US 4,733,310 A · Paper sheet and envelope feeder apparatus

Abstract

There is disclosed a paper feeder apparatus attached to a printer or other device. The paper feeder apparatus employs two trays each of which are capable of accommodating papers of different sizes and an envelope tray for accommodating envelopes. The feeder is controlled by a host computer of the type capable of generating feeder and printer control commands. These commands are transmitted to control logic associated with the paper feeder which control logic is under control of a microprocessor. The microprocessor assumes complete control of the entire paper feed mechanism and communication to the printer. Thus, the microprocessor operates two motors associated with the paper feed path. A first motor is operated so that a sheet of paper can be withdrawn from either of the two trays and then transported along a paper path. A sensor in conjunction with the path determines the exact position of the paper which then causes the microprocessor to actuate a second drive motor to assure that the paper is brought into the vicinity of the printer input slot. The microprocessor, as indicated, performs all control functions as driving motors and operating solenoids to assure that a proper feed operation occurs. The microprocessor also has means for monitoring the temperature of the motors to assure that they are operating in a proper temperature range. The microprocessor also receives inputs from each of the trays to determine whether or not paper is being accommodated by the trays and to receive further inputs indicative of the status of the various sensors which are utilized to monitor the path of the paper or the envelope as it is directed towards the operating input slot of the printer. The microprocessor is also programmed to perform threshold tests whereby the sensors associated with each of the different paths as the paper path and the envelope path are tested in regard to ambient light so that a new threshold level is set for the sensor prior to a paper load or envelope load operation. In this manner, the sensors always exhibit a maximum response and therefore enable the paper feeder to accommodate different quality papers of different colors, different tones and different reflecting surfaces.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus for selectively feeding paper or envelopes to a printer or copier, said printer or copier having an input area for receiving a sheet of paper or an envelope, comprising:

a plurality of storage trays each adapted to store paper;
paper drive means for directing a sheet of paper as selected from any of such storage trays to said input area along a predetermined paper path, said paper drive means including a first drive and a second drive motor each operative as controlled to direct said sheet of paper along said path;
sensing means disposed along said path and operative to sense the position of said paper sheet along said path with said sensing means operative to sense the leading edge of said paper sheet in a first position to provide a first signal and to sense the trailing edge of said paper sheet to provide a second signal;
control means coupled to said first and said second drive motors and said sensing means;
first means coupled to said first drive motor and operative to drive said sheet to said first position and to drive the leading edge of said sheet to a second position in response to a first control signal from said control means, which first control signal is generated in response to said first signal being coupled to said control means;
second means coupled to said second drive motor to cause said sheet to continue to move along said path after the leading edge has arrived at the second position;
and said second drive motor to continue to operate for a predetermined period indicative of said paper sheet being positioned at said input area in response to a second control signal from said control means, which second control signal is generated in response to said second signal being coupled to said control means.

4 more elements

An apparatus for use with a printer or copier, said printer or copier capable of receiving and transmitting control signals indicative of the state of said printer or copier as capable of defining the status of said printer or copier as including a busy state when printing, and an idle state when not printing, said printer or copier including a slot for receiving a sheet of paper or an envelope and sensor means for providing a signal when said paper or envelope is received, said apparatus comprising:

first and second paper storage trays, each operative to hold paper;
first means coupled to said storage trays and operative to select a sheet of paper from either one of said trays upon application of a control signal to said first means;
paper path means for directing a selected sheet of paper to said slot along a given path, said apparatus including a microprocessor for controlling the selection of said sheet of paper and operative to control said paper path means to transport said selected sheet of paper to said slot, in combination therewith of means for coupling said printer or copier to said apparatus comprising:
bi-directional data transfer means coupled to said printer or copier and said microprocessor and operative in a first mode for transmitting said control signals from such printer or copier to said microprocessor and operative in a second mode for providing signals from said microprocessor to said printer or copier and means coupled to said data transfer means to operate the same in said first or second modes.

1 more element

Apparatus for selectively feeding paper or envelopes to a printer or copier, said printer or copier having an input area for receiving a sheet of paper or an envelope, comprising:

a plurality of storage trays each adapted to store paper;
paper drive means for directing a sheet of paper as selected from any of such storage trays to said input area along a predetermined paper path, said paper drive means including a first drive and a second drive motor each operative as controlled to direct said sheet of paper along said path;
sensing means disposed along said path and operative to sense the position of said paper sheet along said path with said sensing means operative to sense the leading edge of said paper sheet in a first position to provide a first signal and to sense the trailing edge of said paper sheet to provide a second signal;
control means coupled to said paper drive means and said sensing means;
said paper drive means, including said first drive motor, being operative to drive said sheet to said first position;
said paper drive means, including said first drive motor, being operative to drive the leading edge of said sheet for a first predetermined period in response to a first control signal from said control means which is generated by said control means in response to said first signal, whereby the leading edge is driven to a second position;
said paper drive means, including said second drive motor, being operative to drive said sheet further along said path in response to a further control signal from said control means which is generated by said control means after the first predetermined period;
and
said paper drive means, including said second drive motor, being operative to at least assist in driving said sheet for a second predetermined period in response to a second control signal from said control means which is generated by said control means in response to said second signal, whereby said paper sheet has been fed into the printer or copier.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Paper sheet and envelope feeder apparatus

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Paper sheet and envelope feeder apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20