Printer Label Control Method for Image Corruption Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers that print on label paper face issues with image corruption due to inconsistent gap between the printhead and label paper, leading to wasted ink and unusable labels, as existing solutions require a scanner and may consume ink unnecessarily.
Innovation Solution
A printer control method that interrupts printing and cuts the label when the trailing end is detected, setting the cutting position based on the label interval and nip mechanism distance to prevent image corruption, thereby ensuring stable conveyance and preventing wasted ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the printer continues printing after detecting the trailing end of label paper, then printing productivity is maintained, but image corruption occurs due to unstable conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary calculation of the conveyance distance required to reach the cutting position after trailing end detection. Based on this preliminary assessment, the controller decides whether to interrupt printing before corruption occurs, or to complete the current label before interruption. This advance planning resolves the contradiction by preventing image corruption while minimizing productivity loss.
2Reliability
If the printer interrupts printing immediately upon detecting the trailing end, then image corruption is prevented, but ink is wasted on incomplete labels
Solution Approach 1:
The controller allows partial completion of the current label's printing process before interrupting, rather than stopping immediately upon trailing end detection. This partial action approach ensures that the current label is completed with proper quality while preventing ink waste on subsequent labels that would be corrupted by unstable conveyance.
3Measurement precision
If the printer uses a scanner to detect image corruption, then print quality monitoring is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary calculation of conveyance stability based on the detected trailing end position and pre-stored nip mechanism parameters. This predictive approach eliminates the need for scanners by preventing corruption before it occurs, thereby maintaining high measurement precision for quality control while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical scanner-based detection system with a controller-based computational system. The controller uses mathematical calculations based on conveyance distance, label intervals, and nip mechanism characteristics to predict and prevent image corruption, substituting complex physical detection equipment with simpler computational logic.
4Productivity
If the printer conveys label paper a long distance after trailing end detection, then the next label can be printed, but conveyance stability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The controller changes the conveyance control parameters based on the trailing end detection. It calculates the maximum safe conveyance distance and adjusts the conveyance speed and positioning accordingly. This parameter adjustment ensures that the label paper is conveyed just enough to reach the cutting position without exceeding the stable conveyance zone, thereby maintaining both productivity and conveyance stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing device interrupts printing a label and cutting the label of which printing was interrupted when the image printed on the label may be corrupted. The printer controller drives a printhead and conveyance unit to print labels. When the trailing end of the label paper is detected, whether or not a target label in the group of labels being printed can be conveyed so that the trailing end of said target label goes downstream from the printing position before the conveyance amount of the conveyance unit reaches a specific amount. If said conveyance is not possible, printing the target label by the printhead is interrupted, the conveyance unit is controlled to set the target label being printed to the cutting position, and the cutter mechanism is then controlled to cut the target label.