Abstract: Laser scanning apparatus comprising stationary optical laser source apparatus for producing a scanning beam and a reference beam, beam delivery apparatus for delivering the scanning beam onto a surface to be scanned, beam position detector apparatus for measuring the position of the scanning beam by sensing the position of the reference beam and fiber optic apparatus for delivering the scanning beam and the reference beam from the optical laser source apparatus to the beam delivery apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and a technique for generating a screened reproduction of an image including the steps of: providing a representation of an original having input density values of the original, storing information representing a plurality of desired dot configurations, corresponding to various possible density values; for each coordinate pair in a given region, containing a multiplicity of coordinate pairs, determining whether the given region includes a part of a dot corresponding to the input density of the original; in regions which are determined to include a part of a dot, determining whether a coordinate pair lies within the boundary coordinates of the dot; and operating the plotter to write only if the coordinate pair lies inside the boundary coordinates of the dot, thereby to produce the multiplicity of screen dots of configurations representing the input density values of the original.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a laser beam into an optical fibre includes a base plate carrying a laser holder and an optical fibre holder substantially aligned with each other along a common axis. The optical fibre holder includes an inner housing disposed within an outer housing and formed with a bore for receiving the end of the optical fibre. One housing includes pin adjusting means for adjusting the received end of the optical fibre substantially parallel to the common axis; and the other housing includes pin adjusting means for adjusting the received end of the optical fibre substantially perpendicularly and/or angularly to the common axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing, training and utilizing an artificial neural network (also termed herein a "neural network", an ANN, or an NN) in order to transform a first color value in a first color coordinate system into a second color value in a second color coordinate system.

Abstract: A method whereby a picture may be fit precisely in a desired location in a scanned page layout comprises the steps of preliminarily scanning a planar picture and displaying it to an operator on a video screen; marking two points on the displayed picture corresponding to two points on the layout where the two picture points are to fit; physically rotating the picture in a plane thereof and magnifying the picture so that the positional relationship of the two picture points of the thus rotated and magnified picture matches that of the corresponding layout points; and rescanning the picture as rotated and magnified.

Abstract: An assembly of a plurality of optical fibres fixed in a precise linear array, includes a housing formed with an internal cavity having a flat supporting surface; and a first flat sheet extending perpendicularly to the flat supporting surface at one end of the cavity and having a flat edge abutting the flat supporting surface at one side of the cavity. A plurality of the optical fibres are supported in side-by-side relation on the flat supporting surface. A second flat sheet at the opposite side of the cavity presses the optical fibres into contacting relation with each other, and with the end optical fibre in contact with the first flat sheet; and a block in the upper end of the cavity presses all the optical fibres into contact with the flat supporting surface.

Abstract: Scanning apparatus including a light source for providing at least one light beam, a medium for receiving the light beam and two helical optical apparatuses disposed between the light source and the medium for sequentially receiving the light beam and for directing the light beam towards the medium.

Abstract: A technique for generating a screened reproduction of an image is disclosed. The technique includes the steps of providing a representation of an original having input density values of the original, storing information representing a plurality of contours of desired dot configurations, corresponding to various possible density values for a multiplicity of screened dots, determining, for each coordinate pair of a plotter, whether the coordinate pair lies inside or outside of the contour of a dot corresponding to the input density value of the original and operating the plotter to write only if the coordinate pair lies inside the contour, thereby to produce the multiplicity of screen dots of sizes representing the input density values of the original. Apparatus employing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for reducing lag in photosensors in a color separation assembly having an optical imaging path. The apparatus comprises a plurality of colored LEDs located outside of said optical path and arranged for illumination of the photosensors. The color and location of the colored LEDs are preferably selected to match the transmission and reflection characteristics of the color separation assembly.

Abstract: A method of color separation scanning an input picture includes the steps pre-scanning the input picture at a lower resolution for providing a lower resolution image on an output device, indicating desired geometric manipulations to be performed on the input picture, and scanning the input picture at a higher resolution in accordance with the desired geometric manipulations to provide higher resolution color separations of the input picture. After the pre-scan, a point of the lower resolution image may be selected and a second pre-scan conducted at higher resolution over a region around the selected point to permit evaluation and modification (if desired) of sharpness prior to final scanning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a mask of an area of interest in a picture to be separated from the remainder of the picture. Data defining a rectangular section of the area of interest enclosing an edge of the picture is inputted into a data processor by specifying the distance between two spaced parallel lines determining the width of the rectangular section, and specifying the starting point and ending point of the rectangular section determining the length of the rectangular section. The inputted data is processed to digitize the edge of the picture enclosed within the rectangular section. The above steps are repeated for the remaining sections of the area of interest to digitize the complete edge of the picture within the remaining sections of the area of interest.

