JP2006248077A - Method and device for setting printing sequence, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set an execution sequence of producing prints by satisfying both of keeping of a delivery date and the productivity when determining the execution sequence of producing the prints relating to items of which the purchase sequence of printing is received. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of candidates of execution sequences having different execution sequences of items of which the purchase sequences of printing are received, are set and a time chart for predicting the time period of the processing is formed by each of the candidates, and then each of the time charts is evaluated. By setting the execution sequence of producing the prints of each item according to the evaluation results, the problem can be solved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print order setting method and a print order setting apparatus capable of optimizing the execution order of print creation for an order received, and a program for causing a computer to execute this print order setting.

With the spread of personal computers (PCs), PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance), etc., the penetration rate of digital cameras is increasing. Furthermore, mobile phones having a photographing function are also widespread.
An image (image data) taken with a digital camera, a mobile phone, or the like is usually captured and processed by a PC or the like and used for various purposes such as a homepage or New Year's card. However, there are many requests to leave images taken with these as high-quality (photo) prints. In addition, an image photographed on the film is photoelectrically read by a CCD sensor or the like, and the read image (image data) is subjected to predetermined image processing to be an output image (data), which is modulated in accordance with the output image. A so-called digital minilab has been put into practical use, in which a photosensitive material (photographic paper) is scanned and exposed with recording light such as laser light, and a predetermined wet process is performed on the exposed photosensitive material. A digital minilab that handles images as image data can easily handle print creation from images taken with a digital camera or the like.
Under these circumstances, in recent years, using such a digital minilab, a specialist such as a lab shop has created a print from an image taken with a digital camera, a mobile phone, or the like.

  When ordering print production of images taken with a digital camera or the like, for example, a print order receiving machine (hereinafter referred to as a receiving machine) installed in a store such as a lab shop or various commercial facilities. Done with.

The accepting machine normally reads a picture when a recording medium such as a memory card, an IC card, or a CD-R for storing the photographed image is loaded, or when a digital camera or a mobile phone is connected directly or using a connection means. And display on the display together with the order screen.
A customer (a print orderer) inputs an order such as an image to be printed, a print size, and the number of prints for each image using a display serving as a touch panel and a predetermined input method. When the order is confirmed, the accepting machine associates the image with the information (order information) related to the input order, and sends it to a server or an image processing apparatus such as a lab shop. From here, a digital print system such as a digital minilab An image is supplied to the printer, and a print corresponding to the order information is created and output.

By the way, in general, print creation in response to such a print order is generally performed in the order received. However, if the print creation is executed in such an order of acceptance, the delivery date may not be able to be met in a hurry.
On the contrary, in order to comply with the delivery date, etc., as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a desired finish time is received for each case (job), and the time required for processing (expected processing time) is predicted, It is also conceivable to set the processing order of each case from the current time, the desired finishing time, and the estimated processing time.
JP 2003-101700 A

  However, with such a method for setting the print creation order, it is not possible to comply with the delivery date and perform efficient print creation.

As an example, a photographic printer usually uses a photosensitive material roll formed by winding a long photosensitive material (photographic paper), and the photosensitive material is drawn out from the photosensitive material roll and cut into a print size to create a print. The photosensitive material roll is usually stored in a light-shielding casing called a magazine and loaded in a printer. Therefore, the magazine needs to be replaced depending on the size of the print to be created.
However, as described above, if the print order is set according to the acceptance order and the delivery date, the magazine needs to be frequently replaced depending on the print size of each case, and the work efficiency is extremely deteriorated. On the other hand, if the processing order is set with priority given to the creation of prints of the same size with emphasis on efficiency, the creation of prints of different sizes will be postponed, and the delivery date of these cases cannot be kept.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and at the time of determining the execution order of print creation of a matter that has received a print order, achieves both compliance with delivery date and productivity, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print order setting method and apparatus capable of setting an execution order of print creation capable of efficient print creation, and a program for causing a computer to execute the print order setting method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the print order setting method of the present invention is a method for setting the execution order of each print creation in the print creation according to the print order, and for each case where the print order is received, Generate multiple execution order candidates with different orders, generate a time chart that predicts the processing time for each execution order candidate, evaluate each time chart, and execute print creation for each item according to this evaluation result Provided is a print order setting method characterized by setting the order.

