Job Assignment for Shifted Sheet Refilling Timings
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a printing environment, sheet refilling delays occur when one printing device runs out of sheets while another is being refilled, leading to increased non-operating time due to simultaneous refilling needs.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that assigns jobs to multiple printing devices in a way that shifts their sheet refilling timings, ensuring these timings do not overlap, thereby allowing for sequential refilling without worker intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If jobs are assigned to multiple printing devices without considering refilling timing, then device utilization is maximized, but sheet refilling delays occur when multiple devices run out of sheets simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and predicts sheet refilling timing for each printing device in advance by monitoring remaining sheet counts and printing speeds. Jobs are reassigned before simultaneous refilling occurs, preventing downtime rather than reacting to it after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the state of printing devices including remaining sheet counts and printing speeds. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust job assignments and predict future refilling timing, enabling proactive management of refilling schedules.
2Ease of manufacture
If sheet refilling is performed manually for each printing device, then refilling can be completed, but worker intervention is required which increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages sheet refilling by calculating timing, notifying workers in advance, and reassigning jobs programmatically. This eliminates the need for manual monitoring and decision-making, allowing the printing system to service itself regarding refilling schedules.
3Loss of time
If jobs are reassigned to prevent simultaneous refilling, then non-operating time is reduced, but job assignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the timing parameter of job assignments based on calculated refilling predictions. By adjusting when jobs are assigned to which devices according to predicted refilling times, the system optimizes continuous operation without requiring complex manual scheduling.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a processor configured to: execute assignment of jobs to multiple printing devices such that sheet refilling timings of the multiple printing devices are shifted from each other.