

Structure of the Portable Type CXDI-50C

Lower electrode

Cross-Section of LANMIT

Optical / Medical

Shock-absorbing sheet Aluminium sheet

*4 LANMIT Canon began research and development of LANMIT sensors in 1993, and in 1998 released the world’s first digital X-ray system to incorporate one (the CXDI series).

Fully Automated Precision Measurement of Intraocular Pressure Fundamental

Fully Automatic Noncontact Tonometer

Featuring these technologies, Canon's fully automated non-contact tonometer TX-F enables safe, precise tonometry with extremely simple operation. It is being adopted not only by ophthalmic clinics, but also for use with regular physical checkups and screening for adult-onset diseases.

Objective Lens Air puff nozzle

View of the TX-F Noncontact Tonometer from the Patient's Perspective with Enlarged View of Nozzle Portion

*5 Intraocular pressure The pressure of intraocular fluid inside the eyeball. Abnormal intraocular pressure, which leads to glaucoma and other disorders, is one of the leading causes of vision loss.

Future

1. Rough auto-alignment drive technology that quickly and safely identifies the patient's eye within a wide field of view 2. Fine auto-alignment drive technology that quickly and precisely identifies the correct position of the apex of the cornea even with eye movement 3. Safe drive-control technology that avoids the hazards of positioning the air puff nozzle too close to the patient's eye

4. 3D-drive technology to ensure the smooth transport of the measurement unit (objective lens)

Environmental

The measurement of intraocular pressure,*5 essential in ophthalmic treatment, is performed by measuring pressure at the cornea. The procedure is carried out using a non-contact tonometer, which places an air puff nozzle built into the center of an objective lens very close to the surface of the patient's eye. A puff of air is blown at the center of the cornea and measurements are taken. With conventional manual systems, tracking the movements of the patient's eye to determine correct alignment proved difficult and relied on the experience of the operator. To enable the full automation of the intraocular pressure measurement procedure, Canon developed the following technologies:

51

Platform Technologies As network environments evolve, IT continues to advance at a rapid rate. To keep pace, Canon is working to enhance its platform technologies, in which IT is structured by elemental technology and shared. Sharing cutting-edge digital technologies among various products, the company achieves faster product development and improved quality.

Achieving Unified Color Quality Across Devices Color Management Technology Since input and output devices differ in the range of colors that each is capable of reproducing, in the past, colors appearing on displays and in printout were often inconsistent with the colors of the original input image. Canon has been engaged in activities to achieve high image quality and consistent color reproduction performance in various input and output devices. The company has applied its wealth of expertise in image measurement and evaluation technologies, as well as image processing technology, to accurately reproduce original colors, assign quantitative values to preferred colors, and establish target colors as Canon Unified High-Quality Colors. The company has also developed design and evaluation tools to achieve such goals, and has created an integrated image-development environment. These are currently used in almost every category of Canon imaging device. Canon has further developed this technology to create “Kyuanos,” a high-accuracy color management system (CMS). This system provides accurate color matching with reduced color difference by taking into consideration such factors as lighting conditions and print media characteristics, which have a significant impact on how colors appear. € Kyuanos high-accuracy color management system Accurate color matching requires a device profile (color design data) for each combination of input/output device and paper media. Conventional technology demands a tremendous investment of time and effort for the creation of these profiles. With Kyuanos, however, profiles can be set up automatically, making it easy to achieve high-accuracy color matching that satisfies professional requirements. The color reproduction range of input/output devices has expanded in recent years, making it difficult to correctly reproduce colors using the conventional 8-bit and sRGB standard color space. Kyuanos offers an extended color space for 16-bit and 32-bit formats that allow for maximum input and output performance without color space restrictions. This enables the reproduction of exceptionally vivid colors with rich gradation. Another feature of Kyuanos is support for different lighting environments. Kyuanos is able to numerically convert colors based on human perception, lighting characteristics (fluorescent or incandescent lighting) that significantly affect how images appear, and the color reproduction characteristics of the devices. Using this data to convert images enables color consistency even in different lighting environments.

Displays (sRGB)

Laser beam printers

Inkjet printers

Differences in color reproduction between input and output devices

Office

Home

Without Kyuanos: Poster colors look different under different lighting

Office

Home

With correction for ambient light by Kyuanos: Poster colors look identical even under different lighting

Difference in how posters look with Kyuanos

52

Achieving Connectivity in Digital Devices Communication Network Technology Input

Canon is currently developing communication network technologies that provide a cross-media communication environment in which input/output devices such as printers and digital cameras can easily be connected to a network, anytime and anywhere.

Service server

Office

Mobile terminal

Automation from device connection to service execution and standard technologies (example: LAN connection) Auto connection (easy setup) Network connection (IPv6)

Output

L AN

High-speed wireless communication technology

Internet

Service search (DLNA/UPnP) L AN

L AN

Service connection Service capability adjustment

Home

Automatic device connection technology

Service (Internet) Home office

Fundamental Environmental

€ High-Speed Video-Communication Technology Transmitting video images among networked devices requires technologies capable of controlling signals affected by external factors and transmission quality. Canon’s high-speed video-communication technology enables the networking of high-definition video images and high-quality audio signals, and also facilitates high-speed transfer while preserving high-definition image quality. Furthermore, the company is working on the development of “Remote Communication Technology” to provide a more lifelike communication experience between remote locations over a network.

€ Device Automatic Connection Technology Connection automation technology includes standards such as DLNA*1 and directory services.*2 However, these standards are often incompatible and there is no unified method to integrate them. Although communication is not possible between different standards, it is also difficult for devices using the same standard to connect automatically over a wide-area network. While there is hope for free network connection among all devices, users currently must employ different types of communication software and settings for various standards because of multiple communication standards on the Internet. Canon is developing a variety of input and output devices in an attempt to create a device interconnection system. Accordingly, the company is working on the development of software for automatically connecting devices using different standards over a wide-area network with the aim of quickly resolving inconveniences faced by users. The company is also keeping an eye on evolving trends in network technology, and conducting development for the next generation.

Optical / Medical

€ High-Speed Wireless Communication Technology High-speed wireless communication technology provides a communication environment that can be used anytime and anywhere. Canon has been working on improving communication performance by focusing on the embedding of such standard communication technologies as Bluetooth, Wireless LAN (IEEE802.1 1b/g/a/n), and Wireless USB into cameras, printers, and other products. Now developed as a common platform, this technology has been optimized for and inplemented in Canon products. Other activities Canon is working on include the development of next-generation wireless technologies and middleware to provide easier and more secure wireless connections, and the standardization of wireless technology.

Exposure

High-Speed Wireless Communication Technology and Device Automatic Connection Technology

*1 DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) DLNA refers to both an organization and guidelines for promoting standardization for the exchange of data between home appliances, mobile devices, PCs, and other electronic equipment.

Future

*2 Directory service A directory service is a network management system that, among other functions, enables users to manage and search for positional information of devices connected to a network.

53

Platform Technologies Promoting Logical Data Compatibility XML Technology

*1 Markup language Markup languages describe the meaning and structure of documents and data by embedding specific text strings called “tags.” Other markup languages include HTML and SGML. XML is derived from SGML. *2 W3C The W3C, or World Wide Web Consortium, is an organization promoting the standardization of technology used on the WWW. *3 Web application Web applications are programs that use web functions. When a user makes a request, the server provides a mechanism that generates and provides content. *4 Open XML (Office Open XML) Open XML, an XML-based file format, is the default format of Microsoft Office 2007. Open XML specifications have been approved as an international standard by the ISO.

XML is a markup language*1 used as a format for providing logical data compatibility to simplify the sharing of structured documents and data between different information systems. It has become more familiar in recent years for its use in terrestrial digital broadcasting data and map data used by the Geographical Survey Institute. While working to address the challenges of improving XML processing performance in products, Canon is developing XML technology with an eye to the future. € Binary XML Technology Binary XML technology is a technology that expresses textbased XML in a binary format that computers can directly understand. Binarization, which reduces the size of XML to less than 20 percent of its original size and boosts performance by at least five times, is essential when using XML in compact products. However, because each manufacturer uses a different binarization method, interoperability, which is one of the benefits of XML, is sacrificed. Canon is promoting the formulation of standard binary XML specifications by the W3C,*2 which is expected to prevail in the near future. The company is also developing methods for compression and encoding of structural patterns optimized for XML data used in such areas as 2D graphic language, and is working to apply these to maximize XML processing performance in Canon imaging devices.

€ Device Communication using Atom Protocol Many services, such as map and photo-sharing, are now provided as web applications.*3 Web applications use a standard web interface called the Atom protocol to send and receive contents. Canon is developing software to enable products such as MFPs and digital cameras to communicate directly with web applications using the Atom protocol. The company will continue to promote services that integrate devices with the Internet while working to support such security functions as electronic signatures, encryption, and user authentication in XML. Microsoft XPS

Microsoft Open XML*4

Adobe Mars

Microsoft OPC

Oasis ODF

Adobe UCF ZIP (standard) XML (standard)

Standard XML-based OpenDocument technologies to be supported

Providing a Rich and Intuitive Feel User Interface (UI) Platform Technology UI technology for improving operability plays an important role in bringing out the function and performance potential of a device to differentiate products from those of competitors. As functions become more enhanced and more diverse, Canon is developing technology for progressive and easy-to-use UIs to make products more competitive. The company is also working on creating an environment for more efficient designs, such as technology to speed up the product-development process.

*5 SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) SVG is a vector graphics format, as opposed to a raster graphics format such as GIF and JPEG in which images are composed of a grid of pixels, or points. SVG is an XML-based markup language for quantitatively describing such geometrical shapes as Bezier curves and rectangles as vector graphics. The format allows graphics to be resized freely without deteriorating image quality. Additionally, colors and shapes can easily be altered simply by rewriting part of the markup description.

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€ SVG UI Technology SVG*5 is a vector-based graphic format. Using SVG, Canon aims to provide more attractive graphical user interfaces (GUI) that are easier to use. In addition to graphics- and text-rendering capabilities, SVG also incorporates filter effects for blurring and shading graphics, and animation features for altering the position and color of graphics according to time. Canon is making use of these characteristics to develop next-generation UI technology with rich expression such as animation-based visual effects and scalable displays regardless of display size. € Speech UI Technology Speech technology is becoming increasingly popular in the UI technology field. To make products more user-friendly and easier to operate, Canon provides environments for automatic operation executed by the user’s voice and for operating products according to voice guidance. Canon’s speech-recognition engine can accurately recognize voice commands even without registering the user’s

voice in advance. It is also robust to noise, and realizes the industry’s highest level of speech-recognition performance. Moreover, Canon’s speech-synthesis engine for converting text to voice provides the industry’s most natural and clearest voice synthesis in the field of embedded products. These speech-recognition and synthesis engines from Canon are used in such products as network digital MFPs.

User: “From one-sided to duplex”

Copier: “From one-sided to duplex”

(VoiceMaster)

(PureTalk)

Operating a Copying Machine with Speech Recognition and Voice Guidance

Searching for Similar Images and Video Clips Image Retrieval Technology Input

The widespread popularity of digital cameras and video camcorders has led to more opportunities to shoot and store digital photos and video, a greater number of exchanges over the Internet, and increased database usage. Canon’s image retrieval technology enables users to quickly and accurately search large volumes of data to intuitively retrieve images without the use of keywords.

Output

Video data

Key frame Detection of scene changes

Image to be searched Stores image data Image database

Still image data

Stores extracted characteristics

Comparison of similarities

Search results

Optical / Medical

€ Video Retrieval Technology for Similar Images Through advances in image retrieval technology, the system can detect any number of scene changes, even with scenes containing rapid changes, and automatically generate the corresponding number of representative key frames. When a video clip (represented by a still image) is selected, key frames from similar scenes are searched and the results are displayed, enabling users to quickly find specific scenes even amid large volumes of video image data.

Key frame

Exposure

€ Image Retrieval Technology Image retrieval technology facilitates the searching of similar images from an image database. Users search by first selecting a still image, and then setting priority levels for three characteristics: color, pattern regularity, and composition. Enlarged and reduced images as well as images captured from different angles can also be searched if they are relevant to the selected reference image. Search results are displayed as a list and can be narrowed down so that users can quickly locate the desired images. Canon incorporated this technology into its imageWARE Secure Audit Manager (→ P.41) to prevent information leaks through network digital MFPs. Leaks can be checked from user information regarding print, copy, and fax jobs and image characteristics.

Shows images and replays scenes

Overview of Still-image and Video Retrieval Technology

Fundamental

Real-Time Embedded Operating System DRYOS Canon has also developed various kinds of middleware for the file system and device drivers that support USB for diversified digital products. By developing platform software in-house, Canon can promote the reuse and sharing of software modules while quickly addressing the trend toward high-performance, high-functionality devices.

*6 Real-time operating system An operating system that processes in real time. Such operating systems are often embedded in devices. *7 Kernel The core part of an operating system that manages system resources such as the CPU, memory, and peripherals, and provides basic functions to ensure that hardware and software run efficiently.

Future

DRYOS Module Hierarchy

Environmental

DRYOS is an embedded real-time operating system*6 developed by Canon for use in compact devices and employed in Canon products such as digital cameras and digital video camcorders. The kernel module*7, the core of DRYOS, facilitates customization to meet the needs of the device and hardware resources, and features a flexible structure that can be expanded in size from a minimum of 16 kilobytes. It currently supports more than 10 types of embedded CPUs, also supporting the use of an OS simulation development environment on PCs, making it possible to conduct product development without using actual prototype devices.

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Platform Technologies Ensuring Efficient Development of Large-Scale System LSI System LSI Integrated Design Environment Canon develops its own system LSIs,*1 single-chip ICs that contain all system components, including the hardware and software necessary to run the device. These system LSIs are tiny chips of only several square millimeters or centimeters, but they contain extremely large systems and are important components that determine a product’s functions. Since the 1990s, Canon has been ahead of other companies in the development of system LSIs, developing LSIs such as DIGIC (→ P.23), the iR Controller (→ P.37), and L-COA (→ P.32), to reduce the size and increase the functionality of products. Development of LSIs combining multiple functions requires collaboration among many engineers and an efficient development environment. Canon has developed a highly efficient system LSIs integrated design environment that consolidates the entire development process, from specification study to physical design.

MayDay WEB GUI

Compute farm Configuration management

Project management environment Defect management IP support system

*2 IP Intellectual Property

Security control environment

*1 System LSI A System LSI is a large-scale integrated circuit that contains functions provided by the CPU, memory, and dedicated LSI on a single chip. System LSIs realize faster operation because there is no need for the wiring required when using multiple chips. Furthermore, the area taken up on a circuit board is reduced, making it possible to reduce the size of the circuit board, resulting in a more compact device.

€ Design support environment € Project management environment The project management environment targets personnel To support LSI design, Canon has developed MayDay, a such as designers and project leaders. Defect management unique design support tool. MayDay, an easy to underenables the sharing of bug information for each project stand web-based tool, supports communication and job and linking to development flows, with multi-conditional progress for each member of a development team, which search and tracking features. In the IP*2 support system, may include several hundred people. The compute farm underlying MayDay automatically activates the tool, manfunctions that can be shared among multiple products are aging a license pool for numerous CPUs and tools, and registered in a database as programs (IP core). Promoting distributes the appropriate computing servers and licenses the reuse of registered IP cores reduces the number of supaccording to the demand for such resources. Configuration port processes and helps shorten development time. management allows the easy reuse of design assets by making possible the management of design-results files and entire directories needed for compilations and simulations. MayDay (design support environment) Shared database Design database

Statistical database

Management database

Overview of System LSI Development

Analyzing Phenomena to Predict Product Performance Simulation Technologies During product development, simulation technologies used to analyze phenomena and predict product performance support technological research and enable the shortening of development times. € Simulating the electrophotographic process The electrophotographic process used to form images in laser beam printers and copying machines consists of charging, exposure, latent image, development, transfer, fixing, and cleaning. Each of these processes, vital for forming images, entails multiple and complex phenomena that until now were difficult to model mathematically. Canon developed its own simulation technologies for these electrophotographic processes, enabling technological innovation and ensuring improved product-development efficiency.

€ Simulation of inkjet heads When developing inkjet print heads, the structure of the nozzles, which ensure the optimal ejection of ink droplets, is a critical design point. Canon developed a simulation program for calculating ink ejection phenomena, which was then applied successfully to calculate ejection behavior based on nozzle structures and drive conditions. The program has made it possible to identify the relationship between nozzle structures and ejection characteristics before prototyping, enabling the short-cycle development of high-performance print heads.

Photosensitive drum

Transfer medium

Example of Simulated Transfer Process for Copying Machines

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Simulation of Ink Droplet Ejection

Analyzing Device Operating Mechanisms In-Process Visualization Technology Input

In-process visualization technology enables the direct observation (optical observation) of the processes that take place within actual devices to reveal their operating mechanisms. This technology has been useful in revealing toner development and fixing processes, in addition to the ink-ejection process, in Canon products and has contributed to product design and technological innovation. The diameter of a single toner particle in an LBP or copying machine is several μm,*3 and the volume of a single ink droplet in an inkjet printer is 1 pl.*4 While exceptionally small, they also move at incredibly high speeds, making it extremely difficult to accurately track them. Furthermore, because these phenomena occur in narrow spaces deep within products, simply viewing them poses a challenge. Advanced technologies including the creation of sample devices, shooting with ultra-high-speed cameras, and image analysis are used to observe the phenomena.

Developing roller

Light

High-sensitivity camera

Overview of In-process Visualization Technology for Toner Development

Optical / Medical

€ Visualizing the ink droplet ejection process Because the ink-ejection process takes place at ultrahigh speeds under which the time from ejection to fixing on paper is less than 1/10,000 of a second, Canon has developed analysis technology combining spatial analysis capabilities at a scale approaching the wavelength of light with time analysis capabilities at the one-millionth of a second level.

Photosensitive drum

Charging roller

Exposure

€ Visualizing the toner-fixing process Using an observation device, Canon is able to view the melting, expansion, and re-hardening of toner on the fixing component. Simulations performed by incorporating mechanical data measuring temperature, pressure, and displacement have contributed to the development of fixing-mechanism components and an understanding of the behavior of the toner itself.

Light source

Output

€ Visualizing the toner development process This visualizing technology is used to observe toner particles as they fly towards the photosensitive drum. Based on these observations, engineers can analyze the movement and regularity of toner flying minute distances, which enables the clarification of mechanical positioning and optimal control voltages.

Photosensitive drum side

Developing roller side

Visualizing the Toner Development Process Visualized toner particles flying towards the photosensitive drum

*3 μm (micrometer) 1 μm = one millionth of a meter *4 pl (picoliter) 1 pl = one trillionth of a liter

Fundamental Environmental Future

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Device Technologies Canon’s device technologies create key devices that highlight the appeal of products. In particular, Canon boasts CMOS sensors as key device that have greatly contributed to improving image quality in digital cameras. Canon combines the latest optical, electronic circuit, and ultra-precision processing technologies to manufacture an abundance of devices. Some of Canon's devices are used as industrial components in research institutes and the production lines of Canon and other companies.

High Density, Speed, and Image Quality Built on Accumulated Technologies CMOS Sensors CMOS sensors are used as the imaging elements in Canon digital SLR cameras and digital video camcorders (→ P.25). CMOS sensors are made up of densely aligned pixels consisting of photosensors, reading the light intensity accumulated by each pixel in parallel. Digital cameras also use CCD sensors,*1 but CMOS sensors have the advantage of being faster because they are able to read in parallel. Disadvantages include being susceptible to noise (susceptible to deteriorated image quality) because they include pixel amplifiers, memory, and switches for each pixel. Canon believes that establishing CMOS sensor technology is necessary to increase pixel counts and higher speeds in digital cameras, and has succeeded in the mass production of high-quality CMOS sensors with low noise while combining *1 CCD sensor the latest optical, electronic circuit, and ultra-precision processing technologies, and refining manufacturing processes and The CCD sensor uses the “charge-transfer method” circuit designs. At present, Canon’s CMOS sensor technology has grown such that it is possible to create next-generation that transfers the elec- imaging elements exceeding 50 megapixels, making it a core competency technology that remains unsurpassed by comtric charge accumulated in petitors. Photodiode potential design technology Photodiode Gate

Optical utilization technology

Electron potential

photosensors like a bucket relay. The structure is simple, using photosensors, transfer gates, and photodiodes, and although high image quality can be obtained comparatively easily, the reading of data is slow.

