Packaging Image Generation with Index-Keyed Variable Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging technologies often lack the ability to provide unique and personalized packaging for individual items, which can enhance consumer attachment and interest, while avoiding prohibitive manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A computer-controlled printing system generates unique packaging designs by combining user-selected image seeds with customizable attributes and index keys, allowing for the creation of distinct images on each item, which can be reproduced on demand using an index key.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional packaging manufacturing methods are used, then manufacturing costs are controlled, but the ability to provide unique and personalized packaging for individual items is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging design is segmented into a template portion and variable image portions. The template contains common design elements that remain the same across all packages, while variable portions are generated dynamically using index keys. This allows personalization without redesigning entire packaging designs, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes specific parameters of the packaging design (image seeds, attributes, combinations) based on index keys to generate unique packaging variants. By modifying only certain parameters rather than the entire design, the system achieves personalization while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and controlling costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive memory storage is used to store unique packaging designs, then unique packaging can be produced, but storage requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Image seeds are pre-generated and stored in a limited set, along with their associated attributes. During packaging production, unique designs are created by combining these pre-generated seeds with index keys and customizable attributes, rather than storing complete unique packaging designs. This preliminary preparation reduces storage requirements while enabling unlimited unique combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing complete unique packaging designs, the system stores compact image seeds that can be copied and transformed into unique packaging variants through parameter changes and combinations. This copying approach with parameter variation significantly reduces storage requirements while maintaining design uniqueness.
Data Source
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AI summary
Multiple packages are manufactured by defining a package template, with at least one individualized image area, and selecting at least one image seed. For each package, an index key is selected and, based on the selected index key, a plurality of image attribute modifications are determined from within applicable ranges of image attribute modifications. The determined image attribute modifications are applied to the image seed or seeds to generate respective images, and the image or images are applied to the respective individualized image area of the package.