Abstract:
A method and apparatus for printing and storing transaction records in a random manner is provided. A printer is coupled to a storage tray wherein the storage tray or the contents thereof are moved, shifted, or shuffled to randomize the storage of printouts in the storage tray and prevent the storage of sequentially generated printouts. A shifting mechanism, a blowing mechanism, or a combination thereof, is used to shift the storage tray or move or shuffle the printouts in a storage tray, and algorithms are used to set the motion of the shifting or blowing mechanism, or combination thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/719,835, filed Sep. 23, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if stated in full herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to a printer coupled to a storage tray wherein the storage tray or the contents thereof is moved, shifted, or shuffled to randomize the storage of printouts in the storage tray and prevent the storage of sequentially generated printouts. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Current printers such as printers used for voting purposes do not have a mechanism in use which can shift printouts generated by the printer or shift the storage tray coupled to a printer to allow randomized storage of the printouts. This presents a problem whereby the voting may not be anonymous at the voting order can be determined based on the order of the printouts in a storage tray. 
         [0006]    This invention addresses this issue by disclosing a method and apparatuses which can move or shift the printouts in a storage tray or shift the storage tray. 
       DEFINITIONS 
       [0007]    For the purposes of this document the following definitions apply:
       “TRP”—an acronym for Transaction Record Printer.   “Transaction Record”—a voter ballot, a receipt, or any other record of conducted business.       
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A method and apparatus for a printer coupled to a storage tray wherein the storage tray or the contents thereof are moved, shifted, or shuffled to randomize the storage of printouts in the storage tray and prevent the storage of sequentially generated printouts is provided. A shifting mechanism, a blowing mechanism, or a combination thereof, is used to shift the storage tray or move or shuffle the printouts in a storage tray, and algorithms are used to set the motion of the shifting or blowing mechanism, or combination thereof. 
         [0011]    In one aspect of the invention, the Transaction Record Printer (herein referred to as “TRP) includes a printing mechanism, nonvolatile memory, one or a plurality of paper path wheel tensioners, a burster or paper cutter, one or a plurality of sensors, algorithms, a paper path, supply paper, supply paper area, a storage tray, and a shifting mechanism. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of the invention, the TRP includes a printing mechanism, nonvolatile memory, one or a plurality of paper path wheel tensioners, a burster or paper cutter, one or a plurality of sensors, algorithms, a paper path, supply paper, supply paper area, a storage tray, and a blowing mechanism. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the invention, the storage tray is coupled to a shifting mechanism or plurality of such, the shifting mechanism comprising the ways and means to move the storage tray around thereby shuffling the transaction records in the storage tray to accommodate another transaction record. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the invention, the storage tray is coupled to a shifting mechanism or plurality of such, the shifting mechanism comprising the ways and means to move or shuffle the transaction records in the storage tray to accommodate another record transaction record. 
         [0015]    In another aspect of the invention, the storage tray coupled to a blowing mechanism or plurality of such, the blowing mechanism comprising the ways and means to blow air, such as that caused by a fan, to blow or move the transaction records around in the storage tray. 
         [0016]    In another aspect of the invention, the storage tray is coupled to both a shifting mechanism and a blowing mechanism. 
         [0017]    In another aspect of the invention, the shifting mechanism is situated on the top of the storage tray, the bottom of the storage tray, a side or plurality of sides of the storage tray, inside the storage tray, or a combination of any of these. 
         [0018]    In another aspect of the invention, the blowing mechanism is situated on the bottom of the storage tray, a side of the storage tray, a plurality of sides, or a combination thereof. 
         [0019]    In another aspect of the invention, the paper path includes a printing mechanism, a paper path wheel tensioner, one or a plurality of sensors, and a burster or paper cutter. 
         [0020]    In another aspect of the invention, a printing mechanism includes the ways and means to print transaction records on the supply paper, the printing mechanism being a non-impact type such as thermal, laser, inject, or dye-sublimation, or impact type such as dot matrix. 
         [0021]    In another aspect of the invention, the nonvolatile memory includes the ways and means to record the size of a transaction record, the gap size between transaction records, and/or the number of lines to print. 
         [0022]    In another aspect of the invention, a paper path wheel tensioner or plurality of such includes the ways and means to provide tension on the paper in the paper path, thereby reducing or preventing slack in the paper. 
         [0023]    In another aspect of the invention, a burster or paper cutter includes the ways and means to separate the transaction record from the supply paper prior to the transaction record being placed in the storage tray. 
         [0024]    In another aspect of the invention, a sensor or plurality of such includes the ways and means to scan and read the front (or thermal sensitive) side of the paper for indicia such as beginning and end of form markers. 
         [0025]    In another aspect of the invention, a sensor or plurality of such includes the ways and means to scan and read the back (or non-thermal sensitive) side of the paper for indicia such as beginning or end of form markers. 
         [0026]    In another aspect of the invention, algorithms are used to signal a burster or paper cutter in the TRP that a transaction is complete, after which the burster or paper cutter separates the transaction record from the supply paper. 
         [0027]    In another aspect of the invention, algorithms are used to identify the attributes of a transaction record, the attributes stored in nonvolatile memory. 
         [0028]    In another aspect of the invention, algorithms are used to set the shifting mechanism to constant motion, the motion of which is stored in nonvolatile memory. 
         [0029]    In another aspect of the invention, algorithms are used to set the shifting mechanism to motion at a predetermined length of time, the motion of which is stored in nonvolatile memory. 
         [0030]    In another aspect of the invention, algorithms are used to set the shifting mechanism to random motion, the motion of which is stored in nonvolatile memory. 
         [0031]    In another aspect of the invention, algorithms are used to set the blowing mechanism to constant motion, the motion of which is stored in nonvolatile memory. 
         [0032]    In another aspect of the invention, algorithms are used to set the blowing mechanism to motion at a predetermined length of time, the motion of which is stored in nonvolatile memory. 
         [0033]    In another aspect of the invention, algorithms are used to set the blowing mechanism to random motion. 
         [0034]    In another aspect of the invention, the supply paper may include preprinted indicia such as beginning and end of form markers, the preprinted indicia are either on the thermal sensitive or non-thermal sensitive side of the supply paper. 
         [0035]    In another aspect of the invention, algorithms are used to signal the TRP to generate a transaction record. The TRP and components thereof pulls the supply paper from the supply paper area through a printing mechanism wherein the supply paper is encoded with transaction data to create a transaction record, the transaction record is then pulled along the paper path moving towards the storage tray. 
         [0036]    In another aspect of the invention, the TRP coupled to a burster or paper cutter includes the ways and means to separate the transaction record from the supply paper upon signaling from algorithms, after which the transaction record is dropped into a storage tray. 
         [0037]    In another aspect of the invention, the TRP includes the ways and means to void a transaction record, whereby a sensor or a plurality of such is used to read encoding on a transaction record, after which algorithms are used to retract the transaction record through the paper path and return the transaction record to the printing mechanism. The printing mechanism prints over the transaction record with a VOID stamp after which the transaction record is pulled along the paper path towards the storage tray, separated from the supply paper by the burster or paper cutter, and dropped into the storage tray. 
         [0038]    In another aspect of the invention, the transaction record includes indicia such as text or a plurality of text such as ballot information or graphics or a plurality of graphics such as the logo of a governing agency or business entity. 
         [0039]    In another aspect of the invention, the indicia for index marks is used to identify the beginning of a form, the end of a form, or a combination thereof. 
         [0040]    In another aspect of the invention, the indicia is situated on the front of the transaction record, the back of the transaction record, or a combination thereof. 
         [0041]    In another aspect of the invention, the indicia are preprinted on the supply paper. 
         [0042]    In another aspect of the invention, the indicia are generated simultaneously with the generation of a transaction record. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0043]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0044]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a TRP including a paper path and storage tray coupled to a blowing mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a TRP including a paper path and storage tray coupled to a shifting mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of possible parameters that are used with algorithms in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 4  is a process diagram for the algorithms used in printing, voiding, and bursting a transaction record process in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the face of a transaction record including indicia in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of the back of a transaction record including indicia in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of the face of a transaction record including indicia and a VOID stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0051]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a TRP  100  including a paper path  102  and a storage tray  104  coupled to a randomizing mechanism such as a blowing mechanism  106  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0052]    As shown, the paper path includes paper  106  traveling from supply paper  108  to the storage tray, passing through a print mechanism  110 , paper path wheel tensioners  112   a  and  112   b , a sensor  114 , and a burster or paper cutter  116 . 
         [0053]    The storage tray is used to store transaction records  118  printed on the supply paper  108 . 
         [0054]    A controller  122  controls the operation of the components of TRP  100  and storage tray  204 . The controller is coupled to the paper path components, the print mechanism, the sensor and the blower. The controller includes a processor  124  coupled to a memory  126  holding data and processor executable instructions executable by the processor to implement the features of a TRP as described herein. The controller further includes a nonvolatile memory  128  for storing parameter values for the transaction records. 
         [0055]    Although described in terms of a controller having a processor, a memory and executable memory instructions, it is to be understood that the controller  122  can be implemented using any device capable of executing logic and control operations, such as a general purpose computer, a preprogrammed logic controller, one or more hardware circuits, etc. 
         [0056]    The blowing mechanism coupled to the storage tray is used as a randomizer to randomly blow or move the transaction records, thereby causing randomized storage of the transaction records. The blowing mechanism may be situated on the bottom of the storage tray, a side of the storage tray, a plurality of sides, or a combination thereof. 
         [0057]    The supply paper includes blank paper stock available for printing. The supply paper is of a fixed dimension, such as length and width, of any dimension or a plurality of dimensions, or pre-perforated and fanfolded which the TRP may burst after printing. The supply paper also may be encoded with indicia (not shown) such as beginning and end of form markers or preprinted with indicia. 
         [0058]    The print mechanism is used to print transaction records on the supply paper. The print mechanism may be a non-impact type such as thermal, laser, inkjet, or dye-sublimation, or impact type such as dot matrix. 
         [0059]    The paper path wheel tensioners or plurality of such are used to provide tension on the paper path wheel and prevent slack in the paper path. 
