Media pick assembly with motorized carriage

Abstract

Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for providing a media pick assembly with a motorized carriage.

1 ) An apparatus, comprising:
 a pick assembly that engages media during a print operation;   a carriage coupled to the pick assembly; and   a motor that moves the carriage to a media picking position upon receiving notification of the print operation and moves the carriage away from the media picking position upon completing the print operation.   
   
   
       2 ) The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a media tray that contains the media;   a locking system including a pin that engages an opening in the media tray during the print operation and disengages from the opening upon completing the print operation.   
   
   
       3 ) The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the motor automatically lowers the pick assembly to engage the media upon receiving the notification of the print command. 
   
   
       4 ) The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pick assembly raises to disengage the media while the motor moves the carriage away from the media picking position. 
   
   
       5 ) The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the motor raises the pick assembly upon completing the print operation to enable a media tray to be opened without the pick assembly contacting the media. 
   
   
       6 ) The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a media tray having a front sidewall, wherein the motor moves the carriage toward the front sidewall upon receiving the notification of the print operation and moves the carriage away from the front sidewall upon completing the print operation. 
   
   
       7 ) The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a locking system automatically engages a tray containing the media as the carriage moves toward the picking position, the locking system preventing the tray from being opened during the print operation. 
   
   
       8 ) A method, comprising:
 moving a carriage with an actuator to a media pick position upon receiving notification to start a print or copy operation;   lowering a pick assembly to engage media while the carriage is moving to the media pick position; and   moving the carriage with the actuator away from the media pick position upon completing the print or copy operation.   
   
   
       9 ) The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 engaging the media with the pick assembly;   raising the pick assembly to disengage the media while the carriage is moving away from the media pick position.   
   
   
       10 ) The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 causing a locking mechanism to engage a tray holding the media while the carriage is moved to the media pick position;   using the locking mechanism to prevent a user from opening the tray while the print or copy operation is occurring.   
   
   
       11 ) The method of  claim 8  further comprising, moving the pick assembly with the actuator to a raised position disengaged from the media when no print or copy operation is being performed. 
   
   
       12 ) The method of  claim 8  further comprising, moving with the actuator the carriage to and from the media pick position to reduce a force needed to open and close a media tray that contains the media. 
   
   
       13 ) The method of  claim 8  further comprising, preventing a user from opening a media tray holding the media while the print or copy operation is occurring. 
   
   
       14 ) An apparatus, comprising:
 a pick assembly for moving media;   a carriage attached to the pick assembly; and   a motor for moving the carriage between (1) a first position that enables the pick assembly to engage media during a print or copy operation and (2) a second position to disengage the pick assembly from the media.   
   
   
       15 ) The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the motor moves the carriage to the first position upon receiving electronic notification to commence the print or copy operation. 
   
   
       16 ) The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the motor moves the carriage to the second position upon receiving electronic notification that the print or copy operation is completed. 
   
   
       17 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising, a roller follower mounted to the pick assembly, the roller follower traveling down a ramp as the motor moves the pick assembly away from a wall of a media tray holding the media. 
   
   
       18 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a media tray having an opening and holding the media;   a pin mounted to the carriage, wherein the pin secures the media tray by passing into the opening when the carriage is in the first position and passes out of the opening when the carriage is in the second position.   
   
   
       19 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a gear train with a gear rack, wherein the motor is mounted to a structure that the carriage slides within and the gear train rotates and applies a force to the gear rack that causes the carriage to move on rails. 
   
   
       20 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a media tray holding the media, wherein the carriage is driven with the motor back and forth as the media tray is opened and closed.