JP2009120354A - Information processor, its control method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet material conveying simulation system for simulating the action of a loop sensor for detecting a deflection amount of the sheet material without increasing processing load. <P>SOLUTION: In the information processor, a conveying route in which an imaginary sheet material is conveyed, a plurality of conveying means for conveying the sheet material and a sheet material detection means for detecting existence of the sheet material are imaginarily defined, and conveying action of the sheet material is simulated. The information processor calculates a deflection amount of the sheet material conveyed between a first conveying means and a second conveying means out of the plurality of conveying means using a difference of respective conveying distances of the first and second conveying means conveying the sheet material in one unit time, and determines an output of the sheet material detection means by comparing the calculated deflection amount with a threshold value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a simulation system for virtually simulating how a sheet material behaves by the control sequence in order to design and verify a control sequence of a conveyance mechanism that conveys the sheet material.

  In designing a control sequence for a conveyance mechanism that conveys a sheet material, recently, a conveyance state of the sheet material is virtually verified using an apparatus that simulates the behavior of the sheet material.

For example, as a simulation apparatus for transporting a sheet material, Patent Document 1 virtually defines a front end position, a rear end position, and a length of a sheet material, and the sheet material is supplied for each predetermined unit according to a control sequence in the simulation apparatus. There has been proposed a simulation apparatus that virtually moves and calculates data each time it is moved. Patent Document 2 proposes a simulation apparatus that calculates the amount of bending and verifies the behavior of a sheet material when the sheet material is conveyed by a plurality of conveying means.
JP 09-309665 A JP 2006-290579 A

  However, the prior art has the following problems. For example, in a sheet material conveyance simulator as in Patent Document 1, it is only necessary to detect whether or not a predefined sheet material exists at a defined position of a sheet material presence / absence detection mechanism on a predefined conveyance path. It was. That is, it is detected whether or not the defined position of the sheet material presence / absence detection mechanism exists relatively between the front end position and the rear end position of the sheet material. Therefore, the operation of the sheet material presence / absence detection mechanism installed at a position slightly away from the conveyance path cannot be confirmed.

  For example, in order to control the amount of bending of the sheet material, the sensor is installed at a position away from the conveyance guide and detects that the amount of bending of the sheet material has reached a certain level (hereinafter referred to as a loop sensor). There is an image forming apparatus comprising: However, the conventional technology as described above cannot verify the operation of the loop sensor.

  In addition, when advanced sheet material behavior analysis methods are used to simulate the function of the loop sensor, it is possible to reproduce behavior that is closer to actual operation, while at the same time increasing simulation load due to increased processing load. Will be late. Therefore, it cannot be applied to uses such as studying control sequences. In Patent Document 2, only the behavior of the sheet material is simulated, and the operation of the sheet material conveying apparatus including the operation of the loop sensor and the registration sensor cannot be verified.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a sheet material conveyance simulation system that simulates the operation of a loop sensor that detects the amount of bending of a sheet material without increasing the processing load. Objective.

  The present invention virtually defines, for example, a conveyance path through which a virtual sheet material is conveyed, a plurality of conveyance units that convey the sheet material, and a sheet material detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the sheet material. It can be realized as an information processing apparatus that simulates the transporting operation. An information processing apparatus includes: a threshold storage unit that stores a threshold for determining an output of a sheet material detection unit using a deflection amount of a sheet material; and a first conveyance unit and a second conveyance unit among a plurality of conveyance units, A bending amount calculating means for calculating a bending amount of the sheet material conveyed between the first and second conveying means by using a difference of each conveying distance in which the first and second conveying means convey the sheet material in one unit time, and the calculated bending Output determining means for determining the output of the sheet material detecting means by comparing the amount with a threshold value is provided.

  In addition, the present invention virtually defines, for example, a conveyance path through which a virtual sheet material is conveyed, a plurality of conveyance units that convey the sheet material, and a sheet material detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the sheet material, This can be realized as a control method for an information processing apparatus that includes a threshold value storage unit that stores a threshold value for determining the output of the sheet material detection unit using the amount of deflection of the sheet material, and that simulates the sheet material conveyance operation. In the control method, the bending amount of the sheet material conveyed between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit among the plurality of conveyance units is conveyed, and the first and second conveyance units convey the sheet material in one unit time. The step of calculating using the difference between the transport distances to be performed and the step of determining the output of the sheet material detection means by comparing the calculated amount of deflection with a threshold value are performed.

  The present invention can provide, for example, a sheet material conveyance simulation system that simulates the operation of a loop sensor that detects the amount of bending of a sheet material without increasing the processing load.

  An embodiment of the present invention is shown below. The individual embodiments described below will help to understand various concepts, such as superordinate concepts, intermediate concepts and subordinate concepts of the present invention. Further, the technical scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the claims, and is not limited by the following individual embodiments.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. First, an environment in which a sheet material conveyance simulation system for simulating a sheet material conveyance operation according to the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the sheet material conveyance simulation system according to the first embodiment.

  The sheet material conveyance simulation system according to the present embodiment is realized as an information processing apparatus 201 as illustrated in FIG. The information processing apparatus 201 includes a personal computer, a workstation, and the like. The information processing apparatus 201 includes a main body 202, a display device 203, a keyboard 204, and a mouse 205. The main body 202 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 206, a main storage device (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 207, and a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 208. The display device 203 displays a screen according to an instruction from the main body unit 202. The keyboard 204 inputs operator instructions and character information to the information processing apparatus 201. The mouse 205 inputs an instruction according to an icon or the like displayed at that position by designating an arbitrary position on the display device 203.

  The HDD 208 stores a program that realizes each function of the device control simulation system, and various data for simulation including information on a device to be simulated. In the simulation, the above-described program and various data are loaded into the RAM 207, and the program is executed by the CPU 206 of the information processing apparatus 201. These basic operations of the information processing apparatus 201 are executed via an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a basic program.

  Next, functions of the sheet material conveyance simulation system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a control block of the sheet material conveyance simulation system according to the first embodiment. Components described below are virtually defined and controlled by the CPU 206 shown in FIG. A component for storing information to be described later is realized by the RAM 207 or the HDD 208 and read / written by the CPU 206.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 201 according to the present embodiment includes a sheet material conveyance simulation unit 101 and a conveyance sequence generation unit 102. The sheet material conveyance simulation unit 101 includes a GUI unit 104, a simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 106, and a simulated sheet material conveyance device 108.

  The sheet material conveyance simulation unit 101 generates a simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 106 in the information processing apparatus 201 and simulates the behavior of the virtual sheet material according to a conveyance sequence output from a conveyance sequence generation unit 102 described later. The behavior of the virtual sheet material and the transport mechanism is shown as graphical information to the operator via a GUI unit 104 described later.

  The conveyance sequence generation unit 102 functions as a sequence generation unit, and issues drive instructions for various mechanisms to a simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 (to be described later) in accordance with a conveyance mechanism drive control sequence set by an operator. As a specific example of the conveyance sequence generation unit 102, there is a sequencer that issues a drive instruction for various mechanisms to the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 based on simple sequence information defined by drive timings of various mechanisms. In addition, there is a CPU simulator that executes control software of an apparatus to be simulated on the information processing apparatus 201 and issues a drive instruction for various mechanisms to the simulated sheet material conveying apparatus 108 based on the control software.

  The GUI unit 104 includes a sheet material conveyance mechanism setting unit 109 that sets a simulation sheet material conveyance device definition 106 to be described later, and mediates setting of the simulation sheet material conveyance device definition 106 for the sheet material conveyance simulation system by the operator. Specifically, the GUI unit 104 displays information to the operator on the display device 203 illustrated in FIG. 2, acquires information input via the keyboard 204 or the mouse 205, and conveys a simulated sheet material from the acquired information. The device definition 106 is set. Specifically, the GUI unit 104 displays a setting change screen for causing the operator to set or change information held in the information processing apparatus 201 on the display device 203, and is acquired from the operator via the setting change screen. The reflected information is reflected in the RAM 207 or the HDD 208. Here, the GUI unit 104 functions as a setting change unit.

  The simulated sheet material transport device definition 106 stores definition information related to the sheet material transport mechanism. In the definition information, a sheet material conveyance path definition 114 defined by the operator via the GUI unit 104, a sheet material conveyance unit definition 115 such as a roller, and the presence / absence of a sheet material at the position are detected. There are sheet material detection unit definitions 116 and 144.

  Here, the reason why the plurality of sheet material detection unit definitions are generated is that when a later-described sheet material detection unit is installed in a simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 described later, a sheet material detection unit corresponding to each sheet material detection unit This is because a definition is required. In FIG. 1, two sheet material detection unit definitions 116 and 144 are shown, but in reality, the same number of sheet material detection unit definitions as the sheet material detection units desired to be installed on the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 are provided. Similarly, the sheet material conveyance path definition 114 and the sheet material conveyance unit definition 115 are generated by the number of definition objects.

  The sheet material conveyance path definition 114 includes position information and distance information as parameters. The sheet material conveyance unit definition 115 includes position information and speed information 117 for conveying the sheet material as parameters. The sheet material detection unit definitions 116 and 144 include position information, selection information 119 and 146, threshold values 118 and 145, and installation positions 120 and 147 as parameters. The selection information 119 and 146 includes information on whether the output information is determined in consideration of the amount of deflection, or whether the output information is determined depending on the presence or absence of the sheet material detection unit between the front end and the rear end of the sheet material. The threshold values 118 and 145 include threshold information for determining output information when determining output information in consideration of the amount of deflection. The installation positions 120 and 147 include information on the installation position of the sheet material detection unit. That is, the selection information 119, 146, threshold values 118, 145, and installation positions 120, 147 function as selection information storage means, threshold value storage means, and installation position storage means, respectively.

  The simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 is based on the operation instruction of the sheet material conveyance unit sequentially output from the conveyance sequence generation unit 102 and the conveyance speed information defined in each sheet material conveyance unit by the simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 106. Simulate the behavior of the virtual sheet material. This behavioral simulation method of the virtual sheet material is realized by calculating the front end position, rear end position, and deflection amount of the virtual sheet material after the next one unit time for each unit time in the simulation. Since this calculation method is the same as before, detailed description is avoided.

  The sheet material detection unit 136 of the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 functions as a sheet material detection unit, and simulates a function of detecting the presence or absence of a sheet material such as a sheet material presence sensor or a loop sensor. Here, the sheet material presence / absence sensor refers to, for example, a sensor that is installed in the conveyance path and detects where the sheet material is located on the conveyance path. The loop sensor is a sensor that is arranged at a position where the sheet material comes into contact when the sheet material is slackened on the conveyance path and outputs a signal when the sheet material is slackened more than a certain amount. In order to simulate the operation of the loop sensor, the sheet material detection unit 136 determines the output information of the loop sensor in consideration of the deflection amount calculation mechanism 132 that calculates the deflection amount of the sheet material and the deflection amount of the sheet material. A determination mechanism 137;

  The bending amount calculation mechanism 132 is located on the downstream side of the first conveyance roller (first conveyance unit) and the conveyance direction of the sheet material from the first conveyance roller, and is located closest to the first conveyance roller. The amount of bending of the sheet material conveyed between the second conveying roller (second conveying means) is calculated. Specifically, the bending amount calculation mechanism 132 uses the difference between the first and second transport distances in which the first and second transport rollers transport the sheet material in one unit time as a processing unit of the information processing apparatus 201. The amount of bending of the sheet material between the two conveying rollers is calculated. The calculated deflection amount is stored in the deflection amount calculation result 133 and used by the output information determination mechanism 137. Further, the deflection amount calculation mechanism 132 calculates the total deflection amount of the sheet material by adding the deflection amount generated in one unit time this time to the total deflection amount up to one unit time before the information processing apparatus 201. .

  The output information determination mechanism 137 uses the calculated deflection amount, the threshold value 118 of each sheet material detection unit definition, the selection information 119, and the information of the installation position 120 to provide a sheet material 140 for each sheet material detection unit definition or no sheet material. 139 is output. Specifically, the output information determination mechanism 137 first refers to the selection information and determines whether or not to determine the output of the sheet material detection unit using the deflection amount of the sheet material. Here, when the output of the sheet material detection unit is determined using the amount of bending of the sheet material, the sheet material detection unit is defined as a loop sensor. On the other hand, when determining the output of the sheet material detection unit without using the amount of deflection of the sheet material, the sheet material detection unit is defined as a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a recording material on the conveyance path, such as a sheet material presence sensor. It becomes.

  Further, when the sheet material detection unit is defined as a loop sensor, the output information determination mechanism 137 compares the amount of deflection calculated by the comparison unit 138 with a threshold value, and the calculated amount of deflection is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The output is determined as having a sheet material. On the other hand, when the sheet material detection unit is defined as a sheet material presence / absence sensor, the output information determination mechanism 137 causes the leading end of the sheet material to reach the installation position of the sheet material detection unit based on the information of the installation positions 120 and 147. At that timing, the output is determined as having a sheet material. That is, the output information determination mechanism 137 determines that the output is present when the installation position of the sheet material detection unit is between the front end position and the rear end position of the conveyed sheet material.

  In the present embodiment, in the simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 106 of the sheet material conveyance simulation unit 101, the threshold value of the output information, the selection information, and the installation position can be set for each sheet material detection unit definition installed on the conveyance path. It is configured. Therefore, it can define as a loop sensor or a sheet material presence sensor for every sheet material detection part definition, and a simulation about each sensor can be performed. Note that the threshold value used here is set in advance before the start of the simulation.

  In the following, with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, a method for calculating a deflection amount and a method for determining whether or not the deflection amount, which is a process of the comparison unit 138, has exceeded a threshold value will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the occurrence of bending when the sheet material is conveyed by a plurality of conveyance units. FIG. 3 illustrates a side surface of a virtual sheet material conveyance path. In the following description, the loop sensor and the sheet material presence / absence sensor are collectively referred to as a sheet material detection sensor.

  In FIG. 3, reference numerals 1 to 6 denote transport rollers that are transport means. L1 to L6 indicate the distance of the sheet material that each conveyance roller conveys in one unit time. Here, the conveying means indicates, for example, a conveying roller, a belt, or the like. In the following, it is assumed that the conveying means is a conveying roller for ease of explanation. WAY indicates the distance between the two transport rollers. For example, WAY 34 indicates the distance between the transport roller 3 and the transport roller 4. That is, the number attached to the end of WAY corresponds to the numbers of the two transport rollers. S indicates the length of the sheet material in the conveyance direction existing on the distance WAY between the conveyance rollers. For example, S34 indicates the length of the sheet material existing on the WAY 34 in the conveyance direction.

  The sheet material is conveyed in contact with a plurality of conveying units, and is bent depending on conditions. As shown in FIG. 3, the bending of the sheet material occurs between two adjacent conveyance units in contact with the sheet material. Therefore, the amount of bending between the two conveyance units is represented by the difference between the conveyance path distance between the two conveyance units and the length in the conveyance direction of the sheet material existing between the two conveyance units. For example, when the relationship between WAY and S is WAY <S, the sheet material may be bent.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the sheet material is conveyed across a plurality of conveyance units, a section where bending occurs and a section where it does not occur are generated due to the speed difference between the conveyance units. Specifically, in FIG. 3, the sheet material is bent in a section between the transport rollers 2 and 3 and a section between the transport rollers 4 and 5. This is because the relationship of WAY23 <S23 and WAY45 <S45 is established in each section. On the other hand, since the relationship of WAY <S is not established in other sections, the sheet material is not bent.

  Next, a method for calculating the amount of deflection will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a deflection amount according to the first embodiment. Here, it is assumed that a conveyance distance in which the conveyance roller A conveys the sheet material in one unit time is LA, and a conveyance distance in which the conveyance roller B conveys the sheet material in one unit time is LB.

Here, the deflection amount T between the conveyance rollers A and B is the distance between the conveyance paths between the conveyance rollers A and B and the length in the conveyance direction of the sheet material existing between the conveyance rollers A and B. Is the difference. The amount of deflection T between the transport rollers A and B increases by an amount ΔT determined by the following formula every unit time.
ΔT = LA-LB
Here, when LA> LB, the amount of deflection T that increases in one unit time is positive, indicating that the amount of deflection has increased.

  Further, the sheet material starts to bend when it is nipped and conveyed by two conveyance rollers having different conveyance speeds, and continues to accumulate until the rear end of the sheet material passes the upstream conveyance roller. That is, in the case of a sheet material conveyed between the conveying rollers A and B, the conveying roller disposed upstream from the conveying direction of the sheet material after the sheet material is conveyed by both the conveying rollers A and B for the first time. The amount of deflection increases until the rear end of the sheet material passes through A. From this, it can be said that the current amount of deflection is the sum of the amounts of deflection that increase in one unit time from when the paper is nipped and conveyed by two conveyance rollers having different conveyance speeds.

Therefore, the current total deflection amount T_AB between the transport rollers A and B can be expressed by the following equation.
T_AB = ΔT + T_AB ′
Here, T_AB ′ indicates the amount of deflection accumulated up to the previous unit time.

When the output information is determined by detecting the deflection amount of the sheet material between the transport rollers A and B, the output information determination mechanism 137 determines that the output information is present when the following conditional expression is satisfied.
T_AB> = X
Here, X represents a threshold value for determining output information, and is stored in advance in threshold values 118 and 145 shown in FIG. The output information includes the presence of sheet material 140 and the absence of sheet material 139 determined by the comparison unit 138 shown in FIG. Specifically, when the conditional expression described above is satisfied, the comparison unit 138 determines that the output information is “sheet material present 140”. Thus, in the simulated sheet material conveying apparatus 108 according to the present embodiment, the output of the sheet material detection sensor S is simulated.

  Next, the control flow of the simulated sheet material conveying device 108 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 according to the first embodiment. The following processing is centrally controlled by the CPU 206. Here, the sheet material detection sensor S is located between the conveyance roller A and the conveyance roller B located downstream of the conveyance roller A in the conveyance direction of the sheet material and located closest to the conveyance roller A. It shall exist.

  First, in step S501, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 sets the sheet material detection sensor S from the simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 106 at any timing before the leading edge of the sheet material arrives at the sheet material detection sensor S. Refer to Here, the setting indicates the installation position 120 of the sheet material detection sensor S, the selection information 119, and the threshold value 118. The selection information 119 indicates whether the output information is determined in consideration of the amount of bending or the output information is determined at the timing when the leading edge of the sheet material reaches the sheet material detection sensor S.

  Subsequently, in step S502, the simulated sheet material conveying device 108 detects the timing at which the leading edge of the sheet material reaches the sheet material detection sensor S. Here, in order to detect the arrival timing, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 detects the timing at which the leading edge of the sheet material arrives at the sheet material detection sensor S using a timer provided in the CPU 206. Specifically, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 determines that the leading edge of the sheet material has arrived at the sheet material detection sensor S, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the conveyance of the sheet material was virtually started. To do.

  When the leading edge of the sheet material arrives at the sheet material detection sensor S, in step S503, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 determines whether output information should be determined. Specifically, the simulated sheet material conveying device 108 determines whether or not the output information threshold value X is 0 in the mode in which the information (selection information) referred to in S501 does not consider the deflection amount or the mode in which the deflection amount is considered. To do. When these conditions are satisfied, the simulated sheet material conveying device 108 shifts the process to S504.

  When the condition of S503 is satisfied, in step S504, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 determines that there is a sheet material, and notifies the conveyance sequence generation unit that the sheet material is detected by the sheet material detection sensor S. On the other hand, when the condition of S503 is not satisfied, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 determines that there is no sheet material, and determines the output information and shifts the process to S505.

  In step S505, the simulated sheet material conveying device 108 detects the timing at which the leading edge of the sheet material reaches the conveying roller B. The timing detection method is the same as S502. Here, when the leading edge of the sheet material arrives at the conveyance roller B, the sheet material between the conveyance rollers AB starts to bend due to the difference in speed between the conveyance roller A and the conveyance roller B.

  Next, in step S506, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 calculates the total deflection amount T_AB between the conveyance rollers A and B using the above-described calculation method of the total deflection amount T_AB. Further, in step S507, the simulated sheet material conveying apparatus 108 determines whether or not the calculated total deflection amount T_AB exceeds the threshold value X of the output information. Here, when the total deflection amount T_AB is equal to or greater than the threshold value X of the output information, the simulated sheet material conveying device 108 shifts the process to S508. On the other hand, if the total deflection amount T_AB is not equal to or greater than the threshold value X of the output information, the simulated sheet material conveying device 108 shifts the process to S509.

  In step S508, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 determines the output information of the sheet material detection sensor S and notifies the conveyance sequence generation unit 102 that there is a sheet material. On the other hand, in step S509, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 determines that the output information of the sheet material detection sensor S is no sheet material, and notifies the conveyance sequence generation unit 102 that there is no sheet material.

  In step S <b> 510, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 determines whether the trailing edge of the sheet material has passed the sheet material detection sensor S. If it has passed, the output information calculation process of the sheet material detection sensor S is terminated. On the other hand, if it has not passed, the simulated sheet material conveying apparatus 108 returns the process to S506. In this way, until the trailing edge of the sheet material passes through the sheet material detection sensor S, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 executes the processing of S506 to S508 or S509 every unit time.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment calculates the amount of bending that occurs between two conveying rollers in a virtually conveyed sheet material, and compares the calculated amount of bending with a threshold value. This simulates the operation of the loop sensor. Further, as a calculation method of the deflection amount, the calculation is performed using the difference between the conveyance distances in which the two conveyance rollers convey the sheet material in one unit time of the information processing apparatus. As a result, the information processing apparatus can simulate the operation of the loop sensor with relatively easy processing without greatly increasing the processing load.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment holds selection information indicating whether or not to determine an output using a plurality of sheet material detection sensors that are virtually realized by using the amount of deflection of the sheet material. As a result, the information processing apparatus simulates not only the operation of the loop sensor but also the operation of the sensor that detects whether or not the sheet material exists on the sheet material conveyance path such as the registration sensor by determining the selection information. can do. In the case of a registration sensor or the like, the information processing apparatus is realized by determining that the sheet material is present when the leading edge of the sheet material reaches the position of the sheet material detection sensor.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus can simultaneously simulate the operations of a plurality of types of sheet material detection sensors by providing installation position, selection information, and threshold information for each sheet material detection sensor. As a result, the information processing apparatus can realize a more complicated simulation.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, a preset threshold value X is used, but in the present embodiment, the threshold value X is configured to be changeable. For example, when evaluating the conveyance sequence, it may be necessary to change the timing at which the output information of the sheet material detection sensor S is present during sheet material conveyance simulation. That is, it may be necessary to change the threshold value X of the output information of the sheet material detection sensor S during the sheet material conveyance simulation.

  In the present embodiment, a method will be described in which the operator issues an instruction to change the threshold value X through the GUI unit 104. Note that the functional configuration and the hardware configuration in this embodiment are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 according to the second embodiment. The following processing is centrally controlled by the CPU 206. Here, the sheet material detection sensor S is located between the conveyance roller A and the conveyance roller B located downstream of the conveyance roller A in the conveyance direction of the sheet material and located closest to the conveyance roller A. It shall exist. Further, the same processing as in FIG. 5 is denoted by the same step number, and description thereof is omitted.

