RIP Unit Mediates Inkjet Printer and Production Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital inkjet printing systems lack the capability for real-time monitoring and efficient communication between production planning and scheduling systems and inkjet printers, leading to difficulties in managing print job status, media changes, and ink usage, resulting in inefficiencies and quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A system that connects inkjet printers to production planning and scheduling systems through a RIP unit, enabling bidirectional communication and automated management of print jobs, media, and ink usage, ensuring consistent output quality by defining and storing production parameters within a digital job ticket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual procedures are used for status updates and job management, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to time-consuming communication and monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a RIP unit as an intermediary component between the inkjet printer and the production planning system. This RIP unit acts as a mediator that receives print jobs from the planning system, manages the printing process, and reports status information back to the system, thereby enabling automated monitoring without requiring direct complex integration between all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the inkjet printer and RIP unit automatically send status information (job completion, media status, ink levels, errors) back to the production planning and scheduling system. This real-time feedback enables automated production monitoring and scheduling adjustments without manual intervention.
2Productivity
If production planning and scheduling systems are implemented, then productivity and resource optimization improve, but ease of operation worsens due to the inability of current inkjet systems to communicate actively with these systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the inkjet printer and RIP unit to self-report their status, job completion, and resource levels (media, ink) to the production planning system without requiring manual data entry or verification. The system automatically monitors and communicates its own operational state, reducing the operational burden on users.
Solution Approach 2:
The RIP unit serves as an intermediary that translates between the production planning system's scheduling commands and the inkjet printer's operational status, enabling seamless communication and integration between systems that previously could not actively exchange information.
3Productivity
If media changes and ink set switching are performed manually, then device complexity is minimized, but loss of time and productivity increase due to time-consuming preparation and purging steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where the production planning and scheduling system proactively monitors media and ink levels, and automatically schedules media changes and ink set switching before depletion occurs. This preliminary action prevents production interruptions and eliminates the need for urgent manual interventions that cause delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The inkjet printer and RIP unit continuously monitor and report media and ink levels to the production planning system. This feedback enables automated scheduling of media changes and ink switching, allowing these operations to be planned and executed efficiently without manual tracking or emergency interventions.
4Loss of information
If paper-based job tickets are used for each print job, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases due to manual parameter setting that varies with operator skill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/paper-based job ticket system with a digital job ticket system that is electronically transmitted from the production planning system to the RIP unit and printer. This substitution eliminates manual parameter setting and ensures consistent, accurate transmission of all production parameters including print settings, media type, and quality requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital job ticket creates an exact electronic copy of all production parameters and job specifications, ensuring that the same information is accurately transmitted to both the RIP unit and printer without the variability and errors associated with manual interpretation of paper-based tickets.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet printer is placed in communications with a print production planning and scheduling system to allow planning, monitoring, and adjusting of an automatic digital (ink jet) printing production line. In one embodiment, the order of the print jobs is defined by the print shop owner or by the associated supervisor. Each job becomes a paper based (printed) job ticket and the order in which the jobs arrive at the print operator side defines the print order. The same is true for the order at the RIP side. Any change in regards to this order requires a direct communication of the print shop owner or supervisor with the printer or RIP operator.