JP3462925B2 - Copy management system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copy management system which undertakes a plurality of recording jobs such as copying and printing, systematizes a plurality of recording devices and post-processing devices, and efficiently processes job allocation. More specifically, when a new job is accepted and assigned, and if it is confirmed that there is an imbalance in the allocation status, the imbalance is distributed to other executable machines with a small allocation count and corrected. Regarding the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, copy contents have become more and more diversified and have become complicated due to an increase in copy request contents and their items. Similarly, in the business of contracting and executing recording jobs such as copying and printing, the increase of copying requests,
The diversification of requests and the increase in the size of copy centers are progressing. In such an environment, the copy request work is performed as follows.

At the request reception, the request contents are written in a predetermined request slip, and the operator checks whether the contents are deficient or missing. If the request content is incorrect, the requester is re-inquired to complete the request slip. In addition, when assigning a job to a requested job, pay attention while confirming the contents of the request slip and usually relying on the intuition of the business manager or constantly monitoring the work status at the work site. Furthermore, the machine administrator understands the characteristics of the machine and assigns jobs empirically.

Further, as reference technical documents related to conventional copy management systems, for example, the following are known. Firstly, the work at each work site is performed based on the acceptance device for inputting the copy request content, the work terminal device for inputting the work information at each work site, and the copy request content and the work status at each work site. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-74556 discloses a copying work management system including a work allocating means for allocating and further a work display means for displaying information on the allocated work.

Secondly, when the work time is reserved at each work site corresponding to the work process set by the copy request content, if there is a vacant time corresponding to the number of man-hours from the work site corresponding to the later process, If a reservation is made and the reservation is not established, jobs that have already been registered are moved from a work site corresponding to a later process, and reservations are sequentially made while securing free time. Furthermore, if the reservation is not established,
Make reservations sequentially from the work site corresponding to the previous process while securing free time. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-21
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7365.

Thirdly, a work time zone allocation reservation is made by referring to a reservation table in which work time zone reservations corresponding to respective work sites set by the copy request contents are recorded, and the requester is requested based on the reservation information. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-21 for managing work of copy requests such as delivery date reply and work progress management
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7366.

Fourthly, the reservation table holding the reserved time slot corresponding to the work content is searched from the later process toward the previous process, and there is a vacant time larger than the calculated man-hour. JP-A-1
It is disclosed in JP-A-217367.

Fifthly, when reservations are not established, it is assumed that reservations are sequentially made while moving a registered job from a work site corresponding to a later process to secure a vacant time. It is disclosed in the official gazette.

Sixth, the work information based on the reservation contents is displayed at each work site, and the difference between the reserved time zone and the current time can be displayed so that the worker can confirm the progress status of the work. JP-A-1-219 has made it possible to work while
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 850.

Seventhly, when there is a vacant time corresponding to the number of man-hours from a work site corresponding to a later process, reservations are sequentially made,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-697731 discloses that when reservations are not established, reservations are sequentially made while securing a free time from a work site corresponding to a previous process.

Eighth, work reservation processing and management processing are performed, and at the same time, the fact that the work is disabled is reported from each work site, and the information is reflected in the reservation processing / management processing to ensure accurate reservation processing / Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-6 for performing management processing
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 9774.

Ninth, it comprises a reception terminal device, a work terminal device, a centralized control device, an optical reading device, a display means, a keyboard device, and a reception processing means. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-697 discloses that an optical reading device reads the contents of a copy request, performs various reception processes, and performs a reservation process and a management process for each work site based on input information from each terminal device.
No. 75 publication.

[0013]

However, in the conventional copy management system as described above, when a new job is accepted after the job allocation, the job is re-executed in any case. Since it does not have an allocation function, it had the following problems.

That is, when a new job can be executed only by a specific recording device and operator, the new job is unconditionally assigned to the recording device and operator. However, since there is a job that has already been assigned to the recording device and the operator by this assignment, the load on the recording device and the operator is deviated more than the loads on other recording devices. Load imbalance. For this reason, it is impossible to efficiently execute a requested job in a well-balanced manner by using a machine such as a recording device whose system is improved. In other words,
There was a problem that it was not possible to make the most of the resources that humans and materials possess.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and averages the allocation to the machines such as the systemized recording apparatus to enable the optimum allocation of human and physical resources, and the job execution. The purpose is to improve the efficiency of.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, in a copy management system according to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of recording jobs such as copy printing are processed by making full use of a plurality of recording devices. In a copy management system, a job man-hour calculation means for calculating a processing man-hour of a new job requested by a user, and a job required time calculation for predicting a required time of the new job based on the man-hour calculated by the job man-hour calculating means Means, an allocating means for allocating a job to any of the recording devices based on the calculated job required time, and a job executable only for a specific recording device.
When receiving a blanking, the allocation unit determines whether does not occur an imbalance in the respective load state between the recording device assigned by, during the imbalance, and assigned to heavily loaded said recording device Management means for instructing the allocating means to reallocate the existing job so as to move the job to a recording apparatus that can execute less load.

In the copy management system according to the second aspect of the invention, the management means may be arranged such that when the allocation of the new job causes an imbalance in the allocation of jobs of the recording devices,
The completion time of jobs distributed to all recording devices is predicted, and after confirming that the predicted result satisfies the desired delivery date of all jobs, reallocation processing is executed.

In the copy management system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the management means reallocates the job when allocation of a new job causes imbalance in job allocation of each recording device. The job is executed before a predetermined time when there is no job to be executed by one recording device. In addition,
In the copy management system according to claim 4, copy printing, etc.
Process multiple recording jobs using multiple recording devices
Requested by the user for the copy management system
Job man-hour calculation means for calculating the processing man-hour of a new job
Based on the man-hours calculated by the job man-hour calculation means.
Based on the job requirements, estimate the required time for the new job
Based on the time calculation means and the calculated job required time
Assigning a job to one of the recording devices
Between the step and the recording device assigned by the assigning means.
Whether there is an imbalance in each load condition in
In the case of imbalance, the recording device with a large load
A low-load record that can execute assigned jobs
The allocating means for reallocating to move to the device
Management means for instructing to
By assigning jobs, you can assign jobs to each recording device.
Reassignment in the event of an imbalance, one of the records
Executed a predetermined time before there are no jobs to be executed by the device
It is a thing.

[0019]

A copy management system according to the present invention (claim 1)
Sets the execution start time of a job to be executed to a plurality of recording devices and an operator, and when a new job can be executed by a specific recording device and an operator, the new job is executed to the specific recording device. And assign it to the operator.
As a result of the allocation, even if the predicted execution completion time of the already allocated job does not exceed the finish time of the requester, if a significant imbalance occurs in the job allocation among the recording devices, the above specific recording device Also, among jobs assigned to the operator, the jobs are reassigned to other recording devices and operators that can execute the job, so that the assignment of the system-updated recording devices to the machines is averaged. You can

Further, in the copy management system according to the present invention (claim 2), when the allocation of a new job causes a deviation in the number of job allocations of the recording apparatus, that is, the load to be executed, all the recording apparatuses. Since the completion time of the jobs assigned to the job is predicted and the predicted result satisfies the desired delivery dates of all the jobs, the reallocation processing is executed, so that unnecessary job movement can be eliminated.

In the copy management system according to the present invention (claim 3), the allocation number of jobs of each recording device, that is, the averaging in the case where the load of the execution target is deviated due to the allocation of the new job. Reallocation process for
Since the job to be executed by any one of the recording devices is executed a predetermined time before it is completed, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary job movement.

[0022]

【Example】

(System Configuration of Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a copy management system according to the present invention. Moreover, FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the copy management system in FIG. In the figure, 101 is a copying machine A, 102 is a copying machine B, 103 is a copying machine C, and 104 is a copying machine D, which have the same or different configurations. For example, in this embodiment,
The copying machine A is equipped with a duplex unit and a sorter, the copying machine B is a finisher type having an RDH type ADF device, the copying machine C is a digital copying machine capable of various image processing such as image editing, and the copying machine D is full color. Use a combination such as a color copier that can output copies. Also,
A post-processing device 105 performs post-processing such as punching, folding, inserting paper, gluing, binding, and binding. That is, in this embodiment, the copying machines A to D and the post-processing device 105 are used as the plurality of recording devices.

Further, the copying machines A to D and the post-processing device 1
05, terminal devices 106 to 110 are connected to a communication control unit 113 of a central management device 112 as a management means via a communication line 111. Further, the following units are connected to the central management device 112. That is, the display device 114, the output device 115, the input device 116, the reading device 117, the OCR (optical character reading device) 118, the storage device 119, and the external interface unit 120 are connected.

The display device 114 is related to the mode / process content of the central management device 112 such as reservation scheduling table display, request content input screen, inquiry information, copy request slip display, copy request content, logging data of each copying machine. An LCD, CRT or the like is used to display the contents to be displayed. The output device 115 uses a printer to output a copy request slip, copy request contents, a work instruction document for the copy request, and the like. The input device 116 uses a keyboard, a mouse, a pen key input, etc. for inputting various job data when receiving a copy request or inquiring a copy request, inputting copy request search data, and various commands. The reading device 117 reads the copy request contents, image data to be copied, and the like via a storage medium such as an IC card, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a magnetic card. The OCR 118 is composed of a reading unit that optically reads the description / display data and a recognition processing unit that recognizes the read information in order to read the copy request content and the like.

The storage device 119 includes the input device 116,
Image data, copy request contents, department management data, system configuration data, man-hour data, worker information, requested department / person code No., reservation information, and other data stored by the input device such as the reading device 117 and OCR 118 are stored and retained. For this purpose, a magnetic memory (hard disk), a magneto-optical memory, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic tape or the like is used. The external interface unit 120 is for receiving job reservations from external workstations, receiving job inquiry information, etc., and sending and displaying information in real time from the reception terminal device 201 to external workstations by mail, etc.
It forms a network that uses AN and communication lines.

Reference numeral 121 is a communication line connected to the external interface unit 120. Also, 201
Is the central management device 112 and the communication control unit 11
3, display device 114, output device 115, input device 11
6, storage device 119, external interface unit 1
It is a reception terminal device composed of 20.

(Basic Operation of System) In the above-mentioned configuration, the copying machine A101 to copying machine D104 and the post-processing device 10
Not only with hardware such as 5, but also with a small number of copies, or with a post-processing device 105 that is not compatible with post-processing, a workbench is provided to perform paper folding, punching, and finishing by the operator's acquisition. It is possible. In addition, when assigning jobs, locations and workers are assigned to this workbench. Further, a terminal device is arranged on this workbench, and an instruction of work contents, a job start signal, a job end signal, and a trouble occurrence signal are executed via the terminal device.

Further, in the above configuration, the polling address included in the transmission data of the central control unit 112 causes the command signal included in the transmission data to be included only when the address is assigned in advance to each of the copying machines A to D. In response, execute processing such as transmission. Similarly, data transmitted from an arbitrary copying machine can be provided by adding a machine address to the transmission data. That is, regardless of the number of copying machines A to D connected to the central management apparatus 112, bidirectional communication between the central management apparatus 112 and any copying machine is possible.

(Structure of Copying Machine) FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a copying machine equipped with a bookbinding machine as an example of the copying machine. This copying machine is systemized by a copying machine main body 300, an optional tray 330, and a bookbinding machine 350. The copying machine body 300 is a digital copying machine type device. In the figure, 301 is a recycle type document feeder (RDH), 302 is a platen glass on which a document is placed, 303 is a document optically read by a CCD,
A scanner for converting and outputting electric signal image data, 30
Reference numeral 4 is a laser writing unit that modulates a laser diode according to image data and outputs a laser beam, 305 is a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, 306 is a charger, 307 is a developing unit, and 308 is a transfer unit. Belt, 3
09 is a cleaning unit, 310 is a fixing unit,
Reference numerals 311 and 312 denote branch claws. Further, 313 is a registration roller, and 314 is a paper feeding device built in the main body composed of paper feeding trays 315 to 318, double-sided tray 319 and the like.

The optional tray 330 is the main body 3 of the copying machine.
The tray 331 is installed on the paper feeding side of the tray 00 and is for feeding a large amount of recording paper separately from the paper feeding device 314.
To 334 are prepared, and their transport paths are configured to be relayed to the registration rollers 313.

