JP2008117047A - Reproduction processing server and order processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reproduction processing server which performs processing by quickly setting a process even when receiving an order to prepare a large number or variety of input/output media or an order to need complicated process, and which is flexibly adaptive to addition of a device to an existing system or the change of the system, and to provide an order processing system using the reproduction processing server. <P>SOLUTION: In the reproduction processing server, a device for performing each process is assigned to each process on an operation instruction template according to order content by using an operation instruction template to facilitate the generation of the operation instruction information. Furthermore, when there is no manual operation instruction template corresponding to the order content, a deficient process is inserted to generate operation instruction information based on the operation instruction template which is the most similar to the order processing and the information on the insertion conditions of the operation instruction template included in the capability information of the device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a reproduction processing server that performs image reproduction processing in response to an order of image reproduction processing from digital image data to photo prints and other products, and an order processing system that uses this reproduction processing server.

  With the spread of digital technology in recent years, it has become common to handle images in digital form in image order processing systems at so-called photo lab shops. In other words, digital image data obtained by photoelectrically reading an image photographed on photographic film or digital image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera is used, and the image data is subjected to digital image processing to obtain a photograph. A photographed image is reproduced on a print or other product.

  Accordingly, the image input format (image order format) is not limited to the conventional photographic film, but is performed from a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or by transferring image data via a network. It is like that. In addition, as for the output format of images, services are diversified, such as printing using various printers such as a silver salt method, an electrophotographic method, and an ink jet method, and writing to a recording medium again after image processing.

In an apparatus that accepts such digital image data processing service, it is known to use a job ticket in order to smoothly perform processing and process management.
As an example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that uses a job ticket as print job data generated in response to a print instruction from an application or the like when performing printing. In Patent Document 1, when printing is performed by one printer, a job ticket that describes print settings such as a print format and contents of processing is generated and transmitted to the printer together with print data to be printed. The printer executes processing and print processing for print data based on the job ticket setting.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a print ordering / ordering method and apparatus capable of exchanging data regarding estimation and ordering / ordering work among a plurality of printers, intermediaries, and clients by using a job ticket. It is disclosed. In the print ordering / ordering apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, the broker terminal issues a job ticket describing the contents of a request from each print requester, and collectively manages the job ticket. The mediator terminal collates this job ticket with the information of the printing press that each printer has in advance, and describes the request contents and order contents from the print requester to the printer that matches the conditions. Issue a job ticket. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260, a job ticket is used to collectively manage estimation and ordering / ordering work, so that it is possible to perform ordering / ordering work in a short time from a plurality of printers to a printer who satisfies the conditions.

JP 2006-048537 A JP 2001-265857 A

  By the way, in an apparatus that accepts digital image data processing services, a single order processing system is configured by a plurality of types of apparatuses such as a scanner, a printer, and an image processing apparatus in order to meet various needs of customers. There is something. In such an order processing system, processing such as input of image data, image processing, and output of printed matter is performed by a plurality of devices in a shared manner for each processing step with respect to one order. In addition, it is possible to respond to various orders by newly adding a device having a function that does not exist in the existing system to the system.

In such an order processing system, in order to respond to various orders, the processing steps are diversified according to the order by making the devices that make up the system more diverse and functional, and the control of the entire system is complicated. There is a problem of becoming.
In addition, when a new processing process that does not exist in the existing system is executed by adding a new device to the order processing system or changing to another model, the new processing process is flexibly incorporated into the existing system and controlled. There is a problem that it is difficult to do.

However, the above-mentioned patent document 1 records and transmits a print setting of print processing performed in one printer in a job ticket. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 records and transfers data related to business among a plurality of vendors in a job ticket.
Therefore, in these technologies, in an order processing system configured by a plurality of processing devices that execute different processes, a new processing step that does not exist in the existing system can be achieved by adding a new device or changing to a different model. When executing the above, it is not possible to flexibly take in and control a new processing process by the apparatus in the existing system, and the above-mentioned problems of the conventional order processing system have not been solved yet.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a reproduction processing server that can flexibly cope with various order formats in an order system composed of a plurality of devices and can reduce the load on the order processing system, and the reproduction processing. To provide an order processing system using a server. Further, another object of the present invention includes a new processing step when a processing step that can be newly executed by the system is added by newly adding a device or changing to another model. An object of the present invention is to provide a reproduction processing server capable of responding to an order quickly and efficiently performing a production process, and an order processing system using the reproduction processing server.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is connected to an execution unit that executes an image reproduction process based on information of a reproduction process order from an order reception unit, and manages the execution of the reproduction process in the execution unit A processing server, wherein the execution unit includes a plurality of components that execute one or more of the plurality of steps required for the reproduction processing, and the reproduction processing server includes information on one reproduction processing order. In response to the selection, one work instruction template in which a process capable of executing the reproduction process is set is selected, and information on the reproduction process order and information on a component that executes each process is added to each process of the selected work instruction template. A reproduction processing server is provided that generates one work instruction information for one order by assigning.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the work instruction template includes a combination of processes that can be executed by the plurality of components.

  The reproduction processing server of the present invention preferably acquires capability information of each component of the execution unit, and generates the work instruction information based on the capability information. The capability information further includes the component information If there is no work instruction template corresponding to the information of the reproduction processing order, the information is inserted into the reproduction processing of the image based on the information of the reproduction processing order. It is preferable that a work instruction template capable of performing the most similar processing is selected, and the work instruction information is generated based on the selected work instruction template and the capability information.

  Furthermore, the present invention relates to an order receiving unit that receives input of an input image and information on a playback processing order of the input image, a playback processing server that manages execution of playback processing according to the playback processing order information, and the playback processing A plurality of components that execute one or more of the plurality of processes required for the process, and the playback processing server sets a process that can execute the playback processing according to information of one playback processing order The selected one work instruction template is assigned to each process of the selected work instruction template, and the information of the reproduction process order and the information of the component that executes each process is assigned to each process. Two pieces of work instruction information are generated, and the plurality of components execute reproduction processing according to the generated work instruction information. To provide order processing system that.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the work instruction template includes a combination of processes that can be executed by the plurality of components.

  In the order processing system of the present invention, it is preferable that the reproduction processing server obtains capability information of each of the plurality of components, and generates the work instruction information based on the capability information. In addition, information on the insertion conditions into the work instruction template of processing steps that can be executed in each component, and the reproduction processing server, when there is no work instruction template corresponding to the information of the reproduction processing order, It is possible to select a work instruction template that can perform the process most similar to the image reproduction process based on the information of the reproduction process order, and generate the work instruction information based on the selected work instruction template and the capability information. preferable.

According to the reproduction processing server and the order processing system using the reproduction processing server of the present invention, a device that executes each processing step is assigned to each processing step on the work instruction template using a work instruction template according to the order contents. This facilitates generation of work instruction information, and can flexibly cope with various order formats including a plurality of types of input / output and image processing.
Also, by efficiently generating work instruction information using the work instruction template, it is possible to reduce the load on the order processing system, improve the processing capability, and perform quick order processing.
In addition, when a new device is added to the existing system or a new model is added, and an additional process that can be executed in the system is added, an order including the new process is placed. In this case, it is possible to efficiently generate work instruction information by using the work instruction template and the information on the insertion conditions into the work instruction template of the processing process executed by the newly added device, thereby creating a new process. The production process can be efficiently performed by quickly responding to orders including processes.

  A reproduction processing server and an order processing system using the reproduction processing server according to the present invention will be described in detail below based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an order processing system of the present invention using a reproduction processing server of the present invention. The order processing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the order processing system of the present invention, and includes print creation, image reproduction on various products such as T-shirts and mugs, storage of image data on a recording medium such as a CD, etc. This is an order processing system that accepts orders for various types of image playback processing and performs playback processing according to the playback processing order. The order processing system 10 includes an order receiving unit 12, a workflow layer (Wf layer) 14 that is a management unit, and an activity layer (Ac layer) 16 that performs processing operations such as image processing.

In FIG. 1, the workflow layer 14 and the activity layer 16 conceptually show the software structure of the order processing system 10.
The order processing system 10 is a distributed system in which a plurality of devices cooperate to execute one order. That is, the order processing system 10 is configured by a plurality of devices having different functions in the hardware structure, and each device shares the functions, so that the workflow layer 14 and the activity layer 16 shown in FIG. Form a software structure consisting of
Specifically, for example, the order processing system 10 includes an order receiving machine that functions as the order receiving unit 12, a controller that shares a plurality of functions in the workflow layer 14 and the activity layer 16, an input machine, an output machine, and the like. can do. Such an apparatus configuration example will be described later.

In FIG. 1, broken line frames between layers or between components in the layers schematically indicate interfaces. An interface corresponding to the configuration of each unit may be used as an interface between layers or components.
In order to exchange information between the order receiving unit 12 and the workflow layer 14, an interface conforming to a predefined laboratory information order standard is used. Therefore, any personal computer or the like can function as the order receiving unit 12 by providing or interposing software for generating order information compliant with the laboratory information order standard.

The order receiving unit 12 is a part that receives an image reproduction processing order such as print creation from a customer. The order receiving unit 12 receives the image data of the order contents and the order target image (input image), sends the order content information (order information) to the workflow layer 14, and sends the order target image data to the order receiving unit 12. Store in an internal or external storage unit (not shown).
Further, the order receiving unit 12 receives a list of device public information indicating information such as input, processing, and output that can be processed in the order processing system 10 from the workflow server 26 described later, and reflects the contents of this list in the order menu. Let The display of the order menu based on the device public information list will be described in detail later.

The workflow layer 14 is a part that functions as a workflow management unit in the order processing system 10, and includes an order management unit 20, an order execution instruction unit 22, and a device public information database 24.
The order management unit 20 corresponds to a reproduction processing server of the present invention, and includes a workflow server (Wf server) 26, an order information database 28, a production information database 30, and a template database 32.

The workflow server 26 creates a device public information list indicating information such as input, processing, and output that can be processed in the order processing system 10 with reference to the device public information database 24 to be described later. send.
In addition, the workflow server 26 receives the order information from the order receiving unit 12, registers it in the order information database 28, and also stores the work instruction template stored in the template database 32 based on the order information and the system status. A job ticket that is work instruction information in the order processing system 10 is generated based on the job ticket template. Then, the generated job ticket is sent to the activity layer 16 that executes an image reproduction job (processing work). The activity layer 16 executes the job according to the job ticket.
Furthermore, the workflow server 26 monitors the execution status of the job defined in the job ticket.

In the present invention, the job ticket corresponds to a so-called work instruction for processing an order in the order processing system 10, and includes an execution order (process flow), processing contents, and execution destination of processes for processing the order. Information defining (device). One job ticket is issued for each order.
The format of the job ticket is standardized so as to be versatile for various apparatuses used in the photo lab.
For example, information described in a job ticket includes information on process types such as image data input, verification, composition, and output, information on special processing such as red-eye processing, trimming, date printing, and image composition, input media Examples include input / output related information such as type, output product type, print size, and output resolution, and such information is described in a format conforming to a predetermined standard that can be understood by various processing apparatuses.

  In the present invention, a plurality of job tickets in which basic order processing process patterns are set based on the type of order are registered in the template database 32 as job ticket templates (hereinafter referred to as templates), and this template is used. To generate a job ticket.

  The order information database 28 is a part that stores unprocessed order information that is currently accepted. The order information sent from the order receiving unit 12 is registered in the order information database 28 by the workflow server 26. The order information registered in the order information database 28 is used to display a list of orders in the order execution instruction unit 22 and is used to generate a job ticket in the workflow server 26 described later.

The production information database 30 is a part that stores information related to the job execution status in the activity layer 16. The activity layer 16 includes a plurality of activity components Ac that execute one or more of a plurality of processes necessary for the image reproduction process, for example, an image input process, a verification process, an image processing process such as image synthesis, a product output process, and the like. The work execution status information such as the start and end of the work in each activity component Ac is notified to the workflow server 26 as production information, and is recorded in the production information database 30 by the workflow server 26.
The production information recorded in the production information database 30 is used for process management in the order processing system 10.
When all the processes in one process are completed for one order information, the contents of the executed job ticket are recorded in the production information database 30 as production results.

The template database 32 holds templates. In the template database 32, templates composed of combinations of processes that can be executed in each activity component Ac are registered in advance.
As described above, when the workflow server 26 acquires the order information from the order receiving unit 12, the workflow server 26 registers the order information in the order information database 28, and reads out an appropriate template from the template database 32 based on the order information. Generate a job ticket based on
A template and a method for generating a job ticket using the template will be described in detail later.

The order execution instructing unit 22 is a part for instructing execution of orders for unprocessed orders registered in the order information database 28.
The order execution instructing unit 22 is connected to a display unit such as a monitor (not shown), obtains list information of orders (jobs) registered in the order information database 28 via the workflow server 26, and displays the list information. Display on the display. The order execution instruction unit 22 is connected to an instruction input unit (not shown) such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel provided in the display unit, and an order to be executed from the order list by an operation of the instruction input unit by the operator. When selected, an execution instruction (information) for the selected order is issued and transmitted to the workflow server 26.
Alternatively, the order execution instruction unit 22 may automatically issue an order execution instruction without an order selection by the operator.

The device public information database 24 is a part that holds device public information that represents the capabilities of the respective devices constituting the order processing system 10.
The device public information is own capability information that the activity component Ac of each device constituting the order processing system 10 discloses to the outside, for example, a user of the device or another device.
Each activity component Ac publishes its own capability information to the workflow layer 14, and the capability information is stored in the device public information database 24 as device public information.

As described above, the order processing system 10 is a distributed system in which a plurality of devices cooperate to execute one order. For this reason, in the execution of processing, information exchange between devices is essential. The device public information is used for information exchange between the devices.
The device public information includes, as the capability information of each activity component Ac, information on the types of processes that can be executed by the activity component Ac or the processes that can be handled for each process process.
The type of processing that can be handled for each processing step is, for example, information on the print size that can be output as the specification of the corresponding printer in the case of the activity component Ac of the print output step.
The device public information also includes information on insertion conditions for each processing step. An insertion condition refers to an existing template in order to be able to generate a job ticket using a template even when there is no template in which a processing step executed by a certain activity component Ac is set. The insertion position to be added to the flow of the processing step is defined. This will be described in detail later.
The device public information held in the device public information database 24 is used by the workflow server 26 to create a device public information list and generate a job ticket.

The activity layer 16 functions as an execution unit for image reproduction processing. The activity layer 16 functions as an image processing unit that acquires image data to be ordered by the order receiving unit 12 and executes processing operations on the acquired image data according to the job ticket.
The activity layer 16 also has a function of reproducing the processed image on a photographic print or other product and outputting it as a product.

  A plurality of processes in the activity layer 16 are shared by a plurality of devices in hardware. Specifically, for example, as hardware constituting the order processing system 10, an image data input device such as a film scanner or a data capturing device, an image processing device, a controller, an image output device such as a printer processor, or a data writing device An image data output device such as the above is used, and each of these devices shares a plurality of processes in the activity layer 16.

The activity layer 16 acquires the image data that is the target of the order received by the order receiving unit 12, and executes a processing operation on the image data according to the job ticket generated by the workflow server 26 of the workflow layer 14. .
The activity layer 16 has a plurality of activity components Ac that execute one or more of the plurality of steps necessary for the image reproduction process, and a predetermined process is performed by the predetermined activity component Ac in accordance with the job ticket. Run in the order. FIG. 1 shows three activity components Ac (Ac1, Ac2, Ac3) as an example. The activity component Ac of the activity layer 16 is shared by the above-described plurality of devices constituting the order processing system 10 in hardware.

Next, an example in which the order processing system 10 of FIG. 1 is applied to a specific apparatus will be described.
As described above, the order processing system 10 includes components belonging to the workflow layer 14 and the activity layer 16. These components can be located on multiple devices. However, one order management unit 20 is arranged in one system.

  FIG. 2 is an example of an apparatus (hardware) constituting the order processing system 10 shown in FIG. The order processing system 40 in FIG. 2 includes an order receiving device 42, a workflow management device 44 that also serves as a first image editing device, a second image editing device 46, a film scanner 48, and printers 50 and 52. Is done. Each of these devices is connected by a communication line such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

  The order receiving device 42 has a function as the order receiving unit 12 in the order processing system 10 of FIG. 1 and acquires order information (order information). For example, the order receiving device 42 is installed in a photo lab store or various stores. Internet order reception terminals such as automatic print order reception machines, system terminals of photo lab stores, and personal computers of customers. Although not shown, the order receiving apparatus 42 includes an instruction input means such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel for a customer (user) to input order information, and a monitor for displaying an order receiving screen.

Further, the order receiving device 42 serves as an image data acquisition means, a reading device that reads images from various image recording media, a communication device that receives image data transmitted through a communication line such as the Internet, and a connection that connects to a digital camera. It has one or more parts.
The image data acquired by the order reception device 42 by the image data acquisition means is temporarily stored in a storage unit (not shown) and sent to the workflow management device 44 or the second image editing device 46 according to the job ticket.
The order information acquired by the order receiving device 42 is sent to the workflow management device 44.

The workflow management apparatus (first image editing apparatus) 44 includes an order management unit 20 that performs workflow management for the entire order processing system 40 and receives instructions for orders to be executed. The order management unit 20 is the order management unit 20 in the order processing system 10 of FIG.
Further, the workflow management device 44 includes an order execution instruction unit 22A corresponding to the order execution instruction unit 22 in the order processing system 10 of FIG. 1 and a device public information database 24 (not shown).

  In addition, the workflow management device 44 receives image data from the customer from the order receiving unit 12 and performs an image processing process such as a verification process of input image data (input image data) and an image composition in accordance with a job ticket. Furthermore, it has a function as an image editing device such as writing image data after image processing to a recording medium such as a CD-R. These processes are executed by the input / verification / synthesis Ac (54) and the CD-R (media) output Ac (56).

  The second image editing device 46 has the same function as the function of the workflow management device 44 as an image editing device. In other words, an image data input process from a customer is executed, an image processing process such as an input image data verification process and an image composition process is executed, and the image data after image processing is processed according to the contents of the order as a CD-R. Can be written on a recording medium such as These processes are executed by the input / verification / synthesis Ac (58) and the CD-R (media) output Ac (60).

  The film scanner 48 photoelectrically reads an image taken on a photographic film and converts it into image data. In addition, the film scanner 48 can also perform an image processing process such as an input image data verification process or an image synthesis process on the read image data as necessary. These processes are executed by the input / verification / synthesis Ac (62). The film scanner 48 also has a function as an order execution instructing unit 22B that starts order processing in accordance with a job ticket. The order execution instruction unit 22B corresponds to the order execution instruction unit 22 in the order processing system 10 of FIG.

  The film scanner 48 is not an essential component for configuring the order processing system 40 based on the principle of full automation. However, by providing the film scanner 48, the customer can order image reproduction processing such as print creation from photographic film. When this is done, the film scanner 48 can acquire image data from the photographed image of the photographic film and execute a predetermined process according to the order.

