Abstract: An automatically-adjusting tensioning mechanism for use in a roll-fed web media transport system, the tensioning mechanism adding tension to the web media, comprising a bracket assembly being adapted to freely pivot around a pivot axis, and first and second tensioning shoe having curved surfaces attached to the bracket assembly. The web media feeds through the tensioning mechanism in an S-shaped media path where the web media is wrapped around the first and second tensioning shoes. The pivot angle of the bracket assembly automatically adjusts in response to differences in a coefficient of friction between the web media and the tensioning shoes such that the tension in the web media has a reduced level of variability relative to configurations where the bracket assembly is held in a fixed position.

Abstract: A method for controlling tension in a print media in a tension zone of a printing system comprises enabling an active tension control mode until the tension in the print media is in a stable state for a given period of time, and then switching to a synchronized control mode. The tension is monitored to determine if it exceeds a tension inner band but does not exceed a tension outer band while in the synchronized control mode. The speed of drive rollers is adjusted in response to this determination. The tension is also monitored to determine if it exceeds the tension outer band while in the synchronized control mode. The synchronized control mode is disabled in response to this determination and the active tension control mode is enabled. The frequency of speed adjustments is lesser in the synchronized control mode than in the active tension control mode.

Abstract: A printing system includes one or more lineheads that jet ink onto a first side of a print media. At least one roller supports a second side of the print media as the print media is transported through the printing system. A roller deformation adjustment mechanism abuts at least one roller and is configured to apply a force to the roller to deform the roller. The deformation of the roller compensates for web skew by changing the relative timing of ink flight times from the linehead to the first side of the print media. The linehead can be disposed on a movable support. The printing system can also include one or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms configured to move the movable support to adjust a skew of the linehead.

Abstract: A printing system includes one or more lineheads that jet ink onto a first side of a print media. At least one roller supports a second side of the print media as the print media is transported through the printing system. A roller deformation adjustment mechanism abuts at least one roller and is configured to apply a force to the roller to deform the roller. The deformation of the roller compensates for web skew by changing the relative timing of ink flight times from the linehead to the first side of the print media. The linehead can be disposed on a movable support. The printing system can also include one or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms configured to move the movable support to adjust a skew of the linehead.

Abstract: A printing system includes one or more lineheads that jet ink onto a first side of a print media. At least one roller supports a second side of the print media as the print media is transported through the printing system. A roller deformation adjustment mechanism abuts at least one roller and is configured to apply a force to the roller to deform the roller. The deformation of the roller compensates for web skew by changing the relative timing of ink flight times from the linehead to the first side of the print media. The linehead can be disposed on a movable support. The printing system can also include one or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms configured to move the movable support to adjust a skew of the linehead.

Abstract: A method for controlling tension in a print media in a tension zone of a printing system comprises enabling an active tension control mode until the tension in the print media is in a stable state for a given period of time. Then, the active tension control mode is disabled and a synchronized control mode is enabled. The tension in the print media is monitored to determine if the tension exceeds a tension inner band but does not exceed a tension outer band while the synchronized control mode is enabled. The speed of a drive roller is adjusted in response to this determination. The tension in the print media is also monitored to determine if the tension exceeds the tension outer band while the synchronized control mode is enabled. The synchronized control mode is disabled in response to this determination and the active tension control mode is enabled.

Abstract: A printing system can include a movable support and a linehead disposed on the movable support. The linehead is positioned opposite a print media and jets ink onto a surface of the print media. One or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms are configured to move the movable support to adjust a skew of the linehead. The printing system can include an imaging system that captures images of the surface of the print media and a processing device that analyzes the images to determine if the print media is skewed and to determine one or more linehead skew adjustment values when the print media is skewed.

Abstract: A printing system includes a linehead that jets ink onto a surface of the print media, an imaging system that captures images of the surface of the print media, and one or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms adapted to adjust the skew of the linehead. A method for correcting for skew in a print media in the printing system includes capturing images of one or more test marks printed or formed on the print media and analyzing the images to determine whether the print media is skewed with respect to a transport direction of the print media. If the print media is skewed, one or more linehead skew adjustment values is determined to adjust a skew of the linehead. The skew of the linehead is adjusted based on the one or more linehead skew adjustment values.

Abstract: A printing system includes multiple lineheads that each jet ink onto a print media while the print media is transported through the printing system. Imaging devices are positioned to capture one or more images of each side of the print media. A method for correcting for web skew and front-to-back registration includes determining a skew positional error for each color plane in a printing module and determining one or more skew positional correction values based on the skew positional error. A registration positional error can be determined and one or more registration positional correction values can be determined based on the registration positional error. A setting or operation of at least one printing system component is automatically adjusted based on at least one registration positional correction value or at least one skew positional correction value.

Abstract: An automatically-adjusting tensioning mechanism for use in a roll-fed web media transport system, the tensioning mechanism adding tension to the web media, comprising a bracket assembly being adapted to freely pivot around a pivot axis, and first and second tensioning shoe having curved surfaces attached to the bracket assembly. The web media feeds through the tensioning mechanism in an S-shaped media path where the web media is wrapped around the first and second tensioning shoes. The pivot angle of the bracket assembly automatically adjusts in response to differences in a coefficient of friction between the web media and the tensioning shoes such that the tension in the web media has a reduced level of variability relative to configurations where the bracket assembly is held in a fixed position.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting a level of tension in web media being transported in a roll-fed web media transport system, comprising: receiving web media from a source roller, feeding the web media through an S-shaped media path in an automatically-adjusting tensioning mechanism where the web media is wrapped around curved surfaces on first and second tensioning shoes, and pulling the web media through the automatically-adjusting tensioning mechanism using a feed mechanism. The tensioning mechanism includes: a bracket assembly mounted to a frame which is adapted to freely pivot around a pivot axis. A pivot angle of the bracket assembly automatically adjusts in response to differences in a coefficient of friction between the web media and the tensioning shoes such that the tension in the web media has a reduced level of variability relative to configurations where the bracket assembly is held in a fixed position.

Abstract: A turnbar for use in a turnover module in a printing system includes one or more air-cushioned sections and one or more friction sections. Each air-cushioned section includes holes formed in a portion of a perimeter of the turnbar. Each friction section includes a friction-inducing material disposed over or affixed to another portion of the perimeter of the turnbar. Pressurized air or gas is output through the holes to produce a cushion of air or gas between a print media and the air-cushioned section. The turnbar can include one or more pistons within the turnbar, or one or more sleeves within or around the turnbar, or a combination of pistons and sleeves, to adjust airflow through the air-cushioned section.

Abstract: A turnbar for use in a turnover module in a printing system includes one or more air-cushioned sections and one or more friction sections. Each air-cushioned section includes holes formed in a portion of a perimeter of the turnbar. Each friction section includes a friction-inducing material disposed over or affixed to another portion of the perimeter of the turnbar. Pressurized air or gas is output through the holes to produce a cushion of air or gas between a print media and the air-cushioned section. The turnbar can include one or more pistons within the turnbar, or one or more sleeves within or around the turnbar, or a combination of pistons and sleeves, to adjust airflow through the air-cushioned section.

Abstract: A digital printing system, for printing on a continuous web of print media, includes a media operation zone in which an operation is performed on the print media. A support structure guides a continuous web of print media under tension through the media operation zone. The support structure includes a first mechanism and a second mechanism. The first mechanism, located upstream relative to the media operation zone, includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction so as to establish center justification of the print media as the print media enters the media operation zone. The second mechanism, located downstream relative to the media operation zone, includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction so as to maintain center justification of the print media as the print media travels through the media operation zone.

Abstract: A media turnover mechanism includes a roller. A first turn bar is positioned upstream relative to the roller at an angle relative to a direction of media motion. A second turn bar is positioned downstream relative to the roller at an angle relative to a direction of media motion. A first guide is positioned between the first turn bar and the roller to direct a leading edge of a web of media toward the roller. A second guide is positioned between the roller and the second turn bar to direct the leading edge of the web of media toward the second turn bar. A third guide is positioned to direct the leading edge of the web of media around the second turn bar.

Abstract: A media drive module includes a drive motor. A roller, around a portion of which a web of media wraps, is connected to the drive motor such that the roller is caused to rotate. A guide is positioned to direct a leading edge of the web of media around the roller. The guide is movable between a first position adjacent to the roller to direct the leading edge of the web of media and a second position removed from the roller that provides access to at least a portion of the roller.

Abstract: An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display having addressable pixels on a substrate, the pixels having performance attributes, and a control circuit for controlling the pixels of the display device, includes one or more OLED pixels; an OLED reference pixel located on a substrate and connected to the control circuit, the OLED reference pixel having the same performance attributes as the one or more OLED pixels, the OLED reference pixel having a voltage sensing circuit including a transistor connected to one of the terminals of the OLED reference pixel for sensing the voltage across the OLED reference pixel to produce a voltage signal representing the voltage across the OLED reference pixel; a measurement circuit connected to the voltage signal to produce an output signal representative of the performance attributes of the OLED reference pixel; an analysis circuit connected to the measurement circuit to receive the output signal, compare the performance attributes with predetermined performance attributes,

Abstract: An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display having addressable pixels on a substrate, the pixels having performance attributes, and a control circuit for controlling the pixels of the display device, includes one or more OLED pixels; an OLED reference pixel located on a substrate and connected to the control circuit, the OLED reference pixel having the same performance attributes as the one or more OLED pixels, the OLED reference pixel having a voltage sensing circuit including a transistor connected to one of the terminals of the OLED reference pixel for sensing the voltage across the OLED reference pixel to produce a voltage signal representing the voltage across the OLED reference pixel; a measurement circuit connected to the voltage signal to produce an output signal representative of the performance attributes of the OLED reference pixel; an analysis circuit connected to the measurement circuit to receive the output signal, compare the performance attributes with predetermined performance attributes,

Abstract: In an illumination system for a film telecine scanner of the type adapted to provide a line of illumination on the image frames of a film which is supported for rapid movement in a film gate of the scanner, an improved light control system for adjusting the amount of light that is delivered from a light source to an integrating cylinder to take into account fluctuations in intensity of the light source and desired intensity changes in the line of illumination upon a change of scene in the image frames of the film as the film is being scanned. The light control system includes aperture defining apparatus for selectively adjusting the amount of light entering said integrating cylinder in response to the commanded light intensity signal within the time span of scanning a single image frame of the film.

Abstract: In a system for compensating predictable periodic speed variations in the electric motor of a velocity servo, which speed variations may include variations at frequencies above the velocity servo bandwidth, circuitry is provided for generating synchronized reference signal frequency components corresponding in frequency to at least one ripple frequency component of the torque. Each of the synchronized reference signal frequency components is adjusted, while the motor shaft is revolving, in phase and amplitude in a sense to reduce the ripple at that frequency in motor speed. Both manual and self-adjusting embodiments are shown, each including real time spectrum analysis of motor torque to guide the phase and frequency adjustments.