Printing System Operator Assignment via Customer History

Solution Overview

Problem

In printing systems, the preference of customers for print quality is not adequately reflected in the assignment of operators due to operator skill evaluations based solely on company standards, leading to mismatches between customer preferences and operator capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A printing system that stores history information on operator performance and printer usage, allowing for the determination of responsible operators and printers based on customer satisfaction and operator-track records, ensuring that operators with better chemistry with specific customers and proficiency with specific printers are assigned.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If operator skill is determined on the basis of company evaluation criteria, then operator skill can be standardized and objectively measured, but customer preferences for work results cannot be reflected in operator assignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator skill evaluationVSAvoidcustomer preference adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing customer satisfaction information and operator performance data before assignment decisions are made. The determination part accumulates history information about which operators satisfy which customers, and uses this pre-collected data to make informed assignments that reflect customer preferences rather than just company standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using customer satisfaction information as input for future assignment decisions. The determination part receives feedback from customers about their satisfaction with previous work results, and this feedback loops back into the assignment process to improve future operator-customer matching, creating a continuous improvement cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If a responsible operator is uniquely determined on the basis of operator skill, then assignment efficiency is improved, but the ability to reflect customer preferences is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassignment efficiencyVSAvoidcustomer preference reflection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing customer satisfaction information and operator performance data before assignment decisions are made. The determination part accumulates history information about which operators satisfy which customers, and uses this pre-collected data to make informed assignments that reflect customer preferences rather than just company standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using customer satisfaction information as input for future assignment decisions. The determination part receives feedback from customers about their satisfaction with previous work results, and this feedback loops back into the assignment process to improve future operator-customer matching, creating a continuous improvement cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If operator assignment is based on company skill standards, then internal consistency is maintained, but customer satisfaction may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassignment consistencyVSAvoidcustomer satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing customer satisfaction information and operator performance data before assignment decisions are made. The determination part accumulates history information about which operators satisfy which customers, and uses this pre-collected data to make informed assignments that reflect customer preferences rather than just company standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using customer satisfaction information as input for future assignment decisions. The determination part receives feedback from customers about their satisfaction with previous work results, and this feedback loops back into the assignment process to improve future operator-customer matching, creating a continuous improvement cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8743402B2Printing system for selecting a printer and operator, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2014.06.03 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

A printing system comprises a storage part for storing therein first history information on the number of responsible printing operations of each operator by orderer and second history information on the number of uses of each printer by operator, and a determination part for determining a responsible operator to be in charge of printing of a new print order from a specific orderer and a processing printer to be used by the responsible operator in the printing of the new print order on the basis of the first history information and the second history information.