Invisible Mark Media Speed Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial print systems face challenges in accurately monitoring print media speed, particularly with mechanical systems lacking precision and optical sensors requiring visible marks that need to be placed and removed, which can disrupt the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The system applies invisible marks to the print media, which are detected by separate sensors spaced apart, allowing for the calculation of media speed and generation of an emulated encoder signal, eliminating the need for visible marks and enhancing accuracy and print resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical encoders are used to monitor media speed, then the system structure is simple, but measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical encoders with an optical sensing system that uses invisible marks and optical sensors to measure media speed. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that limits precision while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through the use of standard optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces invisible marks as an intermediary element between the media and the optical sensor. These marks serve as the measurement reference without being visible to the human eye, allowing precise optical detection while maintaining media integrity and avoiding the complexity of mechanical encoder disks.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors with visible marks are used, then measurement precision is improved, but the media is damaged and the process is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses invisible marks that are detected by optical sensors through specific wavelength interactions (such as UV or IR absorption) rather than visible light reflections. This allows the marks to be imperceptible to the human eye while remaining detectable to the sensor, eliminating media damage from visible mark placement and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the encoder function through optical detection of invisible marks, eliminating the need for physical marks on the media. The optical sensor array captures position information electronically, replacing the physical mark-based encoding system with a non-contact digital measurement approach.
3Measurement precision
If visible marks are placed and removed on media, then optical sensing is enabled, but the media belt experiences wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical placement and removal of visible marks with an optical detection system that reads invisible marks without physical contact. This eliminates the mechanical stress and wear on the media belt that occurs with traditional mark-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visible light reflection to invisible wavelength detection (UV or IR absorption). This parameter change allows the marks to remain on the media permanently without being visible, eliminating the need for mark removal and associated media damage while maintaining measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides accurate media speed measurement and enables higher print resolutions without visible marks, reducing wear and damage to the media belt, while maintaining a contactless and wear-free operation.
Implementation Method 1
The speed of the media may be monitored during the print process to help achieve a desired quality of print output. Media speed may be tracked using a mechanical encoder or an optical sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes applying at least one invisible mark to media, sensing the at least one invisible mark with separate sensors, and determining a speed of the media from signals of the separate sensors.