Patent ID: 7391525

Claim:
A method for calibration of media indexing errors in a printing device, the method comprising: feeding a calibration media through a printing device; sensing positions of the media as it moves through the printing device; sensing positions of a media indexing mechanism as the media moves through the printing device; determining a media indexing position error based upon the sensed positions; automatically selecting a compensation factor from a plurality of predetermined compensation factors, the selected compensation factor to be applied based upon a range in which the media indexing position error falls, wherein each of the plurality of predetermined compensation factors corresponds to a range of possible media indexing position errors such that any selected compensation factor is the same for a plurality of media indexing position errors within the range; and storing the selected compensation factor for use in compensating for media indexing position errors during printing, wherein determining a media indexing position error and automatically selecting a compensation factor comprising the acts of deriving error data based upon actual positions of the media and expected positions of the media, wherein the expected positions are based upon positions of a movable component in the indexing system; calculating at least one parameter of a function using the error data; comparing the error data to an ideal function having the calculated parameter; comparing the error data to an ideal function having an adjusted parameter, wherein the adjusted parameter is based upon the calculated parameter; determining whether the error data best fits the function having the calculated parameter or the adjusted parameter; and utilizing the results of the determination to store at least one compensation factor for use in compensation of media indexing errors in the printing device.