US6164750A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated test pattern technique using accelerated sequence of color printing and optical scanning
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1998-03-04
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Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2018-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A technique for printing a test pattern for calibrating a plurality of different color ink printheads includes printing a sequence of rows in a carriage scan direction, with at least some rows being printed at different constant speeds, respectively. Each row includes a repeated pattern of spaced apart blocks from one printhead which are optically scanned to determine the relative offset positions of the blocks as compared to another row in the test pattern. A single optimized adjustment is then determined. At least one portion of the test pattern is printed in a first direction scan, and is optically sensed in a return opposition direction scan. This technique is particularly useful for bi-directional color printing, and includes a print warming pattern in advance of the actual test pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Francesc Subirada
- 👤 Joan Villoldo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:11
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17543; B41J2/1755; B41J19/00; B41J19/14; B41J19/142; B41J19/145; B41J2/1752; B41J2/17526; B41J2/1753; B41J2/21; B41J2/2132; B41J2/2135; B41J29/00; B41J29/38; B41J29/393
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An inkjet printing system comprising: a scanning carriage having a plurality of different color ink printheads mounted therein for printing on media in a print zone; an optical sensor capable of scanning across the media in a scanning zone; and a test pattern printed by said printheads in a plurality of rows located in the scanning zone with each printhead printing at least one row, and with at least two of the rows being printed at different constant speeds, respectively, and wherein the test pattern is scanned by said sensor in order to determine relative offset positions of said printheads, with at least one portion of the test pattern printed in a first direction scan, and optically sensed in a return opposite direction scan.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
An inkjet printing system comprising: a scanning carriage having a plurality of different color ink printheads mounted therein for printing on media in a print zone; an optical sensor capable of scanning across the media in a scanning zone; and a test pattern printed by said printheads in a plurality of rows located in the scanning zone with each printhead printing at least one row, and with at least two of the rows being printed at different constant speeds, respectively, and wherein the test pattern is scanned by said sensor in order to determine relative offset positions of said printheads, with at least one portion of the test pattern printed in a first direction scan, and optically sensed in a return opposite direction scan.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printing system of claim 1 wherein said one portion of the test pattern is printed with bi-directional printing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printing system of claim 1 wherein each row in said test pattern is printed with only one printhead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The printing system of claim 1 wherein said different color ink printheads are taken from a group consisting of black, cyan, magenta and yellow color inks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The printing system of claim 1 wherein only one printhead is used to print at least two of the rows at different constant speeds, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printing system of claim 1 which further includes a warming pattern printed in advance of said test pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The printing system of claim 6 wherein said warming pattern is printed in advance of each row in said test pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
An inkjet printing system comprising: a scanning carriage having a plurality of different color ink printheads mounted therein for printing on media in a print zone; an optical sensor capable of scanning across the media in a scanning zone; and a test pattern printed by said printhead in a plurality of rows located in the scanning zone with each printhead printing at least one row and with at least two of the rows being printed at different speeds, respectively, and wherein the test pattern is scanned by said sensor in order to determine a single offset to be used for all of said printheads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
An inkjet printing system comprising: a scanning carriage having a plurality of different color ink printheads mounted therein for printing on media in a print zone; an optical sensor capable of scanning across the media in a scanning zone; and a test pattern printed by said printhead in a plurality of rows located in the scanning zone with each printhead printing at least one row and with at least two of the rows being printed at different speeds, respectively, and wherein the test pattern is scanned by said sensor in order to determine a single offset to be used for all of said printheads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printing system of claim 8 wherein said one portion of the test pattern is printed with bidirectional printing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printing system of claim 8 wherein each row in said test pattern is printed with only one printhead.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The printing system of claim 8 wherein said different color ink printheads are taken from a group consisting of black, cyan, magenta and yellow color inks.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printing system of claim 8 which further includes a warming pattern printed in advance of said test pattern.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The printing system of claim 8 wherein said warming pattern is printed in advance of each row in said test pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The printing system of claim 13 wherein said test pattern is printed with bi-directional printing, with a warming pattern printed in advance of each row.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The printing system of claim 8 wherein at least one portion of the test pattern is printed in a first direction scan, and is optically sensed in a return opposite direction scan.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |