Cloud Mail Batch Distribution via Local Inserter Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mail production systems face challenges in efficiently processing large mail batches across multiple sites due to the need for near real-time communication, which can lead to delays and equipment issues, especially when relying on local networks and traditional server-based systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that distribute print jobs and job files through Cloud applications, allowing inserters at multiple sites to operate independently with reduced reliance on real-time communication, using scanners to verify mailpiece identifiers and process instructions directly from the Cloud, thereby optimizing communication flow and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If near real-time communication is used between production equipment and computer systems, then mailpiece integrity can be verified, but network latency and communication delays slow down equipment operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads job files containing mailpiece identifiers and finishing instructions into local memory at each production site before processing begins. This preliminary action allows inserters to operate independently without real-time network communication for each mailpiece verification, eliminating communication latency while maintaining integrity checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized production system is segmented into distributed local systems at multiple production sites. Each site has its own inserter equipped with local memory and processing capability, allowing independent operation. The job file is divided and distributed to relevant sites based on destination addresses, enabling parallel processing without inter-site communication delays.
2Reliability
If dedicated local computer networks are deployed for closed loop systems, then real-time communication is enabled, but system complexity and implementation expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the communication requirement from the real-time domain to the batch domain. Instead of requiring continuous real-time network communication between inserters and central systems, job files are transferred once in advance to local systems. This eliminates the need for dedicated real-time communication networks while maintaining data integrity through pre-loaded reference data.
3Productivity
If mail batches are processed across multiple production sites, then processing capacity and delivery efficiency improve, but coordination and data sharing between sites become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mail batch is segmented by destination address and distributed to appropriate production sites. Each site receives only the subset of mailpieces destined for its service area, eliminating the need for complex inter-site coordination. The central system performs the segmentation and distribution automatically based on address data in the job file.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmentation and allocation of mailpieces to specific production sites is performed in advance as part of the job file preparation. This preliminary action determines which site processes which mailpieces before production begins, simplifying multi-site operations to independent parallel processes without runtime coordination requirements.
4Reliability
If traditional server-based systems are used for mail production, then centralized control is maintained, but network issues and latency affect continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
Each production site's inserter is equipped with local memory and processing capability to independently verify mailpiece identifiers and execute finishing instructions without requiring continuous connection to the central server. The system serves itself using pre-loaded job files, maintaining productivity even when network connectivity is interrupted.
Data Source
AI summary
Producing mail batches on inserters located at multiple production sites, includes: preparing a print job and a job file for a mail batch; allocating the mail batch to at least one production site with production software running on a production server; flagging the mailpieces for the production site; sending the print job to a printer of the production site; printing the documents; delivering the documents an inserter of the production site; scanning a first mailpiece identifier on a first document; sending an initial request to the production server including the first mailpiece identifier and identifying the inserter and the production site; verifying via the production software that the first mailpiece identifier is valid; and sending back to the inserter a confirmation message for processing the mailpiece wherein the confirmation message includes a list of valid mailpiece identifiers neighbouring the first mailpiece identifier in the job file.