Patent Application
20240253340
The present invention relates to user interfaces, particularly for business machines which may need operator interaction when processing a given task. The invention further relates to anti-jamming or anti-wrapping components for business machines such as laminators. The invention also relates to an improved heat core for laminators.
Many machines and devices have user interfaces which provide information about system status or operation. Such interfaces may signal to the operator simple tasks of which the machine is taking on and provide communication back to the operator or user of the machine or device. By way of example, information that may be communicated to an operator of the device through the user interface may include: condition of consumables within the device, progress of a given task which the machine has been constructed to process, or the current state of the machine whether on, off, or in a sleep state.
An example of such a machine or device is a Fellowes brand paper shredder with an anti-jam feature. Such a shredder includes an indicator to let the user know when they are approaching the level of use which would induce a paper jam. The indicator in this example may include an array of LEDs which light to indicate to the user the thickness of the paper stack being inserted into the shredder for processing. The indicator goes from single color green LEDs to amber LEDs to red LEDs as the paper thickness stack approaches the maximum thickness allowed by the shredder. The LED's provide information to the operator, allowing the operator to adjust either the operation of the machine, or adjust what the operation is inputting into the machine. In the case of the paper being inserted into the machine, the LED's provide information or guidance to the user or operator to encourage the user or operator to meter the amount of paper being fed into the shredder and to prevent the operator or user from placing too thick of a stack into the shredding device.
The example shredder may also include a visual indicator such as LEDs to inform the operator as to the status of parts of the shredder, such as when the door or bin is either open or not in place, when the motor has reached a heated state, or when the unit has shut off due to the triggering of a proximity or capacitive sensor such as that used to sense a hand or other body part being too close to the entrance or feeding throat of the shredder.
Typically, these aforementioned indicators are arranged on the surface of the shredding device so that they may be viewed by the user or operator when the device is being used. However, the indicators typically are present in a manner as to make it difficult to keep track of all the indicators and therefore be of sub-optimal use to the operator during the operator's interaction with the machine.
Another machine or device in which an operator or user interacts with is a document laminator. Some examples of what might be communicated to the operator by the laminator through the user interface for such a device are the machine state such as the operator turns the unit on and the unit starts to heat up, when the proper temperature has been reached, when the laminator cooling off if cold lamination operation has been manually set or triggered, the mil thickness setting of the laminator either manually set or automatically detected, and the auto reverse of a laminated document when it gets caught within.
Similar to the shredder, the indicators used to communicate the state information to the operator may be presented to the user in a sub-optimal manner and make their use or interpretation difficult for the operator.
The above are merely examples of the types of machines and devices that may benefit from the invention disclosed herein and are not mean to limit the types of machines or devices to which the invention is applicable, or to limit the type of state or information conveyed.
As products get smarter and integrate more inputs and sensors along with their many options, consumers today are dealing with more and more complexity when interacting with even the simplest of machines and devices. The disclosed invention endeavors to simplify the operator experience and provide improved conveyance of information to the operator even when interacting with a more complex machine while encouraging the operator to be as efficient as possible. Such efforts may result to reduce the time they spend interacting with the machine to execute the task at hand and therefore expending less power and consuming less energy as well.
Typically, the machines for office and home use such as laminators, air purifiers, and shredders have many locations on the machine in which the operator needs to observe to understand the machine's status, availability, operation condition, consumable level and so on. The disclosed invention presents the operator a unified user interface (UI) where a single point UI simplifies in an expressive way, the machine's complex operations, status, availability, operation condition, consumable levels, or other parameters as to enhance the user's experience (UX) while improving their interactive involvement with the machine as they initiate and complete the given task in which the machine was designed for.
The disclosed invention, specifically the user interface, in its simplest embodiment can be implemented by the use of a plurality of LEDs, ideally RGB LEDs and in a more complex embodiment, an OLED screen. Other displays may also be used to convey information to the operator or user. In some embodiments, the UI may function in such a way as to guide the operator into interacting with the device in the most efficient manner so as to have the device operate or complete its task efficiently. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished by giving the operator a sensory input or communication or trigger such as visually via an LED or other light device of display or additionally and optionally, a speaker for auditory communication, or additionally and optionally a mechanized motion, as to encourage and signal the user to perform a function in a predetermined and controlled manner.
In some embodiments the communication of information to the user may be accomplished by using humanistic techniques in the UI feedback and communications process to engage the operator. For example, the utilization of the LED output levels, patterns and colors as well as the animated transitions with and without the addition of sounds, haptics or physically felt actions may be utilized in a manner to effectively emulate human centric rhythms, cycles, and logical sense-based processing. These methods can be utilized in a manner as to engage the operator on both conscious and subconscious levels improving the operator's acceptance and understanding of complex machine functions and outputs due to the intrinsically natural methodology utilized and hereby disclosed.
The following are exemplifications of the disclosed invention in an office or consumer business type machine. One skilled in the art will recognize that such examples are only examples and not limitations on the scope of the disclosed invention. Some global power requirements require certain types of office machines go into a sleep state when not being used. In some embodiments the disclosed invention may optionally incorporate a proximity sensing device or sensor such as a capacitance sensing arrangement to gage the proximity of the operator or any other person or animal relative to the machine which can be used to signal to the operator, that this particular machine is sensitive, tuned to them and ready to be engaged.
Such a feature could be implemented where the controller of the machine receives an input signal from the capacitance sensing arrangement or sensor and upon reaching a particular triggering threshold, would then signal the machine to wake up from its sleep state. This wake-up sequence of the machine would be communicated though a possible UI array in a way as to let the operator know they have now engaged the machine by approaching within its activating proximity zone and the machine is now ready to be engaged further. The machine through the UI could further trigger a communication in which to encourage the operator to engage with it in the next sequential action through a series of animated LED light sequences. This automatic proximity sensed activation is much more convenient for the operator of these types of machines since the nature of the tasks involved, the operator typically has their hands full and therefor the auto-awake and communications action bypasses the need for the operator to manually touch a button to engage and trigger the machine to wake up from its sleep state. With the UI as utilized in this disclosed application, the user knows the machine's change of state, is encouraged to further engage the machine by the signaling the next sequential action needed by the machine while being given seemingly positive feedback thereby creating a UX communications loop engaging both the machine and the operator interactively by way of the UI.
A category of business type machines such as shredders have sensors within the paper feed throat, which typically comprise of some sort of mechanical or IR based sensor to detect paper or other material in the feed throat. Other more feature rich shredding machines such as Fellowes 79Ci 100% Jam Proof Shredder have a more complex sensor array including a sensor approximate to the feed throat which may detect a potential feed issue. In response to a signal from the sensor, the controller may then stop the shredder or will not let it operate. The controller may send a signal to cause the illumination of a corresponding icon in the warning icon area. Similarly, an interlock door open switch, an overheat sensor, or a bin full sensor may cause the controller to illuminate a backlit icon residing in the warning icon area located on top of the machine.
Similarly other functions or malfunctions of the shredder may be communicated to the user or operator. For example, with the proper sensors installed, the feed throat of the shredder may detect not just the inserting of paper, but the actual thickness of the stack of paper inserted into the feed throat. The shredder communicates to the user the thickness of the stack of paper inserted into the throat by a LED bar which has one green, several amber and a red LED. Such information or display communicates to the operator or user how close one is getting to a jam threshold. In practice, this LED bar is located at another location other than the previously described warning icons. Thus, operation information or more generally, information that is communicated to the user may appear at various and different locations on the machine creating a need for the operator or user to monitor or scan different areas of the machine. A more ergonomic and improved solution, as presented by the invention disclosed herein, is to present the information in one location on the machine.
As an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention when applied to the aforementioned shredder machines, would bring the UI to a more localized area as to give the operator a single focal zone of observation and interaction which in turn allows the operator to more easily perceive the information conveyed by the UI by way of a quick and single glance, and to understand the machine's current status. The disclosed embodiment would differ from the prior art as it does not only warn the operator of a machine condition, such as a paper jam, the invention disclosed herein would function to communicate to the operator using a human centered approach as a way to encourage the operator to alter their interactive behavior; such as to feed significantly more than the operationally safe minimum which in turn allows the machine to operate more efficiently in its power band while shortening the operators interaction time with the machine to process the task at hand.
For example, in an embodiment of a shredder, when the desired amount of paper is inserted within the desired feeding rate by the operator, the UI may emit a pleasing output, utilizing visual, audible, or haptic means as to encourage and prolong this optimal level of operator action as they continue to interact with the machine to process the task at hand. By utilizing the disclosed means, the operator would therefore be encouraged to insert more paper per pass than they may typically insert into a shredder and at a higher frequency or rate than typically executed, yet still remain below the machine's jam threshold as compared to using the same machine in absence of the disclosed invention. The UI provides guidance and feedback to the operator so that the operator may interact with the machine to allow the machine to act in an efficient manner. As the operator nears the established jam threshold, the UI array would change as to communicate the limit approaching. This warning communication could be emoted utilizing one or more visual, audio and haptic signaling in a manner to encourage the operator of the machine to reduce the paper stack thickness during the next insertion cycle.
In some embodiments, the UI may integrate other status information or localize information, such as the waste bin status. The waste bin status is one of particular interest since research has shown that a sudden stop due to bin full causes frustration as well as jams. The UI can lesson that frustration by showing the bin level during pauses as to warn the operator through the localized UI that they are approaching a stop condition and to prepare for that stop. This warning allows the user to optionally pause their processing session so they can prioritize which items should be processed to ensure the completion of the most critical items, prior to the forced machine stop. Once the bin has been emptied and placed back into the machine, the machine's bin full condition threshold would then be reset.
Similarly, other stop conditional warnings could be integrated into the UI as well, such as motor overheat. Similarly, the motor temperature or other motor information such as run time could be monitored and as the motor approaches a cut off condition or as the performance deteriorates over time, the UI may convey to the operator an impending stop condition or an adjustment for performance is approaching and communicate these changes in condition so as to allow the operator to prioritize their items to be processed before the machine comes to a forced stop state.
In some embodiments the UI LED bar can be configured to give a countdown condition by varying the bar length, color and intensity, or any combination of those indicators to create an animated signal to let the operator know when to expect the machine function to resume. With such communication or signals to the operator, the UI may engage and incentivize the operator's paper feed timing and stack thickness in a manner encouraging and engaging the operator to respond to the machine's UI in such a way as to remain in the optimal machine and operator's efficiency band as much as possible. This allows for the ideal efficiencies to be reached as the operator processes the job at hand, as quickly as possible using the least amount of time and energy to process the task.
For laminating and similar type processing machines such as pouch laminators, LED and backlit icons are located in many different areas of a typical prior art machine and light up to communicate information regarding machine heat up, readiness (temperature met), cold or hot mode, pouch thickness setting, reverse on jam to name some examples. One skilled in the art will recognize other examples. Typically, in operation the laminator when turned on goes through a heat-up cycle and the machine communicates the heating process is ongoing by flashing an LED and when the proper temperature is reached, the light is continuously on to denote the machine is ready for a pouch to be inserted into the machine. Once the pouch is inserted, some machines regulate speed of processing depending on the thickness of the item inserted and the pouch thickness. The thicker the inserted item and pouch thickness chosen, the slower the unit laminates. As the laminated pouch progresses through the machine, typically the operator or user observes the progress by looking for the leading edge to emerge from the machine to see the rate the machine is processing the item.
However, in some instances the process does not proceed or progress as intended. Sometimes the item does not process properly through the machine, which is considered a jam. Some machines notify that a jam has occurred by utilizing a sensor to detect a point in the machine where the item should be sensed during the processing progression. If the sensor does not detect the item, a jam light or icon would be triggered by the machine to let the operator know of the warning condition. Other machines not only trigger the warning condition, they may auto reverse in attempts to alleviate the jam or simply trigger the warning light to let the operator know they need to act to manually unjam the machine.
Lamination machines such as those discussed in this application may include a UI embodiment to unifying the main communications elements to a more centralized UI zone to allow the user to have a focal point or area in which to receive the machine's communications. This collection or centralization of the information in turn facilitates the operator's ability to assess the machine condition with one simple glance.
The disclosed UI in its simplest form could utilize a plurality of LEDs, ideally RGB LEDs. During the warm-up cycle, the LEDs may go through a predetermined sequence of color changes as to emulate the machine's actions. These actions may be sequential in a way as to convey motion as well since the internal workings of the machine have been activated. After the warmup cycle is complete with the machine warming up to the required temperature for proper lamination and once the optimal temperature is met, the LEDs of the improved UI may then signal to the user along with an optional audio tone, communication, signal or motion, to let the operator know the unit is ready to accept an article for lamination. Once the operator feeds the article into the entrance throat of the machine, an optional thickness sensor may determine the thickness of the article and a corresponding signal is sent to the controller which determines by way of preprogrammed set of thresholds, the motor speed, and/or the thermal temperature in which to process the article through the machine.
In some embodiments the machine in reaction to the operator inserting into the machine the item within a lamination pouch, can optionally express the thickness sensed in representative form on the LED light bar array. Typically, there are three main pouch thicknesses utilized in office laminators, three, five and ten millimeters, so the light bar or other UI may then send a predetermined output to correspond with the operator's inserting action. The thickness sensor may sense the thickness of the pouch including the item within the pouch and output a signal to the controller. As the inserted item continues to the first set of feed rollers, the roller speed may be adjusted by the controller based on the output of the thickness sensor and automatically adjust the rate of feed or rate of the rollers. In embodiments without a thickness sensor, the laminator may allow for some manual settings and adjustments. The thicker pouches take longer to process through the machines correctly than the thinner pouches.
In view of the previously mentioned reasons and acknowledge by operators of these machines, jams can and do occur. The UI of the present invention may decrease such jams. Frequently observed during usage studies, operators are looking and waiting for the machine to process and exit the inserted item since the visual cue of the leading edge of the inserted item exiting the machine signals a successful trip through the laminator without a jam. To avoid this type of behavior and to alleviate the need to wait anxiously while the machine is processing the item, the present invention UI's LED array can be configured to show the represented progress of the item being processed through the machine. Thus, the operator may focus on the UI, which may provide the operator with information regarding machine status in addition to the progress of the lamination process.
In some embodiments, the progress of the lamination process can be calculated by taking the entrance sensor being triggered, and at the minimum, the speed of the process rollers, and the UI LEDs illuminated to represent the speed or movement of the process rollers. Ideally, an additional exit sensor or a sequence of sensors would aid in the proper detection of a jam if and when the sequential sensor or exit sensor does not detect the inserted item within the calculated expected time threshold. If a jam occurs during the processing of the item through the unit, the UI may indicate the jam as to ensure the operator reacts accordingly. If the machine has an auto reverse feature, the UI may show the machine is auto reversing the jammed pouch back out the entrance and accordingly during the process, the UI will signal the jam to the operator, and then the reversal of direction and the progress of the reversed item back through the machine, to ensure the operator understands the machine is reacting to a jam state and its progress of reversing to unjam itself. Such a process may be indicated on the UI by the LEDs illuminating in a reverse sequence or a change in color, as an example. One skilled in the art will recognize there are many ways to communicate information to the operator via a collection or series of LEDs or other type of display and those mentioned herein are merely examples.
If the machine is a manual reverse machine the UI may indicate and communicate to the operator that the operator may need to put the machine in a reverse state as to release the jammed document from the machine and the reverse tracking progress would be indicated by the UI. Of note, some lower cost machines do not have a reversing feature; a drive gear release lever may need to be engaged to allow the jammed document to be pulled out of the machine manually. In the stated cases, the machine through the UI would indicate to the operator the state of the progress of the material through the machine, a jam occurrence if and when a jam occurs, and when either manual or automatic means has been initiated in the attempts to release the jammed item and the progress of the reversed items back out of the machine.
In some embodiments when more accuracy of tracking the progress through the machine is desired, optional additional sensors, such as IR sensors, can be utilized within and along the processing path of the machine. When the sensor's triggering threshold is reached, the controller may then trigger the proper LED or LEDs within the UI to communicate progress much more accurately than just a timer-based system. These additional sensor triggers are taken into consideration to allow the controller within the machine to make the adjustments needed to improve the representative positioning of the inserted item as it progresses through the machine. These real-time adjustments can also be utilized to ensure the roller speeds are correctly functioning. As these machines use two, four, six and sometimes eight or more rollers, there is a need when changing speeds, to ensure the rollers are working in unison to safeguard the inserted item comes out properly, and within acceptable quality standards, and as flat as possible.
We are disclosing herein a method and apparatus in which the progress of the lamination pouch going through the machine and passing sensor elements allows for a determination of timing which can then be compared against established thresholds. Additionally, the method and apparatus may take into account other sensors, information, or data such as thermal sensor data to determine if the roller speeds and temperatures are within a defined parameter or if adjustments need to be made to either roller speed, or processing temperature, or both.
In some embodiments, alternative sensors can be attached to the rollers such as, but not limited to, hall sensor to determine roller speed and additionally, each roller set can be individually motorized for even more control of the lamination process. Additional sensor elements may be optionally placed within the entrance and exit trays of the laminator, and in between the roller pairs as to sense the item's lamination progress from start to finish. The entrance and exit trays may be an integral element, an additional user assembled part, or can fold or slide out from the unit housing. For an exemplified embodiment, the laminator may include entrance and exit trays which fold down individually or in unison by a linkage assembly with and without a dampening slow open feature with an interlock switch to ensure the machine is not in operational state when the tray doors are closed. Additionally, the fold down tray/s can have an extending member/s which by a linkage element can operate in unison or without the linking element, individually as to create a more supportive and self-centering entrance and exit tray extender even when the entrance and exits are located off the centerline of the machine. The laminator may include switches or sensors that sense the position of the trays and communicate the position to the controller. This information may also be included in the information displayed by the UI.
Furthermore, since roller pressure ensures proper lamination by pressing the heated assembly together as it processes through the rollers, the adjustment action/s can incorporate a cam lever, a screw arrangement, with and without springs, or any other means to engage the rollers to adjust the assembly pressure of an upper and lower roller set. The pressing force can be manually adjusted, or remotely by motor, or solenoid, or pneumatic/hydraulic means and then therefor, an automatic means can be utilized by way of the controller to adjust the pressing and releasing forces applied to the given roller sets as to ensure proper lamination. This adjustment action can be sensed with sensors and communicated to the controller which signals and actuates any adjustments if needed. The position or adjustment information for the rollers may be included in the information displayed on the UI.
Additionally, we are disclosing an anti-wraparound feature or elements which may include a plurality of elongated radiused elements assembled in such a way as to be inserted perpendicularly or otherwise through the elastomeric layer of the processing roller of a laminator. The placement of elongated radiused elements along the feed and/or processing and/or exit path of the machine do not allow the inserted item to be laminated to wrap upwards or downwards and around the roller element even when the roller element has adhesive residue from use. The seating depth of the elongated radiused members is determined by the elastomeric layers ability to compress and seal each of the slit openings in totality along the contacting compression zone of the roller pairs in such a manner as to not create a noticeable mark on the item being processed through the compressed roller assembly. It is preferable that the elongated radiused members conduct heat by contact or proximity means to the heated rollers which induces the slit opening to properly seal temporarily when compressed. This is due to the elastomeric layer being more pliable when heated versus having a cooling heat sink effect if the elongated radiused members were not made of a heat conductive material.
Other features such as a cleaning and/or maintenance cycles and their corresponding UI indication can be incorporated into the aforementioned and similar types of machines having components which can get worn, deformed, dirty, or full of the material it is processing as to impede the proper function or processing of the material through the machine. When a part, component, and/or consumable element needs maintenance or replacement, a signal indicator can be actuated to let the operator know through the use of the UI along with possible audio and haptic indicator means to signal a maintenance cycle is needed, approaching, or is urgent. In some cases, when the maintenance cycle is complete, the indicator can be automatically cleared by the use of a sensor/s which recognize when the maintenance cycle has been accomplished, otherwise a manual reset can be utilized to reset the indicator cycle.
In the embodiment of a shredder, the maintenance indication may be triggered by a need to lubricate the cutters of the shredder. As the shredder is used over time, periodically the cutters need oiling to reduce premature wear. The UI indicator of the present invention may indicate to the operator the countdown, or percentage of life, or time to the needed oiling cycle. The countdown could be as simple as a timer based on the running time of the shredder motor. Optionally for increased accuracy, the input from the thickness sensor could be added as an additional data point to track wear and tear on the machine and as a means to create more accurate thresholds. Once the predetermined maintenance threshold has been reached, the thickness sensor (which can recognize the initial insertion and a pattern of intentionally varying thicknesses) or IR sensor (which can recognize the initial insertion and an intentional graphic element or pattern) or both can be utilized to detect an oil maintenance sheet being introduced into the shredder throat and after the detected oil maintenance sheet clears the unit, the controller may then execute a command to reset the indicator as to start another cycle based on the preset established thresholds.
In another embodiment, as in a laminator machine, the heated rollers over time get adhesive on the surfaces of the roller and that adhesive needs to be periodically removed. Similarly to the aforementioned shredder, a maintenance operation is triggered and similar to the shredder a maintenance sheet which removes the excess adhesive can be introduced into the laminator in which the laminator, by way of sensors such as an IR sensor to detect a marking, or pattern on the cleaning sheet which would allow bi or multi directional insertion, and/or by way of the thickness sensor, varying thickness or pattern of thicknesses as to trigger a threshold value/s which the machine recognizes as the maintenance sheet and therefor when the sheet clears the laminator, the clean cycle communications is then automatically reset. If an automatic means is not integrated or if a non-authorized clean sheet is utilized, a manual over-ride can be accessed by the operator as to clear the signal and to reset the threshold cycle.
In some embodiments, variable processing speeds and functions can be controlled and communicated by way of the UI to illustrate speed, and in such embodiments the UI progress metering function and devices such as LED's used to communicate information to the user the machine may speed up, or slowdown. Such speed may be in reaction to the operators preferred setting/s such as choosing quick draft quality versus a longer higher quality lamination cycle. If an automatically determined setting is chosen and a change in state is actuated by the machine due to a preprogrammed threshold being reached, the UI may then communicate that change to the user by slowing or increasing the speed of the signaling on the UI communications means or LEDs or other display as to ensure the operator understands the machine state is changing. Additionally, the progress metering function shows the progress of the inserted item going through the machine as to let the operator see the slowed or increased processing speed. In some embodiments the operator may choose adjustments or options such as size cut in the case of shredders (security level), or speed versus quality (clarity) of the laminated end product for laminators, and to communicate these adjustments, colors and/or emitted intensity and/or patterns could be utilized by the UI interface as well as additional auditory and/or mechanical signaling. Similarly, adjustments can be communicated by the disclosed UI for any other similar type of machines.
With the unique ability to communicate machine state, changes and operational adjustments readily, quickly and easily, the operator's comprehension of the machine's actions and state are improved due to the unique interactive emotive nature of the UI. The operator of the machine with the disclosed UI, will see the immediate state changes and adjustments to the machine due to this constant loop of interactive, emotive, and encouraging communications improving the UX. Examples where the improved interactive communications methods add efficiency for the operator as to utilize the improved feature as much as possible is dependent on the UI's ability to let the operator know when the machine has concluded its pre-phase and is now ready to process. A heating core arrangement or a laminator may utilize a heating source such as a quartz heater, and/or other similar means which radiates heat. We are disclosing a heating core utilizing both direct and indirect radiation, or conductive and emissive means, as to purposefully create a controlled preheat zone in the laminator prior to the main heated rollers, which in some embodiments are heated by the same main heating source without having to utilize an additional set of heated rollers. This improved heating core arrangement, with a purposefully designed preheat zone, allows for improved heat-up times and operational processing times when laminating. In some embodiments the heating core includes an area and rollers before the heating rollers. This improvement becomes even more useful if the operator understands the machine is in heat-up or sometimes cool down phases and when the machine has reached the proper operational temperature. This is accomplished by encouraging the operator to immediately insert the item to be processed when the machine is ready after the initiation process and/or during the standard operational process through the use of the disclosed emotive communications emulating from the UI.
The disclosed UI outputs not only give positive feedback when the operator and the machine reach these efficiency criterions, by utilizing and mimicking certain human rhythms, such as breathing, logical thinking behavior processes and patterns to create a more humanistic approach of intercommunications vs. the typical binary logic of machine functions, allows the operator to innately understand the machine's operational status and how to interact to with it more naturally even when they approach the machine for the first time. The UI is designed to naturally communicate to the operator certain actions, or certain adjustments needed to be taken on by the operator themselves as to hit optimized operational criterions, levels, and/or zones, which in turn are compared against sensor inputs originating from the machine's mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, photoreceptors, electroreceptors and any other similar machine sensor which would then be processed through the controller prior to the machine communications through the UI interface back to the operator. Since these interactive actions, inputs and communications seemingly are more natural, as well as located logically, the operator observational focus is centered and simplified, allowing them to be more open to adjusting their behavior to match the actions needed by the machine in the efforts to align both machine and operator actions to maximize efficiencies. This type of machine and human centered UI communications allows for higher levels of efficiency in a more readily acceptable natural way which uniquely unifies and aligns both the machine's design intentions and the operator's objectives to create a new and improved UX.
As disclosed herein and illustrated, the invention can be applied to a wide array of operator engaged processing machines and appliances and should not be limiting by the disclosed embodiments within this document in any way. To the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to encompass all modifications, alterations, substitutions within the spirit and scope of the disclosed inventive features.
In one form, the invention is directed to a shredder having an input entrance for inputting material for shredding, a bin for receiving shredded material, a machine status display located proximate to the input entrance, a thickness sensor to sense the thickness of material placed in the input entrance, a bin level sensor, a motor temperature sensor, and a controller for receiving inputs from the thickness sensor, the bin level sensor, and the motor temperature sensor. The controller is in communication with the status display. The controller determines the optimal thickness of material for placement in the input entrance. The status display communicates whether the material placed in the input tray is of an optimal thickness for shredding.
In one form, the display communicates a first signal to indicate the material is of a less than optimal thickness, communicates a second signal to indicate the material is of an optimal thickness, and communicates a third signal to indicate the material is in excess of an optimal thickness.
In one form, the display is an array of LEDs arranged parallel to the input entrance. The display pulses to indicate the material is of optimal thickness.
In one form, the display pulses to communicate the shedder is operating at optimal efficiency.
In one form, the display is an array of LEDs arranged in parallel to the input entrance. The LEDs light sequentially in sequences to communicate to the operator whether the material is of an optimal thickness.
In one form, the display lights an increasing number of LEDs as the thickness of material increases to the optimal thickness.
In one form, the shredder has a proximity sensor to sense when an operator is in proximity of the shredder. The proximity sensor communicates with the controller. The controller wakes the shredder for operation when an operator is sensed by the proximity sensor. The controller communicates with the display to communicate with the operator that the shredder is ready for receiving material.
In one form, the controller communicates with the display to signal to the operator to reduce the thickness of material when the motor temperature sensor exceeds a threshold level.
In one form, the invention is directed to a shedder for shredding material. The shredder includes an input slot for inputting material into the shredder, a plurality of sensors, a controller for receiving inputs from the sensors, and a display in communication with the controller. The display conveys information on the shredder status to an operator. The sensors include a proximity sensor, a bin level sensor, a motor temperature sensor, and a thickness sensor. The controller evaluates the inputs from the plurality of sensors. The display displays a first signal on the display when an operator is in proximity to the shredder. The display displays a first sequence of signals when a less than optimal thickness of material is placed in the input slot, a second sequence of signals when an optimal thickness of material is placed in the input slot, and a third sequence of signals when material of a thickness greater than an optimal thickness is placed in the input slot.
In one form, the display is a plurality of LEDs positioned parallel to the input slot. The first sequence of signals is a progression of lighted LEDs. The number of lighted LEDs increases as the thickness of material increases.
In one form, the second sequence of signals is a pulsing of lighted LEDs.
In one form, the third sequence of signals is a progression of lighted LEDs changing from a first color to a second color.
In one form, the first signal is a lighted LED. The LED is lit in a third color.
In one form, the invention is directed to a shedder for shredding material. The shredder includes an input slot for inputting material into the shredder, a plurality of sensors, a controller for receiving inputs from the sensors, and a display in communication with the controller. The display conveys information on the shredder status to an operator. The sensors include a proximity sensor, a bin level sensor, a motor temperature sensor, and a thickness sensor. The controller evaluates the inputs from the plurality of sensors. The controller determines display patterns for the display to convey machine state information to an operator. The display patterns include a first display pattern to communicate the shredder is on and ready for input, a second display pattern to communicate the shredder can accept an increase in material in the input slot, a third display pattern to communicate the shredder is receiving an optimal amount of material in the input slot, and a fourth display pattern to communicate the shredder is approaching a shut-down condition.
In one form, the display patterns are displayed on an LED display located parallel and proximate to the feed slot. The LED display includes a plurality of colors.
In one form, the first display pattern includes a plurality of LEDs lighting in the color blue in an increasing number. The pattern repeats when the number reaches five.
In one form, the second display pattern includes a plurality of lighted segments. The number of segments lit increases in number as an amount of material placed in the input slot nears the optimal amount of material.
In one form, the third display pattern includes a plurality of lighted segments. The lighted segments pulse.
In one form, the controller evaluates inputs from the motor temperature sensor and the thickness sensor to select the display pattern to display.
In one form, the controller evaluates inputs from the bin level sensor, the thickness sensor, and the motor temperature sensor to determine an optimal thickness of material the shredder should accept.
In one form, the invention is directed to a laminator that has rollers for moving material. The rollers include a first roller and a second roller. Each roller has circumferential channels. A first anti-wrap component is positioned in a channel of the first roller and a second anti-wrap component is positioned in the second channel. The first and second channels are each self-healing.
In one form, the first anti-wrap component is not opposed in the same vertical plane to another anti-wrap component.
In one form, the anti-wrap component is a wire.
In one form, the anti-wrap component includes a spring.
In one form, the laminator further includes a feed slot for inputting material. The feed slot includes a door. A display communicates to an operator the status of the laminator. The display pulses and the door opens to indicate the laminator is ready to receive material.
In one form, the laminator further includes a display for communicating a status of the laminator to an operator. A thickness sensor senses the thickness of material processed by the laminator. A controller is in communication with the thickness sensor and the display. The display provides the operator information regarding the thickness of the material processed.
In one form, the laminator includes a first feed roller and a second feed roller. The first roller, second roller, first feed roller, and second feed roller are positioned within a heat core formed between a first heat shroud and a second heat shroud.
In one form, the invention is directed to a laminator including a first feed roller and a second feed roller, a first heating roller and a second heating roller, a first heat shroud and a second heat shroud, and a plurality of anti-wrap wires. Each of the first feed roller, second feed roller, first heating roller and second heating roller has a plurality of circumferential channels. The channels self-heal partially about the anti-wrap wire positioned within a channel.
In one form, the anti-wrap wire includes a spring.
In one form, the heating roller channels have a width and the anti-wrap wires have a diameter. The width of the heating roller channels is less than the diameter of the anti-wrap wires.
In one form, the heating roller channels have a depth and the anti-wrap wires have a diameter. The depth of the channels is between 2 and 4 times the diameter of the anti-wrap wire.
In one form, the first feed roller, second feed roller, first heating roller, and second heating roller are positioned within a heating core formed between the first heat shroud and second heat shroud.
In one form, the channels of the first heating roller do not align with the channels of the second heating roller and the channels of the first feed roller do not align with the channels of the second feed roller.
In one form, the laminator further includes a display for communicating a status of the laminator to an operator, a thickness sensor to sense the thickness of material processed by the laminator, and a controller in communication with the thickness sensor and the display. The display provides the operator information regarding the thickness of the material processed. The controller sets a speed of rotation for the rollers in response to the thickness of the material.
In one form, the laminator further includes a feed slot sensor in communication with the controller. The controller detects authenticating indicia from signals received from the feed slot sensor. The controller initiates a cleaning cycle and communicates a cleaning cycle to the operator by the display.
In one form, the invention is directed to a laminator including a pair of input rollers, a pair of heating rollers and a pair of exit rollers. The input rollers and heating rollers are positioned within a heating core positioned between a pair of heat shrouds. The heating rollers each include a plurality of channels perpendicular to an axis of rotation of each roller. A plurality of anti-wrap components prevent material from wrapping around a roller. The anti-wrap components are positioned within the channels of the heating rollers. The channels of the heating rollers do not align with one another.
In one form, the anti-wrap components are wires including a spring.
In one form, the laminator further includes a display for communicating a status of the laminator to an operator, a thickness sensor to sense the thickness of material processed by the laminator, and a controller in communication with the thickness sensor and the display. The display provides the operator information regarding the thickness of the material processed. The controller sets a processing speed based on the thickness of material.
In one form, the pair of heating rollers have a silicone outer layer. The channels close around the anti-wrap components when the pair of heating rollers are compressed against each other.
In one form, in the pair of input rollers and pair of exit rollers, each input and exit roller has a plurality of channels perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The channels of the exit rollers are not in alignment with each other.
With reference to the Figures, the invention can be applied or embodied in a number of business machines. Throughout this disclosure, one skilled in the art will recognize that the terms user and operator may be used interchangeably.
Recognizing the shortcomings of the prior art user interface arrangements, the inventors herein disclose an improved user interface to better interact with a user.
In some embodiments the UI indicator 131 communicates the motor temperature of the machine as it is being used over a range of time until the motor reaches a thermal cut out state. LED position A goes through a gradual sequential color change, from Green, Yellow or Amber to Red to warn of upcoming machine processing stoppage. The final stoppage, represented by the illustration in
Similarly, LED position G communicates the waste bin level changes of state prior to the final cut out and machine stoppage as represented in
As shown in
Sequence 274 represents that when the machine is in heating and/or hot lamination mode, all LED positions A-B emote (utilizing PWM) an Amber to Red coloring. Sequence 275 represents when the machine is ready to accept an item into the operator input entrance 211 (not shown). In this embodiment as illustrated, if the UI is in an optional mode in which the LED positions will be utilized to track the progress of the item to be laminated, then LED position A, or alternatively all LED positions, may emotively pulse Green to state the machine is ready and is encouraging the operator to engage with it—that is, to insert the item into the input entrance 211 of the laminator. As soon as the operator inserts an item into the machine, the machine senses the state change and the controller signals LED position B to actuate as White. As the item is tracking through the machine, the progress is represented by successively actuated LED positions as illustrated in
If an internal jam within the machine occurs and the machine, by way of a sequential IR sensor not sensing the inserted item passing within a predesignated time threshold as to determine a jam occurrence, as shown in sequence 280, LED position F will emotively pulse Red (utilizing PWM) to let the operator know that a jam occurred at a particular sequential location and a drive motor reverse cycle is being initiated to reverse the item out of the machine, and the progress of the item as represented by the LED progress sequence is reversed and LED positions FEDCBA (as shown) emotes Red sequentially reversed until the jammed item has been fully reversed out the machine. In manual mode machines, the operator must press the reverse actuation switch. As soon as the jammed item has been reversed out of the machine, the LED resumes its normal operations.
Sequence 278 illustrates when the machine has multiple items sequencing through the machine, showing the trailing end 279 of that item as it processes through the machine and the entrance of the newly inserted item front edge 277. Due to the ability to see where the items are in their processing sequence, an operator can confidently insert another item to be processed before the previously inserted item leaves the machine, greatly improving operational efficiency.
Upon exiting the document laminator 200, the laminated item now rests on exit tray 260 which optionally functions as pivoting door when not utilized as an exit tray. The entrance and exit tray pivoting doors can optionally open automatically upon machine startup and have single or dual pivoting tray extenders which are hidden when not in use but can be manually and/or can semi-automatically extend when the pivoting action of the flap doors are activated. The front and rear flap door actuation mechanisms can be linked as to function in unison and in addition have an interlock to ensure the machine doesn't operate until the flap doors have been properly engaged as to be in the open position.
The anti-wrap components 250a and 250b are generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the heat rollers 216a and 216b and can be configured to include a spring coil 270a and 270b or other structure allowing the anti-wrap component to stretch on one or both ends of the anti-wrap components 250a and 250b, to ensure proper tracking even when heating and cooling and for ease of assembly. Due to the smooth surface of the wire-like anti-wrap components 250a and 250b and the compressed assembly pressing the upper and lower heat rollers 216a and 216b together with force, the upper and lower silicone layers 316a and 316b of the upper and lower heat rollers 216a and 216b separated by the anti-wrap component then “self-heal” as to close the separated segmentations of the rollers in a manner as to not leave a noticeable mark upon the lamination pouches upon exiting the machine. Such closing or self-healing is shown in
In some embodiments at least a portion of the anti-wrap components 250a and 250b or wire may reside or track in channels 400a and 400b, slots, cuts, or other defined depressions in the silicone or outer layers 316a or 316b of the heat rollers 216a and 216b. In some embodiments the channels 400a and 400b are circumferential. In some embodiments the channels 400a and 400b, slots, cuts, or other depressions can have a width less than the diameter of the wire-like structures of the anti-wrap components 250a and 250b, allowing the silicone of the heat rollers 216a and 216b to conform and envelope the anti-wrap components or wires. In other embodiments, the channels 400a and 400b, slots, cuts, or other defined depressions width are equal to or greater than the diameter of the anti-wrap components 250a and 250b or wire. The preferred depth for the channels 400a and 400b is 4 times the wire diameter. In other embodiments the depth of the channel is 2 to 6 mm.
Due to the unique properties of the self-healing silicone layers 316a and 316b of the upper and lower heat rollers 216a and 216b, and the smooth surface of the anti-wrap components 250a and 250b or wires creating a “self-healing” segmented surface, the upper and lower anti-wrap components or wires can then be assembled to reside within the same vertical plane, simplifying the manufacturing and assembly requirements by not requiring an alternating assembly pattern for the anti-wrap feature to function properly. Such a vertically aligned arrangement is shown in
One skilled in the art will recognize that the anti-wrap components described herein can be applied to any rollers in the laminator and need not be restricted to the heating rollers. Such an arrangement is shown in
The operational flow of the cleaning sheet operation is shown in
The cleaning process can be accomplished by the use of a cleaning sheet 600, shown in
In some embodiments the cleaning sheet 600 may include a diagonally placed code 620. The diagonally placed code 620 may be a simple pattern, a bar code, QR code, or other indicia that may interact with a sensor, such as an IR sensor or sensors such as those previously discussed. In the preferred embodiment, the diagonally placed code 620 includes a 0.5 inch wide dark bar separated by a 0.75 inch light bar from a 0.75 inch dark bar. The cleaning sheet 600 may include authenticating indicia 630 to confirm that the cleaning sheet meets the quality standards of the machine manufacturer. Such authenticating indicia may include a bar code, text, QR code, trademark, or any other text or symbols that is readable by sensors in the machine. In some embodiments the code or indicia is detected by and exit sensor. In some embodiments the code is detected by a thickness sensor 222 or IR sensor 223, preferably proximate to the input entrance 210 or feed slot. The thickness of the cleaning sheet 600 or a portion of the cleaning sheet may be varied as the code or indicia. In other embodiments, a combination of visual and thickness may be used as the code or indicia. In any event, the signal from the appropriate sensor is sent to a controller 232. In some embodiments the controller 232 includes firmware to execute the steps for the cleaning as outlined in
If the machine fails to recognize the cleaning sheet properly, or as to save costs, or the IR and/or thickness sensors are not utilized, or a non-certified cleaning sheet is used, the operator in those cases may manually actuate the button assembly 270 to let the machine know that the cleaning operation was initiated and completed. Such action may be interpreted by the controller or other logic withing the machine to stop the emotive action and resume the timing cycle for cleaning until the next threshold is triggered initiating the sequence once again.
The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/031591 | 5/31/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63194711 | May 2021 | US |
