Automated feeder system and methods of use

A method of operating an automatic feeder system for conveying physical media, comprising:

• storing one or more physical media elements in an input bin of the automatic feeder system;
• and
• operating, via a controller of the automatic feeder system, at least one actuating device of the automatic feeder system so as to non-continuously convey the one or more physical media elements into an inlet of a feed neck operatively connected to the input bin, along a path defined by a shape of a housing of the feed neck to an outlet of the feed neck operatively connected to an input interface of a physical media device, the path formed by inner and outer walls of the housing such that the shape of the housing is configured to guide the one or more physical media elements along the path;
• wherein the controller is configured such that the at least one actuating device is operated at a rate that is matched to an input timing of the physical media device, the input timing defining non-continuous periods during which each physical media element of the one or more physical media elements are receivable into the physical media device.

A system, comprising:

• a physical media device that includes an input interface, and that is configured to operate at an input timing;
• and
• an automatic feeder system for conveying discrete elements of physical media, including:
• an input bin configured to store the discrete elements of the physical media;
• a feed neck that includes:
• an inlet operatively connected to the input bin;
• an outlet operatively configured to operatively connect to the input interface of the physical media device;
• a housing that has a substantially curved shape, such that walls of the housing define a path leading from the inlet to the outlet;
• and
• at least one actuating device that is operable to convey the discrete elements of the physical media along the path from the input bin to the outlet of the feed neck;
• and
• a controller that is configured to operate the at least one actuating device to non-continuously convey the discrete elements of the physical media along the path at a rate that is matched to the input timing of the physical media device, the input timing defining non-continuous periods during which each discrete element of the discrete elements of the physical media are receivable into the physical media device.