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(11) | EP 1 521 218 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Method and system for high speed digital metering |
| (57) 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
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