Printing Management System Capability Change Job Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In commercial printing systems, frequent changes in printing requirements lead to increased printing operation interrupting time due to the need for sheet replacements and manual management of print job orders, especially when handling multiple sheet sizes and varying customer requests.

Innovation Solution

A printing management system that includes a scheduling unit to match print jobs with the capabilities of image forming apparatuses and a capability change job generator to adjust these capabilities, allowing for the queuing of print jobs even when sheet sizes do not initially match, thereby reducing the need for immediate sheet replacements and optimizing job order changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If print jobs are processed immediately with strict matching of sheet sizes, then processing speed is improved, but printing operation interrupting time increases due to frequent sheet replacements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidprinting operation interrupting time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by generating capability change jobs in advance to modify the image forming apparatus's sheet size capability before print jobs arrive. This allows the apparatus to be pre-configured for upcoming print jobs, eliminating the need for interrupting operations to change sheets. The scheduling unit queues print jobs based on anticipated capability changes, ensuring continuous processing without interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual management of print job order is implemented, then job scheduling flexibility is improved, but operator workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob scheduling flexibilityVSAvoidoperator workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically managing print job scheduling and capability change coordination. The scheduling unit autonomously queues print jobs based on the generated capability change jobs, and the system automatically tracks and executes capability modifications. This eliminates the need for manual operator intervention in scheduling decisions, reducing workload while maintaining flexible job ordering capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If sheet replacements are performed immediately when size mismatch occurs, then printing accuracy is improved, but operational continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting accuracyVSAvoidoperational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary capability changes by generating capability change jobs that modify the image forming apparatus's sheet size configuration before print jobs requiring different sheet sizes are queued. This ensures the apparatus is already configured for the correct sheet size when print jobs arrive, maintaining printing accuracy while avoiding operational interruptions for sheet replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple printer devices with different capabilities are introduced, then system versatility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamics by enabling the image forming apparatus to dynamically change its capabilities through capability change jobs. Instead of requiring multiple static printer devices with fixed capabilities, a single apparatus can adapt its sheet size and other parameters dynamically based on queued print job requirements. This reduces system complexity while maintaining versatility across different printing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2495649B1Printing management device, printing management method, printing system and recording medium

Publication Date: 2017.11.22 RICOH CO LTD

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AI summary

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium includes a printing management program, which, when processed by a computer, causes the computer to function as a scheduling unit configured to schedule a print job in an image forming apparatus, the print job having a printing capability that matches a printing capability set in the image forming apparatus; and a capability change job generator configured to generate a capability change job having an instruction to change the printing capability set in the image forming apparatus. When the capability change job generated by the capability change job generator is scheduled in the image forming apparatus, the scheduling unit schedules the print job having the printing capability that matches the printing capability changed by the capability change job after the capability change job.