Print job management method, printing method, print job management apparatus, printing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for effectively consuming a plurality of continuous base materials with different remaining amounts.SOLUTION: A job list L1 and a continuous paper list L2 are prepared (Step S11). The job list L1 registers job attribute information that includes print length information that indicates the length of continuous paper CP necessary for printing of each print job. The continuous paper list L2 registers continuous-base-material attribute information that includes paper remaining information that indicates a remaining length of each roll of continuous paper CP. Then, a job batch JB is generated on the basis of the continuous-paper attribute information and the job attribute information (Step S16). The job batch JB defines one roll of continuous paper CP and a print job, the continuous paper being selected from among the continuous paper list L2, the print job being extracted from among the job list L1 and printable on the selected continuous paper CP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter disclosed in this specification relates to a printing job management method, a printing method, a printing job management apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In a printing apparatus that performs printing on a continuous substrate such as roll paper, a plurality of printing jobs may be assigned to the continuous substrate. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for dynamically changing an estimate of the time required for printing according to the combination of printing jobs when a plurality of printing jobs are assigned to one roll paper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above printing apparatus, first, printing is performed using a new continuous substrate, and depending on the printing amount, a partially used continuous substrate may be generated. When using this partially used continuous substrate for another printing job, first, the user calculates the remaining amount of the continuous substrate based on the previous usage amount, and sets a printable printing job for the remaining amount of the continuous substrate. Then, printing is performed based on the set printing job, and the partially used continuous substrate is consumed.

[0005] However, when there are a plurality of continuous papers with different remaining amounts, the work of determining which printing job should be assigned to which continuous paper is extremely complicated and burdensome for the user. For this reason, a technique for effectively consuming a plurality of continuous substrates with different remaining amounts is required.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of effectively consuming a plurality of continuous base materials having different remaining amounts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a first aspect is a print job management method for managing a print job in which print content defined for a long strip-shaped continuous base material in a printing machine, the method comprising: a) The computer preparing a continuous base material list which is a list of a plurality of continuous base materials and in which continuous base material attribute information including remaining amount information indicating the remaining length of each continuous base material is registered; b) The computer preparing a job list which is a list of a plurality of the print jobs and in which job attribute information including print length information indicating the length of the continuous base material required for printing each print job is registered; c) The computer generating a job batch that defines the continuous base material selected from the continuous base material list and the print job that is printable on the selected continuous base material and is extracted from the job list based on the continuous base material attribute information and the job attribute information. The computer It is noted that the job attribute information of the print job includes a splitting condition, and the splitting condition defines a condition for splitting the plurality of print jobs into a plurality of job batches. Step c) includes a step in which the computer splits the plurality of print jobs into the plurality of job batches based on the splitting condition.

[0008] A second aspect is the print job management method of the first aspect, the method comprising: The computer selecting, preferentially from the continuous base material list, a continuous base material having a small remaining amount.

[0009] A third aspect is the print job management method of the first aspect, wherein the step c) The computer includes a step of selecting the continuous base material from the continuous base material list such that the number of the continuous base materials used for executing printing of the plurality of print jobs in the job list is minimized.

[0010] A fourth aspect is the print job management method according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the step c) The computer A step of dividing the plurality of print jobs in the job list into a plurality of job batches while maintaining the order defined in the job list is included.

[0011] The fifth aspect is a print job management method according to any one of the first aspect to the 3 aspect, and in the step c), The computer A step of dividing the plurality of print jobs in the job list into a plurality of job batches in any order is included.

[0013] The 6 aspect is From the first aspect The 5 aspect of Any one a print job management method, wherein the continuous substrate attribute information further includes type information indicating the type of the continuous substrate, and the job attribute information includes substrate information indicating the type of the continuous substrate to be used for printing. The seventh aspect is a print job management method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. When step c) includes a print job for printing a plurality of copies of the same printed matter among the plurality of print jobs, step c) includes a step in which the computer splits the print job into a plurality of job batches in units of the number of copies.

[0014] The eighth aspect is a printing method, including a print job management method according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, and a step of performing printing on the continuous substrate defined in the job batch based on the print job defined in the job batch.

[0015] The ninth aspect is a print job management device for managing print jobs in which print content to be printed on a long strip-shaped continuous substrate in a printing machine is defined, including a continuous substrate list management unit that manages a list of a plurality of the continuous substrates, in which continuous substrate attribute information including remaining amount information indicating the remaining length of each continuous substrate is registered, a job list management unit that manages a list of a plurality of the print jobs, in which job attribute information including print length information indicating the length of the continuous substrate required for printing each print job is registered, and a job batch generation unit that generates a job batch defining the continuous substrate selected from the continuous substrate list and the print job that is printable on the selected continuous substrate and is extracted from the job list based on the continuous substrate attribute information and the job attribute information. , the job attribute information of the print job includes a splitting condition, and the splitting condition defines a condition for splitting the plurality of print jobs into a plurality of job batches. The job batch generation unit includes a step of splitting the plurality of print jobs into the plurality of job batches based on the splitting condition. 。

[0016] Aspect 10 is a printing apparatus, comprising: the printing job management apparatus of Aspect 9; and a printing machine configured to perform printing on the continuous base material defined in the job batch generated by the printing job management apparatus based on the printing jobs included in the job batch.

[0017] Aspect 11 is a computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute any one of the printing job management methods according to Aspect 1 to Aspect 7.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the printing job management methods of Aspect 1 to Aspect 7, even when there are a plurality of continuous base materials with different remaining amounts, a job batch that defines an appropriate combination of the continuous base materials and the printing jobs is generated according to the remaining amounts of the respective continuous base materials and the printing lengths of the respective printing jobs. By performing printing based on this job batch, a plurality of continuous base materials with different remaining amounts can be effectively consumed. Also, by dividing one print job into a plurality of job batches, a continuous substrate can be efficiently consumed.

[0019] According to the printing job management method of Aspect 2, continuous base materials with less remaining amount are preferentially used. Thereby, a plurality of continuous base materials can be efficiently consumed.

[0020] According to the printing job management method of Aspect 3, since the number of times of replacing the continuous base material can be minimized, printing can be performed efficiently.

[0021] According to the printing job management method of Aspect 4, printing can be performed in the order defined in the job list.

[0022] According to the printing job management method of Aspect 5, regardless of the order defined in the job list, printing jobs can be assigned to the continuous base material according to the remaining amount of the continuous base material. Therefore, the continuous base material can be efficiently consumed.

[0024] According to the printing job management method of the seventh aspect, even when there are a plurality of types of continuous base materials, a job batch that defines an appropriate combination of the continuous base material and the printing job can be generated.

[0025] According to the printing method of the eighth aspect, printing can be performed based on the printing jobs defined in the job batch.

[0026] According to the printing job management apparatus of the ninth aspect, even when there are a plurality of continuous base materials with different remaining amounts, a job batch that defines an appropriate combination of the continuous base material and the printing job is generated. By performing printing based on this job batch, a plurality of continuous base materials with different remaining amounts can be effectively consumed. Also, by dividing one print job into a plurality of job batches, a continuous substrate can be efficiently consumed.

[0027] According to the printing apparatus of the tenth aspect, printing can be performed on the continuous base material defined in the job batch based on the printing job.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the components described in this embodiment are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto. In the drawings, for ease of understanding, the dimensions and numbers of each part may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary.

[0030] <1. Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment. The printing system 1 (printing apparatus) includes a printing machine 10 that performs printing on a continuous paper CP, and a print job management apparatus 30 that manages a print job for controlling the printing by the printing machine 10. The continuous paper CP is composed of a belt-like paper wound in a roll shape.

[0031] <Printing Machine 10> As shown in FIG. 1, the printing machine 10 has a supply roller 11, a take-up roller 13, a printing unit 15, and a print control unit 20.

[0032] The supply roller 11 and the take-up roller 13 are each rotatably supported by a frame member (not shown). The supply roller 11 has a roll-shaped continuous paper CP set thereon. The leading end of the continuous paper CP set on the supply roller 11 is fixed to the take-up roller 13. The take-up roller 13 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). When the take-up roller 13 rotates, the continuous paper CP is pulled out from the supply roller 11 and conveyed to the take-up roller 13 along a predetermined conveyance path.

[0033] The printing unit 15 forms an image by ejecting ink droplets onto the surface of the continuous paper CP conveyed along the conveyance path. The printing unit 15 includes, in order toward the downstream side (the side of the take-up roller 13) in the conveyance direction, a discharge head 15K that discharges black ink, a discharge head 15C that discharges cyan ink, a discharge head 15M that discharges magenta ink, and a discharge head 15Y that discharges yellow ink. The discharge heads 15K, 15C, 15M, and 15Y are arranged at positions facing the surface of the continuous paper CP conveyed along the conveyance path. Note that the arrangement order of the discharge heads 15K, 15C, 15M, and 15Y is not limited to this order. For example, they may be arranged in the order of the discharge heads 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K.

[0034] The printing control unit 20 controls the operations of each part of the printing machine 10. The printing control unit 20 can be constituted by a computer including, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk. The printing control unit 20 causes the printing machine 10 to perform printing by controlling a motor that rotates the take-up roller 13 and the printing unit 15 based on a job batch JB transmitted from the printing job management device 30. The content of the job batch JB will be described later.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 has a continuous paper placement unit 22. The continuous paper placement unit 22 is a placement space capable of accommodating a plurality of continuous papers CP. The continuous paper stocker 22 may accommodate not only new continuous papers CP but also used continuous papers CP with some remaining that were not completely used in the printing machine 10 or the like. In this way, the continuous paper stocker 22 accommodates a plurality of continuous papers CP with different remaining printable lengths. Note that the printing machine 10 may include a device for taking out a target continuous paper CP from the continuous paper stocker 22 and a device for setting the continuous paper CP to the supply roller 11 and the take-up roller 13 of the printing machine 10.

[0036] <Print Job Management Device> The print job management device 30 includes a processor 31, a storage device 32, an input unit 33, a display 34, and a communication unit 35. The storage device 32, the input unit 33, the display 34, and the communication unit 35 are electrically connected to the processor 31 via a bus 36.

[0037] The processor 31 is composed of a processing device such as a CPU that performs operations. The storage device 32 includes a main storage device such as a RAM. The storage device 32 may include a non-volatile auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk. The storage device 32 stores various information and the program P.

[0038] The input unit 33 receives an operation for the user to input to the print job management device 30. The input unit 33 can be composed of a keyboard, a mouse, buttons, switches, etc. The display 34 displays various information. The display 34 can be composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display, etc. The communication unit 35 is a device for realizing communication between the print job management device 30 and the print control unit 20 of the printing machine 10.

[0039] Note that the input unit 33 and the display 34 do not necessarily have to be separate members. For example, the input unit 33 and the display 34 may be a device such as a tablet terminal that has both a function of receiving input from the user and a function of displaying various information to the user.

[0040] The print job management device 30 may include a reading device that reads information recorded on a non-volatile recording medium (not shown) such as an optical disk. Also, the program P may be provided to the print job management device 30 by reading the program P recorded on the recording medium with the reading device. Further, the program P may be provided to the print job management device 30 via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the print job management apparatus 30. The job list management unit 311, the continuous paper list management unit 313, and the job batch generation unit 315 shown in FIG. 2 are functions of the print job management apparatus 30 realized by the operation of the processor 31 according to the program P. Further, the job list storage unit 321, the continuous paper list storage unit 323, and the job batch storage unit 325 are functions realized by the storage device 32.

[0042] The job list management unit 311 manages print jobs that define the content of printing to be executed by the printing machine 10. Specifically, the job list management unit 311 manages a plurality of print jobs based on the job list L1 stored in the job list storage unit 321.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the job list L1. As shown in FIG. 3, in the job list L1, the identification name (print job ID) of each print job and the job attribute information indicating the attributes of each print job are registered in a one-to-one correspondence. The job attribute information includes, for example, paper information and print length information. The paper information is information indicating the type of continuous paper CP to be used for printing of the print job. The print length information is information indicating the length of the continuous paper CP required for printing of the print job.

[0044] In the example of the job list L1 shown in FIG. 3, 100 print jobs J001 to J100 are registered. Also, as the job attribute information, paper information of "paper R1" and print length information of "100 m" are registered.

[0045] When a new print job to be printed occurs, the job list management unit 311 adds the new print job to the job list L1. That is, the job list management unit 311 registers the identification name of the new print job and the job attribute information of the print job in the job list L1. In addition, the job list management unit 311 deletes the print job for which a print instruction has been issued to the printing machine 10 or the print job for which printing has been completed in the printing machine 10 from the job list L1. In this way, the job list L1 is appropriately updated by the job list management unit 311.

[0046] Returning to FIG. 2, the continuous paper list management unit 313 manages the continuous paper CP used in the printing machine 10. Specifically, the continuous paper list management unit 313 manages the plurality of continuous papers CP stored in the continuous paper stocker 22 based on the continuous paper list L2 stored in the continuous paper list storage unit 323.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the continuous paper list L2. As shown in FIG. 4, in the continuous paper list L2, the identification name (continuous paper ID) of each continuous paper CP and the continuous paper attribute information indicating the attribute of each continuous paper CP are registered in a one-to-one correspondence. The continuous paper attribute information includes, for example, type information and remaining amount information. The type information is information indicating the type of the continuous paper. The remaining amount information is information indicating the remaining length that can be used for printing.

[0048] In the example of the continuous paper list L2 shown in FIG. 4, four continuous papers CP01 to CP04 are registered. In addition, as the continuous paper attribute information, type information of "paper R1" and remaining amount information of "2000m", "3000m", "5000m", and "8000m" are registered.

[0049] When a new continuous paper CP is added to the continuous paper stocker 22, the job list management unit 311 adds the new continuous paper CP to the continuous paper list L2 based on the user's operation input. That is, the job list management unit 311 registers the identification name of the new continuous paper CP and the continuous paper attribute information of the continuous paper CP in the continuous paper list L2. Also, when the continuous paper CP registered in the continuous paper list L2 is used in the printing machine 10, the job list management unit 311 appropriately updates the continuous paper attribute information of the used continuous paper CP according to the usage amount. Further, when the continuous paper CP is discarded due to use or the like, based on the user's operation input, the information of the discarded continuous paper CP is deleted from the continuous paper list L2. In this way, the continuous paper list L2 is appropriately updated by the continuous paper list management unit 313.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 2, the job batch generation unit 315 generates a job batch JB. The job batch JB is data that defines one continuous paper CP selected based on a predetermined condition and a printing job that is printable for the selected continuous paper CP and is selected from the job list L1. The job batch JB generated by the job batch generation unit 315 is stored in the job batch storage unit 325.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 3, three job batches JB01, JB02, and JB03 are generated from 100 printing jobs J001 to J100. In the job batches JB01, JB02, and JB03, the printing jobs J001 to J020, J021 to J050, and J051 to J100 assigned to each continuous paper CP are registered together with the identification names (CP01, CP02, CP03) of the corresponding continuous papers CP.

[0052] The printing job management device 30 transmits the generated job batch JB to the printing control unit 20 of the printing machine 10 (see FIG. 1). The printing machine 10 executes printing based on the printing jobs registered in each job batch JB.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the printing system 1. Steps S11 to S16 and step S18 shown in FIG. 5 are processing executed in the print job management device 30. Further, step S17 shown in FIG. 5 is processing executed in the printing machine 10.

[0054] First, in the print job management device 30, a job list L1 and a continuous paper list L2 are prepared (step S11). The job list L1 and the continuous paper list L2 are stored in the job list storage unit 321 and the continuous paper list storage unit 323, respectively.

[0055] When the job list L1 and the continuous paper list L2 are prepared, the user selects the type of continuous paper CP for printing (step S12). This type selection is performed via the input unit 33.

[0056] The job batch generation unit 315 acquires print jobs with paper information that matches the type selected in step S12 from the job list L1 (step S13). A group of print jobs acquired in this step S13 is referred to as a "target print job group".

[0057] When the acquisition of the print jobs in step S13 is completed, the user sets continuous paper selection conditions (step S14). The continuous paper selection conditions are rules applied when selecting the continuous paper CP to be used for printing from the continuous paper list L2. As the continuous paper selection conditions, for example, "consumption priority" and "efficiency priority" are assumed.

[0058] In "consumption priority", it is a setting to preferentially use continuous paper CPs with less remaining amount as much as possible. For example, in the case of the continuous paper list L2 shown in FIG. 4, the continuous paper CP01 with the least remaining amount is preferentially used. If continuous paper CP01 alone is not sufficient, continuous papers CP02, CP03, and CP04 are used in that order. When "consumption priority" is set, continuous paper CPs with less remaining amount are preferentially selected, so that a plurality of stocked continuous paper CPs can be used without waste.

[0059] "Efficiency Priority" is a setting that minimizes the number of continuous papers CP used for printing as much as possible. When "Efficiency Priority" is set, the number of replacements of continuous paper CP required to print the target print job group can be minimized. Therefore, printing can be performed efficiently. Even in the case of "Efficiency Priority", continuous paper CP with as little remaining amount as possible is preferentially selected. By doing so, the stocked continuous paper CP can be consumed efficiently.

[0060] When the setting of the continuous paper selection conditions is completed, the user sets the splitting conditions for the print job (step S15). The splitting conditions for the print job are the rules applied when splitting the target print job group into multiple groups. Specifically, as the splitting conditions, "not splittable", "splittable with order maintained", and "splittable with order unrestricted" are assumed.

[0061] "Not splittable" is a setting in which splitting of the target print job group is not allowed. For example, when it is necessary to print all of the target print job group on the same continuous paper CP, the splitting condition is set to "not splittable". In the case of "not splittable", a job batch JB to which all of the target print job groups are assigned is generated for one continuous paper CP.

[0062] "Splittable with order maintained" is a setting that maintains the order defined in the job list L1 when splitting the target print job group into multiple groups. For example, when each print job is registered in the job list L1 in the order intended by the user, if the printing order is changed, operations such as rearrangement or sorting are required for the printed material after printing. In such a case, by setting the splitting condition to "order maintained", the printing order is maintained, so the occurrence of operations such as sorting and rearrangement can be suppressed.

[0063] "Divisible·Order Irrelevant" is a setting where the order defined in job list L1 is not maintained when dividing the target print job group into multiple groups. When there is no need to maintain the order of job list L1, the division condition is set to "Order Irrelevant".

[0064] When the continuous paper selection condition is set in step S14 and the division condition is set in step S15, the job batch generation unit 315 generates a job batch JB (step S16). The job batch generation unit 315 generates the job batch JB based on the job attribute information registered in the job list L1, the continuous paper attribute information registered in the continuous paper list L2, the continuous paper selection condition, and the division condition.

[0065] When generating the job batch JB, the job batch generation unit 315 first selects one continuous paper CP. The selection of this continuous paper CP is performed according to the continuous paper selection condition ("Consumption Priority" or "Efficiency Priority") set in step S14. Then, the job batch generation unit 315 assigns one or more print jobs extracted from the target print job group to the selected continuous paper CP.

[0066] <When Division is Not Allowed> When the division condition is "Division Not Allowed", it is necessary to print all of the target print job group at once. For this reason, the job batch generation unit 315 selects a continuous paper CP having a length that allows the target print job group to be printed at once, that is, a length equal to or greater than the total print length of the target print job group. Then, the job batch generation unit 315 generates one job batch JB that registers the selected continuous paper CP and the target print job group. If there is no continuous paper CP that can be printed at once in the continuous paper list L2, the job batch generation unit 315 may cause the display 34 to display an error indicating that printing is impossible.

[0067] <When Division is Allowed> When the splitting condition is "splittable, order maintained" or "splittable, order not required", the job batch generation unit 315 selects one continuous paper CP according to the continuous paper selection condition, and extracts one or more print jobs that can be printed on the continuous paper CP from the target print job group. At this time, when the splitting condition is "splittable, order maintained", the job batch generation unit 315 extracts the print jobs in the order specified in the job list L1. On the other hand, when the splitting condition is "splittable, order not required", the job batch generation unit 315 extracts the print jobs from the job list L1 in no particular order. The job batch generation unit 315 extracts one or more print jobs so that the total printing length of the extracted print jobs does not exceed the remaining amount of the continuous paper CP being selected. Then, the job batch generation unit 315 generates a job batch JB in which the continuous paper CP being selected and the extracted print jobs are registered as a pair.

[0068] Next, the details of step S16 (job batch generation process) shown in FIG. 5 will be described by dividing into cases where the continuous paper selection condition is "consumption priority" and "efficiency priority".

[0069] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of the operation of the job batch generation unit 315 when the continuous paper selection condition is "consumption priority". When the continuous paper selection condition is "consumption priority", the job batch generation unit 315 first selects the continuous paper CP with the least remaining amount from one or more continuous paper CPs registered in the continuous paper list L2 and matching the paper type selected in step S12 (step S21). Then, the job batch generation unit 315 determines whether there is a print job assignable to the continuous paper CP selected in step S21 in the target print job group (step S22). At this time, the job batch generation unit 315 determines the presence or absence of an assignable print job according to the remaining amount of the continuous paper CP selected in step S21, the printing length of the unregistered print jobs, and the splitting condition.

[0070] In step S22, when it is determined that there is a printable job among the target print job group (Yes), the job batch generation unit 315 assigns one or more print jobs to the continuous paper CP (selected continuous paper CP) selected in step S21 (step S23). That is, the job batch generation unit 315 generates a job batch JB in which the selected continuous paper CP and one or more print jobs are registered.

[0071] When the splitting condition is "order preservation", in step S22, among the unregistered print jobs that are not registered in the job batch JB in the target print job group, the print job with the youngest job ID order in the job list L1 is extracted. Then, it is determined whether the print job is printable for the selected continuous paper CP. When it is determined that it is printable, in step S23, within the range where the sum of the print lengths does not exceed the remaining amount of the selected continuous paper CP, the print jobs are sequentially extracted according to the order of the job IDs in the job list L1.

[0072] When the splitting condition is "order irrelevant", in step S22, it is determined whether there is a printable print job for the selected continuous paper CP. And when it is determined that there is a printable print job, in step S23, within the range where the sum of the print lengths does not exceed the remaining amount of the selected continuous paper CP, the print jobs are extracted in no particular order from the unregistered print job group. In the case of no particular order, regardless of the order of the job IDs in the job list L1, a plurality of print jobs are assigned to the selected continuous paper CP. Therefore, in the case of "order irrelevant", the remaining amount of the continuous paper CP can be consumed efficiently.

[0073] When the job batch generation unit 315 completes step S23 or determines that assignment is impossible in step S22, it performs a process of excluding the selected continuous paper CP from the selection candidates (step S24). Step S24 is, for example, a process of setting a flag for the selected continuous paper CP in the continuous paper list L2. By step S24, it is possible to suppress the same continuous paper CP from being selected again and a job batch JB being generated.

[0074] After step S24, the job batch generation unit 315 determines whether all the print jobs included in the target print job group have been registered in the job batch JB (step S25). If it is determined in step S25 that there is an unregistered print job in the target print job group (in the case of No), the job batch generation unit 315 executes the processing after step S21 again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S25 that all the print jobs included in the target print job group have been registered in the job batch JB (in the case of Yes), the job batch generation unit 315 ends the generation process of the job batch JB.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of the operation of the job batch generation unit 315 when the continuous paper selection condition is "efficiency priority". When the continuous paper selection condition is "efficiency priority", the job batch generation unit 315 first determines whether there is a continuous paper CP registered in the continuous paper list L2 and matching the paper type selected in step S12, and which can print all the unregistered print jobs among one or more continuous papers CP (step S31). If it is determined in step S31 that there is a printable continuous paper CP, the job batch generation unit 315 selects that continuous paper CP (step S32). If it is determined in step S31 that there is no printable continuous paper CP, the job batch generation unit 315 selects the continuous paper CP with the largest remaining amount (step S33).

[0076] When the job batch generation unit 315 selects a continuous paper CP in step S32 or step S33, it generates a job batch JB to which a print job is assigned for the continuous paper CP (the continuous paper CP being selected) (step S34). Specifically, the job batch generation unit 315 extracts, from among the target print job group, the print jobs that are not registered in the job batch JB within a range where the sum of the print lengths does not exceed the remaining amount of the continuous paper CP being selected and in accordance with the splitting conditions. This extraction of the print jobs is performed in the same manner as in step S23. Then, the job batch generation unit 315 generates a job batch JB in which the continuous paper CP being selected and the extracted print jobs are registered.

[0077] When the job batch generation unit 315 completes step S34, in the continuous paper list L2, for the continuous paper CP being selected, it performs a process of excluding it from the selection targets in step S32 or step S33 (step S35). Step S35 is, for example, a process of setting a flag for the continuous paper CP being selected in the continuous paper list L2. By step S35, it is possible to suppress the same continuous paper CP from being selected again and a job batch JB being generated.

[0078] After step S35, the job batch generation unit 315 determines whether all the print jobs included in the target print job group have been registered in the job batch JB (step S36). If the job batch generation unit 315 determines in step S36 that there is an unregistered print job in the target print job group, it returns to step S31 again and executes each process after step S31. On the other hand, if the job batch generation unit 315 determines in step S36 that all the print jobs included in the target print job group have been registered in the job batch JB, it ends the generation process of the job batch JB.

[0079] Returning to FIG. 5, when the job batch JB is generated, the print job management device 30 transmits the job batch JB to the print control unit 20 of the printing machine 10. The printing machine 10 executes printing based on the received job batch JB (step S17). At this time, the continuous paper CP registered in the job batch JB is set on the supply roller 11 and the take-up roller 13, and printing is executed based on the print job registered in the job batch JB.

[0080] In step S17, information on the continuous paper CP to be attached to the printing machine 10 may be displayed on the display 34 of the print job management device 30 or on a display (not shown) provided in the printing machine 10. Then, the user may attach the displayed continuous paper CP to the printing machine 10. Further, when the printing machine 10 is provided with a device for taking out a specific continuous paper CP from the continuous paper stocker 22, the device may take out the target continuous paper CP from the continuous paper stocker 22 based on the job batch JB.

[0081] After step S17, the job list management unit 311 and the continuous paper list management unit 313 update the job list L1 and the continuous paper list L2 respectively (step S18). For example, in step S18, the job list management unit 311 deletes the print job for which printing has been completed from the job list L1. Note that, instead of deleting the print job, the job list management unit 311 may perform a process (for example, a flag process) of recording in the job list L1 that the printing of the corresponding print job has been completed. Further, the continuous paper list management unit 313 updates the remaining amount registered in the continuous paper list L2 for the continuous paper CP used in printing according to the usage amount. Specifically, the continuous paper list management unit 313 sets the remaining amount registered in the continuous paper list L2 to a value obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the remaining amount. Thus, since the remaining amount of the continuous paper CP registered in the continuous paper list L2 is updated, an appropriate continuous paper CP can be selected when printing a print job next time. Further, when the continuous paper CP used in printing becomes unusable (the remaining amount is zero or less than a predetermined threshold), the continuous paper list management unit 313 may perform a process of deleting it from the continuous paper list L2 or a process of recording that it has become unusable.

[0082] Note that it is not essential that step S18 (list update process) is performed after step S17 (printing process). Step S18 may be executed at an arbitrary timing after step S16 (generation process of the job batch JB).

[0083] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing three job batches JB11, JB12, and JB13 generated with "consumption priority". Further, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing two job batches JB21 and JB22 generated with "efficiency priority".

[0084] FIGS. 8 and 9 show job batches generated when executing 100 print jobs J001 to J100 registered in the job list L1 shown in FIG. 3 using five continuous papers CP01 to CP04 registered in the continuous paper list L2 shown in FIG. 4. The print length of the print jobs J001 to J100 is all set to 100 m. Also, the remaining amounts of the continuous papers CP01 to CP04 are set to 2000 m, 3000 m, 5000 m, and 8000 m, respectively. Further, as a splitting condition for generating the job batch JB, "splittable and order maintained" is applied.

[0085] As described above, in "consumption priority", continuous papers CP with less remaining amount are preferentially selected. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, job batches JB11 to JB13 are generated for the continuous papers CP01 (2000 m), CP02 (3000 m), and CP03 (5000 m) with less remaining amount in the continuous paper list L2. And in the job batches JB11 to JB13, J001 to J020 (total print length 2000 m), J021 to J050 (total print length 3000 m), and J051 to J100 (total print length 5000 m), which are printable amounts for each continuous paper CP, are registered respectively. By performing printing based on the job batches JB11 to JB13, among the four continuous papers CP01 to 04 registered in the continuous paper list L2, the three continuous papers CP01 to CP03 with less remaining amount can be consumed in order.

[0086] On the one hand, in the case of "efficiency first", the continuous paper CP to be used for printing is selected so that the number of continuous papers CP used for printing is minimized. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, among the continuous paper list L2, the job batch JB21 corresponding to the continuous paper CP04 (8000 m) with the largest remaining amount is generated. And in the job batch JB21, print jobs J001 to J080 (total print length 8000 m) that can be printed on the continuous paper CP04 are registered. Then, for the remaining print jobs J081 to J100, a second job batch JB22 is generated in which the continuous paper CP01 (remaining amount 2000 m) that satisfies these print lengths is registered. When printing is performed based on the job batches JB21 and JB22, since two continuous papers CP are used, the replacement of the continuous paper CP is only required once. On the other hand, in the case of "consumption first", since three continuous papers CP are used, the replacement of the continuous paper CP is required twice. Thus, according to "efficiency first", by reducing the number of continuous papers CP, the replacement operation of the continuous paper CP can be reduced, and printing can be performed efficiently.

[0087] <2. Modification Example> As described above, the embodiments have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications are possible.

[0088] For example, in the above embodiment, when dividing a plurality of print jobs into a plurality of job batches JB, the division is performed in units of print jobs. However, one print job may be divided into a plurality of job batches JB. For example, when the content of a print job is to print 100 copies of the same printed matter, the print job may be divided in units of the number of copies, such as 50 copies each. By allowing one print job to be divided in this way, as many print jobs as possible can be allocated to the remaining amount of the continuous paper CP. Therefore, the continuous paper CP can be consumed efficiently.

[0089] Further, the splitting conditions may be uniformly applied to all print jobs, or the splitting conditions applied to each print job may be settable. Also, for each print job, the splitting conditions may be registered in advance as job attribute information. For example, it may be set in advance that print jobs J001 to J0050 are in "print order" and print jobs J051 to J100 are in "any order". In this case, when generating job batch JB, the job batch generation unit 315 may apply "order maintenance" to print jobs J001 to J050 and "any order" to print jobs J051 to J100 based on the job attribute information.

[0090] After finishing printing, the printing machine 10 may be provided with a mechanism for attaching a label (such as a label tape) on which the identification name of the continuous paper CP used for printing, the remaining amount of the continuous paper CP, etc. are recorded to the continuous paper CP used for printing. Thereby, a plurality of continuous papers CP and their remaining amounts can be managed based on the attached labels.

[0091] Also, in the above embodiment, a roll-shaped continuous paper CP is exemplified as the continuous base material. However, it is not essential that the continuous base material is in a roll shape. For example, the continuous base material may be in a folded shape like continuous forms. Also, the continuous base material is not limited to paper. The continuous base material may be made of a material other than paper, such as a resin film.

[0092] Although the present invention has been described in detail, the above description is illustrative in all aspects and the present invention is not limited thereto. An innumerable number of modifications not illustrated can be assumed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each configuration described in the above embodiments and each modification can be appropriately combined or omitted as long as they do not conflict with each other.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1 Printing system (printing device) 10 Printing machine 15 Printing unit 20 Printing control unit 30 Printing Job Management Device 311 Job List Management Section 313 Continuous Paper List Management Section 315 Job Batch Generation Section CP Continuous Paper L1 Job List L2 Continuous Paper List P Program

Claims

1. A printing job management method in which a computer manages a printing job in which printing content to be printed on a long strip-shaped continuous substrate in a printing machine is defined, comprising: a) a step of preparing, by the computer, a list of a plurality of continuous substrates, the continuous substrate list having registered therein continuous substrate attribute information including remaining amount information indicating the remaining length of each of the continuous substrates; b) a step of preparing, by the computer, a list of a plurality of the printing jobs, the job list having registered therein job attribute information including printing length information indicating the length of the continuous substrate required for printing each of the printing jobs; c) a step of generating, by the computer, a job batch that defines the continuous substrate selected from the continuous substrate list and the printing job that is printable on the selected continuous substrate and is extracted from the job list, based on the continuous substrate attribute information and the job attribute information; including: the job attribute information of the printing job includes splitting conditions; the splitting conditions define conditions for splitting the plurality of printing jobs into a plurality of the job batches; the step c) includes a step of splitting, by the computer, the plurality of printing jobs into the plurality of job batches based on the splitting conditions, the printing job management method.

2. The printing job management method according to claim 1, wherein the step c) includes a step of preferentially selecting, by the computer, a continuous substrate having a small remaining amount from the continuous substrate list, the printing job management method.

3. The printing job management method according to claim 1, wherein the step c) includes a step of selecting, by the computer, the continuous substrate from the continuous substrate list such that the number of the continuous substrates used for executing printing of the plurality of printing jobs in the job list is minimized, the printing job management method.

4. The printing job management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step c) includes a step of splitting, by the computer, the plurality of printing jobs in the job list into a plurality of the job batches while maintaining the order defined in the job list, the printing job management method.

5. The printing job management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The printing job management method, wherein step c) includes a step in which the computer divides the plurality of printing jobs in the job list into a plurality of job batches in any order.

6. A printing job management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the continuous base material attribute information further includes type information indicating the type of the continuous base material, and the job attribute information includes base material information indicating the type of the continuous base material to be used for printing.

7. A printing job management method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, when the plurality of printing jobs include a printing job for printing a plurality of copies of the same printed matter, step c) includes a step in which the computer divides the printing job into a plurality of job batches in units of the number of copies.

8. A printing method, comprising: a printing job management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a step of performing printing on the continuous base material defined for the job batch based on the printing job defined for the job batch; and the printing method includes the above steps.

9. A printing job management apparatus for managing a printing job in which printing content to be printed on a long strip-shaped continuous base material in a printing machine is defined, a continuous base material list management unit that manages a list of a plurality of the continuous base materials, in which continuous base material attribute information including remaining amount information indicating the remaining length of each continuous base material is registered; a job list management unit that manages a list of a plurality of the printing jobs, in which job attribute information including printing length information indicating the length of the continuous base material required for printing each printing job is registered; a job batch generation unit that generates a job batch that defines the continuous base material selected from the continuous base material list and the printing job that is printable on the selected continuous base material and is extracted from the job list based on the continuous base material attribute information and the job attribute information; and the printing job management apparatus includes the above components. The job attribute information of the printing job includes splitting conditions, the splitting conditions define conditions for splitting the plurality of printing jobs into a plurality of job batches, and the job batch generation unit includes a step of splitting the plurality of printing jobs into the plurality of job batches based on the splitting conditions.

10. A printing apparatus, The printing job management device according to claim 9, a printing machine that performs printing on the continuous base material defined in the job batch generated by the printing job management device based on the printing job included in the job batch; A printing apparatus comprising:

11. A computer-readable program, which causes the computer to execute the printing job management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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