Process management system, process management method, and program

Abstract

To make it easy for a user to recognize which process a work-in-process is related to, even when at least a part of a plurality of devices for processing the work-in-process in each process included in a job is off-line.SOLUTION: A process management system comprises: means which associates identification information of a tag carried together with a work-in-progress with identification information of a job for processing the work-in-progress; means which associates a position where the work-in-progress exists, with the identification information of the tag on the basis of the identification information of the tag read by a tag reader and a location of the tag reader; means which determines which process the work-in-progress belongs to in the job, on the basis of a correspondence between the identification information of the tag and the identification information of the job, a correspondence between the position where the work-in-progress exists and the identification information of the tag, and arrangement positions of respective devices for subjecting the work-in-progress to individual processes included in the job; and means which displays information about which process the work-in-progress belongs to in the job, with respect to each of order information or deliverable information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a process management system, a process management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of commercial printing, post-printing is performed on printed materials output by a printer. In post-printing, the printed materials are subjected to processes such as lamination, cutting, binding, inspection, and packaging, which are included in the post-printing job. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in a printing factory that places a marked slip on a work object such as a printed material and reads it with a camera installed in the factory, thereby managing the work object that can be transported to the next work process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0004] In printing and binding factories, post-printing is performed on a large number of printed materials, so managers and other personnel need to be aware of the progress of post-printing for each printed material. However, in the past, if at least some of the multiple devices that process printed materials in multiple processes included in a job were offline, it was not easy for managers and other personnel to understand which process a printed material was in. The same applies to jobs in which work-in-progress items other than printed materials are processed in multiple processes. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended to manage work targets that can advance printed materials from the current process to the next process, but it cannot solve this problem.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to make it easier for a user to understand which process in a job a work-in-progress is in, even if at least some of the multiple devices that process the work-in-progress in multiple processes included in the job are offline. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a process management system comprising: a first matching means for matching identification information of a tag carried together with a work-in-progress with identification information of a job for processing the work-in-progress; a second matching means for matching the location of the work-in-progress with the identification information of the tag based on the identification information of the tag read by a tag reader and the location of the tag reader; a determination means for determining to which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs based on the correspondence between the identification information of the tag and the identification information of the job, the correspondence between the location of the work-in-progress with the identification information of the tag, and the location of each device for subjecting the work-in-progress to each process included in the job; and a display control means for displaying information regarding to which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs for each order information or deliverable information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, even if at least some of the multiple devices that process work-in-progress in multiple processes included in a job are offline, it is possible to make it easy for a user to understand which process in a job the work-in-progress is in. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] Hardware configuration diagram of the tag reader of this embodiment [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a location management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a location management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job management table stored in a job information storage unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job status communication process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the printing flow of a print job in this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the flow of a process for reading an RFID tag in this embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of processing for linking a job and an RFID tag in this embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a process for determining a job to be linked to an RFID tag in this embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process management screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration for order information in this embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of a floor map in this embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an order, deliverable, and job progress table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an article table, a position table, a reader table, a user table, a movement amount table, and a tag detection table according to the present embodiment; [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a process control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process position table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of processes performed offline in an area of a printing factory according to the present embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow for displaying a process management screen in this embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow for displaying a job icon according to selected order information, deliverable information, and job information in this embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a job process processing order table in the second embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow for displaying a job processing route in the second embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a case where a route is displayed on a floor map in the second embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow for determining a bottleneck of a job that constitutes a deliverable in the third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of highlighting a bottleneck job on a floor map according to the third embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a job processing scheduled time table according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a flow for displaying the scheduled start time and scheduled end time of a job when a job icon is selected in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the scheduled start time and scheduled end time of a job on a floor map in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 32] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow for changing the process processing order of a job in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 33] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a route change button is added to the order list in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a process congestion forecast display process at a specified time in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 35] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a floor map in which congestion forecast is displayed in the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the disclosure according to the claims. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the disclosure, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system of this embodiment includes an information processing device 101, a printer 102, a post-processing device 103, a tag reader 104, a position management system 400, and a process management system 1900. The information processing device 101, the printer 102, the tag reader 104, the position management system 400, and the process management system 1900 are connected to one another via a network 100. The position management system 400 and the process management system 1900 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 19 . The printer 102 analyzes print data transmitted from the information processing device 101 or the like, converts it into a dot image for printing, and prints it page by page. The printed matter output from the printer 102 is handed over to the post-processing device 103 by a user such as an operator, or is handed over to the post-processing device 103 via a belt conveyor (not shown). In the following description, the term "user" refers to, for example, an operator. The post-processing device 103 is configured offline and operates independently without communicating with the printer 102 or the information processing device 101. The post-processing device 103 performs processes such as cutting, laminating, folding, and binding on the printed materials that are handed over to it. It is also possible to use multiple post-processing devices to bind and then cut the printed materials. The tag reader 104 is disposed in the paper discharge area of the printer 102 and is configured to read the RFID tag attached to the work instruction sheet that is output from the printer 102 when the RFID-attached work instruction sheet is output. Furthermore, by installing a tag reader 104 at each process or user, it is possible to identify the process in which the work instruction sheet currently exists. While FIG. 1 illustrates one each of the information processing device 101, printer 102, post-processing device 103, and tag reader 104, any number of each device may be disposed. For example, printed materials output from multiple printers may be processed by multiple post-processing devices 103.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 101.

[0012] A processor 201 such as a CPU executes various control processes by reading and executing control programs stored in a ROM 202 or a hard disk drive (also referred to as an "HDD") 204. A RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of the processor 201. The HDD 204 stores image data and various programs. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which another storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD) is provided instead of or in combination with the HDD 204.

[0013] The keyboard 205 is an input device that functions as an instruction input unit and is used by the user to input control commands and text to applications described later. The pointing device 206 is another input device that functions as another instruction input unit and is used by the user to input control commands and text to applications described later.

[0014] The display 207 is an output device that functions as a display unit and displays commands input by the user via the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206, the status of applications (described later), etc. The network I / F 208 connects the information processing device 101 to a network (such as a LAN, an intranet, or the Internet). The information processing device 101 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices on the network via the network I / F 208.

[0015] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of tag reader 104 in this disclosure. Tag reader 104 includes control unit 301, storage unit 302, communication unit 303, measurement unit 304, operation unit 305, and reading unit 306.

[0016] The control unit 301 includes a memory for storing computer programs and one or more processors (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) that read and execute the computer programs. The control unit 301 controls the overall functions of the tag reader 104. For example, the control unit 301 causes the reading unit 306 to read an RFID tag present within the tag reading range, and temporarily stores the read information, the read time, and the signal reception level as read result data in the memory unit 302. In addition, in parallel with reading the RFID tag, the control unit 301 causes the measurement unit 304 to measure the location of the tag reader 104 and stores the measurement result in the memory unit 302. The control unit 301 then transmits the read result data and measurement result data stored in the memory unit 302, together with the reader identification information (also referred to as a reader ID) of the device itself, to the management server 401 via the communication unit 303. Therefore, tag reader 104 transmits to management server 401 the information read from the RFID, the read time, the signal reception level, the location of tag reader 104, and the reader ID.

[0017] The storage unit 302 may include any type of storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory such as a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), an optical disk, or a magnetic disk. In this embodiment, the storage unit 802 stores the reading result data, measurement result data, and the reader ID of the tag reader 104.

[0018] The communication unit 303 is a communication interface that enables the tag reader 104 to communicate with devices (such as the management server 401 and the information processing device 101) connected to the network 100. For example, the communication unit 303 may be a WLAN interface that communicates with a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) access point, or a cellular communication interface that communicates with a cellular base station. The communication unit 303 may also be a connection interface (such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface) for connecting to a relay device.

[0019] Measurement unit 304 is a unit capable of measuring the location of tag reader 104. In this embodiment, measurement unit 304 uses a self-location estimation technology also known as PDR (Pedestrian Dead Reckoning) to measure the relative movement amount of tag reader 104 from a certain reference position, and outputs the measured movement amount to control unit 301. The reference position for measuring the relative movement amount may be, for example, the location of tag reader 104 at the time tag reader 104 is activated. The relative movement amount of tag reader 104 can be treated as a relative position with respect to the reference position.

[0020] For example, the measurement unit 304 includes a triaxial acceleration sensor 304a, a gyro sensor 304b, and a geomagnetic sensor 304c. The triaxial acceleration sensor 304a measures the acceleration applied to the tag reader 104 in a device coordinate system specific to the tag reader 104 and outputs first sensor data. The gyro sensor 304b measures the angular velocity of the tag reader 104, i.e., the change in the attitude of the tag reader 104, and outputs second sensor data. The geomagnetic sensor 304c measures the orientation of the tag reader 104 in real space and outputs third sensor data. Based on the sensor data from these sensors, the measurement unit 304 can measure the relative movement amount of the tag reader 104 by accumulating the acceleration while converting the direction of the acceleration of the tag reader 104 into a direction in the coordinate system of real space. The relative movement amount output from the measurement unit 304 to the control unit 301 may be a two-dimensional vector in a horizontal plane or a three-dimensional vector including a height component.

[0021] The operation unit 305 accepts operations by the user. The operation unit 305 includes, for example, a physical input device such as a button, switch, or lever arranged on the housing of the tag reader 104. The operation unit 305 outputs an operation signal indicating the content of the operation by the user accepted via the input device to the control unit 301. The operation unit 305 may also include a voice input interface such as a microphone.

[0022] The reading unit 306 is a unit capable of reading information stored in an RFID tag. Referring to FIG. 3 , the reading unit 306 includes an RF controller 307, a power amplifier 308, a filter 309, a first coupler 310, a second coupler 311, an antenna 312, a power detection unit 313, and a canceller 314. The RF controller 307 outputs a transmission signal (e.g., a signal modulated in the UHF band) from the TX terminal to the power amplifier 308 under the control of the control unit 301. The power amplifier 308 amplifies the transmission signal input from the RF controller 307 and outputs the amplified signal to the filter 309. The amplification factor of the power amplifier 308 for the transmission signal may be variably controlled; the higher the amplification factor, the higher the output intensity of the electromagnetic wave radiated from the tag reader 104. The filter 309 may be, for example, a low-pass filter, which removes unnecessary frequency components from the transmission signal amplified by the power amplifier 308.

[0023] The first coupler 310 distributes the transmission signal that has passed through the filter 309 to the second coupler 311 and the power detection unit 313 .

[0024] The second coupler 311 outputs the transmission signal input from the first coupler 310 to the antenna 312 , and on the other hand, outputs the reception signal input from the antenna 312 to the RF controller 307 .

