Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for specifying a preview display method at the time of registering a design template.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: a first receiving unit which receives a selection of one design plate from among design templates; a storage unit which stores the design templates in association with preview methods; and a generation unit which generates a preview image based on a preview method stored in association with the one design template. The preview methods include a first preview method for displaying the one design template as a video, and a second preview method, which is different from the first preview method, for displaying an image of the one design template. The generation unit generates the preview image based on one preview method out of the first and second preview methods, the one preview method being stored in association with the one design template.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Printed materials using special colors and special processing (e.g., direct mail) have added value, such as being eye-catching, and are rediscovering the value of paper (analog media) over digital media. Therefore, there are known design templates that allow users to easily create such high-value-added printed materials, and workflow systems that can manage a series of work processes. To improve user convenience, some of these workflow systems include design tools for applying special colors and special processing, as well as a preview display function that displays the finished image. Furthermore, special previews are required to express the glossiness of spot colors and the three-dimensional effect of special processing.

[0003] As a technique for displaying a preview of such spot colors, a configuration has been disclosed in which the preview is displayed in a way that allows distinction between spot color parts and achromatic color parts (for example, parts that represent the background paper color, such as white toner and white paper) to make it easier to see that spot colors are included (for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional technology has a problem in that it is not possible to specify the preview display method when registering a design template.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, P an information processing system that can specify a method for displaying reviews; affection The present invention aims to provide an information processing method and program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides: one of Preview display target data a first reception unit that receives a designation of the one Preview display target data a generating unit that generates a preview image of the first preview method, wherein the generating unit generates a preview image of the first preview method, Cycle through images from multiple viewpoints Generates preview images to be displayed in the second preview method, which is displayed in video format. The preview image is an image in which the preview method is switched based on a predetermined operation. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, P You can specify how reviews are displayed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a device system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a cloud system or the like according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of the equipment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data model used in the equipment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a template registration process. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the template registration screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the overall processing flow of the equipment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing job print preparation and printing using arrows. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a job execution determination process in the cloud system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining prediction of the device state at the start time of the free time. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device state prediction process in the cloud system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of predicting the preparation time and the execution time. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the order workflow screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the template list screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the template editing screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the output setting screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the order confirmation screen. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another example of the order confirmation screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a preview display operation in the device system according to the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the operation of generating a simulated image in the equipment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the operation of displaying a plurality of simulated images from different viewpoints. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a captured image response process in the printing company according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that would be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the scope of what is called equivalents. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the following embodiments.

[0010] (Outline of equipment system configuration) 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a machine system according to an embodiment, and the schematic configuration of the machine system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0011] The equipment system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is an information processing system that receives an order for printing print data using digital materials, selects a printing company suitable for the printing, and has the printing company carry out the printing. As shown in Fig. 1, the equipment system 100 includes a cloud system 50 (an example of an information processing system, an example of an information processing device), an orderer terminal 40, an administrator terminal 12, and one or more management servers 11 (management devices) and printing presses 30 of printing companies 10. The cloud system 50, the orderer terminal 40, the administrator terminal 12, and the management servers 11 and printing presses 30 of the printing companies 10 are capable of data communication with each other via a network N.

[0012] In this embodiment, the network N is a network that includes the Internet because a cloud system 50 is used. Furthermore, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), etc. are used within the printing company 10. Note that the network N may also use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

[0013] A printing company 10 refers to a company that has printing facilities, such as a printing factory, printing shop, or designated building, and uses the facilities to print printed materials. The system of each printing company 10 includes a management server 11 and a printing machine 30. The management server 11 and the printing machine 30 may be capable of data communication with each other via a network within the printing company 10's system. Printed materials are printed by forming an image of print data onto a recording medium, such as paper, using a printing device, such as an image forming device. Examples of printed materials include direct mail, advertisements, flyers, booklets, posters, promotional materials, catalogs, pamphlets, slips, invoices, and other commercial printed materials used by ordering brand owners for business or sales promotion, but may also be documents used by ordering parties.

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

[0015] The above-mentioned job refers to a unit of printing processing. For example, it refers to printing a certain number of pages of a certain document. In this embodiment, the execution of a job means that the printing press 30 prints, but the specific process that job execution involves varies depending on the type of printing press 30. Furthermore, the output obtained by executing a job may also include simply displaying the results, storing the results in the cloud, sending an email, or notifying a user, etc. Furthermore, job information is information related to a job, but in this embodiment, there is no strict distinction between the job and job information. Job schedule information is information that indicates the scheduled start and end times for execution of a job on a certain printing press 30.

[0016] The printing machine 30 is an image forming device such as a production printer, a color inkjet printer, or a color / monochrome MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). The printing method of the printing machine 30 may be electrophotography, inkjet, letterpress printing, intaglio printing, lithographic printing, stencil printing, or the like, but is not limited to these methods and may be any method that can print. The printing machine 30 may also be connected to a finisher (post-processing device) for performing post-processing (post-processing) on ​​the printed recording medium, such as folding, saddle stitching, case binding, or punching. The printing machine 30 may also have a scanning function, a fax function, a copying function, or the like.

[0017] If the printing press 30 is a commercial printing device, it is controlled by a DFE (Digital Front End). Therefore, a device independent of the printing press 30 may have a DFE. In this embodiment, the description will be given assuming that the printing press 30 is equipped with a control function by a DFE.

[0018] The administrator terminal 12 is an information processing device that requests the cloud system 50 to register a desired design template from a registrant, such as a designer or a printing company. Here, a design template refers to material data, such as templates and illustration data, to be included in print data. A design template is composed of image files, such as PDF or JPEG. While this embodiment focuses on design templates as digital materials, the present invention is applicable to digital materials such as illustration data as well as design templates. In other words, the registrant, such as the designer or printing company, is the one who understands the characteristics of the design template registered by the designer or printing company using spot colors or special processing and knows how to present it in the most understandable way. Here, a spot color refers to a color other than the so-called CMYK process colors that can be printed using a dedicated color material (such as ink or toner). Special processing refers to a special printing method for color materials, such as decorative printing by layering color materials to create a three-dimensional effect or gold foil stamping. Printing methods that incorporate spot colors and special processing may also be referred to as special printing. In this embodiment, a detailed description will be given of an operation that allows a registrant, such as a designer or a printing company, to select a preview method for displaying a preview of a design template when the registrant registers the design template in the cloud system 50. Note that, if the registrant is the printing company 10, the administrator terminal 12 may be owned by the printing company 10. The administrator terminal 12 is equipped with a web browser and applications, 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 printing of printed materials using design templates from the cloud system 50 in accordance with the operation of an orderer requesting printing. The orderer terminal 40 can specify a desired preview method for a design template selected and edited by the orderer in accordance with the orderer's operation. The orderer terminal 40 is equipped with a web browser and applications, and displays each screen by accessing the cloud system 50 via a network.

[0020] The cloud system 50 is an information processing system having one or more information processing devices. When an order for printing a printed material containing a design template is received from an external client terminal 40, the system detects available time from the schedule information of the printing presses 30 of each printing service provider 10, calculates the preparation time and execution time for the received job, determines whether the received job can be executed within the available time, and distributes the job to a printing service provider 10 that can execute the job. In other words, the cloud system 50 provides printing services to users of the external client terminal 40. Here, "cloud" is an abbreviation for cloud computing, and refers to a usage model 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" (within facilities managed by the user), but the cloud system 50 may be located either inside or outside an internal LAN. One or more information processing devices included in the cloud system 50 function as servers, providing various information and processing results in response to requests from clients.

[0021] In addition, when making a judgment, the cloud system 50 predicts the state of the printing press 30 at the start time of the free time, and predicts the preparation time based on the predicted state of the printing press 30 and the state of the printing press 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, a server corresponding to each service may exist, or one or more servers may implement each service. An application corresponding to each service runs on the server, and the applications can communicate with each other. The applications communicate via, for example, a Web API (Application Programming Interface). There is no strict definition of a Web API, but it is an interface between applications or systems that is called over a network using a protocol such as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

[0023] The order management service 51 receives the design template and output setting information edited by the orderer from the external orderer terminal 40 via the digital material management service 56, generates print data, and requests the job management service 55 to register job information for printing the print data. Note that the generation of the print data is not limited to being performed by the order management service 51, but may also be generated by the management server 11 of the printing company 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 press 30 and provides the device information to the job management service 55 .

[0026] The business management service 54 manages information about each printing business 10 .

[0027] The job management service 55 acquires job information from the order management service 51 and manages it in a centralized manner, references the device information managed by the device management service 53, and delivers the job information to the printing company 10 that is appropriate for printing.

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

[0029] When job information is delivered 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 received the job information, and performs billing processing.

[0030] With the above configuration, printing can be performed on the printing press 30 that is best suited to executing the job, thereby increasing the operating rate of the printing press 30, preventing opportunity loss, and enabling profits to be shared among the printing companies 10 that use the equipment system 100.

[0031] (Hardware configuration of cloud system, management server, administrator terminal, and client terminal) 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a cloud system etc. according to an embodiment. The hardware configuration of the cloud system 50, management server 11, administrator terminal 12, and orderer terminal 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Here, the hardware configuration of the information processing devices constituting the cloud system 50, management server 11, administrator terminal 12, and orderer terminal 40 will be described.

[0032] 2, the information processing device includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803, a 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 a bus line 810 such as an address bus and a data bus to enable data communication.

[0033] The CPU 801 is a computing device that controls the operation of the entire information processing device. The ROM 802 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs used to drive 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 reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 804 under the control of the CPU 801. The HD 804 and the HDD controller 805 may be SSDs (Solid State Drives).

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

[0036] The keyboard 811 is an input device equipped with a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 812 is an input device such as a mouse for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc.

[0037] The DVD-RW drive 814 is a device that controls reading and writing of various data from and to a DVD 513, 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 (storing) of data from and to a medium 815, such as a flash memory.

[0038] The cloud system 50 is often realized by a virtual machine. A virtual machine is an information processing device in which a host OS (Operating System) runs on another OS.

[0039] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the information processing devices constituting the cloud system 50, management server 11, administrator terminal 12, and orderer terminal 40 shown in Fig. 2 is an example, and it is not necessary to include all of the components shown in Fig. 2, or other components may be included. Also, it goes without saying that the information processing devices constituting the cloud system 50, management server 11, administrator terminal 12, and orderer terminal 40 do not need to have the same hardware configuration.

[0040] (Printing machine hardware configuration) 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a printing press according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the hardware configuration of the printing press 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

[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 the computer, a MEM-P (system memory) 902, a NB (north bridge) 903, a 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. Of these, the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (accelerated graphics port) bus 921.

[0043] The CPU 901 is a computing device that performs overall control of the printing machine 30. The NB 903 is a bridge that connects the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0044] The MEM-P902 includes a ROM 902a, which is memory for storing programs and data that realize the functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b, which is used for expanding the programs and data and as a drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), or a DVD.

[0045] The SB 904 is a bridge for connecting the NB 903 with PCI devices, peripheral devices, etc. The ASIC 906 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing and serves as a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD controller 908, and MEM-C 907. The ASIC 906 includes a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 907, multiple direct memory access controllers (DMACs) that perform image data rotation and other operations using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and printer unit 932 via the PCI bus 922. A USB interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) interface may be connected to the ASIC 906.

[0046] The MEM-C 907 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD 909 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HDD controller 908 is a controller that controls reading and writing of data from and to the HD 909 under the control of the CPU 901. The HDD controller 908 and the HD 909 may be SSDs.

[0047] The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphics processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P 902 at 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 ASIC 906 via a 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 is equipped with a panel display section 940a such as a touch panel that displays the current setting values ​​or selection screens, etc., and accepts input from the user, and hard keys 940b consisting of a numeric keypad that accepts setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that accepts a copy start instruction.

[0051] The printing machine 30 can be switched between the document box function, copy function, printer function, and fax function in sequence using the application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the printer enters document box mode, when the copy function is selected, the printer enters printer mode, and when the fax function is selected, the printer enters fax mode.

[0052] The network I / F 950 is an interface for data communication via the network N, and is an interface capable of communication conforming to, for example, Ethernet, TCP / IP, etc. 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 device constituting the printing machine 30 shown in Figure 3 is an example, and it does not need to include all of the components shown in Figure 3, or it may include other components.

[0054] (Configuration and operation of functional blocks of equipment systems) 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of the equipment system according to the embodiment. The configuration and operation of the functional blocks of the equipment system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0055] <Administration Server> As shown in FIG. 4, the management server 11 of the printing company 10 has a communication unit 111, a template printing instruction unit 112, a captured image registration unit 113, a captured 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 to and from 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 and a program executed by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2.

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

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

[0059] The captured image transmitting unit 114 is a functional unit that transmits the captured image registered by the captured image registering 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 printing machine 30 to execute job information registered in the job information storage unit 119 in accordance with schedule information included in the job information.

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

[0062] The above-described template print 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 executed by the CPU 801 shown in Fig. 2. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized not by a software program but by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC.

[0063] Note that the functional units of management server 11 shown in Fig. 4 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such a configuration. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in management server 11 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in management server 11 shown in Fig. 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

[0064] <Printing machine> As shown in FIG. 4, the printing machine 30 of the printing company 10 includes a communication unit 301, a device information transmission unit 302, and a print 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, under the control of the device information transmission unit 302. The communication unit 301 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 950 and a program executed by the CPU 901 shown in FIG.

[0066] The device information transmission unit 302 is a functional unit that transmits device information related to the printing press 30 to the device management service 53 via the communication unit 301. The device information includes, for example, the configuration of the printing press 30, such as the printing speed, settings such as paper type and size, the status of the printing press 30, such as whether it is in operation or out of order, and schedule information such as how many jobs have been submitted. The contents of the device information will be explained later in relation to the cloud system 50.

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

[0068] The device information transmission unit 302 and print execution unit 303 are realized, for example, by a program 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 an ASIC, rather than by a software program.

[0069] Note that the functional units of the printing machine 30 shown in Fig. 4 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such configurations. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the printing machine 30 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the printing machine 30 shown in Fig. 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple 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 desired to be registered and 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, such as the name (title), category, price, color, search tag, printing conditions, preview method, and captured image of the design template. The communication unit 121 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 and the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program.

[0072] The template registration request unit 122 is a functional unit that requests the digital material management service 56 to register the design template set on the administrator terminal 12 and the attribute information and the like inputted through 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 sets a design template and causes the display 806 to display a template registration screen (described later) for inputting attribute information.

[0074] The input unit 124 is a functional unit that accepts operation inputs from a printing company, etc. The input unit 124 is realized by the keyboard 811 and the pointing device 812 shown in FIG.

[0075] The above-described template registration request unit 122 and display control unit 123 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 ASIC, rather than by a software program.

[0076] Note that the functional units of the administrator terminal 12 shown in Fig. 4 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such a configuration. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the administrator terminal 12 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of a single functional unit in the administrator terminal 12 shown in Fig. 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

[0077] <Orderer terminal> As shown in FIG. 4, the orderer terminal 40 includes 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 a design template edited on the orderer terminal 40 and 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 and the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2 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, the display control unit 404 edits a design template, sets output setting information, and causes the display 806 to display various screens for previewing the design template, as will be described later.

[0080] The input unit 403 is a functional unit that accepts operational inputs from the orderer, and is realized by the keyboard 811 and pointing device 812 shown in FIG.

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

[0082] Note that the functions of each functional unit of the orderer terminal 40 shown in Fig. 4 are conceptually shown, and the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the multiple functional units shown as independent functional units in the orderer terminal 40 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the orderer terminal 40 shown in Fig. 4 may be divided into multiple functional units and configured as multiple functional units.

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

[0084] The communication unit 511 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various types of information to and from external devices. The communication unit 511 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 and the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program.

