Patent ID: 6832824
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An incremental printer for forming desired images on a printing medium, by construction from individual marks in arrays; said printer comprising:at least one colorant-placing module for marking on such medium; a colorant carriage for holding and moving the at least one colorant-placing module over such medium; a motor and drive train for propelling said carriage over such medium; a first sensor, mounted to said carriage, for determining condition or relative positioning of the at least one colorant-placing module; a second sensor for making color measurements of mark arrays formed on such medium by the at least one module; an auxiliary carriage for holding and moving the second sensor over such medium; said auxiliary carriage being selectively attachable to and detachable from the colorant carriage, but having substantially no drive train other than that of the colorant-carriage drive train; and means for controlling the motor and drive train, while the carriages are attached, to position the colorant carriage and thereby the auxiliary carriage for substantially stationary measurement of such a mark array on such medium.