Stochastic based increased tonal range flexographic screening process and apparatus
OwnerJohn M. Allegrezzainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A screening process and apparatus for flexographic printing press control is implemented in hardware and computer software to provide increased tonal range output at the press thereby providing enhanced direct press control, without adjustment based on press output. The image data from a desktop publisher is processed through a software resident interpreter which translates that data pursuant to a pre-developed enhanced language. This interpreter language has been is generated from imperially predetermined image setter and press factors and a stochastically based tone area algorithm. Calibration factors selected as a function of the image setter and press equipment being controlled are input to modify the interpreter language generated.
Claims20
A process for frequency modulated screening of desktop publisher image data values for flexo-press printer apparatus which has input gain compensation affected by ambient factors data, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining equipment factors as a function of the ambient factors data for the particular flexo-press printer apparatus being operated, and obtaining the image data values and flexo-press data received from a desktop publisher and the ambient factors data received from the flexo-press printer apparatus, said obtaining equipment factors step including calibrating said flexo-press data as a function of said ambient factors data;
- generating an interpreter language having a number of words numbering x times the number of possible said image data values provided by said desktop publisher, said interpreter language generation being modified as a function of said calibrated flexo-press data;
- interpreting the image data values based upon the calibrated flexo-press data and said interpreter language generated;
- and
- outputing said interpreted image data values to said flexo-press printer apparatus.
An apparatus for frequency modulation screening, for operating a flexo-press printer at increased tonal range output, said apparatus being positioned between a desktop publisher and an image setter of a flexo-press printer, said apparatus providing gain compensation of said flexo-press printer operation affected by ambient factors by adjusting the image setter input signals, comprising:
- a calibration interface circuit connected to said desktop publisher for receiving and encoding flexo-press data as a function of said ambient factors;
- an interpreter processor unit for generating an expanded set of image setter instructions as a function of said encoded flexo-press data received from said calibration interface circuit, and for interpreting image data received from said desktop publisher;
- a data storage device connected to said interpreter processor unit and containing instructions for said interpreter processor unit operation;
- and
- an output of said interpreter processor unit connected to the input of said image setter of said flexo-press printer;
- wherein said interpreter processor unit operates in an interpreter mode translating said image data into substitute values factored upon said ambient factors and said flexo-press data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.