A system for generically describing and scheduling operation of a modular printing machine

This invention relates generally to the field of printing machines, and more particularly to photo-duplicating machines such as copiers.

The invention is particularly applicable to the automated scheduling of print jobs according to the capabilities associated with modular components forming a printing press, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that the invention has a broader application, such as in achieving automated mapping of machine capabilities with respect to modular components, as well as order-specific use in an efficient manner with respect thereto. Today's machines, such as photocopiers, are often made from prefabricated components or components. Such manufacture enables mass production for each of the subassemblies of a machine while at the same time allowing for customization to the needs of the consumer. Furthermore, a consumer is provided with means that enable him to modify or enhance the capabilities of an existing base unit.

Prior distributed print and distributed job scheduling systems can be found in US-5,287,194 and US-5,363,175, both owned by the present inventors.

Further, US-A-4,924,320 describes a modular type image forming system comprising a laser printer main unit and a plurality of optional units such as a double-sided processing unit, a large amount of paper feeding unit and a mailbox unit , each of which is operatively connected to the main unit via a commonly-used optical fiber cable via a commonly-used connector. Each unit has its own CPU and serial communications between the CPUs of different units can be made through the optical cables. The CPU of the master unit may determine the identity of each of the optional units associated therewith via such communications. The main unit also includes an interface circuit via which the main unit is operatively connected to each of the optional units. The interface circuit includes a port selector which establishes a connection pattern between the main and optional units in accordance with the identity information of each of the optional units connected thereto.

US-A-5,124,809 describes an image forming system comprising a processor, a printing machine and optional units. A serial signal line connects the press and the optional units. The processor has a command-sending function of sending the press a command that asks the press whether or not the print engine can communicate with each of the optional units. The printing machine has a function of managing a variety of information, including data related to the status of the optional units, and a function of determining, depending on the command, whether each of the optional units is in a communication-enabled state it can communicate with the printing engine on the basis of the managed information, and a function of sending to the processor a response indicating information whether each of the optional units is in the communication-active state.

EP 735 430 A2 describes a method for scheduling a job in an imaging system that includes capturing criteria of the job, determining applicable constraints based on one or more of the criteria, inputs entered into the imaging system, and / or the Imaging system to issue the order, so that the restrictions are met, thereby maximizing the throughput includes. Each job includes a plurality of images to be processed by the imaging system that includes at least one imaging device.

One point with regard to a modular design of integrated units is the configuration and optimization of the use of a completed system. While this is a point that concerns the manufacturer of an initial entity, this may even be a larger area affecting the end user. End users are often technically inexperienced. However, they have a desire to expand the capability of a machine, while it is also a desire to preserve the value of their initial investments. Consumers are also barred from costs associated with engaging a skilled person to upgrade or configure existing equipment.

An object of the present invention is to provide both a new and improved system and method for automatically assigning and using a machine capability to overcome the above problems, and others, which enable increased utility and configuration before and after the machine leaves the factory.

This object is achieved by the system as claimed in independent claim 1 and the method as claimed in independent claim 8. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject matters of the dependent claims.

In accordance with the present invention, a system is provided for generally and uniquely describing capabilities of various individual modular machine components.

The present system is for acquiring module data representing functional characteristics of each of one or more machine modules. Descriptive data associated with each such module represents a structure or function of that particular module. The system functions to obtain adjustment data representing a mechanical or electrical relationship between one or more machine modules. An input / output unit receives requested description data and setting data in a scheduler. A comparator is located in the scheduler and is used to parse descriptor data and setup data to determine a set of machine functions that is operable by a machine shape from one or more machine modules.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for automatically detecting the presence of one or more subassemblies and communicating their various functional descriptions to a centralized processor unit for evaluation and analysis.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system is for efficient, automated scheduling of a plurality of print jobs of different or varying characteristics.

An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a printing press that can be easily and automatically configured with respect to different or varying subassemblies.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a printing press that can be easily configured for maximum potential by an end user.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a printing machine that maximizes print throughput by efficiently scheduling and using modular subassemblies in accordance with user-specified print jobs.

The present invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic of a representative modular printing machine employing the automated configuration and scheduling of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a flow chart detailing the hierarchical order of operations to carry out the configuration and scheduling of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a representative general description of a printing press component as used in connection with the present automated scheduling and configuration of the present invention;

Figures 4A-4B indicate various modules suitable for use in the present invention; and

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of modules interconnected in accordance with the present invention to form a generalized fabrication unit.

Turning now to the drawings, whose purpose is to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having a modular printing machine A comprising a plurality of modules or sub-assemblies B and a data processing unit for configuration and scheduling C includes. Representative printing modules in B are shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 enclosed. As used herein, "printing machine" includes any reprographic machine such as printers, copiers, facsimile machines, and the like.

As will be explained in detail below, various capabilities provided with each of the modules B are fixed and correlated in the data processor unit C. Such correlated and analyzed data is further analyzed for user input defining a desired printer operation, or series of operations. This is in turn used to perform an operation or Optimize the operating mode of the printing press, schedule and control it in order to perform the series of printing tasks in the most efficient manner. The present system will be described by way of example in connection with a copying machine. It will be appreciated that the generic description, resource estimation and scheduling may be practiced on any modular material handling system.

In the particular example of Fig. 1, the modules B are illustrated as comprising a plurality of paper supply trays. As shown, these compartments include 10, 12 and 14. The plurality of compartments may serve different paper sizes or a secondary or reserved storage capability. A sheet feeding mechanism is shown schematically at 16. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, a sheet feeder such as that illustrated at 16 will function to obtain a sheet supply of one or more of the trays.

The feeder 16 will supply a sheet supply to a conveyor 18 (note: not included in the broken lines). The conveyor will in turn feed the sheet stock to a printing mechanism 20, the particular configuration of which will be within the understanding of those skilled in the art. Also shown in the figure is an inverting mechanism 30 which can selectively invert or deflect sheet material that advances along the conveyor 18. A recycle unit 32 is provided for returning sheet material to the printer mechanism 20 for duplex printing thereof.

In the illustration, the conveyor 18 provides a path to a stapling mechanism 34 for selective stapling of printed documents. The final component shown in the group of modules B represents a plurality of output bins, represented by shelves 38 and 40.

It will be appreciated that some modules may be mechanical, some may consist of a mixture of mechanical and computerized devices, and some may consist only of computational devices. By way of example, with reference to the latter, a module may include a processor, a data store, and an instruction store, and a set of functions capable of receiving image data from a user input to process the image data. and to send them to another module for printing. Depending on the speed of these functions, such a module is scheduled and controlled in a manner similar to all other modules B. The invention is intended for all such modules. Various example modules will be described below in connection with FIG. 4.

Turning now to the data processor unit C, it includes a data input / output ("I / O") unit 40 which is in data communication with a central processing unit ("CPU") / memory scheduler. Unit 42 stands, the details of which will be described further below. A data path is provided between the data I / O unit 40 and each of the modules B. It will be appreciated that such a data processor unit may be located in one of the modules B or may be implemented on a separate device connected to the modules.

In the preferred embodiment, each module B therein includes a description associated with various functions and capabilities thereof. The details of such general description are given in detail below. The data path between each of the illustrated modules and the data I / O unit allows acquisition to the data processor unit C for the entire description. In the preferred embodiment, any module B will communicate its associated description to the data I / O unit under connection to the modular printing machine A.

This feature enables the capability of "plug-and-play" the present system.

Data interconnections between the data I / O unit 40 and the data processor 10 and the various modules B also enable activation of a control unit thereof. As a result, the data processor unit C has received from the available modules the full set of capabilities of the modular press A. This information, coupled with the user input 44 to the data I / O unit 40, enables efficient scheduling of available, modular resources to perform a series of print jobs using the available components.

Referring next to Fig. 2, the basic format for general printing machine description and scheduling will be described. As indicated earlier, earlier attempts at scheduling software for an automated press were based on an analysis of a complete machine configuration. The results of this analysis are required to write associated software specifics to a particular configuration. In contrast, the present system is used to separate scheduling software into two parts. In the first part, a scheduler architecture is provided with general algorithms. In a second part, machine-specific information is also provided in a format detailed below.

Given a document to be printed on a given press, a scheduler is provided that identifies, schedules, and initiates machine operations to produce a document. In the illustration of Fig. 1, such operations may include feeding sheets, moving sheets, preparing images, transferring images to sheets, and so forth. It will be appreciated that a document to be printed typically arrives incrementally (e.g., sheet by sheet). Scheduling and execution (printing) usually take place simultaneously. As a result, machine-specific information used by a scheduler is advantageously structured such that the scheduler is able to identify which operations will generate the required sheet. Furthermore, the system must be aware of limitations that must be considered when scheduling operations. In addition, the system is provided with means by which it can send appropriate commands to the modules to enable them to perform their available functions.

In the diagram of Fig. 2, a specific system for preparing the machine-specific information is shown. The system begins by using declarative descriptions (models) of printing press modules in block 100. Such a model advantageously includes a description of the structure of a module and the potential behavior of its components. As in the example of FIG. 1 Possible components include feed chutes, conveyor belts, transmission components, inverters, gates, etc. Potential behaviors may, for example, either bypass an inverter or use it to invert a sheet. The step of model building is typically performed by an engineer using a modeling language, the details of a preferred embodiment of which are set forth below.

At block 102, a module has already been modeled by its components. Next, an automatic derivation of potential behaviors of an entire module from information obtained from the component models is created. By way of example, this derivation can be performed by simulation or partial evaluation and by planning. As a simulation, conventionally, the execution of models is understood to reflect the execution of the real system. Partial evaluation is commonly understood to be the partial execution of programs, leaving some portions of the programs un-executed and to be evaluated at a later date. Planning is conventionally understood as the detection of all potential behaviors of a system by, for example, repetitive and in various ways practicing simulation or partial evaluation of its models. The resulting module behavior is an output generated by a particular behavior, inputs from which the output is generated, individual operations required to generate it (its "route description") as well as various constraints in terms of resources and timings observed when the operations are performed. Some or all of this information may advantageously be pre-assembled. By way of example, this can be assembled into finite state machines.

When print engine modules B (FIG. 1) are mated together to form a new configuration, different module behaviors are assembled and automatically assembled via the data processor unit C to generate potential behaviors of a complete press A.

The above-mentioned composition is also suitably enabled to occur dynamically, that is, at each time a behavior is to be selected by the scheduler, it assembles module behaviors on-the-fly. As a result, a composition can be made only once (after modules are first put together), or at any time they are needed. The latter option has the advantage of taking dynamic module changes into account. As a result, the system may complete the sequence of FIG. 2 any time a machine behavior is selected. It can be a hindrance to do so because of the time-consuming calculations. However, this can be a more efficient measure in specific cases. In block 104, as stated above, the overall behavior is modeled advantageously in a format similar to that associated with the behavior of the individual module, as noted above. In accordance with overall behavior, the system provides an output description (for a behavioral identification), resource and timing constraints (for a sequence flow), and data having a route description (for subsequent control of machine operations).

Next, part of machine behavior information is advantageously assembled for efficient use in an appropriate scheduler algorithm, at which point the system proceeds to block 106. As an example, an aggregation of potential interactions of timing and resource constraints may be made with respect to a finite state machine. At block 108, a full set of compiled behaviors has been obtained.

Finally, at block 110, an output description of machine behaviors is used by a general scheduler to identify behaviors that will generate a source document, specifying the original constraints (either in original or aggregated form). These are used to find a correct timing for each particular operation of a behavior and route descriptions used to initiate necessary operations of the modules B.

While the foregoing description has been given in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that not all steps are required to provide a usable system. For example, only part of all components need to be modeled and a compilation of all constraints need not be performed.

With the system described above, modular ("plug and play") scheduling of printing press modules is facilitated. The system also allows the reuse of scheduling software for a wide range of configurations. It serves to automate all steps except that of obtaining the initial description of the discrete modules making up the machine and developing the general scheduling algorithms.

Referring now to Figure 3, a particular system for modeling a component behavior will be described. The particular system of the preferred embodiment is for describing press engine component behavior for press analysis, simulation, and scheduling. As noted above, the basic general description method is also applicable to various other modular systems.

In the present description method, a structure and a behavior of components are described in terms of capabilities (potential operations) for which limitations on work units, timings, and resources are indicated. This model-indicating system provides a structural and behavioral set of components for analyzing and simulating component interactions in presses. The system is particularly applicable to a scheduling operation of modular printing machines.

The present scheme may be used to describe printing press components so that printing presses made therefrom may be described by compilation of component descriptions. Furthermore, various applications may be automatically performed with respect to the resulting printing press description. This allows automatic use of such information for analysis, simulation, and scheduling, and thus related printing press applications. In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, descriptions associated with an inverter 150, analogous to the inverter 30 of FIG. 1, are provided with 150 '. Components of a model structure and a behavior are determined by both the physics of the components themselves as well as an application context in which a model is used. In the system, a structural model of a component is defined to consist of its physical interface, software interface, and internal resources. For example, a physical interface is an entrance opening 152 along which work units (blades) enter and an opening 154 from which the work units exit. An associated software interface works primarily for control commands and parameters. Internal resources are defined as objects needed to perform a particular behavior, and where multiple uses of the object are limited by repeated execution of the behavior. By way of example in FIG. 3, a resource is defined as the location of an associated gate 156. Another example of a resource is a space 158 between opposite exit rollers 160 of the inversion device 150, particularly shown at 150 '. Hereby, as at most points of the paper path, there is enough space for only one sheet at a single time. As a result, the space 158 is defined as a resource. Which objects are to be modeled as resources lies within the scope of the person building the model and will be known by those skilled in the art. Typically, at least one location within a component (e.g., at the entrance to or exit from a component) where moving objects occupy a space, or otherwise require exclusive use of a component part, is defined as a resource.

A behavioral model of a component is used to describe capabilities of the particular components with respect to how the component can operate in terms of work units moving through the component. Furthermore, the behavior dictates that constraints must be considered when performing the associated behavior.

A component capability is d defined to consist of a description of work units and a transformation of work units, time-aligned events, similar to the input and output of a work item, resource assignments for that transformation, and constraints on the Timing of such events and resource assignments exists. Work units are advantageously described in terms of their attributes. Restrictions and transformations of work units are advantageously described in terms of limitations on their attributes.

In Fig. 3, some additional model descriptions are given. These include a description associated with a particular unit of work, such as a sheet, shown at 164. A control situation, such as whether the inverter 150 is bypassed or not, or whether it is to be used for inversion, is shown at 166. A timing parameter, for example, a specification of a path length and a roll speed is obtained at 168. By way of example, associated timing constraints are conveniently obtained using a formula based on path length and roll speed, for example, where a time end can be defined as a start of time plus path length divided by the roll speed. Certain values ​​are also suitable parameters of the model, e.g. For example, the path length of a given inverter may be fixed while a roller speed may vary, and therefore may be adjusted by the environment with respect to a model being used. A roll speed parameter is shown at 170.

By way of a specific example, the following listing provides a suitable model of inverting device, as illustrated in connection with FIG. 3:

This model provides two parameters (length and speed - length and speed), an entry port (in), an exit port (out), three resources (inR, outR and GateR, of types Signal respectively State) and six variables (of Types Sheet and Interval). Then the model defines two abilities (bypassing and inverting). For the "Bypass" capability, it is defined that a leaf s occurs at time t_in and exits at time t_out, that allocations are made in all three resources at the respective intervals t_in, t_out, and t_gate, and that different timing constraints, which reflect the time from entry to exit between the intervals. The Invert capability is similarly defined except that the sheet changes orientation 180 ° (rotated about the y-axis) and the run time is longer (proportional to the size of the sheet). Accordingly, it will be apparent that a full and functional description of any components may be similarly provided.

The disclosed model building system describes a component structure without reference to any reference to descriptions of or interaction with other components. Such a component behavior is described via a unit of work without other units. Furthermore, the disclosed model system enables automatic, behavioral composition of component capabilities for general and incremental analysis, simulation, and scheduling of printing presses. This description format allows automatic structural composition of component models into models describing connected components (for example, printing press modules).

Conversely, previous measures had expressed their capabilities and limitations with regard to both specific interactions between components as well as interactions between sequences of leaves or images. This makes them more difficult to define, makes them non-reusable, and still makes them non-composable. The system model format allows for automatic configuration, optimization, and scheduling, as described above.

Turning now to Figures 4A-4B, these figures set forth various modules suitably embodied in either software or hardware in connection with the present invention. In each of the modules of FIGS. 4A-4B, an example is provided which includes a duplex or feedback mechanism 200, a photoreceptor belt 202, a process unit or paper path 204, and an image path 206. It should be noted that an image path typically consists of image processing components implemented in software or a combination of electronic hardware and software. In each example, a video image from the image path 206 is suitably deposited on the photoreceptor belt 202 at a junction 210 and then transferred to a sheet from the paper path 204 at a junction 212.

Turning specifically to the example of Figure 4A, a module 300 is provided which includes image processing directly in the same module provided with the process unit handling capability.

The example of Figure 4B provides separate modules 302 and 304 for a print engine module and an image processing module, respectively. It will be appreciated that the examples of Figs. 4A and 4B are exemplary only. Various other combinations and subcombinations of diverse work unit handling capability, as well as image handling capabilities, may be practiced in conjunction with the present invention.

In each of the modules in the examples of Figs. 4A and 4B, a CPU 310 and an associated memory arranged in an address space thereof are also apparent. In the preferred embodiment, memory 312 includes a memory area having a non-volatile memory adapted to store description data representative of the module. The system also provides a port 320 adapted for communicating such data to an associated scheduler. As noted above, such data may include corresponding data representative of at least one of an identification, a scheduling, or an initiation of available operations in the associated scheduler in data communication with the respective module. In the image processing module 304 of FIG. 4B, it will be appreciated that, in the preferred embodiment, similar CPU capability, memory capability, and descriptive data output capability are provided, although this has been omitted from the figure for ease of illustration.

Turning now to FIG. 5, there is provided a generalized manufacturing machine 400. The manufacturing machine 400 includes modules, three of which are visible at 402, 404, and 406, respectively. The modules include a memory suitably constructed of RAM areas 407, 408, and 409, respectively, in addition to non-volatile memory areas 410, 412, and 414, respectively. The nonvolatile memory is suitably constructed of a read only memory ("ROM"), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory ("EPROM"), an Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory ("EEPROM"), or the like.

Nonvolatile memory areas 410, 412, and 414 are advantageous for memory capability of information, the details of which have been described in detail above. The respective RAM areas are for a Scratch Pat Memory, as well as a memory of software to drive an associated CPU. CPUs 415, 416 and 417 are provided in modules 402, 404 and 406, respectively.

As can be seen from Fig. 5, a data port 420 interconnecting with modules 402 and 404 is provided for communication of work units therebetween. Similarly, a port 422 is provided between modules 404 and 406 for communication of work units therebetween. Finally, each of the modules 402, 404, and 406 is indicated to be in data communication with an associated scheduler, as seen by the machine capability unit 430.