         [0060]    The sensor or plurality of such is used to scan and read the print or front side or non-print or back side of the paper for indicia such as beginning and end of form markers. 
         [0061]    The burster or paper cutter is used to separate a transaction record from the supply paper. 
         [0062]    The transaction records include the contents of a transaction, such as a voting record. 
         [0063]    In operation the TRP receives transaction record printing instructions from an external device  130 . After printing the transaction record, if the transaction is complete, the TRP uses the burster or paper cutter to burst or cut the transaction record from the supply paper. If the transaction is not complete, the TRP voids the transaction record before bursting the transaction record from the supply paper. The transaction record is then fed into the storage tray where the blower shifts the printed transaction records around within the storage tray, thereby randomizing the storage order in the storage tray of the transaction records. 
         [0064]    In another aspect of the invention, the TRP sets the blowing mechanism to constant motion, to a motion at a predetermined length of time, or a random motion, the motion of which is stored in the nonvolatile memory. 
         [0065]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of another embodiment of a TRP including a paper path  202  and storage tray  204  coupled to a randomizing mechanism such as a shifting mechanism in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0066]    The paper path includes paper  206  traveling from supply paper  208  to the storage tray, passing through a print mechanism  210 , paper path wheel tensioners  212   a  and  212   b , a sensor  214 , and a paper burster or cutter  216 . 
         [0067]    The storage tray is used to store the transaction records  218  printed on the supply paper. 
         [0068]    A shifting mechanism  220  coupled to the storage tray is used to randomly move or shift the storage tray, thereby causing randomized storage of stored transaction records  221  within the storage tray. In another embodiment of a TRP in accordance with the present invention, the shifting mechanism may move or shift the stored transaction records situated in the storage tray to cause randomized storage. The shifting mechanism may be situated on the top of the storage tray, the bottom of the storage tray, a side or plurality of sides of the storage tray, inside the storage tray, or a combination of any of these. 
         [0069]    A controller  222  controls the operation of the components of the TRP  200  and storage tray  204 . The controller is coupled to the paper path components, the print mechanism, the sensor and the shift mechanism. The controller includes a processor  224  coupled to a memory  226  holding data and processor executable instructions executable by the processor to implement the features of a TRP as described herein. The controller further includes a nonvolatile memory  228  for storing parameter values for the transaction records. 
         [0070]    Although described in terms of a controller having a processor, a memory and executable memory instructions, it is to be understood that the controller  222  can be implemented using any device capable of executing logic and control operations, such as a general purpose computer, a preprogrammed logic controller, one or more hardware circuits, etc. 
         [0071]    The supply paper includes the blank paper stock available for printing. The supply paper is of a fixed dimension, such as length and width, of any dimension or a plurality of dimensions, or pre-perforated and fanfolded which the TRP may burst after printing. The supply paper also may be encoded with indicia (not shown) such as beginning and end of form markers or preprinted with indicia. 
         [0072]    The print mechanism is used to print transaction records on the supply paper. The print mechanism may be a non-impact type such as thermal, laser, inkjet, or dye-sublimation, or impact type such as dot matrix. 
         [0073]    A paper path wheel tensioner or plurality of such is used to provide tension on the paper path wheel and prevent slack in the paper path. 
         [0074]    A sensor or plurality of such is used to scan and read the print or front side or the non-print or back side of the paper for indicia such as beginning and end of form markers. 
         [0075]    The burster or paper cutter is used to separate a transaction record from the supply paper. 
         [0076]    The transaction record includes the contents of a transaction, such as a voting record. 
         [0077]    In operation the TRP receives transaction record printing instructions from an external device  230 . After printing the transaction record, if the transaction is complete, the TRP uses the burster or paper cutter to separate the transaction record from the supply paper. If the transaction is not complete, the TRP voids the transaction record before separating the transaction record from the supply paper. The transaction record is then fed into the storage tray where the shifting mechanism coupled to the storage tray is used to randomly move or shift the storage tray or transaction records, thereby causing randomized storage of the stored transaction records within the storage tray. 
         [0078]    In another embodiment of a TRP in accordance with the present invention, the storage tray is coupled to both a shifting mechanism and a blowing mechanism. 
         [0079]    In another embodiment of a TRP in accordance with the present invention, the nonvolatile memory is used by the TRP to record the size of a transaction record, the gap size between transaction records, and/or the number of lines to print. 
         [0080]    In another embodiment of a TRP in accordance with the present invention, the TRP identifies the attributes of a transaction record, and the attributes are stored in the nonvolatile memory. 
         [0081]    In another embodiment of a TRP in accordance with the present invention, the TRP sets the shifting mechanism to a constant motion, a motion for a predetermined length of time or a random motion, the motion of which is stored in nonvolatile memory. 
         [0082]      FIG. 3  is a table  300  of parameters that may be used with algorithms in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0083]    As shown, the parameters include mechanism motion, print area height and print area width. Any or all of these parameters may be stored in nonvolatile memory. 
         [0084]    Mechanism motion identifies motion method used by the shifting or blowing mechanism. The mechanism motion includes random, constant, and predetermined. 
         [0085]    An example algorithm for random motion is: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Mechanism_Motion = Random (300,900) 
               
