EP1302906A1 - Frankiermaschine mit einem Qualitätsinspektionsgerät für das Postwertzeichen - Google Patents

Frankiermaschine mit einem Qualitätsinspektionsgerät für das Postwertzeichen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1302906A1
EP1302906A1 EP02292426A EP02292426A EP1302906A1 EP 1302906 A1 EP1302906 A1 EP 1302906A1 EP 02292426 A EP02292426 A EP 02292426A EP 02292426 A EP02292426 A EP 02292426A EP 1302906 A1 EP1302906 A1 EP 1302906A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
image
machine according
franking machine
printing
module
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP02292426A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Joska Dimeski
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
Neopost Technologies SA
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 Neopost Technologies SA filed Critical Neopost Technologies SA
Publication of EP1302906A1 publication Critical patent/EP1302906A1/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00556—Ensuring quality of print
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00556—Ensuring quality of print
    • G07B2017/00564—Ensuring correct position of print on mailpiece
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00669—Sensing the position of mailpieces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of treatment of mail and it relates more particularly to a device for controlling compliance with standards defined by the postal administration of postal imprints printed by a postage meter.
  • a postal imprint being a monetary value
  • the quality of its printing on mail items is essential in order to to avoid any fraud or any financial loss for the user in the event of rejection of postage by the postal administration.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks resulting from the absence of control or from a simple manual control by sampling the print quality of a postal imprint in offering a franking machine allowing automatic control and systematic printing quality of each postal imprint printed.
  • An object of the invention is also to allow, in the same time a check for any service markings that may be printed on mail items.
  • Another object of the invention is to offer an easy-to-use franking machine with an architecture general is not significantly affected.
  • a postage meter articles of mail comprising means for imprinting postal on a mail item, position detection means of this mail item along a transportation path of this item and control means connected to said detection means and to said printing means for printing a postal imprint on said mail item at a predetermined location, characterized in that it further comprises means of acquisition and processing an image of this postal imprint printed so as to determine compliance with at least one reference image predetermined.
  • a check can be carried out in real time of the print quality of the postal imprint, directly during the postage process and without any disruption of it.
  • This control can be extended to the image of a service marking printed on the mail item together with the postal imprint.
  • the predetermined reference image is preferably formed by at least part of the invariable graphic elements of said postal imprint such as frames or official endorsements from the stamp or date stamp.
  • these acquisition means and image processing include an image acquisition module (advantageously a matrix of photoconductive devices of the type CCD) to obtain a digital image of the printed postal imprint, an image processing module connected to said acquisition module and to said command and control means for processing the image thus acquired and a memory module connected to the processing module for storing said predetermined reference images.
  • an image acquisition module advantageousously a matrix of photoconductive devices of the type CCD
  • an image processing module connected to said acquisition module and to said command and control means for processing the image thus acquired
  • a memory module connected to the processing module for storing said predetermined reference images.
  • the memory module can be integrated into the processing module image which can itself be integrated into the control means.
  • the image processing module includes means for comparison of at least part of said image of the postal imprint printed with a corresponding part of said reference image predetermined and means for determining an alignment defect of said printed postal imprint.
  • the franking machine according to the invention comprises further be alert means to invite the user to stop the operation of the machine when said comparison means appear a non conformity of the printing is means of automatic command to stop this operation.
  • the means for detecting the position of said mail item include detection means from a front of this mail item.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the different constituents a conventional mail processing machine.
  • This one conventionally comprises, in the forward direction of the mail items 10 and along a path 12 for transporting these articles: means 14 supply of mail items for receiving a stack of items of mail of variable dimensional characteristics, and in particular of different thicknesses, and which include first rolls motorized drive 140, 142; selection means 16 for individually select each mail item from the stack and which have selection rollers and counter rollers 160, 162; of the upstream conveying means 18 for conveying each selected item and comprising upstream conveyor rollers and counter-rollers 180, 182; franking means 20 for printing a postal imprint on each mail item beforehand selected and advantageously comprising a jet printing module ink 200; downstream conveying means 22 for conveying each prepaid item which have rollers and counter rollers of downstream conveying 220, 222; and means 24 for storing the articles of mail intended to receive all prepaid items and which have second motorized drive rollers 240, 242.
  • this mail processing machine includes besides on the one hand means 26 of command and control (more particularly with memory and microprocessor) for the management of printing and conveying of mail items through the machine, along the transport path 12, and on the other hand means 28 detecting the position of these mail items (advantageously from the front of the mail item) connected to these means of command and control and from which impression printing postal is synchronized (according to a predefined standard offset defining a predetermined location for printing).
  • the selection means 16, the conveying means 18, 22 and the franking means 20 are grouped in a unique structure, called a franking machine, supplied with articles mail by independent supply means 12, called feeder.
  • a franking machine supplied with articles mail by independent supply means 12, called feeder.
  • mail item should be understood a envelope (in any format) that a label then intended for be stuck on a thick envelope or package.
  • the franking machine further comprises integrated image acquisition and processing means 30 for in situ control, during the franking process, on each franked mail item, the printing quality of the postal imprint. This control is carried out by determining the conformity of an image of this imprint imprinted with a predetermined reference image.
  • these means 30 comprise a module 300 digital image acquisition preferably arranged as close as possible of the printing module 200, above the transport path of the mail items, and an image processing module 310 connected to a part to this acquisition module and secondly to the means 26 of machine command and control.
  • a memory module 320 previously loaded by the reference images from which the processing module will check the conformity of the postal imprint printed is also connected to the processing module (alternatively, it can be integrated into this module).
  • the processing of the image being essentially software, it can be deported to the level of general means 26 of memory control and microprocessor of the machine franking, the means 30 then being reduced to the single module 300 ensuring the image acquisition function.
  • the module 300 which allows the acquisition of a digital image is conventionally formed by a matrix of photoconductive elements type CCD (Charged Coupled Device) image sensors sufficient for the acquisition of all or, preferably, part of the invariable graphic elements of the postal imprint (frame, mentions Official).
  • CCD Charge Coupled Device
  • a format 764x564 pixels capture in practice allows the acquisition of these graphic elements for a postal imprint as well in format French, British, German or American.
  • Data acquisition image is synchronized from the detection of an article position of mail obtained by the detector 28 and to which is applied a time delay (advantageously software) corresponding to the time of route of this mail item between this detector and the image sensor (the speed of advance of the articles is constant and known to the means 26).
  • the detected position of the mail item is that corresponding to the front of this article.
  • the 310 module which allows automatic image processing acquired by the acquisition module comprises conventional means of filtering of this image to overcome in particular the different graininess of mail items or difference in brightness resulting from the quality of the ink used for example, and the means of comparison to search on the captured image of areas of interest particular which will be compared to target areas beforehand extracted from reference images characteristic of postal imprints types and stored in memory module 320 during a phase prior to configuration (acquisition calibration).
  • Figure 3 shows a model of a postal imprint of a postal administration as stored in module 320.
  • this model only includes the elements graphics of this footprint that are invariable with postage. Therefore, for example, the amount does not appear postage in the stamp (also called stamp) or date postage in the date stamp. Note that it is also possible to memorize only the target areas of this fingerprint appearing in specific locations of the imprint and not the imprint in its entirety.
  • Figures 4A and 4B illustrate two examples of areas of interest individual (target areas) selected to carry out quality control printing of the postal imprint. Indeed, it is not necessary perform this check on the entire postal imprint and it is preferable, in order to minimize the processing time, to limit it to one or more specific zones determined from this imprint and intended to constitute predetermined reference images from from which different comparisons can then be made. Well of course, these areas will depend on the type of printing and the model (French, British, etc.) of the postal imprint analyzed.
  • these areas of interest preferably chosen at the central part of the frame forming the stamp of the postal imprint.
  • the printing module has always two rows of ejection nozzles which join substantially at the level of this central part. So it's naturally at this particular location, where it's easier to determine the quality of printing and in particular to detect any inaccuracies in the mounting these two rows of nozzles, so it's best perform the compliance check.
  • Figure 5 shows an example of printing an imprint mail on an inkjet franking machine. We note the slight offset that appears all along this imprint at the level of its longitudinal axis, which corresponds precisely to the junction of the two rows of ejection nozzles of the printing module of this machine.
  • Figure 6 illustrates the area selected by comparison with the area target of the footprint model (see Figure 4A) and the extracted image portion from this area from which two lines of vertical marking separated by an offset d.
  • the measurement (by a simple software counting of the pixels separating them) of this offset will allow accurately assess the misalignment of the two rows of nozzles and automatically inform the user, for example by a message audible or visual alert on the user interface of the machine postage, if this offset exceeds a predetermined range of values (in practice an offset between -1.5 mm and +1.5 mm does not entail no rejection by the administration).
  • the user can then stop the franking machine operation to adjust the nozzles for consistent printing again. Note that this stop can of course be performed automatically under the command means 26 informed by the acquisition module 300 of this non conformity of printing (due to excessive misalignment).
  • the detection on the fly of a quality defect printing a postal imprint limits the risk of rejection mail items by the postal administration.
  • the determination of tolerance thresholds defining the conformity of a quality parameter with postal requirements avoids printing a fingerprint subject to rejection.
  • the presence of the image acquisition means 300 of the invention can be used to also ensure control any service markings printed on the mail item, especially in the extension of the postal imprint, and therefore likely to pass under these means of acquisition during the ejection of the mail article.
  • the service marking is a barcode
  • the decoded information is then transmitted to the control means 26 to ensure their operation, for example, when the postage meter is a machine communicating connected to a server of the dealer of this machine, to statistical or other purposes.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Image Processing (AREA)
EP02292426A 2001-10-05 2002-10-03 Frankiermaschine mit einem Qualitätsinspektionsgerät für das Postwertzeichen Ceased EP1302906A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0112818 2001-10-05
FR0112818A FR2830649B1 (fr) 2001-10-05 2001-10-05 Machine a affranchir munie d'un dispostif de controle de conformite de l'empreinte postale

