Printing system, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem that when a print control parameter affecting a charge amount of a sheet is changed in setting a print control parameter of the sheet, charge elimination setting of the sheet cannot be appropriately performed.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a printing system provided with a charge eliminator, the printing system including: management means for managing a print control parameter including a value of an applied voltage for charge elimination for each type of sheet; and setting means for, when a setting of a print control parameter affecting a charge amount of a sheet is changed, calculating the applied voltage for charge elimination on the basis of the changed print control parameter affecting the charge amount of the sheet and setting the applied voltage for charge elimination as the print control parameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system including a static eliminator that eliminates static electricity from a charged recording medium, and a control method and program for the printing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Recording media (hereafter referred to as "sheets") used in printing operations carry static electricity when transported, either due to residual charge from the electrophotographic process or due to slight friction with transport rollers and guides during sheet transport. This static electricity can cause sheets to stick together. Furthermore, dust and paper powder can adhere to the finished product, reducing the quality of the finished product. Plain paper and other paper have low electrical resistance, allowing charges to move easily within the paper, resulting in a small amount of charge and a quick dissipation of charge. The toner layer on the sheet acts as a resistor, so even with the same type of sheet, the more toner used, the more likely it is to become charged and the more likely it is that a charge will remain. Furthermore, in the case of double-sided printing, toner layers are formed on both sides of the sheet, making it difficult for charges to move within the paper. As a result, the more toner there is on the sheet, the more likely it is to become charged and the more likely it is that a charge will remain. If post-processing is performed while sheets are stuck together, this will not only affect sheet alignment and reduce the quality of post-processing, but may also lead to jams due to poor paper feeding or transport during post-processing. Therefore, to prevent such risks, it is desirable to remove static electricity from the sheet after the printing process before post-processing is performed.Therefore, a proposal has been made to apply a voltage to a pair of transport rollers located downstream in the sheet transport direction to cancel out the charge on the sheet (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-258881 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Static elimination using a configuration in which a voltage is applied to a transport roller (hereinafter referred to as a "static elimination roller") neutralizes static electricity by applying a charge opposite to the charge on the sheet via the static elimination roller. Therefore, static elimination control using the static elimination roller (applying a charge opposite to that of the sheet to the static elimination roller) must be performed according to the amount of charge on the sheet. This means that there is an optimal charge adjustment value for static elimination depending on the printing environment, such as humidity, and the type of sheet. If static elimination control is performed on a sheet with an inappropriate charge adjustment, it can actually cause charging, which can lead to further sheet sticking. Therefore, when printing while switching between multiple types of sheets, for example, static elimination processing must be performed using an applied voltage value appropriate for each type of sheet being used. Therefore, one approach is to store these applied voltage values in a database of print control parameters for each type of sheet and use them in static elimination control for each type of sheet. The process of finding the optimum applied voltage value for static elimination (hereinafter referred to as the "adjustment process") is a process of determining the optimum applied voltage value for static elimination by setting the applied voltage value for the sheet conveyed from the printing device using a static elimination device with a static elimination roller. The applied voltage value determined in this adjustment process is the optimum applied voltage value for each printing environment and sheet type used in the adjustment process.

[0005] Print control parameters for each sheet type include parameters related to the sheet's tendency to charge, which affects the amount of charge on the printed output. Examples include the sheet's basis weight, surface texture, and characteristics. Here, "surface texture" is defined as a broad parameter related to the tendency to charge, including not only the processing state and smoothness of the sheet surface, but also the surface shape and material. Examples of setting values include recycled paper, which exhibits the surface texture of a typical sheet; high-quality paper, which has no surface processing but is smoother than recycled paper; coated paper or matte paper, which has a solvent-treated surface; and embossed paper, which has a raised surface. Furthermore, although these are expressions indicating the material, the setting value for surface texture also includes synthetic paper, which is a sheet containing synthetic resin, and magnetic paper, which is a sheet containing magnetic material. Furthermore, the greater the basis weight, and the greater the surface properties of coated or synthetic paper, the greater the sheet's resistance, hindering charge transfer within the sheet. As a result, the amount of charge remaining after printing tends to be greater. Therefore, if the actual setting of the static elimination voltage is far from the optimal value typically inferred from these parameters, or if the static elimination voltage is not set at all, electrostatically adsorbed products will be produced. In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a mechanism that, when setting parameters for sheet printing control, makes it easy to set sheet de-electrification based on printing control parameters that affect the amount of charge on the sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a printing system equipped with a static elimination device, characterized in that it has a management means for managing printing control parameters including the value of the applied voltage for static elimination for each type of sheet, and a setting means for, when the setting of a printing control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is changed, calculating the applied voltage for static elimination based on the changed printing control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet and setting it as the printing control parameter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when setting parameters for print control of a sheet, it is possible to easily set static elimination for the sheet based on the parameters for print control that affect the amount of charge on the sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Overall configuration diagram of the system according to this embodiment [Figure 2] Block diagram of the hardware configuration of the printing system [Figure 3] Cross-section of the printing system [Figure 4] A diagram of an operation unit provided in a printing device [Figure 5] Block diagram of the hardware configuration of the static eliminator [Figure 6] Example of a screen for referencing and changing the sheet database via sheet data management means [Figure 7] Illustration of static elimination process [Figure 8] Static elimination control process in this embodiment [Figure 9] Example of adding a new sheet to the sheet database [Figure 10] Flowchart for adding a new sheet to the sheet database [Figure 11] Example of a table of recommended applied voltages for static elimination according to print control parameters [Figure 12] Flowchart of processing to change print control parameters in sheet database [Figure 13] Flowchart of the process for changing parameters other than the applied voltage setting for static elimination [Figure 14] Example of a notification screen recommending changing the combined voltage settings for static elimination DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Overall system configuration 1 shows the simplest configuration of this embodiment, which includes a printing system 1000 and a client computer 102 (hereinafter referred to as "PC"), which are connected to each other via a network 101. The PC 102 can transmit PDL (page description language) code data, which is a print job, to the printing system 1000 via the network 101.

[0010] Printing system hardware configuration Next, the hardware configuration of the printing system 1000 will be described with reference to the system block diagram of FIG. The printing system 1000 includes a printing apparatus 100, which is enclosed by a dotted line in the figure, and a sheet processing apparatus 200. Note that any number of sheet processing apparatuses 200 can be connected to the printing apparatus 100. (Printing device) In this embodiment, the printing device 100 will be described as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having multiple functions, such as a copy function and a printer function. However, the printing device 100 may also be a single-function printing device having only a copy function or only a printer function. In this embodiment, as an example, the printing system 1000 is assumed to have the various components described below. The printing system 1000 is configured so that sheet processing for sheets printed by the printing device 100 can be performed by a sheet processing apparatus 200 connected to the printing device 100. However, it is also possible to configure the printing system 1000 using only the printing device 100 without connecting the sheet processing apparatus 200.

[0011] (sheet processing device) The sheet processing apparatus 200 is configured to be able to communicate with the printing apparatus 100, and can receive instructions from the printing apparatus 100 and perform sheet processing as described below. The scanner unit 201 reads an image on a document, converts it into image data, and transfers it to other units. The external I / F 202 transmits and receives data to and from other devices connected to the network 101 . The printer unit 203 prints an image based on the input image data onto a sheet. 4, the operation unit 204 has a hard key input unit (key input unit) 402 and a touch panel unit 401, and receives instructions from the user via these. The operation unit 204 also displays various information on the touch panel unit 401 that the operation unit 204 has. The control unit 205 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 205 comprehensively controls the processing and operation of various units included in the printing system 1000. In other words, the control unit 205 also controls the operation of the printing apparatus 100 and the sheet processing apparatus 200 connected to the printing apparatus 100.

[0012] The ROM 207 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 205. For example, the ROM 207 stores a program for causing the control unit 205 to execute various processes in flowcharts described below, and a display control program required to display various setting screens described below. The ROM 207 also stores a program for the control unit 205 to interpret PDL code data received from the PC 102 and expand it into raster image data. The ROM 207 also stores boot sequence and font information, etc. The RAM 208 stores image data and PDL code data sent from the scanner unit 201 and external I / F 202, various programs loaded from the ROM 207, and setting information. The RAM 208 also stores information related to the sheet processing apparatus 200 (such as information related to the type and function of each sheet processing apparatus 200 connected to the printing apparatus 100). The control unit 205 can use the information related to the sheet processing apparatus 200 stored in the RAM 208 for control.

