Abstract:
PCT No. PCT/US92/04734 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 2, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 2, 1994 PCT Filed Jun. 5, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO92/22109 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 10, 1992A laser beam scanning apparatus employs a movable reflector (32) having a large number of flat reflective sides (44) a deflector (16) which shifts the laser beam (10) at high speed across a plurality of the reflective sides (44). The movement of reflector (32) is synchronized with the deflection of the laser beam (10) to produce a desired scan pattern in a first scan direction (X). The reflective sides (44) of the movable reflector (32) may be angled relative to each other in a second direction (Y) to produce different scan lines thereby providing an X-Y scan pattern. The combined high speed beam deflection and motion of the reflector (32) provide scanning of the beam (10) in parallel scan segments thereby providing high scanning speed of the beam with a high degree of resolution.
Abstract:
For producing high quality patterns on large surfaces such as serigraphical printing frames having a light coating it is advantageous to produce the pattern by laser scanning, line by line, though by this technique the working width is rather limited. According to the invention, however, a large effective width is obtained by scanning with normal width a number of neighbouring zones (a-b, b-c) of the working surface. Extreme care should be taken for ensuring the side edges of the zones to coincide, but a high accuracy is achievable almost automatically with the use to a surface coating of a type that changes colour locally where it is exposed to the laser beam. Thereby a sensor (4) associated with the laser gun (2) can successively detect the location of the side of the neighbouring zone line by line, and the sensor signal can be used to control the new line scanning such that the new line will stop exactly at the end of the corresponding line in the neighbouring zone. Hereby even local irregularities in the zone border will be taken into account.
Abstract:
Upper to lower assembly analog position sensors in a dual scanning system measure alignment offsets. A controller uses error signals from the position sensors to calculate actuator error profiles that are used in the next scan in the same direction, with different error profiles being used for forward and reverse scans. Since the alignment error profiles are repeatable for a given set of scanner conditions, the actuator controller anticipates what the error signal will be before each scanning assembly reaches a given position. An optimized error correction can be calculated based on the error profiles and actuator bandwidth without concerns regarding feedback loop speed, overshoot, and unstable control oscillations. An actuation system driven from error profiles can correct for alignment offsets by actively changing belt tensions at the offsetting drive pulleys and/or changing the position of sensor assemblies relative to the drive belt systems.
Abstract:
A disclosed optical scanning device includes a light beam generating unit configured to generate a light beam; a light beam deflecting unit configured to receive the light beam and deflect/emit the light beam with a deflecting mirror; a light beam ON/OFF control unit configured to control the light beam generating unit so that the light beam deflected by the light beam deflecting unit is turned ON/OFF in a particular light beam scanning region while the light beam is being reciprocally scanned; and a light beam scanning time measuring unit configured to obtain a measurement value by measuring a time at which the light beam passes a reference point provided on an edge part of the entire light beam scanning region that is away from a center part of the entire light beam scanning region. Timings at which the light beam is turned ON/OFF are controlled in accordance with the measurement value.
Abstract:
Apparatus for and method of fully automatic rapid scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample using a computer controlled microscope slide scanner for composing the image strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single contiguous digital image. The method provides for statically displaying sub-regions of this large digital image at different magnifications, together with a reduced magnification macro-image of the entire sample. The method also provides for dynamically displaying portions of the contiguous digital image. In one preferred embodiment all elements of the scanner are in single-enclosure with a primary connection to the Internet or to a local intranet. In this embodiment, the preferred sample type is a microscope slide with illumination and imaging optics consistent with transmission mode optics for diffraction-limited digital imaging.
Abstract:
Apparatus for and method of fully automatic rapid scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample using a computer controlled microscope slide scanner for composing the image strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single contiguous digital image. The method provides for statically displaying sub-regions of this large digital image at different magnifications, together with a reduced magnification macro-image of the entire sample. The method also provides for dynamically displaying portions of the contiguous digital image. In one preferred embodiment all elements of the scanner are in single-enclosure with a primary connection to the Internet or to a local intranet. In this embodiment, the preferred sample type is a microscope slide with illumination and imaging optics consistent with transmission mode optics for diffraction-limited digital imaging.
Abstract:
An engraving system and method for engraving a pattern (Figure 1) using a plurality of engraving devices (34 and 36). The apparatus and method are for sequencing and engraving of the plurality of engraving devices (34 and 36) such that the areas engraved by those heads (34 and 36) meet to provide a continuous engraved pattern (Figure 4b). The system and method (Figure 1) also include an imaging system (22) for imaging the engraved areas associated with each engraving head (34 or 36) so that the heads (34 and 36) or signals (from head driver 62) driving the heads (34 and 36) may be adjusted to further facilitate providing engraved areas which appear as if they had been engraved by a single engraving head when, for example, the engraved area of one head (34 or 36) meets the engraved area of another head (34 or 36). Also disclosed is a method for sequencing and transmitting image data associated with an image to be engraved in order to accomodate any cylindrical offset or the angular displacement between, for example, two engraving heads (34 and 36) that are positioned in a generally opposed relationship.
Abstract:
An error detection apparatus and method for use with engravers (figure 9), such as gravure engravers. An error value E corresponding to the difference between a set of predetermined setup parameters and actual measurement of a portion of an engraved area on the cylinder (10') is determined. The error value E is then used to adjust the engraver to engrave an actual cut or etch in accordance with the set of predetermined setup parameters. Advantageously, an error detection and correction system is suitable for providing a closed-loop system for engraving a cylinder (10'). The apparatus and method (figure 9) may be used during initial setup or during normal operation of the engraver. Other features include an autofocus routine (figure 13) to facilitate the autofocus procedure. Also, image processing is further enhanced by gap filling, discontinuity removal, and light calibration methods which may be used alone, in combination with each other, or in combination with the automatic focus system (46') and/or automatic shoe system (209').
Abstract:
This invention is a system for locating a plurality of engraving heads (68, 68') on an engraver (10) and automatically positioning such heads into a predetermined configuration. A mechanism for positioning the heads (68, 68') includes a lead screw (36) and a drive nut (38) which is rotatable relative to the lead screw (36). Each of the heads (68, 68') includes a rotatable drive nut (38) with a respective motor (40) for rotating the nut (38) whereby the heads (68, 68') are selectively positioned into a predetermined configuration. The heads (68, 68') are mounted on a carriage (26) movable in an axial direction relative to a cylinder (20) to be engraved. The heads (68, 68') are selectively positionable on the carriage (26) and the carriage (26) includes a nut (38) threadably engaged with a lead screw (36) whereby the carriage (26) is driven in an axial direction relative to the cylinder (20) to be engraved. A method for engraving a cylinder (20) includes automatically adjusting a plurality of engraving heads (68, 68') into a predetermined configuration, and engraving a plurality of images onto the cylinder (20).
Abstract:
In a process for correcting pyramidal errors due to misinclination of facet surfaces of a rotating polygonal mirror (8) that receives light and is used to deflect a beam of light, wherein a misinclination of a facet surface prompts a corrective deflection of the light beam (5) reflected by the specific facet surface (12), at a correction angle opposite to the deflection by misinclination, the invention provides a continuous check on the orientation of the facet surfaces (16) as they pass a measuring point (15), a measure of the angle of misinclination when it occurs and an adjustment of twice the measure as angle of correction of the corrective deflection. A device for carrying out the process has a light-exposed rotating polygonal mirror (8) as well as a deflection device (9, 10) for corrective deflection of the light beam (5) in the event of a misinclination of facet surfaces and a control device which is used to drive the deflection device. With a measuring device (13) the orientation of each facet surface (16) can be continuously monitored with each pass of the measuring point (15), the angle of misinclination can be determined when it occurs and, as a function thereof, an input signal can be sent to the control device (36).