Production of instant tickets using a plurality of raster image processors and a plurality of inline digital imagers

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 a plurality of Raster Imager Processors (RIPs), 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 on a common web press using at least three digital imagers, each maintaining registration with each other, queued imaging data of the at least three digital imagers being divided by a plurality of Raster Image Processors (RIPs), thereby reducing bandwidth requirements of any one RIP, the method comprising:
 (a) printing, with each digital imager, a different physical image relative to the other digital imagers with at least one RIP processing the image data in real time for each digital imager;   (b) monitoring 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, and;   (c) determining, from the monitored data and the queued imaging data in each RIP, the different physical images to be printed on a web substrate by the at least three digital imagers such that any variable data printed by any one of the digital imagers is coordinated with the variable data produced by the other digital imagers for the same ticket.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 (d) assigning a dedicated discrete RIP to each digital imager. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the assigned RIPs are coordinated and synchronized by at least one RIP dispatcher. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein variable indicia ciphertext is decrypted by the RIP dispatcher. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 (d) connecting a plurality of RIPs to a common network which is also connected to each digital imager including a networked RIP dispatcher. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein variable indicia ciphertext is decrypted by the RIP dispatcher. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 (d) dedicating an individual RIP to one of at least two dedicated parallel lanes on the web. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tickets are pull-tab tickets.