Manuscript processing device and manuscript processing system

Abstract

To make it easy to acquire combination data, with a high degree of flexibility, of manuscript processing information and a transfer defective generation probability and improve accuracy of estimation of a transfer defective generation rate.SOLUTION: A manuscript processing device having an autonomous paper conveyance mode of autonomously performing paper conveyance operation without an instruction from an image formation device includes: a manuscript tray; transfer means for transferring a manuscript from the manuscript tray; acquisition means for acquiring manuscript processing information on the manuscript; estimation means for taking the manuscript processing information acquired by the acquisition means as input to estimate a transfer defective generation rate in the case of executing reading processing for reading an image of the manuscript when the manuscript is being transferred by the transfer means; and determination means for determining a transfer control amount in the case of transferring the manuscript depending on an estimation value of the transfer defective generation rate. The estimation means estimates the estimation value on the basis of combination data of the manuscript processing information and the transfer defective generation rate in the case of operation using the autonomous paper conveyance mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a document processing device and a document processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In document processing devices such as an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) attached to an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a technique is known that uses a learning model based on machine learning to detect transport errors or change transport parameters to prevent transport errors from occurring.

[0003] For example, a technology is known in which the features of the operating sound collected by the sound collection unit are fed to a support vector machine, which is a type of supervised machine learning method, and the features are classified into one of three classes: normal transport, document deformation, and paper feed slippage (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In document processing devices, in order to reduce transport failures, the document feed speed, motor drive start timing, and abutment amount are determined according to document processing information (for example, various adjustment values ​​such as paper thickness, reading speed, whether or not registration stop control is enabled, single-sided / double-sided reading setting, productivity priority setting, or quiet setting). However, there are an enormous number of combinations of reading conditions, and combinations that are not sufficiently considered at the design stage may occur. As a result, in practice, transport failures may not be suppressed, or productivity may decrease due to excessive reductions in the document feed speed.

[0005] Although there are methods for controlling the amount of transport control when transporting a document using machine learning, such as the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, conventional technologies have had difficulty in acquiring training data. For example, in conventional technologies, when acquiring combined data of document processing information and the probability of occurrence of a transport error, the document processing information from the image forming device must be input via an operation panel or the like, which poses a problem that the work of acquiring the combined data is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0006] Furthermore, conventional technology has a low degree of freedom in document processing information, and there is a problem in that it is not possible to obtain combined data of document processing information and the probability of transport failure while freely changing the time between the leading edge of a document that is continuously passed through and the trailing edge of the next document.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and makes it possible to easily obtain combined data of document processing information and the probability of transport failure with a high degree of flexibility, while improving the accuracy of estimating the rate of transport failure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, an original processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an original processing device having an autonomous paper feed transport mode in which it operates to feed and transport paper autonomously without instructions from an image forming device, and includes an original tray, a transport means for transporting an original from the original tray, an acquisition means for acquiring original processing information for the original, an estimation means for estimating the rate of occurrence of transport failures when a reading process is executed to read an image of the original while the original is being transported by the transport means using the original processing information acquired by the acquisition means as input, and a determination means for determining a transport control amount when transporting the original according to the estimated value of the transport failure occurrence rate, and the estimation means estimates the estimated value based on combined data of the original processing information and the transport failure occurrence rate when operated using the autonomous paper feed transport mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain combination data of document processing information and the probability of occurrence of transport failure with a high degree of freedom, and to improve the accuracy of estimation of the rate of occurrence of transport failure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial configuration diagram illustrating a part of the internal configuration of an image forming unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view showing a part of a tandem unit made up of imaging units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a scanner and an ADF of a copying machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the main configuration of an ADF according to an embodiment together with the upper part of a scanner. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a document processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a document processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by an ADF according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of combination data of document processing information and a conveyance failure occurrence rate according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for obtaining combination data according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining generation of a learning model according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining estimation of the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a learning model generation process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by an ADF according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining optimal document processing information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram (1) showing another example of the functional configuration of the document processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 12 is a diagram (2) showing another example of the functional configuration of the document processing system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a copying machine) will be described below. First, the basic configuration of the copying machine according to the embodiment will be described.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a copying machine according to one embodiment. In the example of Fig. 1, the copying machine 100 includes an image forming unit 1 as an image forming device, a sheet supply device 40, and an image reading system 50. The image reading system 50 includes a scanner 150 as an image reading device fixed on the image forming unit 1, and an original processing device (hereinafter referred to as an ADF) 51 supported by the scanner 150.

[0013] The sheet supply device 40 has two paper feed cassettes 42 arranged in multiple stages in a paper bank 41, a feed roller 43 that feeds recording sheets from the paper feed cassette 42, a separation roller 45 that separates the fed recording sheets one by one, etc. It also has a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 46 that convey the recording sheets to the paper feed path 37 that serves as a conveyance path for the image forming unit 1.

[0014] The sheet cassette 42 contains a stack of recording sheets inside. The topmost sheet of the sheet stack is pressed against the feed roller 43. When the feed roller 43 rotates, the topmost sheet of the sheet stack is fed out of the sheet cassette 42.

[0015] Near the paper feed cassette 42, the first conveying roller of the conveying roller pair 46 and the second conveying roller disposed to the side of it (to the right in the drawing) come into contact with each other to form a conveying nip. In addition, a separation roller 45 is disposed below the first conveying roller and comes into contact with the first conveying roller from below to form a separation conveying nip.

[0016] The recording sheet sent out from the paper feed cassette 42 by the rotational drive of the delivery roller 43 enters a separation conveyance nip formed by the abutment between the first conveyance roller of the conveyance roller pair 46 and a separation roller 45 disposed below the first conveyance roller. In the separation conveyance nip, the first conveyance roller abutting the upper surface of the recording sheet rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, imparting a conveying force to the recording sheet from the paper feed cassette 42 side toward the feed path 44 side. In contrast, the separation roller 45 abutting the lower surface of the recording sheet rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, imparting a conveying force to the recording sheet from the feed path 44 side toward the paper feed cassette 42 side, attempting to return the recording sheet to the paper feed cassette 42.

[0017] When only one recording sheet is fed from paper feed cassette 42, the first conveying roller and separation roller 45 apply conveying forces in opposite directions to the recording sheet at the separation conveying nip. This causes a load exceeding a predetermined threshold to be applied to the drive transmission system of separation roller 45. This activates a torque limiter disposed in the drive transmission system, cutting off the transmission of drive force from the DC brushless motor to separation roller 45. As a result, separation roller 45 rotates along with the recording sheet being conveyed by the first conveying roller, and the recording sheet is discharged from the separation conveying nip toward feeding path 44.

[0018] On the other hand, when a plurality of recording sheets are fed out from the paper feed cassette 42 in a stacked state, the first conveyance roller imparts a conveying force to the topmost recording sheet in a direction from the paper feed cassette 42 side to the feed path 44 side at the separation conveyance nip. The topmost recording sheet is fed out from the separation conveyance nip towards the feed path 44 side. In response to this, the separation roller 45 imparts a conveying force to the lower recording sheet in a direction from the feed path 44 side to the paper feed cassette 42 side, causing the lower recording sheet to return from the separation conveyance nip towards the paper feed cassette 42 side. As a result, at the separation conveyance nip, the topmost recording sheet is separated from the other recording sheets and fed out to the feed path 44 as a single sheet.

[0019] The recording sheet that has entered the feeding path 44 enters the feeding nip of the pair of feeding rollers 46 and is given a feeding force from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction. As a result, the recording sheet is conveyed in the feeding path 44 toward the paper feeding path 37 of the image forming unit 1.

[0020] The image forming unit 1 includes an optical writing device 2 and four imaging units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C that form toner images of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan (K, Y, M, and C). It also includes a transfer unit 24, a paper transport unit 28, a pair of registration rollers 33, a fixing device 34, a switchback device 36, and a paper feed path 37. The optical writing device 2 drives a light source, such as a laser diode or an LED, disposed within the optical writing device 2 to irradiate laser light L onto the four drum-shaped photoconductors 4K, Y, M, and C. The irradiation of the laser light L forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductors 4K, Y, M, and C. This electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image through a predetermined development process.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a partial configuration diagram showing a part of the internal configuration of the image forming section according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 is a partial enlarged view showing a part of the tandem section according to one embodiment. Note that the four imaging units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C of the tandem section have almost the same configuration except for the toner colors they use, so the subscripts K, Y, M, and C attached to each reference number are omitted in Fig. 3.

[0022] The imaging units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C each have a photoconductor 4K, 4Y, 4M, or 4C, and various devices disposed therearound, supported on a common support as a single unit, and are detachable from the main body of the image forming section 1. Taking the black imaging unit 3K as an example, the imaging unit 3K has a charging device 5, a developing device 6, a drum cleaning device 15, and a static elimination lamp 22, etc., disposed around the photoconductor 4K. In this copier, the four imaging units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C are arranged facing each other along the endless movement direction of an intermediate transfer belt 25, which will be described later, in a so-called tandem configuration.

[0023] The photoreceptors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C are drum-shaped, each made of a tube such as aluminum, onto which a photosensitive layer is formed by applying an organic photosensitive material. However, endless belt-shaped ones may also be used.

[0024] The developing devices 6K, 6Y, 6M, and 6C are configured to develop latent images using a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner. Each of the developing devices has an agitation section 7 that agitates and transports the two-component developer contained therein and supplies it to the developing sleeve 12, and a developing section 11 that transfers the toner in the two-component developer carried on the developing sleeve 12 to the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C.

[0025] The stirring section 7 is located at a lower position than the developing section 11, and includes two transport screws 8 arranged parallel to each other, a partition plate provided between the transport screws 8, and a toner concentration sensor 10 provided on the bottom surface of the developing case 9.

[0026] The developing unit 11 includes a developing sleeve 12 that faces the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C through the opening of the developing case 9, a magnet roller 13 that is non-rotatably provided inside the developing sleeve 12, and a doctor blade 14 that brings its tip close to the developing sleeve 12. The developing sleeve 12 is a non-magnetic, rotatable cylinder.

[0027] The magnet roller 13 has a plurality of magnetic poles that are arranged in sequence from the position facing the doctor blade 14 toward the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 12. These magnetic poles each apply a magnetic force to the two-component developer on the developing sleeve 12 at a predetermined position in the rotation direction. This attracts and carries the two-component developer sent from the agitator 7 to the surface of the developing sleeve 12, and forms a magnetic brush on the surface of the developing sleeve 12 along the magnetic lines of force.

[0028] The magnetic brush is regulated to an appropriate layer thickness when it passes a position facing the doctor blade 14 as the developing sleeve 12 rotates, and is then transported to the developing area facing the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C. The toner is then transferred onto the electrostatic latent image by the potential difference between the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 12 and the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C, contributing to development.

[0029] Furthermore, as the developing sleeve 12 rotates, the two-component developer returns to the developing unit 11, and after being separated from the surface of the sleeve by the influence of the repulsive magnetic field formed between the magnetic poles of the magnet roller 13, it is returned to the agitating unit 7. In the agitating unit 7, an appropriate amount of toner is replenished to the two-component developer based on the detection result of the toner concentration sensor 10. Note that the developing device 6 may be one that uses a one-component developer that does not contain a magnetic carrier, instead of one that uses a two-component developer.

[0030] The drum cleaning devices 15K, 15Y, 15M, and 15C use a type in which a cleaning blade 16 made of an elastic material is pressed against the photoreceptor 4, but other types may also be used. In order to improve cleaning performance, this example uses a type in which a contact-conductive fur brush 17, whose outer circumferential surface is in contact with the photoreceptor 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C, is rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

[0031] The fur brush 17 also serves to scrape the solid lubricant from the drum cleaning device 15, grinding it into fine powder and applying it to the surfaces of the photoreceptors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C. A metal electric field roller 18, which applies a bias to the fur brush 17, is rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. The tip of a scraper 19 is pressed against the electric field roller 18. Toner adhering to the fur brush 17 is transferred to the electric field roller 18, which rotates in a counter-direction relative to the fur brush 17 and applies a bias. After being scraped off the electric field roller 18 by the scraper 19, the recovered toner falls onto the recovery screw 20. The recovery screw 20 transports the recovered toner toward the end of the drum cleaning device 15, perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and transfers it to an external recycling transport device. The recycling transport device then sends the transferred toner to the developing devices 6K, 6Y, 6M, and 6C for recycling.

[0032] The static elimination lamp 22 eliminates static electricity from the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C by irradiating them with light. The surfaces of the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C that have been neutralized are uniformly charged by the charging device 5, and then optical writing is performed by the optical writing device 2. The charging device 5 shown in FIG. 3 uses a charging roller to which a charging bias is applied that rotates while being in contact with the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C. The charging device 5 may also be a scorotron charger or the like that charges the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C without contact.

[0033] K, Y, M, and C toner images are formed on the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C of the imaging units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C by the process described above. A transfer unit 24 is disposed below the imaging units 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C. The transfer unit 24 moves an intermediate transfer belt 25, which is stretched by multiple rollers, endlessly in a clockwise direction in the drawing while contacting the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C. This forms primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C where the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C contact the endless intermediate transfer belt 25.

[0034] Near the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C, primary transfer rollers 26K, 26Y, 26M, and 26C arranged inside the belt loop press the intermediate transfer belt 25 against the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C. A primary transfer bias is applied to each of these primary transfer rollers 26K, 26Y, 26M, and 26C by a power source. As a result, a primary transfer electric field is formed in the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C that electrostatically moves the toner images on the photoconductors 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C toward the intermediate transfer belt 25.

[0035] As the intermediate transfer belt 25 moves endlessly clockwise in the drawing, it passes through the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C in sequence, and toner images are sequentially superimposed and primarily transferred at each primary transfer nip onto the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25. As a result of this superimposed primary transfer, a four-color superimposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25.

[0036] Below the transfer unit 24 in the figure, there is provided a paper transport unit 28 that loops an endless paper transport belt 29 between a drive roller 30 and a secondary transfer roller 31 and moves it endlessly. The intermediate transfer belt 25 and the paper transport belt 29 are sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 31 and a lower tension roller 27 of the transfer unit 24. This forms a secondary transfer nip where the front surfaces of the intermediate transfer belt 25 and the paper transport belt 29 come into contact with each other. A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 31 by a power source. Meanwhile, the lower tension roller 27 of the transfer unit 24 is grounded. This forms a secondary transfer electric field in the secondary transfer nip.

[0037] A registration roller pair 33 is disposed on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing. A registration roller sensor is disposed near the entrance of the registration nip of the registration roller pair 33. When a recording sheet is conveyed from the sheet supply device 40 toward the registration roller pair 33, its leading edge is detected by the registration roller sensor, and the conveyance of the recording sheet is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time has passed, and the leading edge of the recording sheet abuts against the registration nip of the registration roller pair 33.

[0038] When the leading edge of the recording sheet strikes the registration nip, the pair of registration rollers 33 resume roller rotation at a timing that allows the recording sheet to be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 25, and sends the recording sheet to the secondary transfer nip. Within the secondary transfer nip, the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 25 is secondarily transferred all at once onto the recording sheet by the action of the secondary transfer electric field or nip pressure, and combined with the white color of the recording sheet, forms a full-color image. After passing through the secondary transfer nip, the recording sheet separates from the intermediate transfer belt 25 and is conveyed to the fixing device 34 as the paper transport belt 29 moves endlessly while being held on the front surface of the paper transport belt 29.

[0039] After passing through the secondary transfer nip, residual toner that was not transferred to the recording sheet at the secondary transfer nip adheres to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25. The residual toner is scraped off and removed by a belt cleaning device 32 that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 25.

[0040] The recording sheet conveyed to the fixing device 34 has the full-color image fixed thereon by pressure and heat, and is then sent from the fixing device 34 to a pair of paper discharge rollers 35 and then discharged outside the machine.

[0041] 1, a switchback device 36 is disposed below the paper transport unit 28 and the fixing device 34. As a result, after the image fixing process on one side of the recording sheet has been completed, the path of the recording sheet is switched by a switching claw to the switchback device 36 side, where it is reversed and enters the secondary transfer nip again. Then, the recording sheet undergoes the secondary image transfer process and fixing process on the other side, and is then discharged onto the paper output tray.

[0042] Scanner 150, which is fixed on image forming unit 1, has a movable reading unit 152. Scanner 150 and ADF 51 each have a fixed reading unit. Mobile reading unit 152 is disposed directly below second contact glass 155 (see FIG. 4), which is fixed to the upper wall of the casing of scanner 150 so as to come into contact with document MS, and can move an optical system consisting of a light source, a reflecting mirror, etc., left and right in the drawing. As the optical system moves from left to right in the drawing, light emitted from the light source is reflected by document MS placed on second contact glass 155, passes through multiple reflecting mirrors, and is then received by image reading sensor 153, which is fixed to the scanner body.

[0043] Meanwhile, the fixed reading unit is comprised of a first fixed reading unit 151 disposed inside the scanner 150 and a second fixed reading unit 95 disposed inside the ADF 51. The first fixed reading unit 151, which has a light source, a reflecting mirror, an image reading sensor such as a CCD, and the like, is disposed directly below a first contact glass 154 (see FIG. 4) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner 150 so as to come into contact with the original MS. When a sheet-like original MS transported by the ADF 51 (described later) passes over the first contact glass 154, light emitted from the light source is sequentially reflected by the original surface, passes through multiple reflecting mirrors, and is received by the image reading sensor. This allows the first side of the original MS to be scanned without moving the optical system consisting of the light source, reflecting mirrors, and the like. The second fixed reading unit 95 scans the second side of the original MS after it has passed the first fixed reading unit 151. Note that the first fixed reading unit 151 and the moving reading unit 152 may be the same unit. In this case, the movable reading unit 152 performs reading while being located under the first contact glass 154, and functions as the first fixed reading unit 151.

[0044] The ADF 51 disposed above the scanner 150 has a document tray 53, which is a document placement means for placing documents MS before reading, in a main body cover 52. The ADF 51 also has a transport unit 54 for transporting the documents MS as sheet members, a document stack table 55 for stacking the documents MS after reading, and the like.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a scanner and ADF of a copying machine according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, ADF 51 is supported by hinges 159 fixed to scanner 150 so as to be able to swing up and down. ADF 51 swings like a door, exposing first and second glass plates 154 and 155 on the top surface of scanner 150 when open. In the case of single-sided bound documents, such as a book bound at one corner of a stack of documents, the documents cannot be separated one by one and therefore cannot be transported by the ADF. Therefore, in the case of single-sided bound documents, ADF 51 is opened as shown in FIG. 4, and the single-sided bound document with the page to be read open is placed face down on second glass plate 155, and then the ADF is closed. The image of the page is then read by moving reading unit 152 of scanner 150, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0046] On the other hand, in the case of a stack of documents consisting of multiple independent documents MS stacked on top of each other, the documents MS can be automatically transported one by one by the ADF 51, and sequentially read by the first fixed reading unit 151 in the scanner 150 and the second fixed reading unit 95 in the ADF 51.

[0047] In this case, after placing a stack of documents on document tray 53, copy start key 158 is pressed. Then, ADF 51 sends documents MS of the document stack placed on document tray 53 into transport unit 54 in order from the top, and transports them toward document stack table 55 while inverting them. During this transport process, documents MS pass directly above first fixed reading unit 151 of scanner 150 immediately after being inverted. At this time, the image on the first side of documents MS is read by first fixed reading unit 151 of scanner 150.

[0048] 5 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the main configuration of ADF 51 according to one embodiment together with the upper part of scanner 150. ADF 51 includes a document setting unit A, a separation feeding unit B, a registration unit C, a turning unit D, a first reading conveyance unit E, a second reading conveyance unit F, a paper discharge unit G, and a stack unit H. It also includes a document conveyance path for conveying document MS from document tray 53 toward first fixed reading unit 151, which is the image reading position.

[0049] The document setting unit A includes a document tray 53 on which a stack of documents MS is set. The separation and feeding unit B separates and feeds each document MS one by one from the stack of documents MS set therein. The registration unit C temporarily bumps against the fed documents MS, aligns them, and then sends them out. The turning unit D has a curved conveying unit that curves in a C shape, and turns the document MS upside down while folding it back within this curved conveying unit. The first reading and conveying unit E conveys the document MS on the first contact glass 154 and causes the first fixed reading unit 151, which is disposed inside the scanner below the first contact glass 154, to read the first side of the document MS. The second reading and conveying unit F conveys the document MS below the second fixed reading unit 95 and causes the second side of the document MS to be read by the second fixed reading unit 95. The paper discharge unit G discharges the document MS, whose images on both sides have been read, toward the stack unit H. The stacking section H is for stacking the documents MS on a document stacking table 55 .

[0050] The originals MS are set with their leading edge placed on the movable original table 60, which can swing in the directions of arrows a and b in the figure according to the thickness of the stack of originals MS, and their trailing edge placed on the original tray 53. The originals MS are positioned in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) on ​​the original tray 53 by abutting side guides at both ends of the originals MS. The originals MS set in this manner push up a lever member 62, which is swingably disposed above the movable original table 60. Accordingly, the original set sensor 63 detects that the originals MS have been set and sends a detection signal to the controller 604 (see FIG. 6). The detection signal is then sent from the controller 604 to the scanner's reading control unit 603 via the I / F.

[0051] Document tray 53 holds first length sensor 57, second length sensor 58, third length sensor 202, and fourth length sensor 201, each consisting of a reflective photosensor or actuator-type sensor that detects the length of document MS in the transport direction. Third length sensor 202 is, for example, a check length sensor. Fourth length sensor 201 is, for example, a business card length sensor. The following describes an example in which third length sensor 202 is a check length sensor and fourth length sensor 201 is a business card length sensor.

[0052] The length of the document MS in the transport direction is detected by first length sensor 57, second length sensor 58, third length sensor 202, and fourth length sensor 201. Third length sensor 202 is positioned so that it does not turn ON when a check is placed on the document tray. Fourth length sensor 201 is positioned so that it does not turn ON when a business card is placed on the document tray.

[0053] It is possible to detect whether a document of a specific size, such as a business card or check, has been placed based on the detection information from first length sensor 57, second length sensor 58, third length sensor 202, and fourth length sensor 201. As a guide for the positions of third length sensor 202 and fourth length sensor 201, since a check is 185 mm long and a business card is 91 mm long, third length sensor 202 should be positioned approximately 190 mm and fourth length sensor 201 should be positioned 96 mm from the fence that the leading edge of the document hits when it is placed on the document tray.

[0054] A pickup roller 80 is disposed above the stack of documents MS placed on the movable document table 60 and is supported by a cam mechanism so as to be movable in the vertical direction (the directions of arrows c and d in the figure). This cam mechanism is driven by a pickup motor 56, thereby enabling the pickup roller 80 to move up and down. When the pickup roller 80 moves upward, the movable document table 60 also swings in the direction of arrow a in the figure, and the pickup roller 80 comes into contact with the topmost document MS in the stack of documents MS.

[0055] As the movable original table 60 rises further, the table rise detection sensor 59 eventually detects that the movable original table 60 has reached its upper limit, which stops the pickup motor 56 and stops the upward movement of the movable original table 60.

[0056] The user (operator) operates an operation unit 602, which is provided on the main body of the copier and is composed of a numeric keypad 160, a display 161, etc., to set the reading mode, indicating whether the reading mode is double-sided or single-sided, and presses the copy start key 158. When the user presses the copy start key 158, the controller 604 of the ADF 51 receives a document feed signal from the main body control unit 601 (see FIG. 6). Then, the pickup roller 80 is rotated by the forward rotation of the paper feed motor 76, and the document MS on the movable document table 60 is fed out from the movable document table 60.

[0057] When setting the double-sided reading mode or the single-sided reading mode, it is possible to collectively set the double-sided reading mode or the single-sided reading mode for all of the originals MS placed on the movable original table 60. It is also possible to set the reading mode individually for each of the originals MS, for example, by setting the first and tenth originals MS to the double-sided reading mode and the other originals MS to the single-sided reading mode.

[0058] The document MS sent by the pickup roller 80 enters the separation and conveyance section B and is sent to a contact position with the paper feed belt 84. The paper feed belt 84 is stretched by a drive roller 82 and the like, and is moved endlessly in the clockwise direction in the figure by the rotation of the drive roller 82 accompanying the forward rotation of the paper feed motor 76. A separation roller 85, which is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure by the forward rotation of the paper feed motor 76, contacts the lower stretching surface of the paper feed belt 84. At the contact point, the surface of the paper feed belt 84 moves in the paper feed direction. In contrast, the separation roller 85 contacts the paper feed belt 84 with a predetermined pressure. When the separation roller 85 is in direct contact with the paper feed belt 84, or when only one document MS is sandwiched in the contact area, the separation roller 85 rotates along with the belt or the document MS. However, when multiple sheets of originals MS are sandwiched in the contact portion, the accompanying rotation force becomes lower than the torque of the torque limiter, and the rollers are rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure, which is opposite to the accompanying rotation direction. As a result, the separation roller 85 applies a moving force in the opposite direction to the paper feeding to the sheets of originals MS below the top, and only the topmost sheet of originals MS is separated from the several sheets of originals (hereinafter, the operation up to this point is referred to as the paper feeding / separation operation).

[0059] The document MS, separated into a single sheet by the action of the paper feed belt 84 and separation roller 85, enters the registration section C. Then, as the document MS passes directly below the abutment sensor 72, its leading edge is detected by the abutment sensor 72. At this time, the pickup roller 80, which receives the driving force of the pickup motor 56, is still rotating. However, the pickup roller 80 is separated from the document MS by the downward movement of the movable document table 60, and the document MS is transported solely by the endless moving force of the paper feed belt 84. The endless movement of the paper feed belt 84 continues for a predetermined time from the timing when the leading edge of the document MS is detected by the abutment sensor 72. As a result, the leading edge of the document MS abuts against the contact portion between the pull-out drive roller 86 and the pull-out driven roller 87, which is driven to rotate while abutting against the pull-out drive roller 86. At this time, by separating the document MS from the document MS based on the timing when the leading edge of the document MS is detected by the abutment sensor 72, the timing when the document MS starts to be transported solely by the endless moving force of the paper feed belt 84 can be advanced or delayed. By advancing or delaying the timing at which the document MS begins to be transported solely by the endless moving force of the paper feed belt 84, it is possible to adjust the amount of contact at which the document MS strikes the contact point with the pull-out driven roller 87.

[0060] If the document speed at this time is 500 mm / s, then in order to increase the abutment amount by 1 mm, it is possible to delay the timing of separation from the document MS by 2 ms (500 mm / s x 0.002 s = 1 mm). The pull-out driven roller 87 serves to transport the document MS to the pair of intermediate rollers 66 downstream in the document transport direction, and is rotationally driven by the reverse rotation of the paper feed motor 76. When the paper feed motor 76 rotates reversely, the pull-out driven roller 87 and one of the rollers of the pair of intermediate rollers 66 that are in contact with each other begin to rotate, and the endless movement of the paper feed belt 84 stops. At this time, the rotation of the pickup roller 80 also stops.

[0061] The document MS sent out from the pull-out driven roller 87 passes directly below the document width sensor 73. The document width sensor 73 has multiple paper detection units made up of reflective photosensors or the like. These paper detection units are aligned in the document width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing). The width size of the document MS is detected based on which paper detection unit detects the document MS. The length of the document MS in the transport direction is detected based on the timing from when the leading edge of the document MS is detected by the abutment sensor 72 to when the trailing edge of the document MS is no longer detected by the abutment sensor 72.

[0062] The leading edge of the document MS, whose widthwise size has been detected by the document width sensor 73, enters the turning section D and is sandwiched in the contact area between the rollers of the intermediate roller pair 66. The transport speed of the document MS by this intermediate roller pair 66 is set to be faster than the transport speed of the document MS in the first reading and transporting section E, which will be described later. This shortens the time it takes to send the document MS to the first reading and transporting section E.

[0063] In this way, the size of the original MS can be detected by the original width sensor 73, the first length sensor 57, the second length sensor 58, the third length sensor 202, and the fourth length sensor 201. On the other hand, the user can also specify the size (read size) of the original MS using the operation unit 602. For example, the user can select and specify the size of a business card (55 mm x 91 mm) or a check (85 mm x 185 mm) from a variety of size options.

[0064] The leading edge of the document MS being transported within the turning section D passes a position facing the reading entrance sensor 67. When the leading edge of the document MS is detected by the reading entrance sensor 67, the document transport speed by the intermediate roller pair 66 is reduced until the leading edge reaches the position of the reading entrance roller pair (the pair of 89 and 90) on the downstream side in the transport direction. In addition, as the reading motor 77 (see FIG. 6) starts to be rotated, one roller of the reading entrance roller pair, one roller of the reading exit roller pair 92, and one roller of the second reading exit roller pair 93 each start to be rotated.

[0065] Within the turning section D, the document MS is reversed upside down and the transport direction is reversed while being transported on the curved transport path between the pair of intermediate rollers 66 and the pair of reading entrance rollers. Then, the leading edge of the document MS that has passed through the nip between the pair of reading entrance rollers passes directly below the registration sensor 65. Hereinafter, the operation up to this point after the paper feeding / separation operation is referred to as the pull-out operation.

[0066] When the leading edge of the document MS is detected by the registration sensor 65, the document conveyance speed is decelerated over a predetermined conveyance distance. Then, the conveyance motor 192 (see FIG. 6) is stopped to stop the rotational drive of the pull-out drive roller 86 and the pair of intermediate rollers 66, and the reading motor 77 is stopped to stop the rotational drive of the pair of reading entrance rollers. As a result, the conveyance of the document MS is temporarily stopped at the registration position in front of the first reading conveyance unit E. In addition, a registration stop signal is sent to the reading control unit 603.

[0067] <System configuration> 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a document processing system according to an embodiment. The document processing system 600 includes, for example, an image forming unit 1, an ADF 51 attached to the image forming unit 1, and an external device 608 capable of communicating with the image forming unit 1 or the ADF 51 via a communication network N.

[0068] 6, the image forming unit 1 and the ADF 51 are included in the copier 100. The image forming unit 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus. The ADF 51 is an example of a document processing device that is attached to the image forming apparatus and has an autonomous paper feed and transport mode that autonomously operates to feed and transport paper without instructions from the image forming apparatus.

[0069] (Configuration of image forming unit) Fig. 6 shows an example of a block diagram of a portion of the electrical circuit of the image forming unit (image forming apparatus) 1. In the example of Fig. 6, the image forming unit 1 has, for example, a main body control unit 601, an operation unit 602, a reading control unit 603, a display unit 605, and an external communication I / F 606. The main body control unit 601 and the reading control unit 603 each have a computer configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like.

[0070] The operation unit 602 is an input device such as a touch panel or operation buttons that accepts user operations. The display unit 605 is a display device such as a display that displays a display screen such as an operation screen or a setting screen. The external communication I / F 606 is a communication device for communicating with an external device 608.

[0071] (ADF configuration) Fig. 6 shows an example of a block diagram of a portion of the electrical circuit of the ADF (document processing device) 51. In the example of Fig. 6, the ADF 51 has a controller 604, a second fixed reading unit 95, a sensor group 611, a reading motor 77, a paper feed motor 76, a transport motor 192, a pull-out clutch 193, a paper discharge clutch 194, and an external communication I / F 607. The sensor group 611 also includes the aforementioned abutment sensor 72, document width sensor 73, reading entrance sensor 67, registration sensor 65, document set sensor 63, paper discharge sensor 61, first length sensor 57, second length sensor 58, third length sensor 202, and fourth length sensor 201.

[0072] The controller 604 has a computer configuration including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. Preferably, the controller 604 further includes a storage device. The external communication I / F 607 is a communication device for communicating with an external device 608. The main body control unit 601 and the reading control unit 603, the reading control unit 603 and the controller 604, and the controller 604 and the main body control unit 601 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0073] A transport motor 192 connected to the controller 604 is a rotational drive source for the pull-out drive roller 86 and the pair of paper discharge rollers 94 in the ADF 51. A pull-out clutch 193 connected to the controller 604 connects or disconnects the rotational drive force of the transport motor 192 to or from the pull-out drive roller 86. A paper discharge clutch 194 connects or disconnects the rotational drive force of the transport motor 192 to or from the pair of paper discharge rollers 94, which are the feed-out transport means.

[0074] Upon receiving the registration stop signal from the controller 604, the reading control unit 603 transmits a reading start signal, which is a paper feed permission signal, to the controller 604. Upon receiving the reading start signal, which is a paper feed permission signal, the controller 604 resumes rotation of the transport motor 192 and the reading motor 77. Then, at the timing when the leading edge of the original MS, calculated based on the pulse count of the reading motor 77, reaches the reading position by the first fixed reading unit 151, the controller 604 transmits a gate signal, which indicates the effective image area in the sub-scanning direction of the first side of the original MS, to the reading control unit 603. This transmission continues until the trailing edge of the original MS leaves the reading position by the first fixed reading unit 151, and the first side of the original MS is read by the first fixed reading unit 151.

[0075] After passing through the first reading conveyance unit E, the document MS passes through the reading exit roller pair 92, and then its leading edge is detected by the paper discharge sensor 61. When the single-sided reading mode is set, there is no need to read the second side of the document MS by the second fixed reading unit 95. Therefore, when the leading edge of the document MS is detected by the paper discharge sensor 61, the driving force of the conveyance motor 192 is connected to the paper discharge roller pair 94 by the paper discharge clutch 194. Then, based on the pulse count of the paper discharge motor after the leading edge of the document MS is detected by the paper discharge sensor 61, the timing at which the trailing edge of the document MS will leave the nip of the paper discharge roller pair 94 is calculated. Based on the result of this calculation, the operation of the paper discharge clutch 194 is stopped.

[0076] On the other hand, when the double-sided reading mode is set, the timing from when the leading edge of the original MS is detected by the paper discharge sensor 61 until the original reaches the second fixed reading unit 95 is calculated based on the pulse count of the reading motor 77. Then, the controller 604 transmits a gate signal indicating the effective image area in the sub-scanning direction on the second side of the original MS to the reading control unit 603 at the timing of the calculation result. This transmission continues until the trailing edge of the original MS leaves the reading position by the second fixed reading unit 95, and the second side of the original MS is read by the second fixed reading unit 95.

[0077] The second fixed reading unit 95 is composed of a contact image sensor (CIS), and its reading surface is coated to prevent vertical reading streaks caused by glue-like foreign matter adhering to the document MS adhering to the reading surface. A second reading roller 96 is disposed opposite the second fixed reading unit 95 as a document support means for supporting the document MS from the non-reading side. The second reading roller 96 prevents the document MS from floating at the reading position by the second fixed reading unit 95, and also functions as a reference white area for acquiring shading data in the second fixed reading unit 95.

[0078] <Functional configuration> Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a document processing system according to an embodiment. As an example, the document processing system 600 is realized by an ADF (document processing device) 51. In the example of Fig. 7, the ADF 51 includes an acquisition unit 701, an estimation unit 702, a determination unit 703, a document tray 53, a transport unit 705, a reading unit 706, a detection unit 707, a storage unit 708, and a communication unit 709.

[0079] Acquisition unit 701 is realized by, for example, a program executed by controller 604, and executes an acquisition process to acquire document processing information, which is document processing information. Preferably, the document processing information includes at least one piece of information from among the document transport speed by the transport unit, the abutment amount, and whether or not the abutting member stops when abutting. Also, preferably, the document processing information includes at least one piece of information from among the document size, paper type, paper thickness, and whether or not mixed sizes are included.

[0080] The estimation means 702 is realized, for example, by a program executed by the controller 604, and executes an estimation process using the document processing information acquired by the acquisition means 701 as input to estimate an estimated value of the rate of occurrence of transport failures as a result of the reading process performed by the reading means 706.

[0081] The ADF 51 according to this embodiment has an autonomous paper feed / transport mode in which it operates autonomously to feed and transport paper without instructions from the image forming unit 1. The estimation unit 702 estimates the rate of occurrence of transport failures based on combined data of document processing information and the rate of occurrence of transport failures when the ADF 51 operates in the autonomous paper feed / transport mode. The transport failures include, for example, any of a folded document tip, a folded document center, and a wrinkle.

[0082] Preferably, the estimation unit 702 estimates the estimated value of the transport failure occurrence rate using a learning model that receives as input the document processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 701 and returns an estimated value of the transport failure occurrence rate as a result of performing a reading process. This learning model is a learning model that has been machine-learned in advance using training data as training data the combined data of the document processing information and the transport failure occurrence rate when the ADF 51 is operated using the autonomous sheet feed transport mode.

[0083] The determination means 703 is realized, for example, by a program executed by the controller 604, and executes a determination process to determine the amount of transport control when transporting the document, depending on the estimated value of the transport failure occurrence rate estimated by the estimation means 702.

[0084] The document tray 53 is a tray on which a document to be read is placed in the ADF 51. The document tray 53 corresponds to, for example, the document setting unit A in FIG.

[0085] The transport unit 705 is a unit for transporting the document from the document tray. The transport unit 705 corresponds to, for example, the separation and feeding unit B, the registration unit C, the turning unit D, the first reading and transport unit E, the second reading and transport unit F, the paper discharge unit G, and the stack unit H in FIG. 5.

[0086] The reading unit 706 executes a reading process to read an image of the document while the document is being transported by the transport unit 705. At least a part of the reading unit 706 may be provided outside the ADF 51.

[0087] The detection unit 707 is realized by, for example, the sensor group 611 in FIG. 6 and a program executed by the controller 604, and executes a detection process for detecting the position of the document conveyed by the conveyance unit 705.

[0088] The memory means 708 is realized, for example, by a ROM, RAM, or storage device provided in the controller 604, and a program executed by the controller 604, and stores various information or data such as combined data of document processing information and the rate of occurrence of transport failures.

[0089] The communication means 709 is realized by, for example, the external communication I / F 607 and a program executed by the controller 604, and executes communication processing to communicate with an external device 608 such as a cloud server or a design PC (Personal Computer).

[0090] Note that the functional configuration of the document processing system shown in Fig. 7 is an example. For example, at least some of the functional configurations of the ADF 51 shown in Fig. 7 may be included in the image forming unit 1, the external device 608, or the like.

[0091] <Processing flow> Next, the process flow of the document processing method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0092] [First embodiment] (ADF processing) 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the ADF according to the first embodiment. This processing shows an example of processing that the ADF 51 executes when the copying machine 100 reads an original, for example.

[0093] In step S801, the user presses the copy start key 158 or the scan start button with the document to be copied or scanned set in the document tray 53. As a result, the acquisition unit 701 acquires the scan start instruction and document processing information sent from the image forming unit 1.

[0094] In step S802, the estimation unit 702 estimates the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure from the document processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 701. For example, the estimation unit 702 estimates the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure from the document processing information using combined data 900 of the document processing information and the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure as shown in FIG.

[0095] 9 is a diagram showing an example of combination data of document processing information and a transport failure occurrence rate according to an embodiment. In combination data 900 of document processing information and a transport failure occurrence rate (hereinafter referred to as combination data 900), a plurality of document processing information 901 and a transport failure occurrence rate 902 corresponding to each document processing information 901 are recorded in association with each other.

[0096] 9, the document processing information 901 includes information such as the read settings, document size, mixed size, paper type and thickness, paper feed speed, first abutment amount, pull-out speed, second abutment amount, document interval time, and whether or not the pull-out driven roller stops at the second abutment. Of this information, the document feed speed, first abutment amount, pull-out speed, second abutment amount, document interval time, and whether or not the pull-out driven roller stops at the second abutment can be changed without affecting the reading function. Here, the first abutment amount is the abutment amount of the document against the pull-out driven roller 87, and the second abutment amount is the abutment amount of the document against the pair of reading entrance rollers (89, 90).

[0097] The transport failure occurrence rate 902 includes actual measurement values ​​of the occurrence probability (%) of document folds / creases, paper jams, paper non-feeds, document torn, and double feeds.

[0098] The ADF 51 stores in advance combination data 900 of document processing information and the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure, for example, in the storage unit 708. Furthermore, the estimation unit 702 selects from the document processing information 901, in the order of priority (for estimating the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure) below, information that matches the document processing information acquired in step S801, or, if there is no match, information that has the closest absolute value to the information acquired in step S801.

[0099] [Priority (for estimating the rate of transport failure)] Whether or not the pull-out driven roller stops when the second contact occurs > Paper feed speed > Pull-out speed > Document interval time > First contact amount > Second contact amount

[0100] The estimation unit 702 determines the transport failure occurrence rate corresponding to the selected document processing information from the combination data 900 as an estimate of the transport failure occurrence rate.

[0101] In step S803, the estimation unit 702 determines whether the estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate exceeds a reference value. Here, the reference value is a value set in advance to determine whether the conveyance failure occurrence rate is sufficiently low. If the estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate exceeds the reference value, the estimation unit 702 shifts the process to step S804. On the other hand, if the estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate does not exceed the reference value, the estimation unit 702 shifts the process to step S807.

[0102] In step S804, the estimation unit 702 acquires, from the combination data 900, the document processing information that is closest to the acquired document processing information.

[0103] In step S805, the estimation unit 702 determines whether the estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate corresponding to the acquired document processing information is less than the reference value. If the estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate is less than the reference value, the estimation unit 702 shifts the process to step S806. On the other hand, if the estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate is not less than the reference value, the estimation unit 702 returns the process to step S804.

[0104] As a specific example of the processing of steps S804 and S805, the estimation means 702 changes the document processing information that can be changed in the order of the next priority (for searching for the closest combination), and if there is any document processing information whose rate of occurrence of conveying failure after the change is below the reference value, selects the document processing information at that time. Priority (for finding the closest match) Document interval time > Paper feed speed > Pull-out speed > First abutment amount > Second abutment amount > Whether or not the pull-out follower roller stops when the second abutment occurs

[0105] For example, the estimation unit 702 first searches whether document processing information in which only the highest priority "document interval time" has been changed exists in the combination data 900. If it does not exist in the combination data 900, or if it exists in the combination data 900 but the transport failure occurrence rate is equal to or greater than the reference value, the estimation unit 702 returns the process to step S804. After returning to step S804, the estimation unit 702 searches whether document processing information in which only the next highest priority "paper feed speed" has been changed exists in the combination data 900, and so on, repeatedly performing such searches.

[0106] In step S806, the determining unit 703 changes the control to the document processing information for which the transport failure occurrence rate has become less than the reference value in the processes of steps S804 and S805. For example, the determining unit 703 determines the transport control amount when transporting the document using the document processing information for which the transport failure occurrence rate has become less than the reference value.

[0107] In step S807, the ADF 51 starts the document transport and reading operation. By the process of Fig. 8, the ADF 51 can determine the transport control amount when transporting the document so as to prevent transport failures from occurring, using the combined data 900 of the document processing information and the transport failure occurrence rate.

[0108] (Combined data acquisition process) 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for acquiring combination data according to an embodiment. The ADF 51 according to this embodiment has an autonomous paper feed / transport mode in which it autonomously operates to feed and transport paper without instructions from the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 shows an example of a process for acquiring combination data 900 of document processing information and transport failure occurrence rate, such as that shown in FIG. 9, using this autonomous paper feed / transport mode.

