Patent ID: 7044573

Claim:
A method for determining a printhead misalignment of a printer comprising the steps of: a) printing a printhead alignment test pattern including a plurality of spaced-apart images at least partially aligned substantially along a printhead scan axis, wherein each image includes leading and trailing edge portions having respective image-outermost leading and trailing edges spaced apart along the printhead scan axis and includes an intervening portion disposed between the leading and trailing edge portions, and wherein the leading and trailing edge portions are printed at a higher print density than the intervening portion; b) moving a sensor along the printhead scan axis over the plurality of images; c) obtaining data from the sensor; d) determining the locations along the printhead scan axis of at least one of the leading and trailing edges of the plurality of images using the data; and e) calculating the printhead misalignment from the determined locations of the at least one of the leading and trailing edges of the plurality of images.