Sheet processing system, sheet processing method, sheet processing program, and information processing device

Abstract

To provide a sheet decoration system that reduces the burden on a user. [Solution] A sheet processing system performs predetermined processing on a sheet in accordance with a job. A server 200 is connected to multiple sheet processing systems 10 via a network. The server 200 has a storage unit that collects and stores job performance information from multiple sheet processing devices, which associates control-related information that can affect the values ​​of control items for controlling processing units with values ​​of the control items of the sheet processing system. The sheet processing system 10 obtains, from the job performance information stored in the server 200, the values ​​of the control items whose control-related information corresponds to the control-related information of the current job, and performs predetermined processing using the obtained values ​​of the control items.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sheet processing system, a sheet processing method, a sheet processing program, and an information processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Sheet processing systems are known as sheet decoration systems that coat the surface of a sheet with varnish or perform transfer processing such as foil stamping on the varnish applied to the surface of the sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. WO2023 / 008456 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a sheet decoration system, it is necessary to adjust the values ​​of the control items of the sheet decoration system that affect the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated on the varnish, but this adjustment is a burden on the user. In this way, there are cases where adjusting the values ​​of the control items of the sheet processing system is a burden on the user.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in light of this situation, and one exemplary purpose of an embodiment thereof is to provide a sheet processing system that reduces the burden on a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a sheet processing system according to one aspect of the present invention is a sheet processing system that is executed according to a job and has a processing section that performs predetermined processing on a sheet, and includes a control device that acquires control-related information for a current job to be executed currently that may affect control item values, which are values ​​of control items for controlling the processing section, and acquires control item values ​​included in job performance information corresponding to the current job from multiple job performance information for past jobs executed in the past that is stored in a predetermined memory section, a setting section that sets the control item values ​​for the current job based on the control item values ​​acquired by the acquisition section, and a job execution section that executes the current job using the control item values ​​for the current job set by the setting section. The multiple job performance information is collected from multiple sheet processing systems each having a processing section.

[0007] A sheet processing method is also one aspect of the present invention, and includes a sheet processing system having a processing section, and a sheet processing method for setting control item values, which are values ​​of control items for controlling the processing section, before execution of a job in which the processing section performs a predetermined process on a sheet. The sheet processing method includes a control-related information acquisition step for acquiring control-related information for a current job to be executed that may affect the control item values, a control item value acquisition step for acquiring, from a storage unit that collects and stores multiple job performance information in which the control-related information and control item values ​​of past jobs executed in the past in multiple sheet processing systems having processing sections are associated with each other, the control item values ​​included in the job performance information, in which the control-related information corresponds to the current job, a setting step for setting the control item values ​​for the current job based on the control item values ​​acquired in the control item value acquisition step, and a job execution step for executing the current job using the set control item values ​​for the current job.

[0008] A sheet processing program for operating a processor mounted on a control device that controls a sheet processing system so as to cause the sheet processing system to execute this sheet processing method is also one aspect of the present invention.

[0009] An information processing apparatus is also an aspect of the present invention. The information processing apparatus has a processor, and is connected to a plurality of sheet processing systems, each having a processing section for performing predetermined processing on a sheet in accordance with a job, and has a server function that enables data transmission and reception between each of the sheet processing systems. The information processing apparatus has a memory section that collects and stores, from the plurality of sheet processing systems, job performance information in which control-related information that may affect control item values, which are values ​​of control items for controlling the processing sections, is associated with control item values ​​for past jobs executed by the sheet processing systems in the past. The information processing apparatus receives control-related information for a job that one of the plurality of sheet processing systems is to execute from the sheet processing system, identifies job performance information that corresponds to the received control-related information from the plurality of job performance information stored in the memory section, and transmits the control item values ​​included in the job performance information to the sheet processing system that received the control-related information.

[0010] Any combination of the above components, or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present disclosure between methods, devices, systems, programs, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a sheet processing system that reduces the burden on the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a sheet decoration system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a top view schematically showing a sheet decoration system according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the control device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a job performance information storage unit in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5]1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed on a predetermined display unit by the control device of FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a modified data structure of the job performance information storage unit in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a modified setting screen displayed on a predetermined display unit by the control device of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication system including an external server connected to a plurality of sheet decoration systems according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a job performance information storage unit included in an external server according to a modified example. [Figure 10] 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a modified setting screen displayed on a predetermined display unit by the control device of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a sheet decoration system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present disclosure will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the disclosure, and all features and combinations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the disclosure. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0014] 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing a sheet decoration system 10. Fig. 1 is a side view, and Fig. 2 is a plan view. The sheet decoration system 10 is a system that applies a predetermined decoration to a sheet while transporting the sheet. The sheet material can be various, such as paper, cloth, resin, or metal.

[0015] Hereinafter, the direction in which the sheet is transported (the direction from right to left in Figures 1 and 2) will be referred to as the transport direction Y, and the direction perpendicular to the transport direction Y (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 1 and the up-and-down direction in Figure 2) will be referred to as the width direction X.

[0016] The sheet decoration system 10 includes a feeding device 12 that feeds sheets one by one, a varnishing device 14 that applies ultraviolet-curable varnish (hereinafter simply referred to as "varnish") to the sheets fed one by one and irradiates the varnish with ultraviolet light, a transfer device (foil stamping device) 16 that transfers a foil, which is a transfer material, to the varnish applied to the sheet by utilizing the tackiness of the semi-cured varnish, a stacker 18 that accumulates sheets, and a control device 20 that provides overall control of the sheet decoration system 10. The feeding device 12, varnishing device 14, transfer device 16, and stacker 18 are arranged in a line in this order from the upstream side (the right side in Figures 1 and 2) to the downstream side in the conveyance direction Y. The control device 20 is connected to the feeding device 12, varnishing device 14, and transfer device 16 via a network 2.

[0017] The feeding device 12 includes a feeder 22, a corona treatment unit 26, and a registration unit 24. The feeder 22 includes a table 28 and a suction head 30. Sheets are stacked on the table 28. The table 28 is configured to be able to move up and down. The suction head 30 feeds the sheets stacked on the table 28 one by one in order from the top.

[0018] The corona treatment unit (surface modification unit) 26 includes an electrode (applying electrode) 36 disposed above the conveyance path 34 and a dielectric roller (counter electrode) 38 disposed below the conveyance path 34 so as to vertically oppose the electrode 36. The corona treatment unit 26 performs surface modification on the sheet delivered by the feeder 22 by corona discharge between the electrode 36 and the dielectric roller 38. Specifically, hydrophilic groups are generated on the surface of the sheet, improving wettability. Note that when the sheet is conveyed while being attracted to the conveyance path 34 by the air suction unit 40, the distance between the electrode 36 and the sheet becomes constant, stabilizing the corona discharge. The air suction unit 40 generates negative pressure by arranging one of the suction ports of an exhaust blower (not shown), but it may also be configured to generate negative pressure by arranging a suction fan.

[0019] The registration unit 24 aligns the position in the width direction X of the sheet fed by the feeder 22 by abutting against the registration reference guide 32.

[0020] The varnish application device 14 includes a sheet sensor 42, at least one (three in FIG. 2) varnish application section 46, a semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation section 48, and a final curing ultraviolet irradiation section 50. The sheet sensor 42, varnish application section 46, semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation section 48, and final curing ultraviolet irradiation section 50 are provided in this order from upstream to downstream.

[0021] The sheet sensor 42 detects the sheet fed from the feeding device 12 .

[0022] There is no particular limitation on the number of varnish application units 46. The varnish application device 14 may include one varnish application unit 46 extending over the range in the width direction X over which varnish needs to be dispensed or over a wider range, or may include two or four or more varnish application units 46.

[0023] The varnish application unit 46 is a line-type inkjet head, although not particularly limited thereto. Under the control of the control device 20, the varnish application unit 46 ejects varnish according to the varnish application data, triggered by the detection of the sheet by the sheet sensor 42, and applies the varnish to the sheet. The varnish application data is data indicating the area on the sheet to be varnished. The area to be varnished may have a predetermined relationship with the base image.

[0024] The ultraviolet irradiation units 48, 50 irradiate ultraviolet light under the control of the control device 20. Typically, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are used as the light sources of the ultraviolet irradiation units 48, 50, but other light sources such as incandescent lamps or fluorescent lamps may be used as long as they irradiate ultraviolet light. The light sources of the ultraviolet irradiation units 48, 50 are capable of adjusting the ultraviolet irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light they irradiate. The ultraviolet irradiation intensity may be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the drive current applied to the light source. When an LED is used, analog dimming by adjusting a variable resistor or PWM dimming by adjusting the duty ratio may be used.

[0025] The semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 irradiates the varnish on the sheet with relatively weak ultraviolet light to semi-cure the varnish. Semi-curing refers to curing the varnish to a degree that reduces its fluidity but does not completely harden it, for example, to a state where it can be further hardened. The semi-cured varnish is then fully cured in the transfer device 16. Full curing refers to fully hardening the varnish. When foil is not being transferred to the sheet, the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 is usually turned off. Note that the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 may also be used when foil is not being transferred to the sheet. For example, if the varnish applied to the sheet is prone to bleeding, the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 is turned on to semi-cure at least the surface of the varnish. This prevents the varnish from bleeding.

[0026] The final curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the varnish applied to the sheet, thereby final curing the varnish. When transferring foil onto the sheet, the final curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 is turned off.

[0027] That is, when transferring foil to a sheet, the varnish is semi-cured by the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, and the semi-cured varnish is then fully cured by the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 of the transfer device 16. In this case, the fully curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 is turned off.

[0028] If foil is not to be transferred to the sheet, i.e., if varnish is only to be applied to the sheet, the varnish is fully cured in the full-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 50. In this case, the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 and the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 of the transfer device 16 are turned off. Note that, as mentioned above, the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 may be turned on even if foil is not to be transferred.

[0029] The transfer device 16 transports the sheet and also transports the web (transfer web) 52 roll-to-roll, bringing them into contact. In other words, the web being transported roll-to-roll contacts the sheet being transported. As a result, the foil held by the web 52 adheres to the semi-cured varnish on the sheet. In this state, that is, in a state in which the foil is held by the web 52 but also adheres to the semi-cured varnish, the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 irradiates the semi-cured varnish with ultraviolet light, fully curing the varnish. Once the varnish is fully cured, the adhesive force of the foil to the varnish becomes stronger than the force with which the web 52 holds the foil. In this state, when the sheet is transported and the sheet and web 52 are separated, the foil held by the web 52 is transferred to the varnish on the sheet.

[0030] The transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 irradiates ultraviolet rays under the control of the control device 20. As with the ultraviolet irradiation units 48 and 50, the light source of the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 typically uses an LED (Light Emitting Diode), but other light sources such as an incandescent lamp or fluorescent lamp may be used as long as they irradiate ultraviolet rays. The light source of the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 is capable of adjusting the ultraviolet irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays it irradiates.

[0031] The stacker 18 accumulates the sheets (decorative sheets) delivered from the transfer device 16.

[0032] The control device 20 controls the overall operation of the sheet decoration system 10. The control device 20 accepts input of job definitions. The control device 20 may display a predetermined job management screen and accept input of job definitions. The job definition may include, for example, the number of sheets to be decorated (number of sheets to be processed), the sheet size of the sheets to be decorated, and varnish dispensing data. The control device 20 controls the feeding device 12, the varnish application device 14, and the transfer device 16 based on the job definition.

[0033] The control device 20 is connected to an external server 200 via a network such as the Internet. The server 200 is managed by a manufacturer 202. The manufacturer 202 is a company that produces sheet decoration systems. Here, "managed by the manufacturer 202" includes not only cases where the manufacturer 202 manages it directly, but also cases where a company commissioned by the manufacturer 202 manages it.

[0034] The above is the overall configuration of the sheet decoration system 10.

[0035] As a modification, the sheet decoration system 10 may include a printing device that prints images on sheets instead of the feeding device 12, and the sheets may be fed one by one from the printing device.

[0036] The sheet decoration system 10 may also include other devices between the transfer device 16 and the stacker 18, such as a post-processing device.

[0037] Incidentally, (a) the ease with which a varnish hardens, i.e., the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light required to semi-cure or fully cure the varnish, differs for each type of varnish. For example, when semi-curing a varnish, if the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated on the varnish is too small, the varnish will not be semi-cured, whereas if the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated on the varnish is too large, the varnish will be fully cured.

[0038] Furthermore, (b) the desired degree of semi-curing, i.e., hardness, varies depending on the type of foil; some foils are better off semi-cured hard, while others are better off semi-cured softly. Specifically, the ease with which the foil peels from the web 52 varies depending on the type of foil, and therefore the degree of semi-curing, i.e., the degree of tackiness, required for the varnish varies depending on the type of foil. Therefore, even if the varnish is the same, the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light required to semi-cure the varnish differs depending on the type of foil. Furthermore, (c) for soft semi-curing, a greater cumulative amount of ultraviolet light is required for full curing than for hard semi-curing. In other words, even if the varnish is the same, the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light required to fully cure the varnish differs depending on the type of foil.

[0039] Furthermore, (d) the transmittance of ultraviolet light through foil varies depending on the type of foil. Therefore, even if the ultraviolet light irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated by the transfer ultraviolet light irradiation unit 66 is the same, the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish will differ depending on the type of foil. If the cumulative amount of light is too small, the varnish will not fully harden, and if the cumulative amount of light is too large, the foil may be damaged.

[0040] The cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish can be controlled by adjusting the ultraviolet irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet irradiation unit, which is one of the control items of the sheet decoration system 10. The higher the ultraviolet irradiation intensity, the greater the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish, and the lower the ultraviolet irradiation intensity, the less the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish. However, because it is necessary to take into account the above (a), (b), (c), or (d), adjusting the ultraviolet irradiation intensity is difficult and places a burden on the user.

[0041] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 20 stores the job results of past jobs (hereinafter referred to as past jobs) and, based on the job results of the past jobs, suggests candidates for ultraviolet irradiation intensity for the current job (hereinafter referred to as current job) that is about to be executed, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

[0042] 3 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the control device 20. Each functional block shown here can be realized in terms of hardware by elements or mechanical devices such as a processor such as a computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and in terms of software by a computer program, etc. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms using only hardware, only software, or a combination of both.

[0043] The control device 20 includes a communication unit 110, a data processing unit 120, and a data storage unit 140. The communication unit 110 communicates with other devices according to a predetermined communication protocol. The data processing unit 120 executes various types of data processing. The data storage unit 140 stores data referenced or updated by the data processing unit 120.

[0044] The data storage unit 140 includes a job performance information storage unit 142 and an ultraviolet irradiation intensity storage unit 144 .

[0045] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the job performance information storage unit 142. The job performance information storage unit 142 stores performance data for past jobs. Specifically, the job performance information storage unit 142 stores adhesion-related information, which is information related to the adhesion between the varnish on the sheet and the transfer material to be transferred to the varnish on the sheet, in past jobs, in association with the ultraviolet irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 and the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66, the number of sheets processed, and the execution date, i.e., the registration date. The job performance information storage unit 142 may also store the ultraviolet irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the main curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 50.

[0046] The adhesiveness-related information includes the type of varnish applied to the sheet, the type of foil when the foil is transferred onto the varnish, and whether or not the sheet is laminated. The type of varnish, for example, includes the model number of the varnish, as shown in the example of Figure 4. The type of foil, for example, includes the foil manufacturer, model number, and color of the foil, as shown in the example of Figure 4.

[0047] Lamination is a process performed before the application of varnish, in which a thin resin film is attached to the surface of a sheet. The applied varnish does not penetrate a laminated sheet. In other words, the photoinitiator contained in the varnish does not penetrate a laminated sheet either. Therefore, when a sheet is laminated, i.e., when lamination is present, a larger amount of photoinitiator remains in the varnish on the sheet than when the sheet is not laminated, i.e., when lamination is absent, the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light required to semi-cure or fully cure the varnish is smaller.

[0048] In this embodiment, all of the information items in the adhesion-related information are related to the varnish on the sheet. Therefore, in this embodiment, the adhesion-related information can also be considered as varnish-related information. Furthermore, since all of the information items can affect the values ​​of the control items for controlling the varnish application device 14 and the transfer device 16, they can also be considered as control-related information.

[0049] Returning to FIG. 3, the ultraviolet irradiation intensity storage unit 144 stores the value of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the current job.

[0050] The data processing unit 120 includes an acquisition unit 122, a setting unit 124, a job execution unit 126, a registration unit 128, and a transmission unit 130.

[0051] The acquiring unit 122 refers to the job performance information storage unit 142 and acquires the value of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity of the past job from the performance information of the past job having adhesiveness-related information corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job.

[0052] In more detail, the acquisition unit 122 first acquires adhesiveness-related information for the current job. To this end, the acquisition unit 122 displays, for example, a setting screen, which will be described later in FIG. 5, on a predetermined display unit. The user inputs adhesiveness-related information into the setting screen. The acquisition unit 122 acquires the adhesiveness-related information input into the setting screen. Note that the acquisition unit 122 may acquire the type of varnish from an RFID tag attached to the varnish container via a reader (not shown).

[0053] Next, the acquisition unit 122 refers to the job performance information storage unit 142 and acquires the value of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity for the past job having adhesiveness-related information corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job.

[0054] Corresponding adhesive-related information means that the adhesive-related information matches, and in this embodiment, this means that the type of varnish, type of foil, and whether or not lamination is performed for the current job matches the type of varnish, type of foil, and whether or not lamination is performed for the previous job.

[0055] For example, if the information stored in the job performance information storage unit 142 is as shown in Figure 4, and the type of varnish in the adhesiveness-related information for the current job is "V001", the foil manufacturer, model number, and color are "AAA, F123, gold", and whether or not lamination is performed is "no", the values ​​of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity for the job performance with IDs "0004", "0005", and "0006" are obtained.

[0056] As a variant, "adhesion-related information corresponds" may mean that the adhesion-related information matches or is similar. "Adhesion-related information is similar" may mean, when the adhesion-related information includes multiple information items, that the values ​​of a specific information item among the multiple information items match while the values ​​of at least one other information item do not match, or that the values ​​of any part of the multiple information items match while the values ​​of the other information items do not match. Alternatively, "adhesion-related information is similar" may mean that the values ​​of a certain information item in the adhesion-related information are similar, for example, the difference is 5% or less.

[0057] When the acquisition unit 122 acquires one or more ultraviolet irradiation intensity values, the setting unit 124 displays the one or more ultraviolet irradiation intensity values ​​as candidate values ​​for the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value for the current job on a predetermined display unit. The setting unit 124 also sets the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value selected by the user from the candidates as the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value for the current job, i.e., registers the value in the ultraviolet irradiation intensity storage unit 144. To this end, the setting unit 124 displays a selection screen on a predetermined display unit that includes the one or more ultraviolet irradiation intensity values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit 122 as candidate values ​​for the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value for the current job. The user selects an ultraviolet irradiation intensity value from one or more candidates on the selection screen. The setting unit 124 accepts the user's selection of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value and sets the selected ultraviolet irradiation intensity value as the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value for the current job.

[0058] The value of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity may be changed from a value selected from candidates. For example, the value of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity may be fine-tuned from a value selected from candidates. Note that the ultraviolet irradiation intensity may be manually input instead of being selected from candidates. However, by using the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value obtained from performance information of past jobs, the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value for the current job can be easily determined.

[0059] When the job execution unit 126 receives a job execution start instruction from the user, it controls each device to execute the job of decorating the sheet. At this time, the ultraviolet irradiation units 48 and 66 irradiate ultraviolet light at the ultraviolet irradiation intensity stored in the ultraviolet irradiation intensity storage unit 144.

[0060] When a job is executed, the registration unit 128 registers information about the job, specifically the values ​​of each information item in FIG. 4, in the job performance information storage unit 142 at a predetermined timing. That is, the registration unit 128 registers the adhesiveness-related information, the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value, the number of processed sheets, and the execution date of the job in the job performance information storage unit 142. The predetermined timing may be, for example, when the job execution unit 126 receives an instruction to start execution of the job from the user, or when execution of the job is completed.

[0061] The transmission unit 130 transmits the job performance information stored in the job performance information storage unit 142 to an external server 200. The transmission unit 130 may transmit the job performance information at a predetermined interval or when the job execution is completed, but this is not limited to this. In either case, the server 200 collects job performance information from multiple sheet decoration systems 10. Therefore, by analyzing this performance information, the manufacturer of the sheet decoration system 10 can determine and propose appropriate ultraviolet irradiation intensities according to various adhesiveness-related information. Note that the information stored in the job performance information storage unit 142 may be collected by the server 200 via a recording medium, a mobile terminal device, or the like, by a service technician or other means.

[0062] In this way, when collecting and analyzing job performance information from multiple sheet decoration systems 10, it is necessary to minimize the influence of differences between individual sheet decoration systems 10 in the control items of each sheet decoration system 10. Therefore, each sheet decoration system 10 may store a correction value for each control item that compensates for differences between the individual sheet decoration systems 10, correct the value of the control item with this correction value, and execute the job based on this corrected value. On the other hand, the job performance information sent to the server 200 may be the value before correction with this correction value. In this way, the server 200 can collect and analyze job performance information without being influenced by differences between multiple individual sheet decoration systems, while the actual job can be executed using values ​​optimal for the individual sheet decoration system 10 that executes the job.

[0063] The correction value may be set based on actual measurements of each individual sheet decoration system 10. For example, when the sheet decoration system 10 is shipped from the factory, the actual UV irradiation intensity when a predetermined drive current is applied may be measured, and the amount of change in the drive current when the light is adjusted to the target irradiation intensity may be used as the correction value. In this case, it is desirable to measure all sheet decoration systems 10 at the time of shipment from the factory using the same type of properly calibrated measuring device. Alternatively, a sensor capable of measuring the actual irradiation intensity may be provided, and the measurement results of this sensor may be input to the control device 20. The control device 20 may then obtain the correction value by adjusting the light so that the actual irradiation intensity of the UV irradiation unit reaches the target irradiation intensity based on the input sensor measurement results.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a settings screen 300. The settings screen 300 includes an adhesiveness-related information area 310 and a performance information area 320. The adhesiveness-related information area 310 includes a foil information area 312, a varnish information area 314, and a sheet information area 316. In the foil information area 312, information about the foil to be used in the current job is entered. In this example, a list of pre-registered foils is displayed in the foil information area 312, and the foil to be used in the current job can be selected from that list. In the varnish information area 314, information about the varnish to be used in the current job is entered. In this example, a list of pre-registered varnishes is displayed in the varnish information area 314, and the varnish to be used in the current job can be selected from that list. In the sheet information area 316, the presence or absence of lamination of the sheet to be used in the current job is entered. In this example, the checkbox is checked if lamination is required, and unchecked if lamination is not required. The acquisition unit 122 accepts the information input into each information item in the adhesiveness-related information area 310 as adhesiveness-related information for the current job.

[0065] The performance information area 320 displays performance information of past jobs that have adhesiveness-related information corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job that has been input into the adhesiveness-related information area 310. In more detail, the acquisition unit 122 acquires, from the job performance information storage unit 142, performance information of past jobs that have adhesiveness-related information corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job that has been input into the adhesiveness-related information area 310, and displays the information in the performance information area 320.

[0066] In this example, the acquisition unit 122 acquires the number of sheets processed and the date of implementation in addition to the ultraviolet irradiation intensity, and displays these in the performance information area 320. If the number of sheets processed is large or the implementation date is recent, the ultraviolet irradiation intensity is likely to be appropriate. Therefore, by displaying the number of sheets processed and the implementation date, it is easy to select an appropriate ultraviolet irradiation intensity.

[0067] In this example, the performance information area 320 displays performance information for past jobs in descending order of the number of processed sheets. In order to select an appropriate UV irradiation intensity, it is considered advantageous to display the number of processed sheets, which indicates the actual processing results. Therefore, by displaying the jobs in descending order of the number of processed sheets, it becomes easier to select an appropriate UV irradiation intensity. Furthermore, if the processing environment changes significantly depending on the season, or if it is considered advantageous to display jobs with more recent execution dates, the user may be able to display jobs with the most recent execution dates at the top, as needed.

[0068] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. According to this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiation intensity of a past job corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information is presented as a candidate for the ultraviolet irradiation intensity of the current job. The user may use the presented candidate for ultraviolet irradiation intensity as is, or may fine-tune the presented candidate for ultraviolet irradiation intensity. In either case, the presentation of the candidate for ultraviolet irradiation intensity reduces the burden on the user of making the adjustments.

[0069] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the respective components and processing steps, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. These modifications will be described below.

[0070] (Variation 1) The cumulative amount of UV light irradiated onto the varnish can be controlled not only by UV irradiation intensity but also by adjusting the values ​​of other control items of the sheet decoration system 10 that affect the cumulative amount of UV light irradiated onto the sheet varnish. Therefore, the technical concept of the embodiment can also be applied to proposing candidate values ​​for other control items in addition to or instead of UV irradiation intensity. In this case, the job performance information storage unit 142 stores the values ​​of the other control items in the past job as the job performance of the past job, the acquisition unit 122 acquires the values ​​of the other control items from the past job corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information, and the setting unit 124 presents them as candidate values ​​for the other control items in the current job.

[0071] Another control item may be the transport speed of the sheet passing through the irradiation range of the ultraviolet irradiation unit. The slower the sheet transport speed, the longer the time during which ultraviolet light is irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit onto the varnish, and the greater the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish. The faster the sheet transport speed, the shorter the time during which ultraviolet light is irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit onto the varnish, and the less the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish.

[0072] (Variation 2) Unlike the embodiment and the above-described modified examples, the external server 200 may include a job performance information storage unit. This job performance information storage unit may store performance information of past jobs collected from multiple sheet decoration systems 10. In this case, the acquisition unit 122 may acquire candidate values ​​for the control items from the job performance information storage unit of the server 200 via a network.

[0073] In this modification, the sending unit 130 transmits the job performance information to the server 200, including location information indicating the location of the sheet decoration system 10 that executed the job. The job performance information storage unit of the server 200 may store the job performance information along with this location information. The location information may also indicate the country or region where the sheet decoration system 10 is located. The type of sheet used to print the base image or the type of film used for lamination varies greatly depending on the country or region, but the same or similar types tend to be used within the same country or region. The same is true for the printing device used to print the base image, and the properties of the ink or toner used in the printing device. The type of sheet or film, the printing device, and the ink or toner used can affect the UV reflectance. Therefore, when retrieving candidate values ​​for the control items from the job performance information storage unit of the server 200, the acquiring unit 122 may select candidates with matching location information. In other words, the location information may be another information item in Modification 3, which will be described later.

[0074] (Variation 3) In the embodiment and the above-described modified examples, the adhesiveness-related information includes the type of varnish, the type of foil, and whether or not lamination is performed, but is not limited to this.

[0075] The adhesiveness-related information may include only the type of varnish, only the type of foil, or only whether or not lamination is performed.

[0076] In addition, the adhesiveness-related information may include at least one other information item in addition to, or instead of, at least one of the type of varnish, type of foil, and whether or not lamination is performed.

[0077] Another information item may be, for example, the thickness of the varnish applied to the sheet. The thickness of the varnish applied to the sheet affects the ease with which the varnish hardens. When the varnish is relatively thick, the thicker the varnish, the greater the cumulative light intensity must be in order to ensure that the irradiated ultraviolet light reaches the entire varnish layer. On the other hand, due to oxygen inhibition, the greater the surface area of ​​the varnish exposed to air relative to its volume, the more difficult the varnish tends to harden due to oxygen inhibition. When the varnish is relatively thin, the effect of this oxygen inhibition is greater, so the thinner the varnish, the greater the cumulative light intensity must be.

[0078] Another information item may be, for example, the color of the area on the sheet where the varnish is applied (hereinafter also referred to as the base color). Not only the direct ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation unit, but also the reflected ultraviolet light from the sheet contributes to the hardening of the varnish, and the higher the UV reflectance of the sheet, the more rapidly the varnish hardens. The UV reflectance of the sheet varies depending on its base color.

[0079] When varnish is applied to the printed area of ​​a sheet, the base color is the color of the ink or toner printed on the sheet. Generally, printing devices print using four colors of ink or toner: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. These four colors of ink or toner vary at least depending on the printing device manufacturer, and may even vary between printing devices from the same manufacturer. Specifically, even inks or toners with the same color name may have different UV reflectances due to, for example, differences in pigments. In some cases, the appearance of the color may also be slightly different. Therefore, other information items may be a combination of the base color and the identification information of the printing device that printed that base color. The identification information of the printing device may include at least one of information for identifying the printing device manufacturer, information for identifying the model number, and information for identifying the product number.

[0080] When varnish is applied to unprinted areas of a sheet, the base color is the color of the sheet itself. Even sheets with the same color name may have different UV reflectances due to differences in pigments, for example, depending on the product number or manufacturer. In some cases, the color appearance may also be slightly different. Furthermore, even sheets with the same color name may have different product numbers or manufacturers, for example, depending on the minute irregularities on the sheet surface or the thickness of the coating applied to the sheet surface. This results in different penetration levels of the photoinitiator contained in the varnish, and thus different cumulative UV light doses required to semi-cure or fully cure the varnish. Therefore, other information items may include, for example, identification information for identifying the sheet. The sheet identification information may include at least one of information for identifying the sheet manufacturer, information for identifying the sheet model number, and information for identifying the sheet product number.

[0081] Other information items may include, for example, information indicating the surface condition of the sheet. Differences in the surface condition of the sheet can affect the UV reflectance of the sheet. The surface condition of the sheet may be matte or glossy, and the quality of the sheet, i.e., fine paper, coated paper, etc.

[0082] Another information item may be the type of lamination finish. Differences in the type of finish can affect the UV reflectance of the sheet. The type of finish may be matte or glossy, or it may be information to distinguish the manufacturer, brand, model number, or part number of the lamination film used in the processing.

[0083] Another information item may be the conveyance speed of the sheet passing through the irradiation range of the ultraviolet irradiation unit. The slower the sheet conveyance speed, the longer the time that ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the varnish from the ultraviolet irradiation unit, making it easier for the varnish to harden. As described in Variation 1, the sheet conveyance speed may also be a control item. In this case, the value of the sheet conveyance speed as a control item may be obtained based on information items other than the sheet conveyance speed, or the sheet conveyance speed as an information item may be used directly as the value of the sheet conveyance speed as a control item.

[0084] These other information items are all varnish-related information. Therefore, the adhesion-related information can also be considered as varnish-related information.

[0085] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the job performance information storage unit 142 relating to Modification 3. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen 400 relating to Modification 3. In the examples of Figs. 6 and 7, the adhesiveness-related information includes the type of varnish, the type of foil, whether or not lamination is performed, as well as the thickness of the varnish and the base color.

[0086] 7 includes an adhesiveness-related information area 410, a performance information area 420, and a search options area 430. The adhesiveness-related information area 410 includes a foil information area 412, a varnish information area 414, and a sheet information area 416. The differences from the setting screen 300 will be mainly explained below.

[0087] The varnish information area 414 displays the varnish type and varnish thickness information. A list of pre-registered varnish and thickness combinations is displayed in the varnish information area 414, and the user can select the varnish type and thickness combination to be used for the current job from that list. Of course, the varnish type and thickness may also be selected individually. The sheet information area 416 allows the user to input the color of the area on the sheet to which the varnish will be applied, i.e., the base color, in addition to whether or not lamination is required. The base color is entered by selecting and checking a checkbox corresponding to the base printing color of the area on the sheet to which the varnish will be applied. For the base color, in this example, the checkboxes are displayed in grayscale shades, and the user is prompted to select and check the checkbox with a color close to the base color. However, this is not limiting; checkboxes displayed in various colors may be displayed, and the user may select and check the checkbox with a color close to the base color.

[0088] The search option area 430 is an area for specifying, for each information item, whether the performance information of a past job must "match" the adhesiveness-related information of the current job or whether "similarity" is also allowed as a condition for displaying the performance information area 420. In this example, a check box is provided corresponding to each information item included in the adhesiveness-related information. Adhesion-related information corresponding to a checked check box requires "matching," while adhesion-related information corresponding to an unchecked check box is also allowed to "be similar."

[0089] At the start of setup, all check boxes in the search option area 430 may be checked. When all check boxes in the search option area 430 are checked, if there are no past jobs whose adhesiveness-related information matches the current job's adhesiveness-related information in all information items, nothing is displayed in the performance information area 420. In this case, if an information item that allows "similar" is unchecked in the search option area 430, past jobs whose unchecked information items have adhesiveness-related information that is "similar" to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job will also be displayed in the performance information area 420. Therefore, even if there is no past job whose information items match the current job's, the user can gradually change the conditions and find an appropriate past job as a selection target. Furthermore, by selecting information items that allow "similar," past jobs that reflect the information items the user values ​​can be found.

[0090] The check boxes in the search options area 430 have a hierarchical structure. The upper level "Foil Information" corresponds to the lower level "Manufacturer," "Model Number," and "Color," the upper level "Sheet" corresponds to the lower level "Lamination Processing" and "Base Color," and the upper level "Varnish" corresponds to the lower level "Varnish Information" and "Varnish Thickness." Checking or unchecking a check box in a higher level is reflected in all corresponding information items in the lower level. Checking a check box in a lower level is reflected only in the information item itself. This hierarchical structure allows multiple information items linked to each of "Foil," "Varnish," and "Sheet" to be specified together.

[0091] Except for the above points, the adhesiveness-related information area 410 (foil information area 412, varnish information area 414, sheet information area 416) and performance information area 420 of the setting screen 400 are similar to the adhesiveness-related information area 310 (foil information area 312, varnish information area 314, sheet information area 316) and performance information area 320 of the setting screen 300, respectively.

[0092] (Variation 4) As described in Variation 2, the external server 200 may be provided with a job performance information storage unit, which stores performance information of past jobs collected from multiple sheet decoration systems 10, and the acquisition unit 122 may acquire candidate values ​​for control items from the job performance information storage unit of the server 200 via the network.

[0093] In this case, information items may be provided to effectively utilize the information of multiple sheet decoration systems 10 collected by the external server 200. For example, location information indicating the location of the sheet decoration system 10 that executed the job described in Variation 2 may be provided. In addition, information regarding the type of sheet or laminate film described above, and information regarding the printing device used to print the base image may also be provided as independent information items.

[0094] Fig. 8 shows a communication system including an external server 200 connected to multiple sheet decoration systems 10a-10h via a network. In Fig. 8, eight sheet decoration systems 10a-10h are connected to the server 200, but the number of connected sheet decoration systems 10 may be more or less than eight.

[0095] Each of the sheet decoration systems 10a-10h has a structure similar to that of the sheet decoration system 10 in the embodiment and the above-described modified example. That is, each of them includes the same structures as a feeding device 12 that feeds sheets one by one, a varnish application device 14 that applies ultraviolet-curing varnish (hereinafter simply referred to as "varnish") to the sheets fed one by one and irradiates the varnish with ultraviolet light, a transfer device (foil stamping device) 16 that transfers foil, which is a transfer material, to the varnish applied to the sheet by utilizing the tackiness of the semi-cured varnish, and a stacker 18 that accumulates the sheets.

[0096] The sheet decoration systems 10a-10h are installed in various countries, regions, and users. For example, in Fig. 8, the sheet decoration systems 10a and 10b are installed in region XX of country A, the sheet decoration systems 10c and 10d are installed in region YY of country A, the sheet decoration systems 10e and 10f are installed in country B, and the sheet decoration systems 10g and 10h are installed in country C.

[0097] Each of the sheet decoration systems 10a-10h has a control device 20a-20h that controls the sheet decoration system. The structure of the control devices 20a-20h is the same as that shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, except that the job performance information storage unit 142 is not included. In this modification, the server 200 is provided with a job performance information storage unit 146, which replaces the function of the job performance information storage unit 142. However, a temporary storage unit used when communicating with the server 200 may also be provided in each of the control devices 20a-20h.

[0098] In this modification, the server 200 collects the results of each past job from the sheet decoration systems 10a-10h connected via a network. Fig. 9 shows an example of the data structure of the job result information storage unit 146 in Modification 4. In addition to the job results of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 and Modification 3 shown in Fig. 6, the past job results in this modification include several additional information items to effectively utilize the information collected from multiple sheet decoration systems 10. The following description focuses on the additional information items.

[0099] The data structure of the job performance information storage unit 146 shown in Fig. 9 adds the following information items to the job performance information storage unit 142 of Variation 3 shown in Fig. 6: device ID, position information, printing device information, and sheet information. Furthermore, the lamination information includes not only whether or not lamination is used, but also the manufacturer and model number of the laminating film. These information items are also adhesion-related information, which is information related to the adhesion between the varnish on the sheet and the transfer material to be transferred to the varnish on the sheet, i.e., varnish-related information, which is information related to the varnish on the sheet.

[0100] Each device ID is information for identifying multiple sheet decoration systems 10 collected / stored in the job performance information storage unit 146. Each device ID is linked separately to the device's manufacturing date, manufacturing lot, delivery destination, etc., and stored in the server 200. Furthermore, sheet decoration systems 10 connected to the server 200 may include those with different specifications due to minor changes, destination, etc., as long as they are equipped with varnish application devices 14 and transfer devices 16 that have substantially the same structure. Therefore, the device ID may be linked to information regarding the specifications of the sheet decoration system.

[0101] The location information is information indicating the location of the place where the sheet decoration system 10 connected to the server 200 is installed, such as information indicating the country, region, or municipality where it is located, and may also be the address of the location. As described above, the location information can be an information item for referencing job performance information appropriate for the machine itself, since the properties of the printing device used for the sheet, laminating film, and base image, and the ink and toner used in the printing device, vary depending on the country or region. The location information may also be linked to the device ID.

[0102] Printing device information identifies the printing device used to print the base layer on the sheets used in the job. The properties of the base image's printed surface vary depending on the printing device used, even if the base color is the same. The properties of the base image's printed surface, for example, refer to the wettability of the base image's printed surface. Wettability affects how the varnish spreads when applied to the printed surface, thereby affecting the cumulative amount of UV light required to semi-cure or fully cure the varnish. Alternatively, the properties of the base image's printed surface, for example, refer to the UV reflectivity of the base image's printed surface. As mentioned above, UV reflected by the base also contributes to the varnish's curing, so reflectivity affects the degree of varnish curing. Even for the same printing color, UV reflectivity can vary depending on the printing device. This is because the toner, fixing method, ink, etc. used for printing differ depending on the printing device. In the example shown in Figure 9, the manufacturer and model number of the printing device are stored. However, this could also be the device's lot number or individual identification number, or information indicating the type and properties of the toner or ink used in the printing device.

[0103] On the other hand, the properties of the toners and inks used in printing devices can vary depending on the color. For example, in a full-color printer, the mixing ratio of the four inks or toners (cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K)) varies depending on the printing color, and these differences can affect wettability. Furthermore, the printing color has a significant effect on the reflectance of ultraviolet light. Therefore, the information item can also be the combination of the printing device used for base printing and the base color.

[0104] The sheet information is information for identifying the sheet used for the base printing applied to the sheets used in the job. In the example of Figure 9, it is the sheet manufacturer and model number, but it can also be the sheet brand, product number, paper quality, ream weight, etc. The properties of the sheet affect the wettability and ultraviolet reflectivity of the varnish, especially when applying varnish to areas without base printing.

[0105] The lamination information includes not only whether the sheets used in the job are laminated, but also information for identifying the film used for lamination (e.g., manufacturer, brand, model number, product number, etc.). In the example of Figure 9, the manufacturer and model number of the laminate film are stored, but the type of laminate finish may also be stored. As mentioned above, the type of laminate film directly affects the properties of the sheet surface, and the type of finish (matte, glossy, etc.) can significantly affect UV reflectance.

[0106] The location information for a single sheet decoration system 10 does not change unless the installation location changes. Furthermore, as long as the same sheet decoration system 10 is used, the same sheets, base printing devices, and laminating films are often used repeatedly. On the other hand, for example, between multiple sheet decoration systems used by various users in various countries, the sheets, base printing devices, and laminating films used vary, so it is desirable to refer to the job performance information of sheet decoration systems with identical or similar information items. Therefore, location information, printing device information, sheet information, and laminating information can be said to be useful information items for effectively utilizing job performance information collected from multiple sheet decoration systems 10.

[0107] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen 500 displayed in each sheet decoration system 10 in the fourth modification.

[0108] 10 includes an adhesiveness-related information area 510, a performance information area 520, and a search options area 530. The adhesiveness-related information area 510 includes a foil information area 512, a varnish information area 514, a sheet information area 516, a base printing area 518, and a lamination information area 519. The differences from the setting screen 400 will be mainly explained below.

[0109] Information for identifying the type of sheet is displayed in the sheet information area 516. A list of pre-registered combinations of sheet manufacturers and model numbers is displayed in the sheet information area 516, so the user can simply select from that list the combination of sheet manufacturer and model number to be used in the current job.

[0110] The base printing area 518 displays information identifying the printing device used for base printing and the base color (the color of the area on the sheet where the varnish will be applied). A list of pre-registered combinations of printing device and base color is displayed in the base printing area 518, so the user can select from the list the combination of the printing device that performed the base printing on the sheet to be used in the current job and the base color of the area where the varnish will be applied. Of course, it is also possible to select the printing device and base color separately. In the example of Figure 10, the manufacturer and device name (model number) of the printing device are stored, but this could also be the device's lot number or individual identification number, or information indicating the type and properties of the toner or ink used in the printing device.

[0111] The lamination information area 519 displays whether or not lamination is used, and if so, information to identify the laminate film. A list of pre-registered combinations of laminate film manufacturers and model numbers is displayed in the lamination information area 519, so the user can select from that list the combination of manufacturer and model number of the laminate film applied to the sheets used in the current job. If no lamination is used, the user can select "none." In the example in Figure 10, the manufacturer and model number are displayed, but the type of laminate finish could also be displayed.

[0112] The location information remains unchanged unless the installation location of the sheet decoration system 10 changes, and does not need to be set by the user, so it is not displayed in the adhesiveness-related information area 510. The location information can be stored in an appropriate memory unit of the control device 20 by a serviceman or the like when the sheet decoration system 10 is installed. As will be described later, it is possible to identify and generate location information corresponding to the received adhesiveness-related information on the server 200 side by storing the location information for each sheet decoration system 10 in advance in the server 200 or by analyzing communication information when the server 200 receives the adhesiveness-related information. Therefore, even if location information is not necessarily included in the adhesiveness-related information transmitted and received between the sheet decoration system 10 and the server 200, it is possible to identify candidates for job performance information taking location information into consideration.

[0113] Similar to the search option area 430 in Modification 3, the search option area 530 is an area for specifying whether or not to allow "similar" as a condition for displaying past job performance information in the performance information area 520. Adhesion-related information corresponding to unchecked checkboxes also allows "similar." Compared to the search option area 430 in Modification 3, checkboxes have been added or modified according to the adhesiveness-related information specific to this modification. Here, "similar" location information may refer to cases where the municipalities are different but the countries are the same, or, for example, where the countries are geographically close. Furthermore, "similar" countries or regions may be pre-defined based on the distribution status of sheets, base printing devices, and laminate films. "Similar" laminate films may refer to, for example, the type of laminate film finish (matte or glossy) being the same. "Similar" sheets may refer to, for example, similar surface textures (surface roughness) or reflectances.

[0114] Also, as mentioned above, it may be better to think of the base color and the printing device used for base printing as a combination rather than as separate information items. The search options area 530 has a link button 532 that links the "base printing machine" and "base color." When the link button 532 is on, both check boxes for whether to allow "similar" are on or both are off. When the link button 532 is off, the "base printing machine" and "base color" check boxes can be individually set on or off.

[0115] Furthermore, although not shown in Figure 10, it is possible to select information items that are to be considered as "similar" and to set stricter standards for determining similarity for the information items that are to be considered as "similar" than for other information items. For example, the range for determining "similar" may be such that the difference in value for the information items that are to be considered as "similar" is within 5%, while the difference in value for other information items is within 10%. Alternatively, it may be possible to set the importance in multiple stages, allowing the priority of similarity to be set.

[0116] Except for the above points, the adhesiveness-related information area 510 (foil information area 512 and varnish information area 514), performance information area 520, and search option area 530 of the settings screen 500 are similar to the adhesiveness-related information area 410 (foil information area 412 and varnish information area 414), performance information area 420, and search option area 430 of the settings screen 400, respectively.

[0117] In one of the sheet decoration systems 10 connected to the server 200, when the acquisition unit 122 refers to the job performance information of past jobs to acquire candidates for the ultraviolet irradiation intensity value, it references the job performance information storage unit 146 in the server 200 via the network. That is, the acquisition unit 122 transmits the adhesiveness-related information of the current job acquired on the setting screen 500 to the server 200. The server 200 acquires one or more values ​​of ultraviolet irradiation intensity for past jobs that have adhesiveness-related information corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job, and returns these to the sheet decoration system 10. Thereafter, as in the above-described embodiment, the setting unit 124 sets the ultraviolet irradiation intensity and the job execution unit 126 executes the job, while the transmission unit 130 transmits the job performance information (or values ​​of the control items) to the server 200 at an appropriate timing. The server 200 stores and accumulates the received job performance information in the job performance information storage unit 146.

[0118] The sending unit 130 may send a combination of the adhesiveness-related information of the executed job and the ultraviolet irradiation intensity as job performance information, or may send only the ultraviolet irradiation intensity. When only the ultraviolet irradiation intensity is sent, the server 200 associates the received ultraviolet irradiation intensity with the adhesiveness-related information received immediately before from the acquisition unit 122 of the same sheet decoration system 10, and stores the resulting information in the job performance information storage unit 146 as job performance information.

[0119] In the examples of Figures 9 and 10, the job performance information includes all of the information items: location information, printing device information, sheet information, and lamination information, but it may also include only one of these, or any combination of two or three of these.

[0120] The job performance information storage unit 146 of the server 200 stores a large amount of job performance information sent from a plurality of sheet decoration systems 10, and by referring to this information, a more appropriate ultraviolet irradiation intensity can be obtained.

[0121] In other variants 1, 3, and 5-11, the job performance information storage unit 142 of the sheet decoration system 10 can be replaced with a job performance information storage unit 146 of an external server 200 that is communicatively connected to multiple sheet decoration systems 10, thereby making it possible to refer to the job performance information of multiple sheet decoration systems 10.

[0122] However, there are individual differences among sheet decoration systems 10. For example, even if the ultraviolet irradiation units have the same structure, the actual irradiation intensity may differ due to manufacturing errors, etc. Therefore, in order to minimize the influence of differences between units, each sheet decoration system 10 may store correction values ​​for each control item that compensate for the differences between units, and correct the values ​​of the control items, as described in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0123] As a further modification of Modification 4, the value of the control item (ultraviolet irradiation intensity) received from the server 200 may be corrected with this correction value. Furthermore, when sending the value of the control item (ultraviolet irradiation intensity) as job performance information, the value of the control item (ultraviolet irradiation intensity) minus this correction value may be sent. In this way, the sheet decoration system 10 can obtain a more appropriate value of the control item, and the server 200 can accumulate job performance information that eliminates differences between individuals.

[0124] As a further variation of this variation 4, the control device 20 of the sheet decoration system 10 may be provided with a job performance information storage unit, and some or all of the job performance information stored in the server 200 may be downloaded in advance, and the acquisition unit 122 may acquire the value of the control item by referring to the job performance information downloaded and stored in the job performance information storage unit of the control device 20.

[0125] As a further modification of the fourth modification, when the server 200 receives adhesiveness-related information from the acquisition unit 122 of the sheet decorating system 10, the server 200 may analyze the received data to generate location information for the sheet decorating system 10 that sent the information, and store the generated location information in the job performance information storage unit 146 as part of the adhesiveness-related information. For example, the analysis may involve identifying the country, region, or municipality in which the sheet decorating system 10 is located based on geolocation from the IP address of the received sheet decorating system 10. As another example, the server 200 may store location information in advance, linked to a device ID for identifying each sheet decorating system 10 that can communicate with the server 200. In this case, when adhesiveness-related information is received from the acquisition unit 122 of the sheet decorating system 10, the server 200 may identify the location information linked to the device ID included in the adhesiveness-related information. According to these examples, even if the received adhesiveness-related information does not directly include location information, the server 200 can return UV irradiation intensity to the sheet decorating system 10, taking into account the analyzed or identified location information. In this case, the reply does not need to include location information.

[0126] (Variation 5) Unlike the embodiment and the above-described modified examples, the control device 20 may include a control item value storage unit that stores the value of a control item for each piece of adhesiveness-related information. The value of this control item may be, for example, a value determined by a user of the sheet decoration system 10 based on experiments. Alternatively, the value of this control item may be, for example, a value determined based on job performance data of past jobs collected by the manufacturer of the sheet decoration system 10 or experiments. The acquisition unit 122 may acquire the value of the control item corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job from the control item value storage unit.

[0127] (Variation 6) In the embodiment and the above-described modified example, the values ​​of the control items acquired by the acquisition unit 122 are presented to the user as candidates for the values ​​of the control items of the current job. However, this is not limited to this, and the setting unit 124 may set the values ​​of the control items acquired by the acquisition unit 122 as the values ​​of the control items of the current job. In this case, the values ​​of the control items are automatically set based on the adhesiveness-related information of the current job. When the acquisition unit 122 acquires the values ​​of the control items of multiple past jobs, the value of the control item of the past job with the largest number of processed sheets may be adopted, or the value of the control item of the past job with the most recent registration date and time may be adopted. The value of the control item of the past job with the largest number of processed sheets may be adopted preferentially, and when there are multiple past jobs with the same number of processed sheets, the control item of the past job with the most recent registration date and time may be adopted preferentially.

[0128] (Variation 7) In the embodiment, the acquiring unit 122 acquires the adhesiveness-related information input by the user on the setting screen, but the present invention is not limited to this. The acquiring unit 122 may acquire some or all of the information items included in the adhesiveness-related information according to reference information previously acquired by the control device 20, without relying on user input. The reference information may be, for example, image data representing a base image, and the acquiring unit 122 may acquire the base color from this image data. The data representing the base image may be input to a printing device in order to print the base image, or may be acquired by scanning a sheet on which the base image is printed. Furthermore, when a job involving data representing a base image is executed, the control device 20 may acquire the data representing the base image as performance information.

[0129] The reference information may be information acquired by sensors provided in the sheet decoration system 10. For example, a transmission optical sensor is provided in the transport path of the web 52 so that its optical axis passes through the web 52, and the amount of light transmitted through the web 52 is acquired. Ultraviolet light from the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 passes through the web 52 and reaches the varnish. Therefore, the greater the amount of light transmitted through the web 52, the greater the accumulated amount of light, and the smaller the amount of light transmitted through the web 52, the smaller the accumulated amount of light. The control device 20 may acquire this accumulated amount of light as one piece of foil information. Furthermore, when a job is executed, the control device 20 may acquire the amount of light transmitted through the web 52 for that job as performance information.

[0130] (Variation 8) The technical concept of the embodiment is not limited to the case of transferring onto a sheet, that is, the object onto which the transfer device 16 transfers the transfer material may be something other than a sheet.

[0131] (Variation 9) In the embodiment, the tackiness of the semi-cured varnish is utilized to transfer the foil to the varnish on the sheet. In this modification, the foil has an adhesive function that is activated by heating, and this adhesive function is used to transfer the foil to the varnish. The following explains the differences from the embodiment.

[0132] 11 is a side view schematically showing a sheet decoration system 10 according to a modified example. FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG.

[0133] If the varnish applied to the sheet is prone to bleeding, the varnish application device 14 turns on the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 to semi-cure at least the surface of the varnish. Note that the varnish application device 14 does not necessarily have to be equipped with the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48.

[0134] The foil held by the web 52 has an adhesive layer that exhibits adhesive strength when heated, i.e., the foil held by the web 52 exhibits adhesive strength when heated.

[0135] The transfer device 16 does not include a transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit. Instead, the transfer device 16 includes a pressure roller 53, an opposing member 56 that faces the pressure roller 53 below the pressure roller 53, and a heating unit (e.g., a heater) 54 for heating the foil. The pressure roller 53 presses the web 52 and the sheet against the opposing member 56. In the illustrated example, the opposing member 56 is a roller. Note that the opposing member 56 is not limited to a roller as long as it can sandwich the web 52 and the sheet between itself and the pressure roller 53. For example, the opposing member 56 may be a guide plate that forms part of the conveying surface.

[0136] At least one of the pressure roller 53 and the opposing member 56 is configured to be movable up and down. By moving at least one of the pressure roller 53 and the opposing member 56 up and down, the gap between the pressure roller 53 and the opposing member 56, in other words, the pressure with which the pressure roller 53 presses the web 52 and the sheet against the opposing member 56, can be adjusted.

[0137] The pressure roller 53 is heated by a heating unit (e.g., a heater) 54. That is, the pressure roller 53 heats the foil held by the web 52 and presses the foil against the sheet, thereby exerting the adhesive force of the foil, and the foil is adhered, i.e., transferred, to the varnish located higher than the upper surface of the sheet.

[0138] The heating unit 54 may be built into the pressure roller 53 as shown in the figure, or may be arranged external to the pressure roller 53. If the heating unit 54 is arranged external to the pressure roller 53, it is preferable that the heating unit 54 be arranged upstream of the pressure roller 53 to heat the web 52 and thus the foil so that the foil can exert sufficient adhesive strength during transfer. Note that the method of heating the foil is not limited to this. For example, a roller other than the pressure roller 53 may be heated by the heating unit 54, and that roller may heat the foil. Alternatively, for example, a hot air blower serving as the heating unit 54 may heat the foil.

[0139] The adhesive material contained in the adhesive layer of the foil may vary depending on the type of foil. Therefore, the amount of energy required to make the adhesive layer exhibit sufficient adhesive strength may vary depending on the type of foil. If the adhesive layer does not exhibit sufficient adhesive strength, poor adhesion may occur, in which the foil does not transfer to the sheet.

[0140] The amount of energy applied to the adhesive layer of the foil can be controlled by adjusting the heating temperature of the heating unit 54, which is a control item of the sheet decoration system 10. This adjustment is cumbersome and can be a burden to the user.

[0141] Therefore, in this modified example, the control device 20 stores the job results of past jobs and, based on the job results of the past jobs, suggests possible heating temperatures for the heating unit 54 for the current job that is about to be executed, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

[0142] The job performance information storage unit 142 of the control device 20 stores the adhesiveness-related information, the heating temperature by the heating unit 54, the number of processed sheets, and the execution date, ie, the registration date, in association with each other for the past jobs.

[0143] The adhesiveness-related information includes the type of foil, which may include, for example, the foil manufacturer, the foil model number, and the foil color.

[0144] The acquisition unit 122 refers to the job performance information storage unit 142 and acquires the value of the heating temperature by the heating unit 54 in the past job from the performance information of the past job that has adhesiveness-related information corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job.

[0145] When the acquisition unit 122 acquires one or more heating temperature values, the setting unit 124 displays the one or more heating temperature values ​​on a predetermined display unit as candidates for the heating temperature value in the current job. Furthermore, the setting unit 124 sets the heating temperature value selected by the user from the candidates as the heating temperature value by the heating unit 54 in the current job, i.e., registers it in the data storage unit 140.

[0146] The amount of energy applied to the adhesive layer of the foil is not limited to the heating temperature by the heating unit 54, and can also be controlled by adjusting the values ​​of other control items of the transfer device 16. Therefore, the job performance information storage unit 142 stores the values ​​of other control items in past jobs in addition to or instead of the heating temperature by the heating unit 54, the acquisition unit 122 acquires the values ​​of the other control items from the past job corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information, and the setting unit 124 presents them as candidates for the values ​​of the other control items in the current job.

[0147] Another control item may be the transport speed (feed rate) of the web 52. The slower the transport speed of the web 52, the longer the foil is heated and the more energy is applied to the foil. The faster the transport speed of the web 52, the shorter the foil is heated and the less energy is applied to the foil.

[0148] Incidentally, if the gap between the pressure roller 53 and the opposing member 56, or in other words, the pressure with which the pressure roller 53 presses the web 52 and the sheet against the opposing member 56, is not appropriate, poor adhesion, in which the foil is not transferred to the sheet, may occur. Adjusting this gap is complicated and can be a burden to the user. Therefore, another control item may be the gap between the pressure roller 53 and the opposing member 56, or the pressure with which the pressure roller 53 presses the web 52 and the sheet against the opposing member 56.

[0149] According to this modification, candidate values ​​for the control items are presented, thereby reducing the burden on the user in adjusting the values.

[0150] (Variation 10) The web 52 that holds the foil is usually formed by vapor-depositing, coating, or attaching a metal or coloring material to a base film to create a transfer layer, which serves as the "foil" that serves as the transfer material. A release layer, adhesive layer, or the like may be added to the transfer layer to enhance adhesion during transfer and to enhance peelability from the base film. The long substrate sheet that supports the transfer material is not limited to a film, but may be a strip of woven fabric or other material that can hold the transfer material and transfer it to the object to be transferred in the transfer zone. Meanwhile, the transfer material held by the web 52 is not limited to a "foil" but may be a thin layer other than metal. It may also be an ink ribbon, where the transfer material is applied to a base web such as ink. The long substrate sheet that supports the transfer material is not limited to a film, but may be a strip of woven fabric or other material that can hold the transfer material and transfer it to the object to be transferred in the transfer zone.

[0151] (Variation 11) In the embodiment and the above-described modified examples, the control device 20 may include a machine learning program that learns the combination of the adhesiveness-related information acquired by the acquisition unit 122 for the current job and the UV irradiation intensity actually used in the execution of the current job, and may display candidates by referencing past processes learned through this program. The machine learning program may learn the entire process from the acquisition of adhesiveness-related information by the acquisition unit 122, display of candidate UV irradiation intensities for past jobs, user selection from the candidates, registration of the selected UV irradiation intensity, and execution of the current job using the registered UV irradiation intensity to generate performance information. If the UV irradiation intensity is modified after registration, it is preferable to learn the modification as well. By learning and referencing many past jobs, it is possible to more appropriately select a UV irradiation intensity suitable for the input adhesiveness-related information. Furthermore, the learning and referencing of past processes described above may be performed using a neural network such as deep learning.

[0152] When the server 200 collects and analyzes job performance information from multiple sheet decoration systems 10, the server 200 may have a machine learning program that learns the combinations of adhesiveness-related information and UV irradiation intensity for collected past jobs, or the above-mentioned series of processes. By learning job performance information collected from multiple sheet decoration systems 10, the number n of job performance information increases, making it possible to set a more appropriate UV irradiation intensity.

[0153] Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present disclosure. A new embodiment resulting from the combination has the combined effects of the combined embodiments and modifications.

[0154] The above-described embodiment and modifications can be generalized to provide the following aspects.

[0155] [Aspect 1] A sheet decoration system that decorates a sheet while conveying the sheet, a varnish application unit that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to the sheet; an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the varnish on the sheet; a control device; Equipped with The control device acquires the value of the control item corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job from a memory unit that stores adhesiveness-related information, which is information related to the adhesiveness between the varnish on the sheet and the transfer substance to be transferred to the varnish on the sheet, in correspondence with values ​​of the control items of the sheet decoration system, and performs a specified process using the acquired value of the control item.

[0156] [Aspect 2] the adhesion-related information is information related to the varnish on the sheet; 2. The sheet decoration system according to embodiment 1.

[0157] [Aspect 3] the adhesion-related information includes at least one of the type of varnish on the sheet, the thickness of the varnish on the sheet, the color of the area on the sheet to which the varnish is applied, and the type of foil to be transferred to the varnish on the sheet; 3. The sheet decoration system according to embodiment 1 or 2.

[0158] [Aspect 4] The adhesiveness-related information includes a combination of the color of the area on the sheet to which the varnish is applied by the varnish application unit and information identifying a printing device that printed the color of the area. A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3.

[0159] [Aspect 5] the adhesive-related information includes at least one of information identifying the sheet to be decorated, information identifying the type of lamination finish previously applied to the sheet, or information identifying the laminate used; A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4.

[0160] [Aspect 6] the predetermined process is to display the acquired value on a predetermined display unit as a candidate value for the control item. A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5.

[0161] [Aspect 7] the predetermined process is to set the acquired value as the value of the control item of the current job. A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5.

[0162] [Aspect 8] The control item is a control item of the sheet decoration system that affects the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated on the varnish on the sheet, A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7.

[0163] [Aspect 9] The control item is ultraviolet irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet light irradiation unit. A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8.

[0164] [Aspect 10] The acquired value is a value of ultraviolet irradiation intensity for the ultraviolet irradiation unit to semi-cure the varnish on the sheet. 10. A sheet decoration system according to embodiment 9.

[0165] [Aspect 11] The acquired value is a value of ultraviolet irradiation intensity for the ultraviolet irradiation unit to completely cure the varnish on the sheet. 10. A sheet decoration system according to embodiment 9.

[0166] [Aspect 12] the control item is a conveying speed of the sheet passing through an irradiation area of ​​the ultraviolet irradiation unit; 12. A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11.

[0167] [Aspect 13] a transfer device that transfers the sheet and a transfer web in a roll-to-roll manner while bringing them into contact with each other to transfer a transfer material from the transfer web to the varnish on the sheet; The transfer material exhibits adhesive strength when heated, the transfer device includes a heating unit for heating a transfer material; The control item is a heating temperature by the heating unit. 13. The sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 12.

[0168] [Aspect 14] a transfer device that transfers the sheet and a transfer web in a roll-to-roll manner while bringing them into contact with each other to transfer a transfer material from the transfer web to the varnish on the sheet; The transfer material exhibits adhesive strength when heated, the transfer device includes a heating unit for heating the transfer material, the control item is the transport speed of the transfer web; 14. The sheet decoration system of any one of embodiments 1 to 13.

[0169] [Aspect 15] When a job is executed, the control device stores the value set for the control item in the storage unit. 15. A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 14.

[0170] [Aspect 16] the control device has a transmission unit that transmits the value set in the control item to an external server when a job is executed; 16. A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 15.

[0171] [Aspect 17] Correction values ​​that compensate for differences due to individual differences between systems are stored in advance. The control device corrects the value of the control item with the correction value, and the transmitting unit transmits the value of the control item before the correction. 17. A sheet decoration system according to claim 16.

[0172] [Aspect 18] the control device receives adhesiveness-related information for the current job from a user; 18. A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 17.

[0173] [Aspect 19] an external server includes the storage unit; The control device acquires the value of the control item corresponding to the adhesiveness-related information of the current job from the storage unit of the server via the network. 19. A sheet decoration system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 18.

[0174] [Aspect 20] A sheet processing system having a processing section that is executed according to a job and performs predetermined processing on a sheet, an acquisition unit that acquires control-related information that may affect a control item value, which is a value of a control item for controlling the processing unit, for a current job to be executed this time, and acquires the control item value included in the job performance information corresponding to the current job, from among a plurality of job performance information in which the control-related information and the control item value are associated with each other and which are stored in a predetermined storage unit and which have been executed in the past; a setting unit that sets the control item value for the current job based on the control item value acquired by the acquisition unit; a job execution unit that executes a current job using the control item values ​​for the current job set by the setting unit; a control device including: The plurality of pieces of job performance information are collected from a plurality of sheet processing systems having the processing unit. Sheet handling system.

[0175] [Aspect 21] the predetermined storage unit is provided in a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network, the acquiring unit acquires the control item value from the predetermined storage unit via a network. A sheet processing system according to embodiment 20.

[0176] [Aspect 22] the control device includes a transmission unit that, when a current job is executed, transmits job performance information of the current job, in which adhesiveness-related information of the current job is associated with control item values, to a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network; 22. The sheet processing system according to claim 20 or 21.

[0177] [Aspect 23] the predetermined storage unit is provided in a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network, the acquisition unit acquires the control item value from the predetermined storage unit; the setting unit corrects the acquired control item value with a correction value stored in advance to compensate for differences due to individual differences between systems, and sets the control item value for the current job; a transmission unit that, when a current job is executed, subtracts the correction value from the control item value in the current job, restores the control item value to the value before correction, and transmits the restored value to the server; 23. A sheet processing system according to any one of aspects 20 to 22.

[0178] [Aspect 24] the predetermined storage unit is provided in the control device, and stores the job performance information of the plurality of sheet processing systems, which information has been previously acquired from a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network; the acquisition unit acquires the control item value from the storage unit. 23. A sheet processing system according to any one of aspects 20 to 22.

[0179] [Aspect 25] the control-related information includes location information indicating the location of the sheet processing system that executed the job; 25. A sheet processing system according to any one of aspects 20 to 24.

[0180] [Aspect 26] the location information is information representing a country, region, or municipality where the sheet processing system is located; 26. A sheet processing system according to claim 25.

[0181] [Aspect 27] the control-related information is information for identifying a printing device that previously printed on a sheet before the predetermined processing. 27. A sheet processing system according to any one of aspects 20 to 26.

[0182] [Aspect 28] The control-related information includes at least one of information identifying the sheet to be processed, information identifying the type of lamination finish previously applied to the sheet, or information identifying the laminate used. 28. A sheet processing system according to any one of aspects 20 to 27.

[0183] [Aspect 29] The processing unit is a sheet decoration system that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to the sheet while conveying the sheet, and irradiates the varnish on the applied sheet with ultraviolet light, the control-related information is adhesion-related information, which is information related to adhesion between the varnish on the sheet and a transfer material to be transferred to the varnish on the sheet; 29. A sheet processing system according to any one of aspects 20 to 28.

[0184] [Aspect 30] 1. A sheet processing method for a sheet processing system having a processing section, comprising: setting a control item value, which is a value of a control item for controlling the processing section, before execution of a job in which the processing section performs a predetermined process on a sheet, the method comprising: a control-related information acquisition step of acquiring control-related information that may affect the control item value for a current job to be executed; a control item value acquisition step of acquiring, from a storage unit that collects and stores a plurality of job performance information pieces in which the control-related information pieces of past jobs executed in the past are associated with the control item values, the control item values ​​included in the job performance information pieces in which the control-related information pieces of past jobs executed in the past in a plurality of sheet processing systems each having the processing unit; a setting step of setting the control item value for the current job based on the control item value acquired in the control item value acquisition step; a job execution step of executing the current job using the control item values ​​of the current job that have been set; Including, Sheet processing methods.

[0185] [Aspect 31] and a registration step of associating the control-related information acquired in the control-related information acquisition step with the control item values ​​for the current job set in the setting step, and registering the information as current job performance information. A sheet processing method according to embodiment 30.

[0186] [Aspect 32] the predetermined storage unit is provided in a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network, In the control item value acquisition step, the control item value is acquired from a storage unit of a server via a network. 32. The sheet processing method according to embodiment 30 or 31.

[0187] [Aspect 33] a transmitting step of transmitting, when the current job has been executed, job performance information of the current job, in which the adhesiveness-related information of the current job is associated with the control item values, to a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network; 33. A sheet processing method according to any one of aspects 30 to 32.

[0188] [Aspect 34] the predetermined storage unit is provided in a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network, In the acquiring step, the control item value is acquired from the predetermined storage unit, In the setting step, the acquired control item values ​​are corrected with pre-stored correction values ​​to compensate for differences due to individual differences between systems, and the control item values ​​for the current job are set; a transmission step of, when a current job is executed, subtracting the correction value from the control item value in the current job to restore the control item value to the value before correction and transmitting the restored value to the server; 34. A sheet processing method according to any one of aspects 30 to 33.

[0189] [Aspect 35] the control-related information includes location information indicating the location of the sheet processing system that executed the job; A sheet processing method according to any one of aspects 30 to 34.

[0190] [Aspect 36] the control-related information includes a combination of a base color, which is the color of an area on a sheet on which the processing unit performs the predetermined process, and printing device information, which is information for identifying a printing device that printed the base color; A sheet processing method according to any one of aspects 30 to 35.

[0191] [Aspect 37] The processing unit is a sheet decoration system that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to the sheet while conveying the sheet, and irradiates the varnish on the applied sheet with ultraviolet light, the control-related information is adhesion-related information, which is information related to adhesion between the varnish on the sheet and a transfer material to be transferred to the varnish on the sheet; A sheet processing method according to any one of aspects 30 to 36.

[0192] [Aspect 38] A sheet processing program for operating a processor mounted on a control device that controls the sheet processing system so as to cause the sheet processing system to execute the sheet processing method described in any one of aspects 30 to 36.

[0193] [Aspect 39] An information processing apparatus having a server function, to which a plurality of sheet processing systems each having a processor and a processing section for performing predetermined processing on a sheet in accordance with a job are connected, and which is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from each of the sheet processing systems, a storage unit that collects and stores, from the plurality of sheet processing systems, job performance information in which control-related information that may affect control item values, which are values ​​of control items for controlling the processing units, and control item values ​​are associated with each other for past jobs previously executed by the sheet processing systems; receiving the control-related information from one of the sheet processing systems for a job to be executed by the sheet processing system; identifying job performance information corresponding to the received control-related information from among a plurality of pieces of job performance information stored in the storage unit, and transmitting the control item values ​​included in the job performance information to a sheet processing system that is a recipient; Information processing device.

[0194] [Aspect 40] receiving the control-related information and the control item values ​​for the job from a sheet processing system that has completed the job among the plurality of sheet processing systems, and storing the information in the storage unit as the job performance information; An information processing device according to embodiment 39.

[0195] [Aspect 41] The control item values ​​for the job are received from a sheet processing system that has completed the job among the plurality of sheet processing systems, and the control item values ​​are stored in the storage unit as the job performance information in association with the control-related information received immediately before from the sheet processing system that executed the job. An information processing device according to embodiment 39.

[0196] [Aspect 42] When the control item values ​​for a job are received from the sheet processing system that has completed the job, the position information of the sender generated by analyzing the received data is stored in the storage unit as part of the control-related information. 42. An information processing device according to embodiment 40 or 41. [Explanation of symbols]

[0197] 10 Sheet decoration system, 12 Feeding device, 14 Varnish application device, 16 Transfer device, 20 Control device, 52 Web, 46 Varnish application section, 48 Semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation section, 50 Final curing ultraviolet irradiation section, 66 Transfer ultraviolet irradiation section, 122 Acquisition section, 142, 146 Job performance information storage section, 200 Server.

Claims

1. A sheet processing system having a processing section that is executed according to a job and performs predetermined processing on a sheet, an acquisition unit that acquires control-related information that may affect a control item value, which is a value of a control item for controlling the processing unit, for a current job to be executed this time, and acquires the control item value included in the job performance information corresponding to the current job, from among a plurality of job performance information in which the control-related information and the control item value are associated with each other and which are stored in a predetermined storage unit and which have been executed in the past; a setting unit that sets the control item value for the current job based on the control item value acquired by the acquisition unit; a job execution unit that executes a current job using the control item values ​​for the current job set by the setting unit; a control device including: The plurality of pieces of job performance information are collected from a plurality of sheet processing systems having the processing unit. Sheet handling system.

2. the predetermined storage unit is provided in a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network, the acquiring unit acquires the control item value from the predetermined storage unit via a network. The sheet processing system of claim 1 .

3. the control device includes a transmission unit that, when a current job is executed, transmits job performance information of the current job, in which adhesiveness-related information of the current job is associated with control item values, to a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network; The sheet processing system of claim 1 .

4. the predetermined storage unit is provided in a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network, the acquisition unit acquires the control item value from the predetermined storage unit; the setting unit corrects the acquired control item value with a correction value stored in advance to compensate for differences due to individual differences between systems, and sets the control item value for the current job; a transmission unit that, when a current job is executed, subtracts the correction value from the control item value in the current job, restores the control item value to the value before correction, and transmits the restored value to the server; The sheet processing system of claim 1 .

5. the predetermined storage unit is provided in the control device, and stores the job performance information of the plurality of sheet processing systems, which is previously acquired from a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network; the acquisition unit acquires the control item value from the storage unit. The sheet processing system of claim 1 .

6. the control-related information includes location information indicating a location of the sheet processing system that executed the job; The sheet processing system of claim 1 .

7. the location information is information indicating at least one of a country, a region, and a municipality where the sheet processing system is located; The sheet processing system of claim 6 .

8. the control-related information is information for identifying a printing device that previously printed on a sheet before the predetermined processing. The sheet processing system of claim 1 .

9. The control-related information includes at least one of information identifying the sheet to be processed, information identifying the type of finish of lamination previously applied to the sheet, or information identifying the laminate used. The sheet processing system of claim 1 .

10. The processing unit is a sheet decoration system that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to the sheet while conveying the sheet, and irradiates the varnish on the applied sheet with ultraviolet light, the control-related information is adhesion-related information, which is information related to adhesion between the varnish on the sheet and a transfer material to be transferred to the varnish on the sheet; The sheet processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. 1. A sheet processing method for a sheet processing system having a processing section, comprising: setting a control item value, which is a value of a control item for controlling the processing section, before execution of a job in which the processing section performs a predetermined process on a sheet, the method comprising: a control-related information acquisition step of acquiring control-related information that may affect the control item value for a current job to be executed; a control item value acquisition step of acquiring, from a storage unit that collects and stores a plurality of job performance information pieces in which the control-related information pieces of past jobs executed in the past are associated with the control item values, the control item values ​​included in the job performance information pieces in which the control-related information pieces of past jobs executed in the past in a plurality of sheet processing systems each having the processing unit; a setting step of setting the control item value for the current job based on the control item value acquired in the control item value acquisition step; a job execution step of executing the current job using the control item values ​​of the current job that have been set; Including, Sheet processing method.

12. and a registration step of associating the control-related information acquired in the control-related information acquisition step with the control item values ​​for the current job set in the setting step, and registering the information as current job performance information. The sheet processing method according to claim 11.

13. the predetermined storage unit is provided in a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network, In the control item value acquisition step, the control item value is acquired from the predetermined storage unit via a network. The sheet processing method according to claim 11.

14. a transmitting step of transmitting, when the current job has been executed, job performance information of the current job, in which the adhesiveness-related information of the current job is associated with the control item values, to a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network; The sheet processing method according to claim 11.

15. the predetermined storage unit is provided in a server connected to the plurality of sheet processing systems via a network, In the acquiring step, the control item value is acquired from the predetermined storage unit, In the setting step, the acquired control item values ​​are corrected with pre-stored correction values ​​to compensate for differences due to individual differences between systems, and the control item values ​​for the current job are set; a transmission step of, when a current job is executed, subtracting the correction value from the control item value in the current job to restore the control item value to the value before correction and transmitting the restored value to the server; The sheet processing method according to claim 11.

16. the control-related information includes location information indicating a location of the sheet processing system that executed the job; The sheet processing method according to claim 11.

17. the control-related information includes a combination of a base color, which is the color of an area on a sheet on which the processing unit performs the predetermined process, and printing device information, which is information for identifying a printing device that printed the base color; The sheet processing method according to claim 11.

18. The processing unit is a sheet decoration system that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to the sheet while conveying the sheet, and irradiates the varnish on the applied sheet with ultraviolet light, the control-related information is adhesion-related information, which is information related to adhesion between the varnish on the sheet and a transfer material to be transferred to the varnish on the sheet; 18. The sheet processing method according to claim 11.

19. 18. A sheet processing program for operating a processor mounted in a control device that controls the sheet processing system so as to cause the sheet processing system to execute the sheet processing method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

20. An information processing apparatus having a server function, to which a plurality of sheet processing systems each having a processor and a processing section for performing predetermined processing on a sheet in accordance with a job are connected, and which is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from each of the sheet processing systems, a storage unit that collects and stores, from the plurality of sheet processing systems, job performance information in which control-related information that may affect control item values, which are values ​​of control items for controlling the processing units, and control item values ​​are associated with each other for past jobs previously executed by the sheet processing systems; receiving the control-related information from one of the plurality of sheet processing systems for a job to be executed by the sheet processing system; identifying job performance information corresponding to the received control-related information from among a plurality of pieces of job performance information stored in the storage unit, and transmitting the control item values ​​included in the job performance information to a sheet processing system that is a recipient; Information processing device.

21. receiving the control-related information and the control item values ​​for the job from a sheet processing system that has completed the job among the plurality of sheet processing systems, and storing the information in the storage unit as the job performance information; The information processing device according to claim 20.

22. The control item values ​​for the job are received from a sheet processing system that has completed the job among the plurality of sheet processing systems, and the control item values ​​are stored in the storage unit as the job performance information in association with the control-related information received immediately before from the sheet processing system that executed the job. The information processing device according to claim 20.

23. When the control item values ​​for a job are received from the sheet processing system that has completed the job, the position information of the sender generated by analyzing the received data is stored in the storage unit as part of the control-related information.

23. The information processing device according to claim 21 or 22.

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