Virtual Printer Pool for Multi-Copy Job Splitting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Print shop operators face challenges in efficiently managing multi-copy print jobs across a pool of printers with varying capabilities, leading to potential operator errors and inefficiencies in printing speed.
Innovation Solution
A system that represents a pool of multiple printers as a virtual printer, automatically splits multi-copy print jobs into child jobs, and distributes them across available printers to optimize printing speed and reduce operator error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple printers with varying capabilities are used to print multi-copy jobs, then printing speed is improved, but operator error increases and job distribution becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic job splitting and printer selection without operator intervention. The print server automatically divides multi-copy jobs into child jobs and distributes them to appropriate printers based on capabilities, eliminating the need for operators to manually manage complex multi-printer coordination while maintaining high printing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The print server acts as an intermediary between the user and the printer pool. It receives the print job, automatically splits it into multiple child jobs, intelligently selects appropriate printers based on job requirements and printer capabilities, and manages the distribution and tracking of all child jobs, thereby shielding the operator from complexity and potential errors.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual printer selection is used for multi-copy jobs, then printer capability matching is achieved, but printing speed decreases and operator workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of printer capabilities and job requirements before job distribution. The print server pre-evaluates which printers are suitable for specific child jobs based on their capabilities, and pre-establishes the distribution plan, enabling rapid automatic allocation that matches printer capabilities while maintaining high printing speed without manual operator intervention.
3Productivity
If automatic job splitting is implemented, then printing speed is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The print server is designed as a universal system that consolidates multiple functions: it acts as a job receiver, automatic splitter, printer selector, job distributor, and progress tracker. By centralizing these functions in a single multi-functional system, the patent manages complexity internally while presenting a simplified interface to users and maintaining high printing speed through automated operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for automatically splitting multi-copy print jobs across a printer pool represented by a virtual printer. The system includes a print server, and the print server includes an interface and a controller. The interface is able to present a pool of multiple printers as a virtual printer, and to receive a multi-copy print job directed to the virtual printer. The controller is able to identify printers from the pool that are available for printing the print job, to split the print job into multiple child jobs that each include a separate copy of print data for the print job, and to queue the child jobs at the available printers.