Abstract: The apparatus for controlling, in a power failure, a rotary press that separately drives a printing section and a folding section with independent drive sources, pulls a printing material that is being braked in a paper feeding section at least by the folding section, brings a blanket cylinder of the printing section into contact with the printing material to produce printing impressions by changing over the braking of the printing material to a braking mode with a constant braking force upon interruption of power feeding due to a main power failure, detecting a voltage drop caused by the power failure to output a power failure signal, changing over to a battery power supply, separating a blanket cylinder that is at press from the printing material, and decelerating and bringing to a halt a printing material pulling mechanism at the folding section within a predetermined time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the regulation of a web tension in a rotary print machine, whereby the web (B) passes through at least two printing groups (06, 07, 08, 09). A change in the extension of the web during the run, is determined by means of a change in a phase shift between a first phase position of a printing group and a second phase position measured behind a last printing group. The change in phase position is compensated by means of a change in the tension (S) of the web before the first printing group.

Abstract: A method of avoiding register differences during the operation of a printing machine having a plurality of individual printing units includes counteracting, at least by circumferential register corrections, respective register differences in the individual printing units, determining the register differences for different printing speeds and storing them in a memory, and determining the various register differences at different printing speeds by an automatic register measuring and register control device and, in the event of changes in the printing speed, superimposing the previously determined magnitude of the register correction on the adjusted variable of the automatic register measuring and register control device; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis device includes a diagnosing unit for diagnosing the condition of a printer which prints on record sheets and a displaying unit for displaying a diagnosis result based on the condition of the printer.

Abstract: A device for processing of printing defects detected in a printing machine which in a first phase delivers a printed support. The printing defects (20, 21, 22) on the support (1) are detected in a detection station. A database connected to the detection station can simultaneously store information relating to each detected printing defect. The processing device connected to the database can, in a second phase, process the stored information in order to evaluate the quality of overall printing of the printed support and can use various possible scenarios, even before the support (1) is cut in a third phase, to define all those portions (23) of the support which should be removed in order to improve the final quality of the printed product within the limit of a restriction in the number of portions which it has been agreed to cut out.

Abstract: In a color management method for a printing press, colorimetic values of a first patch for generating a profile printed by the printing press are measured, so that a printing press profile representing a color reproduction characteristic of the printing press is generated from the measured colorimetic values of the first patch and a dot area percent of each ink color predetermined in correspondence with the first patch. Colorimetic values of a second patch for determining stability of the printing press printed by the printing press are measured. The measured colorimetic values of the second patch is compared with colorimetic values, in the printing press profile, having a dot area percent substantially equal to a dot area percent of each ink color predetermined in correspondence with the second patch. A warning is generated on the basis of a comparison result. A color management apparatus for a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutter having a plurality of stepper motor driven rollers has various components needing calibration to insure that a sheet printed with a plurality of images is properly positioned with respect to the cutter for cutting the sheet into individual prints. A calibration print having a plurality of fiducial marks is used to calibrate various components. These include adjusting the intensity of scanners used by the cutter to locate the prints, to adjust the linear distances the print is moved by drive rollers and to determine precisely the distance between critical components of the cutter.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the time spent searching for color register marks including acquiring an image of the paper substrate on a printing press and processing the image using an FPGA.

Abstract: A method of feeding dampening water includes a density measuring step for measuring densities of first and second detecting patches 101 and 102 printed adjacent each other on printed matter 100 and presenting a difference in density variations after printing with varied feed rates of damping water and ink, a dampening water feeding step for controlling the feed rate of dampening water based on the densities of the first and second detecting patches 101 and 102 measured in the density measuring step, and an ink feeding step for controlling the feed rate of ink based on the densities of the first and second detecting patches measured in the density measuring step, and the feed rate of dampening water.

Abstract: In a printing system including a client, a print server and a printer that are connected to a network, the print server has a database associating printing parameter information with each printed material output apparatus user (i.e., recipient), as well as a data processing unit. When print data is sent from the client to the printer, the printing parameters for the output apparatus user specified by the sender are obtained from the database, and the print data is processed by the data processing unit based on these printing parameters. The processed print data is then output by the printer. As a result, printing can be performed using the printing parameters desired by the recipient.

Abstract: A method for the transformation of digital print data streams, in which an input print data stream (2) is read in, this is analyzed by means of a parser (4) for graphically representable objects (5, 5a) and is split up into these graphically representable objects (5, 5a), and the graphically representable objects (5, 5a) are stored in a memory (6) in an object-oriented format, and the graphically representable objects (5, 5a) stored in the memory (6) in an object-oriented format are transformed into a format for the control of an output device (9), preferably a printer, and the objects thus transformed are combined into an output print data stream (10) and are output, graphically representable objects (5, 5a) being stored in the memory (6) in an object-oriented format, to which at least one stored script (5a) is assigned, which is executed in the cases defined in the script (5a).

Abstract: Products are screen printed at a plurality of geographically remote printing facilities with precisely defined and formulated colored inks so that the products produced at each of the facilities are substantially indistinguishable by the naked human eye. Ink formulation cards and a sample product with the precisely defined colors printed on it, are sent to each of the printing facilities. Depending upon the particular environmental conditions in the various printing facilities the formulations for various colors may differ from location to location, in order to get uniform products. Compact discs, plastic bottles, promotional clothing, signage, and like products may all be effectively handled in this manner.

Abstract: A method for detecting faults during transport of a web in a web-fed printing machine, wherein web speed is determined by contact-free measurement, in accordance with the Doppler principle, includes the steps of: by applying microwaves, determining a first local speed of the web at a first measurement position; by applying microwaves, determining at least a second local speed of the web at a second measurement position spaced apart from the first measurement position in a direction of web transport; determining an actual value from the first local speed and at least the second local speed; determining any deviation of the actual value from a predefined desired value; and comparing the deviation of the actual value from the predefined desired value with a predefined threshold; a detecting device for performing the method; and a printing machine including the detecting device.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a rotary press comprises a detector disposed on a side of a plurality of printing units in order to detect entry of a foreign object between the printing units, the detector consisting of light projecting units and light receiving units; a push button provided on the printing unit and pushed after completion of checking performed before initiation of automatic plate-replacing operation of the printing units; and a controller for starting the automatic plate-replacing operation and detecting operation of the detector when a predetermined time elapses after operation of the button.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a method for providing direct control of the ink supply for printing presses based on an output of the multispectral measurement means.

Abstract: A method of determining the area coverages of a printing plate for controlling the quantities of ink in inking zones of a printing press, includes, to produce the plate from existing printed-sheet data, producing color-value printing data based upon a standard raster system, converting the printing data by a raster generator into rastered printing data, exposing the rastered printing data onto film material or a printing plate by an exposer, using various raster systems with different dot gains on the plate, in the raster generator, depending on the raster system used, applying an associated dot gain correction curve and a linearization correction curve to the color-value printing data, and supplying an area coverage calculation unit with coarse color-value image data derived from the color-value printing data, a dot gain correction curve for each raster system used, and correction location data describing in which areas of the plate which raster system is used.

Abstract: A user PC 120 for controlling a stencil printing machine 1, having a plurality of exchangeable printing drums, wherein respective printing drums are mounted with respective perforated stencil sheets which are formed by a stencil-making processing section 104 on the basis of image data, and a print sheet is held in press contact with the plural printing drums to perform a stencil printing process with first and second stencil-printing processing sections 105, 106 is disclosed as having a registering function to register printing ink colors to be used for printing with the respective printing drums by enabling reading-in of a printer driver and to store useable ink color information, a function to produce display data to display contents of the ink-color designating information produced by the designating section for the respective printing drums.

Abstract: A printer capable of stably transporting a web at high speed and with a high accuracy has a printing unit (10) for forming images on a web (W); a yet-to-be-printed web control means (2, 3, 5) for controlling the traveling position and tension of the web at a position upstream in a web transporting direction of the printing unit; and an after-printed web control means (12, 13b, 13c, 13d) for controlling the traveling position and tension of the web at a position downstream in the web transporting direction of the printing unit.

Abstract: A method of producing screen data for imaging units of a printing machine includes the steps of breaking down raw image data into a plurality of partial images, respectively, corresponding to one printing ink; outputting the partial images to a plurality of screen processors, respectively, corresponding to the number of colors to the printed; and processing the partial images simultaneously for forming screen data by the screen processors for output to a respective one of the imaging units; and a system for performing the method.

Abstract: A print controller which produces a device specific raster for its printer and also produces a rasterized output in portable and more editable form for export and re-use as an input by other printers which may have different parameters. If the input is in a device independent color space, the rasterized export also will be in a version in a device independent color space, typically CIELAB. If the input is in a printable device dependent color space such as CYMK, the output will be an more editable rasterized version in the same color space, with any printing hints that were in the original will be included in the output. In any case, an override can be provided to change the default selection to any other user-identified version. An example of a device independent color space is CIELAB, of a device dependent version applicable for a number of printers with similar parameters is SWOP CMYK, and of a device dependent version is a printer specific CMYK.

Abstract: The number of dots per inch or resolution may be specified within a image on a document or within a postal indicia and later checked to determine if the image or document or the postal indicia has the correct resolution. The foregoing is accomplished by specifying that the image on the substrate will be printed with n plus m dots per inch; rotating a ink jet head having n nozzles per inch about a axis parallel to a substrate by an angle &thgr; so that the ink jet head will produce an image on the substrate having (n/cos &thgr;) dots per inch; storing in a data center that the specified image will be printed with (n/cos &thgr;) dots per inch; analyzing the image to determine if the image has (n/cos &thgr;) dots per inch; and comparing the number of dots per inch in the analyzed image with the number of dots per inch stored for the specified image to determine if they have the same number of dots per inch.

Abstract: A printing drum (2), to which a stencil sheet having subjected to a stencil making process is attached, can be attached to and removed from a printer main body (1). A nonvolatile memory (25) is provided in the printing drum. The number of print products is stored in the nonvolatile memory as “Information on the use” of the printing drum. A control device (5) of the printer main body reads out “Information on the use” from the nonvolatile memory and stores them in a RAM (12) when the printing drum is attached to the printer main body. Subsequently, when printing is performed, information on the number of print products is updated. When the printing drum is removed from the printer main body, “Information on the use” is updated and written into the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: Computer controller mixing of customer-selected colorants, including inks, for printing machines includes an ink supply station with a color matching control computer program, an ink mixing station, cleaning and waste disposal stations, for automatically emptying and cleaning ink mixing station components, which are integrally connected to a print engine, and scheduling of colorant changes to maximize use of a particular colorant and minimize colorant changes.

Abstract: A monitoring device is described for a printer, especially a sheet-fed offset printer, with a controller that records the signals of signal transmitters in the individual units of the printer, through which command signals for actuators/drives connected to the control can be generated as a function of the signal state, and a monitoring computer that additionally records the signal states of the signal transmitters and causes the switching off of actuators/drives. The task of the following invention is to modify such a monitoring device so that a device is obtained that permits error-proof and, especially, differentiated actions during malfunctions.

Abstract: Computer controller mixing of customer-selected colorants, including inks, for printing machines includes an ink supply station with a color matching control computer program, an ink mixing station, cleaning and waste disposal stations, for automatically emptying and cleaning ink mixing station components, which are integrally connected to a print engine, and scheduling of colorant changes to maximize use of a particular colorant and minimize colorant changes.

Abstract: Print systems are provided. A representative print system includes a job retention system. The job retention system is configured to receive an input corresponding to a selected portion of a print task and retrieve information corresponding to the selected portion of the print task. Preferably, the information is in a print-ready format that is configured for use by a printing device. So configured, the information can be retrieved from memory and printed by the printing device without being processed by a driver of the printing device. Additionally, the job retention system is configured to enable the selected portion of the print task to be printed without printing a non-selected portion of the print task. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling color on press during printing utilizing spectral measurements is disclosed. When a color-difference is exceeded the measured spectral reflectance values of a test area are compared with the corresponding target reflectance values from which a spectral reflectance difference is established. A linear equation is used to relate the spectral reflectance difference to solid ink density or ink layer thickness differences for ink regulation utilizing an on-line empirically established correction matrix such that the spectral reflectance difference is minimized. The control method is applicable to both process and non-process colors.

Abstract: A method provides reference profile density values for at least one color combination having a plurality of colors produced by a reference device using a reference colorant set, at least one overprint color combination having reference initial percent dot values (IPDVs); providing current profile density values for at least one color combination produced by a current device using a current colorant set, at least one color combination produced by the current colorant set having current IPDVs; quantifying reference theoretical percent dot values (TPDVs) as efficiency attributes using reference colorant set; quantifying current TPDVs as efficiency attributes using the current colorant set; and calculating factors that compensate for at least one difference between image data produced with the reference colorant set and image data to be printed with the current colorant set in response to reference efficiency attributes and current efficiency attributes, factors used to adjust and generate image data.

