Print Job Surplus Image Control for Faster Processing Setup

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems require surplus regions on media for processing adjustments, leading to increased time and effort in setting up the processing apparatus due to the need for extra images, which are time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A printing system with a printing apparatus and information processing apparatus that includes a controller to manage print jobs and surplus data, allowing for efficient printing of target and surplus regions based on predefined image data, reducing the need for manual adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extra images are printed in the surplus region, then the processing apparatus can perform adjustments, but the setup time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary surplus region from the full image data, separating it from the target region. The information processing apparatus generates surplus data that contains only the essential adjustment information needed in the surplus region, rather than printing complete extra images. This reduces the amount of data to be processed and printed, thereby reducing setup time while maintaining the necessary adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing apparatus performs preliminary processing to generate surplus data before printing. By pre-processing the image data to extract and prepare only the necessary surplus region information, the system avoids the need for manual setup and adjustment during the printing process, thereby reducing setup time and effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If extra images are printed in the surplus region, then the processing apparatus can perform adjustments, but the processing effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing adjustment capabilityVSAvoidprocessing effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary surplus region from the full image data, separating it from the target region. The information processing apparatus generates surplus data that contains only the essential adjustment information needed in the surplus region, rather than printing complete extra images. This reduces the amount of data to be processed and printed, thereby reducing setup time while maintaining the necessary adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing apparatus automatically generates the surplus data from the print image data without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by autonomously extracting, processing, and preparing the surplus region information, eliminating the need for manual setup and reducing processing effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If the number of prints including extra images is set manually, then the surplus region is provided, but the processing requires much time and effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurplus region provisionVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus automatically generates the surplus data from the print image data without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by autonomously extracting, processing, and preparing the surplus region information, eliminating the need for manual setup and reducing processing effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing apparatus performs preliminary processing to generate surplus data before printing. By pre-processing the image data to extract and prepare only the necessary surplus region information, the system avoids the need for manual setup and adjustment during the printing process, thereby reducing setup time and effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260064324A1Printing system, printing apparatus, printing method, information processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing system includes a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus, the printing apparatus includes a printing unit and a controller, the information processing apparatus includes an information storage unit and an information controller, the information controller executes receiving a target print instruction, receiving a surplus print instruction, and transmitting surplus data and one or more print jobs to the printing apparatus, and the controller executes acquiring target image data representing a target image including a product image, acquiring surplus image data representing a surplus image not including the product image and having a size matching a size of the target image, printing a target region by printing the target images as many as a number represented by the print job, and printing a surplus region by printing the surplus images as many as a number represented by the surplus data.