Label Printer Host Communication for Device Connectability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing label producing systems are cumbersome for operators, requiring extensive network connections and manual testing to determine bootable target devices, leading to increased labor burden and potential recognition errors.
Innovation Solution
A label producing apparatus that uses host communication to determine connectability with target devices, notifying operators and acquiring printing information to facilitate easy printing, eliminating the need for extensive network connections and manual testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plurality of label producing apparatuses is connected to operation terminals via a network using LAN cable or wireless LAN, then the system can determine suitable label producing apparatus based on label tape type detection, but the construction becomes extremely cumbersome for operators and network connections may result in recognition errors or communication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable terminal as an intermediary device between the label producing apparatus and the operation terminal. The portable terminal performs the complex network communication and device selection operations, while presenting a simple interface to the operator. This mediator handles the network connectivity, device detection, and compatibility determination, shielding the operator from these complexities while maintaining the adaptive selection capability.
2Extent of automation
If interfaces corresponding to target devices are prepared in advance within the printer for host function utilization, then the printer can perform printing independently with connected target devices, but it is difficult to provide interfaces corresponding to all models of each target device requiring operators to test each device one by one
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compatibility checking and device detection automatically through the portable terminal before printing operations begin. The portable terminal communicates with the label producing apparatus to detect the target device type and verify interface compatibility in advance, storing this information for future use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for operators to manually test each device while maintaining support for multiple device models.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive network connections are constructed to connect multiple label producing apparatuses and operation terminals, then device selection based on label tape type is possible, but the system construction becomes extremely cumbersome and recovery from communication errors is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into independent components: the label producing apparatus, the portable terminal, and the operation terminal. Each component operates semi-independently with defined communication interfaces. The portable terminal handles network communication separately from the printing operation, allowing the system to maintain device selection capability through simplified, modular connections rather than requiring all components to be permanently interconnected.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a label producing system (LS), a label producing apparatus (100) comprises a first target connector and a first host connector, a label producing apparatus (200) comprises a second target connector, the label producing apparatus (200) outputs second tape related information based on a detection result of its own cartridge sensor to the label producing apparatus (100) via a communication cable (9b) mounted to a second target connector, and the label producing apparatus (100) generates first tape related information in accordance with the second tape related information inputted from the label producing apparatus (200) and a detection result of its own cartridge sensor, and outputs the first tape related information thus generated to an operation terminal via a cable (9a) mounted to the first target connector.