Folding processing device, image forming device, and image forming system

Abstract

To appropriately select a folding processing content of a sheet to appropriately perform folding processing.SOLUTION: According to a folding processing device 100 comprising folding processing means including sheet folding parts 17a, 17b that fold a sheet 50, and an additional-folding part 20 for additionally folding folds formed on the sheet by the sheet folding parts, and control means 400 for controlling folding processing of the folding processing means, the folding processing device comprises: information acquisition means for acquiring sheet information about the sheet subjected to the folding processing, and folding processing information indicating a content of the folding processing; estimation means 400 for estimating a folding evaluation value after the folding processing based on the acquired sheet information and the folding processing information by executing a learned model 500 that is learned using the sheet information about a learning sheet, the folding processing information indicating the content of the folding processing for the learning sheet, and a plurality of pieces of learning data including the folding evaluation value after the folding processing; and determination means 400 for determining a control content of the control means in the folding processing based on the estimated folding evaluation value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding device, an image forming device, and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a folding processing device is known that includes a folding processing means including a sheet folding section that folds the sheet to be processed and an additional folding section that additionally folds the crease formed in the sheet to be processed by the sheet folding section, and a control means that controls the folding processing of the folding processing means.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a folding device equipped with additional folding rollers (additional folding unit) that additionally fold (strengthen) creases formed on a sheet folded by a pair of folding rollers (sheet folding unit). In this folding device, the number of additional folding operations is set according to the number of overlapping sheets to be folded (sheets to be processed). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The conditions required for appropriately selecting the folding process content (such as the number of additional folding operations) in a folding processing device vary widely from user to user, and the number of combinations of conditions is enormous, making it difficult to appropriately select and execute the folding process content under each user's usage conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a folding processing device comprising a folding processing means including a sheet folding unit that folds a sheet to be processed and an additional folding unit that additionally folds the crease formed in the sheet to be processed by the sheet folding unit, and a control means that controls the folding processing of the folding processing means, and is characterized by having: an information acquisition means that acquires sheet information of the sheet to be processed to be folded by the folding processing means and folding processing information indicating the content of the folding processing before the folding processing is completed; an estimation means that estimates a folding evaluation value for the sheet to be processed after the folding processing based on the sheet information and folding processing information acquired by the information acquisition means by having a computer execute a trained model that has been trained using multiple learning data including sheet information of a learning sheet, folding processing information indicating the content of the folding processing for the learning sheet, and a folding evaluation value for the learning sheet after the folding processing; and a determination means that determines the control content of the control means in the folding processing for the sheet to be processed based on the folding evaluation value estimated by the estimation means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately select the folding process contents for a sheet and perform the appropriate folding process under various usage conditions of each user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming system including a folding device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conveying path of the folding processing device. [Figure 3] 5A to 5D are explanatory diagrams showing details of the sheet overlapping process in the folding processing device. [Figure 4] 5A to 5D are explanatory diagrams showing the details of a Z-fold operation, which is one of the folding types in the folding process of the folding processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the folding processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a front view showing an additional folding roller in the folding processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the additional folding operation performed by the additional folding roller. [Figure 9] 5A to 5E are explanatory views showing details of an additional folding operation in the folding processing device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the learning phase of a trained model executed by the CPU of the control circuit in the folding processing device. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram showing an example of training data used as training data for the trained model. [Figure 12] 10(a) to 10(c) are explanatory diagrams showing the state of a sheet when Z-folded and the change over time in the drive current value (current waveform) of a folding motor. [Figure 13] 10 is a graph showing the influence of differences in environmental information, such as temperature and humidity, on the folding height of the additional folding stop position. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a folding device according to a first modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the folding processing device. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow relating to adjustment of the inter-paper time in Modification 2. [Figure 17] 10 is a table showing an example of reference values ​​of the folding height for determining whether or not the additional folding control parameters need to be changed in the second modification. [Figure 18] 13(a) to 13(c) are explanatory diagrams for explaining an adjustment operation of the paper interval time in Modification 3. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a press type configuration, which is another example of an additional folding type configuration. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration of a roller pressure system, which is yet another configuration example of the additional folding system. [Figure 21] 10 is a table showing types of additional folding methods and additional folding control parameters that can be adjusted for each method. [Figure 22]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a trained model is stored outside a folding processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming system using a folding processing device according to the present invention as a post-processing device of an image forming apparatus will be described. The folding processing device of the present invention is an example of a post-processing device that folds sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device as the sheets to be processed, but it is applicable to the folding processing of any sheets, not just sheets on which images have been formed.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system equipped with a folding device according to this embodiment. The image forming system 1 of this embodiment comprises an image forming apparatus 200, a folding device 100, and a finisher 300. In this image forming system 1, the folding device 100 is connected downstream of the image forming apparatus 200, and the finisher 300 is connected downstream of the folding device 100. The folding device 100 receives sheets on which images have been formed from the image forming apparatus 200 and performs a predetermined folding process. The sheets or sheet stacks conveyed from the folding device 100 are subjected to post-processing by a post-processing unit 301 in the finisher 300, which performs post-processing such as stapling. The sheets or sheet stacks conveyed from the finisher 300 are stacked on a stacking tray 303.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 200 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet by a known electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 200 of this embodiment mainly includes a display unit 201, an operation unit 202, a paper feed unit 203, an image forming unit 204, a fixing unit 205, and a control circuit 206.

[0011] The display unit 201 notifies the user of the status of various devices and operation details. The operation unit 202 is a user interface that allows the user to perform setting operations such as the operating mode and the number of copies to be printed. The paper feed unit 203 stocks a large number of sheets and separates and feeds the sheets one by one. The image creation unit 204 forms a latent image on the surface of a photosensitive member serving as a latent image carrier in accordance with input image data, and transfers the toner image (image) obtained by developing the latent image onto a sheet fed from the paper feed unit 203. The fixing unit 205 fixes the toner image onto the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred by the image creation unit 204. The control circuit 206 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0012] The image forming method in the image forming apparatus 200 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, but may be any known image forming method such as an inkjet method or a thermal transfer method.

[0013] The folding device 100 and the finisher 300 are also provided with control circuits 302 and 400, respectively. These control circuits 302 and 400 communicate with the control circuit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200 and control the respective components of the folding device 100 and the finisher 300, respectively.

[0014] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conveying path 40 of the folding device 100. In Fig. 2, the conveying path 40 is indicated by a dashed line. In FIG. 2, the conveying path 40 is made up of six paths 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46, which are first to sixth paths.

[0015] The first path 41 is a path that linearly transports a sheet from the image forming apparatus 200 to the finisher 300. The second path 42 is a path that branches downward from the first branch claw 11 in the first path 41 and leads to the third branch claw 16. The third path 43 is a path that branches upward from the second branch claw 14 that is provided on the upstream side of the third branch claw 16 in the transport direction in the second path 42. The fourth path 44 is a path that extends downstream from the third branch claw 16 via the first folding roller pair 17a.

[0016] The fifth path 45 extends downward from the third branch claw 16 located at the most downstream position in the conveying direction of the second path 42, via a nip formed by one roller 17a1, 17b1 of each of the first folding roller pair 17a and the second folding roller pair 17b. The sixth path 46 branches upward from the fifth path 45 and merges with the first path 41. The branch point from the sixth path 46 to the fifth path 45 is provided between the folding roller pair 17a, 17b and the third conveying roller pair 18. The merge point from the sixth path 46 to the first path 41 is provided at a position immediately before the nip on the upstream side of the sixth conveying roller pair 22 in the conveying direction.

[0017] In the conveying path 40 configured as described above, a sheet conveyed to the second path 42 branching from the first path 41 downstream of the first conveying roller pair 10 in the conveying direction is conveyed appropriately through the third to fifth paths 43, 44, and 45 depending on the type of fold to be performed in the folding process. Thereafter, the sheet returns to the first path 41 via the sixth path 46 and is conveyed to the finisher 300.

[0018] In the first path 41, a first conveying roller pair 10 is arranged upstream in the conveying direction of the branching point of the second path 42, and a sixth conveying roller pair 22 is arranged downstream in the conveying direction of the junction with the sixth path 46. A registration roller pair 15 is arranged on the most downstream side of the second path 42 in the conveying direction, just before the upstream side of the third branching claw 16 in the conveying direction, and a second branching claw 14 is arranged upstream in the conveying direction. A second conveying roller pair 12 is arranged on the upstream side of the second branching claw 14 in the conveying direction of the second path 42, intermediate the branching point of the first path 41. Furthermore, a folding roller pair 13 is arranged downstream in the conveying direction of the second branching claw 14 in the third path 43.

[0019] A first folding roller pair 17a is arranged immediately downstream in the conveying direction of third branch claw 16 in fourth path 44. A roller pair consisting of one roller 17a1, 17b1 of first folding roller pair 17a and one roller 17a1 of second folding roller pair 17b is arranged immediately downstream in the conveying direction of third branch claw 16 in fifth path 45. A third conveying roller pair 18 is arranged downstream in the conveying direction of the roller pair consisting of rollers 17a1, 17b1 in fifth path 45, and a sixth path 46 branches off between the third conveying roller pair 18 and the third conveying roller pair 18.

[0020] A second folding roller pair 17b is arranged immediately upstream of the branch point of sixth path 46 from fifth path 45 in the conveying direction, and a fourth conveying roller pair 19 and a fifth conveying roller pair 21 are arranged along the downstream side of sixth path 46 in the conveying direction. An additional folding roller 20 is arranged between fourth conveying roller pair 19 and fifth conveying roller pair 21. Note that the conveying direction in this specification is described based on the direction in which the sheet is conveyed from image forming apparatus 200 to finisher 300.

[0021] 2, in the folding device 100, a sheet received from the image forming device 200 is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by a first conveying roller pair 10. By driving a first branch claw 11, the sheet is conveyed downward to a second path 42 when folding is to be performed, and is conveyed to the left side in the figure along a first path 41 when folding is not to be performed. The folding process is performed using three nips formed by a first folding roller pair 17a and a second folding roller pair 17b as a sheet folding section.

[0022] The sheet folded by the first folding roller pair 17a and the second folding roller pair 17b is transported upward in the figure along a sixth path 46, and is pressed by additional folding rollers 20 as an additional folding section to strengthen the fold (additional folding). Thereafter, the sheet is transported by a fifth conveying roller pair 21 and a sixth conveying roller pair 22, and is transported to the finisher 300. When performing overlap folding, in which multiple sheets are overlapped and folded, a sheet overlapping process is performed using the overlapping folding roller pair 13 and surrounding conveying roller pairs before the folding process.

[0023] 3(a) to 3(d) are operation explanatory diagrams showing the details of the sheet overlapping process. As shown in FIG. 3(a), a first sheet 50-1 conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 along the first path 41 is conveyed toward the second path 42 by the first conveying roller pair 10 and the first branching claw 11. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the first sheet 50-1 is guided from the second path 42 to the fourth path 44 by the third branching claw 16. When the trailing end of the first sheet 50-1 passes through the second branching claw 14, the orientation of the second branching claw 14 is switched, and as shown in FIG. 3(c), the rotation directions of the second conveying roller pair 12 and the first folding roller pair 17a are reversed, causing the first sheet 50-1 to switch back.

[0024] The first sheet 50-1 that has switched back is conveyed along the third path 43 by the pair of overlapping and folding rollers 13, and the entire first sheet 50-1 is retracted to a position where it passes through the pair of registration rollers 15. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the second sheet 50-2 is received on the second path 42. Next, as shown in FIG. 3(d), when the leading edge of the second sheet 50-2 in the conveying direction reaches the pair of registration rollers 15, the first sheet 50-1 is also conveyed toward the fourth path 44 (downward in the figure), and the first sheet 50-1 and the second sheet 50-2 are conveyed in an overlapping state. At this time, the drive start timing of the pair of overlapping and folding rollers 13 is set based on the detection timing of a leading edge detection sensor provided on the second path 42 immediately before the second branch claw 14, and the leading edges of the two sheets 50-1 and 50-2 are aligned and sent into the fourth path 44. By this overlapping process, the two sheets 50-1 and 50-2 are conveyed as one sheet stack 51.

[0025] When three or more sheets are to be stacked, the stacker switches back again when the rear end of the stack of two sheets 51 passes through the second branch claw 14, and the stack of two sheets 51 is retracted to the third path 43. By repeating the above operation according to the number of sheets to be stacked, it is possible to stack the desired number of sheets.

[0026] 4(a) to 4(d) are operation explanatory diagrams showing the details of the operation of Z-folding, which is one of the folding types in the folding process. Here, we will use as an example the operation of folding a sheet stack 51 (sheets 50-1, 50-2) that has undergone sheet stacking processing, but the operation is similar when folding a single sheet 50, except that a switchback is performed using the third path 43 described below.

[0027] After the sheet stacking process, only the first folding roller pair 17a is reversed at a timing when a Z-fold can be formed at a position one-quarter of the way downstream in the conveying direction of the sheet stack 51, and the upstream portion of the sheet stack 51 in the conveying direction is conveyed from the fourth path 44 to the fifth path 45. At this time, the registration roller pair 15 also conveys the downstream side of the sheet stack 51 in the conveying direction toward the fifth path 45. As a result, the sheet stack 51 receives the conveying force of both roller pairs 17a and 15 and bulges on the upstream side of the nip of the roller pair consisting of rollers 17a1 and 17b1 on the fifth path 45 in the conveying direction. As the sheet stack 51 continues to be conveyed from this state, the bulged portion of the sheet stack 51 is pushed into the nip of the roller pair consisting of rollers 17a1 and 17b1. Then, a first fold 51a is applied to one-quarter of the way from the edge of the sheet at the nip of the roller pair consisting of rollers 17a1 and 17b1.

[0028] After first fold 51a has been applied, sheet bundle 51 is further conveyed downstream in the conveying direction along fifth path 45 by a roller pair consisting of rollers 17a1 and 17b1. Then, third conveying roller pair 18 of fifth path 45 rotates in the reverse direction so that second fold 51b is applied to a portion of sheet bundle 51 that is halfway from the leading edge in the conveying direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4(b), this halfway portion enters the nip of second folding roller pair 17b, where second fold 51b is applied, completing the Z-fold.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4(c), the Z-folded sheet bundle 51 is sent from the second folding roller pair 17b to the sixth path 46 and is then conveyed by the fourth conveying roller pair 19 along the sixth path 46 upward in the drawing (downstream in the conveying direction). As shown in FIG. 4(d), the sheet bundle 51 conveyed by the fourth conveying roller pair 19 stops at the position of the additional folding roller 20. By rotating the additional folding roller 20 with respect to the stopped sheet bundle 51, the fold of the second fold 51b is strengthened and an additional fold is performed. After the additional fold of the second fold 51b is performed, the sheet bundle 51 is further conveyed and an additional fold is also performed on the first fold 51a. After the additional folds of the first fold 51a and the second fold 51b are completed, the sheet bundle 51 is sent by the fifth conveying roller pair 21 to the first path 41 and is then conveyed further downstream to the finisher 300 by the sixth conveying roller pair 22.

[0030] The configuration and operation of the nip and inversion method for folding in half, in thirds, or in Z-folding using the two roller pairs 17a and 17b shown in this embodiment are well known, and therefore will not be described here.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the control circuit 400 of the folding device 100 in this embodiment. The control circuit 400 of the folding device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 410, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 401, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 402, a sensor controller 403, first to third motor controllers 404, 405, 406, a communication interface 409, and a current reading controller 413. The components constituting the control circuit 400 are electrically connected to one another via bus lines 411 such as an address bus and a data bus.

[0032] Sensor controller 403 is connected to additional folding position sensor 46a and monitors the detection state of sheet 50 moving along conveying path 40. First motor controller 404 controls the driving of conveying motor 407 that drives first to sixth conveying roller pairs 10, 12, 18, 19, 21, and 22. Second motor controller 405 controls the driving of additional folding motor 408 that drives and rotates additional folding roller 20. Third motor controller 406 controls the driving of folding motor 412 that drives and rotates first folding roller pair 17a and second folding roller pair 17b. Current reading controller 413 reads the value of the current (value of the motor driving current) supplied to folding motor 412 and is composed of an A / D converter and the like that converts analog data of the current value into digital data.

[0033] The CPU 410 controls the folding processing device 100 by executing a computer-readable program (such as an estimation program described below) stored in the ROM 401. The ROM 401 stores data, programs, etc. executed by the CPU 410. The RAM 402 temporarily stores data, etc. when the CPU 410 executes a program. The communication interface 409 communicates with the image forming device 200 and the finisher 300, and sends and receives data necessary for control.

[0034] Fig. 6 is a front view showing the additional folding roller 20. Fig. 7 is a side view showing the additional folding roller 20. 6 and 7, the additional folding roller 20 includes a roller base 33 and a pressing force transmission unit 32. The roller base 33 is a roller that rotates around a roller rotation shaft 31. The pressing force transmission unit 32 is a convex rib that protrudes spirally from the outer circumferential surface of the roller base 33. That is, the pressing force transmission unit 32 is arranged as a convex rib that protrudes a predetermined amount from the outer circumferential surface of the roller base 33 at a predetermined angle with respect to the axial direction of the roller rotation shaft 31. As a result, the pressing force transmission unit 32 is configured to extend spirally on the outer circumferential surface of the roller base 33 along the roller rotation shaft 31. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressing force transmission unit 32 is arranged not around the entire circumference of the roller base 33 but around approximately half the circumference.

[0035] 8(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the additional folding operation by the additional folding rollers. The folding device 100 of this embodiment includes a sheet support plate 60, a fixed member 61, and an elastic body 62. The elastic body 62 is attached between the sheet support plate 60 and the fixed member 61 fixed inside the folding device 100. The elastic body 62 expands and contracts (elastically deforms) in the direction in which the pressing force of the additional folding roller 20 acts. The elastic body 62 may be any elastic body or structure that can impart the desired elastic force, such as a metal spring, a spring, or a synthetic resin elastic member. Furthermore, although the sheet support plate 60 is used in this embodiment, it goes without saying that the effects of the present invention can be achieved even if the sheet support plate 60 is in the form of a roller.

