Patent ID: 8107106
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A system for use in a print production facility having a first print job processing department separated spatially from a second print job processing department, wherein a set of print jobs are processed at the first print job processing department to obtain a set of multiple outputs and each one of the multiple outputs is delivered individually from the first print job processing department to the second print job processing department for processing at the second print job processing department, wherein the first print job processing department corresponds with a first print job processing capability and the second print job processing department corresponds with a second print job processing capability, and wherein the first print job processing department includes a first set of one or more pieces of equipment and a first set of one or more print job processing functions, and the second print job processing department includes a second set of one or more pieces of equipment and a second set of one or more print job processing functions, comprising: (A) a print job delivery tracking tool adapted to: identify a first time for completing processing of one of the multiple outputs at the first print job processing department and a second time for beginning processing of the same one of the multiple outputs at the second print job processing department, and, compute a difference between the second time and the first time for determining a wait time interval for each instance in which one of the multiple outputs is delivered from the first print job processing department to the second print job processing department; (B) a memory for storing at least two wait time intervals with a corresponding number of instances of transition between the first and second processing departments; (C) a processor adapted to: use the at least two stored wait time intervals for computing a statistical metric value representative of a wait time interval for the set of multiple outputs, compare the statistical metric value to a reference value for identifying a job flow impediment, if the statistical metric value meets the reference value, determining a select change to one or both of the first and second print job processing capabilities, and provide an indication to change the one or both of the first print job processing capability and the second print job processing capability; and (D) wherein the indication to change one or both of the first print job processing capability and the second print job processing capability comprises one of: adding at least one piece of equipment to one or both of the first set of one or more pieces of equipment and the second set of one or more pieces of equipment, adding at least one print job processing function to one or more print job processing functions, and the second set of one or more pieces of print job processing functions, deleting at least one piece of equipment from one or both of the first set of one or more pieces of equipment and the second set of one or more pieces of equipment, or deleting at least one print job processing function from one or both of the first set of one or more print job processing functions and the second set of one or more pieces of print job processing functions.