Abstract: A method of measuring a relative offset between a first array of marking elements and a second array of marking elements in a printer; a registration target; and a printer are provided. The method includes printing a target by printing a first group of pixels using a plurality of marking elements from the first array and printing a second group of pixels using a plurality of marking elements from the second array; scanning the target to measure an optical characteristic of the target as a function of position along the target; and identifying a position at which an extreme in the optical characteristic of the target occurs.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a media advance in a printer includes providing a mask to specify a printing configuration of a calibration target; forming a media feed calibration target on the print media by: i. printing the calibration target on a print media using an array of the marking elements, ii. advancing the print media by a media advance amount, iii. printing the calibration target on the print media using the array of the marking elements; iv. advancing the print media by the previous media advance amount plus an offset amount, and v. repeating steps iii. and iv.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a media advance in a printer includes providing a mask to specify a printing configuration of a calibration target; forming a media feed calibration target on the print media by: i. printing the calibration target, ii. advancing the print media, iii. printing the calibration target; iv. advancing the print media by the previous media advance amount plus an offset amount, and v. repeating steps iii. and iv. until the media feed calibration target is complete; measuring the optical reflectance of the media feed calibration target as a function of position along the media feed calibration target; identifying a position along the media feed calibration target corresponding to the location at which a maximum in the optical reflectance occurs; and comparing the location at which a maximum in the optical reflectance occurs to a predetermined location of the media feed calibration target to calibrate media advance.

Abstract: A method of measuring a relative offset between a first array of marking elements and a second array of marking elements in a printer; a registration target; and a printer are provided. The method includes printing a target by printing a first group of pixels using a plurality of marking elements from the first array and printing a second group of pixels using a plurality of marking elements from the second array; scanning the target to measure an optical characteristic of the target as a function of position along the target; and identifying a position at which an extreme in the optical characteristic of the target occurs.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a media advance in a printer includes providing a mask to specify a printing configuration of a calibration target; forming a media feed calibration target on the print media by: i. printing the calibration target on a print media using an array of the marking elements, ii. advancing the print media by a media advance amount, iii. printing the calibration target on the print media using the array of the marking elements; iv. advancing the print media by the previous media advance amount plus an offset amount, and v. repeating steps iii. and iv.

Abstract: A multi swath printing method for printing an image on an ink jet printing system is used to reduce image banding. The ink jet printing system includes a printhead with one or more ink ejection nozzles. The method entails forming a set of individual print masks. Each individual print mask has one or more groupings of two dimensional patterns of different frequencies and is assigned to a color of the ink jet printing system. The method ends by inputting the set of individual print masks formed into the ink jet printing system to form an input mask set and printing images using the input mask set to create an out-of-phase composite of the image printed. Banding is substantially reduced in the printed image and the printed image comprises a resolution between 300 dpi and 4800 dpi.

Abstract: A multi swath printing method for printing an image on an ink jet printing system is used to reduce image banding. The ink jet printing system includes a printhead with one or more ink ejection nozzles. The method entails forming a set of individual print masks. Each individual print mask has one or more groupings of two dimensional patterns of different frequencies and is assigned to a color of the ink jet printing system. The method ends by inputting the set of individual print masks formed into the ink jet printing system to form an input mask set and printing images using the input mask set to create an out-of-phase composite of the image printed. Banding is substantially reduced in the printed image and the printed image comprises a resolution between 300 dpi and 4800 dpi.

Abstract: A media drying system and method are provided. The drying system includes a media support having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines a media travel path. A heater is positioned spaced apart from the second surface of the media support with the second surface of the media support being located between the heater and the first surface of the media support.

Abstract: A drying system and method are provided. The drying system includes a plenum and a gas source in fluid communication with the plenum. A gas flow guide is attached to the plenum and is operable to direct gas flow provided by the gas source. A support includes a surface, at least a portion of which is heated. The gas flow guide is positioned to direct gas flow at least partially toward the heated surface of the support.

Abstract: A novel method and system for calibration of paper feed in an ink jet printing system is used to remove overfeed bands and underfeed bands from an image. The method begins by feeding print media into the ink jet printing system. A color density test target is formed by simultaneously applying an on/off pattern print mask to print numerous print swaths while incrementing paper feed values. Each paper feed value corresponds respectively to each print swath. The color density test target reveals shifts from light to dark to light in order to identify a maximum optical density region. The paper feed value from the color density test target corresponding to a maximum optical density region on the color density test target is selected and entered into the printing system. The entered value calibrates printing system in order to minimize the presence of overfeed bands and underfeed bands while printing.

