Patent ID: 6568786
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink-jet hard copy apparatus, having a printing zone and means for transporting print media to and through the printing zone, comprising:at least one scanning printhead means for scanning across the printing zone, including scanning across the print media width and an additional predetermined region of the printing zone adjacent to the print media transported thereto, each of the printhead means having a plurality of individually selectable ink drop generators; an ink drop detection target means for receiving individual ink drops fired from individually selected ink drop generators, the target means being mounted in the printing zone in the additional predetermined region and having a pattern of traces wherein spacing between the traces is greater than at least one dot formed by one of said ink drops received thereon; associated with the target means, means for determining individual drop detector malfunctions and firing trajectory errors; and associated with the means for determining individual drop detector malfunctions and firing trajectory errors, means for providing signals indicative of the individual drop detector malfunctions and firing trajectory errors.