Gretag Aktiengesellschaft

Gretag-macbeth Ag

X-rite Europe Gmbh

Gretagmacbeth, LLC

Thomas Senn

Bruno Zimmermann

Hans Ott

Christian Benz

Peter Ehbets

Harold R Van Aken

Francis Lamy

Markus Berner

Robert Pernet

A digital printer is equipped with a built-in color measurement device in the form of a colorimeter or spectral photometer, as well as with color management support. The built-in color measurement device is used for control and optimization of the print output, especially for the simplification, optimization and automation of the work processes and for the verification of the output results.

Digital printer

A system and method are provided for producing a color palette including a multitude of color patterns for a predetermined coloring process with a multitude of defined base colors and for a predetermined substrate. The individual color patterns are systematically, especially equidistantly, defined in a mathematically defined color space by the way of color coordinates describing the color space. The spectrum of the color pattern is synthesized by calculation for each color pattern in the color space by way of a color mixing model representing the predetermined coloring process and the predetermined substrate, whereby that spectrum is selected having the highest color constancy. The spectra synthesized by calculation are stored in relation to the color coordinates of the underlying color patterns. Through use of a mathematical/physical basis (such as the CIE-system), it is possible to define a visually equidistant color space and assign a spectral curve to individual points having the best color constancy.

Process for the production of a color palette

A device (strip reader) for an automatic photoelectric measurement of measuring fields contained on a sheet or strip-shaped, opaque or transparent original comprising a housing, transport members for automatically pulling the original into the housing and for transporting the original along a transport path, and a spectrophotometric measurement arrangement as well as a controller in co-operation with the transport members and the measurement arrangement. The measurement arrangement is adjustable in a direction transverse to the transport direction and illuminates the measuring fields provided on the original with light of a defined quality, and receives the light remitted or transmitted from the measuring fields in dependence upon the original and converts this measuring light into electrical signals representing the spectra of the measuring fields. The controller controls the insertion and the transport of the original and converts the electrical signals generated by the measurement arrangement into digital measuring data. The measuring data are provided to an external computer via communication interfaces, preferably via the Internet or via e-mail, for further processing.

Apparatus for automatic measurement of measuring fields

A processor controlled measuring device, especially a colour meter or a spectrophotometer, includes a measuring unit, unit detects the parameters to be measured and converts them into corresponding electrical signals, a control arrangement cooperating with the measuring unit, which controls the measuring unit and processes the electrical signals produced thereby, and an input/output unit cooperating with the control arrangement for the manual operation of the measuring device and for the display of measurement results and user instructions. The control arrangement is provided by a processor on which a control program runs which implements the functionalities of the measuring device. Furthermore, an interface is provided which cooperates with the processor and through which the processor can communicate with an external processor, whereby measured data produced by the measuring device can be called up therefrom and control data controlling the processor can be fed to the processor. A data file system is implemented in the processor wherein the measurement and/or control data are stored in the form of data files of defined format. Furthermore, the data file system is available to a network through the interface. The communication between the processor and an external processor connected to the network takes place by way of the data files stored in the data file system and can thereby be achieved without a manufacturer specific data exchange protocol.

Processor controlled measuring device

The invention relates to the use of a spectrophotometer connected with a computer to measure and store a solid color atlas in the computer. The halftone percentage values necessary for the adjustment of a given color are calculated by determining the desired color coordinates of the color involved and entered into the computer. The latter calculates from them, using the stored color atlas and a regression method, the halftone percentage values sought. In the process, with the aid of printing characteristics, stored color adaptations to prevailing printing conditions can be brought up to date without the need for the preparation of a new solid color atlas.

Process and apparatus for the determination of halftone percentage values

A computer-controlled device for detecting optical transmission and/or remittance properties of a measuring object has a measuring unit for illuminating the measuring object and for receiving the light transmitted by the measuring object and/or reflected from the measuring object. Furthermore, it has an input unit for selecting the type of measurement and the like, as well as a display unit for displaying the values measured. Moreover, it comprises a first non-volatile memory in which the measuring functions of the device are stored, as well as a control unit for controlling all procedures in the device. In a second non-volatile memory are stored release codes assigned to the individual measuring functions and, with the help of which, the control unit accesses the measuring functions in the first non-volatile memory.

Computer-controlled device for detecting optical transmission and/or

A measuring device, designed as a hand-held device, is disclosed, having a housing, an optical measuring head movably arranged in the housing for charging a test object with measuring light and for collecting light reflected by the test object, an opto-electric converter for converting the collected light into electrical signals, a computer processing the electrical signals and controlling the device, a display for displaying the measurement values obtained from the processing of the electrical signals and operating members working with the computer for controlling the device functions. Upon a triggering of the measuring process, the measuring head is moved, by a motor controller by a computer, out of a rest position into a measuring position and back into the rest position. A calibrating position is provided, in the housing, into which the measuring head can be moved and in which a calibration test object is disposed. The computer measures the calibration test object and generates calibration measurement values. Reference values corresponding to the calibration measurement values are stored in the computer. The computer performs calibration of the device by using calibration measurement values and the stored reference values. An automatic measurement of the calibration test objects in accordance with a predetermined program and a corresponding calibration or checking processes of the device can be performed. An accurate measurement of the calibration test objects is achieved as the calibration test objects are always available and cannot be confused with calibration test objects of other measuring devices.

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Dielsdorf, Switzerland

Thomas Senn