Printing Apparatus Job Priority Control via Short-Range Radio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses lack efficient prioritization and management of print jobs received through different communication networks, particularly short-range radio communication, leading to delays and inefficiencies in printing order and job transfer.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a printing data storing unit and a printing order adjusting unit that prioritizes print jobs based on communication units, ensuring higher priority for short-range radio communication data, allowing for immediate printing or queue adjustment to expedite data output, and includes a print job management table to manage and transfer print jobs across networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If print jobs are processed in first-come-first-served order without prioritization, then processing simplicity is maintained, but printing efficiency and responsiveness to urgent jobs deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of job priority by introducing a priority value associated with each communication unit. When a print job is received, the system determines the communication unit used and assigns priority based on pre-set values, transforming the job queue from a simple FIFO structure to a priority-based structure that improves printing efficiency without complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-setting priority values for different communication units before print jobs arrive. This allows the printing apparatus to automatically prioritize jobs from short-range radio communication without requiring real-time analysis or complex decision-making during job processing, thus improving efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity
2Loss of time
If all print jobs are processed sequentially without priority adjustment, then processing fairness is maintained, but response time for urgent short-range communication jobs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a priority parameter that changes the processing order of print jobs. Jobs from short-range radio communication are assigned higher priority values, causing them to be processed ahead of lower-priority jobs from other communication units, thereby reducing printing delay for urgent jobs while maintaining automatic queue management
3Productivity
If print jobs from different communication units are mixed without distinction, then network versatility is maintained, but job prioritization and transfer efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of job metadata by adding communication unit identification and priority values to each print job. This allows the system to distinguish between jobs from different networks (maintaining versatility) while applying priority-based processing and transfer rules (improving efficiency), as the system can handle multiple communication units differently based on their assigned priorities
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing data storing unit and a printing order adjusting unit. The printing data storing unit stores received printing data. The printing order adjusting unit adjusts an order of printing of printing data received through short-range radio communication to be higher than an order of printing of printing data stored in the printing data storing unit.