JPH06950A - Device for incorporating post-production action on output web from image transfer device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a unique system which enables performing of a post- generating operation on a movable web containing an image as well as a method for loading the post-generating operation. CONSTITUTION: This device is equipped with a means for tracking the position of a web which is output from an image transfer device 40 and has a plurality of images placed thereupon, a post-generating means which performs a specific operation at a web position when the web passes through this post-generating means, a means 44 for determining a point of time when the position of the web is entered to the post-generating means in response to the means for tracking the position of the web and a means for executing a specific operation at the position of the web by giving a command to the post-generating means in response to the means 44.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a unique system and method for performing post-production operations on the web following output from an image transfer device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In printing processes involving continuous image streams arranged on moving paper webs, it is often desirable to incorporate other post-forming processes for the web downstream of this process. These post generation steps include, for example, page or job separation, punching, color logo application or folding operations.

[0003]

By the way, when such a post generation process or operation is performed, the web transferred between the image and the post generation machine does not include a standard length page, or the gauge is difficult. There is the problem of having the page at a different web position. Therefore, the post-processor must have some means of accurately arranging each page presented to it, and, in addition, once each page position has been found, it must be delivered to it. A distinction must be made between each individual page to determine which page must contain a given post generation operation.

Furthermore, in maintaining the tracks of processed pages as they are transferred to the post-generation device, these two devices are especially important if they are separate and separate units. There is a problem that it operates at an asynchronous speed. Therefore, there is slack in the transfer loop of the web between the two devices, which results in more images prematurely than expected and further potential misuse of post-generation operations. There is a problem.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a unique system and method that allows post-generating operations to be performed on a moving web containing images, in which the image-generating elements and Post generators are characterized in that they do not have to be synchronized with their web feed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method incorporating post generation operations for accurately locating points on the web that are subject to the post generation operations.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method incorporating post-generating operations that enables tracking of various locations on the moving web to accurately perform many types of post-generating operations at these various locations. To provide.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method incorporating a post-generation operation that allows tracking of pages and images located on moving webs where the pages and images are of variable length. .

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a post generation operation on a web at various web positions when a continuous stream of images is generated by an image transfer device on a moving web. Provide a capture system.
Also, means for tracking the position of the web having a plurality of images arranged on the web output from the image transfer device is provided. Further, a post generating operation is provided for performing a specific operation at the position of the web as the web passes through the post generating means. There is also provided means for sending the web from the image transfer device to the post generating means. Means are provided for responsive to said tracking means for determining when a position is input to the post generating means, and further for responsive to these determining means, instructing the post generating means for its particular operation at the storage location. Means for performing are also provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the tracking means comprises means for generating a pulse each time the web spacing is output from the image transfer device. The generating means may comprise means for combining a plurality of pulses to indicate the output from the image transfer device for the page length of the web. Further, the post generating means may include means for generating an electronic mark each time the web interval passes through the post generating means. Further, the generation means may be provided with means for counting electronic marks, and page identification means for indicating the page length of the web through the post generation means or the passage of a certain page.

The determining means may further comprise counter means for incrementing the stored value for each page indicated by the combining means and decrementing the stored value for each page indicated by the page identifying means. This stored value is a total length value equal to the number of page lengths on the web located between the image transfer device and the post generating means when the web is tensioned relatively loosely. The determining means may further include a register means for storing the first data block to the last data block included in the counter means and having a number equal to at least the current value in response to the counter means. Each of the data blocks is
Corresponding directly to the page length located between the image transfer device and the post generating means, each of the data blocks also has a data value representing the post generating operation performed on the web at said page length. The last block of the data block has a data value corresponding to the page length increment currently filled in by the post generation means. The register means may comprise a shift means, which adds a new data value, deletes the data value, or directly moves each page length increment on the web from the image transfer device to the post generation means. Acts to move the values in the data block in a corresponding manner.

In another embodiment, the determining means comprises:
Storage register means may be provided having a series of storage locations each storing a data value corresponding to the number of intervals between each of the storage locations at which a particular post generation operation is performed.
The storage register means may further comprise means for monitoring the total number of web intervals currently located between the image transfer device and the post generating means.

