Label Printer Backfeed Control for Faster Label Issuing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printers require improvements in label issuing speed, particularly in printers that perform backfeed before print operations.

Innovation Solution

The printer performs backfeed of the label continuous body without waiting for a print start command, allowing the backfeed to be completed earlier and the print process to start sooner, thereby advancing the timing of both processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the backfeed is performed after receiving the print start command, then the print process can be properly synchronized, but the label issuing speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel issuing speedVSAvoidwaiting time for print start command

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The backfeed control unit performs the backfeed operation in advance, before the print start command is received. This preliminary action ensures that the label is already positioned at the print start position when printing begins, eliminating the need to wait for the print command before backfeeding, thereby improving label issuing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the backfeed is performed earlier without waiting for print start command, then the label issuing speed is improved, but the coordination between backfeed and print processes becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel issuing speedVSAvoidcontrol process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into separate functional units: a backfeed control unit that handles backfeed operations independently, and a print control unit that handles printing. This segmentation allows the backfeed to operate autonomously based on print data reception, while the print unit waits for the print start command, simplifying the overall control logic despite the advanced backfeed timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The backfeed control unit monitors the reception of print data and automatically triggers the backfeed operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the backfeed is performed at the appropriate time based on data readiness, maintaining proper coordination without requiring complex inter-unit communication protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12545034B2Printer, printer control method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 SATO CO LTD

AI summary

A printer that performs, based on print data, print on a plurality of labels included in a label continuous body, the printer includes a backfeed control unit configured to backfeed the label continuous body and move a leading label to a print start position, and a print control unit configured to acquire a print start command after the backfeed control unit starts the backfeed, and perform the print on the label moved to the print start position.