公开(公告)号：US06582072B1

公开(公告)日：2003-06-24

申请号：US09542504

申请日：2000-04-03

Applicant: Geoff Wotton ,  Steven B Elgee ,  Jeffrey C. Madsen

Inventor： Geoff Wotton ,  Steven B Elgee ,  Jeffrey C. Madsen

IPC: B65H2932

CPC classification number: B65H29/242 ,  B41J11/002 ,  B41J11/007 ,  B41J11/0085 ,  B65H2515/40

Abstract: Described are techniques for preventing the forces attributable to shrinkage of print media from shifting print media on the media-carrying belt in the vicinity of the print zone. In one approach, a “hold zone” is identified immediately upstream of the print zone. In the hold zone, a mechanism is employed for securing the media to be immovable relative to the belt. The hold mechanism provides sufficient force to overcome tension transmitted to the dry portion of the media as the remaining portion shrinks. In one embodiment, the hold mechanism is a roller that pinches the media against the belt. In another embodiment, the amount of vacuum pressure applied to the belt is regulated so that the suction force applied to the media in the hold zone is greater than the suction force applied to the media in the portion upstream of the hold zone.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于防止归因于打印介质的收缩的力在打印区域附近的介质承载带上的打印介质移位的技术。 在一种方法中，在打印区域的紧邻的上游识别出“保持区域”。 在保持区域中，采用机构来固定相对于皮带不可移动的介质。 保持机构提供足够的力来克服当剩余部分收缩时传递到介质的干燥部分的张力。 在一个实施例中，保持机构是将介质夹在皮带上的辊。 在另一个实施例中，施加到带的真空压力的量被调节，使得施加到保持区中的介质的吸力大于在保持区的上游部分中施加到介质的吸力。

公开(公告)号：US06450608B2

公开(公告)日：2002-09-17

申请号：US09954761

申请日：2001-09-14

Applicant: Sam Michael Sarmast ,  Steven B Elgee

Inventor： Sam Michael Sarmast ,  Steven B Elgee

IPC: B41J29393

CPC classification number: B41J29/393 ,  B41J2/16579 ,  B41J2/2135

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ink-jet drop generator ink drop characteristics uses a drop detector target mounted in the printing zone of a hard copy apparatus. The detector target includes a matrix of individual elements sized approximately the same as pixel targets in printing operations. A detector target is mounted adjacently to the paper path of the apparatus such that test firing can be accomplished prior to each swath scan across the print media. By pre-firing nozzles to be used in the next swath at the detector target, actual trajectory errors and drop volumes can be analyzed in real-time. Alternate embodiments and methods are described.

公开(公告)号：US06428161B1

公开(公告)日：2002-08-06

申请号：US09846147

申请日：2001-04-30

Applicant: Geoff M. Wotton ,  Steven B Elgee ,  David E Smith ,  Harold D. Kimrey, Jr.

Inventor： Geoff M. Wotton ,  Steven B Elgee ,  David E Smith ,  Harold D. Kimrey, Jr.

IPC: B41J201

CPC classification number: H05B6/802 ,  B41J11/002 ,  B41M7/0081

Abstract: An embodiment of a drying apparatus for drying ink deposited onto media includes an electromagnetic energy source to generate electromagnetic energy. The embodiment of the drying apparatus also includes a rectangular waveguide coupled to the electromagnetic energy source. The rectangular waveguide includes slots in the axial direction of the rectangular waveguide on opposite sidewalls corresponding to the largest sides forming a cross section of the rectangular waveguide. The electromagnetic energy source is configured to establish a TE01 mode within the rectangular waveguide, resulting in an electric field substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of fibers within the media and thereby reducing power dissipated within the media while providing sufficient power for drying the ink during a drying operation.

Abstract translation: 用于干燥沉积在介质上的油墨的干燥设备的实施例包括产生电磁能的电磁能源。 干燥装置的实施例还包括耦合到电磁能源的矩形波导。 矩形波导包括在相对于形成矩形波导的横截面的最大边的相对侧壁上的矩形波导的轴向方向上的槽。 电磁能源被配置为在矩形波导内建立TE01模式，导致电场基本上垂直于介质内纤维的纵向轴线，从而减少在介质内耗散的功率，同时提供足够的功率来在 干燥操作。

公开(公告)号：US06315383B1

公开(公告)日：2001-11-13

申请号：US09470928

申请日：1999-12-22

Applicant: Sam Michael Sarmast ,  Steven B Elgee

Inventor： Sam Michael Sarmast ,  Steven B Elgee

IPC: B41J29393

CPC classification number: B41J29/393 ,  B41J2/16579 ,  B41J2/2135

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ink-jet drop generator ink drop characteristics uses a drop detector target mounted in the printing zone of a hard copy apparatus. The detector target includes a matrix of individual elements sized approximately the same as pixel targets in printing operations. A detector target is mounted adjacently to the paper path of the apparatus such that test firing can be accomplished prior to each swath scan across the print media. By pre-firing nozzles to be used in the next swath at the detector target, actual trajectory errors and drop volumes can be analyzed in real-time. Alternate embodiments and methods are described.

Abstract translation: 用于喷墨滴发生器墨滴特性的方法和装置使用安装在硬拷贝装置的打印区域中的液滴检测器目标。 检测器目标包括在打印操作中与像素目标大致相同的单个元件的矩阵。 检测器目标被安装在装置的纸张路径附近，使得可以在跨打印介质的每个扫描扫描之前完成测试点火。 通过预先喷射在检测器目标下的下一个条中使用的喷嘴，可以实时分析实际的轨迹误差和液滴体积。 描述了替代实施例和方法。

公开(公告)号：US06206594B1

公开(公告)日：2001-03-27

申请号：US09410347

申请日：1999-09-30

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee ,  John A. Underwood

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee ,  John A. Underwood

IPC: B41J2918

CPC classification number: B65H7/02 ,  B65H2511/152 ,  B65H2511/512 ,  B65H2553/412 ,  B65H2553/43 ,  B65H2553/51 ,  B65H2553/60 ,  B65H2220/03 ,  B65H2220/01 ,  B65H2220/11

Abstract: A print media level sensor and method for determining a height of a stack of print media for use in printing devices are disclosed. An embodiment of a print media level sensor includes a print media stack follower configured to contact a top of a stack of print media and remain in contact with the top as a height of the stack changes. The print media stack follower also includes encoded data representative of a plurality of heights of the stack of print media. The print media level sensor additionally includes a decoder configured to read encoded data on the print media stack follower and output a signal representative of the encoded data. The print media stack follower may further include a computing device that receives the signal representative of the encoded data from the computing device and converts the signal representative of the encoded data into a signal representative of the stack height. An embodiment of a method includes tracking a height of a stack of print media via a print media stack follower and encoding data representing a plurality of different stack heights via the print media stack follower. The method additionally includes decoding the encoded data and generating a signal representative of the encoded data. The method may further include converting the signal representative of the encoded data into a signal representative of the height of the stack. Further characteristics and features of this apparatus and method are disclosed herein, as are exemplary alternative embodiments.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于确定用于打印装置的打印介质堆叠的高度的打印介质液位传感器和方法。 打印介质液位传感器的实施例包括打印介质堆叠跟随器，其被配置为接触打印介质的堆叠的顶部并随着堆叠的高度改变而保持与顶部接触。 打印介质堆栈跟随器还包括表示打印介质堆叠的多个高度的编码数据。 打印介质层传感器还包括被配置为读取打印介质堆栈跟随器上的编码数据并输出表示编码数据的信号的解码器。 打印介质堆栈跟随器还可以包括计算设备，其接收来自计算设备的表示编码数据的信号，并将表示编码数据的信号转换为代表堆栈高度的信号。 一种方法的实施例包括经由打印介质堆栈跟踪器跟踪打印介质的堆叠的高度，以及经由打印介质堆栈跟随器对表示多个不同堆叠高度的数据进行编码。 该方法还包括解码编码数据并产生代表编码数据的信号。 该方法还可以包括将表示编码数据的信号转换为代表堆叠高度的信号。 这种装置和方法的其它特征和特征在本文中被公开，作为示例性备选实施例。

公开(公告)号：US06179419B2

公开(公告)日：2001-01-30

申请号：US09163098

申请日：1998-09-29

Applicant: Steve O Rasmussen ,  Richard A Kelley ,  Brooke E Smith ,  Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Steve O Rasmussen ,  Richard A Kelley ,  Brooke E Smith ,  Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B41J201

CPC classification number: B41J11/007

Abstract: A media handling system having an endless belt which carries a media sheet through a print zone achieves improved media advance accuracy by including closed loop feedback control. The position of either a drive shaft which rotates the endless belt or the endless belt itself is monitored to provide feedback to a drive motor. The drive motor is linked to the drive shaft through a gear train. The endless belt is rotated by the drive shaft, either directly, or through rollers mounted to the drive shaft.

Abstract translation: 具有通过打印区携带介质片的环形带的介质处理系统通过包括闭环反馈控制来实现改进的介质提前精度。 监测旋转环形带或环形带本身的驱动轴的位置，以向驱动马达提供反馈。 驱动马达通过齿轮系与驱动轴连接。 环形带由驱动轴直接或通过安装在驱动轴上的滚轮旋转。

公开(公告)号：US6152444A

公开(公告)日：2000-11-28

申请号：US428640

申请日：1999-10-27

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee ,  George W. Lewis

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee ,  George W. Lewis

IPC: B41J11/00 ,  B41J11/06 ,  B41J11/70 ,  B41J13/00 ,  B41J15/04 ,  B65H5/04 ,  B65H5/12

CPC classification number: B41J11/0085 ,  B41J11/06 ,  B41J11/706 ,  B41J13/0072 ,  B41J15/04 ,  B65H5/04 ,  B65H2301/44334 ,  B65H2301/44336 ,  B65H2405/52 ,  B65H2406/351

Abstract: A shuttling media movement system moves media in a hardcopy device, such as an inkjet printing mechanism, a facsimile machine or a multi-function device. The shuttling media movement system has a first member with a first set of fingers for periodically supporting the media, and a second member having a second set of fingers for periodically supporting the media. A motor drive is coupled to the second member to periodically interleave the second set of fingers into and out of engagement with the first set of fingers to move the media with respect to the first member in the interaction zone. Vacuum forces or electrostatic forces are used to periodically grip the media against the sets of fingers. A hardcopy device is provided with such a shuttling media movement system, along with a method for moving media in an interaction zone of a hardcopy device.

Abstract translation: 穿梭介质移动系统将介质移动到诸如喷墨打印机构，传真机或多功能设备的硬拷贝设备中。 穿梭介质移动系统具有第一构件，其具有用于周期性地支撑介质的第一组手指，以及具有用于周期性地支撑介质的第二组手指的第二构件。 马达驱动器联接到第二构件以周期性地将第二组手指交织到与第一组手指接合和脱离接合，以相对于交互区域中的第一构件移动介质。 使用真空力或静电力来周期性地将介质夹持在手指组上。 具有这种穿梭介质移动系统的硬拷贝装置以及用于在硬拷贝装置的相互作用区域中移动介质的方法。

公开(公告)号：US6017114A

公开(公告)日：2000-01-25

申请号：US164439

申请日：1998-09-30

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee ,  Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Robert P. Callaway

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee ,  Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Robert P. Callaway

IPC: B41J11/42 ,  H04N1/047 ,  H04N1/12 ,  B41J2/145 ,  B41J2/15 ,  B41J29/38

CPC classification number: H04N1/128 ,  B41J11/42 ,  H04N1/047 ,  H04N1/12 ,  H04N2201/04731 ,  H04N2201/04789 ,  H04N2201/04791

Abstract: A shifted element printing/scanning routine coordinated with media advance through an interaction zone of hardcopy device is provided for inkjet printing mechanisms, scanners or multi-function hardcopy devices. A method is provided of coordinating operation of a reciprocating head with media advance. The head has plural interaction elements, which may be ink-ejecting nozzles in a printing mechanism, or image receptors in a scanning mechanism, with the interaction elements being arranged in a linear array to selectively interact with media. A hardcopy device has a rotating media advancing member, a reciprocating head carrying the interaction elements, an encoder having indicia to track media advance, and a sensor that interprets the encoder indicia and generated a media position signal. A controller adjusts the media advance and shifts operation of selected interaction elements to other interaction elements along the linear array to avoid an indeterminate region of the position signal where the media position cannot be ascertained.

Abstract translation: 为印刷机构，扫描仪或多功能硬拷贝装置提供了通过硬拷贝装置的相互作用区域与介质前进协调的移位元件打印/扫描程序。 提供了一种协调往复式头部与介质提前的操作的方法。 头部具有多个相互作用元件，其可以是打印机构中的喷墨喷嘴或扫描机构中的图像接收器，其中相互作用元件被布置成线性阵列以选择性地与介质相互作用。 硬拷贝装置具有旋转介质前进构件，承载相互作用元件的往复运动头，具有跟踪介质前进的标记的编码器以及解释编码器标记并产生介质位置信号的传感器。 控制器调整介质前进并将所选择的相互作用元件的操作沿着线性阵列移动到其他相互作用元件，以避免不能确定介质位置的位置信号的不确定区域。

公开(公告)号：US5583547A

公开(公告)日：1996-12-10

申请号：US513252

申请日：1995-08-10

Applicant: Paul D. Gast ,  Eva-Maria Moon ,  Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Paul D. Gast ,  Eva-Maria Moon ,  Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B41J2/05 ,  B41J2/07 ,  B41J2/165 ,  B41J2/175

CPC classification number: B41J2/0457 ,  B41J2/0458 ,  B41J2/07 ,  B41J2/1652

Abstract: Automatic print rate-controlling and pen-servicing method and apparatus are described for power management and for determining appropriate servicing intervals for plural-pen ink-jet printers. The preferred method involves counting the number of drops of ink that are fired from each of plural pens in the printer's printhead carriage and optionally calculating the pen firing rate such that printer throughput can be controlled to limit time-averaged power and such that pen servicing frequency can be based upon the need for such servicing. The counts are maintained in memory connected, for example, with the printer's microcontroller, as are parameters that the microcontroller uses to determine appropriate drop count-based print rate controlling or pen servicing that reduce printer throughput only to the extent necessary. Particularly, the pens are serviced when any of the counts is within a predefined finite range of a predefined number or no later than when any of the counts exceeds a corresponding predefined number. The preferred apparatus includes a drop counter, a service station for wiping and spitting plural pens within a printhead carriage and a controller responsive to the drop counter to control the printing rate and to move the printhead carriage into operative association with the service station based upon drop count, firing rate, time-averaged power capability, printhead location and other predetermined criteria.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于电源管理和确定多笔喷墨打印机的适当维修间隔的自动打印速率控制和笔维护方法和装置。 优选的方法包括对从打印机的打印头托架中的多个笔中的每一个喷射的墨水滴数进行计数，并且可选地计算笔的喷射速率，使得可以控制打印机吞吐量以限制时间平均功率，并且使得笔的服务频率 可以基于这种维修的需要。 例如，与打印机的微控制器连接的存储器中的计数保持不变，微控制器用于确定适当的基于滴定计数的打印速率控制或笔服务的参数，这些参数仅在必要的程度上降低打印机的吞吐量。 特别地，当任何计数在预定义数量的预定义有限范围内时，或者不晚于当任何计数超过对应的预定数量时，笔被服务。 优选的装置包括液滴计数器，用于在打印头滑架内擦拭和吐痰多个笔的服务站，以及响应于液滴计数器的控制器以控制打印速率并且基于下降将打印头滑架移动到与服务站操作关联 计数，发射率，时间平均功率能力，打印头位置和其他预定标准。

公开(公告)号：US5411340A

公开(公告)日：1995-05-02

申请号：US122833

申请日：1993-09-17

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B41J19/20 ,  B41J21/14 ,  B41J19/30

CPC classification number: B41J19/207

Abstract: The encoder scale has features to be automatically read by a single-channel sensor of the device to determine position of a carriage that is part of the device and moves bidirectionally across the sheet. These features include a first group of many graduations formed in a single row along the substrate; and a second group of many graduations also formed in the same row along the substrate and interspersed among those of the first group over at least a distance that corresponds approximately to the full transverse dimension of the sheet. The scale also includes some provision for automatically distinguishing --by the single-channel sensor of the image-related device--between graduations of the first and second groups. This provision includes, for each graduation of the second group, some feature (such as width) that is distinctive in relation to the graduations of the first group. The invention also provides the image-related device, with the carriage operating bidirectionally to print or read image details onto or from the sheet, and with the encoder scale incorporated as well as a single-sensor subsystem for detecting the individual graduations of both sets--and also including a single-channel subsystem that makes use of the two groups of graduations for two distinct purposes, respectively.

Abstract translation: 编码器刻度尺具有由设备的单通道传感器自动读取的特征，以确定作为设备一部分的托架的位置，并且双向地跨过纸张。 这些特征包括沿衬底在单行中形成的第一组许多刻度; 并且第二组许多刻度也沿着衬底在同一行中形成，并且散布在第一组中的至少一段距离之间，其距离大致对应于片材的整个横向尺寸。 该比例还包括一些用于通过图像相关设备的单通道传感器在第一和第二组的刻度之间自动区分的设置。 这一规定包括，对于第二组的每个毕业，与第一组毕业相关的一些特征（如宽度）是特征性的。 本发明还提供了图像相关设备，其中滑架双向地将图像细节打印或读取到片材上，并且与编码器尺度结合，以及用于检测两个组的单个刻度的单个传感器子系统， 并且还包括分别使用两组刻度的单通道子系统用于两个不同的目的。