Augmented Reality Print Attribute Retrieval via Machine-Readable Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current print job attribute retrieval methods are inefficient, as they require manual selection and separate printing of an attributes page, which can be misplaced, and existing methods are difficult and time-consuming to navigate, especially when trying to retrieve or reproduce print job details like color profiles and rendering intents.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that encode print job attributes into machine-readable codes, such as QR codes, on the printed sheets, allowing users to capture and display these attributes using augmented reality (AR) by scanning the sheets with a camera, enabling immediate retrieval and potential reapplication of settings to new print jobs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If print attributes are printed on a separate attributes page, then the print job can be completed, but the attributes page becomes difficult to find and may be misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the print attributes with the main print job by embedding machine-readable codes directly onto the printed sheets. This eliminates the need for a separate attributes page, ensuring attributes are always available with the print job while eliminating the problem of misplaced or difficult-to-find separate pages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces machine-readable codes (such as QR codes) as an intermediary carrier for print attributes. These codes are embedded on the printed sheets and can be scanned by mobile devices to retrieve attribute information, providing a reliable and easily accessible method that eliminates the need for physical attributes pages.
2Loss of information
If the attributes page is printed separately, then print attributes can be retrieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital copies of print attributes through machine-readable codes embedded on the printed sheets. Users can scan these codes with mobile devices to instantly retrieve attribute information, eliminating the need to physically locate, handle, and read separate attributes pages, thus saving significant time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically locating and reading printed attributes pages with an optical/digital system. Machine-readable codes are scanned using camera-based mobile devices, automatically decoding and displaying attribute information, which is much faster and more efficient than manual page search and reading.
3Ease of operation
If machine-readable codes are embedded on printed sheets, then attribute retrieval is simplified, but the printed sheets must be modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printed sheet into functional components: the main print content and the machine-readable code area. The codes are placed in specific locations (such as corners or edges) where they do not interfere with the main print output, allowing easy separation of the attribute retrieval function from the primary printing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing machine-readable codes in specific localized areas of the printed sheet (such as corners or margins) rather than modifying the entire sheet. This allows the codes to be scanned and read without affecting the main print content, maintaining print quality while enabling attribute retrieval functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of automatically displaying a predetermined set of print attributes of a print job, the method including receiving an image of a first printed sheet, the first printed sheet including one or more at least partial machine-readable codes, the one or more at least partial machine-readable codes encoded with data related to the predetermined set of print attributes, decoding the data from the one or more at least partial machine-readable codes, determining if the data includes all of the print attributes in the predetermined set of print attributes, and if the data includes all of the print attributes in the predetermined set of print attributes, displaying the data using augmented reality (AR) over the first printed sheet.