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US 7,111,918 B2Granted
Dual-axis media-positioning sensor
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsCarles Flotats, David Claramunt, Jose M. Rio Doval, Rodrigo Ruiz, Francesc Subirada, Joaquim Veciana, Marc Jansa
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Abstract
A media-positioning sensor assembly in one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes a mechanism and a media-positioning sensor. The mechanism moves back and forth over media along a first axis. The media advances past the mechanism along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The media-positioning sensor is situated on the mechanism and is to detect positioning of the media relative to the mechanism along at least one of the first axis and the second axis.
Claims28
A media-positioning sensor assembly comprising:
- a mechanism to move back and forth over media along a first axis, the media advancing past the mechanism along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;
- and,
- a media-positioning sensor situated on the mechanism to detect positioning of the media relative to the mechanism along at least one the first axis and the second axis,
- wherein one or more of the following is true:
- first, the mechanism moves back and forth over the media along the first axis between a first end position and a second end position, the media-positioning sensor having a first sub-sensor remaining over the media when the mechanism is at the first end position and a second sub-sensor remaining over the media when the mechanism is at the second end position;
- and,
- second, upon a beginning of the media passing under the mechanism relative to the second axis, the mechanism moves substantially to a center of the media with respect to the first axis, such that the media-positioning sensor is able to detect the beginning of the media relative to the second axis at the center of the media with respect to the first axis.
4 more elements
An image-forming device comprising:
- a fluid-ejection mechanism to move back and forth over media along a first axis and eject fluid on the media;
- a media-advance mechanism to advance the media along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;
- and,
- a media-positioning sensor moving in concert with the fluid-ejection mechanism to detect positioning of the media relative to the fluid-ejection mechanism along at least one of the first axis and the second axis,
- wherein one or more of the following is true:
- first, upon a beginning of the media passing under the media-advance mechanism relative to the second axis, the media-advance mechanism moves substantially to a center of the media with respect to the first axis, such that the media-positioning sensor is able to detect the beginning of the media relative to the second axis at the center of the media with respect to the first axis;
- and,
- second, the media-positioning sensor is situated on the fluid-ejection mechanism, and the fluid-ejection mechanism comprises a plurality of fluid-ejection devices including a first fluid-ejection device and a last fluid-ejection device, the media-positioning sensor comprises a first sub-sensor and a second sub-sensor, the first sub-sensor positioned between the first fluid-ejection device and a first end of the fluid-ejection mechanism, and the second sub-sensor positioned between the last fluid-ejection device and a second end of the fluid-ejection mechanism.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- moving a mechanism over media in a first direction;
- sensing positioning of the media relative to the mechanism in the first direction using a media-positioning sensor situated on the mechanism as the mechanism moves over the media in the first direction;
- advancing the media in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
- and,
- sensing positioning of the media relative to the mechanism in the second direction using the media-positioning sensor situated on the mechanism,
- wherein one or more of the following is true:
- first, the method further comprises, upon the media being advanced in the second direction such that a beginning of the media passes under the mechanism:
- moving the mechanism substantially to a center of the media along the first direction;
- and,
- detecting the beginning of the media using the media-positioning sensor;
- second, sensing positioning of the media relative to the mechanism in the first direction comprises:
- capturing a plurality of images of the media with the media-positioning sensor as the mechanism moves over the media in the first direction;
- and,
- comparing at least two of the plurality of images captured to determine positioning of the media relative to the mechanism in the first direction;
- and,
- third, sensing positioning of the media relative to the mechanism in the second direction comprises:
- capturing a first image of the media with the media-positioning sensor before the media is advanced in the second direction;
- capturing a second image of the media with the media-positioning sensor after the media is advanced in the second direction;
- and,
- comparing the second image with the first image to determine positioning of the media relative to the mechanism in the second direction.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.