Intelligent Document Label Generation with Server Validation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for generating labels for postal items lack ease of use and effective protection against manipulation, particularly in automating the inclusion of relevant sending information.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a network node to provide an Internet service for generating labels, incorporating a test step to check vouchers and ensuring secure one-time printing, with intelligent documents containing program modules for displaying test results and requiring a network connection for printing, ensuring high usability and protection against manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a label is generated using a local data processing unit, then the generation process is simple and direct, but the automation of including relevant sending information is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of including sending informationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An intelligent document server acts as an intermediary between the user's client device and the label generation system. The server receives requests from the client, automatically retrieves sending information from connected databases or services, generates the label with embedded executable code, and returns it to the client. This intermediary approach automates information gathering while keeping the client device simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the intelligent document structure with embedded executable code that automatically retrieves and validates sending information. The server prepares the label template in advance with built-in functionality to fetch sender details, recipient information, and shipping data from various sources before the actual label generation request.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the label can be printed multiple times, then the user has flexibility in printing, but the protection against manipulation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against manipulationVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The intelligent document contains executable code that communicates with the server to receive feedback on printing status. Before allowing label printing, the code sends a request to the server to check if the label has already been printed. The server responds with confirmation or rejection, providing real-time feedback that prevents unauthorized reprinting while maintaining a smooth user experience through automated verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The label itself performs self-verification through embedded executable code that automatically checks its own printing status by communicating with the server. The code independently validates whether the label has been used before printing, without requiring manual intervention from the user or administrator, thus maintaining both security and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If an intelligent document with executable code is used, then the protection against manipulation is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against manipulationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of executing and managing the intelligent document's executable code. The client device only needs to host the basic intelligent document structure, while the server performs the complex tasks of code execution, database queries, validation logic, and printing status tracking. This distribution of complexity keeps the client device simple while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The intelligent document structure is designed as a universal template that can be reused for multiple labels and printing instances. The embedded executable code provides multi-functional capabilities including automatic information retrieval, validation, printing control, and status tracking, all within a single standardized document format. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Extent of automation

If the label generation requires network connection, then the automation and data accuracy are improved, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of information retrievalVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The intelligent document's executable code automatically manages the network connection requirement without user intervention. When the user initiates label generation, the code automatically establishes the necessary network connection to the server, retrieves the required sending information, and completes the generation process. The user simply needs to request the label, and the system handles all network-related operations autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2800065B1Method for creating a label, computer program product and system for carrying out the method
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 DEUT POST AG
  • EP2800065B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2800065B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2800065B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for generating a label that can be affixed to a postal item. This method is characterized in that a network node (Maptos) provides a data service that is executed on a provider server of a service provider, generating data for inclusion in the label. The invention further relates to a computer program and a system for generating a label that can be affixed to a postal item.