Apparatus and methods of detecting print media orientation

• US 20060017568A1
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Inventors: Hardin, Keith Bryan, Underwood, Mark Stephen, Wells, Terry Lee, Burdette, Chris Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,187,294 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/0095 Detecting means for copy material, e.g. for detecting or sensing presence of copy material or its leading or trailing end
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions

Abstract

A radio frequency signature (88) on a cut sheet of print media (28) is detected by a radio frequency interrogating device (94) to determine whether the print media (28) is properly oriented. The leading edge (124) or trailing edge (126) of the print media (28) is detected by one or more print media sensors (86, 90). A print controller (24) can note the time (t₁) and cause the radio frequency interrogating device (94) to detect the radio frequency signature (88) at a time (t₂) when the print media has reached a predetermined point along the print media pathway (110). The position of the radio frequency signature (88) on the print media (28) can be calculated using the time differential (t₂−t₁), the velocity profile of the print media and the known separation between the print media (28) and the radio frequency signature (88). By comparing the computer position with the expected position, the orientation of the print media (28) can be determined.

Claims

1. A print media orientation detecting apparatus comprising:

a printer assembly having a radio frequency interrogating device;

wherein print media embedded with a radio frequency signature is detected by said radio frequency interrogating device allowing the orientation of said print media to be determined.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said printer assembly further comprises at least one print media sensor for determining when print media has reached a predetermined point along a print pathway.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said print media sensor is arranged a

known

distance from said radio frequency interrogating device.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said printer assembly further comprises a

print

controller in operable communication with said print media sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said print media sensor signals said print controller upon detecting the leading edge of print media.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said print media sensor signals said print controller upon detecting the trailing edge of print media.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radio frequency interrogating device further comprises:

a radio frequency antenna; and

a read/write module for detecting the presence of a radio frequency signature via said radio frequency antenna.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a print controller in

communication

with said read/write module for receiving a signal from said read/write module indicative that a radio frequency signature has been detected.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising at least one print media sensor

in

communication with said print controller, said print media sensor communicating a signal to said print controller when print media has reached a designated point along said print media pathway.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said print controller includes stored

orientation

data indicative of a predetermined location of a radio frequency signature on a designated type of print media.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said read/write module detects a radio frequency signature, transmits a detection signal to said print controller and wherein said print controller receives said signal and determines if print media associated with said signature is oriented in accordance with stored orientation data.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radio frequency interrogating device

is a

RFID reader.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a radio frequency signature for a print

media

is stored in an RFID tag.

14. A print media orientation detecting apparatus comprising:

a printer assembly having a print media feeder system for conveying print media through a print area of the printer assembly; and

a radio frequency interrogating device;

wherein a radio frequency signature embedded in print media is sensed by said radio frequency interrogating device allowing the orientation of said print media to be determined.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said printer assembly further comprises:

a print media feeder for conveying print media into a designated print area of said printer assembly; and

at least one print media sensor for detecting the presence of print media as it traverses said designated print area.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a communications link

coupling

said print media sensor to said print controller and wherein said print media sensor detects the leading edge of print media and signals said print controller.

17. The apparatus claim 15 wherein said print media sensor detects the leading edge of print media as it traverses a print area of said printer assembly and wherein said print controller causes said radio frequency interrogator device to detect a radio frequency signature embedded in said print media.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said print controller determines the orientation of print media by determining the time difference between the time the leading edge of the print media is detected and the time when a radio frequency signature is detected.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said print controller compares said time difference to a stored value of time difference based on the type of print media and a predetermined location of a radio frequency signature embedded in said print media.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said radio frequency interrogating device comprises:

a RFID antenna; and

a read/write module for detecting the presence of a radio frequency signature via said radio frequency antenna.

21. A method of detecting the orientation of print media comprising the step of detecting the presence of a radio frequency signature on the print media to allow the orientation of said print media to be determined.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of a print media sensor detecting the presence of the print media as it reaches a predetermined point along a print media pathway.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of a radio frequency interrogating device detecting the presence of the radio frequency signature on the print media as it reaches a predetermined point along the print media pathway.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of calculating the

position of

the radio frequency signature on the print media.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said calculating step is performed by determining the time difference between the time when the print media is detected by a print media sensor and the time when the radio frequency signature is detected.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of using a

predetermined

physical separation between the print media sensor and the radio frequency signature and the velocity profile of the print media to determine the position of the radio frequency signature.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said calculating step is performed by

calculating

the position of the radio frequency signature with respect to the leading edge of the print media.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein said calculating step is performed by

calculating

the position of the radio frequency signature with respect to the trailing edge of the print media.

29. The method of claim 21 wherein said detecting step is performed by

detecting a

RFID tag embedded in print media.

30. A method of detecting the orientation of print media as it traverses along a

print

media pathway, the method comprising the steps of:

a print media sensor detecting the print media at a predetermined point along the print media pathway;

a radio frequency interrogating device detecting the presence of a radio frequency signature on the print media; and

a print controller determining the orientation of the print media.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said print controller determines the

orientation

of the print media by calculating the time difference between the time when the print media is detected and the time when the radio frequency signature is detected.

32. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of the print media sensor signaling the print controller after detecting the leading edge of the print media.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of the radio interrogating device signaling the print controller after detecting the radio frequency signature.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of the print controller

loading

data that indicates a predetermined location of the radio frequency signature on the print media.