Method and apparatus for performing alignment for printing with a printhead

1. A method of performing alignment for printing with a printhead, comprising:

bidirectionally printing a plurality of rows of alignment blocks, wherein a bidirectional offset of a plurality of bidirectional offsets is different for each row of said alignment blocks;

optically measuring said each row to obtain measurement data;

determining a statistical data value for said each row based on said measurement data; and

applying a respective bidirectional offset of said plurality of bidirectional offsets corresponding to a row having the lowest statistical data value of said plurality of rows to align said printhead for printing with said printhead.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said each row of said alignment blocks includes at least two chromatic alignment blocks.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said at least two chromatic alignment blocks are printed using at least two primary color inks.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said statistical data value includes a graininess value associated with each alignment block of said alignment blocks.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said graininess value is calculated based on psychometric data.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein said statistical data value includes a standard deviation of luminance for said each row.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said statistical value includes a standard deviation of luminance for said each row.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said statistical value includes said standard deviation of luminance divided by an average luminance for said each row.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said statistical value includes a standard deviation of reflectance data for said each row.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said statistical value includes said standard deviation of reflectance data divided by an average of reflectance data for said each row.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein each said bidirectional offset of said plurality of bidirectional offsets is a horizontal bidirectional offset.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein each said bidirectional offset of said plurality of bidirectional offsets is a vertical bidirectional offset.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said bidirectional offset of said plurality of bidirectional offsets that is different for each row is one of a forward pass bidirectional offset and a reverse pass bidirectional offset.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said alignment blocks are printed using combinations of colorants that are determined based on psychometric data.

15. An imaging apparatus configured for performing alignment for printing with a printhead of said imaging apparatus, comprising:

a printer portion configured to mount said printhead;

at least one of a scanner portion and a sensor; and

a controller communicatively coupled to said printer portion and said at least one of said scanner portion and said sensor, said controller being configured to execute instructions for:

bidirectionally printing a plurality of rows of alignment blocks using said printhead, wherein a bidirectional offset of a plurality of bidirectional offsets is different for each row of said alignment blocks;

optically measuring said each row using said at least one of said scanner portion and said sensor to obtain measurement data;

determining a statistical data value for said each row based on said measurement data; and

applying a respective bidirectional offset of said plurality of bidirectional offsets corresponding to a row having the lowest statistical data value of said plurality of rows to align said printhead for printing with said printhead.

16. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said each row of said alignment blocks includes at least two chromatic alignment blocks.

17. The imaging apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said at least two chromatic alignment blocks are printed using at least two primary color inks.

18. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said statistical data value includes a graininess value associated with each alignment block of said alignment blocks.

19. The imaging apparatus of claim 18 , wherein said graininess value is calculated based on psychometric data.

20. The imaging apparatus of claim 18 , wherein said statistical data value includes a standard deviation of luminance for said each row.

21. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said statistical value includes a standard deviation of luminance for said each row.

22. The imaging apparatus of claim 21 , wherein said statistical value includes said standard deviation of luminance divided by an average luminance for said each row.

23. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said statistical value includes a standard deviation of reflectance data for said each row.

24. The imaging apparatus of claim 23 , wherein said statistical value includes said standard deviation of reflectance data divided by an average of reflectance data for said each row.

25. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 , wherein each said bidirectional offset of said plurality of bidirectional offsets is a horizontal bidirectional offset.

26. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 , wherein each said bidirectional offset of said plurality of bidirectional offsets is a vertical bidirectional offset.

27. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said bidirectional offset of said plurality of bidirectional offsets that is different for each row is one of a forward pass bidirectional offset and a reverse pass bidirectional offset.

28. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 , said printhead being configured to print using a plurality of colorants, wherein said alignment blocks are bidirectionally printed using combinations of colorants of said plurality of colorants that are determined based on psychometric data.