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Title:
MEDIA SIZE SENSOR ASSEMBLIES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2020/256740
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Example media size sensor assemblies and media handling device including the example media size sensor assemblies are disclosed. In an example, the media size sensor assembly includes a sensor to be mounted within the media handling device, the sensor to detect reflected light. In addition, the media size sensor assembly includes a plurality of reflective surfaces to be coupled to a width adjustment wall of a storage tray of the media handling device, such that movement of the width adjustment wall is to align a selected one of the plurality of reflective surfaces with the sensor. The reflective surfaces of the plurality of reflective surfaces are to reflect different amounts of light.

Inventors:
CHONG KOK CHAI (SG)
SARAVANAN SURIYAPRAKASH (SG)
TORRECAMPO JUDY BELLE (SG)
Application Number:
PCT/US2019/038507
Publication Date:
December 24, 2020
Filing Date:
June 21, 2019
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT CO (US)
International Classes:
B65H7/10; B41J11/58; B65H7/14; B65H11/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO2015187125A12015-12-10
Foreign References:
JP2000249954A2000-09-14
US4983854A1991-01-08
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KOKOSKA, Christopher E. et al. (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A media handling device comprising:

a storage tray to store media;

a width adjustment wall coupled to the storage tray; and

a media size sensor assembly coupled to the storage tray, the media size sensor assembly comprising:

a sensor to detect reflected light; and

a plurality of reflective surfaces coupled to the width adjustment wall,

wherein the width adjustment wall is to move relative to the storage tray to align a selected one of the plurality of reflective surfaces with the sensor, and

wherein the reflective surfaces are to reflect different amounts of light.

2. The media handling device of claim 1 , wherein the media size sensor assembly comprises a controller coupled to the sensor, wherein the controller is to determine a position of the width adjustment wall based on an amount of reflected light detected by the sensor.

3. The media handling device of claim 1 , wherein a first of the plurality of reflective surfaces is coupled to the width adjustment wall on a first side of the storage tray, and wherein a second of the plurality of reflective surfaces is coupled to the width adjustment wall on a second side of the storage tray that is opposite the first side.

4. The media handling device of claim 3, wherein the second of the plurality of reflective surfaces is pivotably coupled to the width adjustment wall.

5. The media handling device of claim 4, wherein the second of the plurality of reflective surface is pivotably biased relative to the width adjustment wall.

6. The media handling device of claim 5, wherein the first of the plurality of reflective surfaces is to reflect a first amount of light to the sensor, and wherein the second of the plurality of reflective surface is to reflect a second amount of light to the sensor that is greater than the first amount of light.

7. A media size sensor assembly for a media handling device, the media size sensor assembly comprising:

a sensor to be mounted within the media handling device, the sensor to detect reflected light; and

a plurality of reflective surfaces to be coupled to a width adjustment wall of a storage tray of the media handling device such that movement of the width adjustment wall is to align a selected one of the plurality of reflective surfaces with the sensor and wherein the reflective surfaces are to reflect different amounts of light.

8. The media size sensor assembly of claim 7, comprising a controller coupled to the sensor, wherein the controller is to determine a position of the width adjustment wall based on an amount of reflected light detected by the sensor.

9. The media size sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein a first of the plurality of reflective surfaces is to be coupled to the width adjustment wall on a first side of a the storage tray, and wherein a second of the plurality of reflective surfaces is coupled to the width adjustment wall on a second side of the storage tray that is opposite the first side.

10. The media size sensor assembly of claim 9, wherein the second of the plurality of reflective surfaces is to be pivotably coupled to the width adjustment wall.

1 1 . The media size sensor assembly of claim 10, wherein the first of the plurality of reflective surfaces is to reflect a first amount of light to the sensor, and wherein the second of the plurality of reflective surface is to reflect a second amount of light to the sensor that is greater than the first amount of light.

12. A media handling device comprising:

a storage tray to store media;

a width adjustment wall coupled to the storage tray; and

a controller to:

receive a signal from an optical sensor, the signal indicating an amount of reflected light; and

determine, based on the amount of reflected light, a position of the adjustment wall along the storage tray.

13. The media handling device of claim 12, comprising a plurality of reflective surfaces coupled to the width adjustment wall, wherein the reflective surfaces are to reflect different amounts of light.

14. The media handling device of claim 13, wherein a first reflective surface of the plurality of reflective surfaces is coupled to the width adjustment wall on a first side of the storage tray, and wherein a second reflective surface of the plurality of reflective surfaces is coupled to the width adjustment wall on a second side of the storage tray that is opposite the first side.

15. The media handling device of claim 14, wherein the second reflective surface is pivotably coupled to the width and is pivotably biased relative to the width adjustment wall.

Description:
MEDIA SIZE SENSOR ASSEMBLIES

BACKGROUND

[0001] Printers, copiers, scanners, and other such media handling devices may include storage trays for holding a volume of media (e.g., print media such as paper). In some instances, a storage tray within a media handling device (e.g., a printer, copier, scanner, etc.) may be able to receive a variety of media sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Various examples will be described below referring to the following figures:

[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a media handling device including a media size sensor assembly according to some examples;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a top view of a media storage tray and the media size sensor assembly for use within the media handling device of FIG. 1 according to some examples;

[0005] FIGS. 3-5 are sequential cross-sectional views taken along section A-A in FIG. 2 according to some examples;

[0006] FIG. 6 is a plot showing example readings from a sensor of the media size sensor assembly of FIG. 1 according to some examples;

[0007] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method according to some examples;

[0008] FIG. 8 is a top view of another media storage tray and media size sensor assembly for use within the media handling device of FIG. 1 according to some examples; and

[0009] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section B-B in FIG. 8 according to some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] In the figures, certain features and components disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of certain elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In some of the figures, in order to improve clarity and conciseness, a component or an aspect of a component may be omitted. [0011] In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to... ." Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to be broad enough to encompass both indirect and direct connections. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms "axial" and "axially" generally refer to positions along or parallel to a central or longitudinal axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms "lateral" and“laterally” generally refer to positions located or spaced to the side of the central or longitudinal axis.

[0012] As used herein, including in the claims, the word “or” is used in an inclusive manner. For example,“A or B” means any of the following:“A” alone, “B” alone, or both“A” and“B.” In addition, when used herein including the claims, the word“generally” or“substantially” means within a range of plus or minus 10% of the stated value. In some examples, other ranges may be used when described as being substantially a value. As used herein, the terms “downstream” and “upstream” are used to refer to the arrangement of components and features within a printer or scanning device with respect to the “flow” of media through the printer or scanning device during operations. Thus, if a first component of such a device receives media after it is output from a second component of the device during operations, then the first component may be said to be“downstream” of the second component and the second component may be said to be“upstream” of the first component.

[0013] As used herein, a“media handling device,” refers to any device that holds or stores media for printing or copying operations. For instance, the term “media handling device,” includes printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, and combinations thereof. As used herein,“media” refers to any medium or substrate that may have images, data, text, etc., printed or deposited thereon. The term specifically includes paper, but may also include a variety of other substrates including, textiles, polymers, composite materials, etc. [0014] As previously described, a storage tray for a media handling device may be able to hold a variety of different media sizes. To accommodate differently sized media, a width adjustment wall (or a plurality of width adjustment walls) movably coupled to the storage tray may be moved so as to re-size a receptacle for holding the media within the storage tray. In some circumstances, a user may not know what size media is loaded within a storage tray, and may therefore physically access the storage tray prior to initiating a media handling operation (including e.g., printing, scanning, copying, etc.). However, the user (and their computer) may be remote from the location of the media handling device (e.g., such as in an office setting), and accessing the media storage tray may not be a user-friendly experience. Accordingly, examples disclosed herein include media size sensor assemblies for media handling devices that are to automatically determine a size of the media that is stored within a storage tray of the media handling device. As a result, through use of the disclosed media size sensor assemblies within a media handling device, printing and/or copying operations may be improved.

[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1 , a media handling device 10 is shown. In the example of FIG. 1 , media handling device 10 is a printer that includes an outer housing 12, and a media storage tray 20 (or more simply“storage tray 20”) disposed within the housing 12. Storage tray 20 includes a longitudinal axis 15, a first or upper side 20a and a second or lower side 20b opposite upper side 20a. Upper side 20a is to support media 30 (e.g., paper) thereon during operations. In addition, storage tray 20 includes a width adjustment wall 24. As will be described in more detail below, width adjustment wall 24 is movable along upper side 20a of storage tray 20 so as to accommodate different sizes (e.g., widths) of media 30 thereon.

[0016] In this example, because media handling device 10 is a printer, a printing assembly 18 is disposed within housing 12 that is to print or otherwise deposit printing medium (e.g., ink, toner, printing fluid, etc.) thereon to form an image, text, etc. Any suitable type of printing technique may be used within printing assembly 18, such as, for instance, ink jet printing, laser printing, dot-matrix printing, etc. In addition, media handling device 10 includes an output 14 from housing 12 that is to receive print media emitted from printing assembly 18. Thus, media handling device 10 includes a media feed path 16 that extends from storage tray 20 to printing assembly 18, and then from printing assembly 18 to output 14. While not specifically shown, in some examples, media 30 may be advanced along media feed path 16 via a plurality of roller pinches during operations. As shown in FIG. 1 , media feed path 16 is generally C-shaped as it extends from storage tray 20 to output 14, and thus, media feed path 16 may be referred to as a“C-path.”

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, as previously described, width adjustment wall 24 is movably coupled to storage tray 20. In particular, in some examples, width adjustment wall 24 may include a projection 25 that is slidably engaged within a slot 29 extending through storage tray 20 (i.e. , slot 29 extends through sides 20a, 20b of storage tray 20). In some examples, width adjustment wall 24 includes a plurality of projections 25 that engage with a plurality of slots 29 extending through storage tray 20. Storage tray 20 also includes a first lateral edge 21 and a second lateral edge 23 radially opposite first lateral edge 21 about axis 15. Slot 29 extends in a radial direction from (or proximate to) first lateral edge 21 such that as width adjustment wall 24 is moved radially along slot 29, the position of width adjustment wall 24 between lateral edges 21 , 23 is adjusted. In addition, a wall 22 is disposed along all or a portion of second lateral edge 23. Thus, when width adjustment wall 24 is installed on wall 22 as shown in FIG. 2, a media receptacle 27 is defined within storage tray 20 between width adjustment wall 24 and the wall 22 along second lateral edge 23. The receptacle 27 may include a lateral width W 27 extending laterally or radially across storage tray 20 between walls 24, 22. Accordingly, lateral or radial movement of width adjustment wall 24 is to adjust (e.g., increase and decrease) the lateral width W 2 7, and therefore adjust a size of media (e.g., media 30 in FIG. 1 ) that may be received within receptacle 27.

[0018] In some examples, storage tray 20 may include a pair (or more) of width adjustment walls 24 that are radially or laterally spaced from one another. During operations, both width adjustment walls 24 may be slid or translated along storage tray 20 toward or away from one another to adjust a size of a receptacle (e.g., receptacle 27) disposed therebetween.

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, media handling device 10 also includes a media size sensor assembly 100 disposed within housing 12. As will be described in more detail below, media size sensor assembly 100 is to detect a position of width adjustment wall 24 (or one of the width adjustment walls 24 in some examples) along storage tray 20 and therefore a size (e.g. , width) of media disposed within receptacle 27 during operations. Media size sensor assembly 100 generally includes a sensor 102, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. In this example, the plurality of reflective surfaces of media size sensor assembly 100 comprise a first reflective surface 104, a second reflective surface 106, and a third reflective surface 108. Sensor 102 and first reflective surface 104 are mounted within housing 12 of media handling device 10 such that the position of these components is fixed (that is, within media handling device 10). In addition, second reflective surface 106 and third reflective surface 108 are coupled to width adjustment wall 24 of storage tray 20 such that these components may move with width adjustment wall 24 along storage tray 20 during operations.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, first reflective surface 104 is coupled to an upper side 24a of width adjustment wall 24 and second reflective surface 106 is coupled to a lower side 24b of width adjustment wall 24. More particularly, first reflective surface 104 is mounted to width adjustment wall 24 such that first reflective surface 104 is disposed on upper side 20a. In addition, second reflective surface 106 is projected through a laterally extending slot 26 in storage tray 20 such that second reflective surface 106 is disposed on lower side 20b. In addition, first reflective surface 104 extends in a first lateral or radial direction from width adjustment wall 24 radially toward wall 22 and second lateral edge 23, while second reflective surface 106 extends in a second lateral or radial direction that is opposite the first lateral direction. As a result, second reflective surface 106 extends radially from width adjustment wall 24 toward first lateral edge 21 .

[0021] First reflective surface 104, second reflective surface 106, and third reflective surface 108 are to reflect different amounts of light (or radiation) when exposed to a set or determined amount of input light (or radiation). Thus, in some examples, the first reflective surface 104, second reflective surface 106, and third reflective surface 108 have different reflectivity or reflectance values (wherein reflectivity refers to the ratio of radiation reflected by a surface or material to the incident radiation in some examples). More specifically, in some examples, if surfaces 104, 106, 108 were all exposed to the same light source (e.g., having the same brightness, intensity, color, etc.), the first reflective surface 104 may reflect a first amount of light, second reflective surface 106 may reflect a second amount of light, and third reflective surface may reflect a third amount of light. The first amount of light may be less than the second amount of light, and the second amount of light may be less than the third amount of light. Accordingly, the first reflective surface 104 may have a first reflectivity R 10 4, the second reflective surface 106 may have a second reflectivity RI 06 , and the third reflective surface 108 may have a third reflectivity RI 08 , wherein R-KM, R-I O6, and Rios conform to the following inequality:

^108 > ^106 > ^104 (1 )·

[0022] In some examples, the first reflective surface 104 reflects substantially no light. Thus, in some examples, first reflective surface 104 may actually be a non-reflective surface (e.g., an absorber). In addition, the number, arrangement, and relative reflectivity of the reflective surfaces (e.g., reflective surfaces 104, 106, 108) may be varied in other examples from that specifically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, sensor 102 may be any suitable sensor that is to sense or detect an amount of light or radiation (such as reflected light or radiation). For instance, in some examples, sensor 102 may comprise an optical sensor that is to detect light (or other radiation) rays and then convert these detected light rays into an electronic signal (e.g., such as a signal having a voltage, current, or other parameter indicative of the detected light ray). In some examples, sensor 102 may include a transmitter 103 and a detector 105. Transmitter 103 is to emit a light of known character, quality, color, etc., and detector 105 is to detect light. Accordingly, during operations, transmitter 103 emits light, and any of this light that is reflected back toward sensor 102 is detected by detector 105. In some examples, transmitter 103 may be referred to as a light source. Transmitter 103 may output any suitable type or source of radiation or light, such as, for example, visible light, infrared light, etc. In addition, detector 105 may utilize any suitable mechanism(s) or material(s) for detecting light or radiation such as, for example, photoconductive devices, photovoltaic devices, photodiodes, phototransistors, etc. In some examples, transmitter 103 may be a separate device or unit from detector 105, and in other examples, transmitter 103 and detector 105 are incorporated into a singular sensor 102.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , sensor 102 is coupled to a controller 1 10 that may be disposed within housing 12 of media handling device 10. Controller 1 10 may be a standalone controller or general control unit for media size sensor assembly 100 or may be incorporated or integrated into a controller or control unit for media handling device 10.

[0025] Generally speaking controller 1 10 is to receive output signals from sensor 102 that are indicative of the amount of light (e.g., reflected light) detected by detector 105 and, based on these output signals, determine a position of the width adjustment wall 24. Accordingly, controller 1 10 may comprise any suitable device or assembly which is capable of receiving an electrical or mechanical signal and transmitting various signals to other devices (e.g., sensor 102). In particular, as shown in FIG. 1 , in this example, controller 1 10 includes a processor 1 12 and a memory 1 14.

[0026] The processor 1 12 (e.g., microprocessor, central processing unit, or collection of such processor devices, etc.) executes machine-readable instructions (e.g., non-transitory machine readable medium) provided on memory 1 14, and upon executing the machine-readable instructions (e.g. , non-transitory machine readable medium) on memory 1 14, provides the controller 1 10 with all of the functionality described herein. The memory 1 14 may comprise volatile storage (e.g., random access memory), non-volatile storage (e.g., flash storage, read only memory, etc.), or combinations of both volatile and non-volatile storage. Data consumed or produced by the machine-readable instructions can also be stored on memory 1 14. Controller 1 10 may include an internal power source (e.g., battery, capacity, wall plug, etc. - not shown), or may utilize the power source for the media handling device 10 (e.g., again a battery, capacity, wall plug, etc. - not shown).

[0027] Controller 1 10 is coupled or linked to sensor 102 by a conductive path 1 16, which may comprise any suitable wired and/or wireless conductive path for transferring power and/or control signals (e.g., electrical signals, light signals, etc.). For example, in some implementations, conductive path 1 16 may comprise conductive wires (e.g., metallic wires), fiber optic cables, conductive leads, etc. In other implementations, conductive path 1 16 may comprise a wireless connection (e.g., WIFI, BLUETOOTFI®, near field communication, infrared, radio frequency communication, etc.).

[0028] In some examples, sensor 102 may generate an output signal indicative of an amount of light (e.g., reflected light) detected by detector 105. In some examples, the output signal from sensor 102 may comprise a voltage reading. In some of these examples, a higher voltage reading or value in the output signal from sensor 102 may indicate a higher level or amount of light detected by detector 105. Controller 1 10 may then convert or relate the voltage readings in the output signal from sensor 102 into a position of width adjustment wall 24 along storage tray 20 (e.g., via look table(s), calculation, etc.).

[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, width adjustment wall 24 is shown in three different lateral or radial positions in relative to wall 22 along second lateral edge 23 in FIGS. 3-4. Thus, the position of width adjustment wall 24 shown in FIGS. 3- 5 corresponds with different values of width W 2 7 for receptacle 27. In addition, FIG. 6 shows a plot of voltage versus time corresponding to the voltage readings that are representative of the output signals generated by sensor 102 when width adjustment wall 24 is transitioned among the positions shown in FIGS. 3-5.

[0030] Referring first to FIGS. 3 and 6, width adjustment wall 24 is translated radially or laterally toward wall 22 such that width W 2 7 is at a first value, which may be a minimum value of width W 27 in some examples. In this position, neither the first reflective surface 104 nor the second reflective surface 106 are aligned (e.g., vertically aligned) with sensor 102. As a result, light rays 120 that are emitted from transmitter 103 are directed onto third reflective surface 108 which is fixed within media handling device 10 along lower side 20b of storage tray 20 as previously described. In this example, third reflective surface 108 has a relatively high reflectivity Rios (as compared to the reflectivity values R-KM, RIO 6 of first reflective surface 104 and second reflective surface 106, respectively), and thus, a relatively high amount of light rays 120 is reflected back to sensor 102 (particularly detector 105) by third reflective surface 108 as a reflected ray 121. The detector 105 detects reflected ray 121 and sensor 102 generates an output signal including a voltage reading or value V1 that is indicative of the detected light ray 121. In some examples, third reflective surface 108 may be referred to as a“mirror.” This output signal may be communicated to controller 1 10 (see e.g., FIG. 1 ) which then may determine the position of width adjustment wall 24 based thereon. As shown in FIG. 6, the voltage value V1 may indicate (e.g., to controller 1 10) that width adjustment wall 24 is at the position shown in FIG. 3 from an initial time (t = 0) to a time t1 .

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, width adjustment wall 24 is translated radially or laterally away from wall 22 from the position of FIG. 3 (previously described) such that width W 27 is at a second value that is greater than the value of width W 2 7 in FIG. 3. The second value of width W 27 may be mid-length value of width W 27 that is between a relative minimum and maximum in some examples. In this position, second reflective surface 106 covers third reflective surface 108 and thus is aligned (e.g., vertically aligned) with sensor 102. As a result, light rays 120 that are emitted from transmitter 103 are directed onto second reflective surface 106, and a reflected ray 122 is directed back to sensor 102 (e.g., detector 105) by second reflective surface 106. In this example, second reflective surface 106 has reflectivity R 106 that is lower than the reflectivity Rios of third reflective surface 108 as previously described, and thus, reflected ray 122 may be dimmer or less intense, etc., than reflected ray 121 in FIG. 3. Accordingly, when detector 105 detects reflected ray 122, sensor 102 generates an output signal including a voltage reading or value V2 (see e.g., FIG. 6) indicative of the detected light ray 122 that is lower than the voltage value V1 indicative of the reflected ray 121 reflected from third reflective surface 108. This output signal may be communicated to controller 1 10 (see e.g., FIG. 1 ) which then may determine the position of width adjustment wall 24 based thereon. [0032] As shown in FIG. 6, the voltage value V2 may indicate (e.g., to controller 1 10) that width adjustment wall 24 is at the position shown in FIG. 4 from a time t2 to a time t3. A transition zone 126 may exist between voltage values V1 and V2 from time t1 to time t2. This transition zone 126 may represent the output signal(s) from sensor 102 while width adjustment wall 24 was transitioned (e.g., slid, translated, etc.) from the position in FIG. 3 to the position in FIG. 4. As a result, the amount of light detected by sensor 102 (e.g., by detector 105) may transition or reduce at a constant or variable rate during this time period between the voltage values V1 and V2.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, width adjustment wall 24 is translated radially or laterally away from wall 22 from the position of FIG. 4 (previously described) such that width W 27 is at a greater than the value of width W 2 7 in FIG. 4. The second value of width W 27 in FIG. 5 may be maximum value of width W 27 in some examples. In this position, first reflective surface 104 covers third reflective surface 108 and thus is aligned (e.g., vertically aligned) with sensor 102. As a result, light rays 120 that are emitted from transmitter 103 are directed onto first reflective surface 104, and a reflected ray 123 is directed back to sensor 102 (e.g., detector 105) by first reflective surface 104. In this example, first reflective surface 104 has a reflectivity R-KM that is lower than the reflectivities Rios, RI O6 of the third reflective surface 108 and second reflective surface 106, respectively, as previously described. Thus, reflected ray 123 may be dimmer or less intense, etc., than reflected rays 121 , 122 in FIGS. 3, 4, respectively. Accordingly, when detector 105 detects reflected ray 123, sensor 102 generates an output signal including a voltage reading or value V3 (see e.g., FIG. 6) indicative of the detected light ray 123 that is lower than the voltage values V1 , V2 of the reflected rays 121 , 122, respectively. This output signal may be communicated to controller 1 10 (see e.g., FIG. 1 ) which then may determine the position of width adjustment wall 24 based thereon. In some examples, the first reflective surface 104 may reflect very little or substantially no light as previously described. Thus, in these examples, the voltage reading V3 in FIG. 6 may be zero or substantially zero. [0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the voltage value V3 may indicate (e.g., to controller 1 10) that width adjustment wall 24 is at the position shown in FIG. 5 from a time t4 to a time t5. A transition zone 128 may exist between voltage values V2 and V3 from time t3 to time t4. Like transition zone 126, this transition zone 128 may represent the output from sensor 102 while width adjustment wall 24 was transitioned (e.g., slid, translated, etc.) from position in FIG. 4 to the position in FIG. 5. As a result, the amount of light detected by sensor 102 (e.g., by detector 105) may transition or reduce at a constant or variable rate during this time period between the voltage values V2 and V3.

[0035] Therefore, during operations media size sensor assembly 100 may automatically detect or sense the position of width adjustment wall 24 along storage tray 20, and thus, also the size (e.g., width) of receptacle 27. If media (e.g., media 30 in FIG. 1 ) is installed or stored within receptacle 27, the detected or determined size of receptacle 27 may then be communicated to a user such that they will know what size media is available for operations (e.g., printing operations).

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 1 , 3, and 6, in some examples, controller 1 10 may determine the position of width adjustment wall 24 (and thus the width W 2 7 of receptacle 27) by applying a variety of different analysis techniques. For instance, in some examples, controller 1 10 may determine whether a voltage output from sensor 102 (e.g., voltages V1 , V2, V3, etc.) is approximately equal to a predetermined value. In other examples, controller 1 10 may determine whether a voltage output from sensor 102 is above and/or below a particular threshold value (or a plurality of threshold values). In still other examples, controller 1 10 may determine whether a voltage reading or value output from sensor 102 is within a predetermined range of values or within one of a plurality of predetermined ranges of values. More specifically, in some examples, controller 1 10 may determine that a voltage reading V (e.g., voltage readings V1 , V2, V3, etc.) is within a predetermined range of values that may be defined by and between (V+X) and (V-X) (wherein X is a predetermined variance or tolerance based on variances within media handling device 10 and/or media size sensor assembly 100, etc.). In some examples, each position of width adjustment wall 24 (e.g., the positions in FIGS. 3-5) may have a predetermined range of voltage values associated therewith. Thus, during operations, if a voltage value (e.g., voltages V1 , V2, V3, etc.) is within one of these preselected ranges, then controller 1 10 may determine that the width adjustment wall 24 is in the position associated with the preselected range of voltage values. However, even still other analysis methods may be employed by controller 1 10 in other examples, and the above described analysis methods are merely intended to describe some implementations.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 7, a method 200 of detecting or determining a position of a width adjustment wall (e.g., width adjustment wall 24) and thus a size of media disposed within a storage tray (e.g., storage tray 20) is shown. In describing the features of method 200, reference may be made to the media handling device 10 and media size sensor assembly 100 of FIGS. 1 -5 (described above). However, it should be appreciated that method 200 may be practiced with other systems, devices, and assemblies. Thus, references to media handling device 10 and media size sensor assembly 100 is meant to described one potential implementation of the features of method 200 and is not intended to limit the application of method 200 more broadly (e.g., to other systems, devices, assemblies).

[0038] Initially, method 200 includes emitting light from a light source within a media handling device at 202. For instance, in the example of FIGS. 1 -5, light is emitted from transmitter 103 of sensor 102 within media handling device 10. Referring back to FIG. 7, method 200 next includes sensing a first amount of light reflected from a first reflective surface at 204. For instance, in the example of FIGS. 1 -5, sensor 102 (e.g., detector 105) may detect or sense an amount of light reflected from one of the reflective surfaces 104, 106, 108 as previously described.

[0039] Referring again to FIG. 7, method 200 next includes determining that a width adjust wall of a storage tray in the media handling device is in a first position at 206 based on the first amount of light sensed at 204. For instance, as previously described above for the example of FIGS. 1 -5, controller 1 10 may determine that width adjustment wall 24 is in a particular position along storage tray 20 based on the light sensed or detected by detector 105 within sensor 102. In some examples, block 206 in FIG. 7 may involve determining whether some feature of characteristic of the reflected light is within a predetermined range, is approximately equal to a predetermined value, is above/below a predetermined threshold, etc., so as to indicate a position of the width adjustment wall within the storage tray.

[0040] Next, method 200 includes sensing a second amount of light reflected from a second reflective surface at 208. For instance, in the example of FIGS. 1 - 5, sensor 102 (e.g., detector 105) may detect or sense an amount of light reflected from another one of the reflective surfaces 104, 106, 108 as previously described. The light sensed by the sensor 102 may be reflected from a different one of the surfaces 104, 106, 108 by a movement of the width adjustment wall 24 along storage tray 20 as previously described above.

[0041] Referring again to FIG. 7, method 200 next includes determining that a width adjust wall of a storage tray in the media handling device is in a second position at 210 based on the second amount of light sensed at 208. For instance, as previously described above for the example of FIGS. 1 -5, controller 1 10 may determine that width adjustment wall 24 has changed to a new position along storage tray 20 based on a change in the light sensed or detected by detector 105 within sensor 102. In some examples, as was previously described above for block 206, block 210 in FIG. 7 may involve determining whether some feature of characteristic of the reflected light is within a predetermined range, is approximately equal to a predetermined value, is above/below a predetermined threshold, etc., so as to indicate a position of the width adjustment wall within the storage tray.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, another example of media size sensor assembly 300 is shown. Media size sensor assembly 300 shares many components and features with media size sensor assembly 100, previously described above. Thus, features of media size sensor assembly 300 that are shared with media size sensor assembly 100 are identified with the same reference numerals and the description below will focus on the features of media size sensor assembly 300 that are different from those in media size sensor assembly 100.

[0043] In particular, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, media size sensor assembly 300 includes first reflective surface 104 coupled to side adjustment wall 24 as described above for media size sensor assembly 100. In addition, while not specifically shown, media size sensor assembly 300 also includes sensor 102, controller 1 10, and third reflective surface 108 as shown and described above for media size sensor assembly 100 (see e.g., FIGS. 1 and 3). Flowever, in place of second reflective surface 106, media size sensor assembly 300 includes a second reflective surface 306, which shares many attributes with second reflective surface 106, previously described (e.g., the reflectivity RIO 6 )· Second reflective surface 306 also includes a projection 308 extending outward or away from axis 15 of storage tray 20 in a generally radial or lateral direction. In some examples, projection 308 may include the same reflective properties as the rest of reflective surface 306; however, in other examples, the reflectivity of projection 308 may be different from the other portions of second reflective surface 308 (e.g., projection may not have the same reflectivity RIO 6 as the rest of second reflective surface 306).

[0044] In addition, as is best shown in FIG. 9, second reflective surface 306 is pivotably coupled to width adjustment wall 24. In particular, in some examples, second reflective surface 306 is pivotably coupled to lower 24b of width adjustment wall 24 via a shaft 316 that extends along an axis 315. Axis 315 may extend in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of longitudinal axis 15 of storage tray 20. During operations, second reflective surface 306 (including projection 308) may be allowed to pivot about axis 315 via shaft 316. In some examples, second reflective surface 306 is pivotably or rotationally biased about axis 315 such that projection 308 is biased to extend away from axis 15 in a generally radial direction as shown in FIG. 8. Any suitable device or method may be used to rotationally bias reflective surface 306 about shaft 316, including, for instance, torsion spring(s), utilizing a torsion shaft for shaft 316, etc.

[0045] Referring still to FIGS. 8 and 9, during operations, when storage tray 20 is withdrawn (e.g., totally or partially) from housing 12 of media handling device 10, while width adjustment wall 24 is positioned such that second reflective surface 306 is extended laterally or radially beyond first lateral edge 21 (e.g., in the manner shown in FIG. 8), projection 308 will engage with an internal wall or surface 310 within housing 12 thereby causing second reflective surface 306 to rotate or pivot about axis 315 via shaft 316. More specifically, during withdrawal of storage tray 20 from housing 12, the engagement between projection 308 and wall 310 may cause second reflective surface 306 to rotate in direction 312 such that storage tray 20 may continue to progress out of housing 12. In some examples, storage tray 20 may be withdrawn (e.g., again, fully or partially) from housing 12 to allow media (e.g., media 30 in FIG. 1 ) to be inserted within receptacle 27. When storage tray 20 is reinserted within housing 12, projection 308 may be engaged with internal wall 310 until it advances to a clearance or pocket 314 that provides sufficient space for second reflective surface 306 and projection 308 to rotate (under the rotational bias described above) to the original outward projecting position of FIG. 8. As a result, damage to second reflective surface 306 is avoided within a relatively narrow opening of housing 12, even if width adjustment wall 24 is laterally adjusted to provide a maximum value for width W 27 .

[0046] Examples disclosed herein have included media size sensor assemblies for media handling devices (e.g., media size sensor assembly 100) that are to automatically determine a size of the media that is stored within a storage tray of the media handling device (e.g., media handling device 10). Through use of the disclosed media size sensor assemblies within a media handling device, printing and/or copying operations with the media handling device may be improved by allowing a user to quickly and easily determine the size of media stored within the media handling device and that is therefore available for such printing and/or copying operations.

[0047] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various examples of the present disclosure. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.