Methods For Moving A Media Sheet Within An Image Forming Device

Abstract

The present application is directed to methods and devices for determining a media level in an input area within an image forming device. In one embodiment, a support section configured to hold a stack of media sheets is positioned in the image forming device. A pick mechanism is positioned to contact a top-most media sheet of the stack of media sheets in the support section. The pick mechanism may include a pick motor and a pick roller. A sensor roller may be positioned separate from the pick roller and in contact with the top-most media sheet. A controller may determine the media level based on a movement of the sensor roller after the top-most media sheet has moved to a predetermined location.

1 . A device to determine a media level within an image forming devices the device comprising:
 a pick mechanism to feed media sheets from a stack of media sheets;   a sensor roller to contact a top-most media sheet of the media stack, the sensor roller rotates when the top-most media sheet is being fed by the pick mechanism;   a media position sensor located downstream from the sensor roller; and   a controller configured to determine the media level based on movement of the sensor roller and a time for the top-most media sheet to move from the media stack to the media position sensor.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the media level based on a difference between when the top-most media sheet is picked by the pick roller and when the top-most media sheet is sensed by the media position sensor. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the media level based on a time from when a pick mechanism begins to move the top-most media sheet from the media stack until the top-most media sheet is sensed by the media position sensor. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pick mechanism is configured to move the top-most media sheet from the media stack to the media position sensor. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pick mechanism further comprises a pick roller positioned to contact the top-most media sheet of the media stack, wherein the pick roller and sensor roller are spaced apart and simultaneously contact the top-most media sheet while the media sheet is being fed. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the pick roller and the sensor roller are each positioned at an input tray. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the pick roller is mounted on a first arm and the sensor roller is mounted on a second arm. 
   
   
       8 . A device to determine a media level within an image forming device, the device comprising:
 a sensor roller positioned to contact a top-most media sheet of a stack of media sheets, the sensor roller being rotated when the top-most media sheet moves from the media stack;   a media position sensor located downstream from the sensor roller; and   a controller configured to determine the media level based on movement of the sensor roller and a time for the top-most media sheet to move from the media stack to the media position sensor.   
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a pick mechanism to contact and drive the top-most media sheet from the media stack. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor roller further includes a plurality of indicators that are sensed by a sensor during rotation of the sensor roller. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a sensor wheel positioned adjacent to the sensor roller, the sensor wheel including a plurality of indicators that are sensed by a sensor during rotation of the sensor roller. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the pick mechanism is mounted on a first arm and the sensor roller is mounted on a second arm. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the pick mechanism and the sensor roller simultaneously contact the top-most media sheet while the media sheet is being fed. 
   
   
       14 . A method of determining a media level within an image forming device, the method comprising the steps of:
 sending a signal to begin rotating a pick roller that is in contact with a top-most media sheet in a stack of media sheets;   receiving feedback from a sensor roller also in contact with the top-most media sheet indicating movement of the top-most media sheet;   receiving a signal from a media position sensor that the top-most media sheet is at a predetermined position downstream from the media stack; and   determining the media level based on movement of the sensor roller and receiving the signal from the media position sensor.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of receiving a feedback from the sensor roller in contact with the top-most media sheet further comprises sensing indicators on the sensor roller that move past a sensor during rotation of the sensor roller. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of receiving a feedback from a sensor roller in contact with the topmost media sheet further comprises sensing indicators on a sensor wheel positioned adjacent to the sensor roller, the indicators moving past a sensor during rotation of the sensor roller. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of determining the media level based on movement of the sensor roller comprises determining the number of rotations of the sensor roller between sending the signal to the pick roller to begin rotating and receiving the signal from the media position sensor. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of determining the media level based on movement of the sensor roller comprises determining the time of rotation of the sensor roller between sending the signal to the pick roller to begin rotating and receiving the signal from the media position sensor. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of receiving a feedback from a sensor roller in contact with the top-most media sheet further comprises driving the sensor roller to rotate by moving the top-most media sheet from the media stack. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of determining the media level further comprises displaying the media level on a control panel of the image forming device.