In yet another embodiment, the storage register means serially stores the first through last data values corresponding to the number of page length increments between each of the storage locations where a particular post generation operation is performed. May have a series of storage locations stored in. The storage register may comprise means for establishing a series of storage locations equal to the maximum number of page lengths on the web which may be arranged between the image transfer device and the post generating means. The storage register means may comprise means for comparing the last data value stored therein with the number of pages sequentially identified by the page identification means. This allows the comparison means to indicate when the correct memory location filled in the post generation means. Further, in response to the comparing means, means may be provided for moving the data value within the storage register means to add a new data value to the storage register means and delete the last data value from the storage register means. . The construction means may comprise means for calculating the number of page lengths on the web currently located between the image transfer device and the post generation means.

The post generating means may generally include folders, job separators, printing devices, punching devices, or web cutting devices, among other devices. further,
The image transfer device may comprise a laser, impact or other type of electronic printer capable of producing a variable page length image among its components.

Further provided is a method for capturing post-generating operations on the web at various positions when generating a continuous image stream by an image transfer device on a moving continuous web. Such methods generally include the step of tracking a memory location of a web output from an image transfer device and having a plurality of images disposed on the web. Further, there is also provided the step of performing by the post generating means a specific operation at each of the storage locations on the web as the web passes through the post generating means. Then in another step,
The web is transferred from the image transfer device to the post generating means. Then, according to the tracking step, the time when the correct memory location is filled in the post generating means is determined. The method further includes the step of instructing the post generating means to perform that particular operation at the correct memory location in response to the determination when the correct memory location filled in the post generating means.

[0016]

When generating a continuous image stream by the image transfer device on the moving web, a plurality of images output from the image transfer device and arranged on the web are captured when the post generation operation is performed on the web at various positions. The position of the web that it has is tracked. The post generator performs certain actions at various locations on the web as it passes by. Depending on the tracking of the position on the web, the time at which a position enters the post generator is determined. In response to this determination, the post generator is commanded to perform its particular action at the connection location.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for capturing a post generation operation for a printed web. The system comprises a web source 20, that is, for example, the paper on which the print is to be transferred. The web is fed to the image transfer device 40 where the printing process takes place. The loop of web material 74 then exits the image transfer device,
Enter a predetermined post generator 48. The post generator 48 performs one operation at various positions on the web. The specific action is, for example, one of folding, cutting, additional printing, punching, and the like. The length of the web is what is indicated as the tensioning distance 50 when closely placed between the image transfer device and the post generation device. This tension distance is characterized by using a predetermined number of intervals of about 1/8 "or a predetermined number of page lengths 70. Each page length is generally a predetermined number of intervals 72.
It corresponds to.

The image transfer device 40 has a distance measuring device 200 as shown in FIG. 7, which measures the distance 72 from the image transfer device.
The intervals of these lengths are converted into corresponding electronic pulses or marks, which are sent to the mark combiner 42.
The mark combiner converts the marks into quantifiable increments, typically page lengths, and displays a page each time enough marks are combined to indicate the page length of the web passing through the image transfer device 40. The data 54 to be output is output. In this system, the measurements are quantified by page size, mitigating the effects of rounding and truncation errors that could potentially result from individual spacing measurements.

After the web is fed from the image transfer device,
The web is supported over the intermediate loop 74 and then re-loaded into and out of the post generator 48. Thus, in order to correctly process the page from the image transfer device by the post generation device, means for handshaking the operations of the image transfer device and the post generation device must be used. This handshaking means is a system symbolized by the post generation pass decision block 44 in FIG. The decision system 44 is provided with data 52 which indicates which page should contain the post generation operation. The data 52 is synchronized with the data 53 that controls the image transfer device 40. When a page passes through image transfer device 40 and a simultaneous signal for post generation 52 is sent to decision system 44, system 44 acts internally to flag the page for post generation operations. .

