Abstract: A metal structural member having an elongate web member having a first side and a second side, a pair of flanges extending laterally from the first side of the web member, each of the flanges having an outer wall member and an end wall member, the end wall member being substantially parallel to the web member wherein one of the flanges further includes an inner wall member in spaced-apart relationship with the outer wall member and extending from the end wall member toward the web and terminating with a lip member formed parallel to and juxtaposed with the web.

Abstract: A system of classifying incoming media entering an inkjet or other printing mechanism is provided to identify the media without requiring any special manufacturer markings. The incoming media is optically scanned using a blue-violet light to obtain both diffuse and specular reflectance data, from which a media signature is generated. The generated signature is compared with known signatures for different media types to classify the incoming media, and a corresponding print mode is selected. Finally, the selected print mode for the classified incoming media is stored for future reference. Thus, a consumer can teach the printing mechanism to recognize new types of media. For borderline media falling between two categories, the printer remembers which category was selected previously, and then applies the same print mode to the next borderline media to provide a visually consistent output. A printing mechanism constructed to implement this method is also provided.

Abstract: An accelerated illuminate response system controls a light emitting diode (“LED”), for instance, in an optical sensor system that monitors ink droplets on a print media in an inkjet printing mechanism to adjust future printing for optimal images. A printhead carriage scans an optical sensor across the printed media to determine droplet location, color and hue. The sensor uses an LED to illuminate the media in response to an LED drive signal, and a photodetector to receive light reflected from the media. The LED drive signal first applies a low level pre-warming current, then a high current pulse for a selected duration, and thereafter a normal drive current during a secondary illuminate response until the LED reaches a selected illumination value at or near steady-state conditions. An inkjet printing mechanism having such an optical sensor system is also provided, along with a method of illuminating an LED.

Abstract: A metal structural member having an elongate web member having a first side and a second side, a pair of flanges extending laterally from the first side of the web member, each of the flanges having an outer wall member and an end wall member, the end wall member being substantially parallel to the web member wherein one of the flanges further includes an inner wall member in spaced-apart relationship with the outer wall member and extending from the end wall member toward the web and terminating with a lip member formed parallel to and juxtaposed with the web.

Abstract: A system of classifying incoming media entering an inkjet printing mechanism identifies the media without requiring any special manufacturer markings. The media is first optically scanned using a blue-violet light at an initial intensity to obtain both diffuse and specular reflectance data. If useable, the data is compared with known values for different types of media to classify the media so an optimum printmode tailored for the particular media type is used. If the initial data is unusable, successive scanning passes are preformed to find useable diffuse data, and if found, then to find useable specular data. During these successive passes, following an initial calibration scan for the media, each successive scan reduces the scanner intensity until reaching a minimum intensity. If upon reaching the minimum intensity, no useable data has been found, then a default printmode is selected. A printing mechanism constructed to implement this method is also provided.

Abstract: A media edge detection method and apparatus for hard copy apparatus uses a scanning-carriage-based optical sensor. Scan reflectance data from the print medium and the platen is compared to calculated shaped data to get a cumulative error. Recursively converging the data to a best fit, the shaped data reflective transition point is substituted as a true edge position.

Abstract: A cold formed, sheet metal structural member having a first planar web member with two longitudinally extending legs such that the structural member or chord comprises an elongated member of substantially U-shaped cross section being longitudinally symmetric and being closed at one end and open at the other end. The legs are mirror images of each other and terminate with outwardly extending hollow flanges having a margin area juxtaposed to the leg. The bracing web members are slidably receivable within the U-shaped cross section and can be secured to the depending legs by suitable fasteners. A secondary web is positionable on the structural member in parallel relationship to the first web to provide additional resistance for sheathing fasteners.

