Active Printing System Dynamic Media Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional print architectures, such as the Windows print architecture, are inadequate for supporting printers capable of producing prints of indefinite length, as they require operator selection of fixed media sizes and do not allow for dynamic adjustment of print lengths, leading to media waste and limitations in printing applications that require varying print lengths.
Innovation Solution
The Active Printing System (APS) dynamically determines the media size based on the image size to be printed, allowing for variable print lengths without operator intervention, and provides a user interface to select continuous feed media sizes and orientation options, enabling printing on media of varying lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional print architecture with fixed media size selection is used, then printer compatibility and standardization are improved, but adaptability to varying print length requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic media size determination by the printing device itself based on image dimensions, replacing the static fixed media size selection of conventional architectures. The printing device automatically adjusts media length requirements according to the actual print content, enabling both standard compatibility and flexible adaptation to varying print lengths without operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing device performs self-service by autonomously determining the required media size based on the image to be printed. Instead of requiring the operator to manually select from predefined media sizes, the system automatically calculates and configures the appropriate media dimensions, reducing human intervention while maintaining compatibility with standard printing workflows.
2Ease of manufacture
If operator selection of fixed media sizes is required, then standardization is improved, but ease of operation for specialized printing tasks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the printing device automatically determines media size requirements based on the print image dimensions. This eliminates the need for operators to manually select from fixed media size options, simplifying the operation of specialized printing tasks while maintaining standardization through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing device performs preliminary determination of media size requirements before the actual printing operation begins. By calculating the necessary media dimensions in advance based on the image properties, the system prepares the optimal printing configuration automatically, improving ease of operation for specialized tasks while maintaining standardization.
3Device complexity
If fixed media sizes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of substance through media waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic media size adjustment where the printing device automatically determines the precise media length required based on the image dimensions. This replaces fixed media size usage with dynamic optimization, reducing media waste by matching media dimensions exactly to print requirements while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the media size parameter based on the print image dimensions. Instead of using fixed media sizes, the printing device adjusts the media length parameter to match the actual printing requirements, thereby reducing media waste while keeping device complexity low through automated parameter optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for printing an image on a medium whose dimensions are determined based on the size of the image are disclosed herein. A system includes a processor and a printing software system including an—Active Printing System (“APS”) configured to execute on the processor. The APS receives from an application program invoking the APS a size of an image to be printed and returns to the application program a set of dimensions within which the image is to be printed on a selected print media. The set of dimensions is determined based, at least in part, on the size of the image.