[0036] 8(b), and stops at the position of FIG. 8(b). Then, the additional folding roller 20 rotates in the direction of the arrow 35 in FIG. 8 (counterclockwise in the figure). This causes the pressing force transmission unit 32 to come into contact with the sheet stack 51 and push up the sheet support plate 60. When the sheet support plate 60 is pushed up, the elastic force of the elastic body 62 applies force to the fold of the second fold 51b of the sheet stack 51, and the additional folding process is performed.

[0037] When additionally folding the first fold 51a of the sheet bundle 51, the sheet bundle 51 is stopped at a position where the first fold 51a of the sheet bundle 51 is sandwiched between the pressing force transmission portion 32 of the additional folding roller 20 and the sheet support plate 60. Then, as the additional folding roller 20 rotates in the direction of the arrow 35 in Fig. 8 (counterclockwise in the figure), the elastic force of the elastic body 62 applies force to the fold of the first fold 51a of the sheet bundle 51, and the additional folding process is performed.

[0038] 9(a) to 9(e) are operation explanatory diagrams showing the details of the additional folding operation. Here, an example of additional folding operation for a single sheet 50 that is folded in only one place will be described. As shown in Fig. 9(a), a single sheet 50 that is folded in only one place is conveyed from the right to the left in the figure by the fourth conveying roller pair 19 to the additional folding rollers 20 (in reality, the sheet is conveyed from bottom to top as shown in Fig. 4). This state corresponds to the state in Fig. 4(c).

[0039] An additional fold position sensor 46a is disposed at a predetermined position upstream of the additional folding roller 20 in the conveying direction. The additional fold position sensor 46a detects the leading edge 50a of the sheet 50 in the conveying direction and functions as a leading edge detection sensor. The CPU 410 measures (counts) the output signal of an encoder that detects the amount of rotation of the conveying motor 407 from the timing when the leading edge 50a of the sheet 50 is detected by the additional fold position sensor 46a. If the CPU 410 determines from this measurement that the leading edge 50a of the sheet 50 has reached a position near the additional folding roller 20, it stops the conveying motor 407 and stops the rotation of the fourth conveying roller pair 19. This position is the additional folding position for the leading edge 50a of the sheet 50 (i.e., the position where the additional folding roller 20 faces the sheet support plate 60 closest to it), as shown in FIG. 9(b).

[0040] With the leading edge 50a of the sheet 50 stopped at the additional folding position shown in Fig. 9(b), the additional folding motor 408 is driven as shown in Fig. 9(c). When the additional folding motor 408 starts to be driven, the additional folding roller 20 starts to rotate in the direction of the arrow 35 in the figure (counterclockwise in the figure), and the pressing force transmission unit 32 comes into contact with and begins to apply pressure to the fold at the leading edge 50a of the stopped sheet 50. This starts the additional folding process for the fold at the leading edge 50a of the sheet 50.

[0041] In the state shown in FIG. 9(d), the additional folding roller 20 continues to rotate, and the pressure force transmission unit 32 presses the fold at the leading edge 50a of the sheet 50 from one end toward the other end in the main scanning direction (roller axis direction), applying pressure to the fold. As the additional folding roller 20 continues to rotate and the pressure force transmission unit 32 separates from the leading edge 50a of the sheet 50, the additional folding is completed up to the other end of the fold. That is, the pressure point of the pressure force transmission unit 32 against the fold moves in the main scanning direction (roller axis direction) along the fold. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(e), when the pressure force transmission unit 32 separates from the sheet 50 and the additional folding HP sensor detects the home position of the additional folding roller 20, the CPU 410 stops the additional folding motor 408, thereby stopping the rotation of the additional folding roller 20. The additional folding HP sensor is a sensor that detects the home position of the rotation position of the additional folding roller 20. In this way, in Figure 9(c), the pressure force transmission unit 32 abuts against the sheet support plate 60 and begins to apply pressure to the fold, and when the pressure force transmission unit 32 moves away from the sheet support plate 60, one additional folding operation is completed.

[0042] Next, the control of the folding process in this embodiment will be described. In general, to improve the folding quality of sheets using the folding device 100, it is necessary to appropriately select and execute the folding process (such as the number of additional folds by the additional folding rollers 20) in accordance with various conditions. For example, differences in sheet type, such as sheet size, thickness, hardness, glossiness, and smoothness, affect the results of the folding process (such as folding quality), and are therefore important conditions for appropriately selecting the folding process. In addition, differences in the folding process, such as the type of fold, the number of overlapping folds, the number of additional folds, and the additional fold stopping position, also affect the results of the folding process, and are therefore important conditions for appropriately selecting the folding process.

[0043] The conditions for selecting the appropriate folding process vary widely depending on the user's usage situation, resulting in a huge number of possible combinations. Furthermore, there are users who use special types of sheets that are not widely available on the market, users who use special fold types, and users who have special target folding height settings. Therefore, it is practically difficult to determine the appropriate folding process by conducting tests in advance for every possible combination.

[0044] Therefore, the conventional method of selecting the appropriate folding process according to the appropriate folding process for each combination determined in advance through prior testing, etc., cannot accommodate the various usage situations of each user, and there are cases where the appropriate folding process cannot be selected. When the appropriate folding process cannot be selected, for example, there are cases where the additional folding is insufficient, the folding height is not sufficiently reduced, and folding quality cannot be ensured. Furthermore, excessive additional folding can result in reduced productivity and wasteful power consumption.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, sheet information of a sheet to be folded by folding processing device 100 and folding processing information indicating the details of the folding processing are obtained before the folding processing is completed, and a folding evaluation value for the sheet after the folding processing is estimated in advance from this information. Then, based on the folding evaluation value estimated in advance, control details for the folding processing for the sheet are determined, and the folding processing for the sheet is controlled using the determined control details. In this way, a folding evaluation value related to the evaluation results of the folding quality of the folding processing for the target sheet is estimated in advance, making it possible to appropriately adjust the details of the folding processing for the sheet in accordance with the folding evaluation value.

[0046] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a trained model created by machine learning or the like is used as an estimation program for the advance estimation of the folding evaluation value. Specifically, the trained model is trained using a plurality of pieces of training data including sheet information of the learning sheet, folding process information for the learning sheet, and the folding evaluation value after folding the learning sheet.

[0047] In the stage of creating the trained model of this embodiment (the learning phase), folding processes are performed in advance using various training sheets with various folding process details, and the quality of each sheet's folding is evaluated to obtain a folding evaluation value. Then, machine learning or the like is performed using a training dataset that collects multiple (large) sets of training data including each sheet's information, folding process information, and folding evaluation values, to obtain a trained model. The trained model obtained in this way is an estimation program that, when folding a sheet (the inference phase), takes sheet information about the sheet and folding process information about the folding process details as input data and outputs the folding evaluation value after the folding process that is to be estimated.

[0048] According to the trained model of this embodiment, when actually folding a target sheet (inference phase), even if the type of sheet or the details of the folding process do not match the sheet information and folding process information used as training data, it is possible to accurately estimate a folding evaluation value indicating the folding quality after the folding process. Therefore, even if the conditions for selecting the appropriate folding process (sheet type, folding process, etc.) vary depending on the user's usage situation, it is possible to grasp in advance the folding quality (folding evaluation value) after the folding process under each user's usage situation and appropriately adjust the folding process. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately select the details of the sheet folding process under each user's usage situation and perform the appropriate folding process.

[0049] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the learning phase of the trained model 500 executed by the CPU 410 of the control circuit 400 in the folding processing device 100. The trained model 500 of this embodiment can be created by supervised learning (machine learning) using, for example, an external PC 502 or a cloud service that can generate the trained model 500. The created trained model 500 is a type of computational algorithm, and is modularized and implemented as part of a control program (estimation program) executed by the CPU 410.

[0050] One example of supervised learning is to use various types of learning sheets (sizes, thicknesses, paper types, etc.) to identify the minimum number of additional folds required to achieve a target folding height (folding evaluation value) for various folding process details (folding type, number of overlapping folds, etc.).This allows for the creation of a dataset of teacher data in which the folding heights (folding evaluation values) obtained when folding processes are performed using various types of learning sheets (sizes, thicknesses, paper types, etc.) with various folding process details (folding type, number of overlapping folds, minimum number of additional folds, etc.) are used as correct answer data.

[0051] Although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which the trained model 500 is created by machine learning using supervised learning, other machine learning methods such as unsupervised learning or reinforcement learning may be employed to create the trained model 500. Furthermore, although the present embodiment uses the value of the folding height after the folding process as the folding evaluation value, other folding evaluation values ​​that can evaluate the results of the folding process may also be used.

[0052] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of training data used as training data for the trained model 500. 11, the sheet information used includes data such as the size (paper size), thickness (paper thickness), and paper type (paper type) of sheets that can be folded by the folding processing device 100. This sheet information is an example of sheet information that can be set by a general image forming device 200. Note that other sheet characteristics that affect the fold height (fold evaluation value), such as hardness, glossiness, and smoothness, may also be used as sheet information.

[0053] The sheet information can be data obtained by sensing the sheet using a sensor in the image forming system (folding device 100 or image forming device 200). For example, thickness (paper thickness) as sheet information can be measured using a known thickness detection means (see, for example, JP 2010-070374 A). In addition, for example, a means for identifying paper brand as disclosed in JP 2015-021766 A can be used to obtain data such as glossiness and smoothness obtained from the identified paper brand as sheet information.

[0054] 11, the folding process information uses data such as the types of folds that can be performed by the folding device 100, the number of overlapping folds, and the number of additional folds. This folding process information is an example of the folding process content that can be set by the folding device 100 of this embodiment. Note that other folding process content that affects the fold height (fold evaluation value), such as data on the pressure and pressure time during folding and additional folding, and information on the relative position of the additional folding mechanism and the fold, may also be used as sheet information.

[0055] Furthermore, the training data (training data) in the training phase of trained model 500 needs to include not only sheet information and folding process information, but also output data (correct answer data) to be received in the inference phase. In this embodiment, since the folding height (folding evaluation value) is used as output data in the inference phase, the actual measurement data of the folding height after folding under the conditions of each sheet information and folding process information is added to the training data as correct answer data and analyzed by machine learning.

[0056] When the CPU 410 executes the trained model 500 (inference phase), the control circuit 400 of the folding processing device 100 acquires sheet information and folding processing information for the processing target sheet (the sheet that will be folded by the folding processing device 100). For example, the sheet information and folding processing information are input by the user via the display unit 201 and operation unit 202 provided in the image forming device 200, and the control circuit 400 of the folding processing device 100 acquires the information through communication from the control circuit 206 of the image forming device 200. Note that the display unit 201 and operation unit 202 may be provided in the folding processing device 100.

[0057] Furthermore, when using sheet information from the above-described thickness detection means or paper brand discrimination means, these means can be provided in the image forming apparatus 200. In this case, the sheet information obtained by detection (sensing) by the thickness detection means or paper brand discrimination means can be acquired by the control circuit 400 of the folding device 100 through communication from the control circuit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200. Of course, these means may be provided in the folding device 100.

[0058] Furthermore, the teacher data (learning data) in the learning phase of trained model 500 may include driving status information indicating the driving status of the folding processing means during the folding process. As this driving status information, for example, the driving current value of folding motor 412 read by current reading controller 413 can be used as driving status information for folding motor 412 that drives first folding roller pair 17a and second folding roller pair 17b. In this case, when training model 500 is executed in folding processing device 100 (inference phase), the driving current value of folding motor 412 read by current reading controller 413 is also used as input data for the trained model.

[0059] 12(a) to 12(c) are explanatory diagrams showing the state of the sheet when Z-folded and the change over time in the drive current value (current waveform) of the folding motor 412. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the two folding roller pairs 17a and 17b are driven by one folding motor 412.

[0060] FIG. 12(a) shows the first folding of the sheet in a Z-fold. When the bent portion of the sheet to be folded in the first direction is sandwiched between the roller pairs consisting of one roller 17a1 and one roller 17b1 of the first folding roller pair 17a and the second folding roller pair 17b, the load on the folding motor 412 increases, and the drive current value read by the current reading controller 413 increases. Next, FIG. 12(b) shows the second folding of the sheet in a Z-fold. When the bent portion of the sheet to be folded in the second direction is sandwiched between the roller pairs consisting of one roller 17a1 and one roller 17b1 of the second folding roller pair 17b, the load on the folding motor 412 further increases, and the drive current value read by the current reading controller 413 further increases. FIG. 12(c) shows the state in which the Z-fold is completed and the sheet has passed through the second folding roller pair 17b. In this state, the load on the folding motor 412 decreases, and the drive current value read by the current reading controller 413 decreases.

[0061] The increase in the drive current value of folding motor 412 during folding correlates with the paper thickness, which affects the outcome of the folding process, and tends to increase as the paper thickness increases. Furthermore, the increase in the drive current value correlates with the number of sheets folded in overlapping, which affects the outcome of the folding process, and tends to increase as the number of sheets folded in overlapping increases. Therefore, the drive current value of folding motor 412 can be an important factor in selecting the appropriate folding process.

[0062] In particular, there are cases where the information on the paper thickness alone is not enough to accurately distinguish between individual differences in sheets or the range of variation in paper thickness. For example, if the paper thickness is 60 g / m 2 paper and 81g / m 2 All of the paper is "plain paper (60-81 g / m 2Although the same paper thickness information, "(fold height)", is given, there are significant differences in the actual paper thickness, which results in differences in the folding process results (fold height). On the other hand, these differences in actual paper thickness appear as differences in the drive current value of folding motor 412. Therefore, using the drive current value of folding motor 412 as part of training data 501 is useful in improving the estimation accuracy of the folding evaluation value by trained model 500.

[0063] Furthermore, even if the input paper thickness information is incorrect, the influence of the error can be reduced by using the drive current value of the folding motor 412 as part of the training data 501, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimation of the folding evaluation value by the trained model 500.

[0064] Furthermore, variations or deterioration of pressure means, such as springs, for forming nips in folding roller pairs 17a, 17b, etc., may cause changes in the pressure applied to folding roller pairs 17a, 17b, etc. Even in such cases, by using the drive current value of folding motor 412 as part of training data 501, it is possible to create trained model 500 that can estimate the folding height (folding evaluation value) according to the change. Therefore, the accuracy of estimation of the folding evaluation value by trained model 500 can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, because the timing at which a sheet is nipped by folding roller pairs 17a, 17b, etc. differs depending on the folding type, the change over time in the drive current value of folding motor 412 also differs depending on the folding type. Therefore, by using the drive current value of folding motor 412 as part of training data 501, it is possible to create trained model 500 that can estimate the fold height (folding evaluation value) by supplementing the information on the folding type. This improves the accuracy of estimating the fold evaluation value using trained model 500.

[0066] Furthermore, the drive current value of folding motor 412 changes depending on the number of overlapping folded sheets. Therefore, by using the drive current value of folding motor 412 as part of training data 501, it is possible to create trained model 500 that can estimate the folding height (folding evaluation value) by supplementing the information on the number of overlapping folded sheets. Therefore, the estimation accuracy of the folding evaluation value by trained model 500 can be improved.

[0067] Furthermore, environmental information including at least one of temperature and humidity may be included in the training data (training data) in the training phase of the trained model 500. In this case, when the trained model 500 is executed in the folding processing device 100 (inference phase), environmental information detected by an environmental information detection means such as a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor is also used as input data for the trained model.

[0068] FIG. 13 is an example of a graph showing the influence of differences in environmental information, such as temperature and humidity, on the folding height of the additional folding stop position. In this example, evaluation was performed in three environments: a high temperature / high humidity environment, a normal temperature / normal humidity environment, and a low temperature / low humidity environment. The additional folding stop position is the stop position of the sheet relative to the additional folding roller 20, and is the distance in the sheet conveyance direction between the contact position between the pressing force transmission part 32 of the additional folding roller 20 and the sheet support plate 60 and the position where the fold of the sheet stops.

[0069] As shown in Figure 13, differences in the environment (temperature and humidity) can result in a difference of 1 mm or more in the folding height (folding evaluation value) even at the same additional folding stop position. Therefore, environmental information can be an important condition for appropriately selecting the folding process content. Therefore, using environmental information as part of the training data 501 is useful for improving the estimation accuracy of the folding evaluation value by the trained model 500.

[0070] 13, it can be seen that different additional folding stop positions affect the folding height (folding evaluation value) even in the same environment (temperature and humidity). Therefore, the additional folding stop position can also be an important condition for selecting an appropriate folding process. Therefore, using the additional folding stop position as part of the training data 501 is useful for improving the estimation accuracy of the folding evaluation value by the trained model 500.

[0071] Next, the inference phase using the trained model 500 in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when the folding processing device 100 receives a sheet 50 from the image forming device 200 and performs folding processing, the learned model 500 generated by machine learning in the learning phase described above is executed by the control circuit 400, and the folding height (folding evaluation value) after the folding processing is estimated (predicted). Specifically, when sheet information and folding processing information about the sheet 50 are input and set via the operation unit 202 of the image forming device 200, the setting data (sheet information and folding processing information) is provided to the learned model 500 as input data. As a result, the learned model 500 outputs, as output data, a predicted value of the folding height (folding evaluation value) when the sheet 50 is folded by the folding processing device 100.

[0072] The control circuit 400 executes a control program for the folding device 100 and performs processing to determine, for example, whether the predicted value of the folding height output from the trained model 500 is within a target folding height range (for example, the range of product specification values).The control circuit 400 also performs processing to determine, for example, whether a malfunction such as early fullness will occur when sheets 50 to be folded at the predicted folding height are stacked on the stacking tray 303.

[0073] If the control circuit 400 determines, based on the predicted value of the folding height, that the folding height cannot be sufficiently reduced, resulting in a problem such as the folding height falling outside the target folding height range or premature filling, it determines the control content for reducing the folding height. For example, the control circuit 400 changes the control content by increasing the number of additional folds, increasing the pressure applied during additional folding, or increasing the pressure application time during additional folding, compared to the current setting (folding process content).

[0074] On the other hand, if the control circuit 400 determines based on the predicted value of the folding height that the folding height is sufficiently suppressed and that excessive additional folding is being performed, it determines control content that prioritizes productivity and energy saving. For example, the control circuit 400 changes the control content by subtracting the number of additional folds from the current setting (folding process content), reducing the pressure applied during additional folding, or shortening the pressure application time during additional folding.

