Pre-execution Sheet Ejection in Print Job Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques do not allow for sheet reservation or pre-execution ejection in printing systems, particularly in print on demand environments, leading to inefficiencies and productivity losses due to the need for manual intervention and lack of advanced control over sheet processing.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a setting unit to instruct sheet ejection before job execution and a transmitting unit to manage print jobs, enabling advanced control over sheet processing and reservation capabilities within the printing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sheets are ejected only after job completion in conventional systems, then manual intervention is required to clear trays, but productivity decreases due to waiting time and inability to perform parallel operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary ejection actions by clearing the tray before the job is fully completed. The control unit detects when the number of remaining sheets to be output becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number, and triggers ejection of the tray at that timing, allowing the user to clear the tray while the printing job is still in progress. This preliminary action enables parallel operations and eliminates waiting time.
2Ease of operation
If the tray is pulled out only after determining tray full occurs, then sheet discharge destination is determined reactively, but the user cannot make reservations for ejection before job execution
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors and detects the number of remaining sheets to be output during job execution. Based on this real-time feedback information, the system determines the optimal timing for tray ejection, comparing the remaining sheet count against a predetermined threshold to trigger ejection at the appropriate moment rather than only after tray full occurs.
3Productivity
If conventional ejection timing is used, then sheets are discharged to the stacker continuously, but the user must manually clear the tray after job completion causing workflow interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the tray ejection action preliminarily, before the job is completely finished and before the tray becomes fully occupied. By detecting when remaining sheets equal or fall below the predetermined number, the system triggers ejection in advance, allowing users to clear trays during job execution rather than after completion, thus maintaining continuous workflow without interruptions.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus causes a sheet processing apparatus to eject a sheet before a process of a job starts when the process for ejecting the sheet is set for the job, before the process of the job starts. A control method for controlling a printing apparatus includes determining whether a setting unit has made, for a job, a setting to cause the sheet processing apparatus to eject the sheet printed with the printing apparatus and discharged to the sheet processing apparatus, before the printing apparatus starts processing the job, and controlling the sheet processing apparatus to eject the sheet before the printing apparatus starts processing the job when it is determined that the setting unit has made, for the job, the setting to cause the sheet processing apparatus to eject the sheet.