JP4353652B2 - Form collation system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a form collation system that performs matching between forms when collating a predetermined number of forms and enclosing them in a sealed body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a plurality of forms are collated, enclosed in an envelope, and sealed automatically. In particular, it is also common to print, print, and send variable data with different prescribed contents for each destination customer, since the same form is sent regardless of the destination customer such as a catalog or pamphlet. Even in this case, it is now possible to automatically collate forms with different contents and enclose and seal them in an envelope. Therefore, it is necessary to reliably collate a plurality of forms for each destination, and it is desired that such a system configuration can be constructed easily and inexpensively.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a conventional form collation system. In FIG. 5, the form collating system 101 includes a collation conveyance line 102 for conveying a first form and a second form, which will be described later, so-called tact conveyance, and a code reading sensor 103 below the next tact of the supply position of the first form. And the code reading sensors 104A and 104B are arranged above and below the next tact of the supply position of the second form. In addition, the first form supply mechanism 105 is arranged in the first form supply tact portion in the direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the collation transfer line 102 with respect to the collation transfer line 102, and the second form supply tact portion. A second form supply mechanism 106 is arranged in the vertical direction.
[0004]
From the supply position of the first continuous form 107A in which the first form is continuous, the first form supply mechanism 105 sequentially detects the mark sensor 108A, the imaging camera 109A, the stealth printing unit 110A, the mark sensor 111A, the cutter unit 112A, the conveyance belt 114A, A bent portion 115A and a conveyor belt 116A are disposed. In addition, the second form mechanism 106 sequentially detects the mark sensor 108B, the stealth printing unit 110B, the mark sensor 111B, the cutter unit 112B, the transport belt 114B, the folding unit from the supply position of the second continuous form 107B in which the second form is continuous. 115B, a conveyor belt 116B, and an imaging camera 109B are arranged.
[0005]
Such a form collation system 101 includes a code reading sensor 108A when the first form supply mechanism 105 feeds paper from a first continuous form 107A (the main printing surface is the back side of conveyance) in which the first form is continuous. Thus, for example, a barcode printed in advance on the back side of the first form is read, and for example, a management number printed in advance on the back side of the first form is imaged and recognized by the imaging camera 109A.
[0006]
Subsequently, the stealth printing unit 110A performs printing on the main printing surface (back side of conveyance) of the first form with the same reference number as the grouping mark read by the code reading sensor 108A with stealth ink, and the code reading sensor 111A The verification number is read in order to determine whether printing has actually been performed. Here, the stealth ink is not directly visible, and when the light of a specific wavelength is irradiated with light, the stealth ink part can be visually recognized as being excited and raised, and is in a normal state. It can be made invisible.
[0007]
Subsequently, the sheet 112 is cut into the first sheet 113A by the cutter unit 112A, and is sent to the folding unit 115A through the conveying belt 114A, where it is processed into, for example, a Z-fold and is collated and conveyed through the conveying belt 116A. It is supplied to the first form supply position of the line 102.
[0008]
Further, in the second form supply mechanism 106, when the second form is fed from the second continuous form 107B (the main printing surface is the upper transfer surface), the code reading sensor 108B applies the second form to the back side of the first form. For example, a bar code printed in advance is read. Subsequently, the stealth printing unit 110B performs printing on the second form with the same reference number as the grouping mark read by the code reading sensor 108B with stealth ink, and determines whether the code reading sensor 111B is actually printed. In order to read this reference number.
[0009]
Subsequently, the sheet is cut into a second sheet 113B of a single sheet by the cutter unit 112B, and is sent to the bent unit 115B via the transport belt 114B, where it is processed into, for example, a Z-fold. Then, when it is supplied to the second form supply position of the collation conveyance line 102 via the conveyance belt 116B so as to be collated with the first form 113A, it is printed in advance on the second form 113B by the imaging camera 109B. A management number similar to that of the first form 113A is captured and recognized.
[0010]
On the other hand, in the collation transport line 102, the code reading sensor 103 reads the collation number stealth-printed on the first form 113A supplied to the first form supply position, and the first and second forms 113A and 113B collate. For the collated object 117, the collation number stealth-printed by the code reading sensors 104A and 104B is read to check whether the collation is correct or not.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, since printing is performed on each form using stealth ink and matching is confirmed, the stealth printing unit 110 must be provided only for the supply line of the form, which increases the cost of the equipment. is there. In addition, since each form is overlapped and collated after stealth printing, the printing position must be changed depending on the form design and folding form, and there is a problem that adjustment is complicated and efficiency is low. In addition, if there is a deviation between the stacked forms during conveyance after collation, it will adversely affect the code reading for matching confirmation, causing a discrimination error even though each form is properly matched. There is a problem of doing.
[0012]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a form collation system that facilitates and surely performs matching confirmation on a plurality of collated forms, thereby simplifying the system and reducing costs. With the goal.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention of claim 1, a plurality of types of forms are collated individually, and at least the first form and a predetermined number of second forms are conveyed and collated. A collation transport line; a first form supply means for supplying a first form for each sheet to a predetermined position on the collation transport line; and a second form for each sheet at a predetermined position on the collation transport line. A second form supply means for supplying a predetermined number, a position regulating means for superimposing one of the first form and the predetermined number of second forms with a collation position shifted from the collation target form, and Line printing means for printing one-stroke line straddling each other at the shifted portion for the first form and the predetermined number of second forms whose collation positions are shifted, and the line printed by the line printing means a line detection means for detecting, controls the drive of the entire system System control means and a print head for performing line printing in the line printing means for performing line printing by changing the position of each collated form within the dimensional range of the predetermined form. A processing unit; and a collation determination processing unit that determines a shift of the line detected by the line detection unit and outputs a signal corresponding to the determination result to the system control unit .
[0014]
In the inventions of claims 2 to 4 , “the document supply mechanism includes a predetermined number of form supply mechanisms for supplying a predetermined type of forms other than the first and second forms to the collating transport line, The position restricting means according to the number of installations is provided. ''
“The position restricting means shifts a form whose position is to be restricted in a direction perpendicular to or in the same direction as the conveying direction of the collating conveyance line, and the line printing means is perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to the collated form. It is in the direction or the same direction perform line printing "configuration,
The configuration is such that “ line printing by the line printing means is performed with stealth ink that becomes visible when irradiated with excitation light of a predetermined wavelength”.
[0015]
In this way, the first and second forms supplied to the collating transport line are shifted in the vertical direction or the same direction as the transport direction, and the print head is placed within the size range of the form with a single stroke straddling each other at the offset portion . The line is printed by changing the position for each collation form , and the print line is detected. That is, since the matching confirmation of the collation target is performed on the line printed after collation, it is not necessary to provide a printing means for matching confirmation for each form supply mechanism that supplies the collation transport line, and the system configuration Can be realized simply and at low cost. Further, by detecting the print line, matching confirmation due to deviation can be performed, and the matching confirmation can be easily and reliably performed. Furthermore, since line printing is performed after collation, it is possible to easily adjust the printing position and the like regardless of the form design of the form.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment shows a case where the form collating system according to the present invention is used in an enclosing sealing system that encloses and seals the collated forms after sealing and confirming each collated form.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual configuration diagram of a form collation system according to the present invention. The form collation system 11 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called book (form that becomes the first page of a form to be collated) as a predetermined type of first form in which variable data areas having different print contents are provided for each customer. A specific number of second forms with the same variable data area (forms that become pages that follow the book) are transported and collated. Matching confirmation between matching targets is performed.
[0018]
In such a form collation system 11, a collation supply mechanism 13 that supplies a collation and a detail supply mechanism 14 that supplies a predetermined number of details are arranged with respect to the collation transport line 12. The collation transport line 12 collates the sheet 15 for each supplied sheet (first form) and the details 16 (second form) for each predetermined number of sheets supplied, so-called tact conveyance. I do. Further, on the collating transport line 12, a position regulating means 17 is disposed at the supply position of the specification 16, and a print head 19A of a stealth print processing section 19 as a line printing means is movably disposed at the next tact portion. The Then, after a predetermined number of tacts, the imaging camera 20 is disposed above.
[0019]
The position restricting means 17 is for shifting the specification 16 in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the collation transport line 12 when the detail 16 is superimposed on the book 15 at the supply position and collated. A fixed stopper or an appropriately movable solenoid is used. The stealth print processing unit 19 prints, for example, stealth ink on the signature 15 and the predetermined number of specifications 16 in which the collation positions are shifted by the print head 19A, with the strokes straddling each other. To do.
[0020]
As described above, the stealth ink becomes visible when irradiated with excitation light having a predetermined wavelength, and the imaging camera 20 irradiates the excitation light and images a printed line. By using this stealth ink, it is possible to hide an extra print portion with respect to actual form contents, which is effective when an extra print is not preferred for the corresponding form. Then, based on the imaging of the print line by the imaging camera 20, it is confirmed whether the book 15 and the corresponding details 16 are matched. Note that normal printing ink may be used instead of stealth ink.
[0021]
On the other hand, in the signature supply mechanism 13, the cutter unit 22, the conveyance belt 23, the folding unit 24, and the conveyance belt 25 are sequentially arranged with respect to the supply tact of the collation conveyance line 12 from the signature continuous form 21 in which the signature 15 is continuous. Is done. The continuous certificate slip 21 is printed with information such as individual addresses and names of delivery destinations in advance as variable data, and the delivery target is specified by the variable data. The book continuous form 21 is supplied in a state in which the printing surface of the address or the like is in the lower side (back side of conveyance).
[0022]
The cutter unit 22 cuts the sent continuous form 21 to form a sheet-by-sheet 15, and conveys the sheet-by-sheet 15 having the conveying belt 23 cut to the bending unit 24. The bent portion 24 is processed into a Z-fold so that the sheet 15 is printed, for example, such that the printed portion of the address is located below. The transport belt 25 supplies the collating transport line 12 to the supply position.
[0023]
The detail supply mechanism 14 has the same configuration as the above-described book supply mechanism 13, and the cutter unit 32 and the transport belt 33 are provided for the supply tact of the collation transport line 12 from the detail continuous form 31 in which the specifications 16 are continuous. The bent portion 34 and the conveyor belt 35 are sequentially arranged. The detailed continuous form 16 is obtained by printing individual content information following the book 15 in advance as variable data, and is supplied to the book 15 with a predetermined number of pages. The detailed continuous form 31 is supplied in a state where the printing surface is upward (upper conveyance surface).
[0024]
In the same manner as described above, the cutter unit 32 cuts the detailed continuous form 31 that has been sent to form a sheet detail 16, and transports the sheet detail 16 with the transport belt 33 cut to the folding unit 34. The bending unit 34 processes the sheet details 16 into, for example, a Z-fold. The transport belt 35 is supplied to the supply position of the collating transport line 12.
[0025]
The form collation system 11 is controlled by system control means (not shown). In particular, the collation 15 and the collation of the specification 16 are based on the print information printed in advance on the collation transport line 12. This is done on the feed tact of specification 16 above. Therefore, first, in the signature supply mechanism 13, the sheet is fed from the signature continuous form 21, cut into the sheet signature 15 by the cutter unit 22, and sent to the conveyance belt 23. Here, a count check of the number of copies 15 may be performed.
[0026]
The signature 15 transported by the transport belt 23 is processed into a Z-fold at the folding portion 24 with the printed portion such as the address as the bottom surface. Here, a count check of the number of copies 15 may be performed. Then, the paper is supplied to the first signature supply tact on the collation transport line 12 by the transport belt 25. And it is conveyed to the supply position of the statement 16 by tact conveyance.
[0027]
On the other hand, in the detail supply mechanism 14, the sheet is fed from the detail continuous form 31, cut into the sheet detail 16 by the cutter unit 32, and sent to the transport belt 33. Here, the count check of the number of sheets in the specification 16 may be performed. The sheet details 16 conveyed by the conveying belt 33 are processed by the folding unit 34 by Z-folding. Here, the count check of the number of sheets in the specification 16 may be performed.
[0028]
And just before the conveyance belt 35, it waits until the book 15 is conveyed to the detailed supply tact on the collation conveyance line 12, and the relevant 15 is overlapped when it is conveyed to the detailed supply tact. Details 16 are supplied. At this time, the position restricting means 17 collates the specification 16 on the signature 15 in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in the collation conveyance line 12, thereby obtaining a collation 18.
[0029]
In the next tact, the collated product 18 causes the stealth print processing unit 19 to perform line printing in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the print head 19A using stealth ink. And after conveyance for several tact, the imaging camera 20 irradiates predetermined excitation light and images the line printed on the said collation thing 18. FIG. It is determined whether the imaged print line is deviated, and if it is deviated, the system is stopped.
[0030]
Here, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of control processing for form collation in this system. FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the print processing means in this system, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the collation determination processing means in this system. In FIG. 2A, the print processing means 41 appropriately includes a line print processing means 42, a print control means 43, a position control means 44, a print head driving means 45, and a random number table 46.
[0031]
The line print processing means 42 detects that the collated material 18 has been conveyed to the print position by a sensor (not shown), and when the medium detection signal is input, the line control processing means 42 and the print control means 43 Start processing. The print processing means 43 drives the stealth print processing unit 19 to perform line printing when the positioning of the print head 19A is completed.
[0032]
The position control means 44 changes the printing position for each collated object 18 based on the random number table 46. The position of the print head is within the size range of the reference 15 and specification 16 (here, within the width range in the transport direction). ) To move it. It should be noted that the position may be sequentially changed based on a predetermined sequence without depending on the random number table 46. Then, the print head drive means 45 sends a drive signal to the stealth print processing section 19 based on the print head movement control signal from the position control means 44.
[0033]
Further, the collation determination processing means 51 shown in FIG. 2B appropriately includes a determination means 52 and a system stop signal output means 53 that is a signal output means. The discrimination means 52 discriminates how much the print line is deviated from the detection signal when a line reading detection signal which is imaging data from the imaging camera 20 is inputted. Based on this, it is determined whether the matching is normal or not. The system stop signal output means 53 outputs a system stop signal to a system control means (not shown) when the determination means 52 determines that the collation is not correct.
[0034]
FIG. 3 shows a schematic explanatory diagram of the form collation in this system, and the operation of the print processing means 41 and the collation discrimination processing means 51 will be described. First, when the collated product 18 has been conveyed to the printing position on the collated conveyance line 12, the line print processing means 42 in the print processing means 41 inputs the above-described medium detection signal. At this time, the position control means 44 refers to the random number table 46 to specify the position of the print head, and the print head drive means 45 sends a drive signal to the stealth print processing section 19.
[0035]
The stealth print processing unit 19 moves the print head 19A to a position by control based on the drive signal. When the movement of the print head 19A is completed, a print start signal from the print control means 43 is sent to the stealth print processing unit 19, and line printing is performed as described above.
[0036]
Subsequently, when the line-printed collated object 18 is transported for several tacts and transported to the position of the imaging camera 20, the line printed by the imaging camera 20 is imaged, and the imaging data is line-read. The detected signal is sent to the collation determination processing means 51. The discriminating means 52 in the collation discriminating processing means 51 discriminates whether or not the print line in the input line reading detection signal is shifted based on the set threshold value.
[0037]
As a result of the discrimination by the discriminating means 52, as shown in FIG. 3A, the print line 61 (not normally visible but represented in the visual recognition state for explanation) is within the range of the above-mentioned threshold value. If it is not deviated, the matching is confirmed by discriminating it as a regular collation 18. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), if the result of discrimination is shifted between the book 15 and the specification 16, an error signal is sent to the system stop signal output means 53 as a matching error. The system stop signal output means 53 outputs a system stop signal to the system control means to stop the system.
[0038]
In this way, after collation of the book 15 and the specification 16, the print line 61 is checked for matching with each other within the same tact, so a form for supplying printing for matching confirmation to the collation transport line. It is not necessary to provide each supply mechanism, and the system configuration can be realized easily and at low cost. In addition, by detecting the print line 61, matching confirmation due to misalignment can be performed, and the matching confirmation can be performed easily and reliably.
[0039]
Furthermore, since line printing is performed after collation, it is possible to easily adjust the printing position and the like regardless of the form design of the form. In addition, by moving the print head 19A and changing the line printing for each collated object 18, erroneous determination that the matching is correct despite the matching error is avoided, and the reliability of the matching confirmation Can be improved.
[0040]
In the above embodiment, the position restriction of the specification 16 by the position restriction means 17 is set to the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in the collation conveyance line 12, but the line printing is performed in the same direction as the conveyance direction in the same direction as the conveyance direction. It is good. Further, although the position restriction by the position restriction means 17 is targeted for the specification 16, if the arrangement of the above-described book supply mechanism 13 and the detail supply mechanism 14 is reversed, the book 15 is subject to position restriction. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the form supply mechanism is arranged for the two types of the book 15 and the specification 16 has been shown. However, if there are more types, it is possible to sequentially increase the mechanism for supplying the form supply mechanism. A predetermined number of position restricting means corresponding to this may be provided at the supply position on the collating conveyance line 12.
[0041]
Next, FIG. 4 shows a conceptual configuration diagram of an encapsulating and sealing system in which the present system is used. The enclosing sealing system 71 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged subsequent to the form collating system 11 and is shown from the arrangement part of the imaging camera 20 of the form collating system 11. In FIG. 6, an encapsulated sealing conveyance line 73 that is partially overlapped and adjacent to the collating conveyance line 72 in the conveyance direction is arranged. In the collating transport line 72, predetermined types of enclosed slips (for example, flyers 81A, 81B...) Are respectively placed in the collating transport line 72 in the transporting direction in which the imaging camera 20 of the form collating system 11 is arranged. A predetermined number of enclosed form supply units 74 to be supplied are arranged in the same direction as the collating conveyance line 72.
[0042]
On the other hand, in the encapsulated sealed conveyance line 73, an envelope supply unit 75 that supplies an envelope 76 that is a sealed body is arranged, and a mark (barcode or number) is placed below a predetermined conveyance position with respect to the sealed letter 83 after encapsulation and sealing, for example. A code reading sensor 77 is arranged for reading.
[0043]
In such an encapsulating and sealing system 71, after the collated product 18 that has been collated properly is transported by a predetermined number of tacts, predetermined encapsulated slips (flyers) 81A, 81B,. All the enclosed slips 81 are collated and conveyed as a sealed object 82 to a sealed sealing position. On the other hand, in the sealed envelope conveying line 73, the envelope 76 is supplied from the envelope supply unit 75 at the previous stage of the sealed position. To do.
[0044]
The envelope 76 is formed with a window, for example, and the address portion printed on the seal 15 in the sealed object 82 is exposed from the window. In the sealed letter 83, for example, a mark (bar code or number) of the addressed part exposed from the code reading sensor 77 arranged below is read, and the delivery destination is confirmed. Seals 83 are sequentially stocked on a stacker (not shown).
[0045]
Thereby, it can be set as the sealed letter 83 in which the book 15 and the predetermined number of specifications 16 are reliably matched to the delivery destination. By combining the form collating system 11 with the enclosed sealing system 71, As a whole system, facilities can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the first and second forms supplied to the collation transport line are shifted in the vertical direction or in the same direction as the transport direction, and straddle each other at the shift portion. With a single stroke , the print head is printed within the dimensional range of each collated form by changing the position of each collated form and detecting the print line makes it easy to check the matching of multiple collated forms. Thus, the reliability of matching confirmation can be improved, and the system can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
[0047]
According to the invention of claim 4, by causing the line printed by stealth ink, usually it can be as invisible in the printing for matching confirmation to form, excess relative to the actual document content This makes it possible to hide non-printing portions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a form collation system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of control processing for form collation in the present system.
FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of form collation in the present system.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual configuration diagram of an encapsulating and sealing system in which the present system is used.
FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a conventional form collation system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Form collation system 12 Collation conveyance line 13 Manual supply mechanism 14 Detailed supply mechanism 15 Manual 16 Specification 17 Position control means 18 Collation thing 19 Stealth print processing part 19A Print head 20 Imaging camera 61 Print line 71 Enclosing sealing system

Claims (4)

Collating a plurality of types of documents individually, a collation transport line for transporting and collating at least a first form and a predetermined number of second forms;
First form supply means for supplying a first form for each sheet to a predetermined position on the collating transport line;
A second form supply means for supplying a predetermined number of second forms for each sheet to a predetermined position on the collating transport line;
Position regulating means for superimposing any one of the first form and the predetermined number of second forms with the collation position shifted with respect to the form to be collated,
Line printing means for printing a one-stroke line straddling each other at the shifted portion with respect to the first form and the predetermined number of second forms that have been shifted in the collating position;
Line detecting means for detecting a line printed by the line printing means;
System control means for controlling the drive of the entire system;
A print processing means for controlling the print head for performing line printing in the line printing means to change the position for each collated collated form within a predetermined range of the predetermined form;
Determining the shift of the line detected by the line detection means, and outputting a signal according to the determination result to the system control means;
The form collation system characterized by having. The form collation system according to claim 1, further comprising a predetermined number of form supply mechanisms for supplying a predetermined type of forms other than the first and second forms to the collation transport line. A form collation system characterized in that the position restricting means according to the number of supply mechanisms installed is provided. The form collating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position restricting means shifts the form to be position-regulated in a direction perpendicular to or in the same direction as the conveying direction of the collating conveying line. A form collation system, wherein line collation is performed on the collated form in a direction perpendicular to or in the same direction as the transport direction. A form collator system according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, the line printing by the line printing means, that causes in stealth ink which becomes visible state by irradiation with excitation light of a predetermined wavelength A unique form collation system.

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