Image Processing Device Concurrent Job Execution for Print Productivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printers face productivity issues due to the slower speed of post-processing operations like cutting, which can delay the natural printing performance of the print engine, as existing technologies do not effectively consider the time for image formation and post-print processing.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device that manages print jobs to execute print jobs concurrently, using the cutter for one job while forming images for another without using the cutter, allowing the image former to operate efficiently and reduce delays from post-processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the printer executes print jobs sequentially to ensure post-processing quality, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the productivity decreases due to the slower post-processing speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost-processing qualityVSAvoidprinting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments print jobs into two categories: jobs requiring post-processing (e.g., cutting) and jobs not requiring post-processing. By separating these job types, the system can process them through different execution paths - sequential processing for jobs needing post-processing to ensure quality, and concurrent processing for jobs not needing post-processing to maximize productivity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both high precision and high productivity under appropriate conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic job execution control where the processing mode (sequential or concurrent) is determined based on the specific requirements of each print job. The system dynamically adjusts its operation - using sequential processing when post-processing is required and concurrent processing when it is not - thereby adapting to different conditions to simultaneously achieve both high precision and high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the printer waits for post-processing to complete before starting the next job, then the reliability of job completion is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob completion reliabilityVSAvoidtotal job completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the job execution flow into separate pathways: one for jobs requiring post-processing and another for jobs not requiring post-processing. Jobs not requiring post-processing are executed concurrently and can be completed independently, reducing the total time while maintaining reliability through proper job management and separation of processing streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous utilization of the print engine by allowing it to continuously form images for new jobs while previous jobs are undergoing post-processing or are exempt from post-processing. This continuous operation eliminates idle waiting time for the print engine, thereby reducing total job completion time while maintaining reliable job completion through proper orchestration of concurrent and sequential tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Speed

If the printer optimizes for fast printing without considering post-processing time, then the speed of image formation is improved, but the productivity of the entire system deteriorates due to post-processing bottlenecks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation speedVSAvoidoverall system productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments print jobs based on their post-processing requirements, allowing the print engine to operate at maximum speed for jobs not requiring post-processing while directing jobs requiring post-processing through a separate pathway. This segmentation enables the print engine to maintain high image formation speed without being bottlenecked by slower post-processing operations, thereby improving overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the post-processing requirement from the main printing workflow for certain jobs, allowing the print engine to operate independently at full speed for jobs that do not require post-processing. By taking out the post-processing constraint from the critical path for these jobs, the system achieves both high image formation speed and high overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11449292B2Image processing device, job management method, and non-transitory recording medium storing computer readable program

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image processing device reduces influence from delay due to one or more post processors and efficiently utilizes resources of an image former, to improve productivity. The image processing device includes: a job taker configured to take a print job; and a print data producer configured to output print data to an image former, configured to form an image on a sheet, and control a cutter configured to cut, inline, the sheet having the image formed and the image former. When the job taker takes a first print job to use the cutter and then takes a second print job not to use the cutter, the print data producer executes the first print job concurrently with the second print job.