# US 10,479,113 B1 · Methods, systems, and apparatuses for detecting a media jam condition > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,113 B1 - Document ID: US10479113B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/034,158 - Filed: 2018-07-12 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-12 - Assignees: Datamax-O'Neil Corporation - Applicants: Datamax-O'Neil Corporation - Inventors: Richard Hatle; Ronald Schwallie; Jose Fernando Sanchez Gutierrez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479113B1 ## CPC - B41J 2/325: by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet - B41J 11/006: {Means for preventing paper jams or for facilitating their removal} - B41J 2/32: using thermal heads - B41J 11/009: {Detecting type of paper, e.g. by automatic reading of a code that is printed on a paper package or on a paper roll or by sensing the grade of translucency of the paper} - B41J 11/0095: {Detecting means for copy material, e.g. for detecting or sensing presence of copy material or its leading or trailing end} - B41J 11/485: {Means for selecting a type of copy material amongst different types of copy material in the printing apparatus} - B41J 29/02: Framework - B41J 29/13: Cases or covers - B41J 29/393: Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine {; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns} - G01N 21/86: Investigating moving sheets (G01N21/89 takes precedence) - G01N 21/89: in moving material, e.g. running paper or textiles (G01N21/90, G01N21/91, G01N21/94 take precedence) - G01N 2021/8917: {Paper, also ondulated} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract The disclosed embodiments illustrate a thermal printer apparatus that includes a media sensor. The sensor generates an input signal indicative of a measure of a media transmissivity/reflectivity. Further, the thermal printer includes a processor that is configured to receive the input signal from the sensor, while the media is stationary with respect to a print head. The processor further determines one or more characteristics of the input signal. Thereafter, a first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold is determined based on the one or more characteristics in the input signal. Further, the processor receives the input signal from the sensor, while the media traverses with respect to the print head. Subsequently, the processor determines one or more current characteristics of the input signal while the media traverses with respect to the print head. A media jam condition is detected based on the one or more current characteristics and the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for detecting a media jam condition in a thermal printer, the method comprising: receiving, by a processor, an input signal from a media sensor, wherein the input signal is indicative of a measure of a media transmissivity/reflectivity of a media, wherein content is printed on the media; operating, by the processor, the thermal printer in a calibration mode, wherein operating the thermal printer in the calibration mode comprises: halting, by the processor, a traversal of the media such that the media is stationary with respect to a print head in the thermal printer, wherein the print head is configured to print on the media; analyzing, by the processor, the input signal received while the traversal of the media is halted, to determine one or more characteristics of the input signal; and determining, by the processor, a first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold based on the one or more characteristics of the input signal received during the calibration mode; and operating, by the processor, the thermal printer in a printing mode, wherein operating the thermal printer in the printing mode comprises: causing, by the processor, traversal of the media with respect to the print head in the thermal printer to perform a print operation; determining, by the processor, one or more current characteristics of the input signal received while the thermal printer operates in the printing mode; and detecting, by the processor, the media jam condition in an instance in which a measure of the one or more current characteristics of the input signal, received while the thermal printer operates in the printing mode, is satisfy the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more characteristics comprise at least one of an amplitude of the input signal or a frequency of the input signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more current characteristics of the input signal comprise at least one of a current measure of an amplitude of the input signal or a current measure of a frequency of the input signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold comprises at least one of a first amplitude threshold, a first amplitude variation measurement threshold, or a first frequency threshold. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the media jam condition is detected when the measure of the one or more current characteristics of the input signal, received while the thermal printer operates in the printing mode, is less than or equal to the first amplitude threshold and is greater than or equal to the first frequency threshold, for a predetermined time period. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising determining a current amplitude variation measurement based on a current amplitude of the input signal and a previous amplitude of the input signal, wherein the media jam condition is detected in an instance in which the current amplitude variation measurement is less than or equal to the first amplitude variation measurement threshold, for a predetermined time period. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 further comprising incrementing a jam count in an instance in which the measure of the one or more current characteristics of the input signal, received while the thermal printer operates in the printing mode, is less than or equal to the first amplitude threshold and is greater than or equal to the first frequency threshold. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising detecting the media jam condition when the jam count exceeds a count threshold. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a notification indicative of the media jam condition. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein operating the thermal printer in the calibration mode further comprises: causing, by the processor, the media to move with respect to the print head; receiving, by the processor, the input signal from the media sensor, while the media traverses with respect to the print head; and determining, by the processor, a second transmissivity/reflectivity threshold based on one or more characteristics of the input signal, received while the media traverses with respect to the print head, wherein the second transmissivity/reflectivity threshold comprise a second amplitude threshold and a second frequency threshold. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising detecting a non-jam condition when the measure of the one or more current characteristics of the input signal, received while the thermal printer operates in the printing mode, is between the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold and the second transmissivity/reflectivity threshold. ### Claim 12 A thermal printer comprising: a print head configured to print on a media; a media sensor positioned within the thermal printer, wherein the media sensor is configured to generate an input signal indicative of a measure of a media transmissivity/reflectivity; a processor configured to: receive the input signal from the media sensor, while the media is stationary with respect to the print head, analyze the input signal received while the traversal of the media is stationary with respect to the print head, to determine one or more characteristics of the input signal determine a first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold based on the one or more characteristics of the input signal received while the media is stationary with respect to the print head, receive the input signal from the media sensor, while the media traverses with respect to the print head, determine one or more current characteristics of the input signal while the media traverses with respect to the print head, and detect a media jam condition in an instance in which a measure of the one or more current characteristics of the input signal, received while the media traverses with respect to the print head, is satisfies the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The thermal printer of claim 12, wherein the one or more current characteristics of the input signal comprise at least one of a current measure of an amplitude of the input signal or a current measure of a frequency of the input signal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The thermal printer of claim 12, wherein the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold comprises at least one of a first amplitude threshold or a first frequency threshold. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The thermal printer of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to operate the thermal printer in a calibration mode, wherein, in the calibration mode, the processor is configured to halt a traversal of the media such that the media is stationary with respect to the print head, wherein the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold is determined during the calibration mode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The thermal printer of claim 15, wherein, during the calibration mode, the processor is further configured to: cause the media to move with respect to the print head; receive the input signal from the media sensor, while the media traverses with respect to the print head; and determine a second transmissivity/reflectivity threshold based on one or more characteristics of the input signal, received while the media traverses with respect to the print head, wherein the second transmissivity/reflectivity threshold comprise at least one of a second amplitude threshold or a second frequency threshold. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The thermal printer of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to detect a non-jam condition when the measure of the one or more current characteristics of the input signal, received while the media traverses with respect to the print head, is between the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold and the second transmissivity/reflectivity threshold. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The thermal printer of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to operate the thermal printer in a printing mode, wherein the media jam condition is detected during the printing mode. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The thermal printer of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to operate the thermal printer in an idle mode, wherein, in the idle mode, the media is stationary with respect to the print head, wherein the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold is determined during the idle mode. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The thermal printer of claim 12, wherein the one or more characteristics comprises a measure of an amplitude of the input signal, and/or a measure a frequency of the input signal. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The thermal printer of claim 12, wherein the media jam condition is detected when the measure of the one or more current characteristics of the input signal, received while the media traverses with respect to the print head, satisfies the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold for a predetermined time period. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The thermal printer of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a notification indicative of the media jam condition.