Xerox Corporation

David G Joyce

Gary A Faguy

Joseph Azzopardi

Systems and methods for estimating a copy sheet supply in a printer. An exemplary system monitors mechanical motion in the normal operation of a printer to perform an initial estimate. After additional monitoring, the exemplary system may refine the initial estimate. An advantage of the exemplary system is ease of implementation with relatively few, or no, dedicated mechanical parts.

Systems and methods of estimating sheet supplies in a printing system

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.

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Newmarket, Canada

David G Joyce