Printing System Print Start Time Calculation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems often fail to print teaching materials at the desired date and time specified by users, leading to inefficiencies and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A printing system comprising a first terminal apparatus, a printing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus that communicates to determine and instruct the start time for printing based on the completion date and time, and the required turnaround period, ensuring that printing commences at the designated time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the printing system uses conventional printing control methods, then the printing process is simple, but the printing cannot be completed at the desired date and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting completion timing accuracyVSAvoidprinting control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the print start date and time based on the desired completion date and time plus the turnaround period. The information processing apparatus calculates the required start time in advance and transmits this pre-calculated timing information to the printing apparatus, ensuring printing completes at the desired time without adding complex real-time control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If the system calculates print start time based on completion date and turnaround period, then printing can be scheduled accurately, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting scheduling accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus serves as an intermediary between the terminal apparatus and the printing apparatus. It receives the desired completion date and time from the terminal, calculates the appropriate start time using the turnaround period, and transmits the print start instruction with the calculated timing to the printing apparatus. This intermediary approach enables accurate scheduling without requiring complex control logic in the printing apparatus itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the printing apparatus waits for instructions to print, then printing can be controlled precisely, but printing may not start on time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting control precisionVSAvoidprinting start timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the print start date and time based on the desired completion date and time plus the turnaround period. The information processing apparatus calculates the required start time in advance and transmits this pre-calculated timing information to the printing apparatus, ensuring printing completes at the desired time without adding complex real-time control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12137192B2Printing system, method for controlling printing system, and information processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.11.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A server apparatus includes an acceptance section that accepts from a personal computer a print completion date and time that is the date and time when printing of a teaching material content is completed, a determination section that determines a print start date and time that is the date and time to start printing the teaching material content based on the print completion date and time and a print turnaround period that is the period required to print the teaching material content, and a print instruction section that transmits to the printer a print start instruction that instructs start of the printing of the teaching material content at the print start date and time, and the printer includes a print execution section that starts printing the teaching material content at the print start date and time when the printer receives the print start instruction from the server apparatus.