Abstract: The present invention provides an input roller system for displacing a printing plate toward and against a plurality of registration pins located on an external drum of an imaging system. The input roller system deskews the printing plate relative to the registration pins.

Abstract: An ink jet printer including an ink-supply system having: a lower ink container, an upper ink container, a liquid droplet deposition apparatus with nozzles, wherein an ink circulator is provided for circulating ink from the lower container to the upper container and from the upper container through the liquid droplet deposition apparatus (a printhead) back into the lower container and wherein the upper container, having a bottom and side walls and containing ink forming an ink surface, has a first compartment with an inlet for ink wherein the inlet contains a flow guiding device for avoiding directional flow of the ink towards the ink surface and a second compartment, separated from the first one by a partition placed between the first and second compartments so that the two compartments communicate only in a lower part of the upper container.

Abstract: A method for selecting color value on a digital image, initializing a color modification tool to the selected color value, and then modifying the color value. After selecting a color modification tool such as a contrast LUT, a user selects a region on a digital image containing the color value to be modified. The selected region is highlighted, and a knot corresponding to the selected color value is automatically placed on the input/output LUT graph of the color modification tool. A slide bar, and a graphic readout providing the “before” and “after” values of the selected color value, are superimposed directly on the digital image adjacent the highlighted region. The user can then modify the selected color value by displacing the slide bar. The digital image, graphic readout, and the input/output LUT graph of the modification tool are updated in response to the manipulation of the slide bar, allowing the user to immediately visualize the affect of the color change on the digital image.

Abstract: A combined system for identifying a radiographic image that has been stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen and for displaying a preview image of that image on a single personal computer.

Abstract: A method for processing a radiographic image in a digital radiographic system. The image is processed to attenuate light transmitted by a diagnostically irrelevant area when a hard copy is viewed on a console screen or when the image is displayed. Information within the diagnostically irrelevant area is retained notwithstanding the processing attenuation.

Abstract: In a method of segmenting an image represented by a digital signal representation into direct exposure area and diagnostically relevant area, the local centroids of the histogram of the image are calculated. A set of archetype histograms with associated threshold value is generated. An archetype histogram is selected on the basis of correspondence of location and strength of its local centroids with that of the calculated local centroids. The threshold value associated with the selected archetype histogram is applied to the image so as to form a bitmap image comprising a different label for pixels of direct exposure area and for pixels of diagnostically relevant area.

Abstract: Method of evaluating image processing performed on a radiographic image. Method and apparatus for reading a radiation image stored in a photostimulable phosphor sheet or on a photographic film provided with the possibility of convenient evaluation of the performed image processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a supply roll to a rotatable support shaft in an imaging system. The apparatus includes a first collet/collar assembly for accurately positioning the supply roll at a desired location on the support shaft, and a second collet/collar assembly for frictionally coupling the support shaft to an interior surface of a supply core of the supply roll using a deformable gland.

Abstract: The present invention provides a media handling system for an imaging system, such as an external drum platesetter. Separate input and output trays are provided, thereby allowing pre-staging of a second printing plate while a first printing plate is being imaged. The input tray is positioned over the output tray to reduce the floor space (i.e., footprint) of the imaging system.

Abstract: A detail area of a low resolution preview scan is selected to determine the quality of a subsequent high resolution scan. A detail window containing high resolution image data corresponding to the selected detail area is displayed as soon as it becomes available during the high resolution scan. Based on the quality of the high resolution image data displayed within the detail window, the scanning operator can prematurely terminate the high resolution scan of the image prior to completion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding recording media against a media support surface of an imaging system using an arrangement of variable cross-section vacuum grooves. Each vacuum groove has a continuously decreasing cross-section along its length. Each vacuum groove has a maximum cross-section adjacent a vacuum port and a minimum cross-section at a distal end of the vacuum groove.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extruded external drum for an imaging system. The external drum is extruded from a light-weight and strong material such as an aluminum alloy. The external drum includes a thin outer wall, a hollow cylindrical hub, and a plurality of thin radial spokes extending between the cylindrical hub and the outer wall. The present invention provides a stiff external drum having low rotational inertia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for scanning original images wherein the original images are scanned by a scanner and processed in a computer workstation. The scanning of an original image is carried out simultaneously with the processing of at least one other original image. A method and apparatus for scanning an original image wherein the original image is scanned in bands by a scanner and processed in a computer workstation. The scanning of one band is carried out simultaneously with the processing of at least one other band.

Abstract: The present invention eliminates artifacts in an image formed using a plurality of imaging sources. Visible seams in the image are eliminated by randomizing the stitch point between the scan lines produced by each imaging source. The randomization may be optimized by additionally applying a method for relocating the random stitch point based on the data content of the scan line, adjacent scan lines, and other criteria. The present invention further compensates for in-scan and cross-scan errors caused by thermally induced errors, spinner synchronization errors, mechanical misalignment, and other factors associated with the use of a plurality of imaging systems. A photodetector system, comprising a mask having a pair of triangular openings, provides measurements of the in-scan and cross-scan errors.

Abstract: An imaging system including a one-piece aluminum internal drum casting having reduced weight and increased stiffness. The internal drum is mounted to the frame structure of the imaging system using a plurality of mounts positioned in a plane substantially along the center of gravity of the internal drum. The mounts reduce the amount of sway of the internal drum within the frame structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and removing chaff from an internal drum imaging system. The chaff collection apparatus includes a chaff tray coupled to the internal drum below the side punches. The chaff tray includes a cover comprising a plurality of evenly spaced frangible fingers. A specific set of the fingers is removed from the cover according to the locations of the side punches on the internal drum. In this manner, only the portions of the cover below the side punches are open to the interior of the chaff tray. The chaff produced by each punch passes into the chaff tray through a respective opening in the cover, and is captured within the chaff tray. The areas of the cover of the chaff tray that are not located below the side punches remain covered by the remaining frangible fingers, thereby preventing chaff from escaping the chaff tray.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus providing separate fixed object focal planes for transmissive and reflective original documents to be scanned, wherein a scan carriage containing illumination, sensor, and optical elements is moved together to scan an original document and to obtain a digitized representation thereof. The movable scan carriage has an illumination source disposed between the reflective and transmissive object focal planes, with the object focal plane to be used selected by changing the position of one or more optical elements within the scan carriage. The resolution of the digitized representation of the scanned original document can be determined independently of the selection of object focal plane.

Abstract: A system for holding recording media onto a media support surface, comprises, a media support element including a media support surface and a second side, substantially opposing the media support surface. A plurality of vacuum ports pass from the media support surface to the second side and communicate with a device for drawing air through each of the plurality of vacuum ports to hold the recording media against said media support surface. A sequencing manifold connected between the device for drawing air and the plurality of vacuum ports selectively draws air through a portion of the plurality of vacuum ports over a region substantially matching the size of the recording media.

Abstract: A visual control strip for imageable media such as a printing plate, a photographic film or a printable substrate is described wherein the visual control strip is to be applied to the imageable medium. The control strip includes a plurality of first control fields having differing grey tone values which are relatively insensitive to the processing variables which influence the size of the spots or dots produced on the imaged medium. The control strip also includes at least one second control field which is relatively sensitive to these process variables. The second control field is located immediately adjacent to the first insensitive control fields for ease of comparison. The second sensitive control field has a target grey tone value which may typically be 25%, 50% or 75%. To improve assessment of exposure parameters, the insensitive fields are completely surrounded by a sensitive field or vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention eliminates artifacts in an image formed using a plurality of imaging sources. Visible seams in the image are eliminated by randomizing the stitch point between the scan lines produced by each imaging source. The randomization may be optimized by additionally applying a method for relocating the random stitch point based on the data content of the scan line, adjacent scan lines, and other criteria. The present invention further compensates for in-scan and cross-scan errors caused by thermally induced errors, spinner synchronization errors, mechanical misalignment, and other factors associated with the use of a plurality of imaging systems. A photodetector system, comprising a mask having a pair of triangular openings, provides measurements of the in-scan and cross-scan errors.