The type of screening used changes the look/aesthetics of an image. AM based screening looks good in lower color saturated areas of an image. FM based screening looks better in higher color saturated areas of an image. Using only one type of screen leaves imperfections on a part of the image. The method described herein detects and applies the best type of screen for each part of the image in an automized process.
A system and method for providing a virtual customer service representative (CSR) for interacting with a customer in need of a print job. Text is extracted from an electronic document defining content of the print job, and based at least in part thereon, the VirtualCSR engages in an interactive dialog with the customer regarding characteristics of the print job. A job editing interaction displays images and receives feedback from the customer to define a final appearance of the print job. Data is passed to a module that generates a plurality of print job scenarios, and a subset of scenarios above a certain prioritization focus ranking threshold is presented to the customer, from which the customer selects a final print job scenario that is the basis for the print job commissioned by the VirtualCSR in connection with the document.
G06Q 10/06 - Resources, workflows, human or project managementEnterprise or organisation planningEnterprise or organisation modelling
B26D 5/00 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
G06Q 10/0631 - Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
G06Q 10/101 - Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
3.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PRINT JOBS
A method for creating a virtual 3D image of a printed product. Images of the printed product are captured from a plurality of viewing perspectives, each image defining a frame, and each frame is compared to a reference image using a feature matching algorithm to generate a homography matrix defining the frame relative to the reference image. The homography matrix is used for defining a plurality of descriptors including at least an image acquisition position, a rotation, and an image field of view of the frame. A set of training data, generated from the frames and descriptors, is used for training a model. The trained model renders a 3D environment defined by a static 2D plane rendering of the printed product relative to a user-selected viewing location, with virtual images of the printed product as rendered from multiple viewing locations displayed on the user's display.
A method for causing a visual inspection system to inspect a printed product containing variable data printing (VDP) content printed by a printing system. A print product design system connected to the visual inspection system and the printing system is configured with a print product design file in a page description language defining the printed product. The product design file is modified to define a VDP template with a VDP area having at least one VDP object and a static area not containing any VDP content. Metadata added to the VDP object defines at least a location, size, and VDP object type. An inspection data package comprising information corresponding to the modified product design file is generated and transmitted to the visual inspection system including data usable by the inspection system for locating and inspecting the VDP area in each of the plurality of printed instances.
A computer-implemented method for defining a stroke. The method includes defining an outline of the filled shape, defining parallel segments in the defined outline, and converting Bézier segments in the defined outline to an approximation with straight line segments. Parallel pairs of segments are identified, with a most prevalent distance between the identified parallel pairs being identified as a line weight. End-cap-defining segments are identified as parallel segments having only non-parallel segments between them. A center line of the segment pair is then identified as the end-cap location. Center lines of remaining non-end-cap-defining segments are connected to one another, and neighboring segments and their respective center lines are also connected. Center lines are classified as finished or non-finished. Pairs of unfinished segments and their respective center lines are connected, and co-linear segments merged. The connected center lines are then converted to an output path defined by a stroke.
Methods and systems for performing a color preflight operation. Press configurations are compared for conversion of a digital artwork design having color values and a color profile, each configuration associated with a press, a substrate, and a colorant set, and including a press-specific, substrate-specific color-profile and set of rules for converting any digital artwork design to that press configuration using that color profile. The design is converted in accordance with each press configuration, for all colors in the design, and a color output for each conversion is predicted in a selected device-independent colorspace. The predicted color output is compared against a comparison color output defined by the artwork color values expressed in the selected device-independent colorspace. Portions out of tolerance are identified and reported using a predetermined metric. A comparison image is generated and displayed highlighting out of tolerance portions and/or acceptable and/or optimal press configurations are automatically selected.
A printing plate includes a defined image area having a microstructure pattern. The microstructure pattern is defined by a plurality of rows each having a plurality of diagonal oriented elevated line segments having orientations alternating between a positive angle in one row and a negative angle in an adjacent row, wherein each line segment has a first end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a first line of a first adjacent row and a second end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a second line of a second adjacent row. Processes, computer readable media programmed with instructions for performing the processes, and tools for making the printing plate are also described.
