JP2007018231A - Information management and printing device, and storage medium which stores computer-readable program which records module of the device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information management and printing device which generates efficient and accurate scheduling in preparing a large quantity of printed matter and also make efficient and accurate scheduling even if a failure occurs to an arbitrary device or an interruption job is generated. <P>SOLUTION: The information management and printing device is provided with; a means which analyzes a due date of an object job; a means which confirms information on the object job; a means which determines whether a loading space is to be used in a printing process; a means which analyzes a printing loading space to be used; a means which refers to information on a processing power of a printing process device; a means which analyzes a processing time of the printing process device; and a means which analyzes a reservation state of the printing process device. By this, when a large quantity of printed matter is produced, efficient and accurate scheduling is made and efficient operation is attained, while considering a high operating rate is maintained by ensuring a loading space required for each process device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management printing apparatus that executes a printing process, and a storage medium that stores a computer-readable program that records a module thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are commercial printers that generate printed materials upon request from customers such as individual users and companies. These printers provide printing data (originals) from customers, create printed materials in response to instructions such as print format, number of copies, and delivery date, and deliver them to customers. These printers use a large-scale apparatus such as an offset plate-making printing machine that has been known for a long time.

  In recent years, with the increase in the speed and image quality of electrophotographic printing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as printers) and inkjet printers, “copy services”, “printing services”, “Print” that can be output and delivered in a short time. There is also a commercial printing business called “On Demand (POD) Center”.

  Printing requests to these printing businesses are sent from the user to the service provider who provides the above-mentioned services, including the original document recorded on paper or electronic media, the number of copies printed, the bookbinding method, and the delivery date. (Order instructions) are submitted by mail or directly to the printing company.

  In addition, a system capable of ordering / receiving orders and submitting prints online via the Internet or an intranet has been put into practical use. The printing company receives a request from the user and creates a printing instruction. Then, printing and bookbinding are performed by a printer connected to the work computer in accordance with the print instruction, and the created printed matter is delivered to the customer to complete the work.

  A printer that executes such a printing process entrusted by a user must complete printing so as to ensure that it is in time for a delivery date designated with stable quality. In a large-scale printing center, a plurality of operators must sequentially process a large number of print requests (orders) in parallel using various printers and work computers. For this reason, it is necessary to utilize resources such as people (operating operators) and devices as efficiently as possible. In other words, it is important to establish and operate a job plan (schedule) that can make maximum use of resources based on the delivery date and cost.

  In the prior art, there are many forms in which jobs are scheduled in the order based on the delivery date of a print request (order).

  However, in the method of scheduling jobs in the order based on the delivery date of the print request (order) described above, when there is a process with a high workload (time) such as “binding” or “cutting” in the final process, There was a problem that jobs were concentrated in the final process and the work efficiency of the entire process was lowered.

Nowadays, in order to solve this problem, the time required for the printing process performed in the printing process and the finishing process (post process) such as “bookbinding” and “cutting” in the subsequent process is calculated, and the optimum is based on the calculated time. There has also been invented a system that performs scheduling in a simple processing order (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-029956 A

  In the conventional scheduling system, as the job scheduling judgment process, the mechanical processing capacity (operation rate) of the printing process such as a printer, and the mechanical processing capacity of the post-process such as an offline finisher during the delivery date of the job (order) ( Only the utilization rate) was added.

  However, when the print volume is large, it is necessary to temporarily load the printed material on a work table or the like when the discharge ports of the printing process device are fully loaded. For this reason, when the printed matter cannot be moved to the work table, the job is stopped and the operation rate of the printing process is lowered. Further, when the printed material is not automatically moved from the printing process device to the post-process device, it is necessary to temporarily load the printed material on a work table or the like before starting the post-process and during the work. When the worktable cannot be used (temporary loading), the operation rate of the post-process decreases.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, job A (5000 copies on both sides with device 1, bookbinding with bookbinding machine, 3-sided cutting with cutter), job B (device 2, 1000 copies on one side, number of copies with collator), job C Consider a case in which (device 2, 400 parts one side, packing) is processed in parallel.

  Job A completes the printing process and stacks 5000 prints in the loading space of the workbench. Next, bookbinding is performed one by one, and the completed books are loaded again on the loading space of the work table. Next, job C completes the printing process and stacks 400 prints in the loading space of the workbench. Then, it is assumed that there is no more free space on the work table. Since job C does not have an empty space, it is necessary to move the packaging to another space, so that the operation rate of the post-process decreases.

  Further, since the post-process collator can be used, printing of job B is started. Next, the job B stops the printing process of the printing process device when the printed material reaches the maximum stacking number (2000 sheets) of the discharge port of the printing process device. Originally, the printing work is restored by moving 2000 printed materials to the stacking space of the workbench, but the job is stopped because there is no empty space on the workbench. Since the number of copies is set by the post-process collator, the process cannot be transferred to the post-process unless all outputs are completed, and the stop of job B affects the schedule for other jobs. As a result, work does not proceed as scheduled. That is, in order to stabilize and improve the processing capacity (operation rate) of the printing process and the post-process, it is necessary to secure a sufficient stacking space for each printing process device.

  For this reason, in the conventional job scheduling system, since the actual operation rate in each process device is not taken into consideration, the end time is not predicted efficiently and accurately, and the effect of the pre-scheduling does not sufficiently function. There is a problem.

