Printing Device Return Label Generation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for providing return shipping labels for replaced components in printing devices are complex, costly, and often result in improper disposal or loss of labels, confusing customers and increasing environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A system within the printing device uses sensors to detect component replacements, offering a graphic user interface to guide recycling and automatically print shipping labels for accumulated components, selecting the closest recycling location based on geographical proximity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If return shipping labels are pre-printed and included with replacement components, then customers receive shipping labels, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer ability to return componentsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the label printing function from the manufacturing process and relocates it to the point-of-use (the printing apparatus itself). Instead of pre-printing labels during component manufacturing, the system provides a printing engine within the apparatus that generates labels on-demand when components are replaced, eliminating the need for pre-printed labels while maintaining ease of return

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting component replacement through sensors and providing the necessary shipping labels through an integrated printing engine. The apparatus itself serves the customer's need for return labels without requiring external intervention or pre-prepared materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple methods are provided for supplying return shipping labels, then customers can access labels through various channels, but the processes become confusing and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of label access methodsVSAvoidsimplicity of return process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus serves multiple functions: it performs its primary printing function and also detects component replacements, manages recycling logistics, and provides shipping labels. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single universal device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the component replacement detection system, the label management system, and the printing function into a single integrated system. The sensor that detects component replacement is directly linked to the printing engine, allowing automatic label generation and printing without requiring customers to navigate multiple separate processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If pre-printed labels are provided to customers, then shipping labels are available, but labels are often lost or damaged resulting in improper disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of shipping labelsVSAvoidlabel integrity and proper component return

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of component replacement through sensors before the actual return process. This early detection triggers the label printing process, ensuring labels are generated and provided to customers at the exact moment they are needed, eliminating the risk of using lost or damaged pre-printed labels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through sensors that detect when components are replaced and automatically trigger the label printing process. This closed-loop feedback ensures that labels are only printed when actually needed, and the system can track whether labels were successfully provided, enabling proper component return

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Extent of automation

If sensors and automatic detection systems are implemented to detect component replacement, then the recycling process is automated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic detection of component replacementVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus performs self-service by using its own sensors to detect component replacement and automatically triggering the label printing process. The system monitors its own state and takes appropriate action without external intervention, making the automation self-contained rather than requiring additional external systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8446635B2Return label generation

Publication Date: 2013.05.21 XEROX CORP

AI summary

A method and apparatus sense the replacement of a used component with a new component within the apparatus using sensors within the apparatus. The method/apparatus can then automatically display a message on a graphic user interface of the apparatus in response to the sensing of the replacement. This message provides information for recycling the used component, and the message provides a shipping option for shipping the used component to an appropriate recycling location. If the shipping option is selected, the method/apparatus retrieves a shipping address from memory within the apparatus and prints a shipping label for shipping the used component to the recycling location using a printing engine operatively connected to the apparatus.