Label Printer Command Cancellation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Label printers face challenges in managing command groups, leading to inconsistent cancellation ranges due to varying format configurations, which can result in unintended cancellation outcomes when users are unaware of command group configurations.

Innovation Solution

A printing device and method that include an acceptance unit for print and non-print commands, a determination unit to assess command associations, and a cancellation unit to cancel associated non-print commands with print commands upon user instruction, allowing for manual or automatic association settings to ensure intended cancellation results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If format-based cancellation function is used in label printers, then printing operations can be cancelled, but the range of commands to be cancelled changes as the format configuration varies, leading to inconsistent cancellation outcomes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancellation operationVSAvoidcancellation outcome consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments commands into different command groups (print commands and non-print commands) and implements separate cancellation behaviors for each group. Print commands can be individually cancelled, while non-print commands are automatically cancelled when their associated print command is cancelled, providing consistent and predictable cancellation outcomes regardless of format configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes command group associations in advance between print commands and non-print commands. This preliminary classification allows the system to automatically determine which non-print commands should be cancelled when a print command is cancelled, eliminating the need for users to manually configure cancellation ranges and ensuring consistent behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If developer freely designs command configuration in format, then flexibility in command setup is improved, but the description of how commands belong to format varies, making cancellation range determination difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand configuration flexibilityVSAvoidcommand group management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal command group classification system that works across different format configurations and middleware types. By categorizing commands into print and non-print groups with standardized cancellation rules, the system provides consistent functionality regardless of how developers design their specific command configurations, reducing the complexity of managing diverse command structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250094097A1Printing device and printing method

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing device includes: an acceptance unit configured to accept a print command and a non-print command as commands belonging to different command groups from each other; a determination unit configured to determine whether there is an association or no association between the print command and the non-print command in the different command groups; a printing unit configured to cause a printing mechanism to perform printing according to the print command; and a cancellation unit configured to cancel the non-print command determined as being associated with the print command, along with the print command, in response to acceptance of a cancellation instruction for the print command.