Abstract: A replaceable ink supply tank that can be mounted to a pen body of a printhead system for use with an ink jet printer. The ink supply tank provides the necessary back pressure for successful operation of the printhead and includes a siphon break in the conduit that supplies ink from the supply tank to the pen body. A conduit connects the ink supply tank to the pen body. The conduit contains a raised portion that is at a level higher than the ink level in the supply tank. The conduit contains a siphon break chamber between the raised portion and the pen body. The conduit further contains an accumulator in the raised portion of the supply tank. The accumulator maintains back pressure in the preferred range to discourage drooling from the nozzle plate during ambient temperature swings.

Abstract: A color inkjet printer and method of printing includes a printer carriage supported for bi-directional movement along a print swath axis. Color inkjet printheads of different colors are mounted for movement with the carriage. The printheads are mounted in only two rows which are directed along the print swath axis. One row of the two rows of printheads is formed of printheads for printing a first primary color and a printhead for printing black. Another row of the two rows of printheads is formed of printheads for printing a second primary color and a printhead for printing yellow. Nozzle arrays of printheads for printing the first primary color and the nozzle array of the printhead for printing black do not overlap in the direction along the print swath axis with the nozzle arrays of printheads for printing the second primary color and the nozzle array of the printhead for printing yellow.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge for use with an ink jet printer is disclosed. The printhead cartridge includes a memory element for storing jet characteristics of the cartridge. These characteristics can be measured during fabrication, upon installation into the printer, or during the operation of the printer. The printer adjusts printing parameters to compensate for the out of specification characteristics for optimized image quality. The compensation is done through adjusting drop ejection energy, thermal control, or replacing failed jets with substitute jets in the printhead. Alternatively, the printer accesses the measured characteristics to determine if they are within specification. If the printhead cartridge does not meet specifications, the user is instructed to remove the printhead cartridge since its use may adversely affect the quality of the resulting image. The printer accesses the measured characteristics throughout the life of the cartridge to ensure the quality of the resulting image does not degrade.

Abstract: A replaceable ink supply tank that can be mounted to a pen body of a printhead system for use with an ink jet printer. The ink supply tank provides the necessary back pressure for successful operation of the printhead and includes a siphon break in the conduit that supplies ink from the supply tank to the pen body. A conduit connects the ink supply tank to the pen body. The conduit contains a raised portion that is at a level higher than the ink level in the supply tank. The conduit contains a siphon break chamber between the raised portion and the pen body. The conduit further contains an accumulator in the raised portion of the supply tank. The accumulator maintains back pressure in the preferred range to discourage drooling from the nozzle plate during ambient temperature swings.

Abstract: An ink delivery system and method for continuously replenishing ink to a printhead cartridge is described. A primary ink reservoir is connected to a vented intermediate tank using a hollow needle that pierces a septum in the primary ink reservoir. The intermediate ink tank is connected via tubing to a print ink container in the printhead cartridge. Ink is gravity fed from the primary ink reservoir to the intermediate ink tank. When the primary reservoir is empty, the ink level in the intermediate tank will drop. The level of ink in the intermediate tank is monitored with level sensors that provide a signal indicating when the primary reservoir needs to be replaced. An operator can replace the primary reservoir without suspending printer operations because the intermediate ink tank provides the required volume of ink at the back pressure needed by the printhead cartridges.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge for use with an ink jet printer is disclosed. The printhead cartridge includes a memory element for storing jet characteristics of the cartridge. These characteristics can be measured during fabrication, upon installation into the printer, or during the operation of the printer. The printer adjusts printing parameters to compensate for the out of specification characteristics for optimized image quality. The compensation is done through adjusting drop ejection energy, thermal control, or replacing failed jets with substitute jets in the printhead. Alternatively, the printer accesses the measured characteristics to determine if they are within specification. If the printhead cartridge does not meet specifications, the user is instructed to remove the printhead cartridge since its use may adversely affect the quality of the resulting image. The printer accesses the measured characteristics throughout the life of the cartridge to ensure the quality of the resulting image does not degrade.