Print job management device and program

Abstract

To eliminate the need for an operator to determine a processing state of a print job.SOLUTION: A print job management device 12 includes a processor 30 and a storage device 32 in which data of scheduled results (scheduled result data 42-1 and 42-2) of a print job 40-1 are stored. The processor 30 reads out the scheduled result data 42-1 from the storage device 32 and acquires data of actual results (actual result data 62) printed out in accordance with the print job 40-1 and acquires a processing state of the print job 40-1 on the basis of a result of comparison between the scheduled result data 42-1 and the actual result data 62.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a print job management device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A wide variety of printed materials are produced in printing factories and the like. The manufacturing process for printed materials includes a manuscript submission process, a prepress process, a printing process, a post-processing process, and a delivery process. In the printing process for printed materials, print jobs created for each printed material are input to a printing device and processed. The status of each print job, such as pending, processing in progress, or processing completed, is managed by a process management system. For example, an operator in the printing process operates a terminal device to notify the process management system of the processing status of each print job (for example, whether the processing was completed without any problems), and the process management system updates the status of each print job.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes an information processing device that uses images periodically captured of the paper output area of ​​an image forming device and user specific information related to a print completion event of the image forming device to detect whether printed materials have been left behind in the paper output area and notify the user who forgot to pick them up. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-188856 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An operator in a printing process must look at the printed output, determine the processing status of the print job, such as whether the processing of the corresponding print job was completed without any problems, and notify the process management system (hereinafter also referred to as a print job management device). However, with a wide variety of print jobs being processed, for example, it is often difficult for an operator to easily determine the processing status of the corresponding print job from the printed output.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for an operator to determine the processing status of a print job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention according to claim 1 includes a processor and a storage device that stores data of a planned result of a print job, wherein the processor reads the data of the planned result from the storage device, obtains data of an actual result printed out in accordance with the print job, and obtains a processing status of the print job based on a comparison result between the data of the planned result and the data of the actual result. the data of the planned result includes text information in a predetermined portion of the planned result, and the data of the actual result includes text information in a portion of the actual result corresponding to the predetermined portion of the planned result, the text information being obtained by an operator reading the text information from the actual result and inputting it into a computer; It is a print job management device.

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is the print job management device according to claim 1, wherein the data of the scheduled result is a predetermined data of the scheduled result. No. 2 The actual result data includes image data of a portion of the planned result, and the actual result data is acquired by an operator photographing the actual result with a camera. No. 2 and a print job management device including image data of the portion of the actual product corresponding to the portion.

[0009] The invention of claim 3 is a print job management device as described in claim 2, wherein the planned result includes multiple pages, and the processor obtains the processing status of the print job based on the results of a comparison between image data of some or all of a predetermined page of the planned result and image data of the corresponding part of the actual result.

[0010] The invention of claim 4 is a print job management device as described in claim 3, wherein the processor estimates whether or not the entire printing process of the print job has been completed based on the results of a comparison between image data of part or all of the final page of the planned result and image data of the corresponding part of the actual result.

[0011] The invention of claim 5 is a print job management device as described in claim 3, wherein the processor obtains whether the printing process of the first page of the print job has been completed based on the results of a comparison between image data of part or all of the first page of the planned result and image data of the corresponding part of the actual result.

[0012] The invention of claim 6 is a print job management device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the planned result includes multiple identical result, and the processor acquires the status of the printing device from the printing device that prints out in accordance with the print job, and estimates whether all printing processing of the print job has been completed based on the status of the printing device and the results of a comparison between image data of part or all of the final page of the identical result of the planned result and image data of the corresponding part of the actual result.

[0013] The invention of claim 7 is a print job management device described in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the processor notifies the terminal device held by the operator of a method for photographing the actual result with the camera.

[0015] Claim 8 The invention according to claim 1 The print job management device described in is a print job management device described in, wherein the planned result includes a plurality of pages, and the processor acquires the processing status of the print job based on a comparison result between character information in a predetermined portion of a predetermined page of the planned result and character information in a corresponding portion of the actual result.

[0016] Claim 9 The invention according to claim 1 or 8 The print job management device according to the present invention is a print job management device in which the processor notifies a terminal device carried by the operator of the position of the character information to be read in the actual result.

[0017] Claim 10 The invention relates to a method for reading out data of a planned result of a print job from a storage device, obtaining data of an actual result printed out in accordance with the print job, and obtaining a processing status of the print job based on a comparison result between the data of the planned result and the data of the actual result. wherein the data of the planned result includes character information in a predetermined portion of the planned result, and the data of the actual result includes character information in a portion of the actual result corresponding to the predetermined portion of the planned result, the character information being obtained by an operator reading the actual result and inputting the information into a computer. It is a program. The invention of claim 11 is a print job management device including a processor and a storage device that stores data of a planned result of a print job, wherein the processor reads the data of the planned result from the storage device, obtains data of an actual result printed out in accordance with the print job, and obtains a processing status of the print job based on a comparison result between the data of the planned result and the data of the actual result, wherein the data of the planned result includes character information in a predetermined part of the planned result, and the data of the actual result includes character information in a part of the actual result that corresponds to the predetermined part of the planned result, which is input to a computer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] Claim 1, 10 According to the invention, the operator does not need to determine the processing status of the print job. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the processing status of a print job can be obtained by simpler computer processing than when comparing image data of a planned result with image data of an actual result.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 2, the processing status of the print job can be acquired without the operator having to check the actual result in detail.

[0020] According to the invention of claim 3, the processing status of a predetermined page of a print job is acquired.

[0021] According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to more easily estimate whether or not all printing processes of a print job have been completed, compared to when the processing status of all pages of the print job is acquired.

[0022] According to the invention of claim 5, it is confirmed whether or not the processing of the intended print job has started.

[0023] According to the invention of claim 6, the completion of all printing processes of a print job can be estimated more easily than when the processing status of each of the same result products of the print job is acquired.

[0024] According to the invention of claim 7, the operator can obtain image data of the desired actual result.

[0026] Claim 8 According to the invention, the processing status of a predetermined page of a print job is acquired.

[0027] Claim 9 According to the invention, the operator can grasp the character information to be read in the actual result. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a print job management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a print job management system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a list screen of print jobs. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing a print job. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a planned result. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining verification of the first page of a print job. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating verification of the final page of a print job. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another verification of the final page of a print job. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating yet another verification of the final page of a print job. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining verification using character information. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a print job that outputs a plurality of identical results. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing a print job that outputs a plurality of identical results. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job selection screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations described below are examples for explanatory purposes and can be modified as appropriate to suit the specifications of the system or device. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments or variations are included below, it is assumed from the beginning that their characteristic parts will be used in appropriate combination. The same elements will be assigned the same reference numerals in all drawings, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a print job management system 10. The management system 10 is used in a printing factory or the like. The management system 10 includes a print job management device 12, multiple printing devices 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3, and a portable terminal device 18, all of which are communicatively connected to one another via a network 28. Note that the number of devices shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example and can be changed as appropriate. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the printing devices 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3, they will be referred to as printing device 14. The network 28 may be, for example, a LAN, an intranet, or the Internet.

[0031] The print job management device 12 is a computer, and is a device that performs some of the functions of a process management system for printed materials, for example. The manufacturing process for printed materials consists of a manuscript submission process, a prepress process, a printing process, a post-processing process, a delivery process, etc., and the process management system is a system that manages information such as the progress of each process in the manufacturing of printed materials. The print job management device 12 is a device that manages the status of print jobs, particularly the printing process (which may also include the post-processing process), among the information managed by the process management system.

[0032] Here, a print job is a printing command that defines the specifications and images of the printed matter to be created by the printing device 14, and may take the form of, for example, an electronic file or a group of electronic files. A print job is assigned identification information such as a job name to distinguish it from other print jobs. Note that a print job may also include commands related to post-processing steps, such as cutting, folding, and stapling.

[0033] The print job status is the current status of the print job, and indicates, for example, whether the print job is currently being processed by the printing device 14 (status: processing), whether the print job has been processed by the printing device 14 (status: completed), or whether the print job has not yet been processed by the printing device 14 (status: pending).

[0034] The printing device 14 is a device that forms an image on a medium such as paper, and can also be called an image forming device. The printing device 14 is, for example, an electrophotographic printing device, an inkjet printing device, or an offset printing press. The printing device 14 may also have functions related to post-processing, such as cutting, folding, and stapling.

[0035] 1 shows actual results (printed products) 25-1, 25-2, and 25-3 discharged onto the output trays of printing devices 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3, respectively. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the actual results 25-1, 25-2, and 25-3, they will be referred to as actual results 25. The actual results 25 are the printed products that are actually discharged from printing device 14 as a result of printing device 14 operating in accordance with the print job, i.e., the media that have been processed in accordance with the print job.

[0036] The terminal device 18 is, for example, a tablet, a smartphone, or the like, and is equipped with a camera function. The terminal device 18 is wirelessly connected to the access point 16, and is connected to the network 28 via the access point 16. The terminal device 18 is carried by an operator 90 of the printing process.

[0037] 2 is a functional block diagram of the print job management system 10. The print job management device 12 includes a processor 30 and a storage device 32. The processor 30 includes a CPU and executes information processing in accordance with a program 34 installed in the management device 12. The processor 30 can also be defined as a computer in the narrow sense. The storage device 32 is a ROM, RAM, flash memory, hard disk, etc.

[0038] The storage device 32 stores a program 34, a print job status 36, allocation information 37, instruction information 38, a plurality of print jobs 40-1, 40-2, ..., and expected result data 42-1, 42-2, ... linked to each of the plurality of print jobs 40-1, 40-2, .... Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the print jobs 40-1, 40-2, ..., they will be referred to as print jobs 40, and when it is not necessary to distinguish between the expected result data 42-1, 42-2, ..., they will be referred to as expected result data 42.

[0039] The program 34 executed by the processor 30 of the management device 12 can be provided via a network such as the Internet, or can be stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disc or USB memory and provided.

[0040] The print job status 36 is information indicating the current status of each print job. The allocation information 37 is information indicating the printing device (identification information of the printing device) assigned to each print job 40. The instruction information 38 is information indicating the photographing method when photographing the actual product with the camera of the terminal device 18 (details will be described later).

[0041] Here, the expected result data 42 will be described. First, the expected result is the print result expected to be output from the printing device 14 as a result of the printing device 14 operating in accordance with the print job 40; that is, the expected processed medium. The expected result data 42 is information related to the expected result. In this embodiment, the expected result data 42 is image data of the first page and the last page of the expected result. Note that the expected result data 42 is not limited to this, and may also include image data of all pages of the expected result, the number of pages, the number of copies, the type and color of paper to be printed, and other information. The image data is, for example, an image file obtained by capturing an image of the first or last page of the expected result with a camera or scanning it with an image scanner. Note that the expected result data is also referred to as expected result data.

[0042] Note that a page refers to an area on one side of a medium such as paper. In the case of a medium that is printed on only one side, the series of page numbers from the first page to the last page refers to numbers that are sequentially associated with only one side of the multiple media. In the case of a medium that is printed on both sides, the series of page numbers from the first page to the last page refers to numbers that are sequentially associated with the front and back sides of each of the multiple media.

[0043] The terminal device 18 includes a processor 50 and a storage device 52. The processor 50 includes a CPU and executes information processing in accordance with a program 54 installed in the terminal device 18. The processor 50 can also be defined as a computer in the narrow sense. The storage device 52 is a ROM, RAM, flash memory, hard disk, etc.

[0044] The storage device 52 stores a program 54 and actual result data 62. The program 54 executed by the processor 50 of the terminal device 18 can be provided via a network such as the Internet, or can be stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk or a USB memory and provided.

[0045] Here, the actual product data 62 will be described. As described above, the actual product is the printed product that is actually ejected from the printing device 14. The actual product data 62 is information related to the actual product. In this embodiment, the actual product data 62 is an image file acquired by the operator 90 photographing the first and last pages of the actual product with the camera of the terminal device 18. The actual product data will also be referred to as actual product data.

[0046] The management system 10 is configured to allow communication between the management device 12 and the terminal device 18, to allow an operator 90 to operate the management device 12 using the terminal device 18, and to display information present in the management device 12 on the display of the terminal device 18. FIG. 3 shows an example of a print job list screen displayed on the display 20 of the terminal device 18. As shown in the figure, boxes 70-1 to 70-5 are provided for each print job, and print job information is displayed in each of the boxes 70-1 to 70-5. Specifically, allocation information 37 and print job status 36 stored in the management device 12 are displayed in the print job boxes 70-1 to 70-5.

[0047] The display 20 of the terminal device 18 is a touch panel, and the operator 90 touches the box (any one of 70-1 to 70-5) of the desired print job to display the setting and operation screen (not shown) for that print job. Then, on that screen, the operator 90 assigns a printing device to the print job and issues a transmission instruction for the print job.

[0048] In this embodiment, when an operator issues an instruction to send a print job, the print job is sent from the management device 12 to the assigned printing device 14, and printing processing begins at that printing device 14. Note that after the print job is sent to the printing device 14, the operator 90 may also operate the printing device 14 to issue a start instruction, thereby starting printing processing.

[0049] The status of a print job is "on hold" before printing processing begins. Then, when printing processing of a print job begins as described above, the management device 12 updates the status of the print job from "on hold" to "first processing in progress." Then, when verification of the first page of the actual print job (described in detail below) is completed, the management device 12 updates the status of the print job from "first processing in progress" to "continuing processing." Then, when verification of the final page of the actual print job (described in detail below) is completed, the management device 12 updates the status of the print job from "continuing processing" to "completed."

[0050] In the past, an operator would check the actual output delivered from the printing device 14 and, if they determined that there were no problems (the desired actual output was obtained), select the print job corresponding to that actual output from, for example, the list screen shown in FIG. 3 and report completion of processing. The management device 12 would then update the status of that print job from "in progress" to "completed." However, with multiple types of print jobs being processed, it was difficult for the operator to determine whether there were any problems with the actual output. To address this issue, in this embodiment, the operator captures the first and last pages of the actual output using the camera on the terminal device 18, and the management device 12 compares the image data of the actual output (actual output data 62) obtained thereby with the planned output data 42 to determine the processing status of the print job corresponding to the actual output and update the status of the print job.

[0051] Here, the processing status of a print job refers to whether or not a part or all of the actual result output from the printing device 14 in accordance with the print job is in a satisfactory state. A part or all of the actual result being in a satisfactory state means that a predetermined part or the whole of the actual result is equivalent to the planned result, or is presumed to be equivalent. On the other hand, a part or all of the actual result being in a problematic state means that a predetermined part or the whole of the actual result is not presumed to be equivalent to the planned result, for example, when an image formed on a part of the actual result is different from that of the planned result.

[0052] Next, an example of print job processing will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of print job processing, and Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a planned result 23 of a print job processed in the flow of Fig. 4. The planned result 23 in Fig. 5 is printed on only one side of a sheet of paper.

[0053] 4, the operator operates the terminal device 18 to specify a print job and issue a request to send the print job. In response to this request, the management device 12 sends the specified print job to the printing device 14 assigned to it, and also sends an instruction to print the first page to the printing device 14 (S102). The management device 12 then updates the status of the print job from "on hold" to "first page in process" (S104).

[0054] In this way, the management device 12 receives instructions for various types of print jobs, sends the print jobs to each of the multiple printing devices 14, and simultaneously manages multiple print jobs whose status is "initial processing" or "continued processing."

[0055] Next, in S106, the printer 14 receives the print job and an instruction to print the first page, and executes printing of the first page in accordance with the print job. As a result, the first page of the actual print result is discharged to the discharge tray of the printer 14.

[0056] In S108, the operator photographs the first page in the output tray of the printing device 14 with the camera of the terminal device 18. This scene is shown schematically on the left side of Fig. 6. The terminal device 18 is provided with a camera 22 on the side opposite the display 20. The operator operates the terminal device 18 to start a verification program (application), thereby displaying a photographing screen such as that shown on the terminal device 18 in Fig. 6.

[0057] The capture screen includes a device designation section 72 in the form of a pull-down menu, and the operator uses the device designation section 72 to designate the printing device that discharged the first page to be captured (printing device identification information, for example, printing device β). Information identifying the print job may also be selected and designated from a pull-down menu. The capture screen also includes an instruction such as "Please capture the first page." This instruction is pre-stored in the management device 12 as instruction information 38 and displayed by transmitting it to the terminal device 18. If the printing device (for example, printing device β) designated in the device designation section 72 of the capture screen is in the "first processing" state of the print job, the management device 12 transmits an instruction to capture the first page (see terminal device 18 in FIG. 6) as an instruction. If the printing device is in the "continuing processing" state of the print job, the management device 12 transmits an instruction to capture the last page (see terminal device 18 in FIG. 7).

[0058] The shooting screen also includes a frame 74, and the image captured by the lens of the camera 22 is displayed within the frame 74. The operator places the first page of the actual product 25 on the terminal device 18 so that the entire first page fits within the frame 74, and presses the shutter button (not shown). As a result, image data of the entire first page is acquired as actual product data 62.

[0059] In S110, the identification information of the printing device specified by the device specification unit 72 and the image data of the first page (actual result data 62) are sent from the terminal device 18 to the management device 12. Then, in S112, the management device 12 receives them and verifies the first page (obtains the processing status of the first page of the print job). First, the management device 12 identifies the print job being processed by that printing device, i.e., the print job corresponding to the actual result data 62, based on the identification information of the printing device (e.g., printing device β) and the allocation information 37 and print job status 36 in the storage device 32. For example, if the identification information of the printing device is "printing device β," then "print job B," which is assigned to that printing device and whose print job status is "first processing," is identified from FIG. 3.

[0060] The management device 12 then compares the actual result data 62 with the first page (image data of the first page of the expected result) of the planned result data linked to the identified print job ("print job B" in the above example) using existing technology to obtain the degree of match between them. If the "degree of match" is higher than a predetermined threshold (for example, as shown in FIG. 6A), the management device 12 determines that there is no problem with the first page of the actual result (S112: Yes) and updates the status of the identified print job ("print job B" in the above example) from "first processing" to "continuing processing" (S120). The management device 12 also notifies the terminal device 18 that the first page of the identified print job ("print job B" in the above example) is complete (S118), and the terminal device 18, in response, displays a first page completion screen for the print job on its display 20 (S122).

[0061] On the other hand, if the "degree of match" is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (for example, as shown in FIG. 6(B)), the management device 12 determines that there is a problem with the first page of the actual print result (S112: No). Then, the management device 12 notifies the terminal device 18 of an error in the identified print job ("print job B" in the above example) (S114), and the terminal device 18, in response, displays an error screen for that print job on its own display 20 (S116). In this case, processing of this print job is stopped.

[0062] By verifying the first page in this way, it is possible to confirm whether the intended print job processing has started. If there is a problem with the first page, the print job processing will be stopped, thereby avoiding situations where media would be wasted by continuing the processing.

[0063] Once verification of the first page is complete, in S124 the management device 12 sends a print instruction for the remaining pages of the identified print job ("print job B" in the above example) to the printing device 14. Then, in S126, the printing device 14 receives the instruction and executes printing of the remaining pages excluding the first page in accordance with the print job. As a result, the remaining actual results are discharged onto the discharge tray of the printing device 14.

[0064] Next, in S128, the operator photographs the last page of the actual print product in the output tray of the printer 14 with the camera of the terminal device 18. The scene is shown schematically on the left side of FIG. 7. This is the same operation as photographing the first page described with reference to FIG. 6. The operator operates the terminal device 18 to launch a verification program (application) and display a photographing screen as shown on the terminal device 18 in FIG. 7. The operator then specifies the printer that discharged the last page to be photographed (printing device identification information, for example, printer β) in the device specification section 72 of the photographing screen. At this time, the status of the print job (for example, print job B) being processed by the printer (for example, printer β) specified in the device specification section 72 is "continuing processing," so that an instruction to photograph the last page is sent from the management device 12 to the terminal device 18, and this instruction is displayed on the photographing screen.

[0065] The shooting screen includes a frame 74, and the image captured by the lens of the camera 22 is displayed within the frame 74. The operator places the final page of the actual product 25 on the terminal device 18 so that the entire final page fits within the frame 74, and presses the shutter button (not shown). As a result, image data of the entire final page is acquired as actual product data 62.

[0066] In S130, the identification information of the printing device specified by the device specification unit 72 and the image data of the last page (actual product data 62) are sent from the terminal device 18 to the management device 12. Then, in S132, the management device 12 receives them and verifies the last page (obtains the processing status of the last page of the print job). This is the same process as the verification of the first page in S112. The management device 12 identifies the print job being processed by the printing device (e.g., printing device β) based on the received identification information of the printing device and the allocation information 37 and print job status 36 in the storage device 32, i.e., the print job corresponding to the actual product data 62. For example, if the identification information of the printing device is "printing device β," then "print job B," which is assigned to that printing device and whose print job status is "continuing processing," is identified.

[0067] The management device 12 then compares the actual result data 62 with the final page (image data of the final page of the planned result) of the planned result data linked to the identified print job ("print job B" in the above example) using existing technology to obtain the degree of match between them. If the "degree of match" is higher than a predetermined threshold (for example, as shown in FIG. 7A), the management device 12 determines that there is no problem with the final page of the actual result (S132: Yes) and updates the status of the identified print job ("print job B" in the above example) from "continuing processing" to "completed" (S140). The management device 12 also notifies the terminal device 18 that the final page of the identified print job ("print job B" in the above example) has been completed (S138). In response to this, the terminal device 18 displays a final page completion screen for the print job on its display 20 (S142).

[0068] On the other hand, if the "degree of match" is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (for example, as shown in FIG. 7B), the management device 12 determines that there is a problem with the final page of the actual result (S132: No). Then, the management device 12 notifies the terminal device 18 of an error in the identified print job ("print job B" in the above example) (S134), and the terminal device 18, in response, displays an error screen for that print job on its own display 20 (S136).

[0069] In this embodiment, if it is determined that there is no problem with the final page of the actual result (S132: Yes), it is assumed that all printing processes for the print job corresponding to the actual result have been completed without any problems, and the status of the print job is updated from "Continuing processing" to "Completed."

[0070] According to the embodiment described above, the operator does not need to determine the processing status of the print job, and therefore can perform the work monotonously without being conscious of the content of the printed matter corresponding to the print job.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, a print job that prints on only one side of a medium has been described, but similar processing can be performed for a print job that prints on both sides of a medium. In the case of a print job that prints on both sides of a medium, a print instruction for the first page and the second page (the front and back sides of the medium) can be issued in S102 of Fig. 4, so that one sheet of medium printed on both sides can be output from the printing device in S106.

[0072] Next, a modified example will be described. In the embodiment described above, the first page and the last page of the print job are verified, but the pages to be verified are not limited to these, and one or more predetermined pages other than these pages may be verified. Also, if the print job includes instructions related to post-processing steps, such as instructions related to cutting, folding, stapling, etc., and an actual product that has been post-processed is obtained, verification may be performed on the actual product.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the entire first or last page of the actual product was photographed with a camera, and the image data of the entire page was used as actual product data 62. Verification was performed by comparing this with the planned product data. However, as shown in FIG. 8 , a portion of the first or last page of the actual product may be photographed, and the image data of that portion may be used as actual product data 62. Verification may also be performed by comparing this portion with planned product data 42. In this case, planned product data 42 is the image data of a portion of the first or last page of the planned product. In the example of FIG. 8 , the lower right portion of the last page of the actual product 25 (encircled by a dashed line) is photographed with the camera 22 of the terminal device 18, and the image data of that portion is used as actual product data 62. The corresponding planned product data 42 is prepared in advance. In other words, the actual product data 62 is image data of a portion of the actual product corresponding to a predetermined portion of the planned product, obtained by the operator photographing the actual product with the camera 22. When performing verification using such a portion of a page, it is preferable to target a portion that is likely to be distinctive compared to other print jobs or other pages within the same print job.

[0074] 9, a sheet of paper of a specific size (for example, a commonly used paper size such as A4 or A3) may be placed next to the first or last page of the actual result 25, the two sheets of paper placed side by side may be photographed with the camera 22, and the image data of the two sheets of paper as a whole may be used as actual result data 62, which may then be compared with the planned result data 42 for verification. In this case, the planned result data 42 is image data in which the sheet of paper of the specific size and the first or last page of the planned result are placed side by side. In this way, it is possible to simultaneously verify whether there is a problem with the paper size of the first or last page of the actual result 25.

[0075] Furthermore, if there is an obvious problem with the image quality or the like of the actual result data 62 received from the terminal device 18, the management device 12 may display an error message or advice such as that shown in FIG. 10 on the display 20 of the terminal device 18.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the planned result data 42 and the actual result data 62 are image data, but they may be data other than image data. Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment in which the planned result data 42 and the actual result data 62 are text information. As shown in the figure, the last page of the actual result 25 includes a cutting position 80 (enclosed by a dashed line), and the area outside the cutting position 80 is an area to be cut off in a post-processing step. Although not shown, pages other than the last page of the actual result 25 also include similar cutting areas.

[0077] Character information 81 is printed in the area outside the cutting position 80 of each page of the actual result (and the planned result). Character information 81 is information made up of numerical values, symbols, various characters, etc. In this embodiment, character information 81 having randomness so as not to overlap with character information 81 printed in other print jobs or on other pages within the same print job is printed in the area outside the cutting position 80 of each page. In other words, the planned result of the print job includes character information 81 made up of random numerical values, etc., in the area outside the cutting position 80 of each page.

[0078] In this embodiment, the character information attached to the last page (or first page) of the print job is set as expected result data 42, and the character information of the actual result obtained by the operator reading from the last page (or first page) of the actual result and inputting it into the terminal device 18 is set as actual result data 62, and the last page (or first page) is verified by comparing them. Specifically, the management device 12 compares the character information of the expected result data 42 with the character information of the actual result data 62, and if they are identical, it determines that there is no problem with the last page (or first page) of the actual result, and if they are not identical, it determines that there is a problem with the last page (or first page) of the actual result.

[0079] FIG. 11 shows the terminal device 18 when verifying the final page of this embodiment. The operator operates the terminal device 18 to launch a verification program (application), thereby displaying a verification screen as shown on the terminal device 18 in FIG. 11. The verification screen includes instructions such as "Please enter the number written in the box in the lower right corner of the final page." Such instructions are pre-stored in the management device 12 as instruction information 38 and are displayed by being sent to the terminal device 18. Note that the management device 12 sends an instruction regarding the first page when the printing device (e.g., printing device β) specified in the device specification section 72 of the verification screen is in the "first processing" state of the print job, and sends an instruction regarding the final page when the printing job is in the "continuing processing" state.

