Patents by Inventor Gary Pfeffer
Gary Pfeffer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11766883Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate. The printer comprises a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out, and to control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface. The printer further comprises a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor. The printer further comprises a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor so as to cause a predetermined torque to be generated by the stepper motor; said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Inventors: Gary Pfeffer, Keith Buxton
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Patent number: 11745528Abstract: There is provided a tape drive. The tape drive comprises first and second spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted. The tape drive further comprises an optical sensing system. The optical sensing system comprises a radiation emitter and a radiation detector, said radiation emitter and radiation detector having a fixed positional relationship in use with respect to said first and second spool supports. The tape drive further comprises a controller. The controller is operative to, energise the radiation emitter to emit radiation, and determine a diameter data indicative of a diameter of a spool mounted on one of the first and second spool supports based on a radiation signal generated by the detector.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Inventors: Gareth Walley, Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer, Philip Hart
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Patent number: 11571910Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate, a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor, and a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor. Said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor and at least partially based upon a target position. Said control signals for the stepper motor are arranged to cause a magnetic field to be generated by windings of the stepper motor. A field angle being defined between an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor, and an orientation of the generated magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Inventor: Gary Pfeffer
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Patent number: 11571919Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate. The printer comprises a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out, and to control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface. The printer further comprises a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor. The printer further comprises a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor so as to cause a predetermined torque to be generated by the stepper motor; said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Inventors: Gary Pfeffer, Keith Buxton
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Publication number: 20220274430Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate. The printer comprises a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out, and to control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface. The printer further comprises a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor. The printer further comprises a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor so as to cause a predetermined torque to be generated by the stepper motor; said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2021Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Gary Pfeffer, Keith Buxton
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Publication number: 20210252887Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate. The printer comprises a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out, and to control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface. The printer further comprises a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor. The printer further comprises a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor so as to cause a predetermined torque to be generated by the stepper motor; said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Gary Pfeffer, Keith Buxton
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Publication number: 20210229459Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate, a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor, and a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor. Said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor and at least partially based upon a target position. Said control signals for the stepper motor are arranged to cause a magnetic field to be generated by windings of the stepper motor. A field angle being defined between an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor, and an orientation of the generated magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventor: Gary Pfeffer
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Patent number: 10988276Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support. A sensor has a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the receiver portion comprising a plurality of receivers, the transmitter portion and receiver portion are configured to receive a portion of the label stock therebetween, and the plurality of receivers are each configured to produce a respective sensor signal which is a function of a property of a portion of label stock at a plurality of positions spaced from one another in a direction non-parallel to the web path.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer, Philip Hart, James Butcher, Steven Buckby
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Patent number: 10961007Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the label stock; a motive device configured to propel the label stock along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support; a first arrangement configured to produce a first signal indicative of a speed at which label stock is removed from the supply spool by the motive device; a controller configured to receive the first signal and output a brake assembly control signal based upon the first signal; and a brake assembly configured to apply a braking force to the supply spool support based upon the brake assembly control signal, the braking force resisting rotation of the supply spool support. The controller is configured to output the brake assembly control signal based upon a target supply spool speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventor: Gary Pfeffer
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Patent number: 10933668Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate. The printer comprises in a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out, and to control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface. The printer further comprises a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor. The printer further comprises a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor so as to cause a predetermined torque to be generated by the stepper motor; said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Gary Pfeffer, Keith Buxton
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Patent number: 10915277Abstract: A printing machine comprising a processor and a memory storing computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions are arranged to cause the processor to generate access request data for processing by an access control server, receive access response data responsive to the access request data, process the access response data to determine a first print limit indicated by the access response data, and update, responsive to processing the access response data, an access status in the memory to indicate a second print limit.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Steven John Buckby, Gary Pfeffer, Jeremy Ellis, Philip Hart
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Patent number: 10875335Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprising: first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first spool support to the second spool support; a printhead configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate, the printhead pressing the print ribbon and substrate together against a print roller; a substrate drive configured to cause movement of a substrate past the printhead; a sensor configured to monitor rotation of the print roller and generate a signal indicative thereof; and a controller configured to determine a measure of movement of the substrate and/or ribbon past the print roller based on the signal output by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Martin McNestry, Philip Hart, Gary Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20200114671Abstract: There is provided a tape drive. The tape drive comprises first and second spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted. The tape drive further comprises an optical sensing system. The optical sensing system comprises a radiation emitter and a radiation detector, said radiation emitter and radiation detector having a fixed positional relationship in use with respect to said first and second spool supports. The tape drive further comprises a controller. The controller is operative to, energise the radiation emitter to emit radiation, and determine a diameter data indicative of a diameter of a spool mounted on one of the first and second spool supports based on a radiation signal generated by the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Gareth Walley, Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer, Philip Hart
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Publication number: 20200055628Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the label stock; a motive device configured to propel the label stock along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support; a first arrangement configured to produce a first signal indicative of a speed at which label stock is removed from the supply spool by the motive device; a controller configured to receive the first signal and output a brake assembly control signal based upon the first signal; and a brake assembly configured to apply a braking force to the supply spool support based upon the brake assembly control signal, the braking force resisting rotation of the supply spool support. The controller is configured to output the brake assembly control signal based upon a target supply spool speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventor: Gary Pfeffer
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Patent number: 10507947Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the label stock; a motive device configured to propel the label stock along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support; a first arrangement configured to produce a first signal indicative of a speed at which label stock is removed from the supply spool by the motive device; a controller configured to receive the first signal and output a brake assembly control signal based upon the first signal; and a brake assembly configured to apply a braking force to the supply spool support based upon the brake assembly control signal, the braking force resisting rotation of the supply spool support. The controller is configured to output the brake assembly control signal based upon a target supply spool speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventor: Gary Pfeffer
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Patent number: 10500870Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate, a first motor coupled to the printhead and arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out to thereby control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface, and a controller arranged to control the first motor. The controller is arranged to control the magnitude of current supplied to windings of the first motor so as to cause a predetermined pressure to be exerted by the printhead on the printing surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Keith Buxton, Gary Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20190135003Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate. The printer comprises in a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out, and to control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface. The printer further comprises a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor. The printer further comprises a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor so as to cause a predetermined torque to be generated by the stepper motor; said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Gary PFEFFER, Keith BUXTON
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Publication number: 20190102124Abstract: A printing machine comprising a processor and a memory storing computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions are arranged to cause the processor to generate access request data for processing by an access control server, receive access response data responsive to the access request data, process the access response data to determine a first print limit indicated by the access response data, and update, responsive to processing the access response data, an access status in the memory to indicate a second print limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Steven John BUCKBY, Gary PFEFFER, Jeremy ELLIS, Philip HART
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Publication number: 20190047296Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate, a first motor coupled to the printhead and arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out to thereby control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface, and a controller arranged to control the first motor. The controller is arranged to control the magnitude of current supplied to windings of the first motor so as to cause a predetermined pressure to be exerted by the printhead on the printing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2016Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Keith BUXTON, Gary PFEFFER
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Publication number: 20190039771Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support. A sensor has a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the receiver portion comprising a plurality of receivers, the transmitter portion and receiver portion are configured to receive a portion of the label stock therebetween, and the plurality of receivers are each configured to produce a respective sensor signal which is a function of a property of a portion of label stock at a plurality of positions spaced from one another in a direction non-parallel to the web path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer, Philip Hart, James Butcher, Steven Buckby