[0025] The antenna 312 transmits the transmission signal input from the second coupler 311 into the air as an electromagnetic wave. The antenna 312 also receives a signal returned from an RFID tag present within the reading range of the tag reader 104 in response to the transmission signal, and outputs the received signal to the second coupler 311. As one example, the antenna 312 may be an omnidirectional antenna. As another example, the antenna 312 may be a directional antenna whose beam direction can be variably controlled.

[0026] The power detection unit 313 detects the power level of the signal input from the first coupler 310, and outputs a signal RF_DETECT indicating the detected power level to the control unit 301. The canceller 314 receives a signal CARRIER_CANCEL from the control unit 301 indicating the power level of the carrier wave.

[0027] Based on the signal CARRIER_CANCEL, the canceller 314 cancels the carrier component of the transmission signal, thereby extracting the desired signal component of the reception signal to be supplied to the RX terminal of the RF controller 307. The RF controller 307 demodulates the signal input from the RX terminal, acquires the tag ID and other information transmitted from the RFID tag, and outputs the acquired information to the control unit 301. The RF controller 307 also measures the reception level (also called "reception intensity") of the signal input from the RX terminal, and outputs the measurement result to the control unit 301.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a location management system 400 according to the present disclosure. The location management system 400 is a system that manages item data in a database. The location management system 400 includes multiple location tags 407 installed at different locations, item tags 409a and 409b attached to items, at least one tag reader 104b, a mobile system 414, and a management server 401. The mobile system 414, the tag reader 104b, the management server 401, and the information processing device 101 are connected to each other via a network 100. The network 100 may be a wired network, a wireless network, or any combination thereof. The network 100 includes, for example, the Internet, an intranet, a cloud network, or a combination thereof. Although the location management system 400 does not include the information processing device 101 in the drawing, it may include the information processing device 101.

[0029] The location tag 407 is a wireless device that is installed at each location where an item may be stored in the location management system 400, and has unique tag identification information (also called a "tag ID") 408 embedded therein. The installation location of the location tag 407 may be fixed or may be changeable at each location.

[0030] The item tags 409a and 409b are wireless devices attached to each item managed by the location management system 400, and each tag has unique tag identification information (also referred to as a "tag ID") 410a and 410b embedded therein. As examples of means for linking a job and an item tag, FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the item tag 409a is attached to a returnable box 411a that contains printed materials when moving between work processes, and an example in which the item tag 409b is attached to a work instruction sheet 411b for issuing work instructions, but this is not limiting. When a user transports or automatically moves items with the item tags 409a and 409b attached, such as the returnable box 411a and the work instruction sheet 411b, the item tags 409a and 409b also move along with the items. The returnable box 411a and the work instruction sheet 411b may be collectively referred to as item 411.

[0031] Some factories transport printed materials without placing them in returnable boxes 411a, while other factories transport printed materials in returnable boxes 411a.

[0032] In a factory where printed materials are transported without being placed in returnable boxes 411a, product tags 409b are attached to work instructions 411b for all printed materials, and the processes are managed using the product tags 409b. The work instructions 411b with product tags 409b attached are generated by printing text and figures describing the work content on paper that has the product tag 409b attached in advance.

[0033] In factories where printed materials are transported in returnable boxes 411a, product tags 409a are attached to the returnable boxes 411a for all printed materials, and the process is managed using the product tags 409a. In this case, it is not necessary to attach product tags 409b to work instructions 411b. Work instructions without product tags 409b are generated by printing text and graphics describing the work content on paper without product tags 409b. Work instructions are used both in factories where printed materials are transported without being placed in returnable boxes 411a and in factories where printed materials are transported in returnable boxes 411a.

[0034] Even in a factory where printed materials are transported in returnable boxes 411a, it is possible to not attach item tags 409a to the returnable boxes 411a for all printed materials, but instead attach item tags 409b to work instructions 411b, and manage the process using the item tags 409b.

[0035] In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the item tags 409a and 409b, the alphabet at the end of the reference numeral will be omitted and they will be collectively referred to as the item tag 409. The same applies to the tag readers 104 (104a, 104b), tag IDs 410 (410a, 410b), items 411 (411a, 411b), and other elements described below.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the tags, such as the location tag 407 and the item tag 409, is assumed to be a passive RFID tag (passive tag). A passive tag is composed of a small IC (Integrated Circuit) chip with built-in memory and an antenna, and stores identification information and other information that identifies the tag in the memory. In this embodiment, the identification information is simply referred to as an ID, and the identification information that identifies the tag is also referred to as a tag ID. Note that the tag ID may also be considered as information that identifies the object to which the tag is attached. The IC chip included in the passive tag operates using the energy of electromagnetic waves emitted from a tag reader and modulates the tag ID and other information stored in the memory into an information signal. The antenna transmits (returns) this information signal.

[0037] In another embodiment, each tag may be an active RFID tag. When each tag actively (e.g., periodically) transmits information to the surroundings using power from a built-in battery, the tag may be called a beacon tag. In yet another embodiment, each tag may be a wireless device that responds to a signal from the tag reader 104 and returns information using, for example, the NFC (Near Field Communication) method or the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method. Each tag may be called any name, such as an IC tag, an IC card, or a responder.

[0038] The portable system 414 includes at least a tag reader 104a. A tag reader 104 such as the tag reader 104a is a reading device capable of reading information stored in a wireless device such as an RFID tag. The tag reader 104 can detect an item 411, for example, by reading a tag ID 410 from an item tag 409 attached to the item 411. The tag reader 104 performs reading periodically or in response to some trigger such as a user operation, and transmits the tag reading result to the management server 401. The tag reader 104 may be capable of communicating directly with the management server 401, or may be capable of communicating indirectly with the management server 401 via some relay device (for example, a user terminal 406, which will be described later). An example of a specific configuration of the tag reader 104 has been described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0039] 4, the mobile system 414 further includes a user terminal 406. The user terminal 406 may be any type of terminal device or information processing device, such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, a smartphone, or a smartwatch. The user terminal 406 may be used for interaction with the user 404 via the location management system 400. An example of a specific configuration of the user terminal 406 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0040] The management server 401 is an information processing device that manages, in a database, status, location information, and other information related to the inspection of multiple items 411. The management server 401 may be implemented as an application server, database server, or cloud server using, for example, a high-performance general-purpose computer. The management server 401 receives tag reading results from the tag reader 104 and updates the database based on the received tag reading results.

[0041] 4 shows a single management server 401, the functions of the management server 401, which will be described in detail later, may be provided by a single device, or may be provided by multiple physically separate devices working together. Also, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the management server 401 holds the database, but a device separate from the management server 401 may hold part or all of the database. For example, some of the data may be held by a wireless device (e.g., a location tag 407 or an item tag 409), a tag reader 104, or a user terminal 406.

[0042] 4 shows an example in which portable system 414 includes tag reader 104a and user terminal 406, which are separate devices. However, portable system 414 is not limited to this example. For example, tag reader 104a may have some or all of the functions of user terminal 406, which will be described later, and user terminal 406 may have some or all of the functions of tag reader 104a, which will be described later. Furthermore, the functions of management server 401 described in this embodiment may be implemented in user terminal 406.

[0043] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 406 included in a mobile system 414 according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, the user terminal 406 includes a control unit 501, a storage unit 502, a communication unit 503, an image capturing unit 504, an operation unit 505, a display unit 506, an audio output unit 507, and a vibration unit 508.

[0044] The control unit 501 includes a memory for storing computer programs and one or more processors for reading and executing the computer programs. The processor may be a CPU or an IC (Integrated Circuit) such as a microcontroller (e.g., a one-chip microcomputer). The control unit 501 may include a timer circuit or a software timer for measuring time. The control unit 501 controls the overall functions of the user terminal 406.

[0045] The storage unit 502 may include any type of storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or RAM, an optical disk, or a magnetic disk. In this embodiment, the storage unit 502 temporarily stores, for example, a map image received from the management server 401 (described later) and location information of the mobile system 414 and the item 411 for display on the screen.

[0046] The communication unit 503 is a communication interface that enables the user terminal 406 to communicate with the management server 401. For example, the communication unit 503 may be a WLAN interface or a cellular communication interface. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 406 may further include a connection interface (for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface or a USB interface) for connecting to a peripheral device.

[0047] The photographing unit 504 is a so-called camera unit that photographs the state of the real space and generates image data of a still image or a video. The photographing unit 504 outputs the generated image data to the control unit 501. For example, the image data generated by the photographing unit 504 may be used for optical character recognition or for reading visible codes such as barcodes or QR codes (registered trademark).

[0048] The operation unit 505 accepts operations and information input by the user 404. The operation unit 505 includes input devices such as a touch sensor, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, or a pointing device. The operation unit 505 accepts operations by the user 404 via the input devices and outputs operation signals to the control unit 501. The operation unit 505 may further include other types of input devices, such as a voice input interface like a microphone or a sensor that detects vibrations.

[0049] The display unit 506 displays images and information. The display unit 506 may be, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode). The audio output unit 507 outputs audio. The audio output unit 507 may be, for example, a speaker. The vibration unit 508 vibrates the user terminal 406. The vibration unit 508 may be, for example, a vibrator including an eccentric motor. One or more of the display unit 506, the audio output unit 507, and the vibration unit 508 may function as an alarm unit 509 that notifies the user 404. Although not shown in FIG. 5, a notification function similar to the above-mentioned notification unit 509 may be provided in the tag reader 104.

[0050] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 401 in the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the management server 401 includes a communication unit 603, an item database (DB) 601, and a management unit 602.

[0051] The communication unit 603 is a communication interface that allows the management server 401 to communicate with other devices. The communication unit 603 may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In this embodiment, the communication unit 603 communicates with the mobile system 414 (e.g., one or both of the tag reader 104a and the user terminal 406). The item DB 601 is a database that stores status, location information, and other information related to the inspection of multiple items under the management of the system. In this embodiment, the item DB 601 includes an item table 604, a location table 605, a reader table 606, a user table 607, a movement amount table 608, and a tag detection table 609. The management unit 602 is a collection of multiple software modules that provide a management function for managing data in the item DB 601. Each software module can be operated by one or more processors (not shown) of the management server 401 reading and executing a computer program stored in a memory (not shown). In this embodiment, the management unit 602 includes a location estimation unit 611.

[0052] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a location management system according to the present disclosure. The configuration in Fig. 7 is a functional configuration that is realized by a computer reading and executing a program, and does not necessarily have to be exactly as shown in Fig. 7. For example, there can be variations in the configuration, such as integrating multiple functional blocks or having part of a certain functional block in Fig. 7 included in another functional block.

[0053] Reference numeral 701 denotes a job information storage unit for storing information about a print job. Reference numeral 702 denotes a paper information storage unit for storing paper information to be used. Reference numeral 703 denotes a printer information storage unit for storing information about the printer 102 to be connected. Reference numeral 704 denotes an instruction generation unit for creating work instruction data based on the information stored in the job information storage unit 701 and saving the data in the job information storage unit 701 . Reference numeral 705 denotes a job transmission determination unit 705 that determines whether a print job stored in the job information storage unit 701 should be transmitted to the printer 102 . Reference numeral 706 denotes a first print queue for temporarily storing print jobs to be printed. Reference numeral 707 denotes a job sending unit 707 for sending a print job stored in the first print queue 706 to the printer 102 . Reference numeral 708 denotes a job status acquisition unit for acquiring the status of a print job being processed by the printer 102 . Reference numeral 709 denotes a tag information receiving unit for receiving information of an RFID tag read from the tag reader 104 . Reference numeral 710 denotes a tag linking unit for linking the ID of the RFID tag received by the tag information receiving unit 709 with the job held in the job information storage unit 701 and storing the result in the job information storage unit 701 . Reference numeral 711 denotes a control unit for controlling the processing and communication by the above-mentioned units 701 to 710. The communication here includes communication between the above-mentioned units 701 to 710 and a communication processing unit 712, in addition to communication between the above-mentioned units 701 to 710. Reference numeral 712 denotes a communication processing unit for the information processing device 101 to perform communication processing between the printer 102 and the tag reader 104 . 713 denotes a tag reading unit for reading an RFID tag. Reference numeral 714 denotes an information transmitting unit for transmitting the read RFID tag to the information processing device 101 or the printer 102 . Reference numeral 715 denotes a control unit for controlling the processing and communication by the above-mentioned units 713 and 714. The communication here includes not only communication between the above-mentioned units 713 and 714 but also communication between the above-mentioned units 713 and 721 and the communication processing unit 716. Reference numeral 716 denotes a communication processing unit for the tag reader 104 to perform communication processing between the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 . 717 denotes a receiving unit for receiving data from the information processing device 101 or the tag reader 104 . 718 shows a second print queue for storing print jobs. 719 denotes a printing unit for performing printing based on a print job. Reference numeral 720 denotes a transmitting unit for transmitting data to the information processing device 101 . Reference numeral 721 denotes a control unit for controlling the processing and communication by the above-mentioned units 717 to 720. The communication here includes not only communication between the above-mentioned units 717 to 720 but also communication between the above-mentioned units 717 to 720 and a communication processing unit 722. Reference numeral 722 denotes a communication processing unit for the printer 102 to perform communication processing between the information processing device 101 and the tag reader 104 .

[0054] The instruction generation unit 704, job transmission determination unit 705, and job transmission unit 707 can be realized by the processor 201 in the information processing device 101 reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202 or HDD 204. The job status acquisition unit 708, tag information reception unit 709, and tag linking unit 710 can also be realized by the processor 201 in the information processing device 101 reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202 or HDD 204. The printer 102, like the information processing device 101, includes a processor, ROM, and HDD. The reception unit 717, printing unit 719, and transmission unit 720 can be realized by the processor in the printer 102 reading and executing programs stored in the ROM or HDD.

[0055] The job information storage unit 701, the paper information storage unit 702, the printer information storage unit 703, and the first print queue 706 are provided in the HDD 204 of the information processing apparatus 101, for example.

[0056] 8(a) to 8(d) show an example of information stored in the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 in the location management system 400. FIG.

[0057] 8A shows an example of a job information table 800 stored in the job information storage unit 701. The job information table 800 has the following data items: job ID 801, job name 802, destination printer ID 803, paper used ID 804, and instruction job 805. The job information table 800 further has the following data items: main job 806, print end date and time 807, job status 808, and tag ID 809.

[0058] The job ID 801 is used to uniquely identify a job. The job name 802 indicates the name of the job. The destination printer ID 803 indicates the printer to be used to print the job. The paper use ID 804 indicates the type of paper to be used for printing the job.

[0059] The instruction job 805 indicates whether the job specified by the job ID of the same record is a work instruction job. If the job specified by the job ID of the same record is a work instruction job, the instruction job 805 is True, and if the job specified by the job ID of the same record is not an instruction job, the instruction job 805 is False.

[0060] If the job identified by the job ID of the same record is a work instruction job, the main job 806 indicates which job the work instruction job is for. If the job identified by the job ID of the same record is not a work instruction job, the main job 806 is blank. If the job identified by the job ID of the same record is a work instruction job, the ID of the target job (job ID) is entered in the main job 806 to indicate which job the work instruction job is for.

[0061] The print end date and time 807 indicates the date and time when printing of the job is completed. If printing has not yet completed, the print end date and time 807 is blank.

[0062] The job status 808 indicates the job status. The job status 808 stores "Waiting to print" if the job specified by the job ID of the same record has not been sent to the printer 102, "Printing" if the job is being printed, and "Printed" if printing has finished.

[0063] The tag ID 809 indicates a tag ID. The tag ID 809 of a record for which the instruction job 805 is False stores a tag ID corresponding to the job having the job ID 001 of that record. The tag ID 809 of a record for which the instruction job 805 is True stores a tag ID corresponding to the job having the main job 806 of that record. A record for which the instruction job is False and a record for which the instruction job is True form a pair, and the same tag ID is stored in both records. Therefore, a record for which the instruction job 805 is False maintains a correspondence between the job ID of the main job and the tag ID. Furthermore, a record for which the instruction job 805 is True also maintains a correspondence between the job ID of the main job and the tag ID.

[0064] As shown in Figure 8(a), in a record where instruction job 805 is True, 004 is written as the paper ID used, which corresponds to paper with an RFID tag as described in the paper information table 810 shown in Figure 8(b) described below.

[0065] In other systems, a record with a job ID of 001 and a record with a job ID of 003 are generated, but this is outside the scope of this embodiment and therefore will not be described further. In this embodiment, as will be described later, for example, when an RFID tag with a tag ID of TagA is read from a work instruction sheet, a record with a job ID of 002 is generated. Then, to associate TagA with the job with job ID 001, 001 is written to the main job 806.

[0066] 8B shows an example of a paper information table 810 stored in the paper information storage unit 702. The paper information table 810 has two data items: a paper ID 811 and a paper name 812.

[0067] The paper ID 811 is used to uniquely identify the type of paper. The paper name 812 indicates the name of the paper type.

[0068] 8C shows an example of a printer information table 820 stored in the printer information storage unit 703. The printer information table 820 has three data items: a printer ID 821, a printer name 822, and an IP address 823.

[0069] The printer ID 821 is used to uniquely identify the printer. The printer name 822 indicates the name of the printer. The IP address 823 indicates the IP address of the printer.

[0070] 8(d) shows an example of data held in the second print queue 718. The second print queue 718 has six data items: a job ID 831, a job name 832, a paper ID 833, a print end date and time 834, a job status 835, and a tag ID 836.

[0071] The job ID 831 is used to uniquely identify a job. The job name 832 indicates the name of the job. The paper ID 833 indicates the type of paper to be used for printing the job. The print end date and time 834 indicates the date and time when printing of the job is completed. If printing has not yet completed, the print end date and time 834 is blank.

[0072] The job status 835 indicates the status of the print job. The job status 835 stores "Waiting to print" if printing is not in progress, "Printing" if printing is in progress, and "Printed" if printing has finished.

[0073] The tag ID 836 indicates the ID of an RFID tag associated with the job identified by the job ID 831. The tag ID 836 is blank if there is no associated ID.

[0074] FIG. 9 shows an example of the content of communication exchanged between the job status acquisition unit 708 and the printer 102.

[0075] Reference numeral 901 denotes an example of a message that the job status acquisition unit 708 sends to the printer 102 .

[0076] Numeral 902 shows an example of a message that the printer 102 returns to the job status acquisition unit 708 when the job status acquisition unit 708 transmits a job status acquisition instruction message to the printer 102. Since the job status is described in this message, the job status acquisition unit 708 analyzes the content of this message and stores the acquired job status in the job information storage unit 701.

[0077] In this embodiment, an example using JMF (Job Messaging Format) will be described, but other communication means such as MIB may also be used.

[0078] The flow of the process of linking a print job with an RFID tag in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13. FIG.

[0079] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing a print job in this embodiment. The following processing is executed by the processor 201 of the information processing apparatus 101.

[0080] In S1001, the job transmission determination unit 705 of the processor 201 waits for a print instruction from the user. The user specifies the job ID 801 of the job to be printed. When the instruction is given, the processor 201 transitions the process to S1002.

[0081] In step S1002, the job transmission determination unit 705 of the processor 201 stores an entry having the job ID designated in step S1001 at the end of the first print queue 706.

[0082] In S1003, the processor 201 checks whether the job transmission determination unit 705 has stored an entry having a job ID in the first print queue 706. If it has, the processor 201 transitions the process to S1004, and if it has not, the processor 201 terminates the process. For example, if the first print queue 706 has stopped for some reason, an entry having a job ID is not stored, and the processor 201 terminates the process.

[0083] In step S1004 , the processor 201 causes the job transmission unit 707 to acquire the job ID stored in the top entry of the first print queue 706 , and deletes that entry from the first print queue 706 .

[0084] In step S1005, the job transmission unit 707 of the processor 201 transmits the job having the job ID acquired in step S1004 to the printer 102 specified by the destination printer ID 803.

[0085] In S1006, the job transmission determination unit 705 checks whether a work instruction for the job transmitted in S1005 exists in the job information storage unit 701. Specifically, it checks whether a row exists in which the value of the main job 806 is the same as the job ID of the job transmitted in S1005. If it exists, the processor 201 transitions the process to S1007, and if it does not exist, the processor 201 transitions the process to S1008.

[0086] If the processing shown in FIG. 10 for a certain job ID is executed but ends in failure, and the processing shown in FIG. 10 for the same job ID is executed again, the determination result in S1006 becomes YES, and the processor 201 transitions the processing to S1007.

[0087] In S1007, the processor 201 deletes the tag ID 809 of the record of the job to be printed and the record of the work instruction to be printed from the job information table 800 shown in Fig. 8(a) by the tag linking unit 710. The instruction data generated in the failed process is maintained as is and passed to S1009.

[0088] In S1008, the processor 201 causes the instruction generation unit 704 to generate work instructions for the job to be printed and store them in the job information storage unit 701. When process management is performed using tag ID 410b, the work instructions are printed on paper with an embedded RFID tag that has some kind of ID written in advance. When process management is performed using tag ID 410a, the work instructions are printed on paper with no embedded RFID tag. The work instructions include the job name and the name of the printer that will print. A detailed description of the method for generating work instruction data is omitted as it is outside the scope of this disclosure.

[0089] In S1009, the job transmission determination unit 705 acquires a print job of the work instruction sheet for the job transmitted in S1005 from the job information storage unit 701. The job transmission unit 707 transmits the acquired data to the printer 102. The destination printer 102 may be the destination to which the job was transmitted in S1005, or may be another printer 102.

[0090] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of tag reading processing in tag reader 104 attached to the paper output destination of printer 102 when process management is performed using tag ID 410b. The following processing is executed by control unit 301 of tag reader 104.

[0091] In S1101, the control unit 301 waits until an RFID tag is detected. If an RFID tag is detected, the control unit 301 transitions the process to S1102.

[0092] In S1102, the control unit 301 transmits the information on the RFID tag detected in S1101 and the detection date and time to the information processing device 101.

[0093] 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for receiving information from an RFID tag and linking the received tag ID with a job in this embodiment. The following processing is executed by the processor 201 of the information processing apparatus 101.

[0094] In S1201, the processor 201 waits for the tag information receiving unit 709 to receive tag information from the tag reader 104. When the tag information is received, the process proceeds to S1202.

[0095] In step S1202, the processor 201 determines the job to be linked with the tag received by the tag linking unit 710. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0096] In S1203, the processor 201 causes the tag linking unit 710 to link the tag received in S1201 with the job determined in S1202. That is, the processor 201 links the RFID tag with the work instruction print job identified in S1202 and the main body print job corresponding to the work instruction print job.

[0097] Specifically, a record stored in the job information storage unit 701 and having a job ID 801 that is identical to the job ID identified in S1202 is retrieved from the job table of FIG. 8A, and the tag ID received in S1201 is written in tag ID 809. This associates the job ID with the tag ID. Furthermore, a record in which the job ID of the record having job ID 801 that is identical to the job ID identified in S1202 is described in the main job 806 is searched for from the job records of FIG. 8A, and the tag ID received in S1201 is also written in tag ID 909 of that record. This also associates the job ID with the tag ID. In other words, in the example of the job table of FIG. 8A, the job ID and tag ID are associated by the job ID 801 and tag ID 809 of the first record, and the job ID and tag ID are associated by the main job 806 and tag ID of the second record.

[0098] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for identifying a job in which a work instruction sheet has been printed on a received RFID-tagged sheet in this embodiment. The following processing is executed by the processor 201 of the information processing apparatus 101.

[0099] Figure 13(a) shows a flowchart for linking RFID-tagged work instructions to jobs. The process in Figure 13(a) assumes that for one printed material, the printed material is printed first, followed by the work instructions, and this process is repeated for multiple printed materials.

[0100] In S1301, the job status acquisition unit 708 acquires the status of the job sent to the printer 102. If printing has finished, the job status acquisition unit 708 saves the print end date and time acquired from the printer 102 in the print end date and time 807 of the record identified by the job ID 801.

[0101] In S1302, the tag linking unit 710 checks whether there is a job that was completed printing at the same time as the RFID detection time received from the tag reader 104 in S1201 by referring to the job information storage unit 701. Specifically, it searches for a job whose print end date and time 807 is the same as the RFID detection time received from the tag reader 104.

[0102] If there is such a job, the processor 201 shifts the process to S1303, and if there is not such a job, the processor 201 shifts the process to S1304.

[0103] In S1303, the tag linking unit 710 determines that the job identified in S1302 is a job that should be linked to an RFID tag, and acquires the job ID of that job.

[0104] In S1304, the tag linking unit 410 checks, by referring to the job information storage unit 701, whether there is an instruction print job that completed printing immediately before the detection time received from the tag reader 104 in S1201. Because the system configuration may result in a discrepancy between the time when printing is completed by the printer and the time detected by the tag reader 104, it is necessary to check whether the printing end time is before the detection time of the RFID tag. Specifically, the latest job that finished at the time of print end 807 is identified among the jobs whose print end date and time 807 is before the RFID detection time is identified. A record corresponding to the identified job is searched for in the job information table 800. The work instruction job 805 of the found record is checked to see if it is set to True.

[0105] If the set of printing the printed material and printing the print instruction is completed immediately before the RFID detection date and time, the work instruction job 805 of the record searched from the job information table 800 will be True. On the other hand, if the printing of the printed material is completed immediately before the RFID detection date and time and the set of printing the print instruction is completed immediately afterwards, the work instruction job 805 of the record searched from the job information table 800 will be False.

[0106] If the work instruction job 805 of the record found in the job information table 800 is True, the processor 201 shifts the process to S1305, and if it is False, the processor 201 shifts the process to S1306.

[0107] In S1305, the tag linking unit 710 determines that the job identified in S1304 is a job that should be linked to an RFID tag.

[0108] In S1306, the tag linking unit 710 checks whether there is a job that completed printing immediately after the detection time received from the tag reader 104 in S1201 by referring to the job information storage unit 701. Specifically, it identifies the job whose print end date and time 807 is the earliest among the jobs that are after the detection time, and determines that this job should be linked to an RFID tag.

[0109] 13(b) is a flowchart for linking a returnable box with an RFID tag to a job. This is executed when process management is performed using the tag ID 410a of the item tag 409a attached to the returnable box 411a.

[0110] 11, 12, and 13(a) are executed when process management is performed using the tag ID 410b of the item tag 409b attached to the work instruction sheet 411b. Therefore, when process management is performed using the tag ID 410b of the item tag 409b attached to the work instruction sheet 411b, the processes shown in Fig. 11, 12, and 13(a) are executed. When process management is performed using the tag ID 410a of the item tag 409a attached to the return box 411a, the process shown in Fig. 13(b) is executed.

[0111] The process shown in FIG. 13(b) is performed instead of the processes shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13(a).

[0112] Explanation of parts having the same reference numerals as in FIG. 13(a) will be omitted.

[0113] In S1311, the tag linking unit 710 displays the records of the job information table 800 shown in Fig. 8A from the job information storage unit 701 on the display 207. The user selects the record of the job to be linked using the keyboard 205 or the pointing device 206 on the display 207.

[0114] In S1312, in order to link the RFID tag to the record of the job selected in S1311, the tag linking unit 710 displays an instruction to have the tag reader 405 read the RFID tag of the return box to be used on the display 207. Following the instruction, the user causes the tag reader 405 to read the tag ID 410a of the item tag 409a attached to the return box 411a.

[0115] In S1313, the tag linking unit 710 links the tag ID 410a of the item tag 409a attached to the return box 411a read in S1312 with the record of the job selected by the user in S1311.

[0116] 14 to 23, the process control screen and the display flow in this embodiment will be described.

[0117] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a process management screen 1401 displayed by the process management system 1900. As shown in FIG.

[0118] In response to a screen display request received from a web browser on the information processing device 101, the process control system 1900 generates a process control screen 1401.

[0119] In the order list area 1402, a list of orders currently being processed by the location management system 400 is displayed on the process management screen 1401. When the user selects an order from the list of orders in the order list area 1402 via the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206, order information 1404 related to that order is expanded and displayed. Although not shown, an add order button may be provided in the order list area 1402. This will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 15. In the floor map area 1403, an image of the entire printing factory managed by the location management system 400 is displayed. The displayed image may be a plan view as shown, or may be a three-dimensional view as not shown. Furthermore, if there are multiple floors to manage, the floor to be displayed may be switched depending on the selected order information 1404. This will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 16.

[0120] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration for displaying order information 1404. When order information 1404 is selected by the user via the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206, the location, status, and detailed information of the job included in the order information 1404 are displayed in area 1403 of the floor map. When deliverable information 1501 is selected, the location, status, and detailed information of the job included in the deliverable information 1501 are displayed in area 1403 of the floor map. When job information 1502 is selected, the location, status, and detailed information of the job in job information 1502 are displayed in area 1403 of the floor map. Although not shown, an order creation button and an order deletion button may be provided in the area of order information 1404. The route display button 1503 and bottleneck display button 1504 will be described in the second and third embodiments.

[0121] The job position refers to the process to which work-in-progress items such as the body and cover currently belong. In the example of Figure 15, the job with job ID dddd belongs to the bookbinding process, and in this case, the job position is said to be bookbinding. Also, the job with job ID eeee belongs to the laminating process, and in this case, the job position is said to be laminating.

[0122] 16(a) to 16(c) are diagrams showing examples of the screen configuration of the area 1403 of the floor map.

[0123] Figure 16(a) shows an example of the display when the user selects an order in the order list area 1402 using the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206. The location, status, and detailed information of the job included in the order information 1404 for the order selected by the user are displayed. The job location and status are displayed identifiably using a job icon 1603. The job icon 1603 may be displayed in a different color depending on the job status, or may be displayed with a different shape. The order detail information 1601 area displays detailed information of the order information 1404 for the order selected by the user. The process icons 1602 represent each process within the printing factory managed by the location management system 400. The shape of the process icon 1602 may be changed to suit each process.

[0124] 16(b) shows an example of the display when the user selects deliverable information 1501 from order information 1404 using the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206. The location, status, and detailed information (deliverable details) of the job included in the deliverable information 1501 are displayed. The details (deliverable details) of the selected deliverable information 1501 are displayed in the deliverable details 1604 area.

[0125] 16(c) shows an example of the display when the user selects job information 1502 from order information 1404 using the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206. The location, status, and detailed information of the job identified by the job information 1502 are displayed. In the job detail information 1605 area, detailed information of the job identified by the selected job information 1502 is displayed.

[0126] Although not shown, a create product button, delete product button, and edit product button may be provided in the area of product information 1501. Also, an add job button, delete job button, and edit job button may be provided in the area of job information 1502.

[0127] 17 shows an example of an order information table 1907, a deliverable information table 1908, and a job progress table 1909 held in a job database (DB) 1906 of a process management system 1900 (see FIG. 19). Details of the process management system 1900 and the job database (DB) 1906 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0128] 17(a) shows an example of the order information table 1907. The order information table 1907 has seven data items: an order ID 1701, a deliverable ID 1702, an order date 1703, a delivery date 1704, an express order 1705, an order origin 1706, and a delivery destination 1707.

[0129] The order ID 1701 indicates the ID of the order. The deliverable ID 1702 indicates the ID of the deliverable included in the order. The order date 1703 indicates the date on which the order was received. The delivery date 1704 indicates the delivery date corresponding to the order. The rush order 1705 indicates whether the order is a rush order. The order source 1706 indicates the source of the order. The delivery destination 1707 indicates the delivery destination corresponding to the order.

[0130] 17B shows an example of the deliverable information table 1908. The deliverable information table 1908 has five data items: a deliverable ID 1711, a material name 1712, a part name 1713, a job ID 1717, and a number of copies 1715.

[0131] The deliverable ID 1711 indicates the same deliverable ID as the deliverable ID 1702 . The product name 1712 indicates the product name of the deliverable. The part name 1713 indicates the part name of the deliverable. The job ID 1717 is the ID of the job for producing the parts included in the deliverable. The second print queue 718 also has a job ID 831. The number of copies 1715 indicates the number of copies of the deliverable.

[0132] 17C shows an example of the job progress table 1909. The job progress table 1909 has six data items: a job ID 1721, a job status 1722, a process 1723, number of copies 1724, a color 1725, and a tag ID 1726.

[0133] The job ID 1721 indicates the job ID associated with the job ID 1712. The second print queue 718 also has a job ID 831. The job status 1722 indicates the status of the job in each process. Step 1723 indicates the current step of the job. The number of copies 1724 indicates the number of copies of the printed material to be produced by the job. Color 1725 indicates the color setting of the job. The tag ID 1726 indicates the ID of the tag associated with the job. The second print queue 718 also has a tag ID 836.

[0134] 18(a) to 18(f) show examples of the configurations of an item table 604, a position table 605, a reader table 606, a user table 607, a movement amount table 608, and a tag detection table 609 included in the item DB 601, respectively.

[0135] The item table 604 has six data items: a tag ID 1811 , an item ID 1812 , an item name 1813 , a type 1814 , a location ID 1815 , and coordinates 1816 .

[0136] The tag ID 1811 is identification information that uniquely identifies the item tag 409 attached to each item 411 under the management of the system. The value of the tag ID 1811 is the same as the value of the tag ID stored internally in the corresponding item tag 409.

[0137] The item ID 1812 is identification information that uniquely identifies each item 411 . The item name 1813 indicates the name of each item 411 . The type 1814 indicates the type into which each item 411 is classified.

[0138] The values of the item name 1813 and type 1814 of each item 411 may be determined by a user and registered in advance via a user interface provided by the management unit 602. Alternatively, the values of the item name 1813 and type 1814 may be stored in the item tag 409 as item-related information and read by the tag reader 104. In the latter case, the management server 401 may receive the values of the item name 1813 and type 1814 of the item 411 from the tag reader 104 in response to the initial tag reading from the item tag 409 of each item 411, and register them in the item table 604.

[0139] Location ID 1815 indicates the location where each item 411 was last detected by tag reader 104 using a location ID that identifies that location.

[0140] Coordinates 1816 indicate the position coordinates of the point where each item 411 is estimated to be located. The values of location ID 1815 and coordinates 1816 can be updated by the position estimation unit 611 when the tag reader 104 detects the movement of an item, as will be described later.

[0141] The location table 605 has six data items: a tag ID 1821 , a location ID 1822 , a location name 1823 , coordinates 1824 , a map image 1825 , and a scale 1826 .

[0142] The tag ID 1821 is identification information that uniquely identifies the position tag 407 installed at each of the positions 412 under the management of the system. The value of the tag ID 1821 is the same as the value of the tag ID stored internally in the corresponding position tag 407.

[0143] The location ID 1822 is identification information that uniquely identifies each location 412 . The location name 1823 indicates the name of each location 412 . Coordinates 1824 represent the position coordinates of the installation position of the position tag 407 installed at each position 412. The map image 1825 is a data item in which map image data for each position 412 is stored.

[0144] The scale 1826 indicates a ratio for converting a distance on the map of the map image 1825 into a distance in real space (for example, the number of meters in real space that the pixel spacing of the image corresponds to). Note that the map image data stored in the map image 1825 may be acquired from an external data source or uploaded by the user and updated as needed.

[0145] The leader table 606 has three data items: a leader ID 1831, a leader name 1832, and a user ID 1833.

[0146] The reader ID 1831 is identification information that uniquely identifies each tag reader 104 used in the system. The leader name 1832 indicates the name of each leader. The user ID 1833 is information for identifying the user 404 who uses the tag reader 104 , and is represented by the user ID in the user table 607 .

[0147] The user table 607 has two data items: a user ID 1841 and a user name 1842 .

[0148] The user ID 1841 is identification information that uniquely identifies each user 404 who uses the position management system 400 .

[0149] User name 1842 indicates the name of each user. Although not shown in Fig. 18(d), the user table 607 may further include authentication information (e.g., password) used when each user 404 logs in to the system.

[0150] The movement amount table 608 is a table for storing records of measurement result data (hereinafter referred to as measurement result records) received from the tag reader 104. The movement amount table 608 has three data items: measurement time 1851, reader ID 1852, and movement amount 1853.

[0151] The measurement time 1851 indicates the time when the measurement was performed for the measurement result indicated by each measurement result record.

[0152] The reader ID 1852 is identification information that identifies the tag reader 104 that performed the measurement for the measurement result indicated by each measurement result record.

[0153] Amount of movement 1853 represents the amount of relative movement as a measurement result. Here, amount of movement 1853 represents the amount of relative movement in the form of a two-dimensional vector in the coordinate system of real space.

[0154] The tag detection table 609 is a table for storing records of read result data (hereinafter referred to as read result records) received from the tag reader 104. The tag detection table 609 has five data items: read time 1861, tag ID 1862, reader ID 1863, reception level 1864, and detection position 1865.

[0155] The read time 1861 indicates the time when the tag ID was read for each read result record. The tag ID 1862 indicates the tag ID that was read for each reading result record. The reader ID 1863 is identification information that identifies the tag reader 104 that performed tag reading for each read result record. Reception level 1864 represents the reception level of the signal received by tag reader 104 when reading the tag for each read result record. The detected position 1865 represents the coordinates of the location of the tag reader 104 at the time tag reading from the item tag 409 is performed (i.e., the detected position of the item tag 409 and the corresponding item 411).

[0156] 19 shows an example of the configuration of a process management system 1900 according to the present disclosure. The process management system 1900 is for executing a process management method. The process management method includes generating a process management screen 1401 in response to a screen display request received from a web browser on the information processing device 101.

[0157] The process control system 1900 includes a process control UI 1901, a process control service 1902, a process database (DB) 1903, a job control service 1905, a job database (DB) 1906, and floor map data 1910. The job database (DB) 1906 includes an order information table 1907, a deliverable information table 1908, and a job progress table 1909. In addition, the process DB 1903 includes a process position table 1904.

[0158] When the process management UI 1901 receives a screen request from the information processing device 101, it generates a process management screen 1401 based on information collected by the process management service 1902 and transmits it to the information processing device 101. The information processing device 101 then displays the transmitted process management screen 1401 on the display 207. Therefore, the process management UI 1901 functions as a display control means for controlling the display of the process management screen 1401 by the information processing device 101.

[0159] In response to a request from the process management UI 1901 , the process management service 1902 acquires information from the location management system 400 , the job management service 1905 , and the process DB 1903 , and transmits the information to the process management UI 1901 .

[0160] The process location table 1904 is a table that manages information about each process 2001 within the area of the printing factory and the coordinates 2002 of each process. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 20. The process location table 1904 defines in advance the location of each process within the area of the printing factory using coordinate information. The process management service 1902 acquires the ID (tag ID) 1811 and coordinates 1816 of the tag detected by the tag reader 104 for each process from the item table 604 of the management server 401. The process in which the tag ID 410 exists within the area of the printing factory is identified based on the acquired tag ID (tag ID) 1811 and coordinates 1816 and the information in the process location table 1904. Here, as a method for identifying the process, for example, the distance between the coordinates 2002 included in the process location table 1904 and the coordinates 1816 corresponding to the tag ID 1811 in the item table 604 may be calculated, and if the distance is less than a threshold, it may be determined that the tag exists in that process. Alternatively, the coordinates 2002 included in the process position table 1904 may be specified as an area such as (X1, Y1) to (X11, Y11), and if the coordinates 1816 of the detected tag ID are within that area, it may be determined that the tag is present in that process. Floor map data 1910 holds an image of a floor map 1403 within the printing factory. The floor map data 1910 is loaded when the floor map 1403 is displayed.

[0161] 20 shows an example of the process location table 1904 in this disclosure. The process location table 1904 includes items for each process 2001 within the area of the printing factory and the coordinates 2002 of each process.

[0162] 21 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of offline processes in area 2100 of a printing factory in the present disclosure. In this example, a paper cutter 2101, a laminating machine 2102, and a packaging area 2103 are arranged as offline processes within area 2100. Tag readers 104c, 104d, 104e, 104f, 104g, 104h, 104i, 104j, and 104k for each process are arranged near the paper cutter 2101, the laminating machine 2102, and the packaging area 2103. Waiting areas 2104a, 2104b, and 2104c, in-process areas 2105a, 2105b, and 2105c, and processed areas 2106a, 2106b, and 2106c are defined in advance as ranges detectable by each tag reader 104. The location of tag reader 104d indicates the location of cutter 2101 for placing printed materials in the cutting process. Similarly, the location of tag reader 104g indicates the location of laminator 2102 for placing printed materials in the lamination process. Similarly, the location of tag reader 104j indicates the location of packing area 2103 for placing printed materials in the packing process.

[0163] When the item 411 with the item tag 409 attached and the printed material are moved to the waiting for processing area 2104 of each process, the corresponding job in the job progress table 1909 changes to a waiting for processing status for that process. Similarly, when the item 411 with the item tag 409 attached and the printed material are moved to the in-process area 2105 of each process, the corresponding job in the job progress table 1909 changes to a processing status for that process. When the item 411 with the item tag 409 attached and the printed material are moved to the processed area 2106 of each process, the corresponding job in the job progress table 1909 changes to a processed status for that process.

[0164] When the user 404 finishes work in each process, he or she moves the item 411 with the item tag 409 attached and the printed matter from the processed area 2106 of the current process to the waiting area 2104 of the next process. In this way, the item tag 409 moves between each process.

[0165] The position of each tag ID 410 is identified by detecting each tag ID 410 with the tag reader 104 for each process. The position information of each identified tag ID 410 is compared with the process position table 1904 to identify which process each tag ID 410 is in and what status it is in. Based on this information, the job status 1722 and process 1723 in the job progress table 1909 are updated.

[0166] Fig. 22 shows an example of a process management method. Each step shown in Fig. 22 is executed by the processor 201 of the information processing device 101. In S2201, the process management UI 1901 determines whether or not a request to display the process management screen 1401 has been made from the web browser on the information processing device 101. If it is determined that a request to display the process management screen 1401 has not been made, the processor 201 returns the process to S2201 and continues to wait. If it is determined that a request to display the process management screen 1401 has been made, the processor 201 advances the process to S2202.

[0167] In S2202, the processor 201 acquires the location information of the tag ID 410 from the location management system 400.

[0168] In S2023, the processor 201 determines the current step and status of each job by comparing the position information of the tag ID 410 with the tag ID 1726 in the job progress table 1909. If there is a difference between the current step and status and the position information of the tag ID 410, the job management service 1905 updates the item of the corresponding job in the job progress table 1909.

[0169] In S2204, the processor 201 acquires information from the order information table 1907 and the deliverable information table 1908.