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

[0086] The digital material acquisition unit 513 is a functional unit that acquires the digital material specified in the design template received by the order receiving unit 512 from the digital material management service 56 .

[0087] The print data generation unit 514 is a functional unit that 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. The print data is, for example, data in PDF (Portable Document Format) or JDF (Job Definition Format). As described above, the generation of print data by the print data generation unit 514 may be performed by, for example, the management server 11 or the printer 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 job management service 55 to register the job information.

[0089] The above-described order receiving 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 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, rather than by a software program.

[0090] Note that the functional units of the order management service 51 shown in Fig. 4 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to this configuration. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the order management service 51 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the order management service 51 shown in Fig. 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

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

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

[0093] <Equipment 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 machine 30 of the printing company 10. For example, the communication unit 531 receives device information from the printing machine 30. When starting communication, the communication unit 531 uses a bidirectional communication mechanism (for example, WebSocket or MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport)). The communication unit 531 is realized, for example, by the network I / F 809 and the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program.

[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 device information registered in the device information storage unit 539 to the job management service 55. It is desirable that the device information providing unit 533 provide the device information without delay when new device information is registered. Alternatively, the device information providing unit 533 may provide the device information in response to a request from the device information acquisition unit 552 of the job management service 55, or may provide the device information periodically or at times when the load is low.

[0097] The device information storage unit 539 is a functional unit that stores device information. The device information storage unit 539 is realized by at least one of the RAM 803 and HD 804 shown in FIG. 2. Device information includes, for example, a device ID, configuration, settings, device status, remaining paper, ink, remaining ink amount, and job status. The device ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the printing press 30. The configuration is information about the functions of the printing press 30, including whether color printing or black-and-white printing is possible, the printing speed if possible, and whether special processing is possible. The settings are the size, type, grade, etc. of paper set in the printing press 30. The device status indicates the current status of the printing press 30, such as operating, stopped, or broken. The remaining paper amount is the amount of remaining paper. The ink is the type of ink installed, including process color ink and special color ink (e.g., transparent ink, fluorescent ink, metallic ink, mixed color ink, etc.). The remaining ink amount is the amount of remaining ink. The job status is information about the job that has been submitted to the printing press 30, and includes, for example, schedule information.

[0098] The device information registration unit 532 and the device information provision unit 533 described above 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, rather than by a software program.

[0099] Note that the functional units of the device management service 53 shown in Fig. 4 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such a configuration. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the device management service 53 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the device management service 53 shown in Fig. 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

[0100] <Vendor management service> As shown in FIG. 4, the vendor management service 54 of the cloud system 50 includes a vendor information storage unit 549.

[0101] The supplier information storage unit 549 is a storage unit that stores, as supplier information, information about the printing service provider 10 that uses the cloud system 50. The supplier information storage unit 549 is realized by at least one of the RAM 803 and the HD 804 shown in FIG.

[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, a captured image request acceptance unit 553, a template print instruction unit 554, a captured 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 types of information to and from the management server 11 of the printing company 10. For example, the communication unit 551 transmits (distributes) job information to the management server 11. The communication unit 551 also 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 and a program executed by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2.

[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 new device information to the job management service 55 every time it receives the device information, or may transmit the device information periodically or when the load is low. Alternatively, the device information acquisition unit 552 may request device information from the device management service 53 and receive the device information as a result of the request. In this case, the device information acquisition unit 552 may also request the device information periodically or when the load is low.

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

[0106] The template print instruction unit 554 is a functional unit that, when a captured image request and a design template are accepted by the captured image request acceptance unit 553, sends a print instruction for the design template to the management server 11 of a specified printing company 10 via the communication unit 551. Note that the printing company 10 to which the design template print instruction from the template print instruction unit 554 is to be sent may be determined, for example, by processing similar to the job execution determination processing by the job execution determination unit 557, which will be described later.

[0107] The captured image processing unit 555 is a functional unit that acquires captured images via the communication unit 551 from the management server 11 of the printing company 10 to which the template printing instruction unit 554 has issued an instruction to print a design template, and transmits the captured images to the digital material management service 56.

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

[0109] The job execution determination unit 557 is a functional unit that determines which printing service provider 10 should execute the job information registered in the job information storage unit 559 by the job information registration unit 556 (which printing press 30 at which printing service provider 10 should perform the printing process). For example, the job execution determination unit 557 predicts the status of the printing press 30 at the start of a free time based on the current status of the printing press 30 at each printing service provider 10 and the schedule information for planned job execution, and determines whether a newly accepted job can be completed by the end of the free time. Furthermore, the job execution determination unit 557 determines, from among the printing service providers 10 that can execute the job based on the schedule information, the printing service providers 10 and printing presses 30 that satisfy the printing conditions and preview method of the design template included in the print data of the job information. Here, compatibility with the preview method means compatibility with spot color or special processing printing when special preview is specified as the preview method.

[0110] The job execution determining unit 557 may cause a plurality of printing companies 10 to execute a job.

[0111] The schedule generation unit 558 is a functional unit that generates schedule information when the job execution determination unit 557 determines which printing company 10 is to execute the job information. In this case, the schedule generation unit 558 stores the generated schedule information together with the job information in the job information storage unit 559. The schedule information is information that indicates the planned start and end dates for executing a job.

[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] The billing information notification unit 558b is a functional unit that, when job information is executed on the printing press 30 of the printing company 10, notifies the billing management service 57 of withdrawal information from the client (customer) at the client terminal 40 who ordered the printing data of the job information, and deposit information to the printing company 10 that received 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 and the HD 804 shown in FIG. 2. The job information includes, for example, a job ID, paper size, number of sheets, image quality requirements, desired delivery date, print data, customer information, schedule information, destination, log, and status. The job ID is identification information that identifies the job information. The paper size, grade, and type of paper required for this job. The number of sheets is the number of copies to be printed for the job. The image quality requirements are the image quality (e.g., resolution) required for the printed matter. The desired delivery date is the delivery date for the printed matter desired by the customer. The print data is the data to be printed. The customer information is information that identifies the customer who requested this job. The schedule information is information about when the printing machine 30 assigned to this job will execute the job. The destination is information about the recipient of the printed matter. The log is the start and end times when the job was actually executed and is also included in the job execution completion notification. The status is information indicating the progress of the current job. Note that the job information may include information other than the above information.

[0115] The above-mentioned device information acquisition unit 552, captured image request acceptance unit 553, template print instruction unit 554, captured 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, rather than by a software program.

[0116] Note that the functional units of the job management service 55 shown in Fig. 4 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such configurations. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the job management service 55 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the job management service 55 shown in Fig. 4 may be divided into multiple functional units and configured as multiple functional units.

[0117] <Digital material management service> The digital material management service 56 of the cloud system 50 has a communication unit 561, a registration unit 562 (the registration unit 562 as an example of a registration unit), a judgment unit 563 (the judgment unit 563 as an example of a first judgment unit and an example of a second judgment unit), a simulate generation unit 564 (the simulate generation unit 564 as an example of a generation unit), a captured image request unit 565 (the captured image request unit 565 as an example of a request unit), a preview control unit 566 (the preview control unit 566 as an example of a generation unit and an example of a transmission unit), a setting unit 567, a digital material provision unit 568, a display control unit 568a, and a digital material memory unit 569 (the digital material memory unit 569 as an example of a memory 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 design template registration request from the administrator terminal 12 and receives 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 and the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program.

[0119] The registration unit 562 is a functional unit that receives the design template, attribute information, printing conditions, preview method, and captured image set on 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 to the order management service 51 as an order.

[0125] The digital material providing unit 568 is a functional unit that reads the digital materials and attribute information required to generate 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 also accepts requests input by an 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 a front end of the cloud system 50, and passes information input by the operator to the registration unit 562, etc.

[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 and the HD 804 shown in FIG.

[0128] The above-mentioned registration unit 562, determination unit 563, simulation generation unit 564, captured image request unit 565, preview control unit 566, setting unit 567, digital material provision 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, rather than by a software program.

[0129] Note that the functional units of the digital material management service 56 shown in Fig. 4 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to such configurations. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the digital material management service 56 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the digital material management service 56 shown in Fig. 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

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

[0131] The billing processor 571 is a functional unit that registers in the billing information storage unit 579 information on withdrawals from the orderer (customer) and information on deposits to each printing company 10, and based on this information, requests transfer processing to the bank systems that correspond to the bank accounts of the orderer (customer) and each printing company 10. The bank system executes transfer processing between the bank accounts on the settlement date.

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

[0133] The above-described 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 software program.

[0134] Note that the functional units of billing management service 57 shown in Fig. 4 are conceptual representations of functions, and are not limited to this configuration. For example, the multiple functional units shown as independent functional units in billing management service 57 shown in Fig. 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in billing management service 57 shown in Fig. 4 may be divided into multiple functional units and configured as multiple functional units.

[0135] (Data Model) 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data model used in the equipment system according to the embodiment. The data model used in the equipment system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

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

[0137] Registration date Deposit / withdrawal categories Amount

[0138] Deposit / withdrawal information is generated, for example, when job information corresponding to order data sent from the orderer terminal 40 is distributed to one of the printing companies 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 trader management service 54 has the following trader information (information stored in the trader information storage unit 549) regarding the printing trader 10:

[0140] ·name ·address ·email address ·Account number (bank account) ·roll

[0141] Of these, the role is information that indicates, for example, whether the person is a printing company or a designer.

[0142] <Equipment management service> As described above, the printing press 30 periodically or whenever the device information changes, transmits the device information to the device management service 53. The device management service 53 has information about the following models (information stored in the device information storage unit 539):

[0143] Paper ·image quality ·speed

[0144] The device management service 53 also has the following information about the printing press 30 (information stored in the device information storage unit 539):

[0145] ·Serial number

[0146] The device management service 53 also has information on the following configurations (information stored in the device information storage unit 539).

[0147] Hardware configuration (e.g., whether color or black and white printing is possible, printing speed if possible, and whether special processing is possible, etc.) Software configuration ·setting ·Updated date and time

[0148] The device management service 53 also has the following information on the status of the printing press 30 (information stored in the device information storage unit 539):

[0149] Status (waiting, preparing, printing, stopped, error, etc.) Paper (paper type, remaining amount, etc.) Ink (type of ink, such as process color ink or special color ink, remaining amount, etc.) Adjustment status (alignment, color tone, etc.) ·Updated date and time

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

[0151] Paper Number of copies Image quality requirements Print data Desired delivery date

[0152] Furthermore, the job management service 55 has the following information about the schedule (information stored in the job information storage unit 559):

[0153] Scheduled start date and time of preparation - Estimated preparation completion date and time Scheduled printing start date and time Estimated print completion date and time

[0154] The job management service 55 also has the following information on the execution result (information transmitted in the job execution completion notification):

[0155] ·Running state ·Preparation start date and time Preparation end date and time ·Printing start date and time Print end date and time Paper Number of sheets ·Definite amount

[0156] The job execution completion notification is generated when the job execution 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 about orders (order details):

[0160] ·size Paper Image quality requirements (color) ·processing Number of copies Desired delivery date ·Effectiveness measurement Location of print data

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

[0162] The order management service 51 also has destination information (destination of the printed copies) associated with the information about the order.

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

[0164] ·title ·category ·price ·color Search tags Printing conditions Preview method

[0165] The digital material management service 56 also has design templates and captured images (information stored in the digital material storage unit 569) associated with attribute information, printing conditions, and preview methods related to the digital materials (design templates in this case).

[0166] (Template registration process) Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a template registration process. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a template registration screen. The flow of the template registration process in the equipment system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

[0167] <Step S51> 7 via the input unit 124. In response, the display control unit 123 displays the template registration screen 1000 on the display 806. In this case, the display control unit 123 receives screen information for the template registration screen 1000 from the display control unit 568a of the digital material management service 56, and displays it.

[0168] 7 is a screen for registering a design template created by a user (printer, designer, etc.) (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a creator) of the administrator terminal 12 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 select button 1011, and a register button 1012.

[0169] The image file input area 1001 is an input area for inputting a design template file created by the creator. Specifically, the creator can input and set the design template file into the image file input area 1001 by operating the input unit 124 to drag and drop the design template file into the image file input area 1001. By inputting and registering the image file, an icon image corresponding to the digital material is automatically generated by the digital material management service 56 based on the image file. This icon image may also be used for normal previews.

[0170] The title input area 1002 is an input area for inputting the name of the design template to be registered. The category input area 1003 is an input area for inputting the category of the design template to be registered. The price input area 1004 is an input area for inputting the price to be set as the usage fee for the design template to be registered. The color input area 1005 is an input area for inputting the color attributes to be used in the design template to be registered. For example, if the design template is composed of only process colors, select and input "process color", if the design template includes spot colors, select and input "spot color", and if the design template includes special processing, select and input "special processing". The search tag input area 1006 is an input area for inputting search tags to be used to search for the design template to be registered.

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

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

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

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

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

[0176] <Step S53> The creator operates the input unit 124 to specify the preview method in the preview method specification area 1010 on the template registration screen 1000. Specifically, the creator specifies normal preview or special preview in the preview method specification area 1010.

[0177] <Step S54> The creator operates the input unit 124 and the selection button 1011 on the template registration screen 1000 to select a file of a captured image of the printed material of the design template to be registered, which is stored in the administrator terminal 12 or external storage, etc.

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

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

[0180] 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 a request from the administrator terminal 12. In detail, the "reception unit" is configured by combining the display control unit 568a and the registration unit 561, and performs processing to receive a request 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 equipment system) 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the overall processing flow of the equipment system according to the embodiment. The overall processing flow of the equipment system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0182] <Step S11> The device information transmission unit 302 of the printing press 30 of each printing company 10 transmits device information relating to the printing press 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 information.

[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 purchaser of the purchaser terminal 40 performs a display operation for an order workflow screen 1100 shown in Fig. 14, which will be described later, via the input unit 403. In response, 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 screen information for the order workflow screen 1100 from the display control unit 568a of the digital material management service 56 and displays it.

[0186] <Step S15> The purchaser performs an order workflow process to check the preview of a design template, select a design template, edit it, set output settings, etc. via an order workflow screen 1100 shown in Fig. 14 (described later). The screen transitions in this order workflow process, the setting and editing operations on each screen, and the design template preview display process will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 14 to 23 (described later).

[0187] <Step S16> After the order workflow process, the purchaser operates the input unit 403 to press the order button 1506 on the order confirmation screen 1500 shown in Fig. 18 (described later). The display control unit 402 then transmits the design template and output setting information edited by the purchaser to the order management service 51 via the communication unit 401.

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

[0189] <Steps S18 and S19> The digital material acquisition unit 513 of the order management service 51 requests the digital material (illustration data, template) specified in the design template accepted by the order acceptance unit 512 from the digital material management service 56 via the communication unit 511. In response to the request from the order management service 51, the digital material provision unit 568 of the digital material management service 56 reads the digital material, attribute information, and printing conditions from the digital material storage unit 569, 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 receiving unit 512 and the digital material 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, and requests the job management service 55 to register the job information.

[0192] <Step S22> The job information registration unit 556 of the job management service 55 accepts 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 the job information 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 to determine 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 company 10 and which printing press 30 should perform the printing process). Details of this job execution determination process will be described later.

[0194] <Step S24> When the job execution determination unit 557 determines the printing company 10 or printing machine 30 that will execute the job information, the schedule generation unit 558 of the job management service 55 generates schedule information. Then, the schedule generation unit 558 stores the job information in the job information storage unit 559, including the generated schedule 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. The following description will be given 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 registered in the job information storage unit 119 by the communication unit 111 in accordance with the schedule information included in the job information.

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

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

[0200] <Steps S31 and 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 orderer terminal 40 that ordered the print data of the job information, and the deposit information to the printing company 10 that received 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 printing company 10 in the billing information storage unit 579, and requests the bank system corresponding to the bank accounts of the orderer (customer) and each printing company 10 based on this information to process the transfer.

