Abstract: A method for aligning a printing plate, prior to imaging, on a platesetter includes the steps of: determining a leading edge of the printing plate; feeding the printing plate by the leading edge onto punch equipment resident on the platesetter; centering the printing plate on the platesetter along the leading edge; punching one or more notches along the leading edge of the printing plate according to a predetermined punch configuration; securing the leading edge and a trailing edge to a support surface of the platesetter with respect to registration pins located on platesetter; determining a location of a vertical edge of one of the notches, the vertical edge defined as being perpendicular to the leading edge; and determining a location with respect to the vertical edge of the one notch for transferring an image onto the printing plate.

Abstract: A platesetter may have an optical imaging head which includes a diffractive modulator having individually controlled ribbons associated with individual pixels imaged onto a printing plate. One method for reducing artifacts transferred to a medium includes the steps of: determining values of intensity versus pulse width variations for each ribbon of the modulator based upon empirical data; weighting the determined values according to a predetermined weighting factor dependent upon physical, optical, chemical and structural characteristics of a printing plate to yield an image on the printing plate having minimum visible artifacts; and applying the weighted values to ribbon drivers of the modulator.

Abstract: A print drive is present in an electronic pre-press workflow that includes a raster image processor (“RIP”) and an output device to receive, store, combine and transmit raster data processed by the raster image processor. A prepress imposition scheme is created at the front end and processed by the RIP. Prepress imposition parameters are used to generate a press sheet template image, which is transmitted to the print drive. The print drive is capable of applying the press sheet template to page raster data on demand to form a multi-page press sheet assembly so that raster images of individual pages remain independent. Among other benefits, this improves electronic prepress workflow by eliminating the need to generate combined raster images of multi-page press sheets to correct or modify a portion of the assembly.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed for imaging recording media. The imaging system includes an input opening through which recording media may be input to the imaging system, and an imaging unit for imaging the recording media that is received through the input opening. The imaging unit provides a calibration image on the recording media. The imaging system also includes a calibration image receiving unit for receiving image data representative of the calibration image. The calibration image receiving unit produces imaging unit calibration adjustment data. The imaging system also includes an imaging unit adjustment controller, and an output opening. The imaging unit adjustment controller adjusts the imaging unit responsive to the imaging unit calibration adjustment data. The recording media exits the imaging system through the output opening.

Abstract: A system and method for processing raster data including at least one input computer terminal for creating postscript data, at least one raster image processor (RIP), for processing the postscript data into raster data, and a PrintDrive system for managing and controlling the workflow of image files containing raster image data to a plurality of user selectable output devices.

Abstract: A method provides for determining an optimal sample dimension when descreening high-resolution image data so that a lower resolution image color proof may be created without suffering the problems typical of over sampling image data. The method allows to generate a single set of image data to create on-the-fly either a medium resolution color proof or a high resolution printed image without having to RIP the data twice, once for the proof, and once for the printed image.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a plurality of cassettes within an automated printing plate handler. In a plate handler, a plurality of cassettes each contain a supply of printing plates for delivery to an automatic plate-recording device. The apparatus includes a separate support table for supporting each of the plurality of cassettes within the plate handler and an elevator device for moving each of the support tables along a vertical axis of the automated plate handler. The automated plate handler is configured to automatically position a selected cassette in a first position to facilitate removal of the cassette from the handler. The plate handler further includes a platform, which substantially forms an extension of the support table supporting the selected cassette in the first position. The platform provides a second position, at which the selected cassette is to be one of, loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: A connectivity manager for use in a medical information system. The medical information system can include a facility information system, a medical imaging ordering system, and a picture archiving system, and the connectivity manager can be configured to use message-based communications to receive messages from the medical imaging ordering system, store reports in the picture archiving system, and retrieve reports from the picture archiving system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a plurality of cassettes within an automated printing plate handler. In a plate handler, a plurality of cassettes each contain a supply of printing plates for delivery to an automatic plate-recording device. The apparatus includes a separate support table for supporting each of the plurality of cassettes within the plate handler and an elevator device for moving each of the support tables along a vertical axis of the automated plate handler. The automated plate handler is configured to automatically position a selected cassette in a first position to facilitate removal of the cassette from the handler. The plate handler further includes a platform, which substantially forms an extension of the support table supporting the selected cassette in the first position. The platform provides a second position, at which the selected cassette is to be one of, loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: A networked imaging system, includes first and second communications networks, and first and second storage devices respectively interconnected to the first and second networks. A first image processor, interconnected to the first network, generates first image data representing a first image and writes the first image data to the first storage device. A second image processor, interconnected to the second network, generates second image data representing a second image. A first print driver, interconnected to the first and the second networks, writes the second image data to the second storage device and generates first drive instructions corresponding to the written first image data. A second print driver, interconnected to the second network, generates second drive instructions corresponding to the written second image data. First and second image makers respectively generate a representation of the first and second images according to the first and second drive instructions.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a first off-axis illumination source for providing a first illumination field at a surface of an illumination modulator such that when the modulator is in a first non-activated mode a zero-order reflected illumination field is directed toward a first illumination blocking device, and when the modulator is in a second activated mode one first order reflected illumination field is directed toward an imaging surface while another first order reflected illumination field is directed toward a second illumination blocking device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for generating a cubic Bézier curve between a first point and a second point from a sequence of ordered points. One embodiment provides a method that includes selecting a third point from the sequence of ordered points; determining a first control point based on the first point, the second point, and the third point; selecting a fourth point from the sequence of ordered points; determining a second control point based on the first point, the second point, and the fourth point; and generating a cubic Bézier curve between the first point and the second point using the first control point and the second control point.

Abstract: A plate cassette loader for a platesetter comprises a cassette holder for receiving a cassette, containing a stack of plates. A cassette inverter then rotates this cassette to a feed position in which the plates can be fed into the imaging engine of the platesetter. In this way, the somewhat unwieldy process of loading plates into the imaging engine is handled by the cassette inverter, in combination with the fact that the stack of plates, contained in the cassette, can be loaded in one step, rather than requiring the feeding of individual plates by a dedicated operator.

Abstract: A system for generating measurements and calculations on an image previously generated during a procedure. In one embodiment, the system includes an image display application configured to display the image previously generated during the procedure and a supplemental measurement tool configured to display one or more measurement types to a user, allow the user to select a measurement type, record a measurement made by the user of the selected measurement type on the displayed image, and automatically generate one or more calculations based on the recorded measurements.

Abstract: A device and method prevents movement of a printing plate during clamping of an end of the plate to an external drum of an imaging system using a clamping apparatus having: a clamping portion disposed on the external drum, wherein the clamping portion may be selectively displaced between a clamping position for clamping the leading edge of the printing plate against the external drum and a release position; and an inflatable member positioned between the clamping portion and the external drum for displacing the clamping portion between the clamping position and the release position. The device includes: a first spring-metal component mounted onto the external drum wherein the end of the plate can be positioned between one end of the first spring-metal component and the external drum, and the first spring-metal component is positioned between the clamping portion and the plate, to prevent the plate from moving during clamping.

Abstract: Systems and methods of storing one or more report elements included in a structured report. One method includes obtaining the structured report, determining one or more report elements included in the structured report, and storing the one or more report elements in a report data database.

Abstract: Methods and systems of creating and sharing structured reports. In one embodiment, a system for creating structured reports includes a business logic server and a structured object repository configured to hold at plurality of structured report templates. The structured report templates are based on a common schema. The system also includes at least one inbound message device configured to receive data from at least one source of patient data in a message-oriented protocol, to convert the data from the at least one source of patient data to a format recognized by the business logic server, and to send the converted data to the business logic server. The business logic server may be configured to obtain the at least one structured report template and to create a structured report by inserting the converted data into the at least one structured report template.

Abstract: An imaging system includes image processors, storage devices, one or more print drivers, and one or more image makers. The image processors generate image data representing an image. The storage devices store the image data. The print driver(s) generate instructions corresponding to the image data. The image maker(s) generate a representation of the image in accordance with the instructions. A first communications network interconnects the image processors and the print driver(s). A second communications network interconnects the image processors, the print driver(s), and the storage devices.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting a printing plate in a platemaking system includes: a carriage riding on a track and one or more low friction substantially horizontal planar support surfaces provided as a high wear laminate, positioned above the carriage and the track, for supporting the printing plate on the non-emulsion side without the use of rollers, belts, bearings or air cushioning. The carriage includes one or more engagement mechanisms for engaging a bottom, non-emulsion side of the printing plate, and the track includes an air cylinder. The engagement mechanisms can be, for example, suctions cups which engage the plate by a vacuum, suction cups which engage the plate by pressure and adhesion, other adhesive devices, or a mechanical gripper for gripping the plate. The track or linear actuating system is preferably an air cylinder. Alternatively the linear actuating system could include a belt and pulleys, a chain and gears, or a threaded lead screw.

Abstract: A profile editing system enables modifications to source/destination color data and/or gamut maps. Generally, there are three process flows for color profile editing according to the invention. A first type or type-A process is directed to a method for gamut mapping source color data to destination color data. The method comprises modifying the source color data in a source color space, based upon a color profile edit. This generates modified source color data. Then, the modified source color data is converted to the destination color space to produce the destination color data. Type-B processes are directed to methods for gamut mapping source color data to destination color data and then modifying the destination color data, based upon a color profile edit to generate modified destination color data.