Control signal buffer for use in an inserter system

Abstract

An inserter system having an improved control system. The system includes a sheet inserter system and one or more web modules, for, receiving a web of forms, scanning the forms for information, storing and retransmitting the information, separating the web into discrete forms, and feeding the forms for further processing by the sheet inserter system. The sheet inserter system adds additional sheets to the forms inserts the batches so formed into envelopes and may imprint the envelopes with metered postage. The control system includes a supervisory controller which receives the control information and controls the sheet inserter system and web modules in accordance therewith. A buffer is provided to transfer control information from the supervisory controller to the sheet inserter system. The buffer receives control signals from the supervisory controller synchronously with the transfer of batches of documents from the web modules to the sheet inserter system but does not transmit the control signals to the sheet inserter system unless the transfer is successfully completed.