Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer software product to reproduce an input image on a proofing device including accurately reproducing color substantially matching the screening properties of an imaging process that includes screening. The proofer may use a different number of colorants and/or different colorants than the printing colorants of the imaging process. The proofer also may be capable of continuous tone output or may be a screened output device. The proofer also may be a computer screen.

Abstract: Compact linear diode arrays are imaged on linear light modulator arrays by optical systems employing objective asphere/prism segments together with a field lens such that the beams rise in object space or image space, and individual beams are imaged on individual modulator segments with chosen form factors and spacings. More than one laser array can be directed in superimposed fashion onto a single modulator array using laser polarization modes and a polarization beam combiner.

Abstract: A method and system for exposing a light sensitive material using device for forming a row of spots of light onto the light sensitive material located on a focal plane, device for modulating each of the spots according to imaging data so that at any point of time, the row of spots forms a data pattern according to the imaging data, device for generating relative motion between the imaging mechanism and the light sensitive material on the focal plane, the direction of motion substantially parallel to the direction of the row of spots on the light sensitive material; and data synchronizing device for shifting the imaging data into the modulating device at a rate determined by the speed of relative motion to maintain the image of any data pattern substantially stationary on the light sensitive material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for creating an output of an imagesetter with high-resolution quality at the speed of low resolution. In the method used, the addressability of the light beam spot or spots of the imagesetter in the slow scan direction is larger than the resolution in that direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to high speed digital printing of pages each obtained by merging one or more page elements. A method is disclosed for merging page elements which are stored in a compressed format, the merging substantially in compressed domain to enable the an implementation of the method to perform the merge rapidly, keeping up with a fast printing device. The merging occurs according to a page layout script which specifies the positions and printing order of selected page elements on each page. An apparatus for merging also is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of imposition proofing of printing data of a document onto a set of proof sheets is described, the document having one or more sections, each proof sheet having a recto side and a verso side, the printing data including imposing information and printing information for positioning and printing a set of pages onto one or more print sheets, each print sheet having two print sheet sides, a verso print sheet side and a recto print sheet side, each print sheet side having at least four pages. The method includes, for each print sheet in the printing data, dividing the pages imposed on each side of the print sheet into printer spreads of two pages, and determining information referencing the printing data, for defining how each printer spread is printed on each side of a proof sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for unloading a sheet medium from a vacuum drum which may be a vacuum drum of an imagesetter for example, or a vacuum drum of an input scanning machine. The unloading is facilitated by the stiffness of sheet medium. When the vacuum holding a sheet medium is released, the stiffness of the sheet medium causes the sheet to separate from the drum. A roll forces the sheet onto the drum and the motion of the drum forces the sheet medium onto a table which has been moved into proximity of the drum. The sheet travels onto a transport mechanism which eventually takes over the moving of the sheet medium without requiring synchronism between the drum rotational speed and the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a small number of parameters that spectrally characterize colorants by a small number of parameters and for using such colorant parameters to predict the spectral reflection or transmission characteristics of such colorants when laid on top of one another, either on an opaque, transparent or semitransparent carrier of a particular type, each colorant laid with a certain coverage percentage, for example, dot percentage in the case of offset printing, the colorant parameters of any colorant being substantially independent of the color of the substrate. The method involves making measurements of sets prints of varying coverage percentages of a colorant on a number of backgrounds, and solving the resulting set of equations for the colorant. Colorants that are defined by a recipe of basic colorants can be characterized from measurements on prints of the basic colorants.

Abstract: A method for processing page description language commands improves the efficiency of the digital work flow in graphic arts. The method first translates the page description language commands into a structured object display list. The display list is then examined to identify the occurrence of specific predefined properties of graphical objects. The display list is modified to correct or eliminate the properties, and the corresponding page description language commands are modified accordingly. The specific predefined properties that are identified include spurious contours, double contours, redundant colors and inks, useless clips, tight continuous tone clips, blends, degenerate strokes, and strokes having unprintable thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving computer aided graphical design with a design rule checker. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a computer program which when loaded in a computer checks a graphical design for conformity to a set of graphical design rules such as printability rules, legal packaging rules, company style rules, and aesthetic rules. The program may be operated in an interactive mode to provide feedback while a design is being created, or in a batch mode after the design is completed. Specific rules can be customized and adapted for appropriate printing processes, company styles, legal rules, and aesthetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for loading a sheet-like medium onto a drum without tension. The drum may be a vacuum drum of an imagesetter for example, or a vacuum drum of an input scanning machine.In order to load a sheet-like medium onto a drum without any tension, the sheet-like medium is taken over by take-over means before fixing it on the drum.

Abstract: A method and a device for generating printing data wherein a first color separation defined in a first device dependent color space of standard printing inks is converted into a second color separation defined in a second device dependent color space of non-standard printing inks.

Abstract: A scanning device comprising a scanning member provided for pathwise scanning a medium along a scanning path by means of a scanning beam, said scanning member and said medium being mutually movable with respect to each other, characterized in that said scanning member comprises a plurality of N scanning modules, each i.sup.th (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.N) scanning module being each time provided for scanning its assigned i.sup.th segment of said scanning path and an end point of a j.sup.th (1.ltoreq.j.ltoreq.N-1) segment corresponds with a starting point of a (j+1).sup.th segment, and wherein each i.sup.th scanning module comprises deviation determining means provided for determining on at least one position situated along said i.sup.

Abstract: A method and a device for converting a color defined in a first n-dimensiontal device dependent color space to a corresponding color defined in a second m-dimensional (m.gtoreq.n; n.gtoreq.p; m>p; p.gtoreq.3) device dependent color space, wherein for each (m-p).sup.th color dimension from the second device dependent color space there is each time defined a color value and said color coordinate set of the second device dependent color space is determined on the basis of said color value.