Patent · US Expired

Firmware sensoring systems and methods for a maintenance mechanism of an ink jet printer

US6447094B1 · kind B1 · utility

7Cited by
15References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 24, 2000
Grant dateSep 10, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 6, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2/16547
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A firmware sensoring system and method includes a driving and control portion for rotating a cam shaft to actuate various maintenance operations of a maintenance station. In various exemplary embodiments, the driving and control portion includes a sensor wheel that rotates with the cam shaft. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor wheel has an optical window formed therein. The optical window may be aligned with an optical relay in both an extreme clockwise position of the cam shaft and an extreme counterclockwise position of the cam shaft. Depending on whether the optical window is aligned with the optical relay or not, the optical relay is in either a closed-circuit condition or an open-circuit condition. The condition of the optical relay is communicated to or sensed by a controller that rotates the cam shaft.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.