Method and apparatus for optimizing a relationship between fire energy and drop velocity in an imaging device
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsDavid G. King, Carrie A. Klusek, Patrick L. Kroger, Kent L. Ubellacker
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Abstract
A method of optimizing a relationship between fire energy and drop velocity associated with a printhead is provided. A test pattern is printed by selectively supplying energy distribution signals to a plurality of actuators of the printhead. The energy distribution signals have distinct energy profiles. The test pattern is scanned to obtain drop velocity information corresponding to the energy distribution signals. Based on the drop velocity information, an energy profile is determined that optimizes the relationship between fire energy and drop velocity.
Claims23
A method of adjusting fire energy supplied to an actuator of a printhead of an ink jet printer, comprising:
- printing a test pattern on a print media by selectively supplying energy distribution signals to a plurality of actuators of said printhead, said energy distribution signals having distinct energy profiles;
- scanning said test pattern to obtain offset values, each of said offset values representative of a distance between at least two corresponding portions of said test pattern;
- calculating drop velocities from said offset values;
- and
- selecting from the energy distribution signals an energy distribution signal that corresponds with an optimal one of said drop velocities.
An ink jet printer, comprising:
- a printhead having actuators that are capable of jetting ink with a drop velocity when an energy distribution signal having a fire energy is supplied;
- a sensor;
- and
- a controller capable of communicating with the printhead and said sensor, said controller employing a method comprising:
- printing a test pattern on a print media by selectively supplying energy distribution signals to a plurality of the actuators, said energy distribution signals having distinct energy profiles;
- scanning said test pattern with the sensor to obtain offset values, each of said offset values representative of a distance between at least two corresponding portions of said test pattern;
- calculating drop velocities from said offset values;
- and
- selecting from the energy distribution signals an energy distribution signal that corresponds with an optimal one of said drop velocities.
An imaging device, comprising:
- a carrier;
- a printhead carried by said carrier;
- a sensor carried by said carrier;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled with said printhead and said sensor, said controller configured to print an image on a sheet of print media, said image including a test pattern, said controller employing an energy distribution signal adjustment method to determine an energy profile for said printhead,
- wherein said energy distribution signal adjustment method includes:
- printing said test pattern using distinct energy profiles;
- scanning said test pattern with said sensor to obtain offset values,
- wherein a respective one of said offset values is representative of a distance between corresponding portions of said test pattern;
- calculating drop velocities corresponding to the distinct energy profiles based on said offset values;
- and
- based on the drop velocities, determining an optimal energy profile, to determine when an incremental change in energy corresponds with a disproportionate change in drop velocity.
A method of optimizing an energy distribution signal for use by a printhead including a plurality of heater elements, comprising:
- printing a test pattern using predetermined energy profiles;
- scanning said test pattern to obtain offset values, wherein a respective one of said offset values is representative of a distance between corresponding portions of said test pattern;
- calculating drop velocities corresponding to the energy profiles based on said offset values;
- based on the drop velocities, determining an optimal energy profile, wherein the optimal energy profile is determined by using the drop velocities to determine when an incremental change in energy corresponds with a disproportionate change in drop velocity;
- and
- selecting an energy distribution signal corresponding to said optimal energy profile.
A method of optimizing a relationship between fire energy and drop velocity, wherein the fire energy can be supplied to an actuator of a printhead of an ink jet printer in the form of an energy distribution signal to jet ink substantially at the drop velocity, comprising:
- printing a test pattern by selectively supplying energy distribution signals to a plurality of actuators of said printhead, said energy distribution signals having distinct energy profiles;
- scanning said test pattern to obtain drop velocity information corresponding to the energy distribution signals;
- and
- based on the drop velocity information, determining an energy profile that optimizes the relationship between fire energy and drop velocity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.