Abstract: A sheet processing system for automated sheet adjustment includes a sensor system which captures at least a first image of a sheet of print media as the sheet is conveyed on a main transport path between a print media supply module and a marking device of an image rendering module. A control module computes a lateral error for the sheet, based on the captured at least first image, and computes an adjustment based on the computed lateral error. A sheet transport path adjustment mechanism translates a first portion of the main transport path relative to a second portion of the main transport path, based on the computed adjustment.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer compares print job parameters for a current print job to be printed by the printer to a database of print job parameters for previously performed print jobs to identify media issues that may be caused by printing the current print job at a nominal printhead/media transport path distance. The gap between the printheads and the media transport is adjusted for identified media issues. Additionally, the method evaluates the image data content of the current print job to identify media issues that may arise from the printing of each sheet in the print job. If media issues are identified from the image data content, then the gap between the printheads and the media transport is further adjusted for sheets corresponding to the identified media issues caused by the image data content. An inkjet printer capable of being operated in this manner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer compares print job parameters for a current print job to be printed by the printer to a database of print job parameters for previously performed print jobs to identify media issues that may be caused by printing the current print job at a nominal printhead/media transport path distance. The gap between the printheads and the media transport is adjusted for identified media issues. Additionally, the method evaluates the image data content of the current print job to identify media issues that may arise from the printing of each sheet in the print job. If media issues are identified from the image data content, then the gap between the printheads and the media transport is further adjusted for sheets corresponding to the identified media issues caused by the image data content. An inkjet printer capable of being operated in this manner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method evaluate defects in printed images. A target image, which has been captured of a printed image, is processed to identify defects, where present, which do not occur in a source image from which the printed image was generated. A trained classification model predicts a defect class for respective regions of the target image, each of the defect classes being drawn from a predefined set of defect classes. For at least one of the identified defects, a measure of severity of the defect is determined, such as a size of the defect. A decision on the acceptability of the printed image is made, based on the measure of severity of the at least one defect and the predicted defect class of a respective one of the regions in which the defect occurs.

Abstract: A sheet processing system for automated sheet adjustment includes a sensor system which captures at least a first image of a sheet of print media as the sheet is conveyed on a main transport path between a print media supply module and a marking device of an image rendering module. A control module computes a lateral error for the sheet, based on the captured at least first image, and computes an adjustment based on the computed lateral error. A sheet transport path adjustment mechanism translates a first portion of the main transport path relative to a second portion of the main transport path, based on the computed adjustment.

Abstract: A system and method evaluate defects in printed images. A target image, which has been captured of a printed image, is processed to identify defects, where present, which do not occur in a source image from which the printed image was generated. A trained classification model predicts a defect class for respective regions of the target image, each of the defect classes being drawn from a predefined set of defect classes. For at least one of the identified defects, a measure of severity of the defect is determined, such as a size of the defect. A decision on the acceptability of the printed image is made, based on the measure of severity of the at least one defect and the predicted defect class of a respective one of the regions in which the defect occurs.

Abstract: An image processing system and method provide for receiving a current print job comprising a set of digital page images to be printed on print media sheets, identifying, for each page image, a set of input parameters, the set of input parameters including one or more of a print media sheet weight, a print media sheet size, a print media sheet thickness, a print media sheet porosity, a print media sheet coating, a print media sheet color, and an area coverage. The method further includes generating an adjustment for each page image, based on the set of input parameters and based on stored magnification errors generated for prior printed pages of print jobs, the adjustment being predicted to reduce at least one magnification error when the page image of the current print job is rendered on print media to form a printed image.

Abstract: Devices include electrically conductive elements contacting a vacuum belt, and a voltage source connected to the electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements form an electrical circuit from the voltage source, through the belt, and back to the voltage source. The electrically conductive elements are positioned so that they are separated from the belt when the belt moves the sheets of media between the electrically conductive elements and the belt. A processor is capable of identifying leading edges of the sheets of media on the belt (when voltage of the electrical circuit changes from a relatively higher voltage to a relatively lower voltage) and identifying trailing edges of the sheets of media on the belt (when the voltage of the electrical circuit changes from the relatively lower voltage back to the relatively higher voltage).

Abstract: A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes a lead screw motor, a lead screw coupled to the lead screw motor, and a carriage coupled to the lead screw. The carriage includes two drive rollers, wherein each drive roller is coupled to a respective splined shaft coupled to a respective yoke, wherein the respective yoke is coupled to a drive pulley and a drive motor that is in a fixed position, wherein movement of the carriage causes the respective splined shaft of the two drive rollers to move guided by the respective yoke.

Abstract: A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes a lead screw motor, a lead screw coupled to the lead screw motor, and a carriage coupled to the lead screw. The carriage includes two drive rollers, wherein each drive roller is coupled to a respective splined shaft coupled to a respective yoke, wherein the respective yoke is coupled to a drive pulley and a drive motor that is in a fixed position, wherein movement of the carriage causes the respective splined shaft of the two drive rollers to move guided by the respective yoke.

Abstract: Devices and processes include/use an inkjet printhead, a sheet transport positioned to move sheets of media past the inkjet printhead, a sheet registration device positioned to align the sheets of media, and a controller electrically connected to the inkjet printhead and the sheet registration device. The controller is adapted to periodically control the sheet registration device to align a first sacrificial sheet with a first edge of the sheet transport and align a second sacrificial sheet with a second edge of the sheet transport and that is opposite the first edge. The controller is adapted to control the inkjet printhead to eject ink from a first set of nozzles to the first sacrificial sheet and eject ink from a second set of nozzles to the second sacrificial sheet. The first set of nozzles contains different nozzles from the second set of nozzles.

Abstract: A direct-to-object printer includes an object indexing subsystem. The object indexing subsystem includes an indexer actuator that operates a rotating indexer to rotate a collar in which an object is mounted. The amount of collar rotation enables the object held by the collar to be turned a predetermined angular amount so operation of the indexing subsystem between passes by a plurality of printheads enables different portions of a curved object surface to be printed during different passes.

Abstract: A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes at least one sensor to detect a position of a print media, a platform comprising at least one multi-rotational wheel, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one multi-rotational wheel, wherein the processor calculates a desired movement of the at least one multi-rotational wheel based on the position of the print media.

Abstract: Devices include electrically conductive elements contacting a vacuum belt, and a voltage source connected to the electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements form an electrical circuit from the voltage source, through the belt, and back to the voltage source. The electrically conductive elements are positioned so that they are separated from the belt when the belt moves the sheets of media between the electrically conductive elements and the belt. A processor is capable of identifying leading edges of the sheets of media on the belt (when voltage of the electrical circuit changes from a relatively higher voltage to a relatively lower voltage) and identifying trailing edges of the sheets of media on the belt (when the voltage of the electrical circuit changes from the relatively lower voltage back to the relatively higher voltage).

Abstract: A sheet registration system includes a transport member on which a sheet is conveyed in a process direction, a vacuum shuttle, and a feedback system. The vacuum shuttle includes a vacuum head which applies suction to the sheet and actuators for rotating the vacuum head in a plane parallel to a plane of the transport member and translating the vacuum head in a cross-process direction. In response to feedback instructions generated by the feedback system, the actuators move the vacuum head, relative to the transport member, while the vacuum is applied to the sheet. The sheet registration system is suitable for use in a printer for reducing skew and lateral offset of sheets of print media.

Abstract: A direct-to-object printer includes an image projector that projects an image on an object secured in a holder before the holder and the object pass a plurality of printheads for printing an ink image on the object. A camera generates a sequence of images of the projected image on the object to enable an operator to select a position on the object for the printing of the image and to identify distortion in the image through a user interface so a controller can modify operation of the printheads to attenuate the distortion in the image printed on the object.

Abstract: A direct-to-object printer includes an object indexing subsystem. The object indexing subsystem includes an indexer actuator that operates a rotating indexer to rotate a collar in which an object is mounted. The amount of collar rotation enables the object held by the collar to be turned a predetermined angular amount so operation of the indexing subsystem between passes by a plurality of printheads enables different portions of a curved object surface to be printed during different passes.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for retaining an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. The object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead of a direct-to-object print system. An expandable bladder attached to either the shuttle mount or a restraint. The bladder is inserted in a cavity of an object to be printed. A pump then fills the bladder with either a gas or a liquid to cause the bladder to expand. The expanded bladder in the object's cavity enables a surface of the object to be printed. In one embodiment, the filled bladder substantially conforms to a shape of a human foot, and the object being printed is footwear.