Image Processing System Toner Consumption Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Hybrid Work Flow (HWF) systems, digital printers require special device management, including consumable supply replenishment, which can lead to delays if supplies run out during print jobs, and there is a need to accurately determine the amount of toner consumption to prevent shortages across multiple printers.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system with a processing execution control device and image formation output control devices that calculate the amount of developer consumption based on drawing information and determine the most suitable printer for output based on remaining toner levels, ensuring continuous printing without delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If print jobs are automatically distributed to digital printers based on capability and status, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates when consumable supplies run out during execution
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of developer consumption amounts for each print job before distribution. By predicting the required toner/developer quantity in advance and comparing it with remaining supplies, the system prevents job assignment to printers that would run out of consumables during execution, ensuring reliable continuous operation while maintaining efficient automatic distribution
2Productivity
If multiple digital printers are operated in parallel, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to special management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service management of consumable supplies across multiple digital printers. By automatically calculating developer consumption, comparing with remaining quantities, and determining suitable output destinations without manual intervention, the system reduces the complexity of managing multiple printers while maintaining high productivity through parallel operation
3Reliability
If consumable supplies are replenished proactively, then reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs due to replacement and replenishment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of developer consumption for upcoming print jobs and identifies printers with insufficient supplies before they are needed. By proactively detecting potential shortages and redirecting jobs to printers with adequate supplies, the system maintains continuous operation without requiring physical replenishment during critical periods, thus improving reliability while minimizing replenishment-related downtime
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing system including a processing execution control device, a plurality of image formation output control devices, and an output destination determiner is provided. The processing execution control device includes a processing execution controller and a control-side drawing information generator to generate drawing information. Each of the image formation output control devices includes an output-side drawing information generator to generate the drawing information and an execution controller to control image forming devices to execute an image formation output based on the drawing information. The output destination determiner determines one of the image formation output control devices as an output destination of an image formation output execution command based on execution propriety of the image formation output that is determined by comparing an amount of developer to be consumed in the image formation output with an amount of developer remaining in each of the image forming devices.