JP2016021164A - Print control device, printing system, and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system capable of performing printing at a more proper printing cost.SOLUTION: A print control device includes: a print job reception unit 50 that receives a print job; a print job transmission unit 60 that transmits the received print job to a printer 5 which is connected to a network 2; and a print job assignment unit 70 that can select the printer 5 of a transmission destination and control the print start time of the transmitted print job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus, a printing system, and a printing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a printing system that allows a user to use different printing apparatuses by connecting a plurality of printing apparatuses (for example, inkjet printers) to a network. In this printing system, printing can be completed in a shorter time by operating a plurality of printing apparatuses in parallel. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a print control apparatus that determines an optimal number of divisions and a printing apparatus that is a printing destination so as to be in time for a target print completion request time based on the printing performance and printing load status of each printing apparatus. Have been described.

JP 2009-123147 A

  However, in the print control apparatus described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that an appropriate print job can be assigned (set up) according to the capability and load status of the printing apparatus, but the printing cost is not considered. There was a problem. Specifically, there is a problem that it is not possible to make a setting that takes into consideration the difference in running cost for each printing apparatus and the variation in power cost depending on the operating time zone.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following application examples or forms.

  Application Example 1 A print control apparatus according to this application example includes a print job reception unit that receives a print job, a print job transmission unit that transmits the received print job to a printing device connected to a network, a transmission destination And a print job allocation unit capable of selecting a printing apparatus and controlling a print start time of the transmitted print job.

  According to this application example, the print control apparatus includes a print job reception unit that receives a print job, and a print job transmission unit that transmits the print job to a printing apparatus connected to the network. In addition, a print job allocating unit is provided, and the print job allocating unit can select a destination printing apparatus to which the print job is transmitted and can control the print start time of the transmitted print job. Therefore, it is possible to select a more appropriate printing apparatus, select a more appropriate printing time zone, and execute a print job.

  Application Example 2 In the print control apparatus according to the application example, the print job allocation unit performs selection of the transmission destination printing apparatus and control of the printing start time based on a running cost of the printing apparatus. Features.

  According to this application example, the print job allocating unit selects the destination printing device and controls the printing start time based on the running cost of the printing device, so that the printing cost can be further reduced.

  Application Example 3 In the print control apparatus according to the application example, the print job allocation unit includes a running cost of the printing apparatus, a printing capability of the printing apparatus, a print load amount of the print job, and the print job. The printing completion request time is selected, and the transmission destination printing apparatus is selected and the printing start time is controlled.

  According to this application example, the print job allocation unit determines the transmission destination based on the running cost of the printing apparatus, the printing capability of the printing apparatus, the print load amount of the print job, and the print completion request time of the print job. Select the printing device and control the printing start time. Therefore, for example, when the running cost of the printing apparatus fluctuates depending on the time zone for printing, the printing cost can be further reduced while the printing delivery time is met.

  Application Example 4 In the print control apparatus according to the application example, the running cost includes a power cost consumed by the printing apparatus.

  According to this application example, the running cost includes the power cost consumed by the printing apparatus. Therefore, for example, when the power cost varies depending on the time zone, printing can be performed in a more appropriate time zone in order to further reduce the printing cost.

  Application Example 5 In the print control apparatus according to the application example, the running cost includes a cost of ink and / or a print medium consumed by the printing apparatus.

  According to this application example, the running cost includes the cost of the ink and / or print medium consumed by the printing apparatus. Therefore, for example, when the cost of the ink or the printing medium differs depending on the printing device, it is possible to select a more appropriate printing device in order to further reduce the printing cost.

  Application Example 6 In the print control apparatus according to the application example described above, the print job allocation unit selects the transmission destination printing apparatus and starts the printing so that the cost for printing the print job becomes a smaller value. It is characterized by controlling the time.

  According to this application example, the print job allocation unit performs the selection of the destination printing apparatus and the control of the print start time so that the cost for printing the print job becomes a smaller value. Can be reduced.

  Application Example 7 A printing system according to this application example includes the print control apparatus according to the application example described above and a printing apparatus connected to the print control apparatus via a network.

  According to this application example, the printing system includes the print control apparatus according to the application example described above and a printing apparatus connected to the print control apparatus via a network. Therefore, it is possible to select a more appropriate printing apparatus, select a more appropriate printing time zone, and execute a print job.

  Application Example 8 A printing method according to this application example is a printing method in which printing is performed using a printing system having a printing apparatus connected via a network, and the transmission apparatus to which a print job is transmitted And a step of controlling a printing start time of the transmitted print job.

  According to this application example, the printing method includes a step of selecting a transmission destination printing apparatus to which the print job is transmitted, and a step of controlling the print start time of the transmitted print job. Therefore, it is possible to select a more appropriate printing apparatus, select a more appropriate printing time zone, and execute a print job.

  Application Example 9 In the printing method according to the application example, the printing method is based on the running cost of the printing apparatus, the printing capability of the printing apparatus, the print load amount of the print job, and the printing start time. The method includes a step of calculating a printing cost of the job.

  This application example includes the step of calculating the printing cost of the print job based on the running cost of the printing device, the printing capability of the printing device, the print load amount of the print job, and the print start time. Therefore, for example, when the running cost of the printing apparatus fluctuates depending on the printing time zone, the printing cost can be further reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. Block diagram showing the functions of the print job assignment unit A graph showing an example of running costs that fluctuate within a day (24 hours) Flowchart of allocation processing performed by the print job allocation unit Image diagram showing the result of the allocation process performed by the print job allocation unit

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following is one embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In the following drawings, the scale may be different from the actual scale for easy understanding.

(Embodiment 1)
<Printing system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system 1 according to the first embodiment.
The printing system 1 receives information such as document data and image data obtained from an information processing apparatus 3 such as a personal computer connected to a network 2 and image data obtained from various image acquisition devices 4 such as a digital camera. A system for printing from a printing apparatus 5 such as an ink jet printer connected to the network 2. The printing system 1 includes a printing control apparatus 100 and a printing apparatus 5 connected to the printing control apparatus 100 via the network 2.

As the network 2, a wired or wireless LAN, the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like can be used. In the printing system 1, a plurality of printing apparatuses 5 can be connected to the network 2.
In the following description, the printing apparatus 5 is described for an inkjet printer. An inkjet printer forms an image on a print medium while changing the relative positional relationship between the print medium and the head on which the nozzle is formed. For example, the print medium such as paper or cloth is moved in the transport direction. And a dot forming operation in which ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle while the head on which a plurality of nozzles are formed is scanned and moved in a scanning direction that intersects with the conveyance direction of the printing medium. A row of dots (dot row) is formed side by side in the transport direction, and an image is formed on the print medium. The printing device 5 is not limited to an ink jet printer.

<Print control device>
The print control apparatus 100 is a control apparatus in the printing system 1 and transmits a received print job to the printing apparatus 5 selected by the print control apparatus 100 to execute printing.
The print control apparatus 100 can be configured by, for example, a personal computer as one information processing apparatus 3 connected to the network 2. The print control apparatus 100 includes a display unit 10, an input unit 20, a storage unit 30, a control unit 40, and a print job receiving unit 50, a print job transmitting unit 60, and a print job allocating unit 70 as functions for operating the control unit 40. Etc.

<Print job>
The print job is a command set for causing the printing apparatus 5 to execute printing with a desired specification. In addition to the print data and the command data, the print load amount information such as the number of copies, the print time information, and whether the job can be divided. Information.

The print data is data obtained by converting document data and image data into ink color space information included in the printing apparatus 5. That is, for example, the image data is data indicating 256 gradation values in the RGB color space, while the print data is data indicating 4 gradation values in the CMYK color space. CMYK means C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black).
The command data is data for mechanically controlling the printing apparatus 5 such as ejecting ink from the nozzles according to the print data.

  The print time information is time information related to execution of printing, and includes a print completion request time for designating a delivery date for completion of printing, a print start time added at the time of transmission, and the like.

  The information on whether or not the job can be divided is permission information indicating whether or not a print job can be distributed to different printing apparatuses 5 and printed. Information on whether or not the print job can be divided and the maximum division when division (distributed printing) is possible. Contains possible numbers.

  The display unit 10 is an information display unit (display) as a human interface, and relates to information input from the input unit 20 and print job allocation performed by the print job allocation unit 70 under the control of the control unit 40. Information etc. are displayed.

  The input unit 20 is information input means as a human interface, and can input a print job assignment instruction and the like. Specifically, for example, an information input device such as a keyboard and an information processing unit (not shown) that transmits input information to the control unit 40 are configured.

  The storage unit 30 is a rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory card. The storage unit 30 is a software (program) that operates the control unit 40, a received print job, a print allocation table (to be described later), a printing device 5 Information such as a cost table is stored.

  The control unit 40 includes a CPU (calculation unit), a storage unit such as a RAM and a ROM (not shown), and performs centralized control of the entire print control apparatus 100. Specifically, in addition to the functions of the print job reception unit 50, the print job transmission unit 60, and the print job allocation unit 70, an interface for transferring information via the network 2, the display unit 10, the input unit 20, and storage It has a control function of the unit 30 and the like.

Further, the print control apparatus 100 includes application software 80 and a printer driver 90 that drives the printing apparatus 5 as software that operates in the control unit 40 for generating a print job.
The application software 80 is software such as general image processing and document processing for processing data to be printed by a print job.
The printer driver 90 is software that converts document data and image data into print data and command data understood by the printing device 5 and exchanges information with the printing device 5. The printer driver 90 is connected to the network 2. It is prepared for each type of printing apparatus 5 that has been made.
Note that the print control apparatus 100 does not necessarily require application software when the print control apparatus 100 does not need to generate a print job (for example, when receiving a print job from the information processing apparatus 3 connected to the network 2). 80 and the printer driver 90 need not be provided.

<Print job reception part>
The print job reception unit 50 has a function of receiving a print job generated by the print control apparatus 100 or a received print job and delivering it to the print job allocation unit 70.

<Print job transmission unit>
The print job transmission unit 60 has a function of transmitting a print job to the printing device 5 allocated (selected) by the print job allocation unit 70.

<Print job assignment section>
The print job allocation unit 70 is a part that characterizes the present embodiment, and has a function of appropriately allocating a plurality of print jobs to the printing apparatus 5 connected to the network 2 (performing printing). This will be specifically described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the print job allocation unit 70.
The print job allocation unit 70 selects a transmission destination printer 5 to which a print job is sent. That is, the printing device 5 that executes the print job is selected from the printing devices 5 connected to the network 2, and the print job is transmitted to the selected printing device 5. Further, the print job allocation unit 70 can designate a time (print start time) at which the transmitted print job is to be executed.

  The print job allocation determination process performed by the print job allocation unit 70, that is, the selection of the printing device 5 that executes the printing job, includes the running cost of the printing device 5, the printing capability of the printing device 5, and the print load of the print job. And the print completion request time of the print job.

<Running cost of printing device>
The running cost of the printing apparatus 5 is an estimated value of the printing cost that occurs when printing is performed according to the print job. Specifically, the ink cost consumed by the printing apparatus 5, the printing medium cost, and during printing execution This includes power costs that are consumed. The type of running cost used for determination of allocation can be set in advance, and when it varies depending on time and time, it is prepared as a cost table for each printing apparatus 5 together with time information and stored in the storage unit 30.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of running costs that fluctuate within one day (24 hours).
It is an example of a cost table in the case where a cumulative value of three kinds of costs, a constant cost 1 regardless of time, a cost 2 at which daytime costs are generated, and a cost 3 at which costs in the midnight hours are low, is used as a material for allocation determination. For example, the cost 1 corresponds to the cost of ink or a printing medium that does not vary depending on the time zone, and the cost 3 corresponds to the power cost reflected by the midnight power charge.

  In this way, by observing a representative plurality of costs as accumulated fluctuations, it is possible to assign print jobs with a lower running cost. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, it can be divided into a time zone 1 with the lowest running cost, a time zone 2 with the highest running cost, and a time zone 3 in between.

  Such a cost table is acquired from the service site of the manufacturer of the printing apparatus 5 via the network 2 and prepared in advance for each printing apparatus 5. However, the cost table varies depending on the season (for example, fluctuations in power costs for heating and lighting). For example, it is more preferable to set in consideration of the variation depending on the region.

  The printing capability of the printing apparatus 5 is a parameter indicating the speed of the printing process, and is given by, for example, a numerical table corresponding to the size of the image to be printed and image quality information (color / monochrome, resolution, gradation, etc.). The printing capability of the printing apparatus 5 is the attribute information of the printing apparatus 5 and the identification information (model / product name, apparatus number, apparatus identification ID, etc.) that can identify the printing apparatus 5 and the network 2 when connected to the network 2. Via the service site of the manufacturer of the printing apparatus 5 and the like, and register (store under management) in the storage unit 30.

  The print load amount of the print job is information including the size of the image to be printed, image quality information (color / monochrome, resolution, gradation, etc.), the number of copies, and the like. Based on this information, the printing time in the printing apparatus 5 can be estimated from the printing capability information of the printing apparatus 5.

  The print job completion request time is request information for a delivery date when printing of the print load amount specified in the print job is completed. The print job allocation unit 70 performs allocation so that printing is basically completed before the print completion request time.

<Flow of printing device allocation processing>
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the allocation process performed by the print job allocation unit 70.
The print job assignment unit 70 selects the transmission destination printing apparatus 5 and controls the print start time so that the cost for printing the print job becomes a smaller value. This will be specifically described below.

First, when the print job reception unit 50 receives a print job, the print job allocation unit 70 analyzes information held by the print job and confirms a print completion request time (step S1).
Next, information on the vacant printing apparatuses 5 until the print completion request time is collected with reference to a print allocation table (described later) that has already been allocated (step S2).

Next, for each vacant printing device 5, an estimated value of each printing time is calculated from the printing load amount and printing capability of the printing job (step S3).
Next, the printing device 5 that can be assigned by continuous printing without dividing the print job within the vacant continuous time of the vacant printing device 5 is extracted (step S4).
Here, when the print job is large with respect to the free time and the assignable time zone cannot be extracted, if the print job is permitted to be divided, it is divided (distributed printing to a plurality of printing apparatuses 5). ) Is performed (steps S5 to S7). If a time zone that can be assigned cannot be extracted even after the division, an alert is issued (step S8).

  When a time zone that can be allocated can be extracted, the printing cost of the print job is calculated based on the running cost of the printing apparatus 5 in each time zone. The time zone of the printing device 5 having the smallest printing cost is extracted from the time zones in which the assignable printing devices 5 can be assigned (step S9). If a plurality of printing apparatuses 5 are candidates with the same value, the time zone of the printing apparatus 5 that completes printing earliest is selected. Even in that case, it is preferable to predetermine the printing apparatus 5 to be prioritized by the apparatus number or the like, assuming that a plurality of candidates remain.

Next, the allocation destination selection result is reflected in the print allocation table and displayed on the display unit 10 (including the alert) (step S10).
The user of the printing system 1 confirms this result, determines whether the layout result is good or bad, and inputs an instruction from the input unit 20 (step S11). In the case of a print execution instruction, the print job allocation unit 70 adds allocation time zone information (print start time) to the print job and delivers the print job to the print job transmission unit 60. The print job transmission unit 60 transmits the print job to the assigned printing device 5 to execute printing from the print start time (step S12).
If the allocation result needs to be reviewed, the user changes the print job (for example, changes the print completion request time, print load amount, etc.), etc. (step S13), and executes the allocation process again.