[0201] (Job execution decision processing) Fig. 9 is a diagram showing job print preparation and printing using arrows. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of job execution determination processing in the cloud system according to the embodiment. Details of the job execution determination processing in step S23 in Fig. 8 will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.

[0202] 9 shows print preparation and printing schedule information for two printing presses 30 (printing presses A and B). Dotted lines indicate print preparation, and solid lines indicate printing. Areas with neither dotted nor solid lines are idle times. The length of the arrows indicates time.

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

[0204] <Step S231> The job execution decision unit 557 searches for available time in the schedule information up to the desired delivery date for the printing presses 30 (or all of them if there are multiple printing presses) owned by the printing company 10 that is the target of the job execution decision. Then, the process proceeds to step S232.

[0205] <Step S232> The job execution determination unit 557 then determines, from among the printing providers 10 whose available time slots have been searched for in the schedule information, the printing provider 10 and printing press 30 that satisfy the printing conditions and preview method of the design template included in the print data of the job information. The process proceeds to step S233.

[0206] <Step S233> Next, for the printing press 30 of the printing service provider 10 that has been determined to be available for printing, the job execution determination unit 557 predicts the status of the printing press 30 at the start time of the free time based on the current device status and the schedule information up to the free time of interest. The status of the printing press 30 may be, for example, the set paper type, remaining paper amount, ink, remaining ink amount, or adjustment status; the prediction method will be described later. The reason for predicting the status of the printing press 30 at the start time of the free time in this manner is that, before printing begins, tasks such as loading paper, replacing the roll paper, refilling ink, head cleaning, adjustments (alignment, color tone, etc.), and test printing are required, and commercial printing requires a long preparation time. Then, the process proceeds to step S234.

[0207] <Step S234> The job execution determination unit 557 determines the need for paper replacement, ink refill, or adjustment in preparation for job execution based on the predicted state of the printing press 30 and the new job information. The new job information also determines the paper type to be set, the number of sheets required, the ink (type), and the amount of ink. If these predicted states differ from the state of the printing press 30 set for executing the new job information, the job execution determination unit 557 determines that replacement, adjustment, or refill is necessary. It is also desirable to determine the need for head cleaning. The job execution determination unit 557 also references past history to determine the predicted state of the printing press 30 and the need for head cleaning. If paper replacement, ink refill, or adjustment is necessary (step S234: Yes), the process proceeds to step S235. If not necessary (step S234: No), the process proceeds to step S236.

[0208] <Step S235> If paper change, ink refill, or adjustment is required, job execution determination unit 557 estimates the job preparation time and execution time taking into account paper change, ink refill, or adjustment. The time required for paper change, ink refill, 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 change, ink refill, or adjustment is not required, the job execution determination unit 557 predicts the job preparation time without considering paper change, ink refill, or adjustment. In this case, the job execution determination unit 557 sets, for example, a certain fixed time (the minimum time required to start operation of the printing press 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 the job can be executed during the free time. That is, if "free time > preparation time + execution time," the job execution determination unit 557 determines that the job can be executed during the free time. However, if the predicted execution end time exceeds the desired due date, the job execution determination unit 557 determines that the job cannot be executed during this free time. Furthermore, if the predicted execution end time does not exceed the desired due date but the next schedule information is registered after the free time, the job execution determination unit 557 corrects the predicted preparation time of the job information set after the end of the new job. The prediction method is the same as in step S233. Furthermore, if the preparation time has changed and the preparation start time of the next job information has been advanced to meet the desired due 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 the job cannot be executed during this free time. If the job cannot be executed during the available time (step S237: No), the process proceeds to step S238, and if the job can be executed (step S237: Yes), the process proceeds to step S239.

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

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

[0213] As described above, whether or not a job can be executed is determined for each available time period by the job execution determination unit 557. If there are multiple available times when a job can be executed, the job execution determination unit 557 selects an available time period in which to execute a job, for example, as follows.

[0214] Choose a time slot that will give you less time to prepare your next schedule. If the gap between the next schedule information is less than the threshold, the one with the shorter gap will be selected. Boo. If the gap between the next schedule information is greater than the threshold, the longer gap will be selected. Boo.

[0215] These selection methods improve overall productivity by reducing preparation time for paper change, etc., improve overall productivity by reducing idle time when no jobs can be assigned, and improve overall productivity by making it possible to assign other jobs to the idle time.

[0216] (Device status prediction processing) Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating prediction of an equipment status at the start time of a free time. Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a device status prediction process in a cloud system according to an embodiment. Details of the device status prediction process in step S233 in Fig. 10 above will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12.

[0217] FIG. 11 shows an example in which jobs (1) to (3) are set for printing press A, and jobs (1) and (2) are set for printing press B. The thick double-headed arrow 601 between the jobs indicates job information to be added to the free time of printing press A. The double-headed arrow 602 indicates job information to be added to the free time of printing press B. If it is determined that a job can be executed in the free time, the new job is set in the free time. Below, with reference to FIG. 12, the procedure for determining whether a new job can be set in the free time between jobs (2) and (3) scheduled to be executed by printing press A will be described. As described above in step S233 of FIG. 10, the job execution determination unit 557 needs to predict the state of the printing press 30 at the start time t of the free time when job (2), which is the job immediately preceding the free time, ends.

[0218] <Step S2331> First, job execution determining 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), the process proceeds to step S2332. If they are the same (step S2331: Yes), the process proceeds to step S2333.

[0219] <Step S2332> If the paper type of the new job is different from that of job (2), job execution determining unit 557 determines that paper needs to be replaced, and then proceeds to step S2333.

[0220] <Step S2333> Next, the job execution determination unit 557 determines whether there is enough paper remaining to execute the job. If job (1), job (2), and the new job use the same paper type, the job execution determination unit 557 subtracts the amount of paper used for job (1) and job (2) from the current amount of paper remaining in the device information. If job (1) and job (2) use different paper types and the new job uses the same paper type as job (2), the job execution determination unit 557 subtracts the amount of paper used for job (2) from the remaining amount of paper of the type used by job (2) (not necessarily new paper). If it is predicted that paper will run out and need to be replaced during the execution of job (1) and job (2), or job (2), the job execution determination unit 557 subtracts the amount of paper used thereafter from the amount of paper after replacement. If job (2) and the new job use different paper, paper replacement will be necessary, and the job execution determination unit 557 obtains the remaining amount of paper of the type used by the new job (not necessarily new paper).

[0221] If there are multiple copies of the same paper in stock, a roll with a larger remaining amount than the new job can be selected to reduce the need for paper replacement during execution of the new job. Also, a roll with a smaller remaining amount than the new job can be selected to use up all the paper so that paper is not wasted. The replacement policy can also be changed in the administrator settings.

[0222] If the result of comparing the amount of paper remaining at the completion of job (2) or the amount of paper remaining of the replaced paper type with the number of sheets required for the new job indicates that paper will run out during the job and will need to be replaced (step S2333: No), proceed to step S2334; if not (step S2333: Yes), proceed to step S2335.

[0223] <Step S2334> If the result of comparing the amount of paper remaining at the completion of job (2) or the amount of paper remaining of the replaced paper type with the number of sheets required for the new job indicates that paper will run out during job execution and will need to be replaced, job execution determination unit 557 determines that replacement with new paper is necessary, and 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 ink remaining to execute the job. The concept is the same as for paper type and remaining paper amount, but the time required to replace or replenish ink is shorter than for paper. If the ink types are different, or if the ink types are the same but there is not enough ink remaining to execute the job (step S2335: No), the process proceeds to step S2336, and if the ink types are the same and there is enough ink remaining 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 ink remaining to execute the job, job execution determination unit 557 determines that ink needs to be replenished so that replenishment does not occur during job execution, and then proceeds to step S2337.

[0226] <Step S2337> Next, job execution determination unit 557 determines whether the adjustment state is the same as that of job (2). The adjustment state refers to the image formation position and color state relative to the paper. When job (2) ends, the adjustment state is in accordance with the paper and image quality requirements of job (2). Therefore, whether the adjustment state is the same as that of the new job depends on the paper and image quality requirements of the new job, so job execution determination unit 557 determines whether the two are the same. If they are not the same (step S2337: No), proceed to step S2338. If they are the same (step S2337: Yes), end the device state prediction process.

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

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

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

[0230] The preparation time is the time required for preparation, and the execution time is the time required for execution of the job. As shown in Figure 13, the preparation time is expressed as "T PC +T if +T hc +T ac +T tp ". In other words, it is the sum of the time required for paper change, ink refill, head cleaning, adjustment, and test printing. In this way, the preparation time is the sum of the time required for paper change, ink refill, or adjustment required to obtain the status of the printing press 30 based on the job information registered by the job information registration unit 556.

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

[0232] The execution time is also expressed as "T PC +T if +T hc +T ac +T pp " This is the total time required for paper replacement during job execution, ink refilling, head cleaning, adjustment, and printing. However, T PC , T if , T hc and T ac is the time when the replacement occurs during the execution of the job. Also, in the execution time, the test printing time T tp Instead, the printing time T pp Predict the printing time T pp is calculated by multiplying the number of pages per copy by the number of pages in the job information and the printing speed.

[0233] (Job execution completion notification) When the execution of a job on the printing press 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 a log of the executed job (preparation time and execution time), the amount, and the status of the printing press 30 before and after the job execution.

[0234] The status of the printing press 30 before and after job execution includes the paper type of the previous job, the paper type of the new job, the remaining amount of paper for the previous job, the number of sheets of paper to be consumed in the new job, the ink type of the previous job, the ink type of the new job, the remaining amount of ink for the previous job, the remaining amount of ink for the new job, the adjustment status of the previous job, and the adjustment status of the new job.

[0235] The job management service 55 can improve the accuracy of predictions of preparation time and execution time by storing the status of the printing press 30 before and after job execution in association with job execution completion notifications and performing statistical processing or machine learning.

[0236] Machine learning is a technology that allows computers to acquire human-like learning capabilities, in which the computer autonomously generates the algorithms necessary for making judgments such as data classification from training data that is input in advance, and applies these to new data to make predictions. The learning method for machine learning may be any of supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, or deep learning, or may be a combination of these learning methods; the learning method for machine learning is not important.

[0237] Machine learning techniques 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 editing screen. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an output setting screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an order confirmation screen. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another example of the order confirmation screen. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of preview display operations in the equipment system according to the embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram explaining the operation of generating a simulated image in the equipment system according to the embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram explaining the operation of displaying multiple simulated images from different viewpoints. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of captured image response processing in the printing company according to the embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 14 to 23, the screen transitions in the order workflow processing (step S15 in FIG. 8) in the equipment system 100 according to the present embodiment, the setting and editing operations on each screen, and the preview display processing of the design template will be described.

[0239] As explained in step S14 of FIG. 8 above, when the purchaser of the purchaser terminal 40 performs a display operation for 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 screen information for the order workflow screen 1100 from the display control unit 568a of the digital material management service 56 and causes it to be displayed. This also applies to the screens shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, which will be described later. Note that the order of screen transition is assumed to be from FIG. 14 to FIG. 18 (FIG. 19), but the order of transition is not limited to this.

[0240] The order workflow screen 1100 shown in Fig. 14 is the initial screen for a series of order workflow processes for selecting and editing a design template, checking a preview display showing what it will look like 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 that has been prepared by the purchaser, rather than a design template. The template selection button 1102 is a button for displaying a template list screen 1200 (an example of a first screen) shown in Fig. 15, which is used to select a desired design template to be printed from a list of design templates registered in the digital material management service 56.

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

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

[0244] Template display areas 1201a, 1201b, and 1201c are areas that display a list of preview images of design templates registered in the digital material management service 56. For simplicity, three template display areas are shown in FIG. 15, but the number of display areas is not limited to three. Template display area 1201a includes an editable variable portion 1211a, template display area 1201b includes an editable variable portion 1211b, and template display area 1201c includes editable variable portions 1211c and 1211d. Variable portions 1211a, 1211b, 1211c, and 1211d are underlined or otherwise indicated to indicate that they are editable.

[0245] In addition to displaying preview images as a list of design templates, information such as the name, characteristics, features, or whether special features are used for the design templates may also be displayed.

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

[0247] The decision button 1203 is a button for deciding the selection of the design template corresponding to the checked check box among 1202a, 1202b, and 1202c (the design template displayed as a preview image in the area corresponding to the selected one of 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 orderer presses the template selection button 1102, the digital material management service 56 executes a preview display operation shown in Fig. 20 for the template display areas 1201a, 1201b, and 1201c on the template list screen 1200. The preview display operation by the digital material management service 56 will be described below with reference to Fig. 20. Note that Fig. 20 focuses on the design template corresponding to the template display area 1201a on the template list screen 1200.

[0250] <Step S151> The determination unit 563 of the digital material management service 56 references the digital material storage unit 569 and determines whether the preview method corresponding to the design template to be previewed in the template display area 1201a is a special preview or a normal preview. Note that the processing of S151 may be started, for example, in response to pressing of the template selection button 1102 on the order workflow screen 1100, or may be started each time a preview image of a design template is additionally displayed on the template list screen 1200, or when a design template is searched and the search results are displayed. If the preview method is a special preview (step S151: special preview), the process proceeds to step S152. If the preview method 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 determines whether or not a captured image corresponding to the design template in the template display area 1201a exists, by referring to the digital material storage unit 569. If a captured image exists (step S152: Yes), the process proceeds to step S153, and if a captured image does not exist (step S152: No), the process proceeds to step S154.

[0252] <Step S153> The preview control unit 566 of the digital material management service 56 obtains a captured 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 captured image, 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. Then, the display control unit 402 of the orderer terminal 40 displays the preview image (captured image) received by the communication unit 401 in the template display area 1201a of the template list screen 1200.

[0253] In other words, when a special preview is specified as the preview method for a design template, if a captured image of that design template exists, that captured image is given priority and displayed as the preview image. As a result, if the design template is set to at least one of spot color or special processing, the captured image is most suitable for clearly expressing the print state as a preview display, so by previewing the captured image if it exists, the client can accurately understand the print state of the design template. The preview display operation then ends.

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

[0255] The simulation generation unit 564 may also generate images with different viewpoint positions, such as design templates 701-1 to 701-3 shown in FIG. 22, and generate a preview image in a moving image format that changes the display of these images in order. This makes it possible to clearly express the change in glossiness when the viewpoint is changed. When these multiple images are displayed in the template display area 1201a, each image may be manually switched in accordance with an operation. Furthermore, the number of images generated is not limited to three, as shown in FIG. 22.

[0256] The preview control unit 566 then transmits the simulated image (first simulated image) generated by the simulated image generation unit 564 to the orderer terminal 40 via the communication unit 561 as a preview image, and the communication unit 401 of the orderer terminal 40 receives the preview image. Alternatively, a preview image (image for display) may be generated based on the simulated image. The display control unit 402 of the orderer terminal 40 then displays the preview image (simulated image) received by the communication unit 401 in the template display area 1201a of the template list screen 1200. Note that even when the display on the orderer terminal 40 is a special preview, a normal preview image (icon image of a digital material such as a template) and a special preview image (photographed image / simulated image) may be automatically alternately displayed. Furthermore, when the template list screen 1200 is displayed, the normal preview may be initially displayed, and then switched to the special preview by hovering the mouse pointer over an image on the screen.

[0257] As shown in FIG. 19 (described later), when a spot color is set in the design template to be previewed, the simulation generation unit 564 may generate an image (second simulated image) in which the spot color portion of the image of the design template 701 (the area in the image file where the spot color or spot color processing is specified) is replaced with an alternative color such as a process color under the same light source and viewpoint conditions, and the display control unit 402 may preview the image containing the spot color and the image replaced with the alternative color side by side. As an example of replacing a spot color with a process color, an image may be generated using an image in which a color obtained by mixing process colors, yellow toner and black toner, is used as an alternative color for a color using a spot gold toner. Alternatively, an image may be generated using magenta toner or yellow toner as an alternative color for a color using fluorescent toner (fluorescent pink or fluorescent yellow). In the case of a transparent colorant such as a spot clear toner, the image in which the spot color is used may be designated as the first simulated image, and the image in which the spot color is not used may be designated as the second simulated image. This makes it possible to visually compare an image containing the spot color and an image in which the spot color is replaced with the alternative color under the same light source and viewpoint conditions, making the difference between them more easily apparent. The side-by-side display may be a side-by-side display of a captured image and a simulated image, for example.

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

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

[0260] <Step S156> The digital material management service 56 accepts a request for a preview of a captured image from the client terminal. The digital material management service 56 is an example of a captured image preview request accepting unit. Furthermore, the digital material management service 56 performs a process of requesting the printing company 10 to register the captured image via the job management service 55. Details of this process will be described with reference to FIG. 23. Note that when a request for a preview of a captured image is accepted, the request for the captured image may be sent to the printing company or the creator (registrant) of the template by notifying them of the request by email or the like. The email may include a URL that can be used to access an upload screen for the captured image.

[0261] <<Step S1561>> When the orderer requests a captured image via the input unit 403, the captured image request unit 565 of the digital material management service 56 requests the captured image from the job management service 55 in order to display a preview of the design template to be previewed. 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 receiving unit 553 of the job management service 55 receives the request for the captured image and the design template to be captured from the digital material management service 56. Then, the process proceeds to step S1562.

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

[0263] <<Step S1563>> The printing company 10 uses an imaging device to capture an image of the design template printed by the printing press 30. Then, the process proceeds to step S1564. The imaging device may be a device capable of capturing images, such as a camera or scanner. The captured image of the printed material may be multiple images of the design template or other printed material captured from multiple angles.

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

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

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

[0267] Note that the present invention is not limited to generating a preview image for preview display at the time the template list screen 1200 is displayed; for example, a preview image for 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 that will result in a 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 for the normal preview may be an icon image created based on an image of an image file of a digital material, such as a design template. Alternatively, the icon image may be generated when the image is displayed, or an icon image generated at the time of registration may be acquired. The display control unit 402 of the orderer terminal 40 then displays the preview image received by the communication unit 401 in the template display area 1201a of the template list screen 1200. The preview display operation then ends.

[0269] Returning now to the description of the template list screen 1200, the purchaser checks the preview displays in the template display areas 1201a to 1201c, selects the check box of the desired design template from among the check boxes 1202a to 1202c, and then presses the confirm button 1203. The display control unit 402 then causes the display 806 to display the template editing screen 1300 shown in FIG.

[0270] 16 is a screen for creating a layout for printing by applying edits to 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 confirm button 1303, and a cancel button 1304.

[0271] The template display area 1301 is an area that displays the design template to be edited. The template display area 1301 includes an editable variable section 1301a. In the example shown in Fig. 16, the variable section 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 the title is input into the title input area 1302 by the orderer, it is reflected in the variable part 1301a.

[0273] The confirm button 1303 is a button for confirming 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] To further increase the degree of freedom, a dedicated tool (editor) may be provided that allows the placement, position, size, attributes, etc. of any object to be changed.

[0275] When the orderer has finished editing the design template displayed in the template display area 1301, he or she presses the enter button 1303. In response, the display control unit 402 causes the display 806 to display an output setting screen 1400 shown in FIG.

[0276] The output setting screen 1400 shown in Fig. 17 is a screen for making various settings (output settings) when printing based on an edited design template. As shown in Fig. 17, the output setting screen 1400 includes a size selection area 1401, a destination read button 1402, a confirm 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 to be printed out.

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

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

[0280] The decision button 1403 is a button for deciding the above setting contents, and the cancel button 1404 is a button for canceling the above setting contents.

[0281] When the orderer presses the decision button 1403, the display control unit 402 causes the display 806 to display an order confirmation screen 1500 (an example of the second screen) shown in FIG.

[0282] 18 is a screen for making a final confirmation of 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, an actual image preview request button 1504, a test 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 a design template with a finalized layout. The series of operations for displaying the preview image in the template display area 1501 is the same as the preview display operations described above with reference to FIGS. 20 to 23.

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

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

[0287] As described above, the actual image preview request button 1504 is a button for requesting a captured image when the user wishes to check the preview display with the captured image. The trial print order button 1505 is a button for placing an order for a trial print with the printing company 10 before officially placing an 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 printing from the printing company 10 based on the contents and output settings of the design template displayed in the template display area 1501. The operation when the order button 1506 is pressed is the operation from step S16 onwards shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 8. The cancel button 1507 is a button for returning to the output setting screen 1400.

[0289] The preview image display in the template display area 1501 may be a side-by-side display of a template display area 1501a that displays a preview image when a spot color is set, and a template display area 1501b that displays a preview image under the same conditions but with the spot color replaced with an alternative color such as a process color, as in the order confirmation screen 1500a shown in Fig. 19. This makes it possible to visually compare an image containing a spot color under the same conditions in terms of light source and viewpoint with an image replaced with the alternative color, making the difference between them more easily apparent. The side-by-side display may also be a side-by-side display of a captured image and a simulated image, for example.

[0290] As described above, in the equipment system 100 according to this embodiment, the reception unit (display control unit 568a) receives a designation of a preview method corresponding to a design template, the registration unit 562 associates the design template with the preview method and registers it 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, which is used to place a printing order. This makes it possible to specify the preview display method when registering a design template. Conventionally, a separate operation different from the normal preview display operation was required to display a preview when a spot color or special processing was set. However, because the preview method is specified in advance when registering the design template, this operation can be omitted, thereby improving operability.

[0291] Furthermore, in the equipment system 100 according to this embodiment, the reception unit receives a designation of a captured image to be associated with a design template, the registration unit 562 associates the design template with the captured image and registers it in the digital material storage unit 569, the determination unit 563 determines, based on the preview method associated with the design template, whether the preview is a special preview corresponding to a design template in which at least one of a spot color or special processing is set, or a normal preview not corresponding to a design template in which at least one of a spot color or special processing is set, and if the determination unit 563 determines that a captured image exists associated with the design template, the preview control unit 566 generates a preview image based on the captured image if the determination unit 563 determines that a captured image exists. Thus, if a design template has at least one of a spot color or special processing set, a captured image is most suitable for clearly expressing the print state as a preview display. Therefore, by previewing a captured image, if one exists, the orderer can accurately grasp the print state of the design template.

[0292] Furthermore, in the equipment system 100 according to this embodiment, when the determination unit 563 determines that a captured image exists, the simulation generation unit 564 generates a second simulated image as a preview image by simulating under the same conditions as the predetermined simulation of the first simulated image and by replacing the feature color portion of the design template with an alternative color, and the preview control unit 566 transmits the first simulated image and the second simulated image to the orderer terminal 40 so that the orderer terminal 40 displays a preview of the first simulated image and the second simulated image side by side. This makes it possible to visually compare an image containing feature colors under the same conditions in terms of light source and viewpoint with an image replaced with an alternative color, making the difference between them easier to see.

[0293] In the above-described embodiments, when at least 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. 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 provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format 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 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 downloaded via the network. 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 provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the programs executed on the client terminal 40, cloud system 50, management server 11, and administrator terminal 12 are modularly configured to include at least one of the above-described functional units, and in terms of actual hardware, the CPU 801 reads and executes the programs from the above-described storage device (e.g., ROM 802 or HD 804, etc.), thereby loading and generating the above-described functional units onto the main storage device.

