Management system, management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a management system which properly manages the progress of a process in a workflow.SOLUTION: A management system includes: detection means which detects a tag arranged in association with a device, the tag including information to be read in a non-contact manner, the tag being arranged so as to move with a deliverable in the device corresponding to a process constituting a workflow; management means which manages the progress of processes in the workflow; and notification means which gives a notification about the progress of the process in the workflow on the basis of a comparison between a process in which the tag detected by the detection means is located and the progress of the process managed by the management means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system, a management method, and a program for managing workflow processes. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that in commercial printing, the process from "order placement" to "bookbinding" is managed and visualized by workflow software. It is also known that it is possible to collect device status information from in-line post-processing machines connected to a network. Patent Document 1 describes how each manufacturing process in a printing factory is determined based on the amount of positional movement of an RFID reader. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-32246 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is necessary to properly manage the progress of processes in the workflow.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a management system, a management method, and a program for appropriately managing the progress of steps in a workflow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the management system of the present invention is characterized in that a tag capable of contactlessly reading information is arranged so as to move together with a deliverable product in a device corresponding to a process that constitutes a workflow, and the management system comprises a detection means for detecting the tag arranged in correspondence with the device, a management means for managing the progress of the process in the workflow, and a notification means for providing a notification regarding the progress of the process in the workflow based on a comparison between the process in which the tag detected by the detection means is located and the progress of the process managed by the management means. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the progress of steps in a workflow can be appropriately managed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a manufacturing process management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a print job management screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 illustrates a print job information table. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a product information table. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a position management system. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an RFID reader. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management server. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 illustrates a table managed by the management server. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a process control system and a production control system. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a table managed by the process management system. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the layout of post-processing performed offline. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing manufacturing process registration information. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a production management screen. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing a notification process. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for notifying the start of a process. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a production management screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system for a manufacturing process in this embodiment. The management system in this embodiment includes an information processing device 101, an image forming device 102, a post-processing device 103, a position management system 700, a process management system 1200, and a production management system 1210. The information processing device 101, the image forming device 102, the position management system 700, the process management system 1200, and the production management system 1210 are connected to each other via a network so that they can communicate with each other. The position management system 700 will be described later in FIG. 7. The process management system 1200 and the production management system 1210 will be described later in FIG. 12. The image forming device 102 analyzes print data transmitted from the information processing device 101 and the like, converts it into a dot image page by page, and prints it. The printed matter output from the image forming device 102 is handed over to the post-processing device 103 by hand-carrying it by an operator, or is handed over to the post-processing device 103 via a belt conveyor (not shown). In this embodiment, the post-processing device 103 is configured in an offline state in which it operates independently without communicating with the image forming device 102 or the information processing device 101. In other words, the post-processing device 103 is not connected to a network. The post-processing device 103 performs processes such as cutting, laminating, folding, and bookbinding on printed materials installed by an operator. It is also possible to use multiple post-processing devices to perform bookbinding and then cutting. Although FIG. 1 illustrates one each of the information processing device 101, the image forming device 102, and the post-processing device 103, multiple devices of each may be disposed. For example, printed materials output by multiple image forming devices may be processed by multiple post-processing devices 103.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device 101. The CPU 201 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 204 and executes various control processes in an integrated manner. The RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of ​​the CPU 201. The hard disk drive (HDD) 204 stores image data and various programs. Note that the configuration may include other storage devices such as a solid state drive (SSD) instead of or in combination with the HDD. The keyboard 205 is an input device that is an instruction input unit, and instructs each application to input a control command or text based on a user operation. The pointing device 206 is an input device that is an instruction input unit similar to the keyboard 205, and instructs each application to input a control command based on a user operation. The display 207 is an output device that is a display unit, and displays commands input from the keyboard 205 or the pointing device 206, UI screens of each application, and the like. The network I / F 208 connects the information processing device 101 to a network. The information processing device 101 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices on the network via the network I / F 208. The network may be a wired network, a wireless network, or a network including both, and may be, for example, a LAN, an intranet, or the Internet.

[0012] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the information processing device 101. A print workflow application 301 is installed in the HDD 204 of the information processing device 101, and is a program module that is loaded into the RAM 203 at the time of execution and executed by the CPU 201. The print workflow application 301 has a UI unit 302, a print job management unit 303, a print job control unit 304, a print processing unit 305, and a device management unit 306.

[0013] The UI unit 302 generates a graphical user interface (GUI) and receives various input operations from the user to instruct the execution of the corresponding process. The print job management unit 303 accesses print job information data 307, which will be described later. Such access is performed, for example, when the print workflow application 301 refers to various information of the print job to be sent to the image forming apparatus 102. The print job control unit 304 controls the execution of various functions (such as sending, editing, and deleting a print job) for the print job in the print workflow application 301.

[0014] The print processing unit 305 transmits the content data and job ticket data of the print job to the image forming apparatus 102 in response to a print job transmission instruction received from the print job control unit 304. The device management unit 306 manages various information (such as an identification name and an address) of the image forming apparatus 102 to which the print job is to be transmitted from the print workflow application 301. The print job information data 307 is a database that manages information related to print jobs (a print job information table and a product information table) which will be described later. The print job information table will be described later with reference to FIG. 5. The product information table will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0015] The print workflow application 301 has been described as being installed in the HDD 204 of the information processing device 101, but it may be configured on a cloud and provided as a cloud service by being accessed from a web browser of the information processing device 101. Also, the print job information data 307 may not only be configured to be stored in the HDD 204 of the information processing device 101, but may also be stored in another information processing device connected via a network (such as a database server configured as a server on the cloud).

[0016] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print job management screen of the print workflow application 301. When an operator instructs the information processing apparatus 101 to execute the print workflow application 301 via the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206, the CPU 201 loads a program into the RAM 203 and executes it. This starts the print workflow application 301. When the print workflow application 301 starts, the UI unit 302 displays a print job management screen as shown in Fig. 4 on the display 207. The print workflow application 301 may display the print job management screen on the web browser on the information processing apparatus 101 by accessing a cloud service from the web browser.

[0017] A print job management screen 401 shows a print job management screen in the print workflow application 301. A function menu 402 shows a menu of functions that can be executed on the print job management screen 401. A print button 403 and a delete button 405 are arranged on the function menu 402. The print button 403 is a button for issuing a print instruction for a print job (an instruction for actual printing). The delete button 405 is a button for issuing an instruction to delete a print job. Note that an edit button or the like for issuing an instruction to edit a print job may also be provided on the function menu 402.

[0018] The print job list 406 shows a list displaying a list of print jobs managed by the print workflow application 301. The print workflow application 301 accesses print job information stored in the print job information data 307 via the print job management unit 303, and displays it in the print job list 406 as a print job to be printed.

[0019] The device list 407 displays a list of image forming devices 102 managed as output destinations by the print workflow application 301. The print workflow application 301 acquires information on the image forming devices 102 communicably connected via the network via the device management unit 306, and displays the information in the device list 407. The operator selects a print job displayed in the print job list 406 and an image forming device displayed in the device list 407 with the pointing device 206 or the like, and issues a print instruction, a delete instruction, an edit instruction, or the like to the print job by pressing a function button arranged in the function menu 402.

[0020] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a print job information table stored in print job information data 307. In the example shown in Fig. 5, print job information table 307 has items such as job ID, order number, deliverable number, product name, number of copies, content name, order date, scheduled shipping date, etc. The product name is a value linked to information on detailed print settings (print attributes) defined in the product information table shown in Fig. 6. The content name is link information to the file name of the content data used when printing the print job. The scheduled shipping date may also include time information.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a product information table stored in the print job information data 307. In the product information table, detailed setting values ​​related to printing (output paper size, finished size, paper type, orientation, single-sided / double-sided, staple, punch, fold, binding, trimming, paper discharge destination, etc.) are defined. The print job information table in FIG. 5 and the product information table in FIG. 6 are created in advance by an installation staff member such as an operator or a system engineer according to the order contents of the printed matter handled by the print workflow application 301. The print job management unit 303 acquires detailed print settings from the product information table using the above-mentioned product name as a key. For example, if the product name is "saddle stitched imposition_A4_double-sided_landscape", settings such as output paper size "320×450", paper type "high-quality paper", ..., single-sided / double-sided "double-sided", ..., binding "ON", saddle stitching "ON", trimming "ON", lamination "ON", ..., etc. are acquired.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 6, each job corresponding to a commercial material has a setting value set for a post-processing executed by the post-processing device 103. However, as described above, the post-processing device 103 is installed offline, so the print workflow application 301 cannot recognize via the network which post-processing device 103 is executing the job. Therefore, in this embodiment, the position management system 700 detects the position of the item by a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that is attached to an item such as a returnable box that can store deliverables and the like and that can read information without contact. The detected position of the item makes it possible to manage which post-processing device 103 the job is in.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a location management system 700. The location management system 700 is a system that manages item data in a database. The location management system 700 includes a tag placed at a place 712 under the management of the location management system 700, an RFID reader that detects the location of the tag, a mobile system 714, a network device for connecting the RFID reader and the mobile system 714 to a network 100, and a management server 701. In this embodiment, the item data includes location information acquired by an RFID tag attached to an item such as a returnable box. The network 100 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the network described in FIG. 1.

[0024] The location management system 700 includes, for example, a location tag 707 installed at a location corresponding to each work process (each subsequent process) in a factory, item tags 709a, 709b attached to items such as returnable boxes, an RFID reader 705b arranged at a location corresponding to each work process in the factory, a portable system 714 held by an operator 704, and a management server 701. The portable system 714 includes an RFID reader 705a and a user terminal 706. As shown in FIG. 7, the location management system 700 is capable of communicating with an information processing device 101 via a network 100.

[0025] The mobile system 714, the RFID reader 705b, and the management server 701 are connected to a network 100. The network 100 may be a wired network, a wireless network, or any combination thereof. The network 100 may be, for example, the Internet, an intranet, an intranet, or a cloud network.

[0026] The position tag 707 is a wireless device that is installed at each location where an RFID reader 705b may store an item in the position management system 700, and has unique tag identification information (hereinafter, tag ID) 708 embedded in the tag. Note that the locations where an item may be stored are, for example, locations corresponding to each work process in a factory. The installation location of the position tag 707 may be fixed or may be changeable at each location.

[0027] The item tags 709a, 709b are wireless devices attached to each of the items to be managed in the position management system 700, and have unique tag identification information (hereinafter, tag ID) 710a, 710b embedded in the tag. Note that the items to be managed by the position management system 700 are, for example, work instructions given to operators and mail boxes that carry deliverables from each work process and move between each work process.

[0028] In order to manage which post-processing device 103 is executing the job, it is necessary to link the job with the tag. In this embodiment, as a configuration example for linking the job with the item tag, an example in which an item tag 709a is attached to a mail box 711a that stores the job when moving between each work process, and an example in which an item tag 709b is attached to a work instruction sheet 711b for issuing a work instruction will be described. The work instruction sheet 711b is an instruction sheet for an operator that describes which process to proceed to next. For example, a barcode indicating job information may be printed on the work instruction sheet 711b. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the work instruction sheet 711b is placed in a mail box together with the deliverable, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the information on the work instruction sheet 711b may be displayed on the user terminal 706 of the mobile system 714. When an operator wearing an RFID reader 705a carries an article tagged with an article tag, such as a return box 711a or a work instruction sheet 711b, the article tags 709a and 709b also move together with the article. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the article tags 709a and 709b, the alphabet at the end of the reference numerals will be omitted and these will be collectively referred to as the article tag 709. The same applies to the RFID readers 705 (705a, 705b), tag IDs 710 (710a, 710b), articles 711 (711a, 711b), and other subsequent elements.

[0029] In this embodiment, each of the tags such as the position tag 707 and the item tag 709 is a passive RFID tag (passive tag). The passive tag is composed of a small IC (Integrated Circuit) chip with built-in memory and an antenna, and stores identification information and other information for identifying the tag in the memory. In this embodiment, the identification information is also simply called ID, and the identification information for identifying the tag is also called tag ID. In other words, the tag ID is information for identifying the object to which the tag is attached. The IC chip of the passive tag operates using the energy of electromagnetic waves emitted from the RFID reader, modulates the tag ID and other information stored in the memory into an information signal, and transmits the modulated information signal from the antenna.

[0030] Each tag may be an active RFID tag. When each tag actively (e.g., periodically) transmits information to the surroundings using power from a built-in battery, the tag is called a beacon tag. Each tag may also be a wireless device that transmits information, for example, by NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) in response to a signal from an RFID reader. Each tag may be called an IC tag, IC card, responder, or the like.

[0031] The RFID reader 705 is a reading device capable of reading information stored in a wireless device such as an RFID tag. The RFID reader 705 can detect an item 711 by, for example, reading a tag ID 710 from an item tag 709 attached to the item 711. The RFID reader 705 executes reading periodically (at regular time intervals) or in response to some trigger such as a user operation, and transmits the tag reading result to the management server 701. For example, the reading result data shown in each record in FIG. 11(F) is transmitted as the tag reading result. The RFID reader 705 may be capable of communicating directly with the management server 701, or may be capable of communicating indirectly with the management server 701 via some relay device (for example, a user terminal 706).

[0032] The user terminal 706 of the mobile system 714 may be any kind of terminal device or information processing device, such as a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, or a smart watch. The user terminal 706 may be used, for example, for interaction with the operator 704 through the location management system 700. The management server 701 is an information processing device for managing status, location information, and other information related to the inspection of the location of multiple items 711 in a database. The management server 701 is configured, for example, as an application server, a database server, or a cloud server using a high-performance general-purpose computer. The management server 701 receives tag reading results from the RFID reader 705 and updates the database based on the received tag reading results.

[0033] The management server 701 may be configured by a single device, or may be configured by a plurality of physically separate devices working together. In this embodiment, an example in which the management server 701 holds the database will be described, but a device separate from the management server 701 may hold part or all of the database. For example, some of the data may be held by a wireless device (e.g., a location tag or an item tag), an RFID reader 705, or a user terminal 706.

[0034] 7 shows an example in which the RFID reader 705a and the user terminal 706 are separate devices. However, the portable system 714 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the RFID reader 705a may have some or all of the functions of the user terminal 706, and the user terminal 706 may have some or all of the functions of the RFID reader 705a. In addition, the functions of the management server 701 may be realized in the user terminal 706.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the RFID reader 705. The RFID reader 705 includes a control unit 801, a storage unit 802, a communication unit 803, a measurement unit 804, an operation unit 805, and a reading unit 806. The control unit 801 is composed of a memory that stores a computer program, and one or more processors (e.g., a CPU) that execute the computer program. The control unit 801 comprehensively controls the overall function of the RFID reader 705. For example, the control unit 801 causes the reading unit 806 to execute reading of an RFID tag within a tag reading range, and temporarily stores the read information, the read time, and the signal reception level in the storage unit 802 as read result data. In addition, the control unit 801 causes the measurement unit 804 to measure the position of the RFID reader 705 in parallel with reading the RFID tag, and stores the measurement result in the storage unit 802. Then, the control unit 801 transmits the reading result data as shown in each record of Figure 11 (F) stored in the memory unit 802 and the measurement result data as shown in each record of Figure 11 (E) together with the RFID reader identification information (also called RFID reader ID) of the device itself to the management server 701 via the communication unit 803.

[0036] The storage unit 802 may include any type of storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or a RAM, an optical disk, or a magnetic disk. In this embodiment, the storage unit 802 stores the above-mentioned reading result data, measurement result data, and the RFID reader ID of the RFID reader 705.

[0037] The communication unit 803 is a communication interface for the RFID reader 705 to communicate with the management server 701. For example, the communication unit 803 may be a WLAN interface for communicating with a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) access point, or a cellular communication interface for communicating with a cellular base station. The communication unit 803 may also be a connection interface for connecting to a relay device (for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface).

[0038] The measurement unit 804 is a unit capable of measuring the position of the RFID reader 705. In this embodiment, the measurement unit 804 measures the relative movement amount of the RFID reader 705 from a certain reference position using a self-location estimation technology also called PDR (Pedestrian Dead Reckoning), and outputs the measured movement amount to the control unit 801. The reference position for measuring the relative movement amount may be, for example, the position of the RFID reader 705 at the time when the RFID reader 705 is started, or may be the position of the position tag 707. The relative movement amount of the RFID reader 705 may be treated as a relative position. For example, the measurement unit 804 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor 804a, a gyro sensor 804b, and a geomagnetic sensor 804c. The three-axis acceleration sensor 804a measures the acceleration applied to the RFID reader 705 in a device coordinate system specific to the RFID reader 705, and outputs first sensor data. The gyro sensor 804b measures the angular velocity of the RFID reader 705, i.e., the change in the attitude of the RFID reader 705, and outputs second sensor data. The geomagnetic sensor 804c measures the orientation of the RFID reader 705 in real space, and outputs third sensor data. Based on the first to third sensor data, the measurement unit 804 can measure the relative movement amount of the RFID reader 705 by accumulating the acceleration while converting the direction of the acceleration of the RFID reader 705 into a direction in the coordinate system of the real space. The relative movement amount output from the measurement unit 804 to the control unit 801 may be a two-dimensional vector in a horizontal plane, or may be a three-dimensional vector including a component in the height direction.

[0039] In this embodiment, the position coordinates of the installation position of each position tag 707 are known and registered in a database. Therefore, for example, the RFID reader 705a held by the operator 704 can estimate the current absolute position (position coordinates) of the RFID reader 705a based on the relative movement amount from the time when the RFID reader 705a detects a certain position tag 707 to the current time and the known position coordinates of the position tag 707. In other words, the position of the RFID reader 705a estimated in this way can be said to be the position of the operator 704 or the item tag 709 held by the operator 704 or in the vicinity thereof. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the measurement unit 804 estimates the absolute position of the RFID reader 705, but the control unit 801 or the measurement unit 804 of the RFID reader 705 may access an external database to obtain the absolute position of the RFID reader 705. In addition, the measurement unit 804 may measure the current geographical position of the RFID reader 705 using a GPS (Global Positioning System). Also, the measurement unit 804 may perform base station positioning or wireless LAN positioning to estimate the current position using known position coordinates of the connected base station or wireless LAN access point. Instead of the RFID reader 705 including the measurement unit 804, the mobile system 714 may include a measurement device separate from the RFID reader 705 that can measure the relative movement amount using, for example, a self-location estimation technique.

[0040] The operation unit 805 accepts user operations by the operator 704. The operation unit 805 includes, for example, a physical input device such as a button, switch, or lever provided on the housing of the RFID reader 705. The operation unit 805 accepts operations by the user 704 via the input device, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 801. The operation unit 805 may also include a voice input interface such as a microphone.

[0041] The reading unit 806 is a unit capable of reading information stored in each of the position tags 707 and the article tags 709 under the management of the position management system 700. The reading unit 806 includes an RF controller 807, a power amplifier 808, a filter 809, a first coupler 810, a second coupler 811, an antenna 812, a power detection unit 813, and a canceller 814. The RF controller 807 outputs a transmission signal, for example a signal modulated in the UHF band, from the TX terminal to the power amplifier 808 in accordance with the control of the control unit 801. The power amplifier 808 amplifies the transmission signal input from the RF controller 807 and outputs it to the filter 809. The amplification factor of the transmission signal here may be variably controllable, and the higher the amplification factor, the higher the output intensity of the electromagnetic wave radiated from the RFID reader 705. The filter 809 may be, for example, a low-pass filter, and removes unnecessary components of the transmission signal amplified by the power amplifier 808. The first coupler 810 distributes the transmission signal that has passed through the filter 809 to the coupler 811 and the power detection unit 813. The second coupler 811 outputs the transmission signal input from the first coupler 810 to the antenna 812, and outputs the reception signal input from the antenna 812 to the RF controller 807. The antenna 812 transmits the transmission signal input from the second coupler 811 into the air as an electromagnetic wave. The antenna 812 also receives a signal transmitted from an RFID tag present within the reading range of the RFID reader 705 in response to the transmission signal, and outputs the reception signal to the second coupler 811. As an example, the antenna 812 may be an omnidirectional antenna. As another example, the antenna 812 may be a directional antenna whose beam direction can be variably controlled. The power detection unit 813 detects the power level of the signal input from the first coupler 810, and outputs a signal RF_DETECT indicating the detected power level to the control unit 801. The canceller 814 receives a signal CARRIER_CANCEL indicating the power level of the carrier wave from the control unit 801. Then, the canceller 814 extracts a desired signal component of the received signal to be output to the RX terminal of the RF controller 807 by canceling the carrier wave component of the transmitted signal based on CARRIER_CANCEL.The RF controller 807 demodulates the signal input from the RX terminal, acquires the tag ID and other information transmitted from the RFID tag, and outputs the acquired information to the control unit 801. The RF controller 807 also measures the reception level (reception strength) of the signal input from the RX terminal, and outputs the measurement result to the control unit 801.

[0042] 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 706 included in a portable system 714. The user terminal 706 includes a control unit 901, a storage unit 902, a communication unit 903, an image capturing unit 904, an operation unit 905, a display unit 906, an audio output unit 907, and a vibration unit 908.

