Information processing device, printing system, printing method and program

Abstract

To execute more efficient printing by controlling the operation of a printer according to the environment information of the printer and the environment condition of print media.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: an environment determination unit which determines whether or not environment information indicative of a peripheral environment of a space where the printer is installed satisfies environmental condition information indicative of an environmental condition suitable for execution of printing for each type of used print media; and a print control unit which transmits a print job to the printer when the environment information satisfies the environmental condition information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, a printing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a printing factory or the like, large and high-speed printing devices are used for a large amount of printing. Printing paper is affected by the surrounding environment such as temperature or humidity, and problems such as paper jams may occur if the environment in which it is used is unsuitable.

[0003] In such a printing factory or the like, it is necessary to complete the printing process so as not to cause delays in the specified delivery date or the next process of the printing process.

[0004] Therefore, operators such as employees in a printing factory or the like may execute it using time outside the operator's presence, such as free time or break time, or time outside working hours such as at night or on holidays, for example, in the case of a large amount of printing processing that requires a corresponding amount of time for printing. In this case, the operator sets the recording materials such as printing paper and toner required before the absence time or before the end of the working hours to the printing device and starts printing, so as to respond so that the printing is completed when returning to the printing device or on the next business day.

[0005] On the other hand, various media (such as printing paper) are used for printing, but printing paper and the like have characteristics that are affected by the surrounding environment such as temperature or humidity, and problems such as paper jams may occur if the environment in which it is used is unsuitable.

[0006] Therefore, in a printing factory or the like, in order to avoid problems such as paper jams in advance, experienced operators or the like adjust the temperature or humidity so as to be suitable for the printing paper or the like used based on their experience. This is because when performing printing in various time zones as described above, in order to reduce the risk that the planned printing process is not completed due to problems such as paper jams and affects the delivery date or the next process.

[0007] Furthermore, even if the temperature or humidity setting of the air conditioning equipment installed in the area where the printing press is installed is changed, the temperature or humidity of that area does not change immediately. For this reason, the operator has to wait without giving a printing instruction until the temperature or humidity becomes suitable for the printing paper to be used, etc., and the time cannot be utilized effectively.

[0008] As described above, in a printing factory or the like, there is an aspect that depends on the experience of the operator or the like in performing printing processes or the like that effectively utilize various times while avoiding problems such as paper jams in advance. It is expected to promote automation so that such control can be executed even by an operator with little experience.

[0009] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that controls printing according to the temperature inside the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 checks whether the temperature inside the apparatus is suitable for printing on special paper, and if the temperature inside the apparatus is suitable for printing on special paper, it executes printing on the special paper, while if the temperature is not suitable, it stops printing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0010] However, in the prior art, for example, when the time required for printing is long, if the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus changes and printing stops midway due to problems such as paper jams, the operator may not be able to respond immediately and may need to reprint, etc., which may result in inefficiency.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to execute more efficient printing by controlling the operation of a printing apparatus according to environmental information of the printing apparatus and environmental conditions of a printing medium.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0012] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an environment determination unit that determines whether environment information indicating the peripheral environment of a space where a printing apparatus is installed satisfies environment condition information indicating environment conditions suitable for execution of printing for each type of printing medium to be used, and a print control unit that transmits a print job to the printing apparatus when the environment information satisfies the environment condition information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, by controlling the operation of the printing apparatus according to the environment information of the printing apparatus and the environment conditions of the printing medium, more efficient printing can be executed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0016] [First Embodiment] One embodiment of the present invention is a printing system used in a facility that performs a large amount of printing, such as a printing factory or a data center (hereinafter referred to as "printing factory, etc."). The printing factory in this embodiment manufactures printed matter such as books and brochures by executing a printing process of printing print data on a large amount of printing paper from several thousand to several tens of thousands of sheets, and a bookbinding process of performing processing such as cutting, folding, and binding on the printed printing paper. The printing system in this embodiment is used in the printing process performed in the printing factory. However, the use of the printing system in this embodiment is not limited to the above, and it may be used for any purpose as long as it is for printing on a large amount of printing paper (for example, it may not have processes other than the printing process such as the above bookbinding process, and may be a printing factory that only performs the printing process).

[0017] <Overview of the printing factory> The printing factory in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the printing factory in this embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing factory 9 in this embodiment is partitioned into, for example, a printing area 90, a bookbinding area 91, a warehouse area 92, and an office area 93. The office area 93 includes a machine room 94. Each area 90 to 93 of the printing factory 9 is arranged so as to be accessible via a passage 95.

[0019] In the printing area 90, a plurality of printing machines 901-1 to 901-2, a printed matter storage location 902, and air conditioning equipment 903 are installed. In the bookbinding area 91, a plurality of cutting machines 911-1 to 911-2, a plurality of folding machines 912-1 to 912-2, and a bookbinding machine 913 are installed. In the warehouse area 92, a plurality of paper shelves 921-1 to 921-2, a plurality of toner shelves 922-1 to 922-2, and air conditioning equipment 923 are installed.

[0020] Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between multiple printing machines 901-1 to 901-2, cutting machines 911-1 to 911-2, folding machines 912-1 to 912-2, paper shelves 921-1 to 921-2, or toner shelves 922-1 to 922-2, they are collectively referred to as printing machine 901, cutting machine 911, folding machine 912, paper shelf 921, or toner shelf 922.

[0021] Note that the number of each of the printing machine 901, cutting machine 911, folding machine 912, binding machine 913, paper shelf 921, and toner shelf 922 is an example, and it may be arbitrarily increased or decreased according to the scale of the printing factory 9, the printing volume, etc. The types of equipment installed in the printing area 90 and the binding area 91 are examples, and the equipment required in the printing process or the binding process may be arbitrarily installed. The types of shelves installed in the warehouse area 92 are examples, and they may be arbitrarily changed according to the types and quantities of the spare parts required in the printing factory 9. Also, the partitioning method of each area is arbitrary, and it is also possible to realize it on one or any floor without partitioning.

[0022] The workflow in the printing factory 9 will be described. An operator such as an employee in the printing factory 9 first checks in the printing area 90 that the recording materials such as printing paper and toner required for the printing job are set in the printing machine 901. When the printing paper or toner is insufficient, the operator takes out the required quantity of printing paper or toner from the paper shelf 921 or toner shelf 922 in the warehouse area 92 and sets it in the printing machine 901 to be used.

[0023] After the operator confirms that the recording materials such as printing paper and toner are sufficiently set, by operating the printing machine 901, the desired printing data is printed on the desired number of sheets of printing paper. The printed printing paper discharged from the printing machine 901 is temporarily stored in the printed matter storage location 902. This is the printing process up to here.

[0024] When the printing process is completed, the operator transports the printed paper from the printed matter storage location 902 to the binding area 91. The printed paper transported to the binding area 91 is placed in the working area of the cutting machine 911. Next, the operator cuts the printed paper by operating the cutting machine 911.

