Scaled Print Buffer Localization for Machine-Readable Indicia Checks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses face inefficiencies in evaluating the quality of machine-readable indicia due to computationally intensive processes of identifying and retrieving these indicia directly from printed content, which affects overall operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves rendering a buffer image from received image data, scaling it to determine the location of machine-readable indicia, and then printing this image, followed by capturing a second image of the printed content using a verifier to evaluate quality, thereby reducing computational resources needed for direct retrieval from the printed content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If machine readable indicia are identified directly from printed content, then quality evaluation can be performed, but computational resources are excessively consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality evaluation accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by identifying the location of machine readable indicia in the buffer image (before printing) using scaled coordinates. This preliminary identification allows the verifier to be pre-positioned at the correct location, eliminating the need for computationally intensive post-print processing and reducing overall computational resource consumption while maintaining evaluation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the verifier scans the entire printed content, then machine readable indicia can be located, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindicia location accuracyVSAvoidverification processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary information (indicia location) from the buffer image before printing. By determining the scaled coordinates of machine readable indicia in advance, the system extracts the essential location data without needing to scan the entire printed content, thereby reducing verification processing time while maintaining location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary location identification of machine readable indicia in the buffer image using scaling transformations. This preliminary action provides the verifier with pre-calculated location information, eliminating the need for time-consuming full-content scanning during the verification phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If high resolution buffer image is printed, then print quality is improved, but computational resources required for processing increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint qualityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different image resolutions for different purposes: the buffer image maintains high resolution for accurate printing, while a scaled-down version is used solely for locating machine readable indicia. This differentiation allows high print quality to be achieved without requiring the entire processing system to handle high-resolution data, thereby reducing processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4485166B1Methods and systems for operating a printing apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 HAND HELD PRODS INC
  • EP4485166B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4485166B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4485166B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a method comprising rendering a buffer image from a first image data received for printing. Further, the method includes scaling the buffer image to generated scaled buffer image. Furthermore, the method includes determining a first location of a machine readable indicia in the scaled buffer image. Additionally, the method includes causing a print head to print the buffer image on a print media to generate a printed content.