JP2017007822A - Image formation system, image formation device, post-processing device and image formation system management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform correction of a curl generated in an image formation device in a manner suitable to a user's request.SOLUTION: An image formation system comprises: a curl correction unit which performs curl correction of a sheet; a control unit which controls the curl correction unit; a first setting unit which can set a first sheet curl correction value to the curl correction unit; a second setting unit which is provided at a different position from the first setting unit and can set a second sheet curl correction value to the curl correction unit; and a third setting unit which sets the usage of the first sheet curl correction value and the second sheet curl correction value. The control unit determines the curl correction value of the sheet in the curl correction unit in accordance with contents set by the third setting unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a post-processing apparatus, and an image forming system management apparatus capable of adjusting curl correction to a sheet.

An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine in which these functions are combined has a process of transferring and fixing an image on a sheet. In this process, the paper may curl as it passes through the transfer drum (belt) or the fuser, which reduces the print quality and makes it difficult to properly perform subsequent post-processing. Or Although the cause of curling is not limited to the above, there has been proposed an apparatus including a curl correcting unit that corrects the curled paper in the paper transport path.
For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an apparatus that can determine a curl correction amount / curl correction presence / absence according to a curl correction setting that is automatically set or manually set for each tray.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 proposes an apparatus that can change the number of passes through the curl correction unit according to the paper type and setting.
Further, Patent Document 3 proposes an apparatus that can switch between automatic setting and manual setting of curl correction setting and that can save and reuse the setting.

JP 2010-24037 A JP-A-10-114454 JP 2002-80157 A

The conventional technology makes it possible to curl depending on whether or not curl correction is performed and the type of paper. However, as a result of checking the output paper, the curl correction may still be necessary even though the curl correction set by the image forming apparatus is performed. In such a case, an input unit capable of adjusting the curl correction setting is provided on the post-processing machine side or the like so that the curl can be corrected without returning to the operation unit of the image forming apparatus for the sheet to be output thereafter. Can be considered.
Here, the curl amount varies depending on the paper type, so it is desirable to be able to set the curl correction amount for each paper type. However, the user may use the same type of paper to be output in the future or a mixture of paper types. Therefore, when changing the curl correction setting at the input unit on the post-processing machine, all the paper fed from the image forming apparatus is corrected with the same setting. Become. That is, when the curl correction is set on the post-processing apparatus side, the curl correction amount set on the post-processing apparatus side is added in addition to the curl correction amount set on the image forming apparatus main body side. There is a problem that it ends up. In this case, there is a problem that some users cannot respond to a request for avoiding unnecessary curl correction or excessive paper curl correction for some specified sheets such as thick paper.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and by providing a third setting unit that can set in advance how to use the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a post-processing apparatus, and an image forming system management apparatus that can meet various demands.

Of the image forming system of the present invention, the first form is:
An image forming system including an image forming apparatus,
A curl correction unit for correcting paper curl;
A control unit for controlling the curl correction unit;
A first setting unit capable of setting a first paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit;
A second setting unit provided at a position different from the first setting unit and capable of setting a second paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit;
A third setting unit for setting how to use the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value;
The control unit determines a curl correction value of the paper in the curl correction unit according to the content set by the third setting unit.

An image forming system according to another aspect of the invention further includes a post-processing device according to the aspect of the invention.
The first setting unit is provided in the image forming apparatus;
The curl correction unit and the second setting unit are provided in the post-processing apparatus.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming system of the present invention, the third setting unit can be set so that only the first paper curl correction value is used for a part or all of the paper. It is characterized by being.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming system of the present invention, the third setting unit can be set so that only the second paper curl correction value is used for a part or all of the paper. It is characterized by being.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming system, in the present invention of the above aspect, the third setting unit may perform the first sheet curl correction value and the second sheet curl for a part or all of the sheets. It can be set to a value using a correction value.

  In another form of the image forming system according to the present invention, the third setting unit uses one or both of the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value. A value obtained by adding a correction value to the value can be set.

  The invention of another form of the image forming system is characterized in that, in the present invention of the form described above, the third setting section can set the usage for each paper type.

The invention of another form of the image forming system is as follows.
In the above settings for each paper type,
Select the first curl correction value for thick paper of the specified thickness,
For plain paper of a predetermined thickness, add the first curl correction value and the second curl correction value,
Select the second curl correction value for thin paper of the specified thickness,
The ultra-thick paper having a predetermined thickness is not curled.

