Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A video imaging technique used in a bagging assembly for magazines, books or the like. The bagging assembly selectively adds onserts and tip-ons to the magazines prior to being bagged in a polybag. The invention includes a method of selectively adding onserts which are contained in a plurality of storage bins by implementing a vision system using a video camera. The vision system defines a plurality of video windows which are used for identifying a dot code pattern which is printed on a mailing label by an ink-jet printer. The dot code pattern identifies which ones of a plurality of storage bins are to be actuated to subsequently dispense an onsert onto the magazine as it passes thereunder. By using a vision system, the dot code pattern can be offset vertically or horizontally, or skewed up to 15 degrees. The vision system creates a pair of video windows used for first sensing reference marks, and three windows for subsequently sensing characters positioned therebetween. The characters are arranged in a binary format corresponding to which ones the onserts are to be added. The identified dot code pattern is compared to a table stored in memory to ascertain which storage bins are to be actuated to effect release of an onsert in timed relation to the travel of the magazine stream along a conveyor. Other post production processes can be performed as well using mail sortation marks to perform mail sortation, applying personalized messages to the covers of magazines, and determining if magazines are to be manually or automatically bundled.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim