Check Technology Corporation

Jay R Peterson

Michael M Richardson

Eugene G Weiss

Kent Gorham

Gary Thomas Schultze

Chris J Vetter

Allan C Brittle, Jr

Lee B Fiedler

Thomas J McDonough

In one embodiment of the present invention, a modular printing system has a plurality of modules for processing sheets. One module is a collator module configured to retain the sheets. The collator module has a collator controller and sensors linked to the collator controller. The sensors are arranged to detect erroneously processed sheets. The collator controller is configured to generate an error signal in response to detection of an error. The collator module also includes a feed assembly for presenting the sheets. A printer module is configured to receive sheets presented by the feed assembly. The printer module includes a printer controller and sensors linked to the printer controller. The sensors are arranged to detect erroneously processed sheets and to generate an error signal in response to detection of an error. The module printing system also includes a system controller linked to the collator controller and the printer controller. The system controller is configured to generate and transmit scheduling signals thereby scheduling operation of the printing system for processing sheets. The system controller is further configured to generate error-recovery signals in response to error signals generated by the collator and printer controllers, thereby causing the modular printing system to automatically recover from printer and collator errors.

Printing system

Sheet registration system

The document handling apparatus provides support structure and a plurality of retainers supported by the support structure. Each retainer includes a tray that is configured to hold a stack of sheets. A feed assembly is supported by the support structure and is substantially vertical and has a mid-section. The feed assembly defines an output port configured to output the sheets. The output port is approximate the mid-section so that the average distance from the retainers to the output port is substantially minimized. The apparatus further includes a plurality of pick mechanisms. Each pick mechanism is configured and arranged to pick sheets from one of the retainers and feed the pick sheet into the feed assembly. The apparatus can include an adjustable edge guide pivotally supported by the support structure. The adjustable edge guide is arranged and configured to control the side edge of the stack. The apparatus further includes a recirculating mechanism for picking sheets from the retainers and for sensing the level of a top sheet in the stack. An elevator raises or lowers the tray, thereby adjusting the level of the top sheet in the stack.

Error recovery in a printing system

Sheet stacking apparatus

A document (or medium) collating/printing system provides automated error detection and error recovery in a high-volume printing application. The system includes a media transporter for transporting the print media, a collator having a plurality of retainers for holding groups of document types, and a printer arrangement that receives and processes presented sheets of the print media from the media transporter. The printer arrangement and the media transporter are configured and arranged to form a substantially planer path for transporting the print media from the media transporter toward the printer device for printing on the print media. Further, a programmed controller controls the presentation of the print media to the media transporter and verifies that the presented sheet of print medium is correctly processed by the printer arrangement. Error detection and recovery are provided using selectively located sensors and diverters controlled by the controller.

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Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Jay R Peterson