JP2013045135A - Job management device, job management method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress deterioration of operational efficiency by previously preventing a failure to execute a post-processing defined in a job ticket.SOLUTION: A job management device 2 determines, out of a plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30, a print output device that can execute a print job without canceling the post-processing defined in a job ticket, as a first recommendation device. When the post-processing defined in the job ticket has been canceled, the job management device 2 specifies, out of the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30, a print output device that can execute the print job excluding the cancelled post-processing and, on condition that the cancelled post-processing can be executed later, determines the specified print output device as a second recommendation device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a job management apparatus that manages print jobs to be input to a plurality of print output apparatuses, a job management method thereof, and a program.

  Conventionally, in an environment where a plurality of printers are provided, printer candidates that satisfy all of the printing conditions set in the job ticket are extracted, and when a plurality of printer candidates are extracted, based on a priority setting determined in advance. There is known a job management apparatus that sends a print job to one printer by selecting one printer (for example, Patent Document 1). In this prior art, the priority setting when selecting one printer is created in advance by the operator based on the cost and the like. For example, the priority setting is given to the printer with the minimum waiting time. You can also do it.

  Conventionally, a printing apparatus has been proposed in which executable post-processing among a plurality of types of post-processing set for a print job can be executed in preference to non-executable post-processing. (For example, Patent Document 2). According to this prior art, if there is a post-process that cannot be executed for some reason among a plurality of types of post-processes, the post-process is set to the suspend state by setting the process to the suspend state. Post-processing that has not been performed can be preferentially executed.

JP 2009-193572 A JP 2010-260321 A

  For example, in the production print industry, a plurality of print output devices are installed in an office environment, and each of these print output devices can perform various post-processing for purposes such as bookbinding. . In such an environment, a job ticket in which various post-processing is defined according to a customer's request or the like is generated. When there is a print output device that can execute all post-processing defined in the job ticket, it is preferable to submit a print job to such a print output device.

  However, when a plurality of types of post-processing are defined in the job ticket, all of the plurality of types of post-processing may not be executed by one print output apparatus. In such a case, conventionally, only post-processing that can be executed by one print output apparatus is executed first, as in Patent Document 2, for example.

  However, the post-processing defined in the job ticket may include post-processing that cannot be executed later if another post-processing is executed first. For example, when post-processing is performed in which punching is performed at a predetermined position of a printed material and the printed material is staple-stitched with staples, a print output device having a post-processing function for punching is set on each output sheet. On the other hand, if punching is performed on the printed material, if the printed material is first stapled with staples, the printed material becomes a bundle of a plurality of sheets, and the post-processing of only the punch cannot be performed thereafter.

  Therefore, there is a possibility that all post-processing defined in the job ticket cannot be executed simply by preferentially executing the post-processing that can be executed as in the prior art. When such a situation occurs, an operator must manually perform a punching operation on the printed matter, or perform an operation of submitting the same print job again to another print output device from the beginning. There is a problem that business efficiency is significantly reduced.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and prevents job execution from being performed in advance after being defined in a job ticket, thereby suppressing a decrease in work efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a job management method, and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a job management apparatus for managing a print job to be input to each of a plurality of print output apparatuses, wherein at least one post-processing to be performed after printing is defined. A job accepting unit that accepts a job ticket relating to a print job; a discriminating unit that discriminates post-processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output devices; and A first recommended device determining means for determining a print output device capable of executing a print job without canceling the processing as a first recommended device; and post-processing defined in the job ticket among the plurality of print output devices. If you cancel, specify the print output device that can execute the print job excluding the canceled post-processing, and cancel it And a second recommended device determining means for determining the specified print output device as the second recommended device on the condition that the post-processing can be executed thereafter. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the job management apparatus according to the first aspect, a plurality of post-processing to be performed after printing is defined in the job ticket, and the second recommended device determination unit is configured to use the job ticket. The print output device specified in a state where the number of post-processing to be canceled among the plurality of post-processing defined in the above is prioritized over the print output device specified in a state where the number of post-processing to be canceled is large It is the structure characterized by determining as a 2nd recommendation apparatus.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the job management device according to the first or second aspect, when the first recommended device determining means does not determine a print output device that is a first recommended device, the second recommended device. The print output apparatus determined as the second recommended apparatus by the determining means is further provided with job input destination determining means for determining the print job input destination.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the job management apparatus according to the third aspect, the print output apparatus determined as the second recommended apparatus by the second recommended apparatus determining means by the job input destination determining means is the input of a print job. A notification means for specifying a print output device capable of subsequently executing post-cancellation to be canceled from the plurality of print output devices and notifying the specified print output device, when determined as a destination; Is further provided.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a job management method for managing a print job to be input to each of a plurality of print output devices, wherein (a) a job related to a print job in which at least one post-processing to be performed after printing is defined Receiving a ticket; (b) determining post-processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output devices; and (c) post-processing defined in the job ticket among the plurality of print output devices. Determining a print output device capable of executing a print job without canceling as a first recommended device, and (d) canceling post-processing defined in the job ticket among the plurality of print output devices Specify a print output device that can execute the print job excluding the canceled post-processing, and execute the canceled post-processing after that. And the step of determining the specified print output device as the second recommended device on condition that the printing is possible.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the job management method according to claim 5, wherein the job ticket defines a plurality of post-processing to be performed after printing, and the step (d) is defined in the job ticket. Among the plurality of post-processes, the print output apparatus specified with a small number of post-processes to be canceled is preferentially set to a second priority over the print output apparatus specified with a large number of post-processes to be canceled. This configuration is characterized in that it is determined as a recommended device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the job management method according to the fifth or sixth aspect, if (e) the print output device as the first recommended device is not determined in the step (c), the step (d ), The step of determining the print output device determined as the second recommended device as the input destination of the print job.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the job management method according to claim 7, wherein (f) the print output device determined as the second recommended device in the step (d) is a print job in the step (e). When the input destination is determined, a step of identifying a print output device that can subsequently execute post-processing to be canceled from among the plurality of print output devices, and informing the identified print output device; It is the structure characterized by further having.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a program executed in a computer that manages a print job to be input to each of a plurality of print output devices, wherein at least one post-processing that is performed after printing the computer is defined. Job accepting means for accepting a job ticket relating to a print job, discriminating means for discriminating post-processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output apparatuses, and post-processing defined in the job ticket among the plurality of print output apparatuses. A first recommended device determining unit that determines a print output device capable of executing a print job without canceling as a first recommended device; and canceling post-processing defined in the job ticket among the plurality of print output devices Print output device that can execute print jobs without post-processing after canceling It is made to function as a second recommended device determining means for determining the specified print output device as a second recommended device on condition that the specified post-cancel processing can be executed thereafter. The configuration is as follows.

  According to the present invention, among a plurality of print output devices, a print output device that can execute a print job without canceling the post-processing defined in the job ticket is determined as the first recommended device, and the plurality of print output devices When the post-processing defined in the job ticket is canceled from the devices, the print output device that can execute the print job excluding the canceled post-processing is specified, and the canceled post-processing is executed thereafter. The specified print output device is determined as the second recommended device on the condition that it is possible. Therefore, even when there is no print output device determined as the first recommended device, if a print job is input to the print output device determined as the second recommended device, post-processing defined in the job ticket is performed thereafter. It becomes possible to prevent the execution from becoming impossible, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in business efficiency.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of a job management apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of apparatus registration information. It is a figure which shows an example of a prohibition table. It is a figure which shows the processing concept in a job ticket analysis part. It is a figure which shows an example of the recommendation apparatus determined based on a job ticket in a job ticket analysis part. It is a figure which shows the other example of the recommendation apparatus determined based on a job ticket in the job ticket analysis part. It is a figure which shows the other example of the recommendation apparatus determined based on a job ticket in the job ticket analysis part. It is a figure which shows the other example of the recommendation apparatus determined based on a job ticket in the job ticket analysis part. It is a figure which shows the other example of the recommendation apparatus determined based on a job ticket in the job ticket analysis part. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence performed in CPU of a job management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detailed process sequence of a recommended apparatus determination process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members that are common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The printing system 1 includes a plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 and a job management device 2.

  Each of the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 is a device that executes a print job input from the job management device 2. A print process that prints on a sheet material such as print paper, and a print process after the print process Various post-processing to be performed can be executed. However, these print output devices 10, 20, and 30 are all configured to perform only post-processing without performing print processing.

  The print output device 10 includes a printing device 11 and post-processing devices 12 and 13. The printing apparatus 11 is an apparatus that performs a printing process on a sheet material. The post-processing device 12 includes a folding function for performing half-folding, Z-folding or other folding processing on the sheet material, and a punching function for punching the sheet material as post-processing for the sheet material output from the printing device 11. Device. The post-processing device 13 is a device having a function of saddle stitching a plurality of sheet materials as post-processing for the sheet material output from the post-processing device 12. Note that “saddle stitching” generates a booklet-like sheet bundle by placing staples in a half-folded state in a state in which a plurality of sheet materials folded in the post-processing device 12 are stacked. Post-processing.

  The print output device 20 includes a printing device 21 and a post-processing device 22. Similar to the printing apparatus 11, the printing apparatus 21 is an apparatus that performs a printing process on a sheet material. The post-processing device 22 is a device having a function of flat-binding a plurality of sheet materials as post-processing for the sheet material output from the printing device 21. Note that “flat stitching” is post-processing that generates a sheet bundle bound in a flat state by placing staples at a predetermined position such as the left end portion in a state where a plurality of sheet materials are stacked. is there.

  The print output device 30 includes a printing device 31 and a post-processing device 32. The printing device 31 is a device that performs a printing process on a sheet material, similarly to the printing devices 11 and 21. The post-processing device 32 is a device having a function of performing case binding on a plurality of sheet materials as post-processing on the sheet materials output from the printing device 31. The “case binding” is a post-process for performing bookbinding in a state in which a plurality of sheet materials are stacked and the back portion is bonded with a sheet material as a cover.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, post-processing that can be executed in each of the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 is different. In this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, the case where three print output devices 10, 20, and 30 are provided is illustrated, but more print output devices may be provided. . In addition, such a print output device may include a device that is not provided with a printing device and includes only a post-processing device.

  The job management apparatus 2 is an apparatus that manages print jobs to be input to each of the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the job management apparatus 2 is configured by a general computer, for example. The computer is preinstalled with a job management program from a computer-readable portable recording medium 9 such as a CD-ROM. A general computer functions as the job management apparatus 2 by executing such a program in the computer.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the job management apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the job management apparatus 2 includes, as its hardware configuration, a CPU 40, a non-volatile storage device 41 configured by a hard disk device, a display device 42 configured by a liquid crystal display, and a keyboard. And an operation input device 43 composed of a mouse. In addition to the above, the job management apparatus 2 is provided with a memory, a communication interface for performing various communications, and the like, which are not shown.

  The storage device 41 stores a job management program 8 installed in advance as described above. In addition, device registration information 45 and a prohibition table 46 are stored in advance in the storage device 41. The device registration information 45 is information in which jobs that can be executed in each of the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 are registered in advance. Further, the prohibition table 46 indicates whether or not the post-processing to be performed first and the post-processing to be performed later can be combined among the post-processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30. Information is registered. An example of the device registration information 45 and the prohibition table 46 will be described in detail later.

