Abstract:
This invention relates to light pipe extensions. Such structures of this type, generally, allow for machine-readable data to be transmitted from a mobile device, such as a laptop computer, to an imaging device, such as a printer. Also, this structure provides a means for which the machine-readable data can be transmitted around obstacles. For example, the obstacle might be the fact that the imaging device is located on top of a media-handling device and the mobile device does not have a direct line of sight to the imaging device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to light pipe extensions. Such structures of this type, generally, allow for machine-readable data to be transmitted from a mobile device, such as a laptop computer, to an imaging device, such as a printer. Also, this structure provides a means for which the machine-readable data can be transmitted around obstacles. For example, the obstacle might be the fact that the imaging device is located on top of a media-handling device and the mobile device does not have a direct line of sight to the imaging device.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
         [0002]    Prior to the present invention, as set forth in general terms above and more specifically below, it is known, in the light pipe art, to employ a light pipe for use in emitting light. Exemplary of such prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 4,71 5,700 (&#39;700) to M. Daniel, entitled “Light Emitting Optical Fiber Assemblies Including Light Controlling.” While the &#39;700 reference discloses the use of a light pipe, the light pipe is used only to transmit light and not machine-readable data. Also, there is no teaching, suggestion or even appreciation for using the light pipe to transmit the machine-readable data around an obstacle.  
           [0003]    It is also known, in the light pipe art, to employ a light pipe for use in connecting fiber optics. Exemplary of such prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,211 (&#39;211) to M. Daniel, entitled “ Light Pipe Network With Optical Devices for Distributing Electromagnetic Radiation.” While the &#39;211 reference discloses various ways of connecting and creating networks of light pipes, this reference is used only to transmit electromagnetic radiation. Also, there is no teaching, suggestion or even appreciation for using the light pipe to transmit the machine-readable data around an obstacle.  
           [0004]    Finally, it is known, in the light pipe art, to employ a light pipe for transporting light. Exemplary of such prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,837 (&#39;837) to C. R. Gifford et al., entitled “Fluorometer With Reference Light Source”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,768 (&#39;768) to C. R. Gifford et al., entitled “Two Light Source Reference System for a Fluorometer,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,440 (&#39;440) to A. T. Lansing et al., entitled “System for Individual and Remote Control of Spaced Lighting Fixtures.” While the &#39; 837 , &#39; 768 , and &#39; 440  references disclose the use of a light pipe, again, the light pipe is used only to transmit light and not machine-readable data. Also, there is no teaching, suggestion or even appreciation for using the light pipe to transmit the machine-readable data around an obstacle.  
           [0005]    It is apparent from the above that there exists needed in the art for a light pipe extension which is lightweight through simplicity of parts and uniqueness of structure, but which can transmit machine-readable data from a mobile device to an imaging device and is capable of transmitting the machine-readable data around obstacles. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Generally speaking, this invention fulfills these needs by providing a light pipe extension system, wherein the system is comprised of: a mobile device which is capable of emitting machine-readable data contained in an electronic signal; an imaging device located substantially out of a line of sight of the mobile device wherein the imaging device is capable of receiving the machine-readable data; and a light pipe extension means operatively connected to the mobile device and the imaging device for transmitting the machine-readable data.  
           [0007]    In certain preferred embodiments, the mobile device can be, but is not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or the like. Also, the imaging device can be, but is not limited to, a printing device, a digital sender, a scanner or the like. Finally, the machine-readable data is encoded in the light beam transmitted from the mobile device to the imaging device.  
           [0008]    In another further preferred embodiment, the light pipe extension is used to transmit machine-readable data from the mobile device to the imaging device even if the imaging device is located outside of the line of sight of the mobile device.  
           [0009]    The preferred light pipe extension system, according to this invention, offers the following advantages: lightness in weight; ease of assembly and repair; excellent encoded light transmission characteristics; ease of transmitting the encoded light around obstacles; good stability; good durability; and excellent economy. In fact, in many of the preferred embodiments, these factors of lightness in weight, ease of assembly and repair, excellent encoded light transmission characteristics, and ease of transmitting the encoded light around obstacles are optimized to an extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known light pipe systems.  
           [0010]    The above and other features of the present invention, which will become more apparent as a description proceeds, are best understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the company drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout the several views and in which: 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b  are front and side schematic illustrations, respectively, of a mobile device trying to transmit machine-readable data to an imaging device, according to prior art;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  are front and side schematic illustrations, respectively, of a light pipe extension system for use in transmitting machine-readable data between a mobile device and an imaging device, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are front and side schematic illustrations, respectively, of another light pipe extension system for use in transmitting machine-readable data between a mobile device and an imaging device, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  are front and side schematic illustrations, respectively, of still another light pipe extension system for use in transmitting machine-readable data between a mobile device and an imaging device, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    With respect to FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b , there is illustrated a typical set up  2  involving an imaging device  4  and a mobile device  10 , according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1 a , a conventional imaging device  4  having an infrared (IR) window  6  is located on top of a conventional media-handling device  8 . As shown in FIG. 1 b , conventional mobile device  10  emits a conventional electronic fast infrared (FIR) signal  12  that contains discrete bits of machine-readable data that are capable of being read by imaging device  4 . However, electronic signal  12  is not able to interact with imaging device  4  because electronic signal  12  does not impinge upon IR window  6 . This is due to the fact that imaging device  4  is located on top of media-handling device  8 . Instead, the user would have to lift up mobile device  10  in order to allow electronic signal  12  to impinge upon IR window  6 . This could be very problematic for the user if the user has to download any substantial amount of data from mobile device  10  to imaging device  4 . Consequently, a more advantageous system, then, would be presented if the electronic signal  12  could be read by imaging device  4  regardless of the location of imaging device  4  with respect to mobile device  10 .  
