WO2019194792A1

WO2019194792A1 - Width detection

Info

Publication number: WO2019194792A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/025914
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tong Nam Samuel LOW; Lenord CHIAM; Yu Zhao; Seng San KOH
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Current assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date: 2018-04-03
Filing date: 2018-04-03
Publication date: 2019-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-03

Abstract

Examples of devices for detecting width of a print medium are described. In one example, the device may include a reflector plate coupled to a shaft. The reflector plate is rotatable about an axis with respect to a transceiver element. The reflector plate may further comprise a plurality of reflective segments radially distributed about the axis, with the reflective segment having a different reflectivity.

Description

WIDTH DETECTION

BACKGROUND

[0001] Certain types of image rendering devices may render content onto a print medium. Examples of image rendering device may include, but are not limited to, {Mint systems or printers, and photocopying machines. To carry out toe image rendering process, toe print medium may be fetched from a media tray, and conveyed through the image rendering device for rendering content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein:

[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example image rendering dew»;

[0004] FIG. 2 is an illustration of various example components of an example image rendering device;

[0005] FIG. 3 is an illustration of various components of an image rendering device, as per another example;

[0006] FIG.4 is an illustration of various components of an image rendering device, as per yet another example;

[0007] FIG. 5 is an illustration of various components of an image rendering device, as per still another example;

[0008] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of various example components of an example image rendering device;

[0009] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example print device; and

[0010] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example width detection device.

[0011] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and toe size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, toe drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with toe description; however, toe description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Content (e.g., images and text) may be processed and rendered onto a print medium by an image rendering device. The print medium onto which content is to be rendered may vary in size. During a rendering operation, the print medium may pass through various sections within the image rendering device. As it passes through the different sections within the image rendering device, the print medium may undergo numerous rendering related operations. During such rendering operations, the print medium may be prone to media mishandling if the image rendering device is not adjusted to handle the width of the print medium. In some cases, the image rendering device may be adjusted to accommodate different print media sizes. In such cases, tiie rendering devices may be adjusted by conforming certain components of the image rendering device, like a media guide, to the size of the print medium being used. The image rendering device may include different mechanisms which may be adjusted to accommodate the size of the print medium.

[0013] In some image rendering devices, the adjustment mechanisms may be implemented through a mechanical arrangement. For example, a media tray may include manually adjustable brackets which may be moved across dedicated guide paths to accommodate the size of the print medium. Such mechanical arrangements may undergo wear over prolonged usage, and may be prone to damage arising due to repeated manual adjustments. Certain other image rendering devices may indude mechanisms which may automatically control the adjustment mechanisms. In such cases, a user may provide inputs specifying a size of the print medium. In response to an input, tiie image rendering device may be adjusted automatically. Even though the image rendering device is configured to perform such adjustments automatically, a user may be expected to be aware of the print medium being used, and possess knowledge about how the settings of the image rendering device are to be changed.

[0014] The user may not, In some cases, be aware of the dimension df the print medium which is to be used. It may also happen that the user uses a print medium, tiie size of which is different from what the image rendering device may be configured for handling. In cases in which an incorrect print medium size is provided, a print medium jam may result. As a result, tiie print medium jam in the image rendering device may have to be manually cleared to continue the rendering process. In other cases, when a print media of a size which is different (e.g., smaller) than selected media size being used, overspray of ink over the printer ribs during printing may occur. This in turn may get transferred during the next print job when a larger media is being used, thereby affecting the quality of the rendering process, thus ruin the plots and/or causing media jam as what is mentioned above. In cases when larger print media than selected media size is being provided, it may result in an incorrectly scaled print medium.

[0016] Approaches for automatically determining a dimension of a print medium, are described. Such approaches may be implemented in an image rendering device to raider content onto a print medium. In one example, toe image rendering device for determining toe dimension of the print medium may include a sensor transceiver element, and a reflector plate having a plurality of reflective segments. The reflector plate is rotatable with respect to the sensor transceiver element (hereinafter referred to as‘transceiver dement^*). As toe reflector plate rotates, it may change the relative position of toe reflective segments with respect to toe transceiver element The rotation of the reflector plate may be affected through a shaft to which the reflector plate may be coupled. The shaft may extend in a horizontal plane, and along toe axis about which toe reflector plate is to rotate.

[0016] The reflector plate may have a plurality of reflective segments arranged radially about the axis of rotation. Respective reflective segments may have different reflectivity. Reflectivity may indicate an extent to which any incident radiation may be reflected off from a given surface. The extent of radiation reflected may be assessed based on a measure of an intensity of incident radiation and radiation reflected from toe given surface, in one example, the reflectivity may be based on a ratio of toe intensity of an incident radiation and a reflected radiation. The reflectivity may vary depending on physical properties of toe material off which the incident light is reflected. For example, polished or smooth surfaces may reflect an incident radiation more as compared to surfaces which are not polished or which do not reflect any of the incident radiation. Hie reflectivity may also change depending on material of a reflecting surface. As an example, surfaces of metallic materials may reflect more of the incident radiation as compared to material of non-metallic materials.

[0017] In toe current example, an incident radiation may be generated by the transceiver element. The incident radiation may be in the form of a collimated light beam or laser beam which may be directed towards one of the reflective segments. The reflected radiation reflected off from one of foe reflective segments is received by the transceiver element. The image rendering device may determine a ratio of toe intensity of toe incident radiation and the reflected radiation.

[0018] In operation, the reflector plate may rotate due to toe rotation of the shaft on which it is mounted. As the reflector plate moves, the reflective segments may also move across a path of toe incident radiation. As a result, the reflective segment may move out, and another reflective segment may move into the path of the incident radiation. As further rotation occurs, the reflective segments may move across the path of die incident radiation. The rotation of the reflector plate may be til response to movement of a flag element. The movement of the flag element may, in turn, be caused by placing a print media onto a media tray of the image rendering device. In one example, the image rendering device may further include a plurality of teg elements provided along the length of the shaft. The flag element may be any rigid member extending radially outward from the shaft. The position of the flag elements may depend on sizes of print media which may be used for printing by the image rendering device. For example, distance of a first flag element from die reflector plate may correspond to a specific print media size. Similarly, distances of subsequent teg elements may correspond to larger sizes of the print media. As a result, a print medium of a specific dimension may actuate a corresponding flag element.

[0019] With one end of flag element fixed to the shaft and the other end being free, an actuation of the flag element causes It to move In a vertical plane. The vertical movement in turn affects rotation of the shaft. In one example, toe flag elements have differing profiles (e.g., a profile of one flag element may be different from a profile of a second flag element, etc.). Owing to the profiles, the flag elements affect rotation of the reflector plate by different angles. As a result of the profile, an actuation of one of the flag elements would rotate toe shaft by a related specific predefined angle. Similarly, actuation of another teg element would rotate the shaft by another angle. The flag elements may be arranged in an order such that the flag elements along the shaft rotate toe shaft by a progressively increasing angle.

[0020] In another example, toe flag elements may be actuated by print media placed on a media tray. Depending on the width of toe print medium, the corresponding teg elements may be actuated. For example, the first flag element of the plurality of flag elements may be actuated when a print medium of a first dimention is placed on toe media tray. In a similar manner, a second flag element may be actuated when a print medium of a second dimension is placed on toe media fray. Depending on whether the print medium is of the first dimension or the second dimension, corresponding flag elements may be actuated. For example, print medium of toe first dimension may lead to actuation of a corresponding flag element causing a first rotation of the shaft and the rotatable reflector plate. As a result, a first reflective segment may be brought into tire path of tiie incident radiation emanating from the transceiver element In a similar manner, print medium of the second dimension may lead to actuation of a corresponding second flag element causing a second rotation of the shaft and the rotatable reflector plate. As a result, the reflector plate notates across the path of the incident radiation, to position a second reflective segment in the path of the incident radiation from tiie transceiver element.

[0021] In one example, the transceiver element may either transmit tiie incident radiation continuously or periodically, towards a reflector plate. To this end, tiie transceiver element may have sensors to detect any radiation reflected off from the reflector plate. As explained in the previous example, the reflective segment onto which the detection signal is incident may depend on the angular displacement of tiie reflector plate, and hence, on the size of the print media on the media tray. The incident radiation is reflected off the reflective segment positioned in the path of tiie incident radiation, and is detected by the transceiver element.

[0022] The reflective segments provided on the reflector plate have different reflectivity. As a result, the attributes of tiie reflected incident radiation (hereinafter referred to as the reflected radiation) may also be different from the incident radiation. One example of such an attribute may be intensity. In such instances, the intensity of tiie reflected radiation may differ depending on tiie reflective segments reflecting tiie incident radiation. Other examples of such attributes include, but are not limited to, wavelength and frequency. Continuing with the operation of the image rendering device, tiie transceiver element may compare attributes of the incident radiation and the reflected radiation (e.g., intensity, frequency, amplitude, etc.). Depending on tiie comparison, the image rendering device may determine which one of tire plurality of reflective segments is positioned in the path of the incident radiation. Since tiie position of reflective segments in the path of the incident radiation indirectly corresponds to tiie flag element which would have been activated, the image rendering device is able to estimate the size of the print media that have been positioned on tiie media tray.

