Information processing apparatus and storage medium storing an information processing program

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing apparatus and a storage medium storing an information processing program, to suppress waste of resources used for producing an object. A processor receives, for at least one user US, a production-related order including an object and a quantity, and changes the quantity HM of the received order so that a portion of resources PM used in producing the object that is not used for the production is below a predetermined reference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing device and a storage medium storing an information processing program. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic business card ordering system. The system includes a processor, a memory, and a database. The memory is communicatively connected to the processor and stores modules executable by the processor. The database is communicatively connected to the processor and stores user data, including the remaining number of business cards for each user.

[0003] The aforementioned modules include a receiving module, a business card remaining quantity update module, and a business card ordering module. The receiving module receives business card data related to other people's business cards from the user. When the receiving module receives the business card data, the business card remaining quantity update module updates the remaining quantity of the business cards in the user data stored in the database. If the remaining quantity of the business cards in the user data stored in the database is below a predetermined number, the business card ordering module orders the user's business cards.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-157077 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0008] When the remaining number of business cards dwindles, users sometimes order more cards based on their remaining stock. However, this results in waste of printing paper when the number of cards ordered by a user does not match the number of cards that can be printed on the available printing paper.

[0009] The present invention provides an information processing device and a storage medium storing an information processing program, which reduces the waste of resources for the objects to be produced compared to the case where production is carried out according to accepted orders.

[0010] means for solving problems

[0011] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus has a processor that, for at least one user, accepts a production-related order containing an object and a quantity, and changes the quantity of the accepted order such that the portion of the resources used in the production of the object that is not used for the production is below a predetermined baseline.

[0012] According to the information processing apparatus of the second method, in the information processing apparatus of the first method, the object is a printed matter, and the portion not used for the production is the portion of a predetermined unit of paper from which no printed image is formed. The processor changes the quantity of the accepted order when the portion from which the printed image is not formed increases or decreases due to a change in the number of copies of the printed matter.

[0013] According to the information processing apparatus of the third method, in the information processing apparatus of the second method, the processor increases or decreases the quantity of the accepted order so as not to produce portions that do not form the printed image.

[0014] According to the information processing apparatus of the fourth method, in the information processing apparatus of the first method, the processor increases or decreases the ordered quantity such that the ordered quantity is equal to the quantity closest to the ordered quantity among integer multiples of a predetermined quantity base.

[0015] According to the information processing apparatus of the fifth method, in the information processing apparatus of the fourth method, the processor increases or decreases the ordered quantity such that the ordered quantity is equal to the quantity closest to the ordered quantity among the integer multiples of the predetermined different quantity bases.

[0016] According to the information processing apparatus of the sixth method, in the information processing apparatus of the fourth method, the object is a printed matter, and the predetermined number is the number of faces of the printed matter printed on a predetermined unit of paper.

[0017] According to the information processing apparatus of the seventh method, in the information processing apparatus of the first method, the processor summarizes the order quantities of each user and increases or decreases the order quantities of each user, such that the total sum of the summed order quantities is equal to the number of integer multiples of a predetermined quantity base that is closest to the total sum of the summed order quantities.

[0018] According to the information processing apparatus of the eighth method, in the information processing apparatus of the seventh method, the processor increases or decreases the quantity ordered by each user, such that the total quantity of the aggregated objects is equal to the quantity closest to the total quantity of the aggregated orders among all integer multiples of predetermined different quantity bases.

[0019] According to the information processing apparatus of the 9th method, in the information processing apparatus of any one of the 1st to 8th methods, the object is a business card, the processor estimates the remaining number of the user's business cards based on the number of business cards the user has logged in with and obtained through business card exchange with others, and determines the number of business cards the user should order based on the estimated remaining number of the user's business cards.

[0020] According to the information processing apparatus of the 10th method, in the information processing apparatus of the 9th method, the processor increases or decreases the number of business cards ordered by the user, such that the number of business cards ordered by the user is the closest among the integer multiples of the predetermined quantity reference, which is the number of business cards that can be produced using the printing paper used as the resource for generating the business cards.

[0021] According to the 11th method, a storage medium storing an information processing program is used to cause a computer to perform the following processing: accepting a production-related order containing an object and a quantity for at least one user, and changing the quantity of the accepted order such that the portion of the resources used in producing the object that is not used for the production is below a predetermined baseline.

[0022] Invention Effects

[0023] According to the information processing device involved in the first method and the storage medium storing the information processing program involved in the eleventh method, it is possible to suppress the waste of resources for the object to be produced.

[0024] According to the information processing device involved in the second method, the size of the portion where the printed image is not formed can be changed.

[0025] According to the information processing apparatus involved in the third method, it is possible to make the portion that does not form the printed image non-existent, regardless of whether all the printed portions are used.

[0026] According to the information processing device involved in the fourth method, the object can be produced from the perspective of the predetermined quantitative benchmark without wasting the resources.

[0027] According to the information processing device involved in the fifth method, the object can be produced from the perspective of the predetermined multiple different quantitative benchmarks without wasting the resources.

[0028] According to the information processing apparatus involved in the sixth method, the order quantity can be increased or decreased based on the number of faces printed on a predetermined unit of paper.

[0029] According to the information processing device involved in the seventh method, it is possible to produce an object that sums up the production quantities of each user from the perspective of the predetermined quantity benchmark, without wasting the resources.

