JP7476590B2 - Information processing system, program, and information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, a program, and an information processing device.

It has been common practice to manage the progress of a job consisting of multiple work steps by using barcodes printed on the work instructions.

In addition, systems have been known for some time that attach RFID tags to workers and the objects they work on (such as materials, work in progress, and finished products in a factory) and manage the working hours of workers and the flow of objects they work on (entering and leaving a workplace) by reading the RFID tags at the entrance gate at the entrance to the processing plant and the exit gate at the exit of the processing plant (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the technology of Patent Document 1, which manages the progress of a job consisting of multiple work steps by using barcodes printed on the work instructions, workers cannot intuitively visually recognize the contents of the job on the work instructions.

The objective of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an information processing system that can print slips that allow a user to intuitively recognize the contents of a job.

In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present application is an information processing system for printing invoices , which is characterized in having: a creation means for, when a work instruction is input into a folder corresponding to the contents of the invoice, identifying a predetermined color of a predetermined area of the invoice from the folder into which the work instruction was input, and creating image data of the invoice in which the predetermined area of the invoice has been colored by said predetermined color; an instruction means for instructing the printing of the invoice using the image data of the invoice; and a printing means for printing the invoice based on the image data of the invoice.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to print a slip that allows the user to intuitively recognize the contents of the job.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a job management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an image diagram of an example of a work instruction sheet used in the job management system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an example of a computer. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of a work process management system. FIG. 1 is an image diagram showing an example of a work process of a job in a printing factory. 13 is a flowchart of an example of a process for creating a color-coded work instruction sheet with a border color around the periphery. 11 is a flowchart of an example of a process for generating a color code image. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining coding rules that can express ternary numbers. FIG. 13 shows an example of information for encoding into an optical symbol. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an optical symbol in which the number of colors assigned to each cell of the optical symbol is four. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process image of creating a color-coded work instruction sheet with a border color around the periphery. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a process for creating a work instruction sheet for an information processing system whose periphery is outlined with a border color; FIG. 13 is an image diagram of an example of a label setting screen. FIG. 11 is a functional configuration diagram of another example of a work process management system. FIG. 11 is a functional configuration diagram of another example of a work process management system. 1 is an example of a table T1 in which job IDs, color code IDs, and job information stored in a job management table are associated with each other. 13 is an example of a table T2 in which camera identification information stored in the job management table is associated with status information indicating the status of a process associated with the camera identification information.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a job management system that manages the work process of jobs in a printing factory using a function that uses work instructions (vouchers) will be used as an example.

[First embodiment]
<System Configuration>
Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a job management system according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is an image diagram of an example of a work instruction sheet used in the job management system according to the present embodiment. In the job management system 1 of Fig. 1, a customer system 10, a work process management system 14, a printer 16, and one or more cameras 18 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate data with each other via a network 20 such as the Internet or a LAN.

The customer system 10 is an example of an existing system used by a customer, and a work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 in FIG. 2(A) is created, in which a job ID is displayed. The job ID is an example of identification information for identifying a job. The work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 in FIG. 2(A) shows an example in which a barcode image 801 used on the customer system 10 side is displayed.

The job ID may be displayed as a barcode image 801 or as text on the work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10. The customer system 10 provides the existing functions realized by the work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 to a worker, which is an example of a user.

The work process management system 14, the printer 16, and one or more cameras 18 constitute an information processing system 12 that adds new functions to the work instructions 800. The work process management system 14 manages the progress of a job consisting of multiple work processes as described below, using a work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 to which a color code image 811 in FIG. 2(B) has been added.

The work instruction sheet 810 for the information processing system 12 in FIG. 2(B) has a peripheral portion 812 bordered with a color. Hereinafter, the color of the peripheral portion 812 will be referred to as the border color. By bordering the peripheral portion 812 of the work instruction sheet 810 with a border color, the boundary between the work instruction sheet 810 and anything underneath (such as a printed material) becomes clear, and the visibility of the work instruction sheet 810 is improved.

In FIG. 2(B) an example is described in which the entire peripheral portion 812 of the work instruction sheet 810 is bordered with a border color, but only a part of the peripheral portion 812 (e.g., one or two sides) may be bordered with a border color. The shape and size of the peripheral portion 812 in FIG. 2(B) are merely examples. Furthermore, instead of a work instruction sheet 810 in which the peripheral portion 812 is bordered with a border color, the work instruction sheet 810 may be for an information processing system 12 on which a marker such as a mark of a different color is displayed. Instead of a work instruction sheet 810 in which the peripheral portion 812 is bordered with a border color, the work instruction sheet 810 may be for an information processing system 12 on which text is displayed in a different color.

The information processing system 12 can identify the job ID from the color code image 811, as described below. Also, the information processing system 12 treats the border color (an example of a predetermined color) of the work instruction sheet 810 as a label, as described below. The information processing system 12 may treat the color of the mark or the color of the text of the work instruction sheet 810 as a label. The color of the mark and the color of the text are also examples of predetermined colors.

The information processing system 12 treats the border color, marker color, or text color of the work instruction sheet 810 as a label, and associates the border color, marker color, or text color with the job content (such as the type of work target of the job), making it easier for the worker to intuitively recognize the job content. Note that, although an example in which the border color of the work instruction sheet 810 is treated as a label will be described below, the same applies when the marker color or text color of the work instruction sheet 810 is treated as a label.

The printer 16 prints out a work instruction sheet 810 for the information processing system 12. The camera 18 is installed so that it can capture images of locations in the printing factory that correspond to the work processes of a job. Note that locations that correspond to the work processes of a job include locations through which printed materials pass when moving between work processes, and temporary storage locations where printed materials are temporarily stored.

The camera 18 can be a PTZ camera or an IP camera. A PTZ camera is a camera that can operate the PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) function via the network 20 and can transmit captured images and videos via the network 20.

The IP camera is a camera that can be operated via the network 20 and can transmit captured images and videos via the network 20. The captured images and videos captured by the camera 18 are transmitted to the work process management system 14 via the network 20.

In the information processing system 12 that adds a new function to the work instruction 800, the work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 is placed on or attached to the work object (a printed material, which is an example of an intermediate product or material) of the job corresponding to the work instruction 810. The work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 may also be placed on or attached to a loading platform such as a pallet on which the work object of the job is placed. The work instruction 810 is placed on or attached to, for example, a printed material that is easily photographed by the camera 18, or a pallet on which the printed material is placed, etc.

The work process management system 14 manages the progress of the work process of the job (job status) based on the work process of the job corresponding to the camera 18 that captured the work instruction 810 and the job ID identified from the color code image 811 of the work instruction 810. The work process management system 14 also manages the history of the work process of the job, and captured images and videos showing the state when the work instruction 810 was captured.

Note that the configuration of the job management system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, the job management system 1 may include other systems, and the work process management system 14 may have a different name. The work process management system 14 may be realized in a single server environment, or in a multiple server environment.

<Hardware Configuration>
The customer system 10 and the work process control system 14 are realized, for example, by a computer 500 having the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

Figure 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer. The computer 500 in Figure 3 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external I/F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, a communication I/F 507, and a HDD 508, all of which are interconnected by a bus B. Note that the input device 501 and the display device 502 may be connected and used when necessary.

The input device 501 includes a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., and is used by the user to input various operation signals. The display device 502 includes a display, etc., and displays the results of processing by the computer 500.

The communication I/F 507 is an interface that connects the computer 500 to various networks. This allows the computer 500 to perform data communication via the communication I/F 507.

The HDD 508 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS, which is basic software that controls the entire computer 500, and application software (hereinafter simply referred to as applications) that provides various functions on the OS. Note that instead of the HDD 508, the computer 500 may use a drive device that uses flash memory as a storage medium (e.g., a solid-state drive: SSD).

The external I/F 503 is an interface with an external device. The external device may be a recording medium 503a. This allows the computer 500 to read and/or write data to the recording medium 503a via the external I/F 503. The recording medium 503a may be a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, etc.

ROM 505 is an example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. ROM 505 stores programs and data such as the BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when computer 500 is started. RAM 504 is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily retains programs and data.

The CPU 506 is a computing device that reads programs and data from storage devices such as the ROM 505 and HDD 508 onto the RAM 504 and executes processing to realize the overall control and functions of the computer 500. The customer system 10 and the work process management system 14 can realize various processes described below by using the hardware configuration of the computer 500 as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Note that a description of the hardware configuration of the printer 16 and the camera 18 will be omitted.

