Information processing system and non-transitory computer readable

Abstract

To provide an information processing system and an information processing program for predicting information on cycle-down occurring between print jobs.SOLUTION: The information processing system includes a processor configured to input new input information including information related to each of a plurality of print jobs to be newly continuously processed and information related to print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs to a learned model learned in advance so as to output information related to a cycle-down occurring between the plurality of print jobs when input information including information related to each of a plurality of print jobs to be continuously processed and information related to print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs is input. Information on cycle-down occurring between the plurality of print jobs to be newly and continuously processed is output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system including a controller with a RIP processing unit that rasterizes each page of print data to generate image data, and a printing device with a print processing unit that executes print processing based on the image data. In this printing system, the controller includes a RIP time calculation unit that calculates a predicted RIP processing time required for RIP processing of each page of the print data, and a print condition acquisition unit that acquires printing conditions for each page of the print data and sends the acquired printing conditions to the printing device. The printing device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires capability information and environmental information of the print processing unit, and a print processing information calculation unit that calculates print processing information based on the printing conditions, capability information, and environmental information received from the controller, including a predicted print processing time required for printing each page of the print data and a predicted cycle down occurrence time that indicates the time until cycle down occurs in the environment when each page of the print data is printed, and sends the calculated print processing information to the controller. The controller further includes a timing control unit that uses the print processing information received from the printing device and the predicted RIP processing time to calculate the time from the completion of print processing for n (n is a positive number greater than or equal to 1) pages to the completion of RIP processing for n+1 pages, determines the transmission timing of the image data for pages n+1 and onward based on the result of comparing this time with the predicted cycle down occurrence time for n pages, and transmits the image data to the printing device according to the determined transmission timing.

[0003] When print jobs are processed consecutively, a cycle down occurs under certain conditions when switching between print jobs. A cycle down is the time that occurs between print jobs while the printing device prepares to print.

[0004] Because cycle downs reduce productivity, it is desirable to operate in a way that minimizes cycle downs. However, the conditions under which cycle downs occur are complex, and it is not possible to predict cycle downs before a print job is executed. This makes it impossible to create a print job schedule that takes cycle downs into account. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-39142 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing system and an information processing program that can predict information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the information processing system according to the first aspect includes a processor, and when input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be processed successively and information about the printing information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs is input, the processor inputs new input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be newly processed successively and information about the printing information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs into a trained model that has been trained in advance to output information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs, thereby outputting information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs to be newly processed successively.

[0008] In the information processing system of the second aspect, in the information processing system of the first aspect, the information regarding the print job includes at least one of information regarding the printing surface, information regarding the printing paper, information regarding the printing color mode, and information regarding the destination of the printed printing paper.

[0009] An information processing system according to a third aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the information relating to the printing information includes at least one of information relating to the number of printing colors, information relating to toner, and information relating to spot colors.

[0010] An information processing system according to a fourth aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the input information further includes information about an environment in which the plurality of print jobs are processed.

[0011] An information processing system according to a fifth aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the input information further includes information about a printing device that processes the plurality of print jobs.

[0012] An information processing system according to a sixth aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the input information further includes information regarding an order in which the plurality of print jobs are to be processed.

[0013] An information processing system according to a seventh aspect is an information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the information relating to a cycle down occurring between the print jobs includes whether or not a cycle down occurs between the print jobs, or the time at which the cycle down occurs between the print jobs.

[0014] An information processing system according to an eighth aspect is an information processing system according to the first aspect, in which the trained model is trained using the time of cycle down that occurs between the multiple print jobs, calculated from information regarding the processing performance of the printing device that processes the multiple print jobs.

[0015] An information processing system according to a ninth aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the processor uses the trained model to output information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs included in a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is rearranged, for each of the print jobs included in the pattern.

[0016] An information processing system according to a tenth aspect is the information processing system according to the ninth aspect, wherein the processor recommends at least one of the plurality of patterns based on information regarding cycle downs that occur between the print jobs output for each of the plurality of patterns.

[0017] An information processing system according to an eleventh aspect is an information processing system according to the tenth aspect, wherein the information regarding cycle downs that occur between the print jobs includes whether or not cycle downs occur between the print jobs, and the processor recommends the pattern among the plurality of patterns that has the fewest number of cycle downs.

[0018] An information processing system according to a twelfth aspect is an information processing system according to the tenth aspect, wherein the information relating to the cycle downs that occur between the print jobs includes the time at which the cycle downs occur between the print jobs, and the processor recommends the pattern among the plurality of patterns that has the smallest total time at which the cycle downs occur.

[0019] The information processing program according to the thirteenth aspect causes a computer to execute the following: inputting new input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be processed successively and information about the print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs into a trained model that has been trained in advance to output information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs; inputting new input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be newly processed successively and information about the print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs into the trained model. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the first aspect, it is possible to predict information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs.

[0021] According to the second aspect, information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs can be predicted based on information regarding the printing surface, information regarding the printing paper, information regarding the printing color mode, or information regarding the destination of the printed printing paper.

[0022] According to the third aspect, it is possible to predict information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs, based on information regarding the number of print colors, information regarding toner, or information regarding spot colors.

[0023] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to predict information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs, based on information regarding the environment in which a plurality of print jobs are processed.

[0024] According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to predict information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs, based on information about a printing device that processes multiple print jobs.

[0025] According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to predict information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs, based on information regarding the order in which a plurality of print jobs are processed.

[0026] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to predict whether or not a cycle down will occur between print jobs, or the time at which a cycle down will occur between print jobs.

[0027] According to the eighth aspect, the occurrence time of a cycle down, which is used for learning, can be calculated from information relating to the processing results of a printing device that processes a plurality of print jobs.

[0028] According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to predict information about cycle down for each of a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is changed.

[0029] According to the tenth aspect, at least one pattern can be recommended from among a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is changed.

[0030] According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to recommend a pattern in which the number of cycle down occurrences is small.

[0031] According to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to recommend a pattern in which the total time during which cycle down occurs is small.

[0032] According to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to predict information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an electrical system of a printing device in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of an electrical system of a server and a management device in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a management device in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of performance information of a job. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the status of each job. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of performance information of a device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of performance information of a device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule is changed. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a trained neural network model. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which a cycle down occurs between jobs. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of scheduling print jobs in an order that suppresses the occurrence of cycle down. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a learning process performed by the server of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an estimation process performed by the server of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] An example of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an information processing system in which a management device, a printing device, a client computer, etc. are connected to each other via communication lines such as various networks will be described as an example. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0035] 1, an information processing system 10 according to this embodiment includes a server 11, a printing device 12, and a management device 14. The server 11, the printing device 12, and the management device 14 are connected to each other via a communication line 18 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or an intranet. The server 11, the printing device 12, and the management device 14 are capable of transmitting and receiving various data to and from each other via the communication line 18. In this embodiment, the management device 14 instructs the printing device 12 to print, causing the printing device 12 to form an image in accordance with the print instruction.

[0036] Although FIG. 1 shows one server 11, one printing device 12, and one management device 14, there may be a plurality of each, or there may be a plurality of any of them.

[0037] The printing device 12 according to this embodiment has multiple functions, such as a printing function for performing print processing, a post-processing function for performing post-processing on printed paper, etc. The multiple functions may include a reading function for reading an original to obtain image information representing the original, a copying function for copying an image recorded on the original onto paper, a facsimile function for sending and receiving various data via a telephone line (not shown), a transfer function for transferring original information such as image information read by the reading function, etc., and a storage function for storing original information such as read image information.

[0038] In the following description, the facsimile function may be referred to as fax, the reading function as scan, the printing function as print, and the copying function as copy.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electrical system of the printing device 12 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 2, the printing device 12 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 20. The control unit 20 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0041] Meanwhile, the printing device 12 according to this embodiment includes a hard disk drive (HDD) 26 that stores various data, application programs, and the like. The printing device 12 is also connected to a user interface 22 and includes a display control unit 28 that controls the display of various operation screens and the like on the display of the user interface 22. The printing device 12 is also connected to the user interface 22 and includes an operation input detection unit 30 that detects operation instructions input via the user interface 22. In the printing device 12, the HDD 26, the display control unit 28, and the operation input detection unit 30 are electrically connected to a system bus 42. While the printing device 12 according to this embodiment uses the HDD 26 as a storage unit, this is not a limitation and a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory may also be used. Furthermore, while this embodiment uses a touch panel capable of displaying and inputting operations as the user interface 22, this is not a limitation and a user interface having a display and an operation unit that are separate may also be used.

