JP2017084035A - Information processing device, information processing program, information processing system, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present a device capable of shortening the work time of a print preparation process to a user.SOLUTION: A client PC 200 includes: a printer information analysis unit 503 that obtains resource information of printers P; a job ticket analysis unit 502 that obtains setting information from a job ticket; and a determination rule verification unit 505 that compares the resource information and setting information, determines for each of the printers whether the work time of a print preparation process related to the execution of a job can be shortened, and calculates recommendation degrees of the printers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing program, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

In print-on-demand (POD), as soon as there is a request from a customer, a printed matter is quickly created. Since print-on-demand covers various printed materials (for example, magazines, newspapers, catalogs, advertisements, etc.), adjustment and setting of the printer is required according to each printed material at the time of printing. An operator who operates the printer performs the following print preparation process for each printed matter in order to provide a high-quality printed matter.
Printer selection process: The printer to be used is determined from the order contents and printer specifications.
Paper setting process: A test print is performed on a paper scheduled to be used, and whether or not printing is possible is checked. Also, if necessary, the adjusted paper settings are registered in the printer so that they can be used for subsequent printing.
Image quality adjustment process: Color measurement and color profile creation are performed to adjust image quality.

In POD, it is necessary to prepare a relatively small lot of printed matter with a short delivery time. Therefore, it is desirable that the preparation time for printing is as short as possible. In view of this, there has been proposed an apparatus that can reduce the time required for an operator to select a printer by presenting an optimal printer for creating a printed material from job setting contents and printer capability information.
Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus that presents a user with a combination of apparatuses necessary for executing job processing using job setting information and capability information indicating the capability of a printer.

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a combination of printers capable of executing a job is presented to the user based on the ability determined depending on the printer hardware. Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the working time related to the printer selection process among the above processes is shortened. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to say that the user is presented with a printer that fully considers the reduction of work time because the work time of other processes has not been shortened.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to present a user with a job execution device that can shorten the work time for a work process related to job execution.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 is an apparatus information acquisition unit that acquires resource information related to resource data of a job execution apparatus that executes a job, and setting information of the job from the job to be executed. The setting information acquisition means for acquiring the resource information and the setting information are compared, and for each job execution device, it is determined whether or not the work time for the work process related to the execution of the job to be executed can be reduced. And a recommendation level calculation unit that calculates a recommendation level of the job execution device for executing the job to be executed for each job execution device based on a determination result by the determination unit. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to present a user with a job execution device that can shorten the work time for a work process related to job execution.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of a client PC. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a printer. FIG. It is a functional block diagram of a printer. It is a functional block diagram of a distribution application. It is a figure which shows an example of print setting information. It is a figure which shows an example of the capability information and resource information which the printer information analysis part extracted. It is a figure which shows an example of the determination rule. It is a figure which shows an example of a determination result. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present invention has the following features in a printing system that analyzes print job setting information and printer information and presents an optimal printing apparatus to a user. In short, the printing system according to the present invention is characterized in that, based on print setting information and printer information (capability information, resource information), a process capable of reducing the work time among the print preparation processes is determined for each printer. There is. Further, the printing system according to the present invention is characterized in that it is recommended which printer is best used for the user based on this determination.
The features of the present invention described above will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. .

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The printing system 1 (information processing system) includes at least one client PC (Personal Computer) 200 (information processing apparatus) and a plurality of printers P (P1, P2, P3: printing apparatus, job execution apparatus). Is done. The client PC 200 and each printer P are communicably connected to each other by wire or wireless via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network).
The client PC 200 transmits a print job (a job ticket including print setting information and drawing data) to the printer P via the network N, and transmits printer information (including capability information and resource information) from the printer P to the printer. Get from P. The client PC 200 functions as a print job distribution device that distributes print jobs to a printer that is optimal for executing the print job.

<Hardware configuration>
A hardware configuration of the client PC 200 and the printer P constituting the printing system 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the client PC.
The client PC 200 is a general computer device. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204, and an I / F 205 are provided on a bus 208. It has the structure connected via.

Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 206 and an operation unit 207 are connected to the I / F 205.
The CPU 201 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of the entire client PC 200.
The RAM 202 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 201 processes information.
The ROM 203 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware.
The HDD 204 is a nonvolatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.
The I / F 205 connects and controls the bus 208 and various hardware and networks.
The LCD 206 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the client PC 200.
The operation unit 207 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for the user to input information to the client PC 200.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the printer. FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration of an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) as an example of the printer P.
The MFP 100 has a configuration in which the controller 10 and an engine unit (Engine) 60 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) bus.
The controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire MFP 100 and controls drawing, communication, and input from the operation unit.

The engine unit 60 is a printer engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a one-drum color plotter, a four-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 60 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.
The controller 10 includes a CPU 11, a north bridge (NB) 13, a system memory (MEM-P) 12, a south bridge (SB) 14, a local memory (MEM-C) 17, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 16 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 103, and the north bridge (NB) 13 and the ASIC 16 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 15.

The MEM-P 12 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b.
The CPU 11 performs overall control of the MFP 100 and has a chip set including the NB 13, the MEM-P 12 and the SB 14, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.
The NB 13 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 11 to the MEM-P 12, SB 14, and the AGP bus 15, and includes a memory controller that controls reading / writing with respect to the MEM-P 12, a PCI master, and an AGP target.
The MEM-P 12 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing a printer, and the like, and includes a ROM 12a and a RAM 12b.

The ROM 12a is a read-only memory used as a program / data storage memory, and the RAM 12b is a writable / readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, or the like.
The SB 14 is a bridge for connecting the NB 13 to a PCI device and peripheral devices.
The SB 14 is connected to the NB 13 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

The ASIC 16 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 15, the PCI bus, the HDD 103, and the MEM-C 17.
The ASIC 16 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC 16, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 17, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform rotation of image data by hardware logic. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 60 via the PCI bus.
An FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) 30, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 40, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 50 are connected to the ASIC 16 via a PCI bus.
The operation display unit 220 is directly connected to the ASIC 16.

The MEM-C 17 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.
The HDD 103 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms.

In addition, the HDD 103 stores a license file for an application executed on the MFP 100.
The AGP bus 15 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP bus 15 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 12 with high throughput. It is.

<Functional block of printer>
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the printer. Note that only the main parts related to the printing system of the present invention are shown in the figure.
The printer P includes a data communication unit 401 and a data holding unit 402.
The data communication unit 401 is a module that transmits and receives various types of data to and from the client PC 200, transmits information about the printer P in response to a request from the client PC 200, and receives a print job transmitted from the client PC 200. .
The data holding unit 402 is a module that holds and manages printer information. The printer information includes capability information 403 and resource information as information related to functions usable in the printer (see FIG. 7). The resource information is information relating to resource data (software configuration) held by the printer P, and includes media catalog information 404 and color profile information 405.

  The capability information 403 is information indicating the capability of the printer. The printer capability is a capability determined depending on the printer device configuration (hardware configuration). In this example, in the capability information 403, information related to a post-processing function supported by the printer P is registered. That is, in the capability information 403, information on the types of post-processing functions supported by the printer P, specific contents of executable processing, and the like are registered. For example, the capability information 403 includes the presence / absence of a stapling function, the stapling position (flat stitching, saddle stitching, etc.), the presence / absence of a folding function and the type of folding possible (such as bi-folding and Z-folding), and a cutting function. Information on the presence / absence of and the position (front, three-way, etc.) where cutting is possible is registered (see FIG. 7). The capability information 403 is automatically registered according to the device configuration of the printer P.

In the media catalog information 404, paper brands (paper names) that can be used by the printer and various attribute parameters associated therewith are registered. That is, various attribute parameters such as a paper size, a paper type, a basis weight, and a position of a paper feed tray on which the paper is mounted are associated with a paper name (catalog A, catalog B, etc.). It is registered (see FIG. 7).
In the color profile information 405, a color profile used for color adjustment (color management) is registered. In this example, the sheet profile information produced for each type of sheet is registered in the color profile information (see FIG. 7). By using the appropriate color profile (profile X for catalog A and profile Y for catalog B) at the time of printing, even when printing on paper of different quality, print with the same color Can do.

The media catalog information 404 and the color profile information 405 may be either information previously stored in the printer P from the time of shipment from the factory or information added later by the user, or may include both.
It should be noted that all the functional units are not necessarily included in one device, and each functional unit may be included in a different device. In addition, at least a part of each functional unit may be provided in a client PC (sorting application).

<Function block of sort application>
A distribution application that causes the client PC 200 to function as a print job distribution apparatus will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the distribution application.
The distribution application 500 (information processing program) includes a UI unit 501, a job ticket analysis unit 502 (setting information acquisition unit), a printer information analysis unit 503 (device information acquisition unit), a determination rule definition unit 504, and a determination rule collation unit 505 ( Determination means, recommendation degree calculation means), and data communication unit 506.

The distribution application 500 extracts a printer P suitable for executing a print job from a plurality of printers P, calculates a recommendation degree of the printer P, and presents it to the user. The user selects one printer P for executing the job with reference to the presented recommendation degree. The distribution application 500 transmits a print job to the selected printer P, and causes the printer P to execute the print job.
Further, the distribution application 500 extracts a printer P optimal for executing the print job from the plurality of printers P, automatically transmits the print job to the extracted printer P, and executes the print job. May be.

The UI unit 501 is an interface for accepting an operation from a user or displaying a processing result to the user.
The job ticket analysis unit 502 is a module that analyzes a job ticket included in a print job designated by the user and extracts print setting information from the job ticket. Note that the print job includes drawing data and a job ticket.
The printer information analysis unit 503 is a module that analyzes printer information acquired from the printer P via the network N and extracts capability information and resource information (media catalog information and profile information) from the printer information.

The determination rule definition unit 504 includes a user-defined preparation process (work process) name, information used as a determination material for determining whether the work time related to the preparation process can be reduced, a determination criterion for determining whether the work time related to the preparation process can be reduced, and a determination It is a module that manages judgment rules such as priority when displaying results in association with each other.
The determination rule collation unit 505 collates the print setting information analyzed by the job ticket analysis unit 502 and the printer information (capability information, resource information) analyzed by the printer information analysis unit 503 according to the determination rule, and performs the preparation process. This module determines whether or not the work time can be reduced and the recommended degree of the printer for each printer.
The data communication unit 506 is a module that sends an information acquisition request to the printer P and receives various data including printer information (capability information / resource information) from the printer P. Further, the data communication unit 506 transmits a print job to the printer P.

Each functional unit provided by the distribution application 500 is realized by the CPU 201 of the client PC 200 reading out a distribution application program stored in the HDD 204 or the like, developing it in the RAM 202, and executing it. The program is provided as a file in an installable or executable format and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD, or And distributed by being downloaded from the server via the network.
It should be noted that all the functional units are not necessarily included in one device, and each functional unit may be included in a different device. Further, at least a part of each of the functional units may be provided in the printer.

<Job ticket / print setting information>
A job ticket analyzed by the job ticket analysis unit 502 will be described.
The job ticket is a digital setting instruction for printing. For example, CIP4 (The International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress Organization) JDF (Job Definition Format) defined by This job ticket is called a design instruction for printing. This design instruction includes detailed information about printing, such as pre-printing steps such as page layout and color information, printing steps for actual printing, and post-processing steps such as binding and cutting after printing. Can be described.

The job ticket analysis unit 502 extracts print setting information from the job ticket. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of print setting information.
In the print setting information, function categories, attributes, and values (parameters) are described in a table format, for example.
For example, the function category “bound bookbinding” is data indicating the contents of a print instruction related to printing of a text in a printed material. The function category “bookbinding cover” is data indicating the contents of a print instruction relating to a cover in a printed material. In “bookbinding booklet” and “bookbinding cover”, attributes and corresponding values are described. Among the attributes included in “bookbinding middle paper” and “bookbinding cover” in the print setting information, the paper name, paper size, paper type, basis weight, and paper feed tray are media catalog information 404 of the printer P (FIG. 4). Attribute) of the type registered in (Ref.). Of the attributes included in “bookbinding middle paper” and “bookbinding cover” in the print setting information, the paper profile is an attribute of a type registered in the color profile information 405 of the printer P.
The function category “layout” includes, for example, information related to a combination of pages to be printed on one sheet.
The function category “post processing” describes details of post processing to be performed on the printed matter.

<Printer information analysis unit>
The printer information analysis unit 503 extracts capability information and resource information from the printer information, and manages them for each printer. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of capability information and resource information extracted by the printer information analysis unit.
The printer information analysis unit 503 extracts capability information and resource information (media catalog information, paper profile information) from the printer information acquired from each printer P (printers P1, P2, and P3). Further, the printer information analysis unit 503 manages the extracted information in association with each printer P, for example, in the form of a table as shown in FIG.
In the capability information, all post-processing function information supported by the printer is shown. The resource information includes all resource information (paper name, paper profile name, etc.) registered in the printer.

<Judgment rule>
A determination rule managed by the determination rule definition unit 504 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the determination rule. The determination rule definition unit 504 includes, for example, a table of “process name”, “determination material”, “determination criterion for shortenability”, and “recommended priority” as elements necessary when determining a printer suitable for execution of a print job. Manage in the form of Here, “a printer suitable for execution of a print job” can reduce the amount of work necessary for the execution of the print preparation process, or shorten the work time (and thus reduce the labor of the user). A printer having a hardware configuration capable of printing a print job according to a job ticket.

“Process name” is a name given to each printing preparation process. The print preparation process includes a printer selection process, a paper setting process, an image quality adjustment process, and the like.
The “printer selection step” is a step of determining a printer to be used from the contents of an order and printer specifications.
The “paper setting process” is a process of checking whether or not printing is possible by performing a test print on a paper scheduled to be used. In addition, it is a step of registering the adjusted paper setting in the printer so that it can be used at the time of subsequent printing as necessary.
The “image quality adjustment process” is a process for adjusting the image quality by performing colorimetry and creating a color profile.
The “determination material”, “shortening criterion”, and “recommended priority” are managed in association with “process name”.

“Determination material” indicates the type of information (capability information, media catalog information, color profile information) used for determining whether or not the work time can be shortened, among the information included in the printer information.
The “reducibility criterion” indicates a specific criterion for determining whether the work time of the print preparation process can be shortened. When all the criteria are satisfied, it is determined that shortening is possible. When there is a criterion that does not include all the criteria, it is determined that shortening is not possible.
“Recommended priority” is a priority used when recommending a printer suitable for execution of a print job based on the determination result. If it is determined that a process having a high recommended priority is “can be shortened”, the recommended level of the printer is high. In this example, the recommended priority indicates the priority of each preparation process in determining the recommended level. The user can arbitrarily set the recommended priority via the UI unit 501. The user can set a higher recommended priority for a process having a greater effect of shortening the print preparation time and the work amount.

<Determining whether work time can be shortened>
The determination by the determination rule matching unit 505 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the determination result. The determination rule checking unit 505 determines whether or not the print preparation process can be shortened, and determines the recommended degree of the printer based on the determined shortenability.
First, determination of whether or not the printing preparation process can be shortened will be described. The print preparation process shown in this example includes a printer selection process, a paper setting process, and an image quality adjustment process.

In determining whether the printer selection process can be shortened, the determination rule checking unit 505 uses the capability information 403 and media catalog information 404 of the printer P (see FIG. 8). The determination rule checking unit 505 checks the print setting information and capability information of the job ticket according to the determination rule, and determines whether or not the printer P has a post-processing function necessary for executing the print job. In addition, the determination rule collating unit 505 collates the print setting information and the media catalog information according to the determination rule, and determines whether or not a sheet having a size necessary for executing the print job is loaded in the printer.
When all the determination rules are satisfied, the determination rule collating unit 505 determines that the work time necessary for performing the printer selection process for the printer can be shortened.

In determining whether or not the paper setting process can be shortened, the determination rule checking unit 505 uses the media catalog information 404 of the printer P (see FIG. 8). The determination rule checking unit 505 checks the print setting information of the job ticket and the media catalog information according to the determination rule, and determines whether or not a sheet having the same name as the name described in the print setting information is registered in the media catalog information 404. Is determined for each sheet for all sheets.
The determination rule matching unit 505 determines that the work time necessary for performing the paper setting process can be shortened for the paper satisfying the determination rule.

In determining whether the image quality adjustment process can be shortened, the determination rule matching unit 505 uses the color profile information 405 of the printer P (see FIG. 8). The determination rule checking unit 505 checks the print setting information of the job ticket and the color profile information according to the determination rule, and a color profile (paper profile) having the same name as the name described in the print setting information is stored in the color profile information 405. Whether it is registered or not is determined for each color profile for all color profiles.
The determination rule matching unit 505 determines that the work time necessary for performing the image quality adjustment process can be shortened for the color profile that satisfies the determination rule.
For items that have not been determined to be shortenable by the determination rule matching unit 505, the user needs to perform a series of preparatory work for each process as in the past.

  The determination of whether or not the print preparation process can be shortened by the determination rule checking unit 505 will be described based on a specific example of determining whether or not the printer selection process, the paper setting process, and the image quality setting process can be shortened among the print preparation processes. Assume that the print job includes a job ticket in which the print setting information shown in FIG. 6 is described, and the printers P1, P2, and P3 have the capabilities and resources shown in FIG. Moreover, the determination rule collation part 505 shall perform determination according to the determination rule shown in FIG. 8, and shall return the determination result shown in FIG.

The printer P1 can shorten all print preparation steps. The reason for determination is as follows.
[Printer selection process: Possible to shorten]
The printer P1 has the functions of saddle stitching, bi-folding, and cutting necessary for post-processing. In addition, paper sizes (A4, A3) required for printing are supported.
[Paper settings: Both paper 1 and 2 can be shortened]
The printer P1 includes catalog A and catalog B sheets necessary for printing.
[Image quality adjustment: Paper 1 and 2 can be shortened]
The printer P1 has a profile X and a profile Y that are necessary for image quality adjustment.

The printer P2 can shorten only the paper setting process. The printer selection / image quality adjustment process cannot be shortened. The reason for determination is as follows.
[Printer selection process: cannot be shortened]
The printer P2 does not have the saddle stitching and cutting functions required for post-processing.
[Paper settings: Both paper 1 and 2 can be shortened]
The printer P2 is provided with catalog A and catalog B sheets required for printing.
[Image quality adjustment: Paper 1 and 2 cannot be shortened]
The printer P2 does not include the profile X and profile Y required for image quality adjustment.

The printer P3 can shorten the printer selection / image quality adjustment process, but the paper setting process is almost impossible. The reason for determination is as follows.
[Printer selection process: Possible to shorten]
The printer P3 has a function of saddle stitching, bi-folding and cutting required for printing. In addition, paper sizes (A4, A3) required for printing are supported.
[Paper settings: Paper 1 can be shortened, Paper 2 cannot be shortened]
The printer P3 includes the catalog A sheet necessary for printing the bookbinding paper, but does not include the catalog B sheet necessary for printing the bookbinding cover.
[Image quality adjustment: Paper 1 and 2 can be shortened]
The printer P3 is provided with profile X and profile Y, which are necessary for image quality adjustment.

<Judgment of printer recommendation>
Next, a method by which the determination rule matching unit 505 determines the recommended degree of the printer will be described. There are various methods for determining the recommended degree of the printer.

<< First determination method >>
The first determination method is to determine the recommendation level based on the number of work items that can be shortened, in other words, based on the number of processes that can reduce the amount of work in each process included in the print preparation process. is there. The calculation amount required for determining the recommendation level is small, and the processing time can be shortened.
Here, the number of work items in the printer selection process is calculated as one item (1 man-hour). In addition, since the paper setting process and the image quality adjustment process are performed for each paper type used for the printed material, the number of work items is calculated as 2 items (2 man-hours) in this example. Therefore, the total number of work items to be determined is 5 items (5 man-hours). In other words, in the determination result of FIG. 9, the total of the number of “possible” and the number of “impossible” for each printer is the total number of work items, and the recommendation level is determined based on the number of “possible”. This is the first determination method.
The number of items that can be shortened for each printer is as follows.

Printer P1... Shortening: 5 items Printer P2... Shortening: 2 items Printer P3... Shortening: 4 items The decision rule matching unit 505 recommends printers in descending order of the number of work items that can be shortened. Accordingly, the printer recommendation level (recommendation order) is in the order of P1>P3> P2.

<< Second determination method >>
In the second determination method, for each preparation step, a weight value calculated by weighting based on the recommended priority defined in the determination rule shown in FIG. 8 is obtained, and the printer recommendation level is determined by comparing the determination coefficients calculated from the weight value. Is a method of calculating

The determination rule matching unit 505 obtains the determination coefficient px by the following formula.
px = Σ [{(A + 1) −B} × {(1 / C) × D}] Expression (1)
here,
px: Determination coefficient of printer Px A: Number of preparation steps B: Recommended priority for each preparation step C: Number of items to be determined for each preparation step D: Number of items that can be reduced for each preparation step. That is, the determination rule matching unit 505 calculates the sum of the weight value of the printer selection process, the weight value of the paper setting process, and the weight value of the image quality adjustment process as the determination coefficient px.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 9, the numerical values shown in A to D take the following values.
A = 3 (the preparation steps are three steps of printer selection / paper selection / image quality adjustment).
For the printer selection process, B = 3, C = 1, D = 1.
For the paper selection process, B = 2, C = 2, D = 2, or 1.
For the image quality adjustment process, B = 1, C = 2, D = 2 or 1.

The determination coefficient p1 of the printer P1 is obtained as follows.
p1 = {(3 + 1) −1} × {(1/1) × 1}
+ {(3 + 1) -2} × {(1/2) × 2}
+ {(3 + 1) -3} × {(1/2) × 2}
= 3 + 2 + 1
= 6
The first term is a weight value for the printer selection step, the second term is a weight value for the paper setting step, and the third term is a weight value for the image quality adjustment step.

Similarly, the determination coefficient p2 of the printer P2 is obtained as follows.
p2 = {(3 + 1) −1} × {(1/1) × 1}
+ {(3 + 1) -2} × {(1/2) × 2}
+ {(3 + 1) -3} × {(1/2) × 0}
= 0 + 2 + 0
= 2

Similarly, the determination coefficient p3 of the printer P3 is obtained as follows.
p3 = {(3 + 1) −1} × {(1/1) × 1}
+ {(3 + 1) -2} × {(1/2) × 1}
+ {(3 + 1) -3} × {(1/2) × 2}
= 3 + 1 + 1
= 5

Since the determination coefficient is “p1>p3> p2,” the recommended printer level (recommended order) is “P1>P3> P2.”
Even if the number of work items that can be shortened in the first determination method is the same and the recommended printer level is the same, the print job is executed by performing weighting calculation as in the second determination method. The printer can be recommended to the user. Also, if the user can arbitrarily set the recommended priority, an optimal printer can be recommended according to the user's needs.

  When calculating the printer recommendation level, when the weight value of the preparation process with the highest recommended priority (the printer selection process under the determination rule in FIG. 8) becomes 0 (or when it cannot be shortened), determination The rule matching unit 505 may exclude the printer from the printer recommendation degree calculation target. In this case, the determination rule matching unit 505 outputs a determination result that excludes the printer that is not calculated (the printer P2 in the example of FIG. 9), or the UI unit 501 excludes the printer that is not calculated. The determination result is presented to the user.

<Sequence diagram>
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S1, the user selects a desired print job. For example, the UI unit 501 displays a list of print jobs stored in the HDD 204 or a print server on the LCD 206 of the client PC 200. The user selects a print job to be printed by the printer P from the print job list.
In step S3, the UI unit 501 reads a file path that is a storage location of the selected print job.
In step S5, the user requests a printer search for the selected print job.

In step S7, the UI unit 501 reads the selected print job. At this time, the UI unit 501 only needs to read at least the job ticket included in the print job as information necessary for searching for the printer.
In step S9, the job ticket analysis unit 502 analyzes the contents of the job ticket and extracts print setting information (see FIG. 6).
In step S <b> 11, the printer information analysis unit 503 transmits a printer information acquisition request to all the printers P connected via the network N.
In step S13, each printer P (P1, P2, P3) returns printer information.

In step S15, the printer information analysis unit 503 analyzes the acquired printer information and extracts capability information and resource information (see FIG. 7) from the printer information.
In step S <b> 17, the determination rule checking unit 505 determines whether each process included in the print preparation process can be shortened. That is, in the determination rule matching unit 505, the determination rule definition unit 504 manages the print setting information extracted by the job ticket analysis unit 502 and the capability information and resource information of each printer P extracted by the printer information analysis unit 503. Match according to the decision rule. As a result of the collation, if the determination rule is satisfied, it is determined that the process can be shortened, and if not satisfied, it is determined that the process cannot be shortened.
In step S19, the determination rule matching unit 505 determines the recommendation level of the printer P based on the matching result in step S17.

In step S <b> 21, the UI unit 501 displays the determination result (see FIG. 9) by the determination rule matching unit 505 on the LCD 206.
In step S23, the user selects a desired printer from the printers P indicated in the determination result.
In step S25, the user requests the selected printer to execute a print job.
In step S27, the UI unit 501 transmits a print job (drawing data and print setting information) to the designated printer P, and executes the print job.

  In this example, the user selects a printer based on the recommendation level, and the distribution application 500 transmits (distributes) a print job to the selected printer (steps S23 to S27). However, the distribution application 500 may automatically transmit (distribute) a print job to one of the printers with the highest recommendation degree calculated in step S19.

[Summary of Embodiments, Actions, and Effects of the Present Invention]
Although the present invention has been described based on an example of a system including a printing apparatus, the present invention can also be applied to a system including an apparatus that executes a job other than the printing apparatus.

<First embodiment>
An information processing apparatus (client PC 200) according to this aspect includes apparatus information acquisition means (printer information analysis unit 503) that acquires resource information related to resource data of a job execution apparatus (printer P) that executes a job (print job); The setting information acquisition means (job ticket analysis unit 502) that acquires the setting information of the job from the job to be executed is compared with the resource information and the setting information, and the job to be executed is executed for each job execution device. A determination unit (determination rule collating unit 505) that determines whether or not the work time can be shortened for the work process (print preparation process), and a job to be executed for each job execution device based on the determination result by the determination unit Recommendation degree calculating means (determination rule matching unit 505) for calculating the recommendation degree of the job execution apparatus when executing Characterized by comprising a and.

In this aspect, paying attention to the resource data (software configuration) information held by the job execution device, a job execution device suitable for executing a job is presented. In the conventional system as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a job execution apparatus that should execute a job is selected by paying attention to the capability (apparatus configuration, hardware configuration) of the job execution apparatus and presented to the user. In the above configuration, the amount of work in the printer selection process in print-on-demand can be reduced, but the work time (for actual printing) can be reduced by reducing the amount of work in the software-dependent work process (paper setting process and image quality adjustment process). It has been difficult for the user to find a printer that can shorten the time required to enter the printer.
According to this aspect, the job execution device that can reduce the amount of work in the work process is selected from the software configuration side, thereby shortening the work time for the work process related to job execution. In addition, by selecting the job execution apparatus also from the hardware configuration side, it is possible to further reduce the work amount for the work process, that is, shorten the work time.

<Second embodiment>
In this aspect, the recommendation level calculation means (determination rule matching unit 505) calculates the recommendation level based on the number of work processes that can reduce the amount of work.
According to this aspect, since the amount of calculation required for determining the recommendation level is small, it is possible to reduce the processing time for calculating the recommendation level.

<Third embodiment>
In this aspect, the recommendation level calculation means (determination rule matching unit 505) is calculated based on the result of determination by the determination means (determination rule matching unit 505) and the priority determined for the work process. The recommendation level is calculated based on the weight value of the work process.
According to this aspect, since weighting calculation is used for determining the recommendation level, it is possible to recommend a job execution apparatus that is more suitable for executing a job to the user. If the user can arbitrarily set the priority, an optimal job execution device can be recommended according to the user's needs.

<Fourth embodiment>
In this aspect, the device information acquisition unit (printer information analysis unit 503) acquires capability information indicating the capability of the job execution device (printer P), and the determination unit (determination rule collation unit 505) acquires the capability information, setting information, and the like. If a job execution device that does not have the capability necessary for executing the job to be executed is found, the recommendation level calculation means (determination rule collating unit 505) selects the job execution device from the calculation target of the recommendation level. It is characterized by excluding.
Here, the capability of the job execution apparatus is an ability determined depending on the apparatus configuration (hardware configuration) of the job execution apparatus. When the job execution apparatus is a printing apparatus, the types of post-processing functions and executable functions are executable. Specific contents of the processing are included in the capability information. It is impossible to cause a job execution apparatus that does not have a capability (for example, a stapling function) necessary for job execution to execute the entire job. On the other hand, for job execution devices that do not have the resource data (software configuration) necessary for job execution, additional work is required to register the resource data in the job execution device. Execution itself is not impossible.
According to this aspect, a job execution device that does not have the capability necessary for job execution can be not recommended to the user. Therefore, the user has to select a job execution device for executing the job. Can be reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system (information processing system) P ... Printer (job execution apparatus) 401 ... Data communication part 402 ... Data holding part 403 ... Capability information 404 ... Media catalog information 405 ... Color profile information 200 ... Client PC, 500 ... distribution application (information processing program), 501 ... UI unit, 502 ... job ticket analysis unit (setting information acquisition unit), 503 ... printer information analysis unit (device information acquisition unit), 504 ... determination rule definition unit 505: Determination rule matching unit (determination unit, recommendation degree calculation unit) 506: Data communication unit

