Detecting printing ribbon orientation
AssigneeDatamax-O'Neil Corporation
InventorSébastien Michel Marie Joseph d'Armancourt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods providing a ribbon sensor configured and positioned to ascertain an orientation of a printing ribbon, including devices, systems, and methods configured for detecting an improperly oriented printing ribbon, and for triggering a response in the event of an improperly installed, and/or for confirming proper installation of a printing ribbon.
Claims20
A method of ascertaining an orientation of a printing ribbon, the method comprising:
- providing a printer comprising a print head, a printing ribbon having been installed along a printing ribbon path configured to guide the printing ribbon between the print head and a media, and a ribbon sensor positioned along the printing ribbon path facing a surface of the printing ribbon;
- wherein the printing ribbon has a first surface comprising a substantially specular substrate having a first reflectivity and a second surface comprising a substantially diffuse functional layer having a second reflectivity, the first reflectivity being greater than the second reflectivity;
- detecting with the ribbon sensor, a reflectance value from the printing ribbon;
- and
- ascertaining that the first surface faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value detected corresponds to a substantially specular reflectance as expected from the first surface, and/or ascertaining that the functional layer faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value detected corresponds to a substantially diffuse reflectance as expected from the second surface.
A method of ascertaining an orientation of a printing ribbon, the method comprising:
- providing a printer comprising a printing ribbon having been at least partially installed therein, and a ribbon sensor positioned so as to face a surface of the printing ribbon;
- and
- ascertaining that a first surface of the printing ribbon faces the ribbon sensor when the ribbon sensor returns a reflectance above a threshold;
- and/or
- ascertaining that a second surface of the printing ribbon faces the ribbon sensor when the ribbon sensor returns a reflectance value below the threshold;
- wherein the first surface comprises a substrate having a substantially specular reflectance, and wherein the second surface comprises a thermal transfer layer having a substantially diffuse reflectance.
A method of ascertaining an orientation of a printing ribbon, the method comprising:
- providing a printer comprising a print head configured to transfer an ink from a printing ribbon to a media, the printer comprising a ribbon sensor configured to detect a reflectance value from a printing ribbon to be utilized by the printer;
- detecting with the ribbon sensor, a reflectance value from a printing ribbon having been at least partially installed in the printer, wherein the printing ribbon comprises a substrate and a thermal transfer layer comprising the ink;
- and
- ascertaining that the substrate faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value corresponds to a substantially specular reflectance, and/or ascertaining that the thermal transfer layer faces the ribbon sensor when the reflectance value corresponds to a substantially diffuse reflectance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.