The printer 50 and the printer 52 have a function of outputting the processed image data transferred from the workflow management device (first image editing device) 44, the second image editing device 46, and the film scanner 48 as a photographic print.
The image data acquired and edited by the workflow management device 44 or the second image editing device 46, or the image data acquired and edited by the film scanner 48 is transferred to the printer 50 or 52 and used for print processing. Is done.

  Here, the printer 50 and the printer 52 may be printers having different specifications. For example, the printer 50 can be applied as a silver halide photographic digital printer, and the printer 52 as an inkjet printer. In addition, various known printers such as an electrophotographic system and a sublimation type may be used. In addition, printers of the same system or different systems and having different capabilities and functions such as resolution, corresponding print size (paper size), finishing properties, etc. may be used. It is good also as a printer which performs image printing processing to other products.

  The order management unit 20 belonging to the workflow layer 14 of the order processing system 10 in FIG. 1 is provided in the workflow management apparatus 44 in the order processing system 40 in FIG. The order execution instruction unit 22 of the order processing system 10 is provided in the workflow management device 44 (corresponding to the order execution instruction unit 22A) and the film scanner 48 (corresponding to the order execution instruction unit 22B) of the order processing system 40. .

  In addition, each activity component Ac belonging to the activity layer 16 of the order processing system 10 corresponds to the workflow management device 44 (corresponding to input / verification / synthesis Ac (54) and CD-R (media) output Ac (56)), 2 image editing device 46 (corresponding to input / verification / synthesis Ac (58) and CD-R (media) Ac (60)), film scanner 48 (corresponding to input / verification / synthesis Ac (62)), The printer 50 (corresponding to the print Ac (64)) and the printer 52 (corresponding to the print Ac (66)) are provided respectively.

As described above, the elements corresponding to the respective layers are distributed to the respective apparatuses, whereby the order processing system 40 in FIG. 2 constitutes the order processing system 10 in FIG. 1 as a whole. These devices cooperate to execute order processing.
In addition, the number of each apparatus which comprises the order processing system 40 is not limited to the example of FIG. For example, two or more order receiving devices 42 may be provided, or one or three or more printers 50 (52) may be provided. Also, the number of image editing devices 46 can be increased or decreased.

  Next, the flow of processing in the order processing system 10 of FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to the order processing system 40 which is a specific apparatus example.

As described above, the activity components Ac1, Ac2, Ac3, etc. (activity components Ac (54 to 66) in FIG. 2) each disclose their own capability information to the workflow management apparatus 44 as apparatus public information. The disclosed device public information is registered in the device public information database 24.
When a device having a new activity component is added to the order processing system 10, the capability information of the new activity component is registered in the device public information database 24 as device public information.

  When the order processing system 10 is started up, when a new activity component Ac is connected to the order processing system 10, or when an image reproduction processing order is started in the order receiving unit 12, the workflow server 26 displays the device public information. By referring to the device public information held in the database 24, that is, the capability information of each processing device constituting the order processing system 40 such as the image editing device and the printer shown in FIG. , That is, a list of device public information indicating information such as input, processing, and output that can be processed in the order processing system 10 based on the capability information of the entire device group, and the list is stored in the order receiving device 42. send.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a list of device public information. In FIG. 4, items that can be handled for each of the input process, the process process, and the output process are listed. That is, for the input process, acceptable film types such as 135 film negative and 135 film sepia, recording media types such as Memory Stick, and file compression formats such as Zip, etc., the processing process includes trimming, red-eye, template The types of image processing that can be performed, such as compositing and color correction, for the output process, the types of prints, recording media, and other products that can be output, such as print sizes 100x200, 150x250, CD-R, and Zip files Etc. are shown respectively.

In the case of a system including a plurality of processing devices of the same type, such as an image editing device and a printer, such as the order processing system 40, the order management unit 20 refers to device disclosure information and can be executed by any device. Creates a list of device public information as processing that can be executed in the order processing system.
Further, the order management unit 20 sends the created device public information list to the order receiving device 42.

  When receiving the customer order, the order receiving unit 12 displays a menu of the types of orders that can be received on a monitor or the like based on the list of device public information received from the workflow layer 14 (workflow server 26).

  FIG. 3 shows a basic flow of order processing in the order processing system 10. As shown in FIG. 3, in the order processing system 10, when the order receiving device 42 receives an order (step S1), an appropriate template is selected in the order management unit 20 (step S2), and further selected in step S3. The activity component Ac that executes each processing step in the selected template is selected, and in step S4, a job ticket is generated based on the information of the selected template and the activity component Ac. Further, in step S5, an order production process is executed in the workflow layer 14 and the activity layer 16 based on the generated job ticket. When the production process is completed, the job ticket production process result is recorded in the production information database 30 as a production record in step S6.

  Hereinafter, the individual processes in the order processing system 10 of FIG. 1 will be described in order along the flow of FIG.

In the order in step S1, the order is accepted and registered in the order information database 28 of the accepted order.
In the order processing system 40 of FIG. 2, when a customer or a clerk starts an image reproduction processing order with the order receiving device 42, the order receiving device 42 (order receiving unit 12 in FIG. 1) responds to the order management unit 20. Acquisition of an order ID is requested.
In response to this, the order management unit 20 issues an order ID and notifies the order receiving device 42 of it.

The order receiving device 42 receives the information based on the list of device public information received from the order management unit 20 when the system is started, when a new device is connected to the system, or when an image reproduction processing order is started. Possible order types (menus) are displayed on the monitor order reception screen.
The customer uses the instruction input means of the order receiving device 42 to select whether or not to perform special processing and processing on the image from among the order types displayed on the order receiving screen, and the types and number of input media and output media. The item corresponding to the contents of the order, such as, is selected and input, and a desired product in which the image is reproduced is ordered.
The order receiving device 42 transmits the order information representing the input order details to the order management unit 20 in association with the order ID notified from the order management unit 20 and registers the order in the order management unit 20. Request.

  In the order information, at least an order ID, an input medium, processing contents, and an output medium are recorded. As described above, the order ID is an ID for each order notified from the order management unit 20. The input media is the type and number of recording media on which an image to be ordered is recorded. Examples of the recording media include 135 film negative, 135 film sepia, Memory Stick, and Zip file. The processing content is basic processing content performed for all orders such as image verification, and is recorded in the order information in advance. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that image verification is set in the processing content. The output medium is a type of recording medium to be output as a product, and examples thereof include a 100 × 200 size print, a 150 × 250 size print, a CD-R, and a Zip file.

Furthermore, special processing items can be set in the order information as necessary. Special processing is special image processing performed based on customer orders, and includes, for example, trimming, red-eye correction, image synthesis, color correction, and the like.
In the order information, the above-described order contents input from the order receiving device 42 by a customer or a store clerk are registered.
FIG. 3 shows order information 70 when the input medium is a Memory Stick and L print is designated as the output medium as an example of order information.

  In response to the order registration request, the order management unit 20 registers the order information in the order information database 28 (see FIG. 1) and the template 72 (see FIG. 3) registered in the template database 32 based on the order information. Among them, the one set with the process for performing each process recorded in the order information is selected (step S2 in FIG. 3).

Here, a method for generating a job ticket, its configuration and operation will be described.
As described above, the job ticket is procedure information describing the details of the processing steps, and is information defining the execution order (step flow) of the steps for processing the order, the processing details, and the execution destination (apparatus). The job ticket is generated based on the template, the device public information, and the order information.

  Upon receiving the order information from the order receiving device 42, the order management unit 20 selects a template appropriate for executing the order from the template database 32 (see FIG. 1) based on the order information. The template is selected based on the number and type of input media and output media recorded in each order information and, if special processing is designated, the contents thereof.

  In the template database 32, a template including a combination of processes that can be executed in each activity component Ac is registered in advance as a pattern of a process flow for outputting a product for one order in the order processing system 40.

FIG. 5 shows examples of six types of templates.
FIG. 5A shows a template for a standard order. In the order information, when the number of input media and output media is one each and no special processing is designated, this template is selected.
FIG. 5B shows a template used in the case of an order for which special processing is designated. Similar to FIG. 5A, this template is selected when the number of input media and output media is one each, and one type of special processing is designated.

Further, among orders received by the order processing system 10 (order processing system 40), a plurality of types of products with different output media are produced even though the orders are received by the order receiving device 42 in the same order processing. There is.
For example, creation of a photo print and an order including a CD on which image data after image processing is recorded, and creation of a photo print of a service size of L size 89 mm × 127 mm, which can be executed by a silver salt type minilab machine, For example, an order including creation of a poster that can be executed only by a large-format ink jet printer, such as an A1 size.
Alternatively, an order in which images recorded on a plurality of different types of recording media are collectively output on the same output medium is also conceivable.
FIGS. 5C to 5F are examples of templates corresponding to such orders.

FIG. 5C shows a template that is selected when two different types of products are output from one type of input media such as a single film. That is, FIG. 5C is a template corresponding to the case where the number of input media is 1 and the number of output media is 2. FIG. 5C shows a template used when, for example, outputting a photographic print in the output step 1 and outputting a CD-R in the output step 2.
In FIG. 5D, for example, as in FIG. 5C, an L-size photo print and a CD-R are output from one type of input medium such as a single film, and an index print is created. This is a template used in some cases. That is, FIG. 5D is a template corresponding to the case where the number of input media is 1 and the number of output media is 3. In FIG. 5D, for example, a photographic print is output in the output step 1, a CD-R is output in the output step 2, and an index print is output in the output step 3.

FIG. 5E is used when, for example, an L-size photo print is output from two films. That is, FIG. 5E is a template corresponding to the case where the number of input media is 2 and the number of output media is 2. In this case, an order is accepted with two films as one piece of order information. Therefore, each process from input to output is performed separately for each film, but the output photographic prints are collected as products for the same order.
In FIG. 5 (f), for example, the input media is ordered as one order for two films, as in FIG. 5 (e). This is a template used when outputting images of two films collected on the same CD-R. That is, FIG. 5F is a template corresponding to the case where the number of input media is 2 and the number of output media is 3. FIG. 5 (f) is used when, for two films, photographic prints are output in the output steps 1 and 2, and images in each film are output to the same CD-R in the output step 3.

  The templates described above are registered in advance in the template database 32 of FIG. The order management unit 20 selects a template suitable for executing the order from the template database 32 based on the types and number of input media and output media recorded in the order information, the contents of special processing, and the like. Based on this, a job ticket is generated. That is, the order management unit 20 counts the number of order information input media and the number of template input processes, the number of order information output media and the number of template output processes, and the number of special processes for order information and the number of templates. Select a template that matches the number of special processing steps.

  In the order information 70 shown in FIG. 3, the number of input media and output media is 1 and no special processing is specified, so the number of special processing is 0. Therefore, it is only necessary to select a template in which the number of input and output steps is 1 and the number of special processing steps is 0. FIG. 5A is a template corresponding to the order information 70. Therefore, a job ticket is generated based on the template shown in FIG.

When a template is selected in step S2 of FIG. 3, in step S3, the order management unit 20 creates a duplicate of the selected template, and performs a process in each step on the duplicated template (hereinafter referred to as a duplicate template). An activity component Ac is assigned.
For the assignment of the activity component Ac, the order management unit 20 refers to the device public information database 24 and selects an activity component Ac (device) that can execute each process based on the device public information of the activity component Ac. By doing.

As shown in the device public information 74 and 76 in FIG. 3, the device public information can correspond to the device name, activity component name, compatible process, and each process for each device constituting the order processing system 10. The processing contents and recording media are listed.
For example, in FIG. 3, a device called PC1 has an activity component called Ac1, and Ac1 has the ability to execute an input process and a verification process. Furthermore, the input process of Ac1 has the ability to input images from the film and the Memory Stick, and the verification process has the ability to perform image verification with auto setup. The apparatus PC2 includes an activity component that executes an output process Ac3, and Ac3 has an ability to output an L-size photo print.

Since the device public information 74 and 76 are registered in the device public information database 24 and disclosed to the outside, they can be referred to from the order management unit 20. The order management unit 20 refers to the device public information, selects an activity component Ac capable of processing each process of the duplicate template, and assigns it as a device that performs each process.
For example, in the case of the order shown in the order information 70 in FIG. 3, Ac1 may be assigned as an activity component that performs an input process and a verification process, and Ac3 may be assigned as an activity component that performs an output process.
In addition, when there are a plurality of corresponding activity components, the production information database 30 is referred to, the process progress status of each device is considered, and a device with a low waiting time until the start of processing is selected.

  In this way, when the activity component Ac that performs each process is assigned to all the process steps, the order management unit 20 describes the identification information of the assigned activity component Ac in the duplicate template, thereby obtaining a job ticket. 78 is generated and held (step S4 in FIG. 3).

When the order is confirmed by an instruction operation by the customer or the like in the order receiving device 42, the order receiving device 42 reads the target image from the digital media on which the image to be ordered is recorded, Store in an external storage unit (not shown).
When the image is recorded on the film, the operator sets the film on a reading device such as the film scanner 48 to obtain image data in the film scanner 48 and store the obtained image data. Store in the unit.

  Next, when the order management unit 20 instructs the activity layer 16 to execute the order based on the order execution instruction from the order execution instruction unit 22 in step S5 of FIG. 3, the activity layer 16 follows the job ticket. Production processing is started.

When executing an order, first, the order execution instructing unit 22 requests the order management unit 20 for order list information registered in the order information database 28.
In response to this request, the order management unit 20 reads data from the order information database 28, generates list information of registered orders, and sends it to the order execution instruction unit 22.
The order execution instruction unit 22 displays a list of orders based on the order list information.
In the order execution instruction unit 22, when the operator selects an order to be executed from the order list and instructs execution, the order execution instruction unit 22 requests the order management unit 20 to execute a job.

Upon receiving the execution request, the order management unit 20 reads the image data corresponding to the job ticket of the order from the image data stored in the storage unit of the order receiving device 42, and among the activity components Ac in the activity layer 16 Then, the read image data and the job ticket are passed to the activity component Ac that processes the first process, and the execution of the work is instructed.
In the activity layer 16, each activity component Ac processes each process for the received image data according to the received job ticket in response to the work execution instruction. At this time, each activity component Ac notifies the workflow server 26 of the order management unit 20 of notification corresponding to the progress of the process, such as the start and end of the execution of the process. The workflow server 26 records the received notification content in the production information database 30.

The activity component Ac executes the process assigned to itself on the job ticket. When the work is completed, a job ticket is handed over to the activity component Ac in charge of the next process, and the work execution instruction is given.
As described above, the activity layer 16 executes the process from the first process to the last process specified in the process flow by sequentially passing the job tickets between the activity components Ac according to the process flow defined in the job ticket. . When delivering the job ticket, the image input from the input device such as the order receiving device 42 or the film scanner 48 is also delivered together.

  The above is an example in which a job execution request is made in response to an instruction from an operator in the order execution instruction unit 22. On the other hand, in the case of an automatic execution order that performs automatic execution processing, the order management unit 20 automatically receives an appropriate trigger such as the scheduled processing start time without any operator operation. A job execution request is issued to the activity component Ac of the activity layer 16.

  In this way, each processing step is performed according to the job ticket, and when all the processing steps are completed, the workflow server 26 finally receives the work completion notification sent from the activity component Ac, and is the production processing result. The job ticket is stored in the production information database 30 as a production record 80 (see FIG. 3) (step S6 in FIG. 3). At this time, information about the produced product such as the number of printed sheets is also transmitted to the workflow server 26.

As described above, the order processing system 10 is characterized in that a job ticket template including a combination of processing steps that can be executed by each activity component Ac is registered in advance and a job ticket is generated by using these. have.
This configuration facilitates the generation of job tickets when performing production processing for orders that include multiple types of input / output and image processing, and is flexible for various order formats including multiple types of input / output and image processing. It can correspond to. In addition, since the job ticket can be generated efficiently, the load on the order management unit 20 can be reduced, the processing capacity of the system can be improved, and quick order processing can be performed.

Next, another example of processing in the order processing system 10 will be described.
As described above, in the order processing system using the reproduction processing server of the present invention, an apparatus having an activity component of the same type as an activity component that an existing system has, or an activity that can execute a new processing process that does not exist in an existing system There is an advantage that a device having components can be easily added to the system.
When an apparatus having an activity component having the ability to execute a new processing step is added to the system, the order receiving apparatus 42 generates order information that cannot be handled by the existing template in the template database 32, and the order management unit 20 will be transmitted.
In addition, for example, even when there is no change in the type of order information transmitted to the order management unit 20, a process step is added for all order processes due to the addition of a new activity component. In the case of an existing template, a job ticket that can execute the process cannot be generated.

Specifically, for example, in the above-described embodiment, image verification is specified as the basic processing content to be performed for all orders, but in addition to this, for all orders, after the output step, It is assumed that a verification process for confirming whether the output product corresponds to the order information is newly performed, and an activity component for executing this process or a device including the activity component is added to the system.
In such a case, since there is no existing template corresponding to the order information including the matching process, it is not possible to select a template corresponding to the order information and generate a job ticket. In such a case, it is conceivable to create a template in which a matching process is newly added to an existing template and register it in the template database 32. However, each time a new processing process is added, it corresponds to that. If a template is created and registered in the template database 32, the number of templates becomes enormous, and a problem arises in that the processing capacity of the system decreases due to the time taken to select a template.

  In order to solve such a problem, even when the order processing system 10 becomes able to execute a new processing step that does not exist in the previous system, the existing order processing system 10 does not create a new template. It is configured so that a job ticket can be efficiently generated using a template.

  FIG. 6 shows a flow of order processing in the order processing system 10 when an activity component Ac that executes a new processing step is added. FIG. 6 shows an example in which a matching process as shown in the device public information 98 is performed on the order processing system 10 including the device PC1 having the activity components Ac1 and Ac3 having the capability shown in the device public information 96. This shows a state where a device called PC2 having Ac4 which is a possible activity component is newly added.

  In FIG. 6, the device PC1 has activity components Ac1 and Ac3 as shown in the device public information 96, and Ac1 has an ability to execute an input process and a verification process. The input process of Ac1 has the ability to input images from the film and Memory Stick, and the verification process has the ability to perform image verification with auto setup. Further, Ac3 has an ability to output an L size photographic print as an output process.

The added device PC2 includes an activity component Ac4 that executes a collation process as basic processing contents to be performed for all orders.
Here, the collation step is a step of confirming whether or not the output product matches that specified in the order information.
Specifically, the order information and the image data of the order image or its thumbnail image are displayed on a monitor screen or the like, and the operator collates the displayed information and image with the actual product. For example, when the output product is an L print, the operator views the order information displayed on the monitor and the image data of the order image, or the thumbnail image, and outputs the number of prints, the size, and the surface. In addition to inspecting the seeds, etc., it is checked whether a product corresponding to the order information is output.

In the collation process, image quality and image processing results are also checked. For example, in the case of a product that corresponds to order information for which red-eye correction is designated as a special process, the operator knows from the order information displayed on the monitor that the order has been designated for red-eye correction, and the corresponding print In step 1, it is checked whether red-eye correction is normally performed.
Further, in the verification process, product bagging and billing processing may be performed.
This verification process is automatically executed for all orders without being specified by the customer after being added to the order processing system 10. That is, the order management unit 20 automatically assigns a collation process for all subsequent orders.