[0170] In S2205, the processor 201 generates the order list area 1402 in combination with the information in the job progress table 1909.

[0171] In step S2206, the processor 201 causes the process control UI 1901 to load an image of the printing factory from the floor map data 1910.

[0172] In S2207, the processor 201 displays the process control screen 1401.

[0173] FIG. 23 shows an example of the flow of processing for displaying a job icon in accordance with the order information 1404, deliverable information 1501, and job information 1502 selected by the user.

[0174] FIG. 23(a) shows an example of the flow of processing in which a specific order is selected by the user from the order list in the order list area 1402, and in response to this, a process control screen 1401 is displayed.

[0175] In S2301, the processor 201 generates order information 1404 from the deliverables and jobs associated with a particular order selected by the user.

[0176] In S2302, the processor 201 generates the detailed order information 1601 from the order information table 1907.

[0177] In S2303, the processor 201 determines a job related to the order information 1404 from the job progress table 1909. That is, the processor 201 searches the order information table 1907 for all records having the selected order ID. Next, the processor 201 searches the deliverable information table 1908 for all records having the deliverable ID 1702 described in the searched record as the deliverable ID 1711. Next, the processor 201 searches the job progress table 1909 for records having the job ID 1717 described in the searched record as the job ID 1721.

[0178] In S2304, the processor 201 generates a job icon 1603 using the job status 1422 and step 1423 of the job related to the order information 1404.

[0179] In S2305, the processor 201 updates the process management screen 1401, and displays the order information 1404, the order detail information 1601, and the job icon 1603 for the corresponding process.

[0180] As mentioned above, the job icon 1603 is displayed in a different color depending on the job status, but the icon shape may also be changed. The job icon also contains a job ID. The job icon is placed at the location of the process on the map. The location of the process is obtained from the process location table 1904.

[0181] FIG. 23(b) shows an example of the flow of processing in which the user selects the product information 1501 and the process management screen 1401 is displayed in response to this.

[0182] In S2311, the processor 201 generates the deliverable detail information 1604 of the selected specific deliverable information 1501.

[0183] In S2312, the processor 201 determines the job associated with the deliverable information 1501 from the job progress table 1909. That is, the processor 201 searches the deliverable information table 1908 for all records that have the selected deliverable ID as the deliverable ID 1711. Next, the processor 201 searches the job progress table 1909 for records that have the job ID 1717 described in the searched record as the job ID 1721.

[0184] In S2313, the processor 201 generates a job icon 1603 using the job status 1422 and the step 1423 of the job related to the deliverable information 1501.

[0185] In S2314, the processor 201 updates the process management screen 1401, and displays the deliverable detail information 1604 and the job icon 1603 for the corresponding process.

[0186] FIG. 23(c) shows an example of the flow of processing in which a specific job is selected by the user and the process management screen 1401 is displayed in response to this.

[0187] In S2321, the processor 201 generates the job detail information 1605 of the selected specific job information 1502.

[0188] In S2322, the processor 201 generates a job icon 1603 using the job status 1422 and the step 1423 of the job corresponding to the job detail information 1605.

[0189] In S2323, the processor 201 updates the process management screen 1401, and displays the job detail information 1605 and the job icon 1603 for the corresponding process.

[0190] As described above, in the printing workflow system of this embodiment, by operating the order list, the position and status of related jobs in the printing factory can be confirmed on the process management screen.

[0191] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. This embodiment has a configuration in which a route is displayed in the order of process processing in which related jobs should be processed, according to order information 1404, deliverable information 1501, and job information 1502 selected on a process management screen 1401. Note that configurations and processes not mentioned in the following description are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0192] FIG. 24 shows a job process order table 2400 stored in the job database (DB) 1906.

[0193] 2401 indicates the printer that prints the job.

[0194] 2402 shows the processing order of all processes in the printing factory. Processes that are not included are left blank.

[0195] 25 shows an example of the flow of processing to display the job processing route on the process management screen 1401. This processing operates as a subtask of S2305, S2314, and S2323. As a prerequisite, the job process processing order table 2400 is acquired in S2204.

[0196] In S2501, the processor 201 determines whether the route display button 1503 is ON. If it is OFF, the wait loop of S2501 is repeated.

[0197] In S2502, when the user selects the order information 1404 and the deliverable information 1501, the processor 201 acquires the current process of all related jobs. When the user selects the job information 1502, the processor 201 acquires the current process of only the corresponding job.

[0198] In S2503, the processor 201 determines whether there are two or more jobs associated with the deliverable information 1501. If there are two or more jobs associated with the deliverable information 1501, the processor 201 proceeds to S2504, and if there is one or less jobs, the processor 201 proceeds to S2505.

[0199] In 2504, the processor 201 determines an overlapping route between multiple jobs corresponding to the same deliverable. An overlapping route between multiple jobs corresponding to the same deliverable (an overlapping route) is a route connecting two consecutive overlapping processes between multiple jobs corresponding to the same deliverable.

[0200] In S2505, the processor 201 obtains the process processing order of the job obtained from the job process processing order table 2400, determines the processes after the current process of the corresponding job, and generates a route. The processes after the current process are one or more processes from the current process to the final process, and the processes included in this from the next process to the final process will be executed in the future. The route sequentially connects the current process to the final process. The route is generated by obtaining the coordinates of each process from the process position table 1904. The lines indicating overlapping routes are generated so as to be distinguishable from the lines indicating non-overlapping routes (i.e., routes for each individual job).

[0201] In S2506, the processor 201 displays on the process management screen 1401 the order information 1404, the deliverable information 1501, and the job route corresponding to the job information 1502 selected on the process management screen 1401.

[0202] 26 shows an example of a route displayed on the floor map 1403. The data in the order information table 1907, the deliverable information table 1908, and the job progress table 1909 shown in FIG.

[0203] Figure 26(a) shows an example of the route display when order information 1404 is selected. A route connecting the current process (cutting 2) to the final process (packaging 2) of the job with job ID 0003 is displayed. Also, a route connecting the current process (laminating 1) to the final process (packaging 1) of the job with job ID 0005 is displayed. Furthermore, a route connecting the current process (binding 1) to the final process (packaging 1) of the job with job ID 0007 is displayed.

[0204] An arrow 2601 indicates the route of job 0005. Referring to the job process processing order table 2400, the processes of job 0005 are laminating 1, cutting 1, binding 1, cutting 3, inspection 1, and packing 1. The current process of job 0005 is laminating 1. Therefore, the route 2601 connects laminating 1, cutting 1, binding 1, cutting 3, inspection 1, and packing 1 in this order.

[0205] 26(b) shows an example of the route display when the deliverable information 1501 is selected. A route connecting the current process (laminating 1) to the final process (packaging 1) of the job with job ID 0005 is displayed. Also, a route connecting the current process (binding 1) to the final process (packaging 1) of the job with job ID 0007 is displayed.

[0206] 26(c) shows an example of a route display when job information 1502 is selected. Only the route connecting the current process (bookbinding 1) to the final process (packaging 1) of the job with job ID 0007 is displayed.

[0207] As described above, in the printing workflow system of this embodiment, by operating the order list, the future processing route of related jobs in the printing factory can be confirmed on the process management screen.

[0208] In a similar manner, it may be possible to select to display a route connecting processes prior to the current process for each job. Here, a process prior to the current process refers to one or more processes from the first process to the current process, and the processes from the first process to the immediately preceding process included in this are those that were carried out in the past. The route sequentially connects the first process to the original current process.

[0209] This embodiment may be combined with the first embodiment.

[0210] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. This embodiment has a configuration in which, in the deliverable information 1501 selected on the process management screen 1401, which job processing that constitutes the deliverable is causing a bottleneck in the generation of the deliverable is displayed on the process management screen 1401. Note that configurations and processes not mentioned in the following description are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and therefore will not be described here.

[0211] Figure 27 shows an example of the process flow for determining which job that constitutes a deliverable is causing a bottleneck in the creation of the deliverable. A bottleneck job is a job that is causing a delay in the completion of the deliverable.

[0212] For example, suppose there is a configuration in which three jobs are required to complete one deliverable. The first job and the second job are combined in the first job combination step. The first job and the second job have the subsequent steps in common, starting from the first job combination step. The third job is combined with the first job and the second job in the second job combination step, which is located after the first job combination step. The first job, the second job, and the third job have the subsequent steps in common, starting from the second job combination step. Note that the intermediate deliverable is completed in the step immediately before the second job combination step of the first job and the second job.

[0213] If the second job has completed the process immediately preceding the first job combination process, and the third job has completed the process immediately preceding the second job combination process, but the first job has not completed the process immediately preceding the first job combination process, then the first job is the bottleneck. The first job can be said to be a bottleneck in producing either the deliverable or the intermediate deliverable.

[0214] If the third job has finished the process immediately before the second job combination process, and the first and second jobs have finished the first job combination process, but these two jobs have not finished the process immediately before the second job combination process, then these two jobs are a bottleneck. The first and second jobs can be said to be bottlenecks in producing the deliverables.

[0215] Even if the first and second jobs have completed the process immediately before the second job combination process, if the third job has not completed the process immediately before the second job combination process, then the third job is a bottleneck. The third job can be said to be a bottleneck in producing the deliverables.

[0216] Therefore, if some of the jobs that should be combined in a job combination step have completed up to the step immediately preceding that job combination step, and the remaining jobs have not completed up to the step immediately preceding that job combination step, then those remaining jobs are the bottleneck. Note that even if a job has progressed to the job combination step and its job status is "waiting," it can be said that the job has completed up to the step immediately preceding the job combination step.

[0217] It is assumed that deliverable information 1501 has been specified. For example, it is assumed that deliverable information 1501 having a deliverable ID of 253-040 is specified among the multiple deliverable information 1501 included in order information 1404. This is described as deliverable ID 1702 in the third record of order information table 1907 shown in FIG. 17, and is also described as deliverable ID 1711 in the third and fourth records of deliverable information table 1908 shown in FIG.

[0218] In S2701, the processor 201 determines whether the bottleneck display button 1504 is ON. If it is OFF, the process returns to S2701 and continues to wait for the bottleneck display button 1504 to be turned ON.

[0219] When the bottleneck display button 1504 is turned ON, in S2702, all jobs that share the deliverable information 1501 are determined from the job progress table 1909. Here, all jobs that share the deliverable information 1501 are all jobs that have the job ID 1717 described in each record that has the deliverable ID of the specified deliverable information as the deliverable ID 1711 in the deliverable information table 1908. In the specific example of the deliverable information table 1908 shown in Figure 17, two jobs that have job IDs 0005 and 0007 described in the job ID 1717 of the third record and the fourth record that have 253-040 as the deliverable ID are related jobs.

[0220] In S2703, the processor 201 acquires the current processes of all jobs shared in the deliverable information 1501. In the above specific example, the current process of the job having the job ID 0005 and the current process of the job having the job ID 0007 are acquired. In the specific example of the job progress table 1909 shown in FIG. 17, the current process of the job having the job ID 0005 is "Floor 1 - Laminate 1." Furthermore, the current process of the job having the job ID 0007 is "Floor 1 - Binding 1." Furthermore, the job status of the job having the job ID 0005 is "In Processing." Furthermore, the job status of the job having the job ID 0007 is "Waiting for Processing."

[0221] In S2704, the processor 201 determines whether the number of jobs sharing the deliverable information 1501 is two or more. If the number is one or less, the process ends. If the number is two or more, the process proceeds to S2705. In the above example, the number of jobs is two, so the process proceeds to S2705.

[0222] In S2705, the processor 201 acquires, in process order, the processes that are common to the multiple jobs that share the deliverable information 1501 from the job process processing order table 2400 shown in FIG. 24. In the above specific example, the processes that a job with a job ID of 0005 has are laminating 1, cutting 1, binding 1, cutting 3, inspection 1, and packing 1. Also, the processes that a job with a job ID of 0007 has are cutting 1, binding 1, cutting 3, inspection 1, and packing 1. Therefore, the processes that these jobs have in common are cutting 1, binding 1, cutting 3, inspection 1, and packing 1. Also, the cutting 1 process is the job combining process for these two jobs.

[0223] The job combination process can be identified as follows. First, the deliverable information table 1908 is searched for a record that has, as the deliverable ID 1711, a deliverable ID that corresponds to the specified deliverable information 1501. The jobs that have the job ID described in the job ID 1717 of the searched record are acquired as jobs that share the deliverable information 1501. The processes that each of the acquired jobs has are acquired from the job process processing order table 2400. Of the processes that are common to the jobs that share the job deliverable information 1501, the process located at the left end in the job process processing order table 2400 is acquired as the job combination process. The job combination process may be set in advance for each deliverable or for the intermediate deliverables that make up the deliverable.

[0224] In S2706, the processor 201 determines which job is the bottleneck. In the above example, the job combination process is "Floor 1 - Cutting 1." The current process and status of the job with job ID 0007 are "Floor 1 - Cutting 1" and "Waiting for processing." In contrast, the current process and status of the job with job ID 0005 are "Floor 1 - Laminate 1" and "In Processing." Therefore, the job with job ID 0005 is determined to be the bottleneck.

[0225] Although this explanation may be redundant, in general, if some of the jobs to be combined in the job combination process have been completed up to the process immediately before the job combination process, but the remaining jobs have not been completed up to the process immediately before the job combination process, then those remaining jobs are the bottleneck.

[0226] If the current process of any job has not reached the job combination process, the job whose current process is the leftmost one may be searched for and determined to be the bottleneck job in the job process processing order table 2400. If there are multiple job combination processes for multiple jobs that share a deliverable, the job whose current process has not reached the job combination process and whose job combination process is at the left end in the job process processing order table 2400 may be determined to be the bottleneck job.

[0227] In S2707, the processor 201 highlights the identified bottleneck job and displays it on the process management screen 1401.

[0228] Figure 28 shows an example of highlighting a bottleneck job on the floor map 1403. It uses data from the order information table 1907, deliverable information table 1908, and job progress table 1909 shown in Figure 17, and the job process processing order table 2400 in Figure 24. Figure 28 shows an example of highlighting the job with job ID 0005 as a bottleneck.

[0229] As described above, in the printing workflow system of this embodiment, by operating the order list, it is possible to check from the process management screen which jobs related to the production of deliverables in the printing factory are causing bottlenecks.

[0230] This embodiment may be combined with the first embodiment, or with a combination of the first and second embodiments.

[0231] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. This embodiment has a configuration for displaying the scheduled end time of the current process and the scheduled start time of the next process of a job corresponding to a job icon 1603 selected on the floor map 1403. Note that configurations and processes not mentioned in the following description are the same as those of the first to third embodiments, and therefore will not be described here.

[0232] FIG. 29 shows an example of a job processing scheduled time table 2900 in which the scheduled start time and scheduled end time of each process of a job are set.

[0233] 2901 indicates the process through which the job associated with job ID 1721 is scheduled to pass.

[0234] 2902 indicates the scheduled start time of the process 2901 of the job.

[0235] 2903 indicates the scheduled end time of the process 2901 of the job.

[0236] FIG. 30 shows an example of a method for displaying the scheduled end time of the job and the scheduled start time of the next process when a job icon 1603 is selected.

[0237] In S3001, the processor 201 acquires the current process and the next process of the job from the job progress table 1909 and the job process processing order table 2400.

[0238] In S3002, the processor 201 acquires the scheduled end time 2903 of the current process of the job from the scheduled job processing time table 2900.

[0239] In S3003, the processor 201 acquires the scheduled start time 2902 of the next process of the job from the scheduled job processing time table 2900.

[0240] In S3004, the processor 201 generates data for displaying the scheduled end time of the current process and the scheduled start time of the next process of the job.

[0241] In S3005, the processor 201 updates the display of the floor map 1403, and displays the scheduled end time of the current process and the scheduled start time display 3101 of the next process.

[0242] 31 shows an example of displaying a display 3101 of the scheduled end time of the current process and the scheduled start time of the next process of the job on the floor map 1403. If the current time is past the scheduled end time 2903 of the current process or the scheduled start time 2902 of the next process, these times 2903 and 2902 may be highlighted.

[0243] As described above, in the printing workflow system of this embodiment, by operating the job icon, the scheduled end time of the current process of the job in the printing factory and the scheduled start time of the next process can be confirmed from the process management screen.

[0244] This embodiment may be combined with either the first embodiment or a combination of the first embodiment with at least one of the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

[0245] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. This embodiment has a configuration for changing the order of processes in a job related to the order information 1404. Note that configurations and processes not mentioned in the following description are the same as those in the first to fourth embodiments, and therefore will not be described here.

[0246] FIG. 32 shows an example of the flow of processing for changing the processing order of the steps of a job.

[0247] In S3201, the processor 201 determines whether any of the job route change buttons 3301 has been pressed. If no job route change button 3301 has been pressed, the process returns to S3201 and waits until any of the job route change buttons 3301 has been pressed.

[0248] When the route change button 3301 for any job (hereinafter referred to as the "job") is pressed, the processor 201 acquires information about all the processes of the job and the order of all the processes from the job process processing order table 2400 in S3202.

[0249] In S3203, the processor 201 acquires the current process of the job from the job progress table 1909.

[0250] In S3204, the processor 201 ends the processing if the current process of the job is the final process.

[0251] In S3205, the processor 201 acquires all steps of the job from the current step onwards from the job step processing order table 2400.

[0252] In S3206, the processor 201 displays all processes of the job from the current process onwards that can be changed to the same type of process, and changes the process selected by the user from the displayed processes to the same type of process selected by the user.

[0253] Figure 33(a) shows an example in which a route change button 3301 has been added to the order list area 1402. When the route change button 3301 is pressed, the processor 201 displays a process change screen 3302 in Figure 33(b). When a specific process is selected by the user from the process change screen 3302, the processor 201 displays a process change candidate list 3303. In S3206, the processor 201 executes processing to change the processing process to the process selected by the user from the process change candidate list 3303.

[0254] Although it has been explained above that the process to be changed can only be changed to a process of the same type as the process, it may be possible to change to all types of processes. Also, the system may have a function to add a process or a function to delete a process.

[0255] If a process is changed, added, or deleted, the job process processing order table 2400 may be rewritten to reflect this.

[0256] As described above, in the print workflow system of this embodiment, the user can change, add, or delete steps subsequent to the current step of the job by operating the route change button.

[0257] This embodiment may be combined with either the first embodiment or a combination of the first embodiment and at least one of the second to fourth embodiments.

[0258] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. This embodiment has a configuration for displaying a congestion forecast for a process at a specified time on a floor map 1403. Note that configurations and processes not mentioned in the following description are the same as those in the first to fifth embodiments, and therefore will not be described again.

[0259] FIG. 34 shows an example of the flow of processing for displaying processes that are expected to be congested with multiple jobs at a specified time.

[0260] In step S3401, the processor 201 acquires the scheduled processing start times 2902 and the scheduled processing end times 2903 of all steps of all jobs from the scheduled job processing time table 2900.

[0261] In S3402, the processor 201 acquires the time period specified by the user.

[0262] In S3403, the processor 201 identifies processes that will be congested during the time period specified by the user. For example, a process that is scheduled to have more than a predetermined number of jobs assigned to it during the specified time period is determined to be a congested process. The predetermined number is, for example, a number obtained by dividing the unit time by the time required to print one printed item in the process. In this case, if the unit time is 15 minutes and the time required to print one printed item in the process is 5 minutes, the predetermined number is 3.

[0263] In S3404, the processor 201 updates the floor map 1403 so as to display the process determined to be a congested process in a manner indicating congestion. For example, the processor 201 highlights the process determined to be a congested process.

[0264] FIG. 35 shows an example in which cutting 1 is highlighted by an encircling line 3502 when the cutting 1 process is a congested process.

[0265] As described above, in the printing workflow system of this embodiment, it is possible to display the congestion forecast for each process during a specified time period on the process management screen.

[0266] This embodiment may be combined with either the first embodiment or a combination of the first embodiment and at least one of the second to fifth embodiments.

[0267] Seventh Embodiment Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by a computer in a system or device that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments, recorded on a storage medium (sometimes more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium"), and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments, and may also be implemented by a method executed by the computer in the system or device by reading and executing the computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments, recorded on a storage medium, and / or controlling one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor unit (MPU)), and may include separate computers or a network of separate processors for reading and executing the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), storage of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), or Blu-ray disk (BD)®), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

[0268] <Technical Features of the Present Disclosure> The present disclosure includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0269] [Configuration 1] a first association means for associating identification information of a tag carried together with a work-in-progress with identification information of a job for processing the work-in-progress; a second correlation means for correlating the location of the work-in-progress with the identification information of the tag based on the identification information of the tag read by the tag reader and the location of the tag reader; a determining means for determining to which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs, based on the correspondence between the identification information of the tag and the identification information of the job, the correspondence between the location of the work-in-progress and the identification information of the tag, and the location of each device for subjecting the work-in-progress to each process included in the job; a display control means for displaying information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to for each order information or product information; A process control system equipped with:

[0270] [Configuration 2] the display control means displays an icon indicating the process to which the work-in-progress belongs on the map on which the devices are located, based on the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job and the location of the device for subjecting the work-in-progress to the process, so that the icon is located at the location of the device for subjecting the work-in-progress to the process. 2. The process control system of claim 1.

