Controller, controller control method, and program

Abstract

To improve work efficiency.SOLUTION: A controller includes: acquisition means for acquiring position information of a plurality of kinds of articles; and control means for, upon confirmation according to the position information that a first article required for a predetermined process has arrived at a standby area of the predetermined process, if a second article corresponding to the first article is present at the standby area, performing control of projecting a projected image on the second article.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method for a control device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In commercial printing, the process from "order placement" to "printing process" is managed and visualized by printing workflow software. In addition, the status of online post-processing machines connected to the network is also visualized by collecting information via the network. By visualizing the status of each machine, the work status of each process can also be obtained.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a technology for retrieving parts required for work from shelves with two or more levels that can hold multiple parts, in which when a worker retrieves an item, a projector projects the location of the required parts and displays the work process to notify the worker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-141732 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There is a demand for technology that improves work efficiency in commercial printing processes.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to improve work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a plurality of types of items; and, when the location information confirms that a first item required for a specified process has arrived in a waiting area for the specified process, if a second item corresponding to the first item is present in the waiting area, a control means for controlling a projection image to be projected onto the second item. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, work efficiency can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 4] 10 is a print job management screen of a 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 illustrating a product information table stored in the print job information data. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a location management system. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tag reader. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal included in the mobile system. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a management server. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples 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. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a process control system. [Figure 13] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of the configuration of a job table, a process position table, and a job status table. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a process management service. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work-in-progress storage area. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart of a process performed by a process control system. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for performing position notification using projection mapping. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a projection process for position notification and coordinate information to be recorded. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a modified example of control of notification timing. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a modified example of adding work instructions and sequences. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not necessarily limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> This embodiment provides a method for detecting and notifying work-in-progress items required for work from the work-in-progress storage area of ​​each process. Work-in-progress items refer to deliverables that have arrived earlier or deliverables waiting to be worked on in the process. Below, we will explain a method that allows workers to easily find the relevant work-in-progress items and proceed with their work.

[0012] (Configuration of image forming system) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to this embodiment. The system configuration of this embodiment includes an information processing device 101, an image forming device 102, a post-processing device 103, a position management system 700, and a process management system 1200. The information processing device 101, the image forming device 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.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 102 analyzes print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 101 and the like, converts it into a dot image for printing, and prints it page by page. The printed material output from the image forming apparatus 102 is either hand-carried by an operator to the post-processing apparatus 103 or passed to the post-processing apparatus 103 via a belt conveyor (not shown). The post-processing apparatus 103 is configured as an offline device that operates independently without communicating with the image forming apparatus 102 or the information processing apparatus 101. The post-processing apparatus 103 performs processes such as cutting, laminating, folding, or binding on the printed material passed to it. It is also possible to use multiple post-processing apparatuses to bind and then cut the printed material. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates one each of the information processing apparatus 101, image forming apparatus 102, and post-processing apparatus 103, any number of each apparatus may be provided. For example, printed materials output from multiple image forming apparatuses may be processed by multiple post-processing apparatuses 103.

[0014] (Hardware configuration of information processing device) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 101. As shown in FIG.

[0015] The CPU 201 reads out control programs stored in the ROM 202 or HDD 204 and executes various control processes. The RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of ​​the CPU 201. The hard disk drive (HDD) 204 stores image data and various programs. Note that the configuration may include other storage devices such as a solid state drive (SSD) instead of or in addition to the HDD.

[0016] The keyboard 205 is an input device that serves as an instruction input unit, and issues control command instructions, text input, etc. to applications (described later). The pointing device 206 is also an input device that serves as an instruction input unit together with the keyboard 205, and issues control command instructions to applications (described later).

[0017] The display 207 is an output device that serves as a display unit, and displays commands input from the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206, or the status of applications (described later), etc. The network I / F 208 connects the information processing device 101 to a network (such as a LAN, an intranet, or the Internet). The information processing device 101 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices on the network using the network I / F 208. The hardware configurations of the management server 701 included in the position management system 700 and the control devices included in the process management system 1200 are also the same as those shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] (Software configuration of information processing device) 3 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the information processing apparatus 101. A print workflow application 301 is a program module that is installed and operates on the HDD 204 of the information processing apparatus 101, is loaded into the RAM 203 at the time of execution, and is executed by the CPU 201.

[0019] The print workflow application 301 has 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. 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. The print job management unit 303 accesses print job information data 307 (described later) and references various information about the print job that the print workflow application 301 sends to the image forming device.

