Systems for preparing presentation instruments for distribution
First Claim
1. A system for processing presentation instruments, the system comprising:
- a presentation instrument reservoir;
a distribution stock;
a distribution stock reader for reading a code on the distribution stock in order to match the distribution stock with a presentation instrument from the presentation instrument reservoir, and for sensing the absence of the code on the distribution stock; and
a mechanism for extracting a presentation instrument from the presentation instrument reservoir and for associating the presentation instrument with the distribution stock to create a populated distribution stock if there is a match from reading the code on the distribution stock, and for leaving the distribution stock unpopulated if there is no code on the distribution stock.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for processing presentation instruments that includes a presentation instrument reservoir, a presentation instrument reader, a distribution stock holder, a distribution stock reader, two or more motor systems for advancing distribution stock and presentation instruments, and attaching the presentation instruments to the distribution stock when codes printed on the instruments and stock match each other. In some cases, the motor systems can interface to an interface controller via a serial interface, and the interface controller can be coupled to a process control computer via an Ethernet connection. In some cases, distribution stock is blank and has no readable code, in which case the blank stock is automatically advanced to a reject bin without interrupting the operation of system.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for processing presentation instruments, the system comprising:
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a presentation instrument reservoir;
a distribution stock;
a distribution stock reader for reading a code on the distribution stock in order to match the distribution stock with a presentation instrument from the presentation instrument reservoir, and for sensing the absence of the code on the distribution stock; and
a mechanism for extracting a presentation instrument from the presentation instrument reservoir and for associating the presentation instrument with the distribution stock to create a populated distribution stock if there is a match from reading the code on the distribution stock, and for leaving the distribution stock unpopulated if there is no code on the distribution stock. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for processing presentation instruments, the system comprising:
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a presentation instrument reservoir;
an unpopulated distribution stock;
a distribution stock reader for reading a code on the distribution stock in order to match the distribution stock with a presentation instrument from the presentation instrument reservoir, and for sensing the absence of a code on the distribution stock; and
a mechanism for extracting a presentation instrument from the presentation instrument reservoir and for associating the presentation instrument with the unpopulated distribution stock to create a populated distribution stock if there is a match from reading the code on the distribution stock, and for leaving the distribution stock unpopulated if there is no code on the distribution stock;
a folder, wherein the folder is operable to accept the distribution stock from the mechanism;
a blower coupled to the folder, wherein the blower causes the distribution stock to be oriented in a stackable position; and
a sorter for receiving the stackable distribution stock and automatically directing the distribution stock to a reject bin if unpopulated, so that the operation of the system is not interrupted by the unpopulated distribution stock having no code thereon.
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7. A system for processing presentation instruments for distribution and associating each presentation instrument with a distribution stock, the system comprising:
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a distribution stock reader for reading a code on the distribution stock in order to match the distribution stock with a presentation instrument and for sensing the absence of a code on the distribution stock; and
a populating subsystem associating the presentation instrument with the distribution stock to create a populated distribution stock if there is a match from reading the code on the distribution stock, and for leaving the distribution stock unpopulated if there is no code on the distribution stock;
a reject bin;
a mailing reservoir;
a sorter subsystem for automatically directing the distribution stock to the mailing reservoir if the distribution stock is populated, and automatically directing the distributions stock to the reject bin if the distribution stock is unpopulated due to the absence of a code on the distribution stock, so that the operation of the system is not interrupted due to the absence of the code on the distribution stock.
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8. A system for processing presentation instruments, the system comprising:
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a presentation instrument reservoir;
a presentation instrument reader for sensing an identification code on the presentation instrument;
a first motor system for moving a presentation instrument from the presentation instrument reservoir to the presentation instrument reader;
a distribution stock holder;
a distribution stock reader for sensing an identification code on the distribution stock;
a second motor system for moving a distribution stock toward the distribution stock reader;
a third motor system for advancing the distribution stock through a sorter, the sorter directing the distribution stock to a first location if the distribution stock reader senses an identification code on the distribution stock and for directing the distribution stock to a second location if the distribution stock reader senses no identification code on the distribution stock; and
an interface controller electrically coupled via a serial interface to the first, second and third motor systems, and electrically coupled to a controlling computer via an Ethernet interface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for processing presentation instruments, comprising:
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providing presentation instruments;
providing distribution stock;
providing a code on the distribution stock for associating an individual distribution stock to an individual presentation instrument;
sensing the code on the distribution stock at a distribution stock reader;
populating distribution stock with associated presentation instruments at a populating subsystem in response to sensing the code;
leaving an individual distribution stock unpopulated if no code is sensed on that individual distribution stock; and
sorting the distribution stock, by automatically directing the populated distribution stock to a mailing reservoir, and automatically directing the unpopulated distribution stock to a reject bin.
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Specification