公开(公告)号：US06254081B1

公开(公告)日：2001-07-03

申请号：US09324685

申请日：1999-06-03

Applicant: Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B65H312

CPC classification number: B41J13/226 ,  B41J11/009 ,  B65H5/226 ,  B65H2511/13 ,  B65H2515/342 ,  B65H2515/81 ,  B65H2220/03 ,  B65H2220/02 ,  B65H2220/01

Abstract: A system for regulating the vacuum hold pressure in a printer based upon the physical characteristics of the print media that is directed through the printer. In one embodiment, the characteristic of a sheet of media is detected before or as the sheet reaches the carrier. The vacuum pressure level is thus regulated in response to the physical characteristic of the sheet, thereby to have applied to that particular media a level of vacuum pressure that prevents problems that arise when pressure levels are too low (for example, inadvertent shifting of the paper) or too high (for example, paper deformations that reduce print quality).

Abstract translation: 一种用于基于通过打印机引导的打印介质的物理特性来调节打印机中的真空保持压力的系统。 在一个实施例中，在片材到达载体之前或当片材到达载体时检测一张介质的特性。 因此，响应于片材的物理特性来调节真空压力水平，从而将压力水平太低（例如，纸张的无意移动）的真空压力的水平应用于该特定介质 ）或太高（例如，降低打印质量的纸张变形）。

公开(公告)号：US6145376A

公开(公告)日：2000-11-14

申请号：US277380

申请日：1999-03-25

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B65H7/02 ,  G01S15/10 ,  G01S15/88 ,  G01S11/14

CPC classification number: G01S15/10 ,  B65H7/02 ,  G01S15/88 ,  B65H2511/10 ,  B65H2511/20 ,  B65H2553/30 ,  B65H2557/33

Abstract: A detection system for detecting the size of a print medium. A hollow tube is positioned adjacent the paper or print medium. An ultrasonic transducer apparatus launches pulses of ultrasonic energy into the tube, and is responsive to ultrasonic echoes of the pulses to convert echo pulse energy into electrical detected signals. A flag positioning apparatus selectively positions a blocking flag within the tube at a location spaced from the transducer apparatus which is indicative of a print medium size. A controller responds to the electrical detected signals to determine a print medium size. The flag positioning apparatus can provide a single flag movable along a longitudinal extent of the tube, or a set of flags spaced along the longitudinal extent, one or more of which are selectably deflected by the print medium.

Abstract translation: 一种用于检测打印介质尺寸的检测系统。 中空管定位在纸或打印介质附近。 超声波换能器装置将超声能量的脉冲发射到管中，并响应脉冲的超声回波将回波脉冲能量转换成电检测信号。 标志定位装置在与换能器装置间隔开的位置处选择性地将阻挡标记置于管内，该位置指示打印介质尺寸。 控制器响应电检测信号以确定打印介质尺寸。 标志定位装置可以提供沿着管的纵向范围可移动的单个标志，或沿着纵向范围间隔开的一组标记，其中一个或多个可选择地被打印介质偏转。

公开(公告)号：US5856833A

公开(公告)日：1999-01-05

申请号：US944597

申请日：1997-10-06

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee ,  John D. Lytle

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee ,  John D. Lytle

IPC: B41J2/01 ,  B41J2/21 ,  B41J29/46 ,  B41J29/393

CPC classification number: B41J2/2135

Abstract: An optical sensor module for identifying characteristics of printed ink jet images on printing media residing in a media plane. The module has a chassis and a connected illumination source and detector spaced apart from the media plane. An integral optical element is positioned between the image plane and the illumination source and detector. The optical element has a first portion having a first optical characteristic positioned on a first optical path between the illumination source and a selected region of the media plane, and a second portion having a second optical characteristic different from the first optical characteristic and positioned on a second optical path between the illumination source and the selected region. The optical element may include diffractive optics, fresnel lenses, and conventional lenses formed of transparent plastics to steer, focus and diffuse light onto the selected region and return it efficiently to the detector.

Abstract translation: 一种光学传感器模块，其用于识别驻留在介质平面中的打印介质上的打印喷墨图像的特性。 该模块具有底盘和与介质平面间隔开的连接的照明源和检测器。 整体光学元件位于图像平面和照明源和检测器之间。 光学元件具有第一部分，其具有位于照明源和介质平面的选定区域之间的第一光路上的第一光学特性，以及具有与第一光学特性不同的第二光学特性的第二部分， 照明源和所选区域之间的第二光路。 光学元件可以包括衍射光学器件，菲涅耳透镜和由透明塑料形成的常规透镜，以将光引导，聚焦和漫射到所选择的区域上并将其有效地返回到检测器。

公开(公告)号：US07461925B2

公开(公告)日：2008-12-09

申请号：US11073139

申请日：2005-03-04

Applicant: David E. Smith ,  Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： David E. Smith ,  Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B41J2/05

