Terminal Device Print Data Transmission Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer systems experience delays in printing due to the need for users to wait for document preparation and transmission of print data after initiating a print operation, which slows down the printing process.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device transmits initial print data to a printer before the specific operation is carried out and sends a printing start instruction once the operation is completed, allowing the printer to begin printing promptly with the received data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the terminal device transmits print data to the printer after the specific operation is carried out, then the printing process is simple and easy to control, but the printing speed is slow and the wait time is long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting speedVSAvoidwait time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device transmits the first print data to the printer before the specific operation (such as user confirmation or additional processing) is carried out. This preliminary transmission allows the printer to have the print data ready in advance, so that when the printing start instruction is received, the printer can immediately begin printing without waiting for data transmission, thus reducing wait time and improving printing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the terminal device waits for user operation completion before transmitting print data, then the printing process is easier to control, but the productivity is reduced due to delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidprint delay time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary transmission of print data before the printing process officially starts. The terminal device sends the first print data to the printer in advance, and the printer stores it locally. When the printing start instruction is received after user operation completion, the printer immediately uses the pre-received data to start printing, eliminating the delay between user confirmation and actual printing, thereby improving printing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the printer receives print data after the printing start instruction, then the control process is simple, but the printing speed is reduced due to data transmission delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting speedVSAvoidcontrol process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device transmits the first print data to the printer before the printing start instruction is sent. The printer receives and stores this data in advance in its memory. When the printing start instruction arrives, the printer already has the data ready and can immediately begin printing without waiting for data transmission, thus improving printing speed while keeping the control process relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2565773B1Terminal device
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2565773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2565773B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2565773B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer program for a terminal device that is configured to be connected to a printer, the computer program causing the computer to perform operations comprising: a first print data generation process for generating first print data corresponding to a first specific image which is at least a portion of a target image to be printed, wherein the first print data is generated before a specific operation to cause the printer to start printing using the first print data is carried out in an operating unit of the terminal device; a first print data transmission process for transmitting the first print data to the printer before the specific operation is carried out; and an instruction transmission process for, when the specific operation is carried out, transmitting a printing start instruction to cause the printer to start printing using the first print data to the printer.