  Another aspect of the invention of the image forming system is characterized in that, in the present invention of the above aspect, the third setting unit can set the usage in accordance with the amount of drought.

  The image forming system according to another aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the aspect of the invention, the third setting unit can set the usage according to a printing rate.

  The image forming system according to another aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit causes the curl correction unit to execute curl correction of the paper based on the determined curl correction value. .

  An image forming system according to another aspect of the invention includes the operation unit according to the aspect of the invention, wherein the third setting unit sets the usage based on a user input to the operation unit. To do.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming system, in the invention of the above aspect, the control unit performs control to notify a user when a curl correction value is changed according to a setting content by a third setting unit during printing. It is characterized by performing.

Among the image forming apparatuses of the present invention, a first form is an image forming apparatus to which a post-processing device including a curl correction unit is connected,
A first setting unit capable of setting a first paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit;
And a third setting unit for setting how to use the first sheet curl correction value and a second sheet curl correction value set outside the image forming apparatus.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention further includes a control unit that controls the curl correction unit, and the control unit is configured according to the content set by the third setting unit. The curl correction value of the paper in the curl correction unit is determined.

The post-processing apparatus of the present invention is a post-processing apparatus including a curl correction unit,
A second setting unit capable of setting a second paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit;
A post-processing device control unit for controlling the curl correction unit;
The post-processing device control unit sets the paper curl correction value determined according to how to use the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value set outside the post-processing device. Based on this, the curl correction of the paper by the curl correction unit is executed.

Of the image forming system management apparatus according to the present invention, a first embodiment is an image forming system management apparatus that manages an image forming system including a curl correction unit that corrects curl of paper.
A management device control unit for controlling the curl correction unit;
The management device control unit is provided at a position different from the setting content in the first setting unit that sets the first paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit, and the first setting unit, and the curl correction unit The setting contents of the second setting unit for setting the second paper curl correction value for the second and the setting of the third setting unit for setting how to use the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value Get the content and
The curl correction value of the paper in the curl correction unit is determined according to the content set by the third setting unit.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming system management apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the management apparatus control unit issues an operation instruction to the curl correction unit based on the determined curl correction value. To do.

  That is, according to the present invention, when the curl correction value can be set in at least two places, it is possible to meet the user's request such as not wanting to perform curl correction on some sheets or limiting the amount of curl correction. Is possible.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the image formation stem in one Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the post-processing part of a post-processing apparatus. Similarly, it is a figure which shows a control block. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the setting screen corresponded to a 1st setting part. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the setting screen corresponded to a 2nd setting part. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the setting screen corresponded to a 3rd setting part. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the changed setting screen corresponded to a 3rd setting part. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure of curl correction. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure for reflecting curl correction.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
A mechanical outline of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the image forming system 1, the image forming apparatus main body 10, the post-processing apparatus 20, and the stacker 30 are mechanically and electrically connected in this order. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus main body 10 corresponds to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. However, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus may be configured by the image forming apparatus main body 10, the post-processing apparatus 20, and the stacker 30.

The image forming apparatus main body 10 is provided with a paper feed tray 12 for storing and feeding paper on the lower side thereof. The paper feed tray 12 may be configured in multiple stages. In this embodiment, a two-stage paper feed tray is provided.
In the image forming apparatus main body 10, a transport path 13 for transporting paper fed from the paper feed tray 12 is provided, and an image forming unit 15 is provided in the middle of the transport path in the image forming apparatus main body 10. ing. The image forming unit 15 includes a photoreceptor 15A, and a charger, an LD, and a developer (not shown) are disposed around the photoreceptor 15A. Further, a fixing device 16 is disposed in the conveyance path 13 on the downstream side of the photoconductor 15A. In this embodiment, the conveyance path 13 constitutes a conveyance unit together with a conveyance roller, a drive motor, and the like (not shown).
In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus main body 10 is described as having a single photoconductor, but color printing is possible and an image forming unit may be provided for each color.

  Further, on the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 10, an operation unit 14 is installed at a place where the platen glass is not located. The operation unit 14 includes an LCD and a touch panel, and can be operated by a user and information can be displayed. In this embodiment, the operation unit 14 has both operation and display functions. The operation unit may be configured with a mouse, a tablet, or the like, and may be configured separately from the display unit.

  In the image forming unit 15, the surface of the photoconductor 15A is uniformly charged by the charger before image writing, and the photoconductor 15A whose surface is uniformly charged by the image writing unit (LD) is irradiated with laser. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor 15A. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 15A with a toner material. By this development processing, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 15A. The toner image on the photoconductor 15 </ b> A is transferred onto the paper conveyed from the paper feed tray 12 by the transfer unit. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed along the conveyance path 13 and reaches the fixing device 16. The toner material remaining on the photoconductor 15A is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown).

The fixing device 16 fixes the toner image transferred to the front side of the sheet as an output image by heating the conveyed sheet. This fixing completes the printing of the image on the paper. In the fixing device 16, heat and pressure are applied to the paper. At this time, the paper may be curled depending on whether it is single-sided printing or double-sided printing, the size of the printing rate, the paper type, the amount of wrinkles, and the like.
The sheet subjected to the fixing process is discharged to the post-processing apparatus 20 as it is through the conveyance path 13 or is reversed through the reverse conveyance path and then returned to the conveyance path 13 on the upstream side of the image forming unit 15. . The paper that has been turned upside down can be printed on the back side by the image forming unit 15.
On the downstream side of the fixing device 16, the conveyance path 13 extends and is connected to the post-processing device 20.

The post-processing apparatus 20 has a conveyance path 23 connected to the conveyance path 13 of the image forming apparatus main body 10. The conveyance path 23 is once branched into a straight conveyance path 23B and a curl correction path 23A. These are joining.
The curl correction path 23A is provided with a curl correction unit 25, which applies a bending stress to the paper conveyed in accordance with the designated curl correction value. The curl correction can be performed by applying a bending stress in a direction opposite to the curl direction of the sheet conveyed to the curl correction unit 25.
Further, the post-processing device 20 has an operation unit 24 so that simple setting can be performed. The operation unit 24 includes an LCD and a touch panel, and can be operated by a user and information can be displayed. In this embodiment, the operation unit 24 has both operation and display functions.

  FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the curl correction unit 25. In the curl correction unit 25, the transport rollers 25A and 25B are arranged so as to sandwich the curl correction path 23A. In the curl correction, the transport rollers 25A and 25B together with a part of the curl correction path 23A have a predetermined direction in a predetermined direction. Shift movement by the amount of movement. The movement amount corresponds to the set curl correction value. When the paper is transported through the curl correction path 23A by the designated path A, a predetermined bending stress is given by the shifted transport rollers 25A and 25B to correct the curl of the paper. The sheet passing through the curl correction path 23 </ b> A or the straight conveyance path 23 </ b> B is discharged by the post-processing device 20 through the downstream conveyance path 23 or is conveyed to the stacker unit 30. Further, when the instruction for curl correction is not given, the sheet is conveyed by the designated path B through the straight conveyance path 23B.

  The stacker 30 has a transport path 33 and is connected to the transport path 23 on the downstream side of the post-processing apparatus 20. The conveyance path 33 is branched and connected to a paper discharge unit or a paper stacking unit 35. The sheet conveyed from the post-processing device 20 is discharged to the sheet discharge unit or is stacked on the sheet accumulation unit 35 via the conveyance path 33.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control block of the image forming system 1 of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus main body 10 includes a main body control unit 100, a scanner unit 130, an operation unit 14, and a printer unit 150, and further processes image data input from an external device 3 such as a terminal PC through the network 2. Alternatively, a print controller 160 that enables image data obtained by the scanner unit 130 to be transferred to the external device 3 through the network 2 is provided.
Further, an image forming system management apparatus 4 capable of controlling the image forming system is connected to the network 2.

  The main body control unit 100 has a PCI bus 114 connected to the print controller 160, and a DRAM control IC 115 is connected to the PCI bus 114. An image memory (DRAM) 120 is connected to the DRAM control IC 115. The image memory (DRAM) 120 includes a compression memory 121 for storing compressed image data and an expansion memory 122 for temporarily storing uncompressed image data to be printed before image formation. .

Further, a hard disk (HDD) unit 123 is connected to the PCI bus 114, and the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 includes image data acquired by the scanner unit 130, an external device 3 connected to the print controller 160, and the like. The image data generated by the above can be saved.
The image data acquired by the print controller 160 and the image data stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 are transmitted to the DRAM control IC 115 through the PCI bus 114 in accordance with the printing operation.