  Further, if an interrupt job that needs to be processed with higher priority or a failure occurs in any device, rescheduling is necessary. In this case, it is impossible to accurately and quickly grasp the actual operation rate and progress status of the overall printing process and subsequent processes, so it is impossible to effectively and flexibly reschedule new jobs or existing jobs. There are also challenges.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points, and in the case of creating a large amount of printed matter, considering that the operation rate is kept high by securing the loading space required by each process device, Information management printing device and computer-readable program that can perform efficient and accurate scheduling, and can perform efficient and accurate scheduling even when any device failure or interrupt job occurs An object is to provide a storage medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention has the following configuration. An information management printing device in which a computer and a printing device are connected to each other via a network, including print settings such as bookbinding and number of copies, print settings such as paper size, order information such as delivery date and delivery destination specification, and submission Means for analyzing the delivery date of a target job in an information management printing apparatus composed of a print server that accepts a document, sequentially processes the received order and automatically processes printing, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow Means for confirming information on the target job, means for determining whether or not to use the stacking space during the printing process, means for analyzing the printing stacking space to be used, and means for referring to the processing capability information of the printing process device And means for analyzing the processing time of the printing process device, and means for analyzing the reservation status of the printing process device Information management printing apparatus and media for recording module executing the above means.

  According to the present invention, when a large amount of printed matter is created by providing the above-described means, it is possible to efficiently and accurately consider the fact that the operation rate is kept high by securing the loading space required for each process device. Scheduling can be performed and the overall work form becomes efficient. Further, efficient and accurate scheduling is possible even when any device failure or interrupt job occurs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to the present invention. It should be noted that the environment of the entire printing system in the following description is for facilitating understanding of the description of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these environments.

  In FIG. 1, a client 151 indicates that a general user is provided with a notebook PC 102 connected to the Internet at home and a business PC 101 connected to an in-house intranet.

  The server 152 is a WEB server 103 that provides a user with a print request or a submitted content for submitting a manuscript, or stores the submitted print request as an order form (order form) or electronically submitted. A server provided with a DB server 104 for storing a document is shown. Here, the WEB server and the DB server can be mixed in one housing, but in the present invention, the description will be divided into two housings for convenience.

  A plurality of print centers 153 can exist with respect to the server 152, and are distributed by the server 152 based on information on printers installed in the print center. The print center 153 periodically collects the order forms and manuscripts accumulated in the server 152 from the DB server 104 and uses the server 105 on which the printing system of the present invention operates and various services provided by the server 105. Work PC 106 operated using an easy GUI, monochrome printer 111 and color printer 112 as actual output destinations, and a post-processing machine 141 (case binding machine) and a post-processing machine 142 (puncher machine) to be used after printing Is deployed. Of course, the configuration and environment of the printing center are not limited to the above.

  In the example of the present embodiment, the client and the server, and the server and the printing center are connected to each other via the Internet / Internet 131. Usually, the client and the server are often connected via the Internet, and the server and the printing center are often connected via the Internet using a dedicated line. However, the present invention is not limited to such an environment, and the server exists in the printing center. Even in such an environment, it is applicable.

  First, browsers for browsing the submitted content provided by the WEB server are installed in the notebook PC 102 and the PC 101 of the client. Generally, it is Internet Explorer manufactured by Microsoft (registered trademark), but may be Netscape (registered trademark) manufactured by Netscape (registered trademark). It is also possible to upload document data using the submitted content.

  The WEB server 103 is a WEB server that provides the submitted content. The submitted content includes print formats such as bookbinding, print settings such as the number of copies and paper size, delivery date, requester information, and delivery destination. Edit control to input etc., and file specification control to upload manuscript data are equipped. Here, fee calculation according to the input request contents, input item confirmation processing, and the like are realized by a service module operating on the WEB server 103, but are general logic and are not directly related to the present invention. I will omit it. Further, the WEB server 103 stores the confirmed print request in the order form (here, the contents of the print request and the file name of the original data are entered) and the original data file in the DB server 104.

  A general database such as Oracle (registered trademark) Database manufactured by Oracle (registered trademark) is installed in the DB server 104, and a desired order form is received in response to a data acquisition request from the server 105 described later. And original data can be transmitted. The DB schema (not shown) mainly includes a print center master (information such as location and contact information, a device master and a bookbinding machine master as members), a device master (device configuration information such as color / monochrome, the number of prints, and options), It consists of a post-processor master (information on case binding machine, puncher machine, etc.) table. By referring to this table, the server 105 in the printing center 153 can receive an order assigned to the center.

  The server 105 receives an order confirmation notification from the WEB server, collects an order form and a manuscript data file from the DB server, and in accordance with the collected order form, an order manager, a workflow manager, a job manager, and a device manager to be described later A printing system composed of a device scheduler operates.

  The work PC 106 takes out a console for controlling various services provided by the server 105 using an easy-to-use operation screen, and retrieves a manuscript data file stored in the server 105, starts a predetermined application, and prints it. This is a work computer that performs printing based on designated print settings.

  Although the monochrome printer 111 and the color printer 112 have different installation configurations depending on the printing center, they are generally configured by a combination of a high-speed monochrome printer and a high-quality color printer. These are all scheduled by the device scheduler of the server 105.

  The post-processing machine 141 and the post-processing machine 142 are machines for post-processing the paper output from the printer, and may be a case binding machine, a puncher machine, a stapling machine, or a ring binding machine. Status status can be collected by connecting to the network. Similarly to the printer, the installation configuration differs depending on the printing center. Of course, the present invention can be applied even in an environment where these are not connected to the network, and the present invention is not limited to the above environment.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the WEB server 103, DB server 104, server 105, and work client 106.

  The CPU 200 executes an application program, a printer driver program, an OS, a network printer control program, and the like stored in an HD (hard disk) 205, and temporarily stores information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in the RAM 202. I do. The ROM 201 stores various data such as a program such as a basic I / O program, font data used for document processing, and template data. A RAM 202 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 200. Reference numeral 203 denotes an external storage drive, which can load a program or the like stored in the medium 204 into the computer system. Reference numeral 204 denotes a medium which stores a program and related data described in this embodiment, and the configuration of the stored contents is shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes an HD, which stores application programs, printer driver programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like. A keyboard 206 is used by the user to instruct the client computer to input device control command instructions and the like. A display 207 displays a command input from the keyboard 206, a printer status, and the like. A system bus 208 controls the data flow in the client computer. Reference numeral 209 denotes a network interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F), which is a communication interface for connecting to a local area network (LAN) or the Internet.

  FIG. 3 shows a memory map in a state in which the program of the present invention is loaded into the RAM 202 and becomes executable.

  In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a program and related data are directly loaded from the medium 204 to the RAM 202 and executed. However, every time the program of the present invention is operated from the medium 204, the program is loaded from the HD 205 to the RAM 202. You may do it. The medium for recording the program of the present invention may be an FD, a CD-ROM, a DVD, an IC memory card, or the like. Furthermore, it is possible to record the program of the present invention in the ROM 201, configure it as a part of the memory map, and execute it directly by the CPU 200.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes a basic I / O program, which has an IPL (Initial Program Rotating) function or the like that reads the OS from the HD 205 into the RAM 202 and starts the operation of the OS when the control device is turned on. This is the area that contains the program. 302 is an OS, 303 is a control program, 304 is associated data, and 305 is a work area where the CPU 200 executes this program.

  In FIG. 4, 400 is the data content of the media 204, 401 is volume information indicating data information, 402 is directory information, 403 is a program described in this embodiment, and 404 is its related data. The program 403 is a program code based on the flowchart of this program shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the print system configuration of the present invention for each functional module.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes an order manager as software for managing the submitted orders, and has an operation screen as shown in FIG. Print information is extracted from the order sheet collected from the WEB server 103 or the DB server 104, and an order information table necessary for printing is created together with the path name of the document data file. FIG. 14 shows an example of contents stored in the order information table. The meaning of each value to be set is described on the list, so the explanation here is omitted.

  The operation screen of the order manager 601 is equipped with a list display screen that shows the general status of the order based on the order information, and a tag display screen that displays the detailed information of the order. You can check the progress of Furthermore, by uploading the same order information to the WEB server 103 at any time when the status changes, the same information can be provided to the user using HTML on the processing status content screen (not shown) provided by the WEB server 103. Can do. This order information is kept confidential until it is printed and delivered, but is erased after delivery.

  FIG. 7 is an operation screen of the order manager, which is an example of an application that operates on a Windows (registered trademark) OS manufactured by Microsoft (registered trademark), but may be HTML-based WEB content. In the description of the present invention, an example of a Windows (registered trademark) application is used for convenience. The upper list screen displays an ID for identifying an order, an outline of a person in charge, and a processing status. When one order is selected, the details of the order information are displayed using the tab screen at the bottom. The displayed contents include the item of print setting in the order information of FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the device scheduler of FIG.

  When the process of the workflow manager 602 is “printer reservation”, the workflow manager 602 automatically reserves a printer use schedule that matches the order conditions.

  The workflow manager 602 communicates with the device scheduler 604 to send order information and request scheduling. The device scheduler 604 acquires order information (print data, print information, delivery deadline, etc.). The device scheduler 604 communicates with the device manager 605 to acquire device information. Then, by referring to the schedule information table created and managed by itself, the idle time when the designated printer is not used is searched, and the schedule of this print job is registered in the schedule information. FIG. 17 shows an example of contents stored in the schedule information table.

  The device scheduler 604 notifies the result to the workflow manager 602 as soon as the reservation is completed. The workflow manager 602 controls the process from the result.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a scheduling system (device scheduler) capable of managing the schedules of a plurality of printers and simultaneously displaying the automatic schedule status for each printer. The operator can start the device scheduler from the work PC 106 and check the result of automatic scheduling on the screen as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the job manager of FIG.

  When the process of the workflow manager 602 is “print” for performing print processing, the device scheduler 604 recognizes a print job that has reached the automatically scheduled date and time, activates the print component 606, and performs automatic printing. The print component 606 acquires print data and print information registered from the order information of the order manager 601 and automatically executes printing of the corresponding order.

  The above-described form is a print processing form when the print data format can be directly printed from the server 105 to the printer. If the print data format cannot be directly printed from the server 105 to the printer, the print component 606 downloads the print data and print information to the work PC, activates the client print component mounted on the work PC 106, and executes printing. .

  A job manager 603, which is software for managing print jobs, communicates with the printers 111, 112, etc., creates a job information table, and manages and monitors print jobs.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a job manager 603 capable of displaying information on print jobs whose sequential state changes and controlling any print job. FIG. 16 shows an example of contents stored in the job information table.

  The operator displays the job manager 603 on the work PC, and accepts the document name, print job status (output, waiting for output, stopped, etc.), and print job given to the print data on the screen as shown in FIG. Confirm the required time etc. as necessary. In addition, an arbitrary job is selected, a status is changed (printing is stopped, printing is stopped, continued, etc.), and the like are performed by the input means.

  12 and 13 illustrate the device manager 605 of FIG.

  A device manager 605, which is software for managing devices, manages installation information (network address, administrator) of each printer. Then, it periodically communicates with the printer to acquire the status (operation status, error / warning occurrence status), and create and manage a device information table. FIG. 12 is an example of a device manager 605 that displays a list of installation information for each printer. FIG. 18 shows an example of contents stored in the device information table.

  Further, the device manager 605 periodically communicates with the printer to obtain information on the capability of the printer (processing speed per unit time, finishing functions such as bookbinding / stapling / punch), and consumable information (paper / toner / staple needle, etc.). Holds device information. FIG. 13 is an example of a device manager 605 that displays consumable information (paper) for an arbitrary printer.

  The device manager 605 has a function of sequentially notifying device information in accordance with requests from the order manager 601, workflow manager 602, and job manager 603.

  The workflow manager 602 returns a status in accordance with the status acquisition request from the order manager 601. Accordingly, the order manager (601) can display the status for the order on the order manager 601.

  In the present invention, a storage medium (or recording medium) storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores it. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the storage medium provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU of the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  In addition, the present invention distributes the program code of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments via a network, so that storage means such as a hard disk or memory of a system or apparatus, CD-RW, CD-R, etc. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage means or the storage medium. Absent.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the scheduling process of the present invention in the order manager 601 will be described.

  The order manager 601 refers to the order information table shown in FIG. 14 stored in the HD 205 of the server 105 shown in FIG. 6 and analyzes the delivery date of the target job of the order to be scheduled (step 2101). Here, the order ID No. Assume that 1001 scheduling is performed.

  Next, the order manager 601 refers to the order information table shown in FIG. 14 and the device information table shown in FIG. 18 stored in the HD 205 of the server 105 shown in FIG. 6, and information on the target job (paper size, number of copies, stacker). (The maximum number of sheets, post-process) is confirmed (step 2102). Specifically, information such as the paper size “A4”, the number of copies “200”, the number of pages “120 pages”, the output form information “punch”, and the color / monochrome “monochrome” is acquired from the order information table. Also, information on the maximum stack number of stackers of each monochrome printing process device to be used is acquired from the device information table. In the case of a high-speed printer, “5000 sheets”, and in the medium-speed printer 1, “1000 sheets”.

  Then, the order manager 601 determines whether or not the target job uses the stacking space during the printing process from the acquired information on the paper size, the number of copies, the number of pages, and the maximum stack number of each stacker (step 2103). Order ID No. The total number of printed sheets 1001 is 24000 (200 copies × 120 pages), and when the high-speed printer in FIG. 18 is used, the maximum stackable number of stackers is 5000, so 41 copies (4,920) are printed four times. 36 copies (4320 sheets) are divided into one and loaded on the stacker. That is, when all the outputs are completed, the output is moved five times from the stacker to the loading space, and finally five piles of loading are placed in the loading space. For this reason, the order manager 601 determines to use the loading space. Similarly, the same process is performed for each monochrome printing process device to be used.

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2103 that the stacking space is to be used during the printing process, the stacking space to be used is analyzed (step 2104). Specifically, the stacking space to be used is calculated from the total number of printed sheets and the maximum stacking number of stackers. When the high-speed printer shown in FIG. 18 is used, since A4 sheets (output sheets are A4 for single-sided printing with a finished size of A4) are stacked in five piles, the stacking space is analyzed as A4 × 5. Similarly, analysis is performed for each monochrome printing process device to be used.

  Next, the order manager 601 refers to the device information table shown in FIG. 18 and refers to the processing capability information of the printing process device (step 2105). The high speed printer is “200 ppm”, and the medium speed printer 1 is “100 ppm”.

  Next, the order manager 601 refers to the order information table shown in FIG. 14 and the device information table shown in FIG. 18, and analyzes the processing time of the printing process device (step 2106). In the case of a high-speed printer, the total number of printed sheets is analyzed from 24,000 sheets / processing capacity of 200 ppm to 120 minutes.

  Next, the order manager 601 refers to the device schedule information table shown in FIG. 17 and analyzes the reservation status of the printing process device (step 2107).

  Next, the order manager 601 refers to the order information table shown in FIG. 14 and determines whether or not to use a post-process device (step 2108). Order ID No. 1001 determines that the information of the output form uses the post-process device from the punch hole “30 holes”.

  Next, the order manager 601 refers to the device information table shown in FIG. 18 and refers to the processing capability information of the post-process device (step 2109). In the case of a puncher, it is “30 ppm”.

  Next, the order manager 601 analyzes the processing time of the post-process device with reference to the order information table shown in FIG. 14 and the device information table shown in FIG. 18 (step 2110). In the case of a puncher, the total number of printed sheets is analyzed from 24,000 sheets / processing capacity of 30 ppm to 800 minutes.

  Next, the order manager 601 analyzes the reservation status of the post-process device with reference to the device schedule information table shown in FIG. 17 (step 2111).

  Then, the order manager 601 determines whether or not the target job uses the stacking space during the post-process from the information on the output form of the post-process (Step 2112). There is a case where it is not necessary to use the loading space when packaging is possible immediately after post-processing such as cutting. However, Order ID No. The information of the output form 1001 is “punch”, and it is determined that it is necessary to use the stacking space again after the post-process processing because it is necessary to bind the bandai after opening the punch hole. Basically, after punching holes for all the output products, the operation shifts to the operation of binding the binder.

  In step 2103, when the order manager 601 determines that the target job uses the stacking space during the post-process from the information of the output form of the post-process, the order manager 601 prints each monochrome print to be used stored in the RAM 202. The post-process loading space is analyzed with reference to the information on the loading space in the process device (step 2113). In the case of a high-speed printer, the loading space is analyzed as A4 × 5 as in the printing process.

  Next, the order manager 601 determines whether or not the target job uses the stacking space (step 2114).

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2114 that the target job does not use the stacking space, the order manager 601 refers to the availability of the device schedule information table as shown in FIG. It is determined whether it is possible to create a schedule plan that can be quickly reserved (used) (step 2117).

  If it is determined in step 2117 that a schedule plan that can be reserved (usable) as soon as possible in the printing process and the post-process can be created, the order manager 601 refers to the delivery date information of the target job in the order information table of FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the target job can be completed by the delivery date based on the schedule draft created in step 2117 (step 2119).

  In step 2119, when the order manager 601 determines that the processing can be completed by the delivery date according to the schedule draft created in step 2117, the device schedule of the target job is registered in the device schedule information table as shown in FIG. 17 (step 2120). ).

  In step 2119, when the order manager 601 determines that the process cannot be completed by the delivery date with the schedule plan created in step 2117, the process returns to step 2117, and again refers to the availability status of the device schedule information table as shown in FIG. To do. Then, the order manager 601 determines whether or not it is possible to create a schedule plan that can be reserved (usable) the fastest in the printing process and the subsequent process (step 2117). Thereafter, Step 2117 to Step 2119 are repeated within the range of the schedule registration possible time limit defined by the system (for example, up to two months ahead). If it is determined in step 2117 that it is not possible to create a schedule plan that can be reserved (used) for the printing process and the subsequent process, the order manager 601 determines that automatic scheduling is not possible (step 2118).

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2114 that the target job uses the loading space, the order manager 601 refers to the device schedule information table as shown in FIG. 17 and the space schedule information table as shown in FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not it is possible to create a schedule plan in which the printing process and the post-process can be reserved as soon as possible (can be used) and the stacking space requiring the printing process and the post-process can be used (step 2115).

  If it is determined in step 2115 that it is possible to create a schedule plan in which the printing process and the post-process can be reserved as soon as possible (can be used) and the stacking space that requires the printing process and the post-process can be used, the order manager 601 With reference to the delivery date information of the target job in the order information table, it is determined whether or not the target job can be processed by the delivery date by the schedule plan created in step 2115 (step 2116).

  In step 2116, when the order manager 601 determines that the processing can be completed by the delivery date according to the schedule draft created in step 2115, the order manager 601 stores the space schedule of the target job in the space schedule information table as shown in FIG. Is registered (step 2121). Then, the process of step 2120 is performed.

  In step 2116, when the order manager 601 determines that the process cannot be completed by the delivery date with the schedule plan created in step 2115, the process returns to step 2115, and the device schedule information table as shown in FIG. Refer to the availability of the space schedule information table. Then, the order manager 601 determines whether it is possible to create a schedule plan that can be reserved (usable) the fastest next in the printing process and the post-process and the stacking space that requires the print process and the post-process (step 2115). Thereafter, Step 2115 to Step 2116 are repeated within the range of the schedule registration possible time limit defined by the system (for example, up to two months ahead).

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2115 that it is not possible to create a schedule plan that can reserve (use) the printing process and the post-process, the order manager 601 proceeds to step 2201.

  In step 2115, the order manager 601 determines whether or not the reason for the scheduling failure is that the printing process device cannot be reserved (step 2201).

  In step 2201, when the order manager 601 determines that the reason for the scheduling failure is that the printing process device cannot be reserved, the order manager 601 determines whether or not all the schedule plans up to the schedule registration deadline have been created. Judgment is made (step 2217).

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2217 that all the schedule plans up to the deadline for registering the schedule have been created, the process ends.

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2217 that not all the schedule proposals up to the deadline for schedule registration have been created, the process returns to step 2115.

  In step 2201, when the order manager 601 determines that the reason for the scheduling failure is not because the printing process device cannot be reserved, the reason for the scheduling failure is only because the loading space of the printing process device or the subsequent process device cannot be reserved. Whether or not (step 2202).

  In step 2202, when the order manager 601 determines that the reason for the scheduling failure is that the printing process device or the post-process device cannot be reserved, the device schedule information table as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. Such a space schedule information table is referred to (step 2210).

  Next, the order manager 601 refers to the order information table as shown in FIG. 14, and reserves the date and time when the print process device or the post-process device of the target job cannot be reserved by the schedule plan. Is analyzed (step 2211).

  The order manager 601 determines whether there is another job that can open the stacking space by changing the work order of the post-process (step 2212).

  In step 2212, when the order manager 601 determines that there is no other job that can open the stacking space by changing the work order of the post-process, the order manager 601 proceeds to step 2217.

  In step 2212, when the order manager 601 determines that there is another job that can release the loading space by changing the work order of the post process, the order manager 601 changes the work order of the other jobs. Rescheduling is performed, and it is determined whether processing of both the target job and other jobs can be completed by the due date (step 2213).

  For example, when a schedule is created in step 2115, as shown in FIG. 8, job A (using a bookbinding machine as a post process) and job B (using a collator as a post process) are already scheduled. There is no situation. In addition, when the loading space is scheduled to be available, the processing cannot be completed by the delivery date as shown in FIG. When a schedule plan for job C (using a cutting machine as a post-process) is created, it is possible to reserve a printing process device and a post-process device (cutting machine), but it is determined that scheduling is not possible because there is no loading space.

  In step 2212, it is determined that job C can be used by releasing the stacking space by changing the work order of the post-process of job A. Specifically, the work order of the bookbinding machine and packing is changed as the work order of job A. Initially, all output items were loaded, all output items were processed by the bookbinding machine, and all output items were packed. Here, after all the output products are loaded, packing is performed at the time when the bookbinding operation of the half of the output products of the job A that can be loaded by the job C is completed, and the loading space is released.

  After that, the bookbinding operation for the remaining output of job A is performed and packed. As a result, it is possible to secure a loading space for job C and to schedule it. As a result, in the past, only two jobs were processed at the same time, but it became possible to efficiently process three jobs in parallel at the same time, up to the delivery date as shown in FIG. It is possible to complete the process. In addition, the operating rate of the post-process device (cutting machine in the example of FIG. 8) is improved.

  Next, when the order manager 601 determines in step 2214 that the processing of both the target job and the other jobs can be completed by the delivery date, the order manager 601 stores the device schedule information table as shown in FIG. A reschedule for another job is registered in the space schedule information table as shown in FIG. 15 (step 2214).

  In the example of FIG. 8, since the work procedure of the post-process of job A is changed, the use period of the bookbinding machine becomes long. For this reason, the order manager 601 calculates the necessary loading space from the order information of job C, and grasps the loading amount to be packed prior to job A. Then, a device schedule information table and a diagram as shown in FIG. 17 are calculated in such a manner that the packing time is calculated from the loading amount to be packed prior to job A, and the bookbinding machine reservation period and loading space reservation time are extended by that time. The space schedule information table as shown in FIG.

  Next, the order manager 601 registers the print process device, post-process device, and loading space schedule of the target job according to the schedule plan (step 2215). The order manager 601 notifies the operator in charge of another job of the change contents of the work order of the subsequent process (step 2216). Then, the order manager 601 notifies the operator in charge of another job that it has been rescheduled (step 2217), and ends the process.

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2202 that the reason why scheduling cannot be performed is not only because the loading space of the printing process device or the subsequent process device cannot be reserved, the reason why scheduling cannot be performed is that the subsequent process device cannot be reserved. It is determined whether or not it is for the purpose (step 2203).

  In step 2203, when the order manager 601 determines that the cause of the scheduling failure is not just because the post-process device cannot be reserved, the order manager 601 proceeds to step 2218.

  In step 2203, when the order manager 601 determines that the reason for the scheduling failure is only because the reservation of the post-process device cannot be made, the device schedule information table as shown in FIG. 17 and the space schedule information as shown in FIG. The table is referred to (step 2204).

  Next, the order manager 601 refers to the order information table as shown in FIG. 14, and after the date and time when the target job becomes unreservable in the schedule plan, other than the post-process device that the target job is scheduled to use Information on other jobs that are scheduled to be used is analyzed (step 2205).

  Next, when the job execution order is changed in the job analyzed in step 2205, the order manager 601 determines whether there is another job that satisfies the conditions for the stacking space of both jobs (step 2206).

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2206 that there is no other job that satisfies the stacking space conditions of both jobs, the order manager 601 proceeds to step 2218.

  In step 2206, when the order manager 601 determines that there is another job that satisfies the conditions for the loading space of both jobs, the order manager 601 processes the two jobs by the delivery date when rescheduling another job. It is determined whether or not it can be completed (step 2207).

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2207 that the processing of both jobs cannot be completed by the delivery date, the process proceeds to step 2218.

  If the order manager 601 determines in step 2207 that both jobs can be processed by the due date, the order manager 601 reschedules other jobs (step 2208), and proceeds to step 2217.

  For example, when a schedule is created in step 2115, job A (using a bookbinding machine as a post process) and job B (using a bookbinding machine as a post process) are already scheduled as shown in FIG. B is a situation in which the stacking space is used while waiting for the end of the post-process device of job A. If a schedule for job C (using a cutting machine as a post process) is created, it is possible to reserve the printing process device and stacking space, but it is determined that scheduling is not possible because the post process device (cutting machine) cannot be reserved. The Further, when the job C is scheduled so that the stacking space can be used, the processing cannot be completed by the delivery date as shown in FIG.