In addition, the post generator reads a page that has passed through itself, as shown by distance measuring element 220 in FIG. The decision system 44 has a tension distance 50 programmed into it to determine how many pages have to pass through the post generator 48 to reach a flagged page from the image transfer device. decide. The determination system 44 then uses the post generation output indicator signal 56 to count the number of pages passing through the post generation device to determine when a flagged page is present in the post generation device. At this point, the decision unit forwards the post generator command 76 to the post generator 48 and commands the post generator operating element 194 to perform that operation, as shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, one important variable that decision system 44 must be aware of to accurately command its operation is the number of pages in intermediate loop 74. When the image transfer device 40 and the post generation device 48 are started with a relatively tight loop, and both operate at a speed synchronized with the web transfer, the number of page lengths in the loop equals the tension distance 50. However, the two devices may operate at slightly offset speeds, especially when utilizing a separate and removable post generating unit. To illustrate this, FIG. 2 illustrates that the page 80 is output by the image transfer device 84, or the tension distance 80 is received based on each time it passes through the post generation device 86, and the initial value 80 is continuously set. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a counter unit 82 that increments or decrements 90. In this way, ongoing real-time computation of all pages in loop 92 is accomplished.

The decision system 44 will accurately measure the time it takes for the page to reach the post generator, using the numerical value of the loop page number. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the actual storage state of the post generation signal for the page arranged in the intermediate loop in three time frames. The storage means comprises a shift register shown in relative start time frame 94. This shift register records the number of shift positions equal to the number of pages in the loop 100. In the start state 115, this number of pages 100 should equal the tension distance. In a simple embodiment utilizing one post generator, each page in the sequence that appears in the left-to-right loop from the image transfer device to the post generator has a number equal to either zero or one. Have Zero indicates that there is no action by the post generation device for that page layout, and 1 indicates that the post generation operation should be performed.

The register 96 below is an explanatory diagram showing the second time frame for the shift register in which the new page 116 is added to the loop from the image transfer device. This new page holds a zero value indicating that no post-generation operation should be performed on it. At the same time, the post generation device transfers the processed page relatively synchronously. This page is shown in the previous time frame register, which has a value of 108 at the register end position. The decision system reads the last edge value and commands the post generator to act on the page. The new end value 110 of the register 96 in the second time frame has a zero value, thus acting to prevent it from performing a post generate operation. All other zeros and ones in the register are shifted by one space. This process continues indefinitely until all web images have been processed.

In the final time frame 98 of FIG. 3,
Another new page 104 has been added to the front of the register with zero or non-post generated values. However, the post generator has not yet received and processed the last page, which is indicated by a zero in the edge register 110. In this way, looseness has occurred in the loop. Therefore, the counter means shown in FIG. 2 is incremented with almost no simultaneous decrement due to the page leaving the post generator. Next, the shift register is register 10
Get the value that holds the new page command in the front of 6. When the post generator passes the sheet again and decrements the counter, the shift register disables the front position when a shift of all values in the register occurs at the same time.

FIG. 4 is a general flow diagram showing this block with the addition of the operation of the shift register of FIG. The current page number in the loop 142 is the image transfer unit 1
Decision block 14 depending on the output of the image page by 40
4 is input. When the number of pages increases 146, a block is added to the shift register for storing new page data 150, and the shift does not occur. Similarly, if the number of pages has not changed 148, all blocks are downshifted and new image page data is added to the first block 152 when it is ready.

In the above embodiment, the image transfer device 4 is generally used.
The operation of storing the data piece corresponding to each page in the intermediate loop 74 between 0 and the post generator 48 is included. As each page is shifted down, the data in the shift register means is also shifted so that the page itself in the loop is input and sent out, at the same time new page data is prepended and the old page is due to the command. Read off and dropped off at the back of the register. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another means for storing the data corresponding to the pages in the loop. This means stores the number of pages placed between post-generated pages rather than a single data value for each page. The last storage block 162 in register 160 in the illustrated start state is
It is shown that there are 9 pages until the next post generation page appears in the post generation means. As these nine pages move through the post generation unit, the operation is then performed on the ninth page.

As indicated by the second register 170,
All storage blocks have been shifted so that the second to last block 164 in the start register 160 is now the new last end block, on the basis of which the decision system 44 is ready for the next post-generation operation 168. To perform counting of the identified pages 56 from the post generation unit. In the illustrated register 170, the number of pages until the next post generation operation is 7.

When a new post-generated page is input to the loop, the next incremental page distance value 174 is placed at the front of the storage register, based on signals 52 and 53 shown in FIG. In general, this system requires less storage blocks than the shift register system of the embodiment of FIG. However, as many post storage operations as required for the shift register system of FIG. 3 may be required when the post generate operation must be performed on each page in the loop. The generation of additional storage blocks is implemented in this type of system by a counter that detects the pages in the loop.

The advantages of the second storage embodiment are shown more clearly in FIG. The absolute distance consisting of the number of pulses between post generation operations is stored rather than the number of pages. The system is shown with a storage register 210 at the start, and then a storage register 210 at a time after 30 pulses have been counted by the post generator, in which case a shift 214 occurs, A new distance of .about.16 pulses has been added to the front of register 216. The advantage of using the pulses directly from the distance measuring device 180 of FIG. 7 and 220 of FIG. It is possible to accurately position in the variable position of. Moreover, the post-generation operation is arranged with respect to absolute distance measurements rather than any pre-programmed page measurements, so that pages of varying length can be easily included in the same web.

In any of the above embodiments, several post generators may be provided to implement one or more selectable types of post generating operations, and more types of signals may be shifted by the storage means. You may allow it.
Each of these different operations is performed on the same or different pages in the web.

The above description is merely a detailed description of the preferred embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that many variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for incorporating post-generating operations on a printed web according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a method of calculating the number of pages in an intermediate loop for post-generated pages through the decision system of FIG.

3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a shift operation for a shift register used in a post-generated page through the decision system of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a shift control process for the shift register of FIG.

5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another incremental distance storage register system using the post-generated page pass determination system of FIG.

6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another absolute distance storage register using the post-generation page pass determination system of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an electronic interval detector of the image transfer apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an electronic interval detector of the post generating apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 web source 40 image transfer device 42 electronic mark combiner 44 post generation page passage decision block 48 post generation device 50 tension distance 74 intermediate loop

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. A system for forming a flow of images on a moving web by an image transfer device and capturing post generation operations at many places on the web, and outputting a plurality of images output from the image transfer device. A means for tracking the position of a web to be placed; a post generating means, which performs a specific operation at the position of the web when the web passes through the post generating means; Means for flowing from the transfer device to the post generating means; means for determining the time when the position of the web is input to the post generating means in response to the tracking means; and further for responding to the determining means, Means for instructing post generating means to perform the specified operation at the web position. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking means comprises means for generating a pulse each time the web spacing is output from the image transfer device. 3. The system of claim 2 wherein said pulse generating means comprises means for combining a plurality of said pulses to indicate the output of said image transfer device for a web page length. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said post generating means includes means for generating an electronic mark each time one of said intervals of said web passes said post generating means. 5. The system according to claim 3, wherein said generating means includes page identifying means for indicating, by said electronic mark, passage of the web of the page length through said post generating means. 6. The determining means comprises counter means for incrementing the stored value for each page indicated by the combining means and decrementing the stored value for each page indicated by the page identifying means. The system described. 7. The stored value is such that the web is positioned between the image transfer device and the post generating means when the web is pulled in a tensioned state with relatively little slack on it. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the total length value is equal to a series of the page lengths. 8. The determining means comprises register means for storing, in response to the counter means, a first data block to a final data block, the number of which is equal to the current value stored in the counter means, and each of the data blocks. Corresponds to a page length located between the image transfer device and the post generating means, and each of the data blocks contains a data value representative of a post generating operation performed on the web at the page length. And the last one of the data blocks contains a data value corresponding to the page length currently entered in the post generating means.
The system described. 9. The register means comprises shift means,
The shift means adds a new data value, deletes the data value, and shifts the data value to correspond to the movement of each of the page lengths for the web from the image transfer device to the post generation means. 9. The system of claim 8, which acts to cause 10. The determining means comprises storage register means having a series of memory locations for each stored data value corresponding to the number of intervals between each of the series of memory locations in which a particular post generation operation is performed. The system of claim 2, comprising. 11. The system of claim 10 wherein said storage register means comprises means for monitoring the total number of said intervals of said web generally located between said image transfer device and said post generating means. 12. The series of determining means stores the first through final data values corresponding to the number of page lengths located between each of the series of memory locations in which a particular post generation operation is performed. The system of claim 5, comprising storage register means having a storage location. 13. The storage register means comprises means for constructing a series of storage locations equal to at least the maximum number of page lengths for the web located between the image transfer device and the post generating means. 12. The system according to item 12. 14. The storage register means compares the temporally latest data value stored in the storage register means with a series of pages indicated by the page identification means to determine that the storage location is the post generation means. 14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising means for indicating the time when "" was entered. 15. The storage register means moves a data value stored in the storage register means in response to the comparing means to add a new data value to the storage register means and the last data value. 15. The system of claim 14, comprising means for deleting the from the storage means. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the constructing means comprises means for calculating the number of page lengths on the web located between the image transfer device and the post generator. 17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post generating unit includes at least one of a folder, a job separator, a printing device, a punching device, and a web cutting device. 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image transfer device comprises an electronic printer. 19. A method of capturing a post generation operation for webs at different positions when generating a continuous image stream on a moving web by means of the image transfer device, wherein a plurality of images output from the image transfer device are arranged on top. Tracking the position of the web, the means for performing a particular action at each of the positions of the web as it passes through the post generating means, and the web from the image transfer device to the post generating means. Responsive to the tracking step, determining the time at which each of the positions is input to the post generating means, and, in response to the determining step, the post generating means at each of the positions. A method of instructing a specific action to be performed. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the tracking step includes the step of generating a pulse each time the web spacing is output from the image transfer device. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of generating includes the step of combining a plurality of the pulses to indicate an output for a page length of a web from the image transfer device. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said performing step includes the step of generating an electronic mark each time one of said intervals of said web passes said post generating means. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said generating step includes the step of page identification by counting said electronic marks to indicate passage of a page length of said web through said post generating means. 24. The determining step increments the stored value of the counter means for each page indicated by the combining step, and decrements the stored value for each page indicated by the page identification step. 24. The method of claim 23, including the steps. 25. The stored value is at least on the web disposed between the image transfer device and the post generating means when the web is relatively slack and is tensioned and tensioned. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the total length value is equal to the number of page lengths of the. 26. The step of determining includes the step of storing, in the register means, first to last data blocks of a number equal to at least a current value stored in the counter means, according to the counter means. Each of the blocks corresponds to a page length arranged between the image transfer device and the post generating means, and each of the data blocks includes a data value representing a post generating operation performed at the page length, and 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the last one of the data blocks contains a data value corresponding to the page length currently entered in the post generating means. 27. The storing step adds a new data value to the data block, deletes the data value, and further moves each page length on the web from the image transfer device to the post generating means. 27. The method of claim 26 including the step of moving the register means to move the data value to correspond to. 28. The determining step comprises a storage register having a number of storage locations each storing a data value corresponding to at least the number of intervals between each of the storage locations at which a particular post generation operation is performed. 21. The method of claim 20 including means. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein said determining step comprises the step of monitoring the total number of said intervals of said web currently located between said image transfer device and said post generating means. 30. The determination step comprises a series of memory locations storing first to final data values corresponding to the number of page lengths located between each of the locations where a particular post generation operation is performed. 24. The method of claim 23 including storage register means having. 31. The storage register means includes means for constructing a series of storage locations equal to at least the maximum number of page lengths that may be disposed between the image transfer device and the post generating means. The method described. 32. The determining step compares the final data value stored in the storage register means with the number of pages sequentially indicated by the page identifying step to determine a time point when the position is input to the post generating means. 32. The method of claim 31, including the step of signaling. 33. The determining step, in response to the comparing step, shifts the data value of the storage register means to add a new data value to the storage register means and also stores the last data value in the storage. 33. The method of claim 32 including the step of deleting from the register means. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the constructing step comprises the step of calculating a number of the page lengths on the web currently located between the image transfer device and the post generation device.