Print Job Partitioning and Throttle Control for Digital Front Ends
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-volume printing systems, such as digital front ends, often face resource overload due to large and complex print jobs, leading to slowed operation and potential crashes, as they consume significant RAM, hard disk space, and network bandwidth, especially when handling multiple large workflows in parallel.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing print jobs into smaller parts and processing them in parallel using multiple Raster Image Processor engines, with a throttle control manager monitoring system resources to control the aggregation rate, prioritizing resource usage based on real-time data and heuristic information to prevent overload and ensure efficient printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If print jobs are divided into smaller parts and processed in parallel using multiple RIP engines, then printing throughput is improved, but system resource consumption (RAM, hard disk space, network bandwidth) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides print jobs into smaller partitions that can be processed in parallel by multiple RIP engines. This segmentation enables the system to handle larger volumes of print jobs simultaneously, improving overall printing throughput while managing resource consumption through controlled parallel processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic throttling control that adjusts the rate of aggregation based on real-time system resource availability. The throttle control manager monitors resource levels and dynamically modifies processing rates to optimize throughput while preventing resource exhaustion, creating a adaptive balance between productivity and resource consumption
2Speed
If the aggregation rate of partitioned print jobs is increased, then printing speed is improved, but system stability deteriorates due to resource overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the throttle control manager continuously monitors system resource levels and adjusts the aggregation rate accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that printing speed is maximized while maintaining system stability by preventing resource overload conditions that would cause crashes
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the aggregation rate based on real-time resource monitoring. When resources are abundant, the aggregation rate increases to maximize printing speed. When resources become constrained, the rate is reduced to maintain stability, creating a flexible system that adapts to changing conditions
3Quantity of substance
If manual slowing down or automated gating is used to conserve system resources, then resource consumption is controlled, but printing productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static resource conservation methods with dynamic throttling control. Instead of manually or automatically gating all print job submissions, the system dynamically adjusts the aggregation rate based on real-time resource conditions, allowing maximum productivity when resources are available while conserving resources only when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the printing system dynamically by adjusting the aggregation rate based on resource availability. This allows the system to operate at high productivity levels when resources are abundant and scale back only when necessary, unlike fixed gating mechanisms that continuously reduce productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling printing of a print job involves portioning the print job into a plurality of parts via a partition manager, and converting each part of the print job into respective binary image data parts via a Raster Image Processor (RIP) manager. The method further involves controlling a rate of aggregation of the converted parts via a throttle control manager. The rate of aggregation is controlled by monitoring parameters of a printing system used to perform the printing of the print job, determining that at least one of the monitored parameters reaches or exceeds a predefined threshold, and manipulating the rate of aggregation of the converted parts in response to the determining according to a throttle mode predefined for a particular set of monitored parameters.