F0RM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: INTELLIGENT FEEDER TRAY ARRANGEMENT FOR FEEDING PAPERS TO MULTIFUNCTION MACHINE AND A METHOD THEREOF
2. Applicant(s):

(a) NAME : LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
(b) NATIONALITY: An Indian Company
(c) ADDRESS: L & T House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001,
State of Maharashtra, India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a system to provide proper orientation of paper in Copier, Scanning, Fax and Printing machines and a method thereof. More particularly it relates to an intelligent feeder tray arrangement for feeding properly oriented used and one side unused papers to machines like copier, printer, scanner, fax machine and the like. Also it provides a method for arranging randomly fed papers using an intelligent feeder arrangement to further feed papers to machines like copier, printer, scanner, fax machine, paper shredder and the like.
BACKGROUND AND THE PRIOR ART
Conventional technology uses a normal tray without any built-in intelligence which requires proper orientation by way of manual intervention to ensure copying / printing on correct/unprinted side, scanning of printed matter and faxing of only printed matter.
Some of the prior arts in the present field of invention are provided as follows:
US5710967 refers to a scanning mechanism which indicates to a user the manner of setting a page in order for the page to be properly scanned. When an automatic document feeder is not being used, a paper orientation indicator which is next to a transparent contact surface is illuminated, depending on the orientation of the input paper onto which an image is to be copied. The orientation indicator is located on a periphery of the paper support surface. The orientation indicator is located either at a corner of the transparent contact surface or centered at an edge of the transparent contact surface, depending on how the page to be scanned should be set on the transparent contact surface. Alternatively, an automatic document feeder is utilized with a copier and the automatic document feeder contains both an orientation indicator and paper position indicators which are illuminated to indicate where to place a stack of pages which are to be fed by the automatic document feeder.
CA1063664refers to an electro-photographic copier having a given paper travel path from supply to exit, apparatus to enable the copier to automatically make two-sided copies. An auxiliary tray is positioned to selectively receive copy sheets from the exit hopper during the two-sided copying mode of operation. The tray is pivotable about an axis located just above the primary sheet supply. When it is desired to accomplish two-sided copying, sheets upon which first-side copy have been made are directed into the auxiliary tray with the first-side copy face of the sheets oriented opposite to the original orientation in the primary supply. The tray is then pivoted so that it overlies the primary sheet supply. The sheets in the tray

may then be fed by the primary feed mechanism to have the second-side copy made thereon in proper registration.
CA1223299 refers to an automatic document handling system for recirculative precollation copying in reverse serial order of a set of simplex document sheets on a simplex and duplex copier to provide precollated simplex or duplex (two-sided) copies with proper orientation of the document images on the outputted copy sheets for copies made on preprinted, prepunched, or other special orientation restricted copy sheets, as well as for copies made on plain paper or other non-orientation sensitive copy sheets. The copier has a special copy sheet supply for said special orientation restricted copy sheets and a main copy sheet supply restricted to conventional non-orientation sensitive copy sheets. Switching systems provide for selecting between the feeding of copy sheets from the main supply or the special copy sheet supply and for selecting between simplex or duplex copying, and connect with overall control system. The control system causes the document handling system to circulate the set of document sheets once before copying them, to count them and determine whether there are an odd or even number, only in response to both the first switching system selection of the special copy sheet supply rather than the main copy sheet supply and the selection of duplex copying rather than simplex copying. The former selection is automatically removed after each copying run. If copies are made from the main tray copying begins on the first circulation of the documents.
The conventional technology requires manual intervention for proper orientation and loading in the tray for making use of one side used papers. This is not full-proof method. Human intervention may lead to mistakes. Improperly oriented intermediate errors could lead to need for re-printing. Randomly oriented papers cannot be scanned unless manually oriented. Also the wrongly oriented faxes lead to discontinuous data at receiving ends. Therefore the present invention in order to overcome the disadvantages of conventional technology uses an intelligent system to reorient the randomly loaded papers prior to scanning, faxing, printing and copying. This further eliminates the need for organizing printing, scanning, copying and faxing in correct uni-directional orientation.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A basic object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages/drawbacks of the known art.

Another object of the present invention is to use a system for reorienting one side used randomly loaded papers prior to scanning, faxing, printing, copying and shredding
Another object of the present invention is to use a method for reorienting papers prior to scanning, faxing, printing, copying and shredding.
Another object of the present invention is to use an intelligent tray for reorienting papers prior to scanning, faxing, printing, copying and shredding.
Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for organizing printing, scanning, copying and faxing in correct unidirectional orientation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to enable and encourage easy use of one side used papers leading to reduced usage of papers. This will help the environment since it will mean lesser cutting of trees which will further lead to better sustainability.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.
There is provided a system of intelligent tray for use in copier / printing machine for reorientation of randomly loaded one side used papers prior to scanning, faxing, printing copying, and shredding..
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tray for loading used papers.
Other embodiment of the present invention provides sensors for identifying used sides and giving input to electronically controlled roller and gear mechanism,
Yet other embodiment of the present invention provides roller and gear mechanism for reorienting papers prior to feeding to multifunction machines.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention allows adding function of paper shredder to multifunction copiers cum scanner cum printer cum fax.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 shows block diagram of system of intelligent tray for use in copier / printing machine for reorientation of randomly loaded one side used papers prior to scanning, faxing, printing, copying and shredding
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a data processing means" or "an output means" includes reference to one or more of such means.
By the term "substantially" it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
Accordingly in the present invention there is provided a system of intelligent tray comprising of sensors/sensory means/vision system and alike having the ability to identify printed and unprinted sides. Further these sensors give input to electronically controlled roller and gear mechanism. Roller and gear mechanism re-orient papers based on inputs, prior to feeding to multifunction machines.
Section -1 comprises of a vision system and/or sensors to identify the printed sides of the paper and an input tray means for random loading of papers. Vision system in section-1 scans one side of the papers and gives data input to data processing means.
Papers from section -1 then are fed to Section-2. Roller-1 inverts the papers so that section-2 vision system and/or sensors can scan another side of the paper. Vision system in section-2 scans another side of the papers and gives data input to data processing unit.
Data processing unit analyses the inputs received from both the sections, i.e section-1 & 2 and gives appropriate command to Roller-2 to decide which tray to be fed.
Section-3 has 3 different kinds of receipt trays, it has tray for one side blank paper, both side blank paper and both side used papers.
Now based on requirement, entire logic can be configured in various manners and following actions are possible:
Printing/copying : While giving print command, option of one side used paper can be chosen based on requirement. While giving either one side or both sides print command, option shall be given to choose one side used paper indicating advantages of reuse of one side used papers.
Scanning: While scanning with randomly loaded papers, it is advantageous that intelligent tray system and alike decides which sides to be scanned and blank sides are ignored. This

reduces further need to delete unwanted scans of blank pages from the output.Shredding : Paper can be fed in section-1 and option can be chosen to shred only one side used papers, both sides used papers and segregate one side / both side blank papers.
Faxing : While faxing this tray system makes out only printed sides and transmits printed matter for printing at receiving end.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
The operating principle of the present invented system comprises of loading random papers to an input tray means. A data processing means is provided to process data relating to both sides of said papers. A plurality of sensory means has been provided for sensing blank and printed side of said papers and accordingly sending input to said data processing means. The method further involves reorienting said papers thereby facilitating sensing of both sides of said papers using a plurality of roller and gear means. Further papers are fed to a triplet of output channels coupled to an output means which is integrated with data processor. The data processing means is configured to process input signal received from sensory means for each side of said papers using a preloaded logic and provide a signal to output means to transfer papers to one of output channels corresponding to output of data processing means.
Further the system is able to take decision about on which side to print/copy, which side to be scanned and which side to be faxed. It further builds logic to feed different varieties of trays, i.e one side blank paper tray, both side blank paper tray and both side used paper tray. It decides which trays to be used as source of paper based on various multi-function commands. For example, While printing it can decide whether to use one side blank papers or both side blank papers, while scanning, it omits blank sides. While faxing, it faxes only printed sides, while copying also it omits blank sides and in this manner entire output is well controlled leading to less manual work and subsequent rework at later stage like deleting blank scans from scanned documents, avoiding lapses while faxing and ensuring only printed matter gets faxed at another end. While copying, it encourages use of one side used papers leading to environmental benefits. This system can also be used to feed paper shredder to shred only used papers based on selection like shred one side used papers, shred only both side used papers, shred one side and both side used papers. Remaining papers not fed to shredder can be reused. It can be used as stand alone system to segregate different types of papers for further use, e.g. Like aligning one side used papers for binding them for making note books of used papers.

ADVANTAGES:
1. An automated system for organizing one side used randomly loaded papers for the purpose of printing, copying and scanning.
2. Free of human interventions.
3. The present invention eliminates need for organizing printing, scanning, copying and faxing in correct uni-directional orientation.
4. Also it provides an easy use of one side used papers leading to reduced paper usage.
Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

WE CLAIM
1. An intelligent feeder arrangement for feeding papers to machines like copier, printer,
scanner, fax machine, shredder and the like, said arrangement comprising:
an input tray means for loading said papers;
a data processing means to process data relating to both sides of said papers;
a plurality of sensory means for sensing blank and printed side of said papers and accordingly sending input to said data processing means;
a plurality of roller and gear means configured to reorient said papers thereby facilitating sensing of both sides of said papers;
an output means integrated with said data processor means adapted to provide papers to a triplet of output channels coupled to said output means;
wherein said data processing means configured to process input signal received from said sensory means for each side of said papers using a preloaded logic and provide a signal to said output means to transfer said papers to one of said output channels corresponding to output of said data processing means.
2. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said triplet of output channels correspond to one side blank paper, two side blank paper and two side used paper.
3. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said output channels are adapted to be optionally selected from machines like copier, printer, scanner, fax machine and the like for taking input papers therefrom.
4. A method for arranging randomly fed papers using an intelligent feeder arrangement to further feed papers to machines like copier, printer, scanner, fax machine and the like, said method comprising the steps of:
loading random papers to an input tray means;
processing data relating to both sides of said papers using a data processing means;
sensing blank and printed side of said papers and accordingly sending input to said data processing means using a plurality of sensory means;

reorienting said papers thereby facilitating sensing of both sides of said papers using a plurality of roller and gear means;
providing papers to a triplet of output channels coupled to an output means which is integrated with said data processor;
wherein said data processing means configured to process input signal received from said sensory means for each side of said papers using a preloaded logic and provide a signal to said output means to transfer said papers to one of said output channels corresponding to output of said data processing means.
5. Method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the step of automatically feeding paper from said input tray means for further processing.
6. An intelligent feeder arrangement for feeding papers to machines like copier, printer, scanner, fax machine and the like as herein described and illustrated with reference to accompanying drawings.
7. A method for arranging randomly fed papers using an intelligent feeder arrangement to further feed papers to machines like copier, printer, scanner, fax machine, shredder and the like, as herein described and illustrated with reference to accompanying drawings.