Patent ID: 7775732
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: B41J,B65H

Abstract:
1. In association with a data processing system, an apparatus comprising a plurality of paper rolls; a single printer configured to selectively receive paper from each paper roll of said plurality of paper rolls, and configured further to receive paper from only one of said paper rolls at a given time; a single power source; a plurality of roller sets, one roller set corresponding to one paper roll of said plurality of paper rolls, wherein each roller set is configured to supply paper from its corresponding paper roll to said single printer in response to receiving power from said single power source; a power delivery mechanism having a plurality of operating modes, wherein each operating mode corresponds to a different one of said roller sets, said power delivery mechanism being operable to adapt each roller set to receive power during its corresponding operating mode from said power source; said power delivery mechanism being further operable to prevent each roller set from receiving power from said power source during an operating mode that corresponds to a different roller set; and a device for monitoring the amount of paper remaining on the paper roller of a particular roller set that is supplying paper to the printer at said given time, wherein said device is operable to direct said power delivery mechanism to change the roller set supplying paper to the printer from said particular roller set to a different roller set, by selectively changing the operating modes of said power delivery mechanism before said remaining amount of paper is used up.