JP2018028770A - Information processor and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor in which the sequence of processing for generating a medium is determined according to the priority in association with the risk generated by changing a normal delivery to an urgent delivery in delivering the created medium.SOLUTION: The determination means of the information processor determines the sequence of processing for generating a medium according to the priority in association with the risk generated by changing a normal delivery to an urgent delivery in delivering the created medium. The generation instruction means issues an instruction for generating the medium according to the sequence of processing determined by the determination means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-26853 has an object of automatically managing order reception and delivery date. Image data is processed on a personal computer, print order data for the processed image data is input, and printing is performed by the personal computer. Connect to finisher database and transfer image data and print order data to receiving workstation, and print finisher determines printer to use and print time on this printer based on print instruction data of print order data For each printer, the print order is determined based on the print time and desired delivery date / time instruction data, and if the desired delivery date is not satisfied in the print order, the order is canceled or the reorder with the changed order is selected. , Digital image data and print note Creating a print has been disclosed by the print order based on the data.

  Patent Document 2 is provided with a printer information DB (DataBase) for storing a printing schedule and location information of a printer, with an object of selecting a printer to execute printing according to the time required from a print request to delivery. A print request including print data and delivery destination information is received from the user terminal, the print end time prediction unit predicts the print end time when printing is performed for each printer, and the delivery time prediction unit determines the location of each printer. It is disclosed that the time required for delivery is predicted from the printer, and the output printer determination unit determines which printer is to print the print data based on the prediction result.

  In Patent Document 3, it is an object to assign printing and delivery of an ordered printed matter to a more appropriate mobile body and to deliver the ordered printed matter to a user earlier, and from a user side terminal via an order reception screen. Receives order information and print files, and calculates the deliverable date and time based on the delivery address, the current position of each mobile unit, and the delivery schedule for mobile units that can print with the specified paper type and paper size The mobile unit with the earliest calculated delivery date and time is selected as the mobile unit in charge of ordering, and the work instruction screen and the print file are transmitted to the mobile unit side terminal of the selected mobile unit. It is disclosed that printing and delivery of printed matter can be assigned to a more appropriate mobile body and the ordered printed matter can be delivered to the user earlier.

JP 2004-151712 A JP 2001-31393 A JP 2005-284937 A

An order is received, and a schedule for generating an ordered item such as a printed matter is managed in accordance with a delivery date.
By the way, there are normal delivery and emergency delivery to deliver orders. However, in the technique described in the patent document, the generation schedule is not managed in consideration of the difference between normal delivery and emergency delivery.
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and information for determining a processing order of generation using a priority associated with a risk that occurs when normal delivery is changed to emergency delivery when delivering a generated medium. The purpose is to provide a processing program.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
In the delivery of the generated medium, the processing order of the generation is determined using the first priority associated with the first risk that occurs when the normal delivery is changed to the emergency delivery. The information processing apparatus includes: a determination unit configured to perform an instruction for generating a medium according to the processing order determined by the determination unit.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the charges when normal delivery is changed to emergency delivery is used as the first risk.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first priority is calculated by using the first risk, a remaining time until a desired delivery date, and a time required for generation processing. is there.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the remaining medium that has not been determined by the determination means is delivered using the second priority associated with the second risk that occurs when the generated medium is not delivered in time for emergency delivery. A second determining unit that determines a processing order of the first and second generation units, wherein the generation instruction unit generates a medium according to the processing order determined by the determining unit and the processing order determined by the second determining unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction for performing the instruction is provided.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second risk uses an emergency delivery fee and a sales or profit generated by the generation request.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second priority is calculated using the second risk, a remaining time until a desired delivery date, and a time required for generation processing. is there.

  The invention of claim 7 is a decision to determine the processing order of the generation using the second priority associated with the second risk that occurs when the generated medium is not delivered in time for emergency delivery. And a generation instruction unit that issues an instruction to generate a medium in accordance with the processing order determined by the determination unit.

  The invention according to claim 8 is a process for generating the medium by using the first priority associated with the first risk that occurs when the computer changes the normal delivery to the emergency delivery when delivering the generated medium. An information processing program for functioning as a determination unit that determines an order and a generation instruction unit that instructs to generate a medium in accordance with the processing order determined by the determination unit.

  The invention of claim 9 uses the second priority associated with the second risk that occurs when the computer is unable to deliver the generated medium in time for emergency delivery, and uses the second priority associated with the second risk to be generated. An information processing program for functioning as a determination means for determining and a generation instruction means for instructing to generate a medium in accordance with the processing order determined by the determination means.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, when delivering the generated medium, the processing order of the generation is determined using the priority according to the risk that occurs when the normal delivery is changed to the emergency delivery. .

  According to the information processing apparatus of the second aspect, the difference between the charges when the normal delivery is changed to the emergency delivery is used as the risk.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the third aspect, the priority is calculated using the risk, the remaining time until the desired delivery date, and the time required for the generation process.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, in the delivery of the generated medium, the decision means decides using the second priority associated with the second risk that occurs when the emergency delivery is not in time. The remaining processing order that did not exist is determined.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the emergency delivery fee and the sales or profit are used as the second risk.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, the second priority is calculated using the second risk, the remaining time until the desired delivery date, and the time required for the generation process.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, when the generated medium is delivered, the generation processing order is determined using the priority associated with the risk that occurs when the emergency delivery is not in time.

  According to the information processing program of claim 8, when delivering the generated medium, the generation processing order is determined using the priority associated with the risk that occurs when the normal delivery is changed to the emergency delivery. .

  According to the information processing program of the ninth aspect, when the generated medium is delivered, the generation processing order is determined using the priority according to the risk that occurs when the emergency delivery is not in time.

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration example using this Embodiment. It is a workflow which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of an order information table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a delivery information table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a process queue job table. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example of the present embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment is a computer program for causing these modules to function (a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each means, and a function for each computer. This also serves as an explanation of the program and system and method for realizing the above. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. This means that control is performed so as to be stored in the apparatus. Modules may correspond to functions one-to-one, but in mounting, one module may be configured by one program, or a plurality of modules may be configured by one program, and conversely, one module May be composed of a plurality of programs. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, etc.). “Predetermined” means that the process is determined before the target process, and not only before the process according to this embodiment starts but also after the process according to this embodiment starts. Also, if it is before the target processing, it is used in accordance with the situation / status at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the status / status up to that point. When there are a plurality of “predetermined values”, they may be different values, or two or more values (of course, including all values) may be the same. In addition, the description of “do B when A” is used to mean “determine whether or not A and do B when A”. However, the case where it is not necessary to determine whether or not A is excluded.
In addition, the system or device is configured by connecting a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one correspondence communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, device. The case where it implement | achieves by etc. is also included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. Of course, the “system” does not include a social “mechanism” (social system) that is an artificial arrangement.
In addition, when performing a plurality of processes in each module or in each module, the target information is read from the storage device for each process, and the processing result is written to the storage device after performing the processing. is there. Therefore, description of reading from the storage device before processing and writing to the storage device after processing may be omitted. Here, the storage device may include a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage medium, a storage device via a communication line, a register in a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like.

  The information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment receives a medium generation request, generates a medium generation schedule, and outputs a medium generation instruction according to the schedule, which is shown in the example of FIG. The job reception module 105, the order information DB 110, the job information management module 115, the priority calculation module 120, the related information DB 125, the job processing management module 130, the job schedule change module 135, the job waiting job DB 140, and the job output module 145 Have. Here, “medium generation” may include storing electronic data on a medium (medium) in addition to printing electronic data on a medium (generally paper or the like) to generate a printed matter. Good. For example, the former corresponds to printing by the image forming apparatus 210 that is a printer, and the latter corresponds to a writing service (copy service, dubbing service, etc.) to a CD or the like. Hereinafter, when “medium generation” is exemplified, it means that a printed matter is generated.

The job reception module 105 is connected to the order information DB 110 and the job information management module 115. The job reception module 105 receives a print request (job) including order data from the user terminal. Here, the order data includes at least print data, delivery destination information, and desired delivery date. The desired delivery date is a delivery date desired by the user and is the latest delivery date.
The order information DB 110 is connected to the job reception module 105, the job information management module 115, and the priority calculation module 120. The order information DB 110 holds an order list including delivery destination information, sales amount, desired delivery date, and the like, which are data received by the job reception module 105. For example, an order information table 400 shown in the example of FIG. 4 to be described later is stored.

