초록 ▼

Web tracking apparatus and methods are disclosed having particular utility in electrostatographic reproduction apparatus. A web includes a plurality of image frames allowing images to be written thereon and transferred therefrom to a receiver. A guide means moves such web along a path and includes a

Web tracking apparatus and methods are disclosed having particular utility in electrostatographic reproduction apparatus. A web includes a plurality of image frames allowing images to be written thereon and transferred therefrom to a receiver. A guide means moves such web along a path and includes a steering roller mounted for rotation about a caster axis and a gimbal axis. A web tracking system for controlling the guide means to effect lateral alignment of said web is provided such that the deviation of corresponding points of transferred images is minimized. Degradation of image registration due to mid-print corrections is eliminated and steering corrections are made less frequent by the use of adaptive and predictive algorithms. The writing and transfer of images is thereby accomplished in accurate registration and is particularly well-suited for use in forming accurate multicolor reproduction of superimposed images.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for controlling operations upon a web moving along a path, the web being subject to lateral movement in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said web along said path, said method comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring the lateral position of the web; (b) generating signal

A method for controlling operations upon a web moving along a path, the web being subject to lateral movement in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said web along said path, said method comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring the lateral position of the web; (b) generating signals relative to a prediction that the transition of the web\s lateral alignment beyond a predetermined allowable limit will occur during a time period or web length required for an operation; and (c) imposing said correction in advance of said transition.