Printing overall management device, conveyance management device, and printing system

Abstract

To save manpower in a step of supplying a sheet from a printer to a sheet processor.SOLUTION: A printing integral management device 201 is connected communicatably to a conveyance management device 203 that manages a plurality of unmanned conveyance vehicles 20 that conveys stackers 1 that can stack sheets ejected from a printer 3 thereon. The printing integral management device 201 generates conveyance instruction information for conveying the stackers 1 stacking the sheets ejected from the printer 3 from a sheet receiving position of the printer 3 to a sheet supplying position for the next processor, on the basis of job information in which a procedure of manufacturing processes for manufacturing a print matter is registered, and transmits the conveyance instruction information to the conveyance management device 203.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing overall management device, a conveyance management device, and a printing system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet stacking device that stacks sheets discharged from a printing machine on a stacking tray and conveys them to an offline bookbinding machine.

[0003] The sheet stacking device of Patent Document 1 reduces the burden on an operator for the reloading work to the paper feeding unit by holding the upper surface of the stacking tray at a fixed position by lowering the stacking tray according to the weight of the sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the sheet stacking device described in Patent Document 1, since the movement of the cart and the reloading from the cart to the paper feeding unit are performed by an operator, the operator is burdened.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printing overall management device, a conveyance management device, and a printing system capable of automating the process from a printing machine to a sheet processing machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In the present invention OneAn embodiment is a printing overall management device communicably connected to a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles capable of loading sheets discharged from a printing press, the printing overall management device including: a processing unit that generates conveyance instruction information for conveying the sheet loading device loaded with the sheets discharged from the printing press from the sheet receiving position of the printing press to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine based on job information in which a manufacturing process procedure for manufacturing a printed matter is registered; and a communication unit that transmits the conveyance instruction information to the conveyance management device. One aspect of the present invention is a printing overall management device communicably connected to a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles for conveying a sheet stacking device capable of stacking sheets discharged from a printing press. Based on job information in which a manufacturing process procedure for manufacturing a printed matter is registered, a processing unit that generates conveyance instruction information for conveying the sheet stacking device loaded with the sheets discharged from the printing press from the sheet receiving position of the printing press to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine by any one of the automated guided vehicles, and a communication unit that transmits the conveyance instruction information to the conveyance management device, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheets discharged from the printing press to the sheet stacking device. The printing overall management device is as described above. One aspect of the present invention is a printing overall management device communicably connected to a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles for conveying a sheet stacking device capable of stacking sheets discharged from a printing press. Based on job information in which a manufacturing process procedure for manufacturing a printed matter is registered, a processing unit that generates conveyance instruction information for conveying the sheet stacking device loaded with the sheets discharged from the printing press from the sheet receiving position of the printing press to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine by any one of the automated guided vehicles, and a communication unit that transmits the conveyance instruction information to the conveyance management device. In a case where a plurality of sheet stacking devices are required for the execution of one job, the conveyance instruction information includes at least one of the identification information of the plurality of sheet stacking devices for executing one job, the order of the sheet stacking devices for stacking the sheets discharged from the printing press, and the order of the sheet stacking devices for supplying the sheets to the next processing machine. The printing overall management device is as described above.

[0008] According to the above printing overall management device, conveyance instruction information for conveying the sheet loading device loaded with the sheets discharged from the printing press from the sheet receiving position of the printing press to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine is transmitted to the conveyance management device. As a result, it becomes possible to automatically move the sheet loading device from the printing press to the processing machine in the next process using the automated guided vehicle, and it becomes possible to achieve labor saving.

[0009] In the above printing overall management device, the conveyance instruction information may include at least one of the sheet size, the thickness of the sheet, and the number of sheets loaded on the sheet loading device.

[0010] Since the sheet size, the thickness of the sheet, and the number of sheets are information related to the weight of the sheet loading device, the weight of the sheet loading device can be estimated based on this information. As a result, it becomes possible to select an appropriate automated guided vehicle for conveying the sheet loading device, and it becomes possible to run the automated guided vehicle at an appropriate acceleration or speed according to the loading weight when conveying the sheet loading device.

[0011] In the above printing overall management device, the conveyance instruction information may include processing machine identification information individually assigned to the processing machine and offset information of the sheet supply position in the processing machine.

[0012] The inventors have found that when the types vary depending on the manufacturers and applications of printing machines and sheet processing machines, it can hinder labor saving. For example, in the case of a processing machine, the sheet feeding position may vary depending on the type of the processing machine. According to the above printing integrated management device, since the processing machine identification information individually assigned to the processing machine and the offset information of the sheet supply position in the processing machine are included in the conveyance instruction information, it is possible to install the sheet stacking device at an appropriate feeding position according to the model of the processing machine. Thereby, it becomes possible to realize stable and smooth sheet supply.

[0013] In the above printing integrated management device, the conveyance instruction information may include information regarding the supply direction of the sheet to the processing machine.

[0014] By including information regarding the supply direction of the sheet to the processing machine in the conveyance instruction information, even when the discharge direction of the sheet in the printing machine and the supply direction of the sheet in the processing machine are different, it becomes possible to supply the sheet in an appropriate direction according to the processing specifications in each processing machine.

[0015] In the above printing integrated management device, the conveyance instruction information may include information regarding the orientation of the sheet discharged from the printing machine to the sheet stacking device.

[0016] Since the conveyance instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheet discharged from the printing machine to the sheet stacking device, by performing conveyance in consideration of the orientation of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking device, it becomes possible to prevent the sheet from collapsing during conveyance. For example, from the viewpoint of preventing load collapse during acceleration and deceleration, by having the unmanned conveyance device convey the sheet stacking device so that the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the sheet becomes the traveling direction, it becomes possible to prevent the sheet from collapsing during conveyance.

[0017] In the above printing overall management device, when multiple sheet loading devices are required to execute one job, the conveyance instruction information may include at least one of the identification information of the multiple sheet loading devices for executing one job, the order of the sheet loading devices for loading the sheets discharged from the printing machine, and the order of the sheet loading devices for supplying the sheets to the next processing machine.

[0018] According to the above printing overall management device, even when the number of sheets of one job exceeds the maximum loading number of the sheet loading device, the job can be executed smoothly.

[0019] In the above printing overall management device, the processing unit may generate conveyance instruction information for conveying the sheet loading device that is not loading the sheet to the sheet receiving position of the printing machine based on the job information.

[0020] According to the above printing overall management device, the sheet loading device can be automatically moved to the printing machine, and further labor saving can be achieved.

[0021] In the above printing overall management device, the conveyance instruction information may include the identification information individually assigned to the sheet loading device.

[0022] According to the above printing overall management device, since the conveyance instruction information includes the identification information of the sheet loading device, for example, even when multiple sheet loading devices are installed in close proximity, by performing collation based on the identification information, it is possible to prevent mis-conveyance of mis-conveying a sheet loading device that is not the conveyance target.

[0023] Of the present invention OneAn aspect is a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles capable of loading sheets discharged from a printing machine, the conveyance management device including: an information acquisition unit that acquires at least one of battery information, operation information, and current position information of each of the automated guided vehicles; a determination unit that determines one of the automated guided vehicles based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit and the conveyance instruction information when receiving the conveyance instruction information for conveying the sheet loading device; and a communication unit that transmits the conveyance instruction information to the determined automated guided vehicle, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes at least one of a sheet size, a sheet thickness, and a number of sheets that the sheet loading device loads, identification information of the sheet loading device, and identification information of a printing machine or a processing machine that is a conveyance destination of the sheet loading device. One aspect of the present invention is a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of unmanned conveyance devices for conveying a sheet stacking device capable of stacking sheets discharged from a printing machine, the information acquisition unit acquiring at least one of battery information, operation information, and current position information of each of the unmanned conveyance devices, and when receiving conveyance instruction information for conveying the sheet stacking device, determining one of the unmanned conveyance devices based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit and the conveyance instruction information, and a communication unit that transmits the conveyance instruction information to the determined unmanned conveyance device, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets stacked by the sheet stacking device, the identification information of the sheet stacking device, and the identification information of the printing machine or processing machine that is the conveyance destination of the sheet stacking device, and information regarding the orientation of the sheets discharged from the printing machine to the sheet stacking device.

[0024] According to the conveyance management device of this aspect, the conveyance instruction information includes at least one of a sheet size, a sheet thickness, and a number of sheets that the sheet loading device loads, identification information of the sheet loading device, and identification information of a printing machine or a processing machine that is a conveyance destination of the sheet loading device. For example, since the sheet size, the sheet thickness, and the number of sheets are information related to the weight of the sheet loading device, the weight of the sheet loading device can be estimated based on this information. Thereby, it becomes possible to select an appropriate automated guided vehicle for conveying the sheet loading device. Further, when the identification information of the printing machine or the processing machine is included, by collating the device based on the identification information, it becomes possible to reduce the risk of conveying the sheet loading device to the wrong conveyance destination.

[0025] In the above conveyance management device, the conveyance instruction information may include information regarding a travel route from a conveyance source to a conveyance destination of the sheet loading device and information on specific points on the travel route, and the specific points may include at least one of floor inclination information, floor step information, temperature, humidity, air volume of air conditioning, and air direction of air conditioning.

[0026] According to the above transport management device, information regarding the travel route from the transport source to the transport destination of the sheet loading device and information on the singular points on the travel route are transmitted to the automated guided vehicle. As a result, the automated guided vehicle can suppress the collapse of the sheets during movement by adjusting the speed and acceleration, reconstructing the travel route, changing the orientation of the stacker 1 with respect to the travel direction, etc., according to the information on the singular points.

[0027] According to the present invention One An aspect is a printing system including the above printing overall management device and the above transport management device.

[0028] According to the present invention One An aspect is a method in which a computer executes a step of generating transport instruction information for transporting a sheet loading device loaded with sheets discharged from a printing press to a sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs the next step based on job information in which work information for manufacturing a printed matter is described, and a step of transmitting the transport instruction information to a transport management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles that transport the sheet loading device. One aspect of the present invention is a method in which a computer executes a step of generating conveyance instruction information for conveying a sheet stacking device loaded with sheets discharged from a printing machine to a sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs the next step based on job information in which work information for manufacturing a printed matter is described, and a step of transmitting the conveyance instruction information to a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of unmanned conveyance devices for conveying the sheet stacking device, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheets discharged from the printing machine to the sheet stacking device. One aspect of the present invention is a method in which a computer executes a step of generating conveyance instruction information for conveying a sheet stacking device loaded with sheets discharged from a printing machine to a sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs the next step based on job information in which work information for manufacturing a printed matter is described, and a step of transmitting the conveyance instruction information to a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of unmanned conveyance devices for conveying the sheet stacking device. When a plurality of sheet stacking devices are required to execute one job, the conveyance instruction information includes identification information of a plurality of sheet stacking devices that execute one job and at least one of the order of the sheet stacking devices that stack the sheets discharged from the printing machine and the order of the sheet stacking devices that supply the sheets to the next processing machine.

[0029] According to the present invention One An aspect is a program for causing a computer to function as the above printing overall management device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] The steps from the printing press to the sheet processing machine can be automated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a print integrated management device, a conveyance management device, and a printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a state in which a stacker (sheet stacking device) 1 included in a printing system 200 (see FIG. 10) according to the present embodiment is arranged at a receiving position PS1 for receiving a sheet (sheet) S from a printing machine 3. After stacking a predetermined number of sheets S printed by the printing machine 3, the stacker 1 is moved to a paper feeding position (supply position) PS2 for feeding the sheets to a paper folding machine (processing machine) 5 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0034] The printing machine 3 is, for example, a digital printing machine as shown in FIG. 1, receives job information from a printing machine management device 204 (see FIG. 10) via a communication unit 7, and performs printing on the sheet S based on the job information. Details of the job information will be described later. On the back surface 3a of the printing machine 3, a paper discharge port 3b for discharging the printed sheet (sheet) S outside the printing machine 3 is formed. The printing machine 3 prints the sheet S and discharges the sheet S from the paper discharge port 3b toward the shelf portion 10 of the stacker 1. Further, the printing machine 3 counts the number of printing sheets and transmits the count number to the printing machine management device 204. When the count number reaches the number of printed sheets included in the job information, a job completion signal and a job ID, which is identification information of the job, are transmitted to the printing machine management device 204.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the stacker 1 has a rectangular shape in plan view and includes a base 12. Legs 14 are fixed to the four corners of the base 12, respectively. Each leg 14 stands upright on the floor surface FL and supports the weight of the stacker 1. The vertical dimension of each leg 14 is set to a length that allows the low-floor type automated guided vehicle 20 to be housed below the base 12. The automated guided vehicle 20 transports the stacker 1 by lifting the base 12 from below. Therefore, the stacker 1 does not have a traveling device for traveling by itself. The automated guided vehicle 20 is provided with wheels 20a and travels along a predetermined path according to an instruction from a transport management device 203 (see FIG. 10) described later.

[0036] A stacker ID (identification information) 13 is fixed to the lower surface of the base 12. The stacker ID 13 has unique identification information for identifying the stacker 1 recorded or printed thereon. As the stacker ID 13, an IC chip, a two-dimensional barcode, or the like can be used.

[0037] On the rear R side of the base 12, a main body portion 16 standing upright upward from the base 12 is provided. The main body portion 16 supports one end of the shelf portion 10 in a cantilever state. A communication portion 18 is provided at the upper part of the main body portion 16.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the shelf portion 10 of the stacker 1 includes a loading shelf 22 on which the paper S is directly loaded, and a lifting table 24 located below the loading shelf 22. The loading shelf 22 is a plate-like body having a rectangular shape in plan view. A stopper 26 and a paper width guide 28 are provided on the loading shelf 22.

[0039] The stopper 26 is a rod-like body standing upright upward from the loading shelf 22 and is provided on the rear R side of the loading shelf 22. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, two stoppers 26 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the loading shelf 22. The width direction of the loading shelf 22 is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the loading shelf 22, which is the direction connecting the front F and the rear R. The leading end of the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 abuts against the stopper 26, thereby positioning the discharge direction of the paper S.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end sides of the respective stoppers 26 are inserted into stopper running grooves 30 formed in the loading shelf 22. The stopper running grooves 30 are linearly formed along the longitudinal direction of the loading shelf 22. Each stopper 26 reciprocates along the stopper running groove 30.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower end of the stopper 26 is fixed to a bracket 32 extending in the width direction of the loading shelf 22. Slide guide shafts 34 are inserted through both ends in the width direction of the bracket 32, respectively. The slide guide shafts 34 are fixed to the loading shelf 22 side and extend in the longitudinal direction of the loading shelf 22. The bracket 32 is guided by the slide guide shafts 34 and reciprocates.

[0042] A feed screw 36 is attached to the center in the width direction of the bracket 32. The feed screw 36 is rotated about its axis by a positioning motor 38 fixed to the rear R side of the loading shelf 22. The positioning motor 38 can rotate forward and backward according to a command from a stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 4). By rotating the feed screw 36 with the positioning motor 38, the longitudinal positioning of each stopper 26 fixed to the bracket 32 is performed.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, upper and lower racks 26a are provided on one side on the rear R side of each stopper 26 over the vertical direction. Pinion gears 42 provided on the loading shelf 22 mesh with the respective upper and lower racks 26a. Each pinion gear 42 is connected to a vertical movement motor 46 via a rotating shaft 44 (see FIG. 5). By rotating the pinion gear 42 forward and backward via the rotating shaft 44 by the vertical movement motor 46, each stopper 26 provided with the upper and lower racks 26a moves vertically. The control of the vertical movement motor 46 is performed by the stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 4).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the paper width guide 28 is a rod-shaped body erected upward from the loading shelf 22, and is provided on the front F side of the stopper 26. As shown in FIG. 1, two paper width guides 28 are provided so as to be positioned on both sides in the width direction of the paper S.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end sides of the respective paper width guides 28 are inserted into paper width guide running grooves 48 formed in the loading shelf 22 respectively. The paper width guide running grooves 48 are linearly formed along the width direction of the loading shelf 22. Each paper width guide 28 reciprocates along the paper width guide running groove 48.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the lower ends of the respective paper width guides 28 are fixed to brackets 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of the loading shelf 22. Slide guide shafts 52 are inserted through both ends in the width direction of each bracket 50 respectively. The slide guide shafts 52 are fixed to the loading shelf 22 side respectively and extend in the width direction of the loading shelf 22. The bracket 50 is guided by the slide guide shaft 52 and reciprocates.

[0047] Feed screws 54 are respectively attached to the centers in the longitudinal direction of the respective brackets 50. The feed screws 54 are rotated about the axis by a positioning motor 56 fixed to the loading shelf 22. The positioning motor 56 can be rotated forward and backward according to a command from a stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 4). By rotating the feed screw 54 with the positioning motor 56, the positioning in the width direction of each paper width guide 28 fixed to the bracket 50 is performed.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the stacker 1 is provided with an inclination mechanism 60 that lifts and inclines the front F side of the stacking shelf 22 with respect to the elevating table 24. That is, the stacker 1 is inclined so that the end side (i.e., the open side) of the sheet S where the stopper 26 and the respective paper width guides 28 are not provided is upward. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the inclination mechanism 60 includes a linear cylinder 62 fixed to the end of the front F side of the elevating table 24, and a rod 64 that is reciprocated in the vertical direction by the linear cylinder 62. The linear cylinder 62 is electrically operated and is controlled by a stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 4). The tip (upper end) of the rod 64 is rotatably fixed to the stacking shelf 22 by a rotation pin 66. The base end portion 22a on the rear R side of the stacking shelf 22 is rotatably fixed to the elevating table 24 by a fulcrum pin 68. The fulcrum pin 68 is attached to the upper end of an arm portion 70 erected from the elevating table 24. By the inclination mechanism 60, the stacking shelf 22 rotates around the fulcrum pin 68 and inclines with respect to the elevating table 24.

[0049] The elevating table 24 is a plate-like body having a rectangular shape in plan view. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the base end portion 24a on the rear R side is connected to the main body portion 16 so as to be vertically movable. Specifically, the base end portion 24a side of the elevating table 24 is fixed to a chain 72 provided in the main body portion 16 via a bracket. The chain 72 is endless and is wound around sprockets 74 provided above and below in the main body portion 16. Each sprocket 74 is provided at both ends of a rotating shaft 76 extending in the width direction as viewed in plan view as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, two chains 72 are provided on the left and right in the width direction of the main body portion 16, and upper and lower sprockets 74 are provided for each chain 72.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, a lifting mechanism 77 is provided inside the main body 16. The lifting mechanism 77 includes a lifting table motor 78. The lifting table motor 78 is controlled by the stacker control unit 40 so as to be rotatable forward and backward. The rotational output of the lifting table motor 78 is transmitted to a worm gear (lifting mechanism) 82 via a timing belt 80. The worm gear 82 rotates a wheel 84, and thereby a spur gear 86 meshing with the tooth portion of the wheel 84 rotates. The spur gear 86 is fixed to the rotating shaft 76, and the rotating shaft 76 and the sprocket 74 are rotated by the spur gear 86, whereby the chain 72 is driven and the lifting table 24 moves up and down.

[0051] Wheels 88 are provided below the base end portion 24a of the lifting table 24, and the wheels 88 travel along the front surface 16a of the main body 16. Thereby, the lifting table 24 moves up and down in a cantilever state with respect to the main body 16.

[0052] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a power receiving head (power receiving device) 90 is provided in front F of the stacker 1. The power receiving head 90 is fixed to the front end 12a of the base 12. One end of a power supply cable 92 is electrically connected to the power receiving head 90, and the other end of the power supply cable 92 is electrically connected to a battery 94 (see FIG. 4) inside the main body 16.

[0053] The battery 94 is, for example, a lithium ion battery and includes a battery management device 97 (see FIG. 9). The battery management device 97 manages the charging state of the battery 94 and outputs battery information to the stacker control unit 40.

[0054] The power receiving head 90 is configured to face the power feeding head 96 at a predetermined position such as the receiving position PS1 (see FIG. 1) and the paper feeding position PS2 (see FIG. 2). The power receiving head 90 is fed with power, for example, non - contactlessly from the power feeding head 96. The power feeding head 96 is installed at a position corresponding to the stop position of the stacker 1 with respect to the printing machine 3 and the paper folding machine 5. The power feeding head 96 is provided with a power outlet 96a, and the power outlet 96a is connected to a power source provided in the vicinity. Note that the power feeding method is not limited to non - contact, and a contact method may also be used. Also, the installation position of the power feeding head 96 is not limited to the vicinity of the printing machine 3 and the paper folding machine 5, and can be appropriately provided at a predetermined position where the stacker 1 periodically stops.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, on the upper surface of the automated guided vehicle 20, a communication unit 101 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a transport management device 203 (see FIG. 10), which is a higher - level device, and an ID reading unit 105 are provided. The ID reading unit 105 reads the stacker ID 13 fixed to the lower surface of the base 12. The communication unit 101 and the ID reading unit 105 are connected to an automated guided vehicle control unit 103 that controls the automated guided vehicle 20 so that signals can be transmitted and received.

[0056] An elevating platform 20b that moves up and down is provided above the automated guided vehicle 20. When the elevating platform 20b rises, the stacker 1 is lifted from the floor surface FL, and in this state, when the automated guided vehicle 20 travels, the stacker 1 is transported to a predetermined position. When the automated guided vehicle 20 reaches the target position, the elevating platform 20b is lowered to ground the legs 14 of the stacker 1 on the floor surface FL and place the stacker 1 at the predetermined position. After placing the stacker 1 at a predetermined position, for example, the automated guided vehicle 20 retreats from below the stacker 1 and moves to the next destination. The travel schedule of the automated guided vehicle 20 is managed by the transport management device 203 (FIG. 10), and the automated guided vehicle 20 travels according to the transport instruction information received from the transport management device 203.

[0057] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the stacker 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the stacker 1 includes a stacker control unit 40. The stacker control unit 40 includes, for example, a CPU 120, a storage unit 121 for storing programs executed by the CPU 120, etc., and a main memory 122 that functions as a work area during the execution of each program. The storage unit 121 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, etc.

[0058] As an example, a series of processes for realizing the various controls described above are stored in the storage unit 121 in the form of a program. The CPU 120 reads this program into the main memory 122 and executes information processing and arithmetic operations, thereby realizing various controls. Note that the program may be applied in a form where it is pre-installed in the storage unit 121, a form where it is provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, a form where it is distributed via wired or wireless communication means, etc. A computer-readable storage medium is a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc.

[0059] In addition, the stacker 1 includes a communication unit 18 for realizing communication with a stacker management device (see FIG. 10), a printing machine 3, and various processing machines (for example, a paper folding machine 5, a grooving machine 6) described later. The stacker control unit 40 and the communication unit 18 are connected via a bus. Based on an instruction from the stacker control unit 40, the communication unit 18 transmits various information to a predetermined destination and outputs the information received from each device to the stacker control unit 40.

[0060] For example, the communication unit 18 has a communication function for establishing communication in accordance with various communication standards corresponding to the communication destination. As an example, communication with the printing machine 3 and various processing machines (e.g., paper folding machine 5, wire inserting machine 6, etc.) is performed using short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and communication with the stacker management device 202 (see FIG. 10) provided relatively remotely and its upper system, the printing integrated management device 201 (see FIG. 10), is performed using wide-area communication (e.g., wireless LAN, etc.). Also, regarding communication with each stacker management device 202 and the printing integrated management device 201, communication based on a specific communication protocol used in the printing field may be performed.

[0061] Also, the stacker control unit 40 is connected via a bus to the above-described positioning motors 38, 56, vertical movement motor 46, linear actuator 62, and lifting table motor 78, and controls these units. Specifically, the stacker control unit 40 receives job information from the stacker management device 202 or the printing integrated management device 201, and based on the job information, controls the various motors 38, 46, 56, 78, and the linear actuator 62.

[0062] Also, the stacker control unit 40 is connected via a bus to a battery management device (microcomputer) 97 that manages the battery 94. The stacker control unit 40 receives battery information (e.g., remaining battery capacity, etc.) from the battery management device 97, and for example, transmits this battery information to the stacker management device 202 (see FIG. 10) via the communication unit 18.

[0063] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a printing system 200 including the above-described stacker 1 and the automated guided vehicle 20. As shown in FIG. 10, the printing system 200 includes a printing integrated management device 201, a stacker management device 202, a conveyance management device 203, a printing machine management device 204, and a processing machine management device 205 as a management system 210. The management devices 201 to 205 constituting the management system 210 may be configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0064] In addition, the printing system 200 includes a stacker 1 managed by a stacker management device 202, an automated guided vehicle 20 managed by a conveyance management device 203, a printing press 3 controlled by a printing press management device 204, and various processing machines managed by a processing machine management device 205. In FIG. 10, as an example of the processing machines, a paper folding machine 5 and a perforating machine 6 are shown.

[0065] The overall printing management device 201 is configured to be communicable with the stacker management device 202, the conveyance management device 203, the printing press management device 204, and the processing machine management device 205, and overall manages the entire printing system 200 based on information from these management devices. Details of the overall printing management device 201 will be described later.

[0066] The stacker management device 202 is configured to be communicable with each of the plurality of stackers 1 and is a management device that manages each stacker 1. The stacker management device 202 has, for example, stacker management information in which a stacker ID, an operation status, current position information, operation information, and battery information are associated. The operation status is "operating state" when a job is assigned, and "standby state" when no job is assigned. The current position information registers the position information of the stacker. This position information may be coordinate information, or when paper discharge reception or paper supply is being performed, it may be possible to specify the current position by associating with the ID of the printing press 3 or the processing machine. The operation information is the cumulative operation time, the elapsed time since the previous operation, etc. The battery information is, for example, the battery charge rate and the remaining battery capacity. The stacker management device 202 communicates with each stacker 1 at a predetermined timing, receives the operation status, current position information, operation information, and battery information from each stacker 1, and updates the stacker management information based on this information.

[0067] When the stacker management device 202 receives the job ID and job information from the print overall management device 201, it determines one of the stackers 1 to execute the job based on the above-described stacker management information. For example, the stacker management device 202 has a predetermined evaluation formula including parameters such as the elapsed time since the previous operation, the remaining battery capacity, and the distance between the device (e.g., printing machine 3, paper folding machine, etc.) specified in the job information and the current position. Then, the stacker management device 202 calculates the evaluation value by substituting the above parameters of each stacker 1 whose operation status is "standby state" from the stacker management information into the evaluation formula. Then, the stacker with the highest evaluation value is selected as the stacker to execute the job. In the above evaluation formula, the parameters may be weighted according to the importance.

[0068] The conveyance management device 203 is a management device that manages the operation of a plurality of automated guided vehicles (automated conveyance devices) 20. The conveyance management device 203 is configured to be able to communicate with each automated guided vehicle 20. An individual automated guided vehicle ID is assigned to each of the automated guided vehicles 20. The details of the conveyance management device 203 will be described later.

[0069] The print overall management device 201, the conveyance management device 203, and each automated guided vehicle 20 each hold map information of the premises. As a result, the automated guided vehicle can move to a desired position in response to instructions from the print overall management device 201 and the conveyance management device 203. Also, it is preferable that the positions of the printing machine 3 and each processing machine (e.g., paper folding machine 5, wire inserting machine 6, etc.) are registered in this coordinate information.

[0070] The printing machine management device 204 is a management device that manages the printing machine 3. When the printing machine management device 204 receives job information from, for example, the print overall management device 201, it outputs the job information to the printing machine 3. Also, when the printing machine management device 204 receives a job completion signal from the printing machine 3, it outputs a job completion signal to the print overall management device 201. Further, the printing machine management device 204 may accumulate the operation information, abnormality detection, etc. of the printing machine 3. These information are useful information at the time of maintenance inspection.

[0071] The processing machine management device 205 is a management device that manages processing machines that perform processes on the downstream side of the printing machine 3. In FIG. 1, a paper folding machine 5 and a grooving machine 6 are shown as examples of processing machines, but the processing machines are not limited to this example. Further, the processing machine management device 205 may accumulate operation information, abnormality detection, etc. of each processing machine.

[0072] Note that in FIG. 10, a case where the printing system 200 includes two stackers 1, three automated guided vehicles 20, one printing machine 3, a paper folding machine 5, and a grooving machine 6 is illustrated, but the number of each of these devices is not limited to the illustrated mode. That is, at least one unit of each device may be provided.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printing overall management device 201 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the printing overall management device 201 has a computer and includes, for example, a CPU 211, a storage unit 212, a main memory 213, a communication unit 214, an input unit 215, and a display unit 216. The CPU 211 controls the entire printing system 200 by an OS (Operating System) stored in the storage unit 212 connected via a bus, for example, and executes various processes by executing various programs stored in the storage unit 212.

[0074] The storage unit 212 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, etc., and stores, for example, an OS for controlling the entire printing system 200 such as Windows (registered trademark), an application for printing operations, and various data and files. Further, programs for realizing various processes and various data required for realizing various processes are stored in the storage unit 212.

[0075] The main memory 213 is composed of a writable memory such as a cache memory and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a working area for reading the execution program of the CPU 211, writing processing data by the execution program, and the like.

[0076] The communication unit 214 connects to a network and communicates with other devices, and functions as an interface for transmitting and receiving information. The input unit 215 is a user interface for a user to give instructions to the print job management device 201, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel. The display unit 216 has a display screen composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), etc., and displays the results of the application software program executed by the CPU 211. Note that the input unit 215 and the display unit 216 may be connected to the print job management device 201 via a network or the like, and may be configured to enable remote input operations and remote displays.

[0077] Also, the hardware configurations of the stacker management device 202, the conveyance management device 203, the printing machine management device 204, and the processing machine management device 205 are also substantially the same as that of the print job management device 201. That is, each of the management devices 202 to 205 includes a CPU, a main memory, a storage unit, a communication unit, an input unit, a display unit, and the like. Also, the input unit and the display unit may be configured to enable remote operations.

[0078] Next, the functions of the print integrated management apparatus 201 according to this embodiment will be described. A series of processes for realizing various functions described later are stored, as an example, in the storage unit 212 shown in FIG. 11 in the form of a program. The CPU 211 reads this program into the main memory 213 and executes information processing and arithmetic processing, thereby realizing various functions. Note that the program may be applied in a form installed in the storage unit 212 in advance, a form provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, a form distributed via wired or wireless communication means, or the like. A computer-readable storage medium is a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

[0079] FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functions of the print integrated management apparatus 201. As shown in FIG. 12, the print integrated management apparatus 201 includes, for example, a storage unit 212, a job management unit 222, a processing unit 223, and a communication unit 214.

[0080] A job management list is stored in the storage unit 212. The job management list is a list in which a production schedule of printed matter manufactured by the printing system 200 is registered. In the job management list, for example, for each job ID (job identification information) assigned to the printed matter, job information in which a production process procedure for manufacturing the printed matter is registered, job status, and the like are registered.

[0081] The job information is various information required for manufacturing the printed matter, and includes, for example, paper information and work information. The paper information includes, for example, paper size, paper thickness, number of printed sheets, number of sheets of paper constituting the printed matter, and number of copies of the printed matter to be created. The work information includes a production process procedure of the printed matter and the IDs of printing machines used in the production process and their setting parameters. For example, when folding the paper after printing, the manufacturing process procedures are registered in the order of the printing machine 3 and the paper folding machine 5. In addition, setting parameters such as the shelf height and guide position are registered as work information in association with the printing machine ID of the printing machine 3. Further, processing specifications, offset information of the paper feeding position for each paper folding machine ID, etc. are registered in association with the paper folding machine ID of the paper folding machine 5. Also, as the job information, for example, JDF described in a standard format in the technical field of printing can be used.

[0082] For each manufacturing process of the printed matter (e.g., "printing", "paper folding", etc.), job statuses such as "completed", "in progress", and "uncompleted" are registered.

[0083] The job management unit 222 performs new addition, update, deletion, etc. of the job management list stored in the storage unit 212. For example, when receiving a request for manufacturing a new printed matter via the input unit 215 (see FIG. 11) or the communication unit 214, a job ID is assigned to the received printed matter, and the job information is registered in the job management list, thereby updating the job management list.

[0084] Also, when the job management unit 222 receives a job completion signal via the communication unit 214, it updates the job status of the job management list based on the job completion signal. Thereby, it is possible to discriminate between completed jobs, uncompleted jobs, and jobs in progress, and it is also possible to discriminate up to which process the job in progress has been completed. Thereby, the progress status of the job can be managed.

[0085] Also, the job management unit 222 may change the processing order of jobs (job IDs) whose status of the printing machine 3 is "uncompleted" in the job management list according to the job progress status of processing machines such as the paper folding machine 5 and the grooving machine 6. For example, in any processing machine (e.g., a paper folding machine), when there are a predetermined number or more of jobs to be processed or when the number of sheets of paper to be processed is a predetermined number or more, the execution order of the jobs is changed so that jobs that are not included in that processing machine (e.g., the paper folding machine) and for which the status of the printing machine 3 is "incomplete" are executed first. As a result, the printed work in progress can be reduced, and it becomes possible to improve production efficiency.

[0086] Based on the job management list, the processing unit 223 creates instruction information to be transmitted to each of the management devices 202 to 205. By having each of the management devices 202 to 205 operate various devices under their management based on the instruction information, the printing process in the printing system 200 can be advanced stably and smoothly based on the job information. A series of processing procedures executed by the processing unit 223 will be described later.

[0087] The communication unit 214 transmits various instruction information and the like created by the processing unit 223 to the transmission destinations specified by the processing unit 223, and outputs information received from various management devices 202 to 205 and the like to the processing unit 223.

[0088] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functions provided in the conveyance management device 203 according to the present embodiment. The conveyance management device 203 includes a storage unit 231, an information acquisition unit 232, a determination unit 233, and a communication unit 234. The storage unit 231 stores conveyance management information in which, for example, an automated guided vehicle ID, an operation status, current position information, operation information, battery information, and the like are associated. The operation status is "operating state" when conveyance by the stacker is currently assigned, "standby state" when conveyance by the stacker is not assigned, and "charging" when charging is in progress. The current position information registers the position information of the automated guided vehicle 20. The operation information is, for example, the cumulative operation time, the elapsed time since the previous operation, and the like. The battery information is, for example, the battery charge rate and the remaining battery capacity.

[0089] Note that the various types of information constituting the above-described conveyance management information are merely examples, and some of them may be registered, or other parameters may be additionally registered. The information acquisition unit 232 communicates with each automated guided vehicle 20 at a predetermined timing, acquires the above-described battery information, current position information, and operation information, and updates the conveyance management information stored in the storage unit 231.

[0090] When the determination unit 233 receives conveyance instruction information including the stacker ID, position information, and conveyance destination information of the stacker to be conveyed from the print overall management device 201, based on the conveyance management information stored in the storage unit 231, it determines one of the automated guided vehicles 20 to convey stacker 1. For example, the conveyance management device 203 has a predetermined evaluation arithmetic expression including parameters such as the elapsed time since the previous operation, the cumulative operation time, the remaining battery capacity, and the distance to the position information of the stacker 1 to be conveyed. Then, the above parameters of the automated guided vehicle 20 in the "standby state" of the current operation status are acquired from the conveyance management information and substituted into the above evaluation arithmetic expression to calculate an evaluation value. Then, the automated guided vehicle 20 with the highest evaluation value is selected as the automated guided vehicle to execute the conveyance instruction information. Note that in the above evaluation arithmetic expression, the parameters may be weighted according to the importance. The communication unit 234 establishes communication with the automated guided vehicle 20 and the print overall management device 201 to realize mutual communication.

[0091] Next, the print production management process executed by the management system 210 including the above-described print overall management device 201 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a flowchart mainly showing an example of the procedure of the processes executed by the printing overall management device 201, the stacker management device 202, and the conveyance management device 203 among the printed matter production management processes of the management system 210 related to the printing process. FIG. 15 is a flowchart mainly showing an example of the procedure of the processes executed by the printing overall management device 201, the stacker management device 202, and the conveyance management device 203 among the printed matter production management processes of the management system 210 related to the processing process.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 14, first, the printing overall management device 201 determines a job ID for starting the production of a printed matter based on the job management list (SA1). Then, it transmits the determined job ID and the job information associated with the job ID to the stacker management device 202 and the printing press management device 204 (see FIG. 10). The printing press management device 204 transmits the received job ID and job information to the printing press 3. The printing press 3 that has received the job ID and job information remains in a standby state until it receives a ready signal from the stacker 1.

[0093] On the other hand, when the stacker management device 202 receives the job ID and job information from the printing overall management device 201, it determines the stacker 1 that executes the job based on the stacker management information (SA3), and associates the stacker information including the stacker ID and the current position information of the determined stacker 1 with the job ID and transmits it to the printing overall management device 201 (SA4). Also, the stacker management device 202 transmits the job ID and job information to the determined stacker 1. Further, the stacker management device 202 changes the operation status of the stacker 1 to which the job has been assigned to the "operating state" in the stacker management information.

[0094] The stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 9) of the stacker 1 that has received the job ID and job information controls the lift table motor 78 based on the job information. As a result, the lift table motor 78 operates to position the lift table at a height position individually set according to the type of the printing press 3. Thereby, it becomes possible to appropriately receive the sheets discharged from the printing press 3 during printing. Further, the stacker control unit 40 controls the positioning motors 38 and 56 and the vertical movement motor 46. As a result, the position in the front-rear direction of the stopper 26 and the position in the width direction of the sheet width guide 28 are positioned at positions corresponding to the size of the sheet S described in the print job.

[0095] On the other hand, in FIG. 14, when the print overall management device 201 receives the stacker information and the job ID from the stacker management device 202, it creates conveyance instruction information based on the received stacker information, job ID, and job information, and transmits it to the conveyance management device 203 (SA5). The conveyance instruction information includes the current position information of the stacker 1, the stacker ID, and the information of the receiving position PS1 of the printing press 3.

[0096] Based on the conveyance instruction information and the conveyance management information, the conveyance management device 203 determines the automated guided vehicle 20 that conveys the stacker 1, and transmits the conveyance instruction information to the determined automated guided vehicle 20 (SA6). Further, in the conveyance management information, the conveyance management device 203 changes the operation status of the automated guided vehicle 20 to which the conveyance instruction has been assigned to the "operating state".

[0097] The automated guided vehicle 20 that has received the conveyance instruction information moves the stacker 1 to the receiving position PS1 of the printing press 3 based on the conveyance instruction information. When the automated guided vehicle 20 arrives at the position of the stacker 1, it may be possible to check whether the stacker ID 13 matches the stacker ID included in the conveyance instruction information by reading the stacker ID 13 with the ID reader 105. By performing such a collation process, for example, even when a plurality of stackers 1 are arranged in close proximity, it is possible to surely move the stacker 1 that is the target of the conveyance instruction.

[0098] When the automated guided vehicle 20 places the stacker 1 at the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 based on the conveyance instruction information, it transmits a conveyance completion signal to the stacker 1 and transmits the conveyance completion signal and its own automated guided vehicle ID to the conveyance management device 203. Note that the automated guided vehicle 20 may transmit the conveyance completion signal to the stacker 1 via the conveyance management device 203 and the stacker management device 202. Also, the communication between the automated guided vehicle 20 and the stacker 1 described below may be directly performed between the two, or the communication between the two may be indirectly performed via the conveyance management device 203 and the stacker management device 202.

[0099] When the conveyance management device 203 receives the conveyance completion signal and the automated guided vehicle ID (SA7), it transmits the conveyance completion signal to the printing overall management device 201 (SA8). Also, the conveyance management device 203 acquires the battery information of the automated guided vehicle 20 that has received the conveyance completion signal, and determines whether the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit value. As a result, when the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than the lower limit value, it transmits charging instruction information for guiding the automated guided vehicle 20 to the battery station, and changes the operation status of the conveyance management information to the "charging state". Also, when the remaining battery capacity exceeds the lower limit value, it changes the operation status to the "standby state".

[0100] On the other hand, for example, the stacker 1 that has received the conveyance completion signal from the automated guided vehicle 20 transmits a preparation completion signal to the printing machine 3. Also, the battery 94 (see FIG. 9) of the stacker 1 receives power from the power feeding head 96 provided near the printing machine 3 via the power receiving head 90 as necessary. When the printing machine 3 receives the preparation completion signal from the stacker 1, it starts printing based on the job information received from the printing machine management device 204. It transmits a printing start signal to the printing machine management device 204. The printing machine management device 204 manages the status. Also, the printing machine management device 204 may transmit the printing start signal to the printing overall management device 201.

[0101] Near the paper discharge port 3b of the printing machine 3, a sensor for detecting the discharged paper is provided. The printing machine 3 counts the number of printed sheets based on the detection signal from the sensor and transmits the count number to the stacker 1. The stacker control unit 40 of the stacker 1 controls the lifting table motor 78 based on the count number and the paper thickness obtained from the job information. As a result, the lifting table descends according to the stacking number, and the paper discharge from the printing machine 3 can be received at an appropriate position.

[0102] When the printing machine 3 detects that the count number has reached the number of printed sheets specified in the job information, it transmits a print job completion signal to the stacker 1 arranged at the receiving position PS1 and the printer management device 204.

[0103] When the stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 9) of the stacker 1 receives the print job completion signal, it controls the lifting table motor 78 to lower the lifting table to the position during movement. Further, the stacker control unit 40 controls the linear cylinder 62 to incline the stacking shelf 22 at a predetermined angle in preparation for conveyance to the processing machine, which is the next process. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the front F side of the stacking shelf 22 is made higher than the rear R side by the inclination mechanism 60 of the stacker 1. Thereby, when the stacker 1 travels forward F by the automated guided vehicle 20, it is possible to prevent the paper S stacked on the stacking shelf 22 from scattering and falling from the open side where the stopper 26 and each paper width guide 28 are not provided.

[0104] On the other hand, when the printer management device 204 receives the print job completion signal from the printing machine 3, it transmits the printer ID, job ID, and print job completion signal to the print integrated management device 201.

[0105] When the print overall management device 201 receives a print job completion signal or the like (SA9), it updates the job management list by changing the status of the printing process of the job ID in the job management list to "completed" (SA10). Then, it returns to step SA1 and determines the next job ID to be executed from the job management list. As a result, the printing process of the next job ID to be executed is carried out, and the above-described processing is performed on the determined job.

[0106] Also, when the print overall management device 201 receives a print job completion signal as described above (SB1 in FIG. 15), it identifies a processing machine (for example, the paper folding machine 5) that executes a processing step from the job information associated with the job ID that received the print job completion signal, and transmits the processing machine ID, job ID, and job information to the processing machine management device 205 (SB2). At this time, it may also transmit the stacker ID of the stacker 1 that feeds paper to the processing machine.

[0107] The processing machine management device 205 that has received these pieces of information transmits the job ID, job information, and stacker ID to the processing machine (for example, the paper folding machine 5) specified from the processing machine ID. The paper folding machine 5, for example, when receiving the job ID and job information, performs a setup change based on the job information and enters a standby state for the job until the stacker 1 that feeds paper moves to and is arranged at the paper feeding position PS2.

[0108] Also, the print overall management device 201 creates conveyance instruction information for moving the stacker 1 arranged at the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 to the paper feeding position of the paper folding machine 5, and transmits it to the conveyance management device 203 (SB3). The conveyance instruction information may include, in addition to the stacker ID and the current position information of the stacker, paper information (for example, paper size, paper thickness, number of sheets of paper) loaded on the stacker ID. The conveyance instruction information may also include offset information with respect to the paper feeding position of the paper folding machine 5. The conveyance instruction information may also include information regarding the paper feeding direction with respect to the paper folding machine 5 (for example, vertical or horizontal). Also, the position information of the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 may be used as the current position information of the stacker.

[0109] Based on the conveyance instruction information and the conveyance management information, the conveyance management device 203 determines the automated guided vehicle 20 that conveys the stacker 1, and transmits the conveyance instruction information to the determined automated guided vehicle 20 (SB4). The automated guided vehicle 20 that has received the conveyance instruction information moves the stacker 1 from the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 to the paper feeding position PS2 of the paper folding machine 5 based on the conveyance instruction information. When the automated guided vehicle 20 arrives at the position of the stacker 1, it may be possible to read the stacker ID 13 by the ID reading unit and collate whether the stacker ID included in the conveyance instruction information matches the stacker ID read by the ID reading unit 105.

[0110] Also, while being conveyed by the automated guided vehicle 20, the loading shelf 22 in the stacker 1 is in a state of being inclined at a predetermined angle. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the sheets S stacked on the loading shelf 22 from scattering and falling from the open side where the stopper 26 and the respective sheet width guides 28 are not provided during traveling, and it is possible to realize stable traveling.

[0111] Also, the automated guided vehicle 20 may adjust the acceleration or speed during conveyance according to the sheet information included in the conveyance instruction information. For example, it is possible to estimate the loading weight of the sheets stacked on the stacker 1 based on the number of sheets, the sheet size, and the sheet thickness. The automated guided vehicle 20 realizes stable traveling by adjusting the acceleration or speed according to the total weight of the stacker 1 obtained from these pieces of information. In the conveyance management device 203, it may be possible to estimate the loading weight of the sheets from the sheet information such as the number of sheets and include the estimated loading information in the conveyance instruction information transmitted to the automated guided vehicle 20.

[0112] The automated guided vehicle 20 moves the stacker 1 to the paper feeding position PS2 of the paper folding machine 5, and controls the orientation of the stacker 1 so that the paper feeding direction of the stacker 1 becomes appropriate based on the information regarding the paper feeding direction for the paper folding machine 5 included in the conveyance instruction information. Thereby, even when the discharge direction of the sheet in the printing machine 3 and the paper feeding direction in the paper folding machine 5 are different, it becomes possible to install the stacker 1 in an appropriate orientation so that the paper feeding direction is appropriate according to the paper feeding direction of the paper folding machine 5.

[0113] Furthermore, the automated guided vehicle 20 adjusts the position of the center line CL1 of the stacker 1 with respect to the center line CL2 of the paper folding machine 5 in a plan view based on the offset information included in the conveyance instruction information. For example, the positional relationship between the center line CL1 of the stacker 1 and the center line CL2 of the paper folding machine 5 changes according to whether the desired folding position is at the center of the paper or offset from the center of the paper, etc., with respect to the paper folding machine 5 where the mounting position of a knife (not shown) for folding the paper is on the center line CL2. For example, when the desired folding position is offset from the center of the paper with respect to the paper folding machine 5 where the position of the knife is on the center line CL2, it is necessary to align the center line CL1 of the stacker 1 with the paper feeding position PS2 corresponding to the offset. Thus, since the paper feeding position PS2 varies depending on the paper folding machine 5, the paper size, the desired folding position, etc., the conveyance instruction information transmitted to the automated guided vehicle 20 includes offset information as information regarding the paper feeding position PS2.

[0114] For example, when the offset is zero, the automated guided vehicle 20 arranges the stacker 1 at a position where the center line CL2 of the paper folding machine 5 and the center line CL1 of the stacker 1 coincide in a plan view as shown in FIG. 16. Also, when the offset is not zero, the automated guided vehicle 20 arranges the stacker 1 at a position where the center line CL1 of the stacker 1 is offset with respect to the center line CL2 of the paper folding machine 5 as shown in FIG. 17 according to the offset.

[0115] When the AGV 20 places the stacker 1 at the paper feeding position PS2 according to the offset information, it transmits a conveyance completion signal to the stacker 1 and transmits a conveyance completion signal and its own AGV ID to the conveyance management device 203. When the conveyance management device 203 receives the conveyance completion signal and the AGV ID (SB5), it transmits the conveyance completion signal to the print overall management device 201 (SB6). In addition, the conveyance management device 203 acquires the battery information of the AGV 20 that has received the conveyance completion signal, and determines whether the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit value. As a result, if the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than the lower limit value, charging instruction information for guiding the AGV 20 to the battery station is transmitted, and the operation status of the conveyance management information is changed to the "charging state". Also, if the remaining battery capacity exceeds the lower limit value, the operation status is changed to the "standby state".

[0116] On the other hand, the stacker control unit 40 of the stacker 1 that has received the conveyance completion signal from the AGV 20 controls the linear cylinder 62 to return the loading shelf 22 to the horizontal state. Further, the stacker control unit 40 acquires information in the processing process (for example, the height information of the lift table, etc.) from the job information that has already been received from the stacker management device 202, and controls the vertical movement motor 46 and the lift table motor 78 based on the acquired information.

[0117] Thereby, the lift table motor 78 operates, and the loading shelf 22 is positioned at the paper feeding height position individually set according to the type of the paper folding machine 5. Further, the stacker control unit 40 operates the vertical movement motor 46 (see FIG. 6) and displaces the stopper 26 of the stacker 1 downward as shown in FIG. 18. This is to avoid interference between the paper separator 5a of the paper folding machine 5 and the stopper 26. Also, the battery 94 of the stacker 1 is powered as needed from the power supply head 96 provided near the paper folding machine 5 via the power receiving head 90.

[0118] When the positioning is completed and the paper folding machine 5 is in a state where paper feeding is possible, the stacker control unit 40 transmits a preparation completion signal to the paper folding machine 5. When the paper folding machine 5 receives the preparation completion signal from the stacker 1, it determines whether the upper surface of the lifting table of the stacker 1 is detected by an upper surface detection sensor (not shown) provided near the paper feeding port of the paper folding machine 5.

[0119] As a result, if the upper surface is not detected, the paper folding machine 5 transmits a command to raise the lifting table to the stacker 1. Thereby, the stacker control unit 40 controls the lifting table motor 78 to raise the lifting table. This operation is performed until the upper surface of the lifting table is detected by the upper surface detection sensor. Then, when the upper surface of the lifting table is detected by the upper surface detection sensor, the paper folding machine 5 determines that the lifting table of the stacker 1 is arranged at an appropriate position, and starts paper folding based on the job information received from the processing machine management device 205.

[0120] Also, before starting the job, the paper folding machine 5 may perform a collation process of acquiring the stacker ID of the stacker 1 and collating whether the acquired stacker ID matches the stacker ID associated with the job ID to be started. By performing such collation, it is possible to confirm whether a stacker matching the job to be started is arranged at the paper feeding position PS2.

[0121] Near the paper discharge port of the paper folding machine 5, a sensor for detecting the discharged paper is provided. The paper folding machine 5 counts the number of processed sheets based on the detection signal from the sensor. The number of processed sheets is transmitted to the stacker 1 directly from the paper folding machine 5 or via the processing machine management device 205 and the stacker management device 202. The stacker control unit 40 controls the lifting table motor 78 according to the relationship between the remaining number of sheets and the height of the paper feeding unit of the paper folding machine 5, and moves the lifting table to an appropriate height position according to the progress of the processing. When the paper folding machine 5 detects that the count number has reached the number of sheets to be processed specified in the job information, it transmits a processing job completion signal to the stacker 1 arranged at the paper feeding position PS2 and the processing machine management device 205.

[0122] When the stacker controller 40 of the stacker 1 receives the processing job completion signal, it controls the lifting table motor 78 to lower the lifting table to the position during movement. Also, the stacker 1 transmits the processing job completion signal and its own stacker ID to the stacker management device 202. When the stacker management device 202 receives the processing job completion signal (SB7), it changes the operation status of the received stacker ID to the "standby state" (SB8).

[0123] On the other hand, when the processing machine management device 205 receives the processing job completion signal from the paper folding machine 5, it transmits the paper folding machine ID, job ID, and processing job completion signal to the printing integrated management device 201. When the printing integrated management device 201 receives the processing job completion signal etc. (SB9), it updates the job management list by changing the status of the processing step of the job ID in the job management list to "completed" (SB10). Then, it returns to step SB1 and waits in a standby state until the next printing job completion signal is received. Also, when a printing job completion signal has already been received, subsequent processing is executed.

[0124] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following operational effects are achieved. For example, the printing integrated management device 201 creates conveyance instruction information for conveying the stacker 1 loaded with the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 from the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 to the paper feeding position PS2 of the next processing machine (for example, the paper folding machine 5), and transmits it to the conveyance management device 203. As a result, it becomes possible to automatically move the stacker 1 from the printing machine 3 to the next processing machine, which is the next process, using the unmanned transport vehicle 20, and it becomes possible to achieve labor saving.

[0125] In addition, by including at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets to be stacked by the stacker 1 in the conveyance instruction information, the weight of the stacker 1 can be estimated based on this information. As a result, it becomes possible to select an appropriate automated guided vehicle 20 for transporting the stacker 1 in consideration of the weight of the stacker. Further, when transporting the stacker 1, stable running can be realized by setting an appropriate speed or acceleration based on this paper information.

[0126] In addition, by including in the conveyance instruction information the processing machine identification information individually assigned to the processing machine and the offset information of the sheet supply position in the processing machine, even when the sheet supply position varies depending on the type of processing machine, paper size, and folding shape, it becomes possible to install the stacker 1 at an appropriate paper supply position according to the desired folding position. As a result, stable and smooth sheet supply can be realized.

[0127] In addition, since conveyance instruction information for transporting the stacker 1 without sheets loaded thereon to the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 is generated based on the job information, it becomes possible to automatically move the stacker 1 to the printing machine 3, and further labor saving can be achieved.

[0128] In addition, by including the stacker ID in the conveyance instruction information, it becomes possible to prevent mis-conveyance in which a stacker 1 that is not the conveyance target is erroneously conveyed, for example, even when a plurality of stackers 1 are installed in close proximity, by performing collation based on the stacker ID.

[0129] In addition, by including in the conveyance instruction information information regarding the supply direction of the sheet S to the processing machine, even when the discharge direction of the sheet S in the printing machine 3 and the supply direction of the sheet S in the processing machine are different, it becomes possible to supply the sheet S in an appropriate direction according to the processing specifications in each processing machine.

[0130] As described above, the present invention has been explained using embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention, and the forms with such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Also, the flow of various processes described in the above embodiments is also an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of processes may be changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0131] In the above-described embodiment, communication is performed between the printing overall management device 201 and each of the management devices 202 to 205. However, the functions of the management devices 202 to 205 may be included in the printing overall management device 201. Also, regarding the communication between the automated guided vehicle 20 and the printing overall management device 201, it has been performed via the conveyance management device 203. However, the automated guided vehicle 20 and the printing overall management device 201 may directly exchange information without going through the conveyance management device 203. The same applies to other management devices. For example, the stacker 1, the printing machine 3, and various processing machines may directly exchange information with the printing overall management device 201. Also, any one of the management devices may have the functions of other management devices. For example, the processing machine management device 205 may have the functions of the stacker management device 202 and the conveyance management device 203.

[0132] <Modification Example 1> In the above-described embodiment, the paper folding machine 5 has been exemplified and explained as the processing machine that feeds paper from the stacker 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the present invention can also be applied to the grooving machine 6 as the processing machine. That is, when the grooving machine 6 is registered as a post-process of the printing machine 3 in the job information, stable paper feeding can be performed for the grooving machine 6 by performing the same processing as described above. Also, in the case of the wire inserter 6, for example, the stacker controller 40 of the stacker 1 may control the lift table motor 78 according to the relationship between the number of sheets of paper S stacked and the height of the paper feeding section of the wire inserter 6, and adjust the lift table to an appropriate height position according to the progress of processing.

[0133] <Modification Example 2> In the above-described embodiment, the movement of the stacker 1 is performed by the automated guided vehicle 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, casters 110 may be provided on each of the legs 14 of some of the stackers 1 so that the stacker 1 can travel without using the automated guided vehicle 20. In this case, a handle 112 is provided above the back side of the main body 16, and an operator transports the stacker 1. The stacker 1 is positioned by a caster stopper 110a (see FIG. 20) attached to the caster 110 at a fixed position such as the receiving position PS1 and the paper feeding position PS2.

[0134] In such a case, a stacker ID 13 is provided on the lower surface of the front F side of the base 12, and an ID reader 114 is installed in the vicinity of processing machines such as the printing machine 3 and the paper folding machine 5. The received data of the ID reader 114 is transmitted to the control units of processing machines such as the printing machine 3 and the paper folding machine 5. Note that a traveling device such as a traveling motor may be provided on the stacker 1 so that it can travel by itself.

[0135] Also, the inclination angle of the stacking shelf 22 during the travel of the stacker 1 may be changed according to the loading amount of the paper S. For example, when the loading amount of the paper S is small, the inclination angle is made larger than when it is large.

[0136] The inclination angle of the stacking shelf 22 may be changed according to the magnitude of the acceleration (including deceleration which is negative acceleration) during the travel of the stacker 1. For example, when the acceleration of the stacker 1 is large, the inclination angle is made larger than when it is small.

[0137] <Modification Example 3> The conveyance instruction information transmitted in the above step SB3 or step SB4 (see FIG. 15) may include information regarding the orientation of the sheet S discharged from the printing machine 3 to the stacker 1, in other words, the stacking direction of the sheet S in the stacker 1. For example, the conveyance instruction information may include information indicating whether the sheet S is stacked vertically or horizontally in the stacker 1.

[0138] The automated guided vehicle 20 may convey the stacker 1 based on the information regarding the orientation of the sheet S included in the conveyance instruction information so that the longitudinal direction of the sheet S becomes the traveling direction.

[0139] For example, the automated guided vehicle 20 may be provided with a rotation mechanism for rotating the stacker 1 around the vertical axis, and the rotation mechanism may rotate the stacking direction of the stacker 1 with respect to the traveling direction of the automated guided vehicle 20 around the vertical axis. The rotation mechanism includes, for example, a rotating table provided on the upper part of the automated guided vehicle 20 for supporting the stacker 1, a rotating shaft for rotatably supporting the rotating table around the vertical axis with respect to the main body of the automated guided vehicle 20, and a rotation motor for rotating the rotating shaft around the vertical axis.

[0140] Thus, since the conveyance instruction information includes information regarding the stacking direction of the sheet S in the stacker 1, the automated guided vehicle 20 can convey the stacker 1 so that the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the sheet S becomes the traveling direction. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the sheets from collapsing during conveyance.

[0141] <Modification Example 4> The conveyance management device 203 may include information on the travel route along which the automated guided vehicle 20 travels and information on the singular points on that travel route in the conveyance instruction information transmitted to the automated guided vehicle 20. The singular points include at least one of floor inclination information, floor step information, temperature, humidity, air volume of the air conditioner, and air direction of the air conditioner.

[0142] The AGV 20 may adjust its speed and acceleration or reconstruct its travel route based on the information of singularities on the travel route included in the conveyance instruction information.

[0143] For example, when there is an inclination of a predetermined angle or more with respect to the direction intersecting the traveling direction, the AGV 20 may reconstruct a route to bypass the inclined section, or rotate the orientation of the stacker 1 with respect to the traveling direction so that the longitudinal direction of the paper S loaded on the stacker 1 in front of the inclined section is in the same direction as the inclined direction.

[0144] Also, when there is a downward inclination in the traveling direction, the AGV 20 may reconstruct a bypass route to avoid the downward inclination. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when traveling with the loading shelf 22 of the stacker 1 inclined by a predetermined angle, the AGV 20 may adjust the loading inclination of the paper S so that the difference between the downward inclination angle and the inclination angle of the paper S becomes smaller in front of the inclined section, and then travel through the downward inclined section. For example, the AGV 20 may rotate the orientation of the stacker 1 by 180 degrees to reduce the difference between the downward inclination angle and the inclination angle of the paper S, and then travel through the downward inclined section.

[0145] Also, when there is an inclination on the travel route, it may be set to travel at a speed lower than the normal speed for the inclined section.

[0146] Also, when there is a floor step, for example, when the paper S is loaded on the stacker 1, a bypass route may be constructed, and when the paper S is not loaded, it may be allowed to pass through as it is.

[0147] In addition, the paper S is susceptible to the effects of temperature and humidity, such as moisture absorption in high humidity, dew condensation in rapid temperature changes, static electricity in low humidity, and scattering of paper dust. Generally, temperature and humidity are adjusted at the printing site. However, for example, when the travel route included in the conveyance instruction information received from the conveyance management device 203 includes movement across a building (movement from the paper warehouse to the processing site), there is a possibility of passing through an area where temperature and humidity are not adjusted. In such a case, for example, when the paper S is loaded on the stacker 1, the travel route may be reconstructed so as to move only through areas where humidity and temperature are adjusted. Also, when the paper S is not loaded on the stacker 1, it may be allowed to pass through an area where temperature and humidity are not adjusted without changing the route. Further, for example, since there are also papers (such as resin films) that are less susceptible to the effects of temperature and humidity among the papers S, it may be determined whether a route change is necessary according to the type and state of the paper S loaded on the stacker 1.

[0148] Also, when the air volume of the air conditioner is larger than a predetermined value, the travel route may be reconstructed to bypass the section with strong air volume, or the orientation of the stacker 1 may be rotated so that the main body 16 of the stacker 1 is in the upwind direction before that section.

[0149] Thus, since the conveyance instruction information includes the travel route for moving the stacker 1 from the conveyance source to the conveyance destination and information on singular points on that travel route, the automated guided vehicle 20 can adjust the conveyance speed and acceleration, reconstruct the travel route, and adjust the orientation of the stacker 1 according to the floor inclination, etc. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress the collapse of the load of the paper S during movement.

[0150] <Modification Example 5> In the above-described embodiments, the case where one stacker 1 is required for one job has been exemplified and described. However, there may be a case where a plurality of stackers 1 are required to execute one job. For example, if the number of sheets of paper in one job is set to 5000 sheets and the maximum loading capacity of the stacker 1 is 3000 sheets, two stackers 1 are required. In such a case, the stacker management device 202 determines a plurality of stackers 1 that execute the job. The print overall management device 201 creates conveyance instruction information based on the information of the plurality of stackers 1 determined by the stacker management device 202. At this time, the conveyance instruction information may include the stacker IDs of the plurality of stackers 1 that execute one job.

[0151] Also, depending on the job, there are cases where paper is fed to the next processing machine in order from the paper that was last discharged from the printing machine 3. In such a case, it is necessary to change (reverse) the order of the stackers 1 that stack the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 and the order of the stackers 1 that feed the paper to the next processing machine. In order to cope with such a case, the conveyance instruction information transmitted from the print overall management device 201 may include at least one of the order of the stackers 1 that stack the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 and the order of the stackers 1 that supply the paper S to the next processing machine. Thereby, even when the order of the stackers 1 that stack the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 is different from the order of the stackers 1 that feed the paper to the next processing machine, it is possible to smoothly supply the paper S. By including such information in the conveyance instruction information, it is possible to smoothly execute the job even when the number of sheets of paper in one job exceeds the maximum loading number of sheets of the stacker 1.

[0152] In the above-described embodiments and each modification example, paper has been described as an example of the medium conveyed by the stacker 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a sheet-like medium such as a resin film.

[0153] In addition, a rotation mechanism for rotating the loading shelf 22 around the vertical axis may be provided, and the stacking shelf 22 may be rotated around the vertical axis by the stacker control unit 40. The rotation mechanism is provided, for example, between the loading shelf 22 and the lifting table 24, and includes a rotating shaft that rotatably supports the loading shelf 22 around the vertical axis with respect to the lifting table 24, and a rotation motor or the like that rotates the loading shelf 22 around the rotating shaft.

[0154] By providing the rotation mechanism, after receiving the paper S from the printing machine 3, the loading shelf 22 can be rotated by 90°, and then access can be made to a sheet processing machine such as the paper folding machine 5, and the paper S can be fed in a state rotated by 90° from the time of receiving. Further, as described above, instead of the rotation mechanism for rotating the loading shelf 22, the entire stacker 1 may be rotated by the automated guided vehicle 20 to change the orientation of the paper S.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0155] 1 Stacker (sheet loading device) 3 Printing machine 3a Back side 3b Paper discharge port 5 Paper folding machine (processing machine) 5a Paper separator 6 Grooving machine (processing machine) 7 Communication unit 10 Shelf part 12 Base 12a Front end 13 Stacker ID (identification information) 14 Leg part 16 Main body part 16a Front surface 18 Communication unit 20 Automated guided vehicle (automated guided device) 20a Wheel 20b Lifting platform 22 Loading shelf 22a Base end part 24 Lifting table 24a Base end part 26 Stopper 26a Upper and lower racks 28 Paper width guide 30 Stopper running groove 32 Bracket 34 Slide guide shaft 36 Feed screw 38 Positioning motor 40 Stacker control unit 42 Pinion gear 44 Rotating shaft 46 Vertical movement motor 48 Paper width guide running groove 50 Bracket 52 Slide guide shaft 54 Feed screw 56 Positioning motor 60 Tilt mechanism 62 Linear cylinder 64 Rod 66 Rotating pin 68 Fulcrum pin 70 Arm part 72 Chain 74 Sprocket 76 Rotating shaft 77 Lifting mechanism 78 Lifting table motor 80 Timing belt 82 Worm gear (lifting mechanism) 84 Wheel 86 Spur gear 88 Wheel 90 Power receiving head (power receiving device) 92 Power supply cable 94 Battery 96 Power supply head 96a Power outlet 97 Battery management device 101 Communication unit 103 Unmanned conveyance control unit 105 ID reading unit 110 Caster 110a Caster stopper 112 Handle 114 ID reading unit 120 CPU 121 Memory unit 122 Main memory 200 Printing System 201 Printing Overall Management Device 202 Stacker Management Device 203 Conveyor Management Device 204 Printer Management Device 205 Processing Machine Management Device 210 Management System 211 CPU 212 Memory Unit 213 Main Memory 214 Communication Unit 215 Input Unit 216 Display Unit 222 Job Management Unit 223 Processing Unit 231 Memory Unit 232 Information Acquisition Unit 233 Decision Unit 234 Communication Unit CL1 (Center Line of Stacker) CL2 (Center Line of Folder) F (Front of Base) FL Floor Surface PS1 Receiving Position PS2 Paper Feeding Position (Supply Position) R (Rear of Base) S Paper

Claims

1. A print overall management device communicably connected to a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles capable of transporting a sheet stacking device on which sheets discharged from a printing press can be stacked, a processing unit that generates conveyance instruction information for transporting the sheet stacking device on which the sheets discharged from the printing press are stacked from the sheet receiving position of the printing press to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine by any one of the automated guided vehicles based on job information in which a manufacturing process procedure for manufacturing a printed matter is registered, a communication unit that transmits the conveyance instruction information to the conveyance management device, and comprising, a print overall management device, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheets discharged from the printing press to the sheet stacking device.

2. The print overall management device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets stacked by the sheet stacking device.

3. The print overall management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes processing machine identification information individually assigned to the processing machine and offset information of the sheet supply position in the processing machine.

4. The print overall management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes information regarding the sheet feeding direction of the stacker for the processing machine.

5. A print overall management device communicably connected to a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles capable of transporting a sheet stacking device on which sheets discharged from a printing press can be stacked, a processing unit that generates conveyance instruction information for transporting the sheet stacking device on which the sheets discharged from the printing press are stacked from the sheet receiving position of the printing press to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine by any one of the automated guided vehicles based on job information in which a manufacturing process procedure for manufacturing a printed matter is registered, a communication unit that transmits the conveyance instruction information to the conveyance management device, and comprising, a print overall management device, wherein when a plurality of sheet stacking devices are required to execute one job, the conveyance instruction information includes identification information of a plurality of sheet stacking devices for executing one job and at least one of the order of the sheet stacking devices for stacking the sheets discharged from the printing press and the order of the sheet stacking devices for supplying the sheets to the next processing machine.

6. The printing overall management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processing unit generates conveyance instruction information for conveying the sheet loading device on which the sheet is not loaded to the sheet receiving position of the printing machine based on the job information.

7. The printing overall management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes identification information individually assigned to the sheet loading device.

8. A conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles for conveying a sheet loading device capable of loading sheets discharged from a printing machine, an information acquisition unit that acquires at least one of battery information, operation information, and current position information of each of the automated guided vehicles; a determination unit that determines one of the automated guided vehicles based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit and the conveyance instruction information when receiving the conveyance instruction information for conveying the sheet loading device; and a communication unit that transmits the conveyance instruction information to the determined automated guided vehicle and includes The conveyance instruction information includes at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets loaded on the sheet loading device, identification information of the sheet loading device, and identification information of a printing machine or a processing machine that is the conveyance destination of the sheet loading device, and information regarding the orientation of the sheet discharged from the printing machine to the sheet loading device. Conveyance management device.

9. The conveyance instruction information includes information regarding the travel route from the conveyance source to the conveyance destination of the sheet loading device and information regarding special points on the travel route, The conveyance management device according to claim 8, wherein the special points include at least one of floor inclination information, floor step information, temperature, humidity, air volume of air conditioning, and air direction of air conditioning.

10. A printing overall management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a conveyance management device according to claim 8 or 9 A printing system comprising.

11. A step of generating conveyance instruction information for conveying a sheet loading device on which sheets discharged from a printing machine are loaded to the sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs the next step based on job information describing work information for manufacturing a printed matter, a step of transmitting the conveyance instruction information to a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles for conveying the sheet loading device is executed by a computer, The method, wherein the conveyance instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheet discharged from the printing machine to the sheet loading device. A step of generating conveyance instruction information for conveying a sheet stacking device on which sheets discharged from a printing press are stacked to a sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs the next process based on job information in which work information for manufacturing a printed matter is described; A step of transmitting the conveyance instruction information to a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automated guided vehicles that convey the sheet stacking device; The computer executes; In the case where a plurality of sheet stacking devices are required to execute one job, the conveyance instruction information includes identification information of a plurality of sheet stacking devices that execute one job, and at least one of the order of the sheet stacking devices that stack the sheets discharged from the printing press and the order of the sheet stacking devices that supply the sheets to the next processing machine.

13. A program for causing a computer to function as the printing integrated management device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

Images