[0030] According to the information processing device involved in the eighth method, it is possible to produce an object that sums up the production quantities of each user from the perspective of the predetermined multiple different quantity benchmarks, without wasting the resources.

[0031] According to the information processing device involved in the ninth method, a reliable number of business cards can be determined compared to the number of cards ordered arbitrarily by the user. Furthermore, compared to the case where the user orders spontaneously, the number of cards ordered by the user can be determined in a timely manner.

[0032] According to the information processing apparatus involved in the 10th method, the user's business card can be produced without wasting the printing paper, which is the resource used to produce the business card. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 The structure of the printing management system of Embodiment 1 is shown.

[0034] Figure 2 The structure of the printing management device according to Embodiment 1 is shown.

[0035] Figure 3 A database showing the remaining sheet count for Implementation 1 is presented.

[0036] Figure 4 The order quantity database for Implementation 1 is shown.

[0037] Figure 5 The remaining paper limit number information for Implementation 1 is shown.

[0038] Figure 6 (A) shows the printing paper of Embodiment 1 and the package of the printing paper. Figure 6 (B) shows the small box of embodiment 1. Figure 6 (C) shows the large box of Embodiment 1.

[0039] Figure 7 The ordering base number of sheets for Implementation 1 is shown.

[0040] Figure 8This is a functional block diagram of the printing management device according to Embodiment 1.

[0041] Figure 9 The structure of the user's terminal device in Embodiment 1 is shown.

[0042] Figure 10 This is a functional block diagram of the user's terminal device in Implementation Method 1.

[0043] Figure 11 The structure of the terminal device of the printer in Embodiment 1 is shown.

[0044] Figure 12 This is a functional block diagram of the terminal device for printers in Implementation Method 1.

[0045] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printing management system of Embodiment 1.

[0046] Figure 14 The structure of the printing management system of Embodiment 2 is shown.

[0047] Figure 15 A database showing the remaining sheet count for Implementation 2 is presented.

[0048] Figure 16 The order quantity database for Implementation Method 2 is shown.

[0049] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printing management system in Embodiment 2.

[0050] Label Explanation:

[0051] PKS Printing Management System

[0052] TMu terminal device

[0053] US users

[0054] TS Others

[0055] MSr business card

[0056] MSt business card

[0057] TMp terminal device

[0058] PK Printing Management Device

[0059] PG Printers

[0060] NW Network Detailed Implementation

[0061] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing system incorporating the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. As an embodiment of the information processing system, a "printing management system" including a "printing management device" as an example of an "information processing apparatus" will be described.

[0062] <Implementation Method 1>

[0063] <Structure of Implementation Method 1>

[0064] Figure 1 The structure of the Printing Management System (PKS) according to Embodiment 1 is shown. Hereinafter, refer to... Figure 1 The structure of the printing management system PKS in Implementation Method 1 will be described.

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing management system PKS of Embodiment 1 includes a printing management device PK, a terminal device TMu, and a terminal device TMp. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the printing management device PK, the terminal device TMu, and the terminal device TMp are interconnected via a network NW (e.g., the Internet).

[0066] like Figure 1 As shown, the terminal device TMu is used by user US who exchanges business cards MSr and MSt with other users TS. User US basically has, for example, "100" business cards MSt for exchanging business cards with other users TS.

[0067] Here, "business card" is an example of "object".

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, the terminal device TMp is used by the printer PG.

[0069] <Structure of Printing Management Device>

[0070] Figure 2 The structure of the printing management device PK according to Embodiment 1 is shown.

[0071] like Figure 2 As shown, the printing management device PK of Embodiment 1 includes an input unit 11, a CPU 12 (Central Processing Unit), an output unit 13, a storage medium 14, and a memory 15.

[0072] The input unit 11 may consist of, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, and network unit. The CPU 12, an example of a processor, is the core of a known computer that enables hardware operations according to software. The output unit 13 may consist of, for example, a printer, LCD display, and network unit. The storage medium 14 may consist of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), or ROM (Read Only Memory). The memory 15 may consist of, for example, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

[0073] Storage medium 14 stores program PR, remaining paper count database ZMDB, order count database HMDB, remaining paper limit count information ZGMJ, and order base count information HKMJ.

[0074] The Program PR is a group of commands that specifies the processing that the Print Management Device PK should perform.

[0075] <Remaining Sheets Database>

[0076] Figure 3 The remaining sheet count database ZMDB for Embodiment 1 is shown. Figure 3 As shown, the remaining paper sheet count database ZMDB contains "username" and "remaining paper sheet count ZM". Figure 3 As shown, for example, the ZMDB database of remaining sheets of paper shows the username "US" ( Figure 1 The business card MSt (as shown in the illustration) possesses Figure 1 The remaining number of sheets of paper (ZM) shown in the diagram changes from "31 sheets" to "26 sheets".

[0077] <Order Count Database>

[0078] Figure 4 The order quantity database HMDB of Implementation Method 1 is shown. Figure 4 As shown, the order quantity database HMDB contains "Username" and "Order Quantity HM". Order Quantity HM represents the remaining number of sheets ZM ( Figure 3 The number of remaining sheets (as shown in the diagram) is less than the remaining sheet limit ZGM "30 sheets" described later. Figure 5 As illustrated, this refers to the number of business cards MSt that user US should order in order to return the number of cards MSt owned by user US to "100" as mentioned above. Therefore, for example, when the remaining number of business cards MSt owned by user US is "26" ZM, the number of business cards MSt to order, HM, should originally be "74".

