Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to fabricate massive monolithic arrays of individually addressable light emitting diodes, assemble a plurality of such massive monolithic arrays of individually addressable light emitting diodes, control each individual light emitting diode, and to assemble the same in manner to achieve the accuracy and stability for a massive number of individually controlled light emitting diodes that can then be focused using projection optics on to a photoreceptive surface. In addition methods and apparatus are provided to move the imaging system thus described relative to the photoreceptive surface in two axes orthogonal to each other thus exposing the photoreceptive surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to fabricate massive monolithic arrays of individually addressable light emitting diodes, assemble a plurality of such massive monolithic arrays of individually addressable light emitting diodes, control each individual light emitting diode, and to assemble the same in manner to achieve the accuracy and stability for a massive number of individually controlled light emitting diodes that can then be focused using projection optics on to a photoreceptive surface. In addition methods and apparatus are provided to move the imaging system thus described relative to the photoreceptive surface in two axes orthogonal to each other thus exposing the photoreceptive surface.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is described for imaging at high speed from digital data. This method is an improvement on the present art in two significant manners. The means for generating the light and the use of large number of independent light sources in an internal drum imaging geometry, when combined together provide a very cost effective solution to improve imaging times by a factor of ten or more.

Abstract: An apparatus for double-sided high-speed printing on a continuous sheet of printable material having a first guide, a second guide, a third guide, and a fourth guide providing a first print area between the first and second guides for printing on a first side of the material and a second print area between the third and fourth guides for printing on a second side of the material. A first plurality of print heads print in the first print area and a second plurality of print heads print in the second print area. The first and second plurality of print heads all fire in a same direction. Bends in the material provided by the guides permit a compact arrangement that eliminates flutter of the material in the print areas.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to house page-wide arrays (PWAs) of print heads in a printing apparatus comprises a plurality of support structures each housing a PWA. Each PWA comprises a linear array of print nozzles in a lateral direction. The structures are stacked in a vertical array and are each attached to a wall structure at a closed lateral end of the structure. Opposite the closed end, each structure has an open end for lateral insertion and removal of the corresponding PWA. Between the open and closed ends, each structure has an opening in a front face through which the array of nozzles in the corresponding PWA may operate while housed in the structure. An adjustable protrusion extends within each structure from the closed end, whereby the lateral position of the corresponding PWA may be fixed relative to the closed end of the structure and the wall structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method distributing data for high-speed digital printing on a printable material, includes a printer processor for receiving preflighted image data in a vector-oriented page description language, separating the color image data into a plurality of monochrome image data sets, and distributing the monochrome image data sets to respective print heads. Each print head raster image processes the monochrome images into bitmap images for printing on the printable material. A computational complexity of ripping the monochrome image data sets is reduced by preflighting, and distributed over the plurality of print heads to enable high speed printing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method distributing data for high-speed digital printing on a printable material, includes a printer processor for receiving preflighted image data in a vector-oriented page description language, separating the color image data into a plurality of monochrome image data sets, and distributing the monochrome image data sets to respective print heads. Each print head raster image processes the monochrome images into bitmap images for printing on the printable material. A computational complexity of ripping the monochrome image data sets is reduced by preflighting, and distributed over the plurality of print heads to enable high speed printing.

Abstract: An apparatus for double-sided high-speed printing on a continuous sheet of printable material having a first guide, a second guide, a third guide, and a fourth guide providing a first print area between the first and second guides for printing on a first side of the material and a second print area between the third and fourth guides for printing on a second side of the material. A first plurality of print heads print in the first print area and a second plurality of print heads print in the second print area. The first and second plurality of print heads all fire in a same direction. Bends in the material provided by the guides permit a compact arrangement that eliminates flutter of the material in the print areas.

Abstract: A consolidated page-wide array of jetting modules adapted to move between an operative position in which the face of the array is parallel and proximate to the printing medium and a maintenance position in which it is not. While in the maintenance position, the PWA may be maintained by applying the actions maintenance modules of a maintenance station. Modules include a capping module for purging and priming the jetting modules with solvent, a wiping module for wiping the solvent from the face plates of the jetting modules and a sponging module for removing any excess solvent. The maintenance station may be moved into position while the PWA is in the maintenance position and the maintenance modules may be individually positioned relative to the face of the PWA in order to perform their respective tasks. Sensors to identify the position of the PWA and the maintenance station may permit automated control of the maintenance operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a stack of documents, each having one or more pages, separated into documents. An input mechanism receives printed sheet material, which is cut by a cutter into document pages having a first dimension and flag sheets having a different dimension. A page laying unit stacks pages corresponding to a document in sequence and interposes flag sheets between successive documents. The direction in which the dimension of pages and flag sheets is different lies transverse to the direction of cutting.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to house page-wide arrays (PWAs) of print heads in a printing apparatus comprises a plurality of support structures each housing a PWA. Each PWA comprises a linear array of print nozzles in a lateral direction. The structures are stacked in a vertical array and are each attached to a wall structure at a closed lateral end of the structure. Opposite the closed end, each structure has an open end for lateral insertion and removal of the corresponding PWA. Between the open and closed ends, each structure has an opening in a front face through which the array of nozzles in the corresponding PWA may operate while housed in the structure. An adjustable protrusion extends within each structure from the closed end, whereby the lateral position of the corresponding PWA may be fixed relative to the closed end of the structure and the wall structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for generating proofs of print signatures composed of first and second flats printed on opposite sides of a sheet comprises first and second digital printing units; a feeder mechanism for feeding a substrate having opposite sides to the first printing unit; a first input for feeding to the first printing unit digital data representative of an image of the first flat to imprint one side of the substrate with the image of the first flat; a marker for providing the substrate with a registration mark at a predetermined location on the substrate; a conveyor for conveying the imprinted substrate from the first printing unit to the second printing unit and feeding same thereto; and a mark sensor for detecting the location of the registration mark on the substrate and causing actuation of the second printing unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating proofs of print signatures composed of first and second flats printed on opposite sides of a sheet.

Abstract: A child places a specially marked object in front of a toy capable of recognizing the marks on the object and being able to articulate a word, phrase or sentence in response to the markings. This permits the toy to be able to read and speak. Visible codes, invisible codes or holograms may be located on the objects for this purpose. A mechanism inside the toy is provided to vocalize the sounds associated with each code or marking. Electronic representations of the various sounds vocalized may be stored in the toy or on a removable memory card so that the variety of sounds may be changed as desired. The sounds can be words, sentences, paragraphs, or phonemes. The words can be either spoken or sung.

Abstract: A method and device for generating a collimated laser beam which is circular in cross-section, non-astigmatic, diffraction-limited and has a gaussian energy distribution are disclosed. The device comprises a single mode optical waveguide having an input end and an output end, a laser diode optically coupled to the input end of the optical waveguide for producing at the output end thereof a laser beam which is circular in cross-section, non-astigmatic and diffraction-limited and has a gaussian energy distribution, and a collimating lens for collimating the laser beam. The collimating lens is disposed in spaced relationship to the output end of the optical waveguide such that the output end is positioned at the focal point of the collimating lens.

Abstract: A laser scanning system for scanning a laser beam across a material, comprises a laser source for generating a laser beam travelling along a first optical path and a beam reflector in the path of the laser beam. The beam reflector is rotatable about a rotation axis and includes a single mirror facet which extends in a plane oriented at an angle of 45.degree. relative to the rotation axis and has a center of rotation lying on the rotation axis, for reflecting the laser beam into a scanning beam moving at a substantially constant angular velocity. A scan lens is disposed in the path of the scanning beam for focusing the scanning beam onto the material. The laser scanning system of the invention further includes a support for supporting the laser source, beam reflector and scan lens relative to one another. The support has a unitary body formed with a first bore extending through the body.

Abstract: A motorized sheet film cartridge comprises a light proof housing which defines an opening in its top wall. A refillable tray containing stacked sheet films is slidable in the housing. The housing includes a slidable door which displaces in a longitudinal direction horizontally over the tray and its content of sheet films between open and closed positions thereof. In its closed position, the door closes the housing opening, whereas in its open position, sheet films contained in the housing can be removed therefrom through the opening. The door is operated by a reversible DC motor which drives a pair of endless chains provided on each longitudinal side of the door for displacing the door between its open and closed positions. The motor is actuated by an external computer to appropriately open or close the door. The computer also verifies that the door is closed except when film is being loaded in the cartridge or unloaded therefrom through the opening. The cartridge is removable and portable.