CA2001058C - Method and apparatus for reading a bar code on a moving sheet - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for reading a bar code on a moving sheetInfo
- Publication number
- CA2001058C CA2001058C CA002001058A CA2001058A CA2001058C CA 2001058 C CA2001058 C CA 2001058C CA 002001058 A CA002001058 A CA 002001058A CA 2001058 A CA2001058 A CA 2001058A CA 2001058 C CA2001058 C CA 2001058C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bar code
- sheet
- code symbol
- scanner
- reading
- 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.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000002310 reflectometry Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000004575 stone Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000006229 carbon black Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 206010027146 Melanoderma Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 240000008881 Oenanthe javanica Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001041 dye based ink Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007723 transport mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/14—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
- B07C3/10—Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection ofthe destination
- B07C3/14—Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection ofthe destination using light-responsive detecting means
Abstract
Apparatus and method have been conceived whereby cut sheets having a bar code printed thereon can be read while such sheets are moving. A fixed scanner for reading the bar code has an elongated window such that a light beam being generated by the scanner will have a width that is no greater than the width of the smallest space between adjacent bars of the symbol. Because of the elongated configuration of the light beam, sufficient reflectivity occurs such that a good reading can be obtained with the use of such a fixed beam scanner.
Description
5l3 ~-431 ~ETHOD AND APPARATU~ FOR READIN~ --A BAR CODE ON A I~ BHEET
Background of the Invention In recent decades, the reading of code symbol~ printed onto a medium is coming into more frequent use. ~xamples of such reading of code symbol6 includes the use of a wand by a ~tore clerk for the purpose of reading a code symb~l on a ticketv tag or label. The coda symbol can be either in the ~orm o~ a bar code or dash code, or an alpha numeric code can be printed on the medium. The reading of bar code symbols with wands is quite common in establishments such as depart~ent store~ Another example of the use of bar codes and the reading thereof is in grocery stores. A counter can ba fashioned with a generally x-shaped ~indow under which is a flying spot scanner is located. By flying spot scanner is meant a device in which a beam of light is generated by a laser device and is caused to move within the area of the window for the purpose of reading a bar code symbol located on an article that is moved across the window by a clerk.
Another particular type of activity where a code on a medium i6 coming into wider use is in the processing of mail, particul~rly in the processing of mail by an apparatus that includes an inserter. Examples of inserters are the Model 8300 Series inserters available from Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, Connecticut. In such inserters, it is frequently a practice to stack cut sheets with a code thereon. The cut sheets are fed sequentially and the code thereon read to determine how many of the sheets are to be placed within a given envelope. Once a determination is made as to how many sheets axe to be fed together, then they were subsequently folded and inserts from feeding bins are added to the sheet or sheets and eventually the bundle is inserted into an envelope.
In order for t~e process to be efficient, the cut sheet should be read while moving. Reading a code on a moving sheet presents more problems than reading a code on a stationary sheet, and prior devices were unable to read bar ' '~' ' ' ' :' :
~LO~
code symbols printed on sheets with sufficient speed. As a consequencs, what has used previously as a code on a cut sheet was a dash code. Althou~h a dash code can be read on the fly, the disadvantage of such a code i5 that it does not contain as much information as a bar code. The information to be given by a dash code i5 generally only concerned with the sheets that are to be inserted into a single enYelope and the inser~s from the feeders that would accompany such sheets upon insertion. Because of the limitations of the capacity of the dash code, little infor~ation in addition to this could be obtained. Clearly, it would be advantageous to be able to have an apparatus capable of reading a bar code symbol on a rapidly moving sheet so that greater information can be obtained.
Summary of the Invention ~pparatus and method have been conceived whereby sheets having a bar code symbol printed thereon can be read while such sheets are moving at a relatively high ~peed. The sheets can either be cut sheets or parts of a web that is subsequently ruptured. By high speed is meant in the neighborhood of 120 inches/sec. and higher~ A fixed beam scanner was used for xeading the bar code symhol which scanner has an elongated window such that the light beam _ ,. ___ . .. ,-- .. .. .... .
being generated thereby will have a width that is no greater than the width of the smallest space between bars of the symbol. Because of the elongated configuration of the light beam, sufficient reflect vity occurs so that an accurate reading can be obtained with the use of a fixed beam scanner.
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinq Fig. 1 is a schematic, plan view of an inserter system in which the ins~ant invention can be practiced;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the apparat~s shown in FigO l;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus portion ~hown in Fig. 2:
.:
::
;:
2Q~
~ig. ~ shows a light beam being directed upon a bar code;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a cut sheet that may be use~
in conjunction with the instant invention: and Figs. Ça and 6b show a flow chart representative of the program for the apparatus shown in Figs. 1-4.
Detailed ~escription of the Preferred Embodiments Referring initially to Figs. 1-3, an inserter system that incorporates features of the instant invention is shown generally at 10. This inserter system 10 includes a high speed ~heet feeder 12 that is capable of conveying articles at a speed of approximately 120 inches/seconds. Optionally, upstream from the high speed sheet feeder 12 is a low speed sheet feeder 14 that feeds a stack of sheets 16 to the high speed sheet feedar. Both the high speed sheet feeder 12 and low speed sheet feeder 14 are supported by a frame 15 that also supports members of the inserter system downstream therefromO The high speed sheet feeder 12 has a three piece deck 20 that is supported by the frame 15 and one member of such three piece deck has an opening 22 therein. In registration with such opening is a fixed beam scanner 24 positioned so as to direct a beam of light through the opening 22. An example of a fixed beam scanner 24 suitable for the instant invention is available from Sca~-A-matic, Inc., and identified as Model S23005 scanner. This is a light emitting diode (LED) device that emits an infrared beam. A lead 26 ccnnects the scanner 24 with a decoder 28 such as a Scan-A-Matic Model D~0118 decoder. The decoder 28 in turn is connected by a lead 30 to a computer 32, such as a Compaq DESKPRO 386 computer. The computer 32 has a keyboard 34 and display 36, or monitor, and is in communication with a contxoller 38 and a supervisor computer 40 which can be an Intel 80/204 single board computer.
Downstream from the high speed sheet feed2r 12 is a sheet feeder 41 that conveys a single sheet fed by the high speed sheet feederl as will be described hereinafter, through a trap 42 that holds a sheet until collation is finished further downstream. The sheets are then accumulated ~ 3 - . :- : ~
~3~l~S~3 .in an accumulator 44 whera collated sheets would be stapled or ~aclced, moved on to a 90~ transport 46. The sheets will b~ passed on to a diverter bin 48 if the sheets are too large to b~ ~old~ad. If -the sheet~ are with siz limits they S wlll be t:ransported to a folder 50 which i~ located at a right angle relatlve to the direction o~ ~heet travel, as ~een in Fig. l~ The sheet 16 f or ~heets, conve~ed b~ ~he tr~nsported ~6 would be folded by the folder 50. Downstream -Prom th~ ~older 50 i5 a transport 52 that conveys the sheet 16, or ~heet~, to an inserter feeder 54 wherein ln~erts would be added t~ thQ sheetl or sheats~ and the~e would in turn be convay~d to an envelope ~eeder and inserter 56 wherein the sheets and khe inserts would be inserted into an ~nvelope. ~acent to the envelope feeder and in~erter 56 i8 a printillg station 58 with a printer such as an ink -Jet prlnter whereby inPormation such as the zip code can be printed on the envelope.