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1302906A1 true EP1302906A1 (de) 2003-04-16

Family

ID=8867955

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02292426A Ceased EP1302906A1 (de) 2001-10-05 2002-10-03 Frankiermaschine mit einem Qualitätsinspektionsgerät für das Postwertzeichen

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US7474762B2 (de)
EP (1) EP1302906A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2830649B1 (de)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0302269D0 (en) * 2003-01-31 2003-03-05 Neopost Ltd Item processing system
US7517077B2 (en) * 2003-09-02 2009-04-14 Seiko Epson Corporation Medium transporting device and recording apparatus incorporating with the same
US9728107B1 (en) 2008-04-15 2017-08-08 Stamps.Com Inc. Systems and methods for protecting content when using a general purpose user interface application
US11893089B1 (en) 2004-07-27 2024-02-06 Auctane, Inc. Systems and methods for protecting content when using a general purpose user interface application
FR2926180A1 (fr) * 2008-01-04 2009-07-10 Neopost Technologies Sa Systeme d'affranchissement a capteur d'images integre.
US8965809B1 (en) * 2009-05-21 2015-02-24 Stamps.Com Inc. Restricted printing of postage with layout constraints in a browser
DE102012104154A1 (de) * 2012-05-11 2013-11-14 Böwe Systec Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Bedrucken von Postsendungen
CN103170459B (zh) * 2013-03-19 2014-10-22 万新光学集团有限公司 镜片瑕疵检测系统

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0331352A2 (de) * 1988-02-29 1989-09-06 Neopost Limited Frankiersystem
EP0714777A1 (de) * 1994-11-30 1996-06-05 Neopost Industrie Anordnung zur Detektion einer Funktionsstörung eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes für eine Frankiermaschine
FR2759186A1 (fr) * 1997-01-31 1998-08-07 Neopost Ind Systeme de decalage d'empreintes pour machine de traitement de courrier
US6106095A (en) * 1997-10-15 2000-08-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing machine having registration of multiple arrays of print elements
US6234693B1 (en) * 1998-11-24 2001-05-22 Neopost Industrie Device for offsetting a postage imprint

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5297017A (en) * 1991-10-31 1994-03-22 Hewlett-Packard Company Print cartridge alignment in paper axis
US6435642B1 (en) * 1998-11-17 2002-08-20 Pitney Bowes Inc. Apparatus and method for real-time measurement of digital print quality
JP3688913B2 (ja) * 1998-11-19 2005-08-31 シャープ株式会社 シリアルプリンタの記録ずれ調整方法
US6427021B1 (en) * 1998-12-02 2002-07-30 Pitney Bowes Inc. Recording graphical and tracking information on the face of a mailpiece
GB0008180D0 (en) * 2000-04-05 2000-05-24 Neopost Ltd Printing of postal indicia and detection thereof
US7081971B2 (en) * 2001-05-23 2006-07-25 Pitney Bowes Inc. System and method for printing on mailpieces using a fixed print head
US7138596B2 (en) * 2001-08-01 2006-11-21 Pippin James M Apparatus and method for mail sorting

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0331352A2 (de) * 1988-02-29 1989-09-06 Neopost Limited Frankiersystem
EP0714777A1 (de) * 1994-11-30 1996-06-05 Neopost Industrie Anordnung zur Detektion einer Funktionsstörung eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes für eine Frankiermaschine
FR2759186A1 (fr) * 1997-01-31 1998-08-07 Neopost Ind Systeme de decalage d'empreintes pour machine de traitement de courrier
US6106095A (en) * 1997-10-15 2000-08-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing machine having registration of multiple arrays of print elements
US6234693B1 (en) * 1998-11-24 2001-05-22 Neopost Industrie Device for offsetting a postage imprint

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2830649B1 (fr) 2004-01-23
US20030068070A1 (en) 2003-04-10
FR2830649A1 (fr) 2003-04-11
US7474762B2 (en) 2009-01-06

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