Vibration control technology and interface for computer printers and scanners

Abstract

Method and apparatus for altering the operation of printers and scanners to reduce vibration and / or acoustics. The technology involves altering the mode of operation of the printer or scanner to be in either “quick”, “quiet” or an intermediate mode. Additionally, means for achieving the different modes of operation are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 847,253 filed May 2, 2001, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 847,253 claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 201,184 filed May 2, 2000 for Vibration Control Technology and Interface for Computer Printers and Scanners.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to computer printers and scanners and, more particularly, to vibration suppression in computer printers and scanners.[0003]Vibration suppression technology developed by the inventor herein has been described in his U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,916,635 and 5,638,267 and in pending patent application Ser. No. 09 / 262,781 filed Mar. 4, 1999. The teachings of these patents and patent application are incorporated herein by reference. The technology disclosed in these references is referred to by the registered trademark...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]Another aspect of the user interface is to allow the user to choose between different built-in motion profiles. For example, the printer may have several shaped inputs that offer fast or quieter operation. The user can choose through an interface to select a mode of operation that matches the desired performance to the motion profiles.

[0015]The suspension of the printer may be designed so that it results in a known vibration frequency. Using this information, a vibration reducing technology can be readily applied and the printer will be able to be operated more quietly, and with reduced transmitted vibrations.

[0016]The trajectory of the mechanism used to drive the paper feed portion of the printer may also be altered to reduce vibrations. This trajectory alteration may be to reduce vibrations induced in the printer or table as in the other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, the trajectory of the paper feed system can be modified to reduce the acoustic noise generated within the paper itself. Each time the paper is advanced, the rapid movement of the paper makes noise. Altering the command trajectory of the paper advance mechanism can reduce this noise. The method by which the trajectory is modified may either be established at design time, or the user may control it at installation or print time. For example, the user might specify the type of paper being used, and the printer will shape for the frequencies induced in that paper type.

[0018]It is further recognized that increasing the “speed” of a machine such as the print head or paper advance mechanism, actually means that any combination of the following is achieved: the velocity is increased, the acceleration is increased, the settle time is decreased, and / or the overall productivity is improved.

Problems solved by technology

The unwanted vibrations may be either vibrations of the structural components of the printer (or scanner); vibrations of the drive train that moves the print head; vibrations of the suspension holding the printer mechanism in its case; or vibrations of the entire printer on flexible mounts or feet.

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