Abstract: The tension of a web in a rotary printing machine is monitored and adjusted. The web runs through at least one printing group in the rotary printing machine. Any change in the stretch of the web during the production run is determined by noting any difference between first and second speeds of the web. The change in stretch is compensated for by a change in the tension of the web before the first printing group.

Abstract: When one print job is distributed and printed by a plurality of printing apparatuses, it is intended that a desired print result of the user can be certainly obtained. A virtual distribution printer 12 detects an attribute of the print job which is inputted from an application 11, sets the minimum division unit, in accordance with the detected attribute, in which even if the inputted print job is divided, the print result is not changed, divides the print job on the basis of the minimum division unit, and distributes and outputs the divided print jobs to a plurality of printers 13 to 16, thereby enabling the print result expected by the user to be certainly obtained.

Abstract: Color densities of patches included in a control strip are measured to perform printing control based on the color densities. The patches are arranged in the same direction as the arrangement of ink keys of a printing device. The patches include four typical patches of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow at area rates of 60 to 85% in the width of each ink key. The printing control is the control for keeping the color densities of the four typical patches of the width of each ink key in predetermined color-density ranges.

Abstract: A print system receives an image file and a print order file from a customer, the image file having an image data area and an order data area. The print system copies information of the received print order file into the order data area of the received image file. The print system produces a print of the image data in the image file according to the information in the order data area of the image file. The print system has a printer capable of producing a print of a predetermined image data provided by a third party as well as that of the image data of the customer. The print system delivers to the customer the print ordered by the customer as well as the print of the predetermined image data. The print system selects a group of orders among all the orders in accordance with the destination of delivery for controlling the printer to give priority to the group of orders in producing the prints.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing information, such as postal indicia and other information, on a medium. The system is implemented by detecting a type of medium and entering a printing mode as a function of the type of medium detected. The printing mode is either an envelope printing mode or a tape/label printing mode. When in the envelope printing mode, a print module is positioned at a first position, and prints postal indicia data on a first area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a second position. Additional data is obtained and the additional data is printed on a second area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a third position and recipient address data is obtained and printed on a third area of the envelope. The print module is positioned at a fourth position, and sender address information is obtained and printed on a fourth area of the envelope.

Abstract: A method of operating a sheet-fed printing press having a sheet guide module, removable from the sheet-fed printing press and then inserted back into the sheet-fed printing press again, and a machine control system, includes the steps of monitoring a position of the sheet guide module with respect to its correct operating position with the machine control system, and, based upon results of the position monitoring, the machine control system keeping the sheet-fed printing process in a first operating mode when the sheet guide module is located in the correct operating position, and keeping it in a second operating mode with at least one operating function that is restricted as compared with the first operating mode when the sheet guide module is out of the correct operating position. Also provided is a sheet-fed printing press suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The amount of ink in an ink fountain in a printer is detected on the basis of change of oscillation. The oscillation frequency is changed on the basis of dielectric constant information on the dielectric constant of the ink.

Abstract: After an ink feeding rate or a dampening water feeding rate is varied, a variation in the ink feeding rate or dampening water feeding rate is prohibited for a waiting period. The waiting period for prohibiting a variation in the ink feeding rate is determined by a pattern area rate of a corresponding region. The waiting period for prohibiting a variation in the dampening water feeding rate is determined by an average pattern area rate of all regions or a minimum pattern area rate among pattern area rates of all regions. When one of the ink feeding rate and dampening water feeding rate is varied, a variation in the other feeding rate is prohibited for a set period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a label dispenser for franking machine comprising, on the one hand, a delivery roller on which a continuous tape of labels is wound and a drive means for conveying this tape along a dispenser conveying path from this delivery roller towards a label inlet of the franking machine, and, on the other hand, first means for measuring a displacement of the drive means, second means for measuring a displacement of the delivery roller and processing means for determining a remaining length of the continuous tape of labels from the first and second displacement measuring means.

