GB2416237A - Method of printing - Google Patents

Method of printing Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2416237A
GB2416237A GB0415547A GB0415547A GB2416237A GB 2416237 A GB2416237 A GB 2416237A GB 0415547 A GB0415547 A GB 0415547A GB 0415547 A GB0415547 A GB 0415547A GB 2416237 A GB2416237 A GB 2416237A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
image
printed
requirements
data
comply
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0415547A
Other versions
GB0415547D0 (en
Inventor
Paul Mills
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Markem Imaje Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Markem Technologies Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Markem Technologies Ltd filed Critical Markem Technologies Ltd
Priority to GB0415547A priority Critical patent/GB2416237A/en
Publication of GB0415547D0 publication Critical patent/GB0415547D0/en
Publication of GB2416237A publication Critical patent/GB2416237A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H04N1/00005—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for relating to image data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H04N1/00007—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for relating to particular apparatus or devices
    • H04N1/00015—Reproducing apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H04N1/00026—Methods therefor
    • H04N1/00029—Diagnosis, i.e. identifying a problem by comparison with a normal state
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H04N1/00026—Methods therefor
    • H04N1/00034—Measuring, i.e. determining a quantity by comparison with a standard
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H04N1/00026—Methods therefor
    • H04N1/0005—Methods therefor in service, i.e. during normal operation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H04N1/00026—Methods therefor
    • H04N1/00063—Methods therefor using at least a part of the apparatus itself, e.g. self-testing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H04N1/00026—Methods therefor
    • H04N1/00068—Calculating or estimating
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H04N1/00071—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for characterised by the action taken
    • H04N1/00074—Indicating or reporting
    • H04N1/00076—Indicating or reporting locally

Abstract

A method of printing an image 10 on a substrate 14 using image data from at least one data source 18-21, includes the steps of receiving the image data in a processing device 25, processing the image data to create an image file suitable for sending to a printing device 12, and, prior to sending the image file to the printing device 12, determining parameters of the image 10 to be printed, comparing the determined parameters with stored reference data 34, 35 relating to requirements of the image 10 to be printed, and in the event that the parameters of the image 10 to be printed using the created image file do not comply with requirements for the image 10, displaying to a user a message indicating the nature of such non-compliance.

Description

24 1 6237 Title: Method of Printing
Description of Invention
This invention relates to method of printing an image on a substrate using a printing device which receives an image file which may contain information for printing a single image or a compound image consisting of a combination of any of text, graphics/drawings, photographs and the like.
Image data from one or more data sources is compiled to produce the image file, which is then sent to the printing device which prints the image.
The invention has been devised particularly, but not exclusively, for printing images which include bar codes, which are in use, machine read. Such bar codes have to comply with certain requirements so that they may be reliably scanned.
For examples, it is a requirement for a bar code to have so called "quiet" margins, i.e. clear margins around the code, so that a scanning machine can reliably scan the bar code, and for the sizes and positioning of the bars, particularly_ in relation to other matter to be printed, to comply with requirements.
For other kinds of image, e.g. text, a requirement may be that the text is not obscured by other matter to be printed.
According to one aspect of the present invention we provide a method of printing an image on a substrate using image data from at least one data source including the steps of receiving the image data in a processing device, processing the image data to create an image file suitable for sending to a printing device, and, prior to sending the image file to the printing device, determining parameters of the image to be printed, comparing the determined parameters with stored reference data relating to requirements of the image to be printed, and in the event that the parameters of the image to be printed using ë . .e.e . . e.
. . . . .. . . . . . . the created image file do not comply with requirements for the image, displaying to a user a message indicating the nature of such non- compliance.
By displaying to a user the nature of non-compliance of the image, the user may decide to print the image anyway, for example by issuing a print command, or may take remedial action prior to printing.
Preferably the method includes, in the event that any parameter of the image to be printed using the created image file does not comply with requirements for the image, displaying the image as it would be printed by the printing device in combination with a visual indication of how the image does not comply. An explanatory text message may also be created and displayed to the user in combination with displaying a warning symbol to mark the part of the image which does not comply.
The method of the invention may include analysing the image data received by the processor, and displaying advisory information relating to the image to be printed,. Such advisory information may be displayed simultaneously with any message indicating that an image to be printed does not comply with the requirements for the image to be printed, or separately therefrom, for example by selecting an alternative screen to be displayed.
Examples of methods in accordance with the invention will now be given with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 is an illustrative diagram of an apparatus which may be used in the performance of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is an illustrative view of an image which may be compiled in performance of the present invention, FIGURE 3 is a view similar to figure 2 but of an alternative compiled Image.
Referring to figure 1 of the drawings there is shown an image 10 to be printed utilising a printing device 12. The printing device 12 may be any kind . ee- ee see e e . e.
e e e e e e e.. . . of printing device such as for examples only, a thermal transfer printer, an ink- jet printer, or a laser printer.
The printing device 12 is capable of printing the image 10 upon receipt of an image file containing information relating to the image 10. A processor of the printing device 12 processes the image file and controls the operation of a print head 13 or laser scanner for examples, which causes a marking to be made on a substrate 14, which in this case is an article such as a label which is to be applied to packaged goods, in a frame 15 of the substrate 14 i.e. the border of the label in this example.
The image 10 in this example is a compound image consisting of text, and a graphic image namely a bar code 16 or other two dimensional code.
Image data to produce the text may be derived from alternative data sources.
For example, image data for information common to a plurality of images to be printed i.e. 'permanent" data, such as for example the text "Big Cheese Company", and the field names "Art nr.", "GTIN", "Serial", "Best Before" etc. may be derived from a first image date store 18. Such text into be printed on every label 14 of a batch.
Image data for information specific to a label or select batch of labels_ 14, such as the Art nr "1140", Serial "623" may be derived from a second image data source 19 which allocates the data appropriately for the individual labels to be printed or in the case of a serial number, calculated automatically by the printing apparatus where its functionality allows.
Image data for temporary information such as the Best before date "30.03.04" and the production date "04.03.09" may be derived from a third data source 20 where the image data may be temporarily stored.
Image data for printing the bar code 16 may be derived from a fourth data store 21. In another example (not shown) "live" data derived from a sensor or measuring device which determines parameters of the substrate such as weight or size, may provide a data source.
e e e e e e ee e e e e e e e e ee e e e e e ee e e e e e e e The image data from the various data sources 19-21 is received by a processing device 25 which processes the image data and creates a compound image file suitable for sending to the printing device 12, and from which the printing device 12 could print the image. The processing device 25 thus includes a compiler 27 which compiles the compound image 10 from the various text and graphic data according to a programmed template.
The template may require the text to be produced in a particular font and for each component of the compound image, to be positioned in generally a required area of the frame IS. However, where the image components are complex, of differing dimension, for example the data from some text fields may differ in length, the compiler 27 may compile the compound image such that the individual components of the image 10 are not satisfactorily printable.
For example, in seeking to position the bar code 16 in the frame 15 and adjacent to text, the text may encroach upon space ("quiet margins") which is required around the bar code 16 to ensure that the bar code 16 can reliably be read by a scanning machine.
Additionally or alternatively, the image 10 may be compiled so that the height h of the bar code 16 may be below a minimum height required for reliable scanning.
Particularly in the case of bar codes 16, there are internationally agreed standards which set down certain standard requirements for bar codes and two dimensional codes, so that such codes may be universally read by scanning machines which also comply with agreed standards.
In another example in seeking to position all the text, the compiler 27 may manipulate the text so that text overlaps the bar or other code 16 or adjacent text or otherwise so that the text does not conform to minimum predetermined requirements for human or machine readability.
The compiler 27, may allow user input e.g. from an input device such as a keyboard 26. Thus the compiler 27 may display the compiled image 10 on a ee e ee e ee. e ee cee e e ee e e e ee e display device, such as a VDU screen 30. A user may thus manipulate the compound image 10 also. Thus the compiler 27 and /or the user may manipulate the compiled image 10 in such a way that the individual components of the compiled image 10 do not meet predetermined requirements for the image components.
In accordance with the invention, before sending the compiled image file to the printing device 12, parameters of the image 10 are compared with reference data which may be stored in one or more look-up tables 34, 35 for examples. Such comparison may be carried out in the processing device 25, although for clarity, figure 1 shows this comparison being carried out by a separate comparitor apparatus 31 to which the image file is sent from the compiler 25.
Look-up table 34 may for example include reference data relating to an internationally agreed standard for bar codes e.g. setting down minimum dimensions for bar code height and quiet margins, whilst the look-up table 35 may include reference data concerning the font and overall size of text.
It can be seen that the bar code 16 includes a human readable line of text 17 which may be used for manually reading the bar code 16 and manually inputting the bar code into a reading machine, in the event that for any reason, the bar code 16 cannot be scanned.
The bar code 16 may be created, or an existing bar code amended, e.g. by a user using the input device 26. The bar code 16 includes a check digit, "3" in this example, so that the integrity of the bar code 16 can be checked upon scanning or human input to the reading machine. Thus the look-up table 34 which contains reference data relating to bar codes, may include data relating to the calculation of the check digit.
The comparitor 31 may thus test that the image 10, and each image component, meets the predetermined requirements about which reference data . e he -e . . ë e ë . - e . e - is stored in the look-up tables 34, 35, by comparing parameters of the compiled image with the reference data.
Thus the comparitor 31 may compare the actual margins around the bar code 16 which is to be printed, with the minimum requirements for these as stored in the look-up table 34; the comparitor 31 may compare the height h of the bar code 16 of the compiled image 10 with a minimum requirement stored in the look-up table, and so on for any bar code image parameter for which reference data is stored.
In addition, if the check digit to be printed does not conform to the calculation for which reference data is stored, e.g. because a user has input an incorrect check digit or has otherwise manipulated/created the bar code incorrectly, the comparitor 31 will identify a discrepancy.
The comparitor 31 may compare the text image component and the font size of the text with reference data in the look-up table 35, margins of the text image components to ensure they do not overlap with predetermined requirements, and may identify any discrepancy. For example, the reference data may indicate that it is allowed for a text image component to overlap a graphic image component such as a picture, but may not overlap another text image component or the bar code 16.
In accordance with the invention, the method includes displaying on the VDU 30 the image 10 as compiled, to be printed. Moreover, the display includes an indication of how, and where, the image 10 does not comply with requirements for the image 10.
In the example of figure 2 it can be seen that adjacent the bar code 16, there is displayed a warning symbol 32 (triangle with exclamation mark) and that a text box references this warning symbol 32 to indicate that the bar code 16 does not conform to the image requirements for the bar code in two respects in this example. First, the check digit to be printed does not conform to the - . . . . . - ë . . standard calculation for this, and secondly, the bar code height h of the image to be printed is less than a minimum height requirement.
The user may decide to ignore these warnings and issue a print command via the user input device 26, (even though this will result in a non- standard bar code which may not be readable by a standard scanning machine) or may take remedial action, manipulating the image 10 to correct the inadequacies. For example the check digit of the compiled image 10 may be replaced, and the user may extend the height h of the bar code 16 e.g. by dragging a height marker, although this latter step may also require the adjacent text image component to be reduced in size so that the image components do not overlap.
When a user has thus manipulated the image 10, the comparison with the reference data in the look-up tables 34, 35 may be repeated before printing to ensure that any such manual image manipulation has not created additional errors, or such comparison may continuously be made as a user manipulates the image 10.
It can be seen in figure 2 that in addition to the warning symbol 32, an advisory symbol 33 is displayed adjacent the text image component words "Big Cheese Company". This is because in Addition to comparing parameters of the compiled image 10 to be printed, the comparitor 31 (or the processing device 25) analyses the image data received from the data sources 34, 35 in order that advisory information may be displayed in predetermined circumstances.
In the present example, the analysis has been determined that to print the text image component "Big Cheese Company" in the font stipulated in the data i.e. Swiss Bold" will consume a large amount of printing device 12 memory, which means that the printing device 12 will have less storage capacity for other images etc., and/or that printing will be slow. Thus the advisory information gives a user the opportunity to decide to make changes which may improve printing efficiency even though an image which is non-compliant with the referenced image requirements, may not be identified.
. ... . ...
Figure 3 shows another example of a non-compliant compiled image 10.
In this example, the bar code 16 is wrapped within the frame 15, which is not in itself a problem as such a bar code 16 may still conform to the internationally agreed standard by virtue of the separation area 36 between the wrapped parts which enables a scanning machine to identify that the bar code 16 is wrapped.
However in this example, the comparitor 31 has determined that each of the bar code 16 and a text image component indicated at 35, are overlapped.
Thus neither image component complies with the requirements for that image component.
Accordingly each of the bar code 16 and the text image component 35 has displayed adjacent to it a warning symbol 32, and the display includes referenced text which alerts the user.
Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example although the invention has been described with particular reference to an image 10 including a bar code 16 component and a text image component, the invention may be applied when printing any desired image, and so the image may consist of a single text or graphic or photographic image for examples, or multiple such image components, with the compiler 26 in each case compiling an appropriate image for printing within the frame 15 of the substrate 14.
Although it is desirable for any warning text message to be displayed concurrently with the compiled image to be printed, and for any advisory information similarly to be displayed, as in the examples described, one or other of these text messages may be displayed by a separate selectable screen, which a user may select on the VDU 30 or on another display device.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any a. a . a a a combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
8 888.. ca ë 8 L 8 L 8 . a .e 8 8 8

