Peer-to-Peer Print Server Distributed Variable Job Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial printing systems lack the capability to efficiently perform variable printing for production printing, as they require a centralized management server for distributed processing, which is not suitable for personalized and large-volume printing needs.

Innovation Solution

An industrial printing system with multiple print servers that includes a variable attribute generation unit, a variable distribution unit, and a processing management unit, which generates and distributes variable attribute information and job tickets to optimize the processing of variable data across multiple print servers, eliminating the need for a centralized management server and enabling flexible and efficient distributed processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a centralized management server is used for distributed processing of variable printing jobs, then processing coordination and job distribution can be achieved, but system complexity increases and processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the management server component from the system, allowing print servers to perform distributed processing independently through peer-to-peer communication. This eliminates the centralized management overhead while maintaining coordination capabilities, directly reducing system complexity without sacrificing processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Print servers are equipped with autonomous capabilities to generate variable attributes, distribute jobs, and coordinate processing without external management. Each print server independently manages its own processing tasks and communicates directly with others, eliminating dependency on a centralized management server and improving both simplicity and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If variable printing jobs are processed sequentially through multiple print servers in a predetermined order, then job routing can be managed, but processing time increases due to waiting and transfer delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob routing managementVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic job distribution where print servers can autonomously determine optimal routing based on current system state, workload, and job requirements. This dynamic approach replaces fixed sequential processing, allowing parallel execution and reducing waiting time while maintaining manageable routing through adaptive coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Print servers perform preliminary assessment of job requirements and system capabilities before processing begins. Variable attributes are generated and job distribution plans are formulated in advance, enabling optimized routing decisions that minimize processing time while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If print data is transferred to each MFP for local processing capability determination, then processing decisions can be made locally, but data transfer overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal processing capabilityVSAvoiddata transfer time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces variable attribute information as an intermediary that carries processing requirement data between print servers without transferring the entire print job. This allows print servers to assess capability and route jobs efficiently based on attribute matching, maintaining local adaptability while eliminating excessive data transfer time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240152305A1Industrial printing system, print server, and variable printing method for distributed processing of variable printing for production printing by peer-to-peer

Publication Date: 2024.05.09 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Provided is a peer-to-peer industrial printing system that performs distributed processing in variable printing for production printing. The industrial printing system includes a plurality of print servers and performs variable printing for production printing. Each of the plurality of print servers has a variable attribute generation unit, a variable distribution unit, and a processing management unit. The variable attribute generation unit generates variable attribute information including record information, which is information about each record of variable data for the variable printing. The variable distribution unit distributes each record of the variable data to one of the plurality of print servers based on the variable attribute information generated by the variable attribute generation unit. The processing management unit transmits the job ticket including the record distributed by the variable distribution unit to the other print server that is distributed to request processing.