The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 14, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 09, 2001
Richard F. Beaufort, Boise, ID (US);
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for test printing are described for computer printer or other printers, including multi-pass engines or other engines. A test pattern may be printed on a non-consumable material preferably inside the printer and is made viewable by an onlooker either by the non-consumable being stationary and in view of a window/door, or moveable to the window/door after the test pattern is printed. Preferably, the test pattern is printed on an electrophotographic print engine intermediate transfer, so that printing quality produced by the entire width of the photoconductor and transfer member is diagnosed. By viewing the test pattern image, a user may see whether all toners or inks are printing properly, preferably whether all are printing without significant defects and are all aligned. Once the temporary test pattern is viewed or when a new print job is requested, the system cleans the test pattern off of the transfer member. The invented system preferably does not involve the use of any consumable paper or other sheet media, so that paper is saved, and, if the test pattern is small, toner or ink is also saved, compared to conventional full-page test pattern printing.