Patent ID: 7310107

Claim:
A method for monitoring and adjusting the calibration for an image processing apparatus, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a. imaging a calibration target on a layered assembly using the image processing apparatus to create an image, wherein the layered assembly comprises a thermal donor on a thermal receiver; b. scanning the image into host software on the image processing apparatus, thereby forming an exposure calibration curve; c. forming a schedule for the calibration target; d. imaging a plurality of control strips using the image processing apparatus to create a plurality of control strip images, wherein each control strip comprises at least one calibrated density on a proof, and obtaining a calibrated density history for the control strips using the control strip images; e. scanning control strip images into the host software on the image processing apparatus to obtain a scanned density history for each control strip, thereby forming a density history for the control strips; f. calculating a deviation history by comparing the scanned density history to the calibrated density history for each control strip; and g. monitoring the deviation history, wherein when the deviation history is outside operating specifications for the image processing apparatus, selecting a course of action selected from the group consisting of updating the schedule, adjusting the exposure calibration curve, and combinations thereof.