Print Job Scheduling With Interrupt Deadline Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems fail to efficiently manage print job schedules when interrupt jobs are introduced, leading to significant delays in the completion of previously scheduled jobs.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that includes an image generating device and an image forming apparatus, where the image generating device sets a schedule with a printing start permission period for each job, allowing only jobs that can be completed by their deadline within this period to be sent to the image forming apparatus. If an interrupt job is introduced, the system determines if it can be completed within this period for the first job's deadline; if not, it either maintains the schedule or adjusts it to accommodate the interrupt job while ensuring all other jobs meet their deadlines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If interrupt print jobs are immediately executed without schedule management, then responsiveness to urgent printing needs is improved, but completion time of previously scheduled print jobs is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the execution timing of print jobs based on real-time conditions. The image generating device calculates the time required for interrupt jobs and compares it with the remaining time in the printing start permission period of scheduled jobs, making flexible decisions about whether to execute interrupt jobs immediately or delay them to maintain schedule compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the execution status of print jobs and adjusting subsequent job scheduling accordingly. The image generating device receives feedback about job completion status and uses this information to determine whether to accept new interrupt jobs or maintain the original schedule to ensure deadline compliance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system accepts all interrupt print jobs, then service flexibility and user satisfaction are improved, but schedule compliance of original print jobs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations before accepting interrupt jobs. The image generating device calculates the time required for interrupt job execution in advance and compares it with the remaining printing start permission period of scheduled jobs. This preliminary assessment ensures that interrupt jobs are only accepted when they will not cause schedule compliance violations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the acceptance parameter for interrupt jobs based on current schedule status. Instead of uniformly accepting or rejecting all interrupt jobs, the image generating device dynamically adjusts the acceptance decision by evaluating whether the interrupt job's execution time fits within the available printing start permission period of scheduled jobs, thereby maintaining both flexibility and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the system calculates execution time for each print job, then schedule accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential time calculation function from complex schedule optimization algorithms. The image generating device calculates only the time required for interrupt job execution and compares it with the printing start permission period, rather than performing comprehensive schedule re-optimization. This extracted approach maintains schedule accuracy while minimizing computational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a printing system, a controller sets a schedule containing a scheduled start date and time and a deadline for completion of a first print job both input by a user, and sets a period from the scheduled start date and time to a final printing acceptable time point of a first print job a time required for execution earlier than the deadline for completion as a printing start permission period for the first print job. The controller determines whether if an interrupt print job is set up and started, the interrupt print job ends before or within the printing start permission period for the first print job. When the interrupt print job ends before or within the printing start permission period, the controller maintains the schedule. When the interrupt print job ends after the printing start permission period, the controller allows a display device to display a warning screen.