Patent ID: 6299274
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An apparatus for supplying electrical information to a printer controller of a printer based on an identity of a replaceable accessory cartridge installed in the printer, the apparatus comprising:a carriage which is laterally translatable relative to a movement of print media through the printer;carriage translation means;a replaceable accessory cartridge removably attached to the carriage, the accessory cartridge selected from the group consisting of an ink cartridge and a scanner cartridge;at least one indicia device on the cartridge, the indicia device containing encoded information which identifies to the controller the accessory cartridge installed in the printer, the indicia device comprising optically-reflective images and optically-nonreflective images for reflecting or absorbing a first light signal, the reflected portions of the first light signal constituting a second light signal; anda light signal reading device for reading the information encoded on the indicia device as the cartridge moves in a lateral direction relative to the reading device, the reading device comprising:a light-emitting diode for emitting the first light signal having a wavelength of about 700 nanometers toward the indicia device to illuminate the indicia device,at least one lens for receiving the first light signal from the light-emitting diode, for focusing the first light signal onto the indicia device as the indicia device translates laterally in relation to the light signal reading device, and for receiving the second light signal reflected from the indicia device, anda photodiode for receiving from the at least one lens the second light signal reflected from the indicia device, for producing an electrical output signal based on the second light signal, and for providing the electrical output signal to the printer controller.