US5542002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for automatically inspecting a lithographic plate and reading its folio
Assignee: Western Litho Plate and Supply Co
•
Filing: 1994-02-15
•
Granted: 1996-07-30
•
Expires: 2014-02-15
Abstract
Abstract Lithographic plates have an identifying folio and an image thereon. The image corresponds to a print image to be printed on sheet material such as newspaper stock. An image camera optically examines the identifying folios of each of the lithographic plates to ascertain folio information, and optically examines the images of each of the lithographic plates to ascertain image information including registration information and exposure information. A CPU records in an the electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the identifying folio of each lithographic plate and records in the electronic memory the corresponding ascertained image information of the image of each lithographic plate. An operator using a keyboard can access the image information of a particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate whereby the folio information and the image information are cross-referenced. The image information may also be compared to predefined information and the difference is stored and cross-referenced to the folio information.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel G. Choate
- 👤 Kelly T. McMasters
- 👤 John W. Powers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:56
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F9/00; B; B21; B21D; B21D35/00; B21D5/00; B21D5/04; B21D5/042; B41; B41F; B41F27/00; B41F27/005; B41F27/12; B41F27/1281; B41F27/1287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
An apparatus for inspecting lithographic plates, each plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the apparatus comprising: means for optically examining the identifying folios of each of the lithographic plates to ascertain the folio information, and for optically examining the images of each of the lithographic plates to ascertain image information; an electronic memory; means, responsive to the optically examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the identifying folio of each lithographic plate examined by the optically examining means and for recording in the electronic memory the corresponding ascertained image information of the image of each lithographic plate examined by the optically examining means; and means for cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding image information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing means including means for accessing the image information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and means for accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded image information for the particular plate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
208 words
An apparatus for inspecting lithographic plates, each plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the apparatus comprising: means for optically examining the identifying folios of each of the lithographic plates to ascertain the folio information, and for optically examining the images of each of the lithographic plates to ascertain image information; an electronic memory; means, responsive to the optically examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the identifying folio of each lithographic plate examined by the optically examining means and for recording in the electronic memory the corresponding ascertained image information of the image of each lithographic plate examined by the optically examining means; and means for cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding image information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing means including means for accessing the image information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and means for accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded image information for the particular plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optically examining means comprises means for reading the folio including an image scanner or camera and an optical character reader converting the folio as read by the scanner or camera into digital information stored in the electronic memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain registration information indicating the position of the image relative to the plate and wherein the image information includes the ascertained registration information whereby the folio information and the ascertained registration information are cross-referenced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the plate has lead and trail registration marks and further comprising a lead edge camera for determining the position of the lead registration mark relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and a trail edge camera for determining the position of the trail registration mark relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and wherein the registration information recorded in memory includes the determined position information of the registration marks relating to the lead edge bend of the plate whereby the folio information and the determined position information are cross-referenced.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the lead edge camera determines the position of the lead edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and the trail edge camera determines the position of the trail edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and wherein the ascertained registration information recorded in memory includes the determined position information of the image edges relative to the lead edge bend of the plate whereby the folio information and the determined position information are cross-referenced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a lead edge camera for determining the position of the lead edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and a trail edge camera for determining the position of the trail edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and wherein the registration information recorded in memory includes the determined position information of the image edges relative to the lead edge bend of the plate whereby the folio information and the determined position information are cross-referenced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain exposure information indicating the exposure of the image and wherein the image information stored in memory includes the ascertained exposure information whereby the folio information and the exposure information are cross-referenced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising an exposure camera for measuring one or more lines of the inspected image to ascertain measurement information and wherein the image information stored in memory includes the measurement information whereby the folio information and the measurement information are cross-referenced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for comparing the ascertained image information with a preset information and for indicating any difference therebetween as difference information and wherein the image information stored in the memory includes the difference information whereby the folio information and the difference information are cross-referenced.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for inspecting a lithographic plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the apparatus comprising: means for optically examining the identifying folio of the lithographic plate to ascertain the folio information; means for optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain registration information indicating the position of the image relative to the plate; an electronic memory; means, responsive to the folio examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the folio of the lithographic plate; means, responsive to the image examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained registration information corresponding to the ascertained folio information; and means for cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding registration information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing means including means for accessing the registration information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and means for accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded registration information for the particular plate.