Portable Memory Device Folder-Based Finishing Workflow Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in selecting and configuring finishing options for printed items, as they need to manually provide settings to the digital front end of printing systems, which can be complex and time-consuming, especially when using unfamiliar interfaces or when different finishing options are required, often necessitating administrator intervention.

Innovation Solution

A portable memory device with a finishing workflow control program that automatically detects connections and limits folder names to specific finishing workflows, allowing users to store print jobs within designated folders, thereby instructing the printing system to perform corresponding finishing operations without manual configuration, and evaluates the printing system's capabilities to perform these workflows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users manually configure finishing settings in the printer's user interface, then finishing options can be customized, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinishing options customizationVSAvoiduser operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring finishing settings and workflows on the portable memory device before connecting to the printer. Users prepare their print jobs with desired finishing options stored in standardized folders on the USB device, eliminating the need to manually configure complex printer settings during printing. The printer automatically detects these pre-prepared jobs and applies the stored finishing configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If users manually program finishing settings to the digital front end, then finishing workflows can be controlled, but the process requires significant user time and effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinishing workflow controlVSAvoiduser configuration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by enabling automatic detection and processing of print jobs with finishing options. When a USB device is connected, the printer's controller automatically scans for print jobs in standardized folders, identifies the desired finishing workflows based on folder names or job properties, and executes the finishing operations without requiring user interaction with the digital front end or manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the printer automatically prints from portable memory devices, then user interaction is minimized, but finishing options cannot be applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic printingVSAvoidfinishing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a standardized folder structure and naming convention system that works across different print jobs and finishing types. The portable memory device uses a universal interface where various finishing workflows (stapling, punching, binding, etc.) are organized in standardized folders. This allows the printer to automatically recognize and apply appropriate finishing options to different job types while maintaining ease of use through consistent folder-based organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If users are not familiar with the user interface settings, then operation becomes difficult, but finishing options are still needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinishing options availabilityVSAvoidinterface familiarity requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized folder structure on the portable memory device serves as an intermediary between the user and the printer's complex finishing options. Instead of requiring users to navigate the printer's user interface and understand various finishing parameters, users simply place their print jobs in appropriately named folders on the USB device. The printer's controller acts as the mediator that translates these simple folder-based instructions into the appropriate finishing operations, shielding users from interface complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10048916B1Portable memory device maintaining folder names designating finishing settings and workflows

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 XEROX CORP

AI summary

Names of finishing-job storage folders stored within a portable electronic memory apparatus are limited to only names of known finishing workflows. Connection of the portable electronic memory apparatus to a printing system is automatically detected, and for each print job, the printing system is automatically instructed to perform a finishing workflow that corresponds to the name of the finishing-job storage folder in which the print job is located. The printing system is required to evaluate whether the printing system can perform the finishing workflow, based on the status of the finishing components. Thus, the printing system is required either to perform the finishing workflow (if the printing system can perform the finishing workflow) or provide a menu on a user interface of the printing system (if the printing system cannot perform the finishing workflow).