[0294] The aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> a reception unit that receives a designation of a preview method corresponding to the design template; a registration unit that associates the design template with the preview method and registers them in a storage unit; a transmission unit that transmits a preview image generated in accordance with a preview method associated with the design template registered by the registration unit to an orderer terminal for placing an order for printing; It is an information processing system having the above. <2> The method further includes a generating 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. <1> The information processing system is described in <3> the receiving unit receives a designation of a captured image to be associated with the design template; the registration unit associates the design template with the captured image and registers them in the storage unit; a first determination unit that determines, based on the preview method associated with the design template, whether the preview method is a first preview method corresponding to a design template in which at least one of a special color or special processing is set, or a second preview method not corresponding to a design template in which at least one of a special color or special processing is set; and a second determination unit that determines, when the first determination unit determines that the preview method associated with the design template is the first preview method, whether the captured image associated with the design template exists, the generating unit generates the preview image based on the captured image when the second determining unit determines that the captured image exists. <2> The information processing system is described in <4> When the second determination unit determines that the captured image does not exist, the generation unit generates, as the preview image, a first simulated image that is generated by a predetermined simulation in which a light source and a viewpoint are set in advance based on the design template. <3> The information processing system is described in <5> When the second determination unit determines that the captured image exists, the generation unit further generates, as the preview image, a second simulated image generated by simulating the first simulated image under the same conditions as the predetermined simulation and by replacing a feature color portion of the design template with an alternative color; the transmission unit transmits the first simulated image and the second simulated image to the orderer terminal so that the orderer terminal can preview the first simulated image and the second simulated image side by side. <4> The information processing system is described in <6> the generation unit generates a plurality of the first simulated images having different viewpoints based on the design template when the second determination unit determines that the captured image does not exist, the transmitting unit transmits the plurality of first simulated images to the orderer terminal to display the plurality of first simulated images on the orderer terminal. <4> The information processing system is described in <7> the transmitting unit transmits the plurality of first simulated images to the orderer terminal so that the orderer terminal displays the plurality of first simulated images in a moving image format. <6> The information processing system is described in <8> The method further includes a captured image preview request receiving unit that receives a captured image preview request from the orderer terminal when the second determination unit determines that the captured image does not exist. <3> ~ <7> 1 is an information processing system according to any one of the preceding claims. <9> a request unit that requests a print instruction for the design template from a management device of a printing company in response to the preview request from the client terminal; the generating unit generates the preview image based on a captured image of a printout printed by a printing machine in response to an instruction from the management device; The transmission unit transmits the preview image to the orderer terminal to display a preview on the orderer terminal. <8> The information processing system is described in <10> The orderer terminal displays the preview image transmitted from the transmission unit on a first screen for selecting a design template. <1> ~ <9> 1 is an information processing system according to any one of the preceding claims. <11> 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. <1> ~ <10> 1 is an information processing system according to any one of the preceding claims. <12> a reception unit that receives a designation of a preview method corresponding to the design template; a registration unit that associates the design template with the preview method and registers them in a storage unit; a transmission unit that transmits a preview image generated in accordance with a preview method associated with the design template registered by the registration unit to an orderer terminal for placing an order for printing; The information processing device is provided with: <13> a reception step for receiving a designation of a preview method corresponding to the design template; a registration step of registering the design template and the preview method in a storage unit in association with each other; a transmission step of transmitting a preview image generated according to a preview method associated with the registered design template to an orderer terminal for placing a printing order; The information processing method has the following features. <14> On the computer, a reception step for receiving a designation of a preview method corresponding to the design template; a registration step of registering the design template and the preview method in a storage unit in association with each other; a transmission step of transmitting a preview image generated according to a preview method associated with the registered design template to an orderer terminal for placing a printing order; This is a program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0295] 10. Printing companies 11 Management Server 12 Administrator terminal 30 Printing machine 40 Orderer terminal 50 Cloud Systems 51 Order Management Service 52 Customer Management Services 53 Equipment Management Services 54 Vendor Management Services 55 Job Management Service 56 Digital Material Management Service 57 Billing Management Service 100 Equipment Systems 111 Communications Department 112 Template printing instruction section 113 Captured image registration unit 114 Captured image transmission unit 115 Job execution instruction section 119 Job information storage unit 121 Communications Department 122 Template registration request section 123 Display control unit 124 Input section 301 Communications Department 302 Device information transmission unit 303 Printing Execution Unit 401 Communications Department 402 Display control unit 403 Input section 511 Communications Department 512 Order Reception Department 513 Digital Material Acquisition Department 514 Print data generation unit 515 Job registration request section 529 Customer information storage unit 531 Communications Department 532 Device Information Registration Department 533 Equipment Information Providing Department 539 Device Information Registration Department 549 Vendor information storage unit 551 Communications Department 552 Device information acquisition section 553 Captured image request acceptance unit 554 Template printing instruction section 555 Image capture processing unit 556 Job Information Registration Department 557 Job execution decision unit 558 Schedule Generation Unit 558a Job Information Distribution Department 558b Billing information notification section 559 Job information storage unit 561 Communications Department 562 Registration Department 563 Judgment section 564 Simulator Generation Unit 565 Captured image request unit 566 Preview control section 567 Settings Department 568 Digital Material Provision Department 568a Display control unit 569 Digital Material Storage Unit 571 Billing Processing Unit 579 Billing information storage unit 601, 602 double arrow 701, 701-1 to 701-3 design templates 702 Light source 703 viewpoints 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 904SB 906 ASIC 907 MEM-C 908 HDD Controller 909 HD 910 Controller 920 Near field communication circuit 920a antenna 921 AGP Bus 922 PCI bus 930 Engine control unit 931 Scanner 932 Printer section 940 Operation Panel 940a Panel display 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 Select button 1012 Registration button 1100 Order workflow screen 1101 New button 1102 Template selection button 1200 Template list screen 1201a~1201c Template display area 1202a~1202c Checkboxes 1203 Confirm 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 designation of one piece of preview display target data; a generation unit that generates a preview image of the one preview display target data; and the generating unit generates a preview image to be displayed by a first preview method of displaying an image, and a preview image to be displayed by a second preview method of displaying an image in a moving image format in which images from a plurality of viewpoints are displayed in a sequentially changing manner; An information processing system, wherein the preview image is an image in which the preview method is switched based on a predetermined operation.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the preview image is initially displayed in the first preview method, and is then displayed in the second preview method based on the operation.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2 , wherein the operation is an operation on the preview image displayed by the first preview method.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3 , wherein the operation is an operation of hovering a pointer over the preview image displayed by the first preview method.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1 , further comprising a browser that displays the generated preview image.

6. 6. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first accepting unit accepts designation of data to be previewed or designation from a list of registered information.

7. a second receiving unit that receives an input for an editable variable part included in the one preview display target data, 6. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the generating unit generates a preview image of the one preview display target data that reflects the input.

8. 6. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first preview method is a method of displaying an icon image corresponding to the one piece of preview display target data as a preview image.

9. The information processing system described in claim 1, wherein the preview image is an image in which the preview method for displaying the preview image switches from the first preview method to the second preview method based on the specified operation.

10. The information processing system described in claim 1, wherein the second preview method is a preview method that changes the display of images from the multiple viewpoints in accordance with the specified operation.

11. The information processing system described in claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates a preview image that is displayed using a first preview method that displays an image from a single viewpoint, and a preview image that is displayed using a second preview method that displays images from multiple viewpoints including the single viewpoint in a video format that displays images in a sequentially changing manner.

12. a receiving step in which a receiving unit receives designation of one piece of data to be previewed; a generating step in which a generating unit generates a preview image of the one preview display target data; and In the generating step, a preview image is generated which is displayed by a first preview method of displaying an image, and a preview image is generated which is displayed by a second preview method of displaying an image in a moving image format in which images from a plurality of viewpoints are displayed and changed in sequence; An information processing method, wherein the preview image is an image in which the preview method is switched based on a predetermined operation.

13. On the computer, a receiving step of receiving designation of one piece of preview display target data; a generating step of generating a preview image of the one preview display target data; Execute In the generating step, a preview image is generated which is displayed by a first preview method of displaying an image, and a preview image is generated which is displayed by a second preview method of displaying an image in a moving image format in which images from a plurality of viewpoints are displayed and changed in sequence; The preview image is an image in which the preview method is switched based on a predetermined operation.

Images