DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary indicia imprint with enlarged details for explaining the invention wherein,
- imprint (a) is a complete indicia imprint with two-dimensional barcode, advertising cliche and other supplementary services such as one-dimensional address barcode,
- enlargement (b) is a detail from the two-dimensional barcode from imprint (a), and
- enlargement (c) is a detail from enlargement (b).
FIG. 2 provides an overview of possible non-information-conveying free spray print images, wherein
- imprint (a) distribution of the dots over of the print medium given participation of all nozzles,
- imprint (b) distribution of the dots over the print medium given advantageous participation of the nozzles in the upper and lower margins,
- imprint (c) distribution of the dots on a chronologically subsequent vertical line given participation of all nozzles,
- imprint (d) distribution of the dots on two chronologically subsequent vertical lines aligned with one another given participation of the nozzles in the upper and lower margins,
- imprint (e) distribution of the dots on a chronologically preceding vertical line given participation of all nozzles,
- imprint (f) distribution of the dots on two chronologically preceding vertical lines aligned with one another given participation of the nozzles in the upper and lower margins,
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for the printer control in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for the block diagram according to FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For simplification and for an easier understanding, the representations below are in somewhat schematic form.
A complete indicia imprint for test purposes according to imprint (a) in FIG. 1 includes FIG. 1, in chronological order beginning at the right, the conventional franking imprint, the franking imprint in the two-dimensional barcode, an advertising cliche and other supplementary services such as a one-dimensional address barcode arranged below said advertising cliché.
A sub-region of the franking imprint in the two-dimensional barcode is shown enlargement (b) of FIG. 1. Here it can already be easily seen how the pixels p are composed of multiple dots d.
The region according to enlargement (b) FIG. 1b is shown so enlarged in enlargement (c) that the dimensions of one pixel can be easily seen in x- and y-coordinates, and it can also be seen that individual dots d of the free spray image that lie within the white pixels of the relevant print image Dr. It is clear that these dots inevitably are not considered by an evaluation system that makes the evaluation at a level comparable to the pixel size.
Imprint (a) in FIG. 2 illustrates the case of the free spray image Db (dots enlarged in deviation from reality) being distributed over the information-conveying print image Dr and the remaining print medium B.
Imprint (b) in FIG. 2 illustrates a free spray image Db that particularly takes into account the upper and lower margins of the maximum print region. These margins are the regions in which the nozzles are otherwise seldom activated or are not activated at all. This variant is particularly ink-saving and therefore preferred.
Imprint (c) in FIG. 2 illustrates a free spray image Db in which all nozzles are activated simultaneously after the two-dimensional barcode such that a vertical line exists. In this variant the actual intensity of the activation of the individual nozzles for the generation of the information-conveying print image Dr is not considered (taken into account). However, it is still ensured that each nozzle is activated at least one time per print medium B.
Imprint (d) in FIG. 2 illustrates a free spray image Db is shown in which all nozzles in the upper and lower margins are activated simultaneously after the two-dimensional barcode such that two vertical print lines parallel to one another exist. It is hereby required that all nozzles are activated for the barcode region. This variant has the same effect as the variant according to imprint (b) FIG. 2 and is consequently equally advantageous.
Imprint (e) in FIG. 2 illustrates a free spray image Db in which all nozzles are activated simultaneously before the two-dimensional barcode. This pattern is the counterpart to the pattern according to imprint (e) of FIG. 2.
Imprint (f) in FIG. 2 illustrates a free spray image Db in which all nozzles in the upper and lower margins are activated simultaneously before the two-dimensional barcode. This pattern is the counterpart to the pattern according to imprint (d) in FIG. 2.
A block diagram of the printer control is shown in FIG. 3. The printer control has a memory 1 for the information-conveying print image Dr. The information-conveying print image Dr contains information concerning postage, mailing date, franking machine, advertising cliche as well as supplementary letter services such as express mail or bulk mail. The information for these items is determined by upstream devices such as letter scales and dimension scanning components as well as operator requests. In addition to the memory 1, a memory 2 is provided into which is input an empirically-determined number of non-information-conveying print patterns or free spray patterns Di1 through Din. Depending on the current and expected relevant print images Dr, the suitably expanded free spray pattern Di is selected manually or automatically. Both memories 1 and 2 are connected in a bi-directional manner with a microprocessor 5. Moreover, the franking data input 3 is connected to the microprocessor 5 such that it arrives in a unidirectional manner at said microprocessor 5. The data supplied by the franking data input 3 are further processed in the microprocessor 5 into the current print image Dr and are buffered in the memory 1. Furthermore, a memory 4 in which the resulting print image D (composed of information-conveying and non-information-conveying print images Dr, Db) is buffered is connected in a bi-directional manner with the microprocessor 5. The microprocessor 5 is connected in a unidirectional manner with a printing device 6 that receives the current resulting print image D from the microprocessor 5.
The associated flowchart for diagram regarding the block diagram according to FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4. With the intake of a print medium B into the franking machine, the leading edge of the print medium B passes a sensor and therewith initiates the start S for the print job Da. The franking print calculation Drb and subsequently the franking print preparation Drv ensue based on the postage-relevant information from the franking data input 3. The information-conveying print image Dr compiled and is buffered. The information as to which nozzles are activated to which extent simultaneously accumulates in the franking print preparation Drv. This information serves for selection A of a suitable non-information-conveying print pattern Di composed of a number n of permanently-stored print patterns Di1 through Din. This print pattern Di is processed to compile a non-information-conveying print image Db that is buffered. The information-conveying print image Dr and the supplementary non-information conveying print image Db are combined into a resulting print image D, and this is forwarded to the print control. The printing process is ended with the execution of all print commands per print medium B.
Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.
Patent Application
20070268329
