Dual Printing Unit Barcode Dot Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printers face challenges in maintaining barcode readability due to ink bleeding, which enlarges bar widths and reduces print density, especially on sheets where ink easily bleeds, requiring sophisticated printing units for precise dot control.

Innovation Solution

A dual printing unit system where one unit forms dots on pixels and another forms dots between them in a width direction, with controlled ink amounts to prevent bleeding and maintain readability without needing high-resolution printing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the amount of ink ejected per dot is reduced to prevent bleeding, then bar width accuracy is improved, but dot size decreases and spaces between dots increase, leading to lower code image density and degraded barcode readability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebar width accuracyVSAvoidbarcode readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the printing process into two separate printing units: the first printing unit forms dots on respective pixels of the code image, while the second printing unit forms dots between the first dots in the width direction. This segmentation allows each printing unit to perform a specialized function - the first unit ensures precise bar width control through controlled ink ejection, while the second unit fills gaps to maintain code image density and readability without requiring high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second printing unit acts as an intermediary that adds dots between the first dots to compensate for the spaces created by reduced ink ejection. These intermediate dots maintain the density of the code image while allowing the first printing unit to use reduced ink amounts for precise bar width control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If high-resolution printing is used to reduce spaces between dots, then code image density is maintained, but the printing unit becomes sophisticated and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode image densityVSAvoidprinting unit sophistication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single high-resolution printing unit, the patent segments the printing function into two separate printing units with different requirements. The first printing unit operates at standard resolution with controlled ink amounts, while the second printing unit adds intermediate dots. This segmentation allows both units to use simpler, more common printing mechanisms rather than requiring one sophisticated high-resolution unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of dot placement by introducing a second printing unit that places dots at different positions (between the first dots) rather than relying solely on high resolution. This parameter change allows maintenance of code image density through strategic dot placement rather than through high-resolution printing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If dots are decreased in size to prevent ink bleeding, then bar width accuracy is improved, but the printing unit needs sophisticated control for high accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedot size control accuracyVSAvoidprinting unit sophistication

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dot formation process into two printing units, where the first unit creates dots with controlled (reduced) ink amounts for accurate bar width, and the second unit adds intermediate dots. This segmentation allows the first unit to use simple controlled ink ejection rather than sophisticated high-precision control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second printing unit creates a copy or supplement of dots at intermediate positions between the first dots. This copying approach allows the system to achieve the desired dot size and spacing without requiring the first printing unit to have sophisticated high-precision control capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration suppresses barcode readability degradation by adjusting ink amounts and dot placement, allowing for accurate barcode printing on various sheets without requiring advanced printing units, while minimizing ink bleeding and maintaining print density.

Implementation Method 1

a first printing unit configured to apply a first recording material on a print medium to form a dot on the print medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInkjet printing:

Implementation Method 2

a second printing unit configured to apply a second recording material on the print medium with the dot formed by the first printing unit to form a dot on the print medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInkjet printing:

Data Source

PatentUS9061496B2Printer

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 RISO KAGAKU CORP

AI summary

A printer includes a first printing unit configured in printing a code image to form first dots on respective pixels of the code image and a second printing unit configured in printing the code image to form second dots between the first dots in a width direction of a region with a width of two or more pixels having the first dots formed by the first printing unit.