Abstract: A method is provided for forming an image of a pattern of features on media which includes determining a pitch of the features along first and second directions and determining a first size of a first pixel based at least on the pitch of the features along the first direction. A second size of a second pixel is determined based at least on the pitch of the features along the second direction. An offset is determined along the scan direction between a first and second scan-line of pixels, based at least on the skew angle and the first size. The imaging head is controlled to form the first pixel comprising the determined first size and the second pixel comprising the determined second size. The imaging head is controlled to form the first scan-line and the second scan-line, offset from one another by the determined offset.

Abstract: A method for improving image contrast for a display apparatus obtains a frame of image data having one or more code values for each pixel in the frame of image data, analyzes the frame of image data to identify a distribution of dark regions therein. The method further adjusts at least one of the one or more code values for the frame of image data according to the distribution of dark regions in the frame of image data and attenuates a brightness level available for the image frame according to the distribution of dark regions in the frame of image data.

Abstract: Methods are provided for imaging patterns on a media. The steps of the method include operating a first imaging head with individually addressable channels to direct imaging beams to form a first image on the media while scanning over the media along a scan path. A second imaging head with individually addressable channels is operated, either at the same time or a different time, to direct imaging beams to form a second image on the media while scanning over the media along a second scan path. It is possible that the first scan path may or may not be parallel to the second scan path, and that the first image may or may not be aligned with the second image. The first image may or may not be skewed with respect to the second image.

Abstract: A printing system using multiple printheads maintains color consistency between the printheads by printing a first color patch (102) with a first color with a plurality of printheads (30) at a first pressure and with a first pixel fill coverage. A second color patch (104) is printed with the first color with the plurality of printheads at a second pressure with the first pixel fill coverage. The print density of the first patch and the second patch is measured for each of the plurality of printheads and the print density for each of the plurality of printheads is compared. A pressure for each of the plurality of printheads is adjusted to compensate for differences in density between the first patch and the second patch for each of the printheads.

Abstract: A method includes removing the previously imaged area (120) from the flexographic plate (104) to create an opening in the flexographic plate; providing a portion (108) from a flexographic plate built from similar material of the previously imaged flexographic plate; adding adhesive material (116) to the portion or to the opening or to the portion and to the opening; placing the opening within the portion; curing the adhesive material to permanently fix the portion to the flexographic plate; polishing the top (508) of the portion to match to the top surface (504) of the flexographic plate; and imaging the portion.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for adjusting the calibration of an imaging system to correct for geometric distortion comprises a rotating drum for receiving recording media (17), a plurality of carriages (18) each having an imaging head (16) with a plurality of addressable imaging channels, and a controller programmed with a lookup table, analytical relationship or algorithm that relates corrective adjustments to be made to the imaging of a given imaging head based on the positions of others of the imaging heads. A method is described for obtaining the lookup table, analytical relationship or algorithm. The method has particular relevance to large imaging systems.

Abstract: A method is provided which includes operating a first multi-channel imaging head to direct imaging beams along a scan path to transfer a first non-contiguous feature and a second non-contiguous feature from a donor element to the receiver element by a thermal transfer process. The first and second non-contiguous features are spatially separated from one another at least in a sub-scan direction. The method also includes operating a second multi-channel imaging head to direct imaging beams to direct imaging beams to transfer a third non-contiguous feature from the donor element to the receiver element by the thermal transfer process. The third non-contiguous feature is between the first and second non-contiguous features and is spatially separated from each of the first and second non-contiguous features at least in the sub-scan direction.

Abstract: A method for forming an image on recording media includes providing a support adapted to receive the recording apparatus; providing a controller programmed for controlling a print head to form the image on the recording media in accordance with image data corresponding to the image; determining a minimum feature size; and operating the print head to form the image on the recording media, wherein the image comprises a feature having a size that is restricted to be at least equal to the minimum feature size.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for registering printing plates (24) with a plurality of registration members (40A-40F), the apparatus (10) including a plate positioning system (64). The plate positioning system including a first member (50) adapted to pivot about a first pivot point and a plurality of second members (53A, 53B), each second member being pivotally coupled to the first member, and each second member comprising at least one element (58) adapted for engaging a printing plate. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors (80A, 80B) adapted for detecting contact between the printing plates and the plurality of registration members. The plate positioning system includes a plurality of actuators (72A, 72B) coupled to the second members. An actuator in the plurality of actuators is selectively operated to apply force to an associated second member during a registration of a printing plate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device (10) provides a substrate (20) that has a plastic material and has a metallic coating on one surface. A portion of the metallic coating is etched to form a patterned metallic coating. A particulate material (16) is embedded in at least one surface of the substrate. A layer of thin-film semiconductor material is deposited onto the substrate (20).

