Print Data Generation Apparatus for Balanced Tape Label Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tape printing apparatuses require users to manually enter and edit character strings multiple times for repeat printing, leading to inefficient decoration of names on stationery products, where the name may stand out too much or not be balanced due to varying line lengths, resulting in poor alignment and design quality.
Innovation Solution
A print data generation apparatus with an input device, storage device, and print data generation device that allows users to input character strings for multiple lines, storing them for each line and generating print data with predetermined character size and spacing to achieve balanced decorative print results, including the option to specify or automatically determine label length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the user manually enters and edits character strings multiple times for repeat printing, then the name can be decorated, but the operation becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines multiple lines with predetermined character strings before the user inputs data. The character string input unit automatically assigns input character strings to predetermined lines based on line number, eliminating the need for manual positioning and repeated entry of the same string across multiple lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a template structure where the same character string can be automatically replicated across multiple lines. The print data generation unit copies the input character string and distributes it to multiple predetermined lines with appropriate spacing, reducing manual repetition of entry operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If the same character strings are arranged repeatedly for decoration, then the name is decorated, but the alignment becomes poor when lines have different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different spacing characteristics to different lines based on their specific requirements. The print data generation unit calculates and applies line-specific spacing that accounts for the length of character strings in each line, ensuring uniform visual alignment across lines with different character counts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts spacing parameters for each line based on the character string length and line number. The print data generation unit modifies spacing values as a variable parameter to compensate for differences in line length, maintaining balanced alignment throughout the decorative pattern.
3Ease of operation
If wide spacing is required between consecutive character strings for tape feeding, then the tape can be fed properly, but the character strings become misaligned when lines have different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the spacing requirement into two independent components: a base spacing for tape feeding that ensures proper tape advancement, and an adjustment component that compensates for line length differences. The print data generation unit calculates the total spacing as the sum of these components, maintaining both tape feeding functionality and character alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A print data generation apparatus generates print data to be used for printing a print result including a plurality of lines on a tape-shaped print medium. The print data generation apparatus includes an input device that inputs a plurality of character strings for the plurality of lines to be printed on the print medium, a storage device that stores the plurality of character strings for the plurality of lines, and a print data generation device that generates the print data in which each of the plurality of character strings are repeatedly arranged in a predetermined character size defined for each of the plurality of lines and at predetermined spacing in each of the plurality of lines until the print result reaches a predetermined length.