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for inspecting a lithographic plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the apparatus comprising: means for optically examining the identifying folio of the lithographic plate to ascertain the folio information; means for optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain registration information indicating the position of the image relative to the plate; an electronic memory; means, responsive to the folio examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the folio of the lithographic plate; means, responsive to the image examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained registration information corresponding to the ascertained folio information; and means for cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding registration information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing means including means for accessing the registration information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and means for accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded registration information for the particular plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plate has lead and trail registration marks and further comprising a lead edge camera for determining the position of the lead registration mark relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and a trail edge camera for determining the position of the trail registration mark relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and wherein the registration information recorded in memory includes the determined position information of the registration marks relative to the lead edge bend of the plate whereby the folio information and the determined position information relative to the registration marks are cross-referenced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
90 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the lead edge camera determines the position of the lead edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and the trail edge camera determines the position of the trail edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and wherein the ascertained registration information recorded in memory includes the determined position information of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate whereby the folio information and the determined position information are cross-referenced.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a lead edge camera for determining the position of the lead edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and a trail edge camera for determining the position of the trail edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and wherein the registration information recorded in memory includes the determined position information of the image edges relative to the lead edge bend of the plate whereby the folio information and the determined position information are cross-referenced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 10 comprising means for optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain exposure information indicating the exposure of the image and wherein the information stored in memory includes the ascertained exposure information whereby the folio information and the exposure information are cross-referenced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an exposure camera for measuring one or more lines of the inspected image to ascertain measurement information and wherein the information stored in memory includes the measurement information whereby the folio information and the measurement information are cross-referenced.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for comparing the ascertained registration information with a preset information and for indicating any difference therebetween as difference information and wherein the information stored in the memory includes the difference information whereby the folio information and the difference information are cross-referenced.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for inspecting a lithographic plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the apparatus comprising: means for optically examining the identifying folio of the lithographic plate to ascertain the folio information; means for optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain exposure information indicating the exposure of the image; an electronic memory; means, responsive to the folio examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the folio of the lithographic plate; and means, responsive to the image examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained exposure information corresponding to the ascertained folio information; and means for cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding exposure information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing means including means for accessing the exposure information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and means for accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded exposure information for the particular plate.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for inspecting a lithographic plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the apparatus comprising: means for optically examining the identifying folio of the lithographic plate to ascertain the folio information; means for optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain exposure information indicating the exposure of the image; an electronic memory; means, responsive to the folio examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the folio of the lithographic plate; and means, responsive to the image examining means, for recording in the electronic memory the ascertained exposure information corresponding to the ascertained folio information; and means for cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding exposure information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing means including means for accessing the exposure information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and means for accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded exposure information for the particular plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising an exposure camera for measuring one or more lines of the inspected image to ascertain measurement information and wherein the information stored in memory includes the measurement information whereby the folio information and the measurement information are cross-referenced.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising means for comparing the ascertained exposure information with a preset information and for indicating any difference therebetween as difference information and wherein the information stored in the memory includes the difference information whereby the folio information and the difference information are cross-referenced.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 17 comprising means for optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain registration information indicating the position of the image relative to the plate and wherein the image information includes the ascertained registration information whereby the folio information and the ascertained registration information are cross-referenced.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the plate has lead and trail registration marks and further comprising a lead edge camera for determining the position of the lead registration mark relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and a trail edge camera for determining the position of the trail registration mark relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and wherein the registration information recorded in memory includes the determined position information of the registration marks relative to the lead edge bend of the plate whereby the folio information, the exposure information and the determined position information are cross-referenced.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a lead edge camera for determining the position of the lead edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and a trail edge camera for determining the position of the trail edge of the image relative to the lead edge bend of the plate and wherein the registration information recorded in memory includes the determined position information of the image edges relative to the lead edge bend of the plate whereby the folio information, the exposure information and the determined position information are cross-referenced.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for inspecting lithographic plates, each plate, having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the method comprising the steps of: optically examining the identifying folios of each of the lithographic plates to ascertain the folio information; optically examining the images each of the lithographic plates to ascertain images of information; recording in an electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the identifying folio of each of lithographic plate optically examined; recording in the electronic memory the corresponding ascertained image information of the image of each lithographic plate optically examined; and cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding image information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing step including accessing the image information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded image information for the particular plate.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for inspecting lithographic plates, each plate, having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the method comprising the steps of: optically examining the identifying folios of each of the lithographic plates to ascertain the folio information; optically examining the images each of the lithographic plates to ascertain images of information; recording in an electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the identifying folio of each of lithographic plate optically examined; recording in the electronic memory the corresponding ascertained image information of the image of each lithographic plate optically examined; and cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding image information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing step including accessing the image information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded image information for the particular plate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the optically examining step comprises the step of reading the folio by an image scanner or camera and an optical character reader converting the folio as read by the scanner or camera into digital information stored in the electronic memory.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 23 comprising the step of optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain registration information indicating the position of the image relative to the plate and wherein the image information includes the ascertained registration information whereby the folio information and the ascertained registration information are cross-referenced.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of comparing the ascertained image information with a preset information, indicating any difference therebetween as difference information and storing the difference information corresponding to the ascertained image information in the memory whereby the folio information and the difference information are cross-referenced.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for inspecting a lithographic plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the method comprising the steps of: optically examining the identifying folio of the lithographic plate to ascertain the folio information; optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain registration information indicating the position of the image relative to the plate; recording in an electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the folio of the lithographic plate; recording in the electronic memory the ascertained registration information corresponding to the ascertained folio information; and cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding registration information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing step including accessing the registration information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded registration information for the particular plate.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for inspecting a lithographic plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the method comprising the steps of: optically examining the identifying folio of the lithographic plate to ascertain the folio information; optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain registration information indicating the position of the image relative to the plate; recording in an electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the folio of the lithographic plate; recording in the electronic memory the ascertained registration information corresponding to the ascertained folio information; and cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding registration information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing step including accessing the registration information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded registration information for the particular plate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising the steps of comparing the ascertained registration information with a preset information, indicating any difference therebetween as difference information and storing the difference information corresponding to the ascertained registration information in the memory whereby the folio information and the difference information are cross-referenced.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for inspecting a lithographic plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the method comprising the steps of: optically examining the identifying folio of the lithographic plate to ascertain the folio information; optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain exposure information indicating the exposure of the image; recording in an electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the folio of the lithographic plate; and recording in the electronic memory the ascertained exposure information corresponding to the ascertained folio information; and cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding exposure information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing step including accessing the exposure information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded exposure information for the particular plate.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for inspecting a lithographic plate having an identifying folio including folio information and having an image thereon, the image corresponding to a print image to be printed on sheet material, the method comprising the steps of: optically examining the identifying folio of the lithographic plate to ascertain the folio information; optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain exposure information indicating the exposure of the image; recording in an electronic memory the ascertained folio information of the folio of the lithographic plate; and recording in the electronic memory the ascertained exposure information corresponding to the ascertained folio information; and cross-referencing the folio information of a particular plate to the corresponding exposure information of the particular plate, said cross-referencing step including accessing the exposure information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded folio information for the particular plate and accessing the folio information of the particular plate recorded in the electronic memory by reference to the corresponding recorded exposure information for the particular plate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 29 comprising the step of optically examining the image of each plate to ascertain registration information indicating the position of the image relative to the plate and wherein the image information includes the ascertained registration information whereby the folio information and the ascertained registration information are cross-referenced.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising the steps of comparing the ascertained exposure information with a preset information, indicating any difference therebetween as difference information, and storing the difference information corresponding to the ascertained exposure information in the memory whereby the folio information and the difference information are cross-referenced.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |