OPTICAL SENSOR HAVING DUAL OPTICAL PATHWAYS FOR SENSING CODED DATA

• US 20110058235A1
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Application Number:
  US12/943,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20110058235A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/498
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A device having a printer and an image sensor is disclosed. The printer prints on print media in a media feed path defined through the device. The image sensor has a first optical pathway for sensing coded data on print media within the media feed path and a second optical pathway for sensing coded data on a surface external to the housing.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a housing defining a media entry slot, a media exit slot and a feed path extending between the media entry slot and the media exit slot;

a printer within the housing for printing on print media in the media feed path; and

an image sensor within the housing, the image sensor having a first optical pathway for sensing coded data on print media within the media feed path and a second optical pathway for sensing coded data on a surface external to the housing.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a nib external to the housing, the image sensor sensing, via the second optical pathway, coded data on the surface in proximity to the nib.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the nib is slidable between an extended position and a retracted position.

4. The device according to claim 2 wherein the nib has a contact switch for sensing contact of the nib with the surface, the image sensor sensing the coded data via the second optical pathway upon the contact switch sensing contact of the nib with the surface.

5. The device according to claim 4 further comprising separate light sources associated with respective optical pathways, the light source associated with the second optical pathway being activated upon the contact switch sensing contact of the nib with the surface.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the printer uses the coded data on print media within the media feed path to distinguish between respective surfaces of the print media, and to print content dependent upon the surface facing a printhead of the printer.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the printer uses the coded data on print media within the media feed path to detect an orientation of the print media, and to rotate content dependent upon the orientation.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the printer uses the coded data on print media within the media feed path to detect pre-printed content on the surface of the print media facing a printhead of the printer, and to reject the print media without printing on the print media.

9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the printer uses the coded data on print media within the media feed path to detect pre-printed content on the surface of the print media opposite the surface facing a printhead of the printer, and to print content on the surface facing the printhead that is associated with the pre-printed content.

10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the printer uses the coded data on print media within the media feed path to detect a position of the print media relative to the printer.

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the position of the print media relative to the printer is used to print content in registration with pre-printed content on the print media.

12. The device according to claim 1 wherein the printer uses the coded data on print media within the media feed path to detect a speed of the print media relative to the printer.