Graphics Microsystems

Cosar Corporation

James R Cox

Steven Runyan

Perry Dwaine Hampton

Mark A Colvin

Mark R Blais

Donald A Longerbeam

A color measurement system includes a measurement patch utilizable on a continuous sample of color printed matter. The patch has a first predefined shape with a color reference area centrally located on the patch and a high contrast feature located proximate to an edge of the patch. A camera scans the sample and generates a location signal upon detection of the high contrast feature which permits accurate positioning of a measurement sensor.

Method and apparatus for on-press color measurement

A system for measuring the color quality of rounded objects is disclosed. A stand has a mandrel for holding the object in a fixed position. Preferably, the mandrel includes an expandable bladder mounted for rotation on an axle. The stand has a reflectometer coupled thereto in such a way as to permit angular movement of the densitometer in a fixed plane. The can is clamped in a fixed position between the holding means and the densitometer such that the densitometer is in a fixed radial orientation relative to the surface of the object. Different points on the surface of the object may be measured by rotating and translating the object and/or the reflectometer. Rotational and translation control of positioning can be performed automatically.

Can-measuring densitomer

A system and method for automatically establishing the position of a printed sample relative to a densitometer. The sample is placed on a measurement table. A target incorporated with the sample causes a step change in the densitometer output signal when the target is scanned by the densitometer. By analyzing the step change, the location of the target relative to the measurement table is determined. The location of all points on the sample are known relative to the target, thus the location of all points on the sample relative to the measurement table can be determined.

Method and apparatus for automatic densitometer alignment

A digital reflection densitometer system comprises a power supply unit and a digital reflection densitometer instrument which is connected to the power supply unit by means of an electrical cable. The instrument is manually positionable over a surface and includes a housing which is supported on a foot. The foot is adapted for engagement with the surface and includes target apparatus for designating a predetermined area of the surface. The housing is normally pivotally separated from the foot by a spring and is manually pivotable to an operating position adjacent the foot. A plurality of lamps are mounted in the housing for illuminating the predetermined area of the surface when the housing is in the operating position. Light reflected from the predetermined area is directed through an optical system to a light sensitive apparatus comprising a planar silicon sensor. The output of the planar silicon sensor is directed through an operational amplifier and a logarithmic amplifier to a digital volt meter which actuates a digital display device mounted in the housing of the instrument to provide a visual digital readout indicative of the output of the planar silicon sensor. The instrument further includes apparatus for selectively positioning any one of a plurality of filters in the path of light passing through the optical system to the planar silicon sensor, and for simultaneously adjusting the gain of the operational amplifier and the sensitivity of the digital volt meter to compensate for differences between the filters.

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Richardson, TX, United States of America

James R Cox