Monitoring consumption of print ribbon for printers
US6778201B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J33/36
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A printer and method for monitoring consumption of a print ribbon of a thermal printer is provided. The method includes pressing the print ribbon against a medium located on a drawer of the thermal printer using a thermal print head of the thermal printer. The method includes moving the drawer and the print ribbon simultaneously and at substantially the same rate past the thermal print head so as to deposit a transferable coating of the print ribbon on the medium whereby printing an image on the medium. Measuring a distance moved by the drawer while pressing the print ribbon against the medium and equating the distance moved by the drawer to an amount of print ribbon consumed are also included in the method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.