EP0702335B1 - System for controlling an ink jet print head in a franking machine by printing a stepped sequence of images - Google Patents

System for controlling an ink jet print head in a franking machine by printing a stepped sequence of images Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0702335B1
EP0702335B1 EP19950401957 EP95401957A EP0702335B1 EP 0702335 B1 EP0702335 B1 EP 0702335B1 EP 19950401957 EP19950401957 EP 19950401957 EP 95401957 A EP95401957 A EP 95401957A EP 0702335 B1 EP0702335 B1 EP 0702335B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
nozzles
patterns
displacement direction
rows
print
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19950401957
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0702335A1 (en
Inventor
Michel Fajour
Bernard Mourgues
Jean-Claude Haroutel
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.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0702335A1 publication Critical patent/EP0702335A1/en
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Publication of EP0702335B1 publication Critical patent/EP0702335B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
    • G07B2017/00338—Error detection or handling
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00524—Printheads
    • G07B2017/00532—Inkjet
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00556—Ensuring quality of print
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00637—Special printing techniques, e.g. interlacing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00669—Sensing the position of mailpieces

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a franking machine including an inkjet print head for printing a postal imprint on a postage item moved relative to the head in a direction of movement, this print head comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged in two rows extending transversely to the direction of movement, these two rows being mutually offset transversely and longitudinally to the direction of movement and a control means being planned to order the chronological succession of ejecting ink droplets from the plurality of nozzles.
  • Such a head franking machine inkjet printing is known from document US-5083153.
  • Inkjet printing brings machines very high flexibility in postage especially when it comes to printing on items from postal imprint mail with both variable characters, like the numeric symbols of a postage amount, and color layouts, like the advertising flames.
  • the two rows of nozzles can be part from two different housings mutually offset transversely and longitudinally to the direction of displacement so that a row of nozzles has a end substantially opposite one end of the other row of nozzles.
  • housings containing a row of jet nozzles ink for example boxes comprising 64 or 128 nozzles, which are now widely distributed at prices very low to equip inkjet printers to be bound microcomputers.
  • a housing comprising for example 128 nozzles allows printing a linear mark which extends over approximately 16mm.
  • two boxes comprising a row of 128 nozzles each, mounted in the print head allow to print a linear mark over a length of approximately 30mm which corresponds to the height of a postal imprint.
  • Information to be printed by such a machine postage on a mail fold or label intended to be affixed to such a fold for example a linear mark perpendicular to the direction of displacement, is recorded in digital form in a memory and partially transmitted to an interface circuit which, under the control of the control means, nozzles of the most row are operated simultaneously upstream in the direction of travel. Then after delay R during which the fold or label is moved by the distance D separating the two rows of nozzles according to the direction of travel, another part of the information in the memory is transmitted to the interface circuit which puts simultaneously operating all the nozzles on the other arranged in such a way as to finish printing the brand linear.
  • This type of operation can extend to a number of nozzle rows greater than two.
  • the delay R in question can be given by a circuit fixed frequency clock if you don't take into account variations in the displacement speed V of the fold or label under the print head or otherwise at frequency synchronized to a signal representative of the speed of displacement of the fold or label detected in real time by a suitable speed sensor, for example a sensor optical.
  • two rows of nozzles are mutually longitudinally and transversely offset, the transverse overlap of rows being taken into account by blocking some of the nozzles which would produce coincident longitudinal lines.
  • This nozzle blocking is controlled so variable, i.e. the transition point between a transverse line produced by the nozzles of the first row and a remainder of the same transverse line produced by the second row nozzles varies randomly or cyclically.
  • a first row of nozzles and a second row of nozzles are offset transversely, longitudinally and vertically to the direction of movement of the head printing. Thanks to the vertical offset, two droplets which are ejected at the same time time by two nozzles longitudinally spaced from each other arrive at the same transverse line on the article to be printed.
  • JP-A-56/072964 does not affect no problem posed by the transverse offset of the two rows.
  • the inkjet printer according to document US-A-5,038,153 calculates time limits for delay the respective ejection commands for four rows of nozzles, spaced apart from each other longitudinally and transversely, in order to create a particularly intense impression by producing droplets of ink which partially overlap.
  • US-A-4,907,013 and US-A-4,238,804 disclose the use of a photodetection means to detect if the nozzles of an inkjet printer eject correctly their droplets towards the surface to be printed.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a solution simple to select the nozzles which should be prohibited operation when printing an imprint mail on a mail item.
  • control means is arranged to order a first chronological sequence ink drop ejections from said few first nozzles so as to print a first series first rectilinear patterns extending longitudinally to the direction of travel according to a provision in staircase steps at the rate of a first motif per step, and to order a second chronological sequence ink drop ejections from a particular nozzle second nozzles so as to print a second series of second straight patterns extending longitudinally to the direction of travel and such so that the second patterns are substantially opposite respectively of the first patterns with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement.
  • the means of control is arranged to control the ejection of ink droplets from the nozzles of the plurality of nozzles so as to print symbols next to the first or second rectilinear patterns, these symbols allowing to establish a direct correspondence between the first patterns and the rank of the first or second nozzles in the rows of nozzles.
  • the invention extends to a method for adjusting a such a franking machine according to which the first and second patterns are advantageously printed on a label in case the postage machine includes an automatic label dispenser.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of the print head forming part of a franking machine according to the invention on which appears an arrangement of the nozzles the print head in two parallel rows.
  • Figure 2 shows the overlap of the two rows nozzles.
  • Figures 3 to 6 show examples of printing first and second rectilinear patterns.
  • the franking machine in Figure 1 includes a conveyor system that moves the mail item 1 to be franked under an ink jet print head 2 stationary in the direction of travel F.
  • the print head here comprises two housings such as 20 and 21, each box comprising a row of nozzles, each row including for example 128 spaced nozzles evenly from a distance of 1/200 inch, i.e. about 0.127 millimeter.
  • more than two boxes can be mounted in the print head, boxes possibly having rows of size nozzles different, for example a housing with 128 nozzles and a housing with 64 nozzles.
  • the boxes 20 and 21 are identical.
  • the two boxes are mounted in the head so that their rows of nozzles extend transversely to direction F, the two housings being additionally offset from each other transversely and longitudinally to direction F.
  • the nozzles are represented by crosses on the figure 1.
  • the arrangement of the two boxes is such that the distance between the last nozzle B128 of the housing 20 (the one further up in Figure 1) and the first nozzle B'1 of the housing 21 (the lowest one in Figure 1) is at less equal to the height H of a postal imprint 10 represented by the rectangle in broken lines on Article 1.
  • the dimension of each row of nozzles and the height of the postal imprint determine the number of boxes needed to printing the postal imprint.
  • the two rows of nozzles R1 and R2 are spaced one of the other by a distance D in the direction F of about 1cm.
  • the franking machine further includes a control unit 3, such as a microprocessor and a program stored in a memory not shown, which is connected to control the chronological succession of ink droplet ejections from nozzles in response to clock signal synchronized or not with the speed of displacement of the fold or the label under the head 2, so that it is possible to produce dots on the fold or label that join together with a slight overlap along straight lines parallel to the direction F.
  • a control unit 3 such as a microprocessor and a program stored in a memory not shown, which is connected to control the chronological succession of ink droplet ejections from nozzles in response to clock signal synchronized or not with the speed of displacement of the fold or the label under the head 2, so that it is possible to produce dots on the fold or label that join together with a slight overlap along straight lines parallel to the direction F.
  • these two housings 20, 21 are mounted from so that a few end nozzles in the row of nozzles R1, for example five nozzles like B1 to B5 are arranged substantially opposite a few nozzles end of the row of nozzles R2, for example five nozzles as B'128 to B'124, as shown in Figure 2.
  • This arrangement of the two rows of nozzles is overlapping each other greatly facilitates the mounting boxes 20 and 21 in the print head. However, it is necessary to prohibit the operation of some of these end nozzles to avoid printing faults.
  • control unit 3 is arranged in the next way.
  • unit 3 in response to the input of a control signal for example, controls a first chronological sequence of droplet ejections ink from nozzles B1 to B5 of the row of nozzles R1 so to print on paper (like envelope 1 or analog) moved under the print head according to the direction F, a first series of first patterns straight lines extending longitudinally to direction F following a staircase arrangement on the basis of a first pattern per step, each pattern being printed by the competition of only one of these nozzles.
  • these nozzles are energized in sequence, one after the other in starting, for example, with the most extreme nozzle of the row of nozzles R1 like nozzle B1.
  • the dimension of each first pattern is in practice about 5mm and the first patterns are spaced apart by the same distance according to the direction F.
  • the unit 3 still controls, in response to this control signal but after a corresponding delay R substantially over time to move the support printing on distance D, a second sequence chronological ejection of ink droplets from a nozzle particular of the few nozzles in row R2, preferably the most extreme nozzle of the row of nozzles R2 like nozzle B'128, so as to print, on the ribbon continuous labels, a second series of second patterns straight lines extending longitudinally in direction F and so again that these second patterns are substantially opposite respectively of the first patterns with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction F.
  • each second pattern is printed by the same nozzle.
  • the dimension of the second patterns is in also practical by about 5mm and these are spaced between them from the same distance. It is understood that the dimensions first and second patterns can advantageously be set to facilitate the following visual examination the impression.
  • the visual examination which follows the impression of the first and second motives consists in identifying that of the first patterns which best coincides with one of the second patterns.
  • Figures 3 to 6 show examples of printing first and second patterns, the first patterns being referenced by MB1 to MB5 and the second reasons by MB'128 while the print medium is referenced 11.
  • this is the first motif next to symbol 3 (motif MB3) which is right-eye with a second MB'128 motif.
  • this first particular pattern is that printed by the third nozzle of the row of nozzles R1 starting from the nozzle B1 (it it is therefore nozzle B3 in FIG. 2), it is easy identify the nozzles which should not be installed operation when printing a postal imprint.
  • it is also possible to prohibit only the operation of nozzles B1, B2 and B'128.
  • a sensor optoelectronics 22 is provided in the print head (or outside of it) downstream of the two rows of nozzles R1 and R2 following direction F.
  • This photo detection sensor is mounted movable perpendicular to said direction F as shown in Figure 1 so that as the support 11 (on which the patterns MB1-MB5 and MB'128) moves in this direction F, the sensor 22 detects patterns MB1-MB5 and MB'128 in sequence and provides a signal 22S representative of a sequence of detections of these reasons. As shown in Figure 1, this signal 22S presents a succession of pairs of peaks.
  • the peaks of a pair correspond to the detection of a first pattern (as MB1) followed by the detection of a second pattern (like the pattern MB'128 opposite the pattern MB1.
  • Time space between the two peaks of a pair of peaks is proportional to the relative distance between the two patterns corresponding to these two peaks.
  • the 22S signal is supplied, after digitization, to unit 3 which establishes a correspondence between the pairs of peaks present in the 22S signal and the nozzles used to the printing of the first patterns like MB1 to MB5.
  • unit 3 In comparing the different time spaces (time space between two peaks of a pair of peaks) between them, unit 3 get the smaller one and, by correspondence, identifies the nozzle in row R1 which is the best aligned with nozzle B'128 of row R2. Then unit 3 prohibits the operation of some of the either or both of the rows of nozzles R1 and R2 when printing a postal imprint as indicated previously.
  • the support 11 used for printing the patterns MB1-MB5, MB'128 is preferably a label or a plurality of labels which is or are provided automatically by a label dispenser (not shown) equipping the franking machine. It is unit 3 which controls the label dispenser of so that the adjustment operation is done without a operator has to intervene.
  • the control of the label dispenser is synchronized with the order nozzles to print a single first pattern like MB1 and a single second motif like MB'128 on a label. It is heard that the impression of the first and second patterns on a label provided automatically by the distributor of labels is advantageous even in the case of an exam visual because it exempts the operator from inserting an envelope or any other medium in the franking machine.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)

Description

L'invention porte sur une machine d'affranchissement comprenant une tête d'impression à jet d'encre pour imprimer une empreinte postale sur un article à affranchir déplacé par rapport à la tête selon une direction de déplacement, cette tête d'impression comprenant une pluralité de buses disposées selon deux rangées s'étendant transversalement à la direction de déplacement, ces deux rangées étant mutuellement décalées transversalement et longitudinalement à la direction de déplacement et un moyen de commande étant prévu pour commander la succession chronologique des éjections de gouttelettes d'encre de la pluralité de buses.The invention relates to a franking machine including an inkjet print head for printing a postal imprint on a postage item moved relative to the head in a direction of movement, this print head comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged in two rows extending transversely to the direction of movement, these two rows being mutually offset transversely and longitudinally to the direction of movement and a control means being planned to order the chronological succession of ejecting ink droplets from the plurality of nozzles.

Une telle machine d'affranchissement à tête d'impression à jet d'encre est connue du document US-5083153. L'impression par jet d'encre apporte aux machines d'affranchissement une très grande flexibilité, en particulier lorsqu'il s'agit d'imprimer sur les articles de courrier des empreintes postales comportant à la fois des caractères variables, comme les symboles numériques d'un montant d'affranchissement, et des dispositions de couleurs, comme les flammes publicitaires.Such a head franking machine inkjet printing is known from document US-5083153. Inkjet printing brings machines very high flexibility in postage especially when it comes to printing on items from postal imprint mail with both variable characters, like the numeric symbols of a postage amount, and color layouts, like the advertising flames.

Selon un agencement simple et économique de la tête d'impression, les deux rangées de buses peuvent faire partie de deux boítiers différents mutuellement décalés transversalement et longitudinalement à la direction de déplacement de telle façon qu'une rangée de buses a une extrémité sensiblement en vis-à-vis d'une extrémité de l'autre rangée de buses. En effet, il existe aujourd'hui des petits boítiers renfermant une rangée de buses à jet d'encre, par exemple des boítiers comprenant 64 ou 128 buses, qui sont maintenant largement diffusés à des prix très bas pour équiper les imprimantes à jet d'encre à relier aux micro-ordinateurs. Ces boítiers d'impression à jet d'encre ont une résolution d'environ 200 buses par inch (1 inch = 25,4 mm) ce qui convient pour l'impression d'une empreinte postale. Un boítier comprenant par exemple 128 buses permet d'imprimer une marque linéaire qui s'étend sur environ 16mm. On comprend donc que deux boítiers comportant une rangée de 128 buses chacun, montés dans la tête d'impression, permettent d'imprimer une marque linéaire sur une longueur d'environ 30mm qui correspond à la hauteur d'une empreinte postale.According to a simple and economical arrangement of the head the two rows of nozzles can be part from two different housings mutually offset transversely and longitudinally to the direction of displacement so that a row of nozzles has a end substantially opposite one end of the other row of nozzles. Indeed, there are today small housings containing a row of jet nozzles ink, for example boxes comprising 64 or 128 nozzles, which are now widely distributed at prices very low to equip inkjet printers to be bound microcomputers. These jet printing boxes have a resolution of approximately 200 nozzles per inch (1 inch = 25.4 mm) this suitable for printing a postal imprint. A housing comprising for example 128 nozzles allows printing a linear mark which extends over approximately 16mm. We therefore understands that two boxes comprising a row of 128 nozzles each, mounted in the print head, allow to print a linear mark over a length of approximately 30mm which corresponds to the height of a postal imprint.

L'information à imprimer par une telle machine d'affranchissement sur un pli de courrier ou une étiquette destinée à être apposée sur un tel pli, par exemple une marque linéaire perpendiculaire à la direction de déplacement, est enregistrée sous forme numérique dans une mémoire et transmise partiellement à un circuit interface qui, sous la commande du moyen de commande, met en fonctionnement simultanément les buses de la rangée la plus en amont selon la direction de déplacement. Puis après le délai R durant lequel le pli ou étiquette est déplacé(e) de la distance D séparant les deux rangées de buses suivant la direction de déplacement, une autre partie de l'information dans la mémoire est transmise au circuit interface qui met en fonctionnement simultanément toutes les buses de l'autre rangée de telle façon à finir l'impression de la marque linéaire. Ce type de fonctionnement peut s'étendre à un nombre de rangée de buses supérieur à deux.Information to be printed by such a machine postage on a mail fold or label intended to be affixed to such a fold, for example a linear mark perpendicular to the direction of displacement, is recorded in digital form in a memory and partially transmitted to an interface circuit which, under the control of the control means, nozzles of the most row are operated simultaneously upstream in the direction of travel. Then after delay R during which the fold or label is moved by the distance D separating the two rows of nozzles according to the direction of travel, another part of the information in the memory is transmitted to the interface circuit which puts simultaneously operating all the nozzles on the other arranged in such a way as to finish printing the brand linear. This type of operation can extend to a number of nozzle rows greater than two.

Le délai R en question peut être donné par un circuit d'horloge à fréquence fixe si on ne tient pas compte des variations de la vitesse de déplacement V du pli ou étiquette sous la tête d'impression ou sinon à fréquence synchronisée sur un signal représentatif de la vitesse de déplacement du pli ou étiquette détectée en temps réel par un capteur de vitesse approprié, par exemple un capteur optique.The delay R in question can be given by a circuit fixed frequency clock if you don't take into account variations in the displacement speed V of the fold or label under the print head or otherwise at frequency synchronized to a signal representative of the speed of displacement of the fold or label detected in real time by a suitable speed sensor, for example a sensor optical.

Selon ce principe, pour obtenir une telle marque linéaire ayant une qualité satisfaisante, il est nécessaire que ces deux boítiers soient montés de telle façon que les extrémités en vis-à-vis des rangées de buses (définie chacune par une buse) soit espacées l'une de l'autre selon la direction transversale à la direction de déplacement d'une distance égale à environ 0,127mm; c'est à dire la distance entre deux buses consécutives de l'une ou l'autre des rangées de buses. De la sorte il est possible de conserver la même résolution sur toute la longueur de la marque linéaire, c'est-à-dire d'imprimer, sur toute la hauteur d'une empreinte postale, des traits longitudinaux à la direction de déplacement qui soient espacés régulièrement entre eux.According to this principle, to obtain such a mark linear having a satisfactory quality, it is necessary that these two boxes are mounted in such a way that the ends opposite the rows of nozzles (defined each by a nozzle) is spaced from each other according to the direction transverse to the direction of movement a distance of approximately 0.127mm; that is to say the distance between two consecutive nozzles of one or the other rows of nozzles. In this way it is possible to keep the same resolution across the length of the linear mark, i.e. to print, over the entire height of a postal imprint, longitudinal lines at direction of travel that are evenly spaced between them.

