Patent ID: 8783819

Claim:
A method for detecting missing inkjets in an inkjet printer comprising: detecting with a controller a first number of missing inkjets identified with reference to a first test pattern is less than an actual number of missing inkjets in the inkjet printer; operating with the controller each inkjet in at least one printhead in the printer at a frequency to generate a second test pattern in a process direction on a rotating image receiving member with each inkjet being operated to eject at least twice as much ink in the second test pattern than each inkjet ejected to form the first test pattern; generating with an image generator having a plurality of light sensors arranged along a first support member a digital image of the second test pattern on the image receiving member from light reflected by the second test pattern and the image receiving member to the plurality of light sensors linearly arranged on the first support member that is transverse to the process direction; detecting with the controller a second number of missing inkjets with reference to the generated digital image of the second test pattern received by the controller from the image generator; and storing with the controller an identification of the missing inkjets in the second number of missing inkjets that are not in the first number of missing inkjets detected with reference to the first test pattern to enable the controller to distribute image data corresponding to the missing inkjets in the second number of missing inkjets to operable inkjets in the printer.