Appeal No. 96-3746
Application 08/236,007
(Fed. Cir. 1983).
We find that Barney discloses an ink level control
system which utilizes an ultrasonic transducer to measure the
distance between the transducer and the ink in an ink fountain
thereby sensing the ink level in the fountain (Col. 2, lines 17-
19). A microprocessor controller is in communication with the
transducer and functions to evaluate the long term behavior of
the ink level in the ink fountain using a mean value formation
based on periodic sampling by the ultrasonic transducer on ink
level measurements (Col. 2, lines 42-45). The long term ink
level is adjusted by a surface variability index VI to correct
for ink surface variations (Col. 4, 15-20). This new adjusted
long term ink level is applied to a comparator with a
predetermined set-point level SP (Col. 4, lines 21-32). This
set-point is imputted by an operator and is based on the
operator’s experience in judging the correct level to maintain
acceptable ink coverage consistency (Col. 4, lines 28-31). If
the adjusted long term ink level is greater than the set point,
an ink feed cycle is started (Col. 4, lines 23-26). The ink
level is then repeatedly measured until the adjusted long term
ink level is less than the set point at which time, ink feed
cycle is terminated (Col. 4, lines 33-38).
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