Abstract: A system and processes for the accurate measurement and control of image color values on a printing press with or without the presence of a color bar. More particularly, a universal closed loop color control system and processes for controlling the color quality of color images printed on a substrate online or offline, with or without a color bar printed on the substrate. The system may be run in a “Color Bar Mode” and scan simple rectangular color patches corresponding to each ink key in the print units, or can run in “Gray Spot Mode” and maintain overall target ink density values on the substrate as well as gray balance if the job has critical half tone images, or if the color bar is obtrusive on the job.

Abstract: A system and processes for the accurate measurement and control of image color values on a printing press with or without the presence of a color bar. More particularly, a barless color control system and processes for controlling the color quality of color images printed on a substrate online or offline, with or without a color bar printed on the substrate. The system provides an efficient and inexpensive method for barless closed loop color control and the processes are conducted without pixel-by-pixel comparisons.

Abstract: A system for the accurate measurement and control of image color density on an operating printing press. The method and apparatus control the printing of a multicolored image by controlling the amount of each of the inks used to print an image based on the color densities of each of the inks detected in printed images. The process includes controlling the positioning and linear movement of a strobe and a digital video camera across a substrate having images printed thereon; illuminating the images with a strobe; selecting and acquiring the images via a digital video camera and producing a digitized representation thereof; selecting a portion of the images; measuring and analyzing the color intensity of the selected portion of the images and producing reflective density values thereof, and storing said reflective density values in a first memory; comparing the reflective density values for the portion of the images to standard density values in a second memory for the portion of the images.

Abstract: A system for the accurate measurement and control of image color density on an operating printing press. The method and apparatus control the printing of a multicolored image by controlling the amount of each of the inks used to print an image based on the color densities of each of the inks detected in printed images. The process includes controlling the positioning and linear movement of a strobe and a digital video camera across a substrate having images printed thereon; illuminating the images with a strobe; selecting and acquiring the images via a digital video camera and producing a digitized representation thereof; selecting a portion of the images; measuring and analyzing the color intensity of the selected portion of the images and producing reflective density values thereof, and storing said reflective density values in a first memory; comparing the reflective density values for the portion of the images to standard density values in a second memory for the portion of the images.

Abstract: A Color Register Control system used to maintain close registration between colors printed on a surface by various printing cylinders. The control system acquires an image of a cluster of register marks printed by various printing cylinders. The register mark is a geometrically unique mark, The mark cluster is acquired by the camera and each mark pattern is identified by checking shape of individual marks. Resulting location of a mark is used to compute and correct registration errors. The image is analyzed to identify marks printed by various printing cylinders. Register error is determined by computing the lateral and circumferential distance between marks printed by a print cylinder and a master print cylinder. Any error detected in this process is corrected by activating correction motors typically stepper motors, on print cylinders. The control utilizes a commercially available IBM-PC compatible computer, which can accept additional boards in the expansion slots for indicated purposes.