JP2017120452A - Device information display method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide, in a tool chip that displays the status of a device, a method of displaying processing prediction time related to the device.SOLUTION: There is provided a tool chip 104 that displays the status of a device, the tool chip creating a job list for the determined device, acquiring the status of each of the jobs, acquiring the number of pages and the number of copies in each of the jobs, calculating a processing time required for each of the jobs, and displaying the total sum of the processing times together with the status of the device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying the status of a device used for printing and finishing and the status of an assigned job, and a control method therefor.

  On-demand printing has become popular at production sites due to improvements in printing technology through digitization of image forming devices and order-receiving methods. On-demand printing is characterized in that the same product is not produced in large quantities, but many types of products, such as variable prints, are often produced. In order to increase the efficiency of printing various types and small lots, automation tools are important, and job management tools that manage job printing are often used.

  Many job management tools can display print job information and the status of devices such as printers and finishers used for output. The device status can display not only the operation status and error information of the device itself such as out of paper, paper jam, and online / offline, but also the status of the assigned job. For example, by displaying the total number of jobs assigned to the printer, the total number of pages in the job, or the estimated value of the time required for printing, you can compare the operating status of each device alone and the amount of work between devices. It can be done.

  When displaying information, a display that improves operability and visibility is required. Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which only an outline of a timeline is normally shown, and information on items registered at a time corresponding to the position of the mouse is indicated by a tooltip by operating the mouse.

Special table 2008-547331

  However, in the prior art, only representative information of items related to the timeline is displayed, and the state of the device that changes from time to time and the information of the job associated with the device are collected and displayed. It is not displayed. In addition, when detailed information is displayed on a device icon by a tooltip, not only information on the device itself such as a device name and status but also information on a job associated with the device cannot be displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems.

In order to solve the above problems, a device information display method according to the present invention includes:
In the apparatus and method for displaying information about a device with a tooltip on the device icon, the device name and device status corresponding to the mouse position are obtained, and the estimated processing time of the job assigned to the device is obtained. Means is provided for displaying a device name and device status along with a predicted processing time on the tooltip.

  The device information display method according to the present invention has an effect that the device name, device status, and estimated processing time of the device corresponding to the mouse position can be displayed on the tool tip in the device information display area.

Example of device information displayed by information processing device Example of network configuration of printing system to which information processing apparatus is applied Block diagram of a printing system to which an information processing apparatus is applied Software configuration diagram showing an example of an information processing apparatus An example of request information received by the request information receiving unit Example of user operation screen of application Example of user operation screen for registering a device in an application A flowchart for explaining an example of processing for generating text to be displayed on a tooltip Flowchart for explaining details of the processing in flowchart step 807 in FIG. Example of tooltip display method

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail by taking as an example a POD printing system that receives a request for printed matter from the outside of a printing room and manufactures a book based on that information.

  In the POD printing system, request information is received from the requester, and after the user selects an order on the application screen, the manufacturing start button is pressed. After the user's manufacturing start instruction, the information processing apparatus of the present invention performs imposition for signatures, changes in the position of post-processing marks, and changes in printing instructions in accordance with the processing flow described later. Then, a corresponding manufacturing instruction is transmitted to the printer, the folding machine, and the bookbinding machine, and the user carries the printed matter output from the printer to each post-processing machine to perform post-binding for bookbinding. The requester gives an instruction for the binding direction of the deliverable for each file.

  Hereinafter, it explains in detail using a drawing.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a method for displaying the predicted print time in this embodiment.

  In the pane for displaying device information, a device display (101) based on thumbnail images and a device name (102) are displayed above the device display. On the left of the device name (102), a round icon (103) indicating the device status is arranged. This icon (103) indicates the status of the device by color. For example, green indicates that a job can be received online, and red indicates a status where the job cannot be received such as offline. When the mouse cursor is moved to a device area, a tooltip (104) for displaying information on the device appears. The tooltip (104) displays the device name, status, and estimated print time.

  First, a network configuration and a system internal configuration diagram in this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a network configuration in this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a print control apparatus including an order management server 201, a host computer 202, a printer 203 that performs printing, a folding machine that creates a signature, and a bookbinding machine 205 that performs bookbinding will be described as an example.

  The order server 201 manages requests for printed materials from outside the printing room, and the printing system downloads files and request information used for printing from this server.

  The host computer 202 performs processing of the present invention, which will be described later, based on the downloaded file and request information, and issues a manufacturing instruction to the printer 203, the folding machine 204, and the bookbinding machine 205.

  The printer 203 prints the contents of the cover and the body used for case binding, and the folding machine 204 creates a signature by the number of foldings based on the manufacturing instruction for the contents of the multifaceted body.

  The bookbinding machine 205 uses the made signature and cover, glues it, and performs three-side trimming to make a case binding.

  It is assumed that manufacturing instructions for signatures and bookbinding machines are issued from the host computer, but instead of from the host computer, a person may input parameters relating to manufacturing directly on the panel on the machine.

  In the case of a small system, the order management server 201 and the host computer 202 may be the same computer. A plurality of printers, folding machines, and bookbinding machines may be connected depending on the production amount.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

  As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices is connected and processed via a network such as a LAN or WAN. It may be a system.

  In the figure, the host computer 301 performs document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets) and the like are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the ROM 304 program ROM or the external memory 312. A CPU 302 is provided for execution.

  The CPU 302 generally controls each printing apparatus connected to the system bus 305. In addition, the program ROM of the ROM 304 or the external memory 312 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) that is a control program of the CPU 302, a printer driver described later, and the like.

  A font ROM of the ROM 304 or the external memory 312 stores font data used for the document processing, and a ROM 304 data ROM or the external memory 312 stores various data used for the document processing. Is memorized.

  A RAM 303 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 302. A keyboard controller (KBC) 306 controls key input from a keyboard 310 or a pointing device (not shown).

  A CRT controller (CRTC) 307 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 311.

  A disk controller (DKC) 308 controls access to the external memory 312.

  The external memory 312 includes a hard disk (HD) and a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) that store a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver), and the like. Represent.

  A printer controller (PRTC) 309 is connected to the printer 313 via a bidirectional interface (interface) 318 and executes communication control processing with the printer 313.

  The printer 313 is controlled by the CPU 314.

  The CPU 314 outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 322 connected to the system bus 317 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 316 or a control program stored in the external memory 324. Is output. Further, a control program of the CPU 314 is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 316. The font ROM stores font data used when generating the output information, and the data ROM is used on the host computer in the case of a printing apparatus that does not have an external memory 324 such as a hard disk. Information is stored. The CPU 314 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 319 and can notify the host computer 301 of information in the printing apparatus.

  The RAM 315 functions as a main memory of the CPU 314, a work area, or the like, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 315 is used for an output information expansion area, an environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like.

  Access to the external memory 324 such as the hard disk (HD) and the IC card described above is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 321. The external memory 324 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. In addition, the operation unit 323 is provided with a switch, an LED display, and the like for operation on the operation panel described above. Further, the external memory 324 described above is not limited to one, and a plurality of external memories 324 are provided, and a plurality of external memories storing an option card and a program for interpreting a printer control language having a different language system in addition to the built-in font can be connected. May be. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 323.

  FIG. 4 is a software configuration diagram showing an example of a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

  An application 402 and a transmission module 409 drawn inside the host computer 401 are stored in the ROM 304 or the external memory 312.

  In the application 402, a creation method storage unit 403 stores a case binding creation method. For example, the direction of the bag is set to the top or the ground, how many pages of signatures are created, where the post-processing mark is arranged at which coordinate, etc. are linked to the binding direction of the product, Store the request information before accepting it. Then, the request information receiving unit 404 receives the request information from the order management server 101 in a format such as Comma-Separated Values (CSV) or Job Definition Format (JDF) defined by the international standardization organization CIP4.

  The request information receiving unit 404 may simultaneously receive a print file such as a Portable Document Format (PDF) provided by Adobe Systems. The print file may be an image or a Word file format provided by Microsoft Corporation.

  The creation method determination unit 405 determines a creation method including the bag direction, the post-processing information addition position, and the printing order based on the request information received by the request information reception unit 404. Although the creation method determination flow will be described later, information on the determined creation method is passed to the imposition creation unit 406, the post-processing information addition unit 407, and the print instruction unit 408, and is used in the prepress process and the press process.

  The imposition creation unit 406 performs imposition of the submitted print file using the direction of the signature bag determined by the creation method determination unit, the binding direction and the number of foldings acquired from the request information.

  The post-processing information addition unit 407 uses the direction of the signature bag determined by the creation method determination unit and the binding direction and the number of folds acquired from the request information, and applies the imposition to the print file. Add post-processing information and save the file. The number of folds is often determined depending on the paper size in the printing room and the size of the print portion of the print file, and is often not included in the request information. The number of folds may be calculated by this means. The method for calculating the optimal number of folds is a known technique and will not be described here.

  The print instruction unit 408 issues a print instruction by switching from normal printing to reverse printing, if necessary, based on the direction of the signature bag determined by the creation method determination unit and the binding direction acquired from the request information. Normal printing is printing control in which the front side is facing down and the first page is output at the beginning of the paper outlet. Reverse printing is printing in which the front side is facing down and the first page is output at the end of the paper outlet. Assume control. However, if the front side is facing up and the first page is output at the end of the paper outlet, normal printing is used. Reverse printing is a printing method in which the front side is facing up and the first page is output at the beginning of the paper outlet. Point to. In any case, application of the present invention is not limited.

  The transmission module 409 connects to the printer 410 and transmits the print data generated by the above-described method, but the transmission module may be incorporated in the application 402.

  Next, request information handled by the user or application in the present embodiment and a user operation screen of the application will be described.

  FIG. 5 is an example of request information received by the request information receiving unit. Although the description is in the CSV format here, any description method or file format may be used.

  The order number is a unique ID for identifying the contents of the request. Information such as request date, delivery date, and requester is managed by the order server 201 in association with the order number.

  The product name 502 is a name indicating the form of the deliverable. The product name is used by the application 402 to determine the manufacturing process and to which printer or post-processing machine the job is to be transmitted.

  The binding direction 503 is information indicating the binding direction of the requested product. A creation method determination unit 405 is used to determine a creation method.

  The product name 504 and the quantity 505 are the product name and the number of orders specified by the requester, and are used for display on the screen on which the application 402 issues a manufacturing instruction.

  A paper basis weight 506, a paper color 507, and a paper type 508 are used to specify the type of paper used for the product, and the basic weight, color, and type of the body and the cover and the respective paper are specified.

  The page number 509 is the number of pages of the text of the product, and is used as a spine width parameter when the application issues a bookbinding instruction to the post-processing machine.

  The data 510 is a place on the file system of the print data used for printing the body, the cover, and is used when the application 402 instructs the printer to print.

  The binding direction information is preferably input as request information, but may be managed in a separate table in association with the order number. Any method may be used as long as it can be acquired by the application request information receiving unit 404.

  FIG. 6 is an example of a user operation screen of the application 402.

  The application 402 displays the request information received from the request information receiving unit 404 in a list on the operation screen. In the list, transmission instruction information to one printer or a finishing machine is displayed per line. For example, in the case of a request for a product made through a manufacturing process such as printing with a printer, folding with a folding machine, and binding with a bookbinding machine, this application prints a manual 1 print job, a manual 1 folding job, and a manual 1 bookbinding. The job is displayed in three lines and can be controlled.

  A send button 601 is a button for sending the job in the row selected in the check box 602 to the target printer / finishing machine.

  A check box 602 is a control used to select a job to be transmitted.

  Order No. Reference numeral 603 denotes information written in the request information in FIG. When there are multiple lines, it refers to another process of the same deliverable. For example, an order no. 00000023 displays a job sent to the printer 1, the folding machine, and the bookbinding machine over three lines. In this case, the printer 1 has a print job, and the folding machine has a folding job including folding settings. A bookbinding machine refers to a product with a bookbinding job that includes bookbinding settings.

  The product name 604 is the name of a book that uniquely identifies the product written in the request information.

  A device name 605 indicates a job transmission destination. Normally, a printer and a post-processing machine connected to the host computer 401 and the network are displayed in a combo box format, and the user can change as necessary.

  The status 606 is a column for presenting to the user whether or not transmission to each device has been completed, and what has been transmitted indicates that a job setting or print file has reached the target device.

  The status icon 607 is an icon indicating whether or not the device can be used. The status icon 607 is blue when the device is online and can process a job. The status icon 607 is red when the job cannot be processed due to an error. The situation is now understood.

  The device icon 608 is image data indicating an overview of the device, and the device can be easily identified in an environment using a plurality of devices.

  Here, the selected lines are displayed separately so that each process of one product can be controlled separately, but may be displayed on one line so that jobs related to one product can be controlled collectively. Absent. In addition, although the present invention relates to a product manufacturing method that involves folding and bookbinding, a product that does not involve folding or bookbinding may be included in the list. There is no effect even if there is another post-processing machine between the folding machine and bookbinding machine.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen for registering a device used in the application 402.

  In the device ID 701, an ID for identifying the device to be registered is input.

  In the device name 702, the device name displayed on the device icon 607 is input.

  In the model 703, a printer model is selected from a drop-down list. With this printer model 703, the device icon 608 can be selected from a plurality of device icons as appropriate for the model.

  The printer connection SDK 704 selects a processing method for transmitting a job. For example, it is possible to perform appropriate job transmission according to the device by selecting a command generation corresponding to the device such as transmitting a job by JDF or transmitting by a PS command and selecting a job transmission method according to the printer.

  The printing speed 705 designates the printing speed of the printer by PPM (Page Par Mine). By dividing the total number of pages of the job by this value, the approximate processing time of the job can be calculated.

  An OK button 706 is a button for ending input to this dialog and registering a new device in the application 402 according to the input content.

  A cancel button 707 is a button for interrupting input of this dialog and returning control to the application 402 without registering a device.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the tooltip 101 is displayed.

  In step 801, a device for which a tooltip is to be displayed is specified from the position of the mouse cursor, and its name is acquired. The name of the device is a name designated by the user in the device name 702.

  In step 802, the device name acquired in step 801 is set in the tooltip character string.

  In step 803, the status of the device indicated by the mouse cursor is acquired. The status is the same as the status displayed using the color with the status icon 606.

  In step 804, the status is added to the tooltip character string. If the status icon 606 is blue, the term “operating” is red, and if it is red, the term “stopped” is added.

  In step 805, license information for predicted time display is acquired. Here, it is assumed that the function execution can be controlled by applying a license for each function. For example, a license server is prepared as a license, and not only the activation permission is inquired when the application is activated, but the function execution availability information is also inquired to control the execution of each function.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 806, and it is determined in step 807 whether or not information capable of determining that the predicted time display can be executed has been acquired. If it is determined that the predicted time display can be performed, the process proceeds to step 807. If it is not determined that the predicted time display can be performed, the process proceeds to step 809. If the display of the processing time may always be performed, step 805 and step 806 are omitted, and the process proceeds directly from step 804 to step 807.

  In step 807, information on the predicted time is acquired. This process will be described separately with reference to FIG.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 808, and information on the predicted time acquired in step 807 is added to the text to be displayed on the tooltip.

  In step 809, the text of the tooltip generated in steps 801 to 808 is displayed in the tooltip.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process for obtaining the predicted print time in step 807 in the tooltip information generation process described with reference to FIG.

  In step 901, a device for which an estimated print time is to be obtained is selected. This device is the device that acquired the device name in step 801.

  In step 902, a variable for recording the total number of pages (referred to as variable A) is initialized to zero.

  From step 903 to step 911, processing is executed in order for the jobs registered in the job list.

  First, in step 904, the output destination device of the job currently being processed is acquired.

  In step 905, it is determined whether the output destination device of the job acquired in step 904 matches the device selected in step 901. If it is determined that they are the same device, the process proceeds to step 906; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 911.

  In step 906, status information 604 of the job to be processed in step 903 is acquired.

  In step 907, it is determined whether or not the status of the job acquired in step 906 is a target for the estimated time. When the job status that has been sent to the device is not included in the estimated time, it is determined whether the device status is the sent status. The status types such as transmission error and processing completion vary depending on the purpose of the system, but it is possible to determine the integration target in this step by defining the relationship between the status and the addition target in a table. . If the predicted time is an accumulation target, the process proceeds to step 908; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 911.

  In step 908, the number of pages of the job to be processed in step 903 is acquired.

  In step 909, the number of copies of the job to be processed in step 903 is acquired.

In step 901, the total number of pages of the job is calculated from the number of pages of the job acquired in step 908 and the number of copies of the job acquired in step 909, and is added to the variable A initialized in step 902. Specifically, the calculation is performed using the following formula.
New variable A value = current variable A value + (number of job pages) X (number of job copies)
Next, the process proceeds to step 911. If there is an unprocessed job in the job list, the process returns to step 903 to continue the process for the unprocessed job, and if there is no unprocessed job, the process proceeds to step 912.

  In step 912, the printing speed designated by the user at the printing speed 705 is acquired.

In step 913, the estimated processing time of the device is calculated according to the following equation.
(Predicted time) = (Value of variable A) / (Print speed)
The processing of the predicted time is more accurate, and the speed is adjusted according to the paper size and the like (for example, the processing time of A3 paper is twice that of A4 paper). It only affects the accuracy, and does not affect the device and job status display using the tooltip disclosed in the present invention.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of tooltip display according to the present invention.

  The tooltip 1001 is composed of three lines of text, and the device name, device status, and estimated time are displayed from the top.

201 Order management server 202 Host computer 203 Printer
205 bookbinding machine

Claims (1)

A device information display method for displaying device status,
A display method having device determination means for determining a device to be displayed and status acquisition means for acquiring the status of a device to be displayed, and displaying detailed information of the device by a mouse operation on an icon representing the device In
Job list generation means for generating a list of jobs related to the devices determined by the device determination means, job status acquisition means for acquiring the status of each job included in the job list, and acquisition of the number of pages of each job Page number acquisition means, copy number acquisition means for acquiring the number of copies of each job, and processing speed acquisition means for acquiring the processing speed of each device, the page number acquisition means, the number of copies acquisition means, and the processing speed acquisition By means of calculating the processing time of each job,
Calculate the total processing time of the jobs included in the job list generated by the job list generation means,
A device information display method comprising displaying a total of the processing times together with a device status on a tooltip.