  In step S601, the GUI unit 104 acquires a threshold X change command from the operator. Specifically, the GUI unit 104 displays a setting change screen for setting or changing the threshold value X on the display device 203. The operator inputs a threshold value to be set or changed from an input device such as the keyboard 204 and the mouse 205 via the setting change screen. The GUI unit 104 acquires the set or changed threshold value X from the input information.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 602, the GUI unit 104 changes the threshold value X of the sheet material presence / absence S in the simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 106 via the sheet material conveyance mechanism setting unit 109 from the acquired information. Here, the simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 106 notifies that the threshold value X of the sheet material detection sensor S has been changed.

  Thereafter, in step S603, the simulated sheet material conveying device 108 refers to the threshold value X after the change of the sheet material detection sensor S. The simulated sheet material conveying device 108 executes the processing of S604 to S612 using the changed threshold value X. Here, the processing from S604 to S612 is the same as the processing from S502 to S510, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment displays the setting change screen for setting or changing the threshold value on the display device provided in the information processing apparatus, and is input via the setting change screen. The threshold value stored in the storage unit is set or changed based on information from the operator. Thereby, this information processing apparatus can be changed to a desired threshold value during the execution of the simulation. In addition, a threshold value can be set in consideration of the operating environment such as the outside air temperature and the type of sheet material, and a flexible simulation can be performed. Although the change of the threshold value is described as an example here, the installation position and the value of the selection information may be set or changed. In other words, a predetermined parameter held in the information processing apparatus may be changed.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the threshold value X of the output information of the sheet material detection sensor S should be set by the operator. However, while this method can set the threshold value X desired by the operator, it is necessary for the operator to change the threshold value X in accordance with the timing during execution of the sheet material conveyance simulation. Therefore, the operator must monitor the sheet material conveyance simulator, and there is a concern about the accuracy of the change timing of the threshold value X. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a method for changing the threshold value X information from the outside of the sheet material conveyance simulation unit via the external interface will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a control block of the sheet material conveyance simulation system according to the third embodiment. Here, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The sheet material conveyance simulation unit 101 according to the present embodiment includes an external interface 105 and a parameter change request generation unit 148 in addition to the configuration of FIG. Further, a simulation parameter database 103 is connected to the sheet material conveyance simulation unit 101.

  The parameter change request generation unit 148 functions as a change request output unit, and monitors the conveyance sequence generation unit 102 and the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108. When the generated sequence or the state of the simulated sheet material conveying apparatus 108 satisfies a predetermined change condition, the parameter change request generation unit 148 outputs a threshold X change command to the external interface 105 described later.

  The simulation parameter database 103 has threshold values 141 that list possible values of the threshold values 118 and 145 in the sheet material detection unit definitions 116 and 144 in a prescribed format. Specifically, the threshold value 141 stores a threshold value corresponding to a predetermined change condition. The simulation parameter database 103 exists independently outside the sheet material conveyance simulation unit 101, and the external interface 105 described later refers to the threshold value 141 of the sheet material detection unit 136.

  The external interface 105 includes a parameter sequential setting unit 111 having a sheet material transport mechanism setting unit 112. When the parameter sequential setting unit 111 receives an instruction to change the threshold value X from the parameter change request generation unit 148, the parameter sequential setting unit 111 reads the threshold value 141 from the simulation parameter database 103. Further, the sheet material conveyance mechanism setting unit 112 functions as a changing unit, and changes the threshold value of the simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 106 to the read threshold value.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 according to the third embodiment. The following processing is centrally controlled by the CPU 206. Here, the sheet material detection sensor S is located between the conveyance roller A and the conveyance roller B located downstream of the conveyance roller A in the conveyance direction of the sheet material and located closest to the conveyance roller A. It shall exist. Further, the same processing as in FIG. 5 is denoted by the same step number, and description thereof is omitted.

  In step S <b> 701, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 receives a threshold value change command for the sheet material detection sensor S from the parameter change request generation unit 148. Subsequently, in step S <b> 702, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 transmits a threshold value change command for the sheet material detection sensor S to the external interface 105.

  In step S <b> 703, when the external interface 105 receives a threshold value change command from the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108, the external interface 105 accesses the simulation parameter database 103 and acquires the threshold value 141. When the threshold value 141 is acquired, in step S704, the external interface 105 accesses the simulated sheet material transport device definition 106 and changes the threshold value of the sheet material detection sensor S to the acquired threshold value 141.

  In step S705, when the threshold value of the sheet material detection sensor S is changed, the simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 106 notifies the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 of the threshold value X after the change of the sheet material detection sensor S. The simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 changes the comparison target with the total deflection amount T_AB to the changed threshold value X. The simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 executes the processes of S706 to S714 using the changed threshold value X. Here, the processing of S706 to S714 is the same as the processing of S502 to S510, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment changes the threshold value according to the simulation sequence and the state of the simulated sheet material conveying apparatus 108. This eliminates the need for the operator to monitor the operation during the simulation by creating the sequence so that the threshold value is changed. Further, it is possible to reduce a mistake that the operator makes a mistake in changing the threshold value.
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. In the present embodiment, the threshold value X for determining the output of the sheet material detection sensor S is changed as the environmental factors change.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a difference in output depending on the installation position of the sheet material detection sensor S. As shown in FIG. 12, the sheet material 1200 is bent when the rotational speeds of the front and rear conveying rollers are different. Here, for example, it is assumed that the sheet material detection sensors 1201 and 1202 are installed at different positions. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, due to the bending of the sheet material 1200, a phenomenon occurs in which the sheet material 1200 does not contact the sheet material detection sensor 1201 and the sheet material 1200 contacts the sheet material detection sensor 1202. Accordingly, the sheet material detection sensor 1201 outputs the absence of the sheet material, and the sheet material detection sensor 1202 outputs the presence of the sheet material. Thus, the output varies depending on the installation position of the sheet material detection sensor.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing sheet materials having different ways of bending. Here, the sheet materials A and B indicate sheet materials having different rigidity. Here, the sheet material A is higher in rigidity than the sheet material B. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the way of bending differs depending on the rigidity of the sheet material. Therefore, when simulating the output of the sheet material detection sensor, it is necessary to consider the amount of bending that varies depending on the type of sheet material.

