Printing Apparatus Date Stamp Size Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing apparatuses with print data modification and size automatic adjustment functions struggle to maintain a uniform and aesthetically consistent appearance when printing date and time data, especially when the number of characters changes due to different date formats, leading to inconsistencies in character size and protrusion from the printing area.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus comprising a timing device, date print data generator, memory device storing time expression patterns, and a size automatic setting device that adjusts character sizes to ensure date print data and modified data fit within a predetermined printing area, maintaining uniformity and preventing protrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the size automatic adjustment function is applied to date print data with variable character counts, then the printing range is automatically adjusted, but the character size becomes inconsistent and the appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different date formatsVSAvoidcharacter size uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates predicted date print data in advance to determine the maximum printing range before actual printing. By predicting future date formats and calculating their printing ranges beforehand, the system establishes a reference maximum range that ensures all subsequent date prints will fit within the designated area while maintaining consistent character sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the character size parameter based on the maximum printing range calculated from predicted date data. By changing the character size parameter to match the maximum range, the system ensures that dates with varying character counts (such as different month name lengths) will all fit uniformly within the printing area without protrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the print data modification function changes the number of characters in date print data, then the date can be expressed in various formats, but the character size setting becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedate expression flexibilityVSAvoidcharacter size consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary generation of predicted date print data covering various possible date formats. By anticipating different date expressions (such as varying month names or formats) and calculating their printing ranges in advance, the system establishes a maximum range that accommodates all variations while maintaining consistent character sizing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the maximum printing range calculated from predicted date data as feedback to determine the appropriate character size. This feedback mechanism ensures that the character size is set based on the most demanding date format scenario, guaranteeing that all date prints regardless of format variations will maintain consistent appearance without protrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the character size is set based on the number of characters in date print data, then short dates can be printed, but long dates protrude from the printing area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidprinting area boundary

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates the maximum printing range in advance by generating predicted date print data that covers all possible date formats. This preliminary calculation establishes a safe character size that ensures no date will protrude from the printing area, while still allowing efficient use of the available printing space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by setting the character size based on the maximum possible date length rather than the current or average length. This prevents the harmful effect of protrusion before it can occur, ensuring that all dates regardless of length variations will fit within the printing area boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS8721201B2Printing apparatus and tangible computer-executable medium

Publication Date: 2014.05.13 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A CPU generates time stamp data using a timed result for the present time timed by timer and a set expression pattern. Then, the CPU generates modified time stamp data for a predetermined time period based on the time stamp data. The CPU identifies the maximum time stamp data through the printing range of the above time stamp data. The CPU reduces the font size until the maximum time stamp data becomes printable onto the printing medium. The CPU then sets the reduced font size as the font size for each time stamp data, etc., and carries out printing.