Print Job Management System for Duplicate Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In networked environments where printers are managed by print servers, print jobs often get delayed or blocked due to hardware or software issues, leading to wasted paper when the issues are resolved, and users may re-print documents due to incorrect printer settings or changes, resulting in unnecessary re-printing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that compares received print jobs with pending and executed jobs based on content, suspends and deletes similar jobs with user confirmation or after a predefined time, to prevent unnecessary re-printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If print jobs are sent to another printer when the original printer is malfunctioning, then the printing function is restored, but paper waste occurs when the original printer is later resolved and the blocked print jobs are printed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary comparison of print job content with previously executed jobs before printing, identifying potential duplicates in advance. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of paper waste while maintaining the beneficial effect of restored printing function through job suspension or deletion.
2Productivity
If users wait for delayed print jobs to be processed, then the original printer can complete the printing, but the delay causes users to abandon the printed document and waste paper
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to users about print job status and potential duplicates, enabling informed decisions about whether to wait for processing or cancel. This feedback mechanism reduces unnecessary waiting time while maintaining productivity by allowing users to abort jobs that will not be useful.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users re-print documents with corrected printer settings or after making changes, then the printing requirements are met, but duplicate prints are created that waste paper
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary content comparison before printing to identify duplicate jobs that result from users re-printing after corrections. This preliminary check prevents the harmful effect of paper waste while preserving the necessary adaptability for users to make legitimate printing adjustments.
4Loss of substance
If the system compares print job content to identify duplicates, then paper waste is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses content copying and comparison of print job data to identify duplicates without requiring complex hardware modifications. This approach reduces paper waste through intelligent software-based detection while minimizing the increase in system complexity by using existing data structures and comparison algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for managing print jobs is disclosed. A received print job is compared with pending print jobs and executed print jobs, wherein the pending print jobs and the executed print jobs are stored in one or more print queues associated with one or more printing systems. Thereafter, one or more pending print jobs are suspended if the one or more pending print jobs are found similar to the received print job based on the comparison; or the received print job is suspended if the received print job is found similar to one or more of the executed print jobs, based on the comparison.