Barcode Printer Quality Determination Process
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing label printers require time-consuming manual scanning operations to determine optimal barcode printing conditions, which is inefficient for users.
Innovation Solution
A printer with a receiving portion, printing portion, reading portion, and controller that performs a sample print process to print barcodes under different conditions, reads the printed barcodes, determines their quality, and sets optimal printing conditions automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual scanning operations are used to determine optimal barcode printing conditions, then the user can find optimal bar and space widths, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The printer automatically performs quality determination of printed barcodes using its own reading portion, eliminating the need for manual scanning by the user. The system self-evaluates print quality by reading the printed barcodes and automatically determines optimal printing conditions based on the read results
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the printer reads the barcodes it prints, evaluates their quality, and uses this information to automatically adjust printing conditions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic optimization without manual intervention
2Productivity
If the printer automatically reads and evaluates printed barcodes, then user time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printer integrates multiple functions into a single device: it prints barcodes, reads the printed barcodes, evaluates their quality, and automatically adjusts printing conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate manual scanning devices while maintaining productivity benefits
Data Source
AI summary
In a printer, a controller controls a printing portion to execute a sample print to print on a sheet a plurality of barcodes. Each of the plurality of barcodes is represented by a received barcode data and printed in a different printing condition. The controller controls a reading portion to read the plurality of barcodes printed on the sheet in the sample print process to obtain a plurality of sets of scan data corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of barcodes. The controller performs a quality determination process to determine qualities of the plurality of printed barcodes based on the respective ones of the plurality of sets of scan data, and a printing condition setting process to set a printing condition based on the qualities determined in the quality determination process. The set printing condition is to be used to print a barcode by the printing portion.