Information processing system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system, an information processor, an information processing method and a program which can designate a method of preview display when a design template is registered.SOLUTION: An information processing system has: a reception part for receiving selection of a preview method corresponding to a design template; a registration part for registering the design template and the preview method in association with each other in a storage part; and a transmission part for transmitting a preview image generated according to the preview method associated with the design plate registered by the registration part to an orderer terminal for ordering printing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Printed materials using special features and special processing (such as direct mail, etc.) have added value such as being eye-catching, and are being re-recognized as the value of paper (analog media) compared to digital media. Therefore, there are design templates that can easily create such printed materials with high added value, and workflow systems that can manage a series of work processes are known. Some of these workflow systems include design tools for applying special features and special processing, and preview display functions for displaying the final image in order to improve the convenience of users. In addition, special previews are required to express the glossiness of the special features and the three-dimensional effect of the special processing.

[0003] As a technique for displaying a preview of such special features, in order to make it easy to understand that special features are included, a configuration for preview display that can distinguish between a special feature part and an achromatic part (a part representing the base paper color, such as white toner and white paper) is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional technology has a problem that the method of preview display cannot be specified at the time of registering a design template.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can specify a method of preview display at the time of registering a design template.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention includes a design template Selection of a design template receiving First reception unit, the design template, and Pu a storage unit that stores them in association with a review method, Preview method stored in association with the one design template and a generation unit that generates the preview image based on and the preview method includes a first preview method for displaying the one design template in video format and a second preview method different from the first preview method for displaying an image of the one design template, and the generation unit generates a preview image based on one of the first preview method and the second preview method that is stored in association with the one design template this, which is characterized.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to specify a preview display method at the time of registering a design template.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments, and the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, substantially identical ones, and those within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations of constituent elements can be made without departing from the gist of the following embodiments.

[0010] (Schematic Configuration of Equipment System) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an equipment system according to an embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1, the schematic configuration of the equipment system 100 will be described.

[0011] The equipment system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an information processing system for receiving an order for printing print data using digital materials, selecting a printer suitable for the printing, and causing the printer to execute the printing. As shown in FIG. 1, the equipment system 100 includes a cloud system 50 (an example of an information processing system and an example of an information processing apparatus), an orderer terminal 40, an administrator terminal 12, a management server 11 (management apparatus) and a printing machine 30 of one or more printers 10. Further, the cloud system 50, the orderer terminal 40, the administrator terminal 12, and the management server 11 and the printing machine 30 of the printer 10 can communicate with each other via a network N.

[0012] In this embodiment, since the cloud system 50 is used, the network N is a network including the Internet. Also, within the printer 10, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), etc. are used. Note that the network N may use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

[0013] The printer 10 means a business operator who has printing facilities such as a printing factory, a printing office, or a predetermined building, and prints printed materials using the facilities. The system of each printer 10 has a management server 11 and a printing press 30. It is sufficient that the management server 11 and the printing press 30 can communicate with each other via a network within the system of the printer 10. The printed material is printed by forming an image of print data on a recording medium such as paper using a printing device such as an image forming device. The printed material is, for example, a commercial printed material such as a direct mail, an advertisement, a flyer, a brochure, a poster, a promotional item, a catalog, a pamphlet, a form, an invoice, etc., which is used by a brand owner or the like, who is the orderer, for business or sales promotion, but may also be a document or the like used by the orderer.

[0014] When job information is distributed from the cloud system 50, the management server 11 is an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a workstation that instructs the printing press 30 to execute a job.

[0015] Also, the above-mentioned job refers to a unit of printing processing. For example, it is to print a certain number of copies of a certain document. In the present embodiment, the execution of a job is the printing by the printing press 30, but what specific processing the execution of a job is depends on the type of the printing press 30. Further, as the output obtained by the execution of a job, it may be simply to display the result, store the result in the cloud, send an email, or notify a user or the like. Also, the job information is information regarding a job, but in the present embodiment, the job and the job information are not strictly distinguished. The job schedule information is information indicating the scheduled start time and end time when a job is to be executed on a certain printing press 30.

[0016] The printing machine 30 is an image forming apparatus such as a production printer, a color inkjet printer, or a color / monochrome MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). The printing method of the printing machine 30 is an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, letterpress printing, intaglio printing, lithographic printing, stencil printing, etc., and is not limited to these methods, and any method that can print may be used. Further, the printing machine 30 may be connected to a finisher (post-processing device) for performing post-processing (post-treatment) such as paper folding, saddle stitching, perfect binding, and punching on the printed recording medium. Further, the printing machine 30 may have a scanner function, a fax function, or a copy function, etc.

[0017] Note that when the printing machine 30 is a commercial printing device, it is controlled by a DFE (Digital Front End). Therefore, even if a device independent of the printing machine 30 may have a DFE. In the present embodiment, it will be described as if the printing machine 30 is provided with a control function by the DFE.

[0018] The administrator terminal 12 is an information processing device for requesting the cloud system 50 to register design templates desired by registrants such as designers or printers. Here, the design template refers to a template for inclusion in print data and material data such as illustration data. The design template is composed of an image file such as PDF or JPEG. In this embodiment, the description focuses on the design template as a digital material, but it is also applicable to digital materials such as illustration data. That is, the designer or printer, etc., who is the registrant, is the one who knows the features of the design template using the characteristics or special processing registered by the designer or printer, etc., and knows the most understandable way of showing it. Here, the characteristic color is a color other than the so-called process color of CMYK, and is a color that can be printed with a dedicated color material (such as ink or toner) for that color. Also, the special processing indicates a process in which the printing method of the color material is special. For example, it includes a process of performing decorative printing by overlapping color materials to create a three-dimensional effect, a process of foil stamping gold foil, etc. Note that the printing method including characteristics and special processing, etc., may be called special printing. In this embodiment, when a design template is registered by a registrant such as a designer or a printer with the cloud system 50, the operation of selecting a preview method for previewing the design template will be described in detail. Note that the administrator terminal 12 may be assumed to be held by the printer 10 when the registrant is the printer 10. The administrator terminal 12 is equipped with a web browser or an application, and displays each screen by accessing the cloud system 50 via a network.

[0019] The orderer terminal 40 is an information processing device for ordering the printing of printed materials using a design template from the cloud system 50 according to the operations of the orderer who requests printing. The orderer terminal 40 can specify a desired preview method for the design template selected and edited by the orderer according to the operations of the orderer. The orderer terminal 40 is equipped with a web browser or an application, and displays each screen by accessing the cloud system 50 via a network.

[0020] When the cloud system 50 receives an order for printing printed materials including a design template from an external orderer terminal 40, it detects free time from the schedule information of the printing machines 30 of each printing company 10, calculates the preparation time and execution time of the received job, determines whether the received job can be executed within the free time, determines a printable printing company 10 for the job, and distributes it. It is an information processing system having one or more information processing devices. That is, the cloud system 50 provides a printing service to the users of the external orderer terminal 40. Here, "cloud" is an abbreviation of cloud computing, and refers to a usage form in which resources on a network are used without being aware of specific hardware resources. The term "cloud" is used in contrast to the term "on-premises" (inside the facilities managed by the user), but the cloud system 50 may be outside or inside the company LAN. One or more information processing devices included in the cloud system 50 function as servers to provide various information and processing results in response to requests from clients.

[0021] Also, when making a determination, the cloud system 50 predicts the state of the printing machine 30 at the start time of the free time, and predicts the preparation time based on the predicted state of the printing machine 30 and the state of the printing machine 30 set based on the received job information.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the cloud system 50 includes an order management service 51, a customer management service 52, a device management service 53, a vendor management service 54, a job management service 55, a digital material management service 56, and a billing management service 57. Each service is a function provided by the cloud system 50. In the cloud system 50, there may be a server corresponding to each service, or one or more servers may implement each service. An application corresponding to each service operates on the server, and the applications can communicate with each other. Each application communicates via, for example, a Web API (Application Programming Interface). Although there is no strict definition for Web API, it is an interface between applications or systems that can be called over a network using a protocol such as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

[0023] The order management service 51 receives, from an external orderer terminal 40 via the digital material management service 56, a design template and output setting information edited by the orderer, generates print data, and makes a registration request for job information for printing the print data to the job management service 55. Note that the generation of the print data is not limited to being performed by the order management service 51, and it may be generated by the management server 11 of the printing vendor 10 or the printing machine 30.

[0024] The customer management service 52 manages information on customers who use the cloud system 50, such as orderers who use the orderer terminal 40.

[0025] The device management service 53 receives device information from each printing machine 30 and provides the device information to the job management service 55.

[0026] The vendor management service 54 manages information on each printing vendor 10.

[0027] The job management service 55 acquires job information from the order management service 51, centrally manages it, refers to the device information managed by the device management service 53, and distributes it to the printing company 10 appropriate for printing the job information.

[0028] The digital material management service 56 is a service that registers and manages digital materials such as various design templates requested from the administrator terminal 12. In addition, the digital material management service 56 provides digital materials such as specified design templates in response to a request from the order management service 51 for generating print data.

[0029] When the job information is distributed to the printing company 10, the billing management service 57 registers the withdrawal information from the user (customer) of the orderer terminal 40 corresponding to the job information and the deposit information to the printing company 10 that has received the distribution of the job information, and performs billing processing.

[0030] With the above configuration, by performing printing on the printing machine 30 suitable for job execution, the operating rate of the printing machine 30 can be increased, opportunity losses can be prevented, and profits can be distributed among the printing companies 10 that use the device system 100.

[0031] (Hardware Configuration of Cloud System, Management Server, Administrator Terminal, and Orderer Terminal) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a cloud system and the like according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, the hardware configurations of the cloud system 50, the management server 11, the administrator terminal 12, and the orderer terminal 40 will be described. Here, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus constituting the cloud system 50, the management server 11, the administrator terminal 12, and the orderer terminal 40 will be described.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803, an HD (Hard Disk) 804, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 805, a display 806, an external device connection I / F 808, a network I / F 809, a keyboard 811, a pointing device 812, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 814, and a media I / F 816. These devices are connected by bus lines 810 such as an address bus and a data bus so that data communication is possible.

[0033] The CPU 801 is an arithmetic unit that controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus. The ROM 802 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs used for driving the CPU 501 such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 803 is a volatile storage device used as a work area for the CPU 801.

[0034] The HD 804 is a non-volatile auxiliary storage device that stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 805 is a controller that controls the reading or writing of various data to and from the HD 804 according to the control of the CPU 801. Note that the HD 804 and the HDD controller 805 may be an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0035] The display 806 is a display device that displays various types of information such as a cursor, menu, window, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 808 is an interface for connecting various external devices. Examples of external devices in this case include, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 809 is an interface for data communication via the network N, and is an interface capable of communication compliant with, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol).

[0036] The keyboard 811 is an input device having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 812 is an input device such as a mouse that performs selection of various instructions, execution, selection of a processing target, movement of a cursor, etc.

[0037] The DVD-RW drive 814 is a device that controls reading and writing of various data to a DVD513 such as a DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disk Recordable) or DVD-RW, which is an example of a removable recording medium. The media I / F 816 is an interface that controls reading and writing (storage) of data to the media 815 such as a flash memory.

[0038] Note that in the case of the cloud system 50, it is often realized by a virtual machine. A virtual machine refers to an information processing device when another OS operates on a host OS (Operating System).

[0039] In addition, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatuses that constitute the cloud system 50, the management server 11, the administrator terminal 12, and the orderer terminal 40 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and it is not necessary to include all the components shown in FIG. 2, or other components may be included. Needless to say, the information processing apparatuses that constitute the cloud system 50, the management server 11, the administrator terminal 12, and the orderer terminal 40 do not necessarily have the same hardware configuration.

[0040] (Hardware Configuration of Printing Machine) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a printing machine according to an embodiment. The hardware configuration of the printing machine 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing machine 30 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0042] The controller 910 includes a CPU 901 which is the main part of a computer, a MEM-P (system memory) 902, an NB (north bridge) 903, an SB (south bridge) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a MEM-C (local memory) 907, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909. Among these, the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0043] The CPU 901 is an arithmetic unit that performs overall control of the printing machine 30. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 to the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and has a memory controller for controlling reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0044] MEM-P902 includes a ROM902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for realizing each function of the controller 910, and a RAM902b which is used as a memory for program and data expansion, a drawing memory at the time of memory printing, etc. The program stored in the RAM902b may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), DVD, etc. in an installable or executable file format and provided.

