Patent ID: 6318840
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An in-line printer for printing on a substrate, comprising:(a) means for registering one edge of the substrate;(b) a plurality of automatic, positional print head assemblies, each assembly including at least one print head;(c) a microprocessor-based controller for determining a print position for each one of said print head assemblies;(d) a first moving mechanism capable of moving the substrate towards the print head assemblies along a feed path in a feed direction substantially perpendicular to the width of the substrate;(e) one or more motor controller assemblies for directing said each one of said print head assemblies to associated print position in order to simultaneously place the print head assemblies over a distance relative to the substrate edge registering means;(f) coupling means for coupling said print head assemblies to said motor controller assemblies for moving the print head assemblies relative to each other in a moving direction substantially parallel to the width of the substrate;(g) auto-sensing means for determining a dimension of said substrate as said substrate is fed into said printer; and(h) a set of pre-determined criteria by which said microprocessor-based controller determines said print position for each of said print head assemblies.