Print Server Notification for Missing Jobs

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-speed print production environments, printing software often fails to notify users when expected print jobs are not received, leading to unprocessed work.

Innovation Solution

A print server with a printing software product that generates an object with attributes defining expected work, assigns it to an input device associated with a designated folder, and provides notifications if the received work does not match these attributes, using a graphical user interface to monitor and manage print jobs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If printing software manages high-speed print production with hundreds or thousands of print jobs, then productivity is improved, but the ability to detect and notify about missing work deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint production speedVSAvoiddetection of missing print jobs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates expected work objects that define what work should be received before actually receiving it. These objects are assigned to input devices and folders in advance, establishing a framework for monitoring that enables detection of missing jobs while maintaining high-speed production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors received work against expected work objects and provides notifications when discrepancies are detected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain high productivity while automatically detecting and alerting about missing print jobs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If printing software processes large volumes of print jobs without notification mechanisms, then productivity is improved, but loss of information about missing work increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint job processing volumeVSAvoidinformation about missing print jobs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring mechanism compares received work against expected work objects and generates notifications when expected work is not received. This feedback loop prevents information loss about missing jobs while allowing the system to process large volumes of print jobs efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a notification mechanism is implemented to detect missing print jobs, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of missing workVSAvoidsoftware structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expected work object serves multiple functions: it defines what work is expected, serves as a monitoring target, and provides the basis for notifications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes added complexity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically monitors received work against expected work objects and generates notifications without requiring additional manual processes. The monitoring mechanism is self-executing, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high reliability for detecting missing jobs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10725718B2Workflow notification mechanism

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A print server is disclosed. The print server includes a printing software product that generates an object including one or more attributes defining work expected to be received in a printing system, assigns the object to an input device associated with a folder designated to receive the work, monitors the received work and provides a notification if the received work does not match the attributes of the object.