JP4244538B2 - Print management apparatus, print management system, print management method, and print management program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print management apparatus, a print management system, a print management method, and a print management program, and more particularly to a print management apparatus, a print management system, a print management method, and a print management program that can perform print processing efficiently.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, there are many business forms in which devices such as printers and copiers are connected to a network and used in common with a plurality of clients in a work group.
[0003]
In addition, recently, there is a form of printing work that is entrusted by a client via a facsimile or the Internet and performs finishing processing such as printing processing and bookbinding processing.
[0004]
In such a business form, in the conventional method, processing is performed according to the order of reception of print instructions from the client.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-240459 discloses a print management apparatus that performs processing in the order based on the delivery date of printed matter.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the method of performing processing according to the above-described processing order, when there is a heavy load process such as “case binding” in the final process, there is a problem that jobs are concentrated in the final process and the performance of the entire process deteriorates. .
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a print management apparatus, a print management system, a print management method, and a print management program that perform processing order scheduling so that processing can be performed efficiently.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, the print management apparatus is performed by the first apparatus for a print job received by the reception means and the reception means for receiving the print job for a predetermined time. A calculating means for calculating a time required for the first process including the image forming process and a time required for the second process which is a post-process performed in the second apparatus; and a first process calculated by the calculating means. Scheduling means for scheduling the processing order of the print jobs based on the time required for the second processing and the time required for the second processing.
[0009]
In addition, it is desirable that the scheduling means set the processing order of print jobs that require the second processing among the print jobs at the top.
[0010]
In addition, it is preferable that the scheduling unit sets the processing order of the print job having the shortest time required for the first process calculated by the calculation unit among the print jobs that require the second process at the top.
[0011]
The scheduling means described above is a print job processing order in which the time required for the second processing is longer than the time required for the first processing calculated by the calculating means among the print jobs that require the second processing. It is desirable to set to higher.
[0012]
In addition, the above-described scheduling unit sets the processing order of the print job having the shortest time required for the first process among the print jobs in which the time required for the second process is longer than the time required for the first process. It is desirable.
[0013]
According to another aspect of the present invention, a print management system is a print management system that includes a print management device, a first device, and a second device, and performs the above-described print management device and image forming processing. It comprises a first device that performs processing including it and a second device that performs post-processing.
[0014]
According to another aspect of the present invention, a print management method includes a reception step of receiving a print job for a predetermined time, and an image forming process performed by the first apparatus for the print job received in the reception step. A calculation step for calculating a time required for the first process and a time required for the second process, which is a post-process performed by the second device; a time required for the first process calculated in the calculation step; And a scheduling step for scheduling the processing order of the print jobs based on the time required for the above processing.
[0015]
According to another aspect of the present invention, a print management program includes a reception step for receiving a print job for a predetermined time, and an image forming process performed by the first apparatus for the print job received in the reception step. A calculation step for calculating a time required for the first process and a time required for the second process, which is a post-process performed by the second device; a time required for the first process calculated in the calculation step; The computer realizes a print management method including a scheduling step for scheduling the processing order of print jobs based on the time required for the above processing.
[0016]
In the scheduling step described above, it is desirable to set the processing order of print jobs that require the second processing among the print jobs at the top.
[0017]
In the scheduling step described above, it is desirable to set the processing order of the print job having the shortest time required for the first process calculated in the calculation step among the print jobs that require the second process at the top.
[0018]
In the scheduling step described above, the print job processing order in which the time required for the second process is longer than the time required for the first process calculated in the calculation step among the print jobs that require the second process. It is desirable to set to higher.
[0019]
In the scheduling step described above, among the print jobs in which the time required for the second process is longer than the time required for the first process, the processing order of the print job having the shortest time required for the first process is set higher. It is desirable.
[0020]
According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium records the above-described print management program.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
[0022]
FIG. 1 shows a specific example of the configuration of the print management system in the present embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 1, the print management system includes a print server 10, a printer 20, and an offline finisher 40.
[0023]
The print server 10 is connected to the network 30.
The network 30 is the Internet, and the print server 10 can receive a print processing instruction (job ticket) from a client (PC) connectable to the Internet. The network 30 may be a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), or a WAN in which LANs are connected.
[0024]
The print server 10 and the printer 20 are connected by a dedicated video interface.
[0025]
The offline finisher 40 is installed at an offline position with respect to the print server 10 and the printer 20.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print server 10 shown in FIG. The print server 10 is a general computer, and FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a general computer.
[0027]
Referring to FIG. 2, the print server 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). 104, a display unit 105, an input device 106, a network I / F 107, and a dedicated video I / F 108. These are connected to each other via a bus 109.
[0028]
The CPU 101 reads and executes the program and outputs the result.
The ROM 102 stores control programs including BIOS (Basic Input Output System) and data.
[0029]
The RAM 103 temporarily stores programs and data and serves as an execution area for the CPU 101.
[0030]
The HDD 104 stores various programs and data including an operating system.
[0031]
The display unit 105 includes a display and displays various information as images.
The input device 106 includes a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and inputs various information.
[0032]
The network I / F 107 is an interface for communicating with other devices via the network 30.
[0033]
The print server 10 and the printer 20 communicate via a dedicated video I / F 108.
[0034]
The printer 20 forms an image of bitmap format or bitmap compression format data transferred from the print server 10. In the print management system of the present embodiment, the printer 20 has functions of finishing processing such as stapling, punching, and folding in addition to the printing function and the duplex printing function.
[0035]
The offline finisher 40 performs a finishing process on the paper that has been printed and finished by the printer 20. The finishing process performed by the off-line finisher 40 refers to post-processing such as case binding processing, taping processing, stapling processing on thick paper, and punching processing.
[0036]
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of print management processing performed by the print server 10 in the present embodiment. The print management process shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the print server 10 from receiving a job ticket to creating an address label for shipping printed matter. The processing algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is stored as a control program in the HDD 104 and executed by the CPU 101.
[0037]
Referring to FIG. 3, the print server 10 receives an instruction for print processing for the print management system from the client via the network 30 in the form of a job ticket (S1). Job information is read from the received job ticket and stored in the HDD 104.
[0038]
The job ticket received in step S1 will be described in detail later with a specific example.
[0039]
Subsequently, the time is measured, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the reception of the job ticket in step S1 is terminated (Yes in S2).
[0040]
Further, job numbers of a plurality of print jobs to be printed are selected from the job tickets received in step S1 within the predetermined time counted in step S2 (S3).
[0041]
The selection in step S3 may be performed by analyzing the job ticket received in step S1 and performing automatic selection from the delivery date of the printing process, or may be selected according to an instruction from the operator.
[0042]
After the selection process in step S3, a scheduling process is performed for the print job having the job number selected in step S3 (S4). The print job scheduling process performed in step S4 will be described in detail later with reference to a flowchart.
[0043]
The print instruction based on the job ticket received from the client in step S1 and the print job schedule created in step S4 are transmitted from the dedicated video I / F 108 to the printer 20 via the dedicated video interface (S5).
[0044]
The printer 20 performs print processing based on the contents of the job ticket received from the client in step S1 in accordance with the print job schedule transmitted in step S5.
[0045]
Next, address label data for sending the printed material to the location designated by the job ticket by the client is created, and the address label data is transmitted to the printer 20 via the dedicated video I / F 108 (S6).
[0046]
By sending the printed matter in accordance with the address label created in step S6, the print management system completes the print job instructed by the client in the form of a job ticket.
[0047]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the print job scheduling process performed by the print server 10 in step S4 of FIG. The print job scheduling process shown in FIG. 4 is performed in order to devise a schedule in which the online process performed by the printer 20 and the offline process performed by the offline finisher 40 are executed as continuously as possible to optimize all the processing times. Done. The processing algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is stored as a control program in the HDD 104 and executed by the CPU 101.
[0048]
Referring to FIG. 4, printer information indicating the processing capability of printer 20 and offline finisher information indicating the processing capability of offline finisher 40 are read from HDD 104 (S11).
[0049]
Further, the job information of the print job that is the target of the print job scheduling process is read from the HDD 104.
[0050]
Based on the job information, printer information, and offline finisher information of the print job read from the HDD 104, each of the online processing performed by the printer 20 and the offline processing performed by the offline finisher 40 is required for each print job to be subjected to print job scheduling processing. Time is calculated (S12). Hereinafter, in FIG. 4, the time required for the online processing performed by the printer 20 calculated in step S12 is denoted by T1, and the time required for the offline processing performed by the offline finisher 40 is denoted by T2.
[0051]
Based on the processing times T1 and T2 calculated in step S12, first, as a print job to be processed first, it is required for online processing among print jobs that require offline processing (print jobs with T2> 0). A print job having the shortest time T1 is selected (S13). If there are a plurality of print jobs having the shortest time T1 required for online processing in step S13, one print job having the longest time T2 required for offline processing is selected as the first print job to be processed.
[0052]
Subsequently, all print jobs in which the time T1 required for the online processing is shorter than the time T2 required for the offline processing are selected in order from the print job having the short time T1 required for the online processing (S14, S15). If there are a plurality of print jobs having the shortest time T1 required for online processing, the print jobs having the longest time T2 required for offline processing are selected in order.
[0053]
In Steps S14 and S15, after selecting all print jobs whose time T1 required for online processing is shorter than the time T2 required for offline processing, an unselected print job that requires offline processing (T2> 0) All the print jobs in which the time T1 required for the online processing is longer (or equal to) the time T2 required for the offline processing are selected in order from the print job having the short time T1 required for the online processing (S16, S17). If there are a plurality of print jobs having the shortest time T1 required for online processing, the print jobs having the longest time T2 required for offline processing are selected in order.
[0054]
Note that the print job selection method shown in steps S14 to S17 terminates the online processing of the print job while the offline processing of the print job before the print job is being performed, and the offline processing is performed. This is a selection method for scheduling from the previous print job to the print job for the purpose of being continuously performed without empty time. Accordingly, in step S14 and step S16, as described above, it is desirable to select print jobs in order starting with the short time T1 required for online processing, but it is always necessary to select print jobs starting with the short time T1 required for online processing. There is no need to be done. That is, in steps S14 and S16, even if the time T1 required for online processing is not the shortest, the print job for which online processing of the print job is completed is selected with priority during offline processing of the print job before the print job. You may just do.
[0055]
If there is a print job (T2 = 0) that does not require offline processing as the last print job to be processed (S18), the print job is selected (S19). If there are a plurality of print jobs with T2 = 0 in step S19, the order of selection is not limited.
[0056]
By the above-described scheduling process, a print job schedule that optimizes the entire processing time is created.
[0057]
The scheduling process described above will be described in detail with some specific examples.
[0058]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a job ticket.
In step S <b> 1 of FIG. 3, the network I / F 107 of the print server 10 receives the job ticket shown in FIG. 5 from the client via the network 30.
[0059]
Referring to FIG. 5, the job ticket includes document information, user information, print information, and delivery information as job information. It also includes a job number unique to the print job. Further, job information other than those described above may be included depending on the processing capability of the printer 20, the processing capability of the offline finisher 40, the business form using the print management system, and the like.
[0060]
The document information includes information about the processed document such as a document name such as a document to be printed, the type of file created, and size information such as the total number of pages.
[0061]
The user information includes information about the client such as the company name of the client, the department name that has been ordered, the name of the person in charge, and the contact information.
[0062]
The print information includes information related to print processing, finishing processing, and post-processing such as the number of copies, imposition processing, stapling processing, binding processing, cover information, folding processing, and duplex printing information.
[0063]
The delivery information includes information related to delivery such as a delivery date, a delivery destination of the printed matter, and a delivery method.
[0064]
The above-described job information is read from the job ticket shown in FIG. 5 received in step S1 in FIG. 3 and stored in the HDD 104 of the print server 10.
[0065]
Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of printer information. The printer information shown in FIG. 6 is information representing the processing capability of online processing performed by the printer 20. The printer information shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the HDD 104 of the print server 10.
[0066]
Referring to FIG. 6, the printer information includes information on the printing speed of printer 20 for each paper size and type as the processing capability of online processing. Further, the printer information may include information on the printing speed of the printer 20 for each data size of the print job. Further, information about the processing capability of the finishing process performed by the printer 20 may be included. Furthermore, the printer information shown in FIG. 6 includes only information on the print speed as the processing capability of the online processing performed by the printer 20, but may include information indicating other processing capability. .
[0067]
The printer information shown in FIG. 6 may be automatically read into the HDD 104 of the print server 10 when the print management system shown in FIG. It may be input and read into the HDD 104.
[0068]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of offline finisher information. The offline finisher information shown in FIG. 7 is information representing the processing capability of offline processing performed by the offline finisher 40. The offline finisher information shown in FIG. 7 is also stored in the HDD 104 of the print server 10.
[0069]
Referring to FIG. 7, the offline finisher information includes information on the processing speed of offline finisher 40 for each type of post-processing performed by offline finisher 40. Further, the offline finisher information shown in FIG. 7 includes only processing speed information as the processing capability of the offline processing performed by the offline finisher 40, but may include information indicating other processing capabilities. Good.
[0070]
The offline finisher information shown in FIG. 7 may also be automatically read into the HDD 104 of the print server 10 when the print management system shown in FIG. 1 is constructed. It may be input from 106 and read into the HDD 104.
[0071]
In step S11 of FIG. 4, the printer information and offline finisher information shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are called from the HDD 104.
[0072]
Also, the job information read and stored from the job ticket shown in FIG.
[0073]
Based on the job information, printer information, and offline finisher information of the job ticket shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in step S12 of FIG. 4, time required for online processing and offline processing (T1 and T2) for each printer job. ) Is calculated. The calculation means in step S12 is realized by general calculation means, and will not be described in detail here.
[0074]
FIG. 8 shows a first specific example of the processing time for each print job. In FIG. 8 and the subsequent drawings, the time required for the online processing performed by the printer 20 is represented by T1, and the time required for the offline processing performed by the offline finisher 40 is represented by T2, as in FIG.
[0075]
A print job schedule is created using the processing time for each print job of print jobs A to E shown in FIG.
[0076]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating case 1 of the print job schedule.
The processing order A, B, C, D, and E of case 1 shown in FIG. 9 is not the processing order based on the print job schedule created by the print job schedule processing shown in FIG. Is in order.
[0077]
The job A that performs processing first in case 1 shown in FIG. 9 requires 5 hours for online processing and 3 hours for offline processing with reference to FIG.
[0078]
The offline process is a post process performed on an online process product such as a printed matter after the online process is completed, and therefore, the process can be performed only after the online process is completed. Therefore, referring to FIG. 9, the offline processing of job A, which is the first print job, starts five hours after the processing of case 1 starts.
[0079]
Referring to FIG. 9, the online processing of job B, which is the second print job, is performed for 1 hour after the start of processing of case 1 after the completion of online processing of job A. The process is performed for 2 hours from 8 hours after the start of the process of Case 1, which is after the completion of the offline process of A. That is, the five hours from the start of processing in case 1 are idle times for offline processing because there is no target for offline processing.
[0080]
Referring to FIG. 9, the online processing of job C, which is the third print job, is performed for 4 hours after the start of processing of case 1 after the completion of online processing of job B. The process is carried out for 1 hour from 10 hours after the start of the process of Case 1, which is after the end of the offline process of B.
[0081]
Still referring to FIG. 9, the online processing of job D, which is the fourth print job, is performed for one hour after the start of processing of case 1 after the completion of online processing of job C. Here, since job D does not require offline processing, the time from the end of processing of case 1 after the end of job C to the time when offline processing of the next print job is performed becomes empty time.
[0082]
Still referring to FIG. 9, the online processing of job E, which is the fifth print job, is performed for 2 hours after 11 hours from the start of processing of case 1, which is after the online processing of job D, and offline processing is performed. This is performed for 5 hours from 13 hours after the start of processing in case 1, which is after the completion of online processing of job E.
[0083]
As described above, in case 1 in which processing is performed in the processing order according to the job ticket reception order, it can be seen from FIG. 9 that the time required for the entire processing is 18 hours.
[0084]
On the other hand, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing Case 2 of the print job schedule.
[0085]
The processing order B, E, C, A, and D of case 2 shown in FIG. 10 is the print created by the print job schedule processing shown in FIG. 4 using the processing time for each print job shown in FIG. Processing order according to job schedule.
[0086]
In step S13 of FIG. 4, time T1 required for online processing among jobs A, B, C and E satisfying T2> 0 requiring offline processing based on the processing time for each print job shown in FIG. Is selected as the first print job.
[0087]
Further, in step S14 of FIG. 4, a job E in which the time T1 required for online processing is shorter than the time T2 required for offline processing is selected as the second print job from the remaining print jobs.
[0088]
Further, in step S16 in FIG. 4, the remaining jobs A, C and D require offline processing (T2> 0), and the time T1 required for the online processing is longer (or equal) than the time T2 required for the offline processing. Job C, which has the shortest time T1 required for online processing, is selected as the third print job.
[0089]
Further, in step S16 in FIG. 4, among the remaining jobs A and D, job A that satisfies the above-described condition is selected as the fourth print job.
[0090]
Finally, in step S19 in FIG. 4, job D that does not require offline processing and T2 = 0 is selected as the fifth print job.
[0091]
As described above, in the case 2 in which processing is performed in the processing order according to the print job schedule created by the print job schedule processing shown in FIG. 4, the time required for the entire processing is 13 hours with reference to FIG. Recognize.
[0092]
Comparing case 1 shown in FIG. 9 and case 2 shown in FIG. 10, the processing is performed in the processing order according to the print job schedule created by the print job schedule processing shown in FIG. The idle time of offline processing that has occurred in Case 1 is greatly reduced in Case 2 shown in FIG.
[0093]
More specifically, by selecting the first print job (job B) by the process shown in step S13 of FIG. 4, it occurs 5 hours after the start of the process of case 1 shown in (1) in FIG. In the case 2 shown in FIG. 10, the idle time is reduced to 1 hour.
[0094]
More specifically, the second to fourth print jobs (jobs E, C and A) are selected by the processing shown in steps S14 to S17 in FIG. In the case 2 shown in FIG. 10, the idle time that occurs for 2 hours during the processing of the case 1 does not occur.
[0095]
Further, by selecting the last print job (job D) by the process shown in step S19 of FIG. 4, it is performed independently for 5 hours after the end of the online process of case 1 shown in (3) in FIG. In the case 2 shown in FIG. 10, the offline process ends one hour earlier than the online process.
[0096]
In the processing order performed in case 2 described above, job A may be selected as the third print job and job C may be selected as the fourth print job. That is, in performing the print job scheduling process, in the process shown in step S16 of FIG. 4, it is not always necessary to select the print job in which the time T1 required for the online process is short, in order from the shortest print job. During the offline processing, only the print job for which online processing of the print job is completed may be selected with priority. In this case, the online processing of the job A ends during the offline processing of the second job E before the third job A. Therefore, the entire processing time in this case is also equivalent to 13 hours, which is the entire processing time of case 2 shown in FIG.
[0097]
As a specific example, FIG. 11 shows a second specific example of the processing time for each print job. Similarly to the first specific example of the processing time for each print job shown in FIG. 8, the print job schedule for the print jobs X to Z is created using the processing time for each print job shown in FIG. To do.
[0098]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating case 3 of the print job schedule.
The processing order X, Y, and Z of case 3 shown in FIG. 12 is not the processing order based on the print job schedule created by the print job schedule processing shown in FIG. 4, but the processing order based on the job ticket reception order.
[0099]
Referring to FIG. 12, in case 3 in which processing is performed in the processing order according to the job ticket reception order, an idle time of offline processing indicated by (2) occurs for 2 hours during the processing. Further, offline processing is performed independently for 4 hours after completion of the online processing indicated by (3). Furthermore, it can be seen that the total processing time is 13 hours.
[0100]
On the other hand, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case 4 of the print job schedule.
[0101]
The processing order X, Z, and Y of case 4 shown in FIG. 13 is processing by the print job schedule created by the print job schedule processing shown in FIG. 4 using the processing time for each print job shown in FIG. Is in order.
[0102]
In step S13 in FIG. 4, the print job selected as the first print job based on the processing time for each print job shown in FIG. 11 is all of the print jobs in which T2> 0 that requires offline processing. A print job having the shortest time T1 required for online processing corresponds to job X and job Z. Since both the job X and the job Z have the same time T2 required for offline processing, either the first print job or the second print job may be used. Further, the remaining print job, job Y, is selected as the third print job.
[0103]
As described above, in case 4 in which processing is performed in the processing order according to the print job schedule created by the print job schedule processing shown in FIG. To do. Further, the offline treatment is performed alone for 3 hours after the online processing is completed. Furthermore, it can be seen that the total processing time is 12 hours.
[0104]
Comparing case 3 shown in FIG. 12 and case 4 shown in FIG. 13, processing is performed in the processing order according to the print job schedule created by the print job schedule processing shown in FIG. The idle time of offline processing that occurred in Case 3 shown by ▼ is reduced in Case 4 shown in FIG. Specifically, in case 3 shown in FIG. 12, the idle time that occurs for 2 hours during the process is reduced to 1 hour in case 4 shown in FIG.
[0105]
Also, the offline processing performed alone for 4 hours after completion of the online processing in case 3 shown in (3) in FIG. 12 is reduced to 3 hours in case 4 shown in FIG.
[0106]
As shown in case 1 to case 4 described above, the print job schedule process shown in FIG. 4 is performed, so that the offline process during online processing at the start of the process indicated by (1) in FIGS. Processing downtime can be minimized.
[0107]
In addition, it is possible to minimize the non-working time of the offline processing during the processing indicated by (2) in FIGS.
[0108]
Further, the operation time of the offline processing alone after the end of the online processing, indicated by (3) in FIGS. 9 and 12, can be minimized.
[0109]
By using the print management system that performs the above-described print job schedule processing, it is possible to prevent a situation in which print jobs are concentrated in the offline processing that is the final process and the overall performance is deteriorated.
[0110]
As a result, the entire print process including the offline process can be completed in the shortest time, and the optimum print process can be realized.
[0111]
Furthermore, a print management method and a print job scheduling method performed by the above-described print management apparatus can be provided as programs. Such a program is a computer-readable program.
[0112]
The program may be recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM, a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card, and provided as a program product. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.
[0113]
The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed.
[0114]
The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.
[0115]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration of a print management system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print server 10 illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating print management processing performed by print server 10 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating print job scheduling processing performed by print server 10 in step S4 of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a job ticket.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of printer information.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of offline finisher information.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a first specific example of processing time for each print job.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a case 1 of a print job schedule.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case 2 of a print job schedule.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second specific example of processing time for each print job.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a case 3 of a print job schedule.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a case 4 of a print job schedule.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Print Server, 20 Printer, 30 Network, 40 Online Finisher, 101 CPU, 102 ROM, 103 RAM, 104 HDD, 105 Display Unit, 106 Input Device, 107 Network I / F, 108 Dedicated Video I / F, 109 Bus, A ~ E, X ~ Z Print job.

Claims (11)

Receiving means for receiving a print job for a predetermined time;
For the print job received by the receiving unit, the time required for the first process including the image forming process performed by the first apparatus and the second process which is the post-process performed by the second apparatus. A calculation means for calculating the time required;
Scheduling means for scheduling the processing order of the print jobs based on the time required for the first processing and the time required for the second processing calculated by the calculation means ;
The scheduling unit is a print management apparatus that sets a processing order of a print job that requires the second processing among the print jobs to be higher . The scheduling unit sets, in a higher order, a processing order of a print job having the shortest time required for the first process calculated by the calculation unit among print jobs that require the second process. print management device according to 1. The scheduling unit is configured to print a print job that requires the second process out of a print job that requires the second process, and takes a longer time for the second process than the time required for the first process calculated by the calculation unit. The print management apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processing order is set higher. The scheduling means sets the processing order of the print job having the shortest time required for the first processing among the print jobs in which the time required for the second processing is longer than the time required for the first processing to be higher. The print management apparatus according to claim 3 . A print management system comprising a print management device, a first device, and a second device,
The print management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A first device for performing processing including image formation processing;
A print management system comprising a second device that performs post-processing. A management method executed by a print management apparatus that manages print jobs processed using a first apparatus and a second apparatus,
The print management apparatus is
A reception step for receiving a print job for a predetermined time;
To the print job received in said receiving step, a first time required for processing including the image forming processing performed by the first device, the second is a post-processing to be performed by the second device A calculation step for calculating the time required for processing;
Based on the time required for the first processing and the time required for the second processing calculated in the calculating step, the processing order of the print jobs that require the second processing among the print jobs is determined. to run a scheduling step for scheduling the processing order of the print job so that the upper print management method. A reception step for receiving a print job for a predetermined time;
For the print job received in the receiving step, the time required for the first process including the image forming process performed by the first apparatus and the second process which is the post-process performed by the second apparatus. A calculation step for calculating the time required;
A computer realizes a print management process including a scheduling step for scheduling the processing order of the print jobs based on the time required for the first process and the time required for the second process calculated in the calculation step then,
The scheduling step, among the print job, to set the processing order of a print job that requires the second process to the upper, the print management program. The scheduling step sets, in a higher order, a processing order of a print job having the shortest time required for the first process calculated in the calculation step among print jobs that require the second process. The print management program according to 7 . In the scheduling step, among print jobs that require the second process, the time required for the second process is longer than the time required for the first process calculated in the calculation step. The print management program according to claim 8 , wherein the processing order is set higher. In the scheduling step, among the print jobs in which the time required for the second process is longer than the time required for the first process, the processing order of the print job having the shortest time required for the first process is set higher. The print management program according to claim 9 . A computer-readable recording medium on which the print management program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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