[0079] <Remaining paper limit information>

[0080] Figure 5 The remaining paper limit number information ZGMJ is shown in Embodiment 1. The remaining paper limit number information ZGMJ indicates the number of remaining sheets ZM (…). Figure 3 The number of sheets less than the remaining paper limit ZGM (as shown in the diagram) Figure 5 When (as shown in the diagram), the number of business cards to be ordered is HM (MSt). Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram). Figure 5 As shown, the remaining paper limit ZGM is, for example, "30 sheets".

[0081] <Information on the Standard Number of Sheets Ordered>

[0082] Figure 6 (A) shows the printing paper PM of Embodiment 1 and the packaging TB of the printing paper. Figure 6 (B) shows the small box KB of embodiment 1. Figure 6 (C) shows the large box OB of embodiment 1.

[0083] like Figure 6 As shown in (A), 24 business cards MSt can be printed on one sheet of printing paper PM, which is an example of "the number of faces printed on one sheet of printing paper PM". In other words, "24" business cards MSt can be obtained from one sheet of printing paper PM.

[0084] A package (TB) of printing paper PM, for example, is a unit purchased from a printing paper manufacturer (not shown) containing 10 sheets of printing paper PM. Therefore, as... Figure 6 As shown in (B), it is possible to print "240" business cards MSt on a TB pack of printing paper PM. In other words, it is possible to obtain 240 business cards MSt from a TB pack of printing paper PM.

[0085] The small box (KB) is for storing business cards (MSt). For example... Figure 6 As shown in (B), the small box KB can hold 100 business cards MSt.

[0086] The large box OB is used to store small boxes ( Figure 6 The box shown in (B). Figure 6 As shown in (C), the large box OB can hold 8 small boxes KB. In other words, one large box can hold 800 business cards MSt.

[0087] Here, printed paper PM, printed paper PM package TB, small box KB, and large box OB are examples of "resources".

[0088] Figure 7 The ordering base number of sheets information HKMJ is shown in Implementation 1.

[0089] The order base number of business cards (HKMJ) indicates the base number of cards that constitutes the order for business cards (MSt), i.e., the order base number of business cards (HKM). The order base number of business cards (HKM) is an example of a "predetermined quantity base." Specifically, as... Figure 7 As shown, the standard order quantity HKM is "24", "100", "240", and "800".

[0090] The standard order quantity HKM "24 sheets" corresponds to the aforementioned business card MSt "24 sheets" that can be obtained from 1 sheet of printed paper PM.

[0091] The standard order quantity HKM "100 sheets" corresponds to the aforementioned 100 business cards that can be stored in a small box KB.

[0092] The standard order quantity HKM "240 sheets" corresponds to the aforementioned 240 business cards that can be obtained from a pack of TB of printed paper PM.

[0093] The standard order quantity HKM "800 pieces" corresponds to the aforementioned 800 business cards that can be stored in a large box OB.

[0094] <Functions of the Printing Management Device>

[0095] Figure 8 This is a functional block diagram of the printing management device PK according to embodiment 1.

[0096] like Figure 8 As shown, the printing management device PK includes a communication unit 21, a receiving unit 22, a calculation unit 23, a comparison unit 24, a determination / reset unit 25, a control unit 26, and a storage unit 27.

[0097] Regarding the hardware structure of the printing management device PK ( Figure 2 (as shown in the diagram) and functional structure ( Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, in terms of hardware, the CPU 12 uses the memory 15 (which performs the functions of other parts of the storage unit 27) to execute the program PR stored in the storage medium 14 (which performs the functions of a part of the storage unit 27), and, as needed, controls the operation of the input unit 11 and the output unit 13 as the control unit 26, thereby realizing the functions of each component, including the communication unit 21, the receiving unit 22, the calculation unit 23, the comparison unit 24, and the determination / reset unit 25. The functions of each component will be described later.

[0098] <Structure of the user's terminal device>

[0099] Figure 9The structure of the user's terminal device TMu in Embodiment 1 is shown.

[0100] like Figure 9 As shown, the structure of the printing management device PK ( Figure 2 Similarly (as illustrated), the terminal device TMu includes an input unit 31, a CPU 32, an output unit 33, a storage medium 34, and a memory 35.

[0101] Similar to the input unit 11 of the printing management device PK, the input unit 31 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and a network unit.

[0102] Similar to the CPU12, which competes with the print management device, the CPU32 is an example of a processor, the core of a well-known computer that enables hardware to operate according to software.

[0103] Similar to the output unit 13 of the printing management device PK, the output unit 33 is composed of, for example, a printer, an LCD display, and a network unit.

[0104] Similar to the storage medium 14 of the print management device PK, the storage medium 34 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0105] Similar to the memory 15 of the print management device PK, the memory 35 is composed of, for example, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

[0106] like Figure 9 As shown, storage medium 34 stores program PRU. Program PRU is a set of commands that specifies the processing content that the terminal device TMU should execute.

[0107] <Functions of the user's terminal device>

[0108] Figure 10 This is a functional block diagram of the user's terminal device TMu in Implementation Method 1.

[0109] like Figure 10 As shown, the terminal device TMu includes a communication unit 41, a processing unit 42, a control unit 43, and a storage unit 44.

[0110] Regarding the hardware structure of the terminal device TMU ( Figure 9 (as shown in the diagram) and functional structure ( Figure 10As shown in the diagram, in terms of hardware, the CPU 32 uses the memory 35 (which performs the functions of other parts of the storage unit 44) to execute the program PRU stored in the storage medium 34 (which performs the functions of a part of the storage unit 44), and, as needed, controls the operation of the input unit 31 and the output unit 33 as the control unit 43, thereby realizing the functions of each component of the communication unit 41 and the processing unit 42. The functions of each component will be described later.

[0111] <The Structure of Terminal Devices for Printers>

[0112] Figure 11 The structure of the terminal device TMp of the printer in Embodiment 1 is shown.

[0113] like Figure 11 As shown, the structure of the terminal device TMu ( Figure 9 Similarly (as illustrated), the terminal device TMp includes an input unit 51, a CPU 52, an output unit 53, a storage medium 54, and a memory 55.

[0114] Similar to the input section 31 of the terminal device TMu, the input section 51 may be composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and a network unit.

[0115] Similar to the CPU32 of the terminal device TMU, the CPU52 is an example of a processor, which is the core of a known computer that enables hardware to operate according to software.

[0116] Similar to the output section 33 of the terminal device TMu, the output section 53 may be composed of, for example, a printer, a liquid crystal display, or a network unit.

[0117] Similar to the storage medium 34 of the terminal device TMu, the storage medium 54 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0118] Similar to the memory 35 of the terminal device TMu, the memory 55 is composed of, for example, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

[0119] like Figure 11 As shown, storage medium 54 stores program PRp. Program PRp is a group of commands that specifies the processing content that the terminal device TMp should execute.

[0120] <Functions of the Printing Industry's Terminal Devices>

[0121] Figure 12 This is a functional block diagram of the terminal device TMp for printers in Implementation Method 1.

[0122] like Figure 12 As shown, the functions of the user's terminal device TMu ( Figure 10 Similarly (as illustrated), the terminal device TMp includes a communication unit 61, a processing unit 62, a control unit 63, and a storage unit 64.

[0123] Regarding the hardware structure of the terminal device TMP ( Figure 11 (as shown in the diagram) and functional structure ( Figure 12 As shown in the diagram, in terms of hardware, the CPU 52 uses the memory 55 (which performs the functions of other parts of the storage unit 64) to execute the program PRp stored in the storage medium 54 (which performs the functions of a part of the storage unit 64), and, as needed, the control unit 63 controls the operation of the input unit 51 and the output unit 53, thereby realizing the functions of each component of the communication unit 61 and the processing unit 62. The functions of each component will be described later.

[0124] <The Actions of Implementation Method 1>

[0125] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the Printing Management System (PKS) in Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, refer to... Figure 13 The flowchart illustrates the operations of the Printing Management System (PKS).

[0126] For ease of explanation and understanding, such as Figure 3 As shown, suppose user US initially has "31" remaining sheets of paper ZM, which is then reduced to "26" after exchanging business cards with "5" other people TS.

[0127] Furthermore, assuming that when converted to business card MSt, the printing paper PM ( Figure 6 In the illustration (A), the size of the portion of the business card MSt that is allowed to be unused for printing (the so-called waste paper, equivalent to scrap paper), i.e., the "predetermined allowable standard" (an example of the "predetermined standard"), is "0 sheets". In other words, it is assumed that the preferred order quantity of business cards MSt is HM ( Figure 4 (As shown in the illustration) is consistent with the integer multiple of “24” business cards MSt obtained from printed paper PM.

[0128] Step S10: User US uses terminal device TMu to log in to the print management device PK from the "5" business cards MSr received from "5" other people TS. In other words, in the print management device PK, CPU12 ( Figure 2 (As shown in the diagram) serves as the communication unit 21 and the receiving unit 22. Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, from the communication unit 41 (which is a terminal device TMu) Figure 10 The CPU32 (as shown in the diagram) accepts logins from other users' TS business cards MSr via the network NW.

[0129] Step S11: When the registration of "5" business cards MSr of another person TS was accepted in step S10, in the printing management device PK, CPU12 acts as the computing unit 23. Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, the remaining sheet count database ZMDB ( Figure 3 The remaining number of sheets ZM on user US's business card MSt (as shown in the diagram) is subtracted. Therefore, as... Figure 3 As shown, the remaining number of sheets ZM has changed from "31 sheets" to "26 sheets". In other words, CPU12 estimates that the remaining number of business cards MSt for user US is "26 sheets".

[0130] Step S12: When the subtraction operation was performed on the remaining number of sheets ZM in step S11, in the printing management device PK, CPU12 acts as the comparison unit 24. Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, determine whether the remaining number of sheets ZM is less than the remaining sheet limit information ZGMJ. Figure 5 The remaining paper limit ZGM is "30 sheets" as shown in the diagram. Since the remaining paper number ZM is "26 sheets" less than the remaining paper limit ZGM is "30 sheets", the process proceeds to "YES".

[0131] Additionally, if the remaining number of sheets ZM is not less than the remaining sheet limit number ZGM, the process will proceed to "NO".

[0132] Step S13: When it is determined in step S12 that the remaining number of sheets ZM is less than the remaining sheet limit number ZGM, in the printing management device PK, CPU 12, acting as the calculation unit 23, calculates the order quantity HM based on the remaining sheet number ZM "26 sheets". Since the user US should have "100" business cards MSt, CPU 12 calculates the order quantity HM as "74" (=100-26). In other words, CPU 12 determines the order quantity HM of business cards MSt to be "74".

[0133] Step S14: When the order quantity HM was calculated in step S13, in the printing management device PK, CPU 12, acting as the comparison unit 24, determines whether the order quantity HM "74 sheets" matches the order reference quantity information HKMJ. Figure 7As shown in the diagram, the order quantity HKM "24", "100", "240", and "800" must be an integer multiple of any one of them. Since the order quantity HM "74" is not an integer multiple of any one of the order quantity HKM "24", "100", "240", and "800", the process proceeds to "NO".

[0134] Additionally, if the number of copies ordered (HM) is an integer multiple of either the order base number of copies (HKM), the process will proceed to "YES".

[0135] Step S15: When it is determined in step S14 that the number of sheets ordered, HM "74 sheets", is not an integer multiple of any one of the order reference number of sheets, HKM, in the printing management device PK, the CPU 12, acting as the calculation unit 23, changes the number of sheets ordered, HM "74 sheets", that is, increases or decreases the number of sheets ordered, so that the number of sheets ordered, HM, is an integer multiple of any one of the order reference number of sheets, HKM "24 sheets", "100 sheets", "240 sheets", "800 sheets".

[0136] Here, the order quantity HM "74 sheets" is closest to, for example, three times the order base quantity HKM "24 sheets", which is "72 sheets". Therefore, CPU 12, acting as the calculation unit 23, reduces the order quantity HM from "74 sheets" to "72 sheets". Furthermore, as the determination / reset unit 25... Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, determine the number of sheets to order: HM "72 sheets".

[0137] Step S16: When the order quantity HM "72 sheets" is determined in step S15, in the printing management device PK, CPU12 acts as the communication unit 21. Figure 8 (As shown in the illustration) The printer NW orders business cards MSt from the printer PG using the terminal device TMp via the network. The number of business cards ordered is HM "72".

[0138] Step S17: When the order for 72 business cards (HM) is completed in step S16, in the printing management device PK, as follows: Figure 3 As shown, CPU12, acting as the determination / reset unit, resets the remaining number of sheets ZM from "26 sheets" to "98 sheets" (=26+72 sheets).

[0139] <Variation Example 1: Consistent with one of the two order base quantities (HKM)>

[0140] Imagine exchanging business cards with someone else (TS) who has "29" members, instead of exchanging business cards with someone else (TS) who has "5" members. After the business card exchange, in step S11, CPU 12 changes the remaining number of sheets ZM from "31 sheets" to "2 sheets". After the change in the remaining number of sheets ZM, the process proceeds to step S12. After step S12, in step S13, CPU 12 calculates the ordered number of sheets HM as "98 sheets" (=100-2).

[0141] After step S13, the process proceeds to step S14 as described above. Following step S14, in step S15, the order quantity HM "98 sheets" is, for example, compared to the order base quantity HKM "24 sheets" (…). Figure 7 (as shown in the illustration) 4 times, i.e., "96 sheets", and the standard order quantity HKM "100 sheets" ( Figure 7 The closest two values ​​are "100 sheets" (as shown in the diagram) and "1 times". Therefore, the CPU 12 can determine the order quantity HM after increasing or decreasing it to match either "96 sheets" or "100 sheets".

[0142] <Variation Example 2: Both parties agree on an integer multiple of the two order base quantities (HKM)>

[0143] Regardless of whether business cards have been exchanged with the aforementioned "5" other individuals TS, user US, for example, plans to exchange business cards with a predetermined large number of other individuals TS in the near future. When user US instructs the printing management device PK to place an order for, for example, "250" business cards MSt from the terminal device TMu, in other words, the printing management device PK accepts the order for the number of business cards HM "250" MSt from user US. After the order is accepted, the processing does not execute the steps S10 to S13 described above, but proceeds to step S14 described above.

[0144] In step S15 above, the order quantity HM "250 sheets" is, for example, the order base quantity HKM "24 sheets". Figure 7 The closest values ​​are 10 times (as shown in the diagram), i.e., "240 sheets", and 1 times (240 sheets) of the order base number of sheets HKM. Therefore, the CPU12 can determine the order number after subtracting from the order number HM to make it consistent with "240 sheets".

[0145] <Variation Example 3: Variation of a predetermined allowable standard>

[0146] The aforementioned "predetermined allowable threshold" is converted to business card MSt, for example, it can be the number of cards such as "1", "2", or "3", instead of the case of "0". Furthermore, the "predetermined allowable threshold" is a ratio based on "24 business cards" obtained from 1 sheet of printed paper PM, for example, it could be "10%" (equivalent to "2.4"). When assuming the "predetermined allowable threshold" is set to, for example, "2", the order quantity HM of "90" is changed to "94" (=96-2) instead of changing to "96" (=24×4).

[0147] In addition, the "object" can be, for example, a "flyer" or "advertisement" instead of the "business card" mentioned above.

[0148] <Variation Example 4: Variation in the case of business card printing in a layout>

[0149] Related to variation 3, in Figure 6 In this process, it is preferable to print 24 business cards MSt on one sheet of printing paper PM. However, depending on the number of business cards MSt to be printed, the size of the unprinted portion of the printing paper PM (an example of "unused portion" or "portion without printed image") can be changed. In this case, instead of changing (reducing) the order quantity HM from "74" to "72" (= 24 x 3), the order quantity HM can be increased from "74" to "96" (= 24 x 4) to avoid creating unprinted portions on the printing paper PM. The "22" (= 96 - 74) undelivered items for this order are pre-saved, for example, for delivery when the next order is received.

