Printer With Built-In Scanner For Barcode Data Collation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stand-alone printers require complex operations and data input, posing risks of errors for operators unfamiliar with personal computers, and lack measures for ensuring data confidentiality and alteration prevention.

Innovation Solution

A printer system that uses a non-volatile memory, such as a USB flash drive, to store printing data and an operation code read by a connected scanner, allowing for simple and reliable printing operations without a host computer, ensuring data integrity through collation of operation codes and printing data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If printing data is input directly or supplied from a host computer, then printing operations can be performed, but operators unfamiliar with personal computers may cause erroneous use or unforeseen errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The printer is equipped with a built-in scanner that automatically reads printing data from barcodes or QR codes. The system performs self-service by autonomously acquiring printing information without requiring operator intervention or interaction with personal computers, thereby simplifying operation while ensuring reliable printing execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual input process (mechanical operation of keyboards or interfaces) is replaced with an optical reading system. The scanner optically reads printing data from codes, substituting the mechanical interaction between operator and computer interface with an automated optical recognition system, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a stand-alone printer is used without host computer connection, then operation simplicity is improved, but data confidentiality and alteration prevention measures are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoiddata confidentiality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Printing data is pre-encoded into barcodes or QR codes that contain the necessary printing information. This preliminary encoding ensures data confidentiality by storing information in a format that cannot be easily altered or read without proper scanning equipment, while maintaining operation simplicity through automatic reading by the built-in scanner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The original printing data is converted into a coded representation (barcode or QR code) that serves as a secure copy. This coded copy maintains the integrity and confidentiality of the original data while enabling simple automated reading and printing execution without direct access to the original data source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3103645B1Printer, and printing method and memory therefor

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 SATO HLDG CORP

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AI summary

Perform printing by a printing portion onto the printing paper sheet after collating a content of a code optically or electromagnetically read by a reading device connected to a printer main body and a content of printing data supplied from a memory connected to this printer main body.