EP0729846A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Printed reference image compensation
Assignee: Kodak Versamark Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-03-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides for controlling image registration of images printed on a substrate of an ink jet web press. Registration marks are printed on the substrate, relative to the print location of the images, and then read. The registration marks are used to determine spatial discrepancies in subsequent images. Dynamic corrections correct for spatial discrepancies in subsequent images to assure good overlay of image data onto previously printed images, and static corrections correct for spatial discrepancies in alignment of subsequent printheads to each other to assure good reference of image data onto previously printed images.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Piatt
- 👤 Rodney J. Stadum
- 👤 Peter N. Tank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:34
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J11/00; B41J11/36; B41J11/42; B41J11/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for controlling image registration of images printed on a substrate of an ink jet web press having a plurality of printheads having nozzles for ejecting ink for printing the images, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reference tachometer for providing a first signal indicative of substrate distance and substrate speed; printing registration marks on the substrate, relative to the images; reading the registration marks; using the registration marks to assure good overlay of image data onto previously printed images.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method for controlling image registration as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of reading the registration marks further comprises the steps of: using a sensor means to read the registration marks and provide a second signal indicative of instantaneous substrate speed; comparing the first signal and the second signal to indicate instantaneous substrate speed discrepancies on subsequent images; correcting for the indicated instantaneous substrate speed discrepancies on subsequent images by changing the speed at which data is sent to subsequent printheads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling image registration as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of using a sensor means to read the registration marks and provide a second signal indicative of instantaneous substrate speed further comprises the steps of: using the instantaneous substrate speed to provide a third signal indicative of substrate stretch; correcting for substrate stretch discrepancies on subsequent images; changing the speed at which data is sent to subsequent printheads; adjusting data to force a subsequent image to have a length equal to a previous image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method for controlling image registration as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: making static corrections in the ink jet web press to assure good overlay of image data onto previously printed images; providing in-line positioning of each printhead in a direct line path; printing a reference pattern on the substrate, relative to the images; running the ink jet web press at a relatively slow speed; and aligning each printhead in a direct line path until each subsequent printhead reads exactly the same portion of the reference pattern as each previous printhead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method for controlling image registration as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the steps of: providing a first reference mark readable by a first sensor, and a second reference mark readable by a second sensor; and adjusting each printhead rotation along an axis in a direction orthogonal to a plane of the substrate until the first sensor reads the first reference mark simultaneously with the second sensor reading the second reference mark to provide a static alignment of each printhead in a direct line path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method for controlling image registration as claimed in claim 2 further comprising the steps of: mounting the printhead on a member which can be moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to direction of substrate motion; and providing actuator means capable of slight movements of the printhead structure, the actuator means being responsive to the sensor means to provide sub pixel accuracy image overlay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for controlling image registration as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of; correcting for substrate shift discrepancies on subsequent images; and varying which nozzles of each of the plurality of printheads receive data for printing the subsequent images.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for controlling image registration of images printed on a substrate of an ink jet web press having a plurality of printheads having nozzles for ejecting ink for printing the images, the method comprising the steps of: printing registration marks on the substrate, relative to print location of the images; reading the registration marks; using the registration marks to determine spatial discrepancies in subsequent images; making dynamic corrections to correct for spatial discrepancies in subsequent images to assure good overlay of image data onto previously printed images; and making static corrections to correct for spatial discrepancies in alignment of subsequent printheads to each other to assure good reference of image data onto previously printed images.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for controlling image registration as claimed in claim 8 wherein the step of making dynamic correction further comprises the steps of: changing the speed at which data is sent to subsequent printheads; and adjusting data to force a subsequent image to have a length equal to a previous image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method for controlling image registration as claimed in claim 8 wherein the step of making static corrections further comprises the steps of: providing in-line positioning of each printhead in a direct line path; printing a reference pattern on the substrate, relative to the images; and aligning each printhead in a direct line path so each printhead reads the same reference pattern.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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