[0080] The verification screen also includes an input field 76 for text information. The operator touches the input field 76 with his / her finger to display a keyboard (not shown) on the screen, and uses it to input text information 81 printed on the last page of the actual result 25 (the numerical values ​​in the box at the bottom right of the last page in FIG. 11 ) into the input field 76. Then, when the operator presses a send button (not shown), the text information input into the input field 76 is sent to the management device 12 as actual result data 62. The management device 12 then performs verification by comparing the text information (actual result data 62) received from the terminal device 18 with the planned result data 42 (text information).

[0081] In this way, the actual result data is character information in a portion of the actual result that corresponds to a predetermined portion of the expected result, obtained by the operator reading it from the actual result and inputting it into the terminal device 18 (computer). According to this embodiment, the processing status of the print job can be obtained by simpler computer processing than when comparing image data.

[0082] Next, another embodiment will be described. In each of the embodiments described above, the print job creates only one copy of a printed material, but the print job may also create two or more copies of the same printed material. Hereinafter, the term "identical result" will be used. The identical result is a printed material that constitutes one of multiple copies of the same printed material consisting of one or more pages that are output from the printing device 14 as a result of the printing device 14 operating in accordance with the print job.

[0083] In a print job that produces multiple identical results, multiple final pages (the third page in FIG. 12) will be ejected from the printer 14. Therefore, the operator may use the camera on the terminal device 18 to photograph the final page of an earlier identical result (the first or second copy in FIG. 12) rather than the final page of the final identical result (the third copy in FIG. 12), and verify the final page. For example, this can occur when the printer 14 stops due to a paper jam or other reason, and the print job appears to the operator as completed, even though it is not yet complete. In this case, the flow in FIG. 4 determines that there is no problem with the final page of the print job (S132: Yes), even though the print job is not yet complete, and the status of the print job is updated from "Continuing Processing" to "Completed" (S140).

[0084] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the status of the print job may be updated by further considering the status of the printing device 14. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of another embodiment in which the processing after S132 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is modified. In S132 of FIG. 13, the management device 12 determines that there is no problem with the final page photographed by the operator (S132: Yes). Then, in S200, the management device 12 requests the printing device 14 that output the actual print result (the printing device specified by the operator on the photographing screen or verification screen) to notify the status of the printing device. The status of the printing device indicates whether the printing device is processing a print job, and may indicate, for example, an idle state, a processing state, or an error-stopped state (a state in which a print job is considered to be in the middle of processing). In response to the request, the printing device 14 transmits the status of the printing device to the management device 12 (S202).

[0085] Then, in S204, if the printing device is in an idle state (the printing device is not processing a print job) (S204: Yes), the management device 12 determines that the operator has photographed the final page of the final identical result, and updates the state of the print job from "continuing processing" to "completed" (S212). Also, the management device 12 notifies the terminal device 18 that the final page of the print job has been completed (S210), and the terminal device 18, in response, displays a final page completion screen for the print job on its own display 20 (S214).

[0086] On the other hand, if the printing device is not in an idle state (for example, in a processing state or in an error-stopped state) (S204: No), the management device 12 determines that the operator has not photographed the last page of the final identical result (for example, the operator photographed the last page of the first or second copy in FIG. 12).The management device 12 then notifies the terminal device 18 of the print job error (S206), and the terminal device 18, in response, displays an error screen for the print job on its own display 20 (S208).

[0087] By employing the flow of FIG. 13 described above, it is possible to accurately update the status even for a print job that creates two or more copies of the same printed material.

[0088] Next, further modifications will be described. In each of the above-described embodiments, the operator inputs the identification information of the printing device on the image capture screen or the verification screen, and the management device 12 receives this information, thereby allowing the management device 12 to identify the print job corresponding to the actual product data 62. However, instead of requiring the operator to input the identification information of the printing device, a configuration may be adopted in which, as shown in FIG. 14 , candidate print jobs corresponding to the actual product data 62 are displayed on the terminal device 18, and the operator is asked to select a print job from the candidate print jobs. In this case, if only one print job among multiple print jobs is currently in the "initial processing" or "continuing processing" state, the management device 12 can identify that print job as the print job corresponding to the actual product data 62 without displaying a selection screen such as that shown in FIG. 14 . On the other hand, if multiple print jobs are currently in the "initial processing" or "continuing processing" state, the management device 12 displays a selection screen such as that shown in FIG. 14 as candidate print jobs, and allows the operator to select a print job corresponding to the actual product data 62. 14, selection buttons 84-1 and 84-2 for two print jobs A and B are displayed, and the operator selects a print job by touching either selection button 84-1 or 84-2 with a finger. In this way, the management device 12 can also identify the print job corresponding to the actual result data 62.

[0089] Furthermore, in each of the embodiments described above, when printing of the first page or the last page is completed, each printing device 14 may send a message to the terminal device 18 directly or via the management device 12 to the terminal device 18, prompting the operator to take a photo or enter text information for verification. The terminal device 18 receives the message and displays it on its own display 20, thereby prompting the operator to perform the verification work.

[0090] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0091] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10 print job management system (management system), 12 print job management device (management device), 14, 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 printing device, 16 access point, 18 terminal device, 20 display, 22 camera, 23 planned result, 25, 25-1, 25-2, 25-3 actual result (printed result), 28 network, 30 processor, 32 storage device, 34 program, 36 print job status, 37 allocation information, 38 instruction information, 40, 40-1, 40-2 print job, 42, 42-1, 42-2 planned result data, 50 processor, 52 storage device, 54 program, 62 actual result data, 70-1 to 70-5 box, 72 device specification section, 74 frame, 76 input field, 80 cutting position, 81 character information, 84-1, 84-2 Select button, 90 operator.

Claims

1. a processor; a storage device for storing data on the expected results of the print job; The processor: Read the data of the expected result from the storage device; acquiring data of an actual result printed out in accordance with the print job; obtaining a processing status of the print job based on a comparison result between the data of the planned result and the data of the actual result; The data of the predetermined result includes text information in a predetermined portion of the predetermined result, The data of the actual result includes text information in a portion of the actual result corresponding to the predetermined portion of the planned result, the text information being obtained by an operator reading the data from the actual result and inputting the data into a computer. A print job management device.

2. 2. The print job management device according to claim 1, the data of the intended result includes image data of a predetermined second portion of the intended result; The data of the actual result includes image data of a portion of the actual result corresponding to the predetermined second portion of the planned result, the image data being acquired by an operator photographing the actual result with a camera. A print job management device.

3. 3. The print job management device according to claim 2, the expected result includes a plurality of pages, The processor: acquiring a processing status of the print job based on a comparison result between image data of a part or all of a predetermined page of the planned result and image data of a corresponding part of the actual result; A print job management device.

4. 4. The print job management device according to claim 3, The processor: and estimating whether or not the entire printing process of the print job has been completed based on a comparison result between a part or all of the image data of the final page of the planned result and the corresponding part of the image data of the actual result. A print job management device.

5. 4. The print job management device according to claim 3, The processor: determining whether printing of the first page of the print job has been completed based on a comparison result between a part or all of the image data of the first page of the planned result and the corresponding part of the image data of the actual result; A print job management device.

6. 4. The print job management device according to claim 3, The predetermined result includes a plurality of identical results, The processor: acquiring a status of a printing device from the printing device that prints out in accordance with the print job; and estimating whether or not the entire printing process of the print job has been completed based on the state of the printing device and a comparison result between image data of a part or all of the final page of the same result product of the planned result product and image data of the corresponding part of the actual result product. A print job management device.

7. 7. The print job management device according to claim 2, The processor: notifying the terminal device carried by the operator of a method for photographing the actual result with the camera; A print job management device.

8. 2. The print job management device according to claim 1, the expected result includes a plurality of pages, The processor: acquiring a processing status of the print job based on a comparison result between character information in a predetermined portion of a predetermined page of the expected result and character information in a corresponding portion of the actual result; A print job management device.

9. 9. The print job management device according to claim 1, The processor: notifying a terminal device carried by the operator of the position of the character information to be read in the actual result; A print job management device.

10. reading data of the expected results of the print job from the storage device; acquiring data of an actual result printed out in accordance with the print job; acquiring a processing status of the print job based on a comparison result between the data of the planned result and the data of the actual result; A program that causes a computer to function as follows: The data of the predetermined result includes text information in a predetermined portion of the predetermined result, The data of the actual result includes text information in a portion of the actual result corresponding to the predetermined portion of the planned result, the text information being obtained by an operator reading the data from the actual result and inputting the data into a computer. program.

11. A processor; a storage device for storing data on the expected results of the print job; The processor: Read the data of the expected result from the storage device; acquiring data of an actual result printed out in accordance with the print job; obtaining a processing status of the print job based on a comparison result between the data of the planned result and the data of the actual result; The data of the predetermined result includes text information in a predetermined portion of the predetermined result, the actual result data includes text information input into a computer in a portion of the actual result corresponding to the predetermined portion of the planned result; A print job management device.

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