Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods to measure characteristics of line width and density of printed test patterns. By printing the test patterns and capturing with an in-line scanner or optical device, the analytical results of these test patterns can be used as feedback to a control system that adjusts both impression and inking levels without the need of a skilled operator.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods to measure characteristics of line width and density of printed test patterns. By printing the test patterns and capturing with an in-line scanner or optical device, the analytical results of these test patterns can be used as feedback to a control system that adjusts both impression and inking levels without the need of a skilled operator.

Abstract: A printer is configured with at least two printheads that are separated from one another in a cross-process direction by an integral multiple of printhead widths. This configuration enables parallel swaths of material to be ejected and then movement of the printheads in the cross-process direction by a distance corresponding to one or more integral numbers of the printhead width enables the area between the swaths to be completed and the area outside of the original swaths printed.

Abstract: A printing system includes a pair of encoders to compensate for encoder noise in the velocity of a media transport as the transport moves past a plurality of printheads. One encoder monitors a roller that positioned at a location of low thermal stress and the signal generated by this encoder is used by a controller to maintain a constant velocity for the media transport. The second encoder monitors a roller used to drive the media transport and is positioned close to the print zone opposite the printheads. The signal from the second encoder is used to identify a corrected distance between each tic in the tics generated by the second encoder and the corrected distance is used to count a firing distance for generation of a dot clock signal to activate ejectors in a printhead when a substrate has traveled the firing distance.

Abstract: A printing system includes a pair of encoders to compensate for encoder noise in the velocity of a media transport as the transport moves past a plurality of printheads. One encoder monitors a roller that positioned at a location of low thermal stress and the signal generated by this encoder is used by a controller to maintain a constant velocity for the media transport. The second encoder monitors a roller used to drive the media transport and is positioned close to the print zone opposite the printheads. The signal from the second encoder is used to identify a corrected distance between each tic in the tics generated by the second encoder and the corrected distance is used to count a firing distance for generation of a dot clock signal to activate ejectors in a printhead when a substrate has traveled the firing distance.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided process and architecture for enabling multiple digital micromirror devices (DMDs) that include optical modulation elements configured to modulate light outputting from a light source, and a projection unit configured to project light modulated by the optical modulation elements on a printing plate. Image defects due to misalignment in the cross-process direction of the output from the DMDs are discovered by using a single test pattern image and combined with knowledge of how individual pixels are rendered to register printing elements which can render a variable number of pixels. Misalignment errors can be corrected by selecting a different set of mirrors for a given DMD.

Abstract: A printer is configured with at least two printheads that are separated from one another in a cross-process direction by an integral multiple of printhead widths. This configuration enables parallel swaths of material to be ejected and then movement of the printheads in the cross-process direction by a distance corresponding to one or more integral numbers of the printhead width enables the area between the swaths to be completed and the area outside of the original swaths printed.

Abstract: A printer is configured with at least two printheads that are separated from one another in a cross-process direction by an integral multiple of printhead widths. This configuration enables parallel swaths of material to be ejected and then movement of the printheads in the cross-process direction by a distance corresponding to one or more integral numbers of the printhead width enables the area between the swaths to be completed and the area outside of the original swaths printed.

Abstract: A printer is configured with at least two printheads that are separated from one another in a cross-process direction by an integral multiple of printhead widths. This configuration enables parallel swaths of material to be ejected and then movement of the printheads in the cross-process direction by a distance corresponding to one or more integral numbers of the printhead width enables the area between the swaths to be completed and the area outside of the original swaths printed.

Abstract: A printing system facilitates the registration of printheads in the system. The system includes a plurality of printheads, a planar member having at least three pins along a first edge of the planar member and a plurality of pins on a second edge of the planar member that is orthogonal to the first edge, a plurality of actuators, an optical imaging device, and a controller. The controller operates one of the printheads to form a registration target on the media sheet and processes image data of the planar member and the media sheet received from the optical imaging device to identify positions for the registration target and at least two of the three pins on the planar member. Error distances are identified from the positions for the registration target and the at least two pins on the edge of the planar member and are used to register the printheads.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a printed test pattern includes printing first and second rows of marks, each row including at least two pluralities of marks. A gap between two pluralities of marks in the first row is located in a first position in a cross-process direction that is different than a second position of another gap between pluralities of marks in the second row. A controller identifies the first row of marks with reference to a predetermined set of image data corresponding to the first row of marks including the first plurality of marks, the second plurality of marks, and the gap in the first row.

Abstract: A computer-based apparatus for preventive maintenance detection for a color printer including a photoreceptor belt (PB) arranged to displace in a process direction, including a memory element for storing a threshold value, computer readable instructions, and registration data for a plurality of markings on a surface of the PB, including for each marking, a respective registration difference, in a lateral direction orthogonal to the process direction, between a respective actual location and a respective original location. The apparatus includes a processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to: determine that at least one marking from the plurality of markings is out of compliance with the at least one threshold value; and in response to determining that at least one marking from the plurality of markings is out of compliance with the at least one threshold value, transmit a signal, indicating that maintenance is required for the PB, for display.

Abstract: When reading calibration chevrons during mark-on-belt (MOB) sensor timing calibration, cyan portions or legs of printed chevrons are detected in order to determine a timing window offset adjustment. Depending on which of the six cyan legs on the left side of the chevrons are detected, a determination can be made regarding whether the window needs to be started earlier or later. If only the first two cyan legs on the left side of the chevron are detected, then the MOB sensor timing window is beginning (and ending) too early and an appropriate adjustment can be made to cause the timing window to initiate later. If only the last two cyan legs on the left side of the chevron are detected, then the MOB sensor timing window is beginning (and ending) too late, and appropriate adjustment can be made to cause the timing window to initiate earlier.

Abstract: A method for aligning a printhead to compensate for printhead roll has been developed. The method includes simultaneously operating a plurality of inkjets in a printhead to eject ink drops to form a plurality of marks on an image receiving member. A plurality of cross-process direction distances between one mark formed by a reference inkjet and each of the marks formed by the other inkjets is identified. A magnitude of a difference between an angular orientation of the printhead and the cross-process direction with reference to the plurality of identified cross-process direction distances indicates any printhead roll.

Abstract: When reading calibration chevrons during mark-on-belt (MOB) sensor timing calibration, cyan portions or legs of printed chevrons are detected in order to determine a timing window offset adjustment. Depending on which of the six cyan legs on the left side of the chevrons are detected, a determination can be made regarding whether the window needs to be started earlier or later. If only the first two cyan legs on the left side of the chevron are detected, then the MOB sensor timing window is beginning (and ending) too early and an appropriate adjustment can be made to cause the timing window to initiate later. If only the last two cyan legs on the left side of the chevron are detected, then the MOB sensor timing window is beginning (and ending) too late, and appropriate adjustment can be made to cause the timing window to initiate earlier.

Abstract: A computer-based apparatus for preventive maintenance detection for a color printer including a photoreceptor belt (PB) arranged to displace in a process direction, including a memory element for storing a threshold value, computer readable instructions, and registration data for a plurality of markings on a surface of the PB, including for each marking, a respective registration difference, in a lateral direction orthogonal to the process direction, between a respective actual location and a respective original location. The apparatus includes a processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to: determine that at least one marking from the plurality of markings is out of compliance with the at least one threshold value; and in response to determining that at least one marking from the plurality of markings is out of compliance with the at least one threshold value, transmit a signal, indicating that maintenance is required for the PB, for display.

Abstract: A method for aligning a printhead to compensate for printhead roll when an image receiving member moves laterally during printing has been developed. The method includes generating at different times a plurality of marks in a process direction with different inkjets in a printhead and identifying relationships between marks in each plurality. Lateral motion is thereby detected and removed from the analysis identifying the magnitude of the roll corresponding to the locations of the marks in the pluralities of marks.

Abstract: A method for aligning a printhead to compensate for printhead roll when an image receiving member moves laterally during printing has been developed. The method includes generating at different times a plurality of marks in a process direction with different inkjets in a printhead and identifying relationships between marks in each plurality. Lateral motion is thereby detected and removed from the analysis identifying the magnitude of the roll corresponding to the locations of the marks in the pluralities of marks.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting and correcting color-to-color process direction misregistration errors, including a printer capable of printing in a plurality of colors, the printer having a sensor for generating a signal including information corresponding to a color registration pattern printed on a substrate by the printer. The system and method further include a processor for receiving the signal from the sensor and analyzing the signal for detecting color-to-color process direction misregistration via an algorithm. The color registration pattern includes a plurality of segments, each segment associated with a different color of the plurality of colors and each segment including at least one different dimension from at least one other segment of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: A method for aligning a printhead to compensate for printhead roll has been developed. The method includes simultaneously operating a plurality of inkjets in a printhead to eject ink drops to form a plurality of marks on an image receiving member. A plurality of cross-process direction distances between one mark formed by a reference inkjet and each of the marks formed by the other inkjets is identified. A magnitude of a difference between an angular orientation of the printhead and the cross-process direction with reference to the plurality of identified cross-process direction distances indicates any printhead roll.