  In such a print order setting method of the present invention, when at least one of acceptance of a new print order, a change in the status of a printer that performs print creation, and a change in the evaluation criteria of the time chart occurs, It is preferable to reset the execution order of print creation, and it is preferable to set restrictions on the execution order in accordance with the contents of the print order when generating the execution order candidates. When an express finish to be created is instructed, it is preferable to restrict the generation of execution order candidates so that the execution order of this case does not end.

  The print order setting device of the present invention is a print order setting device that sets the execution order of each print creation in print creation according to the print order. Execution order candidate generation means for generating a plurality of execution order candidates with different execution orders for print creation, and time chart generation for generating a time chart for predicting the processing time for each execution order candidate generated by the execution order candidate generation means And a time chart evaluation unit that evaluates each time chart generated by the time chart generation unit and sets an execution order of print creation for each case according to the evaluation result. Provided is a print order setting device.

  In such a print order setting apparatus of the present invention, the evaluation reference changing means of the time chart evaluation means, the order monitoring means for monitoring the acceptance of the print order, and the printer monitoring means for monitoring the status of the printer that produces the print And at least one of a change in evaluation criteria by the changing unit, detection of acceptance of a new print order by the order monitoring unit, and detection of a printer status change by the printer monitoring unit Generation of execution order candidates by the execution order candidate generation means, creation of a time chart by the time chart generation means, and evaluation of the time chart by the time chart evaluation means and setting of the execution order of each process It is preferable to have an optimization instruction means.

  Furthermore, the program of the present invention is a computer-executable program for setting the execution order of each print creation in the print creation according to the print order, and the execution order for each print order. Using a step of setting a plurality of execution order candidates different from each other, a step of creating a time chart predicting a processing time for each execution order candidate, a step of evaluating the time chart, and an evaluation result of the time chart, Provided is a program for executing a step of setting an execution order of print creation for each item for which order information has been acquired.

  According to the present invention as described above, when performing print creation of a matter that has received a print order, a plurality of execution order candidates are created corresponding to each matter for which a print order has been accepted, and the time of each execution order candidate is further determined. Create a chart, evaluate each time chart according to multiple purposes, and set the execution order of each print production, for example, achieving the conflicting objectives of ensuring productivity and observing delivery time It is possible to set a print creation execution order.

  Hereinafter, a print order setting method, a print order setting apparatus, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an example of a print production system using the present invention.
The print production system 10 shown in the figure (hereinafter referred to as the production system 10) prints (photo) prints according to customer orders (order information) from images (image data) taken with a digital camera or a mobile phone. As an example, this system includes a print order receiving machine 12 (hereinafter referred to as receiving machine 12), a digital image controller 14 (hereinafter referred to as DIC 14), a printer 16, and an order controller 18. Is done. These are connected by a known network 20.
In the production system 10, the order controller 18 is the print order setting device of the present invention that implements the print order setting method of the present invention.

  In the illustrated example, only one accepting machine 12 is connected to the production system 10. However, a print production system using the present invention (the number of accepting machines to which the order controller of the present invention corresponds) The production system 10 may include a plurality of receiving machines 12. The DIC 14 and / or the printer 16 may also have a plurality.

  The accepting machine 12 is an apparatus that is installed in a lab shop or various commercial facilities, and accepts an order for creating a print from an image (image data) photographed by an imaging device such as a digital camera or a mobile phone having a photographing function. A media drive for reading / recording an image (image data) recorded on a storage medium (storage medium), a display, a display controller for controlling the display, a printer for creating a print receipt slip (voucher), CPU, ROM And RAM.

The accepting machine 12 is basically a well-known print order accepting machine, except that it has a function of selecting between normal finishing and express finishing described later, and reads and inputs an image from a storage medium loaded in the media drive. The information relating to the print order (order information) and one image are associated with each other and supplied to the DIC 14.
The storage medium receiving machine 12 (i.e., media drive) corresponds, is not particularly limited, SmartMedia ^TM, CompactFlash ^TM, Memory Stick ^TM, SD Memory Card ^TM, PC card, CD-R, known storage such as MD All media are available. Of course, the storage medium supported by the accepting machine 12 is not limited to one type, and may correspond to a plurality of types of storage media. The accepting machine 12 may read an image directly from a digital camera, a mobile phone, or the like by using a predetermined connection unit or the like.

The method for operating the print order in the receiving machine 12 is not particularly limited, and may be the same as a known print order receiving machine.
As an example, the display is a touch panel that also serves as an operation means, and an image to be printed by a known GUI (Graphical User Interface) using a display image such as an image read from a storage medium or various operation instructions, and the display. And various operations such as inputting the number of sheets, print size, and various instructions.

Here, the production system 10 is a system capable of selecting normal finishing and normal express finishing which normally perform print creation, and can select normal finishing or express finishing with the accepting machine 12 together with the input of the print order.
The express finish is a service that creates a print with priority over the normal finish and provides the print promptly. For example, in the case of express finishing, print processing is performed in the shortest possible time within the possible range by performing processing (overtaking the previous one) before the normal finishing order previously ordered as much as possible. After the order is received, the print is output within a few minutes to 10 minutes, the print is ordered, and the customer who is waiting on the spot (or a predetermined position in the vicinity of the reception machine 12) is immediately contacted by the customer. Provide prints.

The accepting machine 12 generates an order ID (identification information) corresponding to the input print order, further processes the input order instruction for each case, and receives the order ID and print. The image is associated with the order information such as the image to be generated, the number of prints, the print size, the delivery date (scheduled finish time), the express finish or the normal finish, and the image is output to the DIC 14 by the network 20.
The delivery date may be provided to the customer by a delivery date set in advance by a lab shop or the like, and may be added to the order information by an operator input or the like, or the DIC 14 or the order controller 18 to be described later may provide the number of images and the print size. Depending on the operating status of the printer 16 and the processing capacity (number of output sheets per unit time, etc.), the estimated finishing time of the print is calculated and presented to the customer, and the information is transferred via the network 20 and ordered. You may attach to. Naturally, the delivery time differs depending on whether it is an express finish or a normal finish.

The production system 10 orders a print creation from a PC (personal computer) at home or the like using a computer communication network such as the Internet instead of a dedicated reception machine 12 installed at a store or the like. It is also possible to respond to orders by e-mail from mobile phones. That is, at this time, the PC at the customer's home or the like becomes the print order receiving machine of the production system 10. In this case, for example, a PC or the like may be operated as a print order accepting machine by accessing and browsing a homepage established by a lab shop or the like, and dedicated ordering software is provided on the PC or the like. It may be downloaded / installed and a PC or the like may act as a print order receiving machine.
Further, by installing dedicated order receiving software on a PC owned by a lab shop or the like, this PC may act as a print order receiving machine of the production system 10.

  The DIC 14 performs predetermined image processing on each image supplied from the accepting machine 12 to obtain an output image (image data) corresponding to print creation by the printer 16, and prints for each item set by the order controller 18 described later. In accordance with the execution order of creation, the output images for each case and the order information are associated with each other and sequentially output to the printer 16. In addition, when one image is sent, sort information indicating one segment is also supplied to the printer.

The image processing performed by the DIC 14 is not particularly limited, and various known image processing such as image enlargement / reduction (electronic scaling processing), gradation correction, color / density correction, saturation correction, sharpness processing, and the like. Is available. Any image processing may be performed by a known method.
When a plurality of printers 16 are connected to the production system 10, the DIC 14 selects the printer 16 that outputs an image in consideration of the receiving time of each case, the operating status of each printer 16, and the like. It may be.

Further, in the system 10, the image data is acquired from the storage medium or the like by the DIC 14, not the accepting device 12, and the print order information is input. Similarly, the acquired image is an image corresponding to the order data. Processing may be performed to generate a print image, and the print image may be supplied to the printer 16.
That is, at this time, the DIC 14 functions as a print order receiving machine of the production system 10.

