Abstract:
A control device includes: a receiving unit that receives a request for processing; and a control unit that, in a case where the receiving unit receives a plurality of requests for processing from a plurality of places, controls a traveling route of a processing apparatus based on traveling time taken for the processing apparatus to travel to the plurality of places and processing time taken for the processing apparatus to finish the processing after traveling.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based on and claims priority under USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-122755, filed on Jun. 21, 2016. 
       BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a control device, a processing apparatus system, and a recording medium. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a control device including: a receiving unit that receives a request for processing; and a control unit that, in a case where the receiving unit receives a plurality of requests for processing from a plurality of places, controls a traveling route of a processing apparatus based on traveling time taken for the processing apparatus to travel to the plurality of places and processing time taken for the processing apparatus to finish the processing after traveling. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a system diagram illustrating a configuration of a processing apparatus system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of a server according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a route diagram illustrating a route in a case where traveling times between places for processing are the same; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a table for calculating an average wait time in a case where each traveling time&lt;&lt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a table for calculating an average wait time in a case where each traveling t time&gt;&gt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a table for calculating an average wait time in a case where each traveling time≈each printing time in the route in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a route diagram illustrating a route in a case where traveling times between places for processing are different; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a table for calculating an average wait time in a case where each traveling time&lt;&lt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a table for calculating an average wait time in a case where each traveling time&gt;&gt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a table for calculating an average wait time in a case where each traveling time≈each printing time in the route in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a route diagram illustrating a route in a case where traveling times between places for processing are extremely different; 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a table for calculating an average wait time in a case where each traveling time&lt;&lt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a table for calculating an average wait time in a case where each traveling time&gt;&gt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 13 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  is a table for calculating an average wait time in a case where each traveling time≈each printing time in the route in  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Next, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a system diagram illustrating a configuration of a processing apparatus system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0023]    In a processing apparatus system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, four personal computers  10   a  to  10   d,  a server  12 , and a wireless LAN terminal  14  are connected to each other via a network  16 , for example. In addition, a mobile image forming apparatus  18  transmits and receives printing data and the like to and from the wireless LAN terminal  14 . 
         [0024]    The personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  transmit printing data created by each user to the server  12 . 
         [0025]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the server  12  includes a CPU  20 , a memory  22 , a data base  24 , and a network interface  26  which are connected to each other via a control bus  28 . The CPU  20  executes predetermined processing on the basis of a control program stored in the memory  22  to control an operation of the server  12 . The memory  22  stores the control program and printing data which will be described later. In addition, the data base  24  stores past printing records or the like of each user of the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d.  In addition, a map indicating an installation place of an office or the like in which the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  are installed and installation positions of the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  are stored in the data base  24  of the server  12 . 
         [0026]    In the exemplary embodiment, the server  12  is connected to the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  via the wired network  16 . However, the server  12  may be connected to the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  via a wireless LAN and the server  12  may be connected to the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  via the internet using cloud computing. 
         [0027]    The image forming apparatus  18  includes a main body portion  30 , a wireless communication unit  32 , and a mobile device  34 . The main body portion  30  prints printing data received by the wireless communication unit  32  on a paper sheet using a portion for image forming. In the exemplary embodiment, the mobile device  34  makes the image forming apparatus  18  travel when receiving a traveling command from the server  12 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the image forming apparatus  18 . 
         [0029]    A control unit  36  includes a CPU  38 , a memory  40 , a communication interface  42 , an input interface  44 , an image forming unit interface  46 , and a mobile device interface  48  which are connected to each other via a control bus  50 . 
         [0030]    The CPU  38  executes predetermined processing on the basis of a control program stored in the memory  40 . The communication interface  42  is connected to the wireless communication unit  32  and performs data communication via the wireless communication unit  32 . The input interface  44  is connected to an input unit  52  and receives input information from the input unit  52 . The input unit  52  includes an ID input portion to which an ID of a user is input using an IC card, for example. The image forming unit interface  46  is connected to an image forming unit  54 , and the image forming unit  54  forms an image on a recording medium. The mobile device interface  48  is connected to the mobile device  34 . When the CPU  38  receives a traveling command from the above-described server  12 , the mobile device  34  is controlled on the basis of the traveling command. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of the server  12 . 
         [0032]    First, in Step S 10 , the server  12  receives printing data from the plural personal computers  10   a  to  10   d.  The printing data includes a printing job, IDs of users using the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d,  and printing setting information (color-monochrome, type and size of paper sheet, dual side printing-single side printing, printing quality, multiple page printing (2 in 1 printing or the like), type of post processing, or the like). When there are plural items of printing data, the printing jobs are stored in the memory  22  as a job queue in order of reception time. 
         [0033]    Next, in Step S 12 , the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  which transmit the printing jobs are specified from the IDs of the users using the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  and plural candidate routes along which the image forming apparatus  18  can travel are retrieved on the basis of the map indicating the installation places of the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  and the installation positions. 
         [0034]    Next, in Step S 14 , an estimated printing processing time of the image forming apparatus  18  is calculated. The estimated printing processing time is calculated from the number of printing jobs, the number of pages in an item of printed matter, a type of printing processing (color-monochrome, type and size of paper sheet, dual side printing-single side printing, printing quality, multiple page printing (2 in 1 printing or the like), type of post processing, or the like), and respective past printing records of users of the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  stored in the data base  24 . 
         [0035]    Next, in Step S 16 , an estimated wait times is calculated applying the estimated printing processing time to the candidate routes retrieved in Step S 12 . 
         [0036]    An Nth estimated wait time is calculated as follows. 
         [0000]      Estimated wait time for Nth user=wait time for (N−1)th user+(N−1)th estimated printing time+traveling time from (N−1)th user   (1)
 
         [0037]    That is, each estimated wait time is a time from the start of traveling of the image forming apparatus  18  to the start of printing in each place. 
         [0038]    Next, in Step S 18 , an average estimated wait time is calculated by applying the estimated wait time calculated in Step S 16  to each of the plural candidate routes retrieved in Step S 12 , and a route with the shortest average wait time is determined as the traveling route. 
         [0039]    Next, in Step S 20 , traveling commands are successively output to the image forming apparatus  18  so that the image forming apparatus  18  travels along the traveling route determined in Step S 18 . 
         [0040]    Next, in Step S 22 , printing jobs to be printed at respective places are transmitted to the image forming apparatus  18 . 
         [0041]    When the traveling route is determined in Step S 20 , a printing job queue is switched according to the traveling route. 
         [0042]    Next, in Step S 24 , it is determined whether the place where the image forming apparatus  18  is made to travel is the final destination. When it is determined that it is not the final destination, the processing returns to Step S 20  and the traveling command is transmitted so that the image forming apparatus  18  travels to the next place. When it is determined that the place where the image forming apparatus  18  is made to travel is the final destination in Step S 24 , the processing proceeds to Step S 26  and the image forming apparatus  18  returns to the home position. Thereafter, the processing ends. 
         [0043]    In the exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus  18  travels to the installation places of the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d.  However, the destination of the image forming apparatus  18  is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus  18  may travel to a place specified by the user or the position of a location transmitter, the location transmitter being carried by the user. 
         [0044]    In a case where the traveling route is determined, wait time until the image forming apparatus  18  travels to the installation places of the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  or the time at which the image forming apparatus  18  travels to the installation places of the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  may be displayed or reported by the means of the personal computers  10   a  to  10   d  or other means. 
         [0045]    A further specific example will be described. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  illustrates a route in a case where traveling time between the place A and a place B, traveling time between the place B and a place C, traveling time between the place C and a place D, and traveling time between the place D and the place A are the same. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  is related to a case where each traveling time&lt;&lt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0048]    That is, it is assumed that traveling time from the home position to the place A is 1 minute and traveling time between the place A and a place B, traveling time between the place B and a place C, traveling time between the place C and a place D, and traveling time between the place D and the place A are 1 minute. In addition, it is also assumed that the estimated printing time for the place A is 10 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place B is 20 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place C is 30 minutes, and the estimated printing time for the place D is 40 minutes. In this case, when it is assumed that the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 1 minute, the wait time for the place B is 12 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 33 minutes, and the wait time for the place D is 64 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 27.5 minutes. 
         [0049]    On the other hand, in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 1 minute, the wait time for the place D is 12 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 53 minutes, and the wait time for the place B is 84 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 37.5 minutes. Therefore, since the average wait time becomes shorter when the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the traveling route in the clockwise direction is selected. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is related to a case where each traveling time&gt;&gt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0051]    That is, it is assumed that traveling time from the home position to the place A is 10 minutes and traveling time between the place A and the place B, traveling time between the place B and the place C, traveling time between the place C and the place D, and traveling time between the place D and the place A are 10 minutes. In addition, it is also assumed that the estimated printing time for the place A is 1 minute, the estimated printing time for the place B is 2 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place C is 3 minutes, and the estimated printing time for the place D is 4 minutes. In this case, when it is assumed that the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place B is 21 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 33 minutes, and the wait time for the place D is 46 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 27.5 minutes. 
         [0052]    On the other hand, in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place D is 21 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 35 minutes, and the wait time for the place B is 48 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 28.5 minutes. Therefore, since the average wait time in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction and the average wait time in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction are the substantially same, any one of the traveling routes is selected. 
         [0053]      FIG. 8  is related to a case where each traveling time≈each printing time in the route in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0054]    That is, it is assumed that traveling time from the home position to the place A is 10 minutes and traveling time between the place A and the place B, traveling time between the place B and the place C, traveling time between the place C and the place D, and traveling time between the place D and the place A are 10 minutes. In addition, it is also assumed that the estimated printing time for the place A is 10 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place B is 20 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place C is 30 minutes, and the estimated printing time for the place D is 40 minutes. In this case, when it is assumed that the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place B is 30 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 60 minutes, and the wait time for the place D is 100 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 50 minutes. 
         [0055]    On the other hand, in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place D is 30 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 80 minutes, and the wait time for the place B is 120 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 60 minutes. Therefore, since the average wait time becomes shorter when the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the traveling route in the clockwise direction is selected. 
         [0056]      FIG. 9  illustrates a case where traveling times of the image forming apparatus  18  are different. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  is related to a case where each traveling time&lt;&lt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0058]    That is, it is assumed that traveling time from the home position to the place A is 1 minute and it is also assumed that traveling time between the place A and the place B is 2 minutes, traveling time between the place B and the place C is 4 minutes, traveling time between the place C and the place D is 1 minute, and traveling time between the place D and the place A are 4 minutes in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction. In addition, it is also assumed that the estimated printing time for the place A is 10 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place B is 20 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place C is 30 minutes, and the estimated printing time for the place D is 40 minutes. In this case, when it is assumed that the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 1 minute, the wait time for the place B is 13 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 37 minutes, and the wait time for the place D is 68 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 29.8 minutes. 
         [0059]    On the other hand, it is assumed that traveling time between the place A and the place D is 3 minutes, traveling time between the place D and the place C is 1 minute, traveling time between the place C and the place B is 4 minutes, and traveling time between the place B and the place A are 3 minutes in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction. In a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 1 minute, the wait time for the place D is 14 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 55 minutes, and the wait time for the place B is 89 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 39.8 minutes. Therefore, since the average wait time becomes shorter when the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the traveling route in the clockwise direction is selected. 
         [0060]      FIG. 11  is related to a case where each traveling time&gt;&gt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0061]    That is, it is assumed that traveling time from the home position to the place A is 10 minutes and it is also assumed that traveling time between the place A and the place B is 20 minutes, traveling time between the place B and the place C is 40 minutes, and traveling time between the place C and the place D is 10 minutes. In addition, it is also assumed that the estimated printing time for the place A is 1 minute, the estimated printing time for the place B is 2 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place C is 3 minutes, and the estimated printing time for the place D is 4 minutes. In this case, when it is assumed that the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place B is 31 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 73 minutes, and the wait time for the place D is 86 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 50.0 minutes. 
         [0062]    On the other hand, in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place D is 41 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 55 minutes, and the wait time for the place B is 98 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 51.0 minutes. Therefore, since the average wait time in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction and the average wait time in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction are the substantially same, any one of the traveling routes is selected. 
         [0063]      FIG. 12  is related to a case where each traveling time≈each printing time in the route in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0064]    That is, it is assumed that traveling time from the home position to the place A is 10 minutes and it is also assumed that traveling time between the place A and the place B is 20 minutes, traveling time between the place B and the place C is 40 minutes, and traveling time between the place C and the place D is 10 minutes. In addition, it is also assumed that the estimated printing time for the place A is 10 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place B is 20 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place C is 30 minutes, and the estimated printing time for the place D is 40 minutes. In this case, when it is assumed that the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place B is 40 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 100 minutes, and the wait time for the place D is 140 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 72.5 minutes. 
         [0065]    On the other hand, in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place D is 50 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 100 minutes, and the wait time for the place B is 170 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 82.5 minutes. Therefore, since the average wait time becomes shorter when the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the traveling route in the clockwise direction is selected. 
         [0066]      FIG. 13  illustrates a case where traveling times of the image forming apparatus  18  are extremely different. 
         [0067]      FIG. 14  is related to a case where each traveling time&lt;&lt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0068]    That is, it is assumed that traveling time from the home position to the place A is 1 minute and it is also assumed that traveling time between the place A and the place B is 2 minutes, traveling time between the place B and the place C is 10 minutes, traveling time between the place C and the place D is 1 minute, and traveling time between the place D and the place A are 4 minutes in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction. In addition, it is also assumed that the estimated printing time for the place A is 10 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place B is 20 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place C is 30 minutes, and the estimated printing time for the place D is 40 minutes. In this case, the wait time for the place A is 1 minute, the wait time for the place B is 13 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 43 minutes, and the wait time for the place D is 74 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 32.8 minutes. 
         [0069]    On the other hand, it is assumed that traveling time between the place A and the place D is 3 minutes, traveling time between the place D and the place C is 1 minute, and traveling time between the place C and the place B is 10 minutes in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction. The wait time for the place A is 1 minute, the wait time for the place D is 14 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 55 minutes, and the wait time for the place B is 95 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 41.3 minutes. Therefore, since the average wait time becomes shorter when the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the traveling route in the clockwise direction is selected. 
         [0070]      FIG. 15  is related to a case where each traveling time&gt;&gt; each printing time in the route in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0071]    That is, it is assumed that traveling time from the home position to the place A is 10 minutes and it is also assumed that traveling time between the place A and the place B is 20 minutes, traveling time between the place B and the place C is 100 minutes, and traveling time between the place C and the place D is 10 minutes. In addition, it is also assumed that the estimated printing time for the place A is 1 minute, the estimated printing time for the place B is 2 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place C is 3 minutes, and the estimated printing time for the place D is 4 minutes. In this case, when it is assumed that the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place B is 31 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 133 minutes, and the wait time for the place D is 146 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 80.0 minutes. 
         [0072]    On the other hand, it is assumed that traveling time between the place A and the place D is 10 minutes, traveling time between the place D and the place C is 10 minutes, and traveling time between the place C and the place B is 100 minutes in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction. The wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place D is 41 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 55 minutes, and the wait time for the place B is 158 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 66.0 minutes. Therefore, since the average wait time becomes shorter when the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction, the traveling route in the counterclockwise direction is selected. 
         [0073]      FIG. 16  is related to a case where each traveling time≈each printing time in the route in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0074]    The traveling times in  FIG. 16  are the same as the traveling times in  FIG. 15 . However, it is assumed that the estimated printing time for the place A is 10 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place B is 20 minutes, the estimated printing time for the place C is 30 minutes, and the estimated printing time for the place D is 40 minutes. In this case, when it is assumed that the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the clockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place B is 40 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 160 minutes, and the wait time for the place D is 200 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 102.5 minutes. 
         [0075]    On the other hand, in a case where the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction, the wait time for the place A is 10 minutes, the wait time for the place D is 50 minutes, the wait time for the place C is 100 minutes, and the wait time for the place B is 230 minutes. Accordingly, the average wait time is 97.5 minutes. Therefore, since the average wait time becomes shorter when the image forming apparatus  18  travels in the counterclockwise direction, the traveling route in the counterclockwise direction is selected. 
         [0076]    In the exemplary embodiment, wait time for an Nth user is applied to the equation (1) when determining the traveling route. However, in this case, a user with a long estimated printing time or a user with long traveling time is given a low priority and the wait time of the user becomes long. 
         [0077]    Therefore, as shown in the following equation (2), a user is ranked (special, normal, or the like) and the calculation is performed while multiplying a coefficient (0.0&lt;γ N ≦1.0) according to the result of the ranking. 
         [0000]      Estimated wait time for a ranked Nth user=wait time for (N−1)th user+(γ N−1 ×(N−1))th estimated printing time+traveling time from (γ N− 1×(N−1))th user   (2)
 
         [0078]    According to the equation (2), the estimated wait time for a ranked Nth user becomes short. Therefore, the image forming apparatus  18  travels to the ranked user first before traveling to other users. 
         [0079]    In addition, the processing apparatus in the exemplary embodiment is the image forming apparatus. However, the invention can be applied to apparatuses for other processing, for example, a mobile image reproduce processing apparatus, a cooking device that makes a beverage or cooking instantly, a device that assembles or disassembles a machine, or the like. 
         [0080]    The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.