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US 8,525,858 B2Granted
Detecting print line loss
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsDean F. Herring, Kevin H. Vorhees
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Printers and methods of printer operation are disclosed for detecting print line loss. Embodiments include at least one stable frame element and a print head that is moveable with respect to the stable frame element; and at least two optical elements mounted on one or more of the stable frame element and the print head, the optical elements oriented with respect to one another so as to detect motion of the print head.
Claims15
A printer that detects print line loss, the printer comprising:
- at least one stable frame element and a print head that is moveable with respect to the stable frame element;
- and
- at least two optical elements comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector, at least one of the two optical elements mounted on the print head, the optical elements oriented with respect to one another so as to detect motion of the print head.
A method of detecting print line loss comprising:
- transmitting an optical output between at least two optical elements comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector, wherein at least one of the two optical elements is mounted on a print head of a printer, wherein the print head is moveable with respect to the stable frame element;
- and
- detecting, by one of the two optical elements, motion of the print head based on the optical output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.