US 7,030,972 B2 · System and method for identifying objects

Abstract

Method and system for detecting the presence and determining characteristics of objects such as ink cartridges in printing systems. The system includes a signal transceiver capable of transmitting signals using a photo emitter and capable of receiving signals sent from the objects using a photo detector, and a monitoring system coupled to the signal transceiver for processing received signals to determine characteristics of the objects. Further, the photo emitter is at least partially covered by a first optical polarizer and the objects include a reflective surface that is at least partially covered by a second optical polarizer. When signals are transmitted from the signal transceiver to the objects, the second optical polarizer allows the signals to reach the reflective surface and reflect back towards the signal transceiver if the orientations of the first and second optical polarizers are substantially the same.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for identifying at least one object, the system comprising:

a signal transceiver system that detects a polarized light signal from the at least one object;
a signal processing system that identifies at least one characteristic of the at least one object in response to the detected polarized light signal;
and
a first optical polarizer arranged in a first orientation on at least a portion of the signal transceiver system with respect to a second optical polarizer arranged in a second orientation on at least a portion of a reflective surface on the object,
wherein the at least one object reflects the polarized light signal without diffracting the polarized light signal.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for identifying objects

Life of this patent

System and method for identifying objects

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19