Abstract: When a print process command is outputted from a port terminal, an MFP displays first print information related to the print process command of the port terminal on a display unit. On the other hand, when a print process command is outputted from a personal computer, the MFP receives authentication information, and displays second print information related to the print process command of the personal computer on the display unit only when the received authentication information matches pre-stored authentication information. Then, the MFP prints print data outputted from the personal computer on condition that the second print information is displayed on the display unit. For example, the staff in a shop can print the print data for business use by using an MFP for use by customers in the shop while ensuring security, and it is possible to prevent confusion between a plurality of customers and the shop staff in operating the MFP.

Abstract: A clock generator for generating a clock signal for an imaging device serving for transferring image-setting information to a rotatable printing form which includes an input to which an actual value signal dependent upon an angular position of the printing form is applicable, and an output for outputting the clock signal. It further includes a first comparator having a first input whereto the actual value signal is applicable as an analog signal, a second input to which an analog nominal value signal, respectively, representing a nominal value for the angular position of the printing form, is applicable, and an output for outputting the clock signal formed as a function of a result of a comparison between the analog actual value signal and the analog nominal value signal; an imaging device and a printing machine including the clock generator; and a method of generating a clock signal for an imaging operation.

Abstract: A print screen tonal control and compensation system and method are provided in which a compensated density curve is utilized to increase press predictability, performance, resources consumption, color variation, and quality. A computerized test pattern is generated, and by applying computer to plate technology, a printed press produces a printed test pattern. The test pattern is subsequently analyzed to identify the plugging point of the production run, and a compensated density curve is created to eliminate plugging within the production pattern. The density curve is then used to generate a compensated printing plate for use in a production press run.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reproducing image data from a press output on another device. The present invention mimics color, resolution and frequency of dots used by varying the color saturation (amplitude) of the dots used to mimic the defining characteristics of the source output. By allowing adjustments in both frequency and amplitude to vary from the original output device, it becomes possible to match the resolution and color of the source device.

Abstract: The invention is a method for retaining an ink profile established during ink infeed, for printing in an inking unit of a printing press containing a drive for the inking unit, an ink dosing device, and a roller group in the inking unit having oscillating rollers and transfer rollers, by delaying printing after ink infeed by interrupting the drive to the inking unit for a time period between the end of ink infeed and delayed printing; and to apparatus for effectuating such drive interruption.

Abstract: An ink feeding rate control method includes a reference print preparing step for making a printing plate by recording an image thereon based on first image data for recording a reference chart, and obtaining a reference print, a reference print colorimetric step for obtaining color data by reading the reference print, a conversion table preparing step for preparing a conversion table from the first image data and the color data of the reference print, a reference color data converting step for converting second image data for recording an image into reference color data by using the conversion table, a print preparing step for making a printing plate by using the second image data, and printing a print, a print colorimetric step for obtaining print color data by reading the print, and an ink feeding rate adjusting step for comparing the reference color data and the print color data, and adjusting ink feeding rates.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cleaning system has a cleaning fluid reservoir with a feed of the cleaning fluid to the rotating bodies to be cleaned via a cleaning element for each body. Its serviceability can be monitored, in particular erroneously exceeding the critical quantity of cleaning agent per unit time during the cleaning of the rotating bodies of the press can be detected and countermeasures can be initiated, by constructing the cleaning reservoir as a pressure container which can be pressurized from a compressed-air source via an electronically drivable changeover valve V1, and by implementing each feed of the cleaning fluid to the rotating body by means of a fluid feed line in which there are installed at least one electronically driveable changeover valve V4 that controls the flow, and at least one further electronically driveable changeover valve V5 which controls the expulsion quantities and expulsion times of the cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A method of adjusting dampening-solution feed of an offset printing press by a control device includes determining a required dampening-solution demand for a first calibration printing form with a known minimum percent area coverage and for a second calibration printing form with a known maximum percent area coverage at a calibration speed, and storing the dampening-solution demand in the control device as interpolation reference points; determining a percent area coverage lying between the maximum and the minimum percent area coverage of the calibration printing forms of a printing form to be used for a forthcoming print job, and passing the determined percent area coverage on to the control device; determining by the control device the dampening-solution demand required for the forthcoming print job with the printing form provided for the purpose at the calibration speed, by interpolating between the interpolation reference points; determining a printing-speed dependent characteristic curve of the dampening

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting a media and a page size. A combination is provided for each media/page size pair in a printing system. A user can select a combination from a list of combinations and the media and page size that correspond to the selected combination are identified and used for a print job of the user. A color profile is selected automatically. The selected media is loaded in an appropriate printer and printed. The combination is an encrypted value that includes a media and a page size. The combination optionally includes an entity identifier. The combinations or identifiers are usually specific to a particular entity and cannot be used by other competing entities.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printing control method and apparatus, a computer program product, and the like in which printing data is held in a hierarchical structure and a printing job is issued to a printer to cause the printer to print. In the printing control method according to the present invention, different setting values can be set in the lower and upper layers of the hierarchical structure as printing setting data containing double-sided printing or single-sided printing setting. When a setting value different from that of the upper layer is set in the lower layer of the hierarchical structure, the printer is instructed on a setting in the lower layer for each printing data to which the setting value is applied.

Abstract: In a case of printing documents having a plurality of pages (documents number c) on output sheets so as not to exceed a limited output sheets number a, the limited output sheets number a and an output copies number b are set (S1 and S2), and the documents number c is confirmed in reading the documents (S4). When the limited output sheets number a, the output copies number b, and the documents number c are recognized, a print document pages number d which is a number of original images that should be printed on each output sheet is set in accordance with the foregoing values (S5). When the print document pages number d is set, an output mode which allows the documents to be printed in accordance with the print document pages number d is set (S6), so that a printing operation is carried out (S7). Further, in S1, each of allowable amounts of sheets stored in (i) sheet feeding means, (ii) delivery means, and (iii) post-processing means may be recognized as the limited output sheets number a.

Abstract: A method for presetting an ink feed in multi-color printing derives presetting values for zonal ink metering devices and for ink metering rollers acting over a printing width from a set value for a weight per unit area of a full tone area, zonal area coverage values and an ink stripe width. For each of a plurality of printing inks, the zonal ink metering devices and the ink metering rollers are preset in dependence of an ink demand for an image to be printed.

Abstract: A method for modifying an image surface of a printing plate includes identifying a location of a pixel of an image at the image surface, an ink being disposed at the location of the pixel. The ink at the location of the pixel is then irradiated using a laser imaging system. The ink may be cured by the radiation so that it is hardened and useable to receive liquid ink and be used as a printing surface. The ink may be ablated and removed. Individual pixels of the image may be added or removed from the printing surface.

Abstract: A method of controlling the supply of ink in a printing machine wherein the ink is differently guided zonally on an ink-fountain roller transversely to the printing direction, and is transferred by a vibrator roller to a distributor roller, includes metering the ink zonally for counteracting ink transfer disturbances caused by a stroke movement of the distributor roller, so as to minimize the disturbances automatically to at least an effective extent; and a printing machine for performing the method.

Abstract: When initially routing a continuous web along a path, the web walks across the width of the path, and uneven tension occurs causing the web to break in some cases when printing tension is applied thereto. Further, uneven web tension is produced on the right and left of the web by excessive walk control resulting from an excessive deviation of the web from the target position of a walk controller, with the result that the web is crumpled and broken. These problems are solved by maintaining a web tension that is lower than the printing tension until the web position converges on the target position of the walk controller after loading of the web, thereby reducing the amount of correction by the walk controller and the amount of web lost in the preparatory phase before printing, with the result that excellent image quality free from crumple or breakdown is ensured.

