A print method and apparatus for time stamping

Abstract

This invention discloses a printing method and apparatus for embedding timestamps, comprising the following steps: Step S1: Extracting timestamp metadata; extracting timestamp metadata upon receiving a print job; Step S2: Generating a timestamp image containing the timestamp metadata using GDI technology; Step S3: Dynamically adding the timestamp image to a specified position in the job image according to user selection, achieving image synthesis; Step S4: Sending the image dot matrix synthesized in Step S3 to a CNC system; the CNC system prints the image dot matrix through a printing module. This invention enables visual traceability of job information, supports flexible timestamp embedding modes, and solves the technical problem of the shortcomings of traditional printing job information traceability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of digital printing technology, and more specifically, to a printing method for embedding timestamps, and to a printing apparatus employing the method. Background Technology

[0002] In existing digital printing production, there is a need for product traceability. Traceability information mainly includes the printing job name, printing time, and printing equipment characteristics. Currently, traceability information is typically divided into two parts: one part is integrated during the printing image file design stage, and the other part is manually marked. This method has significant drawbacks: 1. It increases the workload for image designers; 2. It increases the marking workload for printing machine operators, and there is a probability of errors in manual marking; 3. This method does not allow for a direct correlation between traceability information and the actual printed product; 4. Currently, the EU REACH regulation requires printed products to include production process traceability information.

[0003] Therefore, a new technical solution is needed to address the issue of traceability in digital printing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a printing method and apparatus for embedding timestamps, which can realize the visual traceability of job information, support flexible timestamp embedding modes, and solve the technical problem of the defects in adding information traceability in traditional printing operations.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a printing method for embedding timestamps, comprising the steps of:

[0006] Step S1: Extract timestamp metadata; extract timestamp metadata when receiving print jobs.

[0007] Step S2: Generate a timestamp image containing the timestamp metadata using GDI technology;

[0008] Step S3: Dynamically add the timestamp image to the specified position of the job image according to the user's selection to achieve image compositing;

[0009] Step S4: Send the image dot matrix synthesized in step S3 to the CNC system; the CNC system prints the image dot matrix through the printing module.

[0010] In step S1, the timestamp metadata includes job feature information, system feature information, and equipment feature information.

[0011] Job feature information is extracted by calling the job parsing module; system feature information is extracted by calling the system function interface; and equipment feature information is extracted by calling the equipment capability module.

[0012] The job feature information includes job file name, job ID, and user preset parameters; the system feature information includes the current system date and time; the equipment feature information includes DPI, bit depth, number of colors, and process parameters; the process parameters include slurry type and operating speed.

[0013] In step S2, the steps for generating the timestamp image include:

[0014] Step S21: Create a canvas object;

[0015] Step S22: Initialize the graphics context;

[0016] Step S23: Rasterize the timestamp content.

[0017] In step S3, the dynamic addition step is to select a dynamic addition mode, which includes a homepage append mode and a page-by-page replacement mode.

[0018] The homepage append mode inserts a timestamp image with the required height and width containing complete traceability information before the job data stream. The page replacement mode replaces the image with the timestamp image generated in step S2 at a specified position on each page.

[0019] The present invention also provides a timestamp-embedded printing device, including a data extraction module, a rendering engine module, an image compositing module, a mode control module, and a data transmission and printing module.

[0020] The data extraction module is used to extract timestamp metadata.

[0021] The rendering engine module is used to generate a timestamp image containing the timestamp metadata using GDI technology;

[0022] The image compositing module is used to dynamically add timestamp images to designated positions in the job image according to user selection, thereby achieving image compositing;

[0023] The mode control module is used to control the selection of the dynamic addition mode;

[0024] The data sending and printing module is used to send the synthesized image dot matrix to the CNC system and print the image dot matrix.

[0025] The data extraction module includes a job parsing module, a system function interface, and a device capability module. It extracts job feature information by calling the job parsing module; extracts system feature information by calling the system function interface; and extracts device feature information by calling the device capability module.

[0026] The dynamic addition mode includes a homepage append mode and a per-page replacement mode. The homepage append mode inserts a timestamp image with the required height and width containing complete traceability information before the job data stream. The per-page replacement mode replaces the image with the timestamp image generated in step S2 at a specified position on each page.

[0027] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0028] By generating real-time dynamic timestamp metadata based on relevant information such as job characteristics, system characteristics, and equipment characteristics, and generating an image dot matrix adapted to the equipment based on the equipment characteristics, the image dot matrix containing traceability information can be integrated with the image to be printed. During the image printing process, printing and traceability information can be printed simultaneously without the need for subsequent separate addition, which improves efficiency, reduces subsequent manual operations, and ensures the accuracy and reliability of traceability information.

[0029] Through dual-mode embedding technology, combined with a visual interface, users can choose between homepage mode and per-page mode to create different information embedding methods. It can also provide other flexible user parameters to meet personalized needs. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a timestamp implantation printing method in this embodiment;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a timestamp-embedded printing device in this embodiment;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the two synthesis modes in this embodiment;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the mode control module in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] This embodiment discloses a printing method for embedding timestamps, referring to... Figure 1As shown, the process includes the following steps: Step S1 timestamp metadata extraction, Step S2 GDI rendering, Step S3 dynamic embedding, and Step S4 image dot matrix sending and printing. This enables the visual traceability of job information, supports flexible timestamp embedding modes, and solves the technical problem of the shortcomings of adding information traceability in traditional printing jobs.

[0036] Specifically, this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0037] Step S1: Extract timestamp metadata. When receiving a print job, extract the timestamp metadata. The timestamp metadata includes job feature information, system feature information, and device feature information. The job feature information includes job file name, job ID, user preset parameters, etc. The system feature information includes the current system date, time, etc. The device feature information includes DPI, bit depth, number of colors, process parameters, etc. In this embodiment, the process parameters include slurry type, running speed, etc.

[0038] Various types of information are parsed and accessed through corresponding modules. When receiving a print job, the job feature information is extracted by calling the job parsing module; system feature information is extracted by calling the system function interface; and device feature information is extracted by calling the device capability module.

[0039] Step S2: GDI rendering, generating a timestamp image containing the timestamp metadata using GDI technology;

[0040] The specific steps involved in generating a timestamp image include:

[0041] Step S21: Create a canvas object, using a resolution that matches the device's capabilities, and calculate the required canvas size based on the length of the feature information extracted in the first step, and then create the canvas object.

[0042] Step S22: Initialize the graphics context, set the text anti-aliasing rendering mode, and set the color space to single black mode. Due to the current traceability requirements, only single black is needed.

[0043] Step S23: Rasterize the timestamp content, define the text area, set the multi-line text layout, call the system function interface, and rasterize the feature information in real time to obtain the timestamp image bitmap data, thereby generating a timestamp image containing timestamp metadata.

[0044] Step S3: Dynamic Implantation. Based on the user's selection, the timestamp image is dynamically added to the designated position in the job image to achieve image compositing. The dynamic addition step employs a dual-mode implantation technology. The user selects a dynamic addition mode, and based on the selected mode, the traceability information is implanted into the designated position in the printed image.

[0045] In step S3, the dynamic addition mode includes a homepage append mode and a per-page replacement mode. The homepage append mode inserts a timestamp image with the required height and width containing complete traceability information before the job data stream. The per-page replacement mode replaces the image with the timestamp image generated in step S2 at a specified position on each page.

[0046] Step S4: Image dot matrix transmission and printing. The printing system controller sends the image dot matrix, which was implanted in step S3, to the CNC system via the PCIe card. The CNC system outputs the image dot matrix onto the fabric through the print head, completing the printing process.

[0047] This embodiment also discloses a timestamp-embedded printing device, referring to... Figure 2 As shown, it includes a data extraction module, a GDI rendering engine module, an image compositing module, a mode control module, and a data sending and printing module. These modules work together to achieve the intelligent timestamp addition function and are applicable to the printing method in the above embodiments.

[0048] The data extraction module is used to extract timestamp metadata. It includes a job parsing module, a system function interface, and a device capability module. By calling the job parsing module, job feature information can be extracted from the print job flow. By calling the system function interface, system environment parameters can be dynamically captured and system feature information can be extracted. By calling the device capability module, device feature information can be extracted.

[0049] The GDI rendering engine module is used to generate a timestamp image containing the timestamp metadata using GDI technology. This module encapsulates the GDI interface provided by the system, completing the conversion of timestamp text information into 2D image data. Device-adaptive rendering is employed to ensure that the output bitmap matches the color gamut of the printing machine and has precise physical size control, forming a timestamp image suitable for the printing environment.

[0050] The image compositing module is used to dynamically add timestamp images to specified positions in the job image according to user selection, thereby achieving image compositing;

[0051] Reference Figure 3 As shown, the image compositing module mainly completes the compositing of the timestamp dot matrix output by GDI and the printed image dot matrix. Its workflow is as follows:

[0052] 1. Receive raw image frames, CMYK and spot color data streams, such as Figure 3 Page 1, Page 2, and Page 3 in the document.

[0053] 2. Branching based on mode selection: Dynamic addition modes include homepage append mode and page-by-page replacement mode;

[0054] like Figure 2As shown in the left side of the middle section, the homepage append mode inserts a timestamp image with the required height and width containing complete traceability information before the job data stream; generates an independent timestamp image buffer (S2), and pastes the timestamp image dot matrix (S1);

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown in the right-hand section, the page replacement mode involves replacing the image with the timestamp image generated in step S2 at a specified location on each page. The replacement area is then located, and the timestamp image dot matrix (S3) is applied to the target area.

[0056] 3. Perform pixel-level fusion using hard replacement, i.e., image overlay, by overlaying the timestamp image onto the image to be printed, generating a printable image dot matrix with the timestamp image. In this embodiment, a single black color space and hard replacement fusion method are used to ensure that the timestamp is clearly visible without damaging the core content and color performance of the original printed image, thus guaranteeing the printing quality of the product.

[0057] The mode control module is used to control the selection of dynamically added modes, see reference. Figure 4 As shown, this module provides a user interface and passes instructions to the image synthesis module.

[0058] The data transmission and printing module is an existing module that can send a composite image dot matrix containing timestamps and printed images to the CNC system, and output it onto the fabric through the print head to achieve image printing with timestamp information.

[0059] The solution in this embodiment can reduce workload, eliminating the need for designers to integrate traceability information during the image design stage and the need for operators to manually mark it. The generation and insertion of timestamps are completed automatically throughout the entire process, significantly reducing labor costs and improving production efficiency. The solution in this embodiment can also improve accuracy and avoid the probability of errors in manual marking. The system automatically extracts job, system, and equipment information and generates timestamps to ensure the integrity and accuracy of traceability information.

[0060] In this embodiment, the timestamp is directly embedded into the printed finished product, ensuring a one-to-one correspondence between traceability information and the physical item. In the event of a quality problem, the timestamp can quickly pinpoint key information such as the production batch, equipment parameters, and production time, improving traceability efficiency. It comprehensively covers production process traceability information, helping companies overcome the difficulties of tracing printed products. The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of the present invention's concept are within the protection scope of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printing method with embedded timestamps, characterized in that, Including the following steps: Step S1: Extract timestamp metadata; extract timestamp metadata when receiving print jobs. Step S2: Generate a timestamp image containing the timestamp metadata using GDI technology; Step S3: Dynamically add the timestamp image to the specified position of the job image according to the user's selection to achieve image compositing; Step S4: Send the image dot matrix synthesized in step S3 to the CNC system; The CNC system prints the image dot matrix through the printing module.

2. The printing method for embedding timestamps according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S1, the timestamp metadata includes job feature information, system feature information, and equipment feature information.

3. The printing method for embedding timestamps according to claim 2, characterized in that, Job feature information is extracted by calling the job parsing module; system feature information is extracted by calling the system function interface; and equipment feature information is extracted by calling the equipment capability module.

4. The printing method for embedding timestamps according to claim 2, characterized in that, The job feature information includes job file name, job ID, and user preset parameters; the system feature information includes the current system date and time; the equipment feature information includes DPI, bit depth, number of colors, and process parameters; the process parameters include slurry type and operating speed.

5. The printing method for embedding timestamps according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the steps for generating the timestamp image include: Step S21: Create a canvas object; Step S22: Initialize the graphics context; Step S23: Rasterize the timestamp content.

6. The printing method for embedding timestamps according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the dynamic addition step is to select a dynamic addition mode, which includes a homepage append mode and a page-by-page replacement mode.

7. The printing method for embedding timestamps according to claim 6, characterized in that, The homepage append mode inserts a timestamp image with the required height and width containing complete traceability information before the job data stream. The page replacement mode replaces the image with the timestamp image generated in step S2 at a specified position on each page.

8. A printing device with embedded timestamps, characterized in that, It includes a data extraction module, a rendering engine module, an image compositing module, a mode control module, and a data sending and printing module. The data extraction module is used to extract timestamp metadata. The rendering engine module is used to generate a timestamp image containing the timestamp metadata using GDI technology; The image compositing module is used to dynamically add timestamp images to designated positions in the job image according to user selection, thereby achieving image compositing; The mode control module is used to control the selection of the dynamic addition mode; The data sending and printing module is used to send the synthesized image dot matrix to the CNC system and print the image dot matrix.

9. A timestamp-embedded printing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The data extraction module includes a job parsing module, a system function interface, and a device capability module. It extracts job feature information by calling the job parsing module; extracts system feature information by calling the system function interface; and extracts device feature information by calling the device capability module.

10. A timestamp-embedded printing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The dynamic addition mode includes a homepage append mode and a per-page replacement mode. The homepage append mode inserts a timestamp image with the required height and width containing complete traceability information before the job data stream. The per-page replacement mode replaces the image with the timestamp image generated in step S2 at a specified position on each page.

Images