Model-based planning with multi-capacity resources

摘要

Systems and methods are described that facilitate performing model-based planning techniques for allocations of multi-capacity resources in a machine. The machine may be, for instance, a printing platform, such as a xerographic machine. According to various features, the multi-capacity resource may be a sheet buffer, and temporal constraints may be utilized to determine whether an insertion point for a new allocation of the sheet buffer is feasible. Multiple insertion points may be evaluated (e.g., serially or in parallel) to facilitate determining an optimal solution for a print job or the like.

主权项

1. A method of employing model-based planning of a multi-capacity print sheet buffer for machine control, comprising:
evaluating a model of an ordered listing of allocations of a multi-capacity color print sheet buffer, which buffers fully printed color sheets as they await further action, wherein the allocations are permitted to overlap each other in time, wherein the multi-capacity color print sheet buffer outputs buffered color print sheets to be merged with more rapidly printed black and white sheets; selecting an insertion point for a new allocation into the ordered listing of allocations of the multi-capacity color print sheet buffer; posting one or more temporal constraints that govern an order of execution of allocations; determining whether execution of the model is feasible after insertion of the new allocation at the selected insertion point; and storing the model for comparison and/or execution if it is feasible.