[0013] The HDD (hard disk drive) 209 is composed of a hard disk and a drive unit that reads and writes data from and to the hard disk. The HDD 209 is a large-capacity storage device that stores image data input from the scanner unit 201 and compressed by the compression / decompression unit 210. The control unit 205 can print image data stored in the HDD 209 using the printer unit 203 based on instructions from the user. The HDD 209 is also used as a spooler, and the control unit 205 can manage PDL code data received from the PC 102 as print jobs and store them in the HDD 209. The control unit 205 can also manage print jobs stored in the HDD 209 and obtain the number of print jobs stored and setting information for the print jobs.

[0014] The compression / decompression unit 210 compresses and decompresses image data stored in the RAM 208 and HDD 209 using various compression methods such as JBIG and JPEG. The sheet data management unit 211 manages, for each type and brand of sheet, parameters of the sheet itself, such as the sheet basis weight, surface properties, characteristics, and grain direction, as well as control parameters used when printing sheets, such as voltage adjustment values during transfer and applied voltage values during de-electrification control. The sheet database 212 is the data itself of print control parameters for each sheet managed by the sheet management unit 211. Although it is expressed as a block diagram in Fig. 2, the database itself is stored in the HDD 209 in a form that can be referenced and set by the control unit 205 via the sheet management unit 211. In addition, the sheet data management unit 211 has a function of providing a setting screen for referencing and editing the contents of the sheet database 212.

[0015] <Sheet settings management screen> The sheet setting management screen for referring to and editing the contents of the sheet database 212 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing system 1000 is configured so that a user can call up a management screen for changing settings for each sheet via the operation unit 204. When this call is received, the control unit 205 displays a management screen 601 on the touch panel unit 401 of the operation unit 204, where the user can refer to and change parameters for print control of the sheet. The management screen 601 has a field 602 that displays each parameter and its current setting value, and each parameter has a change button that can be pressed to change the setting value. For example, when the user presses a [Change] button 603 to change the parameter for adjusting the static elimination bias, which is the applied voltage value during static elimination control, the control unit 205 displays a static elimination bias adjustment screen 604 on the touch panel unit 401 of the operation unit 204.

[0016] The static elimination bias adjustment screen 604 has a field 605 that displays the current setting and input buttons 606 for inputting an increase or decrease in the setting value, and allows the user to set the voltage value to be applied to the sheet for static elimination processing performed by the static elimination device 200-3a (described later). In this embodiment, the bias voltage for static elimination processing set here is configured to be set not as a direct voltage value [kV] but as an intensity level in the range of 0 to 50. In actual operation, for example, a voltage of 0.1 [kV] per 1 is applied to the static elimination roller. In other words, a voltage of +5 [kV] is applied when the intensity level is set to 50. Note that the units of the setting values and the settable ranges shown here are only some examples and are not limited to these.

[0017] Printing system hardware configuration Next, the hardware configuration of the printing system 1000 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device 100 and the sheet processing device 200 connected to the printing device 100. The sheet processing device 200 of this embodiment is composed of a static eliminator 200-3a and a saddle stitcher 200-3b.

[0018] (Printing device) First, the printing device 100 will be described. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 301 separates a stack of documents set on the loading surface of a document tray in page order, starting with the first page, and transports them onto a document glass platen for scanning by a scanner 302. The scanner 302 reads an image of an original conveyed onto a platen glass, and converts the image into image data using a CCD. A rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror or the like) 303 receives a beam of light, such as a laser beam, modulated according to image data, and irradiates the beam as reflected scanning light onto a photosensitive drum 304 via a reflecting mirror. A latent image formed on photosensitive drum 304 by laser light is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet attached to transfer drum 305. A full-color image is formed by sequentially performing this series of image formation processes for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. After four image formation processes, the sheet on transfer drum 305 with the full-color image formed thereon is separated by separation claw 306 and transported to fuser 308 by pre-fixing transporter 307.

[0019] The fixing device 308 is made up of a combination of rollers and belts, and has a built-in heat source such as a halogen heater, and melts and fixes the toner on the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred, using heat and pressure. The discharge flapper 309 is configured to be swingable around a swing axis and determines the sheet transport direction. When the discharge flapper 309 swings clockwise in the figure, the sheet is transported straight and is discharged outside the machine by the discharge rollers 310. The control unit 205 controls the printing device 100 to perform single-sided printing using the above-mentioned series of sequences. On the other hand, when images are to be formed on both sides of the sheet, the discharge flapper 309 swings counterclockwise in the figure, and the sheet is changed course downward and sent to the double-sided conveying section, which includes a reversing flapper 311, a reversing roller 312, a reversing guide 313, and a double-sided tray 314.

[0020] The reversing flapper 311 swings around a swing axis to determine the sheet transport direction. When processing a double-sided printing job, the control unit 205 controls the reversing flapper 311 to swing counterclockwise in the figure after printing on the first side of the sheet in the printer unit 203, and sends the sheet to the reversing guide 313 via the reversing roller 312. Then, with the rear end of the sheet sandwiched between the reversing roller 312, the reversing roller 312 is temporarily stopped, and the reversing flapper 311 continues to swing clockwise in the figure. The control unit 205 also rotates the reversing roller 312 in the reverse direction. This causes the sheet to switch back and be transported, and controls the sheet to be guided to the double-sided tray 314 with the rear end and front end of the sheet swapped.

[0021] The sheets are temporarily stacked in the double-sided tray 314, and then the sheets are sent again to the registration rollers 316 by the re-feed rollers 315. At this time, the sheets are sent so that the side opposite to the first side transfer process faces the photosensitive drum. Then, in the same process as described above, the second side image is formed on the second side of the sheet. Then, after the images are formed on both sides of the sheet, it goes through a fixing process and is discharged from inside the main body of the printing apparatus 100 to the outside via the discharge rollers 310. The control unit 205 controls the printing device 100 to perform double-sided printing through the above-described series of sequences. The printing device 100 also has a paper feed unit that stores sheets required for printing. The paper feed unit includes paper feed cassettes 317 and 318 (each capable of storing, for example, 500 sheets), paper feed deck 319 (capable of storing, for example, 5,000 sheets), and manual feed tray 320. Various sheets of different sizes and materials can be set in paper feed cassettes 317 and 318 and paper feed deck 319, separated into the respective paper feed units. Furthermore, various types of sheets, including special sheets such as overhead projector sheets, can be set in manual feed tray 320.

[0022] (static eliminator) Next, the static eliminator 200-3a will be described. First, Fig. 5 is a system block diagram of the static eliminator 200-3a. The static eliminator also has a control unit 501 separate from the printing device 100. The control unit 501 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). This control unit 501 is configured to centrally manage the entire static eliminator 200-3a while communicating with the control unit 205 of the printing device 100 in FIG. 2 via a bus (not shown). The control unit 501 realizes control of applying voltage to the charge removal roller 322 and the ionizer 323 via the voltage application controller 321 . The static elimination processing unit 503 is composed of a static elimination roller 322 and an ionizer 323, which will be described later, and a voltage application controller 321 for each of them, and is responsible for static elimination processing of the conveyed sheet. The ROM 502 stores a boot program for the static elimination device 200-3a, a static elimination processing program for the static elimination processing unit 503, etc. The control unit 501 then loads the necessary programs from the ROM 502 into the RAM 505 as needed and executes them.