  When the printing apparatus 5 can start printing according to the printing start time added to the print job, the print job transmission unit 60 transmits the print job to the corresponding printing apparatus 5 every time assignment is completed. A method may be used in which the print job transmission unit 60 transmits a print job to the assigned printing apparatus 5 and starts printing with the print start time added to the job.

<Print allocation table>
The print allocation table is a data table that is a result of the allocation process performed by the print job allocation unit 70. The print allocation table includes the name and job number of the print job allocated to each printing apparatus 5, information on the time zone in which the print job is allocated (print start time, print time (estimated value)), print completion request time, and the like. It is configured as list information.

FIG. 5 is an example of a screen in which the result of the allocation process performed by the print job allocation unit 70 is displayed on the display unit 10 in an easily understandable manner. The first day from 8:00 to 8:00 on the next day is the first day, the second day from 8:00 to the next day at 8:00 is the second day, and the first half of the third day is displayed.
Five print jobs with job numbers JOB01 to JOB05 are assigned to the printing apparatuses 5 with device numbers 01 to n. Moreover, since this allocation shows an example performed based on the cost table described in FIG. 3, time zones 1 to 3 are added.

The print job JOB01 is an example in which the print completion request time is 17:00 on the current day and the print cost is high but the print job is assigned to the time zone 2.
For example, the print job JOB02 is an example in which the printing completion request time is the next day and the printing time is about 4 hours, so that it is assigned to the time zone 1 with the lowest printing cost.
For example, the print job JOB03 has a print completion request time of 10:00 on the next day, and the print time is estimated to exceed 24 hours. This is an example when assigned to.

  The print job JOB04 is an example in which the printing completion request time is the next day and the printing time is about 7 hours, so that it is assigned to the time zone 1 with the lowest printing cost. If the printing time is 4 hours or less, it is assigned to the printing apparatus 01 following the print job JOB02. However, since it does not fall within the time zone 1, it is assigned to the printing apparatus 03. As described above, when the print request completion time is met, the print job allocation unit 70 performs allocation so that the printing cost can be further suppressed.

  For example, since the print completion request time is the next day and the printing time is about 14 hours, the print job JOB05 is continuously assigned in the time zone 1 with the lowest printing cost and the time zone 3 with the next lowest cost. This is an example.

The user can also change the assignment while checking the assignment result on this screen. For example, the print job JOB05 is divided into three, and the time zone 1 after the print job JOB02 on the first day of the printing device 01, the time zone 1 after the print job JOB04 of the printing device 03, and the second It is also possible to assign to the time zone 1 of the printing device 01 or the printing device 03 of the day.
The print job assignment unit 70 performs the same assignment by setting in advance that the division assignment of the print job is possible based on the information on whether or not the job can be divided. In other words, if there is a margin until the print completion request time and the division of the print job is permitted, it is possible to assign the print job by dividing it into the time zone 1 with the lowest printing cost with a time interval. It is.
In addition, when the cost for each time zone differs depending on the printing device 5, the print job may be assigned to the printing device 5 where the total cost is reduced.

<Printing method>
As described above, the method of printing using the printing system 1 includes an allocation process for further reducing the printing cost and enabling the printing to be completed within the delivery date of printing. Specifically, in order to perform this assignment, the method includes a step of selecting a printing apparatus 5 that transmits a print job and executes printing, and a step of controlling the print start time of the transmitted print job. And a step of calculating the printing cost of the print job based on the running cost of the printing device 5, the printing capability of the printing device 5, the print load amount of the print job, and the print start time. 1 is performed so that the printing cost can be further suppressed.

As described above, according to the printing control apparatus, the printing system, and the printing method according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The print control apparatus 100 includes a print job reception unit 50 that receives a print job, and a print job transmission unit 60 that transmits the print job to the printing apparatus 5 connected to the network 2. The print job allocation unit 70 includes a print job allocation unit 70 that can select a transmission destination printer 5 to which a print job is transmitted and control the print start time of the transmitted print job. Therefore, it is possible to execute a print job by selecting a more appropriate printing apparatus 5 and selecting a more appropriate printing time zone.

  Further, since the print job assignment unit 70 performs selection of the destination printing device 5 and control of the print start time based on the running cost of the printing device 5, the printing cost can be further reduced.

  The print job allocation unit 70 also determines the destination printing apparatus based on the running cost of the printing apparatus 5, the printing capability of the printing apparatus 5, the print load amount of the print job, and the print completion request time of the print job. 5 is selected and printing start time is controlled. For this reason, for example, when the running cost of the printing apparatus 5 varies depending on the printing time period, the printing cost can be further reduced while the printing delivery time is met.

  Further, the running cost includes the power cost consumed by the printing apparatus 5. Therefore, for example, when the power cost varies depending on the time zone, printing can be performed in a more appropriate time zone in order to further reduce the printing cost.

  The running cost includes the cost of ink and / or print medium consumed by the printing apparatus 5. Therefore, for example, when the cost of the ink or the print medium differs depending on the printing device 5, it is possible to select a more appropriate printing device 5 in order to further reduce the printing cost.

  In addition, since the print job allocation unit 70 performs selection of the transmission destination printer 5 and control of the print start time so that the print cost for printing the print job becomes a smaller value, the print cost can be reduced more easily. Can be achieved.

  In addition, the printing system 1 includes a printing control apparatus 100 and a printing apparatus 5 connected to the printing control apparatus 100 via the network 2. Therefore, it is possible to execute a print job by selecting a more appropriate printing apparatus 5 and selecting a more appropriate printing time zone.

  In addition, a printing method for performing printing using the printing system 1 includes a step of selecting a transmission destination printing apparatus 5 to which a print job is transmitted and a step of controlling the print start time of the transmitted print job. Therefore, it is possible to execute a print job by selecting a more appropriate printing apparatus 5 and selecting a more appropriate printing time zone.

  The printing method includes a step of calculating the printing cost of the printing job based on the running cost of the printing device 5, the printing capability of the printing device 5, the print load amount of the printing job, and the printing start time. It is out. Therefore, for example, when the running cost of the printing apparatus 5 varies depending on the printing time zone, the printing cost can be further reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 2 ... Network, 3 ... Information processing apparatus, 4 ... Image acquisition apparatus, 5 ... Printing apparatus, 10 ... Display part, 20 ... Input part, 30 ... Memory | storage part, 40 ... Control part, 50 ... Print job Reception unit 60... Print job transmission unit 70... Job allocation unit 100.

Claims (9)

A print job reception unit for receiving a print job;
A print job transmission unit that transmits the received print job to a printing apparatus connected to a network;
A print control apparatus, comprising: a print job allocation unit capable of selecting the destination printing apparatus and controlling a print start time of the transmitted print job.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print job assignment unit performs selection of the transmission destination printing apparatus and control of the printing start time based on a running cost of the printing apparatus.   The print job allocation unit prints the destination based on the running cost of the printing apparatus, the printing capability of the printing apparatus, the print load amount of the print job, and the print completion request time of the print job. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an apparatus is selected and the print start time is controlled.   The printing control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the running cost includes a power cost consumed by the printing apparatus.   The printing control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the running cost includes a cost of ink and / or a printing medium consumed by the printing apparatus.   The print job allocation unit performs selection of the destination printing apparatus and control of the print start time so that the cost for printing the print job becomes a smaller value. Item 6. The print control apparatus according to any one of Items 5 to 6. The print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
And a printing apparatus connected to the printing control apparatus via a network. A printing method for performing printing using a printing system having a printing apparatus connected via a network,
Selecting the destination printing device to send a print job;
And a step of controlling a printing start time of the transmitted print job.   Calculating the printing cost of the print job based on the running cost of the printing device, the printing capability of the printing device, the print load amount of the print job, and the print start time. The printing method according to claim 8.

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