  The printer 16 exposes the photosensitive material (printing paper) to form a latent image in accordance with the output image supplied from the DIC 14 and the order information, performs a predetermined wet development, and dries to obtain a print. It is a digital photo printer.

Specifically, the printer 16 stores a photosensitive material roll formed by winding a long photosensitive material in a roll shape in a predetermined (photosensitive material) magazine, and the magazine is loaded into a predetermined position. , Photographic paper is supplied. The printer 16 cuts the photosensitive material to a length corresponding to the print size to be created in accordance with the order information supplied from the DIC 14, records a back print, and then outputs it to the output image supplied from the DIC 14. A latent image is recorded by scanning and exposing the photosensitive material with a light beam (recording light) modulated accordingly.
Next, the printer 16 performs a predetermined wet development process (development, bleaching / fixing, washing with water) on the exposed photosensitive material, and then drying and outputting it as a (finished photograph) print, according to the sort information. Sort by each case.

Here, as a preferred mode, the printer 16 of the production system 10 can be loaded with two magazines. For this reason, for example, by loading a magazine containing photosensitive material rolls of different sizes (paper widths) and switching the magazine to be used (magazine switching), it is possible to cope with print creation of a plurality of sizes having different widths.
Further, the printer 16 can cope with creation of prints of various sizes by exchanging the magazine to be mounted (magazine replacement).

The order controller 18 sets the execution order of print creation for each item that is waiting for execution of print creation stored in the DIC 14 (waiting for output to the printer 16), and sets the execution order (scheduled execution order) to the DIC 14. To supply.
In the production system 10 shown in the drawing, the order controller 18 is an independent part, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the order controller 18 is built in the DIC 14. Various configurations can be used. Alternatively, the DIC 14 may sequentially output processed images to the order controller 18, store the images in the order controller 18, and supply the images to the printer 16 according to the execution order set by the order controller 18 itself. Good.

FIG. 2 conceptually shows an example of the order controller 18 in a block diagram.
In the illustrated example, the order controller 18 includes an execution order candidate generation unit 30, a time chart generation unit 32, a time chart evaluation unit 34, an optimization instruction unit 36, an evaluation reference change unit 38, an order monitoring unit 40, and a device state. A monitoring unit 42 is provided.

The execution order candidate generation unit 30 generates a plurality of execution order candidates that are different from each other with respect to the print creation execution waiting state (hereinafter simply referred to as “execution waiting state”) stored in the DIC 14.
The time chart generating unit 32 generates a time chart for each execution order candidate generated by the execution order candidate generating unit 32.
The time chart evaluation unit 34 evaluates the time chart of each execution order candidate generated by the time chart generation unit 32, and sets the execution order candidate with the highest evaluation as the execution order of print creation, and this execution order is given to the DIC 14. To supply.
The evaluation standard changing unit 38 changes the evaluation standard in the time chart evaluation unit 34, the order monitoring unit 40 monitors the print order supplied to the DIC 14, and the device status monitoring unit 42 monitors the status of the printer 16. , Each one. Further, the optimization instruction unit 36 instructs to optimize the execution order of print creation in accordance with information from the evaluation standard changing unit 38, the order monitoring unit 40, and the device state monitoring unit 42.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by explaining the operation of the order controller 18. The program of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute the following actions.

In the order controller 18, the order monitoring means 40 monitors the DIC 14 via the network 20, and when a new print order (order) image and order information are supplied from the accepting machine 12 to the DIC 14 (accepting a new order). = Occurrence of a new execution-waiting case), the fact is reported to the optimization instruction means 36.
In addition, the device information monitoring unit 42 monitors the printer 16 via the network 20, and reports the change to the optimization instructing unit 36 when there is a change in the printer state such as removal or replacement of the magazine.
Further, as will be described in detail later, the order controller 18 can change the evaluation standard of the time chart in the time chart evaluation unit 34 by the evaluation standard changing unit 38. The evaluation standard changing unit 38 reports the fact to the optimization instruction unit 36 when the evaluation standard of the time chart is changed by an input instruction from an operator or the like. The method for changing the evaluation criteria is not particularly limited, and may be a known method performed by a computer or various devices, such as a method using a GUI or a method using a switch for switching. That's fine.

  In the aura controller 18, a report on the occurrence of a new waiting for execution from the order monitoring unit 40, a report on a printer status change from the device status monitoring unit 42, and an evaluation standard change from the evaluation standard changing unit When the optimization instruction unit 36 receives at least one of the reports, the optimization instruction unit 36 resets the print creation execution order (optimization of the print creation execution order) with respect to the execution waiting stored in the DIC 14. Order).

When optimization of the execution order is instructed, in the order controller 18, first, the execution order candidate generation unit 30 generates a plurality of execution order candidates for the execution waiting candidates stored in the DIC 14.
For example, when there are four execution queues A, B, C and D, “A → B → C → D”, “A → C → B → D”, “B → A → D → C” As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of execution order candidates having different execution orders are generated for the four cases.

This execution order candidate may be set as appropriate by combining the execution waiting candidates in this way. For example, if there is an execution order that has already been set, this is used to create a new execution order. Execution order candidates may be generated by incorporating the waiting-for-execution matter (new order) that occurred in step 2 into the already set execution order.
For example, when the execution order “A → C → B” has already been set for three cases A, B, and C waiting for execution, a new case D waiting for execution has occurred (added) In this case, the execution sequence “A → C → B” that has already been set is used to incorporate D here, and “D → A → C → B”, “A → D → C → B”, Four execution order candidates “A → C → D → B” and “A → C → B → D” are generated.

In the execution order candidate generation means 30, when there are a plurality of new execution waiting cases, all the newly generated execution waiting cases are added to the already set execution order to generate execution order candidates. May be.
Alternatively, when there are a plurality of new waiting-for-execution cases, first, one new waiting-for-execution case is added to generate an execution order candidate, and a time chart generation, time chart evaluation, and Set the execution order, and then repeat the process of generating the execution order candidates and setting the execution order by adding the next one until there are no new execution-waiting cases. It may be set.

The execution order candidate generation means 30 may generate all possible execution order candidates and share them with the next time chart generation means 32. Preferably, however, the execution order candidate generation means 30 is limited to the generation of execution candidate orders according to the order information. It is preferable not to generate execution candidates with a low possibility of adoption. Further, the number of execution order candidates generated may be appropriately selected or adjusted.
As described above, the production system 10 is a system that can specify express finishing that creates a print in a short time. Correspondingly, the case where the express finish is designated is found from the order information, and the execution order candidate that the postal express finish is postponed to the normal finish or the express finish is the last. It is preferable not to generate execution order candidates.
Further, it is preferable to know the delivery date from the order information of each case, and to prevent generation of execution order candidates or the like such that a case for which the delivery date is approaching becomes a postponement of a case with a sufficient delivery date. Alternatively, it is also preferable to generate only execution order candidates that give priority to a matter that is about to be delivered.

  As a result, priority control such as express finishing can be easily performed, and time chart generation and time chart evaluation described later can be shortened to set the execution order in a short time.

The execution order candidates generated by the execution order candidate generation unit 30 are then supplied to the time chart generation unit 32.
The time chart generation unit 32 outputs the print creation process start predicted time and the DIC 14 to the printer 16 for each execution order candidate for each execution order candidate according to the order information, device information, work information, current time, and the like. Then, a time chart is generated in which the predicted execution time of each process such as print creation processing in the printer 16 and collation after print output, the estimated print finish time, and the like are described.

