Workflow Identification Merging Unique Job Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printing workflow systems, existing technologies face challenges in associating information across different processes without replacing identification information, leading to potential mixing up of jobs with the same name during additional processing such as re-outputting, division, or combining, which can result in operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a unique information generation unit that generates unique identifiers for jobs undergoing additional processing, which are then added to the job name to create new identification information, allowing for distinct management and association of jobs across the workflow system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If identification information is replaced with different identification information, then jobs can be uniquely identified during additional processing, but the original identification information is lost and jobs may become difficult to trace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the original identification information with additional unique information (such as process ID, sequence number) to create composite identification information. This combining approach preserves the original ID while adding uniqueness, allowing both traceability and unique identification during additional processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds multiple layers of identification information within each other, where the original identification information is nested within the composite identification structure. This nested approach allows the system to maintain the original ID while adding additional unique identifiers, enabling both tracking and unique identification simultaneously.
2Reliability
If unique information is added to create new identification information, then jobs undergoing additional processing can be distinctly managed, but the complexity of identification management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification information into distinct components (original ID, process ID, sequence number), allowing each component to serve a specific function. This segmentation makes the complex identification system more manageable by breaking it down into understandable parts that can be processed independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of identification information by adding structured elements (process ID, sequence number) with specific formats and rules. This parameterization approach standardizes the complexity, making it easier to manage through defined parameters rather than arbitrary complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If jobs with the same name are processed through additional processing stages, then processing flexibility is improved, but jobs may be mixed up leading to operational errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by adding unique identification elements (process ID, sequence number) to jobs before they enter additional processing stages. This pre-identification ensures that even jobs with the same name can be distinguished throughout the processing pipeline, preventing mixing up while maintaining processing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the composite identification information is tracked and verified through each processing stage. This feedback ensures that jobs maintain their correct association throughout additional processing, allowing flexible processing while preventing job mixing through continuous verification.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a generation unit, an adding unit, and an association unit. The generation unit generates, in a case where additional processing needs to be performed on input information in a workflow, unique information for uniquely identifying the information. The adding unit adds the unique information generated by the generation unit to identification information for identifying the information to generate new identification information of the information. The association unit associates the new identification information generated by the adding unit with the information.