Abstract: A virtual, real-time proofing system and method are shown. The system and method are characterized in that a reconstructed image of a plurality of engraved cells is created using a pixel data signal that is created using a tool path position signal generated by a sensor that senses the movement of a cutter or stylus as it is engraving the cells.

Abstract: A relief printing plate manufacturing method includes: generating binary image data based on multivalued image data representing a printing image; generating, from the binary image data, target stereoscopic shape data; calculating, based on the target stereoscopic shape data, exposure amount data; providing a predetermined exposure amount to an outside image adjacent pixel in a range of predetermined pixels adjacent to an ON pixel; and applying laser light to an area of OFF pixels based on the exposure amount data to engrave a portion outside of an area, and applying laser light to the outside image adjacent pixel based on the predetermined exposure amount to form a relief having a projecting shape with a corner part of a flange part of a top face of the relief at least partially chamfered.

Abstract: A printer is configured to print on a tape-type print medium. The printer includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the printer to perform a process including displaying, on a display portion, characters, a block break line, and block numbers in a case where print data include block data and block break data. The block break line is a line segment that indicates a break position between adjacent blocks of a plurality of blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks contains at least one line's worth of characters. The block numbers indicate sequence numbers for the plurality of blocks. The block data is data for the plurality of blocks. The block break data is data that indicate the break position. The plurality of blocks is to be printed in a first direction in which the plurality of blocks are arrayed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a character identifying unit configured to identify character data of black from color image data; a character data generating unit configured to add character data of a color other than black to the character data of black as additional character data to generate combined character data; and a character data correcting unit configured to perform thinning process of making a line of a character of the additional character data thinner than a line of the character data of black.

Abstract: A method of creating a lenticular imaging article. The method comprises printing an interlaced composite image according to a reference grid of a printer, providing a lenticular lens sheet having a plurality of parallel lenticular lines between a plurality of lenslets, selecting an acute angle for an intersection between the first and second axes according to a function of a resolution of the interlaced composite image and a pitch of the lenticular lens sheet, and positioning the lenticular lens sheet so that the intersection forms the acute angle.

Abstract: A relief print master, such as a flexographic print master or sleeve is created by printing a sequence of intermediate layers on top of each other with an inkjet printing system. The top layer corresponds with the halftoned image that is to be printed by the print master and the lower intermediate layers are supporting layers. The pixels of the intermediate layers that are stacked on top of each other are printed with different nozzles to reduce image quality artifacts. Both a method and a system are described.

Abstract: A password generating system includes a scanner, a coordinate obtaining unit, a writing information obtaining unit, a track obtaining unit, a dividing unit, a converter, and an output unit. The scanner includes a stylus part performing writing on a print medium with a code indicating coordinates in a password setting region. The scanner scans the code. The coordinate obtaining unit obtains the coordinates from the code. The writing information obtaining unit obtains writing information specifying the order of writing. The track obtaining unit obtains the track of writing based on the obtained coordinates and writing information. The dividing unit divides obtained tracks into units convertible to symbols. The converter converts the track in each unit into a symbol. The output unit obtains a symbol string by arranging obtained symbols in an order based on the order of writing, and outputs the symbol string as a password.

Abstract: A method of high resolution digital embossing by printing a polymer overlayer over a printed file, comprising: receiving a digital image of a printed file, identifying text characters in the digital image, for each identified text characters determining the font type and size, using a lookup table to determine a percentage of polymer pixels reduction for the identified font type and size, creating a raster image for a polymer overlayer to be printed over the printed areas of the printed file and printing a polymer overlayer according to the raster image over the printed file, wherein creating a raster image comprises stochastically removing the determined percentage of pixels from the overlay area concurrent with each identified character.

Abstract: A method and system for creating guilloché base pattern with two-dimensional periodicity in a plurality of replicate patterns is shown wherein the creating can be assessed in real-time for pattern acceptability by a user. A base pattern is set on an imaging device in vector space relative to a set of predetermined pattern nodes. The base pattern is modulated via a user interface by adjusting positions of the pattern known for selectively controlling curve shapes of the pattern. A guilloché mark is illustrated by display on the imaging device of the adjusted base pattern and a compilation of associated replicate patterns for user assessment of the mark.

Abstract: A printing apparatus receives a print job from an information processing apparatus. It is determined whether the received print job is a first print job or a second print job. If the results of the determination indicate that the received print job is a first print job, printing onto a printing medium is executed based on the first print job. However, if the received print job is a second print job, the second print job is stored in a storage medium. Then, if a printing instruction for printing the second print job containing printing settings and stored in the storage medium has been made, printing based on the second print job is executed onto a printing medium onto which printing based on the first print job has already been executed, and a process for adding a processing agent to that printing medium is then executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus obtains area information indicating target areas to be subjected to image processing from a plurality of image processing servers and judges whether or not their target areas are overlapping each other. The image forming apparatus examines the priority levels set in advance for the image processing servers if their target areas are overlapping each other, then repeats to instruct an image processing server with a lower priority level than another image processing server to adjust the position of its target area until it is judged that the target areas are not overlapping each other. And the image forming apparatus transmits information of the target areas confirmed to be not overlapping each other to the image processing servers, so that the image processing servers can successfully perform image processing on their own target areas according to the information.

Abstract: Proposed is the use of a document widget for representing a property of a document. The document widget comprises: a human-readable portion for interpretation by a user; and a machine-readable portion representing the document property. By comprising information about a property of a document, a document widget may be processed in accordance with an optical recognition process so as to identify the document widget and enable extraction of the document property.

Abstract: Printer systems and methods provide a plurality of unique identification codes to assignment devices in various geographical locations in order to assign a unique code to a single item of commerce through affixing tags or the like thereon or by direct printing. Information regarding which code is associated with which item of commerce may be captured and stored in database(s) along with other advertising, authenticity, distribution, manufacturing, note, quality control, and retail information. Inquires may be made regarding the codes by users with handheld devices including cellular phones, PDAs, notebook computers, barcode scanners, RFID readers, etc. through carrier networks, LANs, and WANs in order to obtain information about the item of commerce or related products. Stored information from the database may be provided to the users in response to their inquiries. Information may also be uploaded by the handheld devices for counterfeiting, diversion, and other tracking purposes.

Abstract: For use with lazy-portrait narrow-end to narrow-end (LPEE) formatted document pages printed on a continuous web of material, a system and method for assembling correctly page-sequenced document sets that utilizes a slitter for separating the LPEE formatted document pages into two separate streams of continuous sheets, a turn-bar assembly positioned to flip only one of the continuous sheet streams, a cutter that produces separates pages from both the flipped stream of sheets and non-flipped stream of sheets, a collator for collating all of the separate pages into the correctly page-sequenced document sets, and a controller for tracking the LPEE formatted document pages and overseeing the assembly of the correctly page-sequenced document sets.

Abstract: In laser engraving apparatus for engraving a gray-scale image on a plastic ID-card, the laser is a modulatable optically pumped semiconductor laser. Focusing optics focus a beam from the laser into a focal spot about 10 micrometers in diameter. The ID-card is mounted on a turntable which is rotated such that the focal spot sweeps over the ID card. The turntable is translated in a direction transverse to the rotation direction and the laser is modulated such that the engraved gray-scale image is formed by a matrix of parallel black lines of various length and spacing.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for processing character data is provided, which selects a format of the character data to be used for generating print data. When a user instruction for printing character data according to character command data specifying the output of the character data is received, the format of the character data is selected based on the character command data.

Abstract: A variable guilloche includes at least two guilloche curves, printed in a common space and having at least one point of overlap. The at least two curves are plotted from equations having variables corresponding to a specified data string of steganographic information.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an engraved plate used in intaglio printing, said plate being engraved by a tool, for example a laser beam, characterized in that the engraving tool uses data from a depth-map, based on a three-dimensional raster image of the document to be printed.