Abstract: A method for inking of pasty printing inks in an inking apparatus having an ink tray, an ink tray roller, a variable ink gap at the bottom of the ink tray, and an ink dosing element disposed along the ink tray roller, which comprises separating the amount of printing ink into a minimal amount of printing ink and a consumed amount of printing ink, disposing the minimal amount within the ink tray, and applying the consumed amount of printing ink to the ink tray roller through the ink dosing element.

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: The advance of a print media through a hardcopy apparatus is monitored by a separate wheel meeting in contact with the print media surface. An encoder disc is mounted coaxially with the wheel, and its rotary position is detected in non-contact making manner.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a color register in a web-fed rotary printing press is accomplished by measuring an actual web tension and comparing it to a reference value for the web tension. If the actual web tension exceeds the reference value by more than a permissible tolerance either the number of revolutions of one of two print positions or the cylinder positions of one of the print positions is changed.

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: A measurement system is disclosed enabling the operator of a rotary printing press to continuously discern the contact pressure being exerted during the printing of a visual image. The measurement system requires the pressure sensing components being employed to cooperate with further sensing components detecting angular position of the printing plates when the pressure measurements are being carried out to produce a continuous visual display for the press operator.

Abstract: A device for quickly and reliably establishing a production-run state in a printing group of a rotary printing machine after the printing cycle has been interrupted. A plurality of freely programmable memory devices having various different printing control programs stored therein may be manually or automatically connected to a control computer that determines which of the preprogrammed control programs are necessary to return the printing machine to a production-run state. The computer then controls the inking unit and, as applicable, the dampening unit in such way that its inking profile for production-run printing is quickly established.

Abstract: The tension in a moving web of material is measuring using a measuring roller or cylinder. This tension is repeatedly compared to a threshold value. If the measured value deviates from the threshold value beyond a certain amount, this is used as an indication of web tear or breakage.

Abstract: A method of a replacement component used in a printer communicating with a controller of the printer, and a method of a controller of a printer communicating with a replacement component used in a printer are disclosed. The method of the replacement component communicating with the controller includes the steps of: a memory module of the replacement component deciding whether or not a predetermined password signal is in information received via a communication interface; and the memory module communicating with the controller of the printer when the password signal is in the received information. Since the replacement component for a printer is adapted to not communicate with a controller which does not transmit a preset communication allowing signal, the characteristic information of the replacement component is prevented from being leaked. In addition, it can be prevented that a bad component is installed and used in the printer.

Abstract: A method for controlling a quantity of medium transferable from a screen roller of a printing machine onto a roller that is in contact with the screen roller includes exerting an influence upon a difference in circumferential speed between the screen roller and the roller in contact therewith, and further includes controlling the difference in the circumferential speed as a function of the printing speed of the printing machine, so that printed medium density remains at least approximately constant at least within a wide printing speed range.

Abstract: A method and system for position-aware freeform printing in which a source image space in a source medium and a target image space in a target medium are specified. A selected image in the source image space is copied and/or optionally processed and transferred to the target image space. A controller captures the selected source image and stores the image in a memory. The image is optionally processed and the processed and optionally formatted image is output. The controller may format the processed image to fit into the target image space by controlling the rendering of the processed image onto the target medium as the printing device is moved over the target image space in a freeform direction. The controller predicts the freeform direction that the print head will travel by detecting the motion previously traveled and adjusting the image to compensate for the predicted freeform direction.

Abstract: To control a printing apparatus capable of inserting, during printing on recording paper sheets fed from a predetermined sheet feed unit, a plurality of types of paper sheets from sheet feed units different from the predetermined sheet feed unit, any one of the predetermined combination patterns of paper sheets useable in combinations out of the plurality of types of paper sheets is designated, and display is controlled in accordance with the designated combination pattern such that feed settings of the plurality of types of paper sheets can be performed on a single window.

Abstract: Setting registration, with detection of the entry of a printing substrate (2) into a printing machine (1) and calculation of the beginning of digital production of color separations (3, 3′, 3″, 3′″) to achieve an in-register position of the color separation prints (4, 4′, 4″, 4′″) on a printing substrate (2). This is achieved by the printing substrate (2) being detected before it enters the printing machine (1) and, following this detection, the relative positions of the color separations (3, 3′, 3″, 3′″) being calculated, and by precise detection of the leading edge (5) of the printing substrate (2) being performed as it enters the printing machine (1) and being made the basis for determining the starts of the production of the color separations (3, 3′, 3″, 3′″), their relative position having been precalculated.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing a color image includes a printer driver which processes input image data to generate printable image data, and further includes one or more color profiles which are used by the printer driver to perform color matching on the input image data in a normal mode, wherein the printer driver uses one or more toner-saving-purpose profiles to perform color matching on the input image data in a toner saving mode, the one or more toner-saving-purpose profiles being specifically designed to reduce a toner amount on a printed color image.