The bookbinding machine 350 is installed on the paper discharge side of the copying machine main body 300. In the figure, 351 is a bookbinding machine 35.
A branching claw provided near the 0 entrance, 352 is a discharge tray, 3
53 is a staple tray, 354 is a brush roller, 35
5 is a stapler, 356 is a reference member, 358 is a sheet folding device, 359 is a conveying path, 360 is a first folding stopper, 361 is a pressure contact roller, 362 is a folding roller, 3
63 is a drive motor for stapling, 364 is a conveyance path,
Reference numeral 370 is a drive motor for folding, and reference numeral 371 is a branching claw provided between the conveyance paths on the lower surface of the stack of the staple unit.

Reference numeral 365 is a back tape adhering portion,
It is composed of a tape attaching section 366 and a tape folding section 367 (see FIG. 4).

(Operation of Copying Machine) Next, the operation of the copying machine configured as described above will be described. Photoconductor drum 3
Reference numeral 05 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft (not shown) and rotates clockwise in response to a copy start command or the like. Almost at the same time, a document to be copied is conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen glass 302 by the RDH 301, and is exposed and scanned by the scanner 303. At this time, the reflected light of the original obtained by the exposure illumination is the CCD
Read and output as image data. Further, a laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 305 by the laser writing unit 304 based on the image data.

On the other hand, prior to this, since the surface of the photosensitive drum 305 is uniformly charged by the charging charger 306, an electrostatic latent image is formed by the potential distribution corresponding to the optical image by the laser beam. Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 305 is visualized (toner image) by the toner contained in the developing unit 307. At this time, a developing bias potential is applied to the developing bias line of the developing unit 307 to control the amount of toner adhered to the photosensitive drum 305, thereby adjusting the grayscale image.

Further, in parallel with the image forming process, the recording paper is fed and conveyed from the paper feeding device 314 or the option tray 330. That is, the paper feed trays 315 to 31
8, the recording paper from any one of the trays 331 to 314 and the double-sided tray 319 is selected, and the paper is fed at a predetermined paper feed timing. For example, when the paper is fed from the paper feed tray 315, the paper is fed by the paper feed operation of the paper feed tray 315, and the fed recording paper is sent to the registration rollers 313 via the conveyance path. The recording sheet is subjected to skew feed correction (skew correction) by coming into contact with the nip portion of the registration roller 313 that is stopped, and then is registered at the timing when the positional relationship matches the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 305. It is conveyed by restarting the roller 313.

Next, the recording paper is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 305 and comes into close contact therewith, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 305 is transferred onto the recording paper by the action of the transfer belt 308. Next, the recording paper is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 305, and the separated recording paper is sent to the fixing unit 310. In the fixing unit 310, heat and pressure are applied to the recording paper by a fixing roller and a pressure roller to fix the toner image on the recording paper, and then the paper is ejected to the outside of the machine (bookbinding machine 350), or both sides are ejected. In the case of copying, it is conveyed to the double-sided tray 319 side.

After the transfer processing, the surface of the photosensitive drum 305 has residual toner and paper dust after the transfer attached. Therefore, the cleaning unit 309 collects the adhering substances such as residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 305. After that, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 305 is made uniform, and a standby state is prepared for the next copying process.

(Operation of Bookbinding Machine) Next, the operation of the bookbinding machine 350 will be described. The recording paper discharged from the copying machine main body 300 is guided upward by the branching claw 351 and directly discharged to the paper discharge tray 352 when post-processing is unnecessary. On the other hand, when the recording papers are guided downward by the branching claws 351, they are stacked on a staple tray 353 that is inclined so that the left side in the figure is upward.
The recording paper discharged to the staple tray 353 is moved downward by gravity and the rotation of the brush roller 354, and further abuts against the reference member 356 and stands still. When the recording papers are stacked on the staple tray 353, a jogger (not shown) provided on the side of the recording papers cooperates with the reference member 356 to stack a plurality of recording papers at the end and The parts are aligned and stacked at a predetermined position.

The reference member 356 is movable along the staple tray 353, and is side-stitched (end-stitched).
In the case of (1), the reference member 356 is moved to a predetermined position corresponding to the size by the rotation of the drive motor 363 in the case of saddle stitching (center binding), and the stapling process is performed. The recording paper after the staple processing is conveyed upward along the staple tray 353 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 352. In the case of saddle stitching, the staple tray 3
Paper folding device 35 provided on the discharge path from 53
8 is folded in half at the binding portion, and the conveyance path 359
It can also be ejected in the form of so-called "saddle-stitched" binding.

In the above-described sheet folding, the recording paper is gripped from the central portion (binding portion) to the folding roller 362 by the first pressing stopper 360 of the conveying path and the roller pressure contact from the back of the conveying belt, and then to the conveying path 359. It is done by proceeding. First by drive motor 370
By displacing the folding stopper 360, various sizes of recording paper can be folded from the center thereof.

A branch claw 371 is provided below the stacking surface of the staple tray 353, and the recording paper after stacking or stapling is conveyed upward by a predetermined amount, and thereafter,
When the branch claw 371 is opened and the paper is fed backward, the recording paper is guided to the rear tape applying portion 365 through the conveying path 364.

The recording paper conveyed to the back tape adhering section 365 stops when the leading edge reaches the tape adhering section 366, and as shown in FIG. It is attached so that the direction sticks out. Then, the recording paper is sent to the tape folding unit 367, the tape is folded to the side surface of the recording paper bundle, and to the opposite surface to the pasting surface, and the pasting is completed to complete the back-tape binding, and the paper is ejected. It is discharged onto the tray 352.

(Structure of Control System of Copying Machine) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of the control system of a plurality of copying machines connected to the central management unit 112. In the figure, reference numeral 601 is a main control unit that executes control of the entire copying machine. This main control unit 6
01 includes an operation control unit 602, an optical control unit 603,
AC control unit 604, storage unit 605 such as ROM, RAM, and non-volatile RAM, and sensor 60 for detecting the state of each part
6 and the load Sol (solenoid) / motor 607
The communication control unit 113 is connected to the state detection unit 608 that detects an abnormal state of the copying machine and its recovery state. Further, the operation control unit 602 is connected with a key SW 609 for allowing the operator to manually input a change in the copying machine state in addition to the copying machine mode setting, a display unit 610 such as an LCD or LED, and a pressure plate detection SW 611. Has been done.

Further, the optical control unit 603 has a lens motor 612 for changing the lens position, a scanner motor 613 for scanning the carriage, and an APS sensor (1).
614 and APS sensor (2) 615 are connected.
Further, the AC control unit 604 includes an exposure lamp 616, a fixing heater 617, a main motor 618, and a developing motor 61.
9, a conveyance motor 620, and a paper feed motor 621 are connected.

(Operation of Control System of Copying Machine) Next, the operation of the control system of the copying machine configured as described above will be described. For example, when the main control unit 601 is operated by an operation unit (not shown), the input data is input via the operation control unit 602, and each unit via the optical control unit 603 or the AC control unit 604. The control signal is output to and the corresponding control is executed. Also, necessary display data is output via the operation control unit 602.

Further, the communication control unit 113 executes transmission / reception of signals with the central management unit 112,
For example, a parallel signal is converted into a serial signal when a signal is output, a serial signal is converted into a parallel signal when a signal is input, and conversion between a TTL level and a RS232C level signal level is performed. The communication control unit 113 is generally controlled by the main controller 601 for transmission and reception, but this is not always the case.

Even if the reception terminal device 201 does not have a means for connecting to the central management unit 112 on the copy machine side (a state in which it is not supported by hardware or software), this reception terminal device 201 201 allows the communication control unit 113 to send and receive data to and from the central management device 112. And the reception terminal device 2
01 can input information from the copying machine side from the keyboard and send it to the central management unit 112. On the contrary, instructions, commands, various information and the like from the central management device 112 to the copying machine are also displayed on the display device of the reception terminal device 201 so that the operator can be given instructions, commands and reference information. .

Further, even if the copying machine and the central control unit 112 are connected, the above function is not suitable for the display of the copying machine to input or display each information or data (characters). It is effective even in the case of non-display, fixed pattern, small screen size, etc.). Further, the state detection unit 608 monitors the abnormal state of the device and detects the transition to the abnormal state and the recovery, and the detected content is stored in the storage unit 605.
Remember.

(Structure of Central Management Device) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the central management device 112. In the figure, reference numeral 701 is a CP that controls the entire central management unit 112.
U. The CPU 701 stores the control program data and the like for operating the CPU 701 via the bus 702 to execute reservation processing and the like.
03 and temporary data in various modes are temporarily stored and the data is lost when the power is turned off.
And system configuration data, man-hour data, worker information, requesting department / requester code No. and logging data, characteristic data of each machine such as number of jams, number of service man calls, number of sheets passed, etc. A non-volatile RAM 705 that does not disappear, a timer 706 that supplies a timing signal to the CPU 701 and generates time in a reservation process, an input / output port 707, and a communication control unit 113 are connected. I / O port 7
A display device 114, an output device 115, an input device 116, a reading device 117, an OCR 118, a storage device 119, and an external interface 120 are connected to 06.

(Operation of Central Management Device) Next, the operation of the central management device 112 configured as described above will be described. The central management device 112 communicates with each of the copying machines A to D and the terminal devices 106 to 110 mounted on the post-processing device 105 via the communication control unit 113. At this time, the central management device 112 sends the copy request information input from the input device 116 stored in the storage device 119 and the image information data read by the reading device 117 or the OCR 118.

Similarly, the central management unit 112 sends a job start / end signal to each of the copying machines A to D and the post-processing device 105,
Machine status signals (jam status, SC status, function down status, operating / pause status, machine maintenance status, etc.), service call information, jam information, logging information data such as the number of sheets fed, toner, recording paper, developer, staple Send supply information such as number. Further, if the copying machines A to D are equipped with a reading device (copy request information, image data, etc.), the central management device 112 can also send the data. As a result, the central management device 1
Reference numeral 12 denotes the linked copying machines A to D and the post-processing device 105.
It is possible to obtain the latest data that is constantly communicated from, and it is possible to execute accurate and highly accurate reservation scheduling in reservation scheduling.

In the above description, each device is connected to the input / output port 707, but the invention is not limited to this, and the communication control unit 113 can be similarly connected.
With this connection configuration, the input device 116, the reading device 117, the OCR 118, the display device 114, and the like can be arranged in a plurality of places, and it becomes possible to input a reservation job or make a reservation inquiry from each of the terminal devices 106 to 110. .

The external interface unit 12
Through 0, job reservation, job inquiry, job information transmission from external workstation, reply to inquiry information, change information of job finishing time,
It is also possible to send job completion information, etc. to an external workstation in real time by e-mail and display it. Further, when it is desired to use the copying machines A to D as printer devices, the external interface unit 120
It is also possible to send image data and character data to the central management unit 112 via the and store them in the storage device 119 in the order of reservation.

(Functions of Central Management Device) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functions of the central management device 112. In addition to the above configuration, the central management unit 112 includes a system setting unit 8
01, request acceptance unit 802, and job man-hour calculation unit 8
03, job required time calculation means 804, and allocation means 8
07, the job reserving means 806 to which the reallocation execution determining means 807 and the like are connected, the delivery date adjusting means 808, the job inquiry processing means 809, and the billing processing means 810 are connected. The processing contents of each of the above means will be described below.

(1) Process of system setting means 801 Here, the system configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is set. The system setting unit 801 is activated when the system is initially started up or when a change occurs in the system configuration such as a machine failure or a change in human resources. These pieces of information will be reflected not only in new reservation reception after setting / change and job allocation, but also in job allocation already reserved. The following is an example of each information setting item related to the system.

A: Address setting of copying machine constituting system, post-processing device b: Setting of copying machine constituting system, post-processing device c: Setting of copying machine constituting system, type of post-processing device, performance setting (Productivity (each mode), additional mode (function), jam data, man-hour parameter) d: Reservation priority information e: Failure information setting of each copying machine, post-processing device f: Failure of each copying machine, post-processing device Delete device setting when disconnecting the device from the system for maintenance, maintenance, etc. g: Maintenance information setting for each copying machine and post-processing device

H: worker information setting (worker name, skill level information, working time information, etc.) i: definition of the correspondence between each copying machine, post-processing device and worker j: requester information (requester, requester, Setting of department name, department code, etc. k: Requester complaint history information l: Information setting for reservation allocation processing m: Working day and time information setting for reservation allocation processing n: Supply information (record paper, Toner, developer, staple, cover sheet, colored paper, glue, etc. o: Charge calculation in billing processing means 810, various information as basic data for management (charge per copy, copy charge per recording paper size, after) Fees for processing (bookbinding), prices of various recording papers (including special papers), transportation charges, etc.)

