Foot-activated media supply devices

摘要

A sheet supply device has a bottom contacting or resting on an external surface. The sheet supply device stores sheets of media and supplies the sheets of media to a processing device. The sheet supply device comprises a controller device, a platform supporting the sheets of media, and a foot-activated user input device positioned at the bottom of the sheet supply device adjacent the external surface. The platform moves upward (in a first direction away from the external surface) to supply the sheets of media to the processing device, and the platform moves downward (in a second direction toward the external surface) to allow the sheets of media to be loaded onto the platform. Operation of the foot-activated user input device causes the compartment to open and/or the platform to move downward (in the second direction).

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a sheet supply device having a bottom, said bottom contacting an external surface, said sheet supply device storing sheets of media and supplying said sheets of media to a processing device, said sheet supply device comprising:
a controller device;a platform within a compartment of said sheet supply device, said platform supporting said sheets of media and being operatively connected to said controller device, said platform moving in a first direction away from said external surface to supply said sheets of media to said processing device, and said platform moving in a second direction toward said external surface to allow said sheets of media to be loaded onto said platform; anda movement-activated user input device operatively connected to said controller device and being positioned at said bottom of said sheet supply device adjacent said external surface, said movement-activated user input device comprising one of a foot-activated sonic sensor and a foot-activated radar sensor, said movement-activated user input device being operated by a user waving a foot, by moving said foot back and forth, within a range of detection of said movement-activated user input device, and operation of said movement-activated user input device causing:
said compartment to open; andsaid platform to move in said second direction.