Ink Use Estimation Verification for Recurring Print Jobs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink use estimation for recurring print jobs often deviates due to changes in printing system settings, leading to potential losses for print shops as they may print documents at a loss or with reduced profit margins.

Innovation Solution

A method that retrieves defined settings for an existing ink estimate for recurring print jobs, compares them to current system settings, determines any differences, and allows operators to update current settings to match the defined settings, ensuring consistent ink use and cost estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ink use estimation is performed for recurring print jobs without verifying current system settings, then printing operations can proceed quickly and efficiently, but the actual ink consumption may deviate from estimates causing profit margin loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting operation speedVSAvoidink use estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of current printing system settings against the settings used for ink use estimation before executing recurring print jobs. By checking settings in advance and alerting operators to any discrepancies, the system ensures that ink consumption will match estimates while maintaining efficient workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to operators when settings differences are detected between current system configuration and estimation configuration. This feedback mechanism allows operators to review and correct settings before printing, ensuring accurate ink use estimation without adding significant time to the workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If current system settings are automatically updated to match defined estimation settings, then ink use estimation accuracy is maintained, but system operator flexibility and ability to adapt to new requirements are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink use estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem settings flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system serves itself by automatically detecting settings discrepancies and providing information to operators, but leaves the final decision to update settings to the operator. This self-service approach maintains reliability by ensuring awareness of settings differences while preserving operator control and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts between maintaining estimation accuracy and allowing operator flexibility. By providing real-time information about settings differences and enabling operator choice, the system adapts to both the need for accurate ink estimation and the need for operational flexibility based on changing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If detailed verification of printing settings is performed for every recurring print job, then ink use estimation accuracy is ensured, but processing time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink use estimation accuracyVSAvoidsettings verification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the critical printing settings that affect ink consumption from the full configuration and compares only those specific parameters. By focusing verification on relevant settings rather than all system parameters, the system ensures ink estimation accuracy while minimizing time loss and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If printing proceeds without verifying settings match estimation conditions, then operational simplicity is maintained, but profit margins are reduced due to unexpected ink consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting operation simplicityVSAvoidprofit margin loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs settings verification and alerts operators to discrepancies without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains operational simplicity by handling verification automatically while preventing profit margin loss through accurate ink consumption monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12321652B2Methods and printing system for verified production in printing operations

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A printing system includes an estimation system that provides estimates for ink or toner use for a print job at a target printing device. The estimation system retrieves digital job settings, digital front end (DFE) configuration settings, and printing device configuration settings from the target printing device. The estimate for recurring printing operations is stored at the estimation system. As printing instances occur, the estimation system retrieves the estimate along with its associated settings and compares them to current settings applicable at the printing device. Any difference between defined settings and current settings is resolved prior to printing the document. Job costing information also is generated for this instance of printing and provided to the estimation system.