Print Job Usage Reservation for Upper Limit Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems terminate print jobs prematurely when the usage limit is reached, preventing the completion of all designated prints and causing inconvenience to users.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system that reserves and manages usage amounts for jobs before processing, allowing for the selection and adjustment of other jobs or print settings to ensure that print jobs are completed within the allocated limits, thereby preventing premature termination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image processing system terminates the print process when the usage amount reaches the upper limit during job processing, then the upper limit management is enforced, but the print job cannot be completed even if there are remaining pages in the print server
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking the usage amount before starting the print process and predicting the total usage amount based on job attributes. This allows the system to determine in advance whether the print job can be completed without exceeding the upper limit, and to take appropriate actions (such as selecting alternative image forming apparatus or notifying the user) before the print process begins, thereby avoiding premature termination during execution.
2Reliability
If the print process is terminated when the usage limit is reached, then the upper limit constraint is maintained, but the user experiences inconvenience due to incomplete print output
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by notifying the user in advance if a print job cannot be completed due to the upper limit constraint. The notification includes information about the predicted usage amount and the fact that the job cannot be fully processed. This allows the user to make informed decisions, such as canceling the job, reducing the print quantity, or selecting a different image forming apparatus with available capacity, thereby avoiding wasted time from incomplete prints.
3Reliability
If the system checks the usage amount during print processing, then the upper limit is monitored, but the print process is interrupted even when jobs remain in the print server
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checking of the usage amount before initiating the print process by acquiring job attributes from the print server and predicting the total usage amount. This preliminary assessment allows the system to either proceed with the print job (if the upper limit will not be exceeded) or handle the situation in advance (by selecting alternative apparatus or notifying the user), thereby eliminating the need to interrupt the print process during execution and maintaining high processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A server included in an image processing system executes processing including: upon accepting a job issued, before the job is processed by an MFP, specifying a usage amount of the MFP in a case where the job is processed by the MFP, as a usage amount for the job, and reserving the usage amount for the job from the usage amount of the MFP permitted to an issuer of the job; and upon reservation of the usage amount for the job, storing the job in association with the usage amount for the job.