Media Tracker for Large Format Printers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large format printing environments, there is uncertainty about the amount of unused media in a roll, leading to potential waste of media and consumables due to the inefficiency of existing methods for tracking remaining media, such as printing a marking on the roll, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a media tracker comprising a data module, prediction module, and marking module to accurately track unused media within a roll, allowing for the printing of a machine-readable marking during the same print run as the plot, which indicates the remaining media quantity, and enables efficient severing and removal of the roll.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a marking is printed on the media roll to track unused media, then measurement precision of remaining media is improved, but loss of time and loss of energy increase due to warm-up, printing, curing, and cooling cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by tracking media usage continuously during normal printing operations. The media tracker monitors the amount of media passed through the printer and calculates remaining media before a print job is initiated, eliminating the need for post-printing marking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal printing system with an electronic detection and calculation system. Instead of using the printer's heating and marking mechanisms, the system uses sensors, processors, and software to detect media usage and calculate remaining media quantities.
2Measurement precision
If a marking is printed on the media roll to track unused media, then measurement precision of remaining media is improved, but use of energy increases due to warm-up, printing, curing, and cooling processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive thermal printing and curing system with low-power electronic sensors and processors. The media tracking is achieved through electronic detection of media passage and computational calculation rather than physical marking processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the printer's own operational data (media feed detection, print job information) to automatically calculate and track remaining media without requiring additional energy-consuming external processes.
3Measurement precision
If the printer waits to print a marking after completing a plot, then measurement precision of remaining media is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and provides media remaining information before the print job is completed or even before printing begins. This preliminary tracking allows users to plan media changes in advance without waiting for post-print processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The media tracking operates continuously during normal printing operations without interrupting or pausing the printing process. The system monitors media usage in real-time, maintaining continuous productivity while providing accurate media remaining information.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, data is discerned, the data indicative of a first quantity of unused media contained within a roll. Prior to a plot being printed on the roll, a second quantity of unused media expected to be in the roll after the plot is printed is discerned using the data. Printing of a machine-readable marking on the roll, along with the plot, is caused, the marking being indicative of the second quantity.