Peer-to-Peer Print Server Grouping for Capability-Based Job Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial printing systems face challenges in efficiently managing and distributing large numbers of jobs across multiple printers or production printing systems, where each printer may have different capabilities and processing requirements, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and job processing.
Innovation Solution
An industrial printing system with a print server that includes a difference information calculating unit, a rule setting unit, and a group dividing unit to analyze and distribute jobs based on capability differences among multiple print servers, setting grouping rules, and managing job distribution to optimize processing across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If jobs are evenly divided and processed across multiple print servers, then productivity is improved through parallel processing, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because capability differences among print servers are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning jobs to specific print servers based on their individual capabilities and characteristics. Instead of uniform distribution, the system evaluates each print server's specific attributes (processing speed, memory capacity, paper handling capabilities, etc.) and matches jobs to the most suitable server, ensuring optimal processing quality for each job type while maintaining high overall productivity
2Manufacturing precision
If capability difference information is calculated and grouping rules are set for distributed processing, then manufacturing precision is improved through optimized job allocation, but device complexity increases due to additional processing units and algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing capability difference information for each print server before job distribution occurs. The system maintains a database of print server attributes and pre-establishes grouping rules based on these capabilities, so that when jobs need to be distributed, the allocation can be made quickly and accurately without complex real-time calculations, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining high distribution accuracy
3Ease of operation
If a management server is used to manage and distribute jobs, then ease of operation is improved through centralized control, but device complexity increases due to the additional management server infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling print servers to autonomously evaluate their own capabilities and make intelligent decisions about job acceptance and distribution. Each print server maintains its capability information and can independently determine whether it can handle incoming jobs based on its current state and capabilities, reducing the need for complex centralized management while maintaining ease of operation through automated, capability-based decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an industrial printing system that efficiently performs peer-to-peer production printing distributed processing through grouping. Each of the plurality of print servers includes a difference information calculating unit, a rule setting unit, a group dividing unit, and a processing management unit. The difference information calculating unit acquires a plurality of capability information indicating support capabilities, and it calculates capability difference information regarding the difference between the plurality of capability information. The rule setting unit sets a grouping rule for generating a group of the other print servers of distribution destination to request to process a job based on the capability difference information. The group dividing unit divides the plurality of jobs into groups based on the grouping rule. The processing management unit sends the jobs of the groups to the other print server specified by the grouping rule and requests processing.