  Further, the amount of bending of the sheet material is also affected by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity of the place where the sheet material conveying machine is placed. That is, in the actual environment, the output contents of the sheet material detection sensor S vary due to the influence of the environment. Therefore, the present embodiment is characterized in that the output of the sheet material detection sensor S is controlled in consideration of the environmental factors described above.

  In the first embodiment, the conditional expression for determining the output of the sheet material detection sensor S is set to the total deflection amount T_AB> = threshold X. However, in this embodiment, the influence of the environment is uniquely associated with the threshold value X, the threshold value X is changed according to the environmental change given to the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108, and the sheet material present 140 and sheet material absent 139 are conveyed. The data is output to the sequence generation unit 102.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a control block of the sheet material conveyance simulation system according to the fourth embodiment. Here, the same components as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The sheet material conveyance simulation unit 101 includes an environment variation factor 107 and a simulated environment generation unit 149 in addition to the configuration of FIG. Further, the sheet material detection unit definitions 116 and 144 hold environmental factors 124 and 150 in addition to the configuration of FIG. Further, the GUI unit 104 includes an environment variation factor setting unit 110 in addition to the configuration of FIG. The environmental variation factor 107 and the environmental factors 124 and 150 described above function as an environmental factor storage unit.

  The environment variation factor setting unit 110 mediates setting of the environment variation factor 107 for the sheet material conveyance simulation by the operator. Specifically, the environment variation factor setting unit 110 displays a setting change screen for setting or changing the environment variation factor on the display device 203, and acquires information input by the operator via the keyboard 204 or the mouse 205. To the environmental variation factor 107.

  The environment variation factor 107 stores definition information regarding the environment variation factor. Information on the environment variation factor 107 is used in a simulated environment generation unit 149 described later. Information defined as the environmental variation factor 107 includes a sheet material definition 123. The sheet material definition 123 includes a temperature definition 121, a humidity definition 122, a sheet material temperature 126, a humidity 127, a sheet material rigidity 128, a sheet material friction coefficient 129, and a sheet material length 130. including. Similarly to the simulation sheet conveying apparatus definition 106, when there are a plurality of definition objects, there are as many definitions as the definition objects. For example, when it is desired to simulate the conveyance of a plurality of sheet materials, a plurality of sheet material definitions are set.

  The simulated sheet material transport device definition 106 further includes environmental factors 124 and 150 that affect the comparison processing of the comparison unit 138 in addition to the information shown in FIG. 8 as parameters of the sheet material detection unit definitions 116 and 144.

  The simulated environment generation unit 149 constructs an environment in which the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 operates based on the definition information of the environment variation factor 107. For example, it has a function of giving an outside air temperature input to the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 in accordance with the temperature definition 121 of the environment driven by the virtual sheet material conveyance mechanism defined by the environment variation factor 107.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 according to the fourth embodiment. The following processing is centrally controlled by the CPU 206. Here, the sheet material detection sensor S is located between the conveyance roller A and the conveyance roller B located downstream of the conveyance roller A in the conveyance direction of the sheet material and located closest to the conveyance roller A. It shall exist. Further, the same processing as in FIG. 5 is denoted by the same step number, and description thereof is omitted.

  In step S <b> 1001, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 detects the timing at which the leading edge of the sheet material reaches the sheet material detection sensor S. Here, in order to detect the arrival timing, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 detects the timing at which the leading edge of the sheet material arrives at the sheet material detection sensor S using a timer provided in the CPU 206. Specifically, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 determines that the leading edge of the sheet material has arrived at the sheet material detection sensor S, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the conveyance of the sheet material was virtually started. To do.

  Subsequently, in step S1002, the parameter change request generation unit 148 refers to the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 and the simulated environment generation unit 149, and determines the types of parameters of environmental variation factors that affect the sheet material detection sensor S and , Get its value. At this time, it is conceivable that a plurality of factors influence the environment variation factors in a complicated manner, but in the present embodiment, only the main environment variation factors designated in advance are referred to. For example, the basis weight of the sheet material is assumed here as a main environmental variation factor.

  In step S1003, when the parameter change request generation unit 148 refers to the basis weight value of the sheet material, the parameter change request generation unit 148 sends a threshold value change command for the sheet material detection sensor S to the external interface 105, and the sheet material acquired in step S1002 Pass the basis weight of. Subsequently, in step S1004, the external interface 105 refers to and acquires the threshold value X corresponding to the basis weight of the sheet material from the simulation parameter database 103. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of a simulation parameter database according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the simulation parameter database 103 has a table showing the basis weight and the threshold value 141 corresponding thereto. Therefore, the external interface 105 acquires the threshold value X corresponding to the basis weight of the sheet material transmitted from the parameter change request generation unit 148. Specifically, when the basis weight is 100 g, the threshold value X is 0.92.

  In step S1005, the external interface 105 changes the threshold value X defined in the simulated sheet material transport device definition 106 to the threshold value acquired in step S1004. In step S <b> 1006, the simulated sheet material conveying apparatus 108 acquires a new threshold value X from the simulated sheet material conveying apparatus definition 106. Thereafter, the processing from S503 to S510 is executed.

  Further, in the table in which the environmental variation factor and the threshold value X are in a one-to-one correspondence shown in FIG. 11, the value of the threshold value X corresponding to the environmental variation factor may be a value obtained by calculation or a value derived from experience. .

