The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 24, 2008
Filed:
Aug. 25, 2006
Daniel R. Bateman, Ladera Ranch, CA (US);
Connie R. Bowen, Santa Ana, CA (US);
Kevin P. Moore, Irvine, CA (US);
Charles Baldwin Ranson, San Clemente, CA (US);
Dennis R. White, Yorba Linda, CA (US);
Daniel R. Bateman, Ladera Ranch, CA (US);
Connie R. Bowen, Santa Ana, CA (US);
Kevin P. Moore, Irvine, CA (US);
Charles Baldwin Ranson, San Clemente, CA (US);
Dennis R. White, Yorba Linda, CA (US);
Printronix, Inc., Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
A ribbon identification system detects a digitally encoded tract comprised of radially printed bands of dark and light areas positioned on a ribbon spool that fits on a media printing device. Each type and length of ribbon to be used is associated with a specific and unique digitally encoded tract. When the ribbon spool is positioned correctly on the printing device, the digitally encoded tract is detected, and the control program of the printing device sets the parameters associated with that ribbon automatically ensuring proper printing. Through the digitally encoded tract, the ribbon spool is uniquely identified so that once it has been determined by the printing device's control program that the ribbon has been depleted, that ribbon spool, if reinstalled on the same printing device at a later time, will be recognized as a depleted ribbon, and the printing device will not function.