Dynamic Conflict Checking in Printing System DFE

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conflict checking systems in printing operations do not support dynamic conflict checking for arbitrarily-defined print settings, limiting their ability to handle user-defined attribute value combinations and enforce valid constraints dynamically.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for dynamic conflict checking that configures and modifies print settings based on user-defined attributes, stores these settings in a device capabilities file, and provides them during printing operations, enabling support for arbitrarily-defined values and multi-attribute constraints, with severity levels for conflicts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hard-coded conflict checks are used for printing operations, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot support dynamic or user-defined print settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for dynamic print settingsVSAvoidconflict checking system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic conflict checking by allowing the conflict definitions to be modified at runtime based on device configuration. The system transitions from static hard-coded conflicts to dynamic conflicts that can be adjusted when devices are configured with different paper sizes, feeders, or other options. This enables the same conflict checking mechanism to adapt to various printing scenarios without requiring separate hard-coded rules for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the conflict checking system by introducing configurable attributes and dynamic conflict definitions. Instead of fixed conflict rules, the system uses parameters that can be modified based on device capabilities and configuration. This allows the conflict checking to respond to different paper sizes, media types, and device options dynamically, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conflict checks are adjusted by adding or removing hard-coded checks, then the system can adapt to new configurations, but the complexity of maintaining multiple static conflict definitions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment to device configurationVSAvoidconflict definition management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need to maintain multiple static conflict definitions by implementing a dynamic conflict checking mechanism. The system automatically determines valid print ticket settings based on the current device configuration and printable attributes, rather than relying on pre-defined hard-coded conflicts. This dynamic approach simplifies maintenance while enabling adaptation to new device configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conflict checking system serves itself by automatically generating appropriate conflict definitions based on the device configuration and printable attributes. Instead of requiring manual addition or removal of hard-coded checks, the system self-adjusts its conflict definitions based on the configured paper sizes, feeders, and other device options, reducing the complexity of maintaining conflict definitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic conflict checking is implemented, then user-defined attribute combinations are supported, but the processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-defined attribute validationVSAvoidconflict checking processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the device capabilities file with valid printable attributes and their relationships before actual printing occurs. The system establishes the framework for dynamic conflict checking in advance, so that during actual print job processing, the validation can proceed more efficiently using pre-established attribute relationships rather than performing completely new analysis each time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the conflict checking system continuously monitors and validates print ticket settings against the device configuration and printable attributes. This feedback loop allows the system to quickly identify and reject invalid combinations without requiring exhaustive processing of all possible attribute combinations, reducing processing time while maintaining thorough validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250013398A1Printing system and methods for dynamically configured conflict checking in printing operations

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A printing system includes a printing device having a digital front end (DFE). The DFE includes printing device configuration settings. The DFE defines the settings based on configurable attributes and generates a device capabilities file. The device capabilities file is downloaded to a print driver, printing application, or other interface. The settings within the device capabilities file are modified based on a conflict with a configurable attribute received from another set of attributes. The modified settings are stored within the device capabilities file. The device capabilities file is provided to a print ticket editor or similar device with the settings dynamically configured.