[0023] <Static charge removal treatment> The static elimination process performed by the static elimination processing unit 503 will now be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram that schematically illustrates how static elimination process is performed by the static elimination device 200-3a on a sheet 701 that has been printed by the printing device 100. The same numbers are used for components that are common to Fig. 3. First, sheet 701 is transported via transport path 710 to a developing / transferring unit consisting of photosensitive drum 304 and transfer drum 305, where toner is deposited on sheet 701. The charged toner 702 on sheet 701 is negatively charged. After the toner is fixed through fuser 308, sheet 701 is transported to static eliminator 200-3a with the print surface 703 negatively charged. Static eliminator 200-3a includes a positively charged static eliminator roller 322, which applies a positive charge (applied voltage) to the negatively charged print surface 703 through contact static elimination with the roller, thereby eliminating the charge. The static eliminator roller 322 performs static elimination processing using an applied voltage set by controller 501, but the amount of charge can be changed by controller 501 during processing. By changing the voltage applied to sheet 701 during processing, the static elimination effect can be varied for different regions of a single sheet 701. However, it is expected that negative charges that were not completely removed by the static elimination process using the static elimination roller 322, or reversely charged positive charges, will remain on the sheet 705 after it has passed through the static elimination roller. Therefore, the static elimination device 200-3a described in this embodiment is further configured to include an ionizer 323 downstream of the static elimination roller 322. The ionizer 323 is a device that generates a corona discharge by applying a voltage to an electrode needle provided within the device, and then uses the ions generated thereby to eliminate the charge. By performing rough static elimination using the static elimination roller 322 and then adjusting the remaining charge using the ionizer, the static elimination process is completed on the sheet 707 discharged from the static elimination device 200-3a. Returning now to the explanation using the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, static eliminator 200-3a has static elimination roller 322 and its paired roller, and sheet 701 transported to static eliminator 200-3a is sandwiched between the rollers while being transported, and undergoes rough static elimination by static elimination roller 322. Thereafter, sheet 701 is transported outside the device by transport roller 324, and undergoes static elimination of remaining charges by ionizer 323.

[0024] (saddle stitching machine) Next, the saddle stitching machine 200-3b will be described. Sheet processing by the saddle stitching machine 200-3b includes, for example, saddle stitching, punching, cutting, shift discharge, folding, stapling, etc. Here, these jobs are called "saddle stitching jobs." When processing a saddle stitching job, the control unit 205 first conveys the sheets of this job printed by the printing apparatus 100 to the saddle stitching machine 200-3b, and then causes the saddle stitching machine 200-3b to perform sheet processing for this job. The control unit 205 then causes the printed material of the saddle stitching job, which has undergone sheet processing by the saddle stitching machine 200-3b, to be held in the paper discharge destination Z of the saddle stitching machine 200-3b. Note that there are multiple paper discharge destination candidates for the paper discharge destination Z. This is used when the saddle stitching machine 200-3b can perform multiple types of sheet processing and separates the paper discharge destinations for each sheet processing. In this embodiment, a detailed description of the conveyance procedure for a saddle stitching job will be omitted.

[0025] -Static elimination control processing Next, a process of performing static elimination control for each sheet based on the sheet database 212 stored in the HDD 209 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S801 , the control unit 205 of the printing apparatus 100 receives a print job via the network 101 and the external I / F 202 . Next, in S802, the control unit 205 interprets the print job settings received in S801 and determines the specified contents, such as the number of copies to be printed, the paper discharge destination, and post-processing. In S803, the control unit 205 reads one page of PDL data from the spooler, expands it, and determines the type of sheet to be used for printing that page. In S804, the control unit 205 determines whether the page currently being processed is the first page, and if not, whether the sheet type confirmed in S803 has changed from the page processed immediately before. If it is determined in S804 that the page is not the first page and the sheet type has not changed from the page processed immediately before (No in S804), the control unit 205 proceeds to S808. On the other hand, if it is determined in S804 that the page is the first page or that the sheet type has changed from the page processed immediately before (Yes in S804), the control unit 205 proceeds to S805. In S805, the control unit 205 refers to the sheet database 212 via the sheet data management unit 211. Then, the control unit 205 acquires the adjustment value of the static elimination bias of the print control parameters set for the sheet.

[0026] In S806, the control unit 205 notifies the control unit 501 of the static elimination device 200-3a of the adjustment value of the static elimination bias acquired in S805, and instructs the control unit 501 to set the bias value for the static elimination roller 322. In S807, the control unit 501 of the static elimination device 200-3a uses the adjustment value of the static elimination bias received in S806 to actually apply a static elimination bias voltage to the static elimination roller 322 via the voltage application controller 321. This is then notified to the control device 205 of the printing device 100. By adding the determination control in S804 in this way, it is possible to control so that the process of acquiring the print control parameters for the target sheet and the adjustment of the static elimination bias are executed only when the first page or the sheet is changed during printing. In S808, the control unit 205 of the printing apparatus 100 controls the printing of the page via the printer unit 203. At this time, if the sheet has been changed, the static elimination control is performed based on the static elimination bias value set in S807, and if the sheet has not been changed, the static elimination control is performed based on the previous static elimination bias value setting.

