Abstract: A printing system comprises an intermediate transfer member (ITM), an image forming station, a conveyer for driving rotation of the ITM, and a treatment station disposed downstream of the impression station and upstream of the image forming station configured for coating the ITM surface with a layer of a liquid treatment formulation, the treatment station comprising an applicator for applying the liquid treatment formulation to the ITM, a coating thickness-regulation assembly comprising a plurality of blades, a blade-replacement mechanism, and a blade-replacement controller for controlling the blade-replacement mechanism.

Abstract: Printing apparatus (20) includes a continuous blanket (24) and a set of motorized rollers (31), which advance the blanket at a constant speed through an image area. One or more print bars (38) eject droplets of ink at respective locations onto the blanket in the image area. One or more monitoring rollers (42), in proximity to the locations of the print bars, contact the blanket so as to be rotated by advancement of the blanket. Each monitoring roller includes an encoder (44), which outputs a signal indicative of a rotation angle of the monitoring roller. A control unit (40) collects, during a calibration phase, the signal from the encoders over multiple rotations of the monitoring rollers and computes runout correction factors. During an operational phase, the control unit synchronizes ejection of the droplets from the print bars using the computed runout correction factors.

Abstract: A method for discrimination between a first (308) and a second surface (304) type based on reflectivity has a light source (416) that illuminates on a media surface. A photosensor (420) receives and measures the reflection value from the surface. A first gain element adjusts a voltage from the photosensor and a second gain element adjusts a current measurement supplied to the light source. A subtractor (530) for subtracting the first adjusted voltage (534) and the adjusted measurement (538) are subtracted to provide an output value close to zero with respect to the second surface and near a maximum with respect to the first surface. The adjusted reflection value and a threshold reference value (428) are compared (124) and indicates whether the first surface or the second surface is present.

Abstract: An apparatus for discrimination between a first (308) and a second surface (304) type based on reflectivity has a light source (416) that illuminates on a media surface. A photosensor (420) receives and measures the reflection value from the surface. A first gain element adjusts a voltage from the photosensor and a second gain element adjusts a current measurement supplied to the light source. A subtractor (530) for subtracting the first adjusted voltage (534) and the adjusted measurement (538) are subtracted to provide an output value close to zero with respect to the second surface and near a maximum with respect to the first surface. The adjusted reflection value and a threshold reference value (428) are compared (124) and indicates whether the first surface or the second surface is present.

Abstract: An autofocus imaging apparatus (200) for three-dimensional imaging on a surface of a flexible media mounted on a cylindrical drum (104) includes a carriage (210) which moves parallel to a surface of the drum and an imaging stage (208) mounted on the carriage. The imaging stage includes a displacement sensor (112) for measuring a distance to the surface of the flexible media; imaging optics (216) for producing a three-dimensional image on the flexible media; and an autofocus drive (220) for changing a focus of the imaging optics. Encoders (256, 260) provide data on the drum and carriage position. A controller (116) receives and processes data from the displacement sensor and the encoders. A computer (236) receives data from the controller, processes controller data, and transmits instructions to the controller. The controller receives computer instructions and transmits focus commands to the autofocus drive or the imaging stage.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to alert on an abnormal condition inside of a fiber bundle (116). The apparatus includes an air pipe (112) configured inside of the fiber bundle, an air compression element adapted to apply air into the air pipe, at least one sensor (124, 128, 132, 136, 148) configured in combination with the air pipe wherein at least one sensor is coupled to at least one location on the air pipe. An alerting element (172, 308) is configured to notify on an abnormal measurements of at least one sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for discrimination between a first (308) and a second surface (304) type based on reflectivity has a light source (416) that illuminates on a media surface. A photosensor (420) receives and measures the reflection value from the surface. A first gain element adjusts a voltage from the photosensor and a second gain element adjusts a current measurement supplied to the light source. A subtractor (530) for subtracting the first adjusted voltage (534) and the adjusted measurement (538) are subtracted to provide an output value close to zero with respect to the second surface and near a maximum with respect to the first surface. The adjusted reflection value and a threshold reference value (428) are compared (124) and indicates whether the first surface or the second surface is present.

Abstract: A method for discrimination between a first (308) and a second surface (304) type based on reflectivity has a light source (416) that illuminates on a media surface. A photosensor (420) receives and measures the reflection value from the surface. A first gain element adjusts a voltage from the photosensor and a second gain element adjusts a current measurement supplied to the light source. A subtractor (530) for subtracting the first adjusted voltage (534) and the adjusted measurement (538) are subtracted to provide an output value close to zero with respect to the second surface and near a maximum with respect to the first surface. The adjusted reflection value and a threshold reference value (428) are compared (124) and indicates whether the first surface or the second surface is present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optically adjusting a computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging head which includes an a light source (104), optical fiber (124) for transmitting light emitted from the light source; an imaging lens (204) for focusing light emitted from a distal end of the optical fiber (128) on a substrate; wherein a portion of light striking the substrate is reflected back to the distal end of the optical fiber; a fiber optic coupler (116) in the optical fiber which transmits the reflected light to a light detector (112); wherein the light detector measures intensity of the reflected light; and a control unit configured to adjust the imaging head according to the intensity of the reflected light.

Abstract: An autofocus imaging apparatus (200) for three-dimensional imaging on a surface of a flexible media mounted on a cylindrical drum (104) includes a carriage (210) which moves parallel to a surface of the drum and an imaging stage (208) mounted on the carriage. The imaging stage includes a displacement sensor (112) for measuring a distance to the surface of the flexible media; imaging optics (216) for producing a three-dimensional image on the flexible media; and an autofocus drive (220) for changing a focus of the imaging optics. Encoders (256, 260) provide data on the drum and carriage position. A controller (116) receives and processes data from the displacement sensor and the encoders. A computer (236) receives data from the controller, processes controller data, and transmits instructions to the controller. The controller receives computer instructions and transmits focus commands to the autofocus drive or the imaging stage.

Abstract: A method for three-dimensional imaging on a surface of a flexible media mounted on a cylindrical drum (104) or sleeve by laser ablation includes mounting the flexible media on the cylindrical drum; measuring a distance to the surface structure of the flexible media with a displacement sensor (112) correlated with drum and carriage (210) position; sending the distance measurement and the drum and carriage position to a computer (236) processing the distance measurement and drum and carriage position to compute a change in focus of an optical system; changing a focus of the optical system; and imaging the flexible media with the imaging optics (216).

Abstract: An apparatus designed to alert on an abnormal condition inside of a fiber bundle (116). The apparatus includes an air pipe (112) configured inside of the fiber bundle, an air compression element adapted to apply air into the air pipe, at least one sensor (124, 128, 132, 136, 148) configured in combination with the air pipe wherein at least one sensor is coupled to at least one location on the air pipe. An alerting element (172, 308) is configured to notify on an abnormal measurements of at least one sensor.

Abstract: A collision detection system (100) configured to detect collision between two objects, where first protected object (104) moves in the direction of a second protected object (108). A collision detection element (156, 112, 120, 136, 124) is attached to the first object, the collision element includes: an air flow source (156) configured to apply an air stream (116) in the direction of the second object, a pressure sensitive element (120) configured to sense the generated air pressure in the area (160) between the first object and the second object, a pressure data analysis module (140) attached to the pressure sensitive element. The pressure data analysis module configured to analyze the pressure levels generated, and an alert element (164, 144) configured to alert on an abnormal distance range between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optically adjusting a computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging head which includes an a light source (104), optical fiber (124) for transmitting light emitted from the light source; an imaging lens (204) for focusing light emitted from a distal end of the optical fiber (128) on a substrate; wherein a portion of light striking the substrate is reflected back to the distal end of the optical fiber; a fiber optic coupler (116) in the optical fiber which transmits the reflected light to a light detector (112); wherein the light detector measures intensity of the reflected light; and a control unit configured to adjust the imaging head according to the intensity of the reflected light.

Abstract: A method for operating an input-cell comprises: receiving a sensor input signal, a digital-bias first control input and a second control input and, using a first resistor network to apply an analog pull-up bias to the sensor input signal when the bias of the first control input is in a first digital state. To provide a path for at least a portion of the first resistor network to a ground to cause the first resistor network to apply a pull-down bias to the sensor input signal when the bias of the first control input is in a second digital state. Receiving a voltage reference and an input waveform signal; using a second resistor network to apply to the input waveform signal to a comparator when the bias of the second control input is in a first digital state and, to apply a biased and attenuated input waveform signal to the comparator when the bias of the second control input is in a second digital state.

Abstract: A method for measuring a distance between an object (256) and a light source (230) and sensing an object orientation includes applying light from a plurality of sources (230, 240 or 810) on the object; detecting a reflected energy (270) level from an object; measuring the reflected energy level from the object; computing a distance calibration function; determining at least one measuring range (301) indicated by a minimum value (302) and a maximum value (304) within the distance calibration function; computing an angle calibration function indicating energy level relation sampled at predetermined time slots within periods of a modulation function; and modulating each of the plurality of light sources with the modulation function (435, 445) such that a total energy applied from the plurality of light sources on the object during the time of the light emission is represented by a light emission predetermined function.

Abstract: A configurable electronic controller system used for signal acquisition of input sensors and control of output loads, connected respectively to the configurable controller, can be re-configured to perform diagnostics on same input sensors and output loads. The diagnostic results provide information on the viability of the tested input sensors and output loads as well as the existence of shorts between input signal lines, while still connected to the sensors.

Abstract: A system and method for acquisition and conditioning of a signal received from a light sensor generating an input signal in proportion to a sensed amount of light, the system utilizing an operational amplifier with first and second feedback loops to render the output signal of a control circuit, part of the second feedback loop, in proportional relationship to the input signal across the range of output signals from the light sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for acquisition and conditioning of a signal received from a light sensor generating an input signal in proportion to a sensed amount of light, the system utilizing an operational amplifier with first and second feedback loops to render the output signal of a control circuit, part of the second feedback loop, in proportional relationship to the input signal across the range of output signals from the light sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measurement of capacitance by use of an adaptive input-cell circuitry, part of a configurable electronic controller, or generally by a computer controlled adaptive input-cell. The input-cell comprises a comparator, two transistor switches and resistor networks, respectively connected to the comparator and two switches. The input-cell receives control signals to the transistor switches and a synchronization waveform input from the configurable electronic controller or computer. The input-cell measures the capacitance connected at its input or alternatively the self-capacitance of an open conductor. The input-cell converts the input signal parameters into time-based signals, which cumulative count are related to the value of the measured capacitance.