Abstract: A power control unit 16 controls the power consumed by a system 10 having a plurality of electrical power consumption states including an active state and at least one power saving state. The system comprises a plurality of subsystems 12 each having a plurality of subsystem power states including an active state and at least one power saving state. The electrical power consumption states of the system correspond to respective different configurations of subsystem power states of the subsystems and the power control unit is arranged for signal interface with the subsystems and a power supply unit 14 of the system for controlling the subsystem power states of each of the subsystems and the power supplied to each of the subsystems by the power supply unit dependent on the required power consumption state of the system.

Abstract: A densitometer includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and at least one sensor. The LEDs are activated one at a time in a sequential, repeatable order. Photonic energy from each LED is reflected off an entity and is incident upon the sensor(s). Circuitry samples or acquires signaling from the sensor(s) in accordance with the respective LED activations. Signaling from the densitometer can be used in controlling ink-jetting printers or other apparatus.

Abstract: A densitometer includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and at least one sensor. The LEDs are activated one at a time in a sequential, repeatable order. Photonic energy from each LED is reflected off an entity and is incident upon the sensor(s). Circuitry samples or acquires signaling from the sensor(s) in accordance with the respective LED activations. Signaling from the densitometer can be used in controlling ink-jetting printers or other apparatus.

Abstract: A power control unit 16 controls the power consumed by a system 10 having a plurality of electrical power consumption states including an active state and at least one power saving state. The system comprises a plurality of subsystems 12 each having a plurality of subsystem power states including an active state and at least one power saving state. The electrical power consumption states of the system correspond to respective different configurations of subsystem power states of the subsystems and the power control unit is arranged for signal interface with the subsystems and a power supply unit 14 of the system for controlling the subsystem power states of each of the subsystems and the power supplied to each of the subsystems by the power supply unit dependent on the required power consumption state of the system.

Abstract: A system for adjusting measurements is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an optical sensor having a window marked with two fiducials and at least one processor coupled to the optical sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for use with a first carriage carrying a printhead and a sensor includes a track. The track is positioned adjacent to a path, the path being followed by the first carriage. A second carriage is movable along the track and carries a target. The second carriage is movable between a first position, in which the target is away from the sensor, and a second position, in which the target is adjacent to the sensor and a reference included in the target is a known distance away from the sensor.

Abstract: A system is disclosed comprising a color image producing device for providing a test pattern on a medium, said test pattern comprising a plurality of color patches, said test pattern having a principal orientation axis under a non-perpendicular angle ? with the propagation direction of the medium through said color image producing device; and a color measurement device coupled to receive the medium from the color image producing device and arranged to propagate the medium in said propagation direction, the color measurement device being further arranged to measure the colors of the respective patches of the medium during said propagation, the color measurement device comprising a color sensor mounted on the carriage oriented substantially perpendicularly to the propagation direction. The present application further discloses a color image producing device and a color measurement device that can be used in such a system, and a method for measuring colors with such a system.

Abstract: A shuttering and sealing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes an aperture through which light may pass to an optical sensor, a seal surrounding the aperture, and a shutter movable between an open position in which the shutter does not cover the aperture and a closed position in which the shutter covers the aperture and the seal seals the shutter around the aperture.

Abstract: A method for nozzle health scanning including repositioning at least one moving platform at a synchronized speed for a drop detection sensor to scan nozzles in a set of nozzles firing, where the synchronized speed is based on a rate of firing from nozzles in the set of nozzles and a distance between the nozzles in the set of nozzles, and storing the health of the nozzles in a computer readable memory accessible by a machine.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a distance that a target moves is calculated utilizing an optical sensor. A first temperature of a first portion of the optical sensor is measured at the time of the distance calculation. A second temperature of a second portion of the optical sensor is measured at the time of the distance calculation. The distance is adjusted by a compensation factor that is a function of the first and second temperatures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for use with a first carriage carrying a printhead and a sensor includes a track. The track is positioned adjacent to a path, the path being followed by the first carriage. A second carriage is movable along the track and carries a target. The second carriage is movable between a first position, in which the target is away from the sensor, and a second position, in which the target is adjacent to the sensor and a reference included in the target is a known distance away from the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of estimating a distance to a surface, whereby an emitter emits light towards a surface, at least some light being reflected by the surface, the surface comprising a detectable feature, the reflected light being received by a first receptor and by a second receptor, the surface being in movement relative to the receptors, the first and the second receptor receiving the light reflected at a first and at a respectively second angle thereby producing a first and a respectively second dataset, each dataset including data representing said feature, the first and the second angle being different, whereby the distance is estimated using the first and the second dataset.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a distance that a target moves is calculated utilizing an optical sensor. A first temperature of a first portion of the optical sensor is measured at the time of the distance calculation. A second temperature of a second portion of the optical sensor is measured at the time of the distance calculation. The distance is adjusted by a compensation factor that is a function of the first and second temperatures.

Abstract: A shuttering and sealing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes an aperture through which light may pass to an optical sensor, a seal surrounding the aperture, and a shutter movable between an open position in which the shutter does not cover the aperture and a closed position in which the shutter covers the aperture and the seal seals the shutter around the aperture.

Abstract: A method for nozzle health scanning including repositioning at least one moving platform at a synchronized speed for a drop detection sensor to scan nozzles in a set of nozzles firing, where the synchronized speed is based on a rate of firing from nozzles in the set of nozzles and a distance between the nozzles in the set of nozzles, and storing the health of the nozzles in a computer readable memory accessible by a machine.

Abstract: A system for adjusting measurements is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an optical sensor having a window marked with two fiducials and at least one processor coupled to the optical sensor.

Abstract: Ejected liquid forms a latent image on a charged transfer surface. In some invention aspects electrostatic charge is first applied to the surface; inkjet devices eject the image-forming liquid; voltage is established between the devices and surface; another, separate substance associated with the latent image actuates it. In other aspects hydrophobic or hydrophilic material in the surface stabilizes the image on it; electrostatic apparatus, associated with the surface, cooperates with the stabilizing material, further controlling image-droplet position and size. In other aspects a desired image forms on a final printing medium, based on an input electronic image-data array; the liquid ejection is onto an intermediate transfer surface, based on detailed incremental control by the data, forming a latent image representing the desired image.

Abstract: A system is disclosed comprising a color image producing device for providing a test pattern on a medium, said test pattern comprising a plurality of color patches, said test pattern having a principal orientation axis under a non-perpendicular angle ? with the propagation direction of the medium through said color image producing device; and a color measurement device coupled to receive the medium from the color image producing device and arranged to propagate the medium in said propagation direction, the color measurement device being further arranged to measure the colors of the respective patches of the medium during said propagation, the color measurement device comprising a color sensor mounted on the carriage oriented substantially perpendicularly to the propagation direction. The present application further discloses a color image producing device and a color measurement device that can be used in such a system, and a method for measuring colors with such a system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of estimating a distance to a surface, whereby an emitter emits light towards a surface, at least some light being reflected by the surface, the surface comprising a detectable feature, the reflected light being received by a first receptor and by a second receptor, the surface being in movement relative to the receptors, the first and the second receptor receiving the light reflected at a first and at a respectively second angle thereby producing a first and a respectively second dataset, each dataset including data representing said feature, the first and the second angle being different, whereby the distance is estimated using the first and the second dataset.

Abstract: An ink drying system for printer includes an IR heating element. A guide is configured to concentrate heat energy from the IR heating element to warm print media. A controller is configured to control operation of the IR heating element.