Multiple attitude low paper sensor mechanism

Abstract

A method for sensing low paper in a printer includes supporting a paper supply roll via at least one of two paper supports. Each paper support includes a fixed roller rotatable about a fixed roller axis and a movable roller pivotable about the fixed roller axis from a start position to an end position. The movable roller is moved from the start position toward the end position as a diameter of the paper supply roll decreases to less than or equal to a predetermined distance. The paper supply roll falls between the fixed roller and the movable roller when the diameter of the paper supply roll decreases to less than the predetermined distance and exerts a force on a paddle of a detection device thereby restoring a line of sight of the detection device.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . A method for sensing low paper in a printer comprising:
 supporting a paper supply roll via at least one of two paper supports, a first paper support supportive of the paper supply roll when the printer is positioned on a substantially horizontal surface and a second paper support supportive of the paper supply roll when the printer is positioned on a substantially vertical surface, each paper support including:
 a fixed roller rotatable about a fixed roller axis; 
 a movable roller rotatable about a movable roller axis and pivotable about the fixed roller axis from a start position to an end position, the movable roller and fixed roller spaced a predetermined distance apart and capable of supporting a paper supply roll; and 
 a biasing member in operable communication with the movable roller and capable of biasing the movable roller toward the end position; 
   moving the movable roller from the start position toward the end position as a diameter of the paper supply roll decreases to less than or equal to the predetermined distance;   allowing the paper supply roll to fall between the fixed roller and the movable roller when the diameter of the paper supply roll decreases to less than the predetermined distance;   exerting a force on a paddle of a detection device via the paper supply roll, the detection device including:
 a sensor having an emitting element and a detecting element, the emitting element being disposed in a line of sight of the detecting element; 
 a paddle assembly having two paddles, one paddle extending beneath each paper support from a central bar and a trip arm extending from the central bar; and 
 a paddle biasing member disposed to bias the trip arm to disrupt the line of sight; 
   rotating the paddle assembly about a central bar axis thereby restoring the line of sight.