[0075] Here, the control content of the folding process when additionally folding by additional folding roller 20 is changed (determined) based on the predicted value of the folding height output by trained model 500, but the control content of the folding process when folding a sheet by folding roller pair 17a, 17b, etc. may also be changed (determined). For example, the folding height may be adjusted by changing the pressure force and pressure time (sheet conveying speed) when folding a sheet.

[0076] In the present embodiment, when the trained model 500 based on machine learning is used to estimate (predict) the fold height (fold evaluation value) after folding, it is possible to estimate (predict) the fold height (fold evaluation value) after folding even for a folding process involving a combination of sheet information and folding process information that is not included (expected) in the combinations of the learning data used in the learning phase of the trained model 500. For example, because coated paper is generally medium-weight or thicker due to its structure in which a paint coating is applied to the surface, a user may obtain thin coated paper (not used as a learning sheet) and use it in the folding device 100. Even in such a user's usage situation, the trained model 500 can estimate (predict) the fold height when thin coated paper is folded. Therefore, even in a user's usage situation in which an unexpected sheet, such as thin coated paper, is folded, it is possible to appropriately adjust the folding process content (such as the number of additional folds) for the sheet based on the fold height predicted by the trained model 500.

[0077] [Variation 1] Next, a modified example of the folding device 100 in the image forming system of this embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example will be referred to as "Modified Example 1") will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the sheet information of the learning sheet used in the learning phase and the sheet information of the processing target sheet 50 used in the inference phase were sheet information input by the user. In this first modification, an example will be described in which sheet information obtained from the detection results of the sheet information detection means is used for at least a part of the sheet information. Furthermore, in this first modification, environmental information including at least one of temperature and humidity detected by the environmental information detection means is also used.

[0078] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a folding device 100 in the first modified example. The folding processing device 100 of this variant example 1 is equipped with a gloss sensor 414 as a sheet information detection means capable of detecting the glossiness (sheet information) of a sheet, and a temperature sensor 415 as an environmental information detection means for detecting the temperature of the environment in which the folding processing device 100 is installed.

[0079] The gloss sensor 414 is a sensor that irradiates the surface of the sheet 50 with light and detects the intensity of the reflected light, and it can be determined that the glossiness is higher as the reflected light is stronger. When using the gloss sensor 414, more accurate data can be obtained when the sheet 50 is stationary. Therefore, in this first modified example, the gloss sensor 414 is disposed upstream of the pair of registration rollers 15 in the folding device 100 in the conveying direction. Then, when the folding device 100 stops the sheet 50 by abutting the leading edge of the sheet 50 against the pair of registration rollers 15 to perform skew correction, the gloss sensor 414 acquires the glossiness of the sheet 50. Note that instead of the gloss sensor 414, a sensor that can detect other sheet characteristics such as the hardness or smoothness of the sheet 50 may be disposed, or multiple types of sensors that can detect different sheet characteristics may be used in combination.

[0080] The temperature sensor 415 is a sensor that detects the ambient temperature. The inside of the folding processing device 100 is likely to become hotter than the temperature outside the device (external temperature) due to the influence of conveying the sheet 50 heated by the fixing unit 205 of the image forming device 200 and the influence of heat generated when the motors are driven. Therefore, when acquiring the temperature as environmental information, it is preferable to place the temperature sensor 415 in a position that is less susceptible to these influences. In this first modification, as shown in FIG. 14 , the temperature sensor 415 is placed near the most downstream side of the folding processing device 100 in the conveying direction (near the sheet discharge port of the folding processing device 100). Note that instead of the temperature sensor 415, a sensor that detects humidity as environmental information may be placed, or multiple types of sensors that can detect different environmental information (for example, temperature and humidity) may be used in combination.

[0081] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the control circuit 400 of the folding device 100 in the first modified example. In the control circuit 400 of the present modified example 1, the gloss sensor 414 and the temperature sensor 415 are electrically connected to the CPU 410 via a bus line 411. This allows the data acquired by these sensors 414, 415 to be used as sheet information and environmental information.

[0082] These sensors 414 and 415 may be disposed in the image forming apparatus 200. In this case, the data obtained by detection by these sensors 414 and 415 may be acquired by the control circuit 400 of the folding device 100 through communication from the control circuit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0083] [Variation 2] Next, another modification of the folding device 100 in the image forming system of this embodiment (hereinafter, this modification will be referred to as "Modification 2") will be described. For example, if the control circuit 400 determines to increase or decrease the number of additional folds in the folding process based on the predicted value of the folding height obtained by the trained model 500, the processing time for additional folding by the additional folding rollers 20 (sheet stop time) will increase or decrease, which will change the sheet interval (sheet interval time) between the sheet 50 and the next sheet.

[0084] In this second modification, the control circuit 400 adjusts the sheet interval (inter-sheet time) in the folding device 100 according to the control content of the folding process (such as the number of additional folds) determined from the post-folding folding height (folding evaluation value) output by the trained model 500. In this second modification, the control circuit 400 notifies the image forming device 200 of the sheet receiving interval of the folding device 100 according to the determined control content, and the image forming device 200 adjusts the inter-sheet time.

[0085] However, when using the drive current value of the folding motor 412 or the glossiness detected by the glossiness sensor 414, the predicted value of the fold height after the folding process cannot be obtained from the trained model 500 until the target sheet 50 is received by the folding device 100. Therefore, the control content of the folding process (such as the number of additional folds) determined by the control circuit 400 from the predicted value of the fold height obtained by the trained model 500 is determined at least after the folding device 100 receives the sheet 50. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the inter-sheet time taking such cases into consideration.

[0086] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of control relating to the adjustment of the inter-sheet time in the second modified example. The present modified example 2 is an example in which the drive current value of the folding motor 412 is used, and Z-folding is performed in the folding process.

[0087] When folding device 100 receives sheet 50, the sheet information and folding process information input by the user are already determined at that point, and control circuit 400 of folding device 100 can acquire this sheet information and folding process information (S1, S2). However, control circuit 400 cannot acquire the drive current value of folding motor 412 until the first folding process (S3) of performing first Z-fold 51a and the second folding process (S5) of performing second Z-fold 51b are performed. Therefore, in this second modification, the drive current value of folding motor 412 is acquired by control circuit 400 after each folding process (S4, S6).

[0088] When the control circuit 400 acquires the drive current value of the folding motor 412 (S6), all the information required to be input to the trained model 500 is obtained, and the predicted value of the folding height (H E Next, the control circuit 400 obtains the predicted value (H E ) to determine the additional folding control parameters, which are the control contents of the folding process.

[0089] Specifically, the control circuit 400 first determines whether or not it is necessary to change additional folding control parameters such as the number of additional folds, pressure, and pressure time during additional folding. In this case, the control circuit 400 determines whether or not it is necessary to change additional folding control parameters such as the number of additional folds, pressure, and pressure time during additional folding. S ) and relaxed standard value (H W ) is obtained (S8). Then, the predicted value of the folding height (H E ) and the standard folding height (H S ,H W ) and judges whether or not the additional folding control parameters need to be changed (S9).

[0090] In this judgment, if it is determined that no change is necessary based on the contents of the folding process (additional folding control parameters) contained in the folding process information acquired in processing step S2 (Yes in S9), the additional folding process is performed as is (S15) and the processing is completed.

[0091] On the other hand, if it is determined that the additional folding control parameters need to be changed (No in S9), first, the paper interval time (T P ) is acquired (S10), and the required sheet interval (T N ) is calculated (S11). Then, the time between the sheets (T P ) is the required paper interval time (T N ) or more (Yes in S12), it is determined that there is no need to add an interval between sheets. As a result, the additional folding control parameters are changed to the new parameters (S13), and additional folding processing is performed with the new control parameters (S15). At this time, if the number of additional folds is reduced, the necessary interval between sheets (T N ) may be shortened, the control circuit 400 adjusts the required paper interval time (T N ) is notified to the control circuit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200 (S14).

[0092] Time between sheets (T P ) is the required paper interval time (T N ) (No in S12), it is necessary to add the paper interval time. In this case, the required paper interval time (T N) to the image forming apparatus 200 (S14), and performs additional folding without changing the additional folding control parameters (S15).

[0093] The image forming apparatus 200 determines the required paper interval (T N ), the timing of feeding sheets from the sheet feeding unit 203 where sheets to be printed are stacked is adjusted, and the sheet interval time of the sheets to be discharged to the folding device 100 (sheets to be received by the folding device 100) is adjusted. The interval between sheets that have already been fed cannot be changed, but the interval between sheets to be newly fed is adjusted according to the required sheet interval time (T N Therefore, when the folding device 100 receives the sheets for which the sheet gap has been adjusted, the folding device 100 changes the additional folding control parameters to the new parameters and performs the additional folding process using the new control parameters.

[0094] The required inter-sheet time can be determined by taking into account the processing time that increases or decreases depending on the changed additional folding control parameter relative to the initial setting value of the additional folding control parameter. For example, if the number of additional folds as an additional folding control parameter is increased, the time required for the additional folding roller to make one rotation can be added, and if the number of additional folds is decreased, the time required for one rotation can be subtracted.

[0095] FIG. 17 shows the reference value of the folding height (H S ,H W ) is a table showing an example. For example, the predicted folding height (H E ) is 10.0 mm, the reinforcement standard value (H S ), it is determined that the additional folding control parameters need to be changed in order to reduce the additional folding height. In this case, the folding height can be reduced by, for example, increasing the number of additional folds (the number of times the additional folding roller 20 is driven) to strengthen the fold.

[0096] For example, the predicted folding height (H E ) was 8.0 mm, the relaxed standard value (H W ), it is determined that the additional folding control parameters need to be changed in order to prioritize the productivity of the folding device 100. In this case, productivity can be improved by, for example, reducing the number of additional folds.

[0097] Standard folding height (H S ,H W ) may be settable through the operation unit 202 to improve user friendliness. For example, a user who wants to increase the number of sheets to be loaded on the stacking tray 303 may increase the reinforcement reference value (H S ) and relaxed standard value (H W ) to a smaller value. As a specific example, the user may select an option such as "load number priority mode" from the options on the operation unit 202.

[0098] Also, for example, a user who wants to prioritize the productivity of the folding device 100 by shortening the time required for the folding process of the sheet may set the reinforcement reference value (H S ) and relaxed standard value (H W ) may be changed to a larger value. As a specific example, the user may select an option such as "productivity priority mode" from the options on the operation unit 202.

[0099] If the power consumption changes as a result of changing the additional folding control parameters, an option such as "energy saving priority mode" may be provided.

[0100] [Variation 3] Next, still another modification of the folding device 100 in the image forming system of this embodiment (hereinafter, this modification will be referred to as "Modification 3") will be described. In this third modification, similar to the second modification described above, the control circuit 400 adjusts the sheet interval (inter-sheet time) in the folding device 100 in accordance with the control content of the folding process (such as the number of additional folds) determined from the post-folding folding height (folding evaluation value) output by the trained model 500. However, in this third modification, the inter-sheet time is adjusted by operations within the folding device 100.

[0101] 18(a) to 18(c) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of adjusting the sheet interval time in the third modified example. 18(a) to 18(c) is a configuration in which a fourth branch claw 23 for branching a received sheet to a third path 43 is added to the second path 42 downstream in the conveying direction of the first branch claw 11 in comparison with the folding device 100 of the above-described embodiment. In addition, a seventh conveying roller 24 for conveying paper is also added to the third path 43 downstream in the conveying direction of the fourth branch claw 23.

[0102] FIG. 18(a) shows a state in which a second sheet is received while a first sheet is being additionally folded. For example, if the number of additional folds performed on the first sheet is increased based on the predicted fold height from the trained model 500, the time the first sheet is stopped at the additional folding roller 20 increases. In this case, the time between the first and second sheets is insufficient. To make up for the insufficient time between sheets, the second sheet is temporarily stopped at a position before the start of sheet folding, as shown in FIG. 18(a). Here, the leading edge of the second sheet is abutted against the pair of registration rollers 15, and the sheet gap is adjusted. At this time, skew correction may be performed simultaneously while adjusting the sheet gap by abutting the leading edge of the sheet against the pair of registration rollers 15.

[0103] After that, once the inter-sheet time between the first and second sheets has been secured, sheet folding of the second sheet begins, as shown in Fig. 18(b). After sheet folding of the second sheet begins, the folding device 100 accepts the third sheet. At this time, since the second conveying roller pair 12 may be driven to fold the second sheet, the third sheet is retracted to the third path 43 by the fourth branch claw 23.

[0104] Then, after the sheet folding of the second sheet is completed and the pair of registration rollers 15 stops, the third sheet is brought into contact with the pair of registration rollers 15, and the time between the second and third sheets is adjusted. At this time, skew correction may be performed simultaneously while adjusting the sheet interval.

[0105] If the subsequent sheet also requires a paper interval adjustment, the fourth branch claw 23 is used to alternately use the second path 42 and the third path 43 to adjust the paper interval time with the preceding sheet.

[0106] It is also possible to combine the sheet gap adjustment by the image forming device 200 described in the above-described modified example 2 with the sheet gap adjustment by the folding device 100 described in the present modified example 3. For example, the sheet gap adjustment by the folding device 100 may be performed until the sheet gap is secured by the image forming device 200.

[0107] Next, another example of the additional folding method will be described. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a press type configuration, which is another example of an additional folding type configuration. In this press system configuration, the press area in the conveyance direction can be changed by operating the upper press plate 219 and the lower press plate 220, and the press time, press pressure, etc. In the press system, the fold height (fold evaluation value) can be adjusted by changing control parameters such as the press area, press time, and press pressure according to the size, paper thickness, and number of overlapping folds of the sheet 50.

[0108] The press method requires a large pressing force to be applied to the entire sheet, which places a heavy load on the drive and makes it difficult to save energy. Therefore, when using the press method as an additional folding method, it is preferable to provide an option such as an "energy saving priority mode."

[0109] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration of a roller pressure system, which is yet another configuration example of the additional folding system. The roller pressure method performs additional folding by moving the additional fold roller 20' in a direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction. Because this method sequentially presses only the fold line of the sheet along the fold line, it is more energy efficient than the press method. Productivity is lower because the additional fold roller 20' must be moved along the fold line. However, like the press method, the fold height (fold evaluation value) can be adjusted by changing control parameters such as pressure force depending on the size, thickness, and number of overlapping folds of the sheet 50.

[0110] FIG. 21 is a table showing types of additional folding methods and additional folding control parameters that can be adjusted for each method. The additional folding control parameters that can be adjusted according to the predicted value of the folding height (folding evaluation value) from the trained model 500 differ depending on the type of additional folding method, as shown in FIG.

[0111] In the additional folding roller method using the additional folding roller 20 used in the above-described embodiment, for example, the number of rotations (number of additional folds) of the additional folding roller 20 that is rotated when strengthening the fold and the roller drive speed of the additional folding roller 20 are adjustable additional folding control parameters that affect the fold height. In the additional folding roller method, for example, the more the number of additional folds is increased, the stronger the fold can be and the lower the fold height can be. However, the sheet stop time increases accordingly, which reduces the productivity of the folding process.

[0112] In the case of the press method shown in Figure 19, the press area, pressure applied during pressing, and pressure time are adjustable additional folding control parameters that affect the fold height. In the press method, if you want to strengthen the crease, you can increase the pressure or lengthen the pressure time. Furthermore, when a large number of sheets are folded, the width of the crease increases proportionally to the number of sheets, so increasing the press area makes it easier to strengthen the crease. On the other hand, increasing the pressure increases the load on the motor, which increases power consumption and reduces energy efficiency. Longer press time also increases power consumption and reduces energy efficiency, and the sheet downtime increases, reducing productivity in the folding process. Furthermore, increasing the press area distributes the pressure applied during pressing, requiring additional pressure, which reduces energy efficiency and folding productivity.

[0113] With the roller pressure method shown in Figure 20, the pressure of the roller used to strengthen the fold and the roller movement speed at which that roller moves are adjustable additional folding control parameters that affect the fold height. To strengthen the fold with the roller pressure method, you can increase the roller pressure or slow down the roller movement speed to extend the pressure application time. However, just like with the press method, increasing the pressure increases power consumption and reduces energy efficiency, while slowing down the roller movement speed reduces folding productivity.

[0114] In the above description, the trained model 500 is implemented in the control circuit 400 of the folding processing device 100, and is an estimation program (part of the control program) written to the control circuit 400 of the folding processing device 100. Because the trained model 500 is a computer program, it may be stored in a device other than the folding processing device 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 22 , the trained model 500 may be implemented in the control circuit 206 of the image forming device 200 with which the folding processing device 100 can communicate. In this case, the image forming device 200 has a function of setting sheet information and folding processing information, and therefore, the folding height (folding evaluation value) can be estimated within the image forming device 200 based on this information.

[0115] Furthermore, the trained model 500 may be stored, for example, on a cloud system 600 with which the image forming apparatus 200 communicates via a network. In this case, sheet information and folding process information for estimating the folding height (folding evaluation value) are transmitted to the cloud system 600, and the result estimated by the trained model on the cloud system 600 is received by the image forming apparatus 200, thereby enabling control of the folding process according to the folding height estimated by the trained model.

[0116] Alternatively, the trained model 500 may be stored on the cloud system 600, and the trained model 500 may be downloaded and used from the cloud system 600 when the image forming apparatus 200 is turned on. This method eliminates the need for communication between the image forming apparatus 200 and the cloud system 600 during printing, making it possible to shorten the time from when the user issues a print instruction to when printing begins.

[0117] The above description is merely an example, and each of the following aspects provides unique effects. [First aspect] The first aspect is a folding processing device 100 including a folding processing means including a sheet folding unit (e.g., first folding roller pair 17a, second folding roller pair 17b, etc.) that folds a processing target sheet 50, and an additional folding unit (e.g., additional folding roller 20) that additionally folds the fold formed in the processing target sheet by the sheet folding unit, and a control means (e.g., control circuit 400) that controls the folding processing of the folding processing means, and information acquisition means (e.g., communication interface 409, etc.) that acquires sheet information of a processing target sheet to be folded by the folding processing means and folding processing information indicating the content of the folding processing before the folding processing is completed, and sheet information of a learning sheet, folding processing information for the learning sheet, and The system is characterized by having an estimation means (e.g., control circuit 400) that estimates the folding evaluation value after the folding process for the sheet to be processed based on the sheet information and folding process information acquired by the information acquisition means by having a computer (e.g., CPU 410) execute a trained model 500 that has been trained using multiple learning data (e.g., teacher data) including folding process information indicating the content of the process and a folding evaluation value (e.g., folding height) after the folding process for the learning sheet, and a determination means (e.g., control circuit 400) that determines the control content of the control means in the folding process for the sheet to be processed based on the folding evaluation value estimated by the estimation means. To improve the folding quality of sheets using a folding processing device, it is necessary to appropriately select and execute the folding process (e.g., pressure and time in the sheet folding section or additional folding section, fold type in the sheet folding section, and number of additional folds in the additional folding section) in accordance with various conditions. For example, differences in sheet type, such as size, thickness, hardness, glossiness, and smoothness, affect the results of the folding process (e.g., folding quality), and are therefore important conditions for appropriately selecting the folding process. In addition, differences in the folding process, such as the fold type, number of overlapping folds, number of additional folds, and additional fold stop position, also affect the results of the folding process, and are therefore important conditions for appropriately selecting the folding process. Generally, the conditions for selecting the appropriate folding process vary widely depending on the user's usage situation, resulting in a vast number of possible combinations. Furthermore, there are users who use special types of sheets that are not widely available on the market, users who use special fold types, and users who have specific target fold height settings. Therefore, it is practically difficult to determine the appropriate folding process by conducting advance testing for every possible combination. Therefore, in the past, it was difficult to appropriately select and execute each folding process under each user's various usage situations. Inappropriate selection of folding processes can result in, for example, insufficient additional folding, resulting in an insufficient fold height and thus insufficient folding quality. Furthermore, excessive additional folding can result in reduced productivity and wasteful power consumption. In this aspect, sheet information of a target sheet to be folded and folding process information indicating the details of the folding process are obtained before the folding process is completed, and a folding evaluation value after the folding process for the target sheet is estimated in advance based on this information. Then, control details for the control means for the folding process for the target sheet are determined based on the previously estimated folding evaluation value, and the folding process means for the target sheet are controlled based on the determined control details. According to this aspect, a folding evaluation value related to the evaluation result of the folding quality of the folding process for the target sheet is estimated in advance, making it possible to appropriately adjust the details of the folding process for the target sheet in accordance with the folding evaluation value. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pre-estimation of the folding evaluation value uses a trained model trained using multiple training data sets including sheet information for the learning sheets, folding process information for the learning sheets, and folding evaluation values ​​after folding the learning sheets. To obtain this trained model, folding processes are performed in advance using various learning sheets with various folding process details, and the folding quality of each sheet is evaluated to obtain a folding evaluation value. The trained model is then obtained by performing machine learning or other methods using a training dataset including multiple training data sets including the respective sheet information, folding process information, and folding evaluation values. The trained model thus obtained can accurately estimate a folding evaluation value indicating the folding quality after a folding process, even if the sheet type or folding process details do not match the sheet information and folding process information used as the training data when actually folding target sheets. Therefore, even if the conditions for appropriately selecting folding process details (e.g., sheet type, folding process details) vary depending on the user's usage situation, it is possible to predict the folding quality after folding under each user's usage situation and appropriately adjust the folding process details. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately select the contents of the sheet folding process depending on the usage situation of each user, and to perform the appropriate folding process.

[0118] [Second mode] The second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the information acquisition means also acquires driving status information (e.g., the driving current value of the folding motor 412) indicating the driving status of the folding processing means during the folding processing before the folding processing is completed, the trained model is trained using a plurality of training data including the driving status information of the folding processing means during the folding processing of the learning sheet, and the estimation means estimates the folding evaluation value based on the driving status information acquired by the information acquisition means by having a computer execute the trained model. According to this aspect, it is possible to estimate the folding evaluation value with higher accuracy by using a trained model trained using training data that also includes driving status information of the folding processing means.

[0119] [Third aspect] A third aspect is characterized in that in the first or second aspect, the folding process information is at least one of information on the folding type, the number of overlapping folds, the number of additional folds, and the additional folding stop position. According to this aspect, it is possible to estimate the folding evaluation value with high accuracy using a trained model trained using learning data that includes information on the folding type, number of overlapping folds, number of additional folds, and additional folding stop position, which affect the results of the folding process (such as folding quality).

[0120] [Fourth aspect] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a folding processing device 100 including a folding processing unit including a sheet folding unit (e.g., first folding roller pair 17a, second folding roller pair 17b, etc.) that folds a processing target sheet 50 and an additional folding unit (e.g., additional folding roller 20) that additionally folds the fold formed in the processing target sheet by the sheet folding unit, and a control unit (e.g., control circuit 400) that controls the folding processing of the folding processing unit, and information acquisition unit (e.g., communication interface 409, current reading controller 413, etc.) that acquires, before the folding processing is completed, sheet information of the processing target sheet to be folded by the folding processing unit and drive status information (e.g., drive current value of folding motor 412) that indicates the drive status of the folding processing unit during the folding processing. The apparatus is characterized by having an estimation means (e.g., control circuit 400) that estimates the folding evaluation value after the folding process for the sheet to be processed based on the sheet information and driving status information acquired by the information acquisition means by having a computer (e.g., CPU 410) execute a trained model 500 that has been trained using a plurality of learning data including sheet information of a learning sheet, driving status information of the folding processing means while the folding process is being performed on the learning sheet, and a folding evaluation value (e.g., folding height) after the folding process for the learning sheet, and a determination means (e.g., control circuit 400) that determines the control content of the control means in the folding process for the sheet to be processed based on the folding evaluation value estimated by the estimation means. In this aspect, sheet information of the target sheet to be folded and drive status information indicating the drive status of the folding means during the folding process are obtained before the folding process is completed, and a fold evaluation value after the folding process for the target sheet is estimated in advance based on this information. Then, based on the fold evaluation value estimated in advance, control details of the control means for the folding process for the target sheet are determined, and the folding means for the target sheet are controlled according to the determined control details. In this aspect, too, a fold evaluation value related to the evaluation result of the folding quality of the folding process for the target sheet is estimated in advance, making it possible to appropriately adjust the fold processing details for the target sheet in accordance with the fold evaluation value. Furthermore, in this aspect, the pre-estimation of the folding evaluation value uses a trained model trained using multiple training data sets, including sheet information for the learning sheets, operating status information for the folding means during folding of the learning sheets, and a folding evaluation value after folding of the learning sheets. To obtain this trained model, folding processes are performed in advance using various learning sheets with various folding processes to obtain operating status information for each folding means, and the folding quality of each sheet is evaluated to obtain a folding evaluation value. The trained model is then obtained by performing machine learning or the like using a training dataset containing multiple pieces of training data, including the sheet information, operating status information, and folding evaluation value. The trained model thus obtained makes it possible to accurately estimate a folding evaluation value indicating the folding quality after folding, even if the sheet type or operating status information does not match the sheet information and operating status information used as the training data when actually folding a target sheet. Therefore, even if the conditions for selecting the appropriate folding process (sheet type, drive status information, etc.) vary widely depending on the user's usage situation, it is possible to grasp in advance the folding quality after folding under each user's usage situation and appropriately adjust the folding process. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately select the sheet folding process under each user's usage situation and perform appropriate folding.

[0121] [Fifth mode] A fifth aspect is the method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that the folding evaluation value includes a folding height of the processing target sheet after the folding processing. The fold height of the sheet after folding is a direct index value for evaluating the results of the folding, and therefore it is possible to appropriately adjust the folding process.

[0122] [Sixth aspect] A sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to fifth aspects, the control content determined by the determination means is at least one of the sheet pressure, sheet pressure time, and number of additional folds of the additional folding section in the folding process. The sheet pressure applied by the additional folding section in the folding process, the sheet pressure application time, and the number of additional folds are control parameters that are effective in improving the results of the folding process, and therefore it is possible to appropriately improve the content of the folding process.

[0123] [Seventh aspect] The seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to sixth aspects, the image forming device 200 has a sheet receiving means (e.g., a first conveying roller pair 10) that receives an image-formed sheet on which an image has been formed as the sheet to be processed, and a notification means (e.g., a communication interface 409) that notifies the image forming device of the sheet receiving interval of the sheet receiving means in accordance with the control content determined by the determination means. According to this aspect, when adjustment of the sheet interval is necessary due to the control content determined by the determination means, the sheet acceptance interval according to the determined control content is notified to the image forming device by the notification means, thereby making it possible to adjust the sheet acceptance interval on the image forming device side.

[0124] [Eighth aspect] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to seventh aspects, it has a sheet receiving means (e.g., a first conveying roller pair 10) that receives the sheet to be processed, and a sheet spacing adjustment means (e.g., a control circuit 400) that adjusts the sheet spacing of the sheet to be processed received by the sheet receiving means in accordance with the control content determined by the determination means. According to this aspect, when the sheet interval needs to be adjusted due to the control content determined by the determining means, the sheet interval can be adjusted within the book folding device.

[0125] [Ninth aspect] A ninth aspect is characterized in that in any of the first to eighth aspects, the sheet information is sheet information input by a user. According to this, by configuring the sheet information to be input by the user, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the number of sensors for detecting the sheet information, thereby simplifying the configuration.

[0126] [Tenth aspect] A tenth aspect is characterized in that in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the sheet information is sheet information obtained from a detection result of a sheet information detection means. The sheet information detected by the sheet information detection means through sensing is more accurate than the sheet information obtained from the user's input, and it is possible to estimate the folding evaluation value with higher accuracy.

[0127] [Eleventh aspect] An eleventh aspect is the tenth aspect, wherein the sheet information detection means detects at least one piece of sheet information among the size, thickness, hardness, glossiness, and smoothness of the sheet. The trained model is trained using training data that includes information on the sheet size, thickness, hardness, glossiness, and smoothness, which affect the results of the folding process (such as folding quality), making it possible to estimate folding evaluation values ​​with high accuracy.

[0128] [12th aspect] A twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to eleventh aspects, the information acquisition means also acquires environmental information including at least one of temperature and humidity detected by an environmental information detection means (e.g., temperature sensor 415) before the folding process is completed, the trained model is trained using a plurality of training data including environmental information detected by the environmental information detection means during the folding process of the training sheet, and the estimation means estimates the folding evaluation value based also on the environmental information acquired by the information acquisition means by having a computer execute the trained model. A trained model trained using training data that includes environmental information that affects the results of the folding process (such as folding quality) makes it possible to estimate folding evaluation values ​​with high accuracy.

[0129] [13th aspect] A thirteenth aspect is a method for controlling the folding speed of a sheet conveyed from the sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the determining means determines the control content by setting a determining condition (for example, a reference value H S ,H W ) is characterized by having a determination condition changing means (for example, a control circuit 400). This allows the user to customize the control content to be determined in accordance with their needs.

[0130] [14th aspect] In a fourteenth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, the determination condition changed by the determination condition change means is a condition for changing a stacking height at which the sheets to be processed after the folding process are stacked (for example, a reinforcement reference value H S , Relaxed standard value H W ), the condition for changing the number of completed folding processes per unit time (for example, the reinforcement standard value H S , Relaxed standard value H W ), the condition for changing the amount of power consumption required for the folding process (for example, the reinforcement reference value H S , Relaxed standard value H W ) is characterized by including at least one of the conditions. This allows customization to meet user needs, such as prioritizing an increase in the number of sheets that can be loaded, productivity, or energy conservation.

[0131] [15th aspect] A fifteenth aspect is an image forming apparatus characterized by including the folding device of any one of the first to fourteenth aspects. According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a folding processing device that can appropriately select the folding process content of a sheet and perform an appropriate folding process under various usage conditions of each user.

[0132] [16th aspect] The 16th aspect is an image forming system 1 having an image forming device 200 and a folding processing device 100 that folds an image-formed sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming device as a processing target sheet, and is characterized in that the folding processing device is a folding processing device of any of the 1st to 14th aspects. According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming system equipped with a folding processing device that can appropriately select the folding process content of a sheet and perform an appropriate folding process under various usage conditions of each user.

[0133] [17th aspect] A seventeenth aspect is the sixteenth aspect, characterized in that at least one of the information acquisition means, the estimation means, and the determination means is disposed in the image forming apparatus. This makes it possible to realize the information acquisition unit, the estimation unit, and the determination unit by utilizing functions provided in the image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 1: Image forming system 10: First conveying roller pair 11: First branch claw 12: Second conveying roller pair 13: Pair of folding rollers 14: Second branch claw 15: Registration roller pair 16:Third branch claw 17a: First folding roller pair 17b: Second folding roller pair 18: Third conveying roller pair 19: Fourth conveying roller pair 20: Folding roller 21: Fifth conveying roller pair 22: Sixth conveying roller pair 23: Fourth branched claw 24: Seventh conveying roller 31: Roller rotation axis 32: Pressing force transmission section 33: Roller base 40: Transport route 41: First route 42: Alternative pathway 43: Third pathway 44: Fourth Pathway 45: Fifth Route 46: Sixth Route 46a: Folding position sensor 50: Sheets 51: Sheet stack 51a: First fold 51b: Second fold 60: Sheet support plate 61: Fixing member 62: Elastic body 100: Folding device 200: Image forming device 201:Display section 202:Operation unit 203:Paper feed section 204: Imaging section 205: Fixing section 206: Control circuit 300: Finisher 301: Post-processing section 302: Control circuit 303: Loading tray 400: Control circuit 401:ROM 402:RAM 403: Sensor controller 404: First motor controller 405: Second motor controller 406: Third motor controller 407: Transport motor 408: Folding motor 409: Communication Interface 410:CPU 411: Bus Line 412: Folding motor 413: Current reading controller 414: Gloss sensor 415: Temperature sensor 500: Model 501: Teacher data 502: External PC 600: Cloud system [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0135] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7047490

Claims

1. a folding processing means including a sheet folding unit that folds a sheet to be processed and an additional folding unit that additionally folds the fold formed in the sheet to be processed by the sheet folding unit; A folding processing device including a control unit that controls the folding processing of the folding processing unit, an information acquiring means for acquiring sheet information of a processing target sheet to be folded by the folding means and folding processing information indicating the content of the folding processing before the folding processing is completed; an estimation means for estimating a folding evaluation value after the folding process for the processing target sheet based on the sheet information and folding process information acquired by the information acquisition means by having a computer execute a trained model trained using a plurality of training data including sheet information of the learning sheet, folding process information indicating the content of the folding process for the learning sheet, and a folding evaluation value after the folding process for the learning sheet; a determining unit that determines a control content of the control unit in the folding process for the processing target sheet based on the folding evaluation value estimated by the estimating unit.

2. 2. The folding device according to claim 1, the information acquiring means also acquires drive status information indicating a drive status of the folding means during the folding process before the folding process is completed; the trained model is trained using a plurality of training data including driving state information of a folding processing means during the folding processing of the training sheet, The folding processing device, characterized in that the estimation means estimates the folding evaluation value based on the driving state information acquired by the information acquisition means by having a computer execute the learned model.

3. 3. The folding device according to claim 1, The folding processing device is characterized in that the folding processing information is at least one of information on a folding type, number of overlapping folds, number of additional folds, and additional folding stop position.

4. a folding processing means including a sheet folding unit that folds a sheet to be processed and an additional folding unit that additionally folds the fold formed in the sheet to be processed by the sheet folding unit; A folding processing device including a control unit that controls the folding processing of the folding processing unit, an information acquiring means for acquiring, before the completion of the folding process, sheet information of a processing target sheet to be folded by the folding process means and drive status information indicating a drive status of the folding process means during the folding process; an estimation means for estimating a folding evaluation value after folding of the target sheet based on the sheet information and driving status information acquired by the information acquisition means by having a computer execute a trained model trained using a plurality of training data including sheet information of the learning sheet, driving status information of the folding means during folding of the learning sheet, and a folding evaluation value after folding of the learning sheet; a determining unit that determines a control content of the control unit in the folding process for the processing target sheet based on the folding evaluation value estimated by the estimating unit.

5. 5. The folding device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, The folding device according to claim 1, wherein the folding evaluation value includes a folding height of the target sheet after the folding process.

6. 5. The folding device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, The folding processing device, wherein the control content determined by the determination means is at least one of a sheet pressure, a sheet pressure time, and a number of additional folds in the additional folding unit in the folding process.

7. 5. The folding device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, a sheet receiving unit for receiving an image-formed sheet on which an image has been formed by an image forming apparatus as the sheet to be processed; a notifying unit that notifies the image forming apparatus of a sheet receiving interval of the sheet receiving unit in accordance with the control content determined by the determining unit.

8. 5. The folding device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, a sheet receiving means for receiving the sheet to be processed; a sheet interval adjusting unit that adjusts the interval between sheets to be processed received by the sheet receiving unit in accordance with the control content determined by the determining unit.

9. 5. The folding device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, The folding device is characterized in that the sheet information is sheet information input by a user.

10. 5. The folding device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, The folding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet information is obtained from a detection result of a sheet information detection means.

11. The folding device according to claim 10, The folding device is characterized in that the sheet information detection means detects at least one of sheet information of size, thickness, hardness, glossiness, and smoothness of the sheet.

12. 5. The folding device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, the information acquiring means also acquires environmental information including at least one of temperature and humidity detected by an environmental information detecting means before the folding process is completed; the trained model is trained using a plurality of training data including environmental information detected by an environmental information detection means during a folding process on the training sheet, The folding processing device, characterized in that the estimation means estimates the folding evaluation value based on the environmental information acquired by the information acquisition means by causing a computer to execute the learned model.

13. 5. The folding device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, The folding processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination condition changing means for changing a determination condition used by the determination means to determine the control content.

14. 14. The folding device according to claim 13, A folding processing device characterized in that the determination conditions changed by the determination condition change means include at least one of a condition for changing the stacking height at which the sheets to be processed are stacked after the folding process, a condition for changing the number of folding processes completed per unit time, and a condition for changing the amount of power consumption required for the folding process.

15. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising the folding device according to claim 1.

16. an image forming apparatus; an image forming system including a folding processing device that folds an image-formed sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming device as a processing target sheet, 5. An image forming system comprising the folding device according to claim 1, 2 or 4 as the folding device.

17. 17. The image forming system according to claim 16, An image forming system, wherein at least one of the information acquisition means, the estimation means, and the determination means is disposed in the image forming apparatus.

Images