Method and apparatus for an external media buffer
US5465955A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2513/10
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An external media transport buffer has a carriage supported for linear motion on parallel guide rails between an imagesetter and a processor. A pair of transport rollers is mounted for rotation on the carriage. Two sensors are mounted within the buffer to detect media movement. A first sensor is positioned at an entrance to the buffer and a second sensor is positioned on the carriage on an exit side of the transport rollers. Signals are sent from the sensors to a roller transport motor and carriage transport motor and the signals are coordinated to start and stop the motors according to a predetermined sequence. A leading end of media enters the nip of the transport rollers and is held in the nip as the carriage travels from the imagesetter to the processor. A slack loop of media forms between the carriage and the imagesetter as the imagesetter feeds the media to the buffer faster than the carriage travels to the processor. A movable media guide is used in a first position to guide the media from the imagesetter into the nip of the transport rollers. As the carriage begins to travel away from the imagesetter and the leading end of the media is held in the roller nip, the movable gu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.