Customizable Event Timers in Food Freshness Barcode Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In food preparation environments, employees face inefficiencies due to the need to manage multiple timed tasks, leading to time loss and overwhelm in tracking functions and operations.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to add customizable event timers to food freshness barcode printers, allowing operators to set alarms for time elapse, with options to restart or delete timers, and enabling message display or label printing upon expiration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If employees manually track multiple timed tasks, then they can monitor task progress, but they experience time loss and overwhelm
Solution Approach 1:
The timer system performs self-monitoring and self-alarming functions without requiring employee intervention. The printer automatically tracks task duration, generates audible alerts when tasks expire, and eliminates the need for manual tracking, thereby resolving the contradiction between time loss and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with an automated electronic timer system integrated into the barcode printer. The electronic system uses internal clocks, memory units, and audible alert mechanisms to monitor and signal task expiration, eliminating the need for employees to manually track multiple timed tasks.
2Reliability
If employees manually track all functions and operations, then they can ensure task completion, but they become overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments complex task tracking into individual timer instances, each monitoring a specific function or operation independently. Each timer can be configured for specific durations and triggers separate audible alerts, allowing employees to have multiple tasks tracked simultaneously without mental overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The timer system provides continuous feedback through audible alerts when tasks approach expiration or have expired. This feedback mechanism ensures task completion assurance while freeing employees from manual tracking, as the system automatically monitors and signals status changes for all tracked functions.
3Productivity
If multiple timers are implemented, then task management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barcode printer is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a printing device and as a timer system. The printer integrates print functions with timer monitoring, audible alert generation, and task management capabilities, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the timer functionality with the existing barcode printer hardware and software architecture. The timer system shares processing resources, memory, and control mechanisms with the printing functions, allowing multiple timers to be implemented while minimizing additional complexity through consolidation of functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a process for creating timer events in a food freshness barcode printer or smart printer that will sound on a periodic basis or at the elapsing of a specific time, comprising the steps of: starting a process; stopping a one second reference timer; examining an active timer list; and determining whether a timer screen is visible. Furthermore, the present application relates to a process for removal of timer events in a food freshness barcode printer or smart printer, comprising the steps of: starting a process; continuing to a remove timer button; and removing a selected timer from an active timer list.