Examples of order information used for time chart generation include delivery date, number of prints, print size, and the like. Examples of the device information include the production capacity of the printer 16 (such as the number of prints per unit time), the magazine (the size of the photosensitive material) that is mounted, and the like. Examples of the work information include time required for magazine exchange and switching, time required for processing of prints output from the printer 16, time required for print verification, and the like.
The time chart generation unit 32 uses these pieces of information to obtain, for example, the processing time of each process for each case, and generates a time chart for each execution order candidate from the current time. Here, when it is predicted that the magazine 16 is changed or the magazine is switched in the printer 16, these times are also incorporated into the time chart. At this time, which magazine is to be replaced (as described above, the printer 16 can be loaded with two magazines) is predicted based on the replacement rule, past replacement results, and the like. The replacement rule is, for example, a rule that determines which of the two loading sections is to be regularly replaced with a magazine loaded when the magazine needs to be replaced.

The time chart of each execution order candidate generated by the time chart generation unit 32 is then supplied to the time chart evaluation unit 34.
The time chart evaluation means evaluates each time chart using a preset evaluation criterion, and executes an execution order candidate corresponding to the time chart having the highest evaluation as an execution order (execution order schedule) for each case. As shown in FIG. The DIC 14 sequentially outputs each image and order information to the printer 16 according to the execution order.

Here, as described above, when the evaluation standard is changed, the order controller 18 changes the status of the printer 18 at the time when at least one of a new execution waiting event and a change in the status of the printer 18 occurs. Then, the optimization instruction means 36 instructs optimization (resetting) of the print creation execution order, and the execution order of the print creation of each item waiting for execution is optimized.
For this reason, if any of the above situations occurs before all the prints for which the execution order has already been set are executed, the execution order is optimized (reset) at that time, and the order changes. There is a possibility. Therefore, when the time chart evaluation unit 34 sets the execution order, the execution order is not fixed but is supplied to the DIC 14 as an execution order schedule.

There are no particular limitations on the time chart evaluation method, and various methods can be used.
As an example, there is exemplified a method in which a plurality of evaluation items are provided, the evaluation values of the respective evaluation items are weighted using a preset coefficient, added, and evaluated with the added values.
The evaluation items are not particularly limited, and various items can be used. As an example, there is a margin time for each case (time obtained by subtracting the estimated print finish time from the delivery date), the number of magazine replacements and the total time for magazine replacement, the number of magazine switching times and the total time for magazine switching, etc. The

As described above, in the order controller 18, the evaluation standard of the time chart can be changed by the evaluation standard changing means 38. For example, in the above example, the weighting coefficient for each evaluation item can be changed.
In the illustrated example, as an example, three evaluation modes of a delivery date compliance mode, a normal mode, and an efficiency priority mode are set, and the weighting coefficient of each item, that is, the evaluation standard can be changed depending on which mode is selected. . The delivery date compliance mode is a mode in which compliance with delivery date is given priority over work efficiency, and the weighting factor for the margin time is made heavier. The efficiency priority mode is a mode in which work efficiency is given higher priority, and a weighting factor for magazine replacement or magazine switching is made heavier. The normal mode is a mode that is intermediate between the two.
By having such a means for changing the evaluation criteria, it is possible to set the optimal print creation execution order according to the policy of the lab shop or the order status.

In a conventional photo print system, the order of print creation is often irrelevant to the delivery date, and if the delivery date has no allowance, it may be difficult to comply with the delivery date. In particular, when work efficiency is a priority, in order to reduce the number of magazine replacements, prints for the same photosensitive material size (paper width) are collectively created. , Tend to decline more. On the other hand, if a print is created according to the order of the order or the like, it is necessary to frequently change the magazine, and the work efficiency is very low. In this way, with photo printers, if you make a print to reduce magazine replacement, it will be difficult to comply with delivery dates for specific cases that do not match the size. As a result, work efficiency is reduced, that is, it is generally difficult to optimize delivery date compliance and productivity at the same time.
Moreover, since print production with a photographic print system is a short-time production, calculation with high accuracy in minutes is necessary, and when a new print order is placed, It is necessary to reset the execution order of each case (sequential correction / optimization). In other words, unlike general production scheduling, setting the execution order (scheduling) of print creation for photo printers requires high-precision calculations in minutes and is frequently performed while creating prints. Since it is necessary to reset the order, it is necessary to complete the calculation in a short time.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, a plurality of execution order candidates are created, a time chart of each execution order candidate is created, and each time chart is evaluated according to a plurality of purposes, Set the execution order of print creation.
Therefore, it is possible to set the execution order of print creation that simultaneously optimizes a plurality of purposes that have the possibility of conflicting, namely productivity and adherence to delivery date. Preferably, by including means for changing the evaluation criteria of the time chart, it is possible to set an optimal execution order giving priority to required characteristics according to store policies and print order acceptance status.
In addition, it optimizes by automatically resetting the execution order in response to the occurrence of new print orders (occurrence of new waiting requests), printer status changes, changes to the time chart evaluation criteria, etc. Therefore, it is possible to create a print that always ensures the optimality and accuracy of the execution order.
Furthermore, by generating only the execution order candidates that prioritize the matter of urgent print creation according to the express finish instruction and delivery date, priority control such as express finish can be controlled and calculation time can be shortened. Thus, it is possible to cope with frequent resetting of the execution order.