Tha various components photodetectors, 4l,42,44,46 and 52 of the insert~r system lO have paired photodetectors such as a Sca~ Matic Model 1.23307 and Model P3307 p~lotodetectors~ These d~tectors 57 are in with the compu~er; whereby, ~he preserlce o~ a sheet 16, or shaets, at the various location~ can be d~termined as is known in the art~ rrha lead~ from the various photocells are shown ~5 cc)llectlvely at 59 for reasons o~ conveniQnce.
Other than the opelling 22 in the deck 20 o~ the~ high ~peed feeder 12, the sc~nner 2~ in registration with ~,uch opening and th~ metllod oP operating the same, all the transport~tiorl components are standard and do not form part of ttle l~vention, but are shown for the purpose of illu~tratirlg ho~ the :Lnvelltion may be utili~ed. ~n example of an ill~ertlng system such as that ~ust described is a ~odal ~300 Seri.es Pitney ~owes inserter.
Re~erring now to Figs. ~ and 3, details of portions of ~S the system lO shown in Fig. l will be given~ The low speed &heet ~e~der l4 has a pair of shaEts ~2 (only one being ~hown) on opposite lon~ituclillal ends thereof that are rotatab.Ly supportad by the frame 15. Mounted on each of the shaft~ is a pa.Lr of pulleys ~ and the pulleys have a conveyor belt 66 trained thereabout~ one of the shafts 62 has a pulley 68 located at one of its ends, and another pulley 70 is attached to the output shaft of a motor 72 that is supported by the frame 15. ~ drive belt 74 is trained about the pulleys 68,70 to provide drive to the conveyor b~lt 66. At the high speed feeder 12, a pair of stub shafts 73 are rotatably supported by the frame lS and each has mounted thereon a pulley 75. A shaft 78 is ro~atably supported by the frame 15 and has a pair of pulleys 76 mounted thereon in spaced, paired relationship with the pulleys 75. A conveyor belt 74 is trained about each of the pair of pulleys 75,760 Another pulley 80 is mounted at one end of the sha~t 78 and a drive belt B2 is trained about such pulley and another pulley 84 mounted on the output shaft o~ a motor 85~ The sha~t 78 also has a roller 86 mounted thereon that is spaced relative to a stationary stone 88 that is attached to an arm 90 which is supported by the frame 15 in any convenient manner. Thus, a stack of sheets 16 can be placed upon the conveyor bel~s 66, preferably shingled as shown in Fig. 2, conveyed onto the conveyor belts 74 so that the stack will engage the stone 88. The distance between the stone 88 and roller 86 is just sufficient to allow the passage of a single sheet, the stone and roller acting to separate the bottom most sheet 16 of the stack as is ~nown in the art.
Downstream from the roller 86 is the feeder 41 that is made up of a shaft 94 rotatably received within a bearing box 96 that is supported by th~ frame 15 and three pulleys 98 are mounted on the shaft. Another shaft 100 is rotatably 3~ supported by the frame 15 and also has three pulleys 102 mounted thereon that are in spaced, paired relationship with the pulleys 98. Three conveyor belts 104 are tralned about the paired pulleys 98,102. Another shaft 108 is rotatably supported by the frame 15 below the shaft 94 and has three pulleys llO (only one being shown) mounted thereon. Below the shaft 100 is another sha~t 112 that has three pulleys 114 (only one being shown) attached thereto in a spaced, paired relationship with the pulleys 110, Trained about the paired pulleys 110,1l4 are three conveyor helts 116. The shaft 100 also has an end pulley 11~ attached thereto.
Located below the pulley 11~ is a motor 122 that has a pulley 120 mounted on the output shaft thereof. A drive belt 123 is trained about the pulleys 118,120 for the purpose of prnviding drive to the belts 104, which because of the contact with the conveyor belts 116 will convey a sheet that is received between the belts 104,116 after ~eing separated and removed ~rom the stack of sheets by the roller 86 and stone 88. Another shaft 12~ is rotatably supported by the frame and has a pair of links 125 thereon. Each of the links 125 has a finger 126 mounted at one end thereof~
One of the links 125 has an opening 128 th~rein. A solenoid 130 is located below the shaft 124 and has a pin 129 secured thereto that is recei~ed within the opening of the one link 125 so as to rotate the shaft 124 upon actuation of the solenvid. Located outside the belts 104 are a pair of ramps 138 and upstream from the ramps 138 is a photodetector 57.
The combination of ramp 138 and fingers 126 will act to hold a sheet at the trap section until sheets at the accumulator 94 are stapled. After stapling at the accumulator 94, the solenoid 130 is activated, the links 125 àre rotated in a clockwise direction to lower the ~ingers 126 and the restrained sheet 16 is acted upon by the belts 104,116.
It should be noted that the apparatus shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is shown and described is only for showing a mechanism capable of conveying sheets for the purpose of illustrating the invention. Consequently, the mechanisms are not shown in any greater detail than that required to demonstrate the transport of sheets. Reference can be had to U. S. Pat. No.
~,640,506 issued February 3, 1987 to H. E. Luperti et al for further details of such a transport mechanism.
Referring now to Fiq. 4, the light generating portion of the scanner 24 is shown directing a beam of light 37 upon a bar code symbol 18. The window of the scanner 24 has an ~lliptical shape ~so that the beam of light directed to the bar code symbol forms an elliptical image. The size of the beam and the distance of the scanner 24 from the bar code 18 is selected so that the maximum width of the liyht beam image 41 is no wider than the narrowest space between the , ::; . : ~. .
. ~ . : : . .
bars, or the narrowest bar. What is demonstrated is a code known as code 39, which has a configuration wherein the wide bars and wide spaces are the same width, and the narrow bars and narrow spaces are of the same width. By having the light image 41 with a width no greater than the width of the smallest bar or space, one is able to obtain a precise reading as to whether a bar or space is being intercepted.
More specifically, with this configuration, there is no overlap from one bar to another when the light beam is directed to a space~ By having the light beam reelected from a space only, or from a bax only, i.e. no overlap, a more precise, i.e. reliable, reading can be attained.
Although the window is shown as an oval shape, it will be appreciated that other convenient shape, such as a diamond shape, can be used. The primary requirement is that the beam image 41 be substantially longer than wide. The reason that this particular configuration is of value is that more light is able to be shown upon a bar code symbol than if the light beam were circular in configuration. In addition, the elongated image would tend to give a more accurate reading of a bar. This is not only because it would cover more space, but because imperfections in a printed bar tend to be generally circular in nature. More specifically, there are times during printing where the black area is not filled in completely. Those areas that are not filled in completely tend to be circular. With the normal circular type of beam, the effect of a large imperfection may create an impression that the beam is reading a space whereas it is actually reading a bar. The same can be said about black spots in a space. With a cirsular cross-sectional beam, if the black spot is large enough, the decoder may register the presence of a bar rather than a space. By having the elongated image, the relative area of ~he bar or space having the imperfection is reduced, thereby reducing its probability of causing an error.
The particular light used with the scanner 24 was an infra-red beam from a light emitting diode device. This infra-red beam is satisfactory for detecting the presence of bar codes that are printed with carbon black ink and 21E)~S8 fluorescent inks. In some circumstances this may be advantageous. On the other hand, visible light can read not only carbon black ink, but dye based inks as well, and it may be that under other circumstances it may be more desirable to use a scanner that emits visible light.
Referring now to Fig. 5, an example of a sheet is given that would be mailed by an insurance company. The sheet has a first block 142 for placing in~ormation thexein relative to the name of the insured, the insurance agent, the policy number, the policy period, and the date. Below a fold line 141 is another set of blocks 144 that gives the date due for the premium, the name of the insured, and the policy number.
The sheet also contains an address block 1~6 where the address of the recipient would be placed, and has the bar code symbol 18. Optionally, another address block 149 could be included that would have the return address of the sender that could be seen in a windowed envelope. As stated pre~iously, the particular bar code symbol shown is a code 39 bar code which is shown figuratively at the lower right hand corner of the sheet 16 in Fig. 5. This bar code symbol contains 23 characters that are segregated into 7 sets, including sets of one, as seen at 151. The first and last set contains only one digit each that are start and stop symbols. The second s~t contains 2 digits and is used to indicate the page number of the sheet being fed. The third set is made up of 6 digits and represents a sequence number, a sequence number being assigned to each customer. More specificall~, if a customer were to rec~ive three sheets, the sheet would be numbered 1 through 3, and the sequence number would be the same on all three sheets. When the next sheet, or set of sheets, is to be sent to a different customer, it will again have page numbers from 1 on, and a different sequence number. The fourth set, indicated by the number 109, is made up of three digits and repr~sents the pocket of the bin to which the envelope containing the sheets is to be fed. The fifth set is a single digit, and this shows the postal discount applicable. The appropriate postal discount will depend upon how the mail is processed by the mailer, for example, if it is pre-sorted, pre-bar , -. .; .: . . . ~
: .,,. ;, .
Background of the Invention In recent decades, the reading of code symbol~ printed onto a medium is coming into more frequent use. ~xamples of such reading of code symbol6 includes the use of a wand by a ~tore clerk for the purpose of reading a code symb~l on a ticketv tag or label. The coda symbol can be either in the ~orm o~ a bar code or dash code, or an alpha numeric code can be printed on the medium. The reading of bar code symbols with wands is quite common in establishments such as depart~ent store~ Another example of the use of bar codes and the reading thereof is in grocery stores. A counter can ba fashioned with a generally x-shaped ~indow under which is a flying spot scanner is located. By flying spot scanner is meant a device in which a beam of light is generated by a laser device and is caused to move within the area of the window for the purpose of reading a bar code symbol located on an article that is moved across the window by a clerk.
Another particular type of activity where a code on a medium i6 coming into wider use is in the processing of mail, particul~rly in the processing of mail by an apparatus that includes an inserter. Examples of inserters are the Model 8300 Series inserters available from Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, Connecticut. In such inserters, it is frequently a practice to stack cut sheets with a code thereon. The cut sheets are fed sequentially and the code thereon read to determine how many of the sheets are to be placed within a given envelope. Once a determination is made as to how many sheets axe to be fed together, then they were subsequently folded and inserts from feeding bins are added to the sheet or sheets and eventually the bundle is inserted into an envelope.
In order for t~e process to be efficient, the cut sheet should be read while moving. Reading a code on a moving sheet presents more problems than reading a code on a stationary sheet, and prior devices were unable to read bar ' '~' ' ' ' :' :
~LO~
code symbols printed on sheets with sufficient speed. As a consequencs, what has used previously as a code on a cut sheet was a dash code. Althou~h a dash code can be read on the fly, the disadvantage of such a code i5 that it does not contain as much information as a bar code. The information to be given by a dash code i5 generally only concerned with the sheets that are to be inserted into a single enYelope and the inser~s from the feeders that would accompany such sheets upon insertion. Because of the limitations of the capacity of the dash code, little infor~ation in addition to this could be obtained. Clearly, it would be advantageous to be able to have an apparatus capable of reading a bar code symbol on a rapidly moving sheet so that greater information can be obtained.
Summary of the Invention ~pparatus and method have been conceived whereby sheets having a bar code symbol printed thereon can be read while such sheets are moving at a relatively high ~peed. The sheets can either be cut sheets or parts of a web that is subsequently ruptured. By high speed is meant in the neighborhood of 120 inches/sec. and higher~ A fixed beam scanner was used for xeading the bar code symhol which scanner has an elongated window such that the light beam _ ,. ___ . .. ,-- .. .. .... .
being generated thereby will have a width that is no greater than the width of the smallest space between bars of the symbol. Because of the elongated configuration of the light beam, sufficient reflect vity occurs so that an accurate reading can be obtained with the use of a fixed beam scanner.
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinq Fig. 1 is a schematic, plan view of an inserter system in which the ins~ant invention can be practiced;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the apparat~s shown in FigO l;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus portion ~hown in Fig. 2:
.:
::
;:
2Q~
~ig. ~ shows a light beam being directed upon a bar code;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a cut sheet that may be use~
in conjunction with the instant invention: and Figs. Ça and 6b show a flow chart representative of the program for the apparatus shown in Figs. 1-4.
Detailed ~escription of the Preferred Embodiments Referring initially to Figs. 1-3, an inserter system that incorporates features of the instant invention is shown generally at 10. This inserter system 10 includes a high speed ~heet feeder 12 that is capable of conveying articles at a speed of approximately 120 inches/seconds. Optionally, upstream from the high speed sheet feeder 12 is a low speed sheet feeder 14 that feeds a stack of sheets 16 to the high speed sheet feedar. Both the high speed sheet feeder 12 and low speed sheet feeder 14 are supported by a frame 15 that also supports members of the inserter system downstream therefromO The high speed sheet feeder 12 has a three piece deck 20 that is supported by the frame 15 and one member of such three piece deck has an opening 22 therein. In registration with such opening is a fixed beam scanner 24 positioned so as to direct a beam of light through the opening 22. An example of a fixed beam scanner 24 suitable for the instant invention is available from Sca~-A-matic, Inc., and identified as Model S23005 scanner. This is a light emitting diode (LED) device that emits an infrared beam. A lead 26 ccnnects the scanner 24 with a decoder 28 such as a Scan-A-Matic Model D~0118 decoder. The decoder 28 in turn is connected by a lead 30 to a computer 32, such as a Compaq DESKPRO 386 computer. The computer 32 has a keyboard 34 and display 36, or monitor, and is in communication with a contxoller 38 and a supervisor computer 40 which can be an Intel 80/204 single board computer.
Downstream from the high speed sheet feed2r 12 is a sheet feeder 41 that conveys a single sheet fed by the high speed sheet feederl as will be described hereinafter, through a trap 42 that holds a sheet until collation is finished further downstream. The sheets are then accumulated ~ 3 - . :- : ~
~3~l~S~3 .in an accumulator 44 whera collated sheets would be stapled or ~aclced, moved on to a 90~ transport 46. The sheets will b~ passed on to a diverter bin 48 if the sheets are too large to b~ ~old~ad. If -the sheet~ are with siz limits they S wlll be t:ransported to a folder 50 which i~ located at a right angle relatlve to the direction o~ ~heet travel, as ~een in Fig. l~ The sheet 16 f or ~heets, conve~ed b~ ~he tr~nsported ~6 would be folded by the folder 50. Downstream -Prom th~ ~older 50 i5 a transport 52 that conveys the sheet 16, or ~heet~, to an inserter feeder 54 wherein ln~erts would be added t~ thQ sheetl or sheats~ and the~e would in turn be convay~d to an envelope ~eeder and inserter 56 wherein the sheets and khe inserts would be inserted into an ~nvelope. ~acent to the envelope feeder and in~erter 56 i8 a printillg station 58 with a printer such as an ink -Jet prlnter whereby inPormation such as the zip code can be printed on the envelope.
Tha various components photodetectors, 4l,42,44,46 and 52 of the insert~r system lO have paired photodetectors such as a Sca~ Matic Model 1.23307 and Model P3307 p~lotodetectors~ These d~tectors 57 are in with the compu~er; whereby, ~he preserlce o~ a sheet 16, or shaets, at the various location~ can be d~termined as is known in the art~ rrha lead~ from the various photocells are shown ~5 cc)llectlvely at 59 for reasons o~ conveniQnce.
Other than the opelling 22 in the deck 20 o~ the~ high ~peed feeder 12, the sc~nner 2~ in registration with ~,uch opening and th~ metllod oP operating the same, all the transport~tiorl components are standard and do not form part of ttle l~vention, but are shown for the purpose of illu~tratirlg ho~ the :Lnvelltion may be utili~ed. ~n example of an ill~ertlng system such as that ~ust described is a ~odal ~300 Seri.es Pitney ~owes inserter.
Re~erring now to Figs. ~ and 3, details of portions of ~S the system lO shown in Fig. l will be given~ The low speed &heet ~e~der l4 has a pair of shaEts ~2 (only one being ~hown) on opposite lon~ituclillal ends thereof that are rotatab.Ly supportad by the frame 15. Mounted on each of the shaft~ is a pa.Lr of pulleys ~ and the pulleys have a conveyor belt 66 trained thereabout~ one of the shafts 62 has a pulley 68 located at one of its ends, and another pulley 70 is attached to the output shaft of a motor 72 that is supported by the frame 15. ~ drive belt 74 is trained about the pulleys 68,70 to provide drive to the conveyor b~lt 66. At the high speed feeder 12, a pair of stub shafts 73 are rotatably supported by the frame lS and each has mounted thereon a pulley 75. A shaft 78 is ro~atably supported by the frame 15 and has a pair of pulleys 76 mounted thereon in spaced, paired relationship with the pulleys 75. A conveyor belt 74 is trained about each of the pair of pulleys 75,760 Another pulley 80 is mounted at one end of the sha~t 78 and a drive belt B2 is trained about such pulley and another pulley 84 mounted on the output shaft o~ a motor 85~ The sha~t 78 also has a roller 86 mounted thereon that is spaced relative to a stationary stone 88 that is attached to an arm 90 which is supported by the frame 15 in any convenient manner. Thus, a stack of sheets 16 can be placed upon the conveyor bel~s 66, preferably shingled as shown in Fig. 2, conveyed onto the conveyor belts 74 so that the stack will engage the stone 88. The distance between the stone 88 and roller 86 is just sufficient to allow the passage of a single sheet, the stone and roller acting to separate the bottom most sheet 16 of the stack as is ~nown in the art.
Downstream from the roller 86 is the feeder 41 that is made up of a shaft 94 rotatably received within a bearing box 96 that is supported by th~ frame 15 and three pulleys 98 are mounted on the shaft. Another shaft 100 is rotatably 3~ supported by the frame 15 and also has three pulleys 102 mounted thereon that are in spaced, paired relationship with the pulleys 98. Three conveyor belts 104 are tralned about the paired pulleys 98,102. Another shaft 108 is rotatably supported by the frame 15 below the shaft 94 and has three pulleys llO (only one being shown) mounted thereon. Below the shaft 100 is another sha~t 112 that has three pulleys 114 (only one being shown) attached thereto in a spaced, paired relationship with the pulleys 110, Trained about the paired pulleys 110,1l4 are three conveyor helts 116. The shaft 100 also has an end pulley 11~ attached thereto.
Located below the pulley 11~ is a motor 122 that has a pulley 120 mounted on the output shaft thereof. A drive belt 123 is trained about the pulleys 118,120 for the purpose of prnviding drive to the belts 104, which because of the contact with the conveyor belts 116 will convey a sheet that is received between the belts 104,116 after ~eing separated and removed ~rom the stack of sheets by the roller 86 and stone 88. Another shaft 12~ is rotatably supported by the frame and has a pair of links 125 thereon. Each of the links 125 has a finger 126 mounted at one end thereof~
One of the links 125 has an opening 128 th~rein. A solenoid 130 is located below the shaft 124 and has a pin 129 secured thereto that is recei~ed within the opening of the one link 125 so as to rotate the shaft 124 upon actuation of the solenvid. Located outside the belts 104 are a pair of ramps 138 and upstream from the ramps 138 is a photodetector 57.
The combination of ramp 138 and fingers 126 will act to hold a sheet at the trap section until sheets at the accumulator 94 are stapled. After stapling at the accumulator 94, the solenoid 130 is activated, the links 125 àre rotated in a clockwise direction to lower the ~ingers 126 and the restrained sheet 16 is acted upon by the belts 104,116.
It should be noted that the apparatus shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is shown and described is only for showing a mechanism capable of conveying sheets for the purpose of illustrating the invention. Consequently, the mechanisms are not shown in any greater detail than that required to demonstrate the transport of sheets. Reference can be had to U. S. Pat. No.
~,640,506 issued February 3, 1987 to H. E. Luperti et al for further details of such a transport mechanism.
Referring now to Fiq. 4, the light generating portion of the scanner 24 is shown directing a beam of light 37 upon a bar code symbol 18. The window of the scanner 24 has an ~lliptical shape ~so that the beam of light directed to the bar code symbol forms an elliptical image. The size of the beam and the distance of the scanner 24 from the bar code 18 is selected so that the maximum width of the liyht beam image 41 is no wider than the narrowest space between the , ::; . : ~. .
. ~ . : : . .
bars, or the narrowest bar. What is demonstrated is a code known as code 39, which has a configuration wherein the wide bars and wide spaces are the same width, and the narrow bars and narrow spaces are of the same width. By having the light image 41 with a width no greater than the width of the smallest bar or space, one is able to obtain a precise reading as to whether a bar or space is being intercepted.
More specifically, with this configuration, there is no overlap from one bar to another when the light beam is directed to a space~ By having the light beam reelected from a space only, or from a bax only, i.e. no overlap, a more precise, i.e. reliable, reading can be attained.
Although the window is shown as an oval shape, it will be appreciated that other convenient shape, such as a diamond shape, can be used. The primary requirement is that the beam image 41 be substantially longer than wide. The reason that this particular configuration is of value is that more light is able to be shown upon a bar code symbol than if the light beam were circular in configuration. In addition, the elongated image would tend to give a more accurate reading of a bar. This is not only because it would cover more space, but because imperfections in a printed bar tend to be generally circular in nature. More specifically, there are times during printing where the black area is not filled in completely. Those areas that are not filled in completely tend to be circular. With the normal circular type of beam, the effect of a large imperfection may create an impression that the beam is reading a space whereas it is actually reading a bar. The same can be said about black spots in a space. With a cirsular cross-sectional beam, if the black spot is large enough, the decoder may register the presence of a bar rather than a space. By having the elongated image, the relative area of ~he bar or space having the imperfection is reduced, thereby reducing its probability of causing an error.
The particular light used with the scanner 24 was an infra-red beam from a light emitting diode device. This infra-red beam is satisfactory for detecting the presence of bar codes that are printed with carbon black ink and 21E)~S8 fluorescent inks. In some circumstances this may be advantageous. On the other hand, visible light can read not only carbon black ink, but dye based inks as well, and it may be that under other circumstances it may be more desirable to use a scanner that emits visible light.
Referring now to Fig. 5, an example of a sheet is given that would be mailed by an insurance company. The sheet has a first block 142 for placing in~ormation thexein relative to the name of the insured, the insurance agent, the policy number, the policy period, and the date. Below a fold line 141 is another set of blocks 144 that gives the date due for the premium, the name of the insured, and the policy number.
The sheet also contains an address block 1~6 where the address of the recipient would be placed, and has the bar code symbol 18. Optionally, another address block 149 could be included that would have the return address of the sender that could be seen in a windowed envelope. As stated pre~iously, the particular bar code symbol shown is a code 39 bar code which is shown figuratively at the lower right hand corner of the sheet 16 in Fig. 5. This bar code symbol contains 23 characters that are segregated into 7 sets, including sets of one, as seen at 151. The first and last set contains only one digit each that are start and stop symbols. The second s~t contains 2 digits and is used to indicate the page number of the sheet being fed. The third set is made up of 6 digits and represents a sequence number, a sequence number being assigned to each customer. More specificall~, if a customer were to rec~ive three sheets, the sheet would be numbered 1 through 3, and the sequence number would be the same on all three sheets. When the next sheet, or set of sheets, is to be sent to a different customer, it will again have page numbers from 1 on, and a different sequence number. The fourth set, indicated by the number 109, is made up of three digits and repr~sents the pocket of the bin to which the envelope containing the sheets is to be fed. The fifth set is a single digit, and this shows the postal discount applicable. The appropriate postal discount will depend upon how the mail is processed by the mailer, for example, if it is pre-sorted, pre-bar , -. .; .: . . . ~
: .,,. ;, .
2~ S~
code printed on the envelope, and the like that reflect the postage rate to which the mailer is entitled. The penultimate set is made up of 9 characters and is the 9 digit zip code. It should be noted that the seven sets represent a large amount of information to be printed upon a sheet that is fed in a mail processing apparatus. With dash codes, the amount of information that could be obtained therefrom is much less.
In operation a stack of sheets would be placed upon the low speed sheet f~eder 14 and conveyed to the high speed sheet feeder 12. This is optional as the stack of sheets may be placed directly upon the high speed sheet feeder 12, but becausa of the high speed of the latter, it is preferable to place a stack of sheets on the low speed feeder 14. Preferably, the sheets are shingled before or after they are placed upon the low speed sheet feeder 14.
The sheets 16 are placed upon the sheet feeder 14 in such a way that the bar code symbol 18 is located upstream end and in line with the scanner 24. With the sheets 16 in position, the motors 72,85 and 122 would be enabled.
Initially, the sheets 16 are fed onto the high speed feeder 14 and fed at a speed of at least 120 inches/sec~ to the nip between the stone 88 and the roller 86 which are separated from one another a distance that conveniently allows the passage of a single sheet. Because of the presence of tha stone 88, the roller 90 would tend the feed only the bottom most sheet. As the bottom-most sheet 16 is being fed, the bar code symbol 18 would pass over the opening 22 and the scanner 24 would direct the beam of light 37 onto the bar code symbol 18 from which it would be reflected back to the scanner. The bar code 18 would be read by the scanner 24 and the information in the form of an analog signal is received by the d~coder 28. The decoder 28 converts the analog signal to a digital signal and transforms that data into an ASCII code that is sent to the computer 32. The computer 32 also receives data from the photodetectors 57 thereby indicating to the computer the positions of the various sheets being fed.
': ; ' As the sheets 16 are fed past the scanner 24, the bar code symbol 18 will be read and a determination made as to the identity of ~he customer and which of the sheets should be fed together. The sheets are then conveyed on to the accumulator 44 wherein they would come in contact with the ~ingers 128. If only one sheet is to be fed, the computer would cause the solenoid 130 to rotate the shaft 124, 180 degrees thereby allowing the sheet to be fed. If more than one sheet 116 i5 to be fed together, the first sheet would travel up the ramp 138 and be collected downstream from the ramp by contacting the fingers 126 when the fin~ers are in a blocking position. That sheet 16 will remain until all other sheets that are to accompany it axe placed thereupon.
When the last sheet of the set, as indicated by the sequence lS number, is collected, the computer 32 will cause the set to be stapled and the solenoid 130 to rotate the sha~t 124, through contact with the links 125, thereby placing the fingers in an unblocking position. The set of stapled sheets will then be Porwarded by the belts 104,116 to the transport 46. Assuming that the sheet, or sheets, are of a ~ize such that they can be folded, the sheet will be rotated and conveyed to the folder 50. If the sheet is too large to be folded, it is not diverted and will be collected in a reject bin 48. After the sheet or sheets 16 are folded by the folder 50, they will then be transported to the inserter 54 wherein the inserts to be placed into the envelope with the sheets are fed thereupon. The feeding of such inserts and the manner in which they are selected is well known in the art and will not be described here. For information relative to the opexation of insert feeder stations, reference can be had to U. S. Pat. No. 4,517,650, issued May --14, 1985 to J. M. Gomes et al. After the sheets 16 and inserts are inserted into an envelope, the envelope is sealed. Downstream from the sealing module is a printer 58, prefera~ly an ink jet printer, that would print the zip plus four postal code in response to data read from the bar code symbol 18.
Although this invention has been described with a code 39. It will be appreciated that other bar eodes could be -- 10 -- ' )5~3 used equally well, included code 11, code 2 of 5, the Nixdorf code, ~AN-13, EAN-B, as well as other types of commercially known bar codes.
A description of the program used to operate the system shown in Figs. 1-3 is given with reference to Figs. 6A and 6B. The system is first initialized 150 thereby lnitializing the inserter system 10, the decoder 28 and the computer 32. Once the components of the system are initialized, a first sheet is ~ed 152 and an inquiry is made whether there is a request by the supervisor 40 to be communicated to the computer 158. If there is no request to be communicated, an inquiry is made whether there is serial data 160. I~ there is no such serial data, the system is reset 162. If thexe is serial data, the question is asked whether the scanner is blocked 168. If the scanner is not blocked, then there is a reset 162. If the scanner is blocked, then the request to send data is set 172 and the question is asked whether data is being read 174. If data is not being read, there is a return. If data is being read/ the command is given to store the data 176. After the data has been read and stored, the question is asked if the last character been read 178. If not, there is a return back to the inquiry of whether the data is being read 174.
If the last character has been readl a request to send is reset 180 and the data read is analyzed 182. After the data is analyzed the next sheet is fed 183 and the question is asked whether there is a change in the sequence of the data read 184. If there isl then a trap output is set 185. I~
the sequence is not the samel then the envelope feeder is enabled 188 and data to be tracked is collected 1~0. This completes the processing of a sheet and the shift data arrays are then cleared 192 and there is a return to the beginning of the cycleO
If there i5 a request by the supervisor 40 to communicate 158 with the computer 32, the question is then asked is there a request to send scanner data to the inserter 194. If the answer is yes, the data is formatted for transmission to the inserter 196, and then this data is communicated between the computer 32 and the inserter 198.
: : .
:
)5i8 Thereafter, there is a return to request to send 158. If there is no request to send scanner data to the inserter 194, the question is asked should a diagnostic be performed 200. If there is no such request, there is a return to the communication request query 158, but if there is such request, the ~uestion is then asked if there is a request to check the photodetectors 202. If the answer is no, then a command is given to feed the sheet and display it 204.
Following this, there is a return, but if there is a request to check the photodetectors 57, the sensors are checked 206, and there is a return to the communication request 158.
The above program illustrates a sequence wherein sheets are being fed by the sheet ~eeder 16. Clearly, the process must be started, and this is accomplished through the control supervisor 40 in cooperation with the computer 32.
The supervisor 40 will cause the sheet feeder 16 to be enabled upon input from the keyboard 34. After this initial feeding, the scanner 24 will control the subse~uent feeding in cooperation with the computer 32.
Thus, what has been described is a apparatus and mPthod whereb~ sheets having a bar code symbol thereon can be in motion and the bar code symbol thereon can be read. This results in a faster processing of such sheets with a scanner of fewer parts with an attending reduced cost and greater reliability. This is particularly true when compared with a flying spot scanner. Ano~her advantage of the fixed beam scanner of this invention when compared to a flying spot scanner is that the fixed beam scanner has a greater depth of field~ In a flying spot scanner, the beam has an accurate motion that results in a decrease in depth of field. Clearly, this drawback is not present with a fixed beam scanner.
Although the invention has been described in processing a stack of cut sheets, it will be appreciated that a web of sheets can also be processed with the web being ruptured to obtain individual sheets.
. - :
;,, . : :
code printed on the envelope, and the like that reflect the postage rate to which the mailer is entitled. The penultimate set is made up of 9 characters and is the 9 digit zip code. It should be noted that the seven sets represent a large amount of information to be printed upon a sheet that is fed in a mail processing apparatus. With dash codes, the amount of information that could be obtained therefrom is much less.
In operation a stack of sheets would be placed upon the low speed sheet f~eder 14 and conveyed to the high speed sheet feeder 12. This is optional as the stack of sheets may be placed directly upon the high speed sheet feeder 12, but becausa of the high speed of the latter, it is preferable to place a stack of sheets on the low speed feeder 14. Preferably, the sheets are shingled before or after they are placed upon the low speed sheet feeder 14.
The sheets 16 are placed upon the sheet feeder 14 in such a way that the bar code symbol 18 is located upstream end and in line with the scanner 24. With the sheets 16 in position, the motors 72,85 and 122 would be enabled.
Initially, the sheets 16 are fed onto the high speed feeder 14 and fed at a speed of at least 120 inches/sec~ to the nip between the stone 88 and the roller 86 which are separated from one another a distance that conveniently allows the passage of a single sheet. Because of the presence of tha stone 88, the roller 90 would tend the feed only the bottom most sheet. As the bottom-most sheet 16 is being fed, the bar code symbol 18 would pass over the opening 22 and the scanner 24 would direct the beam of light 37 onto the bar code symbol 18 from which it would be reflected back to the scanner. The bar code 18 would be read by the scanner 24 and the information in the form of an analog signal is received by the d~coder 28. The decoder 28 converts the analog signal to a digital signal and transforms that data into an ASCII code that is sent to the computer 32. The computer 32 also receives data from the photodetectors 57 thereby indicating to the computer the positions of the various sheets being fed.
': ; ' As the sheets 16 are fed past the scanner 24, the bar code symbol 18 will be read and a determination made as to the identity of ~he customer and which of the sheets should be fed together. The sheets are then conveyed on to the accumulator 44 wherein they would come in contact with the ~ingers 128. If only one sheet is to be fed, the computer would cause the solenoid 130 to rotate the shaft 124, 180 degrees thereby allowing the sheet to be fed. If more than one sheet 116 i5 to be fed together, the first sheet would travel up the ramp 138 and be collected downstream from the ramp by contacting the fingers 126 when the fin~ers are in a blocking position. That sheet 16 will remain until all other sheets that are to accompany it axe placed thereupon.
When the last sheet of the set, as indicated by the sequence lS number, is collected, the computer 32 will cause the set to be stapled and the solenoid 130 to rotate the sha~t 124, through contact with the links 125, thereby placing the fingers in an unblocking position. The set of stapled sheets will then be Porwarded by the belts 104,116 to the transport 46. Assuming that the sheet, or sheets, are of a ~ize such that they can be folded, the sheet will be rotated and conveyed to the folder 50. If the sheet is too large to be folded, it is not diverted and will be collected in a reject bin 48. After the sheet or sheets 16 are folded by the folder 50, they will then be transported to the inserter 54 wherein the inserts to be placed into the envelope with the sheets are fed thereupon. The feeding of such inserts and the manner in which they are selected is well known in the art and will not be described here. For information relative to the opexation of insert feeder stations, reference can be had to U. S. Pat. No. 4,517,650, issued May --14, 1985 to J. M. Gomes et al. After the sheets 16 and inserts are inserted into an envelope, the envelope is sealed. Downstream from the sealing module is a printer 58, prefera~ly an ink jet printer, that would print the zip plus four postal code in response to data read from the bar code symbol 18.
Although this invention has been described with a code 39. It will be appreciated that other bar eodes could be -- 10 -- ' )5~3 used equally well, included code 11, code 2 of 5, the Nixdorf code, ~AN-13, EAN-B, as well as other types of commercially known bar codes.
A description of the program used to operate the system shown in Figs. 1-3 is given with reference to Figs. 6A and 6B. The system is first initialized 150 thereby lnitializing the inserter system 10, the decoder 28 and the computer 32. Once the components of the system are initialized, a first sheet is ~ed 152 and an inquiry is made whether there is a request by the supervisor 40 to be communicated to the computer 158. If there is no request to be communicated, an inquiry is made whether there is serial data 160. I~ there is no such serial data, the system is reset 162. If thexe is serial data, the question is asked whether the scanner is blocked 168. If the scanner is not blocked, then there is a reset 162. If the scanner is blocked, then the request to send data is set 172 and the question is asked whether data is being read 174. If data is not being read, there is a return. If data is being read/ the command is given to store the data 176. After the data has been read and stored, the question is asked if the last character been read 178. If not, there is a return back to the inquiry of whether the data is being read 174.
If the last character has been readl a request to send is reset 180 and the data read is analyzed 182. After the data is analyzed the next sheet is fed 183 and the question is asked whether there is a change in the sequence of the data read 184. If there isl then a trap output is set 185. I~
the sequence is not the samel then the envelope feeder is enabled 188 and data to be tracked is collected 1~0. This completes the processing of a sheet and the shift data arrays are then cleared 192 and there is a return to the beginning of the cycleO
If there i5 a request by the supervisor 40 to communicate 158 with the computer 32, the question is then asked is there a request to send scanner data to the inserter 194. If the answer is yes, the data is formatted for transmission to the inserter 196, and then this data is communicated between the computer 32 and the inserter 198.
: : .
:
)5i8 Thereafter, there is a return to request to send 158. If there is no request to send scanner data to the inserter 194, the question is asked should a diagnostic be performed 200. If there is no such request, there is a return to the communication request query 158, but if there is such request, the ~uestion is then asked if there is a request to check the photodetectors 202. If the answer is no, then a command is given to feed the sheet and display it 204.
Following this, there is a return, but if there is a request to check the photodetectors 57, the sensors are checked 206, and there is a return to the communication request 158.
The above program illustrates a sequence wherein sheets are being fed by the sheet ~eeder 16. Clearly, the process must be started, and this is accomplished through the control supervisor 40 in cooperation with the computer 32.
The supervisor 40 will cause the sheet feeder 16 to be enabled upon input from the keyboard 34. After this initial feeding, the scanner 24 will control the subse~uent feeding in cooperation with the computer 32.
Thus, what has been described is a apparatus and mPthod whereb~ sheets having a bar code symbol thereon can be in motion and the bar code symbol thereon can be read. This results in a faster processing of such sheets with a scanner of fewer parts with an attending reduced cost and greater reliability. This is particularly true when compared with a flying spot scanner. Ano~her advantage of the fixed beam scanner of this invention when compared to a flying spot scanner is that the fixed beam scanner has a greater depth of field~ In a flying spot scanner, the beam has an accurate motion that results in a decrease in depth of field. Clearly, this drawback is not present with a fixed beam scanner.
Although the invention has been described in processing a stack of cut sheets, it will be appreciated that a web of sheets can also be processed with the web being ruptured to obtain individual sheets.
. - :
;,, . : :
Claims (21)
1. An apparatus for reading a bar code symbol on a sheet, the combination comprising:
feeding means for feeding a sheet a fixed beam scanner positioned to scan the bar code symbol on a sheet as a sheet is fed from said feeding means, and reading means in communication with said fixed beam scanner for reading the bar code scanned by said scanner.
feeding means for feeding a sheet a fixed beam scanner positioned to scan the bar code symbol on a sheet as a sheet is fed from said feeding means, and reading means in communication with said fixed beam scanner for reading the bar code scanned by said scanner.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fixed light beam scanner generates a light beam that has a width at the location of said symbol that is no greater than the shortest distance between adjacent bars of said bar code symbol.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scanner has an elongated window.
4. The scanner of claim 3 wherein said window is elliptical.
5. An apparatus for reading a bar code symbol on a sheet, the combination comprising:
feeding means for feeding a sheet at a speed of at least 120 inches/sec, a fixed beam scanner positioned to scan the bar code symbol on a sheet as a sheet is fed from said support means, decoding means in communication with said scanner for decoding the bar code scanned by said scanner, and a computer in communication with said decoder means.
feeding means for feeding a sheet at a speed of at least 120 inches/sec, a fixed beam scanner positioned to scan the bar code symbol on a sheet as a sheet is fed from said support means, decoding means in communication with said scanner for decoding the bar code scanned by said scanner, and a computer in communication with said decoder means.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fixed light beam scanner generates a light beam that has a width at the location of said bar code symbol that is less than the shortest distance between adjacent bars of said bar code symbol
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said scanner has an elongated window to thereby direct an elongater beam toward said bar code symbol.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said fixed beam light scanner is oriented in a position to direct said elongated beam upon said bar code symbol parallel to the bars on said bar code symbol.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said window is elliptical.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the width of said elongated beam is less than the smallest distance between bars of said bar code symbol.