[0042] The printing device 12 according to this embodiment also includes a print control unit 34 that controls the printing process performed by the printing unit 24, the transport of paper to the printing unit 24 by the transport unit 25, and the post-processing process performed by the post-processing unit 46. The printing device 12 may also include a read control unit that controls the optical image reading operation performed by the document reading unit and the document feeding operation performed by the document transport unit. The printing device 12 also includes a communication line I / F (interface) unit 36 ​​that is connected to the communication line 18 and transmits and receives communication data to and from other external devices, such as the management device 14, that are connected to the communication line 18. The printing device 12 may also include a facsimile I / F (interface) unit that is connected to a telephone line (not shown) and transmits and receives facsimile data to and from a facsimile device connected to the telephone line. The printing device 12 may also include a transmission / reception control unit that controls the transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile I / F unit 38. In the printing device 12, the print control unit 34 and the communication line I / F unit 36 ​​are electrically connected to a system bus 42.

[0043] With the above configuration, the printing device 12 according to this embodiment uses the control unit 20 to control the display of information such as operation screens and various messages on the display of the user interface 22 via the display control unit 28. The printing device 12 also uses the control unit 20 to control the operation of the printing unit 24, conveying unit 25, and post-processing unit 46 via the print control unit 34, and to control the sending and receiving of communication data via the communication line I / F unit 36. Furthermore, the printing device 12 uses the control unit 20 to grasp the operation content of the user interface 22 based on the operation information detected by the operation input detection unit 30, and executes various controls based on this operation content.

[0044] In this embodiment, an example of an application stored in the HDD 26 includes an application that executes a function such as printing.

[0045] Next, the main configuration of the electrical system of the server 11 and management device 14 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electrical system of the server 11 and management device 14 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that since the server 11 and management device 14 have a general computer configuration, the following description will be given using the server 11 as a representative.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the server 11 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 11A as an example of a processor, a ROM 11B, a RAM 11C, a storage 11D, an operation unit 11E, a display unit 11F, and a communication line I / F (interface) unit 11G. The CPU 11A controls the overall operation of the server 11. The ROM 11B stores various control programs and parameters in advance. The RAM 11C is used as a work area when the CPU 11A executes various programs. The storage 11D stores various data and application programs. The operation unit 11E is used to input various information. The display unit 11F is used to display various information. The communication line I / F unit 11G is connected to a communication line 18 and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices connected to the communication line 18. The communication line I / F unit 11G may also be configured to be capable of directly communicating with each device using various well-known wireless communications. The above-described components of the server 11 are electrically connected to each other via a system bus 11I. In the server 11 according to this embodiment, the storage 11D is used as a storage unit, and examples of storage include non-volatile storage units such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and flash memory.

[0047] With the above configuration, the server 11 according to this embodiment uses the CPU 11A to access the ROM 11B, RAM 11C, and storage 11D, to obtain various data via the operation unit 11E, and to display various information on the display unit 11F. In addition, the server 11 uses the CPU 11A to control the transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line I / F unit 11G.

[0048] In the information processing system 10 configured as above, the management device 14 manages a series of manufacturing processes, which include, for example, a production process, a prepress process, a plate making process, a printing process, a processing process, and a delivery process.

[0049] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the management device 14. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management device 14.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the management device 14 is functionally configured to include a device collaboration unit 50, a job performance database (DB) 51, a device performance database (DB) 52, a learning data creation unit 53, an input unit 54, a job analysis unit 55, a planning unit 56, a prepress processing unit 57, and a job transmission unit 58.

[0051] The device cooperation unit 50 acquires device performance information including device status information and job performance information including job status information, printing history, or processing history from the printing unit 24 and post-processing unit 46 of the printing device 12.

[0052] The job performance database 51 stores performance information of jobs acquired by the device link unit 50. For example, the job performance information including the printing history or processing history of a job as shown in FIG. 5 and the job status information as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the job performance database 51. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the job status information for each job includes the following items: "Status," "Number of Pages," "Number of Copies," "Color," "Spot Color 1," "Spot Color 2," "Double-Sided," "Media," "Paper Size," "Paper Color," "Paper Type," "Paper Basis Weight," "Destination," "Staple," "Punch," and "Fold." FIG. 6 shows an example in which the job status information includes the following items: "Destination," "Job Status," "Send Time," "Print Start Time," and "Print Completion Time."

[0053] The device performance database 52 stores performance information of devices acquired by the device cooperation unit 50. For example, device performance information including device status information, as shown in Fig. 7, is stored in the device performance database 52. In Fig. 7, the job status information includes the items "printing device name," "status," "status details," and "updated date and time," and Fig. 8 shows an example in which a cycle down has occurred on "printing device A" between job A and job B.

[0054] The learning data creation unit 53 creates learning data including pairs of input information about a plurality of print jobs that have been processed consecutively in the past and information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs and that correspond to the input information.

[0055] The input information may include information about each of multiple print jobs to be processed in succession. The information about the print jobs may include information about print job settings. Specifically, the information about the print job settings includes at least one of information about the print side, information about the print paper, information about the print color mode, and information about the destination for printing the printed paper. The information about the print side includes, for example, information indicating whether double-sided printing is being performed. The information about the print paper includes, for example, the paper size, paper color, and paper type. The information about the print color mode includes information indicating whether the mode is monochrome or color. The information about the destination for printing the printed paper includes, for example, information identifying the stacker that will be the destination.

[0056] The learning data creation unit 53 collects information on each of a plurality of print jobs to be processed consecutively from the job performance database 51 of the management device 14 .

[0057] The input information may also include information about the printing information to be printed in each of the multiple print jobs processed in succession. The information about the printing information may include information obtained by analyzing the printing information. Specifically, the information obtained by analyzing the printing information includes at least one of information about the number of printing colors, information about toner, and information about spot colors. The information about toner includes, for example, the amount of toner. The information about spot colors includes, for example, the presence or absence of spot colors, the type of spot color, etc.

[0058] The learning data creation unit 53 collects information related to the print information to be printed in each of a plurality of print jobs to be processed consecutively from the job performance database 51 of the management device 14.

[0059] The input information may include information about the environment in which the print jobs are processed, such as temperature or humidity.

[0060] The temperature and humidity detected by the sensors are input to the management device 14 and managed by the management device 14 as history information.

[0061] The learning data creation unit 53 acquires information about the environment in which a plurality of print jobs are processed from the history information held by the management device 14.

[0062] The input information may include information about the printing device 12 that processes multiple print jobs. The information about the printing device 12 may include, for example, information that identifies the printing device 12 or information that indicates the model of the printing device 12.

[0063] Information for identifying the printing device 12 or information indicating the model of the printing device 12 is input to the management device 14 and managed by the management device 14 as history information.

[0064] The input information may also include information regarding the order in which multiple print jobs are to be processed.

[0065] The learning data creation unit 53 acquires information about the printing device 12 that processes multiple print jobs from the history information held by the management device 14.

[0066] Information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs is calculated by the learning data creation unit 53 from information about the results of processing by the printing device 12.

[0067] The learning data creation unit 53 acquires information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs.

[0068] The information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs includes whether or not a cycle down occurs between print jobs, or the time at which a cycle down occurs between print jobs.

[0069] Specifically, the learning data creation unit 53 obtains from the device performance information stored in the device performance database 52 whether or not a cycle down occurs between print jobs, or the time at which a cycle down occurs between print jobs.

[0070] In the example shown in Figure 7 above, the time when the cycle down occurred between print jobs is determined to be "0:05:00.00000000", based on the difference between the update date and time of the status "Setting up", "14:00:00.00000000", and the update date and time of the status "Printing", "14:05:00.00000000".

[0071] The input unit 54 accepts order information input by the user. The order information includes product specifications, customer address, delivery date, etc. The input unit 54 also accepts information input by the user regarding each of multiple print jobs to be processed consecutively. The user accesses the WebUI from a browser displayed on the user terminal, for example, and inputs the order information and information regarding each print job via the WebUI. A print job is generated based on the input order information and information regarding each print job. Although the above description is based on an example in which the user inputs information about each of the print jobs to be processed consecutively, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may input information about each of the print jobs to be processed consecutively by selecting multiple print jobs from among those already generated.

[0072] The job analysis unit 55 acquires print information (e.g., PDF data) to be printed in a print job from a file server (not shown), analyzes the print information, and obtains information regarding the number of print colors, information regarding toner, and information regarding spot colors.

[0073] For each of a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is changed, the planning unit 56 communicates with the server 11 and acquires information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs for each of the print jobs included in the pattern. At this time, the server 11 uses the trained model to output information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs.

[0074] Furthermore, the planning unit 56 recommends to the user as a print schedule the pattern with the smallest number of cycle down occurrences among the multiple patterns (see FIG. 9). Alternatively, the planning unit 56 recommends to the user as a print schedule the pattern with the smallest total cycle down occurrence time among the multiple patterns.

[0075] Figure 9 shows an example in which cycle down occurs three times when jobs are executed in the order of Job A, Job B, Job C, and Job D, whereas cycle down occurs only once when jobs are executed in the order of Job A, Job C, Job B, and Job D.

[0076] The prepress processing unit 57 performs prepress such as preflight, imposition, barcode application, or watermark application.

[0077] The job sending unit 58 sends the printing information and information about the print job to the printing device 12.

[0078] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the server 11. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server 11.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 10, the server 11 is functionally configured to include a collection unit 101, a learning data storage unit 102, a learning unit 103, a model storage unit 104, a reception unit 105, an estimation unit 106, and an output unit 107.

[0080] The collection unit 101 collects learning data including pairs of input information relating to a plurality of print jobs that have been processed consecutively in the past and information relating to cycle downs that occur between print jobs and that correspond to the input information.

[0081] The learning data storage unit 102 stores a plurality of pieces of learning data collected by the collection unit 101.

[0082] The learning unit 103 receives input information based on a plurality of learning data and constructs a neural network model for estimating information relating to cycle downs that occur between print jobs and that correspond to the input information.

[0083] Specifically, the trained neural network model accepts input information including at least one of information on the printing surface, information on the printing paper, information on the printing color mode, information on the destination of printed printing paper, information on the number of printing colors, information on the toner, information on the spot color, information on the environment, information on the printing device 12, and information on the sequence, and outputs the occurrence time of cycle down that occurs between print jobs corresponding to the input information (see FIG. 11). Deep learning can be used as an example of a learning algorithm, and the neural network model may be constructed so that when input information of learning data is input, the occurrence time of cycle down that occurs between print jobs of the learning data is output.

[0084] More specifically, the input information of the learning data is used as input, and the output of the model is to estimate the time at which cycle downs occur between print jobs, compare the estimated time at which cycle downs occur with the time at which cycle downs occur in the learning data, calculate the error between the time at which cycle downs occur, and update the parameters of the model so as to minimize the value of the error.

[0085] The trained neural network model may also be configured to output the presence or absence of a cycle down occurring between print jobs or the probability of occurrence. In this case, the input information of the training data is used as an input, and the presence or absence or probability of a cycle down occurring between print jobs is estimated as the model output, and the estimated presence or absence or probability of a cycle down is compared with the presence or absence or probability of a cycle down in the training data to calculate an error in the presence or absence or probability of a cycle down, and the model parameters may be updated to minimize the value of the error.

[0086] Here, the correlation between input information and information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs will be described.

[0087] Because cycle down occurs when a print job is switched, a hypothesis about the conditions for the cycle down can be formulated based on information about the print jobs that were being printed before and after the cycle down occurred. The hypothesis can be verified and accuracy improved by obtaining information about the cycle down from the operational history of the printing device 12. This is then trained into a neural network model. For example, as shown in Figure 12, a cycle down occurs when the color mode of print job C is "color + spot color" and the color mode of print job B is "monochrome."

[0088] Furthermore, for example, when information about job A and job B is input, the predicted cycle-down time may change depending on whether the jobs are processed in the order of job A → job B, or job B → job A. Therefore, there is a correlation between information about the order and information about cycle-downs that occur between print jobs.

[0089] If it is possible to predict information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs using a trained neural network model, it is possible to schedule print jobs in an order that minimizes the occurrence of cycle downs, as shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 shows an example of scheduling print jobs in an order that minimizes the number of cycle downs that occur by changing the schedule in which cycle downs occur between multiple print jobs that are processed consecutively.

[0090] The model storage unit 104 stores a trained neural network model.

[0091] The receiving unit 105 receives input information relating to a plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively, which are to be estimated.

[0092] The input information includes information about each of multiple print jobs to be processed in succession. The information about the print jobs may include information about print job settings. Specifically, the information about the print job settings includes at least one of information about the print side, information about the print paper, information about the print color mode, and information about the destination for printing printed paper. For example, the reception unit 105 receives, input by the user, information indicating whether double-sided printing is to be performed ("double-sided"), paper size ("A4"), information about the print color mode ("color"), and information identifying the stacker that will be the destination ("stacker 1").

[0093] The input information may also include information about the printing information to be printed in each of the multiple print jobs processed in succession. The information about the printing information may include information obtained by analyzing the printing information. Specifically, the information obtained by analyzing the printing information includes at least one of information about the number of printing colors, information about toner, and information about spot colors. For example, the receiving unit 105 receives information about the number of printing colors ("2 colors"), the amount of toner, and whether or not spot colors are included ("yes"), etc., analyzed by the job analysis unit 55.

[0094] The input information may also include information about the environment in which multiple print jobs are processed. The information about the environment may include, for example, temperature or humidity. For example, the receiving unit 105 receives a temperature of "20 degrees" and a humidity of "40%" obtained from a sensor that detects the temperature or humidity in the environment in which the printing device 12 is installed.

[0095] The input information may also include information about the printing device 12 that processes multiple print jobs. The information about the printing device 12 includes, for example, information that identifies the printing device 12 or information that indicates the model of the printing device 12. For example, the reception unit 105 receives information that identifies the printing device 12, such as "printing device A," input by the user.

[0096] The input information may also include information about the order in which multiple print jobs are to be processed. For example, the receiving unit 105 receives information about the order in which multiple print jobs are to be processed, such as "job A → job B," input by the user.

[0097] The estimation unit 106 uses a trained neural network model stored in the model storage unit 104 to estimate information related to cycle down that occurs between print jobs and corresponds to the received input information.

[0098] Specifically, various pieces of information contained in the received input information are converted into data structures (e.g., scalar values, vectors, etc.) that can be input into a trained neural network model, and then input into the trained neural network model, and information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs is estimated from the output of the trained model.

[0099] The output unit 107 transmits information about the estimated cycle downs that occur between print jobs to the management device 14. As a result, the planning unit 56 of the management device 14 acquires information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs included in each of a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is rearranged. The planning unit 56 recommends to the user as a print schedule the pattern with the smallest number of cycle downs among the plurality of patterns. Alternatively, the planning unit 56 recommends to the user as a print schedule the pattern with the smallest total cycle down occurrence time among the plurality of patterns.

[0100] Next, specific processing performed in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0101] First, in the management device 14, the device collaboration unit 50 acquires device performance information including device status information from the printing unit 24 and post-processing unit 46 of the printing device 12 and stores it in the device performance database 52, and also acquires job performance information including job status information, printing history, or processing history and stores it in the job performance database 51.

[0102] Then, the learning data creation unit 53 creates learning data including pairs of input information about multiple print jobs that have been processed consecutively in the past and information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs corresponding to the input information.

[0103] Information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs is calculated by the learning data creation unit 53 of the management device 14 from information regarding the performance of the printing device 12 that processes a plurality of print jobs.

[0104] Next, in the server 11, the CPU 14A reads out the learning program from the ROM 14B or the storage 14D, loads it into the RAM 14C, and executes it, thereby performing the learning process shown in FIG.

[0105] In step S100, the CPU 14A, as the collection unit 101, collects learning data including pairs of input information regarding multiple print jobs that have been processed consecutively in the past, created by the learning data creation unit 53 of the management device 14, and information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs corresponding to the input information, and stores the data in the learning data storage unit 102.

[0106] In step S102, the CPU 14A, as the learning unit 103, uses input information based on multiple learning data, learns a neural network model for estimating information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs and that correspond to the input information, stores the model in the model memory unit 104, and terminates the learning process.

[0107] Next, in the management device 14, the input unit 54 accepts order information input by the user. The input unit 54 also accepts information input by the user regarding each of a plurality of print jobs to be processed consecutively.

[0108] The job analysis unit 55 acquires print information (for example, PDF data) to be printed in a print job from the file server, analyzes the print information, and obtains information about the number of print colors, information about toner, and information about spot colors.

[0109] For each of a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a printing schedule including a series of print jobs is rearranged, the planning unit 56 sends input information to the server 11 regarding a plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively as estimation targets for each of the print jobs included in the pattern.

[0110] At this time, in the server 11, the CPU 14A reads out the estimation program from the ROM 14B or the storage 14D, loads it into the RAM 14C, and executes it, thereby performing the estimation process shown in FIG.

[0111] In step S110, CPU 14A functions as reception unit 105 and receives input information input by the user regarding a plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively and to be subjected to estimation.

[0112] In step S112, the CPU 14A functions as the estimation unit 106 and uses the trained neural network model stored in the model storage unit 104 to estimate information related to cycle downs that occur between print jobs and that correspond to the received input information.

[0113] In step S114, CPU 14A functions as output unit 107 and transmits information relating to the estimated cycle down that occurs between print jobs to management device 14, and the estimation process ends.

[0114] The planning unit 56 of the management device 14 acquires information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs for each of a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is rearranged, for each of the print jobs included in the pattern.

[0115] The planning unit 56 recommends to the user as a print schedule the pattern with the smallest number of cycle down occurrences among the multiple patterns, or the planning unit 56 recommends to the user as a print schedule the pattern with the smallest total cycle down occurrence time among the multiple patterns.

[0116] By performing the process in this manner, it is possible to predict information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs when multiple print jobs are processed consecutively.

[0117] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0118] In the above embodiment, multiple companies may each have a pair of a printing device and a management device, and an information processing system may be configured including the pair of a printing device and a management device owned by each company. This allows the neural network model to be trained using training data obtained from each company.

[0119] In addition, although an example has been described in which various types of input information are accepted and information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs is estimated, it is also possible to accept only a portion of the various types of input information rather than accepting all of the various types of input information and estimate information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs.

[0120] In addition, although the example has been described in which the server 11 learns a model and estimates information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs, it may also be configured as being divided into a learning device that learns the model and an estimation device that estimates information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs.

[0121] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPUs, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0122] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0123] Furthermore, although the "system" in this embodiment is described as being composed of multiple devices as an example, it may also be composed of a single device that has some of the functions of the multiple devices.

[0124] Furthermore, the processing performed by the printing device 12 according to the above embodiment may be software-based, hardware-based, or a combination of both. The processing performed by the printing device 12 may be stored as a program on a storage medium and distributed. The technology disclosed herein may also be applied to a program product.

[0125] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0126] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments. (((1))) a processor, the processor comprising: When input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be processed consecutively and information about print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs is input, the trained model is trained in advance to output information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs. By inputting new input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively and information about print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs, the trained model outputs information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively. Information processing system.

[0127] (((2))) The information about the print job includes at least one of information about the printing surface, information about the printing paper, information about the printing color mode, and information about the destination of the printed printing paper. The information processing system according to (((1))).

[0128] (((3))) the information regarding the printing information includes at least one of information regarding the number of printing colors, information regarding toner, and information regarding spot colors; The information processing system according to (((1))) or (((2))).

[0129] (((4))) The information processing system according to any one of ((1))) to ((3))), wherein the input information further includes information relating to an environment in which the plurality of print jobs are processed.

[0130] (((5))) The information processing system according to any one of ((1))) to ((4))), wherein the input information further includes information about a printing device that processes the plurality of print jobs.

[0131] (((6))) 10. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the input information further includes information relating to an order in which the plurality of print jobs are to be processed.

[0132] (((7))) The information processing system described in any one of (((1))) to (((6))) includes information regarding a cycle down that occurs between the print jobs, including whether or not a cycle down occurs between the print jobs, or the time at which the cycle down occurs between the print jobs.

[0133] (((8))) The trained model is trained using the time of cycle down that occurs between the multiple print jobs, calculated from information regarding the processing performance of the printing device that processes the multiple print jobs. An information processing system described in any one of ((1))) to (((7))).

[0134] (((9))) The processor performs the following for each of a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is changed: An information processing system described in any one of (((1))) to (((8))) that uses the trained model to output information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs included in the pattern.

[0135] (((10))) The information processing system according to (((9))), wherein the processor recommends at least one of the plurality of patterns based on information regarding cycle downs that occur between the print jobs output for each of the plurality of patterns.

[0136] (((11))) The information about a cycle down occurring between the print jobs includes whether or not a cycle down occurs between the print jobs; The information processing system according to (((10))), wherein the processor recommends a pattern that has the smallest number of cycle downs among the plurality of patterns.

[0137] (((12))) the information about the cycle down occurring between the print jobs includes the time of occurrence of the cycle down occurring between the print jobs; The information processing system according to (((10))), wherein the processor recommends a pattern from among the plurality of patterns that has the shortest total cycle down occurrence time.

[0138] (((13))) When input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be processed consecutively and information about print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs is input, the trained model is trained in advance to output information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs. By inputting new input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively and information about print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs, the trained model outputs information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively. An information processing program that causes a computer to perform certain tasks.

[0139] According to (((1))), it is possible to predict information about cycle down that occurs between print jobs.

[0140] According to (((2))), it is possible to predict information regarding cycle down that occurs between print jobs based on information regarding the printing surface, information regarding the printing paper, information regarding the printing color mode, or information regarding the destination of the printed printing paper.

[0141] According to (((3))), it is possible to predict information about cycle down that occurs between print jobs based on information about the number of print colors, information about toner, or information about spot colors.

[0142] According to (((4))), it is possible to predict information about cycle down that occurs between print jobs, based on information about the environment in which multiple print jobs are processed.

[0143] According to (((5))), it is possible to predict information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs, based on information about a printing device that processes multiple print jobs.

[0144] According to (((6))), it is possible to predict information about cycle downs that occur between print jobs, based on information about the order in which multiple print jobs are processed.

[0145] According to (((7))), it is possible to predict whether or not a cycle down will occur between print jobs, or the time at which a cycle down will occur between print jobs.

[0146] According to (((8))), the occurrence time of a cycle down, which is used for learning, can be calculated from information relating to the processing results of a printing device that processes multiple print jobs.

[0147] According to (((9))), it is possible to predict information about cycle down for each of a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is changed.

[0148] According to (((10))), at least one pattern can be recommended from among a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is changed.

[0149] According to (((11))), it is possible to recommend a pattern that results in a small number of cycle downs.

[0150] According to (((12))), it is possible to recommend a pattern with a small total cycle down occurrence time.

[0151] According to (((13))), it is possible to predict information about cycle down that occurs between print jobs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 10 Information Processing Systems 11 Server 12 Printing device 14 Management device 24 Printing Department 51 Job Performance Database 52 Device performance database 53 Learning Data Creation Department 56 Planning Department 101 Collection Department 102 Learning data storage unit 103 Learning Department 104 Model Memory Unit 105 Reception 106 Estimation part 107 Output section

Claims

1. a processor, the processor comprising: When input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be processed consecutively and information about print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs is input, the trained model is trained in advance to output information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs. By inputting new input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively and information about print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs, the trained model outputs information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively. Information processing system.

2. The information about the print job includes at least one of information about the printing surface, information about the printing paper, information about the printing color mode, and information about the destination of the printed printing paper. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. the information regarding the printing information includes at least one of information regarding the number of printing colors, information regarding toner, and information regarding spot colors; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the input information further includes information about an environment in which the plurality of print jobs are processed.

5. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the input information further includes information about a printing device that processes the plurality of print jobs.

6. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the input information further includes information regarding an order in which the plurality of print jobs are to be processed.

7. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information about a cycle down that occurs between the print jobs includes whether or not a cycle down occurs between the print jobs, or the time at which the cycle down occurs between the print jobs.

8. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the trained model is trained using the time of cycle down that occurs between the multiple print jobs, calculated from information regarding the processing performance of the printing device that processes the multiple print jobs.

9. The processor performs the following for each of a plurality of patterns in which the order of print jobs in a print schedule including a series of print jobs is changed: The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the trained model is used to output information regarding cycle downs that occur between print jobs included in the pattern.

10. 10. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the processor recommends at least one of the plurality of patterns based on information regarding cycle downs that occur between the print jobs output for each of the plurality of patterns.

11. The information about a cycle down occurring between the print jobs includes whether or not a cycle down occurs between the print jobs; 11. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the processor recommends a pattern that has the smallest number of cycle downs among the plurality of patterns.

12. the information about the cycle down occurring between the print jobs includes the time of occurrence of the cycle down occurring between the print jobs; 11. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the processor recommends a pattern that has the smallest total cycle-down occurrence time among the plurality of patterns.

13. When input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be processed consecutively and information about print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs is input, the trained model is trained in advance to output information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs. By inputting new input information including information about each of a plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively and information about print information to be printed in each of the plurality of print jobs, the trained model outputs information about cycle downs that occur between the plurality of print jobs to be newly processed consecutively. An information processing program that causes a computer to perform certain tasks.

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