  The CPU 40 functions as a job reception unit 51, a determination unit 52, a job ticket analysis unit 53, a job input destination determination unit 56, and a notification processing unit 57 by reading and executing the program 8 stored in the storage device 41. .

  The job reception unit 51 receives an input of a print job to be executed by any one of the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30. The print job is attached with a job ticket in which detailed processing settings relating to the print job, such as print settings applied when performing the print processing and post-processing settings applied when performing the post-processing, are defined. For example, in the production print industry and the like, a job ticket in which various post-processing and the like are defined according to a customer's request is created and attached to a print job. When the job reception unit 51 receives an input of a print job, the job reception unit 51 simultaneously acquires a job ticket attached thereto. In this embodiment, it is assumed that at least one post-process to be performed after printing is defined in such a job ticket. When the job reception unit 51 receives an input of a print job, the job reception unit 51 extracts a job ticket attached thereto and outputs the job ticket to the job ticket analysis unit 53.

  The determination unit 52 is a processing unit that determines a process that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 managed by the job management apparatus 2. That is, the determination unit 52 determines the processing that can be executed by each of the print output devices 10, 20, and 30 by reading and referring to the device registration information 45 stored in advance in the storage device 41.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the device registration information 45. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the device registration information 45 is information in which device names, addresses, print information, and post-processing information are registered for the print output devices 10, 20, and 30. In the example of FIG. 3, the device name “MFP1” corresponds to the print output device 10, the device name “MFP2” corresponds to the print output device 20, and the device name “MFP3” corresponds to the print output device 30. Yes.

  In the print information, information related to print settings that can be executed in the printing apparatuses 11, 21, and 31 of the print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 is registered. For example, sheet sizes that can be selected during printing, color settings that can be selected during printing, and the like are registered. In the example of FIG. 3, the print output device 10 with the device name “MFP1” and the print output device 20 with the device name “MFP2” can execute the same print processing. The print output device 30 with the device name “MFP3” can perform the same print processing as the other print output devices 10 and 20 except that printing cannot be performed on a letter-size sheet material. Yes.

  In post-processing information, information related to post-processing settings executable in the post-processing devices 12, 13, 22, and 32 of the print output devices 10, 20, and 30 is registered. That is, information indicating that “folding”, “punching”, and “saddle stitching” can be executed as post-processing is registered in the post-processing information corresponding to the print output device 10 having the device name “MFP1”. Yes. In post-processing information corresponding to the print output device 20 having the device name “MFP2”, information indicating that “flat stitching” can be executed is registered as post-processing. Furthermore, information indicating that “case binding” can be executed as post-processing is registered in the post-processing information corresponding to the print output apparatus 30 having the apparatus name “MFP 3”.

  The determination unit 52 determines processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 by referring to such device registration information 45. Then, the determination unit 52 notifies the job ticket analysis unit 53 of processing that can be executed by each of the print output devices 10, 20, and 30.

  When the job ticket analysis unit 53 obtains the job ticket output from the job reception unit 51, the job ticket analysis unit 53 analyzes the job ticket, thereby selecting a print job input destination from among the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30. Determine the recommended equipment. More specifically, the job ticket analysis unit 53 does not determine one recommended device as the input destination of the print job from the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, 30, but a plurality of print output devices. The recommended level is determined for each of 10, 20, and 30. In other words, the job ticket analysis unit 53 includes a first recommended device determination unit 54 and a second recommended device determination unit 55, and the first recommended device determination unit 54 and the second recommended device determination unit 55 perform each printing. The recommended levels of the output devices 10, 20, and 30 are determined.

  The first recommended device determination unit 54 first recommends a print output device that can execute all the processes without canceling the processes defined in the job ticket among the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30. The processing unit is determined as a device. The print output apparatus determined as the first recommended apparatus by the first recommended apparatus determination unit 54 is an apparatus that can complete all of the processes defined in the job ticket with one unit. When post-processing is defined, the plurality of post-processing can be normally executed and completed. Therefore, the first recommended device is the device with the highest recommended level.

  The second recommended device determination unit 55 determines a recommended level of the print output device excluding the device determined as the first recommended device among the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30. That is, the second recommended device determining unit 55 is a processing unit that determines a device having a recommended level lower than that of the first recommended device. The second recommended device determining unit 55 cancels at least one post-processing defined in the job ticket in a device that is not determined as the first recommended device among the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30. In this case, a print output apparatus capable of executing a print job excluding the canceled post-processing is specified. When the second recommended device determination unit 55 cancels at least one post-process based on the prohibition table 46 stored in the storage device 41, whether or not the cancel post-process can be executed thereafter. Is determined.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the prohibition table 46. As shown in FIG. 4, a combination of post-processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 is registered in the prohibition table 46. The prohibition table 46 is a table that defines whether or not each post-processing combination is executable. For example, “post stitch”, “saddle stitch”, and “case binding”, which are post-processing for binding a plurality of sheet materials, are combinations that cannot be set and executed at the same time. In addition, “folding” and “punch” must be executed before “flat stitching”, “saddle stitching”, and “case binding”, and “flat stitching”, “saddle stitching”, and “case binding”. If either of these is executed first, it is post-processing that cannot be executed after that. Furthermore, “punching” must be executed before “folding” and is a post-processing that cannot be executed after “folding” is executed. As described above, the prohibition table 46 includes post-processing that cannot be executed after any of the plurality of post-processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30. Is defined.

  When at least one post-processing defined in the job ticket is canceled, the second recommended device determination unit 55 identifies a print output device capable of executing a print job excluding the canceled post-processing. On the basis of the prohibition table 46 shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not post-processing to be canceled can be executed thereafter. The specified print output device is determined as a recommended device having a lower recommended level than the first recommended device on the condition that the post-processing to be canceled can be executed thereafter.

  The second recommended device determination unit 55 determines a recommended device having a higher recommended level in the order from the smallest number of post-processing to be canceled among a plurality of post-processing defined in the job ticket. That is, when the number of post-processing to be canceled among a plurality of post-processing defined in the job ticket is one and it is possible to execute that one post-processing after that, The print output device that can execute the print job by canceling the process is determined as the second recommended device. Further, when the number of post-processing to be canceled out of a plurality of post-processing defined in the job ticket is two and it is possible to execute these two post-processing later, these two post-processing can be executed. The print output device that can execute the print job by canceling the process is determined as the third recommended device. Further, when the number of post-processing to be canceled among the plurality of post-processing defined in the job ticket is three, and these three post-processing can be executed later, those three post-processing The print output device that can execute the print job by canceling the process is determined as the fourth recommended device. The same applies hereinafter. The second recommended device is a device having a higher recommended level than the third recommended device, and the third recommended device is a device having a higher recommended level than the fourth recommended device. As described above, the second recommended device determination unit 55 is configured to preferentially determine a recommended device from devices having a small number of post-processing to be canceled.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing concept in the job ticket analysis unit 53 configured as described above. When the job ticket JT in which at least one post-processing is defined is input to the job ticket analysis unit 53, the job ticket analysis unit 53 functions the first recommended device determination unit 54 and the second recommended device determination unit 55 as described above. Then, each of the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 is classified into one of a plurality of types of recommended devices such as a first recommended device D1, a second recommended device D2, a third recommended device D3,.

  The plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 may include print output devices that cannot execute a print job even when all of the plurality of post-processing defined in the job ticket JT are canceled. is there. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 5, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines, as the non-recommended device DX, a print output device that cannot execute a print job even if all post-processing is canceled.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 6 to 10, each recommended device determined by the job ticket analysis unit 53 will be described while exemplifying specific processing contents defined in the job ticket JT.

  First, in the example of FIG. 6, in the job ticket JT, it is defined that “30 page color printing using an A4 size sheet material” is performed as a printing process, and “saddle stitching” is performed as a post process. It is defined. When the job ticket analysis unit 53 inputs such a job ticket JT, the print output corresponding to the device name “MFP1” as the first recommended device that can execute all the processes defined in the job ticket JT. The device 10 is determined. That is, the print output apparatus 10 can execute all the processes without canceling any process defined in the job ticket JT shown in FIG. 6, and is thus determined as the first recommended apparatus. . The job ticket analysis unit 53 also determines recommended levels for the other print output devices 20 and 30. That is, the print output apparatus 20 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP2” can execute all other processes defined in the job ticket JT by canceling only one post-process of “saddle stitching”. is there. For the print output device 30 corresponding to the device name “MFP3”, if only one post-processing of “saddle stitching” is canceled, all other processing defined in the job ticket JT can be executed. It is. The post-processing of “saddle stitching” can be executed again after executing the print job. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines the print output devices 20 and 30 as second recommended devices. As a result, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the print output device 10 is determined as the first recommended device, and the print output devices 20 and 30 are determined as the second recommended device.

  In the example of FIG. 7, in the job ticket JT, it is defined that “color printing of 30 pages using an A4 size sheet material” is performed as the printing process, and “case binding” is defined as the post-processing. Defined to do. When such a job ticket JT is input, the job ticket analysis unit 53 is a print output corresponding to the device name “MFP3” as a first recommended device that can execute all the processes defined in the job ticket JT. The device 30 is determined. That is, the print output apparatus 30 can execute all the processes without canceling any process defined in the job ticket JT shown in FIG. 7, and is therefore determined as the first recommended apparatus. . The job ticket analysis unit 53 also determines recommended levels for the other print output apparatuses 10 and 20. That is, the print output apparatus 10 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP1” can execute all other processes defined in the job ticket JT by canceling only one post process of “case binding”. is there. Also, for the print output device 20 corresponding to the device name “MFP2”, if only one post-processing of “case binding” is canceled, all other processing defined in the job ticket JT can be executed. It is. The post-processing of “case binding” can be performed again after executing the print job. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines the print output devices 10 and 20 as second recommended devices. As a result, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the print output device 30 is determined as the first recommended device, and the print output devices 10 and 20 are determined as the second recommended device.

  Next, in the example of FIG. 8, it is defined in the job ticket JT that “30-page color printing using an A4-size sheet material” is performed as the printing process, and “punch” and “ It is defined to perform “flat stitching”. When such a job ticket JT is input, the job ticket analysis unit 53 can execute all processes defined in the job ticket JT in the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30. Determine whether there is a recommended device. However, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, there is no print output apparatus that can simultaneously perform “punch” and “flat stitching” as post-processing. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines that there is no first recommended device that can execute all the processes defined in the job ticket JT at a time.

  Next, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines whether there is a print output apparatus that can execute the print job if one of the two post-processing defined in the job ticket JT is canceled. To do. For example, when only one “side stitch” is canceled, the print output apparatus 10 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP 1” can execute all processes other than “side stitch”. In addition, referring to the forbidden table 46 shown in FIG. 4, canceled “side stitching” can be executed again by itself even after the post-processing of “punch” is performed first. is there. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines the print output device 10 corresponding to the device name “MFP1” as the second recommended device.

  On the other hand, when only one “punch” is canceled, the print output apparatus 20 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP2” can execute all processes other than “punch”. However, the “punching” to be canceled is a post-processing that cannot be executed after the post-processing of “flat stitching” is performed first with reference to the prohibition table 46 shown in FIG. Therefore, the print output device 20 corresponding to the device name “MFP2” is not determined as the second recommended device.

  Further, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines whether or not there is a print output device capable of executing a print job if all of the two post-processing defined in the job ticket JT are cancelled. For example, when canceling two of “punch” and “flat stitch”, the print output device 20 corresponding to the device name “MFP2” can execute all processes other than “punch” and “flat stitch”. it can. The print output apparatus 30 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP3” can also execute all processes other than “punch” and “flat stitch”. Then, the “punching” and “striping” to be canceled are executed after “punching” is performed first and “striping” is performed after referring to the prohibition table 46 shown in FIG. Is possible. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines both the print output device 20 corresponding to the device name “MFP2” and the print output device 30 corresponding to the device name “MFP3” as third recommended devices.

  As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 8, there is no print output device determined as the first recommended device, the print output device 10 is determined as the second recommended device, and the print output devices 20, 30 are the third recommended device. As determined.

  In the example of FIG. 9, in the job ticket JT, it is defined that “color printing of 30 pages using an A4 size sheet material” is performed as the printing process, and “folding” and “ It is defined to perform “flat stitching”. When such a job ticket JT is input, the job ticket analysis unit 53 can execute all processes defined in the job ticket JT in the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30. Determine whether there is a recommended device. However, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, there is no print output apparatus that can simultaneously perform “folding” and “flat stitching” as post-processing. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines that there is no first recommended device that can execute all the processes defined in the job ticket JT at a time.

  Next, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines whether there is a print output apparatus that can execute the print job if one of the two post-processing defined in the job ticket JT is canceled. To do. For example, when only one “side stitch” is canceled, the print output apparatus 10 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP 1” can execute all processes other than “side stitch”. In addition, referring to the prohibition table 46 shown in FIG. 4, the “side stitching” to be canceled can be executed again by itself even after the post-processing of “folding” is performed first. is there. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines the print output device 10 corresponding to the device name “MFP1” as the second recommended device.

  On the other hand, when canceling only one “fold”, the print output apparatus 20 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP2” can execute all processes other than “fold”. However, the “folding” to be canceled is a post-processing that cannot be executed after the post-processing of “flat stitching” is performed first with reference to the prohibition table 46 shown in FIG. Therefore, the print output device 20 corresponding to the device name “MFP2” is not determined as the second recommended device.

  Further, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines whether or not there is a print output device capable of executing a print job if all of the two post-processing defined in the job ticket JT are cancelled. For example, when canceling two of “fold” and “side stitch”, the print output device 20 corresponding to the device name “MFP2” can execute all processes other than “fold” and “side stitch”. it can. The print output apparatus 30 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP3” can also execute all processes other than “folding” and “flat stitching”. The “folding” and “side stitching” to be canceled are executed after the “folding” is performed first and “side stitching” is performed after referring to the prohibition table 46 shown in FIG. Is possible. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines both the print output device 20 corresponding to the device name “MFP2” and the print output device 30 corresponding to the device name “MFP3” as third recommended devices.

  As a result, even in the example shown in FIG. 9, there is no print output device determined as the first recommended device, the print output device 10 is determined as the second recommended device, and the print output devices 20, 30 are the third recommended device. As determined.

  Next, in the example of FIG. 10, in the job ticket JT, it is defined that “color printing of 30 pages using a letter-size sheet material” is performed as the printing process, and “flat stitching” is performed as the post-processing. Defined to do. When such a job ticket JT is input, the job ticket analysis unit 53 can execute all processes defined in the job ticket JT in the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30. Determine whether there is a recommended device. In this case, since the print output apparatus 20 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP2” can execute all the processes, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines the print output apparatus 20 as the first recommended apparatus.

  Next, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines whether or not there is a print output device capable of executing a print job if the “flat stitching” defined in the job ticket JT is cancelled. For example, the print output apparatus 10 corresponding to the apparatus name “MFP1” can execute all processes other than “flat stitching”. Further, the post-processing of “side stitching” that is canceled can be executed again even after the print job is executed. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines the print output device 10 as the second recommended device.

  On the other hand, even if “flat stitching” defined in the job ticket JT is canceled, the print output device 30 corresponding to the device name “MFP3” cannot perform letter size printout. Therefore, the job ticket analysis unit 53 determines the print output device 30 as a non-recommended device.

  As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the print output device 20 is determined as the first recommended device, and the print output device 10 is determined as the second recommended device. The print output device 30 is determined as a non-recommended device.

  By performing the processing as described above by the job ticket analysis unit 53, each of the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 is classified into recommended levels according to the contents of the job ticket JT. As shown in FIG. 2, the job input destination determination unit 56 and the notification processing unit 57 function in the CPU 40.

  The job input destination determination unit 56 is a processing unit that determines a print output device as a print job input destination from the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30. The job input destination determination unit 56 temporarily determines a print output device having the highest recommended level as a print job input destination from among the print output devices determined by the job ticket analysis unit 53 as recommended devices. For example, when any one of the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 is determined as the first recommended device, the print output device determined as the first recommended device is set as the input destination of the print job. Make a provisional decision. If there is no print output device determined as the first recommended device, the print output device determined as the second recommended device is provisionally determined as the input destination of the print job. In this way, the job submission destination determination unit 56 automatically selects one print output device in order from the device with the highest recommended level, so that each process defined in the job ticket JT can be executed most efficiently. The output device can be provisionally determined as a print job input destination.

  The notification processing unit 57 is a processing unit that notifies the operator by displaying the classification result by the job ticket analysis unit 53 and the result of provisional determination by the job input destination determination unit 56 on the display device 42.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 42. FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display device 42 as a result of the processing shown in FIG. 8 being performed in the job ticket analysis unit 53. As shown in FIG. 11, on this screen, a job ticket display field R1 for displaying the detailed contents of the job ticket JT and a recommended device list display for displaying a list of print output devices classified by the job ticket analysis unit 53 are displayed. A field R2 and a message display field R3 for displaying a message to the operator are included. In the recommended device list display column R2, a list of print output devices is displayed in order from the highest recommended level. Note that non-recommended devices may not be displayed in the recommended device list display field R2.

  In the screen example shown in FIG. 11, since there is no print output device determined as the first recommended device, the print output device 10 having the device name “MFP1” determined as the second recommended device is temporarily set as the input destination of the print job. The determined state is shown. As described above, when the job submission destination determination unit 56 temporarily determines a device having a lower recommended level than the first recommended device as the input destination of the print job, the notification processing unit 57 transmits the provisionally determined print output device. A print output device that can execute post-processing that is canceled when a print job is input is specified, and the specified print output device is displayed in the message display field R3. In the screen example shown in FIG. 11, when a print job is input to the second recommended device, since the side binding is canceled, the device name “MFP2” is set as a print output device that can execute only the side binding thereafter. The displayed state is shown.

  The notification processing unit 57 displays such a screen on the display device 42, so that a print job corresponding to the job ticket JT can be efficiently executed for an operator who performs a print job input operation. An apparatus can be taught.

  When the screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed and the OK button is operated by the operator, the job input destination determination unit 56 determines the input destination of the temporarily determined print job. Then, the job input destination determination unit 56 outputs the print job to the determined input destination of the print job. At this time, the job input destination determination unit 56 rewrites the setting to cancel the post-processing defined in the job ticket JT as necessary, and outputs a print job.

  Further, when a screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, the operator can also perform an operation of changing the destination of the provisionally determined print job. In this case, the job input destination determination unit 56 changes the input destination of the print job based on the change operation by the operator, and determines the input destination after the change. Then, as described above, the job submission destination determination unit 56 rewrites the setting to cancel the post-processing defined in the job ticket JT as necessary, and outputs the print job to the determined submission destination.

  Next, a specific processing procedure in the job management apparatus 2 having the above configuration will be described. 12 to 13 are flowcharts showing an example of processing procedures performed in the CPU 40 of the job management apparatus 2 by executing the program 8 described above. When this process is started, the CPU 40 waits until a print job is accepted (step S10). When a print job is received, a job ticket JT is input to the CPU 40 at the same time. When a print job is received (YES in step S10), the CPU 40 reads the device registration information 45 (step S11), and further reads the prohibition table 46 (step S12). Then, the CPU 40 extracts print information and post-processing information of one print output device among the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 registered in the device registration information 45 (step S13). Then, the CPU 40 executes recommended device determination processing based on the print information and post-processing information of one print output device extracted in step S13 (step S14). In this recommended device determination process, a recommended level for one extracted print output device is determined. Details of the recommended device determination process will be described later.

  After completing the recommended device determination process (step S14), the CPU 40 determines whether the recommended device determination process (step S14) has been executed for all the print output devices registered in the device registration information 45 (step S15). ). As a result, if there is a print output device that has not yet undergone the recommended device determination process (NO in step S15), the CPU 40 extracts the print information and post-processing information of another print output device from the device registration information 45. (Step S16). Then, the CPU 40 executes the recommended device determination process again based on the print information and post-processing information of one print output device extracted in step S16 (step S14). By repeating the processes of steps S14 to S16, the recommended device determination process (step S14) is executed for all the print output devices registered in the device registration information 45. As a result, the print output devices 10, 20, and 30 registered in the device registration information 45 are classified as either recommended devices or non-recommended devices. In the case of a print output device classified as a recommended device, it is further determined as a recommended device according to the recommended level.

  When the recommended device determination process for all the print output devices 10, 20, and 30 is completed (YES in step S15), the CPU 40 selects one print output device having the highest recommended level as a print job input destination. Temporarily determined (step S17). Then, the CPU 40 displays a list screen of recommended devices on the display device 42 (step S18). At this time, the recommended device that has been tentatively determined as the print job input destination is highlighted, for example, so that the operator can execute the print job most efficiently. A print output device can be presented.

  Further, the CPU 40 determines whether or not post-processing cancellation occurs when a print job is submitted to a print output device that is provisionally determined as a print job submission destination in association with displaying a list screen of recommended devices. (Step S19). As a result, when the cancellation of the post-processing occurs (YES in step S19), the CPU 40 notifies the print output device capable of executing the canceled post-processing in the message display field R3 or the like. (Step S20). For example, if the recommended device tentatively determined as the print job input destination is a recommended device other than the first recommended device, such as the second recommended device or the third recommended device, the process of step S20 is performed and canceled. A print output device capable of executing post-processing thereafter is notified. On the other hand, when the recommended device provisionally determined as the print job input destination is the first recommended device, the process of step S20 is not performed and the process is skipped.

  When the operator performs an operation for determining the input destination of the print job (YES in step S21), the CPU 40 determines the input destination of the print job (step S22), and executes the print job for the determined input destination. Output (step S23). At this time, the contents of the job ticket JT are rewritten as necessary.

  If the operation performed by the operator is not an operation for determining the input destination of the print job (NO in step S21), the process returns to step S17, and the above-described processing is repeated. For example, when an operator performs an operation to change a recommended device temporarily determined as a print job input destination to another recommended device, the operator temporarily changes the recommended recommended device based on the operator's instruction operation, and again Steps S17 to S21 are performed.

