Abstract: A system for setting up a printing station (136), the printing station (136) includes printing rollers (110, 114, 116), the printing rollers (110, 114, 116) including at least one ink transferring roller (110, 114) and an impression roller (116). The system includes a camera (104), an actuator interface (106) and a processor (102), the actuator interface (106) being coupled with at least one actuator (108, 112), the processor (102) being coupled with the camera (104) and with the actuator interface (106), the actuator interface (106) directing the at least one actuator (108, 112) to move at least one printing roller (110, 114, 116) of the printing press (1OO). The processor (102) receives an output from the camera (104), the processor (102) determining at least one no print threshold respective of each adjacent pair of the printing rollers, according to the output respective of the absence or presence of the representative impression (132).

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed which include a string of units including at least two electrical energy producing units connected in series and providing string current. Each of the units is adapted to provide the electrical energy via output terminals. The apparatus further comprising a current equalization unit. The current equalization unit is adapted to individually control the magnitude and direction of current via that current equalization unit so that the algebraic sum of the current produced by its respective electrical energy producing unit when operated at a defined operational point and the current flowing via said current equalization unit equals to said string current. The operation of the apparatus enables transfer of energy from units with high production capacity to units with low production capacity without having to use a dedicated bus for that. The energy is transferred via the cabling of the string.

Abstract: A system detects an object contour with an image acquisition assembly, the object moving relative to the assembly. A line detector scans the surface line by line during a scan cycle, the line being transverse to the relative motion direction. During active periods, a light source emits light synchronized with the scan cycle, allowing the line detector to acquire a first group of at least one lit scan line. A second group of unlit scan line(s) is acquired during non-emitting idle periods. The object passes between the line detector and the light source. A processor receives and analyzes acquired scan lines. For each lit scan line group and a successive second unlit scan line group, the processor identifies a token pattern with a lit segment adjoining an unlit segment. The processor searches the first and second groups for the token pattern ending or reappearing to produce an object contour.

Abstract: Method for approximating the spectrum of a plurality of color samples, the method including the procedures of measuring the color of a reference color sample in a color space, determining a reference sample estimated spectrum from the measured color, measuring the actual spectrum of the reference color sample, determining a spectral delta from the difference between the reference sample estimated spectrum and the actual spectrum, measuring the color of each of the color samples, for each of the color samples, determining a sample estimated spectrum from the measured color, and for each of the color samples, determining a sample approximated spectrum by adding the spectral delta to the respective sample estimated spectrum.

Abstract: A system for detecting the contour of an object situated on a surface includes an image acquisition assembly, wherein there is relative motion between the image acquisition assembly and the object. The image acquisition assembly includes a line detector, operable for scanning the surface line by line by virtue of the relative motion. Each line is scanned during a scan cycle, the line being transverse to the direction of the relative motion. A light source is operable for emitting light toward the line detector during active periods between idle periods, such that during each of the active periods the light is emitted for at least one cycle synchronized with the scan cycle, allowing the line detector to acquire a first group of at least one lit scan line. During each of the idle periods lasting for at least another cycle synchronized with the scan cycle, no light is emitted, allowing the line detector to acquire a second group of at least one unlit scan line.

Abstract: A system for setting up a printing station (136), the printing station (136) includes printing rollers (110, 114, 116), the printing rollers (110, 114, 116) including at least one ink transferring roller (110, 114) and an impression roller (116). The system includes a camera (104), an actuator interface (106) and a processor (102), the actuator interface (106) being coupled with at least one actuator (108, 112), the processor (102) being coupled with the camera (104) and with the actuator interface (106), the actuator interface (106) directing the at least one actuator (108, 112) to move at least one printing roller (110, 114, 116) of the printing press (100). The processor (102) receives an output from the camera (104), the processor (102) determining at least one no print threshold respective of each adjacent pair of the printing rollers, according to the output respective of the absence or presence of the representative impression (132).

Abstract: A system and a method for photovoltaic thin film quality control. The system illuminates an area of photovoltaic film, acquires the illuminated area and compares it with a predetermined i A system and a method for photovoltaic thin film quality control. The system illuminates an area of photovoltaic film, acquires the illuminated area and compares it with a predetermined image. The difference between the images indicates on presence of photovoltaic thin film defects.

Abstract: Method for approximating the spectrum of a plurality of color samples, the method including the procedures of measuring the color of a reference color sample in a color space, determining a reference sample estimated spectrum from the measured color, measuring the actual spectrum of the reference color sample, determining a spectral delta from the difference between the reference sample estimated spectrum and the actual spectrum, measuring the color of each of the color samples, for each of the color samples, determining a sample estimated spectrum from the measured color, and for each of the color samples, determining a sample approximated spectrum by adding the spectral delta to the respective sample estimated spectrum.

Abstract: System for inspecting a surface, the system including a light source, a first transparent mirror, and a detector, wherein the light source projects a first light beam on the first transparent mirror, the first transparent mirror reflects the first light beam towards the surface in a direction normal to the surface, and wherein the detector detects a second light beam reflected from the surface, in a normal direction, through the first transparent mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing shade effects associated with print quality control, typically generated while viewing or imaging a partly transparent/partly opaque printed material against a light diffusing surface. The reduction in shade effects is by illuminating the printed material from above and viewing or imaging the printed material against a multiple volume light scatterer, thereby redistributing at least part of the light, such that at least part of the scattered light illuminates shaded regions in the image or view obtained.

Abstract: A method for color measurement and control and a color measurement and control system for determining during printing, on-press, the color value of at least one location on a printed substrate. The color measurement and control system includes a camera for acquiring an image of an area of the printed substrate, a color measurement device for measuring a color value of a location of the printed substrate, the color measurement device and the camera are operating substantially simultaneously, and a processing unit for receiving the image captured by the camera and the color measurement and for providing a position of the location with respect to the image employing the image itself. The processing unit is also operative to provide a color value of a desired position, the desired position is selected from the determined position and a position other than the determined position.

Abstract: A method and a device for evaluating a printing process, which can be used for determining a measurement to be exercised for controlling the printing process. The method comprising the steps of calculating a multidimensional data representation of a reference image, and clustering the multidimensional data representation into at least one cluster of data according to at least one multidimensional clustering algorithm. The device comprising calculating means for calculating a multidimensional data representation of a reference image and clustering means for clustering the multidimensional data representation into at least one cluster of data according to at least one multidimensional clustering algorithm. Each of the clusters of data serves for determining at least one feature of measurement of the reference image. The features of measurement serve for selecting at least one type of physical measurement to be performed on a printed image.