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 two-stage method for recording a quality enhanced image on a substrate has a preparation and a production stage. In the preparation stage, the digital image file is scanned for adjacent color pairs with different color values. This exhaustive list is processed according to predetermined criteria per type of output device, creating a sub-list of color pairs that might potentially create artifacts on the recorded image. Several such sub-lists may be created, each per potential output technology to be used. Each sub-list of color pairs is accompanied by modification parameters, indicating the action that needs to be taken in the recording stage, in order to avoid the artifacts and thereby enhance the recorded image quality. In the second, Production stage, this enhancement information, prepared for the actual output device to be used, is used to modify the imaging parameters such as screening parameters, taking into consideration production information such as enlargement.

Abstract: A method of generating a printer-ready representation of a page from a collection page elements and a first set of page assembly instructions, when a portion of the page assembly instructions refer to the page elements, includes the steps of comparing the first set with at least one previously stored set of page assembly instructions, assembling the collection and the first set in accordance with the result of the step of comparing, thereby generating the printer-ready representation of the page, and storing the first set and the printer-ready representation.

Abstract: A method for generating a screened reproduction of an image includes the steps of providing a representation of an original, defining a desired screen dot arrangement for the image, and writing screen dots in a line by line fashion. The representation of an original has input density values representing the grey levels of various locations of the original for a given color separation. Each screen dot is made up of a plurality of line segments whose length and location determines the dot configuration and whose length and location is determined by employing the input density values of the original and the desired screen dot arrangement. The method is characterized in that at least some of the plurality of line segments are shifted from an otherwise generally straight line configuration so as to cause them to conform to a desired overall dot shape.

Abstract: A method for applying a gravure printing plate to a gravure printing drum including applying a release liner on the gravure printing drum, wherein a release layer of the release liner faces away from the drum, applying a double-sided adhesive foil to the gravure printing drum, wherein the two edges of the adhesive foil overlap, cutting through the overlapping edges of the adhesive foil and through the release liner, removing the release liner and attaching the two cut edges of the adhesive foil to the drum, applying a release liner on the gravure printing drum, wherein a release layer of the release liner faces towards the adhesive foil, applying the gravure printing plate onto the double-sided adhesive foil, wherein the two edges of the plate overlap in the area of the release liner, cutting through the overlapping edges of the gravure printing plate and through the release liner; and removing the release liner and attaching the two cut edges of the gravure printing plate to the adhesive foil.

Abstract: There is disclosed a computerized prepress system having imposition means for receiving from a digital storage means at least one digital representation of at least one page and for arranging this digital representation in accordance with a desired plate layout, to define a digital plate image and, ghosting prediction means coupled to the imposition means. These ghosting prediction means are operable to make a ghosting prediction based on data from at least one of the digital plate image and a relatively low resolution version of the data.

Abstract: A system for loading and clamping one or more plates onto the cylindrical surface of a rotatable drum, such as used in a platesetter for printing, and for unloading the plates from the drum. The system is characterized by clamps that are movable over the surface, preferably along circumferential tracks, enabling the attachment of multiple plates, end-to-end and/or side-by-side, each plate having any of a wide range of sizes. The clamps are preferably of the dynamic type, whereby the clamping force increases with rotational speed. Also disclosed is a method for mounting and unmounting plates, using the movable clamps, such that allows flexible and convenient arrangement of loading- and unloading stations.

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: A method of digitally printing pages with bleed of a document and digital printing apparatus system for printing pages is provided. The information for printing is generated automatically. The method includes the steps of identifying and marking pages with bleed, calculating image size on pages with bleed, determining whether the pages should be printed on a single sized printing medium, and printing all pages of the same document on a selected printing medium when a single sized medium is selected.

Abstract: A system and a method for illuminating a spatial light modulator, where all the pixels of the SLM are illuminated symmetrically with respect to the optical axis, thus reducing the crosstalk problem. The system includes a linear array of light sources for generating a plurality of light beams, a linear array of microlenses, each of the microlenses receiving light from a corresponding light source of the array of light sources, an optical element for receiving light from the array of microlenses and for redirecting it and a spatial light modulator including an array of pixels for modulating the light. The distance between the array of microlenses and the optical element is such that all the pixels of the SLM are illuminated symmetrically with respect to the optical axis of the optical element.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for quantizing image data with signal-dependent noise to a fewer number of values so that noise information is discarded while signal information is maintained. This is achieved by deriving a set of equations, the solution to which may be numerically computed and whose solution constitutes an optimal relative mean square error quantization for a signal with noise. Two low complexity explicit heuristic formulas for quantization are also provided.

Abstract: An improved linear light modulator array is formed with opposing electrodes which extend away from the optic surfaces of optoelcctronic material used to form the array. A uniform electric field is created across a modulator volume, generally perpendicular to light propagation within the modulator volume. The modulator volume of an element in the array is a function of electrode length, width and separation. Additional elements are defined by additional pairs of electrodes. The geometry is obtained by cutting optoelectronic material into strips. Cut sides of the strips are metallized, one at a time, with the opposite side temporarily affixed to a carrier. Aligned trenches are cut in the metallized strips to separate electrode pairs and define array elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for protecting an optical system from residual material that is scattered and dispersed during the imaging of printing plates and collecting same. The apparatus includes a housing with upper and lower chambers and surrounding at least a portion of the printing drum. The lower chamber is configured to be fitted to the optical system of the imager. A compressed air supply connects to the lower chamber and a suction device connects to the upper chamber for extracting the residual material. Air from the compressed air supply is moved through the lower chamber forming two air-streams, which are drawn into the upper chamber with the residual material of the imaging process.

Abstract: A confocal optical system is disclosed that utilizes fiber optic components in its construction. The system includes a light source, two detection units, an aperture and an optical element all optically coupled to a fiber optic coupler via optical fibers. In addition, a novel automatic focusing device is disclosed which utilizes chromatic aberration to maintain a target object in optimal focus. The device includes two light sources having different wavelengths of light, an optical element, an aperture, two detection units and a beam splitter. One light source is used to achieve initial focus and to illuminate the target object. The second light source is used to maintain the target object in optical focus. Light reflected off the target object is measured by one of the detection units. The magnitude of the light of the second wavelength measured by the detection unit is utilized to maintain focus.

Abstract: Printing and printed circuit board members and a method for producing printing member from a member is provided. The printing member includes a topmost protective layer, an IR ablatable layer, a substrate and a wash-off layer. The wash-off layer is washed with a solvent after imagewise ablation of the topmost protective layer so as to expose the substrate, so that the printing member is produced.

Abstract: A system for loading and clamping one or more plates onto the cylindrical surface of a rotatable drum, such as used in a platesetter for printing, and for unloading the plates from the drum. The system is characterized by clamps that are movable over the surface, preferably along circumferential tracks, enabling the attachment of multiple plates, end-to-end and/or side-by-side, each plate having any of a wide range of sizes. The clamps are preferably of the dynamic type, whereby the clamping force increases with rotational speed. Also disclosed is a method for mounting and unmounting plates, using the movable clamps, such that allows flexible and convenient arrangement of loading- and unloading stations.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging a plurality of macropixels onto a media and a method for generating a linear array of macropixels to be imaged onto a media utilizing a two dimensional spatial light modulator having a plurality of micropixels grouped together to form a plurality of linear arrays of macropixels is provided. The imaging system includes a light source for generating a beam of light; a projection lens assembly for focusing the beam of light; a deflector illuminated by the light beam output from the projection lens assembly, the deflector able to deflect the light beam in the vertical (Y-axis) direction; an anamorphic lens assembly illuminated with the light beam output from the deflector; a two dimensional spatial light modular (SLM) including a plurality of micropixels, the plurality of micropixels grouped together to form a plurality of linear arrays of the micropixels, and an imaging lens assembly coupled to the output of the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A system for loading and clamping one or more plates onto the cylindrical surface of a rotatable drum, such as used in a platesetter for printing, and for unloading the plates from the drum. The system is characterized by clamps that are movable over the surface, preferably along circumferential tracks, enabling the attachment of multiple plates, end-to-end and/or side-by-side, each plate having any of a wide range of sizes. The clamps are preferably of the dynamic type, whereby the clamping force increases with rotational speed. Also disclosed is a method for mounting and unmounting plates, using the movable clamps, such that allows flexible and convenient arrangement of loading- and unloading stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the focus of an imaging apparatus is disclosed. The imaging apparatus includes a lens assembly which is attached to focus adjustment apparatus. The focus adjustment apparatus includes a pair of parallel flat springs attached at one end to a member supporting the lens assembly and an adjusting mechanism operative to cause the attached lens assembly to be moved so that the lens assembly moves in small increments while remaining perpendicular to the image being scanned.

Abstract: A short run offset printing member is provided which includes a substrate layer that is substantially oleophilic to conventional hydrocarbon-based printing inks, with a second infra-red radiation ablatable and hydrophilic layer over it. The infra-red radiation ablatable layer is coupled with an infra-red radiation absorbing covering to permit ablation of the infra-red radiation ablatable layer.