Print System Keyword-Invoked Ad Append
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current print systems lack the ability to efficiently integrate advertisements or coupons into receipt images produced by POS applications, requiring significant user effort to deliver targeted promotions to customers.
Innovation Solution
A print system that includes a host computer and printer, utilizing a keyword-invoked image appending function to automatically add advertisements or coupons to receipt images based on specific keywords, along with an inverted print function to simplify image orientation and a journal data registration unit for tracking print processes, without modifying existing POS applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If advertisements or coupons are manually added to receipt images, then targeted promotions can be delivered to customers, but significant user effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects keywords in receipt images and appends corresponding advertisements or coupons without requiring user intervention. The print data processing unit autonomously performs image processing based on keyword detection, eliminating manual effort while maintaining targeted promotion delivery
Solution Approach 2:
Advertisements and coupons are pre-prepared and stored in the system, ready to be automatically appended when relevant keywords are detected in receipt images. This preliminary preparation enables instant automated integration without requiring users to manually search or select promotional materials
2Extent of automation
If existing POS applications are modified to integrate advertisements, then automated promotion delivery is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A print data processing unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the POS application and the printing system. This unit intercepts print data, performs keyword detection and image processing, and appends advertisements automatically without requiring modifications to the existing POS application logic
Solution Approach 2:
The print system is segmented into independent functional units: the existing POS application generates basic receipt data, while a separate print data processing unit handles keyword detection, image processing, and advertisement appending. This segmentation allows automated functionality to be added without complicating the core POS system
3Loss of information
If detailed tracking of print processes is implemented, then process monitoring is improved, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A journal data registration unit implements feedback by automatically recording print process information in a journal file. This feedback mechanism tracks which advertisements or coupons were appended to which receipts based on keyword detection, providing detailed process monitoring without requiring complex manual data collection
Data Source
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AI summary
A print data generation unit (50) generates print data including data which represent a print object character string. A print image data generation unit (53) generates raster image data pertaining to the image to be printed based on the print data. A processing detail determination unit (52) determines processing details pertaining to the raster image data on the basis of the print object character string. A print image data processing unit (54) accepts an input of processing detail information about the processing details and an input of the raster image data, and subjects the raster image data to the image processing based on the processing detail information. A print instruction unit (55) causes a printer to produce a printout of the processed raster image data. A method for controlling a print system (1) for causing a printer (20) to produce a printout of an image based on print data generated by any one of a plurality of programs (30a, 30b) and including data indicating a character string to be printed includes generating raster image data pertaining to an image to be printed based on the print data; determining details of processing for the raster image data, on the basis of the character string to be printed; performing image processing based on processing detail information pertaining to the determined processing details on the generated raster image; and causing the printer to produce a printout of the raster image data subjected to the image processing.