PRINTER WITH IMAGE PLANE ALIGNMENT CORRECTION

摘要

A printer includes first and second marking units for printing respective first and second image planes on a receiver medium. A digital image capture system is positioned between the first and second marking units, and is used to capture an image of a printed first image plane. Image data for the first image plane is compared to the captured image to determine a displacement between a nominal location and an actual location of the printed image data. Corresponding spatial adjustments are applied to image data for the second image plane to reduce alignment errors between the printed image data for the first and second image planes.

主权项

1. A printer for printing an image on a receiver medium moving along a transport path, comprising:
a first marking unit for printing image data for a first image plane by depositing a first marking material on the receiver medium as the receiver medium is transported along the transport path past the first marking unit; a second marking unit for printing image data for a second image plane by depositing a second marking material on the receiver medium as the receiver medium is transported along the transport path past the second marking unit, the second marking unit being positioned along the transport path downstream of the first marking unit; a digital image capture system positioned along the transport path between the first marking unit and the second marking unit, the digital image capture system being adapted to capture an image of the printed first image plane; and a control system that implements an image alignment method, wherein the image alignment method includes:
receiving image data for the first and second image planes;controlling the first marking unit to print the image data for the first image plane by depositing a corresponding pattern of the first marking material on the receiver medium;controlling the digital image capture system to capture an image of the printed first image plane;comparing the image data for the first image plane to the captured image of the printed first image plane to determine a displacement between a nominal location of the printed image data for the first image plane and an actual location of the printed image data for the first image plane;applying spatial adjustments to the image data for the second image plane in accordance with the determined displacement; andcontrolling the second marking unit to print the adjusted image data for the second image plane by depositing a corresponding pattern of the second marking material on the receiver medium; wherein the adjustment of the image data for the second image plane is adapted to reduce alignment errors between the printed image data for the first and second image planes.