[0027] In S809, the control unit 205 then determines whether the printed page is the final page of the print job. If it is determined in S809 that it is the final page (Yes in S809), the process ends, and if it is determined that it is not the final page (No in S809), the control unit 205 returns the process to S803 and continues the process for the next page and onward. By performing such control for each page included in the print job, it is possible to achieve static elimination control according to the sheet type of each page, even for a print job that includes multiple sheet types.

[0028] Adding sheets to the sheet database Next, a processing flow for adding a sheet to the sheet database 212 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The printing system 1000 is configured so that the user can call up a new sheet addition screen via the operation unit 204. First, in step S1001 , the control unit 205 receives a command from the user via the operation unit 204 to create a new sheet. In S1002, the control unit 205 displays a new sheet creation screen 901 shown in FIG. 9 on the touch panel unit 401 of the operation unit 204. The new sheet creation screen 901 has a field 902 that displays print control parameters and their current setting values, and each print control parameter is provided with a [Change] button 904 that can be pressed to change the setting value. The user sets the desired settings for each parameter in addition to the name of the sheet, and then presses the [OK] button 903 to complete new registration in the sheet database 212. However, when starting new registration, many parameters are left unset, and the [OK] button 903 cannot be pressed unless the minimum parameters are set. In the example of FIG. 9, parameters that must be entered are indicated by a specific mark (*) and a legend, as shown, to make it easier for the user to understand.

[0029] In step S1003, the control unit 205 accepts the setting of print control parameter values by the user and the confirmation of the input via the new sheet creation screen 901. Next, in S1004, for the "adjustment of the discharge bias" (adjustment of the applied voltage for discharge) listed in the print control parameters, an initial value is calculated from the other input parameters and set in the sheet database 212.

[0030] Specifically, Figure 11(a) shows a table of recommended values for combinations of surface properties and basis weights, measured under a specific environment, along with the recommended applied voltage for static elimination. Using this table, the recommended applied voltage for static elimination can be calculated based on the surface properties and basis weight. As mentioned above, the recommended values recorded in this table are not direct voltage values [kV], but rather strength levels set between 0 and 50. The logic for generating initial values is not limited to the method described here. For example, the table on the right of Figure 11(b) shows the recommended applied voltage for each environment for a sheet with a certain surface property and basis weight. An approach that takes environmental information into account can also be considered for calculating initial values. Here, the environment is defined as three regions based on the relationship between temperature and humidity, as shown in the graph on the left of Figure 11(b): low temperature and low humidity, normal temperature and normal humidity, and high temperature and high humidity. The recommended applied voltage is higher for lower temperatures and lower humidity, while it is lower for higher temperatures and higher humidity. This is because, generally, sheets are more likely to become charged at lower temperatures and lower humidity. The values in these tables have been derived through prior verification, and are stored in the ROM 207 together with various software programs in a form that can be read and referenced by the control unit 205 when necessary. When S1004 ends, this process ends. According to the above embodiment, by setting the initial value based on such a table, it is possible to generate a product with a certain degree of anti-static control without making any adjustments, and it is expected that the occurrence of paper discharge adhesion in the product will be suppressed.

[0031] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. In this embodiment, a flow for changing sheet information registered in the sheet database 212 will be described. The printing system 1000 is configured so that the user can call up a sheet change screen via the operation unit 204.

[0032] First, in S1201, the control unit 205 accepts a request to change the settings of the print control parameters for the sheet from the user via the operation unit 204. The above-mentioned Fig. 6 is an example of the change screen, and is a screen in which a [Change] button 603 is provided for each item that can be changed. In S1202, the user updates the setting value on the screen (for example, in the case of adjusting the static elimination bias, the static elimination bias adjustment screen 604) that is displayed when the [Change] button 603 is pressed. Then, when the [OK] button 607 is pressed, the control unit 205 accepts the change request for the parameter. Next, in S1203, the control unit 205 determines whether the print control parameter for which a change request was received in S1202 is a parameter for setting an applied voltage for static elimination. If the parameter for which a change request was received in S1202 is a parameter for setting an applied voltage for static elimination (Yes in S1203), the control unit 205 proceeds to S1204. On the other hand, if the parameter for which a change request was received in S1202 is not a parameter for setting an applied voltage for static elimination (No in S1203), the control unit 205 proceeds to S1206. If the parameter is a setting parameter for the applied voltage for static elimination (Yes in S1203), the control unit 205 reflects the received change content in the sheet database 212 described above in S1204.