En pratique, il s'avère qu'il est difficile d'obtenir une disposition aussi précise des rangées de buses et il est plus facile de monter, avec une certaine tolérance, les deux boítiers de telle façon que des premières buses d'extrémité d'une rangée de buses soient disposées en vis-à-vis de secondes buses d'extrémité de l'autre rangée de buses et interdire ensuite le fonctionnement, au moment de l'impression d'une empreinte postale, de certaines de ces quelques premières ou secondes buses de façon à éviter de rompre la régularité de l'espacement entre les traits dont il est question plus haut.In practice, it turns out that it is difficult to obtain such a precise arrangement of the rows of nozzles and it is easier to mount, with some tolerance, both housings in such a way that first end nozzles of a row of nozzles are arranged opposite second end nozzles of the other row of nozzles and then prohibit operation, when the impression of a postal imprint, of some of these a few first or second nozzles so as to avoid break the regularity of the spacing between the lines whose it is discussed above.

Selon le document EP-A-0 034 060, deux rangées de buses sont mutuellement décalées longitudinalement et transversalement, le chevauchement transversal des rangées étant pris en compte en bloquant certaines des buses qui produiraient des lignes longitudinales coïncidentes. Ce blocage de buses est commandé de façon variable, c'est-à-dire le point de transition entre une ligne transversale produite par les buses de la première rangée et un reste de la même ligne transversale produit par les buses de la seconde rangée varie de manière aléatoire ou cyclique.According to document EP-A-0 034 060, two rows of nozzles are mutually longitudinally and transversely offset, the transverse overlap of rows being taken into account by blocking some of the nozzles which would produce coincident longitudinal lines. This nozzle blocking is controlled so variable, i.e. the transition point between a transverse line produced by the nozzles of the first row and a remainder of the same transverse line produced by the second row nozzles varies randomly or cyclically.

Dans une imprimante à jet d'encre selon JP-A-56/072964, une première rangée de buses et une seconde rangée de buses sont décalées transversalement, longitudinalement et verticalement à la direction de déplacement de la tête d'impression. Grâce au décalage vertical, deux gouttelettes qui sont éjectées en même temps par deux buses espacées l'une de l'autre longitudinalement arrivent à une même ligne transversale sur l'article à imprimer. Par contre, JP-A-56/072964 ne touche à aucun problème posé par le décalage transversal des deux rangées.In an inkjet printer according to JP-A-56/072964, a first row of nozzles and a second row of nozzles are offset transversely, longitudinally and vertically to the direction of movement of the head printing. Thanks to the vertical offset, two droplets which are ejected at the same time time by two nozzles longitudinally spaced from each other arrive at the same transverse line on the article to be printed. However, JP-A-56/072964 does not affect no problem posed by the transverse offset of the two rows.

L'imprimante à jet d'encre selon le document US-A-5 038 153 calcule des délais pour retarder les commandes d'éjection respectives pour quatre rangées de buses, espacées l'une de l'autre longitudinalement et transversalement, afin de créer une impression particulièrement intense en produisant des gouttelettes d'encre qui se chevauchent en partie.The inkjet printer according to document US-A-5,038,153 calculates time limits for delay the respective ejection commands for four rows of nozzles, spaced apart from each other longitudinally and transversely, in order to create a particularly intense impression by producing droplets of ink which partially overlap.

US-A-4 907 013 et US-A-4 238 804 divulguent l'usage d'un moyen de photodétection pour détecter si les buses d'une imprimante à jet d'encre éjectent de façon correcte leurs gouttelettes vers la surface à imprimer.US-A-4,907,013 and US-A-4,238,804 disclose the use of a photodetection means to detect if the nozzles of an inkjet printer eject correctly their droplets towards the surface to be printed.

Le but de l'invention est d'apporter une solution simple pour sélectionner les buses dont il faut interdire le fonctionnement au moment de l'impression d'une empreinte postale sur un article de courrier.The object of the invention is to provide a solution simple to select the nozzles which should be prohibited operation when printing an imprint mail on a mail item.

Selon l'invention, le moyen de commande est agencé pour commander une première séquence chronologique d'éjections de gouttelettes d'encre desdites quelques premières buses de telle façon à imprimer une première série de premiers motifs rectilignes s'étendant longitudinalement à la direction de déplacement suivant une disposition en marches d'escalier à raison d'un premier motif par marche, et pour commander une seconde séquence chronologique d'éjections de gouttelettes d'encre d'une buse particulière des secondes buses de telle façon à imprimer une seconde série de seconds motifs rectilignes s'étendant longitudinalement à la direction de déplacement et de telle façon que les seconds motifs soient sensiblement en vis-à-vis respectivement des premiers motifs par rapport à une direction perpendiculaire à la direction de déplacement. Par un examen visuel des premiers et seconds motifs rectilignes, on identifie automatiquement quelle est la buse parmi les premières buses qui est en alignement avec ladite buse particulière suivant la direction de défilement. Ensuite, il est facile d'identifier les buses parmi les premières ou secondes buses dont il faut interdire le fonctionnement lors de l'impression d'une empreinte postale. Cette interdiction peut être basée sur une modification appropriée des paramètres du programme régissant le moyen de commande.According to the invention, the control means is arranged to order a first chronological sequence ink drop ejections from said few first nozzles so as to print a first series first rectilinear patterns extending longitudinally to the direction of travel according to a provision in staircase steps at the rate of a first motif per step, and to order a second chronological sequence ink drop ejections from a particular nozzle second nozzles so as to print a second series of second straight patterns extending longitudinally to the direction of travel and such so that the second patterns are substantially opposite respectively of the first patterns with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement. Through a visual examination of the first and second rectilinear patterns, we automatically identify which is the nozzle among the first nozzles which is aligned with said particular nozzle in the direction of travel. Then it is easy to identify the nozzles among the first or second nozzles which must be prohibited operation when printing a postal imprint. This ban may be based on a modification appropriate program parameters governing the means of ordered.