Abstract: A limited edition stamp and method for printing limited edition stamps from a plurality of different printers and locations. The limited edition stamps each having a unique ID not visible under normal viewing conditions. The unique ID number is allocated to different printers by a single computer that is communication with all of the printers.

Abstract: In a first printing process in Steps S1 through S6, ink supply is controlled so that a measured printed density (Vn) is approximately equal to a first target density (V1). This provides a uniform amount of ink remaining on ink rollers after the first printing process. Thereafter, in a second printing process in Steps S7 through S11, printing is performed using a second target density (V2) lower than the first target density (V1). This provides a slightly reduced, uniform amount of ink remaining on the ink rollers. Thus, a novel method of presetting ink is provided which facilitates the formation of a distribution of the new amount of ink at the beginning of the next printing operation and which stabilizes the early start of printing.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, it is checked if a tab paper print setup is made. If it is determined that the tab paper print setup is made, it is checked if the face to be printed is the obverse or reverse face. If it is determined that the face to be printed is the obverse face, first drawing data is generated; if face to be printed is the reverse face, second drawing data is generated by adjusting the first drawing data.

Abstract: A method of correcting the position of a printed image on a printable medium, said image being generated by a computer and printed on the printable medium by a printer controlled by the computer, in which the computer executes a print operation to print an image onto a printable medium; obtains co-ordinates which define the actual position of the image printed as well as the co-ordinates of a desired position of the image; and responds to the difference between the required and the actual positions to correct the image which would be generated by the computer in the next execution of the print operation such that it will be printed at the correct position.

Abstract: A difference of picture quality between a foreground image and a background image is reduced and a good print result in which a boundary between the foreground image and the background image is inconspicuous is obtained. A printing apparatus for compressing raster image information which is formed in accordance with inputted print information, using the compressed image as a background image, and drawing a foreground image thereon. After the foreground image was drawn on a RAM 2, a degree of image deterioration due to compression of the compressed background image is detected and a compressing process which causes the image deterioration of the degree similar to the detected image deterioration is performed to the whole image.

Abstract: A printing device reads an image on a printing paper with an image pickup part. It image-processes obtained image data in a control part, and operates the positions of respective register marks (R1 to R4). It operates the quantity of displacement necessary for positioning an image. It obtains an offset count number Co for deciding an image recording starting position from the obtained quantity of displacement. It stores the obtained offset count number Co while obtaining starting position data. Then, dimensional correction data for the image is calculated. The image on the printing paper is first picked up, and the necessary quantity of displacement is calculated. A speed coefficient k is calculated for changing the rotational speed of a plate cylinder. Following this, a correction quantity by a Cd default count number previously set for deciding the image recording starting position is changed. Accordingly, the offset count number Co is calculated again on the basis of the obtained speed variable k.

Abstract: An integrated computerized system for use in color printing having at least one digital representation of a color characteristic of at least one page to be printed and a digital storage memory for storing the digital representation. An imposition apparatus is connected to the storage memory to receive the digital representation and arrange the digital representation in accordance with a desired plate layout, thereby to define a plate image. A press set-up device extracts from the plate image the color characteristic and provides ink flow set-up data to a printing press in accordance with the extracted color characteristic.

Abstract: A method of driving a machine related to printing technology, wherein movable elements forming a kinematic chain are coupled with one another via at least one gear mechanism, includes infeeding torque components by a respective motor of at least one group of two motors, respectively located at least at two elements associated with one another. The torque components are of equal amplitude but have opposite directions of rotation, for suppressing disruptive oscillations at least at the one group of two motors. The amplitude of the torque components is proportional to relative rotation of the two elements associated with one another. Rotary encoders are provided to obtain signals for reproducing rotational positions of the elements.

Abstract: A method for providing direct control of the ink supply for printing presses based on an output of a multispectral measurement device includes: obtaining an output of the multispectral measurement from a plurality of printed items which are printed while varying the amount of ink dispensed, utilizing percentage dot area information in print editing from a printing plate for the printed item; determining a transfer function to calculate the amount of ink dispensed corresponding to the amount of change in the multispectral; and computing the amount of ink dispensed to be changed, by using the output deviation in the multispectral measurement output from the target colors for a commercially printed item, and the percentage dot area information related to the target colors of the commercially printed item to control the amount of ink dispensed by the foregoing ink dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: An approach is provided for identifying black and white pages in a color document stream. This approach may be utilized in digital printing systems. This approach examines a small portion of the color data for a page to identify whether the color data is indicative of the page being a black and white page or a full color page. This approach also examines the relative sizes of compressed color separations for the pages. Pages that are determined to be black and white pages may be printed in a black and white mode, whereas full color pages may be printed in a full color page mode.

Abstract: An ink supply controller capable of generating a proper ink curve from a result of printing even when there is a small difference in image area percentage between ink key regions is provided. The ink supply controller includes an old job data storing element for storing old job data; a new job data acquiring element for acquiring new job data; an ink curve generating element for generating an ink curve based on the old job data and the new job data; an ink curve display element for displaying the generated ink curve; and an updating element for updating the old job data by using the generating ink curve. The ink curve generating element acquires data parameters for generation of the ink curve from both the old job data and the new job data to set an approximate curve obtained from a distribution of these data parameters as a new ink curve.

Abstract: An image of a design pattern of wallpaper stored in a data base (DB) is viewed by a user computer of a user who is a general consumer or a contractor from a server computer provided in a head office of a wallpaper manufacturer through the Internet. Further, upon accepting an order of wallpaper from the user who saw the image by the user computer, the server computer fetches the image of the design pattern from the DB. A wallpaper printer then prints the image on a wallpaper sheet, thereby manufacturing the wallpaper desired by the user. The produced wallpaper is delivered to the user who gave out the order by, for example, a door-to-door delivery service.

Abstract: A printing control system for a printer includes the same number of one-page tasks as the number of printing papers which can be simultaneously present on the printing path of the printer at the maximum and a main control task which starts one of the one-page control means which are free each time a printing paper is supplied. Each of the one-page control tasks controls printing action on the corresponding printing paper from the step of supplying the corresponding printing paper to the step of discharging the corresponding printing paper and is made free when the printing action on the corresponding printing paper is successfully finished or when an error is detected during the printing action on the corresponding printing paper.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine is disclosed comprising a conveyor for conveying sheets of material from an upstream cylinder to a downstream conveyor in which the angular positions of both conveyors are sensed, as well as the linear position of each sheet, and the speed of the conveyor is adjusted to maintain registry of each sheet.

Abstract: A method for setting machine settings for a printing machine at a time selected from before and during printing of a printed product on a printing machine, includes providing for one of an operator of the printing press and a pressman to evaluate a printed result of a printed product produced in one of a production printing and a proof printing, and resetting the machine settings, if necessary; in dependence upon an enabling signal, storing prescribed input variables and machine settings, which define a print job, in a control system belonging to the printing machine; and applying the stored values for influencing future settings of the printing machine, even for other print jobs; a printing machine for performing the method; and a material for printing with the printing machine.

Abstract: A print system receives an image file and a print order file from a customer, the image file having an image data area and an order data area. The print system copies information of the received print order file into the order data area of the received image file. The print system produces a print of the image data in the image file according to the information in the order data area of the image file. The print system has a printer capable of producing a print of a predetermined image data provided by a third party as well as that of the image data of the customer. The print system delivers to the customer the print ordered by the customer as well as the print of the predetermined image data. The print system selects a group of orders among all the orders in accordance with the destination of delivery for controlling the printer to give priority to the group of orders in producing the prints.

