Printing installation

• US 5,778,791 A
• Filed: 02/16/1996
• Issued: 07/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Man Roland Druckmaschinen AG (Allianz Se)
• Original Assignee: Man Roland Druckmaschinen AG (Allianz Se)
• Inventors: Messthaler, Reinhard, Albus, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Application Number:
  US08/602,905
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 248/15, 101/483, 101/484, 101/DIG. 47
• US Class Current: 101/483
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 33/0009 Central control units
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 101/47 Automatic or remote control of metering blade position

Abstract

A printing machine having a plurality of printing mechanisms, a folding apparatus, and a control station with a video and audio communications system which provides for an exchange of data at any time between a printing plant in which the printing machine is installed and a remote diagnostic and maintenance station for purposes of maintenance, diagnosis and repair of the printing machine.

Claims

1. A printing installation, comprising:

a printing machine including a control panel and a plurality of constructional units;

a remote diagnostic and maintenance station including a monitor;

data connection means for connecting together the printing machine and the remote diagnostic and maintenance station for data transmission; and

a video and audio communication system connected to individual ones of the constructional units of the printing machine, the video and audio communications system including a computer operatively connected to the data connection means and being operative to process video and audio data received from the printing machine for transmission by the data connection means, the monitor of the remote diagnostic and maintenance station being operative to display and reproduce the video and audio data, the remote diagnostic and maintenance station further being operative to send operating instructions to the printing machine via the data connection means, based upon the video and audio data.

2. A printing installation according to claim 1, wherein the video and audio communication system is integrated in the control panel of the printing machine.

3. A printing installation according to claim 1, wherein the printing machine is a web-fed rotary printing machine, and the plurality of constructional units include at least one printing mechanism and a folding apparatus, the video and audio communication system being in operative connection with the at least one printing mechanism and the folding apparatus.

4. A printing installation according to claim 1, and further comprising receiving means for receiving data from the printing machine and passing it to the video and audio communication system.

5. A printing installation according to claim 4, wherein the receiving means is operative to receive electrical data.

6. A printing installation according to claim 4, wherein the receiving means includes a video camera.

7. A printing installation according to claim 4, wherein the receiving means includes an endoscope.

8. A printing installation according to claim 4, wherein the receiving means includes a vidicon.

9. A printing installation according to claim 4, wherein the receiving means includes photodiodes.

10. A printing installation according to claim 4, wherein the receiving means includes acoustical receivers.

11. A printing installation according to claim 10, wherein the acoustical receivers are microphones.

12. A printing installation according to claim 4, wherein the receiving means includes a video recorder.

13. A printing installation according to claim 4, and further comprising data transmission lines connected between the receiving means and the video and audio communication system to transmit data received by the receiving means to the video and audio communication system.

14. A printing installation according to claim 13, wherein the data transmission lines are electrical lines.

15. A data installation according to claim 13, wherein the data transmission lines are optical lines.

16. A printing installation according to claim 1, wherein the video and audio communication system includes a multiplexing/demultiplexing unit connected to the computer for bidirectional data transmission between the printing machine and the remote diagnostic and maintenance station.

17. A printing installation according to claim 1, wherein the data connecting means includes optical lines connected between the printing machine and the remote diagnostic and maintenance station.

18. A printing installation according to claim 1, wherein the data connecting means includes electrical lines connected between the printing machine and the remote diagnostic and maintenance station.

19. A printing installation according to claim 1, wherein the data connecting means includes ground transmission and ground reception stations connected to the printing machine and the remote diagnostic and maintenance station, and a satellite arranged to transmit signals between the ground transmission and reception stations.