Abstract: A method and apparatus for a test pattern used in the alignment of an ink-jet pen which deposits fixer fluid, or other clear ink precursor fluid, on print media uses the change in reflectivity caused by overprinting a series of positional-calibration indicia with colorant to obtain data with respect to deviations in a carriage-scan x-axis and a paper scan y-axis. Thus the invention measures distances between pens or nozzles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ink-jet drop generator ink drop characteristics uses a drop detector target mounted in the printing zone of a hard copy apparatus. The detector target includes a matrix of individual elements sized approximately the same as pixel targets in printing operations. A detector target is mounted adjacently to the paper path of the apparatus such that test firing can be accomplished prior to each swath scan across the print media. By pre-firing nozzles to be used in the next swath at the detector target, actual trajectory errors and drop volumes can be analyzed in real-time. Alternate embodiments and methods are described.

Abstract: A print medium with encoded data and a print media detection system for use in detecting at least one characteristic of the sheet of print medium based on the encoded data are disclosed. The encoded data is designed to minimize its visual perceptibility. The print media detector is designed to recognize various characteristics of print media based upon the encoded data and transmit information regarding these characteristics to a printing device so that one or more operating parameters of the printing device can be adjusted to help optimize print quality for the particular characteristics of a particular print medium. A printing device including the print medium and print media detection system is also disclosed. A method of detecting one or more characteristics of print media used in a printing device is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ink-jet drop generator ink drop characteristics uses a drop detector target mounted in the printing zone of a hard copy apparatus. The detector target includes a matrix of individual elements sized approximately the same as pixel targets in printing operations. A detector target is mounted adjacently to the paper path of the apparatus such that test firing can be accomplished prior to each swath scan across the print media. By pre-firing nozzles to be used in the next swath at the detector target, actual trajectory errors and drop volumes can be analyzed in real-time. Alternate embodiments and methods are described.

Abstract: Printing apparatus that employs a media detect switch and a linear optical detector to accurately detect the leading edge or trailing edge of a print medium to modify print data so that printing does not extend off the print medium beyond the leading edge or trailing edge. Also disclosed are techniques for using the media detect switch to control a media advance operation to position the leading edge or trailing edge of the print medium in the field of view of the linear array optical detector.

Abstract: When the data rate of incoming data is less than the print speed, there can be pauses in the print job. During a pause, wet ink may cause cockle growth at a portion of the media sheet within the print zone. To reduce such cockle growth a reduced number of nozzles are used when the data rate is less than the print speed. In particular the print swath is reduced. Only a downstream subset of nozzles are used, in effect shortening the portion of the media sheet receiving ink. The wet portion of the media sheet then is closer to the downstream edge of the print zone and soon away from the printhead. A guide shim also is advanced to maintain a flat media sheet near the active nozzles.

Abstract: An embodiment of a drying apparatus for drying ink deposited onto media includes an electromagnetic energy source to generate electromagnetic energy. The embodiment of the drying apparatus also includes a rectangular waveguide coupled to the electromagnetic energy source. The rectangular waveguide includes slots in the axial direction of the rectangular waveguide on opposite sidewalls corresponding to the largest sides forming a cross section of the rectangular waveguide. The electromagnetic energy source is configured to establish a TE01 mode within the rectangular waveguide, resulting in an electric field substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of fibers within the media and thereby reducing power dissipated within the media while providing sufficient power for drying the ink during a drying operation.

Abstract: A monitoring system monitors a pressure wave developed in the surrounding ambient environment during inkjet droplet formation. The monitoring system uses either acoustic, ultrasonic, or other pressure wave monitoring mechanisms, such as a laser vibrometer, an ultrasonic transducer, or an accelerometer sensor, for instance, a microphone to detect droplet formation. One sensor is incorporated in the printhead itself, while others may be located externally. The monitoring system generates information used to determine current levels of printhead performance, to which the printer may respond by adjusting print modes, servicing the printhead, adjusting droplet formation, or by providing an early warning before an inkjet cartridge is completely empty. During printhead manufacturing, an array of such sensors may be used in quality assurance to determine printhead performance. An inkjet printing mechanism is also equipped for using this monitoring system, and a monitoring method is also provided.

Abstract: Edge to edge printing techniques for reducing overspray beyond lateral edges of a print medium.

Abstract: Anisotropic thermal conditioning of print media is provided for liquid colorant printing, such as in ink-jet hard copy apparatus, by establishing discrete temperature zones across a platen surface. Heat transfer mechanisms associated with individually selectable heater elements rapidly establish substantially uniform temperature profiles in each zone.

Abstract: An encoding system is described for a media handling system including an endless belt. The encoding system includes encoding indicia associated with the endless belt. A first encoder transducer is responsive to the encoding indicia to provide a first encoder signal. A second encoder transducer is responsive to the encoding indicia to provide a second encoder signal, the second encoder transducer spatially separated from the first encoder transducer. An encoder processor is responsive to the first encoder signal and the second encoder signal to determine position data regarding the endless belt. Interruption of indicia due to a belt seam is accommodated by transferring belt position calculation from one transducer to the other as the seam passes between the two transducers. The processor is adapted to compensate for variations in the encoder indicia pitch caused by belt temperature differentials.

Abstract: Anisotropic thermal conditioning of print media is provided for liquid colorant printing, such as in ink-jet hard copy apparatus, by establishing discrete temperature zones across a platen surface. Heat transfer mechanisms associated with individually selectable heater elements rapidly establish substantially uniform temperature profiles in each zone.

Abstract: A printer has a media transport with a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlays the platen. A suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen such that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A valve sheet overlays or underlies the platen, and includes a plurality of shut-off elements, each movable in response to temperature changes between a closed position in which the element contacts a portion of the platen to prevent air flow through that portion of the platen, and an open position, in which the element is spaced apart from the platen to admit air to the platen portion. The shut off elements may include resistive heaters and bimetallic strips, so that application of electricity generates heat to flex the strip to an open position.

Abstract: Accurate advance of a media sheet is achieved by carrying the media sheet on a belt loop. An upstream pinch roller holds the media sheet to the belt upstream of the print zone. A downstream pinch roller holds the media sheet to the belt downstream of the print zone. A guide shim extends along the media path from a position upstream of the upstream pinch roller, passed the upstream pinch roller toward the print zone. The guide shim advances with the bottom edge of the media sheet into the print zone to stabilize the trailing edge so as to allow for a smaller minimum bottom margin.

Abstract: An ink jet printing system that includes a print media strip dispenser that advances a strip of test print media through a test print zone and then through a detect zone. Test dots are printed on a test portion of the strip of print media that is in the test print zone, and such test portion is then advanced to the detect zone for detection by an optical detector. Pursuant to such test print media strip advance, another test portion of the media strip is advanced into the test print zone and ready for printing of further test dots. By way of specific implementation, the print media strip dispenser comprises a cassette that includes a supply reel on which an elongated strip of unprinted test print media has been wound and a take-up reel for taking up and winding the elongated strip of print media as it is advanced.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed herein that compensate for print engine and encoder expansion or contraction in a printing device. An embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention for use in a printing device having a print engine and an encoder that indicates where the print engine should print on a print medium, includes a first target on the encoder and a second target on the encoder. The apparatus also includes a first sensor configured to output a first signal upon detection of the first target and a second sensor configured to output a second signal upon detection of the second target. The apparatus additionally includes a computing device coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor and the print engine, which is configured to determine a difference between receipt of the first signal and the second signal, and to adjust when the print engine prints on the print medium based on this difference.

Abstract: A print media detection system for use in a printing device is disclosed. An embodiment of the print media detection system includes a source configured to transmit a light signal and a sensor configured to detect the light signal and generate an electrical signal in response to the light signal, the electrical signal having a magnitude that increases up to a substantially constant value as an intensity of the light signal from the source increases. The sensor is also configured to generate the electrical signal with a first magnitude for a transparent print media through which the light signal from the source travels to the sensor. The sensor is further configured to generate the electrical signal with a second magnitude less than the first magnitude for nontransparent print media positioned in a path of the light signal from the source to the sensor. A printing device including the print media detection system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing device, inductive heating device, and method are disclosed. An embodiment of the printing device includes a printing mechanism for printing an image on a print medium, a metal belt for transporting the print medium, and an induction heater positioned adjacent the metal belt, the induction heater being configured to induce an alternating current in an area of the metal belt adjacent the induction heater, the alternating current uniformly heating the area of the metal belt adjacent the induction heater. An embodiment of the inductive heating device includes a power source and a coil coupled to the power source to produce a varying magnetic field around the coil and positioned adjacent the metal belt to induce an alternating current in an area of the metal belt through which the varying magnetic field passes, the alternating current uniformly heating the area of the metal belt.

Abstract: A print medium with encoded data and a print media detection system for use in detecting at least one characteristic of the sheet of print medium based on the encoded data are disclosed. The encoded data is designed to minimize its visual perceptibility. The print media detector is designed to recognize various characteristics of print media based upon the encoded data and transmit information regarding these characteristics to a printing device so that one or more operating parameters of the printing device can be adjusted to help optimize print quality for the particular characteristics of a particular print medium. A printing device including the print medium and print media detection system is also disclosed. A method of detecting one or more characteristics of print media used in a printing device is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ink-jet drop generator ink drop characteristics uses a drop detector target mounted in the printing zone of a hard copy apparatus. The detector target includes a matrix of individual elements sized approximately the same as pixel targets in printing operations. A detector target is mounted adjacently to the paper path of the apparatus such that test firing can be accomplished prior to each swath scan across the print media. By pre-firing nozzles to be used in the next swath at the detector target, actual trajectory errors and drop volumes can be analyzed in real-time. Alternate embodiments and methods are described.