SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 

The system's core revolves around the Cognex® Camera system. The Cognex software controls all the digital processes required to capture and decode the symbols required for comparison or implementation. The tools provided by this system are based from production line quality control comparative applications, that have been redirected for use in our document integrity applications. This means the power of these systems are focused into applications not requiring such horsepower, which provides massive overkill, that emanates with stringency.

Symbols that are decoded that form an identifier can come in many standardized formats, are generally recognized by their terminology forms as OCR (Optical Character Recognition), BCR (Bar Code Recognition), and 2D (Data Matrix). But this part of the system has many powerful tools at it's disposal, one of which allows the teaching of any symbol and then instructs it to be interpreted to mean whatever the set-up requires. This in fact means, your requirements can be met no matter how difficult you feel it would be, in most cases as a standard for this product.

The second most important part in this system is the function software. This portion of the system is based within a PC atmosphere and is sustained by the Microsoft® operating system and application engine, thus insuring a legacy of reliability and provability. The function software defines the use of the cameras to the end result, that ties all the necessary requirements together. This way applications are merged, stack, exchanged, or intertwined, to derive the right formula for you to meet and exceed your requirements.

Also incorporated into this section is the network interface that allows the flow of required data, in the form of either comparative files or look-ups, alarms and reports, which is streamlined to ease the amount of interaction required of the operator. Files or other forms of data is transparently, or if requested by password protection, loaded for use by the system. While having a wide array of alarm or reporting options that will alert the people who are entrusted with the flow of production, either during operation or at the end of a job, via Internet protocols. Customization for either flows of information is yours upon request, all you have to do is ask.

The third component of the system, the one that is often neglected by system integrators, is the HMI (Human Machine Interface). To us this is the primary core ingredient for true throughput production. The better the operator can set-up a program, evaluate an operation, or identify and correct an anomaly, will without a doubt equal a greater throughput. This is why so much attention has gone into this part of the system. We start with easy set-up fields which are accessed by button driven icons, that are easily identified through numerous methods. Then provide real-time interactive displays, that allows the operator to monitor every aspect of the operation. This equates to quick identification and fine tuning of the many aspects your application calls for.

The last part of the system ties all the components together via various interface components. A comprehensive intelligent interface module will handle all the traffic that is required for a system to detect and implement functions for the operation of the system. Multiple camera operation in a high speed Ethernet switch style, multiple input ports, and multiple output ports, rounds out the purpose of this module. Which is accessed through Ethernet, Serial, and USB protocols that allows ultra fast functionality of all the systems nodes.

APPLICATIONS

Document Verification - This application fills many different requirements by offering the customer the ability to track documents locally or throughout the multiple processes the operation requires. The document is scanned for a certain identifier, that is compared to a related data base file for either correct location within the sequence, or to merely account for it's presence. Multiple cameras can be be used to track the whereabouts of the document, to insure it's proper location throughout the operational processes, thus adding an extra layer of security. Of course real-time observation of the process will be self evident, backed up by customizable job end reports.

Document Insert Matching - This is another of the popular standardized applications that Xtreme Vision System offers, where documents are matched to Inserts, and or Inserts are matched to other Inserts. Here is where you the customer has pre applied an identifier on each of the components to be collated together. The system has multiple cameras placed at the appropriate stations, and as the collation process proceeds components of the final product are fed and verified as to their correct placement. The collation process is a non intelligent cyclic process, and therefore relies upon the Vision system to maintain proper collation, so that if the wrong component is applied the system will react accordingly. 

In/Out Document Verification - The application serves as a watchdog system that has a multitude of variations. One of the most common is where the system acts a standalone device that first records the identifier on each of the documents at the beginning of the process, then confirms the document's presence at the end of the process in the exact order as recorded. A variation of this would be to have more than one point of confirmation within the process. An example being the initial point of recording would be at a sheet fed device, the first point of verification would be at the input of the insertion device, and the second point of verification would be at the output of the insertion device. 

Document Print Matching - A very popular application where a camera is placed in a conspicuous location within a processing device, and monitors the document while decoding the identifier, this identifier is then used to retrieve address print information. As the the document is placed into the carrier and transferred to a print station, the corresponding address in placed upon the carrier. In a card carrier type environment several print stations can be used to place pertinent information on the inside as well as on the outside, as it is obtained from the file. 

