System and method for de-skewing media when using an automatic media feeder

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for de-skewing media when using an automatic media feeder comprising a registration guide and a registration tab disposed to cooperate with the registration guide in providing de-skewing of media when an edge of the media passes over the registration tab and is deflected thereby toward the registration guide.

1 . A system for de-skewing media when using an automatic media feeder, said system comprising: 
 a registration guide; and    a registration tab disposed to deflect an edge of said media toward said registration guide when the media passes over the registration tab.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said registration guide comprises an edge of a platen.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said registration guide comprises a registration guide utilized for manual registration of media.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said registration tab comprises a member presenting a sloped surface to said edge of said media when the media moves by said registration tab toward said registration guide.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said registration tab is movable to retract when said media is moved past said registration tab away from said registration guide and to remain extended when said media is moved past said registration tab toward said registration guide.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said registration tab moves about a pivot when said media passes over the registration tab away from said registration guide.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said registration tab deflects upward when said media moves in a first direction and locks in position to deflect said media when said media moves in a second direction.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said registration tab is not movable independent of moving a component of a host system to which said registration tab is attached.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said registration tab is disposed in a lid portion of a host system.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said host system comprises an optical scanner.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said media comprises photographic media.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said registration tab has a smooth outer surface to slidingly direct said media.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said registration tab has a triangular shape.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a feed belt to provide translation of said media and thereby move said media past said registration guide in a direction of said registration guide.    
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a vacuum orifice providing a reduced pressure area to cooperate with said feed belt in providing translation of said media.    
     
     
         16 . A method for de-skewing media when using an automatic media feeder, said method comprising: 
 disposing a registration tab to cooperate with a registration guide in providing de-skewing of media;    translating said media in a first direction to pass a first edge of said media by said registration tab;    deflecting with said registration tab said first edge toward said registration guide; and    continuing to apply a translation force to said media after at least a portion of said first edge engages said registration guide, thereby de-skewing said media.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 translating said media in a second direction to pass a second edge of said media and said first edge over said registration tab.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 allowing said registration tab to retract when said media is translated in said second direction; and    locking said registration tab in an extended position when said media is translated in said first direction.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said translating in said second direction is provided prior to said translation in said first direction, and wherein said second edge is not passed over said registration tab by said providing translation in said first direction.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said registration guide comprises an edge for use in manually registering media.  
     
     
         21 . An automatic photograph feeder comprising: 
 a photographic media input tray;    a media singulator disposed to draw photographic media from said input tray and introduce said media in an imaging area of a host system;    a registration tab; and    a media translation mechanism disposed to accept said photographic media from said singulator and to cause an edge of the media to engage said registration tab, wherein engaging said registration tab by said edge causes said edge to deflect towards a registration guide.    
     
     
         22  The automatic photograph feeder of  claim 21 , wherein said registration tab is disposed in a movable lid portion of said host system.  
     
     
         23 . The automatic photograph feeder of  claim 22 , wherein said registration tab is cast as a monolithic member of said movable lid portion of said host system.  
     
     
         24 . The automatic photograph feeder of  claim 22 , wherein said input tray, said singulator, and said translation mechanism are also disposed in said movable lid portion of said host system.  
     
     
         25 . The automatic photograph feeder of  claim 21 , wherein said photographic media input tray disposes said media at an angle such that when translated by said singulator a leading edge of said media does not engage said registration tab.