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AssigneeDatamax-O'Neil Corporation
InventorsWilliam M. Bouverie, Mark Allen Hitz, Dwayne Steven Tobin, Richard Hatle
Estimating the term…
A system to determine the presence and width of a media within a printing system is disclosed which includes a pair of adjustable media guides is provided about a carriage and is axially spaced apart along the length of the carriage. The guides may be manipulated along a horizontal axis in a sliding, synchronized manner and such that the center line of media is maintained along the centerline of the print station. A sensor is provided and affixed to the carriage, the sensor being operable for emitting an optical signal through an aperture located in the carriage. At least one of the guides includes an obstruction which may protrude into the path of the optical signal at defined locations. As the guides move about the horizontal axis, the obstruction may block or otherwise interrupt the optical signal, thereby signaling the sensor and the printer of the media's presence and width.
A system to determine a width of media along a media feed path of a printing system, comprising:
An apparatus for detecting presence of a media and determining a width of the media within a media feed path of a printing system, comprising:
The apparatus of 9, the sensor is selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, and a photo sensor.
The apparatus of 9, wherein the media guides are connected to the carriage through slots located at predefined locations within the carriage.
The apparatus of 9, wherein the sensor comprises a transmitter having a light emitting diode operable for emitting the at least one optical signal and a receiver operable for receiving a reflected optical signal and converting the reflected optical signal into an electrical signal which can be transmitted by the transmitter to the control circuitry.
The apparatus of 9, wherein the optical signal is a light beam.
The apparatus of 9, wherein the obstruction is a tab.
The apparatus of 9, wherein the media guides are further configured to maintain a centerline of the media which is passing along the media feed path along the centerline of the print station.
The apparatus of 9, wherein the media guides are positioned and connected to the carriage at a predefined distance apart such that they can engage opposite ends of the media.
A sensing apparatus for detecting presence of a media and determining a width of the media within a media feed path of a printing system, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.