Printer Controller Optimizing Job Sequencing for Deadline and Setup Constraints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current print systems face inefficiencies in managing print job deadlines and settings, leading to suboptimal print order decisions that can result in missed deadlines and increased production time due to the need for frequent setup changes between jobs with different settings, especially in high-pressure environments.
Innovation Solution
A printer controller with a scheduler module that determines print execution times and a planning module that optimizes the print order by considering setup times, deadlines, criticalness, and weights of print jobs, allowing for the selection of sequences that maximize met deadlines and minimize setup disruptions, even when not all deadlines can be met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an earliest-deadline-first algorithm is used to schedule print jobs, then deadlines are generally met, but the total print execution time increases due to frequent setup changes between jobs with different settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of all print job settings and deadlines to determine an optimal print order before execution. The planning module evaluates multiple sequences and selects the one that minimizes setup time while meeting deadlines, rather than simply reacting to deadlines as they arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the scheduling parameter from pure deadline-based ordering to a composite parameter that includes both deadline requirements and setup time considerations. This allows the system to balance between meeting deadlines and minimizing execution time by grouping jobs with similar settings together.
2Loss of time
If manual planning is used to optimize print order, then setup time may be reduced, but the complexity of operation increases and requires operator intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing print job parameters, evaluating different sequences, and selecting the optimal print order without requiring operator intervention. The planning module autonomously handles the scheduling decision-making process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical planning operations with an automated computational system. The planning module uses algorithms to evaluate sequences and determine optimal print order, substituting human cognitive effort with automated processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If print settings are changed frequently to accommodate different jobs, then adaptability to job requirements is improved, but the productivity decreases due to setup time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by grouping print jobs with similar settings together in sequences, so that setup changes are minimized within each group. This allows the system to maintain adaptability to different job requirements while reducing the frequency of setup changes between groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by minimizing interruptions for setup changes. By optimizing the print sequence to group similar jobs together, the system reduces non-productive setup time and maintains continuous printing operations for longer periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer controller arranged to control a print engine comprising: a print job storage for storing print jobs to be printed; wherein a print job may comprise a deadline, the deadline specifying an ultimate time by which the print job is to be completed; a scheduler module for determining a print execution time for each print job in a sequence of one or more print jobs, the scheduler taking into account a setup time for a print job for setting up the print engine to print the print job given a previous print job; a planning module for determining a print order for to-be-printed print jobs in the print storage, arranged to submit a plurality of sequences of to-be-printed print jobs in the print job storage to the scheduler and in response receive from the scheduler for each sequence of to-be-printed print jobs the print execution times of the print jobs; wherein the planning module elects a sequence of to-be-printed print jobs for which each deadline in a print job in the sequence is met according to the print execution times of the print jobs in the sequence as provided by the scheduler.