Printer Controller Segmentation for Independent Media Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses often fail to cut the printing medium after printing, leading to wasted materials due to the lack of independent cutting functions in printer drivers.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a controller that independently processes cutting operations, allowing for cutting functions to be conducted independently of the printer driver, enabling the printer to cut the medium based on settings stored in the controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the printer driver does not have cutting functions, then the printer driver is simple and easy to maintain, but the printing medium cannot be cut after printing leading to material waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: the printer driver that handles only printing functions, and the printer controller that handles cutting functions. This segmentation allows the driver to remain simple while the controller provides advanced cutting capabilities through independent processing logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer controller independently processes cutting operations without requiring cutting function support from the printer driver. The controller reads print data, determines cutting positions, and executes cutting commands autonomously, making the system self-sufficient for cutting tasks.
2Ease of operation
If cutting functions are integrated into the printer driver, then cutting can be performed, but the driver becomes complex and settings may not be properly handled
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates cutting settings processing from the printer driver. The controller independently handles cutting parameter interpretation and execution, while the driver focuses solely on printing parameters, ensuring proper handling of cutting settings without driver complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer controller acts as an intermediary between the print data and the cutting operation. It receives print data, extracts necessary information, and independently manages the cutting process, serving as a mediator that handles cutting settings without requiring the driver to be complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus, having a container to store a printing medium therein, an acquisition device to acquire image data, a printing device to print an image on the printing medium, a cutter assembly to cut the printing medium, and a controller, is provided. In a case where a size of the image contained in the image data acquired by the acquisition device is smaller than a size of the printing medium stored in the container, the controller generates rotated image data containing a rotated image, which is an image rotated from an original posture of the image in the image data acquired by the acquisition device, controls the printing device based on the generated rotated image data to print the rotated image on the printing medium, and controls the cutter assembly to cut the printing medium having the rotated image printed by the printing device thereon.