Print Queue Control With Separate Cost Calculation Job Lists
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image formation apparatuses lack an efficient mechanism to handle both print jobs and cost calculation jobs simultaneously, leading to reduced user work efficiency due to the need for separate modes and potential mixing of job types.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus separates print jobs and cost calculation jobs into distinct lists and processes, allowing simultaneous handling of both types without interference, with cost calculation performed within the apparatus using internal parameters for accurate ink and maintenance cost estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the image formation apparatus uses separate modes for print jobs and cost calculation jobs, then cost calculation accuracy is improved, but user work efficiency deteriorates due to the need to switch modes and potential job type mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the job management system into distinct print job lists and cost calculation job lists. The control unit identifies job types and routes them to appropriate separate lists, preventing mixing while allowing simultaneous processing. This segmentation maintains cost calculation accuracy through dedicated processing while improving user work efficiency by eliminating mode switching requirements.
2Device complexity
If the apparatus processes both print jobs and cost calculation jobs in the same list, then device complexity is reduced, but job type mixing occurs leading to reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces segmentation by creating separate job lists for print jobs and cost calculation jobs within the control unit. This logical segmentation ensures that job types are clearly distinguished and processed appropriately, maintaining cost calculation accuracy without requiring complex external systems or multiple physical devices.
3Measurement precision
If the apparatus requires mode switching between print and cost calculation operations, then processing accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases due to mode switching overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments job processing into parallel tracks using separate lists for print jobs and cost calculation jobs. The control unit automatically identifies and routes jobs to the appropriate list based on job type, enabling simultaneous processing without mode switching. This eliminates time loss while maintaining the processing accuracy associated with dedicated cost calculation mode through separate list management.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image formation apparatus (100) has a reception unit (203, 204) configured to receive a print job for performing printing using a print unit and a cost calculation job for calculating cost of printing to be performed using the print unit and a control unit (204) configured to display, on a display unit (206), a first screen displaying a print job list including a print job received but not a cost calculation job received and a second screen displaying a cost calculation job list including a cost calculation job received but not a print job received. Each of the first screen and the second screen includes a field (513, 514) for receiving an instruction for switching display to the first screen or to the second screen.