[0043] The control unit 901 includes a memory that stores a computer program, and one or more processors that execute the computer program. The processor may be a CPU, or may be an IC (Integrated Circuit) such as a microcontroller (e.g., a one-chip microcomputer). The control unit 901 may include a timer circuit or a software timer for measuring time. The control unit 901 controls the overall functions of the user terminal 706. For example, when the location of the item 711 is inspected in the location management system 700, the control unit 901 causes the display unit 906 to display a screen that displays the current location of the portable system 714 and the locations of the items present in the vicinity. By showing the location of the item to be inspected on the screen, the user 704 can be guided to the location of the item. For example, a simple map of the factory as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed as a screen for guiding the user 704 to the location of the item. Such a screen may be displayed based on the information in the work instruction sheet.

[0044] The storage unit 902 may include any type of storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or RAM, an optical disk, or a magnetic disk. The storage unit 902 temporarily stores, for example, map image data received from the management server 701, and position information of the RFID reader 705a and the article 711 for display on the screen.

[0045] The communication unit 903 is a communication interface for the user terminal 706 to communicate with the management server 701. For example, the communication unit 903 may be a WLAN interface or a cellular communication interface. Although not shown in FIG. 9, the user terminal 706 may further include a connection interface (for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface or a USB interface) for connecting to a peripheral device.

[0046] The photographing unit 904 is a so-called camera unit that photographs the state of the real space and generates image data of a still image or a video. The photographing unit 904 outputs the generated image data to the control unit 901. For example, the image data generated by the photographing unit 904 is used for optical character recognition or reading a visible code such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark). For example, the photographing unit 904 reads code information added to a returnable box, a work instruction sheet, or an area other than the print area on a printed sheet of paper. The code information is, for example, a two-dimensional barcode including information of a job ID.

[0047] The operation unit 905 accepts operations and information input by the operator 704. The operation unit 905 includes input devices such as a touch sensor, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, or a pointing device. The operation unit 905 accepts operations by the operator 704 via the input devices and outputs operation signals to the control unit 901. The operation unit 905 may further include other types of input devices, such as a voice input interface such as a microphone or a sensor that detects vibration.

[0048] The display unit 906 displays images and information. The display unit 906 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). The audio output unit 907 outputs audio. The audio output unit 907 may be, for example, a speaker. The vibration unit 908 vibrates the user terminal 706. The vibration unit 908 may be, for example, a vibrator including an eccentric motor. One or more of the display unit 906, the audio output unit 907, and the vibration unit 908 may function as an alarm unit 909 that notifies the operator 704. Although not shown in FIG. 9, an alarm function similar to the alarm unit 909 may be provided in the RFID reader 705.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 701. The management server 701 includes a communication unit 1003, an item database (DB) 1001, and a management unit 1002. The communication unit 1003 is a communication interface for the management server 701 to communicate with other devices. The communication unit 1003 may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In this embodiment, the communication unit 1003 communicates with one or both of an RFID reader 705a and a user terminal 706 included in a mobile system 714. The item DB 1001 is a database that stores status, location information, and other information related to the inspection of the location of multiple items under the management of the location management system 700. In this embodiment, the item DB 1001 includes an item table 1004, a location table 1005, a reader table 1006, a user table 1007, a movement amount table 1008, and a tag detection table 1009. The management unit 1002 is a collection of multiple software modules that provide a management function for managing data in the item DB 1001. Each software module can be operated by one or more processors of the management server 701 executing a computer program stored in a memory. In this embodiment, the management unit 1002 includes a position estimation unit 1011.

[0050] 11(A) to (F) are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of an item table 1004, a location table 1005, a leader table 1006, a user table 1007, a movement amount table 1008, and a tag detection table 1009 managed in the item DB 1001 of the management server 700 of the location management system 700.

[0051] The item table 1004 has data items of tag ID 1111, item ID 1112, name 1113, type 1114, location 1115, and coordinates 1116. The tag ID 1111 is identification information that uniquely identifies the item tag 709 attached to each item 711 under the management of the position management system 700. The value of the tag ID 1111 is the same as the value of the tag ID stored internally in the corresponding item tag 709. The item ID 1112 is identification information that uniquely identifies each item 711. The name 1113 indicates the name of each item 711. The type 1114 indicates the type into which each item 711 is classified. The values ​​of the name 1113 and type 1114 of each item 711 may be determined by a user and registered in advance via a user interface screen provided by the management unit 1002. Also, the values ​​of the name 1113 and type 1114 may be stored in the item tag 709 as item-related information and read by the RFID reader 705. In the latter case, the management server 701 may receive the values ​​of the name 1113 and type 1114 of each item 711 from the RFID reader 705 based on the initial tag reading from the item tag 709 of the item 711, and register them in the item table 1004. The location 1115 indicates the location where each item 711 was last detected by the RFID reader 705, using a location ID that identifies the location. The location 1115 corresponds to the location corresponding to the position tag 707 in the vicinity where the item 711 was read. The coordinates 1116 indicate the position coordinates of the point where each item 711 is estimated to be located. In this embodiment, the coordinates of the position tag 707 in the vicinity where the item 711 was read are used as the coordinates 1116. The values ​​of location 1115 and coordinate 1116 can be updated by the location estimation unit 1011 when the movement of the item is detected by the RFID reader 705. For example, when the RFID reader 705b at the next process location detects the item 711, the value of coordinate 1116 is updated based on the coordinates of the location tag 707 at that location.

[0052] The location table 1005 has data items of tag ID 1121, location ID 1122, name 1123, coordinates 1124, map image 1125, and scale 1126. The tag ID 1121 is identification information that uniquely identifies the location tag 707 installed in each of the locations 712 managed by the location management system 700. The value of the tag ID 1121 is the same as the value of the tag ID stored internally in the corresponding location tag 707. The location ID 1122 is identification information that uniquely identifies each location 712. Each location corresponds to, for example, the location of each work process. The name 1123 represents the name of each location 712. The coordinates 1124 represent the coordinates of the installation location of the location tag 707 installed in each location 712. The map image 1125 is a data item in which map image data of each location 712 is stored. The scale 1126 indicates a ratio for converting a distance on the map of the map image 1125 into a distance in real space. For example, the ratio is a value indicating how many meters one pixel of the image corresponds to in real space. Note that the map image data stored in the map image 1125 may be obtained from an external data source or uploaded and updated by the user at any time necessary.

[0053] The RFID reader table 1006 has data items of an RFID reader ID 1131, a name 1132, and a user 1133. The RFID reader ID 1131 is identification information that uniquely identifies each of the RFID readers 705 used in the position management system 700. The name 1132 indicates the name of each RFID reader. The user 1133 corresponds to the operator 704 who uses the RFID reader 705, and is represented by the value of the user ID 1141 in the user table 1007.

[0054] The user table 1007 has data items of a user ID 1141 and a name 1142. The user ID 1141 is identification information that uniquely identifies each operator 704. The name 1142 indicates the name of each user. The user table 1007 may further include authentication information (e.g., a password) used when the operator 704 logs in to the position management system 700, and information on the user terminal 706. The RFID reader table 1006 is, in other words, information on the association between the RFID reader 705a and the user terminal 706.

[0055] The movement amount table 1008 is a table for accumulating records of measurement result data received from the RFID reader 705 (hereinafter, measurement result records) for each time. That is, the measurement result records are transmitted from the RFID reader 705 to the management server 701 at regular time intervals or by user operation. The movement amount table 1008 has data items of measurement time 1151, RFID reader ID 1152, and movement amount 1153. The measurement time 1151 indicates the time when the measurement was performed for the measurement result indicated by each measurement result record. The RFID reader ID 1152 is identification information for identifying the RFID reader 705 that performed the measurement for the measurement result indicated by each measurement result record. The movement amount 1153 indicates the relative movement amount as a measurement result. Here, the movement amount 1153 indicates the relative movement amount in the form of a two-dimensional vector in the coordinate system of the real space. For example, FIG. 11(E) shows that the RFID reader 705a identified by RD01 moves with the passage of time.

[0056] The tag detection table 1009 is a table for accumulating records of read result data received from the RFID reader 705 (hereinafter, read result records) for each time. That is, the RFID reader 705 transmits measurement result records to the management server 701 at regular time intervals or by user operation. The tag detection table 1009 has data items of read time 1161, tag ID 1162, RFID reader ID 1163, reception level 1164, and detection position 1165. The read time 1161 indicates the time when the tag ID was read for each read result record. The tag ID 1162 indicates the tag ID read for each read result record. The RFID reader ID 1163 is identification information for identifying the RFID reader 705 that performed tag reading for each read result record. The reception level 1164 indicates the reception level of the signal received by the RFID reader 705 when reading the tag for each read result record. The detection position 1165 indicates the position coordinates of the location where the RFID reader 705 was present at the time tag reading from the item tag 709 was performed (i.e., the detection position of the item tag 709). For example, the coordinates of the position tag 707 in the vicinity of the item tag 709 where reading was performed are transmitted as the detection position 1165. If there is no position tag 707 in the vicinity at the time of transmission, "-" is transmitted as the detection position 1165 of the topmost record in Fig. 11(F).

[0057] As described above, in the position management system 700, the position of each item (work process location) can be managed by reading the tag attached to each item (for example, a work instruction sheet, a return box) with an RFID reader provided at each work process location or an RFID reader worn by the operator himself. In addition, since the RFID reader has a function for measuring its own location, for example, even if the operator is moving between work process locations while carrying an item, the position of the RFID reader worn by the operator can be managed as the location of the item.

[0058] 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a process management system 1200 and a production management system 1210. The process management system 1200 and the production management system 1210 may each be configured as an information processing device such as a PC. In that case, the information processing device has, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. 2. The management system 1200 and the production management system 1210 are capable of communicating with the information processing device 101 and the position management system 700 via a network. The network corresponds to the network described in FIG. 1.

[0059] The process management system 1200 is a system that generates a process management screen as a response to a process management screen request received from a Web browser on the information processing device 101. Here, the process management screen is a screen that displays information on the image forming device 102, the post-processing device 103, and each process performed by each post-processing device 103 within the area of ​​the printing factory. The process management screen is, for example, a screen that includes information shown in Figs. 17 to 19, which will be described later. The process management system 1200 includes a process management UI 1201, a process management service 1202, a process database (DB) 1203, a job management service 1206, and a job database (DB) 1207. In addition, the process DB 1203 includes a job table 1204 and a process position table 1205, and the job DB 1207 includes a job status table 1208.

[0060] When the process management UI 1201 receives a process management screen request from the information processing device 101, it generates a process management screen based on information collected by a process management service 1202 and transmits it to the information processing device 101. In response to the request from the process management UI 1201, the process management service 1202 acquires information from the position management system 700, a job management service 1206, a process DB 1203, and a manufacturing process registration DB 1212 of the production management system 1210, and transmits it to the process management UI 1201. The process DB 1203 has a job table 1204 and a process position table 1205.

[0061] FIG. 13(A) is a diagram showing an example of a job table 1204. The job table 1204 is a table for managing the tag ID 710 of the item tag 709 attached to the item 711 in FIG. 7 in association with the job ID of the job. The job table 1204 includes items of a tag ID 1311 and a job ID 1312. The tag ID 710 may be linked to the job ID by sequentially reading the barcode attached to the item 711 such as a mailing box or a work instruction sheet and the barcode attached to the job. The barcode attached to the item 711 contains the same information as the tag ID. Also, for example, a two-dimensional barcode printed outside the printing area on a printed sheet is read as the barcode attached to the job. FIG. 13(B) is a diagram showing an example of a process position table 1205. The process position table 1205 is a table for managing information on each process 1321 corresponding to each work process location in a printing factory and the coordinates 1322 of each process. The process location table 1205 defines in advance coordinate information regarding where each process is located within the printing factory.

[0062] The process management service 1202 acquires the tag ID 1111 and its coordinates 1116 from the item table 1004 in the management server 701 of the position management system 700. The tag ID 1111 and its coordinates 1116 are information on the tag ID detected by the RFID reader 705 for each process and its coordinates. The RFID readers 705 for each process are shown as RFID readers 705c, 705d, and 705e in FIG. 14. The process management service 1202 identifies which process in the printing factory the tag ID 1111 is located in based on the acquired coordinates 1116 of the tag ID and information in the process position table 1205. Here, as a method of identifying the process, for example, the distance between the coordinates in the process position table 1205 and the coordinates 1116 of the tag ID may be calculated, and if the distance is equal to or less than a threshold, it may be determined that the tag ID is located in that process. In addition, the coordinates 1322 in the process position table 1205 may be specified as an area such as (X1, Y1) to (X11, Y11), and if the coordinates 1116 of the detected tag ID are within that area, it may be determined that the tag ID is present in that process.

[0063] The job DB 1207 has a job status table 1208. FIG. 13(c) is a diagram showing an example of the job status table 1208. The job status table 1208 is a table for managing a job ID 1331 and a job status 1332. The job status table 1208 is based on information on the job status of the production management screen 1600 shown in FIG. 16, which is acquired from the production management system 1210. In other words, the process management system 1200 shares information on the production management screen 1600 managed by the production management system 1210 with the production management system 1210. Here, a job with a job status 1332 of "production completed" indicates that all processes have been completed. Also, a job with a job status 1332 of "print completed" indicates that printing has been completed and processing is being performed in an offline process. Also, when the job is processing each step shown in step 1321, the job status 1332 displays "step in progress" for each step, and when the processing of the step shown in step 1321 is completed, the job status 1332 displays "step completed" for each step. In other words, when the job status 1605 of a job acquired from the production management system 1210 indicates the completion of a certain step, the process management system 1200 sets the job status 1332 in the job status table 1208 to "step completed" for that step. For example, when the job status 1605 is "cutting 1", the production management system 1200 manages that the lamination step, which is the previous step, has been completed. Therefore, the process management system 1200 sets the job status 1332 for the lamination step to "step completed" for the lamination step.

[0064] As described above, the process control system 1200 manages the location of each item in the process based on the position information of each item tag managed by the position control system 700. In addition, the process control system 1200 shares information managed by the production control system 1210 with the production control system 1210.

[0065] The production management system 1210 is a system that generates a production management screen in response to a production management screen request received from a Web browser on the information processing device 101. Here, the production management screen is a screen that displays information on the image forming devices 102 and post-processing devices 103 in a printing factory, and the processes performed by each post-processing device 103. An example of the production management screen is the screen in FIG. 16, which will be described later. The production management system 1210 includes a production management UI 1211 and a manufacturing process registration DB 1212.

[0066] When the production management UI 1211 receives a production management screen request from the information processing device 101, it generates a production management screen and transmits it to the information processing device 101. The production management screen transmitted to the information processing device 101 includes a production management screen whose display has been updated by the process control system 1200. An example of such a production management screen is shown in Fig. 22, which will be described later.

[0067] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a production management screen displayed by the production management UI 1211 of the production management system 1210. The production management screen includes a job ID 1601, a material type 1602, a submission date 1603, a delivery date 1604, and a job status 1605. Fig. 16 displays the ordered job ID, the ordered material type, the date and time the order was submitted, the delivery date of the order, and the current job status of the order. The current job status of the order is updated based on information transmitted to the production management system 1210 by, for example, reading a completion barcode provided at each work process location when the operator completes the work at that location.

[0068] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of manufacturing process registration information 1500 registered in advance in the manufacturing process registration DB 1212 by the manager in the production management system 1210. The manufacturing process registration information 1500 includes a product type 1501 and each process 1502. In this example, a printing process and a binding process after printing (hereinafter, described as a post-process) are defined in advance. Since there are multiple printers, the name of the printer is described in the printing process. In the post-process, each process of lamination, cutting 1, hard cover, temporary fixing, lay flat, cutting 2, binding, cutting 3, inspection, and packing is described. Since the order of the processes is determined for each product, numbers are assigned in this example so that the order of the processes can be understood. In addition, in the bookbinding process of combining the cover and the body, as described later in FIG. 21, work is performed after waiting for each cover and body to be completed. If the post-process is performed in an order other than that defined in FIG. 15, such as skipping the order of each process or repeating the same process, the originally requested deliverable will not be completed. As an example, we will explain the post-processing of JOBA. With JOBA, the cover and the book bodies are manufactured separately, and then the cover and the book bodies are combined in the binding process to create the final product. The post-processing of JOBA's cover is done in the order of lamination, cutting 1, and hardcover. The post-processing of JOBA's book bodies is done in the order of temporary fastening and cutting 2. For JOBA's cover, we wait until the hardcover process is completed, and for the book bodies, cutting 2, before moving on to the binding process. After that, the work is done in the order of cutting 3, inspection, and packaging. Note that in this case, the operator who performs the post-processing of the cover, the operator who performs the post-processing of the book bodies, and the operator who performs the post-processing after binding may be different.

[0069] 14 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of post-processes performed offline in an area 1400 in a printing factory. In this example, a paper cutter 1403, a laminating machine 1404, and a packing area 1405 are arranged as offline processes in the area 1400. RFID readers 705c, 705d, and 705e for each process are arranged near the paper cutter 1403, the laminating machine 1404, and the packing area 1405, and waiting areas 1402a, 1402b, and 1402c are defined in advance as ranges within which the RFID readers 705c, 705d, and 705e can detect each other.

[0070] Articles 711c, 711d, and 711e in Fig. 14 correspond to article 711a in Fig. 7. Articles 709c, 709d, and 709e in Fig. 14 correspond to article tag 709a in Fig. 7. Tag IDs 710c, 710d, and 710e in Fig. 14 correspond to tag ID 710a in Fig. 14. RFID readers 705c, 705d, and 705e in Fig. 14 correspond to RFID reader 705b in Fig. 7.

[0071] When the operator 1406 finishes work in each process, he / she stores the product 711b (work instructions) and the product in the product 711a (commutable box) to which the product tag 709 is affixed, and places the product in the waiting area 1402 for the next process. As a result, the product tag 709b moves between processes together with the product 711a in which the product 711b is stored. Here, an example is shown in which a tag ID is affixed to a commutable box as an example of the product 711a, but this is not limiting. The tag ID may also be affixed to the work instructions, etc.

[0072] Each tag ID 710 is detected by RFID readers 705c, 705d, and 705e for each process. Then, the position of each tag ID 710 is managed in an item table 1004 of a management server 701 of the position management system 700. By comparing the position information of each tag ID 710 with a process position table 1205, it is identified in which process each tag ID 710 exists. Also, based on the information in the job table 1204, a job arranged in each process is identified.

[0073] In the production management system 1210, the manufacturing process of each job is registered as shown in FIG. 15, and the job status 1605 of each job as shown in FIG. 16 is managed by an operator reading a barcode indicating completion of a process operation.

[0074] When the operator moves, he / she may simply pass through an unrelated work process (e.g., lamination process), and in that case, the tag ID 710 of the item tag 709 may be detected unintentionally. That is, in that case, the job may be determined to be currently in the lamination process even though the operator is moving. Also, when the operator starts moving from a certain process (e.g., lamination process), the item tag 709 may come off and fall. In that case, for example, even though the operator has moved to a cutting process (i.e., the product has moved to the cutting process), the item tag 709 will remain at the location of the original work process (e.g., lamination process). That is, the management of jobs in the process management system 1200 differs from the actual manufacturing process.

[0075] Therefore, in this embodiment, the process control system 1200 acquires information on the production control screen of FIG. 16 from the production control system 1210 at regular time intervals. Then, the process control system 1200 compares the location of the work process corresponding to the position information of each tag ID 710 detected by the RFID reader 705 with the job status information of each job acquired from the production control system 1210, and determines whether there is a difference in process control. For example, if the item tag 709 falls as described above, a difference will occur. In that case, a warning is notified to the production control system 1210 that the actual manufacturing process differs. This allows unintended events such as the item tag 709 falling to be discovered early.

[0076] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the notification process in this embodiment. The process (S2001 to S2007) in Fig. 20 is realized, for example, by the CPU of the information processing device constituting the process management system 1200 reading a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing it. The process of S2008 is realized, for example, by the CPU of the information processing device constituting the production management system 1210 reading a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing it. Before the process in Fig. 20 is executed, the manager registers the manufacturing process in the manufacturing process registration DB 1212 of the production management system 1210 in advance. For example, the manufacturing process of each job as shown in Fig. 15 is registered in the manufacturing process registration DB 1212.

[0077] In S2001, the process management system 1200 acquires the coordinates 1116 of the tag ID detected by the RFID reader 705b from the position management system 700. Then, based on the acquired coordinates 1116 of the tag ID and information in the process position table 1205, the process management system 1200 identifies the location of the process in which the detected tag ID exists.

[0078] In S2002, the process control system 1200 acquires information managed by the production control system 1210. For example, the process control service 1202 acquires the manufacturing process registration information of Fig. 15 and information including the job status 1605 of Fig. 16 from the production control system 1210. Then, the process control system 1200 creates process control information. Note that, if the process control system 1200 acquires and holds information managed by the production control system 1210 at regular time intervals, the held information may be acquired.

[0079] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of process control information created by the process control system 1200 based on the manufacturing process registration information and the job status 1605 acquired in S2002.

[0080] The process management information 1700 includes a job ID 1701, a product type 1702, and each process 1703. The process management service 1202 marks each job that has been completed with a "Complete" mark based on the job status 1605, and marks a "★" mark to the manufacturing process that should currently be in progress. For example, if the completion of the "lamination" process is managed in the production management system 1210 by the operator reading the completion barcode, it is determined that "printing" is also completed, and "Complete" marks are added to "printing" and "lamination". Then, a "★" mark is added to "cutting 1", which should be the next work process.

[0081] Below, we will use job ID AAA0001 as an example. It shows that the job ID is "AAA0001" and the product type is "JOBA cover". It also shows that the registered manufacturing processes are "printing", "laminating", "cutting 1", "hardcover", "binding", "cutting 3", "inspection", and "packaging" in that order. It also shows that the "printing" and "laminating" processes are currently complete, and the "cutting 1" process is currently underway.

[0082] In S2003, the process management system 1200 compares the process identified from the coordinates 1116 of the tag ID acquired in S2001 with the current process identified from the job status 1605 acquired in S2002, and in S2004 determines whether the two processes match.

[0083] If it is determined in S2004 that there is a match, the process control system 1200 determines that the location where the job (corresponding to the tag ID) exists is the original manufacturing process. Then, in S2007, the process control system 1200 notifies the production control system 1210 of that effect.

[0084] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of process management information when it is determined in S2004 that there is a match. As shown in Fig. 18, the current process identified from the job status 1605 acquired in S2002 is "Cutting 1". On the other hand, the process identified from the coordinates 1116 of the tag ID acquired in S2001 is "Cutting 1", which is marked with a "#" mark in Fig. 18. As shown in Fig. 18, the "★" mark and the "#" mark are both marked for the cutting 1 process.

[0085] If it is determined in S2004 that they do not match, the process control system 1200 determines that the location where the job exists is not the original manufacturing process, and then in S2006, the process control system 1200 notifies the production control system 1210 of that effect.

[0086] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of process management information when it is determined in S2004 that there is no match. As shown in Fig. 19, the current process identified from the job status 1605 acquired in S2002 is "Cutting 1". On the other hand, the process identified from the coordinates 1116 of the tag ID acquired in S2001 is "Lay Flat", which is marked with a "#" mark in Fig. 19. As shown in Fig. 19, the "★" mark and the "#" mark are marked for different processes.

[0087] The processes of S2003 to S2006 are executed for each job. Then, in S2007, the process management system 1200 notifies the production management system 1210 of the determination result of S2004 for each job. The format of the information notified to the production management system 1210 is not limited as long as it is based on the process management information of Fig. 18 or 19. Then, in S2008, a production management screen is displayed in the production management system 1210.

[0088] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a production management screen displayed on an information processing device constituting the production management system 1210 based on the information notified in S2006. The production management screen 2200 includes a job ID 2201, a product type 2202, a submission date 2203, a delivery date 2204, and a job status 2205. For example, the cover of job ID "AAA0001" is in the lay flat process, and based on the fact that it is determined that it is not in the original manufacturing process, an "!" mark (a warning display indicating that it is not in the original manufacturing process) is displayed. The "!" mark displays a warning that the job is not in the original manufacturing process. Job ID "AAA0002" is in the cutting 1 process, and based on the fact that it is determined that it is in the original manufacturing process, an "OK" mark is displayed. The "OK" mark displays that the job is in the original manufacturing process. Similarly, for the other jobs in FIG. 22, a mark is displayed based on the determination result of S2004 of the process management system 1200.

[0089] In this way, in this embodiment, even if the item tag 709 is placed in a manufacturing process other than the originally registered manufacturing process, or if the operator makes a mistake in the order of the manufacturing processes, it is possible to notify that the manufacturing process is not proceeding in accordance with the originally registered manufacturing process.

[0090] In the manufacturing process registered in advance by the administrator in the manufacturing process registration DB 1212, there are cases where one product is produced by a plurality of work processes. For example, one product is produced by the work process of the cover of job A and the work process of the body of job A in FIG. 15. That is, printing, lamination, cutting 1, and hard covering are performed for the cover of the product, and temporary fixing and cutting 2 are performed for the body of the product. Then, when the products of both jobs are collected, binding, cutting 3, inspection, and packaging are performed, and one product is produced. That is, this is an example of a manufacturing process in which the bookbinding process cannot be started unless the process management system 1200 determines that each manufacturing process has been completed before the bookbinding process.

[0091] In this embodiment, in the case of the manufacturing process described above, the operator in charge of the processes after "binding" is notified based on the completion of each process of the job A cover (up to "hardcover") and each process of the job A body (up to "trimming 2") This makes it possible to prevent the operator in charge of the processes after "binding" from executing the processes after "binding" using the results of the job A body without waiting for the results of the job A cover, for example.

[0092] Fig. 21 is a flow chart showing a process for notifying an operator in charge of a subsequent process of the start of the process upon completion of each separate process. The process of Fig. 21 is realized, for example, by the CPU of an information processing device constituting the process management system 1200 reading a program stored in a ROM into a RAM and executing it. Fig. 21 explains the cover of job A and the body of job A in Fig. 15. However, other jobs may be used. In other words, the operation of Fig. 21 is applicable as long as the subsequent process (the binding process in this example and after) is executed with the deliverables of multiple processes (the cover job and each process of the body job in this example).

[0093] In S2101, the process management system 1200 manages the process of the cover of job A. That is, as explained in Fig. 20, it manages whether the process of the cover of job A is proceeding according to the registered original manufacturing process. Here, if the process is not proceeding according to the registered original manufacturing process, a warning is displayed as explained in Fig. 22, and the process in Fig. 21 is temporarily stopped.

[0094] In S2102, the process management system 1200 judges whether the cover of job A has been completed in accordance with the original manufacturing process registered. That is, when it detects that the final process of the cover of job A has been completed based on the job status 1605 acquired from the production management system 1210, it judges that the cover of job A has been completed in accordance with the original manufacturing process registered. Then, the process proceeds to S2104.

[0095] Meanwhile, in S2103, the process management system 1200 manages the process of the job A main body. That is, as explained in Fig. 20, it manages whether the process of the job A main body is progressing in accordance with the registered original manufacturing process. Here, if the process is not progressing in accordance with the registered original manufacturing process, a warning is displayed as explained in Fig. 22, and the processing in Fig. 21 is temporarily stopped. After S2103, the process proceeds to S2104.

[0096] In S2104, the process management system 1200 judges whether or not the job A body has progressed and been completed according to the original manufacturing process registered. That is, when it detects that the final process of the job A body has been completed based on the job status acquired from the production management system 1210, it judges that the job A body has progressed and been completed according to the original manufacturing process registered. Then, the process proceeds to S2105.

[0097] In S2105, the process management system 1200 notifies the user terminal 706 of the operator in charge of the "bookbinding" process that work for the "bookbinding" process can begin. The notification may include each job ID. After S2105, the processing of FIG. 21 ends. Thereafter, as for the processes after "bookbinding," management is performed to see whether they are progressing in accordance with the original manufacturing process that has been registered, as described in FIG. 20.

[0098] In the above, this embodiment has been described as being configured such that the process control system 1200 and the production control system 1210 are separate systems, but these two systems may be configured as the same system.

