Print Server Group Plug-in for Multi-Device Job Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional print management systems face inefficiencies due to the complexity of handling multiple printing and finishing machines with diverse capabilities, leading to issues with job ticket creation and updates, particularly in high-volume operations, where missing or unnecessary parameters can decrease efficiency and require time-consuming software updates.

Innovation Solution

A print management method that utilizes group plug-ins to split print orders among multiple output devices, enabling the print server to communicate effectively with both printers and finishers, and falls back on individual plug-ins if a group plug-in is not available, optimizing job distribution and execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional print management systems handle multiple printing and finishing machines with diverse capabilities, then the system can support more device types and capabilities, but the complexity of job ticket creation and software updates increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for diverse device capabilitiesVSAvoidsoftware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the print management system into separate plug-in modules, each responsible for specific device types or functions. This allows the system to handle diverse device capabilities through modular components rather than monolithic software, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal job ticket structure that can accommodate multiple device types and capabilities through standardized parameters. This universal approach allows the same software framework to manage diverse printing and finishing machines without requiring device-specific complex logic in the core system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the print server uses individual plug-ins for each output device, then device-specific communication is optimized, but the overhead of managing multiple separate plug-ins increases processing time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice communication accuracyVSAvoidjob processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual plug-ins into a single group plug-in that can manage multiple output devices simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the overhead of managing separate plug-ins while maintaining device-specific communication accuracy, as the group plug-in coordinates job distribution across multiple devices in a unified manner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If cluster printing is implemented to distribute print jobs across multiple machines, then productivity and completion time improve, but the complexity of job distribution and parameter matching increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint job completion speedVSAvoidjob distribution complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of print job requirements and device capabilities before distribution. The system pre-processes job tickets to identify suitable output devices and required parameters in advance, simplifying the actual distribution process and reducing complexity during job execution while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the print server as an intermediary between the client and multiple output devices. The server manages the complexity of job distribution and parameter matching, translating client print requests into device-specific job tickets, thereby shielding users from complexity while enabling efficient cluster printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive job tickets include all possible parameters for all device types, then all devices can be supported, but unnecessary parameters increase processing overhead and potential errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidjob ticket processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by including only the necessary parameters in job tickets based on the specific output device and job requirements. Rather than universally including all possible parameters for all device types, the system tailors job ticket content to match the actual needs of each device, improving processing efficiency while maintaining compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10261737B1Print management method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 KONICA MINOLTA SYSTEMS LABORATORY INC

AI summary

A print management method involves a print server using one or more plug-ins to instruct plural output devices to execute child jobs that were split from a single print order. The plug-in can be a group plug-in that enables the print server to communicate with the plural output devices to complete the single print order. The plural output devices can be two printing machines, or one printing machine and one finishing machine.