Job Management Apparatus for Print Delivery Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In delivery systems where a delivery apparatus autonomously transports printed sheets from an image forming apparatus to a destination, there is a challenge in synchronizing the execution of print jobs with the arrival of the delivery apparatus, especially when it does not return to the initial position on time, leading to inefficiencies in prompt delivery.

Innovation Solution

A job management apparatus that communicates with both the image forming apparatus and the delivery apparatus, calculates the printing time and arrival time of the delivery apparatus, and instructs the image forming apparatus to execute print jobs at the optimal timing based on these calculations, ensuring timely completion and efficient delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the delivery apparatus autonomously travels to deliver sheets and returns to the image forming apparatus, then the delivery system can maintain continuous operation, but the synchronization between print job completion and delivery apparatus arrival becomes difficult to guarantee

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous delivery operationVSAvoidsynchronization delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the delivery apparatus return to the image forming apparatus in advance before the print job is complete, and by pre-calculating delivery timing. This allows the apparatus to be ready to receive and deliver sheets immediately when printing finishes, eliminating waiting time and ensuring seamless continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device monitors the delivery apparatus's position and status in real-time, providing feedback to adjust print job execution timing. This feedback mechanism ensures that the image forming apparatus completes printing exactly when the delivery apparatus arrives, maintaining precise synchronization for continuous productive operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the image forming apparatus waits for the delivery apparatus to return before executing the next print job, then delivery timing is synchronized, but delivery promptness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery timing synchronizationVSAvoiddelivery promptness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery apparatus performs preliminary trips to return to the image forming apparatus before the current print job completes. This preliminary action ensures the apparatus is already in position and ready to immediately receive and deliver the next sheet, eliminating any waiting time while maintaining perfect synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by overlapping the delivery apparatus's return journey with the print job execution. The apparatus continuously moves between delivery destinations and the image forming apparatus, ensuring no idle time occurs in either the printing or delivery process, thereby achieving both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the delivery apparatus does not return to the initial position on time, then delivery destinations can be flexibly adjusted, but print job execution timing becomes unsynchronized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery destination flexibilityVSAvoidprint job execution timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the delivery apparatus's route and timing based on real-time conditions. When flexibility is needed at delivery destinations, the system recalculates optimal return times and communicates adjusted schedules to the image forming apparatus, maintaining synchronization despite route changes through adaptive real-time control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses real-time feedback from the delivery apparatus's position and status to dynamically adjust print job execution timing. When the delivery apparatus deviates from the initial schedule to serve flexible destinations, the feedback mechanism communicates the new estimated arrival time, and the image forming apparatus adjusts its printing completion timing accordingly, maintaining synchronization throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10212292B2Job management apparatus of print job in delivery system for delivering sheet printed by image forming apparatus to delivery destination with autonomously moving delivery apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

Generally, a job management apparatus of the present embodiment which sends a print job to an image forming apparatus comprises a communication section and a controller. The communication section communicates with the image forming apparatus and a delivery apparatus configured to deliver a sheet printed by the image forming apparatus to a delivery destination. The controller calculates printing time relating to completion of execution of the print job by the image forming apparatus and first arrival time when the delivery apparatus reaches the image forming apparatus and enables the image forming apparatus to execute the print job at a timing when the image forming apparatus can complete the execution of the print job by the first arrival time.