US5521674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for controlling a printer device
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1995-08-22
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Granted: 1996-05-28
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Expires: 2015-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for controlling image transfer device operations through use of a medium marking material on the image transfer medium being printed. The medium marking material is coded on the paper and sensed by the transfer device to control operations. The medium marking material is visible and/or legible to an operator prior to printing, but becomes invisible during or after printing operations. Responsive to the marking material sensed, a marking signal is produced and translated to a command signal recognized by the printer for controlling printer operations. Heat generated by the printing process causes the marking material to become virtually indistinguishable from the paper during/after printer operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas M. Guillory
- 👤 Michael B. Lloyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:47
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5066; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of controlling operations of an image transfer device through use of a medium marking material on an image transfer medium used in connection with the image transfer device, the method comprising: (a) sensing the medium marking material on the image transfer medium, for producing a marking signal; (b) operating the image transfer device responsive to the marking signal; and, (c) rendering the medium marking material virtually indistinguishable from the image transfer medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of controlling operations of an image transfer device through use of a medium marking material on an image transfer medium used in connection with the image transfer device, the method comprising: (a) sensing the medium marking material on the image transfer medium, for producing a marking signal; (b) operating the image transfer device responsive to the marking signal; and, (c) rendering the medium marking material virtually indistinguishable from the image transfer medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 further including translating the marking signal to a command signal recognizable by the image transfer device for operating the image transfer device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image transfer device is a printer, photocopier, or facsimile device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image transfer medium is paper or plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the medium marking material is a visible material on the image transfer medium prior to operating the image transfer device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of the visible material is legible to an operator of the image transfer device prior to operating the image transfer device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the medium marking material is rendered indistinguishable from the image transfer medium at some point in time during or after operation of the image transfer device responsive to the image transfer medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 wherein heat within the image transfer device causes the medium marking material to become indistinguishable from the image transfer medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the medium marking material is disposed on or as part of the image transfer medium in a coded manner for operating the image transfer device.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of controlling operations of a printer device through use of a temperature reactive marking material on a medium to be printed in the printer, the method comprising: (a) marking the medium with the marking material; (b) feeding the medium to the printer for printing per instructions identified by the marking material on the medium; (c) sensing the marking material on the medium and producing a marking signal; (d) operating the printer responsive to the marking signal; and, (e) causing the marking material to become non visible on the medium.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of controlling operations of a printer device through use of a temperature reactive marking material on a medium to be printed in the printer, the method comprising: (a) marking the medium with the marking material; (b) feeding the medium to the printer for printing per instructions identified by the marking material on the medium; (c) sensing the marking material on the medium and producing a marking signal; (d) operating the printer responsive to the marking signal; and, (e) causing the marking material to become non visible on the medium.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for controlling operations of an image transfer device, comprising: (a) means for sensing a medium marking material on an image transfer medium used in the image transfer device; (b) means for producing a marking signal responsive to the sensed medium marking material; and, (c) means for operating the image transfer device responsive to the marking signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for controlling operations of an image transfer device, comprising: (a) means for sensing a medium marking material on an image transfer medium used in the image transfer device; (b) means for producing a marking signal responsive to the sensed medium marking material; and, (c) means for operating the image transfer device responsive to the marking signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 11 further including means for translating the marking signal to a command signal recognizable by the image transfer device for operating the image transfer device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the image transfer device is a printer, photocopier, or facsimile device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the image transfer medium is paper or plastic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the medium marking material is a visible material on the image transfer medium prior to operating the image transfer device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the medium marking material becomes non visible at some point in time during or after operation of the image transfer device responsive to the image transfer medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4876571A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-28 | 1999-11-27 | 2000-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-28 | 2003-11-27 | 2004-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-28 | 2007-11-27 | 2008-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |