Printing Image Alignment via Shared Terminal Arrangement Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems face challenges in efficiently combining image information from different terminal devices, particularly in aligning and arranging images without direct user interaction, leading to low convenience and difficulty in checking relative positions.

Innovation Solution

A printing system that includes a printing device capable of communicating with a second terminal device, allowing the second terminal device to acquire and transmit image information and alignment data, enabling the printing device to combine and print the images based on received alignment information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the printing device stores first image information and allows other terminal devices to use it, then the adaptability of the printing system is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to manage and share image information between multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability of printing device to share image information with multiple terminal devicesVSAvoidcomplexity of managing and sharing image information between devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device serves as an intermediary that stores first image information and provides it to multiple terminal devices. The printing device includes a storage unit that registers first image information and a control unit that manages the sharing of this information with different terminal devices, thereby enabling adaptability while centralizing the complexity management in the printing device itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the printing device combines image information from different terminal devices, then the productivity of the printing system is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to difficulty in checking relative positions of images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of image combination and printing processVSAvoidease of checking and arranging relative positions of images

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device performs preliminary actions by storing first image information in advance in its storage unit. When a terminal device sends second image information, the printing device already has the first image information ready, eliminating the need for real-time position checking and arrangement negotiations between devices, thus improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printing device autonomously combines the first image information from its storage unit with the second image information received from terminal devices using arrangement information. The control unit automatically performs the combination and printing operations without requiring manual intervention for position checking, thereby improving productivity while keeping the operation simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260003550A1Printing system, method for controlling printing system, and printing device

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing system includes a second terminal device and a printing device capable of communicating with the second terminal device. The printing device has registered first image information, the second terminal device acquires the first image information from the printing device and transmits third image information and second arrangement information relating to relative positions of the first image information and the third image information to the printing device, and the printing device combines, based on reception from the second terminal device, according to the second arrangement information, the first image information and the received third image information and prints the combined image information.