Pre-printing Fixed Features for Fast Graphic Code Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing technologies are unable to efficiently produce graphic codes, such as 1D and 2D codes, at speeds required by the industry, particularly for applications like product packaging, where high throughput is necessary, and the transition to new 2D code standards will further increase the demand for faster printing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pre-printing fixed features of graphic codes on products followed by post-printing variable features, using separate or combined printing systems to achieve faster and more efficient production of complete codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional printing technologies are used to print complete graphic codes, then the printing process can produce complete codes, but the printing speed is too slow to meet industry requirements of 40000-60000 prints per hour or more
Solution Approach 1:
The graphic code printing process is segmented into two distinct phases: pre-printing of fixed features and post-printing of variable features. This segmentation allows the printing system to optimize each phase separately, with pre-printing handling the majority of code elements at high speed, and post-printing adding only the necessary variable information, thereby achieving the required printing speeds of 40000-60000 prints per hour or more
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed features of the graphic codes are pre-printed on the packaging material before the final printing stage. This preliminary action prepares the base structure of the code in advance, allowing the post-printing stage to focus only on adding variable features, significantly reducing the time required for complete code generation and enabling high-throughput production
2Quantity of substance
If larger code sizes (29x29, 33x33 or larger) are used to encode required information in a single QR code, then the information capacity is sufficient, but the printing complexity and time increase beyond current system capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The QR code is segmented into fixed features (pre-printed) and variable features (post-printed). This segmentation reduces the effective printing complexity by separating the static structural elements from the dynamic information elements, allowing the system to handle large code sizes without proportionally increasing printing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed structural features of large QR codes (29x29, 33x33 or larger) are pre-printed in advance, preparing the code framework before the variable information is added. This preliminary preparation reduces the real-time printing complexity, enabling the system to encode required information capacity without exceeding current printing system capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method of fast printing graphic codes and a corresponding printing system. The method comprises determining a group of two or more different graphic codes of the same type, identifying fixed features being identical for all the graphic codes in the group and variable features being different between particular ones of the graphic codes, creating a partial pattern comprising the identified fixed features identical for all the graphic codes from the group, pre-printing the created partial patterns on a product and printing the remaining identified variable features corresponding to any of the graphic codes from the group on top of the pre-printed partial patterns in order to obtain a corresponding complete graphic code from the group.