Microlens Color filter

e e

Improvement of lens and color filter for higher light intensity Noise source

Optical electrical charge

Simulation of ideal accumulation structure

CMOS Sensor Technologies

Photo-Receptive Technology € Optical Utilization Technology The photosensors arrayed on a CMOS sensor are microscopic in size, measuring around several μm*2 each. The key to CMOS sensor performance is ensuring that each photosensor takes in as much light as possible to reduce noise. *2 μm (micrometer) 1 μm = one millionth of a To boost light intensity, Canon employed micropatternmeter, or 0.001 mm. ing technology to fabricate microlenses. The company also made multiple improvements in its color filter,*3 which is *3 Color filter The color filter splits light essential for color reproduction, to ensure enhanced color into its RGB (red, green, photosensor performance. blue) components before it becomes data. Characteristics of the color filter affect the color reproducibility of image data. *4 Dark current The current that flows when electric charge occurs while there is no light (often caused by heat). *5 Leakage current A phenomenon in which current leaks in areas insulated on an electronic circuit.

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these defects in the deep region of the substrate where they could not affect sensor performance, resulting in the reduction of dark current. Surface layer

Depth (μm) 0

Device active area 20 40 60 80

€ Dark Current Reduction Technology Dark current*4 refers to leakage currents*5 in photosensors, attributable to high temperatures or lengthy exposures, which result in photosensor noise and degrade the image quality in CMOS sensors. Because this results in noise, Canon has meticulously investigated the mechanism causing it. Drawing on its material analysis technologies, Canon has analyzed the crystal structure of materials. As a result, it was discovered that crystal defects in silicon substrates can play a role in causing dark current. The company then developed a technology for eliminating crystal defects from the surface of silicon substrates, which isolated

100 120

Cross-Sectional Photo of a Silicon Substrate

Optical signal (S)

Pixel

Pixel amplifier

Reset switch

4-transistor pixel structure

Signal + noise recording memory

Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) method

Output signal (S)

Noise recording memory Noise cancellation circuit

Low-Noise Reading Circuit Technology

0.22μm

0.03μm

STI minimizes the “bird’s beak” phenomenon, enabling narrower isolation regions

Pixel Isolation Technology

Optical / Medical

Output signal (S) = (signal + noise recording memory) – (noise recording memory)

sors, each pixel consists of a photodiode, a pixel amplifier, and a reset switch for resetting the signal (three-transistor pixel structure). To this structure, however, Canon added a transfer switch (fourtransistor pixel structure). The transfer switch, which calls “noise” and “noise + signal” separately, made possible the development of “double-sampling noise cancellation” for accurate noise elimination.

Exposure

Transfer switch

Conventional system

Output

€ Low-Noise-Reading Circuit Technology Reducing noise in the photosensor is meaningless if the data-reading circuit itself is subject to high noise levels. Canon achieves low-noise data reading through a combination of a high-speed compatible pixel configuration known as a four-transistor pixel structure and a noisecancellation circuit.*6 In 2004, this technology received a National Commendation for Invention, Japan’s most prestigious invention award. Recognized for its superior performance, the circuit is now widely employed as the industry standard.

€ Pixel Miniaturization Technology The CMOS sensors used in digital SLR cameras are fullframe 35mm sensors or APSH/APS-C size (→ P.25). The increased pixel counts of sensors have been brought about by miniaturizing pixel size while keeping the same sensor surface area. In addition, in order to make the bodies of video camcorders more compact, Canon has pursued technology for incorporating large numbers of pixels into surfaces of only a few square millimeters. As pixel sizes become smaller, important issues include not only pixel and wiring pattern design technology, but also semiconductor processes and manufacturing technologies for separating the elements created. Canon developed a pixel miniaturization technology called Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) that reduces isolation regions, at the same time reducing dark current, which has enabled the mass production of high-quality, high-density *6 Noise cancellation circuit CMOS sensors. In conventional CMOS sen-

Input

Device Design Technology € Photodiode Potential Design Technology Photosensors collect electrical charges when they are exposed to light. The resulting charge is read from each sensor site and converted into image data. For optimal device design, Canon simulates the ideal charge collection structure with a device simulator. By doing so the company has designed a sensor with highly efficient charge collection, light use, and reading, over a short period of time.

Manufacturing Technologies € CMOS Sensor Yield Improvement Technology Given the unprecedented large size of CMOS sensors, improving their yields*8 proved to be a daunting task. Canon developed a yield analysis system that automatically checks with pinpoint accuracy the electrically measured results and physical deficiencies of defective products, and identifies processes and causes of defects from among all possible factors. Using this system, Canon is realizing higher yield ratios by promoting continued improvements in processes, materials, and equipment. Electrical inspection

Cleanroom

Semiconductor exposure equipment

Feeds back the results to the process and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Physical inspection Automatically detects defect coordinates.

Moves to detected position for detailed analysis.

DUV (Deep UV) system

SEM system

Determines the nature of a defect and automatically saves the corresponding data.

Overview of Yield Analysis System

Automatic element analysis

*8 Yield Ratio of acceptable units to the number of products produced (Total units produced – defective products). Improvement of yield significantly affects product cost and profit by reducing defective products.

Future

€ Large-Screen Device Process Technology Canon’s full-frame 35 mm CMOS sensor used in digital SLR cameras measures 36 x 24 mm. This far exceeds the maximum area that can be covered in a single-exposure process using conventional semiconductor exposure equipment. Canon developed a multiple-exposure process that succeeds in precise splicing and enables the mass production of large-size CMOS sensors.

Checks defect coordinates One inspection result is verified against another to identify the process and the defect capable of adversely affecting yield.

*7 Cleanroom A space in which air cleanliness is controlled and maintained. Such rooms are installed in semiconductor fabrication plants, medical facilities, and food factories. The number and size of airborne particles are kept below certain levels, just as the cleanliness of any materials and water used is also maintained. Temperature, humidity, pressure, and lighting are also controlled.

Environmental

Signal pattern is input to detect coordinates.

Fundamental

€ Cleanroom Technology CMOS sensors are manufactured in cleanrooms*7 like other semiconductor devices, and semiconductor exposure equipment is used in this process. As devices become more compact, cleanrooms must be more strictly controlled. Canon has achieved a cleanroom in which the air contains no more than a single particle measuring 0.1 μm or more per cubic foot. The company manufactures its state-of-theart CMOS sensors in such optimized facilities.

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Device Technologies Accurately Detecting Movements on a Nanometer Scale Encoders Encoders are sensors that measure the angle of or distance traveled by an object by attaching a scale to the target object and counting the scale. Canon has developed ultra-precise, ultra-accurate encoders using cutting-edge optical measurement technology. € Laser Rotary Encoders (LRE) Laser rotary encoders detect angles using light analysis*1 and interference,*2 employing semiconductor lasers as the light source. The use of proprietary prism optics enables the creation of more compact devices. LREs are used to adjust the angle of industrial robot arms and camera platforms for broadcasting cameras.

*1 Light analysis A property of light. Light travels in waves which, upon striking an object, curve around into the shadow of the object. This phenomenon is known as diffraction.

Semiconductor laser Wavelength: 780 nm (output) 5mW

Interferometer (photo receptor)

Beam splitter

Mirror

*2 Interference A property of light. Light travels in waves and becomes brighter when combined with light of the same phase. When combined with light with a phase that differs by 180 degrees, the two will cancel each other out, resulting in darkness. This phenomenon is known as interference.

€ Micro Linear Encoders (MLE) Micro linear encoders, which use a unique light reflection-diffraction interferometer with LEDs as a light source, realize ultra-long life spans and an ultra-compact size. When used with a 1000-part splitter, they achieve a maximum resolution capability of 0.8 nm.*3 MLEs are used in stage sensors in semiconductor lithography tools, hard disk inspection equipment, and semiconductor measuring equipment.

Mirror Scale

Grating disk

Diffraction grating

Pm 2.8μm 4-part diffraction grating

Light-receptor element (for encoder)

Reflective element

Reflective element

Light-receptor element (for initial point) Light-emitting diode (LED)

e

Cable lin

Overview of MLE Light from an LED, converted into parallel beams using a collimator lens, is used to illuminate the scale via a 4-part diffraction grating. The diffracted light is then received via the diffraction grating to detect the position through phase differences.

Rotation axis

*3 nm (nanometers) 1 nm = one billionth of a meter, or 0.000001 mm

Collimator lens

Operating Principle of Laser Rotary Encoders

Noncontact Precise Detection of Velocity Inconsistencies and Rotation Inconsistencies Laser Doppler Velocimeter nal (Doppler frequency) of the light obtained. The system enables the measuring of speeds from a state of rest to -200 to 2000 mm, -50 to 5000 mm per second. The technology is used in R&D and production lines for detecting paper transport speeds and velocity irregularities in printers and copying machines, detecting rotation irregularities in photosensitive drums, and detecting rotation and feed inconsistencies in the drive units of machine tools.

A laser Doppler velocimeter is a device that measures the velocity of a moving or rotating object without coming into contact with the object by illuminating it with a laser through an afocal optical system.*4 Laser light is converted into parallel beams using a collimator lens and split using a diffraction grating. Two lights with different frequencies created by an E/O frequency shifter (an element that shifts the frequency) are used to illuminate the measured object, and the scattered light is passed through a collecting lens to be read by a photodiode. The velocity is then measured based on the beat sig-

Z Y

X

Photodiode

E/O frequency shifter

*4 Afocal optical system An optical system without a focal point (infinite focal length), in which the same parallel light that enters the lens also leaves the lens. The system is used in telescopes and beam expanders (an optical module for expanding the beam diameter of laser light).

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Diffraction grating Collimator lens Collecting lens Afocal optical system Semiconductor laser

Laser Doppler Velocimeter

Overview of Laser Doppler Velocimeter

Target object

Achieving Advanced Laser Processing Galvano Scanner detects mirror angles. Galvano scanners provide excellent positioning precision and repetitive reproduction capability along with high-speed performance. Incorporated into laser via-hole*6 drilling devices and 3D molding devices, they play an instrumental role in the processing of highdensity circuit boards for mobile phones, and the production of flat panel displays and solar panels.

Mirror (X)

Galvano (Y-axis) rotary encoder + motor Mirror (Y) fθ lens Build-up substrate

Laser

*5 Galvano scanner A scanner that applies a system employing a highsensitive ammeter, or galvanometer. The word galvano is derived from the name of Italian physicist Luigi Galvani. *6 Via-hole A hole used for connecting circuit wiring created on each substrate in multi-layered substrates.

Exposure

Example of Galvano Scanner Application: Laser Via-Hole Drilling

Output

Galvano (X-axis) rotary encoder + motor

Galvano Scanner

Input

Laser-processing machines are devices that rotate mirrors at high speeds to determine the position of laser light to perform boring, cutting, and trimming processes. Canon’s galvano scanner,*5 which utilizes proprietary encoder technology, is a high-precision laser scanner incorporated into laser processing machines. Combined with fully closed digital servo technology to provide optimal control in accordance with the application, the scanner

Ultra-Sensitive Displacement Detection at 0.08 nm Micro Laser Interferometer sure equipment, and microvibration analyzers in precision driving machines.

Optical / Medical

*7 Michelson interferometer method Light from a light source is split into two or more beams and the light reflected by the object (measurement light) is recombined with the light reflected by a fixed reflective surface (reference light).

Micro Laser Interferometer

Fundamental

Laser interferometers employ laser light for noncontact measurement of the movement (displacement and vibration) of objects with reflective surfaces. Canon developed a microlaser interferometer based on the Michelson interferometer method*7 that achieves an ultra-high resolution of 0.08 nm. The light and compact interferometer weighs about 50 grams and measures a mere 38 mm (W) x 47 mm (D) x 19 mm (H) due to a unique optical design utilizing semiconductor lasers. This compact size enables the device to be used in piezo-electric measurement in automobile fuel injection equipment, wafer-stage position controllers for EB (Electron Beam) lithography and semiconductor expo-

Using Ultrasonic Vibrations to Drive Focus and Zoom Lenses Ultrasonic Motor (USM) sible low-speed movement with considerable force without needing a reduction gear mechanism. This type of motor produces higher torque than an electromagnetic motor, and also provides the same amount of torque with smaller dimensions without such drawbacks as cogging.*8 Highly precise operation and low noise are also major features of ultrasonic motors.

Environmental

Canon developed the world’s first ultrasonic motor (USM) for the autofocus of EF lenses for EOS series single-lens reflex cameras. Ultrasonic motors work on the principle that a stator (the elastic body) subject to silent vibration results in friction that drives a rotor (the moving body). Small vibrations are repeatedly employed to induce motion, making pos-

Rotor

From Left: Ring USM, Micro USM, and Micro USM II

Principle of the USM

Micro USMs are used in the zoom lenses of compact digital cameras, etc.

USMs convert ultrasonic vibrations into linear or rotary motion

Future

Stator Vibration waves

*8 Cogging Electromagnetic motors are powered using the electromagnetic attraction of electromagnets and permanent magnets, generally resulting in jerky movement called cogging.

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Production Engineering Technologies Production engineering technologies for next-generation manufacturing are as important as those used in product development. These help realize fully automated production lines that run 24 hours a day year round, enabling in-house production of key components and processing tools that provide new functionality, higher performance, and lower costs, as well as cutting-edge nano-order processing and measuring technologies. Fulfilling Advanced Cost, Space, and Reliability Needs Toner Cartridge Production System Automating production systems is an extremely effective way to improve production speed and product quality while cutting costs. Aiming to make the company even more competitive, Canon endeavors to establish automated production lines*1 that run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Canon has automated several hundred processes required in the production of toner cartridges for Canon laser beam printers, from parts processing and assembly to inspection and packaging. One of the technologies enabling this achievement is the Automated Moltopren Sealing Apparatus used to seal the toner. Moltopren, a sealing material formed from sponge and double-sided tape, had been considered difficult to handle in automated

*1 Automated production line Used in the assembly of toner and ink cartridges. These lines achieve a yield (non-defective product rate) of almost 100%. These low-cost, space-saving, highly reliable lines are now are in operation in several plants in Japan. Canon also plans to launch such a line in Virginia in the United States in 2009.

procedures due to its susceptibility to deformation caused by fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and tensile force. Drawing on its proprietary technologies, however, Canon completely automated the moltopren sealing process, from the supply procedure to cutting, processing, precision sealing of containers, and inspection. A proprietary high-precision dispenser is also used to apply grease and other fluid substances. These production systems are uniquely developed and designed by Canon. Employing the latest technologies, including 3-D CAD, analysis simulation, and virtual reality, Canon is working to quickly create new production systems for use in production lines. Targeting the cutting edge of production technology, Canon is actively pursuing the realization of fully automated production lines.

All-in-one Toner Cartridge Canon’s toner cartridges use a unique “all-in-one” construction (developed in 1982) combining a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, a cleaner, and a developing unit. Because they are easy to handle, they lend themselves to simple maintenance and recycling. ◆ Canon has obtained hundreds of patents for compact and all-inone cartridge technologies ◆ Used cartridges have been collected and recycled worldwide since 1990

Automated Toner Cartridge Production Line

Materials that Deliver Well-Balanced Functionality Chemical Component Technologies Components and materials that support the functionality of products are called functional components, and at Canon, these include components used in copying machines and laser beam printers, such as high-imagequality fixing materials, electrostatic-transfer and intermediate-transfer belts, electric-separation-transfer and electrical-charging rollers, and low-friction blades. Canon performs detailed analyses of the physical phenomena that take place during each process of a product’s operation and, after thoroughly assessing the necessary properties, carries out the in-house development and manufacture of materials capable of delivering the required functions. Specifically, Canon adapts raw materials from basic organic and polymeric materials, including plastics and rubbers, by applying chemical reactions, degeneration, and blending, followed by additional processing steps that make these materials appropriate for use as components. These technologies are called chemical-component technologies. Canon is also working on the in-house production of processing systems for functional components.

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Rollers Used in Copying Machines and LBPs

Transfer Belts Used in Copying Machines and LBPs

Achieving Nanometer-Order Precision in Optical Elements Processing and Measurement System Technologies

Z

X Z-axis slider B-axis rotary table

Y X

Weight compensation system

Top probe Metrology box Multipoint support mechanism (Z mirror load compensation) Upper reference mirrors

Kinematic support Wavelength tracker

Base plate

Base plate

Bottom probe

Y-axis slider Air mount

Measured object (aspherical lens)

X-Y base plate

Lower reference mirrors Kinematic support

Free-Form Measurement Machine (A-Ruler)

*3 Curvature variation Curvature is a number indicating the degree of curvature of lines and surfaces. Because the curvature of freeform lenses is not constant and changes greatly, special processing technology is required.

Optical / Medical

Free-Form Processing Machine (A-Former)

Work slide Measured object stand (work guide)

(one millionth of a millimeter) to 1000 nm (one thousandth of a millimeter). In this nano world, even the tiniest variations in temperature or pressure can significantly affect precision. Accordingly, equipment must maintain strict precision standards and steps must be taken to cancel all errors for items affected within the system.

Exposure

Workpiece C-axis rotary table X-axis slider

Output

machine, which makes possible the ultra high-precision measurement of the entire surface of an optical element through contact probes that touch the element, also employs a variety of advanced technologies. A metrology box with a unique box-shaped structure provides the system’s precision standard, while a laser interferometer comprising a work guide sandwiched between six mirrors *2 Nanometer-order is used to cancel contact-probe motion errors, making posA level represented by nanosible measurements of nanometer-order precision. meter units (nm) of 1 nm

Z Y

Input

With advances in design technologies, optical elements like lenses and prisms continue to evolve from spherical to aspherical shapes, and from axisymmetric to free-form surfaces. Optical elements that demand nanometer-order*2 levels of precision require the development of unique processing and measurement systems to process free-form surfaces with large variations in curvature.*3 For its free-form processing machine, Canon developed various proprietary technologies that enable the high-precision control of the high-speed cutting tool, including highly rigid air bearings and a high-performance controlling system. The company’s free-form measurement

Fabricating Multi-Layer Mirrors with Atomic Precision IBF (Ion Beam Figuring) Processing Technology

Fundamental Environmental

Surface accuracy before processing: 0.36 nm RMS

*4 EUV Extreme Ultraviolet *5 nm (nanometers) 1 nm = one billionth of a meter, or 0.000001 mm

Surface accuracy after processing: 0.13 nm RMS

Results of Shape-Correction Testing Using a Mirror Material

Future

Exposure equipment operating in the EUV*4 wavelength range requires the use of multilayer mirrors that incorporate alternating layers of film made of different materials. These aspherical mirrors demand the most advanced levels of ultra-precision processing in the world, with accuracies at the atomic level (the radius of a hydrogen atom is approximately 0.1 nm*5). Canon is currently working on Ion Beam Figuring (IBF) technologies to refine the shape of mirrors. IBF technology ensures high-precision figuring of the shape by using ion beams (IBs) without increasing surface roughness. Selecting the diameter of the IBs also makes it possible to correct shapes over a wide spatial frequency domain. In tests using Canon’s original IBF system, a mirror with 0.36 nm RMS*6 in surface accuracy was successfully corrected to 0.13 nm RMS, achieving the world’s highest level of surface accuracy and demonstrating the system’s high-precision processing capabilities. The development of the IBF system was consigned to the Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography System Development Association (EUVA) by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) as a theme in the organization’s Extreme Ultraviolet Exposure System Development Project.

*6 RMS Root Mean Square. Also referred to as the mean square deviation; indicates the spread of values.

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Production Engineering Technologies Enabling the Mass Production of High-Precision Aspherical Lenses and DO Lenses Molding Technologies The manufacture of aspherical lenses*1 and diffractive-optical elements*2 (Structure of DO lenses → P.25), which are designed to diffract light on their surfaces, is made possible through mold-making technology, the most advanced technology used in lens production, as well as other proprietary Canon technologies.

*1 Aspherical lens A lens with a curvature that is not spherical (a surface with a curvature rate continually changing in the direction of the lens diameter). Compared with spherical lenses, aspherical lenses minimize aberrations and can be used in both camera lenses and eyeglasses. *2 Diffractive-optical element A lens that includes both refractive and diffractive optical systems, and combines the two to achieve improved optical performance.