Claims (9)

1. A method of printing an image on a substrate using image data from at least one data source including the steps of receiving the image data in a processing device, processing the image data to create an image file suitable for sending to a printing device, and, prior to sending the image file to the printing device, determining parameters of the image to be printed, comparing the determined parameters with stored reference data relating to requirements of the image to be printed, and in the event that the parameters of the image to be printed using the created image file do not comply with requirements for the image, displaying to a user a message indicating the nature of such non- compliance.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method includes, in the event that the parameters of the image to be printed using the created image file do not comply with requirements of the image, displaying the image as it would be printed by the printing device in combination with a visual indication of how the image does not comply.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein an explanatory text message is created and displayed to the user.
4. A method according to claim 3 in which in combination with displaying an explanatory text message, a warning symbol is displayed to mark the part of the image which does not comply.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the method includes analysing the image data received by the processor, and displaying advisory information relating to the image to be printed.
: :: e e
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the advisory information displayed simultaneously with any message indicating that an image to be printed does not comply with the requirements of the image to be printed. s
7. A method according to claim 5 wherein the advisory information displayed separately from any message indicating that an image to be printed does not comply with the requirements of the image to be printed.
8. A method of printing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
:: : : :: :.. .::.
GB0415547A 2004-07-12 2004-07-12 Method of printing Withdrawn GB2416237A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0415547A GB2416237A (en) 2004-07-12 2004-07-12 Method of printing

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0415547A GB2416237A (en) 2004-07-12 2004-07-12 Method of printing

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0415547D0 GB0415547D0 (en) 2004-08-11
GB2416237A true GB2416237A (en) 2006-01-18

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GB0415547A Withdrawn GB2416237A (en) 2004-07-12 2004-07-12 Method of printing

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7748917B2 (en) 2000-09-11 2010-07-06 Zipher Limited Tape drive and printing apparatus
US8317421B2 (en) 2007-03-31 2012-11-27 Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) Limited Tape drive tension control
US8770874B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2014-07-08 Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) Limited Tape drive

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2077970A (en) * 1980-02-26 1981-12-23 Teraoka Seikosho Kk A label printer
EP1400362A2 (en) * 2002-08-14 2004-03-24 Printronix, Inc. Printer and print correlation method

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2077970A (en) * 1980-02-26 1981-12-23 Teraoka Seikosho Kk A label printer
EP1400362A2 (en) * 2002-08-14 2004-03-24 Printronix, Inc. Printer and print correlation method

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7748917B2 (en) 2000-09-11 2010-07-06 Zipher Limited Tape drive and printing apparatus
US8096715B2 (en) 2000-09-11 2012-01-17 Zipher Limited Tape drive and printing apparatus
US8221010B2 (en) 2000-09-11 2012-07-17 Zipher Limited Tape drive and printing apparatus
US8770874B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2014-07-08 Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) Limited Tape drive
US8961045B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2015-02-24 Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) Limited Tape drive
US8317421B2 (en) 2007-03-31 2012-11-27 Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) Limited Tape drive tension control

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