Management system and management method

Abstract

To allow for automated management for offline manual processes in processes for producing printed matters.SOLUTION: A management system includes: a database for storing identification information of a printed matter; means which issues a tag in accordance with an input of the identification information of the printed matter and stores the identification information of the printed matter and identification information of the issued tag; a reader which reads and acquires the identification information of the issued tag; means which records position information of the tag from which the identification information is acquired by the reader, on the database, as position information associated with the identification information of the tag; and means which manages process information of the printed matter on the basis of the position information associated with the identification information of the printed matter stored in the database.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system and a management method for managing the number of waiting jobs in each process, for example, in offline processes of commercial printing. [Background technology]

[0002] In commercial printing, the process from "order placement" to "printing process" is managed and visualized using a printing process management system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-149342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Printing process management systems for commercial printing cannot collect job information via a network for offline processes, i.e. tasks performed by humans such as "packing" and "shipping." For this reason, it is not possible to manage or visualize the status of offline processes, such as how many jobs are waiting at each process or which jobs are in which process.

[0005] Furthermore, methods for managing and visualizing offline processes by having workers read barcodes, for example, are prone to human error and require a lot of work.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVETION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional techniques, and has as its object to provide an offline process management system and management method that are also capable of managing jobs being worked on in offline processes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing at least identification information of a printed matter, a tag issuing means for issuing a tag in response to input of the identification information of the printed matter, and for storing the identification information of the printed matter and the issued identification information of the tag in the storage means in association with each other, an acquisition means for reading and acquiring the identification information of the tag issued by the tag issuing means; a position management means for recording, in the storage means, position information of the position of the tag when the identification information of the tag is obtained by the reading means, as position information associated with the identification information of the tag; and a process management means for managing process information of the printed matter based on the position information linked to the identification information of the printed matter stored in the storage means. A management system is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a print production management system and a print production management method are provided that are capable of managing jobs being worked on in offline processes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] A configuration diagram of the network connection of the hardware of the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] Configuration diagram of a process control system 10 according to the first embodiment [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an RFID tag issuing system 20 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a location management system 30 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] An explanatory diagram of the printing process of the first embodiment [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an RFID tag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a control flow chart of the process control system 10 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a control flowchart of the RFID tag issuing system 20 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 1 is a control flow chart of the location management system 30 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a database 15 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a database 35 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 15b is an explanatory diagram of the database 15b according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a control flow chart of the RFID tag issuing system 20 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 illustrates a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 15] A diagram showing an example of printing type 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. 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 accompanying drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] System Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network connection of hardware of a management system centered on a process management system 10 of this embodiment. An information terminal 9 is an information terminal such as a PC used to issue a print job and manage the printing process. The process management system 10 is a system that mainly controls the image forming device 1 and manages the entire printing process. The information terminal 9 may have, for example, a web browser, and may obtain screen information indicating the process in which the in-process product is currently placed from the process management system 10 and display it as a user interface via the web browser. The RFID tag issuing system 20 is a system that controls the RFID printer 2b based on the reading result of the barcode reader 2a to print an RFID tag. The RFID tag is a tag that can read information recorded therein without contact, and is also called a wireless tag. The position management system 30 is a system that obtains position information of the RFID tag 6 based on the detection result of the RFID tag by the RFID readers 3a to 3c.

[0012] Here, the RFID readers 3a to 3c are arranged at positions such that the position where the printed matter to which they are affixed moves (or is placed) according to the progress of the process is included in the detection range where the information on the RFID tag can be read. The barcode reader 2a is a device having a function of reading a code image such as a barcode or a two-dimensional barcode formed as an image and acquiring the coded information. The RFID printer 2b is a device having a function of reading information stored in the RFID tag, such as identification information, a function of writing information in a writable area of ​​the RFID tag, and a function of printing on the RFID tag.

[0013] With this configuration, the process control system 10 can link the product identification information with the RFID tag identification information, and manage products in the offline process based on the information read from the RFID tag and the product identification information linked to it.

[0014] Here, the information terminal 9, the process control system 10, the RFID tag issuing system 20, and the position control system 30 are configured by an information processing device such as a computer, and their functions are realized by executing a program by the CPU. FIG. 14 shows an example of a general configuration of an information processing device. The CPU 1401 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 1402 or the HDD 1404 and executes various control processes in an integrated manner. The RAM 1403 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 1401. The hard disk drive (HDD) 1404 stores image data and various programs. A database is also built in the HDD 1404. Note that a configuration may be made in which other storage devices such as a solid state drive (SSD) are provided instead of or in combination with the HDD. The keyboard 1405 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 1406 is an input device that is an instruction input unit, like the keyboard 1405, and instructs each application to input a control command based on a user operation. The display 1407 is an output device that is a display unit, and displays commands input from the keyboard 1405 or the pointing device 1406, UI screens of each application, and the like. The network I / F 1408 connects the information processing device to a network. The information processing device transmits and receives various information to and from other devices or systems on the network 100 via the network I / F 1408. The network may be a wired network, a wireless network, or a network including both, for example, a LAN, an intranet, or the Internet. In addition to the configuration of FIG. 14, the image forming device 1 may have a unique device required for each system or device. The image forming device 1 may also include the configuration of FIG. 14 and further include a print engine and its control circuit for image formation.

[0015] Since each system shown in Fig. 1 is a subsystem of the management system shown in Fig. 1 as a whole, it may be called a subsystem or an apparatus with respect to the entire management system. For example, the process management system 10, RFID issuing system 20, and location management system 30 may be called a process management subsystem, an RFID issuing subsystem, and a location management subsystem, respectively. They may also be called a process management device, an RFID issuing device, and a location management device, respectively.

[0016] ●Process control system FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of the process management system 10. Each block of this configuration may be realized by the CPU 1401 executing a program stored in the RAM 1402. The print control unit 11 receives a print job from the information terminal 9 and controls the image forming device 1 to print a printed matter. In addition, together with the printed matter, information on the print job, and a barcode having at least ID information of the print job are printed on the printed matter or on a separate sheet to be printed simultaneously with the printed matter. Progress information of the online process is stored in the database 15. The position information receiving unit 12 acquires position information of the RFID tag from the RFID readers 3a to 3c to specify which process the offline printed matter is in, and stores information of the specified process in the database 15. The process display unit 13 displays the process progress information on the information terminal 9 based on the process progress information stored in the database 15. The control flowchart of the process management system 10 will be described in FIG. 7. The printed matter may also be called a product of the printing process.

[0017] ●RFID tag issuing system FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of the RFID tag issuing system 20. Each block of this configuration may be realized by the CPU 1401 executing a program stored in the RAM 1402. The barcode information receiving unit 21 acquires print job information of the printed matter based on information obtained by the barcode reader 2a reading the barcode 5. The print job information includes the print job ID (print job identification information), the type of printing, and the title of the printed matter. The type of printing specifies the type of product, such as "book," "business card," or "flyer." The RFID tag printing control unit 22 prints an RFID tag with the RFID printer 2b based on the print job information (type of printing, title of the printed matter, print job ID). The contents of the label printing may be blank.

[0018] FIG. 15 shows an example of the relationship between the designated type of printing and the corresponding issued RFID tag. In the example of FIG. 15, books, postcards, and business cards are shown as the types of printing. In this example, the number of RFID tags to be issued for the print job is also specified as the type of printing. In the example of FIG. 15, for example, it is possible to specify that two tags are issued for a book, or that no tags are issued. Also, the title to be printed on the RFID tag label and the type of printing are predetermined according to the type of printing. For example, for a book, a title separately specified as information on the print job is printed, and Book is printed as the type of printing. For example, for a business card, no title is printed as information on the print job, and BusinessCard is printed as the type of printing.

[0019] The details of the RFID tag are shown in Fig. 6. The RFID printer 2b reads the ID of the printed RFID tag (an initial ID in a user-rewritable area such as EPC, or an ID that cannot be rewritable by the user such as TID). The RFID registration information transmission unit 23 links the print job ID of the printed matter with the ID of the printed RFID tag based on the information of the print job, and transmits them to the position management system 30. The control flowchart of the RFID tag issue system 20 will be explained in Fig. 8.

[0020] ●Location management system Fig. 4 shows a configuration diagram of the position management system 30. The RFID tag registration information receiving unit 31 registers the print job information of the printed matter and the ID of the RFID tag linked thereto, received from the RFID tag issuing system 20, in a database 35 in a state where they are linked to each other, as a new RFID tag. The RFID tag detection information receiving unit 32 receives the detection results of the RFID tags by the RFID readers 3a to 3c, and based on the results, obtains the ID of the RFID tag and its position information, and stores it in the database 35. The position information transmitting unit 33 transmits the position information of the RFID tag based on a request from the process management system 10. The control flowchart of the position management system 30 will be explained in Fig. 9.

[0021] ●Overall view of the manufacturing process FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an overall picture of the process up to shipping, including the printing process of the present embodiment 1, by taking printing by a print job 4a as an example. When the print job 4a is requested from the information terminal 9, the process management system 10 transmits the print job 4a to the image forming device 1 and sets the current process to waiting for printing. Next, when the image forming device 1 starts printing the print job 4a, it receives the process information and sets the process of the print job 4a to "printing". Next, when the image forming device 1 completes printing the print job 4a, it receives the process information and sets the process of the print job 4a to "printing completed". The above three processes can be obtained by the process management system 10 from the image forming device 1 via the network, and are called online processes. The process in which the print job is currently located is also called the status of the print job.

[0022] The RFID tag issuing system 20 obtains information on the print job 4a by reading the barcode 5a printed on or attached to the printed matter 4a with the barcode reader 2a. The RFID tag issuing system 20 then identifies a format corresponding to the print type of the print job 4a from a plurality of formats preset for each print type, selects the content to be printed on the label, and prints the label of the RFID tag 6a with the RFID printer 2b. The format can also be referred to as the setting of the items or content to be printed as the title or print type preset for each print type, as described with reference to FIG. 15. The RFID tag issuing system 20 associates the ID information of the RFID tag 6a read when the RFID printer 2b prints the RFID tag 6a with the information on the print job 4a, and transmits the result to the position management system 30.

[0023] In the method of this embodiment, a worker in the printing process reads the barcode 5a on the printed matter 4a with the barcode reader 2a, and then simply attaches the RFID tag 6a, which is immediately printed by the RFID tag issuing system 20, to the printed matter 4a. This has the characteristic of preventing the mistake of attaching the RFID tag 6a to a different printed matter, and is highly reliable.

[0024] The RFID reader 3a is installed in the waiting area for packaging. By reading the RFID tag 7a (hereinafter referred to as the position tag 7a) that has the position information of the waiting area for packaging and the RFID tag 6a attached to the printed matter 4a, it is possible to detect that the printed matter 4a is in the waiting area for packaging.

[0025] Incidentally, a method may be used in which the position information of the RFID reader 3a is registered in the database 35 without using the position tag 7a.

[0026] The position tag 7a may be fixed within the detection range of the RFID reader 3a, for example, and is read together with the RFID tag 6a attached to the printed matter 4a. The position of each position tag is registered in the database 35 of the position management system 30 (an example is shown in data table T35b in FIG. 11). The detection information acquired from the position tag 7a can be identified from its ID. The RFID tag 6 attached to the printed matter in relation to the position tag 7 may be referred to as the item tag 6.

[0027] The RFID reader 3b is installed in the waiting area for shipment. By reading an RFID tag 7b (hereinafter referred to as the position tag 7b) having position information of the waiting area for shipment and the RFID tag 6a attached to the printed matter 4a, it is possible to detect that the printed matter 4a is in the waiting area for shipment. The position tag 7b may be fixed, for example, within the detection range of the RFID reader 3b, and is read together with the RFID tag 6a attached to the printed matter 4a. The information detected from the position tag 7b can be identified from its ID.

[0028] The RFID reader 3c is installed at the shipping area. By reading an RFID tag 7c (hereinafter referred to as a position tag 7c) having the location information of the shipping area and an RFID tag 6a attached to the printed matter 4a, it is possible to detect that the printed matter 4a is located at the shipping area. The position tag 7c may be fixed, for example, within the detection range of the RFID reader 3c, and is read together with the RFID tag 6a attached to the printed matter 4a. The information detected from the position tag 7c can be identified from its ID. The positions of the printed matter 4a identified by each RFID reader 3 indicate the process in which the printed matter 4a is placed, in other words, the status (condition) of the printed matter 4a. The above three statuses cannot be obtained directly from the image forming apparatus 1 via the network by the process management system 10, and the process information is detected from the position information of the position management system 30, and are referred to as offline processes.

[0029] In the method of this embodiment, the worker in the printing process can update the process progress information simply by placing the printed matter 4a within the detection range of each of the RFID readers 3a to 3c, which saves time. In addition, even after the printed matter 4a is placed in the package 8, the RFID tag 6a can be read without opening the package 8, which is a feature of the method, being highly convenient.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an RFID tag 6. FIG. 6(B) shows a cross-sectional view of the RFID tag 6. The RFID tag 6 is composed of a label for printing, an RFID inlet having an antenna and an IC chip, and an adhesive layer. The RFID printer 2b prints job information of the printed matter 4 on the label of the RFID tag 6. The RFID printer 2b also acquires the ID of the RFID tag 6 from the IC chip in the RFID inlet of the RFID tag 6. FIG. 6(A) shows an example of an RFID tag 6a on which information of a print job 4a is printed. The items to be printed are the type of printing, title, and print job ID included in the information of the print job 4a. These are pieces of information for identifying the print job, but other information, such as the date, time, lot number, and worker ID, may be additionally printed, or part of the contents exemplified in FIG. 6(A) may be printed. Alternatively, nothing may be printed.

[0031] ● Process control system database Before describing the control flow chart of the process control system 10 in FIG. 7, the database of the process control system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is an example of a database 15 for process management of print jobs in the process control system 10. The columns (items) of the data table T15 are the print job ID, print type, title, and process information. The process information is location information of the product (printed matter) and is also progress information showing the progress of the process. An example will be described using record 1 of the data table T15. The print job ID is 4a, which indicates that the job is to print a book, the book title is Tilte A, and the current process is waiting to be printed. There is no need for information on the title to be printed on the RFID tag 6, as in records 2-3 of the data table T15.

[0032] ●Process management processing Fig. 7 shows a control flowchart of the process control system 10. In the processing of this flowchart, S10 to S13 and S16 are executed mainly by the CPU 1401 of the information processing device that realizes the process control system 10. S14 and S15 are executed mainly by the CPU 1401 of the image forming apparatus 1. In the following explanation, the blocks of the process control system 10 shown in Fig. 2 will be explained mainly, but the main hardware is the CPU 1401. Note that an explanation of the management of online processes will be omitted, and only the offline processes will be explained.

[0033] S10 to S16 explain the control of the print control unit 11. In S10, the print control unit 11 receives a print job for the printed matter 4 from the information terminal 9. The print job received here is called the target print job. In S11, the print control unit 11 sets the process information (also called status) of the target print job to "waiting to print" and updates the process information of the target print job stored in the database 15. If the record of the target print job is not registered in the database 15, a new record may be registered. Each record in the database 15 shown in FIG. 10 includes a print job ID, a print type, a title, and process information as items. When registering, one record is added and values ​​corresponding to each item are written based on the information of the target print job. When updating, the items of the record to be updated may be rewritten with the updated values. The key at the time of updating may be, for example, a job ID.

[0034] In S12, the print control unit 11 causes the image forming apparatus 1 to start printing the target print job. To do so, the print control unit 11 transmits the target print job to the image forming apparatus 1. In S13, the print control unit 11 sets the process information of the target print job to "printing" and updates the process information of the target print job stored in the database 15. Thereafter, the print control unit 11 waits for a status notification from the image forming apparatus 1, such as printing completion (or an error).

[0035] In S14, the image forming apparatus 1 prints the received target print job and completes it. In S15, the image forming apparatus 1 obtains a barcode 5 including the print job ID and information on the type of printing from the print job information, and prints it on the printed matter 4 or on a separate sheet to be printed simultaneously with the printed matter 4. This barcode 5 may be called the barcode of the printed matter 4. The image forming apparatus 1 then transmits a notification of the completion of printing to the process management system 10.

[0036] In S16, the print control unit 11, in response to receiving the print completion notification, changes the process information of the target print job to "print completed" and updates the process information of the target print job in the database 15.

[0037] The above process is repeated every time a print job is received from the information terminal 9, thereby updating the status of the print job, that is, the progress information of the printing of the printed matter and the online process.

[0038] S17 to S18 explain the control of the position information receiving unit 12. In S17, the position information receiving unit 12 acquires the position information of the RFID tag attached to the printed matter 4, i.e., the position information of the printed matter 4, from the position management system 33. To this end, for example, the print job ID of the printed matter 4 is transmitted to the position management system 33 together with a request for position information, and the position information (process information) of the printed matter 4 is received as a response thereto. In S18, based on the received position information of the printed matter 4, the process in which the printed matter 4 of the target print job is currently placed is identified, and the process information of the target print job in the database 15 is updated. In this example, the process information is one of "waiting for packaging," "waiting for shipment," and "shipped," which are associated with the positions of the position tags. By periodically repeating the above processing, the progress information of the offline process is updated.

[0039] Here, multiple RFID tags may be issued that are linked to one print job ID. In that case, process information from multiple different RFID tags will be received in S17. In that case, if all of the process information received in response to a request for one print job ID indicates the same process, the process information in database 15 is updated with that process information. If they are not all the same, the value of the process information is maintained without being updated. In this way, it is possible to proceed to the next process only after processing in a certain process has been completed for all printed materials that are individually RFID-tagged in correspondence with one print job ID.

[0040] According to the above control flowchart, the database 15 stores and updates progress information for the online and offline processes. Based on the information in the database 15, the process display unit 13 can transmit information on the printing process for each print job to the information terminal 9 and display it in a centralized manner. The display may target all print jobs under management, or may target a specified print job. Alternatively, it may target a specified number of print jobs starting from the most recent print job. Note that by increasing the number of locations where RFID readers are installed, it is possible to manage the status identified from the position information of the printed matter 4 in more detail. Also, the number of locations where RFID readers are installed may be reduced to reduce the number of statuses to be managed.

[0041] ● RFID tag issuing process procedure Fig. 8 shows a control flowchart of RFID issuance processing by the RFID tag issue system 20. In the following explanation, each block of the RFID tag issue system 20 shown in Fig. 3 will be explained as the subject of processing, but the subject of hardware is the CPU 1401 that realizes it. When the worker causes the barcode reader 3a to read the barcode on the printed matter 4 printed in S15 of Fig. 7, processing from S20 onwards is executed.

[0042] In S20, the barcode information receiving unit 21 receives the barcode 5 information from the barcode reader 3a, and obtains the information on the type of printed matter, the title, and the print job ID included in the received information. In S21, the RFID tag printing control unit 22 prints the label of the RFID tag 6 on the RFID printer 2b according to the type of printing, the title, and the print job ID obtained in S20. In S21, for example, the method of issuing the RFID tag for each type of printing, for example, the number of tags and the items and contents to be printed, may be determined in advance, and the RFID tag may be printed according to the method. Here, as described in FIG. 15, the number of RFID tags specified by the type of printing included in the job information is issued in a format set according to the type of printing. However, the correspondence between the type of printing and the method of issuing the RFID tag is not limited to this. For example, since the issued RFID tag is issued for the purpose of managing the offline process of the product, it may be determined that the RFID tag is issued for each unit of printed matter that is grouped together in the offline process. For example, for printed matter such as business cards or flyers, which are the results of one print job and are delivered to an offline process in one box, one RFID tag 6 label may be printed and issued for each print job. Also, for printed matter such as books, which are delivered to an offline process in booklets, one RFID tag 6 label may be printed for each booklet (i.e., for the number of copies).

[0043] In S22, the RFID tag printing control unit 22 acquires ID information of the printed RFID tag 6 from the RFID printer 2b. The ID information of the RFID tag 6 may be acquired by receiving a signal transmitted from the RFID tag 6. If a plurality of tags have been issued, the ID information of all of them is acquired. In S23, the RFID tag registration information transmission unit 23 transmits to the position management system 30 the ID of the print job based on the information of the barcode 5 acquired in S20 and the ID of the RFID tag 6 acquired in S22, linking them together. Here, if a plurality of RFID tags 6 have been issued for one print job, the print job ID may be transmitted in linkage with the IDs of all of the issued RFID tags 6.

[0044] Incidentally, another advantage of this system is that it can flexibly change the method of issuing RFID tags depending on the type of printing. For example, there is a use case where one RFID tag is issued for a job to print 50 business cards and managed collectively, and another use case where two RFID tags are issued for a job to print two books and managed separately. In these use cases, the printing type in the former is "business cards" and the printing type in the latter is "books". In this way, the requirements for the method of issuing RFID tags may differ depending on the type of printing. In this system, by including information on the type of printing in barcode 5, it is possible to automatically issue RFID tags appropriate for each type of printing, which has the characteristic of reducing the burden on workers in the printing process.

[0045] Another feature of the RFID tag issuing system 20 is that it uses the initial ID value of the RFID tag 6, such as the TID value, and has the advantage that customers can use it without having to register, apply for, or manage ID number issuance.

[0046] Location information management system database Before describing the processing procedure of the position information management system 30 of this embodiment, the database that is updated and referenced in the processing will be described. Fig. 11 shows an example of a data table included in the database 35 for storing when and where the RFID tag 6 of the position management system 30 was detected.

[0047] The data table T35a is a data table used by the RFID tag detection receiving unit 32 to save the information stored in S32 of FIG. 9. The records of the data table T35a are recorded for each detection information, that is, for each detected RFID tag. The columns include the ID of the RFID reader that reads the received detection information, the ID of the detected RFID tag, the detection time (date and time), and the movement amount of the RFID reader in the X and Y directions. The detection time may be a value transmitted by the RFID reader 3 together with the detection information. The movement amount of the RFID reader is the movement amount (x, y) in the planar direction detected by a movement amount sensor (not shown) built into the RFID 6a, with the position where the power supply of the RFID reader 3a is turned on being (0, 0). This is provided in case the RFID readers 3a to 3c are configured to be movable, but in this example, the RFID readers 3a to 3c are fixed and used, so the movement amount is always (0, 0).

[0048] Record 1 of data table T35a shows the result of RFID reader 3a detecting RFID tag 6a at date and time 2023-10-10T10:24:50. Record 2 of data table T35a shows the result of RFID reader 3a detecting position tag 7a at date and time 2023-10-10T10:24:50. The amount of movement is fixed, so it is (0,0). From the above detection results, it can be seen that RFID reader 3a detected RFID tag 6a and position tag 7a at the same position at the same time. Note that data table T35a is sometimes called item tag detection information or item tag detection database.

[0049] The data table T35b records the position information of the position tag, and the position information of the position tag can be obtained by referring to this data table. The position information of the position tag corresponds to each process and can also be called process information. The data table T35b registers the position information of the installation position of the position tag 7 when the position tag 7 is installed. The position tags 7a to 7c are installed at fixed positions, and the position management system 30 can identify the position information of the RFID readers 3a to 3c from the position tags detected by the RFID readers 3a to 3c. The data table 35b includes the following items for each position tag: base identification information, building (building) identification information at the base, floor identification information in the building, position information on the floor, and the name of the position. This allows the position to be obtained by searching the data table T35b using the ID of the position tag. The data table T35b may be called position tag information or a position tag database.

[0050] The data table T35c is a data table used to store the position information of the RFID tag 6 in S31 and S33 of FIG. 9. The columns (items) of the data table T35c include the ID of the RFID tag 6, the ID of the print job, the detection time (date and time), the ID of the position tag, and the movement amount from the position tag to the RFID reader (always (0,0) since the RFID readers 3a to 3c are fixed in this example). The ID of the RFID tag is the ID of the detected item tag, and the ID of the print job is the ID of the print job linked to the item tag 6. These two items may be recorded when a new record is registered in S31. The detection time (date and time) is the time when the item tag 6 is detected, and may be a value transmitted by the RFID reader 3 together with the detection information. The ID of the position tag is the ID of the position tag detected simultaneously with the item tag 6. The detection time and the ID of the position tag are recorded in S33.

[0051] Record 1 of data table T35c records a detection result that RFID tag 6a was at the position of position tag 7a at date and time 2023-10-10T10:24:50 based on the results of records 1 and 2 of data table T35a. Record 2 of data table T35c records a detection result that RFID tag 6a was at the position of position tag 7b at date and time 2023-10-10T11:00:20 based on the results of records 3 and 4 of data table T35a. Record 3 of data table 35c records a detection result that RFID tag 6a was at the position of position tag 7c at date and time 2023-10-10T14:30:12 based on the results of records 5 and 6 of data table 35a.

[0052] Record 4 of data table 35c shows a state in which RFID tag 6b transmitted from RFID tag issue system 20 has been registered by RFID tag registration information receiver 31. Based on the information transmitted from RFID tag issue system 20, RFID tag registration information receiver 31 registers the RFID tag ID number and print job information (print job ID number) as a new record. Note that since it is immediately after registering RFID tag 6b, the detection history is blank. Note that data table T35c may also be referred to as item tag position information or item tag position database.

[0053] ● Location management procedure Fig. 9 shows a control flowchart of the position management system 30. In the following explanation, each block of the position management system 30 shown in Fig. 4 will be explained as the subject of processing, but the subject of hardware is the CPU 1401 that realizes this.

[0054] S30 to S31 explain the control of the RFID tag registration information receiving unit 31 (item tag registration processing). In S30, the RFID tag registration information receiving unit 31 receives the print job ID and the ID of the RFID tag 6 linked thereto, which were transmitted by the RFID tag issue system 20 in S23. In S31, the RFID tag registration information receiving unit 31 links the print job ID and the ID of the RFID tag 6 received in S30 and stores them in the data table T35c of the database 35. Here, new records may be added and the respective IDs may be stored. The above registration processing is performed every time data is transmitted from the RFID tag issue system 20.

[0055] S32 to S33 explain the control of the RFID tag detection information receiving unit 32 (item tag position update processing). In S32, the RFID tag detection information receiving unit 32 receives information (detection information) contained in a signal from an RFID tag detected by the RFID readers 3a to 3c, and stores the received detection information in a data table T35a of the database 35. The stored detection information includes the ID of the RFID tag. Since a position tag 7 is placed within the detection range of each RFID reader 3, the received detection information includes the ID of the position tag 7, and also includes the ID of an RFID tag (item tag) 6 affixed to the printed matter 4 if it is within the detection range.

[0056] In S33, the RFID tag detection information receiving unit 32 determines the position of the RFID tag 6 based on the reception result, and stores the detection time and its position in the data table T35 of the database 35. As a result, the detection time and its position of the RFID tag 6 are updated every time the processes of S32 to S33 are executed. Here, the position of the RFID tag 6 may be indicated by the ID of the fixedly installed position tag 7. Also, at this time, if the data table T35 contains a record of the corresponding RFID tag in which the detection time and the position tag ID are blank, the detection time and the position tag ID of that record may be updated with the respective values ​​received in S32. On the other hand, if the detection time and the position tag ID are already recorded in the record of the corresponding RFID tag contained in the data table T35, a new record is added. The record to be added contains the RFID tag ID and the ID of the print job linked thereto, and contains the detection time and the position tag ID received in S32.

[0057] By periodically acquiring the above position information, it is possible to update the position information of the RFID tag 6. In this way, the position of the printed matter to which the RFID tag (item tag) 6 is attached continues to be recorded periodically until it moves out of the detection range of the RFID reader placed at the final process position.

[0058] S34 to S35 explain the control of the position information transmission unit 33 (position information transmission process). In S34, the position information transmission unit 33 receives a request for position information from the process control system 10. This request may be the one transmitted in S17 of FIG. 7, and the ID of the print job to which the request is directed may be received together with the request. In S35, the position information transmission unit 33 refers to the data table T35c of the database 35, and acquires the position information (ID of the position tag 7) of the RFID tag 6 linked to the requested print job ID. It further refers to the data table T35b, and acquires the position information corresponding to the specified ID of the position tag 7. Then, it responds to the process control system 10 with the acquired position information as process information.

[0059] The process information returned in response may be the latest location information for the requested print job. If multiple different RFID tag IDs are linked to the requested print job ID, the location information of all the linked RFID tags 6 may be returned as the process information for each. The process information returned in response may include all information obtained from the data table T35b, such as the base, building, floor, floor coordinates, and location name, or may include only the location name. The above response is repeated each time a request is received from the process management system 10.

[0060] ● Display of product progress With the above configuration and procedure, by attaching an RFID tag (item tag) 6 to printed matter 4 for which an online process has been completed, the transition of the position of the printed matter, i.e., the progress of the process, can be managed. Furthermore, by displaying on the information terminal 9 the process in which each printed matter is placed, the user can visually grasp the progress of the printed matter in process.

[0061] To achieve this, for example, the information terminal 9 requests process information from the process management system 10. In response to this request, the process management system 10 references the data table T15, i.e., the progress information, generates an image in which the position corresponding to each printed matter is mapped onto an image showing the process from printing to shipping, and responds with this image to the information terminal 9. The information terminal 9 displays the responded image. At the position corresponding to each printed matter, the date and time at that position, the type of printing, the print job ID, the title, etc. may also be displayed. In this way, the user can monitor the progress from input of the print job to the image forming device to the shipping of the printed matter on the information terminal 9.

[0062] [Embodiment 2] In this embodiment, the RFID tag issuing system 20 writes the ID number of the RFIID tag specified by the process control system 10 into the RFID tag 6 in response to a request from the process control system 10 and uses it. This point differs from the first embodiment. The RFID tag 6 has an area where information such as an ID is recorded in advance and the user cannot write to it, and an area where the user can write desired information. In the first embodiment, the ID recorded in the former area is used, but in this embodiment, the latter area is used. Below, this embodiment will be explained, focusing on the points that differ from the first embodiment. The configuration and procedures that are not explained are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0063] 12 is an example of database 15b for print job process management in process management system 10 in embodiment 2. This is used in place of database 15 in embodiment 1. The columns of data table T15b are print job ID, RFID tag ID, print type, and process information (process progress information), and differ from one embodiment of the present invention in that a column for RFID tag ID is added and the title is combined with the print type.

[0064] For record 1 in which the process control system 10 has specified an RFID tag ID, the RFID printer 2b writes the specified ID into the RFID tag 6 and uses the specified ID. For records 2 and 3 in which the RFID tag ID is blank, the RFID printer 2b uses the ID read from the RFID tag 6, as in the first embodiment. The control flow will be described with reference to FIG.

[0065] Fig. 13 shows a control flowchart of RFID tag issuance processing by the RFID tag issue system 20. Fig. 13 is used in place of Fig. 8 of the first embodiment. The same controls as those in the first embodiment are given the same numbers and descriptions are omitted. Also, as in the first embodiment, the main executing hardware is the CPU 1401.

[0066] In S25, the barcode information receiving unit 21 receives information on the barcode 5 from the barcode reader 2a, and acquires information on the type of printing, the print job ID, and the RFID tag ID. In S26, the RFID tag printing control unit 22 judges whether or not the RFID tag ID has been specified. The ID may be specified by a user operation, for example, or an ID appropriately assigned by a predetermined program may be specified. If the RFID tag ID has been specified in S26, the process proceeds to S27, and if not, the process proceeds to S22. In S27, the RFID tag printing control unit 22 writes the RFID tag ID to the printed RFID tag 6.

[0067] As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the ID of the RFID tag 6 can be flexibly selected according to the request of the customer to whom the printed matter is to be delivered, between a method of using the initial value of the RFID tag and a method of using a format requested by the customer. Even when RFID tags of different formats are mixed, the system can manage them without the workers in the printing process being aware of it, so that customer requests can be met without affecting the printing process site.

[0068] [Other Examples] In the first and second embodiments, the type of printing is specified in the print job information. However, the type of printing may be determined from the print settings. For example, if bookbinding printing is specified, the type of printing is determined to be a book, and if cutting to postcard size or business card size is specified, the type of printing is determined to be a postcard or business card, and the type of printing may be determined.

[0069] In addition, while the first and second embodiments show examples using wireless tags, if the tag attachment position and the position and direction in which the printed matter is placed in each process are determined, optically readable tags can also be used instead of wireless tags.

[0070] 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.

[0071] Summary of embodiments The above embodiments can be summarized as follows: (Item 1) A storage means for storing at least identification information of the printed matter; a tag issuing means for issuing a tag in response to input of the identification information of the printed matter, and for storing the identification information of the printed matter and the identification information of the issued tag in the storage means in association with each other; an acquisition means for reading and acquiring the identification information of the tag issued by the tag issuing means; a position management means for recording, in the storage means, position information of the position of the tag when the identification information of the tag is obtained by the reading means, as position information associated with the identification information of the tag; and a process management means for managing process information of the printed matter based on the position information linked to the identification information of the printed matter stored in the storage means. 1. A management system comprising: (Item 2) The management system according to item 1, The tag issuing means receives the type of printing together with the identification information of the printed matter, issues the tags in a number corresponding to the type of printing, and causes the identification information of the printed matter and the identification information of the issued tags to be associated with each other and stored in the storage means. 1. A management system comprising: (Item 3) The management system according to item 2, When the tag issuing means issues a plurality of tags in response to the input of the identification information of the first printed matter, if the position information linked to the identification information of the plurality of tags stored in the storage means all indicates the same position, the process management means updates the process information of the first printed matter based on the position information linked to the identification information of the first printed matter. 1. A management system comprising: (Item 4) The management system according to item 2 or 3, The tag issuing means specifies the items and contents to be printed on the tag to be issued according to the type of printing, and issues a tag on which the specified items and contents are printed. 1. A management system comprising: (Item 5) Item 4. The management system according to item 4, The items include the type of print, the title, and identification information of the print. 1. A management system comprising: (Item 6) The management system according to any one of items 1 to 5, The printing method further comprises a printing means for additionally printing a code image in which information including identification information of the printed matter is coded when the printed matter is printed, The tag issuing means includes a reading means for reading coded information from the code image, and the reading means reads and inputs identification information of the printed matter. 1. A management system comprising: (Item 7) The management system according to any one of items 1 to 6, Further comprising a second storage means for storing location information and process information corresponding to the location information in association with each other, The process management means manages the process information associated with the position information of the tag stored in the storage means as process information of the printed matter. 1. A management system comprising: (Item 8) The management system according to any one of items 1 to 7, the storage means further stores the identification information of the printed matter and the time associated with the identification information of the tag; the location management means stores in the storage means a time when the identification information of the tag is acquired by the reading means in association with the identification information of the tag; The process management means manages process information of the printed matter based on the latest position information linked to the identification information of the printed matter, which is indicated by the time linked to the identification information of the printed matter stored in the storage means. 1. A management system comprising: (Item 9) The management system according to any one of items 1 to 8, The tag is a wireless tag. 1. A management system comprising: (Item 10) A management method using a management system having a storage means for storing at least identification information of a printed matter, a tag issuing means, an acquisition means, a position management means, and a process management means, comprising the steps of: the tag issuing means issues a tag in response to input of the identification information of the printed matter, and associates the identification information of the printed matter with the identification information of the issued tag and stores them in the storage means; The acquiring means reads and acquires the identification information of the tag issued by the tag issuing means, the position management means records, in the storage means, position information of the position of the tag when the identification information of the tag is acquired by the reading means, as position information linked to the identification information of the tag; The process management means manages process information of the printed matter based on the position information linked to the identification information of the printed matter stored in the storage means. A management method comprising:

[0072] The present 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. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 image forming apparatus, 2a barcode reader, 2b RFID printer, 3a-3c RFID reader, 10 process control system, 20 RFID tag issuing system, 30 position control system,

Claims

1. A storage means for storing at least identification information of the printed matter; a tag issuing means for issuing a tag in response to input of the identification information of the printed matter, and for storing the identification information of the printed matter and the identification information of the issued tag in the storage means in association with each other; an acquisition means for reading and acquiring the identification information of the tag issued by the tag issuing means; a location management means for recording, in the storage means, location information of the location of the tag when the identification information of the tag is acquired by the acquisition means, as location information associated with the identification information of the tag; and a process management means for managing process information of the printed matter based on the position information linked to the identification information of the printed matter stored in the storage means.

1. A management system comprising:

2. The management system according to claim 1, The tag issuing means receives the type of printing together with the identification information of the printed matter, issues the tags in a number corresponding to the type of printing, and causes the identification information of the printed matter and the identification information of the issued tags to be associated with each other and stored in the storage means.

1. A management system comprising:

3. The management system according to claim 2, When the tag issuing means issues a plurality of tags in response to the input of the identification information of the first printed matter, if the position information linked to the identification information of the plurality of tags stored in the storage means all indicate the same position, the process management means updates the process information of the first printed matter based on the position information linked to the identification information of the first printed matter.

1. A management system comprising:

4. The management system according to claim 2, The tag issuing means specifies the items and contents to be printed on the tag to be issued according to the type of printing, and issues a tag on which the specified items and contents are printed.

1. A management system comprising:

5. The management system according to claim 4, The items include the type of print, the title, and identification information of the print.

1. A management system comprising:

6. The management system according to claim 1, The printing method further comprises a printing means for additionally printing a code image in which information including identification information of the printed matter is coded when the printed matter is printed, The tag issuing means includes a reading means for reading coded information from the code image, and the reading means reads and inputs identification information of the printed matter.

1. A management system comprising:

7. The management system according to claim 1, Further comprising a second storage means for storing location information and process information corresponding to the location information in association with each other, The process management means manages the process information associated with the position information of the tag stored in the storage means as process information of the printed matter.

1. A management system comprising:

8. The management system according to claim 1, the storage means further stores the identification information of the printed matter and the time associated with the identification information of the tag; the location management means stores in the storage means a time when the identification information of the tag is acquired by the reading means in association with the identification information of the tag; The process management means manages process information of the printed matter based on the latest position information linked to the identification information of the printed matter, which is indicated by the time linked to the identification information of the printed matter stored in the storage means.

1. A management system comprising:

9. The management system according to claim 1, The tag is a wireless tag.

1. A management system comprising:

10. A management method using a management system having a storage means for storing at least identification information of a printed matter, a tag issuing means, an acquisition means, a position management means, and a process management means, comprising the steps of: the tag issuing means issues a tag in response to input of the identification information of the printed matter, and associates the identification information of the printed matter with the identification information of the issued tag and stores them in the storage means; The acquiring means reads and acquires the identification information of the tag issued by the tag issuing means, the location management means records, in the storage means, location information of the location of the tag when the identification information of the tag is acquired by the acquisition means, as location information linked to the identification information of the tag; The process management means manages process information of the printed matter based on the position information linked to the identification information of the printed matter stored in the storage means. A management method comprising:

Images