Abstract: A method evaluates printhead position in a staggered full width array (SFWA) printhead assembly. The method includes selecting a first printhead configuration for printing a first test pattern on an image receiving member, generating positional correction data for roll and stitch displacements obtained from captured image data of the first test pattern, comparing the positional correction data to at least one threshold in a displacement range, and operating at least one printhead actuator in accordance with the positional correction data in response to the positional correction data exceeding at least one predetermined threshold in the displacement range.

Abstract: A method detects weak or missing ink jets in an ink jet image generating system. The method includes generating a digital image of a test pattern of line segments in a process direction on an image receiving member with each line segment corresponding to one ink jet in a printhead, generating a response profile for a portion of the image receiving member on which the test pattern was generated, measuring the response profile, comparing the measurement of the response profile to a predetermined threshold, identifying missing and weak ink jets in response to the measurement of the response profile being less than the predetermined threshold, and moving the support member transversely across the process direction to a second position that enables each light sensor to image another portion of the image receiving member.

Abstract: A system evaluates image quality in an image generating system in the presence of digital image noise and/or missing jets. The system includes a test pattern generator configured to generate a test pattern on an image substrate, an image capture device configured to generate a digital image of the generated test pattern on the image substrate, an image evaluator configured to process the digital image and generate a solution for an over-determined matrix of equations formed from differential distance measurements obtained with reference to a jet in the digital image by minimizing the root-mean-square (RMS) of residual errors corresponding to the matrix, and a controller configured to generate a correction parameter from the generated solution and to apply the correction parameter to the jet used for the used for the differential distance measurements.

Abstract: A method generates and evaluates a fiducial pattern for an imaging system. The method includes generating a fiducial pattern for an image substrate, and measuring a difference between a structure of the fiducial pattern and at least one of a structure of a printing system and a structure of a measurement pattern to determine whether the structure of the fiducial pattern is distinguishable from at least one of the structure of the printing system and the structure of the measurement pattern.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a print head, imaging member, and a moveable sensor array. The print head is configured to deliver marking material to the imaging member as it moves in a process direction. The linear sensor array comprises a plurality of photo sensors configured to scan the imaging member. The photo detectors of the linear sensor array define a sensor axis that is substantially perpendicular to the process direction. The linear sensor array is configured to move along the sensor axis between a first position where the sensor array scans one portion of the imaging member and a second position where the sensor array scans another portion of the imaging member. If a fault is detected during calibration of the sensor array, the moveable sensor array may be used to determine whether the source of the fault rests with the imaging member or the sensor array.

Abstract: A method detects weak or missing ink jets in an ink jet image generating system.

Abstract: A system evaluates image quality in an image generating system in the presence of digital image noise and/or missing jets. The system includes a test pattern generator configured to generate a test pattern on an image substrate, an image capture device configured to generate a digital image of the generated test pattern on the image substrate, an image evaluator configured to process the digital image and generate a solution for an over-determined matrix of equations formed from differential distance measurements obtained with reference to a jet in the digital image by minimizing the root-mean-square (RMS) of residual errors corresponding to the matrix, and a controller configured to generate a correction parameter from the generated solution and to apply the correction parameter to the jet used for the used for the differential distance measurements.

Abstract: A method evaluates printhead position in a staggered full width array (SFWA) printhead assembly. The method includes selecting a first printhead configuration for printing a first test pattern on an image receiving member, generating positional correction data for roll and stitch displacements obtained from captured image data of the first test pattern, comparing the positional correction data to at least one threshold in a displacement range, and operating at least one printhead actuator in accordance with the positional correction data in response to the positional correction data exceeding at least one predetermined threshold in the displacement range.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a print head, imaging member, and a moveable sensor array. The print head is configured to deliver marking material to the imaging member as it moves in a process direction. The linear sensor array comprises a plurality of photo sensors configured to scan the imaging member. The photo detectors of the linear sensor array define a sensor axis that is substantially perpendicular to the process direction. The linear sensor array is configured to move along the sensor axis between a first position where the sensor array scans one portion of the imaging member and a second position where the sensor array scans another portion of the imaging member. If a fault is detected during calibration of the sensor array, the moveable sensor array may be used to determine whether the source of the fault rests with the imaging member or the sensor array.

Abstract: A method generates and evaluates a fiducial pattern for an imaging system. The method includes generating a fiducial pattern for an image substrate, and measuring a difference between a structure of the fiducial pattern and at least one of a structure of a printing system and a structure of a measurement pattern to determine whether the structure of the fiducial pattern is distinguishable from at least one of the structure of the printing system and the structure of the measurement pattern.