Print Controller Metadata Transfer via Pre-Cut Web Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current print processing workflows lack flexibility in handling cut commands and metadata transfer, leading to potential loss or misassignment of information during job interruptions and finishing processes.
Innovation Solution
A print controller capable of processing cut commands with attributes that specify actions for the print engine and cutter, including printing metadata and finishing instructions directly on the recording medium, allowing for independent allocation of printing and finishing tasks and minimizing information loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the web is cut to separate printed images from the blank web, then the printed products are separated for further processing, but metadata and finishing instructions may be lost or misassigned during job interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system prints metadata and finishing instructions on the web immediately before the cut line, ensuring this information is transferred to the printed product before separation occurs. This preliminary action prevents information loss during job interruptions or subsequent processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The web itself serves as an intermediary carrier for metadata and finishing instructions. By printing this information directly on the web, the system creates a physical link between the print job and its associated data, ensuring the information travels with the printed product through the cutting process and into finishing operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If printing and finishing tasks are performed by independent entities, then workflow flexibility is improved, but information transfer between entities may be unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The web acts as a reliable intermediary that physically carries metadata and finishing instructions from the printing entity to the finishing entity. This eliminates the need for separate digital communication channels and ensures information integrity across independent workflow stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed product carries its own finishing instructions directly on its surface, enabling the finishing entity to retrieve necessary information self-servingly from the product itself rather than relying on external databases or communication systems.
3Loss of information
If cut commands include additional printable objects for metadata, then information retention is improved, but the complexity of cut command processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing cut command structure is extended to serve multiple functions: it still performs the cutting operation while also carrying metadata and finishing instructions. This multi-functionality approach allows information transfer without requiring entirely separate command systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cutting function with the information transfer function into a single integrated command structure. By merging these operations, the system reduces overall complexity compared to using separate commands for cutting and separate communication channels for metadata.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
A print controller (30) for a printer (10) having a supply roll (12) for a web (18) of a recording medium, a print engine (14) arranged to print onto the web (18) and a cutter (16) for cutting the web, the print controller being characterized by comprising a cut command attribute processor (36) arranged to translate attributes contained in a cut command into actions to be performed by the print engine (14) and the cutter (16).