Sudhendu Rai Patent abstracts (Word document with embedded patents)

Patent # 5,774,761
June 30, 1998
Machine set up procedure using multivariate modeling and multiobjective
optimization
Inventor: Sudhendu Rai
Abstract: A method of setting up an electrostatographic printing machine having image
quality attributes and parameters that control the attributes using multivariate
modeling and multiobjective optimization. The method includes providing a discrete
number of parameter settings and printing test patterns based upon the parameter
settings. The test patterns are scanned to produce a set of image quality values. Using
a multivariate adaptive regression splines technique, a model of the printing machine
image quality is provided in response to the parameter settings and the image quality
values. Optimum parameter settings for the printing machine are then determined
from the discrete number of parameter settings to produce consistent image quality.

Patent # 5,999,758
December 7, 1999
Hybrid hierarchical control architecture for media handling
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Pennfield, NY), Jackson; Warren B. (San Francisco, CA),
Biegelsen; David K. (Portola Valley, CA), Wolf; Barry
Abstract: A method of controlling the movement of copy sheets along a copy sheet
path by providing a target by a high level controller forthe movement of copy sheets
within the copy sheet path and controlling movement of copy sheets within
segments of the copy sheet path. Movement in each segment is controlled by
subcontrollers activating segment drives. Feedback data are conveyed to the high
level controller and to other subcontrollers on the movement of copy sheets within
segments of the copy sheet path and copy sheet movement is adjusted by the copy
sheet drives of selected segments of the copy sheet path in order to achieve the
target.

Patent # 6,002,890
December 14, 1999
Feedback between marking and paper path subsystems to reduce shutdowns
Inventors: Jackson; Warren B. (San Francisco, CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Penfield, NY)
Abstract: A method of control to synchronize the arrival of images and copy sheets at
a transfer station by sensing delay of a copy sheet arrival at the transfer station. There
is then a determination that the delay of arrival is incapable of being corrected to
synchronize with a given image. In response, the control decides to rewrite the given
image on the receiving medium or further delay the arrival of the copy sheet, or a
combination of rewrite and delay, in order that the arrival of a given image and copy
sheet is synchronized.

Patent # 6,278,907
August 21, 2001
Apparatus and method of distributing object handling
Inventors: Fromherz; Markus P. J. (Palo Alto, CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Penfield, NY)
Abstract: A modular object handling system has a multi-level control architecture,
which includes a system controller that coordinates the functions and/or operations
of individual module controllers, that in turn control corresponding actuators, to
provide a desired system function. The system controller performs the overall
trajectory planning by taking the constraints of eachof the module actuators into
account. The system controller may compensate for deviations of objects from their
planned trajectories by contemporaneously redetermining trajectories and trajectory
envelopes to encode the various combinations of the system constraints and task
requirements. The trajectory envelopes can denote regions around other trajectories
to indicate control criteria of interest, such as control and collision boundaries.
However, by predetermining the trajectories and trajectory envelopes, and
comparing the current state of an object with the predetermined trajectory
envelopes, the system controller can even more quickly determine the extent to
which the state satisfies the criteria. Thus, this system simplifies on-line
determinations to merely include a comparison between a particular object, a
particular trajectory and the corresponding trajectory envelope. It is also desirable to
predetermine multiple trajectories, as well as trajectory envelopes associatedwith
each of the multiple trajectories, for each object. The apparatus and methods of the
invention can then monitor the status of each object, and switch between the
multiple predetermined trajectories in order to actively improve energy usage
efficiency. The apparatus and methods can also modify the trajectories of other
objects to avoid collisions with the object whose trajectory was originally switched.

Patent # 6,322,069
November 27, 2001
Interpaper spacing control in a media handling system
Inventors: Krucinski; Martin (Webster, NY), Cloet; Carlo (Berkeley, CA), Tomizuka;
Masayoshi (Berkeley, CA), Horowitz; Roberto (El Cerrito, CA), Rai;
Sudhendu (Penfield, NY), Kamprath; David R. (Webster, NY), Li; Perry Y. (Minneapolis,
MN)
Abstract: A method of synchronizing the arrival of copy sheets at a photoreceptor in
an image processing having a copy sheet path having a plurality of segments coupled
at given transfer zones, a plurality of copy sheet drives, an image transfer station, a
photoreceptor and a controller. The controller directs the image processing apparatus
by tracking the movement of copy sheets at the image transfer station in relation to the
movement of the photoreceptor, monitoring the movement of copy sheets at the
transfer zones, determining the need to adjust the spacing of copy sheets along the
plurality of segments of the copy sheet path, and suitably activating selected copy
sheet drives.

Patent # 6,411,864
June 25, 2002
Apparatus and method of distributed object handling
Inventors: Fromherz; Markus P. J. (Palo Alto, CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Penfield, NY)
Abstract: A modular object handling system has a multi-level control architecture,
which includes a system controller that coordinates the functions and/or operations of
individual module controllers, that in turn control corresponding actuators, to provide
a desired system function. The system controller performs the overall trajectory
planning by taking the constraints of each of the module actuators into account. The
system controller may compensate for deviations of objects from their planned
trajectories by contemporaneously redetermining trajectories and trajectory envelopes
to encode the various combinations of the system constraints and task requirements.
The trajectory envelopes can denote regions around other trajectories to indicate
control criteria of interest, such as control and collision boundaries. However, by
predetermining the trajectories and trajectory envelopes, and comparing the current
state of an object with the predetermined trajectory envelopes, the system controller
can even more quickly determine the extent to which the state satisfies the criteria.
Thus, this system simplifies on-line determinations to merely include a comparison
between a particular object, a particular trajectory and the corresponding trajectory
envelope. It is also desirable to predetermine multiple trajectories, as well as trajectory
envelopes associated with each of the multiple trajectories, for each object. The
apparatus and methods of the invention can then monitor the status of each object, and
switch between the multiple predetermined trajectories in order to actively improve
energy usage efficiency. The apparatus and methods can also modify the trajectories
of other objects to avoid collisions with the object whose trajectory was originally
switched. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention include determining the
multiple trajectories, as well as the trajectory envelopes associated with each of the
multiple trajectories, by taking various requirements of the trajectory envelopes into
account.

Patent # 6,573,910
June 3, 2003
Interactive distributed communication method and system forbidding on,
scheduling, routing and executing a document processing job
Inventors: Duke; Charles B. (Webster, NY), Jackson; Warren B. (San Francisco,
CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Penfield, NY)
Abstract: A method and system allows for interactive, distributed job processing,
e.g., print job processing, using a network, e.g., the Internet, and self-aware,remote
processing equipment. Self-awareness allows the equipment to provide information
about its load and status to a system controller such as a system server, either
directly or through locationservers located near the remote processing equipment.
The method and system provide the capability to perform scheduling, routing and
bidding on execution of jobs as well as re-routing, re-scheduling, remote proofing
and remote processing instruction modification.

Patent # 6,633,821
October 14, 2003
System forsensing factory workspace
Inventors: Jackson; Warren B. (San Francisco, CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY),
Zhao; Feng (Campbell, CA)
Abstract: A method and apparatus forcollecting and using data is disclosed. There is
at least one sensor that placed within a workspace forsensing vibrations associated
with at least one machine operating in the workspace. In addition, there is at least
one tag associatedwith a particular job. The tag indicates the contemporaneous
status of tasks relating to the job. At least one processor is in communication with
each of the at least one acoustic sensors and at least one tag. This processor receives
data relating to acoustic and task status fromthe at least one acoustic sensor and at
least one tag. The acoustic sensor senses vibration and/or sound. Workflow analysis
and fault diagnosis and prediction are then based on data collected.

Patent # 6,805,502
October 19, 2004
Method fordetermining optimal batch sizes forprocessing print jobs in a printing
environment
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Maitra; Samaresh C. (Webster, NY)
Abstract: A print job is partitioned into sub-jobs or "batches" to shorten the
turnaround time forcompleting the processing of the print job. The sizes of the
batches are chosen so as to minimize the turnaround time. The batch sizes are
optimized based on factors affectingthe turnaround time. The batches may be
processed concurrently in a pipelined fashion to minimize the turnaround time.

Patent # 7,051,328
May 23, 2006
Production server architecture and methods forautomated control of production
document management
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Viassolo; Daniel (Penfield, NY)
Abstract: A printing workflow system is utilized for coordinating production of
document processing jobs among a plurality of cells, where a cell is comprised of at
least one device for completing the jobs. The present invention describes the
architecture of such a system, and efficient methods forgenerating document
processing job IDs and two methods forrouting and scheduling document processing
jobs through the cells.

Patent # 7,064,848
June 20, 2006
System and method for converting print jobs stored in printshop job description
language files into printshop workflow
Inventors: Jackson; Warren B. (San Francisco, CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: A method for automatically converting print jobs stored in printshop job
description language (PSDL) files into workflow for a specific printshop is disclosed.
A print job stored in a PSDL file is extracted from the PSDL file and used to generate
a proposed workflow and accompanying job cost estimate. The workflow generated
by the illustrated embodiment merges the job resource requirements of the print job
with the resource and material availability of the printshop. The generated workflow
and an accompanying job cost estimate for producing the workflow in the printshop
are transmitted to the original job submitter for approval prior to beginning the
printing process. Alternately, the job submitter is capable of submitting the print job
in PSDL format to a printshop via the Internet.

Patent # 7,065,567
June 20, 2006
Production server for automated control of production document management
Inventors: Squires; David Forrest (Glendale, CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: A printing workflow system forcoordinating production of document
processing jobs among a plurality of cells, where a cell is comprised of at least one
device for completing the document processing jobs. The present invention is
directed toward further substances in the art as they relate to a print shop
comprised of a network of cells to accomplish printing a document processing job.
Each cell is comprised of at least one printing device forcompleting the document
processing jobs. The print workflow is further comprised of a workflow mapping
module that determines a workflow of one of the many document processing jobs
for processing. A job description module forsplitting the various document
processing jobs into sub-jobs for processing by the printing devices in the cells. A
print cell controller at any one of the cells forreceiving at least one sub-job and for
further split the sub-job into lots for processing among devices in the selected cell.
The printing workflow system of the present inventions allows forthe distribution of
document processing jobs throughout a network environment.

Patent # 7,079,266
June 18, 2006
Printshop resource optimization via the use of autonomous cells
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Godambe; Ashok V. (Pittsford, NY), Duke;
Charles B. (Webster, NY), Williams; Guy H. (Webster, NY)
Abstract: A printshop contains resources that are utilized to complete print jobs. The
resources are partitioned into autonomous cells. Each autonomous cell is capable of
completing at least one class of print job. Print jobs are assigned to the autonomous
cells for completion. An autonomous cell may subdivide a print job into smaller sized
lots and process the smaller size lots in parallel. This approach enhances the
efficiency of the shop, decreases the work in progress, labor and inventory costs
associatedwith running the print jobs and increases the utilization of the printing
equipment in the printshop.

Patent # 7,125,179
October 24, 2006
System and method of evaluating print shop consolidationoptions in an enterprise
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Lin; Jie (Webster, NY)
Abstract: A system and method of evaluating the required operating capacities for
each production function foreach consolidation configuration of distributed print
shops in an enterprise so that the most appropriate print shop consolidation options
can be selected. Operating capacities of each production function forprocessing
print jobs at eachshop is initially determined on the basis that the print jobs can
originate and be processed at the same print shop. The operating capacities are
modified to take into account scenarios in which the print jobs can originate at each
print shop and canbe transported to eachother print shop forprocessing. The
determined maximum operating capacities at each shop can be mapped out for each
possible configuration of consolidating a selected number of print shops into a
selected number of consolidated shops.

Patent # 7,242,302
July 10, 2007
Systems and methods for capturing workflow information
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Mayer; James L. (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: A system and method comprising RF tags, RFID readers, voice input
devices, and voice recognition software may capture even characteristics associated
with a workflow. Workflow characteristics, such as JobId, OperatorID, StationId and
EventId may be stored in RF tags and may be captured along with a timestamp, when
brought together in the close proximity of a RFID reader. Next node information may
be captured to construct detailed workflow diagrams based upon captured data.
Quantity information, as well as other information, may be entered verbally and
converted to computer readable form using voice recognition software.

Patent # 7,430,056
September 30, 2008
Abstract: A print shop consolidation system for consolidating processing of a first
group of print jobs and a second group of prints jobs at one of a first print shop and a
second print shop is provided. The print shop consolidationsystem includes a print
shop consolidationprint shop consolidation management system, including an
application. The application is used to (1) evaluate, with a set of information, an
operational capacity of the first print shop to process both the first and second
groups of print jobs, (2) evaluate, with the set of information, an operational
capacity of the second print shop to process both the first and second groups of print
jobs, and (3) consolidate processing of the first and second groups of print jobs at
one of first and second print shops, with the evaluations of (1) and (2), so that either
(a) processing of the first and second print jobs occurs solely at the first print shop,
or (b) processing of the first and second print job occurs solely at the second print
shop.

Patent # 7,542,161
June 2, 2009
System and method for determining an optimal batch size fora print job
Inventors: Lin; Jie (Webster, NY), Jacobs; Timothy W. (Fairport, NY), Rai;
Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: A print job is received in a complex printing environment. The print job is
decomposed optimal batch sizes by into method and system processing a print job
by identifying a total processing time T(b) foreach of multiple batch sizes, and the
total processing time foreach of the batch sizes are compared to determine which of
the batch sizes is optimal forthe printing environment.

Patent # 7,626,717
December 1, 2009
Print job allocationsystem and method
Abstract: In a print job distribution method, a distribution is determined that assigns
distribution portions of a plurality of print jobs to selected print shops. The
determining of the distribution includes: (i) estimating a per job turnaround time
metric for each print job respective to those print shops capable of performing the
print job; (ii) estimating a per shop turnaround time metric for each print shop based
on the per job turnaround time metrics estimated for that print shop and distribution
portions assigned to that print shop; and (iii) optimizing respective to the distribution
a load-balancing metric that is functionally dependent upon the per-shop turnaround
time metrics of the print shops.

Patent # 7,755,778
July 13, 2010
Print job management system
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Zhang; Zhenyu (Cambridge, MA)
Abstract: A system formanaging the size of a print job to be processed in a print
shop is provided. The print shop includes a plurality of autonomous cells and the job
size management system includes a scheduling tool forgenerating a list including a
plurality of jobs. A processor is used to (a) assign a job size related value to each one
of the plurality of jobs so that the plurality of jobs are corresponded respectively
with a set of job size related values, (b) use the set of job size related values to
calculate a control limit, and (c) for eachjob size related value exceeding the control
limit, splitting the job corresponding with the job size related value exceeding the
control limit into n number of sub-jobs for processing at the plurality of autonomous
cells.

Patent # 7,797,189
September 14, 2010
System and method of forecasting print job related demand
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Handley; John C (Fairport, NY), Sperry;
Robert H (Pittsford, NY)
Abstract: A print demand forecasting system is provided for use with a print
production system in which print demand data is collected for each print job
processed during a selected time interval. The print demand data is processed with a
computer implemented service manager to obtain a first demand series with two or
more demand components and a second demand series with one demand component.
Each one of the two or more demand components is less than a selected variability
level and the one demand component is greater than the selected variability level. The
computer implemented service manager is adapted to (1) generate a first demand
related forecast with a combination of the two or more demand components, and (2)
generate a second demand related forecast with the one demand component if
convergent forecasting results are obtainable for the second demand series.

Patent # 7,810,095
October 5, 2010
Method and system for characterizing elements of a print production queuing model
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing performance of resources in a
production environment are disclosed. Timing information for a plurality of print jobs
may be received at a resource characterization system from one or more resources. A
service time distribution may be determined based on the timing information.
Resource performance for the one or more resources may be characterized based on
the service time distribution using a queuing model. One or more performance
characteristics may be provided for the one or more resources based on the
characterized resource performance.

Patent # 7,860,602
December 28, 2010
Mail processing system
Abstract: A mail processing system in which an estimated group of mail pieces is
sorted in a mailroom area and delivered to a preset number of mailboxes is provided.
The mail processing system includes a memory for storing information related to
sorting and delivery and a processor that uses the sorting and delivery related
information to determine, (i) an amount of time required to sort the estimated group of
mail pieces, and (ii) an amount of time required to deliver the estimated group of mail
pieces to the mail boxes. Operation of the mailroom may be evaluated by comparing a
sum of the amount of time required to sort the estimated group of mail pieces and the
amount of time required to deliver the estimated group of mail pieces to the preset
number of mail boxes with an amount of time available for both sorting the estimated
group of mail pieces and delivering the mail pieces to the preset number of mail
boxes.

Patent # 7,925,460
April 12, 2011
System and method for improving print shop operability
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Handley; John C (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: A computer implemented system forsegmenting data collected from a
document production environment is provided. The system includes determining,
with a computer implemented data processing platform, that a set of document
production related data should be represented as a non-normal distribution. A first
test is performed and it is determined that the non-normal distribution should not
be analyzed pursuant to a first analytic category. A second test is performed and
when it is determined that the non-normal distribution should be analyzed pursuant
to a second analytic category, an output, indicating that the non-normal distribution
should be analyzed pursuant to the second analytic category is provided.

Patent # 7,953,681
May 31, 2011
System and method of forecasting print job related demand
Abstract: Systems and methods forforecasting print demand are disclosed. Print
demand data is collected and stored foreach print job processed during a selected
time interval, and processed with a computer implemented service manager to
obtain a first demand series with multiple demand components and a second
demand series with one demand component. Eachof the multiple demand
components is less than, and the one demand component is greater than, a selected
variability level. The service manager is adapted to (1) generate a first demand
related forecast with a combination of the multiple demand components, and (2) use
a neural network to generate a second demand related forecast with the one
demand component. The neural network includes multiple neurons optimally
weighted with respect to print-related demand data collectedover selected time
intervals. The number of neurons is optimized to improve forecasting accuracy and
re-optimized aftera selected time interval.

Patent # 7,999,956
August 16, 2011
System and method for improving print shop operation
Abstract: There is provided a system for a print production facility, with print job
processing departments, in which a wait time interval is determined for each recorded
instance in which an output, from a set of multiple outputs, is delivered from a first
one of the print job processing departments to a second one of the print job processing
departments. A statistical metric value, representative of a wait time interval for the
set of multiple outputs, is computed, and a workflow relationship between the print
job processing departments may be altered when a total number of recorded instances
and/or the statistical metric value exceed given references.

Patent # 8,059,292
November 15, 2011
System and method for assigning print jobs to autonomous cells in a transaction
printing environment
Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning a plurality of print jobs in a transaction
printing environment are disclosed. A print job workflow management system
receives a plurality of print jobs each having a job size and selects a first threshold
based on at least the job sizes for the plurality of print jobs. A print job is assigned to a
first autonomous cell if the job size for the print job is greater than the first threshold.
The print job is assigned to a second autonomous cell if the job size for the print job is
less than a second threshold. Otherwise, the print job is assigned to a third
autonomous cell.

Patent # 8,074,221
December 6, 2011
Job allocationmethod for document production
Abstract: Methods and systems of processing print jobs are disclosed. A feasible route
for processing each of a plurality of jobs is determined. For each feasible route, the
time to process the job via the feasible route is determined. Each job is assigned to a
first feasible route. A first objective function value is determined using a time to
process each job assigned to each autonomous cell. A job is selected. A second
feasible route is selected for the selected job. A second objective function value is
determined by substituting the second feasible route for the first feasible route for the
selected job. If the first value plus a threshold exceeds the second value, the second
value replaces the first value, and the second feasible route replaces the first feasible
route. Selection and substitution are repeated for each job. The jobs are then
processed.

Patent # 8,107,106
January 31, 2012
System and method for improving print shop operation
Abstract: There is provided a system for a print production facility, with print job
processing departments, in which a wait time interval is determined for each recorded
instance in which an output, from a set of multiple outputs, is delivered from a first
one of the print job processing departments to a second one of the print job processing
departments. A statistical metric value, representative of a wait time interval for the
set of multiple outputs, is computed, and either a workflow relationship between the
print job processing departments or at least one processing capability associated with
at least one of the print job processing departments is changed with both a total
number of recorded instances and the statistical metric value.

Patent # 8,111,417
February 7, 2012
Method and apparatus for modeling print jobs
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Gartstein; Yuri (Webster, NY)
Abstract: A system and method formodeling print jobs provides a central server that
is accessible to remotely locatedprint shops. The remote print shops are able to
communicate with the central server to forwardprint job parameters and to receive
the output from a modeling program to enable the print shop to run "what-if"
scenarios to maximize print shop efficiency. The central server is also provided with
various other print shop tools to assist with print shop design and organization.

Patent # 8,120,801
February 21, 2012
Print job management system formanaging disturbances in a plurality of print jobs
Inventors: Zhang; Zhenyu (Cambridge, MA), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: A method is provided for managing the scheduling of a plurality of print
jobs for a print shop. The method includes obtaining a print job input stream
including the plurality of print jobs. Eachof the plurality of print jobs is scheduled for
processing unless at least one of the plurality of print jobs is determined to be a
disturbance job, the disturbance job causing delays in processing of other print jobs
in the plurality of print jobs that would not occur but forthe existence of the
disturbance job in the print job input stream. The disturbance job is then assigned a
processing related value that increases over time, and scheduling of the disturbance
job is delayed until the processing related value exceeds a selected threshold value.

Patent # 8,127,012
February 28, 2012
System and methods for efficient and adequate data collectionin document
production environments
Abstract: A production process performance reporting system may include a plurality
of print job processing resources and a computer-readable storage medium
containing programming instructions forperforming a method of providing a report
of performance metrics in a document production environment. The method may
include receiving job size information for print jobs and identifying a print job size
distribution for the print jobs. Performance metrics such as, job turnaround time and
inter-arrival time may be determined. It may be determined whether the print job
size distribution exhibits a heavy-tail characteristic and a performance report may be
prepared. If the print job size distribution does not exhibit a heavy-tail characteristic,
the plurality of jobs may be processed with the print job processing resources based
on the performance report.

Patent # 8,134,743
March 13, 2012
Methods and systems for routing and processing jobs in a production environment
Abstract: A system and method forrouting and processing jobs in a production
environment considers the setup characteristics of eachprint job. Eachset of jobs
may be classifiedas a first job processing speed set, a second job processing speed
set, or another job processing speed set based on the corresponding setup
characteristics. First job processing speed sets are routed to a first group of job
processing resources, while second job processing speed sets are routed to a second
group of job processing speed resources. Each resource group may include an
autonomous cell.

Patent # 8,144,364
March 27, 2012
Methods and systems for processing heavy-tailed job distributions in a document
production environment
Abstract: A production printing system forprocessing a plurality of print jobs may
include a plurality of print job processing resources and a computer-readable storage
medium including one or more programming instructions forperforming a method
of processing a plurality of print jobs in a document production environment. The
method may include identifying a print job size distribution for a plurality of print
jobs in a document production environment and determining whether the print job
size distribution exhibits a heavy-tail characteristic. For each print job size
distribution that exhibits a heavy-tail characteristic, the plurality of print jobs may be
grouped into a plurality of subgroups such that at least one of the plurality of
subgroups exhibits a non-heavy-tail characteristic, and each job in the at least one of
the plurality of subgroups exhibiting the non-heavy-tail characteristic may be
processed by one or more print job processing resources.

Patent # 8,145,517
March 27, 2012
Methods and systems for scheduling job sets in a production environment
Abstract: A system of scheduling a plurality of print jobs in a document production
environment may include resources and a computer-readable storage medium
including programming instructions for performing a method of processing print
jobs. The method may include receiving print jobs and setup characteristics
corresponding to each print job. Each print job may have a corresponding job size.
The print jobs may be grouped into sets based on a common characteristic and each
set may be identified as a fast job set or a slow job set based on setup characteristics
associatedwith the set and the job sizes of the print jobs in the set. The fast job set
may be routed to a fast job autonomous cell and the slow job set may be routed to a
slow job autonomous cell.

Patent # 8,164,777
April 24, 2012
Method and apparatus for modeling print jobs
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Gartstein; Yuri (Webster, NY)
Abstract: A system and method formodeling print jobs provides a central server that
is accessible to remotely locatedprint shops. The remote print shops are able to
communicate with the central server to forwardprint job parameters and to receive
the output from a modeling program to enable the print shop to run "what-if"
scenarios to maximize print shop efficiency. The central server is also provided with
various other print shop tools to assist with print shop design and organization.

Patent # 8,190,488
May 29, 2012
Methods and systems for evaluating the impact of consolidating print shops on
inventory levels
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Regan; Patrick Dennis (Victor, NY)
Abstract: In an embodiment, a system of evaluating an impact of consolidating a
plurality of print shops on inventory levels may include a processor and a processor-
readable storage medium in communication with the processor. The processor-
readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for
performing a method of evaluating an impact of consolidating a plurality of print
shops on inventory levels. The method may include identifying a plurality of print
shops to consolidate froman enterprise, identifying an inventory policy, receiving
corresponding job demand information and determining a plurality of total inventory
requirements for the identified print shops. The total inventory requirements may
include a total average inventory level and a total order-up-to level. The method may
also include determining, a plurality of consolidated inventory requirements fora
consolidated print shop and displaying statistics pertaining to the job demand
information, the total inventory requirements and the consolidated inventory
requirements.

Patent # 8,259,321
September 4, 2012
Methods and systems for scheduling disturbance jobs
Inventors: Zhang; Zhenyu (Cambridge, MA), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: A method is provided for managing the scheduling of a plurality of print
jobs for a print shop. The method includes obtaining a print job input stream
including the plurality of print jobs. Eachof the plurality of print jobs is scheduled for
processing unless at least one of the plurality of print jobs is determined to be a
disturbance job, the disturbance job causing delays in processing of other print jobs
in the plurality of print jobs that would not occur but forthe existence of the
disturbance job in the print job input stream. The disturbance job is then assigned a
processing related value that decreases over time, and scheduling of the disturbance
job is delayed until the processing related value is less than a selected threshold
value.

Patent # 8,274,688
September 25, 2012
Capacity planning incorporating job size distribution
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Handley; John C. (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: Methods and systems fordetermining print capacity are disclosed. A
maximum job speed fora document processing device and information pertaining to
a plurality of jobs performed by the document processing device may be received.
The information may include a job speed and a job size foreach job. Sets of first and
second jobs may be identified fromthe plurality of jobs. Each first job may have a job
speed greater than a percentage of the maximum job speed. Eachsecond job may
have a job speed less than the percentage of the maximum job speed. A job size
threshold may be determined based on the job sizes for the first and second jobs. In
response to such determination, a linear function based on the one or more second
jobs may be obtained. The linear function may be a function of job speed based on
job size.

Patent # 8,311,903
November 13, 2012
Methods and systems for evaluating the impact of migrating to a dynamic processing
environment
Abstract: Methods and systems fordetermining print capacity are disclosed. A
maximum job speed fora document processing device and information pertaining to
a plurality of jobs performed by the document processing device may be received.
The information may include a job speed and a job size foreach job. Sets of first and
second jobs may be identified fromthe plurality of jobs. Each first job may have a job
speed greater than a percentage of the maximum job speed. Eachsecond job may
have a job speed less than the percentage of the maximum job speed. A job size
threshold may be determined based on the job sizes for the first and second jobs. In
response to such determination, a linear function based on the one or more second
jobs may be obtained. The linear function may be a function of job speed based on
job size.

Patent # 8,310,700
November 13, 2012
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Lin; Jie (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: A print shop consolidation system including a print shop consolidation
management system with an application is provided. The application is used to (1)
evaluate, with a set of information, an operational capacity of a first print shop to
process both a first group of print jobs and a second group of print jobs, (2) evaluate,
with the set of information, an operational capacity of the second print shop to
process both the first and second groups of print jobs, and (3) use the evaluations of
(1) and (2) to consolidate processing of the first and second groups of print jobs at
one of first and second print shops.

Patent # 8,379,255
February 19, 2013
Method and system of determining batch sizes forprint jobs in a print production
environment
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Tejada; Jeremy John (Londonderry, NH)
Abstract: A system fordetermining batch sizes for a print job may include a
computing device and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with
the computing device. The computer-readable storage medium may include one or
more programming instructions forreceiving a print job having a job size, receiving
speed information foreach of a plurality of document production devices in a
production line, identifying a plurality of batches associatedwith the print job,
performing a discrete event simulation to model a makespan forthe print job in
processing each of the plurality of batches on the plurality of document production
devices using the speed information and repeating the identifying and performing
until a plurality of final batches is determined, eachhaving a unique final batch size.

Patent # 8,386,286
February 26, 2013
System and method for the dynamic allocationof resources
Inventors: Srinivas; Sharath (Webster, NY), Kulkarni; Rakesh (Webster, NY), Rai;
Abstract: A system and method fordynamically allocating resources in a process. A
demand pattern change detection unit, a future demand forecastingunit and a
process optimization engine can be employed to constantly adjust resource
allocationand assist in maintaining processes in a state of peak performance. An
initial resource allocationunit generates an initial resource allocationplan based on
past experience with respect to the process. The change detection unit detects a
shift in the job demand pattern utilizing a statistical data when a change occurs in
process requirements. The future demand generation unit accurately generates
future demand data based on current job data and the outlook of future demand.
The optimization engine acts as a surrogate process expert and provides
recommendations to the process owner regarding potential possible resource
allocationpolicies fornew job demand data utilizing a simulation process to predict
the result of variable staffing configurations.

Patent # 8,400,679
February 26, 2013
Workflow partitioning method and system
Abstract: A system and method forrouting and processing jobs in a production
environment considers the setup characteristics of each print job. Eachset of jobs
may be classifiedas a first job processing speed set, a second job processing speed
set, or another job processing speed set based on the corresponding setup
characteristics. First job processing speed sets are routed to a first group of job
processing resources, while second job processing speed sets are routed to a second
group of job processing speed resources. Each resource group may include an
autonomous cell.

Patent # 8,427,670
April 23, 2013
System and method for improving throughput in a print production environment
Abstract: Systems and methods forincreasing throughput of print jobs in a print
shop environment are disclosed. A system may include a plurality of resources, a
print job workflow management system that coordinates a flow of print jobs with
respect to the plurality of resources, and a processor-readable storage medium in
communication with the print job workflow management system. The processor-
readable storage medium may contain one ormore programming instructions that,
when executed, direct the print job workflow management system to receive print
job characteristics pertaining to a plurality of print jobs processed in the print shop
environment. Data determined based on the received print job characteristics,
including a form type utilized in the print shop environment foreach job and a print
volume associatedwith each form type, may be provided. The plurality of resources
may then be assigned based on the print volume associatedwith each formtype.

Patent # 8.433,604
April 30, 2013
System forselecting an optimal sample set of jobs fordetermining price models fora
print market port
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Purohit; Amarnath (Rochester, NY),
Quackenbush; James (Vernon, NJ), Zhao; Shi (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: A system for determining price models of a print market port including a
processor and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the
processor, wherein the computer-readable storage medium comprises one or more
programming instructions for: partitioning a job dataset into a plurality of categories,
each of the plurality of categories having a pricing model; determining one or more
factors within the job dataset that influence a price of each job; developing an
input/output model for each job in the job dataset that influences the price of the job;
performing an iteration to compute a prediction error for each job in the job dataset
that influences the price of the job; removing one or more jobs from a subsequent
iteration that include prediction errors that exceed a prediction error threshold; and
performing a plurality of iterations on remaining jobs until a predetermined average
error prediction is reached.

Patent # 8,464,268
June 11, 2013
Dynamic scheduling of jobs/batches using earliest completion time algorithm in
cellular manufacturing with batch-splitting of jobs above certain size
Inventors: Zhou; Rong (San Jose, CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Do; Minh
Binh (Palo Alto, CA)
Abstract: The present application a new and improved system and method of
enhanced Lean Document Production (LDP), which applies cellular manufacturing to
document printing operations. The LDP process incorporates process friendly cells
and, a push model to order to improve efficiency, reduce work in progress and smooth
out the "frictions" in production environments. The current application presents an
earliest-completion-time strategy for assigning jobs to cells and a dynamic-priority-
based-batch-scheduling algorithm.

Patent # 8,468,527
June 18, 2013
Method and system for optimal batching in a production environment
Abstract: A method for processing a plurality of jobs in a production environment
may include receiving a plurality of jobs and receiving one or more instructions into a
workflow management system to process the plurality of jobs. The one or more
instructions may include a setup characteristic. The method may also include
clustering, by the workflow management system, the plurality of jobs into super-
groups based on the setup characteristic, determining, by the workflow management
system, a processing sequence based on the clustering and processing the jobs
according to the determined processing sequence.

Patent # 8,472,093
June 25, 2013
Automated sourcing formultiple printing press, multiple web printing
Inventors: Purohit; Amarnath (Rochester, NY), Myers; Charles R. (Penfield, NY),
Snow; Lewis S. (La Crescenta, CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: A machine-implemented process determines web press printing capabilities
and costs of different printing organizations using a processor. The printing
capabilities comprise a number of printing units and a number of supply roll stands
supplying continuous print media to the printing units. A printing request is received
from a print customer through a graphic user interface. The printing request is
evaluated using the processor to determine printing request requirements. A
comparator compares the printing request requirements with the printing capabilities
and costs to identify capable printing organizations of the different printing
organizations that have abilities to process the printing request. The processor
calculates different print choices and costs based on the printing capabilities and costs
of the capable printing organizations and outputs the different print choices and costs
to the print customer through the graphic user interface.
.

Patent # 8,498,009
July 30, 2013
System and method for identifying a cause of lateness of a print job in a print
Inventors: Srinivas; Sharath (Webster, NY), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Gross; Eric
Michael (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: A system for determining a cause of lateness of a print job may include a
computing device and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with
the computing device. The computer-readable storage medium may include one or
more programming instructions for identifying a late print job, identifying a plurality
of document production stations that processed at least a portion of the late print job,
determining an associated contribution value representing a contribution of the
document production station to the lateness, determining sources of the lateness,
displaying a first visual depiction that visually depicts a measure of a contribution of
each of the identified document production stations to a collective lateness of the print
shop, receiving a user selection of one of the document production stations and a time
period, and displaying a second visual depiction of one or more print jobs processed
by the document production station during the time period.

Patent # 8,520,254
August 27, 2013
Methods and systems for processing a set of print jobs in a print production
environment
Abstract A system and method for routing and processing print jobs within a print job
set considers the setup characteristics of each print job. Each print job set may be
classified as a first job processing speed set, a second job processing speed set, or
another job processing speed set based on the corresponding setup characteristics.
First job processing speed sets are routed to a first group of print job processing
resources, while second job processing speed sets are routed to a second group of
print job processing speed resources. Each resource group may include an
autonomous cell.

Patent # 8,521,549
August 27, 2013
Methods and systems for recommending vendors to submit bids fora print job
Inventors: Peng; Wei (Webster, NY), Zhao; Shi (Rochester, NY), Rai;
Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Ashby; David Thomas (Pittsford, NY)
Abstract: A method of recommending vendors to bid on a print job may include
identifying a print job for which a recommendation of vendors to bid on the print job
is desired and identifying one or more vendors as potential bidders for the print job.
The method may include, for each identified vendor, determining, by a computing
device, a bidding probability associated with the vendor, a winning probability
associated with the vendor, a recommendation probability associated with the vendor,
and identifying the vendor as a recommended vendor based on the associated
recommendation probability. The method may include notifying a user of the
recommended vendors.

Patent # 8,559,040
October 15, 2013
Method and system for performing statistical throughput control in a print shop
Inventors: Gross; Eric Michael (Rochester, NY), Srinivas; Sharath (Webster, NY), Rai;
Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Elliot; Jack Gaynor (Penfield, NY)
Abstract: A method of determining a probability of a set of print jobs being completed
within a time period may include receiving a schedule associated with a set of print
jobs. The schedule may include a sequence in which the set of print jobs is to be
processed, a mean processing time associated with each print job in the set, and a
standard deviation of a processing time associated with each print job in the set. The
method may include determining a probability that a print shop will complete
processing of the set of print jobs within a time period based on the mean processing
time and standard deviation associated with each of the print jobs in the set that has
not been processed and displaying the probability on a display device.

Patent # 8,570,579
October 29, 2013
Method and system for performing statistical throughput control in a print shop
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Ettam; Ranjit Kumar (Pradesh, IN),
Lambrecht; Craig Charles (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: A method of identifying a cell configuration fora print shop may include
determining a print job size distribution fora plurality of print jobs. The method may
include identifying one or more print device requirements associatedwith a cell in a
print shop, identifying a plurality of available print devices associated with the print
shop and determining, by a computing device, a plurality of different configurations
of the available print devices that satisfy the one ormore print device requirements.
The method may include, for eachconfiguration, determining a print job size
threshold value, and determining, by the computing device, a processing time
associatedwith processing the plurality of print jobs by a cell having the
configuration and the determined print job size threshold value. The method may
include selecting, by the computing device, the cell having the configuration
associatedwith the smallest processing time.

Patent # 8,599,421
December 3, 2013
Method formanaging one or more print processing queues
Abstract: A method of ordering print jobs in a print queue is provided. The method
includes storing one set of print jobs in the print queue, and processing the one set
of print jobs with a cell (having one or more print processing devices) and a first print
job sequencing rule dictating a first print job sequence. Another set of print jobs is
stored in the print queue, and processing of the other set of print jobs with both the
cell and the first sequencing rule is simulated to obtain a first print job processing
indicator. Additionally, processing of the other set of print jobs with both the cell and
a second print job sequencing rule, dictating a second print job sequence, is
simulated to obtain a second print job processing indicator. The first print job
processing indicator is compared with the second print job processing indicator, and,
based on the comparison, the other set of print jobs is processed with either the first
print job sequencing rule or the second print job sequencing rule..

Patent # 8,619,305
December 31, 2013
Methods and systems for determining sustainability metrics in a print production
environment
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Lambrecht; Craig Charles (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: A method of determining a print shop sustainability metric over a period of
time may include, foreach of a plurality of print devices in a print shop, determining
a low-activity state sustainability metric value associatedwith the print device
operating in one or more low-activity states over a period of time, determining a
print shop low-activity state sustainability metric value associatedwith the print
shop, and determining a processing state sustainability metric value associatedwith
the print device operating in a processing state over the period of time, determining
a print shop processing state sustainability metric value associatedwith the print
shop, determining a print shop sustainability metric value and displaying one or
more of the low-activity state sustainability metric values, the processing state
sustainability metric values, the print shop sustainability metric value, the print shop
processing state sustainability metric value and the print shop sustainability metric
value.

Patent # 8,660,883
February 25, 2014
System and method of estimating the cost of a print job
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Lambrecht; Craig Charles (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: A method of estimating the cost of a target print job may include
identifying a target print job having a document type and one or more attributes, for
each attribute of the target print job, determining a correlationbetween the
attribute and a cost of the target print job using a plurality of historical print jobs
associatedwith the document type, and identifying one or more of the attributes as
cost drivers based on the correlationof the attribute to the cost of the target print
job. The method may include identifying one ormore relevant historical print jobs
from the plurality of historical print jobs based on values forthe identified cost
drivers, estimating a cost of the target print job using the one or more relevant
historical print jobs, and displaying the estimated cost associatedwith the target
print job.

Patent # 8,675,231
March 18, 2014
Methods and systems for loadleveling in a print shop
Inventors: Gross; Eric Michael (Rochester, NY), Jacobs; Timothy Wayne (Fairport, NY),
Elliot; Jack Gaynor (Penfield, NY), Srinivas; Sharath (Webster, NY), Rai;
Sudhendu (Webster, NY)
Abstract: A method and system formanaging print shop workflow determines
whether variations in print shop workflow may be reduced by shifting one or more
customers' scheduled orders to different time periods. By shifting an order fromone
time period to another, the system may reduce variability in demand levels over
time, thus helping increase overall system efficiency. To do this, one or more
customers are selected as candidates forprint shop order rescheduling. The system
identifies customer orders that, if moved to other time periods, will most reduce
demand level variations. A user may accept the system's recommendations, or the
system may present a user with several alternative load leveling options for
selection. The system may then cause the orders to be printed based on the load
leveling proposal and the user's selection.

Patent # 8,676,666
March 18, 2014
System forassessing environmental impact of processing print jobs
Inventors: Khachatrian; Araz (Pittsford, NY), Snow; Lewis S. (La Crescenta, CA), Rai;
Abstract: A system forassessing environmental impact of processing print jobs
includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-
readable storage medium is in communication with the processor and comprises one
or more programming instructions for: electronically receiving a campaign
specificationdata structure including at least one job specification; and operatively
selecting a plurality of vendors from a database. Eachof the selected vendors is
capable of performing a job as operatively specified by the at least one job
specificationof the campaign specificationdata structure. The computer-readable
storage medium is in communication with the processor and also includes one or
more programming instructions forgenerating a plurality of environmental impact
assessments corresponding to the campaign specification data structure. Each of the
plurality of environmental impact assessments is operatively associatedwith one of
the selected capable vendors.

Patent # 8,725,546
May 13, 2014
Workflow scheduling method and system
Abstract: A system of scheduling a plurality of jobs in a production environment may
include a plurality of resources and a computer-readable storage medium comprising
programming instructions forperforming a method of processing a plurality of jobs.
The method may include receiving a plurality of jobs and setup characteristics
corresponding to each job. The method may also include grouping each job having a
job size that exceeds a job size threshold into a large job subgroup and grouping each
job having a job size that does not exceed the job size threshold into a small job
subgroup. The large job subgroup may be classified as a high setup subgroup or a low
setup subgroup based on the setup characteristics corresponding to each job in the
large job subgroup. The large job subgroup may be routed to a large job autonomous
cell.

Patent # 8,769,542
July 1, 2014
System foradaptive lot sizing in cellular manufacturing forbalancing workloads
across multiple cells using split-then-merge operations and earliest completion route
algorithm
Abstract: The present application presents a new and improved system and method
of enhanced Lean Document Production (LDP), which employs cellular
manufacturing concepts. The LDP process incorporates an auto-splitting algorithm
and/or an earliest completion route algorithm to generate an operation schedule.

Patent # 8,781,871
July 15, 2014
Methods and systems for assigning operators to print production cells based on
relationships
Abstract: A system of assigning operators to cells in a document production
environment may include a computing device and a computer-readable storage
medium in communication with the computing device. The computer-readable storage
medium may include one or more programming instructions for identifying a first
plurality of cell operators, where each cell operator is associated with one or more
skills, identifying a cell to be staffed, wherein the cell is associated with one or more
functions, identifying, from the first plurality of cell operators, a subset of cell
operators comprising a group of cell operators who collectively possess the skills
necessary to perform the one or more functions associated with the cell, selecting,
from the subset, a second plurality of cell operators based on at least one relationship
amongst the second plurality of cell operators, and assigning the second plurality of
cell operators to the cell.

Patent # 8,781,872
July 15, 2014
Methods and systems for assigning operators to print production cells based on
relationships
Abstract: A system of assigning operators to cells in a document production
environment may include a computing device and a computer-readable storage
medium in communication with the computing device. The computer-readable storage
medium may include one or more programming instructions for identifying a first
plurality of cell operators, where each cell operator may be associated with one or
more skills, identifying a cell to be staffed, where the cell may be associated with one
or more functions, identifying, from the first plurality of cell operators, a subset of cell
operators including one or more cell operators who each possess the skills necessary
to perform the one or more functions associated with the cell, selecting, from the
subset, a second plurality of cell operators based on at least one relationship amongst
the second plurality of cell operators, and assigning the second plurality of cell
operators to the cell.

Patent # 8,798,403
August 5, 2014
System and method for capturing production workflow information
Inventors: Elliot; Jack Gaynor (Penfield, NY), Srinivas; Sharath (Webster, NY), Gross;
Eric Michael (Rochester, NY), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Daniels; Marc
Dennis (Webster, NY)
Abstract: A workflow information capture system uses a digital pen to capture
handwritten information about a production process resource. The pen captures the
handwritten markings froma worksheet, identifies the position of the marking,
based on the position determines one or more process parameters forthe marking,
and saves the handwritten markings and their corresponding process parameter in a
memory. The system may then use this information to generate recommendations
for improving a workflow that is implemented by the process resource.

Patent # 8,896,863
November 25, 2014
System and method of modeling customer demand in a print production
environment
Inventors: Hu; Bo (Pittsford, NY), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: A method of determining one ormore performance metrics associated
with a print shop may include identifying one or more historical print jobs froma
historical print job database. Each historical print job may include a historical print
job type and historical job content information. The method may include generating,
by a computing device, one or more synthetic print jobs based on the historical job
type and historical job content information associatedwith the identified historical
print jobs, and determining, by the computing device, one or more performance
metrics associatedwith processing the one or more synthetic print jobs by a print
shop.

Patent # 8,896,867
November 25, 2014
Methods and systems for assigning jobs to production devices
Inventors: Gross; Eric Michael (Rochester, NY), Jacobs; Timothy Wayne (Fairport, FL),
Elliot; Jack Gaynor (Penfield, NY), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: A method of assigning a job to a production device may include identifying
a queue comprising a plurality of print jobs, identifying a plurality of print production
devices capable of processing the plurality of print jobs, determining that one of the
identified print production devices is an idle print production device, identifying a
top priority print job from the queue, determining a completion time associatedwith
processing the top priority print job by each of the identified print production
devices, identifying a fastest print production device, assigning the top priority print
job to the fastest print production device, determining whether the fastest print
production device is the idle print production device, and in response to determining
that the fastest print production device is the idle print production device, sending
the top priority print job to the fastest print production device and removing the top
priority print job from the queue.

Patent # 8,922,800
December 30, 2014
Methods and systems for selecting a location to store a production consumable
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Ettam; Ranjit Kumar (Pradesh, IN), Kalpana
Padma; Raja Muthukrishnan (Chennai, IN), Daniels; Marc Dennis (Webster, NY)
Abstract: A method of determining a location of one or more print production items in
a storage facility may include identifying one or more print production items used by
one or more autonomous production cells in a print shop, and determining, by a
computing device, a demand value associated with each of the identified print
production items. The demand value may represent a frequency with which the print
production item is used by the autonomous production cells over a period of time. The
method may include grouping the identified print production items into one or more
groups based on the autonomous production cell that uses the identified print
production items, assigning each group to an autonomous storage cell, and
determining a location of one or more autonomous storage cells based on the demand
values associated with the print production items in the group associated with the
autonomous storage cell.

Patent # 8,934,112
January 13, 2015
Methods and systems for allocating resources in a print production environment
Inventors: Gross; Eric Michael (Rochester, NY), Elliot; Jack Gaynor (Penfield,
NY), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Ettam; Ranjit Kumar (Pradesh, IN), Singh;
Anand (Karnataka, IN)
Abstract: A method of determining a cell configuration in a print production
environment may include identifying a set of print devices to assign to a cell,
identifying a print device number, identifying one or more subsets of print devices
from the set, where each subset includes a unique portion of the print devices in the
set, and each subset includes a number of print devices equal to the print device
number, performing a simulation of operation on each subset to determiner a subset
performance metric for each subset, selecting one of the subsets based on the
associated subset performance metric, decrementing the print device number by an
amount, updating the set with the selected subset, and repeating the identifying one or
more subsets, performing the simulation, selecting one of the subsets, decrementing
the print device number and updating until no subset performance metric satisfies a
performance constraint.
.

Patent # 8,982,378
March 17, 2015
Methods and systems for analyzing the impact of machine failure data on a print
shop
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Daniels; Marc Dennis (Webster, NY)
Abstract: A method of analyzing failures of a print device may include receiving
failure information associatedwith a print device in a print shop. The failure
information may pertain to a plurality of failures experienced by the print device
over a period of time. The method may include generating, by a computing device,
failure distribution information by, foreach pair of consecutive failures in the failure
information, determining a time to failure between the pair of consecutive failures,
determining a repair time associatedwith eachfailure in the pair of consecutive
failures, and setting the determined times to failure and the determined repair times
as the failure distribution information. The method may include performing, by the
computing device, a simulation of processing of one or more print jobs by the print
device using the failure distribution information, and displaying one or more results
of the simulation to a user.

Patent # 9,111,247
August 18, 2015
System and methods for excess capacity in dynamic production systems
Inventors: Zhou; Rong (San Jose, CA), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY)
Abstract: The present application presents a new and improved system and method of
enhanced Lean Document Production (LDP), which employs cellular manufacturing
concepts. The LDP process utilizes a processor to compute a dynamic production
algorithm to generate an indication of a manufacturing or print shop excess capacity
level.

Patent # 9,189,262
November 17, 2015
Methods and systems for recommending solutions to performance issues in a print
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Gross; Eric Michael (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: a method of recommending one or more solutions to a performance issue
may include receiving operations information associated with a print production
environment, determining one or more performance metrics associated with the print
production environment based on at least a portion of the received operations
information, and determining whether a performance issue associated with the print
production environment exists based on one or more of the performance metrics. The
method may include, in response to determining that a performance issue exists,
identifying a cause of the performance issue, identifying a different configuration of
production devices for the print production environment, running a simulation on the
different configuration using historical job information associated with the print
production environment to determine whether the different configuration mitigates the
performance issue, and in response to determining that the different configuration
mitigates the performance issue, recommending the different configuration to a user.

Patent # 9,201,619
December 1, 2015
Methods and systems for assigning a job source to a hub in a print production
environment
Inventors: Gross; Eric Michael (Rochester, NY), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY),
Elliot; Jack Gaynor (Penfield, NY)
Abstract: a method of recommending one or more solutions to a performance issue
may include receiving operations information associated with a print production
environment, determining one or more performance metrics associated with the print
production environment based on at least a portion of the received operations
information, and determining whether a performance issue associated with the print
production environment exists based on one or more of the performance metrics. The
method may include, in response to determining that a performance issue exists,
identifying a cause of the performance issue, identifying a different configuration of
production devices for the print production environment, running a simulation on the
different configuration using historical job information associated with the print
production environment to determine whether the different configuration mitigates the
performance issue, and in response to determining that the different configuration
mitigates the performance issue, recommending the different configuration to a user.

Patent # 9,264,566
February 16, 2016
Print job production methods and systems in a large transaction print environment
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Gross; Eric Michael (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: A system of determining a composition of print production resources in a
print shop may include a plurality of print production resources, an electronic device
in communication with one or more of the print production resources, and a computer-
readable storage medium in communication with the electronic device. The computer-
readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that,
when executed, cause the electronic device to identify real-time print job requests for
print jobs, prioritize the clients, update a queue file based on the prioritization,
identify as a highest priority client the client associated with a highest priority in the
queue file, categorize the print jobs associated with the highest priority client into a
large job category or a small job category, determine a composition of print
production resources, route print jobs to the print production resources in the
determined composition, and control operation of the print production resources.

Patent # 9,396,445
July 19, 2016
Controlled data collectionsystem forimproving print shop operation
Abstract: A control system usable in a print shop where print jobs are processed with
at least one print shop related resource is provided. The at least one print shop related
resource is operated over multiple discrete time intervals such that production related
data is generated for each one of the multiple discrete time intervals. The production
related data generated during each one of the multiple discrete intervals is collected
and stored in memory. The control system includes a controller and a program. The
program operates with the controller to calculate at least one performance measure
value from the stored production related data, and to determine, with the at least one
calculated performance measure value, whether any further collection of production
related data is required.

Patent # 9,423,989
August 23, 2016
System and method for dynamically reconfiguring one or more autonomous cells in a
print shop environment
Abstract: A method and system for processing jobs in a print shop is provided. The
print shop includes at least two autonomous cells, and each autonomous cell includes
a resource for performing an operation relative to at least one of the jobs. In one
approach, the number of jobs requiring an operation at each one of the two
autonomous cells is monitored. When the number of jobs requiring at least one
operation at each one of the two autonomous cells exceeds a selected number, a
reconfiguration mode is simulated for at least one of the two autonomous cells to
obtain a reconfiguration desirability value. The at least one of the two autonomous
cells is reconfigured when the reconfiguration desirability value differs from a
selected reference value.
.

Patent # 9,639,306
May 2, 2017
Methods and systems for cell design in a production environment
Inventors: Gupta; Manoj (Bangalore, IN), Prabhakara; Jagadeesh Chandra Bose
Rantham (Andhra Pradesh, IN), Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Dutta;
Partha (Bangalore, IN)
Abstract: A method of generating a cell design of print production devices for a print
production environment includes receiving a print job list, and identifying a plurality
of print production devices located in the production environment. The system
identifies a list of functions associated with the print jobs, and generates a graph. The
system determines a threshold value, and partitions the graph into a number of groups
equal to the threshold value such that a number of edges extending between groups is
minimized. The system generates an initial cell design for the print production
environment, and causes a hardware setting of each of the plurality of production
devices to be updated to reflect the cell to which the production device was assigned
and to enable the production device to perform one or more functions associated with
the cell to which the production device was assigned.

Patent # 10,282,144
May 7, 2017
System and method for distributed cellular manufacturing with outsourcing group
constraints
Abstract: To preserve job integrity and minimize multi-site coordination overhead
such as shipping, a technique to control the amount of outsourcing activities in a
distributed manufacturing environment is provided. This approach to multi-site
scheduling allows outsourcing control for distributed cellular manufacturing based on
scheduling constraints called outsourcing group constraints.

Patent # 10,445,679
October 15, 2019
System and method for distributed cellular manufacturing with outsourcing group
constraints
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Ettam; Ranjit Kumar (Pradesh, IN)
Abstract: A system for determining a labor flexibility level for a document
management system that meets a performance level of a full-flexibility level and is
within one or more threshold limits includes a document management system having a
plurality of print production devices, an electronic device in communication with the
document management system, and a computer-readable storage medium having one
or more programming instructions. The document management system is associated
with a plurality of operators who each possess one or more skill sets for operating one
or more of the print production devices.

Patent # 10,467,574
November 5, 2019
Methods and systems of forecasting customer demand in a print production
environment
Inventors: Rai; Sudhendu (Fairport, NY), Ettam; Ranjit Kumar (Pradesh, IN)
Abstract: A system of forecasting future print job demand for a print shop may
include a computing device, a print shop having a plurality of print devices in
communication with the computing device, a historical database in communication
with the computing device, and a computer-readable storage medium comprising one
or more programming instructions.

Patent # 10,732,913
August 4, 2020
System and method for multi-site cellular manufacturing with transportation delays
Binh (Palo Alto, CA), Lambrecht; Craig (Rochester, NY)
Abstract: A system and method is used to manage scheduling of a plurality of print
jobs in a multi-site print shop environment. The multi-site environment includes a
plurality of print shops eachhaving resources and equipment to complete at least
one type of print job. Also included is a multi-site scheduler configuration arranged
to assign and schedule print jobs to one of a home shop and a non-home shop. The
assigning and scheduling is based on a fastest completion time, wherein a
completion time of a print job in a home shop is defined as the actual time taken to
complete the print job and a completion time of a print job in a non-home shop is
defined as the actual time taken to complete the print job and a transportation
delay.

Sudhendu Rai Patent abstracts (Word document with embedded patents)

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