Cette identification est facilitée si le moyen de commande est agencé pour commander l'éjection de gouttelettes d'encre des buses de la pluralité de buses de telle manière à imprimer des symboles en regard des premiers ou des seconds motifs rectilignes, ces symboles permettant d'établir directement une correspondance entre les premiers motifs et le rang des premières ou secondes buses dans les rangées de buses.This identification is facilitated if the means of control is arranged to control the ejection of ink droplets from the nozzles of the plurality of nozzles so as to print symbols next to the first or second rectilinear patterns, these symbols allowing to establish a direct correspondence between the first patterns and the rank of the first or second nozzles in the rows of nozzles.

L'invention s'étend à une méthode pour régler une telle machine d'affranchissement selon laquelle les premiers et seconds motifs sont avantageusement imprimés sur une étiquette dans le cas où la machine d'affranchissement inclut un distributeur automatique d'étiquettes.The invention extends to a method for adjusting a such a franking machine according to which the first and second patterns are advantageously printed on a label in case the postage machine includes an automatic label dispenser.

Un exemple de réalisation de la machine d'affranchissement selon l'invention est maintenant décrit plus en détail ci-dessous en référence aux dessins.An example of realization of the machine postage according to the invention is now described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

La figure 1 est un synoptique de la tête d'impression faisant partie d'une machine d'affranchissement selon l'invention sur lequel apparaít une disposition des buses de la tête d'impression selon deux rangées parallèles. Figure 1 is a block diagram of the print head forming part of a franking machine according to the invention on which appears an arrangement of the nozzles the print head in two parallel rows.

La figure 2 montre le chevauchement des deux rangées de buses.Figure 2 shows the overlap of the two rows nozzles.

Les figures 3 à 6 montrent des exemples d'impression de premiers et seconds motifs rectilignes.Figures 3 to 6 show examples of printing first and second rectilinear patterns.

La machine d'affranchissement sur la figure 1 comprend un système de convoyage qui déplace l'article de courrier 1 à affranchir sous une tête d'impression à jet d'encre 2 stationnaire selon la direction de déplacement F.The franking machine in Figure 1 includes a conveyor system that moves the mail item 1 to be franked under an ink jet print head 2 stationary in the direction of travel F.

La tête d'impression comprend ici deux boítiers tels que 20 et 21, chaque boítier comprenant une rangée de buses, chaque rangée incluant par exemple 128 buses espacées régulièrement entre elles d'une distance de 1/200 inch, soit environ 0,127 millimètre. A noter que plus de deux boítiers peuvent être montés dans la tête d'impression, les boítiers pouvant le cas échéant avoir des rangées de buses de tailles différentes, par exemple un boítier avec 128 buses et un boítier avec 64 buses. Dans le cas d'exemple, les boítiers 20 et 21 sont identiques.The print head here comprises two housings such as 20 and 21, each box comprising a row of nozzles, each row including for example 128 spaced nozzles evenly from a distance of 1/200 inch, i.e. about 0.127 millimeter. Note that more than two boxes can be mounted in the print head, boxes possibly having rows of size nozzles different, for example a housing with 128 nozzles and a housing with 64 nozzles. In the case of example, the boxes 20 and 21 are identical.

Les deux boítiers sont montés dans la tête d'impression de telle façon que leurs rangées de buses s'étendent transversalement à la direction F, les deux boítiers étant en plus décalés l'un par rapport à l'autre transversalement et longitudinalement à la direction F.The two boxes are mounted in the head so that their rows of nozzles extend transversely to direction F, the two housings being additionally offset from each other transversely and longitudinally to direction F.

Les buses sont représentées par des croix sur la figure 1. L'agencement des deux boítiers est tel que la distance entre la dernière buse B128 du boítier 20 (celle la plus en haut sur la figure 1) et la première buse B'1 du boítier 21 (celle la plus en bas sur la figure 1) est au moins égale à la hauteur H d'une empreinte postale 10 représentée par le rectangle en traits interrompus sur l'article 1. On comprend donc que la dimension de chaque rangée de buses et la hauteur de l'empreinte postale déterminent le nombre de boítiers nécessaires pour l'impression de l'empreinte postale. The nozzles are represented by crosses on the figure 1. The arrangement of the two boxes is such that the distance between the last nozzle B128 of the housing 20 (the one further up in Figure 1) and the first nozzle B'1 of the housing 21 (the lowest one in Figure 1) is at less equal to the height H of a postal imprint 10 represented by the rectangle in broken lines on Article 1. We therefore understand that the dimension of each row of nozzles and the height of the postal imprint determine the number of boxes needed to printing the postal imprint.

Du fait de l'encombrement apporté par les boítiers, les deux rangées de buses R1 et R2 sont espacées l'une de l'autre d'une distance D selon la direction F d'environ 1cm.Due to the space provided by the boxes, the two rows of nozzles R1 and R2 are spaced one of the other by a distance D in the direction F of about 1cm.

La machine d'affranchissement comprend encore une unité de commande 3, comme un microprocesseur et un programme enregistré dans une mémoire non représentée, qui est connectée pour commander la succession chronologique des éjections de gouttelettes d'encre des buses, en réponse à un signal d'horloge synchronisé ou non avec la vitesse de déplacement du pli ou de l'étiquette sous la tête d'impression 2, de telle façon qu'il est possible de produire des points sur le pli ou l'étiquette qui se joignent l'un à l'autre avec un faible chevauchement le long de lignes droites parallèles à la direction F.The franking machine further includes a control unit 3, such as a microprocessor and a program stored in a memory not shown, which is connected to control the chronological succession of ink droplet ejections from nozzles in response to clock signal synchronized or not with the speed of displacement of the fold or the label under the head 2, so that it is possible to produce dots on the fold or label that join together with a slight overlap along straight lines parallel to the direction F.

Par ailleurs, ces deux boítiers 20,21 sont montés de telle façon que quelques buses d'extrémité de la rangée de buses R1, par exemple cinq buses comme B1 à B5 soient disposées sensiblement en vis-à-vis de quelques buses d'extrémité de la rangée de buses R2, par exemple cinq buses comme B'128 à B'124, comme montré sur la figure 2.Furthermore, these two housings 20, 21 are mounted from so that a few end nozzles in the row of nozzles R1, for example five nozzles like B1 to B5 are arranged substantially opposite a few nozzles end of the row of nozzles R2, for example five nozzles as B'128 to B'124, as shown in Figure 2.

Cette disposition des deux rangées de buses se chevauchant mutuellement facilite considérablement le montage des boítiers 20 et 21 dans la tête d'impression. Toutefois, il est nécessaire d'interdire le fonctionnement de certaines de ces buses d'extrémité pour éviter des défauts d'impression.This arrangement of the two rows of nozzles is overlapping each other greatly facilitates the mounting boxes 20 and 21 in the print head. However, it is necessary to prohibit the operation of some of these end nozzles to avoid printing faults.

Pour sélectionner les buses dont il faut interdire le fonctionnement, l'unité de commande 3 est agencée de la façon suivante.To select the nozzles for which the operation, the control unit 3 is arranged in the next way.

A partir d'un instant t défini comme le point de départ d'une étape de réglage, l'unité 3, en réponse à l'entrée d'un signal de commande par exemple, commande une première séquence chronologique d'éjections de gouttelettes d'encre des buses B1 à B5 de la rangée de buses R1 de façon à imprimer sur un support papier (comme l'enveloppe 1 ou analogue) déplacé sous la tête d'impression selon la direction F, une première série de premiers motifs rectilignes s'étendant longitudinalement à la direction F suivant une disposition en marches d'escalier à raison d'un premier motif par marche, chaque motif étant imprimé par le concours d'une seule de ces buses. Comme on le comprend, ces buses sont excitées en séquence, l'une après l'autre en commençant, par exemple, par la buse la plus extrême de la rangée de buses R1 comme la buse B1. La dimension de chaque premier motif est en pratique d'environ 5mm et les premiers motifs sont espacés entre eux de la même distance suivant la direction F.From an instant t defined as the point of start of an adjustment step, unit 3, in response to the input of a control signal for example, controls a first chronological sequence of droplet ejections ink from nozzles B1 to B5 of the row of nozzles R1 so to print on paper (like envelope 1 or analog) moved under the print head according to the direction F, a first series of first patterns straight lines extending longitudinally to direction F following a staircase arrangement on the basis of a first pattern per step, each pattern being printed by the competition of only one of these nozzles. As we understand, these nozzles are energized in sequence, one after the other in starting, for example, with the most extreme nozzle of the row of nozzles R1 like nozzle B1. The dimension of each first pattern is in practice about 5mm and the first patterns are spaced apart by the same distance according to the direction F.

Par ailleurs, l'unité 3 commande encore, en réponse à ce signal de commande mais après un délai R correspondant sensiblement à la durée pour déplacer le support d'impression sur la distance D, une seconde séquence chronologique d'éjections de gouttelettes d'encre d'une buse particulière des quelques buses de la rangée R2, de préférence la buse la plus extrême de la rangée de buses R2 comme la buse B'128, de telle façon à imprimer, sur le ruban continu d'étiquettes, une seconde série de seconds motifs rectilignes s'étendant longitudinalement à la direction F et de telle façon encore que ces seconds motifs soient sensiblement en vis-à-vis respectivement des premiers motifs par rapport à une direction perpendiculaire à la direction F. On comprend encore que chaque second motif est imprimé par la même buse. La dimension des seconds motifs est en pratique aussi d'environ 5mm et ceux-ci sont espacés entre eux de la même distance. Il est entendu que les dimensions des premiers et seconds motifs peuvent avantageusement être réglées pour faciliter l'examen visuel qui suit l'impression.Furthermore, the unit 3 still controls, in response to this control signal but after a corresponding delay R substantially over time to move the support printing on distance D, a second sequence chronological ejection of ink droplets from a nozzle particular of the few nozzles in row R2, preferably the most extreme nozzle of the row of nozzles R2 like nozzle B'128, so as to print, on the ribbon continuous labels, a second series of second patterns straight lines extending longitudinally in direction F and so again that these second patterns are substantially opposite respectively of the first patterns with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction F. We still understand that each second pattern is printed by the same nozzle. The dimension of the second patterns is in also practical by about 5mm and these are spaced between them from the same distance. It is understood that the dimensions first and second patterns can advantageously be set to facilitate the following visual examination the impression.

L'examen visuel qui suit l'impression des premiers et seconds motifs consiste à identifier celui des premiers motifs qui coïncide le mieux avec un des seconds motifs.The visual examination which follows the impression of the first and second motives consists in identifying that of the first patterns which best coincides with one of the second patterns.

On comprend donc que la dernière des premières buses excitées suivant le principe décrit ci-dessus doit au moins être positionnée à gauche de la buse B'128 sur la figure 2 pour obtenir une possibilité de coïncidence entre un premier et un second motif.We therefore understand that the last of the first nozzles excited according to the principle described above must at least be positioned to the left of nozzle B'128 in Figure 2 to obtain a possibility of coincidence between a first and a second motif.

A partir de l'identification d'une telle coïncidence, il est aisée d'identifier parmi les premières buses, celle qui est en alignement avec la buse particulière des secondes buses suivant la direction F. Le réglage consiste alors à interdire la mise en fonctionnement de l'une de ces deux buses ainsi que certaines des premières buses comme indiqué ci-après. Il est entendu que le même réglage peut être réalisé sur la base de l'excitation de plusieurs secondes buses pour imprimer les premiers motifs rectilignes et de l'excitation d'une seule des premières buses pour imprimer les seconds motifs.From the identification of such a coincidence, it is easy to identify among the first nozzles, that which is aligned with the particular seconds nozzle nozzles in direction F. The adjustment then consists of prohibit the operation of one of these two nozzles as well as some of the first nozzles as shown below. It is understood that the same setting can be realized on the basis of the excitement of several seconds nozzles for printing the first straight patterns and excitation of only one of the first nozzles to print the second patterns.

Les figures 3 à 6 montrent des exemples d'impression des premiers et seconds motifs, les premiers motifs étant référencés par MB1 à MB5 et les seconds motifs par MB'128 tandis que le support d'impression est référencé 11.Figures 3 to 6 show examples of printing first and second patterns, the first patterns being referenced by MB1 to MB5 and the second reasons by MB'128 while the print medium is referenced 11.

Des symboles numériques comme 1 à 5 généralement disponibles pour l'impression d'un montant d'affranchissement sont aussi imprimés en regard des premiers motifs (ou des seconds motifs).Numerical symbols like 1 to 5 generally available for printing an amount are also printed next to first patterns (or second patterns).

A titre d'exemple, sur la figure 3, c'est le premier motif en regard du symbole 3 (motif MB3) qui est droit-l'oeil avec un second motif MB'128. Si par convention, ce premier motif particulier est celui imprimé par la troisième buse de la rangée de buses R1 en partant de la buse B1 (il s'agit donc de la buse B3 sur la figure 2), il est facile d'identifier les buses dont il faut interdire la mise en fonctionnement lors de l'impression d'une empreinte postale. Dans le cas d'exemple, il faut interdire la mise en fonctionnement des buses B3,B2 et B1 ce qui peut être facilement réalisé par adaptation de l'unité 3, en particulier les paramètres du programme qui la régit. De façon équivalente, il est aussi possible d'interdire seulement la mise en fonctionnement des buses B1,B2 et B'128.For example, in Figure 3, this is the first motif next to symbol 3 (motif MB3) which is right-eye with a second MB'128 motif. If by convention, this first particular pattern is that printed by the third nozzle of the row of nozzles R1 starting from the nozzle B1 (it it is therefore nozzle B3 in FIG. 2), it is easy identify the nozzles which should not be installed operation when printing a postal imprint. In the case of example, it is necessary to prohibit the setting operation of nozzles B3, B2 and B1 which can be easily achieved by adapting unit 3, especially the parameters of the program that governs it. Of equivalent way, it is also possible to prohibit only the operation of nozzles B1, B2 and B'128.

Selon une autre réalisation, un capteur optoélectronique 22 est prévu dans la tête d'impression (ou hors de celle-ci) en aval des deux rangées de buses R1 et R2 suivant la direction F. Ce capteur de photo détection est monté mobile perpendiculairement à ladite direction F comme montré sur la figure 1 de façon qu'au fur et à mesure que le support 11 (sur lequel sont imprimés les motifs MB1-MB5 et MB'128) se déplace suivant cette direction F, le capteur 22 détecte en séquence les motifs MB1-MB5 et MB'128 et fournit un signal 22S représentatif d'une séquence de détections de ces motifs. Comme visible sur la figure 1, ce signal 22S présente une succession de paires de pics. Les pics d'une paire correspondent à la détection d'un premier motif (comme MB1) suivie de la détection d'un second motif (comme le motif MB'128 en vis à vis du motif MB1. L'espace temporel entre les deux pics d'une paire de pics est proportionnel à la distance relative entre les deux-motifs correspondant à ces deux pics. Il en résulte que plus cet espace temporel entre deux pics d'une paire de pics dans le signal 22S est petit, plus les motifs qui leur correspondent sont droits-à-l'oeil. Le signal 22S est fourni, après numérisation, à l'unité 3 qui établit une correspondance entre les paires de pics présents dans le signal 22S et les buses servant à l'impression des premiers motifs comme MB1 à MB5. En comparant les différents espaces temporels (espace temporel entre deux pics d'une paire de pics) entre eux, l'unité 3 obtient celui qui est le plus petit et, par correspondance, identifie la buse de la rangée R1 qui est la mieux alignée avec la buse B'128 de la rangée R2. Ensuite, l'unité 3 interdit la mise en fonctionnement de certaines des buses de l'une ou l'autre ou les deux des rangées de buses R1 et R2 lors de l'impression d'une empreinte postale comme indiqué précédemment. Le support 11 utilisé pour l'impression des motifs MB1-MB5, MB'128 est de préférence une étiquette ou une pluralité d'étiquettes qui est ou sont fournies automatiquement par un distributeur d'étiquettes (non représenté) équipant la machine d'affranchissement. C'est l'unité 3 qui commande le distributeur d'étiquettes de manière que l'opération de réglage se fait sans qu'un opérateur ait à intervenir. En pratique, la commande du distributeur d'étiquettes est synchronisée avec la commande des buses pour imprimer un seul premier motif comme MB1 et un seul second motif comme MB'128 sur une étiquette. Il est entendu que l'impression des premiers et seconds motifs sur une étiquette fournie automatiquement par le distributeur d'étiquettes est avantageuse même dans le cas d'un examen visuel car elle dispense l'opérateur d'insérer une enveloppe ou tout autre support dans la machine d'affranchissement.According to another embodiment, a sensor optoelectronics 22 is provided in the print head (or outside of it) downstream of the two rows of nozzles R1 and R2 following direction F. This photo detection sensor is mounted movable perpendicular to said direction F as shown in Figure 1 so that as the support 11 (on which the patterns MB1-MB5 and MB'128) moves in this direction F, the sensor 22 detects patterns MB1-MB5 and MB'128 in sequence and provides a signal 22S representative of a sequence of detections of these reasons. As shown in Figure 1, this signal 22S presents a succession of pairs of peaks. The peaks of a pair correspond to the detection of a first pattern (as MB1) followed by the detection of a second pattern (like the pattern MB'128 opposite the pattern MB1. Time space between the two peaks of a pair of peaks is proportional to the relative distance between the two patterns corresponding to these two peaks. As a result, the more this time space between two peaks of a pair of peaks in the 22S signal is small, the more the patterns which correspond to them are straightforward. The 22S signal is supplied, after digitization, to unit 3 which establishes a correspondence between the pairs of peaks present in the 22S signal and the nozzles used to the printing of the first patterns like MB1 to MB5. In comparing the different time spaces (time space between two peaks of a pair of peaks) between them, unit 3 get the smaller one and, by correspondence, identifies the nozzle in row R1 which is the best aligned with nozzle B'128 of row R2. Then unit 3 prohibits the operation of some of the either or both of the rows of nozzles R1 and R2 when printing a postal imprint as indicated previously. The support 11 used for printing the patterns MB1-MB5, MB'128 is preferably a label or a plurality of labels which is or are provided automatically by a label dispenser (not shown) equipping the franking machine. It is unit 3 which controls the label dispenser of so that the adjustment operation is done without a operator has to intervene. In practice, the control of the label dispenser is synchronized with the order nozzles to print a single first pattern like MB1 and a single second motif like MB'128 on a label. It is heard that the impression of the first and second patterns on a label provided automatically by the distributor of labels is advantageous even in the case of an exam visual because it exempts the operator from inserting an envelope or any other medium in the franking machine.