[0023] The present approaches may be used for automatically detecting a width of print media present within the image rendering device. The mechanisms as discussed above are simple, involve less material for implementation, less costly, and are scalable. Furthermore, the sensor based mechanism provide accurate detection of tiie width of the [Mint media. These and other aspects are further described to conjunction with the FIGS. 1-8. [0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an examine image rendering device 102. The image rendering device 102 may include any device which may render content onto a print medium. Examples of such an image rendering device 102 includes, but is not limited to, printers and photocopying machines. The print medium may include a variety of media on which content may be rendered. The print medium may be manufactured from a variety of material, or may differ in terms of their physical properties, such as thickness and stiffness. Commonly used print medium, either for personal use or for commercial purposes, may vary in size. The size of foe print medium may conform to certain standards, such as ISO 216 and the North American Paper Sizes. In other cases, a user may also use a specifically procured print medium having a user defined but a non-standard ized size.

[0025] During the course of use, print media onto which content is to be rendered may be stored within the image rendering device 102. In one example, foe image rendering device 102 as illustrated may automatically detect the width of foe print medium onto which foe content is to be rendered. It should be noted that foe term

"width’ is used to refer to foe dimension of an edge of foe print medium facing foe direction in which foe print medium would be conveyed through the image rendering device 102.

[0626] The image rendering device 102 may further include a transceiver element 104. The transceiver element 104 may include a transmitter and a receiver. These may be implemented using specific hardware elements or through electronic circuitry, for transmitting incident radiation and for detecting reflected radiation. Furthermore, the transmitters and receivers may be implemented as either single units or through a combination of multiple units. Examples of an incident radiation include, but is not limited, electromagnetic radiation such laser beam or a beam of infrared radiation. In one example, the transceiver element 104 may be a reflective edge detection sensor. The reflector plate 106 may be further coupled to a shaft such that foe reflector plate 106 is rotatable with respect to foe transceiver element 104. The coupling of foe reflector plate 106 may be direct, i.e., the reflector plate 106 may be mounted on foe shaft. In another example, the reflector plate 106 maiy be indirectly coupled, such as through a motion transfer mechanism, which allows transferring motion of the shaft to foe reflector plate 106.

[0027] The reflector plate 106 may further include a plurality of reflective segments 108. The reflective segments 108 may be radially distributed about the axis of rotation of the reflector plate, with the respective reflective segments 108 having differing reflectivity. The shaft (not shown in FIG. 1) may farther indude flag elements 110. The flag elements 110 may be any rigid member extending radially outward from the shaft. The position of the flag elements 110 may depend on sizes of print media to be used by the image rendering device. For example, a distance of a first flag element from a certain point of reference may correspond to a certain print media size. Similarly, distances of subsequent flag elements may correspond to smaller sizes of the print media. As a result, a print medium of a specific dimension may actuate a corresponding flag element. One end of the flag elements 110 is fixedly coupled onto the shaft, with the other end capable of moving in a vertical plane. As toe other end of one of the flag elements 110 moves, it rotates toe shaft and also the reflector plate 106. In one example, the image rendering device may farther indude moveable mechanism. Such a moveable mechanism, responsive to placement of a print media, actuates the flag element

[0828] A print medium (not shown in FIG. 1) in a media fray may laterally displace one end of one of the flag elements 110. The transceiver element 104 may be further activated, and may begin emitting an incident radiation. The lateral movement of one of toe flag dement 110 notates toe shaft and rotates toe reflector plate 106 with respect to the transceiver element 104. As the reflector plate 106 rotates, a first reflective segment of amongst the reflective segments 108 may move into the path of toe incident radiation. The incident radiation may get reflected off the first reflective segment The reflected radiation from toe first reflective segment is detected by toe transceiver element 104. The image rendering device 102 may compare attributes of the incident radiation and the reflected radiation. Based on the comparison, toe image rendering device 1Q2 may ascertain the width of the print media present on toe media tray of toe image rendering device 102. In case the print media is replaced by another print media of a different width, yet another of the flag elements 110 may get actuated which eventually may cause a second reflective segment (amongst the reflective segments 108) to move into toe path of the incident radiation. The image rendering device 102 may compare toe reflected radiation with toe incident radiation, and accordingly ascertain the width of toe print media placed on toe media fray.

[0029] FIG. 2 depicts certain internal components of toe image rendering device 102, as per another example. The present figure depicts certain other components. However, this is one of toe possible other examples, and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. The image rendering device 102 includes the transceiver element 104, the reflector plate 106, toe reflective segments 108 and the flag elements 110. Hie present figure depicts three reflective segments 108, namely, reflective segment 108-1, 108-2, and 108-3. Furthermore, toe present figure additionally depicts three flag elements 110, which have been referenced as flag element 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3. Other examples with fewer or greater number of reflective segments 108 and flag elements 110 may be possible as well within the scope of the protection being sought.

[0030] The reflector plate 106 and toe flag elements 110 are mounted cm to toe shaft 202, which is rotatable about an axis 204. As a result of toe coupling with toe shaft 202. reflector plate 106 and toe flag elements 110 are rotatable about toe axis 204. The flag elements 110 may be positioned along the length of the shaft 202, such that their position correspond to predefined widths or sizes of print media that are to be used by the image rendering device 102. For example, the distance of flag element 110-1 from a common point of reference may be such that it corresponds to a specific sized print medium, such as A6-$ized paper. Similarly, positions of toe flag elements 110-2 and 110-3 may, in one example, correspond to larger sizes of print medium, such as A2-sized paper and M-sized paper, respectively.

[0031] Although toe present FIG. 2 does not depict any print media, the flag elements 110 may be actuated in response to placement of [Mint media onto a media tray of the image rendering device 102. In such a case, toe flag elements 110 may get actuated directly, or may be actuated indirectly through specific mechanisms. As an example of the latter where toe shaft 202 and the flag elements 110 are arranged vertically beneath the media tray, toe image rendering device 102 may further include a moveable mechanism which may protrude through slits or openings to a media tray. The print media when placed on the media tray may bear down and push toe moveable mechanism. The moveable mechanism may thereafter engage with one of the flag elements 110 to affect rotation of toe shaft 202.

[0032] in one example, the moveable mechanism may be implemented as moveable plates 206-1 , 206-2, and 206-3 (collectively referred to as plates 206). The plates 206 are moveable about an axis 210 which extends in parallel to the axis 204. The plates further include protruding members 208, interchangeably referred to as members 208, which may extend through openings in toe media tray (not shown in FIG. 2). When toe print media is placed on the media tray, it may push against one of tire members 208 (e.g., member 208-1). As the member 208-1 is pushed, the corresponding plate 206-1 rotate about the axis 210 and moves downwards to engage with the corresponding flag element 110-1 to actuate it. The actuation the flag element 110-1, in the present example, may affect the rotation of the reflector plate 106. The image rendering device 102 may subsequently, based on the movement of the reflector plate 106, determine the width of the print media present on the media bay.

[0033] These above-mentioned aspects are further explained in conjunction with FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 3 depicts the working and interaction of various components of the image rendering device 102, as depicted in FIG. 2 when a print media 302 is provided within the image rendering device 102 (e.g., on a media tray). The pitot media 302 may be either a single unit or sheet, or may be a bundle of print media 302. In die present example, the width of tire print media 302 is smallest as compared to the examples described in conjunction with later drawings. In the present example, the print media 302 may be an Ab-sized sheet of print medium. It should also be noted that references to width does not preclude determining the measure of longer edges of the print media 302. Dimensions of longer edges may be performed as per toe examples of the present subject matter, without deviating from the scope of toe present subject matter. Furthermore, reference to print media 302 may include within its scope multiple or single units of toe print medium.

[0034] Returning to the working of toe image rendering device 102, toe print media 302 may be positioned onto toe media tray (not shown). In one example, the media tray may include visual identifiers to aid any user in identifying where toe print media 302 is to be placed. In the present example, the print media 302 when placed onto toe media tray, may lie above toe plate 206-1. When toe print media 302 is platted onto toe media tray, the print media 302 may push toe member 208-1 downwards in toe direction A (as indicated in FIG. 3). As the member 208-1 is pushed downwards, toe plate 206-1 moves downwards as well to engage with toe flag element 110-1.

[0036] The flag elements 110, such as the flag element 110-1, may have a profile that differs from that of other flag elements 110, such as toe flag element 110-2. In one example, the flag elements 110 may have a curved concaved inner profile such that toe inner portion of toe flag elements 110 form an obtuse angle. In another example, toe value of toe obtuse angle may vary between toe flag elements 110 as a result of which toe flag elements 110 may have different profiles, respectively. In one example, toe obtuse angle may decrease from flag element 110-1 to flag element 110- 3. As a result the obtuse angle of the flag element 110-1 and 110-3, is maximum and minimum, respectively, with the value of the obtuse angle of flag element 110-2 being intermediate to that of flag element 110-1 and 110-3. In another example, the flag elements 110 may have a curved profile.

[0036] Returning to the operation of the image rendering device 102, toe flag element 110-1 may move vertically downwards. The movement of the flag element 110-1 results in toe shaft 202 to rotate about toe axis 204 in the direction B, as depicted. As the shaft 202 rotates, the reflector plate 106 also rotates about toe axis 204. At this stage, toe image rendering device may activate the transceiver element 104 to emit, either continuously or periodically, incident radiation in the direction of toe reflector plate 106. The incident radiation may travel in a linear path towards toe reflector plate 106. In toe present instance, owing to toe rotation of toe reflector plate 106, one of the reflective segments 108, say reflective segment 108-1 may be present in the path of toe incident radiation. The incident radiation may further impinge the reflective segment 108-1 at a point of incidence, depicted as point 304. The incident radiation is reflected off from toe point 304 back towards toe transceiver element 104. The transceiver element 104 detects, and may further determine certain attributes of toe reflected radiation. In one example, toe attributes may include, but are not limited to intensity, frequency, and wavelength.

[0037] It may be the case that during the course of use, a user may replace or provide print media 402, which is larger in width as compared to toe print media 302. The manner in which toe image rendering device 102 operates on being provided print media 402 is depicted in FIG.4. It should be noted that FIG. 4 is one of other possible examples and should not be construed as limiting toe scope of toe claimed subject matt®·. The print media 402 may be positioned onto toe media tray of the image rendering device 102. In one example, a user may utilize visual identifiers to determine positions where the print media 402 is to be placed. In the present example, the print media 402 when placed onto the media tray, may lie above toe plates 206-1 and 206- 2. When toe print media 402 is placed onto toe media tray, toe print media 402 may also push the member 208-2 downwards in the direction A (as indicated by toe movement of the member 208-2 in FIG. 4). As the member 208-2 is pushed downwards, toe plate 206-2 moves downwards as well to engage with the flag element 110-2.

[0038] The flag element 110-2 is so profiled such that it affects a rotation of toe shaft 202 by a predefined angle, which may be greater than the angle through which the shaft is rotated by the flag element 110-1. In an example where the inner profile of the flag elements 110 form an obtuse angle, the angle formed by the flag element 110-2 is less than that of the flag dement 110-1. Responsive to placing foe print media 402 onto the media tray, foe flag dement 110-2 may move vertically downwards when pushed by foe plate 206-2. The movement of the flag element 110-2 results in foe shaft 202 to rotate further about foe axis 204 in the direction B, as depicted. As the shaft 202 rotates, foe reflector plate 106 also rotates about foe axis 204.

[0039] In the present instance, owing to the further rotation of the reflector plate 106 in the direction C, as the reflective segment 108-1 moves away, the reflective segment 108-2 moves into the path of the incident radiation, with the point of incidence now coinciding on reflective segment 108-2. The incident radiation from the transceiver element 104 may be reflected off from the reflective segment 108-2 towards foe transceiver dement 104. The transcdver element 104 detects, and may further determine certain attributes of the reflected radiation, for ascertaining foe width of foe print media 402.

[0040] FIG. 5 depicts foe operation of the image rendering device 102 when a print media 502 is provided, in an example. The print media 502 is such that it is larger in width as compared to foe print media 302 and 402. The print media 502 when placed onto the media tray, may lie above the plates 206-1, 206-2 and 206-3. When placed onto foe media tray, the print media 502 may push the member 208-3 downwards in the direction A (as indicated by the movement of foe member 208-3 in FIG. 5). As foe member 208-3 is pushed downwards, the plate 206-3 moves downwards to engage with the flag element 110-3.

[0041] The flag element 110-3 is so profiled such that it affects a rotation of foe shaft 202, more than the rotation affected by the flag elements 110-1 and 110-2. In an example, the angle formed by foe flag element 110-3 is less than that of foe flag elements 110-1 and 110-2. Responsive to placing the print media 502 onto the media tray, the flag element 110-3 may move vertically downwards when pushed by foe plate 206-3. The movement of the flag element 110-3 results in foe shaft 202 to rotate still further about the axis 204 in the direction B. As the shaft 202 rotates, foe reflector plate 106 also rotates about foe axis 204. With foe reflector plate 106 moving, foe reflective segment 108-3 moves into the path of the incident radiation. As it moves into the path of the incident radiation, the point 304 now falls onto the reflective segment 108-3. The incident radiation from the transceiver element 104 may be reflected off from the reflective segment 108-3. The transceiver element 104 detects, and may further determine certain attributes of the reflected radiation, for ascertaining the width of die print media 502.

