Patent Application
20080036813
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of theis invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring to
Host 14 may be, for example, a personal computer. During operation, host 14 includes in its memory a software program including program instructions that function as an imaging driver, e.g., printer driver software, for imaging apparatus 12. The imaging driver facilitates communication between imaging apparatus 12 and host 14, and may provide formatted print data to imaging apparatus 12.
Alternatively, imaging apparatus 12 may be a standalone unit that is not communicatively linked to a host, such as host 14. For example, imaging apparatus 12 may take the form of a multifunction machine that includes standalone copying and facsimile capabilities, in addition to optionally serving as a printer when attached to a host, such as host 14.
Imaging apparatus 12 may include, for example, a controller 18, a print engine 20, and a user interface 22.
Controller 18 includes a processor unit and associated memory, and may be formed as an Application Specific Integrated Card (ASIC). Controller 18 may be configured, for example, to support printing and/or other functions, and as such, may include a printer driver and/or a scanner driver for providing formatted print data to print engine 20.
Controller 18 communicates with print engine 20 via a communications link 24. Controller 18 communicates with user interface 22 via a communications link 26. Communications links 24 and 26 may be established, for example, by using standard electrical cabling or bus structures, or by wireless connection
Print engine 20 may be, for example, an ink jet print engine or an electrophotographic print engine, for forming an image on a sheet of print media 28, such as a sheet of paper, transparency or fabric, in a manner known in the art.
Print engine 20 includes a cartridge receptacle 30 including a plurality of supply cartridge bays 32, individually identified as bay 32-1, bay 32-2, bay 32-3, and bay 32-4. The plurality of supply cartridge bays 32 is configured to receive a corresponding plurality of supply cartridges 34, individually identified as supply cartridge 34-1, supply cartridge 34-2, supply cartridge 34-3, and supply cartridge 34-4. For example, in embodiments where print engine 20 is an ink jet print engine, cartridge receptacle 30 may be a reciprocating carrier that is configured to mount two or more removable ink jet printhead cartridges, or alternatively, cartridge receptacle 30 may mount semi-permanently installed ink jet printheads and be configured to mount two or more removable ink tanks.
While cartridge receptacle 30 includes four bays 32 in this example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the number of bays is arbitrary, and the actual number of bays 32 and associated supply cartridges 34 may be dependent on the imaging application in which imaging apparatus 12 is to be used.
Referring now ot
Light source 36 is communicatively coupled to controller 18 via a communication link 42. Light detector 38 is communicatively coupled to controller 18 via a communication link 44. Light source 36 may be mounted, for example, on the structure of imaging apparatus 12, such as on cartridge receptacle 30. Light source 36 may be selectively energized, for example, by a signal received from controller 18. Light detector 38 is positioned to be spaced apart from light source 36. Light detector 38 may be mounted, for example, on the structure of imaging apparatus 12, such as on cartridge receptacle 30, or may be mounted on one of the supply cartridges, such as supply cartridge 34-4.
Each supply cartridge 34-1, 34-2, 34-3, 34-4 of the plurality of supply cartridges 34 is installed in a respective bay of the plurality of supply cartridge bays 32. Supply cartridge 34-1 has a cartridge body 46-1, and a respective light pipe 48-1 attached to cartridge body 46-1. Supply cartridge 34-2 has a cartridge body 46-2, and a respective light pipe 48-2 attached to cartridge body 46-2. Supply cartridge 34-3 has a cartridge body 46-3, and a respective light pipe 48-3 attached to cartridge body 46-3. Supply cartridge 34-4 has a cartridge body 46-4 and a respective light piep 48-4 attached to cartridge body 46-4. Attachment may be made, for example, by forming the light pipe integral with the cartridge body, e.g., by molding the light pipe into the cartridge body. Alternative, for example, the light piep may be connected to a component of the supply cartridge, such as a wall surface, e.g., a facade, or a top, bottom or sidewall, of the respective cartridge body. Each of light pipes 48-1, 48-2, 48-3 and 48-4 may be, for example, a vloume formed with a transmissive solid, for example, a cylindrical, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc., solid composed of acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, etc., material.
Light pipe 48-1 includes a light inout 50-1, a light output 52-1, and a straight-line light path 54-1 between light input 50-1 and light output 52-1. Light pipe 48-2 includes a light input 50-2, a light output 52-2, and a straight-line light path 54-2 between light input 50-2 and light output 52-2. Light pipe 48-3 includes a light input 50-3, a light output 52-3, and a straight-line light path 54-3 between light input 50-3 and light output 52-3. Light pipe 48-4 includes a light input 50-4, a light output 52-4, and a straight-line light path 54-4 between light input 50-4 and light output 52-4.
in this embodiment, cartridge body 46-1 includes a side 56-1 that defines a plane 58-1. Straight-line light path 54-1 of light pipe 48-1 is positioned to be perpendicular to plane 58-1. Cartridge body 46-2 includes a side 56-2 that defines a plane 58-2. Straight-line light path 54-2 of light pipe 48-2 is positioned to be perpendicular to plane 58-2. Cartridge body 46-3 includes a side 56-3 that defines a plane 58-3. Straight-line light path 54-3 of light pipe 48-3 is positioned to be perpendicular to plane 58-3. Cartridge body 46-4 includes a side 56-4 that defines a plane 58-4. Straight-line light path 54-4 of light pipe 48-4 is positioned to be perpendicular to plane 58-4. In this example, planes 58-1, 58-2, 58-3 and 58-4 are vertical planes, and are substantially parallel.
In this embodiment, when the plurality of supply cartridges 34 are properly installed in the respective plurality of supply cartridge bays 32, light pipes 48-1, 48-2, 48-3, and 48-4 are axially aligned along an axis 60, and light source 36 is optically connected to light detector 38. As such, a majority of light 40 supplied by light source 36 that enters light input 50-1 of light pipe 48-1 is transferred sequentially through light pipes 48-2, 48-3 and 48-4 and is received at light detector 38. Light detector 38 then sends a detection signal via communication link 44 to controller 18 for measurement. Controller 18 executes program instructions to determine whether the plurality of supply cartridges 34 is properly installed in imaging apparatus 12 based on the amount of light transmitted through the corresponding plurality of sequentially arranged light pipes 48-1, 48-2, 48-3, and 48-4. For example, controller 18 may execute program instructions to determine whether the measured amount of light is within a predefined range associated with the plurality of supply cartridges 34 being properly installed in imaging apparatus 12.
The range may be, for example, in termas of a voltage output of light detector 38. For example, a voltage output in the range of 1.4 volts to 1.6 volts may be predefined to signify proper installation of each of supply cartridges 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4 in the respective supply cartridge bays 32-1, 32-2, 32-3 and 32-4.
If the amount of measured light is within thwe predetermined range, each of the plurality of supply cartridges 34 is properly installed in the respective plurality of supply cartridge bays 32 of imaging apparatus 12. However, if the amount of measured light is not within the predefined range, then at least one of the plurality of supply cartridges 34 is not properly installed in imaging apparatus 12. As such, a warning message may be generated, e.g., by controller 18, and displayed at user interface 22 and/or at host 14. Alternatively, or in addition to the warning message, controller 18 may not enable print engine 20 until corrective action is taken, so as to protect print engine 20 from inadvertent damage, e.g., to protect against premature failure of comopnent parts, e.g., print heads, etc., resulting from performing a printing operation when one or more of the plurality of supply cartridges 34 is not properly installed in the respective plurality of supply cartridge bays 32 of imaging apparatus 12.
In
In
In
In
Each of illumination devices 68-1, 68-2, 68-3 and 68-4 may be, for example, a passive device that does not require or use electrical power, such as a light transmissive structire having a prominent surface visible to a user that illuminates when it receives light. The light transmissive structure may be composed of, for example, acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, etc., material. Alternatively, such illumination devices may be formed by an active system using electronic sensors and light emitters.
As illustrated in
Referring now to
Each supply cartridge 74-1, 74-2, 74-3, 74-4 of the plurality of supply cartridges 74 is installed in a respective bay of the plurality of supply cartridge bays 32. Supply cartridge 74-1 has a cartridge body 76-1, and a respective light pipe 78-1 attached to cartridge body 76-1. Supply cartridge 74-2 has a cartridge body 76-2, and a respective light pipe 78-2 attached to cartirdge body 76-2. Supply casrtridge 74-3 has a cartridge body 76-3, and a respective light pipe 78-3 attached to cartirdge body 76-3. Supply cartridge 74-4 has a cartridge body 76-4 and a respective light pipe 78-4 attached to cartridge body 76-4. Attachment may be made, for example, by forming the light pipe integral with the cartridge body, e.g., by molding the light pipe into the cartridge body. Alternatively, for example, the light pipe may be connected to a component of the supply cartridge, such as a wall surface, e.g., a facade, or a top, bottom or sidewall, of the respective cartridge body. Each of light pipes 78-1, 78-2, 78-3 and 78-4 may be, for example, a transmissive solid, for example, a cylindrical, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc., solid composed of acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, etc., material.
Light pipe 78-1 includes a light input 80-1, a light output 82-1, and a straight-line light path 84-1 between light input 80-1 and light output 82-1. Light pipe 78-2 includes a light input 80-2, a light output 82-2, and a straight-line light path 84-2 between light input 80-2 and light output 82-2. Light pipe 78-3 includes a light input 80-3, a light output 82-3, and a straight-line light path 84-3 between light input 80-3 and light output 82-3. Light pipe 78-4 includes a light input 80-4, a light output 82-1, and a straight-line light path 84-4 between light input 80-4 and light output 82-4.
In this embodiment, cartridge body 76-1 includes a side 86-1 that defines a plane 88-1. Straight-line light path 84-1 of light pipe 78-1 is positioned to be disposed at an acute angle A1 with respect to plane 88-1. Cartridge body 76-2 includes a side 86-2 that defines a plane 88-2. Straight-line light path 84-2 of light pipe 78-2 is positioned to be disposed at an acute angle A2 with respect to plane 88-2. Cartridge body 76-3 includes a side 86-3 that defines a plane 88-3. Straight-line light path 84-3 of light pipe 78-3 is positioned to be disposed at an acute angle A3 with respect to plane 88-3. Cartridge body 76-4 includes a side 86-4 that defines a plane 88-4. Straight-line light path 84-4 of light pipe 78-4 is positioned to be disposed at an acute angle A4 with respect to plane 88-4. In this example, planes 88-1, 88-2, 88-3 and 88-4 are vertical planes, and are substantially parallel.
In this embodiment, when the plurality of supply cartridges 34 are properly installed in the respective plurality of supply cartridge bays 32, light pipes 78-1, 78-2, 78-3, and 78-4 are axially aligned along an axis 90, and light source 36 is optically connected to light detector 38. As such, a majority of light supplied by light source 36 that enters light input 80-1 of light pipe 78-1 is transferred sequentially through light pipes 78-2, 78-3 and 78-4 and is received at light detector 38. Light detector 38 then sends a detection signal via communication link 44 to controller 18 for measurement. Controller 18 executes program instructions to determine whether the plurality of supply cartridges 74 is properly installed in imaging apparatus 12 based on the amount of light transmitted through the corresponding plurality of sequentially arranged light pipes 78-1, 78-2, 78-3, and 78-4. For example, controller 18 may execute program instructions to determine whether the measured amount of light is within a predefined range associated with the plurality of supply cartridges 74 being properly installed in imaging apparatus 12.
If the amount of measured light is within the predefined range, each of the plurality of supply cartridges 74 is properly installed in the respective plurality of supply cartridge bays 32 of imaging apparatus 12.
However, if the amount of measured light is not within the predefined range, then at least one of the plurality of supply cartridges 74 is not properly installed in imaging apparatus 12. As such, a warning message may be generated, e.g., by controller 18, and displayed at user interface 22 and/or at host 14. Alternatively, or in addition to the warning message, controller 18 may not enable print engine 20 until corrective action is taken, so as to protect print engine 20 from inadvertent damage, e.g., to protect against premature failure of component parts, e.g., print heads, etc., resulting from performing a printing operation when one or more of the plurality of supply cartridges 74 is not properly installed in the respective plurality of supply cartridge bays 32 of imaging apparatus 12.
In the embodiment of
Accordingly, for a particular supply cartridge, e.g., supply cartridge 74-2, a position of the resepctive light pipe, e.g., light pipe 78-2, with respect to the respective cartridge body, e.g., cartridge body 76-2, may be made to be dependent on, i.e., being representative of, a characteristic of the particular supply cartridge. The characteristic may be, for example, related to an installation position, e.g., a predefined order of the plurality of supply cartridges 74 in supply cartridge bays 32 from left to right, based on the imaging substance color, e.g., ink color, contained in the respective supply cartridges 74-1, 74-2, 74-3, amd 74-4. For example, the color sequence from left to right may be cyan, yellow, magenta and black. As another example, the characteristic may be, for example, related to a cartridge type, e.g., pigment versus dye-based inks, dilute versus full strength inks, black versus color inks, etc. As a still further example, the characteristic may be identification of a particular cartridge manufacturer or vendor.
The plurality of supply cartridge bays 102 is configured to receive a corresponding plurality of supply cartridges 104, individually identified as supply cartridge 104-1 and supply cartridge 104-2.
Each supply cartridge 104-1, 104-2 of a plurality of supply cartridges 104 is installed in a respective bay of the plurality of supply cartridge bays 102. Supply cartridge 104-1 has a cartridge body 106-1, and a respective light pipe 108-1 attached to cartridge body 106-1. Supply cartridge 104-2 has a cartridge body 106-2, and a respective light pipe 108-2 attached to cartridge body 106-2. Attachment may be made, for example, by forming the light pipe integral with the cartridge body, e.g., by molding the light pipe into the cartridge body. Alternatively, for exaxmple, the light pipe may be connected to a component of the supply cartridge, such as a wall surface, e.g., a facade, or a top, bottom or sidewall, of the respective cartridge body. Each of light pipes 108-1 and 108-2 may be, for example, a transmissive solid, for example, a cylindrical, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc., solid composed of acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, etc., material.
Light pipe 108-1 includes a light input 110-1, a light output 112-1, and a straight-line light path 114-1 between light input 110-1 and light output 112-1. Light pipe 108-2 includes a light input 110-2, a light output 112-2, and a straight-line light path 114-2 between light input 110-2 and light 112-2.
In this embodiment, cartridge body 106-1 includes a side 116-1 that defines a plane 118-1. Straight-line light path 114-1 of light pipe 108-1 is positioned to be disposed at an acute angle B1 with respect to plane 118-1. Cartridge body 106-2 includes a side 116-2 that defines a plane 118-2. Srtaight-line light path 114-2 of light pipe 108-2 is positioned to be disposed at an acute angle B2 with respect to plane 118-2. In this embodiment, angles B1 and B2 are substantially equal complementary angles with respect to a normal line 120 extending from reflective surface 105.
Light pipe 108-1 is positioned to receive light from light source 36. Light pipe 108-1, light pipe 108-2 and reflective surface 105 are oriented such that when supply cartridge 104-1 is properly installed in supply cartridge bay 102-1 and supply cartridge 104-2 is properly installed in supply cartridge bay 102-2, then light source 36 is optically connected to light detector 38. For example, light 40 is transferred from the light output 12-1 of light pipe 108-1 via reflective surface 105 to light input 110-2 of light pipe 108-2. Light 40 is then delivered by light pipe 108-2 to light detector 38.
If the amount of measured light is within the predefined range, each of the plurality of supply cartridges 104 is properly installed in the respective plurality of supply cartridge bays 102 of imaging apparatus 12. However, if the amount of measured light is not within the predefined range, then at least one of the plurality of supply cartridges 104 is not properly installed in imaging apparatus 12. As such, a warning message may be generated, e.g., by controller 18, and displayed at user interface 22 and/or at host 14. Alternatively, or in addition to the warning message, controller 18 may not enable print engine 20 until corrective action is taken, so as to protect print engine 20 from inadvertent damage, e.g., to protect against premature failure of component parts, e.g., print heads, etc., resulting from performing a printing operation when one or more of the plurality of supply cartrigdes 104 is not properly installed in the respective plurality of supply cartridge bays 102 of imaging apparatus 12.
In the embodiment of
Accordingly, for a particular supply cartridge, e.g., supply cartridge 104-2, a position of the respective light pipe, e.g., light pipe 108-2, with respect to the respective cartridge body, e.g., cartridge body 106-2, may be made to be dependent on, i.e., being representative of, a characteristic of the particular supply cartridge. The characteristic may be, for example, related to an installation position, e.g., a predefined order of the plurality of supply cartridges 104 in supply cartridge bays 102 from left to right, based on the imaging substance color, e.g., ink color, contained in the respective supply cartridges 104-1 and 104-2. For example, the color sequence from left to right may be chromatic and monochromatic. As another example, the characteristic may be, for example, related to a cartridge type, e.g., pigment versus dye-based inks, dilute versus full strength inks, etc.
At step S100, the plurality of supply cartridges 34 are arranged in a sequence in the cartridge receptacle 30 of imaging apparatus 12. The sequence refers to a serial arrangement of individual supply cartridges 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4 in respective supply cartridge bays 32-1, 32-2, 32-3 and 32-4.
At step S102, an amount of light is upplied into a respective light pipe 48-1 of an initial supply cartridge 34-1 in the sequence of supply cartridges 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4.
At step S104, an amount of light that exits a respective light pipe 4804 of a last supply cartridge 34-4 in the sequence is measured. the measurement may be made, for example, by controller 18 processing a voltage output signal received from light detector 38.
At step S106, it is determined whether the measured amount of light is within a predefined range associated with the plurality of supply cartridges 34 being properly installed in imaging apparatus 12. This determination may be made, for example, by controller 18 executing program instructions to make the determination.
If at step S106 the determination is YES, then monitoring continues at step S104.
If at step S106 the determination is NO, and thus the measuref light is not within the predetermined range, then at least one of the plurality of supply cartrtidges 34 is not properly installed in imaging apparatus 12, and the process proceeds to step S108.
At step S108, an indication of this NO condition at step S106 is made, for example, by generating a warning that at least one of the plurality of supply cartrtidges 34 is not properly installed in imaging apparatus 12. The warning may be in the form of a warning message displayed on user interface 22 of imaging apparatus 12, or on host 14. Monitoring then continues at step S104.
In the previous embodiments, light source 36 and light detector 38 are separated by some distance. For example, in the embodiments represented in
In the embodiments of
Supplycartridge 130-1 has a cartridge body 132-1, and arespective light pipe 134-1 and a respective second light pipe 134-2 attached to cartridge body 132-1. Supply cartridge 130-2 has a cartridge body 132-2, and a respective first light pipe 136-1 and a respective second light pipe 136-2 attached to cartridge body 132-2. Supply cartridge 130-3 has a cartridge body 132-3, and a respective first light pipe 138-1 and a respective second light pipe 138-2 attached to caretridge body 132-2. Supply cartridge 130-4 has a cartridge body 132-4, and a respective first light pipe 140-1 and a respective second light pipe 140-2 attached to cartridge body 132-4. Attachment may be made, for example, by forming the light pipes integral with the cartridge body, e.g., by molding the light pipes into the cartridge body. Alternatively, for example, the light pipes may be connected to a component of the supply cartridge, such as a wall surface, e.g., a facade, or a top, bottom, or sidewall, of the respective cartridge body. Each of light pipes 134-1, 134-2, 136-1, 136-2, 138-1, 138-2, 140-1, and 140-2, may be, for example, a transmissive solid, for example, a cylindrical, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc., solid composed of acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, etc., material.
When the plurality of supply cartridges 130 are properly installed in the plurality of supply cartridge bays 32, the plurality of respective first light pipes 134-1, 136-1, 138-1 and 140-1 of the plurality of supply cartridges 130 define a first light path 142 and are axially aligned along a first axis 144, and the plurality of respective second light pipes 134-2, 136-2, 138-2 and 140-2 of the plurality of supply cartridges 130 define a second light path 146 and are axially aligned along a second axis 148. In the embodiments represented in
A reflector device 150 is interposed between the first light path 142 and the second light path 146 to guide light 40 from the first light path 142 to the second light path 146. Reflector device 150 may include, for example, two reflective surfaces 152-1, 152-2 that are arranged to provide the proper angle of incidence with respect to light 40 traveling in first light path 142 such that light 40 is directed along second light path 146. Reflective surfaces 152-1, 152-2 may be formed, for example, from polypropylene, and may be polished to enhance their respective reflectivity.
For example, in the embodiments represented in
In the embodiment illustrated in
As such, a majority of light 40 supplied by light source 36 that enters light pipe 134-1 is transferred sequentially through subsequent light pipes 136-1, 138-1, 140-1, 140-2, 138-2, 136-2 and 134-2 and is received at light detector 38 when each of the plurality of supply cartridges 130 is properly installed. Light detector 38 then sends a detection signal via communication link 44 to controller 18 for measurement. Controller 18 executes program instructions to determine whether the plurality of supply cartridges 130 is properly installed in cartridge receptacle 30 of imaging apparatus 12 based on the amount of light transmitted through the corresponding plurality of sequentially arranged light pipes 134-1, 136-1, 138-1, 140-1, 140-2, 138-2, 136-2 and 134-2. For example, controller 18 may execute program instructions to determine whether the measured amount of light is within a predefined range associated with the plurality of supply cartridges 130 being properly installed in imaging apparatus 12, as described above.
However, if the amount of measured light is not within the predefined range, then at least one of the plurality of supply cartridges 130 is not properly installed in imaging apparatus 12. As such, a warning message may be generated, e.g., by controller 18, and displayed at user interface 22 and/or at host 14. Alternatively, or in addition to the warning message, controller 18 may not enable print engine 20 until corrective action is taken, so as to protect print engine 20 from inadvertent damage, e.g., to protect against premature failure of component parts, e.g., print heads, etc., resulting from performing a printing operation when one or more of the plurality of supply cartridges 130 is not properly installed in the respective plurality of supply cartridge bays 32 of imaging apparatus 12.
the embodimemnt of
Reflector device 154 may include, for example, a single reflective surface 156 that is arranged to provide the proper angle of incidence with respect to light 40 received from light source 36 such that light 40 is directed along first light path 142. Likewise, reflective surface 156 is arranged to provide the proper angle of incidence with respect to light 40 received from second light path 146 such that light 40 is directed to light detector 38.
In this embodiment, reflector device 154 directs light 40 supplied by light source 36 to the respective first light pipe 134-1 of the initial supply cartridge 130-1 in the sequence of supply cartridge, and reflector device 154 directs light 40 from the second light pipe 134-2 of initial supply cartridge 130-1 to light detector 38.
the embodiment of
Reflective surface 160-1 is arranged to provide the proper angle of incidence with respect to light 40 received from light source 36 such that light source 40 is directed along first light path 142. Likewise, reflective surface 160-2 is arranged to provide the proper angle of incidence with respect to light 40 received from second light path 146 such that light 40 is directed to light detector 38. Reflective surfaces 160-1, 160-2 may be formed, for example, from polypropylene, and may be polished to enhance thier respective reflectivity.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the angular position of reflective surface 160-1 with respect to light source 36 and light pipe 134-1, and the angular position of reflective surface 160-2 with respect to light pipe 134-2 and light detector 38, may be determined, for example, based on trigonometric principles and the material properties of the reflective surfaces 160-1, 160-2, and/or by experimentation.
By integration of a light pipe circuit through the suply cartridges, the system is able to detect if all of te supply cartridges are properly installed and aligned correctly with a single sensor reading. If one of the supply cartridges is missing, misaligned, or in some embodiments out of order, the light will be diffused or blocked, and in turn will decrease the amount of light received by the light receiver, e.g., the illuminating device or the light detector, by a detectable amount, thus indicating the anomaly, thereby permitting corrective action to be taken in a timely manner.
While this invention has been described with respect to embodiments of the invention, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