Abstract: The control apparatus, in a rotary press having a plurality of printing units, performs a first calculation of subtracting the number of effective copies from the required number of copies for an operating printing unit and a second calculation of subtracting the number of copies of the operating printing unit from the result of the first calculation until a standby printing unit being ready to be operated, then outputs a first signal when the second calculation results 0 or less, a second signal when the first calculation results 0 or less, a control message to accelerate the printing unit to a predetermined operation speed to the printing control unit of the standby printing receiving the first signal, and a control message to decelerate and stop the printing unit to the printing control unit of the operating printing unit receiving the second signal.

Abstract: A system and method for managing selection of a print shop for a print job. The method typically includes sending bid requests for a print job to plural print shops. The method further may include receiving at least one bid. The method may also include selecting a bid that meets defined criteria and directing the print shop that submitted the selected bid to print the print job.

Abstract: A method for reducing vibrations in a printing press, the printing press having a first plate cylinder independently registrable from a second print cylinder. The method includes the steps of determining a lateral position of the first vibrator, roll with respect to the second vibrator roll and rotating the first plate cylinder with respect to the second plate cylinder so as to change the lateral position of the first vibrator roll with respect to the second vibrator roll. A printing press has a controller receiving an input from at least one sensor, the controller rotating the first plate cylinder with respect to the second plate cylinder so as to alter a phase between the first vibrator roll and the second vibrator roll as a function of the input.

Abstract: Printing material is transported through the multicolor printing machine with a cyclically operating feeding arrangement. At least one surface of the printing material is successively imprinted with a printed image. The printed image is recorded in a image pickup and an image signal of each printed image is generated. The image signal generated from a plurality of printed images is transmitted to a control device. The control device processes the electric image signals to obtain information relating to rhythmic vibrations in the machine causing register deviations. The cause of the vibrations is determined and counter-measures are initiated for minimizing or eliminating the rhythmic vibrations.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and diverting sections of web having splices on a continuous web is provided. A splice detector is located adjacent a source of continuous web, typically a roll. The movement of the web from the roll is tracked, and the relative location of the splice within the web stream is noted by a controller. Downstream, a web utilization device is provided with a movement detector also connected to the controller. Movement of the splice-containing section through utilization device is tracked so that the splice-containing section is not processed by the utilization device, or is reprocessed on a non-splice-containing section. A cutter is also provided with a movement detector, also connected to the controller. Movement of the web from the utilization device to the cutter is tracked and the section containing the web is cut. A diversion mechanism can be used to remove the cut section of web containing the splice so that it does not appear in the final stream of finished cut sheets.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of controlling a proximity transaction between first and second communications devices, each of which is provided with a short-range transceiver. The first communications device has an RF/ID reader, and the second communications device has an RF/ID tag, the RF/ID tag containing the same identifier information as the second communications device. The second communications device is positioned within the range of the reader of the first communications device. Then, the transceiver of the second communications device transmits a transaction request and the identifier information of that device to the first communications device. The reader of the first communications device then interrogates the tag of the second communications device and the transaction is completed upon the reader of the first communications device receiving identifier information from the tag of the second communications device that is identical to the identifier information already received.

Abstract: A printing machine provided allows even unskilled operators to perform ink and water supply control according to the contents of an image. While a reference image to be printed is segmented into a plurality of regions similar in contents, image data is obtained from printed matter and a color difference between the reference image and a print image is calculated. Ink and water (I/W) supplies are determined based on regional color difference data obtained by summing the color differences for each region. At this time, by adding correction of the regional color difference data based on the characteristics of each region and the contents of the image, and correction of the I/W supplies based on external factors and variables, even unskilled operators can perform rapid I/W supply control based on the contents of the image.

Abstract: A compound recording method and compound recording apparatus are provided for producing a printed product. The apparatus includes a plurality of image forming devices to form images on a plurality of recording sheets based on a plurality of image data arbitrarily obtained. Each of the image forming devices forms a separate image on a separate recording sheet in parallel with other image forming devices, and a sheet finisher is provided to accept the plurality of recording sheets ejected from the plurality of image forming devices and apply a designated finish-processing to the plurality of recording sheets on which the images are already formed by the plurality of image forming devices.