Abstract:
A media assembly and printer media supply are provided that enable automatic determination of a predetermined parameter value of a strip of media material are disclosed. The media assembly includes a cylindrical core upon which a strip of the media material is spirally wound. The core has an end into which at least one notch is recessed such that the notch has a physical characteristic indicative of the predetermined parameter value of the wound strip. The assembly further includes a flange on the core end wherein the flange is adapted to detect the physical characteristic of the notch and to adapt a tactile feature that represents the parameter value of the wound strip. The printer media supply allows automatic detection of the feature and determination of the predetermined parameter value based upon the detected feature.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of forming an image on a receiver material and, more specifically, to such a printing apparatus having the ability to detect one or more predetermined parameters of the inserted media. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is well known to provide web media that is wound on a core for insertion into a web-feeding mechanism of a printer. As used herein, the term “core” is intended to include flanged cores, otherwise known as “spools.” Such media may be receiver material that may be cut into sheets before or after printing, ink or dye ribbons wherein marking material is transferred to a receiver, intermediate transfer webs, etc. The web media may or may not be housed in a cartridge. 
         [0003]    The media may have different predetermined parameters, such as the receiver material surface gloss, thickness, age, grain direction, manufacturer&#39;s identity, density, speed, and other variables that can be used to optimize the performance of the printing apparatus. For example, some receiver materials may be best suited for multicolor printing or monochrome printing. Ink and dye ribbons may be one of a plurality of colors needed by the printing apparatus. In laser thermal printer apparatus, whether transferring colorant directly to a receiver material or first to an intermediate receiver, a key parameter is colorant density. Similarly, an inkjet printer apparatus or an electrophotographic printer apparatus can be adjusted so as to vary the amount of colorant applied or by adjusting operational variables such as drying time or fusing temperature and speed. Information may be identified to the printing apparatus relating to a predetermined parameter or parameters so that the printing operation is controllably performed on the basis of the identified information. 
         [0004]    In some types of printer apparatus, an operator may be able to make some type of adjustment based on the media to be used, such as varying colorant quantity, drying time, fusing time, fusing temperature, etc. However, correctly making this type of manual adjustment requires a high level of skill and judgment on the part of the printer operator, thereby increasing risk of operator error. Often, such information may be identified from the media to the printing apparatus via a mark associated with the media that is characteristic of a variable parameter. The mark is generally detected by a sensor that is disposed within the printing apparatus. Conventionally, the information mark is recorded on the web itself, on the cartridge, or on a core upon which the web is wound. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,416 to Maekawa et al., issued Jan. 31, 1995, entitled “Device for Identifying an Ink Ribbon Cartridge Used in a Printer”. In commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,617 to Stephenson et al., issued Oct. 3, 1995, entitled “Thermal Printer Supply Having Non-Volatile Memory,” an electronically operable memory is mounted on a media material core for storing data corresponding to data indicative of actions to be taken by a printer apparatus to adjust the color of a printed image. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus wherein an elongated strip of media material having a parameter with a predetermined value is wound upon a cylindrical core having an end into which at least one notch is recessed such that the notch has a physical characteristic indicative of the predetermined parameter value of the wound strip. 
         [0006]    It is another feature of the present invention to provide a media assembly for identifying a predetermined parameter value of a strip of media material wherein the media assembly includes a cylindrical core upon which a strip of the media material is spirally wound. The core has an end into which at least one notch is recessed such that the notch has a physical characteristic indicative of the predetermined parameter value of the wound strip. The assembly further includes a flange on the core end wherein the flange is adapted to detect the physical characteristic of the notch and to adapt a tactile feature that represents the parameter value of the wound strip. 
         [0007]    In yet another feature of the present invention, a media supply system for a printer is provided. The media supply system comprises: a paper tray area adapted to receive a media assembly having a cylindrical core upon which a strip of a media material is spirally wound, the core having an end into which at least one notch is recessed such that the notch has a physical characteristic indicative of the predetermined parameter value of the wound strip; and a flange on the core end adapted to detect the physical characteristic of the notch and to adapt a tactile feature that represents the parameter value of the wound strip; a sensor positioned proximate to the flange on the core end, said sensor being adapted to sense any adaptation of the tactile feature and to generate a sensor signal indicative of the current state of the tactile feature; and a control circuit connected to the sensor and adapted to receive the sensor signal and to determine a parameter value of the wound strip based upon the sensor signal. 
         [0008]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the physical characteristic of the notch is its axial depth, and the flange includes a captured member that is urged into the notch. The flange includes a captured member that is urged into the notch; and the captured member has an element associated with the member so as to extend from the flange a distance inversely proportional to the depth of the notch so as to provide a detectable tactile feature that represents the parameter value of the wound strip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a media assembly according to the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the front of a thermal printer that can be employed to make images on a receiver material in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective rear view of the printer of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4-6  are a series of schematic perspective views of the media assembly of  FIG. 1  being loaded into the printer of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective exploded view of the outer side of a flange according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective exploded view of the inner side of the flange of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective assembly view of the inner of the flange of  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a core for a wound strip of media material; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 11A  shows a schematic cross-section view of media assembly loaded into one embodiment of a media supply system taken along a plane extending between a first notch pair. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11B  shows a schematic cross-section view of media assembly loaded into the embodiment of media supply system shown in  FIG. 11A  but taken along an axis extending between a second notch pair. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective exploded view of a media assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a first state; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is an end view of a core according to the embodiment of  FIG. 12  in a second state; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is an end view of a core according to the embodiment of  FIG. 12  in a third state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a media material strip  10  of media material wound on a cylindrical core  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a loose end  13  of the media material strip  10  is secured by a tape  14  or other conventional mechanisms during shipping, storage or other processing. A pair of end flanges  16  and  18  fit into core  12 , as will be fully explained below. Media material strip  10 , the core  12 , and the two end flanges  16  and  18  form a first embodiment of a media assembly generally referred to by reference numeral  20 . In this embodiment, the media material will be described as a thermal paper upon which a thermal printer apparatus records images. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows one possible embodiment of a roll feed thermal printer apparatus  22  that is suitable for use with the present invention. It will be understood that the illustrated embodiment of a thermal printer is but one type of printer apparatus  22  that may incorporate the features of the present invention. 
         [0024]    The front of printer apparatus  22  has an operator interface panel  24 , a print exit slot  26  and an openable tray  28 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the rear of printer apparatus  22  includes a power switch  30 , a power connector  32 , and a paper door  34 .  FIG. 4  shows paper door  34  open to reveal portions of a media supply system  35  having media assembly  20  inserted. Once media assembly  20  is inserted, loose end  13  of media material strip  10  is aligned with a pair of alignment marks  36  and  38 , shown in  FIG. 5  and fed under a pinch roller  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the opposed sides of flange  16 . Flange  16  has a central bore  42  through which a shaft  44  of a T-bar  46  is threaded. The central bore  42  of flange  16  has a flat surface  43  against which a flat  48  of shaft  44  sits so that the T-bar  46  does not turn relative to flange  16 . Once mounted in central bore  42 , T-bar  46  is captured by a snap C-ring  50  against the bias of a spring  52 . An inner surface  53  of flange  16  has an annular collar  54  with a pair of opposed slots  56  and  58 . Slots  56  and  58  align with arms  60  and  62  of T-bar  46  so that T-bar  46  can be moved against the bias force of spring  52  into central bore  42  as shown in  FIG. 9 . One locating tab  64  is illustrated on the outer surface of collar  54  at its base. A second locating tab  66 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , opposes lugs  64  180° around collar  54 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 10  illustrates core  12  upon which a media material strip  10  is wound (see  FIG. 1 ). Core  12  has a first pair of opposed notches  68  and  70  and a second pair of opposed notches  72  and  74 . Notches  68  and  70  align with locating tabs  64  and  66  when flange  16  is mounted on the end of core  12 . 
         [0027]    In this embodiment, first pair of opposed notches  68  and  70  and second pair of opposed notches  72  and  74  are cut during manufacture to a depth that is a function of one type of media material that can be wound on core  12 . For example, core  12  can have first notch pair  68  and  70  that are cut to a depth of, for example and without limitation, 10 cm for media having a sensitivity of “x” while second notch pair  72  and  74  can be cut to a depth of, for example, 5 cm for media having a sensitivity of “y”. 
         [0028]    In operation, the ends of T-bar  46  can be located within a selected one of first notch pair  68  and  70  or second notch pair  72  and  74  when flange  16  is mounted on the end of core  12 . Since T-bar  46  can move in or out of flange  16 , and is biased inwardly by spring  52 , arms  60  and  62  of T-bar  46  will drop into the selected notch pair until they bottom out at the bottom of the notches. T-bar  46  is also connected to and controls the position of a post  76  relative to flange  16  through which post  76  extends. In another example, only one notch pair is provided with discrimination between different types of media being made possible based upon whether arms  60  and  62  of T-bar  46  are positioned within the provided notch pair or not. It will be appreciated that the distance that post  76  extends beyond flange  16  is inversely proportional to the depth of first notch pair  68  and  70 , second notch pair  72  and  74 , and any other notch pairs formed on core  12 . As such, it will also be appreciated that discrimination between two different types of media can be made based upon which notch pair the arms  60  and  62  of T-Bar  46  are located. Further, it will be appreciated that where, flange  16  is joined to core  12  such that arms  60  and  62  of T-bar  46  are not located in a notch pair, post  76  will extend from flange  16  by a maximal distance, permitting a further point of discrimination between at least two types of media. 
         [0029]    An example of the use of a first notch pair  68  and  70  and a second notch pair  72  and  74  to provide such discriminates is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 11A and 11B .  FIG. 11A  shows a schematic cross section view of media assembly  20  loaded into one embodiment of a media supply system  35  taken along a plane extending between notches  68  and  70 .  FIG. 11B  shows a schematic cross section view of media assembly  20  loaded into the embodiment of media supply system  35  shown in  FIG. 11A  but taken along an axis extending between notches  72  and  74 . In this embodiment, media supply system  35  is adapted with bearing surfaces  75   a  and  75   b  to receive and to position media assembly  20  so that it can supply media for printing as discussed generally above. As is illustrated in  FIG. 11A , when arms  60  and  62  of T-bar  46  drop into first notch pair  68  and  70  a post  76  at an outer end of T-bar  46  that extends axially to a first position relative to flange  16 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 11B , when the ends of T-bar  46  drop into notch pair  72  and  74 , post  76  extends axially to a second position beyond the position of post  76  when the ends of T-bar  46  are within first notch pair  68  and  70 . 
         [0030]    A sensor  78  in printer media supply  35  is adapted to detect a position of post  76  and to produce a signal indicative of the whether post  76  extends beyond flange  16  by a predetermined extent. In one embodiment, detection can involve determining the actual or relative distance that post  76  extends beyond flange  16 . In another embodiment, such detection can comprise detecting whether post  76  extends axially by one or more predetermined distances from flange  16 . In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, sensor  78  can be an optical interrupter switch such as Fairchild Semiconductor&#39;s Optologic model QVE00112 switch. Other apparatii and methods for sensing whether that post  76  extends beyond flange  16  by a predetermined extent will readily occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0031]    It will be apparent that the distance that post  76  extends beyond flange  16  provides a detectable tactile feature that is indicative of the particular media material strip  10  wound on core  12 . 
         [0032]    In application within a printer media supply  35 , sensor  78  generates a sensor signal that is received by a control circuit  112 . Control circuit  112  is adapted to determine a specific physical properties and/or sensitometry associated with the particular media strip wound on core  12  based upon the signal from the sensor. In one embodiment, control circuit  112  can comprise a micro-processor, micro-controller, programmable analog device or other circuit or system that can be programmed or otherwise adapted to perform this function in a dedicated manner and to provide information regarding the determined specific properties and/or sensitometry to a printer controller that governs printing operations. In other embodiments, control circuit  112  can comprise a general purpose control circuit that is used to govern a plurality of printer functions including but not limited to this purpose. For example, in certain embodiments a micro-processor, micro-controller or hardwired control circuit used to perform printer functions such as image processing, data communications and/or printing can also be used for this purpose. 
         [0033]    Thus, a wide variation associated with the sensitizing and finishing of the media can be corrected, adjusted or otherwise controlled using information that is peculiarly associated with the parameters or characteristics of the media stored on core  12  for example, by applying a look up table (LUT) adjustment in the printing process. Accordingly, a benefit achieved is the ability for of the printer media supply  110  to determine information about the media wound on core  12  so that image quality parameters can be determined and used within the image chain portion of the printer apparatus&#39; microprocessor to obtain the highest quality printed image. All of this is accomplished without the need to rotate the media material strip during the sensing operation, and without the need for an electronic memory to be associated with media assembly  20 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the four notches  68 ,  70 ,  72  and  74  about core  12  are 90° apart, but this need not be the case to practice the invention. Nor need there be four notches. Notches  68  and  70  merely rotationally locate flange  16  and core  12 , and may be omitted, along with locating tabs  64  and  66  if one would rather rely on the T-bar and notch pair  72  and  74  for this function. 
         [0035]      FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of a media assembly  20  wherein a media material strip  80  of media material wound on a cylindrical core  82 . A pair of end flanges  86  and  88  fit into cylindrical core  82 . For the purposes of describing this embodiment, the media material strip, the core, and the two end flanges form a media assembly that is generally referred to herein by reference numeral  90 . 
         [0036]    Flange  86  has an annular collar  92  with a plurality of tabs  94  that slide in respective slots on the annular surface of the collar. The tabs  94  have extensions  96  that align potential positions of notches  98  and  100  when flange  86  is mounted on the end of cylindrical core  82 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are eight tabs spaced 45° apart about collar  92 , but any suitable number of tabs and associated spacing may be selected. 
         [0037]    Cylindrical core  82  has from zero to “n” notches cut during manufacture to align with tabs  94  on flange  86 . The number and the locations of the notches are functions of the type of media material that is intended to be wound on cylindrical core  82 . When flange  86  is mounted on the end of cylindrical core  82 , the tab extensions  96  that do not align with a notch interfere with cylindrical core  82  so that the associated tab  94  is slid outwardly of flange  86  where they are detectable by suitable sensing means such as Fairchild Semiconductor&#39;s optical interrupter switch model QVE00112. Other tabs  94  that do align with a notch remain within the end flange  16 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the spacing between tabs  94  need not be uniform. That is,  FIG. 13  shows three tabs with spacing of α=25°, β=42°, and δ=293° there between. On the other hand,  FIG. 14  shows four tabs with spacing of α=25°, β=42°, δ=65°, and φ=65° there between. 
         [0039]    It will be appreciated that the above described printer apparatus and media assembly can be broadly used with any of a plurality of printer media including other forms of media upon which an image can be recorded such as films, fabrics and, generally, any other web media that can be located on a core  12 . Similarly, other forms of media can include donor media of the type used in thermal printers. 
         [0040]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10  media material strip 
           12  core 
           13  loose end of media material strip 
           14  tape 
           16  flange 
           18  flange 
           20  media assembly 
           22  printer apparatus 
           24  operator interface panel 
           26  print exit slot 
           28  tray 
           30  power switch 
           32  power connector 
           34  paper door 
           35  media supply system 
           36  alignment mark 
           38  alignment mark 
           40  pinch roller 
           42  central bore 
           43  flat surface of central bore 
           44  shaft 
           46  T-bar 
           48  flat 
           50  C-ring 
           52  spring 
           53  inner surface of flange 
           54  collar 
           56  slot 
           58  slot 
           60  arm 
           62  arm 
           64  locating tab 
           66  locating tab 
           68  notch 
           70  notch 
           72  notch 
           74  notch 
           75   a  bearing surface 
           75   b  bearing surface 
           76  post 
           78  sensor 
           80  media material strip 
           82  cylindrical core 
           86  flange 
           88  flange 
           90  media assembly 
           92  collar 
           94  tab 
           96  extension 
           98  notch 
           100  notch 
           112  control circuit