Abstract: Disclosed are methods for augmenting information presented in association with a gaming device. The methods include controlling a camera on a mobile device using an augmented reality gaming assistance component and enabling a user to employ the camera to capture an image of a game screen display. The captured image is sent via a network to a server that determines a game paytable, a current state of the game and a current wager amount from the captured image, then determines one or more possible strategies for the game based on that data. The game paytable, current state, current wager amount and one or more possible strategies are then transmitted to the mobile device and displayed. At least one of the possible strategies may be selected at the mobile device, wherein the odds of one or more possible game outcomes for the selected strategy are displayable on the display.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for augmenting progressive meter information presented in association with a gaming device. The methods include controlling a camera on a mobile device using an augmented reality gaming assistance component and enabling a user to employ the camera to capture an image of a game screen display, the image including one or more progressive meters associated with a respective progressive award. The captured image is sent via a network to a server that, for each of one or more progressive meters, determines a location of the progressive meters within the captured image, determines a value for each associated progressive award based on the captured image at each respective location, and determines a progressive rating for the associated progressive award based on the value. Content based on the one or more progressive ratings is received at the mobile device and displayed to the user via a display.

Abstract: A plate cassette loader for a platesetter comprises a cassette holder for receiving a cassette, containing a stack of plates. A cassette inverter then rotates this cassette to a feed position in which the plates can be fed into the imaging engine of the platesetter. In this way, the somewhat unwieldy process of loading plates into the imaging engine is handled by the cassette inverter, in combination with the fact that the stack of plates, contained in the cassette, can be loaded in one step, rather than requiring the feeding of individual plates by a dedicated operator.

Abstract: A substrate manager for a substrate exposure machine is used, in one example, as a platesetter. As such, it comprises a substrate storage system, containing one or more stacks of substrates, such as plates in one implementation. A substrate picker is provided for picking substrates from the stack of substrates. The substrates are then handed to a transfer system that conveys the substrates to an imaging engine. According to the invention, a substrate inverter system is also provided. This system inverts the substrates from being imaging or emulsion side down to emulsion side up in the present implementation. This allows plates, for example, which are stored emulsion side down in cassettes to be flipped to an emulsion side up orientation, and then transferred, using the substrate transfer system to the imaging engine. This flipping process has two advantages. First, the plates can be emulsion side up during the transfer. This prevents any damage to the sensitive plate emulsions.

Abstract: A substrate manager for a substrate exposure machine is used, in one example, as a platesetter. As such, it comprises a substrate storage system, containing one or more stacks of substrates, such as plates in one implementation. A substrate picker is provided for picking substrates from the stack of substrates. The substrates are then handed to a transfer system that conveys the substrates to an imaging engine. According to the invention, a substrate inverter system is also provided. This system inverts the substrates from being imaging or emulsion side down to emulsion side up in the present implementation. This allows plates, for example, which are stored emulsion side down in cassettes to be flipped to an emulsion side up orientation, and then transferred, using the substrate transfer system to the imaging engine. This flipping process has two advantages. First, the plates can be emulsion side up during the transfer. This prevents any damage to the sensitive plate emulsions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing artifacts in an imaging system by directing a stream of air onto the beam deflection assembly of the imaging system. An air displacement system, such as a fan assembly or the like, is oriented to direct, a stream of air onto the rotating deflector element of the beam deflection assembly. The stream of air is positioned to distribute a substantially uniform amount of air around the rotating deflector element.

Abstract: A plate cassette for a platesetter comprises a tray that receives and stores stacks of plates. Side frame members are located on opposed sides of the tray. These side frame members have tracks that engage with wheels of another plate cassette and wheels that engage with tracks of still another plate cassette. In this way, cassettes may be stacked and stored, one on top of each other. The wheel engagement strategy, between cassettes, however, allows individual cassettes to be rolled out, enabling access to the plate stack in the selected cassette's tray. A suction leak groove is formed in a surface of the tray. This provides for a suction leakage path for a picker, when the picker must grab typically the last plate in the stack and the plate is not full-sized. The suction grabbers that do not directly grab the plate do not adhere to the tray, allowing the picker to separate the plate from the tray. A slip sheet removal groove is also provided.

Abstract: A plate cassette loader for a platesetter comprises a cassette holder for receiving a cassette, containing a stack of plates. A cassette inverter then rotates this cassette to a feed position in which the plates can be fed into the imaging engine of the platesetter. In this way, the somewhat unwieldy process of loading plates into the imaging engine is handled by the cassette inverter, in combination with the fact that the stack of plates, contained in the cassette, can be loaded in one step, rather than requiring the feeding of individual plates by a dedicated operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus automatically switches from one web media type to another, using a single drive roller to access and drive one of two web media supply cassettes mounted within an imaging system. A gear motor and eccentric shaft position and load the drive roller against either of two driven rollers. The media is nipped between the drive roller and one of the driven rollers and is advanced by the drive roller into the imaging system as needed. To switch media supply cassettes, the media is cut beyond the drive roller. The media is then drawn back into the supply cassette to free the media path for the alternate media to advance from the other of the two media supply cassettes.