The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 09, 1998
Dell Products, L.P., Round Rock, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for detecting seating of a medium on a media tray includes a conductive element having a first terminal and a second terminal and forming an interrupted circuit between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a spindle structurally supporting and integral with the conductive element, the spindle adapted to receive an edge of the medium, the medium causing completion of a conductive pathway of the interrupted circuit between the first and second terminal when seated upon the spindle. A plurality of switches is coupled to the outer circumference of the spindle and a tray with a circular medium receiving area mechanically and electrically coupled to the spindle and the circuit, with the plurality of switches engaged in operative relation to movable members coupled to the outer circumference of the spindle. Another apparatus and method includes a conductive element incorporated into a media tray having a first terminal and a second terminal integral with the media tray. The receipt of the circular medium upon the tray completing the electrical circuit. The apparatus includes a plurality of switches coupled to the receiving area of the media try that engage in operative relation to movable members coupled to the receiving are of the media tray.