EP0529532A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for the calibration of a multichannel printer
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1992-08-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed for the calibration of a multichannel printer. The printer comprises a plurality of diode lasers which are modulated in accordance with an information signal. Radiation from the diode lasers is imaged onto a receiving medium such as a thermal print medium. The thermal print medium is supported on a drum which is rotatable about an axis. In order to balance the output from the diode lasers, test patterns are formed on the receiving medium with each of the lasers using known power inputs. The density of each of the test patterns is measured, and the density values obtained are correlated with the input power levels for each of the lasers. The measurement of densities produced by a single laser is facilitated by slowing the print head down by a factor of the number of lines normally printed and writing with one line source at a time.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Michael C/O Eastman Kodak Company Sanger
- 👤 Thomas Andrew c/o EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY Mackin
- 👤 Michael Edward c/o EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY Schultz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of calibrating a multichannel printer, said printer having a plurality of light sources which are projected onto a receiving medium responsive to radiation, said method comprising the steps of: sequentially directing radiation from each of said light sources onto a receiving medium to form a test pattern thereon, said test pattern including a plurality of test patches, each of said test patches being formed by radiation from one of said light sources produced by a known input; measuring the density of each of said test patches and correlating the input of each of said light sources with the measured density of the respective test patch; and determining the inputs for each of said sources to obtain desired densities on said receiving medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method, as defined in claim 1, wherein said printer includes n light sources.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method, as defined in claim 2, wherein said receiving medium is supported on a rotatable drum, and said drum is driven at 1/n of the speed which would form successive sets of n scan lines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, as defined in claim 3, wherein said test patches are formed by actuating each of said light sources in sequence for a predetermined number of pixels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said test patches is formed by operating said printer in a half-tone mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said test patches is formed by operating said printer in a continuous-tone mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as defined in claim 4, wherein test patches are formed by operating each of said light sources at different power settings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method, as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said test patches is formed by a plurality of light sources
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method, as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving medium is a thermal print medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for calibrating a multichannel printer, said printer having a print head which includes a plurality of light sources, said apparatus comprising: means for directing radiation from said print head onto a receiving medium responsive to radiation in order to form a plurality of lines thereon; and means for controlling said directing means to form a plurality of test patches on the receiving medium, each of said test patches being formed by radiation from one of said light sources.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for calibrating a multichannel printer, said printer having a print head which includes means for imaging radiation from a plurality of lasers onto a receiving medium which is responsive to radiation, said apparatus comprising: means for supporting said receiving medium; means for effecting relative movement between said print head and said receiving medium in a cross scan direction; and means for sequentially directing radiation from each of said lasers onto said receiving medium to form a test pattern thereon, said test pattern including a plurality of test patches, each of said test patches being formed by the radiation from one of said lasers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus, as defined in claim 11, wherein said means for sequentially directing radiation includes means for effecting relative movement between said receiving medium and said print head in a scan direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus, as defined in claim 12, wherein said apparatus includes means for measuring the power output of each of said lasers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus, as defined in claim 11, wherein said receiving medium is a thermal medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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