US6097497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for automating print medium selection and for optimizing print quality in a printer
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1998-02-19
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Granted: 2000-08-01
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Expires: 2018-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A technique for the automatic detection of certain characteristics of the print medium being used in a printer is disclosed. These characteristics may include, without limitation, the manufacturer, the finish, the quality, orientation, and the dimensions of the print medium. Each sheet of specialty print medium is marked at the point of manufacture or packaging with certain preassigned numeric or symbolic codes that uniquely identify the characteristics of the print medium. Sensors are added to each printer to automatically detect and decode the markings on the speciality print media. This information is used to automatically optimize the printer for the best print quality possible.
Inventors
- 👤 Montgomery C. McGraw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:47
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J11/00; B41J11/36; B41J11/42; B41J11/46; B41J11/009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A printer that can use a print medium having encoded information therein in the form of invisible markings, said printer comprising: an illumination device for illuminating said invisible markings; an optical sensor for detecting said invisible markings; and software operable to decode said detected invisible markings to obtain information about the characteristics of said print medium, and further operable to use said information to facilitate printer performance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A printer that can use a print medium having encoded information therein in the form of invisible markings, said printer comprising: an illumination device for illuminating said invisible markings; an optical sensor for detecting said invisible markings; and software operable to decode said detected invisible markings to obtain information about the characteristics of said print medium, and further operable to use said information to facilitate printer performance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
135 words
An automated method for adapting the print quality of a printer to the characteristics of a print medium being used in said printer, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a first print medium at said printer, said first print medium including markings; detecting markings in said first print medium using one or more sensors; decoding said detected markings to obtain information about the characteristics of said first print medium; selecting a painting scheme for the printer based upon said decoded information; printing on the first print medium according to the selected painting scheme; receiving a second print medium at said printer, said second print medium not including markings; and responsive to the second print medium not including markings, printing on the second medium according to the painting scheme selected for the first print medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
An automated method for adapting the print quality of a printer to the characteristics of a print medium being used in said printer, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a first print medium at said printer, said first print medium including markings; detecting markings in said first print medium using one or more sensors; decoding said detected markings to obtain information about the characteristics of said first print medium; selecting a painting scheme for the printer based upon said decoded information; printing on the first print medium according to the selected painting scheme; receiving a second print medium at said printer, said second print medium not including markings; and responsive to the second print medium not including markings, printing on the second medium according to the painting scheme selected for the first print medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
An automated method for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, said method comprising the steps of: collecting information about the characteristics of print media that is of relevance to a printer capable of optimizing its print quality; encoding said collected information about the characteristics of the print medium into binary form using a prespecified format; and marking said encoded information about the characteristics of said print medium at at least one prespecified location on said print medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
An automated method for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, said method comprising the steps of: collecting information about the characteristics of print media that is of relevance to a printer capable of optimizing its print quality; encoding said collected information about the characteristics of the print medium into binary form using a prespecified format; and marking said encoded information about the characteristics of said print medium at at least one prespecified location on said print medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 3 for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, wherein said step of marking said encoded information at at least one prespecified location on said print medium is performed on the front surface of said print medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 3 for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, wherein said step of marking said encoded information at at least one prespecified location on said print medium is performed on the back surface of said print medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
An automated system for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, said system comprising: means for collecting information about the characteristics of print media that is of relevance to a printer capable of optimizing its print quality; means for encoding said collected information about the characteristics of the print medium into binary form using a prespecified format; and means for marking said encoded information about the characteristics of said print medium at at least one prespecified location on said print medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
An automated system for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, said system comprising: means for collecting information about the characteristics of print media that is of relevance to a printer capable of optimizing its print quality; means for encoding said collected information about the characteristics of the print medium into binary form using a prespecified format; and means for marking said encoded information about the characteristics of said print medium at at least one prespecified location on said print medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 6 for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, wherein said means for marking said encoded information at at least one prespecified location on said print medium is operative on the front surface of said print medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 6 for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, wherein said means for marking said encoded information at at least one prespecified location on said print medium is operative on the back surface of said print medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 6 for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, wherein said means for marking said encoded information at at least one prespecified location on said print medium additionally comprises visible ink.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 6 for producing print media incorporating individualized information about the characteristics of the print medium, wherein said means for marking said encoded information at at least one prespecified location on said print medium additionally comprises invisible ink.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printer of claim 1 wherein said illumination device is one of an ultra-violet source and an infra-red source.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for adapting the print quality of a printer, said system comprising: a processor; and a storage device connected to said processor, said storage device for storing instructions readable by said processor to thereby cause said processor to: receive an indication that a first print medium is at said printer, said first print medium including markings; receive an indication of said markings included with said first print medium; decode said markings to obtain information about the characteristics of said first print medium; select a painting scheme for the printer based upon the decoded markings; initiate printing on the first print medium according to the selected painting scheme; receive an indication that a second print medium is at said printer, said second print medium not including markings; and responsive to the second print medium not including markings, initiate printing on the second medium according to the painting scheme selected for the first print medium.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for adapting the print quality of a printer, said system comprising: a processor; and a storage device connected to said processor, said storage device for storing instructions readable by said processor to thereby cause said processor to: receive an indication that a first print medium is at said printer, said first print medium including markings; receive an indication of said markings included with said first print medium; decode said markings to obtain information about the characteristics of said first print medium; select a painting scheme for the printer based upon the decoded markings; initiate printing on the first print medium according to the selected painting scheme; receive an indication that a second print medium is at said printer, said second print medium not including markings; and responsive to the second print medium not including markings, initiate printing on the second medium according to the painting scheme selected for the first print medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising: an illumination source for illuminating said markings on said first print medium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 13, wherein said illumination source includes one of an ultra-violet source and an infra-red source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5489767A
Cited
US5774146A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-01 | 2004-01-31 | 2004-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-01 | 2008-01-31 | 2008-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-01 | 2012-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |