Method for automatic pen alignment in a printing apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for automatic pen alignment in a printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus has a scan direction or x-axis and a media advance direction or y-axis, orthogonal to said scan direction or x-axis, the method comprising the steps of:
- performing a pen alignment process;
determining an alignment correction algorithm to be applied during subsequent printing, to compensate for the misalignment determined in said pen alignment process;
measuring an output angle of the media, defined as the angle between the y-axis and the actual direction of advance of the media, with at least one optical sensor arranged stationary on the printing apparatus; and
employing the measured output angle to modify the alignment correction algorithm to be applied during subsequent printing.
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Abstract
A method for automatic pen alignment in a printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus has a scan direction or x-axis and a media advance direction or y-axis, orthogonal to said scan direction or x-axis, the method comprising the steps of performing a pen alignment process, determining an alignment correction algorithm to be applied during subsequent printing, to compensate for the misalignment determined in said pen alignment process, measuring an output angle of the media, defined as the angle between the y-axis and the actual direction of advance of the media, with at least one optical sensor arranged stationary on the printing apparatus, and employing the measured output angle to modify the alignment correction algorithm to be applied during subsequent printing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for automatic pen alignment in a printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus has a scan direction or x-axis and a media advance direction or y-axis, orthogonal to said scan direction or x-axis, the method comprising the steps of:
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performing a pen alignment process; determining an alignment correction algorithm to be applied during subsequent printing, to compensate for the misalignment determined in said pen alignment process; measuring an output angle of the media, defined as the angle between the y-axis and the actual direction of advance of the media, with at least one optical sensor arranged stationary on the printing apparatus; and employing the measured output angle to modify the alignment correction algorithm to be applied during subsequent printing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20)
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17. A method for automatic pen alignment in a printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus has a scan direction or x-axis and a media advance direction or y-axis, orthogonal to said scan direction or x-axis, said method comprising the steps of:
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performing a pen alignment process; determining an alignment correction algorithm to be applied during subsequent printing, to compensate for the misalignment determined in said pen alignment process; measuring an output angle of the media, defined as the angle between the y-axis and the actual direction of advance of the media with at least one stationary optical sensor capable of recognizing media fibres, said sensor performing the following substeps;
(a) capturing a first image of the media with the optical sensor;
(b) advancing the media a predetermined distance;
(c) capturing a second image of the media with the optical sensor; and
(d) comparing the first and second images to determine the output angle of the media; andemploying the measured output angle to modify the alignment correction algorithm to be applied during subsequent printing.
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18. A method for automatic pen alignment in a printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus has a scan direction or x-axis and a media advance direction or y-axis, orthogonal to said scan direction or x-axis, the method comprising the steps of:
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performing a pen alignment process; determining an alignment correction algorithm to be applied during printing, to compensate for the misalignment determined in said pen alignment process; determining during said pen alignment process an initial output angle of the media, defined as the angle between the y-axis and the actual direction of advance of the media, with at least one optical sensor arranged stationary on the printing apparatus; determining a further output angle of the media after printing has started on said roll of print media, and employing a variation between the initial output angle and the further output angle to modify the alignment correction algorithm to be applied during subsequent printing. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification