Management system, management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a management system, a management method, and a program for not reducing productivity when an error occurs in a job in each process.SOLUTION: A management system is provided with tags capable of reading information in a non-contact manner and moving with a product in a device corresponding to processes forming a workflow, and detects the tags arranged in association with the device, and the management system manages the progress of the processes in the workflow, specifies the position of an operator performing operations in the processes in the workflow when an error occurs in the device, and determines an operator to cope with the error in the device on the basis of the number of operations in the processes performed by the specified operator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

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] In a printing factory, there are processes where people work (offline) and processes where machines work (inline), and workers move between each process using carts. In addition, each process has work in progress, which is the product of the work being done in the middle of the process, in order to adjust production.

[0003] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the delivery person who can respond to the location where the error occurred is notified of the shortest way (specific routes) to the person who can respond quickly, taking into consideration the different means of transportation such as car, bicycle, walking, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Registration No. 6948214 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to adjust production, each process has work in progress, which is the product of work in progress. If the work in progress runs out, the work in that process cannot be done, and the entire production stops. Also, if an error occurs in the equipment of a manufacturing process, it is necessary to respond to the error of the equipment where the error occurred. If the worker of the process does not work in that process in order to respond to the equipment error, there is a possibility that the work in progress will become zero, and in that case, there is a problem that production will stop.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a management system, a management method, and a program that do not reduce productivity when a job error occurs in each process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the management system of the present invention is characterized in that a tag from which information can be read contactlessly is arranged so as to move together with a deliverable product at an apparatus corresponding to a process that constitutes a workflow, and comprises: a detection means for detecting the tag arranged in correspondence with the apparatus; a management means for managing the progress of the processes in the workflow; and a determination means for, when an error occurs at the apparatus, identifying a position of a worker performing a process in the workflow, and determining a worker to handle the error in the apparatus based on the number of tasks performed by the identified worker at the process. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity when a job error occurs in each process. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing a software configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Print job management screen of the print workflow application [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a print job information table stored in the print job information data. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a product information table stored in the print job information data. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a location management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tag reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal included in the mobile system of the present embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an item table, a location table, a reader table, a user table, a movement amount table, and a tag detection table according to the present embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a process control system and a production control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job table, a process position table, and a job status table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of processes performed offline in an area of ​​a printing factory according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of the process of this embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content displayed on the display unit of the user terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal process of the process control system when the flow of the present embodiment is executed. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal process of the process control system when the flow of the present embodiment is executed. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The system configuration of this embodiment includes an information processing device 101, an image forming device 102, a post-processing device 103, a position management system 700, and a process management system 1200. The information processing device 101, the image forming device 102, the position management system (position management device) 700, and the process management system (process management device) 1200 are connected to each other via a network 100. The position management system 700 will be described later in FIG. 7, and the process management system 1200 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 an operator's hand carry, or is handed over to the post-processing device 103 via a belt conveyor (not shown). The post-processing device 103 is configured offline and operates independently without communicating with the image forming device 102 or the information processing device 101. The post-processing device 103 performs processes such as cutting, laminating, folding, and bookbinding on the handed-over printed matter. It is also possible to use multiple post-processing devices to perform bookbinding and then cutting. Note that, although one each of the information processing device 101, image forming device 102, and post-processing device 103 is illustrated in FIG. 1, any number of each device may be arranged. For example, printed matter output by multiple image forming devices may be processed by multiple post-processing devices 103.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device 101. As shown in FIG.

[0015] The CPU 201 reads out control programs stored in the ROM 202 or HDD 204 and executes various control processes. The RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and 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.

[0016] The keyboard 205 is an input device that serves as an instruction input unit, and issues control command instructions, text input, etc. to applications (described later). The pointing device 206 is an input device that serves as an instruction input unit together with the keyboard 205, and issues control command instructions to applications (described later).

[0017] A display 207 is an output device that is a display unit, and displays commands input from the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206, the state of applications described below, etc. A network I / F 208 connects the information processing device 101 to a network (such as a LAN, an intranet, or the Internet). The information processing device 101 uses the network I / F 208 to transmit and receive various information to and from other devices on the network.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the information processing device 101.

[0019] The print workflow application 301 is a program module that is installed and operates in the HDD 204 of the information processing apparatus 101, is loaded into the RAM 203 at the time of execution, and is executed by the CPU 201.

[0020] The print workflow application 301 includes 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 .

[0021] The UI unit 302 constructs a graphical user interface (GUI) and receives various input operations from the user, and issues instructions to execute the corresponding processes.

[0022] The print job management unit 303 accesses print job information data 307 (described later) and executes reference to various information of the print job that the print workflow application 301 transmits to the image forming apparatus.

[0023] A print job control unit 304 controls the execution of various functions for a print job in the print workflow application 301 (such as sending, editing, and deleting a print job).

[0024] In response to a print job transmission instruction received from the print job control unit 304, the print processing unit 305 transmits the content data and job ticket data of the print job to the image forming apparatus.

[0025] The device management unit 306 manages various information (such as an identification name and an address) of the image forming device to which the print job is to be sent from the print workflow application 301 .

[0026] The print job information data 307 is a database for managing 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 in FIG. 6. The product information table will be described later in FIG. 6.

[0027] The print workflow application 301 is installed and operates on the HDD 204 of the information processing device 101, but 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 need 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 (such as a database server (including on the cloud)) connected via a network.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print job management screen of the print workflow application 301. As shown in FIG.

[0029] When the print 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 the 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. Here, the print workflow application 301 may access a cloud service from a web browser on the information processing apparatus 101, so that the print job management screen is displayed on the web browser.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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 print job information data 307 via the print job management unit 303, and displays the print jobs to be printed in the print job list 406. The print operator selects a print job displayed in the print job list 406 with the pointing device 206 or the like, and issues print instructions, deletion instructions, editing instructions, etc. to the print job by pressing a function button arranged in the function menu 402.

[0032] The device list 407 displays a list of image forming devices managed as output destinations by the print workflow application 301. The print workflow application 301 acquires information on image forming devices communicably connected via the network 100 or the like via the device management unit 306, and displays the information in the device list 407.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a print job information table stored in the print job information data 307. As shown in FIG.

[0034] In the example shown in Fig. 5, the print job information table has items such as job ID, product number, product name, number of copies, content name, order date, and scheduled shipping date. The product name is a value linked to detailed print setting (print attribute) information defined in the product information table shown in Fig. 6, which will be described later. The content name is link information to a file name that is the content data used when printing the print job.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a product information table stored in the print job information data 307. As shown in FIG.

[0036] In the product information table, detailed setting values ​​related to printing (output paper size, finished size, paper type, orientation, single-sided / double-sided, stapling, punching, folding, binding, trimming, paper output destination, etc.) are defined. The product information table is created in advance by an installer such as a system engineer when the print workflow application 301 is installed, according to the order contents of the print material 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, an example of a product name "saddle-stitched imposition_A4_double-sided_landscape" will be described. In this case, the following settings are acquired: output paper size "320×450", paper type "high-quality paper", single-sided / double-sided "double-sided", binding "ON", saddle-stitching "ON", trimming "ON", and lamination "ON".

[0037] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a location management system 700 according to the present invention. The location management system 700 is a system that manages item data in a database. The location management system includes location tags 707 installed at different locations, item tags 709a and 709b attached to items, at least one RFID reader 705b, a mobile system 714, a management server 701, and an information processing device 101. The mobile system 714, the RFID reader 705b, the management server 701, and the information processing device 101 are connected to a network 100. The network 100 may be a wired network, a wireless network, or any combination thereof. Examples of the network 100 include the Internet, an intranet, an intranet, and a cloud network.

[0038] The location tag 707 is a wireless device that is installed at each location where an RFID reader may store an item in the location management system 700, and has unique tag identification information (hereinafter, tag ID) 708 embedded in the tag. The installation location of the location tag 707 may be fixed or may be changeable at each location.

[0039] The item tags 709a, 709b are wireless devices attached to each of the items managed in the position management system 700, and have unique tag identification information (hereinafter, tag ID) 710a, 710b embedded in the tag. As an example for linking a job and an item tag, Fig. 7 shows an example in which the item tag 709a is attached to a mail box 711a that stores a job when moving between each work process, and an example in which the item tag 709b is attached to a work instruction sheet 711b for issuing work instructions, but is not limited to this. Here, when items with item tags attached, such as the mail box 711a and the work instruction sheet 711b, are transported and automatically moved by an RFID reader, the item tags 709a, 709b also move together with the items.

[0040] In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the item 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 item tag 709. The same applies to the RFID readers 705 (705a, 705b), tag IDs 710 (710a, 710b), items 711 (711a, 711b), and other subsequent elements.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the tags such as the position tag 707 and the item tag 709 is a passive RFID tag (passive tag). A 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 specification, the identification information is also simply called ID, and the identification information for identifying the tag is also called tag ID. Note that the tag ID may be considered as information for identifying an object to which the tag is attached. The IC chip of the passive tag operates using the energy of electromagnetic waves emitted from an RFID reader, modulates the tag ID and other information stored in the memory into an information signal, and transmits (returns) the information signal from the antenna.

[0042] In another embodiment, 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 may be called a beacon tag. In yet another embodiment, each tag may be a wireless device that responds to a signal from an RFID reader and returns information, for example, by the NFC (Near Field Communication) method or the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method. Each tag may be called by any name, such as an IC tag, an IC card, or a responder.

[0043] The portable system 714 includes at least an RFID reader 705a. 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, for example, by reading a tag ID 710 from an item tag 709 attached to the item 711. The RFID reader 705 executes reading periodically or in response to some trigger such as a user operation, and transmits the tag reading result to the management server 701. 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 described later). An example of a specific configuration of the RFID reader 705 will be further described later.

[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the mobile system 714 further includes a user terminal 706. The user terminal 706 may be any type of terminal device or information processing device, such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, a smartphone, or a smart watch. The user terminal 706 may be used for interaction with the user 704 by the location management system 700. An example of a specific configuration of the user terminal 706 will be further described later.

[0045] The management server 701 is an information processing device that manages, in a database, status, location information, and other information related to the inspection of a plurality of items 711. The management server 701 may be implemented as an application server, a database server, or a cloud server, for example, 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.

[0046] 7 shows a single management server 701, the functions of the management server 701, which will be described in detail later, may be provided by a single device, or may be provided by multiple physically separate devices working together. In addition, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the management server 701 holds the database, 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.

[0047] 7 shows an example in which the portable system 714 includes an RFID reader 705a and a user terminal 706, which are separate devices. However, the portable system 714 is not limited to this example. For example, the RFID reader 705a may have some or all of the functions of the user terminal 706 described below, and the user terminal 706 may have some or all of the functions of the RFID reader 705a described below. In addition, the functions of the management server 701 described in this embodiment may be realized in the user terminal 706.

[0048] 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an RFID reader 705 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, 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.

[0049] The control unit 801 is composed of a memory that stores a computer program, and one or more processors (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) that execute the computer program. The control unit 801 controls the overall functions of the RFID reader 705 described in this specification. 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 as read result data in the storage unit 80. In addition, in parallel with reading the RFID tag, the control unit 801 causes the measurement unit 804 to measure the position of the RFID reader 705, and stores the measurement result in the storage unit 802. Then, the control unit 801 transmits the read result data and the measurement result data stored in the storage unit 802 to the management server 701 via the communication unit 803, together with the RFID reader identification information (also called RFID reader ID) of the own device.

[0050] The storage unit 802 may include any type of storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), 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.

[0051] 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).

[0052] 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. 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., a 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 sensor data from these sensors, 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.

[0053] As will be described later, in this embodiment, the position coordinates of the installation position of each position tag 707 are known and registered in a database. Therefore, the current absolute position (position coordinates) of the RFID reader 705 can be estimated based on the relative movement amount from the time when the RFID reader 705 detects a certain position tag 707 to the current time and the known position coordinates of the position tag 707. In this embodiment, an example in which the management server 701 estimates the absolute position of the RFID reader 705 will be mainly described, but the control unit 801 or the measurement unit 804 of the RFID reader 705 may access a database to estimate the absolute position of the RFID reader 705. In another embodiment, the measurement unit 804 may measure the current geographical position of the RFID reader 705 using GPS (Global Positioning System). In still another embodiment, the measurement unit 804 may perform base station positioning or wireless LAN positioning to estimate the current position using the known position coordinates of the connected base station or wireless LAN access point.

[0054] Note that, instead of RFID reader 705 including measurement unit 804, portable system 714 may include a measurement device separate from RFID reader 705 (eg, capable of measuring the amount of relative movement using self-location estimation technology).

[0055] The operation unit 805 accepts operations by the user 704. The operation unit 805 includes, for example, a physical input device such as a button, switch, or lever arranged 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.

[0056] 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. Referring to FIG. 8, 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 (e.g., 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, which removes unnecessary low-frequency 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 coupler 811 into the air as an electromagnetic wave. The antenna 812 also receives a signal returned 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 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 returned from the RFID tag, and outputs the acquired information to the control unit 801. The RF controller 807 also measures the reception level (also called reception intensity) of the signal input from the RX terminal, and outputs the measurement result to the control unit 801.

[0057] 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 706 included in a portable system 714 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, 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.

[0058] 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 function of the user terminal 706 described in this specification. For example, when the location of the item 711 is inspected in the location management system 1, 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. The location of the item to be inspected is indicated on this screen, and the user 704 is guided to the location of the item. Some examples of screens for guiding the user 704 to the location of the item will be described later in more detail.

[0059] The storage unit 902 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 902 temporarily stores, for example, a map image and position information (of the mobile system 714 and the item 711) received from the management server 701 described later for screen display.

[0060] 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 connection with a peripheral device.

[0061] 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 may be used for optical character recognition or for reading a visible code such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).

[0062] The operation unit 905 accepts operations and information input by the user 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 user 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.

[0063] 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 user 704. Although not shown in FIG. 9, an alarm function similar to the alarm unit 909 described above may be provided in the RFID reader 705.

[0064] 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 701 in the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the management server 701 includes a communication unit 1003, an item database (DB) 1001, and a management unit 1002.

[0065] 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 the mobile system 714 (e.g., one or both of the RFID reader 705a and the user terminal 706). The item DB 1001 is a database that stores status, location information, and other information regarding the inspection of multiple items under the management of the system. 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 may be operated by one or more processors (not shown) of the management server 701 executing a computer program stored in a memory (not shown). In this embodiment, the management unit 1002 includes a position estimation unit 1011 .

[0066] 11A to 11F respectively show examples of the configurations 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 of the item DB 1001.

[0067] The item table 1004 has six data items: a tag ID 1111, an item ID 1112, a name 1113, a type 1114, a 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 system. 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 provided by the management unit 1002. Alternatively, 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 in response to 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 coordinates 1116 indicate the location coordinates of the point where each item 711 is estimated to be located. The values ​​of the location 1115 and the coordinates 1116 may be updated by the location estimation unit 1011 when the movement of the item is detected by the RFID reader 705, as will be described later.

[0068] The location table 1005 has six data items: 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 under the management of the system. The value of the tag ID 1121 is the same as the tag ID value stored internally in the corresponding location tag 707. The location ID 1122 is identification information that uniquely identifies each location 712. The name 1123 indicates the name of each location 712. The coordinates 1124 indicate the location 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, 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 by the user and updated as needed.

[0069] The RFID reader table 1006 has three data items: 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 system. The name 1132 indicates the name of each RFID reader. The user 1133 indicates the user 704 who uses the RFID reader 705 by the value of the user ID 1141 in the user table 1007.

[0070] The user table 1004 has two data items: a user ID 1141 and a name 1142. The user ID 1141 is identification information that uniquely identifies each of the users 704 who use the location management system 700. The name 1142 indicates the name of each user. Although not shown in FIG. 11(D), the user table 1004 may further include authentication information (e.g., a password) used when each user 704 logs in to the system.

[0071] The movement amount table 1008 is a table for accumulating records of measurement result data received from the RFID reader 705 (hereinafter referred to as measurement result records). The movement amount table 1008 has three data items: 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 represented by each measurement result record. The RFID reader ID 1152 is identification information that identifies the RFID reader 705 that performed the measurement for the measurement result represented 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.

[0072] The tag detection table 1009 is a table for accumulating records of read result data received from the RFID reader 705 (hereinafter referred to as read result records). The tag detection table 1009 has five data items: 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 sensed location 1165 represents the position coordinates of the location where the RFID reader 705 was present when a tag read from the item tag 709 was performed (i.e., the sensed location of the item tag 709 and the corresponding item 711).

[0073] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a process control system 1200 according to the present invention.

[0074] 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 devices 102 and post-processing devices 103 within the area of ​​the printing factory, and the processes performed by each device. It 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.

[0075] 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 the process management service 1202 and transmits it to the information processing device 1209 .

[0076] In response to a request from the process management UI 1201 , the process management service 1202 obtains information from the position management system 700 , the job management service 1206 , the process DB 1203 , and the manufacturing process registration DB 1212 , and transmits the information to the process management UI 1201 .

[0077] The process location table 1205 is a table that manages information on each process 1321 within the area of ​​the printing factory and the coordinates 1322 of each process. In this table, coordinate information is defined in advance as to where each process is located within the area of ​​the printing factory. The process management service 1202 acquires tag ID information 1111 and its coordinates 1116 detected by the RFID readers 705c, 705d, and 705e for each process from the item table 1004 of the management server 701. It identifies which process in the area of ​​the printing factory the tag ID 710 is located in based on the acquired tag ID coordinates 1116 and the information in the process location table 1205. Here, as a method of identifying the process, for example, it is possible to calculate the distance between the coordinates in the process location table 1205 and the coordinates 1116 of the tag ID, and determine that the tag ID is located in that process if the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value. Alternatively, 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.

[0078] Job status table 1208 is a table for managing job ID 1331 and job status 1332. Here, a job with job status 1332 indicating production completed indicates that all processes have been completed, and a job with job status 1332 indicating printing completed indicates that printing has been completed and processing is being performed in an offline process. When each job is processing a process indicated in process 1321, job status 1332 indicates that the respective process is being processed, and when the processing is completed, job status 1332 indicates that the respective process is being completed.

[0079] 13(A) to (C) show examples of the job table 1204, process position table 1205, and job status table 1208 in the present invention. The job table 1204 includes items of tag ID 1311 and job ID 1312, and 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 stored in the item 711. The tag ID 710 and the job ID may be linked by sequentially reading the barcode attached to the item 711, such as a returnable box or a work instruction sheet, and the barcode attached to the job. The linking method is not limited here.

[0080] The process location table 1205 includes items for each process 1321 within the area of ​​the printing factory and the coordinates 1322 of each process. The job status table 1208 includes items for job ID 1331 and job status 1332.

[0081] 14 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of processes performed offline in an area 1400 of a printing factory in the present invention. 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. Waiting areas 1402a, 1402b, and 1402c, which are ranges detectable by the RFID readers 705c, 705d, and 705e, are defined in advance.

[0082] When an operator 1406 finishes work in each process, he stores the job in an item 711 to which an item tag 709 is affixed, and places it in the waiting area 1402 for the next process. As a result, the item tag 709 moves between each process together with the item 711 in which the job is stored. Here, an example of the item 711 is shown in which a tag ID 710 is affixed to a returnable box, but this is not limiting. The tag ID 710 may also be affixed to a work instruction sheet or the like.

[0083] The position of each tag ID 710 is identified by detecting each tag ID 710 with RFID readers 705c, 705d, and 705e for each process. The process in which each tag ID 710 exists is identified by comparing the identified position information of each tag ID 710 with a process position table 1205. Furthermore, the job arranged in each process is identified from the information in the job table 1204.

