Paper height measure apparatus for a media tray with linear sensor
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsGary A. Faguy, David G. Joyce, Joseph Azzopardi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for determining the height of a stack of sheet media in a supply bin is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor and a substantially linearly extending member. The member is operatively associated with the optical sensor to permit relative motion between the sensor and the member. At least one of the sensor and the member moves with the supply bin. The sensor generates a signal indicative of the relative motion between the sensor and the member. The relative motion provides an indication of the height of the stack of the sheet media.
Claims18
An apparatus for determining the height of a stack of sheet media in a supply bin, comprising:
- an optical sensor;
- and
- a substantially linearly extending member operatively associated with said sensor to permit relative motion therebetween, at least one of said sensor and said member moving with the supply bin, said sensor generating a signal indicative of the relative motion between said sensor and said member to provide an indication of the height of the stack of the sheet media wherein said member comprises a strip including a pattern of transparent segments and opaque segments.
An electrophotographic printing machine wherein having a device for determining the height of a stack of sheet media in a supply bin, comprising:
- an optical sensor;
- and
- a substantially linearly extending member operatively associated with said sensor to permit relative motion therebetween, at least one of said sensor and said member moving with the supply bin, said member comprising a strip including a pattern of transparent segments and opaque segments, said sensor generating a signal indicative of the relative motion between said sensor and said member to provide an indication of the height of the stack of the sheet media.
A method for determining the height of a stack of sheet media in a supply bin comprising the steps of:
- providing an optical sensor;
- providing a substantially linearly extending member operatively associated with the optical sensor;
- permitting relative motion therebetween;
- transmitting an optical signal through a strip including transparent segments and opaque segments;
- receiving a substantial portion of the signal when the sensor and the transparent segments are aligned;
- and
- failing to receive a significant portion of the signal when the opaque segments and the sensor are aligned, whereby the alignment of the transparent segments and the sensor define high signals and whereby the alignment of the opaque segments and the sensor define low signals, thereby providing an indication of the height of the stack of the sheet media corresponding to the signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.