Abstract: A phase-controlled, multi-color light is disclosed for proofing of colors before a job is run on a printing press. A controlled manipulation of the spectral intensity of red, green and blue light as exposed through various flats produce specific colors in proofing material. The proper exposure parameters or data are keyed into a computerized control which includes a number of printing process memories with each memory accepting a number of flats or films with a specific response for a given printing condition. This permits storage of frequencyly used conditions as well as modifications as desired. The color palette is also operator programmed. With such programming the combining of spectral values will result in a specific combined spectral value to create a specific color in the proof. Because of this procedure only one exposure is required for each of the cyan, magenta, yellow and black exposures to obtain the position and acceptance color proof of the color layout.

Abstract: An automatic scanning densitometer which is self calibrating and accurately measures highlight density, shadow density and tonal distribution of midtones occurring in the subject matter of the photograph to be reproduced. A reflection densitometer is disclosed which in one or more scans identifies and measures first the highlight and shadow densities and the tonal distribution of the subject matter to be reproduced, as opposed to the background of the photo. The instrument automatically determines the size of the original and, with an input to the device, the size of the window in which the original is to be reproduced to provide enlargement or reduction. Measurement of density values are uniquely stabilized and with the use of a monolithic sensor on a single substrate the entire image is processed and measured, not just target areas which must be manually measured or aligned with an apertured scanning bar.