Print Workflow Metadata Merging for Processing Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In previous print workflow systems, print data and metadata are maintained separately, leading to processing inefficiencies as they are not coordinated effectively, which complicates the transformation of electronic data into a deliverable physical product.
Innovation Solution
The integration of print data and metadata into a single metadata file within the print workflow, allowing subsequent steps to operate on the combined files, with a print server monitoring input devices to group and process these files according to user-defined patterns and thresholds, thereby merging document properties into a single document properties file for coordinated processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If print data and metadata are maintained separately in previous systems, then data organization is simple, but processing efficiency deteriorates due to lack of coordination between print files and metadata
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges print data and metadata into a unified data structure where metadata is embedded within the print file itself. This allows subsequent workflow steps to access both print data and metadata simultaneously without requiring separate coordination mechanisms, thereby improving processing efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated data organization.
2Ease of operation
If print data and metadata are merged into a single file, then processing coordination is improved, but file structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the unified print file into distinct functional components: print data portions and embedded metadata portions. Each segment maintains its own structure and purpose, allowing the system to benefit from coordinated processing while managing complexity through clear internal segmentation. The metadata is organized as separate blocks within the file that can be independently accessed and processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified file structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a print data container and a metadata repository. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate coordination between distinct files, improving ease of operation while the standardized universal format prevents excessive complexity from developing.
3Loss of time
If separate processing of print data and metadata is used, then data integrity is maintained, but processing time increases due to multiple operations
Solution Approach 1:
By combining print data and metadata into a single integrated file structure, the patent enables simultaneous access to both data types during processing. This eliminates the time required for multiple separate operations to read, coordinate, and process distinct files, while the embedded metadata ensures data integrity is maintained through unified validation and processing routines.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for merging print data and metadata for a print job processed in a print workflow. One system is a print server that monitors an input device that receives print files and metadata files, groups at least one print file and at least one metadata file into a batch based on a predetermined pattern defined for the input device, and initiates processing of the batch as a print job in a print workflow in response to a determination that the batch meets a threshold condition. A step of the print workflow is configured to merge document properties from the at least one print file and the at least one metadata file into a single document properties file. Subsequent steps in the print workflow process the print job according to the single document properties file.