Document Print Verification - This application is a stand alone designed to insure that printed documents are accounted for, primarily used for labeling, and print labeling machines. The camera is placed on the output of the labeling or printing base, generally between the base and the conveyor, and documents are scanned and recorded for verification. Generally the same print file can be used to later compare that all the documents are accountable. This can also be utilized on the output on just about any device, such as folders, postage meters,  tabbing equipment, even stand alone verifiers.

Document Data Selection - This application is a bit more interactive with the processing system it is working in conjunction with, and therefore requires a working knowledge of the processing system for a practical application. But once this is obtained, if not already within our repertoire, then the vision system will be utilized in generally two different variations. The first variation reads the identifier on the principle document then accesses a database file to unlock the insert (product) selection information. The processing system will then have the proper alignment to add the accompanying inserts (product) to the associated documents. Additional cameras can be added to verify the selected inserts are appropriately applied.

The second variation takes the information contained within the identifier and instructs the processing system as to which inserts are to be selected. The limit of actionable functions is defined by the amount of information contained within identifier, as in a 2D type code, which can be quite high.

CUSTOMIZABLE ALERTING AND REPORTING

Any application can have a customizable process for dealing with document anomalies, and job analysis. The range of features can entail direct interaction by stopping the process and immediately informing the operator as to the error. To an indirect interaction that triggers a device that will segregate the anomaly, and then only alert the operator if a preset quantity is reached, thus allowing an unhampered flow of work. In either respect, there are a number operator activated remedies that can be implemented at your discretion. 

Reports can come in all sizes and shapes, to coin a phrase. You may require an error report if errors exceed preset numbers, which we refer to as Alarm reports. Or, you may only require an End of Job report that details the entire run, listing separately the anomalies and the remedies taken to identify the nature of the error. Again these are just a few of the most common Alerts and Reports, the diversity is only limited by your imagination.

BASIC PRICING

The basic single camera system starts at at price way below the competition, at just $18,600.00*. This gets you through the door on many types of applications that most users are looking for. For if you have the database information, most applications can be achieved with one camera. But if your application requires multiple points of monitoring then adding more cameras and functionality will not cost much more. And since your starting out at a lower price, then adding from there, that insures your final cost is going to be less than the other products that have a higher starting point. But that is just the icing on the cake, the real jewel is the Vision System with more tools, applications, and functions, as standard self contained Off the Shelf products. That has no equal when tied together, power and price.

ULTIMATE CONCLUSION

In conclusion the cost for this Vision System is insignificant in comparison to the costs incurred by the failed transmission of important documents. Not to mention the growing liability, and the fiduciary duty to insure that vital customer's information does not end up in the wrong hands. 

Then add functionality to security making the system ten times the all the bang for the buck.

Further consideration, compare these prices with the prices of other systems that range from $34,000.00 and up, with performance guaranteed to exceed the performance standards of other like competitors. When you stop to consider this, this is a powerful and inexpensive solution that puts the burden of security on the shoulders of someone else, leaving you to have piece of mind.

Additional options that can be purchased and upgraded at any time:

STAND ALONE TRANSPORTS

Montronics adds it's engineering talents to support a great product by providing Stand-Alone Transports to serve as the bridge between products. The transport provides a level medium to insure image capture quality, since multiple factors in dealing with paper media can present certain problems that hamper continuous robust operation. These units are the solution to creating a consistent outcome, while providing options to dealing with process anomalies. Plus, because of their stand alone configuration they may serve many masters, by being adaptive to several like or different processes.

These options include an inline Divert Station, that will redirect a document that has failed to meet the established criteria, without stopping production unless a preset count has been reached. Another of these options is inline tagging, where a document that fails is marked for easy identification, thus allowing the operator to sort through and easily remedy. Variations of these options are available to meet your specific requirements, no matter how complex your process may be a solution may already be available, and if not we can provide you with one.

CUSTOM MOUNTINGS

If your application calls for a more permanent mounting set-up then we have the solution, by being able to provide custom mounting apparatuses to best exploit the benefits that the system has to offer. No matter what confines or environmental challenges we are up against we have the solution to remedy them. 

Generally constructed with Aluminum and Stainless Steel components these mounts are lightweight and rust free, so that there is less of a contribution to the device is is mounted to, while adding superb aesthetics to compliment the product it is accompanying.

*Prices subject to change, please contact our sales dept. for the latest prices.