Tri-state detector for detecting types of light
AssigneeZIH Corp.
InventorsRobert Edward Lass, Jr., Robert A. Ehrhardt, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein are devices, systems, methods and various means, including those related to printer systems and, more particularly, relate to methods, apparatuses, systems and other means for monitoring a printer ribbon. Some embodiments use a multi-element detector, which is configured to detect a particular type of light emitted from a light emitter. The multi-state detector can include two sensors, one of which includes a polarizer filter that blocks polarized light. Embodiments can be used to determine, among other things, whether or not a printer ribbon is installed in a printer without the use of a snap plate.
Claims16
A method, comprising:
- emitting light into a field of view;
- indicating whether the light is present in the field of view by signals from a multi-element detector;
- and
- indicating whether at least a portion of the light is polarized by a signal from the multi-element detector;
- wherein emitting the light comprises shining the light onto a printer ribbon such that the light's angle of incidence is within 5 degrees of Brewster's angle associated with the printer ribbon's material.
A method, comprising:
- emitting light into a field of view;
- indicating whether the light is present in the field of view by signals form a multi-element detector;
- indicating whether at least a portion of the light is polarized by a signal from the multi-element detector;
- and
- in response to receiving, by a processor, indications whether the light is present and whether the light is polarized, determining whether an inked portion of a printer ribbon is in the field of view.
A new method comprising:
- emitting light into a field view;
- indicating whether the light is present in the field of view by signals from a multi-element detector;
- indicating whether at least a portion of the light is polarized by a signal from the multi-element detector;
- outputting data to a processor of a printer representative of whether the light is present and whether the light is polarized;
- and
- reducing noise effects in the light detectors caused by rippling on a surface of a printer ribbon by at least one of:
- electronic adjustment of the detector signals, spreading the incident light over a greater area of the surface of the ribbon, employing an array of multi-element light detectors, or adding physical damping features to a printer ribbon path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.