GUI for Concurrent Finishing Operation Programming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack the ability to concurrently program multiple finishing operations for a single production job, leading to inefficiencies and conflicts due to the lack of a method to select and schedule valid combinations of finishing options from a single interface, resulting in delays and rework.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface system and method that allows users to select and schedule multiple finishing operations concurrently by presenting options for job properties and queue properties, with toggle controls limiting selections to valid combinations, and using dynamic graphics to illustrate the application of selected options, ensuring only valid combinations are applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple finishing options are enabled in a single device with separate user interface controls, then the device can provide multiple finishing capabilities, but the separate controls become inefficient and result in conflicting finishing operations that are not detected until job completion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate finishing operation controls into a single integrated user interface control mechanism. This unified control allows users to select and program multiple finishing operations (such as stapling, folding, hole punching) simultaneously through one interface, eliminating the inefficiency of separate controls and preventing conflicting operations by validating combinations before job execution.
2Productivity
If multiple finishing operations are programmed concurrently from a single interface, then programming efficiency improves and conflicts are prevented, but the system complexity increases to validate and manage multiple operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of finishing operation combinations before the job is executed. The user interface validates whether selected finishing operations are compatible and can be performed concurrently by the available finishing devices, preventing conflicting operations from being programmed. This advance validation simplifies the overall system by catching errors early rather than requiring complex real-time conflict detection during job execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface provides immediate feedback to users about the validity of selected finishing operation combinations. When users select finishing operations, the system responds by indicating whether the combination is valid or conflicts with other selections, allowing users to adjust their selections accordingly. This feedback mechanism manages system complexity by providing clear guidance rather than requiring users to understand complex system constraints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate user interface controls are used for each finishing option, then each option can be independently controlled, but conflicts between finishing operations are not detected until the device attempts to complete the print job, resulting in delays and rework
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated user interface performs preliminary validation of finishing operation combinations before the job is submitted for execution. It checks whether selected operations are compatible and can be performed by the available finishing devices, preventing conflicting operations from being programmed. This advance checking eliminates delays and rework by ensuring valid job configurations are created upfront.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and prevents conflicting finishing operation combinations without requiring user intervention or external validation. The user interface itself performs the validation logic, identifying incompatible operations and guiding users to make valid selections, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with undetected conflicts.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for utilizing a graphical user interface for concurrent programming of multiple feature operations to a single production job in a controller for a production system includes presenting options on the user interface for the selection of job properties or queue properties, with queue properties defined as default values for the virtual device to which the job will be submitted and job properties defined as job feature selection options. The job feature selection options may be hidden or displayed to enable the selection of valid job feature combinations only. Toggle controls are utilized for job feature options whose operation is limited by previously selected job feature options. The application of any valid combination of selected job feature options on the completed production job is illustrated on a dynamic graphic.