€ Photo Replication In photo replication, a UV hardening resin is placed on an aspherical lens surface to transfer the mold shape and allowed to harden. After years of research into mold-making techniques to fabricate finely shaped molds as well as the characteristics and physical properties of resins, Canon has perfected technology that realizes nanometer-level precision in the controlling and transferring of fine shapes, enabling the manufacture of a range of lenses. € Plastic Molding Plastic molding involves pouring plastic into a finely fabricated aspherical mold to form a lens. This technology, used to produce items such as aspherical lenses for compact cameras, is based on innovations that ensure precise and stable molding. € Glass Molding Glass molding employs high-precision aspherical molds, which are pressed directly onto glass to shape it into lens elements. Based on studies of glass materials and mold materials, Canon conducted simulations to create molds that ensure consistent and accurate performance even at

high temperatures. Glass-molded lenses have found wide application due to the flexibility of their refractive index and other optical parameters.

Molds for Manufacturing Aspherical Lenses

Roof Prisms For Lens-Shutter Cameras and Digital Cameras

Large-Diameter Lens For LCD Projectors

Toric Lenses For LBPs and Copying Machines

Promoting Prototype-Less Design Based on Optimization Analysis Virtual Prototyping Technology

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Low

Large-scale, complex problem-solving Virtual prototyping to propose design improvements Small-scale problem-solving CAE

Complex problem-solving CAO optimization analysis

Robust optimization Multi-objective optimization

Aims: Cost reduction Shortened lead times Quality improvement

High

Prototype-less Development Level

Virtual prototyping for prototype replacement verification

Progress of CAE Technology

Multi-Objective Optimization Analysis for a Zoom Lens Barrel

Low Short

*5 CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) Systems for using computers to support manufacturing in which data is generated and simulations are performed from a manufacturing perspective.

Progress

Analysis difficulty Analysis duration

*4 3D-DMR (3D-Digital Mockup Review) Virtual assembly technology

For the compact camera zoom lens barrel pictured here, Canon performed multi-objective optimization analyses targeting two parameters—zoom lens drive time and power consumption, which have a tradeoff relationship— and derived a set of optimal Pareto solutions. From this set, engineers decided on a solution enabling a reduction of the zoom lens drive time by two-thirds while also reducing power consumption. High Long

*3 CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) Systems for using computers to support design and development. In addition to aiding the design of products, it includes analysis of strength and safety, and simulations of functions and performance.

Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE),*3 aimed at predicting and solving potential problems that may arise in product prototypes and production processes, is widely used in R&D, product development, production engineering, and prototyping at Canon. CAE combines “prototype-less core technology” with actual product analysis and measurement technologies to help speed up development cycles, reduce costs, and enhance product performance, functionality, and quality. Virtual prototyping relies primarily on three techniques: 3D-Digital Mockup Review (3D-DMR)*4 to identify problems in a basic product configuration using 3-D data, Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)*5 to automatically generate processing data, and CAE. For CAE, the core technique, Canon is working to transform virtual prototyping from a means of verifying prototype replacement to a means of proposing improvements in the design phase, which takes full advantage of optimization analysis (CAO: Computer-Aided Optimization), multi-objective optimization analysis, and robust optimization analysis for stable functionality and performance. Examples of virtual prototyping at Canon include optimization analysis for the zoom lens barrels in compact cameras. To ensure ease of assembly and disassembly, usability, safety, and drivability at the product-design stage, Canon uses CAE to perform multi-objective optimization analyses of the drive mechanisms for the entire product to simultaneously optimize multiple design goals.

Predicting Signal Integrity and EMI at the Circuit Design Stage Design-Support Technologies signals transmitted on printed circuit boards of circuits in a few dozen picoseconds,*6 as well as an electromagnetic field simulation analysis that estimates the level of electromagnetic noise generated by electric devices at the design stage. These technologies ensure improved operational accuracy at the prototype-testing stage and contribute to significantly reducing development lead times greatly, while also enabling the quick market introduction of products equipped with the latest functions.

Output

Voltage(V)

Input

As copying machines and other office devices continue to advance in functionality, achieving higher levels of image quality, processing speed, and full-color reproduction, the data processing capacity of their control circuitry also improves year after year. The higher running frequencies of the circuits, however, make it increasingly difficult to achieve stable operation while minimizing noise. In response, Canon has introduced circuit board designsupport technologies, including transmission line simulation analysis that analyzes the travel times of the electric 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 5

10

15

20

25

Exposure

0

Time(ns)

Transmission Line Simulation Analysis of a High-Speed Digital Circuit Board

Example of Electromagnetic Field Simulation of a Reader Unit in a Digital Copying Machine

*6 Picosecond One trillionth of a second

Creating Smaller and Lighter Products

connections between the package and substrate, and on solder-printing technologies, which are essential for highprecision soldering jobs. Flash memory 2nd layer

SDRAM

Fundamental

As semiconductors become smaller, faster, and more functional, digital products can be made smaller and lighter. Semiconductors are arranged on printed circuit boards within products, but as semiconductors become more advanced, they need to be packaged more densely at a smaller pitch. Canon has developed its own packaging technology, successfully making products smaller and lighter. SiP (System in Package) technology integrates multiple semiconductors into a single package. CSP (Chip Scale Package) packaging technology forms solder balls on bonding pads on the back of the semiconductor package, allowing the chip to be bonded to the substrate by heating it. Canon is currently conducting R&D on simulationanalysis technologies to enhance the reliability of soldering

Optical / Medical

High-Density Packaging Technologies

1st layer

SiP Concept Employed in Digital Cameras

Environmental

Achieving the Rigidity of a 10 mm Steel Plate with Two 1.6 mm Steel Plates Press Production Technologies

Future

To ensure the stable operation of high-speed copying machines weighing over 100 kg, Canon performs bodyframe rigidity analysis and designs optimal structure and component shapes using new concepts, which are then reflected in products. For example, Canon was the first in the world to employ a monocoque (stressed-skin) structure for the bottom plate of copying machines. The single-unit monocoque structure ensures the rigidity of the copying machine frame and is highly resistant to external forces. Canon created this monocoque structure by pressing together two 1.6 mm-thick steel plates. This construction offers a flexural rigidity equal to that of a 10 mm-thick plate.

Dimpled Bottom Plate of a Copying Machine

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Quality Management Technologies For Canon, a manufacturer of precision products, technology that assures product quality is of great importance. Using a variety of assessment, simulation, and analysis technologies, Canon strives to maintain and improve its product quality. In 2008, a testing facility able to perform public certification tests was completed at the company’s Tamagawa Plant with the aim of improving product quality control. Using advanced technology with a total commitment to "quality first" supports the safety and reliability of ever-evolving products. Quality Assurance at Canon To achieve Canon’s corporate objectives of creating the world’s leading products, offering the highest levels of quality and service, and contributing to the betterment of culture throughout the world, the company continually makes efforts to enhance quality by: 1. Identifying customer needs and utilizing the latest technologies to offer excellent high-quality products and speedy service 2. Making every effort to avoid causing harm or damage to consumers and their property as a result of nonconforming products or services

The message behind Canon product quality is to provide “safety, smartness, and satisfaction to customers.” In order to deliver products and services to customers that fulfill these three objectives, Canon carries out quality assurance activities at every stage, from planning and development to production, marketing, and post-purchase services. “Canon quality provides safety, smartness, and satisfaction to customers” Safety: No breakdowns, no injuries, no defects Smartness: Easy to use, well designed, reliable Satisfaction: Great! Glad I bought it. It’s Canon for me from now on Canon Quality Mark

Evaluating Comfort and Ease-of-Use Human-Scale Measurement and Evaluation Technologies Canon employs ergonomic measurement and evaluation technologies in the evaluation of the company’s products. Beginning with technologies for assessing visual fatigue, the company has been researching and developing technologies for evaluating human usability (burden of operation) in such categories as comfort and ease of use. The research measures users’ physiological reactions when using products, such as myoelectric potential and grip force when subjects pull out the paper feed trays of printer products, and stress-related perspiration and eye movement when viewing displays. Canon is working to expand these human and physiological measurement and evaluation technologies to include both mental and physical fatigue during operations, with the aim of developing more user-friendly products. By simulating the muscular effort exerted, this research has revealed the paper roll setting position for large-format inkjet printers (→ P.32) that reduces the burden on *1 SEA (Statistical Energy Analysis) method The Statistical Energy Analysis method, used especially in the automotive, shipping, and construction fields, is a method for analyzing vibration and noise that incorporates a statistical approach and the concept of energy. Once the route of vibration and noise transfer is identified, it is possible to accurately assess what areas need to be addressed, enabling the efficient reduction of vibration and noise in products.

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a user’s arms and back. Similarly, with head mounted displays (→ P.72), Canon aims to develop ways to evaluate psychological stress that occurs during viewing by measuring automatic nervous system activity such as heart rate.

Studying Paper Roll Setting Position by Measuring Myoelectric Potential

Efficiently Reducing Vibration and Noise Analyzing Vibration and Noise with the SEA Method Canon uses an analysis approach called the “SEA method”*1 to reduce the vibration and noise generated by products. This method identifies the route by which noisecausing vibration is transmitted by analyzing the flow of vibration energy between parts within a product. For example, such aspects as the rate of energy loss and the flow of energy between parts are analyzed based on the force introduced by the motor and vibration of parts. This approach is effective in analysis when the source of vibration differs from the source of noise.

Redesign Based on Analysis Results (Energy Transfer Inhibition)

Preserving the Environment During Products Usage Chemical Safety Evaluation Technology Input

certification. This technology has enabled many Canon products to obtain such eco-labels*2 as Germany’s prestigious Blue Angel label.

Measuring Chemical Emissions at the Canon Inc. Chemical Emission Test Laboratory

*2 Eco-labels Marks that display the environmental friendliness of products. Products with ecolabels are certified as having reached the level specified in the labeling system. Germany’s “Blue Angel” label, the first eco-label established in the world, has stringent certification standards.

Output

Chemical substances discharged when a product is used, such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds), dust, ozone, and particulates, are referred to as chemical emissions and must be reduced to preserve the environment when using products. Canon began full-scale measurement of chemical emissions in 2000 and has actively worked on the standardization of methods for collecting and analyzing chemical emissions from office equipment. The company has also made significant contributions to establishing JIS and ISO standards. Special environmental test laboratories are required for measuring chemical emissions. Canon has set up environmental test facilities for products of different sizes, and achieved the top class of measurement capability in the industry. In 2005, Canon became the first company in the industry to have a chemical emission measurement laboratory receive both ISO17025 and German eco-label

Exposure

Guaranteeing Quality and Reliability of Parts New Failure Analysis Method for Laser Diodes of semiconductor components. This approach identifies anomalies undetectable by LD manufacturers in the past, ensuring parts with high reliability.