Abstract: A holographic stereogram print order receiving system and method wherein an order receiving server which, upon completion of a connection and user inquiry, receives a two-dimensional image and the parameter information indicating a zooming zone from a user terminal and sends this information to an image processing server. Zooming image processing is executed relative to the two-dimensional image using the parameter information such that the zooming image can be observed when viewed by changing its viewpoint. This zooming image processed data is sent to the user terminal as preview image data. Then, the zooming image processed data is sent from the image processing server to the image storing server. A printout device supplied with the zooming image processed data from the image storing server generates a holographic stereogram.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing a printing-machine drive system having a plurality of drives with drive motors, includes assigning to the drives local drive control units and a central operating and control unit with a data processing system having components connected to communicate with one another. The drive motors are operated decentrally by prescribed drive data via the respectively assigned drive control units. Respective drive data are calculated, with at least one of the components of the data processing system of one of the drive control units, in dependence on computing operations required in other components of the data processing system. System-induced differences between the drives or system-induced differences between the components of the data processing system are compensated, in a resulting calculation. A printing machine is also provided for performing the method.

Abstract: The cutting machine includes a sheet-driving unit, a detection sensor, and a cutter. The machine operates the sheet-driving unit and the cutter based on given input data to cut the sheet. The cutting machine calculates a length of sheet necessary to perform a cutting operation based on the input data, feeds out the sheet by the sheet-driving unit, and then performs a given cutting operation based on the input data without fully returning the sheet fed out by the driving unit after the cutting machine detects whether the sheet of the necessary length as calculated above is placed with using the detection sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing operational plate cylinders during rotary press operation is provided. This apparatus is possible to substantially equalize an actual print count to a set print count before change of operational plate cylinders. This can eliminate waste to print undesired recording paper (paper loss) and lead to cost down. A rotary press includes at least two or more plate cylinders (P), drive means (13, 13′) for driving the plate cylinders (P) and switching means (15) for selectively switching the plate cylinders (P) in a printable state and in an unprintable state.

Abstract: A card supply for use with an identification card printing system includes a card hopper and a supply circuit. The card hopper contains a stack of cards. The supply circuit is mounted to the card hopper that includes a memory containing supply information relating to parameters of the card supply.

Abstract: First, the inking behavior of the printing units of a multicolor rotary printing machine is determined by means of test forms. The inking nonuniformities on the test forms are transmitted to the pre-press stage. Using the data about the inking nonuniformities of the test forms, the raster tonal values of the color separations of a printing form are modified in such a way that the inking nonuniformities are compensated locally on the basis of the location of their occurrence in the print on the printing forms or films.

Abstract: A process is provided for detecting the position of a paper web, especially in wet offset printing, wherein a strip free from ink or moistening agent is detected. A device is provided for detecting the position of a cut web, especially in wet offset printing. The device has a sensor for detecting the water content in the paper web.

Abstract: A method of printing a token by printer (5), in which the printer (5) includes a digital identification device (1) configured to generate a series of distinct print job counter numbers and to provide a public key of a cryptographic public key/private key pair. The method includes the steps of sending a printer generated print job counter number and an encryption key to a token issuer (4) the token issuer (4) sending to the printer (5) a message encrypted by the encryption key, the message including the print job counter number and information representative of the token (9) to be printed and the printer (5) decrypting the encrypted message and printing the token using the information representative of the token (9) if the print job counter number is valid.

Abstract: A method for printing includes a plurality of process steps. According to an additional step, relevant data are stored in a central relational database. Both a printing press and a data processing unit processing prepress data are interconnected.

Abstract: A cache memory system and method for printers is described. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a printer, memory, an input buffer and a control system. The memory contains one or more prior print job elements referenced by one or more previous print job tickets that were previously processed by the printer. The input buffer receives a new print job ticket referencing one or more new print job elements. The control system searches memory for any prior print job elements matching the one or more new print job elements referenced by the new print job ticket. The control system downloads one or more new print job elements not matching any of the one or more prior print job elements from a remote site. This permits the printer to retrieve the one or more prior print job elements that match the one or more new print job elements from memory instead of having to retrieve them from the remote site.