Using a laser beam to indicate roller wear
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsChet M. Butikofer, Srinivas Guddanti
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Abstract
This invention relates to the method and apparatus for indicating roller wear in a media handling device. Such structures of this type, generally, employ the use of a laser beam that is located adjacent to the media handling device roller. Initially, the roller material obstructs the laser beam. However, when the roller becomes worn out, the roller material no longer obstructs the laser beam and the beam shines on a piece of reflective material that is illuminated when the laser beam contacts it. This illumination will then be seen from the front of the media handling device, such as through the use of an LED. The laser beam can also activate an optical sensor that relays information to the user.
Claims15
A method for indicating media transport roller wear, comprising the steps of:
- impinging a coherent light beam upon a side of a media transport roller;
- and
- indicating when said media transport roller has worn down to a predetermined amount by causing said coherent light beam to pass over said media transport roller and interacting with a media transport roller wear indicating means.
A system for indicating media transport roller wear, comprising:
- a media transport roller;
- a first light means for impinging a coherent light beam upon a side of said media transport roller;
- and
- a media transport roller wear indicating means operatively connected to said first light means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.