Solid ink stick with coded markings and method and apparatus for reading markings
US7874661B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17593
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device is provided. The ink stick comprises a three dimensional ink stick body having an exterior surface. The ink stick includes one or more coded markers formed in the exterior surface from a leading end to a trailing end of the ink stick body parallel to a feed direction of the ink loader, each coded marker including a coded pattern of indicia for being optically read as the coded marker passes a sensor in the feed channel. The coded pattern of indicia may include areas of varying widths and/or varying reflective properties for generating a coded signal pattern indicating variable control/attribute information to a control system of an imaging device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.