JP2012111170A - Print management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automate the input of work man-hours through MIS (Management Information System) in a print workflow, and to improve the accuracy.SOLUTION: When an image is reprinted by using a print history function of a device after completion of a print job, a generated print work is notified to MIS after being associated with the original print job, and at the same time, the number of generated work man-hours is notified to MIS as difference information of the number of man-hours for the original print job.

Description

  The present invention relates to control of an image forming system capable of executing an image forming process including a plurality of processes, for example.

  In recent years, with the digitization of the print workflow environment, a POD (Print On Demand) environment that combines a print job generation application, a print job management server, an electrophotographic printer, an inkjet, and the like has been constructed. In POD, it is required to deliver a large variety of jobs with a short delivery time in a small lot.

  In the POD print workflow, JDF (Job Definition Format) is a standard format specification that defines a print job and its communication. In a printing system based on the JDF specification, printing cost management is performed using a server application called MIS (Management Information System).

  For each JDF job, MIS collects not only consumable information such as paper and toner, but also information on the worker's actual working time as cost information for human resources. Information on the work time required to process a print job is transmitted from the printing system to the MIS using JDF.

  The work time information collected by the MIS is used as a standard index for calculating an estimate against a printing requirement at a printing company. Since the estimated price calculated based on it greatly affects the competitiveness of orders, it is very important to accurately measure the actual cost at the time of printing.

  On the other hand, among printing apparatuses that perform printing processing, there is a printing apparatus having a function having an authentication function that cannot be printed unless a printing operator logs in at the time of printing. The printing operator performs login processing by inputting user account information set in advance at the start of printing on the panel on the printing apparatus, and performs printing after user authentication. After completing the printing process, the printing operator logs out the user account. With this function, it is possible to record what kind of work is performed by which printing worker at what time on the printing apparatus.

  In the printing system that performs the printing process in such a printing apparatus, a process for transmitting work time information from the printing system to the MIS at the time of printing a JDF job will be described below.

  The prepress application constituting the printing system creates a JDF job and sends it to the printing apparatus.

  The printing worker performs login processing on the panel of the printing apparatus at the start of the work. After logging in, the printing apparatus starts acquiring work information of the logged-in printing worker.

  When the worker starts print processing of a JDF job, the printing apparatus analyzes the received JDF job and performs print processing. The printing apparatus records operator processing as log information for each print job.

  The printing apparatus notifies the MIS of log information for each JDF job.

  Also, by calculating the work time distributed and processed by multiple printing devices as well as a single printing device, the work time is calculated for each printing purpose, not just the printing date, printing device, and operator. Proposals have been made.

  Some printing apparatuses have storage areas such as H11 and memory. Such a printing apparatus has a function called history printing that can store a certain number of printed jobs and print any stored job. After printing, the job is stored in a storage area in the printing apparatus, and the user can select and print an arbitrary printed job on the printing apparatus or via a terminal that can be connected to the printing apparatus via a network. This terminal is also subject to the authentication function as part of the printing apparatus. When a certain number of jobs stored in the history are accumulated, they are deleted in the order in which they are stored. By using this function, an operator can perform reprinting without receiving a job again in the printing apparatus when job printing fails. This function is used in POD printing to reprint printed matter found in the inspection work after printing is completed.

JP 2001-92617 A

  However, the man-hour for the reprinting work of the printed matter discovered during the inspection work may not be counted as the worker's actual working time for each job. When an error condition such as paper jam, paper supply replacement, or toner replacement occurs on the printing apparatus, reprinting may be accompanied. However, this operation is a reprinting operation when the job is not completed. Since these operations are performed within the start and end times of the original job, they can be counted by adding work man-hours as operations accompanying the original job. However, when printing is completed using the history printing function in order to print a printed matter that has been printed without any of the problems described above and has become a defective product in the subsequent inspection work, the printing apparatus will be able to work when printing of the original job is completed. The man-hour is notified to MIS. Therefore, the job on the MIS is in a state where the work has been completed, and thereafter, processing that is conscious of the presence of additional work is not performed. In addition, since jobs in the queue of the printing apparatus are also deleted when printing is completed, it is not possible to specify a job corresponding to work that has occurred thereafter.

  In order to solve the above problems, the printing apparatus includes the following means.

An image printing unit that prints an image, and a printing apparatus that includes an image storage unit that stores a printed image, and a man-hour management unit that manages man-hours for processing based on JDF,
Having association means for associating the processing based on the JDF, the processing based on the print job, the print processing of the print job in which the image is stored, and the operation processing related to the job;
The man-hour management unit collectively manages the man-hours of the processes associated by the association unit.

  The man-hour management means has means for automatically associating operation history information in which the operation history of the printing apparatus by the operator of the printing apparatus is recorded in time series with the print job from the processing contents of the print job processed by the printing apparatus. .

The man-hour management unit automatically associates operation history information of the printing apparatus performed on the print image stored by the image storage unit with a print job from the recorded content of the stored print image.
The process of associating the operation history information with the print job in the printing apparatus is associated with the print job even if the operation is performed after the print job printing is completed.

  The following are examples of application to each issue.

  By connecting the proposed printing device to a conventional MIS work time management system and operating it, the MIS is accurate for each JDF job, as much as the printing worker actually worked for the JDF job. It is possible to acquire and manage a simple work man-hour.

  Although it is a necessary work in the print workflow, MIS also ensures accurate work time by associating the work related to JDF job printing performed after JDF job printing is completed on the printing device with the JDF job that requires the work. It is possible to calculate and manage.

Configuration diagram of MFP Software block diagram in MFP Schematic diagram showing an example of operation keys Schematic diagram showing an example of initial screen display System configuration with this proposal applied Correspondence between print log and information returned by JDF (conventional example) Cost information display in MIS Application example in this proposal Flowchart of printing apparatus side processing of embodiment 1 Flowchart of MIS side processing of embodiment 1 Schematic diagram of the history information area that manages the print history of each job Example of correspondence between operation log information and JDF sent to MIS when this proposal is applied

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of Multi Function Peripheral, that is, MFP. An MFP is a device having a plurality of functions such as copying, printing, and scanning.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 105 denotes a controller unit that controls the entire device. As an internal configuration of the controller, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU, that is, a central processing unit, which performs control and arithmetic processing of the controller.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a ROM, that is, a read-only memory, which is a storage area for information such as system startup programs.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a RAM, that is, a random access memory, which is a data storage area that is not restricted in use, and 104 denotes a HD, that is, a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk or SRAM.

  The 103 RAM is an area in which programs such as an operating system, communication control, and engine control are loaded and executed, and data is stored. A scanner 106 performs an image reading operation.

  A printer 107 performs a printing operation under the control of the controller. There are several printing methods such as an inkjet method and an electrophotographic method.

  In the electrophotographic system, toner, which is fine particles having charging properties, is transferred to paper by static electricity, and is fixed by a fixing device to perform printing. The toner is often composed of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes a UI (user interface) unit that accepts instructions from the user or displays them.

  A communication unit 109 performs network communication control, and can communicate with other devices and computers. A system bus 110 serves as a data path between the above-described components.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a post-processing portion. Perform necessary processing after printing, such as saddle stitching, cutting, punching, and case binding.

  FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of the MFP of the present invention. This software is stored in the 102ROM or 104HD unit, and is loaded into the 103RAM and executed when the MFP is activated.

  An operating system (OS) 201 manages / controls resources of the entire MFP.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes API-1, which is an interface for an application operating on the 201 OS. The application can access resources on the MFP and execute commands on the CPU through API-1.

  A controller control unit 203 operates on the 201 OS and controls the 106 scanner, 107 printer, 108 operation unit, and the like.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a resource management unit that restricts the use of more than a predetermined resource when a 202 controller control unit, a virtual machine 205 described later, and all applications on the virtual machine use resource resources such as memory. Is.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a virtual machine, which is an optimal execution environment for executing a specific application, and is realized by, for example, a Java (registered trademark) virtual machine.
206 is API-2, and an application running on the 205 virtual machine is 203.
This is an interface for using the controller control unit, 204 resource management unit, 202 API-1, and the like.

  Reference numeral 207 denotes an application management application, which manages applications operating on the 205 virtual machine. Downloading, uploading, erasing, and invalidating the application, which will be described later.

  Reference numeral 207 denotes one of applications that operate on the 205 virtual machine.

  An arbitrary number of applications having arbitrary functions can be installed and operated in the MFP according to the expected role.

  3 and 4 show an example of a user interface provided by the 108 UI unit.

Reference numeral 300 denotes a key input unit that can accept a user operation by a hard key.
Reference numeral 301 denotes an ON / OFF button, which is a power switch.

  Reference numeral 302 denotes a power saving key. When this button is pressed, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode. The power saving mode indicates a state in which power consumption of the entire device is suppressed by stopping power supply to some components.

  Reference numeral 303 denotes a counter confirmation key. When this button is pressed, the value of the charging counter is displayed on the 401 touch panel.

  A display example of the charging counter value is shown below.

  “Total” indicates the number of sheets discharged from the installation of the MFP to the present. The black and white total is for black and white printing of the total, and the color total is for black and white printing of the total.

  Reference numeral 304 denotes a start key, which instructs the start of processing provided by the MFP such as copy / print / scan / transmit. Reference numeral 305 denotes a stop key, which stops a job started with the start key.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes a numeric keypad for inputting numerical information.

  Reference numeral 307 denotes an ID key that instructs to input authentication information.

  Reference numeral 308 denotes a clear key, which cancels information input with the 306 numeric keypad.

  Reference numeral 309 denotes a reset key, which cancels all parameters supported by the job to be processed by the user.

  A help key 310 is pressed by the user when the operation method is unknown, and displays information that helps the operation.

  Reference numeral 311 denotes a user mode key, which is a key for starting various settings.

  The 108 UI unit is provided with a touch panel. The touch panel has a display function and can receive input from the operator by detecting whether the display area is pressed.

  4 is an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel when the MFP becomes operable.

  Reference numeral 401 denotes a copy button which is pressed when performing a copying operation.

  Reference numeral 402 denotes a transmission button which is pressed when performing transmission processing.

  Reference numeral 403 denotes a box button which is pressed when processing related to the box is performed. Reference numeral 404 denotes an extended key, which is a key to be pressed when displaying a screen of 208 application.

  Reference numeral 405 denotes a color selection list box, which selects either automatic selection, color, black and white, or the like.

  Reference numeral 406 denotes a status display field that displays information desired to be conveyed to the user. Here, as an example, copy permission / inhibition, magnification, paper selection method, and number of copies are displayed.

  Reference numeral 407 denotes an equal-size button for instructing an equal-size copy. Reference numeral 408 denotes a button for designating a magnification. Reference numeral 409 designates where the paper is fed from.

  Reference numeral 410 denotes a finishing button, which specifies whether sorting is effective or not, finishing, and the like. Reference numeral 411 denotes a double-sided button, which specifies whether to scan one side or both sides of document scanning and printing. Reference numeral 412 denotes an interrupt button, which interrupts a job currently being executed so that a new job can be submitted.

  Reference numeral 413 denotes a slide bar or button for density adjustment, which designates the print density. Reference numeral 414 designates document scanning characteristics, and enables switching between, for example, for text and for photographs.

  Reference numeral 415 denotes an application mode button, which enables complicated instructions such as image adjustment, settings for cover and slip sheets, bookbinding specification, OHP insertion setting, and margin size.

  Reference numeral 416 denotes a system status display button, which can display the status of each component constituting the MFP and job history information recorded in the MFP.

  FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of the printing system of this embodiment.

  Reference numeral 500 denotes a printing apparatus to which the present proposal is applied.

  Reference numeral 501 denotes an MIS server that manages work man-hours for JDF jobs.

  Reference numeral 502 denotes a prepress application for creating a JDF job.

  A JDF / JMF processing module 503 performs JDF / JMF transmission / reception and parsing. The received JDF job is sent to the print processing module 508, and print processing is performed. After the printing process, a JMF message as a printing result is transmitted to the MIS.

  Reference numeral 504 denotes a module that converts log information from JDF job log information acquired after the log-in of the printing operator into JMF format.

  Reference numeral 505 denotes a display and input UI provided on the printing apparatus. Details will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A login management application 506 performs an authentication process when a login / logout process is performed on the UI 505.

  A database unit 507 records and saves a print log of a JDF job. All the work of the printing operator who is logged in in the login management module is recorded here. The JDF job and each work performed by the printing worker are stored in association with each other.

  A print processing module 508 performs print processing according to the contents of the job. The print work result is recorded in the database 507.

A history information area 509 stores a printed print job and manages a print history.
Reference numeral 510 denotes a prepress application that generates a JDF job from an operation designated by the user. At this time, Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format) is used as the content data.

  Reference numeral 511 denotes a JDF / JMF processing module that transmits / receives JDF / JMF in a prepress application. The JDF job generated in 510 is transmitted from this module to the printing apparatus 500.

  512 is a data input / output module for inputting / outputting data to / from the outside on the MIS.

  A job management module 513 associates content data with a JDF job on the MIS and manages the job. PDF or the like is used as content data.

  A module 514 generates a JDF job from the user's print setting designation on the MIS. At that time, image data such as PDF managed in 513 is used as content data.

  Reference numeral 515 denotes a JDF / JMF processing module that transmits and receives JDF / JMF in the MIS. The JDF job generated in 514 is transmitted from this module to the printing apparatus 500. It also parses the received JMF message and obtains work manhour information for each job recorded inside.

  A database 516 records and manages the work man-hour information of the JDF job. The work man-hour information received by the JDF / JMF processing module 515 and the JDF job information are recorded in association with each other.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the association between a conventional print log and JDF.

  In JDF, work effort information is expressed by AuditPool tags.

  Reference numeral 601 represents the start time of the printing process by the operator 1 recorded by the process ID 0004. Reference numeral 602 represents the depth at the end of the printing process by the operator 1 recorded by the process ID 0006. The difference between the two times indicates the time taken for the print processing work.

  FIG. 7 shows an application example of the proposal in the work man-hour display screen on the MIS.

  As information corresponding to each JDF job, JDF ID, worker, work time, work start time, work end time, work delivery time, current job status, information on each item of the printing machine that is executing the job Is displayed.

  Further, as detailed information of each job, a breakdown of each work in the entire work time of the job is displayed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an application example of the present proposal.

  In step 801, the printing apparatus 500 receives a print job transmitted from the MIS server 501 or the prepress application 502. The received print job is stored in the print queue.

  In step 802, the printing apparatus 500 determines whether the print job received in step 801 is a JDF job. If it is a JDF job, the process proceeds to step 803. If it is not a JDF job, the process proceeds to step 808.

  In step 803, the printing apparatus 500 performs print processing for the JDF job received in step 801. The printing apparatus 500 analyzes the JDF and performs a printing process according to the designated printing content. At this time, the printing apparatus 500 records information on the operation on the UI 505 performed by the operator and the print start and end times in the print log 507.

  Also, the printing apparatus 500 records in the print log 507 all the processes of paper jam, paper out, paper replenishment, and paper replacement that occurred during the printing process, and the recovery process from that state.

  In step 804, the printing apparatus 500 converts the start time and end time of the printing process performed in step 803 into the AuditPool attribute of JDF. In addition, all processes that occur between the print process start time and end time recorded in the print log are converted into AuditPool attributes.

  In step 805, the printing apparatus 500 generates a JMF message including a ReturnQueueEntry attribute. Also, the AuditPool attribute converted in step 804 is added to this JMF message. The printing apparatus 500 transmits this JMF message to the MIS 501 as a print completion notification.

  In step 806, the printing apparatus 500 stores the print job printed in step 805 in the history information area shown in FIG. At the same time, information relating to the print job is recorded in association with it.

  FIG. 10 shows the association between the print job stored in the history information area and the job ID set for each job.

  Each job stored in the history information area has a history number 1001, job data 1002, job name 1003, job setting 1004, JDF job ID 1005, and JMF transmission destination URL 1006.

History No. 1001 is a number assigned to each print job in the order of stored time series.
Job data 1002 is printing image data used at the time of printing. This image data is used at the time of reprinting.

  A job name 1003 is a job name, and is used to be displayed on the user UI at the time of reprinting.

A job setting 1004 is a print setting used when printing each job. Only settings such as the number of copies that do not affect the finished result during reprinting can be changed during reprinting.
The JDF job ID 1005 is recorded only when the job stored in the history information area is a JDF job and a JDF job ID is set.

  A JMF transmission URL 1006 is a URL to which a printing result is transmitted from the printing apparatus 500.

  In step 807, an inspection process for confirming the printed matter output from the printing apparatus 500 is performed.

  In step 808, the printing apparatus 500 performs print processing for a print job that is not a JDF job.

  In step 809, the printing apparatus 500 stores the print job printed in step 808 in the history information area. At the same time, information relating to the print job is recorded in association with it.

  In step 810, the printing apparatus 500 determines whether there is an input for reprinting the print job stored in the history information area. If there is an input for reprinting, the process proceeds to step 811. If there is no reprint instruction, the determination process is repeated again.

  In step 811, the printing apparatus 500 determines whether a job ID is set for the print job for which reprinting is designated. If the job ID is set, it is regarded as a JDF job, and the process proceeds to the reprint process performed in step 812. If the job ID is not set, it is regarded as a print job other than a JDF job, and the process proceeds to the reprint process in step 816.

  In step 812, the printing apparatus 500 reprints the JDF job stored in the history information area.

  In step 813, the printing apparatus 500 converts the start time and end time of the printing process performed in step 812 into the AuditPool attribute of JDF. In addition, all processes that occur between the print process start time and end time recorded in the print log are converted into AuditPool attributes.

  In step 814, the printing apparatus 500 adds the update information to the JDF message calculated in step 804 and transmitted to the JMF transmission destination in step 805.

  In step 815, the printing apparatus 500 transmits a JMF message including the update information generated in step 814 to the JMF transmission URL C06.

  In step 816, the printing apparatus 500 reprints the print job in the history information area that is determined not to be a JDF job in step 811.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the MIS receives a JMF message including work information of a print job transmitted from the printing apparatus 500 to a JMF transmission destination and records the work information of each print job.

  In step 901, the MIS receives a JMF message from the printing apparatus 500.

  In step 902, the MIS determines whether the JMF message received in step 901 includes a job completion notification. When the job completion notification is included in the JMF message, the process proceeds to step 903. If not included, the process returns to step 901 and waits for JMF reception.

  In step 903, the MIS determines whether the JDF job ID of the completed job matches the ID of a JDF job that has already been received by the MIS. If they match, the process proceeds to step 904 to update the work information of the existing JDF job. If they do not match, it is regarded as a newly completed JDF job and the process proceeds to step 905.

  In step 904, the MIS acquires work information for the update information included in the JMF message and appends it to the received work information.

  In step 905, the MIS records the work information included in the JMF message in association with the job information in the MIS.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of association between a work log and JDF when the proposal is applied.

  The reprinting work performed by the printing worker with the log IDs 0013 to 0014 is described in the JDF in association with the printing work performed by the printing worker with the log IDs 0008 to 0010.

101 CPU
105 controller

Claims (4)

Image printing means for printing an image;
In a printing apparatus comprising image storage means for storing a printed image,
Man-hour management means for managing man-hours for processing based on JDF,
Having association means for associating the processing based on the JDF, the processing based on the print job, the print processing of the print job in which the image is stored, and the operation processing related to the job;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the man-hour management unit collectively manages man-hours of processing associated by the association unit. The man-hour management means has means for automatically associating operation history information in which the operation history of the printing device by the operator of the printing device is recorded in time series from the processing contents of the print job processed by the printing device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 2. The man-hour management unit automatically associates operation history information of a printing apparatus performed on a print image stored by the image storage unit with a print job from a recorded content of the stored print image. The printing apparatus as described in. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process of associating the operation history information with the print job in the printing apparatus is associated with the print job even if the operation is performed after the printing of the print job is completed.