  When Ac4 is newly added to the order processing system 10, Ac4 registers its own capability information as device public information in the device public information database 24 (see FIG. 1). That is, in FIG. 6, when the activity component Ac4 is added, the capability information of Ac4 is registered in the device public information database 24 as device public information 98.

In the following, referring to the order processing system 40 in FIG. 2 which is a specific system configuration example for individual processing in the order processing system 10 in FIG. 1 after the addition of Ac4 along the flow of FIG. However, it demonstrates in order.
After Ac4 is added and the capability information of Ac4 is registered in the device public information database 24, in the order processing system 40 of FIG. 2, when a customer or a store clerk starts an image reproduction processing order at the order receiving device 42 (FIG. 6). Step S11), as in the previous example, the order management unit 20 issues an order ID and notifies the order receiving device 42 of it.

The order receiving device 42 displays the order types (menus) that can be received on the order receiving screen of the monitor based on the list of device public information received from the order management unit 20.
The customer or the store clerk uses the instruction input means of the order reception device 42 to select and input an item corresponding to the content of the order from the types of orders displayed on the order reception screen, and reproduce the desired image. Order a product.
The order receiving device 42 transmits the order information 90 representing the input order contents to the order management unit 20 in association with the order ID notified from the order management unit 20 to request order registration.
The order information 90 shown in FIG. 6 is order information when the input medium is a Memory Stick and L print is designated as the output medium.

  Upon receiving the order registration request, the order management unit 20 registers the order information in the order information database 28 (see FIG. 1), and the template 92 (see FIG. 6) registered in the template database 32 based on the order information. ) For which each process recorded in the order information is set (step S12 in FIG. 6).

As in the previous example, the template selection is based on the number and type of input media and output media recorded in each order information, and, if special processing content is recorded, on the special processing. Do it.
In the order information 90 shown in FIG. 6, the number of input media and output media is 1 respectively and the special processing is not specified, as in the order information 70 of FIG. 3, and the number of special processing is 0. Therefore, it is only necessary to select a template in which the number of input and output steps is 1 and the number of special processing steps is 0. FIG. 5A is a template corresponding to the order information 70. Therefore, a job ticket is generated based on the template shown in FIG.

When selecting a template, the order management unit 20 duplicates the selected template in step S13. Further, the order management unit 20 dynamically inserts a collation process into this duplicate template. The verification process is inserted based on the insertion condition in the apparatus public information of Ac4.
As described above, the device public information includes information on processing steps that can be executed by each Ac, types of processing that can be handled for each processing step, and insertion conditions for each processing step.
The order management unit 20 refers to the apparatus public information of Ac4 and acquires the insertion condition for the collation process.

  In the apparatus public information 98 of Ac4, the insertion condition is “immediately after the output process”. Thereby, in the template of FIG. 5A, it can be seen that a collation process may be inserted immediately after the output process. Therefore, the order management unit 20 describes the verification process immediately after the output process of the duplicate template. The duplicate template after the collation process is inserted is in a state like a duplicate template 94 shown in FIG.

  The insertion condition in the device public information thus specifies a processing step performed immediately before or after the processing step to be inserted. By referring to the insertion condition, the order management unit 20 can determine the insertion position when each processing step is inserted into the duplicate template.

When the process insertion is completed, the order management unit 20 refers to the device public information of each activity component Ac registered in the device public information database 24 in step S14, and adds the process to the duplicate template into which the process is inserted. An activity component Ac that executes each process is assigned.
In the case of the order shown in the order information 90 of FIG. 6, Ac1 is assigned as an activity component that performs an input process and a verification process, and Ac3 is assigned as an activity component that performs an output process.
Such assignment of the activity component Ac may be performed in the same manner as in the previous example.

  In all processing steps, when the activity component Ac is assigned, the order management unit 20 generates and holds the job ticket 100 by describing the identification information of the assigned activity component Ac in the duplicate template (step S15). ).

Next, when the order management unit 20 instructs the activity layer 16 to execute the order based on the order execution instruction from the order execution instruction unit 22 in step S16, the activity layer 16 performs production processing according to the job ticket. Be started.
When the production process is completed, in step S17, the workflow server 26 receives the work completion notification sent from the activity component Ac, and stores the job ticket in the production information database 30 as the production result 102.
Note that the processes in steps S14 to S17 may be performed in the same manner as steps S3 to S6 in the example of FIG.

  As described above, according to the order processing system 10, even when an activity component capable of executing a new processing step is added, a duplicate template is created using an existing template, and an apparatus is added to the duplicate template. By inserting the processing steps based on the public information insertion condition, it is possible to efficiently generate a job ticket corresponding to the order information and executing a new processing step.

In the above-described example, the case where a process of basic processing contents to be performed for all orders is newly added has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing that can be executed by the added activity component is as follows. It is also possible to generate a job ticket that can be selected by the customer, insert the processing step into the template according to the order information, and execute the order information. For example, in the output process, after an activity component that creates a new output medium, or a device having the same is added, or after an activity component that executes new special processing, or a device that has the activity component is added It is also possible to deal with a case where a processing process pattern without a corresponding template is ordered.
A method for generating a job ticket in such a case will be described in detail below.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a method for generating a job ticket when an activity component Ac for creating a new output medium is added and an order using the added activity component is made.
In FIG. 7, in the order processing system 10, it is assumed that a device called PC3 having an activity component called Ac5 that can output a mug print is newly added as a device constituting the system. As shown in the apparatus public information 112, the insertion condition of the mug print output process is defined as immediately after the verification process and immediately before completion.

When the PC 3 having Ac5 is added to the order processing system 10, Ac5 registers its own device public information 112 in the device public information database 24 (see FIG. 1). The order management unit 20 refers to the device public information database 24 and creates a list of device public information. Here, as an output process, a list of apparatus public information to which a processing type called mug printing is newly added is created.
Furthermore, the order management unit 20 sends the created device public information list to the order receiving device 42.

The order receiving device 42 displays the order types (menus) that can be received on the order receiving screen of the monitor based on the list of device public information received from the order management unit 20. Thereby, a newly added mug print which is the ability of Ac5 is displayed as an output menu.
Therefore, the customer uses the instruction input means of the order receiving device 42 to select and input a mug print from the types of orders shown on the order receiving screen, and order a desired product in which the image is reproduced. Can do.