The green portion indicates the location of the defect

*3 SEI (Seebeck Effect Imaging) A method using a phenomenon in which temperature differences in substances are converted into voltage. An infrared laser light, emitted to display the thermoelectric currents occurring inside the LD chip due to the heat of the laser, detects anomalies such as lattice defect.

Fundamental

Detecting a Defect Inside an LD Chip

Optical / Medical

Ensuring the quality and reliability of manufactured products requires ensuring the quality and reliability of individual components. Canon operates a certification system to confirm the quality and reliability of semiconductor parts such as ICs, and electronic parts such as resistors and capacitors, all of which are found in Canon products. This system is supported by in-house technologies developed for evaluating and analyzing electronic parts, new failure analysis methods for laser diodes, technologies for identifying the location of faults in LSIs, and structural evaluation technologies. New failure analysis methods for laser diodes use SEI*3 (Seebeck Effect Imaging), which utilizes infrared laser light to precisely detect anomalies such as lattice defect within the structure of laser diodes (LD), a particularly vital part

Accredited Laboratory standards mandated by law, but also by establishing product safety technology standards unique to Canon. Having advanced facilities capable of performing public certification tests in-house leads to improvements in the “true safety”*5 that Canon aims to achieve.

Environmental

*4 Public certification testing Scheduled to begin in 2009.

The New Testing Facility Completed in Winter 2008

Future

Establishing a Testing Facility To further improve its technology, Canon has constructed a new testing facility at its Tamagawa Plant near Tokyo. This testing facility will become the center of Canon’s quality evaluation and testing. The testing facility can be used to conduct certification tests*4 based on public standards such as those for noise (ISO7779), electromagnetic compatibility (CISPR22, CISPR24, FCC Part 15, among others), and safety (UL94, EN62441). Marking a first in the camera/office equipment industry, its semi-anechoic chamber incorporates wedgeless sound-absorbing walls and enables noise measurement of even large products. Additionally, high-sensitivity microphones are used to further expand the scope of measurement. The completion of this testing facility will increase measurement accuracy and evaluation speed, greatly contributing to the improvement of Canon product quality. Canon is improving quality not only through safety

*5 True safety An approach to ensuring safety, even if not regulated by law, by envisaging actual situations in which products may be used.

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Environmental Technologies In consideration of the environment, Canon promotes activities to reduce environmental impact in all three stages of the product lifecycle: Produce (development and manufacture), Use, and Recycle. As the basis of its efforts to minimize environmental burden, Canon also focuses its energies on unique environmental technologies to contribute to preserving the global environment.

Solidifying and Processing Waste Toner During Production Reusing Waste Toner [Produce] The manufacturing process for toner used in copying machines and printers can generate toner with nonstandard particle sizes which, depending on the type of toner, does not permit its reuse as toner, resulting in waste toner. Canon utilizes a waste toner solution solidification system to harden waste toner, modifying its properties to enable its reuse as material for factory pallets and other applications.

Input

Solid modified toner

Toner production Toner solution solidification system

Nonstandard toner

Recycling Reuse as resin pallets, etc

Resale

Waste Toner Reuse Process in Production Plants

Eliminating VOCs in the Manufacturing Process Technologies for Replacing Volatile Organic Compounds [Produce]

*1 Solvent recovery equipment Used for recovering and concentrating low-density VOC emissions, the technology enables the recovery of 90 percent or more of VOC emissions. High-density VOC emissions are liquefied and recycled during the cleaning process.

Organic solvent-based paint and cleaning agents are commonly used in parts processing for a variety of products. Canon is no exception, using organic solvents in the painting and cleaning processes for external components used in printers, cameras, and other products. These solvents produce VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) gases when used, creating a need to reduce emission levels. Canon was quick to start working on eliminating VOCs and significantly reducing emissions by switching to VOCfree cleaners and paints, and introducing solvent recovery equipment.*1 At present, the company has begun to introduce non-VOC water-based paint and has significantly limited emissions in the cleaning process by switching to cleaners using low-diffusion VOCs that enable easy gas recovery. Also, Canon is introducing production equipment with recovery and recycling functions, as well as switching to VOC-free cleaning agents.

Production Equipment Capable of Recovering and Recycling Fluorine Solvents

Reducing Ozone Emissions to Approximately 1/1000 or Less Ozone-Free Electrical Charging Technology [Use]

*2 Corona discharge A discharge phenomenon that occurs when voltage is applied to a pointed (needle) electrode and produces a light (corona) that can be seen in darkness.

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Electrophotographic products such as copying machines and laser beam printers make use of an electrically charged photosensitive drum to generate images. The conventional corona charging method involves the application of voltages ranging from about 5 to 10 kV, which results in corona discharge*2 and generates ozone (O3). Eliminating the generated ozone required the introduction of an ozone filter, coupled with an airflow structure that reliably directs ozone to the filter. To address this problem, Canon developed a roller charging method that charges the photosensitive drum by applying a voltage generated through the superposing of an AC voltage over a DC voltage to a conductive roller. Compared to the corona discharge method, which dis-

charges into the air, this new method reduces ozone generation to levels no higher than about 1/1000, and voltage to about one-fifth of previous levels. The adoption of this technology eliminates the need for special systems to deal with ozone, enabling the realization of smaller copying machines and laser beam printers. Charging wire

O3 O3

O3 3 O

Photosensitive drum Corona discharge method (high air ionization)

Charging roller Photosensitive drum Roller charging method (low air ionization)

Overview of Ozone-free Electrical Charging

Dramatically Reduced Power Consumption in Standby Mode Toner Fixing Technology [Use] Input Output Exposure Optical / Medical Fundamental

In copying machines and laser beam printers, toner is fixed to the paper by heat and pressure via the fixing roller (→ P.14). With conventional fixing roller systems, the roller must be kept hot at all times by a heater located inside the roller, even when in standby mode. € On-Demand Toner-Fixing Technology (SURF) Canon’s on-demand toner-fixing technology employs a linear ceramic heater and a fixing film sleeve with high thermal conductivity and low thermal capacity. The thin fixing film is brought into contact with a ceramic heater, which operates only when the fixing film rotates, fixing the [Roller-fixing method] [On-demand fixing method] image by applying heat to the toner through the film. This Fixing-film Fixing roller sleeve mechanism eliminates the need for power while in standby Paper Paper and, in some products, realizes zero power consumption by Fixin Fixin g g the fixing unit when in standby. Imag Imag e surf e surf ace ace For color office machines, Canon developed color onCeramic Heater heater Toner Toner demand toner-fixing technology. The fixing belt uses a Pressure roller Pressure roller 3-layer structure in which a rubber layer, which improves On-demand Toner Fixing System the fixing of toner, is sandwiched between a base layer of monochrome fixing film and a surface layer. The base layer is made of either resin or metal, with the appropriate Surface layer Rubber layer material chosen for each product in accordance with difBase layer ferent product needs. Reinforcing stay Rotation direction € Induction Heating Fixing Technology Ceramic heater Fixing sleeve Laser beam printers employ Induction Heating (IH)*3 tonerHeater holder fixing, which uses a fixing roller consisting of a thin-walled Fixing Paper metal pipe with a thin coating. The roller is heated using induction heating by applying a high-frequency electrical Fixing nip current through a coil built into the roller. Because the selfDrive direction Pressure roller heating roller is subject to thermal change, ensuring duraColor On-demand Fixing System bility had posed a challenge. Following an examination of the thermal properties of materials and the mechanical characteristics of the technology, Canon achieved an Fixing roller improved roller-holding method and fixing unit structure, Heating area Core making possible the creation of a fixing roller that can produce 500,000 prints before requiring replacement. AC current Fixing To ensure stable temperature control, the company also Coils developed a low-loss, high-frequency inverter power supply. This technology reduces standby times to one-tenth of Magnetic flux Pressure roller previous wait times while cutting energy consumption by about 55% compared with previous systems (based on an IH Fixing System in-house comparison).

*3 IH (Induction Heating) A heating method found in electric rice cookers and other cooking appliances that makes use of magnetic induction.

Reducing Environmental Impact Through Resource Recycling

Virgin material Recycled material

Future

Since 1990, Canon has used numerous types of recycled plastic in exterior housings and other product parts in cooperation with resin manufacturers in Japan and abroad. “Sandwich molding,” in which individual components are formed by enclosing recycled plastic within virgin material, enables usage rates for recycled plastic of up to 30% in final products. Also, aiming for a recycled-plastic usage rate of 80% or higher, Canon has been working with molding machine manufacturers on the development of thin-walled multilayer injection molding technology that enables the use of even more recycled plastic. This technology will contribute to achieving more environmentally conscious products and reducing costs.

Environmental

Molding Technology for Plastic Recycling [Reusage]

Product Made Using Thin-walled Multi-layer Injection Molding

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Future Technologies, Today With an increasing presence in input and output devices for information and video, displays represent a technology that will open the way to the future. Focused on providing high image quality, Canon is developing next-generation displays that utilize ultra-precision processing technology, material technology, and electronics technology. Providing Next-Generation High-Quality Displays SED (Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display) With the introduction of digital HD broadcasting, homeuse HD video camcorders and next-generation DVDs have become increasingly popular, leading to the progressively widespread availability of high-definition and high-imagequality content. For viewers to fully enjoy this content, displays must provide even higher levels of image quality and offer larger viewing areas. Among video professionals, CRT (cathode ray tube) systems are acknowledged for their superior performance in terms of high-speed motion traceability and contrast, but the structure of CRTs makes it difficult to realize slim-body designs. In SEDs, electron emitters, which fulfill the role served by the electron gun in CRT systems, are distributed in a number equal to the number of pixels on the display, making it possible to create large screens with a slim profile. The electron emitters are characterized by a nanogap*1 formed between two electrodes. When voltage is applied between electrodes, electrons are emitted from one side. Some of these electrons are accelerated by voltage applied Phosphor

Electron emitter

Phosphor

between the glass substrates, and luminescence occurs when they strike the phosphor coating of the opposing substrate. With this self-illuminating structure, SEDs can realize high-resolution, slim-profile, large-screen displays while maintaining the same fast response time and high contrast as CRTs. Since SEDs convert electric energy into light with high efficiency, they also offer the advantage of low power consumption.

