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WO1991006929A1 - Distributeur automatique de timbres-poste - Google Patents

Distributeur automatique de timbres-poste Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1991006929A1
WO1991006929A1 PCT/NL1990/000165 NL9000165W WO9106929A1 WO 1991006929 A1 WO1991006929 A1 WO 1991006929A1 NL 9000165 W NL9000165 W NL 9000165W WO 9106929 A1 WO9106929 A1 WO 9106929A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
stamp
stamps
light attenuation
automatic
control unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/NL1990/000165
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English (en)
Inventor
Petrus Johannes De Rijk
Antonius Johannes Montagne
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PRODUCT PARTNERS
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PRODUCT PARTNERS
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PRODUCT PARTNERS filed Critical PRODUCT PARTNERS
Publication of WO1991006929A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991006929A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/68—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are torn or severed from strips or sheets
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B3/00—Machines for issuing preprinted tickets
    • G07B3/02—Machines for issuing preprinted tickets from stock in wound strip form

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an automatic stamp machine for automatically dispensing value-denominated stamps, provided with a chassis, a drive system with a stepping motor, an optical measuring system for consecutively scanning a progressively moved strip of stamps which are fed from a stamp roll and are each separated from one another by a separating edge and for generating a signal which represents the degree of light attenuation, a processing and control unit for examining the light attenuation signal to determine the separating edge, and a cropping system for cutting off an externally specified number of stamps under the control of the processing and control unit.
  • Such an automatic stamp machine is disclosed in US Patent Specification 4,637.523-
  • the automatic machine known from said patent specification is intended to dispense a number of stamps, with the aid of a cropping operation, in response to an externally generated request signal and the device is intended in particular for examining whether or not a blank or imprinted stamp is dispensed as a valid stamp.
  • the said processing and control unit is designed to distinguish blank stamps from printed stamps with the aid of the optical scanning system.
  • the circuit designed for this purpose using analog techniques makes use of only two sharply different detection criteria for the light attenuation signal.
  • the known automatic machine is intended, in particular, for stamps of very defined dimensions.
  • the device is not capable of being able to handle, without separate preset lengths, the various types of value-denominated stamps existing in practice and having a large spread in length and light attenuation. No position information is available either in the processing and control unit and no feedback is possible to another size and light attenuation.
  • the object of the invention is to eliminate the abovementioned problems and to provide an automatic stamp machine with which many types of value-denominated stamps having a large range of sizes and light attenuation can be examined and dispensed .
  • the optical scanning system is designed to measure the average light attenuation, over at least a portion of the width of the stamp strip, at discrete length intervals with high resolution, the optical measuring system being synchronised with the drive system so that a light measurement takes place for every step of the stepping motor per said length interval, and in that the digitally designed processing and control unit determines the separating edge on the basis of detection criteria and is of self-adjusting design, the stamp parameters such as length and light attenuation and their variation being automatically determined and processed and conse ⁇ quently, all the stamps encountered in practice can be dispensed by the automatic machine.
  • US Patent Specification 4,716,799 discloses an automatic stamp machine for issuing admission or lottery tickets of a particular type.
  • the issuing takes place at relatively low issuing speed and the optical system is used solely to know the ticket length.
  • the issuing and fault detection takes place exclusively on the basis of this length information.
  • the specified adaptive operation relates to the mean stamp length, which is a parameter which is not strictly necessary for issuing.
  • the automatic stamp machine according to the application is capable of dispensing value-denominated stamps having a large range of sizes and light attenuation at high speed.
  • the starting point of the present automatic stamp machine is an issuing on the basis of optical detection and fault detection based on length information.
  • the detection parameters are adjusted on the basis of the optical properties, as a result of which a reliable optical detection always takes place.
  • the average stamp length is in fact redundant information and it is used, in addition to the optical information, for fault detection and fault repair. If a fault condition occurs in the automatic stamp machine during issuing, for example as a consequence of altering stamp properties, the automatic machine again carries out the initialisation phase, depending on the type of fault. The parameters of the adaptive measuring system are determined again and the issuing is resumed.
  • the adaptive operation takes place solely on the basis of the average stamp length, whereas in the case of the automatic stamp machine according to the invention, the adaptive operation takes place on the basis of optical .properties and stamp length. A fundamentally better detection is obtained by a different optical measuring system and an operation which is independent of stamp length as a result of a different mechanical construction.
  • Figure 1 shows an elevation of the one open side of the automatic machine according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows an elevation of the other open side of the automatic machine according to the invention
  • Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional elevation of the optical system from the automatic machine of Figures 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the general principle of the automatic machine according to the invention
  • Figure 5 shows a state diagram of the automatic machine according to the invention
  • Figure 6 shows an example of the light attenuation profile of a strip of stamps having a high contrast
  • Figures 7a. b and c show light attenuation profiles and histograms of one and the same strip of stamps A, respectively, in three different automatic machines 1, 2 and 3; and
  • Figures 8a, b and c show light attenuation profiles and histograms, respectively, of three different strips of stamps B, C and D in the same automatic machine 1.
  • automatic stamp machine is a combined electronic and mechanical device which is capable of issuing a specified number of value-denominated stamps automatically via remote operation.
  • Value-denominated stamps are understood to mean all the stamps which are supplied on rolls, such as postage stamps, stamps in supermarkets, automatic filling stations, etc. In these cases, the stamps are separated one from another by a separating edge, for example a perforation or special printing such as a transverse line.
  • the automatic stamp machine is filled with one roll of stamps which is transported to the stamp outlet by means of a drive system such as a positioning motor with associated drive roller and pressure roller.
  • the stamps are scanned by the optical measuring system, the stamps being examined for various properties such as size, light transparency or light attenuation, etc. by the processing and control unit, and a self-adjusting measuring system being obtained by means of feedbacks.
  • This makes it possible to handle different types of stamps, for example with a length of 14-43 ⁇ im and a width of 15-30 mm, and with a stamp printing which has to fulfil at least a minimum optical detection criterion.
  • the number of stamps is then counted and, after the specified number has passed, the stamp strip is progressively moved further over a certain distance until the rear separating edge of the last stamp has arrived opposite the cropping system and cropping takes place. As a result of using said cropping system, it is not necessary to pull off and tear off the stamps oneself.
  • 1 is the chassis of the automatic stamp machine
  • 2 is the externally insertable cassette
  • 3 is the stamp roll
  • 4 is the stamp roller shaft
  • 5 is the stamp strip
  • 6 is a drive roller driven by the stepping motor (not shown)
  • 7 is a pressure roller
  • 8 is a leafspring
  • 10 and 11 are, respectively, the photosensitive cell
  • 12 and 13 are respectively the upper and lower knife of the cropping system
  • 14 is a lock for sealing off the cassette holder
  • 21 is a stock sensor.
  • Figure 2 shows the other side of the housing.
  • 20 is the stepping motor
  • 21 is the stock sensor
  • 1 is the light-emitting cell
  • 22 is the processing and control unit
  • 23 is a number of display members
  • 24 is a magnetic coil for the cropping knife
  • 25 is a supply on-off switch
  • 26 is an actuating switch
  • 27 is a mains lead
  • 28 is a communication port or gateway
  • 29 is a transformer
  • 33 is a lock sensor.
  • Figure 3 shows a cross section of the optical measuring system. This shows clearly how the light beam delivered by the infrared light-emitting cell or LED 15 is deflected towards the stamp strip 5 via the prism 11. The light transmitted through said strip 5 is finally collected via the detection wedge or detection guide 10 by the photosensitive cell or infrared sensitive PIN-diode 9. It is clear that the movement of the stamp strip 5 is directed perpendicularly to the drawing plane of Figure 3-
  • FIG 4 shows a block diagram of the operation of the automatic stamp machine from Figures 1 to 3-
  • the knife control circuit 31 which receives the cutting command from the processing and control unit 22, delivers a control signal to the electro ⁇ magnet 24, which moves the movable knife 12.
  • the circuit 31 contains a buffer capacitor from which the energy is obtained for moving the electromagnet 24 and a pulse-width modulation circuit with which the holding force of the magnet is regulated.
  • Shown on either side of the progressively moving stamp strip 5 are the infrared light-emitting cell (LED) 15 and the photosensitive cell or PIN-diode 9-
  • the prism 11 and the light guide or detection wedge 10 are again arranged between them.
  • the cells 15 and 9 are connected respectively to the LED drive circuit and a 10-bit A/D converter in the optical interface 30.
