Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.p.

John T Meredith

David W Boyd

Thomas W Holmquist

Ron L King

Dean J Geilenkirchen

Walter M Wang

A light emitter is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the light emitter comprises a tube, a first aperture, a second aperture, a lens, a base mechanism, and a light path. The tube has a first end and a second end. The first aperture is located proximate the tube first end and the second aperture is located proximate the tube second end. The lens is located within the tube. The base mechanism is attached to the tube first end and has a cavity formed therein. The light path extends between the cavity and the second aperture and passes through the first aperture and through the lens.

Light emitting device providing a collimated light beam

An autochanger has a plurality of media holding bays to hold media pieces. A light emitter and light receiver are placed within the autochanger to establish a light path adjacent the media holding bays. When the light path is disrupted an indication is provided that a media piece is dislodged from its media holding bay. The light emitter has a tube with a light source located adjacent an input end of the tube and a lens located adjacent an output end of the tube. The input end of the tube has a relatively small aperture to limit light passing into the tube and to the lens. The light emitter serves to provide pseudo-collimated light that illuminates a specific light receiver.

Growing community of inventors

Greeley, CO, United States of America

John T Meredith