The job information management module 115 is connected to the job reception module 105, the order information DB 110, the priority calculation module 120, and the job processing management module 130. The job information management module 115 generates a medium generation processing order (so-called schedule) and provides it to the job processing management module 130. Note that, in order to generate the processing order of medium generation, the data received by the job reception module 105 (or data stored in the order information DB 110), the priority of each processing request calculated by the priority calculation module 120 (First priority (hereinafter also referred to as priority A), second priority (hereinafter also referred to as priority B)). Basically, print requests are arranged (scheduled) in order of desired delivery date. However, as shown below, the generation processing order is determined using the first priority or the second priority.
When delivering the generated medium, the job information management module 115 determines the generation processing order using the first priority associated with the first risk that occurs when the normal delivery is changed to the emergency delivery. To do.
Here, “accompanying” means that if the first risk is increased, the priority is also increased. For example, a monotonically increasing function such as a direct proportionality is applicable.
As the “first risk”, the difference between the charges when the normal delivery is changed to the emergency delivery may be used.
The “first priority” may be calculated using the first risk, the remaining time until the desired delivery date, and the time required for generation processing.
Then, when delivering the generated medium, the job information management module 115 uses the second priority associated with the second risk that occurs when the emergency delivery is not in time, and uses the first priority described above. The remaining processing order that has not been determined by the determination processing using may be determined.
Also, the job information management module 115 determines the generation processing order using the second priority associated with the second risk that occurs when the generated medium is not delivered in time for emergency delivery. You may make it do.
As the “second risk”, it may be possible to use an emergency delivery fee and a sales or profit generated by a generation request.
The “second priority” may be calculated using the second risk, the remaining time until the desired delivery date, and the time required for generation processing.

The priority calculation module 120 is connected to the order information DB 110, the job information management module 115, the related information DB 125, and the job schedule change module 135. The priority calculation module 120 uses the data stored in the order information DB 110 and the related information DB 125 according to the control of the job information management module 115 to set priorities (first priority and second priority). calculate.
The related information DB 125 is connected to the priority calculation module 120. The related information DB 125 holds related information on the delivery destination area, delivery date, and cost. For example, a delivery information table 500 shown in the example of FIG. 5 to be described later is stored.

The job processing management module 130 is connected to the job information management module 115, the job schedule change module 135, the processing waiting job DB 140, and the job output module 145. The job processing management module 130 manages the processing order of medium generation and the status of the processing.
The job schedule change module 135 is connected to the priority calculation module 120, the job processing management module 130, and the processing waiting job DB 140. The job schedule change module 135 changes the processing order of processing requests in accordance with the control of the job processing management module 130 or in response to the calculation result of the priority calculation module 120.
The processing waiting job DB 140 is connected to the job processing management module 130 and the job schedule change module 135. The processing waiting job DB 140 holds a processing waiting job list (with priority). For example, the process waiting job table 600 shown in the example of FIG.

The job output module 145 is connected to the job processing management module 130. The job output module 145 instructs the image forming apparatus 210 to generate a medium according to the processing order determined by the job information management module 115 (or the processing order changed by the job schedule change module 135). Do. That is, the job in the order is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 210.
In addition, the job output module 145 sends the image forming apparatus 210 to the image forming apparatus 210 according to the processing order determined by the determination process using the first priority and the processing order determined by the determination process using the second priority. An instruction for generating a medium may be issued.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration example using the present embodiment.
The information processing apparatus 100, the user terminal 250A, the user terminal 250B, and the user terminal 250C are connected via a communication line 290, respectively. The information processing apparatus 100 is connected to the image forming apparatus 210 and is operated by the operator 220. The user terminal 250 is operated by the user 260. The communication line 290 may be wireless, wired, or a combination thereof, and may be, for example, the Internet or an intranet as a communication infrastructure. Further, the function of the information processing apparatus 100 may be realized as a cloud service.