(2) This is a step of receiving the processing copy request of the request receiving means 802. Generally, the requester goes to the reception desk and requests a copy by bringing a manuscript. The copy request form describes the number of copies, copy size, variable size, post-processing information, designated delivery date, etc. The form of reception is not limited to this, and a device for inputting job request contents from a terminal or a device for reading image data desired to be copied via a storage medium such as an IC card, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic card. You may read from 117.
Furthermore, the storage device 11 is connected via a communication line or a network.
The image data or the like to be requested to be copied may be sent to 9.

Further, the job information includes the following items. Copier type (diazo, PPC, etc.) Original size, number of sheets and original status Recording paper size, recording paper type Copy mode (binding margin, scaling, double-sided, cover etc.) Post-processing (staple, bookbinding, etc.) Number of copies desired Delivery date Other requirements

Further, the reception contents are read by the OCR 11
If the input means such as 8 is provided, it is possible to optically read the copy request content of the request slip and the description / display data.
The input of the acceptance contents is performed by the operator or the requester using the input device 116 to input various job data at the time of accepting the copy request. For this input, by providing a job content input guidance or the like on the display device 114, it is possible to interactively input the job data content.

Next, the following two confirmation processes A and B will be described. A: Confirm that the requester code is a registrant. B: Check the input contents (check the consistency of the contents, omit omissions, etc., and save the trouble of re-inquiring the job contents prior to the job reservation processing and allocation processing. The first check is performed to correct any unclear points, unclear points, and obvious mistakes, and to improve the efficiency of reservation work.) Below, an example of the contents is shown.

Is the designated delivery date valid (date, time, regular holiday, holiday, matching of acceptance time and delivery time) Number of originals Confirmation of stamping Spec over (out of processing range of configuration system,
For example, A0 size compatible, color, double-sided, scaling, etc.) Inadequate conditions (missing entry, such as number of originals, missing binding value in binding margin mode, etc.) Inconsistency (checking exclusive items of mode: double-sided (One-sided> double-sided mode specified for original, double-sided> single-sided mode back binding margin specified, etc.)

(Action Based on Input Content Check Processing) Based on the input content check processing, the following processing is executed to improve the input content check processing efficiency. Check the input contents and display the NG item. Check the input contents and correct the NG item. Check the entered contents, prompt the user to re-enter the NG item, and register the new contents. Check the input contents and cancel the NG item.

When the above items are passed and the job reservation process and the allocation are completed, the following items are executed. A copy request number for inquiries and management is added. Registration of job reception time Output of reception contents (for copy of reception requester, copy center management)

(3) The contents of the copy job requested to be processed by the job man-hour calculation means 803 are expanded into processes which are functional units, and the job man-hours which is the basic data for the job required time calculation means 804 is calculated.

(4) The required job time is calculated based on the job process data obtained by the processing job man-hour calculation means 803 of the required job time calculation means 804. Note that this job required time is only an initial required time estimated value based on the job content input data, and changes depending on the job execution. For example, the number of declared manuscripts does not match the number of actual manuscripts, and the time required increases due to machine trouble.

It should be noted that the job required time is the operation mode of each copying machine in each mode (automatic document feeder mode: RDH, AD even at the same copy speed (CPM)).
F) and options (sorter, finisher, etc.) vary depending on the mounting condition. For example, when making a copy of n copies in single-sided mode, the automatic document feeder also uses the ADF mode and the recycle mode in which the set number of documents are recycled to make a one-to-one copy. different.

That is, the time required for the ADF mode is calculated by (the number of originals × (original replacement time + (Trp × n)) × Y1 + Y2, and the required time for the recycle mode is ((number of originals ×
(Document replacement time + Trp) × n) × Y1 + Y2. It should be noted that Trp: time required for one copy at the time of repeat n: copy set number of sheets Y1: allowance proportional to the number of originals, the number of copies Y2: extra time associated with the job (not proportional to the number of originals and the number of sets)

Further, the job acceptance required time varies depending on the combination of the copying machine and the post-processing device 105, such as a copying machine and a post-processing device. Further, in the reception processing, the finish time reply to the job requester is a margin to absorb the initial required time estimated value calculated by the job required time calculation unit 804 and the required time for job pre-stage processing, machine trouble, etc. (coefficient)
Jobs are reserved and assigned based on the result of multiplying by or adding extra time.

(5) Processing by the job reservation processing unit 805 This section controls various processing associated with the allocation processing and the reservation processing. An example is shown below. a: Reservation registration of worker b: Checking stock of recording paper, special paper, glue, staple and pre-reservation c: Reservation registration of device (copying machine, post-processing device) d: Delivery date answer when reservation is established e: Allocation confirmation Registration of copy request number at time f: Reservation error processing (determination of whether delivery date adjustment is necessary, request for delivery date change request at reception, etc.) g: Processing by allocation means 806

(6) Allocation is performed based on various information of physical resources and human resources registered by the processing system setting means 801 of the allocating means 806. In addition,
When resetting / correcting / changing various information of physical resources and human resources registered by the system setting means 801,
This will be reflected not only in reservation reception and job allocation, but also in job allocation that has already been reserved (re-allocation of already reserved jobs). The following items are assigned here.

Apparatus (copying machine, post-processing apparatus)   worker   Time (start time, end time, delivery date)   Supply of recording paper, special paper, glue, staples, etc.

An example of items to be considered in allocation is shown below. a: Job specificity (whether or not a dedicated machine for OHP sheets, stapling, etc. is required) b: Priority of desired delivery date (forward reservation, backward reservation) c: Copy / post-processing machine availability information (operation) Rate) d: Machine characteristics (image quality, magnification accuracy, speed, etc.) e: Machine / function failure information f: Worker attendance status g: Worker skill information

Furthermore, the following items can be listed as cases in which the reallocation is executed. h: When a system configuration machine stops or a failure occurs i: When a function deletion occurs in the system configuration machine j: When a system configuration machine stops, fails, or a function deletion occurs and is canceled k: Request acceptance When there is a difference between the number of requested documents at that time and the number of confirmed documents due to job execution: Due to the peculiarities of the new job, the reallocation is executed when the jobs are biased only to a specific machine. That is, this item (l) is a feature of this embodiment, and the details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

(7) Job Execution Processing When executing a job, it is necessary to deliver the job contents (request slip with a copy request No.) and the manuscript. In general, the work manager uses the job inquiry processing means 8 of the central management unit 112.
After confirming from the manuscript storage shelf in which the request slip and the manuscript are stored according to No. 09, which job has a copy request No. and which machine is to be distributed, the machine is distributed. And the worker
Execute the job by checking the job request slip.

Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 not limited to the above, the request contents of the next job are transmitted from the central management device 112 to each of the copying machines A to D and the post-processing device 105 via the communication line 111. It is also possible. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually input the job content to each of the copying machines A to D and the post-processing device 105. In addition, a document (scanner (not shown)), reading device 117, OCR 118
The image data read by the above may be sent to each of the copying machines A to D. Further, the operators of the copying machines A to D may access the central management device 112 via the terminal devices 106 to 110 to display the contents of the next job request.

The following items are examples of the communication line 111.
It is also possible to send the data from each of the copying machines A to D and the post-processing device 105 to the central management device 112 in real time via the. a: Job start / end / interruption signal corresponding to each job from each machine b: Number of confirmed documents c: Machine stop / report of failure status d: Machine stop / report of recovery information from failure status e: Toner end, Paper end information notification f: Toner end and paper end recovery information notification g: Jam status occurrence information h: Jam status recovery information

The contents of the above eight items are as follows:
Sent to the copying machine A to D of the system setting means 801 and registered as failure information or maintenance information of the post-processing device 105. As a result, it will be fed back to the next reservation / allocation process. For example, if a machine is stopped due to a functional failure and the reserved jobs cannot be executed, the machine is re-reserved and the reallocation is executed.

(8) Processing of delivery date adjusting means 808 This is a mode for performing delivery date adjustment when the following events occur. a: Delayed delivery due to machine stoppage during job execution, failure b: Delayed delivery due to unexecutable job execution due to unforeseen material stock, etc. c: Delivery change due to reallocation

When the delivery delay condition as described above occurs, the following process is executed. d: Adjustment by executing re-allocation in order to keep desired delivery time e: In case of NG mentioned above, notify the client of the change of delivery date, and decide to adjust renewal delivery date

(9) Processing of the job inquiry processing means 809 Job start, end, and interruption signals corresponding to each job from each machine are centrally managed from the copying machines A to D and the post-processing device 105 via the communication line 111. It is sent to the apparatus 112 in real time, and the status of the received job can be known. Enter the copy request number to notify the current job location (standby, processing, reception shelf, shipped, etc.). Specifically, the following processing is executed.

A: The above contents are displayed on the display device 114. Further, it may be displayed on a workstation or the like connected to the external interface unit 120. b: Response to late delivery jobs (late delivery copy request N
display of o, display of delay time, display of estimated finish time,
(Automatic notification of late delivery information, etc.) c: Progress status display function for copy request (corresponding to copy request No.) d: Request slip for work manager to transfer from document storage shelf to machine, copy request number of manuscript It is also possible to search. e: Retrieval of copy request number and copy request content for the next job by the machine operator

(10) Contents of processing request accepted by the billing processing means 810 (monochrome, color, double-sided, recording paper size, presence / absence of post-processing, requested copy number, use of special paper, etc.) and job execution result data (actual number of original documents) ) For each job,
Performs charge management and logging data management for each user (department code). Specifically, the following processing is executed.

A: charge management process for each user (department code) b: charge calculation process for each user (department code) c: charge request process for each user (department code) (issue of bill) d: Fee inquiry processing from each user (department code) Budget remaining fee response for each user (department code) Detailed fee response processing for each user (department code) Job requester name, reception time, number of requested copies, etc. Search, output, display

(11) Based on the processing machine down occurrence, machine recovery information, etc. of the reallocation execution judging means 807, it is judged whether or not the reallocation is executed.

(Operation of Copy Request System) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation process in the copy request system. This processing is executed on the central management unit 112 and the system. In the figure, when this process is started, first of all, at system startup, system change,
The system setting process performed at the time of correction is executed (S9).
01). Next, it is determined whether or not there is a request inquiry for the waiting job (S902). If it is determined that there is no request inquiry at this time, it is further determined whether there is a job progress inquiry (S903). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S902 that there is a request inquiry, request inquiry processing is executed (S
906), and proceeds to step S903 above.

If it is determined in step S903 that there is a job progress inquiry, job progress inquiry processing is executed (S907). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S903 that there is no job progress inquiry, it is further determined whether or not there is a copy request (S904). If it is determined that there is a copy request, the request content is further checked (S9).
05). If it is determined that the request content is NG in the request content check, a request content correction process is executed (S9).
08). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S905 that the request content is OK, the job man-hour of the requested job is calculated (S909), and the initial job required time is predicted based on the request content and the job man-hour (S91).
0).

Then, the operator or machine allocation process is determined based on the initial job required time prediction data (S911). If it is determined that the allocation is NG, request acceptance NG processing is executed (S912),
The procedure returns to step S902. On the other hand, the above step S9
When it is determined that the allocation is OK in 11, the request reception registration for the requested job is executed (S9).
13). In this request acceptance registration, the job code No. etc. for the above-mentioned job in this system are added. The progress status, allocation and the like are managed by the job code No. and the like.

Further, when the request reception registration is completed, a delivery date reply is made to the requester (S914). This is based on the initial job required time prediction data obtained in step S910, and is data that may be corrected by a machine trouble or the like. Then,
It is determined whether there is a waiting job (S915). If it is determined that there is a waiting job, the job is executed (S916). After that, during execution of this job,
From the actual execution of the job and the occurrence of a trouble on the system, it is determined whether or not a problem such as the start and end times of the job, the number of confirmed originals does not match the declared number of sheets, or the like has occurred (S917). If it is determined that a problem has occurred, it is further determined whether reallocation is necessary (S918). If it is determined that re-allocation is necessary, job required time prediction, re-allocation processing execution, request acceptance update, delivery delay notification, etc. are executed (S919), the process returns to step S902, and the same processing is repeatedly executed. To do.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen development example of the display device 114 in the copy request operation. That is, the screen configuration of the display device 114 in the central management device 112 of the copy request receiving system is shown. Here, the initial mode selection screen 100, which is a normal display screen, is roughly divided.
1 and an error processing screen 1002 when a problem occurs
It is divided into Note that the screens are not limited to these two screens.