In addition, the main body control unit 100 includes a control CPU 110, and a DRAM control IC 115 is connected to the control CPU 110.
The control CPU 110 includes a ROM, and a program memory (ROM) 111 that stores programs for operating the control CPU 110 and a system memory (RAM) 112 that includes a RAM and is used as a work area. A non-volatile memory 113 composed of a flash memory or the like is connected.

  The nonvolatile memory 113 stores initial setting information of the image forming apparatus main body 10, machine setting information such as process control parameters, post-processing settings, paper information data, paper thickness classification information (thin paper, plain paper, cardboard, and super-thick paper classification Etc.), setting information such as tray type information, paper type classification when setting how to use curl correction, and quantity classification are stored.

The control CPU 110 can read nonvolatile data in the nonvolatile memory 113 and can write desired data in the nonvolatile memory 113.
The control CPU 110 executes a predetermined operation by a program stored in a program memory (ROM) 111, and the image forming apparatus main body 10, the post-processing apparatus 20, and the stacker 30 according to the machine setting information, the print setting information, the output setting, and the like. Control the operation of each part.
The control CPU 110 includes a program memory (ROM) 111 and a system memory (RAM).
112, the nonvolatile memory 113, and the like constitute the control unit of the present invention, and can control job execution, post-processing, curl correction, and the like.
The control CPU 110 can perform job output settings, operation instructions, settings, and the like through the operation unit 14.

  The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading, and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the control CPU 110 so that serial communication is possible. The CCD 131 is connected to a reading processing unit 116 that processes image data read by the CCD 131, and the reading processing unit 116 is connected to a DRAM control IC 115 so as to be controllable.

  The reading processing unit 116 performs various processing such as analog signal processing, A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion processing, shading processing, and the like on the analog image signal input from the CCD 131, generates digital image data, and performs compression / compression. Output to the decompression IC 124.

In addition, an ADF control unit 136 is connected to the control CPU 110 in a controllable manner, and the ADF control unit 136 controls a flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135.
The scanner unit 130 reads an image of a document placed on the upper platen glass of the image forming apparatus main body 10 or a document automatically conveyed by a casting type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135.

The operation unit 14 includes an LCD 141 having a touch panel that serves as both a display unit and an operation unit, and an operation unit control unit 142 that controls the entire operation unit. The operation unit control unit 142 is capable of serial communication with the control CPU 110. It is connected.
In the operation unit 14, under the control of the control CPU 110, input of machine settings such as output condition setting and operation control condition in the image forming apparatus main body 10 and setting of paper information (size, paper type) of each paper feed tray are performed by the LCD 141. Input, post-processing setting, curl correction setting, display of setting contents, display of desired information such as a message, and the like are possible.

The DRAM control IC 115 is connected to a compression / decompression IC 124 that can compress or decompress image data. The DRAM control IC 115 controls image data compression processing and compression image data decompression processing by the compression / decompression IC 124 according to an instruction from the control CPU 110, and performs input / output control of image data to the image memory (DRAM) 120. .
The write processing unit 125 is connected to the image forming unit 15 including the LD 151A of the printer unit 150 and the like, and generates write data used for the operation of the LD 151A based on the image data.

The printer unit 150 includes an image forming unit 15, a conveyance path 13, a fixing device 16, and the like.
The printer unit 150 also includes a printer control unit 152 that controls the entire printer unit 150 (paper feeding, image formation, paper discharge, post-processing, curl correction, and the like). The printer control unit 152 is connected to the control CPU 110. Connected to enable serial communication. The printer control unit 152 operates in accordance with a control command from the control CPU 110, controls the printer unit 150, and performs sheet conveyance, image formation, and the like. Further, the printer control unit 152 can instruct the compression / decompression IC 124 to decompress the compressed image data.
The printer control unit 152 is connected to the post-processing device control unit 200 in the post-processing device 20 so as to be controllable. The printer control unit 152 can issue a post-processing instruction to the post-processing device control unit 200 based on a command from the control CPU 110, and can acquire status information in the post-processing device 20 from the post-processing device control unit 200. it can. The post-processing device control unit 200 can control the entire post-processing device 20, and controls the conveyance path switching and the curl correction in the curl correction unit 25. The post-processing device control unit 200 can be configured by a CPU, a program for operating the CPU, and the like.

  Further, the DRAM control IC 161 of the print controller 160 is connected to the PCI bus 114 to which the DRAM control IC 115 is connected as described above. When the image forming apparatus main body 10 is used as a network printer or a network scanner, the print controller 160 receives image data or the like from the external device 3 connected to the network 2 or the like, or the scanner unit 130. The image data acquired in (1) is transmitted to an external device 3 such as a terminal PC connected to the network 2.

  In the print controller 160, the DRAM control IC 161 is connected to an image memory 162 composed of DRAM or the like. In the print controller 160, a DRAM control IC 161, a controller control CPU 163 that controls the entire print controller 160, and a LAN interface 165 are connected to a common bus. The LAN interface 165 is connected to the network 2.

  The control CPU 110 is provided with a LAN interface 170, and the network 5 is connected to the LAN interface 170. The network 5 may be the same as the network 2. A management device 4 is connected to the network 5. The management device 4 includes an operation key 40, an operation screen 41, and a management device control unit 400 that controls the management device. The management device control unit 400 can manage the image forming system.

  In this embodiment, the curl correction value for the curl correction unit 25 of the post-processing device 20 can be set in the operation unit 14 of the image forming apparatus main body 10. In this case, the operation unit 14 corresponds to the first setting unit of the present invention, and the curl correction value set by the operation unit 14 corresponds to the first paper curl correction value in the present invention.

Further, in this embodiment, the operation unit 24 is provided in the post-processing device 20 as a position different from the operation unit 14, and a curl correction value in the curl correction unit 25 can be set. The operation unit 24 corresponds to the second setting unit of the present invention, and the curl correction value set by the operation unit 24 corresponds to the second paper curl correction value of the present invention. The second setting unit may be provided in the stacker 30 that can check the discharged paper.
Further, the operation unit 14 can set how to use the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value. In this case, the operation unit 14 corresponds to a third setting unit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a first curl correction setting screen 1400 displayed as a first setting unit on the operation unit 14.
The first curl correction setting screen 1400 shows a screen in which the curl correction setting of the post-processing adjustment function is selected in the menu.
In the curl correction setting, a curl correction value can be set for each tray, and a tray selection button 1401 is provided for each tray, and alternative selection is possible. In the figure, the tray selection button 1401 of “Tray 1” is selected and displayed in a shaded manner. A curl correction amount setting input field 1402 is provided below the tray selection button 1401, and the curl correction amount can be set by increasing or decreasing the correction value. The direction of curl correction can be changed by setting the values of + and-.

The first curl correction setting screen 1400 is provided with a detailed setting button 1403. The detailed setting button 1403 is a button for transitioning to a third curl correction setting screen 3400 described later.
In the first curl correction setting screen 1400, an “OK” button 1404 and a “cancel button” 1405 are arranged so that they can be pressed. If the “OK” button 1404 is pressed, the setting contents are confirmed, and if the “Cancel button” 1405 is pressed, the setting contents are cancelled.

FIG. 5 shows a second curl correction setting screen 2400 displayed as a second setting unit on the operation unit 24.
The second curl correction setting screen 2400 is an operation screen for performing simple settings, and detailed settings based on paper conditions (for example, paper type and weight) cannot be performed.

The second setting unit is beneficially used in the following situation.
For example, there is a paper feed tray 1 containing thick paper that does not require curl correction, and a paper feed tray 2 containing plain paper for which the amount of curl correction is to be adjusted sequentially, and the user forms an image at the first setting unit. Assume that the curl correction amount setting on the apparatus side is set to “no curl correction (± 0)” for tray 1 and “no curl correction (± 0)” for tray 2 and printing is started. This is a case where the user wishes to change the second setting unit on the side of the post-processing apparatus 20 to an appropriate curl correction amount in order to correct the curl of the paper in the tray 2 during printing.

On the second curl correction setting screen 2400, an inner curve designation button 2401 and an outer curve designation button 2402 can be alternatively selected as buttons for setting the curl direction.
In the second curl correction setting screen 2400, a plurality of stage switching buttons 2405 for setting a curl correction value are arranged in a column, and can be alternatively pressed. A change value of the curl correction value is set in advance in each stage switching button 2405. When any one of the stage switching buttons 2405 is selected and pressed, the set curl correction value is set together with the bending direction.

