Abstract: Digital process controller and a method for controlling a production process of a complex composed end product by process jobs. Each process job is a pre-print job, a print job or a finishing job. The digital process controller is connected to a digital network, provided with a user interface and configured to receive print content and print and finishing specifications of the complex composed end product via the digital network, to receive a selection of a process recipe for the complex composed end product, the process recipe comprising a plurality of process steps and the relationships between the process steps, to decompose the production of the complex composed end product into the plurality of process steps in the process recipe, to execute the process recipe process step by process step, to validate each process step individually, and to display the validation result of each process step at the user interface.

Abstract: Digital process controller and a method for controlling a production process of a complex composed end product by process jobs. Each process job is a pre-print job, a print job or a finishing job. The digital process controller is connected to a digital network, provided with a user interface and configured to receive print content and print and finishing specifications of the complex composed end product via the digital network, to receive a selection of a process recipe for the complex composed end product, the process recipe comprising a plurality of process steps and the relationships between the process steps, to decompose the production of the complex composed end product into the plurality of process steps in the process recipe, to execute the process recipe process step by process step, to validate each process step individually, and to display the validation result of each process step at the user interface.

Abstract: A method for printing digital images on at least one input roll of media in order to form at least one output roll by means of a roll-to-roll printing system is disclosed. The roll-to-roll printing system includes a digital image queue including an entry for each digital image to be printed. The method includes registering in an entry of the digital image queue a first digital item identifying the digital image and digital items of print properties of the digital image, printing the digital image according to the order of the entry in the digital image queue, and registering in the entry a second digital item identifying an input roll on which the digital image is going to be printed and a third digital item identifying an output roll on which the printed digital image is going to be wound. A roll-to-roll printing system is configured to apply the method.

Abstract: A method for printing digital images on at least one input roll of media in order to form at least one output roll by means of a roll-to-roll printing system is disclosed. The roll-to-roll printing system includes a digital image queue including an entry for each digital image to be printed. The method includes registering in an entry of the digital image queue a first digital item identifying the digital image and digital items of print properties of the digital image, printing the digital image according to the order of the entry in the digital image queue, and registering in the entry a second digital item identifying an input roll on which the digital image is going to be printed and a third digital item identifying an output roll on which the printed digital image is going to be wound. A roll-to-roll printing system is configured to apply the method.

Abstract: An electronic beacon is used in a print system connected to an at least partially wireless network system. The electronic beacon is linkable to the print job via the network system, placeable on top of, attachable to or insertable in a physical intermediate product or a physical end product resulting from the print job. The electronic beacon includes a switch for activating and deactivating the electronic beacon, a memory for storing a link to the print job, and a signaling device for giving an electronic signal when the print job linked to the electronic beacon is selected on a mobile device connected to the network system.

Abstract: An electronic beacon is used in a print system connected to an at least partially wireless network system. The electronic beacon is linkable to the print job via the network system, placeable on top of, attachable to or insertable in a physical intermediate product or a physical end product resulting from the print job. The electronic beacon includes a switch for activating and deactivating the electronic beacon, a memory for storing a link to the print job, and a signaling device for giving an electronic signal when the print job linked to the electronic beacon is selected on a mobile device connected to the network system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing documents on an image-forming apparatus, which is able to handle a plurality of settings, each setting settable to any of a number of setting values, the method comprising the steps of defining a first subset of the settings, defining a second subset of the settings, disjunctive from the first subset, for each setting of the first subset setting any of a number of setting values, which are selectable for the setting, for each setting of the second subset leaving the corresponding setting values unset, and for each document to be processed, creating a job for processing the digital document, associating the first and second subset and the setting values of the first subset with the job, interactively setting a setting value for each setting of the second subset, submitting the job with the setting values of the first and second subset to the image-forming apparatus, and processing the document by means of the image-forming apparatus according to the setting valu