On the initial mode selection screen 1001, a system setting screen 1003, a request acceptance input screen 1004, a complaint content registration screen 1005, an allocation processing screen 1006.
The inquiry content display screen 1007 is displayed. Here, system settings, request acceptance processing, complaint registration processing,
Executes allocation processing and various inquiry processing. Further, the error processing screen 1002 is further provided with a defective machine occurrence display screen, a reserved NG job occurrence display screen, a reallocation status occurrence display screen, etc., and the defective machine occurrence display, the reserved NG job occurrence display, and the reallocation are required. A warning, etc. will be displayed when it becomes.

(Processing Operation at Allocation Imbalance) By the way,
When allocating, basically avoid occurrence of delay in delivery,
Furthermore, it is necessary to improve the so-called operating rate efficiently by minimizing the idle time of all owned machines and operators. If the job content is special, there is a limitation such as selecting a machine or an operator who can execute the job, and in that case, it is unconditionally assigned to a specific machine and operator.

For example, if the requested content is a color copy, it is unconditionally assigned to the copying machine D104. In such a case, by assigning a new job to a specific machine and operator, a significant imbalance in the workload between the machine and operator may occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in consideration of the situation where such an imbalance occurs, by moving a part of the jobs of the machine and the operator with a large amount of work to another machine and the operator, the imbalance of the work is obtained. Avoid the occurrence of, and make the best use of human and material resources.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, from the above background and its aim, the characteristic of this processing operation is that there is a significant imbalance in the allocation of jobs among the devices, that is, the jobs to be processed are biased among the devices. In this case, the job allocation should be corrected in a balanced manner. Below, Figure 1
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 11, when this processing is started, first, the request receiving unit 802 determines whether or not a new job request has been generated (S1101). If it is determined that a new job request has occurred, the request receiving unit 8
The job allocation is executed after the calculation of the job man-hour and the estimation of the required time of the job based on the content of the work request received by 02 (S1102). That is, here, as a series of operations, the job man-hour calculation means 803 calculates the job man-hours, the job required time calculation means 804 calculates the job required time, and the job reservation processing means 805 executes the job reservation processing, and thereafter. The allocation unit 806 executes job allocation.

Next, in the above processing, the central management unit 112 judges whether or not the allocation state is unbalanced (S1103). In other words, here, it is judged whether there is a significant imbalance in the work amount between the machine and the operator even if the assigned contents are met on time. If it is determined in step S1103 that there is a significant imbalance, the allocation imbalance flag "1" is set (S110).
4). Then, it is determined whether or not the time required to finish the final job of the machine with a small amount of work is reached (S110).
5). If it is determined that the time has arrived before the required time, the central management unit 112 determines again whether or not there is a significant imbalance in the work amount between the machine and the operator (S).
1106).

The above processing is performed for the following reason. In other words, if the imbalance is corrected immediately after the new job is received, the imbalance may be corrected by a new job that comes in after that, but the process is executed immediately after the reception. This is because there is a possibility that the delivery date of a new job that comes in later may not be in time, and in that case, it becomes necessary to reallocate the job again, which is inefficient.

If it is determined in step S1106 above that there is no imbalance in the allocation status, that is, the imbalance in allocation is due to the new job accepted thereafter,
If it has already been resolved, the allocation imbalance flag is reset to "0" (S1107), and this processing ends.

On the other hand, in step S1106,
When it is determined that there is an imbalance in the allocation status, the central management unit 112 determines whether or not there are jobs that can be executed by other machines and operators among jobs that have already been allocated to machines and operators that have a higher workload. Judge (S
1108). If it is determined that there is a job that can be executed by another machine, the allocation unit 806 executes the job allocation process again so that the corresponding job is moved to another machine that can execute the job and the operator (S110).
9). In the above-described job moving method, one or a plurality of jobs may be moved, or one job may be divided and moved.

Next, after executing the processing of the step S1109, the central management unit 112 for all jobs is executed.
Determines whether there is a job that is late in delivery (S1)
110). If it is determined that there is no job that is late in delivery, the process is terminated as it is. If there is a job that is late in delivery, reassignment is invalidated (S1111) and the process is terminated.

(Specific Example of Reallocation) Next, the above processing will be described with reference to specific examples shown in FIGS. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of job allocation, in which jobs # 1 to # 3 are assigned to the machines A to D, respectively. Further, the number added to each job in the figure means that the time predicted for the finish delivery time 10:00 of the job if it is 10:00, 1H, for example, will take one hour. Actually,
As a matter of course, the working time differs depending on the capability of each machine and the content of the job, but here, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the machine processing speeds are the same and only the functions are different.

Now, it is assumed that a new job with a time of 9:30 and a delivery date of 14:00 and an estimated work time of 2 hours (this is a job) is accepted. If the requested content of the job is color copy, the only machine that can execute color copy is machine D (copier D104) in this embodiment, so the job is inevitably assigned to machine D. This allocation state is shown in FIG.

By the way, the above-mentioned job allocation also satisfies the delivery date, and in the conventional copy management system, after the allocation is performed, the allocation reprocessing is not particularly executed and the allocation processing is ended. However, in the present embodiment, when a job that can be executed only on a specific machine is accepted, the allocation status of the job allocated to each machine is judged, and only the specific machine (in this case, machine D) is biased. When it is determined that the allocation has been made, re-allocation is executed to balance the load on each machine in a balanced manner, increase the operating rate of the owned resources, and improve the efficiency.

That is, in the allocation state shown in FIG. 19, at the time of 10:00, the machines A and C are
Indicates that there are no more jobs to be executed next, but the machine D has jobs assigned to it, and more jobs have been assigned, resulting in an imbalance in job assignment. Therefore, the reallocation is executed as described above, and the imbalance of the job allocation, that is, the inefficient state is avoided.

