Printer with media supply spool adapted to sense type of media, and method of assembling same
US6099178A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J35/36
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A printer with media supply spool adapted to sense type of media, and method of assembling same. A supply spool to be loaded into the printer is adapted to allow the printer to sense type of a media ribbon thereon. The supply spool comprises a shaft having a supply of media ribbon wound thereabout. A transceiver unit is disposed proximate the shaft. The transceiver is capable of transmitting a first electromagnetic field and sensing a second electromagnetic field. A transponder including a semi-conductor chip is integrally connected to the shaft and has encoded data previously stored therein indicative of the type of media ribbon. The chip is capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field to power the chip and then generating the second electromagnetic field as the chip is powered. The second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data previously stored in the chip. The transceiver unit senses the second electromagnetic field, which second electromagnetic field has the data subsumed in the chip. The printer then operates in accordance with the data sensed by the transceiver to produce quality prints consistent with the type of donor being used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.