11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said computer is in communication with an inserter system
12. In a method of reading a bar code symbol on a sheet, the steps comprising:
feeding a sheet, reading the bar code symbol on the sheet when the sheet is moving, and supplying the information read from the sheet to a decoder.
feeding a sheet, reading the bar code symbol on the sheet when the sheet is moving, and supplying the information read from the sheet to a decoder.
13. The method of claim 12 including the step of directing an elongated beam of light onto said bar code symbol during said decoding step.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of reading the sheet in motion includes moving the sheet at a speed of at least 120 inches/sec.
15. The method of claim 14 including the steps of:
decoding the information supplied to the decoder, supplying the decoded information to a computer, and controlling an inserter system in response to the decoded information.
decoding the information supplied to the decoder, supplying the decoded information to a computer, and controlling an inserter system in response to the decoded information.
16. In a method of reading a bar code symbol on a sheet, the steps comprising stacking a plurality of sheets, each of the sheets having a bar code symbol thereon, feeding a sheet sequentially from the stack, reading the bar code symbol on the feed sheet, and supplying the information read from the sheet to a decoder.
17. The method of claim 16 including the step of directing an elongated beam of light onto said bar code symbol during said reading step.
18. The method of claim 17 including the steps of:
decoding the information supplied to the decoder, supplying the decoded information to a computer, and controlling an inserter system in response to the decoded information.
decoding the information supplied to the decoder, supplying the decoded information to a computer, and controlling an inserter system in response to the decoded information.
19. The method of claim 18 including the step of controlling the size of the light beam image directed upon said bar code symbol so that the width of the light image on the bar code symbol is less than the smallest distance between adjacent bars of the bar code symbol.
20. The method of claim 19 including directing the elongated beam onto the bar code symbol so that the length of said light image is parallel to said bars.
21. The method of claim 20 including the step of generating an elliptical light beam.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US269,390 | 1981-06-01 | ||
| US07/269,390 US5008520A (en) | 1988-11-10 | 1988-11-10 | Method and apparatus for reading a bar code on a moving sheet |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2001058A1 CA2001058A1 (en) | 1990-05-10 |
| CA2001058C true CA2001058C (en) | 1997-09-30 |
Family
ID=23027041
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002001058A Expired - Fee Related CA2001058C (en) | 1988-11-10 | 1989-10-19 | Method and apparatus for reading a bar code on a moving sheet |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5008520A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0368498B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2823606B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU4380389A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2001058C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE68926379T2 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5157243A (en) * | 1989-12-26 | 1992-10-20 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | High speed bar code scanning on inserters using pivotable moving beam bar codes scanners |
| US5328540A (en) * | 1992-03-06 | 1994-07-12 | Northrop Corporation | Mechanized lay up assembly line for composite structures |
| US5708261A (en) * | 1995-10-02 | 1998-01-13 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Bar code decoding with speed compensation |
| US5877481A (en) * | 1996-09-16 | 1999-03-02 | The Standard Register Company | Document dispenser with reading aperture formed in document guide |
| US6170747B1 (en) * | 1997-08-29 | 2001-01-09 | Jacob P. Meyer | Apparatus for inspecting print quality of barcodes on a high speed moving web |
| US6095417A (en) * | 1998-04-07 | 2000-08-01 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus and method for reading bar codes on a moving web |
| CA2293071C (en) | 1998-12-30 | 2004-10-26 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | System and method for subsidized printing of third party coupons for insertion into a specific mailpiece |
| US6173274B1 (en) | 1998-12-30 | 2001-01-09 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Production mail system having subsidies for printing of third party messages on mailpieces |
| GB0018972D0 (en) | 2000-08-02 | 2000-09-20 | Rue De Int Ltd | Document handling system |
| EP1305244A1 (en) * | 2000-08-02 | 2003-05-02 | De La Rue International Limited | Item handling system |
| US7258277B2 (en) | 2004-12-17 | 2007-08-21 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method for enhancing mail piece processing system |
| US20070235540A1 (en) * | 2006-04-06 | 2007-10-11 | Xerox Corporation | Small field of view bar code reader |
| GB2461270A (en) * | 2008-06-24 | 2009-12-30 | Neopost Technologies | Optical code reader |
| US20130229124A1 (en) * | 2012-03-05 | 2013-09-05 | Luxera, Inc. | Dimmable Solid State Lighting System, Apparatus, and Article Of Manufacture Having Encoded Operational Parameters |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3725114A (en) * | 1971-05-28 | 1973-04-03 | Sherwin Williams Co | Curing photopolymerizable film-forming polymer coatings |
| US3862400A (en) * | 1972-03-31 | 1975-01-21 | Electronics Corp America | Sensing system for bar patterns |
| US3949363A (en) * | 1974-06-28 | 1976-04-06 | Recognition Equipment, Incorporated | Bar-Code/MICR/OCR merge |
| US4126779A (en) * | 1976-06-04 | 1978-11-21 | Amer-O-Matic Corporation | Remittance processor |
| JPS56118175A (en) * | 1980-02-25 | 1981-09-17 | Nec Corp | Bar code reader |
| US4417136A (en) * | 1981-08-05 | 1983-11-22 | Ncr Canada Ltd - Ncr Canada Ltee | Method and apparatus for improving bank operation productivity |
| US4558212A (en) * | 1983-01-17 | 1985-12-10 | Can And Bottle Systems, Inc. | Container redemption method and apparatus |
| US4570922A (en) * | 1983-06-17 | 1986-02-18 | Bell & Howell Company | Envelope stacking arrangement for mail sorting machines |
| US4607833A (en) * | 1984-09-14 | 1986-08-26 | Bell & Howell Company | Demand document feeder |
| US4721860A (en) * | 1984-09-20 | 1988-01-26 | Skan-A-Matic Corp. | Laser scanner for bar code reader |
| US4820911A (en) * | 1986-07-11 | 1989-04-11 | Photographic Sciences Corporation | Apparatus for scanning and reading bar codes |
-
1988
- 1988-11-10 US US07/269,390 patent/US5008520A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1989
- 1989-10-19 CA CA002001058A patent/CA2001058C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-10-23 EP EP89310865A patent/EP0368498B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-10-23 DE DE68926379T patent/DE68926379T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-10-27 AU AU43803/89A patent/AU4380389A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1989-11-10 JP JP1293787A patent/JP2823606B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE68926379T2 (en) | 1996-11-07 |
| JP2823606B2 (en) | 1998-11-11 |
| EP0368498A2 (en) | 1990-05-16 |
| AU4380389A (en) | 1990-05-17 |
| CA2001058A1 (en) | 1990-05-10 |
| US5008520A (en) | 1991-04-16 |
| EP0368498A3 (en) | 1991-10-09 |
| DE68926379D1 (en) | 1996-06-05 |
| EP0368498B1 (en) | 1996-05-01 |
| JPH02244389A (en) | 1990-09-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |