Printer Job Labeling for Post-Processing Stack Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current print work cells lack sufficient information for optimizing print job sequencing and batching, leading to inefficient output stacks that often require manual re-sorting and cannot adapt to post-processing requirements, especially in flexible semi-automated workflows.
Innovation Solution
A method that labels print jobs with digital label items capturing post-processing information, allowing for optimized sequencing and grouping of output stacks based on these labels, which are applied at the printer level to improve workflow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If print jobs are submitted in FIFO sequence without digital labelling, then the printing process is simple and fast, but the output stacks require manual re-sorting and cannot be optimized for post-processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary labelling of print jobs with digital label items containing post-processing information before printing. This advance preparation enables automated sequencing and batching decisions to be made based on the labelled information, eliminating the need for manual re-sorting after printing and optimizing the overall workflow efficiency.
2Productivity
If digital label items are added to print jobs at the printer level, then print job sequencing and batching can be optimized for post-processing, but the printer system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces digital label items as an intermediary data structure that carries post-processing information between the print job submission system and the printer. These label items serve as a standardized interface that enables optimized sequencing and batching without requiring complex integration with specific post-processing equipment, thereby managing system complexity while achieving productivity improvements.
3Ease of operation
If operators manually sort jobs on substrate parameters only, then the sorting process is simple, but other important parameters like post-processing time and delivery agreements cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The digital label items provide a universal tagging mechanism that can carry multiple types of information including substrate parameters, post-processing requirements, delivery agreements, and other workflow-critical data. This multi-functional labelling approach allows the same simple sorting interface to handle diverse optimization criteria, enhancing versatility without complicating the operator's workflow.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer and a method for labelling print jobs to be printed by the printer configured to output stacks of printed print media and comprising a print controller comprising a print job waiting room and a print job queue. Each print job is received in the print job waiting room or the print job queue. Each print job has a print job ticket with print job properties. For each print job at least one digital label item is established which is used to create a group of print jobs. The at least one digital label item is added to the print job ticket. For at least one set of at least one digital label item at least one output stack of print media is composed for print jobs in the print job waiting room or print job queue having at least one same set of the at least one digital label item. A time sequence order of composed output stacks for printing by the printer is determined based on the digital label items, and the output stacks are printed in the determined time sequence order.