Printer Controller Time Stamping via Storage Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inexpensive printers without internal clock functions cannot store generation time with maintenance information, and connected USB storage mediums lacking clock functions cannot provide alternative time information, making it difficult to associate device information with time-related data for maintenance purposes.
Innovation Solution
A printer with a controller that acquires time information from connected storage mediums and stores output information, including device information and timing information, in association with each other, even in the absence of internal clock functions, using the storage medium's update or creation time as a reference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the printer lacks an internal clock function to reduce cost, then the printer becomes more inexpensive, but the printer cannot store generation time with maintenance information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the storage medium (USB memory) as an intermediary to obtain time information. Instead of requiring the printer to have an internal clock, the system leverages the storage medium's clock function by accessing its creation time or update time attributes, thereby resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and time information availability
Solution Approach 2:
The storage medium serves itself by providing its own time information (creation time or update time) without requiring the printer to have a clock function. The printer simply reads and utilizes the time information that the storage medium inherently possesses, allowing the inexpensive printer to maintain time-stamping capability
2Ease of manufacture
If the USB storage medium lacks a clock function to reduce cost, then the storage medium becomes more inexpensive, but the storage medium cannot provide time information for associating with device information
Solution Approach 1:
The storage medium provides its own time information through its inherent file system attributes (creation time or update time) without requiring a dedicated clock function. This allows inexpensive storage media to still provide the necessary time information for associating with device information
3Measurement precision
If the printer uses an internal clock function to store accurate time information, then the time information accuracy is improved, but the printer cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage medium acts as an intermediary that provides time information to the printer. By accessing the storage medium's creation time or update time attributes, the printer can store accurate time information without requiring an internal clock function, thus maintaining time precision while reducing cost
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a printer includes a printer unit configured to print images on paper, a connector connectable to a detachable storage medium, and a controller. The controller is configured to acquire time information from the storage medium when the storage medium is connected to connector, and then store output information in the storage medium. The output information includes device information related to a print function of the printer unit and the acquired timing information in association with each other. The printer may lack an internal clock yet still output information associated with time information.