For example, the following processing is performed. This description is intended to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment.
The user 260A requests print processing using a browser. The user terminal 250 </ b> A transmits print processing to the information processing apparatus 100. The information processing apparatus 100 passes a print job to the image forming apparatus 210 according to the printing process. The image forming apparatus 210 performs printing to generate a printed material. The operator 220 delivers the printed material to the user 260A. Specifically, a delivery agent is requested to deliver (including mail) the printed matter. Therefore, delivery costs. The delivery cost refers to costs related to delivery such as postage cost, courier cost, and express delivery cost. In general, normal delivery and emergency delivery are prepared. Of course, emergency delivery takes less time to arrive than regular delivery. The cost of emergency delivery is higher than the cost of normal delivery.
The processing request may be transmitted from a plurality of user terminals 250. If the printing process is simply performed in the order of the desired delivery date, it may not be possible to deal with the situation (a situation where the delivery cannot be delivered on the desired delivery date). In that case, emergency delivery may be used.
Note that after the printing process is automated and a printing instruction is issued to the image forming apparatus 210, the process estimation and the processing order for the pre-press process at the previous stage and the subsequent printing (pressing) process are recognized. In addition, there is an increasing number of business models that deliver printed matter directly to a user 260 as a requester by specifying a due date, and the “delivery cost” is also recognized by the printing company (information processing apparatus 100, image forming apparatus 210 side). Is growing.
In the technique described in the above-mentioned patent document, jobs that have been input are processed in the order of input in the printing process, and job scheduling that considers the post-process (particularly the delivery process) cannot be performed. In addition, this delivery process has two elements, delivery time and cost, and it has been difficult to determine an optimal processing order each time.
Therefore, the information processing apparatus 100 calculates the “margin time” from the “delivery destination information” and “desired delivery date” provided from the upstream process to the shipping time after output in the printing process. By defining the “priority” in the process of the printing process in conjunction with the “time”, it is possible to realize a flexible response when an emergency response is required. In addition, regarding the calculation of “margin time”, two levels of “priorities” (first priority and second priority) that take into account both “delivery time” and “delivery cost” are defined. Even when trouble occurs, it is possible to reconfigure the processing order and provide the optimal processing order as a total including the cost.

FIG. 3 is a workflow showing an example of processing according to the present embodiment.
In step S <b> 302, the job reception module 105 receives the job 300 from the user terminal 250.
In step S <b> 304, the job reception module 105 writes to the order information DB 110. For example, the order information table 400 is written. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the order information table 400. The order information table 400 includes a job ID column 405, a requester ID column 410, a request document attribute column 415, a job sales (S) column 440, a delivery destination information column 445, and a desired delivery date column 450. The column 415 includes a page number column 420, a paper size column 425, a color / monochrome column 430, and a post-processing column 435. The job ID column 405 stores information (job ID: IDentification) for uniquely identifying the job in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the requester ID column 410 stores information (requester ID) for uniquely identifying the requester. The requested document attribute column 415 stores requested document attributes. The page number column 420 stores the number of pages. The paper size column 425 stores the paper size. The color / monochrome column 430 stores color or black and white. The post-processing column 435 stores post-processing (such as punching and bookbinding). The job sales (S) column 440 stores the sales (or profit) (S) of the job. The delivery destination information column 445 stores delivery destination information (such as a delivery address). The desired delivery date column 450 stores the delivery date desired by the user.

In step S306, the priority calculation module 120 uses the order information DB 110 (order information table 400) and the related information DB 125 (delivery information table 500) to calculate priorities.
In step S308, the job information management module 115 calculates a margin time using the order information DB 110 (order information table 400) and the related information DB 125 (delivery information table 500).
In step S310, the order information DB 110 and the related information DB 125 are read.
Below, the process of step S306, step S308, and step S310 is demonstrated.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the delivery information table 500. The delivery information table 500 includes a delivery destination column 505, a maximum weight column 510, a maximum size column 515, a normal delivery fee column 520, a normal delivery required date / time column 525, an emergency delivery fee column 530, and an emergency delivery required date / time column 535. Have. The delivery destination column 505 stores a delivery destination (prefecture, region, etc.). The maximum weight column 510 stores the maximum weight. The maximum size column 515 stores the maximum size. The normal delivery fee column 520 stores the normal delivery fee in the case of the delivery destination, the maximum weight, and the maximum size. The date and time required for normal delivery 525 stores the date and time required for normal delivery in the case of the delivery destination, maximum weight, and maximum size. The emergency delivery fee column 530 stores an emergency delivery fee in the case of the delivery destination, the maximum weight, and the maximum size. The date and time required for emergency delivery field 535 stores the date and time required for emergency delivery in the case of the delivery destination, maximum weight, and maximum size.

