Abstract: The present invention relates to media handling devices and media handling methods. One aspect of the invention provides a media handling method including providing a media handling device having an initial media path; selectively moving a guide member using a motor intermediate a first position where the guide member is spaced from media within the initial media path and a second position where the guide member contacts the media within the initial media path; applying a control signal to the motor to control the moving; and modulating the control signal.

Abstract: A system has a media handler to transports media (e.g., paper, transparencies, etc.) from an input bin through a processing unit to a collection tray. A tray adjustment mechanism moves the collection tray down and up as media is collected and occasionally removed by the operator. An overload detector detects an overload condition when the media stack on the tray becomes too heavy. The overload detector indirectly measures the stack weight by measuring the speed of the tray (or media stack) or alternatively, by monitoring the motor current. Once overload is detected, the system stops the tray to avoid damaging the tray adjustment mechanism and/or tray. The system notifies the operator via a visual message or an audible alarm. A recovery manager is then invoked to return the tray to the appropriate position after the operator has removed the media stack. In user-assisted recovery, the system awaits some explicit input from the operator that the media stack has been removed.