US Patent 7669531 Printing systems and methods

In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a production system for producing items having an image printed thereon. The production system includes a conveyor configured to carry articles along a path relative to one or more stations of the production line, wherein each article is positioned at a site on the conveyor. The production system also includes a printing station configured to print an image on the articles as the conveyor moves the items past the printing station and an electronic controller configured to provide instructions to the printing station, wherein the electronic controller modifies the printing operation based on the operation of another station in the production system.