Timer device for a digital printer and method of printing
AssigneeInca Digital Printers Limited
InventorStephen George Tunnicliffe-Wilson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A digital printer has a printhead (10) for printing on a substrate and an encoder (14) which emits pulses (122) to indicate the relative distance moved by the printhead. A timer device for the digital printer emits output print pulses (151) for effecting printing and a count module (130) for receiving pulses (122) from the encoder (14) and emitting a print signal after a predetermined number of encoder pulses (122) to effect the emission of the output print pulse. The timer device is adapted to add a delay between the emission of the print signal and the emission of the output print pulse (151). In examples described, the pitch of the printed droplets can be closely controlled.
Claims33
Timer device for a digital printer having a printhead for printing on a substrate, the printhead being movable relative to the substrate, and an encoder arranged to emit pulses to indicate the relative distance moved by the printhead relative to the substrate, the timer device comprising:
- means for emitting output print pulses for effecting printing;
- a count module for receiving pulses from the encoder and emitting a print signal after a predetermined number of encoder pulses, the print signal effecting the emission of the output print pulse;
- and
- a delay means for adding a delay between the emission of the print signal and the emission of the output print pulse.
A timer device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further includes means for determining the predetermined number.
A timer device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the delay means is adapted to add a delay equivalent to one encoder pulse cycle.
A timer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined number is programmable.
A timer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frequency of adding the delay is programmable.
A control unit for controlling a digital printer, the control unit including a timer device according to any one of the preceding claims.
A method of digital printing a substrate using a printhead, the method comprising:
- moving the printhead relative to the substrate;
- arranging an encoder to emit pulses to indicate the relative distance moved by the printhead relative to the substrate;
- counting pulses emitted by the encoder and emitting a print signal after a predetermined number of encoder pulses, the print signal effecting the emission of an output print pulse for effecting printing, and
- periodically delaying the emission of the output print pulse after emission of the print signal.
A method being substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Apparatus being substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.