Method and apparatus for buffering media
US5791221A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T83/54
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A media buffer capable of buffering two lengths of media, is fed a first length of media from an imagesetter at a first speed, and releases the media to a processor at a second speed. An input media sensor senses the media entering the buffer. Drive rollers take up the leading edge of the media at the imagesetter speed. Shortly thereafter a signal from an output media sensor located between the drive rollers and the processor, opens an input door to an input bin and stops the drive rollers. The incoming media continues to be fed by the imagesetter forming a first slack loop within the input bin. The imagesetter signals the buffer that the media has been cut, thereby actuating drive rollers to advance the media at the processor speed to a pair of rollers in the processor. A signal from the processor sensor opens an output door to an output bin. The drive rollers increase speed to transport the first piece of media from the input bin to the output bin thereby forming a second slack loop. The input media sensor senses the trailing edge of the first length of media exiting the input bin and signals the input door to close. At this point a second length of media may begin feeding from t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.