Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a principal substance applies the principal substance onto a surface and deposits drops of a gating agent onto a first portion of the principal substance applied to the first surface. The depositing of each drop of gating agent is individually controlled. A second portion of the principal substance not covered by the gating agent is transferred from the first surface to a second surface. A printing system adapted to transfer principal substance from a first surface to a second surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-speed variable printing are provided. Ink jet technology and lithographic systems may be combined in such a way to create a fully variable and high-quality print system. Ink is applied to a printing cylinder. An aqueous solution is then applied on top of the ink to produce a negative image. A positive image is then transferred in ink to a print medium. The systems and methods described herein may be used to create high-quality one-to-one marketing applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a gating agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the substance to the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the gating agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The substance may be an ink, an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, a carrier for a therapeutic, diagnostic, or marking substance other than an ink, or a carrier for any other type of substance.

Abstract: A single document page with multiple different variable indicia from a least two discrete sources is produced using a computer control and an imaging system (such as a selective flexographic system with ion deposition or ink jet stations), variable database streams and variable data streams from at least two discrete sources are fed to the same computer control, which is then used to control the imaging system to merge the variable database streams and variable data streams from at least two discrete sources to that they may be imaged on the same document page. Paper is fed to the imaging system, and using the imaging system the same document page is imaged with variable database indicia from the multiple discrete sources. Three, or even more, discrete sources can be utilized, and each discrete source may also have a distinct form structure so that the variable data indicia and variable database indicia are each placed in their own distinct form structure.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the intended imaging produced by a printer allow this task to be accomplished in essentially real-time, and utilizing relatively inexpensive, and high speed (e.g. about 200 feet per minute or greater) components. A computer control commands a raster image processor (RIP) to generate electronic print data (e.g. a bitmap) that is sent to an electronic digital printer (such as an inkjet cartridge array) and also to a print monitor. The printer images the bitmap onto a web or sheet, then a linear digital photosensor (e.g. photodiode) array scans essentially every pixel across the width of the web or sheet image area and transmits the scanned data to the print monitor system, which compares it to the bitmap produced by the RIP.

Abstract: Multi-part business forms having speciality electronically imaged indicia are produced in a low-cost, high speed, low waste, and enhanced flexibility manner. While two part or four or more part forms may be produced, especially advantageous is the production of three part forms, such as airbills. After individual first, second and third parts are produced using conventional presses, the individual webs are separately fed to a collator and while fed to the collator are electronically imaged with speciality indicia, such as the name and address of the sender, airbill number, and—for the third part—a bar code. The webs are then collated on the collator, two business forms wide. A three part airbill produced includes first and second parts of carbonless paper stock having personalized first indicia electronically imaged on them, and a third part of carbonless label stock having the personalized indicia, and including bar code indicia, electronically imaged on it.

Abstract: A single document page with multiple different variable indicia from a least two discrete sources is produced using a computer control and an imaging system (such as a selective flexographic system with ion deposition or ink jet stations), variable database streams and variable data streams from at least two discrete sources are fed to the same computer control, which is then used to control the imaging system to merge the variable database streams and variable data streams from at least two discrete sources to that they may be imaged on the same document page. Paper is fed to the imaging system, and using the imaging system the same document page is imaged with variable database indicia from the multiple discrete sources. Three, or even more, discrete sources can be utilized, and each discrete source may also have a distinct form structure so that the variable data indicia and variable database indicia are each placed in their own distinct form structure.

Abstract: A method and assembly varies the image density of ink from a plurality of ink jet nozzles to provide substantially uniform ink density. Electronically and automatically the electrical power consumption of an ink jet device having an electrical heater is measured (typically by measuring the current draw), and in response to that measurement, if necessary, pulse or voltage supplied to the heater or heaters of each of the ink jet devices is automatically adjusted. More electrical power is supplied if greater image density is required for a particular ink jet device, and less electrical power if lower image density is desired. During typical operation all pulse widths are reset to default settings, the signal received is calibrated, a pattern generator is signalled to provided test data, the present peak electrical current consumed by each nozzle heater is sampled, and the pulse width for each nozzle heater is set based upon the current sample.

Abstract: Multi-part business forms having speciality electronically imaged indicia are produced in a low-cost, high speed, low waste, and enhanced flexibility method. While two part or four or more part forms may be produced, especially advantageous is the production of three part forms, such as airbills. After individual first, second and third parts are produced using conventional presses, the individual webs are separately fed to a collator and while fed to the collator are electronically imaged with speciality indicia, such as the name and address of the sender, airbill number, and--for the third part--a bar code. The webs are then collated on the collator, two business forms wide. A three part airbill produced includes first and second parts of carbonless paper stock having personalized first indicia electronically imaged on them, and a third part of carbonless label stock having the personalized indicia, and including bar code indicia, electronically imaged on it.