[0099] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the position of the position tag 709 is used as the position of an item tag (that is, corresponding to a job) attached to a return box, a work instruction sheet, or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the position of the RFID reader 705a held by the operator 704 may be used as the position of an item tag attached to a return box, a work instruction sheet, or the like.

[0100] Also, in this embodiment, an example in which the post-processing device is configured offline has been described. However, among the multiple post-processing devices 103, there may be a post-processing device 103 connected to the network (i.e., a post-processing device configured inline). In such a configuration, the process management system 1200 can recognize that a job is executed in the post-processing device 103 configured inline. Therefore, the process management system 1200 does not need to use information collected from the position management system 700 for a process corresponding to the post-processing device 103. That is, in this case, the process management system 1200 uses information collected from the post-processing device 103 via the network to manage the status of the process.

[0101] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0102] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following management system, management method, and program. (Item 1) A tag capable of reading information in a non-contact manner is provided so as to be movable together with a deliverable in a device corresponding to a step constituting a workflow; a detection means for detecting the tag arranged in association with the device; A management means for managing the progress of steps in the workflow; a notification means for notifying a progress of a process in the workflow based on a comparison between a process in which the tag detected by the detection means is located and a progress of the process managed by the management means; A management system comprising: (Item 2) 2. The management system according to item 1, wherein the detection means is provided in association with a device corresponding to each of a plurality of steps constituting the workflow. (Item 3) 3. The management system according to item 2, wherein the notification means performs the comparison based on information on completed processes managed by the management means. (Item 4) 4. The management system according to item 3, wherein the notification means performs the notification by updating a screen showing the progress of the process managed by the management means. (Item 5) 5. The management system according to item 4, wherein the screen showing the progress of the processes managed by the management means includes information on the process next to a completed process. (Item 6) 6. The management system according to item 5, wherein the notification means issues a warning notification regarding the progress of the workflow if the next step is different from the step in which the tag detected by the detection means is located. (Item 7) 7. The management system according to item 6, wherein the notification means performs the warning notification by displaying a mark on a screen showing the progress of the process managed by the management means. (Item 8) The management system according to item 6 or 7, characterized in that the notification means updates a screen showing the progress of the processes managed by the management means by displaying, instead of the next process, the process in which the tag detected by the detection means is located. (Item 9) 9. The management system according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the tag is attached to a box capable of storing the deliverable. (Item 10) 9. The management system according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the tag is attached to a medium indicating a procedure of the workflow. (Item 11) 11. The management system according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the device is an offline post-processing device. (Item 12) The image forming apparatus further includes an acquisition unit for acquiring a result of reading the code information printed on the printed matter output by the image forming apparatus and a result of reading the tag, The management system according to any one of items 1 to 11, characterized in that the workflow job and the tag are associated with each other based on the result of reading the code information and the result of reading the tag acquired by the acquisition means. (Item 13) a first determination means for determining completion of the first process based on a comparison between a first process in which a first tag detected by the detection means is located and a progress of a process managed by the management means; a second determination means for determining completion of the second process based on a comparison between a second process in which the second tag detected by the detection means is located and a progress of the process managed by the management means; a second notification means for notifying the start of a third step based on the first determination means determining that the first step is completed and the second determination means determining that the second step is completed; 13. The management system according to any one of items 1 to 12, further comprising: (Item 14) 14. The management system according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the tag is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. (Item 15) A management method executed in a management system including a tag capable of reading information in a non-contact manner, the tag being provided so as to be movable together with a deliverable in a device corresponding to a process constituting a workflow, the management system including a detection means for detecting the tag provided in association with the device, the method comprising: a management process for managing the progress of the processes in the workflow; a notification step of notifying the progress of a step in the workflow based on a comparison between the step in which the tag detected by the detection means is located and the progress of the step managed in the management step; A management method comprising the steps of: (Item 16) Computer, A tag capable of reading information in a non-contact manner is provided so as to be movable together with a deliverable in a device corresponding to a process constituting a workflow, and notification regarding the progress of a process in the workflow is given based on a comparison between the process in which the tag is located, detected by a detection means for detecting the tag arranged in correspondence with the device, and the progress of the process managed by a management means. A program to make it function like this.

[0103] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 101 Information processing device: 102 Image forming device: 103 Post-processing device: 201 CPU: 202 ROM: 203 RAM: 700 Position control system: 1200 Process control system: 1210 Production control system

Claims

1. A tag capable of reading information in a non-contact manner is provided so as to be movable together with a deliverable in a device corresponding to a step constituting a workflow; a detection means for detecting the tag arranged in association with the device; A management means for managing the progress of steps in the workflow; a notification means for notifying a progress of a process in the workflow based on a comparison between the process in which the tag detected by the detection means is located and the progress of the process managed by the management means; A management system comprising:

2. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is provided in association with a device corresponding to each of a plurality of steps constituting the workflow.

3. 3. The management system according to claim 2, wherein said notification means performs said comparison based on information on completed processes managed by said management means.

4. 4. The management system according to claim 3, wherein the notification means performs the notification by updating a screen showing the progress of the process managed by the management means.

5. 5. The management system according to claim 4, wherein the screen showing the progress of the processes managed by said management means includes information on a process next to a completed process.

6. 6. The management system according to claim 5, wherein the notification means issues a warning notification regarding the progress of the workflow when the next process is different from the process in which the tag detected by the detection means is located.

7. 7. The management system according to claim 6, wherein said notification means issues said warning notification by displaying a mark on a screen showing the progress of the process managed by said management means.

8. The management system according to claim 6, characterized in that the notification means updates a screen showing the progress of the processes managed by the management means by displaying, instead of the next process, the process in which the tag detected by the detection means is located.

9. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the tag is attached to a box capable of storing the deliverable.

10. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the tag is attached to a medium indicating a procedure of the workflow.

11. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the device is an offline post-processing device.

12. The image forming apparatus further includes an acquisition unit for acquiring a result of reading the code information printed on the printed matter output by the image forming apparatus and a result of reading the tag, 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the workflow job and the tag are associated with each other based on the result of reading the code information and the result of reading the tag acquired by the acquisition unit.

13. a first determination means for determining completion of the first process based on a comparison between a first process in which a first tag detected by the detection means is located and a progress of a process managed by the management means; a second determination means for determining completion of the second process based on a comparison between a second process in which the second tag detected by the detection means is located and a progress of the process managed by the management means; a second notification means for notifying the start of a third step based on the first determination means determining that the first step is completed and the second determination means determining that the second step is completed; The management system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

14. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the tag is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

15. A management method executed in a management system including a tag capable of reading information in a non-contact manner, the tag being provided so as to be movable together with a deliverable in a device corresponding to a process constituting a workflow, the management system including a detection means for detecting the tag provided in association with the device, the method comprising: a management process for managing the progress of the processes in the workflow; a notification step of notifying the progress of a step in the workflow based on a comparison between the step in which the tag detected by the detection means is located and the progress of the step managed in the management step; A management method comprising the steps of:

16. Computer, A tag capable of reading information in a non-contact manner is provided so as to be movable together with a deliverable in a device corresponding to a process constituting a workflow, and notification regarding the progress of a process in the workflow is given based on a comparison between the process in which the tag is located, detected by a detection means for detecting the tag arranged in correspondence with the device, and the progress of the process managed by a management means. A program to make it function like this.

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