[0084] FIG. 15 is an example of a flowchart of the process of this embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 15 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 reading out the program stored in the ROM 202 to the RAM 203 and executing it. When an error occurs in a certain device in a manufacturing process (flow 1501), the process control system 1200 identifies the downstream process on the WF of the device where the error occurred (flow 1502). The process control system 1200 acquires the current position of each worker using the position movement amount detection of the RFID reader 705b (flow 1503). The process control system 1200 calculates the distance and movement time from each manufacturing process to the location where the error occurred in the device, and calculates the error response time by adding up the response time for recovering from the device error. The number of pieces that can be processed in each process during the error response time is calculated (flow 1504). The process control system 1200 calculates the quantity of work in progress in each process after the error response (flow 1505). The process control system 1200 judges whether the quantity of work in progress for each process after the error is dealt with becomes 0 (flow 1506). If YES, the process control system 1200 judges that the worker of that process will not work to recover from the device error (flow 1510). If NO, the process control system 1200 judges once that the worker of that process will work to recover from the device error (flow 1510). The process control system 1200 judges whether a predetermined condition exists. In this embodiment, the predetermined condition is the worker who is closest to the location of the device where the error occurred (flow 1508). If NO, the process control system 1200 judges that the worker of that process will not work to recover from the device error (flow 1510). If YES, the process control system 1200 notifies the user terminal 706 of the worker of that process that they will go to deal with the device error (1509).

[0085] 16 is a diagram showing an example of the contents displayed on the display unit 906 of the user terminal 706 in the present invention. A message 1601 shows the contents of a specific example of the display (an error has occurred in the printer; please go to a place to deal with the error).

[0086] 17 is a diagram showing an example of the internal processing of the process control system 1200 when the flow 1504 in the present invention is executed. The process type 1701 is an example showing a manufacturing process. In this embodiment, the manufacturing processes include lamination, cutting, inspection, and packaging.

[0087] The operation time per unit 1702 indicates the operation processing time per unit for each process. In this embodiment, the operation processing time per unit for each process is 5 minutes for the lamination process, 1 minute for the cutting process, 1 minute for the inspection process, and 5 minutes for the packing process. The number of pieces that can be handled 1703 is calculated by adding up the time required to move between the device where the error occurred and the process of the worker who recovers the error and the time required to recover the error from the device, and the number of pieces that each process can handle during the error response time is calculated. In this embodiment, the time required to move between the device where the error occurred and the process of the worker who recovers the error is 3 minutes, and the time required to recover the error from the device is 15 minutes, and the total is calculated. The error response time is 18 minutes, and the number of pieces that each process can handle during the error response time is 3 for the lamination process, 18 for the cutting process, 18 for the inspection process, and 3 for the packing process.

[0088] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the internal processing of the process management system 1200 when the flow 1505 in the present invention is executed. The process type 1801 is an example of a manufacturing process. In this embodiment, the manufacturing processes are lamination, cutting, transport, binding, transport, inspection, and packing. When an error occurs 1802 shows the quantity of work in progress in each process when an error occurs in the device. In this embodiment, when an error occurs in the device, there are 30 work in progress in the lamination process, 20 work in the cutting process, 30 work in the transport 1 process, 15 work in the binding process, 30 work in the transport 2 process, 30 work in the inspection process, and 10 work in the packing process. After the error is handled 1803, when an error occurs in the device, the worker of a certain process moves to the device where the error occurred, performs the error recovery of the device, and calculates the quantity of work in progress at the time when the worker moves to the original manufacturing process. In this embodiment, when an error occurs in the device, the worker of the transport 1 process moves to the device where the error occurred, and performs the error recovery of the device. During the 18 minutes it takes to move to the original manufacturing process, the work-in-progress quantities are 27 for the laminating process, 5 for the cutting process, 30 for the transport 1 process, -3 for the binding process, 30 for the transport 2 process, 12 for the inspection process, and 25 for the packing process. Here, the quantity of work-in-progress in the binding process is -3. This indicates that the work-in-progress quantity is below 0, and that work in the binding process will stop. Therefore, this is an example in which it is determined that the operator in the transport 1 process should not attempt to recover from the equipment error.

[0089] As described above, in this embodiment, the process control system 1200 determines an operator who can handle an error without stopping production. The operator who receives an instruction to handle the error on the terminal can perform the error recovery work of the equipment without stopping production.

[0090] (Variation 1) The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, FIG. 19 is an example showing a flowchart of the process of this embodiment. Flows 1901-1907 and 1709-1710 in FIG. 19 are the same as flows 1501-1507 and 1509-1510 in FIG. 15, so detailed explanations are omitted and flow 1908 will be explained. The process control system 1200 judges whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the first modification, the predetermined condition is that the quantity of work in progress is the largest. If NO, the process control system 1200 judges that the worker of the process should not perform work to recover from the device error (flow 1910). If YES, the process control system 1200 notifies the user terminal 706 of the worker of the process that the worker will go to deal with the device error (1909).

[0091] (Variation 2) The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, FIG. 20 is an example showing a flow chart of the process of this embodiment. Flow 2001-2007 and flow 2009-2010 in FIG. 20 are the same as flow 1501-1507 and flow 1509-1510 in FIG. 15, so detailed explanations are omitted and flow 2008 will be explained. The process control system 1200 judges whether a predetermined condition is met. In the second modification, the predetermined condition is that the quantity of work in progress is equal to or greater than a certain threshold and is closest to the location where the error occurred. If NO, the process control system 1200 judges that the worker of the process should not perform work to recover from the device error (flow 1910). If YES, the process control system 1200 notifies the user terminal 706 of the worker of the process that the worker will go to deal with the device error (1909).

[0092] According to the embodiment described above, when an error occurs in a device, the system calculates the distance traveled from the current location of a worker capable of handling the error to the device where the error occurred and the time required to handle the error. Then, the system identifies a worker who is unlikely to stop production based on the quantity of work-in-progress in each process after handling the error, and notifies the terminal of the worker capable of handling the error. This makes it possible to handle the error without stopping production.

[0093] 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.

[0094] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following management system, management method, and program.

[0095] (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 determination means for determining a location of a worker performing a process in the workflow when an error occurs in the device, and determining a worker to handle the error in the device based on the number of tasks performed by the identified worker in the process; A management system comprising:

[0096] (Item 2) 2. The management system according to item 1, wherein the determination means, when an error occurs in the device, identifies a position of an operator working on a process in the workflow, and determines the identified operator who performs the least number of tasks in the process as the operator to handle the error in the device.

[0097] (Item 3) 3. The management system according to item 1 or 2, wherein the detection means is provided in association with devices corresponding to each of a plurality of steps constituting the workflow.

[0098] (Item 4) 4. The management system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the tag is attached to a box capable of storing the deliverable.

[0099] (Item 5) 4. The management system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the tag is attached to a medium indicating a procedure of the workflow.

[0100] (Item 6) 6. The management system according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the device is an offline post-processing device.

[0101] (Item 7) 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 described in any one of items 1 to 6, characterized in that the workflow job and the tag are associated with each other based on the reading result of the code information and the reading result of the tag acquired by the acquisition means.

[0102] (Item 8) 8. The management system according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the tag is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.

[0103] (Item 9) 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 determination step of, when an error occurs in the device, identifying a position of a worker performing a process in the workflow, and determining a worker to handle the error in the device based on the number of tasks performed by the identified worker in the process; A management method comprising the steps of:

[0104] (Item 10) 10. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the management method according to item 9.

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 determination means for determining a location of a worker performing a process in the workflow when an error occurs in the device, and determining a worker to handle the error in the device based on the number of tasks performed by the identified worker in the process; A management system comprising:

2. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the determination means, when an error occurs in the device, identifies a location of a worker performing a process in the workflow, and determines the identified worker who performs the least number of tasks in the process as the worker to handle the error in the device.

3. 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.

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

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

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

7. 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.

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

9. 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 determination step of, when an error occurs in the device, identifying a position of a worker performing a process in the workflow, and determining a worker to handle the error in the device based on the number of tasks performed by the identified worker in the process; A management method comprising the steps of:

10. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the management method according to claim 9.

Images