Print Time Management via External Device Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional print time management systems fail to accurately estimate printing completion time due to neglecting the processing capacity of the output device and the presence of jobs from other users in the print queue, leading to potential delays.

Innovation Solution

A print time management program and apparatus that request and receive processing time information from an external apparatus, calculate print processing time based on device capacity, and display estimated completion time, incorporating both the device's processing capacity and other users' jobs in the queue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If print processing time is calculated based on user PC processing capacity, then the calculation can be performed, but the printing completion time cannot be estimated accurately because the output device processing time is not taken into account

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint time calculationVSAvoidprinting completion time estimation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a print queue management system as an intermediary between the user PC and the output device. This intermediary collects processing time information from both the user PC and the output device, and calculates the total printing completion time by combining these two components. The print queue acts as a mediator that integrates multiple data sources to provide accurate time estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting processing time information from the output device in advance and storing it in the print queue. This preliminary data collection enables accurate calculation of printing completion time when users submit print jobs, as the output device's processing capacity is already characterized and ready for use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If only device processing time and data transmission amount are used for estimation, then the calculation is simple, but substantial delay occurs when large numbers of jobs are stored in the device by other users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime estimation calculationVSAvoidprinting completion delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the print queue continuously monitors and collects actual processing time information from completed jobs and uses this feedback to update the estimated processing times. This feedback loop allows the system to account for real-world variations in processing speed and job queue depth, providing more accurate predictions even when many jobs are present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary characterization of the output device's processing capacity by collecting and analyzing processing time data from various jobs in advance. This preliminary data gathering enables the system to predict future processing times accurately, even when large numbers of jobs are queued, by using the pre-collected information about the device's actual performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If jobs from other users are not taken into account, then the estimation process is simple, but the printing completion time cannot be estimated with accuracy due to queue depth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequeue managementVSAvoidprinting completion time estimation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple data sources including user PC processing time, output device processing time, and queue position information into a single integrated calculation. The print queue management system combines these different time components to calculate the total printing completion time, providing accurate estimation that accounts for all relevant factors including other users' jobs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The print queue serves as an intermediary structure that collects and manages information about all jobs in the system. It acts as a mediator that provides the user PC with comprehensive information about queue depth, other users' jobs, and estimated processing times, enabling accurate completion time prediction without requiring complex direct communication with the output device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7817292B2Print time management, program, print management apparatus, print time management apparatus and print time management method

Publication Date: 2010.10.19 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

Print time management program product capable of calculating and indicating to the user the printing completion time with accuracy by causing a computer to execute processing including a step of transmitting to an external apparatus a request for transmission for print processing time information for jobs in a print queue, a step of receiving the print processing time information transmitted from the external apparatus in response to the request for transmission of the print processing time information and a step of displaying printing completion time for print data to be processed based on the received print processing time information.