  Next, FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of the recommended device determination process (step S14). When starting this processing, the CPU 40 acquires the number M of post-processing defined in the job ticket JT (where M is an integer satisfying M> 0). Next, the CPU 40 initializes a variable N for determining a recommended level to “1” (step S31).

  Next, based on the print information and post-processing information extracted in step S13 or S16 in FIG. 12, the CPU 40 can execute all processes defined in the job ticket JT in the print output apparatus that is the current determination target. It is determined whether or not there is (step S32). As a result, if all the processes defined in the job ticket JT can be executed in the print output device to be determined (YES in step S32), the CPU 40 determines the print output device as the first recommended device (step S32). S37).

  On the other hand, if not all the processing defined in the job ticket JT can be executed in the print output apparatus to be determined (NO in step S32), the CPU 40 cancels N post-processing defined in the job ticket JT. Thus, it is determined whether or not all the other processes can be executed in the print output apparatus (step S33). As a result, if it is determined that the print output device can be executed (YES in step S33), the CPU 40 refers to the prohibition table 46 (step S34) and can subsequently execute N post-processing to be canceled. It is determined whether or not there is (step S35).

  If all of the N post-processing to be canceled can be subsequently executed (YES in step S35), the CPU 40 adds “1” to the value of the variable N (step S36). Then, the print output device is determined as the Nth recommended device (step S37).

  Further, if all of the other processes cannot be executed in the print output apparatus by simply canceling the N post-processes defined in the job ticket JT (NO in step S33), or after the N post-cancels to be canceled If any one of the processes cannot be executed thereafter (NO in step S35), the CPU 40 adds “1” to the value of the variable N (step S38). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable N is larger than the number M of post-processing defined in the job ticket JT (step S39). If the value of the variable N is equal to or less than the number M of post-processing (NO in step S39), the CPU 40 returns to step S33 and repeats the above-described processing. At this time, the value of the variable N is larger by one than the previous time. Therefore, when the processes in steps S33 to S35 are repeatedly performed, if only one post-process defined in the job ticket JT is canceled more than the previous process, all other processes are executed in the print output apparatus. It is determined whether or not this is possible. If the N post-processes are canceled and can be executed, and if all of the N post-processes to be canceled can be executed thereafter (YES in step S35), the variable is changed as described above. "1" is added to the value of N (step S36), and the print output device is determined as the Nth recommended device (step S37).

  For example, when the processes of steps S36 to S37 are performed, if the number of post-processes to be canceled is 1, N = 2 in step S36, so that the second recommended apparatus is determined in step S37. If the number of post-processing to be canceled is two, N = 3 in step S36, so that it is determined as the third recommended device in step S37. Since the value of the variable N is incremented according to the number of post-processing to be canceled in this way, the value of the variable N becomes a value that determines the recommended level.

  Further, as a result of the determination in step S39, when the value of the variable N becomes larger than the number M of post-processing defined in the job ticket JT (YES in step S39), further post-processing is canceled. Since it is not possible, the CPU 40 determines the print output device as a non-recommended device (step S40).

  Thus, in the recommended device determination process (step S14), each of the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30 is a determination target. If the print output device to be determined can execute the print job without canceling the post-processing defined in the job ticket JT, the print output device is determined as the first recommended device. Even if the print output apparatus to be determined cannot execute the post-processing defined in the job ticket JT, the print job is executed when the post-processing defined in the job ticket JT is canceled. If the post-processing to be canceled can be executed later, the print output device is determined as a recommended device having a lower recommended level than the first recommended device. Further, when the print output device to be determined does not correspond to any of the above, it is determined as a non-recommended device.

  As described above, the job management apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is a print output apparatus that can execute a print job without canceling the post-processing defined in the job ticket JT among the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30. Is determined as the first recommended device. In addition, regarding the print output device that is not determined as the first recommended device among the plurality of print output devices 10, 20, and 30, when the post-processing defined in the job ticket JT is canceled, the canceled post-processing is excluded. If the print job can be executed, the print output device is determined as the second recommended device on condition that the canceled post-processing can be executed thereafter.

  In other words, the job management apparatus 2 does not recommend a print output apparatus having a processing order that makes it impossible to execute all post-processing defined in the job ticket JT as a print job input destination. Accordingly, when the job management apparatus 2 submits a print job to a recommended apparatus recommended as a print job submission destination, the print job is executed in a state where post-processing defined in the job ticket JT is canceled. Even so, the canceled post-processing can be executed later by another print output device or the like. Therefore, according to the job management apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, after a print job is input to one of the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30, it is previously defined in the job ticket JT. It is possible to solve the problem that the post-processing has to be performed manually by the operator, and to suppress a decrease in work efficiency.

  When a plurality of post-processing to be performed after printing is defined in the job ticket JT, the job management apparatus according to the present embodiment cancels the post-processing to be canceled among the plurality of post-processing defined in the job ticket JT. In this configuration, the print output device identified with a small number is determined as a second recommended device preferentially over the print output device identified with a large number of post-processing to be canceled.

  That is, the job management apparatus 2 preferentially determines the second recommended apparatus from the print output apparatuses that can reduce the number of post-processing that must be canceled when a print job is submitted. Therefore, by submitting the print job to the second recommended apparatus preferentially determined in this way, there is an advantage that the processing efficiency is improved when only the post-process canceled after that is executed.

  The job management apparatus 2 is configured to temporarily determine the print output apparatus determined as the second recommended apparatus as the input destination of the print job when the print output apparatus to be the first recommended apparatus is not determined. In other words, the print output device that is provisionally determined as the input destination of the print job in the job management device 2 is the second recommended device when the first recommended device does not exist. Therefore, even when post-processing must be canceled when a print job is submitted, a print output apparatus that can execute the canceled post-processing can be temporarily determined as a print job submission destination. it can. Note that the print output apparatus that is provisionally determined as a print job input destination can be changed by an operator changing operation.

