Unique Identifier Generation for Printed Material Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information processing systems lack efficient methods to uniquely identify and track printed materials and their associated content, especially in variable printing scenarios where customer-specific information is required, leading to challenges in recording and accessing detailed product information post-printing.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus is developed, comprising an identifier generation unit for creating unique access codes, an address generation unit for generating URIs, a print information generation unit for combining customer and product information, and a recording unit for tracking print results, enabling variable printing and subsequent access to detailed product information through encoded codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If variable printing with customer-specific information is implemented, then personalized printing and post-print access to product information are enabled, but the complexity of information processing and tracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments information processing by dividing it into distinct functional units: identifier generation unit that creates unique codes, address generation unit that creates URIs, print information generation unit that combines customer and product information, and recording unit that tracks print results. This segmentation allows each unit to handle specific tasks independently, reducing overall system complexity while enabling personalized printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating unique identifiers and addresses for each printed material before actual printing occurs. The identifier generation unit creates unique codes and the address generation unit creates URIs in advance, so that when printing happens, the tracking infrastructure is already in place. This eliminates the need for complex post-printing identification systems.
2Loss of information
If detailed product information is tracked post-printing, then customer engagement and data management are enhanced, but the amount of information to be recorded and accessed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism - a unique identifier (access code) and its corresponding address (URI) - that acts as a mediator between the printed material and the detailed product information. Instead of embedding or tracking all product information directly with each printed piece, the system uses these intermediaries to link printed materials to their associated information in a database. This dramatically reduces the information volume that needs to be handled while maintaining complete trackability.
3Reliability
If unique identifiers are generated for each printed material, then tracking and access control are improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The identifier generation unit is designed to autonomously generate unique access codes without requiring complex external verification or manual intervention. The system self-manages the creation of identifiers and their association with printed materials, performing the tracking setup automatically as part of the printing workflow. This self-service approach maintains high tracking accuracy while minimizing processing time by eliminating redundant verification steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes an identifier generation unit that generates an identifier unique to a combination of, at least, destination information of a destination of printed matter and content information related to part of content to be printed on the printed matter, an address generation unit that generates an address including the identifier generated by the identifier generation unit, a print information generation unit that generates print information that is to be printed on the printed matter and includes the destination information, the content information, and the address generated by the address generation unit, and a recording unit that in an associated form records the destination information, the content information, the identifier, and process result information related to the print information that is processed subsequent to printing of the printed matter.