Abstract: An imaging module including a plurality of imaging systems for capturing images of a receiver medium. An illumination system illuminates the receiver medium with an illumination pattern. First and second imaging systems are positioned to capture images of the receiver medium, each including at least a portion of the illumination pattern. The first and second images are analyzed to determine a relative position of the illumination pattern in the first and second images. Imaging system alignment parameters for use in aligning images captured with the first and second imaging systems are determined responsive to the determined relative position.

Abstract: A method for aligning plurality of imaging systems for capturing images of a receiver medium. An illumination system is used to illuminate the receiver medium with an illumination pattern. First and second imaging systems are used to capture images of the receiver medium, each including at least a portion of the illumination pattern. The first and second images are analyzed to determine a relative position of the illumination pattern in the first and second images. Imaging system alignment parameters for use in aligning images captured with the first and second imaging systems are determined responsive to the determined relative position.

Abstract: A method for aligning plurality of imaging systems for capturing images of a receiver medium. An illumination system is used to illuminate the receiver medium with an illumination pattern. First and second imaging systems are used to capture images of the receiver medium, each including at least a portion of the illumination pattern. The first and second images are analyzed to determine a relative position of the illumination pattern in the first and second images. Imaging system alignment parameters for use in aligning images captured with the first and second imaging systems are determined responsive to the determined relative position.

Abstract: An imaging module including a plurality of imaging systems for capturing images of a receiver medium. An illumination system illuminates the receiver medium with an illumination pattern. First and second imaging systems are positioned to capture images of the receiver medium, each including at least a portion of the illumination pattern. The first and second images are analyzed to determine a relative position of the illumination pattern in the first and second images. Imaging system alignment parameters for use in aligning images captured with the first and second imaging systems are determined responsive to the determined relative position.

Abstract: A printing system includes a plurality of imaging systems for capturing images of a receiver medium. An illumination system illuminates the receiver medium with an illumination pattern, thereby providing a reflected illumination pattern and a transmitted illumination pattern. A first imaging system is positioned to capture a first image of a first side of the receiver medium including the reflected illumination pattern, and a second imaging system is positioned to capture a second image of an opposing second side of the receiver medium including the transmitted illumination pattern. The first and second images are analyzed to determine a relative position of the reflected illumination pattern in the first image and the transmitted illumination pattern in the second image. Imaging system alignment parameters for use in aligning images captured with the first and second imaging systems are determined responsive to the determined relative position.

Abstract: A first registration mark is printed by a first printhead on print media at a first initial encoder value. A second registration mark is printed by a second printhead on print media at a second initial encoder value. The second registration mark is spaced apart from the first registration mark. The first and second registration marks are detected using the mark detection system as each is transported past the mark detection system. The displacement signal is used to measure a displacement of the print media between the detection of the second and first registration marks by the mark detection system. A cue delay value is determined for the second printhead so that a subsequently printed first image plane and a second image plane are registered relative to each other using the displacement, the first initial encoder value, and the second initial encoder value.

Abstract: An image registration system for determining a relative location of a first pattern and a second pattern includes a fiducial having a fiducial origin, a first side, and a second side. A first camera captures a first fiducial image of the first side of the fiducial and the fiducial origin and a first pattern image of the first printed pattern. A second camera captures a second fiducial image of the second side of the fiducial and a second pattern image of the second printed pattern. An image registration controller processes the first fiducial image, the first pattern image, the second pattern image, and the second fiducial image to determine the relative location of the first pattern and the second pattern.

Abstract: A printhead includes a nozzle and a jet control element. The jet control element includes a continuous heater element positioned to surround the nozzle and a plurality of three or more electrical contacts in electrical communication with the continuous heater element. The plurality of three or more electrical contacts define a plurality of three or more continuous heater element portions that are actuatable with sufficient independence so as to control jet steering. The number of the continuous heater element portions equals the number of electrical contacts.

Abstract: A continuous printing system includes a printhead and a controller. The printhead includes a nozzle and a jet control element including a continuous heater element positioned to surround the nozzle. A plurality of three or more electrical contacts is in electrical communication with the continuous heater element and define a plurality of three or more continuous heater element portions that are actuatable with sufficient independence so as to control jet steering. The number of the continuous heater element portions equals the number of electrical contacts. A controller is configured to apply a waveform to at least one of the plurality of three or more electrical contacts to affect at least one of the plurality of independently actuatable continuous heater element portions.

Abstract: A method of printing includes providing a printhead including a jet control element including a continuous heater element positioned to surround a nozzle. A plurality of three or more electrical contacts is in electrical communication with the continuous heater element. The plurality of three or more electrical contacts define a plurality of three or more continuous heater element portions that are actuatable with sufficient independence so as to control jet steering. The number of the continuous heater element portions equals the number of electrical contacts. A liquid is provided under a pressure sufficient to eject a jet of liquid through the nozzle. A waveform is applied to at least one of the plurality of three or more electrical contacts using a controller to affect at least one of the plurality of independently actuatable continuous heater element portions to control the jet of liquid.