[0042] In any of the examples as explained in conjunction with FIGS. 3-5, the image rendering device 102, on determining an attribute the reflected radiation (e.g., intensity) from any one of the reflective segments 108, the image rendering device 102 may compare the same with an attribute the incident radiation. In one example, the image rendering device 102 may determine a ratio of the attribute of the incident radiation and the attribute of the reflected radiation. The image rendering device 102 may then ascertain the width of the print media 302 based the comparison and predefined look-up data. In one example, the look-up data may provide a correlation between predefined widths of print media and comparative values of the incident radiation and the reflected radiation. In the present example, the correlation may be provided through a mapping between comparative values and widths of print medium (e.g., a first comparative value may correspond to a first width of print media, a second comparative value may correspond to a second width of print media, etc.). In this manner, based on the reflected radiation from one of the reflective segments 108, the image rendering device 102 may determine the width of the print media, i.e., one of print media 302, 402 and 502.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrate a block diagram of an image rendering device 602, as per mother example. The image rendering device 602 may be similar to the image rendering device 102 as explained in conjunction with the preceding drawings. Furthermore, the image rendering device 602 may also include certain similar, if not tiie same, components as present in the image rendering device 102. For the present example, such similar components have been provided with the same reference numeral as relied in the previous figures. It is to be noted that such components may be implemented in a different manner without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter.

[0044] The image rendering device 602 is to detect width of a print medium that may be placed onto a media tray of the image rendering device 602. In one example, the image rendering device 602 may process digital files and render corresponding content onto print media stored therein. The image rendering device 602 may be implemented as a standalone device communicatively connected through a network to other computing devices or other systems (not shown in FIG. 6). The image rendering device 602 includes interface^) 604, memory 606, transceiver element 104, reflector plate 106, reflective segments 108, and flag elements 110. The interface(s) 604 may include a variety of interfeces, for example, interfeces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, network devices, and toe like. The interfeoe(s) 604 facilitate communication between the image rendering device 602 and various computing devices connected in a networked environment. The interface^) 604 may also be used to communicatively couple components of toe image rendering device 602 with each other.

[0045] The memory 606 may store computer-readable instructions, which may be fetched and executed to set a system state as one of wakeable through a bigger and non-wakeable. The memory 606 may indude any non-transitory computer-readable medium induding, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and toe like. The image rendering device 602 further indudes engines 608 and date 610.

[0046] The engines 608 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement certain functionalities of the engines 608, for example to detect width of pitot medium being processed by the image rendering device 602. In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, toe programming for toe engines 608 may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium arid tiie hardware for toe engines 608 may indude a processing resource (for example, implemented as either a single processor or a combination of multiple processors), to execute such instructions. In toe present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by toe processing resource, implement engines 608. In such examples, toe image rendering device 602 may indude the machine-readable storage medium storing toe instructions and toe processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to image rendering device 602 and toe processing resource. In other examples, engines 608 may be implemented by electronic drcuitiry.

[0047] The data 610 indudes date that is either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the engines 608. In an example, the engines 608 include a detection engine 612, control engine 614 and other engines 616. The other engines 616 may implement functionalities that supplement applications or functions performed by the image rendering device 602 or the engines 608. Further, tiie data 610 may indude attribute values 618, comparative values 620, look-up data 622, and other data 624. It should also be noted that some or all components of the engines 608 and data 610 may be implemented external to, although in communication with, the image rendering device 602, without deviating from the scope of tiie present subject matter.

[0048] Responsive to the placement of print media being placed on a media tray of tiie image rendering device 602, corresponding flag elements 110 may be actuated. Once actuated, the flag elements 110 may move downward in a vertical plane affecting rotation of a shaft on which the flag elements 110 may be fixed. The rotation of the shaft such as tiie shaft 202, may in turn affect the rotation of the reflector plate 106. As the reflector plate 106 rotates, the reflective segments 108 may move across a path of incident radiation being emitted by the transceiver dement 104. Depending on which one of the flag elements 110 was actuated, one of the corresponding reflective segments 108 is positioned hi the path of the incident radiation emitted by tiie transceiver element 104. The incident radiation is reflected back by one of tiie corresponding reflective segments 108, and detected by the transceiver element 104. {0048! The transceiver element 104 may detect the reflected radiation from one of the reflective segments 108. Once detected, detection engine 612 may determine tiie attributes of the reflected radiation. Examples of such attributes indude, but are not limited to, intensity, frequency, and amplitude. Other examples of attributes may also be possible without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter. In one example, the detection engine 612 may store the values of the attributes as attribute values 618. The detection engine 612 may then fetch tiie attribute values 618 corresponding to the inddent radiation. Once obtained, the detection engine 612 may further compare the attribute values 618 of the incident radiation and the reflected radiation to determine a comparative value 620. In one example, the detection engine 612 may determine such a comparative value 620 by either obtaining a ratio of tiie attribute values 618 of tiie inddent radiation and the reflected radiation. In another example, the comparative value may be obtained by obtaining a difference between tiie attribute values 618 of the inddent radiation and the reflected radiation.