  Further, the job management apparatus 2 performs post-processing to be canceled from among the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 when the print output apparatus determined as the second recommended apparatus is provisionally determined as the input destination of the print job. Is specified, and the specified print output device is notified. Therefore, when an operator submits a print job to the second recommended apparatus, the operator can grasp which print output apparatus should perform post-processing that is canceled accordingly. . In addition, this makes it possible to improve the business efficiency when executing the canceled post-processing.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment regarding this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to the thing of the content mentioned above, A various modification is applicable.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the recommended device to which the print job is input based on the post-processing defined in the job ticket JT is determined by the job management device 2, a list of such recommended devices is displayed. . However, the job management apparatus 2 automatically determines a recommended level for each of the plurality of print output apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 and then automatically executes a print job for the print output apparatus having the highest recommended level without displaying a list. It may be configured to be input.

  The prohibition table 46 shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and the content of the prohibition table 46 becomes more complex as the types of post-processing that can be executed in each print output apparatus managed by the job management apparatus 2 increases. Become.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print output apparatus that can execute the print job if only one of the post-processes defined in the job ticket JT is canceled is determined as the second recommended apparatus, and two post-processes are performed. The case where the print output apparatus that can execute the print job by canceling is determined as the third recommended apparatus is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when there is no print output device that can execute a print job by canceling only one post-process, the print job is canceled by canceling the two post-processes. May be determined as the second recommended device.

1 Printing System 2 Job Management Device 8 Program 40 CPU
45 Device registration information 46 Prohibition table 51 Job acceptance section (job acceptance means)
52 Discrimination unit (discrimination means)
53 Job Ticket Analysis Unit 54 First Recommended Device Determination Unit (First Recommended Device Determination Unit)
55 Second recommended device determination unit (second recommended device determination means)
56 Job submission destination determination unit (Job submission destination determination means)
57 Notification processor (notification means)

Claims (9)

A job management device that manages print jobs to be submitted to each of a plurality of print output devices,
Job accepting means for accepting a job ticket relating to a print job, in which at least one post-processing to be performed after printing is defined;
A discriminating means for discriminating post-processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output devices;
First recommended device determination means for determining, as a first recommended device, a print output device capable of executing a print job without canceling post-processing defined in the job ticket among the plurality of print output devices;
When the post-processing defined in the job ticket is canceled from among the plurality of print output devices, a print output device that can execute a print job excluding the canceled post-processing is specified, and the canceled post-processing is performed. Second recommended device determining means for determining the specified print output device as a second recommended device on condition that it can be executed thereafter;
A job management apparatus comprising: The job ticket defines a plurality of post-processing to be performed after printing,
The second recommended device determination means has a state in which the number of post-processing to be canceled is large for a print output device specified in a state in which the number of post-processing to be canceled among a plurality of post-processing defined in the job ticket is small The job management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job management apparatus determines the second recommended apparatus with priority over the print output apparatus specified in step (1). If the first recommended device determining means does not determine the print output device to be the first recommended device, the print output device determined as the second recommended device by the second recommended device determining means is the destination of the print job. Job submission destination determination means to determine as
The job management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: When the print output device determined as the second recommended device in the second recommended device determination unit by the job input destination determination unit is determined as the input destination of the print job, it is canceled from the plurality of print output devices. A notifying means for specifying a print output device capable of subsequently executing post-processing, and notifying the specified print output device;
The job management apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: A job management method for managing print jobs to be input to each of a plurality of print output devices,
(a) receiving a job ticket for a print job in which at least one post-processing to be performed after printing is defined;
(b) determining post-processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output devices;
(c) determining, as a first recommended device, a print output device capable of executing a print job without canceling post-processing defined in the job ticket among the plurality of print output devices;
(d) Among the plurality of print output devices, when the post-processing defined in the job ticket is canceled, the print output device capable of executing the print job excluding the canceled post-processing is identified and the canceled Determining the identified print output device as a second recommended device, provided that post-processing can be performed thereafter;
A job management method. The job ticket defines a plurality of post-processing to be performed after printing,
The step (d) specifies a print output device identified with a small number of post-processing to be canceled among a plurality of post-processing defined in the job ticket, with a large number of post-processing to be canceled. The job management method according to claim 5, wherein the job management method is determined as a second recommended device with priority over a printed output device. (e) If the print output device that is the first recommended device is not determined in step (c), the print output device determined as the second recommended device in step (d) is set as the input destination of the print job. Steps to determine,
The job management method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: (f) If the print output device determined as the second recommended device in the step (d) is determined as the print job input destination in the step (e), the print output device is canceled from the plurality of print output devices. Identifying a print output device capable of subsequently executing post-processing to be performed, and notifying the specified print output device;
The job management method according to claim 7, further comprising: A program that is executed in a computer that manages a print job to be input to each of a plurality of print output devices, the computer comprising:
Job accepting means for accepting a job ticket relating to a print job, in which at least one post-processing to be performed after printing is defined;
A discriminator for discriminating post-processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of print output devices;
A first recommended device determination means for determining, as a first recommended device, a print output device capable of executing a print job without canceling post-processing defined in the job ticket among the plurality of print output devices; and
When the post-processing defined in the job ticket is canceled from among the plurality of print output devices, a print output device that can execute a print job excluding the canceled post-processing is specified, and the canceled post-processing is performed. Second recommended device determining means for determining the specified print output device as the second recommended device on condition that it can be executed thereafter;
A program characterized by functioning as

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