Abstract: The present invention aims to prevent a problem that an image on a document sheet is erased due to misdetection of a line-shaped noise. A copy machine 1 compares RGB values of a target pixel with averaged RGB values (Step S103). If only one of the RGB values has a difference that is greater than a prescribed value Ref2 (Step S103: YES), the copy machine 1 extracts the target pixel as a line-shaped noise pixel, and moves to a line-shaped noise correction (Step S108) while holding the address of the target pixel in a line-shaped noise address storing area 49b. If two of the RGB values have differences (Step S103: NO, Step S104: YES) and a difference between these two of the RGB values is no greater than a prescribed value Ref3 (Step S105: YES), the copy machine 1 extracts the target pixel as a line-shaped noise pixel, and moves to the line-shaped noise correction (Step S108) while holding the address of the target pixel in the line-shaped noise address storing area 49b.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can be connected to an image-forming apparatus, a method, and a program used for the information processing apparatus are disclosed. The information processing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling print-setting information set for document data to be printed, a recognition unit for recognizing information about a first function specified by the print-setting information by translating the print-setting information controlled by the control unit, an obtaining unit for obtaining information about a second function of the image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether or not the image-forming apparatus can perform the first function recognized by the recognition unit based on the second-function information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a modification unit for modifying the print-setting information controlled by the control unit based on the determination result.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods for using embedded auxiliary signals in documents for copy detection and other applications. In on application, the auxiliary signal is formed as an array of elements selected from a set of print structures with properties that change differently in response to copy operations. These changes in properties of the print structures that carry the embedded auxiliary signal are automatically detectable. For example, the changes make the embedded auxiliary signal more or less detectable. The extent to which the auxiliary data is detected forms a detection metric used in combination with one or more other metrics to differentiate copies from originals. Examples of sets of properties of the print structures that change differently in response to copy operations include sets of colors (including different types of inks), sets of screens or dot structures that have varying dot gain, sets of structures with different aliasing effects, etc.

Abstract: The invention is about a marking method and a corresponding coding center device for the marking of individual items (1), such as security documents, currency, tax excise stamps, labels, pieces of packaging, articles, or transportation means, with pertinent information indicating their nature and/or content, origin and/or destination, etc., and their registration in a remote, centralized data base, enabling the tracking & tracing of said items (1) and of the goods they may be applied to. The method of the invention is based on a three-step printreadcancel (PRC) sequence, embodied in a device comprising a printing unit (P), a reading unit (R) and a canceling unit (C), arranged in-line on an integrated equipment and operating under the control of information processing means (IP).

Abstract: In a computer system in which information represented by digital data is output to plural pages of recording medium, and then information on the plural pages of recording medium is read to use digital data representing the read information, authentication information is embedded in information of a start page selected by the computer system; a page number of the start page embedded the authentication information is notified to a user; information on the plural pages of recording medium is read, wherein the start page is positioned so as to be read first; digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is authenticated based on the authentication information embedded in the start page; and a process for the digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is controlled in accordance with a result of the authentication.

Abstract: An image display medium displays an image including a first region having a first composite image. The first composite image includes a first display image and a first latent image. The first display image includes at least one of a first halftone dot image and a first line image having a first linearity. The first halftone dot image and the first line image have such densities as are not reproduced by copying. The first latent image includes at least one of a second halftone dot image and a second line image having a second linearity. The second halftone dot image and the second line image have such densities as are not reproduced by copying. The first and second linearities produce different moiré patterns when the first display and the first latent images are enlarged by a first common optical system.

Abstract: A method for reducing waste in imaging of flexographic plates comprises the steps of: receiving an electronic art file (10); displaying the file on a computer display; selecting a set of polygonal areas (11, 12) from the displayed file in response to cost calculation associated with the selection of the set of polygonal areas; automatically offering alternative polygonal areas based on automatic cost calculation analysis based on the selection of the polygonal areas; ganging the polygonal areas into a compacted slugs file (208); imaging the compacted slugs file on a flexographic imaging device to produce compacted flexographic plate (209); cutting the compacted flexographic plate according to the selection the polygonal areas into independent flexographic slug plate pieces (210); and mounting the flexographic slug plate pieces on a carrier (211) while matching the original structure of the electronic art file.

Abstract: A character string recognition method for recognizing a character string may include a first step in which a first projection data of image data are calculated in a direction of the character string and a second step in which a position of the character string is detected on the basis of the first projection data. In the first step, the image data are divided into a plurality of segments in the direction of the character string and projection in the segment is calculated. The method may further include a third step in which a second projection data in the segment are calculated on the basis of the position of the character string and a fourth step in which a position where the second projection data exceeds a threshold value is detected as a boundary position of a character, and the threshold value may be changed according to pixel number between both ends of the character string.

Abstract: The invention encompasses the combination of two printing technologies into a single web fed printing press 10, particularly the combination of flexographic and intaglio printing. The present web fed printing press 10 comprises at least one flexographic printing module 14 equipped to apply variable amounts of motion and tension to a web of sheet material 11; at least one intaglio printing module 17 equipped to apply variable amounts of motion and tension to the web of sheet material 11; and means for controlling the amounts of motion and tension applied by the flexographic printing module or modules 14 and by the intaglio printing module or modules 17 to the web of sheet material 11. Preferably, the means for controlling the amounts of motion and tension applied to the web of sheet material 11 comprises a host processor 40 and first and second motion control processors 44, 45.

Abstract: A tape printer for providing an image on a tape medium, the tape printer permitting inputting an image; providing the image on said tape medium; obtaining input image information; and using the input image information to provide an audible output in dependence on the input image.

Abstract: A print data creating device that creates print data for an inkjet printer. The inkjet printer is configured to print an image on a fabric in accordance with the print data. The print data creating device is provided with a color conversion table storage that stores color conversion tables corresponding to washing conditions representing conversions to be made when the fabric will be washed after the image is printed thereon, a washing condition designating system which is operated by a user to input a washing condition, a table selecting system that selects one of the color conversion tables stored in the color conversion table storage in accordance with the washing condition input through the washing condition designating system, and a print data creating system that creates the print data using the color conversion table selected by the table selecting system.

Abstract: The invention encompasses the combination of two printing technologies into a single web fed printing press 10, particularly the combination of flexographic and intaglio printing. The present web fed printing press 10 comprises at least one flexographic printing module 14 equipped to apply variable amounts of motion and tension to a web of sheet material 11; at least one intaglio printing module 17 equipped to apply variable amounts of motion and tension to the web of sheet material 11; and means for controlling the amounts of motion and tension applied by the flexographic printing module or modules 14 and by the intaglio printing module or modules 17 to the web of sheet material 11. Preferably, the means for controlling the amounts of motion and tension applied to the web of sheet material 11 comprises a host processor 40 and first and second motion control processors 44, 45.

Abstract: The invention encompasses the combination of two printing technologies into a single web fed printing press (10), particularly the combination of flexographic and intaglio printing. The present web fed printing press (10)comprises at least one flexographic printing module (14) equipped to apply variable amounts of motion and tension to a web of sheet material (11);at least one intaglio printing module (17)equipped to apply variable amounts of motion and tension to the web of sheet material (11)and means for controlling the amounts of motion and tension applied by the flexographic printing module or modules (14)and by the intaglio printing module or modules (17)to the web of sheet material(11). Preferably, the means for controlling the amounts of motion and tension applied to the web of sheet material (11)comprises a host processor (40) and first and second motion control processors (44, 45).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on both surfaces of a recording medium; and a control unit that controls the image forming unit to form an image so that the image expresses information of a user who uses the image forming apparatus or a job, on a rear surface of a recording medium that includes an image of a first page or a last page of the user's job.

Abstract: A method and program product for real-time correction of non-functioning pixels in digital radiography, where the method comprises: receiving a list of non-functioning pixels; determining which neighboring functioning pixels are needed to correct the non-functioning pixels; organizing those neighboring functioning pixels and corresponding non-functioning pixels into a plurality of groups by a number of pixels used to perform correction; and performing correction of data from non-functioning pixels within one of the plurality of groups and subsequently performing correction of data from non-functioning pixels within another one of the plurality of groups.

Abstract: A security font system and method are provided for generating traceable pages in an electronic document. The method comprises: accepting an electronic document; modifying font print instructions associated with selected characters; and, transmitting the document with the modified font print instructions to a destination. In some aspects, the method further comprises saving a record of the modified font print instructions. The font print instructions can be modified clandestinely. If a printed copy of the document with modified font instructions is created, the printed copy is identical to a printed copy of a document with no modified font print instructions, as the font modification can be made undetectable, or almost undetectable to the human eye. In other aspects, the method comprises: receiving an alleged copy of the electronic document with the modified font print instructions; and, comparing the modified font print instructions in the received document to the record.

Abstract: A method for printing images on a substrate wherein the image has a textured, three-dimensional appearance is described. The printing method comprises printing a graphic design consisting of very fine lines having varying width, shape and orientation. This process is effective on the first surface of a pre-metalized substrate and on the second surface of a clear substrate. The lines are printed using an ink which even after drying or curing has a thickness (height above the film) to produce the desired textured effect. A layer of reflective ink is then printed over the entire boundary of the printed substrate, including over the clear ink. A protective layer of pigmented ink may then be printed over the reflective ink to protect the decorative substrate from abrasion. This printing process method may be used to make labels (both flat and formed) for any decorative application.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a corresponding lenticular image comprising: providing an output device in communication with a computer having a memory; receiving into the computer memory an interlaced image file; converting the interlaced image file into an output having an output resolution; varying the resolution of the output to define a varied output resolution; and creating a corresponding lenticular image using the output at the varied output resolution. In a preferred embodiment, the output device is a plate setter and the output is a plate. As such, in at least one embodiment, the method is suitable for use with a Computer-to-Plate (“CTP”) system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intaglio printing plate for producing a printing image with at least one engraved area in the printing plate surface, characterized in that the engraved area has one or more structural elements in which the edge area has a greater engraving depth than the inside area, the edge area and the inside area are directly adjacent, and the inside area is designed as a plateau that is lowered relative to the printing plate surface, to a method for producing the printing plates, to a data carrier with a printed image produced by intaglio, and an intaglio printing process.

Abstract: Conventionally in performing add-on processing of a predetermined code for input image data, a memory for transferring the input image data to an add-on processor and a memory for transferring it from the add-on processor to a subsequent processor cannot be shared. This invention includes a DoEngine capable of arbitrarily controlling connection switching and simultaneous execution of a plurality of components. When image data input by a scan processor is to be stored in a memory, and a predetermined code is to be added to the image data by an image processor, the DoEngine controls accesses to the same memory by the scan processor and image processor. Accordingly, these accesses are almost simultaneously executed, and the scan processor and image processor parallel-operate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and computer program for processing documents using color marking. The apparatus includes a color scanner, a memory and a processor. The color scanner creates an image of each document. The memory stores one or more document processing instructions associated with the presence or absence of one or more color swatches within the image. The processor is coupled to the color scanner and the memory. In addition, the processor controls the color scanner, determining whether one or more color swatches are present or absent in the image and executing the document processing instructions associated with the presence or absence of the one or more color swatches.

Abstract: Full-format screened data is processed in a computer-implemented method to identify zones that contain printable information. The zones are packed, imaged and made into flexo plates, and elements cut out from the plates for each zone of printable information. The plates use less flexo material than the full-format screened data. The cut elements are accurately placed on a flexo plate carrier to form a set of plates on a carrier for printing the full format screened data.

Abstract: A method of operating a laser drilling system to manufacture gravure printing plates without etching or the use of hazardous chemicals includes activating a laser drilling system, including a picosecond laser, light valves, and a mechanism adapted to rotate a gravure cylinder blank. Operation of the light valves, includes setting the light valves to block and/or allow pulses of laser energy propagating from the laser drilling system that can ablate a linear pattern of cells along a substantially entire length of the gravure cylinder blank. Drilling of cells includes targeting the laser drilling system on the gravure cylinder blank, such that ablation of materials occurs as sub-beams propagate along an optical path to the target area and impinge upon the gravure cylinder blank, wherein specific cells within the target area of the gravure cylinder blank are drilled or not drilled according to settings of the light valves.

Abstract: A textile printing apparatus is provided with an inputting device for inputting image data; a display to indicate an image based on the image data inputted by the inputting means; an image processing device for applying image processing to the image data so as to make colors of the image indicated on the display close to desired colors; and a printer to print the image on a fabric based on the image data applied with the image processing by the image processing means.

