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US20060024112A1 - High speed parallel printing using meters and intelligent sorting of printed materials - Google Patents

High speed parallel printing using meters and intelligent sorting of printed materials Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060024112A1
US20060024112A1 US11/047,289 US4728905A US2006024112A1 US 20060024112 A1 US20060024112 A1 US 20060024112A1 US 4728905 A US4728905 A US 4728905A US 2006024112 A1 US2006024112 A1 US 2006024112A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
media
meters
splitter
inserter
buffer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/047,289
Inventor
James Mattern
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/047,289 priority Critical patent/US20060024112A1/en
Assigned to NEOPOST INDUSTRIE SA reassignment NEOPOST INDUSTRIE SA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MATTERN, JAMES M.
Priority to IT000526A priority patent/ITTO20050526A1/en
Priority to FR0508022A priority patent/FR2877606A3/en
Priority to GB0515415A priority patent/GB2416516A/en
Priority to CA002513943A priority patent/CA2513943A1/en
Priority to NL1029634A priority patent/NL1029634C2/en
Priority to DE102005035793A priority patent/DE102005035793A1/en
Publication of US20060024112A1 publication Critical patent/US20060024112A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
    • B41J13/10—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides
    • B41J13/12—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like, e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
    • B41J13/0009—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets control of the transport of the copy material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for printing using a plurality of paper paths, each feeding a meter.
  • Mailing machines enable users to frank one or more mail items by printing a stamp representing the amount paid by the sender.
  • Barcoded indicia generally occupies about 1 square inch, may require 2 pens and 1 printhead to print, and may require a resolution of approximately 300 dots per inch (DPI). Alignment among multiple devices such as pens and printheads can be difficult to achieve and maintain.
  • DPI dots per inch
  • Typical printhead may be capable of printing 300 DPI on media travelling at a maximum of 55 inches/second. Using envelopes as an example, this translates to approximately 15 thousand envelopes/hour.
  • Typical media transport devices are capable of moving media at much faster speeds.
  • a printing system includes an inserter, a buffer, a splitter, and a plurality of media paths each feeding a meter.
  • a printing system in another embodiment, includes an inserter, a buffer, a splitter, a plurality of media paths each feeding a meter, and a system for intelligently recombining the printed materials.
  • FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment for practicing the features disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of another exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown, a schematic block diagram of a printing or mailing system 100 suitable for practicing the embodiments disclosed herein and incorporating features in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • a printing or mailing system 100 suitable for practicing the embodiments disclosed herein and incorporating features in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments.
  • any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.
  • system 100 may include an inserter 105 for operating on printing media 115 .
  • the printing media 115 may for example include mail items.
  • printing system 100 prints upon pieces of printing media 115 .
  • System 100 includes a buffer 110 , a splitter 120 , and a plurality of media paths 125 , 130 feeding a plurality of meters 135 , 140 .
  • the inserter 105 , buffer 110 , splitter 120 , media paths 125 , 130 , and meters 135 , 140 may be controlled by a processor 145 to maximize throughput.
  • Processor 145 allocates printing information to each meter 135 , 140 , and pieces of printing media 115 , for example envelopes, are allocated to each meter 135 , 140 based on various rules for optimum throughput.
  • the rules may include consideration of media presently in each media path 125 , 130 , information to be printed, information and media already allocated to each meter, etc. Other rules and considerations may also be used.
  • each printing media piece 115 may be imprinted with information exclusive to that media piece 115 or may include information common to at least one other media piece 115 .
  • the buffer 110 operates to compensate for differences between the speed of the inserter 105 , the splitter 120 , the media paths 125 , 130 , and the meters 135 , 140 .
  • the splitter 120 allocates media pieces 115 to each media path 125 , 130 according to the rules described above.
  • the splitter 120 may also manage a space or gap between pieces of media 115 in each media path 125 , 130 .
  • the processor 145 , inserter 105 , buffer 110 , splitter 120 , media paths 125 , 130 , meters 135 , 140 and other components may communicate over a communication path or network 150 and may exchange messages and commands.
  • Print media exiting from the meters is generally transported to receptacles 155 , 160 at the end of each media path 125 , 130 , respectively.
  • FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of another embodiment, referred to as system 200 , for practicing the features described herein.
  • System 200 includes an inserter 205 , a buffer 210 , a splitter 215 , and a plurality of media paths 220 , 225 feeding a plurality of meters 230 , 235 .
  • the inserter 205 , buffer 210 , splitter 215 , meters 230 , 235 , and media paths 220 , 225 are controlled by a processor 240 to maximize throughput.
  • the inserter introduces printed material 250 into buffer 210 .
  • a sorter 245 also controlled by processor 240 is located proximate the ends of the media paths 220 , 225 for intelligently recombining, separating, or sorting the printed material 250 .
  • the processor 240 allocates printing information to each meter 230 , 235 , and the printed material 250 , also referred to as pieces of media, for example envelopes, are allocated to each meter 230 , 235 by the processor 240 using various rules operated for optimum throughput.
  • the rules may include consideration of media presently in each media path, information to be printed, information and media already allocated to each meter, etc. Other rules and considerations may also be used.
  • Each media piece 250 may be imprinted with information exclusive to that media piece or may include information common to at least one other media piece.
  • the buffer 210 operates to compensate for differences between the speed of the inserter 205 , the splitter 215 , media paths 220 , 225 , meters 230 , 235 and sorter 245 .
  • the splitter 215 allocates media 250 to each media path 220 , 225 according to the rules described above.
  • the splitter 215 may also manage a space or gap between pieces of media 250 in each media path 220 , 225 .
  • the sorter 245 may communicate with the other components of the system and operates to sort printed materials according to a set of rules that may depend on various parameters associated with the printed material, user input, one or more predetermined criteria, calculated parameters, or any other suitable criteria, parameters, or conditions.
  • the sorter 245 may combine printed material 250 from one or more of the media paths 220 , 225 , may operate to separate the printed material 250 , may generally sort the printed material 250 , or may perform any other operation related to organizing the material 250 delivered by the media paths 220 , 225 .
  • the processor 240 , inserter 205 , buffer 210 , splitter 215 , media paths 220 , 225 , meters 230 , 235 , sorter 245 , and other components may communicate over a communication path or network 250 and may exchange messages and commands.

Landscapes

  • Collation Of Sheets And Webs (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)

Abstract

A printing system includes an inserter, a buffer, a splitter, and a plurality of media paths each feeding a meter. Another printing system may include an inserter, a buffer, a splitter, a plurality of media paths each feeding a meter, and a system for intelligently recombining the printed materials.

Description

  • This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/591,392 filed Jul. 27, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/591,394 filed Jul. 27, 2004, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
    • BACKGROUND
  • The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for printing using a plurality of paper paths, each feeding a meter.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RELATED DEVELOPMENTS
  • Mailing machines enable users to frank one or more mail items by printing a stamp representing the amount paid by the sender. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,243,908; 5,683,190; 5,526,271; 6,607,095; 6,050,054; 5,293,465; 5,688,729; all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; disclose franking machines which may comprise franking heads, feeders, folders and user interfaces as examples.
  • Barcoded indicia generally occupies about 1 square inch, may require 2 pens and 1 printhead to print, and may require a resolution of approximately 300 dots per inch (DPI). Alignment among multiple devices such as pens and printheads can be difficult to achieve and maintain.
  • Furthermore, the printing devices themselves print at a rate much slower than typical media transport speeds. For example, a typical printhead may be capable of printing 300 DPI on media travelling at a maximum of 55 inches/second. Using envelopes as an example, this translates to approximately 15 thousand envelopes/hour. Typical media transport devices are capable of moving media at much faster speeds.
  • It would be advantageous to create a system that is capable of printing at speeds faster than presently available. Once material has been printed it would also be advantageous to be able to intelligently sort the printed material.
    • SUMMARY OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
  • In one embodiment, a printing system includes an inserter, a buffer, a splitter, and a plurality of media paths each feeding a meter.
  • In another embodiment, a printing system includes an inserter, a buffer, a splitter, a plurality of media paths each feeding a meter, and a system for intelligently recombining the printed materials.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
  • FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment for practicing the features disclosed herein; and
  • FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of another exemplary embodiment.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
  • Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown, a schematic block diagram of a printing or mailing system 100 suitable for practicing the embodiments disclosed herein and incorporating features in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.
  • In the exemplary embodiment shown, system 100 may include an inserter 105 for operating on printing media 115. The printing media 115 may for example include mail items. In general, printing system 100 prints upon pieces of printing media 115.
  • System 100 includes a buffer 110, a splitter 120, and a plurality of media paths 125, 130 feeding a plurality of meters 135, 140. The inserter 105, buffer 110, splitter 120, media paths 125, 130, and meters 135, 140 may be controlled by a processor 145 to maximize throughput.
  • Processor 145 allocates printing information to each meter 135, 140, and pieces of printing media 115, for example envelopes, are allocated to each meter 135, 140 based on various rules for optimum throughput. The rules may include consideration of media presently in each media path 125, 130, information to be printed, information and media already allocated to each meter, etc. Other rules and considerations may also be used.
  • Different information may be printed by any of the meters at any given time and each printing media piece 115 may be imprinted with information exclusive to that media piece 115 or may include information common to at least one other media piece 115.
  • The buffer 110 operates to compensate for differences between the speed of the inserter 105, the splitter 120, the media paths 125, 130, and the meters 135, 140.
  • The splitter 120 allocates media pieces 115 to each media path 125, 130 according to the rules described above. The splitter 120 may also manage a space or gap between pieces of media 115 in each media path 125, 130.
  • The processor 145, inserter 105, buffer 110, splitter 120, media paths 125, 130, meters 135, 140 and other components may communicate over a communication path or network 150 and may exchange messages and commands.
  • Printed media exiting from the meters is generally transported to receptacles 155, 160 at the end of each media path 125, 130, respectively.
  • FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of another embodiment, referred to as system 200, for practicing the features described herein.
  • System 200 includes an inserter 205, a buffer 210, a splitter 215, and a plurality of media paths 220, 225 feeding a plurality of meters 230, 235. The inserter 205, buffer 210, splitter 215, meters 230, 235, and media paths 220, 225 are controlled by a processor 240 to maximize throughput. The inserter introduces printed material 250 into buffer 210. A sorter 245, also controlled by processor 240 is located proximate the ends of the media paths 220, 225 for intelligently recombining, separating, or sorting the printed material 250.
  • The processor 240 allocates printing information to each meter 230, 235, and the printed material 250, also referred to as pieces of media, for example envelopes, are allocated to each meter 230, 235 by the processor 240 using various rules operated for optimum throughput. The rules may include consideration of media presently in each media path, information to be printed, information and media already allocated to each meter, etc. Other rules and considerations may also be used.
  • As with the embodiment described above, different information may be printed by any of the meters 230, 235 at any given time. Each media piece 250 may be imprinted with information exclusive to that media piece or may include information common to at least one other media piece.
  • The buffer 210 operates to compensate for differences between the speed of the inserter 205, the splitter 215, media paths 220, 225, meters 230, 235 and sorter 245.
  • The splitter 215 allocates media 250 to each media path 220, 225 according to the rules described above. The splitter 215 may also manage a space or gap between pieces of media 250 in each media path 220, 225.
  • The sorter 245 may communicate with the other components of the system and operates to sort printed materials according to a set of rules that may depend on various parameters associated with the printed material, user input, one or more predetermined criteria, calculated parameters, or any other suitable criteria, parameters, or conditions.
  • The sorter 245 may combine printed material 250 from one or more of the media paths 220, 225, may operate to separate the printed material 250, may generally sort the printed material 250, or may perform any other operation related to organizing the material 250 delivered by the media paths 220, 225.
  • The processor 240, inserter 205, buffer 210, splitter 215, media paths 220, 225, meters 230, 235, sorter 245, and other components may communicate over a communication path or network 250 and may exchange messages and commands.
  • It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. One such example is where other configurations of printheads may also be used. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (2)

1. A system for printing comprising:
an inserter;
a buffer;
a splitter;
a plurality of media paths; and
a plurality of meters fed by the media paths, wherein the inserter, buffer, splitter, meters, and media paths are controlled to maximize throughput.
2. A printing system comprising:
an inserter;
a buffer;
a splitter;
a plurality of media paths;
a plurality of meters fed by the media paths; and
a sorter located proximate the ends of the media paths for intelligently recombining, separating, or sorting printed material,
wherein the inserter, buffer, splitter, meters, media paths and sorter are controlled to maximize throughput.
US11/047,289 2004-07-27 2005-01-31 High speed parallel printing using meters and intelligent sorting of printed materials Abandoned US20060024112A1 (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/047,289 US20060024112A1 (en) 2004-07-27 2005-01-31 High speed parallel printing using meters and intelligent sorting of printed materials
IT000526A ITTO20050526A1 (en) 2004-07-27 2005-07-27 HIGH-SPEED PARALLEL PRINT USING PILLARS AND INTELLIGENT STORAGE OF PRINTED MATERIALS
FR0508022A FR2877606A3 (en) 2004-07-27 2005-07-27 HIGH-SPEED PARALLEL PRINTING USING MEASURING DEVICES AND INTELLIGENT SORTING OF PRINTED MATERIALS
GB0515415A GB2416516A (en) 2004-07-27 2005-07-27 High speed parallel printing using meters and intelligent sorting of printed materials
CA002513943A CA2513943A1 (en) 2004-07-27 2005-07-27 High speed parallel printing using meters and intelligent sorting of printed materials
NL1029634A NL1029634C2 (en) 2004-07-27 2005-07-27 High speed parallel printing with use of franking machines and intelligent sorting of printed materials.
DE102005035793A DE102005035793A1 (en) 2004-07-27 2005-07-27 Parallel high-speed printing using counters and intelligent sorting of printed material

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59139404P 2004-07-27 2004-07-27
US59139204P 2004-07-27 2004-07-27
US11/047,289 US20060024112A1 (en) 2004-07-27 2005-01-31 High speed parallel printing using meters and intelligent sorting of printed materials

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US20060024112A1 true US20060024112A1 (en) 2006-02-02

