Printer Control Device Aggregating Print Data to Prevent Job Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer control systems require significant operator effort to aggregate data for printing, as they do not automatically prevent mixing of print materials from different print jobs, leading to unintended printing of materials.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a generation unit, storage unit, determination unit, aggregation unit, and transmission unit that generates, stores, and aggregates execution data for printing, determining when a predetermined condition is met, such as elapsed time or processing capacity, to transmit aggregated data to the printer, ensuring that print materials from different jobs are not mixed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic aggregation of print data is implemented, then operator effort is reduced, but there is a risk of unintended mixing of print materials from different jobs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator effortVSAvoidprint material mixing prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing execution data pieces in a storage unit with identification information before aggregation occurs. The determination unit checks aggregation conditions (time intervals, processing capacity) in advance, and the aggregation unit combines data pieces only when conditions are met, ensuring print materials from the same job are grouped together. This preliminary organization prevents unintended mixing while enabling automatic aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the determination unit continuously monitors aggregation conditions including time intervals between stored execution data pieces and processing capacity of the control device. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically determines whether to aggregate data pieces, ensuring that aggregation only occurs when it is safe to do so without mixing print materials from different jobs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If data aggregation is performed without conditions, then processing speed increases, but print materials from different jobs may be mixed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidjob separation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary organization by storing execution data pieces with identification information in a storage unit before aggregation. The determination unit evaluates aggregation conditions (time intervals, processing capacity) in advance, ensuring that only data pieces from the same job are aggregated. This preliminary check maintains job separation accuracy while enabling efficient processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters dynamically by adjusting aggregation decisions based on time intervals between stored execution data pieces and processing capacity of the control device. When processing capacity is high and time intervals indicate same-job data, aggregation occurs to increase productivity. When conditions suggest different jobs, aggregation is prevented to maintain job separation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If aggregation condition checking is implemented, then print material mixing is prevented, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint material mixing preventionVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the control device into distinct functional units: a storage unit for storing execution data pieces with identification information, a determination unit for checking aggregation conditions, and an aggregation unit for combining data pieces. This segmentation prevents print material mixing through systematic condition checking while managing complexity by distributing functions across separate modules with clear interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Extent of automation

If execution data is stored for aggregation, then automatic processing is enabled, but waiting time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic data aggregationVSAvoidwaiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes parameters dynamically by adjusting aggregation timing based on time intervals between stored execution data pieces and processing capacity. When conditions are favorable (same job, sufficient processing capacity), aggregation occurs quickly to reduce waiting time. The system balances automatic processing enablement with time efficiency by making real-time decisions based on monitored parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11334297B2Control device, control method of control device, and storage medium for controlling data aggregation

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A terminal device includes: a printer driver execution unit that generates divided job execution data that causes a printer to perform printing; a terminal storage unit that stores divided job execution data generated by the printer driver execution unit; a determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined aggregation condition is met; an aggregation unit that, when the determination unit determines that the predetermined aggregation condition is met, generates aggregated divided job execution data in which a plurality of divided job execution data stored in the terminal storage unit are aggregated; and a terminal communication unit that transmits the aggregated divided job execution data generated by the aggregation unit to the printer.