Printer Battery Range Estimation to Prevent Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional label printers require users to visually check the remaining battery level, leading to potential failure in printing and waste when the battery is insufficient, as they cannot determine if the printing apparatus has sufficient power remotely.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus and terminal system that estimates the executable range of printing based on the remaining battery level and transmits this information to the user, allowing for partial printing and preventing failure by displaying the executable range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the printing apparatus operates remotely without visual battery checking, then printing convenience is improved, but printing reliability deteriorates due to insufficient battery power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting convenienceVSAvoidprinting reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus transmits battery level information and printing executable range back to the terminal device, enabling the user to monitor power status remotely and adjust printing settings accordingly, thus maintaining both convenience and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary estimation of the printing executable range based on current battery level before actual printing starts, allowing users to plan and adjust printing tasks in advance to ensure successful completion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the printing apparatus completes the entire printing task, then printing productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases beyond available battery power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting productivityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates and transmits the printing executable range, which may be only a portion of the total printing task that can be completed with available battery power, allowing users to adjust settings to achieve complete printing without exceeding energy limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of information

If the printing apparatus provides detailed battery status information, then information completeness is improved, but communication data volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidcommunication data volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and transmits only the essential printing executable range information derived from battery level, rather than transmitting all possible battery status parameters, maintaining information utility while minimizing data volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10773528B2Printing apparatus, printing control terminal, printing apparatus controlling method, printing control terminal controlling method, and recording media

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a printing head that prints printing data on a printing medium by electric power supplied from a battery, and a processor. The processor is operable to estimate, on the basis of first printing data indicating information on a first printing content to be printed on the printing medium and a remaining battery level of the battery, a first printing executable range which is a range in the first printing content that can be printed on the printing medium, and transmit information indicating the first printing executable range to an external terminal.