Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for creating at least one first sheet job offset including polling a printing spool and determining whether at least one print job is queued in the printing spool, determining whether a first sheet of the at least one print job is ready to be outputted from a printing apparatus after the at least one print job is determined to be queued in the printing spool, configuring an outputting mechanism to accelerate the first sheet of the at least one print job out of the printing apparatus, and configuring the outputting mechanism to decelerate each remaining sheet of the at least one print job out of the printing apparatus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure comprises a pliable sheet and first and second stationary supports extending along and supporting the sheet. The supports are oriented relative to one another such that a distance between the supports at one part of the sheet is greater than a distance between the supports at another part of the sheet. In another embodiment, a sheet media input structure comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a media sheet separator downstream from the supporting surface along a media path that extends from the supporting surface to and along the separator. The separator is configured to separate a top sheet on the stack from a next-to-top sheet in the stack by resisting the movement of sheets along the media path and the degree of resistance varies along the length of the separator.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for creating at least one first sheet job offset including polling a printing spool and determining whether at least one print job is queued in the printing spool, determining whether a first sheet of the at least one print job is ready to be outputted from a printing apparatus after the at least one print job is determined to be queued in the printing spool, configuring an outputting mechanism to accelerate the first sheet of the at least one print job out of the printing apparatus, and configuring the outputting mechanism to decelerate each remaining sheet of the at least one print job out of the printing apparatus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet separator includes a bias that resiliently biases a first sheet engaging surface in a direction away from a second surface, wherein the second surface engages the edge of sheets upon movement of the first surface. In one embodiment, a method applies opposite forces to a stack of sheets, wherein one of the opposite forces varies based upon a characteristic of the sheets.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a separator are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input structure comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a movable feature downstream from the supporting surface along a media path that extends from the supporting surface to and along the movable feature. The feature is configured to separate a top sheet on a stack of sheets supported on the supporting surface from a next-to-top sheet in the stack. The feature movable between a first position in which the feature impedes a leading edge of sheets fed from the stack along the media path to separate a top sheet from a next-to-top sheet and a second position in which the feature does not impede the leading edge of sheets fed along the media path.

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods relating to use of a retard roller opposite a driven roller are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a separator are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input tray comprises a base and opposing sidewalls. The base includes a first feature configured to support sheet media lying flat in the tray and a second feature intersecting the first feature across the width of the tray. The intersection between the first feature and the second feature defines an elongated fulcrum along which media sheets can bend when pressed against the base. In another embodiment, a sheet media input tray comprises a first elevated sheet supporting surface, a depressed portion immediately adjacent to and downstream from the first sheet supporting surface, and a second elevated sheet supporting surface immediately adjacent to and downstream from the depressed portion. The depressed portion spans the full width of sheet media that may be supported in the tray and the second sheet supporting surface lies in the same plane as the first sheet supporting surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning media that in an embodiment includes a plate attached to a wall along a pivot axis. A spring is attached to the wall and to the plate, and the spring expands to push the plate and the media to a picking location.

Abstract: A media loading and separation system includes a spring pick block with an inclined surface having a lower end; an indentation, formed near the lower end of the inclined surface, having a substantially vertical surface; and a spring arm movably disposed in response to a media stack with respect to the inclined surface between rearward and forward positions. The media separation system can also include a corner media separator to engage a corner of the media stack.

Abstract: A media loading and separation system includes a spring pick block with an inclined surface having a lower end; an indentation, formed near the lower end of the inclined surface, having a substantially vertical surface; and a spring arm movably disposed in response to a media stack with respect to the inclined surface between rearward and forward positions. The media separation system can also include a corner media separator to engage a corner of the media stack.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure comprises a pliable sheet and first and second stationary supports extending along and supporting the sheet. The supports are oriented relative to one another such that a distance between the supports at one part of the sheet is greater than a distance between the supports at another part of the sheet. In another embodiment, a sheet media input structure comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a media sheet separator downstream from the supporting surface along a media path that extends from the supporting surface to and along the separator. The separator is configured to separate a top sheet on the stack from a next-to-top sheet in the stack by resisting the movement of sheets along the media path and the degree of resistance varies along the length of the separator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input structure for a printer or other sheet media processing device comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a moveable face positioned downstream along a media path from the supporting surface. The face is moveable between a first position in which the face protrudes into the media path to block a leading edge of media sheets supported on the supporting surface and a second position in which the face does not protrude into the media path and media sheets are free to move from the supporting surface along the media path past the face. In one embodiment, the face pivots between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the face rotates in a plane between the first and second positions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input structure comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a movable feature downstream from the supporting surface along a media path that extends from the supporting surface to and along the movable feature. The feature is configured to separate a top sheet on a stack of sheets supported on the supporting surface from a next-to-top sheet in the stack. The feature movable between a first position in which the feature impedes a leading edge of sheets fed from the stack along the media path to separate a top sheet from a next-to-top sheet and a second position in which the feature does not impede the leading edge of sheets fed along the media path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input tray comprises a base and opposing sidewalls. The base includes a first feature configured to support sheet media lying flat in the tray and a second feature intersecting the first feature across the width of the tray. The intersection between the first feature and the second feature defines an elongated fulcrum along which media sheets can bend when pressed against the base. In another embodiment, a sheet media input tray comprises a first elevated sheet supporting surface, a depression portion immediately adjacent to and downstream from the first sheet supporting surface, and a second elevated sheet supporting surface immediately adjacent to and downstream from the depressed portion. The depression portion spans the full width of sheet media that may be supported in the tray and the second sheet supporting surface lies in the same plane as the first sheet supporting surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning media that in an embodiment includes a plate attached to a wall along a pivot axis. A spring is attached to the wall and to the plate, and the spring expands to push the plate and the media to a picking location.