Printer Command String to 2D Bar Code Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers with limited user interface hardware face challenges in simplifying complex operations and reducing errors, especially when performing combinations of settings like printing quality and page orientation, which require multiple bar codes to be printed and read sequentially.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that generates a single operation command string from a sequence of input operations and converts it into a two-dimensional bar code, allowing easy handling and execution of complex operations by reading the bar code once, with features like mode settings for generating or not generating the command string and time intervals for executing commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bar codes are printed for complicated operations (combinations of settings), then the settings can be configured, but the operation becomes complex and error-prone due to requiring sequential reading of many bar codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual bar codes representing different settings into a single composite bar code that contains all setting information. This merging approach allows complicated operations involving multiple settings (number of copies, printing quality, page orientation) to be configured through one bar code scan rather than sequentially scanning multiple bar codes, thereby maintaining full adaptability while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear bar codes to two-dimensional bar codes, which provide significantly increased data capacity. This dimensional change enables the encoding of complex operation sequences and multiple setting parameters within a single bar code structure, resolving the contradiction by allowing comprehensive setting configuration without requiring multiple sequential scans.
2Device complexity
If a linear bar code is used, then the structure is simple, but the data capacity is insufficient to store long operation command strings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two-dimensional bar codes instead of traditional linear bar codes. This dimensional transition provides exponentially increased data capacity while maintaining visual simplicity. The 2D structure allows storage of long operation command strings containing multiple setting parameters and execution sequences, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and data capacity requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If many bar codes are printed for complicated operations, then all settings can be specified, but the handling becomes difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual setting bar codes into a single integrated bar code that contains all operation parameters. This consolidation eliminates the need to handle and scan multiple separate bar codes in sequence, thereby maintaining complete operation configuration capability while significantly improving reliability by reducing the opportunity for reading errors and handling mistakes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Operation commands, each corresponding to an input operation through an input unit (4), are linked together. Thereby, a single operation command string is generated from a sequence of input operations and the thus generated operation command string is recorded on a command record buffer (66B). The recorded operation command string is converted into two dimensional bar code data and printed. The operation command string is read out from a two dimensional bar code by a bar code scanner (7). The operation command string thus read out is executed by a CPU (62) etc.