Set addressing process and apparatus

Abstract: Process for creating a library of addresses for use in addressing prints produced by an electronic printer and for selecting and editing addresses from one of the address libraries. More particularly, there is described set addressing process for use with an electronic printing system having a printer for making prints on a print media from image signals, memory means for storing the image signals, and programming means for programming said system to produce prints, characterised by providing a list of N addresses (173) for use in addressing prints produced by said printer, storing said list in said memory means, programming said printer to print one or more sets of N prints on said print media, accessing said address list in said memory means, and printing addresses (173) from said list successively on said prints as said prints are printed on said print media.

Description: The invention relates generally to electronic printing systems, and more particularly, is a set addressing process and apparatus. Electronic printing systems employ image signals or pixels as the image source when producing prints. In using printing systems of this type, a very desirable option would be the ability to automatically add information, i.e., addresses,to the prints or print sets as they are produced. This would save the cost, time,and bother of subsequently addressing the prints later as for example by pasting address labels on the prints, handwriting the addresses, etc. To gain maximum use of an option of this type, referred to as set addressing herein, the user must have the ability to pick and choose the addresses that are to be used. This requires editing capability that will allow the user to temporarily remove some addresses from his address list in accordance with the demands of a particular job. Further, the user needs the ability to re-shuffle the order and position of the addresses in the address list, to add addresses from other lists, to change the size of the addresses and the position of the addresses on the prints,etc. And, there also must be provided a way in which the user can easily create new electronic address lists to add to the operator's address library for future jobs. In the prior art, U.S. Patent US-A-4,521,096 to Suganuma et al and US-A-4,322,157 to Miura et al disclose apparatus for combining information from different forms to generate documents with composite images based on data from several image memory sources. U.S. Patent US-A-4,639,791 to Masaki discloses an image overlay apparatus with electronic image storage in which a combined image is created by overlaying images from two different sources. U.S. Patent US-A-4,124,286 to Barasch discloses a system for printing a composite image wherein a first image is formed on a photoconductive media and then transferred to a second photoconductive media where a second image is formed overlay the first image. An object of the present invention is to provide a set addressing process and apparatus whereby addresses can be automatically added to the prints or print sets as they are produced, and whereby the area onto which the addresses are printed on a print can be displayed and adjusted. Accordingly, the present invention provides a set addressing process as claimed in claim 1 The invention also provides set addressing apparatus as claimed in claim 9. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a view depicting an electronic printing system incorporating a set addressing process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram depicting the major elements of the printing system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating the principal mechanical components of the printing system shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic view showing certain construction details of the document scanner for the printing system shown in Figure 1; Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C comprise a schematic block diagram showing the major parts of the control section for the printing system shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a block diagram of the Operating System, together with Printed Wiring Boards and shared line connections for the printing system shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a view depicting a Job Ticket with Job Scorecard for programming set addressing jobs as displayed on the User Interface (Ul) touchscreen of the printing system shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a view of the touchscreen display depicting the programming selections for accessing the Set Addressing function in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a view of the touchscreen display in which examples of addresses in a selected address subdirectory are displayed following opening of the subdirectory; Figure 10 is a view of the touchscreen display depicting the property sheet selections for an address subdirectory; Figure 11 is a view of the touchscreen display with the Property Sheet Properties selection highlighted; Figure 12 is a view of the touchscreen display depicting an example of the address properties following highlighting of the Properties selection; Figure 13 is a view of the touchscreen display with the Property Sheet Preview selection highlighted; Figure 14 is a view of the touchscreen display depicting and example of the address properties following highlighting of the Preview selection; Figures 15A and 15B comprise a flow chart depicting the process for selecting an address file from the set address library; Figure 16 is a view of the touchscreen display depicting cut and paste programming features for creating addresses for an address subdi rectory; Figure 17 is a view of the touchscreen display depicting the cut and paste selections; and Figure 18 is a flow chart illustrating the creation of an address for creating an addresse subdirectory. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an exemplary image printing system 2 for processing print jobs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Printing system 2 for purposes of explanation is divided into image input section 4, controller section 7, and printer section 8. In the example shown, image input section 4 has both remote and on-site image inputs, enabling system 2 to provide network,scan, and print services. Other system combinations may be envisioned such as a stand alone printing system with on-site image input (i.e., a scanner), controller, and printer; a network printing system with remote input, controller, and printer; etc. While a specific printing system is shown and described, the present invention may be used with other types of printing systems. For example, printer section 8 may instead use a different printer type such as ink jet, ionographic, etc. Referring particularly to Figures 2-4, for off-site image input, image input section 4 has a network 5 with a suitable communication channel such as a telephone line enabling image data in the form of image signals or pixels from one or more remote sources to be input to system 2 for processing. Where the Page Description Language (PDL) of the incoming imaging data is different than the PDL used by system 2, suitable conversion means (note shown) are provided. Other remote sources of image data such as streaming tape, floppy disk, etc. may be envisioned. For on-site image input, section 4 has a document scanner 6 with a transparent platen 20 on which documents 22 to be scanned are located. One or more linear arrays 24 are supported for reciprocating scanning movement below platen 20. Lens 27 and mirrors 28, 29, 30 cooperate to focus array 24 on a line-like segment of platen 20 and the document being scanned thereon. Image data in the form of image signals or pixels from net 5 or array 24 are input to processor 25 for processing. After processing, the image signals are out put to controller section 7. Processor 25 converts the analog image signals output by array 24 to digital. Processor 25 further processes image signals as required to enable system 2 to store and handle the image data in the form required to carry out the job programmed. Processor 25 also provides enhancements and changes to the image signals such as filtering, thresholding, screening, cropping, scaling, etc. Documents 22 to be scanned may be located on platen 20 for scanning by automatic document handler (ADF) 35 operable in either a Recirculating Document Handling (RDH) mode or a Semi-Automatic Document Handling (SADH) mode. A manual mode including a Book mode and a Computer Forms Feeder (CFF) mode are also provided, the latter to accommodate documents in the form of computer fanfold. For RDH mode operation, document handler 35 has a document tray 37 in which documents 22 are arranged in stacks or batches. The documents 22 in tray 37 are advanced by vacuum feed belt 40 and document feed rolls 41 and document feed belt 42 onto platen 20 where the document is scanned by array 24. Following scanning, the document is removed from platen 20 by belt 42 and returned to tray 37 by document feed rolls 44. For operation in the SADH mode, a document entry slot 46 provides access to the document feed belt 42 between tray 37 and platen 20 through which individual documents may be inserted manually for transport to platen 20. Feed rolls 49 behind slot 46 form a nip for engaging and feeding the document to feed belt 42 and onto platen 20. Following scanning, the document is removed from platen 20 and discharged into catch tray 48. For operation in the CFF mode, computer forms material is fed through slot 46 and advanced by feed rolls 49 to document feed belt 42 which in turn advances a page of the fanfold material into position on platen 20. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, printer section 8 comprises a laser type printer and for purposes of explanation is separated into a Raster Output Scanner (ROS) section 87, Print Module Section 95, Paper Supply section 107, and Finisher 120. ROS 95 has has a laser 91, the beam of which is split into two imaging beams 94. Each beam 94 is modulated in accordance with the content of an image signal input by acousto-optic modulator 92 to provide dual imaging beams 94. Beams 94 are scanned across a moving photoreceptor 98 of Print Module 95 by the mirrored facets of a rotating polygon 100 to expose two image lines on photoreceptor 98 with each scan and create the latent electrostatic images represented by the image signal input to modulator 92. Photoreceptor 98 is uniformly charged by corotrons 102 at a charging station preparatory to exposure by imaging beams 94. The latent electrostatic images are developed by developer 104 and transferred at transfer station 106 to a suitable print media, referred to as Paper Stock 108, delivered by Paper Supply section 107. Paper Stock 108 as will appear may comprise any of a variety of sheet sizes, types,and colors. For transfer, the Paper Stock is brought forward in timed registration with the developed image on photoreceptor 98 from either a main paper tray 110 or from auxiliary paper trays 112, or 114. The developed image transferred to the Paper Stock 108 is permanently fixed or fused by fuser 116 and the resulting prints discharged to either output tray 118, or to finisher 120. Finisher 120 includes a stitcher 122 for stitching or stapling the prints together to form books and a thermal binder 124 for adhesively binding the prints into books. Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 5, controller section 7 is, for explanation purposes, divided into an image input controller 50, User Interface (Ul) 52, system controller 54, main memory 56, image manipulation section 58, and image output controller 60. Image data input from processor 25 of image input section 4 to controller section 7 is compressed by image compressor/ processor 51 of image input controller 50 on PWB 70-3. As the image data passes through compressor/processor 51, it is segmented into slices N scanlines wide, each slice having a slice pointer. The compressed image data together with slice pointers and any related image descriptors providing image specific information (such as height and width of the document in pixels, the compression method used, pointers to the compressed image data, and pointers to the image slice pointers) are placed in an image file. The image files, which represent different print jobs, are temporarily stored in system memory 61 which comprises a Random Access Memory or RAM pending transfer to main memory 56 where the data is held pending use. As best seen in Figure 1, Ul 52 includes a combined operator controller/CRT display consisting of an interactive touchscreen 62, keyboard 64, and mouse 66. Ul 52 interfaces the operator with printing system 2, enabling the operator to program print jobs and other instructions, to obtain system operating information, instructions, programming information, diagnostic information, etc. Items displayed on touchscreen 62 such as files and icons are actuated by either touching the displayed item on screen 62 with a finger or by using mouse 66 to point cursor 67 to the item selected and keying the mouse. Main memory 56 has plural hard disks 90-1, 90-2, 90-3 for storing machine Operating System software, machine operating data, and the scanned image data currently being processed. When the compressed image data in main memory 56 requires further processing, or is required for display on touchscreen 62 of Ul 52, or is required by printer section 8, the data is accessed in main memory 56. Where further processing other than that provided by processor 25 is required, the data is transferred to image manipulation section 58 on PWB 70-6 where the additional processing steps such as collation, make ready, decomposition, etc are carried out. Following processing, the data may be returned to main memory 56, sent to Ul 52 for display on touchscreen 62, or sent to image output controller 60. Image data output to image output controller 60 is decompressed and readied for printing by image generating processors 86 of PWBs 70-7, 70-8 (seen in Figure 5A). Following this, the data is output by dispatch processors 88, 89 on PWB 70-9 to printer section 8. Image data sent to printer section 8 for printing is normally purged from memory 56 to make room for new image data. Referring particularly to Figures 5A-5C, control section 7 includes a plurality of Printed Wiring Boards (PWBs) 70, PWBs 70 being coupled with one another and with System Memory 61 by a pair of memory buses 72, 74. Memory controller 76 couples System Memory 61 with buses 72, 74. PWBs 70 include system processor PWB 70-1 having plural system processors 78; low speed I/O processor PWB 70-2 having UI communication controller 80 for transmitting data to and from UI 52; PWBs 70-3, 70-4, 70-5 having disk drive controller/processors 82 for transmitting data to and from disks 90-1, 90-2, 90-3 respectively of main memory 56 (image compressor/processor 51 for compressing the image data is on PWB 70-3); image manipulation PWB 70-6 with master and slave image manipulation processors 59, 59' respectively of image manipulation section 58; image generation processor PWBs 70-7, 70-8 with image generation processors 86 for processing the image data for printing by printer section 8; dispatch processor PWB 70-9 having dispatch processors 88, 89 for controlling transmission of data to and from printer section 8; and boot control-arbitration-scheduler PWB 70-10. Referring particularly to Figure 6, system control signals are distributed via a plurality of printed wiring boards (PWBs). These include EDN core PWB 130, Marking Imaging core PWB 132, Paper Handling core PWB 134, and Finisher Binder core PWB 136 together with various Input/Output (I/O) PWBs 138. A system bus 140 couples the core PWBs 130, 132, 134, 136 with each other and with controller section 7 while local buses 142 serve to couple the I/O PWBs 138 with each other and with their associated core PWB. On machine power up, the Operating System software is loaded from memory 56 to EDN core PWB 130 and from there to the remaining core PWBs 132, 134, 136 via bus 140, each core PWB 130, 132, 134, 136 having a boot ROM 147 for controlling downloading of Operating System software to the PWB, fault detection, etc. Boot ROMs 147 also enable transmission of Operating System software and control data to and from PWBs 130, 132, 134, 136 via bus 140 and control data to and from I/O PWBs 138 via local buses 142. Additional ROM, RAM, and NVM memory types are resident at various locations within system 2. Items such as files and icons displayed on touchscreen 62 are described herein as being highlighted, actuated, opened, or selected by either touching the displayed item or pointing curser 67 at the item and keying mouse 66. Referring to Figure 7, jobs are programmed in a Job Program mode in which there is displayed on touchscreen 62 a Job Ticket 150 and a Job Scorecard 152 for the job being programmed. Job Ticket 150 displays various job selections programmed while Job Scorecard 152 displays the basic instructions to the system for printing the job. Various Job Ticket types are provided, with access by means of Job Types and Tickets icon 157. In the example shown in Figure 7, the Job Ticket for programming set addressing jobs is displayed. Job Tickets 150 have three programming levels, referred to as "Job Level", "Basic", and "Special", each having a series of icons for accessing the various programming selections available at that level. Each programming level has a Scorecard 152 associated with it so that on activation of a particular job level or of a specific icon, the appropriate Scorecard is displayed on touchscreen 62. Referring to Figures 8 and 15 also, selecting SET ADDRESS on Job Ticket 150 in the "Special" programming level displays "Special" Scorecard 152 on touchscreen 62 with SET ADDRESS icon 164 opened. There is also displayed on touchscreen 62 a Set Address Library card file 170 together with Set Address Library icon 166. Actuating icon 166 displays, in numerical order, the address subdirectories 172 currently in the set address library. A print outline 174 with darkened area 175 to represent the relative size, orientation, and location of addresses 173 on the Paper Stock 108 currently programmed is also displayed on touchscreen 62 on one side of card file 170. Print outline 174 has a numerical scale along one side and the bottom to facilitate determination of the size, orientation and location of addresses 173 on the Paper Stock. Referring to Figures 9 and 15, highlighting a subdirectory 172 displays the addresses 173 currently in the subdirectory. Descriptors identify the subdirectory 172 in which the address belongs, the number of the address in the directory, and the size of the addresses. Typically, addresses 173 comprise a name and street address (i.e., number, street, city, and Zip Code) of an individual or organization. The specific address, the total number of addresses in the subdirectory, the numerical order in which each address appears in the subdirectory addresses, and the order in which the addresses are arranged in a subdirectory are determined by the operator. Typically, the addresses comprise a customer mailing or distribution list. Once the desired subdirectory 172 has been selected, SET ADDRESS icon 164 is closed to program the set addressing function. When the job being programmed is printed, the addresses 173 from the subdirectory are successively printed on the prints at the position selected, starting with the first address in the directory and ending with the last address in the directory. The minimum number N of prints or print sets is automatically programmed to equal the number of addresses N in the address subdirectory selected. Additional multiples or sets can be selected by means of the "Quantity" programming option on Job Ticket 150. Further, the operator can set the number of prints for a set to a specific address. Other programming options include the ability to in effect divide the printed item such as a report to address portions to different addressees. For example, with a job/set, the operator can segregate the introduction of the report being printed from the main body of the report and distribute to different levels, i.e., an executive summary of the report can be addressed by one or more of the addresses in the directory with the full report addressed by the other addresses in the directory. Referring again to Figure 7, programming options for printing system 2 are preset to default selections as for example the default number of prints or sets is one (i.e., Quantity of "1"), the default size, type and color of the print media is,"8.5" x 11", Standard, White Paper Stock, etc. Where programming options other than the default settings are desired, the corresponding one of the selections on Job Ticket 150 is highlighted. This displays the various choices from which programming selections may be made. Following selection of each programming change desired, the display returns to the Job Ticket level on closure of the programming icon for any further selection. In cases where the operator is familiar with the contents of the subdirectory 172 to be used and desires to use all of the addresses in the subdirectory in the same order as the addresses currently appear in the directory, opening of the subdirectory may not be necessary. Alternately, the operator may print out the addresses from the selected subdirectory on the Paper Stock where a hard copy of the addresses is desired. Where the operator wishes to review, change, or edit the addresses, the directory is