The setting contents are transmitted to the control CPU 110 of the image forming apparatus main body by the post-processing apparatus control unit 200. The setting contents can be stored in the system memory (RAM) 112 or the nonvolatile memory 113, and the setting contents can be held.
The second curl setting value may be given as a single correction value, or may be given as a correction value for the first curl setting value. In this embodiment, the set value is acquired by the image forming apparatus main body 10 as a single correction value.

  FIG. 6 shows a third curl correction setting screen 3400 displayed as a third setting unit on the operation unit 14. As described above, the third curl correction setting screen 3400 is displayed by changing the screen by pressing the detailed condition setting button 1403.

As described above, on the post-processing device 20 side, the curl correction input unit on the post-processing machine side cannot perform correction setting for each sheet. Therefore, if the setting is changed, the curl correction may be performed even on the sheet in the tray 1. is there. In such a case, the setting by the third setting unit is useful.
For example, if the method for selecting the amount of curl correction for thick paper is “use correction amount of main body” in the third setting unit, the curl of the paper in tray 2 can be avoided while avoiding unnecessary curl correction on the paper in tray 1. Correction can be performed.

  The third curl correction setting screen 3400 has a condition specifying button 3401, which can be selected and specified alternatively from a plurality of preset setting conditions. The designated condition is displayed in a designated condition display field 3402. Examples of the designation condition include paper type, weight range, and printing rate range. It should be noted that a non-designated option may be provided in the condition designation items so that the third setting is not performed.

Further, a selection button 3410 capable of designating the selection content in the designation condition is displayed at the bottom thereof so as to be pushable, and a selection content display column 3411 for displaying the selection content is provided on the left side.
In this embodiment, by selecting the selection button 3410, (1) using the correction amount of the main body, (2) using the correction amount of the post-processing machine, and (3) using the correction amounts of the main body and the post-processing machine. You can select one from
Further, on the third curl correction setting screen 3400, an “OK” button 3414 and a “cancel” button 3415 are displayed so as to be pushable. If the “OK” button 3414 is pressed, the setting content is confirmed, and if the “Cancel button” 3415 is pressed, the setting content is canceled.
Further, a save button 3412 for saving the set contents is displayed so as to be pushable. When the save button 3412 is operated, the setting contents are stored in the system memory (RAM) 112 and the nonvolatile memory 113 as described above, and the setting contents can be held. Saved settings can be read and reused.
If the post-processing device is designed to be damaged when curl correction is applied to some paper, the paper is automatically set on the post-processing device side or the image forming device main body side so as not to perform curl correction. You may make it do.
In the above, one method for specifying a condition has been described. However, a plurality of conditions may be specified to enable each of them. When there is a contradiction between condition designations, it may be set which is prioritized.

In the above embodiment, the third setting unit uses one or both of the first curl correction value and the second curl correction value. However, in addition to these, the correction value is combined. Can be.
FIG. 7 shows a third curl correction setting screen 3500 that allows a correction value to be input.
In the third curl correction setting screen 3500, a correction value input field 3420 is provided in addition to the buttons provided on the third curl correction setting screen 3400. The same buttons as those on the third curl correction setting screen 3400 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted or simplified.
In the correction value input field 3420, the correction value to be added can be set in the curl correction condition and the selected content, and the installation value other than the first curl correction amount and the second curl correction amount can be added and the user can set the correction value. This makes it possible to perform curl correction as intended.

  In each of the above embodiments, the curl correction value is determined by the control CPU 110 according to the usage set in the third setting unit, and the determined curl correction value and the correction command are the post-processing device control unit 200 of the post-processing device 20. The curl correction is performed by the curl correction unit 25 according to the curl correction value. In addition to this, the first curl correction setting value and the setting content by the third setting unit are transmitted from the control CPU 110 to the post-processing device control unit 200 of the post-processing device 20, and these are set by the post-processing device control unit 200. The curl correction value may be determined from the set value and the set content.

  Hereinafter, the curl correction procedure of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the following flowchart, the post-processing apparatus is displayed as “post-processing machine”.

