Steven B Elgee

US Patent:

6349647, Feb 26, 2002

Filed:

Sep 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/659667

Inventors:

Steven B. Elgee - Portland OR

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41F 2100

US Classification:

10141601, 40012001

Abstract:

A printing device, inductive heating device, and method are disclosed. An embodiment of the printing device includes a printing mechanism for printing an image on a print medium, a metal belt for transporting the print medium, and an induction heater positioned adjacent the metal belt, the induction heater being configured to induce an alternating current in an area of the metal belt adjacent the induction heater, the alternating current uniformly heating the area of the metal belt adjacent the induction heater. An embodiment of the inductive heating device includes a power source and a coil coupled to the power source to produce a varying magnetic field around the coil and positioned adjacent the metal belt to induce an alternating current in an area of the metal belt through which the varying magnetic field passes, the alternating current uniformly heating the area of the metal belt. An embodiment of the method includes generating a varying magnetic flux through an area of the metal belt, inducing an alternating current in the area of the metal belt through which the magnetic flux passes, and uniformly heating the area of the metal belt through which the magnetic flux passes. Further characteristics and features of the printing device, inductive heating device, and method are disclosed herein.

US Patent:

6365889, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Feb 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/256974

Inventors:

Steven B. Elgee - Portland OR

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 4014

US Classification:

250221, 347 14

Abstract:

A print media detection system for use in a printing device is disclosed. An embodiment of the print media detection system includes a source configured to transmit a light signal and a sensor configured to detect the light signal and generate an electrical signal in response to the light signal, the electrical signal having a magnitude that increases up to a substantially constant value as an intensity of the light signal from the source increases. The sensor is also configured to generate the electrical signal with a first magnitude for a transparent print media through which the light signal from the source travels to the sensor. The sensor is further configured to generate the electrical signal with a second magnitude less than the first magnitude for nontransparent print media positioned in a path of the light signal from the source to the sensor. A printing device including the print media detection system is also disclosed. A method of detecting transparent and nontransparent print media for use in a printing device is additionally disclosed.

US Patent:

6378975, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Apr 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/302610

Inventors:

Steven B. Elgee - Portland OR
Jefferson P. Ward - Brush Prairie WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 29393

US Classification:

347 19

Abstract:

An ink jet printing system that includes a print media strip dispenser that advances a strip of test print media through a test print zone and then through a detect zone. Test dots are printed on a test portion of the strip of print media that is in the test print zone, and such test portion is then advanced to the detect zone for detection by an optical detector. Pursuant to such test print media strip advance, another test portion of the media strip is advanced into the test print zone and ready for printing of further test dots. By way of specific implementation, the print media strip dispenser comprises a cassette that includes a supply reel on which an elongated strip of unprinted test print media has been wound and a take-up reel for taking up and winding the elongated strip of print media as it is advanced.

US Patent:

6406140, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Dec 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/733335

Inventors:

Geoff Wotton - Battle Ground WA
Robert M. Yraceburu - Camas WA
Steve O Rasmussen - Vancouver WA
Steven B Elgee - Portland OR

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 201

US Classification:

347102

Abstract:

Anisotropic thermal conditioning of print media is provided for liquid colorant printing, such as in ink-jet hard copy apparatus, by establishing discrete temperature zones across a platen surface. Heat transfer mechanisms associated with individually selectable heater elements rapidly establish substantially uniform temperature profiles in each zone.

US Patent:

6407678, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/584021

Inventors:

Steven B Elgee - Portland OR
Jeffrey C. Madsen - Vancouver WA
Steven P Downing - Camas WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H03M 122

US Classification:

341 8, 400279

Abstract:

An encoding system is described for a media handling system including an endless belt. The encoding system includes encoding indicia associated with the endless belt. A first encoder transducer is responsive to the encoding indicia to provide a first encoder signal. A second encoder transducer is responsive to the encoding indicia to provide a second encoder signal, the second encoder transducer spatially separated from the first encoder transducer. An encoder processor is responsive to the first encoder signal and the second encoder signal to determine position data regarding the endless belt. Interruption of indicia due to a belt seam is accommodated by transferring belt position calculation from one transducer to the other as the seam passes between the two transducers. The processor is adapted to compensate for variations in the encoder indicia pitch caused by belt temperature differentials.

US Patent:

6409305, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Feb 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/781131

Inventors:

Steven B Elgee - Portland OR
Dan Arquilevich - Portland OR
Rick M Tanaka - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2300

US Classification:

347 37

Abstract:

Edge to edge printing techniques for reducing overspray beyond lateral edges of a print medium.

US Patent:

6412901, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Apr 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/841386

Inventors:

Wen-Li Su - Vancouver WA
Trudy L. Benjamin - Portland OR
Steven B. Elgee - Portland OR
Thomas F. Uhling - Vancouver WA
Bruce A. Axten - Vancouver WA
Kerry J. Lundsten - Vancouver WA
Xiuting C. Man - Vancouver WA
Tamara L. Hahn - San Diego CA
Michael T. Dangelo - San Diego CA
Bryan D. Woll - Poway CA
Timothy L. Weber - Corvallis OR
James W Pearson - Corvallis OR
Iue-Shuenn Chen - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 29393

US Classification:

347 19, 347 35

Abstract:

A monitoring system monitors a pressure wave developed in the surrounding ambient environment during inkjet droplet formation. The monitoring system uses either acoustic, ultrasonic, or other pressure wave monitoring mechanisms, such as a laser vibrometer, an ultrasonic transducer, or an accelerometer sensor, for instance, a microphone to detect droplet formation. One sensor is incorporated in the printhead itself, while others may be located externally. The monitoring system generates information used to determine current levels of printhead performance, to which the printer may respond by adjusting print modes, servicing the printhead, adjusting droplet formation, or by providing an early warning before an inkjet cartridge is completely empty. During printhead manufacturing, an array of such sensors may be used in quality assurance to determine printhead performance. An inkjet printing mechanism is also equipped for using this monitoring system, and a monitoring method is also provided.

US Patent:

6428161, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Apr 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/846147

Inventors:

Geoff M. Wotton - Battleground WA
Steven B Elgee - Portland OR
David E Smith - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 201

US Classification:

347102, 347101, 219216

Abstract:

An embodiment of a drying apparatus for drying ink deposited onto media includes an electromagnetic energy source to generate electromagnetic energy. The embodiment of the drying apparatus also includes a rectangular waveguide coupled to the electromagnetic energy source. The rectangular waveguide includes slots in the axial direction of the rectangular waveguide on opposite sidewalls corresponding to the largest sides forming a cross section of the rectangular waveguide. The electromagnetic energy source is configured to establish a TE mode within the rectangular waveguide, resulting in an electric field substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of fibers within the media and thereby reducing power dissipated within the media while providing sufficient power for drying the ink during a drying operation.