The order receiving device 42 that newly displays a mug print as an output menu can accept orders for making four types of products, L print, CD-R, index print, and mug print, from one film. It is.
When such an order is input, in the order receiving device 42, the number of input media is 1 and the type is film, the number of output media is 4 and the type is L print, CD-R, index based on the order contents. In addition, order information for the print process and the mug cup, in which the verification process is designated as the process content, is created and transmitted to the order management unit 20.

As in the previous example, the order management unit 20 registers the order information in the order information database 28 and, based on the order information, out of the templates registered in the template database 32 (see FIG. 5). Select the corresponding one. However, the template database 32 does not have a template with four output processes. Therefore, the order management unit 20 is most similar to the number and type of each process in the existing template in terms of the number and type of input media, output media, processing contents, and special processing recorded in the order information. A template that does not have an extra process and has the fewest number of processing steps is selected, and a job ticket is generated using the selected template.
In this case, the number of input media is 1, the number of output media is 3, and the template shown in FIG. Therefore, in this case, a job ticket is generated using the template shown in FIG.

  When the selection of the template is completed, the order management unit 20 creates a duplicate template of the template shown in FIG. 5D, and further inserts a mug print output process into this duplicate template. The insertion is performed at a position corresponding to the insertion condition included in the apparatus public information 112 of Ac5. As shown in FIG. 7, the device public information 112 of Ac5 describes that the insertion condition of the output process is immediately after the verification process and immediately before completion, and accordingly, in parallel with the output processes 1 and 2. In this manner, a step of outputting the mug print is inserted into the duplicate template as an output step 4. The duplicate template produced in this way is shown in the duplicate template 110.

  When the process insertion is completed, the order management unit 20 assigns an activity component for processing each process to the duplicate template 110 and generates a job ticket, as in the previous example. Furthermore, the production process and the production process result may be recorded using the job ticket.

  As described above, the order processing system 10 receives the order information that cannot be applied to the existing template when a new activity component is added to the system and the order menu that the customer can select increases. However, the number and type of processing steps recorded in the order information and the number and type of each processing step of the template are the most similar templates, i.e., there are no extra steps and the number of processing steps is insufficient. A job ticket can be generated by selecting the template with the smallest number and inserting the missing processing steps as appropriate into the duplicate template.

As described above, according to the reproduction processing server and the order processing system using the same according to the present invention, a job ticket is generated based on the device public information of each activity component using the job ticket template, and this job It is possible to manage the processing steps using tickets.
As a result, it is possible to easily generate a job ticket and flexibly support various order formats including a plurality of types of input / output and image processing.
In addition, when generating a job ticket for an order including multiple types of input / output and image processing, it can be generated efficiently, reducing the load on the system and increasing the processing capacity of the system. Improve and speed up order processing.

Furthermore, according to the reproduction processing server and the order processing system using the same according to the present invention, an activity component capable of executing a new processing step is added to the system by newly adding a device or changing to another model. In this case, even when an order including a new processing step is made, it is possible to efficiently generate a job ticket using an existing template by referring to the insertion condition in the device public information.
As a result, an apparatus having the ability to execute a new processing step can be flexibly incorporated into an existing system and controlled.

  As described above, the reproduction processing server and the order processing system using the same according to the present invention have been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, changes may be made.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment of the order processing system using the reproduction | regeneration processing server of this invention. It is a block diagram of a system configuration example. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of the order processing in the order processing system of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the list | wrist of apparatus public information. It is a figure which shows the example of a job ticket template. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of the order processing in the order processing system of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the process insertion to a duplication job ticket.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 40 Order processing system 12 Order reception part 14 Workflow layer 16 Activity layer 20 Order management part 22 Order execution instruction part 24 Apparatus public information database 26 Workflow server 28 Order information database 30 Production information database 32 Template database 42 Order reception apparatus 44 Workflow Management device (first image editing device)
46 Second image editing device 48 Film scanner 50, 52 Printer Ac, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66 Activity component 70, 90 Order information 72, 92 Job ticket template 74, 76, 96, 98, 112 Device public information 78, 100 Job ticket 80, 102 Production results 94, 110 Replication template

Claims (8)

A reproduction processing server connected to an execution unit that executes reproduction processing of an image based on information of a reproduction processing order from an order reception unit, and manages execution of reproduction processing in the execution unit;
The execution unit includes a plurality of components that execute one or more steps among a plurality of steps required for the reproduction process,
The reproduction processing server selects one work instruction template in which a process capable of executing the reproduction process is set according to information of one reproduction process order, and each process of the selected work instruction template includes: A reproduction processing server, wherein one piece of work instruction information is generated for one order by allocating information of the reproduction processing order and information of a component that executes each process.   The reproduction processing server according to claim 1, wherein the work instruction template includes a combination of processes that can be executed by the plurality of components.   The reproduction processing server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein capability information of each component of the execution unit is acquired and the work instruction information is generated based on the capability information. The capability information further includes information on conditions for insertion into a work instruction template of processing steps that can be executed in each component,
If there is no work instruction template corresponding to the information of the reproduction processing order, the work instruction template that can perform the process most similar to the image reproduction processing based on the information of the reproduction processing order is selected, and the selected work The reproduction processing server according to claim 3, wherein the work instruction information is generated based on an instruction template and the capability information. An order receiving unit that receives input of the input image and information of the reproduction processing order of the input image;
A reproduction processing server that manages execution of the reproduction processing according to the information of the reproduction processing order;
A plurality of components that perform one or more of the plurality of steps required for the reproduction process;
The reproduction processing server selects one work instruction template in which a process capable of executing the reproduction process is set according to information of one reproduction process order, and each process of the selected work instruction template includes: By assigning the information of the reproduction processing order and the information of the component that executes each process, one work instruction information is generated for one reproduction processing order,
The order processing system, wherein the plurality of components execute reproduction processing according to the generated work instruction information.   The order processing system according to claim 5, wherein the work instruction template includes a combination of processes that can be executed by the plurality of components.   The order processing system according to claim 5, wherein the reproduction processing server acquires capability information of each of the plurality of components, and generates the work instruction information based on the capability information. The capability information further includes information on conditions for insertion into a work instruction template of processing steps that can be executed in each component,
When there is no work instruction template corresponding to the information of the reproduction processing order, the reproduction processing server selects a work instruction template that can perform the process most similar to the image reproduction processing based on the information of the reproduction processing order. 8. The order processing system according to claim 7, wherein the work instruction information is generated based on the selected work instruction template and the capability information.

Images