Abstract: Apparatus and method for discriminating between plate and interleave paper in a CTP device having a cassette with printing plates and interleave paper. The device uses a light source for illuminating the topmost object in the cassette, a first optical sensor for receiving direct light reflected from the topmost object, a second optical sensor for receiving dispersed light reflected from the topmost object, means for comparing light received by the second optical sensor with light received by the first optical sensor, and means for determining the topmost object type based on the comparison.

Abstract: A storage and loading device for sheet articles, wherein the articles are stored vertically in a rotating carousel. A picking mechanism picks a foremost article and delivers it to a depositing location. A slip-sheet removal mechanism removes protective slip sheets located between the sheet articles. The device may be used in conjunction with a CTP system.

Abstract: A method of producing Lenticular images and a system for carrying out the method, in which photosensitive material is placed in contact with a Lenticular sheet and exposed through the Lenticular sheet lenses. An additional lens-array is placed between the optical imaging system and the Lenticular sheet, with lenses having power only in one direction.

Abstract: A Simple Inter Color Lossless Image Coder (SICLIC) for the compression of colored images is provided. The color image is treated as several interlaced gray level images that correspond to respective distinct color planes. The compression scenario utilizes three main steps, such as selection of the predictor, context forming with bias cancellation and coding. SICLIC implements predictors, context forming and encoder techniques that exploit the intra- and inter-color plane correlations in an effective and relatively computationally inexpensive manner. The predictor is selected on the basis of the right selection of the contribution of each color plane between the intra- and inter-plane predictors obtained as a weight average of contribution from different color planes. SICLIC processes the image in two modes—regular mode and run mode. A special care is taken to ensure a proper treatment of joint runs, which occur simultaneously in all color planes.

Abstract: The gel method of printing variable information of the present invention involves applying inks onto a substrate that is part of or attached to a cylinder of the printing machine. Imaging is by means of an energy source in the UV, visible or infrared regions, modulated to represent a digital image pattern that has been composed on a computer. The consequence of imaging is to gel the ink and increase its adhesion to the substrate of the printing cylinder. The non-gelled background ink with lower adhesion is then removed by a squeegee action and returned to an ink reservoir. The remaining image is transferred to an offset blanket or directly to print stock by pressure. The process does not use a master, but produces an image that is erased after printing with each cylinder rotation so that the next rotation producing the next print can have fresh information written upon it.

Abstract: The multi-purpose modular infra-red ablatable graphic arts tool provided comprises solutions to economy of scale for infrared ablatable Graphics Arts products by a novel modular approach of using common ingredients and by combining functions to produce multipurpose materials with synergistic advantages over the component products from which they have been derived. This is done by combining the properties of a photomask film with those of a printing plate, so that the same material can be used as a film or a plate or can function as both to produce a plate with proofing functions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing halftoning of an image, using two 2-dimensional look up tables (LUTS). The first LUT receives coordinates of an image value and outputs a screen reference value which then serves, together with the image value as address for the second LUT. The output of the second LUT is the halftone value.

Abstract: An integrated computerized system for use in color printing having at least one digital representation of a color characteristic of at least one page to be printed and a digital storage memory for storing the digital representation. An imposition apparatus is connected to the storage memory to receive the digital representation and arrange the digital representation in accordance with a desired plate layout, thereby to define a plate image. A press set-up device extracts from the plate image the color characteristic and provides ink flow set-up data to a printing press in accordance with the extracted color characteristic.

Abstract: Internal drum recording apparatus provided with a rotating deflecting element, comprising two (or more) beams of different wavelengths, which are simultaneously operatable, and optical elements for bringing the two or more beams to a common optical path before they reach the rotating deflecting element. The deflecting element may have dispersing properties such that beams of different wavelengths will leave it at slightly different angles. The beams of different wavelengths may be generated by laser diodes or tunable laser diodes. The apparatus may further comprise a beam combiner to combine the beams generated by the light sources.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for discriminating between plate and interleave paper in a CTP device having a cassette with printing plates and interleave paper. The device uses a light source for illuminating the topmost object in the cassette, a first optical sensor for receiving direct light reflected from the topmost object, a second optical sensor for receiving dispersed light reflected from the topmost object, means for comparing light received by the second optical sensor with light received by the first optical sensor, and means for determining the topmost object type based on the comparison.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for discriminating between plate and interleave paper in a CTP device having a cassette with printing plates and interleave paper. The device uses a light source for illuminating the topmost object in the cassette, a first optical sensor for receiving direct light reflected from the topmost object, a second optical sensor for receiving dispersed light reflected from the topmost object, means for comparing light received by the second optical sensor with light received by the first optical sensor, and means for determining the topmost object type based on the comparison.

