Patent Description:
In general, a book is formed of a body part (hereinafter referred to as a "body") and a cover. In many books, the body and the cover are printed on different types of paper. The printed cover may be subjected to special processing such as laminating or scoring. As described above, since the paper material to be used and the process up to bookbinding are different between the body and the cover, the printing of the body and the printing of the cover are performed using different printers.

Meanwhile, in recent years, in the printing industry, in-line processing has been advanced in order to shorten delivery time and reduce cost. In addition, high-mix small-lot production is often performed, and human work is required more frequently than when small-variety mass production is performed. When human work is required, the cost increases, and the probability of occurrence of a printing accident caused by a work error also increases. Thus, the process from printing to bookbinding is preferably automated as much as possible.

Therefore, at the time of executing continuous printing based on a plurality of jobs for bookbinding, it is conceivable to specify a print order of the plurality of jobs for each of the printer for printing the body (hereinafter referred to as a "body printer") and the printer for printing the cover (hereinafter referred to as a "cover printer"). In this regard, an example in which bookbinding is performed after continuous printing based on four jobs A, B, C, D will be described with reference to <FIG>. In <FIG>, bodies corresponding to the jobs A, B, C, and D are denoted by reference numerals A1, B1, C1, and D1, respectively, and covers corresponding to the jobs A, B, C, and D are denoted by reference numerals A2, B2, C2, and D2, respectively. For example, when the bodies are outputted in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1 from a conveyance device <NUM> (a conveyance device corresponding to the body printer <NUM>) provided in the preceding stage of the bookbinding machine <NUM>, and the covers are outputted in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2 from a conveyance device <NUM> (a conveyance device corresponding to the cover printer <NUM>) provided in the preceding stage of the bookbinding machine <NUM>, bookbinding is performed by correctly combining the bodies and the covers. If the order of the bodies is maintained in a processing device between the body printer <NUM> and the conveyance device <NUM>, and the order of the covers is reversed in a processing device between the cover printer <NUM> and the conveyance device <NUM>, the body printer <NUM> is instructed to print the bodies in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1, and the cover printer <NUM> is instructed to print the covers in the order of D2, C2, B2, and A2. When the bodies and the covers are reliably outputted in a desired order from the body printer <NUM> and the cover printer <NUM> based on these instructions, the process from the specification of the job to be printed to bookbinding can be automated.

In connection with the present invention, <CIT> discloses an invention of a bookbinding process device that can prevent bookbinding in a state where the content of a bundle of sheets and the content of a cover are different. In the bookbinding process device, print information including identification information is read from each of the cover and the bundle of sheets by using the information reader, and a bookbinding process is set based on the read print information.

With respect to the printing for bookbinding as described above, a printer that cannot execute print output in a specified order is often adopted particularly for a cover printer. In such a printer, when the execution of continuous printing based on a plurality of jobs is instructed, print output is performed on sheets in the order in which the raster image processor (RIP) process is completed. Therefore, for the example described above, even when the cover printer <NUM> is instructed to print the covers in the order of D2, C2, B2, and A2, the covers may be outputted from the cover printer <NUM> in the order of B2, D2, C2, and A2, for example. Then, the body and the cover cannot be correctly combined (a mismatch occurs) when binding is performed by the bookbinding machine <NUM>.

From the above, in the conventional printing system, it is necessary for an operator to manually set the print order in the body printer in accordance with the print order of the covers immediately before printing is executed on the body printer side after the completion of the printing of the covers. The setting of the print order is performed using a screen <NUM> as schematically shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> is provided with a rearrangement button <NUM>, and the operator uses the rearrangement button <NUM> to move jobs up and down to set the print order. However, a list of jobs is displayed on the screen <NUM> typically in the order of creation (of jobs), so that the order of jobs displayed on the screen <NUM> and the order of jobs to be printed out are often greatly different, and the rearrangement operation by the operator takes a lot of time. In particular, when the number of jobs is large, the operator needs to perform the rearrangement operation while changing a display portion by using a scroll bar <NUM>, and hence an operation error is likely to occur.

In the invention disclosed in <CIT>, when there is a mismatch between the content of the bundle of sheets and the content of the cover, the bookbinding process is stopped, and work (e.g., work of replacing the cover) by the operator occurs.

Moreover, a further prior art document is <CIT>, according to which a method for controlling a printing apparatus is disclosed, which method includes holding a plurality of jobs including a cover job having print data for a cover and a content job having print data for content, which are used in bookbinding processing, and performing control for displaying, on a display, a correspondence relationship between the cover job and the content job.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to achieve a printing system that can prevent a mismatch from occurring during bookbinding without imposing an operation burden and a work burden on an operator when bookbinding is performed using printed matters outputted from a plurality of printers. This object is achieved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. Aspects of the invention are set out below.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a printing system capable of performing continuous printing based on a plurality of jobs, the printing system including:.

With such a configuration, a job group that defines a plurality of jobs and a print order of the plurality of jobs is created, and information on the job group is stored into the job group storage unit. When a mismatch has occurred between the output order of the second element in job units when printing based on the plurality of jobs constituting the job group to be printed is executed by the second printer and the print order stored in the job group storage unit, the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit is updated. Then, the first printer is instructed to execute printing in the print order stored in the job group storage unit. As a result, in whatever order the second printer executes printing based on the plurality of jobs, it is possible to match the input order of the first element (e.g., body of a book) to the bookbinding machine in job units with the input order of the second element (e.g., cover of a book) to the bookbinding machine in job units. From the above, there is achieved a printing system that can prevent a mismatch from occurring at the time of bookbinding without imposing an operation burden and a work burden on the operator when bookbinding is performed using printed matters outputted from the two printers.

Another not-claimed aspect is directed to a printing system including a printer (<NUM>) capable of continuous printing based on a plurality of jobs, the printing system including:.

With such a configuration, a job group that defines a plurality of jobs and a print order of the plurality of jobs is created, and information on the job group is stored into the job group storage unit. Then, the printer is instructed to execute printing in the print order stored in the job group storage unit. As a result, continuous printing based on the plurality of jobs is executed in a desired order. For example, in a case where a plurality of paper sizes is used, jobs of the same paper size can be printed collectively, and in a case where a plurality of types of paper is used, jobs of the same type of paper can be printed collectively. From the above, a printing system capable of executing continuous printing based on a plurality of jobs easily in a desired order is achieved.

Still another aspect of the present invention is directed to a printing method in a printing system capable of performing continuous printing based on a plurality of jobs, the printing system having.

Still another not claimed aspect of the present invention is directed to a printing method in a printing system including a printer (<NUM>) capable of continuous printing based on a plurality of jobs, the printing method including:.

These and other objects, features, modes, and advantageous effects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In a printing system according to the present embodiment, a body and a cover constituting a book are printed by different printers, and bookbinding is performed by using a bookbinding machine to combine the body and the cover obtained by the printing.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The printing system <NUM> is formed of a body printer <NUM>, a first post-processing machine group <NUM>, a print workflow management device <NUM>, a first RIP server <NUM>, a cover printer <NUM>, a second post-processing machine group <NUM>, a second RIP server <NUM>, a management server <NUM>, and a bookbinding machine <NUM>. The body printer <NUM>, the first post-processing machine group <NUM>, the print workflow management device <NUM>, and the first RIP server <NUM> are components related to the printing of the body. The cover printer <NUM>, the second post-processing machine group <NUM>, and the second RIP server <NUM> are components related to the printing of the cover.

The body printer <NUM> is schematically formed of a printer main body and a controller thereof. In the present embodiment, the body printer <NUM> is a continuous printer that performs continuous feed printing on rolled paper and prints the body of a book. The first post-processing machine group <NUM> is made up of a plurality of devices for post-processing the printed body. A detailed configuration of the first post-processing machine group <NUM> will be described later. The print workflow management device <NUM> manages a series of processes for performing printing by using the body printer <NUM> (i.e., manages print workflow). In this regard, a computer, such as a personal computer in which application software (print workflow management system) for managing the print workflow is installed, functions as the print workflow management device <NUM>. The first RIP server <NUM> performs a RIP process (rasterization process) on submitted data for body printing, which is data in a vector format.

The cover printer <NUM> is schematically formed of a printer main body and a controller thereof. In the present embodiment, the cover printer <NUM> is a sheet-fed printer that performs printing on a sheet of paper and prints the cover of a book. In the present embodiment, when printing a cover, the cover printer <NUM> prints a barcode on the cover as job identification information. The second post-processing machine group <NUM> is made up of a plurality of devices for post-processing the printed cover. A detailed configuration of the second post-processing machine group <NUM> will be described later. The second RIP server <NUM> performs a RIP process (rasterization process) on submitted data for cover printing, which is data in a vector format.

Bodies of books are sequentially outputted as printed matters from a body printing unit <NUM> including the body printer <NUM> and the first post-processing machine group <NUM>. Covers of books are sequentially outputted as printed matters from a cover printing unit <NUM> including the cover printer <NUM> and the second post-processing machine group <NUM>. The bookbinding machine <NUM> performs bookbinding by combining the bodies outputted from the body printing unit <NUM> and the covers outputted from the cover printing unit <NUM>.

In the management server <NUM>, application software (print operation management system) for managing the entire operation related to printing is installed. Thereby, the management server <NUM> manages processes related to printing in the body printing unit <NUM> and the cover printing unit <NUM>. That is, the management server <NUM> manages the execution of printing by the body printer <NUM> and the execution of printing by the cover printer <NUM>. The print operation management system is called a "management information system (MIS)". In this regard, originally, although a system that processes information by using a computer for management is called MIS, in the printing industry, a system that not only manages printing instructions to a printer and print result but also manages the entire print operation including order placement, cost management, inventory management, and the like is called MIS.

The body printer <NUM>, the print workflow management device <NUM>, the first RIP server <NUM>, the cover printer <NUM>, the second RIP server <NUM>, the management server <NUM>, and the bookbinding machine <NUM> are communicably connected by a network <NUM> such as a local area network (LAN). Submitted data, which is data to be printed, is transmitted from a client computer (not shown) or the like via the network <NUM>.

Although dedicated servers for the RIP process (the first RIP server <NUM> and the second RIP server <NUM>) are provided in the present embodiment, a configuration in which no dedicated server for the RIP process is provided can also be adopted. Further, although the print workflow management system and the print operation management system are installed in different devices in the present embodiment, a configuration in which the print workflow management system and the print operation management system are installed in the same device may be adopted.

Next, a configuration between the body printer <NUM> and the bookbinding machine <NUM> and a configuration between the cover printer <NUM> and the bookbinding machine <NUM> (i.e., the configurations of the first post-processing machine group <NUM> and the second post-processing machine group <NUM>) will be described with reference to <FIG>. Note that two insertion ports provided in the bookbinding machine <NUM> are denoted by reference numeral <NUM> and <NUM>. Bodies <NUM> in book block units outputted from the body printing unit <NUM> are sequentially inputted to the insertion port <NUM>, and covers <NUM> outputted from the cover printing unit <NUM> are sequentially inputted to the insertion port <NUM> one by one.

The body printing unit <NUM> is provided with a cutter <NUM>, a body processing device <NUM>, and a conveyance device <NUM> as the first post-processing machine group <NUM> at a subsequent stage of the body printer <NUM>. The cutter <NUM> pulls out the rolled paper after printing by the body printer <NUM>, from the outside and cuts the rolled paper sequentially to obtain a plurality of bodies. The printed bodies are outputted from the cutter <NUM> in an overlapping state. The body processing device <NUM> sequentially takes out the cut bodies in the overlapping state from the top, performs folding or the like, and outputs the bodies in book block units. The conveyance device <NUM> sequentially conveys the bodies <NUM> in book block units to the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of processing.

The cover printing unit <NUM> is provided with a conveyance device <NUM>, a cover processing device <NUM>, and a conveyance device <NUM> as a second post-processing machine group <NUM> at a subsequent stage of the cover printer <NUM>. The conveyance device <NUM> makes a bundle of appropriate number of the overlapped covers after printing by the cover printer <NUM>, and conveys the bundle to the cover processing device <NUM>. The cover processing device <NUM> performs processing except for printing (e.g., laminating or scoring) on the printed covers. The cover processing device <NUM> outputs the printed and processed covers one by one. The conveyance device <NUM> conveys the printed and processed cover <NUM> one by one to the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the conveyance device <NUM> includes a sheet stacker <NUM> for stacking printed covers, and a barcode reader <NUM> attached to the sheet stacker <NUM>. As described above, the cover printer <NUM> prints a barcode on the cover as the job identification information when printing the cover. The barcode reader <NUM> reads the barcodes printed on the covers stacked on the sheet stacker <NUM>. The barcode reader <NUM> achieves a job identification information reading unit. Note that information except for the barcode can also be used as the job identification information, and in this case, a device capable of reading the information is adopted as the job identification information reading unit. The sheet stacker <NUM> acquires the overlapping order of the covers outputted from the cover processing device <NUM> (i.e., the covers printed by the cover printer <NUM>) in job units based on the barcode read by the barcode reader <NUM>. Then, the sheet stacker <NUM> transmits the acquired data indicating the overlapping order (output order in job units) to the management server <NUM> as order data SD. Note that the order data SD also includes information on the print run in job units.

How the bodies printed by the body printer <NUM> and the covers printed by the cover printer <NUM> are processed and conveyed will be described with reference to <FIG>. Here, a case where four jobs A, B, C, and D are objects to be printed is taken as an example. Each of the jobs A, B, C, and D is a job of printing one book. The bodies corresponding to jobs A, B, C, and D are denoted by reference numerals A1, B1, C1, and D1, respectively, and the covers corresponding to jobs A, B, C, and D are denoted by reference numerals A2, B2, C2, and D2, respectively. It is assumed that printing is performed in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1 in the body printer <NUM>, and printing is performed in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2 in the cover printer <NUM>.

When the bodies are printed by the body printer <NUM>, in the printed rolled paper, the previously printed body is included in the inner portion of the rolled paper, and the subsequently printed body is included in the outer portion of the rolled paper. Therefore, regarding the bodies outputted from the cutter <NUM>, the previously printed body is included in the upper portion of the overlap, and the subsequently printed body is included in the lower portion of the overlap. Hence the bodies are outputted from the cutter <NUM> in the state of overlapping from the top to the bottom in the print order in job units. That is, the bodies are outputted from the cutter <NUM> in the state of overlapping from the top to the bottom in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1. The body processing device <NUM> processes the bodies in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1, and outputs the bodies in book block units. The conveyance device <NUM> outputs the bodies in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1. From the above, the order of the bodies is maintained between the body printer <NUM> and the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM>.

When the covers are printed by the cover printer <NUM>, in the cover outputted from the cover printer <NUM>, the previous printed cover is included in the lower portion of the overlap, and the subsequently printed cover is included in the upper portion of the overlap. Hence the covers are outputted from the cover printer <NUM> in the state of overlapping from the top to the bottom in the order reversed to the print order by job units. That is, the covers are outputted from the cover printer <NUM> in the state of overlapping from the top to the bottom in the order of D2, C2, B2, and A2. The conveyance device <NUM> does not change the overlapping order of the covers. In the present embodiment, the cover processing device <NUM> processes the covers in the order of D2, C2, B2, and A2 and outputs the covers in the order reversed to the processing order. That is, the cover processing device <NUM> outputs the covers in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2. The conveyance device <NUM> outputs the covers in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2.

The bodies are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1. The covers are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2. The bookbinding machine <NUM> first performs bookbinding by combining the body A1 and the cover A2. Next, the bookbinding machine <NUM> performs bookbinding by combining the body B1 and the cover B2. Next, the bookbinding machine <NUM> performs bookbinding by combining the body C1 and the cover C2. Finally, the bookbinding machine <NUM> performs bookbinding by combining the body D1 and the cover D2.

In the present embodiment, the first element is achieved by the body of the book, the second element is achieved by the cover of the book, the first printer is achieved by the body printer <NUM>, and the second printer is achieved by the cover printer <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the print workflow management device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the print workflow management device <NUM> includes a main body <NUM>, an auxiliary storage device <NUM>, an optical disc drive <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, a keyboard <NUM>, a mouse <NUM>, and the like. The main body <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a first disk interface unit <NUM>, a second disk interface unit <NUM>, a display control unit <NUM>, an input interface unit <NUM>, and a network interface unit <NUM>. The CPU <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the first disk interface unit <NUM>, the second disk interface unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, the input interface unit <NUM>, and the network interface unit <NUM> are connected to each other via a system bus. The auxiliary storage device <NUM> is connected to the first disk interface unit <NUM>. An optical disc drive <NUM> is connected to the second disk interface unit <NUM>. A display unit (display device) <NUM> is connected to the display control unit <NUM>. The keyboard <NUM> and the mouse <NUM> are connected to the input interface unit <NUM>. The network <NUM> is connected to the network interface unit <NUM>. The auxiliary storage device <NUM> is a magnetic disk device or the like. An optical disc <NUM> as a computer-readable recording medium, such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM), is inserted into the optical disc drive <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> is a liquid crystal display or the like. The keyboard <NUM> and the mouse <NUM> are used by the operator to input instructions to the print workflow management device <NUM>.

The auxiliary storage device <NUM> stores a print workflow management program P. The CPU <NUM> reads the print workflow management program P stored in the auxiliary storage device <NUM> into the memory <NUM> and executes the program P, thereby implementing various functions of the print workflow management system for managing a print workflow using the body printer <NUM>. The memory <NUM> includes random-access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory <NUM> functions as a work area for the CPU <NUM> to execute the print workflow management program P stored in the auxiliary storage device <NUM>. Note that the print workflow management program P is provided by being stored in the computer-readable recording medium (non-transitory recording medium). That is, for example, a user purchases the optical disc <NUM> as the recording medium of the print workflow management program P, inserts the optical disc into the optical disc drive <NUM>, reads the print workflow management program P from the optical disc <NUM>, and installs the print workflow management program P in the auxiliary storage device <NUM>. Alternatively, the print workflow management program P transmitted via the network <NUM> may be received by the network interface unit <NUM> and installed in the auxiliary storage device <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, a job group in which a plurality of jobs is grouped is determined so as to match the input order (in job units) of the bodies into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> with the input order (in job units) of the cover into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> for a plurality of jobs to be printed. The job group defines a plurality of jobs to be grouped, a print order of the plurality of jobs, and the print run of each of the plurality of jobs. One job group is schematically represented as shown in <FIG>, for example. In the example shown in <FIG>, four jobs having job names of "BOOK-X", "BOOK-Y", "MAP011", and "MAP105" constitute one job group named "JG-<NUM>". The print order and the print run are determined for each of the four jobs. Note that the print run may not necessarily be determined.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a functional configuration (however, a bookbinding function is excluded) of the printing system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The printing system <NUM> includes a body printing system <NUM> for printing a body, a cover printing system <NUM> for printing a cover, and a print operation management system <NUM> described above. The body printing system <NUM> includes a first RIP process unit <NUM>, a job group storage unit <NUM>, a job group updating unit <NUM>, a print instruction unit <NUM>, and the body printing unit <NUM>. Note that the function of the first RIP process unit <NUM> is provided by the first RIP server <NUM>, and the functions of the job group storage unit <NUM>, the job group updating unit <NUM>, and the print instruction unit <NUM> are provided by a print workflow management system <NUM>. The cover printing system <NUM> includes a second RIP process unit <NUM> and the cover printing unit <NUM>. Note that the function of the second RIP process unit <NUM> is provided by the second RIP server <NUM>. The print operation management system <NUM> includes a first print control unit <NUM>, a second print control unit <NUM>, a job group creation unit <NUM>, a job group holding unit <NUM>, and a print order change instruction unit <NUM>. Hereinafter, the operation of each component included in the print operation management system <NUM>, the cover printing system <NUM>, and the body printing system <NUM> will be described in this order.

The first print control unit <NUM> instructs the print workflow management system <NUM> to execute print preparation (specifically, the execution of the RIP process) with the specification of a job. The second print control unit <NUM> instructs the cover printing system <NUM> to execute printing with the specification of a job. The job group creation unit <NUM> creates the job group described above based on the operator's operation. The job group holding unit <NUM> holds information concerning the job group created by the job group creation unit <NUM> (information on a plurality of jobs constituting the job group, information on the print order of the plurality of jobs, and information on the print run of each of the plurality of jobs). The print order change instruction unit <NUM> updates the information on the print order and the information on the print run stored in the job group holding unit <NUM> based on the order data SD (as described above, the order data SD also includes the information on the print run in job units) transmitted from the cover printing unit <NUM>, and outputs a change instruction command CI for changing the print order and the print run of the plurality of jobs constituting the job group.

The second RIP process unit <NUM> performs the RIP process on submitted data for a cover corresponding to a job to be printed, based on an instruction from the print operation management system <NUM>. The cover printing unit <NUM> executes the print output of the cover by using the data after the RIP process by the second RIP process unit <NUM>, and further processes the printed cover. When the cover is printed, a barcode for identifying a job is printed on the cover. Then, an order data SD is generated in the conveyance device <NUM> (see <FIG>) as described above, and the order data SD is transmitted from the cover printing unit <NUM> to the print operation management system <NUM> as data for specifying the print order of the plurality of jobs.

The first RIP process unit <NUM> performs the RIP process on submitted data for a body corresponding to a job to be printed based on an instruction from the print workflow management system <NUM>. The job group storage unit <NUM> stores information concerning the job group created by the job group creation unit <NUM> (information on a plurality of jobs constituting the job group, information on the print order of the plurality of jobs, and information on the print run of each of the plurality of jobs). When the first RIP process unit <NUM> ends the RIP process for a certain job, information indicating that the RIP process for the job has ended is stored into the job group storage unit <NUM>. The job group updating unit <NUM> updates the information on the print order and the information on the print run stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> based on the change instruction command CI transmitted from the print order change instruction unit <NUM>. The print instruction unit <NUM> instructs the body printer <NUM> in the body printing unit <NUM> to execute printing such that printing based on a plurality of jobs constituting a job group to be printed is executed in the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM>. In this regard, the print instruction unit <NUM> is configured to give an instruction to execute printing only when the RIP process by the first RIP process unit <NUM> has been completed for all of the plurality of jobs constituting the job group to be printed. The body printing unit <NUM> executes print output of the body by using the data after the RIP process by the first RIP process unit <NUM>, and further processes the printed body.

Although the job group creation unit <NUM> is provided only in the print operation management system <NUM> in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the job group creation unit is also provided in the print workflow management system <NUM>.

In order to implement the functions as described above, for example, as a command of a job messaging format (JMF) for exchanging messages between different systems, a command for instructing, from the print operation management system <NUM> which is a higher-level system to the print workflow management system <NUM> which is a lower-level system, the print order and the print run for a plurality of jobs is added.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing an overall process flow in the present embodiment. First, a job group is created by the job group creation unit <NUM> (S100). A detailed procedure for step S100 will be described later. After the creation of the job group, the first print control unit <NUM> instructs the body printing system <NUM> to execute print preparation, and the second print control unit <NUM> instructs the cover printing system <NUM> to execute printing (step S110). As a result, the first RIP process unit <NUM> performs the RIP process for printing bodies (step S120). The second RIP process unit <NUM> performs the RIP process for printing covers, and the cover printing unit <NUM> performs the printing and processing of the covers (step S130). Note that the process in step S130 is not started after the RIP process in step S120 is fully completed, but the process in step S120 and the process in step S130 are performed in parallel. After the completion of the printing of the covers, the order data SD described above is transmitted from the cover printing unit <NUM> to the print operation management system <NUM> based on the print result of the cover printing unit <NUM> (step S140).

Thereafter, the print operation management system <NUM> instructs the print workflow management system <NUM> to change the print order (S150). Next, based on the instruction to change the print order, the job group updating unit <NUM> updates the information on the job group (S160). However, when there is no change in the print order and the print run, the process of step S160 is not performed. Next, the print instruction unit <NUM> instructs the body printer <NUM> in the body printing unit <NUM> to execute the printing of the bodies (step S170). Note that detailed procedures for steps S150, S160, and S170 will be described later. Finally, the body printing unit <NUM> performs the printing and processing of the bodies (step S180).

A detailed procedure for creation of a job group (step S100 in <FIG>) will be described with reference to <FIG>. First, in the management server <NUM> in which the print operation management system <NUM> is introduced, a job group creation screen is displayed (step S101). A list of jobs is displayed on the job group creation screen, and the operator selects a plurality of jobs to be grouped (step S102). After selecting the plurality of jobs, the operator specifies the print order of the plurality of jobs and the print run of each of the plurality of jobs (step S103). When an instruction to save the input content is given by the operator, the information on the created job group is saved in the job group holding unit <NUM>, and an instruction to register the information on the created job group is sent from the print operation management system <NUM> to the print workflow management system <NUM> (step S104). Thereafter, in the print workflow management system <NUM>, the information on the job group is stored into the job group storage unit <NUM> based on the instruction sent from the print operation management system <NUM> (step S105).

A detailed procedure for an instruction to change the print order (step S150 in <FIG>) will be described with reference to <FIG>. First, the print operation management system <NUM> receives an order data SD transmitted from the cover printing unit <NUM> (step S151). Then, the print order change instruction unit <NUM> determines whether or not there is a change in the print order or the print run based on the order data SD and the information on the print order and the print run held in the job group holding unit <NUM> (step S152). As a result, when there is a change in the print order or the print run, the process proceeds to step S153, and when there is no change in the print order and the print run, the process proceeds to step S154. In step S153, the print order change instruction unit <NUM> outputs the change instruction command CI for changing the print order or the print run to the print workflow management system <NUM>. In step S154, the print order change instruction unit <NUM> provides notification (hereinafter referred to as "no-change notification") to the print workflow management system <NUM> that there is no change in the print order and the print run. The print workflow management system <NUM> can grasp that the printing of the cover has ended by receiving the change instruction command CI or the no-change notification. In a case where the information on the job group does not include the information on the print run, it is determined in step S152 whether or not there is a change in the print order.

The process for an instruction to change the print order (step S150 in <FIG>) is performed without the operator's operation. The process of updating the job group (step S160 in <FIG>) is also performed without the operator's operation. From the above, the information on the job group stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is automatically updated based on the print result in the cover printer <NUM>.

A detailed procedure for the updating of the job group (step S160 in <FIG>) will be described with reference to <FIG>. First, the job group updating unit <NUM> receives the change instruction command CI outputted from the print order change instruction unit <NUM> (step S161). Then, the job group updating unit <NUM> analyzes the content of the change instruction command CI (step S162). Finally, the job group updating unit <NUM> updates the information on the job group (the information on the print order and the print run) stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> based on the analysis result (step S163).

A detailed procedure for an instruction to print the bodies (step S170 in <FIG>) will be described with reference to <FIG>. First, a job list screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, for example, is displayed on the display unit <NUM> of the print workflow management device <NUM> (step S171). The job list screen <NUM> includes a job display area <NUM>, a drop-down list <NUM>, a print execution button <NUM>, and a scroll bar <NUM>. In the initial state, a list of registered jobs is displayed in the job display area <NUM>. The drop-down list <NUM> is for filtering the display content of the job display area <NUM>. For example, when a job group named "BATCH12" is selected using the drop-down list <NUM>, only information on each of jobs constituting the job group named "BATCH12" is displayed on the job list screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The print execution button <NUM> is a button for instructing the body printer <NUM> to execute printing based on the job displayed on the job list screen <NUM>.

After the job list screen <NUM> is displayed, the operator uses the drop-down list <NUM> to select a job group to be printed (step S172). Next, the print instruction unit <NUM> checks the statuses of the jobs constituting the job group selected in step S172 (step S173). Then, the print instruction unit <NUM> determines whether or not the RIP process has been completed for all the jobs constituting the selected job group (step S174). As a result, when the RIP process has been completed for all the jobs, the process proceeds to step S176, and when there is a job for which the RIP process has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S175.

In step S175, a list of jobs constituting the selected job group is displayed in the job display area <NUM> of the job list screen <NUM>. However, since there is a job for which the RIP process has not been completed, the print execution button <NUM> cannot be pressed. This prevents the operation of the body printer <NUM> from stopping due to the absence of data subjected to the RIP process. After the completion of step S175, the process returns to step S174.

In step S176, as in step S175, a list of jobs constituting the selected job group is displayed in the job display area <NUM> of the job list screen <NUM>. At this time, since the RIP process has been completed for all the jobs constituting the selected job group, the print execution button <NUM> can be pressed, unlike step S175. Thereafter, the operator presses the print execution button <NUM> (step S177). Thus, the printing of the bodies in the body printer <NUM> is started.

An operation example will be described. It is assumed that the job group to be printed is formed of four jobs A, B, C, and D, and the print order of the four jobs is A, B, C, and D according to the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM>. In addition, it is assumed that the print run of the cover outputted from the conveyance device <NUM> is equal to the print run stored in the job group storage unit <NUM>. Again, the bodies corresponding to jobs A, B, C, and D are denoted by reference numerals A1, B1, C1, and D1, respectively, and the covers corresponding to jobs A, B, C, and D are denoted by reference numerals A2, B2, C2, and D2, respectively.

First, attention is focused on a case where the covers are outputted from the conveyance device <NUM> in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2 as shown in a portion denoted by reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>. In this case, the order data SD indicates that the bodies should be printed in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1. Thus, the print operation management system <NUM> determines that there is no change in the print order. Therefore, the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is not changed. Thereby, an instruction to print the bodies in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1 is given from the print instruction unit <NUM> to the body printer <NUM>. Since the order of the bodies is maintained between the body printer <NUM> and the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> as described above, the bodies are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1. In addition, the covers are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2. From the above, in the bookbinding machine <NUM>, the bookbinding process of combining the bodies and the covers is performed without causing a mismatch.

Next, attention is focused on a case where the covers are outputted from the conveyance device <NUM> in the order of B2, C2, A2, and D2 as shown in a portion denoted by reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>. In this case, the order data SD indicates that the bodies should be printed in the order of B1, C1, A1, and D1. Therefore, the print operation management system <NUM> determines that there is a change in the print order, and the change instruction command CI described above is transmitted from the print operation management system <NUM> to the print workflow management system <NUM>. As a result, the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is changed. Specifically, the information on the print order after the change indicates that the print order of the four jobs is B, C, A, and D. Thereby, an instruction to print the bodies in the order of B1, C1, A1, and D1 is given from the print instruction unit <NUM> to the body printer <NUM>. Since the order of the bodies is maintained between the body printer <NUM> and the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> as described above, the bodies are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of B1, C1, A1, and D1. The covers are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of B2, C2, A2, and D2. From the above, in the bookbinding machine <NUM>, the bookbinding process of combining the bodies and the covers is performed without causing a mismatch.

In a case where the order of the bodies is reversed between the body printer <NUM> and the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM>, for example, when the covers are outputted from the conveyance device <NUM> in the order of A2, C2, B2, and D2, the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is changed such that the bodies are outputted from the body printer <NUM> in the order of D1, B1, C1, and A1.

According to the present embodiment, a job group that defines a plurality of jobs and a print order of the plurality of jobs is created, and information on the job group is stored into the job group storage unit <NUM>. After the completion of the printing and processing of the covers based on the plurality of jobs constituting the job group to be printed, when the output order of the covers from the cover printing unit <NUM> is different from the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM>, the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is updated. Then, the body printer <NUM> is instructed to execute printing in the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM>. As a result, in whatever order the cover printer <NUM> executes the printing of the covers based on the plurality of jobs, it is possible to match the input order of the bodies to the bookbinding machine <NUM> in job units with the input order of the covers to the bookbinding machine <NUM> in job units. Further, when the continuous printing based on the plurality of jobs is executed, it is not necessary to consider the order of the RIP process and the required time, and it is not necessary to take a large amount of time in performing the rearrangement operation by using the screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, for example. As above, according to the present embodiment, there is achieved the printing system that can prevent a mismatch from occurring at the time of bookbinding without imposing an operation load and a work burden on the operator when bookbinding is performed using printed matters outputted from the two printers (the body printer <NUM> and the cover printer <NUM>).

Further, for example, information on the base material (printing paper, etc.) and the usage amount of ink can be acquired in a unit preferable for the user by registering the print result for each job group. Moreover, it is easy to collectively transfer a plurality of types of products related to each other.

A modification of the first embodiment will be described below. In the first embodiment, the cover processing device <NUM> has outputted the covers in the order reversed to the order at the time of processing. In contrast, in the present modification, the cover processing device <NUM> outputs the covers in the same order as the order at the time of processing.

How the bodies printed by the body printer <NUM> and the covers printed by the cover printer <NUM> are processed and conveyed in the present modification will be described with reference to <FIG>. Here, it is assumed that the printing is performed in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1 in the body printer <NUM>, and the printing is performed in the order of D2, C2, B2, and A2 in the cover printer <NUM>.

The bodies printed by the body printer <NUM> are processed and conveyed in exactly the same manner as in the first embodiment. Thus, the conveyance device <NUM> outputs the bodies in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1.

As described above, the cover printer <NUM> outputs the covers in a state where the covers overlap from the top to the bottom in the order reversed to the print order in job units. Therefore, the covers are outputted from the cover printer <NUM> in a state where the covers overlap from the top to the bottom in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2. The conveyance device <NUM> does not change the overlapping order of the covers. In the present modification, the cover processing device <NUM> processes the covers in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2 and outputs the covers in the same order as the processing order. That is, the cover processing device <NUM> outputs the covers in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2. The conveyance device <NUM> outputs the covers in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2.

From the above, the bodies are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1, and the covers are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2.

An operation example in the present modification will be described. When the covers are outputted from the conveyance device <NUM> in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2 as shown in a portion denoted by reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>, similarly to the first embodiment, the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is not changed, and an instruction to print the bodies in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1 is given from the print instruction unit <NUM> to the body printer <NUM>. Thereby, the bodies are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1. In addition, the covers are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2. From the above, in the bookbinding machine <NUM>, the bookbinding process of combining the bodies and the covers is performed without causing a mismatch.

In a case where the covers are outputted from the conveyance device <NUM> in the order of B2, C2, A2, and D2 as shown in a portion denoted by reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>, similarly to the first embodiment, the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is changed, and the information on the print order after the change indicates that the print order of the four jobs is B, C, A, and D. Thereby, an instruction to print the bodies in the order of B1, C1, A1, and D1 is given from the print instruction unit <NUM> to the body printer <NUM>. As a result, the bodies are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of B1, C1, A1, and D1. The covers are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of B2, C2, A2, and D2. From the above, in the bookbinding machine <NUM>, the bookbinding process of combining the bodies and the covers is performed without causing a mismatch.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment as well, similarly to the first embodiment, a body and a cover constituting a book are printed by different printers, and bookbinding is performed by using a bookbinding machine to combine the body and the cover obtained by the printing.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The printing system <NUM> is formed of a body printer <NUM>, a first post-processing machine group <NUM>, a print workflow management device <NUM>, a first RIP server <NUM>, a cover printer <NUM>, a second post-processing machine group <NUM>, a second RIP server <NUM>, and a bookbinding machine <NUM>. Unlike the first embodiment, the printing system <NUM> does not include the management server <NUM>. The operation of each component is similar to that of the first embodiment, and hence the description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a functional configuration (however, the bookbinding function is excluded) of the printing system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the printing system <NUM> does not include the print operation management system <NUM>. The print workflow management system <NUM> includes a job group creation unit <NUM> in addition to the components in the first embodiment. Similarly to the job group creation unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) in the first embodiment, the job group creation unit <NUM> creates a job group based on the operation of the operator. The job group storage unit <NUM> stores information concerning the job group created by the job group creation unit <NUM> (information on a plurality of jobs constituting a job group, information on the print order of the plurality of jobs, and information on the print run of each of the plurality of jobs). The cover printing system <NUM> has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, since the print operation management system <NUM> (see <FIG>) is not included in the printing system <NUM>, the change instruction command CI is not given to the job group updating unit <NUM>. Therefore, the job group updating unit <NUM> updates the information on the print order and the information on the print run stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> based on the operator's operation. In this regard, the cover printing unit <NUM> outputs the order data SD as in the first embodiment. On the basis of the order data SD, the operator specifies the print order and the print run on a predetermined screen for updating the information on the job group. Thereby, the information on the print order and the information on the print run stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> are updated.

Although not shown in <FIG>, a component that instructs the print workflow management system <NUM> to execute print preparation with the specification of a job (a component corresponding to the first print control unit <NUM> in the first embodiment) and a component that instructs the cover printing system <NUM> to execute printing with the specification of a job (a component corresponding to the second print control unit <NUM> in the first embodiment) are provided in the printing system <NUM>.

Next, an overall process flow in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in <FIG>. First, in the print workflow management system <NUM>, a job group is created by the job group creation unit <NUM> (S200). Next, the operator gives an instruction to execute the print preparation for the bodies, and the first RIP process unit <NUM> performs the RIP process for printing the bodies (step S210). In addition, the operator gives an instruction to execute the printing of the cover, and the RIP process for printing the covers by the second RIP process unit <NUM> and the printing and processing of the cover by the cover printing unit <NUM> are performed (step S220). Note that the process in step S220 is not started after the RIP process in step S210 is fully completed, but the process in step S210 and the process in step S220 are performed in parallel. After the completion of the printing of the covers, the order data SD is outputted from the cover printing unit <NUM> based on the print result in the cover printing unit <NUM> (step S230).

Thereafter, based on the order data SD, the operator inputs the information on the job group (information on the print order and the print run) after update on a predetermined screen. Thereby, the information on the job group is updated (S240). However, in a case where the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is the same as the output order indicated by the order data SD, and the print run stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is the same as the print run indicated by the order data SD, the process of step S240 is not performed. Next, the print instruction unit <NUM> instructs the body printer <NUM> in the body printing unit <NUM> to execute the printing of the bodies (step S250). Finally, the body printing unit <NUM> performs the printing and processing of the body (step S260).

An operation example in the present embodiment will be described using the same example as the example described in the first embodiment.

First, attention is focused on a case where the covers are outputted from the conveyance device <NUM> in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2 as shown in a portion denoted by reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>. In this case, the operator understands that the bodies should be printed in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1, based on the order data SD. That is, the operator understands that there is no change in the print order. Thus, an operation for updating the information on the job group by the operator is not performed. As a result, an instruction to print the bodies in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1 is given from the print instruction unit <NUM> to the body printer <NUM>. Thereby, the bodies are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of A1, B1, C1, and D1. In addition, the covers are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of A2, B2, C2, and D2. From the above, in the bookbinding machine <NUM>, the bookbinding process of combining the bodies and the covers is performed without causing a mismatch.

Next, attention is focused on a case where the covers are outputted from the conveyance device <NUM> in the order of B2, C2, A2, and D2 as shown in a portion denoted by reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>. In this case, the operator understands that the bodies should be printed in the order of B1, C1, A1, and D1, based on the order data SD. That is, the operator understands that there is a change in the print order. Therefore, the operator inputs the information on the updated print order on a predetermined screen. Thereby, the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM> is changed. As a result, an instruction to print the bodies in the order of B1, C1, A1, and D1 is given from the print instruction unit <NUM> to the body printer <NUM>. Thus, the bodies are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of B1, C1, A1, and D1. The covers are inserted into the insertion port <NUM> of the bookbinding machine <NUM> in the order of B2, C2, A2, and D2. From the above, in the bookbinding machine <NUM>, the bookbinding process of combining the bodies and the covers is performed without causing a mismatch.

According to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, there is achieved the printing system <NUM> that can prevent a mismatch from occurring at the time of bookbinding without imposing an operation load and a work burden on the operator when bookbinding is performed using printed matters outputted from the two printers (the body printer <NUM> and the cover printer <NUM>).

Although the information on the job group in the job group storage unit <NUM> is updated by the operator inputting the information on the job group after update on a predetermined screen based on the order data SD in the second embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. The job group updating unit <NUM> may update the information on the job group in the job group storage unit <NUM> based on the order data SD without through the operator's operation.

A third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment does not form part of the invention, but represents related art that is useful for understanding the invention. In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment and the second embodiment, bookbinding is performed using printed matters outputted from one printer.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the printing system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The printing system <NUM> is formed of a printer <NUM>, a post-processing machine group <NUM>, a print workflow management device <NUM>, a RIP server <NUM>, and a bookbinding machine <NUM>. For convenience, the printer in the present embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral <NUM> as that of the body printer in the first embodiment, the post-processing machine group in the present embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral <NUM> as that of the first post-processing machine group in the first embodiment, and the RIP server in the present embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral <NUM> as that of the first RIP server in the first embodiment.

The printer <NUM> is schematically formed of a printer main body and a controller thereof. In the present embodiment, the printer <NUM> is a continuous printer for performing continuous feed printing on rolled paper and prints a booklet without distinction between a body and a cover. The post-processing machine group <NUM> has the same configuration as the first post-processing machine group <NUM> in the first embodiment (see <FIG>) and performs post-processing on a printed matter. The print workflow management device <NUM> manages a series of processes for performing printing by using the printer <NUM>. The RIP server <NUM> performs a RIP process (rasterization process) on submitted data for printing, which is data in a vector format. The bookbinding machine <NUM> performs bookbinding by using the printed matters outputted from the post-processing machine group <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a functional configuration (however, the bookbinding function is excluded) of the printing system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. As understood from <FIG> and <FIG>, the configuration of the printing system <NUM> in the present embodiment is a configuration in which the job group updating unit <NUM> is removed from the body printing system <NUM> in the second embodiment. However, components similar to those of the job group updating unit <NUM> in the second embodiment may be provided.

An overall process flow in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in <FIG>. First, in the print workflow management device <NUM>, the operator defines a plurality of jobs to be grouped, a print order of the plurality of jobs, and the print run of each of the plurality of jobs on a predetermined screen for creating a job group (see <FIG>). Thereby, a job group is created by the job group creation unit <NUM> (S300). The information on the created job group is stored into the job group storage unit <NUM>.

Next, in the print workflow management device <NUM>, the operator gives an instruction to execute print preparation with the specification of a job group to be printed. Thereby, the RIP process unit <NUM> performs the RIP process on a plurality of jobs constituting the job group to be printed (step S310).

After the completion of the RIP process for all the jobs constituting the job group to be printed, the operator gives an instruction to execute printing in the print workflow management device <NUM>. For example, the operator presses the print execution button <NUM> on the job list screen <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Thereby, the print instruction unit <NUM> instructs the printer <NUM> to execute printing (step S320). At this time, the printer <NUM> is instructed to execute printing based on the plurality of jobs constituting the job group to be printed in the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM>.

Finally, printing is performed for the plurality of jobs constituting the job group to be printed by the printer <NUM> in the order instructed in step S320, and processing is performed on the printed matters by the post-processing machine group <NUM> (step S330).

According to the present embodiment, a job group that defines a plurality of jobs and the print order of the plurality of jobs is created, and information on the job group is stored into the job group storage unit <NUM>. Then, the printer <NUM> is instructed to execute printing in the print order stored in the job group storage unit <NUM>, and continuous printing based on the plurality of jobs is executed in a desired order. Thus, for example, in a case where a plurality of paper sizes is used, jobs of the same paper size can be printed collectively, and in a case where a plurality of types of paper is used, jobs of the same type of paper can be printed collectively. From the above, according to the present embodiment, a printing system <NUM> capable of executing continuous printing based on a plurality of jobs easily in a desired order is achieved.

Claim 1:
A printing system capable of performing continuous printing based on a plurality of jobs, the printing system comprising:
a first printing unit (<NUM>) including a first printer (<NUM>) that prints a first element, and configured to sequentially output the first element;
a second printing unit (<NUM>) including a second printer (<NUM>) that prints a second element, and configured to sequentially output the second element;
a bookbinding machine (<NUM>) configured to perform bookbinding by combining the first element outputted from the first printing unit (<NUM>) and the second element outputted from the second printing unit (<NUM>);
a job group creation unit (<NUM>) configured to create a job group defining a plurality of jobs to be grouped and a print order of the plurality of jobs;
a job group storage unit (<NUM>) configured to store information on the plurality of jobs constituting the job group and information on the print order of the plurality of jobs;
a job group updating unit (<NUM>) configured to update the information on the print order stored in the job group storage unit (<NUM>) on a basis of information on an output order of the second element from the second printing unit (<NUM>) in job units when printing based on the plurality of jobs constituting the job group is executed by the second printer (<NUM>); and
a print instruction unit (<NUM>) configured to instruct the first printer (<NUM>) to execute printing such that printing based on the plurality of jobs constituting the job group is executed by the first printer (<NUM>) in the print order stored in the job group storage unit (<NUM>).