  • the stamp strip 5 originating from the stock roll 3 passes between the prism 11 and the detection wedge 10 and causes a varying light transmission through the optical channel which is dependent on the light attenuation of the stamp strip.
  • An average measurement is carried out over the width of the stamp strip with the measuring system.
  • the average light transparency or attenuation is measured at discrete length- position intervals and the measurement signal is processed digitally in the processing and control unit.
  • the position of the separating edge is determined with the aid of detection criteria to be explained below. It is consequently possible to count the number of stamps which has been transported and to determine where the exact separating edge is situated, after which a command signal can be delivered for the cropping system.
  • a position window is introduced to take account of the progressive movement, determined by the drive system, of the stamp strip 5 from the measuring system to the cropping system 12, 13.
  • the number of stamps still to be counted is reduced by one.
  • the last dete * cted perforation 38 is transported towards the knife system 12, 13 and the stamp strip 5 is cut off. Since a separating edge, such as a perforation, is on average one mm wide, approxi ⁇ mately three to four measurements will be carried out during the passage of the separating edge, which ensures the accuracy of the cutting action of the knife.
  • the stamp strip is rewound a number of steps from behind the knife. As a result of this, the stamps are again in an optimum position, ready for the subsequent issue. Instructions for issuing stamps are received directly via the communication port 28 from the payment system connected.
  • the optical measurement is synchronised with the progressive movement of the stamp strip which is brought about by the stepping motor with high resolution, i.e. a very small step.
  • the motor control circuit 32 Under the control of the unit 22, the motor control circuit 32 provides the progressive movement, possibly with half-step facility, adjustable minimum speed, acceleration, maximum speed and deceleration of the stamp strip. 7 again indicates the pressure roller and 6 indicates the drive roller driven by the stepping motor 20.
  • a communication interface 33 for communication to the outside via the communication (RS 232) port 28, a data memory 34, a memory section 36. incorporated in the parameter memory 35. for parameters after manufacture and a memory section 37 for para ⁇ meters after initialisation are furthermore respectively connected to the processing and control unit 22.
  • the communication interface 33 provides the communication of the automatic stamp machine with the payment system. It contains a communication protocol embodying fault correction and message recognition. Valid messages for the automatic stamp machine are transmitted to the processing and control unit. Automatic stamp machine signals are emitted from the processing and control unit 22 to the issuing system via said communication interface 33-
  • the automatic machine After the mains voltage has been switched on (hardware reset), the automatic machine enters the "POWER UP" state. In this state, the parameters present in the non-volatile parameter memory (EEPROM) 36 are checked for their validity. If the parameters are not valid, the parameters are taken over from the program memory. A hardware check is then carried out. If the hardware is not found to be in order, the error code acquires a value which corresponds to the error detected. For an error code of zero, the automatic machine proceeds to the subsequent "INIT" (initialisation) state and for any error code not equal to zero, the automatic machine proceeds to the "ERROR" state.
  • EEPROM non-volatile parameter memory
  • This test comprises measuring the amount of light which comes from the transparent channel with infrared LED switched on and switched off. If the measured contrast difference is too small to guarantee good operation of the automatic machine, the error code is again made unequal to zero, and the automatic machine again proceeds to the "ERROR" state. If the measured contrast is adequate, the automatic machine starts stamp detection. For this purpose, a number of stamps is first progressively moved out of the automatic machine. Then said stamps are rewound again. During this rewinding, the light attenuation due to the stamps is measured at each step change of the stepping motor (three measurements per mm of stamp). The resolution of the measuring system is 0.1# (range 0 ... 1000; 0 corresponding to minimum light attenuation and 1000 to maximum light attenuation) .
  • FIG. 6 An example of a light attenuation profile of a strip of stamps having high contrast is shown in Figure 6, the light attenuation or "att” (i.e. attenuation) and stamp strip position or “location” being indicated along the vertical and horizontal axis respectively.
  • the data may be stored in the data memory, either in compressed or uncompressed form.
  • the stamp detection during issuing may take place by peak detection carried out on the result of correlating the light attenuation profile of the stamp to be issued with the light transparency profile or light attenuation profile, stored in the memory, of a reference stamp.
  • a measurement of the light attenuation is carried out at every position s # tep of the motor and the result is added to a buffer which contains a number of positions which is equal to the number of measurement values of the reference step.
  • the oldest measurement value is simultaneously removed from the buffer.
  • the correlation of the data stored in the buffer and the data of the reference stamp is then calculated. After every positive peak in the correlation result, a stamp is cut off.
  • a peak detection is carried out with hysteresis.
  • the maximum is valid only if the subsequent correlation result has a value which is a few units lower.
  • the light attenuation profile of at least one stamp is stored, for example starting and ending at the apex of the perforation.
  • the length of the stamp is equal to the number of memory locations which is occupied by said profile. Said length may be used for verification purposes during the issuing of stamps.
  • This manner of stamp detection during issuing requires a high processing speed of the processing and control unit.
  • the stamp detection during issuing may also take place by peak detection carried out on the light attenuation profile of the stamp to be issued.
  • a positive or negative peak detection is carried out with associated crossing of a detection threshold.
  • a negative peak detection is therefore carried out on the light attenuation; every minimum measured corresponds to a perforation and therefore with a stamp to be issued.
  • a negative peak detection is carried out with hysteresis. The minimum is valid only as a perforation if the subsequent measurement gives a value which is a few units higher.
  • the threshold value can be obtained in various ways, viz. with the methods a, b and c as discussed below: a.
  • the threshold value is permanently adjusted. In this case, there is no adaptive operation at all of the detection system. Variation in light attenuation of the optical transmission channel due to production spread, and also considerable variation in the light attenuation of the stamps due to difference in printing and paper quality of different stamp types, and also appreciable variation in the amount of ambient light radiated in and effects of ageing, contamination and temperature upon the optical and electronic measuring system give rise to incorrect detection of perforations. Some of these effects can be reduced by carrying out the peak detection under the control of the measured length. For an operation which is still to some extent reliable, adjustment of said threshold value is desirable for every automatic stamp machine. b.
  • the threshold value is determined from a weighted average of the minimum and maximum value of the measured light attenuation of the stamps measured during initialisation.
  • the weighting factor can be fed to the automatic machine as a parameter.
  • tr is the threshold value to be determined
  • A is the weighting factor
  • Max and Min are the maximum and the minimum value respectively of the light attenuation, determined during initialisation, of a number of stamps.
  • the automatic machine adjusts itself depending on the stamp type and is compensated for production spread, ageing and contamination.
  • a disadvantage of this method is that a few high values of the light attenuation, for example due to very heavy printing locally of the stamps, have a considerable effect on the determination of the threshold value.
  • the weighting factor differs for every automatic stamp machine and stamp type if the optical measuring system is strongly non-linear (due to non-uniform light distribution of the infrared LED and non-uniform distribution of the perforation over the width of the stamp) . Just as under a, this makes adjustment of the automatic stamp machine after produc ⁇ tion necessary.
  • a considerable improvement is possible by not taking a weighted average of the maximum and minimum value of the light attenuation, but a weighted average of the mode (the value occur ⁇ ring most) and the minimum value of the light attenuation of the stamps measured during initialisation. A few high values, which seldom occur, of the light attenuation now have little effect on the determination of the threshold value. In this case, a histogram of the measured values of the light attenuation is stored in the data memory instead of a complete light attenuation profile of a number of stamps.
  • the histogram is superfluous after initia- lisation and if only the data derived therefrom (the threshold value and the stamp length) need to be known during issuing, said memory becomes free after initialisation for other data (communi ⁇ cation buffer, temporary storage of variables and the like) .
  • the threshold value can be calculated in this method in accordance with the expression: tr « Min + A. (Mod - Min).
  • Mod is the mode, i.e. the value occurring most
  • Min is the minimum value of the light attenuation of the profile measured during initialisation.
  • A is a parameter or weighting factor which can now have the same value for every type of stamp for all the automatic machines and for many different stamp types.
  • the methods b and c can be implemented with so-called direct and indirect adaptive operation.
  • Direct adaptive operation is understood to mean that the automatic machine continuously recalculates the detection threshold during issuing. That is to say:
  • Min and Max are the average of the measured minimum and maximum values and the light attenuation of a number of stamps. This number may, for example, be equal to the number of stamps measured during the initialisation.
  • Min and Mod are the averages of the measured minimum value and of the calculated mode, respecti ⁇ vely, of the light attenuation of a number of stamps. This number may, for example, be equal to the number of stamps which has been measured during the initialisation phase.
  • Indirect adaptive operation is understood to mean that the detection threshold has a fixed value during stamp issuing. If an error occurs in the stamp detection, for example stamp too long or stamp too short, a new initialisation phase automatically follows in which the detection threshold and the stamp length are re- measured. In this manner, the automatic stamp machine adapts itself indirectly during issuing to the new optical conditions.
  • the advantage of this implementation over the implementation employing direct adaptive operation is that the issuing speed can be higher and that no memory is necessary during issuing for storing a histogram as referred to under method c.
  • a very advantageous design of the automatic stamp machine is obtained with the last method.
  • the stamp detection during issuing thus takes place in accordance with 2, while the parameters necessary for the purpose are determined in accordance with method c.
  • the preparation of the histogram and the determination of the threshold value now takes place during the rewinding of the strip of stamps transported outwards for this purpose.
  • use is made of a quantised logarithmic distribution This means that the 1000 values of the light attenuation possibly occurring are divided into a number of groups. For each group, the number of times that a measured value falls into said group is recorded.
  • the threshold value has a value which is greater than the minimum (Mod > Min) and considerably smaller than the maximum, even if all the values (0 ... 1000) occur equally often.
  • the only condition which has to be fulfilled for correct detection is that the perforation in the stamp always has a lower light attenuation value than the printed stamp.
  • the histogram contains 112 positions in which the attenuation values are stored in accordance with the following table:
  • the content of the position in the histogram corresponding to the measurement result is incremented.
  • the attenuation is measured after every step of the stepping motor.
  • the threshold value can be determined from said histogram.
  • the mode is determined from 350 measurement results (a strip of stamps approximately 75 ⁇ i long) in accordance with the method described above.
  • the histogram has 112 positions having a quantised logarithmic distribution, each position with a range of 0-255- In practice, this is found to be amply sufficient for all types of stamps and automatic machines.
  • Figures 7a, 7b and 7c show a light attenuation profile and a histogram (on the left and right, respectively, in the figure) of stamp B, stamp C and stamp D respectively, all measured in the same automatic stamp machine 1.
  • Figures 8a, 8b and 8c show a light attenuation profile and a histogram (on the left and right, respectively, in the figure) of stamp A in automatic machine 1, automatic machine 2 and automatic machine 3. respectively.
  • the attenuation profiles give the measured light attenuation as a function of the position on the stamp strip.
  • the histograms show the position horizontally and the number of measurement results vertically with a value inside the range of said position.
  • the calculated values of the mode and the detection threshold, tr, and also the measured minimum are indicated by a broken line.
  • the weighting factor A is 0.784 in all cases. This parameter can be adjusted via the communication interface 33-
  • the automatic machine proceeds to the "ERROR" state.
  • the determination of the stamp length follows. The first stamp is first of all transported outwards. Although the length of this stamp is measured, it has no effect on the determination of the final stamp length; this is because the first stamp may have been partly torn off. The stamp length of the first stamp is equal to the number of steps that the strip has to be transported until the first perforation has been found.
  • the length is valid if: length ⁇ maximum permitted length and length ⁇ opto-to-knife distance - rewinder distance after cutting + tolerance. If the measured length is sufficient, a check is first of all made on whether the first stamp, whose length is still stored, is within the specifications. If the stamp is too long, the error code FST (First STamp too long) ensues and the automatic machine proceeds to the "ERROR" state. If the stamp is too short, the auto ⁇ matic machine continues to transport the stamp strip until the first perforation is reached. The short stamp is then issued during the subsequent issuing but not included in the count. After this, and if the measured length of the first stamp is sufficient, the automatic machine is ready for issuing stamps.
  • FST First STamp too long
  • the desired number of stamps is issued as yet.
  • STAMPC stamps to cut
  • the "COMMUNICATION" state In the communication state, the automatic stamp machine waits for a message from the issuing system or another connected control system such as PC, interface and the like. In addition to the codes which are necessary for communication in accordance with ISO 1745. a message contains a command code (MSG) , possibly with an argument (ARG) and/or a question character (QUERY) . If a comman ⁇ has been received, the automatic machine proceeds to the "BUSY" state in which the command received is carried out. Various commands can be transmitted to the automatic machine in one message. The automatic machine places said commands with associated arguments and queries in a buffer. After carrying out a command, the automatic machine returns to the communication state and the subsequent command is processed.
  • MSG command code
  • ARG argument
  • QUERY question character
  • the position of the next perforation can be predicted during the progressive movement. If no perforation is then encountered at the predicted position, for example as a consequence of blocked holes, the following actions can take place.
  • the progressive movement of the stamp strip can be stopped, after which an error signal is given.
  • the progressive movement can be continued (PERFO-SKIP) by yet a further stamp length, a check being made on whether a perforation then appears. If the latter is detected, it is assumed that the previous perforation was apparently blocked and the stamp is included in the counting. This means that an error correction takes place.
  • the number of stamps still to be cut off is decreased by the number cut off just before that.
  • the new number of stamps still to be issued is then made equal to the new number of stamps still to be cut off. Only if the number of stamps still to be cut off has become equal to zero, does the automatic machine return to the "COMMUNICATION" state if the error code is zero.
  • the error code is STS or STL
  • STS and STL error codes occur only during the issuing of the stamps, in particular if a stamp being too short or a stamp being too long is detected.
  • the automatic error correction thereafter proceeds as follows. The automatic machine rewinds the stamps to the first perforation which is detected. This was the stamp measured last. This perforation is transported to the knife and the stamp strip is cut off. The number of stamps still to be cut off is corrected, the error code is made zero and the automatic machine proceeds to the "INIT" state. If the initialisation proceeds satisfactorily, the remaining stamps are still issued.
  • the automatic machine If the error code was first STS and a stamp being too short (which is now the first stamp) is again detected, this stamp is issued but not included in the count. If the first stamp again appears too long, the automatic machine enters this error state with the FST (First STamp too long) error code. This stamp can be removed by the staff. This stamp must not be issued because the total of the stamps given to the customer becomes too large. For the automatic stamp machine, only the stamps cut off by the automatic machine are considered as issued stamps. If the STS and STL errors were the consequence of a paper fault and said paper fault is not eliminated during initialisation, the automatic machine enters the "ERROR" state, with an error code belonging to this fault.
  • FST First STamp too long
  • the OPN (open) error code overwrites the prevailing error code.
  • the error code again becomes zero and the automatic machine enters the "INIT" state.
  • the opening and closing of the automatic stamp machine can thus be viewed as a reset command.
  • the automatic machine detects that the mains voltage has failed, the motor and all the LEDs are switched off. Important parameters, including the number of stamps still to be cut off, the total number issued, the subtotal and the stock are then written into the non-volatile parameter memory. After the mains voltage has been restored, the automatic machine enters the "POWER UP" state and after initialisation, the remaining number of stamps still to be cut off is automatically issued. The automatic issuing of stamps can be stopped by opening the lock of the automatic machine and giving a CAN (cancel) instruction. The number of stamps still to be cut off is thereby made zero.
  • an optical detection sensor 21 can be provided which determines the presence of a minimum number of stamps in the cassette. When the stamp roll runs low, this sensor detects that the stock is lower than a prespecified number. The user is then made aware of this. A second check is possible by storing the ntimber of stamps on the full reel beforehand as initial data in the processing and control unit and then subtracting the stamps issued therefrom.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

Un distributeur automatique de timbres-poste servant à distribuer automatiquement des timbres de valeur précise est muni d'un châssis, d'un système d'entraînement à moteur pas à pas, d'un système optique mesureur destiné à balayer de manière consécutive une bande de timbrs avançant progressivement à partir d'un rouleau de ttimbres, les timbres étant séparés les uns des autres par un bord de séparation, ainsi qu'à générer un signal représentant le degré d'atténuation de la lumière, d'une unité de traitement et de commande destinée à analyser le signal d'atténuation de la lumière afin de déterminer le bord de séparation, et d'un système de coupage servant à détacher, sous le contrôle de l'unité de traitement et de commande, un nombre de timbres spécifié à l'extérieur. Le système optique mesureur est conçu pour mesurer l'atténuation moyenne de lumière sur au moins une partie de la largeur de la bande de timbres, à des intervalles de longueur discrètes, et à haute résolution. Ce système est synchronisé avec le système d'entraînement afin que la lumière soit mesurée lors de chaque pas du moteur pas à pas pour chaque dite intervalle de longueur. L'unité de traitement et de commande à conception numérique détermine le bord de séparation à partir des critères de détection, et est auto-réglable, les paramètres des timbres tels que la longueur et l'atténuation de la lumière et leurs variations étant automatiquement déterminés et traités. Lors d'une phase d'initialisation, l'unité de traitement et de commande détermine une valeur seuil pour la détection des timbres en stockant dans la mémoire de données un histogramme des valeurs mesurées d'atténuation de lumière pour un certain nombre de timbres, le seuil, tr, étant calculé de la façon suivante: tr = Min + A.(Mod - Min), où Min est la valeur minimale de l'atténuation de lumière trouvée et Mod est le mode trouvé, c'est-à-dire la valeur la plus courante, et A est un facteur de pondération.
PCT/NL1990/000165 1989-11-01 1990-11-01 Distributeur automatique de timbres-poste Ceased WO1991006929A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL8902699 1989-11-01
NL8902699A NL8902699A (nl) 1989-11-01 1989-11-01 Zegelautomaat.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991006929A1 true WO1991006929A1 (fr) 1991-05-16

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PCT/NL1990/000165 Ceased WO1991006929A1 (fr) 1989-11-01 1990-11-01 Distributeur automatique de timbres-poste

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AU (1) AU6740690A (fr)
NL (1) NL8902699A (fr)
WO (1) WO1991006929A1 (fr)

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GB2295820A (en) * 1994-12-05 1996-06-12 Ima Spa Blister band dispenser
EP0592308B2 (fr) † 1992-10-07 2006-06-21 Neopost Industrie Ruban à étiquettes auto-adhésives et distributeur automatique d'étiquettes
WO2016099278A1 (fr) * 2014-12-19 2016-06-23 Tcc Global N.V. Appareil de distribution de timbres et procédé associé
CN108022310A (zh) * 2018-01-16 2018-05-11 广东智助星科技股份有限公司 印花派发机
US11642904B2 (en) * 2018-06-25 2023-05-09 Colop Digital Gmbh Electronic hand stamp

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GB1013050A (en) * 1963-10-21 1965-12-15 Ncr Co Improvements in or relating to machines adapted to issue stapms in accordance with amonetary valve
EP0139475A2 (fr) * 1983-09-21 1985-05-02 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Distributeur de timbres postaux
US4637523A (en) * 1985-02-08 1987-01-20 Coin Acceptors, Inc. Stamp scanning and dispensing means and method
US4716799A (en) * 1986-08-12 1988-01-05 Syntech International, Inc. Ticket dispensing machine and method
DE3730683A1 (de) * 1987-09-12 1989-03-23 Gremser Masch Franz Verfahren und vorrichtung zur kontrolle von gegenstaenden

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1013050A (en) * 1963-10-21 1965-12-15 Ncr Co Improvements in or relating to machines adapted to issue stapms in accordance with amonetary valve
EP0139475A2 (fr) * 1983-09-21 1985-05-02 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Distributeur de timbres postaux
US4637523A (en) * 1985-02-08 1987-01-20 Coin Acceptors, Inc. Stamp scanning and dispensing means and method
US4716799A (en) * 1986-08-12 1988-01-05 Syntech International, Inc. Ticket dispensing machine and method
DE3730683A1 (de) * 1987-09-12 1989-03-23 Gremser Masch Franz Verfahren und vorrichtung zur kontrolle von gegenstaenden

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0592308B2 (fr) † 1992-10-07 2006-06-21 Neopost Industrie Ruban à étiquettes auto-adhésives et distributeur automatique d'étiquettes
GB2295820A (en) * 1994-12-05 1996-06-12 Ima Spa Blister band dispenser
WO2016099278A1 (fr) * 2014-12-19 2016-06-23 Tcc Global N.V. Appareil de distribution de timbres et procédé associé
CN105761315A (zh) * 2014-12-19 2016-07-13 荷兰商·Tcc全球公司 一种发放印花的设备及其方法
CN108022310A (zh) * 2018-01-16 2018-05-11 广东智助星科技股份有限公司 印花派发机
US11642904B2 (en) * 2018-06-25 2023-05-09 Colop Digital Gmbh Electronic hand stamp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL8902699A (nl) 1991-06-03
AU6740690A (en) 1991-05-31

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