High Speed Printing RIBI Postage Indicia via Inkjet
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed postage machines struggle with applying variable postage values efficiently due to slow traditional electro-mechanical meters, which require additional equipment and pose security risks, leading to potential revenue losses and compliance issues.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a client-server architecture that prints Reduced Information-Based Indicia (RIBI) using a high-speed printer, allowing for variable postage values on a piece-by-piece basis without a trusted e-meter, with the client server managing funds and reporting usage to a system server that issues tokens for printing, enhancing security and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional electro-mechanical meters are used to apply postage, then postage can be applied to mail pieces, but the processing speed is slower than the rest of the high-speed equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electro-mechanical meters with an inkjet printing system that deposits phosphorescent ink to create postage indicia. This substitution eliminates the mechanical limitations of traditional meters and enables synchronization with high-speed mail processing equipment, achieving processing speeds of 70,000 pieces per hour or more.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using variable speed control for the inkjet printer to match different mail processing speeds. The printer can dynamically adjust its deposition rate to synchronize with the conveyor belt speed, allowing the same equipment to handle varying volumes of mail at different speeds.
2Device complexity
If traditional meters are used for high-speed postage, then equipment is simpler, but additional equipment is required and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet printing system serves multiple functions: it applies postage indicia, provides security features through phosphorescent ink and variable data encoding, and integrates with the existing high-speed mail processing line. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate traditional meter equipment while enhancing security capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of postage values and encodes them in machine-readable formats with security features. The phosphorescent ink patterns serve as verifiable copies that can be authenticated, providing both simplicity and enhanced security through digital verification capabilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional meters are used, then equipment cost is lower, but revenue losses increase due to security risks
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing electro-mechanical meters with an inkjet printing system, the patent eliminates the security vulnerabilities associated with traditional meters while maintaining cost-effectiveness. The inkjet system provides superior security through phosphorescent ink and variable data encoding, preventing fraud and revenue loss without requiring expensive additional security equipment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If variable postage values are applied on a piece-by-piece basis, then mail processing flexibility improves, but traditional meters cannot keep up with the speed requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet printing system dynamically adjusts its operation to print variable postage values at different speeds based on the specific requirements of each mail piece. The system can change postage amounts, formats, and security features on-the-fly without mechanical reconfiguration, maintaining synchronization with the high-speed conveyor belt while providing complete flexibility in postage assignment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables faster processing of mail with variable weights and classes on a single production line, reducing costs and security risks by using standard ink-jet printers and providing secure, traceable postage tracking, thereby minimizing revenue losses and improving compliance.
Implementation Method 1
The postage is printed with a phosphorescent ink.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for high-speed processing of mail pieces is disclosed. The high-speed system includes client server that forms and prints a shipping label comprising reduced Information-Based Indicia (RIBI) on each piece of mail. The client server provides funds to the system server and reports the RIBI usage to the system server. The system server issues tokens to the client server that allow the client server to the print a shipping label including RIBI indicia for a certain value of postage.