Abstract: A compact optical sensing system is used in hardcopy devices for scanning and/or printing images, for instance, using inkjet printing technology in desktop printing or in photographic printers appearing in grocery and variety stores. Several light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) illuminate a sheet of print media, and one or more photodiodes receive light reflected from the sheet. The photodiode generates signals in response to the light received, and the hardcopy device uses these signals to adjust printing parameters for optimal print quality. Using a chip-on-board process, the bare silicon die for each component is wire bonded directly to a printed circuit board assembly, allowing at least four LEDs (blue, green, red and soft-orange) to be grouped closely together in a space smaller than that occupied by a factory-made, single-packaged LED. A calibrating system uses a white target covered for cleanliness by a windowed door which is opened/closed by a printhead carriage.

Abstract: A compact optical sensing system is used in hardcopy devices for scanning and/or printing images, for instance, using inkjet printing technology in desktop printing or in photographic printers appearing in grocery and variety stores. Several light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) illuminate a sheet of print media, and one or more photodiodes receive light reflected from the sheet. The photodiode generates signals in response to the light received, and the hardcopy device uses these signals to adjust printing parameters for optimal print quality. Using a chip-on-board process, the bare silicon die for each component is wire bonded directly to a printed circuit board assembly, allowing at least four LEDs (blue, green, red and soft-orange) to be grouped closely together in a space smaller than that occupied by a factory-made, single-packaged LED. A calibrating system uses a white target covered for cleanliness by a windowed door which is opened/closed by a printhead carriage.

Abstract: A compact optical sensing system is used in hardcopy devices for scanning and/or printing images, for instance, using inkjet printing technology in desktop printing or in photographic printers appearing in grocery and variety stores. Several light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) illuminate a sheet of print media, and one or more photodiodes receive light reflected from the sheet. The photodiode generates signals in response to the light received, and the hardcopy device uses these signals to adjust printing parameters for optimal print quality. Using a chip-on-board process, the bare silicon die for each component is wire bonded directly to a printed circuit board assembly, allowing at least four LEDs (blue, green, red and soft-orange) to be grouped closely together in a space smaller than that occupied by a factory-made, single-packaged LED. A calibrating system uses a white target covered for cleanliness by a windowed door which is opened/closed by a printhead carriage.

Abstract: A compact optical sensing system is used in hardcopy devices for scanning and/or printing images, for instance, using inkjet printing technology in desktop printing or in photographic printers appearing in grocery and variety stores. Several light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) illuminate a sheet of print media, and one or more photodiodes receive light reflected from the sheet. The photodiode generates signals in response to the light received, and the hardcopy device uses these signals to adjust printing parameters for optimal print quality. Using a chip-on-board process, the bare silicon die for each component is wire bonded directly to a printed circuit board assembly, allowing at least four LEDs (blue, green, red and soft-orange) to be grouped closely together in a space smaller than that occupied by a factory-made, single-packaged LED. A calibrating system uses a white target covered for cleanliness by a windowed door which is opened/closed by a printhead carriage.

Abstract: A compact optical sensing system is used in hardcopy devices for scanning and/or printing images, for instance, using inkjet printing technology in desktop printing or in photographic printers appearing in grocery and variety stores. Several light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) illuminate a sheet of print media, and one or more photodiodes receive light reflected from the sheet. The photodiode generates signals in response to the light received, and the hardcopy device uses these signals to adjust printing parameters for optimal print quality. Using a chip-on-board process, the bare silicon die for each component is wire bonded directly to a printed circuit board assembly, allowing at least four LEDs (blue, green, red and soft-orange) to be grouped closely together in a space smaller than that occupied by a factory-made, single-packaged LED. A calibrating system uses a white target covered for cleanliness by a windowed door which is opened/closed by a printhead carriage.

Abstract: A compact optical sensing system is used in hardcopy devices for scanning and/or printing images, for instance, using inkjet printing technology in desktop printing or in photographic printers appearing in grocery and variety stores. Several light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) illuminate a sheet of print media, and one or more photodiodes receive light reflected from the sheet. The photodiode generates signals in response to the light received, and the hardcopy device uses these signals to adjust printing parameters for optimal print quality. Using a chip-on-board process, the bare silicon die for each component is wire bonded directly to a printed circuit board assembly, allowing at least four LEDs (blue, green, red and soft-orange) to be grouped closely together in a space smaller than that occupied by a factory-made, single-packaged LED. A calibrating system uses a white target covered for cleanliness by a windowed door which is opened/closed by a printhead carriage.

Abstract: A method, includes illuminating a first portion of a colored region with first light from a gas discharge tube and generating a first output using a diffuse reflection of the first light from the first portion. The method further includes illuminating a second portion of the colored region with second light from a first solid state lamp and generating a second output using a diffuse reflection of the second light from the second portion. Additionally, the method includes illuminating a third portion of the colored region with third light from a second solid state lamp and generating a third output using a diffuse reflection of the third light from the third portion.

Abstract: A pen alignment method for a multi-pen printer is provided, the method including directing a first pen to print a first pattern of a first color, directing a second pen to print a second pattern of a second color in a predetermined relative alignment with the first pattern to form a test block, determining an actual hue of the test block via spectral analysis of the test block using a color sensor, and comparing the actual hue of the test block with an expected hue of the test block to determine whether the first and second pens are misaligned relative to each other, wherein the expected hue of the test block is the hue that would be detected if the first pen and second pen were correctly aligned.

Abstract: An environmental condition detection system for a hardcopy device, such as an inkjet printing mechanism, includes an environmental condition sensor having an optical property which changes in response to a change in an environmental condition, for instance humidity or temperature. The system also has an optical sensor which detects changes in the optical property and generates a signal for a controller that responds by changing an operating parameter of the hardcopy device. A hard copy device having such a environmental condition detection system is also provided, along with a method of determining an environmental condition within which a hardcopy device is operating.

Abstract: Discussed herein is a method of positioning a printer's drive roller relative to the printer's printhead. The printhead has rows of individual print elements arranged to apply transverse dot rows to a print medium. To print at a desired location on the print medium, the printer initiates a first drive roller advance to the desired location, at a relatively fast slew speed. Assuming some overshoot or undershoot occurs, the printer then determines the actual position error of the drive roller, and selects a set of the printhead rows that correspond most closely in position to the desired print location. The printer then initiates a second drive roller advance, at a relatively slow speed, to position the selected group of printhead rows accurately over the desired print location on the print medium. These printhead rows are then used to perform the actual printing. The slow speed of the second drive roller advance ensures high positioning accuracy.

Abstract: A compact optical sensing system is used in hardcopy devices for scanning and/or printing images, for instance, using inkjet printing technology in desktop printing or in photographic printers appearing in grocery and variety stores. Several light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) illuminate a sheet of print media, and one or more photodiodes receive light reflected from the sheet. The photodiode generates signals in response to the light received, and the hardcopy device uses these signals to adjust printing parameters for optimal print quality. Using a chip-on-board process, the bare silicon die for each component is wire bonded directly to a printed circuit board assembly, allowing at least four LEDs (blue, green, red and soft-orange) to be grouped closely together in a space smaller than that occupied by a factory-made, single-packaged LED. A calibrating system uses a white target covered for cleanliness by a windowed door which is opened/closed by a printhead carriage.

Abstract: Correcting color values for color calibration is disclosed. A sensor measures a color calibration pattern output by a device, to color values for the patch. Corrective action(s) are then performed on the color values. A first such action corrects for measurement corruption of a patch color of the patch resulting from the sensor erroneously measuring adjacent patch colors to the desired patch color. A second action corrects for non-parallel motion of the sensor while measuring the patch. A third corrective action corrects for ambient light detected by the sensor while measuring the patch, without necessarily filtering the sensor. A final action corrects for slow-drift measurement corruption of the patch, by both scaling and offsetting the color values.

