Facsimile apparatus for line by line recording of different kinds of weather map, satellite and other graphic data distinguishes the different characteristics of the transmitted electrical data signals and records them in suitable aspect ratio, despite the fact that the various signals are transmitted at different line rates and are intended for recording at different line densities. The apparatus also enhances the contrast of the recording and can enlarge the original graphic information.

A method of picture reproduction with variable reproduction scale. The original picture is scanned to obtain picture signals to be recorded, the picture signals are written into a memory with addressing in synchronization with timing pulses, and then the original picture is reproduced by reading out the picture signals from the memory. In this method a variable magnification scale can be obtained by compressing or elongating the picture signals with the use of insert pulses different from the usual timing pulses, the insert pulses being inserted among the timing pulses in proportion to the magnification scale required.

Apparatus and method for producing image combinations in which the image to be copied are digitally stored and a mask is produced for manually superimposing the images with each other with one of the images and the mask being scanned and wherein the coordinates of the image which is to be transferred into the other image are measured as x and y values and the two images are combined by utilizing the x and y values to form a composite total image.

A method and apparatus for producing rastered printing forms, in which an image pattern is opto-electronically scanned to obtain an image signal, and the printing form production is effected by means of an energy beam recording device controlled by the image signal, whereby the raster points are recorded in a raster network having arbitrary raster angles, by means of relative motion between the printing form and the recording device, in which the pattern to be reproduced is scanned to simultaneously provide image signals for a plurality of adjacent image points of such a pattern, following which, for the control of the recording device, the image signal of that image point is selected whose local position on the image pattern is congruent with the local position of the raster point to be presently recorded, in the formation of the desired raster angles.

To generate engraving data (6), especially for an engraving cylinder, based on a vectorized printer's copy (1) and a screen stipulation (2), depending on the geometry of the elements contained in the printer's copy, within predefined variation range for the engraving data (6) at least one working screen (4) is chosen which deviates from the screen stipulation (2). In the printer's copy (1) first at least one line element is chosen. Afterwards within the variation range a working screen is determined which is matched to the periodicity of the determined line element with respect to density and/or angle. Then in the printer's copy (1) font elements are chosen and they are matched to the working screen using font hinting data. If necessary also the screen geometries which belong to the different process colors are stretched or flattened in the line direction and/or in the advance direction in order to be aligned to the chosen line element.