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US4817042A (en) * 1986-07-30 1989-03-28 Pitney Bowes Inc. Insertion machine with prioritized selection of inserts
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US20030106932A1 (en) * 2001-12-07 2003-06-12 Tritek, Inc. Mail weighing system and method
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US6749194B2 (en) * 2001-12-05 2004-06-15 Lockheed Martin Corporation Drop pocket stack height and object count monitoring system and method
US6793136B2 (en) * 2000-02-02 2004-09-21 Bell Bowe & Howell Postal Systems Company In-line verification, reporting and tracking apparatus and method for mail pieces
US6813541B2 (en) * 2001-06-29 2004-11-02 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method for sorting postal articles on automatic sorting devices
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US4365293A (en) * 1980-03-28 1982-12-21 Pitney Bowes Inc. Serial communications bus for remote terminals
US5177687A (en) * 1984-02-03 1993-01-05 Bell & Howell Phillipsburg Co. Insertion machine with postage categorization and selective merchandising
US4817042A (en) * 1986-07-30 1989-03-28 Pitney Bowes Inc. Insertion machine with prioritized selection of inserts
US4829443A (en) * 1987-02-02 1989-05-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Insertion machine with computerized postage search and prioritized selection of inserts
US4800505A (en) * 1987-03-13 1989-01-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mail preparation system
US4908770A (en) * 1987-06-30 1990-03-13 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Mail management system account validation and fallback operation
US4941091A (en) * 1987-06-30 1990-07-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mail management system transaction data customizing and screening
US4908768A (en) * 1987-08-07 1990-03-13 Pitney Bowes Inc. Inserter based mail manifesting system
US5077694A (en) * 1988-12-16 1991-12-31 Pitney Bowes Inc. Distribution mailing system having a control database for storing mail handling categories common to the databases of selected mailer stations
US5043908A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-08-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mail delivery system with arrival monitoring
US5058030A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-10-15 Pitney Bowes Inc. Optimizing mail processing by matching publisher and inserter entities
US5293465A (en) * 1991-07-08 1994-03-08 Neopost Limited Franking machine with digital printer
US5518122A (en) * 1991-08-09 1996-05-21 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Modular mail processing method and control system
US5243908A (en) * 1991-12-31 1993-09-14 Neopost Industrie Electronic franking machine with hinged housing
US5526271A (en) * 1994-01-31 1996-06-11 Neopost Limited Franking machine
US5683190A (en) * 1995-01-30 1997-11-04 Neopost Limited Franking apparatus and mail transport thereof
US6131053A (en) * 1995-10-18 2000-10-10 Bell & Howell Mail And Messaging Technologies Company High speed document processing machine
US20020073040A1 (en) * 1996-04-23 2002-06-13 Schwartz Robert G. Secure postage payment system and method
US6002095A (en) * 1996-05-07 1999-12-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Selective printing of postnet barcode for inserting system
US5768132A (en) * 1996-06-17 1998-06-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Controlled acceptance mail system securely enabling reuse of digital token initially generated for a mailpiece on a subsequently prepared different mailpiece to authenticate payment of postage
US6050054A (en) * 1997-01-31 2000-04-18 Neopost Industrie Mail item feed device
US6267248B1 (en) * 1997-03-13 2001-07-31 Shuffle Master Inc Collating and sorting apparatus
US6334119B1 (en) * 1998-11-13 2001-12-25 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for selectively interacting with a postage meter provided on an inserter system
US6173274B1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2001-01-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Production mail system having subsidies for printing of third party messages on mailpieces
US6208910B1 (en) * 1999-04-23 2001-03-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. System and method for determining the location of a mail piece
US6466935B1 (en) * 1999-06-04 2002-10-15 International Business Machines Corporation Applying relational database technology to process control in manufacturing processes
US6901312B2 (en) * 1999-10-04 2005-05-31 Pitney Bowes Inc. Apparatus for preparation of mailpieces and method for downstream control of such apparatus
US6793136B2 (en) * 2000-02-02 2004-09-21 Bell Bowe & Howell Postal Systems Company In-line verification, reporting and tracking apparatus and method for mail pieces
US6994220B2 (en) * 2000-10-02 2006-02-07 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Mixed mail sorting machine
US6607095B2 (en) * 2001-01-26 2003-08-19 Neopost Industrie Module for transferring mailpieces between a folding/inserting machine and a franking machine
US6813541B2 (en) * 2001-06-29 2004-11-02 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method for sorting postal articles on automatic sorting devices
US20030014376A1 (en) * 2001-07-13 2003-01-16 Dewitt Robert R. Method and apparatus for processing outgoing bulk mail
US6749194B2 (en) * 2001-12-05 2004-06-15 Lockheed Martin Corporation Drop pocket stack height and object count monitoring system and method
US20030106932A1 (en) * 2001-12-07 2003-06-12 Tritek, Inc. Mail weighing system and method
US6817608B2 (en) * 2002-04-09 2004-11-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for stacking mailpieces in consecutive order
US6915184B2 (en) * 2002-06-14 2005-07-05 Pfe International Limited Collator
US6687570B1 (en) * 2002-12-24 2004-02-03 Pitney Bowes Inc. Station independent buffer transport for an inserter system
US6988842B2 (en) * 2003-09-30 2006-01-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for continuous high speed digital metering using multiple print heads

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