Color printing process direction color registration system with expanded chevrons

Abstract

In color printing with a color registration system for the registration of plural color images on an image bearing surface, such as a photoreceptor belt of a color printer, registration marks are imaged on the image bearing surface, which registration marks correspond to the color images and are sensed by a registration marks sensor. In an initial gross registration mode the system first automatically images first registration marks, in the form of expanded chevron targets, which are greatly expanded in the process direction so as to avoid overlapping marks even if there is initial gross misregistration, to thus provide wider initial misregistration latitude for the sensor. When an acceptable initial registration is achieved, the system automatically switches to imaging more closely spaced and more frequent second registration marks, preferably regular chevron targets, providing higher registration accuracy. These registration targets may be generated along opposite sides of the image areas, on opposite sides of the photoreceptor or other image bearing surface in the process direction.