Printing Apparatus Dynamic Cutting for Label Space Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses that use media with pre-printed formats for printing regions often leave unused space when printing characters, as they are limited to printing within specific regions, leading to inefficiencies and wasted space on the medium.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus that includes a conveyor, print head, and cutter, controlled by a CPU to print characters in both designated and non-designated printing regions on a medium, allowing for efficient use of space by adjusting the cutting position based on the location of the last printed characters, thereby minimizing unused space and optimizing label length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the printing apparatus prints characters only in the designated printing regions, then the printing follows the pre-printed format, but large amounts of blank space remain unused in the medium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting position accuracyVSAvoidunused medium space

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the medium into multiple printing regions (first printing regions and second printing regions) and processes them differently. The first printing regions follow the pre-printed format while the second printing regions are dynamically determined based on the actual printing content, allowing flexible utilization of space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the printing strategy by determining whether to print in the second printing region based on the actual printing content and position. The cutting position is also dynamically adjusted based on the last printed character position, transforming the static pre-printed format into a flexible printing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the printing apparatus uses the pre-printed format on the medium, then the printing regions are predefined, but the size of usable blank portions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting region definitionVSAvoidusable printing space flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the printing regions into first printing regions (following pre-printed format) and second printing regions (dynamically determined). This segmentation allows the system to maintain format precision while expanding usable printing space into previously unused areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the printing system multi-functional by allowing it to operate in two modes: printing within pre-defined first printing regions and printing in dynamically determined second printing regions. This universality enables the system to adapt to different printing scenarios and maximize space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of substance

If the printing apparatus prints characters in both designated and non-designated regions, then space utilization improves, but the cutting position control becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunused medium spaceVSAvoidcutting position control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by determining the cutting position based on the actual position of the last printed character. The controller receives information about the printing position and adjusts the cutting position accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that simplifies the complexity through intelligent adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary determination of the cutting position based on the printing content before actual cutting occurs. By calculating the expected cutting position in advance based on the last printed character position, the system prepares the cutting operation beforehand, reducing real-time control complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Length of stationary object

If the medium has a predetermined constant size, then the physical dimensions are fixed, but the effective printing area is reduced due to unused blank portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium sizeVSAvoideffective printing area

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the conveyance direction (time dimension) to expand the effective printing area. By allowing printing to extend into the conveyance direction beyond the traditional format boundaries and adjusting the cutting position dynamically, the system effectively increases the usable area without changing the physical medium size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11034162B2Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus configured to print a label image on a medium, the medium on which the label image is printed including: a first end which is an upstream end of a tail region in a conveyance direction that is one of first printing regions in which one first character is lastly printed; and a second end which is an upstream end of a tail character in the conveyance direction that is the most upstream one of second characters printed in a second printing region, and wherein a controller is configured to cause a cutter to cut the medium at a first cutting target position located upstream of the first end when the first end is located more upstream than the second end and at a second cutting target position located upstream of the second end when the second end is located more upstream than the first end.