Control Device Automatic Printer Status Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing system control devices require complex modifications to add functionality for issuing and acquiring printer status instructions, which can disrupt existing processes and are difficult to implement without affecting installed programs.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a management unit that adds maintenance commands to existing print commands, allowing for the acquisition and transmission of printer status information without modifying the printing program, enabling the control device to communicate with the printing device to issue and acquire status-related information without affecting existing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the printing program is modified to add functionality for issuing status commands and acquiring status information, then the control device can monitor printer status, but the complexity of modification increases and existing processes may be adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality for issuing status commandsVSAvoidcomplexity of modifying printing program

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is divided into two independent functional units: a control unit that executes the printing program for ticket production, and a management unit that executes the maintenance program for status monitoring. This segmentation allows status monitoring functionality to be added without modifying the existing printing program, thus avoiding complexity and potential adverse effects on existing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is designed to execute multiple types of programs (printing program and maintenance program) through a unified program execution mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the control device to perform both ticket production and status monitoring without requiring separate hardware systems, achieving versatility while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the printing program is modified to add status monitoring functionality, then the control device can acquire printer status, but existing processes may be adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality for acquiring status informationVSAvoidstability of existing processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the control unit (executing printing program) from the management unit (executing maintenance program), the system ensures that status monitoring operations do not interfere with ticket production processes. Each unit operates independently with its own program, eliminating the risk of adversely affecting existing processes while adding new functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The management unit acts as an intermediary between the control device and the printer for status monitoring operations. It sends maintenance commands and receives status information without directly interfering with the control unit's ticket production workflow, thus maintaining the stability and reliability of existing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If maintenance commands are inserted between print instruction command and cut instruction command, then status monitoring can be performed during printing process, but ticket production may fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatus monitoring during printingVSAvoidticket production success

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The management unit analyzes the command sequence in advance to identify appropriate insertion points for maintenance commands. By performing this preliminary analysis, the system ensures that maintenance commands are inserted only at safe positions that will not interrupt the ticket production process, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors the execution status of commands and uses this feedback to determine appropriate timing for inserting maintenance commands. By continuously monitoring the printing process state, the management unit can dynamically adjust when to perform status monitoring operations, ensuring they do not interfere with ticket production while still achieving monitoring during the printing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10127482B2Printing system including automatic status transmission function and control device and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Functionality for issuing instructions related to the status of a printing device can be added to a control device capable of connecting to a printing device while suppressing modification of programs installed on the control device. A network system 1 includes a printer 9 that prints on recording media, and a control device 8 capable of communicating with the printer 9. The control device 8 has a control unit that generates and outputs by a printing program a command instructing the printer 9 to print; and a management unit that adds a maintenance command issuing an instruction related to the status of the printer 9 to the command output by the control unit, and sends the command with the added maintenance command to the printer 9, by a maintenance program that is different from the printing program.