Abstract: A method of printing includes printing first and second patterns at first and second locations on first and second sides of a media using first and second printheads, respectively. First and second fiducial images including a fiducial origin are captured using first and second cameras, respectively. First and second pattern images of the first and second patterns are captured using the first and second cameras, respectively. The locations of the first and second patterns relative to the fiducial origin are determined using an image registration controller. A relative printed location of the first pattern and the second pattern is determined. A deviation is determined by comparing the determined relative location of the first and second printed patterns with an intended relative location of the first and second printed patterns.

Abstract: A printing system includes a media transport system and first and second printheads that print first and second patterns on first and second sides of the media, respectively. An image registration system includes a fiducial including an origin and first and second sides. A first camera captures a first fiducial image of the first side and origin and a first pattern image of the first pattern. A second camera captures a second fiducial image of the second side and origin and a second pattern image of the second pattern. A registration controller processes the first and second fiducial images and pattern images to determine a relative position of the first and second patterns. A print controller, controlling printhead operation, adjusts the registration of subsequently printed patterns on at least one of the first and second sides of the media based on the determined relative pattern position.

Abstract: A method of controlling a digital printing system that uses multiple metadata packets is provided. A controller including a metadata channel is provided. Information in a first metadata packet that is associated with an initial point of interest of a media is provided by a primary metadata packet creation unit. The first metadata packet is inserted into the metadata channel of the controller. A second metadata packet including new information associated with a new point of interest of the media is created using a secondary metadata creation unit. The second metadata packet with the new formation is inserted into the metadata channel of the controller based on the location of the new point of interest of the media.

Abstract: A first registration mark is printed by a first printhead on print media at a first initial encoder value. A second registration mark is printed by a second printhead on print media at a second initial encoder value. The second registration mark is spaced apart from the first registration mark. The first and second registration marks are detected using the mark detection system as each is transported past the mark detection system. The displacement signal is used to measure a displacement of the print media between the detection of the second and first registration marks by the mark detection system. A cue delay value is determined for the second printhead so that a subsequently printed first image plane and a second image plane are registered relative to each other using the displacement, the first initial encoder value, and the second initial encoder value.

Abstract: A first registration mark, printed by a first printhead, includes a first crosstrack locating feature and a first guiding feature that aids an image capture device in locating the first crosstrack locating feature. A second registration mark, printed by a second printhead, includes a second crosstrack locating feature and a second guiding feature that aids the image capture device in locating the second crosstrack locating feature. The first registration mark and the second registration mark are detected using the image capture system as they are moved past the image capture system. A lateral displacement is measured between the second crosstrack registration mark and the first crosstrack registration mark using the image capture system. The lateral displacement is used to determine a lateral shift value for the second printhead to register a first image plane and a second image subsequently printed by the first printhead and second printhead.

Abstract: A method of determining a relative location of a first pattern and a second pattern includes providing a fiducial including a fiducial origin, a first camera, a second camera, and an image registration controller. A first fiducial image of the fiducial origin is captured using the first camera. A second fiducial image of the fiducial origin is captured using the second camera. A first pattern image of a first pattern is captured using the first camera. A second pattern image of a second pattern is captured using the second camera. A first location of the first pattern relative to the fiducial origin is determined using the image registration controller. A second location of the second pattern relative to the fiducial origin is determined using the image registration controller. A relative location of the first location and the second location is determined using the image registration controller.

Abstract: A continuous printing system includes a printhead and a controller. The printhead includes a nozzle and a jet control element including a continuous heater element positioned to surround the nozzle. A plurality of three or more electrical contacts is in electrical communication with the continuous heater element and define a plurality of three or more continuous heater element portions that are actuatable with sufficient independence so as to control jet steering. The number of the continuous heater element portions equals the number of electrical contacts. A controller is configured to apply a waveform to at least one of the plurality of three or more electrical contacts to affect at least one of the plurality of independently actuatable continuous heater element portions.

Abstract: A printhead includes a nozzle and a jet control element. The jet control element includes a continuous heater element positioned to surround the nozzle and a plurality of three or more electrical contacts in electrical communication with the continuous heater element. The plurality of three or more electrical contacts define a plurality of three or more continuous heater element portions that are actuatable with sufficient independence so as to control jet steering. The number of the continuous heater element portions equals the number of electrical contacts.

Abstract: A method of printing includes providing a printhead including a jet control element including a continuous heater element positioned to surround a nozzle. A plurality of three or more electrical contacts is in electrical communication with the continuous heater element. The plurality of three or more electrical contacts define a plurality of three or more continuous heater element portions that are actuatable with sufficient independence so as to control jet steering. The number of the continuous heater element portions equals the number of electrical contacts. A liquid is provided under a pressure sufficient to eject a jet of liquid through the nozzle. A waveform is applied to at least one of the plurality of three or more electrical contacts using a controller to affect at least one of the plurality of independently actuatable continuous heater element portions to control the jet of liquid.

Abstract: An image registration system for determining a relative location of a first pattern and a second pattern includes a fiducial having a fiducial origin, a first side, and a second side. A first camera captures a first fiducial image of the first side of the fiducial and the fiducial origin and a first pattern image of the first printed pattern. A second camera captures a second fiducial image of the second side of the fiducial and a second pattern image of the second printed pattern. An image registration controller processes the first fiducial image, the first pattern image, the second pattern image, and the second fiducial image to determine the relative location of the first pattern and the second pattern.