Print Job Scheduling System for Continuous Device Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print Service Providers face inefficiencies in maintaining continuous operation of printing devices due to varying imposition and RIP processing times for print jobs, leading to idle periods and underutilization of resources.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that analyze the time-to-process and time-to-print for print jobs based on complexity and resource usage, reordering print job processing to ensure a constant stream of imposed and rendered jobs, thereby maximizing device utilization by scheduling less intensive jobs first.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If print jobs are processed in the order they are received without reordering, then the processing sequence is simple and easy to manage, but printing devices experience idle periods and underutilization due to varying imposition and RIP processing times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of imposition and RIP processing times for each print job before scheduling. By calculating these processing times in advance and using them to reorder the print job queue, the system ensures that jobs are scheduled optimally to maintain continuous printing operation, thereby improving device utilization without adding operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reorders the print job queue based on calculated processing times for imposition and RIP operations. Instead of using a static first-come-first-served approach, the scheduler adapts the processing sequence by placing jobs with shorter total processing times first, allowing the printing device to operate continuously and improving overall productivity
2Productivity
If multiple imposition and RIP resources are used in parallel processing, then processing speed increases, but it still does not guarantee continuous printing device operation when complex jobs require extended processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the total processing time for each print job by analyzing both imposition and RIP operation durations. This feedback information about processing times is used to dynamically reorder the print queue, ensuring that jobs requiring shorter processing times are scheduled first. This creates a self-regulating system that adapts to job complexity and guarantees more reliable continuous printing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the scheduling parameter from simple job receipt order to calculated processing time order. By reordering jobs based on their total imposition and RIP processing times, the system transforms the queue organization to prioritize jobs that will complete processing faster, thereby ensuring the printing device receives ready jobs continuously and maintaining reliable operation
3Ease of manufacture
If print jobs with longer imposition and RIP times are processed first, then complex jobs are handled early, but the printing device must wait idle for subsequent jobs to be ready
Solution Approach 1:
The system inverts the conventional approach of processing complex jobs first. Instead, it processes jobs with shorter total processing times (imposition + RIP) first by reordering the queue based on calculated processing durations. This inversion ensures that the printing device receives ready jobs continuously, eliminating idle waiting time while still handling all job complexities efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, the system discloses a profiler which calculates a “time-to-print” a first print job and a “time-to-process” a second print job. A scheduler schedules the second print job, for printing after the first print job, if the “time-to-process” the second print job is≦the “time-to-print” the first print job. In one example, an article discloses instructions to predict a “time-to-print” a first print job, a “time-to-process” a second print job, and then schedule the second print job, for printing, if the “time-to-process” the second print job is≦the “time-to-print” the first print job. In one example, the method discloses receipt of a set of print jobs having a first printing schedule, and then re-scheduling the print jobs so as to ensure that a next print job from the set is ready for printing right after a prior print job from the set has finished printing.