  In step 2206, it is determined that the job C can be used in advance by using another post-process device and a stacking space by changing the printing order of the job B. Specifically, a job C that satisfies the conditions of the loading space to be used is analyzed by using a post-process device that is not used by the already scheduled job A. Then, the job C is scheduled to be executed prior to the job B.

  As a result, it has been impossible in the past to complete processing of job C by the delivery date, but it becomes possible to efficiently process the job C by changing the print execution order with job B, as shown in FIG. It becomes possible to complete the processing of job C by the delivery date. In addition, the operating rate of the post-process device (cutting machine in the example of FIG. 19) is improved.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system of the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the client computer in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory map when a program is expanded from the FD shown in FIG. 4 to the RAM in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the memory map showing the data inside FD in FIG. It is the schematic which showed the utilization condition of the load space in multiple jobs. It is a module block diagram of the printing system in FIG. It is the figure which showed the interface of the software which manages an order. It is the schematic which showed the utilization condition of the load space in multiple jobs. It is the schematic which showed the relationship between the execution order in multiple jobs, and processing time. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating software that manages the schedule of the print job illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating software that manages the print job illustrated in FIG. 6. It is the figure which showed the software which manages the apparatus shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the software which manages the apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic which showed the structural example of the order information table. It is the schematic which showed the structural example of the space schedule information table. It is the schematic which showed the structural example of the job information table. It is the schematic which showed the structural example of the device schedule information table. It is the schematic which showed the structural example of the device information table. It is the schematic which showed the utilization condition of the load space in multiple jobs. It is the schematic which showed the relationship between the execution order in multiple jobs, and processing time. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the document management system concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the document management system concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 PC
102 notebook PC
103 WEB server 104 DB server 105 Print server 106 Work PC
111 Monochrome printer 112 Color printer 121-123 LAN
131-132 Internet / Intranet 141 Post-processing machine (case binding machine)
142 Post-processing machine (Puncher machine)
151 Client 152 Server 153 Print Center 601 Order Manager 602 Workflow Manager 603 Job Manager 604 Device Scheduler 605 Device Manager 606 Print Component 607 Workflow Editor

Claims (10)

