Dynamic Print Data Processing for Continuous Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face challenges in modifying print data, especially for continuous substrate materials, as they require preprinted forms and are inefficient in handling multiple print jobs with different forms, leading to unnecessary substrate material exchanges and difficulties in adding auxiliary information to pre-existing print images.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that process print data using trigger information to dynamically modify print images on continuous substrate materials, allowing for the addition of form graphics, images, and text during the printing process without preprinted substrates, enabling the same material to be used for multiple print jobs and eliminating the need for frequent substrate exchanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If preprinted substrate material rolls are used for different forms, then printing can be performed, but frequent substrate material exchanges are required leading to loss of time and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining form graphics and their associated parameters (margins, headers, footers, page numbers) in a database before the printing process. When a print job is received, the system automatically retrieves and applies the appropriate pre-defined form without requiring physical substrate exchanges or manual form changes, thus maintaining productivity while handling multiple forms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by using a single unprinted substrate material roll that can accommodate multiple different forms through digital manipulation. The printing system can dynamically switch between different pre-defined form graphics and their parameters, making one substrate roll serve multiple printing purposes without physical exchanges, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If preprinted forms are used, then printing can proceed, but modifying print images or inserting auxiliary information is difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the form graphics and their parameters (margins, headers, footers, page numbers) dynamically adjustable through digital data rather than fixed physical prints. The system can modify print images by changing digital parameters and retrieving updated form graphics from the database, enabling flexible modification of auxiliary information while maintaining simple printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary database that stores pre-defined form graphics and their parameters. This database acts as a mediator between the print data and the printing process, allowing modifications to be made by updating digital data in the database rather than physically altering substrate material. This enables easy modification of print images while keeping the printing process simple.
3Productivity
If multiple print jobs requiring the same preprinted substrate material are collected, then printing efficiency improves, but substrate material management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the form definitions and their parameters from the physical substrate material and stores them separately in a digital database. This separation allows multiple print jobs to be processed using the same unprinted substrate material while managing form variations through digital data rather than physical substrate management, thereby improving productivity without increasing substrate material management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Print data generated in a page description language can be processed using a processor. The processing can include checking whether conditions specified in trigger information are satisfied for at least one page of the document and/or for the entire document. Based on the checking, an action associated with the trigger information can be executed that changes the print data. The print data supplied as input print data can be output as output print data after the execution of the action. For example, images, text, barcodes, and/or graphics may be inserted via in the action. Finishing options may also be added, or fonts may be changed.