Servo means for document-transport

A servo method using microprocessor means whereby unit-record documents are guidedly-advanced along a prescribed transport path, past one or more process-stations, while being monitored by passage-means to be transported according to one of several "velocity-profiles", depending upon document type and/or condition, this method automatically controlling document-advance and comprising:

• deploying passage-means along said path in prescribed space-relation with said process stations,
• selecting and arranging said microprocessor means to store at least two different velocity-profiles and to store prescribed characteristics of each contemplated document to be transported;
• said microprocessor means being arranged to set-up said "velocity-profiles" to be automatically invoked as a function of sensed position along this path;
• deriving data indicating one or several characteristics for each such document;
• monitoring progress of the document along said path with said passage-means;
• and, when a prescribed point, is reached, invoking part or all of corresponding segment of a said velocity profile which is automatically selected according to at least one of said document characteristics;
• whereby a given velocity-profile is automatically selected, in real time, and on-the-fly, by said microprocessor means for each said document transported.