Abstract: A system of classifying the type of media to be printed upon in a printing mechanism is provided for use in an inkjet or other type mechanism where media identification is desired without requiring any special markings to be made on the media. A method includes the steps of optically scanning a portion of said media to generate a reflectance value, and performing a Fourier transform on the reflectance value to determine the frequency magnitude of the reflectance value. In an analyzing step, the frequency magnitude of the reflectance value is analyzed through comparison with known values for different types of media to classify said media as one of said different types of media. At least four different types of media may be distinguished and classified, including two different types of transparencies, glossy photo media, and plain paper. A printing mechanism constructed to implement this method is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-function optical sensing system is provided for determining the presence, color and location of ink droplets printed by printheads in a printzone of an inkjet printing mechanism, and for determining the media type from indicia printed on media indicative of the media type. Printhead carriage and media advance encoders provide input signals that are used in conjunction with signals received from a multi-function optical sensor that the carriage scans across the printzone to illuminate selected portions of the media. The spectral reflectance of the illuminate media is used to determine the ink color or hue when illuminated by a blue light emitting diode (LED) of the sensor, and to interpret the media type indicia when illuminated by a red LED. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a multi-function optical sensing system is also provided, along with a method of sensing ink droplets printed on media in such an inkjet printing mechanism.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing machine, an ink drop error correction apparatus includes a position extrapolator that is responsive to conventional position encoder pulses and uses a second order polynomial equation to compensated for ink drop distortions induced at higher carriage velocities of at least 25 inches per second for generating a series of nozzle firing sub-pulses that account for different carriage velocities. A fire pulse generator responsive to the sub-pulses further adjusts the firing time of the printing machine nozzles to correct for the carriage velocity induced ink drop positional errors for both non constant and constant carriage velocity conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining ink supply depletion as a function of optical reflectance testing uses a given relationship of optical reflectance level data to the ink usage by percentage of prints made. At anytime during pen life, a test pattern can be printed and optically sampled to determine current reflectance level data. Use of an average current reflectance level from a given printhead can be entered into a polynomial equation representative of the relationship and the equation solved to provide a percentage of ink consumed to date.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical determination of turn-on energy and operational printhead energy for ink-jet printing includes a computerized method for using reflectance readings from a test pattern generated by a printhead under test. The test pattern includes regions (|1|−|N|) generated by applying to the printhead ink drop generators firing pulses having a pulse energy substantially equal to a predetermined reference pulse energy at a predetermined pulse frequency starting with a pulse energy substantially equal to the predetermined reference energy and incrementally changing the pulse energy of the firing pulses such that firing pulses of increasing or decreasing pulse energies are sequentially applied to the drop generators.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a media advance mechanism in a printer utilizes an optical sensor of the printer to detect printed marks on a calibration sheet. The marks on the calibration sheet are spaced at actual longitudinal intervals. The calibration sheet is advanced longitudinally past the printhead carriage, and the calibration marks are detected with the optical sensor. The printer determines the apparent or measured longitudinal intervals and compares them to the actual intervals to determine errors in positioning the calibration sheet.

Abstract: A monochromatic optical sensing system is provided for determining the color and location of ink droplets printed by printheads in a printzone of an inkjet printing mechanism. Printhead carriage and media advance encoders provide input signals that are used in conjunction with signals received from a monochromatic optical sensor that the carriage scans across the printzone to determine droplet location. The monochromatic sensor measures the difference in spectral reflectance between the bare media and the ink droplets when illuminated by a pulsing, blue light emitting diode (LED) of the sensor at a peak wavelength of 430-470 nanometers, to determine the ink color or hue. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a monochromatic optical sensing system is also provided, along with a method of monitoring the color and location of ink droplets deposited on media by the printing mechanism.

Abstract: A resistive sensing system is provided for determining the size of print media which has been loaded into an input member inkjet printing mechanism for printing. The media is typically has length and width dimensions, and the printing mechanism has sliding length and width size adjusters which are pushed into contact with the media edges to secure the media in the input member for printing. The length and width size adjusters each have sliding contacts which engage an energized conductive strip at a location corresponding to the position of the size adjusters. The printing mechanism has a controller that interprets an electrical signal received from the sliding contacts to determine what size of media is loaded in the printing mechanism. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a resistive media size sensing system is also provided, along with a method of determining the size of media loaded into the printing mechanism.

Abstract: A piezoelectric positioner is accurately controlled to reduce the settling time of the positioner in response to a commanded change in position using velocity state feedback control. The velocity state feedback control uses an estimated velocity of the piezoelectric positioner generated by a velocity observer to provide active damping. The velocity observer has as inputs the same control signal which is provided to the piezoelectric positioner itself and the actual measured position of the positioner, and produces as an output the estimated velocity of the positioner. The velocity observer includes a model of the piezoelectric positioner's response to the control signal. The model includes estimates of physical parameters of the positioner including the physical mass, physical damping, and physical stiffness of the positioner.

Abstract: A body warming device (10) for warming a user's feet during sedentary activities and a user's hands during substantially any selected activity. A shell member (26) is provided for covering the selected portion of the user's body to be warmed. A heat source receptacle (14) is provided for receiving and retaining a heat source (16). A closure (18) is provided for selectively closing the heat source receptacle (14) in order to prevent the unselected removal of the heat source (16). Insulation (20) is provided between the shell member (26) and the heat source receptacle (14) for regulating the temperature within the shell member (26). The insulation (20) is non-migratory to maintain an even distribution. A lining member (22) may be incorporated to cover the insulation (20). An edging member (24) may be provided for protecting the edges of the panel members (28), the lining (22), and the insulation (20). A heat source (16) is provided for generating heat within the shell member (26).