Barcode Print Quality Self-Verification Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of print devices cannot determine whether the print quality judgment of barcodes is being performed appropriately, as existing systems lack clear notification mechanisms for when the print quality does not meet predetermined standards.
Innovation Solution
A print device with a supply, print, conveyance, notification, processor, and reading portions that acquires judgment image data, prints a judgment image, and notifies errors when the read judgment image data does not satisfy the predetermined standard, allowing users to assess the appropriateness of print quality judgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the print device performs automatic print quality judgment of barcodes, then the print quality can be determined, but the user cannot determine whether the judgment is being performed appropriately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system performs self-diagnosis by printing judgment images with known defects and verifying if the reading portion correctly identifies them. The notification portion then provides feedback to the user about the judgment function's operational status, resolving the information asymmetry between automatic judgment and user awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The print device performs self-verification by automatically testing its own judgment function using pre-defined judgment images containing deliberate defects. The system autonomously determines whether its print quality judgment capability is functioning correctly without requiring external verification, thereby maintaining user awareness of system status.
2Reliability
If no contamination or defects are present inside the print device, then all barcodes are judged to meet the standard, but the user cannot verify if the judgment function is working properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares judgment images in advance that contain predetermined defects or characteristics. These judgment images are printed and tested before actual production use to verify the judgment function is working correctly, allowing users to confirm system reliability without requiring actual defective products.
Solution Approach 2:
The judgment image serves as an intermediary test object that mediates between the print device's internal judgment function and the user's need to verify its operation. By using this intermediate test medium with known properties, the system enables users to assess judgment accuracy without needing actual defective barcodes.
3Measurement precision
If the system only notifies errors when actual defects are found, then print quality can be monitored, but users cannot assess the appropriateness of the judgment function itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic self-diagnosis operations where the system regularly prints and tests judgment images to verify its judgment function is operating correctly. This periodic verification provides users with status information about the judgment function's health separate from actual production defect detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the verification of the judgment function from the actual production printing process. By using dedicated judgment images and separate notification mechanisms, the system divides information about judgment function status from information about actual product defects, allowing users to assess both independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A print device that includes a supply portion, a print portion, a conveyance portion, a notification portion, a processor, a reading portion, and a memory. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes including acquisition processing of acquiring judgment image data that does not satisfy a predetermined standard used to judge a print quality of a barcode, print processing of controlling the print portion to print a judgment image on a medium, judgment processing of judging whether read judgment image data output by the reading portion as a result of reading the judgment image satisfies the predetermined standard, and notification processing of controlling the notification portion to notify an error, when, in the judgment processing, it is judged that the read judgment image data satisfies the predetermined standard.