Ribbon tracking technique with low-ribbon detection
AssigneeUnisys Corporation
InventorsThomas Dragon, John Hylan, Robert Reynolds, Paul McCarthy, Paul Merchant, Kenneth Berkoben
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are Power Encoder means for imprinting MICR characters on checks, with optical check-sensing means disposed along a check-transport path, including optical skew-sensor means.
Claims14
A "Low-Ribbon" detect means mounted in operative association with a prescribed ribbon-supply Spool means affixed on a prescribed Shaft means to be unspooled therefrom;
- said detect means comprising:
- digital rotation-counter means disposed operatively on, or adjacent, said Shaft means and adapted to output N prescribed rotate-pulses, for every X.degree. of shaft rotation;
- and
- data-interpret means adapted to receive this pulse output and, to responsively indicate when a prescribed minimum-length of ribbon remains on said Spool means.
A method of detecting "Low-Ribbon" condition comprising:
- mounting detect means in operative association with a prescribed ribbon-supply Spool means affixed on a prescribed Shaft means to be unspooled therefrom;
- and forming said detect means:
- by disposing
- digital rotation-counter means operatively on, or adjacent, said Shaft means and adapted to output N prescribed rotate-pulses, for every X.degree. of shaft rotation;
- and by providing associated
- data-interpret means adapted to receive this pulse output and, to responsively indicate when a prescribed length of ribbon has been used and thus a prescribed minimum-length of ribbon remains on said Spool means.
A ribbon tracking arrangement embodied in a high-speed encoder print station for imprinting documents advanced incrementally thru said station, with print ribbon means provided to be advanced incrementally along a ribbon-track operatively adjacent said print station, this tracking arrangement comprising:
- ribbon advance means arranged to incrementally repeatedly advance the ribbon a prescribed print-distance;
- advance-detect means for indicating prescribed ribbon motion and advance-distance;
- processor-control means adapted to receive output from said detect means and responsively operate said advance means until this output indicates sufficient ribbon advancement to said print distance.
A method of tracking print ribbon in a high-speed encoder print station for imprinting documents advanced thru said station, with print ribbon means provided to be advanced by advance means along a ribbon-track operatively adjacent said print station, this tracking method comprising:
- arranging advance-detect means to indicate prescribed ribbon motion;
- and arranging processor-control means to receive output from said detect means and to responsively operate said advance means until this output indicates sufficient ribbon advancement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.