[0045] SB904 is a bridge for connecting the NB903 and PCI devices, peripheral devices, etc. The ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has the role of a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD controller 908, and MEM-C907 respectively. The ASIC906 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) forming the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller for controlling the MEM-C907, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) for performing rotation of image data, etc. by hardware logic, etc., and a PCI unit for performing data transfer via the PCI bus 922 between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932. Note that a USB interface or an interface of IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) may be connected to the ASIC906.

[0046] MEM-C907 is local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. HD909 is storage for accumulating image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HDD controller 908 is a controller that controls reading or writing of data to / from HD909 according to the control of the CPU901. Note that the HDD controller 908 and HD909 may be an SSD.

[0047] The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing. By directly accessing MEM-P902 with high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0048] The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The short-range communication circuit 920 is electrically connected to the ASIC906 via the PCI bus 922. An antenna 920a for wireless communication is connected to the short-range communication circuit 920.

[0049] The engine control unit 930 includes a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. The scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 include image processing functions such as error diffusion or gamma conversion.

[0050] The operation panel 940 includes a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that displays the current set value or selection screen and accepts input from the user, and hard keys 940b including a numeric keypad that accepts set values of conditions related to image formation such as density setting conditions and a start key that accepts a copy start instruction.

[0051] Note that the printing machine 30 can sequentially switch and select the document box function, copy function, printer function, and fax function by operating the application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the document box mode is entered; when the copy function is selected, the copy mode is entered; when the printer function is selected, the printer mode is entered; and when the fax function is selected, the fax mode is entered.

[0052] The network I / F 950 is an interface for data communication via the network N, and is an interface capable of communication compliant with, for example, Ethernet and TCP / IP. The network I / F 950 is electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922.

[0053] Note that the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus constituting the printing machine 30 shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and it is not necessary to include all the components shown in FIG. 3, or other components may be included.

[0054] (Configuration and Operation of Functional Blocks of Equipment System) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the equipment system according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 4, the configuration and operation of the functional blocks of the equipment system 100 will be described.

[0055] <Management Server> As shown in FIG. 4, the management server 11 of the printing company 10 includes a communication unit 111, a template printing instruction unit 112, an imaging image registration unit 113, an imaging image transmission unit 114, a job execution instruction unit 115, and a job information storage unit 119.

[0056] The communication unit 111 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various types of information with the job management service 55. The communication unit 111 receives job information distributed by the job management service 55. The communication unit 111 registers the received job information in the job information storage unit 119. The communication unit 111 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 shown in FIG. 2 and the execution of a program by the CPU 801.

[0057] The template printing instruction unit 112 is a functional unit that instructs the printer 30 to execute the printing of a design template in response to a request from the job management service 55 in order to obtain a captured image.

[0058] The captured image registration unit 113 is a functional unit that registers a captured image of a printed matter of a design template printed by the printer 30. For example, the captured image registration unit 113 receives a captured image from an imaging device that has imaged the printed matter via the external device connection I / F 808 and stores (registers) it in the job information storage unit 119.

[0059] The captured image transmission unit 114 is a functional unit that transmits the captured image registered by the captured image registration unit 113 to the cloud system 50 via the communication unit 111.

[0060] The job execution instruction unit 115 is a functional unit that instructs the printer 30 to execute the job information according to the schedule information included in the job information for the job information registered in the job information storage unit 119.

[0061] The job information storage unit 119 is a functional unit that stores the job information received by the communication unit 111. The job information storage unit 119 is realized by at least one of the RAM 803 or the HD 804 shown in FIG. 2.

[0062] The above template printing instruction unit 112, captured image registration unit 113, captured image transmission unit 114, and job execution instruction unit 115 are realized, for example, by a program being executed by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized not by a program which is software but by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC.

[0063] Note that each functional unit of the management server 11 shown in FIG. 4 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the management server 11 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of one functional unit in the management server 11 shown in FIG. 4 may be divided into a plurality of functions and configured as a plurality of functional units.

[0064] <Printer> As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 30 of the printing company 10 includes a communication unit 301, a device information transmission unit 302, and a printing execution unit 303.

[0065] The communication unit 301 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various types of information to and from the device management service 53. The communication unit 301 transmits device information to the device management service 53, for example, in response to the control of the device information transmission unit 302. The communication unit 301 is realized, for example, by a program being executed by the network I / F 950 and the CPU 901 shown in FIG. 3.

[0066] The device information transmission unit 302 is a functional unit that transmits device information regarding the printer 30 to the device management service 53 via the communication unit 301. The device information includes, for example, the configuration such as the printing speed of the printer 30, the settings such as the paper type and size, the state of the printer 30 such as being in operation or in a failure state, and the schedule information such as how many jobs are input. The content of the device information will be described in the cloud system 50 described later.

[0067] The printing execution unit 303 is a functional unit that executes printing according to an execution instruction of job information from the job execution instruction unit 115 of the management server 11 or an execution instruction of printing a design template from the template printing instruction unit 112. Specifically, the printing execution unit 303 causes the printer unit 932 to print and output the print data included in the job information or the design template onto a recording medium such as paper.

[0068] The above-described device information transmission unit 302 and printing execution unit 303 are realized, for example, by a program being executed by the CPU 901 shown in FIG. 3. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or ASIC instead of a program that is software.

[0069] Note that each functional unit of the printing machine 30 shown in FIG. 4 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the printing machine 30 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of one functional unit of the printing machine 30 shown in FIG. 4 may be divided into a plurality and configured as a plurality of functional units.

[0070] <Administrator terminal> As shown in FIG. 4, the administrator terminal 12 includes a communication unit 121, a template registration request unit 122, a display control unit 123, and an input unit 124.

[0071] The communication unit 121 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various types of information to and from the digital material management service 56 of the cloud system 50. For example, the communication unit 121 transmits a design template for which registration is desired and the attribute information of the design template to the digital material management service 56. Here, the attribute information is information indicating the attributes of the design template, and examples include the name (title) of the design template, category, price, color, search tags, printing conditions, preview method, and captured image. The communication unit 121 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 shown in FIG. 2 and the execution of a program by the CPU 801.

[0072] The template registration request unit 122 is a functional unit that requests registration from the digital material management service 56 for the design template set on the administrator terminal 12 and the attribute information and the like operationally input via the input unit 124.

[0073] The display control unit 123 is a functional unit that controls the display operation of the display 806 of the administrator terminal 12. For example, the display control unit 123 causes the display 806 to display a template registration screen and the like, which will be described later, for setting a design template and inputting attribute information.

[0074] The input unit 124 is a functional unit that accepts operation inputs from a printer or the like. The input unit 124 is realized by the keyboard 811 and the pointing device 812 shown in FIG. 2.

[0075] The above-described template registration request unit 122 and display control unit 123 are realized, for example, by the execution of a program by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or ASIC instead of a program that is software.

[0076] Note that each functional part of the administrator terminal 12 shown in FIG. 4 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional parts shown as independent functional parts in the administrator terminal 12 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one functional part. On the other hand, the functions of one functional part in the administrator terminal 12 shown in FIG. 4 may be divided into a plurality of functions and configured as a plurality of functional parts.

[0077] <Orderer Terminal> As shown in FIG. 4, the orderer terminal 40 has a communication unit 401, a display control unit 402, and an input unit 403.

[0078] The communication unit 401 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various types of information to and from the digital material management service 56 of the cloud system 50. For example, the communication unit 401 transmits the design template edited on the orderer terminal 40 and the set output setting information to the digital material management service 56. The communication unit 401 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 shown in FIG. 2 and the CPU 801 executing a program.

[0079] The display control unit 402 is a functional unit that controls the display operation of the display 806 of the orderer terminal 40. For example, as will be described later, the display control unit 404 edits the design template, sets the output setting information, and causes the display 806 to display various screens for previewing the design template.

[0080] The input unit 403 is a functional unit that receives the operation input of the orderer. The input unit 403 is realized by the keyboard 811 and the pointing device 812 shown in FIG. 2.

[0081] The above-described display control unit 402 is realized, for example, by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program. Note that the display control unit 402 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC instead of a program that is software.

[0082] Note that each functional part of the orderer terminal 40 shown in FIG. 4 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional parts shown as independent functional parts in the orderer terminal 40 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one functional part. On the other hand, the functions of one functional part in the orderer terminal 40 shown in FIG. 4 may be divided into a plurality of functions and configured as a plurality of functional parts.

[0083] <Order Management Service> As shown in FIG. 4, the order management service 51 of the cloud system 50 has a communication part 511, an order reception part 512, a digital material acquisition part 513, a print data generation part 514, and a job registration request part 515.

[0084] The communication part 511 is a functional part that transmits and receives various kinds of information to and from an external device. The communication part 511 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 shown in FIG. 2 and a program being executed by the CPU 801.

[0085] The order reception part 512 is a functional part that receives, as an order, the design template edited by the orderer terminal 40 and the set output setting information from the digital material management service 56.

[0086] The digital material acquisition part 513 is a functional part that acquires, from the digital material management service 56, the digital materials specified by the design template received by the order reception part 512.

[0087] The print data generation part 514 is a functional part that generates print data from the design template received by the order reception part 512 and the digital materials acquired by the digital material acquisition part 513. The print data is, for example, data such as PDF (Portable Document Format) or JDF (Job Definition Format). Note that, as described above, the generation of the print data by the print data generation part 514 may be performed, for example, by the management server 11 or the printing machine 30.

[0088] The job registration request unit 515 is a functional unit that generates job information for executing printing, including the print data generated by the print data generation unit 514, and requests the registration of the job information with respect to the job management service 55.

[0089] The above-described order reception unit 512, digital material acquisition unit 513, print data generation unit 514, and job registration request unit 515 are realized, for example, by a program being executed by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC instead of a program that is software.

[0090] Note that each functional unit of the order management service 51 shown in FIG. 4 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the order management service 51 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of one functional unit of the order management service 51 shown in FIG. 4 may be divided into a plurality of functions and configured as a plurality of functional units.

[0091] <Customer management service> As shown in FIG. 4, the customer management service 52 of the cloud system 50 has a customer information storage unit 529.

[0092] The customer information storage unit 529 is a storage unit that stores information of customers (for example, orderers who use the orderer terminal 40) who use the cloud system 50 as customer information. The customer information storage unit 529 is realized by at least one of the RAM 803 or the HD 804 shown in FIG. 2.

[0093] <Device management service> As shown in FIG. 4, the device management service 53 of the cloud system 50 includes a communication unit 531, a device information registration unit 532, a device information providing unit 533, and a device information storage unit 539.

[0094] The communication unit 531 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various types of information to and from the printing press 30 of the printer 10. For example, the communication unit 531 receives device information from the printing press 30. Also, when starting communication, the communication unit 531 utilizes a two-way communication mechanism (such as WebSocket or MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport), etc.). The communication unit 531 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 shown in FIG. 2 and the execution of a program by the CPU 801.

[0095] The device information registration unit 532 is a functional unit that registers the device information received via the communication unit 531 in the device information storage unit 539.

[0096] The device information providing unit 533 is a functional unit that provides the device information registered in the device information storage unit 539 to the job management service 55. It is desirable for the device information providing unit 533 to provide the device information without delay when new device information is registered. Or, the device information providing unit 533 may provide it in response to a request from the device information acquisition unit 552 of the job management service 55, periodically, or at a timing with low load.

[0097] The device information storage unit 539 is a functional unit that stores device information. The device information storage unit 539 is implemented by at least one of the RAM 803 or the HD 804 shown in FIG. 2. The device information is information including, for example, a device ID, configuration, settings, device status, remaining paper quantity, ink, remaining ink quantity, and job status. The device ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the printing machine 30. The configuration is information regarding the functions of the printing machine 30 and includes, for example, whether color printing and black-and-white printing are possible, the printing speed if possible, and whether special processing is possible, etc. The settings are the paper size, type, grade, etc. set in the printing machine 30. The device status represents the current status of the printing machine 30 such as being in operation, stopped, or having a fault. The remaining paper quantity is the remaining quantity of paper. The ink is the type of ink loaded with process color ink and special inks (e.g., transparent ink, fluorescent ink, metallic ink, mixed-color ink, etc.). The remaining ink quantity is the remaining quantity of ink. The job status is information regarding the jobs input to the printing machine 30 and includes, for example, schedule information.

[0098] The above-described device information registration unit 532 and device information providing unit 533 are realized, for example, when a program is executed by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized not by a program that is software but by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0099] Note that each functional unit of the device management service 53 shown in FIG. 4 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the device management service 53 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of one functional unit in the device management service 53 shown in FIG. 4 may be divided into a plurality and configured as a plurality of functional units.

[0100] <Vendor Management Service> The vendor management service 54 of the cloud system 50 has a vendor information storage unit 549 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0101] The printer information storage unit 549 is a storage unit that stores information of the printer 10 using the cloud system 50 as printer information. The printer information storage unit 549 is realized by at least one of the RAM 803 or the HD 804 shown in FIG. 2.

[0102] <Job Management Service> As shown in FIG. 4, the job management service 55 of the cloud system 50 includes a communication unit 551, a device information acquisition unit 552, an imaging image request reception unit 553, a template printing instruction unit 554, an imaging image processing unit 555, a job information registration unit 556, a job execution determination unit 557, a schedule generation unit 558, a job information distribution unit 558a, a billing information notification unit 558b, and a job information storage unit 559.

[0103] The communication unit 551 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various information to and from the management server 11 of the printer 10. For example, the communication unit 551 transmits (distributes) job information to the management server 11. Also, the communication unit 551 receives a job execution completion notification from the management server 11. The communication unit 551 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 shown in FIG. 2 and the CPU 801 executing a program.

[0104] The device information acquisition unit 552 is a functional unit that receives device information from the device management service 53. The device management service 53 may transmit the device information to the job management service 55 every time new device information is received, or may transmit it periodically or when the load is low. Alternatively, the device information acquisition unit 552 may request the device management service 53 for device information and receive the device information as a result of the request. Also in this case, the device information acquisition unit 552 may request it periodically or when the load is low.

[0105] The imaging image request reception unit 553 is a functional unit that receives a request for an imaging image and a design template to be imaged from the digital material management service 56.

[0106] When the imaging image request and the design template are received by the imaging image request receiving unit 553, the template printing instruction unit 554 is a functional unit that transmits a printing instruction for the design template to the management server 11 of a predetermined printing company 10 via the communication unit 551. Note that the printing company 10 to which the template printing instruction unit 554 sends the printing instruction for the design template may be determined by, for example, the same process as the job execution determination process by the job execution determination unit 557 described later.

[0107] The imaging image processing unit 555 is a functional unit that acquires an imaging image from the management server 11 of the printing company 10 for which a printing instruction for the design template has been given by the template printing instruction unit 554 via the communication unit 551 and transmits it to the digital material management service 56.

[0108] The job information registration unit 556 is a functional unit that receives the registration of job information from the order management service 51. Specifically, the job information registration unit 556 receives the job information transmitted by the job registration request unit 515 of the order management service 51 via the communication unit 551 and registers it in the job information storage unit 559. The content of the job information will be described later.

[0109] The job execution determination unit 557 is a functional unit that determines which printing company 10 should execute the job information registered in the job information storage unit 559 by the job information registration unit 556 (which printing machine 30 of which printing company 10 should perform the printing process). For example, the job execution determination unit 557 predicts the state of the printing machine 30 at the start of the idle time based on the current state of the printing machines 30 of each printing company 10 and the schedule information for which job execution is scheduled, and determines whether the newly received jobs can be completed by the end of the idle time. Further, the job execution determination unit 557 determines the printing company 10 and the printing machine 30 that satisfy the printing conditions of the design template included in the printing data of the job information and the conditions corresponding to the preview method among the printing companies 10 capable of executing the job from the schedule information. Here, being compatible with the preview method means that when a special preview is specified as the preview method, it is compatible with printing with special features or special processing.

[0110] Note that there may be a plurality of printing companies 10 that execute the job by the job execution determination unit 557.

[0111] The schedule generation unit 558 is a functional unit that generates schedule information when the printing company 10 that executes the job information is determined by the job execution determination unit 557. In this case, the schedule generation unit 558 stores the generated schedule information in the job information storage unit 559 together with the job information. The schedule information is information representing the schedule of when to execute the job from when to when.

[0112] The job information distribution unit 558a is a functional unit that transmits (distributes) the job information including the schedule information generated by the schedule generation unit 558 to the management server 11 of the printing company 10 that executes the job information determined by the job execution determination unit 557 via the communication unit 551.

[0113] When job information is executed on the printing machine 30 of the printing company 10, the billing information notification unit 558b is a functional unit that notifies the billing management service 57 of the withdrawal information from the orderer (customer) of the orderer terminal 40 that ordered the print data of the job information and the deposit information to the printing company 10 that received the distribution of the job information.

[0114] The job information storage unit 559 is a functional unit that stores job information. The job information storage unit 559 is realized by at least one of the RAM 803 or the HD 804 shown in FIG. 2. The job information is information including, for example, a job ID, paper, number of sheets, image quality requirement, desired delivery date, print data, customer information, schedule information, destination, log, and status. The job ID is identification information for identifying job information. The paper is the size, grade, and type of paper required for this job. The number of sheets is the number of copies to be printed in the job. The image quality requirement is the image quality (e.g., resolution, etc.) required for the printed matter. The desired delivery date is the delivery date of the printed matter desired by the customer. The print data is the data to be printed. The customer information is information for identifying the customer who requested this job. The schedule information is information on when the printing machine 30 to which this job is assigned will execute the job from when to when. The destination is information on the distribution destination of the printed matter. The log is the start time and end time when the job was actually executed and is also included in the job execution completion notification. The status is information indicating the progress status of the current job. Note that the job information may include information other than the above-described information.

[0115] The above-described device information acquisition unit 552, imaging image request reception unit 553, template printing instruction unit 554, imaging image processing unit 555, job information registration unit 556, job execution determination unit 557, schedule generation unit 558, job information distribution unit 558a, and billing information notification unit 558b are realized, for example, by a program being executed by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC instead of a program that is software.

[0116] Note that each functional part of the job management service 55 shown in FIG. 4 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional parts shown as independent functional parts in the job management service 55 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one functional part. On the other hand, the functions of one functional part in the job management service 55 shown in FIG. 4 may be divided into a plurality of parts and configured as a plurality of functional parts.

[0117] <Digital material management service> The digital material management service 56 of the cloud system 50 includes a communication unit 561, a registration unit 562 (the registration unit 562 as an example of the registration unit), a determination unit 563 (the determination unit 563 as an example of the first determination unit and an example of the second determination unit), a simulate generation unit 564 (the simulate generation unit 564 as an example of the generation unit), an imaging image request unit 565 (the imaging image request unit 565 as an example of the request unit), a preview control unit 566 (the preview control unit 566 as an example of the generation unit and an example of the transmission unit), a setting unit 567, a digital material providing unit 568, a display control unit 568a, and a digital material storage unit 569 (the digital material storage unit 569 as an example of the storage unit).

[0118] The communication unit 561 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various types of information between the administrator terminal 12 and the orderer terminal 40. For example, the communication unit 561 receives a registration request for a design template from the administrator terminal 12 and a printing order request for the design template from the orderer terminal 40. The communication unit 561 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 shown in FIG. 2 and the CPU 801 executing a program.

[0119] The registration unit 562 is a functional unit that receives a design template, attribute information, printing conditions, a preview method, and an imaging image set in the administrator terminal 12 via the communication unit 561 and registers them in the digital material storage unit 569.

[0120] The determination unit 563 is a functional unit that determines whether the preview method of the design template to be previewed during order processing on the administrator terminal 12 is a special preview (special preview as an example of a first preview method) or a normal preview (normal preview as an example of a second preview method). Here, the special preview refers to a preview method that can reproduce the state of the special color or special processing set in the design template, for example, by displaying a preview using a simulated image or a captured image. On the other hand, the normal preview refers to a preview method using a normal method that does not require reproduction of the state of the special color or special processing. The normal preview may use, for example, an image of the design template or a preview image whose size, resolution, etc. have been changed or processed. The determination unit 563 may execute multiple determination processes (determinations by the first determination unit and the second determination unit) using a single software module, or may be configured with multiple software modules (first determination unit and second determination unit) each of which executes a determination process.

[0121] The simulation generation unit 564 is a functional unit that generates an image (simulated image) by virtually setting and simulating the surface angle, light source, and viewpoint for the design template when the preview method associated with the design template is a special preview.

[0122] The captured image request unit 565 is a functional unit that requests a captured image from the job management service 55 in order to display a preview of the design template when the preview method associated with the design template is a special preview.

[0123] The preview control unit 566 is a functional unit that transmits a preview image (a normal image, a simulated image, a captured image, etc.) to the administrator terminal 12 via the communication unit 561 in order to display a preview of the design template on the client terminal 40.

[0124] The setting unit 567 is a functional unit that transmits the design template edited on the orderer terminal 40 and the output setting information as an order to the order management service 51.

[0125] The digital material providing unit 568 is a functional unit that reads out the digital materials and attribute information necessary for generating print data from the digital material storage unit 569 in response to a request from the order management service 51 and provides them to the order management service 51 via the communication unit 561.

[0126] The display control unit 568a is a functional unit that provides a series of screens such as a template registration screen to the administrator terminal 12 and an order workflow screen for placing a print order to the orderer terminal 40, and accepts requests input by the operator of the terminal. For example, the display control unit 568a provides screen information (HTML (HyperText Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), JavaScript (registered trademark), etc.) as the front end of the cloud system 50, and passes the input information of the operator to the registration unit 562 and the like.

[0127] The digital material storage unit 569 is a functional unit that stores design templates, attribute information, printing conditions, preview methods, and captured images. The digital material storage unit 569 is realized by at least one of the RAM 803 or the HD 804 shown in FIG. 2.

[0128] The above-described registration unit 562, determination unit 563, simulation generation unit 564, captured image request unit 565, preview control unit 566, setting unit 567, digital material providing unit 568, and display control unit 568a are realized, for example, by a program being executed by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC instead of a program that is software.

[0129] Note that each functional part of the digital material management service 56 shown in FIG. 4 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional parts shown as independent functional parts in the digital material management service 56 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one functional part. On the other hand, the functions of one functional part in the digital material management service 56 shown in FIG. 4 may be divided into a plurality of parts and configured as a plurality of functional parts.

[0130] <Billing Management Service> The billing management service 57 of the cloud system 50 has a billing processing unit 571 and a billing information storage unit 579.

[0131] The billing processing unit 571 is a functional unit that registers the withdrawal information from the orderer (customer) and the deposit information to each printer 10 in the billing information storage unit 579, and requests a transfer process to the bank system corresponding to the bank accounts of the orderer (customer) and each printer 10 based on this information. The bank system executes the transfer process between bank accounts on the settlement date.

[0132] The billing information storage unit 579 is a functional unit that stores the withdrawal information and the deposit information. The billing information storage unit 579 is realized by at least one of the RAM 803 or the HD 804 shown in FIG. 2.

[0133] The above-mentioned billing processing unit 571 is realized, for example, by a program being executed by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2. Note that the billing processing unit 571 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC instead of a program that is software.

[0134] Note that each functional part of the billing management service 57 shown in FIG. 4 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional parts shown as independent functional parts in the billing management service 57 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one functional part. On the other hand, the functions of one functional part in the billing management service 57 shown in FIG. 4 may be divided into a plurality of parts and configured as a plurality of functional parts.

[0135] (Data model) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data model used in the device system according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 5, the data model used in the device system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0136] <Billing management service> The billing management service 57 has the following deposit and withdrawal information (withdrawal information and deposit information stored in the billing information storage unit 579).

[0137] · Registration date · Deposit / withdrawal classification · Amount

[0138] The deposit and withdrawal information is generated, for example, when job information corresponding to order data transmitted from the orderer terminal 40 is distributed to any of the printers 10 and executed. The deposit / withdrawal classification of the provider is withdrawal, and the deposit / withdrawal classification of the recipient is deposit.

[0139] <Vendor management service> The vendor management service 54 has the following vendor information regarding the printer 10 (information stored in the vendor information storage unit 549).

[0140] · Name · Address · Email address · Account number (bank account) · Role

[0141] Among these, the role is information indicating a distinction such as a printer or a designer.

[0142] <Device management service> As described above, the printing machine 30 periodically transmits device information to the device management service 53 at the timing when the device information changes. The device management service 53 has the following information regarding the model (information stored in the device information storage unit 539).

[0143] · Paper · Image quality · Speed

[0144] In addition, the device management service 53 has the following information about the printing machine 30 (information stored in the device information storage unit 539).

[0145] · Machine number

[0146] In addition, the device management service 53 has the following information about the configuration (information stored in the device information storage unit 539).

[0147] · Hardware configuration (for example, whether color printing and black-and-white printing are possible, the printing speed if possible, and whether special processing is possible, etc.) · Software configuration · Settings · Update date and time

[0148] In addition, the device management service 53 has the following information about the state of the printing machine 30 (information stored in the device information storage unit 539).

[0149] · Status (standby, preparation, printing, stopped, error, etc.) · Paper (paper type, remaining quantity, etc.) · Ink (type of process color ink or special color ink, remaining quantity, etc.) · Adjustment status (alignment, color tone, etc.) · Update date and time

[0150] <Job management service> The job management service 55 has the following information about the job (information stored in the job information storage unit 559).

[0151] · Paper · Number of sheets (number of copies) · Image quality requirement · Print data · Desired delivery date

[0152] In addition, the job management service 55 has the following information regarding the schedule (information stored in the job information storage unit 559).

[0153] · Scheduled start date and time of preparation · Scheduled end date and time of preparation · Scheduled start date and time of printing · Scheduled end date and time of printing

[0154] In addition, the job management service 55 has the following information regarding the execution result (information sent in the job execution completion notification).

[0155] · Execution status · Start date and time of preparation · End date and time of preparation · Start date and time of printing · End date and time of printing · Paper · Number of sheets · Confirmed amount

[0156] Note that the job execution completion notification is generated when the job is completed.

[0157] <Customer management service> The customer management service 52 has the following customer information (information stored in the customer information storage unit 529).

[0158] · Name · Address · Email address · Account number (bank account)

[0159] <Order management service> The order management service 51 manages the following information regarding the order (order details).

[0160] · Size · Paper · Image quality requirement (color) · Processing · Number of sheets (number of copies) · Desired delivery date · Effect measurement · Location of printing data

[0161] Among these, the location of the print data is information indicating the storage destination of the print data to be generated by the order management service 51.

[0162] In addition, the order management service 51 has destination information (distribution destination of the printing department) in association with the information regarding the above-mentioned order.

[0163] <Digital material management service> The digital material management service 56 has attribute information, printing conditions, and preview methods (information stored in the digital material storage unit 569) regarding the following digital materials (here, design templates).

[0164] · Title · Category · Price · Color · Search tag · Printing conditions · Preview method

[0165] In addition, the digital material management service 56 has design templates and captured images (information stored in the digital material storage unit 569) in association with the attribute information, printing conditions, and preview methods regarding the above-mentioned digital materials (here, design templates).

[0166] (Template registration process) FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the template registration process. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the template registration screen. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the flow of the template registration process of the device system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0167] <Step S51> The user of the administrator terminal 12 performs a display operation of the template registration screen 1000 shown in FIG. 7 via the input unit 124. Then, the display control unit 123 causes the display 806 to display the template registration screen 1000. In this case, the display control unit 123 receives and displays the screen information of the template registration screen 1000 from the display control unit 568a of the digital material management service 56.

[0168] The template registration screen 1000 shown in FIG. 7 is a screen for registering a design template created by a user (such as a printer or a designer) of the administrator terminal 12 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a creator) in the digital material management service 56. As shown in FIG. 7, the template registration screen 1000 includes an image file input area 1001, a title input area 1002, a category input area 1003, a price input area 1004, a color input area 1005, a search tag input area 1006, a paper size input area 1007, a paper type input area 1008, a post-processing input area 1009, a preview method designation area 1010, a selection button 1011, and a registration button 1012.

[0169] The image file input area 1001 is an input area for inputting a file of a design template created by the creator. Specifically, the creator can perform an input setting in the image file input area 1001 by dragging and dropping the file of the design template to the image file input area 1001 by operating the input unit 124. Note that, by inputting and registering the image file, an icon image corresponding to the digital material is automatically generated in the digital material management service 56 based on the image file. Further, this icon image may be used for normal preview.

[0170] The title input area 1002 is an input area for entering the name of the design template to be registered. The category input area 1003 is an input area for entering the category of the design template to be registered. The price input area 1004 is an input area for entering the price set as the usage fee of the design template to be registered. The color input area 1005 is an input area for entering the color attributes used in the design template to be registered. For example, if the design template consists only of process colors, select and enter "Process Color"; if the design template includes special features, select and enter "Special Features"; if the design template includes special processing, select and enter "Special Processing". The search tag input area 1006 is an input area for entering search tags used to search for the design template to be registered.

[0171] The paper size input area 1007 is an input area for selectively entering the paper size as a printing condition associated with the design template to be registered. The paper type input area 1008 is an input area for selectively entering the paper type as a printing condition associated with the design template to be registered. The post-processing input area 1009 is an input area for selectively entering the post-processing treatment as a printing condition associated with the design template to be registered.

[0172] The preview method specification area 1010 is a specification area for specifying the preview method of the design template to be registered. For example, in the preview method specification area 1010, normal preview or special preview can be specified.

[0173] The selection button 1011 is a button for selecting a file of the captured image of the printed matter of the design template to be registered, which is stored in the administrator terminal 12 or an external storage device, etc. Note that the file to be selected by the selection button 1011 is not limited to the actual captured image, and may be an image serving as a sample expected when the design template is printed. In this case as well, it will be described as a captured image.

[0174] The registration button 1012 is a button for registering with the digital material management service 56 by associating the design template input in the image file input area 1001 with the attribute information, printing conditions, preview method, and captured image that were input and specified above. Here, the attribute information is the input information in the above 1002 to 1006.

[0175] <Step S52> The creator inputs various attribute information and printing conditions on the template registration screen 1000 by operating the input unit 124.

[0176] <Step S53> The creator designates a preview method for the preview method designation area 1010 on the template registration screen 1000 by operating the input unit 124. Specifically, the creator designates normal preview or special preview for the preview method designation area 1010.

[0177] <Step S54> The creator selects, by operating the input unit 124 and then operating the selection button 1011 on the template registration screen 1000, the file of the captured image of the printed matter of the design template to be registered, which is stored in the administrator terminal 12 or an external storage device or the like.

[0178] <Step S55> The creator presses the registration button 1012 by operating the input unit 124. Then, the template registration request unit 122 of the administrator terminal 12 requests registration with the digital material management service 56 via the communication unit 121 for the design template, attribute information, printing conditions, preview method, and captured image that were input and specified on the template registration screen 1000.

[0179] <Step S56> The registration unit 562 of the digital material management service 56 receives a design template, attribute information, printing conditions, preview method, and captured image from the administrator terminal 12 via the communication unit 561, associates each of them, and registers them in the digital material storage unit 569.

[0180] Note that the display control unit 568a of the digital material management service 56 is an example of a "reception unit" that transmits screen information to the administrator terminal 12 and receives requests from the administrator terminal 12 side. Further, the "reception unit" is configured by combining the display control unit 568a and the registration unit 561 in detail, and performs a process of receiving requests from the operator of the administrator terminal 12 via the template registration request unit 122, display control unit 123, and input unit 124 of the administrator terminal 12.

[0181] (Overall processing flow of the device system) FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the overall processing flow of the device system according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 8, the overall processing flow of the device system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0182] <Step S11> The device information transmission unit 302 of the printing machine 30 of each printing company 10 transmits device information regarding the printing machine 30 to the device management service 53 via the communication unit 301.

[0183] <Step S12> The device information registration unit 532 of the device management service 53 registers the device information received via the communication unit 531 in the device information storage unit 539. As a result, the device information stored in the device information storage unit 539 is updated to the latest one.

[0184] <Step S13> Next, the device information providing unit 533 of the device management service 53 provides the device information registered in the device information storage unit 539 to the job management service 55. Then, the device information acquisition unit 552 of the job management service 55 receives the device information from the device management service 53.

[0185] <Step S14> The orderer of the orderer terminal 40 performs a display operation of the order workflow screen 1100 shown in FIG. 14 described later via the input unit 403. Then, the display control unit 402 causes the display 806 to display the order workflow screen 1100. In this case, the display control unit 402 receives and displays the screen information of the order workflow screen 1100 from the display control unit 568a of the digital material management service 56.

[0186] <Step S15> The orderer performs an order workflow process for preview confirmation, selection, editing, output setting, etc. of the design template via the order workflow screen 1100 shown in FIG. 14 described later. The screen transition in this order workflow process, the setting / editing operations on each screen, and the preview display process of the design template will be described in detail in FIGS. 14 to 23 described later.

[0187] <Step S16> After the order workflow process, the orderer presses the order button 1506 of the order confirmation screen 1500 shown in FIG. 18 described later by operating the input unit 403. Then, the display control unit 402 transmits the design template and the output setting information edited by the orderer to the order management service 51 via the communication unit 401.

[0188] <Step S17> Then, the order reception unit 512 of the order management service 51 receives the design template and the set output setting information as an order from the orderer terminal 40 via the communication unit 511.

[0189] <Steps S18, S19> The digital material acquisition unit 513 of the order management service 51 requests the digital material management service 56 via the communication unit 511 for the digital materials (illustration data, templates) specified by the design template received by the order reception unit 512. The digital material providing unit 568 of the digital material management service 56 reads out the digital materials, attribute information, and printing conditions from the digital material storage unit 569 in response to the request from the order management service 51, and provides them to the order management service 51 via the communication unit 561.

[0190] <Step S20> The print data generation unit 514 of the order management service 51 generates print data from the design template received by the order reception unit 512 and the digital materials acquired by the digital material acquisition unit 513.

[0191] <Step S21> Then, the job registration request unit 515 of the order management service 51 generates job information including the print data generated by the print data generation unit 514 for the job management service 55, and makes a registration request for the job information.

[0192] <Step S22> The job information registration unit 556 of the job management service 55 receives the registration of job information from the order management service 51. Specifically, the job information registration unit 556 receives the job information transmitted by the job registration request unit 515 of the order management service 51 via the communication unit 551, and registers it in the job information storage unit 559.

[0193] <Step S23> Then, the job execution determination unit 557 of the job management service 55 performs a job execution determination process for determining which printing company 10 to execute the job information registered in the job information storage unit 559 by the job information registration unit 556 (which printing machine 30 of which printing company 10 to perform the printing process). The details of this job execution determination process will be described later.

[0194] <Step S24> When the schedule generation unit 558 of the job management service 55 determines that the printing company 10 or the printing machine 30 that executes the job information is determined by the job execution determination unit 557, it generates schedule information. Then, the schedule generation unit 558 stores the generated schedule information in the job information storage unit 559 together with the job information.

[0195] <Step S25> The job information distribution unit 558a of the job management service 55 transmits (distributes) the job information including the schedule information generated by the schedule generation unit 558 to the management server 11 of the printing company 10 that executes the job information determined by the job execution determination unit 557 via the communication unit 551. Then, the communication unit 111 of the management server 11 of the printing company 10 receives the job information including the schedule information.

[0196] <Step S26> The communication unit 111 of the management server 11 registers the received job information in the job information storage unit 119. Hereinafter, the description will be made assuming that the job information has been registered in the job information storage unit 119.

[0197] <Step S27> The job execution instruction unit 115 of the management server 11 instructs the printing machine 30 to execute the job information according to the schedule information included in the job information for the job information registered in the job information storage unit 119 by the communication unit 111.

[0198] <Step S28> The printing execution unit 303 of the printing machine 30 of the printing company 10 executes the job information in response to the execution instruction of the job information from the job execution instruction unit 115 of the management server 11. Specifically, the printing execution unit 303 causes the printer unit 932 to print and output the printing data included in the job information on a recording medium such as paper.