Abstract: A method of processing a file of recorded color separation values of color elements for use in preparing polychromatic printing plates in order to reduce or eliminate defects caused by misregistration by printing, includes the steps: (a) defining a plurality of predetermined color types; (b) identifying the color pairs where there is a change in color between adjacent color element; and (c) for each color pair, determining whether or not to make a frame according to first predetermined criteria based on specific combination of color types in the pair, and then according to second predetermined criteria based on the difference in luminance between corresponding color separations in the respective pair.

Abstract: A color separation scanner comprising a movable support arranged for mounting thereon of a two-dimensional input picture to be scanned and color separation sensing apparatus arranged for sensing the two-dimensional input picture for providing electrical signals representing color separations of the two-dimensional picture, the color separation sensing apparatus including a scanning head having a plurality of generally parallel CCD arrays, associated with dichroic filter means and operative for simultaneous scanning of the two-dimensional input picture.

Abstract: A technique for generating a screened reproduction of an image comprising the steps of providing a representation of an original having input density values representing the grey levels of various locations of the original for a given color separation, defining a desired screen dot arrangement for the image, writing screen dots in a line by line fashion, wherein each screen dot is made up of a plurality of lines whose length and location determines the dot configuration and whose length and location is determined by an analog operation employing the input density values of the original and the desired screen dot arrangement. Apparatus employing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Color conversion apparatus for video display of color images represented by printing data associated with a non-additive system of color components and including apparatus for generating a first set of values each of which depends on one of the non-additive color components in accordance with a selected color reproduction function, apparatus for generating a second set of values each of which depends on two of the non-additive color components in accordance with the selected color reproduction function and apparatus for generating an output signal in which a summation of the first and second sets of values is provided as the value of a component of an additive system associated with video data color components for use in display of the color image.

Abstract: Three dimensional mapping and modelling apparatus comprising apparatus for providing coordinate information with respect to a three-dimensional element, workstation apparatus arranged to receive the coordinate information from the providing apparatus and to permit manipulation of the coordinate information, and apparatus responsive to manipulated coordinate information for automatically providing a three-dimensional model of a desired three-dimensional element.

Abstract: A laser beam scanner comprising a laser source, apparatus for producing a scanning beam and a reference beam which are generally parallel, apparatus for directing the scanning beam onto a surface to be scanned, and apparatus for determining the position of the scanning beam in real time in two dimensions by sensing the position of the reference beam, and wherein the apparatus for sensing the position of the reference beam comprises a grating disposed along a scan axis and defining a multiplicity of first grating lines along the scan axis, which permit the definition of the position of the reference beam in a first dimension, a second grating line disposed across the multiplicity of first grating lines and first and second sensors disposed at respective sides of the second grating line, for sensing the relative amount of light impinging above and below the second grating line, for permitting the definition of the reference beam in a second dimension, whereby the position of the reference beam may be determined

Abstract: Apparatus for providing controllable scan rotation of the image representation of an original revolving in a drum scanner is disclosed, the apparatus having: illumination means defining an illuminated line segment parallel to the drum revolution axis on at least a portion of the revolving original; and a scanning head moving in parallel to the drum revolution axis in accordance with a predetermined pitch, the scanning head having: imaging apparatus for providing the image of said illuminated line segment; and deflection apparatus providing a scanning beam with a controllable sweeping motion along said illuminated line segment image so as to scan successive points of light thereon during revolution of the drum, the controllable sweeping motion being synchronized with the speed of the drum revolution so as to provide on the portion of the revolving original a locus of scanned points having an oblique angle with respect to the drum axis for rotating the image representation.

Abstract: An internal drum plotter including a laser source producing a laser beam output, apparatus for modulating the laser beam output to apply information content thereto, apparatus for supporting laser recording material in a generally circular cylindrical configuration about a cylinder axis and scanning apparatus for receiving the modulated laser beam and reflecting it onto the laser recording material, the scanning apparatus including a stabilized reflector arranged for rotation about the cylinder axis for reflecting the modulated laser beam directly onto the laser recording material, wherein the stabilized reflector is insensitive to wobble in the position thereof in directions perpendicular to the cylinder axis.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning apparatus, a device for stabilization of the beam intensity distribution, the device comprising an air turbulence generator disposed adjacent a portion of the laser beam optical path and adapted to provide forced air flow substantially thereacross, the forced air flow tending to eliminate variations in the index of refraction of the air layers in the optical path.