Image formation system
The image forming system addresses the challenge of efficiently producing multiple similar products with different designs by using an integrated system for order acceptance, slip processing, and instruction generation, resulting in simplified and cost-effective production.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023181160
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
AI Technical Summary
Small and medium-sized businesses face challenges in efficiently producing multiple similar products with different designs, as existing methods can be complex, costly, and risky due to inventory management and manufacturing process complexities.
An image forming system that includes order acceptance, slip printing, slip reading, order identification, and instruction generation means to efficiently produce multiple similar products with different designs by generating non-overlapping image formation instructions for an image forming apparatus.
The system allows for easy and efficient simultaneous production of multiple similar products with different designs, simplifying operations and reducing costs by optimizing the manufacturing process.
Smart Images
Figure 2025070669000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] It relates to the art of image formation. [Background technology]
[0002] In recent years, as consumer needs have become more diverse, businesses that stock products in advance and then sell those products can be risky for small and medium-sized businesses with limited financial resources.
[0003] On the other hand, selling products through made-to-order production can give rise to various problems, such as the complexity of the manufacturing process, the difficulty of securing personnel capable of carrying out those complex processes, and the resulting higher costs and higher unit prices of the products. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of simply and efficiently carrying out the task of simultaneously producing a plurality of the same kind of products with different designs. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] One form of the image forming system disclosed herein is characterized by having an order receiving means for receiving order information including the type and design of a desired product, a slip printing means for printing a production slip containing order identification information that identifies one of the order information and a sample drawing of the desired product linked to the one of the order information, a slip reading means for reading by optical means the order identification information described on the production slip that a worker determines to be the target of work based on the sample drawing, an order identification means for identifying the order information identified by the order identification information read by the slip reading means, and an instruction generation means for generating image formation instructions for an image forming device to image each of the desired products included in the order information identified by the order identification means in non-overlapping positions on an image forming medium. Effect of the Invention
[0006] The disclosed image forming system can easily and efficiently perform the task of simultaneously producing a plurality of similar products with different designs. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing slip according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing slip according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of an image formation instruction according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a formed image display means according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of an image formation instruction according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a formed image display means according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of order processing by the image forming system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an instruction generation process (part 1) by the image forming system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an instruction generation process (part 2) by the image forming system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. (Operation principle of the image forming system according to the present embodiment)
[0009] 1 to 8, the operation principle of an image forming system (hereinafter, simply referred to as "the system") 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between the system 100 and other devices.
[0010] 1, the system 100 is connected to an image forming apparatus 310, an orderer terminal 390, and the like via a communication network 380. The communication network 380 may be either wired or wireless. The image forming apparatus 310 performs processing for forming an image on an image forming medium 320 based on an image formation instruction 360 notified from the system 100.
[0011] The orderer terminal 390 is a terminal operated by an orderer who places an order for the desired product 220, and may be a personal computer or a portable mobile terminal such as a smartphone.
[0012] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the present system 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the present system 100 has order information storage means 110, order receiving means 120, slip printing means 130, slip reading means 140, order identification means 150, instruction generation means 160, formed image display means 170, instruction notification means 180, and optical means 190.
[0013] The order information storage means 110 stores order information 210, including the type 230 of the desired product 220, the design 240 of the desired product 220, the size 250 of the desired product 220, the delivery method 260 of the desired product 220, and orderer identification information 270, in association with order identification information 280 that identifies the order information 210. The order receiving means 120 receives the order information 210 from the orderer terminal 390 via the communication network 380 .
[0014] The slip printing means 130 prints a production slip 290 on which is written order identification information 280 for identifying one order information 210, a sample drawing 300 of the desired product 220 linked to the one order information 210, the delivery method 260, and the orderer identification information 270.
[0015] In order to prevent operational mistakes by the worker 370 who causes the image forming apparatus 310 to perform image formation processing, the order identification information 280, sample drawing 300, delivery method 260, and orderer identification information 270 are entered in the production slip 290. Since the worker 370 may also perform the task of delivering the desired product 220 to the orderer, the delivery method 260 and orderer identification information 270 are entered in the production slip 290.
[0016] 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of a production slip 290. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the slip printing means 130 prints a sample drawing 300, order identification information 280, delivery method 260, and orderer identification information 270 on the production slip 290. In this manner, the order identification information 280 may be a two-dimensional barcode or may be in another form.
[0017] The slip reading means 140 reads the order identification information 280 written on the production slip 290 that the worker 370 has determined to be the work target based on the sample drawing 300 or the like, by the optical means 190. The optical means 190 is a so-called general barcode reader or barcode scanner.
[0018] The order identifying means 150 identifies the order information 210 stored in the order information storage means 110 that is identified by the order identification information 280 read by the slip reading means 140 .
[0019] The instruction generating means 160 generates image formation instructions 360 for the image forming device 310 to image each of the desired products 220 included in the order information 210 identified by the order identifying means 150 in non-overlapping positions on the image forming medium 320.
[0020] It is assumed that there are multiple desired products 220 read by the slip reading means 140 and identified by the order identification means 150. Also, the image formation medium 320 is a medium on which the image forming device 310 forms an image through an image formation process, and is assumed to be, for example, paper, cloth, metal, plastic, etc.
[0021] The instruction generating means 160 calculates positions on the image forming medium 320 where the desired products 220 do not overlap, based on information about the size 250 of the desired products 220 included in the order information 210 identified by the order identifying means 150. Then, the instruction generating means 160 generates image formation instructions 360 for the image forming device 310 to form images of the desired products 220 at each calculated position. Note that the image formation instructions 360 may be in a form including setting information about the image forming device 310, such as the amount of ink, the order in which images are formed for the multiple desired products 220, and the height of the table used during image formation.
[0022] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of image formation instructions 360. Fig. 5 assumes a case in which images are formed collectively on two "A4 size posters" as shown in sample diagram 300 in Fig. 3 and one "A3 size poster" as shown in sample diagram 300 in Fig. 4.
[0023] 5, based on information indicating that the size 250 of the desired product 220 is two "A4 size" posters and one "A3 size", the instruction generating means 160 calculates to rotate the "A3 size poster" 220 by 90 degrees and place the "A4 size poster" 220 below it side by side on the left and right. Then, the instruction generating means 160 generates image formation instructions 360 for the image forming device 310 to form images of the "A3 size poster" 220 and the "A4 size poster" 220 at each of the calculated positions.
[0024] The instruction generating means 160 may be configured to assign a first position 340 among a plurality of mutually non-overlapping preset positions on a jig 330 installed in the image forming device 310 as the image forming position of one desired product 220. Furthermore, the instruction generating means 160 assigns a second position 350 among a plurality of mutually non-overlapping preset positions on a jig 330 installed in the image forming device 310 as the image forming position of another desired product 220. In this case, it is preferable that the one desired product 220 and the other desired product 220 are the same type of product, differing only in design.
[0025] Then, the instruction generating means 160 generates image formation instructions 360 for the image forming device 310 to form images of the desired products 220 at the assigned positions 340, 350. Note that the image formation instructions 360 may be in a form including setting information related to the image forming device 310, such as the amount of ink, the order in which images are formed for the multiple desired products 220, the height of the stand used during image formation, etc.
[0026] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of an image formation instruction 360. Fig. 7 assumes a case in which a plurality of similar products 220 with different designs are simultaneously produced using a jig 330. The similar products 220 are, for example, products made of the same material, such as tin badges, key chains, etc.
[0027] The instruction generating means 160 assigns the first position 340 on the jig 330 to the first desired product 220, and assigns the second position 350 on the jig 330 to the second desired product 220. The instruction generating means 160 then similarly assigns the Nth position 340 on the jig 330 to the Nth desired product 220, and assigns the N+1th position 350 on the jig 330 to the N+1th desired product 220.
[0028] Then, the instruction generating means 160 generates image formation instructions 360 for the image forming device 310 to form an image of each of the desired products 220 at each of the assigned positions 340 , 350 .
[0029] The formed image display means 170 displays a schematic diagram of the image on the image forming medium 320 formed by the image formation instructions 360 on the display device 470. The formed image display means 170 may also display setting information related to the image forming device 310 included in the image formation instructions 360 on the display device 470. The processing by the formed image display means 170 is performed to prevent erroneous operation by the operator 370 (to allow the operator 370 to confirm the contents of the image formation instructions 360).
[0030] 6 and 8 are diagrams for explaining information displayed on the display device 470 by processing by the formed image display means 170. As shown in Fig. 6, a schematic diagram corresponding to the image formation instruction 360 shown in Fig. 5 and setting information related to the image forming device 310 included in the image formation instruction 360 are displayed on the display device 470 by the formed image display means 170.
[0031] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a schematic diagram corresponding to the image formation instruction 360 shown in FIG. 7 and setting information regarding the image forming apparatus 310 included in the image formation instruction 360 are displayed on the display device 470 by the formed image display means 170.
[0032] The instruction notification means 180 notifies the image forming apparatus 310 of the image formation instruction 360 generated by the instruction generation means 160 via a communication network 380. The image forming apparatus 310 performs an image formation process on an image formation medium 320 based on the acquired image formation instruction 360.
[0033] The worker 370 places the desired product 220 (before image formation) linked to the order information 210 identified by the order identification means 150 at the first position 340 and the second position 350 on the jig 330, and installs the jig 330 on which the desired product 220 is placed at a specified position on the image forming device 310. The desired product 220 (before image formation) is, for example, a product made of the same material, such as a can badge or a key holder. Based on the above-mentioned operating principle, the system 100 can easily and efficiently perform the task of simultaneously producing a plurality of the same kind of products 220 with different designs. (Example of Hardware Configuration of Image Forming System According to the Present Embodiment)
[0034] An example of the hardware configuration of the present system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the present system 100. As shown in Fig. 9, the present system 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 410, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 420, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 430, an auxiliary storage device 440, a communication I / F 450, an input device 460, an output device (display device) 470, and a storage medium I / F 480.
[0035] The CPU 410 is a device that executes a program stored in the ROM 420, performs arithmetic processing on data loaded into the RAM 430 in accordance with instructions from the program, and controls the entire system 100. The ROM 420 stores the programs and data to be executed by the CPU 410. When the CPU 410 executes a program stored in the ROM 420, the programs and data to be executed are loaded into the RAM 430, and the RAM 430 temporarily holds the arithmetic data during the calculation.
[0036] The auxiliary storage device 440 is a device that stores the OS (Operating System) which is basic software, the application programs according to this embodiment, and the like, together with related data, and is, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory.
[0037] The communication I / F 450 is an interface for connecting to a communication network 380 such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices 310 and 390 that provide a communication function.
[0038] The input device 460 is a device such as a keyboard or a touch panel for inputting data to the present system 100. The output device 470 is a device constituted by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and functions as a user interface when the user utilizes the functions of the present system 100 or when various settings are made. The storage medium I / F 480 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a storage medium 490 such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a USB memory.
[0039] Each of the means of the present system 100 may be realized by the CPU 410 executing a program corresponding to each of the means stored in the ROM 420 or the auxiliary storage device 440. Also, each of the means of the present system 100 may be realized by implementing the processing related to each of the means as hardware. Also, the present system 100 may be made to execute the program by reading the program according to the present invention from an external server device via the communication I / F 450, or by reading the program according to the present invention from the storage medium 490 via the storage medium I / F 480. (Processing example by the image forming system according to the present embodiment) (1) Order Processing by the System 100
[0040] An example of order processing by the present system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of an example of order processing by the present system 100.
[0041] In S10, the order receiving means 120 receives the order information 210 from the orderer terminal 390 via the communication network 380, and stores the received order information 210 in the order information storage means 110.
[0042] The order information storage means 110 stores order information 210, including the type 230 of the desired product 220, the design 240 of the desired product 220, the size 250 of the desired product 220, the delivery method 260 of the desired product 220, and orderer identification information 270, in association with order identification information 280 that identifies the order information 210.
[0043] At S20, the slip printing means 130 prints a production slip 290 which includes order identification information 280 which identifies one order information 210 stored in the order information storage means 110, a sample drawing 300 of the desired product 220 linked to the one order information 210, the delivery method 260, and the orderer identification information 270.
[0044] The process in S20 is performed to prevent an operational error by the worker 370 who causes the image forming apparatus 310 to perform the image forming process. In addition, since the worker 370 may also perform the task of delivering the desired product 220 to the orderer, the delivery method 260 and the orderer identification information 270 are entered in the production slip 290.
[0045] 3 and 4, the slip printing means 130 prints a sample drawing 300, order identification information 280, delivery method 260, and orderer identification information 270 on a production slip 290. In this manner, the order identification information 280 may be a two-dimensional barcode or may be in another form. (2) Instruction Generation Process by the System 100 (Part 1)
[0046] An example of the instruction generation process (part 1) by the present system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of an example of the instruction generation process (part 1) by the present system 100.
[0047] In S110, the slip reading means 140 reads the order identification information 280 written on the production slip 290 that the worker 370 has determined to be the work target based on the sample drawing 300 or the like, by the optical means 190. The optical means 190 is a so-called general barcode reader or barcode scanner.
[0048] In S120, the order identifying means 150 identifies the order information 210 stored in the order information storage means 110, which is identified by the order identification information 280 read in S110.
[0049] In the following, it is assumed that there are multiple desired products 220 identified in S110 and S120. Also, the image formation medium 320 is a medium on which the image forming device 310 forms an image by image formation processing, and is assumed to be, for example, paper, cloth, metal, plastic, etc.
[0050] At S130, the instruction generating means 160 calculates positions on the image forming medium 320 where the desired products 220 do not overlap, based on information about the size 250 of the desired products 220 included in the order information 210 identified at S120. Then, the instruction generating means 160 generates image formation instructions 360 for the image forming device 310 to form images of the desired products 220 at each calculated position. Note that the image formation instructions 360 may be in a form including setting information about the image forming device 310, such as the amount of ink, the order in which images are formed for the multiple desired products 220, and the height of the table used during image formation.
[0051] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of image formation instructions 360. Fig. 5 assumes a case in which images are formed collectively on two "A4 size posters" as shown in sample diagram 300 in Fig. 3 and one "A3 size poster" as shown in sample diagram 300 in Fig. 4.
[0052] 5, based on information indicating that the size 250 of the desired product 220 is two "A4 size" posters and one "A3 size", the instruction generating means 160 calculates to rotate the "A3 size poster" 220 by 90 degrees and place the "A4 size poster" 220 below it side by side on the left and right. Then, the instruction generating means 160 generates image formation instructions 360 for the image forming device 310 to form images of the "A3 size poster" 220 and the "A4 size poster" 220 at each of the calculated positions.
[0053] Also, in S130, the formed image display means 170 displays a schematic diagram of the image on the image forming medium 320 formed by the image formation instructions 360 on the display device 470. The formed image display means 170 may also display setting information related to the image forming device 310 included in the image formation instructions 360 on the display device 470. The processing by the formed image display means 170 is performed to prevent erroneous operation by the operator 370 (to allow the operator 370 to confirm the contents of the image formation instructions 360).
[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the formed image display means 170 displays on the display device 470 a schematic diagram corresponding to the image formation instruction 360 shown in FIG. 5 and setting information related to the image forming apparatus 310 included in the image formation instruction 360.
[0055] In S140, the instruction notification means 180 notifies the image forming apparatus 310 of the image formation instruction 360 generated in S130 via the communication network 380. The image forming apparatus 310 performs an image formation process on the image formation medium 320 based on the acquired image formation instruction 360.
[0056] By carrying out the above-mentioned processing, the present system 100 can easily and efficiently carry out the task of simultaneously producing a plurality of the same kind of products 220 with different designs. (3) Instruction Generation Process by the System 100 (Part 2)
[0057] An example of the instruction generation process (part 2) by the present system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of an example of the instruction generation process (part 2) by the present system 100.
[0058] In S210, the slip reading means 140 reads the order identification information 280 written on the production slip 290 that the worker 370 has determined to be the work target based on the sample drawing 300 or the like, by the optical means 190. The optical means 190 is a so-called general barcode reader or barcode scanner.
[0059] In S220, the order identifying means 150 identifies the order information 210 stored in the order information storage means 110, which is identified by the order identification information 280 read in S210.
[0060] In the following, it is assumed that there are multiple desired products 220 identified in S210 and S220. Also, the image formation medium 320 is a medium on which the image forming device 310 forms an image by image formation processing, and is assumed to be, for example, paper, cloth, metal, plastic, etc.
[0061] At S230, the instruction generating means 160 assigns the first position 340 on the jig 330 to the first desired product 220, and assigns the second position 350 on the jig 330 to the second desired product 220. The instruction generating means 160 then similarly assigns the Nth position 340 on the jig 330 to the Nth desired product 220, and assigns the N+1th position 350 on the jig 330 to the N+1th desired product 220.
[0062] Then, in S230, the instruction generating means 160 generates image formation instructions 360 for the image forming device 310 to form images of the desired products 220 at the assigned positions 340, 350, respectively.
[0063] Furthermore, in S230, the formed image display means 170 displays a schematic diagram of the image on the image forming medium 320 formed by the image formation instructions 360 on the display device 470. The formed image display means 170 may also display setting information related to the image forming device 310 included in the image formation instructions 360 on the display device 470. The processing by the formed image display means 170 is performed to prevent erroneous operation by the operator 370 (to allow the operator 370 to confirm the contents of the image formation instructions 360).
[0064] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining information displayed on display device 470 by processing by formed image display means 170. As shown in Fig. 8, a schematic diagram corresponding to image formation instruction 360 shown in Fig. 7 and setting information related to image forming device 310 included in image formation instruction 360 are displayed on display device 470 by formed image display means 170. In S240, the instruction notification means 180 notifies the image forming apparatus 310 of the image formation instruction 360 generated in S230 via the communication network 380.
[0065] The worker 370 places the desired product 220 (before image formation) linked to the order information 210 identified in S220 at the first position 340 and the second position 350 on the jig 330, and installs the jig 330 on which the desired product 220 is placed at a specified position on the image forming device 310. The desired product 220 (before image formation) is, for example, a product made of the same material, such as a can badge or a key holder. Then, the image forming apparatus 310 performs an image forming process on the image forming medium 320 based on the image forming instruction 360 notified (obtained) in S240.
[0066] By carrying out the above-mentioned processing, the present system 100 can easily and efficiently carry out the task of simultaneously producing a plurality of the same kind of products 220 with different designs.
[0067] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]
[0068] 100 Image forming system 110 Order information storage means 120 Order acceptance method 130 Invoice printing means 140 Slip reading means 150 Order Identification Means 160 Instruction generation means 170 Formed image display means 180 Instruction Notification Means 190 Optical means 210 Order Information 220 desired product 230 Type of product you want 240 Design of desired product 250 Size of desired product 260 How to deliver the desired product 270 Orderer Identification Information 280 Order Identification Information 290 Manufacturing slip 300 Sample of the desired product 310 Image forming device 320 Imaging media 330 Jig installed in image forming device 340 1st position 350 2nd position 360 image formation instructions 370 workers 380 Communication Network 390 Orderer terminal 410 CPU 420 ROM 430 RAM 440 Auxiliary storage 450 Communication Interface 460 Input Device 470 Output device (display device) 480 Storage Media Interface 490 Storage medium
Claims
1. an order receiving means for receiving order information including the type and design of a desired product; a slip printing means for printing a manufacturing slip on which order identification information for identifying one of the order information and a sample drawing of the desired product linked to the one of the order information are described; a slip reading means for reading, by optical means, the order identification information written on the manufacturing slip that the worker judges to be the work target based on the sample drawing; an order identification means for identifying the order information identified by the order identification information read by the slip reading means; and an instruction generating means for generating image formation instructions for an image forming device to image each of the desired products included in the order information identified by the order identifying means in non-overlapping positions on an image forming medium.
2. The type and design of the desired product include information regarding the size of the desired product, 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said instruction generating means calculates positions on said image forming medium where said desired products do not overlap with each other, based on information regarding the size of said desired products.
3. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the instruction generating means assigns a first position among a plurality of mutually non-overlapping predefined positions on a jig installed on the image forming device as an image forming position for one of the desired products, and further assigns a second position among the predefined positions as an image forming position for another of the desired products.
4. 4. The image forming system according to claim 2, further comprising a formed image display means for displaying, on a display device, a rough outline of the image on the image forming medium formed in accordance with the image formation instruction.
5. the image forming instruction includes setting information regarding the image forming apparatus, 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein said formed image display means displays said setting information on said display device.
6. The order information includes a delivery method of the desired product and orderer identification information, 4. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the slip printing means prints the delivery method and the orderer identification information on the manufacturing slip in order to prevent an operational error by the worker.
7. An order receiving means receives order information including the type and design of a desired product; a step of printing, by a slip printing means, a manufacturing slip on which order identification information for identifying one of the order information and a sample drawing of the desired product linked to the one of the order information are described; a step in which a slip reading means reads, by optical means, the order identification information described on the production slip that the worker judges to be the work target based on the sample drawing; an order identifying means for identifying the order information identified by the order identification information read by the slip reading means; an instruction generating means for generating an image forming instruction for an image forming device to image each of the desired products included in the order information identified by the order identifying means in a non-overlapping position on an image forming medium.
8. The type and design of the desired product include information regarding the size of the desired product, 8. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the instruction generating means calculates positions on the image forming medium where the desired products do not overlap each other, based on information about the size of the desired products.
9. The image forming method according to claim 7, characterized in that the instruction generating means assigns a first position among a plurality of mutually non-overlapping predefined positions on a jig installed on the image forming device as an image forming position for one of the desired products, and further assigns a second position among the predefined positions as an image forming position for another of the desired products.
10. 10. The image forming method according to claim 8, further comprising a step in which a formed image display means displays, on a display device, a rough outline of the image on the image forming medium formed in accordance with the image formation instruction.
11. the image forming instruction includes setting information regarding the image forming apparatus, 11. The image forming method according to claim 10, wherein the formed image display means displays the setting information on the display device.
12. The order information includes a delivery method of the desired product and orderer identification information, 10. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein the slip printing means prints the delivery method and the orderer identification information on the manufacturing slip in order to prevent an operational error by the worker.