Ziyad Incorporated

Mark Crowley

Ludwig J Kapp

Dominick Fazio

There is disclosed a paper feeder apparatus attached to a printer or other device. The paper feeder apparatus employs two trays each of which are capable of accommodating papers of different sizes and an envelope tray for accommodating envelopes. The feeder is controlled by a host computer of the type capable of generating feeder and printer control commands. These commands are transmitted to control logic associated with the paper feeder which control logic is under control of a microprocessor. The microprocessor assumes complete control of the entire paper feed mechanism and communication to the printer. Thus, the microprocessor operates two motors associated with the paper feed path. A first motor is operated so that a sheet of paper can be withdrawn from either of the two trays and then transported along a paper path. A sensor in conjunction with the path determines the exact position of the paper which then causes the microprocessor to actuate a second drive motor to assure that the paper is brought into the vicinity of the printer input slot. The microprocessor, as indicated, performs all control functions as driving motors and operating solenoids to assure that a proper feed operation occurs. The microprocessor also has means for monitoring the temperature of the motors to assure that they are operating in a proper temperature range. The microprocessor also receives inputs from each of the trays to determine whether or not paper is being accommodated by the trays and to receive further inputs indicative of the status of the various sensors which are utilized to monitor the path of the paper or the envelope as it is directed towards the operating input slot of the printer. The microprocessor is also programmed to perform threshold tests whereby the sensors associated with each of the different paths as the paper path and the envelope path are tested in regard to ambient light so that a new threshold level is set for the sensor prior to a paper load or envelope load operation. In this manner, the sensors always exhibit a maximum response and therefore enable the paper feeder to accommodate different quality papers of different colors, different tones and different reflecting surfaces.

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Mine Hill, NJ, United States of America

Mark Crowley