Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging an imprinted substrate on a printing press is provided. One method comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate. The substrate has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. Each printing unit comprises a plate cylinder. The data representative of the imprinted substrate is output by the contact image sensor as analog voltage signals. The method further comprises receiving the analog voltage signals from the contact image sensor at a sensor interface circuit and converting the analog voltage signals to digital signals using an analog-to-digital converter of the sensor interface circuit. The method further comprises processing the digital signals using the sensor interface circuit to produce corrected digital signals and storing data based on the corrected digital signals in a memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging an imprinted substrate on a printing press is provided. One method comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate. The substrate has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. Each printing unit comprises a plate cylinder. The data representative of the imprinted substrate is output by the contact image sensor as analog voltage signals. The method further comprises receiving the analog voltage signals from the contact image sensor at a sensor interface circuit and converting the analog voltage signals to digital signals using an analog-to-digital converter of the sensor interface circuit. The method further comprises processing the digital signals using the sensor interface circuit to produce corrected digital signals and storing data based on the corrected digital signals in a memory.

Abstract: A method of imaging an imprinted substrate on a printing press is provided. The method comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate. The substrate has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. Each printing unit comprises a plate cylinder. The method further comprises storing the data representative of the imprinted substrate in a memory.

Abstract: A method of imaging an imprinted substrate on a printing press is provided. The method comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate. The substrate has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. Each printing unit comprises a plate cylinder. The method further comprises storing the data representative of the imprinted substrate in a memory.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press comprises illuminating a portion of the substrate which has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. The method further comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate, and comparing the data representative of the printed substrate with stored reference data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for use with a printed image on a moving substrate is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a first imaging device configured to process spatial data which indicates a position of color patches printed along an edge portion of the printed image on the moving substrate. The image processing apparatus further includes a second imaging device configured to process at least one of densitometric data and colorimetric data of the color patches of the printed image. The first imaging device and second imaging device acquire image data from substantially the same position on the substrate at substantially the same time. The image processing apparatus further includes a processor configured to monitor a color of the printed image on the moving substrate based on the spatial data and the at least one of densitometric data and colorimetric data.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press comprises illuminating a portion of the substrate which has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. The method further comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate, and comparing the data representative of the printed substrate with stored reference data.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press has a light source, a contact image sensor, and a processor. The light source is configured to illuminate a portion of the substrate which has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. The contact image sensor has a plurality of sensing elements. Each sensing element senses light reflected by a corresponding region on the substrate to produce data representative of the corresponding region printed on the substrate. The processor is configured to receive the data representative of the imprinted substrate and to compare the data representative of the corresponding region printed on the substrate with stored reference data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for use with a printed image on a moving substrate is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a first imaging device configured to process spatial data which indicates a position of color patches printed along an edge portion of the printed image on the moving substrate. The image processing apparatus further includes a second imaging device configured to process at least one of densitometric data and colorimetric data of the color patches of the printed image. The first imaging device and second imaging device acquire image data from substantially the same position on the substrate at substantially the same time. The image processing apparatus further includes a processor configured to monitor a color of the printed image on the moving substrate based on the spatial data and the at least one of densitometric data and colorimetric data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for measuring spatial and spectral information from an image of a printed substrate. The image processing apparatus processes the spatial and spectral information from the same acquired image using first and second processors. In some embodiments, the image processing apparatus processes the spatial information from a first acquired image and the spectral information from a second acquired image, the first and second acquired images being of the same point on the printed substrate, acquired at separate times during the travel of the printed substrate. In other embodiments, the image processing apparatus processes the spatial and spectral information from the same acquired image using the same processor.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press has a light source, a contact image sensor, and a processor. The light source is configured to illuminate a portion of the substrate which has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. The contact image sensor has a plurality of sensing elements. Each sensing element senses light reflected by a corresponding region on the substrate to produce data representative of the corresponding region printed on the substrate. The processor is configured to receive the data representative of the imprinted substrate and to compare the data representative of the corresponding region printed on the substrate with stored reference data.

Abstract: A web inspection module is described for scanning an imprinted web in a printing press. The web inspection module includes a light source for illuminating a portion of the web, a contact image sensor having a plurality of sensing elements, and a processor for receiving and processing image data representative of the imprinted web.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for measuring spatial and spectral information from an image of a printed substrate. The image processing apparatus processes the spatial and spectral information from the same acquired image using first and second processors. In some embodiments, the image processing apparatus processes the spatial information from a first acquired image and the spectral information from a second acquired image, the first and second acquired images being of the same point on the printed substrate, acquired at separate times during the travel of the printed substrate. In other embodiments, the image processing apparatus processes the spatial and spectral information from the same acquired image using the same processor.

Abstract: A camera assembly for a printing press including a housing, a camera positioned within the housing and image processing hardware positioned within the housing.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the time spent searching for color register marks including acquiring an image of the paper substrate on a printing press and processing the image using an FPGA.

Abstract: A color registration control system for a printing press including an area scanner for acquiring an image of a paper substrate and an image processing system adapted to receive the image and process the image to determine any color register error.

Abstract: A method for monitoring color of a printed image printed on a substrate, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a camera assembly to receive light reflected from the printed image on the substrate, the camera assembly including a structure for producing a signal; transmitting the signal from the camera assembly to a computer; and processing the signal in the computer to correct for the effects of scattered light reflected from the printed image.