Javier M Santiago

US Patent:

20040212668, Oct 28, 2004

Filed:

Apr 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/421076

Inventors:

Javier Santiago - Wake Forest NC, US
Robert Parsons - Raleigh NC, US

International Classification:

B41J002/315

US Classification:

347/171000

Abstract:

A frictional printing device, system and method prints on thermal paper using heat generated by frictional contact. A frictional actuator motivates a frictional heating element to frictionally contact the thermal paper. The thermal paper is chemically treated to react to heat by changing color. Heat is generated by frictional contact of the frictional heating element against the thermal paper. The frictional contact may be provided through repetitive movement of the frictional heating element. An image is formed by selectively positioned frictional contact between the frictional heating element and the thermal paper.

US Patent:

20080038033, Feb 14, 2008

Filed:

Aug 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/463047

Inventors:

Phuc Ky Do - Morrisville NC, US
Bobby R. Hargett - Raleigh NC, US
Justin M. Pierce - Cary NC, US
Javier H. Santiago - Wake Forest NC, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B41J 29/38

US Classification:

400 76

Abstract:

A method and system for managing printer paper conditions is provided. The method includes monitoring states of a paper source in a point-of-sale (POS) printer by a light source and sensor mounted in the paper source, the light source emitting light. A low paper state is determined when a low reflection is detected by the sensor, the low reflection resulting from light reflecting off of a colored portion of a paper roll when the light source and the sensor are positioned on the same side of the paper roll. The colored portion is provided along a margin at the low end of the paper roll. The method further includes tracking a motor step count of the paper source in response to the low paper state to determine a current amount of paper remaining on the paper roll, and transmitting a notification to a system that manages the POS printer informing the system of the current amount of paper remaining.