Information processing system and program

Abstract

The time required for a job, which differs depending on the processing capacity of the job execution device, is displayed in a visually recognizable manner. [Solution] A schedule setting screen 20 has, for each printer, a schedule setting area 26 including a schedule frame 32 displaying job cards 30 of assigned jobs assigned to that printer, and an unassigned job display area displaying job cards 28 of unassigned jobs that have not yet been scheduled. The user drags a job card 28a to the desired location for scheduling. When the job card 28 is located in free time 34b, it is displayed with a width corresponding to the required time for the unassigned job calculated based on the processing capacity of printer "PRT_B." When the job card 28 is located in free time 34c, it is displayed with a width corresponding to the required time for the unassigned job calculated based on the processing capacity of printer "PRT_C."

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, job schedules may be managed using a schedule table that shows time on the horizontal axis and the names of job execution devices such as printers that are candidates for assignment on the vertical axis. The schedule manager refers to the schedule table displayed on the screen and schedules jobs that have not yet been scheduled.

[0003] A more specific example of an interface is a user interface that displays a schedule on a screen and schedules unscheduled jobs by dragging and dropping display elements such as icons of unscheduled jobs into available time slots in the schedule. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-332178 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The time required for a job varies depending on attribute information that indicates the content of the job, such as the number of pages to be printed, whether single-sided or double-sided, in the case of a print job. Furthermore, even for the same job, the time required for the job varies depending on the processing capacity of the job execution device, etc.

[0006] Therefore, when the required time for a job is indicated by the shape of a job display element provided in association with each job, it is preferable to display the job display element in a shape that corresponds to the processing capacity, etc., of the job execution device.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to visually display the required time for a job, which differs depending on the processing capacity of the job execution device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing system according to the present invention includes a processor, which displays a schedule area defined by a first axis and a second axis, in which schedule frames of job execution devices that are candidates for job allocation are displayed side by side along the first axis, and the second axis forms a time axis, and displays, in the schedule frame of each job execution device, a job display element corresponding to a job that has been assigned to that job execution device, indicating the execution time and required time of that job on that job execution device, and in response to a user's operation to move a job display element corresponding to an unscheduled job into the schedule area, the processor calculates the required time for that job on that job execution device by referring to processing capacity information of the job execution device that corresponds to the moved position of the job display element and attribute information of the job that corresponds to the job display element, and displays the job display element in a shape that corresponds to the calculated required time.

[0009] The processor is also characterized in that it calculates the required time by further referring to attribute information of a job corresponding to a job display element that exists before the movement position in the schedule frame of the job execution device that corresponds to the movement position.

[0010] The processor is also characterized in that when it refers to attribute information of a job scheduled after the movement position, it issues a warning if the execution of the job corresponding to the job display element will affect the execution of the job scheduled after the movement position.

[0011] The job attribute information is characterized in that, when the setting contents of the attribute information of each job to be executed subsequently are different, preparatory work is required to execute the job to be executed subsequently.

[0012] The processor also calculates the time required for a job display element corresponding to an unscheduled job when the job is executed on a job execution device that is estimated to be most likely to be assigned to the job in accordance with a predetermined rule, and displays the job display element in a shape corresponding to the calculated time required.

[0013] Furthermore, when a user moves a job display element of an unscheduled job by a drag operation as the move operation, the processor changes the shape of the job display element within the schedule area in accordance with the required time for the job in the job execution device corresponding to the current position of the job display element.

[0014] The processor may also schedule the job corresponding to the job display element at the position where the user drops the job display element.

[0015] The processor also displays information about the impact of scheduling an unscheduled job on already scheduled jobs before scheduling the unscheduled job at the location to which the job display element has been moved.

[0016] The program of the present invention causes a computer to realize the following functions: displaying a schedule area defined by a first axis and a second axis, wherein the schedule frames of job execution devices that are candidates for job allocation are displayed side by side along the first axis, and the second axis forms a time axis; displaying, in the schedule frame of the job execution device, a job display element corresponding to a job that has been assigned to that job execution device, which indicates the execution time and required time of that job on that job execution device; calculating, in response to a user's operation to move the job display element into the schedule area, the required time of the job on that job execution device by referring to processing capacity information of the job execution device that corresponds to the moved position of the job display element and attribute information of the job corresponding to the job display element; and displaying the job display element in a shape that corresponds to the calculated required time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the invention as recited in claim 1, the required time for a job, which differs depending on the processing capacity of the job execution device, can be displayed in a visually recognizable manner.

[0018] According to the invention as set forth in claim 2, it is possible to calculate the time required for a job to be scheduled, taking into consideration the influence of a job executed immediately before the scheduled time.

[0019] According to the invention described in claim 3, when a job is scheduled to a position where a job display element displayed in the unassigned job area is moved, if the job to be executed immediately after the scheduled time is affected, it is possible to notify the user of this.

[0020] According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, the required time can be calculated taking into consideration the time required for preparation work that occurs when executing a job.

[0021] According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, it is possible to inform the user of the approximate time required for a job before actually scheduling the job.

[0022] According to the invention of claim 6, before actually scheduling the job on the job execution device, it is possible to notify the user of the time required to actually execute the job on the job execution device corresponding to the current position of the job display element.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the schedule of the job corresponding to the job display element being operated.

[0024] According to the invention as set forth in claim 8, when a job that has not yet been scheduled is actually scheduled, it is possible to notify in advance the effect that this will have on jobs that have already been scheduled.

[0025] According to the invention as set forth in claim 9, the required time for a job, which differs depending on the processing capacity of the job execution device, can be displayed in a visually recognizable manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a block configuration of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a schedule setting screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing a schedule setting process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing a user operation on the schedule setting screen shown in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state when a job card in an unassigned job display area is moved in response to a user operation on the schedule setting screen shown in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a job card in an unassigned job display area is moved to a schedule frame of a printer in response to a user operation on the schedule setting screen shown in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] In the first embodiment, this figure shows the state when a job card in the unassigned job display area on the schedule setting screen shown in Figure 2 is moved to a printer's schedule slot in response to a user operation, and then further moved to another printer's schedule slot. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a job card in an unassigned job display area has been moved to a printer schedule frame in response to a user operation, in the schedule setting screen shown in FIG. 2 in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a verification process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a block configuration of an information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment is an information device used for job schedule management. In this embodiment, a print job will be described as an example of a job. Therefore, the job execution device is realized by a device such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral equipped with a print function (collectively referred to as a "printer" in this embodiment).

[0029] The information processing device 10 in this embodiment can be realized by a conventional general-purpose hardware configuration such as a personal computer (PC), etc. That is, the information processing device 10 has a processor, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk drive (HDD) as a storage means, a network interface provided as a communication means, and a user interface including input means such as a mouse and a keyboard, and display means such as a display.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 10 in this embodiment has a user interface unit 11, a printer information management unit 12, a job management unit 13, a schedule management unit 14, a schedule setting processing unit 15, a printer information storage unit 16, a job information storage unit 17, and a schedule information storage unit 18.

[0031] The user interface unit 11 displays information on a display and accepts data input in response to user operations. In this embodiment, the printer information management unit 12 manages information about printers that are candidates for schedule allocation (hereinafter referred to as "printer information"). The printer information management unit 12 stores the printer information in the printer information storage unit 16 to manage the information. The job management unit 13 manages information about jobs executed by any of the printers (hereinafter referred to as "job information"). The job management unit 13 stores the job information in the job information storage unit 17 to manage the information. The schedule management unit 14 manages information about the schedules of jobs to be managed using the job information (hereinafter referred to as "schedule information"). The schedule management unit 14 stores the schedule information in the schedule information storage unit 18 to manage the information. The schedule setting processing unit 15 references the printer information, job information, and schedule information, and executes a process of setting a schedule for a job in response to user operations. The schedule information set for each job by the schedule setting processing unit 15 is registered in the schedule information storage unit 18 and managed by the schedule management unit 14.

[0032] The printer information stored in the printer information storage unit 16 includes at least the processing capacity information of the printer in addition to identification information such as the name of the printer. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the "printer name" is used as the identification information. The processing capacity information is attribute information that indicates the processing capacity of the printer. The processing capacity information also includes information indicating the presence or absence of functions specified by the print attribute information of the job. The processing capacity information includes, for example, the type of printer (continuous feed, digital / offset, model number, etc.), the type of paper that can be printed (e.g., continuous paper / cut paper), compatible paper sizes, single-sided / double-sided, color / black and white, print speed (ppm: pages per minute, etc.), etc. Note that the processing capacity information exemplified here is merely an example, and may include other indicators that indicate the printer's processing capacity.

[0033] The job information stored in the job information storage unit 17 is such that job attribute information is associated with identification information (hereinafter referred to as "job ID") that is uniquely set for the job. The job attribute information includes information that defines the job, such as the job owner, creation date and time, priority, etc., and print attribute information. The print attribute information includes the type of processing, paper type, paper size, single-sided / double-sided, color / black and white, number of copies, etc. Note that the job information exemplified here is merely an example and is not limited to this.

[0034] The schedule information stored in the schedule information storage unit 18 includes information related to the schedule of the job for which the schedule is to be set. The job for which the schedule is to be set is managed by job information, and is classified into jobs that have already been scheduled, i.e., jobs that have been assigned to a printer (hereinafter also referred to as "assigned jobs"), and jobs that have not been scheduled and therefore have not yet been assigned to a printer (hereinafter also referred to as "unassigned jobs"). The schedule information includes, for each printer, information that identifies the job assigned to that printer (i.e., the above-mentioned "assigned job") (e.g., a job ID) and information related to the execution of that job, which is associated with the job. The information related to the execution of the job includes the execution time and required time. The execution time and required time will be described in detail later.

[0035] Note that the schedule information only needs to include the information items necessary to generate the schedule setting screen (Figure 2), and the data items and data structure that make up the schedule information do not need to be limited to those described above. The schedule information is linked to printer information by the printer name, and to job information by the job ID.

[0036] Next, the configuration of a schedule setting screen used when setting a schedule for an unassigned job in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the display of a schedule setting screen 20 according to the present embodiment. The schedule setting screen 20 includes a display condition setting area 22, an unassigned job display area 24, and a schedule setting area 26. In the display condition setting area 22, conditions are set for narrowing down the jobs to be displayed in the schedule. In FIG. 2, the display range is set using a date and time and a display scale. In FIG. 2, an example is shown in which one day (24 hours) on April 1, 2024 is set as the display range. Note that the display scale is not limited to days, and various ranges such as months, weeks, and mornings can be set. In addition, the display device indicates the job execution device to be displayed, in other words, the type of job processing. In FIG. 2, an example is shown in which devices capable of printing and processing are selected. In FIG. 2, an example is shown in which "PRT_A," "PRT_B," "PRT_C," "PRT_D," and "PRT_E" are selected as the relevant devices.

[0038] In the unassigned job display area 24, job cards 28 corresponding to each unassigned job among the jobs whose job information is stored in the job information storage unit 17 are displayed as job display elements. In this embodiment, the job display elements are called job cards 28 because they are displayed in the shape of a rectangular card. In FIG. 2, an example is shown in which the job card 28 for an unassigned job displays the type of processing and the job ID, but the job information to be displayed does not have to be limited to this.

[0039] The order in which the job cards 28 are arranged can be set according to the attributes of the jobs. In Fig. 2, the job cards 28 are arranged in order of the date and time of job registration. If all job cards 28 cannot be displayed in the unassigned job display area 24, the user can scroll to display job cards 28 that are not displayed on the screen.

[0040] The schedule setting area 26 is an area for displaying, for each printer, the schedules of jobs for which a schedule has been set for that printer, i.e., the schedules of assigned jobs, and is also an area for setting schedules for unassigned jobs. In the schedule setting area 26, job cards 30 corresponding to each assigned job among the jobs whose job information is stored in the job information storage unit 17 are displayed as job display elements. In FIG. 2, the job cards 30a to 30e are collectively referred to as "job cards 30" when there is no need to distinguish between them.

[0041] The schedule setting area 26 is a schedule area defined by a first axis in the vertical direction of the drawing and a second axis in the horizontal direction of the drawing that is perpendicular to the first axis. Note that the axes are only shown as directions and are not illustrated. The second axis forms a time axis. In FIG. 2, one day (24 hours) on April 1, 2024 is specified as the display range, so the specified time axis is shown. Along the first axis, schedule frames 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, and 32e are displayed side by side, in which schedules are set for each printer that is a candidate for job allocation. Note that the schedule frames 32a to 32e are collectively referred to as "schedule frames 32" when there is no need to distinguish between them. The schedule frame 32 displays the printer name and the job card 30 of the assigned job scheduled to that printer within the specified display range. Multiple jobs cannot be assigned to a single printer on the same date and time. A time period in which no jobs are scheduled, in other words, a time period in which no job card 30 is displayed in the schedule frame 32, is what is known as free time for the printer. Unassigned jobs are generally scheduled in one of the free times. For example, in PRT_D, the time period 34 between job cards 30c and 30d is free time. In other words, the time between the end of the assigned job corresponding to job card 30c and the start of the assigned job corresponding to job card 30d, which is located after job card 30c, is free time.

[0042] In the following explanation, for example, an "assigned job corresponding to job card 30c" will also be referred to as an "assigned job 30c" for convenience. Similarly, for unassigned jobs, an unassigned job corresponding to job card 28 will also be referred to as an "unassigned job 28" for convenience. Furthermore, for other reference numerals, when components with subscripts such as "34a" and "34b" are collectively referred to, the subscripts will be removed and they will be collectively referred to as "34."

[0043] In this embodiment, the execution time and required time of a job are indicated on a rectangular job card 30. "Execution time" refers to the time during which the job is being executed, and is indicated by a start date and time and an end date and time. The start date and time is indicated by the position on the left side of the job card 30, which is perpendicular to the time axis. The end date and time is indicated by the position on the right side of the job card 30, which is perpendicular to the time axis. "Required time" refers to the time required from the start to the end of the job. The required time is the difference between the start date and time and the end date and time of the job card 30, and is indicated by the top and bottom edges along the time axis on the drawing. In this embodiment, the owned time, which is indicated by the length of the edges along the time axis of the job card 30 shown in the drawing, is also referred to as the "width" on the job card 30.

[0044] The required time naturally includes the time it takes for a computer and devices such as a printer to operate under the control of the computer in order to execute a job, as well as the preparation time required to make devices such as a printer operable in accordance with the settings of job attributes, etc. For example, the required time in this embodiment also includes the time required to change the type of paper loaded in the printer or to replace a toner cartridge. Note that, unlike the second embodiment described below, this embodiment will be described, for convenience, focusing on the time required to execute a job without considering preparation time, etc.

[0045] In this embodiment, the execution time and required time of a job are indicated by the shape of the job card 30, but they may also be indicated as numerical values, i.e., text information, within the job card 30. While FIG. 2 shows an example in which the process type, job ID, required time, and execution time are displayed within job cards 30a and 30b, the user may be able to select the information to be displayed. Note that in the case of a job card 30 corresponding to a job with a short required time, such as job cards 30d and 30e shown in FIG. 2, it may not be possible to display all of the information within the card. In this case, for example, when the mouse is hovered over job cards 30d and 30e, the attribute information displayed within the job card 30 may be displayed using display elements such as tooltips or speech bubbles (not shown).

[0046] Next, the process of allocating a printer to an unallocated job and setting a schedule in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 3. Note that since the information processing device 10 has already been used to set a job schedule, it is assumed that the information required to display the schedule setting screen 20 shown in Fig. 2, i.e., printer information, job information, and schedule information, has been set and registered in each of the storage units 16 to 18.

[0047] A user such as a schedule manager performs a predetermined operation to instruct the display of the schedule setting screen 20. When the user interface unit 11 accepts this operation instruction, the schedule setting processing unit 15 causes the user interface unit 11 to display the schedule setting screen 20 in response to this instruction (step S110). As explained above, in reality, the user interface unit 11 may display the schedule setting screen 20 in response to an instruction from the schedule setting processing unit 15, but for the sake of convenience, the following explanation will be given assuming that the schedule setting processing unit 15 displays the schedule setting screen 20.

[0048] In the initial state of the schedule setting screen 20, job cards 28 and 30 and printer names are not displayed in the unassigned job display area 24 and the schedule setting area 26. The user sets the display range and display device conditions in the display condition setting area 22 of the schedule setting screen 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user specifies one day (24 hours) on April 1, 2024 as the display range and printing / processing as the display device, the schedule setting processing unit 15 reads the corresponding schedule information and the printer information and job information associated with the schedule information, and displays a list of the corresponding printer names and a schedule frame 32 corresponding to each printer, as shown in FIG. 2. The schedule setting processing unit 15 then displays job cards 30 corresponding to assigned jobs in the schedule setting area 26 and job cards 28 corresponding to unassigned jobs in the unassigned job display area 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the job cards 28 corresponding to unassigned jobs are displayed on the same screen as the schedule setting area 26.

[0049] Next, the schedule setting processor 15 calculates the default required time for each unassigned job (step S120). However, as mentioned above, the required time also depends on the processing capacity of the printer that executes the job, so the accurate required time cannot be calculated before the job is assigned to a printer. Therefore, the "default required time" in this embodiment is a provisional required time set for an unassigned job. The provisional required time is set according to a predetermined rule.

[0050] For example, a printer common to all unassigned jobs may be designated as a default printer, and the required time may be calculated based on the processing capacity of the default printer. Alternatively, a default printer may be designated for each unassigned job, rather than a common default printer for all unassigned jobs. For example, the required time may be calculated based on the processing capacity of the printer with the highest priority among printers capable of executing unassigned jobs. A "printer capable of executing a job" refers to a printer that matches the printing attributes of the job, i.e., a printer capable of executing the job according to printing attributes such as A3 size or double-sided printing, and is set as the default printer for the unassigned job. Alternatively, in the case of a job generated in response to a customer request, a printer that meets the customer's requested model and print quality, or a printer selected based on the customer's performance, may be set as the default printer for the unassigned job. In this way, the default required time for the unassigned job may be calculated based on the printer that is most likely to be assigned to the unassigned job, based on the job's printing attributes and past performance.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the required time can be calculated using a general calculation method. The required time depends on the printing attributes of the job and the processing capacity of the printer. With regard to the printing attributes of the job, for example, if the number of printed materials produced by executing the job is large, the required time will be relatively long. With regard to the processing capacity of the printer, if the processing speed of the processor and the printing speed are fast, the required time will be relatively short. The required time is calculated based on these printing attributes of the job and the processing capacity of the printer.

[0052] The shape of the job card 28 may vary depending on the length of the default required time. In other words, the longer the default required time, the wider the shape of the job card 28 displayed. On the other hand, since the default required time is an undetermined time, the job card 28 may be displayed in the same shape in the unassigned job display area 24 regardless of the calculated default required time. Figure 2 shows an example of a case where job cards 28 are displayed in the same shape. Note that, with regard to the job card 30 displayed in the schedule setting area 26, the required time has already been determined, so it is displayed in a shape corresponding to that required time.

[0053] Next, the user selects one of the unassigned jobs in the unassigned job display area 24 as a job for which a schedule is to be set, and performs the operation described below. This user operation will be described with reference to FIG.

[0054] 4 is the same diagram as the schedule setting screen 20 shown in FIG. 2, and schematically illustrates user operations on the schedule setting screen 20. FIG. 4 shows a case where the job card 28a with job ID "P0123" displayed in the unassigned job display area 24 is selected by the user as the target for setting a schedule. Note that, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the user operates the job card 28 using a mouse, but the method of user operation is not limited to this example. For example, if the display means is a touch panel display, the user may operate the job card 28 with a finger or the like.

[0055] In this embodiment, the user can schedule an unassigned job by dragging and dropping the job card 28 onto the free time of one of the printers. Figure 4 shows an example in which the user has selected free time 34b for printer "PRT_B" and free time 34c for printer "PRT_C" as candidates for the allocation location of the unassigned job.

[0056] Incidentally, in this description, it is assumed that the free times 34b and 34c are long enough to assign an unassigned job. When the user wants to set the unassigned job corresponding to job card 28a to the free time 34b of printer "PRT_C," the user drags the job card 28a and moves the mouse cursor 36 located in the unassigned job display area 24 to the position of the free time 34b, as indicated by arrow B. Then, the user confirms that the mouse cursor 36 (i.e., job card 28a) is located at the position of the free time 34b in the schedule frame 32b, and then performs a drop operation. As a result, the unassigned job 28a is assigned to printer "PRT_B" and scheduled for the free time 34b. Furthermore, when the user wants to set the unassigned job corresponding to job card 28a to the free time 34c of printer "PRT_C," the user drags the job card 28a and moves the mouse cursor 36 to the position of the free time 34c, as indicated by arrow C. Then, the user confirms that the mouse cursor 36 (i.e., the job card 28a) is located at the free time 34c within the schedule frame 32c, and then performs a drop operation, whereby the unassigned job 28a is assigned to the printer "PRT_C" and scheduled for the free time 34c.

[0057] By performing this drag-and-drop operation, the user can schedule the unassigned job corresponding to the job card 28a. In this embodiment, scheduling an unassigned job is synonymous with assigning a printer to an unassigned job. Also, for the sake of convenience, FIG. 4 shows the mouse cursor 36 in three locations, but it is only in one location at a time.

[0058] In the above explanation, the user operation has been described. In the following explanation, returning to FIG. 3, the process performed by the information processing device 10 in response to the user operation will be described.

[0059] When it is detected that the user has selected job card 28a with job ID "P0123" as the target for scheduling from among the job cards 28 displayed in the unassigned job display area 24 and performed a drag operation (step S130), the schedule setting processing unit 15 begins detecting the position of the mouse cursor 36, i.e., the display position of job card 28a (step S140).

[0060] 5 is a diagram showing the same schedule setting screen 20 as FIG. 2, but in FIG. 5, the position of the mouse cursor 36 is outside the unassigned job display area 24 and is not within any of the schedule frames 32. In this case (N in step S150), the job card 28a is displayed in the same shape as when it is displayed in the unassigned job display area 24. In other words, the schedule setting processing unit 15 displays the job card 28a in a shape according to the default required time (step S160).

[0061] If the job card 28a being moved is outside the unassigned job display area 24 and is not within any schedule frame 32, the schedule setting processing unit 15 displays it in a different display format than when it is displayed in the unassigned job display area 24. In Fig. 5, as an example of this display, the frame of the job card 28a is shown with a dashed line and the text information is displayed in a lighter color. The schedule setting processing unit 15 continues to detect the position of the job card 28a until the user performs a drop operation (step S140).

[0062] FIG. 6 shows the same schedule setting screen 20 as FIG. 2, but in FIG. 6, the mouse cursor 36 is shown within the schedule frame 32b. When the user moves the job card 28a so that the current position of the job card 28a is within one of the schedule frames 32 (here, schedule frame 32b) (Y in step S150), the schedule setting processor 15 calculates the required time for the unassigned job 28a using the same calculation method as for the default required time (step S170). In FIG. 6, the job card 28a is located within the schedule frame 32b for the printer "PRT_B," so the schedule setting processor 15 calculates the required time by referring to the printer information for the printer "PRT_B." The schedule setting processor 15 then displays the job card 28a in a shape corresponding to the required time for the printer "PRT_B," i.e., with a width corresponding to the required time (step S180). 6, the width of the job card 28a when positioned within the schedule frame 32b of printer "PRT_B" is narrower than when positioned within the unassigned job display area 24, and therefore it can be seen that the required time for the unassigned job 28a for printer "PRT_B" is shorter than the default required time. Also, when the job card 28a is positioned within the schedule frame 32b, the required time for the unassigned job 28a may be displayed as text information. Note that here, the frame of the job card 28a is shown with a dashed line to indicate that the user has not performed a drop operation.

[0063] 4, in order for the job card 28a to move to the schedule frame 32b, the mouse cursor 36 must pass through the schedule frame 32a of the printer "PRT_A." In this case, the required time for the unassigned job 28a in the printer "PRT_A" can be calculated in one of the following ways.

[0064] First, assuming that the job card 28a is dropped within the schedule frame 32a of the printer "PRT_A," the schedule setting processing unit 15 starts calculating the required time for the printer "PRT_A" when the job card 28a enters the schedule frame 32a. If the mouse cursor 36 moves out of the schedule frame 32a, the calculation is stopped midway.

[0065] Alternatively, calculation of the required time for printer "PRT_A" is started only when the mouse cursor 36 is not located in a position within the schedule frame 32a where a job card 30 already exists, but is located in an available time within the schedule frame 32a. The presence or absence of a job card 30 can be determined by referring to the schedule information. Alternatively, calculation of the required time for printer "PRT_A" may be started after detecting that the mouse cursor 36 has stopped within the schedule frame 32a. Note that calculation of the required time is started in step S170 when the mouse cursor 36 has stopped within the schedule frame 32b.

[0066] Here, the schedule setting processing unit 15 verifies whether the job card 28a can be assigned to the unassigned job 28a (step S190). In this embodiment, it verifies that the job card 28a is located in the free time 34b of the schedule frame 32b and that the required time of the unassigned job 28a is shorter than the free time 34b. For convenience, the verification process in this embodiment is limited to verifying the above contents.

[0067] If the mouse cursor 36 is within the schedule frame 32b but no drop operation is detected (N in step S200), the process returns to step S140 and steps S140 to S200 are repeated. Strictly speaking, if the detected position of the mouse cursor 36 does not change, and the mouse cursor 36 does not move out of the schedule frame 32 of the printer whose required time was calculated (here, printer "PRT_B"), there is no need to recalculate the required time of the unassigned job 28a corresponding to that printer.

[0068] If a drop operation is detected when the current position of the mouse cursor 36 is within the free time 34b in the schedule frame 32b (Y in step S200), the schedule setting processing unit 15 refers to the results of the verification performed in step S190 and checks whether the unassigned job 28a can be scheduled for the free time 34b. If it is determined that the unassigned job 28a can be scheduled for the free time 34b (Y in step S210), the schedule setting processing unit 15 confirms the schedule for the printer "PRT_B" corresponding to the position where the drop operation was performed (step S220). The schedule information of the unassigned job 28a thus scheduled and generated is registered and managed in the schedule information storage unit 18 by the schedule management unit 14. Note that once the schedule is confirmed, the unassigned job 28a becomes an assigned job.

[0069] On the other hand, if it is determined that the unassigned job 28a cannot be scheduled in the free time 34b (N in step S200), the schedule setting processing unit 15 notifies the user of this fact and the reason by means of a message (step S230).

[0070] The message may include, for example, the calculated required time for the unassigned job 28a and the length of the free time 34b that can be specified from the schedule information, and may be a warning message indicating that scheduling is not possible because the free time 34b is short. The user will refer to this message and try to schedule the unassigned job 28a outside the free time 34b.

[0071] In this embodiment, a message indicating that scheduling is not possible is displayed after the drop operation (Y in steps S200, N in S210, S230). However, if scheduling is not possible at the position of the mouse cursor 36, the above-exemplified message may be displayed on the screen as a warning message as a result of the verification process before the drop operation is performed, to notify the user of this. In the following explanation, if it is determined in the verification process in step S190 that scheduling is not possible, a message is displayed before the user performs the drop operation.

[0072] The above explanation is an example in which the user moves the job card 28a using the mouse to allocate it to the free time 34b of the printer "PRT_B." The same process as described above can also be carried out in the case in which the user allocates it to the free time 34c of the printer "PRT_C."

[0073] However, when the warning message is displayed, it is conceivable that the user will move the mouse cursor 36 to the free time 34c for printer "PRT_C" to check whether scheduling is possible, without performing a drop operation at the free time 34b. Also, even if the warning message is not displayed, it is conceivable that the user will move the mouse cursor 36 from the free time 34b to the free time 34c in order to check the required time for the unassigned job 28a for printer "PRT_C."

[0074] FIG. 7 shows the same schedule setting screen 20 as FIG. 2, but in FIG. 7, the mouse cursor 36 is moved from the free time 34b to the free time 34c while continuing to drag, as indicated by arrow D.

[0075] Assume that the user moves the mouse cursor 36 to the position of the free time 34c for the printer "PRT_C" without performing a drop operation at the position of the free time 34b (N in step S200). The schedule setting processing unit 15 continues to detect the position of the job card 28a during this time (step S140). Then, upon detecting that the job card 28a is located within the schedule frame 32c for the printer "PRT_C" (Y in step S150), the schedule setting processing unit 15 refers to the printer information for the printer "PRT_C" to calculate the required time using the same calculation method as for the default required time (step S170), and displays the job card 28a with a width corresponding to the required time (step S180).

[0076] 7, the width of job card 28a changes so that it is smaller when it is located in free time 34c than when it is located in free time 34b. From this, it can be inferred that printer "PRT_C" has a higher processing capacity than printer "PRT_B," and it can be seen that unassigned job 28a will be completed sooner if executed by printer "PRT_C." If the user still wants to assign unassigned job 28a to printer "PRT_B," he or she can simply drag the mouse cursor 36 back to the position of free time 34b and drop job card 28a at the position of free time 34b.

[0077] 7, for ease of explanation and to make it easier to compare the shapes of the job cards 28a, the job card 28a in the free time 34b is shown even after the mouse cursor 36 is moved to the free time 34c. However, the job card 28a in the free time 34b may be hidden in accordance with the movement of the mouse cursor 36. The job card 28a that is temporarily left on the screen may be deleted from the screen, for example, when the schedule is confirmed by dropping the job card 28a, or when the schedule setting is temporarily canceled.

[0078] According to this embodiment, the user can assign and schedule an unassigned job to any printer by performing the drag-and-drop operation described above. After the unassigned job is scheduled, job card 28 corresponding to the unassigned job is displayed as job card 30 in schedule setting area 26.

[0079] In this embodiment, the required time for an unassigned job in the printer is shown in the schedule frame 32 by the shape of the job card 28 (specifically, the width of the job card 28), but it may also be displayed as text information within the job card 28, or it may be displayed as text information in a display area within a separate window screen such as a speech bubble.

[0080] Embodiment 2 As described in the first embodiment above, the "required time" of a job is the time required from the start to the end of the job, and includes not only the time it takes for the computer and printer to operate, but also the preparation time required to make the printer operational in accordance with the print attribute information. In the first embodiment above, for the sake of convenience, the explanation was given without taking the preparation time and the like into consideration, but in this embodiment, a case will be explained in which the preparation time and the like are reflected in the required time.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the same schedule setting screen 20 as FIG. 2, but in FIG. 8, speech bubbles 38 are added to the unassigned jobs and assigned jobs used for explanation. The speech bubbles 38 display the paper type (Paper A, Paper B) and color information (color / monochrome) included in the print attribute information of the job. The attribute information displayed in the speech bubbles is attribute information that can determine that new preparation work will be required for the assigned job that will be executed after the unassigned job when the schedule of the unassigned job is confirmed by dropping the job card 28. Note that the speech bubbles 38 are shown for the purpose of explanation and do not need to be the subject of screen display, but may be made to be displayed on the screen in response to a specified user operation.

[0082] Here, an example will be described in which a user allocates an unassigned job corresponding to job card 28b to free time 34e or free time 34f in printer "PRT_B." As mentioned above, for convenience of explanation, the unassigned job corresponding to job card 28b will also be referred to as "unassigned job 28b." Also, the mouse cursor is omitted from FIG. 8.

[0083] The block configuration (FIG. 1) of the information processing device 10 and the basic flow of the schedule setting process (FIG. 3) in this embodiment may be the same as those in embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the specific processing content of the verification process (step S190) shown in FIG. 3 is different from that in embodiment 1.

[0084] The schedule setting process in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 3. Note that the description of the same processes as in the first embodiment will be omitted where appropriate.

[0085] First, when the user moves job card 28b to the position of free time 34e for printer "PRT_B" as indicated by arrow E (Y in steps S110 to S140 and S150), schedule setting processing unit 15 calculates the required time for unassigned job 28a using the same calculation method as for the default required time (step S170) and displays job card 28b in a shape corresponding to the required time (step S180). Then, schedule setting processing unit 15 performs a verification process to determine whether unassigned job 28b can be assigned to free time 34e (step S190). The verification process performed in this embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 9.

[0086] The free time 34e in which job card 28b is located is between job card 30f and job card 30g. By referencing the schedule information, schedule setting processing unit 15 identifies assigned jobs 30f and 30g that are scheduled before and after free time 34e (step S191), and acquires job information for assigned jobs 30f and 30g (step S192). Note that by acquiring the job information, the print attribute information shown in speech bubble 38 can be identified. Specifically, assigned job 30f performs monochrome printing on paper A. Assigned job 30g performs color printing on paper A.

[0087] In the example shown in FIG. 8, unallocated job 28b performs color printing on paper A. Allocated job 30f, which is executed before unallocated job 28b, performs monochrome printing on paper A and does not use a color toner cartridge. Therefore, preparatory work to replace the toner cartridge with a color one may be required before starting unallocated job 28b. Here, the explanation will be given assuming that preparatory work will be required.

[0088] In step S170, the schedule setting processor 15 calculates the required time for the unassigned job 28b without taking preparation time into consideration. Therefore, in this embodiment, the schedule setting processor 15 recalculates the required time in response to the occurrence of preparation work (step S193).

[0089] Incidentally, since the content of preparatory work such as part replacement and transportation of goods can be predicted in advance, preparation times for each preparatory work are set in advance, taking into consideration, for example, the work time for replacing parts such as toner cartridges, the work time according to the level of the replacement work, the location of the storehouse (i.e., the travel time to the storehouse), etc. Then, the schedule setting processing unit 15 identifies each preparation time to be used for recalculation from the previously set preparation times by referring to the print attribute information of the assigned job 30f, and recalculates the required time by including this identified preparation time in the required time calculated in step S170.

[0090] Next, if it is determined that the recalculated required time of the unassigned job 28b is equal to or less than the free time 34e, i.e., that the unassigned job 28b can be scheduled in the free time 34e of the printer "PRT_B" (Y in step S194), the schedule setting processing unit 15 checks whether it is necessary to reschedule the assigned job 30g that is executed after the unassigned job 28b, assuming that the unassigned job 28b is then scheduled in the free time 34e.

[0091] As described above, unassigned job 28b performs color printing on paper A. Meanwhile, assigned job 30g performs color printing on paper A. In other words, even if unassigned job 28b is scheduled in free time 34e, no new preparation work is required for assigned job 30g. Therefore, there is no need to change the required time for assigned job 30g.

[0092] In this way, if scheduling of unassigned job 28b does not require changing the schedule of assigned job 30g that is executed after unassigned job 28b (N in step S195), it is determined that scheduling of unassigned job 28b in free time 34e is possible (step S196). Note that a message indicating the verification result that scheduling is possible may be displayed on schedule setting screen 20 at the time step S190 is performed.

[0093] On the other hand, if it is determined that the recalculated required time of the unassigned job 28b is longer than the free time 34e and therefore that a change in the schedule of the assigned job 30g is required to schedule the unassigned job 28b in the free time 34e (N in step S194), the schedule setting processing unit 15 determines that the unassigned job 28b cannot be scheduled in the free time 34e (step S197). The schedule setting processing unit 15 then displays a message to that effect (step S198). This message informs the user that the job card 28b cannot be scheduled in the free time 34e before performing the drop operation. Note that other processing when scheduling is not possible will be described later.

[0094] Next, a case will be described in which the user moves the job card 28b to the position of the free time 34f of the printer "PRT_B" as indicated by the arrow F in FIG.

[0095] When the user moves the job card 28b to the position of the free time 34f (Y in steps S110 to S140 and S150), the schedule setting processor 15 calculates the required time for the unassigned job 28a using the same calculation method as the default required time (step S170) and displays the job card 28b in a shape corresponding to the required time (step S180). Then, the schedule setting processor 15 performs a verification process to determine whether the unassigned job 28b can be assigned to the free time 34f (step S190). This verification process will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0096] Free time 34f, in which job card 28b is located, is between job card 30g and job card 30h. The process (steps S191 to S193) in which schedule setting processing unit 15 recalculates the required time taking preparatory work into consideration from the job information of assigned jobs 30g and 30h, which are scheduled before and after free time 34f, respectively, has already been described, and will not be repeated here.

[0097] Incidentally, since both unassigned job 28b and assigned job 30g perform color printing on paper A, no preparation work is required for unassigned job 28b. In other words, even if the required time is recalculated, it will be the same as the required time calculated in step S170. Note that, as a result of comparing the print attribute information as in this example, if the attribute values ​​related to the occurrence of preparation time are the same, the required time may not be recalculated (step S193).

[0098] Next, if it is determined that the recalculated required time of the unassigned job 28b is equal to or less than the free time 34f, that is, that the unassigned job 28b can be scheduled in the free time 34f of the printer "PRT_B" (Y in step S194), the schedule setting processing unit 15 checks whether it is necessary to reschedule the assigned job 30h that is executed after the unassigned job 28b, assuming that the unassigned job 28b is then scheduled in the free time 34f.

[0099] Here, when the print attribute information of assigned job 30h is referenced, assigned job 30h performs color printing on paper B. Unassigned job 28b performs color printing on paper A, so assigned job 30g may require preparatory work to change the paper type to be loaded into the paper feed tray. Here, the explanation will be given assuming that preparatory work will be required.

[0100] In this way, the need for new preparation work for assigned job 30g means that the required time for assigned job 30g will be extended, and it will not be possible to execute the job as is according to the current schedule information. In other words, scheduling unassigned job 28b in free time 34f will affect the execution of assigned job 30g.

[0101] In this way, when it becomes necessary to change (i.e., reset) the schedule of the assigned job 30h (Y in step S195), the schedule setting processing unit 15 determines that the unassigned job 28b cannot be scheduled in the available time 34f (step S197). Then, the schedule setting processing unit 15 displays a message to that effect (step S198). From this message, the user knows that the job card 28b cannot be scheduled in the available time 34f before performing the drop operation.

[0102] However, even if it is determined that the unassigned job 28b cannot be scheduled in the free time 34f, there is a possibility that it can be scheduled by carrying out the process described below. Here, other processes to be carried out when it is determined that the unassigned job 28b cannot be scheduled will be described.

[0103] First, in step S194 described above, if the unassigned job 28b cannot be scheduled in the free time 34e, it is because the required time of the unassigned job 28b is longer than the free time 34e. Therefore, the free time 34e can be increased by shifting the assigned job 30f scheduled before the free time 34e forward, or by shifting the assigned job 30g scheduled after the free time 34e backward, or by shifting both.

[0104] When shifting the assigned job 30f forward, that is, when changing the execution time of the assigned job 30f, the schedule setting processing unit 15 may automatically and forcibly change the schedule information of the assigned job 30f. Alternatively, the information processing device 10 or the user may inquire of the owner of the assigned job 30 whose schedule setting is to be changed, in this example, of the assigned job 30f, whether or not to change the schedule setting.

[0105] Alternatively, it may be possible to shift forward not only the assigned job 30f but also one or more assigned jobs 30 scheduled before the assigned job 30f. However, in this case, it goes without saying that the schedules of the currently running job and previous jobs cannot be adjusted.

[0106] When the assigned job 30g is shifted backward, that is, when the execution time of the assigned job 30g is changed, the same process can be carried out as when the assigned job 30f is shifted forward.

[0107] When shifting the schedule of each assigned job 30, the execution time to be changed, specifically the execution start date and time or the range of possible execution start dates and times for each assigned job 30, may be included in the message notifying the user.

[0108] Furthermore, in step S195, the changes required to the schedule of assigned job 30h include a change to shift assigned job 30h back, and a change to extend the required time for assigned job 30h. As already explained, the way to deal with the former is to change the execution time of assigned job 30h. If there is a margin between assigned job 30h and the assigned job 30 that is executed after assigned job 30h (i.e., if there is sufficient free time), there is no need to change the schedule of assigned job 30 that is scheduled after assigned job 30h.

[0109] The latter involves extending the required time for assigned job 30h. In this case, as in the former case, if there is a margin between assigned job 30h and the assigned job 30 that is executed after assigned job 30h, the setting change can be made by simply resetting the schedule information for assigned job 30h.

[0110] When the schedule of the assigned job 30h is changed, the execution time to be changed, specifically the execution start date and time of the assigned job 30f or the range of possible execution start dates and times, may be included in the message notifying the user.

[0111] In this way, if scheduling an unassigned job into free time will affect assigned jobs that occur before or after the free time, the user can be notified by displaying a message to that effect. However, in this embodiment, even in such a situation, an attempt is made to determine whether or not the unassigned job can be scheduled into the free time by, for example, changing the schedule of assigned jobs that occur before or after the free time, and if it becomes possible to schedule the unassigned job, the user is notified by a message to that effect and how to deal with the situation.

[0112] As a result, although the unassigned job 28 cannot be scheduled in the free time 34 under the current settings, the user can temporarily cancel the scheduling of the unassigned job and take measures to make it possible to schedule it, such as by requesting the owner of the assigned job or the like to change the schedule of the assigned job.

[0113] According to this embodiment, when scheduling an unassigned job that is the subject of scheduling during free time, it is possible to determine whether or not to schedule the job by referring to the attribute information of not only the unassigned job but also the assigned jobs that are located before and after the unassigned job.

[0114] In this embodiment, the schedule of the unassigned job is confirmed by a drop operation on the job card 28, but before the schedule is confirmed at the position to which the job card 28 is moved by the drop operation, information regarding the impact on assigned jobs is displayed. In the above example, before the schedule of unassigned job 28b is confirmed in free time 34f, information regarding the impact on assigned job 30g and assigned jobs scheduled before it, or assigned job 30h and assigned jobs scheduled after it, is displayed as a message. In this embodiment, if scheduling is not possible, the user can be notified by message of specific measures to enable scheduling.

[0115] As mentioned above, scheduling an unassigned job essentially affects assigned jobs executed before and after the unassigned job (strictly speaking, this unassigned job becomes an assigned job once the schedule is finalized) on the printer to which the unassigned job is assigned. Following the example above, if unassigned job 28b is scheduled during free time 34e, the affected assigned jobs are assigned jobs 30f and 30g on printer "PRT_B." However, if the unassigned job 28b affects assigned jobs on other printers (i.e., printers other than "PRT_B" on which the unassigned job 28b is scheduled), a message to that effect is displayed. For example, if unassigned job 28b were to be executed first, it could affect assigned jobs that use the same consumables (toner cartridges, paper, etc.) as unassigned job 28b.

[0116] Furthermore, while the above explanation focuses on the preparatory work before executing the job, the required time may also be recalculated taking into account post-processing of the printed matter obtained by executing the job, such as the time left for drying and rewinding work to prevent curling.

[0117] In this embodiment, each process is executed by a computer. The computer may execute these processes by a processor, a program, or a combination thereof. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a computer for specific applications, a system such as a workstation, or other hardware element capable of executing a program.

[0118] The processor may be composed of one or more pieces of hardware, and the type of hardware is not limited. For example, the processor may be composed of hardware such as a programmable logic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a dedicated circuit for executing specific processes such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit). The processor also has various units or means for executing various processes in the present embodiment. The type of hardware may also be a combination of different types of hardware. When multiple pieces of hardware are configured to execute one or more processes of a certain processor, the multiple pieces of hardware may exist in devices physically separated from each other or in the same device. In any of the embodiments, the order of the processes performed by the processor is not limited to the order described above and may be changed as appropriate. The hardware may be composed of an electric circuit or the like, which is a combination of circuit elements such as semiconductor devices.

[0119] Furthermore, the present embodiment may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, microcode, or a combination thereof. Software, firmware, and microcode may be configured by a program. A program may also be, for example, a group of program modules, each function of which may be implemented by a processor configured to perform the respective function. The program may be program code or multiple code segments stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., storage media or other storages). The program may be stored in multiple non-transitory computer-readable media that reside in physically separate devices. A program code or a code segment may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A program code or a code segment may be connected to another code segment or a hardware circuit by sending or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.

[0120] (Addendum) (((1))) a processor; The processor: a schedule area defined by a first axis and a second axis, in which schedule frames of job execution devices that are candidates for job allocation are displayed side by side along the first axis, and the second axis forms a time axis; displaying, in the schedule frame of the job execution device, a job display element corresponding to a job that has been assigned to the job execution device, the job display element indicating the execution time and required time of the job in the job execution device; in response to a user's operation to move a job display element corresponding to an unscheduled job to the schedule area, by referring to processing capacity information of a job execution device corresponding to the moved position of the job display element and attribute information of the job corresponding to the job display element, calculates the time required for the job in the job execution device; The job display element is displayed in a shape corresponding to the calculated required time. An information processing system comprising: (((2))) The information processing system described in (((1))) is characterized in that the processor calculates the required time by further referring to attribute information of a job corresponding to a job display element that exists before the movement position in the schedule frame of the job execution device that corresponds to the movement position. (((3))) The information processing system described in (((1))) or (((2))) is characterized in that, when the processor refers to attribute information of a job scheduled after the movement position, if the execution of the job corresponding to the job display element will affect the execution of the job scheduled after the movement position, it notifies a warning. (((4))) The information processing system described in any one of (((1))) to (((3))) is characterized in that the attribute information of the job is attribute information that requires preparatory work to execute the job to be executed later when the setting contents of the attribute information of each job to be executed subsequently are different. (((5))) The processor: calculating a time required for a job display element corresponding to an unscheduled job when the job is executed on a job execution device that is estimated to be most likely to be assigned to the job according to a predetermined rule; The job display element is displayed in a shape corresponding to the calculated required time. 1. An information processing system according to any one of ((1))) to (((4))). (((6))) The information processing system described in any one of ((1)) to ((5))) is characterized in that when a user moves a job display element of an unscheduled job by dragging as the move operation, the processor changes the shape of the job display element within the schedule area according to the required time for the job on the job execution device corresponding to the current position of the job display element. (((7))) The information processing system according to (((6))) is characterized in that the processor schedules the job corresponding to the job display element at the position where the user drops the job display element. (((8))) The information processing system of any one of ((1))) to ((7))) is characterized in that the processor displays information about the impact that an unscheduled job will have on already scheduled jobs before scheduling the unscheduled job to the position to which the job display element has been moved. (((9))) On the computer, a function of displaying a schedule area defined by a first axis and a second axis, in which schedule frames of job execution devices that are candidates for job allocation are displayed side by side along the first axis, and the second axis forms a time axis; a function of displaying, in the schedule frame of the job execution device, a job display element corresponding to a job that has been assigned to the job execution device, the job display element indicating the execution time and required time of the job in the job execution device; a function of calculating a required time for a job in a job execution device in response to a user's operation to move the job display element to the schedule area, by referring to processing capacity information of the job execution device corresponding to the moved position of the job display element and attribute information of the job corresponding to the job display element; A function of displaying the job display element in a shape corresponding to the calculated required time; A program to achieve this.

[0121] According to the invention described in (((1))), it is possible to visually display the required time for a job, which differs depending on the processing capacity of the job execution device. According to the invention described in (((2))), it is possible to calculate the time required for a job to be scheduled, taking into consideration the influence of a job executed immediately before the scheduled time. According to the invention described in (((3))), when a job is scheduled at the movement position of a job display element displayed in the unassigned job area, if the job to be executed immediately after the scheduled time is affected, it is possible to notify the user of this. According to the invention described in (((4))), the required time can be calculated taking into consideration the time required for preparation work that occurs when executing a job. According to the invention described in (((5))), it is possible to inform a user of the approximate time required for a job before actually scheduling the job. According to the invention described in (((6))), before actually scheduling the job on the job execution device, it is possible to notify the user of the time required to actually execute the job on the job execution device corresponding to the current position of the job display element. According to the invention described in (((7))), it is possible to determine the schedule of the job corresponding to the job display element being operated. According to the invention described in (((8))), when a job that has not yet been scheduled is actually scheduled, it is possible to notify in advance the effect that it will have on jobs that have already been scheduled. According to the invention described in (((9))), it is possible to visually display the required time for a job, which differs depending on the processing capacity of the job execution device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10 information processing device, 11 user interface unit, 12 printer information management unit, 13 job management unit, 14 schedule management unit, 15 schedule setting processing unit, 16 printer information storage unit, 17 job information storage unit, 18 schedule information storage unit, 20 schedule setting screen, 22 display condition setting area, 24 unassigned job display area, 26 schedule setting area, 28, 28a, 28b, 30, 30a to 30h job cards, 32a to 32e schedule frames.

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: a schedule area defined by a first axis and a second axis, in which schedule frames of job execution devices that are candidates for job allocation are displayed side by side along the first axis, and the second axis forms a time axis; displaying, in the schedule frame of the job execution device, a job display element corresponding to a job that has been assigned to the job execution device, the job display element indicating the execution time and required time of the job in the job execution device; in response to a user's operation to move a job display element corresponding to an unscheduled job to the schedule area, by referring to processing capacity information of a job execution device corresponding to the moved position of the job display element and attribute information of the job corresponding to the job display element, calculates the time required for the job in the job execution device; The job display element is displayed in a shape corresponding to the calculated required time. An information processing system comprising:

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processor calculates the required time by further referring to attribute information of a job corresponding to a job display element that exists before the movement position in the schedule frame of the job execution device that corresponds to the movement position.

3. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the processor, when referencing attribute information of a job scheduled after the movement position, issues a warning if the execution of the job corresponding to the job display element will affect the execution of the job scheduled after the movement position.

4. The information processing system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the attribute information of the job is attribute information that requires preparatory work to execute the job to be executed later when the setting contents of the attribute information of each job to be executed subsequently are different.

5. The processor: calculating a time required for a job display element corresponding to an unscheduled job when the job is executed on a job execution device that is estimated to be most likely to be assigned to the job according to a predetermined rule; The job display element is displayed in a shape corresponding to the calculated required time.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein:

6. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when a user moves a job display element of an unscheduled job by a drag operation as the move operation, the processor changes the shape of the job display element within the schedule area according to the required time for the job on the job execution device corresponding to the current position of the job display element.

7. 7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the processor schedules the job corresponding to the job display element at the position where the user drops the job display element.

8. 2. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the processor displays information about the impact of scheduling an unscheduled job on already scheduled jobs before scheduling the unscheduled job to the location to which the job display element has been moved.

9. On the computer, a function of displaying a schedule area defined by a first axis and a second axis, in which schedule frames of job execution devices that are candidates for job allocation are displayed side by side along the first axis, and the second axis forms a time axis; a function of displaying, in the schedule frame of the job execution device, a job display element corresponding to a job that has been assigned to the job execution device, the job display element indicating the execution time and required time of the job in the job execution device; a function of calculating a required time for a job in a job execution device in response to a user's operation to move the job display element to the schedule area, by referring to processing capacity information of the job execution device corresponding to the moved position of the job display element and attribute information of the job corresponding to the job display element; A function of displaying the job display element in a shape corresponding to the calculated required time; A program to achieve this.

Images