Abstract: A production and finishing system, particularly a printing and finishing system, for electronic management and control of a wide range of finishing processes characterized by input from multiple production operations and equipment that, depending upon the job, may be variably applied to work pieces that themselves are highly variable between different jobs. Particular emphasis is demonstrated in relation to printing and finishing operations for printed documents. The principles of the present invention, however, apply to such production and finishing systems as, without limitation, textile production (which may include printing, cutting, sewing, and finishing), packaging operations for various consumer and industrial products, and printed wiring board production, etc. The present invention is particularly applicable to many operations where processes for production of work pieces are managed separately from processes for finishing and packaging of such work pieces.

Abstract: This is a sheet binder or comb configured for use in lay-flat binding technology. This comb allows two- or three-ring binding of finished comb-bound booklets by the addition of a like number of round holes stamped into the comb. Obviously, any number of round holes can be used to accommodate two or more ring binders.

Abstract: A method for a finishing module coordinator controller used in a finishing system comprised of finishing devices controlled separately from production equipment. The method comprises receiving finishing job description information, including identification of job segments of the job; and using such information for programming at least one finishing device. The method further comprises tracking performance of the job and adjusting the job model and device performance in response to conditions during performance of the finishing job.

Abstract: A method and structure for a virtual finishing job ticket database used in a finishing system wherein the database stores capability and constraint information relating to finishing devices available for a finishing job, receives information describing the finishing operations to be performed, and stores the information in a manner accessible for management of the finishing job.

Abstract: A method for a production monitor controller used in a finishing system wherein the controller uses information concerning the constraints of devices within the system to break the job into job segments wherein each job segment conforms to the constraints of the devices operating on the job segment. A method for creating a job model comprised of a hierarchy of nodes that together describe the job and each of its components. Elements of the of the production monitor controller.

Abstract: A method for a production monitor controller used in a finishing system wherein the controller uses information concerning the constraints of devices within the system to break the job into job segments wherein each job segment conforms to the constraints of the devices operating on the job segment. A method is also disclosed for creating a job model comprised of a hierarchy of nodes that together describe the job and each of its components. The elements of the production monitor controller is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and structure for a virtual finishing job ticket database used in a finishing system wherein the database stores capability and constraint information relating to finishing devices available for a finishing job, receives information describing the finishing operations to be performed, and stores the information in a manner accessible for management of the finishing job.

Abstract: A method for a finishing module coordinator controller used in a finishing system comprised of finishing devices controlled separately from production equipment. The method comprises receiving finishing job description information, including identification of job segments of the job; and using such information for programming at least one finishing device. The method further comprises tracking performance of the job and adjusting the job model and device performance in response to conditions during performance of the finishing job.

Abstract: Methods for a graphic user interface within a document production system, including a method for associating electronic data files to particular document components and a method for providing a graphical representation of a job model for a document. Included within these methods are methods for checking the progress during production of a job through production processes having a plurality of devices as well as methods of checking the status of components of the document and status of devices during production. Also included in these methods are methods for selecting among a plurality of possible arrangements of devices capable of producing the document.

Abstract: A production and finishing system, particularly a printing and finishing system, for electronic management and control of a wide range of finishing processes characterized by input from multiple production operations and equipment that, depending upon the job, may be variably applied to work pieces that themselves are highly variable between different jobs. Particular emphasis is demonstrated in relation to printing and finishing operations for printed documents. The principles of the present invention, however, apply to such production and finishing systems as, without limitation, textile production (which may include printing, cutting, sewing, and finishing), packaging operations for various consumer and industrial products, and printed wiring board production, etc. The present invention is particularly applicable to many operations where processes for production of work pieces are managed separately from processes for finishing and packaging of such work pieces.

Abstract: An end of media detection system is provided for a system which unrolls a media supply such as paper from a cylindrical core substrate. One (trailing) edge of the media is attached to the core substrate. As part of the media detection system, a shaft which is positioned within a pair of cradles supports the cylindrical core. One of the cradles houses a plastic slide, which in turn acts vertically on the actuator of a microswitch when the shaft is in place. The weight of the shaft and media roll acting on the microswitch keeps the microswitch in an inactive state, however, as the media on the roll is played out, at some point just before the media is exhausted the shaft is moved upward due to the adhesive attachment of the trail edge of the media to the core substrate. Movement of the shaft relieves the pressure on the actuator of the microswitch thereby actuating the microswitch to send a signal to a controller to stop rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine in which successive copy sheets are supplied from a supply source thereof. A modular tray which is insertable into the printing machine is arranged to have a stack of copy sheets disposed thereon. When one marginal region of the stack of copy sheets has a greater thickness than the other marginal region the sheets are supported such that at least the opposed marginal regions of the uppermost sheet of the stack of copy sheets are at substantially about the same level while that portion of a majority of the copy sheets with the thicker margin regions is downwardly supported at an acute angle with respect to the surface of the uppermost copy sheet in the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus which regulates offsetting stacks of sheets reproduced from at least one original document. In one mode, successive stacks of uncollated sheets are offset from one another, and, in another mode, offsetting of stacks of collated copy sheets is inhibited.