Patent · US Expired

Method and system of sensing an output level of an output stack of print media in an image forming apparatus

US5961115A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
19References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 9, 1997
Grant dateOct 5, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2511/30
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of determining an output level of an output stack of print media in an image forming apparatus. The print media is transported, one print medium at a time, to the output stack. A sensor positioned in association with the output stack senses when the output level of the output stack has reached a near full level. At least one physical characteristic of the print media is identified which can affect the stacking of the print media. The number of the print media transported to the output stack is counted after the near full level is sensed. A determination that the output level of the output stack has reached a full level is made, dependent upon each of the at least one physical characteristic and the counted number of the print media.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.