Digital Label Integration with Physical Labels for Dynamic Information Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional labels are limited by their small size, which restricts the amount of information that can be printed, and are static, making it difficult to change or add information once printed.
Innovation Solution
The creation and use of digital labels in conjunction with physical labels, where a label printing module generates both types of labels, with digital labels stored in a database and accessible via an Internet address included on the physical label.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If information is printed on a physical label, then the information is accessible to users, but the amount of information is limited by the label's small size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional physical labels to multi-dimensional information access by incorporating machine-readable objects (barcodes, QR codes) that encode references to extensive digital databases. This allows the physical label to serve as a gateway to unlimited information dimensions stored electronically, resolving the contradiction between limited physical space and information quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces machine-readable objects as intermediaries between the physical label and digital information repositories. These objects encode URLs or database references that mediate access to extensive digital content, allowing the small physical label to provide access to large amounts of information through the intermediary digital layer.
2Stability of the object's composition
If information is printed on a physical label, then the label provides static information, but the information cannot be changed or updated once printed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic information system where the physical label remains stable while the associated digital information can be dynamically updated. The machine-readable object on the label continuously references updated digital databases, allowing the system to maintain physical stability while achieving information flexibility through automated updates and real-time data synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copies of information that can be replicated and updated without changing the physical label. The machine-readable object references digital versions of product information, safety data, and other content that can be modified in the database while the physical label remains unchanged, achieving flexibility through digital replication.
3Ease of operation
If a machine-readable object is added to the physical label to link to digital information, then information accessibility is improved, but the label design and printing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal machine-readable object standards (barcodes, QR codes) that can be integrated into existing label printing infrastructure. These multi-functional elements serve both as traditional visual identifiers and as digital information gateways, allowing the same printing system to produce both simple and enhanced labels without requiring entirely new equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A label printing module can be configured to perform at least two actions in response to a request to create a label for an item. The label printing module can create a print job that will produce a physical label for the item. In addition, the label printing module can cause a digital label to be created and stored in a digital label database, which can be accessible via the Internet. The digital label can include an identifier that is uniquely associated with the item to which the physical label corresponds. The digital label can be associated with an Internet address. The Internet address of the digital label can be included in a machine-readable object on the corresponding printed physical label. Someone who has the item corresponding to the printed physical label can view informational content within the corresponding digital label by using a reader to read the machine-readable object.