For example, the priority is calculated as follows.
As a prerequisite, there are the following variables.
-Estimated processing time for each job (T)
The processing time of each job can be calculated using the information in the request document attribute column 415 of the order information table 400, the processing capability of the image forming apparatus 210, and the like. For example, the estimated time includes a pre-processing step, a job processing step, and a post-processing step (bookbinding, inspection, etc.).
・ Wait time (W) to start processing each job
This is the time that the target job waits because the image forming apparatus 210 is being used by another job.
・ Remaining time until normal delivery (A)
The date and time required for normal delivery can be subtracted from the period from the present to the desired delivery date. The date and time required for normal delivery can be extracted from the delivery information table 500 using the request document attribute column 415 and the delivery destination information column 445 of the order information table 400.
・ Remaining time until emergency delivery in case of late delivery (B)
The date and time required for emergency delivery may be subtracted from the period from the present to the desired delivery date. The date and time required for emergency delivery can be extracted from the delivery information table 500 using the request document attribute column 415, the delivery destination information column 445, etc. of the order information table 400.
・ Normal delivery cost (CA)
It can be extracted from the delivery information table 500.
・ Cost of emergency delivery (CB)
It can be extracted from the delivery information table 500.
・ Sales amount of each job (S)
It can be calculated using the request document attribute column 415 of the order information table 400 or the like.

この「緊急配達のコスト（ＣＢ）−通常配達のコスト（ＣＡ）」は、通常配達を緊急配達にした場合の料金の差額であり、第１のリスクの例示である。そして、（式１）は、第１のリスクと希望納期までの残時間と生成の処理にかかる時間を用いた算出式の例示である。 The priority A is a risk cost (RA) until normal delivery.
The risk cost (RA) until normal delivery is calculated using (Equation 1).

This “cost of urgent delivery (CB) −cost of normal delivery (CA)” is a difference between charges when normal delivery is made emergency delivery, and is an example of the first risk. (Formula 1) is an example of a calculation formula using the first risk, the remaining time until the desired delivery date, and the time required for the generation process.

この「緊急配達のコスト（ＣＢ）＋各ジョブの売上額（Ｓ）」は、緊急配達の料金と生成の依頼によって発生する売上又は利益であり、第２のリスクの例示である。そして、（式２）は、第２のリスクと希望納期までの残時間と生成の処理にかかる時間を用いた算出式の例示である。なお、各ジョブの売上額（Ｓ）は、いわゆる失注によるコストである。この変数を加えるのは、万が一の失注リスクに備えるためである。 The priority B is a risk cost (RB) until emergency delivery.
The risk cost (RB) until emergency delivery is calculated using (Formula 2).

This “emergency delivery cost (CB) + sales amount of each job (S)” is the sales or profit generated by the emergency delivery fee and the request for generation, and is an example of the second risk. (Expression 2) is an example of a calculation expression using the second risk, the remaining time until the desired delivery date, and the time required for generation processing. Note that the sales amount (S) of each job is a so-called lost cost. The reason for adding this variable is to be prepared for the risk of lost money.

In step S312, the job information management module 115 writes the process waiting job table 600 to the process waiting job DB 140. The job queue table 600 is generated by the processes in steps S306 and S308.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the job queue table 600 to be processed.
The waiting job table 600 includes a job ID column 605, job sales (S) [yen] column 610, estimated processing time (T) [minutes] column 615, waiting time until processing starts (W) [minutes] column 620, Remaining time until normal delivery (A) [minute] field 625, normal delivery cost (CA) [yen] field 630, (priority A) risk cost until normal delivery (RA) [yen] field 635, until emergency delivery The remaining time (B) [minutes] column 640, emergency delivery cost (CB) [yen] column 645, (priority B) risk cost (RB) [yen] column 650 until emergency delivery. The job ID column 605 stores a job ID. The job sales (S) [yen] column 610 stores the sales (or profit) of the job. The estimated processing time (T) [minute] column 615 stores the estimated processing time (T). The waiting time (W) [minute] column 620 until the start of processing stores the waiting time (W) until the start of processing. Time remaining until normal delivery (A) [minute] column 625 stores the time remaining until normal delivery (A). The normal delivery cost (CA) [yen] column 630 stores the normal delivery cost (CA). (Priority A) Risk cost (RA) until normal delivery [yen] column 635 stores (Priority A) Risk cost (RA) until normal delivery. Remaining time until emergency delivery (B) [minute] column 640 stores the remaining time (B) until emergency delivery. The emergency delivery cost (CB) [yen] column 645 stores the emergency delivery cost (CB). (Priority B) Risk cost to emergency delivery (RB) [yen] column 650 stores (Priority B) Risk cost to emergency delivery (RB).

In step S <b> 314, the job schedule change module 135 changes (or creates) the job schedule according to the control by the job processing management module 130. In the first processing, a job schedule generated by the processing queue job table 600 and the flowchart shown in the example of FIG. 7 (which may be FIG. 8 or FIG. 9) is created. If “Yes” is determined in step S324, that is, if processing is performed for the second and subsequent times, it is determined whether or not a change is necessary, and the job schedule is changed if necessary.
In step S316, the job schedule change module 135 writes the changed (or created) job schedule to the processing-waiting job DB 140.
In step S 318, step S 320, and step S 322, the job output module 145 outputs a job to the image forming apparatus 210 according to the job schedule in the process waiting job DB 140.

In step S324, the job processing management module 130 determines whether or not to perform rechecking. If so, the process returns to step S306, and otherwise returns to step S318.
As the timing at which the recheck is executed (condition that becomes “Yes” in step S324), for example, “when a new job 300 is received”, “when a predetermined period has passed”, “operator 220” "When there is a change request operation by", "When there is a failure of the image forming apparatus 210", "When the difference between the job processing time and the estimated processing time is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value" And so on. Note that these exemplified timings (conditions) may be any one, or a plurality may be combined.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the present embodiment. A processing example for generating a job schedule using the priority A is shown.
In step S702, priority A is calculated from the order information and delivery information. Stored in the (priority A) risk cost (RA) [yen] column 635 until normal delivery of the job queue 600 for processing.
In step S704, it is determined whether or not there is a priority A equal to or higher than the threshold value. If there is, the process proceeds to step S706, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S710. The threshold value is a predetermined value and may be set by the operator 220 or the like.
In step S706, the job having the highest priority A is changed to the head of the job waiting to be processed.
In step S708, it is determined whether there is any other priority A that is equal to or higher than the threshold value. If there is, the process returns to step S704. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S710.
In step S710, the process waits until a predetermined timing, and returns to step S702. This is processing corresponding to step S324.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to this embodiment. A processing example for generating a job schedule using the priority B is shown.
In step S802, priority B is calculated from the order information and delivery information. Stored in the (priority B) risk cost (RB) [yen] column 650 until emergency delivery in the job queue 600 for processing.
In step S804, it is determined whether or not there is a priority B equal to or higher than the threshold value. If there is, the process proceeds to step S806, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S810. The threshold value is a predetermined value and may be set by the operator 220 or the like.
In step S806, the job having the highest priority B is changed to the head of the job waiting to be processed.
In step S808, it is determined whether there is any other priority B that is equal to or higher than the threshold value. If yes, the process returns to step S804. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S810.
In step S810, the process waits until a predetermined timing and returns to step S802. This is processing corresponding to step S324.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the present embodiment. An example of processing for generating a job schedule using both priority A and priority B is shown.
In step S902, priority A and priority B are calculated from the order information and delivery information. The priority A is stored in the (priority A) risk cost (RA) [yen] column 635 of the waiting job table 600, and the priority B is the (priority B) emergency delivery in the waiting job table 600. Risk cost (RB) [yen] column 650.
In step S904, it is determined whether or not there is a priority A equal to or higher than the threshold value. If there is, the process proceeds to step S906, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S910. The threshold value is a predetermined value and may be set by the operator 220 or the like.
In step S906, the job with the highest priority A is changed to the head of the job waiting for processing.
In step S908, it is determined whether there is any other priority A that is equal to or higher than the threshold value. If yes, the process returns to step S904, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S910.

In step S910, it is determined whether or not there is a priority B equal to or higher than the threshold value. If there is, the process proceeds to step S912, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S916. The threshold value is a predetermined value and may be set by the operator 220 or the like. Of course, it may be a value different from the threshold value used in step S904.
In step S912, the job having the highest priority B is changed to the head of the job waiting for processing.
In step S914, it is determined whether there is any other priority B equal to or higher than the threshold value. If there is, the process returns to step S910, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S916.
In step S916, the process waits until a predetermined timing, and returns to step S902. This is processing corresponding to step S324.

  A hardware configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 10 is configured by, for example, a personal computer (PC), and illustrates a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1017 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1018 such as a printer.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001 includes various modules described in the above-described embodiments, that is, a job reception module 105, a job information management module 115, a priority calculation module 120, a job processing management module 130, and a job schedule change module. 135, a control unit that executes processing according to a computer program describing an execution sequence of each module such as the job output module 145.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002 stores programs used by the CPU 1001, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1001, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1004 including a CPU bus or the like.

