Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of measuring color-to-color registration includes: a) marking test pattern images on an image receiving member using a reference color separation station and a first color separation station over a process direction span in relation to selected target media and a cyclic characteristic of a multicolor marking platform, b) detecting each test pattern image, c) determining a registration measurement associated with the first color separation in relation to the reference color separation for each test pattern image, and d) determining a repeatable registration error pattern associated with the first color separation and the selected target media in relation to the cyclic characteristic based at least in part on the registration measurements determined in c). In one embodiment, the multicolor marking platform includes a marking engine, a controller, an image receiving member, a sensor, color registration measurement logic, and repeatable registration error determining logic.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an image printing system that prints color images on an image bearing surface movable in a process direction is provided. The method includes placing marking material to form a row comprising a plurality of registration marks on the image bearing surface, wherein each row of registration marks extends along a cross-process direction transverse to the process direction; detecting a position of each registration mark using a linear array sensor extending in the cross-process direction, wherein the position of each registration mark is detected in both the process and cross-process direction; determining a process direction misregistration between the registration marks of each row in the process direction and cross-process direction misregistration between registration marks from each of the rows.

Abstract: In a color marking assembly, a series or plurality of ROS-imaging station units are aligned above an endless image transfer belt. Since there are a plurality of units, image alignment between the several station units is important. To accomplish this, skewing of each of the stations is necessary. The present invention involves a fixed ROS unit and a movable or skewable imaging station. This imaging station is movable on at least three spheres, one sphere below the imaging station and on its inboard side, the other spheres are located on a track below the imaging station and on its outboard side. This arrangement reduces vibration of these stations while at the same time providing an easily skewable xerographic imaging station.

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: In a color marking assembly, a series of ROS units are aligned above a photoconductive surface. These units have inboard and outboard mounts connecting them to this assembly. The inboard mounts are attached to a first side of the ROS, and the outboard mounts are attached to a second side of the ROS unit. The inboard mount is an elongated bar extending beyond the height of the ROS unit. This elongated bar has hinged portions on both its top and bottom connections to the ROS unit. The outboard mount has a ball bearing or sphere configuration. This configuration and the inboard mount enable the ROS unit to be easily deskewed when required.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments that use multiple, belt-steering systems to control and maintain alignment of an endless belt. The position of the edge of the belt is measured by multiple belt edge sensors and then corrected by at least two steering rollers connected to corresponding steering mechanisms. The steering mechanisms tilt the rollers in order to selectively adjust the lateral position of the belt. Steering can be controlled independently with the tilt of each steering roller being adjusted based solely on information obtain from a corresponding belt edge sensor. Alternatively, steering can be controlled dependently with the tilt of each steering roller being adjusted based on information obtain from multiple sensors at multiple locations and further based on the predictable impact of the simultaneous movement of both rollers on belt positioning. In addition, at least one of the steering rollers can also be configured as a drive roller.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments that use multiple, belt-steering systems to control and maintain alignment of an endless belt. The position of the edge of the belt is measured by multiple belt edge sensors and then corrected by at least two steering rollers connected to corresponding steering mechanisms. The steering mechanisms tilt the rollers in order to selectively adjust the lateral position of the belt. Steering can be controlled independently with the tilt of each steering roller being adjusted based solely on information obtain from a corresponding belt edge sensor. Alternatively, steering can be controlled dependently with the tilt of each steering roller being adjusted based on information obtain from multiple sensors at multiple locations and further based on the predictable impact of the simultaneous movement of both rollers on belt positioning. In addition, at least one of the steering rollers can also be configured as a drive roller.

Abstract: In a color marking assembly, a series of ROS units are aligned above a photoconductive surface. These units have side mounts and a side positioned outboard linear actuator connecting them to this assembly. The inboard mounts are attached to a first inboard side of the ROS, and the outboard mounted linear actuators are attached to a second outboard side of the ROS unit. The inboard mount is an elongated bar extending beyond the height of the ROS unit. This elongated bar has hinged portions on both its top and bottom connections to the ROS unit. The linear actuator that is positioned on the outboard side of the ROS unit has a rigid sphere resting in a V-housing in a V-block. This actuator configuration and the board mount enable the ROS unit to be easily deskewed when required to provide improved vibration-free images.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of measuring color-to-color registration includes: a) marking test pattern images on an image receiving member using a reference color separation station and a first color separation station over a process direction span in relation to selected target media and a cyclic characteristic of a multicolor marking platform, b) detecting each test pattern image, c) determining a registration measurement associated with the first color separation in relation to the reference color separation for each test pattern image, and d) determining a repeatable registration error pattern associated with the first color separation and the selected target media in relation to the cyclic characteristic based at least in part on the registration measurements determined in c). In one embodiment, the multicolor marking platform includes a marking engine, a controller, an image receiving member, a sensor, color registration measurement logic, and repeatable registration error determining logic.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an image printing system that prints color images on an image bearing surface movable in a process direction is provided. The method includes placing marking material to form a row comprising a plurality of registration marks on the image bearing surface, wherein each row of registration marks extends along a cross-process direction transverse to the process direction; detecting a position of each registration mark using a linear array sensor extending in the cross-process direction, wherein the position of each registration mark is detected in both the process and cross-process direction; determining a process direction misregistration between the registration marks of each row in the process direction and cross-process direction misregistration between registration marks from each of the rows.

Abstract: In a color marking assembly, a series or plurality of ROS-imaging station units are aligned above an endless image transfer belt. Since there are a plurality of units, image alignment between the several station units is important. To accomplish this, skewing of each of the stations is necessary. The present invention involves a fixed ROS unit and a movable or skewable imaging station. This imaging station is movable on at least three spheres, one sphere below the imaging station and on its inboard side, the other spheres are located on a track below the imaging station and on its outboard side. This arrangement reduces vibration of these stations while at the same time providing an easily skewable xerographic imaging station.

Abstract: In a color marking assembly, a series of ROS units are aligned above a photoconductive surface. These units have side mounts and a side positioned outboard linear actuator connecting them to this assembly. The inboard mounts are attached to a first inboard side of the ROS, and the outboard mounted linear actuators are attached to a second outboard side of the KROS unit. The inboard mount is an elongated bar extending beyond the height of the ROS unit. This elongated bar has hinged portions on both its top and bottom connections to the ROS unit. The linear actuator that is positioned on the outboard side of the ROS unit has a rigid sphere, resting in a V-housing in a V-Block. This actuator configuration and the board mount enable the ROS unit to be easily deskewed when required to provide improved vibration-free images.

Abstract: In a color marking assembly, a series of ROS units are aligned above a photoconductive surface. These units have inboard and outboard mounts connecting them to this assembly. The inboard mounts are attached to a first side of the ROS, and the outboard mounts are attached to a second side of the ROS unit. The inboard mount is an elongated bar extending beyond the height of the ROS unit. This elongated bar has hinged portions on both its top and bottom connections to the ROS unit. The outboard mount has a ball bearing or sphere configuration. This configuration and the inboard mount enable the ROS unit to be easily deskewed when required.

Abstract: A reflex printing device having multiple print heads mounted at different locations around the circumference of the drum at different “angles” and an encoder disk mounted on the drum to allow for detection of the drum position as a function of time. An image defect due to a misalignment in the print process direction of the output from the multiple print heads is corrected by detection of an encoder position error function subtracted from itself shifted by the angle between the print heads.

Abstract: A capability is provided to reduce misregistration effects, and/or color-to-color registration errors, in output multi-color images based on velocity and position deviations and/or disturbances in transfer subsystems in image forming devices. A capability is provided to automatically compensate for torque disturbances caused by a photoreceptor belt seam crossing a mechanical device in a photoreceptor belt-based transfer subsystem in an image forming device. A learning algorithm, based on a mathematical model of transfer subsystem mechanical operational dynamics by which a series of performance curves could be generated, is employed to facilitate prediction of a torque disturbance profile in a mechanical motor driven transfer subsystem in an image forming device in order to produce a response profile which automatically predictively attempts to nullify the effects of the mechanical torque disturbance.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium having a phase change ink component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image; an imaging member for accepting the phase change ink image from the phase change ink component, and transferring the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and a transfix pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member, wherein the print medium passes through a nip formed between the imaging member and the transfix pressure member, and wherein the imaging member exerts pressure on the transfix pressure member so as to transfer and fuse the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and further wherein the transfix pressure member includes a substrate; an underlayer positioned thereon; an intermediate layer positioned on the underlayer; and an outer layer positioned on the intermediate layer and the outer layer has a modulus of from about 1 to about 50 MPa, a t

Abstract: A system and method for delivering phase change ink to a plurality of printheads is provided. The system includes an ink source having a housing for holding solid phase change ink, an ink melter assembly having a heated ink contact portion for melting the solid phase change ink and a drip point. The system also includes a first conduit for transferring the melted ink to a first printhead, and a second conduit for transferring the melted ink to a second printhead. The method includes melting a solid phase change into the liquid phase, transferring the liquid phase change ink to the first printhead in a first conduit, transferring liquid phase change ink to the second printhead in a second conduit. The solid phase change ink can be stored in a single ink source.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a rotational velocity of an imaging drum during engagement with a transfer roll in an image producing device including: forming a nip to transfer an image from the imaging drum to media when the imaging drum is in engagement with the transfer roll; maintaining a substantially constant imaging drum rotational velocity mode during engagement with the transfer roll; sensing a lead edge of portion of the media prior to entering the nip; augmenting torque assist to increase the torque of the transfer roll when the media is in the nip for a defined period; and resuming the substantially constant imaging drum rotational velocity mode while a second portion of the media is in the nip.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a rotational velocity of an imaging drum in an image producing device includes constructing a table of a drive current for a transfer roll for a plurality of first distances between the imaging drum with the transfer roll, and utilizing the table to control the transfer roll drive to maintain a substantially constant imaging drum rotational velocity at each of the plurality of distances.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking belts disposed on rollers in a photoreceptor apparatus. The system includes a movable, belt edge guide that operates in combination with an encoder, a belt edge sensor, a belt hole sensor for detecting a hole in the belt surface, wherein the profile of the edge of the belt is learned as a function of the belt position on the rollers. The encoder and belt hole sensor are used to actuate the edge guide system to compensate for the contours of the belt edge and to maintain a constant lateral position of the belt at any given point on the belt.