[0109] The ADF 51 may be attached to the image forming unit 1, or may be operated independently without being attached to the image forming unit 1. When operating independently, only power supply is required, and therefore power is supplied to the ADF 51 using a stabilized power supply or the like.

[0110] In step S1001, the power supply of the ADF 51 is turned on. As a result, the ADF 51 normally enters a state of waiting for communication from the image forming unit 1, but in this case, in order to obtain the combination data 900, the process proceeds to step S1002.

[0111] In step S1002, the designer instructs the ADF 51 to start the autonomous paper feed transport mode from an external device 608, such as a design PC, using the communication means 709. When the autonomous paper feed transport mode is entered, the ADF 51 is programmed to automatically start paper feed transport when the document set sensor 63 detects that a document has been set.

[0112] In step S1003, the designer instructs the document processing information (paper feed speed, first abutment amount, pull-out speed, second abutment amount, document interval time, whether or not the pull-out follower roller stops when the second abutment occurs, etc.) corresponding to the teaching data to be acquired from the external device 608.

[0113] In step S1004, the ADF 51 determines whether an original document is set on the original document tray, and if an original document is set, the process proceeds to step S1005. At this time, the designer sets an original document of the size for which the designer wants to obtain the combination data 900 on the original document tray.

[0114] In step S1005, the ADF 51 performs paper feeding and transport operations in the autonomous paper feeding transport mode. In step S1006, the ADF 51 determines whether or not there is a next document after each document is fed, using the document set sensor 63. If there is a next document, the ADF 51 executes the process of step S1005 again. On the other hand, if there is no next document, the ADF 51 proceeds to step S1007.

[0115] In step S1007, the ADF 51 ends the paper feeding and transporting operations. In step S1008, for example, the designer checks whether any of the documents stacked on the paper discharge tray have caused transport problems, and if any, records the number of documents that have caused transport problems.

[0116] By executing the process of FIG. 10 for various document processing information, it is possible to create, for example, data 900 of combinations of document processing information and transport failure occurrence rates, as shown in FIG.

[0117] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, an example of processing will be described in which the estimation means 702 estimates the rate of occurrence of conveying failures using a learning model that takes document processing information acquired by the acquisition means 701 as input and returns an estimated value of the rate of occurrence of conveying failures as a result of performing a reading process.

[0118] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining generation of a learning model according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, a learning model 1100 generated by machine learning is implemented in a control program written in a controller 604 of an ADF 51, which is an example of a document processing apparatus. The learning model 1100 is generated by machine learning using combination data 900 as training data, using an external device 1101, such as a cloud server or an external PC, capable of generating the learning model 1100. The generated learning model 1100 is a type of calculation algorithm, and is modularized and implemented as part of the control program.

[0119] 11 shows a case where the learning model 1100 is implemented in the controller 604 of the ADF 51. However, the learning model 1100 may be implemented in the main body control unit 601 of the image forming unit 1, or may be implemented in an external device 1101 such as a cloud server.

[0120] In this embodiment, the document processing information, which is information about the document to be read, is used as input data, and the rate of occurrence of transport failures (actually measured data), which is information to be predicted in the inference step, is used as training data to machine-learn the learning model 1100.

[0121] The document processing information includes, for example, the reading settings (single-sided or double-sided), document size, mixed sizes, paper type and thickness, paper feed speed, first abutment amount, pull-out speed, second abutment amount, document interval time, and whether or not the pull-out driven roller stops when the second abutment occurs. Of these, the items that can be changed without affecting the reading function are the paper feed speed, first abutment amount, pull-out speed, second abutment amount, document interval time, and whether or not the pull-out driven roller stops when the second abutment occurs. The content of the transport failure occurrence rate includes document folds (including wrinkles), paper jams, paper non-feeds, blurred documents, and double feeds.

[0122] 12 is a diagram for explaining estimation of the incidence rate of conveyance failure according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, when an original is actually read, the incidence rate of conveyance failure is predicted by a learning model 1100 generated by machine learning. For example, the estimation unit 702 provides the original processing information set in the image forming unit 1 to the learning model 1100 as input data, and receives the incidence rate of conveyance failure from the learning model 1100 as output data.

[0123] The ADF 51 determines whether the rate of occurrence of transport failures received from the learning model 1100 exceeds the design standard value, and if so, changes the settings to a transport control amount that is less likely to cause paper feeding failures such as folding, paper jams, paper non-feeds, document blurring, and double feeding.

[0124] (Learning model generation process) 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for generating a learning model according to the second embodiment. This flowchart illustrates an example of a process for completing a learning model by deep learning (DL) using a neural network (NN).

[0125] In step S1301, the designer collects training data. For example, the designer executes the combination data acquisition process described in FIG. 10 using the ADF 51 and a design PC. For example, the designer feeds documents using the autonomous paper feed mode and records the document processing information used and the number of document feed failures that occurred when a large number of documents (e.g., hundreds to thousands of sheets) were fed, for each type of failure, such as folding, paper jams, paper non-feeds, document blur, and double feeds. The number of document feed failures can be divided by the number of sheets fed to calculate the feed failure rate, which becomes the information to be estimated and serves as labeling data. In deep learning, the more training data, the better, so it is recommended to collect as much data as possible in step S1301.

[0126] In step S1302, an external device 1101 such as a cloud server or a design PC uses the training data collected in step S1301 to train a learning model 1100 by deep learning using a neural network. The learning model 1100 can be generated by using a general AI (Artificial Intelligence) framework. For example, TensorFlow (registered trademark), MATLAB (registered trademark), PyTorch (registered trademark), ONNX (registered trademark), or the like can be applied as the AI ​​framework.

[0127] In step S1303, the designer converts the learned learning model into embedding code and writes it into the ADF 51 (or the image forming unit 1), etc. The learning model 1100 generated by the AI ​​framework is often not in a format that can be processed by the CPU of the ADF 51 or the image forming unit 1 as is. Therefore, in step S1303, the designer converts the learning model 1100 into embedding code (for example, C language, etc.) and writes it into a board incorporating a CPU.

[0128] Conversion to embedded code can be done using conversion tools provided by CPU vendors. If you use a proprietary CPU, you may need to use a proprietary method to convert to embedded code.

[0129] When the inference step using the learning model 1100 is performed on a server on the cloud, such as the cloud server 908, rather than on an embedded CPU, the conversion to embedded code and writing in step S1304 are not required. When the inference step using the learning model 1100 is performed on a cloud server, etc., rather than on an embedded CPU, conversion to a format executable on the cloud server may be required instead. If conversion to a format executable on the cloud server is required, this is performed.

[0130] In step S1305, the designer, with the converted learning model 1100 incorporated into the ADF 51 (or image forming unit 1), performs a reading operation in the copier 100 and estimates and outputs the rate of occurrence of conveyance errors by performing inference using the learning model 1100. For example, the designer checks whether a conveyance error actually occurred during paper passage when the rate of conveyance error occurrence reached or exceeded the reference value, and determines whether the occurrence probability exceeded the target value. The designer also records the processing time actually required at that time.

[0131] In step S1306, the designer adjusts the threshold value related to the rate of occurrence of transport failure. If the threshold value is set stricter, the rate of occurrence of transport failure will be lower, but changing the transport parameters will generally result in a decrease in reading productivity. On the other hand, if the threshold value is set leniently, the decrease in reading productivity will be suppressed, but the rate of occurrence of transport failure will increase, resulting in a trade-off. The designer determines the threshold value taking this into consideration.

[0132] In step S1307, the designer determines whether the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure and the processing speed are equal to or greater than the target values. If the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure and the processing speed are not equal to or greater than the target values, the designer returns the process to step S1301. On the other hand, if the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure and the processing speed are equal to or greater than the target values, the designer ends the process of FIG. 13.

[0133] For example, if the transport failure occurrence rate is set to a target value of less than 0.01%, and a transport failure occurs at a rate of one or more out of 10,000 sheets passed, the designer returns to step S1301 and starts again from collecting training data. In addition to the transport failure occurrence rate, a target value for the processing speed is also set, for example, for the time until the transport failure occurrence rate is estimated to be 500 ms or less on average, and 1,000 ms or less at most, and if this is not achieved, the designer similarly returns to step S1301.

[0134] Furthermore, if the target values ​​for both the transport failure occurrence rate and the processing speed can be met, the generation of a learning model 1100 that can be implemented in a product is completed.

[0135] The above description is based on the assumption that a designer generates a learning model and incorporates the learning model into all ADFs 51 produced. However, this is just one example. For example, during the ADF 51 assembly process at a factory, a learning model can be generated for each assembled ADF 51 by acquiring training data using the ADF 51, and the completed learning model 1100 can be incorporated into the ADF 51. In this case, the learning model 1100 is optimized for the ADF 51, and is considered to have higher estimation accuracy than a learning model 1100 generated by a designer and incorporated into all ADFs 51, so such an approach may be implemented.

