公开(公告)号：US20030168798A1

公开(公告)日：2003-09-11

申请号：US10382436

申请日：2003-03-06

Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated

Inventor： Celal S. Tufekci ,  Gary S. Jacobson

IPC: B65H007/00

CPC classification number: B65H43/00 ,  B65H29/125 ,  B65H2301/4452 ,  B65H2511/11 ,  B65H2511/22 ,  B65H2513/10 ,  B65H2513/108 ,  B65H2513/21 ,  B65H2513/22 ,  B65H2513/53 ,  B65H2557/24 ,  B65H2701/1916 ,  B65H2220/01 ,  B65H2220/02 ,  B65H2220/03

Abstract: A transport method and system that operates to feed mixed size mail pieces in singular fashion and adaptively controls the velocity of the mail pieces such that overall system performance is optimized is provided. The length of a mail piece is measured and a desired gap time between the mail piece and a subsequent mail piece is calculated. The gap time between the mail piece and the subsequent mail piece is measured, and a difference between the desired gap time and measured gap time is calculated. Based on the calculated gap time difference, the velocity of the subsequent mail piece is adaptively controlled to decrease the difference between the desired gap time and the measured gap time such that the measured gap time is adjusted to be approximately equal to the desired gap time, thereby optimizing throughput of the mailing system.

Abstract translation: 一种传送方法和系统，其操作以单一方式输送混合大小的邮件，并且自适应地控制邮件的速度，从而提供整体系统性能优化。 测量邮件的长度，并且计算邮件和后续邮件之间的期望间隔时间。 测量邮件和后续邮件之间的间隔时间，并计算期望的间隔时间与测量的间隙时间之间的差。 基于所计算的间隙时间差，随后邮件的速度被自适应地控制，以减少期望的间隙时间与测量的间隙时间之间的差，使得测量的间隙时间被调整为近似等于期望的间隙时间， 从而优化邮件系统的吞吐量。

公开(公告)号：US20020140156A1

公开(公告)日：2002-10-03

申请号：US09785786

申请日：2001-02-16

Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated

Inventor： Shae L. Wilson ,  Gary S. Jacobson

IPC: B65H005/22 ,  B65H085/00

CPC classification number: B65H5/34 ,  B65H7/18 ,  B65H2301/4431 ,  B65H2301/4452 ,  B65H2511/20 ,  B65H2511/22 ,  B65H2513/10 ,  B65H2513/21 ,  B65H2513/512 ,  B65H2513/514 ,  B65H2701/1916 ,  B65H2220/01 ,  B65H2220/02 ,  B65H2220/09 ,  B65H2220/03

Abstract: A document-handling apparatus and method for transporting documents along a document feed path from an upstream end to a downstream end. The apparatus includes at least one document-handling subassembly along the document feed path for singulating the documents, controlling gaps between the documents, and conveying the documents toward the downstream end; a sensor mounted along the document feed path for sensing the positions of the documents and for generating position signals based on the document positions; and a control apparatus for receiving the position signals and for controlling the velocity and acceleration of the document-handling subassembly so as to regulate the size of the document gaps and to maximize document throughput. The document-handling subassemblies can include a stack advance mechanism, an input feeder, one or more singulators, and one or more output feeders. A trap can also be included to stop a document along the feed path. The apparatus can operate at accelerations as low as 0.5 g, enabling documents to be transported with constant motion through the apparatus, thereby maintaining efficient inter-document gaps without using high accelerations.

Abstract translation: 一种文件处理装置和方法，用于将文件沿着文件馈送路径从上游端传送到下游端。 该装置包括沿文件馈送路径的至少一个文档处理子组件，用于分离文档，控制文档之间的间隙，并将文档传送到下游端; 传感器，其沿着文件馈送路径安装，用于感测文档的位置，并且用于基于文档位置产生位置信号; 以及用于接收位置信号并用于控制文档处理子组件的速度和加速度的控制装置，以便调节文档间隙的尺寸并最大限度地提高文档的吞吐量。 文档处理子组件可以包括堆栈提前机构，输入馈送器，一个或多个分离器以及一个或多个输出馈线。 还可以包括陷阱以沿着馈送路径停止文档。 该设备可以在低达0.5g的加速度下工作，使文档能够通过设备恒定运动，从而在不使用高加速度的情况下保持有效的文档间间隙。

公开(公告)号：US20020103770A1

公开(公告)日：2002-08-01

申请号：US09775419

申请日：2001-02-01

Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated

Inventor： Michael J. Ramadei ,  Gary S. Jacobson

IPC: G06F017/00

CPC classification number: G07B17/00314 ,  G07B2017/00338 ,  G07B2017/00693

Abstract: In a mechanical system, especially a mail handling system, an operator needs a system and method for gathering runtime information from sensors distributed throughout the machine. Specific information gathered is the number of recoverable faults for various mechanical subsystems, or modules. A recoverable fault is an occurrence of a motion state that could result in a malfunction or jam in the mechanical system but ultimately does not. These near-misses are important to note in order to improve serviceability of the mechanical system. Moreover, the present invention cross-links the data gathered by performance counters with respect to one module with information obtained in other modules. By taking the performance counter data and module information, an operator can foresee where potential malfunctions or jams are likely to occur.

Abstract translation: 在机械系统，特别是邮件处理系统中，操作者需要用于从整个机器分布的传感器收集运行时信息的系统和方法。 收集的具体信息是各种机械子系统或模块的可恢复故障的数量。 可恢复的故障是可能导致机械系统故障或堵塞的运动状态的发生，但最终不会。 为了提高机械系统的适用性，这些近乎失误是重要的。 此外，本发明将由性能计数器收集的数据与其他模块中获得的信息相关联。 通过获取性能计数器数据和模块信息，操作员可以预见潜在的故障或卡纸可能发生的位置。