Patent ID: 7407250
Filing Date: 2008-08-05
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printing apparatus to facilitate registration printing on a multi-dimensional surface, the apparatus comprising: an image module configured to store a digital representation of an image; a print module coupled to the image module, the print module configured to print the image on a multi-dimensional surface of an object; and an object registration module coupled to the print module, the object registration module configured to control a multi-dimensional registration of the multi-dimensional surface of the object in proximity to a print head in accordance with the image; a print ribbon cartridge coupled to a registration mount and controlled by the print module, the print ribbon cartridge having a print ribbon; an object holding device configured to hold an object having a print surface; and a registration device coupled to the registration mount and the object holding device, the registration device controlled by the object registration module and configured to move the registration mount and the object holding device to orient the print ribbon cartridge and the object holding device in a print position with respect to a print head; wherein the ribbon extension device comprises a radial extension arm coupled to a ribbon roller, the radial extension arm configured to extend the ribbon roller away from the print ribbon cartridge along a substantially radial path; comprising a sensor to sense a mark on the object to facilitate orientation of the object.