[0136] (ADF processing) 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the ADF according to the second embodiment. This processing shows another example of processing executed by the ADF 51 when, for example, the copier 100 reads an original. Note that a portion of the processing is similar to the processing by the ADF according to the first embodiment described in FIG. 8, and therefore detailed description of the processing similar to that of the first embodiment will be omitted here.

[0137] In step S1401, the user presses copy start key 158 or scan start button with the document to be copied or scanned set on document tray 53. As a result, acquisition unit 701 acquires the scan start instruction and document processing information sent from image forming unit 1.

[0138] In step S1402, the estimation unit 702 estimates the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure based on the document processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 701. For example, the estimation unit 702 estimates the rate of occurrence of conveyance failure by inputting the document processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 701 into the learning model 1100.

[0139] In step S1403, the estimation unit 702 determines whether the estimated value of the transport failure occurrence rate exceeds the reference value. If the estimated value of the transport failure occurrence rate exceeds the reference value, the estimation unit 702 shifts the process to step S1404. On the other hand, if the estimated value of the transport failure occurrence rate does not exceed the reference value, the estimation unit 702 shifts the process to step S1406.

[0140] In step S1404, the estimation unit 702 estimates the occurrence rate of conveyance failures based on other document processing information. For example, the estimation unit 702 estimates the occurrence rate of conveyance failures based on other document processing information by inputting document processing information obtained by changing modifiable parts of the document processing information into the learning model 1100.

[0141] In step S1405, the determining unit 703 changes (determines) the transport control amount when transporting the document to the document processing information corresponding to the lowest transport failure occurrence rate among the transport failure occurrence rates estimated in step S1404. Also, in step S1406, the ADF 51 starts transporting and reading the document.

[0142] When the document processing conditions are changed in step S1405, the ADF 51 notifies the image forming unit 1 of this fact. The image forming unit 1 also counts the number of notifications from the ADF 51, stores the count in the ROM of the main body control unit 601 or in a storage device, and transmits the count to the external device 608 via the external communication I / F 606 at any timing. By obtaining this information from the external device 608, the designer can know under what conditions the user actually used the device and whether the rate of occurrence of conveyance failures increased, and can use this information as new training data.

[0143] (Method for determining optimal manuscript processing information) FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining optimal document processing information according to the second embodiment. The paper feed speed in table 1500 shown in FIG. 15 refers to the maximum speed during transport from the start of separation and feeding until the leading edge of the document reaches the pull-out driven roller 87 in the enlarged configuration diagram shown in FIG. 5. The pull-out speed refers to the maximum speed during transport from the pull-out driven roller 87 until the leading edge of the document reaches the pair of reading entrance rollers (89, 90). The first abutting amount refers to the abutting amount of the document to the pull-out driven roller 87, and the second abutting amount refers to the abutting amount of the document to the pair of reading entrance rollers (89, 90). The document interval time refers to the time from when the trailing edge of one document being continuously transported passes through the first fixed reading unit 151 until the leading edge of the next document reaches the first fixed reading unit 151.

[0144] The presence or absence of stoppage of the pull-out driven roller at the time of the second abutment refers to whether the abutment occurs when the pull-out driven roller is completely stopped at the time of the second abutment (stopped), or whether the abutment occurs while the pull-out driven roller is rotating at the reading speed (not stopped). The transport failure occurrence rate (total) is the total value of the occurrence rates of all transport failures (folding, paper jams, paper not fed, torn original, double feed).

[0145] 14 corresponds to 0.06% of the original document processing information in table 1500. Also, the transport failure occurrence rate estimated in step S1404 in FIG. 14 corresponds to each of the transport failure occurrence rates of change candidates 1 to 5 in table 1500.

[0146] For example, if the threshold value for the transport failure occurrence rate (total) regarding whether or not the document processing information (document processing conditions) can be changed is 0.05%, the original document processing information in table 1500 is 0.06%, so the estimation unit 702 changes the document processing information. The estimation unit 702 selects, from the document processing information that can be changed, items that have the potential to reduce the transport failure occurrence rate, and after selecting candidates from several patterns, estimates the transport failure occurrence rate under each condition using a learning model. As a result, it is possible to calculate the transport failure occurrence rate (total value) as shown in table 1500.

[0147] 14, the determining unit 703 selects the lowest transport failure occurrence rate (total). In the example of table 1500, the change candidate 5 has the lowest transport failure occurrence rate (total), so the determining unit 703 selects the document processing information of the change candidate 5 and applies the conditions to the subsequent transport control.

[0148] Alternatively, in change candidate 5, the paper feed speed and pull-out speed are reduced, the document interval time is increased, and the pull-out driven roller is either stopped or not when the second abutment is performed, resulting in a change in the direction of reducing the number of documents that can be processed per minute under all conditions. For this reason, the determining unit 703 may select, from the other change candidates 1 to 4, one whose transport failure occurrence rate is less than 0.5% (in this case, all of them apply), and make a selection that suppresses the reduction in the number of documents that can be processed per minute.

[0149] The reason why the document processing information for change candidate 5 had the lowest rate of transport failures is that, for example, lowering the paper feed and pull-out speed generally reduces the impact of delays in the response speed of the motor start and stop in transport control. Another possible reason is that it reduces the control discrepancy in the timing of motor start and stop based on each sensor, which has a positive effect. These reasons reduce the probability of transport failures (folds, paper jams, paper misfeeds, document blurring, and multiple feeds). Furthermore, extending the document interval reduces the overlap in the timing of all CPU processes for processing one document and the next, enabling processing at the response speed intended by the design and reducing the rate of transport failures.

[0150] (Functional configuration variations) The functional configuration of the document processing system 600 described in FIG. 7 is one example. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the document processing system 600 may include an ADF (document processing device) 51 having an autonomous paper feed transport mode and an external device 608 such as a cloud server capable of communicating with the ADF 51, and the external device 608 may have an estimation unit 702. This allows the CPU performance of the ADF 51 to be suppressed, thereby reducing the cost of the ADF 51. Furthermore, the combination data 900, the learning model 1100, etc. may also be held by the external device 608 such as a cloud server. In this case, the combination data 900, the learning model 1100, etc. can be shared with another system to achieve efficient learning and inference effects.

[0151] 17, a document processing system 600 includes an image forming unit (image forming apparatus) 1 and an ADF (document processing apparatus) 51 that is attached to the image forming unit 1 and has an autonomous paper feed transport mode, and the image forming unit 1 may have an estimation unit 702. This allows the CPU performance of the ADF 51 to be suppressed, making it possible to reduce the cost of the ADF 51.

[0152] As described above, according to each embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain combination data of document processing information and the probability of occurrence of transport failure with a high degree of freedom, and to improve the accuracy of estimation of the occurrence rate of transport failure.

[0153] (supplement) Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. In this specification, the term "processing circuit" includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a conventional circuit module designed to perform each function described above.

[0154] [Summary of the embodiment] This specification discloses the following document processing device and document processing system.

[0155] <Appendix 1> An original processing apparatus having an autonomous paper feed and transport mode that performs an autonomous paper feed and transport operation without an instruction from an image forming apparatus, A document tray, a conveying means for conveying the document from the document tray; an acquisition means for acquiring document processing information of the document; an estimation means for estimating a rate of occurrence of conveyance failure when a reading process is executed to read an image of the document while the document is being conveyed by the conveyance means, using the document processing information acquired by the acquisition means as an input; a determining means for determining a transport control amount when transporting the document in accordance with the estimated transport failure occurrence rate; and The estimation unit estimates the estimated value based on combined data of the document processing information and the transport failure occurrence rate when the document processing apparatus is operated using the autonomous paper feed transport mode.

[0156] According to Supplementary Note 1, by using the autonomous paper feed transport mode, it becomes possible to more easily create combined data of document processing information and transport failure occurrence rate without preparing an image forming device in a laboratory or process, for example. Also, the number of steps is reduced compared to when the autonomous paper feed transport mode is not used.

[0157] <Appendix 2> the estimation means estimates the estimated value using a learning model that receives the document processing information acquired by the acquisition means as an input and returns an estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate as a result of performing the reading process; the learning model is a learning model that is machine-learned using training data of a combination of the document processing information and the rate of occurrence of transport failure when the machine is operated using the autonomous paper feed transport mode. 2. A manuscript processing device as described in appendix 1.

[0158] According to Appendix 2, the use of AI makes it possible to make highly accurate estimates of manuscript processing information for unknown combinations.

[0159] <Appendix 3> The document processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the document processing information includes information on the time from when the rear end of a preceding first document passes a reading position where reading is performed by the reading means to when the front end of a following second document reaches the reading position when multiple documents are being transported continuously.