[0033] In the next step S1205, the control unit 205 sets flag information indicating that the setting of the applied voltage for static elimination has been changed to "TRUE." This flag information is also held in the sheet database 212 described above, and is stored in the HDD 209 in a form that can be referenced by the control unit 205 via the sheet data management unit 211. The initial value of this flag information is "FALSE," and when a new sheet is registered or when processing is performed to initialize the settings of all print control parameters for the sheet, the value is set to "FALSE." After this step is completed, the processing ends. On the other hand, if the parameter for which the change request was accepted in S1202 is not a parameter for setting the applied voltage for static elimination (No in S1203), the control unit 205 executes a process for changing parameters other than the applied voltage setting for static elimination in S1206. This process in S1206 will be described in detail as a sub-process using the flowchart in Fig. 13.

[0034] First, in S1301, the control unit 205 determines whether the parameter for which a change request was received in S1202 described above is a parameter that significantly affects the setting of the applied voltage for static elimination. In this embodiment, the print control parameters that significantly affect the applied voltage setting are the sheet's "basis weight" and "surface property." Parameters that significantly affect the applied voltage setting are not limited to these. For example, if a parameter indicating the sheet material is used, this material parameter can also be a parameter that significantly affects the applied voltage setting. Next, if it is determined in S1301 that the request is not for a change to the print control parameters related to "basis weight" or "surface properties," which are print control parameters that have a large impact on the setting of the applied voltage for static elimination (No in S1301), the control unit 205 proceeds to S1302. In S1302, the control unit 205 reflects the instructed parameter changes in the sheet database 212, and ends this sub-processing. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1301 that the request is for a change in the "basis weight" or "surface quality" (Yes in S1301), the control unit 205 advances the process to S1303. In S1303, the control unit 205 determines whether the "static elimination bias adjustment" parameter, which is the setting of the applied voltage for static elimination, has been changed from its initial value. Specifically, this determination is realized by the control unit 205 checking flag information stored in the sheet database 212 described above, which indicates that the setting of the applied voltage for static elimination has been changed. If it is determined in S1303 that no change has been made (No in S1303), the control unit 205 advances the process to S1304.

[0035] In step S1304, the control unit 205 reflects the instructed changes to the print control parameters in the sheet database 212 described above. In the following S1305, the control unit 205 recalculates the adjustment parameters for the static elimination bias based on the changed print control parameter values, reflects this in the sheet database 212, and ends this sub-process. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1303 that the parameters have been changed (Yes in S1303), the control unit 205 advances the process to S1306. In S1306, the control unit 205 displays a message recommending a change to the setting of the applied voltage for static elimination. FIG. 14 shows an example of a message screen 1401 displayed in S1306 when it is determined in S1301 that the basis weight has been changed. In the example of FIG. 14, the user moves from the management screen 601, which refers to and changes sheet parameters, to a basis weight change screen (not shown). When a command to change the basis weight is issued there, the screen returns to the management screen 601, and the message screen 1401 pops up. The purpose of this message screen 1401 is to prompt the user to change the static elimination bias adjustment parameter in response to a change in the basis weight parameter, which affects the amount of charge on a printed sheet. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned flag information is referenced, and the messaging shown in FIG. 14 is displayed only when the "static elimination bias adjustment" parameter has been changed from its initial value. This is intended to avoid the inconvenience of having to receive a message every time the basis weight is changed, by assuming that if the parameter is left at its default value, the user wishes to use the automatic setting as described in the new registration flow above. In response to the above messaging, in this embodiment, three actions can be selected: [Update] the adjustment parameters for the neutralization bias by automatic setting, [Keep the current settings] without making any changes, or [Cancel the change in basis weight].

[0036] Returning to the flowchart, in step S1307 the control unit 205 receives an instruction from the user via the screen of FIG. 14 that was displayed in step S1306. In the following S1308, the control unit 205 determines which of the above-mentioned measures the instruction received in S1307 is for. If the instruction received in S1307 is for maintaining the current settings of the adjustment parameters for the static elimination bias without changing them (if "do not change" is selected in S1308), the control unit 205 proceeds to the above-mentioned S1302. In S1302, the adjustment parameters for the static elimination bias are not changed, and only the change in the basis weight parameters instructed to be changed is reflected in the sheet database 212, and this sub-processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the content of the handling instruction received in S1308 is to cancel the instruction to change the basis weight itself (if "cancel" in S1308), the control unit 205 does nothing and ends this sub-processing. If the content of the handling instruction received in S1308 is to recalculate and automatically set the adjustment parameters for the static elimination bias (if "automatic setting" in S1308), the control unit 205 advances the process to S1304. In S1304, the control unit 205 reflects the basis weight parameter for which the change has been instructed and the adjustment parameter for the static elimination bias recalculated using the changed basis weight parameter in the sheet database 212, and ends this sub-process. By performing such change control, it is possible to prevent unintended inconsistencies from occurring between the parameters for setting the applied voltage for static elimination registered in the sheet database 212 and other sheet parameters, and reduce the occurrence of adhesive discharge sheets. (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) A printing system including a static eliminator, a management means for managing print control parameters including a value of an applied voltage for static elimination for each type of sheet; When the setting of a print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is changed, a setting means is provided for calculating the applied voltage for static elimination based on the changed print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet and setting the calculated voltage as the print control parameter. A printing system characterized by: (Configuration 2) The printing control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is the basis weight of the sheet. 2. The printing system according to configuration 1. (Configuration 3) The printing control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is the surface property of the sheet. 3. The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2. (Configuration 4) The setting means When the sheet is newly registered, the value of the applied voltage for static elimination is calculated and set based on the input print control parameters. 4. The printing system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3. (Configuration 5) A display means is provided for displaying a screen that recommends changing the value of the applied voltage for static elimination when a print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is changed. 5. A printing system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. (Configuration 6) When a print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is changed and the value of the applied voltage for static elimination is changed from the initial value, a display means is provided to display a screen that recommends changing the value of the applied voltage for static elimination. 6. A printing system according to configuration 5, (Method 1) A control method for a printing system including a static eliminator, a management process for managing print control parameters including an applied voltage for static elimination for each type of sheet; When the setting of a print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is changed, the applied voltage for static elimination is calculated based on the changed print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet, and the calculated voltage is set as the print control parameter. A method for controlling a printing system. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute the printing system control method described in Method 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 100 Printing equipment 200-3a Static eliminator

Claims

1. A printing system including a static eliminator, a management means for managing print control parameters including a value of an applied voltage for static elimination for each type of sheet; When the setting of a print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is changed, a setting means is provided for calculating the applied voltage for static elimination based on the changed print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet and setting the calculated voltage as the print control parameter. A printing system characterized by:

2. The printing control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is the basis weight of the sheet.

2. The printing system according to claim 1.

3. The printing control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is the surface property of the sheet.

2. The printing system according to claim 1.

4. The setting means When the sheet is newly registered, the value of the applied voltage for static elimination is calculated and set based on the input print control parameters.

4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is a printing system for printing a plurality of documents.

5. A display means is provided for displaying a screen that recommends changing the value of the applied voltage for static elimination when a print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is changed.

4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is a printing system for printing a plurality of documents.

6. When a print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is changed and the value of the applied voltage for static elimination is changed from the initial value, a display means is provided to display a screen that recommends changing the value of the applied voltage for static elimination.

6. The printing system according to claim 5.

7. A control method for a printing system including a static eliminator, a management process for managing print control parameters including an applied voltage for static elimination for each type of sheet; When the setting of a print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet is changed, the applied voltage for static elimination is calculated based on the changed print control parameter that affects the amount of charge on the sheet, and the calculated voltage is set as the print control parameter. A method for controlling a printing system.

8. A program for causing a computer to execute the printing system control method according to claim 7.

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