Barcode Print Quality Detection and Alerting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers, especially those using line-head type printing, often produce wavy lines when printing barcodes oriented perpendicular to the sheet transportation direction, leading to read errors due to varying output characteristics such as ink droplet landing timing and spreading, which existing technologies fail to accurately assess and address.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus comprising a memory for storing output characteristic information, a detector to identify one-dimensional codes, a generation unit for creating print data, a determination unit to assess print quality based on stored information, and an alert unit to notify users of suboptimal print quality, ensuring that only high-quality barcodes are printed by a specified printer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If line-head type printing is used to print barcodes oriented perpendicular to the sheet transportation direction, then printing speed is maintained, but print quality deteriorates due to wavy lines and read errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of barcode orientation and prediction of print quality before actual printing occurs. The determination unit assesses whether the printer can print the barcode with predetermined quality based on orientation information and output characteristic information stored in memory, allowing preventive measures to be taken before printing begins
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the alert unit that notifies users when print quality is likely to be insufficient. This feedback mechanism allows users to be aware of potential quality issues and take corrective actions, such as changing barcode orientation or adjusting printing parameters before the actual printing occurs
2Manufacturing precision
If barcode orientation is changed to improve print quality, then manufacturing precision improves, but adaptability to different printing configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of barcode orientation based on the detected orientation and printer capabilities. By adjusting the orientation parameter of the barcode before printing, the system optimizes print quality while maintaining the ability to handle different printing configurations through intelligent parameter adjustment rather than rigid fixed orientations
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a memory, a receiving unit, a detector, a generation unit, a determination unit, and an alert unit. The memory stores output characteristic information, information on image output characteristics of a printer, which is specified for output. The receiving unit receives a print command. The detector detects a one-dimensional code in accordance with a received print command. The generation unit generates print data in accordance with a received print command. The determination unit determines, in a case where a one-dimensional code has been detected, whether or not a printer, which is specified for output, is capable of printing the one-dimensional code with a predetermined print quality or higher by referring to the stored output characteristic information. The alert unit issues an alert in a case where the printer is incapable of printing the one-dimensional code with the predetermined print quality or higher.