Print Job Setting Adjustment for JDF Attribute Conflicts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing production printers struggle with efficiently converting Job Definition Format (JDF) job attributes to printer-specific formats due to the lack of one-to-one correspondence, leading to constraint violations that require manual operator intervention to resolve.

Innovation Solution

A system with a print workflow manager that includes conversion, violation detection, and adjustment logic to automatically resolve constraint violations by using a priority list to retain high-priority job attributes and adjust lower-priority attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic conversion of JDF job attributes to printer-specific formats is implemented, then conversion efficiency is improved, but constraint violations occur due to lack of one-to-one correspondence between attribute formats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion efficiencyVSAvoidattribute format compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary conversion of JDF job attributes to printer-specific formats before printing occurs. The workflow manager proactively converts attributes and detects potential constraint violations in advance, allowing for automated resolution before the printing process begins, thus maintaining both efficiency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the workflow manager continuously monitors converted attributes against printer constraints. When constraint violations are detected, the system receives feedback about incompatible attribute combinations and automatically adjusts lower-priority attributes to resolve conflicts, ensuring reliable printing while maintaining conversion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual operator intervention is used to resolve constraint violations, then attribute compatibility is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattribute format compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The workflow manager performs self-service by automatically detecting constraint violations and resolving them without manual operator intervention. The system uses built-in logic to identify conflicting attributes and automatically adjusts lower-priority attributes according to predefined rules, eliminating the need for human operators to manually resolve conflicts and thereby reducing processing time while maintaining compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically changes parameter values of lower-priority attributes to resolve constraint violations. When conflicts are detected, the workflow manager modifies attribute parameters (such as changing media type, paper size, or print quality settings) to values that are compatible with printer constraints, thereby resolving compatibility issues automatically without time-consuming manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If priority list-based automatic adjustment is implemented, then manual intervention is reduced, but complexity of conversion logic increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstraint violation resolutionVSAvoidconversion logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion logic is segmented into modular components within the workflow manager. The system divides the complex conversion process into separate functions: JDF attribute parsing, printer format conversion, constraint validation, and automatic adjustment. This segmentation makes the complex logic more manageable and maintainable while achieving high automation through coordinated execution of these modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages conversion logic complexity by using parameter-based rules and priority lists rather than complex procedural logic. Instead of implementing complex decision trees, the workflow manager uses straightforward parameter comparisons and predefined priority rankings to automatically adjust attributes. This approach simplifies the implementation of conversion rules while maintaining high automation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4597293A1Job setting adjustment mechanism
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4597293A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4597293A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4597293A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system to is described. The system includes at least one physical memory device to store print workflow manager and one or more processors coupled with the at least one physical memory devices to execute the print workflow manager to receive a print job, receive a job ticket including first attributes, convert the first attributes included in the job ticket to second attributes of a format supported by a printer, determine whether a conflict exists between two or more of the second attributes and perform one or more adjustments to the two or more second attributes based on a priority list upon determining that the conflict exists.