Print Supply Depletion Coordination for Cost and Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Print devices face challenges in maintaining print quality and reducing costs due to the differential depletion rates of black and non-black print supplies, leading to increased replacement costs and potential degradation in print performance.

Innovation Solution

A method is implemented to select between black print and process black print based on supply levels, using a data model that coordinates the depletion of print supplies, applying rules and AI/ML models to optimize supply usage, and initiate simultaneous replacements, thereby reducing shipping and service costs while maintaining print quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If process black print is used to maintain print quality, then print quality is maintained, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the printing parameters by switching between black print and process black print modes based on the supply levels of different print supplies. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between print quality and cost by selecting the appropriate printing mode for the current supply state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If black print supply is used exclusively, then cost is reduced, but print quality degrades when supply is depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidprint quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the printing mode based on real-time supply levels. It transitions from using only black print supply to using process black print when non-black supplies are depleted, ensuring continuous print quality while managing costs effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If print supplies are replaced individually based on depletion rates, then print quality is maintained, but replacement costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint performanceVSAvoidreplacement process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the replacement timing of multiple print supplies by coordinating their depletion rates. It combines black and non-black print supplies to deplete at similar rates, allowing simultaneous replacement of multiple supplies and reducing the complexity and cost of replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If multiple print supplies are replaced separately, then supply levels are optimized, but shipping and service costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply optimizationVSAvoidshipping and service costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary coordination of supply depletion rates to align the exhaustion timing of multiple print supplies. This preliminary action enables batch replacement of supplies, reducing the number of separate shipping and service events and thereby lowering associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11827029B2Selecting between black print and process black print

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An example method comprises identifying a plurality of supply levels corresponding to a set of print supplies of a print device. The example method further comprises coordinating depletion of the set of print supplies by selecting between black print and process black print for a print job of the print device based on the plurality of supply levels.