Print Queue Action Merging to Reduce Time and Resource Waste
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production printers lack an efficient method to manage print jobs with pre-processing and post-processing actions, leading to unnecessary time consumption and resource waste in unattended operations.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects and combines or removes redundant pre-processing and post-processing actions in the print queue, optimizing time and resource usage by adapting the visualization of the print queue accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pre-processing and post-processing actions are defined for each print job individually, then each job can be processed with specific parameters, but time and resources are wasted due to redundant actions between successive jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines successive pre-processing actions or post-processing actions from multiple print jobs into a single unified action when they are compatible. The system identifies actions with matching parameters (such as same media type, same finishing operations) and merges them into one consolidated action that serves multiple jobs, thereby eliminating redundant time consumption while maintaining individual job requirements.
2Productivity
If pre-processing and post-processing actions are defined for each print job individually, then each job can be processed with specific parameters, but resources are wasted due to redundant actions between successive jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges compatible pre-processing and post-processing actions from successive print jobs into single unified actions. By identifying actions with matching resource requirements (such as same media loading, same ink cartridge changes, same finishing operations), the system consolidates these into one action that serves multiple jobs, thereby reducing waste of print medium, inks, and finishing materials while maintaining individual job specifications.
3Loss of information
If the print queue visualization displays all individual pre-processing and post-processing actions for each job, then complete job details are visible, but the visualization becomes complex and difficult to monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual pre-processing and post-processing actions into single consolidated actions in the print queue visualization when they are compatible across successive jobs. The system displays one unified action representing multiple jobs with matching parameters, thereby reducing visual complexity and making the print queue easier to monitor while preserving all necessary job-specific details through expanded views or detailed information on demand.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The method comprises the step of detecting in the print queue of a printer a pre-processing or post-processing action of a first print job which is followed by a pre-processing or post-processing action of a second print job succeeding the first print job, wherein the pre-processing or post-processing action of the first print job and the pre-processing or post-processing action of the second print job are suitable to be combined in at least zero combination actions which take less time and/or waste than a total of said two combinable actions. The pre-processing or post-processing action of the first job and the pre-processing or post-processing action of the second job are replaced by the at least zero combination actions in the print queue while taking the less time and/or waste of the at least zero combined actions into account, and the visualization of the print queue is adapted accordingly.