Printer Local Image Storage and Superimposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies require lengthy data transfer times when printing images on receipts, as they need to transfer large image data each time, and are limited to superimposing only one image on characters, making it inefficient for multiple image printing and precise positioning.
Innovation Solution
A printer with a storage unit that registers multiple images and allows for their selection and superimposition on desired positions without continuous data transfer from a host computer, utilizing a transmitting/receiving unit, image registering unit, image printing position determining unit, superimposing unit, printing control unit, and printing unit to efficiently print images on receipts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image data is transferred from host computer to printer every time printing is performed, then the latest image can be printed, but the data transfer time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The printer stores multiple images locally in advance (first image, second image, third image) before they are needed for printing. When a printing request comes, the printer can immediately use the pre-stored images without waiting for data transfer from the host computer, thus resolving the contradiction between image update timeliness and data transfer time.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer creates local copies of images and stores them in its memory. Instead of transferring the actual image data each time, the printer uses these pre-copied images stored locally, which eliminates the need for repeated data transfer while maintaining the ability to print updated images.
2Device complexity
If only one image is registered in the printer, then the printer structure remains simple, but multiple image printing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The printer is designed with multi-functionality to store and print multiple different images (first image, second image, third image) using a unified printing mechanism. The printer can selectively print different images based on printing conditions without requiring separate printing mechanisms for each image, thus achieving multiple image printing capability while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding complexity in the spatial arrangement of multiple printing mechanisms, the patent adds the dimension of image selection through storage and retrieval. Multiple images are stored in the printer's memory, and the selection of which image to print is controlled through software/logic based on printing conditions, transforming the problem from a spatial complexity issue to a data management issue.
3Ease of operation
If image position is fixed between predetermined keywords, then positioning is simple, but flexibility in positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The image positioning mechanism is made dynamic rather than fixed. The printer can adjust image positioning based on different printing conditions, allowing the image to be placed at various positions (e.g., before keywords, after keywords, at specific coordinates) depending on the printing requirements, thus achieving both simplicity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning parameters are made changeable based on printing conditions. Instead of a fixed position between keywords, the system can modify positioning parameters (such as position relative to keywords, absolute coordinates, or positioning based on other reference points) according to different printing scenarios, enabling flexible positioning while maintaining ease of operation through parameterized control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer includes: a receiving unit for receiving image identification information, image position information, and print data from outside as printing command data; an image printing position determining unit for reading image size information from a storage unit based on the image identification information in the printing command data received by the receiving unit and determining a position on a printing surface at which the image is to be printed, based on the image position information received by the receiving unit and the read image size information; a superimposing unit for superimposing image data read from the storage unit on the print data received by the receiving unit at the position determined by the image printing position determining unit; and a printing unit for printing a result of the superimposition by the superimposing unit.