Abstract: An imaging head (404) for writing an image on a substrate (108) includes an array of emitters (104) comprised of groups of emitters (120, 116, 112); imaging lens (408) that focuses light from each group onto the substrate; and wherein light from each group is focused at a different depth relative to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting developer liquid (108) level in a plate developer section tank (104) includes a reflective surface (204) installed on at least on one edge of the developer tank; a light emitter (232) which emits light onto the reflective surface; a light detector (236) adapted to detect reflected light from the reflective surface, wherein the light emitter and the light detector are positioned relative to the reflective surface such that the emitted light from the light emitter is deflected by the developer liquid hitting the reflective surface at 90 degrees.

Abstract: A method for ejecting printing plates from an imaging apparatus includes providing a plurality of the printing plates to the imaging apparatus; forming an image on at least one of the printing plates; determining a desired tail-to-tip spacing between adjacent printing plates; ejecting a sequence of the printing plates from the imaging apparatus along a path; and adjusting a spacing between two adjacent printing plates in the sequence of the printing plates to reduce a variance between a projected tail-to-tip spacing and the desired tail-to-tip spacing.

Abstract: A method of automated videography, in which video images of at least one subject in a local environment are acquired using an automated videography system to capture video images using one or more cameras during a videography event of one or more video scenes; applying current video capture settings which define subject framing and camera parameters; analyzing the video images of a current video scene to assess image quality relative to changes in subject activity and current subject framing; determining a need to change subject framing to improve video image quality based on the assessment of image quality; determining whether the changes in subject activity, relative to the subject framing, correspond to an intra-scene transition or an inter-scene transition; determining new subject framing and new video capture settings for a scene-transition, whether intra-scene or inter-scene; and automatically modifying video image capture in accordance with the newly determined video capture settings.

Abstract: A printing system includes a converter for replacing graphic elements of a document (100) that is subject to subsequent processing such as color matching. Conversion involves using multiply transparency in place of overprint and creating transparency groups (21, 23) to replace elements (1-4) that have subsequent elements that meet an overlapping overprint criteria. An element transparency group (21, 23) includes multiple elements based on the original element (1, 3) but with geometry and selected colorant channels modified based on the relationship between the original element (1, 3) and each subsequent original element (1-4) meeting the criteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing a calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); operating a recording head (16) comprising a plurality of individually addressable recording channels (23) to form at least one image feature on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; positioning the recording media with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation; detecting distortion in the at least one image feature while the recording media is positioned with the second orientation on the media support; and adjusting activation timing of a portion of the recording channels in accordance with the detected distortion.

Abstract: A method for determining a dimension of a regular pattern of elements, wherein the elements in the regular pattern are arranged along an arrangement direction with a first spatial frequency includes providing a sensor for sampling the regular pattern; providing a plurality of data sample sets, wherein each data sample set includes data samples provided by the sensor while sampling over a portion of the regular pattern, and each data sample set consists of a different number of data samples; analyzing each data sample set to determine a corresponding spatial frequency; determining a plurality of quantified values, each quantified value being associated with a different one of the determined spatial frequencies; selecting a first quantified value from the plurality of quantified values; and determining the dimension based at least on the selected first quantified value.

Abstract: One-dimensional color transforms are automatically calculated by identifying at least one device-independent color space curve, at least one device-dependent color space curve and at least one association amongst the curves. Depending on the motivation for creating the one-dimensional transform, different curves, associations and calculations can be used to generate the transforms without obtaining additional device measurements or iteratively adjusting transform values.

Abstract: An imaging and punching system and related method for a plate imaging system that can record an image on recordable media and punch the imaged media. The imaging and punching system includes a punching apparatus that is a part of the imaging and punching system that can precisely punch an imaged plate in a punch area. The system also includes a transfer assembly, including the imaged media support, having a pivot for moving the imaged media from the imaging system to the punching system. The pivot having a fixed relationship to said imaging system and said punching system and movable about the pivot between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punching system.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a spatial light modulator comprising an array of channels, the method includes selecting a plurality of channel sets, wherein all the channels in each set are contiguously arranged; determining a first intensity value for first output radiation in the channel sets; performing a first adjustment based on the first intensity value, including adjusting a control level of a first channel in the first channel set without adjusting a control level of a second channel in the first one of the channel sets; determining a second intensity value for second output radiation, which includes output radiation by some of the channels in the first channel set, and excludes output radiation provided by at least one channel in the first channel set; and performing a second adjustment based at least on the second intensity value.