opened to display the addresses on touchscreen 12 as shown in Figure 9. Since the number of addresses 173 in a subdirectory 172 is typically more than can be displayed at one time on touchscreen 62, scrolling of the addresses 173 is enabled by up and down scrolling icons 168, 169 respectively. Where it is desired to skip or not use one or more of the addresses 173, the particular address or addresses are deactivated by highlighting the address or addresses and actuating erase icon 176. The deactivated address or addresses will not be deleted from the subdirectory 172 but will be skipped during printing. The minimum number of prints or print sets will automatically be changed to equal the number of addresses that are to be printed. The order in which the addresses 173 are presented in the address file may be changed. This may be done by highlighting a particular address, actuating MOVE icon 178, pointing cursor 67 to the place in the subdirectory where the address is to be moved to, and keying mouse 64. Where it is desired to supplement the addresses from one subdirectory with the addresses from another subdirectory, the second subdirectory is selected in the manner described for selecting the first address. On closure of SET ADDRESS icon 164, the addresses in the second subdirectory will be accessed and printed following the printing of the last address in the first subdirectory. Referring to Figures 10-12, where the operator desires to view and change the properties of an address in a subdirectory, the address is highlighted to display a property sheet 180 having Properties, Preview,and Close selections 181, 182, and 183 respectively. Selecting Properties 181 displays the properties of the addresses in the subdirectory. These include the owner, creation date, security restrictions, etc. together with the size and location of the address in numbers corresponding to the numerical scale shown in print outline 174. Concurrently, the size and position of the outline 175 on print 174 is showing the relative size and position that the address will appear on the print. Selecting Preview 182 (Figures 13 and 14) displays further and somewhat more specific data about the address such as the side of the Paper Stock on which the address will be printed, the page in the print set on which the the address will be printed,the current position and size of the addresses on the Paper Stock in inches, type of addresses, etc. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, to enable the operator to change the size of the addresses in the subdirectory, or to change the position on the Paper Stock where the addresses will be printed, there is provided pairs of X direction and Y direction scrolling icons 184, 185 and 186, 187 respectively. By selective use of scrolling icons 184, and 185, the size of the addresses and/or the position of the addresses on the Paper Stock along the X axis may be changed. Similarly, by selective use of scrolling icons 186 and 187, the size of the addresses and/or the position of the addresses along the Y axis may be changed. Numerical displays 190, show the X and Y positions of the addresses. Following changes to the address size, address location on the Paper Stock, the side and page on which the addresses are printed, etc. Close selection 183 is actuated to close property sheet 176. Subsequent closure of SET ADDRESS 164 icon programs the addresses from the selected subdirectory for printing with the job. Referring to Figures 16-18, subdirectories 172 of addresses may be created in one of several ways. For example, documents having the addresses thereon may be scanned in using scanner section 6 in the appropriate mode. In this case, since the addresses are smaller in size than the area of platen 20 scanned, the scanned address image requires processing to remove extraneous images. It may also be desirable at that time to set other address properties, such as size, orientation, etc. To program scanner section 6 so that only the address is scanned, a cut and paste routine is used. To enable cut and paste, cut and paste icon 192 displayed on touchscreen 62 is actuated. This displays a window 193 with various Edit Options available in this programming mode. An outline 194 ("Platen Raster Image") of the image area scanned is also displayed on touchscreen 62. NEW SCAN icon 204 is selected to cause scanner section 6 to scan the address bearing document on platen 20. Following initial scanning, the document is retained on platen 20 until the cut and paste process is completed as will appear. By selecting "Crop" in the Edit Options shown in Figure 17 are displayed on touchscreen 62. Selecting Crop and using left and right side scrolling icons 196, 197 on screen 62 and top and bottom scrolling icons 198, 199 allow the side, top, and bottom margins of the address image 173 to be set for cropping. The cropped areas are deleted leaving only the address image. Following completion of cropping, other Edit Options may be selected such as REDUCE/ENLARGE which enables the size of the address image to be changed, ROTATE which enables the orientation of the address image to be changed, etc. When the operator is satisfied with the address image, scanning is again actuated to cause scanner section 6 to rescan the address bearing document on platen 20, However,because of the scanner programming input provided in the aforedescribed cut and paste cropping routine,only