Cascading queue marks for multiple inline imagers that produce tickets or documents

Abstract

Production methods and systems enable the inline production of instant lottery tickets or documents using at least three different digital imagers. By interfacing at least three digital imagers in a common printing line with cascading queue marks, heretofore unknown printing efficiencies are realized, particularly on smaller volume print runs. These methods and systems enhance the overall appearance of the printed instant lottery tickets or documents, as well as potentially expand the consumer base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for producing Scratch-Off Coating (SOC) protected tickets or documents on a common web press using at least three digital imagers, each of the digital imagers maintaining registration with the other, and each digital imager printing a periodic queue mark, the method comprising:
 (a) printing, with each digital imager, a substantially different appearing queue mark relative to the other digital imagers such that the digital imager that created a given queue mark can be readily identified;   (b) monitoring the printed queue marks in real time on the web press, wherein monitoring press eyes of the web press are positioned at an a priori fixed distance from each digital imager, the monitoring press eyes generating monitored data;   (c) determining, from the monitored data, the position of each queue mark printed on the web press including at least:
 (i) the position of each queue mark relative to each other, and 
 (ii) the position of the queue mark previously imaged from a prior digital imager relative to the imaged output of a subsequent digital imager; 
   (d) digitally generating queue marks to be imaged with document synchronization data embodied therein, including at least cyclic numbering information; and   (e) producing the tickets or documents using the queue marks, thereby ensuring that the at least three digital imagers are sequentially imaging the same ticket or document.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the monitored printed queue marks are detected on both the top and bottom sides of the web. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the monitored printed queue marks are detected on both the top and bottom sides of the web via a focused high intensity light source positioned on one side of the web with one of the monitoring press eyes positioned directly opposite on the other side of the web. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the synchronization data embodied in each printed queue mark is in the form of a barcode. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the synchronization data embodied in each printed queue mark is in the form of a pie chart. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the printed queue marks are human readable. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the printed queue marks of each of the digital imagers are differentiated from the printed queue marks of the other digital imagers by shape. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the printed queue marks of each of the digital imagers are differentiated from the printed queue marks of the other digital imagers by color. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 (f) printing void indicia with at least one digital imager when a defective printed product is detected.