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfacesMaterials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresistsApparatus specially adapted therefor
A process for creating a mask for making a printing plate from an unexposed flexographic plate having a masking layer. The process includes providing image information as a first screen having a first plurality of pixels and defining openings in the masking layer in accordance with the image information by superimposing on at least a portion of the image information a base pattern of equally sized spots. Each spot corresponds to an imaged discrete element represented on the mask and has a size corresponding to a smallest discrete element formed on the mask. The spots in the base pattern are aligned in horizontal rows and columns having a non-zero spacing between adjacent rows and columns. In at least a portion of the mask, a size for forming each imaged discrete element is selected such that each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements has a non-imaged discrete area centered therebetween.
A computer-implemented method for replicating printing output of a source printer having an unknown color profile includes receiving a source file of ink values used by the source printer for printing a product, obtaining measured values of the product in a device-independent color space (DICS), computing a source device-to-lab (A2B) function that converts the ink values in the source file to the measured values, and using a destination lab-to-device (B2A) function to convert the DICS values to destination printer ink values. Computing the A2B function may include a) estimating a proxy color profile, b) pre-training a source neural network using ink values from the source file and proxy color values, c) finetune-training the source neural network using the ink values from the source file and the measured values, and d) converting the ink values from the source file to the measured values using the finetune-trained source neural network.
A method for enabling a customer service representative (CSR) to review a print job including a digital graphics file for printing. The CSR receives an incoming electronic communication containing job instructions with the file attached, selects a job instruction preset from the user interface, and initiates preflighting of the file based upon the presets and the printing system. The user interface includes a display screen having a plurality of areas displaying information about the graphics file and annotations relating to results of the preflighting operation, a page of the job, selectable thumbnail images for the job pages, and selectable presets. If preflighting identifies problems, a prepopulated outgoing electronic communication communicating the problems is created and sent to the customer. If no problems are identified, the job instructions and digital graphics file are saved, and an automatic notification is sent to a prepress operation address indicating the job is ready.
A computer-implemented process for creating artwork associated with a selected product. The process includes receiving and storing in a computer memory media, an updatable database embodying machine-readable instructions corresponding to one or more instances of textual content information relating to the selected product, and generating, using the computer processor, a first artwork template file for a first structured document (e.g. embodying packaging or label artwork) and a second artwork template file for a second structured document different from the first structured document (e.g. embodying non-packaging, non-labelling-related document). Each instance has a unique identifier but is devoid of any stylistic or positional information. The first and second artwork templates include all stylistic and positional information associated with presentation of the instance in the respective first and second structured documents.
Computer-implemented method, as well as systems and computer-readable media, for visualizing printed graphics applied to at least one defined printing area or part of a three dimensional (3D) structure, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a visualizer web application having a user interface for specifying one or more rendering parameters comprising selecting information from pre-existing criteria including a plurality of rendering specifications; b) accepting in the web application rendering instructions for the 3D structure and the at least one defined printing area or part; c) accepting in the web application a 2D graphic description and assigning it to a printing area or part in said 3D structure, the 2D graphic description comprising separations corresponding to processing steps; d) accepting in the web application an operation stack defining operations corresponding to separations; e),f),g) calculating with a visualization rendering processor textures including color and at least one other appearance property, by applying the 2D graphic description in accordance with the operation stack; h) providing from the visualizer web application instructions for displaying on the local application of the user a graphical image corresponding to the 3D structure with the calculated set of textures.
G06F 30/12 - Geometric CAD characterised by design entry means specially adapted for CAD, e.g. graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for CAD
G06F 30/20 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation
G06V 10/54 - Extraction of image or video features relating to texture
14.
System and method for visualization of variances observed on substrate surfaces
A method for controlling production of color products includes receiving a reference image for a color product; producing a plurality of color products corresponding to the color product in the reference image; acquiring a plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of color products; determining whether an appearance defect exists for each of the plurality of color products by comparing each image of the plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of color products to the reference image; for each detected appearance defect, determining a severity of the appearance defect; generating a visualization of appearance defects on an image of the color product based on the severity of the appearance defect and a frequency of occurrence of the appearance defect; and adjusting production of the color product in response to the visualization of appearance defects to reduce the severity or frequency of occurrence of the appearance defect.
Methods and systems for performing a color preflight operation. Press configurations are compared for conversion of a digital artwork design having color values and a color profile, each configuration associated with a press, a substrate, and a colorant set, and including a press-specific, substrate-specific color-profile and set of rules for converting any digital artwork design to that press configuration using that color profile. The design is converted in accordance with each press configuration, for all colors in the design, and a color output for each conversion is predicted in a selected device-independent colorspace. The predicted color output is compared against a comparison color output defined by the artwork color values expressed in the selected device-independent colorspace. Portions out of tolerance are identified and reported using a predetermined metric. A comparison image is generated and displayed highlighting out of tolerance portions and/or acceptable and/or optimal press configurations are automatically selected.
A printing plate includes a defined image area having a microstructure pattern. The microstructure pattern is defined by a plurality of rows each having a plurality of diagonal oriented elevated line segments having orientations alternating between a positive angle in one row and a negative angle in an adjacent row, wherein each line segment has a first end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a first line of a first adjacent row and a second end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a second line of a second adjacent row. Processes, computer readable media programmed with instructions for performing the processes, and tools for making the printing plate are also described.
A computer-implemented method for replicating printing output of a source printer having an unknown color profile. The method includes receiving a source file of ink values used by the source printer for printing a product, obtaining measured values of the product in a device-independent color space (DIGS), computing a source device-to-lab (A2B) function that converts the ink values in the source file to the measured values, and using a destination lab-to- device (B2A) function to convert the DIGS values to destination printer ink values. Computing the A2B function may include a) estimating a proxy color profile, b) pre-training a source neural network using ink values from the source file and proxy color values, c) finetune-training the source neural network using the ink values from the source file and the measured values, and d) converting the ink values from the source file to the measured values using the finetune-trained source neural network.
A printing plate having a printing surface for receiving ink, including a defined area of an image intended to print with ink and a surface pattern applied to the defined area. The surface pattern includes a plurality of rows each having a plurality of diagonally oriented line segments, each line segment corresponding to an ink-carrying relief structure in a raised area of the plate, the plurality of diagonally oriented line segments having orientations alternating between a positive angle in one row and a negative angle in an adjacent row, wherein each line segment has a first end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a first line of a first adjacent row and a second end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a second line of a second adjacent row.
A method for enabling a customer service representative (CSR) to review a print job including a digital graphics file for printing. The CSR receives an incoming electronic communication containing job instructions with the file attached, selects a job instruction preset from the user interface, and initiates preflighting of the file based upon the presets and the printing system. The user interface includes a display screen having a plurality of areas displaying information about the graphics file and annotations relating to results of the preflighting operation, a page of the job, selectable thumbnail images for the job pages, and selectable presets. If preflighting identifies problems, a prepopulated outgoing electronic communication communicating the problems is created and sent to the customer. If no problems are identified, the job instructions and digital graphics file are saved, and an automatic notification is sent to a prepress operation address indicating the job is ready.
Computer-implemented method, as well as systems and computer- readable media, for visualizing printed graphics applied to at least one defined printing area or part of a three dimensional (3D) structure, the method comprising the steps of: • a) providing a visualizer web application having a user interface for specifying one or more rendering parameters comprising selecting information from pre-existing criteria including a plurality of rendering specifications; • b) accepting in the web application rendering instructions for the 3D structure and the at least one defined printing area or part; • c) accepting in the web application a 2D graphic description and assigning it to a printing area or part in said 3D structure, the 2D graphic description comprising separations corresponding to processing steps; • d) accepting in the web application an operation stack defining operations corresponding to separations; • e),f),g) calculating with a visualization rendering processor textures including color and at least one other appearance property, by applying the 2D graphic description in accordance with the operation stack; • h) providing from the visualizer web application instructions for displaying on the local application of the user a graphical image corresponding to the 3D structure with the calculated set of textures.
G06F 30/12 - Geometric CAD characterised by design entry means specially adapted for CAD, e.g. graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for CAD
G06F 30/20 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation
A process for creating a mask for making a printing plate from an unexposed flexographic plate having a masking layer. The process includes providing image information as a first screen having a first plurality of pixels and defining openings in the masking layer in accordance with the image information by superimposing on at least a portion of the image information a base pattern of equally sized spots. Each spot corresponds to an imaged discrete element represented on the mask and has a size corresponding to a smallest discrete element formed on the mask. The spots in the base pattern are aligned in horizontal rows and columns having a non-zero spacing between adjacent rows and columns. In at least a portion of the mask, a size for forming each imaged discrete element is selected such that each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements has a non-imaged discrete area centered therebetween.
A computer-implemented method for visualizing printed graphics applied to at least one defined printing area or part of a three dimensional (3D) structure is described.
A method for designing a printing plate for mounting on a printing cylinder. An optimal lateral seam path is defined between opposite lateral edges of the plate by applying an energy minimization function. Top and bottom edges of the plate are defined based upon the optimal lateral seam path, preferably with a variable gap therebetween, and the bottom edge is unwrapped from the top edge to define a closed cutting path. The area inside the closed cutting path is wrapped with artwork or portions thereof, and an updated digital graphics file stored. The energy minimization function may include a penalty function, overall seam path length, and seam path amplitude, with weighting factors. For artwork including staggered lanes of step and repeat one-up images, the optimal lateral seam path may extend across each lane through one-up images, steps between adjacent one-up images, or a combination thereof.
A computer-implemented method for creating a computer-aided design (CAD) corresponding to a 2-dimensional rendering of an unfolded blank configured for manipulation into a 3-dimensional shape. The method includes obtaining a first digital, non-CAD design file containing information relating to the unfolded blank geometry but lacking metadata that defines cut or crease lines separately from surrounding content, and deriving, with a computer processor, a digital representation of the unfolded blank geometry based upon the first digital non-CAD design file. The digital representation includes defined data corresponding to a shape having one or more defined cut and/or crease lines. A system for performing the method includes a computer processor and machine-readable media accessible by the computer processor comprising non-transitory, instructions readable by the computer processor for performing the method steps of defining the digital non-CAD design file and deriving the digital representation therefrom.
G06F 30/12 - Geometric CAD characterised by design entry means specially adapted for CAD, e.g. graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for CAD
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06F 30/17 - Mechanical parametric or variational design
G06F 111/20 - Configuration CAD, e.g. designing by assembling or positioning modules selected from libraries of predesigned modules
26.
Method for smoother tonal response in flexographic printing
An imaging system, including a laser source and a controller, for producing a mask for a flexographic plate. The imaging data includes a base pattern comprised of spots superimposed on the image information and aligned to a grid defined by an imaging resolution of an imager. Each spot corresponding to an imaged discrete element in the base pattern is surrounded by eight spots corresponding to non-imaged discrete elements. In at least a portion of the mask corresponding to a non-solid tonal area of the plate, the controller adjusts the laser beam to a size that causes each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements to have an unexposed or unablated area centered therebetween, wherein the unablated area resolves to a region on a surface of the plate below an uppermost level but above a non-printing level, and each of the four neighboring imaged discrete elements resolves to the uppermost level.
A method for calibrating a printing process by applying a selected adjustment curve to an image input file to produce an output file. The adjustment curve is derived to match a target tonal response curve having a function value for 0 that is non-zero or has a discontinuity between 0 and 10%. The adjustment curve has a basic part selected from limited options and an intersecting highlight part derived using a 1-dimensional function having input parameters selected from limited options. The adjustment curve has a starting point (X1, Y1), a highlight curve part having a first slope at the starting point and a first intersection with the basic curve part at (X2, Y2). The first slope and first intersection are among the input parameters selected from limited options. The basic curve part has a second slope at a midrange point (X3>X2, Y3>Y2).
A method for performing a design rule check of a computer aided design (CAD) file corresponding to a geometry of a tool for use in a process for making an article from a starting material. Design rules defined to avoid a geometry of the tool documented as causing an inefficiency in a non-printing or non-platemaking operation of the process are stored in a computer. A design rule checking (DRC) module of the computer processes the CAD file relative to the stored design rules, identifies violations, automatically suggests design changes responsive to each violation, receives a user input responsive to suggested design changes, and modifies the CAD file in response to the user input. Non-transitory computer readable media containing code for implementing the method and related CAD systems are also described.
G05B 19/4097 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by using design data to control NC machines, e.g. CAD/CAM
G05B 19/4093 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by part programming, e.g. entry of geometrical information as taken from a technical drawing, combining this with machining and material information to obtain control information, named part programme, for the NC machine
G06F 30/17 - Mechanical parametric or variational design
G06F 30/20 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation
29.
Method for smoother tonal response in flexographic printing
A process for creating a flexographic plate or a mask for producing a flexographic plate, including providing a screen having a resolution defined by a base pattern of equally sized screen spots, each screen spot comprising a smallest exposed discrete element represented on the screen. In at least a non-solid tonal portion of the plate or mask, the size of physical spots are selectively modulated such that each set of four neighboring physical spots in the base pattern has an unexposed area centered therebetween. Each screen spot in the base pattern may be an exposed pixel surrounded by 8 unexposed pixels, each physical spot corresponding to the resolution of a laser beam for exposing the spots on the mask, in which the imaging step includes boosting power of the laser beam for isolated pixels relative to non isolated pixels. Mask and plates, and imaging systems for creating them, are also disclosed.
A printing system including a printing mechanism, a substrate feeder, a print controller, and digital information stored on computer readable media. The digital information includes one or more rows of a first image having a first repeat length side by side with one or more rows of a second image having a second repeat length different from the first repeat length, the first image side by side with the second image comprising a series of composite image groupings. The print controller is configured to access the stored digital information and control the print mechanism to cause the first and second images to be printed on a continuous web of substrate without excess white space between adjacent images or discontinuities caused by the different first and second repeat lengths, by periodically physically shifting the substrate in a reverse direction or by digitally shifting the image groupings before printing them.
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
B41J 2/005 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
31.
System and method for detection and removal of thin lines in a graphic image
Presented is a method for identifying and removing one or more thin lines from a binary source image. The steps include generating a hole-filled intermediate binary image, and performing a thin line detection and removal process on the hole-filled intermediate binary image. The thin line detection and removal is performed by creating an eroded intermediate image, creating an opened intermediate image by performing a morphology dilation process, inverting the opened intermediate image, generating a density adjusted binary source image, generating a difference pixel intermediate image, generating a thin line subtraction intermediate image, and subtracting the thin line subtraction intermediate image from the binary source image to create a binary output image.
Provided is a printing system comprising a printing mechanism for applying ink to a substrate using a plurality of print colors. Also included is a computer readable media storing an image and instructions for generating entries in a variable resolution lookup table for use in performing accelerated color conversion of the image. Also included is a lookup table generator configured to divide the lookup table into a plurality of areas, and set a density of lookup table entries in each of the plurality of areas based on overprint combinations of the print colors. The density of entries is varied from one area to another. Also included is a color conversion controller configured to utilize a lookup function to retrieve one or more lookup table entries and to provide printing color space coordinates based upon the one or more lookup table entries to the printing mechanism.
Methods, and computer systems and computer program products for performing them, for storing a destination document from a source document. Recurring content in the source document is flattened and stored in a first memory location, and then for each page in the source document, the page is flattened using the variable and (stored) recurring content, and portions influenced by the variable content are extracted and stored in a second memory location The content in the first and second memory locations may be optionally color converted from a source color space to a device color space and stored in third and fourth memory locations, respectively. For each page n, a new page is added to the destination document comprising the flattened, recurring content stored in the first (or third, if color-converted) memory location and the flattened, variable content stored in the second (or fourth, if color-converted) memory location.
A method of halftoning a continuous-tone image includes the step of expressing a transition tone intensity by a maximum population density of halftone dots equal in size and having a transition dot size. Expressing tone intensities darker than the transition tone intensity includes increasing dot sizes beyond the transition dot size of the maximum population. Expressing tone intensities lighter than the transition tone intensity includes using a population density lesser than the maximum population density, and each relatively darker tone includes a relatively smaller dot size and a relatively larger population density than each relatively lighter tone.
A method, system and computer readable media relating to automatically adjusting a graphics feature to compensate for a predetermined resolution limit. The method generally relates to automatically identifying, within a selected area of a graphics file, one or more portions of at least one graphics feature meeting predetermined criteria for adjustment, including criteria for defining a thin portion having a thickness less than the resolution limit. The method then automatically modifies only the identified one or more portions to have an adjusted thickness greater than the initial thickness. Additional criteria may be used to restrict which thin portions of the feature are actually modified.
A method for adjusting color tones of an input digital image file to create an adjusted digital image file. A plurality of predetermined curves are provided, each curve specifying an adjusted color tone percentage output as a function of input color tone percentage and representing a combination of midpoint magnitude and contrast different than for any other curve. The method comprises selecting a curve by determining which one of the plurality of curves most closely matches at least two data points. The selected curve is then applied to the input digital image file to produce the adjusted digital image file.
A method and software for converting a digital representation of a reference image to a preferred representation having higher chroma in selected subject areas.
G09G 5/02 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators characterised by the way in which colour is displayed
38.
Method of controlling ink film thickness on a printing plate
(c) producing the digital AM halftone image output.
The digital AM image output includes a plurality of halftone dots, each of which comprises at least one ink-receptive portion and at least one non-receptive portion. Patterns of halftone dots prepared in this manner may be sent as a digital output to an platesetter for producing a printing plate.
patents
