Abstract: A retrofit kit for a printing press adjustment hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is maintained to benefit from its mounting position and alignment, but the hydraulic fluid is removed. A hydraulic actuator shaft is attached to a mechanism that converts the rotary motion of an electric motor to linear motion. The electric motor provides faster and more accurate control of the hydraulic actuator shaft than the hydraulic fluid, providing for faster adjustment of the printing press.

Abstract: A retrofit kit for a printing press adjustment hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is maintained to benefit from its mounting position and alignment, but the hydraulic fluid is removed. A hydraulic actuator shaft is attached to a mechanism that converts the rotary motion of an electric motor to linear motion. The electric motor provides faster and more accurate control of the hydraulic actuator shaft than the hydraulic fluid, providing for faster adjustment of the printing press.

Abstract: A print medium is encoded with information bearing indicia. A transparent layer or substrate which receives the printed information during printing has a first surface, a second surface and a leading edge. A strip of tape is applied to the first surface. A machine readable information bearing indicia is applied to at least one surface of the tape strip. The indicia is formed by a pattern of fluorescent material which upon excitation by radiation of a given spectral excitation range emits radiation in a fluorescent spectral range. The tape reflects radiation in the given excitation spectral range and in the fluorescent spectral range. One type of indicia is a bar code pattern, although other types can also be employed.

Abstract: A substrate structure encoded with information bearing indicia includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. Formed on the first surface is a first information bearing indicia defined by a fluorescent material. A second information bearing indicia is defined by a fluorescent material positioned adjacent to the second surface, the second indicia and the first indicia in an overlapping relationship. The substrate structure includes apparatus for preventing interference between the first indicia and the second indicia during a detection process. The interference preventing apparatus can include reflective or absorptive coatings formed on the first and second surfaces of the substrate, the first and second information bearing indicia positioned on the respective reflective coatings, a thin metal foil layer positioned between the first indicia and the second indicia, or a black background disposed between the first and second indicia.

Abstract: A print medium is encoded with information bearing indicia. A transparent layer or substrate which receives the printed information during printing has a first surface, a second surface and a leading edge. A strip of tape is applied to the first surface. A machine readable information bearing indicia is applied to at least one surface of the tape strip. The indicia is formed by a pattern of fluorescent material which upon excitation by radiation of a given spectral excitation range emits radiation in a fluorescent spectral range. The tape reflects radiation in the given excitation spectral range and in the fluorescent spectral range. One type of indicia is a bar code pattern, although other types can also be employed.

Abstract: A print medium is encoded with information bearing indicia. A transparent layer or substrate which receives the printed information during printing has a first surface, a second surface and a leading edge. A strip of tape is applied to the first surface. A machine readable information bearing indicia is applied to at least one surface of the tape strip. The indicia is formed by a pattern of fluorescent material which upon excitation by radiation of a given spectral excitation range emits radiation in a fluorescent spectral range. The tape reflects radiation in the given excitation spectral range and in the fluorescent spectral range. In another embodiment, the strip of tape is applied to the first surface of the layer of the print medium, and has a top surface which is exposed when the tape strip is applied to the print medium and a bottom surface adjacent the first surface of the print medium. A first machine readable information bearing indicia is applied to the top surface of the tape strip.

Abstract: A technique for marking media with indicia in such a way as the media may be loaded into the printer in any orientation. These indicia marks are read by a printer for the purpose of identifying the media, determining the orientation of the media, and providing additional information about the media. The indicia encodes the necessary information for the printer to identify the media as well as additional information about the media that may be useful for the printer. In a typical embodiment, the indicia will be invisible to the human eye but machine readable. On sheets of media, indicia are placed in the margin of the media in eight corners of the page, four on the front and four on the back. The indicia are placed and orientated such that the indicia are in the same relative position and orientation to the printer regardless of the orientation in which the media is loaded into the printer.

Abstract: A print medium with encoded data and a print media detection system for use in detecting at least one characteristic of the sheet of print medium based on the encoded data are disclosed. The encoded data is designed to minimize its visual perceptibility. The print media detector is designed to recognize various characteristics of print media based upon the encoded data and transmit information regarding these characteristics to a printing device so that one or more operating parameters of the printing device can be adjusted to help optimize print quality for the particular characteristics of a particular print medium. A printing device including the print medium and print media detection system is also disclosed. A method of detecting one or more characteristics of print media used in a printing device is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling image transfer device operations through use of sensed indicia disposed on at least one edge of the image transfer medium. A signal responsive to the sensed indicia is produced and transferred to a control signal. The control signal is recognizable by the image transfer device for controlling print operations, thereby configuring the device for the specific media being utilized. In a preferred embodiment of the invention indicia are placed on the four edges of the media. The indicia can be in the form of a bar code encoding such information as brand, media type, orientation, and size. Preferably the indicia include nonvisible, fluorescing ink.

Abstract: Marangoni flow induced print defects are alleviated by underprinting and/or overprinting by a primary ink-jet ink with at least one treating solution that is capable of inducing the precipitation of the colorant in the primary ink-jet ink upon sustained contact. Since the time scale of precipitation is fast compared with the development of print defects due to Marangoni flow, the deleterious effects of Marangoni flow are forestalled. The method of the invention offers an effective and easily-implemented solution to the problem of Marangoni flow induced print defects that supplants the use of specially-treated paper and its associated high cost and inconvenience.

Abstract: Adjustment of a power boat's trim tabs is automated throughout all phases of the operation of the boat. The boat's speed and/or the revolutions of its engine(s) are sensed and used by electronic circuits, including microprocessor-based circuits, to control prime movers, typically hydraulic pumps, in order to move the trim tabs to their optimal position. In one embodiment the boat's speed is sensed by a speedometer. Below a first predetermined speed, the boat's trim tabs are moved full down. Above a second, higher, predetermined speed the trim tabs are moved full up. In another embodiment the trim tabs are further adjusted in and about their up position, and while the boat is on-plane, so as to optimize the performance of the boat. The boat's on-plane performance is monitored by a speedometer or, preferably, by one or more tachometers.

Abstract: A computer-based system controls (i) speed, (ii) speed and acceleration and/or (iii) trim. Trim control is responsive to sensed inclination. Inclination/acceleration is sensed by an inclinometer/accelerometer having an electrically conductive fluid that flows within a conduit. The fluid assumes different positions in its flow path under differing gravitational and acceleration forces. A multiplicity of pins, positionally arrayed along the fluid flow path within the conduit, electrically sense the presence, or absence, of the fluid at a corresponding position within its flow path. The same computer-based system otherwise used for speed, acceleration and/or trim control also serves as a safety system interactive with a human operator for the sequencing and control of activities during the launch, use, and recovery of the power boat.