SED prototype Black matrix

Color filter Phosphor Glass substrate

Electron gun

Enlarged view

Luminescence

Metal back film

Electrode Electron beams

Va Electron emitter

*1 Nanogap An extremely narrow gap only several nm apart. 1 nm is one billionth of a meter, or 0.000001 mm.

Spacer

Va Glass substrate

Deflecting yoke CRT

SED

Comparison of CRT and SED

Field emission Scattering Several nm Nanogap

Vf

SED Structure

Flexible Large-Screen Displays Transparent Amorphous Oxide Semiconductor Thin Film Transistors (TFT)

*2 Thin film transistor Thin film transistors are composed of a semiconductor layer, electrodes, and insulator layers on a substrate. At present, substrates are commonly made of glass, but research is being conducted on the application to plastic materials. *3 Amorphous Noncrystalline. In contrast to a crystalline structure, atoms are not arranged in a fixed order. Compared with crystalline structures, amorphous structures make possible the uniform fabrication of thin films.

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TFTs (thin film transistors*2) are used in active matrix device circuits that have switching elements for each pixel, and are incorporated in the substrate part of LCD panels. At present, amorphous*3 or polycrystalline silicon is used in their semiconductor materials, but because silicon is covalently bound and achieving high performance in lowtemperature formation has proven difficult, new materials have been sought after. Key issues posed in this search included stability suitable for OLED displays with continuous current to each element, support for large display sizes, and low-cost manufacturing. Transparent amorphous oxides, a recently discovered semiconductor material, are metallic oxides with ionicbond properties. Because TFTs employing these materials generally operate stably at high speeds, research and development was broadly conducted in this field, and in 2004 Canon successfully formed a TFT on a transparent plastic film at room temperature. Because no glass substrates are used, this approach increases the likelihood of lightweight and flexible yet highly sturdy displays.

Canon quickly started research on TFT technology and has proceeded with the development of high-performance TFTs through joint research with the Tokyo Institute of Technology. This effort is expected to lead to larger and more flexible displays for all display technologies, especially OLEDs.

Transparent Amorphous Oxide Semiconductor TFTs Formed on Plastic Film at Room Temperature

Toward More Convenient Mobile Devices Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Displays Input

substrate with transistors and capacitors for each pixel was *4 Organic Light Emitting adopted to drive the pixels. Diode (OLED) displays Luminescence Cathode Electron injection transport layer −0.5 μm

R emission layer

G emission layer

B emission layer

RGB emission layer Hole injection transport layer

These self-luminating displays offer an array of advantages, including a broad range of color reproduction, low power consumption, the ability to provide high image quality from any viewing angle, and fast response times.

Anode

Output

Substrate

Structure of OLED Display

OLED Display (Prototype)

*5 Dopant material A material applied to the emission layer in minute quantities to increase emission performance. The type and concentration of dopant material is considered proprietary technology of the company that developed it. *6 Carrier-injection materials Carrier-injection materials include hole injection material that carries electron holes (+) to the emission layer, and electron injection transport material that carries electrons (-).

Exposure

OLED displays*4 are self-emitting displays based on the phenomenon of organic electroluminescence, which occurs when voltage is applied to excite organic materials sandwiched between two electrodes. Because they provide high image quality in a slim, lightweight design that consumes little energy, OLEDs have attracted attention as displays for mobile devices, with practical application beginning in mobile phones. Canon, aiming to realize high performance, low-cost OLED displays, carried out the development process inhouse, from organic materials to devices and processes. As the selection of organic materials is of particular importance, Canon made use of OPC materials technology employed in electrophotographic technology to develop RGB light-emitting materials made up of dopants*5 and hosts and carrier-injection materials.*6 These provide the industry’s highest levels of efficiency, color purity, and longevity for prototype panels. The system adopts a “top emission” structure that casts light to the encapsulation glass side, ensuring a wide aperture ratio to enable highly efficient light emission. Because organic membranes are color-coded using highprecision mask deposition technology to ensure that RGB luminescent materials emit light for each color, color filters and color conversion are not required. An active matrix TFT

Optical / Medical

Group Company Technologies — Tokki Corporation

Mass Producing OLED Displays OLED Manufacturing Device Technology

Fundamental

deposition of metallic electrode material, a high-temperaBecause the organic material used to manufacture OLED ture cell evaporation source is used. display panels easily deteriorates when brought into conIn the encapsulation process, a low-humidity, lowtact with water or oxygen, it is necessary to coat RGB vacuum-pressure chamber near to atmospheric pressure is emission layers and metallic electrode material in a vacfilled with nitrogen gas and adhesive is applied. uum using vacuum deposition, then bond or seal the This fully automated manufacturing system can mainsealant glass and polarization plate without any exposure tain constant operation with a cycle time of 3–5 minutes to air. Tokki, a Canon Group company, develops and manuper glass substrate for approximately one week, contributfactures cluster-type and other OLED panel manufacturing ing to the mass production and diffusion of OLED displays. equipment for the complete automation of all panel manufacturing processes. The coating process is performed with high-precision mask deposition techGreen, Blue, the electron (-) nology using a pro- The hole (+) injection layer, The completed substrates hole (+) transport layer, and injection layer, the electron (-) and encapsulation glass are transport layer, and a metallic prietary mask align- Red are deposited on a bonded. preprocessed substrate. cathode are deposited. ment mechanism that employs a CCD camera. The organic B ETL material is deposited G HTL R through evaporation, EIL and the membrane AI thickness is optiHIL mally controlled by an The encapsulation glass undergoes evaporation-rate conUV cleaning, adhesive is applied, a trol system. Because drying agent is injected, and the glass is supplied to the sealing cluster. high temperatures of around 1,000°C are necessary for the Fully Automated OLED Display Manufacturing System

Environmental Future

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Future Technologies, Today Technologies for creating future Canon products are being developed through the accumulation of research in a broad range of fields, including future digital imaging technology, robotics, and medicine. Merging the Real with the Virtual Mixed Reality Technology Mixed Reality (MR) technology refers to imaging technologies that seamlessly integrate the real and virtual worlds in real time. With numerous achievements in the field, Canon has been working on the application of MR technology through the development of the company’s head-mounted display (HMD) and registration technologies. As a key MR technology device, the video see-through HMD, which incorporates two compact built-in cameras, eliminates the parallax that would occur between the lines of sight of the observer and the camera for each eye. When wearing the HMD, computer-generated (CG) virtual objects appear to exist in real space, enabling the observer to easily grasp the scale of the virtual objects within real-world surroundings. The key to enabling the practical use of MR technology is eliminating discrepancies in alignment, timing, and image quality when merging the real and virtual worlds. Canon has developed registration technology that combines the real-space images input by the HMD’s built-in cameras and the gyro sensor on the HMD. By increasing the effective operating range, Canon aims to develop this technology for use in a range of applications.

MR technology enables design engineers to view virtual three-dimensional images to perform a variety of simulations even in the initial design stages. Exploring industrial applications for this technology is expected to yield such benefits as shorter development times and fewer prototype cycles.

Virtual world (CG)

MR (Mixed Reality)

Merging Real world HMD with built-in camera

Overview of MR Technology

Visual Inspection that Surpasses the Human Eye Robot Vision Technology

*1 Smart camera A smart camera incorporates imaging sensors and highperformance processors and is used in production line monitoring and inspection. Various controls and imaging processes are executed within the camera. Industrial cameras with a resolution in the 0.1 mm range are also available.

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Canon is developing robot vision technology capable of performing 3D positioning and orientation measurement for use with industrial machinery. While smart cameras*1 are currently available in the field of machine vision, Canon’s machine vision technology aims to realize general-purpose systems with an eye to practical application in production lines by enabling fast and precise 3D information imaging in addition to supporting a variety of target objects. The cameras that form the core of robot vision technology are intelligent cameras incorporating Canon’s exceptional image-capture and image-recognition technologies, and play the role of eyes and brains for robot hands that assemble parts. On the actual production floor, although it is important to achieve high-precision control regardless of the materials the parts are made of, Canon has been developing a camera system aimed at high-speed 3D measurement with a resolution capability significantly exceeding that of existing cameras, even when the target object is made of several different materials. Canon also intends to realize systems that facilitate easy setup by incorporating learning functions for advanced model data. This camera system, which surpasses the capabilities of human vision, will likely first be applied to the advanced automation of manufacturing processes. In the future, it will be applied to monitoring, robot eyes to assist humans, and the recording and production of 3D imaging information.

Identification of imperfections beyond human perception

Human eye

Robot eye

Visual Inspection Using a Robot Eye

Illustration of Robot Vision Technology The upper global camera finds parts and the local camera attached to the robot measures position and orientation

Developing Future Medicine with Advanced Anatomical Sensing Medical Imaging Technology Input

retinal anomalies caused by diabetes. Also, high-sensitivity broadband in a two-dimensional array and high-sensitivity atomic magnetometers, composed of materials safe for the human body, have been developed as ultrasound tomography and MRI devices. Using Canon’s image processing technology, advanced diagnostic imaging systems can be established in the fields of image processing for measured information and diagnosis support for doctors. Through joint research with domestic and foreign research institutions, in particular the Innovative TechnoHub for the Integrated Medical Bio-Imaging Project (CK Project) in cooperation with Kyoto University, Canon aims to realize the practical implementation of this technology *2 Biomolecule in the early stages of diagnosing and treating diseases.

Fluorescence

Disease site

Target recognition part Signal generation part (Antibody) (Fluorescent dye)

Example of optical measurement

Molecular probe

*3 MEMS Micro Electro Mechanical Systems: A device manufactured using semiconductor micropatterning technology.

Optical / Medical

Medical Optical Measurement Imaging Using a Molecular Probe

An organic molecule created by an organism, such as protein, nucleic acid, or sugar. Some have proteins that uniquely manifest in disease sites of cancer and other illnesses, and are known to bond with certain compounds (molecular probes).

Exposure

Excitation light

Output

Medical imaging technology enables the visualization of the structure and functions inside an organism’s body to diagnose and treat illnesses. Canon is currently conducting research and development into new technology that does not use X-ray radiation, making use of low intensity radiation, which has a lesser impact on patients, to uncover illnesses in early stages. At present, the company is moving forward with research on three measurement methods to achieve medical imaging with high sensitivity, resolution, and performance: OCT (optical coherence tomography), ultrasound tomography, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). High-performance imaging aims to measure and provide imagery for not only the structure, functions, and metabolism of organisms, but also document the behavior of specific biomolecules*2 that predict or cause illness. When visualizing biological information, biomolecules such as disease-specific proteins are tracked using molecular probes, which emit trace amounts of light, ultrasonic waves, and electromagnetic waves. Methods for catching these trace emissions are being explored, and this undertaking requires high-speed, high-precision sensing. Accordingly, Canon has developed optimal devices for each of these three variables toward the realization of high-resolution measurement. For example, adaptive mirrors have been developed using MEMS*3 technology and high-sensitivety light sensors have been developed as OCT devices, providing high-resolution images for diagnosing

Visualizing Two-Dimensional Protein Distribution Digital Mass Microscope

50 µm

Fundamental

50 µm

Secondary ion image of lipid

Total ion image

Example of Digital Mass Microscope Images (Human Lung Carcinoma Tissues)

Environmental

Protein analysis is essential for bioresearch in medicine and other fields. Canon’s digital mass microscope technology makes possible the visualization of two-dimensional protein distribution at the cellular level and is intended to benefit pathology and other medical diagnoses. Canon, with a focus on the TOF-SIMS method,*4 which measures two-dimensional distribution at the sub-micrometer*5 level, has studied novel pretreatment methods for the high-sensitive detection of protein. To date, Canon has succeeded in obtaining advanced two-dimensional distribution images by using digestive enzymes to decompose proteins into peptides, then combining them with a unique ionization-promoting reagent discovered by the company. By applying the inkjet and image processing technology the company has cultivated to its digital mass microscope technology, Canon is able to achieve new levels of sensitivity and performance. In addition, the company is looking to further advances through combinations with medical imaging technology.

Announced at the 2007 annual meeting of the Japanese Cancer Association Specimen Primary ion Secondary ion M1

M2

M3 Detector

Extractor electrode

Principle of TOF-SIMS By applying energy eU to the extractor electrode, secondary ions emitted from the specimen surface are drawn to the detector. Because the lighter ions arrive before the heavier ones, the mass of a protein can be determined by measuring the flight time of the ions

Future

Flight distance L

*4 TOF-SIMS method Time-Of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry. Although conventional methods allow the measuring of two-dimensional distribution at the submicrometer level, they destroy the protein, resulting in small fragments that are impossible to identify. *5 Sub-micrometer Greater than or equal to 0.1 μm but less than 1 μm. 1μm is one millionth of a meter.

73

Technologies Index A

Output

Input

Advanced FLAT 4 Engine Output ............................................... 36 Cleaner-Less Toner-Reuse System Registration Correction AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System) Optical ........................... 48 Analyzing Vibration and Noise with the SEA Method Fundamental ..... 66 Auto Photo Fix Output .............................................................. 31 Autofocus HDTV 100x Zoom Lens Optical ................................. 49 Auto-Registration Output .......................................................... 43 C

Optical / Medical

Exposure

Chemical Component Technologies Fundamental .......................... 62 Chemical Safety Evaluation Technology Fundamental .................... 67 ChromaLife 100+ Output ........................................................... 31 CMOS Sensors Fundamental ......................................................... 58 Cleanroom Technology CMOS Sensor Yield Improvement Technology Dark Current Reduction Technology Large-Screen Device Process Technology Low-Noise-Reading Circuit Technology Optical Utilization Technology Photodiode Potential Design Technology Pixel Miniaturization Technology Color CAPT (Canon Advanced Printing Technology) Output ........ 34 Color Management System Fundamental ...................................... 52 Communication Network Technology Fundamental ....................... 53 Device Automatic Connection Technology High-Speed Video-Communication Technology High-Speed Wireless Communication Technology Controller Architecture Output .................................................. 37 D

Future

Environmental

Fundamental

Design-Support Technologies Fundamental ................................... 65 DIGIC 4 Input ........................................................................ 23 DIGIC DV II Input ................................................................... 26 Digital Mass Microscope Future ............................................... 73 DO Lens Input ........................................................................ 25 Document Processing Technology Output .................................. 39 Document Analysis Technology High-Compression PDF Conversion Technology Outline PDF Conversion Technology Searchable PDF Conversion Technology Document Solutions Output ...................................................... 41 imageWARE (iW) Accounting Manager imageWARE Enterprise Management Console (iW Management Console) imageWARE (iW) Prepress Manager / imageWARE (iW) Print Job Manager imageWARE (iW) Secure Audit Manager imageWARE Solution Suite DRYOS Fundamental ..................................................................... 55 Dual Fixing System Output ........................................................ 43 Dynamic Layout Engine (DLE) Output ........................................ 33 E

Encoders Fundamental ................................................................. 60 Laser Rotary Encoders (LRE)

74

Micro Linear Encoders (MLE) Establishing a Testing Facility Fundamental ................................... 67 Exposure Equipment Application Platform Exposure .................... 45 F

Face and Motion Detection Technology Input .......................... 23 FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) Output .. 30 Full High-Definition (HD) CMOS Sensors Input ........................ 27 Full-Frame CMOS Sensors Input .............................................. 25 EOS Integrated Cleaning System Hybrid Infrared-Cut Low-Pass Filters Fully Automatic Noncontact Tonometer Medical .......................... 51 G

Galvano Scanner

Fundamental

...................................................... 61

H

HD Video Lenses with Image Stabilization and AF Function Input .................................................................. 27 High-Density Packaging Technologies Fundamental ....................... 65 Human-Scale Measurement and Evaluation Technologies Fundamental ............................................................ 66 I

IBF (Ion Bean Figuring) Processing Technology Fundamental .......... 63 Image Correction Technology Input ......................................... 29 Backlight correction Book-binding shadow correction Discoloration correction Dust and scratch removal Image Retrieval Technology Fundamental ...................................... 55 Image Retrieval Technology Video Retrieval Technology for Similar Images Immersion Exposure Technology Exposure .................................. 44 In-Process Visualization Technology Fundamental .......................... 57 Visualizing the ink droplet ejection process Visualizing the toner development process Visualizing the toner-fixing process iSAPS Technology Input .......................................................... 23 L

Large Concave Mirror Exposure .................................................. 46 Laser Doppler Velocimeter Fundamental ........................................ 60 L-COA Output .......................................................................... 32 LUCIA Output ........................................................................... 33 M

MEAP/MEAP-Lite Output .......................................................... 38 Medical Imaging Technology Future ......................................... 73 Micro Laser Interferometer Fundamental ....................................... 61 Mixed Reality Technology Future .............................................. 72 Molding Technologies Fundamental .............................................. 64 Glass Molding Photo Replication Plastic Molding Molding Technology for Plastic Recycling Environmental ................ 69

N

Network Cameras and Remote Video/Recording Software Optical ....................................................................... 49 High image-quality, advanced-function network cameras Network video-recording software New ARCDAT Output ................................................................ 43 New Area Autofocus Input ..................................................... 24 New Failure Analysis Method for Laser Diodes Fundamental .......... 67 Next-Generation Exposure Technology Exposure ......................... 45 O

OLED Manufacturing Device Technology Future ........................ 71 Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Displays Future ................ 71 Ozone-Free Electrical Charging Technology Environmental ............. 68 P

Pad Transfer High-Image-Quality Technology Output .................. 35 PgR (Pigment Reaction) Technology Output ............................... 31 Press Production Technologies Fundamental .................................. 65 Printing System Output ............................................................. 38 High-Speed RIP UFR II/UFR II LT Processing and Measurement System Technologies Fundamental ... 63 R

Reactive Ink Technology Output ................................................ 33 Replacing Volatile Organic Compounds Environmental ................... 68 Reusing Waste Toner Environmental .............................................. 68 Robot Vision Technology Future ................................................ 72

System LSI Integrated Design Environment Design support environment Project management environment

Fundamental

............... 56

T

Toner Cartridge Production System Fundamental ........................... 62 Toner Fixing Technology Environmental .......................................... 69 Induction Heating Fixing Technology On-Demand Toner-Fixing Technology (SURF) Transparent Amorphous Oxide Semiconductor Thin Film Transistors (TFT) Future ............................................................................. 70 Twin-Belt Fixing Device Output ................................................. 37 U

Ultra-Compact LBP Design Technology Output ........................... 35 4-in-1 Ultra-Slim Laser Scanner Slim High-Voltage Electrical Component Technology Slim Structural Design Technology Ultra-Large Stage Exposure ........................................................ 47 Ultra-Small Lens Unit with a Lens-Shift Image Stabilizer Input ....................................................................... 22 Ultrasonic Motor (USM) Fundamental ........................................... 61 User Interface (UI) Platform Technology Fundamental .................... 54 Speech UI Technology SVG UI Technology V

Vacuum Deposition Technology Exposure ................................... 47 Virtual Prototyping Technology Fundamental ................................. 64 V-Toner Output ......................................................................... 42

S

Security Technologies Output .................................................... 40 Digital Watermarking Technology Security Screen Pattern Technology SED (Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display) Future ......... 70 Simulation Technologies Fundamental ........................................... 56 Simulating the electrophotographic process Simulation of inkjet heads Stage Synchronization Control Technology Exposure ................... 45 S-Toner Output ......................................................................... 37 Subaru Telescope Optical .......................................................... 50 Mirror Surface Inspection Device Prime Focus Corrector Lens System for the Subaru Telescope

W

White LED Light Guiding

Input

............................................... 29

X

XML Technology Fundamental ...................................................... 54 Binary XML Technology Device Communication using Atom Protocol X-Ray Image Sensor Medical ...................................................... 51

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Trademarks • • • •

IBM is the abbreviation for International Business Machines Corporation. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader, and Adobe Illustrator are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. • Bluetooth is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Any implementation of this technology by Canon is under license. • UPnP is a trademark of UPnP Implementers Corporation, which established the UPnP Forum SC. • Other names of products or services are mentioned only for informational purposes and may be registered or pending trademarks of their respective owners.

Want to learn more about Canon technologies? In this section of Canon’s website you will find a variety of information, such as descriptions of Canon’s product technologies and the underlying elemental technologies, computer generated animations illustrating the basic functions of Canon products, behind-the-scenes interviews with our development staff and the Members of the Canon Academy of Technology, the Science Lab that reveals the wonders of light and nanotechnology in our daily lives, Canon’s thinking about technologies, and much more.

CANON TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS 2009 ENGLISH

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