[0020] The 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. The print processing unit 305 sends content data and job ticket data of the print job to the image forming apparatus in response to a print job sending instruction received from the print job control unit 304.

[0021] The device management unit 306 manages various information (such as identification name and address) of the image forming device to which the print workflow application 301 sends a print job.

[0022] The print job information data 307 is a database that manages information related to print jobs (a print job information table and a product information table) that will be described later. The print job information table will be described later in FIG. 6. The product information table will be described later in FIG. 6.

[0023] The print workflow application 301 is assumed to be installed and run on the HDD 204 of the information processing device 101, but may also be configured on the cloud and provided as a cloud service by being accessed from a web browser on the information processing device 101. Furthermore, the print job information data 307 need not only be configured to 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)).

[0024] (Print job management screen configuration) 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print job management screen of the print workflow application 301. When the print operator instructs the information processing apparatus 101 to execute the print workflow application 301 via the keyboard 205 or pointing device 206, the CPU 201 loads a 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 401 as shown in FIG. 4 on the display 207. Here, the print workflow application 301 may access a cloud service from a web browser on the information processing apparatus 101, so that the print job management screen is displayed on the web browser.

[0025] The print job management screen 401 shows the print job management screen in the print workflow application 301. The function menu 402 shows a menu of functions that can be executed on the print job management screen 401. The function menu 402 has a print button 403 and a delete button 405. 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 have an edit button or the like for issuing an instruction to edit a print job.

[0026] The print job list 406 shows a list displaying 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 print operator selects a print job displayed in the print job list 406 with the pointing device 206 or the like, and issues print instructions, deletion instructions, editing instructions, etc. to the print job by pressing a function button arranged in the function menu 402.

[0027] The device list 407 displays a list of image forming devices managed as output destinations by the print workflow application 301. The print workflow application 301 acquires information about image forming devices that are communicably connected via the network 100 or the like via the device management unit 306, and displays the information in the device list 407.

[0028] (Print job table configuration) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a print job information table stored in the print job information data 307. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the print job information table has items such as job ID, deliverable number, product name, number of copies, content name, order date, and expected shipping date. The product name is a value linked to detailed print setting (print attribute) information defined in the product information table shown in Fig. 6, which will be described later. The content name is link information to the file name that will be the content data used when printing the print job.

[0029] (Product information table configuration) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a product information table stored in the print job information data 307. As shown in FIG.

[0030] The product information table defines detailed settings related to printing (output paper size, finished size, paper type, orientation, single-sided / double-sided, stapling, punching, folding, binding, trimming, output destination, etc.). The product information table is created in advance by an installer such as a system engineer when installing the print workflow application 301, according to 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 using the product name mentioned above as a key. For example, if the product name is "Saddle-stitched, imposed, A4, double-sided, landscape," settings such as output paper size "320 x 450," paper type "high-quality paper," ..., single-sided / double-sided, ..., binding "ON," saddle-stitching "ON," trimming "ON," and lamination "ON" are retrieved.

[0031] (Location management system configuration) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a location management system 700 according to the present invention. The location management system 700 is a system that manages item data in a database. The location management system includes location tags 707 installed at different locations, item tags 709a and 709b attached to items, at least one tag reader 705b, a mobile system 714, a management server 701, and 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.

[0032] Location tag 707 is a wireless device that is installed at each location where a reader 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.

[0033] Item tags 709a and 709b are wireless devices attached to each item managed by the location management system 700, and each tag has unique tag identification information (hereinafter, tag ID) 710a and 710b embedded therein. As examples of linking jobs and item tags, FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which item tag 709a is attached to a returnable box 711a that stores jobs when they are moved between work processes, and an example in which item tag 709b is attached to a work instruction sheet 711b that issues work instructions. However, this is not limited to this example. Here, when items with item tags attached, such as returnable box 711a and work instruction sheet 711b, are transported by a reader or moved automatically, the item tags 709a and 709b also move along with the items. While returnable boxes are used in this embodiment, attaching tags to work instruction sheets 711b can be expected to offer advantages such as simplifying the transportation process when transporting items without returnable boxes in small-lot or small-scale production situations where returnable boxes are not used.

[0034] 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.

[0035] In this embodiment, each of the tags, such as the position tag 707 and the item tag 709, is assumed to be a passive RFID tag (passive tag). A passive tag is composed of a small IC (Integrated Circuit) chip with built-in memory and an antenna, and stores identification information for identifying the tag and other information in the memory. In this embodiment, the identification information is simply referred to as "ID," and the identification information for identifying the tag is also referred to as "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 the energy of electromagnetic waves emitted from the tag reader, modulates the tag ID and other information stored in the memory into an information signal, and transmits (returns) the information signal from the antenna.

[0036] Each tag may be an active RFID tag. When each tag actively (e.g., periodically) transmits information to the surrounding area using power from a built-in battery, the tag may be called a beacon tag. Each tag may also 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 also be called any name, such as an IC tag, an IC card, or a responder.

[0037] The portable system 714 includes at least a tag reader 705a. The tag reader 705 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 further described later.

[0038] 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 smart watch. 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 further described later.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 7 shows a single management server 701, but 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] (Tag reader configuration) 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of tag reader 705 in this embodiment. 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.

[0043] The control unit 801 includes a memory for storing a computer program and one or more processors (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) for executing the computer program. The control unit 801 controls the overall functions of the tag reader 705 described in 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 measuring 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 device itself.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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 interface for communicating with a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) 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).

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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, but the control unit 801 or 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.

[0048] 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).

[0049] 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.

[0050] The reading unit 806 is a unit capable of reading information stored in each of the position tags 707 and item tags 709 under the management of 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 low-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 second 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 second 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 second 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.

[0051] 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 component of the transmitted signal based on 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.

[0052] (User terminal configuration) 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 706 included in a mobile system 714 according to this embodiment. 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.

[0053] 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 described herein. 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 later.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The image capturing unit 904 is a so-called camera unit that captures images of the real space and generates image data of still or moving images. The image capturing unit 904 outputs the generated image data to the control unit 901. For example, the image data generated by the image capturing unit 904 may be used for optical character recognition or for reading visible codes such as barcodes or QR codes (registered trademark).

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] (Management Server Configuration) 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 701 in this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the management server 701 includes a communication unit 1003, an item database (DB) 1001, and a management unit 1002.

[0060] 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 .

[0061] (each table configuration) 11A to 11F 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.

[0062] The item table 1004 has six data items: tag ID 1111, item ID 1112, name 1113, type 1114, location 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.

[0063] The item ID 1112 is identification information that uniquely identifies each item 711. The name 1113 represents the name of each item 711. The type 1114 represents the type into which each item 711 is classified. The values ​​of the name 1113 and type 1114 of each item 711 may be determined by a user and registered in advance via a user interface provided by the management unit 1002. Alternatively, the values ​​of the 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 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 each item 711, and register them in the item table 1004. The location 1115 represents the location where each item 711 was last detected by the tag reader 705, using a location ID that identifies the location. Coordinates 1116 represent the location coordinates of the point where each item 711 is estimated to be located. The values ​​of location 1115 and coordinates 1116 can be updated by location estimation unit 1011 when movement of an item is detected by tag reader 705, as will be described later.

[0064] The location table 1005 has six data items: tag ID 1121, location ID 1122, 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 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.

[0065] The reader table 1006 has three data items: a reader ID 1131, a name 1132, and a user 1133. The reader ID 1131 is identification information that uniquely identifies each tag reader 705 used in the system. The name 1132 indicates the name of each reader. The user 1133 indicates the user 704 who uses the tag reader 705 by the value of the user ID 1141 in the user table 1007.

[0066] The user table 1007 has two data items: a user ID 1141 and a name 1142. The user ID 1141 is identification information that uniquely identifies each user 704 who uses the location management system 700. The name 1142 represents the name of each user. Although not shown in FIG. 11(D), the user table 1007 may further include authentication information (e.g., a password) used when each user 704 logs in to the system. It is also possible to link the user 704 with the user ID 1141 by attaching an item tag 709 to the user 704. In this example, an item tag 709 is attached, but it is also possible to use a configuration in which tags are distinguished between those for "users" and those for "items," and the configuration of the table may also change accordingly.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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).

[0069] (Process control system overview) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a process control system 1200 according to this embodiment.

[0070] The process management system 1200 is a system that generates a process management screen in response to a process management 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 image forming devices 102 and post-processing devices 103 within the area of ​​the printing factory, and about the processes performed by each device.

[0071] The process control system 1200 is, for example, a server equipped with a control device. This server may also be installed externally via a cloud system. The process control system 1200 includes a process management UI 1201, a process management service 1202, a process database (DB) 1203, a job management 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.

[0072] When the process management UI 1201 receives a process management 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 sends it to the information processing device 101. The process management screen is a screen that displays information on the image forming devices 102 and post-processing devices 103 within the area of ​​the printing factory, and on the processes performed by each device. An operator can check the process management screen of the information processing device 101 installed in the printing factory. In response to a request from the process management UI 1201, the process management service 1202 obtains information from the location management system 700, job management service 1206, and process DB 1203 and sends the information to the process management UI 1201.

[0073] The process location table 1205 is a table that manages information about each process 1321 within the area of ​​the printing factory and the coordinates 1322 of each process. This table defines coordinate information in advance, indicating where each process is located within the area of ​​the printing factory. The process management service 1202 acquires tag ID information 1111 and its coordinates 1116 detected by the tag reader 705 installed for each process from the item table 1004 of the management server 701. The process in which the tag ID 710 exists within the area of ​​the printing factory is identified based on the acquired tag ID coordinates 1116 and the information in the process location table 1205. Here, as a method of identifying the process, for example, the distance between the coordinates in the process location table 1205 and the tag ID coordinates 1116 may be calculated, and if the distance is equal to or less than a threshold, it may be determined that the tag ID exists in that process. Alternatively, the coordinates 1322 in the process location table 1205 may be specified as an area such as (X1, Y1) to (X11, Y11), and if the coordinates 1116 of the detected tag ID are within that area, it may be determined that the tag is present in that process. In either case, the process management service 1202 can manage the process location table by acquiring information on the coordinates of each tag determined by the location management system 700.

[0074] The job status table 1208 is a table for managing job IDs 1331 and job statuses 1332. Here, a job whose job status 1332 is "production completed" indicates that all processes have been completed, and a job whose job status is "print completed" indicates that printing has been completed and that processing is being carried out offline.

[0075] A user can access functions such as a process management service 1202 or a job management service 1206 through a process management UI 1201 .

[0076] (Process table overview) 13 shows examples of a job table 1204, a process position table 1205, and a job status table 1208 in this embodiment. FIG. 13(a) shows the job table 1204. The job table 1204 includes items of a tag ID 1311 and a job ID 1312, and is a table that manages the tag ID 710 of the item tag 709 attached to the item 711 in FIG. 7 by linking it with the job ID of the job stored in the item 711. The linking between the tag ID 710 and the job ID may be performed by sequentially reading the barcode attached to the item 711, such as a returnable box or a work instruction sheet, and the barcode attached to the job. The linking method is not limited here.

[0077] 13(b) shows the process location table 1205. The process location table 1205 includes items for each process 1321 within the area of ​​the printing factory and coordinates 1322 of each process.

[0078] 13C shows the job status table 1208. The job status table 1208 includes the following fields: job ID 1331 and job status 1332.

[0079] (Process management services) 14 shows an example of the process management service 1202 in this embodiment. The process management service 1202 includes at least a work-in-progress management unit 1401, a work-in-progress position notification unit 1402, and a projection image generation unit 1403. The work-in-progress management unit 1401 manages coordinate information indicating the position of the work-in-progress in a work-in-progress storage area 1501, which will be described later. The work-in-progress position notification unit 1402 notifies a user 704, who is a worker in the process, of the position of the necessary work-in-progress. The projection image generation unit 1403 generates image data for notifying a user 704, who is a worker, of the position of the necessary work-in-progress.

[0080] (Work-in-process storage area) FIG. 15 shows an example of a work-in-progress storage area 1501 in this embodiment. The work-in-progress storage area 1501 is installed near each process device 1502. For example, in a bookbinding process, the process device 1502 refers to a bookbinding machine, and in a packing process, the process device 1502 refers to a packing table. The work-in-progress storage area 1501 is an area for storing job deliverables waiting to be processed, i.e., work-in-progress. Therefore, the work-in-progress storage area 1501 can also be said to be a waiting area for storing items before processing in the process. A tag reader 705 is installed in the work-in-progress storage area 1501, and the detection range of the tag reader 705 is the work-in-progress storage area 1501. When an item tag 709 is present within the detection range of the tag reader 705, the tag ID 710 is obtained and the item 711 is acquired.

[0081] Depending on the process, work may be performed using multiple deliverables, such as by combining deliverables from other processes. In such cases, a storage area is prepared nearby, and deliverables that arrive first will wait there until the deliverables required for the work arrive. Then, as workers arrive, they will need to search for the necessary work in progress and perform the appropriate work.

[0082] Furthermore, in commercial printing, the same work-in-progress is not necessarily produced at a particular process. For example, in the bookbinding process, both the book body and the cover are required for the work in that process. However, depending on the status of the work in the previous process, the book body or the cover may be in work-in-progress. Furthermore, the work in that process may use different materials or machines depending on the order type.

[0083] Therefore, in the following embodiment, a method for improving work efficiency by notifying the worker when the deliverables required for the process are ready will be described.

[0084] (Management process system of this embodiment) FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of this embodiment. This embodiment is implemented when a tag reader 705 installed in the work-in-progress storage area 1501 detects the arrival of a user 704 or a deliverable. The series of processes shown in this flowchart are performed by the CPU of the process management system 1200 by loading a program stored in ROM into RAM and executing it. Note that "S" in the following description of each process refers to a step in the flowchart, and this also applies to the following embodiments. Note that the following description will be given of the "bookbinding process" for a product A, as an example, from among the predetermined processes.

[0085] In S1601, the process control system 1200 uses the tag reader 705 installed in the work-in-progress storage area 1501 to confirm whether the user 704 or the deliverable has arrived. In the case of a bookbinding process, the deliverable that arrives in the work-in-progress storage area 1501 is either the "contents" or the "cover." The method of confirming arrival is by detecting the item tag 709, but is not limited to this, and as mentioned above, it is also possible to confirm by detecting the item tag 709 for the user.

[0086] In S1602, the process control system 1200 checks whether there are any work-in-progress items required for the work in the process. If it is a bookbinding process, the book is bound using a "body" and a "cover." That is, when it detects that one of the "body" and the "cover" of product A has arrived, the process control system checks whether the other of the two items (work-in-progress) that arrived is present in the work-in-progress storage area 1501. If it determines that it is present, the process control system 1200 proceeds to S1604, and if it determines that it is not present, it proceeds to S1603.

[0087] In S1603, the process control system 1200 records the coordinate information of the work-in-progress stored in the work-in-progress storage area 1501. That is, the coordinate information of the deliverable that arrived in S1601 and does not contain any work-in-progress is recorded. It is assumed that the coordinate information is recorded using the tag reader 705a in the mobile system 714 owned by the user 704 or the user terminal 706, but is not limited to this.

[0088] In S1604, the process control system 1200 notifies the user 704 of the location of the work in progress. Thereafter, the process control system 1200 ends the processing of this flowchart. There are various possible methods for notifying the user 704 of the location of the work in progress, and one example will be described below.

[0089] Fig. 17 shows a flowchart for notifying the location of work-in-progress. That is, it is a diagram explaining the details of S1604 in Fig. 16. Fig. 17 explains, as an example, an example in which the location of work-in-progress is notified using a projector installed near the work-in-progress storage area 1501. However, this is not limiting, and methods of notifying the location using a display or smart glasses are also conceivable.

[0090] In S1701, the process management system 1200 acquires coordinate information of the work in progress managed by the work in progress management unit 1401. In the case of a bookbinding process, coordinate information of the other item ("book body" or "cover") that pairs with the delivered product that has arrived in S1601 is acquired.

[0091] In step S1702, the process control system 1200 notifies the location of the work in progress stored in the work in progress storage area 1501, and the projection image generation unit 1403 creates projection image data.

[0092] In S1703, the work-in-progress position notification unit 1402 of the process control system 1200 transmits the created projection image data to the projector, thereby projecting the position of the work-in-progress in the work-in-progress storage area 1501 and notifying the user 704.

[0093] 18 is a diagram for explaining a notification method of the above flow using a projector. Since this diagram is about the bookbinding process, the process device 1502 refers to a bookbinding machine.

[0094] In FIG. 18, work in progress 1801a, 1801b, and 1801c are collectively referred to as work in progress 1801. Work in progress 1801 refers to work in progress stored in work in progress storage area 1501, and includes at least item tag 709, tag ID 710, and item 711. As described above, the position of work in progress 1801 is managed by work in progress management unit 1401 using coordinate information. Here, worker 1802 transports previous process deliverable 1803. Note that worker 1802 has the same meaning as user 704. Work in progress 1801a corresponding to previous process deliverable 1803a must be used by worker 1802 for bookbinding work. Therefore, work in progress 1801a must be taken from work in progress storage area 1501. The correspondence between work in progress 1801a and previous process deliverable 1803a can be managed using the concepts of order jobs and part jobs. For example, when ordering a book, part jobs include a job to create the "cover" and a job to create the "book." In addition to managing each part job, there is also an order job, which is a higher-level concept that manages the entire series of processes. These are merely examples, and the correspondence management method is not limited to these.

[0095] Work-in-progress management information 1811 shown in FIG. 18(b) is coordinate information managed by the work-in-progress management unit 1401, and an example thereof is shown. Also, as shown in FIG. 18(c), the projection image generation unit 1403 creates a projection image 1821 that is sufficiently superimposed based on the position information of the work-in-progress 1801a and the size of the returnable box containing the item 711. After creation, by projecting it from a projector 1832, the work-in-progress storage area 1501 becomes like the work-in-progress position projection storage area 1831 shown in FIG. 18(d), and the work-in-progress 1801a becomes visible to the worker 1802. Note that when the deliverables required for bookbinding arrive in the work-in-progress storage area 1501, the work-in-progress 1801b and 1801c are also projected by the projector 1832 so that they can be seen. The process of creating a series of projection images is assumed to be automatically projected when a previous process product 1803 is detected by a tag reader 705 associated with the process, but is not limited to this.

[0096] (Effects of the First Embodiment) As described above, this embodiment can improve work efficiency. Specifically, in this embodiment, when a worker arrives, the location of the work-in-progress stored in the work-in-progress storage area is notified. Until now, searching for work-in-progress in a temporary storage area has led to a waste of time. Also, in the example of bookbinding mentioned above, both the cover and the body can be work-in-progress, making it difficult to notify the location. However, this embodiment can notify the location of the work-in-progress in a visual form, making it easy to find the work-in-progress required for the work.

[0097] <Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment, a notification is sent when either or both of the worker and the deliverable from the previous process arrive at the process and perform the work in S1604. However, depending on the situation, high work efficiency can be expected by changing the notification timing.

[0098] 19 is a flowchart of the process in this embodiment. The process of this flowchart starts when the process control system 1200 is started.

[0099] In S1901, the process control system 1200 determines whether the timing of notification to the worker 1802 is appropriate. If it is determined to be appropriate, the process control system 1200 proceeds to S1902, and if it is determined to be inappropriate, the process control system 1200 proceeds to S1903. Note that various examples of determination can be considered in this process. For example, it can be considered to use the expected arrival of the previous process deliverable 1803 managed by the process management service 1202 or the job management service 1206.

[0100] For example, consider a case where work-in-progress of different types of items (item A, item B) exists in the work-in-progress storage area 1501 in a given process. In this case, if both item A and item B are expected to arrive from the previous process within a predetermined threshold or average work time, the positions of each work-in-progress item are projected together when both item A and item B arrive in the work-in-progress storage area 1501. In other words, if it is expected that item A will arrive first according to schedule, followed by item B according to schedule, the position of the work-in-progress item A is not projected when item A arrives. Instead, a projection indicating that work is waiting is made. The projection indicating that work is waiting will be described later. In other words, when multiple jobs are running and they are moving to each process according to schedule, the timing of the notification is determined to be inappropriate. This is because it is conceivable that work efficiency would be improved by performing the process together after item B arrives.

[0101] There may also be cases where work is performed using multiple deliverables. For example, if a bookbinding process requires a "bookbinding body," a "cover," and a "sash" as deliverables, the work cannot begin if the "bookbinding body" and "cover" are already present because the "sash" is not present. For this reason, the process management system 1200 determines that the notification timing is inappropriate.

[0102] In S1902, the process control system 1200 notifies the location of the work in progress. This process is the same as that shown in S1701 to S1703, and therefore will not be described further.

[0103] In S1903, it was determined that waiting rather than proceeding with the current work would be expected to result in higher work efficiency. Therefore, the process control system 1200 creates projection image data that conveys the intention to wait rather than proceed with the work. The projection image here can be expressed in various ways. For example, a monochrome image that projects the entire work-in-progress storage area 1501 can be created, or a specified symbol can be created and projected at a specified position to notify the worker. Also, for a job in which the "work-in-progress", "cover", and "obi" are in the work-in-progress storage area 1501, projection images for projecting the "work-in-progress" and "cover" can be created. This is expected to further shorten the time required for notifying the worker of the work-in-progress location (S1902) when the "obi" arrives.

[0104] In S1904, the process control system 1200 projects the image for work standby created in S1903.

[0105] (Effects of the second embodiment) As described above, according to this embodiment, higher work efficiency can be expected by controlling the notification timing. Specifically, by controlling the notification timing, higher work efficiency can be expected even in more complicated processes, such as processes that use multiple parts or when processing multiple orders at once depending on the work status of the previous process.

[0106] <Embodiment 3> In the first embodiment, a method for creating a projection image that notifies the location of work-in-progress items was described in S1702. However, depending on the process, different tasks may need to be performed using different equipment even at the work location of the same process according to the order. Also, notifying the work order or instructions together with the delivery option settings or environmental conditions may lead to improved work efficiency. 20 is a flowchart of the process control system 1200 according to this embodiment. This process is detailed processing of S1604 in FIG. 16, and is an example different from that in FIG. 17 of the first embodiment.

[0107] In S2001, the process control system 1200 determines whether the process requires additional information (additional information) when notifying the work-in-progress in the process. There are multiple possible criteria for this determination. Examples include, but are not limited to, the need for different tasks in the same process, or environmental factors in the factory. The former (cases where different tasks are required in the same process) will be explained using the lamination process as an example. When laminating paper, the lamination method can be either film or liquid. In such cases where different methods are required in the same process, it can be determined that additional information is required.

[0108] Regarding the latter (factory environmental factors), take the case of a product waiting to be shipped as an example. When a product is waiting to be shipped, there are cases where work needs to be performed with priority due to options selected at the time of ordering. Also, work needs to be performed with priority for products that will be shipped first due to the delivery time of the delivery company. These are typical examples of judgments, but of course, they are not limited to these. If it is determined in S2001 that additional information is required, the process control system 1200 proceeds to S2002, and if it is determined that additional information is not required, it proceeds to S2003.

[0109] In S2002, the projection image generation unit 1403 of the process control system 1200 generates projection image data that takes into account the additional information. The additional information here is assumed to be a work sequence or work instructions. Various methods are conceivable for generating projection image data that includes additional information. For example, rules may be determined in advance for specified colors. Then, a red color may be superimposed on work-in-progress items that require a higher priority, followed by blue, green, and so on. Similarly, when different tasks need to be performed in the same process, such as the aforementioned example of laminating with film or liquid, red may be projected as film and blue as liquid lamination. Other examples include, but are not limited to, associating designated symbols with tasks and determining rules before projection.

[0110] In S2003, the projection image generation unit 1403 of the process control system 1200 generates projection image data. In S2004, the work-in-progress position notification unit 1402 of the process control system 1200 notifies the user 704 of the position of the work-in-progress by transmitting the created projection image data to a projector installed near the work-in-progress storage area 1501. Thereafter, the process control system 1200 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0111] (Effects of the third embodiment) In this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which work instructions or work orders are included when notifying the location of work-in-progress items. This allows the work instructions and work orders to be notified to workers at the same time. As a result, higher work efficiency can be expected.

[0112] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0113] The present disclosure also includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a plurality of types of items; a control means for controlling a projection image to be projected onto a second object corresponding to the first object when it is confirmed from the position information that a first object required for a predetermined process has arrived at a waiting area for the predetermined process and a second object corresponding to the first object is present in the waiting area; A control device comprising: (Configuration 2) 2. The control device according to configuration 1, wherein the location information is managed by reading tags that manage the respective items with a tag reader installed in a predetermined area. (Configuration 3) The control device according to configuration 1, wherein the control means creates projection image data for projecting the projection image using coordinate information indicating the location of the second item in the waiting area. (Configuration 4) The control device according to configuration 3, wherein the control means transmits the projection image data to a projector, thereby projecting the projection image onto the second object. (Configuration 5) the predetermined process is a bookbinding process, The control device according to configuration 1, wherein one of the first article and the second article is a book body and the other is a cover. (Configuration 6) The control device according to configuration 4, characterized in that, when the first item and a subsequent item following the first item are expected to arrive in the waiting area within a predetermined threshold value or average working time, the control means controls the creation of projection image data that projects the location of the second item and an item corresponding to the subsequent item when the subsequent item arrives, and transmits the projection image data to the projector. (Configuration 7) 7. The control device according to configuration 6, wherein the control means performs control to indicate a wait for work until the subsequent item arrives. (Configuration 8) 8. The control device according to configuration 7, wherein the control indicating that the operation is waiting is to create projection image data using a single color or a specified symbol and transmit the projection image data to the projector. (Configuration 9) When the predetermined process is a process using the first article, the second article, and a third article, The control device according to configuration 4, wherein the control means performs control to indicate waiting for work when the first and second of the three items have arrived, and when the third item has arrived, creates projection image data to project the two items that arrived first and transmits it to the projector. (Configuration 10) The control device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the control means determines whether or not there is additional information attached to the object in the specified process, and if the additional information exists, creates projection image data according to the additional information. (Configuration 11) 11. The control device according to configuration 10, wherein the additional information is information including data indicating a work order or data indicating that different work is required in the same process. (Configuration 12) The control device according to configuration 11, characterized in that the projection image data incorporating data indicating the work order is image data that projects the target item using light of a color associated with the work order. (Configuration 13) The control device according to configuration 11, characterized in that the projection image data incorporating data indicating that different work is required in the same process is image data projected using light of a specific color onto the item that requires the different work. (Configuration 14) an acquisition step of acquiring location information of a plurality of types of items; a control step of controlling the projection of a projection image onto a second object corresponding to the first object when it is confirmed from the position information that a first object required for a predetermined process has arrived at a waiting area for the predetermined process and a second object corresponding to the first object is present in the waiting area; A control method for a control device, comprising: (Configuration 15) A program that operates in a control device, the control device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a plurality of types of items; a control means for controlling a projection image to be projected onto a second object corresponding to the first object when it is confirmed from the position information that a first object required for a predetermined process has arrived at a waiting area for the predetermined process and a second object corresponding to the first object is present in the waiting area; A program characterized by functioning as

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a plurality of types of items; a control means for controlling a projection image to be projected onto a second object corresponding to the first object when it is confirmed from the position information that a first object required for a predetermined process has arrived at a waiting area for the predetermined process and a second object corresponding to the first object is present in the waiting area; A control device comprising:

2. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the position information is managed by reading tags for managing the respective items with a tag reader installed in a predetermined area.

3. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means creates projection image data for projecting the projection image using coordinate information indicating the location of the second item in the waiting area.

4. 4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the control means transmits the projection image data to a projector, thereby causing the projected image to be projected onto the second object.

5. the predetermined process is a bookbinding process, 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein one of the first article and the second article is a book body and the other is a cover.

6. The control device described in claim 4, characterized in that the control means controls the creation of projection image data that projects the location of the second item and an item corresponding to the subsequent item when the subsequent item arrives, and transmits the projection image data to the projector, when the first item and a subsequent item following the first item are expected to arrive in the waiting area within a predetermined threshold or average working time.

7. 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the control means performs control to indicate a wait for work until the subsequent article arrives.

8. 8. The control device according to claim 7, wherein the control indicating that the operation is waiting is to create projection image data using a single color or a specified symbol and transmit the projection image data to the projector.

9. When the predetermined process is a process using the first article, the second article, and a third article, The control device according to claim 4, wherein the control means performs control to indicate waiting for work when the first and second of the three items have arrived, and when the third item has arrived, creates projection image data to project the two items that arrived first and transmits the image data to the projector.

10. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means determines whether or not there is additional information attached to the object in the specified process, and if there is additional information, creates projection image data according to the additional information.

11. 11. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the additional information includes data indicating a work order or data indicating that different work is required in the same process.

12. The control device according to claim 11, wherein the projection image data incorporating data indicating the work order is image data that projects a target item using light of a color associated with the work order.

13. The control device according to claim 11, characterized in that the projection image data incorporating data indicating that different work is required in the same process is image data projected using light of a specific color onto the item requiring the different work.

14. an acquisition step of acquiring location information of a plurality of types of items; a control step of controlling the projection of a projection image onto a second object corresponding to the first object when it is confirmed from the position information that a first object required for a predetermined process has arrived at a waiting area for the predetermined process and a second object corresponding to the first object is present in the waiting area; A control method for a control device, comprising:

15. A program that operates in a control device, the control device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a plurality of types of items; a control means for controlling a projection image to be projected onto a second object corresponding to the first object when it is confirmed from the position information that a first object required for a predetermined process has arrived at a waiting area for the predetermined process and a second object corresponding to the first object is present in the waiting area; A program characterized by functioning as

Images