Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for the use of an optical sensor to determine the position of a printing device relative to a piece of paper or a paper-handling surface. The optical sensor reads marks to detect movement and/or direction of movement or spacing of imprints on the paper. Benefits include swath stitching calibration, color to color registration, producing printing device alignment data and generating information for printing device firing signals. The present invention is applicable to a wide field of printing technologies, including, but not limited to, acoustic ink printing, thermal ink jet printing, piezo ink jet printing, ionographic printing and a variety of other printing technologies involving the need for positioning a printing device relative to a piece of paper.
Abstract:
A variety of encoder wheels and encoder wheel sensors are provided to provide precise paper locating capability relative to a printing device in an image forming system.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a capability to form an image along a trailing edge of the paper by the use of a trailing edge deletion prevention apparatus capable of manipulating the paper to allow components capable of forming the image to travel in proximity to the paper without obstruction. In various embodiments, the invention involves the use of a biasing member or an interdigitated support element, each providing a trailing edge deletion prevention capability.