Pen operability checking system for vector plotters
US5404425A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1992 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D18/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and an associated method for ascertaining the operational status of a pen in a vector plotter in which a pen is moved into contact with a paper web at a test location, the pen is moved relative to the web and an optical detector is used to determine whether or not the pen is drawing a line on the web. The web is moved from a supply roll to a take-up roll to move the test area on the web to an optical testing location. The absence of a line after a pre-determined period of web movement time signals the inoperative status of the pen and the detection of a line by the pen within that pre-determined period of movement time signals that the pen is operative. Quality and proper line width of the line can also be determined.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.