Ink Stick Identification System

#This disclosure relates generally to phase change inkjet imaging devices, and, in particular, to systems that identify ink sticks in such imaging devices.

#Solid ink or phase change ink printers encompass various imaging devices, including copiers and multi-function devices. These printers offer many advantages over other types of image generating devices, such as laser and aqueous inkjet imaging devices. Solid ink or phase change ink printers conventionally receive ink in a solid form as pellets or as ink sticks. A color printer typically uses four colors of ink (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, also referred to as “CMYK”).

#The solid ink pellets or ink sticks, hereafter referred to as solid ink, sticks, or ink sticks, are delivered to a melting device, which is typically coupled to an ink loader, for conversion of the solid ink to a liquid. A typical ink loader includes multiple feed channels, one for each color of ink used in the printer. Each feed channel directs the solid ink within the channel toward a melting device located at the end of the channel. Solid ink at a terminal end of a feed channel contacts the melting device and melts to form liquid ink that can be delivered to a printhead. Inkjet ejectors in the printhead are operated using firing signals to eject ink onto a surface of an image receiving member.

#FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of an ink stick identification system having an optical source and an actuator operatively connected to an optical sensor to enable detection of an identifying feature in a surface of an ink stick.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of an ink stick identification system having an optical sensor and an actuator operatively connected to an optical source to enable detection of an identifying feature in a surface of an ink stick.

#FIG. 3 is a rear view of an eccentric drive actuator of the ink stick identification system of FIG. 2.

#For a general understanding of the present embodiments, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate like elements. As used herein, the terms “printer,” “printing device,” or “imaging device” generally refer to a device that produces an image with one or more colorants on print media and may encompass any such apparatus, such as a digital copier, bookmaking machine, facsimile machine, multi-function machine, or the like, which generates printed images for any purpose. Image data generally include information in electronic form which are rendered and used to operate the inkjet ejectors to form an ink image on the print media. These data may include text, graphics, pictures, and the like. The operation of producing images with colorants on print media, for example, graphics, text, photographs, and the like, is generally referred to herein as printing or marking. Phase-change ink printers use phase-change ink, also referred to as a solid ink, which is in a solid state at room temperature but melts into a liquid state at a higher operating temperature. The liquid ink drops are printed onto an image receiving surface in either a direct printer, which ejects directly onto media, or an indirect printer, also known as an offset transfer printer.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a solid ink stick identification system 100 for a solid ink printer 180. The system 100 is positioned in the printer 180 within an ink loader 184, which has an ink stick support 188 and an insertion port 192. A solid ink stick 150 is inserted into the printer 180 through the insertion port 192 and rests on the ink stick support 188. The ink stick 150 includes an identifying feature, for example surface 158, that the ink stick identification system 100 is configured to identify. The solid ink stick 150 of FIG. 1 is not depicted to scale to more clearly show the identifying feature 158.

#The ink stick identification system 100 includes an optical source 104, an optical sensor 108, an actuator 120, and a controller 140. The optical source 104 is oriented toward a face 154 of the solid ink stick 150 and is configured to emit light directed at the identifying feature, such as surface 158, of the ink stick 150. In one embodiment, the optical source emits diffuse light and is, for example, a 2 millimeter light-emitting diode (LED). In other embodiments, the optical source is a focused light source, for example a 2 millimeter LED laser. In further embodiments, the optical source can include any suitable size and type of light source. In the illustrated embodiment, the optical source 104 is biased downwardly by a spring 106 to the position of FIG. 1.