David P Romano

US Patent:

6535307, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Dec 5, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/206217

Inventors:

Roy D. Allen - Burlington MA
David J. Romano - Lowell MA
Stephen C. Hinds - Andover MA

Assignee:

Agfa Corporation - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

H04N 146

US Classification:

358504, 358406

Abstract:

A visual sensor has a first portion and a second portion. The sensor is able to detect the state of one or more imaging parameters such as exposure setting, pulse width modulation, focus, balance, spot ellipticity, sidelobe size, shape, and intensity, media gamma, edge sharpness, dot gain, uniformity, ink receptivity, physical changes in the media, pattern dependent effects such as dot gain or tone resolution compared to the type of halftone used, and sensitivity to calibrated position or exposure errors. The first image portion has a first imaging characteristic, and the second image portion has a second imaging characteristic. Imaging characteristics are characteristics of an image, including, but not limited to apparent density level, tint, color, reflectivity, absorption, granularity or microstructure, size, shape, distribution, degree of randomness, structure, edge sharpness, and depth or dimension. One of the portions is less sensitive to one or more imaging parameters than the other portion so that the first image portion and the second image portion appear substantially similar at a desired range of imaging parameters, and appear different otherwise. The imaging characteristic of the first portion is distinguishable from the imaging characteristic of the second portion for one or more ranges of one or more imaging parameters, and is not distinguishable for the alternate range(s) of the one or more imaging parameters.

US Patent:

6650353, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Apr 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/117775

Inventors:

Bryan M. Comeau - Atkinson NH
Dwayne Bailey - North Andover MA
Roy D Allen - North Andover MA
David Joel Romano - Lowell MA

Assignee:

AGFA Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01M 1100

US Classification:

347239, 347255, 702 1, 702 85, 702 86

Abstract:

A calibration system for a platesetter or imagesetter is applicable to systems that have a media drum and a carriage, including a light source and a spatial light modulator for selectively exposing the media that is held against the drum. The invention can be applied to internal or external drum systems. The calibration system comprises a calibration sensor that is scanned relative to the spatial light modulator. The controller then analyzes the response of the calibration sensor to generate calibration information that is used to configure the spatial light modulator. The use of this calibration sensor allows for job-to-job calibration of the spatial light modulator, in one example, that ensures; the generation of a high quality images, without banding, for example, on the media. This calibration system is also used to detect a best focus position for projection optics by measuring a contrast ratio between exposure and dark levels for various focus settings. It selects the best focus position in response to the contrast ratio.

US Patent:

6820551, Nov 23, 2004

Filed:

Aug 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/649034

Inventors:

David J. Romano - Sandown NH
James Hebert - Derry NH
James Francis - Lancaster MA
Mark Bussard - Salem MA

Assignee:

Agfa Corporation - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

B41N 300

US Classification:

1014631, 101467, 358 329, 430204, 430302

Abstract:

A method for characterizing exposure levels in a platesetter comprises exposing regions of a plate at different exposure levels by modulating the power of an exposure beam and then analyzing the plate after development to determine a desired exposure level for plates on the platesetter by reference to the regions receiving the different exposure levels. The plates are preferably exposed in an area outside of a printing area. In this way, the exposure test can be performed as part of the normal plate printing process. The plate is not consumed. Moreover, the plate exposure setting can be constantly monitored throughout production in one implementation.

US Patent:

20030189634, Oct 9, 2003

Filed:

Apr 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/117475

Inventors:

Bryan Comeau - Atkinson NH, US
Dwayne Bailey - North Andover MA, US
Roy Allen - North Andover MA, US
David Romano - Lowell MA, US

Assignee:

Agfa Corporation

International Classification:

B41J002/47

US Classification:

347/255000, 347/239000

Abstract:

A calibration system for a platesetter or imagesetter is applicable to systems that have a media drum and a carriage, including a light source and a spatial light modulator for selectively exposing the media that is held against the drum. The invention can be applied to internal or external drum systems. The calibration system comprises a calibration sensor that is scanned relative to the spatial light modulator. The controller then analyzes the response of the calibration sensor to generate calibration information that is used to configure the spatial light modulator. The use of this calibration sensor allows for job-to-job calibration of the spatial light modulator, in one example, that ensures the generation of a high quality images, without banding, for example, on the media. This calibration system is also used to detect a best focus position for projection optics by measuring a contrast ratio between exposure and OFF light levels for various focus settings. It selects the best focus position in response to the contrast ratio.

US Patent:

20030189635, Oct 9, 2003

Filed:

Aug 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/230535

Inventors:

Bryan Comeau - Atkinson NH, US
Dwayne Bailey - North Andover MA, US
Roy Allen - North Andover MA, US
David Romano - Lowell MA, US

Assignee:

Agfa Corporation

International Classification:

B41J002/47

US Classification:

347/255000, 347/239000

Abstract:

A calibration system for a platesetter or imagesetter is applicable to systems that have a media drum and a carriage, including a light source and a spatial light modulator for selectively exposing the media that is held against the drum. The invention can be applied to internal or external drum systems. The calibration system comprises a calibration sensor that is scanned relative to the spatial light modulator. The controller then analyzes the response of the calibration sensor to generate calibration information that is used to configure the spatial light modulator. The use of this calibration sensor allows for job-to-job calibration of the spatial light modulator, in one example, that ensures the generation of a high quality images, without banding, for example, on the media. This calibration system is also used to detect a best focus position for projection optics by measuring a contrast ratio between exposure and OFF light levels for various focus settings. It selects the best focus position in response to the contrast ratio.

US Patent:

20040263676, Dec 30, 2004

Filed:

Jun 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/609303

Inventors:

Bryan Comeau - Atkinson NH, US
Philip Rombult - Boxford MA, US
David Romano - Sandown NH, US

International Classification:

H04N005/222

US Classification:

348/370000

Abstract:

A system is disclosed for determining whether an imaging system is in a proper operating condition. In an embodiment, the system includes an illumination modulator for providing a desired modulated illumination field at an image surface, a detection unit including a slit opening for receiving a portion of the modulated illumination field, an average power sample unit and a variation power sample unit. The average power sample unit is for determining the average power sample value of the modulated illumination field as the modulated illumination field is moved with respect to the slit opening and for determining whether the average power sample value has changed significantly since a previous scan. The variation power sample unit is for determining the variation in power sample values of the modulated illumination field as the modulated illumination field is moved with respect to the slit opening and for determining whether the variation in power sample values has changed significantly since a previous scan.

US Patent:

60240202, Feb 15, 2000

Filed:

Jun 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/873135

Inventors:

David J. Romano - Lowell MA
Edward L. Kelley - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Agfa Corporation - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

B41F 3300

US Classification:

101484

Abstract:

A fluorescence dot area meter for accurately measuring halftone dot area on a printing plate having an emulsion containing one or more fluorescent compounds. The fluorescent dot area meter generally includes an illumination source for providing light having a first range of wavelengths, a system for exposing the printing plate to this light to cause the printing plate to emit light (fluoresce) within a second, higher range of wavelengths, and a system for determining halftone dot area based on a measurement of the light emitted by the printing plate.

US Patent:

62191543, Apr 17, 2001

Filed:

Feb 13, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/800937

Inventors:

David J. Romano - Lowell MA
Brian P. Alterio - Arlington MA

International Classification:

H04N 140

US Classification:

358 19

Abstract:

An article of manufacture includes a medium having a plurality of checkerboard patches recorded thereon. Each of the patches is of equal nominal tint and formed of dots. The dots of each of the patches are of equal nominal size with the size being different from that of the dots forming all other patches. One of the patches is arranged adjacent to all other patches.