US4989032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proof light
Assignee: Chesley F Carlson Co
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Filing: 1989-05-16
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Granted: 1991-01-29
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Expires: 2009-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A phase-controlled, multi-color light is disclosed for proofing of colors before a job is run on a printing press. A controlled manipulation of the spectral intensity of red, green and blue light as exposed through various flats produce specific colors in proofing material. The proper exposure parameters or data are keyed into a computerized control which includes a number of printing process memories with each memory accepting a number of flats or films with a specific response for a given printing condition. This permits storage of frequencyly used conditions as well as modifications as desired. The color palette is also operator programmed. With such programming the combining of spectral values will result in a specific combined spectral value to create a specific color in the proof. Because of this procedure only one exposure is required for each of the cyan, magenta, yellow and black exposures to obtain the position and acceptance color proof of the color layout. Additional exposures can be added for cropping marks and cut and fold lines and to create a background color.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank A. Hull
- 👤 H. Brent Archer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:30
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/72; G03B27/73; G03B27/735
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A color and position proof lighting system for exposing a light sensitive medium comprising: a light integrating chamber for mixing light of different spectral values: a light course positioned adjacent to and directed into the integrating chamber to provide the light of different spectral values; color filter means interposed between the light source and the integrating chamber to create the filtered light having the different spectral values; means for determining the desired amount of illumination for each spectral value; means for measuring the amount of illumination of each spectral value; and control means for continuously controlling illumination of the light source so that the desired amount of filtered light of each spectral value from the light source is directed onto the light sensitive medium said control means including means for balancing the dominance of any one of said spectral values relative to the other spectral values.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A color and position proof lighting system for exposing a light sensitive medium comprising: a light integrating chamber for mixing light of different spectral values: a light course positioned adjacent to and directed into the integrating chamber to provide the light of different spectral values; color filter means interposed between the light source and the integrating chamber to create the filtered light having the different spectral values; means for determining the desired amount of illumination for each spectral value; means for measuring the amount of illumination of each spectral value; and control means for continuously controlling illumination of the light source so that the desired amount of filtered light of each spectral value from the light source is directed onto the light sensitive medium said control means including means for balancing the dominance of any one of said spectral values relative to the other spectral values.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
147 words
A color acceptance and position proof lighting system for exposing a light sensitive emulsion comprising: a light integrating chamber for mixing light of different spectral values; a light source comprising a plurality of lamps positioned adajcent to and directed into the integrating chamber to provide the light of different spectral values; color filter means interposed between each lamp and the integrating chamber to create the filtered light having the different spectral values; means for determining the desired amount of illumination from each filtered lamp; means for measuring the amount of illumination of each spectral value; and phase control means for continuously controlling the illumination of each lamp so that the desired amount of filtered light from each lamp is directed onto the light sensitive emulsion, said control means including means for balancing the dominance of any one of said spectral values relative to the other spectral values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
147 words
A color acceptance and position proof lighting system for exposing a light sensitive emulsion comprising: a light integrating chamber for mixing light of different spectral values; a light source comprising a plurality of lamps positioned adajcent to and directed into the integrating chamber to provide the light of different spectral values; color filter means interposed between each lamp and the integrating chamber to create the filtered light having the different spectral values; means for determining the desired amount of illumination from each filtered lamp; means for measuring the amount of illumination of each spectral value; and phase control means for continuously controlling the illumination of each lamp so that the desired amount of filtered light from each lamp is directed onto the light sensitive emulsion, said control means including means for balancing the dominance of any one of said spectral values relative to the other spectral values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the phase control of light controls the light intensity with a fixed exposure time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the filter means are glass interference filters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the filter means are narrow bandpass filters to enhance the clarity of color and minimize contamination of other color values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein an inverse cosign attenuator is interposed between the light integrator and the light sensitive emulsion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the light source further comprises a shutter mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lighting system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the means for measuring the amount of illumination of each spectral value comprises means for digitizing the amount of illumination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the means for controlling the amount of illumination comprises a logrithmic feedback circuit connected to the means for measuring the amount of illumination of each spectral value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein the invention comprises processing means for calculating the correct amount of exposure for each lamp and for continuously calculating the amount of exposure from each lamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
The improvement of claim 10 wherein the means for measuring the illumination from each filtered color comprises frequency generating means, the number of pulses from which directly relates to the illumination of the lamp and first counting means counting the pulses relating to the illumination of the lamp and wherein the phase control means comprises second counting means counting the amount of desired illumination from the lamps and wherein the processing means comprises means for comparing the counting means so that the phase control means can provide the desired amount of illumination from each filtered lamp.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
The improvement of claim 10 wherein the processing means further comprises memory means and wherein the proof lighting system further comprises a plurality of flats to be placed over the light sensitive emulsion and data input means, the memory means being programmable by the data input means to store the desired amount of illumination from each filtered lamp for the plurality of flats and wherein the processing means is programmed to selectively illuminate the lamps with the desired amount of illumination for each flat being exposed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The proof lighting system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the control means comprises means for logarithmically controlling illumination of the light source so that there is a linear relationship of light intensity to the color response of the light sensitive emulsion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The proof lighting system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the system further comprises an inverse cosign filter positioned between the light source and the light sensitive emulsion to assure uniform lighting over the entire proof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The proof lighting system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the system further comprises means for disbursing static electricity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The proof lighting system claims 1 or 2 wherein the system further comprises display means for sequentially displaying the status of operation of the proof lighting system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The proof lighting system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the system further comprises a nonvolatile memory means for permanently storing color values for a plurality of light sensitive emulsions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The proof lighting system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the system further comprises data entry means for entering the selected color value to be achieved on the light sensitive emulsion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The proof lighting system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the system further comprises second control means for controlling the room light in which the system is installed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The proof lighting system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the system further comprises vacuum frame control means for automatically controlling the vacuum frame in which the light sensitive emulsion is placed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The proof lighting system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the proof lighting system further comprises means for controlling the light distribution from the light source to focus solely on the light sensitive emulsion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-28 | 1994-07-30 | 1995-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-28 | 1998-07-30 | 1999-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-07-30 | 2003-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |