US6201255B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Media sensors for a printer
Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corp
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Filing: 1998-10-30
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Granted: 2001-03-13
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Expires: 2018-10-30
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides media sensors for sensing the position of a media in a printer, such as a thermal demand printer. A repositionable media sensor for monitoring the location of a web of label media which utilizes a visible light source projected onto the label media to accurately indicate the position of the media sensor to the operator relative to the label media and facilitate any required adjustment thereof. A printed label sensor is provided for use with a thermal demand printer and includes a light emitter and light detector pair wherein a single light pipe for receiving a sensing beam from the emitter and reflecting the sensing beam at a predetermined angle towards the detector is provided. Preferably, the light pipe is mounted in a peel bar and no electronics are required outside the electronic housing of the printer.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Torchalski
- 👤 David A. West
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:41
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J15/00; B41J15/04; B41J11/00; B41J11/0095; B41J15/02; B41J3/00; B41J3/407; B41J3/4075; B65; B65C; B65C11/00; B65C11/02; B65C11/0289; B65C9/00; B65C9/0006; B65H; B65H18/00; B65H18/02; B65H18/04; B65H37/00; B65H37/002; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/41; B65H2301/413; B65H2301/4132; B65H2405/00; B65H2405/40; B65H2405/45; B65H2511/00; B65H2511/50; B65H2511/51; B65H2511/515; B65H2513/00; B65H2513/40; B65H2513/50; B65H2513/512; B65H2553/00; B65H2553/40; B65H2553/41; B65H2553/414; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/19; B65H2701/194
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A printed label sensor for a printer comprising: a light emitter for emitting a sensing beam; a light detector for detecting the absence of said sensing beam when a printed label is located in a path between said emitter and said detector, and for detecting the presence of said sensing beam when said path is not blocked by a printed label; and a single light pipe for receiving said sensing beam from said emitter and reflecting said beam at a predetermined angle towards said detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A printed label sensor for a printer comprising: a light emitter for emitting a sensing beam; a light detector for detecting the absence of said sensing beam when a printed label is located in a path between said emitter and said detector, and for detecting the presence of said sensing beam when said path is not blocked by a printed label; and a single light pipe for receiving said sensing beam from said emitter and reflecting said beam at a predetermined angle towards said detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The printed label sensor as recited in claim 1 , wherein said emitter and said detector are mounted in a printer enclosure substantially one above the other, and lie substantially in the same vertical plane with one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A printed label sensor as recited in claim 2 , wherein said emitter and said detector are substantially completely enclosed within said printer housing to avoid interference with the loading or operation of said printer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The printed label sensor as recited in claim 1 , wherein the printer includes a peel tear bar for facilitating the presentation of a printed label, and said light pipe is mounted within said peel tear bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A printed label sensor as recited in claim 1 , wherein said sensing beam is emitted from said emitter in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said light pipe, and said sensing beam is reflected back towards said detector at an obtuse angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A media sensor for monitoring the location of a web of labeled media in a label handling device, said media sensor comprising a visible indicator of a sensing beam projected onto the label media to accurately indicate the position of, and facilitate the adjustment of the location of the media sensor relative to the label media.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A media sensor for monitoring the location of a web of labeled media in a label handling device, said media sensor comprising a visible indicator of a sensing beam projected onto the label media to accurately indicate the position of, and facilitate the adjustment of the location of the media sensor relative to the label media.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 6 , wherein said visible indicator of said sensing beam comprises a visible red light dot easily viewable to an operator on a top side of the label media.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 6 , wherein the sensor is a reflective type comprising a light emitter and a light detector both mounted on one side of the web of label media.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 6 , wherein means are provided for repositioning the media sensor relative to the label media.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 6 , wherein the sensor is mounted in a label handling device housing including other components which interfere with the viewability of the media sensor from an operator's natural position during sensor position adjustment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
A media sensor for monitoring the location of a web of label media in a label handling device, said media sensor comprising an emitter for projecting a sensing beam toward said label media and a detector for receiving a reflected part of said sensing beam, both of said emitter and said detector mounted on the same side of a supply of said label media within said label handling device such that the label media does not travel between the emitter and the detector, said media sensor further including means for providing a visible indicator of the location of said sensing beam to an operator of said label handling device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
A media sensor for monitoring the location of a web of label media in a label handling device, said media sensor comprising an emitter for projecting a sensing beam toward said label media and a detector for receiving a reflected part of said sensing beam, both of said emitter and said detector mounted on the same side of a supply of said label media within said label handling device such that the label media does not travel between the emitter and the detector, said media sensor further including means for providing a visible indicator of the location of said sensing beam to an operator of said label handling device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
A media sensor for monitoring the location of a web of label media in a label handling device, said media sensor comprising an emitter for projecting a sensing beam toward said label media and a detector for receiving a reflected part of said sensing beam, both of said emitter and said detector mounted on the same side of a supply of said label media within said label handling device such that the label media does not travel between the emitter and the detector, wherein said media sensor is repositionable relative to the label media.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
94 words
A media sensor for monitoring the location of a web of label media in a label handling device, said media sensor comprising an emitter for projecting a sensing beam toward said label media and a detector for receiving a reflected part of said sensing beam, both of said emitter and said detector mounted on the same side of a supply of said label media within said label handling device such that the label media does not travel between the emitter and the detector, wherein said media sensor is repositionable relative to the label media.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 12 , wherein said label handling device further includes printhead means for printing indicia on said label media, and wherein said media sensor is positioned in close proximity to said printhead means in a path of travel of said label media through said device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 12 , wherein said label media comprises a series of individual labels mounted on a backing material and separated from one another by a small inter-label gap, the location of which is detected by said media sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 12 , wherein said label media includes a black mark, the location of which is detected by said media sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 12 , wherein said label media includes a notch, the location of which is detected by said media sensor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 12 , wherein both of said emitter and said detector are located on a side of the supply of said label media that is opposite a side of said label media that includes printed material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A media sensor as recited in claim 12 , further comprising a mechanism for minimizing vertical movement of said supply of label media located in a region of said media sensor.
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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) | 2004-03-12 | 2004-09-11 | 2005-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-12 | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-09-11 | 2013-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |