Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing variations in components or subsystems in an image printing system is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of image quality defects printed by the image printing system by a controller, said image quality defects each occurring with an associated frequency and each being associated with a component or subsystem of the image printing system; determining a phase difference of the image quality defects by the controller; and adjusting operation of each component or subsystem associated with the image quality defects, such that image quality defects are in phase.

Abstract: A method generates a test pattern on an image receiving member that is less perceptible to human observation, but still detectable by an imaging device within a printer. A method implemented in the printer analyzes image data of the dashes in the test pattern that were randomly distributed in the process direction within an area of the image receiving member to identify positions for printheads in the printer and detect missing inkjets in the printheads.

Abstract: A test pattern printed by printheads in an inkjet printer enables image analysis of the test pattern that identifies positions of the printheads and the inkjets operating in the printheads. The test pattern includes a plurality of arrangements of dashes, each arrangement of dashes having a predetermined number of rows and a predetermined number of columns, each dash in a row of dashes in the arrangement of dashes being separated by a first predetermined distance and each dash in a column of dashes in the arrangement of dashes being separated by a second predetermined distance, each dash in a column of an arrangement of dashes being ejected by a single inkjet ejector in a printhead of the inkjet printer, and a plurality of unprinted areas interspersed between the plurality of arrangements of dashes.

Abstract: A method analyzes image data corresponding to a test pattern generated on an image receiving member by a printer to identify positions for and registration between printheads in the printer.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a printing system includes providing a printing system including a plurality of marking engines that include first, second and third actuators. The method includes setting each of the actuators of each marking engine to predetermined values, and generating a plurality of printed samples having a visually apparent background density using at least one of the marking engines. The method also includes evaluating the printed samples, and adjusting the first actuator of at least one marking engine based at least partially on the evaluation. A system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating a sensory array to ensure a robust cross-process registration measurement. The calibration is implemented using a calibration step that determines the signature error amount of a given image reading sensor. The signature error amount for the sensor is stored in a signature error look-up table. When the sensors are used to sense print head alignment, the correction may be implemented by accessing the signature error look-up table for the given sensor when calibrating the print heads. The signature error look-up table provides an amount of offset for each sensor that is used in determining the appropriate head position of a given print head to calibrate the print heads for the signature error associated with the given sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that evaluates an image registration for image processing is disclosed. The method may include outputting one or more test patterns to a user, receiving misregistration level input parameters from the user, calculating misregistration using the misregistration level input parameters from the user by adding a first edge of a page perceptibility threshold and a second edge of the page perceptibility threshold and dividing the result of the addition by two, determining if the calculated misregistration is acceptable, wherein if the calculated misregistration is not acceptable, making corrections to the image registration, otherwise using the image registration for image processing based on the calculated misregistration.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing variations in components or subsystems in an image printing system is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of image quality defects printed by the image printing system by a controller, said image quality defects each occurring with an associated frequency and each being associated with a component or subsystem of the image printing system; determining a phase difference of the image quality defects by the controller; and adjusting operation of each component or subsystem associated with the image quality defects, such that image quality defects are in phase.

Abstract: This disclosure provides color image process methods and systems to control hue variation associated with a color printing system. In particular, it provides a method and system to adjust a control patch associated with a color separation to force a chromatic difference and control perceived color accuracy.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatus to control hue variation for multiple marking engine printing systems. According to one exemplary method, hue variations associated with two or more color marking engines is controlled by adjusting a color separation error envelope which quantifies color separation error differences between the two or more color marking engines.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating a sensory array to ensure a robust cross-process registration measurement. The calibration is implemented using a calibration step that determines the signature error amount of a given image reading sensor. The signature error amount for the sensor is stored in a signature error look-up table. When the sensors are used to sense print head alignment, the correction may be implemented by accessing the signature error look-up table for the given sensor when calibrating the print heads. The signature error look-up table provides an amount of offset for each sensor that is used in determining the appropriate head position of a given print head to calibrate the print heads for the signature error associated with the given sensor.

Abstract: A first series of control patches is printed with a first marking engine. A second series of control patches is printed with a second marking engine. Relative reflectance values of the patches printed with the first and second marking engines are measured with respective first and second engine response sensors. Based at least on a difference in the measured relative reflectance values of the control patches printed with the first and second marking engines, a relative engine to engine error is determined. The engine to engine error is decomposed into components. Based on the decomposition, adjustment of at least binary values of a digital image is determined so that print density of a first marking engine output substantially matches print density of a second marking engine output.

Abstract: A full width array CCD sensor is incorporated in the media path to monitor fused pages by calculating area coverage from multiple engines in a Tightly Integrated Parallel Process (TIPP) architecture. With knowledge of the area coverage differences between print engines for a given pixel count to the ROS, a relative density difference of each engine is determined. Based on the determined relative density difference, an adjustment is calculated and applied to the engine with the largest error to match the area coverage(s) of the other engine(s).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatus to control hue variation for multiple marking engine printing systems. According to one exemplary method, hue variations associated with two or more color marking engines is controlled by adjusting a color separation error envelope which quantifies color separation error differences between the two or more color marking engines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that evaluates an image registration for image processing is disclosed. The method may include outputting one or more test patterns to a user, receiving misregistration level input parameters from the user, calculating misregistration using the misregistration level input parameters from the user by adding a first edge of a page perceptibility threshold and a second edge of the page perceptibility threshold and dividing the result of the addition by two, determining if the calculated misregistration is acceptable, wherein if the calculated misregistration is not acceptable, making corrections to the image registration, otherwise using the image registration for image processing based on the calculated misregistration.

Abstract: Measurements are taken of a first parameter associated with a first marking engine and of a second parameter associated with a second marking engine. The first and second measurements are compared to predetermined first and second reference values. An engine-to-engine difference is determined by calculating a difference between the first measured parameter and the second measured parameter. The difference values are compared to corresponding predetermined threshold values. Based on the comparison, a system controller selects a mode of operation of the document processing system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides color image process methods and systems to control hue variation associated with a color printing system. In particular, it provides a method and system to adjust a control patch associated with a color separation to force a chromatic difference and control perceived color accuracy.

Abstract: Samples are printed on print media with at least first and second marking engines. A first lightness value of a solid area of a first sample printed with the first marking engine and a second lightness value of a solid area of a second sample printed with the second marking engine are determined. The first and second solid area lightness values are compared to one another. Based on the comparison, a lighter marking engine and a darker marking engine are identified. Tone reproduction curve of the lighter marking engine is adjusted to substantially match tone reproduction curve of the darker marking engine.

Abstract: A Xerographic system includes an imaging device that forms an image on a substrate and a controller that applies one-half of a substrate error value as a correction value to adjust a position of the image prior to the imaging device forming the image on the substrate. A method of adjusting an image on a substrate including determining a substrate error and applying one-half of the substrate error value as a correction value to adjust a position of the image on the substrate prior to forming the image on the substrate.

Abstract: Method embodiments herein print a test document using a multi-function printing device to produce a printed document. This printed document is examined in a first direction to determine a first skew of the printing device. The first skew comprises a combination of raster output scanner skew and media path skew. The printed document is also examined in a second direction to determine a second skew. However, this second skew only includes the media path skew of the printing device. Once these two skews are acquired, the method can subtract the media path skew from the first skew to calculate the raster output scanner skew of the printing device.