Mailing Machine Throughput via Precomputed Indicia Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The throughput of mailing machines is limited by the time-consuming cryptographic processing required for generating and printing postage indicia, particularly in larger machines where this step becomes a bottleneck, and existing methods to increase throughput either do not fully utilize idle time or require significant memory and bookkeeping.
Innovation Solution
The system continuously computes indicium data prior to and during mail processing, separating cryptographic calculation and funds commitment/printing processes, and stores the data in a buffer for immediate use, allowing pre-computation of multiple indicia before processing begins, thus optimizing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryptographic processing is performed sequentially for each mail piece, then security and accuracy of postage calculation are maintained, but throughput of the mailing machine decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs cryptographic processing and generates indicium data in advance before mail pieces arrive at the printing position. The system pre-calculates postage indicia for multiple mail pieces during idle periods, storing the generated data in a buffer. This preliminary action eliminates waiting time during actual printing operations, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining security through proper cryptographic validation before printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the cryptographic processing into separate stages: indicium data generation is separated from the printing operation. The system generates cryptographic indicium data for multiple mail pieces in advance, stores them in a buffer, and then prints them when mail pieces are ready. This segmentation allows cryptographic processing to occur independently of the physical printing timeline, improving overall system throughput.
2Productivity
If pre-computation of indicia is implemented, then throughput increases, but memory resources and bookkeeping complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-computes and stores indicium data in a buffer during idle periods before printing is needed. This approach allows the cryptographic processing to be completed in advance, reducing the computational burden during high-speed printing operations and improving overall throughput without requiring excessive memory during critical printing moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a buffer as an intermediary storage mechanism between the cryptographic processing unit and the printing unit. This buffer temporarily holds pre-computed indicium data, decoupling the memory requirements from the printing speed and allowing the system to manage memory usage more efficiently while maintaining high throughput.
3Reliability
If debit operation is delayed until just before printing, then risk of lost funds is reduced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the debit operation in advance when indicium data is generated, before the mail piece reaches the printing position. This preliminary debiting maintains fund security while allowing the actual printing to occur without additional processing delays, as the cryptographic validation and debit are already completed during the pre-computation phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system that increases the throughput of a mailing machine by continuously computing indicia prior to and during mail processing is provided. The indicia generation process is divided into two distinct parts, cryptographic calculation and funds committal/printing. Indicium data are continuously computed, asynchronously with the printing of the indicia, and stored in a buffer until needed. This enables several indicium data to be computed and stored prior to processing of a mail piece by the mailing machine. Prior to printing an indicium on a mail piece, the funds for the indicium are accounted for by updating the registers of the mailing machine. Since a number of indicium data may be pre-computed prior to the start of processing the mail through the mailing machine, the throughput of the mailing machine can be increased.