US3839636A

US3839636A - Sensor for detecting marks on moving articles

Info

Publication number: US3839636A
Application number: US00338130A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Worrall
Original assignee: Bell and Howell Co
Current assignee: BUCOLT CHARLES P dba FRANCHISE MAILING SYSTEMS
Priority date: 1973-03-05
Filing date: 1973-03-05
Publication date: 1974-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-01

Abstract

In the order of the numerical value of the zip code, a counter and stacker device for signatures, such as magazines, newspapers, and the like, wherein changes in zip code are identified by a mark. The signatures are carried in alignment away from a label applicator by a conveyor belt. The inventive circuit senses the mark indicating code change and causes a kicker to change the alignment of the first signature carrying a label with a new zip code.

Description

Ullltfid States Patent 11 1 1111 3,839,636

Worrall Oct. 1, 1974 SENSOR FOR DETECTING MARKS 0N 3,411,008 11/1968 Coombes et al 250/219 or MOVING ARTICLES 3,739,181 6/1973 Vincent, Jr. et al. 250/223 R X Inventor:

John L. Worrall, Wheeling, 111.

Filed: Mar. 5, 1973 Appl. No.: 338,130

Assignee:

US. Cl 250/223 R, 209/DIG. 1, 250/555 Int. Cl. G06m 7/00 Field of Search ..250/2l9 DF, 219 DQ. 219 DR, 250/223 R. 555. 556. 557; 209/DIG. 1. 111.7

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1940 Gulliksen 250/219 DR 5/1960 Harmon 250/219 DO X Primary Examiner-Walter Stolwein Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert A. Walsh; Gerald B. Epstein l5 7] ABSTRACT In the order of the numerical value of the zip code, a counter and stacker device for signatures, such as magazines, newspapers, and the like, wherein changes in zip code are identified by a mark. The signatures are carried in alignment away from a label applicator by a conveyor belt. The inventive circuit senses the mark indicating code change and causes a kicker to change the alignment of the first signature carrying a label with a new zip code.

1911 1111 59mi s e? 'D' To K/CKER 5g PATENTEDocI 119M aesslsse SHEET 10F 2 PATENTEBum I ma 3889.636 SHEEI 20$ 2 MM MED: 8.

AWN

SENSOR FOR DETECTING MARKS ON MOVING ARTICLES This invention relates to mark sensors and, more particularly, although not exclusively, to means for detecting changes in zip codes on address labels.

The Post Office has attempted to automate its mail handling capabilities by using zip codes which identify postal areas. In an effort to force users to show their zip codes, a number of rules and regulations have been adopted by the Post Office. Among these rules, the large users of the mail are required to prepackage their mail according to the zip code.

Exemplary of large users are those who mail signatures, such as magazines and newspapers. These larger users generally employ either address plates or computer-controlled printers to print the address labels. Then, it is necessary to cause the signatures to be stacked according to the zip codes on the labels. Thus, either the conveyor at the output of the printer must be modified or some other means must be provided for controlling the stacking function.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for recognizing a printed signal. Here an object is to provide means for sensing a mark on a printed label.

Another object of the invention is to provide mean for assembling the signatures at the output of a printing press according to the zip code printedon a label on the signature. Here an object is to accomplish these and other objects without substantially modifying the press.

In keeping with an aspect of the invention, a photoelectric cell is positioned to read a mark on a label as each signature moves down a conveyor at the output of the press. If the mark is present, a kickeris operated to skew or reposition the pertinent signature on the conveyor line. Then, the signatures may be assembled at the end of the conveyor, in stacks, according to the repositioned signatures.

The nature of a preferred embodiment for accomplishing these and other objects may become more apparent from a study of the attached drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the disposition of the novel sensor head of my invention with a head for applying address labels to a series of signatures;

FIG. 2 schematically represents a series of labels on successive signatures, indicating how the change in zip coding is sensed; and

7 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the circuit used to drive the sensor.

The major elements in FIG. 1 are a labeling head 20, a first conveyor belt 21 at the output of the labeling head 20, a second conveyor belt 21', disposed at right angles adjacent the terminal portion of conveyor belt 20, a kicker 22 adjacent conveyor belt 21 a guard synchronizer 23, a reading or sensor head 24, and a delay circuit 24'. The label head 20 may be any suitable device, preferably feeding a plurality of E/W aligned address labels 27 through the head. Each label 27 includes an address, including the zip code of the'addressee. The conveyor belt 21 conveys any suitable signatures, such as magazine 26, past the label head 20, which applies the labels individually to magazines 26, as shown at 35, 36. The signatures are aligned on the conveyor belt with the

individual labels

35, 36 displaced from each other by a uniform distance d. Delay circuit 24 is suitably connected between reader 24 and kicker 22 to postpone actuation of the kicker until a magazine 26 containing a new zip code has reached the initial portion of conveyor belt 21'.

The guard device 23 comprises a light-chopping disk 29 which rotates in synchronism with the conveyor belt 21 as indicated by the dashed line 30. A window 31 in the light-chopping disk 29 allows light 32 to pass from lamp 33 to photocell 34. After the disk rotates further, the window 31 leaves the position here shown, and the disk cuts the light beam. It should be noted that the signatures are located uniformly on the conveyor and that the

labels

35, 36 are, therefore, a fixed distance d apart. Accordingly, the drive arrangement 30 may be adjusted to allow light 32 to reach the photocell 34 only when a label 35 or a portion thereof is under the reader 24. Thus, the guard device inhibits a response at all times except when a label is present to be read.

The reader head 24 is shown in FIG. 2 as including a lamp 40 and lens 41 mounted to direct a fine ray of light 42 on a particular area on label 35 at an angle which reflects the light to a photocell 43. If the label is essentially white, or other light color, at the point struck by the light beam 42, there is a high level of current activity in the photocell 43, and it has a low resistance. However, if the label is essentially black, or other dark color, there is a low level of current activity, and the photocell has a high resistance.

The labeling head 20 dispenses labels which are printed with all similar zip codes in linear order. Therefore, all zip codes of the same number are printed together, as labels having zip code 10000 are shown at 46 and labels having zip code 10001 are shown at 47 in FIG. 2. Note that a special mark 48 is applied to the label 35 where the zip code changes and that the mark does not appear on succeeding labels. Therefore, if the mark 48 is present, the light beam is modified accordingly. Further, the shape of slot 31, size of disk 29, and rotational speed of the disk relative to the travel speed of the conveyor belt 21 all cooperate to enable the reader 24 so that the photocell 43 is only sensitive to the mark when it is present in the path of the beam 42. Hence, any other printing on the signature itself is irrelevant.

The electrical circuit driven by the photocells is seen at FIG. 3. Toorient the various figures with respect to each other, note may be taken of the locations of the photocell 43 in reader 24 and photocell 34 in the guard synchronizer 23. The principal subdivisons of this circuit are a constant current source 50, a mark reader 51, a guard synchronizer 52, an output circuit 53, and a logic control circuit 54.

The constant current source comprises a voltage dividing diode and a resistor 61 connected in series between battery 62 and ground 63. The diode 60 provides a fixed voltage drop in battery potential for biasnected directly to ground and the collector of the NPN transistor 71 is connected directly to battery.The two base electrodes are connected together and supplied from the constant current source 50. The photocell 43 of the mark reader 24 is also connected in common vto the two base electrodes of transistors 70, 71. Depending upon the amount of light falling on the photocell, its resistance varies to divide the potential across battery 62 and ground 75.

In operation, a light reflective material comparable to an unmarked label 46 is placed in the path of light beam 42. The positions of the label, lamp and photocell are adjusted, and the potentiometer 65 is adjusted until the resistance of photocell 43 divides the voltage between battery 62 and ground 75 to switch on the two transistors 70, 71. As soon as transistor 70 switches on, the light-emitting diode 72 lights. Then, a label having a mark 48 is placed in the path of the beam 42 and the resistance of the photocell 43 increases to change the voltage division between battery 62 and ground 75. The transistor 70 should now switch off. If so, the lightemitting diode 72 goes dark and the operator knows that adjustments are proper. If not, either the position of photocell 43 or the potentiometer 65 is readjusted until the diode 72 does go dark. Accordingly, a proper setting is achieved if the diode 72 lights when an unmarked label is present and goes out when a marked label is present.

Since the transistors 70, 71 are connected to behave as a single transistor, the transistor 71 also switches off and on depending upon the label marking being sensed by photocell 43.

The guard synchronizer circuit 52 is coupled to the output of the mark reader 51 (Le, the emitter of transistor 71) via a resistor 76 and to the guard photocell 34 via a resistor 77. In greater detail, PNP triggering transistor 82 has an emitter biased from a voltagedividing potentiometer 83, a base connected to the coupling resistor 76 and a collector load 84, 85. Transistor 82 turns off when transistor 71 turns on.

The output of the transistor 82 is fed into the base of an NPN transistor 86 which functions as a driving amplifier. The collector of transistor 86 is connected through resistor 77 and photocell 34 to a battery. If the disk 29 unmasks the light source 33, the resistance of photocell 34 decreases to apply an enabling battery potential to resistor 77.

When transistor 71 turns on, battery is applied to the base of the transistor 82, and potentiometer 83 is adjusted to turn off transistor 82. When transistor 71 turns off, ground is applied to the base of the transistor 82, and it turns on. I

When transistor 82 turns on the transistor 86 turns on. With transistor 86 turned'on, no battery potential appears at its collector, regardless of the position of disc 29. When transistor 86 is turned off, no battery potential will appear at its collector until disc 29 is at an angular position to allow an enabling light to fall on photocell 34.