Abstract: An environmental condition detection system for a hardcopy device, such as an inkjet printing mechanism, includes an environmental condition sensor having an optical property which changes in response to a change in an environmental condition, for instance humidity or temperature. The system also has an optical sensor which detects changes in the optical property and generates a signal for a controller that responds by changing an operating parameter of the hardcopy device. A hard copy device having such a environmental condition detection system is also provided, along with a method of determining an environmental condition within which a hardcopy device is operating.

Abstract: A pen alignment method for a multi-pen printer is provided, the method including directing a first pen to print a first pattern of a first color, directing a second pen to print a second pattern of a second color in a predetermined relative alignment with the first pattern to form a test block, determining an actual hue of the test block via spectral analysis of the test block using a color sensor, and comparing the actual hue of the test block with an expected hue of the test block to determine whether the first and second pens are misaligned relative to each other, wherein the expected hue of the test block is the hue that would be detected if the first pen and second pen were correctly aligned.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for aligning an inkjet printer. A first step of the present invention includes having at least two differently colored printer pens print at least one test block. Each test block includes a test pattern from one pen overlaid with a test pattern from another pen. Next, a color sensor determines the hue of the test block. The actual hue of the test block is compared with an expected hue for the test block. Variation from the expected hue is an indication of misalignment of the two pens relative to each other. In some embodiments, a series of test blocks is used. The hue of each test block in the series in combination with the order of the hues creates a hue signature. The actual hue signature can be compared with an expected hue signature to identify the type and degree of pen misalignment in the printer. In a further embodiment, a processor may make appropriate adjustments to the nozzles to correct for the misalignment.

Abstract: A simple, yet accurate way of determining calibration values for correcting the characteristic sinusoidal feed errors of a printer or other recording device (such as a fax machine, plotter, etc.). A sheet of calibration media is employed for facilitating the calculation of the calibration values. The sheet is used in a way that prevents the calibration media errors from affecting the calculation. In particular, the sheet of calibration media is fed twice through the printer, and position data is collected each time. The data is processed in a way that cancels the attendant calibration media errors so that the calculated calibration values precisely correct the characteristic sinusoidal feed errors of that printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for color measurement using a physically distributed multiplicity of sensors. Broad band illumination is provided to irradiate a test pattern. The sensors are used to measure color characteristics of discrete areas of a region of the pattern that has an intended single color by providing the pattern and sensors arrayed in a substantially matching geometric configuration.

Abstract: A simple, yet accurate way of determining calibration values for correcting the characteristic sinusoidal feed errors of a printer or other recording device (such as a fax machine, plotter, etc.). A sheet of calibration media is employed for facilitating the calculation of the calibration values. The sheet is used in a way that prevents the calibration media errors from affecting the calculation. In particular, the sheet of calibration media is fed twice through the printer, and position data is collected each time. The data is processed in a way that cancels the attendant calibration media errors so that the calculated calibration values precisely correct the characteristic sinusoidal feed errors of that printer.

Abstract: A method of controlling a media-advance drive motor of a printer in a manner that preserves accuracy in the incremental advances of print media between printing swaths, while optimizing throughput and accounting for variations in printer system response characteristics. A printer control algorithm commences each media-advance step by accelerating the media-advance drive motor to a maximum velocity. The motor is thereafter decelerated by controlling the drive voltage to the motor as needed to conform to a predetermined decaying velocity versus position function that is representative of a specimen system. The velocity versus position function is correlated to the required media position so that a media-advance motor following that function will arrive at a zero velocity at the precise instant that the media arrives at the position representing the end of its incremental advance.

Abstract: A simple, yet accurate way of determining calibration values for correcting the characteristic sinusoidal feed errors of a printer or other recording device (such as a fax machine, plotter, etc.). A sheet of calibration media is employed for facilitating the calculation of the calibration values. The sheet is used in a way that prevents the calibration media errors from affecting the calculation. In particular, the sheet of calibration media is fed twice through the printer, and position data is collected each time. The data is processed in a way that cancels the attendant calibration media errors so that the calculated calibration values precisely correct the characteristic sinusoidal feed errors of that printer.