An information management printing device in which a computer and a printing device are connected to each other via a network, including print settings such as bookbinding and number of copies, print settings such as paper size, order information such as delivery date and delivery destination specification, and submission In an information management printing apparatus composed of a print server that receives a document, sequentially processes the received order and automatically processes printing, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow,
A means of analyzing the delivery date of the target job;
A means to confirm the information of the target job;
Means for determining whether to use the loading space during the printing process;
A means of analyzing the print stack space used;
Means for referring to processing capability information of the printing process device;
Means for analyzing the processing time of the printing process device;
Means for analyzing the reservation status of the printing process device;
An information management printing apparatus comprising: An information management printing device in which a computer and a printing device are connected to each other via a network, including print settings such as bookbinding and number of copies, print settings such as paper size, order information such as delivery date and delivery destination specification, and submission In an information management printing apparatus composed of a print server that receives a document, sequentially processes the received order and automatically processes printing, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow,
Means for determining whether or not to use a post-process device; means for referring to processing capability information of the post-process device;
Means for analyzing the processing time of the post-process device;
Means for analyzing the reservation status of post-process devices;
Means for determining whether or not to use the loading space in the subsequent process;
A means of analyzing the post-process loading space used;
An information management printing apparatus comprising: An information management printing device in which a computer and a printing device are connected to each other via a network, including print settings such as bookbinding and number of copies, print settings such as paper size, order information such as delivery date and delivery destination specification, and submission In an information management printing apparatus composed of a print server that receives a document, sequentially processes the received order and automatically processes printing, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow,
Means for determining whether the target job uses the loading space;
Means for determining whether it is possible to create a schedule that can be reserved for the printing process and the subsequent process;
A means for determining whether the target job can be completed by the due date in the proposed schedule;
Means for registering the device schedule of the target job;
Means for determining that automatic scheduling is impossible;
Means for determining whether or not it is possible to create a schedule that can be reserved for the printing process and the post-process and that can use the necessary loading space;
A means for determining whether the target job can be completed by the due date in the proposed schedule;
An information management printing apparatus comprising: means for registering a space schedule of a target job. An information management printing device in which a computer and a printing device are connected to each other via a network.The printing format such as bookbinding, print settings such as the number of copies and paper size, order information such as delivery date and delivery destination designation, and input In an information management printing apparatus composed of a print server that receives a manuscript, sequentially processes the received order and automatically processes printing, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow,
Means for determining whether or not scheduling is impossible due to scheduling failure; and
Means for determining whether or not the cause of scheduling failure is only the unavailability of the loading space;
Means to reference the registered schedule;
A means for analyzing information on other jobs scheduled to use the loading space at the time,
Means for determining whether there is another job capable of releasing the loading space by changing the work order of the post-process,
When rescheduling other jobs, a means for determining whether or not both jobs can be completed by the delivery date;
Means for registering reschedules for other jobs;
Means for registering the schedule of the target job;
Means for notifying the operator in charge of changes in the work sequence of the post-process,
A means of notifying the responsible operator that the rescheduling has occurred;
An information management printing apparatus comprising: An information management printing device in which a computer and a printing device are connected to each other via a network.The printing format such as bookbinding, print settings such as the number of copies and paper size, order information such as delivery date and delivery destination designation, and input In an information management printing apparatus composed of a print server that receives a manuscript, sequentially processes the received order and automatically processes printing, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow,
Means for determining whether or not the reason for scheduling failure is only a reservation in the subsequent process;
Means to reference the registered schedule;
Means for analyzing information of other jobs scheduled to use other than the post-process device that the target job is scheduled to use after the date and time when the target job became unreservable in the schedule proposal;
Means for determining whether there is another job that satisfies the conditions of the loading space of both jobs when the job execution order is changed;
When rescheduling other jobs, means to determine whether both jobs can be completed by the due date;
Means for registering reschedules for other jobs;
Means for determining whether or not all the schedule proposals up to the schedule registration deadline have been created,
An information management printing apparatus comprising: A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program that records a module of an information management printing device in which the computer and printing device are connected to each other via a network, and prints such as bookbinding and the number of prints, the number of copies, and the paper size It consists of a print server that accepts order information such as settings, delivery date, delivery destination specification, etc., received manuscripts, processes the received orders sequentially and automatically prints them, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow In a storage medium storing a computer readable program for recording a module of the information management printing apparatus
A means of analyzing the delivery date of the target job;
A means to confirm the information of the target job;
Means for determining whether to use the loading space during the printing process;
A means of analyzing the print stack space used;
Means for referring to processing capability information of the printing process device;
Means for analyzing the processing time of the printing process device;
Means for analyzing the reservation status of the printing process device;
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for recording a module for executing the program. A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program that records a module of an information management printing device in which the computer and printing device are connected to each other via a network, and prints such as bookbinding and the number of prints, the number of copies, and the paper size It consists of a print server that accepts order information such as settings, delivery date, delivery destination specification, etc., received manuscripts, processes the received orders sequentially and automatically prints them, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow In a storage medium storing a computer readable program for recording a module of the information management printing apparatus
Means for determining whether or not to use a post-process device; means for referring to processing capability information of the post-process device;
Means for analyzing the processing time of the post-process device;
Means for analyzing the reservation status of post-process devices;
Means for determining whether or not to use the loading space in the subsequent process;
A means of analyzing the post-process loading space used;
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for recording a module for executing the program. A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program that records a module of an information management printing device in which the computer and printing device are connected to each other via a network. It consists of a print server that accepts order information such as settings, delivery date, delivery destination specification, etc., received manuscripts, processes the received orders sequentially and automatically prints them, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow In a storage medium storing a computer readable program for recording a module of the information management printing apparatus
Means for determining whether the target job uses the loading space;
Means for determining whether it is possible to create a schedule that can be reserved for the printing process and the subsequent process;
A means for determining whether the target job can be completed by the due date in the proposed schedule;
Means for registering the device schedule of the target job;
Means for determining that automatic scheduling is impossible;
Means for determining whether or not it is possible to create a schedule that can be reserved for the printing process and the post-process and that can use the necessary loading space;
A means for determining whether the target job can be completed by the due date in the proposed schedule;
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for recording a module for executing a means for registering a space schedule of a target job. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program for recording modules of an information management printing apparatus in which the computer and the printing apparatus are connected to each other via a network. The printing medium such as bookbinding, the number of copies, the paper size, etc. A print server that accepts print settings, order information such as delivery date and delivery destination specification, and submitted manuscripts, and sequentially processes the received orders and automatically prints them, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow. In a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for recording a module of the configured information management printing apparatus,
Means for determining whether or not scheduling is impossible due to scheduling failure; and
Means for determining whether or not the cause of scheduling failure is only the unavailability of the loading space;
Means to reference the registered schedule;
A means for analyzing information on other jobs scheduled to use the loading space at the time,
Means for determining whether there is another job capable of releasing the loading space by changing the work order of the post-process,
When rescheduling other jobs, a means for determining whether or not both jobs can be completed by the delivery date;
Means for registering reschedules for other jobs;
Means for registering the schedule of the target job;
Means for notifying the operator in charge of changes in the work sequence of the post-process,
A means of notifying the responsible operator that the rescheduling has occurred;
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for recording a module for executing the program. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program for recording modules of an information management printing apparatus in which the computer and the printing apparatus are connected to each other via a network. The printing medium such as bookbinding, the number of copies, the paper size, etc. A print server that accepts print settings, order information such as delivery date and delivery destination specification, and submitted manuscripts, and sequentially processes the received orders and automatically prints them, and a work client that performs processing according to the flow. In a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for recording a module of the configured information management printing apparatus,
Means for determining whether or not the reason for scheduling failure is only a reservation in the subsequent process;
Means to reference the registered schedule;
Means for analyzing information of other jobs scheduled to use other than the post-process device that the target job is scheduled to use after the date and time when the target job became unreservable in the schedule proposal;
Means for determining whether there is another job that satisfies the conditions of the loading space of both jobs when the job execution order is changed;
When rescheduling other jobs, means to determine whether both jobs can be completed by the due date;
Means for registering reschedules for other jobs;
Means for determining whether or not all the schedule proposals up to the schedule registration deadline have been created,
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for recording a module for executing the program.