Abstract:
A solid state imaging system has at least one CMOS imager (190) with first and second series of pixels (191, 192, 193) in which the pixels of one series are offset, i.e., staggered, in respect to the pixels of the other series. Multiple imagers can be arrayed end to end, with jumper wires (48) connecting the pixel output conductors or each so that the pixels feed into a common output amplifier (160, 161 ) for each series, to minimize chip to chip offset voltages. The pixels may be diagonally offset from one another, and a color imager can be constructed in which color ribbon filters are arranged diagonally across the imaging area. This arrangement minimizes color cross talk. An array of microlenses (200, 210, 210', 211) is situated with each microlens covering a plurality of the pixels. The pixels under each microlens can be aligned along a diagonal. The different pixels under the same microlens can have different integration times, to increase the dynamic range of the imager(s).
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for subdividing and printing regions of a substrate with multiple print heads or multiple print head assemblies which substantially decreases printing time is described. The method includes a feathering method which reduces overlap artifacts which is useful in any printing situation where adjacent regions are printed that could be misaligned, offset, or have slightly different colors.
Abstract:
The number of dots per inch or resolution may be specified within an 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 (14) will be printed with n plus m dots per inch; rotating an ink jet head (11) having n nozzles per inch about an axis (13) parallel to a substrate by an angle theta so that the ink jet head will produce an image on the substrate having (n/cos theta) dots per inch; storing in a data center that the specified image will be printed with (n/cos theta) dots per inch; analyzing the image to determine if the image has (n/cos theta) 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:
The invention relates to a method for engraving printing cylinders used for rotogravure in an electronic engraving machine. According to this said method, at least two engraving sections (A, B) of a given width (SB) are fitted next to each other, in the acial direct ion of the printing cylinder (1). These sections (AB) are engraved with their respective engraving element (3). Before engraving, an axial reference position is pre-set for each engraving element (3). The axial spacing between these reference positions corresponds to the pre-set widths (SB) of the engraving sections (A, B). The engraving elements (3) are placed approximately in their reference positions (RP). The differences in the axial spacing between the reference positions of the engraving elements (3) and the actual positions occupied as a result of the approximate positioning are then measured. During engraving, the engraving elements (3) are moved along the printing cylinder (1), still incorrectly spaced as a result of the approximate positioning. The spacing errors are compensated by displaced engraving of the engraving sections (A, b) on the printing cylinder (1), so that the engraving sections (A, B) have the pre-set widths (SB) despite the incorrect spacing between the graving elements (3).
Abstract:
An improved laser pattern generation apparatus. The improved pattern generation apparatus of the present invention uses a laser beam (501) to expose a radiant sensitive film on the workpiece (516) to print circuit patterns on a substrate. The laser beam is aligned using a beam steering means. The laser beam (501) is split into 32 beams to create a brush. The brush scans the workpiece (516) through use of a rotating polygonal mirror (510). Each beam of the brush may have one of seventeen intensity values. The beams are modulated by an Acousto-Optical Modulator (506) signals provided to the Acousto-Optical Modulator (506) define the pattern to be generated. The signals are created by a rasterizer (507) increased print speed is accomplished through the use of a wider brush and a print strategy that eliminates physical stage passes.
Abstract:
A scanning system, having a fixed platen and optical imaging system and a translated reference scale, is provided for scanning of a modulated light beam (or a set of parallel, independently modulated light beams) onto an object surface. The optical system provides a combined light beam including the modulated light beam and a reference light beam. An optical imaging device moves the combined light beam along a scan line, and a translatably mounted beam splitter splits the combined light beam to direct at least some of the reference light beam onto a reference scale and a sensor. The reference scale sensor, which is rigidly attached to the beam splitter, and is responsive to reference beam position in two directions, provides a clocking signal indicative of beam position along the scan line and a vernier position signal indicative of beam position in a direction transverse to the scan line. An optical stepper controls the translation of the beam splitter such as to position precisely each of a series of scans in a direction transverse to the scan lines.
Abstract:
A closed loop direct position feedback control method and recording apparatus for producing on a recording medium a plurality of successive print lines or otherwise component images. An appendant demarcation device provides for the proper abutting and spacing of each independent print character. The apparatus includes a mechanism (18) for transporting the medium along a path orthogonal to the print head (12), which produces single lines or swaths (3) of print in conjunction with the indexed advance of the medium relative to the print head (12). The transport mechanism (18) is operative to advance a first print line or swath through the recording station (12) to form a first print line, to identify and store the position coordinates of each print line or swath (3), and to advance the recording medium for successive line or swath printing (3). The direct position feedback control apparatus also includes a demarcation sensing and printing device (20), (33) for relative positioning, whereby the distance between the location of any sensed or printed demarcation reference and the next successive print line is controlled such that each print line will neglect the positioning error in any previous print line or swath.
Abstract:
A method is provided for processing an image to optimize print time of the image by a print apparatus based on the size of the image to be printed and the print pass thresholds of the print apparatus. A dimension of the image corresponding to the dimension along the sub-scanning axis of the image as it will be printed by the print apparatus is obtained, along with the corresponding number of print passes required to print the image. An analysis is performed to determine whether the size of the image could be reduced to require one less print pass by the print apparatus in printing the reduced image based on the proximity of the determined dimension to the range of dimensions that will result in one less print pass by the print apparatus. If the size of the image may be reduced such that the image could be printed in one less print pass while also meeting optional criteria such as enforcement of a maximum image reduction threshold, the image is scaled prior to printing to reduce the number of print passes performed by the print apparatus in printing the image.
Abstract:
The present invention enables helical scanning of an image (100) and results in a rectangular image, centered on the imaging media with its boundaries (106) parallel to the media edges and/or the gripper line (108).
Abstract:
Internal drum recording apparatus provided with a rotating deflecting element, comprising two (or more) beams of different wavelenghts, which are simultaneously operatable, and optical elements for bringing the two or more beams to a common optical path before they reach the rotating deflecting element. The deflecting element may have dispersing properties such that beams of different wavelengths will leave it at slightly different angles. The beams of different wavelengths may be generated by laser diodes or tunable laser diodes. The apparatus may further comprise a beam combiner to combine the beams generated by the light sources.