The procedure of curl correction in the post-processing device 20 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the post-processing device control unit.
The curl correction condition and the determination content are received from the image forming apparatus main body 10 (step s10). The received data can be stored in a storage unit included in the post-processing device control unit 200. Next, the sheet is received from the previous stage (step s11), curl correction is performed (step s12), and the sheet is discharged (step s13). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the curl correction value has been changed in the second setting unit (step s14).

If the curl correction has not been changed in step 14 (step s14, No), it is determined whether there is a next page (step s25).
If the curl correction has been changed in step 14 (step s14, Yes), it is determined whether the next sheet is a thick sheet (step s15). The control CPU 110 of the image forming apparatus main body 10 can determine whether the paper is thick paper or plain paper from the setting contents of the paper feed tray and the like, and can discriminate between thick paper and plain paper by a notification from the image forming apparatus main body 10.

If the next sheet is a thick sheet (step s15, Yes), the correction amount selection method for the thick sheet is read (step s18). If the next sheet is not a thick sheet (step s15, No), it is determined whether the next sheet is plain paper (step 16). When the next paper is plain paper (step s16, Yes), the correction amount selection method for plain paper is read (step s19). If the next paper is not plain paper (step s16, No), it is determined whether the next paper is thin (step s17). When the next sheet is a thin sheet (step s17, Yes), the correction amount selection method for the thin sheet is read (step s20). If the next paper is not a thin paper (step s17, No), if there are a plurality of other types, it is determined whether it is another paper type for the next paper. The correction amount selection method is read out and the same procedure is performed. If there is one more type for the next sheet, the correction amount selection method for that type is read.
After the reading is performed in steps s18, 19, 20,..., A correction amount reflecting subroutine is executed (step s21).

The procedure for reflecting the correction amount will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this embodiment, the correction amount determination procedure is executed by the control CPU 110 of the image forming apparatus main body 10, and the post-processing apparatus 20 receives the determination result.
The post-processing device 20 first determines whether the correction amount of the main body is selected (step s30). If the correction amount of the main body has been selected (step s30, Yes), the correction amount on the main body side is determined (step s31), and the correction amount reflection is completed.
If the correction amount of the main body is not selected (step s30, No), it is determined whether the correction amount of the post-processing apparatus is selected (step s32). If the correction amount of the post-processing device is selected (step s32, Yes), the correction amount on the post-processing device side is reflected (step s33), and the correction amount reflection is completed.
If the correction amount of the post-processing apparatus has not been selected (No in step s32), the value obtained by adding the correction amount on the main body side and the correction amount on the post-processing apparatus side is reflected (step s34) to reflect the correction amount. Complete.

  After the correction amount is reflected (step s31), the sheet is received from the previous stage (step s22), and the curl correction unit executes the curl correction according to the set contents (step s23). In the curl correction, the paper is conveyed to the curl correction path 23A of the curl correction unit 25 to perform correction. Even when the curl correction amount finally determined by the present embodiment is ± 0, the correction position of the curl correction mechanism may be changed to a position of ± 0 and paper may be passed through the curl correction path 23A. However, when the correction amount is ± 0 as a result of the correction amount, the curl correction function may be turned off so as to pass through the straight conveyance path 23B with less risk of conveyance JAM and paper damage.

  In addition, when the curl correction is changed, when a switching time is required for switching the paper conveyance path in the post-processing apparatus, and the paper interval during paper passing is shorter than the switching required time, the paper JAM is changed at the time of switching. For example, the post-processing apparatus may notify the image forming apparatus to open a sheet interval, and the conveyance path may be switched when the sheet interval is opened.

In the procedure of the flowchart of FIG. 8, it is then determined whether there is a next sheet (step s25). If there is a next sheet, the process returns to step s14 to repeat the determination of whether or not the curl correction value has been changed. In addition, when the curl correction amount is changed according to the setting content by the third setting unit during printing, the image forming apparatus side or the post-processing device at a timing when the correction amount change is reflected on the curl correction unit. The user may be notified that the change has been reflected using the operation unit on the side or the LED.
If there is no next sheet (step s25, No), the process is terminated.

In the above embodiment, the third setting unit has been described as being provided in the image forming apparatus main body in the same manner as the first setting unit. However, the place where the third setting unit is installed is in the image forming apparatus main body. It is not limited and can be installed at an appropriate position in the image forming system.
The third setting unit may be provided in the image forming system management apparatus 4 that manages the image forming system.

In the above embodiment, the curl correction is controlled by the image forming apparatus main body or the post-processing apparatus. However, the curl correction may be managed by the image forming system management apparatus 4.
In the image forming system management apparatus 4, the first curl correction value, the second curl correction value, and the setting content by the third setting unit are acquired by the operation of the management apparatus control unit 400, and the curl correction amount is determined. To do. At this time, the first curl correction value and the setting contents of the third setting unit may be set by the operation key 40 or the operation screen 41 of the image forming system management apparatus 4. The 2nd setting part should just be provided in the position different from the 1st setting part. When the first setting unit is not provided in the image forming system management apparatus 4, the second setting unit may be provided in the management apparatus 4 of the image forming system.

  The present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiment, and appropriate modifications in the above embodiment can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 10 Image forming apparatus main body 12 Paper feed tray 13 Conveyance path 14 Operation part 15 Image forming part 16 Fixing device 20 Post-processing device 23 Conveyance path 23A Curl correction path 23B Straight conveyance path 24 Operation part 25 Curl correction part 30 Stacker 110 Control CPU
112 Paper Tray (1-3)
1400 First curl correction setting screen 2400 Second curl correction setting screen 3400 Third curl correction setting screen 3500 Third curl correction setting screen

Claims (18)

An image forming system including an image forming apparatus,
A curl correction unit for correcting paper curl;
A control unit for controlling the curl correction unit;
A first setting unit capable of setting a first paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit;
A second setting unit provided at a position different from the first setting unit and capable of setting a second paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit;
A third setting unit for setting how to use the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction amount;
The image forming system, wherein the control unit determines a curl correction value of the paper in the curl correction unit according to the content set by the third setting unit. A post-processing device;
The first setting unit is provided in the image forming apparatus;
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the curl correction unit and the second setting unit are provided in the post-processing apparatus.   3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the third setting unit can be set to use only the first paper curl correction value for a part or all of the paper.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third setting unit can be set to use only the second paper curl correction value for some or all of the paper. 5. The image forming system described.   The third setting unit can be set to a value using the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value for a part or all of the paper. The image forming system according to any one of 1 to 4.   The third setting unit can set a value obtained by adding a correction value to a value using one or both of the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value. The image forming system according to claim 1.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the third setting unit can set the usage for each paper type. In the above settings for each paper type,
Select the first curl correction value for thick paper of the specified thickness,
For plain paper of a predetermined thickness, add the first curl correction value and the second curl correction value,
Select the second curl correction value for thin paper of the specified thickness,
The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the ultra-thick paper having a predetermined thickness is not curled.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the third setting unit is capable of setting the usage according to the amount of droop.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the third setting unit can set the usage according to a printing rate.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the curl correction unit to execute curl correction of the sheet based on the determined curl correction value.   The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit, wherein the third setting unit sets the usage based on a user input to the operation unit.   13. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to notify a user when a curl correction value is changed according to a setting content by a third setting unit during printing. Image forming system. An image forming apparatus to which a post-processing device including a curl correction unit is connected,
A first setting unit capable of setting a first paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the first sheet curl correction value; and a third setting unit that sets how to use the second sheet curl correction value set outside the image forming apparatus.   And a control unit that controls the curl correction unit, wherein the control unit determines a curl correction value of the paper in the curl correction unit according to the content set by the third setting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14. A post-processing device including a curl correction unit,
A second setting unit capable of setting a second paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit;
A post-processing device control unit for controlling the curl correction unit;
The post-processing device control unit sets the paper curl correction value determined according to how to use the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value set outside the post-processing device. A post-processing device that performs curl correction of the paper by the curl correction unit based on the post-processing device. An image forming system management apparatus for managing an image forming system including a curl correcting unit for correcting curl of paper,
A management device control unit for controlling the curl correction unit;
The management device control unit is provided at a position different from the setting content in the first setting unit that sets the first paper curl correction value for the curl correction unit, and the first setting unit, and the curl correction unit The setting contents of the second setting unit for setting the second paper curl correction value for the second and the setting of the third setting unit for setting how to use the first paper curl correction value and the second paper curl correction value Get the content and
An image forming system management apparatus, wherein a curl correction value of a sheet in the curl correction unit is determined according to the content set by the third setting unit.   18. The image forming system management apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the management apparatus control unit issues an operation instruction to the curl correction unit based on the determined curl correction value.

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