Print Time Estimation for Variable Sheet Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating print time in image forming apparatuses are inaccurate when page-specific settings differ from overall print job settings, leading to reduced estimation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a receiving unit, estimation unit, and printing unit that determines whether sheet sizes, types, or printing adjustments change during printing, allowing for page-specific estimation of print time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the estimation unit uses overall print job settings to estimate print time, then the estimation process is simple and quick, but the estimation accuracy is reduced when page-specific settings differ from overall settings
Solution Approach 1:
The print job is segmented into individual pages, and the estimation unit analyzes settings at the page level rather than treating the entire job as a uniform block. This allows the system to identify and account for page-specific settings that differ from overall job settings, thereby improving estimation accuracy without requiring completely complex processing of each page's unique characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The estimation unit applies different estimation criteria to different pages based on their specific settings. Pages with unique settings are evaluated with their own parameters, while pages with standard settings use general parameters. This localized approach ensures accurate representation of each page's contribution to total print time while maintaining overall processing efficiency
2Measurement precision
If the estimation unit analyzes each page's settings individually, then the estimation accuracy is improved, but the time required for estimation processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The estimation unit performs preliminary analysis by first identifying which pages have unique settings that differ from the overall job settings. By pre-identifying these pages before detailed estimation, the system avoids unnecessary detailed analysis of pages with standard settings, thereby reducing total estimation processing time while still capturing all relevant page-specific variations for accurate estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial detailed analysis only on pages that have unique settings, rather than conducting full detailed analysis on every page. This selective approach applies the necessary level of analysis only where needed, reducing overall processing time while maintaining estimation accuracy for pages that require it
3Reliability
If the printing apparatus does not account for sheet size and type changes, then the processing is faster, but the print time estimation does not reflect actual printing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The estimation unit dynamically adjusts estimation parameters based on detected changes in sheet size and type throughout the print job. Rather than using static overall job settings, the system continuously adapts its estimation criteria to match actual printing conditions on each page, ensuring reliable estimation that reflects real-world variability while maintaining processing efficiency through automated detection
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a memory and a controller that receives, from an external apparatus, a print job for printing images on a plurality of sheets, estimates a print time of the received print job, and executes the received print job. The memory stores predetermined values which the controller uses for estimating the print time of the received print job. The stored predetermined values include (i) one predetermined sheet change time for a sheet change from a sheet of a first size to a next sheet of a second size larger than the first size, and (ii) another predetermined sheet change time for another sheet change from a sheet of the second size to a next sheet of the first size.