Patent Application
20080024579
Media interaction system 10 includes media carrier 20, carrier transport 22, disc labeler 24, sensor 26 and controller 30. Media carrier 20 comprises one or more structures configured to carry disc 12 past disc labeler 24. Media carrier 20 includes disc retaining portion 32, position detection or fiducial surface 34 and recess 36. Disc retaining portion 32 comprises a structure configured to hold and/or guide the positioning of disc 12 with respect to carrier 20. In the embodiment illustrated, retaining portion 32 comprises a circular or annular depression or footprint formed within the body of carrier 20, wherein the footprint receives disc 12. In other embodiments, retaining portion 32 may have other configurations. For example, in other embodiments, retaining portion 32 may alternatively comprise a spoke, hub or projection configured to pass through a central opening in disc 12. Retaining portion 32 has a predetermined location or offset position with respect to a junction of fiducial surface 34 and recess 36.
Fiducial surface 34 and recess 36 cooperate to facilitate the detection and determination of the positioning of carrier 20 and disc 12 by sensor 26. Fiducial surface 34 comprises a surface elevated or extending above recess 36 and configured to at least partially reflect electromagnetic radiation, such as light, emitted by sensor 26. Recess 36 comprises a void extending below fiducial surface 34 adjacent to fiducial surface 34. Recess 36 and surface 34 are separated by a transition edge 60 extending non-parallel and nominally perpendicular to the direction in which carrier 120 is moved as indicated by arrow 50.
In one embodiment, recess 36 comprises an opening or hole completely passing through carrier 20. In yet other in embodiments, recess 36 comprises a depression partially extending into the body of carrier 20, but not completely passing through carrier 20. As described in greater detail hereafter, recess 36 causes light being reflected either by an underlying surface (as when recess 36 comprises a hole extending through carrier 20) or a floor of recess 36 (as when recess 36 does not extend completely through carrier 20) to impinge a detection component of sensor 26 at a different location or not at all as compared to light reflected from fiducial surface 34. The different location at which reflected light impinges sensor 26 is used by system 10 to identify the position of edge 60 which in turn is used to determine the positioning of carrier 20 and disc 12.
Carrier transport 22 comprises one or more mechanisms configured to engage carrier and to move carrier 20 relative to disc labeler 24 and sensor 26. In one embodiment, carrier transport 22 comprises one or more rotationally driven rollers in engagement with carrier 20. In other embodiments, carrier transport 22 may comprise one or more belts, conveyors or other mechanisms configured to move carrier 20. In still other embodiments, carrier transport 22 may be omitted where disc labeler 24 and sensor 26 are alternatively moved with respect to carrier 20.
Disc labeler 24 comprises a device configured to apply a label or other markings to disc 12. In one embodiment, disc labeler 24 comprises one or more print heads configured to eject fluid, such as ink, on to disc 12. In one embodiment, such print heads may be movable with respect to carrier 20. In other embodiments, such print heads may be stationery. For example, such print heads may alternatively be part of a page-wide-array print head. In other embodiments, disc labeler 24 may be configured to alter the surface of disc 12 in other fashions. For example, in other embodiments, disc labeler 24 may alternatively be configured to adhere a label on to disc 12 or may be configured to write or mark disc 12 using electromagnetic radiation, such as with a laser.
Sensor 26 comprises the device configured to sense positioning of carrier 20 based upon electromagnetic radiation, such as light, reflected from carrier 20. In the example embodiment illustrated, sensor 26 includes emitter 40 and detector 44. The emitter 40 comprises a device configured to emit electromagnetic radiation towards fiducial surface 34 and/or towards recess 36 depending upon the position of carrier 20. In the example illustrated, emitter 40 is configured to emit visible light. In one embodiment, emitter 40 is configured to emit blue light having a wavelength of approximately 428 nm or red light having a wavelength of approximately 640 nm. In one embodiment, emitter 40 may comprise one or more light emitting diodes. In other embodiments, emitter 40 may be configured to emit other wavelengths of visible light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation such as infrared light or ultraviolet light.
Emitter 40 is configured to emit light at a nonzero angle A with respect to a line perpendicular to fiducial surface 34 of carrier 20. In one embodiment, emitter 40 emits light at an angle A of approximately 34°. In other embodiments, emitter 40 may emit such light at a different angle A.
Detector 44 comprises a device configured to receive and sense electromagnetic radiation emitted by emitter 40 and reflected from carrier 20 or a surface underlying carrier 20. In one embodiment, detector 44 is configured to sense reflected visible light. In response to being impinged by reflected light or other reflected electromagnetic radiation, detector 44 generates signals which are transmitted to controller 30 (such as through an analog to digital converter) and used by controller 30 to determine positioning of edge 60 and carrier 20.
Controller 30 comprises one or more processing units configured to analyze signals received from detector 44 and to determine positioning of carrier 20 based upon such signals. Controller 30 is further configured to generate control signals based at least in part upon the determine position of carrier 20, wherein carrier transport 22 moves carrier 20 in response to such control signals and wherein disc labeler 24 applies one or more labels to disc 12 in response to such control signals. For purposes of this application, the term “processing unit” shall mean a presently developed or future developed processing unit that executes sequences of instructions contained in a memory. Execution of the sequences of instructions causes the processing unit to perform steps such as generating control signals. The instructions may be loaded in a random access memory (RAM) for execution by the processing unit from a read only memory (ROM), a mass storage device, or some other persistent storage. In other embodiments, hard wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the functions described. Controller 30 is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the processing unit.
In operation, disc 12 is removably secured to retaining portion 32 of carrier 20. In one embodiment, disc 12 is positioned within the footprint of retaining portion 32 of carrier 20. Media carrier 20 is subsequently positioned in proximity to carrier transport 22. In response to receiving a labeling command from a user via a keyboard, mouse or other input device (not shown), controller 30 generates control signals directing carrier transport 22 to move carrier 20 towards and opposite to sensor 26 in the direction indicated by arrow 50. Controller 30 further generates control signals directing emitter 40 to emit visible incident light towards carrier 20 as schematically represented by arrow 52. Arrow 52 schematically represents a center of a wider beam of such visible incident light emitted by emitter 40.
As indicated by arrow 54, light reflected from fiducial surface 34 is reflected at a complementary angle (i.e., an angle equal and opposite angle) to the angle at which light impinges fiducial surface 34. Because incident light impinging fiducial surface 34 is at an angle A from perpendicular to fiducial surface 34, reflected light 54 is also at an angle A with respect to a line perpendicular to fiducial surface 34. As also schematically illustrated by arrow 56, light passing into recess 36 and reflected from either a floor of recess 36 or a surface underlying carrier 20 is also reflected at a complementary angle to the angle at which light impinges the reflecting surface below recess 36. Because light impinging the surface below recess 36 is at an angle A from a line perpendicular to the reflecting surface below recess 36, reflected light 56 is also at the same angle A with respect to a line perpendicular to the surface below recess 36. However, because impinging light 52 travels across the additional depth of recess 36, reflected light 56 is offset further from emitter 40 as compared to light reflected from surface 34. As a result, reflected light 56 impinges sensor 26 at a location different than the location at which reflected light 54 impinges sensor 26. In the particular example illustrated, detector 44 is positioned with respect to emitter 40 such that a greater percentage of reflected light 54 reflected from fiducial surface 34 impinges detector 44 as compared to reflected light 56 reflected from the one or more surfaces below recess 36. This difference in the amount of light impinging detector 44 causes detector 44 to produce different signals: a first range of signals when light is being reflected from fiducial surface 34 and a second range of signals when light is being reflected from one or more surfaces below recess 36.
In one embodiment, recess 36 has a length L at least as long as and nominally greater than the maximum dimension D of the ovular spot of emitted light 52. In particular, recess 36 has a dimension D at least as large as the corresponding Y-axis dimension of a field of view (FOV) of detector 44. As a result, the entire spot of light sensed by detector 44 is received within recess 36, producing a larger difference or margin in the intensity of light sensed by detector 44 between the time when the spot is being reflected from surface 34 and the time when the spot is being reflected from below recess 36. Consequently, controller 30 may be better able to identify the transitioning from the first signal to the second signal as the spot of the emitted light 52 moves across edge 60. In other embodiments, recess 36 may have other dimensions or configurations.
Controller 30 receives and analyzes such signals to determine positioning of carrier 20. In particular, controller 30 identifies when signals from detector 44 of sensor 26 transition from the first signal to the second signal. This transition occurs when edge 60 between fiducial surface 34 and recess 36 of carrier 20 moves across a spot of impinging light 52 from emitter 40. Based upon the speed at which carrier transport 22 is moving carrier 20, the angle A at which emitter 40 is emitting impinging light 52 and the time at which controller 30 identifies the transition from the first signal to the second signal from detector 44 of sensor 26, controller 30 (using an algorithm or other method) determines positioning of carrier 20. Based on this determined position of carrier 20, controller 30 generates control signals directing further movement of carrier 20 and operation of disc labeler 24 to apply a label to disc 12.
Because controller 30 determines the positioning of carrier 20 and disc 12 utilizing signals from detector 44, capturing specular reflection, which provides a larger signal margin as compared to signals from diffuse reflection, controller 30 may more reliably locate carrier 20 over time despite a reduction in the reflectivity of fiducial surface 34 caused by scratches or other degradation of fiducial surface 34. Consequently, the useful life of carrier 20 may be lengthened and the reliability of system 10 is enhanced.
Template 133 comprises a structure configured to facilitate retention of smaller sized discs by carrier 120. In the particular example illustrated, template 133 comprises an annular ring having an outer diameter substantially the same size as the outer diameter of a first disc and having an inner diameter substantially the same size as a second smaller disc to be carried by carrier 120. In one embodiment, the footprint of retaining portion 132 has an inner diameter of slightly larger than about 120 mm. Template 133 had an outer diameter of about 120 mm and an inner diameter of slightly larger than 80 mm. With template 133, carrier 120 is able to carry discs having diameters of 80 mm or 120 mm. In other embodiments, retaining portion 132 and template 133 may have other dimensions.
In the particular example illustrated, template 133 is movably coupled to carrier 120 to move between a withdrawn position in which template 133 is not within the footprint of retaining portion 132 and an in-use position in which template 133 is located within the footprint of retaining portion 132. In the particular example illustrated, template 133 is pivotably coupled to body 148 (shown in
Y-axis fiducial surface 134 and recess 136 are substantially similar to surface 34 and recess 36 of media carrier 20. Fiducial surface 134 comprises a surface extending above recess 136 and configured to reflect light, such as visible light, from sensor 126. In the particular example illustrated, fiducial surface 134 projects above a remainder of body 148 and is polished so as to have an enhanced reflectivity. Fiducial surface 134 has an edge 160 adjacent to recess 136 which has a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to retaining portion 132. For example, edge 160 is spaced from an axial center 137 of retaining portion 132 by a predetermined distance in the Y-axis direction and is spaced from retaining portion 132 along a line intersecting center 137 by a predetermined distance in the Y-axis direction. In a particular example illustrated, surface 134 is integrally formed as part of a single unitary body with body 148 and retaining portion 132. In one embodiment, surface 134 is integrally molded as single unitary body with carrier body 148. As a result, media carrier 120 is less complex and may be manufactured at a lower cost. In other embodiments, surface 134 may be welded, bonded, or fastened to body 148 of carrier 120.
Recess 136 comprises an aperture extending through body 148 adjacent to edge 160 of fiducial surface 134. Like recess 36, recess 136 has a sufficient depth from fiducial surface 134 such that the intensity of light reflected by surface 134 and detected by sensor 126 is largely different than the intensity of light reflecting from the surface underlying recess 136 being detected by sensor 126. The abrupt change in the intensity of reflected light enables controller 130 to better identify edge 160 and therefore determine the position of carrier 120.
Although recess 136 is illustrated as completely extending through body 148, facilitating manufacture of carrier 120, in other embodiments, recess 136 may comprise a depression or cavity partially extending into body 148. Although fiducial surface 134 and recess 136 are illustrated as being in alignment with center 137, in other embodiments, fiducial surface 134 and recess 136 may be provided at other locations on carrier 120. Although fiducial surface 134 is illustrated as being located between recess 136 and center 137 of disc 12, in other embodiments, recess 136 may alternatively be located between surface 134 and center 137.
X-axis fiducial surfaces 138 comprise reflective surfaces along an outer perimeter of a top surface of carrier 120. In the particular example illustrated, fiducial surfaces 138 comprises a polymeric material molded so as to be glossy and reflect light. Fiducial surfaces 138 facilitate detection of the position of carrier 120 along the x-axis by sensor 126 and controller 130. In other embodiments, other structures and methods may alternatively be used to detect the position of carrier 120 along the X-axis.
Ramps 139 comprise raised structures coupled to body 148 which are configured to inhibit or reduce contact with fiducial surface 134. As a result, degradation of the reflectivity of surface 134 over time due to contact is also reduced. In the particular embodiment illustrated, ramps 139 extend on opposite sides of surface 134 and are configured to elevate any structure that may potentially contact surface 134 above surface 134. For example, when carrier 120 and the associated disc 12 are being moved into or through an interaction device, such as a printer, the top surface of carrier 120 may be contacted by various structures such as rollers and the like. Such rollers may otherwise scratch, abraid or otherwise degrade surface 134. Ramps 139 elevate such rollers or structures above surface 134 to protect the reflectivity of surface 134 and to prolong the useful life of carrier 120.
As shown by
Disc labeler 124 comprises a device configured to print a label upon disc 12. In the particular example illustrated, disc labeler 124 comprises a print cartridge having an ink reservoir 162 and an inkjet print head 164. Ink reservoir 162 contains and supplies fluid, such as ink, to print head 164 which selectively ejects such ink onto disc 12 in response to control signals from controller 130. In other embodiments, labeler 124 may alternatively comprise an ink jet print head having an off-axis supply of fluid or ink. Although labeler 124 is illustrated as being configured to be scanned across carrier 120 and across disc 12 during such printing by carriage mechanism 123, in other embodiments, labeler 124 may alternatively include a page-wide-array of print heads. In yet other embodiments, labeler 124 may be configured to apply an image or a label to disc 12 in other fashions. In one embodiment, disk labeler 124 is part of a printer configured to additionally print upon sheets of planar print media, such as cellulose media (paper). In other embodiments, labeler 124 may be incorporated as part of a mechanism dedicated to printing upon or otherwise labeling discs.
Sensor 126 comprises a sensing device configured to facilitate optical detection of a position of carrier 120 and disc 12. In the particular example illustrated, sensor 126 is further configured to optically detect characteristics of media being printed upon.
Detector 142 comprises an optical sensor figured to receive and produce output signals based upon reflected diffuse light 153 impinging detector 142. Detector 142 is oriented orthogonal to surface 145 and provides a diffuse channel for detecting ink and edges of media. In one particular embodiment of, detector 142 comprises a phototransistor and has a field of vision of approximately 1.1×1.7 mm. In other embodiments, detector 142 may comprise other sensing devices and may have other field of vision characteristics.
Detector 144 comprises an optical sensor configured to receive and produce output signals based upon reflected specular light 154 impinging detector 144. Detector 144 is oriented at an angle complementary to angle A. In other words, detector 144 is oriented to receive light at an angle equal to an opposite to the angle at which light emitted from emitter 140 is oriented. In the particular example illustrated, detector 144 is oriented at +34° from line 143. In the example illustrated, detector 144 has an elongated aperture along in the Y-axis and has a field of vision of approximately 1.3×1.8 mm. in the example illustrated, detector 144 comprises a phototransistor. In other embodiments, detector 144 may comprise other optical sensing devices having other characteristics.
Controller 130 comprises one or more processing units configured to analyze signals received from detector 144 and to determine positioning of carrier 120 based upon such signals. In particular, controller 130 determines an X-axis position of carrier 120 by generating control signals directing carriage mechanism 123 to move sensor 126 along the X-axis and across the edge of carrier 120 across X-axis fiducial surface 138 to identify the edge of carrier 120 and the X-axis positioning of carrier 120 based upon change in signal levels or signal margin received from detector 144. In one embodiment, controller determines the location of carrier 120 by sensing the transition from light incident off carrier 120 (little or no reflection) to light incident upon and reflected from surface 138 (a larger specular reflective signal level).
Controller 130 further determines positioning of carrier 120 and disc 12 along the Y-axis in a fashion substantially similar to that described with respect to the determination of the positioning of carrier 20 in
Because fiducial surface 34 is integrally formed as part of a single unitary body with body 148 of carrier 120, secondary operations during the manufacture of carrier 120 may be and reduced, lowering cost. For example, pad printing or chromium plating may be omitted. In embodiments where carrier 120 is injection molded, carrier 120 includes the finished fiducial surface 134 as carrier 120 emerges from the injection molding tool. Controller 130 uses the determined position of carrier 120 to generate control signals, wherein carrier transport 22 (shown in
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.