The diode 90 couples the guard synchronizer circuit 52 from the output circuit 53.

Output circuit 53 comprises an NPN transistor 91 having an emitter bias resistor 92 and a collector load resistor 93. A light-emitting diode 94 and its series resistor 95 are connected in parallel with load 93. When the transistor 86 turns off to indicate the presence of a zip code mark 48, transistor 91 turns on to send a ground signal to control logic 54 and to light the lightemitting diode 94. Hence, an operator observing the lit diode knows that the marker has sensed a zip code mark 48. This is primarily useful when the adjustments are originally made at

potentiometers

65 and 83.

A feedback circuit comprising diode and resistor 101 helps stabilize the system. The diode 100 is poled to prevent current flow from the emitter of transistor 82 to the collector of transistor 91. As the mark reader starts to detect a mark or non-mark, there could be a circumstance wherein the circuit might go into selfsustained oscillation. By applying ground potential from the emitter of transistor 91 through diode 100 and the relatively low resistance 101 to the emitter of transistor 82, the turn-on threshold of transistor 82 is increased. Therefore, the turn-on and turn-off points of transistor 82 are separated, thus eliminating any oscillatory condition.

In operation, the signatures 26 are aligned on conveyor belt 21 so that the signatures pass in a substantially linear direction beneath labeling head 20. The operator adjusts the position of light 40, the labels 27, photocell 43, and potentiometer 65 until light-emitting diode 72 lights. Then, as a mark passes beneath the photocell, diode 72 should go off to indicate proper setting of photocell 43 and potentiometer 65. If diode 72 fails to go off, the positions of these elements is readjusted.

Next, the conveyor belt 21 is set so that the uniform distance d between

labels

35, 36 is maintained. The sensor circuit, labeling head 20 and conveyor head 21 are then turned on and the rotative speed of guard synchronizer 23 is set so that light beam 32 is cut when the zip mark region of the label is not beneath photocell 34. As a mark 48 is being read, the operator observes light-emitting diode 94 and if it is not lit, adjusts potentiometer 83 until diode 94 is lit.

The output signal at terminal 102, signifying the presence of a zip code mark 48, is applied to any suitable control logic circuitry such as delay circuit 24' for controlling kicker mechanism 22. Essentially, this circuit 24' causes a timing function whereby the signal at terminal 102 is delayed until the signature bearing the zip code mark is adjacent the kicker 22. Then, the kicker operates to selectively identify the signature bearing the mark by knocking askew the signature 104 (F IG. 1) having thereon the label with the zip code mark.

It shall now be apparent that the same zip code appears on all signatures between two skewed signatures. Thus, it is only necessary to separate the signatures into stacks identified by the skewed ones. Each pile may then be addressed to the zip code of a single post office. Still other uses will readily occur to those who are skilled in the art. Therefore, the appended claims are to be construed to cover all equivalent structures falling within the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A sensor for detecting marks printed at a predetermined region on selective ones of successive label areas formed on each of a plurality of signatures comprising conveyor means operable for moving said signatures in succession, means for scanning each of said successive label areas in the region of said marks, guard synchronizing means responsive to said conveyer means for selectively controlling said scanning means each time that said region on a label is being scanned, means responsive to said guard means for enabling said scanning means, and means responsive to a detection of a mark during said enablement of said scanning means for giving an output signal.

2. The sensor of claim 1 including means responsive to said output signal for kicking askew the signature bearing said detected mark.

3. The sensor of claim 2 wherein said guard synchronizing means comprises a light-chopping means coupled to move in synchronism with-said conveyor.

4. The sensor of claim 1 and feedback means for precluding more than one output signal response to a sin gle mark.

5. A code mark reader comprising means for providing successive labels in a predetermined order, said labels being selectively marked at a predetermined place when said order includes a significant change, means for applying each label to a different signature, means for reading each label at said predetermined place to detect said selective mark, and means responsive to a detection of said mark for selectively identifying the label bearing said mark.

6. The reader of claim 5 wherein said code mark is a zip code mark and said significant change is a change in a zip code.

7. The reader of claim 6 wherein said mark changes the reflectivity of said label and said reading means comprises a photocell for detecting said change in reflectivity.

8. The reader of claim 7 including means for conveying said signatures in alignment past said reader, and said means for identifying said label comprises means for kicking askew the signature having the label bearing said mark.

9. The sensor of claim 2 wherein said kicking means includes a delay circuit to postpone actuation.

10. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said scanning means includes a photocell.

11. The sensor of claim 1 which includes a visual indicator responsive to said output signal.

12. The reader of claim 5 wherein reading means is responsive to said conveyer means.

Claims

3. The sensor of claim 2 wherein said guard synchronizing means comprises a light-chopping means coupled to move in synchronism with said conveyor.

4. The sensor of claim 1 and feedback means for precluding more than one output signal response to a single mark.

10. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said scanning means includes a photocell.