[0050] Once the comparative value 620 is obtained, tiie detection engine 612 may compared the obtained comparative value 620 with the look-up data 622. In one example, the look-up data 622 provides mapping between multiple comparative values, such as comparative value 620, with corresponding dimension of print media. For the corresponding the attribute values 618 and the resulting comparative value 620, tiie detection engine 612 may determine the dimension of the print media. In tills manner, the image rendering device 602 automatically determines the width of any other sized print media positioned onto the image rendering device 602.

[0051] Once the width of the print medium placed on the media bay is determined, tire control engine 614 may generate control instruction for adjusting the pint media guide mechanisms within the image rendering device 602. Such control instructions when executed may configure and adjust internal machinery and other components of tiie image rendering device 602, for handling the pint media.

[0052] The above-mentioned approaches may be implemented in other devices, besides the image rendering device. FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example print device 702. The print device 702 may be any print system which is capable of rendering content corresponding to a digital file by way of printing. The print device 702, and its components may function in a manner which is similar to functioning of tiie components as described in conjunction with image rendering device 102 and image rendering device 602. In certain cases, the working of tiie components of tiie print device 702 may have been described with reference to similar components as described in the preceding figures. In the present example, the pint device 702 may include a transceiver element 704, a reflector plate 706 and a detection engine 708. The detection engine 708 is in communication with the transceiver element 704. In one example, the transceiver element 704 may emit an incident radiation directed to tiie reflector plate 706.

[0053] The pint device 702 may further include flag elements, similar to flag elements 110 of tiie image rendering device 102. The flag elements are attached to the shaft. Any vertical movement of tiie flag elements affect rotation of the shaft. The reflector plate 706 is rotatable about an axis, such as the axis 204. In tiie present example, the angle through which the reflector plate 706 rotates is dependent on a size of the print medium which is present within the print device 702. The reflector plate 106 may rotate in response to placing such print media on a media tray of tiie print device 702. In one example, the print device 702 may further indude a moveable mechanism beneath the media tray of the print device 702. In tiie present example, tire print nredia being placed on tiie media pushes such a moveable mechanism in a downward direction. As tire moveable mechanism moves, it actuates a corresponding flag element, which in turn rotates tire shaft and the reflector plate 706.

[0054] Any incident radiation directed towards the reflector plate 706 may be reflected from one of the reflective segments 710 which is present in the path of the incident radiation. The reflective segments may have differing reflectivity. The incident radiation may then be reflected ere reflected radiation by one of the reflective segments 710, and is detected by the transceiver element 704.

[0055] Once the reflected radiation is detected, the detection engine 708 may further determine an attribute of the incident radiation and the reflected radiation. In one example, the attribute may include intensity, frequency, or wavelength. In another example, the values may be stored, such as the attribute values 618, within tire print device 702. The detection engine 708 may subsequently compare tire attribute values of the incident radiation and the reflected radiation, to arrive at a comparative value. The comparative value may in turn be compared a look-up data available within tire print device 702. In one example, the look-up data correlates multiple predefined detector responses with predefined media sizes to determine the width of the print medium.

[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example width detection device 802. The width detection device 802 may be implemented for determining a width of print medium for printing or rendering content by the width detection device 802. Examples of width detection device 802 may include, but are not limited to, printers and photocopying machines.

[0057] The width detection device 802 may indude a transceiver element 804, a reflector plate 806 mounted on a shaft, a plurality of flag element 808 and a detection engine 810. The reflector plate 806 may further include a plurality of reflective segments 812. The detection engine 810 is in communication with tiie transceiver element 804. The flag element 808 extend radially outwards from the shaft onto which the reflector plate 806 is mounted. Any print medium when positioned onto a media tray may actuate the flag element 808. The number of flag element 808 which may be actuated may depend on tiie size of tiie print medium positioned onto tiie media tray. The actuation of tiie flag element 808 results in the rotation of tiie reflector [Mate 806. As a result, the reflective segments 812 present on the reflector plate 806 also move with respect to the transceiver element 804. The angle by which the reflector plate 806 rotates may be detected by the transceiver element 804 as a resuit of movement of reflective segments 812. Based on the rotation detected by the transceiver element 804, the detection engine 810 may determine the size of the print medium positioned onto tiie media bay.