CPC classification number: B41J2/0457 ,  B41J2/0458

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus for adjusting power are disclosed.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于调节功率的方法和装置的实施例。

公开(公告)号：US06951335B2

公开(公告)日：2005-10-04

申请号：US10282574

申请日：2002-10-29

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

IPC: B41J11/00 ,  B41J11/42 ,  B65H7/02 ,  G65H9/20

CPC classification number: B65H7/02 ,  B41J11/0095 ,  B41J11/42 ,  B65H2553/512 ,  B65H2553/80 ,  B65H2553/81

Abstract: A reciprocating linear encoder includes a linear encoder and a sensor. The linear encoder is configured to latch, follow and release print media in a periodic motion. The sensor is responsive to movement of the linear encoder, and is configured to output a signal associated with print media movement.

Abstract translation: 往复式线性编码器包括线性编码器和传感器。 线性编码器被配置为以周期性运动来锁定，跟随和释放打印介质。 传感器响应于线性编码器的移动，并且被配置为输出与打印介质移动相关联的信号。

公开(公告)号：US06779862B2

公开(公告)日：2004-08-24

申请号：US10243336

申请日：2002-09-12

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B41J2938

CPC classification number: B41J29/393

Abstract: A printer can anticipate the power needs of a print head. The printer receives a print job and a measurement of print density as a function of time for the print job from a printer driver that determines print density as a function of time based on data representing the print job. The printer includes a processor for receiving a print job, a print head and a power system for supplying power to said print head. The processor controls a voltage applied by the power system to the print head in accordance with the measurement of print density.

公开(公告)号：US06571702B2

公开(公告)日：2003-06-03

申请号：US09726964

申请日：2000-11-29

Applicant: Geoff Wotton ,  Robert M. Yraceburu ,  Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Geoff Wotton ,  Robert M. Yraceburu ,  Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B41F1324

CPC classification number: B41J11/06 ,  B41J11/002 ,  B41J11/0085

Abstract: A printer has a media transport with a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlays the platen. A suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen such that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A valve sheet overlays or underlies the platen, and includes a plurality of shut-off elements, each movable in response to temperature changes between a closed position in which the element contacts a portion of the platen to prevent air flow through that portion of the platen, and an open position, in which the element is spaced apart from the platen to admit air to the platen portion. The shut off elements may include resistive heaters and bimetallic strips, so that application of electricity generates heat to flex the strip to an open position.

公开(公告)号：US06557973B1

公开(公告)日：2003-05-06

申请号：US09580397

申请日：2000-05-26

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B41J2145

CPC classification number: B41J2/2132 ,  B41J11/0065 ,  B41J11/007 ,  B41J11/0085

Abstract: A method of ink jet printing wherein at least one row of pixels adjacent a leading edge of a print medium and/or trailing edge of the print medium is printed using a print mode that employs fewer passes than the print mode utilized for printing rows that are further from such edges.

Abstract translation: 一种喷墨打印方法，其中使用比用于打印行的打印模式更少的通过的打印模式来打印与打印介质的打印介质和/或后边缘的前边缘相邻的至少一行像素 进一步从这样的边缘。

公开(公告)号：US06508529B2

公开(公告)日：2003-01-21

申请号：US09792935

申请日：2001-02-26

Applicant: Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B41J2938

CPC classification number: B41J11/008 ,  B41J11/0005

Abstract: When the data rate of incoming data is less than the print speed, there can be pauses in the print job. During a pause, wet ink may cause cockle growth at a portion of the media sheet within the print zone. To reduce such cockle growth a reduced number of nozzles are used when the data rate is less than the print speed. In particular the print swath is reduced. Only a downstream subset of nozzles are used, in effect shortening the portion of the media sheet receiving ink. The wet portion of the media sheet then is closer to the downstream edge of the print zone and soon away from the printhead. A guide shim also is advanced to maintain a flat media sheet near the active nozzles.

公开(公告)号：US06499827B2

公开(公告)日：2002-12-31

申请号：US09970538

申请日：2001-10-03

Applicant: Steven B. Elgee

Inventor： Steven B. Elgee

IPC: B41J2300

CPC classification number: B41J19/207

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed herein that compensate for print engine and encoder expansion or contraction in a printing device. An embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention for use in a printing device having a print engine and an encoder that indicates where the print engine should print on a print medium, includes a first target on the encoder and a second target on the encoder. The apparatus also includes a first sensor configured to output a first signal upon detection of the first target and a second sensor configured to output a second signal upon detection of the second target. The apparatus additionally includes a computing device coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor and the print engine, which is configured to determine a difference between receipt of the first signal and the second signal, and to adjust when the print engine prints on the print medium based on this difference. An embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for use in the above-described printing device, includes measuring a difference between an amount of expansion of the print engine during printing and an amount of expansion of the encoder. The method also includes adjusting a time when the print engine prints on the print medium based on the determined difference. Further characteristics and features of the present invention are disclosed herein.