         [0016]    With reference to FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , there is illustrated one preferred embodiment for use of the concepts of this invention. As shown in FIG. 2 a , light pipe extension system  20  is illustrated. Light pipe extension system  20  includes, in part, conventional imaging device  4 , conventional IR window  6 , conventional media-handling device  8 , conventional mobile device  10 , conventional electronic FIR signal  12 , IR window  22 , and light pipe extension  24 . It is to be understood that imaging device  4  can be, but is not limited to, printing devices, digital senders, scanners or the like. It is also to be understood that media-handling device  8  can be, but is not limited to, sheet feeders, duplexers, staplers or the like. Finally, is to be understood that mobile device  10  can be, but is not limited to, a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer or the like.  
         [0017]    In this embodiment, light pipe extension  24  is, preferably, located within imaging device  4  and media-handling device  8 . As shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , the user merely has to set mobile device  10  on the same platform as media-handling device  8  and download the machine-readable data through electronic signal  12  into IR window  22  through light pipe extension  24  and into imaging device  4 . It is to be understood that the length of light pipe extension  24  can be varied so long as light pipe extension  24  is operatively connected to IR window  6  and IR window  22 .  
         [0018]    With reference to FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , there is illustrated another preferred embodiment for use of the concepts of this invention. As shown in FIG. 3 a , light pipe extension system  30  is illustrated. Light pipe extension system  30  includes, in part, conventional imaging device  4 , conventional IR window  6 , conventional media-handling device  8 , conventional mobile device  10 , conventional electronic FIR signal  1   2 , rigid light pipe extension  34 , light pipe extension support  36 , and light pipe extension mounting bracket  38 .  
         [0019]    In this second embodiment, rigid light pipe extension  34  is, preferably, located along the outside of imaging device  4  and media-handling device  8 . Light pipe extension support  36  is, preferably, conventionally connected to rigid light pipe extension  34  and is constructed of any suitable rigid, durable material that is capable of providing support for rigid light pipe extension  34 . Light pipe extension mounting bracket  38  is, preferably, conventionally connected to rigid light pipe extension  34  and is constructed of any suitable, rigid, durable material that is capable of affixing light pipe extension  34  to imaging device  4  without blocking either the light pipe signal or another infrared signal that is not traveling through light pipe extension  34 . It is to be understood that the length of printed light pipe extension  34  can be varied so long as rigid light pipe extension  34  is operatively connected to electronic signal  12  and IR window  6 .  
         [0020]    With reference to FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b , there is illustrated still another preferred embodiment for use of the concepts of this invention. As shown in FIG. 4 a , light pipe extension system  40  is illustrated. Light pipe extension system  40  includes, in part, conventional imaging device  4 , conventional IR window  6 , conventional media-handling device  8 , conventional mobile device  10 , conventional electronic FIR signal  12 , flexible light pipe extension  44 , light pipe extension support  46 , and light pipe extension mounting bracket  48 .  
         [0021]    In this third embodiment, flexible light pipe extension  44  is, preferably, located along the outside of imaging device  4  and media-handling device  8 . Flexible light pipe extension support  46  is, preferably, conventionally connected to flexible light pipe extension  44  and is constructed of any suitable rigid, durable material that is capable of providing support for flexible light pipe extension  44 . Light pipe extension mounting bracket  48  is, preferably, conventionally connected to flexible light pipe extension  44  and is constructed of any suitable rigid, durable material that is capable of affixing light pipe extension  44  to imaging device  4  without blocking either the light pipe signal or another infrared signal that is not traveling through light pipe extension  44 . It is to be understood that the length of flexible light pipe extension  44  can be varied so long as flexible light pipe extension  44  is operatively connected to electronic signal  12  and IR window  6 . It is also to be understood that flexible light pipe extension  44  can be located along the inside of imaging device  4  and media-handling device  8  in a manner similar to that illustrated by light pipe extension  24  in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b.    
         [0022]    With respect to the present invention, it is to be understood that while imaging device  4  is illustrated as being located on top of media-handling device  8 , imaging device  4  may very well be located below media-handling device  8 . For example, imaging device  4  may be recessed under a conventional workstation upon which a media-handling device  8  is placed. The present invention can easily be modified to address this situation by using, for example, flexible light pipe extension  44 . In this manner, the length of flexible light pipe extension  44  can be adjusted such that electronic FIR signal  12  from mobile device  10  can be easily transmitted to IR window  6  of recessed imaging device  4 .  
         [0023]    It is to be understood that light pipe extension systems  30  and  40  (FIGS. 3 a  ,  3   b  ,  4 a, and  4 b) can be provided to the user as easily installed add-on kits. The user merely has to secure light pipe extension connectors  38  or  48  to IR window  6  of imaging device  4 .  
         [0024]    Finally, it is to be understood that the present invention could be used anytime there is a need to direct an infrared or electronic-type signal data stream around an obstacle. For example, if a VCR, CD player or the like are hidden behind a wall, the present invention could be utilized to operate those “hidden” devices without having to be on the other side of the wall.  
         [0025]    Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modification or improvements are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to determined by the following claims.