Printer Ink Consumption Allocation Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining ink consumption in inkjet printers provide only rough estimates, especially when multiple images are printed simultaneously, as they fail to accurately allocate measured ink consumption to individual images.
Innovation Solution
A method that compiles a print job with multiple images, monitors and estimates resource consumption, and then proportionally allocates the total measured consumption based on initial estimates to achieve accurate per-image billing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ink coverage is used to estimate ink consumption, then the estimation process is simple, but the accuracy of consumption determination is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by measuring the total ink consumption before printing the images, storing this measured value for later use in the proportional allocation calculation. This preliminary measurement enables accurate per-image consumption determination without complicating the individual image estimation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the estimation approach from using only image-specific parameters (ink coverage) to incorporating the measured total consumption parameter. By combining the simple ink coverage estimation with the actual measured total consumption, the system achieves both computational simplicity and measurement accuracy through proportional allocation.
2Measurement precision
If actual ink consumption is measured during printing, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the ability to allocate consumption to individual images is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by taking the measured total ink consumption value and using it to adjust and refine the per-image consumption calculations. The measured total consumption feeds back into the allocation process, ensuring that the sum of individual image consumptions matches the actual measured total, thereby recovering per-image information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the total measured ink consumption into individual image portions based on their respective ink coverage estimates. By dividing the total consumption proportionally according to each image's characteristics, the system recovers detailed per-image consumption data from the aggregate measurement.
3Productivity
If multiple images are printed simultaneously to utilize media and printer capacity, then productivity is improved, but the accuracy of per-image resource attribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal allocation method that works for any number of images printed simultaneously or sequentially. The proportional allocation based on ink coverage and total measured consumption applies universally regardless of the number of images, their printing order, or whether they share media, enabling accurate billing for high-productivity printing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for attributing an amount of resource consumption to an individual printed image that is printed in a printer comprising a print job controller and a print engine, wherein the print job controller is configured to compile a print job that comprises at least two images to be printed, the print job controller comprising an estimation section arranged to estimate a respective amount of resource consumption for each of the at least two images on the basis of print data that define the images, the method comprising the steps of: a) compiling a print job with at least two images; b) printing at least a part of each of the at least two images while monitoring a total amount of resource consumption; c) estimating the amount of resource consumption for the printed part of each of the at least two images on the basis of the print data; and d) proportioning the monitored total amount in proportion to the estimated amounts.