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment may include information regarding the sheet material and information regarding the environment in which the sheet material is conveyed, and may change the threshold based on the information. Thereby, this information processing apparatus can consider the influence of various environments surrounding an actual apparatus, and can realize a more accurate simulation of sheet material conveyance.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the method of changing the threshold value X for determining the output of the sheet material detection sensor S based on only the main environmental variation factor (for example, the basis weight of the sheet material) has been described. However, in an actual environment, a plurality of environmental factors such as the mounting position of the sheet material detection sensor S, the rigidity of the sheet material, and the temperature and humidity of the place where the sheet material itself and the sheet material conveyance device are placed are Affects the amount of bending of the material. That is, in the actual environment, the output information of the sheet material detection sensor S is switched due to the influence of a plurality of environments. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a method for determining the output information of the sheet material detection sensor S in consideration of a plurality of environmental factors will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a control block of the sheet material conveyance simulation system according to the fifth embodiment. Components similar to those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the sheet material detection unit definitions 116 and 144 include influence levels 125 and 151 indicating the degree of influence on the amount of bending of the sheet material in addition to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9. Further, unlike the third and fourth embodiments, the simulation parameter database 103 includes an environmental factor 142 and an influence degree 143. These influence degrees 125, 151, and 143 function as influence degree storage means. The environmental factor 142 and the influence degree 143 are data in which possible values of the environmental factor 124 and the influence degree 125 in the sheet material detection unit definition 116 are listed in a prescribed format, for example. These environmental factors 142 and the degree of influence 143 are referenced and used by the external interface 105.

  In addition, the parameter change request generation unit 148 according to the present embodiment is configured based on the sequence from the conveyance sequence generation unit 102, the simulated environment generated by the simulated environment generation unit 149, and the state of the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108. The change instruction is output. Here, the parameter for which the change command is output indicates an environmental factor and an influence degree. Specifically, the parameter change request generation unit 148 outputs a parameter change command to the external interface when the generated sequence satisfies a predetermined condition.

  Furthermore, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 includes an environment variation factor calculation mechanism 135 in addition to the configuration of FIG. The environmental variation factor calculation mechanism 135 outputs the calculated environmental variation factor calculation result 134 to the comparison unit 138. Further, the comparison unit 138 refers to the environmental factors 124 and 150 and the influence levels 125 and 151 as parameters of the sheet material detection unit definitions 116 and 144. Based on these pieces of information, the comparison unit 138 outputs a sheet material presence 140 or a sheet material absence 139. Hereinafter, the processing of the comparison unit 138 will be specifically described.

  In the first embodiment, the conditional expression when the sheet material detection sensor S determines the output information is the total deflection amount T_AB> = the threshold value X. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the total deflection amount T_AB is multiplied by the total environmental variation factor E. Specifically, the conditional expression when the sheet material detection sensor S in the present embodiment determines the output information is: total environmental variation factor E × total deflection amount T_AB> = threshold X. Therefore, the comparison unit 138 determines that the output information of the sheet material detection sensor S is the presence of the sheet material when this conditional expression is satisfied. The environmental fluctuation factors are described below.

  There are various environmental fluctuation factors. For example, there are things that affect the output of the sensor other than the mounting position of the sheet material detection sensor S described above, the rigidity of the sheet material, the temperature and humidity of the sheet material itself and the place where the sheet material conveyance machine is placed. I think that. In addition, among environmental variation factors, there are those that greatly affect the output of the sensor and those that do not.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the influence of each environmental variation factor is weighted, and the total environmental variation factor E is the sum of the weighted environmental variation factors. In other words, there are an environmental variation factor E1, an environmental variation factor E2, an environmental variation factor E3,... An environmental variation factor EN, and if each influence I is I1, I2, I3,.
Total environmental fluctuation factors E = E1 * I1 + E2 * I2 + E3 * I3 + ... EN * IN
It becomes. Here, I1, I2, I3,... IN are set so that I1 + I2 + I3 +. In the above formula, E1, E2, E3,..., EN represent absolute levels of individual environmental variation factors, and I1, I2, I3,.

  Furthermore, it is assumed that the number of environmental factors such as environmental variation factors E1, environmental variation factors E2, environmental variation factors E3,... Environmental variation factors EN can be arbitrarily added / deleted by the operator via the GUI unit 104. Further, it is assumed that the values of the environmental factors and the weights I1, I2, I3,..., IN of the influences can be arbitrarily set by the operator via the GUI unit 104 in the same manner. The set value is stored in the simulated sheet material transport device definition 106.

  As described above, the environment variation factor calculation mechanism 135 determines the environment variation factor according to the definition information of the various sheet material detection units stored in the simulated sheet material transport device definition 106 and the value of each environmental factor in the simulated environment generation unit 149. E is calculated. The calculated environmental variation factor E is used by the comparison unit 138 to make a condition determination as to whether or not to determine the output information of the sheet material detection sensor S.

  In addition, the simulated sheet material conveyance device 108 sets the environmental factor at the timing when the parameter change request is generated from the operator via the GUI unit 104 or when the change request is generated by the request from the parameter change request generation unit 148. change. Therefore, in the sheet material conveyance simulation according to the present embodiment, the simulation can be executed while changing environmental factors. The processing procedure can be realized by changing the threshold changing process described in the second and third embodiments to the environmental factor 142 or the influence 143 changing process.

  If there is no set environmental factor, the simulated sheet material conveying device 108 executes the simulation with the total environmental variation factor E as 1.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has information on a plurality of environmental factors, and performs sheet material conveyance simulation in consideration of the amount of deflection of the sheet material affected by these environmental factors. Specifically, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment can realize a simulation in which a plurality of environmental factors are intertwined by providing an influence degree (weight) for each of a plurality of environmental factors. As a result, the information processing apparatus not only improves the accuracy of the simulation, but also makes it possible to perform a simulation in consideration of various environmental factors in a single execution, so that the simulation can be made more efficient.

[Other Embodiments]
According to the present invention, a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. Is also achieved. The program in this case is a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the drawing in the embodiment.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Recording media for supplying the program include the following media. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD- R).

  As a program supply method, the following method is also possible. That is, the browser of the client computer is connected to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself (or a compressed file including an automatic installation function) of the present invention is downloaded to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to make it. That is, the user can execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install it on the computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then executed, so that the program of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Function is realized. That is, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit can perform part or all of the actual processing.

It is a figure which shows the control block of the sheet material conveyance simulation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the sheet material conveyance simulation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically generation | occurrence | production of bending, when a sheet | seat material is conveyed by several conveyance part. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the deflection amount which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the simulation sheet material conveying apparatus 108 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the simulation sheet material conveying apparatus 108 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the simulation sheet | seat conveyance apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the control block of the sheet material conveyance simulation system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the control block of the sheet material conveyance simulation system which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the simulation sheet | seat conveyance apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the content of the simulation parameter database which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the difference in the output by the installation position of the sheet | seat material detection sensor. It is a figure which shows the sheet | seat material from which how to bend differs. It is a figure which shows the control block of the sheet material conveyance simulation system which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101: sheet material conveyance simulation unit 102: conveyance sequence generation unit 103: simulation parameter database 104: GUI unit 105: external interface 106: simulated sheet material conveyance device definition 107: environmental variation factor 108: simulated sheet material conveyance device 116: sheet material Detection unit definition 144: Sheet material detection unit definition 136: Sheet material detection unit 138: Comparison unit 148: Parameter change request generation unit 149: Simulated environment generation unit

Claims (12)

Virtually defining a conveyance path for conveying a virtual sheet material, a plurality of conveyance means for conveying the sheet material, and a sheet material detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet material, a conveyance operation of the sheet material An information processing apparatus that simulates
Threshold storage means for storing a threshold for determining the output of the sheet material detection means using the amount of deflection of the sheet material;
Of the plurality of conveying means, the first and second conveying means convey the sheet material in one unit time with respect to the amount of bending of the sheet material conveyed between the first conveying means and the second conveying means. Deflection amount calculation means for calculating using the difference of each transport distance;
An information processing apparatus comprising: an output determining unit that determines an output of the sheet material detecting unit by comparing the calculated amount of bending and the threshold value. Selection information storage means for storing selection information indicating whether to determine the output of the sheet material detection means using the amount of deflection of the sheet material;
An installation position storage means for storing an installation position of the sheet material detection means installed in the conveyance path;
The output determining means includes
In the case where the selection information indicates that the output of the sheet material detection unit is determined using the amount of deflection of the sheet material, when the calculated amount of deflection is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the output is determined as having a sheet material. Decide
When the selection information indicates that the output of the sheet material detection unit is determined without using the amount of deflection of the sheet material, the timing at which the leading edge of the sheet material reaches the installation position of the sheet material detection unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output is determined as having a sheet material. The output determining means includes
When the selection information indicates that the output of the sheet material detection unit is determined without using the amount of deflection of the sheet material, the installation position of the sheet material detection unit is the leading end position of the conveyed sheet material The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output is provided with a sheet material when located between the rear end position and the rear end position. The deflection amount calculation means includes:
4. The total deflection amount of the sheet material is calculated by adding the deflection amount generated in the next one unit time to the total deflection amount up to one unit time before. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Sequence generation means for generating a simulation sequence for conveying the sheet material;
Change request output means for outputting a change request for the threshold when the generated sequence satisfies a predetermined condition;
A database for storing a threshold value corresponding to the predetermined condition;
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a changing unit that acquires a threshold value corresponding to a predetermined condition from the database when the change request is output, and changes the threshold value of the threshold value storage unit. Information processing device. Environmental factor storage means for storing an environmental factor including at least one of an environment for conveying the sheet material and information on the sheet material;
Environment generation means for generating a simulated environment that is a virtual environment using the environmental factors,
The change request output means includes
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in addition to the generated sequence, the request for changing the threshold value is output according to the generated simulated environment. Environmental factor storage means for storing an environmental factor including at least one of an environment for conveying the sheet material and information on the sheet material;
An influence degree storage means for storing an influence degree indicating a degree of affecting the amount of bending of the sheet material for each of the plurality of environmental factors;
Environment generating means for generating a simulated environment which is a virtual environment using the environmental factors;
In the generated simulated environment, a plurality of environmental factors and corresponding degrees of influence are used to calculate a total environmental variation factor that summarizes the effects of a plurality of environmental factors that affect the amount of deflection of the sheet material. An environmental variation factor calculation means,
The output determining means includes
The output of the sheet material detection unit is determined by comparing a value obtained by multiplying the calculated amount of deflection by the calculated total environmental variation factor and the threshold value. Information processing device. Sequence generation means for generating a simulation sequence for conveying the sheet material;
When the generated sequence satisfies a predetermined condition, a change request output means for outputting the change request for the environmental factor and the degree of influence;
A database for storing environmental factors and influences corresponding to the predetermined conditions;
When the change request is output, the environmental factor and the degree of influence corresponding to a predetermined condition are acquired from the database, and the environmental factor and the degree of influence of the environmental factor storage unit and the degree of influence storage unit are changed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: means.   A setting change screen for setting or changing at least one of the threshold value, the selection information, the installation position, the environmental factor, and the degree of influence is displayed on a display device provided in the information processing apparatus, and the setting change screen is displayed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a setting changing unit that sets or changes information stored in each storage unit based on information input from the operator via the computer. The environmental factors are
The rigidity set for the sheet material, the coefficient of friction of the sheet material, the length of the sheet material, the temperature set for the sheet material, the humidity set for the sheet material, within the environment for conveying the sheet material The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, comprising at least one of temperature and humidity in an environment in which the sheet material is conveyed. Virtually defining a conveyance path for conveying a virtual sheet material, a plurality of conveyance means for conveying the sheet material, and a sheet material detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet material, the amount of deflection of the sheet material A threshold value storage means for storing a threshold value for determining the output of the sheet material detection means using a control method of an information processing apparatus for simulating the conveying operation of the sheet material,
Of the plurality of conveying means, the first and second conveying means convey the sheet material in one unit time with respect to the amount of bending of the sheet material conveyed between the first conveying means and the second conveying means. Calculating using the difference of each transport distance;
A control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: performing a step of determining an output of the sheet material detection unit by comparing the calculated amount of deflection and the threshold value.   A computer program for causing a computer to function as the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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