Printer Controller Automates Label Printing via Identification Codes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when reprinting multiple types of document data as they need to individually specify each target print data, which is time-consuming and troublesome.

Innovation Solution

A printer with a controller that acquires code information from an identification code, specifies first and second print data, and prints labels based on this information, allowing the printer to automatically identify and print multiple data sets without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users individually specify each target print data for reprinting, then printing accuracy is ensured, but user convenience deteriorates and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service reprinting by automatically identifying and selecting print data based on identification codes attached to physical items. The printer autonomously retrieves and processes the correct print data without requiring user intervention to specify each document, thus improving ease of operation while reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

An identification code (barcode, QR code, or NFC tag) serves as an intermediary between the physical item and its associated print data. This intermediary enables automatic data retrieval by encoding unique identifiers that link directly to stored print data, eliminating the need for manual specification and reducing both user effort and time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the printer stores multiple print data sets, then printing versatility improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting versatilityVSAvoiddata management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification code acts as a mediator that simplifies data management complexity. Instead of requiring the system to manage and retrieve multiple print data sets through complex user interfaces, the identification code directly maps to specific print data, enabling versatile printing capabilities while maintaining simple data access mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Print data is pre-associated with identification codes during the initial printing process. This preliminary action of linking data with codes simplifies subsequent retrieval operations, allowing the printer to access multiple different print data sets efficiently without increasing operational complexity during reprinting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12045526B2Printer including memory configured to store first print data and second print data generated based on code information in memory

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printer includes: a print head configured to perform printing; and a controller configured to control the print head, wherein the controller executes: code acquisition process of acquiring code information obtained from an identification code, specifying process of specifying, based on the code information, first print data and second print data different from the first print data, and printing process of printing a first label based on the first print data specified in the specifying process and printing a second label based on the second print data specified in the specifying process by controlling the print head.