Print Job Scheduling via Deferred Remote File Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional print job scheduling systems face limitations due to limited storage capacity in low-cost printers and potential changes in job parameters between submission and printing, leading to impractical spooling and re-submission of jobs.
Innovation Solution
A method for processing print job requests involves receiving and parsing requests to extract location information, adding queue entries associated with remote file locations, and deferring file retrieval until a predetermined position in the print queue is reached, allowing for efficient management of print jobs even in situations with limited storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spooling is used to retrieve and store remote documents locally, then print jobs can be processed, but storage capacity is consumed and job parameter changes cause re-submission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the file retrieval operation from the spooling process. Instead of retrieving and storing files locally during spooling, the system maintains a queue of remote file locations and retrieves files on-demand when needed for printing, thereby eliminating unnecessary storage consumption while preserving print job processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by extracting location information from print job requests and storing it in the print queue before actual file retrieval. This allows the system to prepare job scheduling information in advance without consuming storage capacity for the actual file contents
2Productivity
If spooling is used to retrieve and store remote documents locally, then print jobs can be queued, but storage limitations prevent handling large numbers of jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential queue entry information (location data, job parameters) from the full file content during the queuing process. This allows unlimited jobs to be queued with minimal storage usage, as only metadata is stored rather than complete file contents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimension of storage from storing complete file contents to storing file location references and job metadata. This dimensional transformation enables the system to handle large numbers of jobs with limited storage capacity by storing pointers rather than actual data
3Productivity
If documents are retrieved and stored locally during spooling, then printing can proceed, but parameter changes between submission and printing make originally submitted jobs unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary extraction and storage of job parameters and location information when the print request is received. This allows the system to reference the original submitted parameters when retrieving files later, ensuring that jobs can be adapted to parameter changes without re-submission while maintaining execution reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic parameter handling where job parameters are stored and referenced rather than fixed. This allows the system to accommodate parameter changes between submission and printing by retrieving updated parameters while maintaining the original job queue position and execution flow
Data Source
AI summary
Methods disclosed facilitate the scheduling of print jobs. In some embodiments, the retrieval of remote files that are targets of print requests can be deferred. Print requests may be specified using JDF and/or JMF. A print queue holds entries corresponding to the remote target files and each queue entry is also associated with location information for its corresponding remote target file. When the queue entry is processed the location information associated with the queue entry is used to retrieve the remote target file for printing.