[0150] <Implementation Method 2>

[0151] <Structure of Implementation Method 2>

[0152] Figure 14 The structure of the Printing Management System (PKS) according to Embodiment 2 is shown. Hereinafter, refer to... Figure 14 The structure of the printing management system PKS in Implementation Method 2 will be described.

[0153] like Figure 14 As shown, instead of the printing management system PKS in Embodiment 1, Figure 1 The illustrated terminal device TMu is one terminal device. The printing management system PKS of Embodiment 2 includes multiple terminal devices TMu.

[0154] In detail, in studio A of a certain company, user US1 using terminal device TMu1 exchanges business cards MSt1 with other user TS1 and receives business cards MSr1 from other user TS1. Similarly, other users US2 to US4 exchange business cards MSt2 to MSt4 with other users TS2 to TS4 and receive business cards MSr2 to MSr4 from other users TS2 to TS4.

[0155] The other studios, B and C, have the same structure as studio A mentioned above.

[0156] <Structure and function of printing management devices, user terminal devices, and printer terminal devices>

[0157] The structure and function of the printing management device PK, the terminal devices TMu1 to TMu4... of users US1 to US4..., and the terminal device TMP of the printer PG in Embodiment 2 are the same as those of the printing management device PK in Embodiment 1. Figure 2 , Figure 8 As shown in the diagram), terminal device TMu ( Figure 9 , Figure 10 (as shown in the diagram), and the terminal device TMp ( Figure 11 , Figure 12 (As shown in the diagram) is the same.

[0158] <Remaining Sheets Database>

[0159] Figure 15 The remaining sheet count database ZMDB for Embodiment 2 is shown.

[0160] The remaining paper count database ZMDB of Implementation Method 2 is the same as the remaining paper count database ZMDB of Implementation Method 1. Figure 3 (As shown in the illustration) It contains multiple "usernames" and multiple "remaining sheets ZM".

[0161] In detail, the remaining sheet count database ZMDB in Implementation Method 2 represents the number of sheets for each username "US1", "US2", "US3", "US4"... ( Figure 14 As shown in the diagram, the remaining number of sheets ZM changes from "31 sheets" to "21 sheets", "24 sheets", "26 sheets", "28 sheets", and so on.

[0162] <Order Count Database>

[0163] Figure 16 The order quantity database HMDB of Implementation Method 2 is shown.

[0164] The order quantity database HMDB of Implementation Method 2 is the same as the order quantity database HMDB of Implementation Method 1. Figure 4 (As shown in the illustration) It has multiple "usernames" and multiple "order quantity HM".

[0165] In detail, the order quantity database HMDB in Implementation Method 2 targets each username "US1", "US2", "US3", "US4"... ( Figure 14 As shown in the diagram, the number of sheets ordered (HM) should correspond to the remaining number of sheets (ZM) mentioned above, which were "21 sheets", "24 sheets", "26 sheets", and "28 sheets". Instead, it should be "79 sheets" (=100-21), "76 sheets" (=100-24), "74 sheets" (=100-26), "72 sheets" (=100-28)...

[0166] <The Actions of Implementation Method 2>

[0167] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the Printing Management System (PKS) in Embodiment 2. Hereinafter, refer to... Figure 17 The flowchart below illustrates the printing management system PKS of Implementation Method 2.

[0168] For ease of explanation and understanding, let's imagine that users US1 to US4, belonging to the same studio A, exchange business cards with "10" other people TS1, "7" other people TS2, "5" other people TS3, and "3" other people TS4, respectively.

[0169] Step S20: Similar to step S10 in Implementation Method 1, user US1 uses terminal device TMu1 to log the business card MSr1 received from another person TS1 into the print management device PK. In other words, in the print management device PK, CPU12 ( Figure 2 (As shown in the diagram) serves as the communications unit 21 and the receiving unit 22 ( Figure 8 As shown in the figure, from the communication unit 41 (which is a terminal device TMu1) Figure 10 The CPU32 (as shown in the diagram) accepts the login of another person's business card MSr1 via the network NW.

[0170] In the printing management device PK, similar to user US1, CPU12 accepts the login of business cards MSr2 to MSr4 received by other users US2 to US4 from others TS2 to TS4.

[0171] Step S21: When the registration of business cards MSr1 to MSr4 from other people's TS1 to TS4 was accepted in step S20, in the printing management device PK, CPU12 acts as the computing unit 23 ( Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, the remaining sheet count database ZMDB ( Figure 15 The remaining number of sheets of paper (ZM) for users US1 to US4's business cards (MSt1 to MSt4) in the diagram are subtracted. Therefore, as shown... Figure 15 As shown, the remaining number of sheets of paper ZM for users US1 to US4 changed from "31 sheets" to "21 sheets" (=31-10), "24 sheets" (=31-7), "26 sheets" (=31-5), and "28 sheets" (=31-3), respectively.

[0172] Step S22: When the subtraction operation was performed on the remaining number of sheets ZM of business cards MSt1 to MSt4 of users US1 to US4 in step S21, in the printing management device PK, CPU12 acts as the comparison unit 24. Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, determine whether the remaining number of business cards MST1 to MST4 for users US1 to US4, ZM "21 sheets", "24 sheets", "26 sheets", and "28 sheets", is less than the remaining paper limit ZGM "30 sheets". Figure 5 (As shown in the diagram). Because the remaining number of sheets ZM "21 sheets", "24 sheets", "26 sheets", and "28 sheets" is less than the remaining sheet limit ZGM "30 sheets" ( Figure 5 (As shown in the diagram), so the process proceeds to "YES".

[0173] Additionally, if the remaining number of sheets ZM is not less than the remaining sheet limit number ZGM, the process will proceed to "NO".

[0174] Step S23: When it is determined in step S22 that the remaining number of sheets ZM is less than the remaining sheet limit number ZGM, in the printing management device PK, CPU 12, acting as the calculation unit 23, calculates the order quantity HM based on the remaining sheet number ZM as "21 sheets", "24 sheets", "26 sheets", or "28 sheets". For example... Figure 16 As shown, CPU12 calculates the number of sheets HM ordered by user US1 as "79 sheets" (=100-21).

[0175] Similarly, as Figure 16 As shown, CPU12 calculates the number of sheets HM ordered by users US2, US3, and US4 as "76 sheets" (=100-24), "74 sheets" (=100-26), and "72 sheets" (=100-28).

[0176] Step S24: When the number of sheets ordered, HM, is calculated in step S23, in the printing management device PK, CPU 12 acts as the comparison unit 24. Figure 8(As shown in the diagram), summarized into 4 order quantities HM. CPU12 determines whether the total order quantity HM "301 sheets" (=79+76+74+72) matches the order base quantity HKM "24 sheets", "100 sheets", "240 sheets", "800 sheets" (as shown in the diagram). Figure 7 The total number of sheets ordered (HM) is not a multiple of any of the integer multiples of the base number of sheets ordered (HKM) ("24 sheets", "100 sheets", "240 sheets", "800 sheets"). Therefore, the processing will proceed to "NO".

[0177] Additionally, when the total number of orders (HM) is an integer multiple of any one of the base number of orders (HKM), the process will proceed to "YES".

[0178] Step S25: When it is determined in step S24 that the total number of ordered sheets HM "301 sheets" is not consistent with any integer multiple of the order reference number of sheets HKM, in the printing management device PK, the CPU12, as the calculation unit 23, increases or decreases the total number of ordered sheets HM so that the total number of ordered sheets HM is consistent with any integer multiple of the order reference number of sheets HKM.

[0179] Here, the total number of ordered sheets HM, "301 sheets", is closest to 13 times the base number of ordered sheets HKM, "24 sheets", which is "312 sheets". Therefore, in order to make the total number of ordered sheets HM consistent with "312 sheets", CPU12 increases or decreases the number of ordered sheets HM for users US1 to US4.

[0180] Specifically, to increase the total number of orders HM by "11" (=312-301), CPU12 increases the number of orders HM for the four users US1 to US4 by, for example, "2", "3", "3", and "3" (≒11 / 4) respectively. Thus, CPU12 changes the number of orders HM for users US1 to US4 to "81" (=79+2), "79" (=76+3), "77" (=74+3), and "75" (=72+3) respectively. Furthermore, as a determination / reset unit 25... Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, the total number of HM copies ordered is "312".

[0181] Step S26: When the total number of sheets ordered, HM, is determined to be "312 sheets" in step S25, in the printing management device PK, CPU12 acts as the communication unit 21. Figure 8As shown in the diagram, the total number of copies ordered (HM) is "312" via the network NW to the terminal device TMp. More precisely, the number of copies ordered (HM) by CPU12 users US1 to US4 is "81", "79", "77", and "75" respectively.

[0182] Step S27: When the total order of "312 sheets" for the number of sheets HM ordered in step S26 is completed, in the printing management device PK, CPU12, as the determination / reset unit 25, resets the remaining number of sheets ZM for user US1 from "21 sheets" to "102 sheets" (=21+81). Similarly, CPU12 resets the remaining number of sheets ZM for user US2 from "24 sheets" to "103 sheets" (=24+79), the remaining number of sheets ZM for user US3 from "26 sheets" to "103 sheets" (=26+77), and the remaining number of sheets ZM for user US4 from "28 sheets" to "103 sheets" (=28+75).

[0183] <Variation Example 1: Consistent with the large box OB>

[0184] Imagine that, regardless of the remaining sheet count ZM, users US1 to US4 place order requests for sheet counts HM "170 sheets", "190 sheets", "210 sheets", and "220 sheets" respectively with the printing management device PK. In other words, imagine that in the printing management device PK, CPU 12 receives order requests for sheet counts HM "170 sheets", "190 sheets", "210 sheets", and "220 sheets" from users US1 to US4 respectively. The process skips steps S20 to S23 and proceeds to step S24.

[0185] In step S25 above, in the printing management device PK, CPU12 increases or decreases the total number of ordered sheets HM, so that the total number of ordered sheets HM "790 sheets" (=170+190+210+220) is consistent with any integer multiple of the order base number of sheets HKM "24 sheets", "100 sheets", "240 sheets" or "800 sheets".

[0186] Here, the total number of sheets ordered (HM) of "790 sheets" is closest to twice the standard number of sheets ordered (HKM) of "800 sheets," i.e., "800 sheets." Furthermore, this brings the total number of sheets ordered (HM) to approximately 800 sheets in the large box (OB). Figure 6 When the (C) diagram is consistent, it is preferable that the number of sheets HM ordered is an integer multiple of "100 sheets" in the small box.

[0187] Therefore, CPU 12 increases the total number of copies (HM) ordered by users US1 to US4 from "790" to "800" (=800×1). Furthermore, CPU 12 increases the number of copies (HM) ordered by user US1 from "170" to "200" (=100×2). Additionally, CPU 12 changes the number of copies (HM) ordered by user US2 from "190" to "200" (=100×2). Furthermore, CPU 12 decreases the number of copies (HM) ordered by user US3 from "210" to "200" (=100×2). Finally, CPU 12 decreases the number of copies (HM) ordered by user US4 from "220" to "200" (=100×2). In addition, CPU 12 acts as a determination / reset unit 25 (…). Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, the total number of copies ordered for HM is "800".

[0188] <Variation Example 2: From one person to multiple people>

[0189] As described above, when the remaining number of sheets ZM for the four users US1 to US4 belonging to Studio A is less than the order base number HKM, the order numbers HM for the four users US1 to US4 are totaled. Alternatively, for example, when the remaining number of sheets ZM for one user US1 belonging to Studio A is less than the order base number HKM, the order numbers HM for multiple users US1 to US4 belonging to the same Studio A as user US1 can be totaled.

[0190] <Supplementary Notes on Processors and Programs>

[0191] In the above embodiments, processor refers to processor in a broad sense, including not only general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) but also dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0192] In the above embodiments, the actions of the processor can be implemented by a single processor or by the cooperation of multiple processors. Furthermore, the order of the processor's actions is not limited to the order in the above embodiments and can be appropriately changed.

[0193] In the above embodiments, programs PR, PRu, and PRP may not be pre-stored (installed) in storage media 14, 34, and 54 respectively, but may be provided by recording media such as CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be downloaded from an external device via a network.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus has a processor, the processor accepts, for at least one user, an order related to production including an object and a quantity, the quantity of the accepted order is changed so that a portion of a resource used in production of the object that is not used for the production is below a predetermined criterion, in a case where the object is a business card, the processor estimates a remaining quantity of a business card of the user from a number of business cards of others obtained by business card exchange logged by the user, and decides an order quantity of the business card of the user based on the estimated remaining quantity of the business card of the user, the processor compares the decided order quantity of the business card of the user with a quantity that is an integer multiple of a predetermined plurality of different numbers, in a case where the decided order quantity of the business card of the user coincides with any one of the quantities that are the integer multiple of the predetermined plurality of different numbers, the processor does not increase or decrease the order quantity, in a case where the order quantity does not coincide with any of the quantities that are the integer multiple of the predetermined plurality of different numbers, the processor selects a quantity closest to the order quantity from the quantities that are the integer multiple of the predetermined plurality of different numbers, and increases or decreases the decided order quantity of the business card of the user to be equal to the selected quantity closest to the order quantity.

2. An information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus has a processor, the processor accepts, for at least one user, an order related to production including an object and a quantity, the quantity of the accepted order is changed so that a portion of a resource used in production of the object that is not used for the production is below a predetermined criterion, in a case where the object is a business card, the processor estimates a remaining quantity of a business card of the user from a number of business cards of others obtained by business card exchange logged by the user, and decides an order quantity of the business card of the user based on the estimated remaining quantity of the business card of the user, the processor increases or decreases the decided order quantity of the business card of the user so that the decided order quantity of the business card of the user is equal to a quantity closest to the decided order quantity of the business card of the user from among quantities that are an integer multiple of a predetermined number, the predetermined number being a quantity of the business card that can be produced with one sheet of printing paper that is the resource used to produce the business card.

3. A storage medium storing an information processing program, wherein the information processing program is for causing a computer to execute processing described below: the processor accepts, for at least one user, an order related to production including an object and a quantity, the quantity of the accepted order is changed so that a portion of a resource used in production of the object that is not used for the production is below a predetermined criterion, ​ ​ ​ In a case where the object is a business card, the number of business cards of the user is estimated from the number of business cards of other persons obtained by exchange of business cards which the user has logged in, and the number of business cards of the user to be ordered is decided based on the estimated number of business cards of the user, the decided number of business cards of the user to be ordered is compared with the number of integer multiples of a plurality of different numbers predetermined in advance, in a case where the decided number of business cards of the user to be ordered coincides with any one of the number of integer multiples of the plurality of different numbers predetermined in advance, the number of business cards to be ordered is not increased or decreased, in a case where the number of business cards to be ordered does not coincide with any of the number of integer multiples of the plurality of different numbers predetermined in advance, the number of business cards to be ordered is increased or decreased to the number of integer multiples of the plurality of different numbers predetermined in advance which is closest to the number of business cards to be ordered.

4. A computer program product including an information processing program, wherein the information processing program is for causing a computer to execute the processing described below: for at least one user, receiving an order related to production including an object and a number, changing the number of the received order so that a portion of resources used in production of the object which is not used for the production is below a predetermined reference, In a case where the object is a business card, the number of business cards of the user is estimated from the number of business cards of other persons obtained by exchange of business cards which the user has logged in, and the number of business cards of the user to be ordered is decided based on the estimated number of business cards of the user, the decided number of business cards of the user to be ordered is compared with the number of integer multiples of a plurality of different numbers predetermined in advance, in a case where the decided number of business cards of the user to be ordered coincides with any one of the number of integer multiples of the plurality of different numbers predetermined in advance, the number of business cards to be ordered is not increased or decreased, in a case where the number of business cards to be ordered does not coincide with any of the number of integer multiples of the plurality of different numbers predetermined in advance, the number of business cards to be ordered is increased or decreased to the number of integer multiples of the plurality of different numbers predetermined in advance which is closest to the number of business cards to be ordered.

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