Embedded Metadata for Selective Reprinting in Variable Data Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variable information print jobs are challenging due to the complexity of managing and processing large quantities of data, especially in full-color applications, where damage to a sample set requires reprinting the entire project, leading to inefficiencies and potential alterations in the final product.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that embeds metadata into the data stream for each sample set, allowing for the recreation of only the damaged pages instead of the entire job, enhancing efficiency and maintaining print quality by associating metadata with each sample set and using it to control reprinting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional printing systems are used without embedded metadata, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to identify and reprint specific damaged pages is lost, requiring entire job reprints
Solution Approach 1:
The system embeds metadata into the data stream during the initial print job creation, before printing occurs. This preliminary action stores identification information for each sample set, enabling later identification of damaged pages without requiring complex real-time analysis during reprinting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Metadata acts as an intermediary element between the print controller and the data stream. This intermediary structure provides the necessary information about sample sets and their corresponding pages, enabling the controller to identify and reprint only damaged portions without directly analyzing the entire print job data.
2Ease of operation
If embedded metadata is added to the data stream, then the ability to identify and reprint specific damaged pages is enabled, but the data stream structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The data stream is segmented into distinct components with embedded metadata tags that identify individual sample sets and their corresponding pages. This segmentation allows the system to locate and process only the specific damaged portions by parsing through the structured metadata rather than analyzing the entire data stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a metadata copy or representation of the print job structure that contains identification information for each sample set. This copied structural information enables easy identification and referencing of specific pages without requiring the original complex design and variable data files.
3Reliability
If entire print jobs are reprinted when sample sets are damaged, then print quality is maintained, but production time and resource usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reprinting the entire print job, the system performs partial action by identifying and reprinting only the specific sample sets that are damaged or lost. This partial reprinting approach maintains print quality consistency for the affected portions while significantly reducing the time and resources required compared to full job reprints.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded metadata provides feedback information about which sample sets correspond to which pages in the printed output. This feedback mechanism allows the system to track and identify damaged sample sets accurately, enabling targeted reprints that maintain overall print quality while minimizing production delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system includes a memory that stores information including at least metadata, a printer and a controller that controls the printing system to embed the metadata into a data stream for the print job. After the controller controls the printer to print the print job, the controller controls the printer to reprint a portion of the print job based on the embedded metadata if the printing of the print job is not acceptable. A method of using a printing system includes a storing information including metadata, controlling the printing system to embed the metadata into a data stream for the print job and reprinting a portion of the print job based on the embedded metadata if the printing of the print job is not acceptable.