Abstract: An integrated computerized system for use in color printing having at least one digital representation of a color characteristic of at least one page to be printed and a digital storage memory for storing the digital representation. An imposition apparatus is connected to the storage memory to receive the digital representation and arrange the digital representation in accordance with a desired plate layout, thereby to define a plate Image. A press set-up device extracts from the plate image the color characteristic and provides ink flow set-up data to a printing press in accordance with the extracted color characteristic.

Abstract: Apparatus for the orthogonal (X,Y) movement which allows high-resolution color photography in both the X and Y directions, by micro-movement of the CCD sensor within a digital camera body is provided which can be used together with a rotatable mount for rotating the CCD sensor from portrait mode to landscape mode, without needing to rotate the camera base.

Abstract: An optical head comprising an array of laser diodes (LDA) where each member of the LDA having a fast axis direction and a slow axis direction of beam divergence, a spatial light modulator (SLM), an imaging lens, and a Micro-Scramblers array (MSA) where each member of the MSA has exit apertures and each member of the MSA is associated with a member of the LDA for scrambling the light only in the direction of the slow axis of the member of the LDA. The optical head can be incorporated into an external-drum electro-optical plotter or a flat bed electro-optical plotter.

Abstract: A method for providing in use estimation of dot gain in digital printing using digital printing plates, the method comprising: applying to a digital printing plate a calibration strip, the strip comprising at least one set of patches, each patch comprising a plurality of dots at a predetermined gray level within said dynamic range, gray levels of said set of patches being distributed over said dynamic range, printing from said calibration strip under a current set of printing conditions, measuring intensities of said printing, and interpolating from said measurements to generate a curve of dot gain over said dynamic range. The curve can then be used to compensate. When moving to a different set of printing conditions, a single test print is then carried out and a new dot gain estimation is available.

Abstract: The present invention presents method and apparatus for anti-aliasing elements in pages containing variable information, to be printed by a digital printer. Each page element is pre-rasterized to a resolution higher by a given factor than the output resolution, and the pixels that belong to non-printable areas are denoted ‘Background’. During the anti-aliasing (averaging) process, each new pixel gets an attribute value, dependent on the higher resolution pixels that contributed to the new pixel: Background—if all contributing pixels were denoted ‘Background’. Opaque—if all contributing pixels were denote ‘Non-Background’. Semi-Background—if the contributing pixels were partly ‘Background’ and partly ‘Non-Backgroun’.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for precise detection of a leading edge of an object, such as printing plate. The printing plate penetrates a gap between a light source and a sensor. Detection is made when the amplified signal equals the peak signal divided by N, meaning 1/N of the sensor is covered by the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the redundancy of IALDA-based imaging devices and for increasing their serviceability. The functioning emitters are coupled to an array of optical fibers, leaving some of the functioning emitters as spare. The second ends of the optical fibers are arranged in an equidistance array, optionally passing through multi-fiber connectors or through an optical switchboard.

Abstract: An improved offset printing press has a single plate blanket image (PBI) cylinder for holding an image formed on a thin film printing plate affixed thereto. The plate may be from 0.5 to 25 microns thick and has a thin layer of ink repelling material coated thereon. The plate is imaged, after being affixed to the PBI cylinder, by ablating selective portions of the ink repelling coating. The PBI cylinder is constructed to hold the printing plate by vacuum techniques, and apparatus to load and unload the plate is associated with the PBI cylinder. Because of the thinness of the printing plate, the PBI cylinder is a compliant surface, capable of printing on an inelastic media covered impression cylinder. In addition, unique inking apparatus is provided to transfer ink to the imaged printing plate. Variations of the press include a four color press utilizing a single PBI cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for composing uniform lighting and correcting for any remaining lighting non-uniformity. The method involves capturing a reference image utilizing a background sheet of uniformly reflective material. The reference image is processed and an exaggerated version of the reference image highlighting the hot and cold regions is displayed. The user modifies the lighting to compose the flattest lighting possible. A lighting calibration file is saved comprising a smoothed approximation of the light intensity of each pixel and the average of the pixels. The actual image is corrected for the remaining non-uniform lighting by utilizing the lighting calibration file.