Information processing device and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of facilitating grasping of a cause in a case where processing of an intermediate component cannot be started.SOLUTION: In a print network system, an information processing device 2 includes a CPU 20A. The CPU 20A includes: a specification part for specifying a plurality of components and a plurality of processes for manufacturing an ordered product; a generation part which generates an intermediate object with respect to an intermediate component generated by processing two components out of the plurality of components and also generates a work object for each of a plurality of components; a creation part for creating the workflow information associating the intermediate object showing the intermediate component with the work object for two components used for creating the intermediate component for each component of the plurality of components; and a display control part for performing control on displaying of a progress situation of each of at least two components constituting the intermediate component when processing of the intermediate component cannot be started in the workflow information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a workflow creation support device that supports the creation of a workflow for performing a printing job. This workflow creation support device includes a job information acquisition unit that acquires job information including information on a plurality of parameters that specify the contents of a job. This workflow creation support device also includes a narrowing-down processing unit that performs narrowing-down processing of templates to be selection candidates from among a plurality of pre-registered templates, using at least some of the information on the plurality of parameters acquired by the job information acquisition unit. This workflow creation support device also includes a selection screen data creation unit that displays information on the templates narrowed down by the narrowing-down processing unit as selection candidates, and creates selection screen data used to display a selection screen for receiving a selection operation that allows a user to select one template from the selection candidates. This workflow creation support device also includes a job definition file creation unit that creates a job definition file based on information on one template selected by the selection operation and information on the plurality of parameters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-16315 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using a workflow to manage the process of manufacturing a printed product in response to a request, management that corresponds to various specifications such as the printing form and manufacturing process of the printed product is required, so a workflow is created for each printed product and the process management is performed. However, printed products are diverse and include a wide variety of specifications such as the printing form and manufacturing process.

[0005] Furthermore, in the manufacturing process of printed products, intermediate parts are generated as work in progress, but the conventional workflow does not take into consideration the progress management of intermediate parts. Therefore, when processing of intermediate parts of printed products cannot be started, the cause is unknown and appropriate measures cannot be taken.

[0006] The disclosed technology aims to provide an information processing device and an information processing program that make it easier to understand the cause when processing of an intermediate part cannot be started, compared to a case where a workflow is generated and managed without managing the intermediate parts generated by combining multiple parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing device according to a first aspect includes a processor, which identifies a plurality of parts used to manufacture an ordered product, identifies a plurality of processes required from receipt of an order for the product to completion of the product using the plurality of parts, generates an intermediate object representing an intermediate part generated by processing at least two of the plurality of parts, generates a work object for each of the plurality of parts indicating the process required to manufacture the individual part, and displays, for each of the plurality of parts, the work objects indicating the process required to manufacture each part in a sequence of multiple processes, and displays workflow information in which the work objects between processes that are processed in succession are associated with the intermediate object representing the intermediate part and work objects for the at least two parts used to generate the intermediate part, and controls the display of a progress status of each of the at least two parts that constitute the intermediate part when processing of the intermediate part cannot be started in the workflow information.

[0008] In addition, an information processing device according to a second aspect is an information processing device according to the first aspect, in which the intermediate object includes an intermediate processing object indicating processing on the at least two parts and an intermediate work object indicating work on the generated intermediate part.

[0009] In addition, an information processing device according to a third aspect is an information processing device according to the first or second aspect, in which the processor creates display information for displaying the workflow information on a display unit, and outputs the created display information to the display unit.

[0010] Further, in an information processing device according to a fourth aspect, in the information processing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the processor acquires manufacturing information for manufacturing the ordered product, and based on the acquired manufacturing information, extracts compatible template information that matches the manufacturing information from a storage unit that stores a plurality of template information in which work objects indicating processes required for manufacturing each of a plurality of parts are associated with a plurality of process orders for the parts, and work objects between processes that are processed consecutively are associated, the template information associating intermediate objects indicating the intermediate parts with the work objects, and identifies a plurality of parts for manufacturing the ordered product and a plurality of processes required to complete the product using the extracted compatible template, generates intermediate objects indicating the intermediate parts and the work objects, and creates the workflow information.

[0011] In addition, an information processing device according to a fifth aspect is an information processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the processor identifies, in the workflow information, a part and process among the at least two parts constituting the intermediate part that are causing processing of the intermediate part to not be started.

[0012] In addition, in an information processing device according to a sixth aspect, in the information processing device according to the fifth aspect, the processor controls to notify a process manager who manages the process of the part that is causing the processing of the intermediate part to be unable to start, that the process is delayed.

[0013] In addition, in an information processing device according to a seventh aspect, in the information processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the processor identifies the number of copies that need to be reprocessed for each of the at least two parts that make up the intermediate part when an error occurs in the intermediate part in the workflow information.

[0014] In an information processing device according to an eighth aspect, in the information processing device according to the seventh aspect, the processor registers information on the re-processing work in association with a work object corresponding to the re-processing work.

[0015] In addition, an information processing device according to a ninth aspect is an information processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the processor sets the workflow information to a state in which a first task of the intermediate part can be started when all tasks for each of the at least two parts constituting the intermediate part have been completed.

[0016] In addition, an information processing device according to a tenth aspect is the information processing device according to the ninth aspect, wherein the processor is capable of canceling a work completion state for each of the at least two parts constituting the intermediate part when the workflow information sets a state in which a first work of the intermediate part can be started.

[0017] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information processing program according to an eleventh aspect causes a computer to execute the following steps: identify a plurality of parts used to manufacture an ordered product; identify a plurality of processes required from receiving an order for the product to completing the product using the plurality of parts; generate an intermediate object representing an intermediate part generated by processing at least two of the plurality of parts; generate a work object for each of the plurality of parts indicating the process required for manufacturing the individual part; display, for each of the plurality of parts, the work objects indicating the process required for manufacturing each part in a sequence of multiple processes, and display workflow information in which the intermediate object representing the intermediate part is associated with work objects for the at least two parts used to generate the intermediate part; and, in the workflow information, control is performed to display a progress status of each of the at least two parts constituting the intermediate part when processing of the intermediate part cannot be started. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The first and eleventh aspects have the advantage that it is easier to understand the cause when processing of an intermediate part cannot be started, compared to a case where a workflow is generated and managed without managing the intermediate part generated by combining multiple parts.

[0019] According to the second aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to more appropriately grasp the relationship between a plurality of parts and the intermediate part, compared to a case in which processing or work on the parts is not taken into consideration.

[0020] According to the third aspect, there is an effect that the workflow can be checked more easily than in a case where the display of the workflow information is not taken into consideration.

[0021] According to the fourth aspect, there is an effect that the processing load when creating workflow information can be reduced, compared to the case where template information is not used.

[0022] According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to grasp the part and the process that are the cause of not being able to start machining of the intermediate part.

[0023] According to the sixth aspect, there is an effect that the process manager can grasp a delay in the process.

[0024] According to the seventh aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to grasp the number of copies that need to be reprocessed for each part.

[0025] According to the eighth aspect, there is an effect that information on the re-processing work can be managed in association with the work object.

[0026] According to the ninth aspect, there is an advantage that whether or not the first operation on the intermediate part can be started can be determined based on whether or not all of the operations on at least two parts have been completed.

[0027] According to the tenth aspect, there is an advantage that whether or not the operation completion state for each of the at least two parts can be cancelled can be determined depending on whether or not the first operation of the intermediate part is in a state in which it can be started. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a process for producing a printed product according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing network system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of template information according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow of an information processing program according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of template information according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in an editing process according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of workflow information for a print product according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams showing an example of a process editing screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a workflow information display screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a work status screen of a printing device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a work status screen of a processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the workflow information display screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 14]11 is a diagram showing an example of a product workflow display area on a workflow information display screen according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reprint screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a product workflow display area according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a details screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a product workflow display area according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a work status screen and a work completion cancellation dialog box of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of a method for adding a reprocessing step according to an embodiment. [Figure 21] 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams illustrating another example of a method for adding a reprocessing step according to an embodiment. [Figure 22] 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams illustrating another example of a method for adding a reprocessing step according to an embodiment. [Diagram 23] 13(A) and 13(B) are diagrams illustrating another example of a method for adding a reprocessing step according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] An example of an embodiment for implementing the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that components and processes that perform the same operation, action, and function may be given the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings, and duplicated descriptions may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing is merely shown in a schematic manner to allow a sufficient understanding of the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to only the illustrated examples. In addition, in this embodiment, descriptions of configurations that are not directly related to the present invention or well-known configurations may be omitted.

[0030] In this disclosure, the term "product" is a concept that includes printed matter, printed products, composites of multiple similar or different printed matter, and items in the shipping stage that include printed matter. "Part" is a concept that includes some of the elements that make up a "product." "Intermediate parts" is a concept that includes items such as work-in-progress that are generated by processing at least two "parts" before the "product" is manufactured, that is, between the time of receiving an order for the product and its completion. "Processing" is a concept that includes not only processing that causes deformation or change to an item, but also processing that creates an assembly that combines multiple items, and item processing that involves working on the items.

[0031] Furthermore, the term "process" is a concept that includes the work performed from when an order is received until a product is completed. The term "process" includes the smallest unit of work performed from when an order is received until a product is completed. The term "manufacturing process" is a concept that includes the process of manufacturing the parts included in a product. The term "work object" is a concept that includes information indicating the work performed in manufacturing parts, such as plate making and printing. The term "intermediate object" is a concept that includes information on work performed on parts and the results of that work as intermediate parts.

[0032] Incidentally, the printing business of printing products including printed matter mainly includes the processes of order receipt, manuscript creation, prepress (trial printing), printing (final printing), processing, and shipping.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic example of a process for producing a printed product according to an embodiment.

[0034] In the example shown in Figure 1, as an example of a printed product, a printed product is shown to be composed of the components of a cover, a front cover, and a body text, and the components of the cover and front cover are formed by digital printing, and the body text is formed by offset printing.

[0035] The order / production process is a process in which an order for the manufacture of a print product is received from a client and electronic data of the manuscript for printing is produced. The processing in the order / production process is performed, for example, by a proofreading management system.

[0036] The prepress process is a general term for the processes that take place before a printed product is printed, and generally includes such processes as design, phototypesetting, composition, block copy, color separation, retouching, plate assembly, and plate making for submitted manuscripts. The prepress process may also be used to carry out test printing as necessary to check the quality of the print results. Based on the results of the test printing, a decision is made as to whether or not the manuscript data needs to be revised (proofread), and proofreading is carried out if it does not meet the client's requirements. Processing in the prepress process is carried out by, for example, a prepress system.

[0037] If the results of the pre-press test printing meet the client's requirements, the printing process begins.

[0038] The printing process is a process of printing on paper or other printing media based on design data for printing. The printing process can include a process of creating printing plates based on the design data for printing. In the case of offset printing, printing is performed on paper or other printing media using printing plates created based on the design data for printing. In addition, when digital printing known as CTP (Computer To Plate) printing is performed using a digital printing device, it is not necessary to create printing plates. Note that the concept of "printing device" includes printing presses, printers, image forming devices, image recording devices, etc. Processing in the printing process is performed, for example, by a printing system.

[0039] The processing process is a process in which various types of processing are performed on parts or products after printing. Here, the term "processing" is a general term for various types of processing performed on printed matter, for example. Specific examples of processing include cutting, folding, collating, binding, special processing, surface processing, and bookbinding. In addition, not only one type of processing can be performed, but multiple types of processing can be combined. Through the processing process, the printed product is arranged into a book, magazine, pamphlet, catalog, or other product form. The processing in the processing process is performed, for example, by a processing device.

[0040] The shipping process is a process of shipping a print product including a plurality of manufactured parts to a client.

[0041] In order to efficiently operate and manage such a series of printing operations, a workflow is used.

[0042] In this embodiment, when managing the manufacture of a printed product from the manufacturing request to its completion using a workflow, a workflow is created for each of a wide variety of printed products and the process is managed. However, for printed products that are manufactured containing multiple parts, intermediate parts may be generated during the manufacturing process. In such cases, when managing the manufacture of a printed product from the manufacturing request to its completion, it has been difficult to easily determine which parts are used to make up the intermediate parts.

[0043] Furthermore, in the conventional workflow, progress management of the formed intermediate parts is not taken into consideration. Therefore, when processing of the intermediate parts of the printed product cannot be started, the cause is unknown and appropriate measures cannot be taken.

[0044] In this embodiment, a plurality of parts for manufacturing the ordered print product are identified, and a plurality of processes required from receipt of the order to completion of the print product are identified. An intermediate object representing the intermediate part is generated for an intermediate part generated by processing at least two of the plurality of parts, and a work object representing a process required for manufacturing each of the plurality of parts is generated for each of the plurality of parts. Then, workflow information is created in which the work objects representing the processes required for manufacturing each of the plurality of parts are displayed in order of the plurality of processes, and the work objects between the processes that are processed consecutively are associated and displayed. This workflow information associates the intermediate object representing the intermediate part with the work objects for at least two parts used to generate the intermediate part. In this embodiment, when processing of the intermediate part cannot be started in the created workflow information, control is performed to display the progress status of each of the at least two parts that constitute the intermediate part.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a print network system 1 according to an embodiment for implementing the technology of the present disclosure.

[0046] 2, the printing network system 1 includes an information processing device 2, a management information system 3, a proofreading management system 4, a prepress system 5A, a prepress system 5B, a printing system 6A, a printing system 6B, a processing device 7A, and a processing device 7B. The information processing device 2, the management information system 3, the proofreading management system 4, the prepress system 5A, the prepress system 5B, the printing system 6A, the printing system 6B, the processing device 7A, and the processing device 7B are connected to a network NT and configured to be able to send and receive information to and from each other. As an example, the network NT may be the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0047] The information processing device 2 is a computer system having a workflow creation support function that supports the creation of a workflow for performing a printing job. As an example, the information processing device 2 is a general-purpose computer device such as a server computer or a personal computer (PC).

[0048] The Management Information System (hereinafter referred to as MIS) 3 is a computer system that manages printing-related management information, and performs production process management and inventory management of printed products. Management information can include various types of information, such as order information, quotation information, sales information, business plans, and inventory information. In this embodiment, an example is described in which MIS 3 transmits information required for manufacturing printed products in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. Note that MIS 3 may also use information such as JDF (Job Definition Format) and JMF (Job Messaging Format).

[0049] The proofreading management system 4 is a computer system that receives orders for the manufacture of printed products from clients and processes the creation and proofreading of electronic data of manuscripts for printing. This proofreading management system 4 outputs data showing the manuscripts of the printed products.

[0050] The prepress systems 5A and 5B are computer systems that perform test printing before printing a printed product to check the quality of the print results. As an example, the prepress system 5A is a system including a digital printing device that prints without using printing plates. As an example, the prepress system 5B is a system including an offset printing device that prints using printing plates.

[0051] The printing systems 6A and 6B are computer systems that process printing on paper or other printing media based on design data for printing. As an example, the printing system 6A is a system including a digital printing device that prints without using printing plates. As an example, the printing system 6B is a system including an offset printing device that prints using printing plates.

[0052] The processing devices 7A and 7B are devices that perform various processes on parts and products. As an example, the processing device 7A is a cover attachment device that attaches a cover to parts that make up a product after formation is completed. As an example, the processing device 7B is a collating device that collates folded parts that have been offset printed.

[0053] It should be noted that the printing business of printed products is not limited to the above-mentioned systems and devices, and may include other systems and devices available in the printing business. For example, a printing business may include a second plate management system, known as a second plate, which processes the client of the printed product checking the print content and checking, approving, and requesting that it proceed to the printing execution stage.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 2 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 24, a display unit 26, and an operation unit .

[0056] The control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20B, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 20D, and these components are connected to each other via a bus 20E. Here, the CPU 20A is an example of a processor.

[0057] The I / O 20D is connected to various functional units including a storage unit 22, a communication unit 24, a display unit 26, and an operation unit 28. These functional units are capable of communicating with the CPU 20A via the I / O 20D.

[0058] The control unit 20 may be configured as a sub-control unit that controls part of the operation of the information processing device 2, or may be configured as part of a main control unit that controls the overall operation of the information processing device 2. For example, an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) or an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip set is used for part or all of the blocks of the control unit 20. An individual circuit may be used for each of the blocks, or a circuit in which some or all of the blocks are integrated may be used. The blocks may be provided integrally with each other, or some of the blocks may be provided separately. Also, a part of each of the blocks may be provided separately. The integration of the control unit 20 is not limited to an LSI, and a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor may be used.

[0059] The storage unit 22 may be, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory. The storage unit 22 stores an information processing program 22A and data 22B for implementing the information processing according to this embodiment. The CPU 20A reads out the information processing program 22A from the storage unit 22, expands it in the RAM 20B, and executes the processing. In this way, the information processing device 2 that has executed the information processing program 22A operates as the information processing device of the present disclosure. Note that the information processing program 22A may be stored in the ROM 20C.

[0060] The information processing program 22A may be pre-installed in the information processing device 2, for example. The information processing program 22A may be realized by storing it in a non-volatile storage medium or distributing it via the network NT and appropriately installing it in the information processing device 2. Note that examples of the non-volatile storage medium include a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a magneto-optical disk, a HDD, a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a memory card, and the like.

[0061] The display unit 26 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 26 may be integrally provided with a touch panel. The operation unit 28 is provided with devices for operation input, such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display unit 26 and the operation unit 28 receive various instructions from a user of the information processing device 2. The display unit 26 displays various information such as the results of processing executed in response to instructions received from the user and notifications regarding the processing.

[0062] The communication unit 24 is connected to a network NT such as the Internet, a LAN, or a WAN, and is capable of communicating with external devices via the network NT.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, a CPU 20A of the information processing device 2 includes functional units that function as an acquisition unit 200, an identification unit 202, a generation unit 204, a creation unit 206, and a display control unit 208, respectively.

[0065] Moreover, the storage unit 22 according to the present embodiment stores template information applicable to workflow information (hereinafter referred to as product workflow information) showing the workflow of a printed product. The workflow of a printed product may be called a product workflow. The template information is data obtained by converting information showing the units of work performed in each process and the parts processed or generated in each process into nodes, and the relationships between a plurality of processes into data as connections between the nodes, for each process in manufacturing a printed product. For example, depending on various conditions such as the type of printed product, the customer, and the conditions for finishing the printed product, the processing steps performed for manufacturing the printed product, the parts processed or generated in each process, and the relationships between each process or between each process and the parts can be set as templates. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of templates are registered in advance for each expected printed product, and an appropriate template according to the specifications of the ordered printed product is set from among the registered plurality of templates, so that the template can be used to set a process for manufacturing the printed product. As a specific example, a plurality of templates are created in advance, the plurality of templates are stored in the storage unit 22, and, for example, a user can set an appropriate template from among the plurality of templates stored in the storage unit 22 and use the set template. Using templates in this way makes it easier to set up the processes required to manufacture printed products each time an order for a printed product is received, compared to designing from scratch the processes required to manufacture the printed product, the parts processed at each process, and the relationship to the next process that integrates the processed parts.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of template information according to the present embodiment.

[0067] 5 shows a screen 100 as an example of template information displayed on the display unit 26. The display control unit 208 performs control to display a screen 110 on the display unit 26 using the template information.

[0068] The screen 100 includes display areas 101, 102, 103, and 104. The process for manufacturing a printed product is displayed in the display area 101. The process shown in Fig. 5 is an example of the operations from order receipt to shipping of the printed product when manufacturing the printed product.

[0069] For example, "reception" refers to the work of receiving a request from a client to manufacture at least a portion of a printed product. "production" refers to the work of creating the manuscript for the printed product. "prepress" refers to the work of conducting test printing before the printed product is printed. "plate making" refers to the work of creating printing plates for printing. "printing" refers to the work of printing on print media. "receiving" refers to the work of receiving parts or products. "processing" refers to processing work performed on printed matter. "inspection" refers to the work of inspecting parts or products. "part customization" refers to the general term for the work of performing special processing or treatment on parts. "product customization" refers to the general term for the work of performing special processing or treatment on products. "shipping" refers to the work of shipping printed products once production is complete.

[0070] The display area 102 displays the parts of the printed product. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the parts included in the printed product and intermediate parts generated from the parts during the process of manufacturing the printed product are shown. For example, a "cover", a "body", and a "cover" are shown as examples of parts included in the printed product. In addition, a "book block" generated by combining the "cover" and the "body", and a "finished product" generated by combining the "book block" and the "cover" are shown as examples of intermediate parts. In addition, the printed matter at the stage when manufacturing is completed is shown as the "product name".

[0071] Each operation in the manufacturing process for producing a printed product is displayed in display area 103. The information displayed in display area 103 corresponds to the process displayed in display area 101.

[0072] In the display area 104, each task in producing a printed product is displayed as a node (shown as a circle in FIG. 5). That is, work objects that indicate the tasks in each step from "reception" to "shipping", which are displayed as processes, are displayed as nodes (shown as a circle in FIG. 5) corresponding to the order of steps in producing a printed product. Among the work objects, nodes that indicate tasks for intermediate parts function as intermediate objects.

[0073] In addition, for each of a plurality of parts, nodes which are work objects indicating the work included in the manufacturing process of each part are displayed arranged in the order of the work, and are related to each other so that they are processed consecutively and have a relationship between them. Fig. 5 shows an example in which nodes are related to each other by connecting them with dotted lines. In addition, a node which is an intermediate object indicating an intermediate part is related (connected) to a node which is an intermediate object and to another node which is a work object so that they have a relationship with the work object for a plurality of parts used to generate the intermediate part.

[0074] A plurality of pieces of template information are created in advance corresponding to the number of parts constituting a printed product and the type of processing, and these plurality of pieces of template information are stored in the storage unit 22. Each of the plurality of pieces of template information is stored in association with, for example, information indicating a different "workflow ID (IDentification)" and "workflow name" as identification information for identifying each piece of template information. In other words, the template information is managed in association with the workflow ID and the workflow name.

[0075] The acquisition unit 200 acquires manufacturing information for manufacturing a printed product.

[0076] In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the information processing device 2 acquires information required for manufacturing a printed product (hereinafter referred to as MIS information) from the MIS 3. This MIS information is, for example, information described in XML format. As an example, the MIS information includes various information such as a workflow ID indicating product workflow information of the printed product, a part type ID indicating the parts that make up the printed product, and information indicating processes such as processing applied to the printed product as parts and steps. It is possible to identify steps, processes, and work objects when manufacturing a printed product from this MIS information.

[0077] The identifying unit 202 identifies a type (pattern) of a manufacturing process using the MIS information acquired from the MIS 3. Here, the type (pattern) of a manufacturing process is information for identifying a manufacturing process by combining part information such as the number of parts included in a printed product and information indicating a manufacturing process for each part. In other words, the identifying unit 202 uses the MIS information to identify a plurality of processes required from order receipt to completion of a printed product, and a plurality of parts for manufacturing the printed product.

[0078] The generating unit 204 generates a work object and an intermediate object representing work in manufacturing a printed product based on the type of manufacturing process identified by the identifying unit 202. Specifically, for each of a plurality of parts included in the printed product, a work object representing work including processing performed to manufacture the individual parts is generated. In addition, for an intermediate part generated by performing processing such as combining at least two parts out of the plurality of parts, an intermediate object representing the intermediate part is generated.

[0079] The creation unit 206 uses the MIS information acquired from the MIS 3 and the work objects and intermediate objects generated by the generation unit 204 to create product workflow information in which the work objects and intermediate objects are related (connected).

[0080] The creation unit 206 has an editing function for creating and partially changing the product workflow information, which will be described later.

[0081] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the generating unit 204 and the creating unit 206 generate work objects and intermediate objects and create a workflow for a printed product by obtaining template information that matches the MIS information obtained from the MIS 3 from the storage unit 22. Specifically, template information that matches the type of manufacturing process, i.e., information indicating the number of parts included in the printed product and the manufacturing process for each part, from the MIS information obtained from the MIS 3 is obtained from the storage unit 22.

[0082] If a plurality of pieces of template information match the MIS information acquired from MIS3, the plurality of pieces of template information can be configured to be candidate template information, and one of the plurality of candidate template information can be selected.

[0083] The display control unit 208 creates display information for displaying the product workflow information created by the creation unit 206 on the display unit 26 , and controls the display of the created display information on the display unit 26 .

[0084] The display control unit 208 can perform display control to display information obtained in each functional unit, ie, the acquisition unit 200, the identification unit 202, the generation unit 204, and the creation unit 206, on the display unit .

[0085] Furthermore, the display control unit 208 performs control to display the progress status of each of at least two parts that constitute the intermediate part in the product workflow information when processing of the intermediate part has not started.

[0086] Next, the operation of the information processing device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow of the information processing program 22A executed in the information processing device 2.

[0088] In the information processing device 2, when an instruction to start the information processing program 22A is given, the CPU 20A functions as each of the functional units described above and executes each of the following steps.

[0089] 6, the acquisition unit 200 acquires MIS information from the MIS 3. The MIS information is information described in XML format as described above, and includes information on parts and manufacturing processes when manufacturing a printed product.

[0090] Next, an example of MIS information is shown.

[0091] <product_template_attributes> <product_wf_template_id> WFID_020< / product_wf_template_id> <part_template_attributes> <part_type_id> ID020_1_1< / part_seq> + Attribute information for each process < / part_template_attributes> < / product_template_attributes> ...

[0092] This MIS information indicates that the workflow ID of the template information indicating the template specified for the print product is "WFID_020" (see also Figure 9). In addition, the part included in the template information is "ID020_1_1", and the process content of that part, i.e., the work object, is shown as "attribute information for each process".

[0093] In step S102, the identification unit 202 uses the MIS information to identify the type of manufacturing process, thereby identifying template information for generating candidate product workflow information. In this step S102, a workflow ID included in the MIS information is detected, and the template information is identified by the detected workflow ID. This identified template information is an example of a suitable template of the present disclosure.

[0094] In step S104, the generation unit 204 and the creation unit 206 generate candidates for product workflows (product workflow information) including intermediate parts. In this step S104, the generation unit 204 first generates work objects and intermediate objects indicating work in manufacturing a printed product based on the identified type of manufacturing process. Then, the creation unit 206 uses the MIS information and the work objects and intermediate objects to generate candidates for product workflows including intermediate parts that are formed by connecting the work objects and intermediate objects.

[0095] Specifically, by obtaining template information that matches the workflow ID included in the MIS information from the storage unit 22, work objects and intermediate objects are generated, and a product workflow candidate is created by connecting these nodes.

[0096] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of template information that is a candidate for a product workflow.

[0097] 7 shows a screen 110 as an example of template information displayed on the display unit 26. The display control unit 208 performs control to display the screen 110 on the display unit 26 using the template information.

[0098] Screen 110 includes display areas 111, 112, and 113. Display area 111 displays instruction buttons related to the creation of a product workflow. In the example shown in Fig. 7, instruction buttons "Add", "Edit", "Cancel", "Duplicate", "Delete", "Enable", and "Invalidate" are displayed. These instruction buttons are instructed by the user's operation of operation unit 28.

[0099] The "Add" instruction button is used to instruct the user to add a new product workflow. The "Edit" instruction button is used to instruct the user to start editing an existing product workflow. The "Cancel" instruction button is used to instruct the user to cancel editing of a product workflow that is being edited. The "Duplicate" instruction button is used to instruct the user to duplicate an existing product workflow to create the same workflow. The "Delete" instruction button is used to instruct the user to delete the selected product workflow. The "Enable" instruction button is used to set the selected product workflow to an available state. The "Disable" instruction button is used to set the selected product workflow from an available state to an unavailable state.

[0100] A list of template information stored in the storage unit 22 is displayed in the display area 112. In the list shown in the example of Fig. 7, various types of information included in the template information, including a workflow ID for identifying the template information and a workflow name, are associated with labels indicating items.

[0101] In the display area 113, similarly to FIG. 5, each of the tasks in the manufacturing process in the selected template information is displayed. Specifically, each of the work objects in the selected template information (information included in the area surrounded by a thick frame line 114 in the display area 112) is displayed as a node (circular shape). Among the work objects, a node indicating a task for an intermediate part functions as an intermediate object. In this case, the intermediate object includes an intermediate processing object and an intermediate work object. The intermediate processing object indicates processing for a plurality of parts ("processing" in the example of FIG. 7). Furthermore, the intermediate work object indicates a task for a generated intermediate part ("part customization 203" in the example of FIG. 7).

[0102] In step S106, the creation unit 206 performs an editing process on the product workflow candidate. Specifically, when any of the instruction buttons shown in Fig. 7 is instructed by the user of the operation unit 28, the process of step S106 is started. For example, when the edit button is instructed, an editing process for changing a part of the product workflow candidate is started.

[0103] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in the editing process.

[0104] 8 shows, as an example, a screen 120 in which an edit button is pressed to edit a part of a product workflow candidate. The display control unit 208 controls the display of the screen 120 on the display unit 26 during editing.

[0105] The screen 120 includes display areas 121, 122, and 123. The display area 121 displays a workflow ID and a workflow name indicating the template information to be edited (that is, a candidate for a product workflow).

[0106] In the display area 122, instruction buttons for instructing the editing status of the template information to be edited are displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 8, instruction buttons for "Clear", "Undo", "Next", "Save", "Temporary Save", and "Close" are displayed. These instruction buttons are instructed by the user operating the operation unit 28.

[0107] The "Clear" button is a button for instructing to erase the processing (editing operation) performed on the product workflow candidate being edited. The "Undo" button is a button for instructing to cancel the editing operation performed immediately before and to return to the previous state. The "Forward" button is a button for instructing to return to the original state of the canceled editing operation from the state returned to by the "Undo" button. The "Save" button is a button for instructing to save the product workflow candidate in the current editing work state, that is, to store it in the memory unit 22. The "Temporary Save" button is a button for instructing to temporarily save the product workflow candidate in the current editing work state in RAM 20B. The "Close" button is a button for instructing to end the editing process of the product workflow candidate being edited and close the screen 120.

[0108] 5, each work object in the template information to be edited is displayed as a node (circle shape) in the display area 123. Among the work objects, a node indicating a work of an intermediate part functions as an intermediate object.

[0109] In the editing process, it is possible to delete a work object displayed in the display area, or to add a work object displayed in the process column (for example, by dragging a shape).

[0110] Next, in step S108, the creation unit 206 creates a candidate for the product workflow for which editing has been completed as a product workflow. That is, when the "Close" instruction button shown in Fig. 8 is pressed and saving is completed, product workflow information indicating the candidate for the product workflow is created. The created product workflow information is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0111] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the product workflow information.

[0112] 9 shows a screen 130 as an example of the product workflow information displayed on the display unit 26. The display control unit 208 controls the display of the product workflow information on the display unit 26. By this control, for example, an image of the screen 130 is displayed on the display unit 26.

[0113] Screen 130 includes display areas 131, 132, 133, and 134. Display area 131 displays instruction buttons related to the state of the product workflow to be displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 9, instruction buttons for "Order", "Product", "Parts", and "Shipping" are displayed. These instruction buttons are specified by the user's operation of operation unit 28.

[0114] The "Order" instruction button indicates an instruction button for instructing the display of a product workflow when the manufacturing stage of a printed product is the order receiving stage. The "Product" instruction button indicates an instruction button for instructing the display of a product workflow for a printed product. The "Parts" instruction button indicates an instruction button for instructing a partial display of the product workflow for a printed product that relates to parts. The "Shipping" instruction button indicates an instruction button for instructing the display of a product workflow when the manufacturing stage of a printed product is the shipping stage.

[0115] Display area 132 displays a list of product workflow information read from storage unit 22 in response to the instruction button designated in display area 131. In the example list shown in Fig. 9, product workflow information corresponding to the designated instruction button (the instruction button indicating "Product" surrounded by a thick frame 135 in display area 131) is displayed.

[0116] 5, each work object corresponding to the specified product workflow (product workflow information surrounded by a thick frame 136 in the display area 132) is displayed as a node (circular shape) in the display area 133. Among the work objects, a node indicating a work of an intermediate part functions as an intermediate object.

[0117] 9, nodes (work objects) are generated for each manufacturing process of parts 201 and 202. Also, a node (intermediate object) is generated for the intermediate process of intermediate part 203, which is a work-in-progress made by combining parts 201 and 202. This is followed in order by a node indicating the inspection process and a node indicating the shipping process. Therefore, product workflow information is created in which the nodes (work objects) for the manufacturing processes of parts 201 and 202 and the nodes (intermediate objects) for the intermediate processes of intermediate part 203 are connected from the reception process to the shipping process.

[0118] The display area 134 displays the MIS information acquired from the MIS 3. In the example of Fig. 9, as an example of displaying the MIS information, a table in which information indicating each of "items" and "contents" is associated with each other is displayed.

[0119] The product workflow information is configured to display work status information indicating the progress of work according to the current product workflow information in conjunction with the MIS information from the MIS 3. Specifically, the display control unit 208 controls the display unit 26 to display the degree of progress of each work object indicated by the MIS information.

[0120] In the display area 133 shown in FIG. 9, the printed product is indicated by "product name," and the parts are indicated by "part 201," "part 202," and "intermediate part 203." In this case, the display form of the node corresponding to the progress state at the current time point is changed as the work status information. For example, when the MIS information from the MIS3 includes information that the part 201 is in the production stage and the part 202 is in the printing stage, each node is displayed in a display form different from other nodes. Specifically, the nodes indicating each of the production process of the part 201 and the printing process of the part 202 are displayed in a display form 137 (display form using black circle figures) different from other nodes. At this stage, the intermediate part 203 is generated by combining the parts 201 and 202, so it is possible to confirm that the intermediate part 203 has not yet been generated. In this way, by changing the display form of the nodes, it is possible to confirm the progress state of the work in the workflow of the printed product.

[0121] Examples of changing the display form of the node described above include changing the shape of the image displayed as the node, changing the color of the node, and changing the node by adding an annotation image.

[0122] As described above, a plurality of manufacturing processes and a plurality of parts from order receipt to completion of a printed product are identified, and intermediate objects representing the intermediate parts are generated for intermediate parts generated by processing the parts. Then, the work objects are arranged and displayed in the order of the work, and the work objects between consecutively processed works are connected and displayed, and product workflow information is created for connecting and displaying the intermediate objects and the work objects. Therefore, when managing the process from order receipt to completion of a printed product, it is possible to easily grasp which parts are used to make up an intermediate part.

[0123] Next, in step S110, the creation unit 206 judges whether or not machining of the intermediate part has started. If it is judged that machining of the intermediate part has started (if the judgment is positive), the status of the intermediate part is set to "ready to start" and a series of processes by the information processing program 22A is terminated. If it is judged that machining of the intermediate part has not started (if the judgment is negative), the process proceeds to step S112.

[0124] In step S112, the display control unit 208 controls the display unit 26 to display the progress status of each of the at least two parts that make up the intermediate part in the product workflow created in step S108, and then ends a series of processes by this information processing program 22A.

[0125] Next, the intermediate part progress management method according to this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

[0126] 10(A), 10(B), and 10(C) are diagrams showing an example of a process edit screen 210 according to the present embodiment.

[0127] The process editing screen 210 shown in Fig. 10(A) shows a state in which the "General" tab is selected. In this "General" tab, the following setting items can be specified for each process: "Start work automatically," "Automatically send data when work starts," and "Automatically complete work." In this case, by linking with the external system MIS3, each process can be processed fully automatically.

[0128] 10B shows a state where the "Process Attributes" tab is selected in the process edit screen 210. In this "Process Attributes" tab, the printing equipment (printer) to be used in the process can be specified.

[0129] 10C shows a state in which the "Grouping" tab is selected on the process edit screen 210. In this "Grouping" tab, it is possible to specify grouping conditions for grouping parts.

[0130] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a workflow information display screen 220 according to this embodiment.

[0131] 11 shows a product workflow. In this product workflow, work objects are generated for each manufacturing process of each part of "part type name 1" and "part type name 2". In addition, intermediate objects are generated for the intermediate process of "intermediate part 20", which is a work in progress made by combining the parts of "part type name 1" and "part type name 2".

[0132] The work object of the manufacturing process of the part of "part type name 1" includes a work object 221 represented as a "printing process name". This work object 221 is associated with work attribute information 222 including status information of the corresponding part. This work attribute information 222 can be displayed as a pop-up when the work object 221 is specified. Similarly, the work object of the manufacturing process of the part of "part type name 2" includes a work object 223 represented as a "printing process name". This work object 223 is associated with work attribute information 224 including status information of the corresponding part. This work attribute information 224 can be displayed as a pop-up when the work object 223 is specified. Furthermore, the intermediate object of the intermediate process of the intermediate part of "intermediate part 20" includes an intermediate object 225 represented as "processing 20". This intermediate object 225 is associated with work attribute information 226 including status information of the corresponding intermediate part. This work attribute information 226 can be displayed as a pop-up when the intermediate object 225 is specified. The work object 221, the work object 223, and the intermediate object 225 are displayed, for example, as icons.

[0133] As described above, the CPU 20A functions as the display control unit 208, and performs control to display the progress status of at least two parts constituting the intermediate part in the product workflow when the processing of the intermediate part is not started. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 11, when the work attribute information 226 of the intermediate part "intermediate part 20" is referred to, the status is displayed as "cannot be started". In this case, the processing of the intermediate part "intermediate part 20" is not started. The intermediate part "intermediate part 20" is composed of two parts, "part type name 1" and "part type name 2". If the final process of each part is not completed, the initial processing of the intermediate part remains "cannot be started". In the example of FIG. 11, when the work attribute information 222 of one part "part type name 1" is referred to, the status is displayed as "process not started". Also, when the work attribute information 224 of the other part "part type name 2" is referred to, the status is displayed as "process completed". In other words, the progress status of each of the two parts constituting the intermediate part is displayed.

[0134] In this case, the CPU 20A identifies, in the product workflow, of at least two parts constituting the intermediate part, a part and a process that are causing the processing of the intermediate part to be unable to start. In the example of FIG. 11, the status of one of the parts, "part type name 1", is "process not started". Therefore, the part represented as "part type name 1" is identified as the reason why the processing of the intermediate part "intermediate part 20" cannot be started. In addition, the process represented as "printing process name" is identified as the reason why the processing cannot be started.

[0135] Fig. 12(A) is a diagram showing an example of a work status screen 230 of the printing device according to the present embodiment. Fig. 12(B) is a diagram showing an example of a work status screen 240 of the processing device according to the present embodiment.

[0136] In the work status screen 230 shown in FIG. 12(A), the work status of "aaaa6A", which is a printing device (printing equipment) used to print each part of "part type name 1" and "part type name 2", is managed. When an item 231 related to "aaaa6A" is selected in the work status screen 230, work status information 232 corresponding to "part type name 2" and work status information 234 corresponding to "part type name 1" are displayed. In the work status information 232 corresponding to "part type name 2", the status 233 is displayed as "Completed", and in the work status information 234 corresponding to "part type name 1", the status 235 is displayed as "Not started". The status 233 of the work status information 232 corresponds to the status of the work attribute information 224 shown in FIG. 11 described above, and the status 235 of the work status information 234 corresponds to the status of the work attribute information 222 shown in FIG. 11 described above.

[0137] 12(B) manages the work status of "bbbb9B", which is a processing device (processing equipment) used to process the intermediate part "intermediate part 20". When an item 241 related to "bbbb9B" is selected on the work status screen 240, work status information 242 corresponding to "intermediate part 20" is displayed. In the work status information 242 corresponding to "intermediate part 20", status 243 is displayed as "Cannot start". Status 243 of work status information 242 corresponds to the status of work attribute information 226 shown in FIG. 11 described above.

[0138] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the workflow information display screen 220 according to the present embodiment.

[0139] As in the example of FIG. 11 described above, workflow information display screen 220 shown in FIG. 13 displays a work object 221 represented as a "printing process name" of a "part type name 1" and an intermediate object 225 represented as "processing 20" of an "intermediate part 20". Further, detailed information 227 is associated with work object 221. This detailed information 227 manages contact information (e.g., an email address, etc.) of the process manager. For example, the "start reporter ID" and "completion reporter ID" of detailed information 227 are associated with the email address of the process manager (Administrator).

[0140] Here, as described above, the part represented as "part type name 1" is identified as the cause of the inability to start machining of the intermediate part represented as "intermediate part 20". In this case, the CPU 20A may perform control to notify a process manager who manages the process of the part that is causing the inability to start machining of the intermediate part that the process is delayed. Specifically, the CPU 20A obtains an email address of the process manager from the detailed information 227, and automatically sends a message to the obtained email address, such as "xx process of part xx is delayed. Please adjust the process."

[0141] 13, the task object 221 and intermediate object 225 are delayed relative to their scheduled completion. In this case, for example, a warning may be displayed by changing the color of the icon representing the task object 221 (e.g., a printer icon) and the icon representing the intermediate object 225 (e.g., a printer icon). Note that the warning display is not limited to changing the color of the icon, and may be in the form of, for example, adding an exclamation mark to the icon. This makes it possible to know at a glance which process of which part is delayed.

[0142] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a product workflow display area 250 on the workflow information display screen 220 according to this embodiment.

[0143] 14, a product workflow is displayed in a product workflow display area 250. This product workflow includes an intermediate object 251 represented as "processing 20" of an "intermediate part 20." An x mark is added to the icon representing the intermediate object 251, and this x mark indicates that some kind of error has occurred in the process of the intermediate part represented as the "intermediate part 20." In this case, for example, a warning may be displayed by changing the color of the icon representing the intermediate object 251.

[0144] Here, the parts that failed to be processed in "Processing 20" are generated retroactively. At this time, the process for generating the failed parts retroactively is added as a separate process from the "Printing Process Name" of "Part Type Name 1" or the "Printing Process Name" of "Part Type Name 2". The "Printing Process Name" indicates the process for printing the parts. The number of copies printed in the added process and the number of copies successfully processed in "Processing 20" are added together to manage the total number of good products. For example, assume that the number of copies of an ordered printed product is 100, of which 50 copies were successfully processed in "Processing 20" and 50 copies failed. If it is necessary to reprint 50 copies of the "Part Type Name 2" part in order to reprocess the failed 50 copies in "Processing 20", a "Printing Process Name" (see Figure 17 below) is added as a separate process from the "Printing Process Name" of "Part Type Name 2", and 50 copies of the "Part Type Name 2" part are printed.

[0145] When an error occurs in an intermediate part in the product workflow, the CPU 20A identifies the number of copies that need to be reprocessed for each of at least two parts that make up the intermediate part. For example, a work status dialog 252 corresponding to an intermediate object 251 is displayed. In the work status dialog 252, the status is displayed as "Error", and a "Reprint" instruction button 253 is displayed. When the "Reprint" instruction button 253 is instructed by the operation unit 28, a transition to a reprint screen 260 shown in FIG. 15 is made.

[0146] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a reprint screen 260 according to this embodiment.

[0147] In the reprint screen 260 shown in FIG. 15, it is possible to specify the number of copies required for reprinting for each part. Here, for example, it is possible to specify the number of copies required for reprinting for each part represented as "part type name 1" and "part type name 2". The number of copies required for reprinting is identified based on the number of copies specified in the reprint screen 260. Note that, in the process edit screen 210 shown in FIG. 10(A) described above, when "automatically start work", "automatically send data when work starts", and "automatically complete work" are all specified for each process, reprocessing is automatically performed with the number of copies specified in the reprint screen 260.

[0148] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of the product workflow display area 250 according to the present embodiment.

[0149] 16, the product workflow after reprocessing is displayed. This product workflow includes an intermediate object 251 represented as "processing 20" of an "intermediate part 20" and a work object 254 represented as a "printing process name" of a "part type name 1". As described above, because some error has occurred in the process of the intermediate part represented as "intermediate part 20", for example, a process of the work object 254 represented as a "printing process name" of a "part type name 1" is added. In other words, the part represented as "part type name 1" is retroactively reprocessed.

[0150] CPU 20A registers information about the reprocessing work in association with a work object corresponding to the reprocessing work. In the example of Fig. 16, work object 254 corresponds to the reprocessing work. However, the number of icons displayed is not changed, and process information 255 including the status of the added process is displayed. Process information 255 is an example of information about the reprocessing work, and includes the number of copies of the part to be added, the status, the number of reprocessing times, etc. In process information 255, the number of copies, the status, the number of reprocessing times, etc. are changed each time reprocessing is performed.

[0151] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a details screen 270 according to this embodiment.

[0152] When reprocessing a part as described above, a process is added internally, and one record for the printing process is added to the details screen 270 shown in FIG. 17. Specifically, the details screen 270 displays a record 271 and status information 272. The record 271 is a record corresponding to the added printing process (represented as a "printing process name", for example). The status information 272 is information relating to the status of the printing process corresponding to the record 271. The status managed by the status information 272 is reflected in the process information 255.

[0153] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another example of the product workflow display area 250 according to the present embodiment.

[0154] 18 displays a product workflow when all final processes for a part are complete. This product workflow includes an intermediate object 251 represented as "processing 20" of "intermediate part 20", a work object 254 represented as "printing process name" of "part type name 1", and a work object 256 represented as "printing process name" of "part type name 2". Work attribute information 257 including status information of the corresponding intermediate part is associated with the intermediate object 251. This work attribute information 257 can be displayed as a pop-up when the intermediate object 251 is specified.

[0155] In the product workflow, when all the work for each of at least two parts constituting an intermediate part is completed, the CPU 20A sets the state in which the first work for the intermediate part can be started. Specifically, in the example of Fig. 18, when all the work for each of the parts "part type name 1" and "part type name 2" is completed, the state in which the first work for the intermediate part "intermediate part 20" can be started, that is, the status of the work attribute information 257 becomes "process not started".

[0156] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a work status screen 280 and a work completion cancellation dialog box 286 of the printing device according to this embodiment.

[0157] 19 manages the work status of "aaaa6A", which is a printing device (printing equipment) used to print each of the parts of "part type name 1" and "part type name 2". When an item 281 related to "aaaa6A" is selected on the work status screen 280, work status information 282 corresponding to "part type name 2" and work status information 284 corresponding to "part type name 1" are displayed. In the work status information 282 corresponding to "part type name 2", status 283 is displayed as "Completed", and in the work status information 284 corresponding to "part type name 1", status 285 is displayed as "Processing".

[0158] When the product workflow is set to a state in which the first work of an intermediate part can be started, CPU 20A makes it possible to cancel the work completion state for each of at least two parts that make up the intermediate part. Specifically, when the status of the "Processing 20" process is "Process not started", it is possible to cancel the "Completed" status 283 of "Part type name 2". This "Completion" can be canceled from the work completion cancellation dialog 286. Note that when the status of the "Processing 20" process is in progress or completed, the completion of the work related to printing the part cannot be canceled.

[0159] Next, a specific example of a method for adding a process when reprocessing a part will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0160] 20(A), 20(B), and 20(C) are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for adding a reprocessing step according to this embodiment.

[0161] As shown in Figure 20(A), for a certain part, assume that the number of ordered copies is 100, the internal spare is 20, the number of manufactured copies is 120, and the number of printed copies is 120. Note that "Reception" indicates the reception process, "Pre" indicates the prepress process, "Printing" indicates the printing process, and "Processing" indicates the processing process.

[0162] As shown in Figure 20(B), in the "printing" process, if, of the 120 copies printed, 80 are good (indicated by "good") and 40 are defective (indicated by "bad"), the status of "printing" will be "Printing provisionally completed", indicating that printing is provisionally completed. At this time, the total number of good copies (indicated by "total good") is 80 copies, and the total number of defective copies (indicated by "total bad") is 40 copies.

[0163] As shown in Figure 20(C), a "Printing" process that reprints the 40 defective copies is added as "Printing 2." The status of this "Printing 2" process is initially set to "Not started." Then, the status of "Printing partially completed" shown in Figure 20(B) is changed to "Printing completed." At this point, the total number of good copies is 80, and the total number of defective copies is 40.

[0164] 21(A), 21(B), and 21(C) are diagrams for explaining another example in which a reprocessing step according to this embodiment is added.

[0165] As shown in Fig. 21(A), in the "Print 2" process shown in Fig. 20(C) above, if the reprint results in 30 good copies and 10 defective copies, the status of "Print 2" is set to "Printing provisionally completed 2." In this case, the total number of good copies is 110 (= 80 + 30), and the total number of defective copies is 50 (= 40 + 10).

[0166] As shown in FIG. 21B, the status of "Printing provisionally completed 2" shown in FIG. 21A is changed to "Printing completed 2".

[0167] As shown in Fig. 21(C), the number of pieces to be processed in the "processing" step is set to 120. In this case, the total number of non-defective products is 0 (zero), and the total number of defective products is 0 (zero).

[0168] 22(A), 22(B), and 22(C) are diagrams for explaining another example in which a reprocessing step according to this embodiment is added.

[0169] As shown in Fig. 22(A), in the "processing" step shown in Fig. 21(C) above, if there are 90 good products and 20 defective products out of 120 processed copies, the status of "processing" is set to "temporarily completed processing." In this case, the total number of good products is 90 and the total number of defective products is 20.

[0170] As shown in Figure 22(B), a "Processing" process to reprocess the 20 defective copies is added as "Processing 2". In addition, a "Printing" process to reprint 20 copies is added as "Printing 3". Then, the status of "Processing provisionally completed" shown in Figure 22(A) is changed to "Processing completed". At this point, the total number of good products is 110 (= 80 + 30) copies, and the total number of defective products is 50 (= 40 + 10).

[0171] As shown in Fig. 22(C), in the "Printing 3" process shown in Fig. 22(B) above, if there are 20 good copies and 0 defective copies out of the 20 copies printed, the status of "Printing 3" is set to "Printing provisionally completed 3." In this case, the total number of good copies is 130 (= 80 + 30 + 20), and the total number of defective copies is 50 (= 40 + 10).

[0172] 23(A) and 23(B) are diagrams for explaining another example in which a reprocessing step according to this embodiment is added.

[0173] As shown in Fig. 23(A), in the process of "Processing 2" shown in Fig. 22(C) described above, if there are 20 good products and 0 defective products out of the 20 processed copies, the status of "Processing 2" is set to "Processing provisionally completed 2." In this case, the total number of good products is 110 (= 90 + 20), and the total number of defective products is 20 (= 20 + 0).

[0174] As shown in Fig. 23(B), the status of "Processing temporarily completed 2" shown in Fig. 23(A) is changed to "Processing completed 2." At this time, the total number of non-defective products is 110, and the total number of defective products is 20.

[0175] In this manner, according to the present embodiment, when machining of an intermediate part is not started, control is performed to display the progress status of each of at least two parts constituting the intermediate part, which makes it easier to grasp the cause of when machining of the intermediate part cannot be started, compared to when a workflow is generated and managed without managing an intermediate part generated by combining multiple parts.

[0176] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0177] In addition, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor, but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0178] The above describes an information processing device according to an embodiment. The embodiment may be in the form of a program for causing a computer to execute the functions of each unit of the information processing device. The embodiment may be in the form of a non-transitory storage medium that stores the program and is readable by a computer.

[0179] Furthermore, the configuration of the information processing device described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and may be changed according to circumstances without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0180] Furthermore, the processing flow of the program described in the above embodiment is also one example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0181] In the above embodiment, the processing according to the embodiment is realized by a software configuration using a computer by executing a program, but the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiment may be realized by, for example, a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0182] 1 Printing network system 2. Information processing equipment 3. Management Information Systems 4. Calibration Management System 5A, 5B Prepress System 6A, 6B Printing System 7A, 7B processing equipment 20 Control section 22 Memory section 22A Information Processing Program 24 Communications Department 26 Display section 28 Control section 200 Acquisition Department 202 Specific section 204 Generation part 206 Creation Department 208 Display control section

Claims

1. A processor is provided. The processor, A plurality of part objects representing a plurality of parts for manufacturing the product; an intermediate object representing an intermediate part generated by machining at least two parts among the plurality of parts; a part work object indicating a process required to manufacture each of the plurality of parts; and an intermediate part work object indicating the steps required to manufacture the intermediate part; Display control the display of workflow information, which is a relationship between a plurality of processes and associates the part work object used to generate the intermediate part with the intermediate part work object, in a chronological order; the part objects and the intermediate objects representing parts and intermediate parts for manufacturing the product are displayed in a line; the part work objects and the intermediate part work objects are displayed side by side for each corresponding part object or each corresponding intermediate object, Information processing device.

2. The intermediate part work object includes an intermediate processing object indicating processing for the at least two parts and an intermediate work object indicating work for the generated intermediate part. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The processor, Creating display information for displaying the workflow information on a display unit, and outputting the created display information to the display unit.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The processor, acquiring manufacturing information for manufacturing the product, the manufacturing information including a workflow ID indicating the workflow information of the product, a part type ID indicating a part constituting the product, and information indicating a process to be performed on the product as a part and a step, and capable of identifying a step, a process, and the part work object when manufacturing the product; extracting compatible template information that is compatible with the manufacturing information from a storage unit that stores a plurality of template information that associates the intermediate objects indicating the intermediate parts with the part work objects, the template information associating the part work objects, which indicate processes required for manufacturing each of the plurality of parts, with a plurality of process orders, and associates the part work objects between processes that are processed consecutively, based on the acquired manufacturing information; Using the extracted matching template, a plurality of parts for manufacturing the product and a plurality of processes required until the product is completed are identified, the intermediate object indicating the intermediate part and the part operation object are generated, and the workflow information is created.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1.

5. The part work object is associated with work attribute information including status information of the at least two parts, The processor identifies, in the workflow information, a part and a process that cause the inability to start processing of the intermediate part, among the at least two parts constituting the intermediate part, by referring to status information of the at least two parts. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The processor performs control to notify a process manager who manages a process of a part that is causing the inability to start processing of the intermediate part that the process is delayed. The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The intermediate object is capable of adding a mark indicating that an error has occurred in the intermediate part, When a mark indicating that an error has occurred in the intermediate part is added in the workflow information, the processor displays a work status dialog corresponding to the intermediate object, and specifies the number of copies that need to be reprocessed for each of the at least two parts that constitute the intermediate part based on the number of copies specified on a reprint screen to which the processor transitions from the work status dialog. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The processor registers information about the reprocessing work in association with the part work object corresponding to the reprocessing work. The information processing device according to claim 7.

9. The intermediate object is associated with work attribute information including status information of the intermediate part, When all the tasks for each of the at least two parts constituting the intermediate part are completed in the workflow information, the processor sets the status information of the intermediate part to a state in which a first task of the intermediate part can be started. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The processor makes it possible to cancel a state of completion of work for each of the at least two parts constituting the intermediate part when the first work of the intermediate part is set to a state in which the work can be started in the workflow information. The information processing device according to claim 9.

11. A plurality of part objects representing a plurality of parts for manufacturing the product; an intermediate object representing an intermediate part generated by machining at least two parts among the plurality of parts; a part work object indicating a process required to manufacture each of the plurality of parts; and an intermediate part work object indicating the steps required to manufacture the intermediate part; Display control the display of workflow information, which is a relationship between a plurality of processes and associates the part work object used to generate the intermediate part with the intermediate part work object, in a chronological order; the part objects and the intermediate objects representing parts and intermediate parts for manufacturing the product are displayed in a line; the part work objects and the intermediate part work objects are displayed side by side for each corresponding part object or each corresponding intermediate object, An information processing program for execution by a computer.

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