Print Data Position Update for Mid-Run Image Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses waste printed items when changing the print position of an image during printing due to the delay between receiving an instruction and actually changing the position.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a data transfer part that generates printing data based on position information, allowing for immediate adjustment of print positions during the printing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If printing data is stored in a buffer and processing is completed before changing print position, then printing quality and data accuracy are maintained, but the time delay increases and printed items are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting accuracyVSAvoidtime delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary processing of printing data in advance and stores it in a buffer, while simultaneously preparing position change information. When a position change is required, the system can quickly switch to using the pre-processed data with updated position information, avoiding the need to wait for complete processing while maintaining printing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printing data processing is divided into separate segments: data generation, position information acquisition, and actual printing execution. This segmentation allows the system to prepare data in advance while independently handling position changes, enabling parallel processing and reducing overall delay time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If printing data is stored in a buffer and processing is completed before changing print position, then data consistency is ensured, but material waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidprinted item waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates and buffers printing data in advance with consistent position information, then applies position changes only when needed. This approach ensures data consistency is maintained during buffer storage while minimizing material waste by enabling quick position adjustments before actual printing execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically updates position information within the buffered data structure, allowing flexible position changes without regenerating entire data sets. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains data consistency while reducing material waste by enabling real-time position modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the system waits to change print position until printing is complete, then system stability is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidprinting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing system is segmented into data preparation, position management, and execution phases. Position changes can be initiated and processed independently during the data preparation phase, allowing the system to maintain stability in the execution phase while improving overall productivity through parallel processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Position change information is acquired and processed in advance during the data preparation phase, before actual printing execution. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain stability during printing while reducing overall processing time and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4681923A1Printing apparatus, printing program, and printing method
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP4681923A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4681923A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4681923A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a print part, a data transfer part, and a controller. The data transfer part has a storage part to store image data, and generates printing data using the image data stored in the storage part. The print part prints the image on a print medium based on the printing data. The controller instructs the data transfer part to execute a predetermined process with respect to the image data and to transfer the printing data to the print part. After executing the predetermined process with respect to the image data, the data transfer part executes an obtaining process of obtaining position information indicating a print position of the image in the print medium, and generates the printing data based on the position information and the image data after the predetermined process.