Mailing Machine Print Head Positioning for Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mailing machines experience reduced throughput when auxiliary information is required for special services, as they enter a disabled state and the print head moves from the printing position to a capped position, causing delays during processing.

Innovation Solution

The control unit determines if auxiliary information is needed and maintains the print head in the printing position with a timer, allowing users to enter information without moving to the capped position, thus preventing delays and maintaining throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mailing machine enters a disabled state when auxiliary information is required, then user input is ensured, but throughput is reduced due to print head movement delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input accuracyVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading the print head carriage to the printing position and pre-displaying the auxiliary information input screen before the user completes data entry. This allows the print head to be ready for immediate printing once the user finishes input, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur when the print head needs to move from capped position to printing position after the disabled state is exited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by keeping the print head carriage in the printing position (rather than moving it to capped position) during the user's data entry period. This continuous positioning ensures that when the user completes input, the print head is already ready to print immediately, maintaining uninterrupted processing flow and maximizing throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If the print head moves to capped position during disabled state, then system safety is maintained, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem safetyVSAvoidprocessing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by moving the print head carriage to the printing position in advance, before the user completes data entry. This preliminary positioning eliminates the subsequent time loss that would occur when the print head needs to move from capped position to printing position after the disabled state is exited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by making the print head carriage position dynamic rather than static during the disabled state. Instead of moving to a fixed capped position for safety, the carriage remains dynamically positioned at the printing position, allowing immediate printing action once the user completes input, thus reducing processing delay while maintaining system safety through controlled positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the mailing machine waits for user input before processing, then data accuracy is ensured, but throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the print head carriage to the printing position and pre-displaying the input interface before the user completes data entry. This allows the system to prepare all necessary components in advance, ensuring data accuracy through user input while minimizing waiting time and maintaining high throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the print head carriage in the printing position throughout the user's data entry process. This continuous readiness state ensures that data accuracy is maintained through user input while eliminating idle time, as the print head is already positioned and ready to print immediately upon user completion, thus preserving throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS7698232B2Method and system for controlling processing performed by a mailing machine

Publication Date: 2010.04.13 PITNEY BOWERS INC

AI summary

A mailing machine is provided that determines if entry into a disabled state is coupled with the need for auxiliary information to be entered by the user. If auxiliary information is required to be entered by the user, the print head will not move to the capped position but instead remains in the printing position, and a timer is activated to provide the user with time to enter the information. If the user enters the required information before a predetermined amount of time has expired, the mail piece will be processed without any delay required for the print head to move from the capped position to the printing position. Only if the user has not entered the required information within the predetermined amount of time will the print head move to the capped position.