Method and apparatus for protecting a print engine assembly from print media pulling

• US 20050151819A1
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,461,931 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/104
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14427 Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/041 Electromagnetic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 Line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/04 : related to queuing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 : using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 : Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/576 : using active circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 : Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 : the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13091 : Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MOSFET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/1461 : MEMS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/043 : of tables, e.g. lookup, substitution or mapping
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3218 : using proof of knowledge, e.g. Fiat-Shamir, GQ, Schnorr, ornon-interactive zero-knowledge proofs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3236 : using cryptographic hash functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 : with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 : for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00965 : using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 : using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 : the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32133 : on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 : Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0008 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 : of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3261 : of multimedia information, e.g. a sound signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 : of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3276 : of a customised additional information profile, e.g. a profile specific to a user ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 : Processing of the additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 : Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A print engine assembly includes a sensor to monitor for a user pulling at a free end of print media. A processor is coupled to the sensor and configured to operate a guillotine to sever the print media before potentially damaging forces can be transmitted to the print engine assembly. The processor is preferably also configured to restart a printing procedure upon the guillotine being operated. In one embodiment the sensor comprises an optical sensor. The optical sensor monitors a small plastic flag to detect deflections that occur on paper drive rollers of the print engine assembly when the print media is pulled.

Claims

1. A print engine assembly including:

a processor;

an arrangement to receive a roll of print media;

a print media pull sensor coupled to the processor;

a guillotine controlled by the processor and arranged to sever the print media;

wherein the processor is configured to operate the guillotine in response to a signal from the print media pull sensor.

2. A print engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to restart a printing procedure in response to the signal from the print media pull sensor.

3. A print engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein the print media pull sensor comprises a strain gauge sensor.

4. A print engine assembly according to claim 3, wherein the print media pull sensor comprises an optical sensor.

5. A print engine assembly according to claim 4, wherein the optical sensor is arranged to detect a plastic flag deflected in the event of an undesirable pulling force being applied to a free end of the print media.

6. A print engine assembly according to claim 5, wherein the plastic flag is located so that it deflects in response to torque occurring in drive rollers of the print engine when the print media is pulled.

7. A print engine assembly according to claim 1, including a drive circuit to interface between the processor and the guillotine.

8. A method for preventing damage to a print mechanism including the steps of:

monitoring for application of tension forces to a free end of a print media extending from the print mechanism; and

upon detecting the tension forces, severing the free end of the print media from the print mechanism.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of monitoring for application of tension forces includes applying a strain gauge sensor to the print media.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of monitoring for application of tension forces includes optically monitoring a portion of the print mechanism to detect deflections due to the tension forces.

11. A print engine assembly including:

a processor;

an arrangement to receive a roll of print media;

a strain gauge coupled to the processor and arranged to monitor deflections associated with pulling of the print media;

a guillotine controlled by the processor and arranged to sever the print media;

wherein the processor is configured to restart a printing procedure and to operate the guillotine in response to a signal from the print media pull sensor.