Printing Network Matching Excess Capacity

Solution Overview

Problem

The traditional process of purchasing commercial color printing is time-consuming and costly for businesses due to reliance on ad agencies and bidding systems, which lead to inefficient use of production capacity in the printing industry.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes a printing network to match live print orders with printing partners having excess capacity, using a standardized distribution system that directs orders based on factors like printing capabilities, location, and rating, allowing partners to select jobs at a fixed price without bidding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a bidding system is used to match print orders with printing companies, then more companies can compete for work, but the process becomes time-intensive and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to match orders with companiesVSAvoidtime spent on bidding process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Printing companies pre-submit their capacity and pricing information to the database before orders arrive. When an order is placed, the system instantly matches it with compatible companies based on pre-stored criteria, eliminating the need for time-consuming bidding processes while maintaining competitive pricing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary database system that sits between order sources and printing companies. This intermediary automatically matches orders with companies based on pre-submitted capacity and pricing data, replacing the traditional bidding intermediary (human bid evaluators) with an automated system that reduces time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If printing companies bid on more jobs to ensure enough work, then they can maintain capacity utilization, but they risk receiving more work than they can handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity utilizationVSAvoidability to complete assigned work

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where printing companies indicate their current capacity status and workload limits in the database. The matching system continuously monitors this feedback and automatically adjusts order assignments to ensure companies are not overloaded, maintaining reliable completion rates while maximizing capacity utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic capacity management where printing companies can update their available capacity in real-time based on current workload. The system dynamically adjusts which orders are assigned to which companies, allowing flexible response to changing capacity conditions while ensuring no company is assigned more work than it can handle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bidding system is used, then companies can compete for work, but the process is risky and forces companies to bid on more work than they can do

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to obtain workVSAvoidrisk of overload

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary database system that sits between order sources and printing companies. This intermediary automatically matches orders with companies based on pre-submitted capacity and pricing data, replacing the traditional bidding intermediary (human bid evaluators) with an automated system that reduces time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where printing companies indicate their current capacity status and workload limits in the database. The matching system continuously monitors this feedback and automatically adjusts order assignments to ensure companies are not overloaded, maintaining reliable completion rates while maximizing capacity utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7796283B2System and method for utilizing excess printing capability

Publication Date: 2010.09.14 PFL TECH INC

AI summary

The present invention is a system and method for utilizing excess printing capacity. The present invention utilizes a printing network that consists of a printing service provider, one or more print jobs, a printing distribution system, and printing partners. The printing service provider uses a printing distribution system to distribute standardized print jobs to printing partners at a fixed price.