               
                 where: 
               
               
                 Random = the actual motion set for either a shifting or blowing 
               
               
                 mechanism 
               
               
                 (300,900) = the time range in seconds in which the Random motion 
               
               
                 will occur. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0086]    An example algorithm for constant motion is: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Mechanism_Motion = Constant ( ) 
               
               
                 where: 
               
               
                 Constant ( ) = continuous motion for a shifting or blowing mechanism 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0087]    An example algorithm for predetermined motion is: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Mechanism_Motion = Predetermined (180) 
               
               
                 where: 
               
               
                 Predetermined = the time set in advance in which the motion of the 
               
               
                 shifting or blowing mechanism will occur. 
               
               
                 (180) = the time range in minutes set for the Predetermined motion. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0088]    Print area height identifies the height of the transaction records. The unit of measure may be any unit of measure for determining size. 
         [0089]    Print area width identifies the width of the transaction records. The unit of measure may be any unit of measure for determining size. 
         [0090]    An example algorithm for print area information is: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Print_Area (2,5) 
               
               
                 where: 
               
               
                 (2,5) = the Print Area Width and Print Area Height for transaction records. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0091]      FIG. 4  is a process diagram for algorithms used in printing, voiding, and separating a transaction record process in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0092]    As shown, the process begins ( 400 ) with the TRP receiving ( 402 ) algorithms to begin printing a transaction record, after which the TRP processes ( 404 ) the printing algorithms to generate a transaction record. If the transaction is complete ( 406 ), the TRP using a burster or paper cutter separates ( 408 ) the transaction record from the supply paper. If the transaction is not complete, the TRP voids ( 410 ) the transaction record before separating the transaction record from the supply paper. The process then ends ( 410 ). 
         [0093]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the front or print side of a transaction record  500  including indicia in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0094]    As illustrated, the indicia identify a beginning  502  and an end  504  of a form or transaction record. The indicia may be preprinted or may be generated simultaneously with the transaction record. 
         [0095]    The indicia also may also include text  506  or a plurality of text which identify the actual transaction, for example, a voting ballot. 
         [0096]    The indicia also may include a graphic or plurality of graphics which identify a governing agency or business entity. 
         [0097]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of back or non-printed side of a transaction record  600  including indicia in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0098]    As illustrated, indicia identify a beginning  602  and an end  604  of the form or transaction record. The indicia also may include a graphic  606  or plurality of such. For example, a logo is used to identify a governing agency or business entity. 
         [0099]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of print or front side of a transaction record including indicia and a VOID stamp in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0100]    As shown, a VOID stamp  700  is printed over an existing transaction record  702 . For example, if the transaction record is to be voided, the TRP uses a sensor or a plurality of such to read encoding on a transaction record, after which the transaction record is retracted through the paper path and returned to the printing mechanism. The printing mechanism prints over the transaction record with a VOID stamp after which the transaction record is pulled along the paper path towards the storage tray, separated from the supply paper by the burster or paper cutter, and dropped into the storage tray. 
         [0101]    Although the present invention has been described in certain specific embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the present embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention to be determined by any claims supportable by this application and the claims&#39; equivalents rather than the foregoing description.