[0058] Although examples for toe present disclosure have been described in language specific to structural features, it should be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, toe specific features are disclosed and explained as examples of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is daimed is:

1. An image rendering device comprising:

a transceiver dement;

a reflector plate coupled to a shaft and rotatable with respect to the transceiver element, wherein the reflector plate comprises a plurality of reflective segments radially distributed about an axis of rotation of the reflector plate, wherein reflective segments within the plurality of reflective segments have a different reflectivity; and a flag element, extending radially outward and axially spaced away from the reflector plate on the shaft, wherein a lateral movement of the flag element is to affect rotation of the shaft and the reflector plate.

2. The image rendering device as daimed in daim 1, the device comprising a moveable mechanism, wherein the moveable mechanism is to actuate the teg element responsive to placement of a print media.

3. The image rendering device as claimed in daim 1 , wherein the flag element is profiled so as to affect the rotation of tee shaft by a predefined angle, and further wherein the flag element may have a profile that is different than that of other teg elements of tee image rendering device.

4. The image rendering device as daimed in daim 1 * wherein a position of the flag element along the shaft is based on a predefined width of print media.

5. The image rendering device as daimed in daim 1, the device comprising a detection engine to:

determine an attribute of a reflected radiation received by the transceiver element, wherein tee reflected radiation is from one of the plurality of reflective segments;

determine an attribute of an inddent radiation, wherein tee incident radiation is emitted by tee transceiver dement;

compare the attribute of the incident radiation and the attribute of the reflected radiation to obtain a comparative value; and

determine a width of a print medium placed on a media tray of the image rendering device based on the comparative value and a look-up data.

6. The image rendering device as claimed in daim 5, wherein the attribute of the incident radiation and the attribute of the reflected radiation comprises intensity, amplitude, or frequency.

7. The image rendering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein toe transceiver element is a reflective edge detection sensor.

8. A print device comprising:

a transceiver element to generate an incident radiation; and

a reflector plate coupled to a shaft and rotatable with respect to the transceiver element, wherein the reflector plate comprises a plurality of reflective segments radially distributed about an axis of rotation of the reflector plate, with the plurality of reflective segments having a different reflectivity;

a detection engine in communication with the transceiver element, wherein toe detection engine is to:

determine an attribute of the incident radiation and an attribute of a reflected radiation, wherein toe reflected radiation is reflected off from one of the plurality of reflective segments; and

determine a width of a print medium placed on a media tray of the print device based on the respective attributes of toe incident radiation and toe reflected radiation.

9. The print device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the attributes comprise intensity, amplitude, or frequency.

10. The print device as claimed in claim 8, wherein toe detection engine Is to further; compare the attribute of the incident radiation aid the attribute of the reflected radiation to obtain a comparative value; and

further compare the comparative value with look-up data to determine toe width of the {Mint medium, wherein toe look-up data maps comparative values to widths of print medium.

11. The print device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of flag elements extending radially outward from the shaft and axially spaced away from the reflector plate along a length of the shaft.

12. The print device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the plurality of flag elements are positioned at locations on toe shaft at a distance from a point of reference, wherein the distance corresponds to a standardized size of toe print medium.

13. A width detection device of a printing device, the width detection device comprising:

a transceiver element;

a reflector plate coupled to a shaft and rotatable about an axis with respect to the transceiver element, wherein the reflector plate comprises a plurality of reflective segments distributed radially about toe axis and having a different reflectivity ;

a plurality of flag elements extending radially outward and axially spaced away from the reflector plate on toe shaft, wherein the plurality of flag elements are profiled to affect rotation of the reflector plate by different angles; and

a detection engine coupled to toe transceiver element, wherein toe detection engine is to determine a width of a print medium based on a signal reflected from one of the plurality of reflective segments.

14. The width detection device as claimed in claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of flag elements is actuated by a print medium positioned on a media tray of the printing device.

15. The width detection device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the detection engine is to:

determine an attribute of an incident radiation emitted from the transceiver element and a reflected radiation, wherein the reflected radiation is reflected off from one of the plurality of reflective segments; and

wherein the width of the print medium placed on toe media tray is to be determined based on toe attributes of toe incident radiation and the reflected radiation.