Global Patent Index - EP 1521218 A3

EP 1521218 A3 20060802 - Method and system for high speed digital metering

Title (en)

Method and system for high speed digital metering

Title (de)

Verfahren und System zum schnellen digitalen Frankieren

Title (fr)

Procédé et système pour l'affranchissement numérique rapide

Publication

EP 1521218 A3 20060802 (EN)

Application

EP 04023374 A 20040930

Priority

  • US 67540303 A 20030930
  • US 67536203 A 20030930

Abstract (en)

[origin: EP1521218A2] A printing apparatus and method to for use in a high velocity mail production system, preferably for printing postal indicia. A transport path conveys a series of mail pieces at a print velocity. At least two ink jet print heads are available to perform printing operations. During normal operation, only one print head is operating at a time. To allow continuous uninterrupted operation, when a first print head is removed from service for a maintenance operation, a second print head is automatically brought into service. Adjustments to the triggering of the print cycle are made to account for the different print heads at different locations. Depending on which print head is in used, different sets of transport elements in the print module are used to effectuate the motion profile appropriate for the print head that is in operation. Based on the status of the print heads, a controller selectively groups different individual transport elements together to act in unison for the motion control. Print heads may be geared to operate in synchronism with the motion of the print transport

IPC 8 full level

G07B 17/00 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

B65H 5/062 (2013.01); B65H 29/125 (2013.01); G07B 17/00508 (2013.01); G07B 17/00467 (2013.01); G07B 2017/00322 (2013.01); G07B 2017/00532 (2013.01); G07B 2017/00564 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 1521218 A2 20050406; EP 1521218 A3 20060802; EP 1521218 B1 20130731

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 04023374 A 20040930