Information Processing for Mixed-Width Continuous Tape Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tape printing apparatuses struggle with continuous printing of images with different predefined tape widths, leading to incomplete prints when the predefined width exceeds the actual tape width, resulting in missing portions.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus adjusts image sizes to match the actual tape width by converting image data with differing predefined widths into modified data, ensuring continuous printing on the tape with the correct dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If image data with different predefined tape widths is used for continuous printing, then the printing apparatus can handle multiple image types, but the print images will have different image sizes causing missing portions when predefined width exceeds actual tape width

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle multiple image types with different tape widthsVSAvoidprint image completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of image size by detecting the actual tape width and automatically adjusting the image dimensions to match the physical tape width, ensuring complete printing without missing portions while maintaining the ability to handle multiple image types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the predefined tape width for image data exceeds the actual tape width used in printing, then the system can accommodate various image formats, but the print image will have missing portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different image formatsVSAvoidprint quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback by detecting the actual tape width and using this information to adjust the image size accordingly, ensuring that the print image fully utilizes the available tape width and eliminates missing portions while maintaining print quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250299004A1Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes an acquirer configured to acquire printing tape width information; a storage storing a plurality of pieces of image data for which respective corresponding tape widths are predefined, and a generator configured to generate continuous print data for continuous printing of two or more print images. When the corresponding tape width predefined for at least one piece of image data among the two or more pieces of image data to be used for the continuous printing differs from the printing tape width, the generator is configured to convert the at least one piece of image data with the corresponding tape width different from the printing tape width into modified image data in which an image size is adjusted to match the printing tape width, and to generate the continuous print data based on the two or more pieces of image data including the modified image data.