Paper tray adjustment page

• US 20020136579A1
• Filed: 03/22/2001
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electronics For Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electronics For Imaging Incorporated
• Inventors: Pirman, Bradley, Michel, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,550,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/74
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/008 Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins

Abstract

A tray alignment calibration page and method and apparatus using the page are provided. The page has graduated scales along horizontal and vertical edges, such that the scale values are enterable into an interface to align an image to be printed centered on a target page.

Claims

1. A method for measuring disparities and for compensating for differences between a user plane and a device plane, the method comprising:

printing a test pattern on one side of a tray alignment page;

measuring said test pattern; and

calculating parameters by using said test pattern measurements, said parameters used in compensating functions to transform incoming coordinates from said user plane into coordinates for said device plane.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

printing a verification page to confirm accuracy of said transformations.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

previously installing said compensating functions in a printing system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said user plane is a theoretical page as seen by, but not limited to, a graphic designer, and the like.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said device plane is a sheet as delivered by a printing device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said calculated parameters comprise any or all of:

plane scaling factors (s_xs_y);

a plane rotation angle (θ

);

and

plane translation values (t_xt_y).

7. The method of claim 6,

wherein said parameters are calculated in the order shown;

wherein said parameters are calculated using the following variables and constraints;

said user and said device planes having corresponding origins in the lower left corner of the page;

X increases to the right from said location of said origins and Y increases upwards from said location of said origins;

dimensions of said tray alignment page are PageWidth wide by PageHeight high;

a scaling mark is drawn parallel to horizontal edges of said page, said horizontal mark having length equal to as XscaleLength;

a scaling mark is drawn parallel to vertical edges of said page;

said vertical mark having length equal to YscaleLength;

requiring only one said scaling mark when a printer constantly delivers proportional scaling;

requiring no scaling marks when a printer constantly delivers scaling factors of 100%;

graduated bars (BarA, BarB and BarC) are parallel to said page edges, wherein said bars are located as close as practical to said page edges;

a distance between each of said bars and its corresponding said edge is;

DistanceFromEdge;

a distance between each graduation on a bar is;

DistanceBetween Ticks;

a length of each of said bars is;

BarLength;

a point A is located at the center of BarA;

a point B is located at the center of BarB;

a point C is located at the center of BarC; and

wherein said tray alignment page has the following coordinates and functions;

x_A=DistanceFromEdge;

x_B=PageWidth÷

2;

x_C=PageWidth−

DistanceFromEdge;

y_A=PageHeight÷

2;

y_B=DistanceFromEdge;

y_C=PageHeight÷

2;

readings on said horizontal bar B are converted into a coordinate x on said user plane using following equation;

x=F_x (Reading_B), wherein F_x (Reading_B)=x_B−

(ScaleLength÷

2)+(Reading_B×

DistanceBetweenTicks); and

readings on said vertical bars A and C are converted into a coordinate y on said user plane with the following equation;

y=F_y (Reading), wherein F_y (Reading_A)=y_A−

(ScaleLength÷

2)+(Reading_A×

DistanceBetweenTicks), and F_y (Reading_C)=y_C−

(ScaleLength÷

2)+(Reading_C×

DistanceBetweenTicks.

8. The method of claim 7, said calculating said plane scaling factors (s_xs_y), further comprises:

setting s_x=XscaleLength÷

XscaleLength′

;

and

setting s_y=YscaleLength÷

YscaleLength′

;

wherein said horizontal scaling mark is expected to measure XscaleLength but measures XscaleLength′

on said tray alignment page, and said vertical scaling mark is expected to measure YscaleLength but measures YscaleLength′

on said tray alignment page.

9. The method of claim 7, said calculating said plane rotation angle (θ

), further comprises;

folding horizontally in half said tray alignment page, thereby producing a fold line passing by a vertical center of said page, said horizontal fold line crossing said vertical bars BarA and BarC at UserReadingA and UserReadingC;

using said y conversion equation, converting points UserReadingA and UserReadingC to corresponding y coordinates in said user plane;

y_UserReadingA=F_y (UserReadingA) and y_UserReadingC=F_y (UserReadingC), wherein due to translation and rotation transforms, UserReadingA and UserReadingC points end up at a vertical center of said device plane and if no error due to plane rotation, y_UserReadingA=y_UserReadingC;

evaluating an angle for plane rotation by figuring a right triangle from said point UserReadingA and said point UserReadingC, and a line drawn perpendicularly from said BarA to said BarC, thereby providing three values required to solve a triangle, and wherein said three values are;

DistanceAC=x_c−

x_a;

DeltaY=y_UserReadingA−

y_UserReadingC;

and

a right angle between said vertical graduated bars and a virtual line from points A to C; and

evaluating the amount of rotation required to be applied between planes;

θ

=−

tan<sup>−

1</sup> (DeltaY÷

DistanceAC);

wherein scaling factors are assumed to be 1.0, in order to simplify equations.