<Software configuration>
Fig. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of a work process management system. Note that the functional configuration of Fig. 4 is omitted for convenience in terms of configuration not necessary for the description of this embodiment. The work process management system 14 of Fig. 4 includes a UI section 30, a job ID detection section 32, a job management section 34, a color code image generation section 36, a color-coded work instruction sheet creation section 38, a print instruction section 40, a photographed image acquisition section 42, a color code recognition section 44, a color code management table storage section 46, a job management table storage section 48, a setting section 50, a hot folder setting table storage section 52, a label setting table storage section 54, and an edge color setting table storage section 56.

The UI unit 30 controls the display of various screens, such as a screen that accepts various settings required by the worker and a label setting screen described below. The job ID detection unit 32 detects the job ID displayed as a barcode image 801 or text on the work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 in FIG. 2(A), for example.

The job management unit 34 stores and manages available color code IDs in the color code management table storage unit 46.

If there are no unused color code IDs remaining in the color code management table storage unit 46, the job management unit 34 selects the oldest color code ID with the last update from the color code management table storage unit 46 and reuses it. The job management unit 34 associates the job ID detected by the job ID detection unit 32 with the selected color code ID and manages them in the color code management table storage unit 46.

The job management unit 34 also stores the job ID, color code ID, and job information in the job management table storage unit 48 in association with each other. The job information includes status information that indicates the status of the job process. Figure 16 is an example of a table T1 that associates the job ID, color code ID, and job information stored in the job management table storage unit 48.

The job management table storage unit 48 also stores the identification information of the camera 18 in association with status information indicating the state of the process associated with the identification information of the camera 18. Figure 17 is an example of a table T2 that associates the identification information of the camera stored in the job management table storage unit 48 with status information indicating the state of the process associated with the identification information of the camera 18.

The job management table storage unit 48 further associates and stores in the job management table storage unit 48 the progress information and history information of the work process of the job, photographed image files and photographed video files showing the state when the work instruction sheet 810 was photographed, and is used to display a job status list screen, etc.

The color code image generating unit 36 generates a color code image 811 (described later) from the color code ID provided by the job management unit 34. The color-coded work instruction creation unit 38 creates a work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 to which the color code image 811 of FIG. 2(B) is added from the work instruction 800 for the customer system 10 of FIG. 2(A) and which has a periphery 812 outlined in a border color. The print instruction unit 40 instructs the printer 16 to print the work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 to which the color code image 811 of FIG. 2(B) is added and which has a periphery 812 outlined in a border color.

The captured image acquisition unit 42 acquires captured images and videos from the camera 18. The color code recognition unit 44 decodes a color code ID from a color code image 811 captured in the captured image or video. The color code recognition unit 44 provides the job management unit 34 with identification information that identifies, for example, the camera 18 that captured the color code image 811 or the work process of the job, and the decoded color code ID. The job management unit 34 identifies the job ID that corresponds to the decoded color code ID by referring to the job management table storage unit 48.

This allows the job management unit 34 to update the progress information (job status) of the job work process managed in the job management table storage unit 48 based on the job work process corresponding to the camera 18 that captured the color code image 811 and the job ID corresponding to the decoded color code ID.

The setting unit 50 stores the contents set from the label setting screen described below in the hot folder setting table memory unit 52, the label setting table memory unit 54, and the border color setting table memory unit 56. The hot folder setting table memory unit 52 stores the hot folder setting table described below. The label setting table memory unit 54 stores the label setting table described below. In addition, the border color setting table memory unit 56 stores the border color setting table described below.

<Processing>
Fig. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of the work processes of a job in a printing factory. The work processes in Fig. 5 include "printing", "cutting", "folding", "binding", "inspection", "temporary storage 1", and "temporary storage 2". Cameras 18a1 to 18a5 are installed at the gates in front of the places where the work processes "printing", "cutting", "folding", "binding", and "inspection" are performed. Cameras 18b1 and 18b2 are installed at the places where the work processes "temporary storage 1" and "temporary storage 2" are performed.

The work instructions 810 for the information processing system 12 are photographed by cameras 18a1-18a5 and cameras 18b1-18b2 while they are being moved between work processes or while they are stored in a temporary storage location. As shown in FIG. 5, the movement between work processes is not constant in a printing factory, and depending on the job, there may be cases where the work instructions 810 for the information processing system 12 are not photographed and a work process is not detected or recorded. FIG. 5 shows arrows that represent the movement of jobs that perform all work processes and arrows that represent the movement of jobs that skip some of the work processes.

In FIG. 5, after a printout is output in the work step "Print", a work instruction sheet 810 is placed on or attached to the printout. As a result, in the example of FIG. 5, the work instruction sheet 810 placed on or attached to the printout is photographed by cameras 18a1-18a5 and cameras 18b1-18b2 while the printout is passing through the gate or while it is stored in a temporary storage area.

"Create color-coded work instructions with outlined borders"
6 is a flow chart of an example of a process for creating a color-coded work instruction sheet with a rimming color. In step S11, the job ID detection unit 32 of the work process management system 14 detects a job ID displayed as a barcode image 801 or text on the work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10. The detection frame for detecting the job ID from the work instruction sheet 800 may be set in advance by an operator, or may be set automatically using OCR or the like.

Proceeding to step S12, the job management unit 34 selects the color code ID to be used from the color code management table storage unit 46, and manages the selected color code ID in association with the job ID detected by the job ID detection unit 32.

Then, in step S13, the color code image generating unit 36 generates a color code image 811 from the color code ID associated with the job ID in the procedure shown in FIG. 7. Note that the procedure shown in FIG. 7 utilizes the technology described in, for example, JP 2017-199306 A.

Figure 7 is a flowchart of an example of a process for generating a color code image. In step S21, the color code image generation unit 36 accepts input of a color code ID to be color coded. In step S22, the color code image generation unit 36 breaks down the character string of the color code ID into the values of each digit. In step S23, the color code image generation unit 36 converts the values of each broken down digit into values corresponding to the number of colors to be assigned to each cell of the optical symbol described in JP 2017-199306 A. For example, if the number of colors to be assigned to each cell is four, the color code image generation unit 36 converts the value of each digit into a ternary value according to the coding rules as shown in Figure 8, for example.

Figure 8 is a diagram explaining the coding rules that can express ternary numbers. Figure 8 shows an example of coding rules when four colors, R (red), G (green), B (blue), and K (black), are used. When four colors are used, it is possible to express three values, i.e., ternary numbers.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8(a), clockwise transitions, i.e., from R to K, K to B, B to G, and G to R, represent a value of "0." Counterclockwise transitions, i.e., from R to G, G to B, B to K, and K to R, represent a value of "1." Furthermore, on the diagonal, bidirectional transitions between R and B, and bidirectional transitions between K and G, each represent a value of "2."

For example, consider the case shown in FIG. 8(b) where the cells are connected in sequence in the order G, R, B, K, and G, and the color transitions of each cell are viewed from left to right in the figure. In this case, the transition from G to R represents the value "0", the transition from R to B represents the value "2", the transition from B to K represents the value "1", and the transition from K to G represents the value "2". Therefore, the array in FIG. 8(b) represents the value "3d2120", or the decimal value "69". Note that the leading "3d" in the value notation indicates that the following digits are a ternary value.

The coding rule using four color transitions is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 8(a) and may be, for example, the example shown in FIG. 8(d). FIG. 8(e) shows an example of a conversion table that associates color transitions and values according to the coding rule shown in FIG. 8(d). In FIG. 8(e), for example, if the color of the source cell is R and it is desired to represent a value of "2," the color of the destination cell adjacent to the source cell is set to B. Similarly, if the color of the source cell is K and it is desired to represent a value of "1," the color of the destination cell is set to G.

Proceeding to step S24 following step S23 in FIG. 7, the color code image generating unit 36 assigns a color to each cell of the optical symbol according to the color of the transition source cell, the ternary value converted in step S23, and the conversion table of the coding rule as shown in FIG. 8(a). Note that the color code image generating unit 36 is assumed to have stored in advance the color arrangement of each cell in the cell row of the main code of the optical symbol.

Using Figures 9 and 10, we will explain a more specific example in which the number of colors assigned to each cell of the optical symbol is four. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of information to be coded into the optical symbol. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of an optical symbol in which the number of colors assigned to each cell of the optical symbol is four.

Figure 9 shows an example in which the cell strings in the sub-code section 301 connected to the cells "d1", "d2", "d3" and "d4" in the main code section 300 have the values "3d1", "3d1", "3d0" and "3d1".

Figure 10 shows an example of an optical symbol in which the information shown in Figure 9 is coded according to the coding rules explained with reference to Figure 8. In this example, the cell row of the main code section 300 includes an even number of cells, with the cell at the end being K color, and K and R colors arranged alternately.

In addition, for example, in the leftmost cell of the sub-code section 301, the color of the cell is assigned with the K color of the cell in the main code section 300 to which the cell is connected as the color of the initial transition source. In the example of Figure 10, the R color is assigned to the cell in the sub-code section 301 on the leftmost side of the optical symbol by referring to the conversion table of the coding rules in Figure 8(a) according to the K color of the cell in the main code section 300 which is the transition source cell and the value "3d1" of the cell in the sub-code section 301.

Proceeding to step S14 following step S13 in FIG. 6, the color-coded work instruction creation unit 38 uses the color code image 811 generated in step S13 to create a work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12, the peripheral portion 812 of which is outlined with a border color.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing a process image for creating a color-coded work instruction sheet with a periphery outlined in a border color. The paper size and layout frame may be set in advance by an operator. For example, the periphery 812 (an example of a predetermined area) may have a size and shape set in advance by a user using the information processing system 12. Specifically, the user may set the periphery 812 to an area 5 cm from the edge of the work instruction sheet 810, or to an area 10 cm from the edge of the work instruction sheet 810, or to an area outside a rectangular or elliptical layout area.

The work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 in FIG. 2(A) is resized and reduced to generate free space. The work instruction sheet 810 for the information processing system 12 in FIG. 2(B) has a color code image 811 pasted into the free space generated by resizing and reducing the work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10, and the periphery 812 of the work instruction sheet 810 is outlined with a border color.

Note that the work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 in FIG. 2(A) displays the barcode image 801 used by the customer system 10. Therefore, if the work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 is simply reduced in size, there is a possibility that the barcode image 801 will no longer function (will not be recognized).

Therefore, in order to generate free space without impairing the functionality of the barcode image 801, the color-coded work instruction creation unit 38 may perform scaling in a direction that does not impair the functionality of the barcode image 801.

Proceeding to step S15 following step S14 in FIG. 6, the print instruction unit 40 instructs the printer 16 to print a work instruction sheet 810 (a work instruction sheet with a color code) for the information processing system 12 to which the color code image 811 created in step S14 has been added. In response to the instruction from the print instruction unit 40, the printer 16 prints out the color-coded work instruction sheet 810 (a work instruction sheet 810 for the information processing system 12) with the periphery 812 outlined in a border color, for example, as shown in FIG. 2(B).

The process of creating a work instruction sheet 810 for an information processing system 12 having a periphery 812 outlined in a border color, as shown in FIG. 6, is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the process of creating a work instruction sheet for an information processing system having a periphery outlined in a border color.

The information processing system 12 according to this embodiment is provided with hot folders 900 that correspond to the contents of a job (such as the type of work target of the job). Note that a hot folder 900 is provided for each type of work target of the job, and for example, the name of the type of work target of the job is set as the hot folder name.

In FIG. 12, an operator inputs a work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 into a hot folder 900 associated with the job of "perfect binding." The job ID detection unit 32 of the work process management system 14 detects the job ID from the work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 input into the hot folder 900. The job management unit 34 registers the job of the job ID detected by the job ID detection unit 32 in a job management table. The job management table in FIG. 12 has items associated with the job ID, branch number (an example of distinguishing information), and label name.

Note that the sub-number includes not only a number, but also information such as letters or symbols, such as the alphabet, that can distinguish the detected second job ID.

The job management unit 34 also references the hot folder setting table of the hot folder 900 into which the work instruction 800 for the customer system 10 has been input, and reads out the label setting "setting 1" associated with the hot folder 900. The hot folder setting table in FIG. 12 associates hot folder names and label settings as items.

The job management unit 34 also reads out the label names "cover" and "body" associated with the label setting "setting 1" read out from the hot folder setting table. The label setting table in FIG. 12 has label settings and label names associated as items. According to the hot folder setting table and label setting table in FIG. 12, it is possible to identify the label names "cover" and "body" associated with the hot folder 900 into which the work instruction sheet 800 for the customer system 10 has been inserted.

The job management unit 34 adds child jobs with the same job ID as the parent job to the job management table, based on the job ID detected from the work instruction 800 for the customer system 10 that was input to the hot folder 900 and the number of label names identified from the hot folder 900 into which the work instruction 800 for the customer system 10 was input, so that the total of the parent job and child jobs is the number of label names.

For example, in FIG. 12, the two label names identified are "cover" and "body", so a child job with branch number "01" is registered in the job management table so that the parent job with branch number "00" and the child jobs with branch numbers other than "00" total two. Then, in FIG. 12, the label names "cover" and "body" identified from the hot folder 900 are registered as labels for the parent job and child jobs registered in the job management table.

The color-coded work instruction creation unit 38 reads information about parent jobs and child jobs with the same job ID from the job management table, and creates image data for work instructions 810 for each parent job and child job. Note that the border color of the work instruction 810 to be created is the border color associated with the label names "cover" and "body" included in the parent job and child job information, read from the border color setting table. The border color setting table in Figure 12 associates label names with border colors as items.

For example, in FIG. 12, the label name "Cover" is associated with the border color "Orange", and the label name "Body" is associated with the border color "Yellow". Therefore, in FIG. 12, image data of the work instructions 810 of the parent job with the border color "Orange" and image data of the work instructions 810 of the child job with the border color "Yellow" are created.

The hot folder setting table, label setting table, and border color setting table in FIG. 12 are set from a label setting screen 1000 as shown in FIG. 13, for example. FIG. 13 is an image diagram of an example of the label setting screen.

The label setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 allows label settings to be switched using tabs 1002, and for each label setting, an input field 1004 for the hot folder name and an input field 1006 for the border color setting table are provided. The input field 1006 for the border color setting table allows the label name and border color to be set in association with each other.

The label name is assigned to a unit that is managed collectively in a process, such as "part type" or "shipping destination." The input field 1006 of the border color setting table may also include a check box 1008 for setting whether or not to add a color code image 811, so that a work instruction sheet that does not add a color code image 811 can also be printed.

As described above, the work process management system 14 according to this embodiment can print a work instruction sheet 810 for an information processing system with the periphery 812 outlined in a border color, and the border color of the work instruction sheet 810 can be used as a label associated with the contents of the job.

In addition, in the work process management system 14 according to this embodiment, the work instructions 810 are outlined with a border color, which improves visibility. This makes it easier for the worker to find the intended work instructions 810, improving work efficiency. In addition, the improved visibility of the work instructions 810 can prevent the worker from leaving the work instructions 810 behind or forgetting to attach them.

In addition, in the work process management system 14 according to this embodiment, by using a work instruction sheet 810 printed on white paper instead of a work instruction sheet showing the job contents on colored paper, a technique for expressing codes in color, such as a color code image 811, which is easily affected by colored paper, can be used in the work instruction sheet 810. In this way, in the work process management system 14 according to this embodiment, by showing the job contents in the border color of the work instruction sheet 810, it is possible to achieve both the effect of making the job contents intuitively visible and the effect of the technique for expressing codes in color, such as a color code image 811.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the work instruction manual 810 for the information processing system 12 is created in the work process management system 14. In the second embodiment, the work instruction manual 810 for the information processing system 12 is created in the customer system 10. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for some parts. Therefore, the same parts as the first embodiment will not be described as appropriate.

<System Configuration>
Fig. 14 is a functional configuration diagram of another example of the work process management system. The work process management system 14a in Fig. 14 has a configuration in which the color-coded work instruction creation unit 38 and the print instruction unit 40 are removed from the work process management system 14 in Fig. 4. On the other hand, the customer system 10a has a color-coded work instruction creation unit 60 and a print instruction unit 62 added thereto.

In the job management system 1 according to the second embodiment, the work process management system 14a performs the process up to the generation of the color code image 811, as in the first embodiment, and steps S14 and S15 in FIG. 6 are performed by the color-coded work instruction creation unit 60 and the print instruction unit 62 of the customer system 10.

The job management system 1 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the job management system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[Third embodiment]
In the above-described first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which the work instructions 810 for the information processing system 12 are printed on a print medium such as paper by the printer 16, but the work instructions 810 may also be displayed on a display medium (display device) such as electronic paper or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

Figure 15 is a functional configuration diagram of another example of a work process management system. The work process management system 14 in Figure 15 has a configuration in which the print instruction unit 40 of the work process management system 14 in Figure 4 is replaced with a display instruction unit 140. The display instruction unit 140 instructs the display device to display a work instruction sheet 810 for the information processing system 12 to which the color code image 811 in Figure 2 (B) is added and the peripheral portion 812 is outlined with a border color.

In response to an instruction from the display instruction unit 140, the display device displays a color-coded work instruction sheet 810 (work instruction sheet 810 for the information processing system 12) with the periphery 812 outlined in a border color, for example, as shown in FIG. 2(B).

[Fourth embodiment]
The above-mentioned first to third embodiments have been described with respect to the management of the work process of a job in a printing factory, but the present invention can also be applied to the management of the work process of an object flowing on a belt conveyer. For example, if the technology of the present embodiment is applied to the management of the work process of an object flowing on a belt conveyer, it becomes possible to track the object flowing on the belt conveyer, and it is also possible to control the branching of the belt conveyer.

The first to third embodiments described above can also be applied to the technology of transport systems, such as AGVs (automated guided vehicles). For example, in a transport system that transports an item, a work instruction sheet 810 for the information processing system 12 to which a color code image 811 has been added can be attached to the item, and the item can be photographed by the camera 18 while being transported, thereby making it possible to manage the work process of the item being transported by the transport device. In addition, since the position of the transport device transporting the item and the destination of the item can be identified, the transport system can also control the movement of the transport device transporting the item.

[Modification]
In the above, the border color of the work instruction sheet 810 is treated as a label, but if the color of a marker such as a mark or the color of text is treated as a label, for example, the border color setting table in Fig. 12 can be replaced with a marker color setting table or a text color setting table. The marker color setting table has items corresponding to label names and marker colors. The text color setting table has items corresponding to label names and text colors. Therefore, the color of the marker or text in the work instruction sheet 810 is the marker color or text color associated with the label name included in the job information.

The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. The color-coded work instruction creation unit 38 is an example of a creation means. The print instruction unit 40 is an example of an instruction means. The printer 16 is an example of a printing means and a printing device. The display device is an example of a display means. The work process management system 14 is an example of an information processing device.

1 Job management system 10 Customer system 12 Information processing system 14 Work process management system 16 Printer 18, 18a, 18b Camera 20 Network 30 UI section 32 Job ID detection section 34 Job management section 36 Color code image generation section 38, 60 Color-coded work instruction creation section 40, 62 Print instruction section 42 Photographed image acquisition section 44 Color code recognition section 46 Color code management table storage section 48 Job management table storage section 50 Setting section 52 Hot folder setting table storage section 54 Label setting table storage section 56 Border color setting table storage section 140 Display instruction section 800 Work instruction for customer system 801 Barcode image 810 Work instruction for information processing system 811 Color code image 812 Peripheral section

JP 2005-100298 A

Claims (9)

An information processing system for printing slips, comprising:
a creating means for, when a work instruction is input into a folder associated with the contents of the slip, identifying a predetermined color of a predetermined area of the slip from the folder into which the work instruction was input, and creating image data of the slip with the predetermined area of the slip in the predetermined color;
an instruction means for instructing printing of the slip using image data of the slip;
a printing means for printing the slip based on image data of the slip;
An information processing system having the above configuration. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the specified area is an area at a specified distance from the edge of the recording medium on which the slip is printed. 3. An information processing system according to claim 1, wherein said creating means creates image data of said slip including a code image used to identify one or more jobs. 4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the code image is a color code image. An information processing system for printing slips, comprising:
a creation means for, when a work instruction is input into a folder associated with the contents of the voucher, identifying a predetermined color of a mark to be displayed on the voucher from the folder into which the work instruction was input, and creating image data of the voucher to which the mark of the predetermined color has been added;
an instruction means for instructing printing of the slip using image data of the slip;
a printing means for printing the slip based on image data of the slip;
An information processing system having the above configuration. The method further comprises: display means for displaying the slip based on image data of the slip;
6. An information processing system according to claim 1, wherein said instruction means uses image data of the slip to instruct said display means to display the slip. 7. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the slip is used by being placed on a work object on the slip or on a loading platform on which the work object is placed. An information processing device that causes a printer to print a slip,
a creation means for, when a work instruction is input into a folder associated with the contents of the slip, identifying a predetermined color of a predetermined area of the slip from the folder into which the work instruction was input, and creating image data of the slip with the predetermined area of the slip in the predetermined color;
an instruction means for instructing the printing device to print the slip using image data of the slip;
A program to function as a An information processing device that causes a printer to print a slip,
a creating means for, when a work instruction is input into a folder associated with the contents of the slip, identifying a predetermined color of a predetermined area of the slip from the folder into which the work instruction was input, and creating image data of the slip with the predetermined area of the slip in the predetermined color;
an instruction means for instructing the printing device to print the slip using image data of the slip;
An information processing device having the above configuration.

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