Printer Message Selection Using Visual Thumbnails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-impact printers, such as ink jet and laser markers, face challenges in accurately printing product information on varying products, leading to costly errors due to incorrect setup, as the differences between products and intended uses can be subtle, making it difficult for operators to distinguish between correct and incorrect patterns.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a display system that shows images associated with product data entries, allowing operators to select and verify the correct pattern by displaying images of the product, customer, or intended use, thereby aiding in accurate pattern selection and error detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printer stores multiple data entries for different products and customers, then the printer can handle diverse printing requirements, but it becomes difficult for operators to distinguish between correct and incorrect patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thumbnail images as visual copies or representations of the actual products and customers. These small preview images allow operators to quickly identify and distinguish between different data entries without having to read through all the text details, thereby resolving the difficulty in distinguishing correct from incorrect patterns while maintaining the ability to handle diverse printing requirements
2Ease of operation
If the printer uses text-only display for pattern selection, then the device complexity is low, but the operator cannot quickly verify the correct pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the pattern selection process by incorporating thumbnail images alongside text information. This transforms the purely text-based selection interface into a multi-dimensional interface that combines visual and textual cues, enabling operators to quickly verify patterns through visual recognition while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
Data Source
AI summary
Either during message selection in an industrial printer (e.g. ink jet or laser marking) for printing onto objects carried past it on a conveyor, or during printing, or both, a printer displays an image associated with the message proposed for printing or being printed. The image may be a picture (e.g. a photograph) of the object on which the message should be printed or the intended customer/end user or the intended use of the object on which the message should be printed. Since a human operator can usually identify an object or intended customer/use more quickly and accurately from a picture than from text, this reduces errors in message selection and/or helps the detection of an incorrect message during printing. The image may be displayed with the associated message or without it.