Industrial Printer Rule-Based Print Data Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial printers face challenges in reliably printing correct information on items or packages due to varying regulations across countries, markets, languages, and formats, requiring operators to manually manage complex print data and instructions.
Innovation Solution
An industrial printer system that receives print data in a first format, adapts it to a second format based on predetermined rules in a database corresponding to the information carrier's properties, such as country or market designation, to ensure compliance with local regulations and languages, thereby reducing operator input and error risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual generation of print information via print design tool is used, then operator flexibility is maintained, but reliability of correct print information decreases due to human error and complexity management burden
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the printer to automatically adapt print information to different countries and markets using embedded rules databases. The printer independently determines the appropriate print format based on information carrier properties without requiring manual operator intervention for each adaptation, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary action by pre-configuring rules databases within the printer that contain all necessary adaptation rules for different countries and markets before printing operations begin. This pre-programming of adaptation logic eliminates the need for manual real-time decision-making during printing, ensuring consistent and reliable print information across different destinations.
2Productivity
If operator manually ensures correct print information for different countries and markets, then adaptability is maintained, but productivity decreases due to increased manual workload and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The printer performs self-service by automatically selecting and applying the appropriate print information format based on the destination country or market. The system independently queries its internal rules database, determines the correct format, and executes the adaptation without operator intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting print information parameters (such as date formats, number formats, language) based on the destination parameters (country or market). This automated parameter transformation eliminates manual workload while maintaining full adaptability to different regional requirements.
3Loss of time
If print information is manually generated and adapted, then flexibility in handling different regulations is maintained, but loss of time increases due to manual processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary action by pre-loading comprehensive rules databases that contain all adaptation logic for different countries and markets before printing operations begin. This pre-configured knowledge base enables instantaneous adaptation decisions, eliminating time-consuming manual processing while maintaining full adaptability to diverse regulatory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer performs self-service by autonomously querying its internal rules database, determining the appropriate print format for each destination, and executing adaptations without external intervention. This self-contained approach eliminates time loss associated with manual information retrieval and adaptation while preserving complete adaptability to different regulations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a printer and a computer program for printing print information on at least one information carrier (122) comprising: receiving (201) print data comprising the print information in a first print information format; receiving (202) print instructions relating the print data to at least one property associated with the at least one information carrier (122); adapting (203) the print information in the print data into a second print information format according to one or more predetermined rules (162) in a database (161) corresponding to the related at least one property associated with the at least one information carrier (122); and printing (204) the adapted print information in the second print information format on the at least one information carrier (122).