[0025] Subsequently, the operator places the cut printed paper in the working area of the folding machine 912 and performs a folding process on the printed paper by operating the folding machine 912. Next, the operator places the folded printed paper in the working area of the binding machine 913 and performs a binding process on the printed paper by operating the binding machine 913. This is the binding process.

[0026] To the completed printed matter such as books and brochures, accessories such as covers, bands, or sales cards are attached as necessary. Thereafter, the printed matter is packaged and shipped from the printing factory 9.

[0027] <Overview of the printing machine> The printing machine 901 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an external side view showing an example of the printing machine in the present embodiment.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing machine 901 in the present embodiment includes a printing device 10, a paper feeding unit 11, a paper discharging unit 12, and an operation panel 13. The printing machine 901 can add, change, or delete units according to the application. For example, the paper feeding unit 11 can be selected according to the type of printed paper used and the number of sheets printed at one time. Also, for example, the paper discharging unit 12 can be selected according to post-processing such as folding, binding, punching, and the number of sheets printed at one time.

[0029] Inside the paper feeding unit 11, several thousand to several tens of thousands of unprinted printing papers P1-1 to P1-2 are set respectively. The printing papers P1-1 to P1-2 may be printing papers of different types such as materials and sizes, or may be printing papers of the same type. The printing apparatus 10 prints print data on the printing papers set in the paper feeding unit 11 according to the instructions of the operator. The printed printing papers are conveyed to the paper discharging unit 12. The printed printing papers P2 discharged from the paper discharging unit 12 are accumulated in a predetermined paper discharge tray.

[0030] The operator can set the type of printing paper, the number of printed sheets, the necessity of post-processing, etc. by operating the operation panel 13. Also, the operator can perform control such as starting or stopping printing by operating the operation panel 13. Further, the operator can grasp the state of the printing machine 901 by referring to messages etc. displayed on the operation panel 13.

[0031] The type of the printing paper can be specified by the operator selecting from the options displayed on the operation panel 13. Also, if the printing machine 901 is equipped with a sensor for identifying the type of the printing paper, the type of the printing paper can be displayed on the operation panel 13 by the operator identifying the printing paper with the sensor. Further, by equipping the paper feeding unit 11 with a sensor for identifying the type of the printing paper, the types of the set printing papers P1-1 to P1-2 may be identified and displayed on the operation panel 13.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the work performed in the printing factory in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the printing factory 9, a large amount of printing papers 83-1 to 83-3 are arranged around the devices 82-1 to 82-2 used in the printing process or the bookbinding process. The operator 81 performs desired processing on the printing paper 83-1 using the device 82-1, for example, and arranges the processed printing paper 83-2 around the device 82-2 for the next process.

[0033] The printing machine 901 can perform printing of thousands to tens of thousands of sheets at a time, as long as the specifications of the paper feeding unit 11 and the paper discharging unit 12 permit. When performing printing of tens of thousands of sheets at a time, it may take several hours from the start of printing to completion. For example, when printing on 20,000 sheets of printing paper, it may take 2 to 3 hours until the printing is completed. Usually, if an operator sets the required number of sheets of printing paper and toner in the printing machine 901 and gives an instruction to start printing, the printing will be automatically performed until completion. Therefore, in a printing factory that operates 24 hours a day, for example, if a large amount of printing that takes a long time can be performed outside working hours such as at night or on holidays when the operator is absent, the productivity of the entire printing factory 9 will be greatly improved.

[0034] On the other hand, the printing paper (medium) is affected by the ambient temperature or humidity (which may simply be referred to as temperature or humidity) of the surrounding environment, such as the air directly surrounding the printing paper or the space (for example, the room or space where the printing paper or the printing device is placed) within the printing area 90 where the printing device 10 that executes the printing process on the printing paper is installed. As a result, it may become in an inappropriate state for printing (for example, depending on the type of the medium such as paper, the paper may stretch due to moisture absorption and become wavy, or conversely, the paper may shrink due to moisture release and warp or curl), and the overlapping printing papers may stick together. Being affected by the surrounding environment and becoming in an inappropriate state for printing, or the printing papers sticking together, may cause problems such as paper jams inside the printing machine 901. Note that the adhesiveness of the printing paper depends on the type of the material, surface shape, etc.

[0035] In a printing factory, by adjusting the environment within the printing area 90 for each type of printing paper, the occurrence of problems such as those caused by the sticking together of the printing papers is avoided. The environment adjustment may be performed manually by an experienced operator, or it may be performed manually while checking the appropriate environment according to the type of printing paper used, by managing the environment suitable for printing for each type of printing paper in a database.

[0036] When printing is performed during a time period when the operator is absent, the printing paper and toner are set during the time period when the operator is present, and after adjusting to an appropriate environment for the printing paper to be used, printing is started. However, the surrounding environment such as the ambient temperature or ambient humidity may change during printing due to the influence of outside air or the like. If it is possible to control so that printing is performed in an appropriate environment and environmental adjustment is performed when the environment is not appropriate according to changes in the environment, it is possible to reduce the possibility of problems occurring even during a time period when the operator is absent.

[0037] <Overall Configuration of the Printing System> The overall configuration of the printing system in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the printing system in the present embodiment.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the printing system 1 in the present embodiment includes a printing device 10, a print server 20, a user terminal 30, an environment measuring device 40, and facility equipment 50. The printing device 10, the print server 20, the user terminal 30, the environment measuring device 40, and the facility equipment 50 are each connected to a communication network N1. The communication network N1 is configured so that each connected device can communicate with each other.

[0039] The communication network N1 is constructed by a network using wired communication such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network), for example. The communication network N1 may include not only wired communication but also wireless communication such as a wireless LAN or short-range wireless communication, or a network using mobile communication such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), or 5G (5th Generation).

[0040] The printing device 10 is an image forming device that prints print data on printing paper. The printing device in the present embodiment is an electrostatic recording device that attaches toner to the printing paper by the action of static electricity. An example of the printing device in the present embodiment is a laser printer or an electrostatic copier. The print data is electronic data in which characters, images, etc. to be printed on the printing paper are laid out.

[0041] The printing device 10 prints the print data on the printing paper according to the print job. The print job in the present embodiment includes print data indicating the content to be printed, paper information indicating the type of printing paper to be used, etc., and print settings such as the number of copies to be printed, color, printing surface (single-sided or double-sided), and printing magnification. The print job is input to the printing device 10 from the operation panel 13 or the print server 20 by the operator's operation. The printing device 10 outputs a message for notifying the operator of the state during printing, etc. to the operation panel 13 or the print server 20.

[0042] The print server 20 is an example of an information processing device that spools a print job for printing by the printing device 10 and transmits it to the printing device 10 according to the job scheduler. An example of the print server 20 is a computer. The print server 20 is installed, for example, in the machine room 94 shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] The print server 20 receives mode information indicating the operation mode of the printing device 10 from the user terminal 30. The print server 20 receives an execution instruction for the print job from the user terminal 30 and accumulates the instructed print job in the spool. The print server 20 reads the print job from the spool according to the job execution state of the printing device 10 and transmits it to the printing device 10.

[0044] The user terminal 30 is an example of an information processing terminal operated by the operator. An example of the user terminal 30 is a computer. Other examples of the user terminal 30 are a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal 30 is installed, for example, in the printing area 90, the office area 93, or the machine room 94 shown in FIG. 1.

[0045] According to the operator's operation, the user terminal 30 transmits mode information indicating the operation mode of the printing device 10 to the print server 20. According to the operator's operation, the user terminal 30 transmits an execution instruction for a print job to the print server 20. The user terminal 30 outputs the message received from the printing device 10 to the operator.

[0046] The print server 20 and the user terminal 30 are not limited to information processing devices as long as they are devices with a communication function. The print server 20 and the user terminal 30 may be, for example, output devices such as a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board), a digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, an imaging device, a sound collection device, a medical device, a network home appliance, a connected car, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, or a desktop PC.

[0047] The environmental measuring device 40 is a measuring device that measures the environment of the space where the printing device 10 is installed. The environmental measuring device 40 is installed, for example, in the printing area 90. In particular, the environmental measuring device 40 is preferably installed around the printing machine 901. For example, the environmental measuring device in the present embodiment has a function of measuring the temperature or humidity of the space. An example of the environmental measuring device in the present embodiment is a thermometer or a hygrometer.

[0048] The facility equipment 50 is facility equipment for adjusting the environment of the space where the printing device 10 is installed. The facility equipment 50 is installed, for example, in the printing area 90 shown in FIG. 1. The facility equipment in the present embodiment has a function of adjusting the temperature and humidity of the space. An example of the facility equipment in the present embodiment is an air conditioner, a humidifier, an air purifier with a humidifying function, or an air conditioner with a humidifying function.

[0049] Note that the overall configuration of the printing system 1 shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and there can be various system configuration examples according to the application and purpose. For example, one or more of the printing device 10, the print server 20, the user terminal 30, the environmental measuring device 40, and the facility equipment 50 may be included in multiple units in the printing system 1. For example, the print server 20 may be realized by a plurality of computers or may be realized as a cloud computing service. The classification of devices such as the printing device 10, the print server 20, and the user terminal 30 shown in FIG. 4 is an example.

[0050] <Hardware Configuration of Printing Device> The hardware configuration of the printing device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device in the present embodiment.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the printing device 10 in the present embodiment includes a writing unit 101, an imaging unit 102, an intermediate transfer belt 103, a secondary transfer unit 104, a fixing unit 105, and a control device 110.

[0052] The writing unit 101 forms a transfer image (toner image) on the imaging unit 102 by laser light.

[0053] The imaging unit 102 holds a photoreceptor, a developer, and toner, and forms a toner image by the laser light from the writing unit 101. The imaging unit 102 includes photoreceptor drums Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and BK (black). The imaging unit 102 performs an imaging process (charging process, exposure process, development process), and forms a toner image on each of the photoreceptor drums Y, M, C, and BK. The toner images formed on the photoreceptor drums Y, M, C, and BK are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 103 by a transfer process. After the transfer of the toner image, the imaging unit 102 performs a cleaning process to clean the intermediate transfer belt 103 in preparation for the next imaging process.

[0054] When forming a full-color toner image, the image forming unit 102 transfers the yellow toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 103, and then sequentially forms, superimposes, and transfers the magenta toner image, cyan toner image, and black toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 103. Note that the image forming unit 102 forms the yellow toner image, magenta toner image, cyan toner image, and black toner image on the photoreceptor drums Y, M, C, and BK, respectively.

[0055] The transfer of the toner image from the photoreceptor drums Y, M, C, and BK to the intermediate transfer belt 103 is primary transfer, and the transfer from the intermediate transfer belt 103 to the printing paper is secondary transfer. The image forming unit 102 conveys the toner image (full-color toner image) transferred and superimposed from the photoreceptor drums Y, M, C, and BK onto the intermediate transfer belt 103 to the position (secondary transfer position) of the secondary transfer unit 104. The secondary transfer position is the position where the secondary transfer roller contacts the conveyance path R1 or R2. Note that R1 is the conveyance path for single-sided printing, and R2 is the conveyance path for double-sided printing.

[0056] The secondary transfer unit 104 collectively transfers (secondary transfers) the full-color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 103 to the printing paper at the secondary transfer position.

[0057] The fixing unit 105 fixes the toner image to the printing paper by heating and pressing the printing paper with the toner image transferred thereon using a pair of rollers.

[0058] The control device 110 controls the overall operation of the printing device 10. In this embodiment, further, the control device 110 converts the image data sent from the host device into a format (transfer image) that the writing unit 101 can form an image with.

[0059] The control device 110 grasps the operation content by the operator by transmitting and receiving signals with the operation panel 13, and notifies the operator of various information. Further, the control device 110 executes a predetermined printing process based on a print job or the like input from an external device such as a print server 20.

[0060] The hardware configuration of the control device 110 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device in this embodiment.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 110 in this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 121, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 122, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 123, an external memory I / F (Interface) 124, a communication system I / F 125, an internal bus I / F 126, a PCIe I / F 127, an image output DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) 128, an image processing unit 129, and a compressor / decompressor 130. The internal bus 120 connects these respective units.

[0062] The internal bus 120 further connects each unit to the PCIe bus 134 via the internal bus I / F 126 and the PCIe I / F 127.

[0063] The CPU 121 performs all system-related settings by executing various arithmetic processes, and activates the image output DMAC 128, the image processing unit 129, and the compressor / decompressor 130.

[0064] The ROM 122 stores mainly an operation control program for the CPU 121. The RAM 123 is used as a primary storage location for the arithmetic results of the CPU 121 and various data, and also functions as a memory for image storage. The ROM 122, the RAM 123, etc. are collectively referred to as the internal memory when there is no particular need to distinguish them.

[0065] An image memory used as a memory for image storage is connected to the external memory I / F 124. When the CPU 121 receives print data from the print server 20, it performs drawing on the image memory via the external memory I / F 124 based on the printer language.

[0066] The communication system I / F 125 is an interface between the print server 20, the operation panel 13, and the control device 110.

[0067] The internal bus I / F 126 is an interface between the PCIe I / F 127 and the internal bus 120. The internal bus I / F 126 inputs and outputs image data between the address specified by the PCIe bus master and the image memory via the external memory I / F 124.

[0068] The PCIe I / F 127 exchanges data with the PCIe bus master in accordance with the protocol of the PCIe bus 134.

[0069] The image output DMAC 128 and the image processing unit 129 are connected to the CPU 121, the external memory I / F 124, etc. via the internal bus 120. The image output DMAC 128 is also connected to the PCIe I / F 127.

[0070] The image output DMAC 128 functions as a DMA controller during printing. That is, when the image output DMAC 128 is activated by the CPU 121, it reads image data from the external memory in a previously specified area and outputs the image data to the PCIe I / F 127. This output is performed by handshake as needed.

[0071] The image processing unit 129 corrects the distortion of the read image.

[0072] The compressor / expander 130 is activated by the CPU 121 and compresses or expands various data. The compressor / expander 130 is used for memory saving.

[0073] <Hardware Configuration of the Computer> The print server 20 and the user terminal 30 in this embodiment are realized by a computer. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration when the print server 20 or the user terminal 30 is realized by a computer.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, the computer in this embodiment includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a HD (Hard Disk) 504, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0075] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire computer. The ROM 502 stores programs used for driving the CPU 501 such as the IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data to and from the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501.

[0076] The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. External devices in this case are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, and the like. The network I / F 509 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network N1. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 7.

[0077] In addition, the keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading or writing of various data with respect to the DVD-RW 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that it is not limited to DVD-RW, and it may be DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 516 controls reading or writing (storage) of data with respect to the recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

[0078] <Functional Configuration of Printing System> An example of the functional configuration of the printing system in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the printing system in the present embodiment.

[0079] ≪Functional Configuration of Print Server≫ As shown in FIG. 8, the print server 20 in the present embodiment includes an environmental condition storage unit 200, a job storage unit 201, a mode reception unit 202, an instruction reception unit 203, an environment acquisition unit 204, an environment determination unit 205, an operation control unit 206, a print control unit 207, a notification output unit 208, and an adjustment instruction unit 209.

[0080] The environmental condition storage unit 200 and the job storage unit 201 are realized by using, for example, the HD 504 shown in FIG. 7. Reading or writing of data stored in the HD 504 is performed via, for example, the HDD controller 505.

[0081] The mode reception unit 202, the instruction reception unit 203, the environment acquisition unit 204, the environment determination unit 205, the operation control unit 206, the print control unit 207, the notification output unit 208, and the adjustment instruction unit 209 are realized by processing in which a program expanded from the ROM 502 shown in FIG. 7 onto the RAM 503 causes the CPU 501 and the network I / F 509 to execute.

[0082] The environmental condition storage unit 200 stores environmental condition information indicating environmental conditions suitable for the use of printing paper. In the present embodiment, the environmental condition information is stored in an environmental condition table. The environmental condition table stores environmental condition information for each type of printing paper. The environmental condition information in the present embodiment includes the range of temperature and humidity suitable for use, as well as the range of temperature and humidity that can be used.

[0083] The job storage unit 201 stores print jobs. In the present embodiment, the print jobs are stored in a job management table. The print jobs in the present embodiment include paper information indicating the type of printing paper to be used. The type of printing paper may be specified by the user or automatically detected from the printing paper set in the printing apparatus 10. The print job may include an end time by which the print job must be completed.

[0084] The mode reception unit 202 receives input of mode information by receiving mode information indicating the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10 from the user terminal 30. The mode reception unit 202 sets the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10 to the operation mode indicated by the received mode information.

[0085] The operation modes in the present embodiment include a normal printing mode and a night printing mode. The normal printing mode is used during working hours such as on weekdays and during the day when an operator is present. The night printing mode is used during off - working hours such as at night and on holidays when an operator is absent.

[0086] The instruction reception unit 203 receives an execution instruction for a print job by receiving a signal indicating the execution instruction for the print job from the user terminal 30. The execution instruction includes information indicating the print job to be executed.

[0087] The environment acquisition unit 204 acquires environmental information indicating the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10. The environmental information in the present embodiment includes information regarding the ambient temperature and ambient humidity detected by the environmental measuring device 40.

[0088] The environment determination unit 205 acquires environmental condition information regarding the printing paper specified in the print job that has received an execution instruction from the environmental condition storage unit 200. The environment determination unit 205 determines whether the environmental information acquired by the environment acquisition unit 204 satisfies the acquired environmental conditions. Note that the environment determination unit 205 is an example of an environmental condition acquisition unit.

[0089] The environmental condition storage unit 200 does not necessarily have to be provided in the print server 20, and may be provided in an external device different from the print server 20. In this case, the environment determination unit 205 acquires environmental condition information from the environmental condition storage unit 200 provided in the external device via the communication network N1. Further, the environment determination unit 205 may acquire the environmental condition information stored in the external device via the communication network N1 and temporarily store (cache) it in the environmental condition storage unit 200.

[0090] The operation control unit 206 controls the operation of the printing device 10 based on the mode information received by the mode reception unit 202 and the determination result by the environment determination unit 205. When the mode information indicates the normal printing mode, the operation control unit 206 executes normal printing processing. When the mode information indicates the night printing mode, the operation control unit 206 executes night printing processing.

[0091] The print control unit 207 transmits a print job to the printing device 10 according to the execution instruction received by the instruction reception unit 203. The print control unit 207 is executed by the operation control unit 206 when the environment determination unit 205 determines that the environmental information satisfies the environmental conditions.

[0092] The notification output unit 208 transmits a notification message such as a warning indicating that the environment should be adjusted to the user terminal 30. The notification output unit 208 is executed by the operation control unit 206 when it is determined by the environment determination unit 205 that the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions while the normal printing mode is set.

[0093] The adjustment instruction unit 209 transmits a signal for instructing the facility equipment 50 to adjust the environment. The adjustment of the environment in the present embodiment means adjusting the temperature and humidity of the space where the printing apparatus 10 is installed so as to be within an appropriate temperature range and humidity range for the printing paper. The adjustment instruction unit 209 is executed by the operation control unit 206 when it is determined that the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions while the night printing mode is set.

[0094] (Environmental Condition Table) The environmental condition table in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the environmental condition table in the present embodiment.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 9, the environmental condition table in the present embodiment has, as data items, identification information (paper code) for identifying the printing paper (medium), the name of the printing paper (paper name), the temperature range suitable for printing (appropriate temperature range), the humidity range suitable for printing (appropriate humidity range), the temperature range in which printing is possible (usable temperature range), and the humidity range in which printing is possible (usable humidity range).

[0096] Examples of the type of printing paper (medium) include plain paper, high-quality paper, coated paper, matte paper, kraft paper, thick paper or thin paper (thickness), OHP (Overhead projector) sheet, etc., and are not limited to paper, but include various media. The type of printing paper (medium) is not limited to the commonly used names, and may be defined based on, for example, raw materials, materials, smoothness of the surface, etc. Note that the smoothness of the surface greatly affects the adhesion between printing papers.

[0097] Problems such as paper jams are more likely to occur as the ambient temperature or ambient humidity (the temperature or humidity of the space in that environment) decreases. Therefore, the usable temperature range and the usable humidity range are set lower than the appropriate temperature range and the appropriate humidity range (however, depending on the characteristics of the model of the printing apparatus 10, etc., if there is a similar tendency that the higher the ambient temperature or ambient humidity, it may be set higher than the appropriate temperature range and the appropriate humidity range, and it is not limited to this). In the example shown in FIG. 9, the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the usable temperature range are set to 80% of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the appropriate temperature range. Similarly, the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the usable humidity range are set to 80% of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the appropriate humidity range.

[0098] (Job Management Table) The job management table in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the job management table in this embodiment.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 10, the job management table in this embodiment has, as data items, identification information (job code) for identifying a print job, the name of the print job (job name), identification information (paper code) for identifying the printing paper to be used, and the time (end time) when the print job must be completed.

[0100] The setting of the end time is arbitrary, and it is not necessary to set the end time. The end time may be set to a time common to all print jobs, or may be set individually to different times for each print job.

[0101] The job management table may have information (for example, printer name or URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), etc.) that can identify the printing apparatus 10 that performs printing. In this case, the end time may be set to different end times for each printing apparatus 10.

[0102] <<Functional Configuration of User Terminal>> As shown in FIG. 8, the user terminal 30 in the present embodiment includes a mode input unit 301, a print instruction unit 302, and a notification display unit 303.

[0103] The mode input unit 301, the print instruction unit 302, and the notification display unit 303 are realized, for example, by the processing that causes the program developed from the ROM 502 shown in FIG. 7 onto the RAM 503 to be executed by the CPU 501 and the network I / F 509.

[0104] The mode input unit 301 receives mode information according to an operation by an operator. The mode input unit 301 transmits the received mode information to the print server 20.

[0105] The print instruction unit 302 receives an execution instruction for a print job according to an operation by an operator. The print instruction unit 302 transmits the received execution instruction for the print job to the print server 20.

[0106] The notification display unit 303 displays, on the display 506, a notification screen for displaying a notification message such as a warning received from the print server 20, for example.

[0107] <Processing procedure of the printing method> The processing procedure of the printing method in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the printing method in the present embodiment.

[0108] In step S1, the mode input unit 301 of the user terminal 30 displays a mode setting screen on the display 506. The mode setting screen is a screen for the user to set the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10.

[0109] ≪Mode setting screen≫ The mode setting screen in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the mode setting screen in the present embodiment.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 12, the mode setting screen 400 in this embodiment has a mode selection column 401, a setting button 408, and a cancel button 409.

[0111] In the mode selection column 401, the available operation modes are listed in a selectable manner. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the normal printing mode and the night printing mode are displayed together with radio buttons that allow only one of them to be selected. However, the display mode of the mode selection column 401 is not limited to this, and any display mode may be used as long as it allows exclusive selection of any one operation mode.

[0112] When the user presses the setting button 408, the mode input unit 301 accepts the input of mode information indicating the operation mode selected in the mode selection column 401. The mode input unit 301 transmits the received mode information to the print server 20. The mode information includes information indicating the operation mode selected in the mode selection column 401.

[0113] When the user presses the cancel button 409, no mode information is received, and the mode setting screen 400 closes. Here, the description will continue assuming that the setting button 408 has been pressed.

[0114] Returning to FIG. 11 for explanation. In step S2, the mode reception unit 202 of the print server 20 receives mode information from the user terminal 30. Next, the mode reception unit 202 accepts the received mode information. Subsequently, the mode reception unit 202 sets the operation mode of the printing device 10 to the operation mode indicated by the received mode information. The operation mode of the printing device 10 is stored in a storage unit such as the HDD 504.

[0115] Here, a method for setting the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10 in response to a user's operation has been described, but the method for setting the operation mode is not limited to this. For example, in conjunction with the working hours of the printing factory 9, the normal printing mode may be set from the start time to the end time, and the night printing mode may be set from the end time to the start time of the next business day, so that the operation mode may be configured to be automatically set.

[0116] In step S3, the print instruction unit 302 of the user terminal 30 displays a job selection screen on the display 506. The job selection screen is a screen for the user to select a print job to be executed.

[0117] ≪Job Selection Screen≫ The job selection screen in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the job selection screen in the present embodiment.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 13, the job selection screen 410 in the present embodiment has a job selection column 411, an execute button 418, and a cancel button 419.

[0119] In the job selection column 411, executable print jobs are listed in a selectable manner. In the example shown in FIG. 13, information regarding the print jobs stored in the job management table is displayed together with check boxes that can be selected respectively. However, the display mode of the job selection column 411 is not limited to this, and any display mode may be used as long as each print job can be individually selected. Further, the job selection column 411 may be displayed in a manner that allows exclusive selection of any one print job.

[0120] When the user presses the execution button 418, the print instruction unit 302 receives an execution instruction for the print job selected in the job selection column 411. The print instruction unit 302 sends the received execution instruction to the print server 20. The execution instruction includes the job code of the print job selected in the job selection column 411. When multiple print jobs are selected in the job selection column 411, the execution instruction includes multiple job codes.

[0121] When the user presses the cancel button 419, the execution instruction for the print job is not received, and the job selection screen 410 closes. Here, the description continues assuming that the execution button 418 has been pressed.

[0122] Returning to FIG. 11 for explanation. In step S4, the instruction reception unit 203 of the print server 20 receives an execution instruction for the print job from the user terminal 30. Next, the instruction reception unit 203 sends the received execution instruction to the environment determination unit 205.

[0123] In step S5, the print server 20 determines the current operation mode stored in the storage unit. If the operation mode is the normal printing mode, the print server 20 proceeds to step S6 for processing. On the other hand, if the operation mode is the night printing mode, the print server 20 proceeds to step S7 for processing.

[0124] In step S6, the print server 20 executes normal printing processing. The normal printing processing is the processing executed when set to the normal printing mode.

[0125] ≪Normal Printing Processing≫ The normal printing processing in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the normal printing processing (step S6 in FIG. 11) in this embodiment.

[0126] In step S11, the environment acquisition unit 204 of the print server 20 acquires the ambient temperature and ambient humidity around the printing apparatus 10 from the environment measuring device 40. Next, the environment acquisition unit 204 sends the environment information including the acquired ambient temperature and ambient humidity to the environment determination unit 205.

[0127] In step S12, the environment determination unit 205 of the print server 20 receives an execution instruction of a print job from the instruction reception unit 203. Next, the environment determination unit 205 reads out the print job specified by the received execution instruction from the job management table stored in the job storage unit 201. Subsequently, the environment determination unit 205 acquires the paper information included in the read print job.

[0128] In step S13, the environment determination unit 205 of the print server 20 reads out the environment condition information regarding the paper information acquired in step S12 from the environment condition table stored in the environment condition storage unit 200. Thereby, the environment determination unit 205 acquires the environment conditions of the printing paper specified in the print job.

[0129] In step S14, the environment determination unit 205 of the print server 20 receives the environment information from the environment acquisition unit 204. Next, the environment determination unit 205 determines whether the received environment information satisfies the environment conditions acquired in step S13. Subsequently, the environment determination unit 205 sends the determination result to the operation control unit 206.

[0130] Specifically, the environment determination unit 205 determines that the environment information satisfies the environment conditions when the ambient temperature included in the environment information is within the appropriate temperature range included in the environment conditions and the ambient humidity included in the environment information is within the appropriate humidity range included in the environment conditions. On the other hand, the environment determination unit 205 determines that the environment information does not satisfy the environment conditions when the ambient temperature included in the environment information is not within the appropriate temperature range included in the environment conditions or the ambient humidity included in the environment information is not within the appropriate humidity range included in the environment conditions.

[0131] The operation control unit 206 receives the determination result from the environment determination unit 205. Next, when the received determination result indicates that the environmental conditions are satisfied (YES), the operation control unit 206 proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, when the received determination result indicates that the environmental conditions are not satisfied (NO), the operation control unit 206 proceeds to step S16.

[0132] In step S15, the print control unit 207 of the print server 20 transmits a print job to the printing apparatus 10 according to the execution instruction received in step S4. The printing apparatus 10 receives the print job from the print server 20 and starts printing according to the print job.

[0133] In step S16, the notification output unit 208 of the print server 20 transmits a notification message indicating that the environment should be adjusted to the user terminal 30. In the user terminal 30, the notification display unit 303 receives the notification message from the print server 20. The user terminal 30 displays a notification screen indicating the received notification message on the display 506.

[0134] ≪Notification Screen≫ The notification screen in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the notification screen in the present embodiment.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 15, the notification screen 420 in the present embodiment includes a notification message 421 indicating that the environment should be adjusted and an OK button 422. The notification message 421 includes content notifying that the temperature and humidity are not appropriate for the printing paper and content proposing to adjust to the appropriate temperature and humidity.

[0136] Returning to FIG. 11 for description. In step S7, the print server 20 executes night printing processing. The night printing processing is processing executed when the night printing mode is set.

[0137] ≪Night Printing Processing≫ The night printing process in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the night printing process (step S7 in FIG. 11). Note that "A" in FIG. 16 is an in-page joiner, indicating a return from step S17 to step S11.

[0138] The processes from step S11 to step S15 are the same as the normal printing process. Therefore, the description of these processes will be omitted.

[0139] In step S17, when the facility device 50 is a controllable device according to a signal instructed from outside such as the adjustment instruction unit 209, the adjustment instruction unit 209 of the print server 20 transmits a signal instructing the facility device 50 to adjust the environment. The signal instructing the adjustment of the environment may include, in addition to the ON / OFF instruction of the facility device 50 (for example, transmitting a control instruction of 0, 1 to the IP address of the facility device 50), information indicating an appropriate temperature range and humidity range according to the printing paper.

[0140] The facility device 50 receives a signal instructing the adjustment of the environment from the print server 20. When the facility device 50 is an air conditioner, the facility device 50 starts the operation of the cooling function or the heating function with the appropriate temperature range included in the received signal as the target temperature. When the facility device 50 is a device having a humidifying function, the facility device 50 starts the operation of the humidifying function with the appropriate humidity range included in the received signal as the target humidity.

[0141] After transmitting the signal instructing the adjustment of the environment, the adjustment instruction unit 209 returns the process to step S11. Thereafter, the print server 20 executes the processes from step S11 to step S17 again. When step S14 is executed for the second time or later, if the available temperature range and available humidity range included in the environmental conditions are satisfied, it may be determined that the environmental information satisfies the environmental conditions.

[0142] By configuring as described above, it is possible to stop the start of a print job until the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 satisfies the environmental conditions of the print medium. In other words, the printing apparatus 10 can start printing when the surrounding environment becomes an environment suitable for the print medium. As a result, printing is executed in a state where the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 is suitable for the print medium, or even when the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 changes, the probability of occurrence of problems such as paper jams can be reduced.

[0143] <Effects of the First Embodiment> In the print server 20 according to the present embodiment, when the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 satisfies the environmental conditions of the printing paper, a print job is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10. Since the print server 20 according to the present embodiment gives a print instruction when the environment is suitable for printing, problems such as paper jams in the printing apparatus 10 are less likely to occur. Therefore, according to the print server 20 in the present embodiment, even for an operator of a printing factory or the like who wants to complete even a large amount of printing over a long period of time more reliably, in order to execute printing more efficiently, the operation of the printing apparatus 10 can be controlled according to whether or not the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 satisfies the environmental conditions of the printing paper.

[0144] The print server 20 according to the present embodiment acquires information regarding temperature or humidity as the surrounding environment, and includes a temperature range and a humidity range suitable for the use of the printing paper as the environmental conditions. If the ambient temperature or ambient humidity of the printing apparatus 10 is a temperature or humidity suitable for the use of the printing paper, problems such as paper jams are less likely to occur. Therefore, according to the print server 20 in the present embodiment, even for an operator of a printing factory or the like who wants to complete even a large amount of printing over a long period of time more reliably, in order to execute printing more efficiently, the operation of the printing apparatus 10 can be controlled according to the ambient temperature or ambient humidity of the printing apparatus 10.

[0145] The print server 20 in the present embodiment receives an input of the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10 and determines an operation when the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 does not satisfy the environmental conditions of the printing paper according to the operation mode. The operation when the surrounding environment does not satisfy the environmental conditions includes outputting a notification indicating that the environment should be adjusted and outputting a signal for instructing an external device to adjust the environment. Therefore, the print server 20 in the present embodiment can operate appropriately according to the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10 when the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 does not satisfy the environmental conditions of the printing paper, and can control a more efficient operation of the printing apparatus 10.

[0146] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, when the night printing mode is set, printing is started when the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 satisfies the environmental conditions of the printing paper. In the second embodiment, when the night printing mode is set, printing is started so that the print job can be completed by the desired end time even if the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 does not satisfy the environmental conditions of the printing paper.

[0147] The night printing mode is set in a time zone when the operator is absent, but an execution instruction for the print job needs to be manually input by the operator. At this time, the operator can adjust the amount of recording materials such as printing paper and toner, and the ambient temperature and humidity of the printing apparatus 10. Therefore, the probability that the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 changes to an inappropriate state for the printing paper and problems such as paper jams occur is not high. The probability depends on the heat insulation and airtightness of the printing area 90 or the performance of the air conditioning equipment 903 or the like, but is, for example, less than 5%.

[0148] On the other hand, if printing is not executed until the next business day while the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 does not satisfy the environmental conditions of the printing paper, printing will be started manually after the start time of the next business day. Since it is assumed that the print job performed in the night printing mode takes several hours, it also becomes a factor that reduces the productivity of the entire printing factory 9.

[0149] In this embodiment, when an end time is set for a print job, the start time at which printing must be started in order to complete the print job by the end time is calculated. Even if the surrounding environment of the printing apparatus 10 does not satisfy the environmental conditions of the printing paper, when the start time of the print job has elapsed, the printing apparatus 10 is controlled to start printing.

[0150] <Functional Configuration of Printing System> The functional configuration of the printing system in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the printing system in this embodiment.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 17, the print server 20 in this embodiment includes an environmental condition storage unit 200, a job storage unit 201, a mode reception unit 202, an instruction reception unit 203, an environment acquisition unit 204, an environment determination unit 205, an operation control unit 206, a print control unit 207, a notification output unit 208, an adjustment instruction unit 209, and a print planning unit 210. That is, the print server 20 in this embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment in that it includes a print planning unit 210.

[0152] The print planning unit 210 calculates the start time of a print job for which an end time is set. The start time is the time at which printing must be started in order to complete the print job by the end time. The print planning unit 210 calculates the processing time of the print job based on the print capacity in the print job and the printing performance of the printing apparatus 10, and obtains the start time by calculating backward from the end time.

[0153] The processing time of the print job can be calculated by a known method based on the capacity of the print data and the printing performance of the printing apparatus 10. For example, a method of estimating an approximate processing time of the job based on a calculation formula obtained by multiplying at least the CPU processing time in the printing apparatus of the print job and the amount of data to be processed may be used.

[0154] <Processing Procedure of Printing Method> The processing procedure of the printing method in this embodiment will be described. The printing method in this embodiment differs in the night printing process compared to the first embodiment.

[0155] ≪Night printing process≫ The night printing process in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the night printing process (step S7 in FIG. 11) in this embodiment. Note that "A" in FIG. 18 is an in-page joiner, indicating a return from step S17 to step S11.

[0156] The processes from step S11 to S17 are the same as those in the first embodiment, except for the branch destination in step S14. Therefore, the description of these processes will be omitted.

[0157] In step S14, when the determination result by the environment determination unit 205 of the print server 20 indicates that the environmental conditions are satisfied (YES), the operation control unit 206 proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, when the determination result by the environment determination unit 205 indicates that the environmental conditions are not satisfied (NO), the operation control unit 206 proceeds to step S21.

[0158] In step S21, the print planning unit 210 of the print server 20 determines whether an end time is set for the print job received in step S4. Next, when an end time is set for the print job, the print planning unit 210 calculates the start time of the print job. Subsequently, the print planning unit 210 sends the calculated start time to the operation control unit 206.

[0159] (Start time calculation process) The start time calculation process in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the start time calculation process (step S21 in FIG. 18) in this embodiment.

[0160] In step S31, the print planning unit 210 requests a print job from the environment determination unit 205. In response to the request from the print planning unit 210, the environment determination unit 205 sends the print job to the print planning unit 210. The print planning unit 210 acquires the end time included in the print job received from the environment determination unit 205.

[0161] In step S32, the print planning unit 210 determines whether an end time is set in the print job. If an end time is set (YES), the print planning unit 210 proceeds to step S33. If an end time is not set (NO), the print planning unit 210 ends the start time calculation process.

[0162] In step S33, the print planning unit 210 acquires the print data included in the print job received in step S31. Next, the print planning unit 210 calculates the job capacity based on the print data.

[0163] In step S34, the print planning unit 210 acquires the processing performance of the printing apparatus 10. The processing performance of the printing apparatus 10 may be stored in advance in the storage unit of the print server 20 or the like, or may be acquired from the printing apparatus 10 based on a predetermined protocol.

[0164] In step S35, the print planning unit 210 calculates the processing time of the print job based on the job capacity of the print job calculated in step S33 and the processing performance of the printing apparatus 10 acquired in step S34. The processing time of the print job is the length of time required from the start to the completion of the print job.

[0165] In step S36, the print planning unit 210 subtracts the processing time calculated in step S35 from the end time of the print job. Thereby, the print planning unit 210 can calculate the start time of the print job.

[0166] Returning to FIG. 18, the operation control unit 206 of the print server 20 determines whether the current time has passed the start time. If the current time has passed the start time (YES), the operation control unit 206 proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if the current time has not passed the start time (NO), the operation control unit 206 proceeds to step S17.

[0167] In step S15, the print control unit 207 of the print server 20 transmits a print job to the printing device 10 in accordance with the execution instruction of the print job received in step S4. The printing device 10 receives the print job from the print server 20 and starts printing according to the print job.

[0168] In step S17, the adjustment instruction unit 209 of the print server 20 transmits a signal instructing the adjustment of the environment to the facility equipment 50. After transmitting the signal instructing the adjustment of the environment, the adjustment instruction unit 209 returns the process to step S11. Thereafter, the print server 20 executes the processes from step S11 to step S17 again. Thereby, even if the surrounding environment of the printing device 10 does not satisfy the environmental conditions of the printing paper, printing can be started so that the print job can be completed by the end time.

[0169] <Effects of the Second Embodiment> The print server 20 in the present embodiment calculates a start time for completing a print job by a specified end time, and when the current time has passed the start time, transmits the print job to the printing device 10. For a print factory or the like, it is desirable that printing be completed by a desired end time while utilizing the operator's absence time or the like, and it is also inconvenient and inefficient to waste time without starting the printing process. Therefore, according to the print server 20 in the present embodiment, not only the control of not uniformly starting printing even if the surrounding environment of the printing device 10 does not satisfy the environmental conditions of the printing paper, but also if there is a specified end time (for example, the start time of the next business day set after the operator's break time, free period end, or before the end of working hours), the printing process is preferentially started with respect to the end time, and more efficient execution of the printing process for completing the print job by the desired end time can be realized.

[0170] [Supplementary Explanation] Aspects of the present invention are as follows, for example.

[0171] [1] A reception unit that receives an execution instruction for a print job in which a print medium is specified or detected, An environment acquisition unit that acquires environment information indicating the surrounding environment of the printing device, An environment condition acquisition unit that acquires environment condition information indicating environment conditions corresponding to the print medium, A print control unit that transmits the print job to the printing device when the environment information satisfies the environment conditions, An information processing apparatus comprising:

[0172] [2] The information processing apparatus according to [1] above, wherein the environment condition acquisition unit acquires the environment condition information regarding the specified or detected print medium from a storage unit that stores the environment condition information regarding a plurality of the print media, Information processing apparatus.

[0173] [3] The information processing apparatus according to [1] or [2] above, The environmental information includes information related to at least one of temperature and humidity, The environmental conditions include at least one of a temperature range and a humidity range suitable for use of the print medium, An information processing apparatus.

[0174] [4] The information processing apparatus according to [3] above, further comprising: a mode reception unit that receives an input of mode information indicating an operation mode of the printing apparatus; an operation control unit that determines an operation when the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions based on the mode information; An information processing apparatus further comprising the above.

[0175] [5] The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4] above, further comprising: a notification output unit that outputs a notification indicating that the environment should be adjusted when the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions; An information processing apparatus.

[0176] [6] The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4] above, further comprising: an adjustment instruction unit that outputs a signal instructing adjustment of the environment to an external device when the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions; An information processing apparatus.

[0177] [7] The information processing apparatus according to [6] above, wherein: the external device includes at least one of facility equipment having an air conditioning function or a humidifying function; An information processing apparatus.

[0178] [8] The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4] above, further comprising: a print scheduling unit that calculates a start time for the print job to be completed at an end time specified in the print job; the print control unit transmits the print job to the printing apparatus when the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions and the current time has passed the start time. Information processing apparatus.

[0179] [9] A printing system in which a printing apparatus, an information processing terminal, and an information processing apparatus can communicate via a network, wherein the information processing terminal includes a print instruction unit that transmits an execution instruction for a print job in which a print medium is specified or detected to the information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a reception unit that receives the execution instruction from the information processing terminal, an environment acquisition unit that acquires environment information indicating the peripheral environment of the printing apparatus, an environment condition acquisition unit that acquires environment condition information indicating environment conditions corresponding to the print medium, and a print control unit that transmits the print job to the printing apparatus when the environment information satisfies the environment conditions. A printing system comprising the above.

[0180]

[10] A procedure in which a computer receives an execution instruction for a print job in which a print medium is specified or detected, acquires environment information indicating the peripheral environment of the printing apparatus, acquires environment condition information indicating environment conditions corresponding to the print medium, and transmits the print job to the printing apparatus when the environment information satisfies the environment conditions. A printing method for executing the above.

[0181]

[11] The printing method according to

[10] above, wherein the procedure for acquiring the environment conditions acquires the environment condition information regarding the specified or detected print medium from a storage unit that stores the environment condition information regarding a plurality of the print media. A printing method.

[0182]

[12] The printing method according to

[10] or

[11] above, wherein the environment information includes information regarding at least one of temperature and humidity. The environmental conditions include at least one of a temperature range and a humidity range suitable for use of the printing paper. Printing method.

[0183]

[13] The printing method according to

[12] above, a procedure for receiving an input of mode information indicating an operation mode of the printing apparatus; a procedure for determining an operation when the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions based on the mode information; and further executing a printing method.

[0184]

[14] The printing method according to any one of

[10] to

[13] above, further executing a procedure for outputting a notification indicating that the environment should be adjusted when the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions. Printing method.

[0185]

[15] The printing method according to any one of

[10] to

[13] above, further executing a procedure for outputting a signal for instructing an external device to adjust the environment when the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions. Printing method.

[0186]

[16] The printing method according to

[15] above, wherein the external device includes at least one of equipment having an air conditioning function or a humidifying function. Printing method.

[0187]

[17] The printing method according to any one of

[10] to

[13] above, further executing a printing method for calculating a start time for the printing job to be completed at an end time specified in the printing job, wherein the procedure for transmitting is to transmit the printing job to the printing apparatus when the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental conditions and the current time has passed the start time. Printing method.

[0188]

[18] Cause a computer to receive an execution instruction for a print job in which a print medium is specified or detected, and acquire environment information indicating the peripheral environment of the printing apparatus, and an environment condition acquisition unit that acquires environment condition information indicating environment conditions corresponding to the print medium, and when the environment information satisfies the environment conditions, cause the printing apparatus to transmit the print job, and A program for causing execution.

[0189] Each function of the embodiment described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification means a processor programmed to execute each function by software like a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function described above, a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a device such as a conventional circuit module.

[0190] The device group described in the examples merely shows one of a plurality of computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed in this specification. In one embodiment, the print server 20 includes a plurality of computing devices such as a server cluster. The plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via an arbitrary type of communication link including a network or a shared memory, and can perform the processing disclosed in this specification.

[0191] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0192] 1 Printing System 10 Printing Device 11 Paper Feeding Unit 12 Paper Discharging Unit 13 Operation Panel 20 Print Server 30 User Terminal 40 Environment Measuring Device 50 Facility Equipment 101 Writing Unit 102 Image Forming Unit 103 Intermediate Transfer Belt 104 Secondary Transfer Unit 105 Fixing Unit 110 Control Device 200 Environment Condition Storage Unit 201 Job Storage Unit 202 Mode Reception Unit 203 Instruction Reception Unit 204 Environment Acquisition Unit 205 Environment Judgment Unit 206 Operation Control Unit 207 Printing Control Unit 208 Notification Output Unit 209 Adjustment Instruction Unit 210 Printing Planning Unit 301 Mode Input Unit 302 Printing Instruction Unit 303 Notification Display Unit

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0193]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. An environment determination unit that determines whether environmental information indicating the surrounding environment of the space where the printing device is installed satisfies environmental condition information indicating environmental conditions suitable for printing for each type of printing medium to be used; A printing control unit that transmits a printing job to the printing device when the environmental information satisfies the environmental condition information; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. When the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental condition information, further comprising an adjustment instruction unit that instructs equipment to adjust the surrounding environment with the environmental conditions as a target, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The adjustment instruction unit instructs the equipment to adjust the surrounding environment with the environmental conditions as a target based on the start time of the printing job, The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. When the environmental information does not satisfy the environmental condition information and the current time has passed the start time of the printing job, the printing control unit transmits the printing job to the printing device, The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A printing system in which a printing device, an information processing terminal, and an information processing apparatus can communicate via a network, The information processing terminal, Comprising a printing instruction unit that transmits an execution instruction of a printing job including the type of printing medium to be used to the information processing apparatus, The information processing apparatus, A reception unit that receives the execution instruction from the information processing terminal, An environment determination unit that determines whether environmental information indicating the surrounding environment of the space where the printing device is installed satisfies environmental condition information indicating environmental conditions suitable for printing for each type of printing medium to be used; A printing control unit that transmits the printing job to the printing device when the environmental information satisfies the environmental condition information; A printing system comprising the above.

6. A computer, A procedure for determining whether environmental information indicating the surrounding environment of the space where the printing device is installed satisfies environmental condition information indicating environmental conditions suitable for printing for each type of printing medium to be used; A procedure for transmitting a printing job to the printing device when the environmental information satisfies the environmental condition information; A printing method for executing the above.

7. On a computer, A procedure for determining whether environmental information indicating the surrounding environment of the space where the printing device is installed satisfies environmental condition information indicating environmental conditions suitable for printing for each type of printing medium to be used; A procedure for transmitting a printing job to the printing device when the environmental information satisfies the environmental condition information; A program for causing [it] to execute.

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