JP 2004-178202 A

Claims (11)

Device information acquisition means for acquiring resource information related to resource data of a job execution device that executes a job;
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of the job from the job to be executed;
A determination unit that compares the resource information with the setting information, and determines, for each job execution device, whether or not work time for a work process related to execution of the job to be executed can be shortened;
Based on the result of determination by the determination unit, for each job execution device, a recommendation level calculation unit that calculates a recommendation level of the job execution device when executing the job to be executed;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recommendation degree calculating unit calculates the recommendation degree based on a quantity of the work process that can reduce the work amount.   The recommendation degree calculation means calculates the recommendation degree based on a weight value of the work process calculated based on a result of determination by the determination means and a priority determined for the work process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The device information acquisition means acquires capability information representing the capability of the job execution device,
When the determination unit finds out the job execution device that does not have the capability necessary for executing the job to be executed when the capability information and the setting information are compared, the recommendation degree calculation unit determines the job execution The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an apparatus is excluded from the calculation target of the recommendation level. Computer
Device information acquisition means for acquiring resource information related to resource data of a job execution device that executes a job;
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of the job from the job to be executed;
A determination unit that compares the resource information with the setting information, and determines, for each job execution device, whether or not a work amount for a work process related to execution of the job to be executed can be reduced; and
A recommendation degree calculating means for calculating a recommendation degree of the job execution apparatus when executing the job to be executed for each job execution apparatus based on the determination result by the determination means;
Information processing program to function as   The information processing program according to claim 5, wherein the recommendation level calculation unit calculates the recommendation level based on a quantity of the work process that can reduce the work amount.   The recommendation degree calculation means calculates the recommendation degree based on a weight value of the work process calculated based on a result of determination by the determination means and a priority determined for the work process. The information processing program according to claim 5, wherein: The device information acquisition means acquires capability information representing the capability of the job execution device,
When the determination unit finds out the job execution device that does not have the capability necessary for executing the job to be executed when the capability information and the setting information are compared, the recommendation degree calculation unit determines the job execution The information processing program according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a device is excluded from the calculation target of the recommendation degree. Device information acquisition means for acquiring resource information related to resource data of a job execution device that executes a job;
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of the job from the job to be executed;
A determination unit that compares the resource information with the setting information, and determines, for each job execution device, whether or not a work amount for a work process related to execution of the job to be executed can be reduced;
Based on the result of determination by the determination unit, for each job execution device, a recommendation level calculation unit that calculates a recommendation level of the job execution device when executing the job to be executed;
An information processing system comprising: A device information acquisition means for acquiring resource information related to resource data of a job execution device that executes a job;
A step of acquiring setting information of the job from a job to be executed by setting information acquisition means;
A step of determining, by comparing the resource information and the setting information, for each job execution device, determining whether or not it is possible to reduce the amount of work for a work process related to execution of the job to be executed;
A step of calculating a recommendation level of the job execution device when the job to be executed is executed for each job execution device based on a result of the determination by the determination unit;
An information processing method characterized by comprising: An information processing system in which an information processing device and a plurality of job execution devices that execute jobs are connected via a network,
Each of the job execution devices includes a data holding unit that holds resource information related to resource data held by the own device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Device information acquisition means for acquiring the resource information from the job execution device;
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of the job from the job to be executed;
A determination unit that compares the resource information with the setting information, and determines, for each job execution device, whether or not a work amount for a work process related to execution of the job to be executed can be reduced;
And a recommendation level calculation unit that calculates a recommendation level of the job execution device when the job to be executed is executed for each job execution device based on the determination result by the determination unit. Information processing system.

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