Abstract: The present method includes moving a light reading head along the length of a color bar whose length lies in an X direction and simultaneously therewith moving said light reading head in a Y direction, where the Y direction is substantially orthogonal to said X direction. The method further involves keeping an account of the positions of said light reading head and noting, as a benchmark position, each time the light reading head passes in the Y direction from a position off the color bar to a position over the color bar. The method further involves computing a desired Y value for each of said benchmarks and a plurality of interpolated Y values linking adjacent desired Y values to form a track which (in a preferred embodiment) lies substantially along the middle of the color bar over which to guide said light reading head during a subsequent scan. The apparatus comprises a light reading head, with an aperture that projects a light spot which has a diameter of 1/2 mm, in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: The present device comprises a plurality of doctor blades, each of which, in a preferred embodiment, has a width of a key zone. Each of the blades is disposed to be moved between the fountain roller of a printing press and the receiver roller of a roller train in the printing press. Each doctor blade is held by some force such as a solenoid in a first position whereat it scrapes away ink from the fountain roller for a predetermined time, so that the amount of ink lifted from the fountain roller is predictable which at the same time the system provides for changing the predetermined time to enable the amount of ink removed from the fountain roller to be varied. Each of the doctor blades is returned to a second position when the force is terminated, whereat each of the doctor blades comes in contact with a receiver roller which acts to wipe the ink from the respective doctor blades thus completing the transfer of ink from the fountain roller to the receiver roller of the roller train of a printing press.

Abstract: The present invention is an arrangement and a method to scan a printing plate and determine the ratio of areas which will carry ink, during a printing process, to areas which will not carry ink, during a printing process, so that adjusting means, at the various stations along an ink reservoir, can be properly set to effect correct ink flows at those various stations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for readily monitoring the optical densities of colors which make up a display or particular arrangement (such as pictures in a magazine which are printed with colored inks), and includes means for automatically detecting which of the basic colors predominant in a color is being monitored. In addition the present invention includes means to indicate to the user that the optical density of a predominant basic color detected is satisfactory with respect to, or different from, a desired reference value and provides information to enable the user to correct the optical densities of the basic colors being used prior to creating future displays, for instance the system provides information to enable the user to readily adjust the ink flow in a printing press during a printing "run.

Abstract: The present device has a housing means which has a central aperture into which there is located a source of white light and a lens arrangement to direct the white light to a focal point which lies just beyond the base of the housing. The housing means has four other apertures formed therein which lie at approximately 45.degree. to the base of the housing and which open into the central aperture so that light reflected from said focal point will be directed through each of said four other apertures. In the preferred embodiment three of said other apertures lie 120.degree. apart and each of these has a different color light filter located therein which receive reflected light from said focal point. In each of said last mentioned apertures the associated color light filter is followed by an infra-red light filter and thereafter by a photosensitive device.

Abstract: The present device includes a pair of wires which are located one above the other in a plane that lies parallel and orthogonal to the center lines of a path which a scanning head is going to view, as it travels in a scanning excursion. The wires are held taut and when they are in vertical alignment to the human eye (for convenience as reflected in a tilted mirror) then material to be scanned along a certain path can be centered under what appears to be "one wire" and in this way the scanning head will pass directly over the proper portion of the material.

Abstract: The present invention includes a holder bar which has two holes therein and into each of which is fitted a permanent magnet. Each permanent magnet is secured by a rod to a cap element and in between each cap element and the upper surface of the holder there is located a spring, to spring-load the associated magnet away from the bed upon which the holder is resting. The holder has a relatively straight edge and, in a preferred embodiment, has a stepped portion to form two substantially straight edges. A sheet of material such as a printed sheet is located on the bed in a particular position where it can be read by a scanner or cut or subjected to some interaction with a mechanism. The holder is brought in abutment with the sheet and the magnets are depressed to be magnetically secured to the bed and thus secure the holder. Thereafter, similar sheets can be readily aligned against the holder or guide.

Abstract: The present sensitometer has its light source energized, through a constant voltage transformer and is initially energized while being covered by a rotating sector shutter which does not permit the light source to send light to the material whose light sensitivity is being measured, until the light source is stabilized. The shape of the sector shutter determines how long the light source is covered to effect light and power stabilization. In addition, the present sensitometer provides a means to filter light from the light source as needed. In addition, the present sensitometer has a top piece which prevents damage to the graded gray scale means but permits ready availability to the light.