[0199] <Steps S29, S30> When the execution of a job is completed, the printing execution unit 303 sends a job execution completion notification to the management server 11. Then, the communication unit 111 of the management server 11 sends the job execution completion notification received from the printing machine 30 to the job management service 55. And the communication unit 551 of the job management service 55 receives the job execution completion notification.

[0200] <Steps S31, S32> The billing information notification unit 558b of the job management service 55 notifies the billing management service 57 of the withdrawal information from the orderer (customer) of the ordering terminal 40 that ordered the print data of the job information and the deposit information to the printer 10 that received the distribution of the job information. The billing processing unit 571 of the billing management service 57 registers the withdrawal information from the orderer (customer) and the deposit information to each printer 10 in the billing information storage unit 579, and requests a transfer process to the bank system corresponding to the bank accounts of the orderer (customer) and each printer 10 based on these information.

[0201] (Job Execution Judgment Process) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the printing preparation and printing of a job by arrow lines. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the job execution judgment process of the cloud system according to the embodiment. The details of the job execution judgment process in step S23 of FIG. 8 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0202] In FIG. 9, the printing preparation and printing schedule information for two printing machines 30 (printing machine A, B) are shown. The dotted line indicates the printing preparation, and the solid line indicates the printing. The part without a dotted line or a solid line is the idle time. The length of the arrow represents time.

[0203] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the specific flow of the job execution judgment process in step S23 of FIG. 8 described above will be described.

[0204] <Step S231> The job execution determination unit 557 searches for available time in the schedule information by the printing deadline for all printing machines 30 (if there are multiple) of the printer 10 for which execution permission is to be determined. Then, it proceeds to step S232.

[0205] <Step S232> Then, the job execution determination unit 557 determines the printers 10 and printing machines 30 that satisfy the conditions corresponding to the printing conditions and preview methods of the design templates included in the print data of the job information among the printers 10 for which available time in the schedule information has been searched. It proceeds to step S233.

[0206] <Step S233> Next, the job execution determination unit 557 predicts the state of the printing machine 30 at the start time of the available time from the current device state and the schedule information until the available time of interest for the printing machine 30 of the printer 10 determined to be printable. The state of the printing machine 30 is, for example, the set paper type, remaining paper amount, ink, remaining ink amount, or adjustment state, but the prediction method will be described later. Predicting the state of the printing machine 30 at the start time of the available time in this way is because operations such as paper setting, roll paper replacement, ink replenishment, head cleaning, adjustment (alignment, color tone, etc.), and test printing are required as preparatory work before printing starts, and in commercial printing, the time required for preparation is long. Then, it proceeds to step S234.

[0207] <Step S234> The job execution determination unit 557 determines the necessity of paper replacement, ink replenishment, or adjustment as preparation for job execution based on the predicted state of the printing machine 30 and the new job information. The new job information also determines the paper type to be set, the required number of sheets of paper, the ink (type), the ink amount, etc. If the predicted states are different from the state of the printing machine 30 set for the execution of the new job information, the job execution determination unit 557 determines that replacement, adjustment, or replenishment is necessary. It is also desirable to determine the necessity of head cleaning. Further, the job execution determination unit 557 determines the prediction of the state of the printing machine 30 and the necessity of head cleaning with reference to the past history. If paper replacement, ink replenishment, or adjustment is necessary (step S234: Yes), the process proceeds to step S235; if not (step S234: No), the process proceeds to step S236.

[0208] <Step S235> If paper replacement, ink replenishment, or adjustment is necessary, the job execution determination unit 557 predicts the job preparation time and execution time in consideration of paper replacement, ink replenishment, or adjustment. The time required for paper replacement, ink replenishment, or adjustment is estimated in advance for each paper type and adjustment content. Then, the process proceeds to step S237.

[0209] <Step S236> If paper replacement, ink replenishment, or adjustment is not necessary, the job execution determination unit 557 predicts the job preparation time without considering paper replacement, ink replenishment, or adjustment. In this case, the job execution determination unit 557 sets, for example, a certain fixed time (the minimum time required for starting the operation of the printing machine 30) as the job preparation time. Then, the process proceeds to step S237.

[0210] <Step S237> Next, the job execution determination unit 557 determines whether a job can be executed during the idle time. That is, when "idle time > preparation time + execution time", the job execution determination unit 557 determines that the job can be executed during the idle time. However, if the predicted execution end time exceeds the desired delivery date, the job execution determination unit 557 determines that execution is not possible during this idle time. Also, if the predicted execution end time does not exceed the desired delivery date but the next schedule information is registered after the idle time, the job execution determination unit 557 corrects the prediction of the preparation time of the job information set after the execution of the new job. The prediction method is the same as in step S233. Further, if the preparation time changes and the job execution determination unit 557 advances the preparation start time of the next job information to meet the desired delivery date, but the predicted execution end time of the new job exceeds the advanced preparation start time of the next job information, the job execution determination unit 557 determines that execution is not possible during this idle time. If the job cannot be executed during the idle time (step S237: No), the process proceeds to step S238. If execution is possible (step S237: Yes), the process proceeds to step S239.

[0211] <Step S238> If the job cannot be executed during the idle time, the job execution determination unit 557 determines that the job cannot be executed during this idle time.

[0212] <Step S239> If the job can be executed during the idle time, the job execution determination unit 557 sets the schedule information during the idle time.

[0213] As described above, the job execution determination unit 557 determines whether a job can be executed for each idle time. If there are multiple idle times when execution is possible, the job execution determination unit 557 selects the idle time for executing the job as follows, for example.

[0214] · Select the idle time with a shorter preparation time for the next schedule information. · If the gap time between the next schedule information is equal to or less than the threshold value, select the one with the shorter gap time. Humph. · If the gap time between the following schedule information is equal to or greater than the threshold value, select the one with the longer gap time. Humph.

[0215] By these selection methods, the overall productivity is improved by reducing the preparation time for paper replacement etc., the overall productivity is improved by reducing the idle time when jobs cannot be assigned, and the overall productivity is improved by enabling other jobs to be assigned to the idle time.

[0216] (Prediction processing of equipment state) FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the prediction of the equipment state at the start time of the idle time. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the prediction processing of the equipment state in the cloud system according to the embodiment. While referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the details of the prediction processing of the equipment state in step S233 of FIG. 10 described above will be explained.

[0217] In FIG. 11, an example is shown in which jobs (1) to (3) are set in the printing machine A, and jobs (1) and (2) are set in the printing machine B. The thick double-headed arrows 601 between jobs are job information added to the idle time in the printing machine A. The double-headed arrows 602 are job information added to the idle time in the printing machine B. When it is determined that a job can be executed during the idle time, a new job is set during the idle time. Hereinafter, while referring to FIG. 12, the procedure for determining whether a new job can be set in the idle time between jobs (2) and (3) that the printing machine A is scheduled to execute will be explained. As described above in step S233 of FIG. 10, the job execution determination unit 557 needs to predict the state of the printing machine 30 at the start time t of the idle time when the job (2) immediately before the idle time ends.

[0218] <Step S2331> First, the job execution determination unit 557 determines whether the paper type of the new job is the same as that of job (2). If they are different (step S2331: No), it proceeds to step S2332. If they are the same (step S2331: Yes), it proceeds to step S2333.

[0219] <Step S2332> If the paper type of the new job is different from that of job (2), the job execution determination unit 557 determines that paper replacement is necessary. Then, it proceeds to step S2333.

[0220] <Step S2333> Next, the job execution determination unit 557 determines whether there is enough remaining paper to execute the job. When jobs (1), (2), and the new job are of the same paper type, the job execution determination unit 557 subtracts the usage amounts of jobs (1) and (2) from the current remaining paper amount in the device information. Also, when jobs (1) and (2) are of different paper types and the new job is of the same paper type as job 2, the job execution determination unit 557 subtracts the usage amount of job (2) from the remaining amount of the paper type used by job (2) (not necessarily new). Also, when there is no paper left or it is predicted that paper will run out during the execution of job (1) and job (2), or job (2), the job execution determination unit 557 subtracts the subsequent usage amount from the amount of paper after replacement. Also, when the paper types of job (2) and the new job are different, since paper replacement is necessary, the job execution determination unit 557 acquires the remaining amount of the paper type to be used in the new job (not necessarily new).

[0221] If there are multiple rolls of the same paper, in order to reduce paper replacement during the execution of the new job, a roll with a larger remaining amount than the new job may be selected. Also, in order to avoid paper waste, a roll with a smaller remaining amount than the new job may be selected to use up the paper. Also, the replacement policy may be made changeable in the administrator settings.

[0222] When comparing the remaining paper quantity at the completion of job (2) execution, or the remaining paper quantity of the paper type that has been replaced, with the number of sheets required for the new job, and predicting that paper will run out and need to be replaced during job execution (step S2333: No), the process proceeds to step S2334. Otherwise (step S2333: Yes), the process proceeds to step S2335.

[0223] <Step S2334> When comparing the remaining paper quantity at the completion of job (2) execution, or the remaining paper quantity of the paper type that has been replaced, with the number of sheets required for the new job, and predicting that paper will run out and need to be replaced during job execution, job execution determination unit 557 determines that it is necessary to replace with new paper. Then, the process proceeds to step S2335.

[0224] <Step S2335> Next, job execution determination unit 557 determines whether the ink types are the same and whether there is enough remaining ink to execute the job. The thinking is the same as for paper type and remaining paper quantity, but the time required for ink replacement and replenishment is shorter than that for paper. If the ink types are different, or if the ink types are the same but there is not enough remaining ink to execute the job (step S2335: No), the process proceeds to step S2336. If the ink types are the same and there is enough remaining ink to execute the job (step S2335: Yes), the process proceeds to step S2337.

[0225] <Step S2336> If the ink types are different, or if the ink types are the same but there is not enough remaining ink to execute the job, job execution determination unit 557 determines that it is necessary to replenish the ink so that replenishment does not occur during job execution. Then, the process proceeds to step S2337.

[0226] <Step S2337> Next, the job execution determination unit 557 determines whether it is the same as the adjustment state of job (2). The adjustment state refers to the formation position of the image on the paper and the color development state. At the end of job (2), it is in the adjustment state according to the paper of job (2) and the image quality requirements. Therefore, whether it is the same adjustment state as the new job is determined by the paper of the new job and the image quality requirements, so the job execution determination unit 557 determines whether the two are the same. If the two are not the same (step S2337: No), it proceeds to step S2338. If the two are the same (step S2337: Yes), the prediction process of the device state ends.

[0227] <Step S2338> If they are not the same, the job execution determination unit 557 determines that position and color adjustment are necessary. Then, the prediction process of the device state ends.

[0228] As described above, the state of the printing machine 30 at the start time of the idle time can be predicted, and the preparation time can be calculated based on the predicted state of the printing machine 30 and the state of the printing machine 30 set based on the received job information.

[0229] (Preparation time and execution time) FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the prediction operation of the preparation time and the execution time. The preparation time and the execution time will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

[0230] The preparation time is the time required for preparation, and the execution time is the time required for job execution. As shown in FIG. 13, the preparation time can be expressed as "T" PC + T if + T hc + T ac + T tp ". That is, it is the sum of the time required for paper replacement, the time required for ink replenishment, the time required for head cleaning, the time required for adjustment, and the time required for test printing. In this way, the sum of the time required for paper replacement, ink replenishment, or adjustment required to obtain the state of the printing machine 30 based on the job information registered by the job information registration unit 556 is the preparation time.

[0231] Here, T PC is the time required for paper replacement. If the paper type is the same between the previous job and the new job and there is sufficient remaining amount, it is 0 and no replacement is required. T if is the time required for ink replenishment. If the ink type is the same as the new job and there is sufficient remaining amount, it is 0 and no replenishment is required. T hc is the time required for head cleaning. If it can be determined from the past execution history that head cleaning is not required, it is 0. T ac is the time required for adjustment (alignment, color tone, etc.). If the paper and image quality requirements are the same between the previous job and the job to be executed and it can be determined from the past execution history that no adjustment is required, it is 0. T tp is the time required for test printing. <X

[0232] The execution time can also be expressed as "T PC +T if +T hc +T ac +T pp ". That is, it is the sum of the time required for paper replacement during job execution, the time required for ink replenishment, the time required for head cleaning, the time required for adjustment, and the printing time. However, T PC , T if , T hc and T ac are the times when replacement occurs during job execution. Also, in the execution time, the test printing time T tp is not considered, but the printing time T pp is predicted. The printing time T pp is calculated as "number of pages per copy × number of copies in job information / printing speed".

[0233] (Notification of job execution completion) When the job execution at the printing machine 30 is completed, the management server 11 sends a job execution completion notification to the job management service 55. The job execution completion notification includes the log of the executed job (preparation time and execution time), the amount, and the status of the printing machine 30 before and after job execution, etc.

[0234] The states of the printing machine 30 before and after job execution include the paper type of the previous job, the paper type of the new job, the remaining paper quantity of the previous job, the number of sheets of paper consumed in the new job, the ink type of the previous job, the ink type of the new job, the remaining ink quantity of the previous job, the remaining ink quantity of the new job, the adjustment state of the previous job, and the adjustment state of the new job, etc.

[0235] The job management service 55 can accumulate the states of the printing machine 30 before and after job execution in association with the job execution completion notification, and improve the prediction accuracy of the preparation time and the execution time by performing statistical processing or machine learning.

[0236] Machine learning is a technology for enabling a computer to acquire learning capabilities like those of humans. It refers to a technology in which a computer autonomously generates algorithms necessary for judgments such as data identification from pre-loaded learning data and applies this to new data for prediction. The learning method for machine learning may be any of supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and deep learning methods, and furthermore, a learning method combining these learning methods may also be used. The learning method for machine learning is not limited.

[0237] Note that the techniques of machine learning include neural networks, perceptrons, deep learning, support vector machines, logistic regression, naive Bayes, decision trees, random forests, etc., and are not limited to the techniques described in this embodiment.

[0238] (Order Workflow Processing) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an order workflow screen. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a template list screen. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a template edit screen. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an output settings screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an order confirmation screen. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another example of an order confirmation screen. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a preview display operation in the device system according to the embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an operation of generating a simulated image in the device system according to the embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining an operation of displaying a plurality of simulated images with different viewpoints. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of response processing of an imaged image in a printer according to the embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 14 to 23, the screen transition, the setting / editing operations on each screen, and the preview display processing of the design template in the order workflow process (step S15 in FIG. 8) in the device system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0239] As described in step S14 of FIG. 8 above, when the orderer of the orderer terminal 40 performs a display operation of the order workflow screen 1100 shown in FIG. 14 via the input unit 403, the display control unit 402 causes the display 806 to display the order workflow screen 1100. In this case, the display control unit 402 receives and displays the screen information of the order workflow screen 1100 from the display control unit 568a of the digital material management service 56. The same applies to the screens shown in FIGS. 15 to 19 described later. Note that, although the screens are assumed to transition in the order from FIG. 14 to FIG. 18 (FIG. 19), the order of transition is not limited to this.

[0240] The order workflow screen 1100 shown in FIG. 14 is an initial screen for a series of order workflow processes for selecting / editing a design template, confirming a preview display showing a state when printed, and finally placing an order. As shown in FIG. 14, the order workflow screen 1100 includes a new creation button 1101 and a template selection button 1102.

[0241] The new creation button 1101 is a button for selecting data to be printed prepared by the orderer, rather than a design template. The template selection button 1102 is a button for displaying the template list screen 1200 (an example of the first screen) shown in FIG. 15 for selecting a desired design template to be printed from the list of design templates registered in the digital material management service 56.

[0242] When the template selection button 1102 is pressed by the orderer, the display control unit 402 causes the display 806 to display the template list screen 1200 shown in FIG. 15.

[0243] The template list screen 1200 shown in FIG. 15 is a screen that displays a list of preview images of design templates registered in the digital material management service 56 and allows any design template to be selected as the order target. As shown in FIG. 15, the template list screen 1200 includes template display areas 1201a, 1201b, 1201c, check boxes 1202a, 1202b, 1202c, a decision button 1203, and a cancel button 1204.

[0244] The template display areas 1201a, 1201b, 1201c are areas for displaying a list of preview images of design templates registered in the digital material management service 56. For simplicity, FIG. 15 shows three template display areas, but it is not limited to three display areas. The template display area 1201a includes an editable variable part 1211a, the template display area 1201b includes an editable variable part 1211b, and the template display area 1201c includes editable variable parts 1211c, 1211d. Underlines or the like are added to the variable parts 1211a, 1211b, 1211c, 1211d so that it can be seen that they are editable.

[0245] In addition, as a list of design templates, not only preview images may be displayed, but also information such as the name, features, characteristics, or availability of special uses of the design templates may be displayed.

[0246] The check boxes 1202a, 1202b, and 1202c are check boxes for selecting the template display areas 1201a, 1201b, and 1201c, respectively.

[0247] The determination button 1203 is a button for determining the selection of the design template corresponding to the one checked among the check boxes 1202a, 1202b, and 1202c (the design template displayed as a preview image in the area corresponding to the selected one among the template display areas 1201a, 1201b, and 1201c).

[0248] The cancel button 1204 is a button for canceling the selection operation and returning to the order workflow screen 1100.

[0249] As described above, when the template selection button 1102 is pressed by the order placer, the digital material management service 56 executes the preview display operation shown in FIG. 20 for the template display areas 1201a, 1201b, and 1201c of the template list screen 1200. Hereinafter, the preview display operation by the digital material management service 56 will be described with reference to FIG. 20. In FIG. 20, the description will focus on the design template corresponding to the template display area 1201a of the template list screen 1200.

[0250] <Step S151> The determination unit 563 of the digital material management service 56 refers to the digital material storage unit 569 and determines whether the preview method corresponding to the design template to be previewed for the template display area 1201a is a special preview or a normal preview. For example, the process of S151 may be started in response to the pressing of the template selection button 1102 on the order placement workflow screen 1100, or every time a preview image of the design template on the template list screen 1200 is additionally displayed, or when a design template is searched and search results are displayed, the process of S151 may be started. When the preview method is a special preview (step S151: special preview), the process proceeds to step S152, and when it is a normal preview (step S151: normal preview), the process proceeds to step S157.

[0251] <Step S152> The determination unit 563 of the digital material management service 56 refers to the digital material storage unit 569 and determines whether there is an imaging image corresponding to the design template in the template display area 1201a. When there is an imaging image (step S152: Yes), the process proceeds to step S153, and when there is no imaging image (step S152: No), the process proceeds to step S154.

[0252] <Step S153> The preview control unit 566 of the digital material management service 56 acquires the imaging image corresponding to the design template in the template display area 1201a from the digital material storage unit 569, generates a preview image from the imaging image, and transmits it to the order placer terminal 40 via the communication unit 561. The communication unit 401 of the order placer terminal 40 receives the preview image. Then, the display control unit 402 of the order placer terminal 40 displays the preview image (imaging image) received by the communication unit 401 in the template display area 1201a of the template list screen 1200.

[0253] That is, when special preview is specified as the preview method of the design template, if there is an imaging image of the design template, it is assumed that the imaging image will be preferentially displayed as the preview image. Accordingly, when at least one of characteristics or special processing is set for the design template, the imaging image is most suitable for clearly expressing the printed state thereof as the preview display. Therefore, when there is an imaging image, by previewing this, the orderer can accurately grasp the printed state of the design template. Then, the preview display operation is terminated.

[0254] <Step S154> The simulate generation unit 564 of the digital material management service 56 generates an image (simulate image) by virtually setting and simulating in advance the angle of the image plane, the light source, and the viewpoint for the design template to be previewed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, the simulate generation unit 564 calculates the state such as the gloss of the design template 701 by simulation calculation with the angle with the reference plane of the design template 701 being α, the angle between the direction of the light source 702 and the reference direction being β, and the angle between the direction of the viewpoint 703 and the reference direction being γ, and generates a simulate image. Note that the color, position, etc. of the light source 702 or the position of the viewpoint 703 may be adjustable.

[0255] Further, the simulate generation unit 564 may generate preview images in a video format that change the display in order, for example, images with different viewpoint positions as shown in the design templates 701-1 to 701-3 in FIG. 22. Accordingly, the change in the gloss state when the viewpoint is changed can be clearly expressed. When these plurality of images are displayed in the template display area 1201a, they may be manually switched according to the operation. Further, the present invention is not limited to the generation of three images as shown in FIG. 22.

[0256] Then, the preview control unit 566 transmits the simulated image (first simulated image) generated by the simulation generation unit 564 as a preview image to the orderer terminal 40 via the communication unit 561, and the communication unit 401 of the orderer terminal 40 receives the preview image. Alternatively, a preview image (image for display) may be further generated based on the simulated image. Then, the display control unit 402 of the orderer terminal 40 causes the preview image (simulated image) received by the communication unit 401 to be displayed in the template display area 1201a of the template list screen 1200. Note that the display on the orderer terminal 40 may alternately and automatically repeat the normal preview image (icon image of digital materials such as templates) and the special preview image (captured image / simulated image), even if it is a special preview. Also, when the template list screen 1200 is displayed, it may be initially displayed in the normal preview, and switched to the special preview by mouse over, which overlays the mouse pointer on the image on the screen.

[0257] Similar to FIG. 19 described later, when the design template to be previewed has features set, the simulation generation unit 564 generates an image (second simulation image) in which the feature portion of the image of the design template 701 (the area where features, feature processing, etc. are specified in the image file) is replaced with an alternative color such as process color, under the same conditions for the light source and the viewpoint, and the display control unit 402 may preview and display the image including the features and the image replaced with the alternative color in parallel. As an example of replacing the feature with process color, an image may be generated using a color obtained by mixing the process color yellow toner and black toner as an alternative color for the color using the gold toner of the feature. Alternatively, as an alternative color for the color using fluorescent color toner (fluorescent pink, fluorescent yellow), an image may be generated using magenta toner and yellow toner respectively. In the case of a transparent color material such as clear toner for the feature, the image with the feature used may be the first simulation image, and the image without the feature used may be the second simulation image. This makes it possible to compare the image including the feature and the image replaced with the alternative color under the same conditions for the light source and the viewpoint, and the difference becomes clearer. Note that the parallel display may be a parallel display of the captured image and the simulation image, etc.

[0258] Then, the process proceeds to step S155.

[0259] <Step S155> When the orderer wants to actually view the captured image, the orderer can request the captured image. For example, the preview of the captured image can be requested by pressing the actual image preview request button 1504 on the order confirmation screen 1500 shown in FIG. 18 described later. That is, a button having a similar function may be arranged on the template list screen 1200 as well. Note that the actual image preview request button 1504 etc. may be displayed only when the determination unit 563 determines that there is no captured image, and display control may be performed so as not to display it when it is determined that there is a captured image. When there is a request operation for the captured image (step S155: Yes), the process proceeds to step S156, and when there is no request operation (step S155: No), the preview display operation ends.

[0260] <Step S156> The digital material management service 56 receives a preview request for the captured image from the orderer terminal. The digital material management service 56 is an example of a captured image preview request reception unit. Further, the digital material management service 56 performs a process of requesting the printer 10 to register the captured image via the job management service 55. The details of this process will be described with reference to FIG. 23. Note that when receiving a preview request for the captured image, the printer or the creator (registrant) of the template may be requested by notifying the request for the captured image by email or the like. The email may include a URL that enables access to the upload screen of the captured image.

[0261] <<Step S1561>> When an orderer makes a request operation for a captured image via the input unit 403, the captured image request unit 565 of the digital material management service 56 requests a captured image from the job management service 55 in order to perform a preview display for the design template to be the target of the preview display. In this case, the captured image request unit 565 sends the target design template to the job management service 55. Then, the captured image request reception unit 553 of the job management service 55 receives the request for the captured image and the design template to be the imaging target from the digital material management service 56. Then, the process proceeds to step S1562.

[0262] <<Step S1562>> When the template print instruction unit 554 of the job management service 55 receives the request for the captured image and the design template by the captured image request reception unit 553, it transmits a print instruction for the design template to the management server 11 of a predetermined printing company 10 via the communication unit 551. Then, the communication unit 111 of the management server 11 receives the print instruction. Then, the template print instruction unit 112 of the management server 11 instructs the printer 30 to execute the printing of the design template in order to obtain a captured image according to the print instruction received by the communication unit 111. The print execution unit 303 of the printer 30 executes the printing according to the execution instruction for the printing of the design template from the template print instruction unit 112 of the management server 11. Then, the process proceeds to step S1563.

[0263] <<Step S1563>> The printing company 10 captures the printed matter of the design template printed by the printer 30 with an imaging device. Then, the process proceeds to step S1564. Note that the imaging device is a device capable of capturing images, such as a camera or a scanner. Also, the captured image of the printed matter may be a plurality of images obtained by capturing the printed matter such as the design template from a plurality of angles.

[0264] <<Step S1564>> The imaging image registration unit 113 of the management server 11 receives the imaging image from the imaging device that has imaged the printed matter via the external device connection I / F 808 in response to the operation of the printer 10, and stores (registers) it in the job information storage unit 119. Then, it proceeds to step S1565.

[0265] <<Step S1565>> The imaging image transmission unit 114 of the management server 11 transmits the imaging image registered by the imaging image registration unit 113 to the job management service 55 via the communication unit 111.

[0266] Here, return to the description of the process of step S156. The imaging image processing unit 555 of the job management service 55 acquires the imaging image from the management server 11 of the printer 10 via the communication unit 551, and transmits it to the digital material management service 56. The preview control unit 566 registers the imaging image received via the communication unit 561 in the digital material storage unit 569 in association with the corresponding design template. Then, the preview control unit 566 transmits the imaging image received via the communication unit 561 as a preview image to the orderer terminal 40 via the communication unit 561, and the communication unit 401 of the orderer terminal 40 receives the preview image. Then, the display control unit 402 of the orderer terminal 40 displays the preview image (imaging image) received by the communication unit 401 in the template display area 1201a of the template list screen 1200. Then, the preview display operation ends.

[0267] Note that it is not limited to generating a preview image for preview display at the timing when the template list screen 1200 is displayed. For example, preview images of each design template may be generated in advance and registered in the digital material storage unit 569 in association with each design template.

[0268] <Step S157> When a normal preview is specified, the preview control unit 566 of the digital material management service 56 generates or acquires a preview image for normal preview display using process colors, and transmits it to the orderer terminal 40 via the communication unit 561. The communication unit 401 of the orderer terminal 40 receives the preview image. For example, the preview image of the normal preview may be an icon image created based on the image of an image file of a digital material such as a design template. Also, the icon image may be generated when displaying, or the icon image generated at the time of registration may be acquired. Then, the display control unit 402 of the orderer terminal 40 causes the preview image received by the communication unit 401 to be displayed in the template display area 1201a of the template list screen 1200. Then, the preview display operation ends.

[0269] Here, returning to the description of the template list screen 1200. The orderer checks the preview displays in the template display areas 1201a to 1201c, selects the check box of the desired design template among the check boxes 1202a to 1202c, and then presses the decision button 1203. Then, the display control unit 402 causes the template editing screen 1300 shown in FIG. 16 to be displayed on the display 806.

[0270] The template editing screen 1300 shown in FIG. 16 is a screen for creating a print layout by editing the design template selected on the template list screen 1200. As shown in FIG. 16, the template editing screen 1300 includes a template display area 1301, a title input area 1302, a decision button 1303, and a cancel button 1304.

[0271] The template display area 1301 is an area for displaying the design template to be edited. The template display area 1301 includes an editable variable part 1301a. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the variable part 1301a allows the title of the design template to be edited and input.

[0272] The title input area 1302 is an area for editing and inputting a title into the variable part 1301a (title). When a title is input into the title input area 1302 by the orderer, it is reflected in the variable part 1301a.

[0273] The decision button 1303 is a button for making a decision with the content edited in the template display area 1301. The cancel button 1304 is a button for canceling the edited content and returning to the template list screen 1200.

[0274] In addition, in order to increase the degree of freedom, a dedicated tool (editor) that can change the arrangement, position, size, attributes, etc. of any object may be prepared.

[0275] When the orderer finishes editing the design template displayed in the template display area 1301, the decision button 1303 is pressed. Then, the display control unit 402 causes the output setting screen 1400 shown in FIG. 17 to be displayed on the display 806.

[0276] The output setting screen 1400 shown in FIG. 17 is a screen for performing various settings (output settings) when printing based on the edited design template. As shown in FIG. 17, the output setting screen 1400 includes a size selection area 1401, a destination loading button 1402, a decision button 1403, and a cancel button 1404.

[0277] The size selection area 1401 is an area for selecting and inputting the size of the printed matter for print output.

[0278] The destination loading button 1402 is a button for loading the list file that is the destination of the printed matter.

[0279] In addition to the above settings, there may be color / monochrome, finishing, number of copies, delivery date specification, etc.

[0280] The decision button 1403 is a button for making a decision based on the above settings. The cancel button 1404 is a button for canceling the above settings.

[0281] When the decision button 1403 is pressed by the order placer, the display control unit 402 causes the display 806 to display an order confirmation screen 1500 (an example of a second screen) shown in FIG. 18.

[0282] The order confirmation screen 1500 shown in FIG. 18 is a screen for finally confirming the layout and settings of the edited design template and placing an order for printing. The final finished image can be confirmed on this screen.

[0283] As shown in FIG. 18, the order confirmation screen 1500 includes a template display area 1501, an edit button 1502, an edit button 1503, a real image preview request button 1504, a trial print order button 1505, an order button 1506, and a cancel button 1507.

[0284] The template display area 1501 is an area for displaying a preview image of the design template with a confirmed layout. A series of display operations of the preview image for the template display area 1501 are the same as the preview display operations described in FIGS. 20 to 23 above.

[0285] The edit button 1502 is a button for editing the design template again. When the edit button 1502 is pressed, for example, it may return to the template editing screen 1300.

[0286] The edit button 1503 is a button for performing output settings again. When the edit button 1503 is pressed, for example, it may return to the output settings screen 1400.

[0287] As described above, the actual image preview request button 1504 is a button for requesting the captured image when you want to check the preview display with the captured image. The trial print order button 1505 is a button for ordering a print from the printer 10 as a trial before placing an official order. The operation when the trial print order button 1505 is pressed is basically the same as when the order button 1506 is pressed.

[0288] The order button 1506 is a button for officially ordering a print from the printer 10 based on the content of the design template and the output settings displayed in the template display area 1501. The operation when the order button 1506 is pressed is the operation after step S16 shown in FIG. 8 above. The cancel button 1507 is a button for returning to the output settings screen 1400.

[0289] Note that the display of the preview image in the template display area 1501 may perform parallel display of a template display area 1501a that displays a preview image when a feature is set, such as the order confirmation screen 1500a shown in FIG. 19, and a template display area 1501b that displays a preview image under the same conditions with an alternative color such as process color for the feature. This makes it possible to compare an image including a feature under the same conditions for the light source and viewpoint with an image replaced with an alternative color, making the difference clearer. Note that the parallel display may be a parallel display of a captured image and a simulated image, etc.

[0290] As described above, in the device system 100 according to the present embodiment, the reception unit (display control unit 568a) receives a specification of a preview method corresponding to a design template, the registration unit 562 associates the design template with the preview method and registers them in the digital material storage unit 569, and the preview control unit 566 transmits a preview image generated according to the preview method associated with the design template registered by the registration unit 562 to the orderer terminal 40 for placing a printing order. As a result, the method of preview display can be specified at the time of registering the design template. Conventionally, when a feature or special processing was set, a separate operation different from the normal preview display operation was required to perform the preview display. However, since the preview method is specified in advance at the time of registering the design template, the operation can be omitted, thereby improving the operability.

[0291] In the device system 100 according to the present embodiment, the reception unit receives a designation of a captured image to be associated with a design template, the registration unit 562 registers the design template and the captured image in association with each other in the digital material storage unit 569, the determination unit 563 determines whether it is a special preview corresponding to a design template in which at least one of a feature or a special process is set or a normal preview not corresponding to a design template in which at least one of a feature or a special process is set, based on the preview method associated with the design template, and when it is determined that the preview method associated with the design template is a special preview, determines whether there is a captured image associated with the design template, and the preview control unit 566 is configured to generate a preview image based on the captured image when it is determined by the determination unit 563 that there is a captured image. Accordingly, when at least one of a feature or a special process is set in the design template, since the captured image is most suitable for clearly expressing the printed state as a preview display, when there is a captured image, the orderer can accurately grasp the printed state of the design template by previewing this image.

[0292] In the device system 100 according to the present embodiment, when it is determined by the determination unit 563 that there is a captured image, the simulation generation unit 564 further generates, as a preview image, a second simulation image generated by substituting an alternative color for a feature portion of the design template by simulation under the same conditions as a predetermined simulation of the first simulation image, and the preview control unit 566 is configured to transmit the first simulation image and the second simulation image to the orderer terminal 40 in parallel for preview display on the orderer terminal 40. Accordingly, it becomes possible to compare an image including a feature under the same conditions for a light source and a viewpoint with an image in which the feature is replaced with an alternative color, and the difference becomes easier to understand.

[0293] In the above-described embodiments, when at least any one of the functional units of the orderer terminal 40, the cloud system 50, the management server 11, and the administrator terminal 12 is realized by executing a program, the program is provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. Further, in the above-described embodiments, the programs executed by the orderer terminal 40, the cloud system 50, the management server 11, and the administrator terminal 12 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) in an installable format or an executable format file and provided. Further, in the above-described embodiments, the programs executed by the orderer terminal 40, the cloud system 50, the management server 11, and the administrator terminal 12 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, in the above-described embodiments, the programs executed by the orderer terminal 40, the cloud system 50, the management server 11, and the administrator terminal 12 may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, in the above-described embodiments, the programs executed by the orderer terminal 40, the cloud system 50, the management server 11, and the administrator terminal 12 have a module configuration including at least any one of the above-described functional units, and as actual hardware, the CPU 801 reads a program from the above-described storage device (for example, ROM 802 or HD 804, etc.) and executes it, so that the above-described functional units are loaded and generated on the main storage device.

[0294] Aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> A reception unit that receives a designation of a preview method corresponding to a design template, A registration unit that associates the design template and the preview method and registers them in a storage unit, A transmission unit that transmits a preview image generated according to a preview method associated with the design template registered by the registration unit to an orderer terminal for placing a printing order. It is an information processing system having this. <2>The information processing system according to <1>, further comprising a generation unit that generates the preview image corresponding to the design template by a preview method associated with the design template registered by the registration unit. <3>The reception unit receives a designation of a captured image to be associated with the design template. The registration unit registers the design template and the captured image in association with each other in the storage unit. A first determination unit that determines whether it is a first preview method corresponding to a design template in which at least one of features or special processing is set or a second preview method not corresponding to a design template in which at least one of features or special processing is set, based on the preview method associated with the design template; and a second determination unit that determines whether the captured image associated with the design template exists when it is determined by the first determination unit that the preview method associated with the design template is the first preview method. The information processing system according to <3> further includes the above. The generation unit is the information processing system according to <2>, which generates the preview image based on the captured image when it is determined by the second determination unit that the captured image exists. <4>The generation unit is the information processing system according to <3>, which generates, as the preview image, a first simulation image generated by a predetermined simulation in which a light source and a viewpoint are preset based on the design template when it is determined by the second determination unit that the captured image does not exist. <5>If the imaging image is determined by the second determination unit, the generation unit further generates a second simulated image generated by a simulation under the same conditions as the predetermined simulation of the first simulated image and replacing the characteristic part of the design template with an alternative color as the preview image. The transmission unit is the information processing system according to <4> described above, which transmits the first simulated image and the second simulated image to the orderer terminal for parallel preview display. <6>If the second determination unit determines that the imaging image does not exist, the generation unit generates a plurality of the first simulated images with different viewpoints based on the design template. The transmission unit is the information processing system according to <4> described above, which transmits the plurality of the first simulated images to the orderer terminal for display on the orderer terminal. <7>The transmission unit is the information processing system according to <6> described above, which transmits the plurality of the first simulated images to the orderer terminal for display in a video format on the orderer terminal. <8>The information processing system according to any one of <3> to <7> above, further comprising an imaging image preview request receiving unit that receives a preview request for an imaging image from the orderer terminal when the second determination unit determines that the imaging image does not exist. <9>Further comprising a request unit that requests a print instruction for the design template to the management device of the printer in response to the preview request from the orderer terminal. The generation unit generates the preview image based on an imaging image of a printed matter printed and output by a printer according to an instruction from the management device. The transmission unit is the information processing system according to <8> described above, which transmits the preview image to the orderer terminal for preview display on the orderer terminal. <10>The orderer terminal is the information processing system according to any one of <1> to <9> above, which displays the preview image transmitted from the transmission unit on the first screen for selecting a design template. <11>The orderer terminal is the information processing system according to any one of <1> to <10> above, which displays the preview image transmitted from the transmission unit on the second screen for final confirmation of the layout of the design template. <12>A reception unit that receives a designation of a preview method corresponding to a design template; A registration unit that associates the design template and the preview method and registers them in a storage unit; A transmission unit that transmits a preview image generated according to the preview method associated with the design template registered by the registration unit to an orderer terminal for placing an order for printing; An information processing apparatus comprising: <13>A reception step of receiving a designation of a preview method corresponding to a design template; A registration step of associating the design template and the preview method and registering them in a storage unit; A transmission step of transmitting a preview image generated according to the preview method associated with the registered design template to an orderer terminal for placing an order for printing; An information processing method comprising: <14>Causing a computer to A reception step of receiving a designation of a preview method corresponding to a design template; A registration step of associating the design template and the preview method and registering them in a storage unit; A transmission step of transmitting a preview image generated according to the preview method associated with the registered design template to an orderer terminal for placing an order for printing; A program for executing:

Explanation of Signs

[0295] 10 Printer 11 Management Server 12 Administrator Terminal 30 Printing Machine 40 Orderer Terminal 50 Cloud System 51 Order Management Service 52 Customer Management Service 53 Equipment Management Service 54 Vendor Management Service 55 Job Management Service 56 Digital Material Management Service 57 Billing Management Service 100 Equipment System 111 Communication Unit 112 Template Printing Instruction Unit 113 Captured Image Registration Unit 114 Captured Image Transmission Unit 115 Job Execution Instruction Unit 119 Job Information Storage Unit 121 Communication Unit 122 Template Registration Request Unit 123 Display Control Unit 124 Input Unit 301 Communication Unit 302 Equipment Information Transmission Unit 303 Printing Execution Unit 401 Communication Unit 402 Display Control Unit 403 Input Unit 511 Communication Unit 512 Order Reception Unit 513 Digital Material Acquisition Unit 514 Printing Data Generation Unit 515 Job Registration Request Unit 529 Customer Information Storage Unit 531 Communication Unit 532 Equipment Information Registration Unit 533 Equipment Information Provision Unit 539 Equipment Information Registration Unit 549 Vendor Information Storage Unit 551 Communication Unit 552 Equipment Information Acquisition Unit 553 Imaging Image Request Reception Unit 554 Template Printing Instruction Unit 555 Imaging Image Processing Unit 556 Job Information Registration Unit 557 Job Execution Judgment Unit 558 Schedule Generation Unit 558a Job Information Distribution Unit 558b Billing Information Notification Unit 559 Job Information Storage Unit 561 Communication Unit 562 Registration Unit 563 Judgment Unit 564 Simulation Generation Unit 565 Imaging Image Request Unit 566 Preview Control Unit 567 Setting Unit 568 Digital Material Provision Unit 568a Display Control Unit 569 Digital Material Storage Unit 571 Billing Processing Unit 579 Billing Information Storage Unit Double Arrow 601 and 602 Design Templates 701, 701-1 to 701-3 702 Light Source 703 Viewpoint 801 CPU 802 ROM 803 RAM 804 HD 805 HDD Controller 806 Display 808 External Device Connection I / F 809 Network I / F 810 Bus Line 811 Keyboard 812 Pointing Device 813 DVD 814 DVD-RW Drive 815 Media 816 Media I / F 901 CPU 902 MEM-P 902a ROM 902b RAM 903 NB 904 SB 906 ASIC 907 MEM-C 908 HDD Controller 909 HD 910 Controller 920 Short-Range Communication Circuit 920a Antenna 921 AGP Bus 922 PCI Bus 930 Engine Control Unit 931 Scanner Unit 932 Printer Unit 940 Operation Panel 940a Panel Display Section 940b Hard Key 950 Network I / F 1000 Template Registration Screen 1001 Image File Input Area 1002 Title Input Area 1003 Category Input Area 1004 Price Input Area 1005 Color Input Area 1006 Search Tag Input Area 1007 Paper Size Input Area 1008 Paper Type Input Area 1009 Post-Processing Input Area 1010 Preview Method Specification Area 1011 Selection Button 1012 Registration Button 1100 Order Workflow Screen 1101 New Creation Button 1102 Template Selection Button 1200 Template List Screen 1201a~1201c Template Display Areas 1202a~1202c Check Boxes 1203 Decision Button 1204 Cancel Button 1211a~1211c, 1212c variable part 1300 Template editing screen 1301 Template display area 1301a Variable Part 1302 Title input area 1303 Confirm button 1304 Cancel button 1400 Output setting screen 1401 Size Selection Area 1402 Load destination button 1403 Confirm button 1404 Cancel button 1500, 1500a order confirmation screen 1501, 1501a, 1501b Template display area 1502, 1503 Edit button 1504 Actual image preview request button 1505 Trial print order button 1506 Order button 1507 Cancel button N Network [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0296] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-120962

Claims

1. A first reception unit that receives a selection of one design template from design templates, a storage unit that stores the design template and a preview method in association with each other, a generation unit that generates a preview image based on the preview method stored in association with the one design template, and having, the preview method includes a first preview method of displaying the one design template in a video format and a second preview method that is different from the first preview method and displays an image of the one design template, the generation unit generates a preview image based on one of the first preview method and the second preview method stored in association with the one design template, an information processing system.

2. A first reception unit that receives a selection of one design template from design templates, a storage unit that stores a preview method, a design template, and an image in association with each other, a generation unit that generates a preview image based on the preview method stored in association with the one design template, and having, the preview method includes a first preview method of displaying the one design template in a video format and a second preview method that is different from the first preview method and displays an image of the one design template, the generation unit generates a preview image based on one of the first preview method and the second preview method stored in association with the one design template, an information processing system.

3. further comprising a second reception unit that receives a designation of a preview method corresponding to the design template, the storage unit stores the design template and the preview method designated by the second reception unit in association with each other, the information processing system according to claim 1.

4. the first preview method is a preview image in a video format that is an image of the design template and includes the image from a plurality of viewpoints, the information processing system according to claim 1.

5. the first preview method displays the one design template in a video format when a mouse pointer overlaps the preview image, the information processing system according to claim 1.

6. The information processing system further includes a third reception unit that receives an input for an editable variable part included in the one design template. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates a preview image of the one design template reflecting the input based on one of the first preview method or the second preview method stored in association with the one design template. **Claim 7** The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the generation unit generates a preview image corresponding to the design template by the preview method associated with the design template stored in the storage unit. **Claim 8** The first reception unit receives a captured image to be associated with the design template. The storage unit stores the design template and the captured image in association with each other. The information processing system further includes: a first determination unit that determines whether the preview method is a first preview method corresponding to a design template in which at least one of features or special processing is set or a second preview method not corresponding to a design template in which at least one of features or special processing is set, based on the preview method associated with the design template; and a second determination unit that determines whether the captured image associated with the design template exists when the preview method associated with the design template is determined by the first determination unit to be the first preview method. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein the generation unit generates the preview image based on the captured image when the second determination unit determines that the captured image exists. **Claim 9** The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein the generation unit generates, as the preview image, a first simulation image generated by a predetermined simulation in which a light source and a viewpoint are preset, based on the design template, when the second determination unit determines that the captured image does not exist. **Claim 10** The information processing system according to claim 9, further including a transmission unit that transmits the preview image generated according to the preview method associated with the design template stored in the storage unit to an orderer terminal for placing an order for printing. **Claim 11** When the imaging image is determined by the second determination unit, the generation unit further generates, by simulation under the same conditions as the predetermined simulation of the first simulation image, and by replacing the characteristic part of the design template with an alternative color, a second simulation image as the preview image. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the transmission unit transmits the first simulation image and the second simulation image to the orderer terminal in parallel for preview display. **Claim 12** When the second determination unit determines that the imaging image does not exist, the generation unit generates a plurality of the first simulation images with different viewpoints based on the design template. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the transmission unit transmits the plurality of the first simulation images to the orderer terminal for display on the orderer terminal. **Claim 13** The information processing system according to claim 12, wherein the transmission unit transmits the plurality of the first simulation images to the orderer terminal for display in a video format on the orderer terminal. **Claim 14** The information processing system according to claim 10, further comprising an imaging image preview request receiving unit that receives a preview request for the imaging image from the orderer terminal when the second determination unit determines that the imaging image does not exist. **Claim 15** The information processing system further comprises a request unit that requests a print instruction for the design template to a printer management device in response to the preview request from the orderer terminal. The generation unit generates the preview image based on the imaging image of the printed matter printed and output by a printing machine according to an instruction from the management device. The information processing system according to claim 14, wherein the transmission unit transmits the preview image to the orderer terminal for preview display on the orderer terminal. **Claim 16** The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the orderer terminal displays the preview image transmitted from the transmission unit on a first screen for selecting the design template. **Claim 17** The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the orderer terminal displays the preview image transmitted from the transmission unit on a second screen for final confirmation of the layout of the design template. **Claim 18** A reception unit that receives a selection of one design template from design templates, A storage unit that stores the design template and a preview method in association with each other, A generation unit that generates a preview image based on the preview method stored in association with the one design template, comprising: The preview method includes a first preview method for displaying the one design template in a video format and a second preview method that is different from the first preview method and displays an image of the one design template, The generation unit generates a preview image based on one of the first preview method and the second preview method stored in association with the one design template, an information processing apparatus.

19. A reception unit that receives a selection of one design template from design templates, A storage unit that stores a preview method, a design template, and an image in association with each other, A generation unit that generates a preview image based on the preview method stored in association with the one design template, comprising: The preview method includes a first preview method for displaying the one design template in a video format and a second preview method that is different from the first preview method and displays an image of the one design template, The generation unit generates a preview image based on one of the first preview method and the second preview method stored in association with the one design template, an information processing apparatus.

20. A reception step in which a reception unit receives a selection of one design template from design templates, A storage step in which a storage unit stores the design template and a preview method in association with each other, A generation step in which a generation unit generates a preview image based on the preview method stored in association with the one design template, having: The preview method includes a first preview method for displaying the one design template in a video format and a second preview method that is different from the first preview method and displays an image of the one design template, In the generation step, an information processing method for generating a preview image based on one of the first preview method and the second preview method, which is stored in association with the one design template.

21. A receiving step in which a receiving unit receives a selection of one design template from design templates; A storage step in which a storage unit stores in association a preview method, a design template, and an image; A generation step in which a generation unit generates a preview image based on the preview method stored in association with the one design template; comprising: The preview method includes a first preview method for displaying the one design template in a video format, and a second preview method different from the first preview method for displaying an image of the one design template; In the generation step, an information processing method for generating a preview image based on one of the first preview method and the second preview method, which is stored in association with the one design template.

22. Causing a computer to: A receiving step of receiving a selection of one design template from design templates; A storage step of storing in a storage unit in association the design template and a preview method; A generation step of generating a preview image based on the preview method stored in association with the one design template; execute, The preview method includes a first preview method for displaying the one design template in a video format, and a second preview method different from the first preview method for displaying an image of the one design template; A program for generating a preview image based on one of the first preview method and the second preview method, which is stored in association with the one design template, in the generation step.

23. Causing a computer to: A receiving step of receiving a selection of one design template from design templates; A storage step of storing in a storage unit in association a preview method, a design template, and an image; A generation step of generating a preview image based on the preview method stored in association with the one design template; to execute, The preview method includes a first preview method for displaying the one design template in a video format and a second preview method different from the first preview method for displaying an image of the one design template, In the generation step, a program for generating a preview image based on one of the first preview method and the second preview method, which is stored in association with the one design template.

Images