Information processing apparatus, display method, and program

Abstract

To prevent a situation in which the number of recording media having attributes corresponding to a print job required for the print job is not prepared at the start of the print job.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises: means for obtaining a carrying-out time at which the recording media having attributes corresponding to the print job should be carried out from a storage location on the basis of the preparation time required to carry out the recording media having the attributes from the storage location and replenish a sheet feed tray, and the execution start time in a case where there is a print job planned to be executed by an image forming apparatus and predicted that the number of recording media having the attributes and required for the print job is not prepared in the sheet feed tray of the image forming apparatus or in the sheet feed tray connected to the image forming apparatus at the start of execution; and display control means for displaying a display object indicating the obtained carrying-out time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a display method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In commercial printing, processes from "order placement" to "printing process" are managed and visualized using printing workflow software. Furthermore, the status of online post-processing machines connected to a network is also managed and visualized by collecting information via the network. Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for managing information on paper feed trays in a printing device and correctly feeding each type of paper into the printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-138304 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In printing factories, image forming devices print on recording media with a variety of attributes. That is, the attributes of the recording media corresponding to each print job executed by each image forming device vary for each print job. Therefore, before each print job begins, it is necessary to prepare the required number of sheets of paper with the attributes corresponding to the print job in a paper feed tray. However, if the recording media with the desired attributes are stored in a storage location away from the image forming device, the time required to transport them from the storage location to the image forming device can be long, resulting in delays in such preparation. In other words, an operator may be late in recognizing that recording media with the corresponding attributes need to be transported from the storage location for a certain print job, which can delay the start of the print job. This can result in downtime when the image forming device is not operating, reducing productivity.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to prevent the number of recording media having attributes corresponding to a print job required for the print job from being not prepared at the start of the print job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device that includes: a means for acquiring an ejection time for a recording medium having an attribute to be removed from a storage location based on the preparation time required to remove the recording medium having the attribute from the storage location and replenish the paper feed tray and the start time of the execution, when there is a print job that is planned to be started by an image forming device, and it is predicted that the number of recording media having the attribute corresponding to the print job required for the print job will not be prepared in a paper feed tray of the image forming device or a paper feed tray connected to the image forming device at the start of the execution; and a display control means for displaying a display object indicating the acquired ejection time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the number of recording media having attributes corresponding to a print job required for the print job is not prepared at the start of the print job. [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] 1 is a software configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] Print job management screen of the print workflow application [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print job information table stored in print job information data. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a product information table stored in print job information data. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a location management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tag reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal included in the mobile system of the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an item table, a location table, a reader table, a user table, a movement amount table, and a tag detection table according to this embodiment; [Figure 12] 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 13] Figure showing the factory layout screen of the print flow application [Figure 14] Diagram showing the database for the print flow application [Figure 15] Flowchart of the delivery time display method according to the first embodiment [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an inventory table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 shows a paper registration system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] Flowchart of a method for displaying delivery time according to a second embodiment [Figure 19] A conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the remaining number, the required number, and the number of supplementary sheets according to the present embodiment. [Figure 20] Flowchart of a method for displaying delivery time according to a third embodiment [Figure 21] Flowchart of a method for displaying a delivery time according to a fourth embodiment BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT 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 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] The system of this embodiment includes an information processing device 101, a printer (also referred to as an "image forming device") 102, a post-processing device 103, a position management system 700, a process management system 1200, and a paper registration system 1701. The information processing device 101, the printer 102, the position management system 700, and the process management system 1200 are connected to one another via a network 100. The position management system 700 and the process management system 1200 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 12. The printer 102 analyzes print data transmitted from the information processing device 101 or the like, converts it into a dot image for printing, page by page. The printed matter output from the printer 102 (printed on a recording medium such as paper) 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). 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 have been handed over. It is also possible to use multiple post-processing devices to bind and then cut the printed materials. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates one information processing device 101, one printer 102, and one post-processing device 103, any number of each device may be provided. For example, printed materials output by multiple printers may be processed by multiple post-processing devices 103.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 101. As shown in FIG.

[0013] A processor 201 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executes various control processes by reading and executing control programs stored in a ROM 202 or 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. A hard disk drive (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 addition to the HDD.

[0014] The keyboard 205 is an input device that functions as an instruction input unit, and issues control command instructions, text input, etc. to applications (described later). The pointing device 206 is another input device that functions as an instruction input unit, and issues control command instructions to applications (described later).

[0015] The display 207 is an output device that functions as a display unit, and displays commands input from 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 uses the network I / F 208 to send and receive various types of information to and from other devices on the network.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the information processing device 101.

[0017] The print workflow application 301 is a program module that is installed on the HDD 204 of the information processing apparatus 101, loaded into the RAM 203 at the time of execution, and read and executed by the processor 201.

[0018] The print workflow application 301 includes a UI unit 302 , a print job management unit 303 , a print job control unit 304 , a print processing unit 305 , and a device management unit 306 .

[0019] The UI unit 302 constructs a graphical user interface (GUI) and receives various input operations from the user, and issues instructions to execute the corresponding processes.

[0020] The print job management unit 303 accesses print job information data 307 (described later) and executes reference to various information of the print job that the print workflow application 301 transmits to the printer 102 .

[0021] A print job control unit 304 controls the execution of various functions (such as sending, editing, and deleting a print job) for a print job in the print workflow application 301.

[0022] In response to a print job transmission instruction received from the print job control unit 304, the print processing unit 305 transmits the content data and job ticket data of the print job to the printer.

[0023] The device management unit 306 manages various information (such as an identification name and address) of the printer 102 to which the print workflow application 301 sends a print job.

[0024] The print job information data 307 is a database that manages information related to print jobs (print job information table 501 (see FIG. 5) and product information table 601 (see FIG. 6)) that will be described later. The print job information table 501 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5. The product information table 601 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0025] The print workflow application 301 is installed in the HDD 204 of the information processing device 101 and operates on the information processing device 101. However, it may be configured on the cloud and provided as a cloud service by being accessed from a web browser of the information processing device 101. Furthermore, the print job information data 307 may be stored on the HDD 204 of the information processing device 101, but may also be stored in another information processing device connected via a network (such as a database server (including on the cloud)).

[0026] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed by the print workflow application 301. FIG.

[0027] FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a print job management screen 401 displayed by the display control method of the print workflow application 301. As shown in FIG.

[0028] When a user instructs the information processing device 101 to execute the print workflow application 301 via the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206, the processor 201 loads the program into the RAM 203, reads it, and executes it. This starts the print workflow application 301. When the print workflow application 301 starts, the UI unit 302 displays a print job management screen 401 as shown in FIG. 4 on the display 207. Here, the print job management screen 401 may be displayed by the print workflow application 301. Alternatively, the print job management screen 401 may be displayed based on data obtained by a web browser on the information processing device 101 accessing a cloud service.

[0029] The function menu 402 is a menu of functions that can be executed on the print job management screen 401. A print button 403 and a delete button 405 are arranged in the function menu 402. The print button 403 is a button for issuing a print instruction for a print job (an instruction for actual printing). The delete button 405 is a button for issuing an instruction to delete a print job. Note that the function menu 402 may also be provided with an edit button or the like for issuing an instruction to edit a print job.

[0030] The print job list 406 is a list that displays a list of print jobs managed by the print workflow application 301. The print workflow application 301 accesses print job information stored in print job information data 307 via the print job management unit 303 and displays the print jobs to be printed in the print job list 406. The user selects a print job displayed in the print job list 406 with the pointing device 206 or the like, and issues a print instruction, a delete instruction, an edit instruction, or the like to the print job by pressing a function button arranged in the function menu 402.

[0031] The device list 407 is a list that uses icons to indicate the printers 102 that are managed as output destinations by the print workflow application 301. The print workflow application 301 acquires, via the device management unit 306, information about the printers 102 that are communicably connected to the information processing device 101 via the network 100 or the like, and displays the information in the device list 407.

[0032] FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a print job management screen 408 displayed by the display control method of the print workflow application 301. As shown in FIG.

[0033] The print job management screen 408 is a print job timeline screen displayed by the print workflow application 301. The print job management screen 408 displays the time period in which each job is executed for each printing device (printer), allowing the user to check this.

[0034] The time display area 409 displays the time managed by the print workflow application 301. The user can change the time scale by pressing the enlargement and reduction buttons with + and - marks arranged in the time display area 409. In addition, by operating the time display area 409 with the pointing device 206, the displayed time period can be moved to the past or future.

[0035] The device display area 410 displays a list of icons of printers 102 managed as output destinations by the print workflow application 301. The print workflow application 301 acquires information about the printers 102 communicably connected to the information processing device 101 via the network 100 or the like via the device management unit 306, and displays the information in the device display area 410. In the device display area 410, one device is displayed in one line.

[0036] The job display area 411 shows the operation schedule for each device. Jobs are represented by a strip-shaped rectangle with the print start time (also called the "execution start time") of each job on the left and the print end time (also called the "execution end time") on the right. The job ID and product name are displayed inside the rectangle. More display items may be displayed as job information. Further job information may also be displayed as a tooltip that is displayed only when the cursor is placed over it. The print workflow application 301 obtains the scheduled start time and scheduled end time of each print job executed by each printer from the process management system 1200. The process management system 1200 has the function of planning and managing the scheduled start time and scheduled end time of each print job executed by each printer.

[0037] The scheduled paper transport time display bar 412 indicates the latest time when the user should start transporting the paper for the device in question to change the paper. In other words, it displays the latest time (removal time) when the user should remove the paper stack containing the paper from the storage location.

[0038] The paper change time display bar 413 indicates the time when the user should start changing the paper for the device. In other words, it indicates the time when the user should load (prepare) paper into the paper feed tray of the printer 102 or a paper feed tray connected to the printer 102. As shown in Fig. 4(b), the position of the paper change time display bar 413 coincides with the start time of the job execution.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the print job management screen 408 is displayed in a job timeline format. That is, for each printer, a job display area 411 showing each job is displayed in a band shape so that the job's execution start time and execution end time can be seen. The user can confirm the job's execution start time and execution end time by referring to the time along the horizontal axis displayed on the screen. The user can recognize the scheduled paper transport time from the relationship between the horizontal position of the scheduled paper transport time display bar 412 and the time along the horizontal axis displayed on the screen. The user can also recognize the paper replacement time from the relationship between the horizontal position of the paper replacement time display bar 413 and the time along the horizontal axis displayed on the screen. This type of job timeline display is an example of a graphical timetable. These are arranged vertically for multiple printers.

[0040] Each object displayed on a screen such as print job management screen 408 is generally referred to as a display object. For example, the icons of each printer displayed in device display area 410 are display objects. Job display area 411 is also a display object. Furthermore, scheduled paper transport time display bar 412 and paper replacement time display bar 413 are also display objects. If a character string indicating the scheduled paper transport time is displayed on print job management screen 408, then that character string is also a display object. If a character string indicating the paper replacement time is displayed on print job management screen 408, then that character string is also a display object.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a print job information table 501 stored in the print job information data 307. As shown in FIG.

[0042] In the example shown in FIG. 5, print job information table 501 has fields for job ID, order number, deliverable number, product name, number of copies, content name, order date, and scheduled shipping date. The product name is a value linked to detailed print setting (print attribute) information defined in product information table 601 shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later. The content name is link information to a file name that will be the content data used when printing the print job. The print job identified by the job ID shown in FIG. 5 is a print job submitted from an external information processing device. In other words, the print jobs shown in FIG. 5 include jobs that are currently being printed by the printer and jobs that are scheduled to be printed by the printer in the future. The print job information table 501 shown in FIG. 5 is a table for managing these print jobs.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a product information table 601 stored in the print job information data 307. As shown in FIG.

[0044] The product information table 601 defines detailed settings related to printing (output paper size, finished size, paper type, orientation, single-sided / double-sided, stapling, punching, folding, binding, saddle stitching, trimming, lamination, and paper output destination). The product information table 601 is created in advance by an installer such as a system engineer when the print workflow application 301 is installed, in accordance with the order details of the print materials handled by the print workflow application 301. The print job management unit 303 retrieves detailed print settings from the product information table 601 using the product name described in the print job information table 501 as a key. For example, if the product name is "saddle stitched imposed_A4_double-sided_landscape," the print job management unit 303 retrieves the following settings: Output paper size "320 x 450" Paper type: "High-quality paper" Single / double "double-sided" Bookbinding "ON" Saddle stitching "ON" Cutting "ON" Laminate "ON" The output paper size and paper type represent paper attributes.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a location management system 700 according to the present disclosure. The location management system 700 is a system that manages item data in a database. The location management system 700 includes location tags 707 installed at each location, item tags 709a and 709b attached to items, at least one tag reader 705b, a mobile system 714, and a management server 701. The location management system 700 may be considered to include an information processing device 101. The mobile system 714, the tag reader 705b, the management server 701, and the information processing device 101 are connected to a network 100. The network 100 may be a wired network, a wireless network, or any combination thereof. Examples of the network 100 include the Internet, an intranet, an intranet, and a cloud network.

[0046] Location tag 707 is a wireless device installed at each location where tag reader 705 may store an item in location management system 700, and has unique tag identification information (hereinafter referred to as tag ID) 708 embedded in the tag. The installation location of location tag 707 may be fixed or may be changeable at each location.

[0047] The item tags 709a and 709b are wireless devices attached to each item managed by the position management system 700, and each tag has unique tag identification information (hereinafter, tag ID) 710a and 710b embedded therein. As an example of linking a job and the item tags 709a and 709b, FIG. 7 shows an example in which the item tag 709a is attached to a returnable box 711a that stores the job when it is moved between each work process, and an example in which the item tag 709b is attached to a work instruction sheet 711b that issues work instructions. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. Here, when items with item tags 709a and 709n attached, such as the returnable box 711a and the work instruction sheet 711b, are transported by a reader or moved automatically, the item tags 709a and 709b also move along with the items.

[0048] In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the item tags 709a and 709b, the alphabet at the end of the reference numeral will be omitted and they will be collectively referred to as the item tag 709. The same applies to the tag readers 705 (705a, 705b), tag IDs 710 (710a, 710b), items 711 (711a, 711b), and other subsequent elements.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the tags, such as the location tag 707 and the item tag 709, is assumed to be a passive RFID tag (passive tag). A passive tag includes a small IC (Integrated Circuit) chip with built-in memory and an antenna, and stores identification information and other information for identifying the tag in the memory. In this embodiment, the identification information is simply referred to as an ID, and the identification information for identifying the tag is also referred to as a tag ID. Note that the tag ID may also be considered as information for identifying the object to which the tag is attached. The IC chip of the passive tag operates using electromagnetic wave energy emitted from a tag reader and generates an information signal by modulating the tag ID and other information stored in the memory. The generated information signal is transmitted (returned) from the antenna.

[0050] 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 a reader 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.

[0051] The portable system 714 includes at least a tag reader 705a. The tag reader 705a is a reading device capable of reading information stored in a wireless device such as an RFID tag. The tag reader 705 can detect an item 711, for example, by reading a tag ID 710 from an item tag 709 attached to the item 711. The tag reader 705 performs reading periodically or in response to some trigger such as a user operation, and transmits the tag reading result to the management server 701. The tag reader 705 may be capable of communicating directly with the management server 701, or may be capable of communicating indirectly with the management server 701 via some relay device (for example, a user terminal 706 described later). An example of a specific configuration of the tag reader 705 will be described further below.

[0052] 7, the mobile system 714 further includes a user terminal 706. The user terminal 706 may be any type of terminal device or information processing device, such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, a smartphone, or a smartwatch. The user terminal 706 may be used for interaction with the user 704 via the location management system 700. An example of a specific configuration of the user terminal 706 will be described further below.

[0053] The management server 701 is an information processing device that manages, in a database, status, location information, and other information related to the inspection of multiple items 711. The management server 701 may be implemented as an application server, database server, or cloud server using, for example, a high-performance general-purpose computer. The management server 701 receives tag reading results from the tag reader 705 and updates the database based on the received tag reading results.

[0054] 7 shows a single management server 701, the functions of the management server 701, which will be described in detail later, may be provided by a single device, or may be provided by multiple physically separate devices working together. Also, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the management server 701 holds the database, but a device separate from the management server 701 may hold part or all of the database. For example, some of the data may be held by a wireless device (e.g., a location tag or an item tag), a tag reader 705, or a user terminal 706.

[0055] 7 shows an example in which portable system 714 includes tag reader 705a and user terminal 706, which are separate devices. However, portable system 714 is not limited to this example. For example, tag reader 705a may have some or all of the functions of user terminal 706, which will be described later, and user terminal 706 may have some or all of the functions of tag reader 705a, which will be described later. Furthermore, the functions of management server 701 described in this embodiment may be implemented in user terminal 706.

[0056] 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of tag reader 705 in the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, tag reader 705 includes a control unit 801, a storage unit 802, a communication unit 803, a measurement unit 804, an operation unit 805, and a reading unit 806.

[0057] The control unit 801 includes a memory for storing a computer program and one or more processors (e.g., a CPU) for executing the computer program. The control unit 801 controls the overall functions of the tag reader 705 according to this embodiment. For example, the control unit 801 causes the reading unit 806 to read an RFID tag 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 80. In addition, the control unit 801 causes the measurement unit 804 to measure the position of the tag reader 705 in parallel with reading the RFID tag, and stores the measurement result in the memory unit 802. The control unit 801 then transmits the read result data and measurement result data stored in the memory unit 802 to the management server 701 via the communication unit 803, together with the reader identification information (also referred to as a reader ID) of the own device.

[0058] The storage unit 802 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 705.

[0059] The communication unit 803 is a communication interface for the tag reader 705 to communicate with the management server 701. For example, the communication unit 803 may be a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) interface for communicating with a WLAN access point, or a cellular communication interface for communicating with a cellular base station. The communication unit 803 may also be a connection interface for connecting to a relay device (for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface).

[0060] The measurement unit 804 is a unit capable of measuring the position of the tag reader 705. In this embodiment, the measurement unit 804 measures the relative movement amount of the tag reader 705 from a certain reference position using a self-position estimation technology also known as PDR (Pedestrian Dead Reckoning), and outputs the measured movement amount to the control unit 801. The reference position for measuring the relative movement amount may be, for example, the position of the tag reader 705 at the time the tag reader 705 is activated. The relative movement amount of the tag reader 705 may be treated as a relative position. For example, the measurement unit 804 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor 804a, a gyro sensor 804b, and a geomagnetic sensor 804c. The three-axis acceleration sensor 804a measures the acceleration applied to the tag reader 705 in a device coordinate system specific to the tag reader 705, and outputs first sensor data. The gyro sensor 804b measures the angular velocity of the tag reader 705, i.e., the change in the attitude of the tag reader 705, and outputs second sensor data. The geomagnetic sensor 804c measures the orientation of the tag reader 705 in real space, and outputs third sensor data. Based on the sensor data from these sensors, the measurement unit 804 can measure the relative movement amount of the tag reader 705 by accumulating the acceleration while converting the direction of the acceleration of the tag reader 705 into a direction in a coordinate system of real space. The relative movement amount output from the measurement unit 804 to the control unit 801 may be a two-dimensional vector in a horizontal plane, or may be a three-dimensional vector that also includes a component in the height direction.

[0061] As will be described later, in this embodiment, the location coordinates of the installation location of each location tag 707 are known and registered in a database. Therefore, the current absolute location (position coordinates) of the tag reader 705 can be estimated based on the relative movement amount from the time when the tag reader 705 detected a certain location tag 707 to the current time and the known location coordinates of the location tag 707. In this embodiment, an example in which the management server 701 estimates the absolute location of the tag reader 705 will be mainly described. However, the control unit 801 or the measurement unit 804 of the tag reader 705 may access a database to estimate the absolute location of the tag reader 705. In another embodiment, the measurement unit 804 may measure the current geographical location of the tag reader 705 using a GPS (Global Positioning System). In still another embodiment, the measurement unit 804 may perform base station positioning or wireless LAN positioning to estimate the current location using the known location coordinates of the connected base station or wireless LAN access point.

[0062] Note that instead of tag reader 705 including measurement unit 804, portable system 714 may include a measurement device separate from tag reader 705 (for example, capable of measuring the amount of relative movement using a self-location estimation technique).

[0063] The operation unit 805 accepts operations by the user 704. The operation unit 805 includes, for example, a physical input device such as a button, switch, or lever arranged on the housing of the tag reader 705. The operation unit 805 accepts operations by the user 704 via the input device and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 801. The operation unit 805 may also include an audio input interface such as a microphone.

[0064] The reading unit 806 is a unit capable of reading information stored in each of the position tags 707 and item tags 709 managed by the position management system 700. Referring to FIG. 8 , the reading unit 806 includes an RF controller 807, a power amplifier 808, a filter 809, a first coupler 810, a second coupler 811, an antenna 812, a power detection unit 813, and a canceller 814. The RF controller 807 outputs a transmission signal (e.g., a signal modulated in the UHF band) from its TX terminal to the power amplifier 808 under the control of the control unit 801. The power amplifier 808 amplifies the transmission signal input from the RF controller 807 and outputs it to the filter 809. The amplification factor of the transmission signal here may be variably controllable; the higher the amplification factor, the stronger the output intensity of the electromagnetic waves radiated from the tag reader 705. The filter 809 may be, for example, a low-pass filter, which removes unnecessary frequency components from the transmission signal amplified by the power amplifier 808. The first coupler 810 distributes the transmission signal that has passed through the filter 809 to the coupler 811 and the power detection unit 813. The second coupler 811 outputs the transmission signal input from the first coupler 810 to the antenna 812, and outputs the received signal input from the antenna 812 to the RF controller 807. The antenna 812 transmits the transmission signal input from the coupler 811 into the air as an electromagnetic wave. The antenna 812 also receives a signal returned from an RFID tag present within the reading range of the tag reader 705 in response to the transmission signal, and outputs the received signal to the coupler 811. As an example, the antenna 812 may be an omnidirectional antenna. As another example, the antenna 812 may be a directional antenna whose beam direction can be variably controlled. The power detection unit 813 detects the power level of the signal input from the first coupler 810 and outputs a signal RF_DETECT indicating the detected power level to the control unit 801. The canceller 814 receives a signal CARRIER_CANCEL indicating the power level of the carrier wave from the control unit 801. Then, the canceller 814 extracts a desired signal component of the received signal to be output to the RX terminal of the RF controller 807 by canceling the carrier wave component of the transmitted signal based on the CARRIER_CANCEL.The RF controller 807 demodulates the signal input from the RX terminal, acquires the tag ID and other information returned from the RFID tag, and outputs the acquired information to the control unit 801. The RF controller 807 also measures the reception level (also called reception intensity) of the signal input from the RX terminal, and outputs the measurement result to the control unit 801.

[0065] 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 706 included in a mobile system 714 according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, the user terminal 706 includes a control unit 901, a storage unit 902, a communication unit 903, an image capturing unit 904, an operation unit 905, a display unit 906, an audio output unit 907, and a vibration unit 908.

[0066] The control unit 901 includes a memory for storing computer programs and one or more processors for executing the computer programs. The processor may be a CPU or an IC (Integrated Circuit) such as a microcontroller (e.g., a single-chip microcomputer). The control unit 901 may include a timer circuit or a software timer for measuring time. The control unit 901 controls the overall functions of the user terminal 706 according to this embodiment. For example, when the location of an item 711 is inspected in the location management system 1, the control unit 901 causes the display unit 906 to display a screen displaying the current location of the portable system 714 and the locations of surrounding items. The location of the item to be inspected is indicated on this screen, and the user 704 is guided to the location of the item. Some examples of screens for guiding the user 704 to the location of the item will be further described below.

[0067] The storage unit 902 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 902 temporarily stores, for example, a map image and location information (of the mobile system 714 and the item 711) received from the management server 701 (described later) for on-screen display.

[0068] The communication unit 903 is a communication interface for the user terminal 706 to communicate with the management server 701. For example, the communication unit 903 may be a WLAN interface or a cellular communication interface. Although not shown in FIG. 9, the user terminal 706 may further include a connection interface (for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface or a USB interface) for connecting to a peripheral device.

[0069] The photographing unit 904 is a so-called camera unit that photographs the state of the real space and generates image data of a still image or a video. The photographing unit 904 outputs the generated image data to the control unit 901. For example, the image data generated by the photographing unit 904 may be used for optical character recognition or for reading visible codes such as barcodes or QR codes (registered trademark).

[0070] The operation unit 905 accepts operations and information input by the user 704. The operation unit 905 includes input devices such as a touch sensor, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, or a pointing device. The operation unit 905 accepts operations by the user 704 via the input devices and outputs operation signals to the control unit 901. The operation unit 905 may further include other types of input devices, such as a voice input interface like a microphone or a sensor that detects vibrations.

[0071] The display unit 906 displays images and information. The display unit 906 may be, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode). The audio output unit 907 outputs audio. The audio output unit 907 may be, for example, a speaker. The vibration unit 908 vibrates the user terminal 706. The vibration unit 908 may be, for example, a vibrator including an eccentric motor. One or more of the display unit 906, the audio output unit 907, and the vibration unit 908 may function as an alarm unit 909 that notifies the user 704. Although not shown in FIG. 9 , a notification function similar to the above-mentioned alarm unit 909 may be provided in the tag reader 705.

[0072] 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 701 in the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 10, the management server 701 includes a communication unit 1003, an item database (DB) 1001, and a management unit 1002.

[0073] The communication unit 1003 is a communication interface that allows the management server 701 to communicate with other devices. The communication unit 1003 may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In this embodiment, the communication unit 1003 communicates with the mobile system 714 (e.g., one or both of the tag reader 705a and the user terminal 706). The item DB 1001 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 1001 includes an item table 1004, a location table 1005, a reader table 1006, a user table 1007, a movement amount table 1008, and a tag detection table 1009. The management unit 1002 is a collection of multiple software modules that provide management functions for managing data in the item DB 1001. Each software module may be operated by one or more processors (not shown) of the management server 701 executing a computer program stored in a memory (not shown). In this embodiment, the management unit 1002 includes a position estimation unit 1011 .

[0074] 11(a) to 11(f) show examples of the configurations of an item table 1004, a location table 1005, a reader table 1006, a user table 1007, a movement amount table 1008, and a tag detection table 1009 of the item DB 1001, respectively.

[0075] The item table 1004 has six data items: tag ID 1111, item ID 1112, item name 1113, type 1114, location ID 1115, and coordinates 1116. The tag ID 1111 is identification information that uniquely identifies the item tag 709 attached to each item 711 under the management of the system. The value of the tag ID 1111 is the same as the value of the tag ID stored internally in the corresponding item tag 709. The item ID 1112 is identification information that uniquely identifies each item 711. The item name 1113 indicates the name of each item 711. The type 1114 indicates the type into which each item 711 is classified. The values of the item name 1113 and type 1114 of each item 711 may be determined by the user and registered in advance via a user interface provided by the management unit 1002. Alternatively, the values of the item name 1113 and type 1114 may be stored in the item tag 709 as item-related information and read by the tag reader 705. In the latter case, the management server 701 may receive the values of the item name 1113 and type 1114 of each item 711 from the tag reader 705 in response to the initial tag reading from the item tag 709 of that item 711, and register them in the item table 1004. The location ID 1115 indicates the location where each item 711 was last detected by the tag reader 705 using a location ID that identifies that location. The coordinates 1116 indicate the location coordinates of a point where each item 711 is estimated to be located. The values of the location ID 1115 and the coordinates 1116 may be updated by the location estimation unit 1011 when movement of the item is detected by the tag reader 705, as will be described later.

[0076] The location table 1005 has six data items: tag ID 1121, location ID 1122, location name 1123, coordinates 1124, map image 1125, and scale 1126. The tag ID 1121 is identification information that uniquely identifies the location tag 707 installed at each location 712 under the management of the system. The value of the tag ID 1121 is the same as the tag ID value stored internally in the corresponding location tag 707. The location ID 1122 is identification information that uniquely identifies each location 712. The location name 1123 represents the name of each location 712. The coordinates 1124 represent the location coordinates of the installation location of the location tag 707 installed at each location 712. The map image 1125 is a data item in which map image data of each location 712 is stored. The scale 1126 indicates a ratio for converting a distance on the map of the map image 1125 into a distance in real space (for example, how many meters one pixel of the image corresponds to in real space). Note that the map image data stored in the map image 1125 may be acquired from an external data source or uploaded by the user and updated as needed.

[0077] The reader table 1006 has three data items: a reader ID 1131, a reader name 1132, and a user ID 1133. The reader ID 1131 is identification information that uniquely identifies each tag reader 705 used in the system. The reader name 1132 indicates the name of each reader. The user ID 1133 indicates the user 704 who uses the tag reader 705 by the value of the user ID 1141 in the user table 1007.

[0078] The user table 1004 has two data items: a user ID 1141 and a user name 1142. The user ID 1141 is identification information that uniquely identifies each user 704 who uses the location management system 700. The user name 1142 indicates the name of each user. Although not shown in FIG. 11(d), the user table 1004 may further include authentication information (e.g., a password) used when each user 704 logs in to the system.

[0079] The movement amount table 1008 is a table for storing records of measurement result data received from the tag reader 705 (hereinafter referred to as measurement result records). The movement amount table 1008 has three data items: measurement time 1151, reader ID 1152, and movement amount 1153. The measurement time 1151 indicates the time when measurement was performed for the measurement result indicated by each measurement result record. The reader ID 1152 is identification information that identifies the tag reader 705 that performed the measurement for the measurement result indicated by each measurement result record. The movement amount 1153 indicates the relative movement amount as a measurement result. Here, the movement amount 1153 indicates the relative movement amount in the form of a two-dimensional vector in a coordinate system of real space.

[0080] The tag detection table 1009 is a table for storing records of read result data received from the tag reader 705 (hereinafter referred to as read result records). The tag detection table 1009 has five data items: read time 1161, tag ID 1162, reader ID 1163, reception level 1164, and detection position 1165. The read time 1161 indicates the time when the tag ID was read for each read result record. The tag ID 1162 indicates the tag ID read for each read result record. The reader ID 1163 is identification information that identifies the tag reader 705 that read the tag for each read result record. The reception level 1164 indicates the reception level of the signal received by the tag reader 705 when reading the tag for each read result record. The detection position 1165 represents the position coordinates of the location where the tag reader 705 was located when tag reading from the item tag 709 was performed (ie, the detection position of the item tag 709 and the corresponding item 711).

[0081] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a process control system 1200 according to the present disclosure.

[0082] The process management system 1200 is a system that generates a process management screen in response to a screen request received from a web browser on the information processing device 101. Here, the process management screen is a screen that displays information about the printers 102 and post-processing devices 103 within the area of the printing factory, as well as the processes performed by each device.

[0083] The process control system 1200 includes a process control UI 1201, a process control service 1202, a process database (DB) 1203, a job control service 1206, and a job database (DB) 1207. The process DB 1203 includes a job table 1204 and a process position table 1205, and the job DB 1207 includes a job status table 1208.

[0084] When the process management UI 1201 receives a screen request from the information processing device 101, it generates a process management screen based on information collected by the process management service 1202 and transmits it to the information processing device 101. In response to the request from the process management UI 1201, the process management service 1202 obtains information from the location management system 700, the job management service 1206, and the process DB 1203 and transmits the information to the process management UI 1201.

[0085] The job table 1204 has fields for each print job, such as a print job ID, job name, destination printer ID, paper ID, execution start time, and execution end time. The print job management screen 408 described above may be generated by the process management UI 1201 via the process management service 1202 based on the data stored in the job table 1204. In this case, the HTML document for displaying the print job management screen 408 includes a description for indicating the expected paper transport time display bar 412 indicating the carry-out time calculated by the information processing apparatus 101. For example, a script for indicating the expected paper transport time display bar 412 indicating the carry-out time calculated by the information processing apparatus 101 may be called from the HTML document for displaying the print job management screen 408 and executed by the information processing apparatus 101. Note that such a script may be stored in the information processing apparatus 101 or in another device, as long as it can be specified by a URL. The HTML document for displaying the print job management screen 408 may itself include a script for displaying the expected paper transport time display bar 412 indicating the transport time determined by the information processing apparatus 101 .

[0086] The process management UI 1201 may transmit information for configuring the print job management screen 408 to the information processing apparatus 101 , and the print workflow application 301 may generate the print job management screen 408 in the information processing apparatus 101 .

[0087] The process location table 1205 is a table that manages each process 1321 within the printing factory area and the coordinate information for each process. This table defines the coordinate information for each process in advance, indicating where each process is located within the printing factory area. The process management service 1202 acquires tag ID information 1111 and its coordinates 1116 detected by a tag reader (not shown) for each process from the item table 1004 of the management server 701. The process within the printing factory area where the tag having tag ID 710 is located is identified based on the acquired tag ID coordinates 1116 and the information on the coordinates of each process in the process location table 1205. This identifies the process location of the item 711 and printed matter tagged with tag ID 710. Here, the following method, for example, may be used to identify the process. That is, the distance between the coordinates of each process described in the process location table 1205 and the tag ID coordinates 1116 may be calculated, and if there is a process where the distance is less than a threshold, it may be determined that the item 711 and printed matter are located at that process location. Alternatively, the coordinates of the process position table 1205 can be specified as a rectangular area defined by (X1, Y1) to (X11, Y11), and if the coordinates 1116 of the detected tag ID are within that area, it can be determined that the item 711 and printed matter are present in that process.

[0088] The job status table 1208 is a table for managing job IDs and job statuses. A job with a job status of "production completed" indicates that all processes have been completed. A job with a job status of "print completed" indicates that printing has been completed and that the job is being processed in an offline process.

[0089] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a factory management screen of the print workflow application 301.

[0090] 13(a) is a diagram showing the screen that appears when the first floor is selected on the factory management screen. This diagram shows a schematic representation of the layout of equipment such as printers, paper cutters, and laminators, as well as fixtures such as paper shelves and work tables in an actual factory.

[0091] When a user instructs the information processing apparatus 101 to execute the print workflow application 301 via the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206, the processor 201 loads the program into the RAM 203 and executes it. This starts the print workflow application 301. When the print workflow application 301 starts, the UI unit 302 displays a print job management screen as shown in Fig. 13 on the display 207. Here, the print job management screen may be displayed on the web browser on the information processing apparatus 101 by accessing a cloud service from the web browser.

[0092] The factory layout screen 1301 shows the layout screen of the factory in the print workflow application 301. The factory layout screen 1301 is configured based on a layout diagram of devices arranged in an actual factory and fixtures such as paper shelves and work tables. The position display section 1302 shows the name of the area of the factory currently being displayed. The area of the factory being displayed may be changed by selecting the position display section 1302 with the pointing device 206. The paper shelf display section 1303 represents the paper shelves arranged in the actual factory. By selecting the paper shelf display section 1303 with the pointing device 206, an inventory list may be displayed if there is stock of paper with the product tag 709 affixed that is stored on the corresponding paper shelf.

[0093] The printer display section 1304 represents a printing device located in a factory.

[0094] FIG. 13(b) shows the screen that appears when another floor is selected on the factory management screen.

[0095] The paper warehouse display section 1305 represents the paper warehouse located in the factory. By selecting the paper warehouse display section 1305 with the pointing device 206, an inventory list of paper with the product tag 709 affixed thereto and stored in the paper warehouse may be displayed.

[0096] In a paper storage location such as a paper shelf or paper warehouse, stacks of paper sheets are stored, which are to be printed when a printer executes a print job. Paper is usually prepared so that it can be supplied to the printer. "Prepared so that paper can be supplied" here means that paper is loaded in the printer's paper feed tray or in a paper feed tray connected to the printer, and the loaded paper can be supplied to the printer's image forming unit by a paper feed mechanism. When a paper shortage is predicted, the paper stack stored in the storage location is removed from the storage location, transported to the printer, and loaded in the paper feed tray. The time required to remove the paper stack from the storage location, transport it to the printer, and then load the paper from the paper stack into the paper feed tray is referred to as the preparation time.

[0097] FIG. 14 shows the database in this embodiment.

[0098] A preparation time database 1401 shown in FIG. 14(a) holds the preparation time for each combination of a printer and a storage location.

[0099] For example, the preparation time for the combination of a printer with the printer name iPRCxxxxx and a paper warehouse is 20 minutes, and the preparation time for the combination of a printer with the printer name iPRCxxxxx and paper shelf A is 10 minutes. The preparation time for the combination of a printer with the printer name iPRCxxxxx and paper shelf B is 13 minutes, and the preparation time for the combination of a printer with the printer name iPRCxxxxx and paper shelf C is 13 minutes. The preparation time for the combination of a printer with the printer name iPRxxxxx and each storage location is as shown in Figure 14(a). The preparation time for the combination of printer VPxxxxx and each storage location is also as shown in Figure 14(a).

[0100] These preparation times may be calculated based on the distance between the printers located in the factory and the storage location, or may be measured.

[0101] The priority database 1402 shown in Figure 14(b) indicates the priority order regarding which storage location a stack of paper is to be taken out from when paper is fed to each printer. For a printer with the printer name iPRCxxxxx, the priority order of paper shelf A is 1, the priority order of the paper warehouse is 2, the priority order of paper shelf B is 3, and the priority order of paper shelf C is 4. The priority order of each storage location for a printer with the printer name iPRxxxxx is as shown in Figure 14(b). The priority order of each storage location for printer VPxxxxx is also as shown in Figure 14(b).

[0102] The priority may be determined based on the distance between the printer and the storage location, work efficiency, or other criteria. In the example shown in Figure 14(b), the paper shelf closest to the printer is assigned a priority of 1. Also, for each printer, the paper warehouse is assigned a priority of 2.

[0103] When a new stack of sheets is stored in each storage location, the RF tag attached to the stack of sheets is read by a tag reader 705b installed in each storage location or by a tag reader 705a carried by the user. The RF tag holds information about the ID of the stack of sheets and the attributes and number of sheets contained in the stack of sheets, and the tag reader 705 reads this information. In addition, a flag indicating the arrival is set by a user operation or by another automatic detection method. The information read by the tag reader and the value of the flag are sent to the information processing device 101 and managed by the application 301.

[0104] Similarly, when a stack of sheets stored in each storage location is removed, the RF tag attached to the stack of sheets is read by tag reader 705b installed in each storage location or tag reader 705a carried by the user. Also, a flag indicating removal is set by user operation or other automatic detection method. The information read by the tag reader and the value of the flag are sent to information processing device 101 and managed by application 301.

[0105] These processes allow the application 301 to manage the paper stacks stored in each storage location, as will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0106] 15 is a diagram showing a method for drawing the scheduled paper transport time display bar 412 in the print workflow application 301. When the print workflow application 301 receives a command to draw the print job management screen 408, it executes S1501 to draw the scheduled paper transport time display bar 412. The following describes a case where job ID 006 of a printer with printer name iPRCxxxx is specified. Since the product name of job ID 0006 is "Saddle-stitched imposed_A4_double-sided_landscape," the paper type is high-quality paper and the output paper size is 320x450 according to the print job information table 501 shown in FIG. 5. The paper type and paper size are paper attributes.

[0107] S1501 is the start process of this method, and the print workflow application 301 immediately proceeds to S1502. In S1502, the print workflow application 301 acquires the paper tray status of the target printer having the printer name iPRCxxxx via the network 100, etc. Then, the print workflow application 301 checks whether a sufficient number of sheets of 320x450 size fine paper are prepared and ready to be fed to execute the print job having print job ID 0006. In other words, it checks whether the number of sheets of paper having attributes corresponding to the print job having print job ID 0006 required for that print job are prepared and ready to be fed to the printer having device name iPRCxxxxx at the start of execution of that job.

[0108] The print job with job ID 0006 is the next print job to be executed on the printer with printer name iPRCxxxx. The number of sheets required for the print job with print job ID 0006 is calculated from the number of copies (50) (Figure 4(a)) and the number of sheets required per copy (obtained from the print job).

[0109] The paper feed tray also has a function for measuring the height of the paper stack in the paper feed tray, and the printer has a function for calculating the number of sheets of paper stacked in the paper feed tray based on the height and the thickness of each sheet of paper. If no other print jobs are currently being executed using paper with the same attributes, the current number of sheets of paper stacked will be the number of sheets stacked at the start of the next print job. This number of sheets stacked will be the number of sheets prepared and available for supply to the printer. If another print job is currently being executed using paper with the same attributes, the number of sheets required for the currently executed job is subtracted from the number of sheets stacked at the start of the currently executed job. The number obtained by this subtraction will be the number of sheets stacked at the start of the next print job.

[0110] If paper has been fed (that is, if there are more sheets than are required for the next job), the application 301 advances the process to step S1511.

[0111] Otherwise (if paper needs to be fed), the application 301 advances the process to S1503.

[0112] In step S1503, the application 301 refers to the database 1402 and identifies paper shelf A as the storage location with the highest priority. The application 301 then checks whether paper shelf A contains a stack of the desired 320x450 size high-quality paper (i.e., paper having attributes corresponding to the next print job to be executed).

[0113] If there is a stack of paper sheets having the desired attributes in paper shelf A, the application 301 advances the process to S1504, and if not, advances the process to S1505.

[0114] In step S1504, the application 301 selects paper shelf A as the storage location from which the paper is to be transferred, and stores information indicating paper shelf A in a variable allocated in the RAM 203.

[0115] In S1505, the application 301 refers to the database 1402 and identifies the paper warehouse as the storage location with the second highest priority. It checks whether the paper warehouse contains the desired stack of fine paper of 320x450 size. If a stack of paper containing the number of elements required for job execution exists, the application 301 advances the process to S1506; otherwise, it advances the process to S1507. In step S1506, the application 301 selects the paper warehouse as the storage location from which the paper is to be sent, and stores information indicating the paper warehouse in a variable allocated in the RAM 203.

[0116] In step S1507, the application 301 refers to the database 1402 and identifies paper shelf B and paper shelf C as storage locations with the third and fourth priorities. It is then checked whether the desired 320x450 size fine paper is present on paper shelf B or paper shelf C.

[0117] If there is a sheet bundle containing more than the number of sheets having the attributes corresponding to the job required to execute the job, the process proceeds to S1508; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1509.

[0118] In step S1508, the application 301 selects the paper warehouse as the storage location from which the paper is to be transported, and stores information indicating the paper shelf that has the stock of the target paper in a variable allocated in the RAM 203.

[0119] In step S1509, the application 301 displays a warning message because the paper stock required to execute the job is not available, and reschedules the job. Here, rescheduling refers to processing such as delaying the start time of a job or changing the order of jobs.

[0120] In S1510, the application 301 retrieves from the preparation time database 1401 the preparation time corresponding to the combination of the printer identified by the printer name and the storage location selected as the source (determined by a variable allocated in RAM 203).Then, the application 301 calculates the removal time for the paper stack from the selected storage location based on the preparation time and the start time of the next job.In other words, it calculates the removal time as a time that is earlier than the start time of the job by the preparation time.The user must remove the paper stack from the selected storage location at the latest at the removal time, carry it to the printer, and load the sheets included in the paper stack into the paper feed tray.

[0121] In step S1511, the application 301 ends this method. This method is executed for each printer for each print job.

[0122] The method shown in Figure 15 is performed for each print job executed by each printer so that the paper is ready in time for the start time of the print job, even if the paper is stored in the storage location with the longest preparation time. For example, referring to Figure 4(b), a print job with job ID 0006 executed on a printer with printer name iPRCxxxxx starts at 14:00. Also, referring to Figure 14(a), the longest preparation time for the printer with iPRCxxxxx is 20 minutes. Therefore, the method shown in Figure 15 is performed for that print job before 13:40.

[0123] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the paper inventory database.

[0124] The paper inventory table 1601 stores the tag ID attached to each package of paper, the size of the paper, the type of paper, the basis weight of the paper, and the number of sheets of paper. Furthermore, the location of the tag ID obtained from the management server 701 is stored in association with the paper storage location.

[0125] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a paper registration system.

[0126] The paper registration system 1701 includes a UI unit 1702, an RFID reader 1703, a barcode reader 1704, a consumables database 1705, and a control unit 1706. The paper registration system 1701 associates tags 707 with paper stacks one-to-one and stores the information in the inventory database 1601. When a user operates the UI unit 1702, the control unit 1706 enters registration mode, putting the RFID reader 1703 and the barcode reader 1704 into a readable state. In this state, when the barcode reader 1704 reads the barcode attached to the consumables 1706, the control unit 1706 obtains the corresponding information from the consumables database. If the consumables 1706 are packaged paper, the size, type, basis weight, and quantity are obtained. In this embodiment, the consumables 1706 are packaged paper, but the present disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to toner, ink cartridges, etc.

[0127] Next, when RFID reader 1703 reads tag 707, the tag ID, size, type, basis weight, and quantity are registered in inventory database 1601. The user attaches tag 707 to consumables 1706 to integrate them. The user may integrate tag 707 with consumables 1706 in advance. This makes it possible to obtain the size, type, basis weight, and quantity of paper contained in a paper stack by referencing inventory database 1601.

[0128] According to the present embodiment, the system checks whether there is stock in the warehouse or paper shelves before paper runs out (a shortage of recording media). By taking transport time into consideration and issuing a notification to move a stack of paper from the paper warehouse or paper shelves before replacing the paper, printer downtime due to paper shortages can be reduced, and printer production efficiency can be improved.

[0129] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, the processing performed when the target printer does not have the required number of sheets of paper for the target print job differs from that of the first embodiment. Here, the target print job refers to the print job that will be executed first in the future, based on the current time. The number of sheets required for the target print job refers to the number of sheets (prints) required for the target print job for paper with the attributes specified in the target print job.

[0130] In the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, priority is assigned to storage locations. Then, the storage locations are checked in descending order of priority to see if they satisfy both the time condition and the number of sheets condition. If a storage location that satisfies both the time condition and the number of sheets condition is found, that storage location is determined as the source of the paper stack.

[0131] The time condition is that, for a storage location where it is possible to check whether the time condition is met, the time when the preparation time has elapsed from the current time is before the execution start time of the print job. In other words, for a storage location where it is possible to check whether the time condition is met, the current time is before the removal time (the time that is the preparation time before the execution start time of the print job).

[0132] The sheet count condition is that, for a storage location where the sheet count condition can be checked to see if it is met, the added number is equal to or greater than the number of sheets required for the print job that have the attributes corresponding to the print job. Here, the added number is the number obtained by adding the number of sheets that have the attributes corresponding to the print job and are contained in any of the stacks of sheets stored in that storage location to the remaining number of sheets. In the first embodiment, it was assumed that if a stack of sheets with the attributes corresponding to the print job exists in the storage location, that alone would be enough to secure the number of sheets required for the print job. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the remaining number of sheets, the number of sheets contained in the stack of sheets, and the number of sheets required for the print job are taken into consideration.

[0133] Here, the remaining number refers to the number of sheets that is currently being prepared for supply to the same printer if no other print job is currently being executed by the same printer on sheets with attributes corresponding to the next print job. In other words, in such a case, the remaining number refers to the number of sheets with the attribute that are currently being prepared for supply to the same printer. Here, the same printer refers to the printer on which the next print job will be executed.

[0134] Furthermore, the remaining number of sheets is the following number if another print job is currently being executed by the same printer on recording media having attributes corresponding to the print job to be executed next. In other words, in such a case, the remaining number of sheets is the number obtained by subtracting the number of sheets required for the other print job from the number of sheets of paper having the attribute that were prepared and available for supply to the same printer immediately before the other print job was started. Here, the same printer refers to the printer on which the next print job will be executed.

[0135] Referring to FIG. 18, first, in S1802, the application 301 determines whether the number of sheets required for the target print job has been prepared in the target printer. Here, the target print job is the print job to be executed next in the target printer. The required number of sheets is the number of sheets required to execute the target print job, and is calculated, for example, by multiplying the number of sheets per copy in the target print job by the number of copies. The number of sheets prepared in the target printer is the number of sheets currently stacked in the paper feed tray if another print job is not currently being printed on paper with the attributes specified in the target job using the same printer. Furthermore, if another print job is currently being printed on paper with the attributes specified in the target job using the same printer, the number of sheets prepared in the target printer is the following number: In other words, in such a case, the number of sheets prepared in the target printer is the number obtained by subtracting the number of sheets required for the other print job from the number of sheets stacked in the paper feed tray at the start of the other print job. The number of stacked sheets can be calculated, for example, by dividing the stack height by the thickness per sheet. Here, the same printer is the printer that will execute the next print job.

[0136] If the required number of sheets of paper for the target print job have been prepared in the target printer, the application 301 advances the process to S1816.

[0137] If the required number of sheets of paper for the target print job are not prepared in the target printer, the application 301 advances the process to S1803.

[0138] In step S1803, the application 301 determines whether a stack of sheets containing more than the required number of sheets exists in the storage location with the first priority. The required number of sheets is the number of sheets required to execute the target print job.

[0139] If the first-priority storage location contains a paper stack containing more than the required number of sheets, the application 301 proceeds to step S1804; otherwise, the application 301 proceeds to step S1807.

[0140] In S1804, the application 301 calculates the ejection time based on the preparation time corresponding to the combination of the target printer and the first priority storage location and the execution start time of the target print job (i.e., the print start time), and proceeds to S1805. The ejection time can be calculated by going back from the execution start time by the preparation time corresponding to the combination of the target printer and the first priority storage location.

[0141] In S1805, the application 301 determines whether the current time is past the unloading time obtained in S1804.

[0142] If the current time has not passed the unloading time obtained in S1804, the application 301 advances the process to S1806, otherwise, the application 301 advances the process to S1807.

[0143] In S1806, the application 301 selects the paper stack that exists in the storage location with the first priority, and proceeds to S1816.

[0144] In step S1807, the application 301 determines whether a stack of sheets containing more than the required number of sheets exists in the storage location with the second priority. The required number of sheets is the number of sheets required to execute the target print job.

[0145] If the second-priority storage location contains a paper stack containing more than the required number of sheets, the application 301 proceeds to step S1808; otherwise, the application 301 proceeds to step S1811.

[0146] In S1808, the application 301 calculates the ejection time based on the preparation time corresponding to the combination of the target printer and the second priority storage location and the execution start time of the target print job (i.e., the print start time), and proceeds to S1809. The ejection time can be calculated by going back from the execution start time by the preparation time corresponding to the combination of the target printer and the second priority storage location.

[0147] In S1809, the application 301 determines whether the current time is past the unloading time obtained in S1808.

[0148] If the current time has not passed the unloading time obtained in S1808, the application 301 proceeds to S1810; otherwise, the application 301 proceeds to S1811.

[0149] In S1810, the application 301 selects a sheet bundle that exists in the storage location with the second priority, and proceeds to S1816.

[0150] In step S18011, the application 301 determines whether the third-priority storage location contains a stack of paper sheets with a number equal to or greater than the required number of sheets. The required number of sheets is the number of sheets required to execute the target print job.

[0151] If the third-priority storage location contains a sheaf of sheets with a number of sheets greater than or equal to the required number, the application 301 proceeds to step S1812; otherwise, the application 301 proceeds to step S1815.

[0152] In S1812, the application 301 calculates the ejection time based on the preparation time corresponding to the combination of the target printer and the third priority storage location and the execution start time of the target print job (i.e., the print start time), and proceeds to S1813. The ejection time can be calculated by going back from the execution start time by the preparation time corresponding to the combination of the target printer and the third priority storage location.

[0153] In S1813, the application 301 determines whether the current time is past the unloading time obtained in S1812.

[0154] If the current time has not passed the unloading time obtained in S1812, the application 301 proceeds to S1814; otherwise, the application 301 proceeds to S1815.

[0155] In S1814, the application 301 selects a paper stack that exists in the storage location with the third priority, and advances the process to S1816.

[0156] In step S1815, the application 301 reschedules the print job. When rescheduling, the application 301 may, for example, replace the target job with another job or delay the start time of the target job.

[0157] In step S1816, the application 301 ends this method. This method is executed for each printer for each print job.

[0158] The method shown in FIG. 18 , like the method shown in FIG. 15 , may be performed for each print job executed by each printer at a time that allows the paper to be prepared in time for the start of the print job, even if the paper is stored in the storage location with the longest preparation time. In such a case, the determination results in S1805, S1809, and S1813 are always NO. In this case, the storage locations may be further prioritized in order of shortest preparation time. The order of shortest preparation time may be, for example, in order of closest distance from the printer. This allows the use of paper stored in a storage location with the shortest possible preparation time. In other words, it is possible to delay the scheduled paper feed time as much as possible while preventing the current time from passing the scheduled paper feed time.

[0159] Also, similar to the method shown in Fig. 15, the highest priority may be given to the paper shelf closest to the printer, the second priority to the paper warehouse, and third and subsequent priorities to other paper shelves, as shown in Fig. 14. This allows for operation in which paper on the paper shelf closest to the printer is normally used, paper in the paper warehouse is used when there is no paper on the paper shelf closest to the printer, and paper on other paper shelves is used in an emergency when there is no paper in the paper warehouse either.

[0160] The paper storehouse farthest from the printer may be given the highest priority, and the paper shelf closest to the printer may be given a second priority, so that the paper on the paper shelf closest to the printer can be used as emergency paper in case the paper storehouse runs out of paper.

[0161] In S1803, S1807, and S1811, it is determined whether a paper stack containing more than the required number of sheets exists in the target storage location. However, this is not limited to this. For example, if it is guaranteed that a paper stack always contains more than the required number of sheets, it may be determined in S1803, S1807, and S1811 whether a paper stack containing paper with the required attributes exists in the target storage location. In other words, it is not necessary to take the number of sheets of paper into consideration.

[0162] As described above, the method shown in FIG. 18, like the method shown in FIG. 15, may be performed at the following times for each print job executed by each printer. That is, the method shown in FIG. 18 may be performed at a time that allows paper to be prepared in time for the start time of the print job, even when paper stored in a storage location with the longest preparation time is used. The methods shown in FIGS. 15 and 18 may also be performed periodically (e.g., every minute). In these cases, as described above, the determination results in S1805, S1809, and S1813 will always be NO. Therefore, S1805, S1809, and S1813 may be omitted, and the process may always proceed from S1804, S1808, and S1812 to S1806, S1810, and S1814, respectively.

[0163] 18, for example, if there is a backup system that keeps a stack of paper ready at a storage location and the number-of-sheets condition is always met, then S1803, S1807, and S1811 will always return YES. Therefore, if the number-of-sheets condition is always met, S1803, S1807, and S1811 may be omitted. If S1802 returns NO, then the process may always proceed to S1804; if S1805 returns YES, then the process may always proceed to S1808; and if S1809 returns YES, then the process may always proceed to S1812.

[0164] 19 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method for determining the number of sheets of paper having attributes corresponding to the target job. Basically, the number of sheets of paper in the tray at the start of execution of the print job is compared with the number of sheets of paper required for the print job.

[0165] Let B1 be the number of remaining sheets at a certain point in time. Let A1 be the number of sheets required for the first target job. In this case, B1>A1 as shown in the figure, so there is no need to replenish paper.

[0166] When the execution of the first target job ends, the remaining number of sheets is B2 (= B1 - A1). Let A2 be the number of sheets required for the second target job. In this case, as shown in the figure, since B2 > A2, paper replenishment is not necessary.

[0167] When the execution of the second target job ends, the remaining number of sheets is B3 (B2 - A2). Let A3 be the number of sheets required for the third target job. In this case, as shown in the figure, since B3 < A3, paper replenishment is necessary.

[0168] When predicting the remaining number of sheets B3 at the time when the second target job ends while the second target job is currently being executed, the remaining number of sheets B3 may be obtained as follows. That is, the remaining number of sheets B3 may be obtained by subtracting the number of sheets A2 required for the second target job from the remaining number of sheets B2 at the time when the second target job starts.

[0169] By replenishing C sheets of paper, the remaining number of sheets becomes B3 + C. As shown in the figure, since B3 + C > A3, further paper replenishment is not necessary.

[0170] [Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, priorities are given to a plurality of storage locations. In contrast, the third embodiment is for the case where priorities are not given to a plurality of priorities. However, as will be described later, the third embodiment can also handle the case where priorities are given to a plurality of priorities.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 20, first, in S2002, the application 301 determines whether the number of sheets required for the target print job has been prepared in the target printer. Here, the target print job is the print job to be executed next in the target printer. The required number of sheets is the number of sheets required to execute the target print job, and is calculated, for example, by multiplying the number of sheets per copy in the target print job by the number of copies. The number of sheets prepared in the target printer is the number of sheets currently stacked in the paper feed tray if another print job is not currently being printed on paper with the attributes specified in the target job using the same printer. Furthermore, if another print job is currently being printed on paper with the attributes specified in the target job using the same printer, the number of sheets prepared in the target printer is calculated as follows: In other words, in such a case, the number of sheets prepared in the target printer is the number obtained by subtracting the number of sheets required for the other print job from the number of sheets stacked in the paper feed tray at the start of the other print job. The number of stacked sheets can be calculated, for example, by dividing the stack height by the thickness per sheet. Here, the same printer is the printer that will execute the next print job.

[0172] If the required number of sheets of paper for the target print job have been prepared in the target printer, the application 301 advances the process to S2012.

[0173] If the required number of sheets of paper for the target print job are not prepared in the target printer, the application 301 advances the process to step S2003S.

[0174] If the process proceeds to S2003S, the application repeats a certain process from S2003S to S2003E for all storage locations.

[0175] In each iteration, first, in step S2004, the application 301 determines whether a stack of sheets containing more than the required number of sheets exists in the storage location that is the target of the current iteration. The required number of sheets is the number of sheets required to execute the target print job.

[0176] If there is a paper stack containing more than the required number of sheets in the storage location currently being repeated, the application 301 proceeds to step S2005; otherwise, the application 301 proceeds to step S2008.

[0177] In S2005, the application 301 calculates the removal time based on the preparation time corresponding to the combination of the target printer and the storage location that is the target of the current repetition and the execution start time of the target print job (i.e., the print start time), and proceeds to S2006. The removal time can be calculated by going back from the execution start time by the preparation time corresponding to the combination of the target printer and the storage location that is the target of the current repetition.

[0178] In S2006, the application 301 determines whether the current time is past the unloading time obtained in S2005.

[0179] If the current time has not passed the unloading time obtained in S2005, the application 301 advances the process to S2007; otherwise, the application 301 advances the process to S2008.

[0180] In step S2007, the application 301 stores the storage location currently being repeated as a storage location from which a sheet stack containing sheets having attributes corresponding to the target print job can be output.

[0181] In S2008, the application 301 stores the storage location currently being repeated as a storage location that cannot be carried out.

[0182] The current iteration is terminated in S2007 or S2008.

[0183] When the repetition of steps S2003S to S2003E is completed, the processor 301 advances the process to step S2009.

[0184] In S2009, it is determined whether there is a storage location where the item can be removed.

[0185] If there is a storage location where the item can be removed, the processor 301 proceeds to step S2010; otherwise, the processor 301 proceeds to step S2011.

[0186] In S2010, the processor 301 selects any of the storage locations from which the item can be removed. In S2010, the application 301 selects a paper stack that exists in any storage location from which the paper stack can be removed, and proceeds to S2012. Here, any storage location from which the paper stack can be removed may be selected as the storage location from which the paper stack can be removed. Also, as in the first and second embodiments, priority may be assigned to storage locations, and the paper stack that exists in the storage location with the highest priority among the storage locations from which the paper stack can be removed may be selected.

[0187] In step S2011, the application 301 reschedules the print job. In rescheduling, the application 301 may, for example, replace the target job with another job or delay the start time of the target job.

[0188] The application 301 advances the process from S2010 or S2011 to S2012, which ends the method shown in FIG.

[0189] In S1806, the application 301 selects the paper stack that exists in the storage location with the first priority, and proceeds to S1816.

[0190] [Fourth embodiment] The fourth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment, which makes it possible to replenish sheets contained in a plurality of sheet bundles for one target job.

[0191] The method of the fourth embodiment is as shown in FIG. 21, but since it has many parts in common with the third embodiment shown in FIG. 20, only the parts that are different between the two will be explained.

[0192] The application 301 executes S2104 instead of S2004. In S2104, the application 301 determines whether a stack of paper sheets having attributes corresponding to the target print job exists in the storage location that is the target of the current repetition. Here, the number of sheets of paper contained in the stack of paper sheets is not taken into consideration.

[0193] After S2007, the application 301 executes S2107. In S2107, the application 301 stores the number of sheets of paper contained in each stack of paper having attributes corresponding to the target print job.

[0194] The application 301 executes S2110 instead of S2010. In S2110, the application 301 selects one or more paper bundles based on the number of sheets per paper bundle stored in S2107 for each repetition of S2003S to S2003E. For example, if the number of sheets required for the target job cannot be prepared using one paper bundle but can be prepared using two specific paper bundles, the application 301 selects those two specific paper bundles. However, taking into account the travel time between transport locations, if the paper bundles are transported manually by a single transporter, the application 301 selects one or more paper bundles stored in a single storage location. This restriction does not apply if two or more transporters can reach different storage locations. Furthermore, this restriction does not apply if two or more automated guided vehicles can reach different storage locations.

[0195] The above-described embodiments can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. The program may be executed by a single computer or by multiple computers in cooperation with each other. Furthermore, all of the above-described processes do not need to be implemented by software; some or all of the processes may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC. Furthermore, the CPU is not limited to a single CPU that performs all processes; multiple CPUs may perform processes in cooperation with each other as appropriate. The functions of the above-described embodiments are not necessarily realized by a computer reading and executing program code. The above-described functions may also be realized by an operating system (OS) or other operating system (OS) running on a computer that performs some or all of the actual processes based on the instructions of the program code.

[0196] <Technical Features of the Present Disclosure> The present disclosure includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0197] [Configuration 1] a means for acquiring a removal time for removing recording media having attributes from a storage location based on a preparation time required to remove the recording media having attributes from a storage location and replenish the paper feed tray and a start time of the execution, when there is a print job that is planned to be started by an image forming device, and it is predicted that the number of sheets of recording media having attributes corresponding to the print job required for the print job will not be prepared in a paper feed tray of the image forming device or a paper feed tray connected to the image forming device at the start time of the execution; a display control means for displaying a display object indicating the acquired carry-out time; An information processing device comprising:

[0198] [Configuration 2] the display control means further displays a display object indicating an execution start time of the print job. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1.

[0199] [Configuration 3] the display control means further displays a display object indicating an execution end time of the print job. 3. The information processing device according to configuration 1 or 2.

[0200] [Configuration 4] the display control means displays a display object indicating the removal time and display objects indicating the execution start time and execution end time of the print job on a graphical timetable. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1.

[0201] [Configuration 5] There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, Each of the plurality of storage locations is prioritized; a selection means for selecting, from among the plurality of storage locations, one or more storage locations that satisfy both the time condition and the number condition, the storage location with the highest priority as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The time condition is that, for the storage location where it is possible to check whether the time condition is satisfied, the time when the preparation time has elapsed from the current time is before the execution start time of the print job, The sheet number condition is that, for the storage location where it is checked whether the sheet number condition is satisfied, the number obtained by adding the number of recording media having the attribute contained in any one of the bundles stored in the storage location to the remaining number of sheets is equal to or greater than the number of recording media having the attribute required for the print job. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1.

[0202] [Configuration 6] There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, Each of the plurality of storage locations is prioritized; a selection unit for selecting, from the plurality of storage locations, one or more storage locations that satisfy a time condition, the storage location with the highest priority as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The time condition is that, for the storage location where it is checked whether the time condition is satisfied, the time when the preparation time has elapsed from the current time is before the execution start time of the print job. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1.

[0203] [Configuration 7] There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, Each of the plurality of storage locations is prioritized; a selection unit for selecting, from among the plurality of storage locations, one or more storage locations that satisfy the number-of-records condition, the storage location with the highest priority as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The sheet number condition is that, for the storage location where it is checked whether the sheet number condition is satisfied, the number obtained by adding the number of recording media having the attribute contained in any one of the bundles stored in the storage location to the remaining number of sheets is equal to or greater than the number of recording media having the attribute required for the print job. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1.

[0204] [Configuration 8] The priority is assigned to each of the plurality of storage locations in the order of shortest preparation time. 8. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 5 to 7.

[0205] [Configuration 9] the selection means checks whether the selected storage location and storage locations with a higher priority than the selected storage location satisfy the conditions to be satisfied, and does not check whether the storage locations with a lower priority than the selected storage location satisfy the conditions to be satisfied; 8. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 5 to 7.

[0206] [Configuration 10] the selection means checks whether the selected storage location and storage locations with a higher priority than the selected storage location satisfy the conditions to be satisfied, and also checks whether storage locations with a lower priority than the selected storage location satisfy the conditions to be satisfied; 8. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 5 to 7.

[0207] [Configuration 11] There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, a selection unit for selecting one or more storage locations that satisfy both the time condition and the number condition from among the plurality of storage locations as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The time condition is that, for the storage location where it is checked whether the time condition is satisfied, the time when the preparation time has elapsed from the current time is before the execution start time of the print job, The sheet number condition is that, in the storage location where it can be checked whether the sheet number condition is satisfied, there exists a sheet bundle in which the number of sheets obtained by adding the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle to the remaining number is equal to or greater than the number of sheets required for the print job of the recording medium having the attribute. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1.

[0208] [Configuration 12] There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, a selection unit for selecting one or more storage locations that satisfy a time condition from the plurality of storage locations as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The time condition is that, for the storage location where it is checked whether the time condition is satisfied, the time when the preparation time has elapsed from the current time is before the execution start time of the print job. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1.

[0209] [Configuration 13] There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, a selection unit for selecting one or more storage locations that satisfy a number-of-records condition from the plurality of storage locations as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The sheet number condition is that, in the storage location where it can be checked whether the sheet number condition is satisfied, there exists a sheet bundle in which the number of sheets obtained by adding the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle to the remaining number is equal to or greater than the number of sheets required for the print job of the recording medium having the attribute. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1.

[0210] [Configuration 14] No other print job is currently being executed by the image forming apparatus on the recording medium having the attribute, The remaining number is the number of recording media having the attribute currently prepared in the paper feed tray. 14. The information processing device according to configuration 5, 7, 11 or 13.

[0211] [Configuration 15] another print job is currently being executed by the image forming apparatus on a recording medium having the attribute; The remaining number of sheets is the number obtained by subtracting the number of sheets required for the other print job from the number of sheets prepared in the paper feed tray immediately before the other print job of the recording medium having the attribute is started. 14. The information processing device according to configuration 5, 7, 11 or 13.

[0212] [Configuration 16] The print job for which the prediction is made is the first print job for which the prediction is made (hereinafter referred to as the "first print job") among one or more print jobs that are scheduled to be started to be executed by the image forming device but have not yet started to be executed. The information processing device according to claim 1. 16. An information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 15.

[0213] [Configuration 17] No other print job is currently being executed by the image forming device on a recording medium having attributes corresponding to the first print job, predicting whether the number of sheets of the recording medium having the attribute required for the first print job will be prepared in the paper feed tray at the start of execution of the first print job by comparing the current remaining number of sheets of the recording medium having the attribute prepared in the paper feed tray with the number of sheets of the recording medium having the attribute required for the first print job; 17. The information processing device according to claim 16.

[0214] [Configuration 18] another print job is currently being executed by the image forming device on a recording medium having attributes corresponding to the first print job; predicting whether the number of sheets of recording media having the attribute required for the first print job will be prepared in the paper feed tray at the start of execution of the first print job by comparing the number obtained by subtracting the number of sheets required for the other print job currently being executed from the remaining number of recording media having the attribute that were prepared in the paper feed tray at the start of execution of the other print job currently being executed with the number of sheets of recording media having the attribute required for the first print job; 17. The information processing device according to claim 16.

[0215] [method] a step of acquiring a removal time for removing the recording media having the attributes from a storage location based on a preparation time required to remove the recording media having the attributes from the storage location and replenish the paper feed tray and a start time of the execution, when there is a print job that is planned to be started by an image forming device, and it is predicted that the number of sheets of recording media having the attributes corresponding to the print job required for the print job will not be prepared in a paper feed tray of the image forming device or a paper feed tray connected to the image forming device at the start time of the execution; a display control step of displaying a display object indicating the acquired carry-out time; A display method having the following.

[0216] [program] a means for acquiring a removal time for removing recording media having attributes from a storage location based on a preparation time required to remove the recording media having attributes from a storage location and replenish the paper feed tray and a start time of the execution, when there is a print job that is planned to be started by an image forming device, and it is predicted that the number of sheets of recording media having attributes corresponding to the print job required for the print job will not be prepared in a paper feed tray of the image forming device or a paper feed tray connected to the image forming device at the start time of the execution; a display control means for displaying a display object indicating the acquired carry-out time; A program that allows a computer to function as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0217] 102 Printer 700 Location Management System 1200 Process Control System 1701 Paper Registration System

Claims

1. a means for acquiring a removal time for removing recording media having attributes from a storage location based on a preparation time required to remove the recording media having attributes from a storage location and replenish the paper feed tray and a start time of the execution, when there is a print job that is planned to be started by an image forming device, and it is predicted that the number of sheets of recording media having attributes corresponding to the print job required for the print job will not be prepared in a paper feed tray of the image forming device or a paper feed tray connected to the image forming device at the start time of the execution; a display control means for displaying a display object indicating the acquired carry-out time; An information processing device comprising:

2. the display control means further displays a display object indicating an execution start time of the print job. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the display control means further displays a display object indicating an execution end time of the print job. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the display control means displays a display object indicating the removal time and display objects indicating the execution start time and execution end time of the print job on a graphical timetable. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, Each of the plurality of storage locations is prioritized; a selection unit for selecting, from among the plurality of storage locations, one or more storage locations that satisfy both the time condition and the number condition, the storage location with the highest priority as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The time condition is that, for the storage location where it is possible to check whether the time condition is satisfied, the time when the preparation time has elapsed from the current time is before the execution start time of the print job, The sheet number condition is that, for the storage location where it is checked whether the sheet number condition is satisfied, the number obtained by adding the number of recording media having the attribute contained in any one of the bundles stored in the storage location to the remaining number of sheets is equal to or greater than the number of recording media having the attribute required for the print job. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, Each of the plurality of storage locations is prioritized; a selection unit for selecting, from the plurality of storage locations, one or more storage locations that satisfy a time condition, the storage location with the highest priority as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The time condition is that, for the storage location where it is checked whether the time condition is satisfied, the time when the preparation time has elapsed from the current time is before the execution start time of the print job. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, Each of the plurality of storage locations is prioritized; a selection unit for selecting, from among the plurality of storage locations, one or more storage locations that satisfy the number-of-records condition, the storage location with the highest priority as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The sheet number condition is that, for the storage location where it is checked whether the sheet number condition is satisfied, the number obtained by adding the number of recording media having the attribute contained in any one of the bundles stored in the storage location to the remaining number of sheets is equal to or greater than the number of recording media having the attribute required for the print job. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. The priority is assigned to each of the plurality of storage locations in the order of shortest preparation time.

8. The information processing device according to claim 5.

9. the selection means checks whether the selected storage location and storage locations with a higher priority than the selected storage location satisfy the conditions to be satisfied, and does not check whether the storage locations with a lower priority than the selected storage location satisfy the conditions to be satisfied; 8. The information processing device according to claim 5.

10. the selection means checks whether the selected storage location and storage locations with a higher priority than the selected storage location satisfy the conditions to be satisfied, and also checks whether storage locations with a lower priority than the selected storage location satisfy the conditions to be satisfied; 8. The information processing device according to claim 5.

11. There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, a selection unit for selecting one or more storage locations that satisfy both the time condition and the number condition from among the plurality of storage locations as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The time condition is that, for the storage location where it is possible to check whether the time condition is satisfied, the time when the preparation time has elapsed from the current time is before the execution start time of the print job, The sheet number condition is that, in the storage location where it can be checked whether the sheet number condition is satisfied, there exists a sheet bundle in which the number of sheets obtained by adding the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle to the remaining number is equal to or greater than the number of sheets required for the print job of the recording medium having the attribute. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

12. There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, a selection unit for selecting one or more storage locations that satisfy a time condition from the plurality of storage locations as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The time condition is that, for the storage location where it is checked whether the time condition is satisfied, the time when the preparation time has elapsed from the current time is before the execution start time of the print job. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

13. There are a plurality of storage locations that store at least the recording media having the attribute, a selection unit for selecting one or more storage locations that satisfy a number-of-records condition from the plurality of storage locations as the storage location from which the recording medium having the attribute is to be transported, The sheet number condition is that, in the storage location where it can be checked whether the sheet number condition is satisfied, there exists a sheet bundle in which the number of sheets obtained by adding the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle to the remaining number is equal to or greater than the number of sheets required for the print job of the recording medium having the attribute. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

14. No other print job is currently being executed by the image forming apparatus on the recording medium having the attribute, The remaining number is the number of recording media having the attribute currently prepared in the paper feed tray.

14. The information processing device according to claim 5, 7, 11 or 13.

15. another print job is currently being executed by the image forming apparatus on a recording medium having the attribute; The remaining number of sheets is the number obtained by subtracting the number of sheets required for the other print job from the number of sheets prepared in the paper feed tray immediately before the other print job of the recording medium having the attribute is started.

14. The information processing device according to claim 5, 7, 11 or 13.

16. The print job for which the prediction is made is the first print job for which the prediction is made (hereinafter referred to as the "first print job") among one or more print jobs that are planned to be started to be executed by the image forming device but have not yet started to be executed. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

17. no other print job is currently being executed by the image forming device on a recording medium having attributes corresponding to the first print job; predicting whether the number of sheets of the recording medium having the attribute required for the first print job will be prepared in the paper feed tray at the start of execution of the first print job by comparing the current remaining number of sheets of the recording medium having the attribute prepared in the paper feed tray with the number of sheets of the recording medium having the attribute required for the first print job; The information processing device according to claim 16.

18. another print job is currently being executed by the image forming device on a recording medium having attributes corresponding to the first print job; predicting whether the number of sheets of recording media having the attribute required for the first print job will be prepared in the paper feed tray at the start of execution of the first print job by comparing the number obtained by subtracting the number of sheets required for the other print job currently being executed from the remaining number of recording media having the attribute that were prepared in the paper feed tray at the start of execution of the other print job currently being executed with the number of sheets of recording media having the attribute required for the first print job; The information processing device according to claim 16.

19. a step of acquiring a removal time for removing the recording media having the attributes from a storage location based on a preparation time required to remove the recording media having the attributes from the storage location and replenish the paper feed tray and a start time of the execution, when there is a print job that is planned to be started by an image forming device, and it is predicted that the number of sheets of recording media having the attributes corresponding to the print job required for the print job will not be prepared in a paper feed tray of the image forming device or a paper feed tray connected to the image forming device at the start time of the execution; a display control step of displaying a display object indicating the acquired carry-out time; A display method having the following.

20. a means for acquiring a removal time for removing recording media having attributes from a storage location based on a preparation time required to remove the recording media having attributes from a storage location and replenish the paper feed tray and a start time of the execution, when there is a print job that is planned to be started by an image forming device, and it is predicted that the number of sheets of recording media having attributes corresponding to the print job required for the print job will not be prepared in a paper feed tray of the image forming device or a paper feed tray connected to the image forming device at the start time of the execution; a display control means for displaying a display object indicating the acquired carry-out time; A program that allows a computer to function as a

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