Abstract: A method and system for printing documents on a network printer, are provided. The method includes defining a print job at a user's source station for printing in the printer. The print job includes print data and print process parameters. The print process parameters include a specification of a print media for printing images according to the print data, each media having print media properties. The defining step includes a generic print media specifying process, in which a print media for printing images according to the print data is selected by the user within constraints of a general set of media available for any user of the printer. The defining step also includes an alternative, specific, print media specifying process, in which a job-proprietary print media not included in the general set is specified by entering a free-form definition character string, as an identifying property of the job-proprietary media.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that is arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate, the lithographic apparatus has a substrate table configured to hold a substrate. The substrate table includes a conditioning system configured to hold a conditioning fluid and to condition the substrate table. The conditioning system includes a pressure damper that is in fluid communication with the conditioning system and is arranged to dampen a pressure variation in the conditioning system.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus has a plurality of substrate holders arranged to hold substrates, each substrate holder having a conduit therein for passing a temperature control fluid. The thermal responses of the different substrate holders are calibrated and flow rates calculated and used so that all the holders return to a predetermined temperature in the same time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for correcting thermally-induced field deformations of a lithographically exposed substrate. First, a model is provided to predict thermally-induced field deformation information of a plurality of fields of the substrate. The pre-specified exposure information used to configure an exposure of the fields is then modified based on the thermally-induced deformation information as predicted by the model. Finally a pattern is exposed onto the fields in accordance with the pre-specified exposure information as modified. The predicting of thermally-induced field deformation information by the model includes predicting of deformation effects of selected points on the substrate. It is based on a time-decaying characteristic as energy is transported across substrate; and a distance between the selected points and an edge of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for correcting thermally-induced field deformations of a lithographically exposed substrate. First, a model is provided to predict thermally-induced field deformation information of a plurality of fields of the substrate. The pre-specified exposure information used to configure an exposure of the fields is then modified based on the thermally-induced deformation information as predicted by the model. Finally a pattern is exposed onto the fields in accordance with the pre-specified exposure information as modified. The predicting of thermally-induced field deformation information by the model includes predicting of deformation effects of selected points on the substrate. It is based on a time-decaying characteristic as energy is transported across substrate; and a distance between the selected points and an edge of the substrate.

Abstract: In calibration of overlay performance of an immersion lithographic apparatus, two sets of overlay data are obtained from exposures carried out using, for example, normal and reversed meanders. The two data sets can then be used to eliminate effects due to substrate cooling.

Abstract: In network printing system including workstations and printers interconnected by a network, remotely generated interactive print jobs are stored at the printer and activated from a workstation either through a network-specific interface or a web-browser-based interface. Interactive print jobs are print jobs that are automatically stored in the printer memory and not printed unless they are explicitly activated by a user. Interactive print jobs waiting to be activated are upon request listed on the display screen of the workstation and may be selected by the user. Upon a print command issued at the workstation in respect of one or more selected print jobs, the job data are fetched from the local printer storage and processed by the printer.

Abstract: A method of managing a queue of print jobs in a printer is disclosed, wherein the jobs are created by specifying print data and print parameters for each job, and the jobs are put into the print queue, and wherein, before print processing of a job in the queue begins, a start condition for the job is checked and printing is started only when the start condition is fulfilled. The method includes steps of checking a status of mode indicator specifying whether the printer is in a “keep going” mode or a “keep sequence” mode; and, when a job in the queue is reached for which the start condition is not fulfilled, postponing print processing of this job and proceeding with a next job, if any, for which the start condition is fulfilled, if the printer is in the “keep going” mode, or stopping print processing, if the printer is in the “keep sequence” mode.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a substrate support that is constructed to support a substrate, and a projection system that is configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The substrate support is arranged to move the substrate along a predetermined trajectory of subsequently targeted target portions of the substrate. The substrate support includes a duct configuration for providing thermal stabilization to the substrate. The duct configuration is arranged to duct thermally stabilizing media in the support, and to substantially duct the media away from a part of the substrate support that supports the target portion via parts of the substrate support that support previously targeted portions of the substrate, so as to keep subsequently targeted target portions thermally stable.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed having a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and a substrate with liquid, a barrier member arranged to substantially contain the liquid within the space, and one or more elements to control and/or compensate for evaporation of liquid from the substrate.

Abstract: A method and system for printing documents on a network printer, are provided. The method includes defining a print job at a user's source station for printing in the printer. The print job includes print data and print process parameters. The print process parameters include a specification of a print media for printing images according to the print data, each media having print media properties. The defining step includes a generic print media specifying process, in which a print media for printing images according to the print data is selected by the user within constraints of a general set of media available for any user of the printer. The defining step also includes an alternative, specific, print media specifying process, in which a job-proprietary print media not included in the general set is specified by entering a free-form definition character string, as an identifying property of the job-proprietary media.

Abstract: In an information processing system including workstations and printers interconnected by a network, current collective status information of a set of print jobs of a user is displayed permanently in icon form on the screen of the workstation of the user. The status is presented as one of three possible states: (1) active: there is still at least one print job of the set not ready; (2) passive: all the jobs of the set are ready, or the set is empty; or (3) error: a job of the set has caused an error in the printer. The set can include all the print jobs of a user, or a selection thereof. In response to a double mouse click on an icon, extensive information concerning the print jobs of the set to which the icon relates is displayed. As an alternative to permanent presentation in icon form, presentation can also be in the form of messages on the screen at the user's workstation when the status of the set changes.

Abstract: An image reproduction device is provided with an automatic feed unit for documents; a double-sheet detector for detecting more than one sheet as the document for copying; an operator control unit provided with an operator control panel; and a control unit for controlling the automatic feed unit, processing the signal from the double-sheet detector and controlling the operator control unit. The device which is also provided with an operator control unit adapted to offer a choice between switching the double-sheet detector on or off is thus suitable for the image reproduction of documents in cases in which, dependent on the presence of documents consisting of more than one sheet, the operator is offered the free choice of adapting the operation of the image reproduction device thereto.