Print Job Grouping Controller for Shared Imaging Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In shared image recording environments, users often face issues where their jobs are not executable immediately due to changes in recording media or device settings made by other users, leading to unnecessary operations and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a controller that groups jobs based on device status information, generating priority group conditions to ensure that jobs are executed with matching media and settings, allowing users to select and perform batch printing without immediate operational disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple image recording jobs are accumulated and grouped by common conditions for batch execution, then image recording efficiency is improved, but the system cannot adapt when device settings or recording media change between job submission and execution
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary grouping of image recording jobs based on common conditions (recording media type, number of copies, post-process conditions) before execution. This allows jobs to be organized in advance for efficient batch processing while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to status changes before execution begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users when grouped jobs are detected to have incompatible conditions with current device status (e.g., different recording media type). This feedback mechanism allows users to review and adjust job grouping or device settings before execution, ensuring adaptability while maintaining batch processing efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If jobs are executed in accumulated order without grouping, then device status changes are automatically adapted to, but image recording efficiency decreases due to inability to batch process compatible jobs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of executing jobs in simple accumulated order, the system performs preliminary analysis and grouping of jobs based on their conditions. This allows compatible jobs to be identified and batched together in advance, improving efficiency while still allowing for status change detection before execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback information to users about job grouping results and any incompatibilities with current device status. This enables users to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with batch execution, adjust grouping, or modify device settings, thereby maintaining both efficiency and adaptability.
3Reliability
If users manually check and adjust device settings before each job execution, then job executability is ensured, but operational complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the checking and matching of job conditions with device status, eliminating the need for users to manually verify compatibility. The controller compares job conditions (recording media type, copies, post-processes) with current device status and automatically identifies executable jobs or grouping opportunities, reducing user burden while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users about the compatibility status of accumulated jobs with current device settings. This feedback includes information about which jobs can be executed immediately, which require device adjustments, and how jobs might be grouped for efficient batch processing. This automated feedback reduces user burden while maintaining job executability reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller is configured to store a received print job in a RAM or an EEPROM, determine whether to group multiple print jobs in response to receipt of input to an input I/F, obtain device status information in response to determine to grouping the multiple print jobs, generate size information and sheet information matching to the device status information as a group key, group the multiple print jobs including size information and sheet information matching the group key, and display the group, in a selectable manner, as a subject of image recording on a display.