  The host bus 1004 is connected to an external bus 1006 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 1005.

  A keyboard 1008 and a pointing device 1009 such as a mouse are devices operated by an operator. The display 1010 includes a liquid crystal display device or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various types of information as text or image information. Further, a touch screen or the like having both functions of the pointing device 1009 and the display 1010 may be used.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1011 includes a hard disk (may be a flash memory or the like), drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1001 and information. The hard disk realizes functions as an order information DB 110, a related information DB 125, a process waiting job DB 140, and the like. Further, various other data, various computer programs, and the like are stored.

  The drive 1012 reads data or a program recorded on a removable recording medium 1013 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and the data or program is read out to the interface 1007 and the external bus 1006. , The bridge 1005, and the RAM 1003 connected via the host bus 1004. Note that the removable recording medium 1013 can also be used as a data recording area.

  The connection port 1014 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1015 and has a connection unit such as USB and IEEE1394. The connection port 1014 is connected to the CPU 1001 and the like via the interface 1007, the external bus 1006, the bridge 1005, the host bus 1004, and the like. The communication unit 1016 is connected to a communication line and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1017 is a scanner, for example, and executes document reading processing. The data output unit 1018 is a printer, for example, and executes document data output processing.

  Note that the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 10 illustrates one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. Any configuration can be used. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line In addition, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 10 may be connected to each other via communication lines so as to cooperate with each other. In particular, in addition to personal computers, portable information communication devices (including mobile phones, smartphones, mobile devices, wearable computers, etc.), information appliances, robots, copiers, fax machines, scanners, printers, multifunction devices (scanners, printers, An image processing apparatus having two or more functions such as a copying machine and a fax machine) may be incorporated.

  In addition, in the comparison processing in the description of the above-described embodiment, “more than”, “less than”, “greater than”, and “less than (less than)” The values may be “larger”, “smaller (less than)”, “more than”, and “less than”, respectively.

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)) )), Flash memory, Random access memory (RAM) SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like.
Then, the whole or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, or a wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part or all of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Information processing apparatus 105 ... Job reception module 110 ... Order information DB
115: Job information management module 120 ... Priority calculation module 125 ... Related information DB
130 ... Job processing management module 135 ... Job schedule change module 140 ... Processing queue job DB
145 ... Job output module 210 ... Image forming apparatus 220 ... Operator 250 ... User terminal 260 ... User 290 ... Communication line

Claims (9)

A determination means for determining the processing order of the generation using the first priority associated with the first risk that occurs when the normal delivery is changed to the emergency delivery in delivering the generated medium;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a generation instruction unit that instructs to generate a medium in accordance with the processing order determined by the determination unit. As the first risk, the difference between charges when normal delivery is changed to emergency delivery is used.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The first priority is calculated using the first risk, a remaining time until a desired delivery date, and a time required for generation processing.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. In delivering the generated medium, a second priority that is determined by the determining means is used to determine the remaining processing order that is not determined by the determining means, using the second priority associated with the second risk that occurs when the emergency delivery is not in time. Further comprising two determining means,
The generation instruction means gives an instruction to generate a medium according to the processing order determined by the determination means and the processing order determined by the second determination means.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. As the second risk, an emergency delivery fee and sales or profit generated by the request for generation are used.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. The second priority is calculated using the second risk, the remaining time until the desired delivery date, and the time required for generation processing.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. Determining means for determining the processing order of the generation using the second priority associated with the second risk that occurs when the generated medium is not delivered in time for emergency delivery;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a generation instruction unit that instructs to generate a medium in accordance with the processing order determined by the determination unit. Computer
A determination means for determining the processing order of the generation using the first priority associated with the first risk that occurs when the normal delivery is changed to the emergency delivery in delivering the generated medium;
An information processing program for functioning as a generation instruction unit that issues an instruction to generate a medium in accordance with the processing order determined by the determination unit. Computer
Determining means for determining the processing order of the generation using the second priority associated with the second risk that occurs when the generated medium is not delivered in time for emergency delivery;
An information processing program for functioning as a generation instruction unit that issues an instruction to generate a medium in accordance with the processing order determined by the determination unit.

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