Printing System Capability Test and Job Ticket Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the commercial printing industry, printing systems face challenges in efficiently processing print jobs designated by job tickets, particularly in environments where device capabilities change frequently, leading to increased user frustration and costs due to failed print outputs.

Innovation Solution

A printing system that conducts a device capability information test to determine if it can process a job ticket, allowing it to quickly process tickets it can handle without needing a full test, thereby improving user-friendliness and reducing costs by avoiding failed print outputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the printing system conducts a full device capability information test for every job ticket, then the reliability of print processing is improved, but the processing time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of print processingVSAvoidprocessing speed of job tickets
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs capability information tests in advance during device initialization or configuration changes, storing the results for later use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated full tests during job processing, thereby maintaining reliability while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of conducting complete capability tests for every job ticket, the system performs partial tests only when necessary (e.g., when device capabilities may have changed) and uses stored test results for routine jobs. This partial action reduces processing time while maintaining sufficient reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If the printing system performs comprehensive device capability testing, then the accuracy of job ticket processing determination is improved, but the complexity of the processing procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of capability determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of processing procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capability testing process is segmented into two parts: comprehensive testing during initialization/configuration changes, and simple lookup during job processing. This segmentation maintains measurement precision while reducing the complexity of routine processing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of capability information test results and stores them for later reference. This allows the system to maintain accurate capability determination without repeatedly performing complex tests, thereby reducing processing procedure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If the printing system uses stored capability information without verification, then the processing speed is improved, but the reliability of job ticket execution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speed of job ticketsVSAvoidreliability of job ticket execution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms to verify stored capability information is still valid before use. This feedback loop maintains reliability by detecting changes in device capabilities while preserving the speed benefits of using stored information rather than performing new tests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically updates capability information storage based on device state changes. This dynamic approach ensures that stored information remains accurate and reliable while allowing fast processing by avoiding redundant tests during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2184675B1Printing system, information processing apparatus, print job processing method, information processing method, program, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 CANON KK
  • EP2184675B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2184675B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2184675B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device capability information associated with a print job is specified, and it is determined whether the specified device capability information is valid in a printing system. If it is determined that the specified device capability information is valid, print processing is done. If it is determined that the specified device capability information is invalid, it is further determined whether the printing system can execute the print job. Then, execution of the print processing is controlled.