Abstract: In a method for producing embossing plates, in particular steel intaglio printing plates, a plane element is determined from a line drawing, the edge of the plane element defining a desired contour. A tool track is then calculated from the desired contour and a desired depth associated with the plane element, to be used for guiding an engraving tool such that the partial area is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for marking pages printed for a print job in correspondence with an identification of a user that initiates a print job. The method may include indicating, to a printer, the identification of the user, selecting, by the user, a mark to associate with the user's identification, sending, by the user, the print job to the printer, and printing, by the printer, the mark automatically on each page printed for the print job.

Abstract: In a method for processing signals in an electronic engraving machine for engraving printing forms, in particular printing cylinders used for rotogravure, an engraving control signal is obtained by superimposing engraving data, representing tone values between “white” and “black” which are to be engraved, with a periodic screen signal for generating a gravure screen. The engraving control signal guides the lifting movement of the stylus of an engraving element. As a result of the lifting movement of the stylus, a series of cups arranged in the gravure screen is engraved on the printing form. To compensate an incorrect lifting movement of the stylus (rebound effect, lag effect), the engraving data undergo digital filtering before superposition of the gravure screen.

Abstract: In a method for operating an engraving member in an electronic engraving machine to engrave printing forms, especially printing cylinders for intaglio printing, a stylus of the engraving member is controlled by an engraving signal and engraves a sequence of cups arranged in a gravure screen in the rotating printing cylinder. The engraving signal is formed by superimposing the image signal representing the tone gradations to be engraved. In order to obtain good quality engraving, the engraving member is heated to a temperature that is close to operating temperature before engraving starts and/or during an interruption of engraving. For this purpose, the engraving member is driven with a periodic signal whose frequency is preferably located inside the ultrasonic range in order to avoid noise disturbances.

Abstract: In a print system provided with a printer and a first inputting device to input image data and first print service dealing information into the printer; there is further provided a second inputting device to input image data and second print service dealing information different from the first print service dealing information into the printer, and the printer produces a print on the basis of an input from the first inputting device or the second inputting device.

Abstract: An engraving element of an electronic engraving machine for engraving printing cylinders as a shaft oscillating with small rotational angles around the longitudinal axis, a restoring element, a shaft bearing, a damping mechanism, a drive for the shaft, a lever-shaped stylus holder attached to the shaft, and an engraving stylus as a cutting tool. For engraving cups, the engraving stylus executes a stroke motion in the direction of a rotating printing cylinder. The engraving element is arranged with respect to the printing cylinder rotating around the rotational axis such that the shaft of the engraving element proceeds substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the printing cylinder, and the stroke motion of the engraving stylus occurs in a plane oriented perpendicular to the rotational axis of the printing cylinder. As a result, a better geometry of the cups is achieved in the engraving.

Abstract: An engraving method and apparatus for engraving a cylinder for printing an intaglio pattern and/or non-intaglio pattern on a web of material. The engraver includes a driver for rotatably driving the cylinder and a computer for controlling the operation of the engraver and for generating an intaglio engraving signal corresponding to an intaglio pattern and a non-intaglio signal for a gravure pattern. The engraver also uses an engraving head for engraving the cylinder with the intaglio pattern and the gravure pattern during the rotation of the cylinder in response to the intaglio engraving signal and non-intaglio signal. The invention includes an intaglio engraved pattern and method for engraving engraved areas having bottoms which are generally planar.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for intelligently placing in a periodic and/or random manner a plurality of whetting areas which facilitate lubricating and/or cooling a doctor blade in a printing press when the cylinder is placed therein. The system and method includes one or more routines which analyzes engraving/etching data and any associated white-span length. One or more whetting areas are placed in a periodic or random pattern in response thereto. The whetting areas facilitate lubricating and/or cooling the doctor blade so that it does not heat beyond a predetermined level, thereby avoiding scoring of the cylinder and problems associated with deterioration of print quality or length of cylinder life resulting from thermo-dynamic expansion and/or undesired evaporation of ink associated with areas which make up the image.