Detecting printing ribbon orientation
First Claim
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1. A method of ascertaining an orientation of a printing ribbon, the method comprising:
- providing a printer comprising a print head, a printing ribbon having been installed along a printing ribbon path configured to guide the printing ribbon between the print head and a media, and a ribbon sensor positioned along the printing ribbon path facing a surface of the printing ribbon;
wherein the printing ribbon has a first surface comprising a substantially specular substrate having a first reflectivity and a second surface comprising a substantially diffuse functional layer having a second reflectivity, the first reflectivity being greater than the second reflectivity;
detecting with the ribbon sensor, a reflectance value from the printing ribbon; and
ascertaining that the first surface faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value detected corresponds to a substantially specular reflectance as expected from the first surface, and/or ascertaining that the functional layer faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value detected corresponds to a substantially diffuse reflectance as expected from the second surface.
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods providing a ribbon sensor configured and positioned to ascertain an orientation of a printing ribbon, including devices, systems, and methods configured for detecting an improperly oriented printing ribbon, and for triggering a response in the event of an improperly installed, and/or for confirming proper installation of a printing ribbon.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of ascertaining an orientation of a printing ribbon, the method comprising:
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providing a printer comprising a print head, a printing ribbon having been installed along a printing ribbon path configured to guide the printing ribbon between the print head and a media, and a ribbon sensor positioned along the printing ribbon path facing a surface of the printing ribbon; wherein the printing ribbon has a first surface comprising a substantially specular substrate having a first reflectivity and a second surface comprising a substantially diffuse functional layer having a second reflectivity, the first reflectivity being greater than the second reflectivity; detecting with the ribbon sensor, a reflectance value from the printing ribbon; and ascertaining that the first surface faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value detected corresponds to a substantially specular reflectance as expected from the first surface, and/or ascertaining that the functional layer faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value detected corresponds to a substantially diffuse reflectance as expected from the second surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of ascertaining an orientation of a printing ribbon, the method comprising:
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providing a printer comprising a printing ribbon having been at least partially installed therein, and a ribbon sensor positioned so as to face a surface of the printing ribbon; and ascertaining that a first surface of the printing ribbon faces the ribbon sensor when the ribbon sensor returns a reflectance above a threshold; and
/orascertaining that a second surface of the printing ribbon faces the ribbon sensor when the ribbon sensor returns a reflectance value below the threshold; wherein the first surface comprises a substrate having a substantially specular reflectance, and wherein the second surface comprises a thermal transfer layer having a substantially diffuse reflectance. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of ascertaining an orientation of a printing ribbon, the method comprising:
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providing a printer comprising a print head configured to transfer an ink from a printing ribbon to a media, the printer comprising a ribbon sensor configured to detect a reflectance value from a printing ribbon to be utilized by the printer; detecting with the ribbon sensor, a reflectance value from a printing ribbon having been at least partially installed in the printer, wherein the printing ribbon comprises a substrate and a thermal transfer layer comprising the ink; and ascertaining that the substrate faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value corresponds to a substantially specular reflectance, and/or ascertaining that the thermal transfer layer faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value corresponds to a substantially diffuse reflectance. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification