US5127752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and method of registering image relative to border of printed media
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1991-01-09
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Granted: 1992-07-07
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Expires: 2011-01-09
Abstract
Abstract The subject invention comprises a printer system for a serial printer having an optical sensor detection system for the alignment of images on a sheet of print media, the correction of misalignment as a result of inaccurate alignment of the print media and the determination of the orientation of print media in a printer.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P. Courtney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/10; B; B41; B41J; B41J29/00; B41J29/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A printer system having a print head, a platen having first and second ends and a means for moving said print head relative to said platen, print media disposed on said platen between said first and second ends, said printer system comprising: a light sensor means associated with said print head for detecting transition from light to dark on and near said platen; a light region and a dark region disposed on said platen, wherein said dark region on said platen is spaced from the first end of said platen by said light region to provide a light to dark transition; a first position located at least beyond said print media near said second end of said platen; a home position indicator means disposed at said light to dark transition near said first end of said platen; means for determining the distance between said home position and said first position; and means for adjusting the print position of said print head in response to said distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A printer system having a print head, a platen having first and second ends and a means for moving said print head relative to said platen, print media disposed on said platen between said first and second ends, said printer system comprising: a light sensor means associated with said print head for detecting transition from light to dark on and near said platen; a light region and a dark region disposed on said platen, wherein said dark region on said platen is spaced from the first end of said platen by said light region to provide a light to dark transition; a first position located at least beyond said print media near said second end of said platen; a home position indicator means disposed at said light to dark transition near said first end of said platen; means for determining the distance between said home position and said first position; and means for adjusting the print position of said print head in response to said distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The printer system of claim 1 wherein said dark region extends to said second end of said platen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The printer system of claim 1 further comprising a second dark region on said platen extending from said second end toward said first end, but not extending to said first dark region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The printer system of claim 1 wherein said means for determining said distance comprises: means for calculating said distance at regular intervals along the length of the print media, and means for determining the best line fit of said distance along said length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The printer system of claim 1 further comprising: a second dark region extending from said second end of said platen toward said first end; means for determining a second transition from light to dark indicating the second end of said print media; and means for determining the distance between said first end and said second end of said print media.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The printer system of claim 5 further comprising: means for determining the orientation of said print media; a printing computer; and means for notifying said printing computer to map a print image dependent upon said orientation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The printer system of claim 5 further comprising: means for mapping a print image on said print media; means for determining if said print image will fit on said print media; and means for scaling said print image to fit on said print media.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for registering printed media disposed in a platen including a print head movable between a light to dark region and a dark to light region which are detectable by a photosensor, comprising the steps of providing a dark region on the platen spaced from the first end of said platen by a light region: detecting a first transition from said light to dark region; designating the first transition as a home position; detecting a second transition from said dark region to said printed media; designating the second transition as a first position; determining a distance between said home position and said first position; and adjusting a print position of said print head in response to said distance.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for registering printed media disposed in a platen including a print head movable between a light to dark region and a dark to light region which are detectable by a photosensor, comprising the steps of providing a dark region on the platen spaced from the first end of said platen by a light region: detecting a first transition from said light to dark region; designating the first transition as a home position; detecting a second transition from said dark region to said printed media; designating the second transition as a first position; determining a distance between said home position and said first position; and adjusting a print position of said print head in response to said distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for registering print media according to claim 8, wherein the method further comprises recalculating the distance by regression analysis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-07 | 1996-01-06 | 1996-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-01-06 | 2000-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-01-06 | 2004-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |