Universal document processor for merging continuos and cut sheet documents into sets

Abstract

The universal document processor provides for an economical document processing solution. Thus the capital investment in equipment could be maximized by the use of a single system to perform a wide variety of tasks by a single system. Presently, no system combines all these described functions in a single system, instead requiring a plurality of input and output devices, frequently certain of them requiring installation and setup to the exclusion of others, greatly decreasing efficiency in operation. With use on an inserter system one would have a universal document processing solution system processing both cut sheet and continuous in one front end.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A universal processing method of processing paper documents comprising the steps of: 
 feeding continuous sheet documents or cut sheet documents to a document transport;    reading optically printed indicia on said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents and programmably determining subsequent steps based on indicia;    selectively passing said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents to a subsequent step or holding said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents in said document transport while waiting for other continuous sheet documents or cut sheet documents;    sequencing and merging said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents to create a merged set;    passing said merged set from said document transport to a subsequent step while initiating the creation of a second merged set until a predetermined number of merged sets are created.    
     
     
         2 . The invention according to  claim 1  and said selective passing or holding step being performed by reading said indica and determining said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents have been printed in the formats of North/South, West/East or East/West.  
     
     
         3 . The invention according to  claim 1  and said sequencing and merging step being performed by a sequencer merger receiving said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents from said continuous feed processor or said cut sheet processor, directing said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents in a selected order and transporting said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents to an output end, said sequencer merger adaptable to process said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents as a stack.  
     
     
         4 . A universal processing method of processing paper documents comprising the steps of: 
 programming a CPU or electronically reading optically printed indica on cut sheet documents or continuous sheet documents to set the number and configuration of merged sets;    signaling the feed of said cut sheet documents or said continuous sheet documents to a document transport;    selectively passing said continuous sheet documents or said cut sheet documents through said document transport or holding said continuous sheet documents or cut sheet documents in said document transport while waiting for other continuous sheet documents or cut sheet documents;    sequencing and merging said continuous sheet documents or cut sheet documents held in said document transport to create a merged set;    passing said merged set from document transport to a subsequent step while selectively initiating the passage of other cut sheet or continuous sheet documents or holding said continuous sheet documents or cut sheet documents to create another merged set.    
     
     
         5 . A universal document processor for merging continuous sheet documents or cut sheet documents comprising: 
 at least one continuous sheet document processor, adapted to feed said continuous sheet documents;    at least one cut sheet document processor, adapted to feed said cut sheet documents;    a document transport, adapted to receive documents from said at least one cut sheet document processor and said at least one continuous sheet document processor;    a central processor unit for controlling said at least one continuous sheet document processor, said at least one cut sheet document processor and said document transport adapted vary the quantity, makeup and number of merged sets;    said document transport located downstream from said at least one continuous sheet document processor and said at least one cut sheet document processor and adapted to selectively pass said cut sheet documents or said continuous sheet documents or merge said cut sheet documents or said continuous sheet documents into said merged sets;    whereby said cut sheet documents, said continuous sheet documents and said merged sets are expelled from said document transport.    
     
     
         6 . The invention according to  claim 5  and 
 said document transport being operatively connected to an optical reading device adapted to read indicia affixed on said forms;  
 said document transport, said at least one cut sheet processor, and said at least one continuous sheet processor being controlled by a computer;  
 said computer, said document transport, said at least one cut sheet processor, and said at least one continuous sheet processor being operable independent of an inserter and being operable in coordination with said inserter for off-line or on-line operation.  
 
     
     
         7 . The invention according to  claim 5  and each of said at least one continuous sheet document processor, said at least one cut sheet document processor, central processing unit and said document transport sharing a common supplier of motive power.