System and method for determining stacking and sorting quality in machine apparatus that process media

An apparatus for evaluating stacking or sorting integrity at an output device of a high-speed apparatus that processes media comprising:

• at least one apparatus section where media is stacked or sorted;
• at least one detection device which listens substantially in real-time to audio generated by the output device in operation and which acquires an audio data;
• an audio energy content process runs on a processor that analyzes an audio energy content within one or more bandwidths of said audio data;
• an output device quality of operation process which generates a stacking or sorting integrity value based on said audio energy content within said one or more bandwidths of interest;
• and
• wherein if said stacking or sorting integrity value exceeds a predetermined threshold, said processor slows or stops a document transport of the high-speed apparatus.

A system for evaluating stacking or sorting integrity at an output device of a high-speed apparatus that processes media substantially in real-time comprising:

• an audio sensor disposed in or near the output device to acquire audio data from the output device of the high-speed apparatus while the high-speed apparatus is in operation substantially in a real-time;
• a processor to run a process to transform said audio data into a stacking or sorting integrity value;
• and
• wherein if said stacking or sorting integrity value exceeds a predetermined threshold, said processor slows or stops a document transport of the high-speed apparatus.