Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of more accurately detecting a sheet error during printing, and ensuring user trust and productivity.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a setting unit (operation unit 152) that sets sheet information of a sheet; a determination unit (control unit 11) that determines whether or not characteristic information of the sheet for which the sheet information is set by the setting unit satisfies predetermined conditions; and a storage unit 14 that stores a plurality of predetermined conditions. The determination unit determines whether or not the characteristic information of the sheet for which the sheet information is set by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition corresponding to the sheet for which the sheet information is set by the setting unit, among the plurality of predetermined conditions stored in the storage unit 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In the commercial printing industry, if the wrong paper is used during printing, the job must be reprinted, which incurs significant losses in terms of both time and cost for the printing company and the user.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that detects discrepancies between the set paper thickness and the paper thickness detected by a sensor installed in the paper feed path. The configuration described in Patent Document 1 prompts the user to check the settings when a paper thickness discrepancy is detected. This makes it possible to prevent printing on the wrong paper.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration that determines whether the characteristics detected by a sensor installed in the paper feed path match a specified range. The configuration described in Patent Document 2 stops printing if it is determined that the characteristics do not match the specified range. This makes it possible to prevent printing on the wrong paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-77855 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-30864 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As in the configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, detecting mismatches between set characteristics and characteristics detected by a sensor is an effective safety feature for preventing printing accidents. However, mismatch detection also requires high accuracy (detection rate, accuracy rate). If the threshold used to detect mismatches is too lenient, it may not be possible to determine that similar but different sheets of paper are mismatched. This reduces the mismatch detection rate. On the other hand, if the threshold is set too strict, the mismatch detection rate increases, but the number of cases where a mismatch is mistakenly detected and the job is stopped increases. This reduces the accuracy rate and leads to a decrease in productivity. In either case, this poses a problem of reducing user trust.

[0007] In recent years, the number of media (paper) types in the commercial printing industry has been increasing in order to increase added value. Some types of paper have large variations in characteristic values, while others have small variations. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure high judgment accuracy using a fixed threshold. One known solution to the above problem is to set a threshold level (strict, normal, loose). However, this method of setting a level does not provide a clear standard for the level setting, and the setting must be changed for each paper type. This means that it is time-consuming for the user.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can more accurately detect paper errors during printing and ensure user confidence and productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention described in claim 1 has been made to achieve the above object, In the information processing device, a setting unit for setting paper information for paper; a determination unit that determines whether or not the characteristic information of the paper set in the paper information by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition; a storage unit that stores a plurality of the predetermined conditions; Equipped with The determination unit is characterized in that it determines whether the characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies the specified condition for the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, among the multiple specified conditions stored in the memory unit.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 is the information processing device described in claim 1, The predetermined conditions are set for each of the pieces of paper information.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is the information processing device described in claim 2, The printer is characterized by having a condition setting unit that sets the specified conditions for each piece of paper information based on the paper information and a paper profile, which is the image formation condition for the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is the information processing device described in claim 1, a detection unit that detects characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, The determining unit determines whether the characteristic information detected by the detecting unit satisfies the predetermined condition for the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit.

[0013] The invention described in claim 5 is the information processing device described in claim 1, The paper information is characterized in that it is a paper type or brand.

[0014] The invention described in claim 6 is the information processing device described in claim 4, The determination unit is characterized in that, when the specified conditions are not set for the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit, it determines whether the characteristic information detected by the detection unit satisfies the common specified conditions that are independent of the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit.

[0015] The invention described in claim 7 is the information processing device described in claim 4, The detecting unit is characterized in that it is provided on a transport path along which the paper is transported.

[0016] The invention described in claim 8 is the information processing device described in claim 1, The characteristic information includes at least one of information on paper thickness, basis weight, and surface properties.

[0017] The invention described in claim 9 is In the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; an information processing device according to claim 4; Equipped with The image forming unit is characterized in that, when the characteristic information detected by the detection unit satisfies the specified conditions for the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit, the image forming unit forms an image on the paper for which the characteristic information is detected by the detection unit.

[0018] The invention described in claim 10 is In an information processing system, a setting unit for setting paper information for paper; a determination unit that determines whether or not the characteristic information of the paper set in the paper information by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition; a storage unit that stores a plurality of the predetermined conditions; Equipped with The determination unit is characterized in that it determines whether the characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies the specified condition for the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, among the multiple specified conditions stored in the memory unit.

[0019] The invention described in claim 11 is An information processing method for an information processing device including a setting unit that sets paper information for paper and a storage unit that stores a plurality of predetermined conditions, a determining step of determining whether or not the characteristic information of the paper set in the paper information by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition, The determination process is characterized in that it determines whether the characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies the specified condition for the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, among the plurality of specified conditions stored in the memory unit.

[0020] The invention described in claim 12 is A computer of an information processing device including a setting unit that sets paper information of paper and a storage unit that stores a plurality of predetermined conditions, a determining unit that determines whether the characteristic information of the paper set by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition; The judgment unit is a program characterized by judging whether the characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies the specified condition for the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, among the multiple specified conditions stored in the memory unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to more accurately detect paper errors during printing, thereby ensuring user confidence and productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of data collection processing. [Figure 5] 10 shows an example of a characteristic group A that lists characteristic information of paper A detected by a media sensor. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a threshold determination process. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an error detection process. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a control structure of an information processing system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a control unit 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a memory unit 14, an operation panel 15, a communication unit 16, and a media sensor 17.

[0025] The control unit 11 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. First, the CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM in response to an instruction signal and loads the programs into the RAM. The instruction signal is received as an operation signal input from the operation unit 152 or via the communication unit 16. Next, the CPU comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in cooperation with the various programs loaded into the RAM. For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the characteristic information of the paper whose paper information is set by the operation unit 152 satisfies a predetermined condition. That is, the control unit 11 functions as a determination unit of the present invention.

[0026] The image reading unit 12 reads an image of a document placed on a document table or an automatic document feeder (ADF), not shown, and obtains an image signal. Specifically, the image reading unit 12 scans and exposes the image of the document using the optical system of a scanning exposure device, reads the reflected light using a line image sensor, and obtains an image signal. The image signal is subjected to processes such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and compression, and then input to the control unit 11 as image data. Note that the image data input to the control unit 11 is not limited to that read by the image reading unit 12. For example, it may be image data received from an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 16.

[0027] The image forming unit 13 forms an image made up of four colors, C, M, Y, and K, on ​​a sheet of paper in accordance with the pixel values ​​of the four colors of each pixel of the image-processed original image. The image forming unit 13 includes four writing units 131, an intermediate transfer belt 132, a secondary transfer roller 133, a fixing unit 134, and the like.

[0028] The four writing units 131 are arranged in series (tandem) along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 132 and form images of the respective colors of C, M, Y, and K. The writing units 131 have the same configuration except for the colors of the images they form. Each writing unit 131 includes an optical scanning unit 131a, a photosensitive member 131b, a developing unit 131c, a charging unit 131d, a cleaning unit 131e, and a primary transfer roller 131f.

[0029] When forming an image, each writing unit 131 first charges the photoconductor 131b using the charging unit 131d. Next, each writing unit 131 scans the photoconductor 131b with a light beam emitted from the optical scanning unit 131a based on the original image, forming an electrostatic latent image. Next, each writing unit 131 supplies a color material such as toner using the developing unit 131c to develop the image. This forms an image (toner image) on the photoconductor 131b. The images formed on the photoconductor 131b by each writing unit 131 are sequentially superimposed and primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 132 by the respective primary transfer rollers 131f. As a result, images of each color are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 132. The intermediate transfer belt 132 is an image carrier that rotates while being wound around multiple rollers. After the primary transfer, each writing unit 131 removes color material remaining on the photoconductor 131b using the cleaning unit 131e.

[0030] Paper is fed to the image forming unit 13 in time with the image on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 132 reaching the position of the secondary transfer roller 133. Paper is fed to the image forming unit 13 from the manual feed tray T1 or the paper feed tray T2. One of the pair of secondary transfer rollers 133 is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 132. The other roller of the pair constitutes one of the multiple rollers that wrap around the intermediate transfer belt 132. The image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 132 onto the paper fed to the image forming unit 13 by the pressure of the secondary transfer roller 133. The paper with the secondarily transferred image is transported to the fixing unit 134, where it is fixed, and then discharged to the paper output tray T3. The fixing process is a process in which the fixing roller 134a applies heat and pressure to the paper to fix the image to the paper. When forming images on both sides of the paper, the paper is conveyed to a reversing path 135 to reverse the paper surface, and then the paper is fed again to the position of the secondary transfer roller 133 .

[0031] The storage unit 14 is a non-volatile storage means configured by an HDD, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 14 stores various programs, various setting data, etc. in a manner that allows the control unit 11 to read and write the data. The storage unit 14 also stores a plurality of predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions are set for each sheet of paper information (paper type, brand). The predetermined conditions include thresholds determined for each sheet of paper information, fixed thresholds used in conventional methods, etc.

[0032] The operation panel 15 includes a display unit 151 that displays various information to the user, and an operation unit 152 that accepts operation inputs from the user.

[0033] The display unit 151 is configured with a color liquid crystal display or the like, and displays an operation screen and the like in accordance with a display control signal input from the control unit 11. The operation screen includes, for example, various setting screens, various buttons, and the operating status of each function.

[0034] The operation unit 152 includes a touch panel provided on the screen of the display unit 151 and various hard keys arranged around the screen of the display unit 151. When a button displayed on the screen is pressed with a finger, a touch pen, or the like, the operation unit 152 first detects the X and Y coordinates of the pressed point of force as a voltage value. Next, the operation unit 152 outputs an operation signal associated with the detected position to the control unit 11. Note that the touch panel is not limited to a pressure-sensitive type and may be, for example, an electrostatic type or an optical type. When a hard key is pressed, the operation unit 152 outputs an operation signal associated with the pressed key to the control unit 11. The user can operate the operation unit 152 to make settings related to image formation, issue paper transport instructions, and stop the device. Settings related to image formation include, for example, image quality settings, magnification settings, application settings, output settings, and paper settings. The operation unit 152 also sets paper information about the paper. The paper information is, for example, the type or brand of the paper. In other words, the operation unit 152 functions as a setting unit of the present invention.

[0035] The communication unit 16 has a communication IC, a communication connector, etc., and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 10 to a communication network. The communication unit 16 transmits and receives various information to and from external devices connected to the communication network using a predetermined communication protocol under the control of the control unit 11. The communication unit 16 can also input and output various information via USB.

[0036] The media sensor 17 is provided on the transport path that transports paper to the image forming unit 13. The media sensor 17 reads paper fed from the manual feed tray T1 or paper feed tray T2 and detects characteristic information of the paper. The characteristic information is information about the characteristics of the paper, such as paper thickness, basis weight, and surface properties (smoothness, moisture content, etc.). The characteristic information may include at least one of information about paper thickness, basis weight, and surface properties. The detected characteristic information is output to the control unit 11. In other words, the media sensor 17 functions as a detection unit of the present invention that detects characteristic information of paper for which paper information has been set by the operation unit 152.

[0037] The information processing device of the present invention includes at least a setting unit (operation unit 152), a determination unit (control unit 11), and a storage unit .

[0038] Next, the control of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 illustrates an example of control for determining an optimum threshold for paper A and performing error detection. Paper A is paper for which paper information (paper type, brand) has been set by the operation unit 152.

[0039] First, the control unit 11 performs a data collection process (step S1). The data collection process is a process for collecting data necessary to determine a threshold for paper A. The data collection process will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0040] First, the control unit 11 creates a paper profile A that summarizes the image forming conditions (printing conditions) for paper A (media A) (step S101). The paper profile A created in step S101 is stored in the storage unit .

[0041] Next, the control unit 11 executes a job to print using paper A (step S102). Specifically, the control unit 11 reads paper profile A for paper A from the storage unit 14, and executes the job according to paper profile A.

[0042] Next, the control unit 11 acquires the characteristic information of the paper sheet A detected by the media sensor 17, and stores the list in the storage unit 14 (step S103). Fig. 5 shows an example of property group A, which is a list of property information for paper A acquired in step S103. Property group A is a list of property information for paper A acquired when a 100-page job using paper A is executed. In Fig. 5, smoothness, paper thickness, basis weight, and moisture content are exemplified as property information.

[0043] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the job is completed (step S104). If the control unit 11 determines that the job has ended (step S104: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S105. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the job has not been completed (step S104: NO), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0044] In step S105, the control unit 11 associates the paper profile A with the property group A.

[0045] Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 11 performs a threshold determination process (step S2). The threshold determination process is a process for determining a threshold for paper sheet A. The threshold determination process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0046] First, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a sufficient amount of data of the property group A linked to the paper profile A (step S201). The sufficient amount is, for example, 100 pages. When the control unit 11 determines that a sufficient amount of data of the property group A exists (step S201: YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to the next step S202. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that there is not a sufficient amount of data for property group A (step S201: NO), the process proceeds to step S206.

[0047] In step S202, the control unit 11 performs an outlier test on the maximum and minimum values ​​for each characteristic in the characteristic group A. Specifically, the control unit 11 first reads the characteristic group A from the memory unit 14 and extracts the maximum and minimum values ​​for each characteristic (smoothness, paper thickness, basis weight, moisture content). Next, the control unit 11 performs an outlier test on the maximum and minimum values ​​for each characteristic. The outlier test is, for example, the Smirnoff-Grubbs test. The outlier test is performed at a significance level of 5%.

[0048] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an outlier as a result of the outlier test (step S203). If the control unit 11 determines that there is an outlier (step S203: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S204. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that there is no outlier (step S203: NO), the process proceeds to step S205.

[0049] In step S204, the control unit 11 removes outliers from the data of property group A. Thereafter, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S202.

[0050] In step S205, the control unit 11 determines the threshold for paper A by adding a fixed margin to the maximum and minimum values ​​for each characteristic of characteristic group A from which outliers have been removed. In this way, the threshold is determined for each piece of paper information (for example, the paper type and brand of paper such as paper A). The threshold determined in step S205 is stored in the memory unit 14. As described above, the control unit 11 sets (determines) predetermined conditions for each piece of paper information based on the paper information and the paper profile. That is, the control unit 11 functions as a condition setting unit of the present invention.

[0051] In step S206, the control unit 11 determines the fixed threshold used in the conventional method as the threshold for the paper sheet A. The fixed threshold is stored in the storage unit 14 in advance. If there is not a sufficient amount of data for property group A (step S201: NO), no threshold is set for paper type A. Therefore, error detection can be performed by using a fixed threshold. In this embodiment, when a threshold for paper A is not set, the control unit 11 determines whether the characteristic information of paper A detected by the media sensor 17 satisfies a common predetermined condition (fixed threshold) that is independent of paper A.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 11 performs an error detection process (step S3). The error detection process is a process for detecting an error in the paper (paper with different paper information being fed through). The error detection process is performed when the error detection function is enabled in the settings. The error detection process will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0053] First, the control unit 11 executes a job to print using paper A (step S301). Specifically, the control unit 11 reads out paper profile A for paper A from the storage unit 14, and executes the job according to paper profile A.

[0054] Next, the control unit 11 feeds the paper sheet A from the manual feed tray T1 or the paper feed tray T2 (step S302).

[0055] Next, the control unit 11 acquires the characteristic information of the paper sheet A detected by the media sensor 17 (step S303).

[0056] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the characteristic information of the paper sheet A acquired in step S303 falls within the range of the threshold for the paper sheet A (step S304). The threshold for the paper sheet A is the threshold determined in step S205 or step S206 in FIG. 6. If the control unit 11 determines that the paper size is within the range of the threshold for paper A (step S304: YES), it determines that the paper size is not incorrect, and proceeds to the next step S305. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the paper size is not within the range of the threshold for paper A (step S304: NO), it determines that the paper is incorrect, and proceeds to step S308. That is, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the characteristic information of the paper sheet A satisfies a predetermined condition for the paper sheet A among a plurality of predetermined conditions (thresholds) stored in the storage unit 14.

[0057] In step S305, the control unit 11 controls the image forming unit 13 to form an image on the paper A whose characteristic information has been detected by the media sensor 17.

[0058] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the fed sheet is the last sheet or not (step S306). If the control unit 11 determines that it is the last sheet (step S306: YES), it ends the job (step S307), and then ends the control of FIG. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that it is not the last sheet (step S306: NO), the process proceeds to step S302.

[0059] In step S308, the control unit 11 stops the job, and then ends the control shown in FIG.

[0060] As described above, the information processing device according to this embodiment includes a setting unit (operation unit 152), a determination unit (control unit 11), and a memory unit 14. The setting unit sets paper information for paper. The determination unit determines whether the characteristic information of the paper for which paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies predetermined conditions. The memory unit 14 stores a plurality of predetermined conditions. The determination unit determines whether the characteristic information of the paper for which paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition for the paper for which paper information has been set by the setting unit, out of a plurality of predetermined conditions stored in the memory unit 14. Therefore, with the information processing device according to this embodiment, it is possible to detect incorrect paper using an appropriate threshold set according to the characteristics of the paper, thereby more accurately detecting incorrect paper during printing and ensuring user confidence and productivity.

[0061] Furthermore, the predetermined conditions are set for each piece of paper information. A condition setting unit (control unit 11) is provided that sets the predetermined conditions for each piece of paper information based on the paper information and a paper profile, which is the image formation conditions for the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit. The paper information is paper type or brand. Therefore, an appropriate threshold can be automatically set according to the variations in characteristics of each piece of paper information, thereby more accurately detecting paper errors during printing and ensuring user confidence and productivity.

[0062] The printer also includes a detection unit (media sensor 17) that detects characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit. The determination unit determines whether the characteristic information detected by the detection unit satisfies predetermined conditions for the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit. The characteristic information includes at least one of information on paper thickness, basis weight, and surface properties. Therefore, it is possible to detect the wrong paper using the characteristic information detected by the detection unit, thereby more accurately detecting the wrong paper during printing and ensuring user confidence and productivity.

[0063] In addition, when a predetermined condition is not set for the paper for which paper information is set by the setting unit, the judgment unit determines whether the characteristic information detected by the detection unit satisfies a common predetermined condition that is independent of the paper for which paper information is set by the setting unit. Therefore, even if the amount of data is insufficient, it is possible to detect the wrong paper by using a fixed threshold, and therefore the wrong paper can be detected reliably.

[0064] The detection unit is provided on the transport path along which the paper is transported. Therefore, it is possible to detect incorrect paper using characteristic information detected inline, and therefore to detect incorrect paper in real time during printing.

[0065] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0066] For example, in the above embodiment, paper characteristic information is collected when a job is executed, but this is not limited to this. For example, an operating mode for data collection may be provided, and data collection may be performed separately from job execution. Data collection may also be performed during adjustments that involve paper transport, such as front-to-back adjustments. Data collection may also be performed using an external media sensor that is not installed in the transport path of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0067] In addition, although the above embodiment has been described using the Smirnoff-Grubbs test as an example of the outlier test, the outlier test is not limited to this. In other words, the outlier test may be an outlier determination method other than the Smirnoff-Grubbs test. Furthermore, the fixed margin to be added when determining the significance level or threshold of the outlier test may be made changeable as desired via the operation unit 152 .

[0068] In the above embodiment, the paper characteristic information is collected in the data collection process, but this is not limiting. For example, if the error detection process determines that the paper characteristic information falls within a threshold range, the paper characteristic information may be added to the paper characteristic group. Alternatively, the current property set may be deleted when the job is completed, and the property information collected in the job may be listed to create a new property set.Alternatively, the current property set may be compared with the property set collected in the job when the job is completed, and if a statistically significant difference is found, the entire property set may be replaced, or if not, the property set collected in the job may be added to the current property set.

[0069] Furthermore, if the error detection process determines that the paper is incorrect (paper characteristic information is not within the threshold range), a screen for prompting the user to confirm the paper may be displayed on the display unit 151. In this case, the configuration is such that the user can input the result of the determination as to whether the paper is really incorrect. For example, if the user inputs "This is not the wrong paper," it means that the current set of characteristics is not detecting the error correctly. Therefore, the current set of characteristics is deleted. Also, if the user inputs "not the wrong paper," even if the characteristic information value indicates the wrong paper, it may be within the user's acceptable range. Therefore, in this case, the threshold is expanded to include the value of the characteristic information of the paper that was determined to be the wrong paper in the error detection process.

[0070] 6, if the fixed threshold is determined as the threshold for paper type A, it is understood that there is insufficient data for characteristic group A. Therefore, in this case, the data collection flag may be set to ON to collect data for characteristic group A.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is configured to embody the present invention by itself, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be embodying in an information processing system 1 including the image forming apparatus 10 and the PC 20. 8, the information processing system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a PC 20. The devices constituting the information processing system 1 are connected to a communication network N. Specifically, the communication network N is the Internet, a telephone line network of a telecommunications carrier, a mobile phone communication network, or the like. Note that the image forming apparatus 10 has the same configuration as in the embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The PC 20 is a terminal device such as a desktop PC or a notebook PC that is used by a user who has installed the information processing system 1. As shown in FIG. 8 , the PC 20 includes a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0073] The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The control unit 21 performs overall control of the operations of each unit of the PC 20 in cooperation with the CPU and program data expanded in a working area of ​​the RAM. The program data is stored in the ROM and the storage unit 24.

[0074] The operation unit 22 includes, for example, a keyboard having character input keys, number input keys, etc., a pointing device such as a mouse, etc. The operation unit 22 accepts operation input from the user and outputs an operation signal according to the operation input to the control unit 21.

[0075] The display unit 23 includes a display such as an LCD, and displays an image based on the display control signal output from the control unit 21 on the display screen.

[0076] The storage unit 24 is configured by, for example, a HDD, a semiconductor memory, etc. The storage unit 24 stores data such as program data and various setting data in a manner that allows the control unit 21 to read and write data.

[0077] The communication unit 25 is a communication interface having a communication IC, a communication connector, etc. Under the control of the control unit 21, the communication unit 25 performs data communication via the communication network N using a predetermined communication protocol.

[0078] In the information processing system 1, the control unit 21 of the PC 20 functions as a determination unit and a condition setting unit of the present invention. The storage unit 24 of the PC 20 functions as a storage unit of the present invention. The operation unit 22 of the PC 20 functions as a setting unit of the present invention. It is also possible to configure the image forming apparatus 10 to have some of the functions of the determining unit, storage unit, and setting unit of the present invention, and the PC 20 to have the remaining functions.

[0079] In addition, the detailed configuration and operation of each device constituting the information processing system can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Image forming device 11 Control unit (judgment unit, condition setting unit) 12 Image reading unit 13 Image forming unit 131 Writing section 131a Optical scanning unit 131b Photoreceptor 131c Development section 131d Charging part 131e Cleaning Department 131f Primary transfer roller 132 Intermediate transfer belt 133 Secondary transfer roller 134 Fixing section 14 Storage section 15 Operation panel 151 Display section 152 Operation section (setting section) 16 Communications Department 17 Media sensor (detection part) 20 PC 21 Control unit (judgment unit, condition setting unit) 22 Operation section (setting section) 23 Display section 24 Memory section 25 Communications Department T1 manual feed tray T2 Paper Tray T3 Output Tray

Claims

1. a setting unit for setting paper information for paper; a determination unit that determines whether or not the characteristic information of the paper set in the paper information by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition; a storage unit that stores a plurality of the predetermined conditions; Equipped with The information processing device is characterized in that the judgment unit judges whether the characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies the predetermined condition for the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, among the plurality of predetermined conditions stored in the memory unit.

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined conditions are set for each of the pieces of paper information.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a condition setting unit that sets the predetermined conditions for each of the paper information based on the paper information and a paper profile that is an image forming condition for the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit.

4. a detection unit that detects characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, 2 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the determining unit determines whether the characteristic information detected by the detecting unit satisfies the predetermined condition for the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit.

5. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper information is a paper type or a brand.

6. The information processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, when the specified conditions are not set for the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit, the judgment unit determines whether the characteristic information detected by the detection unit satisfies the common specified conditions that are independent of the paper for which the paper information is set by the setting unit.

7. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit is provided on a transport path along which the paper is transported.

8. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic information includes at least one of information regarding paper thickness, basis weight, and surface properties.

9. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; The information processing device according to claim 4; Equipped with An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming unit forms an image on the paper whose characteristic information has been detected by the detection unit when the characteristic information detected by the detection unit satisfies the specified conditions for the paper whose paper information has been set by the setting unit.

10. a setting unit for setting paper information for paper; a determination unit that determines whether or not the characteristic information of the paper set in the paper information by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition; a storage unit that stores a plurality of the predetermined conditions; Equipped with An information processing system characterized in that the judgment unit determines whether the characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies the specified condition for the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, among the multiple specified conditions stored in the memory unit.

11. An information processing method for an information processing device including a setting unit that sets paper information for paper and a storage unit that stores a plurality of predetermined conditions, a determining step of determining whether or not the characteristic information of the paper set in the paper information by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition, The information processing method is characterized in that the judgment process determines whether the characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies the specified condition for the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, among the multiple specified conditions stored in the memory unit.

12. A computer of an information processing device including a setting unit that sets paper information of paper and a storage unit that stores a plurality of predetermined conditions, a determining unit that determines whether the characteristic information of the paper set by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition; The program is characterized in that the judgment unit judges whether the characteristic information of the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit satisfies the specified condition for the paper for which the paper information has been set by the setting unit, among the multiple specified conditions stored in the memory unit.

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