Line color monitoring system

• US 9,325,860 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2010
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baldwin Americas Corporation (Forsyth Baldwin LLC)
• Original Assignee: QuadTech, Inc. (Quad Graphics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lachajewski, Steve J., Daily, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRINICH, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US12/958,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20120140289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,973 Days
• Field of Search: 358/498, 358/468, 358/2.1, 358500-501, 358/504, 358/400, 358/406, 358/449, 358/474, 358/296
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 13/02 Conveying or guiding webs through presses or machines
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 33/0036 Devices for scanning or checking the printed matter for quality control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00015 Reproducing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00023 Colour systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00031 Testing, i.e. determining the result of a trial H04N1/00029 takes precedence; using test signals for transmission mode changing H04N2201/33371
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00042 Monitoring, i.e. observation H04N1/00029 - H04N1/00039 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00045 using a reference pattern designed for the purpose, e.g. a test chart
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0005 in service, i.e. during normal operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00058 using a separate apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00087 Setting or calibrating picture signal circuits H04N1/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00251 with an apparatus for taking photographic images, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00602 Feed rollers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00615 Guiding elements, e.g. plates
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00673 Controlling the amount of slack or tension control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0456 for maintaining a predetermined distance between the scanning elements and the picture-bearing surface

Abstract

A device and method for use with an image recording device. The device having a background target and a first surface including the background target recessed therein. The device further including a substrate stabilizer configured to move a substrate having an image printed therein in closer proximity to the background target and below the first surface when activated.

Claims

1. A device for use with a color sensing camera, comprising:

a background target,

a first surface including the background target recessed therein; and

a substrate stabilizer configured to move a substrate having an image printed thereon in closer proximity to the background target and below the first surface when the substrate stabilizer is activated, the substrate being moved from travelling above the first surface when the substrate stabilizer is not activated.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a substrate contacts the background target during activation of the substrate stabilizer.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the contact between the substrate and the background target is non-continuous.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate stabilizer is activated for approximately 30 to 50 milliseconds during a color sensing operation of the background target.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first surface includes first and second rails positioned before and after the background target in a direction of travel of the substrate.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the substrate stabilizer includes at least a first and a second vacuum aperture, the first and second aperture positioned before and after a first and second rails in the direction of travel of the substrate.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first and second vacuum aperture comprise a first and second elongated aperture respectively.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first and second elongated apertures are configured to receive a decreased air pressure therein.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the decreased air pressure temporarily stabilizes a portion of the substrate positioned above the background target and moves the substrate into closer proximity to the background target.

10. The device of claim 5, further including one or more furrows in the first and second rail, the furrows configured to extend the decreased air pressure to the background target.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein the decreased air pressure within the first and second apertures is induced by lateral air movement through a first and second channel located below the first and second apertures respectively.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second channels receive a linear airflow lateral to the first and second apertures and are configured to inhibit travel of the airflow to the respective aperture.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the channel is configurable to control the amount of the decreased air pressure in the apertures.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the bottom surface of the channel is retractable to control the decreased air pressure.

15. The device of claim 1, further including a sliding track configured to position the substrate stabilizer tinder a portion of the substrate in response to a detected location of an image on the substrate.

16. The device of claim 1, further including an image recording device configured to obtain a color measurement of an image printed on the portion of the substrate positioned above the background target during substrate stabilization.