Patent ID: 6715853
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A bank check processing method for aligning stationary dual print cartridges with ink jet nozzles, designated as upstream and downstream cartridges separated at a distance â€œSâ€ , in an ink jet check printer for high-speed print-marking replicatable by each of said cartridges on bypassing documents passing at high speed in one direction only via print signals and a firing time set by a control means where check document velocity â€œVâ€  is a measurable item, including the steps of:(a0) feeding bank checks at a high speed measured velocity V through a check-guiding channel to run past the nozzles of said upstream and downstream cartridges said velocity V operating in the range of 150-300 inches per second in the transport of said bank checks through said check-quiding channel; (a) establishing a stationary cartridge housing with a pair of like cartridge receiving slots for quick plug-in reception of cartridges to fix both nozzle positions at a prescribed separation distance S; (b) providing associated control means for synchronizing the ink firing of each of said cartridges with print signals according to the high speed check passing velocity V of bank checks bypassing said cartridges; (c) compensating for said separation S, via print control means where the print signals to said downstream cartridge are routed via delay control means; (d) fine-tuning of the delay between the firing time between said first and second cartridges by use of said delay control means to adjust for machine tolerances; (e) selecting test-bank checks for high speed running past said nozzles of said first and second cartridges while feeding identical test print signals to said control means, and while varying said control means across a sequence of various delay values to develop a test pattern of said print-marking on said test-bank checks; (f) varying the delay time value between the nozzle firings between said upstream and downstream cartridges over a programmed sequence of values in order to yield test pattern bank check printings that enable the delay selection value having the most legible registration of said print-markings on said bank checks.