Media identification sheet

• US 6,985,682 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2001
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Garzolini, Judith A., Haines, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brase, Sandra L.
• Application Number:
  US09/981,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: 399/23, 399/38, 399/66, 399/75, 399/82, 399/84, 399/389, 399/391, 250/559.44
• US Class Current: 399/84
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5029 by measuring the copy material characteristics, e.g. weight, thickness

Abstract

Arrangements and procedures are described to automatically configure an imaging device to form images on sheets of print media in a stack of print media. To accomplish this, information is imprinted on the top sheet of the stack of print media. The information provides media parameter information that corresponds to each of the other sheets of print media in the stack of print media. An imaging device senses, or reads the information from the top sheet in a manner that is independent of any particular orientation of the top sheet. The imaging device is configured form images on each of the sheets of print media based on the sensed information.

Claims

1. A stack of print media comprising a print medium positioned on top of one or more different print media, the print medium having a set of media parameter information imprinted thereon, the media parameter information for configuring an image forming device to form an image on the one or more different print media.

2. A stack of print media as recited in claim 1, wherein the media parameter information is imprinted on the print medium such that the image forming device can sense the media parameter information independent of an orientation of the print medium in the image forming device.

3. A stack of print media as recited in claim 1, wherein the media parameter information is imprinted on the print medium on the front, back, top, bottom or sides of the print medium.

4. A stack of print media as recited in claim 1, wherein the print medium further comprises human readable instructions indicating how to use the print medium to configure the image forming device to form images on each of the one or more different print media.

5. In an imaging device loaded with a stack of print media comprising a top sheet and a plurality of other sheets of print media, a method for automatically configuring the imaging device to form images each of the other sheets of print media, the method comprising:

reading information from the top sheet, the information providing a set of media parameter information corresponding to each of the other sheets; and

configuring the imaging device to form images on each of the other sheets based on the information.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the information is imprinted on the top sheet such that the imaging device senses the encoded information independent of any particular orientation of the top sheet.

7. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the information is a barcode that is imprinted on the front, back, top, bottom and/or sides of the top sheet.

8. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the top sheet further comprises human readable information that provides instructions to a user on how to use the top sheet to configure the imaging device to form images on each of the other sheets.

9. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein reading information from the top sheet further comprises detecting a quantity of print media in the stack of print media from the information.

10. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the stack of print media is loaded into a media supply bin that is coupled to the imaging device, and wherein the method further comprises:

removing, by the imaging device, one or more of the other sheets from the media supply bin;

receiving a request to generate a new media identification sheet; and

responsive to receiving the request, generating the new media identification sheet comprising one or more new media parameters that correspond to each of the other sheets of print media remaining in the media supply bin.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the new media parameters comprise an indication of a quantity of print media remaining in the stack of print media.

12. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for automatically configuring an imaging device to form images on a plurality of sheets of print media in a stack of print media, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for:

reading information from a top sheet of the stack of print media, the information providing a set of media parameter information corresponding to each of the sheets of print media independent of the top sheet; and

configuring the imaging device to form images on each of the sheets of print media based on the information.

13. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the information is imprinted on the top sheet such that the imaging device senses the information independent of any particular orientation of the top sheet.

14. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the information is a barcode that is imprinted on the front, back, top, bottom and/or sides of the top sheet.

15. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the top sheet further comprises human readable information that provides instructions to a user on how to use the top sheet to configure the imaging device to form images on each of the other sheets.

16. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein reading information from the top sheet further comprises detecting a quantity of print media in the stack of print media from the information.

17. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the stack of print media is loaded into a media supply bin that is coupled to the imaging device, and wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for:

removing one or more of the sheets of print media from the media supply bin;

receiving a request to generate a new media identification sheet; and

responsive to receiving the request, generating the new media identification sheet comprising one or more new media parameters that correspond to each of the sheets of print media that remaining in the media supply bin.

18. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein the new media parameters comprise an indication of a quantity of print media remaining in the stack of print media.

19. An imaging device comprising:

a memory comprising computer-executable instructions for automatically configuring the imaging device to form images on a plurality of sheets of print media in a stack of print media that is loaded in a media supply bin;

a processor that is operatively coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to fetch and execute the computer-executable instructions from the memory, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for;

reading information from a top sheet of the stack of print media, the information providing a set of media parameter information corresponding to each of the sheets of print media independent of the top sheet; and

configuring the imaging device form images on each of the sheets of print media based on the information.

20. An imaging device as recited in claim 19, wherein the information is imprinted on the top sheet such that the imaging device senses the information independent of any particular orientation of the top sheet.

21. An imaging device as recited in claim 19, wherein the information is a barcode that is imprinted on the front, back, top, bottom and/or sides of the top sheet.

22. An imaging device as recited in claim 19, wherein the top sheet further comprises human readable information that provides instructions to a user on how to use the top sheet to configure the imaging device to form images on each of the other sheets.

23. An imaging device as recited in claim 19, wherein reading information from the top sheet further comprises detecting a quantity of print media in the stack of print media from the information.

24. An imaging device as recited in claim 19, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for:

removing one or more of the sheets of print media from the media supply bin;

receiving a request to generate a new media identification sheet; and

responsive to receiving the request, generating the new media identification sheet comprising one or more new media parameters that correspond to each of the sheets of print media that remaining in the media supply bin.

25. An imaging device as recited in claim 24, wherein the new media parameters comprise an indication of a quantity of print media remaining in the stack of print media.