Tape Printer Hand Image Rotation via Vertical-Horizontal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tape printers require a dedicated image processing section to rotate hand images for clock printing, increasing storage capacity and product cost.
Innovation Solution
A tape printer with a vertical/horizontal conversion section that rotates basic hand images to generate different angles without a dedicated image processing section, reducing storage capacity by switching the direction of character images between horizontal and vertical writing directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated image processing section is used to rotate hand images, then image processing capability is improved, but product cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical/horizontal conversion section, originally designed to switch character image printing directions, is made to perform the additional function of rotating hand images for clock display. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated image processing section, reducing product cost while maintaining image processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the hand image rotation function with the existing vertical/horizontal conversion section. By merging these functions into a single processing unit, the system avoids duplicating hardware resources and reduces overall device complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If all hand images with different angles are stored, then image quality is improved, but storage capacity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing complete hand images for all angles, the patent segments the hand image into a basic form that can be stored once, and uses vertical/horizontal conversion to generate the required angular variations during printing. This segmentation approach significantly reduces storage capacity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary storage of only the basic hand image form, and prepares the specific angular versions dynamically through conversion processing when needed. This approach maintains image quality while minimizing storage requirements by preparing only what is fundamentally necessary in advance.
3Manufacturing precision
If a dedicated image processing section is used, then rotation processing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical/horizontal conversion section is designed to perform both its original function of switching character printing directions and the additional function of hand image rotation. This multi-functional design achieves rotation processing accuracy without adding dedicated hardware, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a tape printer including: a vertical/horizontal conversion section that applies vertical/horizontal conversion processing to a character image to be rotated in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction; a print section that prints the character image on a tape; a time acquisition section that acquires time displayed by a hand image constituting a hand type clock image serving as the character image; and a basic hand image storage section that stores a main basic hand image of a plurality of the hand images whose angles are different from each other according to time, wherein, when the hand image that displays the time acquired by the time acquisition section is not included in the basic hand image, the vertical/horizontal conversion section applies the vertical/horizontal conversion processing to the basic hand image to generate the hand image that displays the time acquired by the time acquisition section.