Printing System Quality Verification via PRX Data Format

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current commercial printing systems lack a unified data format for interpreting quality requirements for each print job and executing quality verification processes at appropriate times, leading to inefficiencies and increased workload for operators.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a unified data format, PRX (Print Requirement eXchange), and PQX (Print Quality eXchange) allows for the standardized transmission of quality requirements and reports, enabling the workflow management server to interpret these requirements and coordinate the appropriate quality verification processes within the production system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a unified data format (PRX/PQX) is introduced for quality requirements and reports, then the efficiency of interpreting and executing quality verification processes is improved, but the initial system complexity increases due to the need for standardized data format implementation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of interpreting and executing quality verification processesVSAvoidsystem complexity for standardized data format implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a universal data format (PRX/PQX) that can be used across different printing systems and devices to exchange quality requirements and reports. This standardized format allows various apparatuses to communicate quality information consistently, improving overall system efficiency despite the initial complexity of implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified data format acts as an intermediary standard between different printing apparatuses and the workflow management system. By establishing this common language, the patent enables efficient interpretation and execution of quality verification processes without requiring complex custom integrations for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If quality verification processes are executed at appropriate timings coordinated with print jobs, then the quality assurance is improved, but the process complexity increases due to timing coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality assuranceVSAvoidprocess complexity for timing coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent determines the quality verification process and its timing in advance based on the print job requirements. By pre-planning when and how quality verification will be executed, the system ensures reliable quality assurance without adding complex real-time coordination requirements during actual printing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system executes quality verification processes at appropriate timings and uses the results to ensure quality requirements are met. The feedback from quality verification is integrated into the printing workflow, allowing for real-time quality assurance while maintaining coordinated timing through the standardized data format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If the workflow management server coordinates quality verification processes, then the automation level is improved, but the centralization of control increases the server's operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation level of quality verification coordinationVSAvoidserver operational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the quality verification coordination function into the workflow management server, consolidating control over the entire printing and quality verification process. This centralization improves automation by allowing the server to coordinate all quality verification processes based on the standardized PRX/PQX data formats, reducing the need for separate coordination mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3882759B1Printing system, production system, and method of controlling production system
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 CANON KK
  • EP3882759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3882759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3882759B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A printing system comprises an order receiving system, an information processing apparatus, and one or more production systems. The order receiving system receives print data, generates quality requirement data, and sends the print data and the quality requirement data to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus decides a production system to be used based on the received quality requirement data, and generates a print job having identification information of a quality verification process and submits the print job to the determined production system. The production system executes the quality verification process corresponding to the identification information, and if a condition set by the quality verification process is not met, executes an adjustment process for meeting the condition, and executes the print job when the adjustment process has been completed.