Printer Tape Feeding with Incremental Block Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printers lack efficiency and convenience in producing a desired number of printed matters with continuously changing print formation contents, particularly when multiple blocks with different printing modes are set, as they do not simplify the operation for such scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A printer system that includes feeding and printing means for a print-receiving tape, with acceptance and display mechanisms for print object and printing mode settings, allowing for incremental print identifiers and quantity settings, enabling the creation of multiple printed matters with varied blocks and modes in a simple operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple blocks with different printing modes are set in one printed matter, then printing versatility and expressive power are improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting versatilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining block templates with specific printing modes, print object types, and formatting options. Operators can select from pre-configured blocks rather than configuring each parameter individually, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining printing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printed matter is segmented into multiple independent blocks, each with its own printing mode and print object type. This segmentation allows operators to configure and manage each block separately using standardized templates, making the overall operation simpler despite the diversity of printing requirements across blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If print identifiers are incremented continuously for multiple printed matters, then productivity is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring increment rules and patterns for print identifiers. Operators can select from predefined increment patterns (sequential, random, based on specific parameters) rather than programming each increment logic individually, enabling continuous production with simplified control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables parameter changes by allowing operators to dynamically adjust increment patterns and ranges based on production requirements. The print identifier incrementation can be controlled through parameter settings rather than fixed programming, simplifying the control mechanism while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If display mechanisms show multiple images with different settings, then information completeness is improved, but display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into multiple image regions, each showing a different printed matter configuration with its specific settings. Each segment is independently configurable and can be selected or modified separately, allowing comprehensive information display without overwhelming the operator with a single complex interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-organizing multiple images with their respective settings in a standardized display format. Operators can review multiple configurations simultaneously with consistent presentation, reducing the cognitive load of managing diverse information while maintaining completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2767400B1Printer
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2767400B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2767400B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2767400B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A printer (1) comprises feeding means (182, 192) configured to feed a print-receiving tape (51), and printing means (16) configured to apply print of a desired print object to the print-receiving tape (51) fed by the feeding means (182, 192), the printer being configured to continuously produce a plurality of printed matters (L1a, L2a, L2b, L1b, L2f, L2g) comprising the print object formed on the print-receiving tape (51), respectively, in a predetermined order extending along a transport direction of the feeding means (182, 192), the printer further comprises print object acceptance means (S10) configured to accept an input operation of the print object comprising a print identifier that is arranged in each of a plurality of blocks (BL1a, BL2a, BL1b, BL2b) which can be set in plural in a tape length direction with respect to one the printed matter (L1a, L2a, L2b, L1b, L2f, L2g) and is able to be incremented in compliance with predetermined regularity, printing mode setting acceptance means (S10, S20) configured to accept a setting operation of printing modes different from each other for each of the plurality of blocks (BL1a, BL2a, BL1b, BL2b), first image creating means (S30) configured to create a first image (M1a, M1b) of one first printed matter (L1a, L1b) in which the plurality of blocks (BL1a, BL2a, BL1b, BL2b) each comprising the print object is aligned in the tape length direction on the basis of an acceptance result of the print object acceptance means (S10) and the printing mode setting acceptance means (S10, S20), first display means (2) configured to display the first image (M1a, M1b) created by the first image creating means (S30), increment mode acceptance means (S50) configured to accept a setting operation of an increment mode when the print identifier of the print object of each of the plurality of blocks (BL1a, BL2a, BL1b, BL2b) of the first image (M1a, M1b) is incremented for each printed matter (L1a, L2a, L2b, L1b, L2f, L2g), increment quantity acceptance means (S50) configured to accept a quantity setting operation of the printed matter (L1a, L2a, L2b, L1b, L2f, L2g) to be produced, second image creating means (S90) configured to create a second image (M2a, M2b, M2c, M2d, M2e, M2f, M2g) of at least one second printed matter (L2a, L2b, L2f, L2g) in which the print identifier is incremented for each printed matter (L2a, L2b, L2f, L2g) in the increment mode accepted by the increment mode acceptance means (S50) and set to a quantity based on an acceptance result of the increment quantity acceptance means (S50), second display means (2) configured to display the first image (M1a, M1b) and second image (M2a, M2b, M2c, M2d, M2e, M2f, M2g) created respectively by the first image creating means (S30) and second image creating means (S90) together, and printing control means (S200) configured to control the feeding means (182, 192) and the printing means (16) so that the one first printed matter (L1a, L1b) and the at least one second printed matter (L2a, L2b, L2f, L2g) corresponding to the first image (M1a, M1b) and second image (M2a, M2b, M2c, M2d, M2e, M2f, M2g) displayed on the second display means (2) are created by using the printing mode setting accepted by the printing mode setting acceptance means (S10, S20).