[0271] [Configuration 3] the first association means associates the identification information of the tag with the identification information of the job, based on the time when the work instruction corresponding to the work-in-progress item to be processed by the job having the identification information of the job and the time when the work instruction to which the tag is attached is printed by the printer and the time when the identification information of the tag is read by a tag reader disposed in the paper discharge area of the printer; 3. The process control system according to configuration 1 or 2.

[0272] [Configuration 4] the determining means further determines the process to which the work-in-progress will belong in the future and the process order thereof based on information regarding the process order in the job and information regarding the process in the job to which the work-in-progress belongs; the display control means further displays processes to which the work-in-progress will belong in the future and their order based on the determination result by the determination means. 4. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3.

[0273] [Configuration 5] the display control means further displays, on the map on which the devices are located, a route indicating the processes to which the work-in-progress will belong in the future and the order in which the processes will be carried out, based on the locations of the devices. 5. The process control system of claim 4.

[0274] [Configuration 6] the determining means further determines a process to which the work-in-progress belonged in the past and its order based on information regarding the order of the processes in the job and information regarding which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs; The display control means further displays the processes to which the work-in-progress belonged in the past and their order based on the determination result by the determination means. 4. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3.

[0275] [Configuration 7] the display control means displays a route indicating the process to which the work-in-progress belonged in the past and the order of the process on a map on which the devices are located, further based on the location of each device. 7. The process control system of claim 6.

[0276] [Configuration 8] The display control means further displaying information about a deliverable produced by processing each of one or more of the work-in-progress items in each of one or more of the jobs; displaying, for each of the jobs for producing the deliverables, information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to; 8. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7.

[0277] [Configuration 9] The display control means information about a deliverable produced by processing each of one or more of the work-in-progress items in each of one or more of the jobs; information about an order corresponding to one or more of said deliverables; Show more, displaying information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to for each of the jobs for producing one or more of the deliverables corresponding to the order; 8. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7.

[0278] [Configuration 10] a deliverable is produced by processing each of the plurality of work-in-progress items in each of the plurality of jobs; The steps subsequent to the job combining step corresponding to the combination of each job with each of the other jobs are common between the job and each of the other jobs, the determining means further determines a job that is a bottleneck in producing the product based on information on how far each job has progressed and information on the job combination process; the display control means further displays the job that is the bottleneck in producing the deliverable. 10. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 9.

[0279] [Configuration 11] the determining means further determines the scheduled end time of the process to which the work-in-progress belongs and the scheduled start time of the next process in the job based on the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job, a table describing the order of each process included in the job, and a table describing the scheduled start time and scheduled end time of each process; the display control means further displays a scheduled end time of the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job and a scheduled start time of the next process. 11. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 10.

[0280] [Configuration 12] The job management system further includes a means for changing a process designated by a user that is a process subsequent to the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job to another process designated by the user. 12. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 11.

[0281] [Configuration 13] The job management system further includes a means for deleting a process designated by a user that is subsequent to the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job. 13. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 12.

[0282] [Configuration 14] The job management system further includes a means for adding another process after a process designated by a user that is subsequent to the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job. 14. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 13.

[0283] [Configuration 15] There are a plurality of jobs, the determining means determines which processes are congested due to the plurality of jobs during a time period designated by a user, the display control means displays devices corresponding to processes that are congested by the plurality of jobs during a time period designated by a user in a manner indicating congestion. 15. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 14.

[0284] [Configuration 16] For at least some of the processes, tag readers are arranged at three positions, awaiting processing, being processed, and processed, corresponding to devices for applying the work-in-progress to the processes; determining whether the work-in-progress is in a waiting state, a processing state, or a processed state for the process to which the work-in-progress belongs, depending on which of the three tag readers arranged at the three positions has read the tag; 16. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 15.

[0285] [Configuration 17] The tag is either a tag attached to a returnable box containing the work-in-progress or a tag attached to a work instruction sheet corresponding to the work-in-progress. 17. A process control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 16.

[0286] [method] Correlating identification information of a tag carried with the work-in-progress with identification information of a job for processing the work-in-progress; a step of associating the location of the work-in-progress with the identification information of the tag based on the identification information of the tag read by the tag reader and the location of the tag reader; determining to which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs based on the correspondence between the identification information of the tag and the identification information of the job, the correspondence between the location of the work-in-progress and the identification information of the tag, and the location of each device for subjecting the work-in-progress to each process included in the job; displaying information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to for each order information or product information; A process control method comprising the steps of:

[0287] [program] a first association means for associating identification information of a tag carried together with a work-in-progress with identification information of a job for processing the work-in-progress; a second correlation means for correlating the location of the work-in-progress with the identification information of the tag based on the identification information of the tag read by the tag reader and the location of the tag reader; a determining means for determining to which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs, based on the correspondence between the identification information of the tag and the identification information of the job, the correspondence between the location of the work-in-progress and the identification information of the tag, and the location of each device for subjecting the work-in-progress to each process included in the job; a display control means for displaying information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to for each order information or product information; A program that makes a computer function as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0288] 101 Information processing equipment 102 Printer 103 Aftertreatment device 104 Tag Reader 400 Location Management System 1900 Process Control System

Claims

1. a first association means for associating identification information of a tag carried together with a work-in-progress with identification information of a job for processing the work-in-progress; a second correlation means for correlating the location of the work-in-progress with the identification information of the tag based on the identification information of the tag read by the tag reader and the location of the tag reader; a determining means for determining to which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs, based on the correspondence between the identification information of the tag and the identification information of the job, the correspondence between the location of the work-in-progress and the identification information of the tag, and the location of each device for subjecting the work-in-progress to each process included in the job; a display control means for displaying information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to for each order information or product information; A process control system equipped with:

2. the display control means displays an icon indicating the process to which the work-in-progress belongs on the map on which the devices are located, based on the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job and the location of the device for subjecting the work-in-progress to the process, so that the icon is located at the location of the device for subjecting the work-in-progress to the process. The process control system according to claim 1 .

3. the first associating means associates the identification information of the tag with the identification information of the job, based on the time when the work instruction corresponding to the work-in-progress item to be processed by the job having the identification information of the job and the time when the work instruction to which the tag is attached is printed by the printer and the time when the identification information of the tag is read by a tag reader disposed in the paper discharge area of the printer; The process control system according to claim 1 .

4. the determining means further determines the process to which the work-in-progress will belong in the future and the process order thereof based on information regarding the process order in the job and information regarding the process in the job to which the work-in-progress belongs; the display control means further displays processes to which the work-in-progress will belong in the future and their order based on the determination result by the determination means. The process control system according to claim 1 .

5. the display control means further displays, on the map on which the devices are located, a route indicating the processes to which the work-in-progress will belong in the future and the order in which the processes will be carried out, based on the locations of the devices. The process control system according to claim 4.

6. the determining means further determines a process to which the work-in-progress belonged in the past and its order based on information regarding the order of the processes in the job and information regarding which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs; The display control means further displays the processes to which the work-in-progress belonged in the past and their order based on the determination result by the determination means. The process control system according to claim 1 .

7. the display control means displays a route indicating the process to which the work-in-progress belonged in the past and the order of the process on a map on which the devices are located, further based on the location of each device. The process control system according to claim 6.

8. The display control means further displaying information about a deliverable produced by processing each of one or more of the work-in-progress items in each of one or more of the jobs; displaying, for each of the jobs for producing the deliverables, information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to; The process control system according to claim 1 .

9. The display control means information about a deliverable produced by processing each of one or more of the work-in-progress items in each of one or more of the jobs; information about an order corresponding to one or more of said deliverables; Show more, displaying information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to for each of the jobs for producing one or more of the deliverables corresponding to the order; The process control system according to claim 1 .

10. a deliverable is produced by processing each of the plurality of work-in-progress items in each of the plurality of jobs; The steps subsequent to the job combining step corresponding to the combination of each job with each of the other jobs are common between the job and each of the other jobs, the determining means further determines a job that is a bottleneck in producing the product based on information on how far each job has progressed and information on the job combination process; the display control means further displays the job that is the bottleneck in producing the deliverable. The process control system according to claim 1 .

11. the determining means further determines the scheduled end time of the process to which the work-in-progress belongs and the scheduled start time of the next process in the job based on the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job, a table describing the order of each process included in the job, and a table describing the scheduled start time and scheduled end time of each process; the display control means further displays a scheduled end time of the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job and a scheduled start time of the next process. The process control system according to claim 1 .

12. The job management system further includes a means for changing a process designated by a user that is a process subsequent to the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job to another process designated by the user. The process control system according to claim 1 .

13. The job management system further includes a means for deleting a process designated by a user that is subsequent to the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job. The process control system according to claim 1 .

14. The job management system further includes a means for adding another process after a process designated by a user that is subsequent to the process to which the work-in-progress belongs in the job. The process control system according to claim 1 .

15. There are a plurality of jobs, the determining means determines which processes are congested due to the plurality of jobs during a time period designated by a user, the display control means displays devices corresponding to processes that are congested by the plurality of jobs during a time period designated by a user in a manner indicating congestion. The process control system according to claim 1 .

16. For at least some of the processes, tag readers are arranged at three positions, awaiting processing, being processed, and processed, corresponding to devices for applying the work-in-progress to the processes; determining whether the work-in-progress is in a waiting state, a processing state, or a processed state for the process to which the work-in-progress belongs, depending on which of the three tag readers arranged at the three positions has read the tag; The process control system according to claim 1 .

17. The tag is either a tag attached to a returnable box containing the work-in-progress or a tag attached to a work instruction sheet corresponding to the work-in-progress. The process control system according to claim 1 .

18. Correlating identification information of a tag carried with the work-in-progress with identification information of a job for processing the work-in-progress; a step of associating the location of the work-in-progress with the identification information of the tag based on the identification information of the tag read by the tag reader and the location of the tag reader; determining to which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs based on the correspondence between the identification information of the tag and the identification information of the job, the correspondence between the location of the work-in-progress and the identification information of the tag, and the location of each device for subjecting the work-in-progress to each process included in the job; displaying information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to for each order information or product information; A process control method comprising the steps of:

19. a first association means for associating identification information of a tag carried together with a work-in-progress with identification information of a job for processing the work-in-progress; a second correlation means for correlating the location of the work-in-progress with the identification information of the tag based on the identification information of the tag read by the tag reader and the location of the tag reader; a determining means for determining to which process in the job the work-in-progress belongs, based on the correspondence between the identification information of the tag and the identification information of the job, the correspondence between the location of the work-in-progress and the identification information of the tag, and the location of each device for subjecting the work-in-progress to each process included in the job; a display control means for displaying information regarding which process in the job the work in progress belongs to for each order information or product information; A program that makes a computer function as a

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