US6015241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Printer feedback control and event library to compensate for and predict variable payout forces
Assignee: Intermec IP Corp
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Filing: 1997-12-18
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Granted: 2000-01-18
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Expires: 2017-12-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use in a thermal printer for printing information onto a paper substrate material is provided. The apparatus enables the thermal printer to compensate for the variable payout force of the paper substrate material. The apparatus comprises a platen in contact with the paper substrate material at a print region of the thermal printer. A motor and a roller mechanically coupled to the motor are used to transport the paper substrate material through the print region. A rotational rate detector comprises a light source, a disk having alternating radially disposed regions of different light conductivity, and a photodetector adjacent to the disk. The disk is at least partially illuminated by light provided by the light source and the photodetector to provide an electrical signal corresponding to detected periodic changes of the light illuminated onto the disk during rotation of the disk in cooperation with the platen. A central processor is adapted to receive the electrical signal and provide a driving signal to the motor. The driving signal compensates for the variable payout force by altering a corresponding transport rate of the paper substrate material in accordance with the detected rotational rate of the disk, an event model stored in a RAM, and/or a harmonic model stored in the RAM.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher A. Wiklof
- 👤 Pixie A. Austin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:02
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J13/00; B41J13/0009; B41J13/0027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for use in a thermal printer having a print head for printing information onto a paper substrate material, said paper substrate material having a transport rate that is affected by a payout force as it is transported through the thermal printer, said apparatus comprising: a transporting mechanism for transporting said paper substrate material through a print region of said thermal printer; a central processor; a random access memory storing data for predicting periodic variations in said payout force affecting said transport rate; and a program memory storing program instructions for controlling said processor, said program instructions being operative with said processor for reading said data from said random access memory, for generating a driving signal for said transporting mechanism, and for generating a printing signal for said print head; wherein said transport rate of said paper substrate material through said print region is synchronized with said print head.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for use in a thermal printer having a print head for printing information onto a paper substrate material, said paper substrate material having a transport rate that is affected by a payout force as it is transported through the thermal printer, said apparatus comprising: a transporting mechanism for transporting said paper substrate material through a print region of said thermal printer; a central processor; a random access memory storing data for predicting periodic variations in said payout force affecting said transport rate; and a program memory storing program instructions for controlling said processor, said program instructions being operative with said processor for reading said data from said random access memory, for generating a driving signal for said transporting mechanism, and for generating a printing signal for said print head; wherein said transport rate of said paper substrate material through said print region is synchronized with said print head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transporting mechanism comprises: a platen in contact with said paper substrate material at said print region; and a rotational rate detector for providing an electrical signal to said central processor, said electrical signal corresponding to a detected periodic changes of the rotation of said platen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rotational rate detector comprises: a light source; a disk having alternating radially disposed regions of different light conductivity; and a photodetector adjacent to said disk; wherein said disk is at least partially illuminated by light provided by said light source; and wherein said photodetector provides the electrical signal to said central processor, corresponding to detected periodic changes of said light illuminated onto said disk during rotation of said disk in cooperation with said platen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said random access memory includes a harmonic model buffer for storing a harmonic model, wherein said harmonic model is used to generate step data for predicting said periodic variations in said payout force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said program instructions further are further operative with said processor for: converting said electrical signal into an actual transport rate of said paper substrate material; and generating a harmonic model based on said actual transport rate to predict said periodic variations in said payout force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said random access memory further includes a step buffer for storing said step data, and an input buffer for storing data associated with said actual transport rate, wherein said harmonic model is generated from the stored data in said input buffer, and wherein said harmonic model is used to generate the stored step data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said random access memory further comprises a current event model having step data for predicting said periodic variations in said payout force that affects said transport rate of said paper substrate material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an event library comprising a plurality of event models, and wherein said program instructions are further operative with said processor for generating said current event model from at least one of said plurality of event models, in accordance with a current printing environment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said event library further comprises at least one periodic model having step data defined by a harmonic function that predicts the operation of at least one printing mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said event library further comprises at least one media hit model having step data defined in accordance with at least one of a type of said paper substrate material, a print mode and a size of a paper substrate spool.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said event library further comprises at least one print head sticking model having step data defined as a function of at least past printing activity and ambient temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said transporting mechanism comprises: a platen in contact with said paper substrate material at said print region; and a rotational rate detector for providing an electrical signal to said central processor, said electrical signal corresponding to a detected periodic changes of the rotation of said platen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said program instructions are further operative with said processor for: converting said electrical signal into an actual transport rate of said paper substrate material; and modifying said current event model in accordance with said actual transport rate to compensate for said detected periodic changes of the rotation of said platen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said program instructions operative with said processor for modifying said current event model are further operative for: generating a harmonic model based on said actual transport rate; and modifying said current event model with said harmonic model.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for use in a thermal printer for printing information onto a paper substrate material, comprising: means for transporting said paper substrate material; means for predicting periodic variations in a payout force affecting a transport rate of said paper substrate material; and means for controlling said transport rate of said paper substrate material in accordance with said predicted periodic variations in said payout force.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for use in a thermal printer for printing information onto a paper substrate material, comprising: means for transporting said paper substrate material; means for predicting periodic variations in a payout force affecting a transport rate of said paper substrate material; and means for controlling said transport rate of said paper substrate material in accordance with said predicted periodic variations in said payout force.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for detecting a transport rate of said paper substrate material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means for predicting periodic variations in said payout force further comprises means for generating a harmonic model.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said detecting means further comprises: a light source; a disk axially coupled to a platen and comprising alternating radially disposed regions of different light conductivity, said disk being at least partially illuminated by light provided by said light source; and a photodetector adjacent to said light reflective disk, said photodetector providing an electrical signal corresponding to detected periodic changes of said light illuminated onto said disk during rotation of said disk in cooperation with said platen; whereby, said electrical signal is representative of said rotational rate of said platen.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for predicting periodic variations in said payout force further comprises an event model.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for compensating for variations in a payout force affecting a transport rate of a paper substrate material through a thermal printer, said thermal printer having a print head for printing information onto said paper substrate material, and a transporting mechanism for transporting said paper substrate material, said method comprising the steps of: transporting said paper substrate material through a print region of said thermal printer; predicting periodic variations in said payout force affecting said transport rate; and synchronizing said transport rate of said paper substrate with said print head in accordance with said predicted variations in said payout force.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for compensating for variations in a payout force affecting a transport rate of a paper substrate material through a thermal printer, said thermal printer having a print head for printing information onto said paper substrate material, and a transporting mechanism for transporting said paper substrate material, said method comprising the steps of: transporting said paper substrate material through a print region of said thermal printer; predicting periodic variations in said payout force affecting said transport rate; and synchronizing said transport rate of said paper substrate with said print head in accordance with said predicted variations in said payout force.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of predicting further comprises generating a current event model in accordance with a set of current print parameters.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises sending a driving signal to said transporting mechanism wherein said driving signal represents an amount of torque for a driving motor to apply to a platen of said transporting mechanism.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises sending a driving signal to said transporting mechanism wherein said driving signal represents a step timing sequence for a stepping motor of said transporting mechanism.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises sending a pulse signal to a print head driver to control the print head pulse of said print head.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the paper substrate material comprises a plurality of labels transported through the thermal printer, and wherein the step of generating a current event model further comprises periodically generating a current event model while one of the plurality of labels is transported through said print region of said thermal printer.
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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) | 2003-01-17 | 2003-07-19 | 2004-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-17 | 2007-07-19 | 2008-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-17 | 2011-07-19 | 2012-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |