MEDIA-TRACKING SYSTEM USING MARKING LASER

摘要

A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A laser provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a physical property of the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A sensor at a downstream position along the media path is adapted to sense the reference mark providing a sensed signal. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium as the receiver medium passes through the second position along the media path by detecting a position of the reference mark.

主权项

1. A system for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path, comprising:
a heat source located at a first position along the media path adapted to provide heat to the receiver medium in a localized area, the provided heat being sufficient to permanently alter a physical property of the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark; a sensor located at a second position along the media path adapted to sense the reference mark as the receiver medium passes through the second position along the media path, the sensor providing a sensed signal; and a data processor adapted to analyze the sensed signal to determine a position of the receiver medium as the receiver medium passes through the second position along the media path by detecting a position of the reference mark; wherein the heat source is a laser that provides the heat to the receiver medium by illuminating it with a laser beam.