The print order setting method, print order setting apparatus, and program of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, changes may be made.
For example, the above example exemplifies a photographic printer as the printer 16 that outputs a print, by exposing a photosensitive material (photographic paper) imagewise, and performing wet development processing and drying to obtain a finished print. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as a printer for outputting a print, an electrophotographic printer, an inkjet printer, a photosensitive heat source image recording medium is used, and an image is formed on the image receiving paper using an image forming solvent such as water. Various printers such as a printer for transferring the image can be used.

1 is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of a print production system using the present invention. 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a print order setting apparatus of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 (Print) Production System 12 (Print Order) Accepting Machine 14 DIC (Digital Image Controller)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 Printer 18 Order controller 20 Network 30 Execution order candidate production | generation means 32 Time chart production | generation means 34 Time chart evaluation means 36 Optimization instruction | indication means 38 Evaluation reference | standard change means 40 Order monitoring means 42 Equipment state monitoring means

Claims (7)

In the print creation according to the print order, it is a setting method of the execution order of each print creation,
Generate multiple execution order candidates with different orders for each print order received, generate a time chart that predicts the processing time for each execution order candidate, and evaluate each time chart. A print order setting method, wherein the print creation execution order for each case is set accordingly.   The execution order of print creation for each case is reset when at least one of acceptance of a new print order, change in status of a printer that performs print creation, and change in the evaluation criteria of the time chart occurs. The print order setting method according to 1.   3. The print order setting method according to claim 1, wherein when generating the execution order candidates, restrictions are placed on the execution order in accordance with the contents of the print order.   4. The print order setting method according to claim 3, wherein when an express finish for preferentially creating a print is instructed, a restriction is imposed on the generation of the execution order candidates so that the execution order of the case does not end. In print creation according to a print order, a print order setting device for setting the execution order of print creation for each case,
The processing time for the execution order candidate generating means for generating a plurality of execution order candidates having different execution orders for print creation for each case, and for each execution order candidate generated by the execution order candidate generating means A time chart generating means for generating a time chart that predicts the time, and a time for performing evaluation of each time chart generated by the time chart generating means, and setting an execution order of each print creation according to the evaluation result A print order setting apparatus comprising: a chart evaluation unit. At least one of an evaluation reference changing unit for the time chart evaluation unit, an order monitoring unit for monitoring reception of a print order, and a printer monitoring unit for monitoring the status of a printer that performs print creation;
Further, the execution order candidate generation unit according to at least one of a change of the evaluation criteria by the changing unit, a detection of a new print order acceptance by the order monitoring unit, and a detection of a printer state change by the printer monitoring unit Generating an execution order candidate by the time chart, creating a time chart by the time chart generating means, and evaluating the time chart by the time chart evaluating means and setting an execution order for each process. Item 6. The print order setting device according to Item 5. A program that can be executed by a computer to set the execution order of each print creation in print creation according to a print order,
A step of setting a plurality of execution order candidates having different execution orders from each other for each print order,
Creating a time chart that predicts the processing time for each execution order candidate;
Evaluating the time chart;
And a step of setting a print creation execution order for each item for which order information has been acquired, using the evaluation result of the time chart.

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