Claims (6)

  1. A postage meter including an ink jet print head (2) for printing a postage imprint (10) on an article to be franked (1) that is displaced relative to the head in a displacement direction (F), said print head including a plurality of nozzles (B1-B5, B128; B'1, B'124-B'128) disposed in at least two rows (R1, R2) extending transversely to the displacement direction, said two rows being offset mutually both transversely and longitudinally relative to the displacement direction in such a manner that a few end first nozzles (B1-B5) in one of the rows of nozzles (R1) are disposed facing a few end second nozzles (B'124-B'128) of the other row of nozzles (R2), and control means (3) are provided for controlling the timed succession of ink droplet ejections from the plurality of nozzles, the postage meter is characterized in that the control means is further organized to control a first timed sequence of ink droplet ejections from said first nozzles (B1-B5) in such a manner as to print a first series of first rectilinear patterns (MB1-MB5) extending longitudinally relative to the displacement direction in a staircase disposition with one first pattem per step, and to control a second timed sequence of ink droplet ejections from a particular nozzle (B'128) of the second nozzles in such a manner as to print a second series of second rectilinear patterns (MB'128) extending longitudinally relative to the displacement direction and in such a manner that the second patterns are substantially adjacent to respective first patterns in a direction perpendicular to the displacement direction, and in that said print head further includes photodetection means (22) disposed downstream from the rows of nozzles (R1, R2) in said displacement direction, said photodetection means being mounted to move perpendicularly to said direction to detect said first and second patterns in sequence and operating to deliver a signal (22S) representative of said patterns being detected in sequence, the control means (3) being connected to the photodetection means (22) to identify, on the basis of said signal (22S) provided by the photodetection means, which one (for example B3) of the first nozzles (B1-B5) is in alignment with said particular nozzle (B'128), and on the basis of said identification, to prevent some of said first or second nozzles (B1-B3; B1, B2, B'128) being put into operation while a postage imprint is being printed.
  2. A postage meter according to claim 1, in which the control means (3) is organized to control the ejection of ink droplets from the nozzles of the plurality of nozzles in such a manner as to print symbols in association with the first or second rectilinear patterns.
  3. A postage meter according to claim 1, in which the two rows of nozzles (R1, R2) form respective parts of two packages (20, 21) that are mutually offset both transversely and longitudinally relative to the displacement direction.
  4. A method of adjusting a postage meter including an ink jet print head (2) for printing a postage imprint (10) on an article to be franked (1) that is displaced relative to the head in a displacement direction, said print head including a plurality of nozzles (B1-B5, B128; B'1, B'124-B'128) disposed in at least two rows (R1, R2) extending transversely to the displacement direction, said two rows being offset mutually both transversely and longitudinally relative to the displacement direction in such a manner that a few end first nozzles (B1-B5) in one of the rows of nozzles (R1) are disposed facing a few end second nozzles (B'124-B'128) of the other row of nozzles (R2), and control means (3) are provided for controlling the timed succession of ink droplet ejections from the plurality of nozzles, said method comprising the following steps:
    a) using the control means (3) to control a first timed sequence of ink droplet ejections from said few first nozzles (B1-B5) in such a manner as to print a first series of first rectilinear patterns (MB1-MB5) extending longitudinally relative to the displacement direction in a staircase disposition with one first pattern per step;
    b) using the control means (3) to control a second timed sequence of ink droplet ejections from a particular nozzle (B1'128) of the second nozzles so as to print a second series of second rectilinear patterns (MB'128) extending longitudinally relative to the displacement direction and in such a manner that the second patterns are substantially level with respective ones of the first patterns relative to a direction that is perpendicular to the displacement direction;
    c) using photodetection means (22) disposed downstream from the rows of nozzles (R1, R2) in said displacement direction to identify which one (for example B3) of the first nozzles (B1-B5) is in alignment with said particular nozzle (B'128) in the travel direction; and
    d) adapting the control means so as to prevent some of said first or second nozzles (B1-B3; B1, B2, B'128) being put into operation while a postage imprint is being printed.
  5. A method according to claim 4, further including a step consisting in using said control means (3) to control the ejection of ink droplets from nozzles of the plurality of nozzles in such a manner as to print symbols in association with the first or second rectilinear patterns.
  6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, in which the first and second patterns are printed on a label (11) coming from an automatic label dispenser fitted to the postage meter.
EP19950401957 1994-09-16 1995-08-25 System for controlling an ink jet print head in a franking machine by printing a stepped sequence of images Expired - Lifetime EP0702335B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR9411077A FR2724592B1 (en) 1994-09-16 1994-09-16 SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING AN INK JET PRINTHEAD IN A PRINTING MACHINE BY PRINTING STAIRS
FR9411077 1994-09-16

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EP0702335A1 EP0702335A1 (en) 1996-03-20
EP0702335B1 true EP0702335B1 (en) 1999-11-03

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DE69513117T2 (en) 2000-02-24
DE69513117D1 (en) 1999-12-09
EP0702335A1 (en) 1996-03-20
FR2724592A1 (en) 1996-03-22
FR2724592B1 (en) 1997-01-31

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