POS Color Printer Ink Optimization via SVG Lookup Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point of sale (POS) systems inefficiently use ink and network data for color printing, as they typically print more ink shots than necessary and do not incorporate Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) standards, leading to excessive ink consumption and data transfer for marketing and transaction information.
Innovation Solution
A network computer system that includes a central computer system, local computer systems at retail stores, and POS color printers, which store and manage SVG files and image object databases to minimize ink usage by generating modified image objects that require the minimum number of ink shots for printing, and optimize network data transfer by transmitting only necessary data for marketing communications associated with customer IDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional color printing methods are used at POS systems, then marketing and transaction information can be printed, but excessive ink consumption occurs due to printing more ink shots than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the color representation from traditional CMYK to a new color space defined by minimum ink shots of each color. This transformation changes the fundamental parameters of color specification, allowing the system to determine the exact minimum number of ink shots required for each color, thereby reducing ink consumption while maintaining color printing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the minimum ink shot requirements for various colors in a lookup table before actual printing occurs. This advance preparation allows the POS system to quickly determine optimal ink usage without real-time calculation, maintaining printing reliability while minimizing ink consumption during actual operation.
2Loss of substance
If conventional printing systems transmit all image data for color printing, then complete color images can be printed, but excessive network data transfer occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the color specification data from the actual image data. Instead of transmitting complete image data for color printing, the system extracts and transmits only the minimum ink shot requirements for each color. This significantly reduces network data transfer while maintaining the ability to produce accurate color images at the printing location.
3Loss of substance
If minimum ink shots are used for each color, then ink consumption is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to new color space calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the complexity issue through preliminary action by pre-calculating the minimum ink shot requirements for all possible colors and storing them in a lookup table. This advance computation transforms the complex real-time calculation problem into a simple data retrieval operation, reducing ink consumption without significantly increasing the complexity of the actual printing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating a simplified representation of color information in the form of a lookup table that maps colors to minimum ink shot configurations. This copied data structure replaces the need for complex real-time color space transformations, maintaining ink efficiency while simplifying the system's operational complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a method of printing at a POS of register receipts and marketing information in which the required network bandwidth and quantity of ink are both reduced. SVG files are used to specify communications, associated modified image objects are stored locally to the POS, and associated modified image objects are modified version of original objects in which color values are replaced with other color values that result in the same print image, but with printing of less ink.