Image Forming Apparatus Job Priority Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
When multiple print-and-delivery jobs are processed collectively within a predetermined time period, the image forming apparatus is unable to execute other jobs that cannot be parallelized until all print-and-delivery jobs are completed, leading to unnecessary waiting time for users who have instructed these other jobs.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus implements job priority control, allowing non-parallelizable jobs to be preferentially executed by changing their order in the job queue, ensuring that users do not have to wait longer than necessary for their tasks to be processed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple print-and-delivery jobs are processed collectively within a predetermined time period, then print delivery efficiency is improved, but the waiting time for users who have instructed other non-parallelizable jobs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The job queue management system dynamically adjusts the execution order of jobs based on real-time conditions. When a non-parallelizable job is received, the control unit detects this and repositions the job in the queue to enable preferential execution, allowing the system to adapt its scheduling strategy rather than following a fixed queue order
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the job queue status and receives feedback about incoming jobs. When a non-parallelizable job is detected, the system provides feedback by repositioning the job in the queue, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to job characteristics and optimizes execution order accordingly
2Reliability
If the image forming apparatus waits for all print-and-delivery jobs to complete before executing non-parallelizable jobs, then print delivery completeness is ensured, but user satisfaction decreases due to unnecessary waiting
Solution Approach 1:
The job queue is segmented into different priority levels based on job characteristics. Non-parallelizable jobs received after print-and-delivery jobs are repositioned to higher priority segments, allowing them to be executed without waiting for all print-and-delivery jobs to complete, thus maintaining reliability while improving user satisfaction
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary detection of non-parallelizable jobs in the queue and takes preliminary action by repositioning them before execution begins. This preliminary repositioning ensures that non-parallelizable jobs are prepared for preferential execution, reducing waiting time while maintaining print delivery completeness
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an operation unit for receiving an instruction given by a user, and according to receipt of a request of a print-and-delivery job from an external apparatus, performs print processing to produce a print and passes the produced print to a print delivery apparatus that delivers a print to a designated delivery destination. A controller controls an order of execution of jobs. In a state in which a print-and-delivery job has been registered in a job queue of the image forming apparatus, in a case where an instruction for executing a predetermined job which cannot be processed in parallel with the print-and-delivery job is received from the operation unit, the controller performs predetermined job priority control for causing the predetermined job to be preferentially executed.