Specifically, it is judged whether the job assigned to the machine D from 10:00 can be executed by the other machines A to C, and when the job can be executed, the job is moved to the other machine. To do. For example, when the job can be executed on both the machine A and the machine B, the reallocation is performed so that the job is moved to the machine A having no execution job from 10:00. The result of this reallocation is shown in FIG.

However, as described above, the above reallocation is not executed immediately after a new job is accepted, but is executed immediately before the execution jobs of a certain machine run out. That is, if it takes about 15 minutes to prepare a job such as distributing a document, the reallocation is executed, for example, 20 minutes before. That is,
This is because when reallocation is executed immediately after receiving a new job,
Immediately after that, another new job may be accepted, and the imbalance in job allocation may be improved. In that case, a problem occurs because re-allocation has already been executed, and re-allocation is executed. This is because it is necessary to do it twice, and it may be inefficient to work twice. In addition, reassignment does not move jobs if all jobs after reassignment do not meet the delivery date.

(Effects of Embodiments) Next, the effects of the embodiments described above will be listed. First, in the copying contract work, if a new job can be executed only by a specific machine (copiers A101 to D104 in this embodiment) and an operator, the new job is already assigned to the specific machine and operator. Among the existing jobs, by reallocating at least some of the jobs that can be executed by other machines and operators to other machines and operators, the load on each machine and operator is distributed and averaged. It is possible to realize the optimal allocation of human resources and material resources.

Secondly, at the time of imbalance, when the relevant job is moved to other machines and operators and re-allocation is executed, the finish delivery dates of all the jobs after the movement are the delivery dates desired by the user. By moving to satisfaction,
It is possible to eliminate unnecessary job movement processing and realize efficient allocation.

Thirdly, by executing the reallocation of the above-mentioned jobs a predetermined time before the execution jobs of any one of the machines that have been upgraded are eliminated, unnecessary job transfer processing is eliminated, Allocation without waste can be realized.

[0110]

As described above, according to the copy management system (Claim 1) of the present invention, the execution start time of the job to be executed is set for a plurality of recording devices and the operator, and a new start time is set. Assigns the new job to a particular recorder and operator if the job can be executed by the particular recorder and operator. As a result of the allocation, even if the predicted execution completion time of the already allocated job does not exceed the finish time of the requester, if a significant imbalance occurs in the job allocation among the recording devices, the above specific recording device And among the jobs assigned to the operator, by reassigning the jobs to other recording devices capable of executing the job and the operator, the assignment of the systemized recording devices to the machines is averaged. Therefore, the optimal allocation of human and physical resources can be realized, and the efficiency of job execution can be further improved.

Further, according to the copy management system of the present invention (claim 2), when a new job allocation causes a deviation in the job allocation number of the recording apparatus, that is, the load to be executed, all To predict the completion time of the jobs distributed to the recording device, confirm that the predicted result satisfies the desired delivery date of all jobs, and then execute the reallocation process to eliminate unnecessary job movement. Optimal allocation of human and physical resources can be realized, and the efficiency of job execution can be further improved.

Further, according to the copy management system of the present invention (claim 3), the average when the number of jobs assigned to each recording device, that is, the load to be executed is deviated due to the assignment of a new job. The re-allocation process for realization is executed at a predetermined time before the job executed by any one of the recording devices is completed, so that unnecessary job movement can be eliminated, so that human and physical resources are optimized. Allocation can be realized and the efficiency of job execution can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a copy management system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a copy management system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a copying machine including a bookbinding machine.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of a back surface tape adhering portion of the bookbinding machine.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a back surface tape is applied in the bookbinding machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a plurality of copying machines connected to a central management device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a central management device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functions of a central management device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation process in the copy request system.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen development example of a display device in a copy request operation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a reallocation processing operation at the time of imbalance in allocation according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of job allocation according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of job allocation (imbalance) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of reallocation of jobs according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Copying Machine A 102 Copying Machine B 103 Copying Machine C 104 Copying Machine D 112 Central Management Device 802 Request Accepting Means 803 Job Man-hour Calculating Means 804 Job Required Time Calculating Means 806 Assigning Means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-2-69774 (JP, A) JP-A-56-101152 (JP, A) JP-A-6-91495 (JP, A) JP-A-5- 108659 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-512 H04N 1/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. In a copy management system for processing a plurality of recording jobs such as copy printing using a plurality of recording devices, a job man-hour calculating means for calculating a processing man-hour of a new job requested by a user, and the job. Job required time calculating means for predicting the required time of the new job based on the manhour calculated by the manhour calculating means, and allocating means for allocating the job to any one of the recording devices based on the calculated job required time And accept jobs that can be executed only on the specified recording device
In this case, it is determined whether or not there is an imbalance in the respective load states among the recording devices allocated by the allocating means . In the case of an imbalance, the jobs allocated to the recording device with a large load are determined. A copying management system, comprising: management means for instructing the allocation means to allocate again so as to move to a recording device having a small executable load. 2. The management unit predicts the completion time of jobs distributed to all recording devices when the allocation of new jobs causes imbalance in the allocation of jobs in each recording device, and all the prediction results are 2. The copy management system according to claim 1, wherein the reallocation processing is executed after it is confirmed that the desired delivery date of the job is satisfied. 3. The management unit performs reallocation in the case where the allocation of new jobs causes an imbalance in the allocation of jobs of each recording device, within a predetermined time before there is no job to be executed by any one of the recording devices. The copy management system according to claim 1, which is executed. 4. A plurality of recording jobs such as copy printing are recorded in a plurality of
A duplication management system that makes full use of recording devices
hand, Calculate the processing man-hours of a new job requested by the user
Job man-hour calculation means, Based on the man-hours calculated by the job man-hour calculating means
Where the new job is Job required time to estimate required time
Calculation means, Based on the calculated job duration,
Allocation means for allocating to any of the recording devices, Between the recording devices assigned by the assigning means,
To determine if there is an imbalance in each load state
However, in the case of imbalance, it is assigned to the recording device with a large load.
The recording device that can execute the specified jobs
Instruct the allocating means to reallocate to move
Management means to The management means assigns a new job to each recording device.
Reassignment when an imbalance occurs in the assignment of storage jobs
, There is no job to be executed by any one of the recording devices.
Copy management system characterized by being executed before a predetermined time
Tem.