Multi-function monitoring module for a printer

摘要

In a module for monitoring the print quality of a dot printer (10), comprising a radiation source (41), a condenser lens system (43') for forming an illuminated area (45) on a printing medium (13) and an imaging lens system (87, 89) for imaging the illuminated area on a detector (49'), the detector comprises at least a linear array of detector elements and the imaging system is configured in such a way that both the illuminated area and a small portion thereof can be imaged. This allows detection of both the gray scale of a print line (35) and the size and colour of an individual dot. A dot printer provided with this modules gives an improved print quality.