Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for generating a pixel value use at least a first pixel in a first row of a charge coupled device (CCD) and a first pixel in a second row, adjacent to the first row, of the CCD.

Abstract: An optical system, used for scanning, forms an image using reflective optical surfaces. The system may be telecentric, and may form an image that is reduced in size as compared with the scanned original. Several image-forming optical channels may be combined to form a page-wide scanning array.

Abstract: An optical system, used for scanning, forms an image using reflective optical surfaces. The system may be telecentric, and may form an image that is reduced in size as compared with the scanned original. Several image-forming optical channels may be combined to form a page-wide scanning array.

Abstract: An optical system, used for scanning, forms an image using reflective optical surfaces. The system may be telecentric, and may form an image that is reduced in size as compared with the scanned original. Several image-forming optical channels may be combined to form a page-wide scanning array.

Abstract: Full-color swaths produced in opposite scanning directions are offset to conceal or eliminate the color-cast effects of the varying deposition order which is inherent in bidirectional operation with in-line pens. Offsets are produced by unequal printing-medium advance between oppositely directed sweeps, or by alternating forward and reverse advance steps between oppositedly directed sweeps, or by both unequal and alternate-reverse steps; or by pen masking. Color-cast effects of varying drying/wicking time, too, are minimized.

Abstract: A multiple printhead cartridge color thermal ink jet printer having apparatus for measuring the offsets between the multiple printhead cartridges each of which includes a nozzle array of one or more columns of nozzles, each column being parallel to the media axis of the printer. The cartridges are individually operated, stationarily and while scanning, to fire drops at an aperture plate interposed between an optical drop detector and the nozzle arrays of the printhead cartridges. The detection of drops passing through the aperture plate and the non-detection of drops blocked by the aperture plate provide information which is utilized in conjunction with the nature of the operation of the cartridges that produced the detected drops to determine the positions of the nozzle arrays of the cartridges relative to each other.

Abstract: A multiple printhead cartridge color thermal ink jet printer having apparatus for measuring the offsets between the multiple printhead cartridges each of which includes a nozzle array of one or more columns of nozzles, each column being parallel to the media axis of the printer. The cartridges are individually operated, stationarily and while scanning, to fire drops at an aperture plate interposed between an optical drop detector and the nozzle arrays of the printhead cartridges. The detection of drops passing through the aperture plate and the non-detection of drops blocked by the aperture plate provide information which is utilized in conjunction with the nature of the operation of the cartridges that produced the detected drops to determine the positions of the nozzle arrays of the cartridges relative to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting optical elements of an optical ink drop detector that detects the presence of an ink drop in a drop detection zone, and for maintaining an aperture plate used in conjunction with the ink drop detector. The apparatus includes a movable plate having an apertured region and a non-apertured region. The plate is movable relative to the optical elements of the drop detector and is configured to have the aperture region adjacent a drop detection zone of the optical ink drop detector when in a first position and to have the non-apertured region adjacent the detection zone when in a second position. Cleaning brushes are provided for cleaning ink from the aperture region of the movable plate when the plate is moved between the first and second positions, and an enclosure is provided for enclosing the aperture region of the plate when said plate is in the second position.

Abstract: A control system providing a control of position, velocity, and direction of movement of a member in an axis of freedom which employs a scale having scale divisions thereon and bands or zones defining limits of constant velocity control, acceleration and deceleration zone limits, and a rest or parking position. The scale spans and parallels the axis of freedom. A single channel transducer or encoder mounted on and moving with the member produces time varying output signals in response to the sensing of scale divisions along the scale and signals of different characteristic in response to encoder sensing of the limit bands. The time varying output signals are employed as scale division count signals for position determination and as scale division count signals per unit of time, for velocity feedback.

Abstract: The single channel encoder comprises a transparent scale in which the scale divisions are defined by transverse opaque lines having a width greater than the width between the opaque lines. An emitter holder and a detector holder snap together, clamping an aperture plate there between. The aperture plate has a slit therein which is disposed in the optical path between the emitter and the detector. Projections functioning as scale supports on the opposite sides of the emitter holder and the detector holder are disposed in longitudinally spaced positions and define a gap therebetween for engaging the outside edges of the encoder scale outside of the opaque transverse lines to precisely position the scale in the optical path for maintaining a constant gap between the encoder scale and the aperture plate.