Print Workflow Quality Data Formatting for Automated Job Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing printing systems lack a unified method for interpreting and applying quality terms and quality reports, leading to inefficiencies in workflow management and increased manual labor in commercial printing services.

Innovation Solution

A printing system that utilizes the PRX and PQX data formats to interpret quality requests and automatically adjust printing apparatus settings, reducing manual intervention and enabling efficient quality management across different printing companies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual processes are used to interpret quality terms and generate quality reports, then flexibility in handling diverse customer requirements is maintained, but productivity and work efficiency deteriorate due to increased manual labor hours

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in handling diverse customer requirementsVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses PRX and PQX as standardized data format templates that replicate quality term structures across different customers and printing companies. These templates enable automatic interpretation and processing of quality requirements without manual intervention, thus maintaining flexibility through standardized copying while dramatically improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms quality terms from unstructured textual descriptions into structured parametric data formats (PRX/PQX) with defined fields and data types. This parameterization enables automated systems to interpret and process quality requirements efficiently while maintaining the ability to handle diverse customer specifications through configurable parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different data formats are used for quality terms and quality reports, then compatibility with various customers is maintained, but loss of information increases due to format conversion errors and incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various customersVSAvoidformat conversion errors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates universal PRX and PQX data formats that serve multiple functions: they can represent quality terms from any customer, transmit quality requirements across different printing companies, and generate quality reports in a standardized manner. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple customer-specific formats while preserving all quality information without loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The PRX and PQX formats act as intermediary data structures between customers and printing companies. Instead of direct format conversion between numerous customer-specific formats, all quality terms and reports are translated into the standardized PRX/PQX intermediary format, which preserves information integrity and enables seamless data exchange

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated systems are implemented to interpret quality terms and manage workflows, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases due to the need for sophisticated software systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidsoftware system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the quality management system into distinct functional modules: quality term interpretation using PRX format, workflow management based on quality requirements, and quality report generation using PQX format. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by creating independent, manageable components that can be developed and maintained separately while working together to achieve high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3956828B1Information processing apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 CANON KK
  • EP3956828B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3956828B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3956828B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A printing system provides an efficient operation process by automating work for producing a print product that meets quality terms requested by a customer with an information format for transferring quality terms or a quality report. A control method for an information processing apparatus includes receiving order data including quality request data from an order receiving system, interpreting the received quality request data, generating a job containing information that is used for quality adjustment to be performed by a production system, based on the interpreted quality request data, and sending the job to the production system. The job containing quality request data in a data format that is same as a data format of the received quality request data is generated.