Print Queue Sheet Shortage Prediction for Continuous Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses fail to provide precise and timely notifications when performing continuous printing with multiple jobs, leading to potential sheet shortages due to insufficient consideration of conveyance amounts and varying print settings, making it difficult for users to determine if printing can be continuously performed.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a control process that performs a reception process for multiple print jobs and outputs a predetermined notification before executing the first job, considering the sheet amount and rewindable amount, as well as print settings, to ensure appropriate timing for warnings and prevent interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing is continuously performed using multiple print jobs without interruption, then productivity is improved, but the ability to provide timely notification of sheet shortage is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the total sheet amount required for all queued print jobs and compares it with the available roll paper amount before printing starts. This preliminary action enables the system to predict potential sheet shortages in advance and provide timely notifications to users, allowing them to prepare alternative rolls or adjust settings before the printing process begins, thus maintaining continuous printing efficiency while preventing information loss.
2Measurement precision
If the printing operation is temporarily stopped to check sheet availability, then measurement precision of sheet amount is improved, but productivity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the total sheet amount required for all print jobs in the queue before printing begins, and verifies sheet availability in advance. This preliminary verification provides precise measurement of sheet requirements without interrupting the printing flow, as the decision about sheet sufficiency is made beforehand and the printing operation continues uninterrupted.
3Productivity
If notification is provided after printing starts, then productivity is maintained, but the ability to prevent sheet shortage is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides notification before printing starts by calculating total sheet requirements and comparing them with available roll paper amount. This preliminary notification allows users to take corrective actions such as loading alternative rolls or adjusting print settings before the printing process begins, thus preventing printing interruptions while maintaining continuous operation productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users about sheet availability status before printing begins, enabling users to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with printing or take alternative actions. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable prevention of printing interruptions while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more processors of an image forming apparatus executes the instructions to: perform a reception process of receiving a print instruction of continuously printing a plurality of jobs including a second job subsequent to a first job; and perform a control process of controlling output of predetermined notification before execution of a print process of a foremost job among the plurality of jobs, based on reception of a print instruction for the foremost job, in a case where a condition in which a print process is interrupted after completion of printing of the first job and before start of printing of the second job is satisfied in the reception of the print instruction in the reception process.