Label Image Processing Apparatus for Automated Label Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing label printing systems require significant time and effort for users to design new labels with bar code printers, as each label needs to be individually designed using a label editing tool on a computer, making the process inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and label printing system that includes a digital multifunction peripheral connected to a server and a bar code printer, which allows for the acquisition and processing of label images, generation of label data, and direct printing, eliminating the need for manual label design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a label editing tool on a PC is used to design each new label, then label design flexibility is improved, but time consumption and operational effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing images of reference labels, extracting their design elements (layouts, barcodes, text arrangements), and storing them in a database before actual label creation is needed. When a user needs to create a new label, the system retrieves and reuses these pre-extracted elements, eliminating the need for manual redesign and significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining design flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual label design using a label editing tool is required, then label customization capability is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates digital copies of existing label designs by capturing images with an imaging device, extracting design elements through image processing, and storing them as reusable templates. Users can select from these copied designs and customize them as needed, maintaining full customization capability while dramatically simplifying the operational process compared to manual design from scratch.
3Productivity
If an automated system for label data acquisition is implemented, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves high productivity through a multi-functional integrated architecture where a single system performs diverse functions: the imaging device captures label images, the image processing unit extracts design elements, the database stores templates, and the label data generation unit creates new label data. This universal system handles multiple tasks (scanning, processing, storing, generating) that would otherwise require separate tools, making the increased complexity worthwhile by dramatically improving label creation efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an image processing apparatus has a first interface for communicating with a server, a second interface for communicating with a label printer, and a third interface for acquiring an image including a label image. A processor of the apparatus is configured to receive the image via the third interface, extract the label image from the received image, perform image processing on the extracted label image, transmit the processed extracted label image to the server via the first interface along with a request to generate label data based on processed extracted label image, receive the generated label data from the server via the first interface, and transmit the received label data to the label printer along with a request to print a label corresponding to the label data.