the address portion of the document is scanned. Other changes programmed, i.e., REDUCE/ENLARGE, ROTATE, etc. are carried out by processor 25. The finished address is inserted into the address subdirectory 172. Additional addresses may be similarly created by scanning addresses or lists of addresses on documents and, after processing, placing the addresses in the address subdirectory. When the last address is entered into the subdirectory, the directory is closed to store the subdirectory in the set Address Library. Another source of addresses is a prepared address sheet containing mailing labels/addresses. An example of this is a '33-up' mailer sheet. The system can be programmed to crop a specific address location or by step and repeat, scan in each address individually and place the address in a stored sequential list. The above can be done in a single scan or in multiple scans. Further, electronic addresses can be received from remote sources over network 5, or from streaming tape, etc. for inclusion in the system storage of addresses. Additionally, electronic addresses can be generated using keyboard 64. While the invention has been described with reference to the structure disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth, but is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: Set addressing process for use with an electronic printing system (2) having a printer (8) for making prints on a print media from image signals, memory means (56) for storing the image signals, and programming means for programming said system (2) to produce prints, the process including the steps of providing a list of M addresses (173) for use in addressing prints produced by said printer (8), storing said list in said memory means (56), and programming said printer (8) to print one or more sets of N prints on said print media, the process being characterized by the steps of displaying, on a display screen (62), a print outline (174) with a selected identifiable area (175) which is adjustably positionable relative to said print outline (174) and representing a relative size, location and orientation of an area on selected ones of the N prints upon which said M addresses are to be printed respectively, accessing said address list in said memory means (56), and printing addresses (173) from said list successively on said selected ones of said prints at a location corresponding with said selected identifiable area (175) as said prints are printed on said print media. A process as claimed in claim 1, characterised by providing said addresses (173) in the form of at least one document original, scanning said document and converting said addresses (173) to image signals to provide said list of addresses (173), and storing said image data for said addresses list in said memory means (56). A process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterised by partitioning said addresses (173) in said address list from one another to allow said addresses (173) to be separately printed on said prints. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised by printing said addresses (173) from said address list in sequence onto said print media to provide a hard copy of said addresses (173). A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised by merging predetermined ones of said address lists with one another, and printing said merged address lists on said print media to provide a hard copy of said merged addresses (173). A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised by editing said address list to change the addresses (173) or the relative position of said addresses (173) in said address lists. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised by editing said address lists to provide selected ones of said addresses (173) on said lists with special properties. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised by obtaining said address lists from a remote source through a communication channel. Set addressing apparatus including in combination reading means (4) for scanning document originals to provide an electronic page of each document scanned, memory means (56) for storing said electronic pages, characterised by said memory means (56) having at least one list of addresses (173) stored in advance, a display screen (62) for displaying, as a representation of one of said electronic pages, a print outline (174) having a selected identifiable area (175) which is adjustably positionable relative to said print outline (174) and representing a relative size, location and orientation of an area on prints corresponding to selected ones of said electronic pages, control means (54) for combining selected ones of said addresses (173) from said address list with selected ones of said electronic pages for printing, and printing means (8) for printing said electronic pages combined with said addresses, said control means (54) combining said addresses (173) with said selected ones of said electronic pages to provide addressed prints in which each of said addresses (173) is printed at a location corresponding with a position of said selected identifiable area (175) predesignated by a user of said set addressing apparatus.

Inventors: ROURKE JOHN L, ROUSOS STEVEN M, ROURKE, JOHN L., ROUSOS, STEVEN M.
Applicants: XEROX CORP, XEROX CORPORATION
Application year: 1991
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: G06F3, G06K15, H04N1, G06F17