Method for controlling stack-advancing in a reproduction apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for providing paper stack level calibration in a reproduction apparatus. According to various aspects of the invention, methods are provided for continuous feeding with a transition from one supply to another, and leaving a controlled number of sheets in the prior supply.

1 . A method for controlling stack advancing in a reproduction apparatus, comprising: determining maximum platform displacement, N.sub.T, and storing it in memory, a stack of sheets resting on said platform; advancing said platform and performing sheet separating and feeding for K sheets; recording a current platform displacement, N.sub.K, that occurred during feeding said K sheets; and, calculating a paper low displacement N.sub.L=N.sub.T−N.sub.K and storing N.sub.L in memory. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising initializing N.sub.L to a nominal value and storing it in memory. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein reaching N.sub.L initiates switching over to feed from another stack loaded with the same sheet attributes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising initializing N.sub.L if a renewal of the stack occurs. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising initializing N.sub.L in response to a change of sheet attributes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising initializing N.sub.L to a nominal value, storing it in memory, and replacing it with a determined N.sub.L for that stack. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising driving said platform with a stepper motor, and expressing said displacement as stepper motor counts.