Xerox Corporation

Tektronix, Inc.

James B Jensen

David Lyell Knierim

Brent Rodney Jones

Trevor James Snyder

Daniel Clark Park

Barry Daniel Reeves

John B Gilbert

Randy C Karambelas

James Bruce Campbell

Edward F Burke

Robert Carl Tidrick

David Douglas Martenson

H Erwin Grellmann

Brent Edward Fleming

Christine M Greiser

Lee D Hills

Dale R Peterson

William B Weaver

James B Campbell

A method of operating an ink jet printer including printing a first image having substantially solid fill regions on a transfer surface disposed on a print drum, printing a second image on the first image, wherein the second image comprises solid or dithered fill regions that correspond to portions of some of the solid fill regions of the interlaced image, and wherein the second image has a dot density that is less than a dot density of the first image.

Ink jet printing with low coverage second pass

An image transfer mechanism for a printer having a printer frame and an imaging drum attached to the printer frame includes a roller arm having a proximal end and a distal end, a transfer roller having a longitudinal axis, and a load arm having a proximal end and a distal end. The axis of the transfer roller is rotatably attached to the roller arm. The proximal end of the roller arm is attached to the load arm between the proximal end and the distal end of the load arm. The proximal end of the load arm is pivotally attached to the printer frame, and a load mechanism applies a load force to the distal end of the load arm to urge the load arm toward the imaging drum. An engaging mechanism selectively urges the distal end of the roller arm toward the imaging drum, which presses the load arm against the load force of the load mechanism.

Image transfer element with leverage

Disclosed are methods for compensating for failed ink jets in an ink jet apparatus. The method in embodiments determines if one or more ink jets are nonfunctioning or have failed and substitutes for the one or more nonfunctioning ink jets by using one or more operational ink jets. The operational ink jets used are neighboring operational ink jets that fill in for the one or more failed ink jets. The one or more failed ink jets are disabled wherein a primary image pass is performed followed by one or more additional imaging passes to fill in for the one or more disabled ink jets by enabling the one or more neighboring operational ink jets. The additional imaging passes may be a right fill imaging pass, a left fill imaging pass or a combination of both.

Ink jet processes

A method for deriving and implementing one or more motion profiles is provided. In the method, at least one time constraint between a first motor controlled system in an automated device and a second motor controlled system in the automated device are identified. Known parameters of the first motor controlled system and the second motor controlled system are identified and supplied. A first motion profile for the first motor controlled system is created. A second motion profile for the second motor controlled system is created. The identified at least one time constraint is applied to the first and second motion profiles to constrain the first and second motion profiles to one another. The first and second motion profiles are solved to complete a solution having solution information to prepare for use by said first and second motor controlled systems. The solution information is post-processed for use by the first and second motor controlled systems.

Method and apparatus for deriving and implementing one or more motion profiles

A print head drive mechanism and cooperating positioning assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the print head drive mechanism comprises a lead screw that is coupled to the print head and extends through the threaded hub of a gear. The gear is driven by a stepper motor through a pinion. The thread pitch of the lead screw matches the jet spacing in the print head to minimize positional offsets due to component irregularities and misalignments. A support cylinder extends from one face of the gear and includes a tapered nose that seats within a recess in a brace. The brace cooperates with two spaced apart legs to form a positioning assembly that is essentially non-extensible in an X-axis direction but freely pivotable in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis.

Positioning assembly for drive mechanism

A print head drive mechanism utilizing a lead screw is provided. In one embodiment, the print head drive mechanism comprises a lead screw that is coupled to the print head and extends through the threaded hub of a gear. The gear is driven by a stepper motor through a pinion. A support cylinder extends from one face of the gear and includes a tapered nose that seats within a recess in a brace. The thread pitch of the lead screw matches the jet spacing in the print head to minimize positional offsets due to component irregularities and misalignments. In another embodiment, the print head is coupled to at least one nut that is translated by a rotating lead screw, with the lead screw having a thread pitch that matches the jet spacing in the print head.

Print head drive mechanism

A solid ink stick supply system and related method for delivering solid ink sticks to an ink jet print head reservoir is disclosed. The supply system includes a housing with a keyed plate that guides the ink sticks into the proper loading position in a supply channel. A pusher rod in the supply channel transfers an ink stick onto an endless belt for delivery to the print head reservoir. A push device on the endless belt engages and delivers the ink stick to the print head reservoir. A second ink stick is transferred from the supply channel to the endless belt and is retained on the belt by a stop device. A method for efficiently loading ink sticks into the supply system is also provided.

Solid ink stick supply apparatus and method

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Woodburn, OR, United States of America

James B Jensen