10. The method of claim 7, said calculating said plane translation values (t_xt_y), further comprises:

using said equations for plane rotation and said rotation angle θ

, evaluating the x coordinate of UserReadingB and the y coordinate of UserReadingC in the rotated plane, before translation, by;

x′

_UserReadingB=x_UserReadingB cos θ

−

y_B sin θ

;

and

y′

_UserReadingC=x_C sin θ

+y_UserReadingC cos θ

;

using said equations for plane translation and using x′

_UserReadingB and y′

_UserReadingC, evaluating translation between planes, by;

t_x=x′

_UserReadingBx_B;

and

t_y=y′

_UserReadngC−

y_C;

wherein scaling factors are assumed to be 1.0, in order to simplify equations.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising duplexing capabilities, wherein said tray alignment page comprises a second test pattern on a second side of said page, and wherein using said second side of said page.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said output device is a printer.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein a duplexing unit is attached to said output device and said alignment calibration page is double-sided.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said input means is a user interface dialog box.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a test page for verification, said test page showing results of said calibration values applied.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said applied calibration values replace any existing alignment calibration values.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

storing said alignment calibration values for each of said at least one tray and said associated media-type pair, whereby when a previously calibrated page size is used on said tray, it is not required to apply said calibration values.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein previously set alignment calibration values are ignored when outputting said alignment calibration page.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein initial calibration values are stored for each of said at least one tray and said associated media-type.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said alignment calibration page has a top side and a bottom side for duplexing, and wherein stored calibration values comprise:

values associated with said top side;

values associated with said bottom side; and

date of last alignment calibration.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein said dialog box is opened from a workstation application menu option and wherein when said dialog opens, any previously determined alignment calibration values or initial alignment calibration values are automatically displayed under an enter alignment values section.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein said at least one tray and said associated media type are available in a pull-down list and are dependent upon said output device.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein if non-duplex is desired, selecting a print button results in a printed single-sided alignment calibration page, and if duplex is desired, selecting a duplex checkbox and then selecting said print button results in a printed double-sided alignment calibration page, such that previous alignment calibration values are ignored when printing said alignment calibration page.

25. The method of claim 15,

wherein said alignment calibration page comprises:

three scales, entitled A, B, and C, respectively,

wherein said A and C scales indicate an amount of shift and angle determination along a y-axis required for performing tray alignment, said A and C scales having a midpoint used as a default tray alignment setting, and scale B indicates an amount of shift along an x-axis required for performing tray alignment, said B scale having a midpoint used as a default tray alignment setting; and

three associated text boxes labeled A, B, and C, respectively; and

wherein determining alignment calibration values further;

folding said alignment calibration page in half vertically and determining where said vertical fold falls on said B scale;

folding said alignment calibration page in half horizontally and determining where said horizontal folds falls on said A scale and on said C scale;

writing said determined values from said A, B, and C scales, respectively, in said A, B, and C text boxes, respectively,

for duplexing repeating said preceding operation on a bottom side of said alignment calibration page; and

transferring said written values into said dialog box;

wherein said dialog box comprises a default button, whereby upon a predetermined selection, default values for all trays causes currently stored tray alignment calibration values to be replaced.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein said dialog box further comprises:

an apply button, whereby on selection said entered alignment calibration values replace any previously existing alignment calibration values;

a check alignment button, whereby upon selection causes a verification page to be printed, said verification page showing using said entered alignment calibration values; and

a done button to close said dialog box.

27. The method of claim 26, whereby if said apply button is not clicked, and said check alignment button is clicked, said alignment calibration values are automatically applied.

28. The method of claim 12, wherein said steps are performed through a LCD panel, said LCD panel having associated functions menus and associated screens.

29. The method of claim 12, wherein a using print driver, said print driver having an option to apply alignment calibration values on a print job.

30. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

automatically sensing an attached duplex unit for two-sided calibration; and

/or

applying required changes independently from printer'"'"'s programming language.

12. A method for performing tray alignment for at least one tray, said tray associated with a media type and associated with an output device, to correct for outputting inadequacies in said output device, the method comprising:

specifying, using an input means associated with said output device, said tray to be aligned and said media type;

outputting an alignment calibration page from said output device, using said tray and said media type;

determining alignment calibration values using said alignment calibration page and entering said values in said input means; and

applying said calibration values.

31. A tray alignment calibration page used for calibrating tray alignment, comprising:

three scales, entitled A, B, and C, respectively,

wherein said A and C scales indicate an amount of shift along a y-axis required for performing tray alignment, said A and C scales having a midpoint used as a default tray alignment setting, and scale B indicates an amount of shift along an x-axis required for performing tray alignment, said B scale having a midpoint used as a default tray alignment setting; and

means for determining where a vertical fold falls on said B scale upon folding said alignment calibration page in half vertically;

means for determining where a horizontal fold falls on said A scale and on said C scale, upon folding said alignment calibration page in half horizontally;

A, B, and C text boxes, respectively, for writing said determined values from said A, B, and C scales, respectively;

a bottom side of said alignment calibration page used during repeating said preceding operations for duplexing; and

means for transferring said written values into said dialog box;

wherein said dialog box comprises a default button, whereby upon selection, default values for all trays replace currently stored tray alignment calibration values.

32. The tray alignment calibration page of claim 31, wherein said dialog box further comprises:

an apply button, whereby on selection said entered alignment calibration values replace any previously existing alignment calibration values;

a check alignment button, whereby upon selection causes a test page for verification to be printed, said verification page using said entered alignment calibration values; and

a done button to close said dialog box.

33. The tray alignment calibration page of claim 32, whereby if said apply button is not clicked, and said check alignment button is clicked, said alignment calibration values are automatically applied.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said output device is a printer.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein a duplexing unit is attached to said output device and said alignment calibration page is double-sided.

37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said input means is a user interface dialog box.

38. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising:

means for providing a test page for verification, said test page showing results of said calibration values applied.

39. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said applied calibration values replace any existing alignment calibration values.

40. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising:

means for storing said alignment calibration values for each of said at least one tray and said associated media-type pair, whereby when a previously calibrated page size is used on said tray, it is not required to apply said calibration values.

41. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein previously set alignment calibration values are ignored when outputting said alignment calibration page.

42. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein initial calibration values are stored for each of said at least one tray and said associated media-type.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said alignment calibration page has a top side and a bottom side for duplexing, and wherein stored calibration values comprise:

values associated with said top side;

values associated with said bottom side; and

date of last alignment calibration.

44. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said dialog box is accessed through a workstation'"'"'s application menu option and wherein when said dialog opens, any previously determined alignment calibration values or initial alignment calibration values are automatically displayed under an enter alignment values section.

45. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said at least one tray and said associated media type are available in a pull-down list and are dependent upon said output device.

46. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein if non-duplex is desired, selecting a print button results in a printed single-sided alignment calibration page, and if duplex is desired, selecting a duplex checkbox and then selecting said print button results in a printed double-sided alignment calibration page, such that previous alignment calibration values are ignored when printing said alignment calibration page.

47. The apparatus of claim 37,

wherein said alignment calibration page comprises:

three scales, entitled A, B, and C, respectively,

wherein said A and C scales indicate an amount of shift along a y-axis required for performing tray alignment, said A and C scales having a midpoint used as a default tray alignment setting, and scale B indicates an amount of shift along an x-axis required for performing tray alignment, said B scale having a midpoint used as a default tray alignment setting; and

three associated text boxes labeled A, B, and C, respectively; and

wherein said means for determining alignment calibration values further comprises;

means for folding said alignment calibration page in half vertically and determining where said vertical fold falls on said B scale;

means for folding said alignment calibration page in half horizontally and determining where said horizontal folds falls on said A scale and on said C scale;

means for writing said determined values from said A, B, and C scales, respectively, in said A, B, and C text boxes, respectively,

means for duplexing repeating said preceding operation on a bottom side of said alignment calibration page; and

means for transferring said written values into said dialog box;

wherein said dialog box comprises a default button, whereby upon a predetermined selection, default values for all trays causes currently stored tray alignment calibration values to be replaced.

48. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said dialog box further comprises:

an apply button, whereby on selection said entered alignment calibration values replace any previously existing alignment calibration values;

a check alignment button, whereby upon selection causes a test page for verification to be printed, said verification page showing using said entered alignment calibration values; and

a done button to close said dialog box.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, whereby if said apply button is not clicked, and said check alignment button is clicked, said alignment calibration values are automatically applied.

50. The apparatus of claim 34, adaptable to use a LCD panel, said LCD panel having associated functions menus and associated screens.

51. The apparatus of claim 34, adaptable to use a unidriver, said unidriver having an option to apply alignment calibration values on a print job.

52. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising, but not limited to:

means for providing an automatically turning on feature when a paper source and a media type are automatically selected;

means for automatically sensing an attached duplex unit; and

means for printing alignment calibration page, followed by a printer scanning said page and automatically detecting said calibration values.

34. An apparatus for performing tray alignment for at least one tray, said tray associated with a media type and associated with an output device, to correct for outputting inadequacies in said output device, comprising:

means for specifying, using an input means associated with said output device, said tray to be aligned and said media type;

means for outputting an alignment calibration page from said output device, using said tray and said media type;

means for determining alignment calibration values using said alignment calibration page and entering said values in said input means; and

means for applying said calibration values, said means associated with said output device and said input means.