JP7823786B2 - Information processing system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Printed materials using spot colors and special processing (such as direct mail) have added value, such as being eye-catching, and are being rediscovered as the value of paper (analog media) compared to digital media. As a result, design templates are available that make it easy to create such high-value-added printed materials, and workflow systems that can manage a series of work processes are known. To improve user convenience, some such workflow systems include design tools for applying spot colors and special processing, as well as a preview display function that shows an image of the finished product. Furthermore, special previews are required to express the glossiness of spot colors and the three-dimensional effect of special processing.

One technology for displaying a preview of such spot colors, etc., is disclosed in which the preview is displayed in a way that distinguishes between spot color areas and achromatic areas (e.g., areas that represent the background paper color, such as white toner and white paper) to make it easier to see that spot colors are included (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

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

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that enable a user to specify a preview display method.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention comprises a first receiving unit that receives the designation of one piece of preview display target data , and a generating unit that generates a preview image of the one piece of preview display target data , wherein the generating unit generates a preview image that is displayed using a first preview method that displays using an image, and a preview image that is displayed using a second preview method that displays using a video format that sequentially changes the display of images from multiple viewpoints , and the preview image is an image in which the preview method is switched based on a predetermined operation .

According to the present invention, the preview display method can be specified.

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

Embodiments of an information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 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 identical, and those that are within the scope of what is known as equivalents. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the following embodiments.

(Outline of the equipment system)
1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an equipment system according to an embodiment. The schematic configuration of an equipment system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

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. Furthermore, 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.

In this embodiment, the network N is a network that includes the Internet, since 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).

A printing company 10 refers to a company that owns 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 can communicate data 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, etc., and are commercial printed materials used by ordering brand owners and others for their business or sales promotions, but they may also be documents used by ordering parties.

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

The above-mentioned job refers to a unit of printing processing. For example, printing a certain number of pages of a certain document. In this embodiment, the execution of a job means printing by the printing press 30, but the specific process that job execution involves varies depending on the type of printing press 30. 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. Job information is information related to a job, but in this embodiment, there is no strict distinction between a job and job information. Job schedule information is information that indicates the scheduled start and end times for a job to be executed on a certain printing press 30.

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, etc., 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, and punching. The printing machine 30 may also have a scanner function, fax function, copy function, etc.

Note that 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 via a DFE.

The administrator terminal 12 is an information processing device that requests the cloud system 50 to register design templates desired by registrants such as designers or printers. Here, "design templates" refers to template and illustration data to be included in print data. Design templates are 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, the designer or printer, is the one who understands the characteristics of the design templates registered by the designer or printer using spot colors or special processing and knows how to present them in the most understandable way. Here, "spot colors" refers to colors other than the so-called CMYK process colors that can be printed using dedicated color materials (ink, toner, etc.). Special processing refers to special processing methods for printing color materials, such as decorative printing using layered color materials to create a three-dimensional effect or gold leaf stamping. Note that a printing method that includes printing using spot colors, special processing, etc. may also be referred to as special printing. In this embodiment, when a registrant such as a designer or printing company registers a design template in the cloud system 50, an operation that allows the selection of a preview method for displaying a preview of the design template will be described in detail. 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 the network.

The orderer terminal 40 is an information processing device that places an order for printing of a printed material using a design template with the cloud system 50, in accordance with the operation of the orderer requesting printing. The orderer terminal 40 can specify the desired preview method for the design template selected and edited by the orderer, in accordance with the operation of the orderer. The orderer terminal 40 is equipped with a web browser and applications, and displays each screen by accessing the cloud system 50 via the network.

The cloud system 50 is an information processing system with 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 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 pattern in which resources on a network are used without regard for specific hardware resources. The term "cloud" is used in contrast to the term "on-premise" (within facilities managed by the user), but the cloud system 50 may be located either inside or outside the company's LAN. The 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.

In addition, when making its judgment, the cloud system 50 predicts the status of the printing press 30 at the start time of the free time, and predicts the preparation time based on the predicted status of the printing press 30 and the status of the printing press 30 set based on the received job information.

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).

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 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.

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

The device management service 53 receives device information from each printing press 30 and provides the device information to the job management service 55.

The contractor management service 54 manages information about each printing contractor 10.

The job management service 55 obtains job information from the order management service 51 and centrally manages it, references the device information managed by the device management service 53, and distributes the job information to the printing company 10 that is appropriate for printing the job information.

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 specified digital materials such as design templates in response to a request from the order management service 51 for generating print data.

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

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.

(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 according to an embodiment. The hardware configurations of the cloud system 50, management server 11, administrator terminal 12, and orderer terminal 40 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the hardware configurations of the information processing devices that make up the cloud system 50, management server 11, administrator terminal 12, and orderer terminal 40 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 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, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 805, a display 806, an external device connection I/F 808, a network I/F 809, a keyboard 811, a pointing device 812, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 814, and a media I/F 816. These devices are connected by bus lines 810, such as an address bus and a data bus, to enable data communication.

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 the IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 803 is a volatile storage device used as a work area for the CPU 801.

The HDD 804 is a non-volatile auxiliary storage device that stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 805 is a controller that controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HDD 804 under the control of the CPU 801. Note that the HDD 804 and the HDD controller 805 may also be SSDs (Solid State Drives).

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

The keyboard 811 is an input device equipped with multiple 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 processing targets, moving the cursor, etc.

The DVD-RW drive 814 is a device that controls the reading and writing of various data from the DVD 513, such as a DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disk Recordable) or DVD-RW, which are examples of removable recording media. The media I/F 816 is an interface that controls the reading and writing (storage) of data from the media 815, such as flash memory.

In the case of a cloud system 50, it is often realized by a virtual machine. A virtual machine is an information processing device in which a separate OS (Operating System) runs on a host OS.

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

(Printing machine hardware configuration)
3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a printing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hardware configuration of the printing machine 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

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.

The controller 910 includes the CPU 901, which is the main component 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 ASIC 906 are connected via an AGP (accelerated graphics port) bus 921.

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, SB 904, and AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls read/write operations to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

MEM-P902 includes ROM902a, which is memory for storing programs and data that realize the various functions of controller 910, and RAM902b, which is used for expanding programs and data and as drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in RAM902b may be provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), or DVD.

SB904 is a bridge connecting NB903 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. ASIC906 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing and acts as a bridge connecting AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD controller 908, and MEM-C907. ASIC906 includes a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of ASIC906, a memory controller that controls MEM-C907, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between scanner unit 931 and printer unit 932 via PCI bus 922. A USB interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface may also be connected to the ASIC 906.

MEM-C907 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and code buffer. HD909 is storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. HDD controller 908 is a controller that controls the reading and writing of data from and to HD909 under the control of CPU901. Note that HDD controller 908 and HD909 may also be SSDs.

The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for graphics accelerator cards proposed to speed up graphics processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P 902 at high throughput, it enables the graphics accelerator card to operate at high speed.

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.

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

The operation panel 940 includes a panel display section 940a, such as a touch panel, that displays current settings or selection screens and accepts input from the user, and hard keys 940b, such as a numeric keypad that accepts settings for image formation conditions such as density settings, and a start key that accepts a command to start copying.

The printing machine 30 can be used to sequentially switch between the document box function, copy function, printer function, and fax function using the application switching keys 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.

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

Note that the hardware configuration of the information processing device that makes up 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.

(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.

<Management 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.

The communication unit 111 is a functional unit that sends and receives various 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 shown in FIG. 2 and a program executed by the CPU 801.

The template printing 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.

The captured image registration unit 113 is a functional unit that registers captured images of printouts of design templates printed by the printing machine 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 image in the job information storage unit 119.

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

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 the schedule information included in the job information.

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. 2.

The template printing instruction unit 112, captured image registration unit 113, captured image transmission unit 114, and job execution instruction unit 115 described above are realized, for example, by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program. 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 ASIC.

Note that the functional units of the management server 11 shown in Figure 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 the management server 11 shown in Figure 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of a single functional unit in the management server 11 shown in Figure 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

<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.

The communication unit 301 is a functional unit that sends and receives various information to and from the device management service 53. For example, the communication unit 301 sends device information to the device management service 53 under the control of the device information sending unit 302. The communication unit 301 is realized, for example, by the network I/F 950 shown in FIG. 3 and a program executed by the CPU 901.

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 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 the cloud system 50 section.

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 included in the job information or the design template onto a recording medium such as paper.

The device information transmission unit 302 and print execution unit 303 described above 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 ASIC, rather than by a software program.

Note that the functional units of the printing machine 30 shown in Figure 4 are conceptual representations of their functions and are not limited to this configuration. For example, the multiple functional units shown as independent functional units in the printing machine 30 shown in Figure 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 Figure 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

<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.

The communication unit 121 is a functional unit that sends and receives various types of information to the digital material management service 56 of the cloud system 50. For example, the communication unit 121 sends the design template desired to be registered and the attribute information of that design template to the digital material management service 56. Here, the attribute information is information that indicates the attributes of the design template, such as the name (title), category, price, color, search tags, 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 shown in FIG. 2 and a program executed by the CPU 801.

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, etc., input via the input unit 124.

The display control unit 123 is a functional unit that controls the display operation of the display 806 of the administrator terminal 12. For example, the display control unit 123 causes the display 806 to display a template registration screen (described below) for setting design templates and inputting attribute information.

The input unit 124 is a functional unit that accepts operational input from printing companies and the like. The input unit 124 is realized by the keyboard 811 and pointing device 812 shown in Figure 2.

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

Note that the functional units of the administrator terminal 12 shown in Figure 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 the administrator terminal 12 shown in Figure 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 Figure 4 may be divided into multiple functional units, and configured as multiple functional units.

<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 .

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

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 design templates, sets output setting information, and displays various screens on the display 806 for previewing the design templates, as described below.

The input unit 403 is a functional unit that accepts operational inputs from the orderer. The input unit 403 is realized by the keyboard 811 and pointing device 812 shown in Figure 2.

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 also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or ASIC, rather than a software program.

Note that the functional units of the purchaser terminal 40 shown in Figure 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 the purchaser terminal 40 shown in Figure 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of a single functional unit in the purchaser terminal 40 shown in Figure 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

<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.

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 shown in FIG. 2 and a program executed by the CPU 801.

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.

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

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 mentioned above, the generation of print data by the print data generation unit 514 may be performed, for example, by the management server 11 or the printer 30.

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.

The above-mentioned order acceptance unit 512, digital material acquisition unit 513, print data generation unit 514, and job registration request unit 515 are realized, for example, by the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program. 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.

Note that the functional units of the order management service 51 shown in Figure 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 the order management service 51 shown in Figure 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of a single functional unit in the order management service 51 shown in Figure 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

<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 .

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

<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.

The communication unit 531 is a functional unit that sends 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 initiating communication, the communication unit 531 uses a bidirectional communication mechanism (such as WebSocket or MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport)). The communication unit 531 is realized, for example, by the network I/F 809 shown in FIG. 2 and a program executed by the CPU 801.

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

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 information periodically or at times when the load is low.

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, 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, for example, 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 represents the current status of the printing press 30, such as operating, stopped, or broken. The remaining paper amount is the amount of paper remaining. 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 ink remaining. The job status is information about jobs submitted to the printing press 30, and includes, for example, schedule information.

The above-mentioned device information registration unit 532 and device information provision unit 533 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 ASIC, rather than by a software program.

Note that the functional units of the device management service 53 shown in Figure 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 the device management service 53 shown in Figure 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of a single functional unit in the device management service 53 shown in Figure 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

<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 .

The supplier information storage unit 549 is a storage unit that stores information about printing companies 10 that use the cloud system 50 as supplier information. The supplier information storage unit 549 is realized by at least either the RAM 803 or the HDD 804 shown in FIG. 2.

<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.

The communication unit 551 is a functional unit that sends and receives various information to and from the management server 11 of the printing company 10. For example, the communication unit 551 sends (distributes) job information to the management server 11. The communication unit 551 also receives job execution completion notifications from the management server 11. The communication unit 551 is realized, for example, by the network I/F 809 shown in FIG. 2 and a program executed by the CPU 801.

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 send the device information to the job management service 55 every time it receives new device information, or may send 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, too, the device information acquisition unit 552 may make the request periodically or when the load is low.

The captured image request receiving unit 553 is a functional unit that receives requests for captured images and design templates to be captured from the digital material management service 56.

The template print instruction unit 554 is a functional unit that, when a request for a captured image and a design template is accepted by the captured image request acceptance unit 553, sends an instruction to print 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 template print instruction unit 554 sends the design template print instruction may be determined, for example, by processing similar to the job execution determination processing performed by the job execution determination unit 557, which will be described later.

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 print instruction unit 554 has issued an instruction to print a design template, and transmits the images to the digital material management service 56.

The job information registration unit 556 is a functional unit that accepts the registration of job information from the order management service 51. Specifically, the job information registration unit 556 receives job information sent 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.

The job execution determination unit 557 is a functional unit that determines which printing company 10 should execute the job information registered in the job information storage unit 559 by the job information registration unit 556 (which printing press 30 at which printing company 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 company 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 companies 10 that can execute the job based on the schedule information, the printing companies 10 and printing press 30 that meet the conditions corresponding to 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.

Note that the job execution determination unit 557 may execute a job for multiple printing companies 10.

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 will execute the job information. In this case, the schedule generation unit 558 stores the generated schedule information in the job information storage unit 559, along with the job information. Schedule information is information that indicates the planned start and end dates for executing a job.

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, via the communication unit 551 to the management server 11 of the printing company 10 that will execute the job information determined by the job execution determination unit 557.

The billing information notification unit 558b is a functional unit that, when job information is executed on the printing machine 30 of the printing company 10, notifies the billing management service 57 of withdrawal information from the orderer (customer) at the orderer terminal 40 who ordered the print data for the job information, and deposit information for the printing company 10 that received the job information.

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 HD 804 shown in Figure 2. Job information includes, for example, job ID, paper, 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 is the 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 requirement is the image quality (e.g., resolution, etc.) required for the printed material. The desired delivery date is the delivery date for the printed material 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 material. 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 that indicates the progress of the current job. Note that the job information may also include information other than the above.

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 the CPU 801 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program. 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.

Note that the functional units of the job management service 55 shown in Figure 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 the job management service 55 shown in Figure 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of a single functional unit in the job management service 55 shown in Figure 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

<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 storage unit 569 (the digital material storage unit 569 as an example of a storage unit).

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 shown in FIG. 2 and a program executed by the CPU 801.

The registration unit 562 is a functional unit that receives the design template, attribute information, printing conditions, preview method, and captured images set on the administrator terminal 12 via the communication unit 561 and registers them in the digital material storage unit 569.

The determination unit 563 is a functional unit that determines whether the preview method for 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, a special preview refers to a preview method that can reproduce the state of a special color or special processing, for example, when at least one of the special color and special processing is set in the design template, and displays a preview using a simulated image or a captured image. On the other hand, a 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. A 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 composed of multiple software modules (first determination unit and second determination unit) that each execute a determination process.

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.

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 a design template when the preview method associated with the design template is a special preview.

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.

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

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.

The display control unit 568a is a functional unit that provides a series of screens, such as a template registration screen on the administrator terminal 12 and an order workflow screen for placing a printing order on the client terminal 40, and also accepts requests entered by the terminal operator. For example, the display control unit 568a serves as the front end of the cloud system 50, providing screen information (HTML (HyperText Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), JavaScript (registered trademark), etc.) and passing information entered by the operator to the registration unit 562, etc.

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 either the RAM 803 or the HD 804 shown in Figure 2.

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 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.

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 this configuration. For example, the multiple functional units shown 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 functions 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.

<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 .

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

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 either RAM 803 or HDD 804 shown in Figure 2.

The billing processing unit 571 described above 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 also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or ASIC, rather than a software program.

Note that the functional units of the billing management service 57 shown in Figure 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 the billing management service 57 shown in Figure 4 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of a single functional unit in the billing management service 57 shown in Figure 4 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

(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.

<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):

・Registration date ・Deposit/withdrawal category ・Amount

Deposit/withdrawal information is generated, for example, when job information corresponding to order data sent from the client terminal 40 is distributed to one of the printing companies 10 and executed. The provider's deposit/withdrawal category is withdrawal, and the recipient's deposit/withdrawal category is deposit.

<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:

・Name ・Address ・Email address ・Account number (bank account)
·roll

Of these, the role is information that indicates, for example, whether the person is a printer or a designer.

<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):

・Paper, image quality, speed

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

・Serial number

In addition, the device management service 53 has information regarding the following configuration (information stored in the device information storage unit 539):

- 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, settings, and update date and time

In addition, the device management service 53 has the following information regarding the status of the printing press 30 (information stored in the device information storage unit 539):

- 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

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

・Paper and number of sheets (number of copies)
・Image quality requirements ・Print data ・Desired delivery date

The job management service 55 also has information about the following schedules (information stored in the job information storage unit 559):

・Scheduled preparation start date and time ・Scheduled preparation end date and time ・Scheduled printing start date and time ・Scheduled printing end date and time

The job management service 55 also has the following information about the execution results (information sent in the job execution completion notification):

・Execution status ・Preparation start date and time ・Preparation end date and time ・Print start date and time ・Print end date and time ・Paper ・Number of sheets ・Confirmed amount

A job execution completion notification is generated when the job execution is completed.

<Customer management service>
The customer management service 52 has the following customer information (information stored in the customer information storage unit 529):

・Name ・Address ・Email address ・Account number (bank account)

<Order management service>
The order management service 51 manages the following information about orders (order details):

- Size, paper, and image quality requirements (color)
・Processing ・Number of copies
・Desired delivery date ・Effectiveness measurement ・Print data location

Of these, the print data location is information that indicates where the print data to be generated by the order management service 51 will be saved.

In addition, the order management service 51 stores destination information (destination to which the printed copies will be delivered) associated with the above-mentioned order information.

<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).

・Title ・Category ・Price ・Color ・Search tags ・Printing conditions ・Preview method

The digital material management service 56 also stores design templates and captured images (information stored in the digital material storage unit 569) in association with attribute information, printing conditions, and preview methods related to the above-mentioned digital materials (here, design templates).

(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 .

<Step S51>
A user of the administrator terminal 12 performs a display operation for the template registration screen 1000 shown in FIG. 7 via the input unit 124. In response, the display control unit 123 causes the template registration screen 1000 to be displayed 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 causes it to be displayed.

The template registration screen 1000 shown in FIG. 7 is a screen for registering a design template created by a user (printer, designer, etc.) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the creator) of the administrator terminal 12 to 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 specification area 1010, a select button 1011, and a register button 1012.

The image file input area 1001 is an input area for inputting the file of a design template 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 file into the image file input area 1001. Note that 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.

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 only of 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.

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.

The preview method specification area 1010 is a specification area for specifying the preview method for the design template to be registered. For example, in the preview method specification area 1010, it is possible to specify normal preview or special preview.

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, stored in the administrator terminal 12 or external storage, etc. Note that the file that can be selected using the selection button 1011 is not limited to an actual captured image, but may also be an image that serves as a sample of what will be expected if the design template is printed; in this case, too, it will be described as a captured image.

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

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

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

<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 on the administrator terminal 12 or external storage, etc.

<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.

<Step S56>
The registration unit 562 of the digital material management service 56 receives design templates, attribute information, printing conditions, preview methods, and captured images from the administrator terminal 12 via the communication unit 561, and associates and registers them in the digital material storage unit 569.

The display control unit 568a of the digital material management service 56 is an example of a "reception unit" that sends screen information to the administrator terminal 12 and receives requests from the administrator terminal 12. In more detail, the "reception unit" is configured by combining the display control unit 568a and the registration unit 561, and performs processing to receive requests from the operator of the administrator terminal 12 via the template registration request unit 122, display control unit 123, and input unit 124 of the administrator terminal 12.

(Overall processing flow of the equipment system)
8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the overall processing flow of the equipment system 100 according to the embodiment. The overall processing flow of the equipment system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

<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 .

<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.

<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.

<Step S14>
The purchaser of the purchaser terminal 40 performs a display operation for an order workflow screen 1100 shown in FIG. 14 (described later) via the input unit 403. The display control unit 402 then displays the order workflow screen 1100 on the display 806. 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.

<Step S15>
The purchaser performs the order workflow process, such as checking the preview of the design template, selecting the design template, editing it, setting the 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).

<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.

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

<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.

<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 .

<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 to the job management service 55, and requests the job management service 55 to register the job information.

<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.

<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 press 30 of which printing company 10 should perform the printing process). Details of this job execution determination process will be described later.

<Step S24>
The schedule generation unit 558 of the job management service 55 generates schedule information 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 then stores the job information, including the generated schedule information, in the job information storage unit 559.

<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.

<Step S26>
The communication unit 111 of the management server 11 registers the received job information in the job information storage unit 119. In the following description, it is assumed that the job information is registered in the job information storage unit 119.

<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.

<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 of 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.

<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.

<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 to transfer the money based on this information.

(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 .

Figure 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 without dotted or solid lines are free time. The length of the arrows indicates time.

Next, with reference to Figure 10, we will explain the specific flow of the job execution determination process in step S23 of Figure 8 described above.

<Step S231>
The job execution determination 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 are the subject of the job execution determination. Then, the process proceeds to step S232.

<Step S232>
The job execution determination unit 557 then determines, from among the printing companies 10 whose available time slots have been searched for in the schedule information, those printing companies 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. The process proceeds to step S233.

<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 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, cleaning the head, 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.

<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 execution of 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.

<Step S235>
If paper change, ink refill, or adjustment is required, the 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.

<Step S236>
If paper change, ink refill, or adjustment is not required, the job execution determination unit 557 predicts the job preparation time without taking paper change, ink refill, or adjustment into consideration. 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.

<Step S237>
Next, the job execution determination unit 557 determines whether a 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 a 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 completion 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 free 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.

<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.

<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.

As described above, the job execution determination unit 557 determines whether a job can be executed for each available time slot. If there are multiple available times when a job can be executed, the job execution determination unit 557 selects an available time slot in which to execute the job, for example, as follows:

- Choose an available time that will shorten the preparation time for the next schedule information.
If the gap time between the next schedule information is less than the threshold, the one with the shorter gap time is selected.
If the gap time between the next schedule information is equal to or greater than the threshold, the longer gap time is selected.

These selection methods improve overall productivity by reducing preparation time for paper changes, etc., improve overall productivity by reducing idle time when jobs cannot be assigned, and improve overall productivity by allowing other jobs to be assigned to the idle time.

(Device status prediction process)
Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating prediction of an equipment status at a 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 will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12 .

Figure 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 jobs indicates job information to be added to free time on printing press A. The double-headed arrow 602 indicates job information to be added to free time on printing press B. If it is determined that a job can be executed during free time, the new job is set during the free time. Below, with reference to Figure 12, the procedure for determining whether a new job can be set during the free time between jobs (2) and (3) scheduled to be executed by printing press A will be explained. As described above in step S233 of Figure 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 last job in the free time, ends.

<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.

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

<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. Furthermore, 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) (which may not necessarily be new paper). Furthermore, 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. Furthermore, if the paper used in job (2) and the new job is different, 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 (which may not necessarily be new paper).

If there are multiple rolls of the same paper in stock, a roll with a larger remaining amount than the new job can be selected to reduce the need to replace paper while the new job is running. Also, to prevent paper waste, a roll with a smaller remaining amount than the new job can be selected to use up all the paper. The replacement policy can also be changed in the administrator settings.

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.

<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 determining unit 557 determines that replacement with new paper is necessary, and then proceeds to step S2335.

<Step S2335>
Next, the 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. 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.

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

<Step S2337>
Next, the job execution determining 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. At the end of job (2), 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 the job execution determining unit 557 determines whether the two are the same. If they are not the same (step S2337: No), the process proceeds to step S2338. If they are the same (step S2337: Yes), the device state prediction process ends.

<Step S2338>
If the two 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.

As described above, the status 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 status of the printing press 30 and the status of the printing press 30 set based on the received job information.

(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.

The preparation time is the time required for preparation, and the execution time is the time required for executing the job. As shown in FIG. 13, the preparation time can be 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, adjustment, etc., required to obtain the status of the printing press 30 based on the job information registered by the job information registration unit 556.

Here, T _PC is the time required to change paper; if the paper type is the same for the previous job and the new job and there is a sufficient amount remaining, there is no need to change it, and the time is 0. T _if is the time required to replenish ink; if the ink type is the same as for the new job and there is a sufficient amount remaining, there is no need to replenish it, and the time is 0. T _hc is the time required for head cleaning; if it is determined from past execution history that head cleaning is not necessary, the time is 0. T _ac is the time required for adjustment (alignment, color tone, etc.); if the paper and image quality requirements are the same for the previous job and the job to be executed and it is determined from past execution history that adjustment is not necessary, the time is 0. T _tp is the time required for test printing.

The execution time can also be expressed similarly as "T _PC + T _if + T _hc + T _ac + T _pp ". That is, it is the sum of the time required for paper replacement during job execution, the time required for ink refilling, the time required for head cleaning, the time required for adjustment, and the printing time. However, T _PC , T _if , T _hc , and T _ac are the times when paper replacement occurs during job execution. Furthermore, the execution time predicts the printing time T _pp rather than the test printing time T _tp . The printing time T _pp is calculated by "number of pages per copy x number of pages in job information / printing speed."

(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.

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 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.

The job management service 55 accumulates the status of the printing press 30 before and after job execution in association with job execution completion notifications, and performs statistical processing or machine learning to improve the accuracy of predictions of preparation time and execution time.

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

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.

(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 a preview display operation 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 a captured image response process in the printing company according to the embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 14 to 23, the screen transitions, setting and editing operations on each screen, and design template preview display processing in the order workflow process (step S15 in FIG. 8) in the equipment system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

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 displays it. This also applies to the screens shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, which will be described later. Note that, although the screen transition order is assumed to be from FIG. 14 to FIG. 18 (FIG. 19), the transition order is not limited to this.

The order workflow screen 1100 shown in Figure 14 is the initial screen for a series of order workflow processes, in which a design template is selected and edited, a preview display showing what it will look like when printed is displayed, and finally an order is placed. As shown in Figure 14, the order workflow screen 1100 includes a new creation button 1101 and a template selection button 1102.

The New Creation button 1101 is a button for selecting the data to be printed that has been prepared by the client, rather than a design template. The Template Selection button 1102 is a button for displaying the template list screen 1200 (an example of the first screen) shown in Figure 15, which allows the user to select the desired design template to be printed from a list of design templates registered in the digital material management service 56.

When the client presses the template selection button 1102, the display control unit 402 causes the display 806 to display the template list screen 1200 shown in Figure 15.

The template list screen 1200 shown in FIG. 15 displays a list of preview images of design templates registered in the digital material management service 56, and allows the user to select 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.

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 Figure 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.

In addition to displaying preview images as a list of design templates, information such as the name of the design template, its features, characteristics, or whether or not special features are used may also be displayed.

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

The confirm button 1203 is a button for confirming the selection of the design template corresponding to the checked check box 1202a, 1202b, or 1202c (the design template displayed as a preview image in the area corresponding to the selected template display area 1201a, 1201b, or 1201c).

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

As described above, when the orderer presses the template selection button 1102, the digital material management service 56 executes the 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 in FIG. 20, the description focuses on the design template corresponding to the template display area 1201a on the template list screen 1200.

<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 special preview or normal preview. Note that the process of S151 may be initiated, for example, in response to the pressing of the template selection button 1102 on the order workflow screen 1100, or may be initiated 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 for and the search results are displayed. If the preview method is special preview (step S151: special preview), the process proceeds to step S152. If the preview method is normal preview (step S151: normal preview), the process proceeds to step S157.

<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.

<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. 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.

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 and special processing, the captured image is the most suitable for clearly expressing the print state as a preview display, so by previewing a captured image if one exists, the client can accurately understand the print state of the design template. The preview display operation then ends.

<Step S154>
The simulation generation unit 564 of the digital material management service 56 generates an image (simulated image) by virtually setting in advance the angle of the image surface, light source, and viewpoint for the design template to be previewed and simulating the setting. 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 surface 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.

The simulation generation unit 564 may also generate images with different viewpoints, 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 as the viewpoint changes. 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.

The preview control unit 566 then transmits the simulated image (first simulated image) generated by the simulate generation unit 564 as a preview image to the orderer terminal 40 via the communication unit 561, and the communication unit 401 of the orderer terminal 40 receives the preview image. Alternatively, a further 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, it may automatically alternate between normal preview images (icon images of digital materials such as templates) and special preview images (photographed images/simulated images). Furthermore, when the template list screen 1200 is displayed, the normal preview may initially be displayed, and then switched to the special preview by hovering the mouse pointer over an image on the screen.

As shown in Figure 19 (described later), if 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 (areas where the spot color or spot color processing is specified in the image file) is replaced with an alternative color such as a process color under the same light source and viewpoint conditions. The display control unit 402 may then 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 that uses a mixture of process colors, yellow toner and black toner, as an alternative color for a color that uses spot gold toner. Alternatively, an image may be generated using magenta toner or yellow toner as an alternative color for a color that uses fluorescent toner (fluorescent pink or fluorescent yellow). In the case of a transparent colorant such as a spot clear toner, the image using the colorant may be designated as the first simulated image, and the image without the colorant may be designated as the second simulated image. This makes it possible to visually compare an image containing the spot color and an image replaced with the alternative color under the same light source and viewpoint conditions, making the difference between them more apparent. The side-by-side display may also be a side-by-side display of a captured image and a simulated image, etc.

Then, proceed to step S155.

<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 (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 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 a request for a captured image has been made (step S155: Yes), the process proceeds to step S156. If there is no request (step S155: No), the preview display operation ends.

<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 email or the like. The email may include a URL that can be used to access an upload screen for the captured image.

<<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 a 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 a captured image and the design template to be captured from the digital material management service 56. Then, the process proceeds to step S1562.

<<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 machine 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 machine 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.

<<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 is a device capable of capturing images, such as a camera or scanner. The captured image of the print may also be a plurality of images of the design template or other print from a plurality of angles.

<<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 print 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.

<<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 .

Now, we return to the description of step S156. The captured image processing unit 555 of the job management service 55 acquires the captured image from the management server 11 of the printing company 10 via the communication unit 551 and sends it to the digital material management service 56. The preview control unit 566 associates the captured image received via the communication unit 561 with the corresponding design template and registers it in the digital material storage unit 569. 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.

Note that the preview image for preview display is not limited to being generated 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.

<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 display a normal preview 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.

Now, let's return to the explanation of the template list screen 1200. The purchaser checks the preview display in the template display areas 1201a to 1201c, selects the check box for 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 displays the template editing screen 1300 shown in FIG. 16 on the display 806.

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

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 portion 1301a. In the example shown in Figure 16, the variable portion 1301a allows the title of the design template to be edited and input.

The title input area 1302 is an area for editing and inputting a title into the variable portion 1301a (title). When the title is input into the title input area 1302 by the client, it is reflected in the variable portion 1301a.

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.

In addition, to increase flexibility, a dedicated tool (editor) may be provided that allows you to change the placement, position, size, attributes, etc. of any object.

When the client has finished editing the design template displayed in the template display area 1301, they press the confirm button 1303. The display control unit 402 then displays the output setting screen 1400 shown in FIG. 17 on the display 806.

The output settings screen 1400 shown in Figure 17 is a screen for making various settings (output settings) when printing based on an edited design template. As shown in Figure 17, the output settings screen 1400 includes a size selection area 1401, a destination load button 1402, a confirm button 1403, and a cancel button 1404.

The size selection area 1401 is an area where you select and input the size of the printed output.

The destination load button 1402 is used to load the list file that will be the destination for the printed material.

In addition to the above settings, you may also specify color/monochrome, finishing, number of copies, delivery date, etc.

The Confirm button 1403 is a button for confirming the above settings. The Cancel button 1404 is a button for canceling the above settings.

When the orderer presses the decision button 1403, the display control unit 402 causes the display 806 to display the order confirmation screen 1500 (an example of the second screen) shown in Figure 18.

The order confirmation screen 1500 shown in Figure 18 is a screen for making final confirmation of the layout and settings of the edited design template and placing an order for printing. This screen allows you to check the final finished image.

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

The template display area 1501 is an area that displays a preview image of a design template with a finalized layout. The sequence of operations for displaying the preview image in the template display area 1501 is the same as the preview display operations described above in Figures 20 to 23.

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 editing screen 1300.

The edit button 1503 is a button for reconfiguring the output settings. When the edit button 1503 is pressed, for example, the screen may return to the output settings screen 1400.

As mentioned above, the actual image preview request button 1504 is a button for requesting a captured image when you want to check the preview display using the captured image. The trial print order button 1505 is a button for ordering a trial print from 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.

The order button 1506 is a button for officially ordering printing from the printing service provider 10 based on the contents and output settings of the design template displayed in the template display area 1501. When the order button 1506 is pressed, the operations from step S16 onwards shown in Figure 8 above are carried out. The cancel button 1507 is a button for returning to the output settings screen 1400.

Note that the preview image displayed in the template display area 1501 may be displayed in parallel, as in the order confirmation screen 1500a shown in FIG. 19, with template display area 1501a displaying a preview image when a spot color is set, and template display area 1501b displaying a preview image under the same conditions, with the spot color replaced with an alternative color such as a process color. 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 an alternative color, making the difference easier to see. Note that the parallel display may also be a parallel display of a captured image and a simulated image, for example.

As described above, in the equipment system 100 according to this embodiment, the reception unit (display control unit 568a) receives the specification 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 purchaser terminal 40 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 the design template is registered, this operation can be omitted, improving operability.

In addition, in the equipment system 100 according to this embodiment, the reception unit receives the 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, and 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. If the determination unit 563 determines that a captured image exists, the preview control unit 566 generates a preview image based on the captured image. As a result, when 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.

In addition, 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 specified simulation of the first simulated image and 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 they can be previewed side by side on the orderer terminal 40. 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.

In the above-described embodiments, when at least one of the functional units of the orderer terminal 40, cloud system 50, management server 11, and administrator terminal 12 is realized by executing a program, the program is provided pre-installed in ROM or the like. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the programs executed by the orderer terminal 40, cloud system 50, management server 11, and administrator terminal 12 may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable 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). Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the programs executed by the orderer terminal 40, cloud system 50, management server 11, and administrator terminal 12 may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the programs executed by the orderer terminal 40, cloud system 50, management server 11, and administrator terminal 12 may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the programs executed by the orderer terminal 40, cloud system 50, management server 11, and administrator terminal 12 have a modular configuration including 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 on the main storage device.

The aspects of the present invention are as follows.
<1> A reception unit that receives a designation of a preview method corresponding to a design template;
a registration unit that associates the design template 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 information processing system described in <1> further includes a generation unit that generates the preview image corresponding to the design template using a preview method to which the design template registered by the registration unit is associated.
<3> The reception 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 or not the captured image associated with the design template exists,
In the information processing system according to <2>, when the second determination unit determines that the captured image exists, the generation unit generates the preview image based on the captured image.
<4> The information processing system described in <3> is such that, when the second judgment unit determines that the captured image does not exist, the generation unit generates a first simulated image as the preview image, which is generated by a predetermined simulation in which a light source and viewpoint are preset based on the design template.
<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 is an information processing system described in <4> that transmits the first simulated image and the second simulated image to the client terminal so that the client terminal can preview the first simulated image and the second simulated image side by side.
<6> When the second determination unit determines that the captured image does not exist, the generation unit generates a plurality of the first simulated images having different viewpoints based on the design template,
The information processing system according to <4>, wherein the transmission unit transmits the plurality of first simulated images to the orderer terminal to display them on the orderer terminal.
<7> The information processing system described in <6>, wherein the transmission unit transmits the plurality of first simulated images to the client terminal so that the first simulated images are displayed in video format on the client terminal.
<8> An information processing system described in any one of <3> to <7>, further comprising a captured image preview request receiving unit that receives a preview request for the captured image from the client terminal when the second judgment unit determines that the captured image does not exist.
<9> The printer further includes 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 information processing system according to <8>, wherein the transmission unit transmits the preview image to the orderer terminal to display a preview on the orderer terminal.
<10> The information processing system described in any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the client terminal displays the preview image transmitted from the transmission unit on a first screen for selecting a design template.
<11> The information processing system described in any one of <1> to <10>, wherein the client terminal displays the preview image transmitted from the transmission unit on a second screen for final confirmation of the layout of the design template.
<12> A reception unit that receives a designation of a preview method corresponding to a design template;
a registration unit that associates the design template 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 receiving step of 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> To 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 an order for printing;
This is a program for executing the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing company 11 Management server 12 Administrator terminal 30 Printing machine 40 Orderer terminal 50 Cloud system 51 Order management service 52 Customer management service 53 Equipment management service 54 Vendor management service 55 Job management service 56 Digital material management service 57 Billing management service 100 Equipment system 111 Communication unit 112 Template print instruction unit 113 Captured image registration unit 114 Captured image transmission unit 115 Job execution instruction unit 119 Job information storage unit 121 Communication unit 122 Template registration request unit 123 Display control unit 124 Input unit 301 Communication unit 302 Equipment information transmission unit 303 Print execution unit 401 Communication unit 402 Display control unit 403 Input unit 511 Communication unit 512 Order reception unit 513 Digital material acquisition unit 514 Print data generation unit 515 Job registration request unit 529 Customer information storage unit 531 Communication unit 532 Device information registration unit 533 Device information provision unit 539 Device information registration unit 549 Contractor information storage unit 551 Communication unit 552 Device information acquisition unit 553 Captured image request reception unit 554 Template print instruction unit 555 Captured image processing unit 556 Job information registration unit 557 Job execution determination unit 558 Schedule generation unit 558a Job information distribution unit 558b Billing information notification unit 559 Job information storage unit 561 Communication unit 562 Registration unit 563 Determination unit 564 Simulation generation unit 565 Captured image request unit 566 Preview control unit 567 Setting unit 568 Digital material provision unit 568a Display control unit 569 Digital material storage unit 571 Charging processing unit 579 Charging information storage unit 601, 602 Double arrows 701, 701-1 to 701-3 Design templates 702 Light source 703 Viewpoint 801 CPU
802 ROM
803 RAM
804 HD
805 HDD controller 806 Display 808 External device connection I/F
809 Network I/F
810 Bus line 811 Keyboard 812 Pointing device 813 DVD
814 DVD-RW drive 815 Media 816 Media I/F
901 CPU
902 MEM-P
902a ROM
902b RAM
903 NB
904SB
906 ASIC
907 MEM-C
908 HDD controller 909 HD
910 Controller 920 Short-distance communication circuit 920a Antenna 921 AGP bus 922 PCI bus 930 Engine control unit 931 Scanner unit 932 Printer unit 940 Operation panel 940a Panel display unit 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 Register button 1100 Order workflow screen 1101 New creation button 1102 Template selection button 1200 Template list screen 1201a to 1201c Template display area 1202a to 1202c Check boxes 1203 Confirm button 1204 Cancel button 1211a to 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 Destination read 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 Test print order button 1506 Order button 1507 Cancel button N Network

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-120962

Claims (13)

a first receiving 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 . 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. The information processing system according to claim 2 , wherein the operation is an operation on the preview image displayed by the first preview method. 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. The information processing system of claim 1, further comprising a browser that displays the generated preview image. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the first receiving unit receives a designation of data to be previewed or a designation from a list of registered information. a second receiving unit that receives an input for an editable variable part included in the one preview display target data ,
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. 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. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the preview image is an image in which the preview method for displaying the preview image is switched from the first preview method to the second preview method based on the predetermined operation. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the second preview method is a preview method in which the images from the plurality of viewpoints are displayed and changed in accordance with the predetermined operation. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates a preview image to be displayed using a first preview method that displays an image from a single viewpoint, and a preview image to be displayed using a second preview method that displays images from multiple viewpoints including the single viewpoint in a moving image format that sequentially changes the display. 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 . 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 .