Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing the calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion, comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); operating a recording head (16) comprising plurality of individually addressable recording channels (23) to form a first image feature (60) on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; operating a recording head to form a second image feature (62) on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, the second orientation being different from the first orientation; detecting variance in an expected separation between the first image feature and the second image feature; and making an imaging correction in accordance with the detected variance.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for adjusting the calibration of an imaging system to correct for geometric distortion comprises a rotating drum for receiving recording media (17), a plurality of carriages (18) each having an imaging head (16) with a plurality of addressable imaging channels, and a controller programmed with a lookup table, analytical relationship or algorithm that relates corrective adjustments to be made to the imaging of a given imaging head based on the positions of others of the imaging heads. A method is described for obtaining the lookup table, analytical relationship or algorithm. The method has particular relevance to large imaging systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing a calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); operating a recording head (16) comprising a plurality of individually addressable recording channels (23) to form at least one image feature on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; positioning the recording media with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation; detecting distortion in the at least one image feature while the recording media is positioned with the second orientation on the media support; and adjusting activation timing of a portion of the recording channels in accordance with the detected distortion.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a mechanical edge of a reference edge of a sheet of recording media relative to a first edge of a drum slot in a cylindrical surface of an imaging drum, the method includes: mounting the sheet of recording media on the imaging drum in an orientation wherein the reference edge extends along the cylindrical surface of the imaging drum in a substantially axial direction and wherein the reference edge extends over the first edge of the drum slot; establishing at least one acute apex diffuse light source in the slot; capturing at least one digital camera image of the reference edge and the at least one acute apex diffuse light source; and determining from the at least one digital camera image a location of at least one point on the mechanical edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of printing plate (14) mounted on an imaging drum (12), and applying an image to a printing plate while maintaining registration and alignment between the image and a reference edge (15) of the printing plate include mounting the printing plate on a plate-making machine (10) and then determining the locations of at least two points on the reference edge. The locations of two or more points are used to determine a transformation that is applied to image data to yield transformed image data (27). The transformed image data is used to image the printing plate. A method and apparatus for determining the locations of the points using backlighting avoids errors encountered in illuminating from the top.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing a calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion, comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); providing a carriage (18) adapted for moving along a path; providing a recording head (16) on the carriage; operating the recording head to form a pattern of image features on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; positioning the recording media with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation; detecting distortion in the pattern of image features while the recording media is positioned with the second orientation on the media support; and adjusting movement of the carriage in accordance with the detected distortion.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a mechanical edge of a reference edge of a sheet of recording media relative to a first edge of a drum slot in a cylindrical surface of an imaging drum, the method includes mounting the sheet of recording media on the imaging drum in an orientation wherein the reference edge extends along the cylindrical surface of the imaging drum in a substantially axial direction and wherein the reference edge extends over the first edge of the drum slot; establishing at least one acute apex diffuse light source in the slot; capturing at least one digital camera image of the reference edge and the at least one acute apex diffuse light source; and determining from the at least one digital camera image a location of at least one point on the mechanical edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of printing plate (14) mounted on an imaging drum (12), and applying an image to a printing plate while maintaining registration and alignment between the image and a reference edge (15) of the printing plate include mounting the printing plate on a plate-making machine (10) and then determining the locations of at least two points on the reference edge. The locations of two or more points are used to determine a transformation that is applied to image data to yield transformed image data (27). The transformed image data is used to image the printing plate. A method and apparatus for determining the locations of the points using backlighting avoids errors encountered in illuminating from the top.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of printing plate (14) mounted on an imaging drum (12), and applying an image to a printing plate while maintaining registration and alignment between the image and a reference edge (15) of the printing plate include mounting the printing plate on a plate-making machine (10) and then determining the locations of at least two points on the reference edge. The locations of two or more points are used to determine a transformation that is applied to image data to yield transformed image data (27). The transformed image data is used to image the printing plate. A method and apparatus for determining the locations of the points using backlighting avoids errors encountered in illuminating from the top.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for adjusting the calibration of an imaging system to correct for geometric distortion comprises a rotating drum for receiving recording media (17), a plurality of carriages (18) each having an imaging head (16) with a plurality of addressable imaging channels, and a controller programmed with a lookup table, analytical relationship or algorithm that relates corrective adjustments to be made to the imaging of a given imaging head based on the positions of others of the imaging heads. A method is described for obtaining the lookup table, analytical relationship or algorithm. The method has particular relevance to large imaging systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing a calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); operating a recording head (16) comprising a plurality of individually addressable recording channels (23) to form at least one image feature on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; positioning the recording media with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation; detecting distortion in the at least one image feature while the recording media is positioned with the second orientation on the media support; and adjusting activation timing of a portion of the recording channels in accordance with the detected distortion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing a calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion, comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); providing a carriage (18) adapted for moving along a path; providing a recording head (16) on the carriage; operating the recording head to form a pattern of image features on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; positioning the recording media with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation; detecting distortion in the pattern of image features while the recording media is positioned with the second orientation on the media support; and adjusting movement of the carriage in accordance with the detected distortion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing the calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion, comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17): operating a recording head (16) comprising plurality of individually addressable recording channels (23) to form a first image feature (60) on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; operating a recording head to form a second image feature (62) on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, the second orientation being different from the first orientation; detecting variance in an expected separation between the first image feature and the second image feature; and making an imaging correction in accordance with the detected variance.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a mechanical edge of a reference edge of a sheet of recording media relative to a first edge of a drum slot in a cylindrical surface of an imaging drum, the method includes mounting the sheet of recording media on the imaging drum in an orientation wherein the reference edge extends along the cylindrical surface of the imaging drum in a substantially axial direction and wherein the reference edge extends over the first edge of the drum slot; establishing at least one acute apex diffuse light source in the slot; capturing at least one digital camera image of the reference edge and the at least one acute apex diffuse light source; and determining from the at least one digital camera image a location of at least one point on the mechanical edge.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a mechanical edge of a reference edge of a sheet of recording media relative to a first edge of a drum slot in a cylindrical surface of an imaging drum, the method includes: mounting the sheet of recording media on the imaging drum in an orientation wherein the reference edge extends along the cylindrical surface of the imaging drum in a substantially axial direction and wherein the reference edge extends over the first edge of the drum slot; establishing at least one acute apex diffuse light source in the slot; capturing at least one digital camera image of the reference edge and the at least one acute apex diffuse light source; and determining from the at least one digital camera image a location of at least one point on the mechanical edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of printing plate mounted on an imaging drum, and applying an image to a printing plate while maintaining registration and alignment between the image and a reference edge of the printing plate include mounting the printing plate on a plate making machine and then determining the locations of at least one point on the reference edge. The locations of two or more points are used to determine a transformation that is applied to image data to yield transformed image data. The transformed image data is used to image the printing plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of printing plate (14) mounted on an imaging drum (12), and applying an image to a printing plate while maintaining registration and alignment between the image and a reference edge (15) of the printing plate include mounting the printing plate on a plate-making machine (10) and then determining the locations of at least two points on the reference edge. The locations of two or more points are used to determine a transformation that is applied to image data to yield transformed image data (27). The transformed image data is used to image the printing plate. A method and apparatus for determining the locations of the points using backlighting avoids errors encountered in illuminating from the top.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of printing plate mounted on an imaging drum, and applying an image to a printing plate while maintaining registration and alignment between the image and a reference edge of the printing plate include mounting the printing plate on a plate making machine and then determining the locations of at least one point on the reference edge. The locations of two or more points are used to determine a transformation that is applied to image data to yield transformed image data. The transformed image data is used to image the printing plate.