[0160] According to Supplementary Note 3, in the case of normal reading operation that is not in the autonomous paper feed transport mode, the document interval time of the document in the document processing device is affected by the processing speed of the image forming device, and therefore the document processing device cannot freely control the document interval time. By using the autonomous paper feed transport mode, the document processing device can freely control the document interval time, and it becomes possible to obtain the training data necessary to infer the incidence of transport failures depending on the length of the document interval time.

[0161] <Appendix 4> The document processing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the document processing information includes at least one piece of information among the document transport speed by the transport means, the abutment amount, and whether or not the abutment member stops when abutted.

[0162] <Appendix 5> 5. The document processing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the document processing information includes at least one piece of information among document size, paper type, paper thickness, and whether or not mixed sizes are included.

[0163] According to Appendix 5, the accuracy of the estimation can be improved by also inputting the manuscript processing information entered by the user (such as paper thickness, paper type, and whether or not mixed sizes are included).

[0164] <Appendix 6> 6. The document processing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the transport failure includes any one of a bent leading edge of the document, a bent document in the middle, and wrinkles.

[0165] <Appendix 7> a detection means for detecting the position of the document; The transport failure includes any of the following: paper not being fed, paper jam, and double feed. 7. A document processing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6.

[0166] <Appendix 8> The document processing device includes: a storage means; a communication means for transmitting the data stored in the storage means to an external device; and the recording means stores information indicating that the transport control amount when transporting the document by the determination means is different from the transport control amount before determination, according to the estimated value of the transport failure occurrence rate; The communication means transmits the information to the external device. 8. A document processing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7.

[0167] According to Appendix 8, by changing the control or not changing the control but leaving it as condition data and sending the data to the outside, it is possible to collect training data.

[0168] <Appendix 9> The combination data is data acquired by the document processing device itself; Alternatively, the learning model is a learning model generated using the combination data acquired by the document processing apparatus itself as training data. 9. The document processing device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 8, characterized in that:

[0169] According to Supplementary Note 9, more accurate estimation can be achieved by generating machine-specific combination data or learning models during the device assembly process, etc., and using learning models that take into account the characteristics specific to the machine.

[0170] <Appendix 10> 1. A document processing system including an image forming apparatus and a document processing apparatus that is attached to the image forming apparatus and has an autonomous document feeding and transporting mode that autonomously performs document feeding and transporting operations without instructions from the image forming apparatus, The document processing device includes: A document tray, a conveying means for conveying the document from the document tray; an acquisition means for acquiring document processing information of the document; a determining means for determining a transport control amount when transporting the document in accordance with an estimated value of a transport failure occurrence rate as a result of executing a reading process for reading an image of the document while the document is being transported by the transport means, the estimated value being estimated based on the document processing information acquired by the acquiring means; and and the image forming apparatus, an estimation unit that estimates an estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate using the document processing information acquired by the acquisition unit as an input; the estimation means estimates the estimated value based on combined data of the document processing information and the transport failure occurrence rate when the device is operated using the autonomous paper feed transport mode. Manuscript processing system.

[0171] According to Supplementary Note 10, the image forming apparatus may have a CPU that performs inference, which makes it possible to reduce costs.

[0172] <Appendix 11> 1. A document processing system including: a document processing device having an autonomous document feeding and transporting mode in which the document processing device autonomously feeds and transports documents without an instruction from an image forming device; and an external device capable of communicating with the document processing device, The document processing device includes: A document tray, a conveying means for conveying the document from the document tray; an acquisition means for acquiring document processing information of the document; a determining means for determining a transport control amount when transporting the document in accordance with an estimated value of a transport failure occurrence rate as a result of executing a reading process for reading an image of the document while the document is being transported by the transport means, the estimated value being estimated based on the document processing information acquired by the acquiring means; and and The external device is an estimation unit that estimates an estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate using the document processing information acquired by the acquisition unit as an input; the estimation means estimates the estimated value based on combined data of the document processing information and the transport failure occurrence rate when the device is operated using the autonomous paper feed transport mode. Manuscript processing system.

[0173] According to Appendix 12, the CPU that performs inference may be stored in a PC on the network, which reduces costs. In addition, the combined data and learning model may be stored on an external cloud, and the combined data and learning model may be shared with another system, resulting in efficient learning and inference effects.

[0174] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. These requirements can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined depending on the application form. [Explanation of symbols]

[0175] 1 Image forming unit (image forming device) 51 ADF (original processing device) 100 copiers 600 Manuscript Processing System 608, 1101 External device 701 Acquisition method 702 Estimation means 703 Decision-making means 53 Document tray 705 Transportation 706 Reading means 707 Detection Methods 708 Memory means 709 Communication Methods 900 combination data (teaching data) 901 Manuscript Processing Information 902 Rate of transport failure 1100 Learning Model [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0176] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-158576

Claims

1. An original processing apparatus having an autonomous paper feed and transport mode that performs an autonomous paper feed and transport operation without an instruction from an image forming apparatus, A document tray, a conveying means for conveying the document from the document tray; an acquisition means for acquiring document processing information of the document; an estimation means for estimating a rate of occurrence of conveyance failure when a reading process is executed to read an image of the document while the document is being conveyed by the conveyance means, using the document processing information acquired by the acquisition means as an input; a determining means for determining a transport control amount when transporting the document in accordance with the estimated transport failure occurrence rate; and The estimation unit estimates the estimated value based on combined data of the document processing information and the transport failure occurrence rate when the document processing apparatus is operated using the autonomous paper feed transport mode.

2. the estimation means estimates the estimated value using a learning model that receives the document processing information acquired by the acquisition means as an input and returns an estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate as a result of performing the reading process; the learning model is a learning model that is machine-learned using training data of a combination of the document processing information and the rate of occurrence of transport failure when the machine is operated using the autonomous paper feed transport mode. The document processing device according to claim 1 .

3. 3. The document processing device according to claim 1, wherein the document processing information includes information on the time from when the rear end of a preceding first document passes a reading position where reading is performed by the reading process to when the front end of a following second document reaches the reading position when multiple documents are being transported continuously.

4. 3. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document processing information includes at least one of information on a document transport speed by the transport means, a striking amount, and whether or not a striking member stops when striking.

5. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the document processing information includes at least one of information on document size, paper type, paper thickness, and whether or not mixed sizes are included.

6. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport failure includes any one of a folded leading edge of the document, a folded center of the document, and a wrinkle.

7. a detection means for detecting the position of the document; The transport failure includes any of the following: paper not being fed, paper jam, and double feed.

3. The document processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The document processing device includes: a storage means; a communication means for transmitting the data stored in the storage means to an external device; and the storage means stores information indicating that a transport control amount when the document is transported by the determination means is different from a transport control amount before determination, according to the estimated value of the transport failure occurrence rate; The communication means transmits the information to the external device.

3. The document processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. the combined data is data acquired by the document processing device; Alternatively, the learning model is a learning model generated using the combination data acquired by the document processing apparatus as training data.

3. The document processing device according to claim 2, wherein:

10. 1. A document processing system including an image forming apparatus and a document processing apparatus that is attached to the image forming apparatus and has an autonomous document feeding and transporting mode that autonomously performs document feeding and transporting operations without instructions from the image forming apparatus, The document processing device includes: A document tray, a conveying means for conveying the document from the document tray; an acquisition means for acquiring document processing information of the document; a determining means for determining a transport control amount when transporting the document in accordance with an estimated value of a transport failure occurrence rate as a result of executing a reading process for reading an image of the document while the document is being transported by the transport means, the estimated value being estimated based on the document processing information acquired by the acquiring means; and and the image forming apparatus, an estimation unit that estimates an estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate using the document processing information acquired by the acquisition unit as an input; the estimation means estimates the estimated value based on combined data of the document processing information and the transport failure occurrence rate when the device is operated using the autonomous paper feed transport mode. Manuscript processing system.

11. 1. A document processing system including: a document processing device having an autonomous document feeding and transporting mode in which the document processing device autonomously feeds and transports documents without an instruction from an image forming device; and an external device capable of communicating with the document processing device, The document processing device includes: A document tray, a conveying means for conveying the document from the document tray; an acquisition means for acquiring document processing information of the document; a determining means for determining a transport control amount when transporting the document in accordance with an estimated value of a transport failure occurrence rate as a result of executing a reading process for reading an image of the document while the document is being transported by the transport means, the estimated value being estimated based on the document processing information acquired by the acquiring means; and and The external device is an estimation unit that estimates an estimated value of the conveyance failure occurrence rate using the document processing information acquired by the acquisition unit as an input; the estimation means estimates the estimated value based on combined data of the document processing information and the transport failure occurrence rate when the device is operated using the autonomous paper feed transport mode. Manuscript processing system.

Images