Image Formation Apparatus Priority Change Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image formation apparatuses connected to networks face challenges in collectively changing priorities of multiple jobs related to each other, especially after image data reception, limiting flexibility and efficiency in job execution.
Innovation Solution
An image formation apparatus with a job input unit, registration unit, management unit, priority change unit, and rasterization processing unit, capable of reassigning priorities of linked jobs in real-time, allowing collective priority changes even during rasterization, and reorganizing the execution order based on new priorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If priority change is performed only in print-waiting state, then job priority management is simple, but priority change flexibility is limited and cannot be performed after rasterization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the priority change capability dynamic by enabling it at multiple job states (print-waiting and rasterization states) rather than fixing it to only print-waiting state. The job management system adapts its behavior based on the current state of the job, allowing priority changes during rasterization when necessary while maintaining simple management during print-waiting state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of job state from a single state (print-waiting) to multiple states (print-waiting and rasterization). By modifying the state parameter where priority changes can occur, the system achieves greater flexibility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If individual priority change is performed for each job in a series, then priority control precision is high, but operation convenience deteriorates due to repeated manual changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual priority change operations into a single collective operation. When jobs are linked (e.g., bind output jobs), changing the priority of one job automatically changes the priorities of all linked jobs together. This combining approach maintains precise priority control for related jobs while dramatically improving operation convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The priority change function is extended to serve multiple purposes: it can change priority for a single job individually or for multiple linked jobs collectively. This multi-functionality allows the same operation to adapt to different scenarios, providing both precise individual control and convenient bulk control as needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If link information is registered for all jobs, then collective priority change capability is improved, but information storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies link information registration selectively rather than universally. Link information is registered only for jobs that have relationships with other jobs (such as bind output jobs), while jobs without relationships do not require link information. This local application approach provides collective priority change capability where needed without unnecessarily increasing storage requirements for all jobs.
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus includes: a job input unit receiving job inputs of performing image formation from image data; a job registration unit registering the jobs of performing image formation from the image data together with priorities in an order of execution of the jobs and link information showing a link relationship between the jobs; a job management unit managing the order of execution of the registered jobs; a priority change unit performing a priority change in response to a priority change request for the registered jobs; and an image formation unit executing the jobs according to the order of execution, wherein the priority change unit changes a priority or priorities of another job or the other jobs in a link relationship with a job on which a priority change has been performed to the same priority as the job on which a priority change has been performed.