Printer Mirror Image Verification via Normal Image Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers struggle to accurately confirm the content of mirror image printed information, particularly symbol images like barcodes and two-dimensional codes, as readers can only interpret normal images, making it difficult to verify the content before transfer.
Innovation Solution
A printer that simultaneously prints information in both mirror and normal image modes, allowing for easy confirmation by reading the normal image, which includes additional confirmatory data or indicators to distinguish it from the mirror image for verification purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If information is printed only in mirror image mode, then the mirror image printing function is achieved, but the content confirmation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mirror image printing and normal image printing functions into a single printer system. The print controller is configured to execute both mirror image printing and normal image printing based on print commands, allowing the same printing device to produce both types of images on the same or different media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a normal image copy of the information alongside the mirror image. The print controller prints at least part of the first information in normal image as a reference copy, enabling content verification. This normal image serves as a readable reference that users can scan with standard readers to confirm the content of mirror image printed information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If symbol images like barcodes are printed in mirror image, then the transfer printing requirement is met, but standard readers cannot read the content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a normal image as an intermediary element between the mirror image code and the standard reader. The normal image serves as a mediator that standard readers can interpret, allowing indirect verification of the mirror image code content. The print controller generates and prints this intermediary normal image alongside the mirror image code.
3Productivity
If only mirror image is printed on transfer tape, then the transfer function works, but verification before transfer becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary verification by printing a normal image reference before the transfer process. The print controller prints at least part of the first information in normal image on the same transfer tape, allowing users to verify content before transferring. This preliminary normal image printing enables content confirmation without requiring post-transfer verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer having a first printing mode in which information is printed in a normal image on a general printing tape and a second printing mode in which information is printed in a mirror image on a transfer tape. When the printer prints a two-dimensional code symbol image 40b in the second printing mode on the transfer tape 31b, the printer also prints a two-dimensional code symbol image 40a in the normal image in an area of the transfer tape next to its area in which the symbol image is printed in the mirror image. At this time, an additional confirmative indication 42 is printed close to the symbol image 40a printed in the normal image to indicate that this symbol image should be used only for confirming the content of the symbol image printed in the mirror image.